Well, there goes breakfast. Ron had been enjoying his breakfast too, until it had been interrupted by four owls bearing letters with the Hogwarts crest pressed into the sealing wax. I really didn't want to be reminded that we only have about two weeks left of glorious freedom. Hermione was the first to tear in to her letter. Cue the rambling about whatever books she'll need for subjects Harry and I don't care about.
"It looks like we'll need to buy books based on which subjects we think we've qualified for. They've given us a list for every subject and there's no way you can take all of them." Yeah, not even with a time-turner. But, "How do you know what you've qualified for?"
"Honestly, Ron. Professor McGonagall told us at the end of last year. It depends on your O.W.L. results and the individual teacher."
"Snape demands an O if you want to get into his N.E.W.T. course."
"Bloody hell, how do you know that?!"
"Ronnie! Language!"
"Sorry, Mum. But seriously, Harry, how do you know that?"
"McGonagall told me when we had our careers advice session. I need a Potions N.E.W.T. if I want to be an Auror." Bugger. I don't have the marks to become an auror, I guess. Back to plan A: become the greatest keeper the Canons have ever had.
"We'll both need a Potions book then, Harry. Do you know what other N.E.W.T.s you plan on taking?"
"Hmmm, aside from Potions: Defence, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. Those are the ones that McGonagall said I would need."
"I was thinking of taking those and Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as well. Um, what about you, Ron?" Oh sure, rub it in that I don't have the brains or the fame to get good marks.
"Defence, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology and Care."
"I don't know if you will be able to take Transfiguration, Ron. Professor McGonagall told me that she usually requires an Exceeds Expectations for anyone wishing to take her N.E.W.T. course."
"So if I can't convince her to make an exception I'll only have three classes with you for the next two years?" And at the same time you two will be sharing five classes. At least Harry wasn't somehow given his Arithmancy and Ancient Runes O.W.L.s on top of everything else.
"Four classes. I still have some room on my schedule. I can take Care as well and Hagrid is always fun." Harry, you are a real friend. Hermione doesn't look like she knows what to think of you though.
"Cheers, mate! Those'll be the best classes you ever took."
"I suppose I'm proud of you for taking on an extra class. Aren't the two of you going to look at your own booklists?"
"I don't know about those two, but I certainly am." Ginny opened her envelope and gasped as a small, silver badge with a 'P' on it fell out.
"Oh, Ginny, I'm so proud of you! Another prefect in the family."
"Thanks, Mum."
"I quite agree. Well done, Ginny. If you have any questions Ron and I will be happy to answer them."
"Oi! Speak for yourself."
"I think Hermione will probably be a more reliable source of information anyway. Congratulations, Ginny." Hmph, that's underestimating me bit, isn't it? Still, he did just get the girls off my case. Thank you, Harry! When Ron looked around he saw Hermione glaring at him and Harry.
"Well, aren't you going to open your own letters?"
"Why should we? You'll tell us what we need."
"I'm not taking Care though, am I?"
"Nothing for it, Ron, we'll have to take a look ourselves." Harry tore open his own envelope and pulled out the letter inside. That's just not fair. I'm the prefect and the more dedicated Quidditch player. I should have gotten that. As Harry had pulled the letter clear of the envelope another small, silver badge, this one with a 'C' on it, bounced off the table.
"Harry! Congratulations! That gives you equal status with prefects! You can use our special bathroom now and everything!"
"Yeah, mate, congratulations." Even if it should have been me. Although, at least this presents an opportunity. "Hey we should get some practice in. Can't have the Seeker and Keeper looking bad against Slytherin!"
"Yeah, alright. We haven't flown at all yet this summer." That's because Hermione doesn't wear a swimsuit when we go flying, you dolt.
"Go grab your Firebolt. My broom's in our shed."
"Oi, I'm joining in, you two. I was on the team last year as well." Must she always butt in? I suspect that if I tell her to bugger off, Mum'll be on my case all day about being nicer to my sister.
"Fine, let's get going, Ginny. I don't suppose we can convince you to get on a broom, Hermione?"
