Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Harry Potter and the Dark Messanger ❯ The Dark One and Others ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7 The “Dark” One and Others

 

 

Harry was nervous about being alone, all alone, with Hermione. But the first night she slept with him in his bed nothing happened, it was just like back at #4 Privet Drive. The next night again it was like it was over the summer. They went through the next day holding hands, talking, reading, went out on a warmer then normal day to sit under a tree and look across the lake, it was paradise for Harry. No one from Slytherin had stayed, only a few Hufflepuff and one Ravenclaw had stayed. In the library they were reading when Harry remembered the time he caught Malfoy. “Wait a minute Hermione.” She looked up wondering if something was happening. “Malfoy didn't have a date at the Yule Ball, Monica stayed in the Common Room with Ginny. Devin didn't have a date because Ginny said no so he was there. Is Ginny covering for Malfoy? Is that what you saw!? Malfoy and Monica? What the hell is wrong with her?” Hermione started to laugh.

 

“No no no, not Malfoy you goof, Monica would never get with him. She is with someone we know but doesn't want people to know. Besides Harry how would Malfoy get up into the girls' dormitory with the ban on boys in the girls' dormitory?” Harry had no idea.

 

“Alright then what did you see? Who was she with?” Harry couldn't get his finger on it, what was going on? Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and took him back to the Gryffindor Common Room taking him up to his dorm room. “Hermione what are we doing?” Hermione pushed him on his bed.

 

“You wanted to see your surprise right? Well now we are alone and I can show you. I just did it again today so it will be perfect.” Harry didn't know if he wanted this surprise now, he wouldn't be able to resist her, she was beautiful, she was perfect.

 

“Hermione we shouldn't do anything like that, I mean, I don't have any, uh, you know…” She smiled.

 

“It's ok Harry there are many other things we can do without doing that.” She lifted her shirt off showing no bra. “Ready for you surprise?” Harry was dumbfounded, her chest lifting up and down as she breathed mesmerized him. She lowered her pants and drawers showing Harry his surprise.

 

“What did you do?” Last time Harry saw Hermione like this was in the Muggle Studies shower and the brown hair had surrounded his target.

 

“Monica told me all the girls in America do this for their boyfriends. I shaved again this morning since it was starting to grow back out. If I learn more in Transfiguration I will be able to keep it down permanently.” Harry was stunned by the look, she was beautiful no matter what she was wearing, or not wearing.

 

“Hermione we shouldn't do this, I don't have anything for it. You know, like…”

 

“I know what you mean Harry and we don't have to go that far.” She crawled on the bed over him. “We can have lots of fun without that having to happen.” She grabbed him with one hand and grabbed the back of his head with the other. “Mine.” She moved down his neck while Harry's hands had a mind of their own. He remembered the Theater, he had touched her there then but she had a dress on. She moaned when he started to touch her more. “More Harry, more.” Harry felt her hand moving nearly making him scream.

 

“No Honey, we can't go any farther I won't be able to stop myself.”

 

“Don't worry Harry, I don't need it, I want it but if you don't want to go that far we don't have to.” She moved against his hand brushing her lips against his as her chest moved against his. “A Dark One Comes Close.” Harry pushed Hermione off trying to find his wand. “What the fuck was that for Harry!”

 

“Shut up Hermione and get your clothes on a Death Eater is coming.” Hearing Death Eater Hermione grabbed her clothes getting her wand ready. “Hide under my cloak; if he doesn't see you maybe you can hit him from behind.” Harry went under his bed with his wand waiting for the Death Eater while Hermione got his cloak on. He waited for what seemed an eternity when a large black dog walked in. “Dark One? He meant someone with dark hair, not dark wizard.” Harry rolled out from under his bed. “What the hell are you doing Sirius? What if Snape caught you?” Sirius changed back into himself.

 

“Harry, I am not the only wizard who becomes a black dog. What if I had been a Death Eater? By the way Hermione come on out.” Hermione appeared from behind the cloak.

 

“Hi Sirius.” She was blushing bright red.

 

“I know what I smell and I don't like it, what if I hadn't come? Let me rephrase that, what would have happened if I hadn't appeared when I did Harry?” Harry was getting angry.

 

“Nothing Sirius we aren't stupid! We may have been doing some things but that is between us! I'm not a kid damn it and neither is she.” Harry wanted to punch Sirius but a man wouldn't do that. Hermione walked over next to Harry.

 

“We weren't going to do that Sirius; we were showing our love for each other but not that. What right do you have to tell us what to do anyways; you aren't my father or Harry's!” Before she could stop herself she had said it.

 

“You're right I'm not Hermione, but I have a question for you, why Harry? Last year you were with Krum now you are with Harry. You think since Voldemort is back you better show Harry a good time before he dies? Give him a little sympathy shagging so you can tell the world you were his first? The Famous Hermione Granger, Shagger of the Late Harry Potter.” Hermione couldn't stop herself pointing her wand at Sirius.

 

“Stupefy!” The bolt came out hitting Sirius knocking him into the wall behind him.

 

“Damn you Sirius. Ennervate” Sirius came to standing up brushing himself off.

 

“Well did I hit something there? I may not be his father but he is my son and I am going to protect him from Death Eaters and harlots.”

 

“Sirius you shut your mouth now or I'll turn you into the Ministry myself!” Harry was enraged, how could Sirius talk about her like this?

 

“And where will they put me? The Dementors went to Voldemort, Azkaban is no more. I'm sorry if you feel that I have stepped over some line but you are my son, I love you. I won't see you fall for the first girl to spread her legs for…” Harry pulled a Ginny on Sirius.

