Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter or its surrounding
properties; they belong to the wonderful JK Rowling. I own my computer and
my brain.
Next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 7 The Pains of Love
When we got into Florean's Ron gave me one look before asking us what kind of ice cream we wanted. Hermione looked puzzled at the look between us and told Ron that she wanted Double Mint Chip. I said that I'd have Chocolate Almond Surprise and he was off to the counter. I got the feeling that he wanted to give me time with Hermione to tell her what was needed. After Ron had left Hermione turned to me.
"I can tell that there's something that you want to tell me. You know that you don't have to worry about telling me about anything. I know Ron knows and I'm a little worried that you felt like you could tell him and can't tell me." Hermione said in a calming voice that comforted me and scared me at the same time. How could I be falling for my best friend?
"You're right Hermione, there is something that I want to tell you. What your wrong about is that it was just as hard, if not harder, to tell Ron as it is to tell you. I just felt like telling you both at the same time would be impossible, so I tried to break up the burden- lighten the load so to speak." I said, trying to hold back my emotions.
"Harry, maybe we should ditch the ice cream and have this conversation in a more private area" Hermione said with compassion evident in her voice. As much as I wanted to say that we could stay here, that I could guarantee I could keep my composure, I knew that would be a lie.
"Okay, let's get Ron and go." I said. Hermione walked over and caught Ron before he ordered. She whispered something to him and they both walked over to me.
"Yo, Harry mate can I talk to you a moment alone? Hermione, why don't you go ahead and ask Tom if we can borrow a room for a couple hours. Have him send up some tea." Ron said. Hermione walked off towards the Leaky Cauldron and Ron put his arm around my shoulder and kind of guided me away into a corner for a second.
"Are you holding out okay?" Ron asked.
"No, I'm such an idiot. I couldn't even get out one word until she could tell there was something I was hiding. She told me she was hurt that I had told you first, that I felt as though I couldn't trust her. I managed to explain myself before she suggested we go somewhere more private." I said.
"Don't worry about the hurt thing, as soon as she hears what you have to say she won't be mad at all- if she even was in the first place. Secondly, I think I know why this whole thing might be upsetting you so much, do you fancy Hermione?" Ron asked. I looked at the expression on his face and it portrayed the message of trust. I felt like there was nothing that I couldn't have told Ron Weasley at that moment.
"It's just all so confusing.I know I like her but it's almost as if I wish I didn't. I don't know, I've never had strong feelings for a girl before. I mean, I liked Cho, but she was a crush. Hermione's different- there is no doubt in my mind that I love her. I want to scoop her up and put her somewhere safe where nobody and nothing can ever hurt her. Ron, I'm in love and that confuses me and, as silly as this sounds, scares me!" I said in a very distressed voice.
"Harry, you're in love. I know that that may be scary at times, but come on, this is Hermione we're talking about just because your relationship with change doesn't change the fact that she is Hermione. Hermione- our best friend for the past 5 years, Hermione- the bookworm, Hermione- head of her class- Hermione. The strong feelings might be confusing at first but soon they'll go from confusing to familiar and strong to wonderful. I'm not saying that you'll ever completely understand her, or that you'll be able to protect her from all wrong doers but in the process of trying you'll create something truly beautiful. I wouldn't drop any bombshells on her yet, because I think there's a right time for everything and this isn't it but I would tell her about the prophesy. You can't lose your friendship with her, whatever your other feelings might be. Just take a few deep breaths and go in there and tell your FRIEND Hermione what she needs to know. As long as you're talking to the right person they'll be no reason to be nervous or uneasy or any other feelings that you'd get when talking to the object of your affection" Ron said. I looked at him.
"Thanks, I really needed to hear that." I said. "Second time in a week, you're really good at this whole 'best mate' thing". "Thanks, I try" Ron said jokingly, trying to lighten the moment. I got all serious again. "Well, you do a good job" I repeated.
"Anytime, anywhere mate." Ron said. I grabbed his hand and smashed into his chest in a sort of half hug and muttered back 'anytime, anywhere'.
"Now, don't keep her waiting. Go tell your friend about the prophesy." Ron said. I gave him one last smile and headed up the road to the Leaky Cauldron. When I got to the door I opened it cautiously and stepped inside. Tom, the innkeeper, was beckoning me over and so I walked over to the bar counter where he was serving out some drinks.
