Chapter 910 - Ch: 7-8

Chapter 7: 7 I Might Have Been Unclear With My Int

I Might Have Ben Unclear With My Intentions

"So, we're clear then." Lavender asked as she finished touching up Hermione's make up and taking a moment to admire her handy work. She was still thrilled the normally introverted girl had allowed her to do a bit of "Touch-Up" on her face.

"Nothing to be nervous about. You're simply going with your friend to the village. You'll show him around, and have lunch. Whatever happens is going to happen, right? You're not going to overanalyze every little thing he says or does, right?"

Hermione stared at her reflection, focusing on breathing and desperately attempting to calm her racing heart. She felt a bit dizzy like she had vertigo or something, and her limbs felts a bit like jelly. It had been two days since Harry had asked her to go to Hogsmeade. They hadn't talked anymore about the occasion, which had only led to Hermione dissecting his invitation and trying to figure out just what it had been all about. The only thing she felt certain of was that it was not a prank, though she couldn't say how she felt so sure of that.

"Hermione?" Lavender said, snapping her fingers in front of Hermione's face. "You in there?"

She nodded, though she looked almost as if she might become very ill.

"But what if we're not going as friends." Hermione asked, barely getting her voice to make any noise at all. Lavender hoped Hermione wasn't about to start crying and ruin all the work she'd done on her face.

"Hermione!" Parvati shouted in humorous exasperation as she finished her own makeup and turned to look at the very nervous brunette. "We've gone through this. You are over thinking it all again. You and Harry are going as friends. That's it. Unless he says or does something to change it, you are taking a friend to Hogsmeade."

"Then why did you two insist I get all dressed up and everything?" Hermione asked in near panic. Lavender gave a soft laugh and squeezed Hermione's shoulder.

"Because now you're giving him a reason to rethink his stance on the matter. Now, tell me what you think." Lavender said as she stepped aside so Hermione could get a good look at herself in the mirror.

Hermione turned around and looked at her reflection and felt… stunned. She was really very pretty. Lavender had done an amazing job on her hair and makeup. It looked almost as if she weren't wearing any.

"I just did enough to highlight your eyes and cheeks." Lavender explained

"Not to mention her lips." Parvati snickered, making Hermione blush.

"Will you stop it." Lavender slapped her best friend's arm. "She's nervous enough."

"Alright, I'm sorry." Parvati smiled as she turned to face Hermione now that she was finished with herself. "You look great, I'm glad my jeans fit you."

Hermione gave herself another hard look. Lavender and Parvati had come together to put together a smashing casual look for Hermione. Lavender had called it the devil may care look. It was supposed to look as if she hadn't really spent a lot of time on her appearance and give the impression that she dressed like that all the time outside of school.

Parvati's favorite jeans that hugged and accentuated Hermione's hips and rear. Lavender had loaned her a light blue button down topped with a black vest that accentuated her bust line without calling too much attention to it. Her hair was up in a loose ponytail, making it look as if she hardly spent anytime on her hair. The whole thing was finished with a pair of light trainers, as Hogsmeade was not really the place for nicer shoes, and according to Lavender, it would help her if she was somewhat comfortable.

"Now, just go and have fun." Lavender said, turning Hermione towards the door.

"And remember that he's still the same Harry you eat and study with every day." Parvati added.

Hermione just stood there staring at the door that led to the dorm room and on to the Common Room where Harry was likely waiting for her. Her mind had gone blank, and she wasn't even sure if she was breathing at the moment.

"GO!" Lavender shouted slapping Hermione's posterior when Hermione made no move to leave. The shout and the sting on her hind end apparently made her brain reengage, and the incredibly nervous bookworm headed out of the bathroom, stopping to pick up her light jacket Lavender had picked out, before leaving the dorm room altogether.

"She's going to be just fine." Lavender smirked. As she turned to the mirror and began running a brush through her thick blonde hair.

"If she can loosen up." Parvati smiled. "Do you really think she'll kiss him?"

"Oh not today." Lavender shook her head and grimaced. "God no. They both need to work on relaxing around each other. Her a little more than him. But I think they were made for each other. You can't tell me you haven't seen it."

"I don't know what I've seen."

"Parv, she's been completely isolated here for the last five years, and then out of the blue, this green eyed sex god appears and out of everyone in the whole school… he picks her to be friends with? Hermione Granger?" Lavender turned to her best friend. "Like I said that first night back after the summer… it's karma. It has to be. She's suffered a lot, and now, she finally gets her reward, and it just happens to be one of the hottest, albeit strangest boys in the world. It's fate."

"Maybe you should stop spending so much time with Trelawney." Parvati laughed. Lavender flung a lipstick at the pretty Indian girl who laughed uproariously when it failed to hit her.

Hermione couldn't remember walking out of the dorm, or her trip down the stairs. She only became aware of the fact she was in the Common Room because Ron Weasley asked her how much longer Lavender would be. When she didn't answer, the redhead seemed to get irritated and wandered off. It was then that Hermione's brain turned back on, and she felt her stomach twist up so tightly she thought she might throw up what breakfast she had managed to choke down that morning.

She began looking for Harry and found him with Neville next to the bulletin board. Neville was still trying to explain the concept of Chocolate Frog cards. Hermione had concluded that Harry had grasped the idea of collecting the cards, but as with so many things, if it didn't help him in battle, he dismissed it entirely. That hadn't stopped Neville from trying to get Harry interested in it at least.

Harry was decked out in the same black clothing she had first met him in. She wondered if he owned anything else beside his school uniform, his black outfit and the shorts and shirt he ran each morning in.

"H-hi Harry." She managed when she got next to him. Neville saw her first, and apparently lost his ability to speak as he looked at her. Hermione knew it was likely due to the fact she was wearing makeup. Something she hadn't done since the Yule Ball.

Harry turned and smiled, but then it faded as he examined her. He arched an eyebrow, and looked as if he was about to ask a question, but closed his mouth and turned to Neville, who was still staring at Hermione in surprise.

"So, do you still want to go to the village?" Hermione asked, suddenly feeling her stomach drop. Had he not liked what he saw when he looked at her? Did he no longer want to be seen with her?

"Yes." He said as he turned back to her. She gave him a nervous smile and began leading him out of the Gryffindor Common Room and down the stairs. Harry followed behind her, quite confused, though he really couldn't say exactly why. He hadn't felt anything like the strange tightness in his chest since Tonks had first appeared to help him train nearly two years ago. Had Hermione used the same variation of the confundus Tonks had?

Hermione kept looking over her shoulder making sure Harry was still following her. She kept expecting to see he had disappeared, or was running back up the stairs, but he was always one step behind her.

They were checked off the list by Filch at the entrance to the school, and took a carriage into the village. Harry sat across from her, studying her, and making her more uncomfortable than she already felt.

"WHAT?" She finally snapped, making Harry flinch, which surprised her.

"Your face." He replied sounding curious. "It isn't normally so…

"So what?" She asked, not sure if she wanted to know.

"Colorful." Harry said, leaning in a bit to examine her closer. "It's different."

"Is that…bad?" Hermione asked rather stupidly. She had no idea what was happening to her, but she felt really out of place and self conscious at the moment. The only thing she had on that actually belonged to her was her underwear, and even that felt as if it wasn't her somehow.

"No. In fact it's rather pleasing." Harry said after a moment of silence. "It's just different. I'm just not used to seeing you in this manner. I know other girls paint their faces, but you never have."

"Do you… Do you like it?" She asked, not sure what answer she would prefer at this moment.

"I don't know." Harry said honestly. "I'm still unclear on the concept to know whether or not I enjoy the effect or not."

Hermione actually gave a soft laugh at that. Of course Harry wouldn't have an opinion. So far as she knew, Harry still had no idea what he found attractive in a girl to begin with. Upon realizing this, Hermione began to relax at last. Lavender and Parvati had been right. She was just going to the village with her friend, and all her over analyzing what he had meant when he asked her was for nothing. Harry was still trying to figure out what having friends really meant, much less having a girlfriend.

When the carriage stopped the two got out and Hermione turned to Harry and clapped her hands together.

"So, welcome to Hogsmeade. What would you like to see first?" She asked.

Neville had told her the previous evening that he and Harry had had a long conversation about the village and that he felt Harry was at least informed on what there was to se, though he wasn't certain that Harry really cared one way or another.

"What is your favorite place to visit?" He asked looking up and down the high street. He had that look in his eye that Hermione now knew to be his strategy look. Harry was looking for escape routes, defendable areas and ambush points.

"Well, I need some new quills and some other things. Why don't we head to Scrivenshafts, and if anything catches your eye between here and there, we can go inside. If not, after we're done, we can just go in everywhere until you get hungry and then have lunch at the Three Broomsticks."

