One shots pt 11

by phoenixgirl26

Another lot of one shots. Warning: the stories are mixed with some strong language, slash, time travel with some bashing of favourite characters thrown in.

4. Chapter 4

Second chance:

Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were both in shock at what happened with Ron. Before they could talk over everything that had happened or the fact that Ron Weasley deserted them, they both fell unconscious on the floor of the tent.

Harry's pov:

Harry sat up suddenly and looked around. He was in his bed in Gryffindor tower. He wasn't sure what was going on but he knew something significant had happened. When he realised he was alone, he got up and began to look around the room. Apart from being in his old dorm room, he also noticed he was smaller, his body was that of a fourteen or fifteen year old. He saw all the trunks from the other boys who share the dorm, he also spotted his trunk. He ran to it and opened it. All his school things where there, including stuff he left at the Dursley's before going to the Burrow before Bill and Fleur's wedding. He checked the books and saw they were his fourth year books which meant he was fourteen. He grabbed his invisibility cloak and the marauders map out of the trunk and put them in his pocket. He was going to keep them on him so he could sneak around and find out what was going on.

'We were in the tent, Ron and I had a fight then Ron ran away, then I woke up here, back in fourth year. What in the name of merlin is going on?'

One thing Harry did know was, if this wasn't a dream and it was real, then he was going to make sure some things got changed. He would do all he could to make sure Sirius didn't die, that Cedric didn't die but he would also make sure Hedwig didn't die. First he had to make sure he was awake and this was real.

Hermione's pov:

Hermione sprung up and saw instantly she was on her bed in Gryffindor tower. She saw Crookshanks asleep on the end of her bed. She knew the cat went with her parents to Australia so she knew it was before that happened. She noticed straight away that her body was different, not fully developed like it had been. She spotted the trunks at the end of each bed. She jumped off the bed and saw her trunk. She went through it and noticed straight away that the only books she had were all fourth year books apart from her favourite book, Hogwarts, a history.

Hermione felt light headed so she held onto the post of her bed.

'What happened and how did I end up back at Hogwarts in my fourth year?' Hermione went over everything that she remembered. 'Harry and Ron had that fight, then Ron left, he left us,' Hermione felt like crying but she ended up getting angry, 'He deserted us, just like he did to Harry when his name came out of the goblet of fire,' Hermione gasped as she remembered, 'The tournament. If this is our fourth year, then the triwizard tournament was going on. I need to speak with Harry, find out if it's him as a fourteen year old or is he the seventeen year old Harry.'

Hermione raced out of her dorm and straight up to the fourth year dorm rooms. She saw Harry staring around the room, looking confused.

'Harry,' Hermione rushed to him and hugged him, 'We've come back,' she whispered.

'I worked that out and since I had fourth year books in my trunk so it's our fourth year. But how, why, what happened?'

'I don't know,' Hermione released Harry then sat on his bed, 'But it happened right after he ran way. We'll figure it out. First we have to find out what the date is and if the tournament has already begun.'

'It hasn't, or at least the first task hasn't taken place,' Harry gestured to the bedside cupboard, 'After I faced the dragon, I sat the egg and the miniature dragon there.'

'So you might still have to face it.'

'Yeah, but I know what to expect now. I can minimise my injuries. Also, I can use spells that I didn't know back then. Disillusionment charm, the spell to remove all body smells and a spell to make sure me and the broom are not heard. We didn't know those before Hermione. It should allow me to sneak around the dragon to get the egg. The trouble is, it stayed on it's nest until I kept flying just higher than it could reach. I'll need to figure out how to make it stand up.'

'You can transfigure something into a goat or sheep, making it run around. You know how to do that now.'

'Good idea and I can make it a few goats so it will get frustrated when they go off in different directions. But we need long term plans to stop him coming back. I don't know if we'll have time to find those...you know, the things.'

'Maybe not but we can make sure he doesn't return at the end of the tournament.'

'How?'

'We sabotage it by removing the bones, then we transfigure something into bone so he won't know. While you were talking, I realised that I could sneak to the graveyard before hand and add a poison or a few to the cauldron. It means you'll still end up there but he won't be able to do much if he hasn't got bone of the father and the potion was changed.'

'Alright, but you use my invisibility cloak so you stay hidden. I don't know how this is happening but we can't waste it. We aren't going to let all those people die, we have to change it.'

'Yes, we do and we'll do everything we can to make sure things go differently. I don't know how this happened but we're going to use this to fix things. This time is different from when we used the time turner, there isn't two Hermione's or two Harry's. It's us, just us and we know what is going to happen, at least we know enough that we just might be able to save a lot of lives. The first thing we have to do is we've got plans to make and we have to make sure no one gets suspicious.'

'We will, but like you, I'm not letting this opportunity go. We use it to save people and hopefully prevent him returning. Back to the graveyard. What about the rat? He could still kill me when he realises something's wrong.'

'I'll deal with him. He won't see me or expect anyone else to be there. We can capture him which means getting Sirius free.'

'Amelia Bones,' Harry almost shouted, 'She hates Fudge. She also doesn't like the fact that Dumbledore has three important jobs and thinks he's making mistakes because he's doing too much. Also, she hates the fact that Snape got off and is now teaching.'

'How do you know that?'

'Susan Bones told me. We got talking one night after the D A. She wanted to tell me in private that her aunt believed me and was working behind the scenes to try to stop him gaining control of the ministry. She made me promise not to tell anyone.'

'Then you kept your promise, until now. But right now, nothing is normal. What do we do about Ron?'

'This last time was the worst. He's caused both of us trouble Hermione. Right now, he's calling me every name he can think of. He also never stops causing fights with you. I think he deliberately does it, I just don't know why. But he left Hermione, walked away when it was up to us to save the world. He's not worth forgiving, not again. Also, some of the things he's been saying to others about me during this time, it's like things Malfoy or Snape would say.'

'I agree with you. I might like him but he proved he wasn't someone we can count on. We can't trust him to do the right thing. We both gave up a lot and all he had to do was go with less food, yet he complained all the time. Forget him, we need to write everything down and make plans.'

'We can sneak into the room of requirement. But what about Crouch and Moody?'

'We work that out as well. We should leave the tower so we can work out how long we have before the first task. Once we know that, we can use the room to work on plans, along with back up plans in case things go wrong. Either way, that potion should destroy him, it just won't kill him until we get those...things. If that works then it will give us more time to find those before he takes over and starts killing people. I'll have to sneak into the potions room, using your cloak and you keeping watch using the map.'

Harry and Hermione knew it was breakfast time so they walked together down through the castle. Harry completely ignored the looks and the talk.

'You got good at that,' Hermione smiled as she sat beside Harry at the Gryffindor table.

'I stopped caring what people think. I'm not doing all this to save them, I'm doing it for my parents but also, for people like you, Neville, Luna and a few others. You now know just how dark Snape, Malfoy and the others are. You also know that Dumbledore is making too many mistakes which got him cursed and killed. We have to do what we can without him finding out.'

'Then make sure you don't look in Snape's eyes or Dumbledore. I also have to make sure not to look in their eyes. I might see if there are any books on occlumency.'

