Chapter Ten: After We Have Left Our Homes
Early on Monday morning, Harry was met by a very firm kiss to his lips right in the middle of the Gryffindor Common Room. He'd been told to wait for Hermione, and he was convinced that he would do anything and everything that she wanted at this point. He was definitely in deep.
"Good morning," Hermione said, smiling up at him.
"Mornin'," he said, laughing lightly. "Someone's chipper this morning. I take it your Charms essay went well then?"
"My mood has nothing to do with my homework, Harry," she said, somewhat seriously.
"Oh really?"
"Really."
"Good," he said, his smile matching hers as he dipped his head to steal another kiss. He definitely wouldn't be able to get over how much of a relief it was not to have to hold himself back from kissing her whenever he wanted. Those had been a torturous few days.
They stood and stared at each other for a long while, both of them sporting matching grins. Yes, the weekend had just happened. Yes, they were now together. Yes, a person was capable of feeling this happy, apparently.
"You know," he eventually said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they started to head out of the Common Room; "now that we kiss and all the good stuff; I'm afraid that you're going to have to contend with all my Quidditch fangirls."
Hermione laughed that glorious laugh that Harry absolutely adored. He was convinced it was the kind of laugh to end wars.
She felt calm, relaxed, and she didn't have to be a genius to know it had everything to do with Harry Potter. They walked slowly, taking the scenic route as they made their way towards the Great Hall. They passed several students on their way, who stood and gawked at them.
"It's going to be like this all day, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Probably," he replied quietly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," she said. "We'll just ignore them. They'll get over it eventually, and move onto the next thing. It's the beauty of Hogwarts."
Harry dropped his arm from around her shoulders and stopped walking, bringing her to a halt as well. "Jack doesn't really know, does he?"
She shook her head. "He knows we went to Hogsmeade together," she explained; "and that, well, we were together all of yesterday. But no, he doesn't know that you're my, uh - "
"Boyfriend?" he provided.
Her blush took up most of her face. It was still so foreign to think about, let alone say. "Boyfriend," she said with a nod.
He smiled at her. "So, how does it feel to say it out loud? Tell me, tell me."
She slowly put her arms around his shoulders and drew him into a loose hug. "It feels great," she whispered in his ear, and she smiled when he shivered. When she released him, he was looking at her curiously. "What?"
"Nothing," he said quietly. "I'm just - I'm happy, Granger."
This time, she took hold of his hand and started them walking again. She stared down at their entwined fingers from time to time. They fit so perfectly, like they were built to fit together. Maybe his hand still had to grow, and maybe hers as well, but she had the embarrassing thought that they would grow together.
Just before they reached the Great Hall, Harry released her hand.
Hermione looked at him, coming to a stop. "You're going to sit with Luna and Neville," she said, reading his facial expression for what it was. It wasn't a question; it was definitely a statement.
"I am," he replied, trying to gage her response to his declaration. "Is that okay?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip. "You want to sit with your friends, and I want to sit with my friends," she said thoughtfully, not adding the 'most of the time.' "But I want to sit with you."
"And I want to sit with you too," he hurried to say. "Don't get me wrong, I definitely do."
"But..."
"But."
Hermione spent a moment thinking about it. "Okay, we'll do this for now, but I'll think of something," she eventually said.
"I don't doubt it."
She reached up to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you later."
He nodded once, and then watched her walk towards the Gryffindor table with a bounce in her step that hadn't been there the week before. It felt like a dream, really, just all of this that was happening with Hermione.
He was happy. Merlin, he was so damn happy.
"Are you going inside or what?"
Harry turned to spy Luna looking at him with an amused expression.
"Or are you happy just standing there watching your girlfriend?"
Harry blushed automatically. "Hello, you," he said.
"Didn't see you yesterday."
"I was busy," he said.
"With your girlfriend."
He laughed. "Are you ever going to get tired of saying it like that?"
"Probably not," she said with a shrug. "Do you have a problem with it?"
"Not at all," he said, as he led the way into the Great Hall. "In fact, I encourage it. Please, do continue to remind me about my oh-so-wonderful girlfriend."
"I think you mean girlfriend," she practically sang, and then giggled.
Neville looked up when they approached, and also gave Harry a knowing smile. "Ah, so there he is," he said. "How was your weekend?"
"Shut up," Harry said playfully, as he sat down opposite him. These days, they didn't feel the need to sit all in a line, now that it was known that Luna and Neville were Harry the Quidditch player's friends. Whatever that meant. "What did you two get up to?"
