Although she knew that words would not harm them, she couldn't help but think of how fitting the rest of the verse was. She couldn't even bring herself to care that they were staying at the Dursleys; she had Harry, and that was all she needed.
As the headed back to the Dursleys, Hermione made a decision she knew Harry was going to protest. That was too bad, because she wasn't giving in. But first, food. They had been watching the kids for a couple of hours, not to mention she was starting to feel the magical drain from the mind sharing and the healing she had done today.
Harry didn't say anything when Hermione grabbed five slices of pizza from the fridge, (leftovers from the five pies Dudley ate in one sitting) and neither did the Dursleys, though they did shoot her some heated glares. She didn't warm them up, she liked cold pizza.
They were both hungry, as Hermione suspected, but Harry could only eat one full slice and half of another; he still hadn't quite recovered from his starvation, and contrary to popular belief, that did not make more room.
Hermione, though, was eating like Ron; she managed to eat all three of her pieces and finish Harry's. After eating, they both decided they were tired and it was time for some sleep.
Hermione steeled her nerves, and climbed into Harry's bed. He had frozen and was gaping at her. She had known he wouldn't like it, but she was decided.
After a moment, however, Harry smiled. Hermione was surprised, as she had been expecting resistance to them sleeping in the same bed together. She didn't realize he was thinking he was sleeping on the floor, as she had previously suggested.
When he curled up on the floor, she mentally smacked herself for not expecting this reaction. "Harry," she called, "the bed is more comfortable." She laughed when his head shot up like a cartoon character's. His expression was mostly shock, and a little horror.
"H-Hermione," he stuttered, "your parents would kill me!"
"Not if we don't tell them," she answered, smiling at his gobsmacked expression.
"B-but it's not right!" He protested.
She sighed. "Harry," she said, "we're not going to do anything. We'll only be sleeping together in the literal sense," for now she added silently to herself. "I wouldn't suggest it, but I'm afraid I'll have nightmares about how you were treated. With you here, I'll feel much better." She bit her lower lip, worried about playing on his concern for her. She noted how his eyes instantly focused on that and the way his eyes glazed slightly; she knew she had him. To make sure, she added in her best scared-little-girl voice, "Please?" She didn't forget the puppy eyes.
Harry reluctantly crawled up in the bed; he couldn't deny her. He tried to put as much space between them as possible as he lay on his side, looking at her. She promptly flipped so her back was to him and scooted back until she was snuggling into him. "Please, Harry," Hermione whispered in the dark, "hold me."
Harry sighed, and wrapped both arms around her waist-a difficult task, as one side was against the bed. Hermione smiled and snuggled into Harry some more, murmuring contentedly once she was as close as possible. "Goodnight, Harry," Hermione murmured to him.
Harry couldn't help but smile. He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek, whispering back, "Goodnight, love." He was amazed at how peaceful he felt. It wasn't long before the couple was asleep.
Harry woke up with a smile on his face. He looked down at the bushy-haired blur in his arms contentedly. He didn't care that his arm had fallen asleep, he was too happy that was around the witch he loved. Even if he couldn't bring himself to actually say 'I love you', his feelings were clear.
For a while, he watched Hermione sleep, even if he couldn't see her very well without his glasses. Eventually, though, she began to stir.
"Mmm," she groaned. "Harry?"
"Yes, love?"
She thrilled every time he called her that. "It feels wonderful to wake in your arms."
He chuckled. "I have to admit, even though I was against it at first, it felt wonderful waking to you in my arms."
She smiled again. She had a feeling she would be doing that a lot. "Good," she said decisively, "because I don't think I'll be able to sleep without you now."
Harry replied contentedly, "I think that makes two of us." Hermione giggled, pleased with herself. Then he asked tenderly, "Did you have any nightmares?"
Hermione giggled again, responding, "Nope, you scared them all away! What about you?"
Harry smiled at the realization, saying, "No, I didn't either. It's the first time since the end of the tournament."
Hermione stiffened for a moment, then relaxed and said, "Good," even if she was sad that he had had nightmares for over a year.
After a few moments of silently enjoying each other's company, Hermione declared it was time to get up. Harry grabbed his glasses off the bedside table as Hermione got off his arm. As it was only ten, none of the Dursleys were awake yet. (Vernon only woke up early to torment Harry.) They both showered and dressed within half an hour and left the house quietly to avoid waking the Dursleys; not because they cared about them getting sleep, they simply didn't want the confrontation.
Hermione had decided that they couldn't simply talk to each other all the time, despite the closeness, they needed things to do. So she decided a trip to Diagon Alley was in order. When Harry asked how they were getting there, Hermione simply raised her wand, and the Knight Bus appeared with a bang.
