Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Return to Grimmauld Place

The next morning, Harry and Hermione woke up, both feeling like they hadn't slept a wink. Hermione got up and went to the door, obviously confused and wanting to distance herself from Harry.

“Wait, Hermione...” Harry called, not exactly sure of what to say, but knowing he needed to say something. “I…I'm sorry…about last night, I was being a git,” Harry apologized.

“Harry... it's not that, It's just you hurt me when you thought I expected you to be the strong one,” she replied and started again out of the room.

Harry felt himself dumbfounded but couldn't let her leave. “I…well…you're right, I was wrong, you're always right about this stuff,” he reasoned.

She smiled warmly, turned back to him, and walked over to him. Harry realized that he needed to drop some of his arrogance. “Harry, I just…well I love you. I would never expect you to be the strong one, when you need to cry,” she said, her voice ever so sweet. They had seemed to reach an understanding about this now, and to keep on the subject would be going around in circles. Harry tried a different topic, a happier topic, but it just led to 12 Grimmauld Place and how they were getting there.

“We never really asked Ron, did we?” Harry realized.

“Yeah, I know. I don't think my parents would like driving to that neighborhood in London and leaving us in that vacant lot,” Hermione replied.

“Should we owl him? I mean, we sort of need to know.”

“Yeah, but that'll take days. If only we had some Floo powder...”

“No good, Muggle fireplaces aren't allowed on the Floo Network,” Harry said. He then began describing how Mr. Weasley had to get special permission for the Dursleys' house in their fourth year of school. They sat there, mulling over how they were leaving, when Mrs. Granger popped her head in. “Are you two already packed?” she asked, sounding surprised.

“Ah…no, Mum,” Hermione said. “Haven't started yet.”

“Well, you better hurry; they should be turning up any minute,” she told them and then walked off, most likely assuming Harry and Hermione had already asked Ron about the travel plans. They made their way into Hermione's room to pack her things. Harry found it extraordinary that she managed to pack all her books, clothes and personal items (her stuffed doll) into her trunk, when it was clear to Harry that she had way more then him, and his trunk was always full.

“How did you manage to pack your trunk with all that stuff in it?”

“Well… girls are neater then boys, and I fold my clothes,” she answered, though not trying to sound superior.

“I fold my clothes,” Harry said defensively.

“Oh, Harry, boys just aren't as neat as us girls, just live with it,” she said sweetly, but still managing to roll her eyes. As they packed Harry's trunk he noticed how neatly Hermione packed his clothes and how she straightened his books. Harry had honestly never put that much thought or patience in to packing his trunk, but it was clear that Hermione was right: girls are WAY neater then boys.

“Hey, Hermione... since I have some spare room in my trunk, do you want to put some of your books in here? You know, to make it easier for you to carry...” Harry asked.

“Harry, that's sweet, but…after you get your birthday present from Ron and myself…well, there won't be much room left in there,” she answered.

“What do you mean?” Harry asked, but Hermione wasn't letting on with any more information; it seemed she had a great big surprise for Harry's birthday.

Harry helped Hermione with all her school things. When they had their trunks and pets in the lounge, Hermione finally asked her mother how they were getting to 12 Grimmauld Place, as Harry didn't have his broomstick back, and Hermione's parents wouldn't fancy driving into that neighborhood in London. But all Mrs. Granger did was smile kindly and move away from the fireplace; as she did this, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny arrived via the Floo Network.

“Hey, guys!” Ron said, smiling.

“Uh... Ron, I don't think muggle fireplaces are allowed on the Floo Network,” Hermione said, after recovering from the shock of the four Weasley children in her lounge.

“Too true, Hermione,” Fred said, with a hint of mischief in his voice.

“Yeah, wonder how Dad managed it?” George asked, though it seemed clear that he knew the answer.

“Yeah, I wonder, I mean it's not like anything huge happened at the Ministry lately, is it?” Ginny asked, smiling.

“What are you guys talking about?” Harry asked, though not expecting to get anywhere knowing how mischievous the Weasley children could be.

“I see young Potter hasn't been reading the Prophet after all... Ron, maybe you should have told them in your letters,” Fred and George both said together, as if they had rehearsed it.

“Yeah, I guess,” Ron said, his ears turning slightly pink.

“Tell us what?” Hermione asked, clearly getting tired of the antics.

“Well, you'll see, won't you?” Ginny said, and with that she offered Harry and Hermione some Floo Powder to transport themselves to 12 Grimmauld Place. Taking a pinch, Harry walked over to the fireplace; glancing back, he saw Hermione pestering the twins, but they remained tight-lipped.

