It does, actually. What about the Patronus?" Hermione took Harry's hand and held it tightly. "How does that feel?"
"It's warm," Harry admitted. "Like an embrace, but made of light."
"That's stunning. And it's a very valuable advantage, right there." Hermione's eyes began to shine as her mind started to spin. "If you're able to feel the difference between spells and charms, you can defend yourself much better. Or it'll give you an edge, at least."
"I've never thought about it," Harry confessed. "It's just a little wiggle along my skin, and I have to stand fairly close to the person."
"Still, it's amazing, almost like echo radiolocation," Hermione said. "Will you tell me when I'm about to manage that revealing spell?"
Harry smiled uncertainly. "What, like a second before it happens?"
"It's for science," Hermione insisted. "Plus, I want to try to feel it myself. Even if it's not a talent of mine, it could be dead useful if it could be learned." She tapped his glasses. "I don't know when you'll be able to get rid of these, but not having to rely on your eyes might come in handy one day."
That was true enough, Harry supposed. "But not today. We've both got stuff to do, and tomorrow is your birthday. No work allowed, unless you count unwrapping presents and eating cake as work."
Hermione's eagerness softened and she smiled. "I'm so looking forward to it. Do you have a time in mind for us to meet for breakfast?"
"How about eight? That way I have enough time for everything," Harry said.
"Eight it is." Hermione impulsively hugged him, a full body hug that had him blushing. "I can hardly wait."
Harry found that he could hardly wait, either. It was with quite a bit of regret that they finally went to have their showers and let Betty return them to their common room.
oOo
The afternoon passed quietly for Harry, even though he managed to keep an eye on Ron. It required a couple rounds of Exploding Snap, during which the spells on Ron thankfully were mostly at rest.
This did give Harry something to think about, though, and he sent Tilly the house elf to Professor McGonagall with a request for a short talk. The reply came almost instantly, inviting Harry whenever it was convenient.
"What is it, Potter?" the professor asked once she'd admitted Harry into her office. "Did you take the spells off Mr. Weasley?"
"Only the revealing spell for now, Professor," Harry admitted. He flushed slightly. "Er, it's Hermione's birthday tomorrow, and I wanted to ask whether it'd be very unethical to leave them on until she's had her party."
Professor McGonagall stared at him for a full minute. "Why, Mr. Potter," she finally uttered, "that's positively Slytherin of you."
"I know. I'm sorry, ma'am." Harry hung his head. "I don't feel goodabout it, it's just Hermione's first real party with friends and I guess I don't want anyone to ruin it for her."
Professor McGonagall sighed. "Take a seat, Potter, this discussion might take a while." She waited until he'd settled on the chair and then called for tea. "Now, I want you to know that I understand your position." Her mouth quirked a little. "Quite well, actually. And I'm relieved that you are aware of the ethical quandary the whole situation presents."
"I don't have anything against helping Ron," Harry insisted. "But it's not helping us to take the spells down right now, does it? Also, if I waited, Ron could have the party, too. I'm not sure Hermione would allow him to stay if he were mean to her."
"Understandable," Professor McGonagall allowed. A house elf appeared, carefully placed a tea service onto her desk, and bobbed a curtsey at them both. "Thank you, dear. The sandwiches are looking especially lovely this afternoon."
"Head elf Romy be getting lox for Professor Kitty and Harry Potter sir," the little elf supplied and popped away after grinning shyly at Harry.
McGonagall glanced briefly at Harry as she poured the tea. "The little ones sure seem to like you, Mr. Potter."
"I like them, too." Harry found himself relaxing as he accepted his tea cup. "They offered to help set up the party tomorrow. I hope that's alright."
"It's fine," she assured him. "Back to the unfortunate situation with Mr. Weasley. Your argument has merit, and I certainly approve that you want to include him in Miss Granger's party. Fact is that whoever spelled Mr. Weasley certainly doesn't expect his work to come undone so soon. It also stands to reason that Mr. Weasley might be spelled again as soon as the absence of those spells is discovered. Therefore, while it certainly is a hard decision to make, I support leaving Mr. Weasley as he is until after Miss Granger's birthday. Afterwards, however, I expect you to do what you can."
"I will. Will you go see your friend later?" Harry asked.
Professor McGonagall nodded sharply. "It is my duty to this school to remain free from outside influences. The security and wellbeing of you children depend on it."
Harry steeled himself for his next question. "Uh, Professor ... when I check you, and I find something ..."
"I expect you to do the same for me," she said immediately. "Do it behind my back, if you must. Heaven knows what compulsions might be on me, and what I'd do if they were challenged directly. It's a wonder I can speak so freely right now - the caster of the spells clearly hasn't factored the students in. Yet."
"Alright, but I, uh, I'll probably cancel your, uh, personal spells as well." Harry blushed bright red. "Sorry."
Professor McGonagall sighed. "Don't worry about me, Mr. Potter. It's a small price to pay, and I can reapply all those spells myself." She placed a few sandwiches on a plate and pushed it over. "Eat. You look like you're about to expire from embarrassment."
"I'm sorry." The heat in Harry's face was becoming uncomfortable. "Hermione explained her spell to me earlier. I was ... unprepared."
That brought an actual smile to his stern professor's face. "Yes, I imagine you were. You survived the ordeal in one piece, though."
"Why do people think that students in my year could want babies?" Harry burst out. "That's crazy!"
