Summary:
More Important Things - Robst
COMPLETE - My attempt at the Dumbledore Answers Harry challenge set by witowsmp, where Harry discovers his destiny at the end of first year. H/HrHarry Potter - Rated: T - English - Chapters: 12 - Words: 74,726 - Reviews: 1817 - Favs: 4,721 - Follows: 1,977 - Updated: Jul 11, 2009 - Published: May 6, 2009 - [Harry P., Hermione G.] - Complete
More Important Things
This is my attempt at a challenge set by witowsmp where 'Dumbledore Answers Harry' when he asks at the end of first year why Voldemort is after him. My intentions are the story will be in two distinct parts (below is chapter 1 of part 1) as I might need to raise the rating on part two due to the body count I'm planning. Trying not to bash anyone in this fic except the bad guys. (Ron bashing doesn't count!)
Disclaimer: you may recognise a phrase or two from the first book at the beginning of this story, I don't own them or any of the characters – it all belongs to JKR.
Chapter 1
4th June 1992 – Chasing the Stone.
"But Harry – What if you-know-who is with him?"
"Well – I was lucky once wasn't I?" said Harry, pointing to his scar. "I might get lucky again."
Hermione's lip trembled as she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him.
"Hermione!"
"Harry you're a great wizard you know."
"I'm not as good as you," said Harry, very embarrassed, as she pulled away.
"Me!" said Hermione "Books! And Cleverness! There are more important things friendship and bravery and…Oh Harry, please be careful!"
Hermione had her arms once more around Harry and didn't want to ever let him go while berating herself for not saying the one word she was desperate to tell him – love.
Harry was sure she nearly said love and, while he had no recollection of ever receiving any, knew he felt something different for Hermione than anyone else in his life. His Gryffindor courage had failed him a moment ago yet here he was being given a second chance, considering what might be waiting for him on the other side of the flames, perhaps a last chance. He placed both his hands on Hermione's head and gently moved it into a position where he had access to her lips, if he was going to face death he was at least going to experience his first kiss with the girl he really liked.
This action was so unexpected that Hermione only sussed what Harry was doing seconds before he kissed her. 'Oh my God, Harry likes me!' was screaming through her brain before being mercilessly bludgeoned into silence by her awakening hormones that changed the broadcast message to 'Kiss him back so he knows you like him!' Hermione was used to doing what her mind told her and this was one command she was delighted to put her heart and soul into.
There were no flashes, bangs or earth shattering tremors but both thought that the kiss was magical and glad that they were each other's first.
Harry and Hermione were instantly aware that the kiss had blasted their relationship out of the friends bracket and onto another level entirely, neither had held back and both had poured their feelings for the other into their kiss.
"Wow! I want to do that again, and again."
Hermione smiled, "As long as it's with me I don't see that as a problem."
Considering how Harry had felt moments ago his mood had done a polar flip and was now off the scale on his rarely used happiness meter, "I won't be kissing anyone other than my girlfriend ever again."
Hermione's smile now had an output measured in megawatts as she kissed Harry this time before saying, "You just make sure you stay safe and bring that cute butt back to me."
One final kiss and Harry watched as his new girlfriend drank from the round bottle and headed off through the flames to raise the alarm, he couldn't help but ponder that if she thought his butt was cute then hers was simply beautiful.
These were his last pleasant thoughts as he drank his potion and passed through the flames to discover what awaited him on the other side.
-oOoOo-
Harry slowly surfaced from the darkness and his first thought was for his girlfriend's safety, he sat straight up. "Hermione!"
A throaty chuckle greeted his proclamation, Harry discovered he was in the Hogwarts infirmary and had the headmaster for company.
"Miss Granger is fine Harry, well she will be when Madam Pomfrey relents and allows her in to see you. She is a formidable young witch when she sets her mind to something and is slowly wearing down Poppy's resistance, I couldn't of course comment on someone using a certain cloak to sneak in here out of hours."
Harry relaxed, smiling at the thought of Hermione breaking the rules to sneak in here to see him. "Sir, Voldemort and the stone?"
"Professor Quirrell died when Voldemort left his body to make his escape and the stone was recovered before being destroyed."
"But what about your friend Nicolas Flamel, won't he die?"
"Well done Harry, you did your homework."
"Sir with Hermione involved there's no other option."
Albus nodded in agreement, "The Flamels have enough elixir stored to allow them time to set their affairs in order before embarking on the next great adventure. The risk of Voldemort gaining that amount of power proved just to great a risk to allow the stone's continued existence."
Harry thought for a moment, "He's not gone is he sir?"
"Alas I fear not, we can only hope that his next attempt meets with as spirited a resistance as this last one."
"Sir, there is something I'd like to know the truth about, can you tell me?"
"The truth is a beautiful yet terrifying thing, and therefore should be treated with great caution. I shall answer your question unless of course I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg your forgiveness. I shall not, of course, lie."
"Well Voldemort told me he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him killing me, why did he want to kill me in the first place?"
"Alas the first thing you ask me I cannot tell you, you will know one day but not today, not now. I know you don't want to hear it but you're too young for such a burden. When you are older I will of course answer the question then."
Harry was starting to get angry, "With respect sir, Voldemort has just tried to kill me for the forth time. You yourself just admitted that he's not dead so will return and you don't need to be Hermione to work out he'll be coming after me when he does. Already having the knowledge that he will come after me until one of us is dead is the burden, knowing why he's obsessed with me could only help."
Albus could see Harry was deadly serious and the old wizard couldn't fault the young lad's logic so, against his better judgement, decided to tell him at least some of what he wanted to hear.
"Harry please understand that this information must be kept secret, if the dark side discovers it the consequences could be dire." Having delivered his warning Dumbledore answered Harry, "Before you were born a prophecy was made that a child would be born with the power to defeat the dark lord. I will not disclose the whole thing but the child mentioned is you and Voldemort is desperate to end that threat before you get too powerful. The prophecy doesn't say who will win, only that one must die at the hand of the other."
Harry already knew that Voldemort wanted him dead so that revelation wasn't much of a shock, the fact that he might have the power to defeat him was and led directly to another question.