“12 Grimmauld Place,” Harry said, making sure his voice was clear as he dropped the Floo Powder. Spinning around for what seemed like 10 minutes he came out in the basement kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place. He looked around and saw that over the time Harry had been away from Sirius' house, it had become cleaner.

“A new master arrives,” something with a high-pitched voice called from knee height. Harry looked down expecting to see Sirius' old elf Kreacher, but was surprised to see instead a new and healthy-looking elf, who if Harry was not mistaken was the new Black house elf.

“Er…hi,” Harry said as he moved out of the fireplace. Just as he moved over to the oak table Lupin walked in and smiled warmly. Harry noticed that Lupin wasn't as shabby as he was last time Harry had saw him. Relived, Harry shock his hand; just as he was about to ask how Lupin had been over the summer, Hermione arrived in the kitchen followed closely by Ron, Ginny and the twins.

“Hey, mate, can I give you a hand with your trunk?” Ron asked, although knowing full well that Harry intended to carry his own trunk to his room. Harry smiled and reached for the handle opposite the one Ron held. They heaved the trunk up to the first floor where Ron started talking. He wasn't bothering to keep his voice low, and Harry worried that this might wake up Sirius's mother.

“Hey, mate, have a good time with Hermione; so, she told ya, huh?”

“Wha? Oh yeah, we're an item now. Erm...er shouldn't we ah keep our voices down, you know... Sirius's mother?” Harry asked, stumbling over his words.

“Nah... she wont bother anyone anymore, took her picture down ages ago Professor Lupin did... so, you're not reading the Prophet anymore?”

“No... I didn't think of it, to be honest,” Harry answered as they climbed the stairs leading to the second landing where Harry and Ron's room was.

“Well, if you had, you would have seen the changes in the Ministry, like that Fudge was removed from office once the public had accepted that Voldemort is back.”

“Oh… well, who is the new minister?” Harry inquired.

“Funny you should ask, I mean… well, I don't want to beat `round the bush... it's Dad,” Ron said, with such sincerity that Harry was sure Ron was telling the truth. Sure, Mr. Weasley was a bit Muggle-obsessed, but he would make a great minister, Harry was sure.

“That's really great, Ron, I'm so happy for you guys!”

“Thanks mate, anyway…” Ron started as he opened their door, but couldn't finish as Parvati came over and kissed him. Harry seized his trunk and decided that after he put it down, he should let them have their privacy. Besides, he felt he should talk to Lupin; after all, they had both lost Sirius two months ago.

As Harry went to leave Ron stepped in his way. “Wait a minute there, you still need your birthday present.”

“Okay, Ron, I just thought maybe you would like some privacy,” Harry said. Parvati turned a slight shade of pink, and then Hermione and the others walked in.

“I know it's late,” Fred said.

“But you'll enjoy it,” George continued.

“And we all chipped in,” said Ginny taking the lead from her brothers.

“Its sort of a `just in case' present,” Hermione told him.

“Yeah, in case that troll Umbridge ever comes back into our lives,” Parvati said, her head resting on Ron's shoulder. Harry looked at a package that Lupin was holding.

“A gift from your friends,” he said reassuringly, offering Harry the package. Harry took it and unwrapped it slowly. Hermione bit her lip, obviously worried about what Harry might do when he saw all of its contents. When he finished unwrapping it he saw a book called How to Enchant Brooms to Fly.

“That's so you don't have to borrow anyone else's broom if your Firebolt is ever taken away.”

Also, he found a picture of Sirius, Lupin and James, but where little Peter Pettigrew should have been Harry saw himself. He turned it over and saw on the back, in Lupin's handwriting, “Harry, you would have made a fine Marauder.” Finally, he found a book on Animagi (What to and What Not to Do When Studying to Become An Animagus)

“That was James', I only found it recently... thought you might enjoy it,” Lupin said with a glint in his eye.

“Thanks,” Harry said, bewildered. He had never received such a fine present, and it was from all his friends. Smiling for the first time in what felt like a month, Harry walked over to his nightstand and placed the Marauders' picture there. As he stood up, he noticed that instead of the two usual beds, there were about six or seven in the room. A questioning look came across his face. Ginny noticed and answered, “Well, more members of the Order are staying here then last time; it's more of a safe house, now that all the Death Eaters are out.” This news didn't come as much of a shock for Harry; he had expected Lucius and the other Death Eaters to escape. They now seemed to be hunting with a vengeance, so Harry and the others had to have a guard wherever they went.

