Chapter 22
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August 25th 1992
It has been three weeks since Harry found an unexpected visitor in his room and since then he hasn't received another visit so he has been able to enjoy living with Remus and Hermione, as well as seeing Neville quiet a lot.
It is a Tuesday evening and Harry and Hermione are both in Remus's study. Hermione is sitting on the couch reading while Harry is sitting at the desk finishing the last of his homework.
"And I'm done." Harry says with a proud look.
"Really?" Hermione asks, looking up.
"Yep." Harry says with a smirk, "And thanks for the advice, Snape really shouldn't find anything to complain about." Harry says with a smirk, "Although, it's Snape, he might find something to complain about." He says as his smirk turns to a frown.
"Probably." Hermione says with a frown as Remus walks into the room.
"Okay, it's all organized." Remus tells Hermione and Harry as he walks in, "Neville will be here in the morning and then all four of us will floo to Diagon Alley where we'll meet up with the Weasley's. We'll do our shopping and then Harry you'll go with the Weasley's and spend the rest of the holidays there; your trunk and Hedwig will be waiting for you when you get there." Remus explains as Harry asked to spend a few days with Ron's family.
"Will you be altering your appearance again?" Hermione asks her Papa.
"Slightly." Remus answers, causing both Harry and Hermione to frown as neither like that, though they understand why Remus is going to.
"If I want to come home before we go to school, can I?" Harry asks, nervousness to his voice.
"Of course you can." Remus says with a smile, being pretty sure that that is the first time Harry has called the house home.
"Papa Harry's finished his homework so can we have a movie night?" Hermione asks.
"Sure." Remus answers.
"Race you to the kitchen." Harry tells Hermione.
"You're on." Hermione says and they both start running, causing Remus to smile fondly at pair, knowing that he is going to miss them both so much when they go to Hogwarts in a week.
August 26th 1992
The following morning Remus, Harry and Hermione all get up, have breakfast together, and then once Neville arrives they floo, one at a time, to Diagon Alley, Hermione first, then Harry, then Neville, and then Remus.
"Where are we meeting The Weasley's?" Hermione asks curious once they are all out of the fireplace.
"Outside of Gringotts." Remus says and the four of them start to walk, "Stay together, but if you do get separated to go to Gringotts." Remus says, suggesting that as it is the easiest place in see and get to in the alley.
"Yes, Remus."
"Yes, Papa."
Harry, Neville and Hermione say together as Remus uses his wand to open the portal.
"This place is soo amazing." Harry says to Neville and Hermione.
"That it is." Hermione confirms.
"Yep." Neville confirms, causing Remus to smile and together the four of them walk down the alley Hermione, Harry and Neville looking around in amazement the entire time they walk.
A few minutes later Remus, Hermione, Harry and Neville walk up to Gringotts where there are seven red haired people waiting.
"Hey Harry, Neville." Ron says with a smile, "Hermione." He adds, in a forced pleasant tone.
"Ronald." Hermione responds.
"I take it we all need to visit vaults?" Molly asks.
"Yes." Remus confirms.
"Then, we best do that." Arthur says and the Weasley's, Harry, Hermione, Remus and Neville head into the bank.
After going to four different vaults, Hermione's, Harry's and Neville's all being significantly more full than the Weasley's, the group of eleven emerged from the bank and split off into different groups, one of which Is Remus, Hermione, Hermione, Neville and Ron.
That was about an hour ago, and after getting everything they need except for their books, Remus, Hermione, Neville, Harry and Ron are making their way to Flourish and Blotts where they are meeting up with the others.
"What's with the crowd?" Neville asks, sounding confused.
"Lockhart." Remus says, noticing the sign that says Lockhart is doing a book signing.
"We can meet him? He's written all our books." Hermione says, looking excited.
"Hermione I hate to disappoint you, but I was at school at the same time as Lockhart and I very much doubt he is going to live up to your expectations." Remus explains to his daughter.
"But…. All his books, all the things he's done." Hermione says to her father.
"Says he's done." Ron corrects, saying the most he's said to Hermione all day.
