Author: Louise Mills
Email: dimblou@hotmail.com
Summary: Hermione is told she is really a pureblood witch. Her and Harry get a few surprised though out their firth year, and how powerful they both really are. (I have changed the summary, as I have been writing the story I thought it would be better for Ron to still talk to Harry and Hermione, but that doesn't mean it will always stay like that!!)
Chapter Rating: PG
Working Things Out, Part B
Two figures hidden by the trees and brushes watched as Hedwig flew out of Harry's arms, north towards Hogwarts. Once Hedwig was out of sight the figures turned to look at Harry and Hermione in the window.
The wind moved the branches of the tree, and the sunlight aluminates the figures. They were Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, professors at Hogwarts.
"How did you know Miss Granger, sorry Miss Hamilton was coming here to see Mr Potter, Albus?"
"I didn't really it was a lucky guess. I figured Miss Hamilton would need someone to talk to, and you saw how her muggle friends reacted earlier. Mr Potter is the nearest one of her wizard friends to live nearby, and he would understand better so she proceeded here!" Dumbledore spoke gently and with a lot of logic.
"Well we better make ourselves known as Harry and Hermione are patiently waiting for the answer to the owl they have just sent me!"
Professor McGonagall looked stunned, but not that all surprised really at the same time. She was use to how Dumbledore knew what was going on all the time, but she still found herself astonished at times. This was one of those times.
******
The front door bell rang and Harry cussed.
"Oh god, I hope that's not my aunt! Okay Hermione hind in the cupboard under the stairs, while I get the door."
Harry and Hermione dashed down the stairs, Harry advanced to the door and observed Hermione. Making sure she was securely hidden, Harry took a claming breath before he opened the door.
Harry didn't expect to see the person's that stood before him. He was shocked and couldn't do much of anything but stare.
"Do you think we could come in Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked Kindly.
Before Harry could answer him they heard a loud crash and a shriek come from the cupboard were Hermione was hidden. The cupboard door suddenly opened, and Hermione staggered out, looking like she had been though a hurricane. Her hair was all over the place and her top was at a weird angle. She tried to straighten her hair and clothes before she advanced to Harry, Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Professor's what are you doing here?" Hermione spoke, still trying to catch her breath from trying to get out of the cupboard.
"Once we are inside I will tell you both what we are doing here, Hermione?"
"Oh sorry, come in!" Harry invited the professor's into the house.
Harry, Hermione, and the professors sat down in the living room.
"Well now that's better, we have been standing all day! Right, first of all, it's absolutely okay for you stay around Hermione's house for the rest of the summer. Second of all, Hermione your parents confirmed my suspicious to me who you really were last night. Professor McGonagall and I have been observing you all day. Mostly for your protection in case your parents owl was intercepted last night before getting to me."
"Were my parents protecting me from Voldemort, like Harry's were?" Hermione asked, wanting to know if what she thought was right.
"Yes, but like Harry I can not tell you, but I can say the reasons will become clear to you in time."
"Now Harry I wish you to pack your things, so we can transport you and Hermione to her house by port key. I have also talked to her parents about you staying around there until you have finished at Hogwarts, and they have agreed. Their house is as well protected as your aunt and uncle's. After all their not about to say no to you living there, as you are Hermione's mother's godchild."
Harry's eyes widen at this news. He always wondered who his godmother was, but he would never of guessed it to be Hermione's mother. He had no reason to think that until now, he always though Hermione was muggleborn. Still in shock Harry started to make his way to his room.
After ten minutes stood up. "I'm going to see how Harry's doing, he seems to be taking his time." Hermione pronounced.
Hermione walked slowly up the stairs she paused at the door and watched Harry as he sat on his bed holding a t-shirt weakly in his hands, starring out of the window. She was about to speck but stopped as Harry had started to speak.
"I don't want to take the clothes I have as they are all hand-me-downs from Dudley. I think I'm going to leave them all and get new ones with my now new life." Harry spoke and started to smile as he turned to Hermione at the doorway. Hermione smiled back to Harry and walked into the room, where she sat down on the bed next to him.
