AN: Hey Guys, another chapter for you! Work has started so updates will be a little les frequent, but I still aim to make 1-2 chapters a week! Hope you enjoy!

OOOOOOOOO

Several weeks flew by in Hogwarts, where Harry and Hermione basically gave up all their free time to work. Next to their research and practicing in the Room of Requirement, O.W.L's and normal homework continued, meaning they had a lot on their plate.

Soon it was one of Harry's least favorite days of the year, Halloween. Year and year again he got the same sad feeling in his stomach from the moment he woke up and opened his eyes. He knew today was going to be a long day.

When Harry came down to the Common Room, he instantly spotted Hermione. Sitting in a comfortable armchair, the young witch chatted energetically with Fred and George. Despite feeling down, Harry had to smile.

"Morning guys," he greeted them as he approached. "You're not helping them create their next version of puking pastils I hope 'Mione?"

All four of them laughed at that. "Don't worry Harry, we are still not able to corrupt your friend in using her brains for the right cause," Fred said. "Not yet that is."

Hermione couldn't help but laughingly shaking her head. "Don't worry Harry, we were just discussing the magical transfiguration properties behind their most recent product, which changes the target into a feathery beast."

"Aha," Harry said carefully. "Well I hope that both of you remember who sponsored your little business so far… which hopefully means some people will be spared from undergoing that feathery transformation."

Fred and George nodded immediately. "Of course Harry, we'll even let you do the honors of choosing our first targets," they said in unison.

"Well guys, again your spell work is quite impressive, one has to admit," Hermione said in a rare praise of the Weasley twins. "But I am starved now, shall we go eat Harry?"

Harry nodded and with a quick goodbye and laugh at the reaction of the twins to getting such a compliment from Hermione, they made their way to the Great Hall. Away from the laughs and jokes with the twins Harry soon was back in his down mood.

Sitting down at the Gryffindor Table, Hermione knew exactly what was on his mind. Of course, she couldn't even begin to imagine how he must feel, but she for sure knew it did more to him than he would let on.

Carefully she grabbed his hand next to her and gave it a little squeeze. She saw Harry tried his best to give her a true smile, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. Hermione didn't let go of his hand and silently promised herself that today she would be there for him.

OOOOOOOOOO

After what was so far an eventless day, one could see a large group of fifth-year students from all houses grow more anxious the longer it went on. The reason was rather simple. Finishing the day with two hours of Professor Umbridge and Defence Against the Dark Arts was not something anyone looked forwards to.

It had surprised Harry his fellow House Mates that even the Slytherins seemed nervous, since Umbridge was known to be kind towards bigotry against muggle-born and hate against Harry. Apparently the unpredictable nature of her was something that even they found unpleasant.

Hermione and Harry had spent the whole day together, as they did so often recently. Nevertheless it was pleasant when on their way to the dreaded class, they got company from Neville.

Entering the classroom, the three lions chose their desks somewhere in the middle of the classroom. Their wands were already tucked away, since they already knew that today was going to be yet another theory lesson.

"Good afternoon students," Umbridge said in a sweet voice, entering the room. "Today we will do something different than usual. First begin reading chapter four of the book, you have forty-five minutes."

Without saying anything more the professor took place behind her desk and every student slowly began to read their chapter on "safe ways to not get in trouble".

Hermione glanced to Harry next to her and couldn't help but let her eyes linger on the scars on the backside of his hand from the detention with Umbridge. They had never spoken about it really, Hermione had just healed the wounds and they had carried on.

She knew Harry wouldn't want to talk about it when it had happened, and she respected that. But Hermione was fuming. Not only had taken it several advanced spells to heal the wound, hinting at the use of Dark Magic, she also simply couldn't believe there were wards or anything in place to alert Dumbledore to the use of such practices.

Quitely she read the chapter in front of her again. She had read the entire book already the first two days she had gotten it, curious to see how this so-called Ministry approved curriculum would look like.

After forty-five minutes Umbridge slowly stood up and gestured to the students that they could put away their books.

"The remainder of today's class will be practical in nature," the professor said sweetly, smiling at the confused looks that this had gotten her. "Or rather, you will watch a demonstration given by me, while I explain."

Harry and Hermione shared a look and didn't need a word to understand that both had a very uneasy feeling about where this was going. Around them Harry noticed, many other students shared this feeling.

Umbridge took her wand and pointed it slowly at a box behind her desk. Within seconds, three large rabbits were summoned to her, slowly floating in the air.

