A/N: Hello lovely reader! I hope I'm updating fast enough for you! I know how frustrating it can be when there's a story you like and you just want to read more…However, know that I am truly dedicated to this story. I know where I want it to go! I have a plot in mind; however, I might deviate from it as I have in this chapter. (Most Harmony shippers should be happy…at least about one thing) I hope you all like this chapter! I also updated the last chapter with images of who I imagined to play the new professors! Hopefully I'll have the specific images on my profile soon if anyone wants to look! Anyway on to my reviewers!
Rs223: Thank you! I hope you keep the feedback coming! I love to hear it!
Lozzy035: I hope my updating is ok! You will like this chapter I promise… Let me know what you think!
King of the kaiju: Chapter 7 is out! I'm going to try and update once every week. This story is not fully written yet, sadly. I don't have much time during the week, and I'm going to become even busier when Spring rolls around. But weekends are generally good for me to update! I don't want to give too much away about how I'm going to bring people back, but you will find out most of my plan in this chapter! Don't worry! More people will be brought back, not just the Potters! Who do you specifically want to come back?
Jharry1960: Thank you about the casting choices comment You're right…the plot is a little overdone…Do you have any suggestions about how I can change it to become more mature and more their age? Sorry about the slowness…I'm generally very antsy too, but while I'm writing, more and more words just pour out of my fingers. I just want to make sure I don't leave anything out. I'll admit, there is a lot of detail in chapter 6 that way does not need to be there. But to be honest, I feel like JK Rowling does that a lot in her books as well, which I HATE…ok I'm really sorry for being a hypocrite! I'll try to stay away from useless details like naming a million people *cringes at bad writing* Yes you're right! No Hermione/Draco…Hermione will not try to make Harry jealous…You really having me thinking hard about these things and I thank you for it! I completely agree, the series was built for Harmony and not Hermione/Ron nor Harry/Ginny. (To be honest, I skimmed most of the series because of the detail…I probably missed Ginny's qualities…whoops.) Haha…you have changed a lot of my opinions and there will be changes made! I hope you like this chapter better…please let me know how I'm doing! I really appreciate this feedback!
Meldz: hahaha! I feel you! Lemons may happen later, but not until they get together at least. I'm not even sure when I'll cut this story off. It might be right when they get together, so lemons might be up for a sequel? Who knows?
Jslee: Thank you! Is this better about how Harry treats Ginny? What specifically don't you like? Let me know please! I know…I felt like Ron and Hermione were more invested in their own relationships. Ron clearly doesn't think much about Harry and his sister, nor does he want to. And Hermione wants to see Harry happy and believes he is happy with Ginny, which is why she doesn't say anything.
TheCrippler1988: You will be happy read my comment to Jharry1960. Please let me know what else you like/dislike
ElizabethAnneSoph: Aren't we all biased (Harmony forever!) Ginny will be in the story, but *spoiler* she and Harry will not be together after this chapter! Yes no Draco thing with Hermione. I probably will keep him in the story because of reasons that will be obvious once you've read the chapter. I've decided against the jealousy thing with Harry, Hermione, Draco, but don't worry, jealously will be there! Maybe with Draco (as a friend) maybe with someone else?
Dennisud: fixed the numbers thing in the last chapter! Thanks! I know in cannon there are only Head Boy and Head Girl (taken from the 7th years) but I felt there should be more people to monitor the school, also it seems a little unusual and unfair that you can be a prefect as a 6th year, but then 7th year you have a very low chance of having a position of leadership. So yes, it's off cannon a bit, but it's not such a big detail! Neville/Luna is an interesting pairing! I feel like they'd be a good pair! I might go for Ron/Katie Bell just because I don't know much about Hannah or Daphne! I'm really interested in what you have to say about a "redeemable Ravenclaw", can you explain more about that?! I may have a trick up my sleeve for Sirius to be revived ;) I think you'll like this chapter! Enjoy
Disclaimer: JK Rowling built a whole series (7 books) that played into a Harmony relationship…and the she didn't give it to us. I had to fix it. She owns the books, but I own the plot and a character here or there PS thanks to Jharry1980 who pointed this fact out to me
Onto the story!