Lupin went to leave and Harry tried to follow but Hermione held him back. He gave up fighting to get out of her grasp when George said that Knockturn Alley was busier then usual and a lot of “normal” folk went down there more often. This brought the conversation to how many Death Eaters there were, and what of the other Dark Wizards and Witches: were they all going to flock to Voldemorts side? Also, they talked about giants trying to storm Britain; the news shocked both Harry and Hermione.

“Wasn't it on the news?” Ginny asked, shocked that this information wasn't brought across by the Muggle media. “I mean, at least 30 Muggles were killed by them, before Hagrid could curse them and send them running.”

“Hagrid cursed them?” Harry asked, “But won't that land him in Azkaban?” Harry's thoughts were racing. Hagrid, doing magic, in full view of Muggles….

“What? Of course not; ever since Dad reinstated his Wizarding rights, Hagrid's been allowed to do magic,” George said, like it was common knowledge.

“Mr. Weasley did that?” Hermione asked. “What else has he done as Minister?”

“Well, for one thing, he got Lupin back as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor,” Ginny said matter-of-factly. Harry's head was swimming; he tried to keep up with the conversation, but there were just too many things he had to process. The thought that Hagrid could do magic again made Harry want to jump around the room cheering, and also the thought that Lupin was coming back to Hogwarts. Harry was grinning, but darker thoughts also came up. Giants were sighted by Muggles. Voldemort really had them on his side; coupled with the Dementors, Harry thought that Voldemort was going to win this time: what could Harry do to stop him? Not a lot, really.

The conversation died when Parvati asked, “Harry, so, are still going to have the DA?”

“Er…I guess; maybe we should see if Lupin wants to help, I'm sure a professor teaching us would be a lot better than my teaching,” Harry replied.

“Oh, I'm not sure of that,” came Lupin's voice from the doorway. “Sorry for butting in, I only came to say that dinner will be brought up here by Zippy (the house elf) when it is prepared.” A smile crossed his face and he continued, “Harry, you should still teach those who want to learn; I'll be willing to help, but you are the one who will teach them.” His voice had a formality that made it difficult to argue.

“Does that mean we won't be learning any magic with you, Professor?” Hermione asked.

“Oh my heavens no, dear,” Lupin answered, “but I feel you should prepare yourselves fully for what may come,” Lupin said and with that, he turned and went to leave; calling over his shoulder, he said, “A meeting is going on tonight, I will ask you not to eavesdrop, but I'm sure that I can't stop you.” With that he left. Fred and George got up and went to leave too. “Our first meeting is tonight,” they explained to the others. “We only got inducted the other day; we serve as informants as to who goes into Knockturn Alley. We'll talk to you guys later, okay?” they said. They then walked down the stairs to the meeting room.

Ron offered Harry a game of wizard's chess but Harry turned him down, wanting to sort out all the buzzing in his head. He went out onto the balcony. Hermione followed.

“What's wrong?” she asked, feeling that Harry would explode if he didn't talk.

“Well, some stuff, but nothing too life-threatening,” Harry replied, trying to ease her worries.

“Harry, I…don't shut me out, okay?”

“I…I'll try Hermione,” he answered and kissed her on the cheek. He wanted her to go, but he was also desperate for her company. He reached for a different subject than what was going through his mind.

“How's S.P.E.W. going, Hermione?”

“Well, I've given up talking the house elves into getting wages. I'm now focusing on wizards; we should treat them fairly, like you with Dobby, or Lupin with Zippy. That way, the magical world can become a fair and equal place for all magical creatures.”

Harry smiled at this answer: if Hermione was one thing, it was persistent. They sat there talking about S.P.E.W. and equal rights and other things until Ginny came out. She sat, listening and then said, “Harry, I really need to talk to you; I was going to wait, but you two could go on for hours.” Harry got up and followed Ginny out to the hall, where she surprisingly talked about her new boyfriend, Dean Thomas. He was in Harry's year and they shared a dorm together. She asked Harry on advice about being with him. Once Harry was sure she wasn't trying to make him jealous like Cho Chang had done once, Harry was all too happy to help, if only he knew how. The talk with Ginny didn't seem to help her at all; she spent the whole dinner staring at her food mulling over Dean. Harry decided he should ask Hermione to talk to her for him, to give her advice. After dinner, Harry and Ron played wizard's chess while the girls sat apart from them and chatted. The night drifted away and they all said their goodnights. Just as they finished, a magical room divider came up and blocked the girls from sight. Ron sighed, “I just want to give Parvati a good night kiss, but Mum won't hear anything of it.”

