Chapter 2: Surprise, Surprise!
A/N: Thank you for all the favs and follows for this story so far. This chapter will be longer than the first one and will alternate between Hermione's and Harry's POV.
Through the rest of the fic I might have some other characters POV's as well.
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Hermione woke up the next morning a recalled the events of the previous day. So much had happened with the exams, then Harry's dream, talking to Sirius, the evening Prophet about the battle at the Ministry and Voldemort being finally recognized as having returned.
Then there was Professor Dumbledore's return, along with the confrontation with Umbridge and her arrest.
But the moment she thought on more than any other was after the call with Sirius when she'd almost kissed Harry.
She'd come so close and had wanted to kiss him very much. But then Ron burst in and interrupted them before it happened.
She was almost happy that it had been interrupted. As much as she wanted to kiss Harry she didn't to change ruining their close friendship.
Plus she didn't think Harry felt the same way for her that she did for him. She was pretty sure he saw her like a sister. But she had almost thought that he was leaning in to kiss her the same time she was to him.
She had a crush on Harry ever since Halloween if their first year when he'd jumped on the back of a mountain troll to save her life.
And then as they became close friends her feelings only grew. And then in their 3rd year, after everything they went through rescuing Sirius and Harry had shielded her with his body from a transformed Lupin, ready to give his life to save her she had realized that she was completely and deeply in love with him.
And then when they'd flown on Buckbeak she had been afraid at first but then realized just how safe and secure she felt with her arms wrapped around Harry.
And then in fourth year she had hoped more than anything that he'd ask her to the Yule Ball but when he didn't she'd agreed to go with Victor Krum when he'd asked her even though she didn't have any feelings for him.
She had made it clear to Victor that she was only going as friends even though she knew he had liked her. She had even confided in Victor that she had feelings for Harry and he had been surprisingly understanding.
And since then her feelings for Harry had only gotten stronger. But her heart was at war with her mind. Her heart tried to push her to tell Harry how when felt but her logic always won out telling her that it was better to stay silent rather than possibly be rejected and chance hurting their friendship.
She wondered how long it might be before her heart finally won and drive her to act.
She drove all those thoughts from her mind for now and decided to get up and get ready for the day.
The next few days seemed to fly by to Harry. He had several people come up to him to personally apologize for not believing him about Voldemort's return. That along with classes being finished for the term, and Malfoy no longer walking around making his usual arrogant comments since his father's arrest the end of term was a very happy week.
The day after Umbridge's removal they had a grand feast in the Great Hall and a huge celebration. And then three days later the main headline in the Daily Prophet made Harry happier than he'd been in a long time.
Sirius Black acquitted!
The trial of Sirius Black took place this morning at the Ministry of Magic. As our readers will no doubt remember Black was on the run after escaping from Azkaban Prison almost three years ago.
He had been imprisoned after it was believed that he had betrayed James and Lily Potter to Who-Know-Who, as well as the murder of Peter Pettigrew and 13 muggles 13 years ago.
Black had been arrested and placed in Azkaban apparently without ever receiving a trial. But that oversight was corrected this morning after Black had turned himself into Amelia Bones, head of the DMLE.
Madam Bones along with Albus Dumbledore, recently reinstated Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, called for an immediate early morning emergency meeting of the Wizengamot and held a trial at long last for Sirius Black.
During the trial Black consented to the use on him of veritum serum and after being fully questioned it came out that he was innocent of the crimes that he was accused of.
He stated that it was in fact Peter Pettigrew that betrayed the Potter's and framed Black for it, faking his own death by blowing up the street, cutting off his finger and changing into his rat animagus form and then escaping into the sewer.
After Black was found innocent he was immediately released and has been awarded 10,000,000 galleons as compensation for his wrongful imprisonment and had his title as Lord Black restored to him.
After the trial when asked what his plans now we're he said, " I will be spending a lot of time with my godson Harry, and I will be formally adopting him as my son and heir, if he'll have me."
Well we at the Prophet congratulate Lord Black on gaining his freedom and wish him and Harry Potter all the luck and happiness they deserve, especially in these dark times with the Dark Lord's return.
Harry couldn't believe it when he read it, Sirius was really going to adopt him. He'd never have to go back to the Dursley's again. He had to call Sirius right away.
He went and found an empty classroom after telling Ron and Hermione that he'd meet them outside soon. Then after he cast some locking and privacy charms on the door he sat on a desk and pulled out the mirror that he now carried on him at all times.
He called Sirius who answered right away. Sirius said, "hey pup, I take it you've heard the good news?"
Harry said, "yeah, I just read the Prophet. You finally got your trial and cleared you're name, it's brilliant!
Also they had you saying that you were going to, to… adopt me?"
Sirius smiled but he spoke with hesitation in his voice, "yes I did, but I'll understand if you don't want that, if you don't want to live with me."
Harry said, "of course I want it. I'd love it if you adopted me and I got to live with you."
Sirius's smile grew into a full grin and he said, "I'm very happy to hear that Harry. I'll make the arrangements right away."
Harry smiled and said, "Thank you Sirius, for wanting me that is. So where are we gonna live, Grimwald Place?"
Sirius smirked and said, "no, I'll be letting the Order continue using it as their headquarters but we'll be living somewhere much nicer and much more homey. I've already had it start being made ready. It'll be a surprise. When you leave school we'll be going on holiday for about a month.
I figured we'd go visit Italy, go see Rome and Venice and such. We'll be gone for about a month and then our home should be ready.
I have a lot to get done today, but I'll see you soon, and call me if you need anything."
Harry said, "I will Sirius, I can't wait for the summer to begin. See you soon, Padfoot."
They hung up and Harry dried the tears of joy that had fallen from his face and then he removed the charms from the door and headed out to find Ron and Hermione.