"I think that's a great plan. Come one lets get the rest of your stuff in your trunk, then we can finally get out of this house." Hermione spoke as she got up and walked to his trunk. Harry smiles and followed Hermione over to his trunk and started to pack.
"I can't believe this is my last a few moments that I have to spend in this house."
"Neither can I, who would of thought my mother was your godmother."
"Not me!" They stood up smiling at each other for a while before they started to pack again.
Before they both knew it they were standing in the Dursley's living room ready to travel to Hermione house.
After Harry touched the port key he felt the familiar sensation of being pulled in every direction and felt sick to his stomach. Harry crumpled to the floor of the Grangers/Hamilton's living room, once the port key deactivated. He nearly hated travelling by port key as much as he did travelling by floo power.
Harry slowly raised his head and took a first grimace of Hermione house. He took in the furniture of the living room, which was full of 19th century rosewood book cabinets and side tables and leather sofa suite. Realising Hermione had more money then she lead on to have. Ron and him realised she was rich, but never dreamed this rich. Harry immediately realised Malfoy would be eating his own words once he realised Hermione was pureblood, but would be eating them even more so, once he found out Hermione was from a high class status pureblood family.
Harry stood up with help from Hermione and was greeted by her parents.
"Hello Harry, how are you?" Richard question, while he shook Harry's hand.
"Very well sir. Thank you for letting me stay."
"Oh don't thank us dear, we are very glad we'll be looking after you now. If your mother ever knew you were sent to your aunt's she would turn over in her grave. Hermione why don't you show Harry to the spare bedroom next to the bathroom on the second floor?" Rebecca kindly answered Harry.
"Why can't Harry used the bedroom next to mine it hasn't been used in years, and it's not like…" Hermione broke off suddenly as her father started to talk.
"Because Hannah and Andrew are coming home and don't you think Hannah would like to use her own room."
"Really, They're coming home!" Hermione excitedly said.
"Yeah they will be here in 5 days, now show Harry to his room. Once you are settled Harry, we can discuss about decorating your room and extra furniture you may need."
"Okay. Mum I forgot, we have to take Harry shopping tomorrow, as he has no clothes. All the clothes he owned before were his cousins, and his a size of a small whale." Rebecca laughed at Hermione description of Harry's cousin.
"Well then, it looks like we are going shopping tomorrow. So your cousin taking after your uncle, well that's not much of a surprise. Now off you go and get settled." Without another word Hermione and Harry left the room towards Harry's new room, at his new home.
******
"His had a hard life and it surprises me how much he has turned out to be such a fine young man, just like his parents. They would be proud of him. I'm glad you have finally seen sense and let him live with us Dumbledore. He will finally have the family life he truly deserves." Rebecca uttered, while still watching the doorway Harry and Hermione had just walked though.
"Harry was safer with the muggles before now, but now that Voldemort has truly risen again, he is safer with one of the most powerful wizarding families. Harry and Hermione now need more protection then they have ever needed in the past, they are safer here." Dumbledore spoke quietly.
"So Hannah and Andrew are finally coming home? You must be glad?" Professor McGonagall spoke trying to change the conversion to one of a happier note. Rebecca and Richard smiled and sat down on the sofa opposite professor's Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Yes we are. We know they're not really our real son or daughter biologically but in our hearts they are. Hermione doesn't know they're not her, real sister and brother and we won't tell her until the right time. She has had a lot to take in, and will have one more surprise when Hannah and Andrew come home. She doesn't know they are a witch and wizard. I don't think she could take that they're not really her brother an sister." Richard answered.
"She really shouldn't think them any different, as she has always known them as her brother and sister, it's the same for them as well. They spoke about their sister all the time at Hogwarts and how much they would love to know their real living family. To them now you are their family, believe me then I say that." Dumbledore carefully pronounced to Richard and Rebecca, making Rebecca's eyes to well with tears of happiness.