Professor McGonagall took a long sip of tea before she said, "It's not so much a matter of want, and it's not only a spell to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The spell is designed to deflect any and all unwanted sexual contact. It's an ugly business that it is even necessary, if I'm perfectly honest, but since you're asking the question, you deserve an answer. Even as little as a hundred years ago, it was still perfectly acceptable in certain circles to choose brides and grooms very young. As young as eleven, in fact. Of course, not many families felt actually comfortable to betrothe their children at that age, never mind marrying them off. It was common practice to wait and see how a child would do academically, to fully be able to evaluate their worth on the marriage mart."
"Wow, that is ugly," Harry said.
Professor McGonagall nodded. "To keep the bride price low for desirable partners, certain families encouraged their children to take liberties to ensure that a betrothal or marriage had to take place, else the family with the inopportuned child face societal ruin."
"Liberties?" Harry frowned.
"Lad, I ... I wish I didn't have to say it," McGonagall admitted. "There were no few cases of sexual harassment and even rape over the centuries. It didn't happen in close to a hundred years, because the school contract and attendance vows now outright ban such behaviour and would cost the offender his or her magic, but it wasn't always so. Children had to rely on advanced protective charms to get through their school years unharmed."
"At Hogwarts?" Harry asked, shocked. "I thought it was the best school in Britain!"
"Yes, even at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said quietly. "For all its purported greatness, it never was a very modern school, if you get my meaning. The implementation of the new school contract actually only happened under Headmistress Eupraxia Mole, in 1899. She lost a daughter to such deplorable machinations and did everything she could to prevent such from ever happening again in this school. To this day, no one managed to overturn her ruling - you see, Madam Mole saw fit to involve Gringotts in the legal and magical process. As they abhor treating children like cattle, every overture the Ministry has made since then to loosen the restrictions or even cancel the contract outright have been viciously repelled."
"If the school contract is so good, why the spell?" Harry pulled a sandwich apart but didn't eat it.
"Because the school contract restricts offenders at school, but not outside of it, and we want to protect our students during holidays as well," she explained. "The spell Madam Pomfrey uses can't be broken easily, and the DMLE will be alerted automatically if it is violated. It is especially effective against muggles, which sets many of the witches at ease who venture out into their world. Of course, it was a woman who designed it."
"Wow, okay. That's good!"
"Thank you. We think so, too." Professor McGonagall eyed Harry thoughtfully. "Excuse me for asking, but will you get the spell as well? Frankly, I'm a bit concerned that Dumbledore hasn't sent you to the infirmary, yet. As the last of your family, you should definitely guard yourself against ... shenanigans."
"I didn't even know the spell was availabe, or that it was available to boys," Harry said. "How did Hermione hear about it?"
"She got the permission slip with her Hogwarts letter, just like the Hogsmeade permission slip. I assume you didn't get it, then?" When Harry shook his head, she pursed her lips. "How strange, they usually get sent with every letter from third year up. I'll look into it, but I don't anticipate any problems on that front."
"Thank you, Professor." Harry finally popped one half of the little sandwich in his mouth and chewed it. After swallowing, he cleared his throat and wiped his sweaty hand on his pant leg. "Er, since I'm already here ... how mad would you be if I chose to leave the Quidditch team and join the newspaper club?"
Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared. "I knew that your magical guardian's proxy's foolishness would come back to haunt me. How serious are you?"
Harry shrugged uncomfortably. "I like playing, I do, but what the guys at the newspaper do is important. It's not a game, and I want to help. I mean, the Prophet is printing so many lies, and the internationel press don't really have a presence in Britain, apparently. I want a local newspaper that's fair."
"Fair to you," McGonagall said with a raised eyebrow.
"That, too," Harry acknowledged, "but mostly just fair. It's for Buckbeak, and Sirius Black, and everyone who has no idea how unhappy the students are with Hogwarts right now. Hermione's drafting another petition already, and the first one has barely made the rounds for signing."
Professor McGonagall made a small sound, something in between a laugh and a choke. "I'm sure it'll be ... interesting."
"I hope so," Harry said, more certain now. "Her ideas make a lot of sense."
"Tell her to come see me before she publishes her petitions," McGonagall said. "I won't censor her, but if her proposals are as sound as you say, I may sponsor them and lobby for changes within the faculty. As to your question: I'd be very irritated, Mr. Potter, but since it is your school career and not mine, all I could do would be to wish you luck and find a seeker that's half as good as you to replace you."
"Ginny Weasley is good," Harry offered. "Just in case." He ate the second half of his sandwich and took a large drink of his tea. "Say, Professor ... do the house elves call you Professor Kitty because you can turn into a cat?"
"Merlin, yes. They know when a magical can transform, and they also know their form. Always. It's an embarrassment."
oOo
The morning of Hermione's birthday, Harry took a few minutes to just lie in bed and count his blessings. He was alive, felt really good thanks to Gringotts and Healer Williams' help, had a godfather who loved him and could turn into a big black dog, and the friendship of three rather fantastic house elves.
And he had Hermione.
A girl so bright that it was blinding sometimes, and so pretty that Harry sometimes felt his heart stutter just for seeing her. She had her faults, of course, because who didn't, and she was just about perfect in his eyes, anyway.
If that's what my dad felt for my mum, he must've been really happy, he thought. A grin tugged at his lips and the first nervous flutters made his stomach twinge. "Dobby."
The elf appeared on the bed, ears raised and slightly quivering with excitement. "Harry Potter sir be awake! Dobby be putting fancy clothes out while Harry Potter sir be in the shower."
"Thank you," Harry said and sat up. "Is everything ready for the party?"
