"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"French"

$Parseltongue$

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Authors Note: Revised the chapter, made some edits and fixed the typos.

Three – Mornings, and Meetings

Over the years Harry had found that when you're overly excited for the coming day. You either wake up far too early or you oversleep, there was no in between. The speed at which Harry rushed down the staircase, three steps at a time, clearly indicated today was one of the latter.

He had overslept, catastrophically so.

His meeting with Madam Pomfrey began in ten minutes, and now usually when in the same building, ten minutes would be a reasonable amount of time. Even within Hogwarts, this is usually true. The issue here was that the Gryffindor dormitory was situated in a tower, and annoyingly so was the hospital ward, unfortunately for Harry. They were not in the same tower.

In his haste, Harry very nearly crashed into Hermione at the foot of the stairs.

"Harry!" she startled.

"Sorry, I overslept, I'm really late, can't stay and chat, really so sorry," blustered Harry out breathlessly, halfway to the common room exit already.

"Harry, I know! It's why I went to get you something to eat," said Hermione quickly, moving towards him with a wrapped up toastie.

Returning to her, Harry grabbed Hermione by the shoulders, planted a big kiss on her forehead, took the toastie from her hands, and rushed off once more. His voice trailed behind him, "Hermione you are an absolute angel!"

Hermione watched him rush off, stunned at the kiss he didn't even realize he gave her. The remaining members of the Gryffindor common room having enjoyed the early morning entertainment, returned to whatever it is they were all doing before the towers two most unofficial-not-in-a-relationship, but-really-are-in-a-relationship housemates done a morning husband and wife routine.

Eventually having snapped out of her stupor, Hermione noticed the surrounding housemates. She blushed heavily before grabbing her bag and rushing out of the tower towards the library. The bookworm was hoping to see if Penny was there, wanting to thank her friend for the help in the train, as well as catch up with the older girl.

Harry arrived outside Madam Pomfrey's office breathless with a stitch stabbing at his side and only two minutes to spare.

'I really need to get started on those morning runs, maybe I shouldn't have eaten while running.'

He really did not want to be late, regardless of his familiarity with the woman, he planned on showing her that he was serious about this. After a moment spent getting his breathing in order, nearly shaking in anticipation, he knocked on her office door.

He was unaware that she already knew of his arrival, a small pair of trinkets on her desk which light up when someone enters the hospital wing, and another when someone is right outside her office door. Gifts from the headmaster, on the condition that she does not mention that he uses the same in his office, wanting to keep his mystique.

"Come in Mr. Potter," she called.

The young man nervously pushed the door open and stepped into her office. Having never actually been in here, he glanced around at the surroundings. Her office was neat, the walls adorned with bookshelves, no doubt healing related texts. She had a pair of sealed cabinets behind her desk, probably where she kept student files and anything else that would be considered confidential. Where the office was tidy, the desk was anything but. Scattered papers, quills, open books, and the remains of what must have been her breakfast all adorned it.

"Good morning, Madam Pomfrey," Harry greeted her with a smile, trying to hide his nerves.

Putting her quill down, she welcomed him in.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter, take a seat," she gestured to the open seat in front of her desk.

Once seated, Harry looked at her expectantly.

"Tea, before we begin?"

Thirsty from the run and having had nothing to wash down the toastie, he accepted.

"Yes, please, that would be great, thanks," he answered appreciatively, as she handed him a steaming cup.

Seated again, she began. "So, Mr. Potter, in your letters, you expressed your interest in pursuing the healing arts, and I agreed to teach you the basics, but you didn't explain what brought this on?"

Harry took a sip from his tea, wetting his throat before he began to relate the series of events which sparked his interest. "The morning of the world cup, I had a conversation with Percy Weasley, it raised questions in my mind, mainly, what do I want to do with my future?"

He met her eyes. "See, before this, I'd never really put much thought into it. I always knew I wanted to do something helpful, but that was about it."

Madam Pomfrey nodded along with his story, "continue."

"You heard about the attack at the world cup? The death eaters?" asked Harry.

"I have," she paused, "wait, goodness, you weren't caught up in it were you?!"

"Uhm no, yes, but I wasn't hurt," he answered, knowing what her next question would be.

