… --- …
Chapter 17
September 1
Harry woke up a few minutes after Dan had walked by. He gently untangled himself from Hermione's arms, kissed her gently on the forehead, and went into his room to shower and get dressed. He placed his battle gear in one trunk, his books in another and his clothing in his old school trunk.
He had been very tempted to apparate to the castle with Hermione, but due to their head boy and head girl responsibilities, knew that they had to take the train.
Harry had decided to take the seventh year charms and transfiguration classes as well as his private lessons with Moody and Bill. He recalled that most seventh year students took five classes so he hoped that he would have time for everything. The DA would begin on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Hermione would have preferred to take all of the classes, but had been talked down to Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Arithmancy and Defense. She had blocked off six hours a week for the Research Group. Apparently the concept of being a part-time student was relative.
… --- …
Dan sat in the kitchen deciding if he should gift Harry with an awkwardly worded "dad speech." By his third cup of coffee he had envisioned several but with discretion prevailing, discarded each of them. He prayed that his daughter and her lover would return at the end of the school year alive and healthy. Her virginity would have to be her decision.
When Harry came down a few minutes later he greeted the young man warmly. "Hi Harry. Coffee?"
"Please. Thanks. Anything in the news?"
"Actually yes. Your uncle's old home was destroyed in a fire yesterday afternoon. It doesn't appear that anyone was injured."
Harry sat thoughtfully for a moment, glad that he'd previously moved his only remaining relatives to the States.
Dan considered his words carefully, looked at the young man with the longish hair for a moment and said, "Do what you can to keep her safe Harry. She's irreplaceable."
Harry met Dan's eyes and nodded. "I will, sir."
"I know. You're a good man, Harry. Are we still on for next Sunday?"
"8:10. I'll be there. Can you bring my clubs?"
"They're in the boot of my car. Next summer, we'll play a round at the Old Course."
They shook hands, having taken care of the important business. Just then Hermione came into the kitchen and Harry's face lit up. Hermione also had the brightest smile on her face, looking happier than she had all summer. Harry paused, looking at Dan nervously, trying to decide what was appropriate. Deciding that he had seen Dan give Emma a good morning kiss many times, he stood up as she approached and gave her a kiss and a hug. Both may have lasted a bit longer than the usual greetings Dan gave Emma, though.
Dan gave them a sly look as they broke apart. "Uh, Harry, are you sure there wasn't any other news that we needed to discuss this morning?"
Linking their arms as they turned toward him, both faces flaming, Harry finally managed a reply. "Well, I kinda decided to take your advice."
Dan burst into laughter, and at that moment Emma came into the room, having paused outside listening to the previous exchange. Hugs and congratulations were exchanged all around, and Hermione couldn't stop smiling all the way through breakfast.
Eventually Susan and Alyx, who had also been up late the night before, came into the kitchen for breakfast. Seeing the smiles around the table and noticing how closely Harry and Hermione were sitting, and recalling how closely they had been dancing the evening before, they made the obvious conclusion.
"Congratulations, you two," said Alyx, crossing over to give Hermione a hug. "It took you long enough," added Susan. "You've been dancing around each other ever since Harry's birthday party."
Harry and Hermione took all this good-naturedly. Hermione told Susan they didn't want to make a big deal about it at school and Susan promised to keep it to herself.
At 9:30 the two adults and three students left for the Kings Cross station and arrived shortly after 10:00. Alyx and the other cadets would apparate to the castle after lunch.
Dobby had already taken their trunks to the castle and personally put them away. Hermione had talked with her mum about leaving voice mail messages on the cell phone. They could pick them up by going out of the castle and walking to Hogsmeade station. Emma felt the same lump in her throat that she'd had years ago when she'd said goodbye to Dan on his way to the Falklands.
Taking both of them in her arms she gave a mighty hug and said, "I love you. Take care of each other and come home as soon as you can. She gave Susan a hug and said, "You too. Have a good term." She turned and met her husband half way back to the car. Harry took Hermione's hand, smiled at her nervously, took a deep breath and together they walked through the barrier at 9 3/4.
… --- …
Inside the platform, Harry and Hermione were delighted to see so many students come through the barrier. The station was filled with Aurors in their uniforms while others had been stationed in plain clothing outside the barrier. As Minerva had requested, Harry and to a lesser extent Hermione greeted each of the students as they came through the barrier, most accompanied by a nervous looking mother or father.
Noticeably absent were the sixth and seventh year Slytherins. Hermione recalled that the majority of them had been expelled, arrested or were dead. The others apparently felt the guilt of association and stayed away. She hoped that the younger ones would take a different path in life. Soon it was time to board the train and they made their way to the head student compartment in the back of the train.
Hermione ran the prefect meeting, encouraging each of the students to avoid prejudices against other students, be as helpful as they could to the younger students and she challenged each of the students to make five new friendships during the year with students from other houses and years.
Sending the prefects on their way, they took time to meet with as many of the first year students as they could. On strict instructions from Hermione, Harry visited for a minute or two with each new student allowing them to ask questions and stare at his scar, doing everything that he could to be approachable.
"Wotcher Harry," said a smiling Tonks after they had been on their way for several hours. "That was a very gracious move on your part. The head boy in my first year was a real stuck up wanker. I'm proud of you that you took a few minutes to make everyone feel welcome and get off to a good start. That shows real leadership."