"You're friend Hermione's up in room 213 waiting for you. I sent up some tea and biscuits but if there's anything else you too need just let me know and I'll send a house elf up." Tom said. I nodded in understanding and started climbing up the stairs to the second level. When I got to room 213 I paused for a moment with my door on the handle, taking in a few deep breaths and remembering Ron's words. I than turned the handle and the door swung open, revealing Hermione, sitting in a chair by the desk, which contained a tea tray.
"Oh Harry, I see you found your way up well enough." Hermione said in a very plain way that was very unlike her.
"I'm sorry Hermione about what an arse I've been about this whole thing. I'm ready to tell you what I should have told you back in the ice cream parlor a half hour ago. I'm sorry I kept you waiting, but you must understand that this is not easy. I also need to know that if I reveal this information to you that there are only 3 other people who know it and so you must not tell anybody else." I said.
"That's okay Harry, please know that I'm not angry with you. I just see you with Ron and I feel a little bit like a third wheel, like I'm not to be trusted with the stuff you two talk about. I know that we're getting older and you need your male friends in the same way that I need my female ones but I just hope you know that when it comes down to what matters I can be trusted and I am here for you." Hermione said. I nodded, and said.
"So, no telling anybody else, right? Ron, Dumbledore and Remus know, but nobody else okay?" I confirmed.
"Of course Harry, the secret will go with me to my grave if needed." Hermione said, and looking at my close friend of 5 years I knew that she was telling the truth. I just hoped that she would never need to go to the grave because of me.
"Well, you see it goes like this. You know the prophesy at the end of last year, the one that we all thought nobody had heard, that's not true. Two people have heard that prophesy. Dumbledore heard it many years ago and at the end of last year, he revealed the contents of it to me. Essentially it says that either I have to kill Voldemort or nobody can. I'm the only one who can kill him- others can weaken him but nobody else can kill him." I said, looking at her apprehensively for her reaction. She came over to me and gave me a big hug.
"Harry, I am your friend and nothing can ever change that. I know that we all have some rough years ahead of us and that we're going to need as many friends as we can get. Well, all I can say is that I'm here for you and when you're faced with all the tough decisions in your future that I know you'll be faced with I hope that you'll let me help you carry those loads." Hermione said. "When you're counting the people you can trust, count me in because however big or small the problem is, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere soon." I gave her a huge smile and we hugged again.
"Thanks Hermione, it means a lot to me. Same thing goes for you, you can count on me to you know. I know that hanging out with two guys can be tough for a 16 year old girl, and I'm not going to pretend that I'm your girlfriend, because in all honesty I don't want to stay up at night painting your nails but know that even if you think the problem exceeds my manly knowledge, I can still listen. No matter what the problem is, I can still listen and I can still provide comfort and advice. So, while I'll leave the nail painting to Ginny I'm here for you 'mione." I said. Hermione smiled at me.
"While, I guess we should go find Ron, he's wandering around in the lobby. Tell him to come up and have some tea and biscuits." Hermione said. I went downstairs to find my best friend. After Ron came up we kept things light while we sipped tea and laughed about the memories we had. My account on Ron's reaction to meeting Aragog was bloody brilliant.
Time seemed to fly by because before I knew it there was a bang on our door. Remus came in and turned to me.
"I don't mean to disturb you but Harry and I need to go home now." Remus said.
"Okay Remus," I said. I turned to my friends: "I'll see you guys the day after tomorrow on the Hogwarts Express."
"Sure thing." Ron said, and Hermione nodded smiling. I looked at them both and gave them each a quick hug before I left. Remus smiled at me as we left the room.
"So, I take it you told Hermione and things went well?" Remus asked once we had arrived back at our cottage.
"Yeah." I said smiling like an idiot. "I had a little trouble getting it out at first, but Ron talked to me and managed to get me to calm down," I added. "I feel so privileged to have such great friends."
"Ron and Hermione are great. Does Ron know about your feelings for Herimone?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, we've both agreed that it's best to be completely honest with eachother. He kind of confronted me about it." I said. Remus smiled at me.
"Ron's a great guy, you're lucky to have him as a best mate. I have a feeling that with his support you and Hermione will be together in no time."
