Kit approached Harry after dinner that night. He had not really been speaking to her since Krum went on the mission, but now, as he seemed to be on cloud nine, Kit wanted an explanation.
"What's going on?" she asked him, blocking his way to Gryffindor Tower.
"What do you mean?" he asked vaguely, checking his watch.
"I can't believe you," she whispered, advancing on him like a wolf. Her eyes seemed to be glowing, through the gloom of the corridor, with fury. Tears were building up behind her eyelids, and she had clenched her hands into fists.
"What?" Harry asked over, unsure of what to say, or why she was acting this way.
Her eyes narrowed, and her voice, quiet as it was, shook with fury. "First, you finally give me a chance, and then I let you have me … ALL OF ME, HARRY!" Her voice rose as tears began spilling down her cheeks. "And then, that thing with Hermione, and then you tell me you love me?"
"I do love you, Kit," Harry said, reaching out to her, but she backed away, shaking with rage.
"And then all your problems somehow go away, AND YOU WON'T EVEN GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY!"
Harry looked at her, hurt and confusion swirling in his emerald eyes.
Overcome with emotion, she sank to the floor, her body shaking with sobs.
"Oh, Kit," Harry said desperately, sitting next to her and pulling her into him. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea what I was thinking. I'm just –" He paused to sniff, as tears escaped from his own eyes. "I'm just confused. I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"Not even Hermione?" Kit asked; her face buried in his chest, voice filled with envy.
"No," Harry said sharply, causing Kit to look up in surprise.
"No?"
"She's one of my best friends," he said. "She's like a sister to me. I could never love her –" he looked down into Kit's tear filled, golden eyes, "– like I love you."
She let out a small sob, and took a breath to say something. Harry interrupted her by cupping her face in his hands and kissing her passionately.
As they pulled apart, she took a shaking breath and asked, "Then why are you so happy now?"
His eyes lit up as he replied. "Hermione's coming back tonight."
Kit looked confusedly at him, and he explained all about the letter he and Ron had received, as well as the note from Kelci.
"You have to get a move on then," she said as Harry helped her to her feet. "It's a quarter after nine now."
They flew down the corridor and burst into the common room just as Ron descended the spiral staircase of the boys' dormitory.
"C'mon," Ron said to Harry as he caught his breath.
"Alright," Harry replied, kissing Kit on the cheek and whispering in her ear. "Don't wait up."
And together, two of the "Golden Trio" exited through the portrait hole, covered in the cloak.
Harry and Ron had to walk slowly under the cloak, as other prefects were patrolling the halls. As they reached the entrance hall, they found Remus waiting for them. Harry pulled off the cloak and Remus smiled at them.
"Dumbledore is just speaking with her now," Remus said quietly. "She's already been reunited with her brother, so you won't have much longer to wait."
Harry and Ron nodded, and the three of them fell silent.
They did not have to wait more than fifteen minutes before one of the doors to the Great Hall opened with a creak. Dumbledore appeared there, looking sombre and tired. Sighing heavily, the aged headmaster beckoned Remus to him. As Harry and Ron exchanged a look of confusion, Dumbledore whispered something to Remus, causing both of them to frown slightly. Remus nodded and then spoke to Harry and Ron.
"Okay, you two can escort Hermione up to Gryffindor Tower. No need to wear the cloak," he added as Dumbledore went back into the hall.
When he emerged next, he led a shaking and dishevelled Hermione. The time away had wrought a dramatic change on her. The bushy brown hair was untamed, and the Muggle clothes she was wearing were torn in several places and looking as though they had been dirty for months. As soon as she appeared, Harry rushed towards her, engulfing her in a huge hug. She began to sob into his shoulder.
"Come on," Harry whispered, pulling back and wrapping a supportive arm around her, "let's get you up to common room."
Ron waved back at the professors, and the three reunited friends made their way back to Gryffindor Tower.
"Skittles," Harry said to the Fat Lady, earning them entry to the common room. Hermione's sobbing redoubled as she was overcome with emotion at finally being 'home'.
Harry and Ron half carried her over to the couch in front of the fire where she collapsed, sobbing harder than ever into Harry's shoulder. Harry wrapped his arms around her, hoping she would calm down. Ron ran up to their dormitory to get some chocolate frogs for Hermione and to wipe his own tears.
"Shh," Harry whispered repeatedly. "It's okay. You're safe now."
He heard someone coming down the girls' dormitory stairs. He looked up to find Kit, still in her school robes and holding a bag of candy, looking inquisitively at him. He motioned for her to come over.