"It was the right thing to do," replied Harry. He wasn't looking for recognition from anyone, but didn't want to argue with her. "The nice thing about catching them before they're sorted is there're no preconceived notions on anyone's part. At this point, they're not Slytherins or Ravenclaws yet, just Dan or Ericka, just people."
Tonks nodded, and saw the sad smile on Harry's face. Casting a silencing charm around them she asked, "Is there another reason you spent your time talking with the little kids?"
Harry nodded, saying, "I miss him, and I'm not looking to add to the rumor mill."
She gave him a peck on the cheek and whispered, "Congratulations, lover boy. You two are good for each other. "
"Huh?"
"While you've been spending all of your time with the first years, Hermione and I have been catching up."
Harry nodded and smiled back. For once his emerald eyes looked bright and full of life.
… --- …
Abraxan and Thomas both waited in anticipation of news regarding the Hogwarts Express. Thomas had posted two Aurors on the train and had two others flying disillusioned on brooms. The broom riding Aurors had been issued cellular telephones and had each checked in once.
At three the train was in the area where if it were to be attacked, logically it would.
At three twenty, Thomas received a call from Straighthand, who had volunteered for the aerial duty, that all was clear and the train was proceeding normally. He checked in again each time there was a signal available.
When it appeared that there would be no problem on the train, Thomas asked the squad of Aurors that had been mustered to apparate to Hogsmeade station and be available, but inconspicuous from the students.
… --- …
Minerva waited anxiously for word that the students had arrived safely. She felt personally responsible for their safety today having lobbied for days to receive permission to keep the school open.
She was relieved beyond measure when she saw the students file into the front door. Better yet, almost all of the students had returned, with at least a dozen having reregistered within just the last few days. The newspaper article from Potter had eventually swung most of the non-Slytherin house students to come. Unfortunately at least a dozen of the students were coming for the year because their parents had been killed. The school had never been the home of so many orphans.
"Hello Professor," greeted Neville, smiling at her. "It's good to see you."
"Good evening, Mr. Longbottom," she said, glad to have so many Order members living in the castle this year.
Filius Flitwick had wanted to lead the first year students into the great hall for many years, but the honor had traditionally gone to the Assistant Head. This year he had gotten his wish. Many of the students weren't too much taller than he was and the gentle and brilliant professor projected a very different image than McGonagall had with her stern looks. There were 55 first year students this year, one of the larger classes that the school had recently seen.
… --- …
Harry watched as the students made their way to the sorting hat. As they got to it, a rip at the base appeared, and it began its song.
A thousand years or more ago a task was given to me
To sort through the minds of those who came our way
The brave, the wise, the hard workers and also the clever
I've sorted many through the years and this I have to say
This year you will be tested like no other
Fall into darkness or see the light of day
Led by the one who wields the sword
Heed closely the words that he will say
Together you can succeed
Alone you will fall
The castle will protect you
With its pillars and its walls
Now come and place me on your head
I'll tell you where you're at
Be friends with all and light you'll see
For I'm the sorting hat!
As usual, Hermione was busy scribbling down the words that the hat had spoken, and noted that it didn't have the same proper meter as in previous years. Soon the hat had sorted the students into houses. Harry was surprised to see that only four had been placed into Slytherin. He recalled from his own sorting, thinking, "Not Slytherin." Maybe some of the other students had done the same. Maybe the Death Eaters children were being sent elsewhere. Harry noticed the first year students greeted by their housemates as they made their way to their respective tables.
Minerva rose and the hall grew silent.
"Good evening and welcome to a very special year at Hogwarts. New students are especially welcomed. Returning students, we are glad to see each and every one of you again. Please take the time this year to reach outside of your own houses and get to know as many of your classmates as you can." Hermione wished that Dumbledore had said those words in her earlier years. In truth, she hated the idea of different houses and all of the rivalry that they created.
McGonagall continued. "As you all know, the wizarding world is at war. Hogwarts is a school firmly place on the light side. Acts of aggression, threats or violence initiated against innocent students will result in expulsion and arrest. You have been warned." Harry wished that Dumbledore had spoken those words during his first year.
"We believe that the castle is the safest place for students in Britain. Should you see any condition or activity that you believe to be unsafe, I ask you to please report it to one of the professors, a prefect or the head boy or head girl immediately."
"There are a number of staff changes this year. Mrs. Figg will be the castle caretaker. Mr. Filch and Mrs. Norris decided to leave the castle's service." This was met with a rather larger than expected round of applause.
She continued, "Professor Slughorn has taken over as head of Slytherin house." Again there was a large round of applause. He was the logical choice to replace Snape as he had been head of the house before.
She continued. "The ministry was invited to hold some of the Auror cadet training here, providing us increased protection as well as access to some of the Auror teaching staff. As a result the classroom portions of Defense against the Dark Arts classes will be instructed by a rotating team of ministry Aurors." Again there was a smattering of applause as the eight Aurors and cadets stood.
"Finally, Head Boy Harry Potter has volunteered to lead his Defense Association group again this year. It will meet Tuesday evening and Thursday evenings with different groups for the newer and for the more experienced students." There was a huge round of applause and cheering over this news. Minerva realized how foolish it had been not to continue with the group last year. "Mr. Potter, perhaps you'd like to say a few words about it."
Harry got up to speak, glad that he'd discussed this previously with Hermione. "The first meetings will be this Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the first though fourth year students. I would ask that any previous DA members also attend those meetings. I would ask that the fifth through seventh year students come next Tuesday and Thursday." His intent was to separate those students into what would become the advanced and the beginner sections for their respective age groups. He wanted to give them each a week off to work on their other things and practice that they'd learned.
