Chapter 5
Achieving Harmony
Author's Note: Happy Halloween readers! Let us remember James and Lily Potter on this day, as well as the anniversary of the day Harry and Hermione became the best of friends!
Wow, 60 reviews for Chapter 4 (on FFN) in a little over twelve hours. Amazing! I'm so happy you loved Chapter 4, it was one of my favorite to write so far. I hope you like this chapter, just as much. Thank you for all for reading and letting me know how much you love this story! It certainly inspires my muse to work a little harder and faster.
The Original Character in this chapter, Isabella Blishwick, is basically the same character from another story of mine, "Yule Ball Drama". I doubt we'll see her too much in this story, however. This is probably just a 'cameo'.
Warnings: Severe Character Bashing: Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley.
Friday, June 25th, 1995 – Hogwarts – Morning
"I promise I will go straight to your house when I am away from the Dursleys," Harry told Hermione.
"Good," Hermione said. "It will be a fine way to introduce my parents to my boyfriend."
Harry blinked. Had he heard her right?
"I assume that is why you told me all of this, isn't it?" Hermione asked. "Because you want to ask me to be your girlfriend?"
Harry stared back at the fireplace. "I'm not sure what to say. In all my plans and all my preparation, I never counted on you asking me that, Hermione."
"Why not?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"I planned on asking you to be my girlfriend," Harry said. "I did not plan on you taking the words out of my mouth."
Hermione huffed. "Then you don't know me as well as you think you do, Harry Potter."
Sirius barked out a laugh. "She's got you there, pup!"
"How else was I supposed to react?" Hermione asked. "You basically told me how you feel about me, without saying the words. You told me that we had a moment the summer before sixth year, before those traitorous Weasleys ruined it. You said we confessed how we felt about each other. Well, you said I confessed my feelings. Since we kissed and snogged, I must assume you confessed similar affections. Harry? I assume you remember what I – my other self – told you when she confessed her feelings."
"She said she started fancying me a little when I rescued her from the troll," Harry said. "She fancied me a lot the night I stopped Quirrelmort. And she fell in love with me..."
"The night we saved Sirius," Hermione said, softly. "When we were riding on Buckbeak. I felt so safe and secure with you, and I knew you would never let me fall. For a few moments, I forgot I was afraid of heights because I was with you. I had no reason to be afraid of heights with you, since I knew you would protect me."
Harry smiled. "Your other self basically said the very same thing."
"Of course she did," Hermione said, smiling. "She was basically me, only a year or so older, and it was before her mind was affected by Potions."
"Yes," Harry said, "As for me... well, it took me seeing you in your dress the night of the Yule Ball for me to realize my feelings for you. I was a git. In this timeline and the last. How did I not ask you to the Ball?"
Sirius coughed. "I just remembered I need to meet with Minerva McGonagall! She sent me a note this morning for me to meet her! Apparently I will be staying in the Head Boy Private Quarters near Gryffindor Tower! I'll just go now."
Harry rolled his eyes. Obviously Sirius felt awkward being a part of Harry's moment with Hermione.
"We'll see you later, Sirius," he said, "We can continue our conversation later. I want to talk about our plans for the summer."
"Sure thing!" Sirius said, "Good luck you two! And remember, Hermione! You can't start Bonding with him until his fifteenth birthday! So don't even try anything like that today!"
Hermione blushed. "I remember, Sirius."
Sirius winked at Harry, then stood and left the room. Harry was blushing hot red, when Hermione looked back at him, after she watched Sirius leave.
"Why are you blushing, Harry?" Hermione asked. "You can't be embarrassed about Sirius teasing you. You must have experienced worse teasing than that in the next twenty-five years."
Harry coughed. "I suspect that is the fourteen year old portion of me that is blushing."
"Your... your present self... is still in there?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry said, "Because without him, I would need lessons on how to act like a teenager again. It has been twenty years since I was a teen, Hermione. Also... I think I'd feel rather weird if I didn't feel fourteen in some parts of me. Especially because of how I feel about you."
Hermione giggled. "That's a good point, I guess. Harry? You still haven't asked me that all-important question."
"My original plan was to ask you on my fifteenth birthday," Harry said, "So we could start a formal relationship. But that is stupid now that I think about it. Like Sirius said, we can start Bonding when I turn fifteen. But between now and then..."
"We can be a couple for a month," Hermione continued, "So we can know whether or not we want to start the Bonding process."
"So you can know, Hermione," Harry said. "I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you."
He sighed and opened up the mokeskin bag again. He dumped the contents into his hand, revealing two platinum rings.
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked at the rings. "Harry..."
"They're promise rings," Harry said. "I enchanted these earlier this morning. They have nearly all the same enchantments that can be found on the Lord Potter and Lady Potter rings. The enchantments will protect us from mind magic, and most hexes, spells and curses. Most importantly, it will protect us from any Potions Molly Weasley, or anyone else, might want to give us. However... the real reason for the rings, is to show everyone that we are a couple."
He offered one of the rings to Hermione. "Hermione Jean Granger, will you accept my promise ring and become my girlfriend?"
"Yes, Harry," Hermione said, her eyes growing misty, "I accept your ring and will become your girlfriend."
Hermione held out her hand, and Harry placed the ring on her finger. Her eyebrows fluttered as the enchantments on the ring washed over her body. Harry put on his own ring and let the enchantments settle over himself as well. Hermione held her hand up to her face, studying the ring, then she took both her hands, placed them on Harry's shoulders, then pulled him toward her. Her lips landed on his, and the new couple kissed for the first time in this timeline. They kissed for over thirty seconds before they backed away from each other.
Harry smiled as he looked at Hermione. In fact he was gazing at her for so long, that she let out an awkward chuckle.
"You're staring at me, Harry," Hermione said. "Not that I mind, don't get me wrong. I'm just curious... what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking nothing else matters as long as you are with me," Harry said.