'The room Hermione. It supplied us with the books we needed for the D A. If you walk past thinking of occlumency, it should supply those books.'

'You're right, it should. I forgot about that.'

'There's a lot that we won't remember until something reminds us. We also have to work on a story for when the ministry pick up magic from you while you're in...that place.'

'Oh, yes, I could get into trouble. Okay, we'll work on a story. We also don't want anyone to know any of this or it could cause Umbridge and Fudge to begin making trouble. It could also alert the death eaters that he's trying to come back. It means no one can know you disappeared from the maze.'

'But I arrived back outside the maze, where all of you saw me. What if we can deal with Crouch before he can charm the cup. Then I can work on using the tunnel to sneak out, then apparate straight to you. I'll be there before they figure it out.'

'No, we'll both go an hour before. We can both sabotage the bones and the potion. You said it was all set up, ready to go when you got there.'

'It was, so yes, we'll have time. I get back, but are you sure you can get the rat without getting hurt? If we deal with Crouch, I won't end up there, I won't even have to win.'

'I know but yes, I can deal with him because he won't know I'm there. Once his stunned, I can even do something with what's left of...him before apparating back to Hogsmeade.'

'Hogsmeade is good and you could actually contact Madam Bones using the floo in the Three Broomsticks. Maybe you could cage both of them and hide them while you're contacting Bones'

'We're getting some looks, let's talk about other things until we're in the room.'

Harry nodded then began eating. They still didn't know what day it was but they did work out it wasn't the day of the first task. It also wasn't a school day as everyone was in normal clothes, not their robes.

The moment they both finished, they got up and left the great hall and headed to the fifth floor. Harry stopped and opened the map.

'No one is around,' Harry said staring at the map.

'You keep glancing at it while we go.'

When they got to the seventh floor, Harry let Hermione work on the room while he kept staring at the map. He wanted to make sure no one came near them. They wanted to keep the room a secret. It would allow them privacy to work on plans.

Harry followed Hermione into the room. He saw a nice living type room but a bookshelf with a dozen or so books. There was also a table, chairs and sitting on the table was quills, ink and notebooks.

'There's books on occlumency along with many spell books. Hopefully, it's spells that will help us,' Hermione said.

'We can look through them later. First, we need to work on plans and back up plans in case anything goes wrong or we need to change them in a hurry. I also have to practice those spells in the hope the dragon won't see me.'

'It's a week away. I saw the date on Angelina's newspaper.'

'That gives me enough time. We'll be in here today, then again after dinner. We can come here again tomorrow then before classes on Monday.'

Harry and Hermione went to the table and began writing down what they had to do and what plans they could come up with. They had to erase a lot when they realised they wouldn't work.

'Okay, I have an idea about if we get caught using magic out of Hogwarts,' Harry said.

'Then explain.'

'We need to figure out which room but we say you've been helping me with spells that might help with the tasks. We say we just entered the room we've been using when we both felt the pull of a portkey. We landed in this deserted town. We can't say graveyard or Dumbledore might get suspicious or begin to watch us. So we say a deserted town or the country or something. We'll work that out later. Once we do what we need, we began to cast a lot of spells, things like to tell the time, the point me spell, heaps of things we might use to figure out where we are and if anyone is around. If they decide to check our wands, they will see those spells and not things like levitation or stunning. Also, at the graveyard, we have to do the bones and poison straight away in case anyone turns up because we used magic. We can't afford for things to go wrong which could stop us ruining that potion.'

'That is a good idea Harry. I thought of someone slipping me a portkey but that wouldn't work for both of us. As for casting spells with our wands, I know death eaters call it cleaning their wands. It's so an auror doesn't see things like unforgivables. To go with that, I can add some spells to the floor of the room we decide to use so if Dumbledore examines the room, he will find spell residue on the floor, where we happened to stand on before we disappeared.'

Harry grinned, 'Great, so let's write that down and we have to figure out where we end up, somewhere remote and isolated.'

Harry and Hermione spoke about different areas that were remote that they could say they were. They didn't need to figure out exactly where, just that they didn't see any buildings or people. They wouldn't actually be in an isolated area, they would be in the graveyard. They had to have their story straight in case the ministry detected them using magic.

'Now what about Crouch? I would rather deal with him quickly which will help Moody as well.'

'I had an idea about that Harry. I can use a switching spell on his flask. He drinks from the new flask and turns into someone else where others like Dumbledore will see. It means taking a month to make some polyjuice potion.'

'That's good. But we would need to change all his vials in his room. If he drank it right before you switched it, then he could be alone by the time he needed more. He's usually in the great hall for an hour to an hour and a half.'

'I switch it right before he walks in and if he goes to leave before he takes a drink, then you'll have to distract him with questions about the next task. He drinks from it in front of others, we just have to keep him there long enough. But I like your idea about switching his vials as well. We can keep an eye on the map so if for any reason, he doesn't change in front of others and he figures out his potion is different and can't get more, he might try to sneak away. We might have to try to stun him.'

'It's a good idea but I don't think we'll have to worry about that. He always stays in the great hall for a minimum of an hour, like most of the teachers, which include Dumbledore. That is how the real Mad-eye would act so he is not going to do something that could give him away.'

'Yes, I know you're right. But we make plans in case something goes wrong. I know we can rescue Moody and sneak him up to the hospital. No one can know that or they would have to know how we found him, which means the map.'

'They can't know about that, we'll need it. Especially if Snape changes his plans on killing Dumbledore. Malfoy was going to as well. Damn, the cabinet, we have to destroy it.'

Hermione's eyes widened then she smiled, 'No, what if we steal the one in Borgin and Burkes, then fix this one. It would give us ways in and out without anyone finding out.'

'That would be brilliant but stealing that will be difficult, not impossible just difficult. We have to work out how to fix the other one.'

'We will, we'll have to examine it. We can't test it until we get the other one.'

'Wish we had some polyjuice potion now. We could pretend to be another person in case someone see's us.'

'Yes, it will protect us. But it takes a month so we make plans for then. I should see about starting that tonight. There are a few ingredients we don't have or might be hard to get.'

'Send away for them. We can't risk Snape catching us stealing from him again. I've got the money. Actually, I might sneak out and get to Gringotts. I'm sick of not having money on me. Even if I have to return to the Dursley's, I'm going to make sure I can get out to buy food.'

'We can spend a lot of time together and away from them during the holidays.'

'Yes, we can. Okay, I have something I want to talk to you about. The yule ball and Krum. You know how Ron was with you because you went with him so even if we're not going to have anything to do with him anymore, it's best to avoid any confrontations. We can't allow anything to give us away so avoiding fights is something we have to do.'

'I already thought of that. We're going to be spending a lot of time together, just the two of us. I believe it will help if we go together, as friends. Everyone will believe we're together, it won't matter what we say. They will believe what they want.'

'It will also put Ginny off. I know I did date her but from the moment we got together, I was trying to figure out how to break it off without causing problems with the Weasley family. Ginny is still a fan girl. She doesn't really know me, not the real me. If she did, she would never want to go out with me.'

'I knew you and Ginny wouldn't work, it's like me and Ron. We're too different. You and Ginny only have quidditch in common. She likes attention, you don't, which will cause trouble if she wants to go places like parties or balls. And you're right, she is still a bit of a fan of the-boy-who-lived.'