Harry nodded his acceptance and Hermione began leading the way with Harry at her side. He kept looking everywhere, though Hermione knew it wasn't because he was fascinated by the sights. She wondered how he might have acted if he hadn't been raised to be some sort of super soldier. She wished she could have a chance to ask the people who raised him why they had done the things they had and what the whole point of it had been.

"Harry, didn't you ever do anything fun why you were growing up?" She asked. He turned to look at her with those curious questioning eyes she liked seeing so much. He reminded her sometimes of a child. Albeit a cold, calculating deadly child who could hex you apart in seconds..

"Fun?" He asked puzzled.

"Yeah, you know, fun. Something that wasn't related to your training that you did because you enjoyed it and it was relaxing?"

"Like when you read?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head sadly and turned back to the street.

"I don't read so much because I enjoy reading. I do it because people tend to leave me alone. I mean, I like reading, I always have, but it's not what I do for fun." Hermione admitted.

"Then what do you do for fun?" Harry asked. Hermione thought about her life and realized that she did very little in the name of fun, and it stung.

"I read a lot." Hermione said.

She gave a soft laugh and almost tripped when she hear Harry snort. She turned and found that there was the barest hint of a smile on his face. To anyone else, it would have been impossible to see on his normally stoic face. But Hermione saw it plain as the sun in the sky.

"Did you ever play with other kids? Run around and climb trees or build forts or whatever?" Hermione asked and Harry shook his head.

"No." Was his reply. Hermione felt her heartbreak a bit at that. She understood his life had been spent mostly in training for a war that his keepers was sure to come, and it turned out they had been right, but to deny any child the simple joy of being around other kids and playing was just borderline cruel in her opinion.

She was about to ask him another question when without warning, Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Hermione stopped and asked him what was wrong, but Harry just stood, rigid. It was like someone put him in a body bind. That is until Hermione noticed how he was standing. She had watched enough military movies with her father to recognize that Harry was standing at attention. She then began looking around and noticed two men walking towards them.

The first was a tall, broad shouldered man with shoulder length wavy black hair. His face had a chiseled look and he had a nicely trimmed goatee. He wore rather expensive looking black clothing and a heavy traveling cloak. He was watching them with a look Hermione had seen on Harry's face too many times to count. He was sizing her up, assessing her as a threat.

The second man was a bit shorter than the first with short sandy blonde hairs and a thin moustache. His face was heavily scarred and he had the look of someone who had been recently ill. This man wore lighter colored clothing, and a heavy brown cloak.

"Harry, we told you that you no longer have to do that." The first man spoke as he drew closer, his eyes still on Hermione. "We're not at headquarters, and you are not in training any longer."

Harry only relaxed his head and neck. His eyes remain firm to the horizon.

"Care to introduce us?" The man asked, still not having looked away from her. Hermione wasn't certain, but she swore she felt the gentlest nudge in her mind. It was difficult, but she managed to rip her gaze away from his piercing brown eyes. She thought she heard him chortle.

"Was he trying to use Occlumency on me?" she wondered, now more wary of these two men even taking a step back.

"Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, this is Miss Hermione Granger." Harry said in his even tone.

"Ah, the Miss Granger." The man now identified as Sirius Black said, holding out his hand to Hermione, who accepted it tentatively. "We've heard quite a bit about you. It is very nice to actually meet you in person, milady." Sirius smiled.

Sirius' expression softened after the introduction, and Hermione once again began to relax, though she still felt ill at ease with these two. The man called Remus stepped forward and also shook her hand in greeting. Remus was less rigid than either Sirius or Harry, and actually seemed friendly.

"It is indeed an honor." Remus said with a smile. He had a warm and gentle voice that reminded Hermione of one of her uncles. "As Sirius said, we have heard quite a bit about you of late, and it is nice to put a face to the stories."

"I'm sorry, but how have you heard of me?" Hermione asked, looking to Harry who hadn't moved.

"Or for the love of…" Sirius groaned as he followed Hermione's gaze and saw Harry still standing stock still. "At ease kid. You're making people stare at you."

Harry then relaxed his stance. Sirius shook his head and turned to look at Hermione, giving her a "what can you do?" sort of roll of the eyes. "You can take the boy out of the soldier, but you can never take the soldier out of the boy."

Hermione gave in and smirked at the joke. Remus chuckled, though Harry stared curiously at them all.

"To answer your question, my dear, we've been kept informed on Harry's situation at Hogwarts. Although we're not here for a visit, it was our hope we might run into the lad this morning and see how he was doing in his new situation.." Remus explained.

"I don't wish to be rude Miss Granger, but would you mind terribly if I spoke to my godson for just a moment?" Sirius asked with an apologetic smile.

"Um, no." Hermione said looking to Harry and then back to Sirius.

"Why not join me over here?" Remus motioned and Hermione followed the scarred man a short distance away but not far enough that she couldn't see Harry and his godfather speaking to each other.

"That's an unusual name, Hermione, isn't it?" Remus asked politely.

"My parents really like Shakespeare." Hermione said, glancing over her shoulder to see that Sirius had stepped closer to Harry and was looking a bit grave as he spoke to the youth. "Is he in trouble?"

"No." Remus shook his head as he turned to watch Sirius and Harry. "Not at all. Though, personally, I would like it a bit more if he stopped using his wandless magic. I'm afraid Sirius finds it endlessly hysterical knowing his godson is making girls clothing disappear right off their bodies and humiliating moronic imbeciles."

"He doesn't really strike me as the humorous sort." Hermione replied before she realized what Remus had just said. "How do you know about that?"

"As we said before, we are being kept informed about Harry's situation." Remus replied with a wink. Hermione didn't know what he meant, and also knew that he wasn't going to tell her either. "If I may be so bold to ask, are you here on a date?"

Hermione felt her face burn and she began to stammer, something she always did when she became embarrassed.

"I don't mean to pry, but… well, you may have noticed Harry is quite different from your other peers." Remus remarked. Hermione noted that when the man smiled, his scarred visage was actually very pleasant.

"Kind of hard not to." Hermione nodded.

"Quite right." Remus chuckled.

"Um, no… it's not really a date, I guess." Hermione admitted, turning to see that Harry was looking very confused by whatever Sirius was saying now. Confused, and a bit angry as well.

"Are you certain?" Remus probed. Hermione's smile faltered a bit as she nodded that she was certain it was not a date.

"Ah, well. That's too bad." Remus sighed. "Though I guess it was a bit premature to hope for something like that. He's likely not even sure what he's feeling, much less ready to act upon anything."

Again Hermione turned a shocked expression to the older man who was still smiling as he cast his eyes to the raven haired boy and the man whom he was speaking with. She remembered only moments ago she had wanted to ask Harry's guardians why they had chosen to raise Harry in the manner they had. However, before she could open her mouth to inquire, Remus spoke again.

"Certain people speak very highly of you. Top of your class, and intelligence to rival perhaps even Rowena Ravenclaw." Remus continued. "We have also heard that you have had a rather difficult time at Hogwarts up until now."

Again, Hermione's jaw dropped at just how much this man knew about her. It was clear to her now that he was not getting information from Harry though. It was the comment about her being at the top of the class that gave it away. It was likely a teacher who had informed them about her, but which one, and why?

"Harry has also had a difficult time, though he wouldn't know it not knowing any other way. Though he may appear to be made of stone, he is in truth just as confused and unsure of himself as any other boy your age." He said. "Harry has many obstacles to overcome, and he will be slower than most on understanding what others take for granted. He may appear to be in control, but I promise you that that young man is very confused right now. It would be difficult for anyone to live their life a certain way and then have to change it so dramatically."

"I think I know what you mean." Hermione said, flashing back to earlier in the week with all the dating confusion.

"How much has he told you about his upbringing?" Remus asked looking quite curious.

Hermione shrugged a bit. "Not a lot, but I haven't really asked either. I figured if he wanted me to know, he'd tell me."

"That isn't how he was raised, I'm afraid." Remus said regretfully. "But, if you were to ask, I'm certain he would tell you all you wished to know. That is, so long as you don't try and interrogate or torture him."

Hermione nodded that she understood, though she felt horrified at the thought of Harry tied to a chair while someone continually cast the torture curse on him.

"You might also share a bit about yourself with him. Show him that sharing is okay. Don't dance around something and assume he'll know what you're talking about or you could find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation."

"I think we had a bit of that this past week." She said, wrapping her arms around herself.

"My deepest apologies." Sirius said now guiding Harry over to them. "I know I would be quite upset if someone were to interrupt my date."

"It isn't…" Hermione began to say but Remus cut across her.

"You misunderstand. Miss Granger is merely Harry's friend and is showing him around the village today Sirius." Remus corrected. Harry looked at Remus and then at Hermione with a rather confused expression, which made Hermione look away with embarrassment.