Neville cast a look at Luna, then returned his gaze to Harry. "I don't know what our friend here was doing, but I spent some time with Madam Sprout in the greenhouses."
Harry nodded thoughtfully before turning his attention to Luna. "And you, missy? Anything you wish to tell me?"
Luna maintained her poker face well. "There was something I had to do," she said, and that was all she would say on the matter.
Harry could hear a lot unsaid in her words but he wasn't about to ask questions now. He suspected that she would tell him eventually, and Harry Potter was truly a patient boy. Most of the time, at least.
"So, what does this mean for us now then?" Neville asked Harry, taking the focus off Luna.
"What do you mean?"
"You and Hermione," he said. "Are you always going to spend your mealtimes apart?"
"To be honest, I don't know," he confessed, resisting the urge to look over his shoulder. "Maybe I'll go there sometimes, and maybe she'll come here," he offered. "I do know that she's thinking of something, so don't be alarmed when she corners you with whatever crazy idea she has."
Harry didn't know just how accurate of a description he'd given until it was lunch time, and Hermione was waiting for him, Luna and Neville at the doors to the Great Hall. She looked a mixture of nervous and excited, and Harry could only guess what the reason for that could be. The day itself was going better than he first anticipated. Maybe people weren't entirely surprised by the fact that Harry and Hermione were now a couple, though they did still stare.
"Come with me," Hermione said.
The trio exchanged worried looks, as she led them towards the Gryffindor table. Harry hid his panic well, particularly when he felt Neville tense up at his left side. What was Hermione trying to do to them?
"Everyone," Hermione said, getting the attention of the Gryffindors in the immediate vicinity. "This is Harry, my boyfriend," she said, the world rolling out of her mouth much easier now. "And this is Luna, and this is Neville; they're my friends." She took a breath. "They are going to be sitting with us from time to time." It was said with such a finality that nobody in their right mind would dare refute Hermione once she had spoken.
Jack started to protest but Hermione shot him a glare that had him rethinking his words.
Hermione sat down first, making Harry sit on her left side, and she made Neville sit on her right. Luna scurried around the table to sit next to Ron, which would have bothered Harry if he weren't already dealing with being Hermione's boyfriend, sitting at a table with Jack right opposite him.
"See," Hermione said after a moment. "Isn't this great?"
Jack grumbled before he turned his gaze on Harry, something like betrayal flashing in his brown eyes. "You can sit here, whatever, but I don't want you anywhere near me, do you hear me? Don't even talk to me."
Harry just nodded as he sat back and tried to relax. It felt odd being here, with all these other people. He was now one of them, and he panicked at the thought. What would his mother say?
But then Hermione took a hold of his hand and squeezed his fingers in support, making him look at her. "You okay?" she mouthed, her features soft and soothing.
He smiled at her, slowly nodding his head. He was Hermione's, and it was better than anything he could have ever hoped for.
So much better.
"Stop staring at me."
Slowly, a smile spread across Harry's face. "I'm waiting for you to finish reading that so I can tell you something important," he said.
Hermione kept her eyes on the page she was reading as she did complete the paragraph. She waited a beat more before she looked up at him. "What's up?"
"You are adorable when you're concentrating," he said easily, and she practically blushed on command. "The tip of your tongue sticks out, and your brow furrows, and you're so darn cute."
"Harry," she breathed. "We're already dating; there's no need for you to try to convince me."
"So it means I can't compliment you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because, if it does, you know - "
"It doesn't," she cut him off, and then leaned across the table to kiss him. It was a short, tender kiss that brought a smile to both their faces.
"Will I be awarded with kisses every time I compliment you?" he asked. "Because, if so, you know, I can go on all night."
Hermione blushed that bit more, her gaze dropping down to his stupid smile. It was so easy to lose herself in him; to forget that there was a great big world happening all around them. There was a War brewing; it was coming, and soon.
But here she was with her boyfriend, and she was allowed the opportunity to live without stressing about everything that was to come. They were in a bubble, she knew. After the initial interest in their new relationship; things had quieted down. Harry was right about that, at least; they were old news, and Hermione loved it.
"You don't need to compliment me to get kisses, Harry," she said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "All you have to do is ask."
He tilted his head to the side. "Oh, really, Miss Granger?"
"Really, Mister Potter."
"Well, then, Granger, give us a kiss then." He bat his eyelashes. "Please."
Hermione just smiled as she leaned over the table, thinking that this life was definitely one that was worth living.
"I won't claim to be an expert, but I think there's something bothering my oh-so-beautiful girlfriend."
