Celebrations…and Disaster

As he went to bed that night, snuggled deep under the impossibly soft eiderdown, Harry let his mind wander to the feeling of complete well being he had felt as Hermione held him. He knew that Hermione was nothing but a friend, but he had never had someone tell him they considered him family, not in the sincere tone Hermione had used. He smiled in spite of the searing pain ripping through his heart, glad of the darkness that engulfed him as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

Ron however slept very little, his mind kept returning to that sight of Harry buried so deeply in Hermione's arms. It made him feel physically sick, knowing that she had never held him in that way. The only time he came close to contact like that was…well, never. He ignored Harry's soft snores and turned over restlessly, trying to get comfortable. Every time he closed his eyes the image of Harry and Hermione burned in his mind.

Hermione spent the entire night awake. She sat reading by candlelight, her mind occasionally wandering to the feeling of Harry's warmth against her as they had sat in Buckbeak's room only hours before. She chided herself for being silly, as if she and Harry were anything more than friends! The images she saw in her imagination however betrayed her rational thought. She saw Harry, happy and relaxed, as she knew he could never truly be. One moment they were relaxing by the lake, the next researching advanced potion brewing in the library, the next…Hermione shivered, an involuntary smile playing on her lips. Looking over towards Ginny she remembered the younger girl's crush on Harry months before and wondered how she felt now. Angrily closing her book Hermione settled down against her fluffy duck-down pillows and tried to sleep. All attempts were fruitless however, and she ended up leaving her bed and dressing quickly before heading to the kitchen in search of a distraction. She knew that she'd be pushed to find anything to hold her attention at three in the morning, but if she lay in bed much longer she'd go crazy.

The kitchen was dark, comforting somehow, and as Hermione sat sipping a cup of milky tea she found herself again fantasising about Harry's head resting gently in her lap. She was confused; what had happened to turn her best friend into an object of desire?

"Severus!"

The flash of green light and almost hysteric scream caused Hermione to jump, her tea flowing from its cup and over the knotted surface of the table. She turned to the fire and saw Mrs. Weasley's head floating in the flames.

"Hermione! I didn't expect to find you here." Mrs. Weasley sounded tense. She tried hard to wipe the concern from her features and looked kindly at Hermione. "Have you seen Professor Snape, dear?"

Hermione shook her head. "No…I…I couldn't sleep so…"

Mrs. Weasley cut her short. "No matter," Her tone was suspiciously light, "Try to go back to bed, you've…I've…well, good night."

Hermione stared at the place where Mrs. Weasley's head had been. She had sounded far too desperate to contact Snape. Maybe it was her tired state, perhaps Mrs. Weasley hadn't sounded anxious at all. Hermione sat in her chair and sipped her tea, letting the sweetness fill her mouth before swallowing and wondering why she kept seeing Harry's perfect green eyes staring sadly into her own.

The mood at number twelve, Grimmauld Place was an unusually cheery one as Harry and Ron made their way downstairs towards the kitchen. The two friends chatted quietly about Quidditch, mainly about Ron's favourite team the Chudley Cannons.

Lowering their voices further, they crept past the portrait of Sirius' mother. Harry was sure he heard faint snores coming from behind the curtains hiding the canvas from view.

"Ron, Harry…" An urgent whisper from the landing above made them turn sharply, Ron almost knocking over the troll's leg umbrella stand. Clutching wildly at the collection of sticks and umbrellas, Harry stuffed his hand in his mouth to keep from laughing. Watching Ron, and catching Hermione's shining eyes as she descended the stairs he felt happier than he had done since…well, since what happened. The thought sobered him a little, but did not stop the shaking he was finding increasingly difficult to control. Ron's face was bright red; his arms wrapped around the dusty objects from the troll's leg and his expression a determined glare at Harry.

After he caught his breath Harry hastened to help Ron. They quietly placed the sticks and umbrellas back into their holder as Hermione waltzed past, her shoulders still quaking with mirth. Harry and Ron straightened up and turned towards the kitchen. Just as they did so the doorbell rang and Ron was caught up in a swirl of curtain.

