Chapter 16
Aug 31
Over an hour had passed since Tom Riddle had summoned the dementors. He had dismissed the Death Eaters a half hour ago. He would have expected them to arrive within 45 minutes, and decided that he would travel to Azkaban to see where they were.
He was slightly surprised to see the ferry unmanned, and got on the magical boat to go to the island.
The sight that greeted him enraged him as he had never been. The badly decomposed bodies of a dozen Death Eaters were laying out on the ground in a neat row. A raven was picking at Bellatrix's body. It flew off before Riddle could blast it.
In an absolute rage, Riddle made his way to the fortress a quarter mile inland. Aside from the remaining dementors, the fortress was empty. The dementors glided away from Riddle sensing that he possessed very little soul. They were at something of a standoff. Riddle knew of no way to harm the dementors and the dementors had no interest either way in Riddle.
Getting off of the ferry, Riddle apparated to Privet drive and in a fit of rage blew through the remnants of the wards that had once protected the house and in a shower of rage and spellcasting, blew number four to bits. He cast the Mark and apparated back to his headquarters to plan his next move.
… --- …
John Thomas received notice that the wards of Azkaban had been breeched moments after Voldemort had set foot on the island. He was neither surprised to have received the message nor surprised to hear that the Dark Mark had been spotted over Harry Potter's childhood home a few minutes later.
He silently applauded Abraxan's directive that no Ministry personnel be stationed either on the island or at the ferry station until further notice. Almost certain that it was a dark wizard who had set off the wards and unwilling to place any of the Aurors' lives at risk over a bit of meaningless real estate, he went back to his other duties.
… --- …
Emma sat back in her chair and sipped her tea. She hoped that the fine china cup would hide her smile. She watched her daughter watch Harry. Of course he was watching Hermione just as closely. Somehow they never looked at each other at the same time.
Emma glanced at her husband. He smirked a bit and gave her a light shrug. She almost sighed out loud. She had told Dan to let it all take its own course.
Dan and Harry had been spending time on the golf course. Emma was no fool; she knew that the discussions that they've been having out on the links were about more than a silly little white ball. She knew that Dan had been gently pushing Harry into dating their daughter.
Emma had split feelings on the matter. She liked Harry. She liked him a lot. He was a kind and decent young man. He had taken them into his mansion without a moment's hesitation. He had a sense of honor that was rare in someone so young.
But he was young. So was Hermione.
She had overheard Harry's talk with Alyx about the choice between what was right and what was easy. Emma knew that he would always pick what he felt was right. This made him a great leader.
And he was a leader. Harry Potter was the commander of the light forces in a war against darkness. He was the biggest target for Lord Voldemort and his minion of Death Eaters. He was barely seventeen and he was supposed to command an army against evil itself.
Just because Lord Voldemort's end goal seemed to revolve around Harry's death didn't mean that he shouldn't date Hermione. The target on Hermione's back was almost as big.
Emma wondered if her husband would have been so encouraging if there had not been a war being waged. Emma wondered if Hermione would have actually stayed with Ron had he not made such a bad decision. Emma wondered if Hermione or Harry could get past the guilt of Ginny and actually date. Emma wondered many things. Like her daughter, she had a tendency to think too much.
Harry stood suddenly and banished the rolls of parchment that he had been trying to read, back to his desk. Everyone looked at him. He nodded to Emma and she raised her teacup slightly in a toast. Harry grinned at her as he stole from the room.
For tonight Emma decided to put the doubts out of her mind. She had a job to do. Dinner tonight was to be a conspiracy that she was a glad to be a member of. She shut her eyes for a few seconds to prepare herself. She opened them to find Dan, Hermione, Susan and Alyx looking at her.
Hermione had been attempting to read one of the hundreds of books in the Black library. Alyx and Susan had been sitting off by themselves talking softly. Emma noted that it must have been an intense discussion. There was a lot of touching going on. She and Dan had been quietly observing Harry and Hermione.
But now they all sat staring at her. She smirked at the lot of them.
"Dobby, Winky!" She called. Before she could finish the second name they both appeared.
"Hello Mrs. Dr. Herm's Mum Granger," Dobby greeted her. She successfully fought the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she looked between the two elves and smiled. They were dressed in actual clothes. Dobby was wearing three of the hats Hermione had knitted. They clashed horribly with his Gryffindor red 70's style leisure suit. Winky looked decidedly uncomfortable in her hot yellow sundress and combat boots. She wore a hat also. But only one.
"Emma, Dobby. My name is Emma. I want both of you to use it. Please," she said in futility.
"Hows can we helps you Mrs. Emma?" Winky asked. Well, that was a bit better.
"Harry has decided that he wants to cook dinner tonight. He has asked me to teach you two how to play some muggle games," she answered. Dobby's eyes got even bigger.
"No no no no no. Mr. Harry Potter Sir can'ts cook dinner! It's our jobs!" Dobby squealed. Winky looked as if she were going to cry.
"Master Potter not happys with Winkys cooking! Oh oh oh oh!" She went to bash her head on the coffee table and Emma did something very rare. She raised her voice.
"STOP!" She ordered. Emma was amused to see that both her daughter and husband jumped almost to attention.
"Harry is cooking tonight because he wants to. He wants to. It has nothing to do with your job or abilities. We all love your meals, Winky. Harry wants both of you to be able to enjoy your time off. He cares very much about your well being," she explained.