After Minerva dismissed the students, Harry and Hermione made their way to the visitor suites. After they unlocked the door and walked in, they took a moment to look around. They were the size of a typical two bedroom flat without the kitchen. They each had their own bedroom with a very spacious sitting area, several worktables, sofas and large area rugs. It was well lit and had a window with a view of the lake. Hermione smiled at her good luck and said, "This is over twice as large as the regular head student suite."
Harry replied, "My bedroom at the Dursleys wasn't much bigger than the cupboard that they used to lock me in. The space is nice, but the company is much better," he said, smiling at her.
She put her bag down, gave him a huge hug and said, "That's so sweet. Did my dad have any parting words for you?"
Mostly to remind me that you're irreplaceable and that I should take good care of you. Did your mum say anything?"
"About the same, except she was talking about you." She gazed into his eyes for a moment and asked, "Which room would you like?" Part of her was hoping that he'd say her room.
"Either is fine. You pick. I need to go see Neville for a bit. I'll be back in twenty minutes."
Harry went to Gryffindor tower. The common room was thinning out. Harry said "Hi" to Lavender, Seamus, Dean and Neville.
Lavender asked, "How do you like the head boy suite? I'd spent some time in it during fifth year."
Harry chose his words carefully and said, "Professor McGonagall put us in one of the empty visitor rooms on the third floor. It seems fine." He didn't really want to hear what Lavender had been doing in Roger Davies' room when she was fifteen or discuss the equipment that he'd brought into the castle.
… --- …
While Harry was listening to Lavender, Riddle had brought Lucius to see him. Lucius was a bit less assuming than Snape and knelt down in front of the Dark Lord until he was asked to sit. Malfoy asked, "How may I serve you, My Lord?"
"What is the political value of the castle right now?"
Malfoy considered the question for a moment and replied, "The ministry has placed most of its eggs in the one basket. They are using the school to present a business as usual face for the wizarding world. One newspaper interview with Potter virtually erased the justified fear that most parents had of sending their child to the castle. It's a faith that could easily be broken."
"Go on."
"Apparently the wizarding world is quick to forget the 200 deaths that you caused wielding the dementors because Potter managed to kill a few of them in return. The loss of 200 students at the castle would bring the ministry to its knees. They have invested too much in promising that the children would be safe there."
"I believe you are correct Lucius. I have cast the spells to awaken an ancient army of soldiers from Caesar's time. The boy's sword will be no match against a legion. Here's my plan…"
… --- …
Class started the next day. Though all of Harry's instructors were members of the Order that he led, he easily fell back into the role of student. Flitwick's first unit covered ways to strengthen spells and to cast them quickly. Harry was pleased but a bit surprised at the topics, as they were towards the end of the text that Flitwick had selected.
After class the diminutive professor asked, "Mr. Potter, may I have a word?"
Harry set his books down and Flitwick charmed the door shut. He said, "Harry the extra ten percent of power that you could put into your spells just might make the difference between your spell breaking through Voldemort's shield or it holding. The tenth of a second that you might shave off of casting your spell might make the difference between Voldemort dodging your spell or being hit by it. Do you understand why we are covering these topics first?"
"Yes, Professor." Seldom had a school lesson had such utter practical use in Harry's life.
"Good. Can you teach this same material to your students in the DA in the next few weeks?"
"Yes, sir, but you could do it better."
"Probably not Harry, but they believe in you, and sometimes that is everything. You're the leader Harry. If you ask them to, they'll follow you to the gates of Hell itself because they know that you'll do everything that you can to bring them back. You're a great leader Harry."
"Sir?" Harry knew that Flitwick had more to say and he waited patiently for him to continue.
"Normally your best play is to take away the enemy's ability to inflict damage to your side, then you pick them off." Harry nodded, understanding the concept.
"Sometimes the best play is not to lose, Harry, and sometimes you have to go for the throat. You'll know the difference." Harry knew that Flitwick was speaking from experience.
"Thank you, Professor."
Flitwick smiled and they shook hands.
… --- …
Hermione had Defense class Tuesday morning. It was strange not taking the class with Harry or Ron. The instructor covered the Impedimenta jinx. Hermione recalled researching it in fourth year with Harry to help him in the third task. She recalled that he mentioned that he used it to get out of the graveyard and grab Cedric.
Suddenly it didn't seen like a waste of time and she practiced it a third time.
… --- …
While Hermione was reviewing the Impediment jinx, Moody was working Harry much harder. They'd set up a dozen practice dummies and Harry had spent the day practicing blasting them at faster and faster speeds.
Finally Harry was able to effectively cast a spell wordlessly and his attack rate nearly doubled.
Moody nodded and reset the Auror training mannequins so they'd fire a stinging hex back at him. Harry made the mistake of mentioning that it wasn't much of a spell.
Moody replied, "Aye, but picture that it's the killing curse. At the end of an hour, I don't want to see you cut anywhere. To make it more interesting for ya, here's another dozen. It's over when you've been cut, or you've finished with em. In the meanwhile, I'll sit here and start on your lunch. He opened one of the bottles of butterbeer and began sipping on it. "Go." Suddenly the mannequins animated.