"That's sweet, Harry," Hermione said, smiling sweetly.
"I'm serious," Harry said. "If I truly wanted to, I could do away with the rest of my plans – dealing with Voldemort, his Death Eaters, Dumbledore and the Weasleys. I could just say 'fuck 'em all, and fuck Britain', and we could go off to Isle Potter, or the other side of the world, with our loved ones and friends. And leave the magical society of Britain to die in the cesspool it has become."
"But..?" Hermione asked.
"As long as Voldemort and his minions are alive," Harry said. "As long as Dumbledore, and Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley are still around, they are still a threat to you. I came back in time to make sure nobody would ever hurt you again, Hermione. That is what is stopping me from saying 'fuck it all' and taking you and going off to Isle Potter or halfway around the world."
"You want vengeance, Harry," Hermione said. "I don't blame you. Don't get me wrong. If you hadn't told me about what happened in your future, I probably would have screamed at you, and hated you, for the kind of vengeance you are seeking. But after everything you told me... I would be a horrible friend and girlfriend if I hated you and blamed you for wanting vengeance. Especially since you're doing it all for me. I'm not going to stop you. In fact, I said it earlier, didn't I? Let me get a few hexes, curses, punches and kicks in, and I'll let you do the rest."
"Why?" Harry asked; he was testing her, just to make sure she was fully in on it, "They haven't done anything to you yet."
"Technically, they haven't done anything at all," Hermone said.
"Actually, they have," Harry said. "Did I ever tell you how I met the Weasleys?"
Hermione shook his head. "Ron said it was none of my business when I asked him. I always thought that was suspicious."
"You were right to be suspicious," Harry said.
Harry told her the story about how he met the Weasleys, then how he met Ron on the train.
"Yeah... that's not suspicious at all," Hermione said sarcastically. "I mean... it can't be both ways, can it? Either... until that year, the Weasleys ALWAYS took the Floo to Platform Nine and Three Quarters like most magical families, which brings into question about why they didn't do it that year. Or..."
"They always took the Muggle route," Harry said, "Which would bring up the question about why Molly was confused about where the Platform was, and why she was screaming about it out loud, and also about Muggles."
"Which points to the fact that they were baiting you," Hermione said.
"Yes," Harry said, "Upon Dumbledore's orders, Hagrid never told me how to get onto the platform. Dumbledore then told Molly – one of his biggest supporters – that I would be near the Platform, confused about how to get onto the train."
"And then there is Ron on the train," Hermione said. "'Everywhere else is full?' He said that? He lied... there were two empty compartments on the that car alone when I visited you and him.
"And if there weren't, he could have sat with his brothers," Harry said. "Right. And then, of course, the very first thing he asked me when he found out my name, was 'do you have the scar?'"
"God, he was as big a fanboy as Ginny," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "So... you're right. The Weasleys have already shown themselves to be having some kind of alternative motive toward you. Which gives me a good reason for believing you when you say they are dangerous to not only you, but to me. Therefore... I want to hurt them in my own way, for what they did to my counterpart... so they don't do it to me this time."
"Thank you, Hermione," Harry said. "For believing me in all of this. And also for allowing me to do what I need to do. That was one of my biggest worries. That you would stop me from letting me do what I needed to do. However, I will be completely honest with you. Had you told me the exact opposite of what you just told me. Had you asked me to put away my need for vengeance and revenge. I... I might have done it. I would have asked you to follow me to Isle Potter or the other side of the world, and leave the magical society of Great Britain to its fate without its so-called Chosen One to save it. But I woiuld have. For you. However... I'm glad you didn't."
"Because you need this," Hermione said, nodding. "I understand. You need to do this, you need to complete your tasks, in order to heal from the pain you endured in your future."
"Maybe a little," Harry said shrugging. "However. You, Hermione Granger, will be what keeps me from going Dark. I won't remain in the Light, I will tell you that. I'll probably be more comfortable in the Grey, if anything. But with you by my side, I won't go into the Dark."
"Then I will always be by your side," Hermione said.
"Thank you," Harry said.
Hermione smiled and kissed him again. They kissed for half a minute again, before Hermione backed up.
"So what do we do now?" Hermione asked. "Do you want our relationship to remain private for now? Or should we let all of Hogwarts know we're a couple?"
"There are benefits and problems for each," Harry said. "If we reveal our relationship to everyone, Dumbledore and the Weasleys will find out. While it means we have an easy way of ending our friendship with Ron and Ginny Weasley, it also means they'll likely tell Molly. Our rings will prevent any Potions she attempts to give us, of course. But..."
"But it won't stop them from being a problem," Hermione said, nodding. "Well... if you ask me, I don't see how that is all that bad, actually."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"If Molly Weasley gives us Love Potions or Potions similar to it," Hermione said. "We'll simply send them off to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Molly will get in trouble, and maybe so will Ron and Ginny."
"I doubt she'll go to Azkaban, Hermione," Harry said. "Not with how close she is to Dumbledore. And Dumbledore will never expel Ron and Ginny."
Hermione shrugged. "At least it will show everyone that those three cannot be trusted around us. Ron and Ginny will be pariahs here in Hogwarts. And it will likely stop them from trying to break us up. Besides... I thought you wanted them to pay."
"I do," Harry said. "But I know that as long as Dumbledore is around, I can't do anything to them. The Weasleys are Dumbledore's closest supporters. Especially Molly. I was planning on getting my revenge on the Weasleys after I dealt with Dumbledore."
"But you don't want to deal with Dumbledore until Voldemort is dead," Hermione assumed.
"Yes," Harry said. "If Dumbledore is gone from Hogwarts, before Voldemort's dead, Voldemort will try to take control of Hogwarts."
"I assume you plan on defeating Voldemort once and for all before the end of summer?" Hermione asked.
