Title: Harry Potter and the Year of Realizations

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts wasn't the best. Will his sixth be any better? He thinks it might be, but what's going on with Hermione, and what about these confusing feelings he has? A story with angst, drama, mystery, and of course, romance.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling. (Although sometimes I wish I owned Harry, j/k (strike the 'sometimes'))

Here's the nineteenth installment of Harry Potter and the Year of Realizations. I'm glad you all (well, most of you) like it. I'm really quite proud of it. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Again, this chapter is going to be 4,000 words instead of 3,000. Thanks to Amber, (aka) PinkPixieDust16. I can already tell it's going to be hard to keep up with the story line later on, but I'll try my best to tough it out for the fans.....WOW, I have fans! Cool.

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Chapter Nineteen: The Cost

PREVIOUSLY:

Hermione rushed out of the classroom, leaving a clueless Ron behind. She ran down the corridors and straight to the DADA classroom. Hoping to God he was still there. She burst in the door. "HARRY!" She yelled. "Professor." Hermione leaned down, putting her hands on her knees. "Hermione, what is it, Harry asked worriedly. "It's Sirius, he's coming back!" Hermione said frantically.

Harry turned so quickly in his chair, even he was afraid he might fall off. He stood up. "What was that?" He asked slowly. Hermione took her hands off of her knees. "Harry, it's Sirius, he's coming back." She said, still trying to catch her breath. Harry looked at her as though she had just sprouted another head. He looked at her questioningly. Harry heard Lupin stand up. "Miss Granger, what is this about?" He asked, clearly not believing that a fellow Marauder was coming back, since he was the only one left, in his mind anyway.

"Professor, Trelawney had a vision that he was coming back tonight." She said, walking a little closer to them. Harry breathed out and his face was red. "Hermione, don't do that, you know that she's a complete fraud." Harry said, very disappointed. Lupin nodded in silent agreement. "No, Harry, Professor, it was a real vision, I'm sure of it. She didn't even have any idea as to what she had said after she'd said it." She said, trying to get them to believe her.

Harry stood there, contemplating what he had just heard. No, he wouldn't let himself believe it, all it could lead to was disappointment. Lupin walked over to Hermione, "Are you positively sure?" He asked her, looking her in the eye. She nodded. He started laughing and he looked happier than he had in a long while. Harry smiled, but suddenly the smile disappeared from his face as if he just heard his dog died. (A/N, get it? Sorry, just felt like it, anyway, onward).

Hermione was looking at them with a worried expression on her face. "What is it?" Harry asked, moving a bit closer to her. "Well, Trelawney also said it would be at a price..." She looked down at the floor. "Well, what is it?" Lupin asked expectantly. "Well, I don't know, but it's making me worry. I just wish I knew what the price was." She said quietly. Harry frowned. "Maybe we should go see Dumbledore." Harry suggested. Hermione nodded and waved a silent good-bye to Lupin who smiled and waved to the both of them as they walked out of the room.

They walked silently to Dumbledores' office until Harry spoke before they rounded the last corner. "Hermione, did she happen to say when?" Harry asked slowly. Hermione looked up at him. "Tonight." She said softly, rounding the last corner. Before they reached the door Harry stopped. Hermione stopped a couple of feet ahead of him. She looked at him expectantly. "Hermione, it's going to be okay, nothing's going to happen, well, maybe something, but I promise I won't let anything hurt you." Harry said, flashing her a heart-melting smile and a reassuring look. Hermione smiled, but still had glossy eyes, tears, threatening to spill over.

They both walked the last ten feet to the door and stopped. Bloody Hell! Harry thought, annoyed. Hermione shot him a glace at the Ron trademark saying. Harry turned around quickly when he heard someone speak. "Giving up so quickly, are we?" Dumbledore asked smiling. "Professor Dumbledore, sir, we need to talk to you." Harry said in an urgent voice. Dumbledore smiled and led them back to the 'door'. "Flying Whizbees." He said, a sort of smirk on his face. Harry and Hermione looked up at him in utter shock. "Have you been to Fred and George's shop?" Hermione asked, trying to contain her giggles. Albus only winked as they stepped onto the stone stairs leading up to his office.