Hermione glanced over her shoulder at Harry's approaching form as she stood hidden between bookshelves in a quiet section of the library. She'd gone there for a bit of an escape, but of course he would be the one to find her.
She waited until he was standing behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder, to speak. "You are a bit of an expert though, aren't you?"
"I'm definitely trying," he whispered. "Tell me what's wrong."
She sighed heavily, absently relaxing into him. "My parents wrote to me," she said carefully. "They want me to spend Christmas with them in, umm, Austria."
Harry didn't immediately respond. Then: "Are you going to go?" he asked softly.
"How can I deny them if they're willing to try?"
"It's not up to you to make the effort," he said, hugging her a bit tighter.
Hermione wriggled a little. "Can you honestly tell me, Harry, that if your father ever expressed interest in you; you wouldn't consider it?"
Harry pressed his lips together. "I can't speak for myself that way," he said seriously. "As far as I'm aware, James has never tried." He sighed. "I'm not saying that you shouldn't go," he said, needing her to know; "I'm saying that you should make sure you're doing it because you want to, and not because of some misplaced guilt you're feeling. They're your parents, Granger; you're not supposed to owe them."
"I know," she said sadly. "I just - what if this is it, Harry? What if I say no now, and that's it for us? I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm growing into this person that they don't know and, if I don't go now; will they ever know me?" She failed to tell him that she sometimes didn't even know herself, though she sometimes suspected that he had an idea. There was just something about Harry Potter - the boy knew things.
"Granger," he whispered.
"It's different with you, Harry, because at least you have your mum and Sirius," she said, a pained sob catching in her throat. "I have nobody. Nobody. My parents don't want me; what makes you think the rest of my family will?"
Harry immediately moved to stand in front of her, taking her head in his hands. "Hey, hey," he said, coaxing her into looking at him. "Don't think like that, okay? Stop saying things like that."
"But they're true."
"Hermione," he whispered, almost pleading with her.
She blinked. It was always a shock to her whenever he used her first name; the way it rolled off his tongue as if his entire mouth was designed to say that one word. Whatever he'd intended to say after her name was lost when she reached up to kiss him.
Thank Merlin for library bookshelves.
For hiding them, yes, but also for Harry having something to push her up against. He kissed her thoroughly, having taken over control at some point, his hands sliding up and down her sides until he entwined his fingers with hers.
It was a distraction that went on for close to five minutes before Hermione started to think that their luck was bound to run out and someone was going to catch them. She was a prefect, after all.
She freed her hands and gently pushed on his chest.
Harry was grinning widely when he pulled back. "Hi," he said.
"Hi back."
He kissed her forehead. "I don't have to tell you again, do I?"
She giggled softly. "I think I've got it," she told him, leaning her forehead against his chest and breathing him in. She wasn't sure how she had survived an entire life without him. The way she just fit against him made her think that she was made to be there; made to be his.
Harry wrapped his arms around her. "You don't have nobody, Granger," he said softly, his breath brushing against the back of her neck. "You have me."
Hermione spent a few days thinking about what she was going to do about Christmas. She already informed Professor McGonagall that she wouldn't be spending the Holiday at the Castle because she was supposed to be going to the Burrow anyway.
Molly Weasley wouldn't have it any other way, but Hermione now had another option to consider. And it was a decision she was finding incredibly difficult to make.
Until she just made it.
"I think I'm going to go," Hermione declared at breakfast, drawing the attention of her two sets of friends. Harry was sitting on her left side, his hand already holding hers. She liked to tease him about it; he was such a hand-holder. It was so cute.
"Are you sure?" Luna asked, recovering first.
She nodded. "It's Austria. How can I say no?"
Only Harry knew that she'd truly considered staying in Britain. If not at Hogwarts, then at the Burrow. He'd even told her that she could go home with him if she so desired, which earned him a heart-stopping kiss, and a very polite rejection.
He'd pouted, and she'd kissed him again.
"Can you even ski?" Ginny asked Hermione.
"I actually can," the brunette replied, somewhat proudly. "I learned when I was twelve. It'll probably take a while to get used to it again though."
Conversation continued on around the friends, though Jack and Harry didn't participate. They didn't usually. Harry rather whispered things to Hermione, and Jack whispered things to Ginny and Ron. They sure as hell didn't talk directly to each other.
Hermione always tried a little too hard to involve them all, Harry thought, and he wasn't afraid to tell her. She couldn't force them to be friends, especially when he vehemently didn't want to.
Hermione accepted that. After everything they'd been through; she wasn't naive to think anything as monumental as that could happen. She did think that Harry and Jack could get on if James was taken out of the equation. They were more similar than they both knew, though she kept that to herself.
