A/N: Ch-4 for The Last Year is here. I hope all of you are enjoying the story.

Now, I just need to address a matter here. I got over a 1000 hits for my story but only 18 reviews. I really appreciate the reviews that I got but the sheer lack of them makes me wonder if my story is all that bad. I’m not going to stop writing because of this but I do plead to all of you that you do review, please.

Anyway, this is a rather fluffy chapter so excuse me for the short length.

Another thing that ‘pstibbons’ pointed out to me was that Snape broke the Unbreakable Vow, so for the sake of this story, let’s assume that didn’t happen. This is fanfiction after all.

DISCLAIMER: As usual, Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling.

A second later Harry was standing in front of a big Victorian house. It had an elegant look to it, as well as looking warm and inviting. “Nice house Hermione.” He muttered more to himself than anyone, but Hermione chuckled and whispered, “Thanks.”

Hermione led Harry to the front door and rang the bell. A pleasant chime could be heard inside. Harry noticed that Hermione was still holding his hand, but he didn’t mind and neither did he bother to inform Hermione about it.

The door opened and an older version of Hermione stood behind it. The same bushy hair and the same cinnamon eyes. Mrs. Granger smiled at her daughter and said, “Hermione, why are you back? I thought you were going to your friends’ house?

“Oh nothing mum, something happened at school and I just had to tell you. Oh, I forgot, mum, this is Harry. I figured you two had never actually met properly so I dragged him along.”

“Hello Harry, Hermione has told us a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Mrs. Granger said with a touch of warmth Harry had only experienced while first meeting Molly Weasley. Her sharp eyes glinted down to the teenagers’ entwined hands. Hermione caught this and immediately let go of Harry, blushing furiously.

Harry shook the older woman’s hand and greeted, “Nice to meet you Mrs. Granger.”

“Oh call me Jane Harry, Mrs. Granger sounds too old.” Jane replied smiling, while Hermione rolled her eyes.

“What are we doing out here anyway, come on in.” she let Harry and Hermione enter the house. Like the Dursley’s house, it was spotlessly clean, but unlike the former, it looked welcoming as well, something # 4, Privet Drive had never been to Harry. All over the walls, there were pictures of the family and friends, rather than the flashy trinkets in Harry’s foster home. Many of them, Harry noted were of Hermione growing up through the years.

Harry was led to the kitchen by Jane and everyone took a seat at the table. Jane asked if Harry would like anything to drink.

“Water’s fine.” Harry replied. After fetching the water for Harry and Hermione, Jane sat down at the table. Then she turned to her daughter, “So what did you want to tell me so bad?”

“Well, I kind of wanted announce to dad as well. Where is he, I though today was your day-off?”

“He’s just gone out to fetch some groceries. I’ll call him. Wait a second.” Jane said and she left to another room leaving Harry and Hermione in silence, giving Harry some time to take his surroundings into bearing.

After a while Jane came back and announced, “Your father’s going to be here in around ten minutes.” They made light talk for a while and Harry got to know that Mr. and Mrs. Granger owned their own dentist clinic. Harry felt a strange sense of Déjà-vu as Mrs. Granger talked as he had gotten when he had first entered the Burrow.

Then Jane asked, “So me about yourself Harry. Hermione has told me a lot but I don’t think we have ever got a chance to talk to you properly.”

Harry looked at Hermione nervously who grinned at him. Jane seemed to catch the interaction and said, “Don’t worry Harry. I’m not interrogating you or anything.” Harry laughed uncomfortably at this, as that was exactly how he felt.

“What would you like to know Mrs. Granger?” Harry asked.

“Please, call me Jane. Anything…” she was about to continue when the phone rang. Jane excused herself and went to the phone.

Hermione looked at Harry, and smiled at him, which was returned immediately. To a third person, the two seemed to share an understanding beyond words. They sat in a comfortable silence for some time before the bell rang and Jane went to the door. In came a tall man, about Harry’s height. He walked in and kissed his wife and came into the kitchen.

Hermione ran up to her Dad and he kissed her on the cheek. Then he noticed Harry and came up to him.

“Hello Harry, I’m Robert Granger.” He said with a welcoming smile.

Harry shook hands with Robert, introductions were made and Jane turned to Hermione, “So, what did you want to tell us? I can tell you’re bursting with excitement.”

“Well, as you know I was called to Hogwarts today, as was Harry. We had a talk with the new headmistress and well…they’re re-opening the school next year and I’m Head Girl!” she nearly shouted the last part. “And Harry’s Head Boy of course.”

Harry smiled to himself at Hermione’s excitement on being Head Girl. However her parents looked exactly the opposite. Hermione noticed their faces and her face fell, “What? Aren’t you guys happy?” she asked reproachfully.

