Return Of The Elemental
Chapter 31 – Discoveries
'Harry?' Hermione asked loudly, her voice echoing off the walls of the Potions classroom. She stepped in and took a couple of seconds to take in the new look of what was once a dark and dank place.
The large room was now filled with natural light thanks to the hole in the wall that Harry had blasted, incidentally giving a perfect view of the great lake. There were also some portraits hanged up around the walls, mostly of Hogwarts which looked straight out of a fairy tale in some of the "long shots" as Harry had called them. Even the smell was gone, and as she sniffed the air Hermione could swear that the new smell reminded her of her shampoo.
All in all, she liked the new version of the Potions classroom much better than the old one.
'In here.' Harry shouted back from a door at the front of the classroom that led, Hermione knew, to Harry's office. She quickly walked through the classroom and stepped into the place where she and Harry had spent many a nights exploring their student/teacher relationship.
'Harry, professor Dumbledore wants to know when you're going to emerge from your dungeons and face the world again, seriously, you've been down here for a week, aren't you done yet? Not to mention the reporters that are camped out on the grounds. I swear, there must be over a thousand last time I checked and at any given point they start chanting your name, hoping you'll come out and speak to them.' She said as she plopped herself down on the Gryffindor red lounge that was situated in the corner of the office.
'I'm almost done sweety, it takes a while to create a potion that will change the Wizarding world you know.' Harry replied a bit sarcastically.
'What, did you say you're almost done? Oh praise the heavens, that means you can spend more time with me instead of your little chemistry set.' Hermione teased.
'Watch it or I might just spill to the reporters that you and I are no longer a couple.' Harry said as he briefly looked up from a cauldron that was bubbling with a dark blue muck. Hermione sprung up in her seat and pointed a threatening finger towards Harry.
'You wouldn't dare.' Making Harry gulp loudly, his Adams apple working like an elevator.
'No, no I wouldn't dream of it precious.'
'That's better.' Hermione said smugly as Harry breathed a sigh of relief and added a couple of small, greenish scales to his potion.
'Excellent. All done, well almost, just one more ingredient.' Harry crowed triumphantly ten minutes later, making Hermione jump out of her seat where she was reading a copy of Witch Weekly that Harry had confiscated earlier in the week from a 5th year Hufflepuff, mainly due to the front cover which had a picture of his head where he was smiling roguishly.
'What do you mean, "one more ingredient"?' Hermione asked as she threw the copy of the magazine over her shoulder and approached Harry who was holding two vials of the potion that was now black as night.
'Follow me and all your questions will be revealed.' Harry said excitedly as he ran out of his office, a confused Hermione followed behind him as they ran all the way up to the great hall where lunch was currently taking place.
Harry blew the doors open and continued on to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the shrieks of fright from the younger students thinking that the castle was being attacked again.
He searched the table for his two patients and made a b-line directly for them with a big smile on his face. By this time everyone was looking at him, this being the first time they had seen him apart from Potions lessons.
Harry came to a stop and held the two vials before Ginny and Neville.
'Ta Daa.' He sang happily, just as Hermione stopped beside him, she bent over and tried to catch her breath from the long run through the castle.
'Er, Harry, what is that?' Neville asked suspiciously.
'Why it's your cure.' Harry said as though he was speaking to a child.
Ginny and Neville then shared incredulous glances.
'Well it will be your cure after you two add the last ingredient.' Harry corrected himself.
'Are you serious Harry?' Ginny asked as tears started to spring in her eyes.
'Yep, but I'm afraid for it to work I'm going to have to ask you a very personal question, so do you want to wait till toni-.' He was cut off as Ginny stood up abruptly.
'Now, let's do it now.' She said as she jumped up and down.
'Ok, ok, settle.' Harry said with a chuckle, he then put a comforting hand on Ginny's shoulder to hold her in place whilst he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
The next second Ginny face erupted into a furious blush.
'I'm not going to tell you that.' She squeaked indignantly with a quick look at Neville.
'Fine, I guess you want to stay a Werewolf.' Harry said airily as he turned to Neville with a smirk. He then leaned down and whispered the question he had asked Ginny, getting the same reaction he had gotten from the female Weasley.
'You guys should just tell me, I need to know because it is the last and most important ingredient that needs to finish my potion.' Harry said firmly.
'Fine.' Ginny huffed, then leaned forward to whisper something in Harry's ear, when she pulled back her blush had come back full force. Harry smiled warmly and turned to Neville.