"Believe me, Harry, I already know that this kind of thing can't be forced," she said, snuggling into his side as they sat on the couch in the Common Room right before dinner. "I'm a big fan of people being exactly who they are. Both my Potters are the strong, silent types."
He hugged her closer. "I'm going to miss you, you know?"
"Are you really?"
"No, not really."
She exaggerated a gasp, and poked him in the side. "You. Are. Horrible."
He just laughed, his eyes meeting hers. He opened his mouth to say something, but her eyes drifted past him to where the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and Ginny stepped through.
"Hey, Gin," Hermione said, unable to stop her giggle. "You'll never believe what Harry just sa - "
"Hermione."
One word, said in that tone, and Hermione stiffened, suddenly sitting up straight. "Ginny?"
Ginny burst out into tears, as she started to mumble incoherently, her knees suddenly buckling.
Hermione stood up immediately, and crossed the Common Room towards her best friend. "Ginny, what's wrong? What's happened?"
Professor McGonagall stepped into the Common Room behind the redhead, and immediately addressed Hermione. "Miss Granger, will you assist Miss Weasley with packing a bag." It wasn't a request; it was a command.
Hermione wanted to ask what was happening, but she forced herself not to and started to lead Ginny towards the dormitories.
Harry stood awkwardly as he watched the scene play out, suddenly feeling heavy. He just knew that something terrible had happened.
"Mr Potter," McGonagall said, addressing Harry. "Will you go upstairs and fetch the other Mr Potter for me? I suspect that young Mr Weasley would appreciate his presence right now."
Harry couldn't stop himself from voicing the question. "What's happened, Professor?" he asked, his voice sounding smaller than he anticipated.
She let out a tired breath. "Arthur Weasley, the Weasley patriarch, has been attacked," she said, choosing to be truthful. She had a feeling that this boy would understand. He was his mother's son, after all.
"By what?" he whispered. Somehow, he just knew that it was a what, and not a who.
McGonagall dropped her volume of voice as well, though she was surprised by the fact that he asked 'what;' instead of 'who.' "Voldemort."
Harry's eyes widened, and it felt like he'd been punched in the gut. How could he have allowed himself to forget that Voldemort was still out there? How dare he? "Himself?" he asked.
"His snake."
Harry went pale. His snake. Harry knew that snake. He'd told Hermione that he sometimes had nightmares about that snake, which was always rather amusing whenever he woke up in a full-body sweat. "Oh," he sounded, his heart stilling.
McGonagall just watched him, his eyes hardening and his body tensing right before her eyes. Like a soldier gearing up for battle.
He cast her one last look before he sprinted up the stairs. "I'll get Jack."
Harry waited in the Gryffindor Common Room for Hermione's return. Professor McGonagall told him that she would be returning to the Castle before the night was over, and Harry was going to wait for her until she got back.
His eyes started to droop just after one o'clock, but he prevailed until the portrait swung open at two thirty and Hermione Granger stumbled in, accompanied by their Head of House and Jack Potter.
"Mr Potter," McGonagall said, the disapproval in her tone. "It is well after a suitable bedtime."
Harry ignored her as he stood up, moved towards Hermione and immediately took her in his arms. She was trembling, and he could feel her heart beating against his chest.
"Goodnight," Jack said quietly, and then headed up the stairs. He almost sounded relieved that he didn't have to deal with all the emotions in the situation, but there was still something in his voice that Harry couldn't quite place.
McGonagall opened her mouth to admonish the younger Potter again, but decided against it when he ran a soothing hand over Hermione's hair. His eyes met McGonagall's, and the meaning was clear.
The Head of House wasn't needed here any longer.
He would take care of it.
Arthur Weasley was going to make a full recovery.
Professor McGonagall didn't even give Hermione the chance to ask her question the following morning. The younger witch sought her out first thing, and McGonagall wasn't going to beat around the bush. Arthur Weasley was going to be perfectly fine, if a little sore and embarrassed.
"Are you allowed to tell us what happened?" Harry asked their Head of House, his left hand resting on the small of Hermione's back. It was all the comfort he would offer her while they were in the Great Hall.
McGonagall bristled at the word allowed, but she understood what Harry was asking. They'd been kept in the dark about the happenings of Voldemort, and Harry wanted to know.
"Please, Professor?"
She glanced about, making sure that they wouldn't be overheard. "There was an attack at the Ministry," she told them. "Two Order members were present, but Mr Weasley was the only one injured. He is presently at St Mungo's receiving treatment, and it is unlikely that the Weasley children will be returning to school before the New Year."
