Second time love
By: broomstick flyer
Hermione makes a potion that will take her back in time to put right the mistakes she made, the worst of which was marrying the wrong man. Why she married Ron she did not know, she did know it was the biggest mistake she ever made.
Rated: Fiction T - English - Romance - Harry P., Hermione G. - Chapters: 12 - Words: 34,148 - Reviews: 638 - Favs: 2,354 - Follows: 1,008 - Updated: Sep 30, 2008 - Published: Sep 22, 2008 - Status: Complete - id: 4553008
Chapter One.
Hermione Jane Weasley struggled from the blood speckled bed as her husband of thirty two years slammed the bedroom door shut, standing in front of the wardrobe mirror she looked down at her bruised and battered body, if she had to leave the house today she was going to require quite a few glamour charms to cover all the cuts and bruises this time.
The bruises on her thighs made when her husband had forced her to submit to him yet again were large and painful, as were the imprints of his fists on her rib cage, the cut below her left eye still dripped blood.
She was sore and painful between her legs inside, and out side as well, but she would have to suffer that for now.
Waving her wand over the more painful areas Hermione did the best she could with healing charms, hopefully today was going to be the last time she would allow Ronald Bilius Weasley to treat her like a punch bag, today she was certain that all the secret work she had been doing for the last ten years would be complete. Tears of relief almost of joy fell down her cheeks as she thought 'today was the last time'.
Hermione had been working every free minute she was able, each day after Ron left for work she would open what looked like her old school trunk, and climb inside where there was a magically created room, all her secret books and purchases lined the shelves that covered most of the walls. Carefully almost lovingly she removed her latest acquisition, Hedwig Harry's owl had somehow found it for her just a few weeks ago, and as usual the owl had waited until Ron had left the house before delivering it. Hermione had thanked the stars for the intelligence of Hedwig, and for whoever it was that was helping her, she thought it might be George Weasley but she had no way of knowing for sure. She was sure that with out that help she would never have been able to get to where she was.
Hedwig had turned up ten years ago, just two days after Harry had been murdered, Hermione knew that Ron had been the one who had shot Harry, though where he got his hands on a Muggle gun she had no idea. That and she had no real proof that her husband was a murderer; she had just put all the clues together.
The ministry said that Harry had been shot by a Muggle mugger who had tried to rob him, but there had been clues for those looking in the right place, Harry died shot in the back of the head, just two weeks after his wife Ginny had turned up at Ron and Hermione's front door threatening to kill Hermione, she had told them when they had managed to calm her down enough, that Harry had left her after an argument and him admitting he had been in love with Hermione since they set Sirius free in their third year at school, he had also said he only married Ginny because Hermione was with Ron, and it was expected of him by almost all the people he knew, he had never actually loved anyone other than Hermione.
Hermione in her joy at the knowledge that Harry loved her had made what she thought was the worst mistake of her entire life that evening, after Ron left to take Ginny home she wrote Harry a note, and in it she told him she had always loved him and always would, she wrote and told him she had married Ron because she thought he loved Ginny, she told him a little of her life at the hands of the monster she had married.
The mistake was giving the letter to Ron's owl pig to deliver and forgetting to tell the owl to give it to Harry personally. The owl delivered the letter to Harry's house just as it usually did with mail, it delivered it while Ron was still there and dropped the letter on the table, Ginny read the letter then handed it to Ron.
The day Harry died Ron had beaten Hermione once again, and took her wand away, leaving her unable to heal herself and locked in their bedroom, she remembered wishing that one of her children would visit but they rarely did, they had seen Ron's violence and had turned out just like him.
Ron had once again gloated on the fact that he, the supposedly thick Ronald Weasley, had fooled the great Harry Potter for years, he had hated Harry Potter almost as much as Malfoy did, but being best friend of the boy who lived had paid high dividends, so Ron had cultured the so called friendship even fooling Hermione. Then with an odd look of satisfaction Ron had left the house at his normal time, he had how ever arrived at work nearly an hour later than normal, Harry's body was discovered that evening in a back alley where it had lain all day undisturbed.
