Deepest Wishes
Chapter 3
A/N: No meaning to excuse myself for the late update, life had other ways during the last weeks. Some may think this chapter is fluffy, others my see that it have hidden depths. Something big have happened, soon will the the involved people know. Read and have fun, please leave a review with your thoughts. It makes everything easier to develop the story in the right direction if I know how what you think, like or dislike! I'm terribly sorry for the Italics going on for most part of this chapter. But this site won't let me change it, no matter how I try.

' Harry James Potter ' Hermione scolded him with the fiercest voice he ever heard. It remembered him of Mrs Weasley, when she were mad at the twins. But his old friend had a knowing tone to it, like he remembered from when he and Ron " forgot " about their homework.

' Don't you dare, come inside with your dirty boots on my newly cleaned floor! ' he looked down, his foot hovering just a foot above threshold, under it he could see the floor shining. Harry stared up from the floor, at the witch rumbling through cabinets after a tea pot and then continued to examine the floor. While out of his sight, Hermione bit her lower lip, where had that outburst came from. Why had the first thing she said to him, after calling out his name to be a scolding. Of course she had spent three hours this day, just to clean the floor until your reflection could be seen. But what did it matter, she just met Harry for the first time in two years.

' I'm sorry. But my socks are probably just as dirty ' Harry said behind her back, she could hear him move around, drawing out a chair at the table and sit down. It had been his request that they moved inside, after she had began shaking from the cold. But she could withstand the cold, even if she would die in it, if it meant she could stay in his arms a little longer.
His arms held her so tenderly, giving her a warm feeling inside her whole body. Something she remembered from the past, maybe her mind played her some kind of trick. But the warmness were greater now, than she could remember while they all stayed at Hogwarts.

She took out her wand from the pocket of her pajamas, waving it around wordlessly to enlighten the stove as the tea kittle flew over with ease. Harry noticed her actions briefly as he glanced around the kitchen, taking in the many changes that appeared during the last two years.

' You seemed to getting a hang on these things ' he said politely, the kitchen were more neatly cleaned then he had ever seen it. From what he could remember, there were always old and outworn stuff laying around everywhere. Now everything had it's own place and were pilled with precision.
' Molly taught me ' she answered shortly before reaching into a cabinet for two small cups, Harry took the moment to examine the old family clock. He as an old visitor saw the many changes of the clock. Gone were the engraved arm with Ginny's name, instead he could find three new names that wasn't there last time. One of them stood out form the others, while it kept spinning around, in confusion. It had his own name typed into it, a small smile crept upon his face. Next arm had Hermione's name on it, pointing at HOME. The last hand surprised him, believed to would find another new face of the Weasley family but it simply stated Luna. His thoughts went to Luna Lovegood, small amount of memories including the girl rushed around in his mind.

He were released from his mind when Hermione placed his filled cup before him. The sweet smell invading his senses, remembering him of something he hadn't tasted for a long time. He sipped it carefully, still scolding hot as he let the taste fill his body. He sighed pleased, before looking around again.

' You've done wonders here ' He tried to find her gaze but she stared into the table, her hands clutched around her cup. Something about it made him suspicious, but there was reason to wait for his answer to come to him.
' Where are the others? ' She looked up, meeting his gaze, her eyes still puffy from their quite intimate moment out in the garden. He remembered that look on her face, she had that while she thought really hard about something. To his unknowing mind, she thought really hard, but not about his recently asked question.

Ohh, his face still remembers that of a boy. More handsome though, a scar on his left cheek. He seem to been out for a while, he even have a beard. Or maybe he just haven't got time to shave properly, his face have dirt in it. It make him, looking mature somehow, but his green eyes, they doesn't seem as emerald any more. And that hair, have grown it out or forgotten about cutting it for the last two years?

' Hermione? ' Harry asked, seeing the distant look in her eyes, she shook her head slightly understanding that he suspected something.
' Arthur and Molly is at work ' she said to hastily, silently berating herself for her mistake. But she couldn't help it, she hadn't seen much of him out in the dark. Somehow Harry didn't react at her answer, she didn't thought about it. But there were things that Harry knew and didn't. Molly joining her husband at the ministry were one of those things he did know.

