Disclaimer: Not mine. Harry Potter. Bon Jovi. Not Mine…..:sigh:

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Chapter 37: Homebound Train

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The small group made their way back through the halls of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore leading, quietly talking with Malfoy followed by Remus and an animatedly talking metamorphmagus. Kingsley and Moody had both left and Sirius and Hermione quietly brought up the rear listening to Tonks ramble on a mile a minute about her views on werewolf rights, the werewolf present unable to get a word in edgewise.

"I mean most werewolves are registered right?" the pink haired witch asked.

Remus opened his mouth to respond but Tonks cut him off.

"So therefore, if they all take the wolfsbane potion and are controlled during the full moon then eventually the curse should dissipate?"

Remus again tried to comment but was once again cut off as they neared Dumbledore's office.

"There would be no problem if those toads like Umbridge didn't have any influence on the community. Did you see that last report in the Prophet that quoted her? 'Werewolves are Dark Creatures and should be destroyed when first bitten'" Tonks continued not waiting for a reply for her question.

Remus turned to face Sirius and Hermione. Hermione had begun to look slightly pale, not used to the environment outside of her prison. He reached over and placed a hand over Tonks' mouth to silence her as he addressed the pair.

"We'll go and get Harry, just wait here," he offered.

Sirius nodded and led Hermione into the office.

As soon as the werewolf removed his hand from over the Auror's mouth she burst back into her conversation.

"Right, so where was I, that's right….Umbridge."

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Hermione stood with Sirius just inside Dumbledore's office. She stood with her hands on Sirius' chest, her head resting just beneath his chin as he wrapped his arms around her snugly.

They were waiting, just relishing the presence of each other, while Remus and Tonks fetched Harry and Dumbledore escorted Malfoy back to the Slytherin common room.

"How long?" Sirius asked quietly.

He felt Hermione sigh against his chest, "Twelve years."

Sirius tensed slightly and ran a hand along the back of her head pulling her closer, however when he felt his shirt dampen he pulled back slightly, bending his knees so he could look her in the eyes.

"I would ask what was wrong but that's probably a stupid question," he said gently, brushing the tears off her cheeks.

Hermione gave a shaky laugh and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his hair.

"I haven't seen him in thirteen years Sirius."

"Aahh," Sirius breathed. "He's the same old Harry, he's lost one of his best friends but he'll always be Harry."

Hermione pulled back and held his grey eyes with her own. "But I'm not the same old Hermione, I'm not seventeen anymore."

Sirius placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I think he'll be happy enough just to have you back."

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Tonks waited outside the Gryffindor common room, striking up an interesting conversation with the Fat Lady about a certain werewolf's Hogwarts days as said werewolf went inside to find Harry.

Remus smiled as he entered the room, the rising sun bathing the room and the two occupants of the long couch in a soft array of pinks and peaches.

He wandered over and waved a silent greeting to the redhead sitting on the couch, chuckling when he spotted the object of his search spread out with his head resting in her lap as he slept.

"He didn't want to go to bed," Ginny whispered, "he was too afraid he'd miss something, he fell asleep about an hour ago."

Remus nodded and glanced at the sleeping wizard before coming to a decision.

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"They didn't!" Tonks exclaimed staring at the Fat Lady.

"They did," the Fat lady replied a cheeky grin plastered on her face. "Lasted a week too."

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Remus reached over and gently shook Harry awake.

"Harry," he said softly. "Wake up."

The messy haired boy stirred slightly before Remus was confronted with a familiar pair of sparkling emerald eyes.

Harry focused his gaze on his mentor and his eyes grew wide. "Hermione?" he asked.

Remus nodded. "She's waiting with Sirius…"

Harry was already on his feet and heading out of the room.

"…in Professor Dumbledore's office," he called, watching the boy tear out of the room.

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"How's this?" Tonks asked the Gryffindor portrait.

"Perfect."

Tonks grinned and was about to conjure a mirror when she was bowled over by a mass of black, red and gold. Frowning slightly she pulled herself up and come face to face with a giggling Weasley.

"Wotcher Ginny," the metamorphmagus greeted.

"Nice hair Tonks," the youngest member of the Weasley clan replied.

"Thanks, I like it."

"Tonks did you see Ha…" Remus choked on his words as he stared at the witch in front of him. He turned and glared at the Fat Lady. "Traitor," he growled as he left to follow Harry.