Harry and Hermione followed Dumbledore into his office and sat down in front of his desk. As Dumbledore sat down he nodded at Harry as if to say 'proceed'. Harry opened his mouth, then closed it. "Sir, I think Hermione could tell you this a bit better, she was there." Harry said, once again, flashing a smile to her. She smiled back and looked up at Dumbledore, who was watching this exchange quite amusedly. She blushed, as did Harry, but proceeded. "Miss Granger." Dumbledore said as a way to tell her to begin. "Well, professor, sir," She began, "I was in Divination when Professor Twelawney had a vision..." She trailed off, not knowing exactly how to word it. Dumbledore looked at her intently, eyes knowing already what she was talking about. Does he ever NOT know something? Harry thought exasperatedly.

Hermione tried to start again, but Albus stopped her mid word. "Miss Granger, I am already aware of the events of the Divination class this morning." Dumbledore said slowly and calmly. Harry and Hermione exchanged a confused look. Dumbledore, watching this, just smiled. "I am well aware of the meaning of it and wish that you do not look into, as I am sure I need to find out a couple more things about it. In our meeting this afternoon we will finish this conversation and also talk about your particular...condition." He said, slowly and calmly as before. "Thank you, sir." Hermione said politely as Harry waved and walked to the stone stairs.

Harry and Hermione got to the bottom stair before realizing Ron was waiting for them. They looked at him suspiciously before walking up to him. "Ron?" Hermione asked slowly, more asking what he wanted than anything. Ron jumped at the sound. "Oh, sorry, I was just..." He stopped. "Um, yeah, I was just wondering what was going on, you weren't in Potions, although, I don't blame you... Snape was unusually nasty today..." Ron said, looking up at them. Harry just smiled at this, at least something was normal. Hermione was still not in the best of moods. "Well, we were just talking to Dumbledore, you know..." Harry trailed off. "Oh, yeah..." Ron said looking down. He just turned and walked off, leaving Harry and Hermione behind.

"Harry, why didn't we say anything about this to him?" Hermione asked herself more than actually asking Harry. Harry shrugged. They let it go as they walked down hall, wishing they'd missed both Potions today, because it was double potions. They were walking in am awkward silence when Harry noticed Hermiones' hand. He thought it was the weirdest thing, until he heard a voice in the back of his head. 'Take it, just take it, where's that Gryffindor sprit? You know you want to.'. Harry stole a quick glace at Hermione, hoping to God that she didn't hear that voice in his head too. She didn't seem to notice anything.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione grabbed his hand, smiling to herself. That sigh Harry was going for caught in his throat and suddenly his throat was very dry and he was very aware of the fact that his hand was probably very sweaty. Harry wasn't any more relaxed now that he felt Hermiones' hand wrapping its way around his own. Harry wasn't exactly relieved when they got to the potions, mostly because it was potions. Hermiones' hand slipped out of his as she grabbed the handle of the double door.

The walked into the class, side by side, causing some snickers amongst the whispers. "20 points from Gryffindor." Harry and Hermione opened their mouths to explain. "each." Snape hissed at them. "Professor Snape, sir, we were with Dumbledore discussing..." Hermione hesitated. "things." She finished, looking down. Snape gave her a dirty look. "Until I get that confirmed, 40 points from Gryffindor." Harry groaned and took a seat next to Ron, ,who was unusually preoccupied. Hermione sat down beside him as they took out their textbooks.

Hermione also pulled out some parchment and starting taking notes. Harry however followed Ron's stare and found himself looking at Luna. Harry rolled his eyes at this and was about to say something to Ron about it when he felt a sharp pain in his side. He realized that Hermione had elbowed him. You should be taking notes, don't think that just because...well, you're not copying mine. She finished stubbornly. Harry smirked and took out his parchment and a quill.