"Sir if I have the power to defeat him then why have I spent ten of the last eleven years locked in a cupboard without even knowing that magic existed instead of being in training?"
Albus sighed, "I'm sorry my boy, I thought it was important that you have as near normal a childhood as possible."
Harry was ready to rant and rave but his conscience, which seemed to have acquired Hermione's voice, shouted NO! Stay calm and work out what to do next.
Harry simply said, "Thanks for trusting me with this information sir," while his brain was yelling 'normal childhood?'
They chatted for a few minutes more but Albus could see the lad's heart wasn't in it, his mind was still digesting the information he'd just been told.
Dumbledore's leaving was the signal for Hermione and Ron to enter the ward, Hermione raced towards Harry and having him open his arms for her was all the encouragement the young witch needed. She pounced on him, and as his arms circled around her back, began kissing her boyfriend.
Ron stood transfixed, mouth open and eyes almost bulging out his head. What, where and why were the questions he wanted answered but he would have to get his mouth to work first.
When they showed no sign of stopping Ron finally got his vocal chords to vibrate with something resembling English, "Hermione, what in the name of Merlin are you doing?"
Harry and Hermione's eyes never left each other, "I thought that would be obvious even to you Ron, I'm kissing my boyfriend."
Ron was forced to repeat her last comment just in case there was something lost in the translation from Hermione speaking to his ears picking up the signal, "You're kissing your boyfriend?"
"Yes Ron, Harry's my boyfriend. Surely you didn't think I would go around kissing just anybody."
"When did this happen?"
Both were still wrapped up in each other's arms, unable to believe their luck that the person they liked actually liked them back. Harry answered Ron, "We made the decision before I went in to face Voldemort."
If Harry or Hermione had been looking at Ron they would have seen that he was building himself up towards an explosion, "So let me see if I've got my facts right here, I sacrificed myself so you two could continue and you were so concerned about me you both immediately began snogging."
Hermione frowned, "Not immediately, but yes that's pretty much describes what happened."
"Well don't let me interrupt your snogging."
"You won't," said Harry kissing Hermione again.
Ron stormed out the infirmary, his face contorted to resemble that of a dragon suffering from haemorrhoids and making so much noise that Madam Pomfrey appeared, chasing a now very unhappy Hermione out. Before leaving she whispered into Harry's ear, "I've got your cloak and will be back later."
This left Harry with the time needed to figure out what he was going to tell Hermione and what to do with the information that he had to kill Voldemort or be killed by him. He quickly decided to tell Hermione everything because if she was going to be his girlfriend then she needed to know what that meant. At the moment only Ron knew about the couple but if she still wanted him after hearing what he had to say then Harry intended to shout it off the top of the astronomy tower that Hermione Granger was his girlfriend. There was no way they could hide this even if they wanted to, Harry couldn't remember ever being hugged or kissed but Hermione approached the subjects with even more enthusiasm than she did her studies, considering she was easily the best student in their year that was really saying something.
He also needed her support for what he was planning at the end of term; convincing her this was his best option was going to be the most difficult part.
-oOoOo-
Harry felt her weight settle on his bed before Hermione's face poked out the cloak hood and gave him a quick kiss, he pulled her down beside him and whispered in her ear that she should get herself comfortable as he had a lot to tell her and would understand if she didn't want to date him after hearing his tale.
Harry was worried and kissed her again before starting, just in case things went badly.
Hermione clung to him as she heard about life with the Dursleys and finally what Dumbledore had told him this afternoon.
Hermione was aghast as the questions flowed, "Why haven't you been receiving special lessons? Hell why were you placed with those monsters in the first place?"
"Dumbledore said he wanted me to have a normal childhood."
All Harry's fears of loosing Hermione over this evaporated as she flung off the invisibility cloak and, with wand drawn was ready to go looking for the headmaster.
He managed to pull her to him and calm her down enough to replace the cloak before she was caught, "Hermione I want you to listen to me but first I need your promise that if you disagree with my plan that you won't go running to McGonagall or Dumbledore for help."
"Harry I could never do that to you!"
"Hermione love, if you thought my plan was dangerous or reckless then you would do anything to keep me safe, even informing a professor."
"Is it dangerous or reckless?"
"Hermione I've nearly been killed by Voldemort three times since coming to Hogwarts and not once was my life saved by a professor, what could be more dangerous than that?"
Hermione knew he was leaving out Trolls, three-headed dogs and baby dragons so conceded his point and promised.
"Hermione I need to find out who I am, I spent ten years living in a cupboard being called a freak and told my parents were worthless drunks who died in a car crash. Since discovering that I'm a wizard I've continually been told how good my parents were and, judging by my vault in Gringotts wealthy as well. Now here's my problem, how is it possible that my good, wealthy parents arranged for me to be left on the Dursley's doorstep like a morning newspaper?"
Hermione had her face uncovered and Harry's green eyes were melting into her brown ones as he presented his argument, "You're a first generation witch yet when I met you on the express you knew more about my life than I did, Dumbledore ordered me sent there and is trying to make sure I return again this summer. I need to know if this is what my parents wanted for me or if someone other than Voldemort also has plans for my life."
It was a very hesitant Hermione who asked the question she wasn't sure she wanted the answer to, "Harry what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to run away!"
Hermione held him tight and realised just how well Harry knew her, her instincts were screaming that she should inform an adult immediately but she pushed them aside because her boyfriend needed her. "Where will you go?"
"My first stop will be Gringotts and that's as far as I've got because everything depends on what I find there. My whole life feels like it's been contrived and controlled with what I wanted never being taken into consideration."
Hermione suddenly had an idea, "Harry you could stay with me, we've plenty of room and I'm sure my parents would love to meet you. I may have mentioned your name once or twice in my letters home." She was actually blushing now, "I wrote them that you were now my boyfriend and they want to meet you at the station."
"Hermione there's nothing I would like better but I don't think I would be there long before somebody magical turned up to return me to the Dursleys, your parents wouldn't have a clue what's going on or a chance against a witch or wizard who demanded I go with them. I won't be roughing it Hermione, there's more than enough gold in my vault for hotels while I work out my next move."
