(Harry)
"Come on Hermione, you wanted to practice with us."
I watched Hermione slowly get up, exhaustion written in every line of her body. Since we had warded this room with magic detection blocks, Hermione had started training with Remus while I trained with Sirius. Right now we were practicing dueling while Remus and Sirius graded us.
She fired off a couple of quick spells that I dodged, her aim was getting better. I flicked my wand sending a random spell at her. She raised a shield which gave me enough time to send a powerful stunner at her. She tried to hold against it, but it blew through her shield, ending the duel.
I quickly disarmed her, stunned, and bound her. Once I had done that Remus called the duel as over. I walked over to her and woke her smiling. Hermione struggled slightly before glaring at me. "Do you know what you did wrong," I asked softly. She glared at me for a few seconds more before nodding.
"I shouldn't have tried to block it, I should have dodged it." I freed her and helped her up. Hermione didn't make excuses, she simply tried harder. Unfortunately for her, no amount of studying could help her, simply practice.
We walked over to Remus who critiqued her performance, while I went with Sirius to get mine critiqued. Sirius was not what you call tactful, he states exactly where you fail. What keeps it from being like Snape was that there was no malice in his voice.
"Well done pup. Your guard on your right is slipping a little. You allowed her to push her limits, which means that your goal for the duel was met." Sirius and I squared off for a duel, my goal was always the same, beat Sirius in the least time possible.
(Hermione)
I sat on the side watching Harry and Sirius duel. There was no bowing, they simply traded blows. I watched Harry send out several quick spells, stunners, leg locker and others. Both of them dodged with the least amount of movement possible, only blocking when it was necessary to.
I knew Harry had been practicing, but the skill he showed made me envious of him. I knew that as good as Harry was, Ron was slightly better and I was a distant third. It annoyed me that I wasn't the best at it, but Harry had the advantage of coming from the future and Ron was simply a good strategist.
A quick sidestep brought Harry his chance. Harry sent various spells at Sirius, at different places to force him to block, unfortunately Sirius used the chance to send a stunner at Harry while taking the full force of the attack.
Harry smirked, and quickly placed a shield on his hand and used it to deflect the spell. Quickly he sent several stunners, as well as some conjured pieces of furniture, at Sirius. Sirius dodged the furniture, only to be hit by most of the stunners.
I watched Harry throw several spells, (another stunner, a disarming spell, a petrifaction spell, and a rope binding spell) at Sirius before even approaching him. Once he had assured the capture, he quickly moved Sirius to another point in the room that was to practice moving the captured after winning a duel.
Once he finished, we all clapped as he woke Sirius, who smirked at him. "Well done cub. You're getting old Padfoot," Remus said. That was a twist, he leveled glares at me until I got used to calling him Remus.
Sirius yelled, "I am not! Besides, if I'm old, doesn't that make you old?"
Remus smiled, "of course, but I'm not in denial." They bantered back and forth with Harry chiming in occasionally. I felt out of place until Harry walked over to me. "You did great Hermione. You lasted longer than you did last time. Go ahead and get a shower." I smiled at Harry before walking towards the shower.
Truth was I didn't know how to act around Harry. I had always enjoyed being around him, but since I realized my feelings for him I didn't know how to react. There was that girl that he liked, I was so jealous of her that it made me cry. Since I felt that I didn't have a chance of him returning my feelings, I buried them beneath everything I could.
Going to the library after my shower, I noticed that Harry was dueling against Remus, Sirius, and Dobby. It was entrancing to watch. Harry dodged with a minimal amount of movement while sending spells at Remus and Sirius. They had explained that Dobby was there to make it harder.
Dobby was the enigma of house elves. Dobby had wanted freedom, but still loved to serve. I had learned that house elves had their own version of combat magic, that they only used it in protection of their masters, not as an offensive force. Dobby had found several house elves that were more than happy to work for Harry, it was just that they didn't have much to do.
I watched for a little while longer before going to the library. Harry had told me that there was a limit to what books could give you, that the true limit of magic was the will and power to make something happen. While I understood his point of view, I just couldn't wrap my mind around the idea. After all, everything can be explained.
About an hour or two later, Harry came in and told me it was lunch time. We walked in silence to the kitchen, I couldn't think of anything to say and simply enjoyed being with him. We walked in and sat to eat the wonderful meal that was before us.
