Chapter nine: Coming back to reality

"Regulus" Harry exclaimed and immediately were on Regulus side along with the Grangers.

"We must move him to the living room" said Mr. Granger.

"Hermione please open the windows" ordered Mrs. Granger when they found themselves in the living room.

It took them fifteen minutes to bring Regulus into the world of concussion.

"Oh! My head" Regulus moaned.

"Regulus are you all right?" asked concerned Harry.

"No. But I will be soon" replied Regulus.

After five minutes Regulus felt good enough to sit on the couch. He took one of his cigarettes and aflame this. He leaned back against the couch savouring the taste of his cigarette. Even if Grangers mind this they didn't said anything.

"What was that?" asked Hermione.

"A branch of legilimency called telepathy" answered Regulus.

"How it works?" asked Hermione.

"A bit different than legilimency. Legilimency come from Latin legere – reading and mens – mind. Legilimency is entering someone without agreement from this person. Telepathy is like talk between two minds. And one thing. You always, almost always know if someone entered your mind using legilimency and you never know if someone entered your mind using telepathy" answered Regulus.

"Why?" asked Harry.

"Because between you and the person who is using telepathy must exist a bond based on positive feelings like friendship or love. In legilimency this bond can exist but it's no necessary" said Regulus.

"You mean that you entered Sirius mind?" asked Hermione.

"How to say this? Sirius mind is closed. I tried legilimency first, but I found only brick wall then I used telepathy and I found that he is alive, but very weak. Then I used legilimency again because I sensed someone presence in his mind and I was forced to leave. But I know one thing, this person tried to close his mind before everyone intrusion" said Regulus.

"What?" asked Hermione.

"It was like someone used advanced occlumency on him. His mind was closed from outside"

"But how?" asked Harry.

"I don't know. But if it was someone from the Order, they know that he is alive and they will found him" answered Regulus.

"How are you felling?' asked Mr. Granger.

"Better than before, but my head still hurts. It's after effect for someone who didn't used telepathy for a long time" answered Regulus.

After they ate the breakfast they went to living room where Mrs. Granger brought photographs. Each photo has own history . Like this one where Harry and Hermione were covered from head to toes in cream, both giggling and waving into camera – this was magical picture. Harry asked about this.

"Mirzam took this. It was Hermione 1st birthday. She brought magical camera. There are more magical pictures here" said Mrs. Granger pointing at the pile of photographs.

Indeed there were more magical pictures there. Like this one with one year old Harry and Hermione on Sirius knees or this one where little Harry were suckling milk from the bottle in Mirzam arms and many others. Harry thought looking at every picture where Mirzam was that his godmother was beautiful woman. She like Regulus told had long jet-black hairs, sometimes longer sometimes shorter, sometimes wavy sometimes curly sometimes straight, sometimes with fringe or without this. Her hairs changed on the photos but one thing stay the same, her eyes, it shape same shade of green like his and his mother were. And her smile. She was really beautiful. 'How far Azkaban could changed her?' Harry wondered.

But one photograph brought his attention more than the others. Dated on 23rd October 1981. Day before Fidelius charm was preformed. There were Mirzam and Sirius on this photo, Mirzam has Hermione in her arms and Sirius has Harry in his, both adults were smiling and waving to the camera. Both children were widely smiling and pointing at the camera.

"You can take it Harry" said Mrs. Granger.

"Thank you" said Harry and put the photo beside the pile they already saw.

Photos which Harry could take raised to impressive pile when around 10 am patient come and Grangers with Regulus who offered his help with helping poor man. And Harry and Hermione were left alone.

"I can believe they have this photos and didn't let me look in this. I'm glad you came here" said Hermione.

"I'm glad too. Your parents are wonderful people Hermione" said Harry.

"What you think?" asked Hermione.

"About?"

"What Regulus said about Sirius?"

"I don't know. I'm happy because he is alive and I'm worried because of what he said about Sirius mind being closed from outside"

"You think it was Voldemort?"

"No. Perhaps someone from the Order. But how many people we know, could make something like that. It's a very advanced magic. And it must be powerful person"

"Only Dumbledore and I hate to tell this Snape"

"I don't think that would be Snape. But maybe it was Mirzam, Regulus told me she was very powerful. And one thing occurs me now more. I told you that since I meet Regulus I didn't have any nightmares"

"Let's say it was Mirzam who closed Sirius' and yours mind from Voldemort. But it's very unlike. She had to be mencymagus to close two minds at the same time"

"Mency what?" asked Harry.

