Chapter 12

Flashback

Harry was scared. No he was petrified. He had faced Voldemort many times and came out victorious but he would happily take on a 1000 Voldemort then face something he had never faced before. His girlfriend's parents; Hermione could see he was scared

"Don't worry you'll be fine" she said squeezing his hand

Harry smiled as himself Hermione Lupin and Tonks all walked up the pathway to the safe house that they had been placed in. A quick knock at the door and Hermione's mum was in view

"Hermione!" She squealed happily as she pulled her into a hug

"Hey mum, I missed you" She said returning the hug.

She let Hermione and noticed Harry

"Hello again Harry nice to see you" pulling Harry into a hug

"Nice to see you again Mrs Granger" Harry said returning the hug

"Oh call me Emma sweetheart I hate formalities" She said laughing and ushering the four of them into the house

"Hello I'm Remus Lupin and this is Nym... Tonks" Lupin said

"Pleasure to meet you all. Dan! Hermione's here with company" She yelled up the stairs

Dan came running down the stairs and picked his daughter up in a bone crushing hug

"Hey Daddy" She said returning the hug

Dan put Hermione down and held his hand out for Lupin and Tonks to shake he introduced himself. He then turned to Harry

"So you're the person who has taken my daughters interest for the last 6 years" He said with a stern face

"Yes sir" Harry replied looking extremely nervous. Dan burst into laughter

"Oh Harry calm down I'm only messing with you" he said shaking his hand

They all moved into the living room where Emma served tea to all that asked for it

"So to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit" Dan asked

"We were wondering if you could answer some questions about where you lived 15 years ago" Lupin replied

"15 years ago? We were living in a little village up north called something Hollow" Dan replied

"Godric's Hollow?" Harry asked

"Yes that's it!" Emma replied. Harry looked at Hermione. She knew what that look meant

"Mum, Dad did you have any close friends up there?"

"Yeah there was this once couple, we were their next door neighbours. Lovely couple they were Lily and James their names were. We moved down here when Emma fell pregnant with Hermione. Last time we heard from them was a few months after we had Hermione. They were expecting their own child. Never heard from them after that" Emma said with a tear in her eyes

Harry also had tears in his eyes. Not un-noticed by Dan

"Harry are you ok?" He asked

Harry smiled weakly and shook his head. He took a deep breath and began to speak

"They were my parents. Lily and James Potter. The reason they never got in contact with you is because they were murdered when I was one" Harry said allowing a few tears to fall.

Dan and Emma were in shock.

"There... Dead?" Dan asked

"Afraid so. What we came here to tell you was that we recently heard the will's of my parents. In their will there were a list of people who I was meant to go to if my parents died. You... You were on the list of people" Harry said barely audible

"Well I'm not surprised considering they made me and Dan a set of your god parents. We naturally assumed that they had just moved on but in their last letter to us they asked if we would be your god parents. Of course we accepted but we never heard anything after that"

Lupin chimed in with the explanation

"I'm afraid that when Lily fell pregnant a prophecy was made. The prophecy made Lily, James and Harry a target to one of the most evil wizards to ever have existed. When we discovered that their lives were in danger. We placed them into the wizard version of protective custody they were forced to cut contact with everyone"

Dan was confused "Wait so if they were in protective custody how were they killed?" He asked

"They were betrayed by one of the only people to know where they were in hiding" Harry said with bitterness in his tone

End Flashback

Harry woke up sitting bolt right up. Sure it wasn't a nightmare but it was still a difficult conversation to have. He checked his watch. Half past 5 in the morning. Oh well least he was able to have a good few hours sleep. He put on a pair a tracksuit bottoms and a t shirt and went down to the common room. He saw that the fire had gone out. So walking over to it he pointed his wand and muttered

"Incendio" The flames shot out of his wand and set the fire burning again. He found one a book on the table and sat down on the settee and began to read.

Hermione woke up an hour later. She got up a put her dressing gown on. Walking down the stairs she noticed Harry reading on the settee.

"You know it's normally me that does that" she said as she walked into the room

"Yeah I know but what's life without a little change" he laughed

She sat down next to him and kissed him good morning

"Been awake long?" She asked

"Only an hour, had another dream about when we went to see your parents" He said closing the book

"That was difficult for you wasn't it?" She asked

"Yes and No" He replied

"Care to elaborate?"

