Beta's: 5/8/2015

Me, myself, and I. Pretty sure we still managed to get it wrong…

Chapter 19, An Accord of Sorts

Harry stepped out into the night that had fallen on Hogsmeade. Students hurried everywhere and over the chaos of voices all carrying on separate conversations they could hear Hagrid's booming call to the First Years. Somehow it wouldn't feel like returning to Hogwarts without it. Not having Hagrid on the platform last year was just weird. He waited for Hermione to join him before sending Hedwig into the air letting her wing her way to Hogwarts on her own. "All set then?"

Hermione nodded while trying to hold on to Crookshanks. The oversized orange fur ball was doing what it could to wiggle free from her grip before he just gave up and let her carry him. He really didn't look happy about it which made Harry smirk. "Yes, Dobby said we have mail waiting for us and he didn't mind taking the saddle bag and hiding it until we settle in."

"Nice one. Did he say how much mail?" Harry asked while they started making for the carriage Neville was holding for them. Harry was really thankful for the little guy. He was definitely making up for trying to maim him all of his second year.

"His exact words when I asked was, 'A small mountain Mistress. I used a shove to keep them in the closet!' Is there any way we can get him to not call me that?"

Harry chuckled. "Good luck. I still haven't got him to call me anything but 'Master Harry Potter Sir'. Besides, you didn't want him to call you 'Harry Potter Sir's Hermy' anymore."

"And unless you would rather we not continue what got interrupted on the train later tonight, you will never mention that again Harry."

Harry's eyes widened at the threat. "Mention what again?"

"Exactly."

It took them a few moments, and more than a few jostles, before they were finally able to climb into the carriage with Susan and Neville. Hermione sighed when she saw the Thestrals but didn't comment on them. Harry kept his back to them and didn't bother looking. Unlike their companions neither Harry nor Hermione had dressed in school robes since they had yet been able to get new school clothes this year. Susan commented on the dragonfly hair clip in Hermione's hair which she explained was something they had picked up during their time abroad. This led the conversation to be dominated by the two witches as they discussed a wide variety of topics that had both boys slouching in their seats most of the way to the castle. When they finally arrived at the castle Hermione allowed Crookshanks to run free. As the teens climbed down he waited until he had both Harry's and Hermione's attention before flicking his bottle brush tail at them and walking off in a huff.

Harry smiled and shook his head at the cat's antics. Hermione rolled her eyes at him before taking Harry's arm. They'd gotten a short few steps into the great castle when they heard the oily voice of the one professor both disliked almost as much as Dumbledore.

"Well Well Well… What have we here? Term only minutes old and two Gryffindors already being docked points and gaining detentions. Surely a record of some sort. It would seem the two of you have decided the school dress code was beneath you…"

Harry reached down and pulled his pocket watch opening it to check the time. "I wonder what's for eating tonight." Harry wondered aloud while Hermione smiled at his antics. Harry's comment instantly stole the attention of everyone around them.

Professor Snape's eyes narrowed at the obvious dismissal. "I see your arrogance has reached even greater heights than it usually sores. I think that will be twenty-five points from each of you for being out of uniform and three detentions for your cheek Potter. Tell me, do you think you are above the rules and all reproach?"

Harry stopped for a moment and tilted his head as if he was thinking about the question. "Actually, yes. Yes I am. You can give me detentions, but I'll not serve them. You can take house points, but we can earn them back in spades from the other teachers. That's something Gryffindors have gotten pretty good at over the years anyways. And you can't expel me or Hermione. So…"

In the awkward moment that passed Harry heard Hermione hiss at the same time he felt something slam into his mind. It didn't do any more than alert them that someone had tried to gain entry. Harry gave Snape his most chilling smile knowing exactly what that attack was having been the subject of it for months last year. The moment however was completely broken before it could build to lethal levels by a sudden bright flash from someone in the crowd.

Snape tore his furious eyes from Harry to look at the offender. Harry got an image of Tonks still in disguise holding what looked like Collins camera. He kept his eyes on Snape as Snape snarled at the disguised Metamorph. "And what was that?"

