Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Welcome to Chapter 3. The response chapter 2 received amazed me. There are a lot of opinions of Hermione. My goal in this is story is to try and portray Hermione as a 15-year-old girl who makes decisions based on her life experience (and lack of it). She – like any other teenagers – will make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. I'm also trying to build a more rounded personality for Harry and Luna too. Do I succeed? I guess everyone will form their own opinion.
The Thing About Contracts Is …
Chapter 3 – The Coming Storm
December 29, 1994 – Forest Near Lovegood Residence
Harry and Luna we sitting on a fallen log quietly absorbing the activity in the forest. Heavy outdoor robes and warming charms left them feeling comfortable on this nice sunny day. They sat watching the small woodland creatures and birds and they also caught sight of some deer. The teens were holding hands, which was now a normal activity for them.
Luna broke the silence with a hushed voice that was respectful in that it did not disturb the creatures around them, "Do you think she told him?"
Harry responded with a similarly quiet voice, "Part of me wants to say no. That she will join me. The realistic part of me says that I'll hear from Al by tomorrow or the 31st at the latest."
"What does that mean for your friendship? I know you care for her deeply."
Harry stared straight ahead for several moments before answering, "I really don't know Luna. I really don't know."
Luna thought back to the conversations her family had since Harry had received the notes from the three Champions.
Flashback: December 27, 1994 – Lovegood Residence
Harry was nearly panicking as he approached Xeno.
"Xeno … the next task … Luna … need to save … No! I won't let them …"
Luna had rushed in at the sound of Harry's obvious distress. She came in to see Xeno trying to calm the young man down. Without thinking she went and wrapped Harry into a hug. Harry returned the hug. He was shaking and Luna could feel him shaking with fear even though his eyes showed anger.
Xeno calmly spoke, "Harry, what's wrong? Please take a deep breath and explain it to us."
Harry took a few deep breaths and allowed himself to relax into Luna's embrace. "OK. Today I received notes from Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, and Victor Krum. All of them expressed respect for the stance I took with the Yule Ball. They all understand the position I was put in by whoever made the cup spit out my name. In fact they were so impressed – their words, not mine – that each of them independently told me the solution to the clue of the second task."
Luna felt Harry tense up again and Xeno was perceptive enough to notice. "Is it the task you are worried about?"
Harry took another deep breath and silently thanked whatever powers-that-be for the young lady holding him right now. He started, "The second task involves Merpeople and the black lake. From what the others have pieced together, someone will be taken hostage by the Merpeople and held in their village. There is one hostage for every champion and a one-hour time limit. The clue has an implied threat that you will lose the hostage permanently if you miss the time limit. The hostage is," Harry's breath hitched, "and I quote, 'something you'll sorely miss'. Sir, I'm afraid that Luna best fits this description."
Harry looked down at her face and into her eyes, "I'm sorry. I never meant for you to be involved. I should leave." His whole body slumped in defeat as he said those words.
Luna's response was to hug him again. Xeno quickly said, "Harry, was it your idea to enter this tournament?"
Harry looked perplexed at the question, "No Xeno. You now I hate the situation."
Xeno held up his hand to forestall any other conversation at the moment and continued, "And did you set out to become best friends with my daughter when you stopped the bullying on the train?"
Harry looked affronted, "NO!"
Xeno smiled and held his hand up again. He responded warmly, "It's OK Harry, I'm not accusing you of that, just asking a question. My last one is, given the answers to the first two, how are you in any way guilty of what the contest organizers may or may not do?"
Harry relaxed into the hug again and put his arms around Luna. He sighed and said in a quiet voice, "I know Xeno." He turned and looked at Luna, "It's just I've come to care for you so much. Just the thought of you sitting at the bottom of the lake as a hostage scared me so much."
For another of one of the countless times during these holidays, Luna had tears in her eyes. "Harry, I care for you too. Let's sit down with Dad and discuss it. You don't have to deal with this by yourself. We'll deal with it together – that's what families do."
Then it was Harry's turn to shed tears once again.
After a few minutes, the trio composed themselves and sat down. Harry and Luna sat on the sofa. Their hand unconsciously found the others and locked together. Xeno sat in the chair opposite them.