Hermione looked down at the cauldron in front of her, it had taken three months but today the potion was ready, her reflection glittered back at her from the golden surface of the bubbling potion, the colour was perfect and she was confident in her abilities, if the book was right then today she was going to be with Harry once again.
Slowly and carefully she ladled the contents of the cauldron in to a goblet, then placed it on the small work bench in front of her, she lovingly stroked the worn leather cover of the book lying next to the goblet, then opened it up. Turning to page five hundred and four she began to read the words out loud, when she had finished reading the ritual she pointed her wand at her self and swirled it to the left four times then swirled it to the right eight times as she reread the words from the book. Then taking her wand she waved it up and down gently over the goblet, repeating the words 'inclino tergum aetas' as she tapped the goblet and carefully counted thirty seven taps of her wand on the side of the goblet.
Hermione picked up the glowing goblet, today she would be reunited with Harry one way or the other, if the magic had failed she would soon be with him in death, either way she would be better off than she was in this miserable life she was now trapped in. Slowly she lifted the goblet to her lips and began to drink without pause, having emptied the goblet she placed it down next to the book then pointing her wand at her self one more time she repeated the words 'inclino tergum aetas'.
The pain was more excruciating than the cruciatus curse and the golden light that filled her vision was blinding, for a few brief moments Hermione Weasley thought that she had failed, then the darkness overwhelmed her and she felt herself slipping away from the world of the living.
When Hermione's eyes refocused she was watching as the evil Umbridge was being taken away by the centaurs.
The relief that flooded through her as she realised her spell and ritual had worked was almost overwhelming, for a few moments she forgot the danger they were in from the angry centaurs, then just as she remembered they were rescued by Hagrid's half brother Grawp.
As she and Harry made their way out of the forest Hermione felt her younger self taking control again, it seemed an odd situation as she talked to herself explaining that she only wanted to help, she begged her younger self to allow her control of their body while she took them to Grimmauld place where she would have time to explain things properly, young Hermione wanted to know how and why right there and then until the older Hermione used her trump card.
'You love the boy don't you, then you can't let him go to the ministry, Voldemort is there waiting' she told herself 'and we don't have time for explanations yet, I promise if after I tell you what's happening you want me out I will leave you alone'
Young Hermione confused by what was taking place in her head but still determined to help and protect Harry finally relaxed and let this unusual side of her take over.
"Harry, Harry hold it," Hermione said panting.
Harry stopped running and looked around at his best friend "Come on Hermione we have to get to the Ministry I have to help Sirius," he said anxiously.
Hermione reached out her hand to him and Harry grabbed it and tried to pull her along.
"Harry wait," she said as she wrapped an arm around him, then with a crack she apparated them to Grimmauld place.
Harry's eyes were wide as he stared around him at his surroundings "How did you, Why did you do that?" he asked amazement showing in his voice.
"Sirius is not at the ministry, he's here at number twelve, probably feeding Buckbeak, Kreacher lied to you Harry, he's not your elf he can tell you anything he wants," Hermione said as she walked toward number twelve.
Just a few minutes later they were sitting in the kitchen of number twelve with Sirius, Harry was explaining to him what had been happening, while Harry talked to Sirius, Hermione spoke to her self and explained that she had come from the future; she revealed her memories to the younger Hermione to prove she was telling the truth.
'So if you don't agree that I can be of great help then you can just kick me out, if on the other hand you do agree and allow it to happen, then we will merge and become one, you will know all that I know, all the magic, all the potions all the memories, what ever you decide there is no way back for me' Hermione told her younger self.
Young Hermione did not take long to think it over, she loved Harry and would do anything she could to help him, also she did not want to live the life she had been shown, she at first thought it impossible that their best friend Ron could be the way her older self had revealed, but after thinking about it her faith in Ron began to waver, so she made the decision she would willingly give up her life if it brought happiness to Harry, and besides if her older self was right making Harry happy would have the effect of making herself happy as well.