"I still have a book I can read while you lot risk your necks."
"Whatever. Well, let's go!" Harry and Hermione made their way up the stairs while Ron and Ginny excitedly ran out to the Weasley Quidditch pitch. They fished their brooms out of the shed and gleefully launched themselves into the air. They hadn't been flying long when Harry was suddenly in the air with them. How on earth did we not see him coming? He must have launched himself out of the window. Show off.
"Hey, Harry! You up for playing Chaser?" Never thought I would be so happy that we can't use a Snitch here. It's great to have Harry on the team, but damned if he doesn't make it hard for the rest of us to get noticed.
"I suppose. Ginny and I against you?"
"Just try and get the Quaffle past me."
"Oooo, we're shaking on our brooms, aren't we, Harry?" Harry and Ginny were soon darting around in front of Ron in an attempt to lure him out of position. Harry might make a decent Chaser in a pinch, but he isn't anywhere near even Ginny's level. They still managed to score a few times though. They wouldn't have gotten past me even once if I didn't have to multitask. After the plan works, I'll be distraction free and they won't be able to get a single shot past me. Ron's eyes darted to the side again. How can she keep her nose buried in a book when there are people playing Quidditch in front of her? Sure, it's only two Chasers and a Keeper, but it's still far more exciting than bits of paper. I wonder if she even saw my amazing saves? Damn it! Ginny must have seen me looking. Ron flew down to pick the Quaffle up after it had flown through his left hoop and put it back into play. They kept at it until they were interrupted.
"Why don't you lot come down?! I thought you might like to have a picnic for lunch!"
"You're the best, Mum!"
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley."
"Yeah. Harry, we should do this next year at practice."
"And how would I get you to stop eating long enough to get on your broom?" Hermione couldn't manage to muffle a snicker. Oh, sure now she pays attention: when she can laugh at me. Damn it, Harry, that's not helping.
"Perhaps we should sit down to this wonderful lunch Mrs. Weasley brought out and you can experiment to see what works."
"Experiment? What do I look like to you?" The picnic lunch was filled with happy banter surrounding the game they had just played and Gryffindor's chances for the Cup this year. I just need to make sure I'm ready when the moment comes.
"It's a shame you never got into flying, Hermione. I would have liked to have you on the team to balance out these two berks."
"No thanks, Ginny. I just don't feel comfortable being up dozens of meters on a stick." There it is!
"Actually, that gives me an idea. I asked you to help me with my studies, but I never offered anything in return. How about I teach you how to fly?"
"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"
"Shut it. What do you say, Hermione?"
"I don't know, Ron. I just don't think I'm meant to fly on brooms."
"I think you should consider it." Thank you, Harry. Why so serious though? Flying lessons are supposed to be fun.
"Oh, Harry, I know you enjoy it, but it isn't the same for me."
"I wasn't thinking about whether you would like it, but whether you would need it."
"What?!" Huh, that was oddly synchronised.
"Voldemort is out in the open now and we don't know when or where he'll strike. Brooms aren't affected by wards, making them an effective way to get out of trouble if you have one handy. I just think that you should know how to fly, in case your life ever depends on it. Not being able to ride a broom would be a terrible reason to get injured or even die." That's kind of morbid, mate. I suppose that is how you start thinking if you're the Boy Who Lived and You Know Who is back. Hermione meanwhile was giving Harry a considering look.
"Alright."
"Yes!" Harry, I could kiss you if I weren't busy getting Hermione to the point where she'll kiss me. "Let's get started right away then. I'll go and grab Charlie's broom. It's a Cleansweep 3, which should be easy enough to handle; even for you." Ron raced to the broom shed and grabbed the broom he had chosen ages ago as the one that would be best for teaching Hermione. He made it back to the picnic blanket in record time.
"Here, take this." He thrust the broom into Hermione's hands and hauled her up by the arm. This is going to be great. It's about time I started making some more progress with the plan.
"Ron, stop pulling me. I can walk by myself, thank you very much."
