Bookspace, Oct 31st 1996...
Hermione paced anxiously, waiting for Harry to show up. She didn't have long to wait, as the whistling announced his arrival not long after she'd entered. As soon as he appeared, she grabbed him in a tight hug and smiled to herself when he buried his head against her neck.
"Are you all right?" she whispered.
"Better than last year," he murmured against her neck.
She shivered, feeling his hot breath tickle her skin.
He pulled out her embrace enough to look at her. "Sirius and Remus spent most of the day making sure I was all right. I was ready to pull my hair out, but I understand why they were doing it. I can't really be angry with them for it. I don't think I'll have a repeat of last year. Besides, I have you here in my arms. How can I be lonely?"
She smiled softly. "But you know I'm not really here."
He released her and sat, then motioned for her to do the same. He spread his legs so she could sit between them, her back leaning up against him. He wrapped his arms around her. "Our bodies might not be here, but I think the most important part of us is," he whispered in her ear.
She shivered again. "What do you mean?"
"I've been speaking with my Charms tutor, Professor Peliote, about our books and she said that even if the books somehow linked our consciousness together, it would take our souls, as well. The books bring us together, and you cannot separate consciousness from the soul. The two are forever linked, or at least that's her theory. So, while our bodies aren't here, the best part of us is. The part that makes you, you."
She smiled, although he couldn't see it. "I'm impressed, Mr. Potter. That was an excellent explanation."
"Why thank you, Miss Granger."
"How are your studies really going?"
He had been lightly kissing her neck, and paused to think about his answer. "Exhausting, but not like last year. I think I've got things covered. It helps that the exams are staggered. By the time the last exam rolls around I'll have plenty of free time."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
"My first N.E.W.T. is in Transfiguration in early February, Languages comes next at the end of February. I'll be finished with my exams and should know how I did by early June. It's a tougher schedule than your N.E.W.T.s, but that's what my tutors are pushing for. The bad news is, I'll be doing a lot of studying over the Christmas holiday. But I still expect to see you," he explained, then he took a deep breath and his voice dropped a register. "I need you to be with me this Christmas."
A rush shot through Hermione and she squirmed slightly in his arms before settling again. "That exam schedule seems both easier and tougher than what we go through. What will you do when it's all done?"
"I'm not sure. Probably spend a lot of time with you and your parents, if they are willing. I can't join Remus in the search until I turn seventeen, and I've already decided I won't join him until you've gone back to school. I hope your parents don't mind putting up with me during August."
She grinned. The idea of having Harry at her place all summer really appealed to her. "I'm sure they won't mind. They love you like I do."
He nodded, then he rested his chin on her shoulder. "You know you can get your Apparation license now, right?"
"I know. Professor McGonagall has announced that an examiner will be visiting the school before the Yule break to give the tests. What about you? Will you have to wait until you're seventeen, too?"
He chuckled and she could feel his chest vibrating against her back. "No. I've obtained an International license. With the distances between islands being what they are, the Pac Rim Ministry allows for a conditional license at thirteen and an unlimited at sixteen. The International is accepted by all the Ministries as being valid."
He paused for a moment, frowning. "Remus promised me that this summer he'll take me to see my parents. I've never been there before. If you have your license, maybe you could come with us?" he asked, sounding hopeful.
She nodded, afraid to say anything. She couldn't imagine being in his shoes and was happy that he wanted her there. She'd be happy to help in what she was sure would be an emotional moment for him.
"Professor McGonagall told me to say hello to you. I don't know how, but she seemed to know I would be talking to you today."
"It makes sense I guess. She knows what this day means to us."
Another thrill shot through her. "Us?" she gasped.
"Us," he replied firmly. "Remus told me this morning to focus on something positive about the day. What can be more positive than the day we became true friends?"
She smiled and pressed her arms into his, holding him tighter. "It's what I like best about that day," she replied.
"Even if Ron turned out to be a git," Harry added with a chuckle.
"He's finally settling down. Did I tell you about him and Hannah Abbott?"
"You mentioned him studying."
"He's doing more than just reading his books. He's been doing homework! All right, I know it's mean of me, but he's doing his homework. And we're talking again. Not like we used to when we weren't fighting, but at least we're not shouting at each other in the Common Room."
Harry shook his head. She was describing a Ron that defied imagination. "So you're getting along better with him now?"
"We're not close friends like we used to be. I don't think that will happen again, but it's a lot better. I'm not sure why, but since he started seeing Hannah, he's changed."
He nodded and stayed silent for a moment. An idea occurred to him but he wasn't sure if he should voice it or not. Unfortunately, she sensed his increased tension.
"What is it?"
"Remember when I suggested that he liked you?"
"Yes," she replied reluctantly.
"Well, this summer he learned that he can't have you."
Hermione frowned. "You're making me sound like a piece of beef you'd buy at the store."
He shook his head and grinned to himself. "You're looking at this all wrong. Think about it this way. He fancied you, and probably wanted you for himself. That doesn't mean he considered you as some sort of commodity."
"But..."
"Hermione, I want you. Does that mean I'm turning you into some sort of object?"
"No, but that's different. We're in love!" she protested.
"And at one point, he probably thought he was, also," Harry said softly.
Her mouth snapped shut as she suddenly realized the point he was trying to make.
"So what do I do?"
"Be as much of a friend as you feel comfortable with. Other than that, there's nothing for you to do. He's moved on and the girl seems to be good for him."
She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. "You're getting awful smart back there. If you keep this up, you'll not need me around anymore."
His embrace tightened around her and he leaned his head against hers. "I'll always need you. I'll need you today, tomorrow and a hundred years from now," he whispered fiercely.
She blinked rapidly, unable to prevent the tears that came.
Harry lifted on arm and glanced at his watch.
Hermione frowned, seeing the timepiece. "Harry, how did you manage to bring your watch into bookspace? I thought only the clothes we were wearing could enter."
He stared at his watch for a moment, unsure. He had been wearing it when he entered bookspace. He hadn't done anything special, it just came with him. "I don't know," he said uncertainly. "I was just wearing it and it came with me."
She turned around to face him and his arms dropped away. "All right, if you didn't do anything in particular, then something else has changed. What could it be?"
"Changed? Well, you're of age and this is the first time I wore the watch trying to enter bookspace?"
He fingered his ring finger. "I can feel my ring!" he exclaimed. The ring was hidden, but it had never entered bookspace with him before.
She reached for her own ring and smiled when she felt it on her finger. Holding up a hand, she laughed when a small bluebell flame appeared, hovering over her palm. Canceling the spell, she looked at him. "What does it mean?"
Harry shrugged. "Didn't Sirius say that more features would become available in the books as we got older? Maybe this is one of them."
Hermione stood and began to pace, deep in thought.
He glanced at his watch and stood up, then moved to stand in front of her, catching her by the shoulders. "We're nearly out of time. But I need to thank you for just letting me hold you today. I needed that. It's a good memory," he said with a smile, then he pulled her close and kissed her.
She broke the kiss a moment later. "But what about..."
He grinned and leaned closer to her. "Mysteries another time. Love now," he whispered.
Laughing, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. They might be running out of time, but she'd give him a memory to remember!
Gryffindor Common Room, November 15th 1996...
Lavender watched carefully from her prepared position. It hadn't taken much, really. A few promises she had no plans of keeping, some judicious hugs to entice the boy, and he was her willing tool. She had set him on Hermione a while back and had been carefully egging him on since.
