A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series. This story is a product of my pure imagination.

So you think I'm dumb now?
So, you think I'm naive.
You think that I can't see what you can clearly see?
You say that she's not your type.
And she can never be me.
But it sure looks like you're wishing she could be

~ Just a Friend by Jordi

*~*~*September 1, 1998 *~*~*

Harry followed Hermione down the corridor of the Hogwarts Express, "I thought there was a Prefect carriage or something."

"There is a Prefect compartment, but we don't have to meet the Prefects until 4 p.m. I figured it was better for us to come early and get our compartment so we weren't bothered," Hermione told him as she found their usual compartment in the back and opened the door.

Harry put his rucksack on the luggage rack, then sat down as she sat down across from him and pulled the table down from the wall, "Are you already going to be working on homework?" He teased as she bent over a pile of parchment and started writing with her pen.

"No, just notes for my Head Girl speech," Hermione told him.

Harry froze, his hand freezing in his hair, "We have to make a speech? Percy never did!"

Hermione glared at him, "Not to the whole school, just to the Prefects about duty and honor."

"Fuck," Harry said wide-eyed, "What does the Head Boy usually say?"

Hermione handed him a piece of parchment, and Harry took it from her.

"Hello everyone, my name is Harry Potter if you don't know it," Harry read, "Haha, funny, Hermione," Harry looked at her as she motioned for him to continue, "I am here to assist our Head Girl as we get through the first year after the turmoil of the previous year. This will not be an easy year, but we are looking to you to help us bring the wizarding world back together and help mend the wounds not easy to see. If you need me or Hermione, you can come to us anytime." Harry set the parchment down, "You should have told me there was a speech."

"Shhh, I'm going over my points," Hermione said, pulling her hair back into a messy ponytail.

Harry looked up as Ginny and Luna appeared at the door, "Hey guys. Save me!"

Hermione didn't look up as Ginny came and sat next to Harry, giving him a quick kiss.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Luna asked Hermione, "I see you are busy."

"Of course not," Hermione told her as she moved her bag.

Ginny and Luna settled into the compartment as the five-minute warning whistle went off, "What is she doing? Homework already?" Ginny whispered to Harry, concerned about Hermione.

"Her speech to the Prefects," Harry told her as he held up his parchment, "She wrote mine since I didn't know there was a speech."

Ginny nodded, "Percy went crazy over it, rehearsing it for weeks when he was Head Boy."

Hermione threw her hands up in the air, "I'm so behind!"

Luna peered out the windows as the train whistled for the final reminder that the train would start moving soon, "The Nargles seem quite active today. You are only as behind as you think you are. It's just the Nargles bothering you."

Hermione glanced up at her, "Thank you, Luna."

Luna asked Harry, "Ron didn't come to say goodbye?"

"Couldn't get out of training," Harry explained as the train started moving, "Hermione relax. I'm sure your speech is amazing."

"I just feel like I am forgetting something," Hermione said as she pulled her hair, and some fell out of her ponytail.

Harry opened her bag and pulled Crookshanks out of it, "Here, hug him. He'll calm you down."

Hermione pulled Crookshanks to her and cuddled him. The part kneazle purred so loud it sounded like a small plane was in the compartment with them.

"I thought Crookshanks was in Australia," Ginny said surprised.

"No, Hermione's parents gave him to their neighbor to watch after," Harry told her as he leaned over to her, "The neighbor was glad to be rid of him. Said Crookshanks ran away so many times he gave up. He just appeared three days after we got to the house."

"So what are we most excited about this year?" Luna asked.

"I'm looking forward to Quidditch this year," Ginny said with a grin as she looked at Harry and put her hand on the back of his head, pulling him down to kiss him, "Also, the showers give more privacy."

Harry cleared his throat and sat back, suddenly uncomfortable as Ginny grinned.

"I'll be continuing my search for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. I believe I'm getting closer to discovering their true desires of where to be found," Luna said as she took out the Quibbler.

Harry leaned back in his seat as Ginny cuddled into his side. He kissed the top of her head as the train started through the countryside, rumbling over the tracks.

Ginny had frequent visitors to their compartment, and Harry was surprised how many he had never met despite most of them being in Gryffindor with him. Ritchie Coot, who Harry at least knew from the Quidditch team, appeared at their door about two hours into the ride.

"Weasley, is it true that you were named Captain?" Ritchie asked as he saw Harry, "Blimey, Harry… I didn't know you were returning. Are you playing this year?"

"Yes, planning on it," Harry said, pointing at Ginny, who was playing cards with Luna and a reluctant Hermione, "As long as she lets me."

"I'm not even fooling with Seeker tryouts, so don't even try to get out of it," Ginny told him, "Spread the word. Two weeks from Friday is tryouts. I'll post it in the common room."

"Got it. Jimmy came back, and so did Demelza, so with Potter, we only need another chaser and a keeper," Ritchie commented, "I'll keep my eye out."

"Thanks," Ginny said as he shut the door.

Hermione groaned as she sat back, holding her stomach. Her face pinched with pain.

Harry frowned, "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Hermione said, shifting to get comfortable.

"No, you are in pain. What is wrong?" Harry asked, leaning forward as he looked at Ginny and Luna, "Do you have a pain relief potion?"

Hermione sighed, "I took one this morning. I can't take another yet. Stress just makes it worse."

"Makes what worse?" Harry asked, concerned.

"Merlin Harry, she's on her period!" Ginny said as she laughed.

Harry looked at her, confused, "Her what?"

Ginny looked at him, surprised, "Oh Merlin, it suddenly all makes sense now. Has no one had the talk with you?"

Harry looked at her wide-eyed, "Yes! God, kill me now. Yes, I know all about sex. What does a period have to do with sex?"

Ginny looked at Hermione, "You guys have lived together for over a year between the tent and your house. How does he not know?"

