Disclaimer – Harry Potter belongs to J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, and many others of which I am not included. I am making no money on this endeavor, it is merely an exercise in writing. Thank you for not suing me. The lyrics in this chapter also do not belong to me.
Chapter 5 – This Photograph is Proof
"Harry! Come on Harry, you have to snap out of this!"
Remus was, needless to say, in something of a panic. The boy in front of him had not been alert or responding for near an hour and Remus had tried everything he could think of to bring Harry out of it.
Remus had tried telling stories about the Marauders and their pranks, talked about Harry's parents and how much they loved him, and had even told Harry how much he loved him. There was no response. Harry was lost in his own mind. He was no longer bobbing, but lay down on the couch staring straight up, unblinking and unmoving.
Remus looked up as the sound of the front door being thrown open reached his ears. Quickly he stood so he could see over the couch to the door and identify who had entered.
"Harry, Remus!" a feminine voice called out.
There was an edge of panic in that voice and Remus returned, "Hermione, we are in here. Did Albus come with you?" Hermione sprinted through the doors to the living room and over to the couch, but stopped as she saw Harry's still unmoving form.
"Yes Remus I am here," the old wizard said as he entered. "Has Harry responded yet?"
"Albus, I don't know what to do. I've tried everything, I - I just don't know." Remus could feel tears threatening to come from his eyes. He felt so helpless.
"Harry is strong Remus, he will pull through this. You need not worry."
"How can you say that Albus? Look at him! He hasn't blinked in an hour. He's sitting there unmoving, only an occasional emotion shows through his eyes, and once in a while he facial muscles contort, and I don't even know what is wrong with him!"
Hermione spoke up. "It was the testimony wasn't it? The veritaserum protected him while he gave it, but now he is reliving that night."
Remus looked shocked at the idea, and Dumbledore confirmed Hermione's fears. "Harry has not had time to sort out his feelings about that night, and has instead survived so far by sheer willpower. He had pushed those memories away. The trial today coerced them back into the fore of his mind. I'm afraid there is little that we can do; Harry must sort through this on his own."
"Albus, there is nothing that we can do? Are you sure? I don't want to feel this useless. I've been having Dobby bring wet rags to place over his forehead every so often and even he is worried about Harry."
"I know Remus, but I'm afraid it is true. Mr. Potter must work through this alone. Now Miss Granger, I must get you back to your home. Your parents are expecting you."
"No. I'm staying here with Harry. I won't leave him," Hermione replied, resolved.
"Miss Granger as I told you there is nothing that you can do for him. I assured your parents that you would be home by 4:00 and we are already late."
"Professor Dumbledore, with all due respect, I think you are wrong about us not being able to do anything for Harry, and so I will be staying here at least until he comes out of this. You can tell my parents that a friend needs me more than they do right now. I won't be leaving Harry's side," Hermione firmly stated as she flipped the cold rag atop Harry's head over; the side that had been against his forehead had warmed against his skin.
"Very well then," Dumbledore said slowly. "I shall fully inform your parents of the situation, but should they still demand that you come home I'm afraid I will have no choice but to bring you to them." Dumbledore informed her gravely.
"Then I should run away to come back here. You can tell my parents such when you see them. They will know how important this is to me. I will not be leaving Harry's side while he is like this."
Dumbledore nodded, and with a muted pop disappeared to the Granger residence.
Remus had been watching the conversation with some interest. He saw in Hermione the same qualities he had known in Sirius and James. There was that same intense loyalty that found those two becoming animagi simply so they could help him during his transformations. He saw her bravery in standing up to Albus: few children had ever done so. It was then that he knew that everything would be all right. Friends such as those help one through life, no one else, not even family, can do quite that. And Harry was blessed to have such a friend in Hermione.
Immediately after Dumbledore left Hermione once again turned her full attention to Harry. She began attempting the same types of things Remus had been doing: recounting stories of their fun times together and reminding him of their friendship. Remus didn't have the heart to tell her that he had already tried that, besides, maybe Hermione would be successful with those same tactics.
Remus decided to leave Hermione alone with Harry and go to get both of them some food. Maybe then he wouldn't feel so useless.
Hermione didn't notice as Remus left the room towards the kitchen. Her attention was still entirely on her best friend.
'Harry why didn't you talk to us about it? Why did you bury the memories of that night? You don't deserve this pain. You've had a hard enough life already.'
Tears were coming again to her eyes as she softly ran the back of her hand over his cheek and then took his hand in hers giving a gentle squeeze. "Harry, I know it's hard, but you got to pull through this. We need you to, I need you to."
Harry's jaw suddenly clenched and he closed his hand over Hermione's fingers and maintained a vice-like grip.
"Harry? Harry? Professor Lupin!" Hermione yelled out. As soon as the older man entered the room however Harry's jaw unclenched and his grip on Hermione's fingers lessened, but he did not let go.
"Hermione? What happened?"
"I don't know, his jaw just clenched up and he nearly crushed my fingers. But now he's gone back to being unresponsive."