Harry transfigured several of the pieces of rock into much larger boulders that he could hide behind. The mannequins weren't especially good duelers, but they were quite mobile. Moody had tinkered with the wards so that Harry could apparate within the spacious room, just not in or out of it.
Slowly but steadily he took his shots. He got the number down to twenty, then eighteen then fifteen, then twelve, then nine, then three. Finally he got the last ones. Sweating profusely, he sat down at the table only to notice that Moody had eaten both of their lunches.
Moody nodded, and said, "Here, I saved you a butterbeer. What could you have done better?"
Harry thought for a moment and said, "I should have left. It was foolish to face twenty-four opponents to begin with."
Moody nodded and replied, "You must have been listening to Flitwick. Most of the Senior Aurors come back with some dribble about better technique or whatever. You found yourself in a situation where you had a low probability of surviving. The winning move would have been to find a way to get out. But since that option had been taken away from you, your remaining options were to find a way to call for help or take your time and carefully defend yourself. You did just fine."
"So why'd you eat my lunch?"
"Crikey, Potter, you've got two house elves. Order yourself two steaks if you want." They laughed at themselves.
Moody said, "Next time, you'll have to dodge em for an hour without your wand. Think about how you might be able to do it. I'll see you later."
"Thanks Moody." Exhausted, Harry went back to his room.
… --- …
The first DA class completely amazed Harry. The sheer numbers of attendees were almost overwhelming. He looked into the sea of small faces and said, "Hi. I'm Harry Potter. This is the Defense Association. The purpose of tonight's drill is to sort you into what will be the Tuesday group and the Thursday group. The meetings will be mostly practical. We'll meet every other week on your day. A good part of the meetings will be to teach some aspect of defense. That could be making a shield, using an object to block a spell, or increasing our agility.
Harry went and got a couple of buckets of tennis balls that he'd transfigured earlier. He said, "Everyone take two, spread out and sit down after you're got them. I'm going to show you some dodges for a few minutes then you'll have a chance to practice them. Seamus, toss one of those tennis balls at me, please."
From thirty feet Seamus pelted a ball that hit Harry in the chest.
"Ouch. OK do it again one at a time until I ask you to stop."
Seamus threw. Harry could see that the ball was going to miss and remained motionless. He threw again. Harry kept his feet where they were and leaned to the right as the ball sailed by. He threw again. Harry didn't move his feet, but quickly squatted down. Seamus threw again and missed. He threw again and Harry took a step to the left. He threw again and Harry flattened himself on the ground, glad to have set up the soft mats first.
Thanking Seamus, Harry asked, "Neville what did you see?"
Neville replied, "Half the time he was going to miss anyway. You didn't have to do anything those times."
Everyone laughed, but Harry said "Good point. We'll be spending a lot of time on spell accuracy." His best buddy was gone because of that very reason. "What else?"
Neville thought for a moment and said, "You're very quick, Harry. If you were facing him, I doubt that he could ever hit you."
Harry thought, 'No one is lucky forever.' A moment later her said, "OK, Let's try again."
Seamus started tossing tennis balls at Harry who was concentrating on dodging them. Hermione picked up one of the balls, got behind Harry and tossed it, hitting him square in the back. There was silence for a moment then someone said, "She cheated."
Harry smiled at the fifth year witch and replied, "Hermione didn't cheat. I'd asked her to do it earlier. The bad guys don't play fair, so you have to do the best that you can. I'd like you to pair up now and have you toss the balls at your partner from about twenty feet away. Dodge if you can."
Harry had set the room up in advance so that it had one big soft floor like a gigantic gym mat so no one would get hurt from rolling around.
As they started tossing the balls back and forth Hermione went around marking people's names on her list with either a one or a two depending on how well they did. After 25 minutes, Harry had them stop and sit down. Dobby and Winky passed around trays with glasses of iced pumpkin juice. Hermione went around and told the people that they were in either the Tuesday group or the Thursday group.
Harry ended the meeting saying, "Everyone got better. If you're in the Tuesday group, we'll meet two weeks from tonight. If you're in the Thursday group, we'll meet two weeks from Thursday.
When Harry had dismissed everyone, Moody appeared saying, "Good job, Potter. The little ones don't know a lot of spells but they might be able to dodge and run away. What are you going to do next week for the older ones?"
Harry replied, "The same thing to start with. It's a good sorting exercise."
Moody nodded and gave the closest thing to a smile that Harry had ever seen him make. "You're right. It's a good way of passing on what you're working on too. Goodnight, Potter."
… --- …
Bill's lessons couldn't have been any more different from Moody's. He began explaining the concept of wealth and the concept of income. He was good at teaching Harry the concepts because he tended to use examples that were within Harry's grasp. "Let's talk about Fred and George's joke shop. How does it work?"
Harry replied, "They sell stuff."
"Right. Where do they get the stuff to sell?"
"They either buy it from somebody and resell it, or they make the stuff out of something else." Harry thought this business stuff seemed easy
"Right. So they have raw materials. They apply labor, and end up with finished saleable inventory. How do they make any gold?"
Harry replied, "By selling lots of stuff?"
"Mostly. They make a profit by selling stuff for more than it cost them to make or buy it."
"OK. That's good."
Bill nodded and replied, "Right. Now suppose that they wanted to open up a second shop. What would they need?"
"They would need gold for rent, inventory and employees."
"OK. How would George know if the other building was doing OK?"
"If it was bringing him gold?" Harry wasn't sure of his answer, but it made sense.