Harry grinned sheepishly, admitting he hadn't really thought of the Knight Bus since third year except in relation to Stan Shunpike. Hermione simply rolled her eyes, and dragged him onto the bus, requesting the Leaky Cauldron as the location.
Just like his last trip on the Knight Bus, Harry found himself sliding all over the place. He quickly found out that holding Hermione made it much more bearable, much to the witch's pleasure.
There were only two stops made on the trip, and Harry was pleased that he had been able to put himself between Hermione and the front of the bus both times; the Knight Bus was not known for stopping gently.
When they finally arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, they barely paused to say hello to Tom before going through the wall into Diagon Alley.
Although Hermione was anxious to go to Flourish and Blott's, she acknowledged that they had to get money from Gringotts first. It wasn't all that difficult to convince Harry, he was just glad he hadn't seen anyone from the Order yet. He hoped they were done watching him.
Unfortunately, Hermione had forgotten how famous Harry was. After what felt like the millionth stop in ten seconds, Hermione had had enough and began to push through everyone. Harry just followed, grinning.
Once they reached Gringotts and got scanned, they were greeted by a goblin that looked very familiar. He managed to remember his name just before the end of the welcome.
"Hello, Griphook. It's nice to see you again," Harry greeted him.
Griphook blinked in what seemed to be surprise. "Good day, Mr. Potter. I take it you would like to see your vault?"
Hermione knew this was going to be the hardest part for her, letting Harry pay for the things she wanted. But she had no money. She was only vaguely aware of Harry talking to the goblin and leading her to the cart. She came back to herself when she realized that this was going to be very much like a roller coaster ride.
Harry seemed to remember how much she hated roller coaster rides, and pulled her to him protectively. She hid her face in his shirt, and he continued his conversation with Griphook, asking about muggle money and getting money without coming to Gringotts. His answer was cut off as the cart started moving at an alarming pace. Hermione whimpered and clutched Harry tighter, grateful for his arms around her.
When they finally go to Harry's vault, Griphook was the only one who got out for a moment. "Are you okay, love?" Harry whispered, concerned. After a moment, Hermione nodded, and stood a little shakily. Harry saw that, frowning. Then he smirked, obviously planning something. Before Hermione could ask what he was planning, she found herself being scooped into his arms. For a moment, she wanted to protest. Then she decided she liked Harry's arms around her. So she just snuggled in happily.
As they stepped out of the cart, Harry thanked Griphook for his patience. Hermione heard Griphook reply that it wasn't a problem, and continue their earlier conversation.
"As I was saying, Mr. Potter, turning wizarding money into muggle money is not a problem, and neither is withdrawing money from outside this bank. The easiest solution to both is what we call a bottomless bag. Although not truly bottomless, you can reach into it and withdraw anything as small as a knut, or as large as a 1,000 galleons. You can also withdraw muggle money. You must merely think the amount, and reach into the bag. There are also ones you could give to people you trust with access to your account."
"How do I go about getting these bottomless bags and getting others access to my account?" Harry asked. They had stopped walking a while ago, and Hermione was fairly sure they were standing outside Harry's vault.
"The bottomless bags require a small fee," Griphook replied with a smile, "but to give other people access to the vault, you just have to give me their full name."
"Hermione Jane Granger," Harry said instantly, "and I would like two bottomless bags, please, Griphook." Hermione gasped at his show of trust, and hugged him tighter. Had she looked, she would have seen Griphook smiling, though it wasn't the prettiest sight.
"Yes, Mr. Potter. And now, perhaps we should enter your vault," Griphook suggested.
"I like the way think," Harry replied, and Hermione knew without looking that he had a smile on his face. She heard the key slide in, and the clicking of what sounded like thousands of locks. For the first time since getting off the cart, Hermione turned to see what was going on.
The sight before her had Hermione gasping in surprise. She had never seen so much gold in one place! There were mounds of galleons, sickles, and knuts! But where were the family heirlooms?
Hermione turned to Griphook, "Griphook, where are Harry's family heirlooms?"
"They are in the Potter vault," Griphook replied as though it was obvious.
Now Harry joined in the conversation. "What do you mean? I thought this was the Potter vault!"
Griphook appeared to be frowning. "Mr. Potter, this is simply a trust fund. The majority of what your parents left you is in their main vault."
Harry was stunned. So was Hermione, for that matter. How could there be more?
"Could you take us to that vault please, Griphook?" Harry asked.
He was definitely frowning. "Mr. Potter, I'm sorry no one explained this to you. You can't access the family vault until you are a legal adult, or the will of the parents says otherwise."
Harry was having difficulty processing all of this. "What did the will of my parents say?" He asked.
Griphook was clearly surprised at this. "You don't know?" Harry shook his head. "You should have seen it by now," Griphook said.
"I should have?"