"He's done that several times so far," Remus responded then he offered her a plate. "I made some sandwiches, would you like one?"
Hermione shook her head.
"You have to eat," Remus said softly. "You won't be able to help if you have no energy."
Quietly she took a sandwich and began to eat. She finished quickly and once again began her attempts to pull Harry out of his current state.
And so this care continued until Remus firmly told Hermione that she needed sleep and took her upstairs to a guest bedroom. After all, she would be needed to testify at the trial of Antonin Dolohov the following morning.
Hermione had tried to argue, but Remus told her that they were already losing Harry as a witness in that case; they couldn't afford to lose Hermione too. Reluctantly she had agreed. When Remus returned downstairs he carried Harry up to his bed and set him down in it, then he sat down in a nearby chair and watched, hoping that Harry would wake.
.:oOoOoOo:.
Hours later a single pair of emerald eyes blinked once and then stared up at the ceiling. Soon they blinked again, and again, but now, they were blinking back tears. A single soft whisper sounded in the darkness, "Sirius," and covers were gently pushed aside.
As he pushed his body out of bed he saw the sleeping form of Remus Lupin in a nearby armchair but quietly strode by him. Soon he finished this nighttime stroll that he had made every night since arriving at 7 King Street: a stroll that ended on the fourth floor in the potions laboratory.
Methodically he chopped cut the ginger roots in perfect sections, each a centimeter in width. Unerringly he added the knotgrass as the purified water began to bubble. Faultlessly he stirred the mixture clockwise for five minutes and then counterclockwise as was required. Carefully he ladled some of the completed potion to his mouth, and blissfully he collapsed to the ground; praising whatever man had invented cheering potions.
.:oOoOoOo:.
Remus Lupin woke as the sun rose just high enough to send its invasive beams straight to the level of his closed eyes. He immediately regretted opening them and cursed the sun for being so bright. Briefly he wondered why he was sleeping in a chair in Harry's room when it hit him.
Quickly Remus rose and walked to Harry's bedside. There he found the teenager with eyes closed, taking slow, measured breaths. He was asleep.
'Thank you,' Remus whispered to whoever was listening. He had been deathly afraid that Harry would be found eyes open, unblinking, and unmoving as he had left the night before had fallen asleep. His stomach lurched. 'I was asleep when he came out of it. I wasn't awake to help him.' Remus put head in his hands. 'I'll be here when you wake again Harry. I promise.'
It was 10:00 when a knocking was heard at the doors to Harry's bedchambers. Remus answered it knowing full well who would be there.
"How is he?" Hermione asked as soon as the doors opened.
"Better," Remus replied. "He's asleep right now."
Hermione nodded and rose on her tiptoes to see over Remus' shoulder.
"How did you sleep?" Remus asked.
"I hardly slept last night. I was so worried about Harry. I fell asleep around 3:00." Remus nodded. "I need to get ready. I have to testify in an hour, but tell me if he wakes before I leave. I'll come back here after the trial too." She paused. "I hope he's alright."
Remus could sense her apprehension and soothed her fears some. "He'll be fine, he's been through much more than this."
"I know," Hermione said softly as she turned back towards her room. "That's why I'm afraid."
.:oOoOoOo:.
'Uggh,' Harry thought as he woke. His head felt as though it was splitting apart, which was not all that uncommon for him, but unpleasant nonetheless. Slowly, he cracked his eyes open to let them adjust to the light in the room. He found it wasn't bad, for the curtains had been shut. 'But by whom?'
Suddenly he remembered that Remus had been in his room last night. 'He must have closed the drapes, but why was he in here anyway? I... I can't remember.'
Harry racked his brain for the information he sought. Images of the trial and his testimony flooded his brain, and with them came the terrible feeling of depression over loss of Sirius. But then? Nothing. Nothing that is, until later that night when he woke feeling as though Sirius had been lost all over again, then there was the cheering potion.
His headache suddenly returned full force and his eyes closed tightly, wincing at the sudden pain. He brought his hand up to rub his forehead in a pathetic attempt to relieve it.
"Harry?" he recognized Remus' voice to his right. "Harry, are you awake?"
It was strange, that voice seemed tight with pent up emotion, sadness, worry, hope. "Yes Remus, I'm awake," he replied.
He heard the man quickly rise out of his chair and rush over to his side. Quickly he was enveloped in a hug.
"Oh thank Merlin, Harry. I'm so sorry. We didn't know that would happen and -"
"Umm Remus? What exactly did happen?"
Remus pulled back for a split second and looked at Harry before realizing himself that the boy had no memory of what occurred. "Harry, after the trial, you - you went catatonic."
Harry raised an eyebrow in return and Remus explained.
"You were lost within your own mind, we assume, reliving the night of the Department of Mysteries over and over again." Harry's face had lost all color and the memories of what happened hit him like a truck. "You wouldn't respond to anyone for the rest of that day and into the night. We were all so worried."