"Mencymagus a wizard or witch who can perform very advanced mencymagic"

"Hermione I hate to tell this but you are talking to idiot"

"Mencymagic. Magic of minds. Like Occlumency, Legilimency, Telepathy. Mencymagus is a person who can control closing and opening people minds, feelings. And it's a very good Legilimenist, Occlumenist, Telepathist"

"You can learn this?"

"No, from what I read about, mencymagic is ability with which person must born. And every single mencymagus were always on Dark Lords services. There are not good mencymagus. It's very rare and very bad gift"

"Parselmouth too, but it doesn't mean that I'm evil, right?"

"No, you are not"

"Do you know more about mencymagus Hermione?"

"Yes. As I told you people are born with this ability. But mencymagus is born one per two hundred years. They weren't good mencymagus very single one was or on Dark Lords services or was one of them"

"What about Voldemort?"

"From what they write about him Voldemort himself is not mencymagus, he is just skilled in Occlumency and Legilimency, but he had to have mencymagus in his family"

"I think it's enough of depressing stuff" said Harry.

"Did you get your OWL's results?"

"I said enough of depressing stuff Hermione"

"Aww come on Harry, what you think, you passed?"

"I know that I passed DADA and I dare to say that I passed with Outstanding"

"What about rest?"

"I don't want to think about rest until I will have my OWL's results in hand. Could you find another topic?"

"Okay. What you want to do after school?"

"If Voldemort don't kill me earlier I want to become an Auror, just like my father and my godparents. Speaking about godparents, will you believe that they wrote a book how to get into Aurors?"

"Really?"

"Really. It is in my trunk. I will show you"

They went upstairs to the room where he and Regulus stayed for last night. The book bewitched Hermione.

"Harry it's a wonderful book. Can I borrow this after you end reading?"

"Sure Hermione"

"Mirzam C. Verascez and Sirius M. Black. I wonder for what this C and M stand for?"

"Cassiopeia and Mufrid"

"From where you know this?"

"Regulus told me. He also told me that Sirius hate his middle name when he was young, but Regulus often remained him that better Mufrid than Sadalmelik"

"Sadalmelik?"

"Regulus middle name"

"What's your middle name?"

"James. And yours?"

"Jane"

"Which photo is your favourite, from this which we saw earlier Hermione?"

"This one in park from 23rd October 1981"

"My too. One thing occurs me"

"What?"

"Mirzam's appearance. You know where she is with fringe and where she is without. Long and straight or short and curly hairs"

"Charms? Transfiguration?"

"Or metamorphomagus?"

"You think so?"

"Funny. She is Animagus, we made her Mencymagus and Metamorphomagus"

"Funny it will be if she was all of them plus were Parlsetongue"

"Yep. I could tell then that I have Supergodmother. Is there more magus abilities?"

"I don't know. But I'm starting to regret that she is not my godmother"

"Hermione are jealous?" asked Harry.

"Me?! Potter how dare you" exclaimed Hermione and grabbed one of the pillows from the couch and smacked Harry playfully.

"I'm gentleman and I will not hurt a woman or girl" Harry said and let Hermione hits him.

But he changed his mind after two minutes when the pillow hit him on the head and he grabbed another pillow and hit back.

"I though that you are gentleman and you would not hurt a woman. So what was that?" asked Hermione.

"Self defence?" replied Harry.

Pillow war last fifteen minutes and ended when Harry trying to duck from Hermione's pillow fall on the couch and grabbed Hermione's arm dragging her with him. They both ended in rather suggestive position.

Hermione was on top of him. One of her hands were lying on his chest, another on his collar. His own hands, one still on Hermione's arm and another slowly rising from his knee to Hermione's cheek where his fingers started caressing soft skin. Hand that were on Hermione's arm moved agonizingly slowly to her hairs and tangled into silky locks. Hermione's hands sneaked around Harry's neck and one tangled into his hairs.

'Oh God. It feels so good, so perfect' Harry thought.

They both leaned closer, nose-to-nose, looking into each other's eyes.

'Well Potter where is your famous Gryffindor courage' Harry thought 'Should be here'

With this Harry closed the gap between them and pressed his lips to Hermione's lips. They went still for few minutes then Hermione pulled back, but just a bit and moaned.

"Oh Harry" and she pressed his lips to Harry's once again.

They lips moved, slowly, tenderly, gently tasting each other with typical restraint of a first kiss. Harry felt like something burst in his chest with force of supernova. This was perfect, this was right. This was Hermione, his best friend, and his angel...