Voldemort struck at Harry again just after the arrival of Dumbledore and several other members of the order of the phoenix, as Harry writhed in agony seeing visions of Sirius being tortured, Hermione heard her older self encouraging her to kiss Harry for all she was worth.
"Voldemort is waiting with his death eaters for Harry at the department of mysteries in the ministry," Hermione told Dumbledore as she turned to Sirius.
Dumbledore organised the order members into a small fighting force and gave orders for them to disapparate to the ministry, as Sirius and Remus stood to go Hermione grabbed Sirius by his wrist "Harry needs you more than they do," she told him.
Getting some of the remaining order members to hold Harry still, Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, then to the shock and surprise of those in the room she kissed him with all the passion she had built up inside, she gently rubbed her tongue across his bottom lip until she began to get a response, then suddenly she found Harry kissing her back fiercely.
Harry began to laugh as they broke the kiss to gasp at some air, "Hermione, I love you!" Harry declared laughing loudly, then he kissed her again.
Again Harry laughed when they broke the kiss "Hermione you just gave Voldemort the most pain he has ever felt in his entire life," he said still laughing.
Harry was still being held by Remus, Sirius, and Tonks and Hermione still had her arms around his neck, she saw in his eyes his sudden realisation of what had happened as it reached through his confusion, he stretched his neck upward to give her another more gentle and obviously love filled kiss, Sirius looked around at those in the room who were all staring wide eyed at the young couple, then nodding at Remus and Tonks he let go of Harry and moved quietly away.
Wrapping his arms gently around Hermione Harry finished the kiss then explained that through the connection Voldemort had opened with him, all the love that they shared had suddenly overwhelmed Voldemort's control and allowed the love to flow into his evil soul causing him to curl up on the floor in agony.
"I don't think he will be trying to use that method again," Harry said chuckling.
Hermione slowly unwrapped her arms from Harry's neck as Sirius chuckled and winked at her, "That was some kiss eh Harry?"
Hermione's face turned red as she realised what she had done, looking around she saw all those there were grinning, all but one that is, Mrs Weasley did not look at all happy, Hermione could only surmise that the older woman had thought that she and Ron belonged together, the thought made her shiver.
Dumbledore returned around thirty minutes later with the news that he had fought Voldemort in the atrium of the ministry in front of Fudge and several members of the Wizengamont, he then began to question them, he wanted to know why she had kissed Harry, and what had given her the idea, he also wanted to know from Harry just what had happened with Voldemort, he also wanted to know how they had arrived at Grimmauld place.
Hermione was very grateful when Sirius put an end to the questions by insisting that any questions be left until Harry had had a sleep and recovered from his ordeal. Together hand in hand Harry and Hermione walked up the stairs to the rooms they had used earlier in the year.
Outside her room Harry took both Hermione's hands in his, after giving her a gentle kiss he said "We need to talk in the morning." Letting go of her he turned and walked to his own room, Hermione watched him until he closed his bedroom door, turning slowly she walked into her own room and was in bed and asleep within minutes.
The merger of the two Hermione's souls seemed to take the form of a dream, as Hermione slept the merger began, the older Hermione's memories and the younger souls memories all began to merge, life in the tent during the hunt for the Horcruxes, the battle of Hogwarts and Voldemort's defeat, her wedding to Ron, the beatings and all that went with them, then Harry's murder and all that came after all flashed through the dream as the souls joined together. Then their magic merged and the room had a blue white glow filling it for a few seconds. When Hermione woke from the dream she was still the younger girl she had always been but with the memories of her older self. The two separate souls had become one. For the first few minutes she was rather confused by it all but gradually everything began to fall into place and feeling rather happy about having kissed Harry she fell back into a refreshing sleep where she dreamt about Harry and a lot of kissing.