"Oh, my apologies." Sirius said looking a bit forlorn at that revelation. "Well then, carry on, and try to have fun. It was a pleasure, Miss Granger."

Sirius shook her hand, and gave Harry a very pointed look before turning to leave. Remus bade them both farewell and headed off in the direction of the castle with Sirius. Harry watched them for a few minutes with Hermione at his side, watching him.

"Was it bad news?" She asked hesitantly.

"No." Harry said shaking his head. "No, not bad just… disappointing."

"If you don't want to stay I understand. I mean…"

"No, it's fine." Harry said turning to look at her now. He took a deep, cleansing breath and let it out. "Sirius keeps telling me I need to get used to disappointment. Life is supposed to be full of them. So, Scrivenshaft's then?"

Hermione nodded and they returned to their original journey. They walked in silence for about twenty seconds.

"So those were two of the men who trained you?" Hermione wondered.

"Yes. Sirius is my godfather and trained me in dueling mostly. Remus is sort of like an uncle, I suppose, and was largely responsible for my theoretical education. He says he was the smartest amongst my father's friends. Sirius doesn't argue it, so I guess it's true. There was also Alastor Moody. He was an Auror for many years, and he taught me charms and defensive magic. They all pitched in and taught me transfiguration and potions."

"Who taught you Herbology?" Hermione asked.

"No one."

"Huh, no wonder you're rubbish at it." Hermione smirked. Harry gave her a sideways glance, which only made her laugh.

"Dumbledore also came around every so often and taught me Transfiguration and Defensive spells." Harry continued.

"Dumbledore taught you?" Hermione looked startled. They had arrived at the stationary shop and walked inside. Harry began scanning the store and Hermione made her way towards the quills.

"Every so often. Mostly during summers. I expect it was because his duties as Headmaster made it hard for him to get away. By the time I was ten, I was beyond what is taught in seventh year. Or, that's what I'm told. I had no basis to compare."

"How long has Dumbledore been teaching you?" Hermione turned to him as she picked up an eagle feather.

"Since I was eleven. My lessons with him were much more straight forward and he didn't spend a lot of time on theory. I guess it was felt that it wasn't that necessary for me to learn that part of it. I did learn it, but it was more about getting the spells to work, and increasing my magical core." Harry said matter-of-factly as he examined a few different quills.

Hermione couldn't think of anything to say to that and found herself staring at Harry who seemed oblivious. He finished examining quills and started looking at inks. He turned to her and saw her staring.

"Are you getting those?" He asked, motioning to the eagle feather quills in her hand. This brought her out of her stupor.

"Uh.. No, not these." Hermione stuttered and replaced the quills to pick out others. She then began following Harry as he examined inks.

"What is the purpose of color changing ink?" He asked quizzically.

"It's fun?" Hermione answered looking just as confused as Harry. "Some girls like writing notes to friends with it. It doesn't have a purpose per se. It's just amusing."

"Huh." Harry replied as he turned back to the inks. She could see he was getting bored now. Not that writing supplies would hold anyone's attention for long. She took her new quills to the counter where a nice looking plump woman stood watching the two interact, and paid for them and then gathered Harry and led him back into the street.

"So, you just trained and studied growing up?" Hermione asked as they started walking.

"Yes." Harry shook his head.

"That's horrible." Hermione said. "I can't imagine not being able to play with other kids or going to play parks and just being rambunctious.

"Did you play with other kids a lot?" Harry asked. Hermione's face fell a bit.

"No, not really." She admitted. "I've never been good at making friends."

"We became friends, and that seemed fairly easy." Harry commented.

"That's different." Hermione chuckled.

"How?"

"I can't explain it. Besides, we didn't become friends in the normal way. You just kind of told me we were friends, and that was it, remember?" Hermione said as she nudged Harry with her shoulder. Harry didn't even move, and Hermione nearly lost her balance. He was like a moving slab of marble. Or maybe it was because she was so petite compared to him.

"What is the normal way to make friends?" Harry asked.

"I don't know." Hermione shrugged. "Hanging around a person, sharing things with them. Talking."

"Isn't that what we're doing now?"

"Well yeah, but we were already friends."

"Now you're confusing me." Harry said, his brow furrowing.

"Forget it." Hermione said waving her hands as if wiping an invisible blackboard. "Let's just say that you and I had an unusual beginning to our friendship and leave it at that. You and Neville have had a more normal start to a friendship. Lavender and I have had more of a normal start to a friendship as well."

"So you and Lavender are friends now?" Harry asked.

Hermione gave a thoughtful nod. "I think we are. She's been really nice to me this year. I don't know why and to be honest I'm afraid to ask. In fact, everything's been different this year because of you."

"How so?"

"Well, usually by this time every other year, I'm ready to pack up everything and go home because I'm miserable. People like Malfoy and Parkinson go out of their way to find me and make me feel like I'm less than nothing."

"Have you ever gone home?"

"I meant go home for good. As in leave the magical world behind." Hermione clarified.

"Why would you do that?" Harry looked rather disturbed at the idea.

"To escape. To get away from people who just want to hurt me for no reason." Hermione explained.

"Why didn't you do it if you were so miserable?"

"I don't really know." Hermione said. "Maybe because things in the muggle world would be no different for me. Like I said, I never had any friends as a kid. I was too different from everyone else. When I found out I was a witch and that I'd be going to a school with others like me, I thought that I'd finally make friends. But I was wrong. I was too different even among witches and wizards."

"You keep saying you're different." Harry noted. "What do you mean by that?"

Hermione gave him a soft smile and lowered her head a bit.

"You may have noticed I'm pretty into to my studies."

Harry nodded.

"Well, In first year, I was desperate to make friends. I was always very good in school, and I thought the best way to make friends was to try helping other people. But… I wasn't very good at it. I was bossy and rather abrasive. It didn't help that I typically caught on to new spells first. People started thinking I was showing off, or something. Then when I tried to help Ronald Weasley, he took it badly that I could perform the spell before him, and better. He started the ball rolling then, and sort of turned most of the school against me. The Slytherins already didn't like me because I was a muggleborn and a Gryffindor. Malfoy has always been the worst, but he isn't the only one who's enjoyed making me miserable."

"So how are things different now?'

"Well, with the exception of the Slytherins, people stay away from me now. Even Ronald hasn't insulted me since the train. I've made friends with Lavender and Neville. I wouldn't say Parvati and I are friends, but she's nice to me now." Hermione shrugged. "I think you intimidate everyone and they all know you're my friend and they don't want to make you mad. Especially after what happened to Pansy."

Hermione saw that same hint of a smile she had seen earlier on Harry's face.

"I suppose I should thank you for it all." She said.

"They way I understand it is that it's what you do for a friend." Harry said.

"Where did you learn that?" Hermione asked.

"Sirius gave me a few lessons before I came here."

"Lessons on friendships?" Hermione looked curious now.

"It was mostly stories about what he, Remus and my father got up to while they went to Hogwarts. In all honesty, I'm not sure I believe any of them. They just don't match up to the Sirius I grew up with, though I suppose the strain of preparing me for war likely changed him. I mean, I can't even begin to understand why anyone would want to charm the taps in the girl's loo. It makes no sense."

"They charmed the taps in the girls bathrooms?" Hermione looked scandalized.

"Turned a lot of girls skin purple apparently." Harry shrugged.

"Why would they do that?" Hermione wondered.

"I asked the same question. He just shrugged." Harry replied. "I think we've walked through the whole village." Harry said, noting they had passed all the shops. Hermione turned and saw that as well.

"Oh." She said feeling embarrassed. "Well, if you're hungry we could go and eat and then try and get in the shops after."

Harry nodded, and Hermione led him across the street to the Three Broomsticks. The pub was quite crowded but the meal was quit sumptuous. The two friends continued talking, but the topics were less serious now, as Hermione felt a bit drained after their earlier conversation.

After the finished their lunch, Hermione finally got Harry into a few of the shops. Harry didn't really care for Honeydukes, as he wasn't a fan of sweets, though he did purchase a few different things to try on Hermione's insistence. Hermione also got a rather large bag of treats, claiming that her supply was low.

Harry did find Zonko's quit amusing, though he wasn't interested in any of the products. Actually Harry's and Hermione's experience was so good because Ronald Weasley got his finger caught in a biting Chinese finger cuff, and while trying to get it off fell into a display of trick toilet seats. Although Harry didn't outwardly laugh like everyone else, Hermione saw that he had fully enjoyed his roommate's rather comical trouble.

Harry did seem to like Spintwiches, as there was so much sporting equipment. Tents and camping items as well as a large selection of knives, which Harry seemed to enjoy looking at the most. He even asked the stout little wizard if he could handle a few. Harry explained to Hermione when they left that he had trained with edged weapons.

"Most wizards rely to heavily on their magic to win in a fight." He explained. "By using other methods, Muggle methods, you can often catch your enemy off guard and win. You may do less damage with your fists, but it can give you the advantage you need by throwing your enemy off their guard."