"Yeah, but you're not here to learn walking, you're here to fly. Now, get on the broom." Hermione hesitantly swung a leg over the broom. Her grip is all over the place. It looks like she's trying to throttle the shaft. Hope she's a bit gentler with my shaft. "Here. Adjust your hands like this. Okay, that looks better. Try to relax your grip a bit."
"Ron, maybe you should slow down a bit."
"Come on, man. You're as eager to see her fly as I am."
"Maybe, but Hermione isn't. You need to go at her pace or she'll tense up and that makes controlling a broom harder than it has to be."
"Rubbish. Hermione, we're going to kick off. Nice and firm." Ron demonstrated what he meant and soared into the air. When he looked behind him though, he saw nothing but empty air. What on earth? Why is she still standing there? "Let's go, Hermione. You learn by doing."
"No, that's how Harry learns."
"It's the way everyone learns when it comes to flying. It's all practical."
"Harry, you'll be up there with us, right?" What? Am I not enough? No, calm down. Hermione might be nervous but she is still letting me teach her. Having Harry as a spotter doesn't change that.
"Sure, Hermione. I'll be right next to you."
"Don't worry so much. You're not going to fall."
"Easy, Ron. She's gotten further than she has in years. Let her take it at her own pace."
"Thank you, Harry. If I have the two of you next to me, I think I'm ready to try this." Hermione kicked off awkwardly, Harry gliding effortlessly next to her. Ron joined them.
"Okay, you're doing fine." Even if you are wobbling like a drunk dragon in the air. "Now just calm down and fly. Try to keep you elbows by your side. Lean forward a little more."
"Doesn't leaning forward accelerate your broom?"
"Of course it does. It's also the way you're supposed to sit on a broom."
"I think I'd prefer to go at this pace for now."
"Don't be ridiculous. Going at this pace you'll never learn. If you lean forward you'll be much more stable on your broom. Here, like this." Once again Ron demonstrated, this time by flattening himself to the shaft of his broom and accelerating as fast as he could. I know she won't be able to do this but it should show her that I know what I'm doing. I can't teach her if she questions everything I say. And it should remind Harry of what flying really is. How can he be okay with this-
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
:-:-:-:-:
Hermione's never going to learn to fly at this rate. She's so tense that she can't even react to the air currents. It's no wonder she's wobbling like that. Harry was about to break into Ron and Hermione's disagreement when Ron suddenly rocketed off. Harry felt the rush of displaced air and simply rode it out. His eyes instinctively followed Ron's acceleration. Harry's eyes shot back to Hermione just in time to see overbalance and slip off of the broom away from him. His mind blanked as his heart seemed to lodge in his throat.
Luckily his body reacted on instinct and pushed the shaft of his broom down and leaned into it. By the time his mind had caught up to his body he was halfway to a terrified free-falling Hermione. Fasterfasterfasterfaster! Almost there! Come on! Little more! Gotcha! In a move that would have Hermione screaming at him in a Quidditch match, Harry had taken both his hands off of the broom and reached out to grab his friend's falling body. As he pulled her in, his knees met under the shaft of his broom and he tilted his hips to wrench his legs up and the broom with it.
As soon as Harry's hands had grasped Hermione her hands had shot out and grabbed a painful hold of his shoulders, her fingers digging into his flesh. As the broom accelerated up against their descent Harry pulled Hermione into his chest and made sure she was sitting firmly on the broom in front of him. She's safe. She hasn't disappeared. She hasn't even been hurt. Hermione is safe.
Once their downward motion stopped Harry felt Hermione's hands release and grab him again an instant later, one by one, until she had walked her hands around to his back in jerky motions and was crushing his ribcage in her grip. Her head was now buried in the crook of his neck where he could feel her shallow, rapid, panting breaths. It's fine. If she's gripping like that, she's still alive. It's fine. Harry adjusted his grip so one arm was wrapped around Hermione and pulling her in to his chest. He used his other hand to guide his broom in a gentle descent.
"Hermione! Are you okay?!"