They parted both flushed, lips glistening and they were staring into each other eyes.

Then one thing came back to Harry, something what he really don't want to think about but he had to tell Hermione. PROPHECY.. Part of his worry must reflect on his face because blurted.

"Harry. God. I'm sorry. I shouldn't encouraged this"

"No Hermione, it's not your fault. It's something what Dumbledore told after the battle in the Ministry"

Hermione raised her eyebrows "What it has to do with what we do now?"

"Many things Hermione, many things. I had to tell you something" Harry said.

Hermione nodded.

"Do you remember this prophecy which broke that night in the Ministry?"

Hermione nodded again.

"I heard this" Harry said.

"You heard this but how?" she asked.

"Dumbledore. After the battle. He sent me into his office and told me about this. It said that in the end I had to kill Voldemort or he will kill me. I'm the one person who can do this" Harry said and saw tears in Hermione's eyes.

"But how? Why?" she asked.

"He chose me. He saw me as someone more dangerous than other boy of the prophecy. I'm the one who can kill him Hermione"

"Why you are telling me this Harry?" she asked tears falling from her eyes.

"Because even if I loved this kiss, I don't want someone to hurt you, because of me" he replied.

"Why someone want to hurt me?"

"Because you are my friend. I don't want you or Ron to be hurt because of me if I'm able to stop this" Harry answered.

"Harry, you are an idiot" said Hermione through the tears.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because it's not only your war. Yes, you had to kill Voldemort in the end I agreed with this and I accept this. But it's not only your war. I understand, now more than ever what Sirius told me before you arrived on Grimmauld Place 12 when I asked him about the first war and he said at the end of our talk that there are things in this war worth dying for. I' muggleborn, right?"

"Right"

"I may not survive this war" she said.

"Her..." Harry started but Hermione put her finger on his lips.

"Hear me out Harry. I may not survive this war, but if I can help get rid from Voldemort and his Death Eaters I can died happy, because maybe next generations could live in peace, in world without war. That maybe next generations of muggleborns wouldn't fear about their lives because of some homicidal Dark Lord. Do you understand me Harry? I'll be there, for you, with you, always. I will never left you alone because I LOVE YOU Harry, more than my own life" she said and stilled tears still falling from her eyes.

Something in Harry changed. He saw something, something what was in him for years and what peek from behind the fog but just a bit from time to time when Hermione was in danger. He realised that he loved her, he loved her with all his life. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.

"I love you too Hermione. I can't promise you that everything gonna be alright, but I swear that I will do everything in my power to protect you and that I will love you always, no matter what" with this he leaned closer and kissed her.

Even if they pulled back eventually after what seems like ages they stayed in each other's arms.

Then one thing draw Harry's attention, he could bet on Hedwig that they closed the door when they get here, so why the door were half-open.

"Hermione, did we closed the door?" he asked.

"Yes. Why you are asking?"

"Because of this" he pointed at the door.

"I think we should go downstairs" she said.

They found adults in the kitchen. Mrs. Granger were preparing lunch and Mr. Granger with Regulus were drinking tea.

"Tea?" Mr Granger asked.

"Yes. Thank you" both teenagers replied.

Harry looked in Regulus direction, he almost missed the smirk on Regulus face, almost because he hide this behind his mug of tea, but not quick enough.

"You can be wonderful uncle but as a spy you are terrible" Harry commented.

Regulus moved his mug away and make a kissy face.

"Exactly Regulus how much did you see?" asked Hermione.

"Enough" Regulus replied.

"How much of what?" asked Mrs. Granger.

"Ask them Jane?" Regulus pointed at Harry and Hermione.

"Harry, Hermione?" asked Mr. Granger.

"Harry and Hermione sitting on a... ouch for what was it?" Regulus asked after Harry kick him under table.

"You know for what was it prat" said Harry blushing furiously.

"Ah that much?" asked Mr. Granger.

"Well not too much but enough to change my mind about getting the book I planed to read" said Regulus smiling.

Mrs. Granger glared at Regulus, then Harry saw realisation dawning on her face and she smiled.

"I guess that Sirius was right?" she asked her husband.

"Right. About what?" asked Hermione

"About you two. He bet your father about his broom that you two will be together in the future" said Mrs. Granger.

"It's not that I need magical broom. I mean I'm muggle and I could only use his broom to clean the room, but I'm glad that he was right" said Mr. Granger.

"Blacks are good in making predictions" explained Regulus.

"Divination is..." Hermione started.

