Chapter Fifteen: Cool for the Summer
"It's not fair."
Harry couldn't help his laugh. "Just accept it, Neville. Gryffindor is the best House."
"I just - no, it's not fair," Neville continued. "I swear Dumbledore is biased. Was he a Gryffindor when he was in school? It's the only explanation."
Harry pat his friend on the shoulder in mock sympathy. "Life must be hard as a Hufflepuff," he said, grinning. "When was the last time you guys won the House Cup?"
Before Neville could reply, Luna cut into their conversation, her voice travelling across the small space of the Hogwarts Express compartment. "Okay, you two can continue this debate later," she said dismissively, before adding: "even though we both know that Ravenclaw trumps all others."
"Hey - " Harry countered, followed closely by Neville's: "No way - "
Luna laughed at the looks on their faces. "We don't have a lot of time before Hermione gets back from the Prefects' meeting."
Harry checked his watch, a small smile automatically spreading across his face. It's what usually happened whenever he so much as thought her name. "Ten minutes maybe."
"She'll have the patrol schedule when she gets back, which we'll - "
"Wait," Harry said, interrupting her. "What makes you think we'll even get to see the schedule?"
"She's going to give it to us."
Harry's mouth dropped open, and Neville actually gasped.
"Why would she do that?" Neville asked.
Luna let out a heavy sigh. "Have you two seriously not being paying attention to anything I've just said?"
"Probably," Harry confessed. "Gryffindor did win the House Cup."
"Hermione is in." Luna reached into her robes and fished for her notebook. It was a notebook that Harry recognised as the one he'd been carting between the two most important young witches in his life, like a postman. "We've been working on the Charm work together."
"Wait," Neville said. "Are you trying to tell me that Hermione Granger, Prefect and most polite person I've ever met in my entire life, not only knows what we plan on doing, but actually helped?"
Luna nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Sweet Merlin."
If Harry could have loved her more in that moment, he didn't think it. She was definitely full of surprises.
"Now, please," Luna said; "can we go over it one more time?"
Harry and Neville gave her their undivided attention, all three of them running through the roles they would be playing in exacting a Mosstroopers revenge, with a Granger Twist. Whatever that meant. It would be terrifying and embarrassing for their victims, though not particularly dangerous. Hermione made sure of that, with modified protection charms.
When Hermione did eventually return to the compartment, she immediately handed a piece of parchment to Luna before claiming the seat next to the blonde witch. Almost immediately, Luna got to work, trying to figure out the best time to attack.
Hermione waited a full minute before she asked the question of the boys sitting across from her. "Why are you both staring at me?"
"No reason," Harry said, at the same time that Neville said: "What? No - "
Harry and Neville exchanged a look but, wisely, both didn't say a word more. Hermione just gave them both a curious look before she pulled out a novel - an honest to God novel - and proceeded to read.
Really, Harry could have watched her for ages, but Luna kicked at his shoe, and the three of them were back to their planning. His mother might have called it scheming, but Harry secretly knew that she'd be a little bit proud. She'd been a terrifying mixture of livid and calm when Harry told her what happened.
She'd said things.
Sirius said more things.
And, really, Harry decided in that moment that this entire year was both a success and a failure. Where he was; it didn't feel like anything much had changed, and that was the worst part. This was supposed to be his big year and what progress had he made?
Sure, he was now a Quidditch player on the Cup winning team and, sure, for a while there, he was something of a hero. Jack still hated him, though Harry'd never actually set out to change that, did he?
Despite it all, it all still felt so unimportant because he'd lost Hermione. No. She'd been taken from him. It wasn't lost on him that the probability of their getting back together was high, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow going into the long months of their summer holiday.
"Are you even listening?" Luna questioned.
Harry looked at her. "Always."
She shook her head, her smile giving away her slight amusement. "What am I ever going to do with you?"
"You love me."
She rolled her eyes, before getting them back to the finer details of what was to come.
When it was time, Luna sent Neville to get into position first. A minute later, it was time for Harry and Luna to leave.
"Granger?"
Hermione already knew what was coming, but she wouldn't say so. Plausible deniability and all that.
Today was the day.
They were going home. Well, they were leaving the Hogwarts Castle. Hermione wasn't sure if she'd call the house she lived in with her parents a home.
"Granger?" Harry tried again, clearly wanting her to look at him.
With a sigh, she turned her gaze on him, abandoning the text in front of her. "Okay, Harry," she said gently. She didn't think that he was actually asking for her permission, but she knew that there was a part of him that would welcome her verbal blessing. So she gave it. After all, whatever the Mosstroopers were going to do was, in part, because of her. For her. "Go and do what you have to do, Mosstrooper Number One."
