1996

Hermione was jumpy when she arrived home after her fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Josh watched her closely the first few days, unsure how to comfort his friend. Especially since he learned from her parents that she'd been hurt due to a gang that hated her for being a lower class. She was constantly flinching at loud noises, and a car backfiring had her reaching for something before she shook herself. It worried Josh.

"I'm fine." Hermione said as they sat enjoying their ice cream.

"No, you're not." Josh sighed, leaning against her. "Want to talk about it?" The girl opened her mouth before closing it.

"I know you don't like to hear about Harry." Hermione whispered. Josh beat down the jealousy that threatened to appear.

His best friend needed him right now.

"I was a jealous brat last summer, Hermione. Harry is your best friend, right? Did something happen with him?"

"His godfather was used against him. A person of interest sent Harry fake information about Sirius being tortured and to come or the the man would die. Harry exhausted everything he could to try and contact his godfather, but nothing could reach him. So we went looking for him. It was a trap that cost Sirius his life, and quite a few of us to get injured."

"Were you hurt?" Josh demanded, making the girl pause.

"Yes, I had bruising to my stomach, and a few cuts." Hermione sighed, smiling when Josh grabbed her hand. "The sad thing is, things are only going to get worse. Especially for Harry. The Person of Interest is a terrorist who is determined to kill the one boy that got away from him countless times."

"Sweet Jesus." Josh gasped, pale. "Is Harry okay? I know you're close-"

"He'll recover eventually. Physically, he was the one hurt the least." Hermione shook her head, finishing her cone. "Come on. We're going to do something fun. A new arcade opened up a few blocks over, and I haven't played games in a long time."


A week later found Josh over at Hermione's for a movie night. Mr. Granger had decided to play the Star Wars trilogy for them, and Josh was a big fan of the movies. The two were on an inflatable mattress on the floor of the sitting room. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were on the love seat. Everything was calm and quiet.

Until an owl crashed into the popcorn bowl, a letter clutched to his beak.

Hermione jumped up, pulling the owl out of the food, and checking him over. Her parents snickered at the sight, while Josh felt completely lost as Crookshanks huffed at the sight. When she sat back, she retrieved the letter. Josh could only stare in confusion as she read it. She then groaned as she dropped her head into her hands.

"Hermione, dear, what is it?"

"Just Ron being an idiot is all." The girl looked up, catching sight of Josh, who was gently petting Errol. "Josh, that is Errol. My friend's parents don't like phones, so they use carriers."

"Like Bailey." Josh grinned, "they use owls to write too." Hermione counted to ten to keep her face schooled. She would not act on her jealousy. "What did he say?"

"He wants to kidnap Harry again. Apparently he sent Hedwig to Ginny and the poor owl looks half starved. Admittedly, Harry's relatives are not nice people, but right now Harry is safest there. Ron wants to go tomorrow to his house to check on him before deciding if we should kidnap him."

"What does that mean? That his relatives aren't nice?" Josh asked, frowning.

"I mean, they treat him like a criminal mastermind, going as far as to put bars on his window." Hermione pushed her bowl of popcorn towards Errol. "They told him he was a freak, and a burden, and we can't take him away because no one can get to him where he is." The girl felt frustrated tears fall down her cheeks.

"Okay, that's it." Josh grumbled as he turned to Mr. Granger. "Sir, can you take us to Harry? He can stay with me. Grandma went to visit Aunt Carla last night, and won't be home for a week."

"Josh-"

"Of course I can." The man nodded, standing. "Thanks to last year, I even know where he lives."

"Daddy!"

"Hermione, hush. Help your mother make something for Harry to eat when we get back. I doubt he's had any food recently if the way you speak is true." The girl rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Tell him that I said Dumbledore's Orders."


Harry was the one to open the door. Black darkened the skin around one of his green eyes. He also had a split lip, and bruises on the back on his neck. He was clearly suffering from malnutrition, if his visible collarbone meant anything. He looked at Mr. Granger in surprise, before looking over Josh.

"Aren't you Hermione's friend Josh?" Confusion was the only emotion that Harry seemed to be feeling.

"That's right! I wanted to see if you would like to come stay with me for the rest of the summer!" Harry gaped at him. "I was told to tell you Dumbledore's Orders?" The older boy snorted.

"Sure. Come inside. I'll go pack now." The boy followed Harry, while Mr. Granger went to speak to the Dursleys. Harry flinched when raised voices were heard.

"Hey, it'll be okay." Josh assured, watching Harry from the door. Harry didn't meet his eyes as he continued to pack. "Can I ask what set him off this time?" Harry stiffened, "look, I need to know what your triggers are. I don't want you to be afraid. In order to know those triggers, you have to talk to me."

"I'll be fine as soon as I'm out of here, Josh. I promise." Harry tried to smile.

"Harry, I've read about abuse victims," here Josh held up his hand. It was clear the other wanted to protest. "Don't argue. If it was Hermione or your friend Ron in your position, you'd call them victims, right? It's no different if its you. No one deserves this. You won't be fine as soon as you leave. Now tell me what set him off."