Tonks grinned at Ginny and winked before turning around. "What's the matter Remus, don't you like my hair?" the Auror asked attempting to catch up with the werewolf, her five inch spikes of red and gold hair casting odd shadows on the walls.

Ginny followed, slightly confused but smiling at the pairs antics nonetheless.

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Sirius stepped back from Hermione holding her hands out at her sides.

"They appeared to have fed you at least," he commented, winking as he spun her around in a circle to get a better look.

Hermione laughed softly and played along keeping one hand firmly in his, steadying herself as she pirouetted for the Animagus.

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Harry ran as fast as his legs would take him, and for the first time was rather miffed at how far away the headmaster's office was from the Gryffindor tower. He even considered summoning his Firebolt but didn't want to slow down to cast the spell.

He skidded to a halt outside the stone Gargoyle and with a sinking feeling of dread realised he didn't know the password.

"Pepper Imps, Chocolate Frogs, Lemon Drops…uhh…Honeydukes Chocolate, Canary Creams, Sherbet Lemon, Sugar Quills."

Harry grinned as the Gargoyle stepped aside revealing the spiral staircase that led to the Headmaster's office. He raced up the stairs and heard a sound that made his insides turn to jelly; the sound of Hermione laughing.

"Hermione," he called as he pushed open the door.

Hermione was in mid spin when she heard Harry call out her name and come bursting into the room.

"Harry?" she asked, not quite believing he was finally standing in front of her.

The black haired boy closed the distance between them and swept Hermione up into his arms.

"Harry?" she asked again, just to be sure.

"Yeah," he replied softly. "Harry."

He felt her relax in his embrace before her arms tightened around his neck, pulling him close.

"I missed you so much," she broke down, tears streaming down her face.

"It's ok, you're home," he soothed, feeling surprisingly in control for all he'd been through in the past five months, he was sure he was going to be a mental wreak when they found Hermione, and was a little shocked that he wasn't.

Sirius grinned at the two and went over to join Tonks and Remus who had just entered the room followed by Ginny, who held back for a moment, giving Harry and Hermione their space.

"Nice hair Nymph," Sirius commented to his cousin while smirking at his old friend. "Have a nice conversation with the Fat Lady about a certain werewolf, who shall, of course remain nameless, and his Hogwarts hair styles?"

Tonks just grinned and raised a hand to touch the spikes as Remus growled at the Animagus.

"What was it Moony? Fourth year?"

"Third, and if I recall correctly, Padfoot, you and Prongs ended up hanging from the ceiling in the Great Hall having the misfortune of watching everyone eat as a form of revenge."

Sirius grinned and leant over to the two witches. "He just couldn't admit it that deep, deep, ok maybe really deep down, he liked it," he whispered loud enough for his friend to hear him earning him a smack over the head.

Sirius glared at Remus but his attention soon turned to Hermione and Harry, he wandered over and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"Hermione," he said gently trying to get her attention, this only resulted in her grip tightening around his Godson who looked like he could do with some air right about now.

"Hermione, I don't think much of the wizarding world would appreciate waking up and finding out that their only hope was strangled to death by his best friend."

Hermione immediately released her hold on Harry and stepped back.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry," she apologised tears threatening to spill again.

Harry smiled gently. "It's ok Hermione," he said trying to calm her down. "It wasn't your fault," he moved forward and pulled her into a light hug.

Sirius frowned at Hermione odd behaviour, she didn't normally get this upset over small things. "I think Hermione could use some sleep," he stated. "She's been through a little more in the past few hours than she's used to."

"Sirius is right," came the gentle voice of Dumbledore from the doorway. "Take her to your chambers Sirius, she can rest there for now, Madame Pomfrey can do a check up when she wakes."

Harry looked at Hermione and could see the fatigued etched in her eyes and shockingly pale face, before turning back to his Godfather and transfering an almost fully sleeping Hermione from his arms to Sirius' who gently placed an arm under her knees and cradled her against himself before leaving the room, Harry in tow.

"Mr Potter," Dumbledore called causing Harry to slow and turn around. The headmaster smiled, his eyes sparkling. "You have permission not to attend your classes today."

Harry nodded and turned to follow Sirius down the corridors, an annoying feeling in his stomach that even though he had Hermione back he was now going to have to thank Malfoy, of all people, for his part in finding her.

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