She watched from her seat in front of the fireplace. The bookworm sat at a corner table, studiously working on her homework. She never even glanced up when Cormac McLaggen sat down next to her.
With a simple twist of her wand, Lavender could hear their conversation. Cormac was supposed to flirt with Hermione, maybe get her attention enough to cause her to break up with that guy, Evan, she was so hung up on. Then he was supposed to dump her, publicly.
Lavender had carefully worded her promise to Cormac. If he could get Hermione to drop Evan for him, she'd go all the way with him. Of course, he didn't need to know that for her, "all the way" didn't even come close to what he thought it meant. On the other hand, she was perfectly happy with the idea of him taking her all the way to Hogsmeade. The idea that a seventh year would do anything for her favor gave her a sense of power that she found intoxicating.
"Hermione, isn't it?" Cormac asked.
"Yes, that's right," she answered distractedly as she finished jotting down a few notes.
When she looked up to see who was speaking, her expression darkened. McLaggen had been shadowing her footsteps for the past two weeks and it was bothering her. He hadn't spoken with her yet, but he had a tendency to turn up where she was, watching her. She was finding the whole thing rather creepy.
Cormac McLaggen had a reputation for thinking he was Merlin's gift to women. The seventh years knew this and steered clear of him. As a result, he tended to prey upon the younger girls.
"I'm told you're really good with Potions. Do you think you could help me?"
Excellent, Lavender crowed. If there's one thing the bookworm can't turn down, it's an appeal to show off her intelligence.
Hermione frowned. "I'd like to help, but I'm really rather busy with my own homework." For the first time since he left, she actually wished Harry was here to help her.
He leaned closer to her. "Are you sure? I could really use some help and I'm sure you would enjoy it," he said, smiling handsomely at her.
She leaned back, feeling distinctly threatened by his invasion of her space. "No. I'm sorry but I can't help you."
McLaggen reached out to grab her wrist. She evaded his grasp easily, but he wasn't quick enough. She grabbed his hand and twisted it sharply. He screeched and jumped away from her, holding his injured hand.
Hermione stood and a hush fell upon the Common Room as all eyes turned toward the pair. "I said no, McLaggen, and groping me is not the way to go about getting the help you claim you need."
McLaggen grimaced and shook his hand. It was numb and unresponsive. Hermione's physical training hadn't been extensive, but Harry had taught her a few simple pressure points that could immobilize an attacker long enough for her to get away, or in this case, to make her point.
He realized that this little slip of a girl was making him look foolish and decided to do something about it. He reached for his wand, then stopped when he understood that he had several wands pointed at him.
"Do it, and Filch will be mopping you up for weeks," Ron growled angrily. Hermione was his friend, and that was good enough for him.
Hermione shot him a grateful look. Besides Ron, Ginny and Neville also held McLaggen at wand-point.
"This isn't over," he snarled.
"Detention with Filch tonight for assaulting a Prefect," snapped Hermione. "And if you touch me again, I'll see you need Madam Pomfrey's assistance."
Lavender scowled. This not only hadn't gone the way she expected, but when had the bookworm grown teeth? She had been the brains behind the golden trio, not the brawn! But she had clearly just shown that she had the ability, and the will, to defend herself. Her boyfriend, Evan, must be influencing more than just her desire to look pretty.
Dammit! Lavender snarled silently. I'll have to try something else. The bookworm is not going to get the best of me!
Across the room, Ginny had grabbed Hermione and dragged her over towards Ron and Neville, who watched her with a measure of sympathy.
"What's with you, Hermione? You've never threatened anyone before!" hissed Ginny.
"You missed her punching the ferret in third year," Ron said with fond remembrance. "It was wonderful."
Hermione crossed her arms and shivered slightly. "I know, Ginny, but that slimy git has been following me around for the past two weeks. I keep running into him and the looks he gives me." She shuddered. "I always feel like I need to bathe after running into him!"
Brushing the hair off her shoulder, she looked at Ron. "Thank you."
He waved it away. "That's not necessary, Hermione. I've been an idiot and cost us a friendship. Hannah helped me see that. We may never have what we once did, when Harry was here... But I'd still like to be your friend."
Hermione smiled. "I'd like that."
Ginny looked between the two, grinning. Her relationship with Hermione had recently been a bit strained because of her fight with Ron.
Neville scooted over at the table, making room for Hermione. She waved her wand, summoning her books and book bag from the other table before sitting down.
Ginny lifted one eyebrow and sat next to her. That wasn't the right movement for the Accio spell, she thought to herself. And when did Hermione learn silent casting? I'm going to see about having a talk with her. I think Evan is teaching her more than she's telling anyone.
Scottish Museum Council, Edinburgh, Scotland, Nov 20th1996...
"I'm sorry, Mr. Lupin, but I'm not allowed to give that information out to just..."
The burly woman stopped and stared at the tall blonde who entered the office. The blonde opened a small wallet and handed it to her, effectively pushing Remus aside. The woman glanced down at the wallet and, seeing the badge and photo ID, she paled.
"How can I help you, Inspector Tonks?" she asked meekly. She did not want to invoke the ire of MI5.
"You can give Professor Lupin the information he needs," Tonks said brusquely. "He's a consulting expert working with us on a case involving the trafficking of stolen medieval objects after they have been replaced by clever forgeries. He's only trying to insure that your inventory remains untainted."
The woman gaped for a moment. "Professor? I wasn't aware... Yes, yes of course. Professor, you do realize that we've moved the entire listing to compact disc?"
Remus, who had been fighting with the woman for nearly two hours before Tonks showed up, nodded eagerly. He didn't care if the stuff was on compact discs or carved on stone tablets. He'd take what he could get and figure out how to read them later! It hadn't occurred to him that she might respond better if he called himself Professor.
The woman stood and walked to a large walk in cupboard. She came out a few moments later carrying a large box, which she placed on the counter. "Should I bill your department directly, Inspector?" she asked Tonks.
Tonks winced. That would make Remus' search official.
"That's not necessary," Remus said. "Bill my office, please. This is rightfully considered part of my job, not hers."
Remus pulled out a business card listing his name and a Cambridge office. Sirius had set him up last year as a researcher attached to the university, even though the office wasn't on campus. It was a Muggle identification he hadn't used before today and he had been shocked at how easily it opened the door for him.
The woman looked at it and nodded. "Of course, Professor. If I had only known..."
Remus dismissed her comments with a wave. "It is of no moment. If everything is satisfactory, I'll take the discs and be on my way?"
The woman glanced at the large box, then nodded. His card had listed him as a member of the faculty at Cambridge, and they already had a long standing relationship with the school. Billing them would be no problem.
"Yes, please," she said, pushing the large box towards him. "This contains the latest results of our national audit. Over one hundred discs listing over twelve million objects along with their photos and known histories. There is a booklet at the bottom which describes, in detail, the optimal configuration PC needed to access this and it explains the retrieval software that is included on the disc labeled Disc Zero."
Remus nodded. He didn't understand most of what she was saying, but he knew someone who would. He picked up the heavy box, surprised at its weight, then he turned to Tonks.
"If you would get the door, Inspector?"
Tonks nodded affably to the woman and walked to the door, holding it open for Remus.
Outside the building, Remus placed the box down and looked around before casting a featherlight charm on it.
"So, will this have what you're looking for?" Tonks asked as she glanced around.
Raking a hand through his hair, Remus sighed. "I've no idea. I hope so."