Harry's face was still ashen when Remus looked down at him and for a brief moment fear flashed as he thought that Harry had returned to being unresponsive. "Harry?"
Harry raised his head to look at his ex-teacher.
"I want you to know that you are not alone in this, alright? You can talk to me any time you want. Hermione too I imagine."
Harry cocked his head to the side, "Hermione?" he asked weakly.
"Yes, Hermione," Remus said with a smile. "She spent all of yesterday after the trial with you. She even stood up to Dumbledore when he demanded that she return home to her parents. Either one of us will help you if you wish Harry."
Harry nodded and Remus once again embraced the boy in a hug.
"What time is it?" Harry asked.
"1:00," came the reply. "If you are feeling alright you could make it to Macnair's trial at 2:00. I wouldn't ask you to testify after what happened last time, but if you made an appearance you could see Neville and Hermione, both of who will be testifying."
Harry nodded in agreement and rolled out of bed, a mistake. His headache returned full force and he was forced to collapse back down upon his bed as he grabbed his forehead.
"What is it Harry? Is it Him?" Remus asked worriedly.
"No," Harry managed to grind out through the pain, "its just, a headache. I'll be fine in a couple minutes."
Remus gave the boy in front of him an odd look but nodded and told Harry that when the headache subsided that he should get ready quickly if he wanted to make the trial. He would have Dobby make a light breakfast for Harry. As much as he hated to leave his best friend's son so soon after the incident Harry couldn't be coddled all the time, he was not a child anymore, and so Remus left through the double doors that separated the master bedroom from the rest of the house.
Harry took his time rising to avoid another sudden burst of pain in his head and slowly made his way through his morning routine. At twenty minutes after the hour Harry made his way down the grand staircase to the kitchen, where a light breakfast of fruits and pastries was awaiting him. Well, it was light by Dobby's standards; there was still an exorbitant amount of food upon the table.
After consuming a grapefruit half and two heated French rolls with strawberry jam Harry declared he was ready to make the trip and Remus ushered him out of the front door.
It was a twenty-minute walk to the ministry entrance and after receiving their badges (Public Viewing Trial), the two sunk into the ground to the ministry atrium. There were far more people milling around today than there had been last year at his disciplinary hearing. Those holding quick-quote quills and journals Harry assumed were journalists covering the trials for wizarding newspapers.
"It would be best to avoid that bunch if at all possible Harry," Remus voiced what Harry had been thinking. He did not want to have a run-in with the media today, especially not after the events of the day before. So, with Remus blocking him from the sight of the reporters the two of them walked past the 'no-media' line and towards the elevator, which would take them to the ninth floor. Once there, Remus led Harry down the flight of stairs to the old courtroom, number ten, the same courtroom in which Harry had been cleared of his Underage Sorcery charge and the Lestranges had been sentenced to life in Azkaban. They entered the doors with three minutes to spare.
The courtroom public viewing was jammed packed and the full Wizengamot, this time with Dumbledore as the Supreme Mugwump, was present. Harry thought he saw Hermione's bushy, brown hair in the front row where the witnesses would be, but couldn't be certain. Remus managed to find the two of them seats in the back corner.
At exactly 2:00 Macnair was led into the courtroom through a side door by the bailiff. He was wearing a plain black robe with a series of symbols stitched onto the back. Manacles bound his wrists and ankles. Mr. Redmonds, the same attorney that had defended Lucius ('What was the verdict on that trial anyway?') was waiting his client at the defendant's table.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic vs. Walden Patrick Macnair. Mr. Macnair, you are accused of knowingly and willingly becoming a Death Eater, treason against the government, attempting to acquire a prophetic record which was not his to take, and trespassing into the Department of Mysteries. How do you plead?" Dumbledore began slowly, reading the charges from a piece of parchment in front of him.
"Not guilty," came the response.
"Very well, Mr. Wilmington, you may present your case." Dumbledore gestured to the prosecutor.
And so the trial began. There were several witnesses that stated only that Macnair was nowhere to be found that night before Hermione was called to the stand. Harry nervously tried to get her attention by moving into a position in which she could see his face better, but she didn't seem to notice him in the sea of faces. Her testimony, under the influence of Veritaserum went in much the same way as his own had. She identified Macnair as a Death Eater based on his voice, which she had known from Hogwarts, and his face, which she had seen.
Then began the cross-examination. Mr. Redmonds seemed resigned to losing this case, and was not in any way thorough. He only questioned her ability to recognize his voice after so many years had passed and reminded the Wizengamot that Veritaserum only forces the taker to recount what they believe is the truth.
Soon enough she was given the antidote to the serum and Neville was called to the stand. He had by far the more incriminating testimony. Neville recounted how he had saved Harry by jamming Hermione's wand into Macnair's eye. Medical records were then presented to the court showing that Macnair had indeed been treated upon being taken into custody for a wound to the eye.