"That's the plan," Harry agreed.
"Alright," Hermione said. "How is this: we inform everyone here about our relationship at breakfast. That will piss off Ron and Ginny. I doubt they'll try to do too much at first, especially if they intend on telling their mother to start dosing us with Potions. They wouldn't want to make us suspicious about their future plots, after all. When Molly sends us Potions, we report her to the DMLE. That will deal with her, giving us more focus on the other tasks we need to deal with. And I better not hear you trying to stop me from helping you finish your tasks this summer. Otherwise, I will take off this ring, Harry James Potter!"
Harry sighed. "I'll make you a deal. I won't prevent you from helping me. But, when it comes to Voldemort and his Death Eaters, you won't be anywhere near Voldemort when it is time for me to fight him. Maybe not even the Horcruxes. You can help me with my planning and research if I need it. But I will not allow you to put yourself in harm's way. You're still only fifteen, Hermione."
Hermione smiled. "Deal. I will help you with plans, strategy and research. You can do the 'heavy lifting' so to speak. However... you must promise me that I get to help you take revenge on the Weasleys. If only, as I said earlier, because I want justice for the Hermione from your future."
"Deal," Harry said. "Thank you, Hermione. One more thing."
"Yes?" Hermione asked.
"Promise me you'll never take off that ring or bracelet," Harry said. "They are water-proof, so you can wear them while bathing and swimming. That jewelry is more than gifts and proof of how I feel about you. It is for your safety and protection."
Hermione smiled. "I promise never to take off my ring and bracelet."
"Thank you," Harry said, with a relieved sigh.
He grasped a soft hand around her wrist where her bracelet was. Then he tugged her forward and kissed her again. They kissed for nearly a minute this time.
"Mmm," Hermione hummed, as she backed away. "As much as I want to continue that, I am hungry, and I am sure you are too. We need to go to the Great Hall and face the music, so to speak."
"I agree," Harry said. "So... any idea how we should announce our news?"
"I have some ideas," Hermione said, "Let's discuss them on the way to the Great Hall."
Harry agreed, and the new couple stood up and left the Room of Requirement, then started off on the journey to the Great Hall.
Friday, June 25th, 1995 – Hospital Wing – Morning
As Harry and Hermione were on their way from the seventh floor down to the Great Hall, Albus Dumbledore made his way toward the Hospital Wing, intending on meeting with Alastor Moody before he went to the Great Hall for breakfast.
He also wanted to see if Harry Potter and Sirius Black were still in the Hospital Wing, though he suspected Poppy had released them to go to breakfast. He had asked Minerva to handle Sirius Black's temporary place of residence until his Sanctuary ended, so he wondered if Sirius had gone off to meet her already. Ah well. Not like he wanted to run into Sirius Black this early in the day anyway.
When he entered the Hospital Wing, Albus had expected to find Poppy Pomfrey standing watch over his good friend, and was shocked when he found that the witch dressed in a Healer's garb wasn't Poppy Pomfrey, but Andromeda Tonks.
"Madam Tonks?" Albus asked. "What are you doing here? Where is Poppy Pomfrey?"
"Poppy Pomfrey resigned from her position of Hogwarts Healer, Albus," Andromeda said.
"What?!" Albus asked, flummoxed, "When?!"
"Twenty minutes or so ago, I guess," Andromeda said. "She contacted me via her private Floo and told me she was resigning from her position here, and she asked me if I could substitute for her until I was hired on permanently or a new replacement Healer was brought in. I accepted. She opened up her Floo for me, and I came on in."
Only three staff members had permission to allow someone to come to Hogwarts via Floo: Headmaster or Headmistress, Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress, and the Hogwarts Healer. The latter had permission in case there was a medical emergency and the Healer needed more Healers from St. Mungo's to arrive immediately.
"When I arrived, she handed me this letter, and left via the Floo with her personal belongings," Andromeda said, pulling a piece of parchment from a pocket in her robes. "Her instructions were to hand this letter to you."
Albus summoned the parchment to him, wandlessly, and read through Poppy's letter. By the time he finished, only his Occlumency abilities kept him from raging and ranting. Poppy Pomfrey had somehow discovered he had Obliviated her several times over her career as Hogwarts Healer. She didn't indicate how she found out, but something told him either Harry Potter or Sirius Black was responsible for it.
"Do you want to have a permanent position here, Madam Tonks?" Albus asked.
He really didn't want to hire Andromeda Tonks, as she reminded him of Amelia Bones. He would never be able to treat her the same way he did Poppy Pomfrey. But if the School Governors, or worse, the Ministry found out he didn't have an active Healer at Hogwarts at the moment, his posiiton as Headmaster might be at risk of being terminated.
Andromeda shrugged. "I haven't been an official Healer ever since my daughter was born. I was a stay-at-home Mum until she went off to Hogwarts. Then I became a midwife. Though that was only temporary until something better came up. Being the Hogwarts Healer sounds fine with me."
"Fine," Albus said, "I'll return here sometime after breakfast with the proper parchmentwork so we can make it official. I'll announce your new position this evening during dinner."
"Of course, Headmaster," Andromeda said, "Albus? What is this about Sirius Black seeking Sanctuary here? Is my cousin truly innocent of the charges he was sent to Azkaban for?"
"Mr. Black would be most disappointed with me," Albus said, "if you got the story from me instead of him. I'll leave it up to him, shall I? I have been informed that he will be taking up residence in the Head Boy's Private Quarters near Gryffindor Tower, if you wish to meet with him today."
"Thank you," Andromeda said. "Are you here to see Alastor Moody?"
"Ah... no," Albus lied. "I was just making my rounds before breakfast. I'll check up on him later. I'm rather busy, at the moment. Have some announcements to make to the students this morning at breakfast."
