H P Boy who lives Year 7- Summer
Chapter 1
A family at last
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Here we go happy reading
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August 1, 2004
Hogwarts Grounds at the beech tree...
Harry leaned back against the familiar Beech tree the three of them had loved to study under during hot warm days when none of them had felt like studying inside.
He had gotten to where he could no longer stand the looks, the sadness, and the rejoicing over his victory over the Dark Lord and so he fled from Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place on Buckbeak. Here he sat under the tree at Hogwarts on August 1 one month until the next term was to start. He glanced down at the Head Boy badge that he had clinched in his fist and then looked up at the only place he had ever called home. Was Dumbledore there? He wondered.
"He's waiting for ya Harry." A familiar voice spoke near his left ear.
It was Ron's voice, but that was impossible Ron was dead.
"Look mate did ya think that I could just leave you here alone until I made sure that you were all right?" Ron's ghostly image sat down next to him.
"RON!?" Harry stared at him in surprise and astonishment. "You…You…re a ghost like Nick and Myrtle!"
At the very mention of Myrtle's name Ron glanced all around him. "Don't say that name that girl is a pain in my back side! Anyway this is only temporary when I know that you, Hermione, and the rest of the family are really all right I can move on." He once again focused on Harry then remembered what he was supposed to tell him. "Oh Sirius and your parents all send their love. And uh he wishes that you would use the two-way mirror more often. He's sick of getting the news from his great-grandfather and well to be honest he doesn't like using his portrait all that much. I think it creeps him out or something…"
Harry instead of grilling him about Sirius and his parents simply stared at him.
"Harry its okay. I really am okay with this."
Finally Harry spoke. "Don't worry about Hermione I'll take good care of her for you." He felt sick to his stomach as the facts hit him. Was he like Cho who had fancied Cedric…Hadn't Hermione always fancied Ron? Was it right that he had strong feelings towards his fallen best friend's love? He thought in horror.
Ron read his thoughts he could see by his reaction that Harry had the situation between him and Hermione all wrong. "Oh no mate you've got it all wrong…It's you that Hermione fancies…It's you that she's over the moon about…."
Harry cut him off before he could say anything else. "But I thought that…."
"Look Harry you really need to listen to this. When I finally got up the nerve to ask her out in the common room before the end of term feast…she got all weepy and started crying on my shoulder. She told me that she didn't want to hurt me or anything that she did love me but only like a brother. She went on to talk about her hidden feelings for you."
Harry stared at him in disbelief.
"Look I'll admit the brother remark stung a lot and that I wasn't too happy it was you she was in love with. I mean all the signs pointed to me didn't they?!" Ron raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, but then went on with what he needed to say. "I mean she all but threw you at Cho in fifth year and then at Luna and Ginny in sixth! Anyways, she went on and on about how you would always see her as nothing but a sister of sorts. That she wanted you to be happy more than anything. The truth is I realized that it was Luna I was in love with and asked her out before the feast. After the feast was over, we were walking out into the main hall about to go outside when… Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix…" His voice caught with emotion. "Killed Luna and then well all hell broke loose after that."
Luna Lovegood's ghostly image appeared next Ron. "Hello Harry." She smiled dreamily at him.
"Hello Luna…I…am…so sorry…" Harry found it hard to speak because once again emotions welled up inside him and tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Oh no Harry no tears are necessary. I'm not angry or upset about what happened." Luna reached out to brush away a tear from Harry's cheek, but her hand passed right through him. "I have always known my fate and I'm content because I'm with my Ronnie. You see this Weasley has always been my King." She curled up next to him and smiled dreamily up at him.
"Yes well." Ron grinned sheepishly if it had been possible he would have been blushing crimson.
"I see." Harry wiped away his tears and his face broke out into a grin.
"Why isn't Hermione with you? Did you come alone?" Luna focused back on Harry.