"But… It's a house elves job to cook. And clean. Winky's old masters never cooked!" Winky objected in a high squeak. She was twitching nervously.
"Harry is not like your old masters Winky. He was raised differently," Emma started to explain. She hesitated. She didn't want to tell them how differently.
Saving from having to answer, Hermione said, "He was raised in the muggle world,"
"Hows is that different?" Dobby asked.
"Yeah, how's that different?" Susan echoed. Emma asked the elves to sit with them. Instead of muggle card games they were about to get a crash course in muggle life.
"I've noticed a lot of differences," Alyx pointed out. "Susan, your family had house elves and I'm sure your aunt never treated them badly. But house elves don't exist in the muggle world."
Dan then explained, "In the muggle world if you want a chef or a maid you have to pay them." Winky gave another twitch. "Most families cannot afford to have that kind of help. Technically we could but Emma and I decided it would be a waste of Sterling. Before Hermione attended Hogwarts we would take turns cooking and we were each responsible for keeping part of the house clean," Dan told them. Susan looked as taken aback as the elves.
They talked of house elves, slavery and muggles for a bit. Dobby and Winky seemed to understand their point. Hermione realized that in reality she had been going about S.P.E.W. in the wrong way completely. If (not if, but when, she reminded herself) they won and survived the war she would certainly have some better ideas.
After an hour of discussion Emma told them that they had to get dressed. Harry wanted a formal dinner.
"He even took care of the attire." All of the objections died down at that statement.
An hour and a half later Harry called them for dinner. Dan left the bedroom with his wife on his arm and ran into the other three women.
In any world, Dan decided that they were four of the best-looking women he had ever met.
Alyx had tied her blonde hair up. Her body type was athletic in deference to her job. Dan could see the outline of muscles on her bare arms. It didn't make her look masculine, only fit. The emerald green dress robes she was wearing showed her magnificent curves. She was a very beautiful young woman. She wasn't wearing makeup but for the smallest smudge of lipstick on her lips and cheek. Dan's opinion was that she didn't need any.
He had never noticed before but she had a tattoo on her right arm just above her wrist. He had no idea what the symbols meant and made a mental note to ask the Auror with one name about it later.
Susan was wearing makeup. Her lips were the same color as the smudge that graced Alyx's cheek, Dan observed. Her own blonde hair was down in waves about her shoulders. She looked stunning in the black dress robes trimmed in purple.
Hermione wore only a bit of lip gloss. Her mass of brown curls was up in a complex braid except for a few soft tendrils that framed her face. As per the note that she had found in her room; she was wearing the ice blue backless dress that she had wanted to wear to the wedding. The dress was a little revealing for Dan's taste but that was only because he was looking at a beautiful young woman and seeing his ten year old daughter.
Emma was wearing a muggle evening dress. It was silver and backless and fell just below her knees. She had taken her hair down. It was his wife that Dan was most impressed by. Of course he always had been. Dan straightened the tie that matched his wife's dress and smiled at the younger women.
"All of you look…" He said. He couldn't find the correct word.
"I hope that is a good thing," Alyx said with a smile of her own.
Doing his best to maintain eye-contact he replied, "Oh yes. Most definitely." He smiled a dad smile at her.
He offered his daughter his free arm and escorted his wife and daughter down the stairs. In that moment he knew that he was the luckiest man on earth. Alyx and Susan followed behind.
Harry had insisted that Dobby and Winky join them. Dobby bounced around the formal dining room in excitement. Winky looked dumb struck.
"You all look wonderful," Harry told them. None of the women missed that he was looking at Hermione as he said this. She felt her face getting warm
"And you look quite handsome yourself, Mr. Potter," Hermione told him. He had chosen slate grey dress robes. She noted that his trim matched her own dress. Not wanting to assume anything she didn't comment.
Harry had spent his time cooking and thinking. He had almost burnt the main course in his thoughts about Hermione. Seeing her again in the dress that had turned him speechless before the wedding made his stomach feel funny.
He pulled a chair out for Hermione. Dan did the same for his best friend. Harry, being a gentleman, walked around the table and helped Alyx and Susan into their chairs. Dobby picked Winky up and banged her on top of one of the chairs piled with pillows.
"Harry, the table looks wonderful," Emma commented. The others agreed murmuring quietly.
The room was brightly lit. In the corner a string quartet of instruments played softly. The large oak table that they were used to seeing had been shrunk to fit just the eight of them. Each setting had a plate featuring a crest at its center. Emma looked down and frowned a bit.
"This isn't the Black or the Potter family crest," she commented.
"No. It's the Granger family crest," Harry told her.
"We have a family crest?" Hermione asked skeptically. Dan was looking at his plate in awe.
"Yes, yes, we do. I haven't seen it since I was a kid. How did you find this?" Dan asked.
"Your daughter isn't the only person here who knows how to use a muggle library," Harry replied and gave Hermione a quick wink.
"Brilliant," Susan breathed looking at her own plate.
"Is that…" Alyx asked.
"The Bones family coat of arms," Susan declared. "The shield and sword that Aunt Amelia had were the only things left of the house after the death eaters burnt it down."
"What about yours, Alyx?" Emma asked.
"Ravenclaw," she said simply.
"I couldn't find yours," Harry told her.
