Chapter 16 — Sending a Message

The next month passed uneventfully as was possible. Occlumency lessons started, which Hermione loved and Harry absolutely dreaded. She knew it was hard for him to shut off his thoughts...it was difficult for her as well as the gears in her brain never seemed to stop. Though her plethora of knowledge compared to his thoughts of what his life had been like were quite different. If she had been through what he had, she didn't know if she could shut off her brain either.

Another thing Hermione had been continually bugging him about was starting a defence club. And finally—finally, he had decided that a meeting wouldn't hurt. In secret, she had been recruiting several people to show up to an informational meeting. Which just so happened to be right now, in the Hog's Head.

She was fidgeting, and Harry continued to stare at his fingers — they were both nervous. Ron...well, he was relaxed enough for the both of them. When the door opened, and the bell above the door chimed, hope bloomed in Hermione's chest that someone had actually come — hadn't stood them up.

And once the door opened...it didn't close. A handful...more than a handful, shuffled into the bar. Fred, George, and Ginny, the Gryffindor Quidditch team, both Creevy boys, a few Hufflepuffs, and two Ravenclaws. No Slytherins, but she hadn't invited any. Too risky.

Once everyone had shuffled in and everyone ordered a butterbeer, Hermione stood up and introduced herself. From there, it was a disaster. Several people asked absurd questions that just further irritated her and made Harry's temper escalate — nobody wanted to see Harry angry, especially her. He had enough on his plate without his peers questioning everything that happened the night Cedric died.

Surprisingly, Harry handled it much better than expected. He told them the truth, the whole truth. And at the end of the meeting, every single person signed up on the sheet even though Hermione warned them it had a spell on it that would activate if they told the group's secrets.

As the Ravenclaws walked out of the door, Padma stopped and motioned toward Ron. He pushed off his legs as he stood up. "Well, I have a date with Padma today in Hogsmeade. Catch up with you guys later." Then he was off, waving as he walked out the door.

When the bell chimed, signalling he was gone, Harry turned to her. "I meant to ask you. Have you decided yet what you are going to do about…" He paused and lowered his voice. "...Daughter of the Sea?"

Hermione shook her head as they left the Hog's Head. "Sorry, I didn't want to say anything in there, just in case. But yes, I have decided that I will take the place of Damara and become Daughter of the Sea. Though, I am unsure about how to communicate with them about that. They can't Floo or receive letters, after all. Do I just show up or…?"

"Hmmm," Harry said, as he grasped her hand, walking back toward the main hustle and bustle of Hogsmeade. "So let's think of all the ways of magical communication and go from there."

"Okay, there's Floo, apparition, letters…" she trailed off, drawing a blank on others that weren't as mainstream.

"There's a Patronus charm? Do you think that could work?" Harry asked, looking down at her.

"You're brilliant!" she said, and stopped in the middle of the road to plant a kiss on his lips. She deepened the kiss as she brought her arms around his neck, and he placed his hands on her hips, bringing her closer.

Despite the chill of the wind, they got several wolf-whistles and shouts of "Get a room!" When she pulled away, she felt her cheeks heat up.

"I can't believe I did that in the middle of Hogsmeade for all of Hogwarts to see," she said, a bit mortified at the public display of affection.

"Neither can I," he said, grasping her hand again and walking toward Tomes & Scrolls. "But I'm not complaining." He paused. "I mean, if you really want to continue, we can go into Madam Puddifoots and snog as much as we want in the company of our peers."

Hermione was even more mortified. "That sounds like the worst idea ever!"

Harry laughed so hard, he about flung his glasses off of his face. "I wouldn't do that to you, love. Now, if we were going to be the only ones there...then perhaps."

Hermione grinned. "I'll snog you in private any day."

"Right back at'cha." He winked. "Now about that Patronus charm."

"Ooh, Harry, can you teach me, please?"

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Do you think I would say no?"

Hermione bit her lip. "No, but I just wanted to ask. It's a courtesy, you know."

Harry rolled his eyes sarcastically. "I do know about manners...of course I will teach you. You didn't even need to ask. Though we need to look up if there is anything different about sending a message via Patronus charm and using it against dementors."

"Well," she said, opening the door for him, pushing him into the warmth. "It's a good thing we just made it to the bookstore then."

"Cheeky witch."

With a smile, she lead him into the bookstore, off to do more learning.