'She is, I remember talking to Colin at the end of our third year about the fan club he started. I wanted to know if people only wanted to know me because of that. I would know who to stay away from. Ginny's name is second on the list and helps him recruit people to the club. I was so angry that I didn't even think to ask what they do in this club.'

'Apart from talking about you and Colin taking your picture, I couldn't even guess. So, do you think we should go together?'

'Yes, but let's make everyone believe we are together, to stop anyone trying to ask us out. We need to be together for most of our plans so we can't have others hanging around. When Ron began dating Lavender, it was difficult to talk because she was always around. It's just us now Hermione so we can't have anyone else with us. If everyone believes we're a couple, they won't try to get near us. There is too much at stake here. We can't afford to fail. But with the yule ball though, it could mean you end up my hostage. It will look better than Ron. I had some people ask me if I was gay when Ron was my hostage.'

Hermione giggled, 'Yes, I heard people talking about that. I put them straight, that you were straight. It should have been Parvati. I mean Cedric took Cho to the ball and she ended up his hostage. I went with Krum, I was his hostage. I don't understand how Ron was picked for you and Roger should have been picked for Fleur, instead of a young girl like Gabriel.'

'I don't know how they worked it out. But when they see I'm not friends with Ron anymore, they should pick you, whether we went to the yule ball together or not. If it's anyone else, I'm not going to bother. I will say I can't swim then walk away, that's if they use Ron. But if it's you, I'll use the gillyweed again. Dobby will get it for me. I also remember where they kept all of you.'

'Dobby,' Hermione shrieked, 'He can get into any room in the castle. We can have him switch out the vials and take Moody to the hospital.'

'Brilliant,' Harry grinned, 'I'll talk to him tomorrow. Also, what about Winky Hermione? She's killing herself because she wants to belong to someone. We have to help her.'

'I know I went about it the wrong way. I should start by trying to get people to change the law. Make it illegal to abuse the house elves. That could take a lot of work though. I mean the wizarding world see's nothing wrong with dropping an eight year old boy out a window, from the second floor. Or pushing him into the ocean to see if he can use magic to save himself. I don't think they have laws about abusing children or house elves.'

'If Dumbledore and McGonagall don't care that I was kept in a cupboard for ten years, then it's natural for kids to be mistreated and no one does anything about it. I might see if Dobby wants to belong to me, if he wants to be free, then I'll pay him to do some jobs for us. But even if he wants to belong to me, I'll make sure he always has money to spend on whatever he wants. Winky won't accept being paid, she needs a family. I can't have her at the Dursley's, they would freak out.'

'I'll send a letter to mum and dad. I will explain about house elves and see if they might be willing to have her there. I mean they do work, they don't have a lot of time to do things like the gardens and when they cook dinner, it's always something that can be done quickly. I didn't have a proper roast dinner or Yorkshire pudding until I came here.'

'Then she would help them. Anyway, we need to get the book from the library and begin the potion. We'll send Hedwig off as soon as we leave the room.'

'Then I believe you should practice those spells you'll need, while I go over the potion again.'

Hermione used Harry's cloak to get from the room of requirement to the library. She needed to sneak into the restricted section without Madam Pince or anyone seeing her. They knew that things could change and she really didn't want to bump into Krum. She quietly snuck the book out of the restricted section before hurrying back to the room. She saw Harry practicing spells as she entered. She went back to the table to begin reading up on the potion. She knew she could make it but it was a very difficult potion. She wished she could just steal some from Snape, but that was in his private store cupboard, which was warded. They would have to wait a month before being able to expose Crouch.

Harry and Hermione stayed in the room until an twenty minutes before dinner. They had their letter and the money for the ingredients that they will need to make polyjuice potion. Now they just have to send Hedwig off with their order. Hermione had already worked out some other potions those ingredients would be used for if anyone like Dumbledore wanted to know what was delivered. They didn't believe the man would ask but they didn't want the man suspicious so Hermione going on about other potions should keep anyone from being suspicious.

As they were walking back from the owlery, Hermione remembered the day Krum asked her to the ball. They worked out that Hermione and Harry would be in the room of requirement most of the time. They already knew the work they had to do for classes, they would do that work in the room of requirement as well. If Krum asked to speak with her, then Hermione would tell him she already had a date. Right now, McGonagall had not officially told them about the ball. But Harry and Hermione knew that Karkaroff always broke the rules so he probably already told his students about the yule ball. Hermione just hoped she wasn't put in that position.

Harry and Hermione returned to the room of requirement after dinner. They decided to get their homework done before curfew. They could spend the rest of the night reading books on spells that they might need. Harry also decided to write to Sirius so he would know everything was fine, he knew what he was going to do with the dragon and he had plenty of spells memorised to help him keep the dragon away from him. He didn't want Sirius turning up at Hogwarts in case somehow he was caught. Things could change but Harry was going to make sure Sirius was safe. Harry also wrote that he wanted to see Sirius during the summer holidays, so he hoped he had a place that he could visit. He explained that when Vernon's sister visited, which was always during the summer holidays, they make Harry stay away from the house until late. He figured he could spend time with his godfather.

The following morning Harry and Hermione went to the owlery so Hedwig could take Sirius his letter and take Hermione's letter to her parents. When they were halfway through breakfast, an owl delivered Hermione's package. Apart from a few glances, no one bothered them.

It was later that day that Hermione got a letter back with Hedwig from her parents. They said they would be happy to help out the little elf. They would work on ways to buy her things or give her material where she could make things for herself. She handed the letter to Harry for him to read.

'I'm glad they could help her. When are you going to talk to her?'

'I will when we go visit Dobby.'

Harry and Hermione didn't know it but the headmaster along with Ron were always watching them. Ron just continued to glare at Harry. Albus could tell something had changed with Harry Potter. He hoped the boy wasn't going to do anything foolish. He also hoped that nothing happened to Harry when he faced the dragon. The last two days Albus noticed that Harry didn't seem worried, not like he was. He was also ignoring Ron along with all the talk about him cheating. It did make Albus worry that Harry had something planned that would not be good. He just hoped Harry forgave his friend for deserting him these last few weeks. It would help Albus if Harry stayed friendly with Ron, then Molly would continuously tell Albus anything he needed to know about Harry.

While Harry was talking to Dobby, Hermione was talking to Winky. The little female elf ended up in tears when she heard that she could now belong to a new family. Hermione explained it would be best if she waited until she was sober and worked on cleaning herself up before going to her parents home. Hermione went into details about her parents and how they worked long hours. Having Winky there to help make wonderful meals and keep the house tidy would help her parents out a lot. Harry only just began to ask Dobby if he wanted to belong to him before Dobby hugged his legs as he nodded. By the time Harry and Hermione left the kitchens, the two house elves belonged to them.

Harry and Hermione went straight back to the room of requirement. Hermione began working on the potion, while Harry practiced the spells he would need when he faced the dragon. He could easily conjure six goats and make them run around but in different directions. He also decided not to use his broom if he didn't have to. He would just make sure the dragon could not see him, hear him or smell him. If anything changed, he would summon his broom. Hermione was going to have it with her while sitting in the stands. But she planned to be near the end so no one see's the broom lying at her feet.