"Yes. Once you reach the age where you can legally be tried as an adult for severe cases such as murder, you have the right to view your parents' wills."
Hermione gasped again. "Harry, that means you should have seen it when you were twelve!"
Harry sighed. "Griphook, would a notification have been sent to me by mail?" Harry asked. Griphook nodded and Harry sighed again. "Dobby."
Hermione's eyes widened in understanding, but Griphook just looked confused. Hermione turned to him and explained. "When Harry turned twelve, there was a house-elf named Dobby who thought he could convince Harry not to go back to Hogwarts by keeping mail from him."
Griphook shook his head before turning back to Harry. "Perhaps, Mr. Potter, we should view the will of your parents before continuing." Harry nodded. Griphook cleared his throat and said, "Griphook requires the wills of Mr. James Potter and Mrs. Lily Potter for review by their son, Harry Potter." There was no flash, or puff of smoke, just a glow around Griphook's hand where two pieces of parchment appeared.
Harry set Hermione down before he dropped her. He reached out to Griphook with shaky hands for the wills. Then he turned to Hermione, and asked, "Hermione, love, would you please review my mother's will?" Not trusting her voice, Hermione simply nodded.
Harry, if you're reading this right now, I'm sorry we're not there for you. It also probably means our location was betrayed by our Secret Keeper. Everyone believes it was Sirius, but we changed it to Pettigrew. Please make sure people know it was him.
Now for the actual will.
I would like 1 million galleons split evenly between Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
Everything else is to go to my son, Harry.
I would like Harry emancipated as soon as possible.
Signed,
James Potter
Harry couldn't believe it. He sat there, stunned. Meanwhile, Hermione was reading Lily's will for the third time.
Harry, I'm so sorry if you're reading this. I wish we could be there for you. If we're not, please make sure Pettigrew pays for his betrayal.
I, Lily Potter, will:
1 million galleons to split evenly between Amy Longbottom and Molly Weasley
Everything else goes to my son, who is to be emancipated as soon as possible.
Signed,
Lily Potter
Hermione looked up to see that Harry was watching her. They swapped. Apparently, Harry should have been an adult able to practice magic with access to the family vault since he was twelve.
After reading the letters and hugging Hermione for a small amount of comfort, Harry took a deep breath and turned to Griphook. "How would I become emancipated?"
Griphook pondered for a moment. "I assume it is in the will of your parents?" Harry nodded confirmation. "Then you need to simply bring the wills to the ministry and fill out the paperwork. Since they specified that you be emancipated, but not that you gain immediate access to the family vault, I'm afraid you will have to wait until you are a legal adult."
Harry took another breath, and said, "Thank you Griphook. Don't be surprised if you see me within a few days." Griphook smiled, and gestured towards the vault. "No, I don't need it," Harry said. "I can just use the bottomless bag."
In all the excitement, Hermione had forgotten about the bags. Before she could say anything, Griphook said, "I'll see to it as soon as we return to the surface, Mr. Potter."
"Thank you," Harry said, and began to head back towards the cart. He paused for a moment, and turned back to Griphook. "Do goblins use wizarding money, or do they have their own currency?" Hermione was surprised; it was a question worthy of her. She turned to Griphook as well, who laughed.
"No, Mr. Potter, we do not use wizarding currency. Wizards use Goblin currency!" Harry and Hermione laughed as well, and continued to the cart. Just before reaching it, Harry turned and picked up Hermione again.
"I have a new plan to distract you," he whispered to her as he sat down, sitting her on his lap. "The entire way up, all you're going to be thinking about is my lips on yours." Hermione was about to say she didn't have a problem with that, but his lips were suddenly on hers. She didn't even notice that they had started moving. Then Harry broke away, smiling at the pout on her face.
Once more, he picked her up, and they went over to Griphook before putting her down. They followed him to the counter, where he reached over and grabbed two seemingly ordinary drawstring pouches. He handed one to Harry, and the other to Hermione. He took the hands holding the bags, muttered something indecipherable, and told them he was finished.
"Those bags will respond to no one else, and will automatically return to you if stolen," he told them.
Harry reached into his bag, and Hermione watched in bemusement as he pulled out two galleons, and attempted to give them to Griphook.
Griphook just stared at the galleons, clearly not understanding. "Mr. Potter?" He asked.
"Is it not customary to tip someone who has helped you?" Harry asked.
"Between wizards, perhaps," Griphook asked, "but wizards tend to see us more as dumb animals."
Harry snorted. "I don't share that view. I've met too many wizards who are lot dumber than the average goblin."
Griphook smiled, and accepted the galleons. "I look forward to seeing you again, Mr. Potter." Harry laughed, and shook his hand, a gesture Hermione was sure few, if any, other wizards had made.
Next stop, the Ministry of Magic.