Harry Potter and the Trials of a Hero by Garet Jax

Rating: PG13
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 19/07/2005
Last Updated: 12/03/2011
Status: In Progress

Reloaded, Re-edited and Revamped! The ship sails here people!Now considered VERY AU - 6th/7th
Year epic: A brotherhood will be broken. A heritage will be revealed. A destiny will be accepted. A
love will be realised and a power will be awakened. UPDATED!




1. Birthday Blues
-----------------



**The Trials of a Hero**

*To enjoy the wonders of life - You must accept the inevitability of death*

*To wade in the in the pool of pleasure - You must drown in the lake of agony*

*To experience the joys of love - You must face the reality of hate*

*To be blanketed in thepeaceful warmth of the light - You must embrace the bitter coldness of
the dark*

*- William Shakespeare*

**********

Chapter One: Birthday Blues

July 31st, 2:15 A.M.

The young man with the long messy black hair and emerald green eyes stared at the large punching
bag hanging from the ceiling before him. The sweat ran down his back and arms, his chest, gently
heaving, and glistened lightly with sweat as the early morning moonlight lit the otherwise dark and
damp basement, that reeked of Dudley's dirty boxers and Uncle Vernon's stale socks.

With a grunt his right arm exploded outwards, pounding into the bag. He felt the impact and
gritted his teeth as he felt another knuckle break, not bothering to look down at his bloodied
fist, his left arm followed quickly afterwards, smashing into the bag, sending it rocking
backwards.

The rage was building up inside him again.

*I'm a failure!*

**SMACK!** - The bag lurched violently; a small tear appears under the impact of his
fist.

*I didn't try to save him!*

**SMACK!** - He ignored the sound of another knuckle breaking, the pain seeming to fuel his
quiet rage.

*I let him die!*

**SMACK!** - He muffles a grunt and wills away the sudden tingle in his gut as the blood from
his hand sprays back, splattering him in the face.

*She nearly died!*

**SMACK!** - He nearly screams as the pain rockets through every appendage of his body from
the force of the blow.

*I nearly lost* **Her***!*

**SMACK!** - The power surged through him as he felt the bag cave-in around his fist then
watched in shock as it was torn from its chain and hurtled through the air, smashing into the far
wall with a dull thud. Slowly he brought his hands into the light, grimacing at the sight of the
blood and shattered bones that were once his hands.

“This is what I've become…” he murmurs quietly to himself, “A freak.”

Harry James Potter watched in silent amazement as the bones of his hand slowly and almost
painlessly began to reshape and heal before his eyes until they are again looking as they once
were. The hands of someone `destined' to become a killer.

With his head low and his shoulders slumped, Harry Potter quietly walked back up the stairs to
his bedroom. Hoping to get a few hours sleep before the sun rises and he is swamped with gifts from
his friends.

*Why is this happening to me?*

Silently, Harry pulled his sweat pants off and threw them into a corner. He stopped momentarily
to look into the full sized mirror over his dresser.

*I've certainly grown,* he thought to himself sarcastically.

No longer was the Boy-Who-Lived, a short and skinny little boy with knobby knees and wild
untamable hair.

*Well, at least I can manage it now…*

He ran his hand through the dark locks, the ends reaching just above his shoulders. The hairs on
the top of his head still stuck out a bit but his bangs were longer, now covering his world-famous
scar. Not that that bothered him in the least.

*Look even more like my father I think…he would like that.*

No, skinny is something that would not be associated with one Harry Potter these days. Thanks to
the secret daily workouts with Dudley's equipment in the basement and the running in the
morning after Uncle Vernon had left for work.

His skin was still somewhat pale to the casual observer, but those who know him would say his
skin had a more exotic olive tone to it.

The `Oh-I-Can-See-Your-Ribs-Potter!' was gone, with the help of a summer of exercise and
moderate eating habits, resulting in a rather fair display of upper body development. His pectorals
were developing quite nicely and would only improve as he grew older and continued with his
rigorous program. His abs had just now started to show signs of definition and he was quietly
pleased with that.

*Not quite Adonis…but at least if I'm going to die on my feet, I might as well be in good
shape.*

He had grown taller as well, but having nothing to compare it too, he wasn't sure how much
he had grown. Only that he had to slump down a bit to see his entire reflection in the mirror.

*I didn't have to do that last year.*

His arms were now toned and lean, no longer lanky and just bones with a slightly pale slice of
meat attached to it. Grinning to himself, he flexed them.

*Hermione was right…I am such an idiot.*

Laughing quietly to himself, Harry pulled the covers on his bed down and crawls under them,
hoping for a few hours of dreamless sleep but knowing that *it* will never happen. Instead he
dreamt of a bleak future without his Godfather and to his surprise, his bushy-haired best
friend.

**********

The black nothingness that waited surrounded him like a dense fog as he entered the land of
dreams and nightmares engulfed him, chilling him to the bone and leaving his soul feeling bare and
hollow. He struggled against it, his arms flaying and his legs kicking.

**“All is not as it seems, my young friend.”**

Harry spun around; searching frantically for the source of the voice, all that welcomed him was
an endless void of emptiness.

“Who are you!? Where the bloody hell am I?” he shouted into the nothing, his voice echoing back
to him, twice as loud as it was originally.

**“Harry…you must calm yourself. All will be explained in time.”** The voice chuckled
lightly, **“Of course, you don't really have too much time now do you?”**

“Yeah, thanks for reminding me. I had forgotten that.” Harry spat out, his voice dripping in
sarcasm.

**“Now, Harry. Where were we? Oh yes…”** the voice sounded eerily familiar but Harry
couldn't place it.

Harry stepped back in shock as words began to appear in the void before him - glowing a sickly
green color, words he knew all too well-

**"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...**

**Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...**

**And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows
not...**

**And either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other
survives...**

**The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..."**

Harry frowned as a look of confusion appeared on his face, "I know all this already...why
are you showing me this?"

**“Because you have yet to grasp the concept of what and who you are…all the answers you need
are here, in these words. You just have to know what to look for.”**

Harry shook his head clearly not getting it, “I don't understand.”

The voice seemed to sigh then spoke again, **“Then I will give you one last hint, Harry. Be
ready for it- here it comes!”**

A powerful jolt raced through Harry and he grabbed his head in agony and screamed, as the
painful images and events ran through his mind like a Muggle film reel. One after the other he was
bombarded with some of the most horrific events in his life -

*Voldemort ordering Wormtail, to kill Cedric Diggory. The young mans cold and dead eyes
staring up at him accusingly.*

*The spectacular and terrifying duel with a now mortal Voldemort, in the graveyard the images
of his parent's shadow like spirits telling him to run to safety.*

*The basilisks jaw clamping down on his arm, nearly tearing it from his body.*

*Sirius falling through the veil, not knowing that he was about to die, his own blood curdling
scream following soon after.*

*The absolute freezing terror that overtook his mind and body as Hermione fell to the ground
seemingly lifeless.*

*The rage that overtook him as Dumbledore revealed the prophecy, and the silent* *and
dreadful* *realization that the weight of the world was indeed being placed heavily upon his
shoulders.*

As quickly as slide show of pain and regrets began - it stopped, replaced by scenes of happiness
and joy.

**“Are you starting to understand now, Harry?”** The voice asked, it sounded to Harry as if
it was pleading with him, begging him to learn from this lesson.

*The three best friends laughing and cheering together as Gryffindor House finally won the
House Cup after so long.*

*Holding the Golden Snitch high over his head proudly as a big grin appeared on his
face.*

*Laughing in joy as Hermione beamed in pride after he had successfully attempted the Accio
charm.*

*Seeing Sirius' happy face as they all gathered together for Christmas, looking every bit
like the free man that he wasn't, passing out gifts and treats as if it was his first and last
Christmas.*

*The deafening cheers of all the Houses in the Great Hall as Hermione ran to him and Ron
during their second year.*

*The image of Ron slapping him on the back and laughing at Malfoy after he was turned into a
ferret* *and being bounced up and down the halls of Hogwarts.*

*Opening the picture book from Hagrid and seeing his parents waving up at hi**m, holding
a baby Harry between them.*

*Hermione smiling at him tenderly, her brown eyes glisten**ing in the sunlight as she
tilted* *her head slightly, her arms wrapping around his waist, her face getting
closer…*

Harry felt the warmth spreading through his body, a sensation that he's never felt before,
filling him with joy and peace and completeness, as if all the answers to every question he's
ever had was right within his grasp. The feeling lingered for a moment before it faded away - to be
replaced once again by the deep voice of his invisible 'tour guide'.

**“Ah- you're getting closer. Soon you will understand…my young Gryffindor.”**

*“*Understand what? I don't understand a damn thing!” Harry shouted. He spun around
again, looking - searching for the source of the voice.

**“You have the Power he knows not, Harry. All you have to do is open your eyes.”**

"What power?" Harry screamed, "I don't know what this power is - how can I
even hope to stand a chance against Voldemort!?"

The voice chuckled, **"Harry...you are so much more than you know. Listen to your heart;
learn from what you have seen here..."**

The voice trailed off as the void began to swirl around him, he felt the air being drawn out of
his lungs and he struggled against it. Just as quickly he saw the image of Hermione once again,
smiling up at him, her hand on his cheek, her slips moving softly, mouthing words to him that he
didn't understand. The warm sensation once again shot through him, his struggle against the
void ceased immediately as he relaxed in the embrace of Hermione and the warmth that now filled his
body, her face getting closer, her eyes fluttering closed and her lips partly open.

**********

Harry shot up in the bed, his chest and face covered in sweat. He jumped up, trying to get his
bearings, not noticing that his legs were tangled up in the blanket, which caused him to lurch
forward and fall to the floor smacking his forehead.

“What the hell..?” he asked out loud as he covered his forehead with his hand.
"Ow!"

*That never happened…Hermione has never done that before.*

Harry threw the covers off him, and sat up on his knees while running his hands through his
hair, pulling his bangs out of his eyes.

*I'm pretty sure I would remember her doing that…*

With a grunt Harry forced the image of Hermione from his mind and tried to ignore the unusual
feeling that stirred in his stomach whenever he thought about her lately.

*What the bloody hell is that!?*

Harry slowly rose to his feet and walked to his window where no doubt there would be quite a few
owls waiting for him.

*What or who - was that voice in my dream? I've never heard it before. Can you imagine a
voice that you've never heard before?*

Harry pulled aside his curtain and didn't even bother to fight the smile that came to his
lips as he saw Pig, Hedwig and an unfamiliar black owl sat on the window pane, waiting for him
patiently.

Holding back a laugh, he unlocked the window and pushed it open. He stumbled backwards
immediately as the three owls rushed inside - feathers flying everywhere.

“Easy guys”, Harry said with a chuckle.

All three of the owls had a package of some sort attached to them along with a number of scrolls
that Harry assumed to be letters.

**“BOY! What the bloody hell is that God-Awful racket!”**

“It's just the mail, Uncle Vernon!” Harry shouted back. *Great big git.*

*"***WHAT WAS THAT!?"** Uncle Vernon bellowed from the other side of the
door.

Harry went pale and cringed, his head turning to the door. *Guess I said that out
loud.*

"Er - Nothing Uncle Vernon I was speaking to the owl."

Harry listened to his Uncle mumble something about "ungrateful freak of nature", then
sighed as he could hear (more like felt the vibrations actually) his Uncle's freakishly fat
feet stomp away from the bedroom door and down the hall, which was followed soon after by -

**"Is that Boy up yet!?** Which he immediately recognized as his aunts high pitched
screech.

Harry rolled his eyes and closed the window.

"Great big globby git." Harry mumbled under his breath.

He walked over to Hedwig who was perched atop her cage and loosened the package that was tied
around her neck. He fed her a cracker and smiled as she nipped affectionately at his finger before
grabbing the cracker.

"Let's see what I got this year." Harry whispered as the other two owls began to
flap their wings impatiently, "Hold on, I'll get to you."

Harry opened the first scroll which had Ron's lopsided scrawl on it-

*Hey Mate,*

*Happy Birthday Harry! I hope you are doing better this summer, and that those Muggles
aren't treating you like dung. I got my OWLs results; you'll never believe how many I got.
Nine! I got nine bloody OWLs. Can you believe that? I didn't get one in Potions though, which
is alright, it means no more of that great greasy git, Snape.*

*Oh by the way, I thought I should inform you, and brace yourself mate. But Hermione has
'changed', if you know what I mean. Bloody hell she is looking good Harry. I actually got
up the stones to ask her out on a date! She said yes, well actually, she said yes after she stood
there looking at me for a few minutes like I had grown another head....out my arse! But then she
said yes! Maybe this is the year that she and I actually get together. I know I never told you
about having feelings for her, but I guess I was a bit obvious wasn't I? Well, wish me luck
with her mate, and I know, I know what you're going to say "If I hurt her you'll kill
me". Believe you me, I know you're a great wizard Harry, but she is very scary at
times.*

*Well, the package with Pig is from us; I think you'll like the gifts, Mum about had a
nervous breakdown when we got back to the Burrow, worried about you and all. So she sent a few
cakes to tide you over. Enjoy them Harry and I will see you in a couple weeks.*

*Ron*

*P.S. I will let you know what happens with Hermione - wink-wink.*

For some reason beyond his understand, Harry felt the bottom of his world fallout from beneath
him as a cold chill grabbed hold of him.

*Ron and...Hermione?*

He felt his eye twitch slightly and frowned.

*Why don't I feel good about that?*

Harry sat quietly for a moment, just holding the letter trying to understand why in the middle
of the summer, sitting in a room with no fan or air conditioning, and a closed window - why he was
suddenly freezing from the inside out.

*Bugger it; I'll worry about it later.*

Forcing himself to not think about his two best friends romantically involved - he dug into the
package from the Weasley's and couldn't hold back the smile as he pulled out two birthday
cakes, a bottle of alcoholic Butterbeer that he knew must have come from Fred and George, a small
box of 'Never-Melt Chocolates' that obviously was from Ginny, and a new revised edition of
Quidditch: Through the Ages; which ironically had a chapter devoted entirely to himself.

Shaking his head in amusement, he went through all the other letters, he got one each from Albus
Dumbledore, Tonks (who actually enchanted the scroll to sing, "WOTCHER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!
for five minutes straight), Remus Lupin's letter also notified him that he would be joining the
Hogwarts staff once again as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Which Harry wasn't at all
disappointed about.

The final two letters were from Hermione and one that looked rather official - *Must be my OWL
results* - he thought to himself.

He put aside Hermione's letter for last and opened the letter that had the official seal of
Hogwarts attached to it, breaking it easily he opened, not noticing the small wrapped item that
fell out and landed silently on the floor.