"Why don't you four head inside, I'll wait out here." Remus says as with the appearance altering he has done people who known him fairly well would be able to recognize him and he doesn't want to risk someone recognizing him as that could put Harry, Hermione and Neville at risk.
"Okay." Hermione says and the four, soon to be, second years' head into the bookshop.
Finding it difficult to make it through the bookshop as there are so many people Hermione, Harry, Neville and Ron grab some of the books they need before making their way to where The Weasley's are standing.
"Oh, there you are, good." Mrs. Weasley says, sounding breathless as she keeps patting down her hair, "We'll be able to see him in a minute….."
"Where's Remus?" Arthur asks Hermione in a quiet voice.
"Outside, he didn't want to be recognized." Hermione explains to Arthur who nods and as he does Gilderoy Lockhart slowly comes into view seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of himself, all of which are winking and flashing dazzling white teeth at the crowed.
The real Lockhart is wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly match his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat is set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair. As he sits a short, irritable-looking man is dancing around taking photos with a large black camera that emits puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.
"Out of the way, there." The man snarls at Ron as he moves back to get a better shot, "This is for the Daily Prophet."
"Big deal." Ron says annoyed, running his foot where the photographer had stepped on it. Unfortunately, Lockhart heard Ron's comment so he looks up and as he sees Ron, he sees the person right next to him, Harry, which cause him to leap to his feet and basically shout,
"It can't be, Harry Potter?" Lockhart asks, sounding shocked.
At Lockhart's words the crowd parts and everyone whispers excitedly. Seizing his chance Lockhart dives forward and grabs harry, pulling him to the front and causing the crowd to burst into applause.
As Lockhart shakes Harry's hand for the photographer Harry's face starts to go red as truthfully he would rather be basically anywhere else.
"Nice big smile, Harry." Lockhart says, "Together, you and I are worth the front page." Lockhart says and once he finally let's go of Harry's hand he can hardly feel his fingers so he quickly tries to get back to Hermione, Neville and The Weasleys, but before he can Lockhart throws an arm around his shoulders and clamps him tightly to his side.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." Lockhart says loudly, "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harr here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography, which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge." Lockhart says, pausing for the crowed to applause, "He had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" Lockhart announces, causing the crowed to cheer and clap, and as they do Harry finds himself presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Finding all the books very heavy and difficult to hold Harry manages to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny is standing next to her new cauldron.
"You have these." Harry mumbles as he tips the books into the cauldron "I'll buy my own." He reveals.
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" says a voice Harry has no trouble in recognizing and as Harry straightens up he finds himself face to face with Draco Malfoy, with his usual sneer on his face, "Famous Harry Potter," Malfoy says, "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that." Ginny, speaking for the first time, says, glaring at Malfoy.
"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend." Malfoy says in his drawing tone of voice, and as he does Ginny goes scarlet as Ron, Hermione and Neville fight their way over, all three of them clutching stacks of Lockhart's books.
"Weasley! What are you doing here, I bet your parents will go hungry for about a month to pay for all those." Malfoy says.
Hearing that Ron goes as red as Ginny and he too drops his books into the cauldron and starts towards Malfoy, but Harry and Neville grab the back of his jacket,
"You're all talk, Malfoy." Hermione says annoyed, having come to the decision over the past few weeks that she isn't going to let Malfoy get away with treating her or her friends in the same way he treated them last year.
"Ron." Mr. Weasley says, struggling over with Fred and George before Malfoy can respond, "What are you doing? It's crowded in here, let's go outside." Mr. Weasley suggests.
"Well, well, well, Arthur Weasley." A voice says and a man who must be Malfoy's father appears and places a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Lucius." Mr. Weasley says, as he nods coldly.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear." Mr Malfoy comments, "All those raids, I hope they're paying you overtime." Mr. Malfoy says as he reaches into Ginny's cauldron and extracts, a very old battered copy of a beginner's guide to transfiguration, "Obviously not." He says, inspecting it, "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of Wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?" Malfoy asks, causing Mr Weasley to flush darker than either Ron or Ginny.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." Arthur says, coldly.
"Clearly." Malfoy says with a sneer, "And I thought your family could sink no lower." Malfoy comments and suddenly there is a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him backwards into a bookshelf.
