Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything else.
A/N: This chapter is devoted to my most devoted reviewer Potter Reader. Your encouragement is priceless. The rest of you reading this story and enjoying please let me know.
New realities
Harry pulled himself up, travelling by portkey was one of his least favourite ways of travelling. He turned to see Dumbledore standing there watching him. "Good morning Harry"
"Good morning Albus." Dumbledore was pleased, if Harry was calling him by his given name it was a good sign.
"How have you been since I saw you last?" Harry thought about how to answer that seemingly easy question and decided honestly would probably be the best way to go.
"I'm feeling happy as I get to see Ron and Hermione again and because I have left the Dursley's for the summer, apprehensive because as you know I am going to tell them about the prophecy, a little sad because I'm still grieving for Sirius and a little curious about this meeting you are going to be having with us." With that Harry smiled up at Dumbledore. Dumbledore returned the smile.
"You are ready to tell them and they in turn are ready to hear it. They have both changed a lot this summer, just like you have." Harry just smiled, if Ron and Hermione had changed as much as he had then watch out world the trio was coming.
"We should go and meet them; their portkey dropped them off at a place not too far from here about 20 minutes ago." Harry nodded his head and followed after the headmaster.
"Where the hell am I" and with that Ron whipped out his wand, gently placed Ares on the ground and said to him, go and hide in the forest just in the treeline. Ares flew over to the treeline, he knew he still needed Ron to defend him in most situations. Suddenly another person appeared. Ron turned to face her, wand at the ready. When he realised it was Hermione he hurried over to help her up but she shrugged him off. That's when he realised she was crying, it didn't happen very often but when it did it tore him up inside. He gently placed his arms around her, whispering quiet, comforting words to her, just like his brothers used to do to him when he was little and what he did to Ginny when she was upset.
Hermione finally stopped crying and looked up at Ron, she felt so safe and comfortable in his arms "Hi Ron, its so good to see you." Ron just smiled his lopsided smile. "Its good to see you too. Come here I have someone you need to meet." Ron helped Hermione up whilst mentally calling Ares over to him. All of a sudden Hermione tensed beside him, she had just pulled her wand and was pointing her wand at Ares.
"Hermione put your wand down, this is who I wanted you to meet. Hermione meet Ares he is my dragon. Ares meet Hermione." Ares bowed his head just as he did with Dumbledore. Hermione looked shocked but then she quickly went into Hermione style.
"Ron you can't have a dragon, didn't you learn anything from Hagrid with Norbert." And that is when Dumbledore and Harry entered.
"But he can Hermione, in fact I insist that he does" Dumbedore interrupted but Hermione didn't really hear him. The moment that Dumbledore announced their presence Hermione stopped listening. Instead she launched herself onto Harry.
"I have missed you so much, how are you, oh you look so good did your Aunt feed you this summer."
Harry just laughed, even if Hermione had changed some things hadn't. He turned to face Ron. "Alright Ron?" Ron broke out into a large smile.
"Not too bad, I haven't introduced you to Ares yet." And with that Harry made his way over to where Ron was standing with Ares. The introductions were made and once again Ares bowed. Dumbledore spoke up "I think it is time to head back, your Mum will be worrying Ron." Ron looked up and laughed and in true Ron style spoke up.
"I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, Professor, if you got me home later than expected, especially as she hasn't seen me all summer and you are bringing her two other surrogate children with you. She would make defeating Grindelwald seem like a walk in the park." They all laughed, Molly could be quite a formidable target where her children were concerned. "Too true Ron, too true." Dumbledore was guiding them through the forest. Hermione being ever inquisitive asked the question that was on all of their minds, where were they. Dumbledore looked around and informed them they were at his home. As they exited the forest Dumbledore spoke to them all "Welcome to my humble abode. You are as safe here as you were at headquarters last year."