"You know, if you and Sirius could tell me what you're looking for, I might be able to help you. The days of the inept Fudge Ministry or the suck up Scrimgeour Ministry are over," Tonks offered.
Remus frowned and thought furiously. He was in favor of telling her; it was Sirius who was playing the cautious one for once. "I don't know. How about we talk about it?" he replied.
She looked at him for a moment, then nodded.
Holding the box under one arm, he fished a small rabbit's foot from his pocket. "A Portkey," he told her as he held it out to her.
She reached out and touched it with a finger.
"Marauder's Haven," Remus said firmly.
The Portkey activated and they vanished from sight.
A few seconds later they appeared in the foyer of Sirius' London home. He walked into the sitting room with Tonks following then he put the box of discs on the table and motioned for her to sit down.
"Where are we?" she asked, sitting on the couch.
Remus took the opposite end of the couch and turned to face her. "This is Sirius' London home, Grimmauld Place."
Tonks nodded. "Mum's spoken about this place, but she described as looking like a mausoleum."
"It did," Remus replied with a chuckle. "But then Harry talked Sirius into hiring an elf who helped clean up the place. He got rid of the old family elf, who had turned into a psychotic menace."
Remus looked around for a moment at the much improved house. A moment later, Dobby appeared and placed a tray on the table with tea and some bottles of butterbeer.
"Tea?" he asked.
She nodded and accepted a cup from him. "So what did you need to talk about?"
"You know what we're trying to do. But the problem is there is a longstanding Ministry directive that we've already violated four times. Do you think you could work on something, knowing you will be violating a Ministry directive?" he asked.
She placed the cup on the table and looked at him for a moment. "A directive? Not a law?"
"A directive. Specifically, a directive of the Department of Mysteries requiring all items of a specific nature be turned over to them for study."
She frowned. "And this has to do with Voldemort? It's related to how he could return?"
He nodded. "If it helps, think of these objects as cursed objects. In fact, one nearly killed an eleven year old girl in Hogwarts only a few years back."
She blinked and stared at him.
"Yes, they're that dangerous," he replied to her unspoken question.
"I never heard that particular story. What happened?"
Remus leaned back in his chair. "Back in Harry's second year, the Chamber of Secrets was opened and Muggle-born students were being attacked. It turned out that one of these objects had taken over a first year girl and was using her to control the beast within the chamber.
"Harry confronted the beast and killed it. In the process he rescued the girl and destroyed the beast and the artifact. He nearly got himself killed doing it."
"How come I never heard of this? It wasn't in the papers," Tonks said in protest.
"No, it wasn't. According to Dumbledore's journals, he hushed up the scandal as much as he could. It seriously eroded support for him in the Wizengamot. We suspect that Dumbledore covered it up to protect himself and to keep from drawing attention to Harry. He didn't want people suddenly looking into Harry's home life."
Tonks frowned. "Does the Department of Mysteries understand the danger?"
"They don't understand because Dumbledore and Voldemort have kept it secret. The Department wants the objects to study because they are unique; created from a black arts ritual. To them, they're a name with a very shallow and poorly worded description."
"And if they study them, they could somehow trigger the object into resurrecting Voldemort again?"
When he nodded, her frown deepened. She stood and paced for a bit while Remus watched. Her hair cycled continuously through a rainbow of colors and styles and she muttered softly to herself. Finally, she stopped and plopped down on the couch exactly where she had been only moments before. "Right then, where do I sign up?"
He blinked and looked at her in astonishment.
She shook her head. "Remus, I don't know you as well as I would like and I know my cousin and Harry even less. But I think I know all three of you well enough to know you didn't pull off this little charade of yours just for a lark. I've watched Harry train. He's training at Hit Wizard levels and studying like Beelzebub himself was out for his hide. I don't always agree with what the Ministry does, either. My take on the werewolf laws are a prime example of their short-sightedness."
She paused and took a deep breath.
Remus couldn't help notice her shirt rise and he tore his eyes away from the sight.
"If there are objects that could result in the return of Voldemort, then they need to be destroyed, not studied."
She stopped and waited for his reaction. She caught his look when she breathed deeply and crowed inwardly. Doesn't he have any idea how drop dead sexy he is? she thought.
"That was our thought, as well. However, destroying them was more difficult than we first thought. We finally had to enlist the aid of the Americans and an industrial blast furnace to destroy them."
"How many of these things are there?"
"Six, and Voldemort himself. It's called a Horcrux and it's receptacle for a piece of his soul. The creation of each Horcrux requires a murder," Remus replied softly.
"So, there are now two objects and Voldemort himself somewhere?"
"No. We think that destroying the first one, a locket once owned by Slytherin, might have kicked him out of the magical construct he was using. Given the fact that he needed to be close to Nagini to keep that construct alive, we think he was forced to merge with the Horcrux in Nagini."
"Nagini?"
Remus shook his head. "I'm sorry. Nagini is his familiar. It's a very large, very venomous snake. We think there's something inside the snake that's a Horcrux."
She nodded thoughtfully. "And the purpose of today's trip to the museum council?"
He leaned back on the couch and sipped his tea for a moment. "The other item we're looking for is a brooch which we believe belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw. Emma, Hermione's Mum, you've met her, she gave me the idea that the brooch might have slipped into the Muggle world."
She looked at him incredulously. "And you believe that? So little of our world falls into Muggle hands."
"If that were the case, then there would be no need for Arthur Weasley's department, would there? Besides, I've found enough evidence to suggest that Emma might have been right about the brooch. According to our notes, the brooch would have been turned into a Horcrux sometime between 1965 and 1967.
"I've found Muggle newspapers describing a break in at the British Museum that resulted in the deaths of several security guards. The strange part is, nothing was reported stolen. And during that time frame, there was an exhibit that featured Scottish Medieval artifacts from the ninth through twelfth centuries."
She frowned. "It's a mighty slim lead."
He shrugged. "It's the only lead I have at the moment. The last trace of the brooch I've been able to find is roughly a century old. From there, it vanished."
"So, how can I help?"
"You've been trained in investigative techniques?"
She nodded.
"I suppose you can help by double-checking what I've already done, then. I have this stuff," he said, pointing to the box of discs, "to go through and that's not going to be easy. Believe me when I say the help you provided today was invaluable. She wasn't going to give me that inventory."
"After you find the brooch and destroy it, how will you find the snake?"
Remus grinned. "We have an idea that the snake might be making its way to Hogwarts, but that's not certain. Harry has a plan of tracking her down, using the snakes in Britain."
She blinked at him in surprise. "How is that possible?"
Remus shrugged. "Ask him yourself, next time you see him. It's his idea. He should be the one to tell you about it."
"All right, I'm in. But I do have one question. What did you do to Rita Skeeter?"
"Skeeter? You mean that reporter woman?" he asked.
She nodded.
Remus frowned. "We didn't do anything to her. I've never even met her. Why?"
"That's weird. She claimed she was on a job in Oxford, investigating a story, when she was attacked. I automatically assumed you or Sirius had a hand in it."
"Can't she tell you about the attack?"
She shook her head. "No. We found out weeks after the attack when she showed up in St. Mungo's, badly injured. She says she can't remember a thing about what she was investigating or why. She doesn't remember the attack at all. We found she had been sent to a Muggle hospital with severe burns on August 1st."
"We were in Fiji by then. Whomever attacked her had nothing to do with us," Remus stated firmly.
Tonks nodded and gave a sigh of relief. She didn't think they were involved, but she had needed to make sure.
"Was she hurt badly?"