In the face of such evidence there was little that Mr. Redmonds could ask. Anything that he could have asked Neville to clarify could have possibly been even more damaging to his Macnair's case. Macnair seemed to realize this too as he was quiet throughout the ordeal, and though Harry couldn't see his face he could imagine the look of resignation upon it.
Once Neville's testimony was finished the defense presented what little it had. Mr. Redmonds alleged that Macnair was under the effects of imperio at the time but there were no witnesses to support this claim and Macnair refused to testify under Veritaserum. That, perhaps, was the most damaging to his case.
And so as the defense ended its case the observing crowd already knew what the verdict would be; and so it was. A heavy majority voted Walden Macnair guilty on all counts. Only Fudge and three others stubbornly raised their hands in support of Macnair's innocence.
"Walden Patrick Macnair, you are found guilty of all crimes by the Wizengamot. Your sentence shall be life in Azkaban without chance of parole. This court is adjourned." With a smack of his gavel Macnair was led out the same door by which he entered and the crowd began to file out. All were speaking animatedly about the testimonies and the result. More than one person was heard to say, "And that Longbottom boy, how he saved Harry Potter? Amazing!"
'Looks like Neville will be getting an unexpected lesson in fame for a little while here,' Harry thought with a smile as he followed Remus up to the front of the courtroom.
Soon enough to two reached the front of the courtroom and Harry's heart leapt as he saw Hermione. She was quickly pacing back and forth as though she was waiting for someone to collect her so that she could leave. All the while she was engaged in a distracted conversation with Neville who was, as it appeared, trying his best to calm the young witch. As he approached further he caught a snippet of the conversation.
"- Hermione, this is Harry we are talking about, he pulls through everything -"
At that exact moment Hermione turned, no doubt to berate Neville for something he had said wrong, and she saw Remus. Her eyes immediately shot around until she had located Harry a few wizards ahead of their old professor.
"Harry!" she yelled and made a beeline straight towards him, pushing past those who had the audacity to stand in her way. Upon reaching him she threw her arms around his neck and pushed her head against his shoulder.
"Hi Hermione," Harry offered awkwardly. "How have you been?"
"You prat," Hermione said as she drew back from him again and put her hand up to her right eye. "Do you have any idea how much you scared us?"
Harry briefly wondered if something had gotten in her eye before it dawned on him that she was wiping away tears. "I - I'm sorry," Harry offered lamely. What do you say when it becomes obvious that somebody cares that much about you?
"Oh Harry," she said pushing back into him, resuming the hug, and again resting her head upon his shoulder. "Why do you insist on holding everything in like you do? Don't you know that you can tell us anything?"
"I - it's just -" Harry started. "It's just hard for me Hermione - to open up like that to people."
Hermione once again pulled back and with the remnants of tears welling in her eyes looked up at him, and for the first time Harry found himself staring into the deep, chocolate brown eyes of hers and her staring into his emerald green orbs. Her eyes were begging to know why, but Harry couldn't find the words. Neville suddenly appeared beside them, saving Harry from having to find them.
"Just thought you should know," he said quietly, "you've garnered an audience." With a small smile of encouragement he began to walk towards his gran who appeared impatient.
"Neville wait!" Harry called after him, and the slightly larger boy turned around. "I've - I've never gotten the chance to really thank you for helping me that night, and, I just wanted to say, well, thanks. It meant more to me than you could know."
Neville gave a small smile and replied, "Well, you know, us Gryffindors have to stick together. I'll always have your back mate." Harry returned the smile and watched as quills of some of those that had been watching the proceedings finished scratching every word of the exchange. Those witches and wizards were now looking, with greedy expressions plastered upon their faces, towards Harry and Hermione, the latter of which was unaware of this, her head still against Harry's shoulder. They were no doubt ready to sell their copies of the notes to various wizarding newspapers.
"Like Neville said Hermione, we've got a bit of an audience right now, we should probably leave," Harry whispered in her ear. At that warning she pulled her head away from him and quickly spotted those surrounding them. Giving a 'Hmph' the two of them walked over to a waiting Remus and informed him that they were ready to leave.
Soon enough the three were in the Ministry lift heading to the atrium. As they were standing in silence Harry asked the question that had been burning in him all through the trial, "What was the result of Lucius' trial yesterday?"
Remus smiled happily. "Guilty, on all counts. He was sentenced to Azkaban for life and half of the Malfoy fortune has been seized to recompense victims of Death Eater attacks."
"And Dolohov?" Harry asked.
"Also guilty on all counts," Remus answered.
"And?" Harry pressed.
"To be executed by use of injection at a date not yet set. Until then he will be kept in a high security holding cell within the Ministry of Magic." Hermione frowned as Remus informed Harry of the verdict, and Harry, catching it, said nothing more about the subject.
Seconds later the elevator gave a 'ding' and the doors to the Ministry Atrium opened.
"THERE HE IS!" somebody screamed and everybody turned their full attention to the three that were exiting the lift.
"Oh no," Harry said, his voice low and resigned as he was suddenly swamped by reporters.
"- could we get a statement Mr. Potter about the night in the Department of Mysteries?"