"Yeah, hopefully. It's getting harder and harder not to be obvious about my feelings for her. I just love her so much." I said, as a single tear rolled down my cheek. Remus walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Are you crying?" Remus asked. I stayed silent. "You must really love her, I didn't know that what you felt for her was this strong."
"It's really strong, and it's really real, and it's really scary." I said.
"What are you scared of Harry?" Remus asked. We walked over into the lounge and I sat down in an arm chair, while he sat down across from me.
"I guess it's the power of the emotion. I love my friends and I love you but the love I feel for say Ron and you is like family. The love I feel for Hermione is different. It's like I would do anything for her. I would die for anyone I loved but for Hermione, I'd do flips and jump through hoops just to please her." I said, feeling increasingly stupider every minute. Remus smiled at him.
"You really have it bad. It took James about a week after he discovered his love for Lily to use the hoop and circus metaphor." Remus said. I smiled at him. "Harry, you're in love and that's beautiful. Just remember that sometimes our emotions get the better of us and we resign to them physically without thinking about the consequences. I want you to promise that if you and a girl your dating ever decide to have sex, that you'll consult me first. There are sure fire ways to prevent the spread of diseases and pregnancy and I want to discuss them with you before you have sex, okay?" Remus asked.
"Okay, I promise." I said, my face turning a little bit red. Remus stood up.
"Okay than, why don't you head up to bed? Tomorrow we have to pack and prepare for your journey to Hogwarts!" Remus said.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was the morning of my departure to Hogwarts. Truth be told I was a little bit sad to be leaving Remus- we had grown close over the summer and I was coming to regard him as my father. It was very emotional as I said my goodbyes. Remus had gotten a new owl named 'Pippy', so that he could correspond with me while I was at school.
"I'm really going to miss you Remus. I have come to think of you as the father I never had and I really appreciate what you've done for me. I know that sometimes it's not easy being close to me but you've taken on the job and now I love you, so no running away!" I said. Remus smiled at me.
"I'm going to miss you too Harry. I talked to Dumbledore and he said that due to our special circumstances I could take you out to dinner at the leaky cauldron once a month. Other than that, owl me frequently and never hesitate to tell me anything. I know you have some good friends and that they'll take care of you, but I'm only an owl away. If you ever need to reach me by fire because of an emergency I believe that you have been granted permission to use Minerva's fireplace as long as it doesn't become a frequency" Remus said. "I love you too kiddo, you're my son, and I'm not going anywhere. We're family now and family is ALWAYS there. Have fun at school and let me know how it goes with Hermione, remember the promise you made to me." Remus said. I smiled at him and gave him a huge hug before sauntering off with my trunk towards the Hogwarts Express.
Upon entering the train, I headed down the corridor looking for Ron and Hermione.
"Harry!" I heard someone scream from behind me. I turned around and standing there was Neville Longbottom.
"Hey Neville, how was your summer?" I asked.
"Good, I'll tell you more about it when we've found a compartment" he said smiling. I followed him into an empty compartment. I figured that Ron and Hermione must not be on the train yet.
"I heard from Ron that you got to stay with Professor Lupin over the summer. He was a friend of your parent's, wasn't he?" Neville asked.
"Yes, he was one of my father's best friends. He was a good professor and all but take it from me, he's even cooler as a friend." I said. He smiled at me. "So, tell me more about your summer".
"Well it wasn't very exciting really. I stayed with Gran, like usual. We took a vacation to Rome for a couple of weeks and that was neat. Gran was real proud of me for how I acted back in the Department of Mysteries in June." Neville said.
"I never got a chance to thank you for all that you did for me Neville. It was really incredible how you stood your ground, you were a true friend to me and I'll never forget that." I told him.
"Aww Harry, please. I only did what any good friend would do, if I was in your place, you'd do the same" Neville said. "After all the kindness you've shown me over the years, I was really only doing the same for you." I smiled at him, as Ron, Ginny and Hermione entered our compartment.