Chapter 7:
Finally, after the students had become accustomed to their new schedules and classes, the Hogsmeade weekend came. Most of the students would be going away for the day, shopping, eating, and just enjoying the new, carefree environment. The only students who would really be forced to stay on campus would be the first and second years; however, these students were offered flying classes on the weekend as well so that they could speed up their training on a broom. Most of them accepted, especially because the weekend flying lessons were taught by one of the professional Quidditch players from the England National Quidditch team, Blythe Parkin. Madam Hootch was certainly happy to have the weekend off; it was hard enough controlling first and second years on brooms during the week for her.
On their first Hogsmeade weekend in over a year, Ron and Harry planned to go together, hoping to somehow urge Hermione to come with them as well. Ron was so excited when he woke up in the morning that he got up, woke Harry up extra early, and forced both of them to convince Hermione to come with them. Once they were ready, the two wizards went down to the Gryffindor common room to look for Hermione. They found her curled up in window seat reading a book about the Forbidden Forest.
"Oh come on, Hermione," Ron whined as he knelt next to her and put his hands on her knees. Harry shifted nervously behind Ron and bit his lip.
"Ron, no! I have to work on this project. And besides, I already told Elspeth I couldn't go; it would be wrong to go with you when she already invited me," Hermione said as she glanced up from her book and pushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"But you have a perfectly good reason not to go with her," Ron answered as he fell backwards on his bum and crossed his legs. "She's going with Malfoy, and he's bad news."
"Maybe you should go with her because she's going with Malfoy," Harry joked with a teasing smile. Hermione caught the tail end of his smile and flashed her own pearly whites at him.
"I'm sorry boys, but this really is an important project," Hermione sighed as she closed her book. "I promise I'll go to the next one with you."
"Is there anything we can do to help you with the project? Maybe if we all work together we can finish whatever it is that you need to do. Since we're seventh years we can leave for Hogsmeade whenever we please," Harry offered with a shrug. "I'd love to help you, and I'm sure we can force Ron to do a bit of work."
"What even is this project of yours anyway? You haven't told us what it is yet, and you always tell us what you're working on," Ron interrupted as he rested his head on his knees.
"I already said that I can't tell you; McGonagall swore me to secrecy," Hermione sighed. "So I'm afraid you won't be able to help me either; sorry. If you could help me, I would certainly take it." Hermione smiled at both Ron and Harry.
"Why all the secrets?" Ron asked. "You've never kept secrets from us before."
"Did your memory get erased in that battle with Voldemort?" Harry asked Ron as he knocked on his head. "What about third year? The time turner?"
"Oh yeah…which I still never got to use," Ron huffed angrily.
"I'm sorry they were destroyed," Hermione sighed. "I actually wanted to use one again with my schedule."
"I told you not to take too many N.E.W.T. level classes," Ron turned up his head and pointed his finger at her jokingly.
"Why don't you let us help you?" Harry pushed Hermione. "Just tell us what to do; don't tell us what it's for or the context of any of it. That can't be against the rules."
Just as Hermione was about to tell Harry that she couldn't possibly ask for their help, Ginny descended the stairs and called Harry's name. Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned to look at Ginny who was now approaching them.
"Hey Gin," Hermione smiled at her as she stood up. "Are you headed off for Hogsmeade?"
"Of course I am," Ginny smiled back at her. "Are you going with the boys?"
"No," Hermione answered quickly as she glanced down at her book as if to tell Ginny she was too busy with her research.
"She's got too much work to do, especially with that project," Ron added, attempting to mock Hermione.
"Oh, well, that's too bad," Ginny's eyes shined with pleasure at Hermione's news. "Harry, I was wondering if you would escort me to the Three Broomsticks. Maybe we could get a Butterbeer?"
"Why don't you do that Harry," Hermione smiled sadly. "You shouldn't let my absence ruin your day. Go and enjoy yourself." Hermione kicked herself in the rear for suggesting that Harry and Ginny go to Hogsmeade together, but it was the only way she could think to work on her experiment without Harry's interruption. She knew Ginny would have him gone for at least a good few hours.
"Umm, alright," Harry said after a few seconds of deliberation. Hermione's suggestion made his heart ache, wondering why she would want him to go with another girl; he thought perhaps she didn't want to hurt Ron's feelings either, just the same as Harry. Harry often wondered what Ron would say to him if Hermione and he ever got together; would he be enraged that Harry not only captured his sister's heart, but also the heart of Ron's first love? Harry didn't want to think anymore; it pained him too much and made his head hurt.