Truth was he needed to do damage control before Poppy Pomfrey reported her suspicions about his Obliviations toward her to Amelia Bones. That was much more important than meeting with Moody. But first, he needed breakfast. Oh, yes, and he needed to inform the students about why Sirius Black and Garrick Ollivander were currently inside Hogwarts. Which he could do during breakfast.
Without saying farewell to Andromeda, he turned and left the Hospital Wing.
Friday, June 25th, 1995 – Ministry of Magic – Morning
Amelia Bones walked into the Waiting Room of the Ministerial Offices, and made her way over to the desk of Isabella Blishwick, Cornelius Fudge's personal secretary. She was holding a folder close to her bosom, which included important documents she wanted to give to the Minister of Magic.
"Good morning, Isabella," Amelia said, "I believe Cornelius is expecting me?"
"Good morning, Director Bones," Isabella said, "I believe he is. Let me just check and make sure he isn't entertaining anyone else right now."
Amelia gave a brief nod, and mentally prepared for herself for the meeting she was about to have with the Minister. She watched as Isabella opened the door to the Minister's office, and poked her head inside. A few moments later, Isabella backed away from the door and turned to Amelia.
"He is, indeed, expecting you," Isabella said. "You may go on in."
Amelia thanked the secretary, then made her way into Cornelius' office. Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was standing behind his desk, waiting to greet her.
"Director Bones, I hope you are having a lovely morning, so far," Cornelius said, jovially.
"So far," Amelia echoed, as she closed the door behind her, and turned to the Minister, "We'll see how it is after this meeting is finished."
Cornelius' lips turned down in a frown for a moment. "Director, I, once again, wish to apologize for my regrettable actions last night when it came to Dolores Umbridge and the Dementors. I should not have allowed Madam Umbridge to convince me to take those demons to Hogwarts. It was a bad error on my part. I trust Madam Umbridge is still in one of the Ministry Holding Cells?"
"Yes, she is," Amelia said, "Unfortunately, she took some type of Anti-Veritaserum Potion last night, before going to Hogwarts with you, which lasts twelve hours. So we won't be able to interrogate her until later this morning. However, with your permission, I wish to place her, Peter Pettigrew and Bartemius Crouch, Junior on trial – three separate trials – tomorrow afternoon in front of the Wizengamot."
"You have my permission, Director Bones," Cornelius agreed. "I wish to wash the Ministry's hands of all three of them as soon as possible. Especially since the Daily Prophet already has published article about all three of them! The public will be sending Howlers to both of our offices before lunch, about all three of them. Especially to me about Dolores, as she was my Undersecretary! That is a sure thing! So yes, the sooner we can assure the public the three criminals are dealt with, the better!"
"Yes, well," Amelia said. "As I am sure you have already brought into some consideration... with Peter Pettigrew confirmed to be alive – and confirmed to have the Dark Mark – it puts Sirius Black's guilt in question. It also brings forth a question about whether or not Sirius Black was actually an innocent man, and spent twelve years in Azkaban for crimes he did not do. Did you know, Minister, that Sirius Black was never given a trial? He was simply thrown into Azkaban?"
"What?!" Cornelius asked, shocked, "N-no, I definitely did not! Who was responsible for that?!"
"Millicent Bagnold, Bartemius Crouch, Senior, and – in some ways – Albus Dumbledore," Amelia said. "According to Dumbledore, Bagnold and Crouch wanted to send Black to Azkaban as a 'message' to the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who's other supporters. Dumbledore told them they would regret it, but he was 'outvoted', apparently. They sent Black to Azkaban without a trial."
"Good Merlin, that is horrible!" Cornelius groaned. "I had no idea! What... what should we do?"
"We give him a trial, of course," Amelia said. "Actually I was thinking his and Pettigrew's trial could happen at the very same time, so we can found out what truly happened back in 1981."
"Sounds good to me!" Cornelius said. "Just one little problem. We have no idea where Black is."
"Actually... we do," Amelia said.
She walked over to Cornelius, and placed the "writ of Sanctuary" on his desk. Cornelius picked it up and read it with a frown. His eyes widened, and he looked up at Amelia.
"Sirius Black is currently in Hogwarts?" he asked.
"He is, under the right of Sanctuary, granted by Albus Dumbledore," Amelia said. "Harry Potter is his godson, and he wanted to be close by in case something happened to Harry during the Final Task. When he heard Pettigrew was captured, he surrendered himself to Dumbledore immediately, and asked for Sanctuary. I came face-to-face with Black – we have a past history, so he could trust me. He told me he was not the Potter's Secret Keeper, and he never killed any of those Muggles. Pettigrew confessed a similar story under Veritaserum, that he was responsible for the deaths of those Muggles."
"Then why did Black escape Azkaban?!" Fudge asked, "Why did he go to Hogwarts last year? Wasn't he after Potter?"
"He was not," Amelia said. "As Pettigrew told me, until last summer, he spent twelve years in his Animagus, as a Common Garden Rat. He was apparently the pet of a Gryffindor student in Hogwarts. Black went there to capture Pettigrew, and to prove his innocence, not to harm Harry Potter."
Cornelius frowned and looked back at the parchment. "Contact Albus Dumbledore. Tell him the Kiss-On-Sight Order will be lifted by the end of the day. Sirius Black will get a trial tomorrow afternoon, same time as Peter Pettigrew. Albus can escort him to the Ministry Atrium, himself, where two Aurors will then escort Black to the Courtroom."
"Sounds fine with me," Amelia said. "I'll write to Albus as soon as I leave here."
Cornelius nodded. "What about the Crouch boy?"
"I will be asking the Wizengamot to send him through the Veil, Cornelius," Amelia said.
"I expected nothing less, Director!" Cornelius said, "He did, after all, escape from Azkaban... and on top of that, killed a highly-respected member of this Ministry and our society in general! His own father! The Veil or the Kiss... either is fine with me!"