'Alright.' Neville said dejectedly as he also whispered something in Harry's ear. When Harry pulled back his broad grin was infectious and soon Neville and Ginny were smiling shyly too.
Harry then gave both vials to Hermione and before either one could react pulled a piece of hair from both Ginny and Neville's head.
'What was that for?' They shouted angrily as they rubbed their heads.
'You'll see.' Harry said as he placed the hairs in separate vials. The one that held Ginny's hair had turned a fiery red and Neville's had turned green, as green as grass. Harry then took the vials back and handed the one with Ginny's hair to Neville and vice versa.
'Drink.' He commanded sharply. To his amazement both Ginny and Neville did so whilst they looked into each others eyes. When the contents of the vials were all gone Harry, for the first time, looked nervous.
'Okay, now I want you to close your eyes and search for the Werewolf inside you. Once you do that call it to you and merge with it.' Harry said softly as they followed his instructions.
'Er, Harry what are you doing?' Ron asked stupidly.
Harry didn't answer and just watched as Ginny and Neville started to transform. People started backing away, screaming shrilly as they moved from the known Werewolves.
When the transformation was all done, two puffing Werewolves were standing next to the Gryffindor table, with a calm looking Harry standing in front of them.
The hall was silent as Harry reached out and scratched the Werewolf that was Ginny behind the left ear, making everyone gasp, especially when Ginny let out a loud satisfied growl.
'Harry. What have you done?' Albus Dumbledore asked stupidly from the head table.
'Well I thought that was obvious professor.' Harry said amusedly. 'I've cured Lycanthropy.'
To prove this point Ginny and Neville transformed back into themselves and ran at Harry to crush him in a huge hug. The trio then started jumping up and down screaming and crying happily. They were soon joined by Ron, Crystal and Hermione.
'Harry you're a bloody genius.' Ron shouted ecstatically, as he crushed his sister in another hug.
It was then at this point that Remus Lupin, coming for his daily inspection of Neville and Ginny walked through the doors of the great hall. Seeing Harry and his friends jumping around happily and the rest of the staff and students looking at them with gaping jaws he thought he'd let himself be known.
'What did I miss?'
'Ah Remus, I was hoping you'd come today.' Harry said as he broke away from his friends and approached his old professor with a secret smirk. 'Would you care to join me for a drink down in the dungeons?'
Twenty minutes later saw Harry, Hermione, Ron, Crystal, Dumbledore and three grinning werewolves huddled outside in the entrance hall. Of course a couple of poor first years mistook the grins of the werewolves for evil snarls and ran away at a quick pace.
'So, do we all know our parts?' Harry asked, barely suppressing a laugh.
'Yep.'
'Grrrrr.' Were his echoed responses.
'Ok, on three. One… Two… Three. Go.' Harry then threw open the doors that led to the grounds, and therefore the reporters, and watched as his friends started screaming with fervour and ran towards the reporter's campsite.
Harry started laughing and nodded for Ginny, Neville and Remus, his new Werewolf animagus friends, to start running after the others, all the while howling and growling in the bright sun.
He then heard new screams, obviously the reporter's had spotted the werewolves.
Harry then called Vakira and leapt onto his Nundu and told his shadow guardian to head towards the screams.
Racing away, Harry relished in the wind blowing through his hair. The fresh air of spring flowed through Hogwarts, giving it its much needed first new breath of life.
He gave a battle cry as he came into view of his friends and the reporters. Ginny, Neville and Remus had bundled them up in a circle and were growling softly as he arrived.
Vakira pulled up and Harry jumped off him in a flourish, waiting for Hermione to say her line.
'Oh its Harry Potter, he'll save us.' She said breathlessly as she raised her hand and rested it across her forehead in a perfect damsel in distress pose.
'Never fear fair maiden, I'll save you.' Harry repeated, doing such a good impression of Gilderoy Lockhart that he was scaring his friends. The reporters though, were eating it all up.
Harry then walked fearlessly forward towards Remus and as everybody watched him with baited breath, flicked him right on the snout.
'Bad Werewolf, bad. Sit.' He admonished firmly, watching with hidden amusement as Remus the Werewolf sat on his haunches.
He then turned with a full blown grin stuck on his features to his captive audience.
'Alright Remus, shows over.' Harry said as he saw his friends looking as though they were hurting themselves by holding in their laughter.