As he does dozens of heavy spell books come thundering down on all their heads as there is a yell of,
"Get him, Dad." From Fred and George.
As they yell Mrs Weasley shrieks, the crowd stampers backwards, knocking more shelves over, "Gentlemen please." Cried the assistant, and then louder than any anyone is.
"BREAK IT UP." Being yelled by Remus add Hagrid as they both come towards them, once they are close enough Hagrid pulls them apart, as Remus hurries over to Hermione, Harry and Neville, saying their names as he does, having his wand in his hand the entire time and once he is with them Remus stands in front of the three kids, clearly protecting them.
Once they are pulled apart it becomes clear that Mr. Weasley has a cut lip while Mr. Malfoy was hit in the eye by a book and is still holding Ginny's old transfiguration book, which he thrusts at her, his eyes glittering with Malice.
"Here, girl, take your book, it's the best your father can give you." Malfoy says and as he does he looks at the group and as he sees Remus standing in front of Hermione, Harry and Neville his eyes flicker between Hermione and Remus and he gets a brief look of realisation on his face.
"Come Draco." Malfoy says as he pulls himself free of Hagrid and the two of them leave the shop.
"Yeh, should've ignored him Arthur." Hagrid says almost lifting Mr. Weasley off his feet as he straightens his robes, "Rotten ter the core, the whole family, everyone knows that, no Malfoy's worth listenin' ter bad blood, that's what it's called, come on now, let's get outta here." Hagrid says and the Weasleys, Hagrid, Remus, Hermione, Harry and Neville leave the bookshop, all the students having their new books, Remus still having his wand in his hand out of instinct, being prepared to react in a second.
August 31st 1992
It has been five days since Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy got into a fight at Flourish and Blotts and ever since Harry has been staying at the Weasley's, though he has made a couple of floo calls back to Remus and Hermione as for the first time ever Harry has a home, and a family, to miss.
It is late afternoon, the day before returning to Hogwarts, and Hermione is sitting on her bed reading one of Lockhart's books, with a record playing, and as she reads Hermione finds herself becoming annoyed and she throws the book through her open door, almost hitting her Papa.
"Sorry, Papa." Hermione says with a frown.
"It's okay." Remus says as he bends over and picks up the book, "But what did the book do to you?" he asks curious as he is pretty sure that Hermione has never thrown a book in her life.
"Look at the name." Hermione says simply as she picks up Paddy and cuddles him close, honestly not caring that by most people's standards she'll be getting too old to cuddle with a soft toy.
Looking down at the book Remus reads the name and he realises the problem,
"Ah I see." Remus realises as he sits down on Hermione's bed.
"There's so many things wrong with it, and it's just adding to the fear of werewolves." Hermione says with a frown.
"People will always fear werewolves, Hermione, they'll always fear me." Remus tells her.
"They shouldn't! It's stupid." Hermione says, angrily, "He's just adding to the fear, making things worse."
"People should be afraid of Werewolves, Hermione." Remus tells his daughter.
"Maybe, but they shouldn't be afraid of the people who turns into werewolves." Hermione says, "Lockhart is making people afraid of people!" she says annoyed, "Can I correct him in class?"
"You could, I'm not sure how well he would take it though." Remus tells Hermione, being pretty sure that Lockhart won't like that.
"Good to know." Hermione responds and as they do the two of them drift into silence and Remus realises what Hermione is listening to.
"Hermione where did you get this record?" Remus asks.
"They was a box of records in the attic, I found them when we were looking for the owl perch for Harry's room, decided to listen to them." Hermione explains, "I really like them. Are they yours?" she asks, looking interested.
"No." Remus answers, "They're your Dad's." he reveals.
"Oh." Hermione says, sounding surprised, "Do you want me to put them back?"
"Do you really like them?" Remus asks Hermione.
"Yes, I really do." Hermione answers,
"Then you should keep them." Remus says, "Your Dad one said that records should be listened to, not kept in a box or on a shelf." He reveals and Hermione just nods, not sure how she feels about having the same music taste as Sirius.
"Emma dropped by some cupcakes, do you want to try them?" Remus asks his daughter, seeing that she is looking conflicted.
