Chapter 12

"Some guy has been trying to get her to go out with him and she ended up telling him that she was going out with me," said Harry quietly. "What am I going to do?"

"Tell her yes," said Hermione.

"But what about us?" asked Harry.

"We're keeping it a secret anyway," Hermione said taking one of Harry's hands into hers. "If Ron starts to catch on to us, this might throw him off."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked. "You won't mind if I have to kiss Ginny or hold hands with her, will you?"

"No," said Hermione with a smile. "We can always sneak away and kiss in an empty class room or something."

Harry had to smile at his brainy lover. He really did love her a lot. Trust was another thing he had for her. Her judgement was better than his most of the time.

"I should get back before Ginny comes looking for me," Hermione said as she looked down the stairs. "I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe we can sneak off and be alone with no one around."

"Yeah before we go to Diagon Alley," said Harry with a smile.

As his lover turned to leave, Harry grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. Hermione was surprised by this action. She looked up at him and saw an expression she had never seen on his face before.

Harry was a mysterious young man that she had been trying to figure out for nearly seven years now. She knew he had lost both parents when he was only a year old and was sent to live with the Dursleys. He had survived a deadly curse that scarred him for live. He'd also been through more than any witch or wizard while at Hogwarts.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione.

"I'm just really thankful to have you," said Harry quietly. "Someone I can share things with."

Then, he leaned down and gently, but passionately, kissed the young woman before him. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Hermione slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes to return the passionate kiss.

As they parted, Hermione rested her head on Harry's chest and sighed. "This feels so good," she said with a smile. "But we have to be careful."

"We don't want to hurt Ron," Harry said, kissing the top of her head. "We better get back before people come looking for us."

"We'll see each other tomorrow," Hermione said as she stepped back from Harry. "Good night."

"Good night," Harry said. "I'll be down there in a couple minutes. Once Ron's asleep."

"Okay," Hermione said as she Apparated.

Harry smiled to himself as he went back into Ron's room. Ron was sitting on the bottom bunk playing with Harry's Puffskein. He didn't look pleased either. As Harry slipped into his pajamas, Ron asked him a question.

"What's up with you, Harry?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"You and Hermione keep sneaking off," said Ron. "Are you going out or something?"

"No, we're just talking," Harry said.

Did Ron know that he and Hermione were together, thought Harry. Or was he just guessing? He can't know. Unless he used the extendo ears.

"Oh," Ron said happily as he stood up. "Good."

"Why?" asked Harry curiously.

"No reason, just wondering," said Ron as he climbed into his bed. "Good night."

"Night," Harry said as he climbed into his bed.

I'll wait an hour before I go see Ginny, Harry thought. I don't want Ron to get suspicious.

The hour seemed to pass by so slowly, but Harry periodically checked his watch. It was five minutes to ten when Harry decided to leave. He quietly climbed out of bed and opened the door. As he sneaked down the staircase, he carefully listened for any sound that would mean someone was out of bed and might catch him.

"Hurry up, Harry," said Hermione at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hermione, what are you doing up?" asked Harry hurrying down the remaining five steps. "You should be in bed."

"I kept thinking I head you popping in and out of the room," Hermione said. "Ginny's asleep."

"Okay," Harry said as she opened the door.

The two young lovers slowly entered Ginny's bedroom. Harry carefully closed the door as Hermione climbed into bed. He gently kissed her good night as he gathered his will to wake up the youngest Weasley child. Carefully, Harry knelt beside the young girl's bed, so not to startle her.

"Ginny," Harry said quietly, shaking the small girl. "Ginny, wake up."

"Hm," said Ginny as she opened her eyes. "Harry, you came."

"Shhh, Hermione's sleeping," Harry told her. "I thought about what you said."

"And? Will you?" Ginny asked hopefully.

"Yes," said Harry with a smile.

Ginny leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you, Harry," she said. "Thank you."

"I better get back before Ron wakes up," Harry said pulling her away from her.

Before he stood up, Harry leaned forward and gently kissed Ginny's forehead.

"Good night," Ginny said as she curled up to go back to sleep.

"Good night, Ginny," said Harry as he left the room.