******
Hermione and Harry just finished struggling Harry trunk to his new room, and they both now were lying on his bed from exhaustion.
"God I didn't even think a house could have that many stairs. I'm sure your house had more stairs then the Weasley's." Harry spoke in gasped as he still was trying to catch his breath. Hermione chuckled.
"Why do you think I don't have any problems with climbing the stairs at the Weasley's?" Hermione answered with a slight chuckle still in her voice. Harry turned his head and looked at her closely. Even thou she did look different, he could still see the Hermione he loved so much shine though, and he was glad for that.
Harry wanted to tell her so much, how much he cared for her. But he was scared to tell her and he couldn't understand that. He had faced so many mortal dangers before, but he couldn't face the one he loved. He supposes deep down he knew the reason was because he didn't want to be rejected again. He had never really known love before coming to Hogwarts, and he didn't want to fell like wasn't loved by his best friend. Of course he knew his friends loved him in a certain way, but he couldn't face the emotions he would feel if Hermione didn't return his feelings.
Hermione made a deep sigh that stopped her thoughts about Harry, which were similar to the ones Harry were having. Of course she knew what it was to be loved, but never wanted to feel the pain of rejection. Hermione turned to Harry and smiled as she saw Harry was staring at her, and she felt her cheeks slowly going red. She turned away before Harry could she her blush.
"So do you like your room?" Hermione uttered as she jumped off the bed, making Harry sit up straight and finally given him a chance to look at his new room. He moved his head gradually around the room, taking in every piece of furniture and furnishing's. A smile crept on his features he really like his new room, he knew Mrs Hamilton said they talk about decorating, but he didn't want to change one bit of the room, it reminded him slightly of Hogwarts.
The room was as large as the dorms at Hogwarts, with a large bay window with a window seat that was red and had gold pillows upon it. The bed was a double four-poster bed with burgundy drapes. A large writing table made out of rosewood stood on the far wall from the bed. Next to the writing table to the right, was a tall book cabinet that touched the ceiling, and to the left of the writing table was a six-draw Chester cabinet and a wardrobe. In between the bed and far wall with the writing table, was a gaming table with four chairs. In the corner by the bay window contained a large armchair with a deep red throw rug hanging over it. The walls were exactly the same colour as the Gryffindor common room.
"I love the room, I think maybe your parents were in Gryffindor because no one except Gryffindor's would know what the common room looks like." Hermione quickly scanned the room.
"I think you're right, I never really noticed before."
"I don't think I would change anything, this is a great room."
"I'm glad you like it, mum and dad will be glad too."
"Hermione downstairs your parents talked about two people coming home. Whom were they talking about?"
"Hannah and Andrew, my sister and brother!" Hermione said as she watched Harry's eyes go wide with shock.
"I haven't told you about them have I?" Hermione asked sheepishly. Harry shook his head to surprise to speak.
"Well their not really my brother and sister, my parents adopted them when I was one. My parents don't know I know this, when I was six Hannah and Andrew thought I should know the truth. But they said it didn't make them any less my brother and sister. They are also a witch and wizard and have already finished Hogwarts, their seven years older then us. My parents don't know that I know their a witch and wizard either so keep quiet. I'm guessing they be telling me then they arrive, and I want to see their faces then they realised I do know!" Harry smiled and started to yawn, as he had quite an exciting day.
"I see you're a little tired I let you get settled and a have a slight nap and I come back up when dinner's ready."
"Thanks Hermione see you soon!"
"Yeah see you soon." Hermione replied and they both smiled at each other as Hermione went to open the door.
Once Hermione closed the door she leaned back against it sighing, and her smile got bigger.
Harry stared at the door for an extra minute or so, before going to his trunk to unpack his books and placing them in the book cabinet.
******
Harry woke up, he observed that the room was pitch black and that the house was silent. He realised it must have been extremely late. He rolled his eyes around the room in search of a lamp or a candle. His eyes settled on the writing table, a candleholder with three candles stood in the middle of the table. He stumbled over to the table; he lit the candles with the matches that were to the left of the holder.