(Harry)
I watched Hermione expression. Ever since Ron had left, I noticed that she seemed kind of distant. I could tell that it had something to do with me, as she occasionally threw me glances that seemed odd to me. We ate and talked about the World Cup we would be going to tomorrow. Hermione rarely added anything unless she was actually addressed.
After lunch I joined Hermione in the library for some studying. We sat in silence for a while reading our books. After about the fiftieth time she glanced at me I closed my book and said, "what is it Hermione?"
"Nothing Harry." Then she muttered, "nothing important."
I had enough of this dance we were in. I grabbed her book and said, "no it obviously is. Whatever is bothering you is bothering me because you won't let me help you." She glared at me for a while.
She held out her hand. "I told you it is nothing you need to worry about, my book please."
I shook my head, "you're wrong Hermione, anything that is bothering you is important to me."
"Why? Shouldn't you be worrying about your love interest," she said disgusted. What was she talking about? My love interest? But that was her, didn't she…
I started laughing, I couldn't help it. All this time I was worried that I wouldn't have a chance, but she liked me. She was acting the same way she did when I went out with Cho. I sobered up quickly, that was why she was acting odd.
"Hermione, if I ask you a question will you promise to answer me completely honest?"
She nodded, "I promise Harry. I would never lie to you."
"How do you feel towards me?"
(Hermione)
I froze. He knew, he knew! I quickly went over my actions towards him trying to figure out how he could have figured it out. He broke my concentration saying, "I'm waiting Hermione."
"I care for you as my closest friend, how else should I feel" I said to cover up my reaction. He kept looking at me for awhile in silence.
Just when I thought he would buy it he said, "you're not being completely honest Hermione. I know you well enough to tell that."
I bowed my head, "what does it matter Harry? Do you just want to embarrass me?"
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I refused to look at him, I wouldn't give in. "You know, I think you've finally met her," he said softly. I looked at him incredulously, when did I meet this girl he liked? He looked straight in my eyes and I could feel my thoughts begin to scramble.
Finally he broke eye contact and said, "maybe not." I could tell he was upset about it, but why? Why was it so important that I meet this girl?
"Harry, why does it matter if I meet this girl you like? You don't need my approval to date her." He smiled at me sadly, I could feel my heart breaking.
"I do actually. Without your approval, I do no more than watch her from afar." He walked out at that point. I just sat there for awhile. I saw the hurt in his eyes when he walked out.
Why did my opinion matter so much to him? Why did he need my approval to date this girl? A small part of me said that it was me that he liked, but I ignored it.
I wanted to cry, it was so unfair. I finally found a guy who saw me for me, who actually enjoyed my company, but he fell for some two bit girl! I felt someone tugged on my robes, Dobby handed me a handkerchief to wipe my tears away.
"Dobby make sure Miss Hermione ok. Dobby not want Miss Hermione sad."
I smiled at him, "thank you Dobby. Did Harry send you?"
He shook his head. "Miss Hermione Dobby's mistress, Dobby serve family." My confusion must have shown because he continued. "Miss Hermione very important to Harry Potter. Dobby takes care of Harry Potter's family. Miss Hermione family." I could feel tears in my eyes again. Dobby looked frantic, "Dobby made Miss Hermione cry. Dobby bad house elf." He started wringing his ears.
"It's alright Dobby, you made me happy not sad." Dobby instantly brightened. I remembered when Harry had told Dobby that as long as he worked under him, Dobby couldn't punish himself. Dobby sat with me for awhile until he had to start supper.
(Harry)
I sat in my room trying to get my emotions under control. I had been so sure that I could tell her, but I lost my nerve. This was so frustrating! I am a Gryffindor for crying out loud! Returning to the meditation that I had been trying for awhile, I heard a small pop telling me Dobby was there.
Opening my eyes I was greeted with a sight. Dobby was glaring at me. "Harry Potter treat his Hermione bad. Harry Potter should tell his Hermione the secret." The look of anger on my face made him stop, fear showing in his eyes.
I turned away, "I know Dobby, but every time I try, I freeze. What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
Dobby walked over and sat on the foot stool in front of me. "Dobby only serve Harry Potter's family, Miss Hermione is family to Dobby. Only Harry Potter can add new family." He looked at me calmly, no fear or anger showed. I had to admit I was confused, when did I add Hermione to my family? I asked him. "Dobby serve Harry Potter, Dobby good house elf and know what Harry Potter want. Harry Potter want his Hermione as family, so Dobby treat her as family."
I nodded, "Thank you Dobby, I'm sorry I was mad at you."