"A before picture Professor. Auror Moody asked me to take them when someone picked a fight with Harry." Tonks lightly replied.

With a growl of anger at the giggling students Professor Snape turned and stormed into the Great hall completely ignoring Tonks next question. "Hey, Professor! Wait, aren't you going to fight Harry? I still need the after picture!"

Harry expelled the breath he was holding and tried to purge his system of adrenalin. Casually as if the confrontation had never happened he draped his arm around Hermione's shoulders and together they walked into the Great Hall. Finding seats wasn't difficult to do as Neville was saving them space toward the back. Both of them kept their backs to the wall and sat so that they could keep lines of sight open to as much of the hall as they could. "That was exciting."

Hermione shook her head while rubbing his thigh. "By the time Dumbledore makes his speech it's going to be all over the school."

Harry scanned the benches and house table. He caught a lot of covert glances and some whispering. "Yeah, it's going around now. Good. I'm not taking his shite this year. If he's the Potions professor I won't have to worry about having him this year but if he's the Defense Teacher things can get interesting.

"Why do you say that Harry?" Neville asked.

"Neville, every Defense teacher in the last five years has tried to kill me. Even Professor Lupin, though that really wasn't his fault. We barely tolerate each other now and given the chance to shoot spells at each other disguised as a 'classroom exercise', interesting is putting it mildly."

"Yeah, I see your point. We'll see. Dumbledore should be announcing whoever it is soon. Look at the staff table there, Snape has to be the new teacher because if that guy is our Defense Teacher we are buggered." Harry took that moment to wave back at Hagrid who almost knocked over Professor Flitwick trying to get his attention. Neville continued. "I heard from a few people that he's Professor Slughorn and on the train he invited a few people to his cabin for meet and greet. He sent invites for us but I didn't think you wanted to go. I know I didn't. He just wants to know what happened at the Ministry."

At this time Nearly Headless Nick chose that moment to ghost through a third year they didn't recognize and sit with them. "He is not the only one. You Mr. Potter have been the subject of talk even amongst our resident ghost community. I am considered something of a Potter Authority since it is fairly well known we are friendly. Rest assured however that I have informed them that I shall not pester you for any details. As I have told them, 'Harry Potter knows he can confide in me with complete confidence and that I shall not reveal his secrets.'"

Harry smiled at their house ghost. He knew Nick got the short stick most of the time for his condition and had to have been loving the attention. "Cheers Nick."

Through the doors to the Great Hall McGonagall walked through carrying the sorting hat and a stool, a gaggle of firsties following behind her. As the conversations died down and people respectfully gave the Sorting their attention Harry took that moment to look down the table for two people that had not greeted them since they arrived back. It wasn't hard to find Ron and Ginny Weasley at the opposite end of the table. Neither looked in their direction but appeared to be having a heated disagreement over something. Harry frowned. He felt confusion that matched his own before he felt a sudden white hot spike of anger. He turned quickly to Hermione who was looking not at Ron or Ginny but some dark haired Fourth Year between them and the Weasleys.

"Stupid bint… you're not going to be so brave when I rip out…" He heard Hermione muttering to herself.

Harry immediately pushed his feelings for her through their bond to calm her down. He'd never seen her so enraged before. "Calm down love. It's just a fourth year…"

Hermione turned to look at him. He could tell from their bond she was responding but her eyes were still chips of ice. "As if there was any doubt after we did a runner we were together she sits over here winking at you and playing with her hair..."

Harry leaned in to whisper in her ear letting his breath tickle her ear and further calm her down. "… and she is not the one who's breasts I was nibbling earlier. Nor is she the one who was riding me like a bucking broom on the train. She only wants what you have Hermione and you know my heart is yours alone. I've seen at least five blokes checking you out since we got back but I haven't maimed anyone yet."

Hermione nodded finally calming down. "Your right, of course. We had this conversation before we came back to England. Still, I don't like this Harry. If she so much as touches you…"

Harry leaned in to gently kiss her neck. "You can rip her to shreds on your worst day Hermione. She knows it. Everyone knows it. Let them dream of what they can't have. We got bigger things to worry about than some teenage hormones and bad choices."