"Damn it, Ron! You were supposed to be teaching her! How bad are you that Harry had to rescue your student?!"
"What?! I don't even know how she managed to fall off yet! How can you be so sure that it's my fault?!"
"That's enough! Both of you. The lesson's over." And judging by the amount of pressure on my ribs we'd have a time of it trying to get Hermione back on a broom even if it wasn't. Good, we're almost to the ground.
"Hermione? We're back on the ground." Why isn't she letting go? "Hermione?" Ooof. Okay, not letting go. Now, how are we going to get you back to the house? "Hermione, can you walk?" Ooof. Okay, not walking either. After Hermione's second attempt to crush his ribs Harry gave up on the idea of her letting him go any time soon. So how do I- Oh well, nothing for it. A quick ducking movement later he had Hermione swept up in his arms. This time she didn't react.
"Harry, mate, I'll carry her. It's my responsibility since I was the teacher in this case." Yeah, good luck with that. "Harry?"
"I can manage, Ron. I'd like to keep Hermione close for a while anyway. You just scared years off my life." Is it my imagination or did Hermione just relax a little? It's a good thing we're nearly there. I'm used to flying, not walking. Harry made his way through the kitchen and into the living room quickly. I'll just put you on the couch, Hermione. You can get comfortable while I get you one of your books.
"Please..."
"Hermione?"
"Please don't go."
"I was just going to get you a book to read."
"Please."
"Alright." That fall must have really done a number on her. I don't think I've ever seen Hermione like this. I suppose she must have felt like her worst fears were being realised. Harry settled in next to Hermione who was still clinging to his shirt. Ron and Ginny had come in behind them, Ron still holding his broom by his side.
"Hermione? Are you alright?" ...and now the silences are getting awkward.
"I think she'll get there, Ginny. Maybe you and Ron could get her some tea? Or a book?"
"Yeah. Yeah, sure, Harry. I think that's a good idea."
"Actually, I'd better stay here with Hermione. I think she could use her friends."
"And what are Harry and I?"
"You know what I mean."
"Fine." Ginny stomped into the kitchen in a huff. Ron however dropped down in the armchair across from the couch.
"So...hey, Hermione, how about we review the lesson? You always like doing that, right?"
"Ron, I'm not so sure that's a good idea." In fact I'm sure that it's a bad one.
"If it wasn't a good idea Hermione would tell me so. Trust me, after five years with her I know that much. So, here's what I think: you were overthinking things and forgot to actually sit on the broom. What do you think?" I think that you're slightly off. Overthinking it might be a part of it, but pushing her where she didn't want to go is at least as much a part of the problem. "Hermione? Are you even listening to me?"
"Ron, I don't think you have a choice except to go at her pace this time." Harry reinforced his point with a hard look at Ron in an effort to get him to drop it.
"Hmph." Good enough. I'll take that.
"Hey, I have the tea, everybody. I also went outside and fetched the book that Hermione was reading this morning."
"Thank you, Ginny." Especially for that excellent timing. "Hermione? Here, have some tea."
"Yeah, it'll make you feel a bit better."
"Ginny made it especially for you, Hermione. Come on, have at least a taste. There you go." At least she's reacting to something; I was starting to get seriously worried.
"Hermione, would you like to just stay here and read the book I just brought in?" A nod is good, the desire to do something is even better. Hermione carefully took her book from Ginny's hands and opened it, slowly turning the pages as she looked for the place where she had left off. Harry smiled to see Hermione showing some signs that she would be fine and leant forward to grab his own cup of tea. He was stopped by a small hand grabbing the back of his shirt. Guess Hermione's not as calmed down as I thought. No tea isn't a great sacrifice anyway.
"Here, Harry. I have a cup for you as well."
"Thank you, Ginny." I should probably remember that Ginny's pretty observant. Nice of her to give me a cuppa. I was starting to feel really tired now that everything's slowing down. Harry stayed where he was, drinking his tea calmly while Hermione read, one hand turning the pages, one surreptitiously holding onto his shirt. It's weird. Normally this much physical contact for this long would have me freaking out. This is...I don't know what this is, but it's not normal.