They entered the house, although it was more of a mini-castle and were immediately greeted by Mrs Weasley who gave each of them a long and painful hug and a kiss on their cheek. "Thank God you are all safe. You all look so good. Ron what is this about a dragon." All of this was said whilst she was ushering them all into the kitchen where Ginny, Moody, Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt sat waiting for them. They nodded hello to them all and answered their questions to the best of their abilities. Everybody wanted to know all about their holidays. Lunch was served and eaten without anyone really realising that they had eaten. It was about 2 o'clock when Dumbledore returned and asked to see them into the drawing room. They said their goodbyes to the people in the kitchen and followed the headmaster down into the drawing room.
"I have here all of your OWL scores" Hermione sat up straighter. It had been playing on her mind all holidays even if she had been relatively relaxed. Dumbledore passed the envelopes to each of them. Hermione ripped at hers immediately but Ron and Harry just sat there alternating between staring at each other and the letters they held in their hands. Finally Hermione's sobs managed to break the spell that the envelopes had over the boys but they didn't care. If Hermione was sobbing it meant only one thing, she had done badly and would be in desperate need of some comfort. They moved over to her Harry pulled her into a hug whilst Ron grabbed the piece of parchment with the results on. Suddenly Ron's voice shouted out "Why the bloody hell are you crying Hermione, you got straight O's." Harry let go of Hermione and turned to look at Ron, he grabbed the parchment and stared at it. Ron was right she had received straight O's. Hermione continued to sob until Ron talked again. "How are we meant to open our results if you keep crying Hermione." At the mention of her boys results Hermione tried her best to control her tears and her breathing.
When the boys still hadn't opened their letters, she grabbed Harry's out of his hand ignoring his protests Hermione ripped open the envelope, read the results and smiled. She handed the parchment over to Harry. "You did great Harry, your parents and Sirius would have been proud." Harry looked down at his scores, he had received O's in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions, an E in Herbology, A's in History of Magic, Astronomy and Divination. To say Harry was shocked would be an understatement, the sorting hat had said he had an okay mind but he hadn't really believed it. With all of the things that happened last year Harry was just happy that he had survived but such good results were beyond any expectations he had. Ron broke Harry's little thought session. "How'd you do mate?" Harry just smiled and gestured to Ron's envelope which meant I will tell you my results if you tell me mine. Ron grimaced and then turned to Dumbledore "Does Mum know that you are giving these to me Professor?" Dumbledore smiled.
"It's Albus Ron and no. I thought it would be best if you told her" Ron looked mildly pleased he could keep his results from his Mum for a good week at least. Hermione went to grab Ron's results but he was too quick for her. "No way Hermione, I don't need you looking down at my results" and with that Ron ripped his envelope open, skimmed the piece of parchment and handed it to Dumbledore. "They have made a mistake Professor. I have someone elses results." Dumbledore chuckled.
"They're yours Ron" and went to pass the piece of parchment back to him but Hermione intercepted it first.
She looked down and read the results and then started to cry again. Harry was extremely curious by this time so he snatched Ron's results out of Hermione's hand, so Ron did the same with his. Dumbledore watched the three of them interact. He had never seen a friendship like this one. The legendary mauraders had come close but their friendship was never based on such equality, nor did they have a bond formed by relying on each other in dangerous situations. Ron had returned Harry's result slip and was back staring at his own and then he started to laugh. Harry asked "What's up?" At this question Ron laughed even harder but managed to get out a "I got a T in divination." Harry couldn't see what was so funny about that but Dumbledore obviously could as he to let out a little laugh. Ron suddenly shouted out "Oh shit, Ares. Excuse me Professor I have to go and feed Ares. Can you let Hermione and Harry in on our little divination joke."
"Certainly Ron, you can ask your Mum or Miss Weasley to show you where I have stored the lions meat."
When Ron had returned Dumbledore had explained all about Ron's diviner talents. Hermione looked shocked and a tad disbelieving whilst Harry just looked pensive. When Ron had taken his seat Dumbledore congratulated them all on their results. It was discovered Hermione was only the fourth student to ever receive straight O's on her OWL's, the others being Dumbledore himself, McGonagall and Tom Riddle. After the congratulations had been received Dumbledore started to talk about more serious matters.