"Yeah." Hermione confirms and the two of them get up and head downstairs.
September 1st 1992
At ten fifty-five the next day Hermione, Remus, Neville and Augusta are at Kings Cross Station getting onto the Hogwarts express.
"Papa, I don't see them." Hermione says sounding worried.
"I'm sure they are in a different carriage." Remus tells his daughter, trying to hide his own worried, "Molly and Arthur have been taking their children to catch the train for a very long time, I'm sure they're here somewhere." Remus tells Hermione, "You'll find each other on the train." Remus says, though the truth is that he would like to say goodbye to Harry before he leaves, though he doesn't see that happening.
"You two should get on the train." Augusta says, "It will be leaving soon."
"Right." Hermione says, "I love you, Papa." Hermione says, hugging him.
"I love you, Hermione, more than anything." Remus says as he holds her and he places a kiss on her head, "You better get on the train. Tell Harry I'll write you both."
"I will." Hermione assures him as they break apart, "Bye Papa." Hermione says and she and Neville get onto the train.
Not long after Hermione and Neville get on the train it starts to move and the two of them wave until Remus and Augusta can no longer be seen.
"Did you decide on what you're going to do about your name?" Neville asks curious.
"I don't want to go by Granger, but after Ron's reaction I'm too afraid to go by Lupin-Black." Hermione admits, looking sad, but then she quickly pulls herself together, "Speaking of Ron, I'm going to go find him and Harry."
"Okay. I'll wait here." Neville responds and Hermione nods, before leaving the carriage.
It has been a couple of hours since Hermione left Neville and she is finally returning to the carriage, looking worried.
"Mione? What's wrong?" Neville asks concerned when he sees her.
"They're not on the train." Hermione reveals.
"What?" Neville asks confused.
"I've looked into every carriage, Fred, George, Ginny and Percy are all here, but Harry and Ron aren't!" Hermione says, sounding upset, "They're not here, Nev, something's wrong! They've missed the train!" she says.
"No, Mr and Mrs Weasley wouldn't have let that happen." Neville says, sounding disbelieving.
"Well, they did. They're not here, Nev. I double checked." Hermione says worried, "We need to tell someone, but we have no way to contact them!"
"As soon as we get to Hogwarts we'll tell someone." Neville tells Hermione.
"What if that's too late?" Hermione asks and Neville's shrug, having no idea what to say to respond to that.
Many hours later Hermione and Neville are outside the Gryffindor common room when they finally see the two people they have been worrying about all day.
"Oh thank Heavens." Hermione says, rushing forward and hugging Harry.
"I'm okay." Harry assures her as they break apart.
"What happened? There are the most insane rumours. People are saying that you were expelled for crashing a flying car." Hermione explains.
"We weren't expelled." Ron says annoyed, "What's the password?"
"Are you really saying that you flew a car?" Neville asks, sounding shocked.
"Yes, Min-Gonagall, is going to write Remus. How disappointed is he going to be?" Harry asks worried, having to correct himself half way through, and Neville looks at him sympathetically at that.
"Hard to say." Hermione admits.
"Can you two please catch up later." Ron snaps, "what's the password?" Ron asks once more.
"It's Wattlebird." Hermione says, sounding annoyed and as he says the password the portrait open allowing the four entrance, but as soon as they walk in Hermione finds herself unable to talk to Harry anymore as the rest of Gryffindor house wants to congratulate them, sounding much happier with the pair that Hermione is.
September 2nd 1992
The next morning Hermione is still far from happy with Harry and Ron, something that becomes perfectly clear to the pair as they join Hermione and Neville at breakfast.
"Morning Mione." Harry greats, trying to make an effort but Hermione, doesn't look up from the book she is reading.
"Mail's due any minute." Neville comments, trying to defuse some of the tension, "Gran's probably sending thing that I forgot." He reveals as Harry and Ron start to grab breakfast too.
A few minutes after Ron and Harry sit down the mail arrives, Omega files straight to Hermione, holding two letters and Errol crashes in front of Ron,
"Oh no." Ron says, looking horrified.