“You really like her, huh?” Harry asked; he didn't really know why he asked, but at least it filled up about an hour. They chatted about Hermione and Parvati until Harry realized that the girls were probably listening to them talk. They both shut up quickly before they had revealed anything too embarrassing and went to sleep.

The next morning Harry woke up feeling good. It was a sunny day, he was with his friends, and they wouldn't have to clean like last summer. As he got up from his bed he noticed that everyone but Ginny had already left for breakfast.

“Hi, Harry,” she said, beaming at him. He felt really wrong-footed about being here, only in his pajamas with Ginny who was only in a night dress; blushing, he looked away from her.

“Hi, Ginny... erm, would you mind leaving while I get changed?” Harry asked, feeling himself get even redder.

“Oh, yeah, I just wanted to say thanks for telling Hermione to talk to me about Dean; it's all a bit clearer now,” she said walking over to him. When she got closer, though, she thought better of whatever she was going to do and went to the door. “See you at breakfast, Harry,” she called as she left the room. Harry got up and pulled on some jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Looking around he saw over at Hermione's bed some parchment; before he knew what he was doing he had picked it up. Turning it over, he saw that it was a diary entry. `We shouldn't keep secrets from each other, should we? Of course not,' Harry thought as he opened it up.

Dear Diary

Harry seems to be holding himself together, though only barely. He seems to be moving away from me. If only I could make him see that I…I just want to hold him close till it all goes away. But how can I do that, after what the prophecy said. He will have to fight. And with Sirius dead, who can train him to fight? No one from the Order is close to him, and I can't help, he would hate me for it. And he keeps drifting away from me... what can I do….

She hadn't gotten to finish writing it this morning. He also saw that it was tearstained; she had been crying because of Harry. Sighing, he folded it up and placed it on her bed. Walking over to the door he thought of what he could do to make Hermione feel special, needed, and loved. He absentmindedly walked down the stairs and into the front room where Sirius's mother's portrait had once hung; now, all that was there was a blank part of the wall. Harry hadn't realized he was in here until he heard Ron and Hermione talking.

“C'mon, Hermione, Harry loves you; couldn't you hear him last night?”

“All I could hear was you saying how great Parvati is, Ronald.”

“Don't be dense; he wouldn't be with you if he didn't like you, would he?”

“I don't know, after Sirius died he changed…and now that he knows he has to kill Voldemort…”

“What do you mean `Kill Voldemort?'” Ron shot at her. Harry knew what was coming, and Ron was going to feel betrayed again. Great, another row with Ron wasn't what Harry needed right now.

“The prophecy that Neville shattered, well... Professor Dumbledore knows about it, and he told Harry. Harry only told me recently, but that's why he was all weird at the end of last year. Anyway, you would tell me if he wanted to break up, wouldn't you, Ron?” Hermione asked, her voice breaking slightly.

“Yeah, sure, but why don't you ask him yourself?”

“Maybe,” Hermione answered before walking off. Harry now felt it was safe for him to venture into the room and inquire about what was going on. But as he did, Ginny and Parvati ran in, followed by Fred and George with some brand new joke shop merchandise. Harry felt that maybe he should confront Hermione about it and set off after her.

However, he didn't find Hermione in the next room as he had hoped, but instead came across Lupin. The room was spacious, though most of it was taken up by a single table. Harry assumed that the room had only been cleaned recently, as they never ate in there, even though the room was grander than the other dining room. Lupin was sitting at the table, nursing a cup of tea; looking at the doorway, he saw Harry.

“Oh…Professor, have you seen Hermione?” Harry asked.

“No, Harry, but I was wondering if I could have a word,” Lupin said.

“Er…yeah, sure, professor,” Harry answered when he saw the look in Lupin's eyes. Harry knew what was coming. A talk about Sirius. Steadying himself Harry took the seat opposite him. Looking into Lupin's eyes, Harry saw a sudden coldness. It scared him: could Lupin be blaming Harry for Sirius's death?

“Harry... no one blames you for Sirius's death, okay? Remember that.” It seemed harder for Lupin to say than his face portrayed.

“I…I know, but still, he did die protecting me just like... M-Mum...” Harry said, hanging his head in grief.

“They both died valiantly; you should be proud for knowing such people who have given their lives for you and your friends, so please…don't throw your friendships away.” Lupin sounded very serious as he said this last part. Harry didn't know what to think; Lupin seemed to know how Hermione felt as well. But maybe not just Hermione, but Ron and the Weasleys as well. Harry felt guilt surge inside of him. He was in danger of losing his girlfriend and his best friend.