"Did you see this?" Hermione said, rushing to the Gryffindor table the next morning, the Daily Prophet in hand.

"No," Harry said, his mouth full of scrambled egg. He swallowed. "What is it?"

She whispered as she frantically read the article in question: "High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge, also Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has put in place another Educational Decree. Educational Decree number twenty-four states that 'All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded. Any society, team, group, or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students. Permission to reform may be sought from the High Inquisitor. No student organization, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Any student found to have formed, or belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled."

She took a deep breath and shuddered. "Ugh, that woman is horrible."

Harry frowned. "Well, the real question is...how did she find out?"

"That is a good question. And before you ask — it wasn't one of the members. They would have SNEAK written across their forehead in pimple-like boils, and the list would have their name crossed out. The list is fine!"

"Uh oh, Hermione, incoming…" He pointed behind her back.

Hermione looked up to see a few Hufflepuffs and a few Ravenclaws walking toward them. "Shoo," she whispered loudly, waving her hand. "We'll talk later."

"I'll grab Michael," Ginny said, swinging her leg over the bench and rushing over to him, meeting him halfway. She grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the Ravenclaw table, taking a seat next to him.

"They are stupid," Hermione said, finally sitting down next to Harry. "It would be way too obvious if they came over here and tried to have a conversation. What were they thinking?"

"Ah, I would wager that they weren't." He nodded toward the High Table. "Umbridge is staring at you."

Hermione huffed. "I doubt she is staring at me. More likely, she is staring at you. Don't you think?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "That woman has it out for the both of us. She has to know that we are together. At the very least, we are obviously friends."

Hermione smiled as she poured herself some orange juice. "If she wouldn't give us detention or threaten to expel us, I would give her a show for all the staring she is doing."

"Oh? I believe the saying is take a picture, it will last longer."

She laughed and took a chance glance at the High Table. Finally, Umbridge had removed her eyes from them. She felt relief in her stomach — she didn't like being watched, especially when the defence group could get them expelled from Hogwarts. Staring meant that she knew what was up, and that was not a good thing.

"Focus, Potter, Focus!" Professor Snape snapped as he withdrew from Harry's mind, Harry failing once against to protect his mind from the invasion.

"I can't!" Harry cried, banging his fists on a nearby desk. "Why can't I do it?"

"You just need to focus," Snape repeated.

"I don't know what that means. I try clearing my mind — my mind won't stop. The nightmares still come. I see what you see when you invade my mind every damn night. I can't get it out of my head. I feel like I am always angry, besides when Hermione is right by my side." He paused and dropped his head. "This is impossible. Maybe I should just stop."

"Harry, no," Hermione said, finally stepping in, and grabbing his arm. "I know that you can do this. I know it."

Harry just shook his head. "You just go. I need to stop for a few moments and take a break. And think about why I really need to continue."

Hermione nodded and bit her lip as he walked away into Snape's quarters for a break. She was worried about him. Each morning, the dark circles underneath his eyes grew darker and darker — a clue to her that he wasn't getting any sleep. Occasionally on the weekends, they would crash on the sofa in the common room. He seemed to be better when she was there. But it was rare that they did this. She wanted to help him, and was the only way she knew how. Just loving on him and supporting him as much as possible — she didn't know what else to do.

"Ready, Miss Granger?" Snape asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Hermione nodded, refocusing her brain on draining everything from it, locking away those important memories so they couldn't be found. "Ready."

"Legilimens."

She would never get used to how it felt to have him poking around in her brain. Eventually, he broke through with several rough prods, but never enough to injure her permanently — just a headache.

When he left her mind, she was panting, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead. "Excellent, Miss Granger."

Hermione looked toward Professor Snape's quarters once more. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Do you think he will be okay?"

Snape frowned. "Are you really asking me if he is going to be okay, or are you trying to ask if he is going to be able to master the art of occlumency?"

Hermione pursed her lips and finally, shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Both?"

"While I do think he is going to be okay, I think he needs to talk to someone about what is going on in his head at night. These nightmares aren't...normal."

"What do you mean?"

"It's as if he is taking the place of someone else, but I can't see it clearly enough to say who. Maybe he knows."

"I'll ask him," Hermione said quietly as the door to the quarters opened and Harry stepped back out.

Harry walked over to her and whispered in her ear. "I am done for the night."