"Harry are you running away from the Dursleys, Hogwarts or something else?"
He thought for a minute, "Basically everything and everyone except you and Ron." When he saw the dark expression at the mention of Ron's name Harry knew this was bad news. "What's he done this time?"
"Oh he very publicly and rather loudly called me just about every name he could think of that had a 'scarlet woman' theme. I'm beginning to think he's jealous and wishes it was him kissing you."
Harry shuddered at the thought, "Think I'd rather kiss Fluffy."
"A giant three headed dog that slobbers or Ron Weasley is no contest for me either – it probably has better table manners and eats less than him as well."
"Well that's his name off the very short list, I'm sick of being the-boy-who-lived or Dursleys servant and can't see any other way to do this."
Taking a deep breath Hermione asked, "How can I help?"
Harry hugged her, knowing what this meant to the girl who hated breaking rules, "I plan to walk off the train wearing my father's cloak and leaving everything else behind, I need you to take care of Hedwig for me until I can sort something out."
"Can you do this Harry?"
"I have to Hermione, the idea that Hogwarts is the safest place in the country would be laughable if the situation wasn't life or death. Voldemort knows where I am ten months of the year and even managed to get a job here teaching defence against the dark arts, again laughable if it didn't nearly get me killed. Spending time in history of magic or having Snape sneer at me in potions class is not going to prepare me for what I need to do."
"You know of course I'm coming with you when you find a new school or private tutors, my parents wanted to pull me out of here after the troll incident so I would only be returning if you are forced to."
This was better than anything Harry could have hoped for, he spent the rest of the evening hugging and kissing as their plans got steadily more refined than just the basic 'running away' that Harry had envisioned earlier.
-oOoOo-
Harry eventually escaped from Pomfrey's prison by promising to do everything in his power to stay out of her tender clutches next term, it was a promise he had every intention of keeping. He and Hermione walked hand-in-hand around the lake enjoying the rare Scottish sunshine almost as much as each other's company, neither had experienced much in the way of companionship so their new relationship was a massive boost to their self-confidence.
"So what have I missed?"
"The whole school is buzzing with the fact that he-who-is-not-dead had been teaching them for a year, I've no idea how Dumbledore has managed to keep it out the Prophet. Ron is no longer speaking to me but keeps producing these strange looks when he thinks I can't see him, I think I preferred him shouting because he's starting to creep me out."
Harry put his arm comfortingly about her, "Don't worry, I will be having words with the prat and if he can't accept that we're boyfriend / girlfriend then he's really not our friend or worth bothering about."
They forgot about Ron and just enjoyed the fact that they were together on such a beautiful day.
-oOoOo-
Harry kissed Hermione goodnight and headed up to his dorm only to find Ron waiting to speak to him.
"Harry I want to say straight off that I'm sorry about my behaviour with you guys, when I calmed down and thought about it I think it's a bloody brilliant idea."
Harry let out the breath he wasn't even aware he'd been holding, he wasn't going to stand for anyone interfering between Hermione and him but didn't have that many friends that he could afford to casually throw one away.
"Thanks Ron, that means a lot."
"No problem mate I'm just sorry I couldn't figure it out sooner, using Hermione as a practice girlfriend so you know what you're doing when a good-looking witch comes along is inspired. Can you help me find one? Not too ugly mind!"
Harry's right fist broke Ron's nose quickly followed by his left that broke their friendship forever. The other three Gryffindor boy's couldn't help but overhear Ron digging his own grave, a mere glance at the couple was all that was necessary to see how much they cared for each other.
Harry was in a total rage as he silently pummelled a now squealing Ron, pounding his fists into his former friend's face before the combined efforts of Neville, Dean and Seamus managed to drag him off.
Ron's squeals had drawn a crowd and when the twins appeared they took one look at their bloodied brother before whirling round to confront his attacker. Faced with an enraged Harry Potter who, less than a week ago just defeated the dark lord again and anything they were going to say died in their throats.
Harry was still struggling to escape the grip of his three roommates when pompous Percy arrived and the prefect pointed his wand at his brother's assaulter only to be knocked flying by Hermione, who didn't care who's toes she trampled on in her battle to get to Harry.
Once she had her arms around him she felt her boyfriend relax, as the boys released their hold on Harry his arms snaked around Hermione, which calmed him down even more.
This was the scene McGonagall came upon, a bleeding Ron Weasley lying crying on his bed while her two star first years were comforting each other in the middle of the room.
"I want an explanation and I want it now!"
McGonagall's tone froze everyone in the dorm except Harry, Still holding onto Hermione he answered her question. "Professor, Mr Weasley made some extremely derogatory remarks concerning my girlfriend that were unacceptable to me."
"And you think this is acceptable behaviour Mr Potter?"
"It was my intention to challenge him to a wizard's duel."
"You're too young to issue such a challenge."
"That's what I thought professor so I just had to settle for punching his head in."
if anything McGonagall was getting angrier, "I will not have members of my house brawling like common muggles."
"Well since Professor Dumbledore took it upon himself to ensure I was raised by common muggles and denied contact with the wizarding world can I suggest you direct that complaint in his direction Professor."
This was like being slapped in the face by a flounder for the head of Gryffindor house, she'd tried to tell Albus what kind of people he was leaving James and Lily's son with but as usual he knew what was best for everyone. No matter she had to deal with the situation that faced her now.
"That will be fifty points from Gryffindor and your position on the Quidditch team will be up for review if I don't see a marked improvement in your behaviour Mr Potter."
"Professor please accept my resignation from the team here and now, the Nimbus is in the team Quidditch locker and can be passed on to the next seeker."
McGonagall was aghast at the behaviour of this boy she would have labelled quiet but apparently he wasn't finished with the shocks yet.
"Professor McGonagall, your next move should be to threaten me with expulsion from Hogwarts but, considering how many times I've almost been killed in this madhouse you call a school then you'd probably be doing me a favour. Since I got here I've been accused by staff and students of using my fame to my advantage so perhaps it's time I started, there has to be more than one magical school in the world. What do you think the chances are of the boy-who-lived and the witch set to shatter all Hogwarts academic records being accepted as students elsewhere?"