"My family is Native American. Mum and Dad moved here when I was two," Alyx explained.
"I see, so you're a Yank?" Dan asked. Alyx grinned at him slightly.
"Yes, I am you red coat. Don't you forget it!" She winked as she teased him.
"You're rather blonde," Emma observed.
"I have a very mixed heritage. My hair is from recessive DNA or something. My great great great great grandmother was a German woman. I'm told I look just like her."
"DNA?" Susan asked.
"It's a muggle acronym. I'd explain it but Biology was never my best subject," Alyx told her with an apologetic smile.
Harry smiled at the muggle born witch and waved his hand over the table and the salad course appeared. It reminded Susan, Hermione and Alyx of Dumbledore. Dobby and Winky clapped in delight.
"You did that verys well Master Harry," Winky exclaimed in excitement.
"I had a good teacher," he told her with a nod to Dobby who was still bouncing.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Each commented on the salad and the wine. Harry had chosen a bottle of both red and white since he had no idea of the preferences of his guests. He wasn't sure what went with the dinner either. Susan had never had muggle wine before and decided to try both.
Winky and Dobby each took a few sips. Then Dobby's huge eyes got even bigger. He squeaked and looked at Winky.
"Ooooooooh," Winky said.
"Wes must be excused Master Harry. I not knows muggle wine is the secret mating liquid of house elves," Dobby said.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"It does for us like oysters do for witches. We musts go. Be back for rest of dinners later," Winky said and with a loud snap she was gone.
"Maybes we bes back," Dobby said with a squeal and then he too snapped away. The humans left behind broke into fits of smirking and laughter. When they had all calmed down Harry again waved a hand. A wild mushroom in butter and Parmesan pasta covered the crests on their plates.
"Alyx, are your tattoos native art?" Dan asked. He took a piece of bread and passed the basket to Hermione.
"Yes. My father insisted on my siblings and I getting them. He feels that they can help my ancestors protect me."
"Can you tell us their meanings?" Hermione asked. She took a sip of water.
"My ancestors are a mix of tribes. My father is Sioux. My mother is Miami. Though that is misleading too. All four of my grandparents are from different tribes. My parents each took to the teachings of the tribe of their mother. These symbols are a mix of many different tribe writings. My father believes that coming together as one is the only way. This symbol is my Path. Next to it is the symbol of the Great Spirit. It is to help me along my path. When I decided to become an auror the Hunt symbol was added," she told them. Alyx turned her arm so that everyone could see. She pointed to each symbol as she spoke.
"What is the fourth one?" Emma asked.
"Well," Alyx hesitated and looked a little embarrassed. "When it was discovered that I had these amazing magical powers, my father read everything he could about the magical world here in England. He already knew of the mysticism of our cultures. When he read about the Boy Who Lived well he insisted that the lightening bolt be added." Alyx finished sheepishly.
"Please tell me you're joking," Harry said, his face rapidly turning red. Alyx shook her head.
"My father picked all four of them actually. It's a tradition in my family. My whole family has Path and Great Spirit. My brothers and sisters and I each got these marks when we were twelve. The rest of the symbols differ depending on our personalities. I have two brothers and two sisters. I am the only one who received a third symbol before my fifteenth birthday. Our father picked all of our symbols for us. He's not a man you can argue with."
The conversation turned to symbols and runes. Dan tuned it out for a bit. Then he noticed that Harry was not eating. Instead, he was looking around the table with an almost sad look on his face.
"All right there, Harry?" Dan asked. Harry sighed.
"It's not fair," he replied in a soft voice.
"That's a little vague. Care to elaborate?" Emma said.
"It's not fair that Dan and I get to have a nice dinner with four of the most beautiful women in England and we have to do it here," Harry said.
"I like it here," Susan said.
"But how will all the other men know what they are missing?" Harry asked. Dan laughed.
"You want to go out in public so that you can make other men jealous?" Hermione asked in a tone that showed how pleased she was.
"Well, when you put it like that it sounds so wrong."
"It's not wrong. Half the reason I take Emma out on the town is so that I can remind myself how unlucky the others are," Dan said.
"Oh really? And if I don't want other men looking at me?" Emma asked. But Dan laughed again.
"You know as well as I do my dear Emma that you like reminding all them futile bastards just how unlucky they are. They see me dancing with you and ask themselves the same thing that I ask myself every morning. Just how in the world did I end up with her?"
"Mind your language, Daniel," Emma said softly.
"It's more than making people jealous." Harry interjected. "I wouldn't be ashamed to dance with any of you in public if you would have me."
"Even me?" Dan asked.
"You're too tall for me," Harry said lightly.
"Well, I'm crushed. Good thing I'm married to the most wonderful woman on the planet. No offense, ladies."
"I doubt dancing with me would make anyone jealous, Harry. But for the record I plan on getting that dance from you," Hermione told him. He smiled weakly.
"You're kidding right? Every girl is school was envious of you during the fourth year ball," Susan said.
"Only because of my date."
"Uh huh. If you say so."
More silence fell around the table as they thought about it. Hermione realized that Harry really did want to go out in public. Not to brag or have a trophy on his arm. He wanted the world to know how he felt. But it couldn't be done. Not now. Any woman on his arm would instantly get a target on her back.