"Mr. Potter, who was it that you were going to rescue that night?"
"- was rather a rash decision wasn't it Mr. Potter?"
"- why were you suddenly carried out of the courtroom yesterday?"
"Are you dying Mr. Potter?"
"Harry darling! So have my stories finally evolved to truth? Are you and Ms. Granger an item now?" The sickeningly sweet voice of Rita Skeeter assaulted his ears.
Hermione looked about ready to give some scathing reply when Remus suddenly grabbed both of the teenagers and pulled them along through the crowd which was constantly asking questions, hoping for any answer. As they finally reached the exit Harry saw Neville in the same predicament. Harry almost felt sorry for the reporter that his Gran was currently beating back with her handbag.
.:oOoOoOo:.
Thirty minutes later found the three back at 7 King Street.
"Any plans for today Harry?" Remus asked as he hung his cloak upon a rack near the entrance.
"No, I'll probably just spend the day upstairs in the entertainment room. That reminds me, Hermione, have you had a tour of the house yet?"
"No, I'll admit that yesterday I couldn't stop thinking about if you would be alright. I didn't care much about the house."
"Well then," Harry began, "welcome to Potter Mansion." Hermione gasped and Harry continued, "This, as you can no doubt tell is the Entrance Hall."
The tour of the house took less than an hour, though Harry was curious as to how long she would have spent in both the house elves' quarters and the library had he not dragged her out of both rooms to continue the tour. She had, however, elicited the promise from him that he would show her those rooms in more detail at a later date.
Needless to say, Hermione was impressed with the premises. Not only had she very nearly fainted when she was told that he had the combined Black and Potter libraries at the home, but she had become short of breath when he demonstrated how Dumbledore's shield spell had turned the living room into a perfect spell/dueling practice area and when he showed her the potions laboratory.
And though all those rooms were wonderful, she proclaimed that her favorite was the entertainment room and Harry had to agree with her. Once the tour was over he led them back to it and they lounged on the couches while Hermione put on some music. Harry didn't much care for it, the girls that were singing were far too upbeat and typical for him, but listened anyway.
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want,
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want,
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really
really really wanna zigazig ha.
"So Harry," Hermione began, interrupting his concentration on the lyrics that seemed so illogical, "how long have you been here?"
"Umm, a couple weeks into summer. I haven't been here all that long," Harry responded.
"What is it that you do here? I mean, why did Remus ask if you had plans?"
"Oh, well, they have been letting me go out into London -" Hermione looked as if she was about to say something but Harry cut her off by finishing, "- with Order supervision of course. But they've been really kind, they stay out of sight most of the time."
The conversation dropped off for a minute and the lyrics again forced themselves into the fore of Harry's mind.
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends,
Make it last forever friendship never ends,
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give,
Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is.
'Uggh, were girls really like that?'
"So what do you do out in London?" Hermione asked.
"Oh you know, I went shopping for clothes, needed some new ones…" Harry was sure that he tinged slightly.
"You went shopping? Alone?" Hermione inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Not exactly," Harry mumbled blushing even more.
"Sorry Harry, I missed that," Hermione said. If Harry had been looking up at her he would have seen the smile she was giving at being able to torture him so.
When Harry didn't respond she let the cat out of the bag, "So, what was her name?" and Harry nearly fell off the couch
"How – how did you know?" he asked lamely. "Did Remus tell you, I'll kill him," he seemed ready to go and do just that when he was stopped by Hermione's laughter.
"Oh come on Harry, you're as easy to read as a book. And do you honestly expect me to believe that you went shopping on your own? I can tell you right now that if you had you would look nowhere as good as you do. There had to be a girl taking you. But you still haven't answered my question, what was her name?" She was still laughing softly as Harry told her that the girl was a muggle and her name was Jess.
So here's a story from A to Z, you wanna get with me
you gotta listen carefully,
We got Em in the place who likes it in your face,
we got G like MC who likes it on an
Easy V doesn't come for free, she's a real lady,
and as for me you'll see,
Slam your body down and wind it all around
Slam your body down and wind it all around.
"So you still see her?" Hermione asked.
"Huh? Oh, no I don't," Harry responded, "I only saw her twice anyway, the first time she helped me shop and the second time we went to a movie. But I'm too late to see her this weekend anyway, she is at a coffee shop early." Harry shrugged. "It was just nice, you know? She didn't know me as 'Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.' To her I was just 'Harry Potter, a boy.' It's nice not to be recognized. I wish it could be like that all the time," Harry let his voice drop lower as he delivered the last line.
"Oh Harry," Hermione said, and once again Harry found himself with his best friend leaning against his shoulder.
It was nice, Harry reflected, to be shown that affection, even in so simple a way. This was the kind of love that most took for granted, the kind that shows up every day in the little, trivial things. This was the kind of love that Harry yearned for and had searched for in his stint with Cho Chang. But she had not provided it. It was funny, he mused, that he had searched so hard for it, and it was to be found in his best friend. Why had it taken him so long to realize that what he searched for had been there all along?