After he lit the candles a war glow highlighted the room. The gaming table in the centre of the room stood a plate of food. He walked over and pulled out one of the chair's to sit upon. Next to the plate was a letter; he didn't have to read the bottom of the letter to know whom it was from; the elegant script of Hermione's hand filled the page.
Dear Harry,
I came up to collect you for dinner about 7.30pm, but you were sound asleep and I didn't have the heart to wake you up.
You look like an angel when you sleep! Did you know that?
Well after dinner, that finished at 8.30pm I brought you up some food. I thought I let you sleep; it looked like you needed it earlier.
Once you have woken and if your dinner's cold, mum said you could warm it up in the kitchen. Make sure if it's late, not to wake up the entire household.
I hope I see you later tonight and if I don't see you in the morning.
Yours truly,
Hermione.
Harry smiled at the letter and placed it down neatly on the table, he picked up the plate of food and crept out of the room and steadily made himself down three flights of stairs.
Once in the kitchen Harry turned on the lights and noticed the time on the microwave blinked 3am. He was shocked he didn't think it was that early in the morning. Mostly he was shocked as he had managed to get 81/2 hours of sleep, which he remember hadn't happen since before starting at Hogwarts. At Hogwarts nightmares usually crept into his sleep, this was the first nightmare free night.
After he warmed up and had eaten his dinner Harry decided to go into the living room to read. He didn't want to climb up, what seemed to be ten thousand steps, to his room just to read, when earlier he noticed the extensive selection of books Hermione parents owned.
He hadn't realised earlier how much space in the living room was taken up by the, filled to the brim, cabinets. Two whole sides of the large living room had five large book cabinets like the one in his room against the walls.
As he was browsing though the titles of the books in the cabinets he observed that each one contained books entirely on a certain field or subject.
The first cabinet contained books on muggle sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Human Physiology, and Geography etc.
The second contained Muggle history books, from Ancient cultures like Egypt, Incas, and Greece to modern times.
The third had books on the wizardry History.
The fourth on the arts and crafts, and DIY, generally the books found at his Aunt and Uncle's house.
The firth contained books on divination, with books on Runes, Astrology, palm reading, crystal glazing, tarot cards, and many more. This surprised Harry, as he knew Hermione didn't believe in divination, and thought she got her views from the parents, obliviously he was wrong. Why else would their house contain books on divination, if they didn't believe in it?
The sixth contained books on the world's animals, muggle and magical alike.
The seventh contained books on spells, and enchantments, most of which were advanced, and were commonly only used against the dark arts, and only used by Aurors.
The last three cabinets contained novels both from muggle and magically background, these were the books he was looking for. He felt like reading a good novel by authors like William Shakespeare, or Charles Dickens.
He had heard from Hermione, a few times just pass a million, how much she liked picking up a novel by those two authors' and getting lost between the pages. Also how author's now days don't know how to write to captivate their readers like they did in Shakespeare and Dickens time. He wanted to experience the feeling of escaping his life for a few hours.
If Hermione were right about reading these novels, he would defiantly be escaping his life and world for a few hours, and getting caught in the world of Shakespeare and Dickens and the life of the characters in the books.
He ran his hands over the spines of the Shakespeare books and closed his eyes; he randomly took a book, and then read the title, 'Twelfth Night'.
Harry walked over to one of the giant sofas with a little table to the side; he placed the book on the table then proceeded to the fireplace. The glowing ambers of the fire lit the night before was still smouldering. He took some fresh wood that was situated in the brass bucket to the left, and placed it over the hot ambers. He pokes the ambers with a poker until the fire was relit, finally he sat down in the reselected sofa and opened the book, and he began to read.
******
Hermione stretched as she woke up, opening her eyes to the welcoming sight of the sun though her partial open curtains. Hermione was always an early riser and always loved to see the sunrise to start off her day.
She glanced at her alarm clock that read 5.35am knowing that wouldn't be able to get back to sleep again, she climbed out of bed. She spent 30 minutes doing her morning Yoga exercises before deciding to go downstairs to make some breakfast.