*Harry Potter*

*Smallest Bedroom*

*#4 Privet Dr.*

*Little Whining, Surrey*

*Mr. Harry Potter,*

*The following are the results of your OWLs (Ordinary Wizard Levels) from the prior term. We
wish to express to you our best wishes in your future endeavors and hope that you can maintain this
level of efficiency when it comes time for NEWTs in your 7th year.*

*Sasha Clearwater*

*Deputy Administrator*

*Department of Magic*

*Charms: Practical - O, Theory - O, Overall - O*

*Transfiguration: Practical - O, Theory - O, Overall - O*

*Potions: Practical - E, Theory - O, Overall - O*

*Defense Against the Dark Arts: Practical - O, Theory - O, Overall - O*

*Care for Magical Creatures: Practical - O, Theory - O, Overall - O*

*History of Magic: Practical - A, Theory - E, Overall - E*

*Divination: Practical - A, Theory - A, Overall - A*

*Astronomy: Practical -P, Theory - A, Overall - A*

Harry gaped at the letter - *fourteen OWLs*, he couldn't believe it.

*Wait, what's this?*

Harry noticed an extra letter behind the first, pulling it out he immediately noticed Professor
McGonagall's elegant writing -

*Mr. Potter,*

*Congratulations on your OWL scores, I would like to bring to your attention that you scored
the highest O to class ratio for the male members of your year. This in turn means that you deserve
this. You are now a Prefect Mr. Potter, it is to be noted that Ms. Granger also has qualified to be
a Prefect for a second straight year. Your duties will be explained to you September 1st, aboard
the Hogwarts Express.*

*Good job, Harry - Your mother and father would be proud.*

*Minerva McGonagall*

*Deputy Headmistress*

*Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry*

*I'm a Prefect - I'm a bloody Prefect!*

Harry grinned suddenly at the thought of being a Prefect with Hermione, doing evening rounds
with Hermione, walking side by side with her every night, going to meetings together. *Why is my
face hurting?* His grin had become rather silly and lopsided.

*And I get to torment Snape for two more years! Maybe this won't be such a bad year after
all.*

Looking down he noticed the last letter, Hermione's letter, and the cold chill that had left
him earlier was back again - in spades.

With trembling hands, he opened the letter and prepared for the unknown.

*Dear Harry,*

*I do hope that you are having a great summer and that the Dursely's are treating you
better. I worry constantly about this, and no matter what things you have said to me in your
previous letters, I can't seem to get the image of you huddled in a cupboard under the stairs
out of my head.*

*I am anxious to hear what you got on your OWLs; I got sixteen! I am so excited by the
possibilities that will be opened to me because of that. I know that you were selected to be a
Prefect and I am so proud of you, Harry! It's really a great honor. You don't have to
worry, I will help you along in your duties, what are friends for right?*

*I truly wish you a most Happy Birthday Harry; you deserve it more than anyone I know. I hope
you like my gift for* *you;* *I looked far and wide for it. I know right now you
don't feel like you have anyone left in the world that cares about you or loves you, but let me
tell you that you are dead wrong, Harry. I care, greatly. I know you don't like it when I worry
about you, but it's not something that I can turn off like a light switch. If you ever need to
talk about anything, you know that I am here for you, whatever the subject, or whatever time of the
day it is. I am only a phone call away, and my parents told me that if I really wished it, they
would drive me out to see you, if I felt it was necessary.*

*Now I am sure that by now you have heard from Ron. I hope that this 'situation'
doesn't upset you. I know it might be awkward, but I assure you that in my mind it is just a
date, one date, and as of right now I have no intention of letting it go further than that. I am
positive Ron has had other ideas though. I am only doing this because, well I know that he has had
certain feelings for me for the last couple years, and I felt that I owed it to him to at least
explore the possibilities.*

*If by some chance, that Ron and I get more serious (and I am by no means saying that we will,
please understand this), I want you to know that you are my best friend; my truest and dearest
friend, Harry. I don't want you to feel like you don't belong with us, because you do. I
honestly don't know as of this moment where Ron and I are headed, but I do care about him. I
can't go into detail right now exactly what I feel for him, because he is pretty close by and
he keeps asking me if I am writing a letter or a novel to you.*

*Well, I hope this letter hasn't upset you, because that wasn't my intention at all. I
will see you in a couple weeks. Please be safe Harry.*

*All my Love,*

*Hermione*

He was freezing, and his stomach lurched. Any minute now he was sure that he die from frostbite.
*Why do I feel like this? I mean it's not like I think of her as more than a -*

Harry dropped the letter as the lamp sitting on his nightstand exploded, sending shards of
porcelain all around his room.

*Bloody hell...so that's why it feels like this...Oh, fuck...why does this always happen
to me?*

Harry crumpled the letter up fiercely, and threw it across the room, not caring that it nearly
knocked Hedwig off her cage.

"Of all the stupid, fucking insane things to do...I just had to go and do this didn't
I?" he growled out loud. "Why now?"

Harry ignored the rest of his gifts and held the small box from Hermione in his hands, the small
box was no more then 5 inches across and 2 inches deep. Gently he ran his hand across the black box
and loosened the red bow that was wrapped around it. He took a deep breath and opened it -

*Oh my God...*

It was a cell phone...and it was activated, along with a note.

*Harry,*

*Use this to call me whenever you need to talk, or whatever. I know that I would love to hear
your voice Harry. Just press memory 1, and it will call my own cell phone. Be safe Harry,
please.*

*All my Love,*

*Hermione*

Harry chuckled, "Well obviously not ALL of your love, but it's a sweet gift
nonetheless, and very practical." He held the phone in his hand for a few moments, before
finally setting it under his pillow with a sigh.

He sighed warily, "Happy Birthday to me..."

Harry walked dejectedly to the door after quickly throwing some clothes on and after another
long sigh he opened it. He looked back at his bed, *No reason I can't carry it with me,*
Harry thought to himself.

He quickly walked back to his bed, and pulled the phone from under his pillow and placed in his
front pocket, headed down the stairs mentally preparing himself for the longest week or so of his
life.

**********

To Be Continued....

-->



2. Changes
----------



*"For one human being to love another:
that is perhaps the most difficult of our tasks;
the ultimate, the last test and proof,
the work for which all other work is but preparation."*

**-Rainer Maria Rilke**



Chapter Two: Changes

August 3rd, 7:15 P.M.

Hermione Anne Granger was bored, wait - no bored was an understatement. She had gone beyond the
realm of boredom an hour ago, and no matter what Ron went on about, be it Quidditch, or de-Gnoming
the garden at The Burrow, or at how he could barely hold back his laughter when talking about the
style of clothing that Muggles wore. No - she had indeed passed the realm of boredom and had now
slipped into a coma. A strange sort of coma in which her eyes were open and staring fixedly at
Ron's freckled face.

*One hundred and seventy-two freckles,* she mused to herself.

Ron must have noticed her amused expression because he started nodding his head.

"I knew it!" He exclaimed. "I knew that you were only doing that SPEW stuff for
extra credit - I mean, honestly Hermione. How can you sit there night after night getting any
enjoyment out of knitting hats and socks for a bunch of house elves who'll never wear
them?"

*What?! Ron, you are an insensitive git!*

Ron's face paled and his jaw dropped and for a reason that Hermione couldn't quite put
her finger on - the entire restaurant had gone deathly quiet.

Risking a quick glance around the romantically lit establishment, Hermione noticed that several
patrons had halted in the middle of their meals and were now looking at the two young people with
shocked interest.

*Oh bloody hell, figures I would say that out loud.*

Ron leaned across the table and whispered harshly, "Hermione! What the bloody hell was that
about?"

Hermione lowered her head trying to hide the embarrassing flush that had settled in her
cheeks.

"I guess I said that out loud?" she said quietly.

Ron pulled back and grabbed another breadstick from the basket and stuffed it into his mouth and
nodded, "Yeah, I guess you did."

Hermione made a face as Ron chewed indignantly on his food, "Ron, can you at least chew
with your mouth closed please?"

The young wizard rolled his eyes and began to chew properly.

Hermione flashed him a warm smile, "Thank you."

Ron nodded absently, and Hermione noticed that the humiliated look in his eyes was still
present.

She took a drink to clear her throat then smiled warmly at him again, "Ron, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just that that project is important to me, and has
nothing to do with extra credit - and by the way, it's S.P.E.W. - I care about the welfare of
the house elves. I truly do and to be honest with you, I am getting a bit tired of how you are
always laughing at me and making fun of my interests - Harry never does that..."

She trailed off, knowing very well that *Harry* was not a subject they were supposed to
discuss tonight, and if the crimson shade of Ron's face was any indication he noticed her
slip-up and was none to happy about it. She had known for awhile now that Ron Weasley was silently,
very jealous of Harry Potter; The-Boy-Who-Lived. Also, he just happened to be their best friend, a
best friend who Ron adored and looked up to, but also felt was treated differently than others. A
treatment that offered the dark-haired wizard opportunities and chances that Ron felt he would
never have, no matter how many lifetimes he lived.

"Y-you just had to do it didn't you?" Ron sputtered.

Hermione was surprised that the crumbs from the breadstick that he was still chewing hadn't
gone flying across the dinning room.

*This is so childish!*

"Ron…" Hermione needed to calm him down quickly, "I was just stating a fact.
Harry has never to made fun of me or held any of my interests against me."

Ron smiled somewhat sardonically, "Yeah, but it always seems to come back to Harry though
doesn't it? I mean don't get me wrong, I love Harry, he's like a brother to me - but
honestly Hermione, the way you always go on about him. I am seriously beginning to wonder if you
have feelings for him. More than *friendly* feelings…you know?"

*Uh-oh. Ok, look natural - but surprised. Don't make him think he struck gold.*

Hermione tried to laugh, "Ron! That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. I
don't have *feelings* for Harry, not in that way at least."

*I am going to hell. I wonder if they have a pit set aside for blatant liars, or if they just
stick all the liars together in one big hole and pee on us?*

Ron tilted his head, a look of suspicion on his face, "What kind of feelings do you have
for him then?

Hermione cringed, she didn't really want to get into this conversation with Ron; because if
she did she knew that she would eventually slip up again, and let Ron in on her deepest secret, a
secret that she had been harboring since just before 5th year began.

*No, I need to end this right now - casually of course and without raising suspicion.*

Hermione flashed her perfect smile at Ron, "Let's not talk about that Ron. Maybe we
should just pay our bill and go? I told you I wanted to see that exhibit they were having tonight
at the museum."

Ron narrowed his eyes and after a tense, silent moment he said, "Sure, I guess. If
that's what you want to do."



*Ok, this is so much worse. If he doesn't stop fidgeting, I am going to slap him,*
Hermione growled to herself.

The young witch watched her red-haired friend through narrowed eyes, as said friend stood a good
ten feet away from her, nearly in the darkened corner, shuffling his feet and stifling a yawn.

*Why can't he just pretend to be interested in these things? At least Harry would - No! I
need to stop this! Harry doesn't need me pining after him, he has too much on his shoulders
already. I should write him though...he never did write back. I hope he's alright.*

The young woman ran her hand through her how shoulder-length curly brown hair and quietly
thanked Merlin that her new hair style hadn't gone wildly out of control after the sneak-attack
rain storm that appeared as the two friends made their way to the museum.

Hermione looked again over to Ron, who was now staring intently at a picture of a nude woman
holding a man to her breast. *She sighed, of course that would interest him.* She walked
slowly towards him and stopped as she noticed that his mouth was open slightly and his eyes were
now wide as a galleon.

*Oh bloody hell. Does he have to be* *that* *obvious about it?*

Ron turned suddenly and saw Hermione looking at him intently. His ears turned a bright pink and
he coughed, "Umm...I was just...umm...you know - this is a rather interesting piece, don't
you think?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and made a disapproving clucking noise with her tongue, "Come on
Ron, we're going back to the mansion."

*I need to get the hell out of here, and I need some time away from Ron - silly git is going
to drive me insane.*

Without waiting to see if he was following her, Hermione turned and walked quickly out of the
museum and into the dark and humid night.



With a loud sigh, Hermione threw her pocketbook on her nightstand and began taking the clips out
of her hair.

*Obnoxious, insensitive, insufferable wanker!*

Hermione growled and tossed the hair clips savagely onto her dresser. Ignoring them when they
bounced once and ricochet back at her and whizzing past her head.

*What was I thinking saying yes to that date? He is so immature, doesn't give a squat for
anything that truly interests me.*

She had hoped that the evening with Ron would have helped take her mind off of Harry, but of
course that plan didn't work.

*Not in the least, thank you very much.*

She sighed again, then slowly slipped out of her dress, letting it fall silently to the floor -
pooling at her feet. She watched her reflection in the mirror over the dresser, a smile tugging at
the corner of her lips as she -as any maturing female does- the not so subtle changes that she had
gone through since leaving Hogwarts.

"Dear child. You seem to be troubled, and the bags under your just scream
*eyeliner*."

Hermione jumped and grabbed at her chest. Nearly tripping over her fallen dress, having caught
herself by the edge of the dresser, Hermione turned to the large mirror which hung snugly on the
wall over the dresser.

Hermione huffed, "Thank you ever so much for the *compliment*. Now if you don't
mind, I would like to change in peace."

The enchanted mirror chuckled, "Now child...I am here merely for your benefit. I have
noticed that you haven't been sleeping well these past few days. Anything you wish to talk
about?"

Hermione chewed quietly on her bottom lip and stared at the mirror. It was right, there bags
under her eyes, though with the light touch of make-up that she had applied earlier in the night
you had to look very carefully if you wanted to see them. She knew that she had grown at least an
inch or two over the last two months and was glad that she was no longer shorter than Ginny;
Ron's younger sister.

"Ahem. You alright dear?" the enchanted mirror whispered.

Hermione shook her head and whispered, "I think I'm in love."

"And that's such a bad thing?" it asked plainly, though Hermione thought she
detected a hint of amusement in its voice.

Hermione nodded vigorously, "Yes it's a bad thing! Not that idea that I might be in
love, but the fact that the one I am in love with doesn't feel the same way, and not to mention
that he already has too much to concern himself with, he doesn't need his best friend following
him around like a love-sick puppy."

Hermione paled lightly, and noticed that her breathing had become labored and she was almost
positive that she had heard a vein burst in her head.

*I cannot believe I just said all that out loud.*

The mirror whistled, "Best friend you say? Well, obviously it isn't the red-haired
young man whom you just had a date with...leaving only - oh my, the master of the house, Mr.
Potter?!"

Hermione made a hushing gesture with her hand and quickly turned to see if her bedroom door was
closed which thankfully it was. She turned back to the mirror and tried to regain control of her
emotions.

"You won't say anything, will you?" she asked shyly, her face flushing red.

The mirror made an unintelligible noise, "Of course not! But isn't that *his*
choice to make dear? What if he *does* feel the same way? You'll never know if you hide
yourself away from him. Oh, and that lavender brazier just isn't your color, clashes with your
lovely brown eyes."

The corner of Hermione's lips twitched slightly before she shook her head, "No, I
won't put myself and especially *him* through that."

The young witch slowly ran a brush through her brown locks, grateful that she had gotten the
haircut and style which got rid of her bushiness, instead leaving her curls no longer tight and
scraggly, but long and loose, framing her face instead of covering it - hiding it. She was also
quite pleased that she allowed her mother to talk her into getting the light blonde highlights that
now streaked throughout her hair.

"Well, it is your life dear. I just hope you know what you are doing." The mirror said
quietly.

*Of course I don't, but that's beside the point.*



August 5th, 3:30 P.M.