"OK. There are some different ways to measure that. One way would be the percent of the sales revenue that was profit after the expenses. In other words if on average they earned five galleons every time they sold a hundred galleons of product their average percentage of revenue profit would be five percent."
Harry's eyes hadn't glazed over yet, but the potential was there.
Bill continued. "Another way of looking at it would be to measure how much they had invested in the new business and how much it earned in profit. Say they invested a thousand galleons."
"Right," said Harry, smiling.
"At the end of the year, the business had made a hundred galleons."
"I get it, the profit divided by the original investment. Does that mean they'd get a hundred galleons back?"
"Possibly, but they might choose to invest the gold in additional inventory rather than take the gold for themselves. OK we'll continue this next time."
"Thanks Bill."
"I should be the one thanking you Harry, but you're welcome. I'll see you later." Bill smiled at the irony of the young man who had tripled his salary. Harry had gotten him one of the best jobs at Gringotts and was thanking him for doing his job.
… --- …
Minister Abraxan, John Thomas and half of the ministry had descended on Hogwarts on Saturday evening. It was an opportunity to celebrate a win within the wizarding world war and everyone wanted in on it.
McGonagall had mixed feelings about the pomp and hoopla that was being made, knowing that while the recognition was deserved, at least one of the recipients would rather face a troll than be the focus of such a gathering.
Flitwick had vanished the long tables and conjured seating for over a thousand. Between the students, a few parents, the Aurors, reporters and ministry people every spot had been taken. Abraxan began.
"Good evening. We are gathered here this evening to recognize the contributions of three individuals who collectively helped save over a thousand lives during the attack at Hogsmeade this summer."
Harry thought that she seemed to go on forever. He was certainly glad that Moody and Alyx had been recognized, but they hadn't been the only ones there. Certainly Remus had done as much as Moody and he hadn't even been mentioned.
Finally she finished and presented them with the awards. She asked them to say something, and Alyx and Moody looked to Harry to speak for them. He walked to the podium with the magical microphone and began. "We didn't fight alone that evening. We hadn't intended to fight at all. We'd just gone to the pub to have a pint." There was a bit of laughter from the crowd. "We didn't go looking for trouble. Trouble found us, and like the rest of the people who were there that night, we did our best. Professor Dumbledore used to talk about doing what was right rather than what was easy. All of us who were there that night had the opportunity to put those words to the test."
Harry continued. "We couldn't save everyone that night, and we didn't finish the war, but I personally watched Cadet Alyx do her best, as I saw Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody and others. I'm sorry that we couldn't have saved more people and I'm sorry that we didn't finish off the enemy, but the men, women and children who were there fought with valor. I'm proud to say that I was with them helping as I could."
Harry looked at Alyx and Moody to see if they wanted to say anything, but they both shook their heads. He had said all that was needed.
Afterwards there was a reception. Minerva, Flitwick, Hagrid, Slughorn and a whole host of Ministry officials came up and congratulated them. After a few minutes Harry saw Hermione along with her parents. Hermione and Emma hugged Harry, and Dan congratulated him.
There were a number of photographers there and Harry, Alyx and Moody were dragged off to have their pictures taken.
A few minutes later Emma saw Harry trying to return to them, but a lot of people wanted to visit with him, even if briefly.
"Who are the muggles over there by Hermione and that Auror with the pink hair?" asked Seamus to Dean. He was fairly loud, apparently having had too many butterbeers, and wasn't paying attention to the Daily Prophet reporter standing nearby.
"He's no ordinary muggle," boasted Dean. He killed Bellatrix Lestrange with a handgun. The bloody sot hit her right in the head and mostly blew it off. I saw it myself at Ron's brother's wedding. That's Hermione's dad."
'Oh shit,' thought Emma. She went to get Tonks and tell her, but by the time she reached her in the crowded room the teens and the reporter had gone.
... --- ...
After an early breakfast Sunday their men had snuck off to the room of requirement for a round of golf so Emma and Hermione got to spend some quality time together. As Emma followed her daughter through the school corridors she looked around with wide eyes. Hermione caught the look on her mother's face and grinned at her.
"Amazing," Emma declared.
"Magic," Hermione corrected.
They both laughed. Hermione pointed out things about the castle as they walked. She showed her the third floor corridor where Fluffy had been housed that Harry was now using, Myrtle's bathroom, the loo where Hermione had met the troll and the hospital wing. After their conversation with Madame Pomfrey was cut short by a couple third years belching up slugs they started towards Gryffindor tower.
"What's on your mind?" Emma asked as she noted that Hermione's mood seemed to take a nose dive. Hermione smiled weakly.
"Second year, the first time Draco Malfoy called me a mudblood to my face, Ron used that slug hex on him. Well, he tried anyway. It backfired."
"Poor Ron! It was good of him to stand up for you. You miss him a lot don't you?"
Hermione nodded. "He was one my of best friends. We argued and got on each other's nerves a lot. But he… He was always there. Always had my back."
They pondered that as she led her mother through the place she had called home for six years. Hermione introduced her mum to a few of the people who were hanging around the common room. The ones that had been at Harry's birthday party all said hello.
In Gryffindor tower, the seventh year girls' dorm sat vacant.
Lavender was sleeping in what would have been Ginny's sixth year bed. She was also acting as an older sister and mentor to the sixth year girls. They had been devastated by Ginny's death.