"It has been decided that you three will be allowed to order meetings." Harry and Ron shared smiles whilst Hermione sat there passively so Dumbledore continued. "Yes you will be present at the meetings but you still will not be a part of the order is that understood?" All three of them nodded, Ron and Harry still with smiles on their faces but this time Hermione interrupted. "Excuse me for interrupting Professor but why exactly are we being included now?" Ron shot her a look that clearly said shut-up, she returned one that said make me. Dumbledore managed to interrupt their silent fight. "A lot of things are different now. Certainly there are a lot of people, your Mum included" Dumbledore turned to Ron "who believe that you are still too young to be this involved. I agree in principle. It is not 15 and 16 year olds to stop the evil in our world. However I have learnt from my mistake. Keeping things from you last year created more problems than what telling the truth would have. You have an uncanny ability of finding things out that you are not supposed to know about. Another reason is that you have already proved that you are not willing to sit on the sidelines anyway. This may be because I haven't been able to adequately protect you in the past."
Harry, Hermione and Ron tried to interrupt him but he held up a finger signalling to them to wait. "However I have decided that the most effective way to protect you now is by being honest with the three of you, I believe I said at the end of your fourth year that Voldemort can create mistrust among us and I certainly do not wish for the three of you to feel that you can't trust me. However I hope that you too will be completely honest with me. That is why I have asked that you call me Albus. I want you to be able to come and tell me anything. Ron, Harry your visions are very valuable both to the war and to me. Hermione your insights could prove to be invaluable, your knowledge coupled with your logic skills have helped you solve many problems so please come and tell me or one of the other order members if something happens. Now are there any questions before we move onto other topics" Dumbledore stopped and surveyed the three students. Harry was the first one to speak. "You haven't failed us. You gave us just enough independence for us to learn how to look after ourselves. You would be in an impossible situation now if you had babied us. Sure we have a few trust issues but these are a lot better than the alternative." Harry had obviously finished. Ron nodded at Dumbledore, agreeing with Harry but Hermione spoke up "You knew Voldemort was going to come back didn't you?" Dumbledore nodded his head. "You knew he was going to go after Harry?" Again Dumbledore nodded. "That is why you let us do all those things we did?" Dumbledore nodded again and went to speak but it was Hermione's turn to hold up her finger. Finally Hermione put it all together "Voldemort has been after Harry since he was eleven, you knew about it and didn't inform Harry or us and now we are in danger as well. You didn't tell Ron and I, knowing full well that we would become targets. We would have continued to be his friend but it would have been nice to know that we were being put into danger. My parents have had to leave for crying out loud. I would have done so many things different if I had known."
For one of the first time in his life Dumbledore looked ashamed, Hermione was right. Ron and Hermione would never have left Harry. Dumbledore spoke "all I can say is that I did what I thought was best, I know now that I should have handled things differently but I am sorry Hermione, Ron." Harry had already had this conversation with Dumbledore so he didn't need another apology. Ron's gesture that came was totally out of the blue and out of character. He stood up and walked towards the headmaster with his hand outstretched "Apology accepted Albus" and with that Ron shook his hand. Hermione didn't go to the extremes of Ron's gesture she did however accept his apology "I understand that you have tried to do what you think is right, that is all we can ask from anybody, apology accepted Albus."
Dumbledore felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. All three of them had the maturity that would be needed to continue on these next few years. Dumbledore offered them all a drink before they started in on the next topic. They all gratefully accepted the pumpkin juice as well as the cookies that were provided. When they had all finished Dumbledore started in on the next topic. "I would now like to discuss the rest of the summer with you as well as some plans for Hogwart's." Nods occurred around the room. "We have discussed it at the order meetings and we would like you all including Miss Weasley if she wishes to have lessons in Defense Against the Dark Arts. You would be working from 1 until 6 everyday with either Tonk's, Kingsley or Moody. It will not be easy, they plan to work their way through 7th year spells and then start you on the auror level spells." They all looked excited over the opportunity but once again Hermione interrupted "Won't we get in trouble with the ministry" Ron laughed as did Dumbledore. "The restriction on underage wizardry has been waived for all those in 5th year and above for the duration of the war" both Harry and Hermione nodded not realising that they had been able to use magic for the past 4 weeks. Dumbledore started again "I would also like to offer my services in the evening. I would like to teach you invisibility." At this Hermione became so excited that she jumped out of her chair "I thought that invisibility without a cloak was a lost art Albus. Oh sorry" she said.
"Whatever for, Hermione." Hermione looked embarrassed she was normally so composed but so much had happened already. She decided to stay silent, better to say nothing and be thought of as a fool than to say something and be one she thought to herself. Dumbledore must have understood as he continued "I am the only known wizard who is alive who has mastered it. The order doesn't know what I plan to teach you and I would appreciate it if they didn't find out. You three would be the only people whom I have chosen to teach this to." To say Hermione had a smile on her face would be like saying The Nile was a puddle. The idea of learning something that was considered lost was too much for Hermione, the boys both looked pleased as well, Ron thinking that he could sneak down to the kitchens without borrowing Harry's cloak whilst Harry was just excited. "I take it you're pleased. We will do these lessons in the evenings whenever I have a free hour. I hope that you understand that the lessons will not be given regularly we are in the middle of a war and I have many demands on my time." There was a chorus of "We understand Professor" around the room. Dumbledore gave them a few more details on the plans for the summer before moving onto the next topic.
Dumbledore once again looked piercingly at the three children, what he was about to offer them would both please them by making them feel more involved in the whole war effort and probably anger them by taking away their independence. Independence was such an important thing for people their age but Dumbledore felt that this was the best option for the three sitting before them. "Now that we have finished discussing the rest of the summer I feel that we should broach the up and coming school year. I once again wish to remind you that you are all being targeted by Voldemort, I'm reminding you once again, not so you can dwell on this fact but so you will seriously consider what I am going to tell you." He looked over at them, they were all sharing a glance at each other, it was if they were communicating that they would hear the headmaster out. They turned back to Dumbledore waiting for him to continue. "I have decided that a member of the order will be joining you all as students, they will be responsible for your safety and they will continue your training when you return." Dumbledore stopped there, he was sure that some questions had formed in their minds. Hermione who was usually their unofficial spokesperson started "How? And can you tell us who? And what do you mean by 'they would be responsible for our safety'" Hermione said.
Dumbledore considered how exactly to answer that question. "I am not going to tell you who is going to be your guard as the final details have not yet been settled, nor am I going to tell you how as that is likely to change as well. I will however tell you that they will be accompanying you at all times." Ron interrupted "What, do you mean that we won't ever be alone?" Dumbledore could tell that things weren't going well with Ron. "No. You can spend time in the common room alone and I am sure that whoever is guarding you will give you the space that you need." Ron didn't look happy but both Hermione and Harry had blank looks on their face. Hermione spoke up "How is it going to work with our different class schedules, Ron and mines prefect schedule and quidditch practise."
"Well these are the things we need to discuss but first I would like to make a proposition to you." They all looked at the Professor expectantly urging him to go. "I would like the three of you to continue the defence lessons that you started last year. These lessons would have the support of both the ministry and the school board, you would however need to change its name, as much as I am flattered by the original name it must be changed. You also would have to open the club up to all members of the school."
Ron broke in once again "including the slimy Slytherin's. Wouldn't Harry be training future death eaters." Dumbedore didn't look pleased "Ron I think you have misunderstood. Harry is not going to be the only one teaching, Hermione and yourself are going to be teaching as well but only if you can show some maturity. The position that I am offering you is an associate professorship of sorts. You will be able to give detentions and deduct points at the club. However you will also have to be impartial and treat everyone fairly. You know better than most that all houses have the ability to turn to the dark side." Hermione looked positively delighted at the thought of teaching where as Ron looked a little scared but spoke up anyway "I understand Professor, I'm not sure though that I am the right person to teach, Hermione would be great. Harry is great but I don't think I would be." Dumbledore shook his head. "You are wrong Ron; you would be great at it too. The plan is for Harry to teach the 5th through 7th year's offensive and defensive magic. Whilst Hermione and yourself would be doing the 1st through 4th years. I thought that you would do really well in teaching the younger students; you are much less intimidating to the younger students than Harry and Hermione are. I feel that if you are teaching them they are more likely to respond." Ron looked pleased for the first time since Dumbledore had mentioned the guard. Hermione had obviously been thinking whilst Dumbledore was talking to Ron. "Excuse me Professor but wouldn't this further complicate the guard's ability to look after all of us?"