Harry nodded thoughtfully.
"I suspect that Sirius will give you more details this holiday," she said to Harry. "I'm afraid I don't have more." That said, she turned and headed back towards the teachers' table.
Hermione turned to look at Harry. "There's a lot she's not telling us," she said, stepping closer to him. "Why would Voldemort's snake be at the Ministry? Why just his snake anyway?"
Harry didn't respond. He rather took hold of her hand and led them to the Gryffindor table where Luna and Neville were already waiting for them, ready with their own questions. They were still discussing the Ministry Attack when Jack arrived, looking like he'd barely slept. He hesitated when he spotted the four of them, his eyes darting about as he looked for a way out.
Hermione spotted him and waved him over. "We don't bite," she said, eyeing him.
"Speak for yourself," Luna said, smiling innocently.
Jack cautiously made his way over and took a seat next to Luna, across from Harry and Hermione. He looked a little lost, with his best friend and girlfriend gone. "Uh, good morning," he said awkwardly.
Everyone but Harry greeted him, and Hermione elbowed the raven-haired wizard in the side.
"What?" he asked.
"Be nice."
"But I didn't say anything."
"Exactly."
Harry sighed, before he looked up at Jack. "Mornin'," he grumbled.
Jack took a breath. "You didn't come up to the dormitory last night," he said, his brow furrowed.
"That's my fault," Hermione said, blushing slightly. "I made him stay in the Common Room with me," she explained; "I didn't want to, umm, be alone."
Jack didn't respond to that bit of information, though both Harry and Hermione noticed his clenched jaw. "Did you find out how Arthur is doing?" he asked Hermione.
"He's going to make a full recovery," she informed him. "Gin, Ron and the twins won't be coming back before we're supposed to break up, so, you'll probably see them at the Burrow. You should write to them."
"I will," he said, pouring himself some pumpkin juice.
Harry shifted beside Hermione, mentally willing himself to ask the question he wanted to. "Do you know why Voldemort's snake was at the Ministry?" he asked his brother.
"Why the hell would I know?"
"Don't you know everything?" Harry shot back, suddenly irritated. "You are the Boy-Who-Lived, aren't you?"
Jack scowled. "I don't know, okay? Nobody tells me anything either."
"Why not?"
"How should I know?"
"Don't you ask?"
"Don't you?"
Harry huffed. "Why would they tell me anything?"
The two boys stared at each other for a long while, neither of them saying a word, and then they both burst out laughing, confusing all those around them. Including themselves.
"Why on earth are you laughing?" Hermione asked, looking between the two boys. "Seriously. What did I miss? What is so funny?" She looked helplessly at Luna and Neville. "What is happening right now?"
"Heck if I know," Neville said, shrugging. "Will you please pass the eggs?"
Hermione was still in a bit of shock as she passed Neville the platter in front of her. What could they possibly be laughing about? And, seriously, were her eyes deceiving her or were Jack and Harry laughing together?
Though, as quickly as the laughter started, it dissipated, and the five of them settled in to eat their breakfast. Jack seemed to relax that bit more when Dean and Seamus rolled in, and no more conversation passed between him and Harry.
It was a strange new dynamic as they saw out the rest of the term without any of the Weasley children around. Hermione spent more time with Jack, which Harry understood, and didn't complain too much. Though, Hermione did appreciate it when he did.
The days went relatively quickly. Hermione's letters to Ginny were replied in brief sentences, but it was enough for the brunette to know that her friend was at least functioning. Hermione was more worried about Ginny than Ron, mainly because Ginny tended to be a bit of a 'daddy's girl.'
There was no news of the attack on Arthur Weasley in the papers, which was expected. With the Ministry avoiding anything remotely related to the Dark Lord, and the Order probably doing something that they weren't supposed to be doing; the attack would remain hidden and probably stay there. Amelia was good for that.
"The one good thing about schooling in Scotland is that I have plenty of clothes to handle the weather in Austria."
Harry barely had time to register his girlfriend's arrival before she was flopping down on the armchair right next to him; half on top of him. Apparently, his chair was hers, and that was perfectly okay with him. "Hello, you," he said, relaxing fully as he continued to recline in the Common Room.
Hermione draped an arm across his chest, her hand resting on his side. "There's something I have to tell you," she said, her tone playful enough to ease his growing panic.
"Where's the body, and do I need a shovel?" he asked.
She giggled, and Harry tried to memorise the sound of it before they would be parting ways for the holiday. "Sometimes I don't even know what to do with you."