“Sir, I…” Harry started

“Harry, please, we are not at school yet, you can call me Remus if you would like,” Lupin said with a warmth that Harry was sure hadn't been there for the two months of grief he would have felt over Sirius.

“Er…yeah…okay Remus, I…er…I didn't know things were so bad between me and my friends.”

“They're not... well, not yet... but if you stay down this road of grief over something you had no control over, you will find yourself facing Voldemort alone,” Remus said with a firm but understanding tone.

“I…I don't think I can face Voldemort,” Harry said finally.

“Harry, you can defeat him. All you need is love and friendship.” With that, Remus stood up and turned to walk out. “Hermione went to have a bath; if you're lucky she will still be in the bathroom.” A certain look in his eye that told Harry it would be a very bad idea if he was found with Hermione in the bathroom.

Harry went running up the stairs; he had to talk to Hermione. He needed her to understand how he felt, and he needed her to be by his side. He reached the bathroom, and was about to storm in, when the thought occurred to him that she may not be in there. Knocking on the door, he heard her muffled voice saying to wait.

“Hermione…it's me, we need to talk,” Harry called to her.

“Harry…” Hermione said; she wrenched the door open and pulled him inside. She was standing in front of him, draped in a pink fluffy towel, her hair wet and cascading down the sides of her face.

“Er…do you want to get dressed?” Harry asked.

“You said we need to talk, and I agree we do…I-I don't want to leave you,” she stammered out.

“I…well...I…er…this is pretty hard…but I-I love…you Hermione…I mean it…I…need you by my side,” Harry finally said. His glasses were fogging up from the steam.

“Do you mean that, Harry?” she asked, her voice full of fear.

“Er….well I wouldn't say it if I didn't,” Harry said. He got up to leave, and let Hermione get dressed, but she grabbed his arm and kissed him. Harry for the first time felt Hermione's body next to his. He could feel her and it caused unfamiliar but pleasant sensations. He jerked back and blushed.

“Er, I'll see you before bed,” Harry said and quickly went into his bedroom. Still blushing and wondering just what the heck was going on, he opened the balcony door. Standing in the cool night air he heard Buckbeak from above him; he decided he should go see him. Climbing the stairs it became clear that Buckbeak really wanted to fly and stretch his wings. Harry had just reached the door when Lupin came up after him. “Oh, Harry, I forget something. Now that…Sirius…has…passed away, this place…well... it will belong to you when you turn 17, and Buckbeak, well... he is yours to keep,” Lupin said, with a warmth in his eyes. He turned and walked down the stairs. Harry opened Buckbeak's door with a bow. Buckbeak returned it and clicked his beak.

“Hagrid will be happy to see you,” Harry said. Walking towards Buckbeak, he heard a voice from behind him; it was a sweet voice, one he had become accustomed to over the past two months.

“How are you going to get back here without this?” the voice called from behind him. Harry turned to see that she was holding his Firebolt.

“So…you…er want to fly with him again?” Harry asked as he patted Buckbeak.

“Sure.”

They both opened up the window and climbed on Buckbeak. He clicked his beak as he flew out of Grimmauld Place.

“Are we flying to Hogwarts, Harry?”

“Yeah, Hermione, yeah we are; Hagrid will love to see Beaky,” Harry replied. They flew in silence for most of the night. Hermione broke the silence a few times, just to ask what the time was or to say that she really didn't like flying. Harry didn't really pay attention to this, but when she shivered slightly Harry made Buckbeak land. He let Hermione take the helm so he could warm her with his body. They landed at Hagrid's at about 1:30 in the morning; his light was still on, however, so they knocked on the door. Fang's bark boomed across the quiet Hogwarts grounds as Hagrid opened the door.

“Who th' ruddy…Oh, Harry…Hermione…wha' are yeh doin' `ere?”

“Well, Hagrid, a friend wanted to say hello,” Hermione told him.

“A frien'... wha' yeh mean, Hermione?” As Hagrid asked this and leaned out from his door frame he saw Buckbeak. He roared with happiness as he went out to him.

“BEAKY!” Hagrid yelled. “How do yeh do it, Harry?” With that Harry and Hermione explained everything. About an hour later, they mounted Harry's Firebolt and took off, flying pretty slowly, as Harry didn't want Hermione to fall. The trip took a very long time; so long, in fact, that it was about midday when they arrived back at Grimmauld Place. Mrs. Weasley was furious at both of them; she yelled at them for what seemed like hours, before Fred and George came to the rescue. Thankful for their intervention, Harry and Hermione went to their bedroom. Ron, Ginny, and Parvati were sitting there.