Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter or anything from the magical world. However, I own the plot of this story!
Chapter Thirteen
Harry pounded his fist on the front door of the Burrow, trying to hold up Hermione at the same time. When no one answered he did the same thing a bit louder.
"Hold on, I'm coming," Mrs. Weasley's voice called. Harry heard a bolt being opened on the other side and soon, Mrs. Weasley stood in front of him.
"Harry, Hermione? My goodness, what happened?"
"Death Eaters. We didn't know where else to go, sorry-"
"Nonsense, there's no need to be sorry, come and we'll make sure all of you are alright." Harry let the Grangers and Lilly go in first then helped Hermione through the open door. Mr. Weasley, who had been examining a remote control, no doubt trying to figure out how it worked, looked up from the table mildly surprised.
"Now, tell us what happened, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley prompted. Harry told her the whole story and then frowned.
"Our trunks are still at Hermione's house…"
"I'll send Fred and George over to pick them up," Mrs. Weasley replied.
"I need to go to the Ministry and tell them there has been another attack-"
"Another attack?" Harry asked.
"Have you not read the – no of course you haven't. The Daily Prophet, where is it Arthur?" Molly searched around the room and finally came up with an edition of the Daily Prophet. She handed it to Harry and he read out loud.
A series of Death Eater attacks have been reported in the last week, all concerning muggle born wizards and witches. The Ministry says it is doing all it can to find out what is going on, but without any eye witnesses or survivors, the Ministry is unable to do anything-
"The rest of it's a load of rubbish, just shaming the Ministry and you." An article on the newspaper caught Harry's eye and he snatched it back, not wanting to be rude, but knew that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't give it back to him if he asked. He quickly scanned the article and then looked back up at Mrs. Weasley.
"Well, I guess that's our news out, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Harry dear, I didn't really want you to see that…"
"It doesn't matter." Harry looked back down and the article and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
"Nice picture of me and Hermione though, don't you think, Hermione?" Harry asked, looking over at her. Hermione raised her head, pressing a hand to it and looked over at the Daily Prophet.
"Great…"
"Did that picture just move?" Lilly questioned, her eyes widening in…well…Harry couldn't decide. Could have been fear…or shock.
"Oh, this is Lilly, Hermione's cousin," Harry explained.
"Hello, dear, I'm Molly Weasley."
"I think Hermione needs to lay down and maybe Lilly does too and I know I'm going to die if I don't, is there anywhere we can go? I don't really think Ron or Ginny would want us in their rooms," Harry asked.
"Well, Fred and George don't come home that often, so I suppose you could have their room-"
"What the hell are they doing here?" Everyone turned round to find Ron and Ginny at the bottom of the stairs.
"They're just going to stay here until you all go back to school," Mrs. Weasley replied.
"Well what if we don't want them staying here?" Harry jumped up.
"Look, I know you're not talking to us, but we've just been attacked by Death Eaters, the least you could do is shut your trap and let us get on with our lives," he snapped. Ron's eyes darted to Hermione who was still in obvious pain.
"You could have gone somewhere else!"
"Ronald Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley scolded.
"After six years of friendship and one stupid little argument, you're prepared to kick us out of your house and leave us to die? Is that right, Ron?"
"It was not a stupid argument-"
"That wasn't the question."
"You two lied to me! For three bloody months! You took her away from me-"
"No I didn't Ron. You did that one all on your own when you punched the living day lights out of me in the Entrance Hall."
"That still doesn't give you the right to come into my house uninvited-"
"Would you just both stop it!" Hermione shouted, jumping off the sofa. "You're both acting like babies!" Harry turned his head to face Hermione, surprised at her sudden out burst and sighed.
"Sorry, sorry. Come on, you need some rest." Harry stepped forward and put Hermione's arm round him, helping her to the stairs. Lilly followed. He was waiting for Ron to make some snide remark as they walked past, but he didn't. Hermione struggled up the stairs, but they were finally in Fred and Georges room and he laid her down on the bed, then lay down beside her, pulling her into a hug.
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Lilly was already downstairs with the Weasley's by the time Harry and Hermione got up and everyone was in a good mood. After all, it was Christmas day. Hermione parents both looked up and smiled.
"Hermione!" Hermione's mum said, standing up and pulling her daughter into a hug. Mr. Granger stood up and nodded, so Harry could see, in the direction of the kitchen.
