Sorry!!! Everyone, I am cordially sorry for a number of things. First of all, the asking for reviews. MY MISTAKE!!! I'm a newbie (I'm new) at writing fan-fiction, and now that I see it, It was arrogant, annoying, and selfish of me. I would defend myself, saying that I only asked for two (I had 98, and wanted to reach 100, it is and ideal number of sorts) but I see now that it was unfair of me. Wraith said don't worry about Hayley saying asking for reviews was wrong, and that my story isn't that good. My story is only as good as people say it is. Hayley was right. It was selfish and inconsiderate of me. I apologize to everyone, and I promise it won't happen again. I hope that those of you who have returned to continue reading can forgive me, and I wish you all enjoy this chapter
I am sorry about the delay, but I have a question. What are you supposed to do when Optimum Online goes down? It just disconnects sometimes, and it pisses me off. I would have updated 3 days ago. The chapter was done. Well, it's here now, so have a ball.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Don't worry 'bout it. As long as it ain't gunna become a habit." Harry put his cloak in the closet at the back of the shop. Afterwards, he strolled into the bathroom, and completed his mask. He wasn't tired at all, and silently thanked Hermione for knocking him into his dreamless snooze. It was the longest period of time he had slept in weeks.
Immediately, Harry dove into his work. He was very efficient at stocking shelves now, and could achieve thousands of books a day. His intense work ethics guaranteed that the time was used well, and passed quickly. A large percentage of the books he had initially bought were returned for a refund, but he kept a few for more in depth reading. His profits over the summer were stunning. In only the first month he calculated that he earned over two thousand seven hundred pounds, after exchanging it for a steady four percent.
The late afternoon sun cast a bright glow all around Diagon Alley, and Harry sighed as he unloaded the last book of the day. It was five-o-eight, yet he felt as if it was lunchtime. His day went by quickly, and effortlessly, as usual, with no interruptions, minus laughingly reprimanding a young boy for attempting to climb the bookshelves. The incident brought a smile to his face. He wished he could remember being that carefree, that innocent…that happy.
"Spencer, I'm off! Got some things to do before I get home" Harry yelled blindly into the large and still unbelievable unorganized office.
"C'mon, git yer pay!"
"Nah, I'll get it from you tomorrow. See you then!"
"Alrighty den, see yeh tomorrow." Harry tossed the pinch of Floo Powder into the roaring fire, and with a 'pop' he disappeared.
/\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/
She sat staring blankly into the fireplace. It troubled her that Harry hadn't popped out yet. He had promised to finish the conversation with her at six o'clock. It was now nearing eight, and she was getting worried. A thump stole her attention. She bolted upright and turned quickly to see Crookshanks hiss at the scratching tower she had knocked over. She sighed for the countless time that evening. She had tried to floo over to the Dursleys' to check on him, but it wouldn't let her through. She knew that there had to be a way for her to get there. She could attempt to apperate, as long as she had a full grown wizard with her. McGonagall secretly gave Hermione an apperating permit prior to her departure from Hogwarts. This way, Hermione would be advanced as always in her studies. The lack of a wizard and the logic that there must be anti-apperation wards around Harry's house discouraged her.
A sudden thought struck her. What about apperating through the floo? She vaguely remembered reading in a book of little-known facts of the wizarding world that people had apperated into and out of the floo network at need, so why couldn't she apperate by the barrier. She felt she was doing very well with the apparition training. Her inexperience scared her, but her resolve was strong. She couldn't just sit and do nothing while, in her opinion, Harry eroded away.
She took out her wand and fingered it for a few seconds. The thought entered that maybe Harry never planned to arrive at all, maybe he stood her up on purpose? Maybe he was going to separate himself from her. It angered her, not as a girl in love, but as a longtime friend who cared. It was unlike him to do such things. As a matter of fact, it was unlike him to do many of the things he was doing. It had to be stopped. Her courage growing, she threw a pinch of floo powder into the fire, and stepped in it. She hesitated. What if she couldn't apperate in? What if she go stuck, did something wrong? Too bad. She had to do this.
"The Dursleys'" she said, her voice wavering. She forced her eyes open, anticipating the Dursleys' fireplace. She saw it up ahead, flying towards her spinning form. Just before she would feel the sharp rejection, she flicked her wand and screamed "Transportus" while envisioning herself on the other side of the invisible barrier. To her delight, it worked, and she soon fell out of the fireplace in the Dursley's house.