"So, Dan, have you had time to think about my offer?" Harry asked as casually as he could a bit later. Dan had his mouth full and could not answer right away.
"We have spoken about it Harry. I am less than thrilled with the idea," Emma told him.
"What idea?" Hermione asked as she sipped her wine carefully. She was surprised that neither of her parents had objected. She had to agree with Winky and Dobby. It did give a nice warm feeling in all the right places.
"Harry has offered to let us stay here for the school year after you leave," her father told her.
"That's a brilliant idea," Hermione answered. Harry gave her a smile but it didn't reach his eyes.
"I was sure you would think so, love. But I don't like being cooped up all day. And I don't like not being able to work," the normally very active Emma replied.
"But it's safe," Harry said simply. From his conversations with Dan he has expected her resistance. It shamed him slightly that he was using the same argument that Dumbledore had used in placing him with the Dursleys as a toddler. He may have been Dumbledore's man through and through but that's didn't stop him from remembering their differences.
Dan and Emma are not children, Harry reminded himself.
"Safe? Safer than our house? Our surgery? I'm not sure where safe is anymore, Harry."
"It's safer than the house we don't have in Crawley," Hermione said in a tone that her mother was not used to. She saw the hurt look on her mum's face and immediately regretted it. Maybe wine wasn't the best thing after all.
"Do you really think we are a target?" Dan asked ignoring the words about their burned up home.
"You're not serious are you?" Alyx was completely stunned.
"Just because Hermione…" Emma began but Alyx shook her head.
"Dan, you killed Bellatrix Lestrange. She was one of Voldemort's top Death Eaters. Very few people could land a spell on her. Or near her," Alyx qualified.
Dan cringed a little. He didn't like being reminded that he had killed someone.
"Daddy, don't you dare feel bad about it. That woman was a horrible, nasty and evil...witch."
"Those were her good qualities. Aunt Amelia used to visit Frank and Alice Longbottom once a month. I often went with her but nothing ever changed," Susan commented.
"Who are they?" Emma asked. Hermione sighed softly.
"You've heard me speak of Neville?" She asked. Her mother nodded. "They're his parents. They have been in the long care ward at St. Mungo's for many years."
"Bellatrix tortured them into insanity," Harry said very grimly. She even used the same curse on Neville at the department of mysteries fight a year ago." Harry did not mention Sirius. He didn't have to.
"You deserve a medal for taking her down," Alyx told Dan firmly. She sighed at the looks she was getting. "I know, I know. Killing is wrong. But defending ourselves is not. By killing her you were defending more than yourself Dan. You were defending the muggle world. I've read her briefing scrolls and her favorite sport was muggle hunting. Do you know what that is?"
"I can probably guess," Dan said feeling slightly sick. But the beautiful young Auror cadet shook her head.
"It is defined very vaguely. The term covers everything from invading a muggle house to torture and murder of the family to kidnapping for slavery and worse."
"Worse?" Emma asked not really wanting to know. She laid down her fork.
"Much worse. During the first war there were many nights where the Dark Lord had treated his followers to dark celebrations. Do you remember back in the late seventies when the MacCavoy school children went missing?"
"That was the result of a 'celebration'?" Dan asked horrified.
"Yes. Fifty death eaters and ten teenage girls. I can't tell you what they did to them. Even if I knew I wouldn't. I do know that one of the girls was a muggle born witch whose parents refused to send her to Hogwarts. Coincidence, maybe. Maybe not. The point is you would be an easy target at your surgery and the Ministry couldn't afford to station a team of Aurors there six days a week."
"I would feel much better if both of you remained here. It's the second safest place in England. I'd take you to Hogwarts but if we did that everyone would want to have their parents there," Harry informed them.
"It's… I just feel useless here. I can't help with the war. I can't fight. But I can not sit back and watch my daughter die while I am in hiding," Emma said her voice shaking more with each word. Dan took her hand in his.
"I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. I promise you that, Emma," Harry told her firmly.
"Mum. I'm not on the front line. I'm in the research and medical group," Hermione reminded her. Emma let go of Dan's hand as she turned to Hermione. Emma knew her daughter had no point of reference for what she was feeling.
"And in the end where will you be? I know you Hermione Jane. You won't let Harry go off and face his destiny with out you. You never have," Dan replied.
"No. I won't allow…" Harry stopped speaking when he saw the look on Hermione's face.
"Won't allow what?" She snapped.
"Won't allow you to break ranks again and run into the middle of a fire fight you are not prepared for," Harry told her in a tone that brokered no argument.
"Again?" Emma asked alarmed. "Is there something you need to tell us Hermione?"
Oh Bloody Hell, Hermione thought.
"I reacted to my emotions and not my head during the battle at Hogsmeade." The simple statement was the truth but Hermione knew it wouldn't be enough for Emma. The look on her mother's face told her that there was an uncomfortable discussion in her future. Worse yet, her father was saying nothing.
"Hermione. You said it yourself. Research. That's what you're best at," Alyx told her.
"Yes, I am. But I'll be damned if I let my best friend face that evil bastard alone." Hermione was firm but she knew it was hopeless.
"I won't be alone. If you were prepared I wouldn't dream of trying to stop you Hermione. But you're not," he told her. He finished in a very quiet voice, meeting her eyes with his.
