Sorry if I kept you all waiting… I've been flooded with assignments lately… not much time to slack… I was sooo disappointed when JKR put HG instead of HHr in HBP… I'm a huge HHr fan… but too bad, I don't own the story… sigh…
Chapter 4
Harry and his master followed Dumbledore to his office. When they reached Stone Gargoyle, Dumbledore said, "Ton-tongue Toffee"
"The Weasley Twins' product, wonder how they're doing?" Harry thought.
As they entered, Harry saw that Dumbledore's office had not change a single bit, except maybe additions of new instrument since Harry had destroyed some of them.
Phineas Nigellus spoke up, "Ah… Harry Potter, I see. So you decided to return after going missing eh? Thought that seeing people worry about you is fun eh? I don't see why my great-grandson loves you so much. You are just an attention-seeking brat."
"Quiet, Phineas." Dumbledore said, not a request but an order. At this, Phineas reluctantly closed his mouth. Harry then shot the portrait of his late godfather's great-grandfather a glare.
Obi-Wan then gave Dumbledore the papers which contain information of the exchange program. Dumbledore looked through it and filled up the forms.
When he was done, he looked up and told Obi-Wan that he would be making a trip to Coruscant regarding the Sith threats.
"Voldemort is becoming more and more active nowadays. Just a few days ago, the Puroutes were killed. Voldemort himself was there. Alex Puroute put up a good fight with Voldemort, but as always, he was put under the imperious curse and was told to put the Avada Kedevra curse on himself, a technique that Voldemort and his followers use nowadays." Dumbledore said somberly.
"Not that I suppose he's tired of killing." He added.
Obi-Wan nodded and he seemed deep in thought.
A few moments of silence passed until Obi-Wan spoke up.
"Harry, I believe that the Senator asked you to tell Dumbledore something."
"Oh… that…" Harry started. "Senator wanted to ask you if you wanted to take the students to Naboo as well. He'll be glad to play host." Harry did not want to say Dumbledore's name, afraid that he will become angry at that old man again.
"Of course Harry. It's not everyday that you get to go to the Senator's homeland. Naboo is a beautiful place, I'm sure the students will love it there, with the peace and serenity, away from the war. Thank the Senator for me, won't you?" Dumbledore replied.
Harry only nodded.
"I must really get going." said Obi-Wan.
"What do you mean I? I'm not staying here am I?" Harry started to feel angry.
"Harry, Master Dumbledore said it was best for you to stay here and continue your wizarding study. Besides, you'll be happy among your friends." Obi-Wan said.
"I know what's good for me!" Harry sprang up from his seat and shouted. "And that's to get out of here! Away from this old man's clutches!" Harry pointed to Dumbledore. "All he does is to manipulate me! He's the one who kept Sirius from getting out of the house! And guess what? Sirius got sick of it and got killed in the end! He was also the one who sent me to 11 years of torture with the Dursleys!"
That was it. Obi-Wan stood up and punch his padawan, causing Harry to stagger backwards.
"It's Professor Dumbledore to you, my young padawan! How many times do I need to tell you to keep your emotions in control? Remember Harry, that it's you who's controlling your emotions! Not your emotions controlling you! Or else you'll go to the Dark Side!" Obi-Wan yelled.
Harry heard that and he hung his head low, ashamed. Just how many times had he lost control of his emotions. He had already lost count of it. He could not afford to do that again. That will only make him vulnerable to Voldemort.
"Now I must leave. My young padawan, remember to clear your head when you go to bed every night." And with a swish of his cloak, Obi-Wan disappeared.
Harry sighed. He had to remember that. He always had Obi-Wan there to help him clear his thoughts before going to sleep. Now that he was not there, he had to make sure that he did it himself.
"Harry, you'll be pleased to hear that you're chosen as Head Boy and Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. I was wrong in the past to have thought that you're not able to take up these responsibilities. But you've proved me wrong." Harry snorted. He did not want to hear all the crap Dumbledore had to say. He just got up and walked towards the door.
"The Heads' Dormitories are up at the North Tower and the password is Coruscant." Harry heard Dumbledore say behind him. He just nodded as a sign that he had heard what he said and left.
Harry made his way to the North Tower, his sense of direction as good as ever. Even though he had not been here for 5 years, he still could remember the castle interior very well, all the dungeons and secret passage ways. Besides, he still had his Marauders Map with him.
The corridors were nearly deserted except the occasional bumping in with ghosts as it was already pass midnight. Nearly Headless Nick had came up to greet him and told him that he was glad he came back. Harry just nodded and continued his way to the North Tower.
After a few turns, he finally came to a portrait of a knight. He was Sir Digums, definitely more honorable than Sir Cadogan. Harry muttered the password and the portrait swung open to let Harry in.
Harry stepped in and found himself in a common room much like the Gryffindor Common Room but just a little smaller.
It was then did Harry realize that he was not alone. Sitting in one of the armchairs, was Hermione Jane Granger, with her eyes all red and puffy, showing that she had been there crying all night.
Both of them just stared at each other. Harry noticed that she had become a very beautiful young woman. Her hair was no longer bushy but wavy and falls in soft curls. Her beautiful brown eyes shone as brightly as ever. She had curves in the right places. Harry knew that she had become the most beautiful girl in Hogwarts.
Harry then tore his gaze off her and continued his way towards his dormitory until he heard Hermione's soft voice, "Harry?"
He stopped dead in his tracks, melting away at Hermione's voice. He told himself to move but his legs just would not budge until he felt her petite and smooth hands in his.
How he wanted to turn and just gather Hermione into his arms but he just couldn't. He did not have time for girls right now. He had more important things to do.
"Isn't your love life more important?" a voice said in his head.
"No!" Harry shouted in his head.
"You know she cares about you." That voice said again.
"No! I can't do this to her! She will be in danger!" Harry yelled.
It was then did Harry hear Hermione calling his name again. Hermione turned Harry around.
Harry did not know why. Part of him wanted to run upstairs but part of him wanted to stay here. Harry then let himself be turned around by her.
They were face to face now. She was looking at him. They were very close now. Very close.
"Harry. Look at me." Hermione said.
Harry wanted to but he just couldn't. He can't hurt Hermione. Just when he was about to run up the steps to his room, he felt Hermione's hands touching his chin and lifted his face up.
Harry found himself staring right into those enchanting brown orbs as the brown orbs stared back into his emerald ones.
Her hands went to his visor and wanted them off his handsome face. However, Harry stopped her.
"Hermione, no. You can't remove these. My eyes will shoot off beams which are very destructive."
"Oh." Was what Hermione could say. How she wished she could get lost into his beautiful green eyes again.
"You have to wear this all the time. They look uncomfortable." Hermione said, still not looking away.
"No. I have these shades.' Harry then reached into his pocket and took out a pair of what looked like sunglasses with crystal red lenses. He then removed his visor and put on his shades, closing his eyes the whole time. When he reopened them, he saw that Hermione had tears glistening in her eyes.