Hermione sighed more as she curled in on herself, "Because I took a potion to prevent it. When I ran out of the potion, we weren't eating well enough, and I was so stressed that it only started back up last month, and that was barely."

Ginny frowned, "Don't tell me you took the honeymoon potion. You aren't supposed to take that for longer than two months."

"I didn't want to deal with it while on the run, okay?" Hermione defended, "Not exactly convenient to run to get Tampons and Pads."

"Wait, I know what Tampons are. Aunt Petunia had them when I'd unpack the groceries," Harry said, looking at them.

Hermione sighed as she looked at the top of the compartment, "Help me. Harry, girls bleed from our vaginas every month when we don't get pregnant, and because our uteruses are losing the lining, we have cramps as our bodies try to expel the lining since there was no egg implanted."

Harry looked between her, Ginny, and Luna, "Every month?"

"Every month, you know when we get crabby, emotional, and want chocolate?" Ginny asked as Harry nodded, "That's why."

Harry sat back in disbelief, "For how long do you… bleed?"

"For about five days," Hermione told him.

He looked at them in disbelief, "Every month?"

"Unless we are pregnant," Luna told him, "For witches, we have it until we are nearly 60 years old."

Harry asked, "Why don't they teach that in school?"

Hermione looked at him, "They do, but muggle schools don't have health class until the 7th year, and we leave to go to Hogwarts in 6th."

"We blew his mind," Ginny said with a grin, "Harry, every girl goes through it. It's perfectly normal."

Harry frowned, "Why didn't Sirius or Remus tell me about it?"

"Because wizards are so behind the times, they probably didn't want to mention it," Hermione said, flinching.

"How can I help you?" Harry asked, concerned.

"Just be understanding if I'm crabby or extra emotional for the next three days. I'll put my heating pad on when I get to my room tonight. Heat helps," Hermione told him.

Harry looked at Ginny, "Are you… having one now, too?"

Ginny laughed, "You make it sound like I'm pregnant. No, that was last week."

"Got it," Harry said, sitting back, "Bloody hell, wizards have it easy."

"And just remember that too," Ginny told him with a laugh.

At half till four, Hermione stood up, grabbing her bag, "Harry, we should get into our robes and head up to the Prefect compartment."

"Oh, alright," Harry said, grabbing his bag from the luggage rack, "I'll leave so you can change."

As soon as the door slid shut, Hermione locked it, and Ginny laughed, "Oh my poor innocent Harry. Here, I thought he didn't want to have sex with me."

"He is very nervous about it," Hermione said as she took her uniform out of her bag.

"Wait, he's talked to you about it?" Ginny asked, surprised.

Hermione pulled her shirt over her head and looked at Ginny, "Who will he talk to about it? Ron?"

"True," Ginny said, "Has he got the talk? Please tell me someone has at least given him the talk."

"Of course," Hermione said, stepping out of her jeans, "Sirius and Remus did. I think your Dad tried, too."

"Merlin's beard," Ginny groaned, "I will probably have to teach him some things."

Hermione looked at her as she fastened her skirt, "Have you?"

Ginny looked at her, "Has sex? Yeah. With Dean."

"Dean?" Hermione asked, shocked.

"Yeah, I figured you and Krum-"

"No, nope. Nothing more than a kiss," Hermione told her as she buttoned up her shirt, "Really? With Dean?"

"Not that I have much experience in that department, but it wasn't very good. I'm hoping with Harry it's better," Ginny said, pointing at her, "Not even my brother, or… Harry? You guys were running for your lives and living together. I kind of just assumed."

Hermione put her robe on, "We were running for our lives. Doesn't help the libido. Ron and I didn't get together until after the Battle, and we haven't… done it."

"Hopefully, he fucks better than he kisses," Luna said, not looking up from her Quibbler.

Ginny looked surprised, "Really, Luna, now you speak up?"

Luna put down her Quibbler, "Neville is a very thorough lover. I had three orgasms in one night before."

Ginny gasped, "Details!"

"I better go," Hermione said as she got up and opened the compartment.

Harry was leaning on the wall, "So Ginny has slept with Dean?" Harry stated, "She never told me that."

Hermione grabbed his arm, "This is why I never get along well with other girls," Hermione groaned, "Sharing this kind of information makes me uncomfortable."

Harry followed behind her, "So where is the Prefect compartment?" Harry asked, taking in all the compartments and cars as they passed through them.

"First car, it's the whole car, so everyone can meet," Hermione told him as she opened the door, and they saw Padma Patil sitting in the carriage already, "Padma!"

"Hello, Hermione, Harry. If you are both here together, I'd imagine you are Head Boy and Head Girl. Congratulations," Padma said as she stood up and hugged Hermione.

"Yeah, for some reason, McGonagall picked me," Harry said as Hermione elbowed him and hissed, "That was my rib. I'm not as cushy as Ron. I heard from Dean you are engaged."

Padma showed them her ring, "After everything last year, we decided there was no reason to wait. He was in the Ministry when everything went down there. He is half-blood, so he didn't have to go on the run, thankfully," Padma said with a shrug, "Parvati passed her exams with high enough marks that she was happy."

Hermione took a small folder from her bag and pulled out a piece of parchment, "Harry, these are our prefects.

Harry took the list, "Ravenclaws, Harriet Birch and Andrew Akimbo, 5th years. Takashi MacDougal and Miles Scalby, sixth years. Callidora Bhagat, Sturgis Bode, and Padma Patil, seventh years," He read off.

"Present," Padma said, taking out her Daily Prophet.

" Slytherins, Astrix MacDuff and Irving Craggy, 5th years. Miraphora Biggs and Hamish Caplan, sixth year. Selina Padgett and Dan Pritchard, seventh years," Harry read as he looked at Hermione.