 

“Shut up about her, you have no right to talk about her that way, she loves me!” Harry had his wand pointed inches away from his God Father tears in his eye at what he thought was betrayal of Sirius. This was not going how Sirius had planned it. He didn't think Harry would still be with Hermione, a girl he didn't really trust. Sure she helped him escape and kept his secret but Harry told him what she had done. She kept Harry from stopping Peter from escaping, kept Peter free so he would still be on the run. How could she love Harry if she did something so horrible to Harry's God Father?

 

“Fine you love her, she loves you, you're all one big happy couple, for now.” Sirius sat up on the ground hurting from what Harry had done to him, another reason not to trust Hermione if she had this kind of control over Harry. “I came here hoping I could talk to you but if you'd rather I leave.”

 

“No Sirius don't leave just don't say anything else about Hermione.” Harry held a hand out to help Sirius up.

 

“Ok, truce. I came here because there is someone working for the Death Eaters at this school. Ginny wasn't the only student to be put under the Imperius Curse this year.” Sirius sat down on an unused bed. “Miss Chang had been fighting the curse for the first part of the year, she tried to fight it and couldn't. She tried starving herself to make her body to weak to follow an order, that's when Ginny was used. They tried to send Cho on you, get her close to you, but you rejected her and she snapped. They had trouble controlling her even if she couldn't throw the spell off since she was so weak, smart girl that Cho girl is.” He stood up feeling better from the blow Harry had done. “Look Harry, so far all the ones put under this curse have been women.” He glared at Hermione. “You can't trust any of them. Cho and Ginny weren't the only ones a Pansy Parkinson was cursed also but had not done anything to you. She said she was given strange orders we think was made to separate her from your enemy, Draco. She might have been a fall back plan.”

 

“Who's we?”

 

“The Order, we fight Voldemort with spies to disrupt attacks being planned. We also try to protect the targets of his wrath this being you. As I said no woman can be trusted, the Death Eaters are trying to use your hormones against you Harry, for all you know Hermione could be under the Curse even as we speak, or be the Death Eater herself, maybe Ron wasn't wrong.” At this both Harry and Hermione had raised their wands.

 

“Don't you dare speak to us about Ron; he is our friend and never wanted to hurt us!” They said in unison. “And Hermione isn't a Death Eater; she doesn't have the Dark Mark.” Sirius laughed sarcastically.

 

“Do you really think Voldemort is that stupid? Of course she wouldn't have it or she would be a suspect! She may also have it somewhere else on her body but you would have seen it no matter where it was wouldn't you? Letting Voldemort and a Death Eater control you through your dick!”

 

“I told you not to talk about Hermione that way, LEAVE!” Sirius turned to leave stopping to give Harry one last warning.

 

“I am telling you Harry she can't be trusted, if she was captured she would give you up in a heart beat. She doesn't love you; she loves the Famous Harry Potter.” Harry was going to hit Sirius with another Stupefy but Hermione held him back since Sirius was leaving. Sitting back on Harry's bed Hermione tried to calm Harry down.

 

“It's ok Harry he didn't mean it. He doesn't have any kids does he? You are all he has left from your mom and dad, he loves you more then anyone else alive. You are his son, you heard him, and he wants to protect you. What do you think would have happened if it was my dad who walked in on us?” Hermione thinking of her parents made her worry, she hadn't seen them since the attack, might have this Christmas Break but Dumbledore thought it best not to leave Hogwarts, one attack on her parents was enough.

 

“We would be dead, well I would be for making his daughter moan like she was.” Hermione chuckled.

 

“Exactly, parents are supposed to be protective of their children even when they aren't kids anymore. As my Mother always says, `No matter how old you get I will always be your Mother.', and that is true.” They laid down not doing anything else.

 

“I did like what you did but we can't trust Sirius can we? He might come back every night now making sure we aren't making love.” Harry rolled over to hold her.

 

“We weren't going to; we are too young for that anyways.” Hermione kept a laugh down.

 

“Not what I heard from Parvati. Dean was a `beast' according to her and he is your age.”

 

“Shut up I don't want that in my head before we fall asleep.” Hermione kissed him softly on his lips.

 

“Then think about what would have happened if Sirius hadn't come in.”

 

“I won't sleep then either! I did like my surprise though, an early Christmas Gift I take it?” She kissed his neck not leaving a mark like normal.

 

“If you like Harry you could consider it that. It did come with all the thoughts you had of me and Monica alone in the tub didn't it?” Harry laughed now.

 

“Now I'll never sleep.” But he was wrong; both fell asleep quite easily in each others arms peacefully.

 

 

Harry awoke before dawn with a pain coming from his scar. He had seen Voldemort with something that glowed a deep dark blue. Harry looked at Hermione who was still asleep remembering what had almost happened. As much as he hated Sirius right then he was glad Sirius had showed up. Harry didn't know if he could have controlled himself. Laying there the sun started to come up casting a glow on Hermione making her skin shine more beautifully then he could imagine. He started to run his hand up and down her arm waking her up. “Good morning Honey, can't let you sleep all morning can I? We can go running in the Great Hall, a few laps there should help you wake up.” She rolled over on top of him.

 

“I can think of another way to wake up.” Harry started to protest but Hermione rolled off the other side. “Don't worry Harry we won't do anything like that, yet. I can't get the potion from Madam Pomfrey until I turn 17, when I am of age.” Harry watched her change into the clothes she had brought from her room.

 

“While I love watching you change what potion are you talking about?” Hermione turned around to shake making Harry tempted to jump up and bring her back to bed.