"Perfect, it's settled then," Ginny smiled as she looped her arm around Harry's. "Let's go!"
"Oi! What about me?" Ron asked as he stood up with his hands on his hips. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Why don't you come with us with someone you've been longing to ask out?" Ginny's smile twisted into a wicked grin.
"Like who?" Hermione giggled at the thought of Ron asking another girl out.
"Luna," Ginny answered. "I'm sure she's free."
"Are you mad?" Ron asked with outrage. This was the first time someone suggested that he ask someone other than Hermione to Hogsmeade, and he didn't know how he felt about it. He knew he wasn't in love with Hermione anymore, however it felt strange to him that he was free to ask anyone else that he wanted to go out with him. "I don't like Luna."
"Well you certainly stare at her enough," Ginny mocked her brother. "Don't be such a git! Just ask her; she'll say yes. I believe she likes you too!"
"Why don't you Ron?" Hermione asked him as she began to back away from the group. "It'll be fun." She smiled at the three Gryffindors as she stopped at the staircase.
"Yeah Ron," Harry nudged his best friend's arm. "I'll even go with you for moral support." Ginny and Hermione laughed.
"Fine!" Ron sighed. "I'll ask her…but I'm still not happy about you not going, Hermione." Ron nodded his head toward her.
"I promise thats I'll go next time," Hermione nodded her head, promising to go. She did wish she could go with her friends this time, but she knew others depended on the experiment she was supposed to finish.
"Alright, it's settled," Ginny said again trying to usher her brother and her boyfriend out of the Gryffindor common room. "Let's go find Luna."
"Bye Hermione! We'll catch up with you later!" Harry called as Ginny pulled him toward the door.
"Bye!" Ginny and Ron echoed Harry's words.
When the door closed after Harry, Ron, and Ginny, Hermione smiled sadly and moved her fingers up and down, a small wave. "Bye," she said softly. Hermione sighed and walked up to her room to change. She knew she would need more practical clothes than her Hogwarts attire; perhaps some jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt where she was going. She was going to the forbidden forest.
"I'm so glad you asked me to go out to Hogsmeade," Luna smiled as she pushed her spectre specs on top of her head. I don't get asked to Hogsmeade much, you know."
"We're glad you could come with us too, Luna," Ginny smiled as she pulled Harry closer to her and wrapped her arm around his waist. Harry instinctively wrapped his arm around Ginny, but he didn't want to. It was more of an automated response.
"Why don't we head to the Three Broomsticks now?" Ron suggested as he pointed toward the pub just a few hundred feet in front of them. "I could certainly use a butterbeer!"
"Why don't we meet you there?" Harry suggested. "I want to talk to Ginny alone for a few minutes." Ginny smiled at this, thinking Harry wanted to snog for a little while. They hadn't had any alone time for what felt like forever.
"Alright mate, but don't be too long. We'll get you and Ginny a couple of butterbeers," Ron smiled at his friend. He still didn't know why Harry was dating Ginny; after all, back in their earlier years at Hogwarts, Ginny made Harry rather uncomfortable although he didn't outwardly show it nor did he confess it. Ron was surprised when they finally had become a couple as well. He always thought Ginny just had a crush on Harry and that it would go away once she met the right person.
"Have fun snogging," Luna smiled at her friends, and Ron laughed, making Harry turn red. Ginny just smiled playfully.
The couple watched their friends enter the Three Broomsticks and then headed for a bench close by on the opposite side of the street. "Harry Potter wants to snog in public? Now this is something I'll need to write down in the record books," Ginny smiled to herself as Harry sat down on the bench.
"I don't want to snog, Ginny," Harry sighed as she sat down next to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He promptly removed her arms and placed them in her lap.
"Well, then I supposed you really do just want to talk," Ginny sighed. "Alright, what Harry?"
"Ginny…I just…I need to be honest with you," Harry began as he looked Ginny in the eyes. "I'm not in love with you…I don't think I ever really have been." Ginny's eyes darkened, and a frown appeared on her face.
"Harry? What are you saying? Are you breaking up with me?"