"What are you thinking about?"
The question broke through his reverie and he looked down to find Hermione looking up at him expectantly.
"Friendship," he answered truthfully, "and how lucky I am with it." He offered her a smile, and she returned one.
"So," Hermione began again, "what do you do around here besides going out with muggle girls?" She let out a small chuckle again at how easy it was to get a rise out of Harry if you knew where to push. He was currently sputtering, searching for a reply.
"I – well – I – I study, and I train, and –" he began before he was interrupted.
"You train? With whom?"
"Well, with Dumbledore, Tonks, Madam Pomfrey, and Remus. Pretty much anyone who is willing to teach me."
"That is so unfair!" Hermione huffed. "You probably get to learn a whole bunch of neat stuff -"
"I'm sure you already know it all anyway 'Mione," Harry interjected but she did not stop.
"– while the rest of us have to sit and twiddle our thumbs back at our houses -"
"You could practice on your own couldn't you?" Harry tried again, but Hermione continued on her rant.
"- and there are Death Eaters on the loose, and those ministry pamphlets are rubbish. Not only do they not describe the appropriate pronunciation, but they also fail to declare the more specific wand movements. Honestly, they call the flick required in casting stupefy a snap."
Harry was having trouble identifying the difference himself and it must have shown on his face because at that instant Hermione threw her arms into the air in resignation.
A minute passed.
"Would you feel better if you trained with me Hermione? I assure you its no walk in the park." She gave a 'Hmph.' "Fine, I'll ask Remus. Do you have any idea how long you'll be here? Your parents will probably want you to come back home," he trailed off.
"Oh I don't know, I imagine Dumbledore will probably try to send me home as soon as he can. He really wanted me to go home yesterday, but I refused. I couldn't leave while you were like that. But now that you are better, I don't have that excuse any more."
"You'd rather stay here than go home?" Harry asked, almost incredulous.
Hermione nodded. "This – this world, magic," she emphasized, "it is where I belong now. My parents just can't understand that. To them, it almost seems just a dream still. Don't get me wrong, they are still supportive and everything, and they think its great that I'm happy when I'm off at school, but they can never understand what I have in this world.
"In the muggle world I had nothing but them. I – I think that is why I'm so studious now. I don't make friends easily Harry, I'm something of an introvert you might say." A tear began to well up in her eye at the admission. Harry knew how she felt, it was emotionally draining to admit such things, faults that you know you have but bury away. "They know I'm happy here, but they could never understand how happy I am. It's so hard for parents to see faults in their kids, and I don't think they realized how hard it was for me in primary school, so I can't really expect them to notice a difference now."
The tear had fallen down her cheek and Harry brushed it off.
"I'm sorry Harry, you probably don't want to hear all that," Hermione apologized as another tear began its descent.
"Rubbish, don't you know you can tell me anything Hermione?" Harry said, quoting her words earlier that day. "I may not always know what to say in return, but I'll always be here to listen," he added.
"Thank you," she said softly. He considered at that moment telling her everything, the pain he felt whenever he thought about Sirius, the use of cheering potions that he was continuing even though he was now feeling better, even his use of marijuana to dull the pain, but he couldn't force the words out of his mouth.
Suddenly, the doors to the entertainment room opened and Harry turned to find the Headmaster standing in them. "Harry my boy," the older wizard said, "I am glad to know that you have fully recovered. It is my suggestion that you take action to prevent occurrences like that in the future." Harry immediately felt even guiltier about not telling Hermione.
"However, I am not here to lecture you. Ms. Granger, you parents had informed me that I was to bring you home once Harry had recovered and now that he has I will do so according to their expressed wish."
Hermione lowered her head in resignation. "I would rather stay Professor," she voiced meekly.
"I know child, but sometimes we must do things that we do not wish to do."
Remus entered the room at that moment, "Albus, if I might have a quick word with you."
Dumbledore checked his watch, "Indeed you may," he said and he followed Lupin out of the room.
"Well," Harry said slowly. "I guess this is goodbye for now." Hermione just nodded.
"I didn't expect him to take me home so quickly after you recovered," she said.
"Well, I'm sure Dumbledore has his reasons. Anyway, it's not like I won't see you soon enough."
As soon as Harry had said it Dumbledore re-entered the room, this time followed by Remus. "Ms. Granger, we will be returning to your house as soon as possible. I will then make a proposition to your parents. I know that they must work during the days and sometimes late into the evenings and so I will offer to let you stay here during those times when they are not able to see you. Should they agree I will provide daily transportation for you."
Harry and Hermione each wore a smile upon their face.
"Thank you Headmaster," Hermione said quickly.
"Do not thank me, it was Remus' idea."
"Well then thank you Professor Lupin, I appreciate it."
"Not a problem Hermione," he answered smiling, "just make sure that your parents agree. And please, call me Remus."
She nodded and then giving a hug to Harry and muttering a quick 'see you later' she left the room with Dumbledore leaving Harry and Remus alone.
