Hey yall! Been an interesting two weeks if I say so myself. But i'm posting so thats something right?... Hope you are enjoying the story. We should be in Hogwarts in 3 to 5 more chapters. Other than this meeting, and some daphne, and the other two starting to talk I got nothing big going on so ill starts with some time skipping. Sorry it took so long. Again I work off of caffeine and attention and attention is free, caffeine is not. OR if someone can compile a list of primary sources of Demetrius the first that would be great! I'm presenting in a conference early march and still have yet to write anything for it. Enjoy and see you all around.
Their lunch was satisfying and other than a quick letter to the goblins asking about, without giving any details, what amount is needed to make sure Lord Greengrass will without a doubt say yes.
They then spent the next couple hours until about five in the library. Harry picked up his book about the Hirarchy and Hermione picked up a book called 'the Woman's wizengamot'. They then claimed a love seat. Harry sitting almost in the middle, where Hermione sat against an arm and draped her legs back over Harry. He only gave her a quick 'really' look before just accepting the close and interesting seating position.
It wasn't until Betsy popped in to ask about dinner that they actually talked to each other.
"Sadly Betsy ill be eating with my parents." Hermione did sound remorseful.
"Would they mind if I come?" Harry piped up as he neared the end of the book.
"I'm not sure but they were talking about having you over later in the week. So how about we wait till then? Ill make sure I can come over all day tomorrow to be there during the contract talks." Hermione said, pulling her legs off of Harry. Which made Harry remember.
"Why do you do that? Essentially cuddle up to me?" He asked, already missing the warmth of it.
She looked hurt for a moment but as she looked at Harry it seemed like she understood what he was actually asking. "It's always something I wanted to do. Sit, lay down, read or listen to music or just be near someone else without." She paused and shook her head. "Without doing anything close to sexual."
It got Harry nodding. "I understand that. I like it, don't worry about that." He assured her. "I was just curious as you did that last night aswell. OH!" Harry exclaimed, reminding himself of another topic. "Why didn't you wake me up when you left?"
"I don't remember the last time I saw you sleep so soundly. I just couldn't." Hermione admitted once understanding what he was getting at. "Honestly it was hard for me to leave the bed. I don't remember the last time I slept so well myself." Hermione also admitted. "Not being in the tent and on the run or in an active war also helps but. Not being alone helps the most." She finished off.
Harry nodded completly understanding the sentament. "Voldemort was impressive at being able to make each and everyone of us feel alone." Harry let out a long sigh. " And thinking about it now, I have no idea how to fight that." Harry said, getting a bit anxious just thinking about it.
"That's not something we need to worry about any time soon." Hermione said smiling. "And it's something we shouldn't have to worry about this time around too. For there shouldn't be a war if we do this right. Now, a kiss goodbye?" She said either trying to break the tension that they created or to tease him a bit more.
Harry couldn't help but to chuckle at her change of topics and how she did it but he accepted it. And he was a bit prepared for this, as he was looking to get back at her for her and Tonks teasing.
He moved close to her looking her in the eyes, in his head she was against a wall but this will do. His actions of moving closer did the opposite effect as she straightened up and looked him in his eyes too.
Damn in his head he was taller. He leaned in and kissed her forehead with a smile. "To clarify, that's a kiss 'till I see you later'. He said with a smirk. But Hermione only looked at him with an amused smile.
"Did you forget I was slightly taller?" She asked, looking like she was holding back a smirk but failing.
His plan failed like normal. "No, I did not forget." He lied. "Will you be back tonight?" He asked her, trying to change the topic.
"If I have anything to say about it, yes. Why? Do you like me in your bed?" She tried to tease him but they already had this discussion.
"Yes." He said straightforwardly.
"Good. Ill see you later." She said, taking a step around him. But leaned in and kissed his cheek quickly.
She was laughing as she apparated out of the room and back to her place. "Fuck why is it so easy for her to tease me?" Harry said outloud now that she was gone. He sighed out in annoyance but looked back at the love seat.
He should read some more, he's almost done but the book isn't really telling him anything great, just who should kiss who's ass. Though he did find out Malfoy is low on that list. But other than that kind of knowledge it was a hard book to read without someone around to keep him on track.
Not wanting to push himself in something he doesn't really have a knack for, he left the library to go try out that training room finally.