When the first task arrived, most people noticed that Harry Potter didn't look scared or nervous. When Draco Malfoy tried to say Harry would die in the task, Harry just smirked at him before walking away. Apart from wondering what Harry had planned, Draco was worried. His father had told him to do anything to upset Potter before the task. His father didn't say why and he knew not to ask. But Potter wasn't upset in any way. He didn't even look nervous.

Even though Hermione knew Harry could do all the spells he needed to get past the dragon, she couldn't help feeling very nervous. She sat beside Lavender and Parvati but at the end so no one saw Harry's broom at her feet. Hermione's eyes remained on Harry. The moment he disappeared from sight, many gasped. They realised that Harry Potter could do seventh year spells. No one could see anything but six goats all running in different directions. The dragon roared before lunging for one of the goats. It was then that the golden egg in the nest disappeared. No one but Hermione noticed. She was practically jumping up and down in her seat waiting for Harry to appear again. Ludo Bagman kept asking where Harry Potter was. Then he spotted the nest with no golden egg.

'The egg's gone, Harry Potter must have gotten the egg,' Ludo yelled.

Seconds later Harry appeared near the entrance. He was holding up the egg. Harry looked towards Hermione and smiled, she grinned back before sending Harry's broom back to his dorm room.

The judges and spectators were amazed at Harry's performance against the biggest and meanest dragon. Minerva knew now that Harry had been holding back, she just didn't know why but she did plan to ask him.

It took a lot of arguing but Harry finally got Madam Pomfrey to realise that he never got one injury. The dragon didn't even see him, he was too interested in the six goats.

Harry saw Krum and Fleur glare, Cedric looked confused. All Harry did was smirk before walking out. He spotted Hermione, he picked her up and swung her around. He saw Ron behind her, looking uncomfortable. Harry ignored him.

'You were brilliant, just like I knew you would. How about you and I go celebrate.'

'You're on Hermione. I really don't want to be anywhere near others, who all thought I lied.' Harry gave Ron a glare before he walked off with Hermione, holding her hand.

'What about your score?' Hermione said loud enough for others to hear.'

'Since I didn't want to be in this, I don't give a shit what my score is. Besides, I would like to snog my girl in private,' Harry said. Harry and Hermione had already worked out what to say so others would realise Harry really didn't want to be involved and really didn't care how he did in the tournament. It also allowed everyone to know that Harry and Hermione were a couple.

Albus had been watching Harry when he left the tent and realised Harry will not be near the Weasley family, at least for a while. He wasn't sure if anything could be done to help the two young men out but he would try to get Harry to understand that Ron was feeling very lonely and jealous. Harry was the-boy-who-lived, Ron didn't know how to handle Harry having more fame. All Albus could do was try.

The moment Harry and Hermione got inside the room of requirement, they laughed.

'Now that's out of the way, we can concentrate on our plans. Most we can't do for another couple of weeks, at the earliest,' Harry said as he flopped down on the sofa the room provided.

'We can try to come up with places where he might have hidden them. But I want to apologise, I think you're right about the orphanage and Hogwarts. The last few weeks, since we've been back, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I realised how unfair I've been with you. I was also very bitchy and that is not me.'

'Don't take this the wrong way Hermione but you were acting like a bitch. I couldn't figure out what was going on and why you were so different. Now I know the...h affected Ron, maybe there was something around you that affected you to act that way.'

'The only thing or people I was constantly around was you and Ron. The items would be my books or wand. Everything else is always changing, like my clothes, shoes, even jewellery.'

'I know Ron began to like you towards the end of our third year. It makes me wonder if he was causing it to make sure I wouldn't look at you in a girlfriend type of way and you wouldn't look at me that way.'

'It makes sense except how would he have done it. He's no good at potions and he is lucky to know the spells we learn in our year. He also needs a lot longer than everyone else in our year to get the spell right. He never bothers to study up on spells and the ones that could work are ones we wouldn't learn until sixth or seventh year. There are potions to make people angry or turn their anger against a specific person. He couldn't make them though. Maybe there is something on you. No, forget that, we've been fine since we returned and you have the same things on you as you did then.'

'Since we're fine, then we know it's not us. It's not our wands, or any of our clothes we've worn in the last couple of weeks. It has to be Ron. You know, maybe if there was something that affects you, it also affected him so he would turn on me. If that's true, then why? I get you, he liked you but just couldn't get up the courage to tell you. Why would he want to be angry with me?'

'The only thing that makes sense is that he thought I liked you or you liked me. But I really don't know. Let's forget that and get back to what we were talking about. The items. You said he believed Hogwarts is his birth right so there might be one here.'

'Yeah, the trouble is finding something in a place so big. I thought of looking in the chamber of secrets first. We know he opened it and Dumbledore believed he used the time to ask for a job to either take something from here to make one or hide one.'

'We'll look around the chamber first. But I just thought of something. Remember when you explained about the half-blood prince's book. You said when you got into the room, it was a large great hall size room with thousands of items. What if it was in this room?'

Harry's eyes widened, 'It is, the diadem, I saw it. Oh blimey, I can't believe I didn't make the connection.'

'The lost diadem of Ravenclaw, are you sure?'

'Yes, Dumbledore showed me pictures of things like the diadem, her broach, her hair comb, along with pictures of things from Hufflepuff. It has a big blue stone in the centre. It's a beautiful but large tiara, just like the picture.'

'Then we'll leave the room, change it then get it. We'll need somewhere to destroy it.'

'The chamber of secrets. It's best to be somewhere no one can hear that scream.'

Harry and Hermione left the room. He paced back and forth thinking of the room he needed while Hermione watched the map. When the door appeared, they hurried inside.

'Oh my, I didn't realise it would be so big or have so much stuff.'

'I just have to remember which way I went. Give me a minute,' Harry closed his eyes and thought back to the night after he cursed Draco Malfoy. He opened his eyes and hurried away with Hermione following.

'There,' Harry pointed, 'I used it to mark the place where I hid the book.'

'We can't touch it, in case it's cursed like the ring Dumbledore found.'

'The diary wasn't unless you wrote in it. The locket isn't cursed but yeah, it makes us feel terrible, we didn't get hurt though.'

'The diary and the locket were both early ones, Harry. Maybe he didn't think he needed to add more. We can't take the chance on getting cursed.'

'You're right, safety first.'

'I saw some bags back that way.'

Hermione summoned the bag and dozens flew towards her. Harry flicked his wand, sending them flying in another direction so they wouldn't hit Hermione. She was able to catch one, then she levitated the diadem down and into the bag.

They left the room, Harry had the map open while Hermione led the way.

'Filch is not far from the bathroom, we'll have to wait until he leaves,' Harry whispered as he pointing at the map.

They had to wait for ten minutes before Filch and Mrs Norris walked away. They waited until he was far away before they hurried into the girls bathroom.

Hermione got to see more of the basilisk this time. The last time, it was basically a skeleton when she came down here with Ron. Right now, only the top of its head was rotted away. It was still intact from it's neck down to it's tail.. Harry very carefully pulled some of the fangs from the basilisk's mouth. When he turned, he saw Hermione had placed the diadem and the locket on the floor.