McGonagall had no sanctions left to threaten them with so had to resort to bluster, "Mr Potter if you insist on breaking the rules then you really can't complain when you find yourself in danger."
Hermione had held her tongue for too long, it was time McGonagall realised this was a partnership, "Excuse me professor, wasn't it you who assigned us detention in the FORBIDDEN forest at night? Leading directly to Harry having to confront Voldemort and it may have slipped your mind but we came to you with our information on the stone only to be dismissed out of hand. Had we not acted Voldemort would have returned yet we're standing here being disciplined because Ronald Bloody Weasley thinks the world revolves around him and goes ballistic every time his delusional theory is proved wrong."
It was at this point the headmaster made his presence known, "Mr Potter could you please inform us what Mr Weasley said that was so shocking to warrant such a response?"
Harry just held Hermione tight and refused to open his mouth, it was Neville who stepped up to the plate. "Ron told Harry that having Hermione as a practice girlfriend until something better looking came along was a great idea and wanted Harry's help in finding one for him though she couldn't be too ugly."
The silence in the room was deafening as every female present tried to kill the prat just by staring at him, Hermione's confidence, though growing wasn't strong enough to take a hit like that without some tears being shed. Harry holding her tight and seeing what his response had been to the suggestion helped her regain some composure.
Neville finished with a heartfelt remark that almost had her smiling, "If Hermione was my girlfriend I would have done the exact same, we pulled Harry off so he wouldn't be in too much trouble, not to save that prat."
With every girl in the packed dorm now glaring daggers at Ron, any guy who wanted a date during their Hogwarts years quickly and publicly agreed with Neville. The prat had stepped way over the line and when word of this got out the only female in the castle going anywhere near him would be Mrs Norris.
McGonagall privately agreed with Harry but had to regain control of the situation, "While I understand your motives Mr Potter I'm afraid I can't condone your methods so the punishment will stand."
"Fair enough professor but my decision also stands, I will no longer play Quidditch for Gryffindor. Anyone insulting Hermione will be met with an appropriate response so let's just call it quits now, save you banning me later."
Albus tried to intervene, "Are you really going to let Mr Malfoy's taunting of Miss Granger deprive you of playing Quidditch? That would be handing a victory to Slytherin."
Harry knew the only way he was returning to Hogwarts next term was with someone pointing a wand at his back and in the greater scheme of things who won the Quidittch cup wasn't even worthy of a footnote. "Well since it would appear that the staff of Hogwarts are aware of Draco's continual harassment of Hermione yet have never once acted to curtail it then yes, there are things a lot more important to me than Quidditch."
McGonagall was now pissed, "Mr Potter and Miss Granger, there are two days left of term so I suggest you use them to carefully consider your futures at this school, to avoid any distractions you shall both miss the leaving feast and I shall arrange for some food to be sent to the common room for you both."
The Weasleys were taking Ron to the infirmary as the dorm emptied, the entertainment was apparently over for the evening.
Harry called to the headmaster as he was about to exit the room, "Professor Dumbledore, the events here tonight had nothing to do with our discussions in the infirmary. I will always fight for what I believe to be right," with a rye smile he added, "It's my destiny."
Dumbledore left much happier than he'd been a few moments before.
McGonagall cleared the dorm but both Harry and Hermione were far to pumped up to consider sleep at the moment so headed back down to the common room and snagged a couch. They were sitting there leaning into one another when their head of house made her way passed, McGonagall wasn't able to leave without having the last word. "You both have an appointment in my office come September, I would suggest you leave the new attitudes on the train."
Neither replied because if they were here in September McGonagall would definitely be seeing them.
-oOoOo-
It was a worried McGonagall that entered Dumbledore's office, "Albus that pair have spent the whole of this lovely sunny day in the library, Irma has informed me they were researching other magical schools and wizarding law. Are you sure about sending Harry back to those muggles for the summer? We may just be adding fuel to what is already quite a blaze."
"Minerva, Harry has to go there for his own good. Both students also have to attend Hogwarts next session unless their magical guardian says otherwise, since that is me then they will be here in September. Both have had quite a year and their new relationship has their emotions flying rather high at the moment, they will calm down over the summer when they don't get to see each other everyday and will delighted to return here for that if no other reason. If their behaviour doesn't improve next term we will use the threat of expelling Miss Granger to bring them both into line."
"Would you actually do that Albus? I hate to think what his reaction would be if we sent Miss Granger away and you know Severus would be merciless on the boy."
"It builds character Minerva, I would hate to lose Miss Granger from the castle but it is imperative that Mr Potter remains here. If that means she has to be sacrificed while he's in detention every night then that will be up to them, they are the students and we are the professors and they have to realise that we know what's best for them."
Minerva privately thought their job was to provide education for the students, a task she was sure would prove to be impossible for Mr Potter if Miss Granger was expelled from the school. The worrying part was that Albus didn't seem to mind this as long as Harry remained here, that bright young mind could go to waste sweeping toilets or scrubbing cauldrons just as long as he was still in the castle. She recognised the signs that this was one of those times where Albus thought he knew what was best for everybody and she would be wasting her breath arguing. Minerva again thought he was wrong and she had found to her cost what underestimating those two brought, dismissing their claims that the stone was in danger could have cost them their lives or seen Voldemort return.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione were trying hard but failing spectacularly not to laugh at their punishment from their head of house. While the rest of Gryffindor had to watch Ron eat, listen to Dumbledore drone and then witness Slytherin being presented with the house cup, Hogwarts newest couple were sharing a quiet candle-lit dinner for two.
Had they been a bit older they would have appreciated the romantic setting the castle was providing but they just seemed to find everything funny tonight, perhaps it was the uncertainty of tomorrow that had them determined to enjoy their last night in Hogwarts. No matter what happened both knew that parting on the train was going to be very hard, especially since they didn't know when they would see each other again.
Chapter 2
Harry and Hermione had a full compartment to themselves on the London bound express as it sped along the tracks towards their destination and the decision that would change both their lives. They were passing the time browsing through a photo album that Hagrid had presented Harry with just before they boarded the train; this actually seemed to harden Harry's resolve to carry out their plan.