"Kissing me will always work," he said slyly, smirking slightly.
"I'll remember that," she said quietly. Then: "I was going to tell you that I'm going to give you your Christmas present when we get back. Is that okay?"
He pretended to think it over, trying to see how long he could go without responding before she lost her patience with him. It was a considerably short time, and she pinched his side to get him talking.
"Granger, you know that you don't have to get me anything," he said gently. "But I guess it's all right." He exaggerated a sigh. "I supposed that I'll have to make do somehow."
There were moments like these when Hermione truly considered what life was now like with Harry Potter. Looking back, she couldn't remember feeling so... calm. For so long, she'd been terrified of having anyone actually know her; terrified of having anyone know that she truly wasn't worth the effort. And now, this boy - this truly disarming boy - was looking at her as if there was no other person in the world.
If Harry was surprised when she didn't react to his attempted humour, he didn't show it. Instead, he touched her cheek with his left hand. "Can I tell you something about your present now?"
All she could do was nod.
"It exists; I swear it exists," he said quickly. "It's just that my mother hasn't yet picked it up. But it definitely exists, I promise."
Hermione just smiled at him. "Potter, you know that you don't have to get me anything," she said, imitating him, before leaning in to kiss his cheek. Then: "Excuses, excuses."
He looked at her then, with gentle, knowing eyes. "Is it selfish of me to claim that I don't want you to go?" he asked quietly. "There's just something about knowing you'll be on the continent that makes me feel uneasy."
"Because of Voldemort?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Not entirely," he confessed. "I don't know; I just don't want you to be so far away... I'm a strange guy, you know?"
"I do know, in fact," she said, smiling at him. "I think I understand what you're trying to tell me."
"You do?"
She nodded. "I'm going to miss you too, Potter."
He chuckled. "Trust you to figure out what I'm trying to say without my actually having to say it. What would I ever do without you?"
"Actually have to articulate yourself?"
He exaggerated a gasp. "You wound me, Granger." Then he leaned towards her and kissed her cheek, trailing his lips along her jaw and down to her neck. "I'm really going to miss you, Hermione," he whispered against her skin, and she shivered, her eyes automatically closing. Her name out of his mouth always made her feel like she was halfway to melting. It was actually rather embarrassing.
Harry kept his face buried in the crook of her neck, just breathing her in as the world continued on around them. He never wanted to move again. He wasn't even aware of the students around them, some of them glancing their way from time to time. He tried not to care and, more often than not, he didn't.
But sometimes he did.
"If Ron were here, he'd tell you both to get a room."
Hermione's eyes snapped open to spy Jack standing over them, sporting a facial expression that she didn't recognise. "What's happened?" she immediately asked, scrambling off of the chair and moving to stand in front of him. "Is it Arthur? Did something happen?"
Jack frowned. "Do you really think that if something more had happened to Arthur, I would have led with telling you to get a room?"
Hermione just about managed a smile. "You have your moments, Jack; so you can't blame me," she said easily, suddenly super-aware of Harry's presence behind her. "Is something wrong?" she asked Jack.
He shifted awkwardly. "Uh," he sounded. "Do you think, umm, I could borrow you for a while?" he asked quietly. "It's just that, well, Ron and Gin are gone, and I, uh..." he trailed off nervously, his left hand moving to rest against the back of his neck.
"Oh."
Jack let out a breath. "But if you're busy..."
Hermione put a hand out to silence him, before she turned to look at Harry, who was watching their interaction with keen interest. She wasn't looking to him for permission, and she just knew that he already knew that. She asked a question with her eyes.
Harry smiled at her. He'd give her anything and everything she ever wanted, truly. "I have to meet Neville and Luna in a bit," he said, getting to his feet. "I should probably start heading over now."
Hermione smiled at him, grateful for his understanding in this moment. She watched him hesitate for a second, as if he wasn't sure if he could kiss her or not before he left, and her heart hurt a little at how unsure he looked. She saved him from the awkwardness by leaning towards him and brushing her lips against his. "Thank you," she whispered.
At that, he smiled brightly, and then he moved around her towards the portrait hole. He spared a glance Jack's way, and they shared a rather significant look. It wasn't a heated one, but there was still something there. Perhaps Harry had given Jack an actual reason not to like him by dating Hermione, and neither boy was sure how to deal with it.
It was much simpler when James was pulling the strings behind his favourite son's hatred.
Harry continued on his way in silence, contemplating whatever it was that he'd seen in Jack's eyes. For the first time, Harry started to think that maybe he'd glimpsed whatever Hermione saw.