Hermione smiled to herself. The rest of the potions class went rather smoothly, for a potions class anyway. Neville was getting better and only blew his cauldron once in class this year. Well, except Ron, who got detention for having his attention...elsewhere, when Snape was giving a particularly dull lecture, even Hermione looked like she was forcing herself to pay attention. Which was odd, to her standards anyway.

Ron really hadn't processed that Harry and Hermione were together, in his mind it was an...accident, yes, an accident that wouldn't accidentally happen again. He shrugged it off, not really contemplating anything. His gaze was drawn again to Luna Lovegood. He caught her eye and blushed. She smiled at him and they both looked down. Ah, young love. Thank God that Malfoy wasn't in this class to ruin everything.

Harry I think Ron just isn't getting it, I think we need to talk to him. Hermione thought, trying to talk to Harry during class without getting caught, this was a major plus. Harry looked at her, she was still pretending to take notes. Oh. Do we have to? Harry asked her in a playful tone. Hermione giggled at this. "Is there something funny, Miss Granger?" Snape asked her severally. "No, sir, not at all." Hermione said, obviously trying to contain giggles.

Not little miss perfect are you? Harry asked, smirking down at his 'notes', which seemed to have be replaced by little hearts and the initials H.G. oh and a few Mrs. Hermione Potters'. Hermione smiled. That's what you think... She trailed off. Harry on the other hand was blushing furiously and crumpling up his 'notes' and stuffing them in his pockets. She is perfect, you know. A voice in Harrys' head said as Harry mentally kicked himself. Hermione began writing quickly and was listening intently to Snape. Harry was embarrassed, but none the less amused.

Potions went on like this until they were dismissed. Harry and Hermione headed off to lunch. "Harry, I'll be right back, I have something I need to get, I'll meet you outside, and we can eat lunch out there, okay?" Hermione asked, giving Harry a reassuring smile. Harry grabbed his lunch and then grabbed hers and headed outside to the courtyard.

He set hers down beside him and placed a shield charm on it to keep out the bugs. He started eating his own but realized that his stomach just wasn't cooperating with him. He thought he had what some people might call butterflies and he felt like he was going to be sick, but not in a bad way, well. It was like what Ron said in third year. 'You're gonna suffer...but you're gonna be...happy about it.' Harry laughed, remembering that day.

Harry saw Hermione making her way out to the courtyard. She stopped, but immediately spotted him. She walked over to him, smiling broadly. "Harry, you didn't have to get me anything." She said, still smiling. "Oh, yeah, what did you get?" Harry asked, picking at his own food. "Oh yeah, here, this is for you." She set it down and muttered a spell Harry couldn't quite hear. The gift grew to about 15 times its original size. Harry beamed. "Oh, Hermione, you didn't have to get me anything, the watch was more than enough." He said. "Harry, just open it, before I do it for you." Harry grabbed the present and ripped off the paper.

He was left with a white box about the size of 6 shoeboxes. He lifted the lid and looked down. He smiled up at her. "'Mione, this is great, I've always wanted one of these, well, a working one. The one I had before I got for Christmas, but it was a present Dudley got and he didn't understand it. Well, that and he sat on it because Petunia wouldn't give him any more eggnog." Harry laughed and Hermione joined in. "Thank you." Harry said beaming. "Oh." Hermione said, her eyes wide and her eyebrows rose. She pulled out a small white rectangle and performed the same spell on it as she did the other gift. Harry looked at the white book she now held in her hands. She handed it to him.

"Well, I thought you might need it." She said, still happy that she made Harry happy, how weird. Harry read the title. Part One: The Basics of Guitar. Part Two: Intermediate Rhythms and Beats. "Thank you so much, 'Mione, you didn't have to." Harry said. "Oh, I wanted to, and your welcome, it was no problem." Hermione said. Harry and Hermione finished their lunch, chatting away like old times. Harry, though, thanked Hermione about a hundred more times before Hermione threatened to use a silencing charm on him.

