Chapter 3

The next morning Hermione was sitting on Harry's Bed going over her mind what Winky had told her. She felt Harry stir. "Mione?" Harry said wearily "What Happen?"

Hermione tried to fit the sternest look on her face she could muster and said, "You happen Harry Potter", she poke him in the chest when she said it. "Ouch!" he exclaimed.

"Do you have any Idea what you did?" She said

"No!"

"You altered the bonding Ritual Instead of Two Servants, you now have Two of the most educated and loyal House elves in the Potter family. They would die for you. Dobby no longer speaks with a lisp, and Winky is a proper lady. You are the greatest, do you know that." Hermione continued to ramble and Harry did something he never thought he would do. He kissed her right on the lips. Hermione's faced colored and she bolted from the room.

Minutes later Winky came into the room and bowed "Harry, Dobby and I are grateful for what you did for us yesterday. As we speak Dobby is speaking with the head elves at each of your estates…."

Harry did a double take ,'did she just say estates' Harry thought to him self then spoke aloud, "Excuse me did you say estates, as in plural?"

"Yes, Sir, These estates have been in the Potter Family for many centuries, after the bonding, house elves become in tuned with all family properties, our bonding was very special. First it increase our magic ten time the amount we ever had, gave us all the knowledge of the Potter elves through time. It also bestowed us new titles, Dobby is now you head elf of all elves, his main responsibility is to make sure all the elves are doing their duty and are trained to follow you into battle. I on the other hand is you personal assistant. I will make sure to stay on time for all your activities; I will cook, clean, and teach your house elf magic. Now for you estates after your coming of age Gringotts will notify you of your parents will and execute it. Until then you have no access. It is time for you to eat and then head to the library since your missed your morning work out." Winky explained. She snapped her fingers and a plate of food appeared.

Harry had not seen Hermione the rest of the day. He felt she was avoiding him, 'I never should have kissed her, and she's my best friend' Harry kept repeating that to himself. He even asked Winky what he should do and she suggested he write her a letter of apology. Having written his letter, he was now making his way to the owlery to find Hedwig. He spotted her on a rafter and called her down. She nipped his ear affectionately and took the offered letter, and off she went with out any directions on whom the letter was to.

Hermione was sitting on her bed in the girl's dormitory in Gryffindor tower. 'He kissed me, Harry actually kissed me.' She was terrified; she has had feelings for her best friend for a long time. She had given up, and decided she was just going to settle for being with Ron. After all, what would the famous Harry Potter want with a Know-it-all like Hermione Granger? He liked pretty girls such as Cho Chang and Ginny Weasley. Why would he even give plain old bossy Hermione a second look?

She tried to get a grip on her emotions, 'He's my best friend in the entire world, I will keep him focused, and if something does happen…' Her thoughts trailed off as a snowy white owl flew through the window and landed on the railing of her bed.

"Hedwig, do you have a Letter from Harry for me?" She asked the owl.

Hedwig blinked at her with her big eyes, gave a hoot, and stuck out her leg to offer the letter to her.

"Hermione, the thing that happen this morning, I have no explanation for my actions, all I can say is I am sorry. I truly hope that this will not come between our friend ship. You have stuck by me even when others have failed, I am truly thankful to your friendship over the years. I would never do anything to hurt you. I can't stand to lose you and when you left this morning, I thought I was being stupid, insensitive, prat Harry again. Please forgive me.

Always yours, Harry"

Hermione was in tears after reading his letter, 'he must have been really scared, to have written a letter with so much emotion' She thought. She decided it would be best to find him before he starts to brood again.

She checked the common room, the library, the Quiddich pitch, and the kitchens. She could not find him. After an hour of searching she called for Winky. Winky told her that Harry was in the third flood corridor, in a room beneath a trap door. Hermione knew that room, and ran to find Harry.

Harry was sitting in the dark with a book called 'Most powerful hexes and jinxes you would ever need.' He decided to go to Fluffy's old room; he knew no one would find him there. He tried to read, but with so many things that have happened in the last month, his mind was else where. He had always thought of himself as just Harry. Now, he has the fate of the world resting on his small shoulders, and a best friend that is angry with him for being tactless. He sat there lost in his thoughts, not even realizing that he was no longer alone.