'Cretins and Muggle-borns! Blood traitors and worthless disgraces!'

Mrs. Black had apparently woken from her slumber and this time Harry let the yell of laughter escape, not bothering to hold back now the portrait was aware of their presence. Holding his side, Harry peeked through the spy-hole in the door and grinned at the sight of Tonks waiting on the other side. As he pulled open the door Tonks turned and flushed red. Her hair was a fetching dark chocolate brown today, and Harry's stomach made an unpleasant lurch as she wrinkled her freckled button nose.

Tonks stepped over the threshold, pulling with her a suitcase in a vile shade of green. She was followed by Lupin who smiled gently at Harry before joining Ron in his fruitless attempts to close Mrs. Black's curtains. Still grinning, Harry closed the door quietly and let out a happy sigh as the screams and insults were silenced finally.

"All right, you two?" Tonks asked. "Sleep okay?" Ron and Harry nodded.

"What's with the suitcase?" Ron asked quietly as they tiptoed along the corridor, towards the kitchen.

Tonks grinned. "I'll be staying for a few days, things are a bit hectic at home." She grimaced and her hair turned a violent shade of purple. "I haven't been feeling too well," she added, "I can't keep things the same for more than a couple of hours. Don't know what on earth's got into me."

As they reached the kitchen, they found Mrs. Weasley busying herself at the stove. There were already enough plates piled with food to feed a small army and the kitchen table almost groaned with the weight. Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron.

"Er, mum?" He ventured. "Are you all right?"

"What? Oh, yes dear. I'm fine," Mrs. Weasley began furiously stirring a pot of beans, "just thought we'd have a nice big breakfast this morning."

Tonks laughed. "Molly, there's enough here to feed the entire Order!"

"Well that is the idea." Mrs. Weasley replied irritably.

The smile immediately vanished from Tonks' face. "The entire Order?" she whispered, "What, everyone?"

Mrs. Weasley made a strange, non-committal sound and went back to her cooking. Harry and Ron stared at her back, Tonks yanked her suitcase out of the kitchen and they heard her trying to creep silently up the stairs.

"Why do you think they're all coming here?" Asked Ron. "I mean we've never seen them all together before. There're members we've never even met!" Harry nodded.

"I know," his mind raced to try and find a reason for the impromptu gathering. "Maybe they've just decided to get together, discuss ideas…" his voice trailed off. It seemed more than unlikely.

"I expect," came Hermione's clear voice from the corner, "that they've simply got to have a meeting together at some stage." She peered at Harry and Ron over the top of her book. "They don't have to be quite so careful any more, not now the Ministry's realised their mistake." Hermione carefully avoided Harry's eyes whilst she spoke, and then dropped her own back to the page. Ron tilted his head slightly.

"Most Potente Potions!" He exclaimed. "How on earth did you manage to get a copy of that?" Hermione sighed and slammed the book shut in her lap. She'd had very little sleep and the last thing she wanted was to explain the complicated process she'd had to complete to get the book.

"I don't see why you would care," she snapped, "you usually don't." Leaving her words hanging in the air, Hermione stood awkwardly from her chair and stalked out of the kitchen. Harry and Ron stared after her in surprise.

"I only…"

"Leave it mate," Harry replied, "she'll just be tired." Ron glared at the doorway.

"Yeah? Well, she's got no right to take it out on me." Ignoring Harry's protests, Ron hurried out of the kitchen to follow Hermione to her room.

Harry pulled out his favourite chair, just close enough to the fire to catch its heat, and settled into it. His stomach grumbled and he realised with a jolt just how little he'd eaten recently. Eagerly eyeing a plate of sausages, he wondered if Mrs. Weasley would notice if a couple went missing. Before he could dwell on it too much however, Fred and George Apparated almost on top of him.

"Morning Harry," yawned Fred. "We just saw Tonks on the stairs. She said something about the Order coming together? Sounded surprised."

"Yup," agreed George, "and she mentioned something about staying. Didn't seem too keen to talk for too long though."