' And where have you hide Ronald? ' Hermione flinched, she never remembered Harry using Ron's full name. It sounded so wrong, so much like Dumbledore instead of Ron's best mate. She bit her bottom lip, taking a sip of the tea trying to find any good answers. No matter, as her thoughts raced her mind. She began from nowhere to touch into some unknown anger, her hands shaking while she placed the cup down.
' He's at Luna's ' she looked away, Harry were confused, but tried his best not to show it. Then only feature that gave him away, were slightly larger eyes. As a uncomfortable silence fall over them, Harry began realize. Putting the newly added arm on the clock together with her statement.
' Ohh, they've been seeing each other for a while I guess ' Hermione looked shocked and stared unfortunately into his eyes. He did something she never thought possible, he put things together and solved them in his mind. Harry had never done that at Hogwarts, she had been furious over him after he were clueless for months over the simplest things. Making it worse, were the casual and still polite tone he said it with. It seemed to him, like it was a minor thing, but it were linked to the events that turned her life upside down.

She gritted her teeth, trying to keep herself calm without much success.
' Mmmh, since the first christmas after you left ' her voice were bitter, Harry tried not to give away any kind of reaction. Especially about how awkward it made him feel, something told him that nothing stood on the right side with the witch in front of him.
' I'm sorry that I thought... ' he began as she stood up fast enough so the chair fell backwards.
' Your sorry of what? Ginny died and you left everyone! Do you have any idea how hard it was to loose you both ' she snapped, tone filled with anger and eyes flashing like they contained a thunderstorm. Before he had a chance to answer, she stormed out the kitchen, heading towards the stairs through the living room. Her heart were pounding so hard, that she felt pain in her ears because of it.

She was about to take the first step upon the stair, only to crash into an invisible wall. She made contact with such force that she lost her balance and fell backwards onto the floor.
Glaring back towards the kitchen, she saw the tall figure of Harry, this time without his robe, just a worn pair of dark jeans and a tightly fit shirt. His eyes looked sad, with both his hands still in his pockets, he stood there without saying anything. His silence enraged the young witch even more, until she suddenly drew her wand from her pajamas. Before she realized what she were about too do, or even stop herself she had screamed out her spell towards Harry.

' Stupefy ' As the red bolt shot out of her wand, she had already panicked. She saw Harry stand still, not even trying to move out of the way as her spell hit him square in the chest. Throwing him backwards into the Weasley family love seat. She stood still, wand still pointed at Harry's unmovable body without taking a single breath.
I attacked Harry, Ohh My god! she screamed at herself inside her head and rushed upon his body. Straddling the body that sprawled over the love seat she pointed her wand towards him again, tears now leaking freely from her eyes without control.

' Ennervate ' she whispered, with as much force she could muster at the moment. Nothing seemed to happen and her heart began to beat even faster as she poked him several times with her wand while continuing.
' Ennervate, Ennervate, E-E-Ennervate ' her voice faltering as she broke down and began to cry upon his chest, a firm grip onto his shirt. There were too many memories, possibilities that she didn't want to think of. One worse then the another, making her heart ache worse. In her current state, she didn't notice the pair of much more muscular arms that slowly rose to embrace her in a soft hug. It took a few moments before she felt his arm closing around her, drawing her into his body. She dropped her wand and circled her own arms around his body faster then Ron would finish of a cookie.

Harry opened his eyes to find his vision filled with a brown blur, a small smile came upon his face. Clearly remembering this view from their time at Hogwarts, he made small circles around her back trying to comfort her without any words as she sobbed hard into his chest. After nearly half an hour, her sobs seemed to had quiet down enough for him to dare speak to her.

' You know that I couldn't tell you guys that I were leaving ' His voice were soft, nearly not a trace from the deep one he had talked to her with before. Someway, she felt special, hearing this tone.
' We were all shocked and terrible hurt, you would never let me go ' He listened to her breaths, his hands moving upwards and without thinking, beginning to curl themselves into her hair.
' Of course not, I would...I mean we would never... ' She didn't finnish her thoughts, as Harry's hand cupped her cheek and lifter her head. She stared into his eyes, those green ones had suddenly a tiny tint of emerald in them, there were a spark in the corner that she hadn't noticed before. If it even had been there before, she couldn't remember, her head wasn't working straight anymore.

' That's what I mean. But this is not the time or place to talk about it ' she saw a smile creep upon his face. It looked strange somehow, like he felt happy for the first time for a very long time. He used his shirt to dry a few tears from her cheek.
' You need to rest, we can talk about it another day ' he stated calmly and suddenly he felt her body tense and her grip became firmer.
' So you can leave me behind again ' her muffled voice said, her face turned into his chest, trying her best not to break down into tears again. One of his hands slipped upon her head, softly stroking her head like nursing a cat.
' I will make you a promise ' he took a short pause, to see if she reacted but she still held firmly onto him.
' To not leave The Burrow without you ' her head snapped upwards, puffy red eyes met his, slightly emerald ones. Seeking for any kind of lie in his words, as he continued to pet her head.
' You promise! ' she stated lowly noticing him nod briefly before pressing her head down upon his chest again. The tenseness of her body disappeared, like he had used magic upon her as she sunk into every curve of his body. Totally relaxed.