"I'm just going to get a drink…" Harry said, uncertainly. Mr. Granger nodded. "Do you want one Hermione?"
"Yes, please," Hermione replied. Harry kissed her forehead before hurrying off to the kitchen. He couldn't hear what Hermione's dad said, but he was in the kitchen a few seconds later. Harry grabbed two glasses out of the cupboard and began filling them with water.
"Harry."
"Sir."
"So, you're…dating, Hermione?" he asked. Harry looked up.
"Yes, sir," Harry replied.
"I appreciate what you did for her back at…home, but I want you to know that if you ever hurt her, you'll have me to answer to." For a moment, Harry was more scared of Mr. Granger than he was of Voldemort. But only for a second.
"I know, Sir, and I'd never hurt Hermione in a million years. She means more to me than anything else in the world."
"I'm glad to hear that, Harry." Mr. Granger grabbed some orange juice off the counter and poured some into a glass. "Don't want to seem suspicious now." Harry laughed. "I'm glad we had this talk. It's very reassuring to know that you care for Hermione as much as you do."
"Of course, Sir." Harry grabbed the two glasses and walked towards the kitchen door.
"And, Harry," Mr. Granger said, at the last moment, causing Harry to turn around. "My name is Daniel."
"Err…yes, sir…I mean…Daniel…" He smiled and Harry walked out of the kitchen. Hermione kissed him quickly as she took her glass of water and they sat down at the table. Harry looked up to find Ron staring at him and nearly fainted when he half smiled.
"What's wrong?" Hermione whispered. Harry looked at Hermione, then his eyes quickly flashed to Ron again.
"Nothing," Harry replied. "Nothing."
Hermione sat next to Harry by the Christmas tree, while they waited for everyone else to finish breakfast. Ron came and sat next to them.
"Hi…" he said, feebly. Harry looked at him and Ron fiddled with his fingers before looking up at Harry.
"Look, guys, I've been an idiot…I really did over-react when I found out. I was just so upset that you didn't tell me…"
"We should have told you," Harry replied.
"I mean, I wouldn't have been happy about it or anything, but…"
"I know." Ron held out his hand to Harry.
"Friends?" Harry smiled and took it.
"Of course." Hermione stood up and grabbed two present from under the tree, handing one each to both of them.
"Merry Christmas." Ron took his present and looked at it.
"It's not a book, is it?"
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"Grab her!" Harry shouted, dodging a snowball. Hermione screamed as Ron jumped out from behind a tree and she skidded to a halt, standing between the two boys.
"Oh, come on," she said, looking from one to the other. "I only shoved a bit of snow down your shirt."
"Only? It was cold!"
"So?"
"So, you're going to pay!" Harry and Ron ran forward at the same time and Hermione darted in another direction, but soon found herself trapped.
"Now we've got you," Ron threatened, in a menacing voice.
"How about-"
"No, way," Harry interrupted. "You're not talking your way out of this one!" He ran forward and grabbed her round the waist, throwing her over his shoulder.
"What shall we do with her?" he asked.
"Exactly what she did to us, I think…"
"You wouldn't dare!" Hermione squealed, beginning to struggle. Harry motioned for Ron to gather up some snow and then put Hermione on the ground, still holding her wrists at shoulder height.
"Let me go!" Hermione pleaded, trying to pull away. Harry's eyes quickly flashed to Ron who was coming up behind Hermione and he quickly kissed her. Hermione stopped struggling and then a moment later pulled back gasping as Ron shoved a handful of snow down the back of her shirt. Harry laughed and quickly slammed another snowball in her face. Hermione bent down and scooped up a snowball, while Ron and Harry were laughing and walked over to Harry. She grabbed the front of his shirt and Harry jumped. He grabbed Hermione's wrist.
"Ron, give us a hand would you?" he asked, after a moment of Hermione trying to get the snowball down his shirt. Ron stepped forward and grabbed Hermione round the waist. She screamed and kicked and Ron lost his footing, falling to the ground. Hermione shrieked and pulled Harry after her and the three of them ended up in the snow, laughing. Hermione lay down on her back, despite the bitter cold and Harry and Ron soon joined her. Hermione wrapped each of her gloved hands in one of the boys and closed her eyes.