"Hello Harry, Neville" Hermione said, nodding at each respectively as they entered the compartment. Ron walked over and sat next to Neville, who was sitting opposite me. That left Hermione to come over to sit next to me, and Ginny next to Hermione. I felt delicious chills run up his spine as Hermione scotched closer to me to make room for Ginny on the other end. I knew Ron hadn't just sat next to Neville by accident and I was ready to murder and kiss my best friend all at the same time. Hermione flashed me a smile, before she started conversing with Ginny while I took up the topic of quidditch with Ron and Neville. All three of us were pretty sure that my life long ban to quidditch would be lifted. Before I knew it the train had come to a stop and we were looking up at the castle we called home. Except now I had a real home, not school, a real home and a real father and I felt that it was these things that couldn't be replaced.
"Come on Harry, let's go grab a carriage." Ron said. Hermione, Ron, Neville and I jumped into one carriage while Ginny joined Luna, Colin and another 5th year in a different one. Ron stared at the thestrals like they were a work of art. Hermione and Neville were looking too.
"You know." said Ron. "I don't think that seeing the thestrals is a treat at all, I think it really, really stinks."
"Amen to that." Hermione said. As the carriages zoomed up the mountainside to Hogwarts I couldn't help but think about what this year at Hogwarts would entail.
Okay- well that's it for chapter 7. I hope you enjoyed that, and as you can see the gang has finally reached Hogwarts. Next chapter you'll see the plot thicken a bit as tragedy strikes Ron (why was I not informed, hmm?- deal with it Kanga) and we'll have a bit of fun as well, with an announcement during the welcoming feast. I know the story plot wise hasn't gotten very far but I felt that it was really important to build character relationships that could last throughout the story. It's going to be a long one so I hope you're all in it for the long rode. Please REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!! I think I got 4 or 5 last chapter and although I'm grateful for each 1 (and 5 is the most I've ever gotten for a given chapter), it's so exciting to get reviews, and I wish I could have more. So basically REVIEW (beta notes, did you not hear me last chapter? She'll beat me!!! REVIEW, for the sake of poor battered body) and I'll see you back later for chapter 8.
Luv,
~Twigs~
P.S. The chapter 6 question has been asked and answered. No more answers to that question will be accepted. The answer was Uranus.hehe. The question for this chapter is:
What are the animagus forms of all four marauders and the nicknames that went along with them? (hint: it's kind of a trick question, one marauder wasn't an animagus)
To see how to enter your answer- see chapter 6!
Next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 7 The Pains of Love
When we got into Florean's Ron gave me one look before asking us what kind of ice cream we wanted. Hermione looked puzzled at the look between us and told Ron that she wanted Double Mint Chip. I said that I'd have Chocolate Almond Surprise and he was off to the counter. I got the feeling that he wanted to give me time with Hermione to tell her what was needed. After Ron had left Hermione turned to me.
"I can tell that there's something that you want to tell me. You know that you don't have to worry about telling me about anything. I know Ron knows and I'm a little worried that you felt like you could tell him and can't tell me." Hermione said in a calming voice that comforted me and scared me at the same time. How could I be falling for my best friend?
"You're right Hermione, there is something that I want to tell you. What your wrong about is that it was just as hard, if not harder, to tell Ron as it is to tell you. I just felt like telling you both at the same time would be impossible, so I tried to break up the burden- lighten the load so to speak." I said, trying to hold back my emotions.
"Harry, maybe we should ditch the ice cream and have this conversation in a more private area" Hermione said with compassion evident in her voice. As much as I wanted to say that we could stay here, that I could guarantee I could keep my composure, I knew that would be a lie.
"Okay, let's get Ron and go." I said. Hermione walked over and caught Ron before he ordered. She whispered something to him and they both walked over to me.
"Yo, Harry mate can I talk to you a moment alone? Hermione, why don't you go ahead and ask Tom if we can borrow a room for a couple hours. Have him send up some tea." Ron said. Hermione walked off towards the Leaky Cauldron and Ron put his arm around my shoulder and kind of guided me away into a corner for a second.
"Are you holding out okay?" Ron asked.
"No, I'm such an idiot. I couldn't even get out one word until she could tell there was something I was hiding. She told me she was hurt that I had told you first, that I felt as though I couldn't trust her. I managed to explain myself before she suggested we go somewhere more private." I said.
"Don't worry about the hurt thing, as soon as she hears what you have to say she won't be mad at all- if she even was in the first place. Secondly, I think I know why this whole thing might be upsetting you so much, do you fancy Hermione?" Ron asked. I looked at the expression on his face and it portrayed the message of trust. I felt like there was nothing that I couldn't have told Ron Weasley at that moment.