Once back in bed, Harry settled down for a good night's rest. Moments after the young man fell asleep; dreams began to bombard his mind.

Harry opened his eyes and there he was standing outside the house he had lived in for only one year before being sent to his only relatives. The sky was bright blue and the grass was a brilliant green. He slowly entered the house and there sitting in the living room were his parents: James and Lily. James was busy reading the paper while his wife, Lily, wrote a letter.

"Harry, dear, how was your day?" asked Lily looking up from her letter.

"It was fine," Harry said with a smile.

His mother's bright green eyes glittered with happiness as she looked upon her son. The sound of paper rustling to his right caught his attention.

"So how's Sirius doing?" James asked looking up from the latest edition of the Daily Prophet.

"He's doing fine," said Harry when a knock came from the door. "I'll get it."

"Thank you, dear," Lily said as she returned to her letter.

Harry opened the door and there stood his godfather, Sirius Black. His skin was a healthy golden color, his eyes were alight with joy, his hair was clean and neatly kept, and he was healthy instead of deathly skinny. Sirius wore a pair of black pants, a black long sleeved shirt, black shoes, and a black cloak.

"Sirius," Harry said with a smile.

"Hey, Harry," said Sirius as she entered the house.

"Who is it, Harry?" his father's voice called.

"Padfoot," said Sirius. "Prongs."

"Where's Moony?" James asked as Harry and Sirius entered the living room.

"He's on his way," Sirius said. "Hello, Lily."

"Good afternoon, Sirius," Lily said as she folded her letter. "Are any of the owls back yet?"

"I believe Hedwig is," said James looking at Harry. "Run up stairs and see if she's back, would you, Harry?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said running up stairs.

Harry had never been in this house before but he knew exactly where his room way. As he entered his bedroom, Harry saw his walls covered with Quidditch posters, his broom siting against the wall by his door, and Hedwig sitting in her cage beside the open window. He smiled as she flew over to him.

"This feels so real," said Harry. "But I know it's only a dream. I wish it were real though."

"Harry," called Lily from the bottom of the stairs. "Is Hedwig back?"

Harry hurry out of his room and to the stairs. "Yes, mother," he said as he went down to her. "Here you go."

"Thank you, Harry," Lily said as she took Hedwig outside. "Take this to Molly Weasley please, Hedwig."

Hedwig took the letter and flew off into the horizon. As she came back into the house, a loud snapping noise came from the fireplace in the living room.

"Hello, is anyone home?" came a familiar voice. "Hello?"

"It's Arthur," said Lily, hurrying into the living room. "Hello, Arthur."

"Ah, hello, Lily," Mr. Weasley said as the others followed. "I see everyone is home."

There, floating in the center of green flames, was Mr. Weasley's head.

"Yes, it's a special day," said James patting Harry on the back.

"Molly got your letter," Mr. Weasley said.

"Good," Lily said with a smile.

"Just wanted to give you the news," Mr. Weasley said with a wink.

"See you soon," Lily whispered with a smile.

"Bye," Mr. Weasley said as his head disappeared with a snap.

"Knock, knock," said a voice from the door. "Is anyone home?"

"Moony," Sirius said with a bark type laugh.

"Hello, Sirius," Lupin said. "Everyone."

"Hey, Remus," James said.

"Why don't you guys take Harry to Diagon Alley?" suggested Lily with a sly smile.

"Sure," said Sirius with a big smile. "Come on, Harry. We're going to the Leaky Cauldron."

"Don't you dare, Sirius Black," said Lily. "I'll have your skin if I even smell the slightest bit of alcohol on him."

"Yes, Lily," Sirius said with a smile. "What was I thinking?"

"You were thinking of rattling my cage," Lily said. "Now get."

"Come on, guys," James said leading the small group of guys from the house. "We'll be back in a couple hours, Lily."

"See you later," said Lily as they all Apparated from sight.

Suddenly, Harry was standing outside his home once again. Beside him were his father, Sirius, and Lupin, each with bags. James opened the door and entered the house with the others right behind him. Inside, the house was pitch black and there was no sign of Lily.

"Where's mum?" asked Harry.

A sudden noise behind the couch caught Harry's attention.