Xeno signaled that he wanted to start. "Harry, I've been thinking quite a bit since you told us your long term plans the other night and I have to admit I can not fault you for what you have planned and your reasons why. I have to admit though that they do trouble me a bit."
"Trouble you Xeno? Why?"
"To put is bluntly Harry, you have been very good for my daughter and I think she has been very good for you. Both of you relate to the other on a level I would hazard you never have before. I haven't seen Luna this happy and animated since before we lost her mother." He paused and sniffed. "I've thought a lot about what you are planning and arranging with the help of your solicitor. What I'm trying to say is that – as long as Luna is willing – I'd like to remove her from Hogwarts and her tormentors and join you – that is, if you are willing."
Luna smiled and seemed to apparate into her father's arms. Father and daughter looked over at Harry who seemed pensive. He asked them, "Are you sure? Are you really sure? I don't mean to offend or belittle you – Merlin knows I would rather be covered in sauce and eat next to Ron Weasley during rib night than do that – but Luna will require more preparation than I will."
Xeno nodded, "I know. That is why I will, with her approval, pull her out of Hogwarts immediately and begin those preparations." He looked at his daughter, "Pumpkin, I would like you to think about this carefully. Sleep on it tonight. Talk it over with Harry and if you are willing, I'll contact the headmaster on Wednesday to let him know you will not be on the train on Monday."
Luna, looked gratefully at her father, "Thanks Daddy. I'm pretty sure what I want, but now that it can happen I'll think about it some more, talk it over with Harry and sleep on it."
She looked over at Harry, "See silly, you won't have to worry about the task. I will miss you when you go back to school, but we'll see each other a lot more come summer."
Harry sat back and smiled – he never knew even being an honorary member of a family could feel so good.
Flashback: December 28, 1994 – Lovegood Residence
The three were in the sitting room once again. Harry and Luna had spent the previous afternoon and evening in very open and frank discussions about what Harry intended and Luna had to decide to join or not. When Luna woke that morning she new she would join her best friend.
They were now discussing Harry's plans and how to deal with Dumbledore. He had already told Luna and Xeno the contingency plans he arranged with his solicitors to anticipate Dumbledore's reactions. Al had told Harry that it would be beneficial for Dumbledore to act before Harry went back to school. The question was how to get him to do so without the Headmaster getting suspicious.
Harry sighed and Luna picked up on it. "You have an idea, don't you Harry? What is troubling you about it?"
Harry already knew that Luna could read him like a book. He had never met anyone with the innate perception to read his hidden – and not-so-hidden – feelings. "OK, I've been thinking about Hermione. We've been the closest of friends since first year. Until a few days ago I would have said she knows me better than anyone and I thought I knew everything about her too. I don't really want to lose her as a friend. She has been in danger almost as much as I have and her support of me all through November made her an outcast to the rest of the school. I want to write her and tell her I want to leave Hogwarts and ask her to join me – well I guess 'us' now – but I'm not going to tell her about you until I get back to school."
Luna responded, "I understand completely. I know how much she means to you. There's something you're worried about though."
Harry nodded, "Hermione surprised me around the Yule Ball by pretty much telling me my fame could get me a date for the Ball. She knows how much I hate it. Hermione also looks up to authority figures. After last year she finally stopped telling me to respect Snape, but she still will follow what the other professors – especially Flitwick, McGonagall and Dumbledore – tell her to do. She tries to get me to tell Dumbledore things I don't really want to and I think he would just have to mention 'the Greater Good' as a reason and she would even say … stop writing me in the summer. If I write her to tell her that I plan to leave Hogwarts and I want her to join me, I think there is a very good chance she'll panic and tell McGonagall or the Dumbledore."
Luna looked deep into his eyes, "You're afraid that even thinking about this makes you as manipulative as the headmaster is in your life."
Harry nodded, unable to speak.
Luna gently put her hands on either side of his head and made him look into her eyes. "Harry, I can understand your fear. But you really want Hermione to join you right?"
Harry nodded.
"And if you waited until you went back to school and told her, would it be better or worse for you if she went to the Headmaster or Deputy Headmistress?"
"Worse. I would not have ready access to my solicitor and it would be easier to isolate me."