"Harry, want to play a game of chess?"
"Not right now, Ron. Thanks though." I don't think Hermione's grip would let me move if I wanted to either.
"Ah, come on. You have to be getting bored just sitting there."
"Not really."
"I'll play you, Ron."
"But-...fine." I think I'll have to do something really nice for Ginny some time soon. Harry looked to the side to check on Hermione. On second thought I might have gotten away with a game after all. Looks like she fell asleep. He turned his attention back to the game Ron and Ginny were playing which turned into three games as Ginny got determined to beat her brother just once.
"Dinner's ready!"
"Great! I'm starving!"
"No fair! I'm sure I almost had you that time."
"Keep dreaming, Gin-Gin."
"You do know that those nicknames only really work for Fred and George, right?" Some things never change. It's amazing that Hermione is still asleep. The fright must have really tired her out.
"Hermione? Hermione, it's time to wake up. Mrs. Weasley is calling us in for dinner. You can go right back to sleep after you've had something to eat."
"Mwah?"
"That's it. Wake up."
"Harry?"
"Yeah, it's me. Are you awake?"
"You didn't leave."
"You said 'please'. Now let's go get something to eat, hmm?"
"...okay."
:-:-:-:-:
Today was an utter disaster. How can Hermione not even sit on a broom? It's sitting for Merlin's sake! Ron heaved a sigh as he rolled over in his bed. On top of that she had to choose to fall at the one time I wasn't close enough to save her. Noooo, it's Harry Potter to the rescue again. If she was going to slip I was supposed to rescue her and be the hero. At this rate I'm going to loose all control over my plan. I-she...at least Harry saved her. It would have been better if I'd been able to, but infinitely worse if neither of us had been able to.
Garrrgh! How can someone be so good everything except flying?!
I will have to watch and see if I need to make any adjustments to the plan. At the very least I should give Hermione a few days to calm down before trying to get her on a broom again. Those moonlit flights may have to wait until we're back at school. Damn it, that means that I have to start planning how to make Hermione, of all people, ignore the rules for even one night. Maybe I'll be able to get her to agree to go flying if we end a patrol on the ground floor; I could fly us back up to Gryffindor Tower. Hmm, that has some potential at least. It would be better if I could save her somehow. Maybe from an aerial battle with a bunch of Death Eaters. Just imagine how grateful she'd be.
As Ron's imagination did as he had suggested, his hand slipped under the covers.
"Oh, Ron. You saved me. Let me reward you..."
:-:-:-:-:
How is it possible that I could fall asleep this afternoon but not now? Okay, to ask the question is to answer it. I shouldn't have fallen asleep. I could use the exhaustion right now. Why did Harry have to wake me? No, that's not fair. Harry only woke me because he was worried. I'm pretty sure that if he had known that I'd have trouble falling asleep he would have asked Mrs. Weasley to leave me a plate under a warming charm and put me to bed. I wonder what it would be like to be tucked in by Harry? Was he ever tucked in as a child? Do people who whip their children also tuck them in? Stop this. These kinds of thoughts won't help you fall asleep. Well, I'll allow that they are better than reliv- nononononono! Don't go there! Think of something else. Umm Harry...Harry will be taking most of the same classes as I will. I'm sure his marks will surprise most of the professors. I wonder how Professor McGonagall will react to Harry's Outstanding in her class. I'm sure she'll be proud. Even Professor Snape will be forced to admit that Harry isn't really a dunderhead. I mean, sure, Harry did his best to- what was that?
It sounded like something hit my window. Hermione held her breath and lay absolutely still. There it is again. What should I do? Well, it isn't like I was sleeping. Might as well get up and have a look.
"Harry?! What are you doing floating outside my window?"
"I rather thought it was my turn to continue our nighttime visits. May I come in?"
"Of course." Harry settled himself on the window sill. "What were you planning to do if I was asleep?"