He indicated a photo featuring his parents wedding, "look at all the people in this photograph with my mum and dad, they seem like the best of friends yet not one of them came forward to take me when they were murdered. I not only don't know any of their names I don't even know if their alive or dead. Why are none of these people now part of my life?"
Hermione held her boyfriend as the tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, he'd had such a crappy life and even a gift that obviously meant so much to him still possessed the power to hurt. She was letting the tears flow now because she was going to have to put on a brave face when they reached Kings Cross and had to leave the train by herself while trying not to draw attention to the fact that Harry wasn't accompanying her.
Harry put his new album into his girlfriend's trunk for safe keeping then shrunk his own before shoving it out the window of the moving train, leaving his trunk in the compartment would cause questions to be asked when it was found. They wanted the discovery that Harry had disappeared to be delayed as long as possible, he was certain the Dursleys wouldn't report him missing as they were far more likely to hold a celebration.
He had no need of clothes that didn't fit and Hermione had taken anything useful before the trunk was ditched, he wasn't sure if this was burning bridges but it felt good as it seemed like finally he had some control over his life.
They were undisturbed for the whole journey before inevitably it was time, they kissed before Harry said goodbye to Hedwig and disappeared under his cloak. Hermione opened the compartment door and allowed her boyfriend to slip passed, ready to disembark as soon as the train ground to a halt.
She sat back down and tried to compose herself before having to face people without the boy who'd not only saved but changed her life, letting most of the students leave the train first she began to drag her trunk and Hedwig's cage off the train.
With her trunk now loaded onto a trolley and Hedwig's cage perched on top she was one of the last students to make her way through the barrier and began looking around for her parents. Hermione found her way blocked by a large obese man whose face was an unusual shade of puce, "That bloody bird belongs to the freak, where is the little shit?"
Hermione could only assume this was the fabled Vernon Dursley and neither she nor Harry had expected or planned for this, she decided to play dumb but polite. "I'm sorry sir; I have no idea what you're talking about. If you'll excuse me I need to find my parents."
Dursley's colour actually deepened as the veins in his enormous neck pulsated at an alarming rate, "You're one of those freaks! I drive all the way out here and the ungrateful little shit thinks he can play games does he?" Vernon then grabbed Hermione by the shoulders and began to shake her, "Tell me where he is, the freak is going to be sorry when I get my hands on him."
Unfortunately for Vernon, Dan Granger started speeding towards Hermione when he first spied the stranger approaching his daughter, when the bastard laid hands on his little princess then Dan lost his temper for the first time in many years.
Dan Granger had been a very talented rugby player in his youth but dentistry paid the bills and was a far more stable career for raising a family, he'd had to give the game up because broken fingers didn't exactly help with his daily occupation. A gym built into their home kept him in tip-top shape though and his six-foot-two, one hundred and eighty pounds cannoned into Vernon with a force that must have felt like he'd just been hit by the Hogwarts express.
Dan's shoulder sank deep into his victim's flab but the laws of physics dictated that the amount of force generated was way more than enough to move the mountain of lard, Vernon was lifted off his feet before hitting the station platform hard with a very irate father of the girl he'd just been shouting at landing on top of him.
Emma Granger now had her arms around her crying daughter after following behind the swathe her husband had cut through the crowd, they both watched as Dan tried to question the very fat man lying on the ground.
"Just what the hell were you playing at, grabbing my daughter like that? Who the bloody hell are you anyway?"
There was no answer from the tub of lard other than wheezing that would be more appropriate from an asthmatic octogenarian climbing stairs, Vernon physically had the wind knocked out his sails.
"Leave my husband alone you freak," said a horsed faced woman who made Olive Oyl seem overweight though there was no way her accompanying child could be called 'sweet pea'. "How dare you lay hands on him you ruffian, we shall be taking this matter further and involving the constabulary."
"That sounds like a great idea," said Dan as two railway police made their way towards the disturbance.
They eyed Dan warily while asking what the problem was; both relaxed when he introduced himself.
"Good afternoon gentlemen I'm Dr Daniel Granger, this is my wife Dr Emma Granger and our daughter Hermione. We were collecting our daughter when this man who we've never seen before suddenly starts shouting at her then grabs her with both hands and begins shaking her like some kind of rag doll."
"He's lying!" proclaimed the long-faced mare so Dan casually produced his wallet to confirm his identification, meanwhile three separate people approached the officials and authenticated the Granger's version of events.
Vernon was still on the ground struggling for breath but receiving no sympathy whatsoever, the railway policeman apologised to Dan and asked if he wanted to press charges.
One look at his daughter shaking her head made his mind up, she obviously just wanted to get out of here and Dan couldn't wait to find out what the hell was going on.
"No, I'm going to assume he made a mistake," he then glared at the prone man, "A mistake he won't make again." Dan was certain he had at least cracked a couple of the fat mans ribs and was keen to avoid awkward questions like 'what train did your daughter get off?' so didn't want to hang about.
Dan shook hands with the railway policemen and led his family out of the station towards their car.
-oOoOo-
They made it out to the car as Hermione spoke to a clearly trembling snowy owl while placing the cage beside her in the back seat, "Its ok Hedwig, this is my mum and dad and you'll be staying with us for a while until Harry contacts us girl. That bad man and his family won't get to hurt you or Harry anymore."
"Is that Harry's pet and why do you have her?" asked Emma, Dan was going to let her ask the questions as his job was to scare the boyfriend who didn't even turn up.
"Hedwig is not a pet mum; she's Harry's familiar and a very clever post owl. She understands everything you say and why she's with me is complicated."
The parents plan went out the window as Dan just couldn't help himself, "Hermione your mother and me went through years of university and now run our own dentistry practice, trust me when I say we can do complicated."
"That man you hit in the station was Harry's uncle and no dad, Harry is nothing like him. He's actually quite like you in many ways, sweet, gentle and kind but didn't hesitate for a second when jumping onto the back of a twelve foot mountain troll that was trying to hurt me."