"So floating the idea by her now before you get back to school will either let you start to make plans to include her, or will allow you to get Al's help in dealing with the Headmaster."
"I suppose if you put it that way I'll send her a letter." He smiled at Luna, "I'll let you read it over before I send it."
Frowning now, he said, "I still don't want to force her into an either/or scenario, but I don't want to hide it from her now and then put her on the spot in June. This gives her time to think about it if she actually allows herself the time to think before she makes a decision."
December 29, 1994 – Forest Near Lovegood Residence
Luna thought about "Family". Harry was a part of her life she couldn't lose now. Being apart for 6 months until school ended for the summer would be hard, but she would be prepared to join him in his next phase in life. She also believed that together they would be able to deal with the rest of the world in a better manner.
Sighing silently she put her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder.
December 29, 1994 – Hogwarts
"Professor McGonagall, I need to speak to the Headmaster."
"May I ask why Miss Granger?"
"I just received a letter from Harry. He …" she had tears running down her face, "wants to leave Hogwarts."
Minerva looked shocked, "No …"
Hermione handed her the letter. Minerva quickly read it over and looked at the girl. "Please follow me Miss Granger. I'll take you to see the Headmaster immediately."
As they reached the main doors, they bumped into Victor who noticed the look of concern on Hermione's face. "Hair-my-ownee, vat is the matter?"
She paused just for a moment to respond, "Hi Victor, I just got a disturbing letter from Harry and the Professor is taking me up to speak to the Headmaster. I'll see you later in the library to explain. OK?"
Victor nodded curtly, "I vill be vaiting for you there in about an hour."
Hermione nodded and ran a few steps to catch up with the Deputy Headmistress. A few minutes later they had passed the Gargoyle and were invited into the office.
Hermione quickly explained the letter and that she was worried about Harry and needed advice.
Albus took the letter from Hermione and quickly read through it. He was shocked that Harry found out about his status in based on the contract. He was mortified that both he and the Dursleys had overlooked the registration and that Harry was now considered an adult in the muggle world. That would make it more difficult to keep Harry at their house over the summer.
Then there was that word he hated – when used against him – legal. Yes, he may not have legally been Harry's magical guardian. Yes, he may not have legally been able to act in loco parentis for Harry. But what people didn't understand and could not the reasons why is that it was for the Greater Good.
The thought of Harry leaving Hogwarts was unthinkable. He just needed to have the situation explained to him that it was for the Greater Good that he participate in the Tournament to draw the enemies out. Voldemort was getting stronger and the Prophecy had to be fulfilled.
He put on his best grandfatherly, twinkle-filled appearance and spoke gently to the girl in front of him. "Thank you for raising this to me Hermione. I can see how Harry can interpret his situation in the manner he did but I assure you that you both have always been safe here at Hogwarts. I will endeavour to locate Harry and speak to him in the next day or so and help him see that there is a different interpretation that what he currently believes. I'm sure we'll all be able to change his mind when he comes back to school. Harry needs his friends and Hogwarts is the best place for him."
Hermione relaxed at the words and the tone of his voice. She knew the Headmaster would know what to do. "Thank you Headmaster. Do you think I should send Harry a response?"
Albus thought for a moment. "Yes, please do. Please let him know that I would very much like to talk to him as soon as possible in order to clear this matter up. You may go now."
Hermione smiled and nodded her head. She took the letter and disappeared back down the stairs to go join Victor in the Library and write her response to Harry.
Dumbledore glanced at Minerva with a grave look on his face. "It seems the rest of the day is set out for me. I will have to investigate Harry's claims of emancipation."
His Deputy nodded and turned to leave the Headmaster alone with his thoughts. Just before she left, she turned and said, "I've known you long enough to know you are going to try and get his magical emancipation overturned. IF he decides to fight you, the Potter wealth is extensive. Prepare for a long fight." She left the office.
Albus sighed once again. He looked up at the ceiling speaking to no one in particular, "Oh Harry, what have you done now?"
December 29, 1994 – Lovegood Residence
The current occupants of the house had just finished another delicious meal prepared by Harry and were just starting on the dessert (Luna's favourite pudding) when they heard a tap at the window.
