Author's Note: Glad that everyone is enjoying the story! I was happy to see that several followers from AWNB is now following this story as well.
As always, I own nothing.
"So, you want me to come with you to bring a former teacher back?"
Harry sat opposite Dumbledore, his face filled with confusion as he stared at him. Dumbledore nodded.
"Professor Slughorn was very impressed with your mother, Harry. She was one of his favorite students. I need you to become one of his as well."
"Why?"
"I will explain later. I just need you to come with me for now."
Harry looked over at Sirius, who shrugged in response. "Go with him. Do whatever you can to convince him to come back."
Harry nodded, looking back at Dumbledore as he did so. Dumbledore stood up, smoothing out his robes as he did so.
"After dinner, we will go."
"Can I tell Ron and Hermione?"
"Just them, please. Say that you and I are going somewhere. If we succeed, you may tell them. I need to keep this quiet for now."
"What do you mean you're leaving?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore wants me to go with him somewhere. I don't know where, but, he said that I should be back later tonight."
"Must be serious if Dumbledore wants you to go with him," Ron said.
Harry nodded, unsure of what to say. He then looked over at Hermione who, for the most part, was quiet.
"You're awfully quiet about this."
She shook her head, not wanting to say anything.
"I'll be back."
"Doesn't stop me from worrying."
He reached in his pocket and pulled out the fake gallon that was in it. She smiled slightly.
"Keep yours by your side. If you worry, I'll talk to you."
She nodded, and wrapped her arms around him. His wrapped around her, and he looked over at Ron, who looked back at him sadly.
'She's still grieving about her parents. That's why she's so worried,' he thought, kissing her head.
"I'll be back soon," Harry said, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist. She nodded.
"Be careful."
"I will be. Love you."
"Love you, too," she replied, before capturing his lips with hers. They kissed for a moment before Ron gagging behind them broke them apart.
"Grow up, would you?" Hermione said, glaring at Ron.
"I should be going anyway," Harry said, watching as they nodded. He bid them both goodbye before he rushed downstairs to Dumbledore, who was waiting for him by the front door.
"Ready to go?" he asked, smiling softly. Harry nodded. He opened the front door and quickly strode out with Dumbledore falling right behind him. He then took him to an abandoned alleyway and ordered Harry to hold onto his arm, apparating as soon as he did so.
When their feet hit the ground, Harry swayed slightly, trying to catch his breath. Dumbledore gently patted his back.
"Take some deep breaths."
"Where are we?" Harry asked, looking around.
"Budleigh Babberton."
"This is where he lives?" he asked, looking around. Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes. He lives just right this way. Follow me."
Dumbledore took him down the path. Eventually, he put his hand out in front of Harry and drew this wand, his eyes scanning over the area.
The house looked like it had been attacked; the door was blown off the hinges and the windows were busted out. Harry immediately drew out his wand.
They slowly entered the house and looked around. Dumbledore then shook his head.
"There was no attack here, Harry. Lower your wand."
"How do you know?"
Dumbledore then stuck his arm into an armchair. A second later the armchair let out a yelp and transformed into a human. Harry stared at the man in amazement, wondering what could have caused him to go to such lengths.
"What are you doing here, Albus? I already turned down the job."
"I thought we could just have an innocent drink," Dumbledore replied. Slughorn's eyes then glanced to Harry, and he stared at him for a moment before smiling slightly.
"Harry Potter, I presume?"
Harry nodded, sticking his hand out. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Slughorn said, shaking Harry's hand. He then turned to Dumbledore. "You brought him to change my mind? You won't."
Harry felt his coin buzz in his pocket. Casually putting his hand into it, his eyes kept locked at the two men while his hand grasped around the coin.
'Still ok, Hermione.'
'How's it going?'
'Not well. This man is very paranoid.'
'You can do it, Harry. I believe in you.'
"You look just like your father."
Harry shook his head, reality snapping back to him. He noticed that Dumbledore had left the room and Slughorn was now talking to him.
"I hear that a lot."
"Your eyes, though. Lily's eyes."
Harry nodded. He looked around, trying to avoid looking at Slughorn.
"She was a very bright woman, your mother was. Very bright. Excellent at potions."
"You taught my mother?" Harry asked, suddenly interested.
"Your mother and your father. James wasn't the best at potion but Lily-well, Lily had a natural talent. How are you at potions?"