Hermione awoke early the following morning, memories of what had happened the day before filled her mind almost instantly, getting up she wandered dreamily to the bathroom, thoughts of the way Harry had kissed her with that last loving kiss flooded her m
None of the Harry Potter characters belong to me, I have only borrowed them.
Second time Love
Standing up to Dumbledore
Hermione awoke early the following morning, memories of what had happened the day before filled her mind almost instantly.
She was pleased to realise that her younger self was the most dominant half of the two joined souls. She had not changed very much if at all, apart from feeling braver now than she ever did before, but that could be because the boy of her dreams had kissed her.
Getting up from the bed she wandered dreamily to the bathroom. Thoughts of the way Harry had kissed her with that last loving kiss flooded her mind, it was a kiss that dreams were made of, the kind of kiss that made a girl go weak at the knees.
She relived the kiss as she took her shower; then again as she brushed her teeth, and all over again as she brushed her flyaway hair.
Walking down to breakfast she knew she would be facing questions from Dumbledore but she would deal with him after she had talked to Harry and not before. Entering the kitchen she saw several order members standing or sitting around but there was no sign of Harry.
Without saying anything more than a quick good morning Hermione poured out two mugs of tea from the large tea pot sitting in the centre of the table, picking up the mugs she made her way up stairs to Harry's room.
Using her elbow on the door handle she opened the door just in time to see the bare butt of Harry who was just pulling up his boxers having had his morning shower, his shoulder length hair still hung damp and glistening, as was his back, his naked torso was amazingly well developed for someone of his age, she decided that the muscles were due to all the quidditch.
Knowing Harry loved her, and would always love her, gave Hermione the courage to overcome her natural shyness and ignoring his blushes she walked over to him and handed him a mug of tea, "We need to talk," she said as she pulled out her wand and placed some rather intricate and secure locking and silencing charms on the door. If anyone wanted to get in they would have a very hard time getting around the charms she had designed herself while on the hunt for Horcruxes.
Once the charms were in place she sat down on the bed and patted the mattress next to her, indicating for Harry to sit as well, sipping her tea she told Harry about all the things that Dumbledore had kept from him, she missed nothing out from how manipulative the headmaster was to how he was using Harry for his own purposes, she finished with "He might be doing what he thinks is for the best but he has made too many mistakes, mistakes that will eventually cost lives, and the hunt for those pieces of Voldemort's soul should have started ages ago."
Harry listened carefully to all Hermione told him and she could see him getting annoyed, "Harry it will do no good getting angry at what has been done, what we need to do is work out what to do about it all," she said taking hold of his hand.
She was slightly surprised that Harry did not question how she knew the things she told him but supposed that if she thought about it Harry had always trusted and relied on her knowledge and intelligence.
Harry coughed and looked a little uncomfortable as he tried to say some thing, "Er Hermione about yesterday, you kissed me, why?"
Hermione thought about it for a second before answering "You kissed me back, I could ask you why," She said with a chuckle "but to answer your question, it was the only way I could think of getting through to you."
"Well I wouldn't complain if you got my attention like that all the time," Harry said laughing.
"I suppose a girl could do that with a boyfriend," Hermione replied with a girlish giggle "but this girl doesn't have a boyfriend yet."
Harry chuckled a little before he leant toward her and placed a kiss on her cheek "I could do with a girlfriend, seeing as how Cho wasn't quite as good looking or as nice to be with as you, and if you haven't got your eye on a red headed someone else, how would you like the job?" he asked smiling and his eyes twinkling.
Hermione wondered why they had never spoken like this before, "Yes Harry," she answered knowing that now they truly were more than best friends, she kissed him on his cheek and repeated herself "Yes Harry."
Harry stuttered a little as he asked "You will, you'll be my girlfriend?"
Hermione chuckled as she answered him "Yes Harry, I'll be your girlfriend."
Harry jumped from the bed and forgetting he was only wearing his boxers he leapt into the air and yelled "Yes, yes, yes," as loud as he could, almost losing his boxers as he jumped.