Xeno waved his hand and a post owl flew in and landed in front of Harry. Harry retrieved the letter and noticed Hermione's handwriting. Deciding to wait until after dessert to read it, he put it aside and gave the owl some water and owl treats. Sitting back down the three enjoyed some of the best pudding Luna had ever had.
While Xeno and Luna were cleaning up from dinner Harry went to the sitting room and read Hermione's letter:
Dear Harry,
The Ball was wonderful. Victor looked so dashing in his dress robes and he was the perfect gentleman. We danced all night and it was really one of the best nights of my life. I missed you being there. I would have liked to see you all dressed up and been able to dance with you too.
I understand your reasons for not coming to the Ball. I'm glad it wasn't something silly like you couldn't get a date. The rest of the champions seemed quite impressed by your reasons for not attending and spoke about you with a lot of respect. The teachers and organizers didn't seem too happy though and the ball was barely covered in the Prophet.
Your last note shocked me – you want to leave Hogwarts? I can't understand – well I can in a way – why you want to leave your friends behind. What about your studies and your future? What are your plans there?
We are both only teenagers and still have a lot to learn. Are you sure you are making the right decision for your future? You should talk to some adults. Maybe Sirius or some of the professors.
Speaking of talking to adults, I hope you're not angry with me, but I was really upset when I read your note and I talked to Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore about it. After talking with Victor, I understand this may not be the best thing and you might be seeing it as a breach of trust along the lines of the broom incident last year. I was just so upset by your note I had to talk to someone and the professors seemed to be the best people to ask advice from.
Talking with Victor made me see things from a different angle and I can see why you might not be as trusting of the staff at this moment. It's just I've always been able to turn to my parents and my teachers that I sometimes miss the obvious things going on around me.
I just hope you'll give me a chance to explain when you get back to school.
As for Professor Dumbledore, if he hasn't been to see you yet he should be soon. He seemed genuinely concerned for your welfare and was worried about what you had written. Maybe you should write him directly and arrange to talk with him about what is troubling you.
I hope you are really OK. Who are these friends you are with? Do I know them? Please don't be angry with me.
I'll see you on Monday when the train gets in. In the meantime take care and if you feel like it I would like to hear back from you.
Love, your friend
Hermione
Harry finished reading the letter just as Luna came in. He passed the letter over to her as she settled in beside him and she read it through.
"She seems worried about how you'll react to her going to the Headmaster."
"Yeah. I'm respecting Victor more and more. I think he's good for her." He smiled, "Victor is just enough older than her that she respects him as an adult."
"So, are you mad?"
"No. I've been sitting here thinking about it and Hermione is just reacting the way she always felt most comfortable with. She's always had respect for people in authority all her life and for the most part they've never let her down. I, on the other hand, have always been wary of those in authority waiting for when they would turn on me. Hermione is just being herself and good friends can work beyond that."
Luna hugged him, "I'm glad. I don't think you would have been able to be happy for a while if you turned your back on her. You would have felt guilty after all you had both been through."
"I know." He looked down at Luna, "I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this time we've spent together. I've never felt as comfortable talking to anyone as I do you and your Dad. Our talks have helped me come to terms with my life and where I want to go from here. Thank you."
She felt the emotion in his statement and a moment later they kissed. When they pulled back she said, "Harry, you have helped me as well. People have treated me strangely since my Mum died and I retreated behind my Loony shell. You helped me get past that too just by listening to me, trusting me and being yourself. Thank you. You're my best friend."
They kissed again and when they pulled back, Harry nervously asked, "Boyfriend?"
Luna stopped still at that one word question – her brain busy processing what Harry just said and not daring to believe it.
Harry looked down. "It's OK. I'm sorry. I never should have gone there. Don't worry you're still my …"
Harry was cut off by another kiss. Like all their kisses it was gentle, tender and affectionate. "I think I like that idea," she said quietly with a small smile on her face.
Xeno had watched the two from the doorway. He was glad they had verbalized it. He was very happy for his daughter and her young man.
December 30, 1994 – Hogwarts School
Albus had just finished talking to Professor Flitwick. Xenophilius Lovegood had sent notice that he was removing his daughter from Hogwarts. Albus and Filius were not happy about losing a student, but Xenophilius was adamant in his note that Luna would not be returning. His accusations of bullying would be looked into, but with Luna no longer returning it was not high on Albus' priority list.