 

“Sorry Harry I knew you would like that. The Motis Afris Potion. Each dose lasts 4 months with 3 doses being the usual amount taken. What did you think I was waiting for? You to go to a muggle town to buy some condoms or for me to get out from my dad's thumb to get the pill? My dad never leaves me alone when I leave, says he doesn't trust the boys out there.” She got the last of her running clothes on this time watching Harry change. The last thing he put on was his ring which immediately changed from blue to blue and red. After running twenty laps they sat down to eat. “Harry I was trying to research these rings, why they change colors like that, why we can sometimes hear each others thoughts.”

 

“And?”

 

“Nothing, these rings don't exist.” Harry ate his eggs rubbing his ring.

 

“Hermione, think of Hermione, I love her, think of her.”

 

“Harry? You just said `Think of Hermione' using the ring, right?” Harry nodded mouth full. “Well, they allow the owners to communicate I think. But not all our thoughts, I think you were really trying to talk to me, you had to think about me hard to get that through.”

 

“Yes, I have to think I love you, how great you are, all about you.” Hermione tried to think back with no luck. “Honey rub the ring with your thumb when you do it, that's what I do anyways.” Hermione tried again rubbing her ring.

 

“I love you too Harry.” She looked up at Harry.

 

“Yep you did it Honey. I wonder why that ghost told Monica to give me these, and the gold, and the book. Why me of all people?” Hermione shrugged her shoulders eating, rubbing her ring.

 

“I think Monica said something about death changing him. Maybe he was not a nice person when he was alive and decided to give it to the living person he thought deserved it most. Or maybe the person least like him.” Harry could speak since he wasn't eating at the moment but he decided to stick with the ring.

 

“Salazar, that name sounds familiar, where though?” Hermione finished her bacon talking instead of using the ring.

 

“I don't know Harry the name sounds familiar to me too. I remember reading it somewhere, in fact I know of two wizards named Salazar but this one can't be either of them.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Salazar Slytherin and Salazar McNire were dead years ago, McNire in Scotland, and Slytherin no one knows. He left the castle when he and the other 3 founders had an argument over Hogwarts.” Harry and Hermione agreed to look it up later after they went back to Gryffindor Common Room for snogging, and studying if their tongues got tired.

 

 

It was Christmas morning when Harry and Hermione woke up. Hermione found Harry “excited” and started to drive him crazy. “Hermione not now, I have morning breath and need a shower.” Hermione let go.

 

“Fine, which Prefect bathroom do you want to go to?” Harry rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed.

 

“Me to mine, you to yours. We aren't showering together, what if Sirius comes in?” Hermione smiled devilishly.

 

“That's just it only a Prefect can get in. Sirius isn't a Prefect so he doesn't have the password. We would be all alone together for as long as you want.” She slid over behind Harry wrapping her legs around him from behind him nibbling on his ear. “Why don't you want to Harry? Don't you love me? All year I try to get us together and you always say no. The night Sirius came in you were saying no but I had you, if Sirius hadn't interrupted us we could have had fun.” She moved her mouth down his neck.

 

“That's just it Hermione, you said yourself you can't get that potion until you are 17. I don't have anything, so if we did that you could become pregnant.” She bit down on his bare shoulder when he said `pregnant'.

 

“We don't have to do that Harry and you know it. There are many things a man and woman can do without doing that. Like this…” She slid her hand down his stomach into his boxers. “Don't you like it? I know I do when you touch me.” Harry shrugged her off standing up.

 

“But I don't trust myself Hermione, what if I lose control? If I lost control and pressured you or worse…” His body shook at the thought. Hermione was getting frustrated at Harry talk about himself like that.

 

“Fine Harry you don't think you can control yourself, what about me? I can control myself Harry and won't let you pressure me into anything.”

 

“But what if you can't? What if I hurt you?” Hermione saw where this conversation was going and cut Harry off.

 

“Ron surprised me, he was angry, he lost control. But that wasn't about love or sex it was about power, rage, anger. You aren't about power or rage, you love me and I love you.” Harry was still worried; he didn't want to hurt Hermione. “I heard that Harry, you won't hurt me, I trust you, don't you trust me?” Harry had been rubbing the ring without thinking about it.

 

“I do trust you Hermione, it's me I don't trust.” He let go of his ring speaking to Hermione.

 

“You should Harry, you have done so many things you don't even realize them all do you? You couldn't have been able to do any of those things if you hadn't trusted yourself to do them.” She hugged Harry. “Come on Harry we need to take a shower. The girls Prefect bathroom is closer so let's use that one.” She held his hand leading him down towards the Prefect bathroom. Harry looked around the girls bathroom a little envious.

 

“Hey, yours is better then ours. We only have two baths and a row of showers, why do the girls get a better bath?” Hermione laughed.

 

“Fine Harry I will give you something else to look at.” She quickly took her clothes off looking at Harry. “Come on Harry join me in the bath.” She turned on the faucet bending over and reaching down for the plug giving Harry quite a view.

 

“I don't know Hermione, this is too much for me to handle, you are so beautiful and I want to make you happy but it might be more then I am ready for.” Harry blushed as he took his boxers off.

 

“Ready? You look damn ready for me Harry.” Hermione slid into the bath water, the warm water on her skin making it red.

 

“That's not what I meant Hermione, of course I am ready physically but I don't want to be physical with you.”

 

“What?! I see how it is Harry I am just someone for you snog with? What's wrong with me? I already told you I can change anything about my body that you don't like.” She was close to crying dunking her head in the bath to not let Harry have the satisfaction of seeing tears.

 

“That's not what I meant Hermione. I don't know what to say or do damn it. Yes I would like to make love with you but that is more then sex, that is more then physical, do you understand? I sure as hell don't.” He didn't know what to say, there were no books on this and he couldn't ask his friends since one was in St. Mungo's and the other was the one he had to talk to. Hermione couldn't believe how sweet Harry was. He wants to make love to me not just shag or do something because he wants to. He wants every moment to be special with me.

