Chapter 39
Return to Hogwarts
The rest of the Christmas holiday went by without much incident, to Sirius' relief. Harry suffered a slight cold for most of it, but he was not sick enough to be bed ridden. Hermione, much to Harry's disappointment, was whisked off with her parents to a ski lodge, for the rest of the vacation. She wasn't all that happy about the idea, but Harry knew her parents missed having her around. As a result, he spent as much time as he could with Sirius and Lupin, who were very calm around him.
The night before Harry was to return to Hogwarts, he and Sirius sat having a nice dinner at one of the local pubs. "So are you all ready to go back, Harry?" he asked, as he worked through his steak and potatoes.
"Yeah. I cant wait to see Hermione. I'll probably jump her," he laughed, and Sirius grinned.
"That stinks that she had to go away," he admitted. "Though you weren't feeling so well. It was probably best that you played it kind of low key for the rest of the holiday. How are you feeling?" he added, and Harry glanced up from his bowl of beef stew.
"Better," he replied. "I felt like I slept for several years over the past few days." He gave another small cough; his chest was still a tiny bit tight, and his head a bit stuffy. "So how are we getting back to Hogwarts? Floo powder?"
Sirius smiled. "Yeah, that's probably easiest. We'll head over around noon tomorrow. Is that all right? Gives you a chance to sleep in."
Harry nodded. "That's fine." He finished the last of his stew, and began sipping from his mug of tea. "Sirius, I'm so tired of being sick," he growled. "I don't even remember what being healthy felt like." He pushed his bowl aside, and rested his head in his arms. Sirius rubbed his godson's back comfortingly.
"Well, the good thing is, you're definitely much better than last summer. Unfortunately, it weakened you forever, I think. I'm not sure if you'll ever be completely well, Harry." He nearly choked on his words, and had to swallow a mouthful of ale before continuing. "You're just more prone to catching colds and such, but that's why you have to keep a close eye on yourself."
Harry blew out his breath. "I know. I try, I really do." He gazed up at the ceiling, and watched as customers came in and out of the resturaunt. "I did have a good holiday, Sirius. I was so used to spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter…all at Hogwarts. I mean, I didn't mind it so much, because I usually had Ron to hang out with, but I'm glad I have a family to come home to."
Sirius gave Harry a quick hug. "I'm glad you're here too, kid," he agreed.
After dinner, they made their way back to the apartment. Harry packed the last of his things into his trunk, and cleaned out Hedwig's cage. For the rest of the evening, he sat watching a bit of television, and went to bed fairly early again.
The next day, Harry's heart was racing; he would be seeing Hermione again in a mere matter of hours! He couldn't wait to hold her close, to kiss her, just to be in her presence was enough to intoxicate him. He drug his trunk out into the living room, where Sirius stood talking on the phone. "Yeah…yup…okay, see you." He hung it up, and then went to stand beside Harry. "Are you ready?" he asked, and Harry nodded. "Here, let me take Hedwig's cage, and we'll be ready to go."
Harry gripped his trunk, and waited for his godfather to shout, "HOGWARTS!". When he did, they were engulfed by the bright green flames, and plunged into a sickening whirlwind of color. Harry closed his eyes tight, his stomach rolling over. They eventually came to a stop, and appeared in the fireplace of Gryffindor tower.
"Harry!" Ron cried, from where he sat on one of the blood-red chairs. He waved frantically as Sirius helped Harry carry his things into the main area. "Hermione just arrived, too," he added. "Lavender's coming later on, but she'll be here before the welcome back feast."
"Hermione's here?" Harry asked, just as the door to the girl's dormitory opened.
"Harry!" Hermione shrieked with delight. She wore a long, plaid skirt and a white top with a dark green cardigan. Her hair hung loosely at her shoulders, and she was beaming. Sirius gave Harry a quick kiss, and then announced that he would be returning to London.
"Did you have a good holiday?" he asked Ron, before he prepared to use the floo network again. Ron nodded.
"Pretty good, yeah. You?"
"It was nice," Sirius added. "Go get her," he whispered into Harry's ear, before disappearing once again into the green flames. Harry set the trunk down, and immediately, he and Hermione dashed for each other. She threw herself into his arms, and he kissed her lips, her cheeks, her forehead, and her neck.
"Oh I've missed you," Hermione gasped, burying her face against his chest. "I'm so sorry I couldn't see you over the holiday. I would have said no about going skiing again, but Mum and Dad wanted to spend time with me, so…"
Harry touched her lips gently with his fingers. "You don't have to explain," he replied, kissing her again. "I'm just so glad to be here again with you."
Ron pretended to gag, and Hermione shot him a look. "Oh please," she scoffed. "You'll be making out with Lavender all over the place when she gets here!"
Ron smirked. "So," he began, once Harry and Hermione were on another chair, cuddling tight. "What did you and Sirius do for Christmas, Harry?"
Harry swallowed, not sure if he should tell Ron and Hermione about Sirius' sudden announcement. But he usually told them everything, and it wasn't as though something awful had happened. "You guys won't believe what I found out this week," he replied, as Hermione laced her fingers through his.
"What?" Hermione asked. "Oooh, is that new cologne?" she asked, sniffing slightly, and Harry chuckled.
"Yes. Do you like it?"
She grinned. "I love it. I didn't think you wore cologne."
Harry shrugged. "Sirius got it for me," he explained. "But speaking of Sirius…" when he told Ron and Hermione about Sirius and Lupin, both of them were staring at him.
"Oh, no way!" Ron cried. "You know, well, actually…I kind of wondered…back at the Shrieking Shack…"
"How do you feel about it, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly, and he gave another shrug.
"I don't know. I mean, I guess I'm okay with it. It's their choice. I don't really have any control over whether I want it to be true or not."
"Oh this is going to be strange now," Hermione chuckled. "It was good of Sirius to tell you, though."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it was."
"Just weird," Ron admitted.
"I was sick again over Christmas, though," Harry told Ron and Hermione, whose eyes widened in alarm.
"And you didn't…" Hermione began, and Harry smiled.
"You were out of town," he pointed out. "and I just had a cold. Stayed in bed for two days with a fever, and then felt better. I'm still a little sick, actually." He sniffled, and rubbed his nose with his wrist. Hermione looked at him.
"I'm so sorry," she said.
"Well, Sirius told me the fever I had last year probably weakened me to the point that I won't ever get truly better," Harry explained. "It's not a far-fetched idea, either."
Ron looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry, mate."
Harry shook his head. "Ron, don't be." He paused, and Hermione immediately recognized the look on his face. He sneezed, making both of them jump.
"Bless you," Ron and Hermione told him in unison.
"Thanks," Harry croaked. "Sorry." He nuzzled Hermione's neck. "So what time is Lavender coming?"
Ron checked his watch. "She said around five. She was going to pick up Jess, who lives about an hour away from her, and they were coming back together."
Harry nodded in understanding. "So, have anyone else come back yet? Or are we the only early ones?" he rubbed his nose again, accepting a tissue from Hermione.
"Well, Neville came after breakfast, and Seamus came right after I did. They're both taking a walk by the lake."
Hermione giggled, and Harry nudged her playfully. "It feels good to be back in school," he sighed happily. "And with you," he added, and Hermione gave him another kiss.
Hermione sighed contentedly. "Yes," she breathed.
"Oh, you won't believe what I started reading over the holidays," Harry spoke up, and Hermione turned to him with surprise. "Professor Lupin spent Christmas day with us, and he got me a copy of Phantom of the Opera…the book, anyway."
Hermione stared. "And you've been reading it?"
"Yes. Nearly done with it, now. Hermione, if Malfoy tries anything funny during rehearsals, I'll…"
Hermione laughed. "Yeah, he gets to 'seduce' me," she said. "But I end up with you, you know."
"Nice job spoiling it, Hermione!" Ron scoffed. "Well, I'm going upstairs to take a nap before Lavender comes, because I'm sure she'll want to make out all night. You two doing anything? Want me to take your trunk up, Harry?" he added, and Hermione looked over her shoulder.
"Ron, if you could, that would be great," Harry replied.
"Right, then." Ron snagged Harry's trunk, and with a mighty grunt, began to drag it towards the staircase. When he'd disappeared, Harry rested his chin on Hermione's shoulder. The feeling of his warm breath in her ear made her shudder with pleasure, and she turned so she was facing him again.
"I love you," she whispered, as he ran his fingers through her curly hair.
"I love you, too." He kissed her forehead. "And God, I've really missed you. It hurt."
Hermione put her hand over his heart, and leaned into another kiss. "Just kiss me," she told him, and he obliged.
When the dinner hour arrived, the Gryffindor common room was completely crowded once again. Ron and Lavender, as Hermione predicted, were making out in the corner by the fireplace, receiving rounds of applause from Dean and Seamus. Ginny and Hermione were catching up about their holidays, and Jessica and Erin were currently speaking with Fred and George.
"Let's go to dinner, eh? I'm starved!" Dean shouted, and Lavender broke her current kiss.
"Come on, Ronald," she teased, pinching his cheek.
"Since when have you ever called me 'Ronald'?" Ron snorted, wrapping an arm around her waist. Harry took Hermione's hand, which felt so warm and soft, and they followed each other through the portrait hole.
"They're doing it again," Lavender whispered to Ron, peering over her shoulder at the Weasley twins. "I swear, if they cause any trouble with my cousin this term, I'll…"
"It's not worth it," Hermione broke in. "Really, it isn't. They'll just have to learn on their own who to spend time with and who not to."
Lavender gritted her teeth against making another comment, and they entered the Great Hall. Once everyone was sitting at their tables and waiting patiently, Professor Dumbledore stood up to make a few quick announcements.
"I hope everyone had a most pleasant holiday," he began. "Before we become befuddled by our fantastic feast, I have a few announcements to make. First, rehearsals for Phantom of the Opera will begin next Monday at 7:00. Professor Snape has requested that if you have not begun reading through your scripts, that you do so immediately, and attempt to begin memorizing your lines."
Harry looked at Hermione, who was listening to the headmaster intently. He then felt the urge to sneeze, and though he managed to stifle it, Hermione felt him shift beside her, and quickly whispered, "Bless you," while rubbing his back.
"Second," Dumledore continued, "the final Hogsmeade visit will take place on Valentines day. Please turn your forms into your head of house as soon as possible. And finally, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, reminds students to please remember to wipe all mud off of your shoes when returning from being outdoors. Thank you." He sat down, and, with a tap of Professor McGonagall's spoon against her glass goblet, the tables immediately filled with the familiar abundance of food.
"A Valentines Day trip to Hogsmeade will be so romantic, Harry, don't you think?" Hermione asked, helping herself to a helping of chicken pot pie. He kissed her cheek.
"You bet. I had Sirius sign my form when the holidays first started, so I wouldn't forget." He looked up at Ron and Lavender who were both stealing kisses between bites. "You are such a hypocrite," he laughed, and Ron merely winked.
"I was hoping the spell would have worn off over the holiday," he heard Neville saying to Angelina. "I mean, it can't be a permanent spell, can it?"
She shrugged. "I'm actually quite excited about the show," she replied. "I've always wanted to try acting.
"I'm glad we're working with the lights," Erin told Jess, beaming. She didn't notice the wicked grins Fred and George exchanged with one another, but Hermione did.
"I really should have a word with those two in the common room when we get back," she whispered in Harry's ear. He smiled, and nuzzled her neck. "Oh stop," she laughed, kissing him on the cheek. "If you keep doing that, I'm going to have to jump you in public." She accepted a kiss on the lips, and then another.
Malfoy, who sat at the Slytherin table, shouted, "Get a room, Potter! The rest of us don't need to see you making out with a mudblood. Bad enough we hear about it; that's disgusting enough, thanks!"
Harry glared, and Hermione touched his arm. "Don't," she warned, as he turned away from the laughing Slytherins. "Maybe we can take our dinners back to the common room," Harry whispered. "I really just want to…"
"Make out with me?" Hermione giggled, blushing, as he brushed her hair away from her neck.
"I always want to make out with you," he replied.
"Well, I'm nearly finished," Hermione said, pointing to her plate. "We'll just have a few more bites and then go. You've barely eaten half."
"That's because he's too infatuated," Lavender laughed. "Ron hasn't eaten much, either." She pointed to Ron's plate, and Hermione noticed that Ron was too busy gazing into Lavender's eyes.
"Boys," Hermione smirked.
When dinner ended, Harry and Hermione were the first to return to the Gryffindor common room. Immediately, Harry hoisted Hermione into his arms, and began kissing her passionately. They fell onto one of the chairs, and Hermione felt as though she couldn't let go of Harry; she didn't want to. She felt so safe when she was holding her.
"Your glasses keep getting in the way," Hermione laughed, as she attempted to put her forehead to his. She removed them, and put them on the table beside the chair. They were still kissing when Ron and Lavender returned, and both stood grinning.
"Talk about horny!" Ron teased, giving Lavender a small slap on the behind.
"Ooh!" she shrieked with amusment.
"They have to come up for air some time," Jess announced, as she and Erin climbed through the portrait hole, and stood watching. Harry and Hermione eventually broke apart, and Hermione lay her head against Harry's chest.
"It feels so good to be back," she added, and Harry agreed.
"It certainly does," he replied, taking in the usual noise of the Gryffindor common room at night.