Dan was worried now at this amount of buttering him up, whatever it was she had to tell them must be bad. "And he's your boyfriend? Just how serious a boyfriend are we talking here?"
Hermione had at least hoped they would have made it home before she had to answer that particular question and just prayed Harry's luck was better than hers. Her mother was half turned round in her seat awaiting an answer while her dad kept glancing in the mirror. She had the same determined expression on her face as when she stood up to McGonagall, "Mum, Dad, Harry is a very serious boyfriend."
An exasperated Dan replied, "Hermione you're still only twelve, it's not normal to have a 'very serious' boyfriend at twelve."
Hermione had tears running down her cheeks, "You're forgetting dad, I'm not normal – I'm a witch!"
Emma gave her husband the look that would have been recognised by married men the world over; it meant that Dan was dangerously close to sleeping alone tonight and the next 'look' in the series simply indicated 'sofa!'
"Honey ignore the big scary man behind the wheel, his testosterone levels are still sky high from the station, could you explain to me what is different with you being a witch?"
"Harry and I spent days exploring our relationship," Hermione let out a scream as her father momentarily lost control of the car. "DAD! Not like that. We hold hands all the time, hug a lot and kiss, nothing more than that for a long time."
Dan would normally be ready to snap in two any boy who'd kissed his daughter but after where his thoughts went a second ago kissing didn't seem too bad at all – he especially liked the 'long time' remark.
"We read every book in the library about relationships between magical couples and made some startling discoveries, when Harry saved my life from the troll it created a magical bond called a life debt. Then when I saved Harry's life as his broom was being hexed they should have cancelled each other out but the fact that we both really liked each other brought our magic into play and we think it amplified the effects."
A bemused Emma was still none the wiser, "Hermione, in muggle English please."
"Harry and I are both quite quiet and private people; we knew that to be hugging each other in front of others wasn't behaviour that we'd usually be comfortable with so we think our magic gave us a little push."
"You're being forced into being this boy's girlfriend?" growled Dan.
She shook her head fervently, "No dad, I've really liked Harry since I met him but couldn't believe he liked me back."
"What's not to like?" her father asked.
Hermione gave a weak smile, "I knew you were both alike because that's exactly what Harry said."
"You still haven't told us where Harry is or why he couldn't meet with us in the station?" Emma asked.
The amount of tears cascading down his daughter's cheeks had Dan pulling over to the side of the road as he realised they'd now got to the bad bit.
"You both saw those people he's forced to live with and believe me when I say first impressions didn't do them justice; they're a lot worse than that. Until he got his Hogwarts letter they made him live in a cupboard under the stairs, he does most of the cooking but gets fed on scraps, forced to work like a slave while wearing his huge cousin's cast off clothes. Told all his life he was a worthless freak whose drunken parents died in a car crash. Can you imagine his surprise and shock when he gets to Hogwarts and discovers he's famous, wealthy and his parents died heroes."
Emma and Dan didn't know how to answer their daughter, who would?
"Harry sneaked passed his relatives using his father's invisibility cloak and was heading towards Gringotts to try and find some answers to the riddles in his life."
Emma had her hand over her mouth, "Hermione are you telling us Harry is running away? And you're helping him!"
"The short answer is yes, when I found out the full story I just had to."
"You will be telling us the full story young lady and we need to report that young boy as missing."
"I have to say no to both of those mum, there's a lot you need to understand first. When I said Harry was famous I don't just mean like some minor celebrity always trying to promote their latest project, it's more in line with Prince William famous. Now can you imagine HIS mother would want her son dropped off on the Dursley's doorstep to be abused and lied to for the rest of his life. For that to happen in our world would be unthinkable but that's exactly what happened in the magical world so to use a quote 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark' and Harry's trying to discover what is going on."
Dan was in danger of loosing his temper for the second time today, "Hermione, just because you were named after a Shakespearian character doesn't turn you and Harry into Romeo and Juliet."
"I know that dad, Harry and I are actually hoping for an ending where neither of us dies of anything but old age." Hermione burst into tears that quickly became sobs as Emma rushed out her seat to join her distraught daughter in the back of the car.
"Honey what is it?" Emma asked while comforting the crying witch.
"Harry was nearly killed again just after asking me to be his girlfriend, he was unconscious for two days in the infirmary and I was so worried. That was the third time an attempt was made on his life since going to Hogwarts."
"Well Hogwarts will be missing a certain Miss Granger this September."
"Dad neither Harry nor I want to go back but we may not have a choice, we both have magical guardians and suspect that it may be Dumbledore. He will never let Harry leave and will want me there to threaten Harry with my expulsion if he doesn't do as he's told. We can't even transfer to another magical school without his permission."
Dan lost it, "Who do these bastards think they are, going to tell us what we can and can't do with our daughter's future. If necessary we'll leave the country, false passports, whatever it takes but you are not going back to that nuthouse of a school."
"Does this mean we're running away?" Hermione asked sweetly.
This was like being hit by a bucket full of ice water for Dan Granger, had he just been played by his not yet thirteen year old daughter? They knew she was intelligent, scarily so sometimes but this was a new development.
"Hermione?"
She tried to explain, "Harry is at the bank trying to discover if there is anything we can do about the magical guardian issue, one glance at the Dursleys was enough to tell you that they couldn't care less if Harry left. If that can be done then I've invited Harry to stay with us as our guest while you get to know him and we can all look through the other schools prospectus to find one that fits what we want. Failing that the next best option is to disappear until we're seventeen while employing private tutors to teach us magic, if the goblins won't help then he's going to empty his vault, change it to sterling and hide in the muggle world."
Her parents couldn't believe this was the same girl they had last seen at Christmas.
Hermione continued displaying her new found confidence, "Harry and I have had a few days to sort all this information out, once we made the decision that we didn't want to return to Hogwarts our choices were severely limited which is why Harry couldn't meet you in the station."
"Why do I feel we're not being told the full story," asked Dan.
"Because I can't, some powerful magical people can read your thoughts straight out your head. There are also potions that make you tell the truth but you can't tell what you don't know, when Harry contacts me he will only say he's safe not where he is."