Hermione fell back on the bed laughing and remembered the condition they had been in on the same day in her other life, when she had been hospitalised and having to drink ten different potions a day, and Harry had been miserable and inconsolable over Sirius's death, this time she would do all she could to make Harry's life happy, and that in turn would make her happy.
Hermione waited as Harry got dressed then hand in hand they walked down to the kitchen where they found Dumbledore was waiting for them.
Harry spoke before Dumbledore had time to ask any questions, "Why? Why have you treated me the way you have?" he asked without emotion.
Albus Dumbledore's mouth dropped open as he looked at the expressionless face of Harry.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean Harry," Dumbledore began "but maybe we should talk in private."
"Oh no, that's alright I want these people to know why you left me with my aunt and uncle when you knew they were mistreating me," Harry replied.
"I did not want you to grow up a pampered little prince, I wanted you to grow up as normal a boy as could be under the circumstances," Dumbledore began.
Harry cut him off with a snort "Oh so growing up being abused and beaten is growing up as a normal boy?"
There were murmurings from the order members who were listening, Sirius had straightened up in his chair as he heard Harry say he had been abused.
"I really think we should have this conversation in private," Dumbledore said looking annoyed.
"If you want the boy who lived as a weapon then you had better come up with a much better reason for my being abused, starved, and beaten for ten years, and I want to know why you have wasted the last five years, instead of training me and preparing me for what is to come you have done the opposite, and I think these people who have put their trust in you should know what has happened to me," Harry said still showing no emotion.
Hermione was amazed at the courage and determination of Harry as he faced the old headmaster. She reached down and took hold of Harry's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Harry I put you with your mothers sister because the blood bond created when your mother gave her life for you was the most powerful way of keeping you safe," Dumbledore was saying when Harry once more interrupted.
"Ah being safe as in being treated as a slave, almost starved to death, being beaten and kept locked up, having a cupboard under the stairs as a bed room for ten years, yes I can see how that would be keeping me safe, the fact I haven't grown into some deranged lunatic is no thanks to you," this time when Harry spoke his voice was full of venom, "In the Muggle world what you did is a crime, did you know that, they send people to prison for slavery."
Dumbledore had a tear in his eye as he watched Harry get up from his seat and walk away with one final parting remark "What did I ever do to you that was so bad."
Hermione along with Sirius followed Harry, when they entered Harry's bed room Sirius spoke up after clearing his throat. "I never knew Harry, I mean I knew that your mum and Petunia did not get on but I never guessed Petunia would treat you like that."
"I blame no one but Dumbledore for that, he knew how I was treated but did nothing, absolutely nothing," Harry told his godfather, he felt sick thinking of how he had always looked up to and respected Dumbledore.
Hermione told Sirius about the prophesy, Sirius said he had an idea but he was never told the actual wording, he was as shocked as Harry had been when he realised that Dumbledore had indeed failed Harry and the rest of them by wasting the last five years.
Sirius and Mr Weasley escorted Harry and Hermione back to the school using a portkey, Mr Weasley made the usual offer to the two best friends of his son, they would be welcome to spend a couple of weeks at the Burrow.
Two days before the end of term Dumbledore sent a note to Harry asking him to visit him in his office that evening at eight.
Both Harry and Hermione turned up and when the headmaster said that he needed a word in private, Harry surprised both Dumbledore and Hermione when he replied that he would like his fiancée to remain with him.
Dumbledore tried to apologise for the things that Harry had suffered in his short life, taking great pains to try and make them believe he did not know how bad things had been, neither of the teenagers forgot that the headmaster had already admitted he knew exactly what was happening, and then he proceeded to tell them about having arranged for the Dursleys not to mistreat Harry during the coming summer.
Hermione who through use of her own spells had managed to keep three of them hidden for a year while Voldemort was in charge of both the ministry and Hogwarts school, with freedom to do as he liked, turned on the headmaster.