"Rubbish I know. But predictions are mix of logic and a good luck" said Regulus.

"You have to go this afternoon?" asked Mr. Granger looking at his wife and she smiled.

"Well we can stay that long that we could get to Little Whinging before 11pm or 5am next day" said Regulus.

"I don't know Regulus. I'm my own Transfiguration book. It wouldn't be suspicious if I stay in one position for two days?" asked Harry.

"They is if you are in the house not on your desk or bed Harry. So I don't see nothing against staying in nice company longer than we planed earlier" said Regulus.

"Nor have I" said Harry looking at Hermione.

"So it's settled we drop you to Little Whinging before 5am so I guess we should go to bed early this night" said Mr. Granger.

"Lunch is ready" announced Mrs. Granger.

They eat lunch joking about many things. Later they watched muggle film on the video. Regulus was very interested in video tapes.

"From what I heard you lived in muggle house for fifteen years and you should know what's is a video tape" said Hermione.

"Correction. I lived in squib house and Figg didn't have muggle video only TV. I know more about muggle than any decent pureblood should but not enough to act like a muggle around them. I'm attached to my wand like every wizard and I feel better when I know that I can use this. Look at the screen I told you they will get together" said Regulus pointing at TV.

They ended watching films and moved to the kitchen to make dinner together. Hermione and Mrs. Granger prepared the dinner and Harry helped them even if Mrs. Granger tried to kick him out from help explaining that he was guest in their house and should act like one.

"Regulus did wizards have cinema if they did so what you are watching the most?" Harry heard Mr. Granger.

"Yes we have them not too much. I think they are three in Great Brittan and two in Ireland as far as I know. One is in London that I'm sure or was when I was there last time. We usually watch documentary of Quedditch or Shakespeare works" said Regulus.

"Shakespeare? I thought that he was muggle writer?" asked Hermione.

"He was. He write for muggles but he himself was a squib. But his works are valuable for wizards because he speaks in them about Wizarding stuff, mainly. I wasn't his fan I rather like Goethe's works, another squib mind you" answered Regulus.

"How many wizards or squibs writers write for muggles?" asked Mrs. Granger.

"Few. Mainly in romanticism as far as I remember" answered Regulus.

"It's interesting" said Mrs. Granger.

"I know" said Regulus "but if you want to go really insane read wizards romance novels. I read this once or twice when I was sick and decide that I will never read that rubbish again" Regulus added.

"Dinner" Mrs. Granger said.

They spent rest of the evening separately. Regulus with Hermione's parents discussing about muggle and wizard books and films. Harry with Hermione upstairs discussing their future carrier for that long that they both asleep in the middle of this. Before this Hermione's parents stopped by to say goodnight.

Harry woke up suddenly around midnight he saw Hermione still sleeping on his side, he didn't saw Regulus around. Feeling more awake after few minutes he heard that someone was rustling downstairs.

"Hermione wake up" Harry shook her lightly.

"Just five more minutes mom" Hermione snuggled closer to him.

"Hermione. Something is going on" Harry shook her once again.

"What?" she asked.

"Something is going on downstairs" he told her.

"I think we should check this" she said putting on her dressing-gown.

They get downstairs quietly just in time to see Mr. Granger unconscious on the living room floor and Mrs. Granger surrounded by four cloaked figures. She looked like she was begging them but they didn't heard anything.

"Stop playing Rab we are here to get the Mudblood" said one of them.

There was a whisper followed by green light which hit Mrs. Granger straight into chest. Hermione behind Harry gasped in shock. But before Mrs. Granger body hit the ground front doors burst open and Harry saw three people entering the room.

"You bastard! Stupefy!" the witch who entered the room first yelled and Death Eater hit the ground.

"You asked for this. Petrificus Totalus" Harry recognised second voice but it was impossible it couldn't be him.

"Reducio" Harry heard Lupin's angry voice and another Death Eater hit the ground.

"Well, well it's my dear cousin and his band" Harry heard Bellatrix Lestrange voice.

"Stupefy! You bitch!" Harry heard Regulus voice followed by his fast footsteps.

The spell missed Bellatrix at first but it hit a mirror behind her.

Bellatrix glanced in Regulus direction "Well, well it is my traitor cousin. What you are doing here Regiekinns?"

Harry heard suddenly two "Aveda Kedevra", one zoomed close to his ear another come from Sirius wand. Harry didn't know which spell hit Bellatrix first.

"Care to explain me what you two are doing here?" Harry found himself in front of very angry Sirius.

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