'Once these two are done, the diary is gone, that leaves three more. Yet we know where only one will be, the snake. Oh hang on, I just remembered where Dumbledore got the ring from. It was the old Gaunt home, not far from the graveyard. Dumbledore showed me a memory from before Voldemort was born, so the house might be a wreck or gone by now. Dumbledore didn't go into details, only that the ring was hidden under the floor boards of the old house and it had a withering curse on it. He admitted that it had a compulsion charm on it, which was why he put the damn thing on.'

'We'll go there during the holidays that way we're both looking out for each other. You already throw off the affects of what Veela's can do and you can fight off the imperius curse, so you would be strong enough to resist the compulsion charm. I know I would like to get all this done sooner, but disappearing too often could get someone like Dumbledore suspicious. He can't know we're leaving Hogwarts or we might not get to the graveyard.'

'I agree with you. It's hard to wait but we have no choice'.

'After we destroy those, I think we should empty the sacks Harry. That poison could be used on him. It's one of the most fast acting and deadly poisons there is.'

'Good idea Hermione.'

Harry brought the fang down on the diadem. Hermione ended up screaming as she saw Voldemort's smokey face. She clung to Harry until it disappeared.

'It's fine Hermione. The same thing happened when I destroyed the diary. Let's just get this done.'

Harry once again stabbed the locket, but nothing happened, 'It has to be one, Regulus stole it so he could destroy it.'

'It's a locket, maybe you have to open it.'

'We tried remember, at Grimmauld place. All of us tried to open it, it wouldn't open.'

Harry and Hermione stared down at the locket until Harry looked up and looked around the chamber.

'This is Slytherin's chamber. I had to speak parseltongue to open it.'

'This is Slytherin's locket and since we all tried to open it, using English, it didn't work. Very clever Harry,' Hermione smiled.

Harry stared at the locket before he finally spoke parseltongue. The same smokey image of Voldemort appeared, screaming at them. Harry didn't hesitate, he just brought the fang down piercing the locket right in the middle of the red eye.

'Okay,' Hermione said panting a little, 'The snake will be soon and we can do the ring during the holidays. How are we going to find the goblet, if it is the goblet?'

'I don't know. Do you think changing the bones, adding poison to the bones and potion will stop him from returning, for good? I would love to be able to get rid of him properly but we might not be able to, not if we can't figure out where the cup is. We also don't know if it is the cup.'

'Alright, we can do some research about Hufflepuff as well as find out more on...him, if possible. That's just for our long term goal in case he somehow does survive the potions. Now, apart from taking some of the snake's venom, I'll make a few more poisons. We can transfigure the bones using rubbish and twigs, we coat all that in the venom. We add a lot of different poisons to the potion including the venom, it would normally kill anyone. I also think the basilisk venom would destroy his bones if he did some how return. I don't think he will be able to return. You said he looked like a disfigured child, I believe the poisons will destroy that body but his organs as well. That will make him a spirit again but with the poison now part of him, as it will be in his bones, I think the poison will remain part of him even when the body is gone, it should do something. We know he can't die but this has to stop him. It's all we can do, unless we find the last item.'

'Which could be impossible. For all we know it's in a Gringotts vault and it would be suicide to try to robe a vault. He might have dropped it into a lock or the ocean for all we know. He could have buried it under one of his death eaters homes or even in Ireland,' Harry sighed, 'Even though I was really disappointed in Dumbledore, he will live this time which will help keep Voldemort away if he does somehow returns, but I think you're right, those potions will stop him returning, properly. It's late, we should get to the tower before curfew.'

'Yes, you're right,' Hermione put the two items in the bag, 'I think we can leave these hidden down here. It's not like we have to keep them with us now. It's also not worth having them up in the castle where Dumbledore or another teacher could find them. We can get them right before leaving Hogwarts and bury them somewhere.'

'Yeah, leave them down here. They are ruined, so it's not like they can be used or anything. But we'll find a perfect place to hide them.'

Hermione and Harry hid the bag behind one of the statues before returning to Gryffindor tower. Many of the Gryffindor's were partying, but Harry and Hermione ignored them. Harry gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek before both of them headed to their rooms. They knew now that everyone believed they were dating, which was why they would often kiss each other on the cheek or small lip kisses when others were around. Harry went straight to have a shower before climbing into bed.

The polyjuice potion was finally finished. Harry had been able to sneak a hair from Dumbledore. Harry only went to his office when Dumbledore asked him to in the hope he could get a hair. If he couldn't, Hermione was going to try for one of McGonagall's. Harry just acted like he had seen a small bug on Dumbledore's head, when he really had a dead bug in his hand. He was able to pull out one long piece of silver hair. When the headmaster asked what he was doing, Harry showed him the bug, saying it was caught in his hair. He didn't like seeing bugs or spiders stuck in someone's hair. It gave him the willies. Dumbledore actually thanked him for seeing it.

Once Harry was able to leave the office, he met up with Hermione in the room of requirement. He handed her the hair.

'You know he's going to ask if I lied about the bug to just get his hair.'

'Yes, he probably would. We could easily say you smelt the polyjuice potion when Moody wanted to talk to you about the first task.'

'Right, which gave us enough time to make our own. We could say since Mad-eye was supposed to be such good friends with Dumbledore, we didn't think he would believe us if we said the man was an impostor.'

'No, it seems the teachers do not like to admit that they were wrong so they just ignore us when we tell them something. I know that now, I wish I did after we tried to explain about the philosophers stone.'

'It's the past Hermione, let's forget about it.'

Harry stayed silent while Hermione finished the potion. Hermione put some of the potion into a large vial, that would be kept for other times they might need to change. They still planned to steal the vanishing cabinet from Borgin and Burkes so looking like someone else will help, in case they get seen. The rest of the potion would be used to switch out Crouch's polyjuice potion. Harry grinned as the hair from Albus Dumbledore's head was dropped into the cauldron.

'Now we just have to switch it and hope he stays in the great hall long enough.' Harry said.

'Like you said Harry, he normally stays for an hour minimum, sometimes he remains longer. He's going to try to run when he realises he's not changing into Mad-eye. We have to make sure he can't leave the room until he has fully changed. Anyway, I'll finish doing these vials so Dobby can switch out the ones in his room.'

'Then we can rescue Moody and get him up to the hospital.'

When Dobby disappeared, they stayed hiding under the invisibility cloak, waiting for him to return. The little elf did, only ten minutes later. He handed Harry all the vials that would turn someone into Mad-eye Moody. They planned tip all of them down one of the toilets in moaning myrtle's bathroom. Dobby was going to remove Mad-eye Moody from the trunk when Crouch left his office to go to the great hall for breakfast.

Now the vials had been switch, they had to hurry to get ready to switch Crouch's flask with the one they had transfigured from stuff from the room of requirement.

Harry and Hermione loitered outside the doors of the great hall. They saw Mad-eye stomping towards them, Harry instantly hurried over to the man. Hermione needed him distracted so Harry was going to ask if he could give him a clue to the egg or even the second task. Even though Harry was whispering, as he didn't want people to hear him asking a teacher for help with the tournament. Hermione waited until the man answered Harry before performing the switching spell. She quickly shoved the flask into her bag, then put her hand and wand in her bag, she sent the flask to her trunk. She loved the banishing charm.