Hermione nodded in acceptance before she cuddled into his side very possessively while they finished watching the sorting. Harry just smirked when he caught several blokes avert their eyes looking pissed. She didn't move from her position until Dumbledore summoned the feast and even then her hip seemed fused to his while they set about their dinner.

"Weird about Ron not sitting with us. He didn't even join us on the train."

Hermione shrugged. "He's still Prefect so he would have been stationed at the front of the train. Maybe rounds kept him away…"

Harry nodded at the possibility but knew there was something more to this. "Hermione, is there something about Ron I don't know?"

She sighed sadly. "I suppose so. Ron came to talk to me just before you did when I was in Hospital. He sort of asked me to be his Girlfriend."

Harry raised an eyebrow but didn't make any comments. He could feel Hermione's directing her love to him. He wasn't jealous, he was just surprised. "That could not have gone well."

Hermione frowned at the memory. Harry watched through her eyes as Ron came in and awkwardly asked her. When told no that she was already seeing someone, he stormed out in a fit of rage. He blinked a few times as he pulled himself out of the memory. "No, no that did not end well. He's arguing with Ginny about something. I wonder if this has something to do with it."

"Maybe. I had hoped with the summer to cool off he might have come round."

Harry looked down the table and thought long and hard while he slowly chewed his food. Ron had been his best mate since he entered Hogwarts and he didn't really want to lose him as a friend. However Harry had a bad feeling this was going to end up happening sooner or later. There was only one Hermione and she had chosen Harry. Just like if she had chosen to love Ron instead he would have had to respect it and gotten over it to keep his friends. If Ron wouldn't, or couldn't, well that was just the way of things. "I knew it would come to this sooner or later love. Let's see how things play out. We have enough to be going on with."

"Look, at least Luna is happy to see us." Harry looked over to the Ravenclaw table and waved at Luna getting a bright smile and a wave back.

"We need to catch up with her tomorrow after we figure out what our class schedule is like."

Hermione nodded but smiled wryly at him. "You just want ask her how to entice Nargles."

Harry giggled evilly while rubbing his hands together. Hermione rolled her eyes at him while they went back to finishing up their dinner and desserts. As always Hogwarts boasted some of the best food they had eaten and it was an overall enjoyable time spent hanging out with Neville. Harry chuckled several times as Neville had yet been able to look Hermione in the eye after the incident on the train. He did notice Neville would stare dreamily at Susan sitting at the Hufflepuff table off and on.

They listened when Dumbledore rose for the post meal speech. Nodding along to points they already knew from five prior years of attending. The big surprise for them was hearing about the complete ban on the Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. The ban didn't surprise them, but the fact they had obviously done very well this summer to warrant a ban did.

"They got a shop in Diagon Alley you know. It's the best. Gran let me get a few things when we were there getting my school supplies." Neville informed them.

"We have got to go there tomorrow love. I knew they got a premise but they must have done really well to get a blanket ban."

"Be nice to see them again too. If they're not acting like Ron and Ginny anyways. With all the security I bet they are doing loads of business replacing confiscated materials."

Harry nodded to Hermione. "Maybe we can do something to help with that. Anything that makes Dumbledore's job harder gets in my good books."

They returned their attention back to the post meal speech. The jovial looking plump professor Neville said was called Professor Slughorn was introduced as the new Potions Professor while it was finally confirmed that Snape had gotten his heart's desire and was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Reactions mostly consisted of stunned disbelief and the applause for his new place came only from the Slytherin table.

"Well," Harry stated, "that is that. Here's hoping the Nargle's like the taste of greasy gits ears."