"Harry will be spending the school holidays with me," she said almost hissing the words.
"I'm afraid Harry will have to go to the Dursleys if only for two or three weeks," Dumbledore said exasperated.
"I don't think so, you sir are not Harry's guardian, and out side this school you have absolutely no authority over what Harry does, or where he goes, so as I said Harry will be spending his holiday with me, I his fiancée unlike you will keep him both safe and happy, so if I was you I wouldn't waste time trying to find us," Hermione said calmly.
The two teenagers had absolutely no intention of letting Dumbledore dictate to them any longer, his manipulation was over, Harry would spend his holiday learning from Hermione, she was after all the cleverest person he had ever met, and as far as he was concerned at the moment she was his best hope of getting through it all alive, knowing the prophesy he realised that his future life lay in being able to defeat Voldemort as soon as was possible. They had no more time to waste being children, now it was time for them to grow up and take control.
Dumbledore's thought process was brought to a halt by Hermione's words, it did not take him many moments to realise she wasn't known as the brightest witch in her year for no reason, he did indeed have no authority over Harry outside the school, and there would be no way he could legally get the Dursleys to take him against his will, in fact they would be more than happy if they never saw Harry ever again. For the first time in many years Albus Dumbledore did not know what to do, he could appeal to Sirius but he knew that would be a waste of his breath and time. Then to add insult to injury the two teenagers as good as dismissed him when Hermione simply said "There is nothing else you wish to talk about is there," then just walking away and leaving the office.
Down in the entrance hall they met Malfoy and his cronies, Malfoy instantly insulted Hermione by calling her a mudblood, Harry had his wand out in a flash and was about to cast some spell or curse at the evil little Slytherin when Hermione stopped him, "don't waste your magic on the stuff people scrape from their shoes," she said grinning at Harry.
Cussing Malfoy grabbed for his wand but he found Hermione's fist could still hurt quite a lot, he was on the floor before he had got even close to his pocket, Malfoys cronies stood not knowing what to do while Malfoy lay flat on his back holding his nose.
"If I was you Malfoy, I wouldn't go around insulting my girlfriend," Harry said as they walked around him.
"Whats going on here, ah ten points from…" professor Snape shouted then stopped midsentence.
"I wouldn't finish that if I was you," Hermione said coldly as she stared defiantly at the potions master.
"Why you insufferable mudblood know it all," Snape shouted, that's when Severus found out that Harry had a very good right hook.
Another voice from behind them broke the silence that had fallen in the entrance hall "Ah Mr Potter and Miss Granger, one hundred points each for bringing sanity back to the school I think, don't you Severus, and I think another fifty points each for showing great restraint by not using magic when unjustly and severely provoked. Oh and by the way Severus if I ever hear you call one of my students that name again you will be looking for a new position, and get up of the floor, it looks most undignified." Professor McGonagall said before sending Crabbe and Goyle up to her office to deliver her luggage.
As they left Hogwarts for the summer Dumbledore stopped Harry and Hermione as they dragged their trunks out to the waiting carriages.
"I wish to try to apologise once again Harry, I realise now I should have trusted you more, I should have told you some things and I am sorry I did not do that, the only excuse I have is that I cared for you to much, I just wanted you to have a normal childhood, I thought I would tell you when you were older," Dumbledore said sounding sincere.
Harry dropped his trunk and stared at the headmaster "How you can stand there and tell such lies, I don't know," he said to the astonished headmaster.
Dumbledore stood with his mouth open but no words were forming, he shook his head as though wishing he had not heard what had been said.
"You who placed me with cruel abusers, and knowing what I had to suffer you sent me back every year, how could you possibly care one iota about me when you were willing to do that, to put me through all that year after year," Harry spat out.
Grabbing his trunk Harry turned to Hermione "Come on love, lets go get some fresh air."