"Yeah. She's out of the reporter business, I'm afraid. Stone deaf now and the healers can do nothing to help with the scarring," Tonks replied.
"It wasn't us, Tonks," Remus stated firmly.
She reached over and patted his hand. "Don't worry, I believe you."
From the Journal of Hermione Jane Granger (Private Entry), Nov 25th 1996, Hogwarts...
We've figured out what's going on with bookspace!
Since I am of age now in Britain, and Harry is of age for the Pac Rim Ministry, the books are allowing us to bring objects into bookspace and allowing us to use magic. It came as a surprise to us both, but he spoke with Professor Peliote, who knew someone whose family was involved in developing these books over a century ago.
As we get older, more and more functions become available to us. It's a very good thing that Harry and I haven't tried to make love yet. We would have been kicked out of bookspace if we tried while we were underage. It still won't let us do that, not for another year for me and two for Harry. We both have to be eighteen for that to be allowed.
As it stands, the books are allowing us to... Well, Ginny would call it a really brilliant broom closet session. Unfortunately, clothing is still mandatory. I don't know whether to be pleased by that or not, but I'm thinking not.
Listen to me! I swear I sound more and more like Lavender and Parvati every day. Oh, I still love my books and love to study, but I'd also love to study every square inch of him without his clothing still in place.
Maybe it's better this way. I want Harry and he wants me. We both know it and we both know it's too soon. The book is forcing us to slow down and talk more with each other.
Speaking of talking. The Dursleys! Curse them! I hate them! If I had my way they would be punished severely for what they did to Harry.
We were talking and our conversations in bookspace have gotten quite risque and frank. I told him about one of my biggest fantasies and he looked totally mortified. After he got over his shock, he finally revealed one concerning his invisibility cloak and the Head table in the Great Hall that had me blushing like crazy. His idea really turned me on, but it wasn't to last.
The problem was afterwards he was convinced I would consider him a twisted pervert.
Making him understand that he's not a pervert and that he is worthy of being loved is going to be my mission in life. He's had so many years of people telling him he's worthless and not worthy of being loved that he believes it deep down.
We've talked frankly about his time with the Dursleys and he's gotten so he doesn't get all tense and upset when discussing them with me. It still boggles my mind how anyone could treat family in that manner.
I told Harry about McLaggen and Ron. He's ecstatic about Ron. I think he misses his friend, even if he was exasperated with him so much of the time. I'd like to see them get together again myself. I miss the camaraderie we once had.
As far as McLaggen goes, Harry was angry. I wanted to know why McLaggen suddenly came on to me and Harry looked at me like I was crazy.
"Don't you know?" he said.
"Know what?" I replied.
"Hermione, you're gorgeous! You have a body that probably fuels the fantasies of every boy third year and up!" he exclaimed, then he looked at me with that sultry look of his that gets me all hot. "And you're mine," he said with a low growl.
Honestly, I am going to have to have a talk with that boy! One moment we're talking about something serious and the next he's got me panting and wishing I could peel off his clothing. How does he do that to me?
I suppose I should be grateful that I'm the only one he does that to. And that, my dear journal, still surprises me. He thinks I'm beautiful! I'd tell him to get his glasses checked, but he doesn't need glasses anymore!
On the Hogwarts front, McLaggen has backed off. I find that whenever we're in the same room together, there are always a bunch of sixth and fifth year students between us. I think Neville and Ginny have something to do with that.
And while I feel safe from McLaggen, I'm still feeling uneasy. The other day I came up to my bed and things were out of place. Evan's photo was in the wrong spot and Crooks looked like he was most put out.
I'm starting to get nervous about it because that says it's probably a girl who's been rifling through my stuff. I'll talk to Harry next bookspace slot we get. He said to remind him to show me more pressure points.
From the Journal of Harry Potter (Transmitted Entry), Dec 5th1996, Waivunu Fiji...
Dear Hermione,
As usual, you were right. Bookspace time is becoming harder and harder to use, thanks to my upcoming N.E.W.T.s. Fortunately, that will slowly go away as I finish them. In the meantime, we'll do what you suggested and use the books for mundane conversation and save the important stuff for when we're together.
And for all that, I miss you. Three bookspace sessions last month was not enough. And if that isn't bad enough, next year we have to do it all over again when you're studying for your N.E.W.T.s!
We can do this. I know we can. I promise you I will do my best to be available anytime you want bookspace time next year.
Transfiguration is becoming a real bear. One of the big differences between the British system and Pac Rim is that they expect you to be knowledgeable in at least one form of Muggle technology and be capable of transfiguring a working copy of something. You can't transfigure anything electronic, but some simple electric things or mechanical machines are fine.
Most of the students in the Pac Rim tend to pick useful topics, like knowing how to transfigure stuff they'll need to live, like fishing poles and reels, small boats or tools. Sirius and Remus thought that was a great idea and Sirius wanted me to try to understand the automobile. I told him to sod off, that no one could learn it that well without years of study. Instead, I opted to learn about bicycles. Next year I'll be looking for Nagini and making a form of transportation would be useful.
Public transportation works between towns and cities, but there's no British Rail to Hogsmeade or Hogwarts. And yes, I know I can Apparate to those places, but if I have to go off the beaten track, I'll be able to do something about it. Besides, a bicycle makes for an enjoyable way of getting around.
To that end I've been studying one basic design and the modifications needed to change it from a street bicycle to an off-road bicycle. I was ecstatic yesterday when I finally got it right. I'm extremely thankful that you showed me how to ride one two summers ago.
Now, if only you had told me not to ride it in sand, I wouldn't look like someone took sandpaper to my forehead.
Charms is getting very difficult. I don't have problems casting, but Professor Peliote is covering a lot of theory and I've had to learn more than a smattering of Arithmancy in order to keep up with her. She wants me to take the advanced Charms N.E.W.T., not the standard Charms N.E.W.T. I'm making headway, but sometimes it feels like I'm running up a very steep hill. My math skills aren't very good, so I end up triple checking everything.
Defense is also a problem, but of a different type. We apparate to a small island not far away; you know the one, we've gone to it for picnics before. Professor Murphy has had to switch over to using Golems for dueling practices. Some of my spells are blasting through his shields and I nearly killed him with a simple bludgeoning hex three weeks ago.
On the downside, Master Kwang is back in business, or as I like to say, King Kong is swinging from his tree again. At least he can't pull the run-around-the-island idea anymore. He's actually using me to help him get his leg back into shape, which you can read as: he's running me into the ground, then jumping on my aching corpse.
Christmas is coming and I'm looking forward to seeing and holding you. Don't get me wrong, we hold each other in bookspace and we could probably one day even make love there. But we both know we're not really there.
Your Mum stopped by the other day to have tea with Cindy. They are planning for the wedding, which I'm sure you've heard about. In case no one's told you, it's this coming summer. Your Mum also mentioned that she's seen Remus getting very chummy with Tonks. I think that's just great. Remus needs someone. If Tonks can be that someone for him, I'm all for it.
Speaking of Tonks, she and I watched an old Star Trek show on the telly two weeks ago, then spent an hour figuring out how to give us Vulcan ears. Sirius is already planning a UFO prank, but I'm not sure I can pull it off without laughing.
I'm making a lot of progress with my Metamorphmagus skills but I don't think I'll ever be as good as Tonks is. I can change body parts now, like the ears, and we've experimented with other things, like webbed feet and hands to help while swimming. But it takes me nearly a full minute to do what Tonks does in seconds. I hope I'll get better, but we'll have to see.