Hermione thought that made a lot of sense as she thought back to all the fights she'd seen at Hogwarts.

Hermione made Harry go inside Tomes and Scrolls as she wanted a book she glanced in the window. He was very patient with her as she perused a few aisles. He was always right at her side, watching her, as if he was studying her again. It was Lavender's opinion that Harry was somehow fascinated by Hermione, and in that instance, Hermione actually began to wonder if it was true.

"No, he's just bored being in a book shop, that's all, but he's too polite to complain." Hermione reasoned with herself.

Their final stop was at Gladrags where Hermione stopped to get presents for her parents for Christmas.

"I always shop for them early." Hermione explained. "Mum absolutely loves the self warming socks, and this year I thought I'd get her a dressing gown to go with them. Dad is sometimes harder to shop for, but he has this quirky thing with his ties. His patients really love his obnoxious ties, so I try and find him really awful ones. They both love learning about the magical world, which is why I got those books on magical creatures and landmarks."

"Sounds like a good plan. Always be prepared, right?" Harry asked, gazing at a rack of jumpers.

"Did you celebrate Christmas?" Hermione asked. She was afraid of what the answer might be. She already had a growing dislike for Harry's guardian for their treatment of him, but if they had refused him Christmas, she might hex them into ash the next time she saw them.

"Actually I did." Harry nodded. "But, I was never really fond of it. It was confusing. All year we work and train and then one day… we don't. Remus explained to me once that Christmas is supposed to be this really happy time when we spend time with the people we care about most and all that… but… they never looked happy. They smiled, but it seemed false to me somehow. It was just a waste of a day that could have been better spent with training."

"Didn't you exchange gifts?" Hermione asked, feeling a strange tightness in her chest.

"Of course." Harry said. "I got books, manuals, and the occasional weapon."

"Those aren't gifts." Hermione scowled. "Well, ok, the books maybe, but… Harry you give gifts to people at Christmas to show you care for that person. You give them things they like, or things that show you think highly of them. Things they enjoy, or would appreciate."

"I appreciate my knives." Harry stated. "And that Japanese sword Sirius got me two years ago is one of my favorite weapons. Way better than Moody's claymore."

No." Hermione shook her head. "Last year my parents got me some really nice things. Things like clothing, and these super beautiful earrings my mom found that she thought I would really like." Hermione pointed to her earlobe where she wore small delicate looking sapphire studs. "They give me gifts to show how much they care about me, not because I need to be better prepared for war or something."

"How did they react when they found out about your affinity for magic?" Harry asked changing subjects. Hermione sighed, realizing that he was clearly not comfortable with their original topic. She decided now was not the best time to push him either. They were having a really good time, and she didn't want to spoil it if she didn't have to.

"It freaked them out at first, but Professor McGonagall helped them se that it wasn't bad. It explained a lot to them I guess. I had my first outburst of magic when I was five. My mum promised me that we could stop at the toy shop after my doctor's appointment. I really hated going for my check up. My doctor was a bit scary. Anyway, Mum used to bribe me with a new toy or a book."

Harry gave her a pointed look at that and Hermione found herself chuckling.

"Oh shut up." She said, reaching out to smack his arm. "Anyway. It wasn't a very fast check up, and we were running late, as Mum had an appointment to keep. She didn't take me to the toy store. So when we got to the car, and she tried belting me into my seat… the belt sort of disintegrated. And then… all the tires sort of fell off the car."

"Guess you wanted that toy." Harry said.

"I guess. I got to go to the shop later. Mum missed her appointment waiting for a tow truck, so we had time to kill." Hermione shrugged. "What was your first bit of magic?"

Harry took in a breath as he looked at her, his emerald green eyes boring into her own cinnamon brown.

"I blew up the house."

"What?" Hermione gaped.

"Well, not the whole house." Harry corrected. "But we had no windows or doors, and Sirius said the foundation got cracked in a few places and a few walls were messed up pretty bad. I saw pictures of it. They had started my regiment very early. I also had to do schoolwork. Basic things, reading writing, all of that. Well, I was tired, and didn't want to do it. Things were pretty firm, and you follow the orders you're given. That day I refused, and shouted no. When I did…"

Harry pantomimed walls blowing outward with his hands.

"Wow." Hermione smirked. "Don't make Harry angry."

"Not when he's tired, no." Harry confirmed. "I've been that way all my life Sirius and Remus say. When I'm tired I get very irritable, and usually hex first."

"How were you able to learn magic all those years? Didn't you get in trouble with the Ministry for casting spells and such?" Hermione asked as she realized what he'd been telling her.

Harry shook his head. "I got my wand when I was eleven, but Dumbledore took the Trace off of it. Before I was eleven, I would practice wand movements with a stick, so I could get them down. Make them second nature. When I got my wand I was able to cast everything because I knew the wand movements, but I had to build up my core. It's one thing to pretend to cast, but something else entirely to actually do it."

"You had to get used to actually controlling magic." Hermione said with understanding.

"It was very draining at first. Took the better part of two years to get up to where I could cast for hours on end without tiring myself out. After that, it was combat training right up until my first raid."

"The Ministry?" Hermione asked. Harry shook his head.

"That was my second, and I wasn't even supposed to be there." He said. "My first was in Albania about three months before. But… It didn't work out."

"What happened?' Hermione asked curiously.

"Nothing." Harry shrugged. Hermione watched him, expecting more from the story, but there apparently was no more.

"When did you first learn you could use magic wandlessly? She asked, changing topics.

"A year or so ago." Harry replied, examining a fine looking Dragon hide jacket. "Moody felt that I might be able to accomplish it, but the only thing I was really good at was banishing charms, and vanishing spells. I'm able to do a bit of transfiguration without a wand, but not much else, save summoning. I try and practice more, but… it's a lot harder without a wand to focus the magic through."

Hermione looked impressed by this, as she knew she couldn't even do a levitation charm without her wand. Harry clearly was a very powerful wizard to be able to do anything wandlessly. So far as she knew, even Dumbledore himself couldn't do anything without a wand.

As it was starting to get late, Hermione paid for her items, and the two headed back into the village and started for the carriages. Harry assisted her into one of the carriages and took a seat across from her. Hermione noted that he looked as if there was something bothering him. Hermione also noted that it was funny she could now tell when he was trying to figure something out, as his face was usually so stoic normally. Even now there was very little change in his expression, save the slightest crinkle at the corners of his eyes.

"What is on your mind Harry?' She asked.

"Something Remus said earlier." Harry replied. "When he said that we weren't on a date."

"Oh." Hermione's eyes went wide. "I just thought… I mean… I didn't know if… that is… um, was it a date?"

"Well, if I understand what you and Neville explained to me, then I believe it was. I asked you out, and we did several activities, and enjoyed a meal. Wasn't that the criteria for a date?" Harry asked looking at Hermione rather puzzled.

"I-I suppose it would be correct. But…" She stammered.

"And you did make special effort with your appearance for today, as did I."

Hermione cocked her head at that remark. He had looked almost exactly the same as he did every other day.

"I'm sorry Harry." Hermione said quickly to prevent Harry from trying to delve to deep into the topic. "It was me."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, leaning forward a bit.

"I thought you had asked me to go as a friend, not… not as a date."

"I still don't understand." Harry sat back now. "I asked you to accompany me to the village. Was I unclear?"

"In a way." Hermione said softly. "You never said that it would be a date, and I assumed that you just wanted to go, you know… as a friend." Hermione said softly, feeling really uncomfortable now.

"Perhaps Neville didn't explain it to me well enough. He made it seem as though one could take a friend on a date." Harry mused.

"No, he was right, you can, but…well, I guess it is really complicated." Hermione sighed.

"Perhaps we're both to blame for this misunderstanding." Harry claimed. Hermione gave him an apologetic look as she nodded in agreement.. "Next time I ask you on a date, I will be much clearer with my intentions."

"Next time?" Hermione's voice cracked as her eyes bugged out in panic.

"Yes." Harry said. "If that is acceptable to you, that is. I enjoyed your company and our time together immensely, and after much thought I've decided that I did like your appearance today. You were… different than normal. It was … " Harry seemed lost for an appropriate word and startled Hermione when the corners of his mouth pulled upwards in the barest hint of a smile. Hermione thought her heart might leap out of her chest at that moment.

"Yes." She gasped, hoping her voice would hold out for a bit. "It really was."

Chapter 8: 8 Consider It A Reward

Consider It A Reward

Two weeks after what turned out to be her first date, Hermione was preparing for bed while trying hard not to scream at Lavender to shut the hell up. The buxom blonde was dancing around like a toddler who had to visit the potty while singing rather irritatingly about Hermione and Harry sitting in a tree together engaging in an activity that people were still snickering about Harry asking Hermione to teach him about several weeks ago.