"It will be the end of another House, I'm afraid," Amelia said, with a sigh.
"Most regrettable," Cornelius said, "What have you learned about him?"
"He's responsible for sending the Dark Mark into the sky at the Quidditch World Cup," Amelia said. "So that investigation is over. He attacked Alastor Moody at the end of August last year, in Moody's own house. He and Pettigrew were working together, so that is how they were able to overwhelm Moody. Though it must have been a hard fought battle."
"Yes," Cornelius said, "I am sure it was. Moody very likely got in a few hits before he was taken down. At least he's alive and safe now. Thank the Light for that."
"Yes," Amelia agreed, "Crouch, Junior impersonated Alastor Moody from the very first night of term last September. He was teaching the students from September through this month."
"Good heavens!" Cornelius gasped. "A Death Eater, one of the worst, so close to the next generation of our society for so many months. It is a wonder he didn't hurt any of them!"
"He is also responsible for murdering his father," Amelia said, "You remember a report that his father was last seen at Hogwarts recently...?"
"Yes, it was during one of the evenings I went to Hogwarts," Cornelius said. "In fact, it was a night Potter met with Albus... Potter, if I recall, said Crouch, Senior was spotted in the forest. The Durmstrang Champion had been attacked, I remember..."
"Crouch, Junior attacked Krum, yes," Amelia said. "He then killed his father and transfigured the body into a bone, and buried it in the forest. I doubt we'll ever find his body. Crouch, Junior is also responsible for putting the Imperius Curse on Krum during the Final Task, and ordering him to attack Champions Diggory and Delacour. He wanted Potter to get the Cup, which had a Portkey link to a graveyard in Little Hangleton where Pettigrew was waiting for Potter... so he could surprise and kill Potter. Obviously that backfired."
"And I am relieved it did!" Cornelius said, smiling, "I will thank Potter personally for apprehending such dangerous criminals. I will be meeting him tonight, of course, when I give him his winnings for the Tournament."
"Will be a wonderful event," Amelia said. "I intend to personally attend, myself."
"You can be my plus-one then, how about that?" Cornelius suggested.
Amelia raised an eyebrow. What was Cornelius playing at? She decided it was best she keep him happy, in case she needed his help in the future.
"I accept, Minister," Amelia said, smiling.
"Er... will Sirius Black be in attendance during the event?" Cornelius asked, frowning.
"I'm sure he'll be there in some way or another," Amelia said, shrugging, "though knowing Albus, the man will likely be protecting Black so that there isn't any conflicts with his right of Sanctuary. Why?"
"I thought, if I see him," Cornelius said, "I can personally promise him he'll get a trial tomorrow. A trial that my predecessor never granted!"
"I am sure he'll apprecitate a guarantee from the Minister of Magic," Amelia said, smiling. "If his freedom is granted, Minister, he'll officially be Lord Black. I am sure he'll owe you a favor for personally helping him get the trial he has been waiting for."
Cornelius had a greedy expression on his face. "Wonderful!"
"If that is all, Minister?" Amelia asked. "I must write that note to Albus Dumbledore."
"Of course, of course!" Cornelius said. "I'll see you this evening. Meet me here around six this evening, and we can go to Hogwarts together. Albus is letting me use his personal Floo to arrive at Hogwarts, and you can come with me through the same means. You can fill me in on what you discover from Dolores' interrogation as well."
"Of course, Minister," Amelia agreed.
"You're excused, Director," Cornelius said.
Amelia bowed her head, said farewell to the Minister, then left the office. She smiled, happy that not only would the three criminals she apprehended the previous evening would get a very quick trial, but so, too, would Sirius Black.
Friday, June 25th, 1995 – Hogwarts – Morning
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger stepped into the Great Hall fifteen minutes after they left the Room of Requirement. Almost immediately, they – or rather Harry – was greeted with a thunderous applause, obviously as a collective congratulations for winning the Triwizard Tournament. Some of the Gryffindors, especially Harry's fellow fourth years, stood up and continued applauding and cheering– though Ron was too busy eating to notice the applause, and had only stood up because Fred Weasley dragged him to his feet.
Cedric Diggory was the first to stand at the Hufflepuff table, which caused the others in his house to begin standing as well. A third of the Slytherins stood up, though their clapping almost resembled golf-claps. The rest of the Slytherins clapped a couple times, though Draco Malfoy and his minions didn't clap at all.
Then Hermione grabbed Harry's hand, raising it high in the air, before she pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around his neck. The couple brought their heads together in a passionate kiss.
The atmosphere in the hall changed. There was still applause, from the ones who seemed to support their relationship. There were also gasps and other reactions from those shocked and... even saddened... by the news that Harry wasn't single anymore. Then, predictably, one voice rang over the applause.
"Oi, Potter!" Ron yelled. "Why are you kissing her?!"
The Hall became gradually quiet, as they wanted to hear Harry's response to whom they thought was his friend. Harry and Hermione, still holding hands, walked toward the Gryffindor table.
"Because, as of this morning, Weasley," Harry said, emphasizing the git's last name, since he called him 'Potter', "she's my girlfriend."
Suddenly, there was a loud sob, coming from the Ravenclaw table. Harry wondered which Ravenclaw was so upset. Then he saw it was actually Ginny Weasley, who had been sitting with Michael Corner... Harry recalled that Corner was Ginny's boyfriend at the current time. Ginny stood and ran out of the hall, sobbing loudly. Corner looked shocked, and his friends chuckled and jeered him, obviously over the fact that his 'girlfriend' seemed to be interested in someone else.
Harry turned back to Weasley, who was glaring quite darkly at him and Hermione. But before the traitor could say anything, Fred and George stood up and hooked one of their respective arms under their brother's arms, and pulled him away from the table.