 

“Harry there are other things we can do then shag, like this, or back in the Muggle Studies. Come here and relax with me will you Harry?” Harry surrendered and went into the bath sinking into the water across from Hermione.

 

“Alright Hermione.” Relaxing in the bath was nice; he could see why Devin did this.

 

“What are you thinking about Harry?”

 

“Devin.” Hermione splashed water at him.

 

“Gee thanks Harry, you have me here like this and you're thinking of Devin?” Harry laughed and splashed water back.

 

“Not like that. He always takes a bath when I take him to the Prefect bathroom. He says it helps him relax. I was relaxing and it made me think of that, except he is usually humming some tune.” Hermione raised an eyebrow.

 

“How does it go?” Her foot was rubbing against his leg, the hair tickling her feet. Harry started to hum it feeling her foot move up to his knee. “Sounds like an American song. Monica has a bunch of cd's and fixed her cd player to play even with all this magical interference. She plays it when she studies and let me listen sometimes in the dorm room. I'll ask her what it is next time I see her.” Hermione's foot was starting to get Harry nervous.

 

“Hermione could you please keep your feet under control? I like how it feels but a foot that close to me makes me nervous.” Hermione started to laugh splashing water at him.

 

Crack “Mr. Harry Potter Sir.” Hermione and Harry jumped when they heard someone apparate into the Prefects bathroom.

 

“Dobby? What do you want?!” Hermione was not pleased with the interruption.

 

“I got Mister Harry Potter Sir his Christmas gift and went to give it to him. Since this is where he was this is where I came.” Harry reached out and grabbed the mis-matched socks.

 

“Thanks Dobby, I got you something too in my dorm room if you want it. It has your name on it in a red bag.” Crack Dobby left them alone. “So Hermione I forgot to ask, in Hogwarts, A History it says you can't apparate, yet as you saw Dobby just did, is your book wrong or are the House Elves wrong?” Harry was amused that he had put Hermione on the spot.

 

“I don't know Harry the book says you can't but we just saw him do it. It would be great to learn how he does it, imagine how quickly we could get a message to someone? Instead of them apparating in Hogsmeade and then coming here or vice versa Dobby could just apparate to them! Imagine the possibilities, if Voldemort attacked the castle and we needed back up it would be so much quicker to send a House Elf to the Ministry then an owl or going to Hogsmeade to apparate.” Harry saw where Hermione was going with this and decided to stop her.

 

“Hermione stop thinking! This is our break, relax, enjoy it.” “Enjoy? Ok I think I will.” Leaving the Prefect bathroom with several bite marks on his body Harry had to admit she enjoyed herself. Hermione had just as many bite marks but was upset that Harry had made her `happy' but hadn't let her return the favor. Getting back to the Gryffindor Common Room they went up to his room to find presents. Most of them were the usual, Weasly Sweater for Harry, books for Hermione, sweets for both. Hermione was looking at one package rather strangely.

 

“Harry did you buy me something else? I swear you keep giving me all these things, what can I do with you?” She smiled opening the package, the card fell out. She read it then looked at the book. “Thank you Harry!” She wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him deeply. When she had finished sucking the air out of his lungs she went back to the book. “Uh Harry, do you even know what this book is about?” Harry shook his head. “Well if you took Ancient Runes you would. This is an old book, one of the first. Not as old as your Necronomicon but old. Some of the passages were said to have been written by Merlin himself. How did you talk him into lowering the price?” Harry smiled not saying a word. “Damn it Harry this cost more then my other gifts combined! How could you spend that much on me? I don't deserve this.” She threw the book at Harry who caught it easily as though it was a Snitch. Setting it down Harry had no idea why she was upset.

 

“What's wrong Mione? I try to make you happy and you get mad, what did I do?”

 

“Mione? What happened to Honey?”

 

“Don't change the subject, I said that because calling you Honey is stupid, anyone can call their girl Honey, only I can call you Mione. Now tell me why you are mad at me!” Hermione shrunk back when Harry yelled.

 

“I don't deserve it Harry, what have I done besides pressure you, make you nervous, I don't deserve any of these things.” She started to take the ring off when Harry reached out and stopped her.

 

“Don't you dare Mione, that is yours, you take it off and this is over.” She had it at her second knuckle, almost at her fingernail.

 

“What's that Harry? Like I'm property or something?” She held the ring there not wanting to find out if Harry was serious.

 

“No Mione, but if you throw away my love for you I won't act like a neutered dog. You take that ring, that necklace, or that bracelet off for anything more then showering or bed and I will end this.” Harry was breathing heavily trying to keep his anger back. Men don't yell at their girlfriends like this over something like a gift. Hermione slid the ring back on her finger.

 

“I don't mean too Harry, I love you, it's why I want to do the things other couples do. But you keep giving me everything and I don't return it, like in the Prefect bathroom.” Harry didn't know whether to laugh or yell.

 

“Is that what this is about? I made you happy and that makes me happy, you don't need to `return' that Hermione. I gave you those items because I love you, and while I love them when they are on you I hate them when they aren't. After Ron attacked you I was forced to keep those things. I wanted to melt them, I wanted to destroy them, they were nothing without you. But that you have them means you love me, don't you dare take them off, you deserve them and more.” Harry went over and hugged Hermione. “It's ok Mione, I love you, you deserve everything I give you, and you don't need to `return' the gifts as long as you accept the love that is in them.” She was crying, why he didn't know.