Hermione jumped back in surprise as Ginny ran past her in the hallway, the young girl's
giggling echoing off the dark walls. She was quickly followed by her older brother Ron, who
Hermione noticed as he darted past her, had large, green ears and bright yellow hair, which oddly
enough, reminded Hermione of a Muggle troll doll. Try as she might Hermione could not hold back the
loud, boisterous laughter that came from her at the sight.

Ron stepped dead in his tracks and spun around.

“Think this is funny do you? You know why she did this?” He asked breathlessly.

Holding her hand over her mouth, Hermione shook her head silently.

Ron raised an eyebrow, his expression changing from anger to doubt, “You don't? Funny - she
said that you would know.”

Hermione made a face, “I swear I don't know Ron.”

The now yellow-haired wizard narrowed his eyes at her, “Sure, right”

Before Hermione could argue with him Ron took off again after Ginny, who had now made her way to
the second landing and was making snorting sounds and stomping stupidly around like a mountain
troll.

“You're dead, Ginny. Mark my words!” Ron shouted as he stomped down the stairs after her,
his large ears flopping around wildly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and continued on her way to the large Black Family library at the end
of the hall.

She came upon the large double-doors and had begun to turn the handle when she heard the
distinct voice of Albus Dumbledore coming from inside the library.

*When did Professor Dumbledore arrive?* She asked herself.

Putting her ear to the door she listened quietly.

“Albus - I know that you have your reasons for keeping Potter where he is; Merlin knows that he
and I do not get along in the least but, he needs to be in a controlled environment. These displays
*of wild magic* are getting out of control.”

*That's Professor Snape! Why are they talking about Harry? And what is wild magic? I know
I've read that somewhere before…*

Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly, “Severus, I am aware of Harry's increasing power and
whether he is here or there it matters not. He has already unintentionally torn down the extra
wards I had placed around the Dursely's home just before summer began.”

*Whoa! Increasing power? Incredible! Why didn't Harry tell me about this in his letters -
all two of them. Why isn't he writing to me?*

“That is exactly why he should be here Albus; at least here he can be in a more secure place,
where he can be watched over more closely.” Hermione could just imagine the sneer on the potions
master face.

“Besides, all of this is moot.” The aged Headmaster stated. “Two weeks ago, I offered Harry to
come early to visit his Godfathers home and his friends, but he declined, said he had things to
deal with before he was ready to come back into this world.”

Hermione swore that the Headmaster's voice was filled with disappointment and something else
she couldn't quite place.

She could hear Professor Snape gasp in shock, “He rejected an early invitation? I would expect
him to enjoy spending more time with Ms. Granger - and Mr. Weasley, before the new school year
started.”

*Like you care if Harry ever gets any enjoyment in life you greasy slime ball.*

Hermione nearly said this thought aloud and had to stuff her fist into her mouth before it
busted out.

“As did I Severus, but when I saw him last week before his birthday, I did notice a few changes
in our young Harry - changes that I dare say are long overdue.”

*What changes?* Hermione asked herself.

“What changes Albus?” Professor Snape asked, and Hermione did indeed notice that his voice
seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

The Headmaster chuckled briefly, “Well, I dare say that our young Mr. Potter, is finally growing
up. He is becoming a fine young man, Severus. As for the exact changes, I say you will have to wait
until he arrives on the 7th to see for yourself.”

*The 7**th**! Oh my God! He'll be here in two days! I'll - I can
finally see him!*

Snape growled, “But you said he rejected the invitation!”

“Indeed he did, but that was for arriving on the 1st. He informed me just yesterday
that he would be ready to arrive on the 7th. Besides that is the evening of the reading
of the will. Sirius Black's will, and I gather that Harry will be heavily involved in whatever
Sirius had planned for after his death, he loved the boy like he was his own.”

Hermione felt a twang of remorse at the mention of Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, who had
died the earlier in the year at the Department of Mysteries.

*A will? No one has mentioned anything about a will - accept - the mirror! It had said that
Harry was now the master of the house!*

The conversation seemed to trail off so Hermione gathered her courage and pushed open the large
double doors and confidently walked into the library pretending not to notice the two professors
who were off to her left in the corner. Seeing as how she had her nose buried in Defenders against
the Dark Arts: Heroes for the Century, she highly doubted that her rouse would be noticed.

She quietly walked to the nearest table and set her bag down and if there was an award that she
could have won for acting startled, she would have blown away the competition when Dumbledore
cleared his throat.

Startled, she turned to face the two adults, “Oh! I'm sorry!”

Despite knowing that they were there, Hermione couldn't help the flush of embarrassment that
crept into her cheeks.

Dumbledore smiled warmly at her, his blue eyes twinkling over the crescent moon glasses that he
wore, “It's quite alright Ms. Granger. Professor Snape and I were just discussing Harry, whom I
am happy to inform you will be arriving here on Friday morning.”

Hermione couldn't stop the grin that took shape, “Great! How is he? He hasn't nearly
written as much as I hoped he would, and I have been worried that he would be - well…”

Hermione trailed off as her eyes traveled to Professor Snape who was staring at her with his
ever-present sneer.

Thankfully Dumbledore seemed to sense the cause of her hesitation, “He's had a rather
unusual summer, Mr. Granger.” Off her worried expression he continued, “Nothing horrible has
happened, I don't think that would have happened and you not know about it.”

Hermione sighed in relief, “Good. So he'll be arriving in two days then?”

Dumbledore nodded, “There is something that I would like to discuss with you in private Ms.
Granger, if you have a moment.”

Slightly taken aback, Hermione hesitated hoping that he hadn't known that she was listening
in on their conversation earlier.

*Oh crap! It was an accident I swear - I tripped and my ear got stuck to the door…no - that
won't work!*

She looked back at the aging Headmaster and her eyebrows rose in confusion. *Why is he smiling
at me like that?*

Hermione nodded quickly, “Of course professor, I have some time now.”

Dumbledore grinned at her, “Excellent. Severus, I will see you tomorrow evening at the
meeting.”

With a crisp nod, Severus Snape strolled out of the library and down the hall, leaving Hermione
alone with the ancient wizard before her.

Dumbledore pulled a seat out for her at the table and she sat down, her hands clung to the book
she was still holding to her chest.

The headmaster quietly paced back in forth in front of her for a few moments before stopping to
gaze at her.

He took a breath, “First let me say, that I am so very proud of the accomplishments you have
achieved, Hermione.”

Hermione blushed and lowered her head. *He's never called me by my first name before…he
only does that for Harry.*

“Thank you, sir.” She muttered, not at all used to such a heartwarming compliment from the most
powerful wizard of the age.

The kindly old wizard smiled at her, “You are most welcome. Now, I wish to know if you have done
any research on Occulmency this summer.”

Hermione's head snapped up, not bothering to hide the shocked expression on her face.

“H-How did you know?” she whispered.

The smile never left Dumbledore's kind face, “I have my ways, Hermione. The reason I ask is
because I wish for you to begin studying it with Harry when he and I begin his lessons again next
Monday.”

Hermione fought back the surge of excitement that shot through her, instead focusing on the
bigger question.

“Why?”

Dumbledore raised a white brow, “The reasons are many Hermione - which if I am not mistaken will
become apparent to you in the coming weeks.”

Hermione gripped her book even tighter, her knuckles turning white with exertion, “Then I would
love to do it.”

The headmaster nodded knowingly, “I expected as much. Also, I would like to know if you have had
any more nightmares lately.”

Hermione paled and dropped her book to the table, “How did you know that? I haven't told
anyone about them!”

Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her arm, “Relax my child. I am only concerned for your
well-being. After what you had gone through this past term, I expected there to be some side
effects, and it appears I was correct to assume so.”

*How does he - No! I don't want to see it! Please! I can't watch him die again! Not
Harry!*

For a few minutes all Hermione could do was open and close her mouth, with no sound coming out.
Finally after the images of that awful night had flashed through her mind she regained some
control, but her voice was soft and trembling.

“It's awful Professor - what I see. I know it isn't what happened, I know it was Sirius
who fell through the veil, and I - but I keep seeing Harry fall into it, reaching out for me…and I
couldn't get to him…”

Her voice broke, and silent tears ran unchecked down her cheeks.

“Hush child. It's alright now.” Dumbledore was now squatting in front of her, both of his
hands on her shoulders in a comforting manner. “What you experienced was a side effect of the
Slashing Curse that was cast on you. It brings your most horrific fears to life inside your mind,
replacing reality with a terrible nightmare. You know this already Hermione…let it go.”

Hermione nodded mutely, “I know that, it's just - I've run out of the Dreamless Drought
potion you know?”

Dumbledore nodded in understanding, “Then I will have some sent over to you later today. There
is one more matter I wish to discuss with you.”

Hermione wiped her tears away and nodded, “Yes sir?”

The Headmaster moved to sit down across the table from her, “Harry has something inside him,
Hermione. Something that is pulling him under…something that may very well drown him. I had hoped
that he would already have confided in you, but it is obvious that he has not.”

A bitter cold chill shot through her body and she trembled.

Hermione sat up a little straighter, “What is it professor?”

The headmaster shook his head, “I wish it were that easy, but I cannot be the one to tell you
this. It must come from Harry; you must find a way to help him with this burden Hermione, both
yourself and Mr. Weasley. For it is a heavy burden and I fear that it will not be the last.”

The tone of his voice struck Hermione to her core, the ancient wizard; the only being in all the
world, besides maybe Harry Potter, that the Dark Lord feared - sounded to her
astonishment…*afraid*. The thought of Harry carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders
alone always seemed to terrify her, how one so young and frail had been chosen to literally save
the world.

*It's so unfair. Why can't they just leave him alone?*

Despite the feeling of dread that crept through her, Hermione smiled bravely at the headmaster,
“I will do anything for Harry, sir.”

Dumbledore smiled at her as if he knew a deep hidden secret and his blue eyes twinkled, “Of that
I have no doubt Hermione - no doubt at all.”



August 6th, 9:30 P.M.

The shrill of the cellular phone ringing on her nightstand caused Hermione to nearly jump out of
bed, luckily for her it only resulted in her tossing her 1,200-page copy of Nefarious Creatures and
where to find them: Volume One, into the air and landing somewhere near her school trunk with a
resounding thud.

Hermione looked excitedly at her cell-phone, only three people had the number, her parents and
one Harry James Potter. With trembling hands, she reached for the phone and looked at the display,
noting that it flashed HARRY; she could no longer contain the grin that broke out on her face. She
quickly pressed the Talk button and answered.

“Hello?” she said, not bothering to hide the excitement in her voice.

“Er…Hermione?” Harry mumbled quietly.

Her grin quickly faded at the tone of his voice, as a worried expression clouded her face.

“Harry, are you alright?”

The young wizard cleared his throat, “Yeah. It's just I'm in the basement, and the
Dursely's are wide awake and I don't think I have ever used one of these before. Well,
except just before I called you - I'm pretty sure I dialed some old woman in Kentucky, she
wasn't too happy about that.”

Hermione allowed the grin to reappear and barely held back a snort of laughter.

“Well, I'm glad to see that you got the hang of it.” She said, almost breaking out into
giggles.

*I'm talking to Harry! On the phone! And I sound like a love sick teeny-bopper! How
girlish is that?*

He cleared his throat again, “It's good to hear your voice again, Hermione. I've missed
you - and Ron.”

She wanted to melt at the tenderness in his voice, but quickly realized that Harry would get no
enjoyment out of talking to a puddle of Hermione.

“I've missed you so much Harry. I - I mean Ron and I have missed you too.”

*Yes, good cover it up - he probably didn't* *notice that at all.*

Harry mumbled something quietly then spoke again, “Yes…Ron how is he?”

Hermione immediately noticed the tone in which he spoke his best friend's name - and it was
not at all friendly. Not quite sure why he was speaking Ron's name with such disdain, she chose
to speak of him in a neutral tone.

“Ron's fine. He is excited to see you again.”

And that was all she said on the matter. She did not want to antagonize Harry with questions
about why he was upset with Ron, she had waited nearly two months to hear his voice, and nothing
was going to ruin this moment - nothing.

“Good, that's good.” He said quietly, “More importantly though - how are you? I've been
worried about - well you, ever since that night at the Department of Mysteries and all.”

She nearly cried at the obvious emotion that Harry was trying so hard to conceal, but his voice
still wavered and nearly cracked.

“Oh Harry.” She replied softly, “I'm better. I still have my moments - but that's to be
expected.”

Harry choked back a sob, “I'm so sorry - I should have listened to you Hermione. You were
right, you nearly died, if you had I don't think I -“

She didn't stop the tears that now leaked from the corners of her eyes and traced a line
down her cheeks, “Harry, don't - please. It's not your fault. I followed you willingly, and
I would do it again.”

This time he didn't hold back the sob, and it broke her heart.

“Don't say that! Please!” He whispered harshly. “I can't lose you too Hermione - I just
can't and I will never allow you to follow me again if that is even a remote possibility.”

She wanted to scream at him, to shout and curse, but she knew that he was not in any shape to
handle her sudden burst of anger and she also knew that he didn't deserve it. He was just
trying to protect her and she loved him even more for it.

“I'm sorry.” He began, sounding much more composed. “I didn't mean to sound so harsh, or
get mad at you. I just - I just care about you Hermione, and Ron. I don't want anything
happening to you - I couldn't handle it.”

Hermione wanted to hold him, to take her dearest friend and her secret love in her arms and
fight off all his nightmares - everything that had ever brought this amazing young man pain. She
wanted to fill his world with all the love in her heart, if only for a moment, so he would know
what it means to be truly loved.

“It's alright Harry.” She whispered. “I understand more than you know.”

Her nightshirt was soaked with tears but she didn't care. She could tell he was crying, and
it hurt so much to know she was in grief over her, feeling guilt because of her.

Harry cleared his throat once more, “Well - I guess I should let you go. I think I've
depressed us enough for one night.”

She chuckled softly, “Yes, I think I need some sleep, although I'm not sure if I will get
any knowing that you are going to be here tomorrow. Gods Harry, I can't wait to see you.”

“I can't wait to see you either Hermione - but please try to get some sleep.”

She could hear the smile in his voice, telling her that he was truly excited to see her
again.

She laughed while twirling a strand of her hair around her finger, “I'll try, but no
promises.”

His voice had dropped to a tender whisper, “Deal, I'll see you in the morning Hermione…sweet
dreams.”

Her voice followed after his, “Goodnight Harry.”

*I love you.*

If she ever had any doubt about her true feelings for Harry Potter, that conversation erased
them completely, which left her with particular feelings of anticipation, anxiousness and
dread.

How was she going to handle being in the same with room with him and not have her heart explode
with all the love she was feeling and attempt to not hurt Ron in the process?

*I really hate being a teenager in love.*



August 7th, 8:59 A.M.

What surprised Hermione the most was that she had indeed gotten a good night sleep - without the
Dreamless Drought - which she had forgotten to take before falling asleep.

She awoken from bed shortly after 8 and was primped and ready to await Harry's return by
8:30. Of course, all the current residents of the Black Mansion were also awake and dashing
excitedly around the large industrial kitchen waiting for Harry to arrive.

She noticed that absence of Remus Lupin, and wondered if he had gone ahead to pick-up Harry. Off
to her left she noticed Ginny Weasley, the youngest child of Arthur and Molly Weasley, who was
sitting quietly at the table eating a strand of her flaming red hair nervously.