They lay there for a couple of minutes in complete silence, Hermione beginning to feel all her emotions taking a toll on her. She had already began to drift into sleep while Harry still stroke her hair, there were only one thing on her mind at the moment.
' I'm sorry Harry ' she managed to get out through her strained voice, his stroking stopped for a moment.
' What for? ' she got a small smile upon her lips, eyes already closed since a few minutes.
' For staining your shirt with my tears ' they were the last words from her this evening, as her breaths suddenly became heavier and he continued to stroke her hair, smiling for himself while nuzzling his nose into her hair.

' Pleasure is all mine, one day I will be staining yours ' he told softly to no one, as Hermione already had fallen asleep in his arms.

Two loud cracks could be heard in the night, when two figures appeared outside the wards belonging to The Burrow. A fairly tall and slightly bald wizard had his arm around a much shorter and plump witch. Who put the recently used portkey inside her handbag.

They looked up to the first floor, where Hermione's room were still lit and shared a look.

' She need to get out of her studies sometimes ' mumbled Arthur silently as he looked away. Molly had become more protective of the young witch then he could ever imagined. He knew they shared a different kind of bond, woman to woman so he couldn't understand his wife's intentions at all. She never discouraged the witch for studying, instead she had tried to make her studies more comfortable.
He could remember those years ago, when their kids were younger. She would stop any bad habits before they had even formed around them. But with Hermione, she let her be without a single word.

' We have to tell her ' Molly said simply, her arm hooking with her husband's as they thought about what happened during the last couple of hours. They had heard the alarm at the ministry, calling for every available personnel to attend. Witches and wizards scattered from every office to use the newly installed mass transportation portkey. It had one purpose and that purpose only, fast counterattacks against the Death Eater's. Big numbers seemed to scare the Death Eater's away, so it didn't matter if only a third were trained aurors.
Many of the wizards and witches had experience from the last time, but at arrival upon the battlefield they had all been useless.

' You know we shouldn't. It's sort of classified information ' Molly's eyes glared at her husband, he himself stared at his feet as he said it.
' And tomorrow the Prophet will write everything about it ' Arthur didn't answer. He knew, because people from the Daily Prophet had even participated in their so called counterattack.
' She will hate me, if I knew and held it from her ' she let go of her husband and headed towards the house. Still not in reach of the wards, Arthur grabbed her arm, stopping her after just a few steps.
' Dear, don't think less of me. I know that you have Hermione's best in mind. But I, I don't even understand what happened tonight. How could we possible describe it to her? ' A faint smile came upon her face, already knowing the answer to that.
' Tonks will come, when the ministry release her from her duty. Like usual ' she shook of his hand and walked through the ward.

Arthur followed her until they got to the kitchen door, something caught Molly's eyes and she halted abruptly. Arthur looked curious over her shoulder to notice a pair of worn boots outside the door. Judging by the looks, they seemed to belong to a wizard who traveled a lot.
Molly pushed the door open, glancing at the boots as she stepped inside without taking her own boots off. Glancing around the table, she noticed the two cups left upon the table, one chair had a cloak hanging over the back. The sight made her froze until Arthur joined her side, he had taken his time to take off his boots before entering Hermione's newly cleaned floor.

' If she has a lover invited, while we were out there fighting. I will... ' Molly began until Arthur put his hand on her shoulder, efficiently stopping her rant.
' Don't forget the wards dear ' their eyes met for a second, before glancing around at the two cups. Without a second word, they both withdraw their wands. It should be impossible to penetrate their wards without telling them, someone had and were still in the house.

Arthur stepped forward towards the living room before stopping, holding out a signaling hand towards Molly. He stood there for a few seconds before Molly sneaked over, looking over his shoulder she understood why he had stopped. A dark haired wizard had his wand pointed towards them, without even looking at them. Hermione leaned into his shoulder while his other hand had embraced her.

' Quiet or you will wake her up ' a deep male voice said, the wizard cooked his head. Green eyes judged them up from throe to head, the wand lowered and rested upon the back of their love seat.
' Harry ' Molly gasped and rushed over to the both youngsters. Hermione didn't react at all, she were in deep sleep and snuggled into his chest. Something that made the motherly witch smile, as she tried to take in her " lost son's " features.