"Hoggywarty elves be helping," Dobby told him. "They be insisting because they be proud ally of Dobby's Harry Potter sir. There be lots of healthy, delicious food. Dobby be supervising and Betty be preparing Come And Go Room for breakfast."
"You're the best, every single one of you." Harry grabbed the elf and hugged him spontaneously. "Thank you all so much. I'm sure it'll be great."
Dobby was practically glowing with pleasure as he squeaked, "Dobby be doing everything he can to make Harry Potter sir happy. Now it be time for washing and dressing. Miss Mione be up already. She be very excited."
Still grinning, Harry quietly got up, gathered the things Dobby had laid out for him, and went to have his shower. He fought a little with his hair but gave it up when his wand warned him that he had only five more minutes to get down to the common room.
The other boys were still asleep and therefore didn't see Harry pick up a small nosegay of violet, pink, and white asters. It was a beautiful little work of art, with magical dew glittering on the soft petals. Betty had really gone all out for this.
"Good morning," Harry said as he came down the stairs. Hermione was already waiting for him - a vision in a knee length dress of a stormy blue colour and a cream coloured short jacket. She'd put her hair up and smiled widely at him. "Happy Birthday, 'Mione!"
"Thank you, Harry!" Hermione flew at him and embraced him tightly. "You look so dashing!" She fingered Harry's silky shirt collar and brushed a hand over his inky black robes.
"I got you your birthday flowers, asters," Harry said, a little flustered. "Betty said that they'd go well with your dress. She was right."
Hermione kissed him on the cheek and then looked appreciatively at the flowers. "They're beautiful, thank you. I'll put them in a vase. Maybe Betty knows a way to preserve them for a while."
That first present out of the way, Harry offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
Hermione wound her arm around his and snuggled close. "Yes, please."
They left the common room, turned around a corner and let Dobby whisk them away to the Come And Go Room.
Both teens stopped in the open door and stared for a long moment. The room looked like a posh English tea room. There were three round tables next to the floor length French doors, bedecked in white table cloth, sparkling glasses and gleaming silverware, as well as an abundance of autumn flowers, but only the one in the middle was heaping with food and drink. Beyond the windows, a huge green lawn stretched out, bordering on a forest with flaming orange and red treetops. The weather was a bit rainy, but the early sun was also peeking through the rolling clouds. The effect was rather spectacular.
"This is fantastic," Hermione whispered. She stepped inside and looked around. "It looks just like that really nice place my parents took me to once after I'd received my highschool diploma."
"I'm glad you like it," Harry said and led her to the table. As Sirius had instructed, he pulled out the chair for her and took the flowers to a cleverly placed vase. "I tried to think of your favourite foods, but Dobby said to tell you that you can ask for anything if something's missing."
"Oh, it's so lovely, I couldn't possibly do that," Hermione insisted. She took a deep breath. "I didn't think having this breakfast with you would be so grand. I'm glad I listened to Betty and chose the dress." She smiled a little helplessly at Harry. "You're really trying to make this day special, aren't you?"
"Yep. I have to impress my older girlfriend, right?" Harry grinned. He sat down and offered Hermione the choice between tea and coffee. When she chose a small cup of coffee, he doctored it for her with cream and a sprinkle of sugar and handed it over. "Would you like some music? Dobby brought a gramophone and some vinyl records."
Hermione agreed and soon they were listening to music from the Roaring Twenties and the Dirty Thirties while they first downed a nutrient potion and then munched their way through breakfast foods from all over the world. They took their time appreciating every new dish and even managed not to talk about school, the newspaper, or even Ron for a whole hour.
When they were finally so full that they could barely move, the dishes were silently cleared off and cups of hot chocolate appeared in front of them.
"That was great," Hermione sighed happily. She patted her stomach. "I'd love to make this into a tradition."
Harry smiled, her pleasure stoking the pride in his breast. "I'm on board with that. Are you ready for your gift?"
Eyes sparkling, Hermione sat up. "I tried to guess, but I have no idea. I'm only pretty sure it's probably not a book, what with Hector's legacy giving me more or less carte blanche."
"No, it's not a book." Harry took a small package from his robe pocket and placed it on the table. It was wrapped in scarlet paper and adorned with a pretty golden bow. "I hope you'll like it."
Carefully, Hermione opened first the bow and then the paper, revealing a small, velvety box.
"Harry," she whispered, tracing her finger over the dark blue, sparkling material.
"Go on, open it," he encouraged her, heart in his throat.
A little shakily, Hermione opened the lid and made a little shocked sound. She reached inside and pulled out a golden necklace. "A snake medallion. It's beautiful." Looking at Harry, she chewed on her lower lip. "You shouldn't have. It's too much, honestly."
"It's not. The real present is the snake - it'll open the Chamber of Secrets for you when I'm not with you. Gringotts made it from a galleon and a friend helped me charm it. I also set a new password, so only you and me can enter the chamber. Because of Slytherin's books I had to close the whole thing against direct travel, that's why it's even necessary. The house elves will guard it against other elves for me."
Hermione stared, and then she lunged for Harry and nearly strangled him with the strength of her hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Harry suffered the two dozen kisses on his face with good grace and laughed when she held the necklace out to him and demanded that he put it on right now.
"There," he said, supremely satisfied with himself. "It suits you very well. Do you want to go down and try it out?"
"You have to ask?" Hermione demanded. Her skirt rustled as she hopped up. "Come on! Dobby!"
"Yes, it's time," Harry said with a grin when the elf appeared and stared at him questioningly. "You know the spot, yeah?"
