Chapter 8

Plans and hugs

Fleur's parents decided to leave for France the following day but Gabrielle wanted them to stay and spend some more time at the burrow with Fleur and her new crush – Ron, she didn't tell anyone about her crush but she insisted on spending a day or two. At which they asked Molly if it was Ok with them – Mrs. Weasley; a woman with big heart welcomed them whole heartedly, "stay as long as you like; we are family now after all". Fleur was really happy with their decision to stay. She had been feeling a bit upset ever since the chaos that took place during her wedding and she knew how things were around them so she was fine with out the honeymoon part. She was happy as long as Bill was by her side.

Bill along with rest of the Order was still trying to find out how the death eaters got to know about the wedding. It was strange because hardly anyone outside the family knew of Bill's new house and how the wedding was taking place there that again had been a decision made only few days before the actual ceremony.

Remus had come over with Hermione's wand, "Where's Hermione? I am sure she is probably going crazy without her wand by now," Remus asked with a smile. Ginny who pouring some tea for him offered to give Hermione her wand, she took it from him and went upstairs. After a while she came back telling that Hermione was not in her room, Mrs. Weasley looked around and asked,"What about Ron and Harry?

"They were not there either…I think I'll go outside and see if they are there."

At that very moment Charlie entered the room, "if you are planning to look for Ron, Hermione and Harry then I saw them by the bench that dad fixed under the tree"

"Oh Ok! Then I better go give this to Hermione there…" Ginny said but before she could leave, Charlie made her stop – "You can give it to her later Ginny, I think the three of them wanted to be alone that's why they slipped out with out telling anyone…"

"Yes honey I think Charlie is right; those boys have been pretty impatient to talk to her ever since she's come back but with obvious reasons, have not been getting any time for it…" said Molly Weasley.

Ginny then shrugged and sat down. Though her annoyed look didn't go unnoticed by Gabrielle, who then got up to sit next to Ginny…"We should go out for a walk Ginny, I would like some sun…" offered Gabrielle

Ginny's face lit up and smiled…"Sure lets do that…" with that said the two girls went outside…they saw the trio sitting and huddled together so closely, it seemed as if the three of them were planning to share group hug. But they just went in different direction.

Meanwhile, Hermione was telling them about her plans…

"Well you see at St. Mungoes Oliver and I were just talking when he told me how he met up with Percy few days back. Apparently he doesn't know that he left you all…well at least he didn't give that impression. Anyway he got to know from Percy that the Minister of Magic thinks that Hogwarts should be opened this year…" Harry interrupted her at that very minute

"Hermione you know I am not going back no matter what … I want to take…"

"LISTEN to what I have to say Harry…Please! Let me finish" Hermione requested.

"Sorry …" said Harry!

"Forget it! Anyway so I knew right away why he didn't want Hogwarts to close down, it's because he wants people to feel that Ministry is giving up or not strong enough, well whatever the reasons – the minister is busy putting up safety measures in Hogwarts."

After taking a long breath Hermione started talking again, "I was thinking that we go to the Dursleys with you – Ron and I that is and after your birthday Harry I was thinking of getting a knight bus and leave to wherever we think we should start from. Now this was one way but then I was thinking that if we do that then obviously the order and the minister will get the news of your leaving. We don't want that at such an early stage. So I thought that we should leave for Hogwarts as everyone will expect us to. From there after a month or two we can leave using Marauder's map…we can sneak out from Hogsmead…" as if in deep thought Hermione continued…"well we might have to steal Buckbeak again too… and I think Harry you need to spend sometime with Dumbledore and get him to guide you …"

'Dumbledore's dead Hermione or your mind's…" - "I Am Talking about the Portrait! Ron. Dumbledore's Portrait!" Said Hermione and rolled her eyes.

"So what do you think…well there are many other minor details that we have to cover; I would personally like to make a trip to Grimmauld place as well…" – said Hermione.

Harry instantly interjected, 'Why…why do we have to go there? I don't want to … It is ... "

"I know Harry that you don't want to visit that place anymore but I think we might get some of the answers from there. Don't worry I can always make that trip alone with Remus Lupin; I told him that I needed some books from there. He was though suspicious of the request but said only under his supervision sooo you can chill about that! Anyway what do you think of the plan…I know it sounds simple but it is not – specially the part of sneaking out of Hogwarts…and …"

Harry spoke then, "I think it's good. Though I still don't like the idea of wasting so many months in between but all the same, it is better than nothing. I think you are right about talking to Dumbledore's portrait…but won't it be difficult since we don't know who the new headmaster is going to be and the whole bit about keeping the mission a secret…"

"Harry Dumbledore can travel via portraits, he can enter any portrait he wants now so once we are there, we'll figure it out" – said Hermione.