"He definitely likes you." Lavender smiled as she did a little dance and began singing a silly little song and pointing at her roommate while they where preparing for bed Friday night. It was very late, later than Hermione usually stayed up, but Harry had been called to the Headmaster's office just after dinner, and Hermione's curiosity had kept her up a bit later than normal.

"You're mental, you know that." Hermione tried to counter.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Lavender continued, shaking her butt and whipping her hair around.

"Will you stop it, please." Hermione said rather irritably. Lavender complied, though she continued smiling at her friend. "It isn't like that at all."

In truth, Hermione wasn't so sure her roommate was truly wrong in her assessment. In fact, she had noticed that Harry looked at her differently now. She would often catch him looking at her from across the Common Room when Neville had dragged him off for a bit of "guy time". Harry never seemed to interested in playing games, or talking Quidditch with the other boys. In fact, Harry only seemed to pay attention to the other boys when they began talking about girls. This intrigued and frightened Hermione a bit. She didn't think Harry should be learning about girls from any of the Gryffindor boys, especially not Seamus or gods forbid Cormac McClaggen. She was thankful he hadn't yet asked her to quantify anything he had heard from those gits. She didn't think she'd be able to leave her dorm if Harry asked her to let him feel her up or give him a hickey.

When they spent time together, he acted as normal as he ever did. The talked about whatever interested them at the moments, studied, and generally acted no different than before their Hogsmeade visit. Yet, Hermione felt that there had been a change, though she couldn't exactly pinpoint what is was.

Harry had taken to inviting her to join himself and Neville on their morning runs more often. However, Neville had commented that Harry felt everyone should be working out more, so Hermione didn't give his invitations much thought.

"Excuse me." Lavender snapped, breaking Hermione from her musings. "Did you or did you not tell me in that very room," She said pointing to the dorm room. "That Harry had originally asked you to Hogsmeade with the full intention of it being a date and that he expressly stated he intended to ask you out again?"

"Yeah, but he… It's not like that. I also told you that Harry's not even sure what he's doing. He's confused, and I'm just his friend." Hermione argued. "Besides, He's been talking a lot more with that Cho Chang girl."

"That's because Chang is stalking him. Padma told me and Parvati that she's obsessed with him." Lavender rolled her eyes. She grabbed Hermione by the shoulders and turned her so she was looking directly into Hermione's eyes. "When are you going to stop denying what EVERYONE IN THIS SCHOOL CAN SEE PLAIN AS DAY?!"

"What do you mean everyone?" Hermione snapped, as she flung off Lavender's arms.

"No one will ask you because they're afraid that they might upset you and no one wants to incur the wrath of Harry and end up naked in the Great Hall." Lavender shrugged.

Hermione chuckled lightly at that. It was on the verge of becoming an epidemic. People who tried to mock or embarrass Hermione would miraculously find themselves starkers, or wearing incredibly humiliating outfits. A group of Ravenclaw girls who had said some rather disparaging things to her found themselves wearing very provocative leather bondage gear. Hermione thought Professor McGonagall was going to have an aneurysm when she saw them. Those girls were still getting catcalls.

Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnegan had wound up sans clothes only three days ago after they had made a few remarks regarding Hermione's choice in knickers. Neither of them had noticed Harry standing behind them at the time. Ron had blushed down to his toes. Seamus on the other hand tried to strut back up to Gryffindor tower. Hermione now understood what Lavender had said in regards to Seamus' bits being a bit lacking. Ron had easily been better equipped of the two, something a lot of girls were remarking about.

What was even better was that as none of the teachers could truly prove Harry was behind it, he hadn't gotten in trouble for it. Hermione had even sworn that she'd see Dumbledore's eye twinkle a bit brighter after the Seamus and Ron incident.

"But people are wondering when you two are going to make it official." Lavender concluded.

"Make what official?" Hermione still looked bemused.

"You're engagement." Parvati said as she came into the bathroom.

"Another enchanting evening Parv?" Lavender smirked.

"What can I say? Oh yeah… EVERYTHING!"

"Excuse me." Hermione snapped. "What did you mean about people wondering when Harry and I would make it official?"

"Everyone thinks you two are dating, but aren't telling anyone so people won't make fun of you, Hermione. There's actually a pool going on who's going to find you two, and in what broom cupboard." Parvati smiled. "Padma's got twenty galleons on the one on the fifth floor by that suit of armor with the broken battle axe, so try to use that one more. She said she'd split the winnings with me."

"We are not snogging anywhere." Hermione said in shock as she marched towards her bed. "And we're not going to start. My gods this is all just so ridiculous!" Hermione shrieked as she grabbed fistfuls of her curly brown hair.

"Really?" Lavender asked rather surprised at this. "Exactly where have the two of you been the past four nights then?"

"In the library of course!" Hermione stated as if it was obvious. Lavender and Parvati looked at each other, both realizing that they should have guessed that in the first place.

"We've been working on that essay for Snape." Hermione said as if it was obvious.

" Harry disagrees with Professor Snape about how we should be casting the Shield Maxima, and he's doing research to prove his point. He's found some really good arguments. His essay is even longer than mine. And Harry says it's probably better than him just proving his point in class. He doesn't think Snape would like being proven wrong in front of everyone, and I agree, especially after he told me what would happen. Anyway, that's where we've been." Hermione took a rather large breath after as she had spoken a lot very quickly.

"Oh." Lavender said, looking a bit dejected and a bit confused.

"Why is everyone in the school suddenly so interested in my love life?" Hermione huffed as she planted herself on her bed.

"Maybe because until now, it's been nonexistent, and it happens to be with a near legend. Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived." Lavender said with a rather pompous and grandiose tone. She even got on top of her trunk as if she was speaking to a large crowd or something before she jumped down and took off her shirt so she could change into her sleepwear.

"The boy who what?" Hermione gawked.

"The Boy-Who-Lived." Parvati said. "That's what they're calling him in the Daily Prophet, because he survived the killing curse when he was a baby."

"How do they know that?" Hermione asked. Parvati shrugged.

"It's probably not true. His godfather probably got him before his parents were killed or something" Lavender argued. "Does he even know what happened to him?"

Hermione didn't know as she had never asked Harry about that night. She thought it was likely his guardians might have told him at some point, but Harry never once brought it up.

"What about that scar on his forehead?" Parvati remarked. "A scar that still looks like a freshly scabbed cut? He's been here nearly three months and that thing hasn't healed? Kind of suspicious, don't you think?"

"He could have got it when he was younger and training or whatever." Lavender pointed out. "We don't know, and neither does the Prophet."

"Su Li's mum works for the Department of Mysteries, and Su says her mother thinks it's a scar from a really dark curse." Parvati said firmly.

"A dark curse, not the killing curse." Lavender argued.

"What curse is darker than the killing curse?" Parvati snapped back. "Besides, everyone knows that You-Know-Who was killed that night, and it's clear Harry survived after all…"

"You-Know-Who survived as well idiot!" Lavender replied. "He attacked the Ministry last June, remember?"

"ENOUGH!" Hermione shouted, rubbing her temples. "Neither of you know anything about it, so arguing over it is stupid and pointless. Not to mention we've gotten away from the original topic which was why do people think Harry and I are dating? How could they possibly think that's what's going on?"

"There's a lot of reasons. Like how he's always with you. Neville has to drag him away to hang with the boys. And then he just stares at you like a wounded puppy." Parvati smiled as she began as she shut her trunk, now in her pajamas.

"How about the fact that whenever anyone says anything about you they end up naked or in someone else's clothes." Lavender smirked.

"That was so funny." Parvati chuckled. "I didn't know Malfoy could run in heels."

"Or had such gorgeous legs." Lavender laughed. Hermione failed to stifle her own laugh. "And who would of thought Marietta Edgecombe looked so hot in leather?"

Hermione shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. Sometimes talking to Lavender and Parvati was very tiresome.

"Everyone saw you two in Hogsmeade." Lavender pointed out.

"And Neville told Hannah Abbott that Harry said you two were a couple." Parvati added.

"He what?" Hermione shouted as she shot to her feet. She looked ready to explode in fury before she grabbed her dressing gown and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Lavender asked.

"To wait in the Common Room for that big mouthed idiot to show up so I can hex his bits off for lying to everyone about us." Hermione huffed.

"He can beat you with his eyes closed." Parvati laughed.

"He won't be able to do anything to me unless he can get his wand out first!" She screamed as she slammed the door and headed for the Common Room.

Parvati looked at Lavender who stared back. Slowly at first, smiles broke out on their faces before they both fell on the floor rolling with laughter over Hermione's little slip.

There weren't many people still in the Common Room. Hermione ignored everyone as she took a seat in her favorite chair. It gave her a perfect view of the portrait hole so when Harry came back from where ever he'd been all day, he wouldn't be able to slip past her.