"Come on, Ronnie-kins," Fred said.
"Let's go see what has our little sister so upset," George said.
"We're not finished talking about this, Potter!" Ron screamed, as he was forcefully dragged out of the Hall by his twin brothers. "She is supposed to be mine, you baaaaaassss-"
The rest of his sentence wasn't heard as the doors of the Great Hall shut after he was dragged away. Harry glanced up at the staff table. Aside from McGonagall looking rather miffed at the scene that had just taken place, neither her nor any of the Professors seemed to want to do anything about it. Snape looked as if he had swallowed a lemon, and was doing his best to avoid looking at Harry. Harry also noted that Dumbledore wasn't present yet.
Well, aside from Snape not taking points away from me and Hermione for our public display of affection, Harry mused,everything else seems familiar. Weasley caused such a big fuss, and would have likely done more had he not been dragged away by his brothers, and yet neither McGonagall nor any of the other Professors are doing anything. Even when Dumbledore isn't here to stop them from doing their job.
"Well, that was a revelation," Harry said, as he sat down with Hermione at the Gryffindor Table. "Weasley doesn't seem to want to be our friend anymore, does he, Hermione?"
"If he's going to act like that, no," Hermione said, "If his behaviour continues that way, I can call our friendship over."
"Why you calling him Weasley, Harry?" Seamus Finnigan asked. "I know his behavior there was out of the ordinary, but he and you are two peas in a pod, I thought."
"He called me 'Potter', so I called him 'Weasley," Harry shrugged. "Besides, after he believed I put my name in the Goblet of Fire at Halloween, our friendship has been rocky ever since. He hasn't ever really apologized about that, you know? He hasn't said 'I'm sorry' or 'I apologize' or whatever. All he said was... what was it, Hermione?"
"'I reckon someone is trying to do you in!'" Hermione echoed Ron's past comment after the First Task. "That was all he said after the First Task. No apologies or anything. Hasn't even hinted he is sorry ever since. Basically we've been treating our friendship with him like it is a time-bomb waiting to go off."
The magical-raised looked confused at that last part.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Muggle phrase. Means all it took was one little incident for our friendship to be over..."
"And the incident is you two getting together," Neville said. "Not surprising. I've seen this coming since third year to be honest. I figured you two would get together, and Ron would either support you, or he'd be angry at you for it. Shame it was the latter."
"Yes... shame," Harry muttered.
Before any further conversation could be had, a great flutter and whoosh of wings was heard, as the morning mail came in. Harry's heart swelled and his eyes misted over a little as he saw Hedwig diving down toward him. Hedwig landed onto the table near him, with the new edition of the Daily Prophet in her beak. She dropped it in front of him. He smiled and pet her on the head and brought his head down her back.
"Hello, Hedwig," Harry said. "I missed you."
"You saw her yesterday morning, mate!" Seamus said.
Hermione smiled at Harry, knowing what he meant. "Harry had a very long day yesterday, Seamus. I think we can cut him a break."
"Oh... right," Seamus said. "Sorry, Harry."
"No problem," Harry said, almost dismissively, as he was focusing on feeding Hedwig a piece of bacon.
God, I forgot how beautiful she is, Harry sighed, Almost as beautiful as my Hermione, though I'd never admit that out loud in front of Hedwig! She'd rip me a new one!
"Thank you, girl," Harry said, affectionately. "You get some rest. I might come and visit you later in the Owlery."
Hedwig finished her bacon, hooted, and nipped at Harry's ear before she flew off back toward the rafters. Harry unfolded the newspaper, and grimaced as he saw that it was an old picture of him. Well... 'old' to 'Future Harry'. It was one of the photos taken of him during the Weighing Of The Wands during the previous November. He wondered if there had been any photos of him taken last night. But he guessed since he had Pettigrew near him, and he was always crowded by other adults, that the Daily Prophet cameraman – Bingo was his name-oh? No... wait... Bozo! – didn't get any good solo shots of him.
The headlining article was all about him and the final Task of the Triwizard Tournament. However, as Rita Skeeter was – ahem – unavailable, the Chief Editor, Barnabus Cuffe, was the author of the article. The article mentioned him being the victor – and youngest ever winner – of the Triwizard Tournament. There was nothing about Pettigrew or Crouch, Junior, or Harry coming back late... not on the headlining article anyway.
The mention of his coming back later than expected, and being kidnapped, then 'heroically' coming back, dragging his would-be captor with him, was in the article about Peter Pettigrew. The article described the "Shocking Revelation" of Pettigrew being alive after all this time. Cuffe had two whole paragraphs about how Pettigrew's reappearance threw Sirius Black's guilt into question, and demands that the DMLE and Ministry investigate Sirius' case all over again!
Then there was the article about Crouch, Junior and the shocking revelation of him impersonating the famous Auror Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody as the Defense Professor... ever since September! It was an inspiring article by Cuffe about how the students could have been in danger. Harry smirked as there was a paragraph blaming Dumbledore and how Moody was "Dumbledore's very good friend, so how did Dumbledore not know a Death Eater was impersonating his friend?!" It also threw a question of "Hogwarts security, and whether or not the students were safe" into the mix.
But it was another article which shocked Harry, who had no idea that the events it described had happened the previous evening. He had heard nothing about it until now. Two Dementors had been brought to Hogwarts by Dolores Umbridge, who had intending on giving the Kiss to Pettigrew and Crouch. The article told the story of how Dumbledore and Amelia Bones confronted Umbridge and the Dementors. Apparently Dumbledore produced a Patronus so powerful that it actally killed the two Dementors! Harry rolled his eyes as he read about how Cuffe thought Dumbledore was the only known wizard who could kill Dementors. He knew of at least eight people, including himself, alive right now around the world who could kill Dementors with their Patronus. Dumbledore was far from the only one.