Hermione nodded. "I think we will head out for tonight, Professor." She tucked her wand into her robes. "Thank you."

He inclined his head in response. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand as they walked out of the classroom and into the drafty hallway of the dungeons.

"Are you okay?" Hermione finally asked as they started to climb the stairs from the Entrance Hall.

Harry didn't say anything until they reached the second floor. "I am okay but could be better. I just—I don't know, occlumency is really difficult for me and with everything else going on…" He trailed off.

She squeezed his hand, hoping it was comforting. "You don't have to explain yourself to me, Harry. I understand."

"Do you?" he asked quietly.

Hermione's mouth dropped. "How could you think that I don't?" And she knew that if they weren't walking through the corridors where anyone could hear and where the portraits wouldn't gossip, she would be yelling. "I've been there for you. Ran in to wake you up from those nightmares." A few tears slipped from the inside of her eyes, falling down her cheeks. "I can't believe you said that."

When he didn't reply, she dropped his hand and walked silently by his side the rest of the way to Gryffindor tower. She had stuck by his side through everything, and he was questioning if she knew how it felt? Of course, she didn't know exactly how he felt during his nightmares, but she could empathize with him. She saw how it hurt him — the cold sweats he broke out into at night and the dark circles under his eyes each morning that were progressively growing darker.

Hermione gave the password to the Fat Lady, and she climbed into the portrait hole as soon as it swung open. She made a beeline to her bag by the fireplace and slung it over his shoulder. Harry was casually walking behind her, his hands in his pockets.

"Hermione, look—"

"No, Harry. You can be angry at everyone else...for how they treat you, for calling you a liar. But you can't be mad at me. I've been the only one who has consistently stood by your side through everything." She wiped the tears falling from her face with the back of her hand. "We're both tired from occlumency lessons. I'll talk to you in the morning." And without another word a glance back, Hermione walked up the staircase leading to the girls' dormitory.

Dropping off her bag by the side of her bed, she washed her face and brushed her hair. After she changed into her pyjamas, she slid into her bed which had thankfully been heated with a warming pan placed there by a house-elf.

As she closed the curtains, she lay in bed, wide awake, thinking of Harry and why he felt the need to question her. It had only been two words, but it felt like he was questioning her loyalty. And that just didn't fly with Hermione Granger.

Hermione ignored Harry all through breakfast. Well, it really could be him ignoring her. He slid into the seat next to her at the Gryffindor table but didn't say a word. She was a tiny bit thankful, as she was still harbouring a bit of anger toward him.

"See you guys in class later," Hermione said, as she slid off the bench, stuffing her arithmancy text into her bag. She was off to Ancient Runes for first period, followed by Transfiguration, where she would once again be sitting next to Harry.

She walked out of the Great Hall and started going up the staircase in the Entrance Hall.

"Hermione! Hermione, wait!"

As she turned, Harry was running up the steps after her. When he got there, he looked down and grabbed her hands.

"Look, I'm sorry okay? I am just on edge."

Hermione nodded, tears threatening once more to spill down her cheeks. Damn teenage hormones and stupid boys.

Finally, she looked him in the eye. "Apology accepted. But just remember— I am on your side."

He hung his head in what she thought might be embarrassment or shame for how he acted the night before.

"Hey," she said, softly, pressing a kiss into his robes. "It's okay."

He nodded and let go of her hands, instead opting to wrap his arms around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"We better get to class," Hermione said, finally pulling away. "And I wouldn't doubt that Umbridge will give us detention if she sees us wrapped around each other like this."

Harry laughed. "I'm sorry," he said again.

Hermione smiled. "I know. I believe you." She stood on her tiptoes to press a kiss against his cheek. "I'll see you in Transfiguration."

Turning, Hermione walked up the stairs. She turned to the right, Harry turning to the left to make his way up to the Divination classroom.

She smiled, now looking forward to seeing him in their next class. Everything was going to be alright.

It was indeed okay when Hermione brought up the Patronus charm once more, their minds having been on other things since the visit to Hogsmeade the previous weekend.

"Harry, I know we've been busy," she said, sliding onto the sofa next to him. "But do you think that you could teach me the Patronus Charm this evening since we have nothing going on? No detention, no Occlumency, no homework."

"Well, since you asked so nicely."

"Hey! I did!"

He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Just joking, love."