Robert looked at her wife and said, “Well, of course we are happy dear. But I thought you said that the school was too dangerous to go back.”

Harry knew exactly where this was going and he felt more and more uncomfortable being there. Obviously Hermione’s parents were not anxious on sending Hermione back when they had probably just learned from her a few days back that Hogwarts was no longer safe. To be honest, Harry couldn’t blame them. After all, they are her parents and she is their only child.

“What?” Hermione exclaimed in retaliation.

“Hermione, we care for your safety and we don’t think it is right for you to go back when there is a war going on in your world.” Robert said. Then he added, “And we don’t advise Harry to go either.”

“Are you saying this dad? You, who always wanted to push me towards the best education. Well, I’m sorry but I have to go.” Hermione said. She looked pleadingly at her mother, but of no avail. Her mother, it seemed was even more worried.

Hermione knew that she was definitely going to go back but she didn’t want to run away either. Her parents had always meant a lot to her, especially since she was their only child and she didn’t want to leave on a bad note. There was one thing for sure, she was going to Hogwarts.

“You don’t have to go Hermione dear. You can go back next year after this mess is sorted up.” Jane replied. Obviously she didn’t understand much about the wizarding world.

“Actually mum, I do, because…because I’m also a teacher at Hogwarts this year. I signed a contract which can‘t be breached. And anyway, I’m going because I want to.” Hermione replied. “And as for safety, I’m probably safer at Hogwarts than here, to be honest. Hogwarts is the safest dwelling in Britain.”

Robert and Jane looked shocked at Hermione’s rebellious behaviour. She had always been a quiet and obedient girl but now it was like as if she was breaking the reins that bound her.

“A teaching job?” Robert asked shocked.

“Yes, Harry got one as well. We are filling in for this year as they couldn’t get any teachers.” Hermione said slowly, bowing her head a bit as she knew this information would only add fuel to their parents’ argument. Clearing her breath, she looked straight up at her parents and continued, “Mum, dad, look. You can’t stop me from going you know. But I don’t want to leave with an argument.”

Harry had been quiet through all the conversation and it had got him thinking. Hermione had always been there for him, no matter what the circumstances. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he could even survive if it wasn’t for her help and most likely he would be dead by now if he hadn’t met Hermione. Therefore, he felt it was time to step in and he said, “Mr. Granger and Mrs…sorry Jane, don’t worry about Hermione. She will be perfectly safe. I will take care of her and I won’t let anything happen to her. Hermione means a lot to me and believe me when I say that I would love to tie her up in a closet somewhere so that she wouldn’t be in danger. But I can’t do that, because I respect her decision to help in any way she can. All I can say is that I will not let anything happen to her. I promise.” Hermione shot him a grateful look.

“But…” Robert started but Harry cut him off, “Sir, Hermione is almost needed at Hogwarts, besides the teaching job. She has saved me so many times that I can’t even start to count and it’s the same for our friend Ron as well. And anyway, she has a lot of friends watching out for her, so there really is no reason to worry. I promise, I could give you a wizard’s unbreakable vow if wanted me to. I will put as much effort as you want me to protect Hermione for you, and for everyone else.” There was a silence for a second or two. Hermione had watery eyes after Harry’s speech and she flashed a dazzling smile to him.

Finally Robert started, “Well, you’ve got me convinced Harry. Take care of her, she’s the only one I’ve got.”

“Of course Mr. Granger.” Harry replied earnestly. Hermione looked at her mother intently who said, “Well, who am I to crash this party? Just be careful.”

“Thanks.” Hermione said. The tears welled up in her eyes were threatening to break the barrier. “I think we should go now Harry.” Then she turned to her parents and said, “I’ll see you again before I leave to Hogwarts.”

Then Hermione gave her parents a hug each and Robert shook Harry’s hand. Then Jane said, “Harry, why don’t you come over here for Christmas this year along with Hermione? It will be fun. Bring Ron too; we would like to have all of you.”

“Thanks Jane.” Harry replied smiling. “Anyway, I should go now. I’ll see you there, Hermione.” Then he turned and disappeared. Robert went to the kitchen to get something to drink and Jane looked at her daughter.

“Don’t worry mom, you heard Harry. He’ll take care of me.” Hermione said looking at Jane’s sad face.

“I know he will. He obviously loves you a lot. You know, you two look good together.” Jane replied smiling. Hermione immediately blushed scarlet and said, “I’ll see you later mom.” Then she gave Jane another hug and apparated to the Burrow, wondering what her mom meant by Harry loving her. Was it friendship or something else?

Chapter 5 should be up soon, but might be a bit delayed as I’m working on a one-shot as well. And please review. It means a lot to me.

Thankyou,

mg2090