The crowd then let out a shocked gasp as Remus, Ginny and Neville returned to their normal selves.
'H-How?' Harry heard one reporter mutter.
'Well,' Harry started as he conjured himself a podium and took his place upon it. 'It all started last week, in the final battle. I was charging, almost ready to fight when I was tackled in the back and driven to the ground by Remus here who was in his Werewolf form. A funny thing happened though, he licked me.' He stopped here to see if anyone would say anything, but was sorely mistaken as his friends laughed at everyone else's enthusiastic look.
'Yes, you heard right, he licked me. What was the reason for this? Remus Lupin was able to control the wolf within and by so doing, took control of his body whilst he was in his Werewolf state. Yes, yes I know it's hard to believe but it happened, I still have the saliva on my cheek to prove it. How did he do it though? Well, I'll tell you. Love… It was that simple, when Remus Lupin looked into my eyes he saw my mother, someone who he loved dearly, someone who was a friend to him when no one else was. When he saw my eyes, it was love that let him take back control of himself. It was then the next day, after talking with Remus, I figured something out. So that is where I have been this last week. I have created a potion that will help all Werewolves around the world.' He finished with a wave of his hands.
Everyone stood stunned as they stared up at Harry who still had his arms held above him, waiting anxiously for their reaction.
It came in the sound of a lone clap. The clap grew louder and with it more people joined in in applauding Harry's accomplishment. Soon everyone who had witnessed what had happened had started cheering. The blinding flash of the cameras and the scribble of quills worked in tandem as they recorded the presentation.
Harry jumped down and with a wave of his hand he made the podium disappear. His eyes then bugged out and he quickly placed a Sonorus charm on his throat.
'O, ONE LAST TIDBIT OF INFORMATION, WITH THIS POTION I HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO NULLIFY THE EFFECT SILVER WOULD HAVE ON A NORMAL WEREWOLF. THANK YOU.' He then took the charm off and looked at his friends who were all smiling at him.
'Well, that went well.' He said simply with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
'Quite, now excuse me Harry, I just have to clear up all this mess.' Dumbledore said amusedly as he narrowed his eyes and began walking towards the reporters. The rest watched as he cast the Sonorus charm as Harry just did on himself.
'OI, GET THE BLOODY HELL OFF MY SCHOOL. THAT IS ALL.' Needless to say his instructions were followed in a short amount of time and soon Hogwarts was reporter free again.
Later than night we find ourselves in the Gryffindor Head Girls bedroom were Harry and Hermione were currently getting ready for bed.
Once they were all snuggled up under the covers Hermione lay on her back, arms behind her head and was staring at the ceiling whilst Harry was lying on his side and playing with a piece of her hair.
'Harry?' Hermione spoke suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
'Mmm hmm.' Harry replied distractedly as he continued to twirl his fingers through her locks. He dropped his hand though as Hermione rolled over, so that they were both now on their sides and had their faces so close together that their noses were actually touching.
'Has it sunk in yet… all the things you have done?' She whispered softly. Harry looked deep within her eyes and sighed.
'Not yet. I mean, I can't believe that there is no more Voldemort. It feels weird to know that the man whose mission in life was to kill me is dead, as well as all he's other henchman… maybe now everyone will leave me alone?'
'I don't know about that. You'll always grab attention Harry. You're you, and especially after today's little show all the Werewolves around the world are now going to come to you to save them.' Hermione said as she placed a warm hand on Harry's cheek.
'Well, I've got a little plan for that. You see, I thought I'd let Remus, Ginny and Neville take care of all that business. I'll give them all the money they need to by supplies and the store of course and then we can just make the potion so Werewolves can just by it off the shelves.'
'That's a brilliant idea.' Hermione said enthusiastically.
'Why thank you.' Harry said as he leaned in for a quick kiss.
They just lay there staring before Hermione broke the silence once again.
'Harry?'
'Mmm.'
'What happens now?'
'What do you mean?' Harry said innocently.
'You know what I mean. You promised.' Hermione said with a hint of hurt in her voice. Harry quickly wrapped his arms around her and quelled her fears.
'As soon as the exams are over we will do it.' He said tenderly and smiled as Hermione flicked her bright eyes filled with hope up to meet his.
'When? The day exams finish, or the day after or the day after that?' Hermione rambled quickly. Harry moved his head and pressed his lips against Hermione's to stem the flow of words. When he saw Hermione's eyes darkening with rage at being cut off, he smiled into the kiss and pulled away.
