- Chapter 5 -
Sirius walked into the dining room where the Order was having their emergency meeting. His anger and sadness were radiating off him as he walked up to Dumbledore. Sirius's voice was rough but low, "I don't know what you have done to him during my absence, but you might have lost us all the trust we had from Harry." Dumbledore was taken aback from what Sirius stated but before he could ask, he continued. "He is not coming. Not til someone explains to him everything, no more secrets nor more plans, you need to rectify this by letting Harry in on every detail. Otherwise you will never be able to fix what you clearly broke." With that Sirius left the dining room.
Dumbledore slumped to his seat as he watched Sirius leave the room, all the planning he had done was out and in the gutter. He was trying to prepare Harry and he just ended up driving him away. He mulled over what he should do and sighed deeply, knowing that he had to respect and take in Harry's demands as much as he did not want to. He then remembered he was not alone, he took a look around as all the Order members seemed at a loss as to what just happened. Instead of explaining, Dumbledore just waved his hand, "Meeting dismissed." He got up, deciding to head back to his office in Hogwarts and write Harry a letter.
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Upstairs from where the adults could not catch them, the twins, Ginny and Ron heard the conversation with the twins newest invention "extendible ears". They heard the Order's usual boring meeting but when Sirius came back, it seemed that not even the Order knew what was going on. From what they understood is that Harry was off somewhere until Dumbledore decided to explain whatever there was to explain to him.
"How did the ease dropping go?" Sirius asked, his sudden appearance startling all of them. He still looked sad and angry but he tried his best to mask it over with a smile. All the Weasley kids were trying to make excuses but they were cut off by Sirius waving his hands as he stated. "I may be an old dog but I still know when there is mischief going on." They all had guilty looks on their faces but nodded while Sirius mockingly wagged his finger at them. "No more, got it?" They all nodded once more and as Sirius seemed about ready to leave them, Ginny caught his arm gently. "Where's Harry?" she asked, worry evident in her eyes. "He is at Potter Manor, Hermione is also with him. She would not leave with me, saying that Harry needed a friend." Sirius explained to all of them, noticing their surprised faces. "Hermione told me that if you needed to get ahold of them, Hedwig is in your room. You can write each other that way til you see them again." With that, Sirius excused himself and headed to his room, leaving everyone in deep thought.
The twins were arguing over Potter Manor could be located while Ginny decided to go and write a letter to both Harry and Hermione to get more details as to what was going on. Clearly they were also being kept in some shadows.
Ron, however, was not worried about Harry, in fact, he didn't even worry about him the entire summer being cooped up at his Aunt's and Uncle's place. He had been happy just being able to be alone with Hermione and trying to express his feeling for her these last few weeks but never having the guts to fully confess. Now she was with Harry for god knows how long and it irritated him that they were alone. Harry already knew Ron had feelings for Hermione and he hoped that that alone would keep Harry at bay but he was upset anyway. Jealousy evident on his face.
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Hermione was sitting in the kitchen bay window, brushing her wild hair between her fingers, worryingly watching the small figure that was Harry flying around the Quidditch pitch. He had been out there now for a good 40 minutes and Hermione was starting to think he was going to be lost in air forever at this point. She felt horrible ever since Harry shouted at her and Sirius. She knew he was in pain but per the instructions of their Headmaster, she ignored him. It was horrible to think that he just sat locked up in the Dursley home in pain and confusion and that her and Ron never wrote him a decent letter. Let alone, they should have argued against Dumbledore's wishes, he should have been at Grimmhold Place from the very beginning. She was angry at her foolishness to follow orders when she knew they made no sense. She tapped her foot thinking of ways to mend her friendship with Harry but nothing was coming to mind. Her mental library just did not have any solutions for her this time. She let out a long and stressed sigh, looking away from the window.
Suddenly a small pop caught her attention, she looked up to see Dipsey and three other small elves in the kitchen, prepping dinner. She was no longer shaking with fear, clearly trying her best to keep appearances. Dipsey looked over to Hermione and smiled at her, her voice rang out soothingly "Does Missus Hermione want some tea while Dipsey gets dinner started." Hermione was upset that Harry, well, Potter Manor had house elves but they didn't look scared nor mistreated. They had uniforms and seemed happy to just work, so Hermione decided not to say anything though she wanted to. She then noticed the little elf was still waiting for a response.