They found Lavender sitting with two of her dorm mates helping them with their divinations homework. A third was nearby reading her potions book. Hermione gave Lavender a soft squeeze on the shoulder. Lavender smiled at her and then went back to the tarot cards.
"How about a reading Mrs. Granger?" Lavender asked with an easy smile. Emma smiled back and looked at Hermione with an unspoken question.
"Go for it, Mum, they can't be past the fourth hole yet."
"Hole?" Lavender asked in confusion.
"Golf?" The holder of the potions book assumed.
"Golf," Emma agreed. The book didn't move but the reader snorted a laugh.
Lavender helped sixth year Erin Erickson with the card reading. They talked about love, happiness and health. All were pretty positive. Then they moved on to family. Apparently Emma was going to have two kids sometime in the next five years. Twins Erin predicted.
"As long as they are not Fred and George," Emma quipped.
"They may not be yours. But you'll have two small children in your life soon," Lavender informed her. She smirked at Hermione who rolled her eyes.
"What a bunch of rubbish," came Wendy Williams' voice from behind the potions book again.
"Merlin, Wendy, are you sure Hermione's not your sister?" Lavender asked, teasing her. Wendy lowered the book. She looked at Emma and winked.
"You know, Lavender, muggles don't all look alike. My Mum's a muggle, but that's not her. This one's a lot taller" Wendy replied. The pure blood witch frowned thinking that she had been insulted, but wasn't sure how. Wendy really could have been Hermione's sister in attitude and sarcasm. Not to mention intelligence. Hermione swallowed her smirk and made to leave before it got ugly. Lavender had her hands full with the Williams girl.
Emma thanked them for the reading and followed her daughter out the portrait hole. They made their way to the visitor quarters that Hermione shared with Harry and sat down on one of the love seats.
Emma had been contemplating for a couple days of a way to approach the conversation they needed to have. She remembered how defensive Hermione had gotten at the dinner table and didn't want the conversation to be heated, but it needed to be said.
"Just spit it out Mum," Hermione told her. Emma frowned a bit but Hermione shrugged, "You've been wanting to talk to me about something since last night."
"I don't want to put you on the defensive and start an argument, Hermione."
"But?" Her daughter asked.
"But what in the Hell were you thinking trying to get to Hogsmeade when it was under attack?" 'Well, nothing to get defensive about in that question,' Hermione thought unpleasantly.
"I was thinking that the only person, still alive, that I loved in the wizarding world was in unspeakable danger and I had to go protect him," she answered honestly.
"You're not a warrior. Not a fighter," Emma told her.
"I know Mum," said Hermione, disappointed in herself more than anything.
"And you'd do it again, wouldn't you?" Emma asked. Hermione didn't answer right away. She couldn't look at her mother. She didn't want to scare her. Well, scare her more. But she couldn't bring herself to lie.
"Yes, I probably would," she confessed.
"You've always pushed yourself past your limits. Usually it's in your schoolwork. But this isn't about getting the best grade or learning a subject three years before it is taught to you," Emma stated in a unyielding tone of voice.
"I know Mum."
"Do you? Do you really?"
"Yes, Mother, I do know. You have no idea how well I know it. I've been living in this world for a third of my life. On my very first ride on the Hogwarts Express Pansy Parkinson called me a filthy mudblood. I didn't know what mudblood meant until Ron explained it after the slug incident over a year later. I knew it wasn't good but I, the queen of questions, was afraid to ask. You have absolutely no idea what I put up with daily. I would love to tell you it's only select students that were destined to become Death Eaters, but it isn't. Snape was not the only professor with an attitude of pure blood superiority. A couple others are nearly as bad, but not as blatant."
"I hadn't been here a full day this year and I overheard a one of my classmates tell another that they were sickened that a mudblood was head girl… That the only reason I made head girl was because I was McGonagall's favorite little Gryffindor. Never mind that I've spent six years working for my goals. I'm still just a filthy little mudblood."
"Don't say that," Emma whispered.
"Why not? It's true. I've thought about getting it tattooed on my bum," Hermione said angrily.
"There is nothing dirty about you," Emma snapped.
"Filthy Mum, not dirty. Filthy is the epithet of choice. Merlin knows I have heard it enough to know."
Emma's arms were beginning to tremble. She wasn't sure if she was angry with the horrible people, no they were not people, or the way her daughter was sarcastically talking about it. Hermione reached for her mother's hands.
"Then why did you stay? You could have come home and gone to a muggle school," Emma told her.
"I know. But as bad as it is sometimes it's… It's who I am Mum. I'm a witch. When I'm in this world I feel alive… But I have to push myself to be the best, to prove myself, just to be average in the eyes of some people."
"Because of your father and me?" Emma asked with a lump in her throat.
"Oh for Merlin's sake Mum. I don't blame you. I don't think any less of you and Dad because you're nonmagical. I love you. I wouldn't be half the person I am without you."
"Why fight? You don't have to Hermione," Emma said almost in desperation.
"Yes, I do. It's not just me, Mum. What about my kids? I could marry a muggle and have ten kids. Chances are they would be magical. How would they be treated? Would they have to put up with the attitudes that I do? What if I married a nice pure blood boy? Maybe one of the Weasley boys. Think the kids of a blood traitor and a mudblood would have much opportunity in the wizarding old-boys club? The world is so Victorian."
"I don't understand. If it is so bad and so dangerous then why stay?"