While Harry was stuck talking to Crouch, Hermione kept thinking about their plans. She also thought about all the spells her and Harry had been using since they returned. She wished that both of them had known them when they had been real fourth years or even younger. Some of the spells they now knew and used could have helped with the philosophers stone and the chamber of secrets. It could have helped with Sirius at the end of their third year. She had to shake her head. The rat would be dealt with soon and also, Voldemort would either be neutralised or stuck in spirit form. Hermione had a feeling that once she poisoned everything, it would eventually break down the spirit until it was gone completely. She didn't want to say anything to Harry in case it got his hopes up. She was going to wait to see what happened in the graveyard. She would have time. Harry would use the distraction of being stuck in the maze, when really, he was going to sneak away using his invisibility cloak to get to the graveyard.

The reason they changed the plan was because Harry and Hermione realised that without Crouch pretending to be Moody, he wouldn't be there to charm the cup. Harry wouldn't end up in the graveyard, which is when Peter would show himself. Harry had to appear, so they worked on plans for Harry to begin the last task, then sneak away. He didn't care about winning, just surviving and stopping Voldemort.

Hermione smiled when Harry joined her. Harry kept the man talking for fifteen minutes. If Crouch took some of the potion before leaving the room, then they had around forty five minutes before he was due for some more potion. Once he took a drink of the new potion, he would change but this time he would change into Albus Dumbledore, with the real Dumbledore sitting in his seat. Crouch always remained in the great hall for an hour, sometimes longer so the man would be uncovered.

It was nearing the end of dinner when Albus, Minerva, Severus and Filius realised that Moody was changing. Albus stunned him, but had the teachers send the students to their house rooms, the rest of dinner would be served in there.

It was only an hour after all the students were sent to their house rooms that Harry received a note via a house elf. The headmaster wish to see him in his office. Harry gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek before leaving Gryffindor tower. Harry only just stepped into the office when Albus did ask Harry about the hair.

'I smelt polyjuice potion when I was talking to Mad-eye about the tournament. I figured since you and he were such good friends, you would never believe me if I said he was a fake. We haven't really had any of the staff believe us when we knew something was going on, so Hermione and I decided it was time to deal with this ourselves. We figured the best way was to make him change into someone else, you were the obvious choice. I really don't like bugs or spiders in people's hair but I was able to use that to get one of yours.'

'You do not trust me, do you Harry?'

'No, I don't, I don't trust anyone but Hermione and Sirius. Is that impostor gone?'

'Yes, I had a couple of aurors I know come to Hogwarts.'

'Can you tell me who he really was?'

'I believe since you are the one to uncover him, you deserve to know. It was Bartemius Crouch junior, who we all believed died in Azkaban. That will be investigated as well. But if you hear anything else Harry, I will listen, I give my word.'

Harry sighed. He knew the man was light, yet he kept making mistakes. He figured since he only had another year at Hogwarts, he would keep the peace.

'Fine, I'll tell you if I'm suspicious about something. But can you tell me, is he the one who put my name in?'

'Yes, but that is all I know right now. He was a death eater Harry so this must have something to do with Voldemort. Please be careful, we do not know if there are others who might be helping him.'

'I will. I've gotten very paranoid after the last few years, which is why I don't trust anyone or anything. Can I go now?'

'Yes, just keep your eyes open. I will be doing the same.'

Harry nodded then left the office. He might not like Albus Dumbledore but he knew the man was powerful and had a lot of connections. He had to make sure the man did not get suspicious of him or Hermione, in any way.

The night of the yule ball made everyone look at Hermione and Harry differently. Apart from both of them looking wonderful, they danced perfectly together. Many said that proves they were always meant to be together. Every time someone asked Harry or Hermione to danced, they turned them down. They always said they were only going to dance with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Harry and Hermione might know that all they will ever be is best friends, but keeping others away right now was necessary. If their plans worked, they could concentrate on relationships later.

Harry stared around at the people watching the start of the second task. He saw Hermione who just shook her head at him. Harry knew that meant she wasn't approached at all about being a hostage. He saw Neville, Luna, the twins and the girls from the quidditch team along with Lee Jordan. They were the only people he was friendly with. He also noticed that only Ron was missing, which meant Dumbledore decided to use Ron. Harry turned to the judges and said he was refusing to rescue someone he hated before he walked off, back to the castle.

The judges began to talk but so had many others who had heard what Harry said. The judges had to work on what to do. They could not change the hostage for Harry now, but also because Harry had left. They end up giving Harry a 0 score but they all told Dumbledore he had been wrong to pick someone Harry had obviously stopped being friends with and should have picked his girlfriend. It was like Albus wanted to make sure Harry lost so he was rigging the tournament to work his way. He probably hoped Cedric would win.

Harry looked up when Hermione walked into the room, 'I can't believe he used that idiot,' Harry said.

'Neither can I. I wasn't approached at all, but I did ask Neville if he was. He wasn't. It seems Dumbledore is trying to get you close to Ron again.'

'That is not going to happen. Let's forget about that. We've got a few hours before we have to appear for dinner.'

Over the following weeks, Harry and Hermione continued to use the room of requirement to work on their plans but also to practice spells and potions. Harry had found the half blood prince's potion book, which Hermione now used as well. Both of them knew that they could take their newts right now if they were allowed. It wasn't. They planned to take their owls, pass with perfect scores in all the subjects they planned to take, then get right away from Hogwarts. Hermione was going to return to her normal education, she would help Harry with his as well. Since he had to make sure to never beat Dudley, Harry had basically stopped trying in school. Now it was time for Hermione to help Harry catch up. She knew he was smart so she knew he would have no trouble catching up, then they could work on both of them sitting their tests before going to university.

It was the day of the third task which was going to be held that night. When Harry was told about the champions families being there to see them, he asked who specifically was there for him since he had no family. Minerva said he would find out when he joined the other champions. Harry and Hermione had plans but they already knew that Dumbledore had Molly fill in for Harry's family. They worked on a plan for Harry to get away. Harry walked away from McGonagall, again saying he had no family, so there was no one in that room that he wanted to see. Before Minerva could call Harry back, he disappeared through the doors of the great hall. She knew she would have to speak with Albus about what Harry said and did, but for now, she would have to explain to the Weasley's why Harry didn't come see them.

Harry and Hermione remained in the room of requirement for the rest of the day. Two hours before the final task was due to start, Harry and Hermione had been standing under the invisibility cloak near the one eyed witch statue. Harry had the map open so they could keep an eye out in case someone came near them.

'Are you ready?' Hermione asked in a whisper as she checked the time.

'Yes, I want this part over with and hopefully, it will help Sirius. I know that's not our main goal but we can at least try to help him while getting rid of...him.'

Harry and Hermione got through the tunnel and out of Honeydukes but it took them longer than they had hoped. They instantly apparated to the back of one of the large tombs in the graveyard. Both of them snuck around to the graveyard to see the very large cauldron sitting over a fire pit. They could not see Peter anywhere so they cautiously moved towards the cauldron.