"Better than what I originally thought," he replied, still in disbelief. "I just received an outstanding on my O.W.L.S. and I definitely wasn't expecting it."
"Why do you say that?"
"Snape is our instructor. He's not the best of teachers."
"I also had him as a student. Very skilled at potions."
"My friends and I struggle with potions. Getting the results that I received on my O.W.L.S. was a shock to me. My friend Hermione is the reason for that. She's the best in our year."
"Really?" Slughorn replied, sounding interested.
"She received outstanding's on all of her O.W.L.S."
"That's a very bright girl. Very few people in a lifetime can do that."
"She's had a major influence on me, and our friend Ron. She's inspired us to do better-and I have. Everyone tells me that she's just like my mum."
"Isn't that something?" Slughorn said, looking at Harry with a lot of interest.
"Will you relax?" Ron asked, flipping through the pages of his magazine. Hermione closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry I'm feeling a little scared, Ronald."
"He's fine. He's with Dumbledore."
"I know," she said, flopping down onto the bed. She buried her face in her hands. Ron, noticing this, got up and sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as he did so.
"You have every right to be worried. You just lost your parents, and Harry is marked for death. I know you want to be near him right now, but he'll only be gone for a few hours."
She nodded, dropping her hands to her knees. He gently squeezed her shoulder.
"Thank you, Ron."
"That's what I'm here for, right?" he asked, grinning at her. She smiled back at him.
"I think I'm going to try to go to bed. Goodnight."
He nodded, and watched as she walked away. Letting out a deep breath, she started on the path to her room, trying not to think about Harry.
She walked into her bedroom and saw Ginny sitting on her bed, working on some of her assignments. Hermione walked over and sat on hers, staring up at the ceiling as she did so.
"Can I talk to you about something?" Ginny asked, looking over at her roommate.
"You can always talk to me, you know that."
"When did you know that you started liking Harry?"
Hermione looked at her for a moment before answering. "After he kissed me, I started growing feelings for him, and he did for me. Why do you ask?"
Ginny sighed before saying, "Neville heard about me breaking up with Michael and we talked for quite a while afterwards. Now, I think I might be feeling something, and I don't know if it's just because we talked and he made me feel better or if it's something else."
Hermione smiled slightly. "Only you can know. When I realized I had feelings for Harry, I was scared. I didn't know what to do, until he revealed that he had feelings for me, too. Now, nearly a year later, we're happy. You have to make the decision."
Ginny nodded, dropping her eyes as she did so. "Thanks, Hermione."
"I think Neville likes you back."
Ginny's eyes lit up as she lifted her head back up and stared at Hermione in shock. "Why do you say that?"
"The Yule Ball. I saw the way he was looking at you."
"What do you think I should do?"
"You should give it a chance."
"It's late, Harry. We need to be going," Dumbledore said, returning to the room. Harry stood up. "Thank you, Horace."
"I'm taking the job," Slughorn said. Dumbledore stared back at him in response.
"You want the job now?"
"I do."
"That's wonderful," Dumbledore smiled. "I will get in touch with you. Goodnight, Horace."
"Goodnight," Harry said, shaking Slughorn's hand.
Harry then followed Dumbledore out of the house. Once they were far enough away from the house, Dumbledore turned to him.
"Great job, Harry. I knew you could do it."
Harry nodded, unsure of what to say. A few moments later he held on to Dumbledore's arm and felt the breath get stuck in his throat as they apparated back to Grimmauld Place.
"This is where I leave you, Harry," Professor Dumbledore said, as he and Harry reentered Grimmauld Place. Sirius was waiting on the stairwell, twiddling his wand in his hand.
"Hello, Sirius. I return your godson safe and sound."
"Good," he replied, standing up.
"It is late. I best be off. Goodnight, Harry, Sirius."
They both nodded at him as he turned out the door and left.
"He coming back?"
"Yeah."
"Good job," Sirius said, clapping his shoulder. He then looked at his watch. "It's pretty late. You should be getting to bed."
Harry nodded, and watched as Sirius walked back up the stairs. He hesitated for a moment before he followed him, stopping right in front of Hermione and Ginny's door. Grabbing the coin in his pocket, he sent her a message, wondering if she was still awake to receive it. A moment later the door opened and quickly closed before she jumped into his arms.
"I couldn't stop worrying. I was driving Ron nuts," she said, laughing slightly. He put her back onto the ground.