"Today students you will get a demonstration by me on something that you can be asked to describe in detail during your O.W.L's," Umbridge continued. "Normally knowing the theory would be enough for that, but I thought a practical example would help get the message…through." Harry couldn't help but get shivers over his spine.

"The unforgivable curses are unforgivable for a reason," Umbridge said, pausing for a second to smile at the collective gasp that had gone through the class. "Yet it is important to be able to recognize the spells, what they do, etc."

Placing the first rabbit on the desk in front of her, she wordlessly casted an "Imperio" on it, making the brighter students such as Hermione wonder how she got so good at casting curses like that.

After a short demonstration how to control a lively thing such as an animal or human, Umbridge smiled. Most students looked uncomfortable but not yet completely outraged. They all held their breath when she took the second rabbit.

Walking over to the desk between Hermione and Neville, she placed the rabbit down. "Well, this next curse is also a tricky one. Longbottom isn't it?" she added looking at Neville smilingly who gave a short not.

Smiling once more at Hermione and Neville she turned back to the entire class. "Crucio!" she whispered loudly, her smile never leaving her face.

Twenty seconds. Twenty long painful seconds had the rabbit to endure the Cruciatus curse.

Harry's knuckles were as white as Neville's face. The anger he felt was mounting up quickly and he had to try his best to control his magic. He looked next to him and saw silent tears over Hermione's cheek. To distract him from his anger, he found her hand under the desk with his and pulled her closer to him in an attempt to comfort her.

Hermione gave a weak smile. She had a feeling what was coming next, not just for the rabbit, but for Harry too.

While the class was dead silent, Professor Umbridge placed all three bunnies on Harry's desk. With a devlish smile she said: "Hagrid has asked me to give him these rabbits later to use as food for the Hippogriffs, so we might as well show this last curse three times."

"Avada Kedavra!" She said loudly. A green light flash and a second later there was one lifeless bunny on Harry's desk.

He couldn't get his brain to work at this moment. The green light, the dead animal, the fact that it was Halloween today…. How could she? How could she do this, especially today?

A second and third curse quickly followed and Umbridge was still smiling. Harry felt himself go numb and heard his breath quicken.

"Stop it! Stop it now!," a loud voice yelled through the room. "Can't you see it is hurting him! Don't you know what day it is?!"

The entire class turned towards the person who was yelling, all in their own shock. At the front row Ron Weasley stood, his ears bright red, a clear signal that he was angry. Hermione and Neville couldn't help but be surprised it was him who spoke up, but nevertheless they were thankful.

"Detention Mister Weasley," Umbridge simply replied softly. "As I said, I simply wanted to get the message through…"

Ron looked like he was about to continue ranting against the professor and Hermione snorted angrily at her. But before she could say anything she noticed Harry change. She could see it in Umbridge her eyes that she had seen it too.

Dead silence hung in the classroom as all eyes were on Harry. The dark-haired boy sat behind his desk, eyes closed and taking deep breaths.

Hermione knew he was trying to calm himself down right now, but she could also see that it was already a bit too late for that.

Yellow and dark orange sparks surrounded Harry's body, as if electricity was flowing around him. No one said a word. Hermione shuffled nervously in her seat. She wanted to comfort Harry but not knowing if he would realize it was her, she didn't dare touch him yet.

"Errr… very well… class dismissed!" Umbridge said hastily, almost as if scared, before quickly packing her stuff and vanishing the rabbits.

Slowly all students started to leave the room too, staring at Harry and whispering nervously what was going on with him. Neville and Ron waited for a second by the door, but after seeing Hermione who gave them the sign to go on, they figured it was only going to be her who would calm Harry down.

Once the classroom was empty, Hermione decided she felt safe enough to attempt to touch Harry. Slowly she reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, seeing if it was safe. Once she felt his body in her hands without any problems, she couldn't help herself. She flung her arms around Harry and pulled him close to her chest.

"Oh Harry…," she whispered softly, while rubbing his back. "I am so so sorry she did that… not today… not ever."

Not noticing she had started to cry, Hermione buried her face in his neck. She just wanted to be close to him and let him know she was there for him, that he was loved. Harry felt his anger leave his body and let Hermione comfort him. He realized more than ever what she meant for him now.

OOOOOOOOOO

After indulging in a spectacular Halloween Feast in the Great Hall that night, Harry was considerably calmer. He noticed that word of what happened spread fast through the castle and that everyone seemed to know about it. What surprised him however was that no one, not a single student, was blaming him or treating him badly.