Brining up six son's, she had all seen them grow from boy to man during the years. She remembered, Harry as a young boy. The chosen one, well protected by the order and Albus Dumbledore. So innocent and undernourished, the only thing that could tell them about his hardships were those infamous eyes. Much had changed since then, she knew how young men looked like. But with the boy's features he looked more like Remus Lupin. Who were not just thirty years older, but also a werewolf. Harry's face were scared, a thin beard trying to hide most of the scars. Those green eyes, they didn't twinkle and the emerald were gone. It wasn't the face of a man in his early twenties, it remembered them of Moody. A man who had seen to much of the dark side for his own good.

Before anyone of them said anything else, Harry pointed his wand towards Hermione and gave it a flick. Safely securing their discussion from wakening the young witch, Arthur pushed Molly towards the seats facing the love seat. Molly stared at the young pair as Arthur went back to the kitchen, looking for some midnight tea for himself and his wife.
Harry left his wand upon the back of the sofa, and once again embraced Hermione's body and continued to petting her hair. Closing his eyes to Molly's surprise, with a small smile of satisfaction. They stayed that way, in silence until Arthur returned with two cups of tea.

' I guess you don't have to tell her that we saw Harry tonight dear ' Arthur told his wife, with a mischievous smirk on his face. Harry opened his eyes and watched them both sipping their tea. Molly's face were red, probably because her husband humiliated her in front of her so called lost son.
' I would appreciate, that both of you kept my visit here a secret ' Harry said, the soft tone he spoke to Hermione with were gone without trace. Back were the authority filled voice, similar to what Dumbledore used in command. Their eyes snapped upwards to him, meeting his gaze, Molly's faced dropped.

' What... Why? ' Harry hide his facial features in the bushy hair, resting upon his chest for a few seconds, and answered them without leaving his hideout.
' The Dark Lord have spared the order, because they have no interest in you. His only interest is in me and you knew even less than The Dark Lord himself. If rumors began to spread, that i've been visiting The Burrow. You will have a few dozen Death Eaters here, the second they know I left ' At his speech, even the normally so collected Arthur Weasley let his face droop. Their family made up a large part of The order of the phoenix, renown for their pure blood battles against the dark forces. Even if they didn't want to agree with the young wizard in front of them. He was right, there hadn't been so much as an attempt upon their family in the last year and the half.

' Ohh, so you mean that we haven't protected our house good enough to keep the Death Eaters out, for such an event ' Molly suddenly said forcefully, her pride in the wards around the house had been disgraced. It wouldn't be a walk in the park to penetrate them, trying would give them enough time to call out for both the aurors and the order.
' Molly dear ' Harry answered before raising his head from Hermione's neck and staring at the older pair. If there had been another pair of eyes in the house at this moment. The would have been confused to death, wondering who were the wiser and more experienced one of the three.
' I don't offend your wards, they're amongst one of the best I've seen so far ' his eyes twitched as his fingers interlaced in a lock of Hermione's hair.
' Even before Hermione did her share of work upon them ' To his surprise, neither Molly nor Arthur seemed to know about Hermione's additions to their protection.

' Ahh, so you haven't noticed. She really is one of the brightest witch of this age ' his tone went soft instantly, a smile crept upon his lips.
' That's why your wards were much better then others, Hermione had worked around them without you even noticing it. Death Eaters would never been able to penetrate them, but every ward can be put down with a little time and enough force ' He played with the locks of hair as the silence came upon them, Arthur emptied his own cup before placing it on the table between the two pairs.
' You seem to know much about wards these days Harry ' Harry glanced towards the older wizard, a look of satisfaction upon his face before blinking with one of his eyes.
' I've visited the most protected places in the world, without no one knowing about it. I got past your wards without either alarming you or destroying them. Lets say I picked up a few tricks during the last two years ' He stretched out a few kinks in his neck, soar after laying in the small sofa for the last few hours.