"So let me get this straight, we leave for Harry's place and go to Hogwarts from there…and then after making another plan about how to destroy the horcruxes we run away from Hogwarts…well then I guess its not that important if we go to the Dursleys' I mean if we are going to the school eventually…? " Ron spoke after listening to Harry and Hermione talk.

"Yes Ron! But we have to go with Harry…we need to work on the plan, we have to research on this R.A.B mystery and I think we need to train ourselves…Tonks told me that ministry will not stop underage wizardry with current circumstances so that's why ministry didn't send any warnings the other day when we were all busy dueling at Bill's wedding…" Hermione said all this very quickly.

"I guess I'll just tell mum that we want to be there for Harry's birthday…ohhh this Hogwarts thing will work out fine, you see now they won't even suspect anything because we all have to go to Hogwarts eventually so they won't suspect anything fishy…" Ron said all this as if finally seeing the bright side of reopening of Hogwarts and continued talking, "and I thought that Hermione probably is getting all excited because she'll be the new head girl…you see that's.."

"Well I can see how easily you doubt my intentions Ron…is that what you think too Harry? " Hermione said in a hurt tone, before either of them could answer, "So you think I suggested all this so I can enjoy the glory of being head girl…well let me tell you something, those were not my intentions. I assure you and"

"Hermione I never doubted your intentions, it didn't even cross my mind that you would make the head girl…ignore Ron…you know he's is a git" said Harry, throwing a scowl towards Ron.

"Sorry Hermione! I didn't mean it that way… I was just... Well I…I...wa...was…." Ron stuttered. But Hermione waved her hand telling him to forget it. "Never mind Ron…you never mean it…" Hermione sighed.

"So Harry it's decided then? I already took permission from my parents…so its Ron now!" said Hermione.

Harry smiled and said, "Brilliant…always one step ahead, aren't you? Now I am warning you both, Dursley's are ...well they are RUDE…yes that's it so don't blame me for anything or if you are not given snacks every now or then"

All three of them laughed at this.

"I'll take snacks with me" said Ron. "Btw Hermione didn't you say you had a plan or two … what's the other plan?" asked Ron

"I told you about the knight bus part. When I didn't know of Hogwarts opening and all…I was thinking about getting it but even then I would've suggested a trip to Hogwarts. Because of Dumbledore's portrait, either that or we should've visited Sirius's place as we all have seen Phileas traveling between the portraits so Dumbledore might have been able to communicate from there too. Then we could've always hitched a ride from the knight bus but yes mind you I personally think that Harry should always be under the cloak while we are doing all this…What if one of Voldemort's followers sees him. Now we don't want that without destroying the horcruxes first. Once again I think when we are going to Godric Hollow – we should hitch a ride from knight bus at some place near by or opposite would be better – from the Godric Hollow, you see we should not leave any trace…that's why I thought Buckbeak would come in handy if we steal him once more …brooms would be handy but then you can operate your wand at the same time and …" Hermione was talking so quickly that Harry laughed at her

"How long have you been thinking over these things Hermione? It seems you have put a lot of thought over this? "Harry asked

"Of course I did! I have been thinking a lot and it's not even half the stuff that I have planned but other things will come with time "Hermione said this and smiled.

Harry and Ron both grinned at her over this…giving her the look as if saying "TYPICAL!"

Ron then got up "I am going to get us some snacks"…with that said he left.

Hermione immediately asked Harry (as if she was waiting for Ron to leave)…"Err…well... ok...here goes (as if telling herself to calm down) Harry? "

"Yeah?" said Harry

"Its just that … well you see Ginny told me you broke up with her…and I was wondering…"

"I know Hermione…you must be knowing the reason too!" said Harry

When Hermione didn't say anything and just looked at him with a strange look…Harry continued," Hermione I don't want to go on a mission while having a constant fear in my mind…fear that what if Voldemort tries to harm me through Ginny…what if he captures her or something…I can't live like that. I don't want her to get in to some kind of risk or lose her chance at life because of me…so I guess there is nothing to talk about"

"Do you still like her", asked Hermione.