"You two!" Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out in the cavernous kitchen. "Make yourselves useful and set up the spare table." Wiping her sleeve across her forehead she continued, "And Harry dear, would you mind looking after the toast?" Harry shook his head and looked over at the grill Mrs. Weasley indicated. "Thank you dear," Mrs. Weasley smiled, "It's so wonderful to have some help now and again." She looked pointedly at Fred and George who were wrestling with the table-legs, which were refusing to stay in place.

The loud, clanging bell rang again and Mrs. Black's screeches filled the house once more. Harry heard hurried footsteps on the stairs and stifled a giggle as whoever it was fell over the troll's leg umbrella stand.

"Honestly," exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, "You'd think they could remember a little thing like not ringing the doorbell!" She hurried out, adding her own shouts to the din. Harry could hear Tonks apologising profusely at the top of her voice, then heard Lupin's voice carry over the commotion.

"Molly, Molly," he was saying, "Just leave her to me. Take Arabella and Lakshmi down to the kitchen, Tonks too. I'll deal with this."

When Mrs. Weasley returned she was mumbling furiously to herself. Harry looked round to inspect the newcomers. Mrs. Figg he knew, of course, but the second woman he only recognised from breakfast the day before. He nodded politely and said hello, but turned back to the toast he was supposed to be watching. Piling the delicious-looking toast onto a plate, Harry managed to find space on the table for it just as other members of the Order were filing into the kitchen. Most of them he recognised from summer last year, when they'd rescued him from Privet Drive. The others he took little notice of as they took places around the table and chatted amongst themselves.

"I will not discuss this now, Ron." Hermione's voice carried clearly into the kitchen. "No, I mean it, later." As she walked into the kitchen Hermione let out a little gasp of surprise then flushed red. Slipping into a chair next to Tonks she whispered over to Harry, "Can you talk to him?" indicating Ron, who had sat heavily down into a chair next to Harry. Harry shook his head.

"No way," he replied, "You can leave me out of this." As no one appeared to be taking any notice of him, Harry started to load up his plate with bacon and egg, reaching over for a slice of toast before lifting his knife and fork. With a groan he saw Mrs. Weasley stand at the end of the table before she called for a hush.

"Well," she started, "As we're all gathered here, I thought this would be the perfect time to say congratulations to Ron, Harry and Hermione on their O.W.L. results." Harry heard Ron shifting in his seat. "I think we can all agree," Mrs. Weasley continued, "That they have done extremely well, especially with the added pressure of what the last twelve months have brought them." There was a murmur of agreement around the table at this and most of the Order turned to look at Harry, all but one of them with sympathy in their eyes. Lupin, Harry noticed, was looking at him with clear, proud eyes. Mrs. Weasley raised her wand and flicked it ceremoniously at the ceiling, at which a huge banner in crimson and gold fell. Harry felt his face grow hot as he read his name alongside Ron and Hermione's, the huge 'congratulations' spelled out above. Even Ron grinned to the room, his argument with Hermione temporarily forgotten.

"In recognition of the results you gained," Lupin was speaking now, "I hope you don't mind, but Molly decided we should get you all a gift." Mrs. Weasley turned a delicate shade of pink.

"Now Remus, it wasn't just my idea," she scolded. Reaching into the cupboard behind her, Mrs. Weasley passed gifts along the table to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Open up!" she exclaimed.

All three packages were of identical size and shape, each wrapped in gold with crimson ribbon. Ron was the first to open his and gave a yelp of shock as a broomstick emerged in front of him, bringing a shower of red confetti with it.

"Mu…Mum…that's a…it's a…you got me a…a Nimbus 5000?" Ron's voice faltered slightly as he stroked the smooth cedar wood handle. The birch twigs almost glimmered in the light, the registration number picked out in gold. "RW 1," Ron read. "Thank you," he mumbled, "This is, well, it's amazing." Ron spoke quietly, his attention almost all still on the broom. Mrs. Weasley was positively glowing now, tears in her eyes as she watched Ron.