"Dobby does." Dobby popped them right in front of the outer door to the chamber. "Dobby be staying close."
"Thanks. Now, just tell your medallion that you want to work in peace and quiet, 'Mione," Harry instructed.
Hermione smirked. "I want to work in peace and quiet."
At once, the snake on the medallion came to life and hissed. In response, the snakes guarding the heavy doors began to move, unwinding until the locking mechanism came undone and the door swung open.
"Wow, that's so, so amazing," Hermione said in a hushed voice. Absently, she petted the medallion, which made the tiny snake preen a little before it became dormant again.
Offering her his arm again, Harry led her inside, noting that the door closed behind them just as he'd told it to do. The closer they got, the more Hermione grew excited.
"Is that-"
"Yes."
"Can I ...?"
"Of course." Harry's smugness completely overpowered his nervousness as he witnessed Hermione's speechlessness.
As if in a trance, she walked up to the work benches and inspected everything intently. She paused at the runes for cleanliness that had been worked into every part of the equipment and even the floor around the tables to prevent dust from settling, and let her fingers dance over vials and carefully placed knives and stirring rods.
Finally, she looked up at Harry. "I don't know what to say. Really. My brain is stalling."
"Well, I sure hope you'll be able to work with this," Harry said, getting a little uncomfortable under her thoughtful stare. "Do you like it?"
"It's such a perfect gift and I only got you a broom kit for your birthday. That's not fair to you." Hermione knotted her fingers in agitation. "It feels like I can't accept this."
"You can," Harry said quickly. "Because it's not really a gift just for you, is it? We'll both work here, and you already said that you'll brew potions for me. I'm just ... providing some of the material." Or rather, Sirius provided most of the material, with Sharptooth chipping in, the crazy goblin. I should probably write another formal thank you letter, because all that stuff is really high-end, when they promised they wouldn't go overboard.
Hermione exhaled and relaxed a little. "That's true. Still ... it's a fantastic gift. The Chamber of Secrets, and I have a key ... I don't know how to thank you."
"Just be happy," Harry replied with a shrug. "And also, your broom kit is one of the best on the market, so we're even."
"Come here, you silly wizard," Hermione said and smiled, although her eyes were shimmering a little wetly.
Harry went into her open arms willingly and held her for long, long minutes. She smelled faintly of flowers and sunshine, and so many other things that all mingled to create her unique, pleasant scent.
"You've caught up to me," she whispered, a long while later. Her fingers played with the hair at the nape of Harry's neck, causing little shivers. "Soon you'll be taller than me."
"That a bad thing?" Harry asked, turning his head a little so his nose was pressed against her neck.
"No, of course not. It's just ... profound. I don't know why." Hermione sighed deeply and pressed even more closely against him. "I'm sorry, that's probably a strange thing to notice."
"It's okay. I was always the smallest boy, so it is a bit strange to suddenly be even with the other guys." Harry smiled. "I think I'll like being taller than you. It feels nice to hug you like this. Like I can protect you."
"You've protected me for years now," Hermione murmured. "You definitely don't have to be tall to be good at that. But I'm very pleased for your sake."
A bit later, after another round of exploration, Hermione encouraged Harry to list the goblin potions he most wanted to brew. Harry chose the vitamin booster for their first project, because it was easy to make and would be approved by the goblin potions master even if it wasn't perfect at first. It would just be less effective, not poisonous or even fatal.
Hermione, agreeing with Harry's approach, ranked the other five potions accordingly and placed the list with reverent care onto her chosen bench.
Since it was almost time for lunch at that point, Harry had Dobby bring them a change of clothes, because they were of one mind to keep this part of Hermione's birthday private between themselves, and then let the eager elf pop them close to the Great Hall.
oOo
After their quiet morning, mingling with their peers was a bit daunting, especially since the whole year had heard of the party by now and was invested in being welcome when it began. To keep at least a little of the peace of their date, Hermione convinced Harry to go on a long walk before they had to face their friends.
They first went to visit Hagrid and the hippogriffs, which resulted in Hermione being engulfed in a huge embrace and then being encouraged to pet Agapi. In thanks for Hermione's attention, the female hippogriff gifted her with a beautiful reddish brown feather with golden stripes.
"Yer can use it fer a quill," Hagrid said, beaming at both Hermione and Agapi. "Those are near everlasting, that's wha' my friend told me."
"Thank you very much," Hermione said to Agapi and curtsied prettily. "I'll honour your feather always."
Agapi bowed back, giving a pleased coo. The dead ferret Hagrid threw her as a reward made her feathers puff out a little in a handsome display of shimmering colour.
"Say, have you heard from your friend already?" Harry asked. "Mr. Papageorgiu surely has something to say to the Ministry's plans for Buckbeak."
Hagrid coughed a little and looked at everything but Harry for a moment. "Er, yes, his house elf brought a letter last night. I didn't wan' ter worry you, though. It's mos'ly good, in any case."
"Is ist really?" Hermione asked. "Is there something we can do for you, Hagrid?"
"Naw. It's yer birthday, Hermione. I wilna let yer worry yer pretty head about it terday, alright? Tomorrow is soon enough." Hagrid smiled a little about Hermione's huff. "Enjoy yer party and don't worry about me, yeh promise me that."
"But tomorrow you'll tell me everything," Hermione said, eyebrows raised. "We won't let you deal with this alone, Hagrid. We promised, and we will save Buckbeak. Just wait and see."