"McGonagall said that the prefects are all safe," Hermione told him, going through her parchment.

"Gryffindor. Harper Shah and Mark Lofthouse, fifth year. Beatrice Smith and Alphard Lazen, sixth year. Tracy Darker and Duncan Flockton, seventh year," Harry read, "Hufflepuff Gillian Warmsley and Luke Frimley, fifth year. Sheila Qurelim and Albert Patridge, sixth year, and Elizabeth Gupta and Uchi Lazenby, seventh year," Harry looked at Hermione and Padma, "So are we the only 7th years that returned?"

"Draco Malfoy will possibly be back. When you testified on his behalf, it got him out of Azkaban, but he is still marked. His scores last year in Transfiguration weren't good, so that is the only class he has to take for exams," Hermione stated, "McGonagall said he is essentially on house arrest in the castle. The Ministry put a trace on his new wand. Lucius is in Azkaban, and Narcissa is on house arrest in one of their smaller properties. The Ministry seized the Manor."

Harry looked up from the prefect list, "How do you know that?"

"McGonagall and I had tea a couple of weeks ago," Hermione said, waving him off, "It was the day you were with Ginny for her birthday."

Harry frowned as he sat down, "I wish you would have told me. I feel like I'm going to be no help to you."

"Hermione will try to do it all on her own anyways, let's be honest," Padma told him as she handed him the Daily Prophet, "More information on the Malfoys is in here."

"Thanks," Harry said, handing Hermione the Prefect list.

After 15 minutes, the car was finally full of people talking to each other about their summers and the year ahead.

"Welcome, everyone!" Hermione said at 4 p.m. on the dot.

Many people ignored her and kept talking.

"Excuse me?" Hermione said, "Can I have everyone's attention?"

Harry put his Prophet down, "Everyone shut it!" He yelled.

Silence came over the compartment as everyone who had not noticed Harry was there saw him.

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione said as Harry stood beside her, "Welcome, everyone! Congratulations on being chosen as prefects this year, especially to our newest faces."

Dan Pritchard, a 7th-year Slytherin, frowned, "Talking about newest faces, Potter defeats You-know-who, and suddenly he is Head Boy?"

"If you have a problem with it, talk to Professor McGonagall," Harry told him.

"He was never Prefect. Can she do that?" Sturgis Bode, 7th-year Ravenclaw, asked.

"Actually, yes. Harry's father was Head Boy and wasn't a Prefect," Hermione told them.

"Nepotism," 6th-year Shiela Qurelim mumbled.

"Now, after last year, this year will be difficult. It is up to us as Prefects to show more decorum and set an example. There was some trauma, especially for those who were pulled out of school or on the run last year. We need to be respectful to them as well as if there were anyone that was on Voldemort's side of beliefs," Hermione stated as she looked at Harry, "Do you have anything to say?"

"Oh yeah," Harry said, pulling the piece of parchment out of his robes, "Hello, everyone, my name is Harry Potter if you don't know it," Harry read. Everyone snorted or rolled their eyes, "I am here to assist our Head Girl as we get through the first year after the turmoil of the previous year. This will not be an easy year, but we are looking to you to help us bring the wizarding world back together and help mend the wounds not easy to see. If you need me or Hermione, you can come to us anytime. Does anyone have any questions?"

"How'd you do it?"

Everyone stopped and looked at Takashi MacDougal, 6th-year Ravenclaw.

"Does it matter? He's dead," Padma stated.

"No, she is right. Everyone is wondering, none of us were there because we were underage," 5th year Luke Frimley told him, "What spell did you use?"

"A lot of luck and Expelliarmus," Harry told him.

"What?!" Dan Pritchard shouted as the carriage erupted in chatter.

"Everyone, silence! Look, yes, my final spell pushed his Killing Curse back onto him, but easily, I could not have been standing here. We lost a lot of great witches, wizards, and creatures that day. It was their victory as much as it was my own. The press has always held me up higher than I should be. He is gone. It's time to move on. Hermione," Harry said, looking at her.

Hermione handed out parchment to everyone, "These are your duties as prefects this year, along with a list of what points can be taken for. You are each expected to do rounds twice a week. If any clubs or Quidditch would possibly interfere, please leave a note at the Head's office so we can consider it when taking the schedule. Professors will do the rounds with the ghosts for the first week while everything gets settled, but we will be expected to do rounds every day after that period. Typically, the 7th years get the late-night rounds, and the earlier rounds are for the 5th and 6th years. If you have to switch with another prefect, please note it and put it in our mailbox at the Head's office door. To discourage points being taken away for no reason, this year we are instituting a form you must fill out when you take points. I highly suggest taking parchment with you to note points during patrols."

Harry handed out the next stack to each house's 7th-year Prefects, "This is a list of the passwords to each common room currently. Also, please post these in each common room tonight. It's a list of the restricted items and forbidden areas. It's larger than previous years, only because many areas have not properly been repaired after the Battle."

"Check the Head's office door next week on Sunday night. The round schedule will be posted then. Tonight, just help the first years find their way to the common rooms," Hermione said, "Unless there are any questions about prefect duties, you guys are free to go."

Harry sighed as everyone, including Padma, filtered out. Hermione sagged onto the seat, and Harry sat beside her, "You did good. I'm sorry I wasn't more help."

Hermione patted his leg, then covered her face, "You did well. Thank you. I swear I won't take all the responsibility onto myself."

Harry got up and started collecting her parchment, "I'll see that when it happens."

Harry and Hermione walked over to the Head table after eating. McGonagall looked up from her conversation with Professor Flitwick, "Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, excuse me, Filius," She said as she got up, "Come with me. I want to show you to the Head's office."

Harry and Hermione followed her up five flights to the fifth floor. At a portrait of the founders of Hogwarts with a tiny mailbox underneath, McGonagall paused, "This is the Head's office and Prefect office, Potter. Granger already knows it. Password is unity."