"I'm so glad we're friends again," she said quietly.
"Me too," Ron replied.
"And now," Harry said, leaning up on his elbow to look at his two friends. "Now we can defeat Voldemort together." Hermione's eyes snapped open and she looked at Harry. He looked back and smiled.
"Why did you have to bring that up?" she asked. "You always do that."
"Because I want you both to know that from now on we'll always be together, no matter what, and when he's gone, we'll all still be here." Ron smiled and leant up on his elbow, which left Hermione laying in the snow between the two of them.
"You mean it?" she asked. "We'll always be together, no matter what?"
"No matter what."
"You three!" Mrs. Weasley shouted from the house. Harry and Ron looked up to find her searching for them.
"Over here, Mum!" Ron called.
"What are you doing in the snow, honestly! Come on, everyone's just got here!"
"Everyone's just got here?" Harry asked. Ron shrugged.
"I wasn't aware that anyone was coming over this Christmas, they don't usually," Ron replied, starting to get up. Harry got up too and together they both helped Hermione up. She rubbed her gloved hands together and pulled her coat tighter around her body.
"I'm freezing," she said, staring to walk towards the house. Harry whispered something to Ron and the both ran up behind her, put on each of their arms at the back of her knees to make her fall backwards, which she did. They both grabbed her and carried her back to the house, sharing her weight evenly between them. They walked in to find everyone staring at them and the boys quickly put Hermione on the floor where she turned round and hit them both.
"Ah, here's out famous trio!" Remus laughed, from the couch, watching as Harry and Ron tried to grab Hermione. Ginny snorted from the couch and the three of them stopped and looked round. Although Ron had forgiven them, Ginny had refused to, and was still doing her best to completely ignore them.
"We'll get you back for that slap," Harry warned, pointing a finger at Hermione. She poked her tongue out at him.
"And that," Ron laughed.
"When you three are done threatening each other, maybe you'd like to join us for something to eat?" Fred asked, looking impatient.
"Whatever," Ron replied, poking Hermione in the side as he walked past. She squealed and Ron laughed while hanging his coat up.
"Don't do that!"
"Why? Ticklish?" Ron asked, playfully.
"No," Hermione replied. Harry walked past her and did the same thing.
"She is." Lilly laughed from the sofa and Ron looked over.
"Wonder if it runs in the family?" he mused. Lilly jumped up.
"Boys, not now," Remus said. "Sit down. We have something to tell Harry." Hermione and Ron looked at him for his reaction and then both sat down when he did.
"What?" Harry asked. Dumbledore stepped out from the kitchen and Harry's eyes flashed between the two.
"What?" he repeated.
"Harry, we've been through Sirius' will," Remus stated. Harry stared at him as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope.
"This was for you."
"Do you know what it is?" Harry asked, not making any attempt to open the envelope.
"It told me in my letter." Harry took the envelope and turned it over, slipping his finger under the seal to pull it open and taking out the letter in it. Harry read it to himself then tipped the envelope and a key fell out. He looked up at Remus.
"What's it for?" Harry asked. Remus licked his lips.
"Harry, your parents were in hiding when he came to kill them. They…they had another house, a cottage, that was their real home-"
"No, I don't want it," Harry said, holding out the key to Remus.
"Sirius was looking after it and he was going to give it to you-"
"I don't want the key, don't give it to me, take it back, I don't want it-"
"They left it to you when you were old enough-"
"I don't want it!" Harry shouted dropping the key on the floor and jumping up. Ron and Hermione jumped up too. Remus picked up the key and forced it into Harry's hand.
"It's not mine to take. It's yours." Harry fell back into the chair and turned the key over in his hand. He felt someone touch his shoulder and knew without looking around that it was Hermione. He looked up at everyone and put the key in his pocket.
"It's Christmas. I'm sure Mrs. Weasley's cooked us something nice to eat, and I don't want to spoil it for you. I'll worry about this later." Everyone gave him a concerned look, but wanted to escape the uneasy tension in the room as quickly as possible.
"So, what're we having, mum?" Fred asked.
"Ron looks like he could eat a horse!" George added. Everyone laughed and even Harry managed a smiled.
"Why am I always the victim of your jokes?" Ron asked.