"I told you. It's who I am. I have a chance to make the wizarding world better for everyone. I have to do it Mum. It's not as bad as it sounds. Only one person in Gryffindor house has ever shown that type of attitude. The Ravenclaw's dislike me because I am smart, not because of my bloodlines. I was so used to that from muggle primary school that it's never fazed me a bit."
Hermione paused a moment. Emma had stopped trembling. She tightened her grip on her mother's hands.
"You and Dad taught me to stand up for what I feel is right. Remember when I got beat up during primary school for standing up for that African girl? I would do it again. I can make a difference in this world." Hermione was firm. She would have too even though the girl had avoided her like she had the plague and occasionally taunted her like the other kids.
"We're not talking about a school yard fight. We are talking about a war. I want you to live long enough to have kids to worry about. But you need to know your limitations. There is nothing wrong with research and being on the back lines treating injuries. You don't have to be on the front line to make a difference."
"I know Mum. Really I do. But Harry is my best friend. If you knew someone was trying to kill Dad and you could protect him would you?"
"Of course I would," Emma answered immediately.
"If you could only hope to try to protect him, would you?"
"I see your point. But Harry has a lot of people protecting him."
"But they aren't… me. They…" Hermione hesitated. Then she continued softly, "They don't love him like I do." She was doing her best to hold back the tears that had welled in her eyes.
"I understand protecting the people you love, Hermione. Why do you think we're having this conversation? Harry said he wouldn't have a problem with you joining them in battle if you were really prepared. I would have a huge problem with it. I have an even larger one since you're not prepared. I'm your mother. I don't ever want to see you put yourself in danger," Emma said vehemently.
"Mum… I can't promise that I will never be in danger. But I won't run headfirst into a fight that I can't handle. I promise," Hermione told her solemnly. Emma searched her daughter's eyes for more reassurance.
"Do you know what you can handle?" Emma inquired.
"No. But Harry does. I trust his judgement. He wouldn't put me in a position that I'm not ready for. He also wouldn't hold me back just because I'm his girlfriend," Hermione told her.
"Please, Hermione. Please try to stay safe. I understand your point of view. I honestly do. But can you understand mine?"
"I can try," Hermione assured as best as she could.
"This is awful of me. Molly Weasley has lost three of her children. But she still has four more. I know that brings her no comfort but if I lost you I don't think I could survive."
Hermione hugged her Mum hard and didn't let go for a long time. Emma knew that she had to trust both her daughter and Harry. She didn't like it. More and more she wanted to steal her daughter from the wizarding world and hide her until the war was over.
"While we are having this nice little chat," Emma said with a sniff pulling back. Hermione conjured some tissue for them both. Then Emma continued, "Are you and Harry having sex?"
"MUM!" Emma wanted to laugh at the injured expression on her daughters face.
"Come on, now. It's a valid question. Your father told me he caught Harry in your room last week," Emma said.
"Did Dad mention that we were fully clothed? On the love seat? Or that the door was wide open?"
"As a matter of fact, yes he did. That's a nice avoidance technique you have there. And don't think I didn't notice you didn't answer my question," Emma chided. Hermione sighed.
"Did you know that Harry and I heard you and Dad that same night?" She sounded dismayed.
"And there's more avoidance. No, I didn't know. But your father and I have been married…" She stopped when Hermione rolled her eyes. "What?"
"Oh please, that has been your excuse for years. Mum, do you know how embarrassing it is to hear your parents uh…" Hermione's face was burning. She was a little put off that Emma seemed so amused.
"Sex Hermione. It's called sex. We had a very long discussion about it when you were eleven," Emma noted. Hermione shuddered.
"I remember. Really, Mum, I remember every word. We don't have to have it again," Hermione conveyed, completely embarrassed.
"I think we do. When you were eleven it was a possibility in the future. Now you're 17, a legal adult in your world, and for all intents living with your boyfriend. I'm concerned. Those children we were talking about earlier don't need to be born in the next year or two," Emma told her.
"Of course not. I know about protection," Hermione said gulping slightly. 'Merlin help me, not the birth control speech,' Hermione begged silently.
"Tell me about magical protection," Emma suggested. Hermione almost groaned out loud.
"There is a contraceptive spell. It's not very effective. 85 tops. Actually there are several spells to make sure you conceive. It's all that purebloods have to have a son to pass my name on to rubbish," Hermione informed her. Emma nodded and Hermione sighed again. There was no way she was getting out of the conversation. She continued, "There is also a potion. It is about as effective as the spell. The two used together nullify the effects of each other."
"And muggle methods?" Emma posed the question in a serious tone.
"Muggle birth control is much better. The pill has the same effectiveness on a witch as a muggle. Condoms do what they are supposed to in regard to pregnancy."
"And disease?" Emma asked. Sometimes Hermione could forget that her mother was a medical professional. This was not one of those times. She knew about some of the magical sexually transmitted diseases. They were all curable. That didn't make them any less nasty. As a witch the muggle STD's had no effect on her body. She told her mother all of this.
"I don't know if a condom would block a magical disease. I would have to check with Madame Pomfrey," Hermione admitted quietly.
"Will you?"
Hermione was getting irritated. "Since Harry and I are both virgins, it's not exactly something we need to worry that much about," she snapped.
"Are?"
"Yes, are. Satisfied?"
"Now was that so hard to tell me?" Emma asked.