The door opened, and they walked inside.

"You each have a desk in here for Head student work and your studies," McGonagall said as she looked at Harry over her glasses, "You may have visitors, of course. You have your common room through here. Do not abuse it. What password would you like for your private areas?"

Hermione looked at Harry, and then he looked at McGonagall, "Friendship," Harry told her.

McGonagall nodded and then pointed at the door. A portrait appeared of two people, "I'm surprised. Hello, Godric and Rowena."

"Hello Professor, newest Head Boy and Girl?" Rowena Ravenclaw asked.

"Yes, and they are both in Gryffindor. That is why I'm surprised to see you," McGonagall stated.

Rowena looked at Hermione, "She is a Ravenclaw at heart."

"I feel they are part of each house, which means they are perfect Heads," Godric Gryffindor stated, "I am proud to council you both throughout this year."

"Godric, Rowena, this is Hermione Granger and Harry Potter," McGonagall introduced.

"The defeater of Voldemort?" Ravenclaw asked, looking at him, "You were the one that destroyed my Diadem."

"He tarnished it first," Harry told her.

"Thank you," Rowena said.

"We will get you up to your rooms. You have had a long travel," Godric said as the door opened.

"Now, Potter, Granger, there are no rules against the opposite sex in each other's rooms in these dorms. Do not abuse that. You may set passwords to your doors if you wish. Please remember, you are the Heads of the school. You must have decorum," McGonagall said as she shivered, "I hate that word now, thanks to Umbridge. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Hermione said as McGonagall left, and they walked up the stairs.

At the top was a small common room with a desk, armchairs, and two couches. It had a similar feel to the Gryffindor common room but was much smaller. Off to the left and right sides were two doors. One had an engraved plate with Hermione Granger, and the other had Harry Potter.

"It's official, there is no mistake," Harry said as he ran his finger over his name and looked at her, "Think my parents slept in these rooms?"

"More than likely," Hermione said as she opened her door and saw it was set up similar to her dorm in Gryffindor, then walked over to see Harry's room, "Mine looks like the Gryffindor dorm, just with one bed."

"Same, the bed is bigger, too," Harry said as he sat on it, "Did you see where the bathroom is?"

"There is a door over there," Hermione said, walking over to it to see a small bathroom, "At least we don't have to share."

Harry laid back on the bed, "No Ron snoring, and no waiting for the shower? I think I'll love this year."

"I'll leave you alone to get settled. I'm across the common room if you need me," Hermione told him.

"I think I'll crash sooner than later tonight," Harry said as he yawned, "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said as she walked across their common room, and with a glance back at his still-open door, she opened her own.

*~*~*September 2, 1998 *~*~*

Hermione was sitting at breakfast at 7 a.m. when the food first appeared on the tables in the Great Hall. 30 minutes later, Harry joined her, "I was waiting for you, then I knocked on your door, and you weren't there. Couldn't sleep last night?"

"Nightmares, and no, I wouldn't wake you up. I can't do that every time I have a nightmare, Harry," Hermione said as she read her Daily Prophet.

"Anything new?" Harry asked, putting bacon on his plate.

"Kingsley is doing sweeps of the Ministry," Hermione told him, reading an article on how two individuals were sent to Azkaban for trying to curse Kingsley, "He isn't making any fans so far, but is trying to weed out those that were loyal to Voldemort."

Ginny appeared in the Great Hall a little after 8 and sat down next to Harry, "Morning," She said as she leaned over and kissed him.

"Morning," Harry said, grabbing a cup of coffee for her.

"Thank you," Ginny said as she put sugar into it, "Are schedules out yet?"

"Should be coming around soon," Hermione said as she folded the Prophet, "What rubbish."

"What's being said now?" Harry asked.

"A letter to the editor asking if those who used unforgivables in Battle should have consequences too. They weren't illegal then. The Ministry only made them illegal again a month ago," Hermione huffed as she sipped pumpkin juice.

"They don't know what we went through," Harry told her, glancing at the spot, not even five meters away, where he had defeated Voldemort in this hall.

Flitwick appeared, "Granger, Potter, these are the time schedules. If you could hand them out to the Prefects, please."

"Will do, sir," Harry said as he stood up and took them. Looking at the piles, he handed Hermione the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff stacks, "I'll go give the Slytherin and Ravenclaw stacks to them."

"He seems to be in good spirits," Ginny said, looking at Hermione after Harry had walked away.

Hermione stood up, "Before we left my house, I talked him into a therapist. It was a Squib that I found, seems to have helped him."

"Good," Ginny said as Hermione left to give Hufflepuff their schedules.

When Harry returned, Hermione had finished passing out the Gryffindor schedules and sat in her spot.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing this morning," Ginny said, reading her schedule.

"What courses are you taking?" Harry asked.

"All the same as you are, but Herbology. Life Studies could be interesting," Ginny told him as she buttered a piece of bread and glanced over to Ravenclaw's table, "Last year, Luna and I had all the same classes, but she also is still in Care of Magical Creatures."

Harry glanced at Hermione's schedule, "You are still in Runes and Arithmancy?"

Hermione nodded with her mouth full.

Harry reviewed his schedule: "At least with a free period to end the day, we can easily have practices if it works out for the rest of the team. In fact, after lunch, I have nothing for the rest of the day. I think I'm going to like 7th year."

"Until revisions," Hermione told him, "Don't think it will be easy this year. It will interesting to see how the new DA teacher is."

"Whoever it is has to be better than the last four," Ginny commented, "Haven't heard much about him. Just that he came from America, he was part of MACUSA."

The 7th-year class sat in their seats in the Defense Against Dark arts room, the same one Remus had used in their third year, chatting while they waited for the newest professor. Hermione looked over at Harry, sitting next to her, and suddenly, the office door opened, and a tall, ruggedly handsome man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes stepped out, shutting the door behind him.

"He's handsome," Ginny whispered across Harry to Hermione, causing Harry to frown.

He wore a shirt with the emblem of MACUSA on it as he stopped at the desk in the front and looked out at them.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Professor Kerry Romero, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I moved here last year from MACUSA to help the Aurors with their cases as they fought Voldemort and his army. I hope to bring you some knowledge and experience you won't need in the future, hopefully.

Jimmy Peakes raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr?" Professor Romero asked.

"Peakes, sir. Jimmy Peakes, Gryffindor. MACUSA? What is that?" Jimmy asked.

"The Magical Congress of the United States of America. I was an American Auror," Professor Romero explained, "This year, we will focus on the theory and the practicality of Defense Against the Dark Arts. As we learned last year, so many were not prepared. For the first two months of the term, we will work with Professor Hagrid and the Centaurs in the Forbidden Forest to learn about creatures in our world. Dark and otherwise that you may occur and how to deal with them. Before the holiday, we will move on to Advance Dueling. I want you to all open your books to chapter 15 and tell me what you know about werewolves."

Harry snorted, and Hermione felt her hand subconsciously go up.

*~*~*September 5, 1998 *~*~*

Walking into their common room, Hermione ran into Harry's back as he stopped, "What is it?" Hermione asked, peering around him, "Oh, hello, professor," Hermione said as she saw McGonagall.

"I'm sorry to stop by unannounced, but I wanted to see how the first week has gone for you two," McGonagall asked.

"Good. No issues so far," Hermione told her.

"Glad to hear it, biscuit?" She asked, holding out a tin.

"No, thank you," Harry said as Hermione shook her head.

"There is a reason why I am here. As Head Boy and Head Girl, we ask at the end of your tenure for you to pose for a portrait to be saved for the future where Head Boys and Girls of the future can come to your portrait. With repairs, we never put all the portraits back up, but there is one that I assume you would love to have displayed. Potter, your parent's portrait is here in this bag," She said as she held a bag.

"My parents?" Harry asked surprised.

"The portrait moves, but they never put the spell on it to make it so they could communicate," McGonagall told him, handing it to him.

Harry gently took it as Hermione placed her hand on his back, "Thank you."

"Have a good night," McGonagall told them as she left.

After muttering the password, they walked up to their common room, and Harry sat on the couch, holding the bag to him.

"I can go to my room," Hermione suggested.

"No," Harry said, looking at her wide-eyed, "Please stay."

"Do you want me to hang it?" Hermione asked him.

"Please, I'm not sure if I can," Harry said honestly as he handed her the bag with shaking hands.

Hermione gently took it and opened the drawstring. Slowly, she pulled out the portrait and applied a sticking charm to the portrait, where it could easily be seen from the couches.

Stepping back, the two pictured within the frame started to animate as the portrait pulled on the magic in the room. The girl within the frame was beautiful, and while Harry looked a lot like his father, who stood next to her, there was no doubt that the shape and color of his eyes were hers, along with the shape of her chin. While they had always called her a redhead, her hair was a darker auburn, more than a deep red like the Weasleys.

James Potter looked out at him with disbelief within the frame, pointing to Harry.

"Your mother was beautiful, Harry," Hermione told him, "And you do look a lot like your father."

Within the frame, Lily Evan put her hand to her mouth as James Potter put his arms around her.

Harry sadly walked over to the portrait, "Hello, Mum, Dad."

Lily smiled at him, and James looked so proud.

"I wish they could speak, you know?" Harry stated.

Hermione took his arm in hers, "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm so sorry that you never got the chance to get to know them. That the only family you have now is in pictures."

Harry put his arm around her, "Friends are family, too. Thank you for being here with me, Hermione. Always being there."

*~*~*September 19, 1998 *~*~*

As Hermione became conscious on the day of her birthday, she heard a second person breathing in her room. A quick inhale told her exactly who it was. The scent unique to Harry overwhelmed her awakening senses: a slight smell of wood and polish from his broom, something sweet like his favorite food, treacle tart, and the subtle musk of his shampoo.

Hermione opened her eyes slowly to notice Harry sitting next to her bed in the darkened room and that he had drifted off in the chair he had moved into her room. Smiling, she squeezed his hand, and he blinked slowly and sighed as he stretched. Popping sounds were heard as his muscles and bones creaked from sleeping in the chair.

"Happy Birthday," Harry mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked as he reached for his glasses on her bedside table.

"I came here at midnight to tell you Happy Birthday, and you were having a nightmare. So I brought the chair in and held your hand to calm you down. I didn't have the heart to wake you to tell you happy birthday after you calmed down. I must have fallen asleep," Harry explained as he looked at his watch, "It's too early for breakfast in the great hall. Winky!"

"Harry, no!" Hermione sat as she sat up as the elf appeared.

"Harry Potter, sir, yous needing, Winky?" Winky asked.

"Could you bring up pancakes with strawberries, please?" Harry asked.

"Yes, sir," Winky said as she disappeared.

"You know I hate that, Harry," Hermione told him as she stood up, looking down at her flannel PJs.

Harry shrugged as he watched her find an outfit in her small closet, "They enjoy helping out. They need it to keep them happy. Remember how miserable she was?"

Hermione selected a blue jumper and a pair of jeans, "At least it seems like she is off the Butterbeer," Hermione said as she motioned for him to turn around.

Harry turned the chair towards the wall, "Last week, I went down there after rounds, and she had a bottle. She seems better than she was, though. So, have you heard from Ron?"

Hermione scoffed as she fastened her bra, "Ron was never the best letter writer unless one of us sent one first or Molly told him to. I sent him one last week," Hermione sighed as she put her jumper on, "I'm just afraid that being apart isn't going to help our developing relationship, and it will hurt it instead."

"A relationship is a two-way street. Ron could easily see you every weekend in Hogsmeade if he wanted to," Harry told her.

"Thank you!" Hermione said as she put a pair of jeans on and zipped them up, "I'm decent."

Harry turned back around, "So, what are your plans for today?"

Hermione approached her vanity and combed her hair, "Don't you have Quidditch tryouts today?"

"Ginny has it scheduled at 10. Hopefully, it only lasts a few hours. Could we do something after? We are meeting Ron at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow, but we could do something today. Wait," Harry said with a smile, "I have just the idea. Dress warmly, and we are going to Hogmeade after tryouts."

"Is Ginny and Luna coming too?" Hermione asked him.

Harry shrugged, "Sure if they want. I'll ask them."

Winky appeared, causing them both to jump, "Winky is sorry for scaring Dobby's missus and master Harry Potter, sir," Winky said as she walked into their common room and set down two plates, "Harry Potter, sir, I's put sausage on yous plate sir."

"Thank you, Winky," Harry said as she disappeared, reappeared with pumpkin juice, and disappeared again.

Harry went to the common room and poured two glasses of pumpkin juice. Hermione smiled as she followed him. He pulled her chair out for her, and she sat down, "Thank you," She said as she sat down.

"Be right back," Harry told her as he left his room.

Hermione poured syrup on her pancakes and ate as Harry returned.

Handing Hermione a wrapped package, wrapped in parchment, Harry sat down across from her, "Happy Birthday, sorry the wrapping isn't better. I probably could have asked an elf, but I would rather do it myself."

Hermione unwrapped the parchment carefully, "It's the perfect type of wrapping. It's a double present. I can always use parchment," Hermione told him as she saw the seven journals and a new automatically refilling quill, "Oh, Harry, this quill must have cost you a fortune."

"I didn't get you anything last year when we were on the run, so think of it as two years in a row," Harry told her, "Along with Christmas."

Hermione flipped through the journals and looked up at him.

"While we were in Australia, you mentioned to your Mum wanting to write down all about our school years, so I got these journals for you," Harry told her, "I think it's a good idea. Maybe they will use them to write our autobiographies or the true story of the Golden Trio."

Hermione looked at him over her pumpkin juice, "Golden Trio?"

Shaking his head, Harry shrugged, "Ginny and Luna were talking about it, guess the Daily Prophet is calling me, you, and Ron it now. Another reason for you to write everything down, other than us, is that so many people don't know that Ginny, Luna, and Neville were such an important part of defeating him, too. I mean, Neville brought down Nagini. We couldn't even do that. Of course, we probably shouldn't acknowledge the horcruxes."

"No, that is true. That knowledge needs to die with us," Hermione agreed as he sat down to eat breakfast. "Oh, don't forget, we have rounds tonight," Hermione told him, "Whatever we do, we need to make sure we are back in time to do rounds. We have to do the 10 p.m. rounds tonight."

"Oh, we will be back before then, definitely," Harry told her as he looked at his watch, "I need to go hop in the shower before tryouts." Hermione grabbed his arm as he jumped up.

"At least finish your breakfast," Hermione told him as he sat back down.

"Have to do everything the birthday girl says," Harry said with a grin as he bit a piece of sausage.

Wandering down to the Quidditch pitch two hours into tryouts, Hermione climbed into the stands and sat down next to Luna and Neville, "Neville! Nice to see you!"

Neville stood up and hugged Hermione, "Good to see you too."

"Hello, Luna. How long have you been here?" Hermione said as she sat down next to Luna.

"Came down with Ginny, then Neville surprised me," Luna told her, "Happy Birthday. I made you a present. I'll bring it tonight. Harry invited us to celebrate your birthday tonight."

"Are you okay with me coming along?" Neville asked.

"Neville, I would love to have you there," Hermione said with a smile.

"Great," Neville said as he looked up to see Ginny and Harry throwing the Quaffle back and forth. Ginny threw it toward the hoops, and the Keeper trying out missed it.

"Did they even do Quidditch last year?" Hermione asked.

"No, it was too much fun for us, and we couldn't have fun," Neville told her, "You guys had to have more fun."

Hermione chuckled, "If you call starving to death, nearly dying, and being scared for our lives, having fun? Yes, we had lots of it," Hermione sighed as she watched Harry hovering in the air right next to Ginny as they talked, and she laughed at something he said.

"The Wrackspurts are bad around you today, Hermione. I'm surprised that they are with it being your birthday," Luna told her.

Neville rested his elbows on his knees and looked at Hermione, "You, Harry, and Ron haven't spoken about it much. What did you guys do last year?"

"We were hunting the pieces of his soul, but we had nothing to go from about what they were. It was Harry and I researching and Ron complaining, honestly. We started around Harry's birthday after leaving the Burrow from the wedding and went to Sirius' childhood home. Spent time there lying low since only a few knew about it. We were there only about a month. The Black Library had some good information, and we helped clean the house. Harry inherited it, you see, but he doesn't want to live there. We made it at least livable that month. Ron mostly as Harry and I searched books. Right around the time you guys headed back here, we broke into the Ministry to steal something from Umbridge," Hermione told them.

"Umbridge? What, why did she have one of them?" Neville asked, surprised, "She wasn't a Death Eater, was she?"

Hermione scoffed, "Might as well, should have been. No, she confiscated a historical artifact after it was stolen from Sirius' home. We got it, but it all went to hell in a hand basket afterward. One of the officials spotted us, and when I apparated us back, he followed, so I had to apparate us somewhere else. The first place I thought of was a forest where my Mum and Dad took me camping. Ron got splinched, so we couldn't risk leaving. So we started setting up camp, walking on foot every few days, and staying off the radar. We stupidly wore the necklace, switching it off occasionally because it mentally messed with us. Ron the most," Hermione sighed, "We heard some Snatchers talking about the Sword of Gryffindor being a fake, and it was around November when Ron and Harry had a big row, then Ron left."