*Oh Gods, please don't tell me that she is still crushing on him! Please no.*

Ron stepped into the kitchen with a quaffle in his hands, “Anything yet?”

Hermione shook her head but Ginny was the one who answered, “No Ron! Not since you walked in
here a minute ago and asked the exact same question!”

Ron raised an eyebrow at his sister, “Ginny - are you nervous about seeing Harry?”

Hermione tried to ignore the wink that Ron sent her way.

*Yep, he thinks the same thing. This is not going to be good at all, of all the bloody*
*damn* *luck.*

Ginny's mouth dropped open and her cheeks flushed to a bright red, nearly matching her
hair.

“Ronald Weasley, leave your sister alone!” Molly shouted from the other side of the kitchen as
she placed the plates and silverware on the table for breakfast.

Ron smirked, “Sorry, mum.”

Hermione turned her head away to face the fireplace again and nearly fell off her chair in shock
as Remus Lupin head was floating amongst the flames- a large grin plastered on his handsome
face.

“All ready now?” Remus asked.

Everyone nodded and shouted that they were indeed ready to receive him and Harry.

“All right then, I'll be coming out first.” Remus turned his head and laughed at something
on the other side. “No, I don't think Ron wants that Harry - wait is she naked? Incredible,
they sell those? It's really too bad that Muggle pictures don't move around. Now
*that* would be much more interesting.”

Hermione could hear a deep laugh coming from beside Remus and she knew at that moment that it
belonged to Harry. Anticipation began to take hold of her body and she couldn't hold back the
silly grin that spread across her face.

Remus turned back to them, “Here we come - no Harry, I don't care if you are bigger than me
now, I said -“

It appeared as if Remus Lupin was pushed through the fireplace, because he shot through head
first into the kitchen, covered in soot. He laid there a moment muttering under his breath. Fred
and George, the two Weasley twins immediately helped him up as Remus swiped at the soot that
covered his cloak.

“Rotten little scoundrel.” Remus grumbled.

The laughter that had started at Remus' comical entrance suddenly died away as Harry Potter
stepped through the flames and into the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmuald Place.

Hermione thought she literally felt her jaw hit the floor, and she knew that if it wasn't
for the law of physics her eyes would have popped out of her head. All around her no one made a
sound, not even a gasp of surprise at the utterly obvious changes that Harry Potter had gone
through over the summer.

*Oh please have mercy!*

He stood there in front of the fireplace, which was a good fifteen feet from where Hermione was
sitting, wearing black jeans, a tight fitting red sleeveless t-shirt and black trainers.

Hermione immediately noticed that he had grown at least a good three inches because from where
she was standing he was nearly as tall as Ron. His hair, still black and still looking to her as if
it was the softest thing in the world, was now longer in the back, nearly touching his shoulders,
although it still had the eternally messy look on the top, it hung over his forehead, completely
covering his scar.

Then her eyes were drawn to his chest which she thought just might bust out of the shirt he was
wearing, *Pectorals, oh Gods …*, she thought dreamily.

He was not bulging with muscles, and Hermione was quite happy that he remained a bit lanky,
although she thought she might faint if he flexed those biceps in her general direction. He looked
perfect to her, not that she needed all this to love him any more than she already did, but the
package that now stood before her sent a warm burst of something entirely womanly straight through
her causing her to shiver momentarily.

*What was that?*

Ginny was the first to recover, she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him. Harry
laughed and squeezed her back. Soon everyone else had gotten over the momentary shock and greeted
Harry with hugs, and pats on the back, only Ron and Hermione were left who had not greeted him.

Harry took a step closer to them, a worried expression on his face.

Hermione shook herself out of her stupor and jumped into his arms, hugging him so tightly she
thought that she might have cut off his air supply, and to her pleasant surprise, Harry was
squeezing her just as hard. Her face rested in the crook of his neck as she only came up to his
chin now, and she could smell him - a manly smell she determined silently, a mixture of grass, soap
and something uniquely Harry.

“I missed you so much.” She whispered fiercely into his ear, followed soon after with a gentle,
yet lingering kiss on his cheek.

She felt him tremble slightly and hugged her tighter, “Gods…I missed you too, Hermione.”

He pulled back a little and looked at her, his eyes roaming from her face, studying it intently
then down the rest of her body, his eyes widening momentarily, *My God, he just checked me
out!* - Then he raised a trembling hand and ran it through her hair as a warm smile that melted
her heart quickly formed on his face.

Hermione immediately found herself lost in his shining green eyes.

*Oh no! Not now!*

“I love your hair, it looks amazing.” His expression was one of awe, causing her cheeks to
immediately flame up.

She lowered her head to hide the now obvious blush, “Thank you.”

A throat clearing behind them broke the two apart.

“Don't hog him Hermione; he's my best friend too.” Ron said with a hint of amusement in
his voice.

Ron stepped forward as Hermione reluctantly stepped away from Harry.

The two best friends stared at each for a few silent moments, and Hermione secretly noted that
she was right, Harry was now just as tall as Ron, and his shoulders were wider as well.

Ron grinned suddenly, “Git!”

Harry grinned as well, “Wanker!”

The two friends laughed and hugged briefly - a nice hug between two male best friends.

Hermione studied their interaction carefully, the hug seemed almost fake - their grins too wide
and their eyes showed her something else, something she couldn't quite explain, but it scared
her and she didn't know why. She also didn't know how she was going to hide her feelings
for Harry if he kept giving off the vibes that he was sending her when he held her in his arms. If
this wasn't settled quickly it could tear apart the trio, and that is something that would
likely scar her for the rest of her life.

*What am I going to do?*

-->



3. Torn Asunder
---------------



*"Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love."* **
** *-Albert Einstein*

Chapter Three: Torn Asunder

****

August 7th, 12:15 P.M.

*Hermione has curves, really nice, soft curves that I just want to reach out and - Oh Gods,
help me! No! Stop staring at her! That's right -raise your eyes past the curves of her hips -
No! Not her breasts! When did she get those?! Damnit!*

Harry clamped his right hand over his face and groaned. He had been back at Number 12 Grimmuald
Place for less than 3 hours and he had spent nearly all of that time finding ways to stare at
Hermione when she wasn't noticing. Of course at the moment she was sitting right next to him on
his bed along with Ron and Ginny, who were all involved in an animated conversation of some sort,
which made staring at her all the more difficult yet all the more tempting.

He peaked around his fingers at Ron who was staring at him looking worried, *I can't shake
that feeling I got from him when we shook hands in the kitchen…it was something - dark.*

"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione's voice sounded sincerely concerned and when he
pulled his hand away he noticed that all three of his friends were staring at him with worried
expressions on their faces. Then she put her small delicate hand on his arm and he immediately felt
a burst of dormant energy crackle silently throughout his body.

He turned his head to look at her face and when he saw her dilated pupils and flushed face he
knew that she had felt it too.

*Oh bloody hell!*

Harry bolted out of the bed and across the room not stopping until he was in his bathroom with
the door shutting violently behind him, he could hear Hedwig rattle her cage in surprise.

"Harry! Are you okay mate?" It was Ron and he was right outside the door.

*Get a grip Harry! You have to control this! She's Ron's girlfriend and your best
friend - you can't just go around staring at her and getting a hard-on every time she touches
you!*

"I'm not feeling too good at the moment Ron." Harry's voice reached a rather
unfamiliar pitch and he covered his mouth in surprise.

*Did that come out of me!?* Harry asked himself.

"Harry? Please let us in." Her voice- Harry trembled, that odd sensation ran through
him again and he had to balance himself on the sink to keep himself from falling face first into
the toilet. A low groan followed by a light thud against the bathroom door startled him.

"Hermione, are you alright!?" Ron again, but this time his voice had a bit more worry
in it.

"Umm...yes, that was odd. I guess - well, I'm ok now I think." Hermione's
voice sounded distant and rather unsure and it worried him.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Harry's voice was back to normal thankfully.

"I will be once you get out here Harry" She responded softly, and he could tell that
she was leaning rather close to the door because it muffled her voice more than before.

"I'll be out in a moment, Hermione." He tried to sound confident and unaffected by
her and he hoped that it worked.

"You promise?" Apparently it didn't and he nearly folded over himself at the worry
and tenderness that laced her words.

"I promise Hermione." He squeaked out.

*Puberty sucks...*

He listened as she stepped away from the door, Ron had asked Hermione how she was feeling and
she had mumbled her responses - he waited until he was sure they are on the other side of the
bedroom before he sank to the floor, bringing his knees up to his chest and resting his forehead on
them.

*This is* *freaking* *insane - I have to take control of myself. There can be no
more of, well - whatever that was. Still - how did I do that? What the bloody hell was it? And why
did it feel so damn good?*

Harry sighed one more time and hauled himself to his feet, pushing all the emotions to the back
of his mind.

*I can do this. I've already got more things to worry about than any adult wizard, I
don't need one more, especially if it's lusting or loving after Hermione.*

Harry paused at this thought, his hand on the doorknob. *Love? Well I do love her, but - do I
even know what love is? Real love that is.* He was sweating and he noticed that his hand was
trembling slightly. *Odd - it's not that warm in here...*then it hit him like the
proverbial ton of bricks.

*Oh no* *way! Stop it! You fancy Cho, yeah - that's right. Hah, take that
hormone's.*

With a surge of confidence that he really didn't feel and with a trembling hand, Harry
opened the bathroom door and re-entered his bedroom, and immediately noticed that everyone was gone
- except her. Sitting at his desk, wearing a tight fitting pink tank-top and even tighter
hip-hugging white jeans, this wasn't going to be pleasant.

*Oh* *damn**.*

****

From her place at the desk Hermione watched him enter the bedroom, wondering what his reaction
would be when he found that she was the only other person left in the room as Ron and Ginny had
gone down for lunch and to her surprise it didn't take as long as she thought it would to get
her answer. Harry looked around his room once before his eyes settled on her.

She fought back a smile as Harry's face went from totally blank to confused and then to
looking absolutely terrified before finally his cheeks went red and he hung is head to hide his
obvious embarrassment from her.

*Gods - I could have some fun with this. At least I know now that it's not a one way
thing, he's just a nervous around me as I am around him. I just need to know if it's for
the same reasons though.*

Hermione smiled at warmly and motioned for him to sit on the bed across from her, "Come on
Harry, we should talk."

Harry fisted his hands together and shook his head, "Shouldn't we head on down for
lunch, Hermione?"

She kept her smile in place and nodded, "In a minute we will - I promise. First I need to
talk to you about what that was."

Harry's face drained of all color and stuttered a few times before finally, "What was
what?"

Hermione fought back the blush that was threatening to overtake her and raised an eyebrow
suggestively at him, "You know what I'm talking about Harry, when I touched you before you
shot off like a Firebolt into the loo."

Harry dropped to the bed with a groan, grabbed a pillow and tried to subtly place it over his
lap, "Oh...that, well - I'm not entirely sure what that was to be honest with
you."

Hermione leaned forward and placed her hand on Harry's knee, which resulted in him closing
his eyes tightly and tightening his hands around the pillow while Hermione's eyes fluttered
closed and she let out a gasp as her body trembled as a wonderful burning sensation that started in
her loins fanned out like a wild fire and rolled over body like a tidal wave.

*Oh Gods! That was - Bloody hell, is that what I think it was?!*

She pulled back after a moment and shook her head, "I-I don't know for sure what this
is, b-but I can tell you what it feels like."

*Okay - now how do I say this to him without freaking him out?*

Harry opened his eyes - she was smirking at him, "Why are you smiling at me like
that?"

Hermione bit at her lip a moment before answering, "Harry - I felt that, whatever it was I
felt it, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I have felt it before - well, in a way I
have..."

*Just kill me now!*

She trailed off, her face was burning and she had begun to sweat in places that she didn't
know she could sweat in and Hermione could tell by the expression on Harry's face that he had
realized what she was referring to because his face and neck had flushed to the deepest shade of
red that she had ever seen on a person before.

Harry leaned forward his mouth opening and closing a few times before he closed his eyes and
shook his head. He leaned back again and with a strained voice asked her, "Did - was
that...er...I mean - are you talking about what I think you're talking about?"

*I knew he was smarter than he let on...*

Hermione nodded slightly and whispered, "You gave me an orgasm Harry - and I have no idea
how."

*It's not wrong that I want him to do it again is it?*

Harry jumped off the bed which startled Hermione and began pacing around the room,
"That's impossible! There is no way - you felt it wrong Hermione."

*Felt it wrong? What?*

He stopped and looked at her, "I don't understand it, but I know that isn't what I
did; besides...how would you know if that is...er...exactly what I gave you?"

*Oh crap!*

Hermione blanched, “I'm umm…I have read books about the subject, I practiced some of the -
well, the self…umm…I just know, ok Harry?”

Harry's eyebrows arched into his hair line and for a moment she thought that his emerald
eyes were twinkling behind his rimmed glasses, "You've read *books*?"

*What? Like I was really going to tell him that a few nights a week I play with myself with an
image of him parading around in tight fitt**ing Gryffindor r**ed boxers in my head?*
*I don't think so**!*

Hermione lowered her head and fisted the hem of her t-shirt, pulling it flush against her chest.
She snapped her head up at the sound of Harry's groan, "What? What's wrong?"

Harry had placed both his hands over his face, "You! You just did that thing - with your
shirt, and it brought attention, to-to...umm them!"

He finished the statement off by gesturing at her breasts wildly.

Hermione looked down and noticed that her breasts were pushing out against the t-shirt that she
was practically pulling off herself. Immediately she released her hold on the shirt and looked back
up at Harry, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to -"

*Damn**! I might as well just ask him to grab hold of them...what the hell was I
thinking!?*

Harry shook his head, "No...It's alright - I guess I should get used to you having
those shouldn't I?"

Hermione smiled at him warmly, "Yeah, you might want to do that Harry. It's ok though,
I completely understand."

Harry grinned, "You understand do you?"

*Oh I do...*

Hermione let her gaze wonder down his lean body stopping at the apex of his upper thighs and the
impressive bulge that rested there.

*Wow - I wonder if he's really that - Ugh! There goes another coherent thought.*

She raised her eyes back to his face and off his flushed expression began giggling.

"I'm sorry Harry - I'm just teasing you." She said between fits of
laughter.

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a stern look, "I don't think I have
ever seen this side of you before Hermione. What gives?"

Her laughter stopped and a thoughtful expression came over her face, "No. I don't think
you or I have ever seen this side of me before now."

*Can you figure it out Harry? Or do I have to say it - because I highly doubt we are ready for
that yet...*

Hermione watched as he slowly understood the silent implication of her words. Her heart began to
flutter as she watched Harry try to fight the smile but failed as his heart melting grin finally
won and broke out across his face. He opened his mouth to say something that Hermione knew would
change their lives forever, when suddenly his eyes glanced behind her and the warm grin quickly
drooped into a troubled frown.

*That can't be good.*

"Oh...umm...hey Ron, were just...uh...talking for a minute before heading down for
lunch." Harry stammered.