"Because you're an easy target." Harry ate in silence and Hermione looked over at him a few times to check if he was ok. Not wanting to upset everyone, Harry stayed in the living room while Ron and George thrashed each other at wizards chess. Fred was watching, betting on his twin and Hermione was sitting in a chair, doing the one thing she did all the time. Reading.
"I believe you are in check, little brother," George said. Ron cursed and Harry looked up briefly to see him checking over the board.
"Hermione, dear, could you give me a hand with this?" Mrs. Weasley called. Hermione looked up.
"Coming, Mrs. Weasley!" Hermione looked at Harry one last time before disappearing from the room. The couch dipped next to Harry and he turned to find Lilly sitting there.
"Hi, Harry," Lilly said, uncomfortably.
"Hiya."
"Harry, Hermione's really worried about you."
"She told you that, did she?"
"She doesn't have to. It's obvious." Harry looked round at her and leaned backwards against the sofa.
"You know…my mums name was Lilly," he said. Lilly looked away.
"Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't know-"
"It doesn't matter. I'll make sure Hermione's alright. Thanks, Lilly," Harry said, standing up off the sofa. Lilly smiled.
"That's alright, Harry." He smiled and walked out to the kitchen. Hermione was helping Mrs. Weasley stack a handful of plates in the cupboard.
"Do you need any help?" he asked.
"No, no, I just need to do a little bit more washing up after this-"
"I'll do it," he offered.
"Don't be silly, Harry, I'll do it."
"No, really. I want to do it, I don't mind. You always do it. You deserve a rest."
"Oh, Harry dear, that's very kind of you." Harry smiled and walked over to the sink. The basin was already filled with water and plates and Harry began to scrub them.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I was just a little surprised, that's all." Mrs. Weasley took this as an answer, nodding.
"I'm just off to make sure Fred and George aren't up to anything, I'm sure I heard them talking about something earlier." Harry was about to tell her that he had seen them playing chess, but after thinking about it he didn't. As soon as he was gone, he gathered up a whole handful of bubbles and turned to Hermione, she had her back to him and was still putting the plates in the cupboard.
"Hermione…" Harry said, pretending to be upset. It worked. She instantly turned round, worriedly and Harry blew the bubbles into her face. She closed her eyes as and smiled.
"Merry Christmas," Harry laughed, pushing her back against the counter and pinning her there with a hand either side of her. She looked up at him and kissed his forehead.
"Merry Christmas," she whispered. Harry took this opportunity to lean down a capture her lips in a kiss. Neither of them were sure how long they stood there kissing, but someone cleared their throat from the doorway, which caused them both to look up. Both Hermione's parents were standing there, looking at them. Hermione went a deeper shade of red than Harry had ever seen her go and avoided eye contact with them. Harry looked at her dad and although he had a disapproving look on his face he nodded. Hermione suddenly shoved him back and covered her face with her hands. No one was quite sure what to say.
"Sorry, mum. Sorry, dad," Hermione groaned, still not moving her hands from her face. Her dad….Daniel stepped forward and pulled Hermione into a hug.
"Doesn't matter, you're growing up. I'll have to deal with it." He held her out at arms length and pulled away her hands, then put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"You two are made for each other, and that's all that matters," he continued. Hermione smiled.
"Thanks, dad," Hermione replied, cheerfully, pulling her dad into a hug. When she pulled away, he looked up at Harry.
"I suppose you're a bit old for a hug, and that'll just be uncomfortable." He held out his hand and Harry took it.
"Well," Daniel said, reaching in the cupboard for a glass and running it under the tap. "I came in here for a drink. Now I have it, I suppose you two can…err…continue what you were doing." Hermione blushed and Harry smiled.
"Thanks, sir…I-I mean…Daniel," Harry corrected. Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise when Harry used her dad's first name and they rose even higher when her dad raised his glass to Harry. Her mum sent her a stern look and her eyes flashed to Harry before both parents disappeared. Harry leant back against the counter and looked at his girlfriend.
"Didn't know you were on a first term basis with my dad," Hermione said, leaning back against the counter opposite him.
"Oh yeah," Harry replied. "We had a little heart to heart."
"When?"
"Earlier today when we went to get a drink of water."
"Oh. What did he say?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out," Harry replied, grinning. Hermione slapped his arm and he quickly kissed her.
"You, Mr. Potter, are becoming too cocky for your own good."
"You bring it out in me, I think."