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Chapter 4 -- #12 Grimmauld Place

Ron finished reading Harry's note, turned and told the twins to wait a minute. He ran from the kitchen to his bedroom, grabbed four new chocolate frogs and handed them to the twins. "He's ready." Ron said as he reached the main floor, handing the frogs to the twins. "Bring him back soon; Hermione is at her wit's end." The twins and Hagrid left to retrieve Harry.

Ron went to the door of the living room; having asked his mother if he could get two mugs of hot chocolate for him and Hermione. She smiled and gave him a platter with a pot of hot chocolate and two mugs. He carefully carried it up the stairs and entered the living room.

Hermione was sitting in the middle of the long couch watching the fire. He stood watching the firelight danced across her face and hair. He shuddered as he watched her. Thinking how beautiful she was and wondering if he would ever have the courage to tell her how he felt. Breaking the chain of thought, he realized he was holding a platter as he shook slightly. Entering the room, he sat it on the table in front of the couch. Hermione had still not heard him. "'Mione? Would you like some hot chocolate while we wait?"

She turned to him, tears streaming down her face. Sniffling, she said, "Yes, thank you." He poured her a mug and made to sit across the room. She quietly asked if he would sit with her. He sat with his back to the end of the couch away from the fire, not wanting to intrude on her thoughts. Soon however, he saw her shoulders sagging and heard the sobs. He took the mug of chocolate from her and sat it on the table. As he looked back at her, she was still staring at the fire. He reached his hands to her shoulders, as he had so many times the last few months. He gently tugged on her shoulders as she allowed herself to be pulled against him. Her back to his front, she felt safe when she heard his heartbeat. She sat comfortably between his legs lying against him; nuzzling closer to him, she reached up to take his hand and wrapped it around him. As always, her tears tapered as her security level increased.

Hermione had not slept well since her parents' deaths. The Death Eaters had been merciless when they tortured them; blood and pieces were everywhere. Hermione was not to have seen it, but when she had been notified by Professor McGonagall, she immediately conjured a portkey and went directly to her home. Harry and Ron arrived seconds later with Professor Dumbledore. They saw the tail of her cloak as she ducked into the house; leaving Dumbledore's side, they ran into the house after their best friend.

There were Aurors everywhere when they entered the house. The stench was overwhelming as the blood and entrails covered the floor. When the boys found Hermione, she was sobbing on the floor. Ron picked her up, protecting her, and followed Harry out into the sunshine. Professor Dumbledore conjured a portkey to return them to the Hospital Wing at Hogwart's. Neither of the boys left Hermione's side; both available to hear her heartbroken whine or tear. Ron still tasted her tears when he thought about that horrible first few days. Unless aided by a potion, Hermione did not sleep.

At the funeral, Hermione was flanked by Ron and Harry. Being the only child of two only children, she now had no family except the two boys. Ginny, Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Arthur, and Molly came to assist where they could; but found that Harry and Ron were up to the task at hand. Whenever someone would approach her, she seemed to shrink into them. They held her up physically through the graveside burial. Only after the last shovel full of dirt was thrown on the grave, did she allow Harry to carry her away from her parents.

Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Harry stayed at the Burrow the week following the funerals. Dumbledore gave them a week out of school to help her come to terms with her losses. Fred and George came in every evening, with jokes and laughter directed only for her. Molly and Arthur spoke the first night of her arrival; deciding she would always have a home with them. Hermione thanked them quietly before going to Ginny's room to bed.

The night of the funerals was the first night of the nightmares. It was also the first night she found herself wrapped in Harry's arms. Each time she slept from that night after, one of the boys would watch her sleep. At the first sign of trouble, they would sit her on their lap, rock and whisper reassuring words of comfort to her.

Upon their return to Hogwart's, since the boys were not allowed in the girls rooms; when Hermione would have a nightmare, she would go to the common room and sit by the fire. Her obsession with helping Harry and homework became a ritual of new spell books and research. As the nights wore on, Harry or Ron could be found waiting for her to come down the stairs again. It was almost three weeks after their return that Ron woke to find Hermione in bed with him. After that, she could be found either in bed with him or Harry; entering some time after they fell asleep. There was nothing sexual between any of them, but their deep friendship was the only safe place she found at times where her body and soul could rest.