If anything Hermione grew even more serious, "This isn't some playground game dad, the magical world holds many wonders but it can be an exceedingly dangerous place. There's a whole class war going on where people get murdered because they don't have the right parents, Harry's famous because he ended the last war when the leader killed his parents but his curse bounced back off baby Harry and hit the evil wizard. There has been relative peace for almost ten years but it's starting again, Harry is in the middle of it but so are we. As a witch of non-magical parents I'm considered the lowest of the low but the fact that I'm top student of our year blows their stupid blood purity ramblings out the water so we would be pretty near the top of their hate list even without Harry's involvement."
Dan was appalled, "It sounds like Hitler and his whole eugenics program, 'life unworthy of life' and where does Harry fit into all this class bull?"
Hermione had no problem imagining Draco and his ilk in Hitler youth uniforms and designing armbands for those less pure than themselves to wear, "Harry's father was one of the purebloods who apparently didn't believe this rubbish either because his mother was like me, a first-generation witch. Harry would be classed as a half-blood but his status as the boy-who-lived and being the last of the Potter line kind of negates that. He's been kept totally in the dark about everything relating to the Potters and hopes the goblins will help with that as well. The information is all there in the school library on how a war was fought at the same time as our WWII quickly followed by another one that baby Harry ended but it all seems to be happening again."
Neither parent knew what to say, this was so new and over their heads that they just didn't have a Scooby what to do next.
"We have a list of books that Harry's going to try and get sent to us and as of tomorrow the wizarding newspaper will be delivered every day. The press seems to be controlled by whoever pays the most gold but the people believe everything printed an apparently there are no libel laws so they can print anything they want regardless of the facts."
"Is there a new leader or something, how can it start up again if he's dead?
"He's not dead mum, he's actually more like a wraith or spirit. He possessed one of our professors this year and that's who let the troll into the school and tried to kill Harry three times."
Both parents spoke in unison, "you're not going back to that nuthouse!"
Hedwig was moved into the front seat so Emma could travel the rest of the journey with Hermione in the back of the car, "Hermione there must be something good about the wizarding world?" her daughter's instant smile almost had Emma laughing, "apart from Harry, what about that other boy you wrote about?"
Hermione's demeanour changed back just as quickly, "He's no longer our friend, he said some awful things to Harry about me and it took three other boys to pull Harry off him. Ron spent the night in the infirmary but I think that was more to give Harry time to cool down than to treat his injures though he did have at least a broken nose."
Emma hugged her daughter, "Sounds more like your father all the time."
Emma and Dan had both felt they were losing their daughter to a world they could never be part of and then the revelation that the girl who'd hardly made a friend wanted them to meet her boyfriend had her father polishing his shotgun ready for action. Sitting in the car with her arm round Hermione as they discussed her first boyfriend while Dan pretended not to be hanging on every word felt wonderful and, apart from the snowy owl in the front seat, about as normal as life was going to get for the Grangers.
Both parents actually felt as if they'd stumbled into some Robert Ludlum novel and were worried about what the future held for their family but they were all together now and that was all that mattered for the moment.
-oOoOo-
Ronald Bilius Weasley heard his full name bouncing of the Burrow walls as his mother's dulcet tones demanded his immediate attendance in the kitchen downstairs, like a condemned man he slowly made his way down the rickety staircase to discover what he was in trouble for this time. Greeting him on the table, laid out like exhibit A, was an emerald green knitted jumper with an H in the centre of it. He had meant to chuck it away but had forgotten so was now trying to come up with a story his mother would believe and yet would not get him into to much trouble.
"Explain!" was all she said, or should that be demanded.
"Harry and I had a fight and he no longer speaks to me; I found that folded on my bed so could only think he didn't want it anymore."
Molly Weasley was building up a good head of steam, "What happened and why were you fighting?"
"Harry got a girlfriend and when I asked for his help to find me one he attacked me. I spent the night in the infirmary while he cost Gryffindor fifty points; he also missed the leaving feast and lost his place on the Quidditch team."
"The ignorant little toe-rag, after everything you've done for him he dumps you as soon as a girl comes on the scene. I spent hours knitting that and he chucks it back in my face, Albus will hear about this!"
She stormed off to make an irate floo call questioning if Dumbledore knew just what was happening at his school, Ron headed back up to his bedroom relieved at how lightly he'd escaped while congratulating himself on not even having resorted to telling lies.
Nobody paid any attention to the youngest Weasley as she reverently picked up Harry Potter's jumper and retreated in the direction of her room while carrying the priceless possession, but then again nobody ever paid any attention to the youngest Weasley.
-oOoOo-
Minerva McGonagall left the headmasters office shaking her head, she hated when Albus simply refused to believe even in the possibility that he was wrong.
She was there when Molly Weasley called to tell them that Harry had returned his Christmas present from her and the overbearing Weasley matriarch was not best pleased, considering she'd never met the lad Minerva couldn't really understand why she was getting so upset never mind sending him a present in the first place.
The Weasley family now considered Harry persona-non-grata to the full tribe of red heads because of his insult. When she said that Ginny had been so looking forward to meeting the boy-who-lived but now wouldn't, the depute didn't understand why but for some reason this upset Albus more than anything else she said.
Minerva McGonagall hated divination with a passion and felt it shouldn't even be considered a branch of magic but something inside her was screaming that Albus was making an even bigger mistake than he made that night in Privet Drive, only this time it wasn't just Harry that was going to suffer.
She'd tried to talk to Dumbledore but had to admit she would have had more luck teaching Hippogriffs to waltz, at least she tried. The Scotswoman was aware of her limitations, a superb teacher and deputy but never a leader. Albus Dumbledore was the most powerful and respected wizard in the world so she would just have to hope that he was right, even though she knew he wasn't.
-oOoOo-
On reaching home the Grangers decided they needed some cheering-up so the take-away menus came out the drawer with curries winning the day, they were clearing up the resulting carnage of the meal when a box just appeared in the middle of the table, drawing a shriek from Emma.
Hermione recognised the handwriting instantly, "It's from Harry!"