Dobby bowed his head, "Harry Potter have right to be mad at Dobby, Dobby acted like bad house elf talking bad to master."
I laughed slightly, "but it was what I needed to hear, so it wasn't all bad." Dobby nodded and left to prepare supper. Tomorrow we would be going to The World Cup, I hope I soon get up my infamous Gryffindor courage so I can tell Hermione how I feel.
If I had thought the World Cup would have ended differently, I wouldn't have bet against the goblins. Betting for Ireland to win but Krum to get the snitch was long odds, but I won more because of it. Hermione and Mrs. Weasley disapproved, but Ron, Fred and George added to the pot.
To say that the Goblins were mad when they had to pay up would be an understatement, but they did pay up. We sat back joking about winning so much when we heard screams. Remus Sirius and I all drew our wands, telling the others to protect themselves. Ron somehow, though I had a good idea, had lost his wand.
I took everyone who couldn't use magic except in self-defense with me into the trees. Once we were safe inside, I saw Winky dragging against an unseen force, Crouch, trying to get away. She went a little past us before a dark mark flew up above the trees. Several pops were heard as we dived to the ground.
A few moments later it was all over. I watched Crouch sr. walk over to the bushes where Winky was. I thought about telling about Crouch jr. being over there, but it would be my word against his.
We sat and watched Crouch give Winky clothes and walk away. I muttered, "Dobby," and was greeted with a small pop indicating his arrival.
He looked at me, then followed my gaze to Winky.
(Dobby)
I had answered Harry Potter's summons, only to find him looking at something. I followed his gaze to see an attractive, yet highly distraught, house elf. I turned back to Harry and bowed before he nodded and left.
Walking up to her I said, "are you unhurt?" She looked at me, tears pouring down her eyes, for awhile before nodding. I sat beside her a placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She sniffed and said, "Winky bad house elf, Winky fail master. Master give Winky clothes," she held up a sock to prove it.
I would have found it slightly amusing that she was given a sock if she wasn't so torn up about it. Her tears slowly faded and I noticed she was getting sleepy. She looked at me and asked, "Why you help Winky, Winky bad house elf."
I smiled at her, "Dobby come because master call. Master point you out to Dobby, so Dobby here to comfort you." I knew that Harry Potter's didn't have much for even me to do, much less her, but I still asked, "would Winky like to work for Dobby's master?"
She looked shocked. "But Winky bad house elf, why Dobby's master want Winky?"
"Because if master didn't, Dobby would not know to have come."
She thought this over, unfortunately coming to the bad side of it. She stood rather violently, "so Dobby only comfort Winky because master say so?"
I looked calmly at her. "No, Dobby comfort Winky because Dobby want to. Master only wants to help house elves." This calmed her down. She sat down next to me. We sat in silence for awhile.
"Will Dobby's master welcome Winky," she asked softly. I felt it tear at my heart at how fearful she was.
I nodded, "Harry Potter good master, only not much for Dobby to do, much less both."
Her eyes lit with a fire, "Winky take care of master, Dobby take care of everything else." I could tell that she was feeling better. I only hope that Harry Potter was ready for her. I took her hand and popped back to Harry.
I found Harry in the Library alone. "Harry Potter sir, Dobby brought Winky to you." He looked at me amused, though I couldn't figure out why.
He knelt in front of Winky, "would you like to work for me Winky," he asked. Winky's head was a blur as she nodded. "Now there are a couple of things that come with working with me," and he listed them. It was basically that she be given a stipend to purchase items for her enjoyment as I had, one day in which she wasn't supposed to work except for enjoyment, and she was to wear a robe that fit her.
Of all the things he listed, the robes seemed to be the breaking point. "Winky good house elf, only bad house elves get clothes." She was stubborn.
Fortunately Harry was more stubborn, "Winky, in this case wearing clothes is a good thing. Dobby wears a robe so that he is presentable to guests, it will be the same for you." Winky struggled with it for awhile before nodding..
"Winky wear robes," she said. Winky stood as if it was a matter of pride, though I suppose it was for her. Harry Potter told us to get some rest and I showed Winky her room.
(Hermione)
"Mistress, time to get up."
I opened my eyes to see the house elf from last night waking me. Once she saw I was awake, she disappeared. I walked over to my cupboard, only to find a set of clothing laid out. After showering and getting dressed, I went downstairs and joined everyone for breakfast.