"How do you find yourself in these situations Mr. Potter," she sighed. "This is exactly why I agreed to this meeting in the first place."

"I don't go looking for trouble…" The sheepish expression on Harry's face only further aggravated the woman.

The stare she perfected over years of dealing with students trying to dodge her questions caused the young Potter to squirm in his seat. Unable to hold on any further, Harry admitted the truth, "alright, some of the time, I'm not looking for trouble…"

"This time it wasn't my fault though, I had to help, there's no way I could have just stood there," he wilfully defended his actions.

At her raised eyebrow, he began to explain, "when the attack came, Mr. Weasley ordered us to get back to the area where our portkey landed."

He took a deep breath. "When we moved through the woods on our way, there was this girl… being tortured…" he trailed off, remembering the way she screamed.

Madam Pomfrey kept silent, letting the young man collect himself.

Harry took a sip of his tea before continuing. "I had to help her, and I did. But when the death eater was trying to get away, he hit her with a piercing curse. She was losing so much blood, and I couldn't stop it."

His pained expression tugged at the heartstrings of the woman. "I understand, you don't have to continue Harry," she comforted.

"No, it's alright, I want to finish."

"I tried to keep pressure on the wound. The death eater cast it hastily, so it wasn't focused enough to go all the way through her, but it was wide you see."

She nodded, knowing that a sufficiently powerful and well performed piercing curse could easily penetrate stone.

"She had a sister too, a really young one, maybe around a firstie's age. She was crying so much, and still she done such an amazing job of speaking to her older sister through the situation, honestly, she was incredible," praised Harry.

"There wasn't anything further I could do though, but when help arrived, the auror, one with the St. Mungo's emblem on his coat," he'd learnt the meaning of the green symbol, "he stopped her bleeding and knew everything that was wrong with her in seconds."

"When I saw that, I just thought, I know what I want to be now. I want to save lives."

"Since then, being a healer was the only thing I could imagine myself being. I mean sure, I've thought of quidditch among others before, but I've never felt this sense of right, like I did the moment I decided on healing."

"It was like you knew no other profession would fulfil you as much as healing would?" came Madam Pomfrey's voice, understanding evident in it.

Harry looked up, before softly saying, "…Yes, exactly"

The Matron smiled and placed her empty teacup on the desk.

She met his eyes. "Don't sell yourself short Mr. Potter, had you not staunched her bleeding, the girl could very likely have died that night, piercing hex's bleed quickly unless pressure is applied at the very least."

Harry smiled softly as he saw the truth in her eyes. He raised his cup, his throat a little dry from the recollection.

Madam Pomfrey picked up her quill and signed her name on a piece of parchment before folding it and placing it within an envelope. She sealed it with wax and handed it to him.

"Take this to Professor McGonagall, I believe you have a meeting with her soon."

Accepting the envelope, Harry met her eyes.

She answered his silent question. "In that envelope is my agreement as well as the terms of this arrangement."

Glad to see the joy take hold of him, she continued before he could thank her. "I've reviewed your schedule, you will be here through at least half of all of the free periods available to you within the week, during weekends, I want at least ten hours. However, you choose to split that, though on the occasions where students are allowed to go to Hogsmeade, we will reduce it to five hours."

She watched Harry eagerly nod along to her words.

"If there are circumstances preventing you from fulfilling the allotted amount, you will notify me in advance. By advance I do not mean ten minutes prior. I will not be strict regarding this but be reasonable. In order to maximize the amount of time spent in the hospital wing, I will allow you to do any assignments or homework you may have here. If you get hungry, you will also be allowed to call for an elf to provide you with meals here."

"Yes, Ma'am," agreed Harry quickly.

"Before you say yes, listen to the rest."

Harry nodded, calming himself down.

"While you are here, you will be assisting me with every patient, unless the situation would cause said patient discomfort, such as a female peer of yours, in these cases I will inform them that you are here to learn from me as a prospective healer and are functioning as my assistant. If and only if the patient fully agrees to your presence, will I allow you to remain."

She nodded, able to see how serious the young man was taking this.

"Your behaviour reflects me, and if just a single time, I catch you leering at a patient, or behaving inappropriately, I will terminate our agreement, and you will be disciplined accordingly."