He wasn't sure that he liked it.
The train ride home was, thankfully, uneventful. Once again, Harry, Neville and Luna claimed their own compartment and discussed their plans for the holidays.
Luna, of course, had another expedition planned with her father, and Harry had to kick Neville's shin to stop him from commenting. Neville was going home to Longbottom Manor to spend the holidays with his grandmother, and it was easy to see that he wasn't looking forward to it. Harry made a mental note to see if maybe Sirius or his mum could rescue him at some point.
Harry was going home to Surrey to spend the holidays with his mother; and probably Sirius as well.
Hermione stopped by their compartment a few times, staying for a few minutes at a time. Harry could tell that the moving back and forth was stressing her out, and he didn't want to add to whatever she was already feeling about spending the holidays with her parents. He could hear the strain in her voice, and the way she couldn't bring herself to sit still for any amount of time.
Eventually, Harry just told her that he would see her when they arrived in London. She looked hurt for a moment, before her face took on an expression of relief, and she gave him a lingering kiss right in front of his best friends. When she was gone, he had to deal with their teasing and ribbing, but it was so worth it. Kisses from Hermione were pure gold, and he was going to have to survive the entire Christmas Break without them somehow.
As expected, the Platform was packed with families coming to pick up their children. Harry, Neville and Luna checked their compartment for any items left behind, ensured they had their shrunken trunks, and then made their way off the train together.
Harry's eyes immediately searched for Hermione. When he spotted her standing with Jack and his family, he felt something twist in his gut, but he just about managed to squash it down. He knew she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to him, which was enough to get him searching for his own parent.
The trio spotted Neville's grandmother first - her hat was unmissable, truly. After a quick goodbye, Harry and Luna next encountered Xeno Lovegood, and the sight of him made Harry shake his head. What was it with witches and wizards and their garish attire? It hurt his eyes, honestly.
Luna barely managed to hug Harry goodbye, instructing him to take care of himself and say goodbye to Hermione for her, before Xeno was whisking her away on whatever adventure he had planned.
Harry allowed himself to think that maybe Neville was right, and that something needed to be done. But what? What could they possibly do? Xeno was her father, and Luna absolutely adored him.
Harry, once again, searched the crowds, spied Sirius after a few moments, and then rushed towards him.
"What on earth happened to your hair?" Harry asked by way of greeting. This had to be a recent thing, because even the papers hadn't reported on it.
Sirius chuckled. "Well, hello to you too," he said, dragging the young wizard into a quick hug. "What? Don't you like it?"
"It's, uh, definitely different," he said coyly.
"Oi," Sirius said, gently shoving his shoulder. "Now, where's that girlfriend of yours?"
Harry glanced to a spot behind him where Hermione was still standing with Jack and his welcoming party. This time, he felt a pang of jealousy, though he couldn't be certain what it was for. "She'll be along," he eventually said to Sirius. "Where's Mum?"
"Working," he replied. "She wants to get everything done tonight so she can focus all her attention on you for the rest of the holiday."
Harry nodded in understanding. "She missed me, didn't she? Tired of just you, huh?"
"I'm a hoot," he said, sniffing the air. "We have so much fun when you're not around."
"Keep telling yourself that, Padfoot."
Sirius couldn't stop himself from pulling Harry into another, much longer, hug. He really had missed the kid, and he was unafraid to let him know. "Incoming," he suddenly said, and dropped his arms from around Harry.
Harry was confused until he heard a throat clearing. Jack's sounded exactly like James'; it was uncanny. Harry turned around to see Hermione standing with Jack, James, Jack's mother and his little sister. An entire welcoming party.
"Sorry to interrupt," James said, his eyes narrow and his jaw clenched.
"James," Sirius said curtly.
Harry ignored their exchange in favour of looking at Hermione, even pulling her aside and away from that situation. "Are your parents here?" he asked quietly.
She glanced around, suddenly nervous. "I've been instructed to call for a car to take me to the airport," she explained. "Jack and his parents volunteered to wait with me."
Harry frowned. "Your parents aren't picking you up?"
"It's my understanding that they're already in Austria," she said, her voice so low that Harry took a step towards her - and, as a result, towards James. "My ticket is waiting for me at Heathrow. I'll pick it up when I get there."
"I don't like this," he said, shaking his head.
"It is what it is."
"It's not okay."
Sirius put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "What's this I hear about taking a car to Heathrow?" he asked, looking at Hermione. "Why, hello, Miss Granger."
"Hullo," she said quietly.