She stood and brushed herself off while glancing around. She heard a shrill and annoying voice coming from the kitchen.
"Is IT home yet?" the voice said with hate.
"I didn't see him. Just relax. You get too tense with the baby." A deep throaty voice responded.
"I heard him go into his room. I think he's upstairs" said a whiny voice. Even when he wasn't whining, Dudley sounded like he was. Hermione didn't listen to anymore. Her anger swelled. He was home, and safe, and he just didn't show up on the hopes that she wouldn't come and see him. He was being such a prat, if she didn't love him it would be unbearable. She didn't bother to watch the creaky stairs as she pounded up the flight and towards him room. She threw the door open and ran up to him as soon as her eyes registered him in the light of the single lamp. She stalked up to him and stopped, as a reaction his arms went up to protect his head. Another time she would have found it funny, but the raw fear and exhaustion his body expressed had her hesitate, and step backwards. She never knew him to be afraid of anyone, or anything, and here he was cringing at her, his best friend. She took another deliberate step back, and her eyes went wide with horror. Harry was shirtless, wearing a bag of ice on his right shoulder and a bandage hanging from his half bandaged left wrist. His right leg was in a hastily tied splint, and on the desk to his left was an opened book on injuries and how to treat them. He looked up at her, fresh tears still lingering on his face. His eyes were dark and dull, and had large bags underneath. His hair was unruly, even more than usual, and singed near his left temple. He frowned. He had every reason to, so she wouldn't pester him.
"Sorry I didn't show…" he mumbled half heartedly. She didn't respond, her emotions battling fiercely inside. Her anger, pity, frustration and sadness all were driving hard to get out. He went back to his injuries, and she helped him bandage his arm. She worked silently, knowing any yelling she had to do could wait.
Ten minutes later, Emergency Medical Magic was closed and placed back on Harry's bookcase. He had repaired the broken bone in his leg, but it recommended keeping it splinted for twenty four hours or so, for extra support to prevent complications. All of his cuts and bruises were healed, but the deep aches refused to go away. His mouth clenched every time he moved. For the first time since he apologized, he spoke.
"Hermione, can you please pass me that quill?" She looked at him doubtfully, but gave it to him anyway. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a piece of parchment and an inkwell. He started scribbling slowly and messily, and his right arm was still in very much pain. He refused any painkilling charms, because it would only encourage him to hurt the muscle more. She curiously looked over his shoulder as he wrote. She nodded in approval as he signed his name.
Spencer,
I had a small accident with an unfriendly wizard and I hurt a lot. I ask for a few days off, probably two, to recover. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine as long as I take it easy and get some rest. You can send a reply with Hedwig here. No other owl can get through the wards, so otherwise it would be futile.
I'll be back soon enough. I promise.
Harry
He whistled softly, and Hedwig, seeing his pain landed on the desk instead. He tied it carefully to her leg and stoked her affectionately.
"Take this to Spencer. Give him a while to write a note back before you leave alright?" Hedwig hooted understandingly, before tapping his fingernail with her beak. "Yes, I know. I'll call him in a little while. Hedwig nodded, if it was possible, and flew out of the window, and into the fading night. Harry watched her go, and Hermione witnessed the sense of loss that radiated around Harry after the bird left. 'Of course, for the last few weeks Hedwig is all he had to talk to.' Harry turned back to her, but thought better of it and turned in the chair, away from her. He grabbed firmly onto the desk and helped himself to stand. He waddled around his motorcycle and to his bed, grunting every time his weight was on his right foot. She winced for him. Finally he reached his bed, and lay himself down carefully. She strode over and helped him pull the sheets up over his chest. It was making her feel uncomfortable.
"Before you ask, I was going to leave the training today, y'know, resign from muggle torture. Dumbledore said it would be easy, and they would let me go. Before now I never knew Dumbledore to be wrong. Lucius guessed I was spying, and didn't want me to leave. He cut off his floo, as a lockdown procedure, and tried to attack me. My disguise disappeared, and he looked like he was going to piss his pants. He called for reinforcements and we had a nice duel. I stole Draco's Nimbus 2001 and flew to London. Went to the Leaky Cauldron and flooed home. I got home about thirty minutes ago, and that is why I'm late. I'm sorry." He panted slightly, gradually loosing his breath during his dialogue. He pathetically attempted to smile, but his grimacing face failed, and she forced herself to remain calm.