"Thank you Remus. This means a lot to her, and, me too," Harry admitted.
"I know Harry," Remus said, "She is a very good friend to you. Your friendship with her reminds me much of mine with your father and Sirius."
.:oOoOoOo:.
"Mr. Harry Potter sir must wake up, his Hermie is here!" Dobby had come in to wake him, and wake Harry did. After jumping out of bed, and having to sit back down as the blood drained from his head and caused dizziness Harry, Harry quickly took a shower and raced down the stairs where a smiling Hermione met him.
"So its alright then?" he asked short of breath.
"Yes," she replied with a smile. "Better than I expected even. I get to stay here through the week as long as I spend weekends at home."
Harry found her bright smile contagious and soon he was now wearing a matching one. "Brilliant!" he exclaimed. "I'm just going to eat, have you already had something?"
She said that she had not, Dumbledore had informed her that breakfast would be served here, and so joined Harry in the dining room. The two enjoyed a small meal and discussed those things that Harry had already learned. Hermione, needless to say, was disappointed that she had not been there for the lessons on the invisibility and disillusionment charms.
Remus made an appearance around 9:30 and Hermione thanked him again for making the suggestion. The three made small talk, mostly about the house and its history, until Tonks arrived at five till the hour. Remus then took the time to explain to Tonks the recent developments and the young auror was delighted to have another student.
"Makes me wish I had something more exciting for today planned," Tonks had said, "but oh well, can't go breaking from the curriculum." That said she flopped down upon a couch and motioned for the two students to sit as well.
"Harry, what do you know about the significance of spell color?"
"Well, I know that curses are usually red or orange-red and charms tend to be more yellow or gold. The only green spell I know of is the killing curse."
"A very good start. Hermione? Anything to add?" The other surprised Harry by shaking her head. "Well, Harry like you said, curses are usually red or orange, and though that is a good guide, it is not perfect. After all bludgeoning curse is purple. What seems to determine the color of a spell is its purpose. A red curse, like crucio, is going to affect either the nervous or circulation system, or will confuse the brain. The same goes with a red hex, jinx, or even charm.
"An orange spell, such as the knee-reversing hex, will affect the genome or the growth rate of the body, or in come cases, both. In that case it changes the targets genes and magically assists the change.
"A yellow or golden spell is most likely a charm, though it could be curse or hex that attacks the senses. The blinding curse for example is yellow.
"A blue spell will be dealing with the bending of time or space. You are most likely to see this in a portkey as there are not many spells that deal with this.
"A silver spell is always a defensive one. Protego is an excellent example of this. There are also some defensive spells that are gold. I forgot to mention that before.
"A purple, or violet, spell is one that has to do with physical force. This is why a bludgeoning spell will be purple, as will a tripping jinx, or even a blasting curse.
"And you were right Harry, the only curse that is green is the killing curse. We don't know exactly why, the knowledge of exactly how that curse kills was lost when the creator died."
"So basically," Harry began, "you could tell what type of spell was coming at you before you decided whether to dodge or deflect it?"
"Exactly," Tonks confirmed. "This knowledge isn't altogether that useful, but if one had no choice, one could decide which spell he or she would rather take, based on which had the lowest probability of being the most dangerous. This information is not that well known. However, we are taught at the auror academy useful and powerful spells of the 'weaker' colors. That way an opponent could choose to dodge into what was actually the more potent spell. We'll get into that later in the summer."
"Tonks," Hermione said, "is there any way to change or mask a spell's color?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Tonks said, "but you could ask Dumbledore, if anyone knows, it would be him." Harry agreed with her.
"But like I said," Tonks continued, "that the spell color can give away a spell is not well known throughout wizarding society. In fact, presently the ministry only gives the knowledge to the aurors and other magical law enforcement. I highly doubt that there has ever been a real impetus to create such a spell, and so it has probably never been invented."
The rest of the lesson passed without many questions and Tonks demonstrated with many spells while Harry and Hermione attempted to guess which spell was used. Before Tonks left she promised that the next lesson would be slightly more interesting and then Dumbledore took the show.
Harry asked Hermione if she really knew anything about occlumency and she replied that she did not. Dumbledore had, however, already known this and prepared the lesson accordingly. Harry was to clear his mind and after doing so, recall everything he could remember from yesterday, then clear his mind and recall everything he remembered from the day before, and so on. Dumbledore would be working with Hermione to get her started. It took the full hour for her to complete the task with Dumbledore's aid.
Remus appeared in the room at 12:00 and announced that lunch was served and everyone, Dumbledore included, sojourned to the kitchen to partake in Dobby's delicious sandwiches. In the middle of the meal Hermione spoke up.
"Professor Dumbledore, we were just learning about the significance of a spell's color with Tonks today and I was wondering if you knew if there was an additional charm somewhere that could be used to mask the color of one spell with another color?"