"Fly back over to my own room after knocking three times and try again tomorrow."
"Oh."
"I was actually hoping to ask you something that will be uncomfortable for you. I wanted to ask you if you would consider continuing your lessons?" Hermione hugged herself against a sudden chill. "It won't bite you."
"What?"
"My Firebolt. I notice that you've been rather carefully avoiding looking at it."
"Do you blame me?"
"No."
"But you want me to get on that thing anyway?"
"It is my experience that fears that are allowed to take root are a lot harder to face later on." I don't think that he's talking about flying anymore. "Hermione, Ron may not have phrased it well, but he did have something of a point when he said that you were overthinking things while flying. You are so tensed up that your core muscles can't make any corrections for air currents, your own movements or anything for that matter. If you allow the fear you are feeling right now to fester it will only become harder to ride a broom. I was hoping to convince you that we could try a slower pace."
"Harry, even if we go slower I'm still likely to fall and you may not catch me next time."
"That's why I want to start out with you riding behind me as we fly a few laps around your room." What?
"My room?"
"If you fall in here you know you'll be okay. I'm hoping that will allow you to relax. Riding along with me will hopefully let you get a feel for how the broom moves and how you move on it without worries or distractions. I promise you that, if you decide to give this a chance, we won't advance to any next step until you say you're ready." Harry...he's really thought about this. But...but I'm still scared. I just don't know if I can do this. On the other hand, Harry is the best flyer I know. He knows how to keep us safe if I decide to do this."Hermione. I hate to use this argument, but I still think that being able to fly a broom properly could be a vital skill to learn." I know that. It's the only thing that made me try it today. I know that you're right, Harry, but...
"We'll just be flying around my room? And we'll stop if I say 'stop'?"
"Yes and yes."
"...alright."
"Alright. Just get on whenever you feel ready and let me know when you're sitting comfortably." He looks like he could just hover there until dawn breaks. Right. Come on, Hermione, Gryffindor courage. Just get on the insanely dangerous broom. Gingerly, Hermione swung a leg over the broom and grabbed on to Harry as tightly as she could. "You're doing great, Hermione. Try putting your legs on top of mine. It'll probably be more comfortable and it'll get you used to a broom-riding position more quickly." Oh god, oh god, oh- we're moving! Sorry, Harry. I can feel your chest straining against my arms, but I don't think I can loosen my grip. After several minutes of movement Hermione finally managed to open her eyes. Wow, Harry wasn't kidding when he said he'd take it slow; I can crawl faster than this. Hermione felt her arms loosen their grip just a fraction.
"Um, Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"I think I would be okay with just a little more speed than this. At this rate I'm more worried we'll topple over."
"Heh! Sure." The broom's speed only increased to about a walking speed. Hermione leant her cheek against Harry's back as she felt herself slowly relaxing. At this speed the movement's actually pretty soothing and Harry is nice and warm. If I'm not careful I'll fall asleep. This is so completely different from how Ron tried to teach me. If he'd tried to take me up on his broom I'm sure I would have ended up screaming as we raced through the night sky. "Hermione? Do you think your tolerance will extend to little more height as well or would you like to stay here?"
"I-I'm not sure, Harry. So far this has been pretty nice, but I'm not sure how well I'd do with actually flying high above the ground yet."
"Hmm. I think I have an idea for how to make a compromise. Do you trust me?" Trust you? Of course I trust you, but that doesn't mean I want to be stuck on a broom fifty feet above the ground. Wait. He has that look in his eyes again. That same look he had when we were betting on his O.W.L. marks. He's planning something.
Harry trusted me.
Ever since I forced him to show me his back he's answered my questions despite his reservations. I think that maybe I should at least give him a chance. I can trust Harry.
"We'll be safe, right?"
"I promise."
"Okay then." Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as Harry gently guided the broom out of the still open window. Outside he stopped and they rose vertically. What the heck? I didn't know brooms could do a vertical ascent. After a short while the vertical motion stopped and they moved slightly to one side before Hermione felt them land on something solid.