Harry gave the hippogriff in question a good rub along his beak and cheeks. "Your owner will probably kick our Minister's arse, and I hope that I'll get to see it."
Buckbeak cawed and butted his beak into Harry's hands for some more petting.
"I really hope yer right," Hagrid admitted. "It's just ... after Azkaban last year, I don' really trust the Ministry."
"It's okay if you can't hope for the best," Hermione said. "Us students will have enough hope for both you and Buckbeak."
"Speakin' of havin' ... here, yer present." Hagrid ducked his head a little as he pulled a small parcel from one of his many coat pockets. "It's no' as fine as what Agapi gave yeh, but yeh might have use fer it anyway."
"Thank you, Hagrid!" Hermione stood on her tiptoes and bussed the man's cheek. "That's very thoughtful of you. Should I open it right now?"
"Take yer time, lass," Hagrid said gruffly. "I heard about yer party; yer might want ter be careful about the punch ... the Weasley lads have been by, got a 'lil bit of moonshine off of me."
"Ugh, thanks for the warning." Harry laughed. "Although you're invited, right, 'Mione?"
"Of course you are, Hagrid," she agreed with a determined nod. "It starts at three. There'll be lots of cake."
"Thanks, yeh two. But now off with yeh; I can see when young ones want ter be alone." Hagrid winked, accepted yet two more short hugs, and then resolutely sent them on their way.
The walk around the Black Lake took a good while, and the weather was only holding by a thread. Hermione wasn't complaining about the chilly wind, but Harry decided that they could both do with a warming spell and cast it easily on their clothes.
"You have no idea how appealing it is when you do that, do you?" Hermione asked, shivering gratefully as the spell chased away the cold. "Casting sixth year spells like they're nothing."
"Uhm, no," Harry admitted, flushing a little under her admiring gaze. "But that's a good thing, right?"
"Very good." Hermione shyly wound her arm around Harry's and put her head on his shoulder. "It's so amazing how you barely stop to think about whether you ought to be able to do it at all."
"My healer said that it's a talent," Harry admitted. "Sort of like your memory."
"I'm sure it is," Hermione said. "A dead useful one, too, since you've got the magical power to match."
Harry bit down on his lip. "I should probably keep that down around others. It wouldn't be an advantage otherwise."
"Probably, yes." Hermione sighed. "That doesn't mean you can't do well in school, though. It might not challenge you like you should be challenged, but it's safe, and that's the most important thing right now."
"My Patronus kind of gave it away," Harry muttered. "That was stupid of me."
"It was not." Hermione carefully manoeuvered them both to a large, flat boulder and sat them down. The view over the misty lake and at the castle was breathtaking. "Some students were curious, of course, but everyone in that Patronus Club knows just how important emotions are for the spell. Even if you've produced a strong Patronus, it won't mean more than what Ron assumed: that you have a singularly well-suited memory, and maybe a little more power than the typical third year student. Heck, by now the whole school believes in the Harry Potter Factor, trademark pending."
"'Mione," Harry protested, although he grinned a little. "There is no Harry Potter Factor."
"There so is, mister." She pointed at him. "Strange blood protection, brought upon by your mum's sacrifice? Check. Winning a battle against a fully grown basilisk, with the aid of a phoenix and a sword of all things? Check. Befriending a bonded house elf? Double-check."
"You make it sound all weird."
"Well, it is weird," Hermione said, quite matter-of-factly. "But I'm grateful that someone's looking out for you when you really need it."
"Do you think someone does?" Harry asked, a little wistfully. "I know that there are ghosts, but I honestly hope that it's not my parents. I wouldn't want them to worry because of me."
She smiled and treaded her fingers into his. "Well, I imagine that they'd worry about you in any case, if they're somehow aware of what's happening here. But to help you out of your scrapes probably requires someone or something with more power than our usual ghost. The universe, maybe."
"Now you're just being mean," Harry pouted. "It's not that bad."
Hermione giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "We'll wait and see how this year goes, then, but I'm pretty sure I'll win this argument."
Frowning, Harry held her hand tighter. "You don't always have to be right, you know."
"But I very nearly always am right, regardless," she grinned. "It's a blessing and a curse." She snuggled closer to him and took Hagrid's present out of her pocket. "Maybe I should open it here, where it's unlikely to do someone harm."
"Hagrid gives great presents," Harry defended his friend, "even if they sometimes try to bite you."
Amused, Hermione carefully pried open the rough packet cord. Once that was gone, the brown wrapping paper fell away and revealed three large, gleaming seeds. They looked almost like chestnuts, as they had a light gold patch on one end, but they were a bit larger and heavier.
"What are those? There's no note," Hermione asked, intrigued.
"I have a pretty good book about magical botany, and if that fails there's always Neville," Harry said, cautiously sniffing the things. "They smell a bit like chocolate."
"Oh, you're right! Fascinating!" Hermione turned the seeds over and rubbed them with her thumb. "They're so smooth, almost like polished glass."
Unfortunately, there was no more time to get the book if they didn't also want to ask one of the house elves to pop them back to the castle.
"I can find out what they are soon enough," Hermione said and put the re-wrapped seeds back in her coat pocket. "But it might be hard to find time for a walk with you." She blinked against the light drizzle. "The rest of the year might well drown in rain, and I don't envy you for having to play Quidditch in this weather."
"I know, that's my least favourite part of it." Harry tried not to puff up too badly when Hermione took his arm again and fell into step easily. "I actually asked Professor McGonagall how mad she would be if I dropped it after all."
"And?"