'I'll keep watch, just try not to let your hand show in case he is here somewhere, watching,' Harry whispered.

Hermione nodded but she carefully took out the vial of basilisk venom along with the other poisons she had made.

She looked around 'Is it still clear?' She whispered. Once Harry nodded she moved her hand just outside of the cloak which was right above the cauldron.

Harry continued to stare around. He kept looking in every direction to make sure no one was there. He knew where Peter had come from the last time he had been here but he didn't want to take the chance that something changed. He was also there earlier than last time and for all Harry knew, Peter could be anywhere, keeping an eye out so no one came near the cauldron.

'All done, five poisons along with things like porcupine quills and some newt eyes. Those two items should not be put on high heat.'

'Okay, my turn,' Harry said then they carefully moved over towards Tom Riddle's grave.

This time Hermione was going to keep watch while Harry used magic to bring the bones up from the grave. First, Harry cast a notice-me-not spell so no one could see ten feet around the grave. He then quietly began to pull the bones and bone dust out of the grave. With a few spells, all of it was turned into small stones. Harry gathered them into a bag, then did a cleaning spell to make sure not even a scrap of bone dust was left.

Hermione took a heap of bones from her bag. Those bones was all the rubbish and twigs from tree's that she had gathered then transfigured them into bones. All of it had been soaked in poison. It only took Hermione a few minutes to put all the transfigured bones back into the grave.

They both quietly and slowly walked to the back of the large tomb before walking further down towards the large tree.

'I hate leaving you here Hermione.'

'I'll be fine and you'll be back soon. I can't be seen with the cloak on, so I'll be safe. Once you've gone, I will also disillusion myself. That gives me double protection. I just have to wait until he shows himself. That's going to be the hardest part, waiting for him to appear. You told me where he is, yet I can't do anything.'

'No, he has to believe he's alone until I appear.'

Over the last week, Harry and Hermione had been practising. They didn't want Peter to really stun Harry, if they could help. Hermione had been sending harmless spells at Harry so he could move a little so it would look like it could hit him. He wanted to fall down as if he was stunned but make it look natural. If he was hit, then Hermione would wake him up after the took care of Peter. Harry hated that Hermione might be alone with Peter and Voldemort and he might be stunned.

Harry checked that Hermione was well hidden before he apparated back to Hogsmeade. As he got through to the tunnel, he realised that no one picked up on them using magic, which meant they not only brought their knowledge and power back, they brought back their true ages, which means, no trace. This would allow them to do more during the holidays. They could continue to learn, which was better than returning to Hogwarts and all the danger. They only had to return for one more year. They planned to keep to themselves, study while they could use the Hogwarts library until it was time for their owls. Once they had done their owls, they plan to leave Hogwarts for good.

Harry walked up to the other champions just before the task was due to start. When it was his time, he entered the maze after the other three. He knew there was no use trying to get through the maze so he just made a few turns, checked around him, then checked the map. He could see where the teachers were outside the maze and Moody was still in the hospital. Harry and Hermione had been worried that Moody might end up fine where he would be keeping an eye on the champions inside the maze. With his weird eye, he could see through the hedges. Now Harry knew he would have no trouble sneaking away. They only kept this part of the original plan in case something changed and maybe there was another spy at Hogwarts. They didn't believe there was but they were going to make it seem like nothing had changed. Harry had to be in the maze and then appear in the graveyard.

Harry saw where the other three champions were inside the maze so he moved a little towards them. He set off a few of the twins fireworks which covered his sound of apparition.

Harry made it appear like he arrived near Tom Riddle's grave and made sure he looked confused.

The spell just missed but Harry was able to make it seem like he had been stunned. He fell down then he stayed perfectly still.

'It's safe Harry,' Hermione said as she stood with her wand pointed at a stunned Pettigrew but next to the rat man was a very large and very dead snake.

Harry jumped up, 'I was squinting to make sure you were okay but also because of Nagini. Snakes have a good sense of smell. Anyway, you got it so now we deal with that.'

Harry levitated the thing that was Voldemort until he was floating. Hermione lit the fire under the cauldron before levitated the bones from the grave and dropped them into the cauldron. Once the potion was boiling, he dropped Voldemort into it. Normally Voldemort would be yelling, now he would be screaming due to how hot the potion was, but Hermione had silenced him before going over to Harry.

'Let's get back to our spot in case something goes wrong and he comes out.'

Harry and Hermione with a stunned Peter hurried down to the large tree, then covered themselves with the invisibility cloak.

'Harry, you have to return to Hogwarts and the maze.'

'But I would rather let them think something went wrong then for you to be left here with him, in case something happens.'

'Alright,' Hermione sighed. She knew there was no use arguing with Harry when he gets in his saving people mode, 'You have a bit of time.'

Harry and Hermione waited for twenty minutes before the flames went out under the cauldron. They quietly moved back up and stared into the cauldron. Only then did they remove the cloak.

'It's like he's a big blob of tar,' Harry said as he poked it with his finger, 'It's hard.'

'Yes, which means, I can get rid of him while you get back to Hogwarts. Here, take the cloak, you'll be able to sneak back in.'

Harry nodded. He knew it would be better if no one realised he had gone missing. Now he just had to get back to the maze without Dumbledore seeing him. Hermione had worked out that the headmaster probably charmed his glasses to see through invisibility cloaks. She came up with the idea of using the disillusionment charm and the cloak together which should keep Dumbledore from seeing anyone. Harry hoped it worked.

By the time Harry got around the back of the castle, to sneak back inside the maze, Hermione had apparate the blob of Voldemort to the country. She made sure no one was around then used magic to dig the deepest hole she could. She levitated the blob into the hole, the conjured some wet cement. She let it pour over the blob, cast a spell to have the cement dry quickly then refilled the hole with dirt. She placed the grass on top, theN made sure it didn't look disturbed. Once that was done, she apparated to Hogsmeade with Peter, then kept him in an unbreakable cage and disillusioned so she could use the fireplace at the Three Broomsticks to contact Madam Bones.

Harry just got inside the maze and turned the corner to see Cedric grab hold of the triwizard cup. He slipped back around the corner to make it seem like he was walking towards the centre. Harry and Hermione had not been able to figure out if the champion who won would have to walk out of the maze or if the cup would transport the winner outside the maze. What he didn't expect was for the maze to just disappear.

Harry congratulated Cedric before walking off towards the castle. He wasn't interested in anything except Hermione. He hoped she was alright.

Harry went straight to his dorm room and went to have a shower. He had to remain somewhere in Hogwarts that he could be found in case Madam Bones needed to talk to him.

Hermione planned to explain to Madam Bones that her and Harry had seen Peter in his rat form, the one they told Fudge about. He had been sneaking around Hogwarts. Hermione would tell her that since her and Harry didn't trust the staff, they decided to speak with her first.

Even though Madam Bones a little shocked that Harry Potter and his girlfriend did not trust the staff, after hearing from her niece about what things had happened at Hogwarts, she could understand. Since she would not need to involve any of the staff, she decided to put together a trustworthy group of aurors to work this case, which would include arresting the minister for magic for keeping dangerous information on a criminal from her department. He had been told yet he never brought that information to the aurors.