"She's back at Number Twelve…All of us are still staying there as a precaution in case any stray Deatheaters are still at large. Oh Ron I got my Apparation license yesterday…Hermione grilled me for days on everything that they would test me on." Harry rolled his eyes at Ron who was now rolling on the grass laughing, as was Luna.
"Let me get this straight." Ron got all-serious again as something finally dawned on him…if Harry was here then no one knew where he was. "You took Buckbeak and left without telling anyone?! Boy are you gonna get it! Mum must be going mental if the clock is reading that you're lost, but then since you're here it must be saying you're at school." Ron got up to pace the lawn. "And Hermione well she is gonna jinx your ass but good!"
"Look my head felt like it was gonna explode…I had to get away for awhile…" Harry stopped in midsentence Hermione was stalking towards him across the castle lawn.
She looked completely disheveled and it looked like there were bits of leaves and twigs in her French braided chestnut brown hair. She also looked more furious than he had ever seen her in his life and she had her wand out and it was pointing at him.
I wonder what it feels like to be a Flobberworm? He thought because he knew that she was furious enough to do it.
"I told ya you were gonna get it and me without any popcorn!" He sat back down next to Luna to watch the show that was about to begin.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER!! Don't you dare make a run for it or I will transfigure your sorry butt into a Flobberworm!!" Hermione shouted at him.
"You tell him Hermione!!" Ron hooted with delight he was highly enjoying this, as was Luna.
Hermione, glared over at Ron and Luna's ghostly images not surprised to see them talking to Harry. She had expected that this would happen at least for a little while anyway. "Do you have any idea how many people are looking for you!? They put an all points missing person bulletin on the Muggle news! How could you just up and take Buckbeak like that! Mrs. Weasley is worried out of her mind! They had to give her another tranquilizer to calm her nerves! The ministry has everyone out searching for you! Tonks, Lupin, Moody, Kingsley, Mr. Weasley, all the Weasley brothers including Percy. Who is not actually looking for you, but heading the command center at the Ministry of magic! Are all out searching for you and have been since 1am! I discovered that Buckbeak was missing when I went up to feed him and I realized that you would come here to the only place you ever called home! I took your Firebolt all the way here!" She finally had to pause to breath in some air.
"MY FIREBOLT!? YOU TOOK MY FIREBOLT!! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!" Harry vaulted to his feet and stalked over to where Hermione was standing there glowering at him.
"Did you get hurt?!" He took in the scrapes and scratches on her face and arms. "You got all scraped up!? Is anything broken? Do you need the hospital wing?! I know that Professor Dumbledore is up there Ron told me…" He began pulling the bits of leaves and twigs out of her hair. He needed both hands for this, so his Head Boy badge fell unnoticed to the grass. "Well!? Talk to me! Say something! Are you hurt?" He gently brushed the dirt off her flushed cheek.
Hermione glared over at Ron shooting him a boy-are-you-going-to-get-it-later look and then focused back on Harry. Her temper had almost vanished she hadn't expected this reaction from him let alone the reaction from him touching her cheek. So she took her time explaining what had happened.
"I um…just missed the Whomping Willow…" She risked looking at Harry for a reaction he was swearing under his breath. "…And well then went off course again…" Ron burst out laughing and she shot him a deadly glare. "And um crashed into a tree deep in the Dark forest."
Ron was not laughing now and Harry was clenching his hands into fists.
"YOU WHAT!?" Ron exclaimed in horror. "YOU LOST HIS FIREBOLT IN THE FOREST!! GRAWP LIVES IN THERE!!"
"DAMN THE FIREBOLT!! I CAN ALWAYS BUY A NEW ONE!! SHE COULD HAVE GOTTEN HERSELF KILLED!!" He roared at Ron, causing her to jump, while gently tending to her wounds as best as he could by dabbing at them with the sleeve of his robes.
"Actually…" Hermione braved his temper and continued with her story. "Hagrid and Grawp rescued me from the tree. Did you know that since Grawp rescued the centaurs from Voldemort and the Deatheaters they have been trying to teach him things like speech and manners? I mean he really is very civilized now..." She blushed when she saw that Harry was still staring intently at her and listening to every word that she was saying.