"She was angry about Dumbledore's meddling and told me she'd support my decision, so ..." Harry shrugged. "I guess I'll leave whenever the newspaper needs me more than the Quidditch team. If that even happens; I know that you've gained a ton of new members this week."
"Sounds like a plan," Hermione said and smiled. "Thanks for taking this so seriously. I'm pretty sure some people rather hope that we'll crash and burn, and the sooner the better."
"Will you be okay with Zabini there?" Harry couldn't help but ask. "He seems to be okay, but we don't know him."
"Don't worry about it, the Herald's charter actually prohibits members from working against each other. It was important to Lavender to not have story thieves around. Apparently it's quite bad at the Prophet, and no wonder when the real stories are getting buried all the time and the reporters have to fight for the scraps." Hermione looked over the vast landscape and sighed happily. "Despite everything, Hogwarts really is quite beautiful, isn't it?"
"It is," Harry agreed. "And wait until you see what the house elves have done for your party. You'll flip."
oOo
Nearly all of Gryffindor was waiting in the common room for them as Harry and Hermione returned from their walk. The first thing they noticed were the colourful streamers and balloons everywhere. Second were the many flower wreaths on the walls, and in some corners invisible cannons shot glitter into the air, which then rained down on the students' heads. But the best part for everyone present obviously were the already playing radio and the three heavily laden buffet tables in different areas of the room.
"There you are, Hermione!" Fred Weasley called. He and his brother swiftly picked her up and hoisted her on their shoulders, loudly beginning to sing the birthday song.
As the whole house sang along and Hermione blushed to the roots of her hair, Harry kept his eye on Ron, who was standing close to one of the tables. He didn't seem to be able to take any of the food and his put out expression made Harry laugh.
After the song, the Weasley twins sat Hermione into a gaudy, golden chair, placed an equally gaudy golden crown on her head, and bowed lowly.
"It is now time to offer our gifts to the Queen of Gryffindor," George said unctuously and proffered a wrapped parcel. "May this humble offering keep us in your good graces."
Flushing again, Hermione accepted the present, muttering, "Shut it, you clown."
To her great dismay, a lot of her house mates had a lot of fun bowing and scraping and seeing her blush uncomfortably, even the girls, who catered to her as if she really were a queen. Most presents were small, hastily found things as there hadn't been a lot of time, but at the end there was still a sizable mountain of wrapped parcels at Hermione's feet.
Finally, the gift giving was over and Hermione stood, visibly touched. "Thank you all so much for coming to my party and making this day special. Uhm, as you can see we've got lots of snacks and drinks, so please tuck in and have fun."
Cheers broke out and the jostling for rasberry muffins and cucumber sandwiches and hot chocolate began. Harry grinned at Hermione, pleased with the attention his girlfriend had gotten.
"There's this huge chocolate cake with your name on it," he said. "Can I get you a piece?"
Hermione nodded. "Please. Tea for you?"
They parted and met again at a small table, where Neville was already sitting with a plate full of sandwiches and fruit.
"Hey, great buffet, Hermione," Neville said. "How did you get that arranged?"
She blushed prettily. "Harry planned it, so you'll have to ask him."
"The house elves helped. I offered to pay for the food, but they refused to accept it. They said it was part of their job to give students birthday parties," Harry said and put a piece of cake into his mouth. "Oh, that's fantastic."
Hermione had a bite as well and sighed happily. "Absolutely. House elves are a marvel."
They enjoyed their cake and watched the merry party go on. Most students were eating, but some of them, Fred and George among them, were more interested in dancing with the girls of their year.
"Oh, look who's coming!" Seamus cried when the portrait opened and Hagrid squeezed his bulk through.
The man waved awkwardly, yet obviously pleased, at the welcoming shouts. Right behind him, Professor McGonagall stepped through the entrance.
"Excuse me," Hermione said. "I'll get them a cup of tea."
Harry and Neville watched her go, both grinning at each other.
"She's such a teacher's pet," Ron grumbled as he sat down in Hermione's abandoned chair. "How do you stand it?"
"Hermione invited Hagrid, and you know that she respects and likes Professor McGonagall a great deal," Neville said brusquely. "Get over it, Ron."
"Why should I? She makes all of us look bad," Ron complained. "Look how she slimes her way into their good graces."
"She's just giving them tea and cake," Harry hissed, glaring at the other boy. "Your mum regularly stuffs people with food. Are you saying she's sliming her way into their good graces?"
Ron scowled. "That's different!"
"How?" Neville challenged him. "Explain, because I'm tired of your badmouthing."
"We're family." Huffing, Ron tried to pull Hermione's unfinished cake towards himself and even picked up her fork. "You can't tell me it's not annoying you."
"It's not," Harry said, eyes narrowing. "But it annoys me that you're trying to eat her cake." He stretched and took the plate back. "What's wrong with you? Get your own. There's enough for everyone."
"I knew that you'd take her side," Ron said as he got up. "Just wait and see, she'll toss you aside as soon as she's gotten what she wants from you."
Neville snorted and actually rolled his eyes - a first in all the time Harry had known him. "Merlin, listen to yourself. What could Hermione want from Harry, other than his friendship? She's got her own money now, and she's the smartest student in the whole school."
"Yes, but Harry's got loads more money than her after the , doesn't he? She might want to trap him; girls do that all the time to rich blokes." Ron shook his head. "Whatever, she'll show her true colours soon enough."
Speechless, Harry and Neville watched him go, back to the table with the cake, where he loaded a plate with four different huge pieces.
