Chapter 6: Explanations

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the below characters. They all belong to the world of Harry Potter so cleverly created by JK Rowling.

A/N: Ok, so I am terribly sorry vanishing. So in order to make it up to you, I am going to post as many chapters as I can. I am going back over the chapters that I have already

written and checking them for spelling, grammar, and reviewing the content.

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When Harry awoke the next morning, he felt strangely comfortable. It took him a full minute to realize that Hermione was lying beside him, her head resting on his chest. It took him

another minute to realize that he wasn't dreaming and that Hermione was really lying next to him. The events of the night before all came rushing back to him, and he began to wonder

what had caused Hermione so much pain. He had always known that he cared deeply for both his friends and he had always known that he would die for either of them. He also knew

that their personal happiness was important to him too, but he never realized how much seeing Hermione in pain hurt him. Seeing her so upset last night had really scared him. He was

extremely curious to know had happened, but he didn't want to push her, and set her off again. Harry had never seen her so upset in all the time he had known her.

It didn't take long for Hermione to wake up, and just like Harry, it took her a few minutes to remember everything, and realize where she was and who was next her. The second she

did, however, she bolted upright. This action startled Harry as well, who hadn't realized she was awake yet.

"Hey," he said softly, "how are you feeling this morning?"

"A bit better," she responded. Blushing slightly as she recalled the events of last night. "Umm Harry, about last, night, I am really sorry. I just…" she paused though, seeing the strange

look on Harry's face. "What?"

"Hermione, you don't have to apologize! You are my best friend. It is my privilege to be there for you. You just really scared me last night. I have never seen you like that."

Hermione sighed. "I don't think I have ever seen myself like that."

"Look Hermione," Harry started. If he knew one thing about Hermione, he knew that she would talk when she was ready. He didn't want her to feel like he was expecting her to explain

everything to him right this second. "If you don't want to tell me yet, that is okay. I want to know what is wrong so I can help, but I don't want you to have to explain everything if you

aren't ready."

Harry's words almost made Hermione want to cry again. He was being so great about everything, and right then she knew that is why she had come here instead of Ron's. She truly

loved Ron and his family, but she would have felt smothered there. That was the key difference between Ron and Harry. Harry knew when to back off, and he could always sense what

she needed, well at least most of the time. "Thank you Harry, but I am ready to talk. I just need to get it off my chest, and I don't think there is a single other person who I could talk to

right now."

Harry smiled kindly at her. It was then that he realized how truly beautiful she was. He always thought she was pretty, but he never realized how much she had grown until now. She

had such a natural beauty about her. Suddenly becoming aware of the fact that he was staring at her, he brought himself back to reality. Where on earth did that come from he

wondered? Instead he said "Well, it seems that the Order has me on an extremely tight leash. I have at least three members tailing me each time I try to go out, so we won't have any

privacy. Our best bet is to just stay up here."

"That's kind of what I figured," Hermione replied. "Well, I'm not really sure how to even begin or how to tell you this." Hermione said uncertainly. Suddenly she felt scared again. It

hadn't even occurred to her until now that Harry might react badly to what she was about to tell him.

"Just take your time," he said, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. It was this simple act that encouraged Hermione to continue.

"Well, last night, I was packing for, well you know. Anyway, I ran out of room in my trunk for all my books so I went upstairs to look for any spare suitcases when I noticed there was

something in the corner covered by a sheet. I was curious, so I went to see what it was. When I pulled the sheet off, I found an old Hogwarts trunk."

Harry looked at her in surprise, trying to make sure he had heard her right. Judging by the look on her face though, he had. "An old Hogwarts trunk?" He knew better than to question if

she was sure about it.

Hermione simply nodded. "Obviously, I was very confused," she continued. "But I was also very curious. When I opened it, I found that it was filled with books about all sorts of magical

stuff, including what looked like some old Hogwarts course books. As I was removing the books however, an envelope on the bottom caught my eye especially when I saw who it was

addressed to." With a shaking hand, Hermione removed the envelope from inside her robes. "It was addressed to Hermione Jane Black. Harry, I am a Black."

Harry stared at her with a stunned expression on her face. "That's not possible. I mean…But I thought…But you're a muggle born."

Hermione shook her head sadly. "No Harry, I'm not. Here, read the letter. It is from my real father."

Harry carefully took the letter from her, still not quite believing. Sure enough the letter was addressed to Hermione Jane Black, to be opened when you turn seventeen. Slowly, Harry

gingerly removed the letter and began reading it. Hermione watched tensely as he read through it, not sure how he would react to the part about Sirius. Once Hermione was sure he

had finished reading she tentatively spoke. "Harry?"

"He says there's a picture" Harry answered quietly. "Where is it."

"Oh right," Hermione answered relieved that he was still speaking to her. "Here you go," she said handing it to him.

Harry stared at the picture for a long time. "This man, is he your real father?"

"I think so, but I don't know for sure. I was so furious last night that I didn't really give my mum a chance to explain."

"I don't understand though. Sirius never said anything. I mean, you were his blood relative, you were his niece."

"I know," Hermione said quietly. She had come to care a great deal for Sirius in the short time she had known him, but the fact that he was her uncle and godfather just made things

worse. "I suspect my mum had something to do with that. There is so much unanswered, so much I don't understand. I don't even know who I am anymore Harry. This changes so

much, it changes everything. I mean, it says in the letter that Professor Lupin knew, but he never let on to anything. I am just so confused. I feel so empty. My whole life up to this point

has been a lie." she finished, once again on the verge of tears.

Harry quickly tried to calm her down. "Not everything Hermione. You are still a witch, muggle born or halfblood. You are still the smartest witch of our year, perhaps of the century. And

first and foremost, you are still my best friend."

Unable to stop herself, Hermione hugged him. She was so grateful to him, and so overjoyed that he hadn't pushed her away because of her true identity. She didn't think he would, but

still, that small insecure part of her was afraid.

"Well Hermione, I know that you probably don't want to do this, but when you are ready, I think we need to talk to your parents." When Hermione looked as if she were going to

protest, Harry held up his hand. "Hermione, you deserve to know who your father was, what is name was. You deserve to know how he died, who his friends were, what his

relationship with the Black family was exactly. It also seems that our parents were fairly close if your dad trusted my parents with your identity. I would like to know how close your mum

was to them, what she knew about them. Hermione, we don't have to do it until you are ready, but it is something that needs to be done, and as much as I hate to say this, but it

needs to be done relatively soon. Especially since it might have something to do with defeating Voldemort." he finished firmly, looking straight into her eyes.

Hermione's eyes widened. She hadn't even thought that far ahead. The idea that she had something to do with defeating Voldemort shocked her to her very core. She knew that what

he was saying was true, but for just once in her life she wanted to run from what was right. However, she knew that wasn't going to happen. "Alright. But I want to go today. I don't

want to put it off because that will make it harder. I want to confront them while I am still mad, otherwise I might back down, and I wont let that happen."

"That's the Hermione I know and love," Harry said, trying to make her smile. This time it worked.

"Well let me just put my hair up, and then I want to go."

"Okay, while you do that, I better notify the Order that I am going with you. You don't mind a few security guards do you?" Hermione shook her head. Harry quickly ran downstairs, and

was relieved to find the Dursleys not home. After having a quick word with Tonks, Harry returned up to his room, just as Hermione was finishing up. The two of them were going down

the stairs to meet with Tonks so they could apparate when a thought occurred to Harry.

"You know, it's ironic"

"What is?"

"That we became best friends all these years later. I guess we were always meant to be together," Harry said smiling. He failed however, to see Hermione blush at his last statement.