"You tried to resign?"
"Yes." His voice was raspy, and relieved.
"For me?" She asked hopefully, before she could stop herself. He looked at her strangely and answered slowly, looking carefully at her face.
"No, this was planned last week, when I had gathered as much information as I could." Oh. She forced herself into impassiveness. 'Hogwarts was constructed with the use of seven hundred house-elves and fifteen goblins. The four founders were always present during construction, placing numerous classified charms on every brick and even the mortar. The foundation was laid…' she recited in her head. He sighed and closed his eyes, ready to fall into rest. "We're not done yet, punk. You still have a bit of talking to do."
"C'mon Hermione, not now, I'm injured, and tired."
"YOU said later today."
"That was before I felt the Cruciatus curse" he hissed with barely more than a whisper. It chilled her. She had never known him to be so cold. Lately everything about him scared her, and she was beginning to get desperate.
"I. Don't. Give. A. Flying. Fuck. You. Promised." Her hand slapped against her mouth. She had never sworn before, not in school, not at her friends, not at her parents, not even when screaming at Ron. Harry looked at her suspiciously, but settled his head back down. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine. I've heard a lot worse than that. Fine. You want it? Just remember you asked for it. Open my wardrobe." She hesitated in her shock, and didn't respond. "Go on." She meandered to the large wooded piece of furniture and opened the doors revealing over twenty simmering and boiling cauldrons. "I'm only saying this once, so pay attention. From left to right on the top shelf, Hemlock, the muggle poison. Effective on all humans and non-magical creatures. Smithston's Blood Breath. Pain induced poison, involves rapid deterioration of the esophagus. Optical Corrective Potion, with added Pixie toes, Billywig thorns, and seven spider eyes, three from Black Widow, four from Tarantula. When placed on eyes or glasses, provides perfectly corrected vision, and ability to see through clothes, walls, ect. The next three are a basic temporary power boost, with experimental ingredients to lower the boost, destroy the side effects, and extend the period of potency. Second shelf, left to right. First two are simmering Polyjuice potion. Next is Bi-Anilatius Potion. Allows animal transformations lasting thirty five minutes. Heckle's Bane, fatal draught minus blood of goblin, creates sleeping potion powerful enough to render a full-grown whale unconscious for two weeks. Right two are both attempts at Wolfs Bane Potion, so far unsuccessful. Third shelf. Veritaserum. Antimemorious Cocktail, stronger and more reliable than a memory charm, further increased potency by adding three drops dragon blood and Ganzywad film. Then is Tempius Minutus, slows time around you exponentially…"
"STOP! Fine, I get the point. Just stop……Why are you making all of these?"
"About half for personal use, the rest are sold in China, where the dark reign there has outlawed most of them, on the black market for a lot in money. One small cauldron of Polyjuice Potion goes for eighty galleons if you can smuggle it in. The protection put on Hedwig allows her to deliver flawlessly. Can I go to sleep now?" She was stunned.
"Eighty Galleons?"
"Yes"
"Do you have any idea how much muggle money that is?"
"With my normal four percent interest, and a forty six to one exchange rate, about three thousand five hundred pounds sterling. And you wonder why I brew potions. Very profitable. Which is why it's no wonder many Slytherins and Ravenclaws major in potions after Hogwarts. Can I go to sleep yet?" She ignored the question.
"Why don't more people do it?"
"Because they can't smuggle it in. Is that all?"
"No, is it illegal?"
"Not here it isn't."
"Merlin's Beard!"
"Quite right." She looked at him with wonder, and he shifted uneasily. He hated being looked up to, especially by his friends. She noticed this and looked away. "What about your problems?" He cracked a grin, and began to laugh, before clutching himself in pain and going back to being unmoved and calm.
"Which ones?"
"Are you still drinking?"
"Do you see any bottles?"
"No, but that doesn't mean anything." He paused.
"I've lessened, a little."
"Really?"
"I think so. I'm trying to go to sleep, and I haven't had any since you were here last night."
"And the drugs?"