"Um - no. But thank you." She answered quietly before looking back at the pitch. Harry was just floating on his broom from what she could tell, if she had a broom though she is afraid of heights, she could go to him. Though her presence might get his anger flaring again. She had never heard him shout out of just pure anger, it was like he was a different person for just a moment. He kept clutching his head and looking like he was fighting for control. 'Could there be a connection between them?' Hermione mulled over this for quiet a bit. Trying to draw find some sort of indicating factor that would have caused their connection to suddenly begin. His scar hurt whenever you-know-who was close but this was different. This was like he was you-know-who but still Harry. She raked her hand over her curly locks, static flying off the tips. Her magic flaring as she was getting mad that she could not figure it out. She needed a library, she needed knowledge. Letting out one more sigh, she got up and paced around.
As she thought more about Harry she thoughts took a different turn, he did not look as small and thin as when they left school this past May. He had a more toned and fuller body, she remembered their hug and thought she felt hard muscles around her. He also looked a lot taller, maybe a foot taller than Ron now. 'He is turning into a quiet good looking man' she thought suddenly, her cheek turning red, then shook out of the dirty thoughts that were lurking. She knew he never felt for her that way so she needed to drown her feelings deep within. 'He only loves you as a sister. Nothing else, nothing less.' She repeated to herself til it stuck.
Turning off her thoughts for a bit, she looked over at Dipsey and her crew, they was cooking like a whirlwind and it was starting to smell really good. Treacle Tarts, Meat pies, a big Shepard's pie, some roasted chicken and a big pitcher of ice cold butter beer. Looking it all over, she noticed it was Harry's favorites but how? Dipsey just met harry after many years apart. "Dipsey hopes Missus and Master love the food! Dobby let Dipsey know what Master's favorites were and I hope I don't disappoint." Dipsey answered Hermione's unspoken question. "Can Missus get Master Harry?" Dipsey asked sweetly, seeing Hermione's worried expression. "The brooms are in the shed below the pitch." She explained with a knowing smile.
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Harry's anger had simmered as he flown through the air for the last hour. He was upset with everyone and himself, but he needed to keep his cool. If there was a connection with Voldemort within him, fueling him with anger was not the way to go. He pushed the nagging voice deep into the back of his mind, sealing it shut. He didn't want to fight with it anymore, whatever it was.
He let out a sigh as he flew in circles, before stopping once more mid air. Dumbledore must be furious with him but he could care less at the moment. He was happy to be out of the Dursley's place, he was happy he had Dipsey and the other elves here to keep him company even if he could sense Hermione was not happy with him having a house elves. He was truly at ease being here, it felt like Hogwarts. It was home.
Harry looked up at the setting sun, seeing the stars pop out in the darkening sky when he heard a small woosh in the distance. He looked down just a bit to see Hermione making her way to him to his surprise.
He met her half way seeing her frightened face. "You're on a broom!" He exclaimed, still surprised she made it this high. "W-w-well it w-was the o-only way t-to get to y-y-you." Hermione explained in a stutter, she was gripping the broom so hard her knuckles were white. Her hair was messier than ever and she looked pale as a sheet. Harry tried to be encouraging. "Well you are doing well! You've never ridden by yourself before and your a natural!" He smiled at her and he noticed some pink coming back to her face. "D-dinner is r-ready" Hermione stuttered, making Harry nod. As they made their way down, he noticed Hermione was going very slow, it made him chuckle so he flew to her side and just plucked her from the broom. Hermione squealed but didn't fight Harry as she did not want him to drop her to the ground. He placed her on his lap holding her close to his chest with one arm while his free one guided the broom. He took them to the ground gently but a lot faster than she was going. "I need to teach you broom confidence" Harry stated as she got off of him and the broom, trying to shake the feeling of his body against hers. They looked up and saw her broom was still in the air, "Accio Sweepster." Harry said, his Holly wand pointed at the broom. It quickly made it to him as Hermione lectured him "You can't use magic outside of school, Harry!" he walked over to the broom shed and put both brooms inside. "Hermione, I have been emancipated." He looked over at her surprised face, "So-" He finished her sentence, "I can use magic outside of school." She mulled this new information over, clearly upset that she could not find anything to say on the matter. Harry chuckled as he took her arm and dragged her off the pitch. "Better not keep dinner waiting." He stated, a small smile on his face.