He grinned at her. It was one of those grins that made her heart stutter. She had half a mind to pull him into her arms and never let him go, but she quickly shook the thought. It was the problem with Harry Potter, wasn't it? Which wasn't actually a problem at all.
It was just too easy for her to lose herself in him.
"I'll see you later?" he asked, noticing the faraway look in her eyes. His voice revealed his own nervousness, coupled with a bit of fear.
"I promise I won't leave without saying goodbye," she assured him, realising that he needed to hear her say the words.
Luna cleared her throat. "I hope you'll pay us the same courtesy as well," she said teasingly.
Hermione rolled her eyes and made a show of sighing heavily. "If I must."
Luna laughed. "Try as you might, Granger; but you love us."
Hermione's breath hitched in her throat. What? Love. Who said anything about that?
Harry noticed the sudden look of panic on Hermione's face, and knew that it'd be wise to get Luna out of there before the brunette witch's brain short-circuited. "Come on, Luna," he said, gesturing with his hand for the two of them to leave. "Neville is waiting for us." He looked at Hermione again. "And plus, we'll probably be back with plenty of time."
"I'll be here," Hermione said.
Luna just looked between the two Gryffindors, before she allowed Harry to lead her out of the compartment.
As soon as they were safely away from Hermione, Harry tugged on her arm to get her attention. "Luna, as much as I appreciate what you're trying to do; I'd would also appreciate it if you didn't freak her out."
The witch just shrugged. "I'm just trying to get her used to the idea of being loved, Harry."
He blinked in confusion.
"It has to be casual at first," she explained, as they dodged a pair of First Years. "You said it yourself. We can't have you overwhelming her with your feelings now."
Harry just shook his head. "We'll talk about this later."
Luna's answering smile was small, but knowing. "Sure we will, Potter."
It didn't take them long to get into their own positions. Harry didn't think that he'd be so annoyed that Jack and Ginny weren't sitting in the same compartment before, but now it made what they were planning a little bit more complicated, but still rather exciting.
Harry and Luna were responsible for getting Jack and Ron into position, while Neville was responsible for Ginny. Luna was the one who made that decision, and neither boy questioned her. They were both willing to let her take charge of this particular mission. Harry thought he understood her anger, but he hadn't actually asked. He suspected that she was also rather irritated with herself, because she hadn't noticed.
So this was her show, and Harry and Neville were her minions.
The setup was simple enough, with the more complicated parts involving actually getting their marks alone. Luna opted for mild compulsion charms because it was easier and less messy. Harry did the Stunning, and Neville did the Sticking, which was actually the most complicated part, seeing as they were on a moving train.
"Upside down?" Neville asked Luna.
"Definitely," she responded, absently handing Harry three pieces of paper.
Harry didn't know what she'd written on them, and he was actually looking forward to learning what they said along with everyone else. Once Neville had their marks in position, Harry positioned the papers right way up, freezing their hands in position.
When he was done, Luna set up the Silencing and Disillusionment Charms. "Those should wear off a few minutes after we arrive at King's Cross," she said, looking rather satisfied. "But they should be awake long before that."
Harry merely nodded, fighting off the bigger part of him that thought this was a little much. He had to remember that Hermione approved and, frankly, he wasn't averse to Jack, Ginny and Ron suffering some form of terror. He also reminded himself that they weren't actually in danger. The Sticking Charm was strong and, in the event that it did fail; their were other failsafes in place.
Neville closed the window of the empty compartment they were in. "Come on, we should get out of here," he said. "Don't want to be at the scene of the crime, now do we?"
Luna just grinned. "What crime?"
They shared a laugh as they made the way back to the compartment in which they'd left Hermione. The brunette witch didn't look to have moved at all, and Harry couldn't help his relief. She was still perched on the seat, book in her lap and shoulder leaning against the window.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at their entrance.
Luna merely nodded, and then the four of them settled in to wait out the rest of the trip to London. Harry and Neville ended up playing a game of Exploding Snap, while Hermione continued to read and Luna caught a nap. The blonde witch would be leaving on an expedition with her father as soon as they arrived at King's Cross Station. Suffice to say, Neville had quite a bit to say about that.
"But she needs a holiday," he said softly, his eyes glancing Luna's way, as if she would sense they were talking about her and wake up.
"The expedition is a holiday," Harry said. Somehow, he always ended up playing Devil's Advocate in these situations. It wasn't as if he couldn't see how burnt out his Ravenclaw friend was. They were all exhausted. It had been an exhausting year. "Also, did you stop think that that maybe Xeno is taking her out of the country for a reason?"