"Hermione?" asked Lupin, "Aren't you going to open yours?" Hermione nodded and carefully undid the ribbon holding the little package together. A flat envelope burst out, covering Hermione in confetti. Looking up quizzically at Lupin, Hermione broke open the wax seal and pulled out a gold piece of parchment. Her eyes were almost a blur as she read. Without saying a word she leapt up from her chair and ran straight to Mrs. Weasley, hugging her tightly around the middle.

"Well?" asked Harry, "Do we have to wait all day to find out what it is?" Hermione turned to face him and grinned.

"A book token," she replied, her voice shaking, "Of sorts." She walked over to Harry and handed him the parchment.

'Flourish and Blotts invite Miss Hermione Granger to visit their Diagon Alley shop at her leisure, and choose whichever publications she wishes. Our best staff will be on hand to both recommend and pack any items she chooses from our extensive range, and will be able to order any titles she requests which are not immediately available.

We would also like to congratulate Miss Granger on her superb O.W.L. results, and wish to make it known that Flourish and Blotts is indeed proud to call her our customer.

Yours sincerely,

All at Flourish and Blotts'

Harry understood Hermione's jubilation at once. Giving Hermione free-reign in Flourish and Blotts was like sending Dudley to live in a sweet factory. As he handed the note back to Hermione, Harry looked at his own parcel. He glanced up at Lupin who nodded. Harry's hands shook slightly as he un-tied the ribbon, holding the lid tightly onto the box. He was apprehensive about the contents. The last thing he needed would be a reminder of Sirius, or indeed of anything that had happened in say, the last five years.

Slowly lifting his fingers away from the lid, two things sprang from the little box. One, a small battered envelope landed sadly in Harry's bacon. The second, a more elaborate gift filled the air in front of Harry with the now familiar red confetti. A new broomstick servicing kit and book entitled, 'Quidditch Moves for the Daring and Stupid' landed heavily in his lap. He grinned at Mrs. Weasley before picking up the envelope. It was deceptively heavy, and as he broke open the ancient seal a set of keys jingled onto the table. With shaking hands Harry pulled the parchment from the envelope and unfolded it. He felt tears well in his eyes as he recognised the handwriting and read the note aloud.

"Dear Harry, I wish I could give you these under better circumstances, but you know as well as I the dangers of facing Voldemort." Harry paused to wipe his face on his sleeve before reading on. "But I also realise that this must be a trying time for you. The keys will fit any door in Grimmauld Place, please consider it your own to do with as you wish. Of course, I hope you will decide to live there, and that your time within its walls will be happier than mine. Know that I'll always love you," Harry's voice cracked as he read the last line, "Just as much as I loved your father. Sirius." Harry whispered his godfather's name before gently picking the keys up from the table. Lupin's voice broke the uneasy silence.

"Harry?" he questioned.

"I'm okay," Harry replied, "Just a bit shocked." Harry was more surprised at how calm he was. This felt right, somehow. "So, do I have to sign anything…or something?" he asked, looking at Lupin who shook his head.

"No, Grimmauld Place is all yours, unless you don't want it. You'll need to appoint two adults as trustees," Lupin paused as Harry's face twisted into a confused frown, "Like guardians, but for the house," he continued. "They would look after it, in a legal sense, until you're eighteen then you'd have full control." Harry nodded.

"I know who I'd like to look after things," Harry paused and looked up at Lupin. "I think you and Mrs. Weasley would be perfect, if you wouldn't mind." Harry heard a gasp of shock from Mrs. Weasley, but Lupin smiled warmly and rested his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I'd be delighted, Harry," he replied, a sadness in his eyes betraying the smile on his lips. Mrs. Weasley on the other hand hurried around the table and pulled Harry into a hug.

"Oh Harry," she exclaimed, "Thank you!" Wiping the tears from her eyes she stepped back from Harry. Gradually the chatter resumed and the kitchen was again filled with laughter. Pushing his chair back from the table, Harry picked up his gifts and walked silently from the room. As Ron stood to follow Harry, Lupin swiftly put out his hand to stop him.

"Leave him, he'll need some time to think." Ron nodded but looked wistfully out of the door at Harry's retreating back.