"Harry, Harry are the words spontaneously going to come out of the rest of that book with out having to turn the page?" Hermione spoke softly to get his attention. She had been standing there for over ten minutes waiting for him to acknowledge her.

"Hermione!" he said quickly standing now, dropping his book in the process

"Hermione, I'm... I'm… "He couldn't finish, the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. She silenced him with a look.

"No, need to apologize further. I got your letter, I wasn't even mad in the first place. Let's go to dinner."

As, soon as she said that Winky pooped in to the room and conjured a table and chairs. Set the table with food for the two of them, gave them a knowing smile and popped out again. The ate in companionable silence, when they were finished Harry spoke, We need to get to bed early, tomorrow we start out physical training. Hermione groaned.

The next morning Harry woke up at four am and decided he might as well get up seeing he was not going to get any more sleep. He grabbed a pair of pants and t-shirt. Went to the bathroom, and then made his way down stairs. Hermione was already sitting down on the sofa, reading the same book Harry dropped last evening. She was wearing a grey sports bra, and a pair of tight spandex shorts. At this point Harry was really staring; this was a side of Hermione he had never seen. She was no longer a girl, but a woman. Hermione saw him staring and smirked, "Flies, Harry, they will nest, close you mouth your drooling." Harry didn't say anything just colored and averted her eyes.

She spoke again "Harry you can't go running in jeans." Harry just shrugged and murmured, "'tis all I got".

"Winky!" Hermione called out. "Yes, Miss" the elf responded as she appeared.

"Is there anyway for you to get Harry some proper workout clothes?"

Winky pooped out to return with a pair of bicycle shorts and a tank top for Harry.

Harry went back up stairs and changed. Upon descending the stairs, he noticed Hermione staring at the now form fitting shorts and spoke "Turnabout is fair play, yes" Hermione just nodded dumbly. He grabbed her hand and dragged her off to the pitch. They made sure to stretch real well. They started off at a slow pace around the field, only to make a couple of circuits before having to stop, out of breath. The sun was just now starting to come up, when they made their way to the room of requirement. Harry walked back and forth in front of the tapestry repeating his mantra three times, 'I need a room to help me physically train, I need a room to help me train'. After passing the third time a door appeared.

Inside, was all kinds of weight lifting machines, he had seen on the telly, the room was vast. On the right was the weights, left was a small platform the was labeled sword training, in front of him was another door that was labeled magic simulator. He looked at Hermione and asked, "Do you know how to use this Stuff?" She shook her head and shrugged. Then there was a blinding light and a man appeared, he had red hair and beard, about six feet tall, and seemed to be in his early forties. He suddenly spoke, "Ah, Harry Potter I have been waiting for you."

"Excuse me sir, but who are you?" Harry replied

"You can call me Rick for now." He said with a twinkle in his eye.

The he continued, "I am here to train you, I cannot leave the confines of this room. So, everyday you will do your run and then you are mine for the rest of you day." He then clapped his hands and said, "Now, let's see what you got." He then made his way to the magic simulator.

Everyday, Harry and Hermione would wake up in the morning, run, and train with Rick. This went on for rest of June and most of July, today was now July 30th. Tomorrow would Be Harry's Birthday. Harry found himself looking in the mirror this morning before their morning run. He now had firm, but sleek muscles; they were cut in all the right places. HE was no longer skinny; he now had an athletic build. He was still short, but was still slightly taller than Hermione. He got dressed, went down stairs to meet Hermione, she had not noticed him and he took a moment to appraise his best friend. She had now lost any remaining baby fat she had. She was still dressed in her sports bra and shorts that she would wear when they train. Now her abs was more prominent, and she had a body any super model would kill for. Harry had to stop this thought process, as she looked up and caught his eye holding up a piece of parchment.

"Harry, this letter just came its from McGonagall. She says that she wants us to go to her office before we go running." Hermione told him.

Harry nodded and offered his arm in a gentleman like manner, "Milady!"

Hermione giggled and replied, "Thank you Kind sir"

They walked arm and arm to the gargoyle guarding the stairs leading up to the headmistress' office. He knocked on the door, "Enter", upon entering the office he saw the one man he thought he would never have to see again, "SNAPE!" Harry bit out with such venom; the remaining occupants could feel the magic swirl in the air.