It was only a week later that Madam Bones had worked on Sirius being questioned in front of witnesses and with the use of the truth potion. He was cleared of all charges. Harry would now be staying with his godfather, who was waiting on the platform for Harry and Hermione. But Harry loved hearing that Fudge had been charged and because of that, he was instantly sacked as minister for magic. Harry knew that meant getting rid of Umbridge. He had heard enough from Kingsley and Tonks how the woman was hated by most of the people inside the ministry. She will never remain in the minister's office, which means she won't be able to influence the next minister for magic.

While Harry and Hermione had been on the train heading to Kings Cross station, Sirius had been speaking with the Granger's and had worked out for the young couple to be able to spend time with each other during the holidays. Sirius had also spoken to Molly Weasley. He explained some of the things her son had been saying and doing, which is why Harry nor Hermione plan to have anything to do with Ron anymore. Sirius asked the woman, politely, to stay away from Harry and to keep her son away from him.

Harry and Hermione acted like they had been, so they gave each other a small kiss on the lips and a hug before both of them leaving with their family.

Harry was taken by side-along apparition by Sirius. He thought they would arrive outside Grimmauld place, but they didn't.

'What is this place?' Harry looked at the beautiful house in front of him.

'My uncle Alphiard left it to me. I was staying at the family home, which I hate. But the moment I was legally free, I went to Gringotts and worked on everything, including my uncle's and parents wills. My mother might have disowned me but my father didn't, who was head of the family. I was planning on buying us a home until I found out about this place.'

'It's brilliant,' Harry smiled. He was really happy not to be at Grimmauld place but he was doubly happy to see this beautiful large country home. It meant he could have a fly during the holidays.

'So when did you and Hermione get together?'

'Right after you flew away on Buckbeak. We realised we liked each other. We both know we're young and we both know that not all school romances work out. For now, we're happy together but we both know that we'll always be good friends if this doesn't work.'

'You look good together. If Hermione was a red head, it would be like James and Lily all over again. Well, almost. Lily had one hell of a temper.'

'So I've heard. Anyway, did Dobby arrive?'

'And Hedwig. Dobby is working on dinner now.'

'Great, I'm starved. So have you made any plans for the holidays?'

'Not really. I only just got my name cleared and worked on everything I own. Is there anything you'd like to do?'

'Well, Hermione and I talked and figured we'd spend the first few weeks with our families, whether it's at home or away. Then we just go from there.'

'How about we spend the next two weeks here but also work out where we might like to go. I figured you'd want to go somewhere, especially after you told me about those muggles.'

'I would like to start seeing places, but maybe these holidays, we stick to Great Britain. I've never been anywhere except London and that was just to get the train to Hogwarts.'

'Then we'll plan on seeing the sights of our own country. I never got a chance to see a lot of places, especially muggle places. Right after leaving Hogwarts, I worked full time for the order of the phoenix, with your mum and dad. We didn't really take any time to see anything.'

'Then we'll both see the sights.'

That night, while Sirius was asleep, Harry snuck away and met up with Hermione. They used polyjuice potion, they used the disillusionment charm and the invisibility cloak to sneak into Borgin and Burks. They were able to get the cabinet out of the shop, then Dobby popped it into the chamber of secrets. Harry and Hermione figured it was the safest place, since only Harry could open it. They would fix the other cabinet when they returned to Hogwarts. When they were ready to leave for good, they would have Dobby take both cabinet's out and keep them hidden in the attic at Sirius' new place, just until they figure out where to keep them permanently.

It was only a week later that Hermione and Harry were able to go on their date. Or that's what the Grangers and Sirius believed. They planned it to spend the whole day together, then Harry would be having dinner with the Grangers. Harry had to send Sirius his patronus, which was to let Sirius know to meet him at the Grangers and he was safe.

Harry and Hermione were able to get the ring. They both felt the compulsion to put it on, but between both of them, they were able to keep the other safe. With a few spells from Hermione to make sure no magic was picked up, Harry destroyed the ring. He did remove the stone in case Dumbledore did go looking for it.

'We never saw any type of spirit leave the cauldron or blob, which could mean he'll stay like that forever. Being encased in cement will help as well.'

'I think the poisons stopped him completely Harry. Now all but the goblet is gone, yet we may never find it. I don't think it matters, not now we know he did not escape in a spirit form.'

'I think you're right Hermione. I know we'll both keep our eyes open for anything suspicious, just in case but I really believe he's gone, for good.'

'Yes, so do I. Now we can finally have a normal holiday before one more year at Hogwarts. Have you told Sirius yet?'

'No, but he's not happy with Snape being there and I've told him how that bastard acts. I doubt Sirius would care if I left Hogwarts, especially if I say I've had it with dealing with that death eater but also how people like Malfoy and the other Slytherin's can get away with calling you that disgusting name..'

'I still can't work out why Dumbledore allows Snape or the others to act like that.'

'He wants to keep his spy happy, Hermione. I just don't get why he allows people like Malfoy to get away with things. If he never feels the consequences of his actions, he will always believe he can do whatever he wants. Anyway, about all this Hermione, how we came to be here. I still can't work it out.'

'Maybe there is something in magic that realised the way we were going about everything wasn't going to work, so it helped us out. We were following Dumbledore's plan, which was wrong and dangerous. We've seen what magic can do, we know that magic can make the impossible, possible. You are living proof that magic can create miracles, so I believe somehow magic helped us.'

'I think something helped us because the plans that Dumbledore had would have gotten us either killed or captured. We could have lost because he never told me where to find those things or even how to destroy them. We could have taken some fangs before leaving Hogwarts after his funeral. He also should have used his order to help find them. I'm sure asking them to take veritaserum would prove they were all trustworthy. The order was put together to fight against Voldemort yet he left the safety of our world up to us, three untrained teenagers. None of it makes sense. I think you're right about magic helping us Hermione but I think it helped because if we kept going with the way Dumbledore wanted it, our world would have lost.'

'Magic was going to keep the balance, good and bad, light and dark. We'll always have bad or dark wizards but if one side has more, it tips the balance. I think all we can do is live our lives but keep our eyes open for any more dark wizards who might want to take over the world.'

'Yeah, but how long do we make everyone believe we're a couple?'

'We're leaving after our owls, so we just keep going as a couple until then. I will eventually return to school, if you can get up to what you need, so will you, yet we may end up going to different schools.'

'True, but at least it will be a day school so we can still study together or just spend time together. We might really be friends and not in a relationship but I want us to remain close.'

'Have you decided if you are going to tell Sirius the truth about us?'

'I'm not sure. I'll wait and see. If for any reason Dumbledore or any of the death eaters begin to make trouble or say Voldemort has returned, then I'll explain. I might even show him where you buried him. It's just wait and see right now. I know we could trust Sirius but it's a lot to put on someone so I would rather not, not if we don't have to. Anyway, our plans are done, it's the holidays, I think we should go and enjoy ourselves.'

'You're on, Mr Potter,' Hermione grinned, then followed her friend away from a part of their terrible past ready to begin a life without having to worry about Voldemort ever again.

The end: