Disclaimer-I don't own Harry Potter.


Inseparable


It was a silent train ride to Hogwarts that September.

As per usual, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together, except now Harry and Hermione sat on one bench, fingers interlaced and her head on his shoulder.

Ron's mouth had fallen open when they told him they were together now, but then he grinned. "Knew it. Knew you two would get together. Always did."

Ginny sat with them as well, curled into an almost fetal position against the wall. Her injuries were healing, but she had to be handled delicately lest she reopen her wounds. Her parents hadn't wanted her to go back to school, but she'd insisted that she didn't want to miss 5th year, especially because this was her O.W.L year, and after much begging, they had allowed her.

Arthur and Molly were recovering as well, but you had to be careful with Molly. Any mention of her dead sons would lead her to regression, especially after the 4-part funeral they'd had. Her eyes would glaze over and she would talk as if they were still babies, but you could see tears running down her face. Fleur Delacour could often be found hanging about the Burrow now, as she and Bill had been quite serious about each other. The French girl tagged around Molly, helping her with chores and holding her hand when Molly cried.

Arthur was about the same as Ginny, wound-wise. He wasn't quite as depressed as Molly, but you could see him sitting quietly, looking at his son's baby pictures with tears leaking from his eyes.

Luna sat with them as well, reading The Quibbler, but this time, right-side up. She was holding her wand between her teeth and moving it with her tongue. Her earrings were at least normal, just sapphire studs, the jewelry of choice for Ravenclaw girls. Harry was still surprised to know that his mother and aunt had been friends with her mother and aunt.

And the thought of Petunia and Snape together was still almost incomprehensible.

And Neville sat with them, too, looking enviously at Harry and Hermione's hands every once in a while, but then turning and talking to Ginny.

"Harry? You all right?"

He had been staring out the window. He turned his head to get a good view of Hermione's curls.

"Yeah. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"Snape and my aunt."

"I feel ya," Ron said. "Imagine, if your aunt had stayed together with him, Snape would be your uncle! That, my friend, is the stuff of horror movies."

"Maybe he'd at least have liked me better."

"Do you think that you'll have to continue doubling with the Slytherins in Potions?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, someone seems to want us to always double with them," Harry said.

"Bet Pansy and Malfoy will be doing more than just potions in that class," Ron said, snickering. His voice turned falsetto. ""Oh, Draco, I just love to watch you handle the potions"!" His voice returned to normal. "Scarlet woman."

"Are you still saying that?" Hermione giggled.

"I think it's a good phrase," Luna said, lowering her magazine.

Hermione shrugged. Since losing her parents she wasn't such a stickler for perfection. Crookshanks leapt into her lap and she stroked him idly.

"Hey, Muddy-Bloodies!"

"Speak of the devil," Hermione muttered.

Their compartment door slid open and there, once again, stood Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe, but this time they were backed by Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and another Slytherin girl they didn't recognize.

"Heard you got attacked, Granger," Draco said. "Too bad you made it."

"Y'know, you really need to learn some new insults, Malfoy," Harry said absent-mindedly, twirling a strand of Hermione's hair with his finger.

Draco ignored him. "I heard about your parents, too. Oh, excuse me, both sets of them. I can't believe you passed up a chance at being a real witch for a Squib and a Muggle!"

Harry felt Hermione's hand go rigid. He squeezed it, trying to instill some clam into it.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Demi Granger are dead, and as I was saying to Crabbe, the world's better off without them—"

"Lastimasay!"

Both Draco and Pansy screamed as painful, red welt marks began to appear all over Draco's body. Pansy started crying hysterically. "What did you do, Mudblood!?" she screeched at Hermione, as Draco fell to the floor, nearly screaming as loud as Pansy.

"Just a little Pain Curse. Don't worry, it's not permanent. I'd get in trouble if it was." Hermione put her wand back in her robes. "Ginny, if you please."

"No problem, Hermione." Ginny took out her own wand and gave it a little wave.

Bats were suddenly flying around the Slytherins's heads. Millicent screamed and ran away, but the other girl had been long gone. Crabbe and Goyle were left trying to fight off the bats and Pansy was shielding a moaning Draco.

"The Bat-Bogey Hex. I must say, it's one of my better inventions," Ginny said, grinning, as she waved more bats from her wand.

"It's your only invention, sis," Ron said.

"Hmm. True."

Pansy found her wand and pointed it at Hermione. The bats disappeared. "You're going to pay for that!"

Harry dug out his wand and brandished it threateningly. "Just try it, Parkinson; you'll see what happens."

"Oh, isn't that sweet. A knight and his fair lady. Two blood traitors, so perfect for each other!" she sneered.