 

“I'm sorry Harry; I've never felt like this before. You mean so much to me, more then anyone I have ever known. When we are alone and you say no it would hurt me, I thought you didn't want me. You are the sweetest person Harry, you don't want me for what Dean had Parvati for, you actually love me, and you want to make love to me not just shag. You are a rare man Harry someone who respects his girlfriend for who she is not what she is.” She continued to cry as Harry patted her back.

 

“Maybe when we are ready, I don't think you are any more then I am. You see others doing that and you create expectations for yourself. You shouldn't Mione, if I wanted more I would tell you and if you were truly ready for more and wanted more then we could. But for now holding you, talking to you, feeling the warmth that comes from you when we kiss, it's all I need.” He started to cry releasing these words, these emotions, his mind emptied more then any time he had done Occlumency.

 

Waking up several hours later Harry was surprised Hermione wasn't there next to him. Grabbing the Marauder's Map from his trunk he finds Hermione is not on school grounds. Quickly putting it away he starts to rub his ring thinking of Hermione, trying to call out to her. “Mione, where are you? Can you hear me?” He looked at the ring to make sure it was half red and half blue, she was wearing it. He continued rubbing the ring trying to find her getting more worried as more time passed. Crack “Mr. Harry Potter Sir you are awake.” Harry fell over when Dobby broke his concentration. “Miss Hermione Granger Ma'am told me to tell you when you wake not to go looking for her Mr. Harry Potter Sir, she will be back soon.” Crack Dobby disappeared before Harry could say anything.

 

“Damn it Mione it isn't safe to go out alone. What if a Death Eater gets you?” Picking himself off the floor Harry walks down to the Common Room to wait for Hermione.

 

 

Hermione was walking around Hogsmeade trying to find a store that would sell something that Harry would want. Surprisingly everything was open on Christmas and most were doing a lot of business. She first thought of going to Zonko's but that was jokes not romantic. She wasn't going to the book store for she knew she wouldn't be able to leave without spending all her money on books for her. She started to walk down more roads trying to find something that would be perfect for Harry. He had given her everything she wanted and then some without her, as she saw it, giving anything back. She thought about Quidditch supplies but that is something a friend would give, not a girlfriend. She was getting frustrated not knowing what to get Harry. She thought about getting him something like a necklace, one like hers, but that is for girls not men. She was going out of her mind trying to find something that proved her love to Harry not thinking she already had. “Mione, where are you? Can you hear me?” She heard Harry calling for her, he was awake and knew she wasn't in Hogwarts. She thought about replying rubbing her ring but stopped not wanting to let Harry have the chance to yell at her for her stupidity. She knew this was dangerous, Harry didn't have to tell her that, and she was busy finding him the perfect gift.

 

Walking down one road she thought she heard a familiar voice but wasn't sure. “Monica?” The girl wearing the large parka turned around.

 

“Hermione! What are you doing here?” Monica ran from the front yard hugging Hermione knocking her to the ground.

 

“Whoa Monica get off of me.” Hermione pushed Monica off forcefully and stepped away from her. “What are you doing here? I saw you get on the Hogwarts Express.?” Brushing snow off herself Hermione was rather uneasy being around Monica after what she saw after the Yule Ball.

 

“I did Devin and I went to America to see our dad then came back last night.”

 

“So your mother has a house right here in Hogsmeade? Must be nice to live in such a place.” Monica shook herself knocking the snow off her.

 

“Not really no one else lives here. You are the first person from school I've seen since I left. Been trying to cheer Devin up but all I do is get hit with his abilities and feel like shit.” Monica walked towards Hermione who kept backing away. “What Hermione? You hate me now don't you? I can't help who I love and if you don't like it then too bad!” Monica started to walk back towards her house. Hermione wanted to say something, anything.

 

“Wait Monica!” Hermione started to catch up to Monica who turned around.

 

“Why Hermione? My mother knows I am like that, she says I have a `problem'. Now I lost you as a friend because you saw me, what do you think it is a choice? It isn't!” She turned back walking away. Hermione ran this time grabbing Monica by her arm.

 

“I don't hate you Monica it's just I don't know what to think. They are my friend too and seeing you with them like that just made me feel awkward.” Monica yanked her arm away from Hermione tearing her parka.

 

“Listen Hermione thanks for your `concern' but now I can't go back to Hogwarts. No one will want to be near me when they all find out.”

 

“Find out? Why would they find out?” Monica grabbed the torn sleeve trying to keep it together since it was really cold out.

 

“Oh come on Hermione you told Harry and he will tell his friends and they will tell theirs and by the time we go back to Hogwarts everyone will know.” Hermione was getting mad, first at herself and now at Monica.

 

“Why would I tell him? You obviously don't want people to know so I didn't tell him.” Hermione tried to get Monica to listen seeing her aura turn from a red to black. Monica lashed out at Hermione.

 

“Shut up! How can you stand there and lie to my face like that? You told him I know it you tell him everything! Hell he probably liked hearing about it, did it give him an extra jolt while you were fucking?!” She had smacked Hermione hard and was about to do it again when Hermione drew her wand.

 

“No Monica I didn't tell him! I swear to you Monica I didn't tell him. I still consider you a friend, I still want to be friends with you, why wouldn't I?”

 

“Don't lie to me Hermione! I know you thought about all the times you took me to the Prefect bathroom, you thought to yourself `How could I have not seen it?' after all those times.” Hermione still had her wand pointed at Monica shaking badly.

 

“I did think that but I didn't tell anyone Monica. You didn't tell anyone about me and Harry so how could I tell anyone about you? I trusted you to keep me and Harry a secret so please trust me to keep your secret Monica because I will keep it until you are ready to tell everyone about you.” Hermione lowered her wand to let Monica know she trusted her enough to do so.