"I'm back. That's all that matters."
"I'm glad."
"Try to get some sleep," he said, giving her a quick kiss afterwards. She nodded.
"You, too."
"This Slughorn man will be teaching potions?" Ron asked, completely confused. Harry nodded.
"What about Snape?" Hermione asked. He shrugged.
"No idea. Dumbledore didn't say anything about it."
"Maybe he got sacked," Ron replied.
"Why would he get sacked?" Hermione asked.
"Because he's an unfair git."
Harry smiled slightly while Hermione shook her head. She picked up the copy of The Daily Prophet and looked through it.
"Anything interesting in there?" Harry asked, gesturing towards it.
"Nothing we didn't already know," she said. He nodded.
"Hello, Ginny," she said, watching as Ginny entered the bedroom. She nodded at her.
"Mum says that it's time to go to Diagon Alley."
They nodded, stood up and followed Ginny out of the room. They walked downstairs and saw several members of the order waiting for them.
"Let's do this," Sirius said, nodding at Tonks. She then walked up to Hermione and whispered something in her ear, watching as the young woman nodded and followed her out of the room.
"Sirius and I are going to buy whatever you need."
Hermione shook her head. She was about to speak when Tonks interrupted her.
"I am your guardian. You let me worry about this, alright?"
She nodded, knowing that she wasn't going to win this battle. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She then walked up and put her hands on Hermione's arm, smiling softly at her. "If there's ever anything you need, don't you hesitate to come and talk to me. I may be your guardian for only a few more weeks, but, I will always be here for you."
Hermione nodded, smiling back at Tonks. "Thank you, Tonks. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime. Now, let's get you back. We need to get moving."
She followed Tonks out of the room and back to the foyer, where everyone was waiting for them. Tonks nodded at Sirius.
"Let's do this," he replied.
Harry looked through his textbooks that night, wondering if sixth year was going to be just as hard as fifth. When he got to his potions textbook he groaned, wondering if Snape would be teaching it. He was hoping that Slughorn would be, but they were still confused on what Slughorn would be teaching.
'Would Snape seriously give up his teaching position? Is Slughorn teaching some other course?'
"What are you doing, mate?" Ron asked, as he entered their shared bedroom.
"Looking through my books."
"Do you think sixth year will be as bad as fifth?" he asked, picking up Harry's transfiguration book.
"I don't know."
"Do you think it's a good idea for me to be thinking about a career in Quidditich?" he asked, looking straight at Harry. He looked up, staring back at Ron.
"You should do whatever makes you happy, regardless of what others might think. If you want to spend your life playing Quidditich, then that's your decision, and no one else's. I know for a fact that I want to be an Auror. I can't see myself doing anything else. I know you wanted to be one as well, and, of course, Snape ruined it for you. There's nothing wrong with your decision."
Ron nodded. "Thanks, mate. I needed to hear that."
"No problem."
"So, captain, have you thought about Quidditich much?"
Harry smiled, shaking his head at Ron as he did so. "Not a lot, actually. I've been more focused on training than Quidditich."
"Are you worried about that?"
"It's either kill or be killed," Harry replied, as though he were talking to nobody. "I don't know how I could kill someone, even him. Then there's you and Hermione and everyone I know. He's already went after Hermione and he tried to control you. I don't see how I can do this. He's so much stronger than me."
"You didn't see what you did in that train station, but I did. I don't know what caused this, but, after he took you, you-let's say-came to life. You fought him off, and it looked like you couldn't be stopped. It almost looked like you were wanting to end it right then and there."
Harry thought back for a moment before closing his eyes, knowing what gave him the encouragement to fight back against Voldemort.
Or, more specifically, who.
'Love will stand by his side. It's his greatest power, and his greatest strength.'
'And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not.'
"I am ready to end this," he replied, turning to face Ron again, "but, I need to get myself ready first. I can't run in blind."
The next few weeks passed by. On the morning of August 17th, Hermione woke up with a smile on her face, completely aware of what day it was.
She stood up, stretched, and looked over at Ginny, who was beginning to stir.
"Are we a little excited?" she asked, smiling at her roommate.
"It's been a year. This day one year ago Harry and I became a couple. I just can't believe it."
"I know there's not much to do around here, but, do the two of you have anything special planned?"
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"It's unfortunate that your first anniversary you're struck in this place. After everything you've been through, you deserve a great day."