"I know. I can't get my Patronus to form when Dementors are near. The greater wizarding world may think they are no longer a threat but I suspect otherwise. Besides that, my dueling skills are sub par at best. I couldn't touch Harry in a duel."
It was more than obvious that Hermione was not happy about either of the facts.
"I don't know Hermione. In a fair duel I think you could probably beat me. It's tough for a Ravenclaw to admit but you certainly know more spells than I do. But Death Eaters don't fight fair. Your skills aren't that bad and I can help you. Maybe we can work together on the Patronus charm," Alyx offered.
"That doesn't answer my question though. Dan, Emma. We have so much to worry about. I don't like you thinking you are useless. You're not. You've helped me in ways this summer that are just as important as learning to duel or figuring out who to put in harms way. If nothing else you've kept me human," Harry told them. He saw the confusion on Emma's face so he continued.
"In all honesty you two have been more like parents to me than anybody I have ever known. The Dursleys saw me as a nuisance at best and a horrid freak at worst. I love the Weaselys. I really do. But Molly sometimes felt like a jailer. The summer after the Tri-Wizarding Tournament was terrible and Molly made it worse with her distraction techniques. She led the movement to keep the kiddies in the dark. I understand why but it wasn't what I, er, we needed.
Emma you gave me a lecture on making sure that I eat my vegetables. Dan you taught me how to play golf and different ways to think about things. Both of you have done everything you could to take care of me, well all of us, this summer. It's very easy to see how Hermione became the woman she is."
Harry was looking at his plate when he finished speaking. He didn't see the tears in the eyes of the four young women. Dan took Emma's hand again and she gave a small nod. He had to clear his throat to speak.
"Harry, we care about you. Don't ever forget that. And if it makes your life easier then we will stay here for the duration. I do have to ask that you owl Emma once in a while. She expects it from her kid."
Harry's head snapped up. He saw the tears on Emma's face and frowned. But she smiled.
"Yes, I do," she told him. Harry felt his heart warm. Across the table Susan sniffed her tears back.
"I got the same lecture on vegetables. What does that mean?" She said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"You can send your letters along with Brigid, just like these two," Emma replied. Hermione chuckled softly and then hugged her mum.
"You've always wanted more children," she whispered into her mum's ear. Emma held on tighter. She pulled back and looked into her daughters' eyes. She liked what she saw there and realized that Harry was correct. The little girl who had at the age of seven declared that she was never going to grow up had broken her promise.
"I feel left out," Alyx told them with a pout.
They all laughed breaking the tension. But the other feelings remained.
"Do you golf?" Dan asked her.
"No," she said in a playful sadness.
"Thank Merlin. I don't think the normal topics on the course would be proper with a lady around," Harry said. He realized what he had said too late.
"Oh really? And what would these topics be, Mr. Potter?" Hermione asked. She had a feeling she knew what men talked about when the women were not around.
"Private man things, honey," Dan replied.
"Man things?" Alyx asked laughing. "I work with Bob Sunset and a host of Aurors that talk about Man Things all the time. Please tell me you don't talk about your dangly down bits."
"We did discuss shaft stiffness," he mentioned to the horror struck women, "but it had to do with sand wedges and swing speed. We mostly talk about beautiful women and life. Yes, Hermione we talk about you and your mum. Deal with it," Harry said wickedly.
Hermione blushed. Did he really think she was beautiful?
"Well, Alyx, you already eat your veggies. I know because I checked." Emma said to steer the conversation back around. "Hermione can tell you that I have a whole host of mum lectures. If you really want, I'm sure I can find an appropriate one."
"I'll get back to you on that," Alyx said smiling at the kind hearted woman. She picked up her fork and took another bite. Her food was still warm.
"Warming charm on the plate," Harry said to her unasked question.
Dinner continued without much in the way of talk. Harry felt everything that needed to be said had been. At least on that topic.
He knew it was time to move past Ginny. But did he really want to put someone else in the danger of his destiny?
Hermione would be the most logical choice. He knew Dan was right. Hermione would follow him to and through the gates of Hell without thinking twice. She had proven it the night Hogsmeade had been attacked. But it wasn't just logic that lead him to Hermione. There had always been something else between them whether he wanted to admit to it or not.
Winky and Dobby joined them as they finished dessert. Dobby ate three plates of pasta. Winky tore into the chocolate mousse dessert. None of the humans were brave enough to ask.
After dinner Harry asked Emma for a dance and she agreed. As the eight of them stood up the table split into four smaller tables and scattered to the edge of the room. The string quartet began to play more loudly.
"Thank you," Harry told Emma as they started to move about the floor. Seeing her puzzled look he continued. "For being here this summer. I really don't know what I would have done without you and Dan."
"It was our pleasure," she told him.
"Would you really want to help out with the war?" he asked a few minutes later. She was surprised but she nodded.
"The research team has found some references to muggle libraries and landmarks. Hermione is the only one of the team that has any idea how to begin to use a muggle library. Or a computer. She could use some help."
"I would be delighted," she said lightly. He smiled. Harry knew where Hermione got her excellent study skills.
Use every tool you have, he heard Dumbledore say in his head.
They all danced.
Dobby and Winky held on to each other tightly and rocked back and forth. Emma was a bit afraid that they would get a lesson in house elf mating on the dance floor.
Emma danced with her husband glad to have the opportunity more than anything. Like Harry, Dan danced with all of the women but he held Emma against him in a way that could not be mistaken.