I saw the house elf from earlier hovering around Harry. Dobby was looking at him with barely suppressed amusement. This house elf would barely let Harry do more than start to reach for things before getting them for him. Remus and Sirius appeared to not even notice, but their eyes showed the humor they found in it.
Once Harry had noticed my appearance, he was no longer the only one with undue attention. This new house elf, Winky, started acting towards me in the same way. Everyone got a laugh when she started on me, though Harry's eyes seemed to display a curiosity about the way Winky treated me.
Once Breakfast was over we dispersed to various things. Harry and I went to the library to study some more advance charms for the coming year. We were currently working on the summoning charm when I asked, "why did you hire a new house elf? And for that matter, why did she call me mistress?"
He seemed surprised. "I hired her because she didn't deserve to be turned away. As to why she called you mistress, I have an idea but I haven't confirmed it." I could tell he wasn't saying everything and called him on it. His response was simple, "I want to have all the information before I jump to conclusions." When I asked if he considered sending one to the Weasleys, he said, "I won't send Winky or Dobby even if I hadn't already sent a house elf to them."
After that we went and practiced the summoning charm, it didn't take long to perfect it along with the banishing charm. We spent the day working on my dueling, more because Ron would be coming over tomorrow for the last part of the summer. Not much else of interest happened until Ron showed up.
Ron came and found us dueling, which was unfortunate because Harry took advantage of my lapse and bound me. When Ron found out that in this room we could work with magic, he immediately wanted to start dueling.
What surprised me was when I suggested they do homework first. I knew Harry had it done already, but it surprised me that Ron had as well. As I looked over his homework, I realized that he was taking school seriously. Ron's explanation was, "Professor Flitwick said that the requirement for me to attend a sixth year class was to maintain EE in all my classes."
I watched them square off before dueling. It amazed me that they both had very similar styles, even though Harry had the advantage of more training. What interested me was that this would be the first year in which we wouldn't have every class with each other. Harry was in Ancient Runes class, Ron had Dueling, and I was in Arithmancy.
The two of them started launching spells at each other faster than Harry went against me. I realized at that point that for once I was the weakest. As the two of them struggled to gain the upper hand, I noticed they were both sporting huge grins. Neither one of them even said the incantations out loud, which was something I was not used to.
I finished up Ron's essays in time to note the subtle difference in their very similar styles. Ron was much more offense oriented and rarely used shields, while Harry only dodged when he had to and slightly more shields to reflect spells back.
Once the two of them were thoroughly drenched in sweat, they called it a draw. After showering and showing Ron to his room, which he enjoyed because it was covered in posters of his favorite team, we sat down for lunch. Fortunately Winky didn't wait on Harry and me hand and foot, but Ron still asked why Harry had another house elf.
Harry shrugged and said, "just because." Ron accepted this answer and continued eating. Once we finished, I was shocked to find that Ron wanted to go in the library, until he mentioned that it was so he could get a leg up on the other students in the dueling class. We spent most of our time learning new spells, practicing new spells, or practicing dueling. We also practiced potions so as to allow Ron and Harry to maintain a good grade. It turns out that Harry was fine as long as he didn't have someone breathing down his neck, Ron was less skilled but came to at least EE if not an O.
(Ron)
I watched them out of the corner of my eye. I wonder how long they were going to keep it from me. I had watched Harry sitting beside Hermione and to most anyone else it would seem as if they were very close friends, which they were, but to me it was obvious they were more than close friends.
I wonder why they haven't told me, I realized in third year that they were closer to each other than they were to me. While at first it mad me upset, I got over it when I realized, via an odd talk from Fred and George, that we couldn't just be friends forever. Things change, and I could either get on board or be left behind.
I found it amazing how they had a tendency to talk to each other without words, but I doubted they had realized that yet. I just wish I knew why they didn't want to tell me.
A/n: 3809 words. If you want to know why this chapter is so long, it's because I want to get to the school year. Reviews brighten my day.
Questions:
Old Nick: No Ron bashing, but plenty of Snape bashing. I'm writing a different Ron, one who has something to focus on.
Athena Kitty: yes to all three.
Thestrals: I don't intend to.
Moonypadfoot: No break as bad as the one in OP comes from no where. I figure that Percy started pulling away slowly, besides I'm not writing him as noble.
My Question: MortyM, could you tell me the different Fanfiction elements I'm using? Because I haven't a clue.
Things to remember:
Dobby's promise about house elves: It will play out towards the end of this year.