"Don't worry, he's still alive." Hermione says, trying to make an effort with Ron even though he doesn't want much to do with her, "Here Harry." Hermione says, handing one of the letters over and as she does Harry looks at the letter with almost the same kind of horrified look as the one Ron has on his face.
"Not the owl, that." Ron says pointing to the envelope, a bright red one that is smoking, "She sent me a howler." He explains.
"Don't ignore it, believe me it will be worse if you do." Neville tells Ron.
Hesitantly Ron reaches out and opens the letter, and the second he does and the bombing voice of Mrs Weasley voice echoes around the hall,
"STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE
LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED, ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED.
YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME."
Once the yelling finally stops the letter bursts into flames and Ron continues to stare at the ashes and after a few laughs around the hall everyone's goes back to what they were doing.
"Well, I don't know what you were expecting…." Hermione starts to say.
"Don't start." Ron says angrily, "You going to open yours?" He asks Harry and as he does Harry stares down at the letter in his hand, having no idea what to expect.
"Open it, Harry." Hermione tells him, "It can't be any worse than you're expecting." She explains and after taking a deep breath Harry opens the letter.
Dear Harry,
I would like to start by saying I am so glad that you weren't hurt, flying a car and crashing into the Whomping Willow, could have killed you, and Ron, and I am very glad that you're okay, that you weren't hurt in anyway.
Now, what were you thinking? When you found the Gateway blocked you should have waited for Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, or me, you knew that we had to come back through. Or, instead of waiting you should have sent Hedwig to Hogwarts. You had many options, and taking Mr. Weasley's flying car to fly to school shouldn't have been one of those options; I'm very disappointed, Harry.
Now, that being said, I want to assure you that that doesn't change how I feel about you. I am proud to be your guardian and I love you like a son, and that will never change. I understand that you must have felt like you were back into a corner, and felt like you didn't have many options, but you did, you always do. If something like this ever happens again I'd like you to think first, and then act, and know that I will always help you in any way I can.
Now, enjoy school, learn lots, and have fun. We'll talk soon,
Love Remus.
With every word that Harry reads he feels himself feeling more and more horrible, hating that he has disappointed Remus, but at the same time he can't understand how Remus can still end a letter with love after what he did.
"Harry." A voice says and Hermione looks up to see Hermione looking at him in concerned, "Are you okay?" she asks as they are all handed their timetables.
"I, think so." Harry admits, "He's disappointed, but said that doesn't change how he feels about me." Harry says, looking at Hermione in confusion, "He said that he's still proud of me, still sees me as a son." He explains, looking at Hermione in amazement.
"Of course he does." Hermione says before leaning in, "Papa may be disappointed in us sometimes, but that will never change how he feels about us." She explains to Harry in a quiet voice and he nods.
"We should get to class." Neville tells the others, "We've got Herbology first." He says.
"Yeah, we should go." Hermione confirms and the four of them get up and head out of the hall, Ron purposely standing as far away from Hermione as possible.
After the letters he and Ron received during breakfast Harry didn't expect to have a good day, but not even that could have prepared him for Lockhart, Malfoy, Lockhart, Ron wanting nothing to do with Hermione, Lockhart, a first year by the name of Colin who is quiet obsessed with him, and Lockhart, all making him wish that the day would just end.
Leaving a Defense class, where Lockhart released a cage of Cornish pixies that he couldn't handle and instead left Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville to deal with them, Harry and Neville watch as Hermione and Ron walk away in different directions.
"We need to do something about them." Harry says, "Ron can't ignore Hermione forever, he can't keep making her pay for something she can't control." He says, being able to tell that Hermione is hurting and he hates that.
"He could if he wanted to." Neville says, bitterly, "Let me try talking to him, I think I might have an idea of something to get through to him." Neville says, knowing that if it gets to the point where he has to choose between Hermione and Ron he'll choose Hermione.
"Good, that's good. I'll find, Hermione." Harry comments, "Do you think Library or tree?" He asks curious.
"I think she was heading to library." Neville comments.
"Okay, I'll head there first, see you, Nev." Harry says with a smile and the two of them head in different directions.
