The Second Moon

Sunday came far too quickly for the residents of residents of 9 Astoria lane. Neither Harry, nor Hermione, slept well the night before. Madam Pomfrey had asked that they stay separated starting after dinner the night before until McGonagall and Pomfrey arrived the next day. By the time the pair did arrive the next afternoon with a pink-haired auror in tow, both teens were irritable as hell. The auror, introduced as 'just Tonks', settled into the living room and proclaimed she was just here if something went sideways and she would stay out of the way.

A quick scan of each and Pomfrey let them see each other. The results were startling.

"Harry!"

"Hermione!"

The pair were instantly hugging, and both sagged with relief once they touched. They moved over to Harry's bed, sat down, and Hermione instantly curled into his lap and hugged him. Once he was assured she was ok, Harry looked up and tensed. All four adults were looking at them in shock.

"What?" He asked.

"Harry," Anne asked with a small grin, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but that looks rather closer than you two normally sit."

"I guess it is," Harry acknowledged, "It just feels right. We discussed things the other day, after George and I talked. We decided to give whatever this is time." He felt Hermione hum contentedly against his chest and grinned, "I'm not sure what you would call what we are, but we're just kind of letting it happen. We agreed not to push each other, to tell each other if something doesn't feel right or is uncomfortable. But mostly, we promised that no matter what, we'd always be friends."

"I see," Anne said, hand over her heart, "And this?" She waved her other hand at their current seating arrangement.

"This feels right," Harry said simply, "Today has been stressful for both of us, and she needs comfort. This is comfort for her, and as long as it is, I'll be here for her."

"Well, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey joined the conversation, "That is a very mature view. And while I wish you all the luck in your endeavor, I do need the two of you to separate for a moment, so I can take another scan."

"No." The single response came from Hermione, who was trying to bury herself deeper into Harry's chest.

"Hermione," Harry consoled softly, "It's to help make this easier for us. It will just be for a minute."

"Actually, Miss Granger," Poppy said softly, "I think I may be able to perform the scan while you hold hands, if that will make it easier, so long as you're not standing too close to each other. Then you can sit back down."

The pair slowly got up, both seeming reluctant to reduce the contact. They stood apart, holding hands still, as the healer performed several diagnostic spells. Each felt a bit of a tingle as each spell passed over them, sending their information to the mediwitch. As she nodded the last spells completion, Hermione melted into Harry's side. A sudden change in the information caused the mediwitch to start. Looking closely as the projection from her wand, she gasped. All heads turned to her as she quickly noted the changes to herself before canceling the spell. Looking up, she saw everyone staring at her, curiosity in the eyes of all, but also fear from the teens.

"Nothing to worry over," She assured them, "I just caught something unexpected that I need to research a bit more. Nothing bad mind you, perhaps even good, but again, I need to look at some references."

"What did you see?" Minerva asked, "It certainly appeared to be significant."

"I'd rather not say yet," Poppy demurred, "I would rather confirm what I suspect, before I comment further. They seem fine so far and have a couple hours before moonrise, so I intend to return to Hogwarts for several reference books, if that is acceptable. Minerva can summon me back rapidly if anything changes."

"How long would you be gone?" George asked, still looking at the cuddling teens.

"It shouldn't take too long to find the tomes I need," Poppy assured them, "I would guess about an hour."

"Dinner should be ready about six, so hurry back." Anne commanded the matron. "As for you two," she continued, looking at the teens and grinning, "you behave."

A muffled 'yes ma'am' was heard from both, though the adults knew the pair had barely heard them, as deep into the other's well-being as they were.

The teens arrived downstairs to dinner looking much better, just as Madam Pomfrey returned. As it was time to eat, any discussions were delayed until after the meal. Once it was over however, the group sat down to discuss the evening and what they'd figured out so far. Madam Pomfrey was still referencing a book she'd brought from Hogwarts, so McGonagall started.

"Tonight shall be about determining how well both of you fare when in close proximity to each other," The Scotswoman explained. "We believe merely sleeping in the same room shall accomplish this."

"You believe?" Anne asked looking at the pair, who were sitting on the couch holding hands.

"Yes," Minerva confirmed, "Both Poppy and myself admit we don't know anything for sure, but we do believe that merely being close to each other will be enough."

"And if it's not?" George asked

"If it's not, then it's not" Hermione told her father, "And we'll have a long uncomfortable night. Nothing inappropriate will happen with Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey in the room dad."

"Sorry honey," George said embarrassed, "I guess overprotective dad made his appearance after all."

"It's ok dad." She sighed, "You're not the only one on edge." She paused, then continued, "I'm going to bring this up merely as an idea, not advocating for or against, ok Dad?"

"Ok," George said cautiously, "what is it?"

"Well," Hermione blushed, "If sleeping in the same room isn't enough... What about in the same bed?"

"WHAT?" her father exploded as expected.

"Calmly, dear, calmly" Anne put a restraining arm on her husband's shoulder, "I'm assuming one point is that you'd be in closer contact, so more soothing to each other? And point out that, with two people in the room monitoring you, nothing inappropriate would happen?"

"I'm not saying anything one way or another." Hermione said, "I will say I trust Harry, and I trust that nothing will happen. If you, any of you, decide no, then it won't happen. If you all decide yes, it will be a decision that Harry and I will make when it comes up."