Ron and Luna were rolling their eyes and making faces at her.
"Anyway, Hagrid carried me back to his hut. He was so flustered that it took forever for me to convince him that I was fine and that telling Professor Dumbledore was not necessary. He was frantic with worry about you, but I assured him that I knew perfectly well, where you were and that I had come here to find you. I then sent him up to the castle, so Madame Hooch could make sure that your Firebolt was okay…Oh and to tell him to send word that you were at Hogwarts and that you were fine. After that I went searching for you." She looked up into his emerald green eyes, but instead of temper, she saw the love, concern, and something she had never seen in his eyes before, a sort of wicked gleam in his eyes. This was making her very nervous for some reason, but she could not for the life of her think why.
Harry also could see the love, concern, temper, and something different she was looking at him as if she was wary of him for some reason. "It's okay Hermione." He brushed a stray tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb and then pulled her into his arms.
"IT'S NOT OKAY!!" She burst into tears her fists pounding against his chest in frustration. "WHAT IF THERE ARE MORE DEATHEATERS! WHAT IF THEY…THEY…!" Her rant was cut off by Harry's kiss that he planned to silence her with for quite a while.
Ron and Luna hooted their approval at them and kept watch to make sure no one disturbed the budding lovebirds' first kiss.
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It wasn't until several minutes later that company had decided to stroll down to the castle lawn. Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, all the Weasley family minus Percy. Tonks, Lupin, Kingsley, and Moody all got a first look at where 'The boy who lives' and 'The smartest witch in a century' had gone.
"Even 'the boy who lives and the smartest witch in a century' have to come up for air eventually." Lupin chuckled, as he watched the two kissing underneath James and Lily's favorite tree.
"You weren't kidding me when you said that she knew his every move." Tonks looked at Harry and Hermione and then back at Ginny.
"You have no idea." Ginny grinned still not noticing the two ghostly figures guarding the lovebirds.
"Well, I think I shall tell the ministry the two of them are fine." Kingsley took out his camera and took several different shots of the two in question before heading off to go tell the others the good news.
"Hey Kingsley we want copies of those when you get them!" Ginny called after him.
He waved his hand in the air in response.
"The boy may not know how to follow orders, but he does have a clear idea where he feels safe. What better place than here at Hogwarts." Moody stood watch while the others continued to watch what was happening under the tree.
Ron caught sight of his parents and family and floated over in their direction. "Hello Mum…hello Dad." He greeted them.
"Oh Ronnie we miss you soooo much." Molly burst into tears and buried her head against Arthur's shoulder.
"Oh mum, please don't cry." Ron tried to comfort her. "I'm not gonna haunt this place forever just until everyone here that I love is settled and happy."
"You really are all right aren't you son?" Arthur blinked back his tears.
"Yeah Dad I really am." He glanced over at Luna who was still watching over Harry and Hermione. "It's not that bad. I'm never alone not really. You see Sirius and Harry's parents all look after us. The two of us are here on a sort of, uh, temporary pass or something like that."
Luna floated over to Ginny and smiled at her. "Hello Ginny."
"Luna! You and Ron! I mean you're not like Nick are you?" Ginny bit down on her lower lip.
"Oh no this is just for a little while, but Ron and I we're both fine. Like the guardian angels that Daddy prints about in The Quibbler." She smiled dreamily. "I like the idea of being something special like that I think that Daddy would be really proud. Do send him an owl and tell him for me."
"I will Luna…I promise." Ginny blinked back her tears.
Buckbeak having noticed that they now had company one of whom was Hagrid cantered over and butted Harry in the back with his head.
"Go away Buckbeak." Harry growled not really wanting to end the kiss with Hermione yet. He didn't care if it went on forever.
Buckbeak butted him even harder, this time, which caused him to let go of Hermione and break off their first kiss.