Harry looked at his watch and realized that they better hurry if they wanted to make it to their meeting with Dumbledore. They ran all the way to his office and Hermione muttered 'Flying Whizbees'. They ran up the stairs. Harry was glad that Hermione had paid attention in charms last year because he had no clue how to perform a shrinking spell, and they hadn't had time to run all the way up to the common room.

Dumbledore was sitting at his desk when Harry and Hermione walked in, catching their breath. "Sit down, there are some things we need to discuss about the vision that had not been brought to my attention at that time. As you may know, there is always a cost when someone comes back to Earth from the dead." Dumbledore started. The twinkle had left his eye and he sad a slight frown on his face. "The cost is always something dear and the vision can be prevented if you do not wish to lose this particular thing." He looked at them. "What is it, sir?" Hermione asked slowly, not quite sure if she wanted an answer or not.

CLIFFHANGER, sorry. The next chapter will be a big one and I'm sorry about the wait for this one, the next chapter should be up by Friday so, yay. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, there wasn't any D/G or Mr. and Mrs. Granger, but that will come in a later chapter. Enjoy, and please tell me if you do. Thanks. 3

!!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! POLL ALERT !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!!
Well, this isn't exactly a poll, but it's awesome, JKR officially announced the new title for book six. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! (The half Blood Prince is neither Harry nor Voldemort, by the way, her words not mine.)

Thanks for your reviews:

PinkPixieDust16: Yeah, I thought so. Yeah, that's what I had planned. Hopefully everyone likes it. Anyway, Thanks, sorry these are taking a bit longer to post, I'm having a sort of writers block, before I'd just get on a roll, I'm waiting for another of those to come. I can't wait to find out what happens next either, lol.

Linzay04: Yeah, it was pretty hard to get to 4,000 words, I'll try again, but I don't want it to be crappy at the end because I was just trying to make it longer. It will be more than 3,000, but 4,000 is a maybe. A favorite? Thanks! I'm just trying to keep up with all of it. It's getting tough.

Geena-Waters (16): I know how you feel about the great feeling of reviews! Aren't they grand? Second and third chapters are hard, so hang in there. Sorry I wasn't much help with the Fred and George thing. Sorry, anyway, thanks. R&R again.

Jess: Yeah, that was my plan whether or not people voted yes for it. Lol, thanks for your review.

Andrea: Two for one? I don't think so, maybe, but probably no. Sorry. Thanks for your review. I hope you like this next chapter!

Nightstone131302: Thanks, sorry the updates are taking longer, I'm very stressed at the present time about some stuff. I'm trying to get into the every other day schedule soon though. Again, thanks.

Geena-Waters (17): Yeah, Poor Mrs. G, but it was necessary, I wanted Harry to have to deal with a crying Hermione, and well, comfort her about...it. Soft side? Maybe a weak side. The love potion was a shock, even to me, but I like how it turned out.

Geena-Waters (18): Yeah, the visions being a lot alike was what I was aiming for. Lupin, hmmm, maybe... Thanks, hope you like this too. Remember, If everyone tells me they didn't especially like a chapter, and I don't get ANY flames, then I'll rewrite it, hopefully I won't have to, but it's all about the readers.

Shinji-Higurashi: Yeah, he is. Thanks for the review, but sorry the updates are taking longer, I hope to get back into every other day soon. Thanks for putting up with me. I hope you like this chapter as well.

AthenaKitty: All will be answered in the next couple of chapters. Here's a hint, Draco's in trouble...(says in the sing-song tone kids on the playground use when someone gets in trouble). Anyway, thanks for your review.

Ron: Thanks, that's okay, I need to come up with my own anyway, I hope you like this chapter, personally I don't really like how it turned out, but oh well. Thanks, review again! 3

Twinkle25: Thanks! I'm always happy when I get new readers! I really hope you like this chapter. And yes, they can be cinnamon, ( ). Lol, anyway, I hope you like this chapter as well.

I hope you all like it, please review, I'll probably get the next chapter up in a day. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review! I'll give you a cookie. XOXO

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