Harry enjoyed spending a few minutes with each of the women. Dan's assessment had been correct – they were each beautiful in their own way, but Harry took the extra minute to learn that they each possessed inner beauty, strength and exceptional character.
Hermione flinched a little watching her parents. She knew what they were going to be doing tonight and she really didn't want to think about it.
"Miss Granger will you do me the honor of letting me step on your toes?" Harry asked in a formal tone as he offered Hermione his hand.
"I would be charmed," she replied. He led her to the middle of the room and carefully placed his hand on her hip.
"I'm sorry about that slip there. I thought you had told them," he began but she shook her head.
"It's quite alright Harry. I should have told them," she responded truthfully.
"I guess I never thought about them being your parents. Worrying like that," Harry as he managed to step on her right foot. She didn't acknowledge her foot. Instead she looked introspective.
"I'm not going to complain Harry. Not when you, Tonks, Susan and too many others have no parents to worry over you."
"Yours do that nicely," he said in an almost wondrous tone.
They both contemplated what that meant as she worked to avoid his feet. He really wasn't that bad a dancer, but she was grateful that he was only wearing stockings rather than his dragon hide boots.
"Hermione, I wanted you to know how beautiful I think you are tonight. Not just tonight though..."
"Oh Harry," she said realizing that he meant it and not knowing what else to say.
They danced for a few minutes getting closer to each other with each step. It didn't take long before her head was on his shoulder. He was extremely conscious of his hand gently caressing her very bare back.
"They seem to like each other," she heard Harry comment. She followed his glance to Susan and Alyx who were dancing on the other side of the room. Hermione agreed.
They silently continued to move. Hermione could see the parallel of their whole relationship in the movements they were making. They had started apart - At arms length. Gradually they had moved together and now they held each other close. Harry was her best friend. More than that would be too much to hope for. Hermione knew how she felt. His feelings were unclear to her.
Harry attempted to put the war out of his head and concentrate on the beautiful intelligent wonderful witch in his arms. He didn't tell her that he was going to ask both of her muggle parents to join the Order. He didn't say that he had been thinking about asking Dan from the moment that Harry had realized exactly what had happened to Bellatrix.
No, tonight was about other things. Tonight was about the reasons they were fighting in this war.
"We need to talk," he told her softly when the song ended. She nodded. He kissed her on her cheek. The kiss represented the uncertain feelings well. She could feel Harry's confusion.
Later that night, Hermione was brushing out her wild mane of curls when there was a soft knock on her door. She flicked her wand and the door opened. Harry stood uncertainly on the threshold.
"Come in," she invited. He did as she asked and stood near her. He watched in fascination as she continued to brush her hair. After a minute he took the brush from her hand, stepped behind her and began to do it himself. She closed her eyes enjoying the attention and sensation of his hand smoothing her hair. When he finished he led her to the cushy love seat that sat in front of her fireplace. They sat facing each other. She flicked her wand and a small fire began to burn.
"Hermione, I know we need to talk about what is happening between us. But I don't even know where to begin," he said.
"Then let me talk. You can listen," she started.
Maybe it was the wine she had consumed. Maybe it was the fact that her own fear and hesitation had cost her in the past. Maybe it was that she could no longer deny it. Hermione wasn't sure what made her do it. But she told him the truth.
"Remember in our ride on Buckbeak? I was scared to death Harry. You have no idea how much I hate heights. But I knew I had to do it. For Sirius. For you. So I did. Once we were in the air I realized that I was safe with you. I faced my fear that night. The following summer all I could think about was how it felt to fly with you. Honestly all I could think about was you."
"But…" She placed a finger on his lips. He pulled her hand down and held it in his.
"Let me finish, Harry. So then came fourth year. As soon as I heard about the Yule Ball I knew that I wanted you to ask me. But you only had eyes for Cho. You have no idea how frustrated I was with you. At the time I believed that my two best friends were boys who would never see me as more than a bushy haired, buck toothed bookworm. Merlin, that hurt in a way that I didn't even understand."
"Do you know why I agreed to go to the Ball with Victor?" She asked as she choked back the feelings that were threatening to overwhelm her.
"Because he asked you first?" Harry answered, hoping there was nothing still brewing between Hermione and Victor.
"Well, there was that too. Mostly because I hoped it would get your attention. I hated myself for becoming one of those girls who play stupid games. Worse yet, it didn't work. You still only had eyes for Cho. Though I did get Ron's attention." She sighed. She pulled her hand from his at the confession.
"I didn't see Ron as a second choice, Harry. Never. I really liked him. I miss him more than I can articulate properly. After the tournament was over, my feelings really didn't matter. There were bigger things that needed to be addressed."
They were both quite for a moment reflecting on what the end of the tournament had held.
"When you were stuck with those awful relatives of yours before fifth year Ron and I had a lot of time alone. It became obvious to me that he felt something for me, which is a lot more than I could say about you. You were so angry. Not that you didn't have a good reason. I did everything I could to help you. I tried so hard to get you to talk to me. To maybe get you the help you needed. Even as just a friend. And we did work well together, didn't we? Yes, I still wanted more but it seemed that you still were thinking about Cho. If it weren't for the fact that year five was so messed up, something could have developed between Ron and I."