Now Harry was just staring at her as if she asked something very scandalizing… and finally replied, "Yes, yes I do like her still. I … well I think she's pretty and was the best thing ever happened to me…" then he stopped talking as if thinking things over…"But Hermione I am not really sure anymore. Relationship is the last thing on my mind and I am trying not to think too much about it. Amazingly I am not missing it as much as I thought…Thanks to the prophecy – my expected Doom I think…"

Hermione cut him off and said,

'Hey stop talking like that Harry! I know you will win this. I am not saying this because I am your friend; I am saying this because I have faith in you. I believe in you more than I believe in myself...Now that I have my chance … Harry I want to apologize…"

Harry looked at her questioningly, "Apologize? For what? "

"Harry I feel horrible for my actions last year" – Harry tried to say something but Hermione moved forward and put a finger on his lips, 'No Harry let me say talk..." Harry nodded; Hermione finally removed her finger and started talking,

"Harry I am sorry for not believing you about Malfoy, I should've helped you in exposing Malfoy…I was too busy acting all silly (Hermione blushed because she knew very well that Harry had known all about her for he offered her a shoulder to cry on at some occasions) I got mad at you when you were doing better than me in potions…I well I failed you at the end of the year …. Harry there are so many things to apologize for so let me put it this way … Please forgive me for entire sixth year…" By now Hermione had tears in her eyes that she was trying hard not to shed.

Harry finally replied, "Hermione you have nothing to apologize for. It's over. You have been a good friend throughout and I never doubted nor ever will doubt your loyalty…so just forget about it."

He took her hand and squeezed it, giving her a smile. Hermione smiled back.

Unknown to the two friends, Ginny and Gabrielle had been watching them throughout this ordeal. Ginny was fuming when Hermione had placed her finger on Harry's mouth. "The nerve of her … she is totally flirting with him now that I am out of the picture…well we will see. So much for missing my friendship…"

"Harry I think you should talk to Ginny. I am not saying that you tell her about everything but at least talk to her. Tell her that the step you are taking is for her and assure her that when it's over … you will come back to her…" Hermione said after breaking the silence between them.

"Hermione…Ginny is a beautiful girl; I don't want her to keep waiting for me while I am away for God knows how long. I want her to enjoy life and move on. There are so many guys who would give their right arm to be with her and I think Ginny deserves all that not someone who would be offering her a broken heart and nothing else…" Harry said this and sighed.

"Oh! Well then tell her that! Tell her that you want her to move on. Just talk to her Harry…she needs better explanation that 'doing it for your safety' bit. What you just said was just wonderful Harry…I didn't know you had it in you…I am impressed by your words" Hermione said this and after the last part she laughed …and poked Harry with her walking stick. Harry laughed too at this and gently gave her a friendly kick, "Thanks" he said sarcastically.

After that he got up and did something that he had never done before…he hugged Hermione. To say that Hermione was shocked was an understatement…because she was quite confused, she ignored the pain his hug caused on her wound and didn't hug back…"What's wrong?" Harry asked pulling back a little, his arms still around her.

Hermione, who was still a bit shocked, finally replied … "No, nothing wrong…it's just that it's the first time you are hugging me…I mean you initiated … I well...its like, I always hugged you and Ron and it seemed you were a bit irritated by it…" Hermione was rambling at which Harry laughed, "So you decided not to return the hug?" asked Harry teasingly.

Hermione got embarrassed by this and returned his hug whole heartedly, saying "No … of course not...was just thinking … Harry just thinking…all in Good sense…", Harry meanwhile was thinking about what she said and how true she had been, he had never hugged her as in initiated a hug between the two where as when it came to Ginny, he hugged her because that was the only way he could get close to her or used it as an excuse. Harry felt embarrassed – for if anyone deserved hugs it was Hermione.

Finally Ron joined them … he saw them hugging and was a bit jealous…"hey what's the occasion?"

"No occasion Ron…Was just hugging my best friend," said Hermione with a smile and withdrew from the hug.

Ron sat down next to her and said "I made sandwiches with my own two hands for you guys…" but if you want to have them … you guys have to hug me too… at which they all laughed and shared a group hug.

Later they sat and enjoyed the sandwiches Ron made…which were not that bad.