Dumbledore nodded his approval at what Tonks was teaching them but once the question was asked he was found musing. "I - do not believe that such a spell exists Ms. Granger. Truth be told, I'm not sure that such a spell is even possible. You see a spell's color is its magical signature. What Nymphadora may not have told you is that each spell has a unique color, but sometimes the difference between the color is mere picometers in wavelength, impossible for the human eye to discern." Hermione nodded thoughtfully and Harry found himself thoroughly confused at that explanation.
"However, it may be possible, do not let my ramblings keep you in your search. It is an interesting idea. Yes, quite an interesting idea." Dumbledore had a look in his eyes that gave away that he as well was now considering the possibility (was it possible to conceal a magical identifier) but quickly his attention returned to the table.
"Excuse me, Headmaster and Hermione, not only did I not understand your explanation in the slightest sir," he nodded to Dumbledore, "I'm also not quite sure what the purpose of creating such a spell would be? I can't seem to find any reason for doing so?" Harry said lamely. He knew he was missing something important, and he was.
"Harry, go ahead and ignore the explanation, it won't matter for now at least, I'll tell you later. But the possible uses for a color masking charm are endless in combat! Tonks suggested using a powerful, 'weaker' colored spell, but why not use the most powerful spell you know and mask it to be a 'weaker' color? It would be much more effective."
"She is correct Harry, the uses of such a charm could be endless, in combat that is. I see little business world opportunities for it," Dumbledore affirmed.
Harry nodded his head showing that he now understood and then asked, "Sir, far be it that I tell you how to run Hogwarts, but, have you found a Defense professor yet? I don't think I could stand another ministry installed fraud."
Dumbledore chuckled at Harry's choice of words and happily informed them that he had found a Defense teacher that was quite capable, but that the two of them would discover that person's identity along with the rest of the school at the beginning of the year feast.
After answering Harry's question Dumbledore checked his watch and announced that he had to be leaving. He had an important meeting with the school governors in a few minutes. Harry, for the life of him, could not figure out how Dumbledore could tell the time by use of rotating planets no matter how many time he had seen the Headmaster do so. And with the announcement Dumbledore retreated from the house and apparated away.
At Harry's announcement that he had nothing from Tonks to study that day Remus clapped his hands. "Excellent," the werewolf said, "I have been waiting to show you this, but now we have time." With that, he led the two upstairs to the fourth floor and out to the balcony. There, Harry was astonished to find several large metal machines with many wires, a couple bars, and a single seat.
"Muggle weight equipment Professor?" Hermione asked him.
"Remus," he reminded, "and yes, sort of. These weight machines are charmed so that one can set the exactly how much weight resistance they want by simply telling the machine. He demonstrated by sitting at a machine meant to simulate a bench press and told the machine '120 kilograms.' Hermione gasped as he completed a set of ten with what appeared to be very little effort.
He then invited Harry to try. Harry sat down and before Remus could give him any more instructions began to push with all his might against the hand-bars. His face turned red with the effort and his lungs began to burn as he held his breath. His back arched in one final attempt to give himself leverage and then he collapsed back into the seat. The bars hadn't moved a centimeter. He found that Hermione and Remus had each collapsed in their mirth. Tears were coming out of Hermione's eyes she was laughing so hard.
"Harry," she managed between bouts of laughter, "how could you -" laugh "- expect to be able -" more laughter "to lift 120 kilos!"
"Well," Harry said, his face still burning red, but this time with embarrassment, "Remus did it easily!"
The others renewed their laughter, it being louder than ever. Remus had now joined Hermione in rolling around on the floor, unable to support himself on his feet, or even his knees.
"Harry," Remus said still laughing, "I doubt you could lift sixty kilos, let alone 120."
The boy addressed began to grumble about the two 'underestimating' his abilities, which again renewed the peals of laughter. Getting a little upset he told the machine "sixty kilos!" and attempted the feat of pushing outwards; he failed again much to his chagrin, and his onlooker's amusement. Harry found that he could start at around forty kilos and he wondered at how Remus had managed lifting the 120.
Five minutes later Hermione and Remus had recovered from their cachinnation and Harry was resigned to the teasing that would follow for the better part of a week, and anytime those thrice-cursed weight machines came into view. All-in-all however, it turned out to be quite the day.
(A/N: Longest chapter yet, and defiantly the hardest to write. I probably sat at my computer for a total of ten hours with no progress, or maybe a couple paragraphs. Frustration was rampant but I managed to grind this out, though I'm not totally happy with it. Also, I've written a one-shot to try to get the creative juices flowing; it worked somewhat, so in the future I may have to write more. Anyway, "An Epilogue to Failure (A Prologue to Nothing)" is posted. Don't be afraid of the implications of the one-shot, it is completely unconnected with this story.)
(A/N2: I seem to be getting a fair amount of reviews about Hermione and the Spice Girls song. Just understand that that scene is meant to be purely comical, likemany other things in this fic,and in no way, shape, or form represents the character that Hermione will have in this story. Please just look past it. Also, the lyrics are property of the Spice Girls (I think), so don't suit me over them.)