After thirty minutes, Hermione was alone. Everyone had gone to bed now, and the fire was starting to die. But there was still no sign of Harry.

Hermione got as comfortable as she could, and snatched up a book on exotic plants of Asia that someone, likely Neville, had left on a nearby table. It was incredibly dull, even to Hermione, but it served to occupy her until Harry finally made his appearance.

As soon as she saw his stony, adorable face, she was going to punch it as hard as she could. He may have been overly sheltered all his life, but she wasn't about to forgive him for spreading rumors, no matter how appealing the thought behind the rumor might be.

The first thing she became aware of was how cold she was. She was holding herself tightly and shivering badly. She opened her eyes and found she was still curled up on the chair with her dressing gown wrapped tightly around her. It was no longer dark. The sun was only just beginning to rise and peek in through the windows. Hermione cast a tempus spell and saw that it was nearing half past six.

With another flick of her wand, the fire ignited and Hermione sighed as she began to warm up.

She then felt intense anger as she had clearly fallen asleep in the common room waiting for Harry, and the prat hadn't even bothered to inform her he was back or send her up to her own warm bed. She knew she shouldn't have been surprised. She doubted it would have even occurred to him to wake her. Just another thing for her to yell at him about when she got her hands on him.

She sat up and stretched, feeling more aches than normal and groaned as she got to her feet. All she could think of was how hard she was going to hit Harry Potter when she saw him at breakfast. She didn't care if he was likely made of granite, she was going to give him a good bruise so he would never forget to…

"ARGH!" Hermione snarled as she stomped up stairs to get ready for the day. Then she realized that it was Saturday, and she had really nothing to do. Nothing except to find Harry and make him sorry for telling everyone they were a couple.

But Harry never showed up for breakfast, nor was he around for lunch. Hermione also noted that she didn't see the headmaster at either meal. Hermione remained in the Common Room as she was sure that was where she would eventually see Harry first. But he never showed up.

Growing more and more concerned by Harry's absence, Hermione decided to look around for her friend. After nearly two hours, Hermione finally decided to go find a teacher who might know about Harry's whereabouts. She was more anxious as she headed for Professor McGonagall's office to find out what may have happened.

"Miss Granger, come in." The Transfiguration teacher smiled when she opened the door. "I must say I've rather missed seeing you these past months, though I am very happy you have begun spending time with your peers."

"I'm sorry Professor." Hermione said, fidgeting with her hands nervously. "Things have been really… really strange this year."

"Indeed." McGonagall nodded, offering her favorite student a seat. "Are you alright, Miss Granger?"

"I'm not really sure." Hermione admitted. "Professor, is there any chance you know where Harry is? I've looked everywhere. The library, the Quidditch Pitch, the greenhouse, the dungeons, the lake…"

"Calm down, Miss Granger." McGonagall said reassuringly. "I am sure that Mister Potter is fine. He accompanied the Headmaster on an errand last night. I expect they are just fine."

"Do you know when they will be back?" Hermione asked rather hopefully. McGonagall had to smile at this. She was very pleased by Hermione's rather badly veiled enthusiasm.

"Is there any specific reason you are so eager for Mister Potter's return?"

"He's my friend." Hermione replied instantly. "He disappeared and I was concerned. That's all."

"I see." McGonagall smirked.

"Oh you don't believe those rumors running rampant around the school as well, do you Professor?" Hermione asked annoyed.

"What rumors are those?" McGonagall asked innocently.

"About me and Harry being a couple." Hermione growled.

"Miss Granger, it is none of my business if any student chooses whether he or she wishes to be in a relationship with another student, so long as those students do not do anything that could be harmful to themselves or any other students. So, if you and Mister Potter are or are not involved is none of my business unless you wish it to be." McGonagall said as straight faced as she could, which was surprisingly well considering just how giddy the idea of her favorite student finally getting the chance to experience the joys of dating, and the opportunity for a bit of over deserved happiness.

"That was a really long way to go to ask me if Harry and I are together." Hermione said wryly. Professor McGonagall simply shrugged, feigning disinterest. "And just so things are clear, we're not together. We're just friends."

"Ah." Professor McGonagall nodded. "Perhaps I will have to rescind my bet with Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick."

"YOU BET ON US?" Hermione shrieked, which only made Professor McGonagall begin to laugh. "Professor, that isn't funny at all!"

"Oh my dear child." Professor McGonagall said, wiping at her eyes and holding her sides. "From where I'm sitting it is immensely hysterical. Not since Lily and James Potter has any two students been so ridiculously speculated over when they would wind up dating. Though, with those two it was much more sporting, as James was quite open with his affection for Lily."

"Do you mean Harry's parents?" Hermione asked suddenly intrigued.

"Oh yes." McGonagall nodded, finally gaining control over herself. "James was taken with Lily from their second year, and was very public about his feelings, though he was far too immature and childish for Lily. Every year he pursued her and every year ended with him miserable, yet determined. He never dated any other girl in the school, saving himself for Lily and Lily only. It is a trait in Potter men. Harry's grandfather and Great Grandfather were the exact same. They all find the one woman they want and they pursue them relentlessly. Some argue that Potter men possess some form of divine sight that leads them to their one true love. There was a story of Thaddeus Potter following his heart into Siberia to find the woman he eventually married. With James and Lily, it was most entertaining to see the grandiose gestures James made. He even somehow managed to charm all the candles in the Great Hall to spell out 'Will you marry me' in their fifth year. None of us teachers ever worked out how he managed it."

"How did he finally get her to notice him?" Hermione wondered.

"She had always noticed him. She just found him to childish and verbose. That change in the seventh year. James entered the school year as Head Boy, even though he had never been prefect. He also decided that perhaps he had been wrong in regards to Lily. He had suffered five years of failure, and had decided to give it up. That is until he saw her again, and learned she was the Head Girl. The first hour on the train they had to work together, to set an example to the other prefects. Well, because he had decided to give her up, he spoke to her on a human level, and they found that despite everything, they actually had a lot in common. James wasn't as brainless as Lily had first thought. By Christmas, they had begun dating, much to the shock of the entire school. But a happier couple I would be hard pressed to find. James worshipped Lily, and as they grew closer, Lily fell madly in love with James. They married a little over a year after they graduated, and Harry was born not long after that."

Hermione was smiling at the story and wondered if Harry knew it as well, and then something pricked in the back of her mind, and she looked to her teacher.

"Professor, does anyone know what happened, I mean what truly happened the night Harry's parents were killed. I mean, we all though Harry had died that night too, and there's all this rubbish in the paper and…"

"I'm afraid that I know next to nothing. Professor Dumbledore knows a bit more, though I doubt he would be willing to speak on the matter. He spent many years keeping Harry's life hidden from the public for his protection. I do know that You-Know-Who was first defeated that night, that much is certain, but only that. How, and by who's hands is a mystery to most. There are very few people who know, and I think Harry himself might be one. I am also certain that if you asked him, he would tell you."

"He did tell me when we first met that he had defeated Voldemort as a baby, but he also said it wasn't exactly true." Hermione remembered.

"Perhaps he will tell you the truth if you ask him. Unless of course he has a good reason not to reveal that to you or anyone else." McGonagall said.

Hermione nodded and sighed. She felt a bit better now that she had talked to her favorite teacher and confidant. McGonagall could only smile at Hermione as the girl rose from her seat.

"Thank you Professor." She sighed again and smiled. "As always, you've made me feel better."

"Miss Granger," McGonagall started and then softened her expression as she looked at the sixth year Gryffindor. "Hermione. As I told you earlier, it is none of my business if or with whom you choose to become involved with, but I'd like to advise you not to ignore any of what you might feel towards a particular person. As with anything, there is the risk that it may not be all you hoped it to be, but if you don't take that chance, you will never know, and I would hate for you to have too many regrets in your life."

Hermione nodded her understanding and thanked the Transfiguration teacher before wishing her well and leaving the office to go to dinner.

"Rescind my bet my rosy colored rump." McGonagall said to herself when the door shut. "That girl is completely smitten with Potter, and I am so winning that fifty galleons."

Hermione took her usual seat at dinner, and was alone for about fifteen minutes when Neville sat across from her looking quite apologetic and frightened.

"Ok, so I heard a rumor that someone told you that I spoke out of turn about what might or might not be…"

"Just say it Neville." Hermione snapped.

"Ok, I did tell Hannah that Harry had said he liked you. That was it. I don't know how the rumor got blown up like that."

"He said he liked me?" Hermione asked, rather puzzled. "Like, that he liked me or liked, liked me?"

"Oh gods Hermione, I don't know. His exact words, if you have to know, were that he had had a very good time in Hogsmeade with you and that he liked you and wanted to go out on another date with you. Then he said something about being clearer on his intentions or some rubbish." Neville groaned. "I asked what he meant, but he wouldn't say anymore, other than I should try to explain things better next time."