Neville looked at Harry. "Are you talking about You-Know-Who?"
Harry nodded. "Tom's forces are growing."
"Did Sirius tell you that?"
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out what he's doing," he said, rather petulantly. "And you know as well as I do that all that Sirius tells me has to go through my mum first." He leaned back, their game abandoned. "He wasn't that strong, from what I remember of the graveyard. His followers looked skeptical at best; even more so because Jack managed to escape. If I were him, I would be trying to grow my forces and prove my power."
"He garners loyalty through fear and money."
Both boys looked at Hermione.
"Sorry," she said, shrugging slightly. "I couldn't resist."
Harry nodded, showing her that he didn't mind that she joined the conversation. "It's true though. He's probably building an army as we speak."
They all fell silent, lost in their own thoughts as the reality of Harry's words set in. Voldemort was preparing, and the Ministry was still vehemently denying his return. They were practically playing into his hands.
"What would he need from the Ministry?" Neville asked after a while. "Remember, Ron's dad was injured at the Ministry."
Harry dropped his gaze for a moment, feeling his own guilt at the incident. Even though he didn't know how he could have possibly explained his dream; he still felt as if he should have done more. "I don't know," he eventually said. "Why does Tom do anything?"
"Power?" Hermione offered. "Maybe he wanted information on something, and it can only be found at the Ministry."
"If that's the case, why didn't he just send someone else? A human being, no less?" He sighed. "Sirius said that the snake that attacked Mr Weasley was Tom's familiar."
"How fitting," Hermione murmured.
"Which just makes me wonder," Harry continued. "Why would Tom risk sending an extension of himself for information that anyone could get?"
Hermione nibbled at her bottom lip, catching onto Harry's thread. "Unless it wasn't information that anyone could get."
"Exactly."
Neville shuddered. "If You-Know-Who ever showed up at the Ministry, I'm convinced that it would crumble. All their denying of his return would make them look like fools."
Harry nodded in agreement. "I do know that they've increased the security presence in the Ministry on Madam Bones' instruction. There's also the Order keeping watch or whatever it is that they do. I'm sure that, if it weren't for Bones and James; Tom might have already tried to get that information again."
"What do you think he's waiting for?" Neville asked.
"For us to be at our weakest, and for them to be at his strongest."
"But how will he know?"
"I'm sure he has spies," Hermione said. "If I were him, I would. With enough money, you can get people to do just about anything. Blackmail too. You've been reading about all these kidnappings in the paper. I don't know how people haven't caught on, really."
Despite the topic of conversation, Harry couldn't stop himself from smiling at Hermione's look of indignation, as if she'd been personally insulted by other people's lack of logic. He always had to remind her that not everyone could be like her.
Truthfully, he didn't blame people for not believing that Voldemort was back. After so many years of relative peace, it wasn't easy to accept that one of the Darkest wizards was suddenly back. Harry didn't know what he would believe if he hadn't seen Voldemort for himself. Would he have believed Jack?
Would he have believed Dumbledore?
When they were ten minutes from their destination, Hermione suggested that they swap their robes for their coats and jackets before they ended up shocking the Muggle world. She was the one to shake Luna awake, and Harry didn't miss the way that Neville's eyes never left the blonde witch's face. They held in them concern and something that looked like admiration.
They got changed in relative silence, Neville's grunts and complaints the only noise in the compartment.
"I think you need a new coat, Nev," Harry said, eyeing his friend struggle to get his second arm through its designated hole.
"I think so too," Neville agreed.
"Do you want me to enlarge it for now?" Hermione offered.
"Please."
Hermione waved her wand, her lips forming around the word: "Engorgio," and Neville's arm slipped easily into place.
"Thank you," he said.
"It should last about two hours," she told him; "and you're welcome."
When the Express came to a stop, the four of them started on their way out of the compartment. Harry, Neville and Luna had shrunk their trunks and put them in their pockets, to be enlarged by an adult later. Hermione's trunk was also safely in her pocket, to be enlarged with an activation word when she reached her destination.
A destination she didn't really want to talk about to anyone.
The platform was busy, full of students and parents alike greeting one another after the long year. And it had been a long year, full of ups and downs, and even further downs.
"Let's head over there," Neville said, directing them. "It should give us a good view."
There was collective nodding, as the four of them shuffled their way further down the platform, essentially moving into the best position to see their handiwork.
When Harry first spotted James on the platform, he slowed his pace. "You guys go on; I'll catch up."
There were no protests, as his three friends continued on their way, leaving him to his thoughts. The moment he did this, James would know, and so would Jack. It was bound to be a comedic moment, sure, but the aftermath had him feeling a little nervous. He wasn't looking forward to going back to having to look over his shoulder all the time.