We'll be together soon, so I'm going to sign off for now.
Love,
Harry
Motherwell, Scotland, East of Glasgow, Dec 5th 1996...
Nagini heaved a sigh of relief. For the first time in nearly a week she felt safe again. She was holed up in a old barn. The trip was taking a lot longer than she had expected and she still had nearly sixty miles to go.
Earlier last week she had slithered into the barn of a farmer a few miles south of her current location. She had been looking for a warm place to winter in. The farmer had a huge compost pile that was nice and toasty, if a bit fragrant. Warmth, however, was the key thing.
Comfortable, she curled up to begin her long winter's sleep when a noise roused her back to consciousness. She looked up to see a dog barking like mad at her. Nearby, she could hear the sound of a human making questioning noises at the dog.
When the farmer appeared around the pile, he had gasped and stepped back, while she reared up her head, getting ready to strike. The man whistled loudly and dogs, nearly a dozen of them, had come running into the barn.
The resulting battle lasted nearly twenty minutes before the farmer and most of the dogs were dead, but the damage had been done. Nagini had received multiple bites and a two foot section had been lopped off her tail by the farmer's shovel.
Wounded and in considerable pain, she had slithered from the farm, but she couldn't go far. Finally, she found an abandoned farm building several miles north of where she'd had her fight with the farmer and his dogs.
She was curled up in a patch of bright sunlight, but could slither underground in a moment's notice. Safety had become a real issue, as it would take weeks for her to heal and recover from the fight. There was also the pressing imperative to hibernate. The trip was taking far longer than she thought it would have and several times she'd tried to give up altogether. A voice in the back of her mind exhorted her to continue, however, so she had pressed on. She tried to ignore the voice, but she couldn't always succeed.
When the air began to cool, she returned to her burrow. Curling up, she took comfort in the soft rustle of her scales and began her long healing sleep. There was plenty of time, after all. Despite the voice, there really was no rush to go north.
From the Journal of Hermione Jane Granger (Transmitted Entry), Dec 6th 1996, Hogwarts...
Dear Harry,
Honestly, you can blame me for some things, but I fail to see how you can blame me for your attempt to ride a bicycle on sand. What were you thinking?
Still, I think your idea for the bicycle is a good one. I tried to explain the concept to Professor Lawton and she looked at me like I was crazy. She couldn't see the purpose of being able to transfigure something Muggle-made that actually worked.
I think it would be a lot harder to do here, with all the latent magic in the castle. I have an idea, but before I can try it out I need to talk to my dad about it. He knows about such things and he can probably help. In the meantime, I like the idea so I'm going to introduce it to our study group and see what they think of it.
If you happen to transfigure a spare bicycle, we can do a little traveling around Waivunu when I get there.
Mum has asked me to tell you that she expects you to come to our house on the 20th. We have a family Christmas party on the 21stand she says that it's time that I bring my boyfriend to meet the family. After the party, we'll all take the portal to Fiji, or take it the next day.
I know you're going to be nervous about meeting my family, but I'll be there with you. They don't know I'm a witch, so watch what you say. I think Mum's right, though. We've been going together for two years and we've talked about staying together after graduation. I won't say the M word, but we're getting close to talking about it, especially after that last conversation we had in bookspace concerning the number of children we wanted.
And you have no idea how grateful I was when I heard you didn't want a Weasley sized family!
One word about my family. For the most part, they're all right, but I have a cousin who's a cross between Lavender and Padma. Smart, pretty and used to getting her way. If anyone is likely to trip you up, it would be Frances.
I've had to charm my book with several more spells. Someone has been trying to break into my trunk and this book is the only thing I can think of that would be worth trying to get at. I don't have a lot of expensive, fancy jewelry or clothes in my trunk, no real valuables except for the book and your picture. If this keeps up, I am going to send the photo to my Mum for safekeeping, and place a nasty hex on the book to prevent anyone from touching it.
I've alerted Lawton to the problem and she didn't seem all that bothered, so I went to McGonagall and she gave me permission to ward the book with a nasty hex. I don't like it, I feel like someone is watching me all the time now.
McGonagall is becoming dissatisfied with Lawton, who doesn't seem all that interested in being the Head of House. She's a good teacher, but in some ways even more set in her ways than McGonagall, despite the fact that McGonagall has nearly forty years on her. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a new Transfiguration Professor next year. Or a new Head of House. I just hope it's not Hagrid.
I thought I'd fill you in on some other news. As you're aware, the Ferret never returned to school this year and for the longest time all anyone knew were rumors. It turns out that Umbridge did more damage to him than originally expected. His mother sold their manor house and their seat on the Wizengamot in order to pay for Draco being admitted to St. Mungo's long term care ward. They say he screams like a Banshee every time he sees someone wearing something pink. I think they did more damage when they removed his memory blocks than if they had left them in place.
Unless, by some miracle, Umbridge turns up alive and pregnant, the Malfoy line has effectively died out. His father is in jail and his mother has vanished. Draco's a wreck, from what we've been told, and it's unlikely he'll recover. I never liked him, but I think he would have been better off being killed than consigned to the wards of St. Mungo's for the rest of his life.
That leaves Pansy as queen of the Slytherin roost and while she does rule there, she's been largely unable to terrorize the school as effectively as Draco did. She's tried a few times, but without Snape backing up Slytherin and Dumbledore blindly agreeing to everything, they've been soundly smacked down on several occasions.
Pansy had several of her goons, including Crabbe and Goyle, try to mess with several third year Hufflepuffs. It wasn't pretty. Five fourth year Gryffindors and three Ravenclaws from sixth year jumped into the fight, then more Gryffindors showed up. By the time it was over, six Slytherins were in the infirmary along with one Hufflepuff. Professor McGonagall called in Aurors, who used Veritaserum and a Pensieve to figure out who did what. The result was five Slytherins expelled, Pansy was sent home for a two week suspension and she's got six months of detention. She also lost her Prefects badge.
It's a far cry from what used to pass for discipline in this school. I just hate how it got to this point because it ended up costing me my best friend.
I've got to close now. I'm not sure if we'll have a bookspace session anytime between now and when I get to see you, but I'm glad you're coming to Oxford. I miss you and wish you were here.
All my love,
Hermione.
Hermione's House, Oxford, England, Dec 19th 1996...
Emma had all her office papers strewn about the kitchen table. She was trying to upgrade their accounting system and the old system just didn't have enough information, so she was trying to find what she needed from the old paper records.
She looked up when the door to the car port opened and Cindy and Sirius stepped through.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," she said as she stood up to put on a pot of tea.
"We're just passing through. There's a lot to do," Cindy said.
Emma frowned. She could have sworn Remus had passed through, going up to Scotland two days ago. "Who's watching Harry?"
"Harry is watching Harry. After all, he's coming here tomorrow. We asked if he wanted to tag along with us, but he declined. He wants to see Hermione, but I think he's suffering from a bit of Granger induced confusion," Sirius offered with a shrug.
Emma narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "Just what is that supposed to mean, Sirius Black?"
Sirius sat at the table and looked up at her with an unrepentant grin. "It's like this, Emma. He wanted to come early because that meant more time with Hermione. But he also wants to do well on his N.E.W.T.s because he wants her to be proud of him. He's trying to balance seeing his girlfriend versus pleasing her by proving he's as smart as she is. So, instead of coming here a day early and snogging Hermione, he's home studying."