Dumbledore cautioned everyone about the new restricting rules and how everyone needed to abide by them all for the common safety of all. Both of them frowned when he looked directly at the pair of them seemingly to single them out. It seemed they were the only ones to really catch the import of Dumbledore's words as most of the hall had worked themselves up into a buzz over Snape's new status. Harry could hear a bit of the confrontation earlier going around at the same time. Things quieted down to silence when Dumbledore cleared his throat. Again he cautioned about the new rules and assured everyone the castle was stronger than ever. Finally he dismissed the hall and Harry heard Ron calling for the midgets.

Hermione frowned but otherwise didn't react. They no more than rose from their seats when they spotted McGonagall walking toward them from the staff table. Hermione nodded to Harry. Both had expected something like this. They bid Neville good night while they waited for their head of house to reach them.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. I am glad to see you returned and looking as healthy as Alastor said you were. Might I take a moment of your time?"

"Good to see you too Professor, of course." Hermione greeted her.

"Ms. Granger there has not been time yet for us to speak on the matter of your status as Prefect. I would like to return your badge to you now. Mr. Potter I am sad to say I was unable to convince Headmaster Dumbledore to once again reconsider you for this year's Male Prefect however."

Hermione looked longingly at the badge being held out to her but shook her head. "I can't Professor. I gave it up and it wouldn't be right to accept it now."

"Ms. Granger if this is about…"

Again Hermione shook her head. "No Professor. I just don't agree with Ron being Prefect over Harry. And that is not because Harry is my boyfriend. I have loads of reasons why but it just boils down to the fact Harry deserves it more. Ron does not take his responsibilities seriously enough choosing which rules to enforce instead of enforcing them all as he should. I'm sorry Professor but I just can't do that again this year. Too much has changed."

"Yes, I can see that. I suppose then I shall speak with Ms. Patil or Ms. Brown. I would have truly preferred for you to remain as Prefect however. You did a marvelous job of it last year."

Hermione smiled in gratitude at the words from her Head of House. "If you are willing to take a suggestion I would chose Lavender. You would be surprised how effective she could be as Prefect if given the chance."

"I am curious why you would make that recommendation Ms. Granger."

"As self-appointed head of the Hogwarts Gossip Network, people would be terrified of being caught by her doing anything they shouldn't. Lavender would love the power that comes with the status of Prefect and it gives her the chance to get juicy news on just about anyone. Besides, with Ron as Prefect I think they would balance each other out nicely. Both are irresponsible but Lavender can get him in line where I couldn't. She's not as bossy as I am and more likely to talk him into his duties. I like Parvati but she just doesn't care as much about catching people out of bounds as Lavender does. Not to mention there would be friction between her and Ron. I'm not sure but I think Padma is still smarting over Ron's actions during the Yule Ball."

"Very insightful Ms. Granger. I knew a young woman during my days as a student very much like Ms. Brown. I have reminisced before how she would have done a superior job over our Prefect of the day for similar reasons. I shall talk to Ms. Brown about this shortly to see if she is willing. Now two more things. Headmaster Dumbledore would like to speak with you Mr. Potter, and I would like to speak with you both before you turn in for the night in regards to a few matters."

"No disrespect Professor, but I'll not sit with the Headmaster alone. Our recent history being what it is."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "I would not suggest you do so. I of course will be attending as well, if that pleases you. As your Head of House I am responsible for your welfare and shall not be shirking my duties any longer where our Headmaster is concerned."

"That would be greatly appreciated Professor." Harry stated relieved.

"He was a great man once and still is in matters that do not concern you Mr. Potter. I fear however his motives where they do concern you. He has not been very forthcoming to me about the reasons for his actions but maybe he will open up to you and explain." Professor McGonagall stated while leading the pair of them toward the Headmasters Suite. They followed their Head of House to the stone gargoyle and eventually up to Dumbledore's study. As they walked into his room Harry took note he seemed genuinely surprised that McGonagall and Hermione were with him. Either that or it was the fact none of them bothered to knock.

"Ah, good evening Harry. Please sit down. Minerva is there something I can help you with?" Dumbledore asked smiling. Harry gave the old man credit, he recovered fast.

Professor McGonagall stood to the side while Harry and Hermione took seats before the Headmasters desk. "That remains to be seen Albus. I do hope I am not needed but decided to attend in case I would be."