' Harry, how.... ' Molly began before Harry signed for her to be quiet with a single hand gesture.
' We can talk more another time, but right now. It's time to tuck this girl in ' in a single movement. He had changed from laying down with the witch sleeping upon him, to standing in front of them. Carrying her bridal style in his arms. He stared into Molly's eyes, the single stare gave her goosebumps.
' I'm going to stick around for some time, it's important that you don't say anything that could imply that you've seen me. ' They gave half-heartly nods at his words.
' Good, otherwise I have to protect you from your self by manipulating your minds. Something I don't like to do with friends and family ' The older pair stared shocked at him, had he just told them without a second thought. That he would obliviate their mind if they didn't obey him.
' I'm going to rest for a few days, of course you can tell Hermione about the events you attended to with the ministry. But our talk, will be kept to ourselves ' Molly gave away another nod, glancing towards the small witch in Harry's arm. Who cuddled into his shirt without her self knowing it.

' You're not leaving then ' she asked as Harry made few steps towards the higher levels.
' No, I promised Hermione, not to leave without her this time ' these few words, made Molly's eyes moister and suddenly a single tear streaked down her cheek.
' Her room is on the first floor, you can rest in Ron's if you want to ' she squeaked as Harry went upstairs, she stared after them without noticing her husbands worried eyes.

Harry carried Hermione in through the only door on the first floor, noticing the room as very "hermionish" bookshelves covering the walls from floor to roof. He reached down to pull the blankets away with one hand, before lowering the girl down. He tried to tuck her in, as her hand shot up and gripped his shirt once more, he was surprised by her reaction and tried to pry her hand loose.

' Don't leave me ' she mumbled in her sleep and began to pull him into the bed with her. To surprised to put up a fight he ended up on her side and she rolled over and snuggled into his side, before he thought of getting up.
' please Harry... ' she mumbled and hugged him hard, the interaction made his muscles relax and before he knew it, sleep had called for him.

Downstairs, the older pair were caught up in their thoughts. So much had happened in the last twelve hours, it was simply too much for them to understand. Arthur stood up, his hand outreached for his wife who gently took it and followed him towards the stairs.

' I'm staying home tomorrow ' Molly said carefully, getting a nod as answer from her husband, as he flicked his wand to put out lights in the kitchen.
' Good idea, you have to watch out for... ' Molly squeezed her husbands hand harder then she used to, which made him stop that sentence. They entered the first floor, noticing the unclosed door and the still flaming candle upon the work desk. Molly's face lightened up, noticing the pair sleeping in each others arms, before seeing that Harry pointed his wand towards them in his sleep.

' He's protecting her in the sleep ' her voice were star struck, like a love sick school girl in awe.
' Molly, he's dangerous, get out of the room ' Arthur whispered without success. Molly entered the room, Harry's wand following her movements until she stood by their bed. She lifted the covers so that both youngsters were resting under them before giving them both a soft stroke upon their chins.

' Rest well, both of you my dears ' she said softly before the light went out and she walked upstairs with her quiet husband.

' Of course he's dangerous. We both know, how could he singlehanded fought both The Dark Lord and his minions earlier tonight if he wasn't. And then sneak into our house to steal our Hermione away ' her eyes were sparkling as she said this, with a hugh smile upon her face. Arthur didn't tell his thoughts at that moment, Molly hadn't ears for his thoughts, he knew. He had seen that look upon her face before, it was there when Ron had brought Luna home, for their first meeting with the girl as his official girlfriend. The same look, had been on her face after a order meeting, when she, Tonks and Hermione had sneaked away for an hour.

Now he knew, what it meant. She had taken Hermione in as her daughter, in her mind she had replaced Ginny. While that was impossible in his own mind, he still missed his only daughter, there wasn't anything wrong with Hermione, she wasn't an impostor in the house. But she just wasn't his, he was the logical part of the elderly Weasleys. She had her own parents, they just didn't know about her after she obliviated their minds for their own safety.
The same thing, Harry had threatened to do with both himself and Molly. Harry was right, You-Know-Who wouldn't hurt a fly with Harry around. But as soon he left, they would have been targeted for any kind of information about him.

' Will you let her leave with Harry? ' Arthur asked, trying not to think about the possible dangers that they would encounter in the future. Her husband turned around in their big bed, reaching out her arms and hugging him tight to her. Something she only did when she were hurt or afraid.
' She stayed here, for him you know. Believing that he would return, because he left all his possessions in her care. Maybe he came back, to claim them and her with it '

At that moment, Arthur could feel all the hurt feeling they both tried to hide during the two last years. They were so happy, believing that the boy they thought of as a son, would marry their only daughter. They lost them both on the same night with their big hopes of marrying him into their family. The worst, and most hurting thing for Molly was. She knew, that there was someone who were hurting more of his leave then her. Her hopes was, from this night and forward that the witch who currently slept peacefully in something, suited more of a dream. Would get a chance to have what her daughter didn't have a chance to have.