"Siri," Cindy chided. "You know that isn't the only reason." She smiled at Emma. "Harry wouldn't dream of coming here early. You offered an invitation that started on the 20th and that's when he'll arrive. As often as he's been told, we're still dealing with what he learned from the Dursleys. It's hard for him to break those habits and he just doesn't think he'd be welcome if he showed up unexpectedly."
"That's absurd!" announced Hermione from the doorway. She had been home from school for exactly two days now and she had been champing at the bit to see Harry.
Cindy turned and acknowledged Hermione's comment. "It is, sweetheart, but that's the way he is. He talks to you more than the rest of us about his past, so you know how he feels. Honestly, we don't know how lucky we are. Harry has some issues, but the reality of badly abused children is such that it could have been so much worse. The physical abuse was fairly minor and he wasn't sexually molested. Emotionally, he still has trouble with the idea that people would want him around. He places more importance on the happiness of others than he does his own.
"He's gotten a lot better. But like I've said before, habits formed early are the hardest to break."
Hermione looked at Emma and, well, whined. "Muummm," she said.
Emma shook her head. "Go, help him pack. But I expect you back in two hours, young lady."
Hermione grinned and was gone out the door before her mother finished speaking.
Emma sighed and turned back to her friend. "So? How are the wedding plans going?"
Sirius leaned back and grinned. "She won't let me give her a bash at Westminster, so we're probably going to do something small and local here in Oxford."
Cindy shrugged helplessly. "It's an unnecessary expense, Siri. Besides, the Vicar over at the University Church is a family friend and said he'd be happy to perform the service for us."
"St. Mary's?" Emma said delightedly. "You're getting married at St. Mary's?"
The University Church of St. Mary's the Virgin was one of the oldest churches in England and was said to be one of the most beautiful.
"That's what the lady wants, so that's what she'll get," Sirius said.
"So what else have you decided on?" Emma asked eagerly.
"Well, Siri took me up for a ride on Harry's broom," Cindy said.
"And she loved it. Said it was almost like a roller toaster," Sirius added.
"Roller coaster," Cindy corrected.
"Right. One of those, too," he said, nodding.
"So, anyway," Cindy continued excitedly, "we're going on a roller coaster honeymoon. Thirty-five coasters in forty-five days. We'll start on the east coast of the U.S. and work our way westward, around the world, hitting what are supposed to be the best coasters in the world."
Emma sighed and shook her head. "Only you, Cin. With all the romantic places you can go and the private beaches or mountain villas... No, you two have to pick roller coasters," she muttered.
"Hey, Disney World has room service," protested Cindy.
"Tell her about the mouse," prompted Sirius helpfully. He couldn't wait to meet Mickey, and Goofy.
She patted his hand. "She knows about the mouse, love." Turning back to her friend, she smiled. "Really, Emma, Sirius and I will be having plenty of moonlit walks and candlelit dinners. And if I know Sirius, we'll not climb out of bed until noon each day. The roller coasters are for the hour or two we get out of the hotel."
"Despite what Moony thinks, there'll be romance," Sirius added. "And lots of laughter. That's important."
Cindy nodded in agreement.
Emma smiled at them. In a way, their idea of a honeymoon was appropriate to the pair. "So when are you getting married then?"
"Harry has his last N.E.W.T. on the 3rd of June, so we were thinking that June 25th would be appropriate. That'll give us enough time to move back from Fiji. The real question is, do you mind Harry spending the summer with you? If not, I can arrange for Remus to stay with him at Grimmauld. Although, to be honest, after his birthday, he'll be of age and free to do what he wants," Sirius said. "Which, if I know Harry, probably means visiting Hermione everyday."
"We'd love to have him here," Emma replied promptly. "To be honest, we've been worried about the idea of him traveling around Scotland alone looking for that snake."
Sirius' expression turned somber. "I know, but he won't be alone all the time. Remus will be looking for clues, as well. We've told him that if he gets in trouble to either contact you and Dan or to find me and Remus. We'll all be here, unless it looks like Nagini has left the country."
Emma nodded. She wasn't very happy with the situation and planned to speak to Harry about it herself. She was worried that Hermione would spend more time worrying about him than she would studying for her own exams. And while she thought it was right for her to worry about him, he needed to understand that he needed to keep her worry to a minimum.
From the Journal of Hermione Jane Granger (Private Entry), Dec 19th 1996, Oxford, England...
Mum sent me to get Harry a day early. She was miffed when he didn't arrive with Sirius and Cindy, so I went to get him.
I found him in his room. Someone had bought, or transfigured, his chair into one of those high back comfortable office chairs. He was bent over several open text books and he was muttering something in Japanese. Above his desk was a pulsating light storm. I'm not sure what spell he was working on, but it sure looked pretty. And does he have any idea just how great he looks when he's working his magic?
Anyway, I watched him from his doorway and he seemed to be as nearly engrossed in his work as I get. I thought it would be a good idea to sneak up on him and surprise him, only he knew I was there. I should have realized that anyone living with Sirius Black would have warded their door to let them know when someone came through.
I snuck up to his chair and he quickly spun around and grabbed me in a hug. I was shocked and surprised, but after a few seconds I did what I was planning on doing in the first place and I hugged him back.
We didn't speak; no words were necessary. I think I finally understand what Harry meant about bookspace now. In that embrace I realized that there is a world of difference between bookspace and the real world. Oh, we can do a lot in bookspace and it feels real. But there is always the knowledge that bookspace isn't real sitting in the back of your mind.
He held me while still sitting on his chair, his head nestled between my breasts and despite that, it was an emotional moment, not a physical one. I felt safe and at peace in his arms. I felt like I was home and I knew that no matter where I was, if Harry was there, it was home. We didn't say a word, I didn't feel the need to speak and I don't think he did either. Somehow I could feel that he felt the same safety and peace that I felt.
It's funny. When Mum sent me over, knowing that Harry was alone at the beach house, I had anticipated being with him and maybe having the opportunity to explore outside of the limitations imposed by the journals. Instead, we ended up holding each other and having an emotional moment better than anything I could have dreamed of.
What is this power that Harry has over me and why does he affect me so deeply?
I used to read Mum's romance novels and laugh when authors talk about the depths of one's love, blah, blah, blah. How could I have been so wrong? I read those books and thought it wouldn't be possible for me to lose myself in someone, and here I am doing exactly that!
After that blissful embrace I helped him pack for the few days we'd be in England. Harry had spoken with Dad about the Christmas party and took his advice on what to wear for it. I haven't seen it, but I understand he purchased a new suit in Nadi, just for the party. He's got it in a garment bag that's been charmed to only allow him to open it.
I suppose I should explain that while I might be an only child, my father is not. He has three brothers and a sister, all married and all with kids of their own. My parents are the only ones to have stopped at just one child. Between my aunts, uncles and cousins, there will be over thirty people at this party. I'm trying not to worry about it, but I think most will be shocked when I bring Harry with us.
It's nearly midnight so I'm going to close this entry. Harry's asleep across the hall in the guest room and my parents are asleep in their own room. I peeked in on Harry earlier. I like watching him sleep. It's one of the few times when he lets his guard down and relaxes totally.
I can't help but wonder what it will be like to share that bed with him and sleep, safe within his arms. It's his fantasy and I think it's becoming mine, as well.
Someday soon I hope I get to learn that.
From the Journal of Harry Potter (Private Entry), Dec 20th1996, Oxford, England...