Her remark did not affect the smile on his face. "Just a small matter between Mr. Potter and myself. I am sure there are issues better deserving of you attention at the moment?"

"They can wait."

"I truly must insist. This matter is better kept just between Mr. Potter and myself."

Harry leaned forward looking the aging man in the eyes. "This has to do with the Prophecy then?"

The headmaster nodded gravely finally allowing his gentle smile to fade. "Indeed Harry. Indeed. This is why I must ask Professor McGonagall and Ms. Granger to leave so that we may discuss these matters."

"Hermione stays, but I will ask now that Professor McGonagall checks us for oblivations and other charms when this meeting is done if she is to leave."

"Harry now, have we fallen so far that such things are necessary?"

"Constant Vigilance Professor." Harry stated firmly.

The old man sighed deeply. "Yes, I understand. I have no intention of enchanting you or Ms. Granger Harry. I dearly wish for us to work together to resolve this issue."

"We shall see Professor. What trust we had was broken when you tried to take Hermione from me for my 'Greater Good.' Earning it back is possible but it will mean answers to our questions. Truthful answers Headmaster."

"That is actually what this meeting and others we will have will be about Harry. However, receiving answers and understanding them are two different things and I aim for you to have both. Is it possible for us to reach an accord?"

"Hermione stays. Nonnegotiable."

Dumbledore nodded easily as if he expected that. "I would ask then what I show you remain solely with us. She may stay but not participate in our discussions. Of the things I show you, you will not be permitted to disclose to anyone."

Harry slowly nodded understanding what his plan was. Hermione would be allowed to have the gist but not the details. He felt her acceptance directed to him. "I will swear that I will never speak of these revelations to anyone who does not already know about them."

Dumbledore smiled at Harry with that madding twinkle in his eye. "Then we have an accord. I am greatly encouraged by our progress Harry."

He saw an image of Professor McGonagall looking at him from Hermione. He nodded while directing his words to her but never took his eyes off the old man in front of him. "We shall come to you once we have finished here Professor. If we don't then it is safe to assume we have been charmed."

"I understand Mr. Potter. I will expect to see you both in the Transfiguration Classroom when you are finished. If not I will find you and we will see about reversing anything that may have been done."

Harry nodded satisfied with the safeguard. It wasn't fool proof but the fact was Dumbledore needed him a lot more than he needed Dumbledore. The last thing the Headmaster would want to do would be to send Harry on another run. Harry knew that the hidden message that that would be the exact case to arise should anything happen to him or Hermione was well received by the Headmaster.

He kept his eyes focused only on Dumbledore while their Head of House left. Once clear Dumbledore addressed Harry once again. "It is good to see back at Hogwarts Harry. Though I must say I was very surprised with the fact that Ms. Granger and yourself had already managed to get docked points as well as receive detentions."

Harry shrugged. "I'll not be serving the detentions so I am not fussed by it. As for the docked points, that happened because we have not had any time to collect our post to find out what our booklists are. We haven't even been to Diagon Ally yet for our school clothes or supplies."

"Ah Harry. I cannot condone you skipping your detentions…"

"You assume I give a damn. That's cute Professor. We will serve any just detentions given by any teacher who is not abusing their position. Let's be honest here, you need me a lot more than we need you. I've taken Snape's abuse for the last five years, I draw the line here. We have enough to be going on with."

"It's Professor Snape Harry. And he has my full confidence and trust. I truly wish you would set aside your animosity for each other so that we may all work together."

"I am willing. I have no intention of starting anything with him but, by Merlin I will finish it. As I said, I'm done. I am not my father. Whatever problems he had with him should have died when he did. I'll not be his punching bag just because he won't grow up and let go of a school yard grudge with a man I have no memory of and who's been dust for the last fifteen years."

Dumbledore sadly shook his head. "Very well. As much as it saddens me I see we will have to agree to disagree on this point. Let us instead move to more productive endeavors shall we? It is time for us to discuss what prompted Lord Voldemort to try and kill you fifteen years ago."