Her nightmares, obsessions and research culminated in an inability to be alone. When she was separated from Ron and Harry, she found that she could not concentrate for any length of time on any task. She watched their Quiddich practice, and could be found waiting outside the dressing rooms as they showered. Ginny was relegated to a back burner friend, only helpful when the boys had classes away from her.

Surprisingly, when she had Arithmancy, it had been Draco Malfoy that kept a close eye on her. The first class after returning to school, she hyperventilated soon after walking in the door. Draco had sat close to her. When it started, he moved into the seat next to her. He even held her hand and put his arm around her, pulling her close as he whispered words that helped bring her down from the oncoming panic attack. After that class, he walked with her, at times physically holding her up, until they found Harry and Ron. Draco watched as Hermione fell into Ron's arms. Draco told Harry what had happened. It both shocked and surprised him when Draco had promised to help her when he was in class. Ron soon followed the others up to the common room, not leaving the rest of the day.

Several times over the term, Draco would sense when she was not only hyperventilating, but well on her way to a full scale panic attack. He had to pick her up, leaving their bags and books behind, and find Ron or Harry, pulling which ever one he could find first out of class to assist her. It was an unspoken assistance that saved Hermione many questions that she was unable to answer. Draco would get a quiet thank you from the friend of the moment, and would leave without a backwards glance. He even went so far as to learn their schedules for classes coinciding Hermione's Arithmancy and Ancient Ruins, which made it easier to help her. They found out that over the Easter Holidays, Draco had been beaten badly by his mother and a 'friend' for helping the 'mud-blood who should have died with her parents.'

Even now, six months after her parents died, she was not well if left alone. She worried endlessly about Harry, paced the floor as the hours ticked by, and her eyes stung with tears. She sent long letters of reassurance. When Harry wrote back, the letter was usually to them both, but if Ron got a separate letter, she leaned in close to read his words to him then shared her letter with Ron. She begged Professor Dumbledore to let them get him away from Privet Drive early; even offering to move into his aunt's home if he couldn't leave. Albus had recognized a need in her that only the reassembly of the trio could assist. He had agreed only a few hours ago to let them get Harry away from his Aunt's house as soon as possible. That 'possible' was immediate. Fred and George were joined by Hagrid for Harry's extraction. They had left just a bit ago with promises to the witch in his arms that they would return with him as soon as possible.

Her sigh brought Ron out of his thoughts. As he had so many nights before, he would hold her until she fell asleep in his arms. His right hand smoothed the hair against his chin as he whispered in her ear that it would be alright; Harry would be there soon and she could relax. For her part, the part of her grief that allowed the rational thought that as much as she cared about Harry, for the first time, she silently hoped they would take their time and she could stay where she was for a while longer.

Ron held her close, watching the fire. He noticed that, although she had not spoken, her breathing took on a slower and steadier pace. Knowing she was asleep, he leaned his head back; allowing his eyes to close too, all the while holding on to her.

Harry got his things together quickly. Not having had time to spread them out too far it did not take long. He wrote a note to the Dursley's:

Uncle Vernon and Dudley,

Hope you enjoyed the last two night's dinners. I must go away for the rest of the summer. Don't know if I will see you at the station after term end's next year, I am sure someone will let you know if that will be necessary.

--Harry

He set that aside and tried to think of how to say thank you to his aunt for the past few days.

Dear Aunt Petunia,

I wanted to write this separate from the others because I need to say things to you that I cannot say to them.

Thank you for keeping mum and dad's things for so long. And for letting me have them now. It feels right to have them in my possession. Thank you for the trip today as well. I never knew that you knew the secret keeper for the house after their deaths. You are a good person. All is forgiven. Thank you for keeping me safe with you. Thank you for the tears you finally cried for my mum. I think she would be proud of you.

Will see you at end of term next year,

--Harry

As he finished the second note, he set it on his table under his lamp, knowing that his aunt would put it back where Uncle Vernon had it before and that she would find it. He began packing with a fury. He emptied the items tucked under the loose floorboard. He put his clothes, dirty and clean, in his trunk.