"Ginny. I don't think we were ever together really," Harry sighed. "We never spent much time together. I just think it would be better for both of us to see other people."
"You want to see someone else?" Ginny asked as her eyebrows furrowed; a tear began to fall down her cheek. Harry hated himself for making her feel this way. He still cared about her as a friend, and he didn't want to hurt her. She was a wonderful friend and the sister of his best friend, but that didn't make her his soul mate.
"I don't want to waste anymore of your time, Ginny. I tried to make it work, but it just hasn't," Harry admitted, feeling a little guilty.
"Are you in love with someone else?" Ginny asked him seriously. The tears were now flowing down her face. She had a feeling Harry wasn't invested in their relationship, but she decided to ignore it, hoping it would go away. Now she needed answers.
Harry sighed as he looked at his lap. "I'm sorry it happened like this."
"Harry!" Ginny cried. Harry waved his wand and made a few tissues appear and handed them to her. "Answer me!" she yelled as she grabbed the tissue and dried her eyes.
"I don't know, Ginny," he answered. Ginny then hit his arm a few times and pushed his chest. Harry sat there and accepted Ginny's weak punches, believing he deserved them.
"Don't lie, Harry! You're in love with Hermione aren't you?" Ginny asked as the tears began all over again. "You've been in love with her for years and years. You've never even noticed me! I'm just Ron's little sister who almost killed Harry Potter in his second year."
"Ginny," Harry sighed as he looked at her again. "I don't think that. You've been such a good friend to me, and I hope we can stay friends. You're my best friend's sister, and I care about you a lot. I just don't see you in a romantic way."
"Ugh!" Ginny cried as she slapped Harry on the cheek, then immediately pulled her hand back, ashamed at what she had done. "I'm sorry, Harry! I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright Ginny; I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Harry admitted. "I wanted to try and make it work, but I just don't feel that way for you."
"I understand Harry," Ginny said as she wiped her tears again. "I may not like it, but I understand…just answer one question for me?" Ginny cleared her throat as her tears began to lessen.
"Sure."
"Are you in love with Hermione? I see the way you look at her," Ginny smiled. "I'd often wonder when you'd look at me like that…I guess you never really did love me."
"I don't know if I'm in love with Hermione," Harry sighed. "She's my best friend, and I would do anything for her."
"I think you do know, Harry," Ginny smiled as her tears started to come more frequently. "But I want to be the first to know when you admit it." Harry was so impressed by the way Ginny was holding herself; he knew this wasn't easy for her. He was happy the see that she was treating him as a friend at the moment.
"Alright…do you want that butterbeer or-"
"I'm going to head back to the castle; thanks though, Harry. I think I just need a little time to myself," Ginny said as she stood up. Harry promptly stood up as well and smiled.
"Alright then, I'll see you at dinner, I suppose," Harry smiled again as he watched Ginny depart down the long path back to Hogwarts. Harry then headed into the Three Broomsticks, hoping Ron wouldn't be too upset with Harry for breaking up with Ginny.
Oh this is hopeless, Hermione thought as she sat down in the Forbidden Forest and leaned against a tree. Hermione had been in the forest for over three hours looking for the Resurrection Stone. She didn't want it for her own personal use, although some might say she did; it was in fact for her special project approved by Professor McGonagall. Hermione was indeed trying to bring back the dead, though not in the way the Resurrection Stone typically worked. Hermione wanted to truly bring back the dead. If Harry could survive the killing curse and live again, why couldn't others? Hermione thought the answer was simple – it was not his time. But in that answer arose another question: had everyone, who perished, perished at their time? Hermione didn't believe they had, so she believed there must be some way to bring people back as Harry was brought back.
How exactly? She had yet to discover that. Professor McGonagall had come to Hermione during the summer while she was in Australia and asked her to do something. Professor McGonagall has heard The Legend of the Three Brothers many times, and she believed every word of it. However, she believed there was more to the story. None of the known Masters of Death had possessed the Three Deathly Hallow along with a certain unknown organic element and tried to bring back the dead; if the Master possessed the Three Deathly Hallows along with the unknown element and used them the correct way, they could bring back the dead. Although this seems unrealistic, this legend stated that everyone had a certain date on which they were supposed to die; if they died before that, they could be revived until that fateful date. They would eventually die though, which is why one can only become a True Master of Death if they understand that death is inevitable.
McGonagall heard this legend, passed down from generation to generation in her family. Each member of her family has searched for those items, but failed. Since McGonagall had no children, she passed the legend on to the one person she thought would be able to solve the riddle and who also had nearly direct access to two of the Deathly Hallows.
Hermione sighed as she reviewed the conversation with McGonagall in her head. She had to find this stone; it was the only way to give Harry a chance to meet his parents, and Hermione desperately wanted to let help him at least attempt to see them again.
She stood up and looked around at her surroundings. For all she knew, some animal had found the stone and eaten it, thinking it was a nut. She wished there was a tracking device in the stone or something that could help find it. Hermione looked at the damaged trees and the trampled ground beneath her feet; she knew she was in the place where Harry had died less than six months ago. Oh where did he drop that stone? Hermione questioned herself.
She knelt down on the ground and began moving leaves that had already fallen from the trees, hoping the stone would be under them. "Oh! How could I be so stupid?" Hermione cried as she slapped her forehead with one hand and pulled her wand out of her pocket with the other. "Accio Resurrection Stone!" Nothing happened. Hermione sighed, defeated. "I wonder," she mumbled to herself as she opened her bag with the undetectable extension charm and reached down to find another wand – the real Elder Wand. "Accio Resurrection Stone!" She cried again.
This time a small square bullet-like object came flying through the air and landed in Hermione's hand as she opened it. Hermione was a little shocked, because she was certainly not a master of death, but she took the stone anyway and put it in with the wand in a specific pocket of her bag. Perhaps the wand was just that powerful.
After a good ten-minute walk, she was out of the forest and heading back toward the school.
"Hermione!" called a great, deep voice. Hermione turned to see Hagrid walking out of his hut with Neville. "What are yerh doing coming out of the forest? And look at yerhself! What happened to yerh?"
Hermione looked down at herself for the first time in the past few hours and noticed that her jeans had grass stains on them, her sneakers were caked with mud, her sweatshirt was dirty and somewhat sticky from tree sap, her wild hair had also managed to collect some dirt, and she could just feel the sweat seeping out of her pores nearly all over her body. "Oh, um well…I went out for some exercise."
"What?" Neville asked as he and Hagrid approached Hermione. "Hermione, I don't-"
"Oh alright…" Hermione turned away from Neville and Hagrid and looked up to the sky, hoping someone was watching over her. "I was hoping…to get ahold of a specific kind of moss for the extra credit that Professor Sprout offered us. I thought it might be in the Forbidden Forest, but I wasn't able to find it." Hermione turned back to face them.
"What-" Neville stopped speaking when he saw Hermione's eyes pleading with him not to tell Hagrid she was lying. "Oh…maybe we can take a look together?" Hagrid eyed the two of them and then walked up to Hermione and pulled her aside.
"Hermione," Hagrid said with a solemn tone. "I know why yerh were in the forest." Hermione bit her lip and looked at the ground.
"I'm sorry, Hagrid," Hermione said as she looked into her eyes. "It's just that McGonagall told me not to tell anyone."
"I know perfectly well what McGonagall told yerh," Hagrid said with a somber tone. "But you can trust the teachers. We're here to help you. I'm sure we all have at least one person who we want to have their loved ones back…but you might need this one's help over here too," Hagrid said as he pointed to Neville.
"But I'm not supposed to tell any students," Hermione began to protest.
"I'll talk to McGonagall about it," Hagrid said as he put his hand on Hermione's shoulder. "You'll need this one's help with this riddle, Hermione. You're most likely looking for a plant, and young Neville know just about all the plants that exist. You'll be able to crack the puzzle faster with him."
"Alright," Hermione said as she glanced back toward Neville who was now entertaining himself with one of the newly planted trees that the Hogwarts Restoration Crew put in the ground.
"I already told him about your experiment," Hagrid said. Hermione began to protest, but Hagrid cut her off. "I saw you going into that here woods Hermione. I knew what yerh were looking for, and by the smug smile on yerh face, I'd say you found it…" Hermione nodded. "Well, you only need one more thing and you'll be all set."
"No Hagrid, I need the Invisibility-"
"Harry'll let yerh have that anytime yerh want. There is no trouble there," Hagrid smiled warmly at her. "Now get going! You've got a lot of research a head of yerh two."
"Thanks Hagrid," Hermione said as she waved goodbye and walked over to Neville.
"So he's told you?" Neville asked as the two walked toward the castle.
"Yes," Hermione said with a smile.
"I know you typically work alone, Hermione," Neville paused. "But don't worry, once you have that plant, I'll be out of your hair."
"Neville," Hermione laughed. "I only work alone because most people can't keep up!" She laughed again. "You certainly can, Neville; can't you? You're welcome to help for a long as you like."
"Thanks Hermione," Neville smiled at her. "But I'm really only good with plants. I'll stick to that part of the experiment."
"Of course," Hermione smiled outwardly, but inwardly she wondered why Neville rejected to work with her on the rest of the experiment.
"Well today was fun," Elspeth said as she and Draco ascended the Hogwarts staircase inside the castle.
"It was," Draco agreed. "I'm glad you decided to come out with me; I don't think most Gryffindors would want to after the way I treated them."
"Well, this is a year of second chances," Elspeth smiled.
All of a sudden Ginny Weasley ran past the two; her eyes were red and puffy, but there were no tears running down her face. Draco watched her travel up the stairs and disappear through a corridor, while Elspeth watched him. She smiled deviously.
"Draco," she said slyly. "Do you happen to fancy Miss Weasley?"
"What?" Draco asked looking rather shocked.
"Draco, you fancy her," Elspeth's smile turned sincerer.
"Well, I'm not sure what or who I fancy anymore," Draco admitted. "I don't really know much anymore after the war except that my family was disgraced. I made some terrible mistakes, because I was taught wrong from birth by my father. I don't think someone like a Weasley could ever forgive me. I've done too many bad things."
"Draco, all you can do is try to make it right. You can try to make it up to her," Elspeth smiled at him as she put her arm around him and smiled.
"That's easy for you to say; we've known each other our whole lives," he shook his head. "You know who I really am."
"Yes. That's true. We did go to the same school for young wizard and witches…" Elspeth recalled. She and Draco had attended the same elementary wizarding school, and they were quire close because their mothers were such good friends. However, after being sorted into Hogwarts' houses, the two became more distant until they barely knew each other at all. "I feel like I didn't know you much at all until this summer, and I probably wouldn't have gotten to know you if my mother hadn't forced me to meet with you when she met with your mother." Elspeth recalled that summer morning when her mother said she was going to see Mrs. Malfoy. Elspeth was expected to come as well, and of course, Draco would be there. Elspeth's mother and Mrs. Malfoy rekindled their relationship this past summer after the tragic events that took place, sparking Draco and Elspeth to do the same.
"So I need to force her to be with me?"
"No!" Elspeth laughed and shook her head. "You git! You need to show her you're different."
"How do I do that?"
"Just think for a little while…maybe it will come to you." Elspeth said as she began walking up the stairs, wanting to talk to Ginny.
"And if it doesn't?" Draco asked, making Elspeth stop and turn around.
"I'll try and come up with something," she answered, but in honestly, she had no idea what Draco could do to change any of the Weasleys' opinion of them. Perhaps she would need to do some research…but she had no idea where to look. Now Elspeth was nearly the top of her class – she was ranked third to be exact – and when she didn't know where to go to find answers, she of course would go to the number one student in her class, who was none other than Hermione.
A/N: Please let me know what you think! How do you feel about the splitting the chapter into different perspectives? There might be more of that coming up. How do we feel about Ginny/Draco? Weird? I think so too, but I don't know who else to put him with…I really want to keep Draco in my story…I've always had a soft spot for him and I don't know why. Any other requests or preferences? What do you think about my plan to bring back the dead? It definitely stems a little from my beliefs as a person, but I think it's somewhat plausible in the HP world. Do you think there's any way I can make it better? How do we feel about these pairs? Harry/Hermione, Ron/Katie Bell, Neville/Luna, Draco/? Ginny/Oliver Wood, Elspeth/?...would a Draco/Elspeth pairing be believeable? Maybe changes with any other character you can think of?
Please R/R! it makes me want to write forever…even though that is not possible…Anyway…
Love and hearts and happy reading my lovely readers
xoxo