Hermione felt her gut twist painfully and she slowly turned her head to see Ron standing in the
doorway with his arms crossed and wearing a blank expression. She smiled feebly at him, "Hey -
umm...we we're just heading down."

Ron looked between the two of them, his eyes narrowed for a moment and Hermione thought she saw
a muscle in his jaw twitch, “Mum is keeping your lunch warm for now…”

Harry nodded quickly pushing his glasses back up on his nose, “Right - I'll just go and eat,
I'm starving...eat a horse I could!”

Harry gave Hermione a little smile which she returned and walked out the door.

“What was that Hermione?” Ron asked quietly.

Hermione raised her eyebrow at him curiously, “What was what Ron?”

*Ignore it and it will go away...that works right?*

Ron sighed, “The flirting thing you have going on with Harry. I mean don't get me wrong - I
don't mind you flirting per se, but…“ He paused and seemed to be going over the words in his
head. “It's just you don't flirt like that with me and I'm sort of your boyfriend.”

*He did not just say that.*

Hermione rose to her feet quickly, her face red and her eyes clouded in anger, “Oh honestly Ron!
We went on one tiny date - which you had to talk me into going with you on, and then on said date
you were either not listening to what I was saying about the subjects that I cared about or you
were off staring at a naked bloody statue whilst trying not to drool all over the floor!”

Ron's face went crimson and he tightened his hands into fists, “Oi! You selfish little brat!
I had to endure two hours of you ramble on about `subjects' that I listen to you talk about all
year at school! Excuse me if I wanted to talk about something else, something that didn't have
to do with school or Death Eaters or Harry-Bloody-Potter!”

He took a menacing step towards her, “I have feelings for you Hermione - I don't know why,
but I do!”

Hermione shook her head sadly and her voice cracked with emotion, “I'm sorry Ron. I love you
dearly I do - when we aren't at each others throats - but I don't have *those*
feelings for you. I just…I just don't, I'm sorry if that hurts you, and I know it must -
and it hurts me to hurt you, but I don't feel the same way you do.”

She observed wearily as Ron's expression switched from confusion to one of anger, “It's
Harry isn't it? It's always Harry!”

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, *Yes - but I think if he knew now it would*
*tear* *us all apart.*

"I'll take your silence as a yes!" Ron gritted his teeth and stomped away while
throwing over his shoulder bitterly, “Don't bother inviting me to the bloody wedding - I only
attend those for people that are my friends!”

Hermione stormed after him, “Damnit Ron! I didn't mean to hurt you! Please - just come back
so we can talk civilly about this!”

She raced down the stairs after him, dreading that his course would take them right into the
kitchen - which it did. Hermione tried to catch up with him but his legs were much longer than hers
and when she saw Ron stalk into the kitchen and pause for a second, his head turning quickly to the
left and then he was off again.

“You bastard!” Ron's angry bellow gave her the speed she prayed was needed as she raced into
the kitchen just as Ron stopped in front of a confused Harry and swung at his face -which connected
solidly with Harry's jaw knocking the other young man back a step.

“Ron! No!” Hermione thought the scream came from her, when in fact it came from her and the two
other witnesses who were standing in the kitchen - Molly and Ginny, whom were both looking
terrified by Ron's actions.

“You just couldn't stand it could you!?” Ron roared as he swung at Harry again, who
hadn't had a chance to recover from the first blow, and Hermione screamed again as the next
punch, which caught Harry in the mouth, splattered some of his blood on the wall behind them.

Harry stumbled holding his hand to his lip, but again didn't go down and choked out, “What
the hell is wrong with you Ron!?”

Hermione and the other two women dashed forward to separate the two boys when they ran straight
into an invisible barrier, which knocked them back a few steps.

*What the hell? Who put this up?*

Hermione looked at her two best friends again and gasped when she caught sight of Harry's
emerald eyes, glowing lightly in the poorly lit kitchen. Molly and Ginny each went for their wands
as Hermione stared petrified at the scene before her.

Professor Snape's annoying voice rushed through her mind - “*These displays of wild magic
are getting out of control.”*

Ron stepped back involuntarily, or stumbled back from the expression on his face, Hermione
assumed it was the latter.

*He must see it too. How are you doing this Harry? You don't have your wand...*

Harry took a step towards Ron - his arms were spread out to his sides and his palms open, “Ron -
calm down. What is this about?”

Whatever Ron saw in Harry's eyes, it didn't distract him from his anger, “She was mine!
Not yours! You just had to flash the scar and that bloody Boy-Who-Lived smile and you had her
eating out of your hands!”

Hermione slapped her hand on the invisible wall in frustration, “Ron! Stop this please!
Let's just talk ok? Don't hurt him!”

Ron shook his head, “Don't hurt him!? So going to happen, No - you want her Harry? You have
to fight me for her!”

“Ronald Weasley! You get over here this instant!” Molly Weasley screeched indignantly while
Ginny stood just behind her mother sobbing.

Ron ignored her and the other screams from Hermione and Ginny as he lunged at Harry who quickly
sidestepped him and allowed Ron to fly past and tumble head first into the brick wall behind him.
Hermione cringed as Ron's head made a dull thud noise on impact and he dropped to the tiled
floor like a stone, unconscious.

Harry squatted next to him and rolled him over onto his back, he quickly checked for a pulse and
let a sigh of relief when Hermione figured that he had found one. Harry looked to the three women,
his expression one of horror and shock.

“Someone want to tell me what that was all about?” He asked as he started to stand up and then
stopped as he noticed that the girls were slapping their hands on some sort of barrier that had
separated them from himself and Ron.

Hermione gave him a frustrated look, “Did you erect this Harry?”

He frowned at her, “Do you see a wand in my hand?”

They both paused at the double meaning behind their words - Harry shook his head and sighed and
stepped over to the table to pick up his wand.

Hermione smiled a little, “Just get rid of it Harry, please?”

Harry nodded and waved his wand at the area in front of him and muttered, “*Finite
Incantantum*.”

Hermione reached out and felt nothing in front of her, and with a sigh of relief she ran forward
past Harry and kneeled down by Ron. Molly reached her side a second later, her wand in hand
checking her son over while Ginny stayed back her eyes still filled with tears and clutching at the
hem of her pink skirt.

On the edge of Hermione's peripheral vision she saw Harry frowning at her with an unusual
look in his eyes, while she tended to Ron. Hermione turned a little to see Harry back away until he
hit the edge of the table.

After a few moments Molly looked up at Harry with a frown, “Harry - I'm not going to pretend
that this is your fault, but do you have any idea why this happened?”

Hermione winced and answered before Harry could open his mouth, “Ron and I got into an argument
- over Harry.”

Harry pierced her with a look that made her stomach twist painfully, “Over me? What the hell did
I do? And what was he yelling about - talking like a madman is what he was doing!”

Molly gasped, “Harry! Please - let's not raise our voices.” She turned to face Hermione,
“Why were you two fighting over Harry, dear?”

*Okay…here we go; this should just go over real well with his mother.*

Harry sighed again, “Let me guess - he got mad because we were talking and he mistook it for
flirting or whatever.”

*We were flirting Harry...*

Hermione nodded sadly, “Then he - well he told me that I was his girlfriend, I mean we only had
one date - and it wasn't really a good one at that - but who is he to *tell me* that
I'm his girlfriend?”

Hermione felt her stomach twist again as she watched Harry gently touch the cut on his lip which
was bleeding rather badly. She stood up and walked to him and as she raised her hand to his face he
took a step back with a frown on his face, she stopped and gave him a hurt look.

“What's…?” She stared to say but stopped at the look of frustration on his face. He leaned
forward a little, his face now only a couple inches from hers - close enough that she could smell
his unique scent and the mint smell still leftover from his toothpaste and it was intoxicating
enough to make her mind spin enough that she didn't notice that she had started to raise her
hand to place on his chest before his voice broke through the temporary confusion that his
closeness had caused her and she dropped her hand in a flash.

“I'm sorry.” He whispered so only she could hear, “But I think us *touching* here with
- well you know, it's not a good idea. I'll be fine, I swear.”

*Right, not a good time* *or place to experience another one of those* *- but
he's hurt! I just want to help him!*

Harry smiled at her as if reading her mind, “I'll be ok Hermione - just help Mrs. Weasley
with Ron, he needs it more than I do.”

Hermione still didn't looked convinced, “But…”

Ginny stepped up beside Harry, “Come on Harry, let's go get you cleaned up. I…umm, need to
speak with you anyway.”

Harry looked between the two girls for a moment before slowly walking out of the kitchen -
suddenly he turned around and quickly walked back to the table and picked up his plate of food,
gave the girls another weak smile and silently left the kitchen.

Ginny faced Hermione with a knowing look, “I'll talk to him - and let you know what's
going on, I need to ask him a favor anyway.” She squeezed Hermione's arm gently, “It'll be
alright - you'll see Hermione.”

Hermione's eyes followed Ginny out of the kitchen, then turned and sat in a chair her eyes
finally falling on Ron's unconscious form and his mother waving her wand slowly over him.
*What the hell happened here?* She thought to herself. *Ron's never acted like this
before - ever.* Hermione frowned, propped her elbow on the table and laid her chin on her
hand.

*This is not happening - Ron just attacked Harry and Harry somehow kept the three of us from
interfering by conjuring an invisible barrier - without the aid of his wand!*

Ron's groan brought her attention back to him, “Is he going to be ok, Mrs. Weasley?”

Molly Weasley frowned for a moment as she swept her wand over a slowly waking Ron. Seemingly
satisfied with the results she bent down to Ron's face and Hermione gasped when she slapped him
rather forcefully across one of his freckled cheeks. He groaned again but this time opened his eyes
and immediately his hand flew to his forehead which was now rather red and swollen.

She turned to Hermione and spoke quietly, “Ron's going to be fine Hermione - nothing that a
week de-Gnoming the garden back home won't fix!”

Hermione looked back at Ron who was now looking at her, his lip curling upwards in barely
controlled anger. Molly looked between them for a moment before pushing herself up and shaking her
head, “Ronald - I am seriously disappointed in you! When you calm down I seriously suggest you go
apologize to Harry, he is your best friend.”

“Harry is no longer my friend - so I don't think I will be apologizing to him anytime soon.”
Ron snapped through gritted teeth.

*Oh Ron...what has gotten into you?*

Hermione sighed and gave him a disapproving `cluck' of her tongue before she finally stood
up from her chair and walked rather quickly out of the kitchen.

****

Harry stood in his bathroom grimacing at his reflection in the mirror, his lip had just healed
itself - thankfully after Ginny had already left, he wasn't sure if he was up to explaining to
her why he could heal so fast without the aid of a wand. Of course, Harry himself doesn't
understand why or how he is able to do it either. He gingerly touched the darkened area on his left
cheek that hadn't yet begun to heal and winced as a sharp jolt of pain shot through him.

*What the fuck is his problem? He has never acted like that before - I don't care what he
thought he saw between Hermione and I, it didn't deserve that sort of reaction.* Harry
wrinkled his brow, *Okay maybe I might have acted the same way - but I would have at least let
him talk before caving his face in.*

Harry ran his hands through the water for a moment, turned it off and grabbed the towel over the
sink and dried his hands. He turned and walked back into his bedroom his mind going back once again
to the incident with Ron in the kitchen. Harry shivered as he remembered the emotions he felt
coming off Ron in waves - anger, betrayal, jealousy. All usual emotions, but what had caught Harry
by surprise wasn't that he actually felt Ron's emotions but that he felt an underlying
factor that was urging those emotions to the surface - a factor that really had little to do with
Hermione and himself. To Harry, it felt dark - or rather twisted and not exactly evil, but dark
nonetheless.

*I should ask him about it, if we ever speak to each other again that is...*

Harry stopped in his tracks as he caught sight of Hermione standing in the doorway, her bottom
lip trembling and wringing her hands.

*Uh oh*

“Hey.” He muttered.

"Hey." She replied quietly.

*Yes this is going well...*

She looked at him oddly for a moment before taking a deep breath and then she was off, “Are you
ok? I didn't mean for any of this to happen, I didn't know Ron would react that way - and
he hit you Harry! What the hell! He had no reason to do that, I'm not his property, I'm not
even his girlfriend for Merlin's sake!”

*Well obviously Ron didn't get the memo...*

Hermione stepped forward into the room and ran a hand through her shortened hair, pulling her
bangs away from her face, allowing Harry to gaze at her angelic face for just a minute before she
stopped in front of him and began talking again.

“I'm so sorry, Harry. The things he said - I don't know what got into him, but I know it
scared me, and I don't like being scared of Ron. I mean I know I don't feel for him like he
feels for me, but he is still one of my best friends and I love him dearly, but to actually be
afraid of him…it just doesn't make any sense.”

“I forgot how much I missed your tangents Hermione” Harry blurted out.

*Oopps…*

Hermione tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at him, “Right. I honestly don't see you
missing me go off like this.”

Harry shook his head and smiled, “No - I do, oddly enough I find it very comforting.”

Hermione blushed and tried to hide the smile that threatened to overtake her by biting down on
her lip.

Harry leaned down and whispered, “Come on - you know you want to smile at that. It was truly
sincere and to be honest, I could do with one of your smiles right now.”

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she hugged him tightly, “Thank you Harry - I don't
know what I…just thank you.”

Harry was thanking all the Gods in the heavens that whatever was going on physically between he
and Hermione didn't show its face at that moment, because it would have robbed him of a hug
that warmed him through to his soul - causing his stomach to flip strangely and his heart to
flutter for some odd reason. He hugged her back tightly, enjoying the feel of her body against his,
her soft curves blending perfectly with his firmer body.

“It's ok Hermione.” He whispered into her hair, “About before…”

Hermione pulled away slightly, leaving one of her arms around his waist and the other resting
gently on his broad chest, absently tracing along the firm ridges of his pectoral muscles. She
looked up into his face and gasped.

“Harry! Your face - it's healing, like right now! Here in front of me. How?” She gasped
again as she touched his jaw that was now completely healed.

*Bloody hell! Why now?*

Harry tried to pull away to hide his embarrassment but Hermione held him tightly against her,
“Harry - did you know that you could do this?”

He nodded and mumbled, “It started happening earlier this summer.”

With a look of amazement on her face, she ran her hand down his cheek, “You haven't told
anyone about this yet?”

Harry didn't notice that his hands had somehow lowered to her hips and he was lightly
tugging on her belt loops when he answered, “No, and before you ask - Yes I was going to tell you
but only after I had talked to Dumbledore about it.”

Hermione smiled wickedly and poked him in the ribs gently, “Of course, I completely understand,
don't bother telling your best friend that you can heal yourself without a wand... yes it makes
sense.”

Harry snorted and hugged her again, wrapping his arms around her waist and she rested her head
on his chest and Harry could have sworn that he heard Hermione sniffing him.

Hermione shifted slightly in his arms bringing her lower abdomen in contact with his suddenly
rock hard penis, he groaned and out of some inborn instinct she burrowed even closer against him
and his erection stiffened even more.

*Oh* *hell* *- What is she doing to me?*

“Harry…” She moaned his name against his chest. “I think - I think we should…”

Harry gritted his teeth and moaned, “Gods Hermione - what are you doing to me?”