"Ron left? Left you and Harry?" Luna asked, surprised.

"Yeah, Harry and I were on our own until after Christmas. A few days after Boxing Day, I believe," Hermione shook her head, "We were cold and freezing. It wasn't fun."

Luna looked at her, "Did you sleep with him?"

"Luna!" "Merlin's beard!" Hermione and Neville said, surprised.

"No, not in that kind of sense," Hermione said, eyes wide.

"Oh, but in the same bed?" Luna said with a grin.

"A few nights, it was either that or freeze to death," Hermione told her as Harry swooped down after letting the snitch go, and he immediately caught it, "As I said, it wasn't glamourous at all."

"Harry, quit showing off!" Ginny yelled, and Hermione chuckled as she opened her book.

Hermione walked down the stairs to the entranceway of the castle and looked around to see no one was there yet. With a sigh, she folded her long blue dress under her and sat down on the stairs. After a few minutes, Luna walked down the stairs wearing a bright pink glittering dress, "Does this look good for a muggle place?"

Hermione frowned, "We are going to the Three Broomsticks," Hermione told her as Luna sat beside her.

"The Wrackspurts told me to wear this that it would be best for a possibility to be around Muggles," Luna said as she gave her an airy grin, "Plus, Neville loves me in pink… or in nothing."

Hermione groaned, "Luna," She said, embarrassed.

"I promise to keep my clothing on," Luna said as Hermione looked up to see Harry and Ginny dressed in nice clothes walking down the stairs holding hands, "If Ginny had her way, on the other hand, those two wouldn't."

"Eww, I don't want to think about that, Luna," Hermione said as they stood up.

"Hey, birthday girl," Ginny said as she hugged Hermione, "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was in Quidditch mode."

"More like a drill sergeant," Harry teased, kissing the side of Ginny's head, "Ready to head into Hogsmeade?"

Harry helped each girl into their coat, "I guess I'm the lucky man tonight. I get to escort you three lovely ladies."

"Neville is joining us, too," Luna reminded him.

"Well then, I'll be the luckiest man walking to Hogsmeade," Harry said as he held out his arm for Ginny, then offered his other to Hermione.

Luna took Ginny's other arm, and they all started down the path to Hogsmeade.

"So I better tell you the truth, Hermione. We aren't only going to Hogsmeade," Harry told her as they walked up the path to the sidewalk that led into Hogsmeade, causing Hermione to frown, "We are going to Surrey to this place I always saw when Aunt Petunia was forced to take me shopping with them, but we never went into it. I think you are going to enjoy it."

Hermione was about to reply when someone grabbed her from behind and spun her around, causing her to scream and fight back against the arms around her.

"It's just me, it's just me," Ron said as he put her down and hugged her, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't think that through."

Hermione held onto his jumper, sobbing as Ron kissed the top of her head, "I'm so sorry."

Harry swallowed hard as he watched Hermione follow apart, "Mate, it wasn't a great idea."

"I see that now," Ron said, rubbing Hermione's back.

Hermione looked up at him with tears coming down her face, "I'm sorry, I don't know why I reacted like that."

Ron wiped her tears from her face with both thumbs, "Because we just survived a war, and we had people constantly trying to kill us. We are bound to be a little jumpy." Hermione closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest as she tried to calm her racing heart. Raising her head, she saw Ron dressed smartly in a jumper and nice pants. Neville was standing with Luna in a pullover and nice pants, holding her hand. Harry had his arm around Ginny now as she had put her arm around him. Ron held out his hand, and Hermione took it, feeling her heart skip a beat as his warm palm was within hers.

"Let's head to the apparition zone," Harry said as he led them toward the area at the end of the shopping section of the town.

Ron leaned down and brushed her ear with his lips, sending chills down her spine, "Are you sure you are okay?"

Hermione swallowed hard and looked up at him as they followed behind their friends, "Yes, I'm okay," Hermione said as she tripped, and he caught her by putting his arm around her waist.

Hermione smiled as she leaned into him, and he moved his arm up her shoulders.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione breathed out as she took in the bookshop Harry had walked her into.

"Oh, it's more books," Ginny said as their friends walked into the store behind them.

"Not only books, this is a rare bookstore and also has an art gallery downstairs from what I understand," Harry told her as he led her towards the shelves.

Hermione looked at the sign on the shelf, "These are first editions!" Hermione said wide-eyed as she grabbed his arm, "These are first-edition Dickens!"

"Chickens?" Luna asked, confused.

"No, Charles Dickens," Harry told her as Hermione went to the next display case, then looked back at their pureblood friends, "I'm sorry, this place probably won't interest you all."

Ron patted Harry on his shoulder, then pointed at Hermione, who was on her tip toes trying to reach a book, "Look at her, Harry, our boredom will be worth it for her. She is already so happy. Good find. After this, we can find somewhere to eat here in London."

"Harry, it's an original Winnie the Pooh!" Hermione said excitedly.

"See, I have no clue who this poo is that is named Winnie, but she is excited. She is happier than she has been in years. You did a good thing," Ron told him as he walked over to Hermione, "So someone wrote a story about laying a brick?"

Hermione looked at him with a gasp, "Winnie the Pooh is a bear, Ronald!"

Ron nodded at Harry, "Why name him after something you'd find in a loo?" Ron asked, confused.

"Neville, look at this! It's a book about animal psychology. Psychology is the study of how people think. I wonder if this will be about how animals think," Luna stated as she took it off the shelf.

Ginny approached Harry and put her arm through his, "Good choice."