Five minutes after Neville left Harry he walks into the Gryffindor Common Room where Ron is sitting with his brothers.
"I need to talk to you." Neville says, feeling bold, "Upstairs." He adds.
"Fine." Ron says, knowing exactly what Neville will want to talk about and together the two of them head upstairs.
"If this is about Hermione…." Ron starts to say once they are in their dorm.
"No, you're going to listen." Neville says, being surprised by his own bravery, but he doesn't like the way Ron is treating Hermione, "You're hurting Hermione because of who her father is, but you're forgetting that both of us are related, in some way, to basically every Death Eater, and that doesn't make us bad people. Harry's horrible family doesn't make him a horrible person." Neville points out, "Sirius hasn't seen Hermione since she was two, he'll never see her, and she doesn't even remember him, and yet she pays the price for being Sirius's Black's daughter." Neville tells Ron, "Hermione hates going by Granger, it feels wrong to her, but she's continuing to go by it because your reaction has made her too afraid to tell people who she is." He explains, "You have no idea what it's been like for Hermione, knowing what her father's done, and she has to live with that knowledge every day. She doesn't deserve the way you've been treating her and if you're not careful, if you keep treating her the way you have been, it's not just Hermione's friendship you're going to lose." Neville says before leaving, leaving Ron to his thoughts.
After getting to the library Harry starts looking and after a little bit of searching he finds Hermione sitting at a table surrounded by books, all of which are clearly not to do with school work, but are on the same subject.
"Wizarding Law?" Harry asks, not being able to help but ask as he picks up one of the books.
"Yes." Hermione confirms, looking up, as Harry puts the book back down, "He deserves a trial, Harry, even with everything he did." Hermione tells her friend, hoping that he doesn't hate her, "And if Papa's belief, his faith, is right then he shouldn't have to spend another day in that horrible place." Hermione says, pain in her voice, as even though she doesn't know whether she believes that she has to believe that her Papa has to have a reason for his belief which means something, "If you hate me I'd understand, if you want me to leave you alone, I will." Hermione says as after what Sirius did to Harry's parents she wouldn't blame him.
"I don't want that." Harry says, pulling the chair out, "I want to help you." He says and Hermione looks at him in surprise.
"Harry…." Hermione says amazed.
"I don't know what I believe, but I know that if he did betray them then I want to know why, and if he didn't then I want, I need, to know who did." Harry reveals, "Either way a trial is the only way I'll know." Harry says as he sits down, "Where can I start?" he asks and Hermione pushes a book over to him and he reaches out and opens it to the right page and begins to read, neither of them know if they will succeed but they want to try.
"I don't want Papa to know what we're doing." Hermione says, after about a minute, "I don't want to get his hopes up if this leads nowhere." Hermione tells Harry.
"Okay." Harry says, understanding that and the two of them drift into silence as they both continue to read.
Hours later Harry and Hermione haven't even left the Library for dinner, but as curfew is approaching they both realizes they have to leave, being no closer to figuring out a way to get Sirius a trial than they were when Harry sat down.
Ever since they left the library Harry and Hermione have been walking in silence, neither really sure what to say as they are both a little disappointed that they haven't figured out a way to help Sirius.
As they walk into the Common Room Neville and Ron both come hurrying up to them.
"Where have you two been?" Neville asks, looking worried.
"Library." Hermione and Harry say together.
"I think I might head to bed, night." Hermione says, looking between Harry, Neville and Ron.
"Hermione." Ron says as Hermione steps away and she turns around,
"I'm really, really sorry." He says, telling the truth, "You don't deserve the way I've been treating you and I'm really sorry." He tells her, then lowers his voice, "You shouldn't have to pay for your father's actions and I'm sorry that I made you feel like you do." Ron says, "Do you forgive me?" he asks.
"Yes." Hermione answers, after about a minute of hesitation, "I do forgive you." She says, not being completely sure if she'll ever be okay with Ron, or if they'll ever be the kind of friends they were.
"Thank you." Ron says, feeling grateful, "So, um, night." He comments.
"Night." Hermione says before heading up to bed, planning on finishing reading the book she has borrowed from the library in hopes that the book will have the answer she needs to find a way to get her father a trial.
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