Harry nodded giving Dumbledore his full attention. "The partial Prophecy he heard."

"Indeed. However, though we know the reasons why this happened I think it would behoove us to move from the realm of known fact and into those murky waters where guesswork holds sway. My guesses are usually fairly accurate but in this mire we travel, my guesses could be as misguided as poor Igor Thatcher whom believed the time was ripe for butterflies to replace post owls."

Dumbledore rose from his chair to retrieve his Pensive. As he placed it on the desk Hermione spoke for the first time since entering the office. "Professor, wouldn't it be more prudent for you to send the portraits away for this?"

"I assure you Ms. Granger they are bound to silence and service to the current Headmaster."

"Yes I am aware. It's in 'Hogwarts a History'. However, you are the Headmaster today, but if something should happen to you anyone can be Headmaster and the portraits would be bound to them. The contents of this discussion, if it is in need of such secrecy as you claim, would be better served if we took every precaution."

Dumbledore looked at the young teen while Harry poured through Hermione's emotions and the few memories she sent him explaining what she was about. "Hmmm. indeed Ms. Granger. It would be a prudent course of action. Very well." The Headmaster looked above and with a silent command and a lot of grumbling the host of portraits around them left through their frames. He returned his gaze to Harry while pouring the contents of the crystal vial into the Pensive. "As they say, you know the drill Mr. Potter. After you."

Harry nodded and without a backward glance bent his face into the pensive disappearing into the quicksilver substance of the bowl. Hermione watched as Professor Dumbledore followed leaving her alone in the office. A quick look around showed no paintings watching but to be sure she raised her wand silently casting a thick fog into the high pitched ceiling to block their view and muffle any sounds from below. Once done Hermione quickly moved around Dumbledore's desk removing the dragonfly clip from her hair.

Neither of them trusted Dumbledore as far as they could throw him. The plans they made after Professor Moody left them in the Galapagos reflected this line of thought. Harry was very worried that no matter what Dumbledore told him it would never be the whole truth. Only just enough to convince them he was being honest while never enough to understand the situation completely. They had agreed that this lack of information could get one or both of them killed so they made arrangements to get around this little issue. After a stop quick stop in Peru, and one of the market places there Harry remembered the Twins talking about once, they shipped themselves to her parents' house. As Hermione gave the clip a slight twist with her thumb revealing the little hidden key there, she silently thanked the Twins for being so incorrigible. Hermione thought she might even buy them something nice later.

Maybe a whoopee cushion or something.

Originally the plan had been to use the old elf tunnels to break into the office to do what she was about to. This however was a far better situation and not too dissimilar to when they raided the Mayor's office in Barok. Raze had sent them to discover what the man was up to as he was convinced the Mayor was thinning his profit margins from the towns exports. Their 'quest' was to get evidence on it if he was. The main difference was Harry was distracting the clerk outside the room while she did this then. Hermione looked to the fluid in the Pensive noticing the ghostly images before moving the key to the lock on the desk drawer. The little spark that shot out warned her that her magical skeleton key was not going to work to open the drawer through whatever enchantments Dumbledore used.

She checked the pensive again while putting her clip back into her hair. Quickly because she didn't know how much time she had left she put her hand over the lock. Using the techniques that were successful in Barok she concentrated on agitating the molecules that hung around the lock. Her breathing grew harsh from the effort and she could feel sweat beads bloom on her forehead. A few moments passed while she concentrated with all her might before she was finally rewarded for her efforts. The drawer shook a few times before she heard the click that let her know it had unlatched. Smiling at her success she opened the drawer and started rifling through its contents.