Dumbledore watched them load their trunks on to the carriage that would take them to Hogsmeade station and he knew that any respect or friendship, or indeed any connection at all he might have once had with Harry was gone, and sad as it was he could not blame the boy who had known no happiness outside his friend ships with Miss Granger and Mr Weasley, it would take a lot of work to regain the trust of his two favourite students.
As the carriage bounced it's way to Hogsmeade station Hermione sat cuddled tight into Harry's side, his arm lay across her shoulders and she had her head leaning against his chest, "Harry,"
"Hmmm, yes love,"
"You called me your fiancée, why'd you do that?" she asked.
"I wanted to stop Dumbledore making you leave,"
"Oh was, er was that the only reason?" Hermione's voice sounded apprehensive.
"Well yeah, but then, oh I don't know it just seemed like that's what you should be, you know my fiancée like," Harry replied awkwardly.
"Well shouldn't I have a ring or something if you are going to tell people I'm your fiancée?" Hermione said chuckling at his awkwardness
"Umm, er, yeah I suppose,"
Hermione's face broke out in a huge smile "And aren't you supposed to ask me something first?"
Harry somehow felt the smile in her voice and decided to join in the game she seemed to be playing "Yeah, I suppose I should really," he paused for effect "er, Hermione love, er, could you, er would you, er willyoutellmethetime," he choked out laughing.
Hermione gave him a thump on his shoulder and laughed with him but he caught just a glimpse of disappointment in her face before she began to laugh with him.
Once they had settled back down and their laughing had ended they both sat silent for the remaining few minutes until they reached Hogsmeade station, as Hermione reached to open the door harry caught her hand, "Oh by the way I just wondered if you might like to marry me some day?" he asked quietly before kissing her.
Neville Longbottom met them as they jumped down onto the platform "I'd love to Harry," Hermione said as Neville steadied her.
"Love to what?" Neville couldn't help asking.
"Oh I just asked Hermione to marry me," Harry said strutting around his friend.
Neville's eyes shot open "You did? What about?" and he nodded his head in Ron's direction.
"Well Ron isn't talking to us because I asked Hermione to be my girlfriend, so I don't think he will like us being engaged not one little bit," Harry said with a sad look on his face.
"I can't see what his problem is," Hermione said looking at the boy she had come to hate.
"Well everyone knows he fancies you, and some people even thought you fancied him," Neville commented quietly.
"Me fancy Ron? Why on earth would I fancy someone who annoys me so much?" Hermione said looking as though Neville was crazy "as a matter of fact I'm quite enjoying not having him argue with me all the time, perhaps he should stay this quiet all the time."
Harry and Neville followed Hermione onto the Hogwarts express, "Come on you two lets go find Luna and Ginny," she said as she led them down the train.
chapter 3
The penny bet, Dumbledore and Ginny.
Hermione walked down the train looking for Ginny and Luna, she knew they would be together, they always rode the train together, having nearly reached the end of the train they found the two girls they were looking for and joined them in their compartment.
Hermione intended to let Ginny know that Harry was off limits, he was hers now and she would let no one take him away from her.
Hermione found Ginny's reaction to the news that she and Harry were now engaged quite a bit different to what she had expected; Ginny remained friendly though she did for a short time look just a little disappointed.
An hour into the journey Hermione excused her self and made her way out of the compartment, and headed for the washroom.
As soon as she was out of sight of the compartment she heard Ginny behind her.
"Hermione can I have a word," Ginny was asking in an unusually serious voice.
'Ah this is more like it, the evil little tart wants to try and scare me off' Hermione thought as she turned to face the young red head. "Yes Ginny, what is it?"
"I know I don't have to tell you I love Harry, and most likely I always will, I just want to warn you now that you will regret it if you ever hurt him, I don't care who you are, friend or not, hurting Harry is not going to be a bright idea," Ginny said in a really threatening voice.
The surprise was evident in Hermione's voice when she answered "You really do love him then, it's not just a crush on the boy who lived?"
"Hermione, do you really think I would have offered to face death eaters, and maybe V-Voldemort him self for a crush?" Ginny almost whispered.