Hermione actually snorted at that and covered her mouth to keep from shrieking with laughter. Neville just rolled his eyes.

"I just don't want you mad at me or Harry. Hannah kept asking me about you two, and I just sort of caved. I'm sorry." Neville said, sounding a bit brighter now that Hermione was laughing. She only waved off his apology.

"It's alright Neville. It isn't your fault. You're his friend and people are inexplicably fascinated by him."

"Hermione, between the two of us, and I'd be willing to swear a magical oath never to reveal your answer to this, but… do you like him? I mean…"

"I know what you mean Neville, and too be perfectly honest, I really don't know how I feel about him right now. All I do know is that he's treated me better in these last few months than anyone has most of my entire life, excluding my parents of course." Hermione said, getting a far away look in her eye as she spoke. "It would be hard for anyone like me to not feel strongly about someone like that. But what those feelings are… I don't want to fool myself into thinking something and end up hurting anyone because I was confused. Just like I don't want him to say or do anything to or for me without fully understanding why."

"You don't want him to break your heart." Neville said with a sad little smile.

"There are a lot of girls here, and he could have anyone he chose. He's an extremely good person, though he is a bit…"

"Weird." Neville chuckled.

"That's a nice way of putting it." Hermione gave a soft smile. "I want him to do whatever makes him happy because he's my friend, and I want him to be happy."

"But what if it's you that makes him happy?" Neville asked interestedly.

Hermione was saved from replying as an argument broke out a little way up the table between Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown. Hermione gave a sad sigh as she watched Lavender rise from her seat and hurry out of the Great Hall with Parvati close behind.

"That's the second one today." Neville commented.

"They fought earlier?" Hermione asked.

"Outside after lunch." Neville said. "Ron's been getting irritated that Lavender won't… be more amorous with him. Seamus has been kind of talking a lot about what happened between them two years ago, and it's getting under Ron's skin I think."

"Seamus should keep his fat mouth shut." Hermione remarked, glancing down the table to where Ron was angrily shoveling food into his mouth, ignoring the stares from everyone around him. His sister, Ginny was glaring at him, though he didn't seem to care.

"I agree." Neville grimaced at the redhead.

"Miss Granger."

Hermione looked up and saw Professor McGonagall standing there looking a bit nervous.

"Your presence has been requested at the Headmaster's office. The password is Kazoozle."

"Kazoozle?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"The Headmaster has a rather disturbing obsession with muggle confections. Off you get." McGonagall urged her student.

Hermione was on her feet and making her way towards the Headmaster's office. She had only been there once before in her second year when she had thought she had had enough with all the bullying and wanted to go home. Thankfully, both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had talked her out of it. It had been at the time, her darkest hour. Or at least she had thought so. As the following years proved, it had only been a lowly bump in the road as it were.

Hermione gave the password and took the steps to the Headmaster's office. She had barely knocked once when the door opened and a rather tired looking Professor Dumbledore greeted her.

"Ah Miss Granger, thank you for coming. Please sit down. Would you perhaps care for a lemon drop?" The old man said with a gentle smile that never failed to set her at ease.

"Thank you sir." Hermione said as she accepted a treat. Dumbledore smiled at her happily. Hermione had been the only student who'd visited his office to accept the candy. Perhaps too many people believed he'd laced it with some potion or another. Dumbledore would never do such a thing. It would ruin the taste and spoil the candy all together.

"Mr. Lupin?" Hermione said as she noticed the second man who was standing next to Dumbledore's phoenix and stroking the bright red plumage.

"It is good to see you again, Miss Granger. I trust you are well?" The scarred man smiled.

"I was, but now I'm feeling a bit concerned. Is Harry alright?" She asked.

"As you said, Albus." Lupin smiled. Hermione could only look between the two men who were looking rather amused. Hermione was beginning to become irritated.

"Mister Potter is fine, as you will soon see, that is if you are agreeable. Mister Potter has adamantly requested your company over the next few days, and we have all agreed that you would be in no danger, and that perhaps it might be good for the two of you to spend some time outside of Hogwarts." Dumbledore explained.

"I don't understand." Hermione admitted. "Where is he?"

"Let us say for now that Harry's presence was required elsewhere for the moment. We had expected him to be able to return, but his… assignment is taking longer than expected due to unforeseen factors. He is unhurt, I assure you." Dumbledore said quickly upon seeing the growing concern on Hermione's face. "He is quite well, I promise, but he is a bit lonely for lack of a better explanation. There are people with him, but none within his age group, and he has mentioned that he would greatly appreciate the company of his friend."

"He wants me to visit him?" Hermione asked, still unsure if she understood.

"Yes." Dumbledore smiled. "As I said, if you are agreeable. Normally I would not even consider such a thing, but I daresay that a few days away might do you some good, and I believe your grades will not suffer a small absence. Your Arithmancy teacher is concerned you will take his job by the end of the year in fact." The Headmaster laughed, causing Hermione to blush.

"How long will we be gone?" Hermione asked, though she didn't really care that much. She would be away from the rumors and strange looks, and be with her friend doing… whatever it was they would be doing.

"Three days. A week at most." Lupin said. "You won't need to pack, as we will be able to get you all you will need. Clothing, toiletries and the like."

"I will also arrange for extensions on any assignments you both might miss during your absence. Consider it a reward for being such a strong academic example to your peers." Dumbledore said jovially. "Though, I would prefer it if you did not mention any of this to any of your peers." He said with a smirk and a brilliant twinkle on his blue eyes.

"So, when do I leave?" Hermione asked, trying and failing to contain her excitement. She was bursting with questions, and overflowing with anticipation at seeing her friend and possibly finding out what his life before school was like.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore clapped his hands together, and motioned to Lupin who moved to the fireplace and tossed a bit of floo powder into the flames making them turn emerald green, just like Harry's eyes, Hermione noted.

Lupin bent low, and spoke to someone before stepping back and turning to Hermione who'd gotten to her feet.

"Now, unlike normal Floo travel, you won't be saying your destination because we have to protect the location. When you step into the flames, someone on the other side is going to grab you ankles and pull you through. It's going to be really disorientating, but you'll be quite safe, alright?" Lupin explained. Hermione nodded and proceeded to step into the green flames which felt pleasantly warm and soft against her body. She was looking at both Lupin and Dumbledore when she felt two vice like clamps around her ankles and the unmistakable sensation of being pulled down.

She couldn't help the scream that escaped her throat at that moment.

There was none of the usual spinning or dizziness that came from floo travel. And it was over very quickly. Hermione found herself being dragged across a thick cream colored carpet, and was certain she was going to have rug burn on her breasts. She rolled over and accepted the offered hand from a young woman with shoulder length crimson hair and a heart shaped face. She looked like someone who Hermione had once seen in London, with a leather biker jacket, a plaid bondage skirt and fishnet stockings. The only thing that was missing was tattoos and piercing.

"Wotcher Hermione." the woman said with a extremely friendly smile "Name's Tonks, and I am very happy to meet you."

"Hello, Miss Tonks." Hermione started, but the woman shook her head.

"None of that Miss rubbish with me. Tonks is just fine. Especially seeing as you and I will be bunking together. Best get out the way to make way for Wolfie." The woman grinned, shuffling Hermione out of the way of the Floo.

"Wolfie?" Hermione asked, just as Lupin stepped out of the fire and greeted them both.

"Alright then, Miss Granger?" Lupin asked as he brushed ash off of himself..

"Really, please just call me Hermione."

"Very well then. You may call me Remus, and you've met Nymphadora, here. OUCH!"

Lupin shouted when he was struck with a stinging hex from Tonks. The crimson haired woman had drawn her wand with lightning fast reflexes from a wrist holster.

"I'm done warning you lot. It's hexes from here on out!" Tonks shouted. Hermione could only laugh at the ridiculousness of it all as Lupin cursed and grimaced.

"I sometimes wonder if it was wise allowing you to join our little troupe, dear cousin."

Hermione turned at the new voice and found Sirius black leaning against the doorway, watching as Lupin shook out his arm, trying to get feeling back. He looked just as she had seen him last. Long shaggy black hair, dark piercing eyes, and finely trimmed goatee.

"You've proven to be a bigger distraction to Remus than you have ever been to Harry." Sirius said as he entered the room properly and offered his hand to Hermione, who took it with a nervous smile.

Sirius was dressed similarly to what Harry usually wore. Black cargo pants, military like boots, and a black long sleeved t-shirt. She could se bits of tattoos peaking out from the collar of his shirt.

Welcome to our current headquarters, Miss Granger." He said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Hermione, please." She smiled nervously.

"Well Hermione," Sirius said as he swept his arm towards the door he had just appeared through. "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Yes, but thank you." Hermione nodded.