He was about to Floo to the Ministry to see what he could do about Harry when an owl flew into his office and alighted on the perch. Albus took the letter from his leg and paled as the owl flew off.
'It had to be Dewey, Cheatham and Howe,' he thought as he saw the logo on the envelope.
He opened it and paled even further. Of the three partners Albacore Dewey was the one Dumbledore hated the most. He was Harry's legal representative. Albus shuddered at the dreaded five-letter word – legal. Albacore was proposing a meeting between Albus and his client tomorrow at Gringotts. The Potter account manager Griphook would be in attendance as well. It was scheduled for 9:00 am sharp. Albus penned a response and sent it with Fawkes. He then went to his Floo. There were things he needed to prepare at the Ministry in anticipation of tomorrow's meeting.
December 30, 1994 – Lovegood Residence
Harry and Luna spent the morning puttering around the house. Al had called on the Floo and told them Dumbledore agreed to the meeting at Gringotts.
Knowing this could be their last day together for months, the two teens decided to do something exciting. The movie theatre in town was holding a Star Wars marathon that night both were looking forward to it.
December 30, 1994 – Hogwarts
Hermione was having lunch with Victor on the Durmstrang ship when Hedwig flew in and landed in front of her. Hermione took the letter cautiously and fed Hedwig some meat from her plate. The letter was thick – by far the longest Harry had ever written to her.
Dear Hermione,
I'm not mad. How can I be mad at the only person who publicly stuck with me this year. I never explicitly asked you to keep the letter to yourself and I know you well enough that the possibility of you discussing it with a teacher you respect was very high. Whether the Headmaster heard from you or through another avenue it was inevitable that he would know about my emancipation. I, along with my legal representation and my Gringotts account manager are prepared for whatever the Headmaster will do to get control of me.
What I will ask of you now is that you keep this letter to yourself. I need to tell you something that I've avoided for telling anyone for years and the friends I'm staying with have suggested I tell you so that you understand my frame of reference when I say I want to leave Hogwarts.
Hermione paused reading at this moment and excused herself from Victor. She explained that the note was from Harry but he didn't want her to share what was in it and she felt a little too exposed in the mess hall of the ship. Victor smiled and escorted her back to the castle and gave her a brief kiss.
Hermione headed straight to her dorm and settled into her bed with the curtains closed. She took a deep breath and opened the letter again.
On November 1, 1981, Albus Dumbledore without any legal mandate left a sleeping toddler on the step of his aunt's house shortly after his parents were killed. The following morning his uncle found the toddler and for the next 10 years, that child grew up unloved, bullied, starved and physically and emotionally abused in a cupboard under the stairs. No Child Services – either Magical or Non-Magical – representatives were made aware of where this orphan was placed and no one ever checked up to see how he was doing.
Hermione paused and conjured a handkerchief. She wiped away the tears that were forming. The letter went on for a few pages to explain Harry's view of the magical world. He described how the taunting, the bullying, even the lack of privacy and how he hated being the boy-who-lived. He talked about making two good friends only to have to hide things about himself lest his one friend become too jealous. He described how much he depended on her friendship and what it meant to him over the years. He also described being sent back to an abusive environment every summer 'for his protection.'
Hermione came to realize how Harry's perception of the same world she was also part of was completely different from hers. Harry never had adults – or anyone else – he could trust as a role model. He had literally been on his own since that fateful Halloween. She was unsuccessfully fighting back the tears as she read the closing paragraphs.
I hope you see now why I want to leave Hogwarts. I need to get somewhere where I can be just Harry, a person trying to succeed in the world without the bullying, controlling and abuse because of something that happened to me when I was just over a year old.
I can understand if you won't leave with me. I hope we can remain friends. I'm glad that you and Victor seem to be getting along. From your brief description it sounds like you like him a lot.
I've found someone as well. She got me to open up and purge the poison from my soul. She encouraged me to open up to you in this letter. The nice thing is she was right – I already feel better for sharing things I've been to ashamed to tell you. I can see now how hiding it from people I care about can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
I'm not sure you should write a response. I will be meeting with the Headmaster tomorrow and may be returning with him. We'll talk as soon as we can get a moment alone.