It's six in the morning and I'm in England again. I've just finished my morning run and in a bit I'll start a nice breakfast for my hosts. Hermione came and got me early yesterday. I was supposed to arrive today, but plans changed.
Emma didn't like the idea of me being left alone at the beach house for a day. It's something Molly Weasley would have done, but Emma's doing it for different reasons. Molly would have assumed I couldn't take care of myself and needed her to help me. Emma said it was silly to be alone when they were waiting for me to arrive, and Hermione would enjoy my company.
I don't know if she's right, but I'll never skip the chance to be with Hermione.
She tried to sneak up on me yesterday and I think I surprised her. I spun around so fast in my chair and grabbed her in a hug. Merlin, it was heaven. All our time in bookspace cuddling and doing a little heavy petting vanished in a split second under the reality of that hug.
I've never felt so... peaceful and wanted as I did when she wrapped her arms around me. I wonder if she knows what kind of power she has over me? I'd do anything for her. Anything.
It's becoming very difficult, especially with her here in front of me, for me to keep to my promise of not letting us get too carried away. When I held her the other day and I could feel her heart beating and the soft rise and fall of her breasts while she breathed, it took every bit of self control I had. I think if she had made one move, just a tiny indication that she wanted more than to just hold me, I would have swept her into my arms and carried her to my bed.
Thankfully, we just held each other.
Later today we'll travel to London in preparation for this family party. We're spending the night at the Intercontinental Hotel just off Hyde Park. Dan and Emma have their room, Hermione has one and I have one. I offered to pay for mine, but Dan wouldn't hear of it. Still, it feels awkward. The Grangers are dentists and rather well off since they have very few NHS patients. I still feel like I should pay my way.
I think I managed to convince Dan to let me buy dinner tonight.
Tomorrow everyone is meeting at the hotel and they've rented a room to hold a catered party. Dan said between friends and family there will be at least fifty five people there.
Shoot me now. Fifty five people! I still haven't decided if I'm going as Harry or Evan, although Hermione and Emma want me to go as Harry. I probably will, since none of them are magical; they won't recognize me.
It's strange that she's the only witch. Usually, when you find one Muggle-born, there are others in the family. Since Emma's family is tiny and she has no brothers or sisters, I can't help but wonder if the magic came in from her side of the family.
I'll finish this up. Someday, Hermione and I will sit down and share these private entries with each other and laugh or cry over them. I think it will be good for us. If nothing else, I know my entries show what a mess I am.
The Granger Family Christmas Party, International Hotel, London, Dec 21st 1996...
Hermione was in seventh heaven. She leaned close to Harry, holding his hand and sipped her drink. She had just finished taking Harry around and introducing him to all the members of her family. He seemed to be the talk of the party.
She knew that she had surprised her family. Until today, most of them considered her to be the frumpish bookworm, but here she was showing off Harry, who had shown up for the party in an Armani suit. His hair was still a mess, but that was to be expected. It even added to his appeal, in her opinion. And the suit! She had pretty much grown up with Harry, but it wasn't until she saw him in the suit that she realized how broad his shoulders had become, and how finely built he was. She'd seen him in nothing but shorts, but for some reason, the suit seemed to emphasize his physique.
He stood next to her, like some Greek god, impossible in his perfection, and then the moment vanished when he slipped his hand into hers and he looked at her questioningly. She smiled up at him and counted herself blessed.
Her maternal grandmother eyed Harry as if he was a prize bull up for auction, then shot her daughter a thumbs up after talking with him for nearly an hour. Hermione blushed when she saw her mother nodding and grinning at her. Grandma Kensington was notoriously difficult to please and Harry had passed her tests with flying colors.
"Potter? Potter? I don't recall any Potters. Where did you say you're from?" asked her Uncle George.
Hermione frowned. She couldn't help but notice her cousin Frances eying Harry with interest.
"I was raised for a while in Surrey, but my guardians were proven unfit and I was returned to my Godfather. Originally, my family is from Wales," Harry replied smoothly. These were simple questions, not like the ones from the old lady who made him feel like she was reading his mind and questioning him about his relationship with Hermione.
"So, you're an orphan?" blurted Frances.
Hermione winced and tightened her grip on Harry's hand.
Harry smiled softly. "I might not have my original parents, but I do have parents. My Godfather and his fiancée, even Hermione's parents, to an extent."
"And you go to school with Hermione?" George asked, getting back into the conversation. "She never has much to say about that place."
"I used to attend the same school," Harry replied. "But don't blame Hermione. A number of the students are children of diplomats and high ranking members of government. They try to maintain a low profile to reduce their security problems. Academically, they're one of the finest schools in the country."
Hermione stared at Harry, surprised by his glib answer. It was a perfect explanation for why she couldn't talk about her school.
"That Hermione received an invitation to attend is a testimony to her intelligence. They take only the very best. Regretfully, when my problems at home came to light, I was withdrawn and now I attend home school."
"And where did you get that marvelous tan?" asked Frances.
Harry grinned and Hermione knew what was coming. "Fiji. I arrived here from Fiji two nights ago, but I spend most of the year living there."
Bored with the direction the conversation was turning, Uncle George excused himself, leaving the three teens to their talk.
Frances stepped forward, coming uncomfortably close to Harry. She, like Hermione, wore an expensive dress for the party. But unlike Hermione, her dress had a plunging neckline, exposing a very impressive cleavage. Hermione's dress was, in Harry's opinion, more interesting, because it showed a nice amount of cleavage without being glaringly obvious about it.
Harry took one step back. He didn't like people he didn't know invading his space.
"I must admit I never thought Hermione would bring a boy to one of these parties," Frances said. "Usually, she sits in a corner, reading a book."
Hermione flinched. She knew what was coming.
"In fact, I was beginning to think she might not even like boys, or perhaps she was too into her books," Frances said, plowing on, not understanding the simmering volcano she was creating.
Harry's expression darkened and his anger and magic flared. The overhead lights flickered ominously.
Frances stepped close to Harry and put her hand on his chest. "I'm sure she's interesting, but I'd be willing to bet I can show you a better time. Would you like to dance with me?"
Hermione sucked in a breath and glance at Harry. No one else in the room could sense the build-up of magic around him, but it was impossible to ignore the fire that lit his eyes.
"Thank you, but no," Harry said coldly. "Hermione is all I could ever want and, unlike others, she doesn't feel the need to cheapen herself by throwing herself at someone she doesn't even know."
Right then and there she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him senseless. Frances had been a thorn in her side most of her life and she half expected Harry would fall for her simpering attitude like many others had. Her cousin had learned the value of sex appeal early and wielded that weapon unmercifully. This was the first time she had ever run into a boy who didn't care about her charms.
Frances paled and gasped. She stepped back as if she had been slapped.
He tightened his grip slightly on Hermione. "Come on, love. Let's get some fresh air," he muttered, then pulled her with him towards the large doors and the open air balcony.
Behind them, Frances stared at the retreating couple in shock and surprise. She had always managed to pull one over on Hermione. Until tonight. It was unthinkable!
On the balcony, Harry released Hermione's hand and gripped the railing tightly. His anger was immense. He had managed to control it, but his magic was threatening to break free.
Hermione stood nearby, uncertain what she could do to help. She could feel the magic flowing off him and it was like nothing she had ever felt before. She stepped closer and placed her hand on his arm.
"Harry?"
"I'm sorry," he gasped. He was still struggling to contain his magic. Frantically he looked around for something to cast on, something innocuous. He looked down and spotted the crumpled napkin Hermione was holding and he plucked it out of her hand. His fist closed around it and he poured the magic into the crumpled paper.
