Harry and Hermione had gathered beneath the Quiddich bleachers, someplace that nobody frequented, and a good place for a bit of quiet time. In this case, they were studying, but they hadn't wanted to be caught in a classroom - and nearly anyone could wander in there. The only people who would come under the bleachers were adolescents looking for some hormonal relief, and Harry felt sure that those types knew enough to leave other couples alone, lest they be interrupted as well. It was a Gentleman's Code for people who certainly weren't gentlemen. Still, it was a better shot than a classroom. Or, worse, the Library. Or, absolute worst, the Gryffindor Common Room - Madhouse, it would be better called!

Harry looked into Hermione's mind, which was organized, quite predictably, into her childhood home. Except that every cupboard and storage area was full of books. It was a fine organization scheme, and one that he could probably get lost in for days. But what it wasn't was an easily defensible fortress.

Outside of their minds, Harry drew close to Hermione, close enough that she could feel his breath on her face.

Harry could see the first twinges of fear on her face, as he pulled closer still. Just a bit more, just to pull it to the surface...

Harry pushed Hermione onto her back, and as she started to struggle, he found the vein of fear.

Leaping, he pulled on it, and image after image streamed in front of his face.

Hermione getting rejected when she'd wanted to play with the other girls.

Hermione laughed at for being a know-it-all - no wonder she'd developed such tough skin

Hermione getting splashed by mud, and then her parents calling her a ragamuffin.

Image after image of her being afraid, cowed, small hurled through his head. Harry wanted to back out, but he didn't know how.

Finally, Hermione's hands reached his chest, and as she threw him off, she cut his connection.

Harry didn't feel anything after that.

Harry came to, a long while later, with Hermione blotchy and red-faced, as if she'd been...

"I'm sorry, " Harry said, at nearly the same time Hermione had said it.

"I didn't mean to hurt you! just, stop you!" Hermione said.

"I needed you to understand," Harry said, smiling wearily. "It's not enough to be organized, it also has to be hidden. You've got to reorganize so that people can't attack you so easily.."

"I also need to keep my emotions under a tighter leash," Hermione said, smiling grimly, "Otherwise, you can just use them to penetrate."

"You'll get there, Hermione" Harry said, the full weight of his confidence thudding through his words.

[a/n: blacked out, did we Harry? Might want to be a bit more delicate next time, Harry?

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