She wiggled her hips and his penis suddenly came into contact with her pubic bone - she grabbed
a fistful of Harry's shirt and gasped, “Damnit…this feels *really* good...but Harry - we
should...we should *really* stop.”

Harry nodded, placed his hands on her shoulders and reluctantly stepped away, she moaned at his
departure but didn't try to reclaim her position, although Harry could tell by the look on her
face; her cheeks were a beautiful shade of pink and her pupils were dilated, that she wanted very
much to continue what they were doing and that made him to kiss her so badly that he suddenly found
himself leaning his head closer to hers and to his joy she was doing the same, and everything would
have gone perfectly if not for -

"Filthy, Dirty Blood Traitors!! Get Out Of My House!! Damn Fools!!" The screeching
voice of Mrs. Black's painting halted their progress and ruined what Harry thought was a
perfect moment.

*I'm going to toss that* *old hag out the window**.*

Hermione shook her head, licked her lips and smiled at him, “We should probably talk about this
later - after the reading of the will tonight.”

Harry opened his mouth - found that he couldn't string together a sentence and just settled
for nodding at her while Hermione looked down at the impressive bulge straining against his jeans
and shivered, “Yeah - after the reading we can…talk.”

*Damn* *bloody git! Speak! It's not difficult, just open your mouth and talk!*

Harry nodded again and she giggled, “Well, I better go - I need to take a shower and umm…get
some things done before tonight.”

*Say something you wanker!*

Hermione smiled at him warmly almost as if she were inviting him to join her, “I'll see you
later Harry.”

She took a few tentative steps backwards, not taking her eyes off of him before suddenly turning
and dashing out of the room.

Harry smiled to himself, “Hermione and I just - we just…what did we just do?”

*We were grinding against each other*, Harry thought to himself with a stupid grin. He
liked the sound of that, Hermione grinding against him, her moaning and wiggling her hips, her
breasts crushed against his chest trying to get closer to feel more of him - Ron punching him in
the jaw, screaming that Hermione was his, dropping to the floor unconscious after slamming head
first into the wall.

*Oh* *shit - good timing that was…*

Harry sighed, “Bloody hell - thanks a lot Ron, now I feel guilty.”

****

August 7th, 8:30 P.M.

Hermione adjusted her pink silk top so that it covered her stomach and flattened out her black
skirt to get rid of the creases that had developed after she fell asleep for a couple hours on her
bed; she ran her hands through her hair making sure that nothing was out of place - took a deep
breath and stepped into the hallway leading to the Drawing Room.

She stopped just outside the room and looked inside - immediately noticing Harry who stood
towards the center of the room and smiled to herself as she watched the young wizard who was
speaking quietly with Professor Dumbledore. She thought he was probably talking about the
occurrences that went on early in the day with Ron and his quick healing without a wand. She smiled
at Harry's choice of clothing for the evening. He was wearing a long-sleeved black button down
shirt and a rather fetching pair of black khaki pants with black dress shoes, and to her he looked
absolutely delicious. His hair was feathered back and Hermione found it very attractive and rather
grown-up looking, although she preferred the usual style he kept it in - messy and untamable - but
she would take what she could get.

She looked around the rest of the room which was filled with people talking pleasantly with one
another; Severus Snape stood off to one side of the room listening to something that Narcissa
Malfoy was saying. Hermione pondered her presence for a moment before remembering that she was
Sirius Black's cousin. She was thankful that Draco Malfoy wasn't here for the reading - she
wasn't sure she would have been able to handle the testosterone explosion that would have
occurred between Harry, Ron and Draco.

Speaking of Ron, he was standing the corner on the far side of the room with the twins, Fred and
George and they looked to be talking very animatedly about something. He actually looked happy, and
for a fleeting moment Hermione considered walking over and speaking with him, but the images of Ron
hitting and screaming at Harry flashed through her mind and once again her anger resurfaced. She
growled to herself and walked into the room quickly somehow finding herself at Harry's side,
Dumbledore smiled at her warmly, his eyes twinkling.

“Good evening Miss Granger.” He said bowing his head slightly. “You are looking rather lovely
tonight.”

She blushed and lowered her head, “Thank you Headmaster.”

Harry glanced at her and smiled, “Yes, she is looking rather beautiful tonight, isn't
she?”

Hermione gave him a beaming smile and touched his arm, “Thank you - looking quite handsome
yourself Harry.”

Harry's cheeks flushed pink for a moment and smiled, “Yeah - Remus said that this would be
more appropriate for tonight then my dress robes. Although I'm thinking about asking Mrs.
Weasley to cut my hair...”

Hermione winked, "Yes - don't get me wrong I love your hair, but it's just too
long, I can barely see your face."

Harry snorted, "Yeah - like seeing my face is a good thing."

Hermione nodded and tightened her hold on his arm, “Absolutely!" She glanced at Dumbledore
before adding, "Did you speak with the Professor yet Harry?”

Dumbledore answered for him, “Yes he did Miss Granger, and I must say that it is rather
remarkable - and I was quite hoping that you and Harry would like to do some research on the
subject.”

Harry smiled knowingly, “I don't think she'll have a problem with that Headmaster.”

Hermione nodded her head vigorously, “I would love to! We can get started tomorrow morning if
that is ok?”

“That would be fine Hermione.” Harry said and Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

Dumbledore turned his head towards the door and smiled, “Ah - Mr. Tasker is here, he is the
representative for Sirius' estate and will be reading the will. Come let us take our
seats.”

Harry took her arm and led her to a seat next to his; Remus Lupin smiled at them as they passed
by. She returned his smile then looked off to her left to find Ron staring at them, his eyes
narrowed and his clenching his fists that were resting in his lap. She ignored him and allowed
Harry to sit her before he sat down in his own seat next to her.

She looked around at the rather large group of people who were sitting at the full-sized round
table in the center of the room. Clockwise from her left sat Remus Lupin, Arthur and Molly Weasley,
followed by Ginny, Fred and George and then Ron. On Ron's left and by the look of utter
contempt on his face, was Severus Snape; followed by Mrs. Malfoy then to her surprise Nymphadora
Tonks, *That's right - she's also another of Sirius' cousins*, Hermione thought to
herself. Tonks smiled at her cheekily and looked from her to Harry then winked, Hermione stifled a
giggle. Next to Tonks was Albus Dumbledore followed by Mr. Tasker and then finally Harry and
herself.

Mr. Tasker was a short man, with balding white hair and blue eyes that sat behind a large pair
of bifocals; he was standing at what would be the head of the table with Harry on his left. Placed
in front of him was a file filled with paperwork and something Hermione had only seen once before
in her life - a Pensive.

*I wonder if Sirius recorded his will in a Pensive…Oh Gods. How will Harry react to
that?*

She glanced at Harry and found him staring at the Pensive with a frown on his face. The look of
sadness on his face broke her heart, her hand sought out his under the table, and she gave him a
reassuring squeeze and intertwined their fingers together.

*When did his hands get so big?*

He smiled at her gratefully and to her great surprise didn't remove his hand from hers;
instead he pulled her hand onto his lap and held it there. She smiled and turned to face Mr. Tasker
who had just cleared his throat and begun to speak.

“Thank you all for coming this evening - I will begin this evening by telling you all that the
Black Family Estate is both very large and very well off.” He paused to lean forward and press a
switch on the Pensive, “However, I think Mr. Black himself will do a better job than myself of
telling you all that.”

Hermione wasn't the only one that gasped as a life-sized but transparent replica of Sirius
Black appeared standing over the table, peering down at them. He looked just like she remembered,
his hair long and black, his handsome face showing the strain of 13 years in Azkaban prison but
still retaining the strength and willpower to carry on not only for himself, but for Harry as
well.

He cleared his throat and smiled warmly, “Greetings - if you all are seeing this, then I reckon
I am dead.” He paused and Harry gripped her hand a little tighter, “Now - I can imagine this might
come as a shock to most of you but I realized not long after I…or rather Albus decided that it
would be best that I remain here at my family's mansion; that I needed to be responsible and
get my affairs in order.”

He reached into a pocket in his robes and pulled out a scroll which he unrolled, after a moment
of reading it over he began speaking again in a much somber tone, “Before I begin - Harry, there is
nothing in this world that I wouldn't give to be by your side during the times to come.” Sirius
paused again and wiped a transparent tear from his eye. “Unfortunately - fate bloody well sucks. I
know you Harry, I can guess that you are blaming yourself for whatever killed me - but don't,
more than likely I am the cause of my own death, and if by some chance that my death was the end
result of saving yours…then I would die a thousand times over just to see you safe.”

Hermione watched Harry fight back the tears as Sirius continued, “At least I am with James and
Lily again - I truly believe that, and Remus old boy- I hope that I don't see you up here for
long time.”

Sirius seemed to regain his composure and looked once again at the scroll in his hands, “Now
unto business - I daresay that the Black Estate is one of - if not the wealthiest estate in all of
Britain, of course Mr. Tasker will be able to either confirm or deny that. Okay, here we go: To my
cousins Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks (Yes I know my dear Nymphadora that you despise that name
but I figure I can get away with it now seeing as that I am dead) I leave them each two shares of
the Black Family trust; now I am not entirely sure what a share is worth - again Mr. Tasker will
help with that, but I am sure it's quite a lot.”

He paused again and his eyes went wide, “Forgot I put her in here - oh well, she is family. Dear
Narcissa, I leave you and your son Draco one share apiece - but there is a stipulation of sorts, if
it comes to the knowledge of Mr. Tasker that Lucius in anyway gets his filthy-Death Eater hands on
it, you will forfeit both your share and Draco's, I'm sorry but it is my money and these
are my rules.”

Remus grunted while Narcissa merely sneered at Sirius as he continued, “To my second cousins -
Arthur and Molly Weasley, I leave their family 2 shares along with the vast amount of Herbology
tools and books that I am sure that Molly will put to good use.”

Molly smiled tenderly as she wiped away a tear with her handkerchief.

Sirius rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Also - to Fred and George Wesley, I leave to them the
three crates of tricks, toys and gadgets left over from my Marauder days that I am positive they
will find extremely useful. Make me proud boys!”

The twins gaped in awe at the image of Sirius.

“Wicked.”

“Cool.”

“To Ginny Weasley…” Sirius continued, “I leave her the Black Family enchanted record player - I
know you enjoyed listening to it last summer Ginny and I do hope that you enjoy it for the rest of
your life.” Ginny beamed and nodded thankfully at Sirius.

“To Ron Weasley - I leave my autographed Quidditch Ball Set, signed by the Hall of Fame Keeper
for the Chuddley Cannon's Derik Varstow - keep it safe Ron, it's very much priceless.”

Ron nearly leaped out of his chair with excitement and Hermione noticed that even Harry
couldn't help but smile at Ron's good fortune. Sirius paused for a moment again, and peered
at the scroll before looking up and smiling, “To Hermione Granger - it came to my attention,
don't worry Harry I won't tell her it was you, that you rather loved the Black Family
library, of course I thought it was rather obvious - but you and I both know how dense Harry can be
about some things don't we Hermione?”

Sirius winked at her. Oh *Gods - I forgot that I had told him how I felt about Harry during
Christmas break...*

Hermione glanced at Harry who was blushing, “So - seeing as how it makes you happy, I leave all
of it…to you.” Hermione gasped, “There is to my knowledge over 250,000 volumes of works in that
library, making it the largest personal collection of magical knowledge in all of Britain. Use it
wisely my dear. Oh, and before I forget I also leave to the Granger family one share of the Black
Family Trust for Hermione's continued education at Hogwarts and one share to Hermione herself
to continue her education after Hogwarts or to just throw one hell of a graduation party.”

*Oh Gods! Oh my - Thank you Sirius...*

Harry chuckled and Hermione pinched his thigh under the table which made him jerk a little in
his chair. Tonks gave Hermione a strange look then winked at her again.

Sirius stopped speaking and began to pace around the table, “To Severus Snape - I offer my
apologies for a childhood filled with torment and embarrassment, in the end I hope we both find
peace Severus - I also leave to Severus the immense Black Family potions laboratory which resides
in the basement - I think you will enjoy that Severus, despite our differences, you were the
greatest potions master I have ever known.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione noticed that the Professor appeared to be touched by this
statement as he was no longer sneering.

Sirius stopped in front of Remus and looked down at his old friend, “Remus - you and James were
my dearest friends, and I thank you for straightening James and I out and not letting my petty
jealousy over him getting the girl come between us.”

*What girl? Harry's father and Sirius fought over a girl?*

Remus closed his eyes tightly and took in a deep breath, “To you my friend, I leave 2 shares of
the Black Family Trust, permanent sanctuary here at Number 12 Grimmuald Place and a lifetime of
wolfs bane that Severus has already agreed to brewing for you as long as it is required.”

Sirius stood back up and walked towards Dumbledore, “To Albus Dumbledore, I leave one share of
the Black Family Trust that is to be donated in my name and be used to purchase Defense Against the
Dark Arts material, because Merlin knows the students are sorely lacking in that area - Oh and two
shares more that will be donated to the House of Gryffindor and their Quidditch team for new brooms
and equipment. I don't think there will be any problem kicking the crap out of the other houses
- especially Slytherin, please be sure to bury them deep and on a regular basis."

Ron snorted out loud.

Sirius frowned and kneeled in front of Harry, “This is the hardest one - Harry, I have loved you
like my own since the day you came into this world. I never went a day without seeing you and I
regret not having noticed the way you shied away from Peter when you were a baby, because if I had
you would not have grown up the way you did. I regret not having been there for you while you were
growing up - I'm sorry that I wasn't able to keep my promise to your parents and watch over
you...or see you get married and have children of your own one day and...”

Sirius broke off, obviously overcome with emotion. He took a breath and continued as Hermione
felt a tear roll down her cheek - her heart breaking for the precious time that was stolen from
Harry and his Godfather.

“To you Harry - I leave the remaining five shares of the Black Family Trust as well as the
residence at Number 12 Grimmuald Place - also I leave to you what has been entrusted to me since
before I went to Azkaban. To you Harry Potter I leave the ancestral home of James and Lily Potter
and all the lands surrounding it, which incase you didn't know…is the entirety of Godric's
Hollow.”

Hermione saw Dumbledore tense and Remus Lupin clench his fists, “Harry - there is a history
there, one that you must discover, because I believe that in the end it will help you realize who
you are, I know you will use whatever…resources are available to you.”

*Why did they react that way?* Hermione asked herself.

Sirius stood up and walked back to the center of the table, “Harry there is one last thing - I
want you to live, I want you to find love. Don't let Dumbledore or Snape or anyone else dictate
how you should live your life, listen to their counsel but then decide for yourself, and whatever
you do Harry - don't ever let that damned prophecy decide your fate, it's your life, live
and die on your own terms. Find joy and love and hold on to them Harry - they are the most precious
things in this world, protect them. Keep your friends close Harry, always…”

*Prophecy...what prophecy? I thought it was broken before it could be heard*. She turned to
look at Harry, whose face had gone white and the eyes the Hermione loved so much were now glancing
around the table nervously.

*What is going on?*

Sirius bowed gracefully, “As our American friends say - That's all folks - and please tip
your waiter.”

And with a barely audible snap - Sirius Black left this world for the final time.