He was just finishing when he heard the bottom stair creak; picking up his wand, he opened his door slowly. Leaving his room, he peered down to the lower landing. There stood Hagrid smiling up at him, flanked by two tall identical red headed men. He beckoned the twins up the stairs, waiting for Ron's signal. They handed him four chocolate frogs - two opened, two sealed. They grinned guiltily as he looked to them, his question, still to be asked "How did you start the joke shop?"

"A stupid young man…"

"…had nothing better to do…"

"…than to part with…"
"… his tri-wizard winnings…"

"Okay guys, help me with my stuff. Can you shrink it down?" The twins took their wands and shrunk each box and trunk to fit inside of Harry's backpack. Harry put it on his back and left the Dursley's to ride to Grimmauld Place on the Knight Bus.

Harry, Fred, George, and Hagrid arrived at #12 Grimmauld Place at 4:00 o'clock in the morning. Quietly closing the front door; as Hagrid made his way down stairs, the twins took his backpack up to his room so they could get everything back to the proper size, promising that they wouldn't do anything to them. Harry had explained on the Knight Bus what those boxes held. As for Harry, he stood alone in the hall. Not wanting to go any farther in; he had hoped they would be going to the Burrow, as he did not want to be here. He still missed Sirius.

He didn't feel like sleeping. Slowly, he made his way to the kitchen. He was hungry and hoped, maybe, Mrs. Weasley would be there. As he entered the room, Hagrid waved goodbye and stepped into the fireplace; the emerald green flame taking him to Hogwarts. Relief swept over him as he saw her waiting for him. Until yesterday, she was the closest person he had ever known to a mum. Emotion washed over him as he stood two feet from her. She watched for a few silent seconds before wrapping her arms around him, which proved to be his undoing.

Not since the tri-wizard tournament, had she held him like this; like a mum would. He cried, hard, complete, cleansing tears fell unbidden from his heart. He heard her whisper that it would be okay; she made no promises as to when or how, only that it would someday. Her tears matched his own; silent and cleansing. She loved him as if she had given birth to him and he had red hair. Right then, her son needed her and she was determined to give him whatever comfort he needed. He did not let go for a long time, until he had no more tears, until the shoulder of her dress was well soaked as was the shoulder of his shirt.

When he finally loosened the grip of his best friend's mum. She stood back from him and handed him a handkerchief. He blew his nose and said with a broken voice "Thank you, I didn't know I needed that." She smiled and agreed that she did too. The twins entered the kitchen. Harry found he didn't care how long they had been there. He didn't care if these two had seen him cry, it certainly wasn't the first time he had broken down in front of them. At that moment, he found he felt better than he had in over a year. But they weren't interested in his breakdown, they just smiled, beckoned them to follow and said "Come on - you two have GOT to see this!"

Following Fred and George up the stairs, they went into the living room. There, on the couch were Harry's two best friends asleep in each other's arms. The shock the twins had was nothing for Harry; having seen or expiernced Hermione's body close to his so often in the past few months. He bade the others good night quietly out of the room. It was almost five and he knew they would wake soon. At the foot of the stairs, Mrs. Weasley suggested that they all get some sleep. She would make a breakfast later.

The twins kissed their mum as they and Mrs. Weasley made their way quietly up the stairs leaving Harry alone. He returned to the living room, poured himself a cup of chocolate from the pot Ron had brought in earlier and sat across the room from his friends. He wanted to be there when they awoke.

Harry recognized a difference in the way Ron held Hermione. He knew their history better than anyone. He had to listen to Ron's complaints about Victor Krum. He had to listen to Hermione's complaints about Ron being thick headed. He also knew she was losing her mind without being able to see him for a few days.

Ron would have only, naturally, helped her calm down as they waited up for him. But somehow, the way Ron was holding her was different that the times he had seen them before. It was very different from when he had held her after a nightmare. Harry noticed that one hand was holding his, with their fingers laced, while the other hand held his arm protectively across her body. Harry smiled to himself as he thought of his two best friends might finally get together.

The Morning after Arriving…

Ginny woke before dawn that morning went to the loo, put on her robe, and went downstairs. It was so quiet that she didn't think anyone else was awake. She peeked into the living room. Harry turned to meet her gaze and with his hand, beckoned her in the room, a finger to his lips telling her to be quiet as she did so. He then pointed to the couch where his friends slept. Ginny rolled her eyes at them for a few seconds before smiling at Harry.