The article continued with Umbridge being arrested by Amelia Bones for, as Cuffe wrote, "endangering the hundreds of students currently in Hogwarts who are our next generation of our society." Harry shrugged as he finished the article.
Well... I totally didn't expect that to happen! Harry mused. It seems I stepped on a few butterflies when I captured Pettigrew.
Harry had thought he'd have to deal with Umbridge sometime during the summer, before she had the opportunity to send Dementors after him. But this... this worked. However, there was one little problem Harry could foresee coming: Umbridge not being given her 'proper punishment that fit the crime'.
When Umbridge is sent to Azkaban, Harry mused, I can always visit her in the prison this summer and deal with her in my own little way. She should be given the Kiss, of course. But since she 'should be redeemed after a long stay in Azkaban' as Dumbledore will likely say, she'll likely just get ten or twenty years. It is up to someone else – like me! – who will be responsible for giving her a proper punishment that will fit the crime. It took me five days to get into Azkaban last time... and that was as the DMLE Director. This time... without that position to help me? I can do it in three.
Harry's musing was interrupted when Hermione tapped him on the shoulder. He looked at her, and she nodded her head toward the Head Table at the end of the Great Hall. Harry turned his attention to the Table, and saw Albus Dumbledore and Garrick Ollivander making their way to the table. The students who saw the wandmaker all started whispering to their neighbors, wondering why he was there.
You chose wisely, Garrick, my old friend, Harry mused. Thank you for accepting Albus' offer of Sanctuary.
Dumbledore raised his wand and shot out sparks, alerting the whole Hall. Everyone went quiet and turned their attention to the Headmaster.
"Good morning, students and staff," Dumbledore said, his lips forming his patented grandfatherly smile, as he looked around the Hall. "I will not interrupt what I am sure is a delicious meal for too long. I simply have a few announcements for you. First, this evening, before dinner, we will be playing host to Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and a few other Ministry representatives, as we bring the Triwizard Tournament to its close. Our very own Harry Potter, victor of the Triwizard Tournament, will be presented his winnings -"
He was interrupted by a roaring cheer and applause from the majority of the students and staff, all of whom were looking at Harry and giving him their congratulations again. It went on for over a minute, even after Dumbledore sent more sparks in the air.
"Yes, yes, congratulations, Mr. Potter!" Dumbledore continued, when the Hall went quiet again, "Also, Hogwarts, as a whole, will be presented the Triwizard Cup!" More cheering and applause. "The Cup will be here at Hogwarts for the remainder of term, right here in the Great Hall, for those who want to take a close look at it, and take photographs with it.
"Moving on to my second announcement, I am sure you all recognize the famous wandmaker, Garrick Ollivander who is responsible for crafting a good majority of the wands you now hold. I am sure most of you are well-acquainted with him, having visited him in his shop in Diagon Alley. Due to the recent appearance of Death Eaters, Garrick Ollivander has graciously accepted my offer of Sanctuary, and protection here at Hogwarts so that he is protected from any growing threat that might come his way in the near future."
You might as well have told them Voldemort was back and looking for a new wand, Al, Harry mused, rolling his eyes as he heard the grim whispers and murmurs around the Hall.
"Finally," Dumbledore continued, "As was witnessed last night, the criminal known as Peter Pettigrew – who was thought dead since 1981 – reappeared and was discovered to be alive. For those of you who do not know, it was thought that Sirius Black killed Pettigrew, one of the crimes in which Black was in Azkaban for, until he escaped two summers ago. Now, it appears his guilt is in question. Due to the question of his guilt or innocence, I, as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, have decided to give Sirius Black the right of Sanctuary. At this very moment, he is currently inside this castle."
There were gasps, shocked murmurs, and a few screams from those who were still afraid of Sirius, thinking he was a Dark wizard, and the right hand man of Voldemort.
"Students, Sirius Black is my guest here at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said. "I do not believe he will be here very long, as his Sanctuary will only last until the Ministry has agreed to give him a trial to discover his guilt or innocence. I promise he has no reason to hurt any of you, or even get near most of you. He is simply here so he can be protected until he gets a trial. I ask each and everyone of you, if you see Mr. Black, you simply ignore him as if he is not here. He will do the same for you."
More murmurs and whispers were heard. Harry noticed Draco looking venemous. Obviously he knew what it meant for him if Sirius was truly innocent. Harry noticed Garrick Ollivander lean over to Dumbledore and whisper something to him.
"Ah, one last announcement!" Dumbledore said. "Mr. Ollivander asks these students to remain behind after breakfast, so he can speak to each of them."
The only name Harry recognized from the list Dumbledore named off was Neville Longbottom. Neville blushed red as his name was called.
"Wonder why Mr. Ollivander wants to see you, Nev," Seamus said, "Is your wand behaving faulty or something?"
Neville blushed and muttered. "It is pretty old... um... it is my father's wand."
"Well, there you go!" Harry said. "Ollivander doesn't seem like the type of bloke to like Legacy Wands. His mantra is 'the wand chooses the wizard'. He's probably wondering why you never visited his shop. He thinks he has a better wand for you!"
Neville blushed deeper and muttered something about his grandmother.
"Your grandmother wants you to use your father's wand?" Harry asked, and Neville nodded. "Tell Mr. Ollivander that, and see what he says. I am sure he'll give you the best advice."
Neville nodded, timidly. "Thanks, Harry. I'll... I'll do that."
Harry smiled, and sighed to himself. He had forgotten how timid Neville during the first few years at Hogwarts. The Neville Harry knew in the future, was a confident, powerful and inspiring individual. He was the Herbology Professor at Hogwarts, and was rumored to be the next Headmaster at Hogwarts, when Filius Flitwick – who replaced Minerva McGonagall the year James Sirius Potter went to Hogwarts – decided it was his time to retire, though it might not have happened for another decade.