After pouring out some milk onto her cereal Hermione noticed the door into the living room was ajar and realised the fire was still ablaze from the glowing light coming though the door. Suddenly she felt some fear creep into her body, as she knew her father had extinguished the fire the night before.
She walk towards the door to the living room with some hesitation wondering who was in the living room at this time in the morning she was always the only one up this time in the morning.
She peered though the open doors and saw someone was sitting in one of the big sofa's reading to the light of the fire. She steeped though the door and with closer inspection she realised who it was, Harry.
She could tell Harry was reading intensively and wondered how long before he realised she was in the room. Hermione walked across the living room to where Harry was sitting and sat into the sofa opposite him. She made sure her journey across the living room was not a silent one.
She watched Harry as he read and was amazed at how he looked, he had the book he was reading right near his nose, you could just see his eyes appearing at the top, that were glued to the page he was reading. He now and then bit his bottom lip, but Hermione could only see him do this then she leaned over the arm of the sofa to see his expressions.
He was reading one of her favourite books and wondered if she ever looked like he did reading the book or any book. She gathered that she did because of the way Ron and Harry, well mostly Ron, laughed sometimes at the expressions when she read.
She thought he looked cute when reading so intensively, shame she didn't see this kind of intensive reading more, like school work. As she could stare at him for the whole time and he would never know she was staring.
Ten minutes later Harry gave a big sigh and closed the book, and agreed with Hermione you never can put a good book down. He placed the book on the table and glanced in the direction of Hermione. Harry yelped and jumped back into the sofa from shock. Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
Harry took a deep calming breath.
"Jesus Hermione you scared the living daylights out of me. Don't do that again!" All Hermione did was laugh harder.
Harry gave Hermione an evil grin and pounced on her, he started to tickle her, making her laugh so hard she started to cry. Hermione wanted to say stop, but couldn't she didn't have the energy left after all her laughter.
Finally Harry stopped tickling her and sat down on the sofa next to her. She was still slightly laughing but was dramatically lowered. Once she stopped laughing she took several deep breaths.
"So how long were you sitting there?" Harry question Hermione.
"For about 10-15 minutes, I wanted to see how long it took you to realise I had entered the room. Especially since I wasn't quite about it. How long have you been reading?"
"Since 3am!" Hermione eyes widen in surprise.
"God, you must have really got into that book to finish it in 3 and a half hours."
"Yeah you could say that I got lost in the pages. Are all William Shakespeare novels like this one?"
"Most of them!" Silence filled the room, but it was a comfortable silence.
******
10 Hours later,
Harry, Hermione and Rebecca walked though the front door and into the living room and they carried five bags each, that contain all the clothes Harry would ever need.
They dropped all the bags in front of one of the sofas and fell dead into the other sofa. Harry and Hermione shared one, and were breathing really hard. Rebecca recovered quick and summoned some drinks from the kitchen.
"You know mum its going to get a bit of getting use to, that you and dad can use magic. Thanks for the drink by the way!" Hermione spoke during a few deep breaths; Harry also said thank you but not by talking, but by hand signals.
Rebecca looked closely at Harry and Hermione guessing now was the time to get something off of her chest.
"I think maybe you should contact to Weasley's soon and tell them about your true identity Hermione."
"Yeah I know and I rather tell them in person, that's the most I could do, as they have bee do kind to me."
"Well you think about when you're going to tell them, while I go and cook dinner." Rebecca left without waiting for Hermione to response.
******
The next morning Harry again was up early, but not as early as the day before. Harry looked over at his newly required alarm clock that he brought yesterday saying to Hermione's parents it was the only thing extra he needed in the room. The soft glowing green light from the display showed him it was 5.45am.
Harry knew he would never be able to get back to sleep, so he decided he would go to the living room and read another good book that Hermione's family owned.
Harry quickly got dressed in a pair of jeans and a Nike t-shirt along with some Nike trainers. It felt good for him to wear some good fitting clothes and new as well, other than his school uniform and robes.
Harry walked silently down the stairs making sure he didn't wake anyone, and walked into the living room. He saw Hermione silhouette against the burning fire. Harry approached Hermione carefully and tapped her on her shoulder, making her jump. He amused himself as he had done what Hermione and done to him yesterday.
"Morning!" Harry whisper into her ear.
"Morning. You're up early?" Hermione asked.
"I could say the same to you, anyway I'm up later then I was yesterday."
"I suppose!" Hermione turned towards the fire and stared into the flames. She didn't want to do anything but stare and try to figure out her thoughts.
Harry was concerned, Hermione seemed cut off today, and Harry never liked her being like that. He could tell she had a few things on her mind, and they were bothering her.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
"Don't give me that crap, I know there's something wrong." Harry was angry with Hermione, as she wouldn't tell him what was wrong.
"Okay! I'm not okay, okay! I'm terrified." Calming down Harry sat down next to her and draped his arm around her shoulder.
"About what?"
"This business about me being really pureblood, one of my best friends has excepted me, but I'm not so sure about my other best friend. You know how Ron can be sometimes not being able to except something. I know deep down this is going to be one of these times. I know you said you will always stick by me no matter what, but I can't let you turn away from Ron if he can't except me!"
"Why can't you?" Harry interrupted her, angry that she was telling him she would force away from him, if and only if Ron doesn't except her.
"Because he was your true friend in the world! I can't break that up!" Harry laughed he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Harry abruptly laughing and turned to face Hermione, more serious then he had ever been in his life. He was determined whatever happens with Ron, he wasn't going to lose her.
"Hermione listen to me, and listen carefully. You mean more to me then Ron will ever do, that's because you were my true first friend not Ron. Ron in the beginning only hanged around with me because of who I was. He got me nearly into a lot of trouble because of who I was. You remember the wizard duel in first year, he got me into it he didn't care that I could get hurt or in trouble, you did! He only cared that I was Harry potter and I associated with him. Of course that slowly changed, but never say I care more for Ron's friendship then I do for you. You don't know how much I care for you."
"Then why was Ron chosen over me for you in the second task last year in the triwizard tournament?"
"Well I have been thinking about that, I know out of you and Ron I would miss you more. I suppose Dumbledore chose Ron for me, because Krum would miss you the most. Two champions couldn't have the same person. It's surprising actually Krum would miss you most over his own family. As you only knew each other for a few months, he must have loved you as much as I do, but I doubt it after all I've known you for four years. I know what you like and dislike, oh and of course I know how to pronounce your name…" Harry mumbles not really taking notice what he was saying and that Hermione heard every word. Who was now sitting wild-eyed starring at Harry in shock, as he continued to mumble?
"…What things to stay away from in conversations, know when you're angry, nervous…" Hermione interrupted Harry's mumbling, that was listing everything about herself that she thought no one took notice off, by covering his mouth her hand.
"What did you say about me?" Hermione spoke quietly but with strength. Harry was a little confused to what Hermione was talking about, so he began to retrace his words in his head. Hermione could tell he was confused and thinking back, because of the way his eyes sparkled.
"Harry let me help you think, does the words, 'He must of loved you, as much as I do, but I doubt it,' Help. If so I like to know are those words true?" Hermione asked more nervous then was had ever felt.
"Yes Hermione. I have loved you for so long I don't even remember then I started to love you."
Hermione leaped onto Harry and hugged him tightly, then kissed him full on the lips, which shocked Harry, as this was not he was expecting. Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer and deepens the kiss.
After what seem like hours of kissing they broke their lips apart for a well-deserved breath. Forehead against each other's they looked deep into each other eyes.
"I love you too, Harry." Hermione said though her deep breaths, and Harry smiled. He felt like his heart was about to bust with joy.
They settled back into the sofa in each other's arms, watching the sun break the horizons to a new day and for them a new life together.
End of chapter… Please reviews, as I would like your suggestions.