Harry briefly explained the situation to Sirius, who also shook his head in mild disgust.
"That simply will not do," he said beseechingly. "We'll take you to the airport ourselves."
"We will?" Harry asked.
"We will," Sirius declared. "We have nothing better to do until your mum is done with whatever it is that she's doing, and how can I possibly pass up the opportunity to tease you both mercilessly."
"Sirius," Harry muttered.
He laughed lightly. "Tell me that you don't want to spend just a little bit more time with this lovely lady."
Harry looked at Hermione, who was already looking at Sirius.
"You know that you don't have to," she began.
"Nonsense," Sirius said. "It's decided."
"What's decided?" James asked, butting in.
Sirius was about to explain - which may or may not have included a retort - but Hermione beat him to it. She knew how to work James Potter; she had to make sure that he understood that this decision was about her, and not about Harry or Sirius.
"I appreciate your offer to wait with me," she said sweetly; "but Harry and Sirius have offered to take me to Heathrow themselves as they're both free, which seems like a much better idea. It'll save time as well, because I don't even know what time my flight is."
It took a bit more convincing, but Hermione eventually got her way. She usually did.
Harry watched as she bid Jack and his family goodbye, and then turned to look at him expectantly. "You okay?" she asked, noticing the slight frown on his face.
"They didn't say goodbye," he said.
Hermione glanced back at the retreating figures of the Potter family, and then returned her attention to Harry. "I'm sorry," she said sadly, taking hold of his hand and squeezing his fingers.
"It's nothing I'm not used to," he said with a shrug. "Shall we?"
Hermione shifted her hold on his hand, and rather gripped his arm as they walked, Sirius leading the way out of King's Cross Station. The older wizard pretended to have forgotten where he parked the car, which neither teen found very amusing.
"Jeez," he muttered; "tough crowd."
True to his word, Sirius teased them without caution. He wasn't even trying to filter what he was saying, and the two teenagers spent the entire trip to the airport sporting varying degrees of deep red blushes.
The airport was even more chaotic than King's Cross Station, but Hermione knew what she was doing, Harry and Sirius just following. Sirius was the one to expand her trunk, and then she was getting herself checked in and asking for a window seat.
It was fortunate that Sirius and Harry had brought her, because there wasn't much waiting time before she had to go into the terminal for boarding. She'd waited as long as she could with the two wizards, and she couldn't have been more thankful for the company.
Hermione said goodbye to Sirius first, thanking him for the lift, and wishing him a happy Christmas. She also told him that she liked the new look, and she was looking forward to hearing all about how it was working out with Lily. Both of them ignored Harry's confused look at the sound of that.
Saying goodbye to Harry was an entirely different thing. Just from the look in his eyes, she had half a mind to abandon her trip and spend Christmas with him. It would have been so easy... but no. She vowed to try.
"Promise you'll write," she said, squeezing his hands.
"I promise," he replied easily. "And you'll call, right?"
"I promise," she echoed.
She leaned forward slightly. "I'm going to miss you."
Harry glanced over his shoulder at Sirius, knowing that he was definitely going to be teased mercilessly for what he was about to say. "I'm going to miss you too," he whispered, hoping that Sirius didn't hear him.
Hermione just shook her head, before she initiated a rather heated, goodbye kiss. She left him standing there, utterly dazed and sporting a goofy grin. Sirius had to shake him to bring him back, and the older wizard laughed out loud.
Harry blinked a few times, regaining his bearings, and then he shrugged. "At least I have a girlfriend," he said, as he started to lead the way out of the airport.
Sirius followed. "Low blow, Harry; that's a truly low blow."
Lily wasn't at home when Sirius and Harry arrived. Even though Sirius didn't officially live in the modest three-bedroom home, he had his own key. Once inside, Harry accepted Sirius' offer to expand his trunk downstairs, and then proceeded to drag it up to his bedroom. Something about being back in the Muggle world and all that.
While Harry unpacked his things, Sirius started on dinner. The two of them were just sitting down at the kitchen table when Lily arrived, looking particularly exhausted. Though, her haggard facial expression vanished the second she laid eyes on her son, and she practically flung herself at him. Harry didn't even try to get out of her embrace, realising that she needed this moment.
He did too, though he'd never say it out loud.
"Welcome home," she said, before releasing him so that she could get a good look at him. He looked well. Even, she dare say, happy.
"We made dinner," Sirius said, catching her attention. "And hello to you too, Lily."
She laughed lightly, placing one hand on Sirius' shoulder, and the other on Harry's. "Both my boys," she said softly. "It's good to have you both home."