She moved in front of him to sit in the chair next to his. Harry's hand caught hers as she moved in front of him. She felt a wave of energy sweep through her body when he touched her and looked from the arm to the eyes of the man sitting there. He met her stare with a grin, knowing she couldn't say anything as it would wake the sleeping pair. Raising his eyebrows, he pulled her to his lap. Not wanting anything more than the human contact that condensed weeks of letters into silence. Ginny curled in his lap, drawing her knees up before extending her legs across the arm of the chair. She laid her head on his shoulder, snuggling into him, feeling the strength of his arms wrapped around her.

It did not take long for Harry to realize that she was asleep again. He continued to hold her close, breathing in the scent of vanilla from her shampoo, as he leaned his head close to her. He truly enjoyed this feeling, deciding that this had to be the best time of his life. Harry continued to watch his three friends sleep; knowing that he should be sleeping too, but unable to. In his own way, he was resting; he was safe, Ginny was in his arms. He was content to just wait for them to wake up.

Just as he began to nod off in the warmth that was Ginny, he heard someone coming down the stairs. He turned to see Mr. Weasley standing in the doorway. Harry smiled in the firelight, and put a finger to his lips as Mr. Weasley opened his mouth to speak. He nodded and walked in silently behind Harry's chair. Only then did Mr. Weasley realize that Harry was holding his youngest child while she slept, an occasional snore escaping, but obviously deep sleep was hers to have. Harry looked him in the eye and nodded silently across the room. Mr. Weasley looked across the room to find his second shock of the morning, Ron was holding Hermione. This meant three of the four were sleeping more soundly than they had since the funeral. He knew of her nightmares at Hogwart's and only recently had lost a bit of sleep himself because of their late night screams.

He whispered to Harry, "Are you okay?" Harry nodded and smiled. He mouthed, "Thank you," to him. Mr. Weasley put a firm grip on Harry's shoulder, stood, stoked the fire to bring more warmth into the room, and left. At the sound of her dad's voice, Ginny stirred a bit, almost back to consciousness, Harry stroking her ginger hair urging her back to sleep. Harry nodded off a bit as well. Not quite asleep, but relaxed as he felt home.

Sun was streaming in the windows when Ron stirred. Hermione, sleeping, sensed her pillow moving, not ready to let go, she held tight to his arm. Ron startled, but when he realized that he had slept most of the night with Hermione, relaxed, kissing her tenderly on her forehead. Hermione, holding the arms tightly around her, mumbled "Ron?"

Harry opened his eyes at the sound of Hermione's voice, but said nothing. Ron's only response, as she looked sleepily into his blue eyes, was to strain his neck to gently kiss her good morning. The smile crept across both their faces as they began to talk in whispers. Harry, watching this, nudged Ginny out of her dreams; she opened her eyes and smiled. He looked at her in the sunlight coming through the windows, and met her eyes. He nodded in the direction of her brother and his best friend. Ginny turned to see his brother's kiss. Laughing out loud, she said loudly, "Well, it's about time". Both Ron and Hermione startled looked across the room at a grinning Harry holding on to a smirking Ginny.

"Harry? How long have you been there?" Ron and Hermione asked at the same time. Ginny, grabbing Harry's watch said, "Well, it's noon, and he's been here since at least five when I came down." Turning to Harry, she added, "Your legs must be asleep".

Harry grinned and said "Yes, and I need to go to the loo as well." Ginny realizing that there was hardness between them jumped up apologizing.

Watching as they left the room, Hermione noticed Ron's embarrassment, realized that there was something very large and hard between them. She moved, deliberately rubbing against him as she did, but did not move away. Ron squirmed as Harry and Ginny left the room. "Err, 'Mione? I… uhm...think I need to get up too."

Hermione kissed him again. Pulling away, she took a deep breath, looked at the hardness under his sleep pants, and added "I think you already are up." Raising an eyebrow, which made Ron's ears turn pinker, pulled away and left the room. Ron had never been more embarrassed or hard in his life. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to walk up the stairs. But he did.