 

“Hermione, if I get back and anyone even blinks at me different I will kill you. Back at home it wasn't that big a deal but here you people seem to live in the Dark Ages when it comes to that.” Hermione saw the aura become even darker when Monica threatened to kill her.

 

“Who cares how they treat you? Look at Harry everyone treats him differently or Luna, everyone calls her `Loony Lovegood' yet she doesn't care. I know it is different from you but still Monica.”

 

“Oh this isn't about me Hermione. They can call me whatever they want it doesn't bother me, it's Devin. Could you imagine what he would do? Just think of Draco calling me a slut and then see Devin, we'd be lucky if Devin didn't kill half of the students in Hogwarts.” Hermione saw it now, the aura closing in on Monica becoming a light gray.

 

“I see what you mean Monica. You need to know Monica that I don't think you have a problem or anything, I know some might think it is just a phase but love is love right? If you really love them and they love you then I want you to be happy. I won't tell Harry even though he wouldn't tell anyone.” Monica raised an eyebrow looking at her skeptically. “He wouldn't tell anyone Monica mainly because he doesn't have anyone else to tell. Ron was his best friend and I was too, but now Ron is away and I already know. Neville or Dean aren't really his friends he just know them. Don't worry Monica I won't tell him even though I trust him.” Monica hugged Hermione making Hermione feel nervous.

 

“Don't worry Hermione I trust you and if you want to tell Harry go ahead.” Letting go Monica walked back into her house leaving Hermione out on the front lawn.

 

“Damn it I still need to get Harry a gift he deserves, this is taking to much time I am supposed to be back before he wakes up.” She went down the road looking for the right store, the right gift.

 

 

The sun was just barely peaking over the horizon when Harry saw Hermione return on the Marauders Map. “She went to Hogsmeade using one of the tunnels, damn it doesn't she know how dangerous that is?” Harry left the Common Room and went down to meet her halfway to make sure she was alright and let her know how he felt about her leaving.

 

Hermione was cold and tired and mad at herself. She spent all day in Hogsmeade and couldn't find anything for Harry. She gave up when the sun was starting to set in the west. She kept walking slowly not wanting to see Harry until she absolutely had to in the Common Room.

 

Harry was following the path he had taken several times his third year when he wasn't allowed to go to Hogwarts getting closer to Hermione.

 

Hermione was almost halfway when she heard footsteps coming. “Damn it Filch is coming.” Looking around for a place to hide she saw none and prepared to get in trouble.

 

Harry walked around the corner and saw Hermione looking at her feet. “There you are Mione, what were you thinking going to Hogsmeade? I was so worried.” He wrapped his arms around Hermione hugging her tightly. “I was so worried you were hurt, that I hurt your feelings and you were mad at me. Don't do that Mione, don't do that.” He whispered into her ear as the weight came off his shoulders knowing she was safe.

 

“I'm sorry Harry I was going to be back before you woke up but I couldn't find anything perfect for you.” She hugged him back as they rocked back and forth almost as though they were dancing.

 

“You are the perfect thing for me Mione, you are perfect.” He held her feeling her cold skin against his warm body. “You're cold Mione, let's go back to the Common Room and warm up in front of the fireplace.” Holding her to him they walked back both relieved that the other was ok. In front of the fire she warmed up quickly from the fire and from Harry.

 

“This is nice Harry to bad the next term starts soon. I will miss this, being alone together with no one watching.” She started kissing his neck getting the response she wanted. Harry put one hand on her back and the other under a leg to carry her over to the couch while she continued sucking on his neck. “Mine, all mine.” Harry buried his face into her neck getting an animal sound to come out of Hermione. Hermione put her hands under his shirt moving it up and broke contact with his neck long enough to get the shirt off.

 

“Mione are you sure you want to do more?” Hermione breathing heavily replied with a deep kiss breathing Harry in. Harry's hands moved to do the same thing that Hermione had done getting her shirt off. “Don't you ever wear a bra anymore Mione?” She chuckled.

 

“No it takes more time to get off and I want to spend as much time with you as possible, no time wasted on clothes.” Harry moved his mouth down to her chest getting her to moan as he sucked on a nipple then blew cold air on it to make her shiver. “Harry that is incredible, more.” He started to give her more using his hands and mouth on her chest.

 

“Harry get some damn clothes on, you to Hermione.” Sirius's voice came in from the fireplace.

 

“Oh shit Harry.” Hermione threw her arms across her chest while Harry got her shirt.

 

“What the hell are you doing Sirius?” Harry got his shirt back on blocking Sirius's view of Hermione so she could get hers back on.

 

“Being a good God Father and warning you about what happened earlier today. The Dursley's were attacked by Death Eaters. The Aurors there fought back when more Death Eaters apparated behind them. More Aurors came and the battle ended with the Death Eaters, the Dursley's, and three Aurors dead. It appears this was not the main attack as several other attacks happened around the country. I wanted to tell you before you read the Daily Prophet tomorrow.” Harry was stunned, the Dursley's were dead?

 

“But where will I go now? Next summer where am I suppose to live?” Hermione was holding Harry feeling his skin go cold.

 

“With me Harry, I am still a fugitive but with the Dursley's gone there is no other choice.” Harry tried to cry, he should be crying, the Dursley's were dead, his last blood relatives.

 

“Ok Sirius.” Harry tried to push the tears out, why won't they come?

 

“Harry you don't need to cry, you are hurting inside you don't need to show it, besides they don't deserve them.” Hermione kissed him on the cheek.