"He's mad," Neville said, a little shocked. "I can't believe the things he just said."
"Yeah, me neither," Harry murmured. "I mean, why is he even thinking about stuff like that? I don't get it. We're thirteen."
Neville looked pityingly at him. "A couple of centuries ago, people were able to claim their lordships at that age. We're young, but clearly Ron's got issues with that kind of thing ... and with Hermione in particular." He looked thoughtfully at her as she entertained Hagrid and McGonagall. "I wonder if he fancies her."
"Well, if that's the case, he's got a really shitty way of showing it," Harry replied crossly. "He has to know that she'd never go on a date with him, the way he is now."
"Yes, that seems very improbable," Neville said with a meaningful look. "You gave her jewellery for her birthday."
Harry flushed a little. "So?"
"Relax, it's just obvious to people who're looking for this kind of thing. I mean, it could be from anyone, but everyone knows that you're her best friend, so ... You might want to look into charms to hide that, if you want to keep your relationship with her secret ... or as secret as it can be."
"Do you think I should? And, er, is it very obvious?"
Neville shrugged. "Not really, but as I said, people who're looking for this kind of thing will see it. Considering how known you both are, it might be. Right now you keep the school guessing, more or less, but that pendant will have everyone talking. It might get back to the wrong people."
"I'll ask Professor Flitwick," Harry decided. "Do you think he'd enjoy a piece of cake?"
"Oh, he would," Neville laughed. "It's to die for."
Harry got up, taking Hermione's plate and fork. "I'll ask Hermione if it's okay ... knowing her she'll invite the rest of them as well. No one'll notice if I ask Flitwick for a charm then."
Of course Hermione was all for it, and so one of Hogwarts' house elves was called to extend the invitation to all the teachers. Not a quarter of an hour later, Professors Flitwick and Sinistra appeared, beaming and with a little gift for Hermione each. Hermione, of course, was thrilled and proceeded to play host to the newcomers.
"Marvellous," Professor Flitwick cheered, tucking into his chocolate cake with great gusto. "How lovely that you students thought to invite the faculty as well. It's been a few decades since the practice was popular."
Harry furtively looked around, and while a few of the older students seemed put out at having their drinking interrupted, none appeared hostile. To the contrary, the girls from the Quidditch team and a few of the seventh year students all got a cup of coffee and another piece of cake and parked themselves close to the professors with the intent of some grilling.
"That was a lovely idea, Harry," Hermione said as she looked at the horde of her guests enjoying themselves. "I should've thought of it myself. There's Professor Babbling, and I'm sure Professor Vector will be by soon, as well."
"Next year, then," Harry murmured and squeezed her hand. The necklace around her slender neck really was rather showy, in its understated way. It didn't make him feel any better to acknowledge that Neville was right.
Harry felt a little underhanded as he refilled Hermione's plate with tiny sandwiches and got her a glass of their elf berry lemonade before encouraging her to join the increasing gaggle of teachers and students, tagging along as inconspiciously as he could. Through some divine luck he even ended up next to Professor Flitwick and managed to initiate a conversation about his wand holster and the charms on it.
"It's a fancy bit of charm work, to be sure," Flitwick said genially after inspecting Harry's holster. "Disillusionment before any and all eyes can be taught rather quickly, it's the selective disillusion that's tricky." He flicked his wrist and his wand appeared in his hand. "Let's see, ah, my pocket watch should be just the object for this little demonstration. Here ... Inuisibilitas haec." The pocket watch vanished at once before Harry's eyes. "It's invisible to everyone now, even me."
"Wow, that's incredible, sir!" Harry reached out and touched the cool surface of the watch.
Flitwick winked. "Of course this particular spell is a rather personalized version. Haec means this in English, because I am far too old to look up the Latin names for every little thing I might wish to disillusion. Drives my colleagues crazy during our annual prank week, of course, because they're not able to end the spell."
"You have a prank week?" Harry stared at the man. "Why?"
"To keep up with the times, of course." Professor Flitwick cheerfully ended the spell and tucked the watch back into his pocket. "Every year bright minds all over the world invent new spells and it is our duty to our students to be up to date in our area of expertise."
"And, er, when is this week?"
By now, some of the other students were paying attention, and giggles could be heard.
"When the last journal has come out, which is in the middle of December," Professor McGonagall supplied. She looked as stern as ever, but Harry thought he could see her eyes gleam with mirth. "We give the last one, which is me, two weeks to study the journal, and during the holidays, the game is afoot."
"I never noticed," Harry said. "I feel like I missed out."
"Not just you, Harrikins." Fred squeezed in the gap between Harry and Katie Bell, while his twin sat down crosslegged onto the carpet. "I think we'll stay home this Yule and see what kind of shenanigans our dear professors get up to. It's what you said, Professor Flitwick: Never stop learning."
"It is at that." Flitwick laughed merrily. "I'll have to warn you, though. Those in the know might be included in our pranks, and we're all rather merciless in the pursuit of victory."
Having gotten what he'd been after, Harry gracefully bowed out of that conversation and meandered through his partying house mates. Hermione was sitting with a group of girls, all of them intent on a book that way lying open on their table. Parvati was demonstrating a spell on her hair, making it curl gently. Harry left her to it, glad that she was finally connecting to the other girls of their house.
In the boys' dorm, he made sure that he was alone and then pulled out his family wand. For a test object, he chose his oldest quill.
"Dobby," Harry whispered. "Do you have a little time?"
Dobby appeared in a flush of magic. "Dobby does. How may Dobby help Harry Potter sir?"