"After Sirius died I knew that you needed your friends more than ever and I was determined to be there for you. But as you know, I failed miserably. Ron was backing away from his feelings for me and I couldn't stand it. You were almost cheating in potions with that extra book and getting better grades than I was. Seeing Ron and Lavender snog in the common room made me insane with jealously. I'd just become completely irrelevant in your lives. I felt so alone."
She had to stop and collect herself. The memory of what she had felt was crashing over her again.
"I was completely irrational. I wanted to hex both of you to Hell and back. I wasn't over you but I knew that you would never see me that way. Ron had at one time had feelings for me. But he passed me over for a few quick feels under Lavender's robes and having his tonsils removed by her tongue. You have no idea how that felt. I may have understood what I was feeling but I couldn't control it."
She brushed away some of the errant tears angrily.
"Ron and I did eventually work it out. He had to be poisoned for it to happen which says a lot about our mutual stubbornness. And you developed feelings for Ginny, or at least started noticing that she was a girl. I swear you can be a brick sometimes. Ginny always loved you Harry. At first it was the whole Boy Who Lived fantasy. After she realized that he was a myth, she became your friend and realized that you were better than the Boy Who Lived."
"She also knew about my feelings for you. She was my closest girlfriend. Who else would I tell?" She said to the surprised look on his face.
"She never said anything," Harry told her. Hermione nodded.
"I didn't want her to. She also thought that it would have been pretty stupid on her part to give herself some competition." Hermione laughed almost bitterly.
"Like I'm competition for anyone, let alone someone as kind and beautiful as Ginny. She didn't have anything to worry about. You never thought about me that way. I had realized that long before you and Ginny got together. I had moved on. Yes, it hurt. Merlin it hurt. But I would live. A broken heart isn't fatal. And I knew that I could be happy with someone else. Or at least that is what I told myself."
She closed her eyes briefly and then took a deep breath.
"Ron and I weren't working. How horrible is that? I spent almost a year being awful to him and Lavender and they were better together than he and I would ever be. I needed someone I can talk to. Ron, dear man that he is, wasn't it. I'd listen to him talk about the Canons or Quidditch or food. I'd even participate in the conversation the best I could. But anything that I wanted to discuss was off limits. I'd get a new book and he'd laugh at me. 'Haven't you read every book ever written?' he asked me once. I'd try to tell him about what I was reading or thinking and he'd just tune me out. He wouldn't even try to listen to me. Sometimes I think the only thing we had in common was a troll in the bathroom." Tears were streaming down her cheeks and he helped brush them away.
After a moment she continued. "I know he wasn't interested in my studies. I could understand that. Not everyone wants to talk about spell creation or advanced transfiguration techniques. But he never even considered that talking about Quidditch all the time dulled my mind. He never considered how I felt."
She sighed. Harry had known that Ron was a bit insensitive. It bothered him to hear how Ron had hurt her, how they both had, actually.
Harry kept brushing her hair as she spoke. The contact made her feel like the wine had. "That wasn't the worst of it though. He also wasn't interested in my past. He told me that he thought muggles were bizarre. He acted like they have some sort of contagious disease. He was sure that he would never want to be around them. Any of them. It never occurred to him that he was talking about my parents. Talking about me. He didn't want to know anything about the muggle world. Sometimes his mind was as closed as some of the pure blood bigots that we are fighting. He wasn't malicious about it. He just did care to know about it. To know about me."
Taking a steadying breath, she continued. "I was going to break it off with him after the wedding. I couldn't have you, and Ron wasn't what I needed. I would rather be alone than to live a lie like that. But then Ron made the biggest mistake of his life and Ginny got killed. I love them both, Harry. Ron made no effort to understand me. I suppose the same could be said of me. But he was always there. He was funny and for the most part kind. Ginny was like a sister to me. You wouldn't believe the way we would laugh sometimes. I'd have never told you any of this if she were alive. I wanted you both to be happy. And you were happy together."
Feeling his hand slowly stroking her hair, she concluded saying, "I feel horribly guilty telling you this now but it's time to move on. Ginny's gone. Ron's gone. I didn't tell you how I felt before because I was too afraid. If nothing else, I learn from my mistakes. Do you understand why I broke rank and tried to get to Hogsmeade? You're all I have left in the wizarding world." She waved off his objection with an angry gesture. "Yes, I know. There are others. But I don't love them like I do you or Ron or Ginny. I care about them but they aren't my family. You are. Ron and Ginny were. I do want more than just your friendship Harry. But if that is all you can give me I understand."
Hermione was openly crying and not bothering to fight the tears. Her last statement was one of the biggest lies she had ever spoken. She couldn't and wouldn't understand. But she would accept it if she had to.
Harry was absolutely stunned. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Instead he pulled her close and let her cry on his shoulder. She felt warm against him. She felt good. He felt guilty. He could hear the dream he had of Ginny telling him to marry a nice witch.
She pulled away after a few minutes and his arms felt empty.
"I… Bloody Hell Hermione. I don't even know what to say," he told her. She smiled a little and wiped her face. He pulled her hand down and wiped her tears for her.
"I know… It's unfair. I've had years to deal with how I feel and you've had about two minutes. I don't need you to say anything tonight Harry. I just needed to let you know."
The silence was beginning to get uncomfortable when Harry heard a strange noise. He reached for his wand but Hermione stopped him. He noticed her face getting red and she looked at the wall behind her bed. He listened for a few more seconds trying to figure out what the noise was.