"Before the adults start to argue," Poppy cut in, "May I cast one more spell on you two? Just a rarely used diagnostic spell. The results may help this discussion."

"I guess," Hermione sighed, moving to get up.

"No need to get up dear, this one actually requires you to be together" The matron stopped her.

"Together?" McGonagall looked at the healer, "Why would you need them.." her voice trailed off, "Surely not. Not at their age."

"Not what?" Anne demanded

"Just a moment and I shall explain," Pomfrey interrupted, turning to the pair, she cast. "In Vincula Revelare"

A slight breeze was felt by the occupants of the room, before a halo of silver descended on the pair, flickering between them like wisps of smoke, with an occasional lighter flicker. A bronze glow mottled silver glow surrounded their joined hands before it dissipated. Everyone looked expectantly at Madam Pomfrey as she double checked the ancient volume she had, before answering the unasked question in the room.

"This is about what I expected," She began, "The silver/bronze glow on their hands indicates a strong bond of friendship, no real surprise there." Everyone chuckled at that, "The silver however is a bit more interesting. It could be an effect of their infection, the sense they have for each other, and the calming effect it produces."

"I'm sensing a but coming," Anne said

"There is indeed," Poppy agreed, "And that is this: it could also indicate the potential, Potential I said, of another bond forming. What kind of bond is unclear, but silver is almost the most serious bond color. Gold being the deepest and, by far, the rarest. Bronze, then red, blue, and green. Purple and Black bonds are subjegative or parasitic, like say the imperious curse or a slave bond. Not something you ever want to see."

"So what you're saying," Hermione asked softly, "Is me and Harry have a very strong bond of friendship, with the potential of more, whether that's this infection or another bond?"

"Yes dear,"

"Good," Hermione sighed contentedly, then looked at Harry. "I knew we were good, now it's just confirmed."

"I would classify it as more than just good Miss Granger," Pomfrey interjected, "To put things in perspective, most marriage bonds, when visible, are at most bronze. Silver is very rare. Gold are considered soul mates and according to this work, has only occurred three times in history."

"Three times?" George asked.

"Yes, as off 1796." Pomfrey confirmed, "But that's just the golden marriage bonds. For our purposes, I suspect the friendship bonds, and whatever potential they have, will significantly increase their ability to calm each other tonight."

Later that night, Hermione joined Harry in his room. Try as he might, George just could not allow himself to approve of a fourteen year old boy sleeping in his daughter's room. They'd laid down, Hermione on Harry's bed, for he'd insisted. Harry was on an air mattress across the room. Pomfrey and McGonagall would sleep in shifts in Hermione's room, and Tonks, the auror Bones had sent, had already commandeered the couch downstairs.

Even at the beginning of the night, Pomfrey could tell both teens were restless. Hermione had had a reportedly easier transformation once the moon rose, but it was still "Uncomfortable as hell". Hermione had once again transformed into a 'werecat', complete with fur, ears and tail. Despite the discomfort, they actually helped Madam Pomfrey with some experiments. They discovered both teens had heightened senses, though in this Hermione's were more sensitive. Both were easily agitated and the other easily calmed them down.

Currently both were tossing and turning, Hermione mumbling softly. She made a note to speak to the other adults about giving them the option of sleeping in the same bed next time, when Harry started to cry out and started to flail about.

"No. NO. Not Hermione!" Harry cried, startling everyone in the house awake. Before Pomfrey could even get out of her chair, Hermione had appeared by his side.

"Harry? Harry, it's ok." She soothed, wiping his sweat damp hair off his face, her tail curling around him. He immediately settled, still obviously upset but not thrashing anymore.

"What?" Tonks barely got out, before being shushed by Madam Pomfrey. How the pink haired witch had made it upstairs before anyone else had even gotten their door open was a mystery.

Spying the doors to both other bedrooms opening, Pomfrey shooed the auror back into the hall and softly closed the door. Signaling all was well, the other adults gathered around to hear what had happened.

"Mr. Potter had a hell of a nightmare, what's what you all heard." She explained, "It was almost instantaneous. Both are agitated, but this was something else. Before i could even get up to check on him, Miss Granger was there. And as soon as she was, he calmed significantly."

"Is he ok?" Anne asked, eyeing the doorway.

"He appeared so, and if I had any doubts that Miss Granger could take care of anything that came up, I wouldn't be out here."

"So what now Poppy?" Minerva asked

"Unless there's a medical reason anyone objects, I intend to give Miss Granger the option discussed this evening." She stated matter-of-factly. "I understand the other objections, but I can attest that they are under enough stress that anything that reduces the strain they're under, is acceptable to me."

"I..." Anne paused, "Is it really that bad?"

"Let me put it this way," Poppy explained, "I fully expect to return to find both of them curled up on Mr. Potter's air mattress. Assuming I am correct, the only thing I intend to do about it is to move them to the bed."

"But," George started to say, before his wife stopped him.

"Don't, she's right." Anne told her husband, then turned back to the others. "Can we see them before we go back to bed?"

"Let me check on them first and get them settled, then you can come in one at a time. If they've gotten back to sleep, I don't want to wake them."

A short while later, a slow parade of concerned adults passed through the room, each noting the peaceful, almost contented, look on the teen's faces as they slept in each other's arms. After seeing that, not even George could object to the new sleeping arrangements.