'The last day of term. That is the day when we shall marry.' Harry said soothingly.
'The last day of term.' Hermione repeated in a whining voice. 'But that's so far away. I want to be Mrs Potter now.' She finished with a cute pout.
'Soon my love, soon.' Harry said, laughing afterward as Hermione continued to sulk.
'Now, my turn to ask a question.' Harry said as he wrapped his arms tighter around Hermione's body.
'What are you going to do after we finish school?'
'Well, if I get marks I hope to get an internship at St Mungo's. Do you think I'll be a good Healer Harry?' Hermione asked, her voice sounding very self conscious.
'You Miss Granger soon to be Mrs Potter, will be… perfect.' Harry said proudly.
'Oh, how do you know Harry?' Hermione asked pleadingly.
'Because I know all. Hermione, sweety, relax. If there's one thing I known about you from the very first moment we met, it is that you can do anything you set your mind to.' Harry said sincerely.
His reward for saying something so truthful was a big kiss on the lips, when Hermione pulled back they were both looking very flustered.
'You know why else I can't wait for our wedding?' Hermione whispered succulently.
'Oh, what's that?' Harry stuttered squeakily. Hermione then moved in close until her lips were pressed softly against Harry's ear.
'Our wedding night.' She breathed huskily. She then leaned back and snuggled into Harry's chest.
'Oh.' Was all Harry could say.
It was exam time at Hogwarts and the 5th and 7th years were the most stressed of the whole school.
But the student who everyone avoided the most was Hermione. Ever since they had entered the month of April, Hermione Granger had been possessed and had turned into one of the scariest people in Hogwarts.
'Hermione, calm down.' Harry tried to say in a placating voice.
It did not work though and Hermione turned on him with eyes burning dangerously.
'Calm down… Calm down. Harry, must I remind you how important this exam is?'
'What, its only Charms.' Ron said dumbly. Everyone around him new it was a mistake as soon as he said it and they all moved away from the tall red head who, seeing this, started to realise he had said the wrong thing as well.
'What did you say Ronald Weasley.' Hermione hissed softly.
'I… Hermione listen…You can't.' Ron was then saved from Hermione raised wand as the doors to the great hall, turned exam hall, were opened by a stern looking professor McGonagall. Ron screamed hysterically and ran pell mell into the hall.
'Well, in a more sedate pace than Mr Weasley, you may enter.' McGonagall said with a small twitch of her lips.
'It's all over.' Harry said, relief evident in his voice, as he sunk down under a tree on the grounds.
His friends followed suit, and soon they were all sitting under the shad in couples. Hermione in Harry's lap, Crystal in Ron's and Ginny who was currently holding Shydan and was licking her fur in Neville's lap.
'Er, Ginny, what are you doing?' Ron asked as he moved his tongue about in disgust. Ginny looked up at him with a disbelief written on her face.
'What does it look like, I'm giving her a bath.' Ginny said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
'Did she tell you how she was able to apparate in the final battle yet?' Harry asked curiously.
Ever since that night Neville and Ginny had been able to communicate mentally with their brethren and since Shydan wouldn't tell him herself, Harry had tried to go through Ginny.
'She's says she felt that I was in trouble and she wanted to see me.' Ginny said after pausing for a few seconds to lick Shydan's ears.
'So she's magical?' Harry asked again.
'She doesn't know Harry, so stop pestering her and let her get some sleep.' Ginny said in a protective voice that wouldn't sound out of place coming from a mother.
'Okaayy.' Harry complied.
'Hey, it's not long till the big day is it?' Crystal said excitedly.
'Nope, only two weeks till we will be pronounced man and wife.' Hermione said, her voice also filled with joy.
'So how are you doing it, are you going to have a muggle priest or have someone from the ministry do it?' Crystal asked again.
'We're going to have a muggle priest. He's a friend of Parvati's family so he knows all about magic.' Hermione replied.
'How many people are actually coming?' Ron asked as he waved his wand distractedly, turning a butterfly different colours.
'Not many, just our friends and family.' Harry said thoughtfully.
'Were is it going to be held?' Neville asked.
'Down by the lake.' Hermione said.
'On the quidditch pitch.' Harry said at exactly the same time.
The soon to be married couple then looked at each other and said the exact same thing again, except roles reversed.
The others just laughed at their expense and watched as Harry and Hermione continued to squabble over their wedding arrangements.
Flyin Eagle