She gasped, and felt the flow of magic from him change. She used her ring to cast an illusion on the door to prevent anyone from seeing the flare of light from his hand.
For nearly a minute he poured the magic into the paper, not really casting any specific spell. He was just trying to unload the excess. Finally, he stopped and took a shuddering breath, then sagged against the railing.
She gripped his elbow, supporting him. A moment later, Dan was standing next to him, helping Hermione hold him up.
Hermione blinked in surprise at her father. She didn't know he was on the balcony with them.
"I'll be all right. Just let me sit for a moment," Harry said softly.
"Do you two want to explain to me what just happened?" Dan asked quietly. Hermione recognized the tone. It was the "I'm the Dad and I want to know, NOW!" tone he took when he wanted an explanation.
"She was being rude and insulting," Harry replied, then he shrugged. "I got angry about it."
"Hermione was being rude?" asked Dan, a bit shocked.
"No, Dad. Frances was being rude," Hermione replied correcting him.
He frowned. He knew how much of a problem Frances had been for Hermione in the past. "She insulted Hermione?" he said, starting to get angry.
Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand, preventing him from leaving. "You don't have to worry about it, Daddy. Harry... Well, he put her in her place. Shocked her to pieces, really. I don't think she ever thought that anyone would defend me, or tell her they weren't interested. Harry did both, then we came out here because he was still very angry and that was driving his magic to a point where it was difficult to control."
Harry looked down at his hands. The napkin had turned rock hard in his fist. He hadn't opened it yet to look at it. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what it had become. All the talk of difficulty in controlling his magic was embarrassing.
Dan stood and placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "Thank you, son," he said softly. "I'll leave you with Hermione. She'll take care of you."
Dan had been raised to expect that a young man would be after one thing from his daughter and for a while he believed it of Harry, too. He had been slowly changing his mind about that idea over the past year. Now, he knew that Harry was after one thing; Hermione's heart. And he'd do anything to see that she was happy.
It was a humbling idea to think that Harry was different from even what he had been like as a teenager and a young man hoping to score with Emma. He had no doubt in his mind that Harry dreamed of such things, but they were secondary to his goal of having a good life, one that included Hermione by his side.
Dan walked back into the ballroom where the party was being held. Hermione watched her father for a moment before turning back to Harry. She glanced down at his hand and was shocked at what she saw.
"You're bleeding!" she gasped and grabbed his hand, then she pried open his fingers.
The napkin that he had crumpled and poured all that magic into had been transformed into a piece of pure red crystal. She gently pulled it from his hand and wrapped it in another napkin before dropping it into her purse, then she closed his cuts using her ring.
"I ruined your party, didn't I?" he asked, sounding miserable.
She looked at him and smiled, then she caressed his cheek. "Quite the opposite. Do you know how many years I've been hoping someone would put Frances in her place? It's funny, I can help you against dementors, escaped convicts, crazed cultists and malicious Professors, but I'm helpless against my own cousin."
Somewhere inside, a band started to play.
Harry stood and offered her his hand. "Would you like to dance, Miss Granger?"
She took his hand and smiled broadly. "I would love to, Mr. Potter."
Together they returned to the party and danced the next several hours, ignoring Frances, who sulked along the edges of the dance floor, watching them both with undisguised malice.
The International Hotel, London, Dec 22nd 1996...
Harry walked out of the shower and put on a fresh change of clothing. He had finished his run through Hyde Park and he needed the shower to warm up. It was cold outside and even his run did little to warm him.
He wasn't too upset about the cold. Later today they would take the portal back to Fiji where it would be a comfortable eighty degrees or more. After dressing, he packed away his clothing and went down to the lobby level where he'd wait for the Grangers to show up in the restaurant.
He sat at a table and rummaged through his pack, looking for something to read while he waited. He pulled out a copy of the Japanese language version of Newsweek Magazine to read, opening to an article about a super tanker than had run aground.
"Are you really reading or are you just looking at the pictures?" asked Dan with a sardonic grin.
"Watashi wa kankyou mondai ni totemo kanshin ga ari masu," Harry replied.
Dan frowned and Hermione grinned at him.
"What did you say?" asked Emma.
"I said I was interested in environmental issues," he replied, then he handed her the magazine, opened to the article detailing the ongoing efforts to clean up an oil spill in the Sea of Japan.
"Are you really, Harry?" asked Hermione.
He grinned. "Yeah, in a way. I can't pretend to understand it all, but my language tutor says that I can pick up a lot of the language by reading periodicals and newspapers. Besides, it was either read the magazine or pull out my Transfiguration textbook, which would really stand out in this place."
Hermione laughed and opened her menu. "That it would."
"After breakfast, we'll check out and head back to Oxford. We'll head to the beach house just in time to arrive for breakfast," Emma said. She loved the idea of being able to turn the days around so easily and use a potion to make up for the lost time. They were fortunate that the sleeping potions didn't require any internal magic to work.
Harry glanced over at Dan. "Are you sure I can't at least pay for my own room? These rooms aren't cheap."
"Hang onto your money, Harry. Besides, we invited you to the party, remember?"
He nodded, then sat back to enjoy his breakfast. Christmas was just around the corner and he couldn't wait.
Author's Notes:
First a note about some of the things we in fan fiction take for granted.
We've changed the behavior of some things that people tend to take for granted in fan fiction. Most notably we've changed the Cruciatus to be more damaging. That is a big change to things where most fan fictions are like, "Ow ow ow, take that you villian!"
The other thing we've changed is the concept of the portkeys which we envision to be this whirling spinning thing. That change will be highlighted in the next chapter in particular.
The use of name Alison Harrington was a coincidence and not meant to reflect in anyway on the Honor Harrington series.
"Do you really think they will believe that?" asked Alyx incredulously.
Bob shrugged. "If they want to keep reading our stuff they will."
"Oh, blackmail, I like it!"
No, Harry will not be teaching DADA at Hogwarts in Hermione's seventh year. Sorry.
McGonagall took a guess that Harry would be at the Grangers. She has Dumbledore's tracking gizmos and she had enough clues to take a stab at it and find him there.
Alright, there was a screwup in chapter one where we said Malfoy had been kissed. We've fixed that, he's in prison and hasn't been kissed. Sorry about that. Lucius wants to thank all his faithful supporters that pointed out the error to us. And he warns all the others to BOW DOWN BEFORE HIM YOU MUGGLES!
Sorry, got carried away there...
Noylj – Why should they move? They have their own private practice with few NHS patients. They are already set and unlike the wizards, have a nice democratic government running things.
Everyone – The reference to Emma dreaming about Dan, a whip and Marshmallows has bearing on myself and Alyx. Anyone with a lick of sense would know that we'd use a riding crop and jelly donuts.
A word about the Weasleys. It is our intent to show the Weasleys as representative of the rest of British Wizarding society. While we will not actively bash any Weasley in this story, they will not always come out showing their best side. Ron in this chapter is shown maturing and coming back to a more likeable aspect, but as a whole, they have problems that are a result of their society and not a result of character flaws.
There is ONE more chapter of Harry and Hermione being far apart before Harry can return to Britain to begin the hunt for Nagini. Given the way this is running, we are looking at 8, maybe 9 chapters total for
this story.
Thanks to every one who reviewed, and thanks to Keith and Dorothy for pointing out all doze errorz. We appprecate it!