But it was going to be worth it, surely.
Harry took a moment to work up whatever it was he needed to step towards his father. He'd rehearsed what he would say, but it was an entirely different experience approaching the man he very rarely spoke to.
"Hey, James," he said, standing up as straight as he could. He wasn't nearly as tall as his father, but Harry was still growing. "You looking for someone?" he asked, his voice steady.
If James was surprised by the approach of his other son, it was clear as day on his face. "Excuse me?"
"Who are you looking for? You looking for Jack?"
James forced a nod, still a little taken aback. When James wasn't avoiding his other son; Harry was avoiding him.
"He's right there," Harry said, pointing over his shoulder at the side of the train.
James looked, only to see nothing. "Where?"
Harry spun on his heel to look as well. "Hmm, I'd give it a minute. You'll see it then." He let out a laugh, before he practically skipped away. He didn't dare look back as he made his way towards his waiting friends, feeling rather proud of himself.
Luna took hold of his arm when he approached. "What did you say to him?"
He shrugged. "Just that he should keep an eye out for his son."
She let out a laugh. "It's going to brilliant, isn't it?"
"Definitely," Neville said.
Collectively, they all turned to look at the point on the train that Harry indicated to James, the four of them just waiting. "Any second now," Luna murmured, absently stepping closer to Harry. "Bet you a Galleon that one of them peed themselves," she whispered.
Despite himself, Harry laughed. "Which one?"
"I want to say Jack, but I'm going to go with Ron."
"Probably."
They shared a laugh, just as it began.
When the Silencing Charm fell, three piercing screams were heard, drawing the attention of all those on the platform. And when the Disillusionment fell, it was priceless. The very sight of them had people in stitches.
Jack, Ginny and Ron were stuck up on the outside of the Hogwarts Express, their robes spread out around them. Together, the three of them were in positions to spell out the letter 'H,' with Ginny forming the middle arm. Jack and Ron were both upside down, their robes falling over their heads and revealing them in their underwear.
Really, Harry wondered why these Purebloods refused to wear suitable clothing under their robes. They were just asking for trouble.
Their arms would have been flailing if their hands weren't held in position to reveal the pages that Luna wrote out, held the right way up for all to see. It was the first time that Harry was seeing them, and he was just as surprised and enthralled as the next person.
He read Jack's first, and almost keeled over from his own laughter.
.
I'm obsessed with trying to be better than my half-brother because I know, deep down, that I'll never be as handsome or badass as he is. Harry, please teach me your ways. - The Boy-Who-Tried
.
Harry looked at Luna. "Do you really think I'm handsome and badass?"
"Actually, I didn't write that one," she said, her eyes flicking towards Hermione. "But I did write Ginny's one."
Harry's eyes drifted towards the middle of the 'H,' lingering over Hermione's smiling face for a moment.
.
I don't like not getting what I want, and I will throw a hissy fit when I don't. Watch out, ladies, I steal boyfriends too. Just ask my ex-best-friend. - The Backstabber
.
"Oh my God," Harry said. "Luna!"
The witch just shrugged. "Tell me she didn't deserve it."
He couldn't. "And Hermione approved it?"
Luna nodded.
Harry leaned into her slightly, and whispered: "Did I mention that I'm in love with her?"
"Once or twice," she replied with a laugh. "We're not done."
And, finally, Harry read Ron's:
.
I just do whatever my best friend tells me to, because I'm a sheep and I have no backbone of my own. At least my mum still loves me. - The Brainless Follower
.
"That's perfect," Harry said, nudging Luna slightly. "Thank you."
"Always."
Harry just smiled as he turned away, digging into the pocket of his jeans. He fished for a Galleon before he handed it to Luna.
"Told you it'd be Ron," she said, grinning at him as she took it.
"Yeah yeah. How do you feel?" he asked.
"I feel great," she said. "This has been a great day, Harry Potter. Don't you forget it."
"I won't."
"We should get going before James figures out how to get them down. We didn't exactly make it that difficult," she added, absently watching as the much older Potter was trying to do just that, his wand out and a flustered look on his face.
Harry nodded, as he started to walk away, his friends following. They disappeared into the crowd and huddled together, waiting for any of their parents to show up.
Almost fittingly, it was Sirius who arrived first. He greeted them all and congratulated them on a master prank, before he was urging Harry to say his goodbyes. Neville and Luna each received hugs from the young Gryffindor, before he pulled Hermione to the side.
Things were still a little up in the air between them, but he suspected that she wanted to use this summer to work through whatever she said that she needed to.