"It's just all so confusing.I know I like her but it's almost as if I wish I didn't. I don't know, I've never had strong feelings for a girl before. I mean, I liked Cho, but she was a crush. Hermione's different- there is no doubt in my mind that I love her. I want to scoop her up and put her somewhere safe where nobody and nothing can ever hurt her. Ron, I'm in love and that confuses me and, as silly as this sounds, scares me!" I said in a very distressed voice.
"Harry, you're in love. I know that that may be scary at times, but come on, this is Hermione we're talking about just because your relationship with change doesn't change the fact that she is Hermione. Hermione- our best friend for the past 5 years, Hermione- the bookworm, Hermione- head of her class- Hermione. The strong feelings might be confusing at first but soon they'll go from confusing to familiar and strong to wonderful. I'm not saying that you'll ever completely understand her, or that you'll be able to protect her from all wrong doers but in the process of trying you'll create something truly beautiful. I wouldn't drop any bombshells on her yet, because I think there's a right time for everything and this isn't it but I would tell her about the prophesy. You can't lose your friendship with her, whatever your other feelings might be. Just take a few deep breaths and go in there and tell your FRIEND Hermione what she needs to know. As long as you're talking to the right person they'll be no reason to be nervous or uneasy or any other feelings that you'd get when talking to the object of your affection" Ron said. I looked at him.
"Thanks, I really needed to hear that." I said. "Second time in a week, you're really good at this whole 'best mate' thing". "Thanks, I try" Ron said jokingly, trying to lighten the moment. I got all serious again. "Well, you do a good job" I repeated.
"Anytime, anywhere mate." Ron said. I grabbed his hand and smashed into his chest in a sort of half hug and muttered back 'anytime, anywhere'.
"Now, don't keep her waiting. Go tell your friend about the prophesy." Ron said. I gave him one last smile and headed up the road to the Leaky Cauldron. When I got to the door I opened it cautiously and stepped inside. Tom, the innkeeper, was beckoning me over and so I walked over to the bar counter where he was serving out some drinks.
"You're friend Hermione's up in room 213 waiting for you. I sent up some tea and biscuits but if there's anything else you too need just let me know and I'll send a house elf up." Tom said. I nodded in understanding and started climbing up the stairs to the second level. When I got to room 213 I paused for a moment with my door on the handle, taking in a few deep breaths and remembering Ron's words. I than turned the handle and the door swung open, revealing Hermione, sitting in a chair by the desk, which contained a tea tray.
"Oh Harry, I see you found your way up well enough." Hermione said in a very plain way that was very unlike her.
"I'm sorry Hermione about what an arse I've been about this whole thing. I'm ready to tell you what I should have told you back in the ice cream parlor a half hour ago. I'm sorry I kept you waiting, but you must understand that this is not easy. I also need to know that if I reveal this information to you that there are only 3 other people who know it and so you must not tell anybody else." I said.
"That's okay Harry, please know that I'm not angry with you. I just see you with Ron and I feel a little bit like a third wheel, like I'm not to be trusted with the stuff you two talk about. I know that we're getting older and you need your male friends in the same way that I need my female ones but I just hope you know that when it comes down to what matters I can be trusted and I am here for you." Hermione said. I nodded, and said.
"So, no telling anybody else, right? Ron, Dumbledore and Remus know, but nobody else okay?" I confirmed.
"Of course Harry, the secret will go with me to my grave if needed." Hermione said, and looking at my close friend of 5 years I knew that she was telling the truth. I just hoped that she would never need to go to the grave because of me.
"Well, you see it goes like this. You know the prophesy at the end of last year, the one that we all thought nobody had heard, that's not true. Two people have heard that prophesy. Dumbledore heard it many years ago and at the end of last year, he revealed the contents of it to me. Essentially it says that either I have to kill Voldemort or nobody can. I'm the only one who can kill him- others can weaken him but nobody else can kill him." I said, looking at her apprehensively for her reaction. She came over to me and gave me a big hug.