Hermione grabbed some clothes from her trunk. "I'm going to get ready."
She then turned and walked to the bathroom. Shortly after, she walked out, running into Harry as she did so.
"Good morning."
"Happy anniversary," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Happy anniversary," she replied back, laying her head on his chest.
"It's been a great year."
"For the most part," she replied sadly. He kissed her head.
"You know what I mean."
"I do. It has been a great year."
"Let me get cleaned up, and I'll meet you downstairs," he said. She nodded, giving him a quick kiss before venturing downstairs to the kitchen, where Mrs. Weasley was serving breakfast.
"Good morning, dear."
"Morning, Mrs. Weasley."
She grabbed a plate and quickly filled it, ignoring her stomach as it growled. Her mind began to wander as she sat down and started eating.
"Good morning, Hermione," Sirius said, sitting across from her while filling up his plate.
"Morning."
She picked up the paper and nearly spit out her food.
Cornelius Fudge, Amelia Bones found dead.
"Look at this," she said, handing him the paper. He glanced over it.
"Sounds about right."
"This is getting out of control," she said, suddenly losing her appetite.
Sirius didn't say anything and chose to keep eating. Hermione flipped through the rest of the paper, barely understanding what she was reading as her mind was focused on what she had just read. Until she read the second page again, unaware that she skipped over it.
Famous wandmaker Ollivander disappears.
"Everything alright?" Harry asked, as he sat down next to her. She handed him the paper, and watched as his eyes went wide. "What do you think he's playing at, Sirius?"
Sirius took the paper from him, quickly glancing over the article cover. "It's nothing different than what happened during the first war, Harry. Mysterious disappearances, killings, dark marks everywhere you go. There's no explanation for it."
"But, Ollivander?" he asked.
"Like I said, no answer for it."
"Which is why I'm not happy that Fred and George are living in Diagon Alley. They could be killed right then and there!" Mrs. Weasley said, sitting next to them.
Ron entered the kitchen, looking half-asleep. Hermione smiled slightly, glad that some things never change.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, filling his plate to the max. Sirius handed him the paper. "Ollivander disappeared?"
"Seems that way," Harry replied.
"Enough," Mrs. Weasley said, snatching the paper away. "We're done talking about this."
Ron shook his head and began to eat his food. Hermione grasped Harry's hand under the table, finding comfort in it.
'And Harry's the only one who can stop all of this.'
"Something bothering you?" Harry asked, as he and Hermione sat in the living room. She shrugged.
"I still can't believe it's been a year."
"You know what's funny?" he said, tightening the grip around her shoulder. "I was so scared that I had lost you after I kissed you in the dormitory. Now, I think I'll get in trouble if I don't kiss you."
She laughed, leaning her head up to give him a kiss. She broke away a moment later and wrapped her arms around him.
"Nothing could ever ruin our friendship, Harry. Even if we break up-which I hope we don't-I would still be your friend. You're one of my best friends. I don't know what would happen if I lost you."
He kissed her head before laying his on top. "I couldn't live without you either, Hermione."
She moved to lay her head down on his lap. He put his feet on the coffee table and stretched out, laying his head on the back of the couch as he did so.
"Can you believe how much our lives have changed in the last year?" she asked.
"A lot has happened, hasn't it?"
She turned to look at the fire, feeling quite content. She always loved her alone time with him and she was-more than anything-glad that they pushed their fears aside and decided to take the leap.
"Did you ever once think that we would be together?" she asked quietly, putting her hand on top of his that was resting on her stomach. She heard him take a deep breath before answering.
"I never once thought that we would get together, but, I wouldn't change anything."
She smiled. "I had a crush on you."
"Really?" he asked, grinning down at her. She blushed and looked away.
"In first year, yes."
"Interesting."
"Sod off," she replied, laughing up at him.
Dumbledore stared down at his pensieve, tapping his fingers against the side as he did so. He then reviewed the memory again-the memory of the first time he met Tom Riddle in the orphanage.
When he was done viewing the memory, he then sat at his desk, rubbing his face with his hands. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a book, running his hand over the giant hole in the middle of it. Opening the book, he flipped through the pages, noticing that they were all blank.
He then closed the book and took a deep breath before grabbing the ring that was sitting on his desk. He studied it briefly before putting it next to the diary.
"I've figured out your secret, Tom," he said, studying his blackened hand. "Soon, Harry will as well."