"Do we have an understanding?" asked Madam Pomfrey sternly.

"Yes, Ma'am," answered Harry, understanding her seriousness, and the trust she is placing in him.

"Good, see me on Sunday at three and we'll get you sorted out, you'll start Monday, and I'll be regularly evaluating you on the reading material that I prescribed in our letters, as well as what I've taught you. So, make sure you find the time to get through it and pay attention when I am teaching you."

"I've already gotten through the first chapter on diagnostics charms," responded Harry.

"Good, keep it up, and Mr. Potter, I really do hope you follow through with this ambition, you have a lot of potential, and I am so proud to see you putting it to use. Prove yourself to me, and we'll make a healer out of you yet," said the Matron, genuinely happy to see how serious he really was about learning the healing arts.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey, you won't be disappointed," said Harry seriously, "I really want this, I won't let you down."

She smiled, "pray that you don't, now scoot, off with you, or you'll be late to your meeting with Minerva."

Harry stood, and after grabbing his bag, made his way to the door, letter for McGonagall in hand.

He stopped before leaving and turned to speak. "See you on Sunday Ma'am, and again, thank you for doing this. It really means a lot to me."

"You're welcome, Mr. Potter," said Madam Pomfrey with a soft smile.

Harry couldn't wipe the smile from his face as he made his way slowly to Professor McGonagall's office, luckily, he was early enough that he didn't need to rush this time.

Professor McGonagall's office in sight, he composed himself before knocking. A stern, but friendly 'come in' sounding through the door. He stepped inside her office, this one though being one he has been in before, though usually when he was in trouble, or trying to find help in preventing some major catastrophe..."

"Good morning, Professor McGonagall," greeted Harry.

"Good morning to you too, Mr. Potter."

"Please," she said, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk.

Harry sat down. "Oh, Madam Pomfrey wanted me to give this to you," said Harry, handing over the letter.

His head of house unsealed the letter and began reading. Her surprise was clear by the way her eyebrows shot up. "Well, Mr. Potter, you must have impressed Poppy greatly, do you know what this is?"

"Uhm, not exactly Ma'am, Madam Pomfrey said it was her agreement?" responded Harry curiously.

"This," she indicated the letter, "is a request for the approval of apprenticeship, requiring my signature, as your head of house."

Noting the confusion on Harry's face, she elaborated. "What this means, is that she is not going to be teaching you basic healing as she initially informed me, instead she will be training you, from an early start mind you, as her fully fledged apprentice."

Harry sat there stunned, he couldn't believe it, "but isn't that only for post OWL students?"

"Normally yes, but exceptions can be made, and know this Harry, Poppy has only done so once before."

"Wow, uh, I don't know what to say," said Harry, still trying to wrap his head around this turn of events.

"Say thanks the next time you see her, is all."

Harry nodded, agreeing with his head of house.

"Now Mr. Potter, I called this meeting initially to determine whether your decision to take arithmancy and drop divination was a simple spur of the moment, and your newfound desire for academic excellence fleeting, as disappointing as that would be."

Taking a breath, she smiled warmly at him, "but based on Poppy's agreeance, you are clearly fully devoted to this course." She signed her agreement, before placing it to the side. "I will file this and inform the headmaster."

Though the old woman would deny playing favourites, she couldn't deny Harry was one of hers. What with the relationship she had with his parents, and with how fine of a young man he was. She felt nostalgic seeing the ambitious side of his mother making itself known within him. He always had her kindness and her compassion, but now he was beginning to show himself to be even more like her than she thought.

"Your mother would be so proud of you Harry, she was a truly brilliant young woman, your father too, but your mother... She was one of a kind."

Harry swelled at her words, the thought of doing his parents proud emboldened him.

"Uhm Professor, you knew them, could you tell me about them some time? I don't know much of anything really. I always get told that I resemble my dad, and that I have my mum's eyes. But." He frowned. "Other than Snape or my aunt who only have dreadful things to say, nobody ever really speaks to me about them…" trailed Harry off, his tone taking a sombre turn. "I have some photos of them, that Hagrid got me, but that's honestly pretty much it."

Minerva was stunned, the young man in front of her has been back in the wizarding world for over three years now, and has learnt nothing of his parents, of his family? The Potters were old, amongst the oldest, practically steeped in history, and his mum, Lily, bless her was an absolutely incredible young woman.

His head of house, saw the hope in his eyes, and could not bear to deny him. "Of course, I unfortunately don't have time today, but how about we meet for tea later in the week, perhaps after your session with Poppy?"

"Brilliant! I'd love to," responded Harry, excited at the prospect of learning more about the two people who brought him into the world.

"It's settled, now before we end this meeting, I will allow you to take the third year arithmancy class, but in order to fit it in, you'd have to join the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw classes for Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Care of Magical Creatures. Is this acceptable?" she asked.

Harry nodded, before asking, "will I be with Gryffindor for the Arithmancy classes?"

"Less students choose arithmancy than the other electives, you will be in one class for all four houses."

Harry was happy with this, at least he would know some of his classmates well enough.

Once Professor McGonagall finished penning his timetable, she signed it before handing it over to him. "Well, we're finished here, a little bit earlier than I expected. Since you have the rest of the day free Mr. Potter, perhaps take the time to ensure you are prepared for next week's classes. You have quite the year ahead of you, but I'm confident you'll pull through. You are Lily's son after all, and I'm sure Miss Granger will be more than willing to assist you."

He accepted the timetable and stood.

"Before you go, please know, that my door will always be open to you. In all honesty Mr. Potter, I have failed in my position as head of house. My other posts are so time consuming that I spared far too little attention to my Lions, and I'll see to remedy that," said the woman, an apologetic smile on her face.

"You've done alright Ma'am, but if I have a suggestion, perhaps specify a window where you guarantee your availability? Maybe two hours or so in the common room one evening or afternoon? Or even a twenty-minute session with the house."

"That's a great idea Mr. Potter, I'll be sure to do so, thank you."

Done with his meetings for the day, Harry went to find Hermione. He figured she'd likely be in the library, or perhaps the common room. Right on his first guess, he found her sitting alone at her table in the back left corner. She looked up as Harry slid into the open seat across from her.

"Knew I'd find you here," he said fondly.

"Hi Harry, how did your meetings go?" greeted Hermione, blushing slightly, remembering the kiss from earlier that morning. She noticed his good mood, setting her book aside, she waited for his good news.

Unsure whether he should just go straight for it and tell her about the apprenticeship offer. He decided to start at the beginning instead. Harry recollected the mornings happenings, Hermione being the good listener she was, nodded along and prompted for clarification at points.

"Wait, that sounds like more than just some basic healing or first aid? She wouldn't be as serious if it was," queried the curious bookworm.

"Hold on, I'm getting there," responded Harry. "So, I hand over the letter to McGonagall, and clearly she was stunned by whatever it said, could see it on her face."

Harry smiled at seeing the eager to ask expression on Hermione's face.

'She really is struggling to hold back the questions,' he snickered internally.

Being merciful, Harry continued. "So, Professor McGonagall, stares at me and asks if I know what the letter was, when I answered I didn't, she went on to say that Madam Pomfrey was offering me an apprenticeship."

Harry watched Hermione, waiting for the words to sink in. A second later she squealed before lunging at him in a bone cracking hug.

"That's incredible Harry!" the excitement in her voice so great, you'd think it was she that had gotten the offer.

He couldn't help but laugh, though his lungs struggled to do so under the force of her hug, tight as her hugs were, he loved them regardless.

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back tightly. "I know, can't quite believe it myself, I'm still not sure if I really do."

"Behave yourself you two or get out!" scolded Madam Pince, tracking down the commotion.

Sufficiently chastised, the pair let go of each other, before apologizing to the woman.

"We're sorry Madam Pince, we'll be quiet," came Hermione's heartfelt apology.

Harry content to simply nod along with her.

She eyed them, glaring at Harry, but softening her gaze when she turned towards Hermione.

"See to it that you are," said the librarian, before stalking off, perhaps in search of others breaking the rules of her domain.

"I don't think she likes me very much," observed Harry, as he watched the woman leave before turning back to Hermione.

"I think you're right Harry," laughed the bookworm, trying to keep her voice down.

"Oh, by the way, McGonagall approved my taking Arithmancy. I'll be starting with the third years, and I have to attend the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw classes for Defence and Care of Magical Creatures. It's the only way to fit it into my timetable."

"It's a shame we'd be losing two of our classes together, but I'm glad it could be done at least."

"I agree, you don't know if Ginny takes Arithmancy by any chance?" asked Harry. "Wouldn't mind as many friendly faces as possible."

"She doesn't, but I think her roommate, the one she hangs out with a lot, does."

"Robins? I think I've spoken to her like once maybe…" His eyes widened. "Hey, Luna is a Claw, maybe she'll be there."

"It's likely, the class is mostly made up of Ravenclaw's."

"Ah, we'll see when I get there," said Harry, dropping the subject before speaking again. "Head up the common room before lunch? I'm starved, thanks again for the toastie, I'd be dead on my feet right now without it."

Hermione nodded her agreement. "You're welcome, Harry," she smiled, glad to have helped.

The pair arrived at their common, Harry noticed that his dormmates weren't around, he checked upstairs, finding none there either.

'Ron must have gone down with Dean and Seamus, probably already in the great hall.'

He left his bag, before joining Hermione and making their way down to lunch. They found Ron along with the others already at the table, the pair greeted those around as they seated themselves at the closest available spot near their friends. Harry was sat between Hermione and Katie, Ron a bit further up, but just out of earshot. The other chasers along with the twins on the opposite side of them.

"So," started Katie, leaning in.

"So?"

"That was quite a show the two of you put on in the common room this morning," said Katie, her tone unclear whether it was a question, or a statement. Her fellow chasers eyed the pair with a cat like focus.

"What show?" asked Harry, confusedly, wondering what she meant.

Meanwhile Hermione blushed, having realized where this was heading.

"Don't play dumb Harry, we saw the two of you." She said before continuing dreamily, "the meal handoff as you left, the kiss, the heartfelt declaration of Hermione's angelic nature."

Every word uttered from Katie's mouth, caused an exponential increase in the redness of Hermione's face. Harry spluttered, understanding the implications, but unable to form an answer.

Angelina to Harry's relief put an end to Katie's teasing. "Enough of that Katie, let's leave the closet lovebirds alone. I'm more interested in why Harry was in such a rush though. He nearly barrelled right through the Fat Lady when he left."

Accepting the helping hand for what it was, Harry answered her. "I had a meeting with Madam Pomfrey and then McGonagall."

He noticed the sudden worried expressions on the faces of the three chasers, the twins already aware of his healing interests kept still. Harry realized where their thought processes must have gone. He elaborated, putting the three of them at ease. "I'm planning on becoming a healer, met with Madam Pomfrey regarding lessons and such, and I need Arithmancy, hence McGonagall's meeting."

"A healer, that's brilliant Harry, you'd make a great one," complimented Angelina.

Katie on the other hand swooned, "Oh I can just imagine it, laying in that hospital bed when the door opens, and Harry enters with his healer uniform. He'd be all dreamy and sexy, then he'd lean over you, getting in nice and close to check your temperature, you'd smell his cologne first, before he'd ask, "How are you feeling today, Miss?" while he stared at you with those soulful green eyes."

The group was silent as everyone stared deadpan at Katie.

Ignoring her, Alicia followed up. "So, what'd she say? You're getting lessons?"

He smiled, unable to keep in his excitement. "She's doing more."

The young Potter held firm in the face of the increasingly penetrating stares, unfortunately for him. Hermione had decided to put an end to his fun.

"Stop teasing them," she laughed.

Harry sighed, "alright."

He sat up straighter. "She offered me an apprenticeship."

The collective cries of "WHAT" sounded through the hall, the chasers' voices along with the twins echoed and drew the attention of every pair of eyes in the room.

"SORRY!" announced Angelina, placating the hall.

She turned back towards him. "Seriously?" disbelief battling with her trust in Harry.

"Seriously, I'm just as stunned as you are."

"You know this means…we're..." started Fred excitedly.

"…celebrating!" finished George.

"No parties please guys, at least not yet. Maybe wait until I make it through the first bit without getting kicked out," begged Harry with a laugh.

"Fine, but we're still celebrating, even if it's late," responded the twins.

"Deal, just need time to get my head around it all and settled in first."

Lunch continued, the happy mood from Harry's announcement carried over into the rest of the conversation. The chasers though noted how close Hermione sat to Harry and smirked at each other knowingly. There's only so long you can deny it.

The news regarding his apprenticeship rapidly spread up the table, some of his friends called him to gesture their congrats.

Ron hearing the news, immediately got up and squeezed his way in to seat himself closer to them. "Is it true Harry? You're going to be Pomfrey's apprentice?" he asked, trying to temper his excitement for his friend.

"It's true Ron," answered Harry, glad his friend is happy for him.

"Good on you mate, bet it's going to be a ton of work, better you than me Harry," he laughed.

"You have no idea…"

The group questioned him, asking him to elaborate. So, he explained the details of his schedule and what the upcoming work with Madam Pomfrey is expected to be.

The amount of time he would be putting in at the hospital wing surprised them. They'd never seen Harry explain something with as much fervour before. A warming sight to the three older girls who had always treated Harry as something of a little brother on the team, what with him being so tiny when he joined.

Eventually, once sated, and enough time had passed. He decided to retire to the common room, wanting to continue the material Madam Pomfrey recommended, as well as go through some of Hermione's third year arithmancy notes.

Of course, being the bookworm that she is, Hermione opted to join him, but instead of the stuffy common room on what is a rather nice day. She recommended they read outside on one of the courtyard benches.

Ron chose to join Seamus and Dean again, the prospect of spending the whole afternoon studying certainly not did not appeal to him. He did wish them the best, though saddened at the loss of time with his two best friends. Ron was enjoying hanging out with Seamus and Dean, one of which happened to be about as lazy as him, and almost as interested in quidditch.

The afternoon came and went, many students noticed Harry and Hermione in their own little world. Though they barely spoke, comfortable enough in each other's presence to appreciate silence together.

Nearing the end of the afternoon, they saw Malfoy in the distance, walking with his usual group. Hermione remembered Harry's odd secrecy on the train, this being a fairly private and reasonable time to ask, she did.

Able to trust that she wouldn't try and ruin it, Harry admitted his suspicions to her. "When we ran into Malfoy at the world cup, and his dad was insulting us. He was very quiet don't you think? Not even a word from him."

"He was," answered Hermione, recalling the moment.

"Well, I thought so then, and when I paid more attention, I noticed he wasn't looking at either Mr. Weasley or myself. Not trying to be narcissistic or anything, but we were the ones holding the conversation…"

"So, I followed his line of sight, and can you believe it, he was staring at Ginny."

"Wait, you think Malfoy, is crushing on Ginny?" asked a bewildered Hermione.

"I do, and I think he's crushing on her hard. Think about it, would it really be that bad? We know Malfoy's an idiot, and an ass, and he's a bigot, but he doesn't have to be. He isn't so far gone that he can't change, and he'll have to change. Don't get me wrong, if there's even so much as a hint that he'd up hurting her, well she's got me and six older brothers, and you, you did hit him pretty hard last year."

Hermione was thoughtful. "Hmm, and if there is one girl here who could take care of herself and smack him out of being an ass, it would be Ginny," said Hermione, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

"Exactly!"

"It would be tough, can't imagine his parents would be all too keen on him dating a Weasley. On Ginny's side, I can see Mr. Weasley try to be understanding, even if he hates Lucius Malfoy, I don't think he'd hold Draco's parentage against him. But Mrs. Weasley would be hard to get through," worried Hermione.

"Circumstances aside, if he's serious, and honestly does change and Ginny does give him a chance. He'll have all of us there to help them."

Hermione nodded seriously, "agreed."

Harry noticed Hermione suppress a shiver, the afternoon had cooled significantly, not wanting either of them to get ill. He thought it better that they retire to the warmth of the castle.

"Let's head inside, warm up a bit in the common room, maybe spend some time with Ron before dinner. We can always continue studying after, and if we're lucky, the couch at the fireplace will be open as well."

Hermione smiled, looking forward to spending the evening studying with her favourite person.

The two made their way, the increased amount of time spent together, just the two of them as a result of Ron's laziness, was rapidly improving an already great relationship.

"Still find it hard to believe, Malfoy likes Ginny"

"Believe it, I'm completely certain I'm right."

END CHAPTER THREE