"Join us for tea then. Harry won't likely be back until later, or possibly tomorrow, and I daresay we're all a bit more than curious about you.

"I'm personally dying to find out more about you, myself." Tonks said wrapping an arm around the younger girl, making Hermione wince.

"Now don't frighten the poor girl." Lupin reprimanded. Tonks simply glared in reply.

"He's only got your best interests in mind." Sirius remarked. "Harry has become much more liberal with his wandless abilities of late according to Dumbledore."

"He'd only use it as an excuse to finally get to see me in the all together." Tonks reply with a wave of her hand. Hermione gave the woman next to her a critical glance, and thought any boy would be mad not to want to see such a beautiful woman nude. She was just a bit taller then Hermione was, with a similar build, though curvier. Hermione was sure this Tonks woman's chest was bigger than her own as well.

"Keep telling yourself that." Sirius rolled his eyes. "If he hasn't done it by now, I doubt it's because he doesn't want a good look at your bits, Tonksie. Now, how about that tea?"

The four adjourned to the kitchen and took seats around a large round table. A rather old looking house elf brought them tea and cake before disappearing in a flash.

"Where is Harry?" Hermione asked as soon as they were settled. "And where are we for that matter?"

"We are currently just slightly north of Whitby on the eastern coast." Sirius replied in a tone similar to Harry's. Hermione was positive that Sirius is where he'd learned it.

"In one of the many safe house of The Order. Please don't ask more about that, as we simply can not reveal more for your safety and ours. And as to where Harry is, he and one of our associates are currently tracking a certain individual whom we hope will have a wealth of knowledge he would be willing to share with us. Harry is very good at getting people to talk when they would otherwise choose not to." Sirius finished.

"He… He tortures people?" Hermione looked aghast.

"No." Remus replied adamantly. Sirius actually looked upset at the question.

"More persuades than actually tortures." Tonks explained. "He has the unique gift of intimidation. Sometimes he can just look at a person and make you feel like…"

"He can see through you." Hermione finished the thought.

"So you've been on the end of the famous stare as well." Tonks smirked. "He got me to share a few secrets I had planned on taking to the grave."

"You told him those things because you wanted to scar him." Remus jibed. Tonks merely batted her eyes at the scarred man suggestively.

"And you wish you were the one I shared those stories with instead of our little Harriekins." Tonks said and then blew Remus a kiss. Sirius merely ignored the interaction, watching Hermione instead.

"I've just seen him stare at people at school. Like really intensely. It's pretty unsettling." Hermione said nervously.

"That it is." Sirius nodded. "That's his mother. Lily could get a priest to confess his sins with a look. It helped keep James in line."

"No easy feat when Sirius Black is your best friend." Remus muttered, making Sirius smile for real now. He looked a bit lost in thought for a second before he took a breath and continued.

"It's not something you can learn either. Believe me, we've all tried." He said as he sipped his tea.

"It also helps that he can do that passive Legillemency thing." Remus chuckled. Hermione looked up interested and really frightened.

"He can perform Legillemency?" She squeaked, feeling her cheeks get warm.

"No." Sirius said with a shake of his shaggy head. "No, not Legillemency per se. I don't know how to describe it, but he can get glimpses if his subject is rattled. So, we rattle the subject, and Harry comes in and we see if we can get anything. If that doesn't work we have Veritaserum."

"So, Hermione," Tonks said, folding her hands on the table and leaning towards the younger girl. "Tell us about you and Harry."

"Um." Hermione felt her stomach tighten a bit. "There isn't all that much to tell. We're friends. We met on the train and he's been really nice to me."

"So… there's no, shall we say, deeper urges?" Tonks asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Tonks." Remus scolded.

"What?' Tonks asked with a smirk. "I'm curious as to why our little warrior was so insistent to see her again."

Did he really ask to see me?" Hermione asked. The knowing looks between the three adults told her that he had.

"All the time." Tonks smirked. "To be honest, it's a bit odd. He's usually so independent."

"He's also never had friends before now." Sirius pointed out. "Like I said earlier today, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that he wants to spends more time with the friends he's made. After his isolation…"

"Why wasn't he allowed to go to Hogwarts before now?" Hermione asked.

"The simplest answer is that the war with Voldemort didn't end that Halloween night. It was only put on hold." Sirius started, giving Hermione a look that spoke volumes to her. This man was haunted.

"

"Harry's life would have been in serious danger as Hogwarts is loaded with children of people who are loyal to Voldemort. We decided a long time ago that his safety was far paramount as he would be playing a pivotal role in the war."

Sirius finished his tea and got up from his seat. Hermione thought he was getting a refill, but the man pulled down a bottle of Ogden's Finest Firewhiskey from a cabinet and retook his seat before pouring three glasses for himself, Remus and Tonks. He stoppered the bottle and continued his explanation.

"What we forgot was that Harry was just a kid. He worked hard and did everything we ever asked of him, and it made us forget how young he was even more. However, when he turned twelve, he began going through puberty and we were reminded just how young he was, and how much we had denied him. We discussed the idea a few times, but every time, something happened to make us think our original idea was the best one."

"So why now?" Hermione asked.

"It came down to what happened in the Ministry this past June." Sirius said, finishing his drink and pouring a second.

"We learned that our enemy was hell bent on getting into the Ministry. We decided it was a perfect opportunity for us to counter Voldemort. Harry wasn't supposed to go, but he had become truly restless, and he defied our orders for the first time. He'd finally gone on his first mission, and he wanted to do more. It turned out to be a good thing as we overestimated our enemy. Harry's arrival made the Death Eaters falter, and turned the tide. He took out five on his own, including Lucius Malfoy, who was arguably Voldemort's most capable minion outside of Bellatrix LeStrange."

"Is it true Harry took Malfoy's hand?" Hermione asked a bit shakily.

Remus and Sirius both began nodding and smirking. It was clear they were proud of Harry's act.

"We taught him when it was alright to be merciful, but to never ever underestimate an enemy. Harry had disarmed Malfoy, but the worm had a second wand. He really impressed us all that night, but more importantly he impressed our enemies." Remus remarked.

"When it was all over, we knew that Harry could handle himself more than we gave him credit for. We also realized that he felt nothing for what he did. We didn't necessarily want him to feel bad or guilty over it, but he was blank. As if it had just been more training." Sirius sighed. "We'd failed him. We all realized that we'd been wrong."

"I don't understand." Hermione looked between the two men who looked grim.

"We'd stripped him of his humanity." Remus explained. "By keeping him isolated, and training him all those years, sure we had prepared him for the war, but he has no idea why we're fighting. He knows it's to protect people and stop an evil maniac, but he doesn't understand what it really means."

"It was clear that while we'd been preparing him for war, we'd taken his innocence, and denied him a childhood. We realized that he would likely survive the war, but then… he'd have nothing. He's only known training and fighting, but we don't want that to be his life." Sirius sighed heavily, sliding the bottle of fire whiskey to Remus who poured himself a glass.

"It was past time for Harry to see what life was all about." Remus explained.

"You wanted him to learn what it is he was fighting for." Hermione said now understanding.

"There's a lot he needs to learn that we can't teach him. He needs to learn how to interact with normal people and that life isn't black and white, like we've taught him all along." Sirius said taking another drink from his whiskey.

"Mostly though, he needs to be with people his own age." Remus added.

"Other than you, has he made any other friends?" Sirius asked.

"He hangs out with Neville Longbottom quite a bit." Hermione shrugged.

"Are there any girls he's taken notice of?" Sirius asked. Hermione shrugged.

"I think I'm the only one he really talks to. Most girls… I think they make him nervous."

Tonks snorted at this and held out her open hand. Remus shook his head and Sirius mumbled grumpily before reaching into his pocket and placing ten galleons in Tonks' hand.

"Thank you." Tonks smiled greedily.

"You cheated." Sirius grumbled.

"And how ever could I have done that?" Tonks asked rather offended.

"By making him a nervous wreck around anyone with breasts." Sirius replied. "You spent a year making the poor kid embarrassed and uncomfortable so you could take my money."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have made the bet with me if you knew all that." Tonks smiled, shaking the galleons and making a jingling noise with her newly won money.

"I think Sirius was hoping a little of James would come through Harry." Remus explained to the crimson haired lady.

"Well, I think I'm going to show Hermione where she'll be staying, and maybe head to bed myself. I hope you don't snore." Tonks said as she got up.

Hermione shook her head and followed Tonks out of the kitchen and upstairs to the room she'd be sharing with Tonks. She still felt anxious, but she felt she'd learned quite a bit from these three adults, and somehow she felt sorry for them. Especially Sirius, who looked so full of regret. She wanted to ask him more, but it was getting late, and she was feeling a bit tired now. Maybe tomorrow she'd get more answers.