Parchment, quills and all manner of odds and ends greeted her inspection. Hermione quickly hiked up her leg and unfastened the little charm anklet that was hidden there. The only charm on it looked like an open book. Information was power, the merchant they bought the trinket from told them. The enchantments on the charm would allow them to copy any written text she touched. He told them it was used by agents of Information Brokers all over the continent but had the drawback of being incredibly well known so was not as useful as it once was in that area. Hermione used a similar enchantment herself to copy the Mayor's records for Raze. However she was absolutely sure Dumbledore would know if his things were copied by such common magic. Keeping the charm clenched in her left fist she started touching all the parchments in the drawer ignoring the little flashes from the charm as it copied what was written into its pages. Hermione was just thankful that Dumbledore either did not know or had not applied the counter to their little trinket. She quickly moved through his desk drawers copying everything not knowing what would be relevant later. It wasn't until she opened the last drawer that she found something that gave her pause.

She easily recognized it from one of Harry's memories but could not understand what the Headmaster was doing with it. Hermione spared one more glance at the Pensive noticing the images had stopped moving except for a ghostly impression of Harry and Dumbledore. She reached down to pick up the stabbed diary of Tom Riddle when her breath was stolen the instant she touched it making her release it almost as fast. It had the same exact feel as the Darkness that was in Harry. She knew that feeling well having had to battle against it when the Shaman had bound them together. It was nowhere as strong as the Darkness that was in Harry; feeling more like a distant echo of it but she knew that feeling. She knew there was a connection there but she suddenly felt a warning spike from Harry and knew her time was over.

Hermione quickly closed all the drawers tapping the lock with her wand to reseal it. As she moved backward around the desk and back to her seat she waved her wand canceling the fog above her as well as removing any trace of her presence on the other side of the desk. Hermione felt fairly confident that if Professor Moody couldn't pick up their signatures in Ireland then Dumbledore wouldn't here. She quickly shoved the anklet into her jeans pocket while retaking her seat sending a silent thank you to Sirius for getting Harry those Defense books that taught them that little bit of magic.

She had no sooner settled herself into the chair when Harry appeared. Dumbledore followed not a moment later. She remained quiet as his eyes darted about the room searching for a moment. Hermione had to control herself not to breath in relief when he smiled at Harry in satisfaction. "I do believe I have given you enough to think about for now Harry. We will continue this discussion soon."

Harry appeared thoughtful and nodded absently. "Very well sir. And you are sure this," Harry waved at the Pensive, "is relevant then? It was interesting I suppose but I don't understand how this helps me any."

"You will understand soon enough Harry. However the night grows older and you still have to meet with Professor McGonagall so she will be reassured I have not broken my word. Until next time Harry, pip pip."

"Yes sir." Harry stated while offering Hermione his hand. She gratefully took it and snuggled into his side as they walked through the door and out into the castle. It was some time before either spoke.

"Did you get everything?" Harry asked her quietly after sharing his memories of the Pensive visit and his discussion with Dumbledore afterward.

"No, I got distracted by something in the last drawer." Hermione answered him while sharing her memory and feelings over it. Harry's pace slowed while he relived the event.

"That... that is fairly disturbing that is…" Harry blandly stated after he finished. Hermione didn't answer him. She just held on tighter to him needing to be reassured he was alright. "Do you think any of the things you managed to get will clue us in to what this means?"

"I don't know Harry. It's going to take some time to sift through it all. I didn't know how much time I had so I copied everything. There's no telling what is relevant to our situation right now and what is not."

Harry nodded to her points. "Right then. We'll get it sorted love, we'll get it sorted. Hopefully next time he summons us it will be for more than a trip down Memory lane. I don't understand why it's so relevant to know about Voldemort's parents but he seems to think it's important. We'll go through what you have and maybe it will give us some clues as to what this all means. If not, maybe next time you'll find something while I watch his home movies. We played a vague game of Questions and Answers in the Pensive but I don't know any more than I did going in."

"We knew it was going to be like this. Like you said Harry, next time. Let's go see what McGonagall wants so we can get to bed. I for one am more than ready to call this day done."

Harry nodded while tightened his grip on his lover as they walked. It had been a long evening.

Author's Notes

Okay, Chapter Nineteen revision is done. For those of you interested in the story instead of my drivel, by all means leave a review telling me what you think of this chapter, and then hit that 'Next' button. Enjoy the read. As always thank you to all reviews and readers. You are noticed and appreciated.

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