"Daniel…" Was that Emma? What was… MERLIN! Harry thought as he realized what he was hearing. He clamped a hand over his mouth almost in horror. Hermione flicked her wand and the noise went was gone. She shrugged.
"You get used to it after 16 years," she said. When their eyes met they both burst into laughter. The uncomfortable silence was gone.
"Hermione, I… I had no idea. I'm either blind, or you hid it very well. Lately I've been having some feelings for you. But even as I think about you or feel something for you, I get a horrible sensation of guilt. I know Ginny would want me to move on."
He sighed and told her about the vision he had in the hospital after Ginny died.
"I tried to lose myself into the war. But it didn't work. I wasn't kidding when I told your parents that they had kept me human. Dan and I have talked about moving on. He's not very subtle with the hints. I know he'd like to see us dating. I never really considered you until he suggested it.
He didn't miss that she flinched. She looked at her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap.
"I'm sorry I hurt you Hermione. So sorry. I don't think you were hiding it very well or Cho would not have gotten so jealous. Why didn't you say something?"
"You've always treated me as if I were just one of the guys. You've never showed the slightest bit of interest in me."
Harry ran a hand through his messy hair and stared into the fire.
"You're right. I never considered that you might want something different than being friends. I mean you're Hermione. You're just always there. Always. Until you weren't. Know why I used that damn potions book? Because finally I was able to be good at potions. Finally I was able to do something well."
"Harry…"
"No, Hermione. I'm rubbish at almost everything besides Quidditch. Well there's defense but that's more self-preservation than anything else. You've been at the top of our class from day one. I didn't realize it before then but I was jealous of that."
"I work very hard to maintain my marks," she said defensively.
"I know. And you did your best to get Ron and I to maintain ours. You didn't have to and I know that more than once I wished you would just leave me alone. I didn't appreciate what you were doing then. I know now what an idiot I was. My stubborn insistence in using that stupid book almost cost me the most important person in my life."
Harry took another sip of his butterbeer and confessed, "When your Dad started hinting that you'd make a nice girl to date, I realized how thick I really am. A brick is pretty mild." He looked at her and asked, "You know what I want in a girlfriend, Hermione?"
She shook her head still not looking up. He placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her face. He needed to see her eyes.
"I want someone I can talk to. I want someone who knows me, all of me, and still loves me. I want someone who will put up with my mood swings and who will put me in my place. I want someone who is honest with me no matter what. I want someone who will protect me and allow me to protect her. She has to be smart, fun and have a sense of humor. I maybe the thickest man on the planet Hermione but even I can see that someone is you."
He leaned in and brushed his lips on hers. Hermione froze not believing what was happening. As he pulled away she cursed herself for ruining the kiss. She called on her Gryffindor courage and leaned forward to meet him again.
There were no bells. Nor were there whistles. Hermione didn't feel the top of her head wanting to blow off as Lavender had once described.
Instead the kiss was comforting in a way that neither of them could have imagined. Harry felt as if he were safe for the first time in his life. Hermione knew in her heart that Harry would never leave her side.
She opened her mouth as she felt his tongue pressing for entrance. Suddenly the feelings changed. It was as if the world had stopped moving. All she knew was Harry. All he knew was Hermione.
Harry pressed harder against her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him against her wanting much more. Eventually they broke apart both panting slightly. She leaned her forehead into his chest listening to his heartbeat.
I love you Harry, she thought with every cell in her body
I love you Hermione, he thought as he felt exactly the same thing that she had been thinking.
It was a long time before they moved.
… --- …
Dan whistled an off tune rendition of 'I got you babe' as he placed his toothbrush in the holder. It was early and his wife was still in bed. He had considered waking her up for a repeat performance of the night before. But Emma was not exactly a morning person so he let her sleep. There was no need to ruin his mood.
He snuck out of the bedroom door and then started whistling softly again. His step was a bit lighter than normal and he wore a lucky man's smirk. Instead of going downstairs he turned right and went to check on his daughter.
Her door was open so he poked his head in expecting to see her curled up reading.
The whistling stopped. Harry was asleep on the loveseat with his little girl. His Dad instincts stopped berating him for pushing Harry to see Hermione as more when he realized that they were still fully dressed. Hermione was curled on her side behind Harry. Her arm was draped across his stomach.
They looked peaceful. Dan stared at them for a few seconds then he silently crept away.
There may have been a bloody war raging outside the house. But right now the world had just gotten a little more right. He started whistling, as he was halfway down the stairs. It was going to be a beautiful day.
… --- …
As Dan had been dancing with Emma, Riddle had returned to the lake containing over a thousand corpses. Two millennia ago, they had been an invading army and had been cursed for their failure. Riddle picked up the ancient scrolls and began the series of lengthy incantations that would reanimate this army of ancient damned warriors within eight weeks.
For thirty-six hours Riddle read aloud the words of the scrolls in precise order until he saw the bolt of lightning strike the still water. He rested for a few minutes before standing. Closing his eyes, he could envision the damage that his army would bring on those who dared to stand in his way.
"Match your pitiful sword against this army, Harry Potter."
… --- …
A/N
Dee wrote much of this chapter. Please read and review either here or on the Yahoo group.
Thanks.
O-C