"Harry, I am your friend and nothing can ever change that. I know that we all have some rough years ahead of us and that we're going to need as many friends as we can get. Well, all I can say is that I'm here for you and when you're faced with all the tough decisions in your future that I know you'll be faced with I hope that you'll let me help you carry those loads." Hermione said. "When you're counting the people you can trust, count me in because however big or small the problem is, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere soon." I gave her a huge smile and we hugged again.
"Thanks Hermione, it means a lot to me. Same thing goes for you, you can count on me to you know. I know that hanging out with two guys can be tough for a 16 year old girl, and I'm not going to pretend that I'm your girlfriend, because in all honesty I don't want to stay up at night painting your nails but know that even if you think the problem exceeds my manly knowledge, I can still listen. No matter what the problem is, I can still listen and I can still provide comfort and advice. So, while I'll leave the nail painting to Ginny I'm here for you 'mione." I said. Hermione smiled at me.
"While, I guess we should go find Ron, he's wandering around in the lobby. Tell him to come up and have some tea and biscuits." Hermione said. I went downstairs to find my best friend. After Ron came up we kept things light while we sipped tea and laughed about the memories we had. My account on Ron's reaction to meeting Aragog was bloody brilliant.
Time seemed to fly by because before I knew it there was a bang on our door. Remus came in and turned to me.
"I don't mean to disturb you but Harry and I need to go home now." Remus said.
"Okay Remus," I said. I turned to my friends: "I'll see you guys the day after tomorrow on the Hogwarts Express."
"Sure thing." Ron said, and Hermione nodded smiling. I looked at them both and gave them each a quick hug before I left. Remus smiled at me as we left the room.
"So, I take it you told Hermione and things went well?" Remus asked once we had arrived back at our cottage.
"Yeah." I said smiling like an idiot. "I had a little trouble getting it out at first, but Ron talked to me and managed to get me to calm down," I added. "I feel so privileged to have such great friends."
"Ron and Hermione are great. Does Ron know about your feelings for Herimone?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, we've both agreed that it's best to be completely honest with eachother. He kind of confronted me about it." I said. Remus smiled at me.
"Ron's a great guy, you're lucky to have him as a best mate. I have a feeling that with his support you and Hermione will be together in no time."
"Yeah, hopefully. It's getting harder and harder not to be obvious about my feelings for her. I just love her so much." I said, as a single tear rolled down my cheek. Remus walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Are you crying?" Remus asked. I stayed silent. "You must really love her, I didn't know that what you felt for her was this strong."
"It's really strong, and it's really real, and it's really scary." I said.
"What are you scared of Harry?" Remus asked. We walked over into the lounge and I sat down in an arm chair, while he sat down across from me.
"I guess it's the power of the emotion. I love my friends and I love you but the love I feel for say Ron and you is like family. The love I feel for Hermione is different. It's like I would do anything for her. I would die for anyone I loved but for Hermione, I'd do flips and jump through hoops just to please her." I said, feeling increasingly stupider every minute. Remus smiled at him.
"You really have it bad. It took James about a week after he discovered his love for Lily to use the hoop and circus metaphor." Remus said. I smiled at him. "Harry, you're in love and that's beautiful. Just remember that sometimes our emotions get the better of us and we resign to them physically without thinking about the consequences. I want you to promise that if you and a girl your dating ever decide to have sex, that you'll consult me first. There are sure fire ways to prevent the spread of diseases and pregnancy and I want to discuss them with you before you have sex, okay?" Remus asked.
"Okay, I promise." I said, my face turning a little bit red. Remus stood up.
"Okay than, why don't you head up to bed? Tomorrow we have to pack and prepare for your journey to Hogwarts!" Remus said.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was the morning of my departure to Hogwarts. Truth be told I was a little bit sad to be leaving Remus- we had grown close over the summer and I was coming to regard him as my father. It was very emotional as I said my goodbyes. Remus had gotten a new owl named 'Pippy', so that he could correspond with me while I was at school.
"I'm really going to miss you Remus. I have come to think of you as the father I never had and I really appreciate what you've done for me. I know that sometimes it's not easy being close to me but you've taken on the job and now I love you, so no running away!" I said. Remus smiled at me.