Ron mimicked throwing up next to them. "Oh shove off, Ronald," Hermione said, looping her arm around Harry's and leaning into him. "I didn't say a word when I caught you and Padma snogging in a broom closet last weekend when I was on prefect patrol."

Ron's ears went red. "Keep your voice down, will ya? She'll kill me."

Harry laughed. "Oh, I doubt that mate. Otherwise, she couldn't snog you anymore. And neither of you want that."

Ron shrugged. "Fine, I won't make fun anymore...But you gotta believe me that it's weird when your best mates start shacking up...dating, whatever you want to call it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic, Ron, Harry and I are not shacking up. But we have been dating for the past several months now." Hermione went red talking about 'shacking up'. They hadn't had that discussion yet, and she didn't think it would be coming up for a long while. Though based on what she had caught Ron doing, he and Padma were real close.

"You should ask her to be your girlfriend, mate," Harry said, "right now, she might feel like a one-off...that you just want to shag, and that's it."

"Bu-But, that's not true at all!" His ears turned red once more. "I really like her," he mumbled, admitting his feelings.

"Then tell her!" Harry and Hermione said together.

Ron took a deep breath. "Okay, I will!" He stood up from the couch and then sat back down. "But tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Ron, you should go now!" Hermione said, trying to encourage him.

Ron stood up again. "You're right. I should go." And with a wave of his hand, he rushed out of the portrait hole and presumably off to Ravenclaw Tower.

Hermione laughed. "That didn't take much effort on our part."

Harry grinned at her. "He's utterly obsessed with her. When I wake up in the middle of the night, from uh—nightmares. He sometimes is moaning her name."

Hermione blushed. "I probably could have gone without that information."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly.

"Besides, that brings me to something else we should talk about. But later...much later." She got off the sofa and held out her hand to help him up, though he didn't need it.

"What?"

"Your nightmares."

Harry nodded solemnly. "Later. I've got to teach my girl a Patronus Charm." He paused. "One second."

He rushed up the stairs to the boys' dormitory and returned a moment later with a flowy, silky material in hand —his invisibility cloak.

"We might need this."

Hours later, they were still holed up in an abandoned classroom on the fifth floor. They had cast as many privacy charms as they could manage, not wanting to be caught especially as they were now out after curfew.

"Expecto Patronum," Hermione said, a wisp of smoke-like substance appearing. She had the spell down, but she had yet to produce a full corporeal Patronus. "Ugh," she said, letting the blue light die away. "Why won't it come to me?"

Harry shrugged. "I couldn't produce one at first either, remember? The first time my stag appeared was when you were with me and we took the time turner to save Sirius."

Hermione nodded. "I remember. But what am I going to do? If I don't get it down, I won't be able to tell them of my decision."

"Now hear me out. What if I sent the Patronus instead? Let's say if you don't get it within the next week, then I send the Patronus to let them know that you are coming."

"I suppose that would be acceptable. I really want to master this, though."

Harry walked over to her and grabbed both of her arms. "And you will, but it takes time. Even for a brilliant witch like you."

Hermione grinned and stood on her tiptoes to press a kiss against his lips. She pulled away and looked around. "You know, an empty classroom like this is perfect for other things…"

Harry smirked, brushing a curl back from her face. "Oh yeah? What kind of things?"

"You know. Snogging and such," Hermione said, biting her lip.

"Witch, you read my mind."

After staying up late the night before snogging Harry in the abandoned classroom, Hermione was yawning all through breakfast. Harry looked tired as usual, and Ron, well, he seemed particularly happy.

"You look content," Hermione noted.

Ron's ears turned red. "I asked Padma to be my girlfriend."

"And?"

He grinned. "She said, yes!"

"Fantastic, Ron! I am happy for you."

"Thanks," he said, the embarrassment showing on his cheeks.

Hermione turned toward Harry as Ron left the table, venturing over to Ravenclaws. "I have some news for you."

He raised an eyebrow in curiosity before taking a bite of toast. "What is it?"

"I'll show you later. I don't need everyone to know my secret." And it was true. If she were to cast her Patronus in front of everyone, her secret would be hers no longer.

Hours later, after class, Harry and Hermione were once again holed up in the abandoned classroom.

"Show me," Harry said, standing behind her.