"You'll be okay?" he asked, needing to know.
"Of course," she said.
He nodded, even though he wasn't quite sure that he believed her. "Will you write?" he asked, slightly irritated by how small his voice sounded. There was an irrational part of his mind that was worried that she might forget about him.
She nodded. "I might even call you."
"Ooh," he said; "I feel so special."
"As you should."
He smiled at her. "You have a good summer, all right."
"You too, Harry."
For a moment, he hesitated, contemplating if he could. But then she gave him a significant look, practically daring him; and so he pulled her into a long, lingering hug that spoke of a history beyond friendship.
Hermione released him first, and allowed herself to kiss his cheek. "Be good."
Harry was blushing. "When am I not?"
"Don't make me tell you twice, Potter."
He grinned at her. "I promise I'll be good."
"Good man."
And then she was walking back to Neville and Luna, leaving him to watch after her. He felt both light and heavy at the same time, as he watched her until she disappeared into a small crowd of people. He couldn't stop himself from thinking that he already missed her. Merlin, he was pathetic.
He was startled out of his musings by the feel of Sirius' hand on his shoulder. "It's good to see the two of you are still talking," he said softly.
"I love her, Sirius."
Admittedly, the older wizard wasn't at all surprised by that. "Girls will ruin us, Harry."
Harry looked up at him. "You're stupidly in love as well, aren't you?"
He nodded. "I even take the trash out the Muggle way now. I'm ruined, I'm telling you."
Harry laughed lightly, before he let out a long sigh. "Can we go home now?"
"Don't you want to get some dinner first?"
"Not really."
Sirius sighed. "Don't tell me that you're going to be this depressed the entire summer now," he said, turning Harry to look at him. "Because you know I won't stand for it. This is supposed to be an exciting time for our family."
Our family. Harry liked the sound of that.
"So, what are the plans for the summer?" Sirius asked, as he started to lead the way through the crowds of King's Cross Station. "Besides pining over our favourite Miss Granger, of course?"
Harry faked a laugh. "I'm ready to get started on our training sessions as soon as possible," he said. "And Mum will probably have me starting on N.E.W.T. work by the end of the week."
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "What about a holiday?"
"I'm sorry if I don't want to die when Voldemort eventually comes knocking," he said, and Sirius missed a step. If Harry noticed, he didn't acknowledge it. "I have to be prepared, Sirius. You know that as well as I do."
Sirius didn't say anything more. What could he say anyway? There was a new determination in Harry's eyes; something that Sirius hadn't seen before. On instinct, he glanced back over his shoulder, and spotted Hermione Granger, now standing with a tall man in a black suit. A driver, perhaps. What was unsettling was the fact that she was watching them intensely.
Well, watching Harry.
Oh.
Sirius recognised the look in Harry's eyes now. He was gearing up for a fight.
Because he had something worth fighting for.
The first few days of Harry's summer were, somewhat reluctantly, spent resting. Recuperating, as it were. Studying for his O.W.L.s had taken quite a bit out of him, particularly if one added in the DADA tutoring he offered to Neville, Luna and Hermione. His mother insisted, so he complied. Harry Potter was anything if not a good son.
What Harry did do in those first few days was agonise over whether to write to Hermione. And, if he did, what would he even say? I'm sorry, I love you, Please can we get back together?
Maybe, Have you read the new John Grisham? That was safe, wasn't it?
In the end, Harry needn't have worried.
He tried desperately not to read into it too much, but Hermione wrote to him first. She asked him all sorts of questions, told him very little about where she was or what she was doing, and asked for a suitable time to call. It was a worrying letter, yes, but Harry couldn't help feeling giddy. It meant something, but he wouldn't allow himself to think what.
Harry spent an insane amount of time drafting his return letter, answering questions and asking a few of his own. He wanted to know if she was, in fact, with her parents, because she'd been rather elusive with her plans. Without the Burrow as an option anymore, Hermione would be going home. But would she be alone? He hated the idea of her being alone, and he knew that she knew that.
When Sirius did finally start up their tutoring once more, Harry was ready to go. All he'd wanted to do was see out the rest of the year without incident. It sort of happened that way, but he couldn't really claim that the year had gone according to plan. Whatever that meant.
Harry quickly fell into a routine. In the mornings, after having breakfast with his mother, he and Sirius would work on the practical side of magic. After lunch, Harry would work on the theoretical side of magic, learning all he could. Some of it was in preparation for his upcoming N.E.W.T. classes, but the rest was just out of interest and for survival.
His mother wasn't always around in the afternoons but, when she was, he was able to go to her with questions about what he was studying. If she wasn't around, then they spent parts of the evenings after supper to discuss what he's covered during the day. Even though Lily Evans wasn't actively involved in the Wizarding World; she was well-versed in it.
It was a routine that went on for days without anything particularly worth-mentioning happened.
Until that morning.
Harry'd been home for almost three weeks when the Daily Prophet decided to stir things up. He was sitting at the kitchen table with his mother, who was absently reading the freshly-arrived newspaper.
He almost choked on his cereal at the sight of the headline.
.
Potters Heading for Divorce?
Rumour has it that there is trouble in paradise, and has been for quite some time. The question is being asked: is Wizarding Britain's It-Couple calling it quits?
James Potter and his wife, Marlene Potter (née McKinnon) were married in December 1981, just months after their son and the Boy-Who-Lived, Jack Potter, defeated Voldemort in their then home in Godric's Hollow. In this time, the couple have become one of Wizarding Britain's po -
.
That was all Harry caught of the article before Lily slammed the paper down and glared at her son.
"Don't you have anything better to do that pay attention to city gossip?" she asked pointedly, and he shrugged.
"Not really, no," he said, offering her a sheepish smile.
She couldn't help her own smile. "What am I ever going to do with you?"
"Indulge me," he offered.
Lily did. She lifted the paper and started to read out loud. She wasn't able to figure out just what she was feeling about the possibility of the end of James and Marlene's marriage. It just seemed like such a foreign concept to her. For so long, Lily managed to ignore that James was with another woman, and now this. For years, someone actually had to put up with the man, and Lily had to admit that she was surprised it took the other woman so long to come to her senses.
"Do you think it's true?" Harry asked, because it seemed so completely out of the blue.
"I wouldn't put it past the Daily Prophet to manufacture something like this to detract from all the mysterious things that have been going on," Lily said. "Remember what I told you, Harry: don't believe everything you read."
"I remember," he said, frowning slightly.
"What?"
"I get it, newspapers lie and all that, but it seems so out of the blue not to have even a bit of truth behind it," he said. "I mean, James was alone when I saw him at King's Cross."
Lily blinked. "You saw him?"
"Talked to him too," Harry said easily, moving to put another mouthful of cereal into his mouth. Because of it, he missed the flash of something cross his mother's face.
"What did he say to you?" she asked, her voice unnaturally steady.
Harry looked at her. "Nothing, really," he said, chewing carefully. "I'm the one who approached him."
Lily's eyes widened.
"Someone had to tell him where to find his son, and I'm anything if not good-mannered."
Lily didn't respond because she wasn't sure what to say. Her son had never been so blasé about talking to his father before, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. Was he old enough now? Could she tell him about all that happened before that fateful Hallowe'en?
Harry finished up with his cereal quickly, before he lifted his bowl up to his mouth and drank the leftover milk. He knew his mother hated it when he did that, and it was a surprise to him when she didn't even raise her eyebrows in admonishment.
"Mum?" he asked, setting down his bowl. "Is everything okay?"
Before Lily could respond, Sirius entered the kitchen, grinning madly. "So she's finally kicking him to the curb, huh?"
"Sirius!" Lily did admonish him, at the same time that Harry laughed.
The older wizard ignored her. "Did I call it or what?"
Lily huffed.
"Though, to be honest, I thought she'd leave him much earlier than this. Like, years earlier."
Lily gave up trying to be indignant rather quickly. "She was probably waiting for Olivia to start at Hogwarts," she said conversationally. "With the kids both gone; she'd be the only one to put up with him, and the mere thought of that must have sent her straight to the lawyers."
Harry looked thoughtful. "I didn't know that witches and wizards could get divorced?"
"It isn't common," Lily told him; "but it does happen."
"What about all the whole 'bonded for life' spiel?" he asked.
"We're only human, Harry. Sometimes couples just don't work out. It's part of life."
"You just have to find the right person then," he offered, and Lily nodded. "So when are the two of you getting married then?"
Lily choked on the air caught in her throat, at the same time that Sirius coughed violently.
Harry just looked at them, deathly amused. "I'm sorry, what was that? Didn't quite catch it."
Sirius managed to recover first. "Come on, I think someone needs some Stunners to dodge."
Harry just laughed as he rose to his feet. "I'm saying it now, so you both know: I expect to be best man."
"Letter for you," Lily said, handing Harry an envelope from the stack of mail in her hand. "Smells girly."
Harry practically snatched it from her hand. "Thank you," he rushed, before ripping at the envelope, unfolding the letter and starting to read. He skimmed over Hermione's words quickly, wanting to get the gist of the letter before he gave it a thorough read-through. He just needed to know that she was okay.
"Oh," he eventually said, when he was done.
Lily raised her eyebrows, regarding her son from across the kitchen table as they sat for breakfast. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," he replied absently, refolding the letter and placing it in its torn envelope.
"Harry?" Lily questioned, suddenly concerned. "Is Hermione all right?"
"She's fine," he said, pocketing the letter. "She's going to New York."
"Oh?"
Harry nodded. "Leaves on the twenty-seventh of July."
Lily sighed. "Oh."
Harry worried his bottom lip. "We were going to go for lunch for my birthday, you know. The four of us, I mean. I was looking forward to seeing her, and - " He let out a long breath. "It's okay. I'll see her when she gets back."
"Yes you will."
He gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Mum."
She didn't get to respond because, suddenly, Sirius was upon them. He liked to make an entrance in the mornings, because he was, more often than not, the last one to finish getting ready. Something about looking that pretty taking time.
The older wizard didn't sit down. He also wasn't much of a breakfast-eater, and Lily had almost given up on trying to change that about him.
"Ready to go?" Sirius asked Harry.
Harry nodded, before he shot to his feet. "I just need to grab my coat."
"We'll have to stop by HQ before we go," he told Harry. "I have to pick up some things that we need."
Harry wasn't usually invited to go to the Order's Headquarters, and he couldn't keep the excited grin off of his face. "I'll be right back," he said, before he was racing up the stairs.
Lily looked up from the newspaper. "Where are you two off to?"
"Longbottom Manor," Sirius answered easily.
"Why are you taking him?"
"It's an official visit."
Lily raised her eyebrows. "It is?"
Sirius moved to sit down next to her. "I thought that he would have told you by now," he said, frowning slightly. "We're scheduled to visit Madam Longbottom, and then Xeno in the afternoon. Harry wants to offer them House Black's alliance and protection."
She just nodded in understanding. "It's as if he knows that something is coming," she said, her gaze meeting his. "Is it possible that he does?"
Sirius leaned back, his voice dropping. "Are you referring to this connection he seems to have with Jack, or Voldemort, or even both?"
"When he was home over Easter, he mentioned that he was getting a growing sense that something was coming," she said. "He wouldn't go into the details of how he knew; just that he did."
He read her tone of voice for what it was. "You want to tell him, don't you?"
Lily nodded once. "I do."
"Then we'll tell him," he agreed. "When?"
"I was thinking after his birthday," she said. "If he reacts badly, I don't want to ruin it for him."
They fell into silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts until Harry returned, an easy smile on his face. He was going to see his best friends. He didn't have to worry about anything else right now.
"I'm ready," he said, and Lily couldn't help thinking that he looked so young. His hair was more messy than usual, clearly indicative of the summer. His glasses were sitting a little skew, and his eyes were wide and full of mirth. Really, he looked so much like a young James Potter that Lily had to look away for a moment.
"That's my cue," Sirius said, getting to his feet. He dropped a kiss onto the top of Lily's head, before he headed out of the kitchen.
Harry waited a moment, taking a cautious step towards his mother. "Will you be home later?" he asked.
"I have a lunch meeting, but I'll probably be home when you get back."
He smiled at her.
"Do I get a kiss from you as well?"
"Mum," he grumbled.
She bat her eyelashes. "Please."
He huffed, before he moved towards her and bent to place a gentle kiss against her cheek. "See you later, Mum," he said, before he too left the kitchen and found Sirius in the front foyer. "Are we Apparating?"
"Sure. Why not?"
As a result, the two of them found themselves heading up the steps in the Order of the Phoenix's Headquarters in next to no time at all. Harry wasn't particularly a fan of No. 12 Grimmauld Place, but he'd wanted to be involved for quite some time now. It was difficult for him to accept the role that the child that he was, was supposed to play.
"Don't start any fires now," Sirius said once they stepped through the door and into the dark foyer; "I'll be right back."
Harry immediately felt cold, as he watched Sirius disappear into the house. The house felt cold. It was also surprisingly quiet. Okay, not that surprising, given that it was a Wednesday, and it was likely that many of the members were at their various jobs or daily commitments.
Almost afraid to make too much noise, Harry started to walk. He headed to what he knew was the library, his mind automatically thinking about Hermione. Of course. When wouldn't he associate her with libraries?
It would have been unlikely for the library to be empty; Harry knew that, but it was still surprising to find who he did, his form lounging on a couch with an open book in his lap.
Harry stopped short at the sight of Jack Potter.
It took a moment for the older brother to notice Harry and, when he did, the look on his face was comical at best.
"Wha - " Jack started, incoherently.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, absorbing his own shock, and just rolling with it.
Jack frowned. "What are you doing here?" he countered.
"Waiting for Sirius," he said. "You?"
"I kind of live here right now."
It was Harry's turn to frown.
"It's glamorous, isn't it?"
Harry shrugged. "Kind of morbid, if you ask me. Haven't you people ever heard of colour?"
Jack let out an unexpected laugh that caught them both by surprise. He quickly clamped it down, schooling his face into something passive. He didn't know how he felt about seeing Harry so unexpectedly. Really, he'd spent a few nights coming up with ways to get his brother back, but it all felt so pointless now. Harry definitely picked the right time to retaliate.
"There's one good thing about this whole situation though," Jack said thoughtfully.
"And what's that?"
"James isn't allowed in," he said, risking a grin. "He usually isn't when Sirius is here but, well, seeing as my mum is here as well; he hasn't been allowed into Headquarters since I got back for the summer."
Harry absently wondered why Jack was telling him any of this. They'd never actually talked before. And especially after the whole train thing; he expected to have Curses flung his way. Maybe Jack didn't have his wand with him, and was just buying time. Who knew?
"Is it that bad?" Harry found himself asking.
Jack's eyes narrowed for a moment. "Do you even care?"
Harry shrugged. He didn't know if he did or not.
"Because I wouldn't, if I were you."
"Well, it's a good thing that you're not me then, isn't it?"
Jack's sigh seemed to deflate his entire body. "It's been a nightmare," he admitted. "She's miserable and he's a git. Olivia and I are just in the middle, and I just can't wait for the divorce to be final."
So it was true. "What happens then?"
It was his turn to shrug. "In my dreams, I never have to see James again."
Harry frowned.
"Oh," Jack said, sounding sarcastic. "Didn't you know?"
"Know what?"
"You've always been so choked up about how James left you and your mum, but you don't know how lucky you are," he said. "You have no idea."
Harry liked to think that he had some idea, but he couldn't really know, could he?
Jack just stared at him, waiting. "It's funny, isn't it? You're the one without the money, without the fame and without the father; but you've had the better life. You've always had the better life, and you didn't even know it." He shook his head. "You wanted my life; for all means, take it."
Harry shook his head. "I don't want your life, Jack," he said.
"Then what do you want?"
"Nothing," Harry replied with a shrug. "I'm just waiting for Sirius. He's taking me to visit Neville."
"Can't go by yourself, can you?"
Harry blinked. There really was so much anger inside of Jack, and he wondered if he'd inherited it from James. Maybe now that James was barred; Jack could work through it or whatever it is he needed to do to stop being such a giant asshole.
"Actually," Harry said; "Sirius is paying an official visit to Madam Longbottom."
That definitely piqued Jack's interest. "Why?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Harry countered.
Jack's eyes narrowed.
Harry returned his glare.
For a moment, Jack felt slightly intimidated. It was strange. There was just something different about Harry; something more focused, determined, and it threw Jack. "What happened to you?"
"What?"
"You're different."
Harry almost laughed. "Seriously? How can you even ask me that?"
Jack just stared.
"I mean, what do you think happened to me?"
Jack just frowned.
"You happened to me, Jack Potter. You and your father and all your hatred."
Jack said nothing, and he wouldn't get the chance to respond because Sirius suddenly entered the room.
"Drop your wands," Sirius said, sounding amused. "Oh wow, you're not trying to kill each other. This is a first. What did I miss?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "We were just discussing how I could probably kick the shit out of him if I tried," he told the older wizard.
Jack looked equal parts stunned and baffled, and Sirius looked deathly amused.
Something was different about Harry, but Jack just couldn't figure it out, and it bothered him. Deeply.
"Are you ready to go?" Harry asked Sirius.
Sirius looked between the two boys, before he nodded. "Sure. We've got an appointment to keep."
Harry looked at Jack for a moment, his half-brother suddenly looking years younger. He shook his head. Jack wasn't his problem. He could take care of himself. He was the Boy-Who-Lived after all, wasn't he?
"What were you and Jack really talking about?" Sirius asked, as they left the room and headed towards the front door.
"James is awful, isn't he?"
Sirius didn't immediately respond, though he could have gone into an entire tirade about how right Harry was. "Why do you say that?"
"He made Jack, didn't he?
"But he didn't make you?" Sirius asked, his eyebrows rising.
Harry shook his head. "He's just a sperm donor, Sirius," Harry said. "You and Mum made me."
Sirius just watched him head out of the house, his steps easy and surprisingly carefree. He'd been hesitant about agreeing with Lily that it was time to tell Harry. But now he was sure.
The boy deserved to know.
All of it.