WHAT!! IF YOU'RE STARVING GO INTO THE FOREST AND HUNT FOR…" His rant was cut off because he finally noticed that they were no longer alone. He instantly blushed crimson. "Oh hello..."
"Hide me!" Hermione buried her face against his robes.
"Hello there Harry…Hermione. Back a little early I see." Albus winked at them over his half-moon spectacles. "Why didn't you come up to the castle Harry? After all, that is what family does when they come for a visit." He was highly amused and seemed very happy.
"Yes, Harry, why didn't you come inside instead of staying out here to mope about the grounds?" Then Minerva looked at whom he was holding in his arms. "Although, I can see that you and Miss Granger wanted some time alone." She was actually smirking.
"Told ya she would catch him eventually! In fact I even made a wager with Ron!" Hagrid winked at Dumbledore then smiled at Harry.
"I do believe those two just broke the world's record for first kiss." Bill and Charlie chuckled.
Fred and George were firing off their latest invention. Weasley's Wizards Wheezes Love Bangs. Which were enchanted fireworks that spelled out 'Harry Potter is crackers for Hermione' or 'Hermione Granger finally got her man' in big hearts. It was as if they were waiting for this to happen and had planned for it.
"Oi Harry! Fred and I will give you a huge discount on our latest invention!" George grinned.
"We call them Love Bangs! They'll be perfect to fire off at your wedding!!" Fred shouted highly amused at how red the two of them were actually turning.
Molly Weasley now able to focus on the real reason that all of them were there instantly got her temper back up and stalked over to the couple in question. "BED EMPTY! BUCKBEAK GONE! FIREBOLT MISSING! NO NOTE!! NOTHING!!" She narrowed her eyes at Harry. "You know better young man!" Then at Hermione. "You could have killed yourself flying on that broom! What would I have told your parents!!" This was the first time the two of them had ever had her fury unleashed on them.
"Run for it while you can!" Ron shouted.
"Don't you move! Harry James Potter! I am your legal guardian now and that makes you mine!!" Molly growled.
Harry didn't know whether to run for it or hug Ron's mom. "What?" It was all he could manage to say.
"Arthur and I are your legal guardians now dear…" Her voice softened it was impossible to stay angry when the one you were angry with looked so vulnerable. "We wanted to tell you yesterday since it was official on your birthday, but you keep avoiding all of us whenever we try to talk to you."
"You mean that I'm…" He couldn't speak his throat was clogged with emotion.
"Officially one of us!" The Weasley children all grinned at him.
Dumbledore interrupted Harry before he could say anything else. "Minerva and I have something to add to this discussion. You see it explains the reason Molly and Arthur were not able to adopt you like they had planned. You see Harry you have been told the Dursley's are your only living relatives…Well I am happy to report, now that Voldemort is gone and never coming back, that telling you that was a lie. In fact when you say that Hogwarts is your home, well, that isn't entirely false. You see Harry I happen to be your Great-Great-Great Uncle on James's side of your family tree and Minerva…" He was stopped when Minerva put out a hand that signaled him to stop his explanation. "I am sorry Minerva you are absolutely right it is your place to tell him the rest."
"Thank you Albus." Minerva cleared her throat before speaking. "The truth is Harry that I am your Great-Aunt on Lily's side of your family tree." She smiled at him.
"I KNEW IT!!" Hermione finally let go of the death grip that she had on his robes and was now jumping up and down with delight pointing at Minerva and Albus, then at Ron, and then smiling happily at Harry. "I knew that you had a family connection with one of them!" Hermione was back to her old self.
Harry stared at the two of them in shock. "Did you try to tell me during fifth year after Uncle Sirius died?" He asked Albus his voice shaking with emotion.
"Yes Harry I was going to tell you the entire truth, but then it occurred to me that telling you absolutely everything might be the one thing that could get you killed." Albus was standing next to him looking down at him waiting for a reaction.