"Hey," Kit said, coming over to sit with them. Hermione looked up.
"Kit, this is Hermione. Hermione, this is my girlfriend, Kit."
Both girls nodded at each other, Kit handing Hermione a box of tissues.
"Thank you," Hermione said, sitting up and blowing her nose.
They heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and looking up saw Ron carrying dozens of chocolate frogs over to them. He dumped them on the couch next to Hermione.
"Thanks," she whispered, smiling at him. Ron could only nod back.
They sat in an awkward silence as Hermione's sobs ceased. Then she looked up at them, confusion and amusement evident in her eyes.
"So, umm, what have I missed?"
Harry smiled at her. "You want to know everything?"
She nodded, sitting up straighter to pay utmost attention. Harry took a deep breath before beginning.
"Well, when I got to Grimmauld Place we met Sasha, and found out about the prophesy." Hermione nodded. "Then Neville arrived, we had a combined birthday party for both of us, and then went to Diagon Alley the next day. That's where I met Kit. Then it was September the first, so we took the train. Ron, Ginny, and Neville met Kit –"
"But Ginny wasn't too fond of me," Kit interrupted.
"Yeah," Ron chimed in, "she pretty much kicked Kit out of the carriage –"
"So I was forced to ride with Malfoy."
"That must've sucked," Hermione said, obviously taking a liking to Kit.
"It did," Kit replied, still unsure of Hermione, but being friendly enough to keep Harry happy.
"And then I hit him," Harry said nonchalantly.
"But got caught be McGonagall," Kit said, snickering.
"All the same," Ron added, speaking over Hermione's gasp, "it was a nice right hook."
"Anyways," Harry continued, deciding to leave the conversation with Malfoy out, "then we found out that Remus was the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Cool," Hermione said, taking another chocolate frog, cheering up considerably. "Then what happened?"
"We had a D.A. meeting and Remus told me he had custody of me," Harry said, smiling. He continued, "And we met your brother. He told Remus and me what happened that night – from his perspective."
Hermione nodded. "What happened for Halloween?"
"Well," Ron began, taking over the story, "Sasha and Oliver announced their wedding day, and then it was the feast."
"Did anything exciting happen after that?"
"Well, unless you count Neville dating Nia, or a giant snowball war, then no," Ron said, causing Hermione to giggle.
"How was Christmas?"
"Fantastic," Ron said excitedly, "Harry got a car."
"You did?" Hermione asked breathlessly as Harry blushed.
"Yeah, you have to come for a ride sometime," Harry said.
"Anyway," Ron continued, "then I asked Adrien to the wedding, and Harry and Kit finally became an item."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Kit asked pointedly, referring, of course, to the Al-Anon meetings.
"Nope," Ron said, shooting her a look. "I probably haven't got there yet. Anyways," he sighed, "then we all went shopping for the wedding –"
"And had a fantastic time," Kit added.
"Sure we did," Harry said sarcastically. Kit retorted by throwing a Skittle at him.
"Anyways, New Year's Eve we found out that Kristina, Charlie's fiancée, was pregnant," Ron finished.
"Aww, that's so cute!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Is it?" Harry asked. Hermione smacked him playfully on the arm.
"Carrying on," Kit said, "I bought Harry pink, fluffy bunny slippers for Christmas that he wore down to breakfast New Year's morning."
"No," Hermione gasped.
"Yes," Kit laughed, "it was wicked."
"Then we men helped set up for the reception," Harry continued, leaning back superiorly in the couch, "and the next day was the wedding."
"How was it?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Beautiful," Kit breathed, "I have pictures you can see later."
"What was the song?"
"'You're my Best Friend,' by Queen," Harry answered, rolling his eyes.
"No way!"
"Yes way," Ron replied.
"That's awesome."
"Tell me about it," the three said in unison. All of them burst out laughing.
"Ow!" Hermione gasped. The laughter ceased immediately, all three of them looking concernedly at her.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"It's nothing, don't worry."
"We are worried," Harry said. "After what happened in the Ministry of Magic, and we have no idea what happened while …" He broke off. Hermione hung her head, sighing.
"I'll tell you everything tomorrow," she said, "now finish with your story."
"Right," Ron said, "well, then we found out that Ginny shagged Christopher Mills –"
"You don't mean the seventh-year Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked.
"The one and only," Ron said, fists clenched.
"Anyways, then Krum showed up in the fire, and your rescue mission was underway," Harry said.
"Okay, and then –?"
"And then here you are," Kit said cheerfully.
That was the end of their conversation for the night. They all went up to their respectable dorms, hoping to get some sleep before daybreak.