He told them what Sirius had told them and Hermione gave him one of her signature hugs and said, "oh Harry, that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you."
Harry squeezed her back, inhaling her beautiful scent before catching himself and pulling back and saying, "thanks Hermione, it's incredible, I have a dad now, a family."
Ron said, "that's great mate, you deserve it after all you've been through."
After that the three of them enjoyed the rest of the nice day, Harry and Ron riding on their broomsticks around the pitch with Hermione watching them.
Then later in the afternoon Ron gave Harry another surprise. He pulled him aside after lunch and said, "I had a question for you Harry."
Harry looked at him and asked what it was. Ron took a deep breath and said, "look, I'm not cut out to be a prefect and we both know it. The badge should have gone to you.
I don't really like the responsibility and everything, so I was going to ask McGonagall if I could turn in the badge and ask her to give it to you. That's if you're okay with it?"
Harry was shocked, he asked, "are you sure Ron? I'll take it, but only if you truly don't want it."
Ron nodded and said, "I'm sure, believe me, it's too much work."
So Harry agreed and they went to see McGonagall. She was certainly surprised but gave a rare smile and said, "that's very generous of you Mr. Weasley. And I have to be honest, while you weren't the worst prefect ever, you also didn't put as much into it as you should have.
And I do hope Mr. Potter that you can handle the responsibility and do a good job representing Gryffindor."
Harry said, "I'll do my best Professor."
McGonagall then said, "I'm sure you will. Since we are at the end of term you won't be taking up the full job until next term but you be doing the nightly patrol rounds for the last few days and such. I'm sure Ms. Granger will show you the ropes."
Harry nodded and him and Ron left McGonagall's office. They went and found Hermione and told her the news.
She was shocked if course but recovered and said, "that's brilliant, you'll do great Harry. And Ron, that was really good of you to be able to admit that you were lacking in the prefect position and that you were willing to step down."
Ron just blushed and nodded. The rest of the day went quickly after that and then Harry enjoyed doing the prefect rounds with Hermione that night. He realized that being a prefect would mean that he'd now get to spend a lot more time with Hermione now, just the two of them, and he really liked the thought of that.
The last few days of term were uneventful after that. And then the last day came and they gathered for the end of term feast in the Great Hall.
Gryffindor won the house cup once again after Harry was awarded 500 points for his role in helping to resist Umbridge's rule and for taking it in himself to teach his classmates how to defend themselves from the very real threats out there.
On the train back to London Harry did the prefect duties with Hermione, and they also enjoyed the ride back in their compartment with Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Luna.
After the train pulled into the station they disembarked and Harry found Sirius waiting for him in the platform. He ran and met him and hugged him tightly.
Sirius said, "hey pup, I sure missed you. So are you ready for the best summer of you're life?"
Harry smiled and said, "of course I am." Then he turned and said goodbye to Ron and Hermione.
As he did Sirius said, "don't worry, you'll all see each other again sooner than you think."
Sirius led Harry towards the portal to the muggle side of Kings Cross. When they went through Harry was pleased to see Remus waiting for them. And was surprised to see Tonks as well.
Harry also noticed Moody standing nearby as well as Kingsley. Remus and Tonks both gave Harry hugs.
Harry asked, "it's great to see you, but what are you all doing here?"
Remus smiled and said, "well you didn't actually think you wouldn't have a protection detail for you with word officially out that Voldemort's returned?"
Tonks then added, "besides Remus and I just had a date before coming to get you anyway."
Harry smiled and said, "you're dating, that's brilliant I'm happy for you."
Remus smiled and said, "thank you Harry. Dora and I will also be joining you on your trip to Italy. I was going to be accompanying you and Sirius anyway and Dora managed to get assigned to your private security detail for the trip."
Sirius said, "I might have helped her get the assignment. It's a holiday but we still want to make sure you're as safe as possible with Voldemort gunning for you."
Harry said, "well I'm happy you'll be with us."
The group then started to head towards the exit but Harry froze when he spotted the Dursley's waiting up ahead.
Sirius spotted them as well and his eyes hardened and his jaw tightened. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder and gave him a comforting squeeze, silently telling him it was okay.
Then Sirius strode up to Vernon and said, "Dursley, Harry will not be going home with you. He will again return to the hell that is living with you."
Vernon's face turned purple with rage and he said, "who the hell are you two tell me what to do?"
Sirius said in a cold voice, "I am Sirius Black, perhaps you've heard of me. I was all over the news a few years ago. You know, escaping from prison, crazed murderer on the loose, all that."
Vernon's purple face quickly grew a very pale white and he couldn't seem to speak.
Sirius continued, "I am Harry's godfather, and as of a few days ago his father. I formally adopted him after my name was cleared. He is now my son.
He will be living with me from now on. And as much as I would love to blast a hole through your ugly face for all the pain and hell that you put Harry through it wouldn't do much good me being cleared for murder so that I can be there for Harry now.
Only to now go away for a murder I actually commit. So this will be my only warning, if you ever come near Harry again it'll be the last thing you ever do!"
Vernon didn't speak, he was much too terrified. He grabbed his wife and son and left as fast as they could.
Sirius turned to Harry and said, "sorry about that Harry, but I couldn't hold my tongue."
Remus said, "I would have made a very similar promise, only I would have promised to visit him during a full moon."
Harry said, "well that was certainly entertaining to see. I've never seen Uncle Vernon look so terrified. I think he might have wet himself." Harry chuckled at the thought.
Sirius grinned and said, "yes well it was fun. Now shall we get out of here? We'll be staying in a nice hotel for a few days until it's time to leave in the trip."
Harry walked with Sirius, Remus and Tonks out of Kings Cross, flanked by Moody and Kingsley, happier by far then he'd ever been for the start of summer.