"The same." She went into thought. "How did you get here anyway?" She went pink in the face and couldn't meet his gaze.
"I, um, took the floo."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You don't seem sure."
"Well, I am."
"No your not."
"Just drop it."
"Maybe I should tell your parents."
"You wouldn't!…have anything to tell."
"Illegally apperating, tsk, tsk.
"How did you know?"
"You're so predictable, now let me go to sleep or I'll hex you then tell the Ministry. They're always looking for a scandal."
"You're such a……prat."
"Thank you. The door's behind you."
"You can't make me go." His patience was running short.
"I told you what you wanted to know, now leave me alone." He said quietly, and sharply. She groaned and searched his room desperately for something, anything, that would constitute a reason to stay.
"Fine, I'll come back another time."
"Very well. Good night." She stood and frowned.
"Good night. Feel better." He nodded and she left. Shortly afterwards, quiet whimpering could be heard in his room.
/\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/
The next few days passed slowly for Hermione. She kept daily correspondence with Harry, who claimed to have finished his motorcycle, except for an addition of sorts that he had ordered from the United States. It was beyond her capacity to know why he needed this piece, something about a gas? Everything runs on gas, why did he need this? His letters were slightly longer, to her satisfaction. She saw her progress, though slow, was working. He occasionally sent bits of information he read, and discussed work. Ironically, though Harry enjoyed it, she thought working in a bookstore would be incredibly boring. Harry had sent a note around apologizing for the owl barrier that rejected his gifts, and told them to shrink them all into a box easy enough for just Hedwig to carry. He expressed to Hermione his joy of receiving his gifts.
He got an Emergency Portkey from Sirius, the words "Run For Your Life" activated it and sent him to Dumbledore's office. Harry smartly placed it in his pocket, and planned to remember the words by repetition. The only problem was that the Portkey worked even when it wasn't held, so Harry appeared in Dumbledore's office, interrupting a rather large meeting. Dumbledore, as Harry wrote, excused himself to escort Harry to Hogsmeade where Harry could floo back. Supposedly, it was a meeting Dumbledore wanted to get out of. From then on Harry remembered the words without saying them.
The Weasleys sent Harry a magical hairbrush, that charmed hair to stay down. He laughed at it, but fell eerily silent when it worked, and he looked good, which he wasn't very subtle in telling Hermione. The Weasleys also sent countless candies, some of which he forwarded to Hermione, expecting that she'd miss them with dentists for parents. Hermione smiled at the thought, and laughed when Harry wrote that he got a box of mystery candies from Gred and Forge. He claimed to have hid them for "everyone's safety." She lost temporary hope in getting with Harry, so went conservative when she sent him a self made leather (hear that Freda?) wand holster, that was mounted on his wrist, and with a quick flick sent his wand into his hand. He was extremely sincere in his thank you note, exclaiming the thoughtfulness and creativity and personal time she had put into it. It almost brought her to tears. Hadgrid sent Harry rock cakes and a thick bearskin carpet. Harry suspected from the size (it was large enough to cover the entire floor of the Dursleys' living room) that it was given from the giants. Hopefully a potential ally. Harry mentioned that he also received a strange muggle-type box from the Weasleys. It appeared that Hermione must have let slip that Harry was having "alcohol problems" because the twins ingeniously sent Harry a muggle coffee maker, for any hangovers he might have.
Her being able to get through Dumbledore's barrier on Harry's floo scared her. If she could get through, so could anyone else. She force Harry to talk to Dumbledore about it. Allegedly, The fact she found is extremely little known. It was explained to her that no one ever does it, because if you can apperate, why does it matter in the floo? You don't need the floo after you can apperate, so no one learns of the flexibilities of combing floo and apperation. This calmed her fear, but she still wasn't sure. Even Dumbledore wasn't perfect
But her mind wasn't on that now. As she sat cross legged on her bed, she stared at the piece of parchment she received only hours before. There was something wrong with it. The wording was off, or something minute like that, but it was definitely his signature. Her parents reluctantly said it was fine, if she wanted to go, but she withheld her decision until she got a response from her headmaster. Out of boredom and confusion she read the letter again.