 

“Harry I forbid you from going anywhere from now on. I know I signed the permission slip for you to go to Hogsmeade but I void it. You will go from Hogwarts to my home when summer comes. You are not allowed to go to the Burrow, Diagon Alley, or any other places. If you like your friends can visit you but you are not allowed to go anywhere, it is too dangerous. If you die your parents will hate me and I don't want them mad at me when I die.” Harry nodded not wanting to argue. “If you want you may bring Hermione or Ron when he is better by the time school is over. The Grangers are still on the run and sorry to say this Hermione but your house was one of the targets. No one was home so no one died. I have been making plans with Dumbledore to move them here if need be. Grimmauld Place is large enough to house you and them and some of the Weasly's if we need to. Be Safe Harry.” Sirius's head disappeared from the fire. Hermione and Harry were both stunned to the core. Her parents were still on the run, Harry's family was dead, and her house was gone.

 

“What are we going to do Harry?”

 

“I don't know Mione I guess go to Sirius's house when we leave Hogwarts. It's all we can do really, I'm sorry about your house.”

 

“I'm sorry about the Dursley's. I know they were horrible to you but they were still family.” Harry felt bad about the Dursley's and even worse that he didn't feel bad enough.

 

“I can't believe they are dead. All the hell they put me through, like my 7th birthday when I tried to kill myself after a week of being starved. Being locked in my cupboard after being beaten because I had better grades then Dudley. Or my 9th birthday when I found sleeping pills; they didn't have the same taste as bleach did. I tried to kill myself several times because of them, but now they are dead, I should feel worse but can't. I sliced my wrists once but they healed themselves, I didn't know why, didn't know I was magical because they never told me what I was. I tried to throw myself down the stairs but only broke my leg which healed itself. Uncle Vernon beat me because I didn't cook Dudley's eggs just right; Aunt Petunia used a broomstick on me for not dusting the house even when she didn't tell me to. All the hell they put me through I feel they deserved it but that is wrong.”

 

“Oh my god Harry they did that to you? Dumbledore left you with them? How could he let them do that to you?” She hugged Harry hard crying for him since he couldn't.

 

“I don't know Hermione, I hated it there. They kept me in a cupboard for the first 10 years there, even when I was a baby. Dudley would have toys and parties and friends while they literally kicked me out of the way if I cried too much because I had gone in my diaper. I hated them so much Mione but they are dead I should feel bad about it, they were human.”

 

“No they weren't Harry!” Hermione was angrier then she had ever been before. “I lived with them for over a month and they were that evil. Harry if I had known I would have killed them. Forget Azkaban I don't care I would have killed them with my bare hands!” She punched the couch several times.

 

“Don't say that Mione they are dead and should be mourned. Even the Death Eaters should, they are human even if they are evil.” Hermione punched the couch some more tears flowing down her cheeks.

 

“Damn you Harry how can you be so nice? They tortured you and you still want to mourn them? How can you be that nice?” Harry shrugged his shoulders not really thinking it was being nice just human. Hermione was enraged with this. “Dumbledore left you with them he had to know how they treated you. How can you consider them human?” Harry shrugged again.

 

“They were human, just like Death Eaters are human, I hated them but they were my family! I hated the way they treated me, when I was 9, the night I found the pills, my Uncle told my Aunt to dial slowly, if the medics didn't make it in time it wasn't their fault.” Harry tried to cry but still couldn't.

 

“What about their funeral? Are you going to it Harry? If you are I will go with you…” Harry shook his head.

 

“No, I mourn them but I still hate them and Sirius said I can't go anywhere. I would gladly give all the gold in my vault for them to be alive, to have my only blood relatives alive, but I can't. Now that they are dead I lost my last connection to my Mother…” Damn it why couldn't he cry? “I would give up everything I owned, everything I had, I would give up my magic if I could just make it so no one else had to die because of the Death Eaters and Voldemort.” He shook his head slowly. “No, there is one thing I would never give up.” He put a hand on Hermione's head kissing her on the forehead.

 

“Don't say that Harry it doesn't help anything, nothing can help it. Only with Voldemort falling can we end these deaths. Nothing can bring the dead back, not gold, not magic, nothing.” Hermione was getting tired of talking, the horror of what Harry had told her going through her mind. “How can you expect yourself to cry, to mourn, and to want anything more then a party for their deaths? You are free of them you can now live with Sirius like he asked you to in our 3rd year. How can you be so selfless?” Hermione rubbed her eyes trying not to cry more for Harry and what had happened to him growing up. Harry held her close to him, allowing her to literally have a shoulder to cry on.

 

“Because they were human that's how. All life is precious and should be mourned when it leaves. I guess the only comfort I have about Voldemort is that he isn't human, he isn't alive so if I had to protect you or Sirius or even Malfoy I could do it.” Hermione continued trying to stop herself from crying.

 

“But how Harry? I always knew you were a nice person but how? Those evil vile muggles hurt you physically and emotionally, how can you even want to mourn them? Yes they were living creatures but human they were definitely not!” Harry started to rock her back and forth.

 

“It's ok Mione, all the times I tried to hurt myself I either healed magically or they called the muggle doctors. When I was six, and seven, and eight, you see the point I'm trying to make, I tried to hurt myself but because of them I never died. Every time I would drink laundry detergent, bleach, whole bottles of cough medicine, they called the medics to save me. When I found the pills they saved me again. When I tried to hang myself Vernon pulled the rope so hard it tore the fan off the ceiling. They may have hated me but they weren't going to let me die no matter how much they hated me. How can I not mourn them?” Harry tried to cry and still couldn't making himself furious. “I want to mourn them, I want to cry, and I want to know they didn't die because of me but they did, this is my fault, everything I touch, everyone I know, destroyed or killed my entire fault.” Hermione pulled Harry down so they could lie together. The tears from Hermione glissading in the fire light making Harry hate himself more, it was his fault she was crying, everything was his fault, why couldn't Voldemort just kill him and get it over with. Harry and Hermione hugged each other falling asleep on the couch. Hermione cried a little more falling asleep exhausting herself from crying. Harry was just starting to fade into a dream when he heard someone call him “brother” waking him up instantly. His scar hurt badly and he had to suppress his screams of pain to keep from waking Hermione. The rest of the night she lay next to him sleeping while his scar hurt him hearing that one word, “Brother”, from some girl far away. It was starting to torment him not knowing who she was. She looked like him but was a girl, almost like a sister. But he was an only child, his mother and father never had any kids until he was born and his mother was killed before she could have had more.