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Coming back inside, Harry and Hermione enjoyed a small feast while talking about all things muggle and magical, it went on for hours, the food still steaming hot on their plates throughout with the help of Dipsey's warming charm. After their plates were nearly all cleared, Harry was nursing a cup of butter beer and rubbing his stomach. Dipsey had made all his favorites and more, he had had three helpings of everything while Hermione had ate a good amount, but not as much as harry. She had her own butter beer in between her hands. "Dipsey, thank you so much for the amazing dinner." Harry praised his head elf making her dab away a few happy tears with her handkerchief. "Dipsey is happy that Master and Missus loved the food! Dipsey is happy to finally have Master back home to serve!" She exclaimed before popping away with the dirty plates.
Harry smiled then frowned she he looked over at Hermione. He noticed her eyebrow twitch with an annoyance of having the little elf work for him. "Oh good Merlin, Hermione, she loves the job! From what I skimmed of my assets, we do pay the house elves but not much. When I asked Dipsey, she said that a good warm home and a clean uniform was enough to keep her happy." Harry explained, making Hermione sigh in defeat. "Fine. I won't say a word." She begrudgingly stated.
'Harry isn't Malfoy, he wouldn't cause his elves harm even if they were still treated as servants." She thought as she took a long sip of her butter beer, leaving a foam mustache on top of her lips making Harry chuckle. "What?" She asked, a confused smile on her face. Harry laughed more now but reached forward and with his thumb wiped up the foam. "You looked a bit odd with a mustache." He chuckled before licking up the foam from his thumb. Hermione was as red as a tomato, she not only made a fool of herself, Harry had looked really hot cleaning the foam off his thumb. "You okay?" He asked, concern in his voice. "AH! Yeah! I'm a-okay! HA HA!" She stammered then cleared her throat and stated to nervously play with her hair, pushing her bad thoughts to the back of her mind. She needed to change the conversation, "How are you feeling by the way?" She asked.
Harry's smile went away, his brows crossed together, obviously the anger slightly making a return. "I'm still very upset, but I am waiting to see how everything plays out. I want to relax for a bit and wait for Dumbledore's reply, if he ever sends one." He was mulling over in his own thoughts on the matter til his face turned to slight concern with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You need to head back, don't you?" He asked. Hermione shook her head and answered, "No, I'm staying here til you are ready to hear Dumbledore out." Harry was happy she was staying, having missed her company for weeks now. They just smiled at each other, taking a sips from their drinks but otherwise enjoying the comfortable silence.
A small pop announced Dipsey's return. "Missus and Master's rooms are ready for the night. Please let Dipsey know if anything else is needed. Good night!" The little house elf explained and then popped away.
Harry performed a timus spell, "11:43pm? I didn't think it was that late." Harry muttered, getting up from the table. "Let me show you your room." Hermione nodded as she got up as well, but suddenly they heard a tapping noise outside the window. A small white owl was sitting on the window sill. "Hedwig?" Harry wondered as walked to the window and opened it for his snowy owl. She flew right up to his shoulder and playfully nipped at his ear, making his laugh softly. "Hey girl, how was your flight?" He asked her and noticed she had a letter on her leg. "May I?" he asked, before she flew off his shoulder and onto the table. She extended her leg for him to take the letter and as he did he asked Hermione to find her a bowl of water.
As he was opening the letter, Hermione returned with a small bowl of water and gave it to Hedwig. The owl happily took a few big gulps before flying out the window. "She will probably hunt." Harry explained as he started reading the letter. "It's from Ginny, " Harry stated surprised. "She wants to know if we are okay and why we are gone. Seems no one is telling them." He explained before handing Hermione the letter, letting her read it as well. "Do you want to tell them or wait?" Hermione asked as she put the letter down. "I want to wait til I hear from Dumbledore then we can write back." He stated, not wanting to speak about it any more. He nodded towards the stairs. "Let's head to bed."
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Author Note: I know there was a bit of questions from the last chapter. Firstly, the nagging voice Harry keeps mentioning. It is not a split personality. It is the Horcrox that is within Harry. As for the wards, there are no gates around Potter Manor. I think Lily would have felt it to be too formal to have them around and asked James to take them down. No one but Sirius would know this, he was the secret keeper for the Manor so no one but him would know of this so he had no problem taking Hermione.
I do enjoy your reviews, always take them into consideration while I write. Next chapter will not be out for a week or so as I am visiting my in laws for the winter holidays. Have a wonderful holiday guys! Thanks again following!