Dearest Hermione,
I know you said you could not spend the summer here in Bulgaria with me, but I feel now as if things have changed. I have recently been injured in an accidental broomstick collision and am forced to remain in bed for the next two weeks. I have only felt cold since I have left your presence, and I want you to come to see me. I miss you, Hermione. I would not ask you to visit out of pity ('isn't that exactly what you're doing?'), but I would love to see you, my Hermione. Mother wishes to meet you as well. She wants to show you her skill with cooking. My heart is chilled when you are not around. Please come.
Love,
Viktor
She sighed. Did she want to go? Yes. But the question popped into her head, Who needs me more? Harry or Viktor? His hypocrisy was tending to have her lean towards Harry. Krum didn't need her, he could have anyone else in the bloody world go and see him, and Harry needed her. Not so much needed her, she needed to help him. Harry could take care of himself, even if he was doing a piss poor job of it. But her thirst for travel was large. She wanted to see Bulgaria, and being alone in her home all day was beginning to get to her. She needed to find a open place, a new place. She desperately wanted to go. And her parents even agreed. However, she knew better than to go traipsing off without a word, without even checking if it was safe. That was why she owled her headmaster. If it was one hundred percent safe, she would go, and have the guilt mount on herself for leaving Harry alone, but she would go anyway. If the answer came back said anything like "there is no strong evidence of danger, but be cautious anyway…" or worse, than she would drop it all and stay with Harry. She loved him, but really needed to space herself. Either farther away or closer. Her isolated position was killing her, and time went on while she blindly mopped.
The distinct tapping of a owl on her window woke her up. 'The moment of truth.' She thought she was excited to get a response from Professor Dumbledore, it was nothing compared to the happiness she felt when Hedwig entered, carrying a small slip of paper. She supposed Harry ran out of parchment. She greedily opened the letter, anything to occupy a few minutes of her time.
Hermione,
I'm glad you were able to read Hogwarts: A History in only three days, a drastic improvement. I'm going crazy trying to get this Wolfsbane Potion to work. I almost had it last time, but this time it's even worse. No wonder Snape hate making it. I'm very concerned about your boredom. Spencer sent me a note saying that he took a trip to Madagascar to look into opening a branch there. Hence, Flourish and Blotts is closed for a week. I'll be home the entire time. If you want to feel welcome to drop in. It would be simply splendid to see you. I'm not getting much sleep at all, and not being able to talk to someone is driving me insane. Dumbledore is good and all, but he is usually strictly business. He's too busy to talk about personal or light matters. Don't bother responding to this. Just show up if you desire, or don't if you don't. I hope to see you.
With Love,
Harry
Her heart was screaming with happiness. She was wanted. Her heart was telling her Harry, but her mind forced her to think of Viktor so she would stay neutral. Again she anticipated Dumbledore's letter. Hedwig began to leave, but Hermione called her back.
"You don't mind waiting a little, do you? I'm expecting a letter, and I may need to write a letter to Harry." The bird landed on Hermione's bed and puffed out her feathers. Hermione giggled and rubbed her affectionately. The owl's green eyes forced her to reminisce of Harry's, and in no time the was in a stupor, with goofy smile along with misty eyes gracing her face.
She didn't notice the second owl come in until it bit her ear. Perhaps harder than was necessary, but Hermione jolted awake and snatched the parchment from the owl's talon before it could be given to her.
Dear Ms. Granger,
Judging from your cryptic letter, I believe you are asking me whether it is safe for you to visit an injured Mr. Krum. Unfortunately, there are no perfectly safe places in the world any longer, and we all must be cautious and vigilant. However, if you desire to go, I can provide you with what I should hope is sufficient protection in case of an attack. In the unlikely event that there is an attack, I will have reinforcements prepared to join the mêlée. You need not worry yourself too much, yet worry is in order.
I have faith in your decision,
Albus Dumbledore
She sighed as she remembered a quote she once read in a muggle novel "The Lord of the Rings" (Tolkien, What a great guy). It went "Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no." Dumbledore was definitely playing the part of an elf well. She found it amusing that he would call her short and direct letter cryptic, when his wasn't anything but. Her decision was made. Viktor would just have to have someone else whimper over him. She was going to visit Harry. She quickly scrawled a note to Viktor, saying she couldn't go, and tossed it to the Hogwarts owl, not even bothering to tie it on.