"I want to try out a new spell. Can you turn my quill back to normal, should I mess it up?"
"Dobby can." The house elf's ears twitched expectantly.
"Awesome." Harry sat back. "I'll try it out a couple of times first before I tap the quill ... Inuisibilitas haec." A small burst of magic left his wand. "Okay ... so far, so good. Inuisibilitas haec!" This time, the burst was larger, and a lot more defined. "Hey, I think I might just get this."
Harry shot the spell into thin air half a dozen times more, until he felt confident with the feel of it.
"Harry Potter sir be trying now?" Dobby asked, eyes large.
"I think so. Alright ... no wand movement, just tapping the object ..." Harry tapped the quill and said, "Inuisibilitas haec!"
At once, the quill lost most of its colour, and the tip disappeared completely.
"Not bad. Finite incantatem." To Harry's relief, the quill returned to normal. "Again. Inuisibilitas haec."
Once more, the quill lost colour, half of its lower side vanishing from Harry's sight. Twice more, Harry tried the spell, each time advancing further.
"I'll get this," Harry promised his excitedly vibrating friend. "It's for Hermione's safety. I have to. Inuisibilitas haec."
The quill vanished completely and Harry whooped loudly.
"Harry Potter sir be a great wizard," Dobby squeaked.
"Thanks, Dobby. I just have one more test ..." Harry ended the spell and then hissed the incantation in parseltongue. With a little snap, the quill disappeared. "Perfect!" After a moment's elation, his face fell. "But how do I tell her that she'll have to hide the necklace? She might be insulted, or worse, sad."
"Miss Mione be clever female. She be understanding, Dobby be sure of it."
"She is. That doesn't mean it's not difficult. I wish the wizarding world weren't so complicated."
Dobby patted his shoulder. "It be alright, Harry Potter sir."
With that, he vanished in a soft pop.
A few minutes later, Hermione snuck into the boys' dorm, her face worried.
"Hey, Dobby said you needed to see me?"
Harry sighed. "Yeah. Ron came by after you went to talk with the professors. He said some nasty things about you."
"Of course he did," Hermione huffed. "What was it this time? His teachers' pet rant?"
"Among other things. I, uh, talked to Neville, and he said that me giving you this necklace was sort of a declaration." Harry hesitated. "And that Ron maybe fancies you, and is angry now because of my present."
"Good grief, the mere idea." Hermione sat next to him on the bed. "And now?"
"Well ... Neville said that I could maybe disillusion the necklace. I don't want to do it, but it draws attention and I don't want you in Malfoy's sight any more than you already are." Harry took her hand. "I can do the spell. Professor Flitwick taught me."
Thinking it over for a few minutes, Hermione finally sighed. "I suppose it makes sense. Besides, it isn't just jewellery, it's the password to the Chamber of Secrets. It should be as secure as it can be."
"I'll get you something else," Harry promised. "It's not your fault I didn't think things through." He scowled. "A snake, honestly. I'm sort of stupid, aren't I?"
"You're not, and I love that medallion," Hermione scolded. "Disillusioning it is a really good idea, however, and if you can do the spell, please do it. I have a gold pendant from home I can put on the chain, so no one will notice anything amiss. Not many people have seen the snake on it."
"Thanks, 'Mione." Relieved, Harry drew his family wand without thinking and touched the tip against the medallion. "Inuisibilitas haec."
Hermione shivered as the flush of magic skittered over her neck and clavicle. "That felt so weird. A bit like static."
"Sorry if it was uncomfortable," Harry murmured. "At least it worked fine. Nothing to see now."
"Then let's get the other pendant." Hermione took a deep breath. "Dobby."
The elf reappeared. "How can Dobby help, Miss Mione?"
"Could you please get me the round golden pendant from my jewellery box?" Hermione asked. "The one with the lotus flower on it?"
The house elf brought the pendant and then said his goodbyes, leaving the teenagers to put their heads together and look at the small piece of gold.
"It's got to do with yoga, right?" Harry asked, tracing the little flower with his finger. "It's pretty."
"Yes, it symbolizes our beginning in the ground, and the possibility for us to ascend to the highest spiritual spheres." Hermione opened her necklace and put the pendant on. "It's incredible, I can feel your medallion, but there isn't even a sound when the metal touches." Correctly interpreting Harry's dissatisfied frown, she added, "Stop it, please. It's not your fault the magicals in Britain are so weird about everything, and I'd honestly rather be safe than pretty with your medallion. I know that it's there, and that really is enough for me."
"One day I'll really put you in danger," Harry said. "Just because I don't think things through. Besides, you deserve pretty things, and it's stupid that you should have to hide your gifts."
"We'll both work on that in the future, because I should've thought about it as well," Hermione promised. "Thankfully we have Neville - he's a good friend and seems to know lots and lots about the wizarding world. Since he's your godbrother, he's sort of required to help you overcome your lack of knowledge. I know, because I've read the books we found cover to cover."
"He's a good guy," Harry agreed. A little reluctantly, he said, "We should head back before we're missed."
"I'll leave first," Hermione said. "Thank you for looking out for me, Harry. There's nothing a girl could want more." She leaned forward and pressed a long kiss to his lips. "I'll see you downstairs. It's getting late and Betty promised to serve pizza for dinner - directly from Italy, no less."
Feeling a little foggy with the compliment and the kiss, Harry watched her leave.
I'll have to be better, he thought, suddenly fierce. I'll write Sirius tonight and ask him how to do that. If anybody knows of a way, it's him.