 

“Who are you?” He whispered to himself holding onto Hermione for support.

 

The day after Christmas was uneventful. Harry felt horrible from lack of sleep but didn't want Hermione to see it. She still couldn't believe that Harry wanted to mourn the Dursley's after all they had done to him. He just kept telling her “They were human; any human life ending early should be mourned.” The next day he felt better when he had gotten almost five hours of sleep before the girl called out to him. Hermione finally stopped asking him about what else happened with the Dursley's when Harry started to cry of the memories from years of abuse and torture and suicide attempts. The next day more sleep but he had to take a nap to get back to normal. It was their last day to be alone before everyone came in that night, break was almost over. Sleeping next to Hermione helped him relax when they weren't making each other “happy”. Harry was starting to feel comfortable around Hermione when she gets in the mood for more then snogging. He even woke her up once making her very “happy” with his hands. Hermione was feeling better then ever now that Harry allowed her to return the “happiness”. He only allowed hands, she wasn't sure if she wanted to try more, yet. She had read books when she snuck into an adult store but you can't learn everything from books. She couldn't learn love or happiness from them or how to keep Harry from hurting from his memories.

 

“Harry I was wondering….” He looked up from the DADA book he had been using to teach the others.

 

“Yes Mione?”

 

“I was thinking about us and how much we love each other.”

 

“And?”

 

“I want to do something before the others get back. I like how you touch me and I know you like how I touch you but I want to do something more.” Harry closed the book and put it away.

 

“First I am not ready for that, second we have no protection, third I don't think you are ready for that. Any questions?” Hermione shook her head.

 

“Not that Harry I know you and I aren't ready for that. I told you I read some books when I snuck into an adult store and I wanted to try some of the things in it.” Hermione blushed getting Harry to relax.

 

“How exactly did you do that Mione? Don't they check for ages when you go in?”

 

“Shut up Harry I did wandless magic to get in when it was closed. I was embarrassed just being in there when no one else was let alone when someone was there. Besides being alone gave me time to read at my own pace.” Harry started to laugh.

 

“Sure Mione not like you didn't do anything else while you were alone.” Hermione blushed even more.

 

“Oh my Mione you did? In a store like that? My freaky little brunette doing that in a store, I think I need to get the thought out of my head.” They went up to his dorm room snogging and more for the rest of the day taking short breaks to catch their breaths.

 

That evening before dinner the Hogwarts Express pulled in letting forth the students filling Hogwarts again with noise and life. Hermione and Harry greeted their friends as they got off the platform. Harry was glad Hermione and Monica seemed to have made up over the break. Getting into the Great Hall for the Welcome Back dinner everyone seemed to have had a good break. Hermione was eating when Ginny saw the ring on her finger. “You have got to be kidding me he proposed already?” Hermione dropped the sandwich.

 

“What?” Ginny pointed to the ring. “No he didn't propose he gave it to me as a gift. What the hell made you think he proposed? We are too young for that, I'm only 16 and he's only 15.” Ginny didn't believe her looking at the ring some more.

 

“Come on Hermione he proposed to you and you said yes! It is really beautiful, how much did it cost? Come on we are still friends right?” Hermione nodded.

 

“You are my friend but he didn't propose it was a gift. I swear he has given me other jewelry, this is just more to add on to it.” Ginny gave up.

 

“Fine but you know it looks like an engagement ring. Glad to hear we are still friends…”

 

“Of course we are I was just shocked when I went into my room. I didn't tell Harry or anyone so don't worry.” Harry leaned over hearing the two talking.

 

“So Ginny who were you covering for? I thought maybe Malfoy but Monica would never get with someone that slimy. Also has to be someone who is powerful enough to break the boy ban on the dormitory. I don't remember the Head Boy at the dance, he fits the description, but Mione won't tell me. Come on we are friends to right?” Hermione nudged him in the ribs.

 

“None of your business Harry, if they wanted you to know they would tell you.” Harry rubbed his chest where she hit him and gave up.

 

Back in the Common Room Hermione was starting to get annoyed. Everyone thought her and Harry were engaged because of the ring she wore. “Alright! Sonorus. Harry did not propose, this is not an engagement ring, it is just a gift! Leave me alone you bloody gits.” Canceling the spell her voice went back to normal level. “Sorry Harry but it is getting annoying. Ginny said she thought it was an engagement ring to. I can't believe all these people.” Harry leaned in.

 

“I know, like my engagement ring to you wouldn't have a diamond the size of a Snitch. Something like that? Never.” She nudged him in the ribs hitting the same spot.

 

“Shut up Harry we are too young for that.”

 

“We won't always be too young.” She giggled pushing Harry away when he started to tease her with kisses. “Nice to see you love me too.” Harry laughed pulling her into him.

 

“I do love you Harry.” They hugged in front of the fire for awhile while others stared. Their actions made it hard for the others not to believe they weren't engaged. Going back to the dorms Hermione started to follow Harry.

 

“Wait Mione you can't come up with me tonight. I know I will miss you and you better miss me but everyone is back.” She frowned but went to her dorm room falling asleep in a bed she hadn't seen for over a week.