"Thanks for waiting Hedwig…" she ruffled the owl's feathers "you can go back to Harry if you like. I have nothing to send to him, but hugs and kisses." The owl obvious understood, and started to sputter uncontrollably, before keeling over and playing dead. After a few seconds it got up, hooted happily, and flew out of the window, with a disgruntled tawny owl following after it. Hermione had to prepared herself to see Harry. She had to look pretty, but not look like she tried to look pretty. After a brief shower, and putting on a red sundress that accented her increased cleavage and cut just above the knee, she applied a small touch of makeup, brushed her hair so it was neat, even if it was bushy, and skipped down to the foreign artifacts room. She threw a pinch of the granular white powder into the fire and stepped in. She screamed "The Dursleys'" and was whisked away. She timed the upcoming jump point, and apperated by it with no trouble, before tumbling out of the fireplace at number four Privet Drive.
/\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/ /\/
Harry was reading the newspaper. It wasn't like he had anything better to do. His motorcycle was done; he was only waiting for the tank to arrive. Because of the hazard warning, the special shipping was taking weeks. Vernon's car was doing exceptional too. It looked brand new, inside and out. The engine was rebuilt, as well as the transmission. One of the gears was shot, so he had to actually create a new one. That took a while. He let his Uncle turn on the engine the day before. His uncle smiled at him, with a real genuine smile. Harry felt as though he should fell awkward or scared, but he felt good, like he had accomplished something. The only problem was the brakes. After he could rebuild each set, he would be able to take care of the finishing touches, and bequeath it to Vernon. Story continue on C3. He kept on reading, trying to see any sign of Death-Eater activity. From what Ron told him, Rita Skeeter was creating a raucous with her stories, which both had pictures, and other evidence. Pressure on the ministry was high, and rumors of kicking Fudge out were becoming bolder. It's not that Harry wanted to ruin the poor guy's life, but he really felt that it was for the best. It still depressed him. Everything depressed him; his pregnant aunt, Dudley, his finished yet unfinished motorcycle, crime in London, Ron liking Hermione, Lucius using the Cruciatus Curse, it was all a mosaic of sadness. He couldn't let it show, because emotions were a weakness. He always knew that, and The Auror's Handbook confirmed it. He just had to be indifferent, not let anything show, he had to be unflappable.
"Vernon!!!" His aunt screamed from her sitting position, across the small kitchen table from Harry. He winced at her shrill voice. "Get down here this instant and open these pickles!" She had about three months left and was told to basically make everyone do everything for you. Harry was pleased to realize she was too afraid of him to make him do anything. The loud thumping on the stairs announced the arrival of Uncle Vernon, as he waddled into the kitchen. He picked up the jar and squeezed, slowly trying to turn the car off. After two minutes, huffing and puffing, he put the jar back down.
"I – Can't – Do it." He gasped. "Harry – You try."
"Sure." Harry said, and put down his paper. He was tempted to whip out his wand and do it, but shocking Petunia now would be bad. He lifted the jar, squeezed, and turned. With a small pop, the pressure on the cap was released, and it opened very easily. He put the pickles down and returned to his paper. When Petunia said nothing, and went back to making herself a sandwich, Vernon became uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Harry."
"Your welcome." Harry remained expressionless and kept reading. Uncle Vernon left the kitchen and went back upstairs. Harry sipped his after-lunch tea, and continued to read some of the more interesting stories. Someone had stolen over four hundred cookies from a bakery in southern Wales, evidently, a bad case of the munchies as the perpetrators were found and arrested after being discovers with a significant amount of marijuana. Amateurs. There was a faint pop followed by the floor shaking a little. Harry recognized the sound and went into the living room to see who it was.
"Harry!" She yelled, and ran and threw her arms around him. He smiled at her, and rubbed her back a little, the broke the embrace, both a little awkward, yet none of it showing.
"So, you decided to come. I can think of a bunch of things we can do, now that I can use magic."
"BOY! Who are you talking to?" Came the same shrill voice from the kitchen.
"A friend of my Godfather's." He called back. He was satisfied by her reaction, and turned back to Hermione. He took notice of her dress. She looked radiant in it, and he couldn't hold back the smile. She was his anchor, and she was one of the few people, the few things that made him happy. "C'mon, lets get up to my room before she asks questions." He led her quickly up the stairs and into his room. In the four days since she had been there, many of the loose pieces of his motorcycle were gone, and placed on the motorcycle, giving some extra space desperately needed in the small room. As soon as the door closed, the room expanded in size until it was twice as long. Hermione gasped.