"You would be right Hermione if Ron had let me finish. I was hoping that you and Ron would consider giving up your positions as prefects. I am not telling you to give up the position, I am asking you. I have taken the liberty of drawing you up a preliminary timetable with the help of Professor McGonagall and Moody and it is already much too full for my liking. I was thinking that because being the leader of the defence club gives you the same privileges as well as more responsibility that you may not mind too much?" Ron was nodding his head vigorously, he had found being a prefect was not all what it was made out to be, Hermione however was in two minds. She loved being a prefect but the opportunity to teach was just too much to give up. "If you think that's best Professor. Would you happen to have this schedule on you by any chance, and how did you know what subjects we would want to take?"
"No, I don't have the schedules on me at the moment but we can discuss the details later on in the summer and unless you have any other questions I think that maybe we could end for today." It was Harry's turn to speak up, he had been relatively quiet for the majority of the meeting. Just taking in and accepting what the Headmaster was telling them. "If Ron and Hermione aren't going to have enough time to be prefects, does that mean that Ron and I are not going to be considered for quidditch captain?" Dumbledore was expecting this question, Harry had been quite disappointed when he didn't make prefect the previous year. "Like I said to Ron and Hermione about their prefect positions, it is up to you. If Ron or yourself would like to be considered for the position, tell me now and I will inform Minerva." Ron and Harry sat there for a second considering the offer. Harry was the first to speak "I wouldn't mind being captain Albus" but Ron's answer surprised him. Dumbledore had found out what Ron most wanted from the mirror of Erised, quidditch captain was one of those things he most wanted. "I don't really want to be captain, Professor. I will have the dragons at Hogwart's and if we're going to be doing the D.A. I don't think there would be enough time." Dumbledore just nodded, bid them goodbye leaving the three alone for the first time since school let out.
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat there in silence basking in each others company but as usual Ron had to break it. "That was interesting wasn't it? What's up with Dumbledore, I know he is known for doing weird stuff but getting us to be teachers just seems a bit strange. And why do we need a guard at school?" At this Harry got a sheepish look on his face but it was Hermione who spoke first "Well its obvious isn't it. Dumbledore thinks that Harry would be the best person for the Defence Against the Dark Arts job but he can't give it to him so he has to do the next best thing which is the D.A. club. I guess he hasn't had anyone apply for the position again. What I don't understand is what Ron and I have to do with it. Maybe he thinks getting you" at this Hermione turned to Harry but she continued "to teach everyone would be too much so he just asked us to help out with the younger students to take the burden off you a bit." Ron nodded his head, sounded plausible enough but Harry shook his head. "I don't think so Hermione, Dumbledore wants us to teach the D.A. because he trusts us. We are perfect for the job, you guys have faced Death Eaters and while you didn't come out unscathed you're not dead. You guys have been with me since day one, I couldn't have done half the things I have done without you. You have kept me grounded, you have comforted me, protected me and even told me off when I needed it. Dumbledore hasn't been completely honest with you guys today. There are a few other reasons why all of this has happened. Why we are now being involved with the order but I'm not going to tell you till after tea. Come on I want to spend more time with your dragon Ron and then we have to give your Mum our OWL results, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes Ron." Ron laughed; Harry and Hermione were as much a part of the Weasley family as he was. They were all going to go down when she found out their results.
After spending a good hour out with Ares they finally decided they were ready to face everyone with their results. As they entered the kitchen they were surprised to see it was so full. It was obvious that the Weasley's had moved in. Sitting around the kitchen table was the whole Weasley family minus Charlie and Percy, as well as Lupin, Kingsley and Moody. Ron decided that a hit and run tactic was probably the best way to handle the OWL problem that way when she read the results he was out of harms way. He walked over to Molly, handed her his parchment and went to sit down at the table. Harry and Hermione followed him to the table but chose not to hand their parchments to the excitable woman. However if the woman asked for them they couldn't really think of a good reason not to give it to her, other than the fact they didn't want to be hugged and kissed to death. All of a sudden a shrill scream could be heard and then Ron was attacked by his mother. The number of times she kissed his cheeks, forehead and lips was quite embarrassing for the poor boy. She then handed the parchment to her husband who read it, O's in DADA, Transfiguration, Charms, and Potions, an E in Herbology, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures an A in Astronomy and a T for Divination. "They're great marks son" while Arthur was reading Ron's results Molly turned to Hermione and Harry "Well" she asked them. They shared a glance, it may have been better getting bad marks considering the way that Molly tended to overreact. They handed their results over reluctantly and were engulfed by Molly in the same way Ron was. All of their results were handed around the room and they were all congratulated. Moody managed to corner all three of them "These marks are good enough to enter the auror program if you continue to keep up the good work" that was when he smiled at them. Hermione ever the diplomat helped them all to escape Moody's terrifying smile by telling him all about her career aspirations. There were so many different things that she was interested in that Moody soon grew bored and left them in peace. Harry got an unexpected talk from Remus Lupin. Lupin expressed how proud Sirius was of him, as well as how proud he himself was of the results he had achieved in spite of everything that had gone on. As they all sat down for tea Molly announced that a party would be held to celebrate their results the next night before the order meeting. After tea the trio wished everyone goodnight and made their way up to Harry and Ron's room.
When Harry, Ron and Hermione had made themselves comfortable in the bedroom Harry started "So how have your holidays been so far?" Hermione was the first to answer. She told the other two all about her holidays, it wasn't until she started to talk about saying goodbye to her parents did she start to cry again. Once again it was Ron who comforted her in his broad, tanned arms whilst Harry sat there watching the two interact. It would be nice for the two of them if they got together but the chances of it actually happening weren't too high, Ron had an uncanny ability of putting his foot in it as far as Hermione was concerned and Hermione was much too stubborn to approach Ron about it. When Hermione had calmed down it was Ron's turn to tell his story. He told them all about the dragon's and what Ares had told him. Hermione took the opportunity to question Ron on his diviner ability as well as his bond with Ares. She was not openly sceptical of Ron's story but Ron could tell from the type of questions that she was asking that she didn't fully believe him. Harry politely asked some questions of Ron also but both Hermione and Ron could tell that there was other stuff on his mind. Most probably what he was talking about in the drawing room after Dumbledore had left. After Hermione had finished questioning Ron it was Harry's turn.
Harry looked at Hermione who was smiling encouragingly at him from the foot of Ron's bed, he was worried how Hermione was going to take the news about the prophecy. It would take a while for it to fully hit Ron, he could get used it to it gradually just like Harry did but Hermione would understand everything right away. He started at the beginning with his depression regarding Sirius, this was when Hermione came and sat next to him and started to hold his hand. He then told them about visiting the oncology ward and meeting the kids with cancer and finally he told them about how he changed his attitude and outlook because of these kids. This was when he noticed that Ron was sitting on the other side of him, he looked at him and smiled at him, not breaking eye-contact with him until he spoke "Ares was listening in, he told me to come sit next to you." This broke the tension that was present in the air as both Harry and Ron laughed whilst Hermione looked at Ron disapprovingly. Harry once again turned serious "Thanks Ron you're one of my best friends and to have you here with me now is so important to me. I don't have much in my life but I'm glad you're here with me." That's when he turned to Hermione, gave her hand a squeeze and started once again "Hermione you're my other best friend and just like I said to Ron I'm so glad you're here with me, I'm ready to say it now, I love you." Harry shut his eyes, opened them and started to talk again. "What I'm going to tell and show you now is what is going to be discussed at tomorrows meeting, it is why we're being included in the order. Dumbledore told me I didn't have to tell you guys tonight that you could have learnt this tomorrow with the rest of them but I owe it to you both to tell you now while we are alone" by this time both Hermione and Ron were worried, Harry had acted so out of character the whole day. You could tell that Harry had used every ounce of courage he had to tell Ron what he meant to him, to say he loved Hermione and to begin to tell them whatever it was he was hiding from them. Harry took a deep breath and began "I'm holding here Dumbledore's pensive it holds within it the prophecy that Voldemort was trying to get at the Department of Mysteries." Both Hermione and Ron gasped, they had both assumed that the prophecy had been lost when they heard that it had been smashed, Harry continued. "I would like it if you guys could visit his memory with me, do you know how to do it?" They both nodded, Hermione had read about them and Ron had been doing it with his own pensive, so they both felt they could do it. Harry pulled Hermione up into a standing position and Ron joined them holding Harry's other hand. He could tell that they were going to need each others strength for what they were about to see.
They entered the pensive and watched the memory together with Hermione's hand gripping the boys hand harder as the prophecy was made. Harry pulled them out of the pensive at which time Hermione started to cry once again. Harry pulled Hermione into an embrace that was meant to reassure her but her tears did not stop, that was when Ron joined them. The three of them stood there hugging for about 5 minutes, Ron and Harry made eye contact and shared a silent message. They would do anything to protect the girl they held lovingly in their arms. Finally Hermione gently pushed them away with a silent resolve that there were to be no more tears. She then sat back down on the bed, patting the space either side of her to indicate that she wanted them to sit next to her. She grabbed each of their hands once again and started to talk. "I know that you can do it Harry, but you're not going to do it alone, Ron and I will be right ther with you, all of the way." Ron nodded at this and then spoke "We are with you the entire way mate."
Harry didn't really expect them to act this way, he hoped they would but he thought he was expecting too much of them especially as it took him most of the summer to come to terms with it. Harry looked at each of them in turn to make sure they weren't lying to him but they weren't all he could see in his eyes were love and worry, no pity and no fear. "Thanks. We are going to train so hard to make sure Voldemort doesn't win but that's not all, we are going to live, we are going to make a stand by not being afraid. Do you agree?" They both nodded. Harry was pleased, he had been dreading telling them about the prophecy but things couldn't have gone better. Sure Ron and Hermione were shocked and a little upset by what he had told them, they wouldn't be normal if they hadn't reacted but things had gone okay. By this time it was getting pretty late and it was practically dark in the bedroom but none of them wanted to separate.
Eventually Ron decided that laying down was the next step, he laid down creating a knock on effect and then they were all laying down. In the safety of the dark all of them were feeling a little loose lipped. Ron was the first to expose his soul. "Do you know why I didn't want to be considered for quidditch captain even though that's what I wanted when I was a 1st year?" Harry and Hermione knew it was a rhetorical question and if they said something that they would never know. "Because that's not what I want most anymore. What I want most is for my biggest worry to be that I have hand me down robes. I want my parents and the rest of the family to be safe and happy. I want you both to be safe and I want my childhood back. I know that I can't have my childhood back but I can do everything in my power to protect the people that I love. If that means training and doing school work then that's what I'll do. I would even give up quidditch completely if it would stop all of this." Harry nodded silently, as did Hermione. It was Hermione's turn to talk next. "I'm afraid that I will never see my parents again, I'm scared that I will lose one of you but most of all I refuse to be scared tomorrow because then he would have won having done nothing." The boys were silent, any talking now would just break the spell that was allowing them to be completely honest with each other and then it was Harry's turn and even though he had really spent the day revealing his soul there was still things that needed to be said. "I miss Sirius. I miss him so much that it hurts to breathe sometimes but I have to keep living and I can't do it without you both." Harry finished and this time no one chose to break the sanctity of the silence and with that Harry turned in to face Hermione and placed an arm protectively around her and Ron did the same and it wasn't long after that all three of them fell asleep knowing that they had all changed but if they kept being true to themselves and each other then things were going to turn out okay, not great but okay.
A/N: Just a quick message saying that this isn't a trio fic, yes Harry loves Hermione but only as a sister, Ron however???