"We're here." We're what now? What are you planning, Harry? Hermione carefully opened her eyes.
"Harry, are we on the Weasleys' roof?"
"Yep. I thought that combining altitude and motion might be going a step too far, too soon. You were doing pretty well with the motion so I wanted isolate altitude next. I thought we could just sit here and talk or maybe watch the stars." I may need to put some effort into getting used to Harry not hiding his intelligence. It's well reasoned though. And he's right: the stars are beautiful tonight.
"Thank you, Harry."
"Hmhmm." The only downside is the chill. I'm dressed for bed, not sitting around outside. Mmmmm. Harry's warm though. I'm sure he won't mind if I sit a little closer. I think I may have forgotten that warmth when I tried to imagine Harry tucking me in.
"Harry? Have you ever been tucked in?" Except for when I did it a few days ago.
"Huh?" Wow, that must have felt like a bolt from the blue for him.
"It's something I was wondering while I was trying to get to sleep. With everything you've told me about...them, I just wondered if anyone had ever tucked you in."
"Not that I know of. I remember Aunt Petunia used to go upstairs when it was time for Dudley to go to bed, but I never really figured out what they were doing. I wasn't allowed to clean upstairs while Dudley was going to sleep."
"They made you clean while your cousin went to sleep?"
"Sure. The dishes had to be done, the kitchen cleaned, the living room if they'd decided to have desert or a snack in there."
"What about when you'd go to sleep?"
"Most days Uncle Vernon would just tell me to get in my cupboard and lock me in after I'd finished cleaning. If I'd done something wrong he might throw me in a little sooner."
"Cupboard?!" And you just shrugged when you mentioned it.
"Um, yes?"
"They made you live in a cupboard?"
"Freaks don't deserve a room, Hermione." I was right last night: death is too good for those animals. If anyone deserves the Cruciatus and the Dementors it's that filth.
"I can't believe that you had to live in a cupboard on top of everything else."
"It's fine, Hermione. They gave me Dudley's second bedroom after my Hogwarts letter came. It was addressed to 'The Cupboard Under the Stairs' and they were worried that wizards were keeping an eye on them." I don't even know whether to be more upset that his cousin had two bedrooms or the fact that Hogwarts knew where those beasts kept Harry and did nothing.
"I can't wait for your birthday. The sooner we get you out of there the better."
"We? Does that mean that you'll be there to pick me up?"
"Do I get to yell at you relatives?
"If you like. Is that a yes then?"
"It would have been a yes either way, Harry." You really should smile more. You look very handsome when you do. Hermione heaved a contented sigh and burrowed herself deeper into Harry's side for warmth. This is wonderful. I suppose that there may be some upsides to being able to fly after all. Even if it's just being able to gaze at the stars with a friend.
"Hermione? I think it may be time we got you back to bed."
"Huh?! Wha-?!" Did I doze off? How long have we been up here? And when did I start cuddling Harry's arm?
"You've been drifting off for a while now. I think it might be better if we let you do that in a bed."
"M-maybe." Don't blush, don't blush, don't blush. Don't think of bed either.
"Hop on. I promise I'll be gentle." Gahh! You insufferable boy! Did you have to phrase it like that? You're going to be the death of me, Harry Potter. "Here we are." Huh? I didn't even notice that we were flying! "So how are you feeling now?"
"I-...better."
"So would you be willing to try another lesson sometime?"
"I...I think I'd like that." Stop stammering!...he really does look handsome when he smiles. Focus! "Would you mind if we kept doing it after everyone goes to sleep though? I think I'd feel more comfortable if I don't have other people watching us."
"I'll be at your window tomorrow night then."
"Alright." As soon as Harry was out of sight Hermione fell back onto her bed with a smile. Two blinks later she was curled up and asleep, the smile still on her face.
AN: That was it as far as any 'action' is concerned. In case you're wondering: no, Harry wouldn't have done half of what he did for anyone else. He isn't really taking into account traumas or shock either. He understands Hermione's actions through the lens of fear and that's about it.
As always: thank you for reading.