Mr. Weasley returned to the house at six that night. He took the boys upstairs and discussed why he should not walk in and find them in that situation again. Trust went a long way and he did not feel that it would help either one of them to break that trust. The boys explained what had happened but agreed not to let it happen again.

The first week passed with work and laughter. It was only June 29th, and he was already away from his Aunt's home and with his friends. Professor Dumbledore asked Harry about his charm bracelet, suggesting that perhaps he would like to see some of those books they had gotten out of his parent's room. He readily agreed.

The first book returned to normal was a photo album. Three little boys sat looking up at the camera. The blonde, brunette, and brown haired boys were playing in front of the couch at Godric's Hollow. Page after page of these little boys playing. He recognized pictures of himself and Neville, but did not recognize the third boy. The last page held a picture of the three little boys, now todders sitting next to a baby in pink lace; each paying no attention to the camera as they watched her sleep. He wondered for a split second if he had a sister. Dumbledore did not answer his questions, which, of course, made him want to know more. Harry resolved to ask Remis next time he saw him.

The next photo album was of his parents and friends. Picture after picture of them all waving at him, or pointing to something. Harry was overjoyed at the new pictures of Remis and Sirius with his parents. He left after the first two books had been restored to show his friends.

Ordinarily, at any break, Harry could be found deep in conversation with one of the three of them, usually it was Ginny. She listened and held his hand as he talked. He spoke of that night when Sirius left him, his nightmares, his home in Godric's Hollow, his Aunt Petunia and the boxes he still had not opened. He showed her the charm bracelet he wore. It was comforting to just talk to her; she always listened to him without interruption. Before the end of that first week, he realized he needed her. The epiphany came one day as they were on the stairs and she was talking about her nightmares, and how they had lessened since his arrival. He smiled more at her, but the sadness never completely left his eyes. Because of this beautiful Red-Head, he felt that he was truly beginning to heal.

But today, work was forgotten for a few moments. He was showing them all his photo albums. They cooed over how cute he was. He assumed the boy with brown hair was Neville, but did not know who the blonde was. Half way through that book, Harry and Neville were still laying on the floor, but the blonde was running around the room. Harry's photo self watched him running. The real Harry laughed at the expression on the faces of him and Neville being left behind by the blonde tyrant. He asked their opinion of the little girl. They all agreed he should speak to Remis.

A couple of days into that wonderful week after his arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley opened the door to Professor Dumbledore. At dinner that evening, he suggested that they spend some time at the Burrow. The kids, eagerly awaited the response to the suggestion, were overjoyed when the adults accepted. They would go the next morning.

After dinner, the kids went to their rooms to pack a few days clothes in their backpacks. Ron noticing Harry looking at the boxes now stacked neatly between his bed and the wall finally asked "What's in those, Mate?"

Harry turned to see Ron still staring. "Not a clu,." his gaze returned to the stacks and added "I'm…afraid to open them." he said simply.

Ron walked across the room and put his hand on his best friend's shoulder. "I'll help if you want, or I'll leave you alone to do it when we get back. Just let me know what I can do. 'Mione and Gin will help too." Harry looked at the big hand on his shoulder and took a breath before he whispered his thanks to the best friend a guy could have.

The next morning, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were found at the kitchen table. An excitement filled the room as they talked about going home. Harry paused at the door as he heard that word "Home". He had visited the home he shared with his parents only a week ago. He wanted to share that with them. He spoke quietly to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, "Err… I wondered if you might help me with something at the end of summer." The two red heads looked at him, silently beckoning him to continue. "I would like to go to Godric's Hollow and get some of my parent's things to bring life back to this house. And I really don't want to go alone."

Mrs. Weasley hiccupped at his fear. How could he think she wouldn't help him? Mr. Weasley stood and walked to Harry. His face full of compassion and love as he looked into the green eyes. His answer was, "We would be honored." It was decided, they would spend a week at the Burrow where the kids could stretch their legs, and see what mischief they could get into. After that they would decide on the next course of action.

They flooed to the Burrow that morning; the following day, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had a business trip that would take them to London. After assuring them for the hundredth time that they would be safe, the adults left the four teenagers in the capable hands of Bill and Charlie Weasley.