Harry shrugged, "I had no clue what this place really was," Harry told her as he stared at Hermione, who was talking Ron's ear off about something within the book she was holding, "But she is happy, so it was worth it."

Ginny looked at him, "Come with me for a second."

Harry frowned as she led him out of the store to the sidewalk, "What's wrong?"

Ginny swallowed hard, "Look, I know last year was rough, and a lot went on that I will never even know about, but I need to know one thing. I need you to be completely honest with me about it."

"What? I've told you just about everything that went on while we were away," Harry told her, confused.

"I'm going to ask this, and I don't want you getting upset because I'm okay if the answer is yes. Ron will be too eventually," Ginny told him as Harry looked at her confused, "Did something happen between you and Hermione on the hunt?"

Harry stepped back from her, "God, Ginny! We've been over this how many times now? NO! Nothing happened. Ron wasn't gone that long, and Hermione was moping around that he was gone the whole time. Yes, we slept in the same bed to keep each other warm on the cold nights, but that was all that happened."

"So you never have seen her naked? Never kissed?" Ginny asked.

Harry stumbled back and fell onto the pavement after tripping on a paver, "What the hell?"

"It's an innocent question," Ginny asked, holding her hand out and helping him back up.

"No, we've never kissed, my God Ginny. It's Hermione!" Harry told her, "We lived in a tent together for nearly a year. In passing, we each saw more of each other than any of us wanted, but never on purpose. Hell, I saw more of Ron, too, than I ever wanted. Nothing is or will be happening between me and Hermione," Harry told Ginny as he took her hands, "In fact, they told me more often than not to put the damn map away where I was watching you almost every damn night to see if you were okay. Nothing is or will be happening between me and Hermione, okay?"

Ginny nodded, "Sorry, momentary jealousness over nothing. You guys were just out there, and I was stuck at Hogwarts. I guess I just felt a little left out."

Harry hugged her, "When we left, I tried to find you. Remus pushed me towards Ron and Hermione and told me to go. I wanted you to come with us to keep you safe."

Ginny looked up at him and put her hand on his face, "The safest place in the world for me is right here in your arms."

Harry smiled and leaned down to kiss her.

"Sorry!" As he walked out of the store with Luna, Neville said, "Sorry to interrupt."

Ginny put her arm around Harry, lying her head on his shoulder, "You are fine. Do you think we must pull her out of there kicking and screaming?"

"I resent that," Hermione said as she and Ron walked out carrying a bag, "I only purchased one, thank you very much. A Winter's Tale for my Mother for Christmas. It is the Shakespeare play where my name came from."

"I don't know about you all, but I'm starving. Where are we eating?" Ron asked, taking Hermione's hand.

"I made reservations a few blocks away," Harry said as he and Ginny led the group in the right direction.

After saying the prefect's office password, Harry led Ginny, Hermione, and Ron into the office. Whispering the password to the Head's common room, which he and Hermione agreed they would keep to themselves for privacy. Harry led them up the stairs to the common room.

"Merlin's saggy right ball sack, no wonder Percy loved this place," Ron told them as he took everything in, "Why is your picture on the wall? With a weird version of Ginny?"

Hermione looked at the picture of Harry's parents and gasped as she realized Lily had darker hair than Ginny and was more fair in complexion, but there were similarities.

"Ron, that is my parents," Harry told him as he took Ginny's hand, "This is the portrait they posed for when they were Head Boy and Girl. It doesn't talk, but they move, and in some way, I hope they understand who I am. So, Ginny, this is my parents, Lily and James. Mum, Dad, this is my girlfriend Ginny."

Within the portrait, Harry's parents smiled, and James pulled on a piece of Lily's hair and pointed at them.

"Mate, I think they understand a bit more than you realize," Ron said as he sat down on the couch and saw the stack of books, "Well, I know where you sit," Ron pulled Hermione down, and she fell onto his lap.

"Ron!" Hermione giggled.

"You are so pissed," Ron said as he buried his face in her neck, causing her to giggle again.

"I can't be tipsy. I have rounds in… 30 minutes," Hermione said as she gasped, "Harry! We have rounds in 30 minutes!"

"Ginny and Ron can stay here, and we can do a quick round with the help of the Marauder's Map," Harry explained.

James appeared to be celebrating in the portrait as Lily rolled her eyes.

"See, even my Dad agrees. We might not be using it for mischief, but we have it. We can use it," Harry told Hermione.

Hermione huffed, "That means skirting our responsibilities."

"Only this time because we both had a little bit of wine," Harry said as Hermione stood up, and Ron had to reach up and steady her, "You are drunk."

"No, I only had two glasses. Just slightly tipsy," Hermione informed him.

"Ha! You admit it," Harry grinned, "You are tipsy!"

Hermione folded her arms, "I don't like you right now."

Ron laughed, "Living together has made you two closer to siblings than ever."

Hermione huffed, "I'm not a fan of yours either. Come on, Ron, come with me."

Ron looked back at Harry and Ginny as Hermione pulled him into her room and shut the door behind them, "So this is your room."

"That is it," Hermione said as she opened her drawer, "Sorry, I just wanted to get a jumper. Patroling the dungeons can get cold."

Ron walked over to her and smiled as he pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, "Did you have a good night?"

Hermione smiled, "I did. Thank you."

Ron leaned down and met her lips with his own, and she felt her brain turn off. When her brain caught up with her body, she straddled Ron's lap on her bed as his hands moved under her shirt, "Wait, wait, Ron. Stop," Hermione said breathlessly as she sat up and put her hands on his chest, "This is too fast."

"Sorry," Ron said as he sat up.

"Look, I'm not ready to rush into this. I don't want to ruin this, ruin us as friends," Hermione told him as she sat beside him.

Ron smiled, taking her hand, "Hermione, I don't want to either. We can take this as slow as you want."

Hermione leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Thank you."

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Ron said with a smile.