Harry trailed his fingers across the smooth oak in careful circles, which drew closer and closer together so that in time a certain spiral was formed. When he reached the center of this spiral his fingers halted, their steady rhythmic pattern put aside as he pushed firmly, letting the door swing open with a sigh. Before him the master bedroom spread out across polished floorboards, which shined as if- over the years- no dust had fallen.

A warm essence drew him in; warmth which did not come from the fire blazing in the hearth. Instead it seemed to live within every object in the room- from the canopied bed, with its headboard depicting the image of a phoenix, to the baubles resting on the vanity. It breathed inside the trophies lining the hearth's mantel, praising the fruits of his parents, and within a bookshelf that Hermione would be glad to see. It shined brighter than the light that streamed in from the windows on either side of the bed, displaying a scene of blue skies and fluffy clouds, which was placed there by magic long ago; opposite of the true storm that roared outside.

A scent accompanied this warmth, a scent he knew well. It swelled up from the very floorboards, the scent of heather and thyme. Lying down on the bed, which hadn't been inhabited in years, he let the warmth and scent encase him.

"Mom, Dad… I'm home."

He breathed deeply, letting the strain in his muscles ease into the downy bed as his mind wandered.

Harry knew that soon, when the storm subsided, he would have to let Hedwig stretch her wings; she wouldn't stay patient much longer in that covered cage downstairs. Yet he dreaded going downstairs, for that would mean having to apologize to Ron, and he had said some things he hadn't meant even in his arrogance. Putting this aside for now, he simply enjoyed the feelings of bliss that overwhelmed him. This was his home.

"Knock, knock?" Hermione peered around the corner of the door, glad that she had finally found Harry amongst the web of rooms, and stopped short. "Oh Harry…"

The room was beautiful; each and every piece fitting in just right, to tie together the Potters' essence. It was everything Hermione imagined a perfect home to be, full of warmth and a bright sense of welcoming, for her own home had never been the right place for her.

Crossing to the vanity she exclaimed over the burnished jewels, which rested undisturbed on the counter alongside prism containers that held various perfumes- their dark liquids drawing in light. Tubes of lipstick and colored powders were held atop a pedestal, ready for use, as well as a porcelain comb whose handle was detailed with unicorn hair. A little girls dream.

Everything lay dainty and organized, exactly how Hermione had pictured Lily Evans, and everything was made strong so as to last. Looking into the mirror, it seemed that for a fleeting moment Lily had come back from the dead and was there reflected in the mar less glass, and then the image was gone replaced by Hermione's own reflection.

Harry was right, she thought, Lily and James were alive in everything around them.

"So what do you think?" Propping himself up on an elbow Harry confronted her with an inquiring look on his face.

"It's wonderful Harry, absolutely wonderful. Everything's so clean and perfect it was as if they were still here."

"Yeah I know."

Falling back onto the bed he sighed, a soft smile lighting his features. Hermione's glace graced the bookshelf for the first time and her heart nearly leapt from her throat. Skirting the bed she ran to the mahogany skeletal structure embedded with the seeds of wisdom. She ran her hand over the various book bindings, each filled with the eloquent words that Hermione was itching to read. Glancing through the title's she noted that there were books on history, sorcery, philosophy, and art; there was even a small section on the top shelf that was starkly romance. She knew she would be spending a lot more time up in this room.

Hermione settled next to Harry, reluctantly leaving the treasure trove of books. "I suppose you've chosen this for your living accommodation?"

"Well…" He noticed the whimsical twinkle in Hermione's eyes as she stared at the bookshelf, "I haven't decided yet. I mean you might get more use out of it."

"Now Harry, we're only going to be staying for a couple of weeks, I'll find room downstairs as long as I get to sneak some books out of here while you're not looking."

They laughed goodheartedly, both fully spirited by their piety banter. Hermione was so grateful for this returned normalcy that she was averse to what she was ordained to say. Yet with a sigh she began, "You know you have to apologize to him."

"Yeah."

"He has already forgiven you it's just that his pride has forbade him from initiating terms. You know him, it must be the red blood in his family."

Harry was thoughtful for a while before asking, "What was he so frazzled over in the first place?"

"Oh it is really petty, he thought me and you might be getting a little close, but of course we're not. He is just the jealous boyfriend type, and he doesn't really mean any harm."

"He thought me and you… we were never anything more than friends?"

"There once was something, I suppose, but now there is Ron and…"

"I know what you mean." Harry remembered the days in their Third year when they would sneak off to watch the sun rise, just to be together, but even then he had been too young to understand his feeling. "There has always been a special place for Ron."

"Well he is special, to me." Blush tainted her cheeks, and she tried- to no avail- to hide it from Harry whose eyes brightened with merriment. "Go on, the longer he waits the more stubborn he gets."

"Wish me Luck." Harry hesitated at the door, "Oh and Hermione, thanks."
…………………………….

Ron was staring gloomily into the fire- his arms crossed brusquely across his chest, with his body slumped over in stubborn poise- when Harry entered. "What took you so long, did Hermione have to literally push you down the stairs?"

"Lay off it Ron, I'm not hear to bicker. I'm here to… to…" Harry wilted dejectedly beside the red head, the couch giving way beneath him to mock his exasperated breath. "To apologize."

"Yeah… well?"

"Look Ron, I know I said some horrid things but you were acting like such an arse. You were being completely disrespectful to me and this house, you were jumping at the opportunity to fight with me…"

"What would you have me do!" Ron interrupted defensively, "I thought you were trying to steal my girl."

Harry couldn't help but chuckle at this, "Trying to steal your girl. This is Hermione we are talking about, she is nobodies girl and I wasn't trying to steal here."

"Maybe so, but we fancy each other, and when I heard her complimenting you- wooing over you- she never does that to me. I just- I guess I got a little jealous."

"Tell me about it." Harry rolled his eyes at the blatant understatement. "Listen, what you and Hermione have is something deep, and nothing can interfere with that. And as for the compliments, have you tried complimenting her."

Ron looked as if he was struggling over this concept. "I- I didn't know I had to."

"Ron, my friend," Harry draped his arm over Ron's shoulder, pulling him close, "You have a lot to learn."

Callie Here: I hope you like it and I plan to update again real soon. This is enough love troubles, I'll be getting into the mystery next chappie, when they meet a mysterious stranger and come upon the name Nehebkau. Please Review and thanks to all readers.