"Expecto Patronum," she said, with a wave of her wand. Like she expected since she attempted the spell earlier this morning, a Siren appeared and Hermione was still in awe. She looked much like the mermaids they had seen in Greece with long flowing hair and large eyes. Her tail was long and curved at the end, the tips trailing behind like ribbons.

"Woah," Harry said, looking at the creature swimming and spinning around the room, showing off for the both of them. "That's amazing."

Hermione lost concentration, and the mermaid disappeared. "Right? It's so cool."

"Very cool," he agreed. "Are you ready to send your message to Damara?"

Hermione nodded. "I am. Expecto Patronum," she said quietly. The mermaid once again made an appearance. "Tell Damara I will be there mid to late December to take over as Daughter of the Sea." The mermaid nodded and disappeared.

"Well, that was easy enough."

"So you say, Mister-I-produced-a-full-blown-Patronus-at-thirteen." Harry grinned sheepishly and shrugged. "We also need to talk about one other thing," Hermione said, sitting at one of the desks. "Dumbledore's Army. We need to find a place to meet."

"What about a classroom like this?" He said, lifting his arms gesturing to the room.

"I don't think it's big enough, unfortunately."

"Hmm, you're right. Why don't we ask around?" Harry paused. "What was that noise?" It sounded like someone was thundering down the hallway, sprinting just to skid outside of the door.

"Harry? Hermione? Are you in there?"

"It's Neville," Hermione said, "I wonder how he knew where we were."

Harry shrugged. "Let's see what he wants."

Harry and Hermione walked out of the room, their wands were drawn, just to be safe.

"Neville? What is it?" Hermione asked as she opened the classroom door. She peeked out to make sure no one else is around.

He leaned in and whispered. "It's about Dumbledore's Army." He paused. "Are you guys busy still? I can show you what I found."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and then back at Neville. "Show us," Harry said.

Neville took off at a fast pace, though not quite running as not to draw attention to themselves. They followed him up two flights of stairs to the seventh floor. He stopped in front of a blank wall, a Troll Tapestry featuring Barnaby the Barmy across from it.

He paced in front of the wall and Hermione looked at Harry, who also was sporting a perplexed look.

"Uh, Neville," Hermione said, raising her eyebrows. Before she could continue, she gasped. A doorway had appeared where there hadn't been one before.

"Neville, what did you do?" Harry asked, looking around wildly for something that could have made the door appear.

He shrugged and motioned them to follow him. He pushed the door open, and they followed, quickly shutting the door behind them.

It was a large room—large enough to fit at least the Great Hall, if not more. Looking around, Hermione saw several bookshelves, a fireplace, a few chairs, and multiple dummies.

"What is this place?"

Neville frowned. "Now, I am not sure. But I tried it several times, the first time was an accident. I was walking by thinking about what we needed for Dumbledore's Army, and it appeared. When I left, I came back to it and thought again about what we wanted. The same thing appeared."

"Hmm, Hermione said, sounds like the room gives us what you need."

"Hey!" Harry said, making Hermione about jump out of her skin. "Dumbledore once made a comment about a room full of chamber pots appeared when he needed it."

Hermione contorted her face in disgust.

"What?" Harry asked, laughing. "Don't look at me like that. It was...Christmas third year I think when he mentioned it. He said he never found the room again."

"Not even Dumbledore knows about this room? Wow, must be rare."

"It's not even on the map," Harry muttered to himself.

"What was that?" Neville asked.

"Nothing!" Harry said, just a bit too quickly. Neville looked at him curiously before turning away.

"Well, what do you guys think? Do you think it would work?" Neville asked, lifting his arms in the air, gesturing to the room.

Hermione nodded as she looked at Harry. "I think it would work." Harry nodded in agreement. "And I already have a form of communication set up, so we don't have to look suspicious crossing across the Great Hall to talk to other tables."

"I am excited!" Neville said, smiling at them. "Who knew, Neville Longbottom, breaking the rules."

Harry clapped Neville on the back. "Thanks for figuring this out, mate. I appreciate it."

The tips of Neville's ears tinged red as Ron's usually did and mumbled a quiet, "You're welcome."

They walked out of the room and on their way to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione looked back. The door had disappeared, a wall once more taking its place.

Hermione grinned and turned back to the two boys. "Umbridge and her crew will never find us."

"I hope you're right, Hermione. I hope you're right."

A/N: Thanks to my amazing friend, HeartOfAspen for her continued work on this piece!