She opened the box extracting a lot of the books on their list but also found a small mirror that had a note stuck to it, 'say your boyfriends name.'
"Harry Potter."
After a few seconds Harry's face appeared in the mirror, "Oh Hermione am I glad to see you, did everything go Ok at the station?"
"Not really, your uncle recognised Hedwig and grabbed me trying to find out where you were."
Harry's shock was plain for her to see, "He actually physically grabbed you?" Hermione's nod caused an explosion at the other end, "The fat bastard! Griphook, I've changed my mind and want to hit the Dursleys with everything we can, nobody touches Hermione."
"Harry calm down, my dad was there and flattened him. He was still lying on the deck when we left, I thought you were joking when you said your cousin was the size of a baby whale but I saw it for myself today."
"He won't be so fat for much longer, turns out I own that house and the company he works for, Vernon just found himself homeless and jobless, I was prepared to forgive his treatment of me but he crossed the line today grabbing you. Please say thanks to you dad and I just wish I could have seen it."
"Tell him yourself, their both here listening."
"Aw shit Potter, way to go in making a good first impression. Mr and Mrs Granger please excuse my earlier language, it's not my normal as Hermione would thump me but I've had one hell of a day."
Dan's head appeared over Hermione's right shoulder, "Son at this moment in time your use of language is the least of my worries, I really want to know what the bloody hell is going on here."
"Perfectly understandable sir, can you give me a minute to check with Hermione so I don't have to go over stuff she's already told you."
"I told them almost everything Harry so you can pick up from when you left me today, what are these mirrors?"
"Something my father and his friends invented and they were in my family vault along with letters from my parents, are you sitting down Hermione?"
"Yes Harry, and If you don't tell me what happened pretty soon you'll be earning that thumping you were talking about."
"Hermione, is that any way to talk to a lord? Yes I'm actually lord Potter but you can still call me Harry. Now apparently this should all have been explained to me on my eleventh birthday, kind of makes me wonder why you got a visit from McGonagall and I got landed with Hagrid. Anyway the goblins are seriously pissed at this deliberate oversight and other irregularities in my accounts so are going to help me as much as possible. I'm safe in Gringotts and will be staying the night as there are some potions to help reverse the damage done by my childhood diet and a couple of monitoring charms that Dumbledore appears to have placed on me need removing."
"That's brilliant about the goblins helping and you know to me you'll always be 'just Harry', what about the magical guardian thing?"
"Well at fourteen I can claim my head of house status and put you and your parents under its protection, at the moment there isn't anything the ministry or Dumbledore can do about that. The goblins reckon there's a good chance I could pull off my emancipation now but if it failed I'd be stuck at Hogwarts for another two year by which time our headmaster would probably have had the law changed to prevent me leaving at all so I think the best option for me is to disappear."
It was in a tentative voice that Hermione asked, "What about me Harry?"
"We may have come up with a plan that can get you the freedom to go wherever you want…"
"Harry James Potter don't even think about it, you can take that nobility streak of yours and ram it up your lordy arse! I know exactly what I'm getting myself into and if you try and break up with me over this I will hunt you down and hurt you bad." A furious Hermione had tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Hermione I just want you to have other options available to you. I know you were quite excited over some of those European schools and I would hate to deprive you of that opportunity because I couldn't go for at least another two years."
"Don't you get it Harry, it wouldn't be an opportunity if you weren't there, it would feel like a punishment that I don't deserve. That night in the bathroom I had made up my mind to leave as I didn't fit in at Hogwarts any better than my muggle school, you not only saved my life that night but changed it forever by becoming my friend – don't ask me to give that up to attend somewhere else I wouldn't fit in because the price is too high."
"Hermione I have no intention of breaking up with you, I might not be as smart as you are but even I know you don't throw away the best thing in your life. Let's try and do this legally first then the world is your oyster, if you and your parents think what I can offer is the best option I would be more than happy for you to come with me."
Emma's face appeared over Hermione's left shoulder, "Harry, just what is it that you can offer?"
"I have a large residence and the goblins will provide some excellent tutors in what ever subjects we wish, they will come and go like that parcel appeared in your house tonight without ever knowing the location of where we actually are. You and Mr Granger would be able to contact or visit Hermione at any time using the same means and conditions – unless you wanted to stay in which case all restrictions would be removed and we would have no need for secrets. I hate keeping secrets from you but we discovered while researching in the library different means where that information could be gotten without your consent, they're all illegal but that wouldn't stop them being used."
Dan again appeared in the picture, "Harry, if there's a chance of getting my daughter legally out from under these people I want to take it no matter what she says, we can then look at all the options we have available including yours."
Hermione wanted to argue but her dad agreeing with Harry was also something she was very keen on, she decided to concede this battle and save her arguments for winning the war. She was not being parted from Harry under any circumstances.
"Sir the goblins tell me the headmaster must have some devices monitoring me and we plan on setting them all off tomorrow morning about nine, you can bet it won't be much later than that when he pays a visit to Hermione. With a bit of luck on our side we might be able to catch him off guard, sir do you think you would be able to act angry towards him?"
Dan practically growled, "Believe me Harry, there won't be any acting required. Now what's this plan?"
When Harry told him Dan couldn't help but laugh. "Bloody hell Emma, how are we going to cope if these two team up against us, our daughter already stitched us up today and now her boyfriend's taking on the government."
Emma's comment, "Yes they do make quite the pair," had both Harry and Hermione blushing.
-oOoOo-
Albus was getting ready to head off for his summer holidays before owls started arriving from parents demanding to know why he'd employed Voldemort to teach defence, Potter and Granger had confirmed all the rumours that evening in the Gryffindor dorm.
He was alarmed at the change in Harry since his latest adventure but he had yet to ascertain whether it was the result of his revelations in the infirmary or acquiring a girlfriend in the shape of Miss Granger. He would watch the situation closely and take action if required, his thoughts were instantly focused by every alarm he had linked to the boy suddenly going mental. He quickly called Minerva and both of them raced towards Privet Drive.
A/N thanks for reading and especially those who reviewed. I deliberately didn't include a 'Harry meets the goblins' scene and won't be including the obligatory shopping trip either.