"You think that I'm angry with you..." Harry read what the two of them were thinking from the way they were staring at him. "Are you kidding? For the first time in my life I can actually say without a doubt that I have a family that truly loves me and that is the one thing that I have always wanted my whole life!!" There were happy tears tracing down Harry's beaming face.
Hermione was about to put her arms around him, when she spotted something shiny in the grass, it was Harry's Head boy badge. Surprise and delight shined in her eyes for she was to be Head girl. She bent down and picked up the badge then went over stood on the tips of her toes to whisper into Harry's ear. "I think you dropped this in the grass." She then pinned the badge onto his robes for all to see. "Oh in case you ever wondered where I live with my parents, well, it's a little town called Godric's Hollow." She purred that little bit of information into his ear causing his eyebrows to shoot up in surprise.
Harry however didn't have a chance to react or say anything to this bit of news for everyone was congratulating them.
Molly squealed with delight "Another Head boy in the family! Not only that, but our girls are Prefect and Head girl!"
Arthur went to congratulate Harry when something very important dawned on him. "Uh Molly dear I really need to make a quick stop into the Ministry." He told her rather hurriedly.
"Now Arthur whatever for?" Molly frowned.
"Well if Kingsley shows the ministry them photo's that he snapped you know what will be on the front page of The Daily Prophet." Arthur frowned worriedly.
"Photo's!!" Harry and Hermione gaped at him in horror.
"Oh dear, well you'd best hurry Arthur. You know how Percy loves seeing his name on the front page of the paper. Do be careful and come home as soon as you have it all cleared up." She kissed him good-bye.
"I will Molly dear." He turned to the other children. "As for all of you I will see each one of you at home when I get there all right."
"Okay Dad" His kids grinned.
"Sure thing, Mr. Weasley." Harry and Hermione answered as well, none too pleased that they had pictures of them kissing under the tree and that they could be front page news in the morning.
"And by the way you two, please call me Uncle Arthur." With that said and the two in question now smiling. He went off in the same direction that Kingsley had gone.
"I feel that a small feast is in order before we send you off on your way home." Albus smiled then turned his attention to Hagrid who was eyeing Buckbeak with longing eyes. "Hagrid could you do Harry a favor and take care of Buckbeak…He looks hungry and we know that you know what to properly feed him."
"At once professor! Beaky!! It's Daddy!! Do ya remember me big boy!!" He happily went about taking care of his long lost friend.
"Now shall we go back into the castle?" Minerva motioned towards the castle.
All of them but Harry and Hermione headed back up the grassy knoll that led up to the castle. "We'll be right up I just have to ask Hermione something." Harry called up at them when they all turned to see what was keeping them.
They all grinned knowingly and proceeded back up towards the castle.
"Now first of all I have to tell you something and its something that I have known for a very longtime…" Harry took her hand and stared down into her eyes.
"Yes Harry." She smiled up at him.
"I love you Hermione Granger and have since that day when you got petrified by the Basilisk…at least I think that's when the two of us got closer. I just didn't know... I couldn't see it. I guess because I always thought that you and Ron would end up together in the end." Harry stopped her when she tried to throw her arms around him. "There's more...I was wondering if you would be mine Hermione Granger…" He got even more nervous not believing what he had just said. "What I meant was would you be my girlfriend and well eventually when we're older...uh mine?"
Hermione was so happy that she thought her heart would burst out of her chest. "Oh Harry I have always been yours and always will be…of course I'll be your girlfriend and when we're older I would love to be yours." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. "Who knows if things had been different the two of us would have been together long ago. After all we were both living in the same town in fact on the same street." She winked at him laughing when he picked her up and twirled her around in his arms.
"You know what Hermione I think this is the first year the two of us are going to really enjoy being at Hogwarts." He kissed her on the nose. "After all how much trouble do you think the two of us can possibly get into this year?" He grinned.
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Chapter 2
The Deal
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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are, mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.
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Cindra 2004-2008