"I'm going to miss you too Harry. I talked to Dumbledore and he said that due to our special circumstances I could take you out to dinner at the leaky cauldron once a month. Other than that, owl me frequently and never hesitate to tell me anything. I know you have some good friends and that they'll take care of you, but I'm only an owl away. If you ever need to reach me by fire because of an emergency I believe that you have been granted permission to use Minerva's fireplace as long as it doesn't become a frequency" Remus said. "I love you too kiddo, you're my son, and I'm not going anywhere. We're family now and family is ALWAYS there. Have fun at school and let me know how it goes with Hermione, remember the promise you made to me." Remus said. I smiled at him and gave him a huge hug before sauntering off with my trunk towards the Hogwarts Express.
Upon entering the train, I headed down the corridor looking for Ron and Hermione.
"Harry!" I heard someone scream from behind me. I turned around and standing there was Neville Longbottom.
"Hey Neville, how was your summer?" I asked.
"Good, I'll tell you more about it when we've found a compartment" he said smiling. I followed him into an empty compartment. I figured that Ron and Hermione must not be on the train yet.
"I heard from Ron that you got to stay with Professor Lupin over the summer. He was a friend of your parent's, wasn't he?" Neville asked.
"Yes, he was one of my father's best friends. He was a good professor and all but take it from me, he's even cooler as a friend." I said. He smiled at me. "So, tell me more about your summer".
"Well it wasn't very exciting really. I stayed with Gran, like usual. We took a vacation to Rome for a couple of weeks and that was neat. Gran was real proud of me for how I acted back in the Department of Mysteries in June." Neville said.
"I never got a chance to thank you for all that you did for me Neville. It was really incredible how you stood your ground, you were a true friend to me and I'll never forget that." I told him.
"Aww Harry, please. I only did what any good friend would do, if I was in your place, you'd do the same" Neville said. "After all the kindness you've shown me over the years, I was really only doing the same for you." I smiled at him, as Ron, Ginny and Hermione entered our compartment.
"Hello Harry, Neville" Hermione said, nodding at each respectively as they entered the compartment. Ron walked over and sat next to Neville, who was sitting opposite me. That left Hermione to come over to sit next to me, and Ginny next to Hermione. I felt delicious chills run up his spine as Hermione scotched closer to me to make room for Ginny on the other end. I knew Ron hadn't just sat next to Neville by accident and I was ready to murder and kiss my best friend all at the same time. Hermione flashed me a smile, before she started conversing with Ginny while I took up the topic of quidditch with Ron and Neville. All three of us were pretty sure that my life long ban to quidditch would be lifted. Before I knew it the train had come to a stop and we were looking up at the castle we called home. Except now I had a real home, not school, a real home and a real father and I felt that it was these things that couldn't be replaced.
"Come on Harry, let's go grab a carriage." Ron said. Hermione, Ron, Neville and I jumped into one carriage while Ginny joined Luna, Colin and another 5th year in a different one. Ron stared at the thestrals like they were a work of art. Hermione and Neville were looking too.
"You know." said Ron. "I don't think that seeing the thestrals is a treat at all, I think it really, really stinks."
"Amen to that." Hermione said. As the carriages zoomed up the mountainside to Hogwarts I couldn't help but think about what this year at Hogwarts would entail.
Okay- well that's it for chapter 7. I hope you enjoyed that, and as you can see the gang has finally reached Hogwarts. Next chapter you'll see the plot thicken a bit as tragedy strikes Ron (why was I not informed, hmm?- deal with it Kanga) and we'll have a bit of fun as well, with an announcement during the welcoming feast. I know the story plot wise hasn't gotten very far but I felt that it was really important to build character relationships that could last throughout the story. It's going to be a long one so I hope you're all in it for the long rode. Please REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!! I think I got 4 or 5 last chapter and although I'm grateful for each 1 (and 5 is the most I've ever gotten for a given chapter), it's so exciting to get reviews, and I wish I could have more. So basically REVIEW (beta notes, did you not hear me last chapter? She'll beat me!!! REVIEW, for the sake of poor battered body) and I'll see you back later for chapter 8.
Luv,
~Twigs~
P.S. The chapter 6 question has been asked and answered. No more answers to that question will be accepted. The answer was Uranus.hehe. The question for this chapter is:
What are the animagus forms of all four marauders and the nicknames that went along with them? (hint: it's kind of a trick question, one marauder wasn't an animagus)
To see how to enter your answer- see chapter 6!