Harry frowned. What am I doing? Reminiscing like this about the future I came from? When I completed the ritual, and it brought me here, that future ceased to be. All research I did pointed to that happening. A new future will happen. A better future.
Harry shook himself, breaking his reverie, and turned his attention back to the Head Table. Albus Dumbledore was sitting down now, eating breakfast, so obviously he was done with his announcements. Harry continued eating his meal, paying little attention to what was being discussed around him. Even then, he let out a little smile. It had been well over twenty years, since he had experienced anything like this before. He had forgotten all about the atmosphere of daily love in Hogwarts. Even though it was the last days of the school year, and therefore, there were no more classes to attend, it still had that 'Hogwarts school days' atmosphere he remembered.
He was quite glad classes were over, as his performance in his classes would definitely be changing now, and therefore would get noticed by people like Dumbledore and Snape, who would know something was different about him.
Something I would have to worry about had I arrived a month ago like was originally planned, Harry mused. So, in some ways, it is lucky I didn't return until minutes before the Final Task began.
"So, Hermione," Lavender Brown asked. "I noticed the matching rings on your and Harry's fingers. But Harry said you only got together today. So... what are they?"
"A reminder, Lavender," Harry said, "That Hermione and I are both unavailable for anyone else to have... romantic aspirations toward."
"Are you going to Bond?" Lavender asked.
"We decided we would wait until Harry's birthday before we started talking about that," Hermione said. "Until then, we'll simply test the waters and see if we are compatible."
"Please... everyone knows the two of you are so compatible with each other," Parvati said. "We're only surpised it has taken you this long. Though, I must admit... I thought you were dating Viktor Krum, Hermione."
"We are friends, and friends only," Hermione said, firmly. "I only accepted his date to the Yule Ball, because he was the first to ask me. If Harry had asked me, I would have gone with him instead."
"I haven't apologized for the way I treated you during the Yule Ball, Parvati," Harry said. "I am sorry, Miss Patil. It was very rude of me to ruin your evening."
Parvati shrugged. "You didn't ruin my evening. I would have been the center of attention, had we had more than one dance, and that's not really for me. If you paid anymore attention to me than you did, I would have been swamped with questions about whether or not you and I were dating. Besides, I figured you were pining over Hermione. You just hid it better than Weasley did. I accept your apology, however. Thank you."
Harry nodded and returned to his breakfast. After they finished breakfast, Harry took Hermione's hand and led her out onto the Grounds.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked. "I thought you wanted to go visit Sirius again."
"I figure we can give him time to settle in before we go and bug him again," Harry said. "I thought we might find a place on the Grounds, just for the two of us. Somewhere we can call ours for the next three years here when we want someplace private, that isn't in the castle."
"That sounds lovely, Harry," Hermione said, smiling.
"Hermione?" Harry asked. "I have a question... something I never really got an answer to, during my last go around. Did you kiss Krum after the Yule Ball?"
"What?" Hermione asked, "No! Okay... maybe he kissed me on my cheek. But... Harry, you were my first kiss."
"Oh... good," Harry said.
"Where did that come from?" Hermione asked.
"Ginny," Harry snarled. "During sixth year, Ginny was dating Dean Thomas for a while. Ron and I were returning to Gryffindor Tower, and we came upon them snogging in a corridor. Ron got in a hissy-fit about Ginny kissing Dean. Ginny teased him about never actually having kissed anybody. She said I kissed Cho... I did, in my original fifth year, though it wasn't that memorable at all. Then she said..."
"That I kissed Krum," Hermione muttered. "Yeah, she was lying to you and Ron."
"I know that now," Harry said. "I'm sorry."
"Krum means absolutely nothing to me, Harry," Hermione said. "Nothing at all. We're... barely friends. You... you mean everything to me, Harry. He... the moment he kissed my cheek, I knew I could feel nothing for him. Because of how I felt about you. I was so happy he didn't kiss my lips. Because I didn't want him to be my first kiss. You are my first kiss. It sounds you were my first kiss in your future as well. And I hope... that you will be my last kiss as well. And the only one I ever kiss again."
"I hope so too," Harry said, smiling. "I don't know what I would have done had you denied me, Hermione. I came back for you, after all. You first, vengeance second. If I didn't have you in my life, and I only had vengeance, I... I fear I would become a Dark Lord more terrible than Voldemort ever could dream of being. I... I felt that way in my future, Hermione. I don't want to feel that way ever again. But..."
"You think you might have to," Hermione said.
"I came back to make sure you have a long and happy life, Hermione," Harry said. "If that means I must remove every single threat in your life for that to happen, I will."
"Then I will make sure you do not go into the Dark, Harry," Hermione said. "I know you need your vengeance. But you need me more. Remember that. As long as you come back to me, you will never go into the Dark."
"I will always come back to you, Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione smiled and squeezed Harry's hand. "Come on, let's go find that spot of ours. I need to kiss you really badly right now. Just because you're being so sweet."
Harry smiled and let Hermione lead him across the Grounds. Sirius could wait. His plans could wait. His vengeance could wait. For now, he was at peace. A peace he had not felt for a very, very long time.
I love vengeance-seeking Harry! I've never written anything like this Harry before. He's so fun!
So Harmony has been achieved. Harry and Hermione are together! But it is only just beginning for them.
I'm leaving what is currently going on with the Weasleys a mystery. Will Ginny and/or Ron contact Molly? Or will they wait until they get home to tell her? Will they dare to confront Harry and Hermione before the end of term? Or will they silently fume, so (they believe) Harry and Hermione won't suspect they won't be doing anything to break the new couple up?
Next Chapter: Voldemort reunites with (most of) his followers who aren't in Azkaban. But who will not attend? Dumbledore discovers Harry and Hermione's new status. Harry and Hermione meet with Sirius and find out about Madam Pomfrey's resignation.