"You believe me?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Of course I do. You only lie if you have a good reason. Lying about having sex is not a good reason. You know I've always been here for you if you need me no matter how embarrassed you get. I'm not trying to embarrass you Hermione. I just need to know that you are aware of your options. Of course, I think abstinence is the best option, but you're seventeen, not seven and I live in reality."
Hermione sighed again, "Harry…" She hesitated not sure if she was ready to admit the truth to her mother.
"He's not pushing you is he?" Emma inquired quite surprised.
"No." Hermione sighed again. "If anyone is pushing it's me. I think he's unclear in his feelings for me. It's all new, I mean yeah we hug and kiss a lot... and um… other things. We haven't told any of the other students… But sometimes I wonder if he's just comparing me to Ginny or Alyx physically and counting the ways that I don't measure up."
Emma knew that Hermione had some deep-rooted self-esteem issues. Growing up as a brilliant child who was different was not easy. Being considered different in the wizarding world didn't help. Emma had so hoped for Hermione to find her place after finding out how special her daughter really was. It hurt to hear how deeply seated the prejudicial issues were. She had never seen Harry together with Ginny, but she had seen how he looked at Hermione. She thought that Hermione was selling herself short.
"I don't believe Harry's that kind of man, Hermione. If he is then you don't want him. I never saw him together with Ginny, but I know that he doesn't go around ogling Alyx. From what you've told me about your schedules, you barely have time to have a meal together. I can't see Harry talking with that Mr. Moody about his new girlfriend. Lord, that man is intimidating. You need to have this discussion with Harry not me."
"You're right. I'm not sure I want to know though. I'm not Ginny. I just want him to love me for me."
"Neither of you would be happy living a lie. You know that. If you need another girl to talk with, I'm sure that Alyx could use a friend."
Hermione did know. She wasn't sure Harry would ever be able to completely give himself emotionally. He had been too abused as a child and now was under a crushing level of responsibility. But she loved him and was willing to work with him.
Emma embarrassed Hermione one more time by giving her a box of condoms. Hermione quickly put them away in her room and then sat back down. Emma slid behind her and wrapped her arms around her. Hermione leaned back and just let her Mum hold her like she had when she was a small child. They talked about lighter subjects.
That was how Dan and Harry found them - Mother and daughter talking and laughing.
Content.
… --- …
As the men sat down Emma asked, "Did you have fun hitting balls?"
"It was nothing like that, Em," said Dan excitedly. "It was raining too hard so we had to cancel our tee time at the club. Harry set up a room in the castle so it was exactly like the Phoenix nine that we usually play on, complete with grass, trees, bunkers and even live geese! There was a set of clubs there just like mine and another one just like his! The only difference was that there wasn't a group in front of us to slow the play. It was bloody brilliant!"
Emma had no frame of reference, but Hermione knew that her father had described quite a feat of magic. Emma, happy to see her best friend so excited, simply asked, "Did you enjoy your day?"
"Yes," replied Dan. "I asked Harry if we could join his Order in some capacity."
Suddenly Emma wished that they'd spent their morning comparing their stiff shafts or whatever they'd been talking about during the summer holiday.
Harry asked evenly, "Is that something that you want to do?" He didn't want to discourage her, but he didn't want to coerce her either.
Emma knew that the question had been directed at her. Suddenly she had feelings of inadequacy. She said, "Harry, I'm not a natural fighter, and I can't conjure a golf course out of thin air, but we'll do what we can to help you and Hermione. How can we help?"
"For now, please keep watching all of the newspapers for any attacks or odd things happening. I'll have a better idea next weekend."
"There's something else we should talk about," said Emma to Dan. "I heard one of the students mention you in relation to that witch who…"
Dan interrupted. "They tried to kill us and burn us out just because of who we are. Now they have a reason to be nervous. We're living in a magically hidden house. What else can we do?"
Emma knew that he was right, but a part of her wished that they were having brunch after church rather than being a set of targeted parents visiting a magical castle. She asked, "When's the next Order meeting?"
… --- …
The next morning, Snape approached his master cautiously. He really did not want this job. The Dark Lord had been in a terrible mood since he discovered that the dementors had deserted their noble cause.
"What is it Severus?" The dark lord snapped impatiently. He could see without looking into the potion master's mind that the news he was about to receive would not be good.
"Master, I have identified Bella's killer," Snape said in a shaky voice. He knew that two things were going to happen.
"Well?" Voldemort demanded when Snape did not continue speaking.
"It was the mudblood Granger..."
"A mudblood killed Bella?" Riddle interrupted rising to his feet.
"No master. Not the mudblood witch. Her father." Snape trembled while on his knees. Why hadn't he put Draco under the imperious curse and made him do this?
The window cracked then shattered. "A muggle? A muggle? Tell me this is a sick joke."
"I'm sorry my Lord. The Prophet reported that he 'snot her in the head with a hand gum'," Snape said trembling even harder
Riddle felt the hatred he held for muggles increase ten fold. Snape's bladder released itself after the Dark Lord stormed past him without stopping to torture him.
Lord Voldemort apparated with a crack that would have made the Weasley twins proud. He glared at the empty burnt out lot that once held the Granger's filthy muggle house. With the wave of his wand he left an unmistakable message. The sidewalk cracked into pebbles when he apparated away.
Five minutes later Tonks, checking to see who had apparated in the muggle neighborhood, tripped under her invisibility cloak. As she got up she saw flames forming words.
Bella will be avenged.
Tonks apparated directly to #12.
… --- …
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