"Kind of weird ey?" Neville said, as he moved over to Harry and Hermione when dessert appeared. "Somehow all Umbridge has managed is to unite everyone in a way, being angry against her and all."

"Yeah I swear I even heard Daphne Greengrass say you were right," Fred chimed in, having heard his conversation. "I was so surprised, I couldn't even come up with a prank."

Everyone had to chuckle at that comment. Harry smiled and thought for a second about what the boys had said.

"Well, it was about time that the students of Hogwarts showed a bit more unity," Harry said slowly. He realized his tone was a bit more serious than he had hoped for and all eyes were on him.

"Well with what is inevitably coming, I for one think we need to bridge some gaps here and there and find allies maybe in… unusual places," he added, shrugging his shoulders.

Everyone agreed with that statement and even the Weasley twins looked serious for a moment. Not long after however, the mood settled down a bit and everyone was enjoying their desserts.

The scraping of the wooden benches marked the end of the feast and the Gryffindors made their way to their common room. Halfway there, Harry had different plans though. Dragging a slightly confused Hermione with him, he started walking the other way.

It wasn't until they were at the entrance of the Room of Requirement, that she knew where they were going.

"Harry what-" but he gestured her to wait and see.

Pacing in front of the empty wall in the corridor, Harry quickly unlocked the room. Stepping inside with Hermione, the two friends found themselves in a small room that looked like a mini-living room.

Silently, Hermione walked around the small room. The walls on either side had been charmed to reflect the night sky, as if there were windows in them. A fire place was crackling away and a large sofa with a table full of tea, cookies and other snacks stood beside it.

When she turned around she saw Harry already sitting on the sofa with a large book in his hand. Curious, Hermione sat down next to him and looked at him expectantly.

Harry gave her a weak smile and then focused on the book in his lap. The large red leather-bound book was very precious to him and he looked forward to sharing it with Hermione. It just felt right to him.

"This book is a present that Hagrid gave me a few years ago," He said softly. "It is full of pictures of my mum and dad. Every year I go through them on Halloween and just…wonder how things could have been. I hoped this year you might want to join my little tradition."

Hermione had already scooted so close to Harry that there was not an inch of space between them. She had never known Harry had this tradition and thought about his parents so much still. She was truly moved that he wanted to share that with him and silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

Harry saw this and instantly wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He smiled, seeing how moved she was that he wanted to do this with her.

"Hey, no tears tonight 'Mione," he said softly. "These are happy memories… good memories that we can look at."

Hermione nodded and wiped the last tear of her face. Nodding quickly she gave Harry a true smile now and rested her head on his shoulder.

OOOOOOOOOO

After having gone through the entire book of memories together, both Harry and Hermione were exhausted. It was well past midnight and the emotional drain of the day was taking its toll on their capability to stay awake.

Silently Harry asked the Room to expand the sofa into a giant bed, like they had done one of their very first times in the Room of Requirement. Hermione smiled sleepily and quickly laid down next to Harry on the now bed.

Without either of them realizing, they were so close to each other that Harry could count the tiny freckles on Hermione's nose.

"Thank you 'Mione, for tonight," he whispered softly. "For everything really."

Hermione smiled and snuggled closer to him, her head now resting against his very own. "I loved tonight Harry, I really did. You know I am always here for you, for anything."

Harry leveled his eyes with hers and nodded slowly. "I know 'Mione and that's why I want to do this."

He later would not be able to recall what made him do it, but he certainly would have zero regrets.

Slowly cupping her face in one of his hands and never breaking the eye contact he had with her, Harry slowly brought his face closer to Hermione's.

Hermione saw him coming and a rush of warmth and butterflies shot through her. So much so that she didn't even wait for Harry to put his lips on hers, but rather close the last distance herself.

Together they shared their first kiss. Tender, slow and full of emotions did their lips meet together again and again, until finally they had to take a breath.

Smiling shyly, Hermione looked at Harry, who gave her the biggest most goofy grin she had ever seen. She couldn't help but let out a little giggle, before resting laying back down, her head now on his chest.

Harry smiled down at the bushy hair mass on his chest. For the first time he really started to grasp how much he cared for Hermione, how much he adored her and yes… loved her.

Letting his head finally rest fully against the pillow, he fell asleep almost instantly, the replay of what had just happened feeding him the sweetest dreams he had had in a long while. Meanwhile did Hermione share the exact same dream, feeling happy and freed in a sense that she now finally knew how much they loved each other. Their relationship would certainly change now, but she knew that it was only going to be better and stronger. And one thing always counts: Hermione is never wrong.