Love, your friend
Harry
Hermione set back and cried. She cried for her friend and the hell he had to call his life. She understood now the pain in his eyes and the difficulty he had in trusting anyone. It all started to make sense now.
She was relieved he still wanted to be friends. She didn't know until he said that how much she was worried about it. Him having a girlfriend surprised her as well. She seemed to be having a good effect on Harry and Hermione was surprised that she found herself happy for her friend that he had found someone. She even felt a bit of pride when Harry complimented Victor.
She couldn't wait to see Harry again. They had so much to discuss.
December 31, 1994 – Gringotts
Harry, Al and Griphook waited for the Headmaster to show up. He was already fifteen minutes late and they had agreed to give him five more before they would move on to Plan B.
Harry had said his goodbyes to the Lovegoods that morning and shared a special hug and kiss with his girlfriend. Al and Harry moved his belongings to one of the Potter properties so that no one could trace anything back to Xeno or Luna. Harry did not want to drag the people who he card for dearly and who helped him so much into the public spotlight.
While it would most likely be several months before they saw each other again, Harry had arranged for Dobby to securely carry correspondence between them. Dobby would now be able to answer Luna's call.
The surprise of the morning was when Dobby arrived he was depressed – not a condition Harry had ever seen in his friend. Dobby explained the plight of Crouch's ex house elf Winky. Luna's heart went out to the poor elf and she had Dobby bring her back to the Lovegoods. After a bit of negotiating with the butterbeer-inebriated elf, Winky joined the Lovegood family.
At 9:19 word was sent that Albus had arrived at the bank and was on his way in. Moments later he was shown into the meeting room.
Introductions and civil greetings took place and the four of them settled down.
Harry and his team had a game plan and Harry would lead. If there was any sign of deviation, Al would jump in.
The three stared at the Headmaster without a word. Albus coughed and started speaking, "Harry. It is good to see you well. We were all so worried about you."
Silence reigned and three blank face stared back at Albus, "Well, um yes. About your emancipation Harry, it is imperative that you return to your family's home. The special protections there need recharging and your presence there does that."
"My relatives no longer live at number 4. It is quite likely they will not return. Which of the three of them would be the most necessary to live with?"
Albus paled but quickly recovered, "Your Aunt since she is most closely related to your mother."
"Will you be performing a charm to make me appear as a woman?"
This question perplexed Albus, "Why would you require that?"
"Because I don't think a fourteen-going-on-fifteen year old boy would be allowed to share his aunt's cell in a women's correctional institute."
Albus stared blankly at him so Harry simplified it, "She'll probably be in jail for at least a few years. To head off any other questions, Vernon will most likely be spending more time in jail than Petunia and Dudley is currently in a juvenile correctional facility – muggles don't call them jails."
"Why were they arrested?"
Harry took a deep breath and released it. Al was very adamant that he should try not to lose his temper. He closed his eyes and them opened them slowly and focused on the Headmaster, "Because muggles have very strict laws against child abuse. As soon as Children's Services were informed of my plight by my legal representative they did something that no one ever took the time to do – they investigated the conditions I was raised under. The Dursleys were charged and arrested for year of child abuse and a muggle Magistrate declared me an adult in the muggle world."
Albus did not want to dwell on Harry's home life, "Ah, yes I would like to come to that. However I really want to talk about your status in the Magical world. I think that you still require the guidance that only a Magical Guardian can give. Your letter to Miss Granger a few days ago in which you told her of your decision to leave Hogwarts illustrates that. Now, I have been to the Ministry and filled out the appropriate forms …"
Harry interrupted him, "While I'm not averse to negotiating a new magical guardian, I am adamant it won't be you."
Albus didn't like the word 'negotiating' but he continued on, "Oh, I'm not suggesting myself. You need someone who can spend more time with you."
"Sirius?"
"No, unfortunately he is still a listed fugitive."
"Then, pray tell, who would you recommend as my magical guardian? Who will be the person to guide me on the right path into adulthood and make sure that I do not make the wrong decisions?"
"Severus Snape."