"Yeah, I, umm, needed some space so I learned to enlarge my room." She had grown accustomed to it being small, but now it was much more organized, and she supported his efforts.
"It IS better. Your going to do exceptionally on the O.W.L.'s if you keep this up." She praised, and her praise was rare, he couldn't help but smile. "So, what can we do?"
"We can snog our brains out…or you can help me with the Invisibility Charm." He smirked.
"I'll choose the former." She raised her arms and walked towards him, as if she was going to pull him into a kiss, he froze, unable to move, his happiness was hidden under his bewilderment. Just as her hands were to pass his head, she dodged around him, walked to Hedwig's cage, picked up Hedwig, and gave Hedwig a kiss on the beak. The owl hooted, and stared at Harry with utter confusion. Harry could only do the same back. He had to break the tension, and started laughing.
"That was good, ever thought of acting?" Hermione put on her best insulted look.
"I was not acting! I was perfectly honest. Hedwig and I are overdue for a long make-out session." She winked at him, as Hedwig squirmed free, and escaped through the open window.
"You must have really been bored to come here and kiss my bird."
"Who else would I kiss? You?"
"You're right, you did that already" He was amused by her blush, clearly someone enjoyed it. He kept himself from laughing at her. She was unstable at the time, and was embarrassed by it. On further thought he came to the conclusion that his comment was made in poor taste. He should have known better. "Well then, can we take a look at the invisibility charm, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.."
"Here, let me see the book…" They spent the greater part of that afternoon together, trying to make Harry invisible. At one point his face disappeared, and she made a comment about it being an improvement, and they laughed. At around six Harry looked up from the book he was writing in, and watched her a long time, until she caught his gaze. He knew if he looked away, he would look guilty so he met her look with a smile.
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Whatever your Aunt makes is fine, if they'll let me eat here."
"No, I make dinner for them, then come back up here and cook for myself, and, in this case, you. So what do you want?"
"What exactly can you cook?" She asked skeptically.
"Almost any common dishes. What do you want?"
"What do you have to work with?"
"Everything. What do you want?"
"How about Penne Vodka, with a nice red wine." This startled him, but he accepted it.
"Sure, anything for you." He upped and left, leaving her to her thoughts. Anything for you. Anything for you. The words went through her mind, scalding her with pleasure. The word were so sincere, so real, so beautiful. He was everything to her, and more. Curiosity got the best of her, and she was wondering what he was writing in the huge book he had. It was took large to be a journal or diary. She opened to the page marked with a feather. And she read;
You are walking along a busy street and a man grabs a woman's purse. The man is stopped by other pedestrians and the bag is returned to the woman. The other pedestrians are furious at the man, and begin to physically harass him. What would you do?
There were twenty six possible answers, so she only looked at the one circled.
(J) You would attempt to stop the beating of the man, and make sure he is safe. You would then give him some available money, and try to help him economically, so he would not need to take those measures again.
She looked at the title page of the book. Animagi: The Art of Animalization. She couldn't reason why such questions would be asked in this book, but her reasoning was cut short by Harry's entry into the room. She glance up at his body, and took note of his lean muscles on his arms.
"So…"
"Time to start dinner. Our dinner."
Thank you, every single one of you, and some of you more than once. Review if you like. It's your input that decides the fate of my fic. Some people don't like Harry on drugs and alcohol, and he'll ease off of it for a while. We will learn a little bit about how it affects him though. Alcohol will affect wizards different than muggles. (Remember way back? When Harry sees Voldie kill the kids? Voldie had 2 bottles vodka straight, and wasn't drunk. May become important, wink, wink) What I found fascinating as well, is the response to Hermione's reaction to Harry sinking. Some say poor Hermione, good for her, others that it isn't her business. We will see a bit to please both sides of this spectrum in the future.
Next chapter may take a while, I am lost on where to go from here. Harry and Hermione won't get together yet, so don't get your hopes up. But the next chapter is causing me migraines. Where the fuck is the Excedrin. Tell me what you think, what you want, and you may just be lucky enough to get it.
On a final note, Thank You EVERYONE, And SORRY as well.