Silenced reigned for a few moments before Ron spoke up, “Are we rich?? How much did he leave us
exactly?”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Do you really think now is the time for this Ron?”

Ron glared at her, “I think it's a perfect time Hermione - Mr. Tasker is right here now, he
can answer for us…”

The short man shuffled through some papers until he found the one he was looking for, “Ah yes
here it is. Now in regards to a single share…let's see - alright then, a single share of the
Black Family Estate after appropriate taxes are subtracted equals 145,000 Galleons.”

Ron and the twins jumped out of their seats and began dancing around the room, ignoring
Molly's evil glare. “Boy's show some respect!”

Ron looked at Harry, crossed his arms over his chest and bitterly asked, “So how much did Harry
get?

*That inconsiderate, pompous ass**!* Hermione thought to herself as she narrowed her
eyes at Ron. *I have about had it with him!*

Molly had had enough as well, “Ronald Weasley! Your behavior is unacceptable!”

Harry stood up, leaned over the table and spoke coolly, “No - it's alright, I'm rather
curious myself…Mr. Tasker would you please inform me of my inheritance, the total worth
please.”

Mr. Tasker cleared his throat and began shuffling through his papers again. Hermione grabbed
Harry's arm and whispered, “What are you doing Harry?”

*You're playing right into his hands if you do this...*

Harry looked at her innocently, “I'm just curious Hermione - oh and Mr. Tasker please
include the Potter Trust that I inherited from my parents after Voldemort *murdered*
them.”

Every person in the room except Dumbledore and Harry flinched at the Dark Lord's name and
Hermione noticed that Ron had gone a bit pale and frowned when he heard him say that his parents
were murdered.

*That's right Ron - Murdered! How's that guilt taste? Bastard. Gods - What is going on
with you Ron?*

Mr. Tasker spoke up, “Well...taking into effect the five shares from Mr. Black and the current
value of the residence of Number 12 Grimmuald Place and Lands of Godric's Hollow - that comes
to….two point five million galleons in monetary value plus the ten point four million galleon value
of the property and lands here and also at Godric's Hollow and finally taking into account the
- lets see…the three million galleons left in the Potter Trust that comes to a grand total of
fifteen point nine million galleons.”

*Oh my...That's a lot of money.*

Hermione thought Ron's jaw would come unhinged if he kept it that open much longer.

Ron shut his mouth and glared at Harry, “Just had to rub it in didn't you? Just had to one
up everyone!”

*Oh no! Ron - what's happened to you?*

Harry slammed his fist on the table the sound echoing loudly throughout the room and nearly
caused the table to buckle, Molly jumped up from her chair in shock clutching her chest, “Damn you
Ron! I don't know what the bloody hell your problem is - but hear this. You want all that money
- then you can *damn well* take it. I would give it all to you if it meant that I could have
just one more minute with my parents and Sirius.”

Hermione gripped Harry's arm hoping to keep him from leaping across the table and tackling
Ron. Harry glanced at her for a moment and she had hoped that he would relax, but the look on his
face told her that he was angry as hell and whatever he was about to say needed to be said.

*Here we go...*

Hermione stepped closer to Harry and placed her hand on the small of his back hoping - praying
that she could give him any kind of strength or support as Harry opened his mouth and let it all
out.

“I am tired of your petty jealousy Ron…tired of your immaturity and tired of you thinking that I
am always trying to buy or use my so-called fame to my advantage. As my friend I would think that
you know by now how much I hate this damn scar! You want that too Ron? You want everything that
goes with it? The nightmares, the sleepless nights or how about hearing your mother scream every
other night, begging Voldemort to spare me, to kill her instead! You want my life Ron? You can
*fucking* have it! I will gladly take yours, I will happily take advantage of having a family
that loves and protects me over what I have right now, you petty, immature, jealous
*bastard*!”

Harry's voice boomed throughout the room as if someone had cast the *Sonorus* charm
upon him - Immediately following Harry's outburst the Drawing Room was blanketed in silence -
Dumbledore now stood with a look of disappointment on his withered face while the others remained
seated with facial expressions ranging from shock to amusement - *Go to hell* *Snape*,
Hermione thought bitterly.

Ron however, stood in the same place, but he had gone completely white and was twitching ever so
slightly. Hermione ignored the others - what mattered to her was Harry and Ron, and she had a
dreadful feeling that their precious friendship was truly over.

Harry's face was red and his breathing heavy as he jabbed a finger at Ron, “You can have it
all Ron - *take it*.”

With those words said, Harry glanced wearily at Hermione and stormed out of the Drawing Room
ignoring Molly's attempts to console him.

Hermione fixed Ron with a viscous glare and through gritted teeth said, “Whatever your problem
is Ron - fix it…because if you don't, you won't only lose Harry as your friend, but me as
well.” Then with tears in her eyes she ran after Harry knowing exactly where he was headed.

To Be Continued...

-->



4. Bound
--------

Authors Notes: I am so sorry this took so long to update. HBP took the mickey out of me, then my
daughter was born and then I changed jobs and then…now I am sounding like that lady in “Dude,
Where’s my car?” But I digress, here is the next chapter of Trials – also Heaven and Hell will be
updated I think by the end of the weekend. Thanks for reading!

*“I’ve chased you forever, now it is your turn to chase me. I know it’s not much fun, but we
have been doing this dance forever, and I need to catch my breath.”* – Clark Kent, Lois and
Clark

Chapter Four: Bound

August 7th, 10:00 P.M.

Hermione stepped out onto the back porch and closed the door behind her as quietly as possible.
The night air was colder than it should have been for late August and Hermione found herself
unconsciously rubbing her hands over her arms in order to warm them. She peered out into the back
yard and found him immediately, his tall, masculine form silhouetted by one of the many Glitter
Lights that decorated the yard. He was standing with his back to her, looking up into the cloudless
night sky, his hands buried in the pockets of his trousers and quietly shuffling his feet.

*He looks so lost.*

She hesitated a moment, uncertain if he would welcome her presence after what had just happened
in the Drawing Room, and didn't welcome the idea of him blowing up at her like he had Ron.

"I won't bite your head off, Hermione - I...I could use someone to talk to." She
almost didn't hear him, his voice sounded so distant and filled with despair that her knees
nearly buckled and before she realized what she was doing, she quickly went to his side and took
his hand in her own.

"Harry..." She whispered.

He turned to look at her, behind his wire-rimmed glasses his eyes brimmed with tears, "I
can take it anymore Hermione - all these things...everything, it's weighing on me and I
don't think I can carry it all...I just know I'm going to break soon, but I also know that
if I do - If I do, everything will end."

*Everything will end? What's he talking about?*

Hermione pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear and squeezed his hand, "Harry. You
are the strongest person I have ever known, but you don't have to carry the burden alone - I
know what Ron did in there was wrong." She made a face and continued, "And I doubt that I
will ever forgive him for that, but you have people who love you, and I know that Ron loves you
too, he's just being an enormous *git* right now. The people in that house love you so
much - I love you Harry, you must know that. And because we love you, we are here to help you, to
listen and support you when you need it."

*Don't bring up that wall Harry - don't let my loving you scare you away.*

She watched his face for any sort of reaction, something that would tell her she was getting
through to him, but still the same distant and distraught look clouded his handsome features.

"Hermione - believe me I appreciate that, Gods do I appreciate it, but..." Harry
trailed off as if trying to find the right words to continue. "It does help a little I guess,
to hear that people sincerely love me and care about my well-being. I honestly count you among that
group Hermione and I feel the same way about you."

She beamed at him and tightened her grip on his hand but also noticed his hesitation and called
him on it, "But...?"

Harry lowered his head, "The thing is - most of those people in there...I'm not
entirely sure if their love for me is as genuine as yours." Off her stricken look he quickly
carried on, "Remus I know cares for me, I don't question him at all. It's just that
the others...they know things Hermione, things that you don't know about me..."

Hermione quickly went over in her mind the few things that she didn't know about the young
man standing before her, suddenly Sirius' passionate speech to Harry about not letting a
prophecy lead his life flashed through her mind, and she realized that she knew next to nothing
about the prophecy in which he spoke of.

*Oh God...the prophecy.*

She voiced her realization hoping that her voice didn't betray the fear that had begun to
squirm its way through her, "The prophecy. You know it… don't you?"

Harry looked stricken and took a step back but didn't let go of her hand and she silently
took that as a good sign. To her relief he nodded once and continued, "Yes...but I can't
tell you. I *want* to tell you believe me I do. But if I do, if you knew what I know then you
would become an even bigger target for Voldemort than you already are."

*I'm not sure if I should be angry at his stubbornness or swooning because he is once
again trying to protect me.*

She stepped closer and gently placed her hand on his chest, ignoring for the time being the way
he trembled at her touch. "Ok...for now I won't ask, but you will tell me eventually
Harry… soon. I don't like being kept in the dark especially if it's something that concerns
you."

Harry covered her hand with his and held it against his chest, "Deal."

Hermione beamed up at him, "Good. Now, you want to talk about what went on in
there?"

Harry flushed with embarrassment and looked down at his feet, "I don't know really.
Usually I just let those things roll off me...but hearing them from Ron. It was like he was
sticking a knife in my gut and twisting it around just to see what kind of reaction he would
get."

Hermione flinched involuntarily at the image, "Harry, I'm not judging what you did. Any
normal person would have done the same thing, I just don't want you feeling guilty for reacting
the way you did. For some reason Ron has gone off the deep end, and if I wasn't so infuriated
at him I would worry more about his behavior."

Harry nodded in agreement, "Except I am worried about him Hermione, that back there,"
He motioned towards the mansion with his free arm, "That was not the Ron we know...something
is going on with him."

Hermione chewed at her lip for a moment then nodded, "Ok, we can add it to the number of
things that we will begin researching tomorrow."

Harry smiled a bit and shook his head, "It's a good thing Sirius gave you that library,
I would have had no idea what to do with it." He looked thoughtfully at her for a time and
asked. "So, do you have any plans on moving the books someplace else?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Why would I move them? They seem to be quite
content where they are now."

Harry lowered his head again and mumbled, "I only meant that obviously you don't want
to keep them here where you won't be able to put them to use."

*Ahh**...I see how it is.*

Hermione placed her hand under his chin and lifted his head back up to look into his eyes,
"Well - I've decided to keep them here, it will give me another excuse to spend time
here."

Harry grinned at her and she felt her knees start to wobble and found it difficult to take her
eyes off his full lips, "You need an excuse to come here and visit me?"

*Harry, you really need to stop smiling at me like that.*

Hermione balanced herself as quickly as possible and smiled at him, "Of course not...but if
I kept visiting you here with the only reason being to see you, my parents might start to think
something was going on."

Harry's brow wrinkled in confusion, "Something like what?" He asked as he placed
his hands on her hips and tugged her closer to him.

Hermione's breath caught in her throat at the intimacy of his movement and she fought back
the blush as she stammered her response. "I-umm...well, they would think, that we were you
know..."

The corners of Harry's lips quirked up a little, "No, I don't know."

*Damn you Harry, you know exactly what I am talking about!*

Hermione glared at his expression and lightly slapped his chest, "Oh honestly, Harry! They
would think we were a couple - as in dating."

Harry leaned closer towards her, "Is...Is that really a bad thing? I mean it's not like
people haven't assumed that before."

*Is he saying what I think he's saying?*

Hermione smiled shyly, "Well no, it wouldn't be a bad thing for people to assume
that."

Harry sighed and leaned a little closer to her, "Good - because there is something I think
we should talk about."

Hermione bit at her lip nervously, "Ok...do you want to go inside or something?"

Harry shook his head quickly and tightened his grip on her hips, "No, I might lose my nerve
if we do..."

Hermione smiled at him and nodded, *this is it! Ok, breathe girl. Just breathe and relax and
most importantly remember to breathe.*

Harry returned her smile with one of his own and took a deep breath. Hermione could feel her
heart pounding in her chest like a stampede of hippogriffs and her stomach felt as if it were
turning over on itself.

"Ok." He started. "I guess I should start by saying that about a month ago I
started to recognize some feelings that...that I had been having for a while. Actually *quite*
a while, I just never realized."

Harry fixed his eyes on some far away point over her shoulder, "I think - what I'm
trying to say Hermione is that I have fe-"

"Harry?" Hermione groaned when she heard the weathered voice. *Dumbledore! Oh why
now!* She and Harry turned to face Dumbledore who stood alone on the porch in his purple and
blue robes with his eyes twinkling behind the half-moon glasses that sat on the end of his
nose.

Dumbledore stepped gracefully down from the porch and began to walk towards them, "I
apologize for interrupting your conversation." He paused to smile at her and Harry. "But
I do have something rather important to discuss with Harry before I leave for the
evening."

Hermione hid her disappointment behind a frown, "Of course Professor." She looked back
to Harry who appeared to be thinking something over in his head. She squeezed his hand and started
to walk back towards the mansion when Harry tugged her back.

"Actually Professor - I think it's about time that I stop hiding things from
Hermione." She closed her eyes in relief. *Finally.*

Hermione opened her eyes and with apprehension looked between Harry and Dumbledore, "Harry
if the Professor doesn't feel that I should know anything, then I shouldn't know
anything."

Dumbledore regarded her carefully for a moment, the mysterious twinkle never leaving his eyes.
Harry twined his fingers with hers and turned her to face him and when she saw the warmth and
affection in his eyes she had to nearly physically force back the urge to kiss him breathless.
"To be honest with you Hermione - it's not his decision to make. Isn't that right
Professor?"

Hermione swiveled her head around to look at Dumbledore who was nodding, "That is correct
Harry. However, I wish to emphasize to you that if anyone else besides yourself and I know the
severity of the issues they would be placed in immediate danger."

*Immediate danger?* *Like I'm not already in enough danger being a Muggle-born and
being so close to Harry...*

Harry placed his hand on her chin and gently turned her head back around to face him, "If
you don't feel that you can -"

Hermione smiled softly at him, "Harry - there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. That
should be obvious by now don't you think so?"

Harry frowned at her, "Are you absolutely certain Hermione? You already have enough to
worry about just by being my friend."

She felt her insides melt at the protective tone of his voice. *Great big over-protective
git,* She thought to herself. Hermione placed her hand on his cheek and nodded, "I’m
certain Harry. You are my best friend and I love you- so from now on..."

Harry picked up where she had trailed off, "We no longer keep anything from each other -
anything."

Hermione's eyes widen at the implication of his words and wanted so much to hug him to her
and never let him go, "I will never keep anything from you Harry - not again."

*And as soon as we finish speaking with Professor Dumbledore I am telling you exactly how I
feel.*

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "I am quite pleased with your devotion to each other, as you
know Harry you will need it in the times to come."

They smiled at the old wizard and with their hands still intertwined, followed Dumbledore back
to the porch.

Seated around a glass porch table, Dumbledore looked from Harry to Hermione and back to Harry
with a small wistful smile on his face; a smile that really bugged Harry to no end. The hand that
was holding Hermione's began to sweat and he was positive that she would notice and decide it
was the most disgusting thing she had ever felt. As if she had read his mind, Hermione gently
squeezed his hand.

*Thank you, God.* Harry thought to himself as felt a wave of warmth rush through his
body.