"I had a nightmare." Josh waited patiently. "I woke him up, screaming Cedric."

"Let me guess, since that is a boy's name, it instantly made him think not nightmare, but another type of dream?" Josh asked softly, Harry refused to meet his gaze. "Harry, you know that there is nothing wrong with being gay, right?"

"I'm not gay!" Josh lifted an eyebrow. "I'm not. I don't like anyone like that! It's gross!"

"Oh. Oh." Josh smiled. "That's okay too, you know. You done packing? I don't hear anymore yelling so I think we're safe to leave the room, if you're packed?" Harry nodded, and the two carried the trunk down the stairs. To Harry's surprise, Remus Lupin stood in the sitting room, Moony close to the surface. Nymphadora Tonks stood nervously beside him. The man took one look at Harry, and lost it.

"You hit him?" The wolf roared angrily as he gripped Vernon by the throat. To the surprise of Josh, the, what he saw, sickly man was easily picking up a man thrice, no five times his size, and was choking him. "I told you to leave him alone! That I would be checking in on him! That I would not tolerate the abuse!" Tossing the large man to the ground, Remus began to kick at Vernon.

It took Harry pulling him away to get the man to stop.

"Please, Moony!" Harry sniffled, and the wolf softened. "I can't lose you too!"

"Mr. Granger, please take the boys home. I'll be over as soon as I take care of this filth." Remus exhaled, giving his friend's son a soft look. "It's okay, Harry. I'm just going to remove their memories of you even being home this summer."


Harry and Josh stared at each other with uncertainty. It was the morning after, and Harry was settled into the guest bedroom. Josh had awoken to a complete English Breakfast waiting, and a nervous Harry picking at bacon. The two had been sitting and picking at their breakfast for the last ten minutes.

"So!" Josh exclaimed, making Harry flinch. "I noticed you don't have much clothing! Let's meet up with Hermione and remedy that! You have access to money, right? That's what Remus gave you last night, right? A credit card?" Harry swallowed his dry toast, nodding.

"Yeah, but...I'm fine. Really. You and Hermione had plans, right? I'll just do some of my homework while you guys go out. I think she said something about Hamlet?"

"Oh. Yeah, my grandma gave us tickets." Josh hesitated, "you know that I'm not stealing her from you, right? She'd pick you over me any day." Harry snorted.

"Josh, trust me, you have no reason to fear in that regard. Go have fun. I'll see you when you get back. I just want to take it easy for a few days. You know, heal up?" Josh agreed, but not without reluctance.

He brought it up to Hermione as they waited for the play to start.

"Harry's...he's had a rough childhood, Josh. People expect him to be perfect because his parents stopped a terrorist, dying as heroes. If they found out he had a weak moment..."

"They would make him into a sob story or someone crazy." Josh nodded in understanding. "I'm just...I want to help him. We only really met yesterday, but he seems like a good guy. He's got this air about him that just screams that he needs protection for once, and to be weak. Yet he can't be."

"Yeah, that's Harry in a nutshell." Hermione nodded, patting Josh's hand. The girl smiled, "he'll be glad that you like him. He's afraid that you don't." The girl laid her arm around Josh's shoulders as the light dimmed. "It'll be okay, Josh."


"You know, Hermione likes you a lot." Harry said as he was cooking. Josh froze mid-writing in his answer for summer work. "She won't admit it, because she thinks that she doesn't have a chance. Before Ron and I, she had no friends. Hell, before fourth year, she never even had a guy take interest in her. She may be brill, but you've got to be more direct with your feelings."

"What do you mean?" Josh squeaked.

"I mean, if you like her, tell her." Harry grinned, "you see, she may be better than Ron is at emotions, but Hermione doesn't think anyone will like her because she doesn't think she's appealing. I can't reassure her on that regard. She finds it offensive when I say it. Because I'm sure you've noticed that she's a bit of a tom boy."

"Well, yes, but that doesn't change the fact that she's pretty." Josh huffed, "and she was adorable with her teeth before they were fixed."

"You saw those pictures, huh? Well-"

"Why does she find you calling her pretty as offensive?" Harry blushed looking away. "Sorry, that's probably rude to ask."

"It's why the Dursleys have started the abuse again. I mean, Dudley's alright now, he actually helps me. It's just, I'm demi. So while people can be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, I am not attracted to anyone until I get to develop emotional attachments. Sexually, I mean." Josh stared in surprise.

"Oh. I...well, I mean, I feel like a giant dick now." The boys laughed together. "Thanks, Harry."

"Its no big deal. Really."


"Hey Hermione?" Josh called as they waited for the cones they were getting. The girl in question gave him a curious look. "I like you."

"I like you too, Josh."

"No, I like you, like you." Josh stress, causing the girl to stare at him in shock.

"You like me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I'm ugly!" The adults in front of them in the line looked back, glaring at Josh as if he'd told her that lie.

"Of course you're not! Not that I like you just because of your looks! Hermione, you're pretty. You are also highly intelligent. Smart enough that you scare the shit out of me sometimes! But, but, I like that you are that brilliant! You're a rare cut Painite among us Topaz!" Hermione blushed brightly.

If there was one thing Josh knew, it was his rocks. Well, those and the human mind.

"I'm not-"

"You are to me. Isn't that what matters?" Hermione nodded, placing an arm around his waist.


Harry rolled his eyes as he walked down the stairs to find Josh up on the counter with Hermione between his legs. The two were in a heavy make-out session. He had to clear his throat three times before they broke apart to stare at him. Josh was slowly turning red in the face, while Hermione looked too smug.

"You know, if you want to do that, I'm sure his gran would prefer it if it was in his bedroom. I love you Mione, but you're my sister. It's gross." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Just because you don't have anyone doesn't mean it's gross that I am dating Josh."

"Yeah, yeah. You keep telling yourself that. Are you packed? You've spent the last two weeks snogging in every room between this house and yours. You both have bedrooms. I get that the two of you are together. I don't need to see it."

"You're such a prude, Harry."

"And you're sexually frustrated. What's your point?"

"Oh my God." Josh moaned, his forehead falling to Hermione's shoulder. "Please. The both of you. Stop." The two magical teens shared a look before laughing. Josh tightened his hold on his girlfriend, feeling clingy. "You're leaving." The two froze, before sharing a look. "You're going back to where the two of you got hurt." Harry yelped as he was pulled into a hug as well.

"Josh-" Hermione began with a sigh.

"I won't ask. I know you won't tell me." Josh felt jilted over that still. Neither his girlfriend nor best friend would just come clean. Wouldn't tell him why they had a madman after them, or how bad it really was. Or why they had to disappear two weeks before their classes started. It was, however, Harry's birthday tomorrow. He decided then that his friend would have a great time.

"I would love you to know what is happening." Hermione protested, lip trembling. "I can't tell you because I'm not allowed to unless we get married. Which I really hope happens." Josh blushed, hiding his face in her neck as Harry pulled out of the group hug with a snort.

"I'm going to go to shopping. Need anything, Hermione?" Harry asked, slipping on his shoes.

"I'm good, be careful."

"I will."


"Josh, is the cake ready? Mum and dad will be back with Harry any second now!" Hermione yelled, running in from decorating the living room. Dorothy, who had just arrived home about two weeks ago, watched fondly from her knitting chair. She hummed as Hedwig cooed on the back of the chair.

"Aren't they adorable, Hedwig." The woman chuckled softly. Watching as the door opened to admit Harry, who was pounced on by his best friends. His hair was longer than ever, requiring him to tie it up in a small tail at his nape. He now wore thin half-framed square glasses, and they made his beryl eyes pop. "Happy Birthday, Harry!"

"Thank you, granny." The boy allowed himself to be hugged by the woman.

"You best come for Christmas, boy. You hear me?" The woman said sternly. "You deserve a place to call home, and I think this is it. At least, I hope it is. What you have done," she shook her head, glancing to make sure no one was listening. "What you have done against Voldemort is inspiring, child."

"You-"

"I, my children, as well as my grandchildren, are squibs." The woman smiled softly. "Go enjoy your party."

"Thank you, Granny."


Easter

Josh yawned as he waited for Harry and Hermione from within the car belonging to the Grangers. The two were old enough, that the doctors trusted them to make it to their car with little hassle. Soon, Hermione arrived, pulling open the door.

"Josh!" She exclaimed before kissing him. The boy relaxed with a sigh, leaning into the kiss. He flipped Harry off when he gagged. He was going to enjoy his time with his girlfriend. "Missed you."

"Missed you too, Mione." Josh smiled, scooting over to allow them in after Harry put their carry-ons in the boot. "So, Easter Holidays! I'm excited! Granny said that we are going to go to the beach!"


Hermione woke up with a pounding headache. The distinct taste of Fire whiskey had her nose curling. Feeling something tickle her neck, she looked down to find Josh curled into to her, his hair tickling her. She smiled before blushing. Both were completely naked. She didn't feel any liquid between her legs, so she allowed herself to calm down.

A groan from the other bed had her eyes widening. Harry was clutching his head as he sat up. He glanced at them, shook his head, and retreated for the shower. Hermione groaned as she stood up as well. Carefully laying Josh back down as she pulled on an oversized shirt she had snagged from her dad.

Her memories returned as she stood next to the window. Recalling Harry suggesting they play two truths and a lie. Eventually getting so drunk, the two magical teens had pulled out a bottle that the twins had given them. Harry had passed out first. It still angered Hermione how tiny he was, even compared to Josh, as she moved him to his bed.

Then there was the kiss between her and Josh that lead to more.

"Hermione?" Josh croaked, making her jump. He was sitting up in bed, hair a mess. "What is it?"

"Hm? Nothing." She moved back, pulling him over once he covered himself with boxers. "Go to sleep, luv, it's still early. We still have today before we head back home." Josh hummed, agreeing with her as his eyes closed.

Hermione would always treasure these moments.