"Well, it's six wands against three, Pansy dear, seeing as there's only you, Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco left, and I don't think Draco's up to cursing us," Hermione said. "I'd suggest you just walk away and save yourself a lot of grief."

Pansy brought her wand down in a swoop…and then collapsed on the floor, her legs wriggling uncontrollably.

"Oh, Pansy, I loved you in Lord of the Dance!" Ron laughed, twirling his wand between his fingers.

"Lord of the Dance!" Luna hooted.

Ron stared at her, not quite sure what to make of that.

Luna shrugged, looking embarrassed. "It was funny."

Goyle managed to grab the squirming Pansy and pull her out of the car, while Crabbe grabbed Malfoy's hand and dragged him away.

"And good riddance," Ron said viciously, slamming the compartment door. He plopped back down on his seat, grinning. "Jelly-Legs. Always there when you need it."

Luna smiled at him.

"This is a good year to be giving Malfoy his just desserts," Ron continued, ignoring Luna.

"Y'know, it's amazing how we've changed," Harry said after a short pause. "Remember our first day? None of us would've been brave enough to use those hexes on Malfoy."

"Yeah, Hermione probably wouldn't have noticed he was making fun of her. She'd be reading Hogwarts, A History for the 600th time," Ron said, smiling.

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him, then snuggled her head against Harry's shoulder. "We barely knew each other, and now Harry and I are dating."

"I kept losing my toad," Neville said. "I think I've got a good grip on it now." He held up a carrier, where Trevor the toad was sitting quite serenely.

"And poor little Ginny was crying because she couldn't go to school with the great Harry Potter," Ron said. "Now she's going out with Dean Thomas."

"Not anymore," Ginny said. "Didn't I tell you? Dean and Parvati are going out."

"Well, that's good. You don't need a boyfriend."

"Colin's been writing to me, though," Ginny said. "I decided to abandon older boys. They're all insecure. Why not go for someone my own age?"

Ron was struggling with himself; it was obvious to everyone who saw it. He finally managed to force a painful smile. "That's nice."

"And Luna wouldn't even be talking to us," Ginny continued. "She'd be siting in her own compartment, reading The Quibbler out loud to herself."

Luna put down the magazine and laid it beside her. "Well, maybe I should talk more." She was looking directly at Ron.

"We've all seen stuff we shouldn't have," Hermione said. "Do you think that if we hadn't been so keen on protecting the Sorcerer's Stone, things would've been different?"

"Yeah, we'd all be dead," Harry said. "Voldemort would've gotten his body back then and killed us all once he got a wand in his hand."

Ron, who had jumped a little at the name, said, "I nearly got killed anyway, playing on that chessboard. Let me tell you, being knocked in the head by a chess piece is not a pleasant experience."

Luna snickered, a little louder than was usual.

"I had such a huge crush on you then, Harry," Hermione said. "Remember what I said? "You're a great wizard, Harry". And you still are."

"Well, it's not just a crush now, is it?" Ginny asked coyly, grinning.

"No, I suppose not," Hermione said, squeezing Harry's hand.

Harry hung onto her hand. The thought of Oleta Dumbledore was still fresh in his mind.

"We're here," Ginny said, looking out the window. The castle was slowly getting bigger in view.


Hogwarts was a center of bad memories for them, but it still felt like home. After all, it was here that they had found their best friends, boyfriends, and girlfriends; where they had been growing into fine wizards and witches; where they had been and still were building their lives.

As they got off the train, Hermione gave a tiny start and said, "Hey, I never asked you guys about your O.W.L. grades."

"I got O's in Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Herbology, and Transfiguration. E in Potions, A in Astronomy, and T's in History of Magic and Divination. An overall E student," Harry said.

"I got O's in Defense Against The Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures. E's in Charms, Herbology, and Transfiguration, and I can only thank God for Transfiguration. A's in Potions and Astronomy, a D in History of Magic, and a T in Divination," Ron answered. "Overall A student. Let me guess what you got, Hermione."

"O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, and don't forget, an O," Harry and Ron said unanimously.

Hermione blushed. I'll have you know that I only got 10 O's."

"Hermione, you only take 10 classes!" Ron yelped.

"We had to tack on another O, for the grade you would've gotten if you'd stayed with Muggle Studies," Harry explained.

"And what if I'd stayed in Divination?"

"U for Unexplainable Phenomenon," Ron said.

"Firs' years, firs' years! Oh, Harry, Ron, Hermione!" Hagrid swept into their path. "Good ter see yeh!"

"Same here, Hagrid," Harry said, smiling up at his enormous friend.

"Hermione." He clamped his hand on her shoulder. "I heard abou' yer folks."

"Everyone has, it seems," she said coolly, thinking of Draco.

"I lost me dad, too. It's been a long time, bu' it still hurts ter think abou' him. I'm sure Harry and the Weasley's un'nerstan' the feelin'. Yeh just don' let yerself wallow in it, eh?"

Hermione stood for a few seconds, then very slowly hugged Hagrid.

"Thanks," she whispered, and when she pulled back she wiped away tears.

"An' you, Ron and Ginny, ain't gotten to you yet! How're you two holdin' up?"

"All right, I suppose," Ron said, not too convincingly. Ginny made a small noise.

"Well, yeh just do like Hermione an' don' wallow in it, eh?" He gave them both a one-armed hug. "Bill'd especially want you ter not be sad. I remember him at Hogwarts; never saw him upset once!"

"So, how's Grawp?" Hermione asked, wanting to get off the subject.

Hagrid's eyes shown, like a father with a newborn. "Learnin' fast, he is. Enough language to speak like a 6-year-old, and not rippin' up trees anymore! I'll be bringin' him inter the castle soon enough!"

Ron laughed, very weakly.

"Well, must be on me way! Got firs' years ter look after!" He stumped importantly away, yelling, "Firs' years!"

"At least he hasn't changed," Ron said.

"He seems very nice," Luna said. "I guess Ravenclaws have a bad idea of him."

"He fantastic," Hermione said, as they proceeded into the castle.


"A thousand and one years ago

When I was newly made

The Founding Four gave me a task

That's most sad, I'm afraid

Because, you know, they would have me

Sort the students into houses

And from only your peers, you would

Choose your friends and spouses

And as it is my duty

I must do as they commanded

Though I'm afraid the consequence

Will be most heavy-handed

To divide wisdom and industry

Is a task misguided

To separate the brave and ambitious

Will lead to friends divided

And so place me upon your head

And I'll tell you where to go

And as you head into your house

The warning signs will show

Don't say you were blind to it

Because I told you what would come

I'll do the task; you do the rest

Deaths will be the sum."

The Sorting Hat fell silent.

There was awkward clapping from the Great Hall, except for Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and even Neville, who clapped viciously, and Ginny let up a cheer.

"That was some song, eh?" Ron said.

"Sometimes I think the Sorting Hat's the smartest thing in this school," Harry responded.

The Sorting went on, as it always did, and when the last first year was sent to Ravenclaw, Dumbledore stood up. He called for silence, then spoke.

"As our Sorting Hat has warned you, separating you will most likely lead to house friction. Indeed, we did not want to do it this year, but there is the problem of too many students being overcrowded into one area, so we must. Also, Quidditch will continue this year, as Madame Hooch has informed us the unused Bludgers often break out of their boxes and attack. However, we are lifting the 1st-year broomstick ban. From now on, all students have the right to possess a broom."

There was a loud cheer from the 1st years.

"As you will see in your schedules tomorrow, all houses will be taking the same class at the same time. That is to say, all 6th years will be taking Potions in the same room at the same time."

There was loud cheering from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Slytherin and Gryffindor were less enthusiastic. 6 Slytherins looked remotely interested. One was the girl who had stood with Pansy earlier on that day.

"We have found a new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, hopefully one who can stay this time around. Please welcome Nymphadora Tonks."

This was old news to Harry and the others. They clapped mildly as she spread out her robes and curtsied, before turning her hair into shocking blue and sitting to the squeals of several first year girls.

"Professor Tonks is an Auror who has generously offered to help us out. You may, as well, be seeing more of Professor Lupin this year, as he may be substituting for her when her duties call her away."

There were more cheers, especially from the Gryffindor table.

"I have three more announcements to make. One is that we have an old student returning to our school. Kindly welcome Petunia Dursely."

Under the eyes of the entire Great Hall, Petunia grimaced and stood up from the Staff Table amid polite clapping.

"Circumstances in her 7th year caused her to leave the school. However, upon completion of her N.E.W.T's, she will join the school staff as Muggle Studies teacher, seeing as our old professor has decided to retire."

This was also old news to Harry and the others, who clapped politely.

"My next announcement is about something you may have heard of last year. 28 of our students formed a secret defense society to aid the rather—well, useless teaching method Professor Umbridge used. This year, however, there is no need for it to be secret. All students who wish to receive further training in Defense Against the Dark Arts may sign up for it in their Common Rooms. If you feel you need parental permission, the list will stay there until Friday."

There were scattered claps, and then Dumbledore spoke again.

"As I'm sure you've read in the Daily Prophet, Lord Voldemort—" there was a collective jump, "—has returned and is gaining the power he had years ago. The only way to fight against him is to remain a strong, undivided force. Therefore, I urge you to work hard together, especially in the fields of Defense and Charms. Do not let house rivalries block the way of becoming an unbreakable shield against him." He paused, and just barely sighed. "That is all I have to say. Please, enjoy the feast."

Students went to their food slowly, letting the full effect of the words sink in.

"You know why they dropped the 1st-year ban, don't you?" Hermione asked. "And why they're training us harder?"

"Why?" Ron asked, his voice muffled by chicken.

"Because he's afraid. If Voldemort—don't choke, Ron—decides to attack the school, we need to be able to defend ourselves, or make a quick getaway. And our double classes are exactly for what he said. Unity. We need to defend each other, too."

"That's not a problem in our case," Harry said, squeezing Hermione's hand. "But that might be a problem for the Slytherins over there."

"Ha, ha. Ain't you funny."

The 6 of them looked up to behind Harry. It was Elizabeth Attison, the girl from earlier. They could finally get a good look at her, to see that her hair was a shining blonde. Her expressive eyes were hazel-green, and they shown out of her pale face that was touched with pink.

"Given, Millicent's a git, and don't get me started on Pansy, but I have friends in Gryffindor."

"Elizabeth!"

A very short girl with chin-length dark brown hair, lighter brown eyes, and loads of freckles waved energetically.

"Wait!" Elizabeth yelled over. "See ya." She walked away.

"Yeah, I know her," Hermione said. "There are two girls in my dorm besides Parvati and Lavender. They're called Marie Applegate and Lynn Windward, and they're friends with that Elizabeth girl. She—Elizabeth—once got Malfoy on a prank."

"Then how's she a Slytherin?" Ron asked.

"While the majority of Slytherins—how should I put it? Um—suck, as the Americans would say, there's always one or two who are in there because they care immensely about their futures. Slytherins are known for ambition, not evilness, Ron."

CRACK

"Dobby, you give me a heart attack every time you do that," Harry said, as a very, very happy elf suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Dobby has excellent news, Harry Potter! Very excellent news!"

"You poisoned Malfoy's food?" Ron asked.

"No, Weezey, other news!"

"Dobby, call me Ron. RON. R-o-n."

"Yes sir, Weezey!"

"Why do I bother?" Ron asked, throwing up his hands.

"What's the news, Dobby?" Harry asked.

"Winky's expecting, sir!"

"Expec—oh my God!" Hermione yelped. "Winky's having a baby? When?"

"Soon, Hermes, soon! Winky was so upset, Winky doesn't care for freedom at all, so Dobby gives her what wizards call a kiss! And Winky likes it! That was some months ago, sir, and now Dobby knows he loves Winky! So we gets what wizards call "married", sir, and now Winky says she's expecting! Dobby's so happy!"

"Dobby, that's great," Harry said, grinning. It was great to have good news of something, finally.

"Oh, sir, there's more! Dobby must give you a message. The new woman standing with Professor Dumbledore wants you to see her. Petty, Dobby thinks her name is."

"Aunt Petunia? What's she want?"

"Dobby knows not, sir, only that she wants you in the Professor's office. And now Dobby must return to his Winky! Good day!" He disapparated again.

"I'll go see what she wants." He gave Hermione's hand a squeeze and then stood up. "Be back soon as I can, 'kay, guys?"

"All right," 5 of them chorused as one.

Hermione tugged Harry's hand so he leaned over to give her a kiss.

"You come back soon, all right?"

"Yeah."


"What'd you want to see me for?"

Harry was looking at both Dumbledore and Petunia. Dumbledore was sitting as his desk, and Petunia sat against the wall, staring at her hands folded in her lap.

"Your Aunt Petunia wants you to see something."

"My Penseive," Petunia blurted out. "I asked Professor Dumbledore to empty some of my memories into it. It makes some of the pain of the memories go away when you empty them out into the Penseive."

"And why do you want me to see this?"

"To…understand some things," Petunia said falteringly. "Like why I left…and why I didn't talk to your mother."

Harry's eye settled on the pale blue bowl resting and smoking on Dumbledore's desk.

"You sure you want me to see this?" he asked.

"Petunia and I have discussed it, and she wants to," Dumbledore said. He beckoned Harry closer. "Enter, Harry, if you want to."

He stared at the bowl, then crossed the room slowly.

He rested his hands on the brim and looked in. Shadowy figures danced around in it.

He dipped his fingers in it, feeling it ripple. Then, he took a breath, steeled himself, and buried his head in it.