Dumbledore leaned forward and placed his hands, palms down on the table top. "First I would
like to discuss what Sirius left for you in his will." The old wizard paused for a moment to
apparently collect his thoughts before continuing. "To be more precise Harry, I wish to speak
with you about the land at Godric's Hollow that was left to you."

Harry frowned, "Why? It's rather obvious that it was going to be left to me anyway - I
just wish that it hadn't been done in this fashion."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "He's right Professor; logically Harry would have
inherited that land at one point in the future, but I noticed that when Sirius mentioned it in his
will, you didn't seem too enthusiastic about the idea."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly, "You are correct Miss. Granger, and please understand when I
say this Harry, but I do not feel that you are ready for the secrets surrounding that stretch of
land."

*He is NOT going to do this to me again...he promised me!*

Harry fixed Dumbledore with an annoyed glare, "No disrespect Professor, but we both know
what’s happened in the past when you felt I wasn't ready to be informed about my history...and
my future. It turned out very badly."

Hermione looked at him worriedly, "What are you talking about?"

Dumbledore sighed, "Are you absolutely certain that you wish for her to know this
Harry?"

*Okay, moment of truth Hermione...*

Harry didn't respond to his mentor and instead turned around in the chair and faced
Hermione, "Alright - I'm going to say this Hermione, and I'm not sure exactly how you
will respond, but I need for you to know."

The sound of Hermione's chair scrapping along the porch as she scooted closer to Harry
rattled into the night, "You can trust me Harry."

The young wizard looked in her deep brown eyes and recited that words that now defined his
destiny, "*The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…Born to those who
have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…And the Dark Lord will mark him as his
equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…And either must die at the hand of the other
for neither can live while the other survives…”*

Harry watched her face closely, looking for any kind of reaction that would tell him that she
thought holding his hand right now was a mistake and that being his best friend was utterly out of
the question not to mention that the hope of them someday being so much more was just a fanciful
dream.

Several quiet moments passed before Hermione finally made a sound not unlike that of a squeak
and threw her arms around Harry's neck and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. She let out a
small sob before pulling away and looking into Harry's eyes.

"Harry...Gods - you have to kill him." She fixed him with a hard look, "We have
to get your training up Harry, and you have to get better and stronger. You have to be ready Harry.
I'll start going through that library at once, we need to find spells and techniques that will
make you ten times the wizard he ever was. I will need to learn them as well, I'm not going to
leave you fight him alone, no - there's not a chance I'm letting that happen."

Harry felt the burning behind his eyes and fought to maintain control, but found it difficult to
do so after her emotional speech, "Hermione - you're not afraid to be around me after
hearing this?"

She gave him a funny look, "Afraid? Harry why would I be? For God's sake Harry, I love
you - you're my best friend! I promised you that I wouldn't ever leave your side...and I
meant it. Now stop talking nonsense and come here!"

Harry breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her tightly, gaining strength and resolve from her
presence and for the first time since hearing the prophecy he believed that might actually stand a
chance of defeating Voldemort and living to a ripe old age, hopefully with Hermione by his
side.

Dumbledore chuckled softly from across the table, "Well I will be completely honest and say
that I hadn't quite expected that." Hermione, who had pulled slightly away from Harry but
remained within his embrace, looked surprised. "Nothing against your character Miss. Granger,
but it is a great deal to handle - knowing that someone you love dearly will be forced to face the
darkest wizard ever to walk this earth. To remain attached to that person when it is possible that
they may very well not survive the encounter, is like inviting heartbreak into your life. I am
pleasantly surprised - and sincerely proud of your loyalty. It can be such a rare thing."

Harry grinned, "Well Professor, Hermione is one of a kind."

Hermione smiled and lowered her head before either Harry or Dumbledore could see her blush,
"I quite agree Harry, you are very lucky to have a friend such as Miss. Granger. Now - I think
that we should discuss Godric's Hollow."

Hermione smiled at Harry and gently moved out of his embrace, "Professor, why did you react
the way you did when Sirius left it to Harry?"

Dumbledore's shoulders drooped and he sighed, "Because Miss. Granger, it - let’s just
say that there is a mystery there that only Harry can discover, one that I feel he is not yet ready
to face."

Harry frowned and shook his head, "Professor, I think that is for me to decide. My parents
left me that land, and anyway - who is to say that I will go searching around for some long buried
secret. Did you think that maybe I just wanted to spend some time in the place that my parents
wanted to raise me?"

Dumbledore looked thoughtfully at Harry and then finally he said, "Fair enough Harry; but I
implore you not to travel there alone - If you must take Miss. Granger or Mr. Weasley with you.
Also, Miss. Tonks will be accompanying you, when you do decide to go."

Hermione fidgeted at the mention of Ron's name and Harry scowled, "Professor - about
Ron's behavior earlier..."

The old wizard nodded, "Ahh yes. I also wished to discuss that with you but I feel that is
something left between the three of you. Don't you agree?"

*Only if I have to,* thought Harry.

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat as another topic of discussion entered his thoughts, the
incident with Hermione earlier in the day. Harry knew that Dumbledore would more than likely have
valuable insights into what had happened but he dreaded speaking of it because he was fairly
certain that it would embarrass Hermione greatly. Looking at her out of the corner of his eye, he
saw her chewing at her lip nervously, and then suddenly as if she knew he was looking at her, she
turned her head and beamed a smile at him.

*It needs to be discussed,* he decided suddenly. He just hoped that she would understand.
"Professor - there is another thing that I wish to ask you about."

Hermione's smile faded into a frown and she glanced apprehensively between Harry and
Dumbledore as the old wizard leaned forward, "That is why I am here Harry."

*This is not going to be pleasant at all...*

Harry tightened his hold on Hermione's hand and fighting off the waves of embarrassment that
had suddenly washed over him he continued, "Well - you see earlier today. Hermione and I, we
sort of had an experience that neither of us can explain."

Hermione lowered her head and groaned, "Oh no, Harry..."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in amusement, "What sort of experience Harry?"

The young wizard cleared his throat and stammered on, "Well - you see...before lunch this
afternoon. Hermione and I t-touched and well...she and I had, or at least I think we had and she
seems to agree - no wait, actually she thought of it first, but anyway...We touched each other and
felt something that wasn't or that is, shouldn't have happened just by touching
someone's arm."

Hermione groaned as she dropped her head to the table with a quiet thud and mumbled, "I
cannot believe this is happening..."

Dumbledore looked between Harry and Hermione with an amused expression on his withered features,
"You felt a physical reaction that shouldn't have occurred with the simple act of touching
one another's arm...is this correct?"

*Now why didn't I say it like that?*

Hermione raised her head off the table, "What Harry is saying Professor, is that this
afternoon, he gave me an - umm...Oh dear, this went so much smoother in my head a moment ago but I
guess I'll just say it- he gave me an orgasm. There I said it! Now can I go now? I think
there's a very tall building close by that I can throw myself off of."

Harry winced, "Don't say that."

Dumbledore’s thick eyebrows rose dramatically, “Pardon?”

Hermione looked into his eyes and her expression softened, "I'm sorry Harry - I
didn't mean it. This is just extremely embarrassing..."

Dumbledore chuckled, "Miss. Granger, you have nothing to worry about. In fact - it is
something that I have been expecting for many years now. I had just hoped that it would take a
little while longer to manifest itself."

Harry gaped at Dumbledore, "What do you mean you've been expecting it? Expecting what
exactly?"

"That's what I would like to know." Hermione added.

Dumbledore pursed his lips together and looked between the two of them, "Are you certain
you wish to know now? It could drastically change things between the two of you?"

Hermione nodded almost immediately while Harry hesitated, *I don't want her to leave. But
then she promised me that she would always be by my side...Shouldn't I trust her?*

Hermione regarded Harry closely, "You don't have to worry Harry - I'm not going
anywhere."

Harry smiled at her, "Okay." He then turned to Dumbledore, "Tell us
please."

Dumbledore nodded in resignation, "Alright then - it is quite simple Harry...for you see
Hermione is your Bound."

Hermione squeaked, "I'm his what? He's not tying me up if that's what you
think."

*What the hell!*

Harry paled, "No! Not at all - I would never...you know tie her up..." *At least not
without her permission,* Harry thought to himself in amusement.

Dumbledore smiled warmly at them as his eyes twinkled in merriment, "No - it's not at
all like that. You two share a deep emotional connection - you always seem to be aware when the
other is in emotional distress...am I correct?"

Harry and Hermione stared at each other for a moment before they both nodded and Dumbledore
continued, "Well - there is more involved with the aspect of being someone's Bound, but
each person is different. I could tell you things that might not have anything at all to do with
either of you, and I don't wish to do that."

Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "You won't tell us or you can't
Professor?" Her question caught Harry off guard; she had never spoken to the Headmaster like
that before and he found it rather amusing.

Dumbledore apparently did as well because he laughed quietly, "A little of both Hermione -
every Bound is different, save for the Empathic abilities all of them seem to possess."

Harry ran that word around in his head - *empathic* - He knew it had something to do with
the sensing or sharing of someone else's emotions.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at the Headmaster, "Are you saying that Harry and I are
empaths?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Only when it comes to each other - you might be able to sense the
surface emotions of others, but with each other you can not only sense the deepest and most guarded
of emotions but if they are intense enough you can physically react to them as well, which might
explain why you thought it was – well, an *orgasm* as you put it Miss Granger."

Hermione's face flushed red, "Oh."

"That's one way of putting it..." Harry muttered.

Hermione perked up suddenly, "Professor - you said that you had been expecting this to
happen. Why did you say that?"

Harry looked up at the Headmaster who was now frowning, "Hermione - prophecy's aside;
do you believe in destiny?"

Hermione mimicked the Headmaster's frown with one of her own, "You mean do I believe in
a mysterious force that guides us along a path or towards a future that we have no say in or
control over?"

One corner of the Headmasters lips quirked up, "No - that is fate Hermione, despite the
similarities, the two are distinctly different. Destiny is one road that we must travel - only one.
We have no control over it, and no matter the choices we make in life, we are destined to take that
road and follow it to the end. Fate is the overall picture of our future, it has one definite
outcome and no matter what we do, that is the way it must be."

Hermione shook her head, clear confused by the Headmaster's words - and Harry found himself
just as confused if not more so.

"They both sound the same Professor." Hermione argued.

Dumbledore nodded, "Indeed they do - but alas, fate is an illusion. We decide the end
result of our lives, however as much as many of us like to believe, we have no control over the
particular roads in which we take to get there, destiny throws those at us along the way. We are
destined to take that road, follow it through and when we come to its end, we move on towards the
end of our journey."

"But..." Hermione paused and looked at Harry with a worried expression, "The
prophecy..."

Dumbledore raised his hand to halt her question, "Is Harry's destiny - it does not
guarantee his death, because if it did, it would be false. No matter the power of the seer who
foretold it, they could never truly see the outcome because that is left to the individual. That
Miss Hermione - is destiny. Harry is destined to fight Voldemort, we do not know for certain if he
will live or die. That - is up to Harry."

Harry nodded as he finally began to understand, "But what does that have to do with you
expecting Hermione to be my bound?"

Dumbledore chuckled, "Hermione is an important part of your life Harry - maybe the most
important part, ever since the day you both were sorted into Gryffindor. As for how I knew she
would one day be your Bound well that is easy, your auras are perfectly attuned with each other,
they have been since the two of you first met when you were but mere babies...nearly sixteen years
ago."

Off their shocked expressions Dumbledore went on, "You both met quite by accident in Muggle
London, your parents were having dinner at the same restaurant and it was your mother Harry who
noticed how you two children, who were each on opposite sides of the room, were immediately drawn
to one another."

Harry grinned at the image of the two of them in diapers trying to crawl along the restaurant
floor to get to each other.

With a far away look in his eyes, Dumbledore laughed and went on, "I imagine your parents
were quite surprised Hermione, when the first words out of your mouth were 'baby', you said
them while you were pointing at Harry across the room. And Harry it was when your mother saw you
pointing back at Hermione that she first saw the baby girl whose aura was a perfect reflection of
her sons."

*Oh...what does this mean?*

Hermione leaned forward, "Professor - are you saying that Harry and I are destined to be
together?"

*Oh - that's what it means...*

To Harry's disappointment, Dumbledore shook his head, "It only means that you are
destined to be apart of each other's lives. What you do with that time together is entirely
your choice. Many people believe that there is one true love out there for everyone - now I
don't want to make any assumptions about the nature of your relationship, but it is obvious
that you two are very close."

Harry smiled, "Yes - we are."

Hermione nodded and squeezed Harry's hand, "There is no doubt about that Professor. I
just don't know if I believe in some sort of destined love. I know that we can't really
help who we love, but we should be able to decide if pursuing that love is in our best
interests."

*Ahh* *Hermione...ever the rational one.*

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his long white beard, "You
are correct Hermione, love - true love between two people is nurtured and earned with loyalty and
trust, and of course mutual attraction. In my experience it is often the love that grows from a
deep and precious friendship that is the truest and most powerful of all loves and that is the type
of love that lasts an eternity - even beyond death."

Harry was struck with a sudden image of his parents, "Professor...my parents were
they...?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes Harry - they were indeed Bound to one another. Of course they did
not realize this until their final year but when they discovered it they were already very much in
love and it made the transition much easier."

Harry turned his attention to Hermione when he felt her tug gently on his hand, she was smiling
warmly at him; her soft brown eyes shined brightly and Harry could easily see that gentle flecks of
gold that one usually only got to see when they were close enough and when there was much more
light. He was stunned by their pure beauty, never in all his life had he seen such perfection and
he forced himself to imprint this image in his mind forever.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Well - it is rather late, and I would like to continue our
discussion tomorrow. There are still a few things that we need to go over."

Hermione blinked and turned away from Harry, "Of course Professor, I am rather tired
myself." She looked at Harry, "What about you Harry, you tired at all?"

Harry looked at Dumbledore who was now smiling at them, "Yes I am actually - it's been
a long day."

Dumbledore rose from his seat with a grunt, "Then I bid you both goodnight, and I will see
you tomorrow at lunch."

They watched the old wizard walk to the end of the porch and dissaparated with a soft pop. Harry
turned his head to face Hermione a smile slowly spreading across his face, "Are you really
tired Hermione?"

Hermione grinned, "Of course not. After everything he just told us I doubt I could sleep a
wink. It's just too bloody exciting."

Harry laughed and pulled her hand along the top of the table until it rested in front of him,
"Then what would you like to do?"

She tilted her head and winked at him, "A lot but at the moment I think that would be a
mistake, I'm rather hungry...fancy some pumpkin pie? We could discuss a few things while we are
eating."

*I can deal with that...one step at a time.*

Harry pulled her up with him as he stood, "I think that sounds like a brilliant
idea."

As Harry followed Hermione back into the kitchen his eyes traveled up to the second story patio,
where he noticed a flock of red hair and what looked like an extendable ear before it quickly left
his view. *Wonder which Weasley that was...great - I suppose they heard everything.* Harry
knew that if he told Hermione what he saw right then it would have ruined any moment that they
might have. Harry took a deep breath and closed the back door gently behind him.

*To Be Continued...*