Harry turned to face her

"Yes it was difficult because it's dealing with something that I have never been able to fully deal with and probably never will be able to deal with but on the other hand no it wasn't hard for me because it gave me another connection to my parents You parents are my god parents and they knew my mum and dad for many years something I find really cool"

Hermione smiled and snuggled up to Harry

"I'm proud of you" she whispered

"For what?" he asked

"Maturity beyond your years and a never ending love for those who matter to you dead or alive" she said. Harry smiled and hugged her tighter. He whispered

"I love you"

Hermione looked up at his face.

"What did you just say?"

"I love you" he said louder

Hermione had tears in her eyes and kissed Harry hard with all of her passion.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted you to say that" She said kissing him again

A little while longer Harry looked at his watch

"Not that I wouldn't love to stay here and continue this we've got defence against the dark arts in an hour and I could use some breakfast" he said rubbing her back

Hermione pouted but got up none the less she walked to the stairwell when she turned ran up to Harry and jumped onto him wrapping her legs around his waist. She kissed him hard and pressed her tongue against his lips Harry returned and opened his mouth allowing his and her tongues to explore each other. A few minutes later they parted to breathe again.

"I love you too" She said before making Harry put her down so she could go get ready for class

Harry stood there inanimate.

"Ok" he whispered before going up the stairs so he could shower

Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand to defence 50 minutes later. Breakfast has been uneventful and both were put off staying too long by the sheer amount Ron was stuffing into his mouth. Sitting down next to each other they waited whilst the rest of the class came in. When everyone was in Professor Snape came through the door.

"I do not want to see any foolish wand movements in this class. Be warned if any of you start to fail this class you will find yourselves thrown off the course" He said with an added hatred to any Gryffindor that was in the room

"Now who can tell me the differences between a full bodied patronus and a shield version?"

Harry couldn't help but beamed with pride as every member of the DA's hands shot up in the air. He was even more impressed when none of the Slytherin students raised their hands.

Snape however was playing hard ball

"No one knows? How very disappointing" he sneered

Harry wasn't going to accept his bullying any longer.

"Excuse me 'sir' but I think you will find that there at least 3 people in this class who know the answer to the question" Harry said

"Mr Potter when I want you sarcastic comments I shall ask for them. I am well aware that there are students with their hands up but I highly doubt anyone in the class could fully explain it to me properly"

"Well you're never going to know unless you give them a chance will you?" Harry replied quickly

Snape shot a venomous stare. "Ok Mr. Potter if you're so confident in their abilities why don't you have one of them show me the differences"

Harry smiled.

"Anyone up for a quick demonstration?"

Hermione and Neville got up straight away

"Ok guys Neville could you perform the shield version of the charm?"

Neville nodded and raised his new wand

"Expecto Patronum" he said as the white shield came out his wand.

"As you can see the shield charm is an effective protective enchantment against the attack of a dementor however it is not as powerful as a full bodied patronus which are harder to cast"

Neville cancelled the charm.

Harry Hermione and Neville each then pointed their wands and thought of the happiest memories they could and all shouted "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

A Stag, Otter and eagle erupted out of their wands before running around the class room. After feeling very smug with themselves they allowed the charms to disappear. They turned to face Professor Snape.

"Sit Down. Now" He spat. The three retreated back to their seats.

"5 points from Gryffindor" He replied

"For what?" Harry asked

"For speaking when not being spoken too"

Snape spent the rest of the class instructing the students to read out of the text book. After the lesson was over Harry Hermione and Neville were all sat together

"We can't keep letting him do this" Harry said

"I know Harry but what are we going to do? We can't exactly go to a professor. They won't believe it without visual proof and whenever they are there Snape doesn't persecute the Gryffindor" Neville replied

"I think it's time my Dad's cloak made a comeback"

The three of them planned for their next defence lesson which was in 3 days time. They then went off to their lessons.

A few hours later Harry and Hermione returned to their common room they saw Hedwig waiting for them with a letter

"Thanks girl" Harry replied taking the letter and giving her some treats.

Dear Harry,

We have spoken with the goblins and the charges are going to be set in motion next week as for your other request Tonks has managed to convince the Wizengamot and Amelia Bones to give you the opportunity to plead Hagrid's case this weekend. Tonks and I will clear everything with professor McGonagall and we shall come and collect you.

Hope you are well

Remus

Harry showed Hermione the letter and she smiled.

"Ok this is going well. First Snape then the wizengamot then Dumbledore" She smiled

Harry kissed her and hugged her

Phase Two was about to begin

Authors Note: Just a quick one guys I have no idea what Neville's patronus is so I was guessing I choose eagle for loyalty and what not.

Any ways let me know what you think. Oh and by the way in the next few chapters there will be another vote coming so keep an eye out!