He was not disappointed in the invention of the room either. The countrols were as straightforward as they initially seemed. One just simply rotates the dial until the desired effect is at the top. Harry, not wanting to fight at Hogwarts once again, picked the ministry symbol, and since he didn't care about the weather with it being inside picked sunny. And with it being a difficulty of one through one hundred he picked twenty thinking any attack at twenty percent he should be able to handle.
He was wrong.
The door opened up to a fireplace. Indicating that he was coming into the ministry the right way. As soon as he crossed the doorway it blazed green simulating an incoming floo connection. He heard a shout but as soon as he crossed and went into the entrance hall with the rest of the fire places.
He was looking in the wrong direction as red, blue and yellow spells flew past him. The red impacted and blew a chunk out of a fireplace. The yellow hit the floor past him and it decayed almost. The blue spell didn't seem to do much, but it was the closest one to him.
He spun around wand in hand now to see four deatheaters. Three spreading out preparing to cast again and one running towards the main atrium.
"Expelliarmus." He called out and hit the far right one, but the other two had already casted yet he couldn't hear what they were saying. He dived for the side and was able to dodge the spells. But he was to slow to get back up and failed to cast again from the ground. He got hit by a yellow spell and it stung immensely but the area around him faded back to just an empty giant room again.
"How the fuck was that twenty percent?" He asked the empty room through gritted teeth. "And why does it hurt so much?"
He stayed on the ground for a few more minutes letting the pain dissipate. Before he got back off the ground and tried it again. But this time ended up very similar. As there were again four but this time it was two on either side. And before Harry could even recognize that got hit by two spells from behind, only focusing on where they were beforehand.
He was on his stomach again letting the pain dissipate again. "Shield, cast a shield first." He said tohimself.
Again after a few minutes he was back on his feet and outside ready to try it again.
His wand in hand ready to start, with a deep breath he opened the door again and before even stepping into the little fireplace he casted Protego and held it as he walked through. This time all four of his opponents were on the right side of him and his shield was able to block the only spell that would have hit him.
Before they could spread out Harry yelled. "Confringo!" It did the intended job and hit three of the four severely where they went flying. But the fourth one was protected mostly by one of the unluckyones.
But the masked man returned fire with a muffled voice. "Expulso" Harry barely had enough time to dive away from the entrance. Again he failed to do anything fantastic but he was already standing up but it didn't matter as the man didn't attack again instead set off an alarm spell which let out an ear piercing shreek.
"Fuck." Harry cursed as he winced from the effect but he was already casting the Aguamenti spell. Not seeing that the other was already casting though he couldn't hear the spell again. Though he lucked out as only an earth wall erected infront of them blocking Harry's spells.
Harry tried to move to either side but fell to his knees as he suddenly felt very exhausted and lightheaded. Though the person didn't step out he was casting blindly around the corner.
"Fine if you don't want to come out." Harry said as he casted Bombarda, in hopes to destroy the wall into the person behind it.
He woke up not in the room but in his bedroom with three pairs of big worried eyes looking down at him, as all three of the house elves were standing around him on his bed.
With a groan Harry pushed himself up, but regretted it as the room started to spin. "What happened?" He asked meekly.
"Magical exhaustion, or close to it." Willy said.
"So many big spells" Betsy exclaimed, in almost pride and awe.
"A boy your age normally has trouble with one to two dozen simple spells let alone two big advanced spells." Willy picked back up, handing him two vials.
Harry only sighed inwardly as he grabbed them and down the two vials one after the other biting back a retorte about the taste.
"How long was I out?" Harry asked, not feeling much better.
"A few hours. Mistress is not yet back." Meany informed him.
"And I made clam chowder for you to eats. I'll go get it so you can get better." Betsy said and with a pop was gone. Harry wanted to protest but didn't want to argue.
With a sigh Harry just embraced this. "Willy, can you get me a few books from the stacks we have made please." With a short bow a stack has appeared on the bed side table. "And Meany can you get me a lot more pillows? It was a struggle to push myself up, and I don't want to keep pushing myself to stay like this." Before he could finish his explanation pillows were popping in around and behind him giving him a few things to lean against. Harry was certain that more than one pillow was in fact a cusion from furniture. But it allowed him to stay sitting upward with no effort on his part.
Before he knew it he was propped up, with a pile of books beside him and a food tray infront of him with some chowder, rolls and a potion on it. Willy wouldn't leave until he finished both the potion, bowl and the rolls. He didn't mind that Willy did this. From his previous outburst he made sure to listen to the older elf when it came to his well being.
It wasn't until a few hours later that he was interrupted by Hermione opening the door. He was alertered that she came but did not try to hide his ailment of using too much magic.
"I swear I leave you alone for an hour and youre bedridden." Hermione scolded him lightly.
Harry couldn't help but to laugh putting his book down. It was another boring one on how to make a good deal. "Well that is where you went wrong. You left me alone." Harry said looking over Hermione who was wearing another pajama pants and shirt with a different book design.
"Are you saying I should just move in?" She asked smirking as she already moved toward Harry who put his book back on the pile
"Well you can't blame me for doing something stupid if youre always around. It is honestly a simple solution." Harry said in his best know it all voice. Which caused Hermione to laugh as she layed down beside Harry not cuddling but just right next to him.
They stayed in silence for a moment as they just layed in bed. "We're going to save Daphne tomorrow." Hermione said it in more of a statement and less of a question.
Harry stayed silent, not sure what to say. "Did you know in third year I was more for saving Black as that would have caused Malfoy to lose his second title than I was cause I believed everything about him being innocent." Hermione continued.
"Is that why you punched him?" Harry asked with a smile.
"He was being a prick to us, but specifically he was being a prick to Daphne so that's why I punched him. Merlin, I hope I can do that again." Hermione said wishfully.
This caused Harry to laugh but to twist so he can look over at her. "We can do more than just punch our enemies." Harry broached the subject.
Hermione stayed silent for a few moments until she twisted on the bed so they were looking at each other. "Ronald?" She asked for clarification.
"He's been on my mind, yes." Harry simply says.
"I want to kill him." She said it so coldly though Harry could tell she was just holding emotions back.
"After I kill that rat. We kill Ron and Petegrew would scater away." Harry let it hang in the air as Hermione didn't pick up the conversation thread. "How would you do it?" He asked her.
She snorted at his persistence. "That's what you want to talk about when you have a beautiful women in your bed?" She asked but a smile grew on her face, a kind one.
"A beautiful girl is in my bed. There is a difference." He shot back, which Hermione rolled her eyes to.
"Slowly, Painfully. I would like to ask questions but he wouldn't know the answers to them." Hermione eventually answered.
Harry couldn't help but to chuckle at that. Though he himself didn't know how to continue that line of thought either. They had people they wanted to kill but if they got caught their lives would be ruined before they can do anything. Harry let out a sigh. "Save the world, save some people, kill some people."
"Same shit different day, I think it's said." Hermione quoted.
Harry didn't say anything for a bit, just thought of… everything and nothing. Just that this war has been going on for far too long. "Come closer, I think i'm ready for some sleep."
Hermione instantly scooted closer to him, enough to place her head on his chest. Even though he is smaller now, so is she, though she coudln't help but to imagine what it would be like when they were older. She placed an arm around her his hand landing on the side of her stomach. "You could have done this as soon as you came in." Harry chidded her.
"I wanted you to ask for me to be close first." Hermione said quietly. "I'd like you to ask for it." She continued to speak into his chest.
"I will ask more often." Harry said to her. He was about to call for one of the elves to take care of the lights but as he opened his mouth, when they were turned off. "Thank you." He called into the house.
With the lights off and the anticipation going through both of them they were left laying there enjoying the comfort of the other being there, yet neither could sleep, and yet neither spoke or moved too much.
Harry did ended up getting woken up by Hermione, she was kneeling on the bed shaking Harry awake who felt extremely better than he did yesterday. Some of the lighting in the room was turned on so he could see Hermione decently well. "I can get used to seeing this." He said smiling looking up at Hermiones small face surrounded by messy, frizzy and unhandely brown curly hair.
He seen her smile widen and what he thought was a slight blush. "Please we both know what you want to be woken up by and it's not this."
Harry repressed a groan. One moment she's flirty and the next she's selfconscious. "It's you, period." He pressed. "How ever you want to wake me as long as it's you." He pressed and pushed himself the rest of the way up. His pillows still piled behind him, so it wasn't hard at all.
"I gotta go home before my parents wake." Hermione said, still smiling tiredly at Harry.
Who nodded and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Come back as soon as you can. Ted never said when so i'm assuming as soon as possible."
"Oh I know. Mom and Dad already said as soon as they leave I can join you to see how the legal system works first hand. But it's costing you dinner and talks sooner than later." She said changing her voice to make it deeper for the costing a dinner bit.
"Let them know i'd be willing to join more than just dinner. We can even just hang out over at your place if you want. Grab a few books and go study or relax there."
"We can figure that out when we find out more about Daphne. Cause if she is going to be here until Hogwarts that will be rude."
"Why do you think she might be here?" Harry asked, now fully awake due to the new worry.
"How else will she get to know you before going to school?" Hermione shot back.
"LETTERS." Harry responded with almost a duh tone.
Hermione just roled her eyes and got off the bed. "I'll see you soon Mr oblivious."
"But why would she want to come here rather than spend time with her family?" Harry asked at the retreating form of Hermione. Who didn't respond to his question just left via apparating away.
With a sigh, and now fully awake he decided to go shower and eat before the day. "Coffee for when I get out of the shower, and a hearty breakfast please, it's going to be a long day." He called out to whichever house elf is listening.
His shower was long but exactly what he needed after his magical incident yesterday. The coffee was ready right away when he went into his bedroom with a note from Winky saying breakfast will be in an hour.
He took the Coffee and went downstairs to the library to find a different book to read. This political stuff is making his head rot. With half his cup gone, he finally sat down at a table in the library with a book 'advanced potion tips for beginners' He was by no means a beginner but it did sound interesting.
He was wrong.
Best ways to clean a cauldron before brewing was, the first chapter. And it went over why hot salt scrub is the best way to clean it, and why the other ways can cause problems for later brewing. If it wasn't for the strong coffee and nothing better to do he would have switched books. But he wanted to be better in potions this time around.
It wasn't until Meany came in to get his attention that breakfast was done that he lost his forced concetration. He wasn't sad or upset at losing it as he probably wasn't going to pick up the book again.
Breakfast was an oldfashion english breakfast which he ate with gusto, He was a bit ashamed that he kind of ate like Ron when they first came to Hogwarts but since no one was around he didn't feel too bad about the relization. His body apparently needed as much food as the elves made him, with running out of magic and still tiny from his relatives' mistreatment. He'd rather get this done before showing up to Hogwarts.
Hermione eventually showed up wearing a dark blue sun dress. At Harry looking her over she responded. "I don't have anything more formal than this."
To which Harry smiled. "It looks good on you Hermione. Its probably a good thing that its a solid blue and doesn't have patterns though." He was about to drop the subject. "Would you like to go shopping for some robes?" He asked her not sure how she would take it.
She sighed as she sat beside him at the table where still sat from breakfast. "Honestly. Id like that but at the same time having others spend money on me is…"
Harry didn't let her finish. "It's your money too. You could go into greengots yourself and pull out as much money as you can carry from our vaults."
She huffed at this comment, but seemed that it won cause she didn't have a response. He stood up from the table and looked down at her. "Are you ready to save your friend?" He asked, nervous about this whole thing.
Hermione blew out a long breath. "I am, but i'm nervous. This contract thing is so…" She seemed to be at a lost for words again.
"Barbaric?" Harry asked quoting her.
"Yes but final. It seems like a thing we should do as the last possible solution." She explained.
Harry smiled at that. "We needed to do it quickly and solidly. No questions should be asked if this is the best thing for her, or if there were another way. You need her safe and safe is away from Malfoy. Honestly I want there to be a different way. But this solves the problem to well." Harry explained his thoughts to her.
"That's kind of what is eating at me. It's almost the perfect solution." Hermione shot back. "We barely know anything about contracts and politics. We were too busy fighting a war. Who's to say this might be opening a whole new can of problems?" She asked Harry who laughed at her question.
"It's a bit late for that and besides if problems arise from this then I say we beat voldemort in tearing down the ministry and prop up a better government." Harry half jokingly suggested. "It shouldn't take this much effort to protect one family."
"Let alone one girl." Hermione added in but also stood up.
"Betsy can you get me my robe please?" He asked, giving Hermione a small smile. "We will make it better for others." He said as the robe he picked out but didn't put on was now draped over the chair. "Thank you." Harry said absantly as he donned the robe.
"I'm not going to get used to that." Hermione breathed out still seeming to calm herself from the situation they will be in.
"Last thing before we leave. Should we act properly? Or be us?" He asked with a smirk on his face.
"If youre suggesting I be a docile submissive woman that won't speak until spoken then you got to break me first. And I don't think you have what it takes to do that." Hermione returned the smirk.
Harry sighed at that. "If I ever tell you to be docile, and not to speak. Attack me. But be us, this is going to be fun." Harry said a bit sarcastically, knowing problems will probably pop up from this then. Hemrione rolled her eyes.
Harry finished getting ready and only got stopped by Willy who handed him a pouch of a few vials. Closer inspectioned showed labels. Nutritions and pepper up potions. Showing Hermione quickly they both thanked the elf and left the mansion to the alley close to Tonk's law firm.
Surprising neither one of them this area of the Alley was pretty dead this early in the day. "Do you know anything about Daphne's father?" Harry asked as they made sure no one would notice them coming out of a back alley.
"Sadly no, though Daphne did hint that her mother controlled her dad as much as possible." Hermione said as they made their way to the firm. Though when they entered they were met by Ted behind the receptionist desk. He looked up to say something but then stopped.
"How did you two get here?" He asked the pair as the door closed.
Without thinking. "Magic." Harry said with a smile. Which got a scoff from Hermione.
"I mean without my daughter giving me the heads up." Ted pressed.
A bit less enthusiastic. "Magic?" Harry asked again.
"What Harry is trying to say is that It doesn't matter." Hermione spoke for her oblivious boy.
Ted just accepted that and casted a patronus to send a message to his daughter. "We have two choices in the meeting location. Gringots or the Leaky Cauldron. The cauldron would mean we have food, and drinks available if the meeting goes even longer than long. But the bank would allow for some privacy." Ted explained.
"As much as I would like some privacy, wouldn't the Cauldron be more comfortable for both parties?" At which Ted nodded at Harry's reasoning.
"The Cauldron it is." Ted said as he stood up and started to collect some of his materials. Hermione and Harry just stood by the door watching the man go through his processes. Harry thought to start up some small talk but Hermione doesn't really like that, and even just standing here he could see she is tensed up.
With a mental sigh he just stood there. Within five minutes they were walking out of the office, and within fifteen minutes they were outside of the Leaky Cauldron. Tonks was standing outside the entrance waiting for them. When she spotted them she stood up off the wall she was leaning against. She too was wearing formal black robes, yet with a yellow lining probably a tribute to her house.
"Wotcher, you two clean up nicely." Tonks complimented them as they got close enough. She followed it up with a heavy eyeing them up. "Though something could be done with your hair Harry.
This got a chuckle from both Harry and Hermione. "Honestly I've given up trying to control it." Harry admitted.
"It's worse than mine in the mornings too. Goes from a raven's nest to a rat's nest." Hermione added in.
"Way to make me feel selfconsious Hermione." This got Tonks to laugh a bit.
"So you two see eachother often right in the mornings?" She teased the pair.
"Of course they do, they are married." Ted spoke up.
It took a moment for Harry to realize that Ted was also teasing them. Which just caused Harry to gap a bit trying to think of something to say.
"And here I thought you were the professional one?" Hermione spoke up blushing, but eyeing Ted like he was an imposter.
"It's the nerves, or I would have just stayed silent." Ted said looking at the building like it was some kind of battlefield.
But then it hit both Harry and Hermione almost at the same time. This is a type of battle for him. They told him to get something done, and this is his fight to get it done. Trying to lighten the mood Harry spoke up.
"You know we are probably gonna throw the normal procedure for these types of things right out the window at some point? You said it yourself, we do things weirdly or something." Harry said informally, trying to sound like a kid.
Ted's shoulders slumped for a moment before nodding and straightening back up. "But this is also a family thing. You're doing this to help them. If we succed here the Tonks' will be cousins to the Greengrass."
Tonks seemed to be counting and thinking about something hard as her face was scrunched up as she added a few more fingers. "Or something close to cousins, how far are we supposed to look at those things?" She asked, apparently giving up on figuring it out.
This made Hermione to make a confused look aswell but it was Ted to break them out of the off topic talks. "Come on, we have a contract to figure out." He said and moved toward the door, as the rest followed.