"Sorry Ginny, you just took me by surprise," Hermione answered honestly.
"Well just you remember, anyone, and I mean anyone who hurts Harry will have me after them," Ginny said firmly.
"What if it was Ron that was hurting Harry, what then Gin?" Hermione asked.
"Same goes for him and anyone else, even my own family," Ginny said as she turned to go back to her seat "they would deeply regret it."
The conversation with Ginny had Hermione just a little puzzled, she had been so sure in both lives that Ginny only wanted Harry for his fame, but the Ginny she had just spoken to, had a fierce passion in her eyes when she had threatened anyone who hurt Harry, passion and love beyond her years and Hermione had seen it in those eyes and knew it was real.
There was another surprise for Hermione when they reached Kings Cross, having climbed down from the train and said goodbye to Neville and Luna she turned to say good bye to Ginny.
The young red haired girl hugged Hermione tight and whispered in her ear "Keep him safe, and love him truly." Before waving goodbye and walking away.
Harry tapped Hermione on her shoulder as she watched Ginny disappear into the milling crowd of students, turning to him she saw him pointing at something further along the platform, looking where he was pointing she saw her parents, and to her surprise they were talking to Dumbledore.
"If he has persuaded my parents not to allow you to come with us, I'll hex the old prat into next year," Hermione exploded causing several of the younger students nearby to hurriedly move away.
Harry had to drag both of their trunks along the platform as Hermione charged off toward where her parents and Dumbledore stood, the three adults stared at her as she approached them looking like she was going to erupt at any second.
Dumbledore remembering their very recent encounters headed Hermione off before she could start, with a small cough to clear his throat and to gain her full attention he turned to look her in the eye, finding she averted her eyes from him he spoke up
"Miss Granger, Mr Potter, I was just arranging for your parents to take care of a dog for me, you will no doubt remember Snuffles, well he will be accompanying you on your holiday this year. your parents have also kindly offered to allow Mr Potter to accompany you as well, I hope this little gesture on my part will help you to see that though I have made many mistakes, I am trying to repair a little of the damage I have done, if there is anything I can do to help you I hope you will not hesitate to ask, and maybe one day when all this is over you might find it in your hearts to forgive an old mans mistakes."
Hermione could see a tear trickle down into the old mans beard and for a moment her heart felt for the old man, but then she remembered all Harry had been through, Dumbledore would need to do more than this to get Harry to forgive him and she knew it, never the less she nodded her head, she knew the old man wanted her help in rebuilding the bridges that had been demolished even though she had helped to demolish them.
Dumbledore turned to Mr Granger "I will deliver the dog later today at the address you have supplied," with that said he made to walk away.
"Headmaster, could we have a word with you when you deliver Snuffles?" Hermione asked politely though she was shaking a little as her anger and the adrenalin that fed it died down.
Dumbledore nodded before wishing them good bye and a safe journey.
"Wonder what all that was about?" Harry said as Mr Granger led them out to the car park.
"Well love I think of all the things we said, that last remark about getting some fresh air might just have really hit home, I really do think he regrets the things he did, like I said before, he did what he thought was for the best, he has made a lot of mistakes but I think he really might care for you,"
Harry looked at her like she had gone crazy, but then he began to think it over, he was going to need the help of both Dumbledore and the order if he and Hermione were to succeed, he gave a little chuckle at that last thought as he realised he no longer thought in the singular, what ever he thought of doing he thought of doing as a couple, and it made him feel warm inside, she was the only girl in the world who had seen him at his best, and at his worst, she had no interest in the boy who lived, she knew the real Harry Potter and still she loved him, "Maybe you're right, besides we are going to need him on our side," he said as they climbed into the rear of the Grangers car.
As soon as they arrived at her home Hermione left Harry and her father to carry in their luggage while she went off with her mother on a walk around the rather large garden, having chosen six places around the perimeter, using her wand Hermione started to carve intricate runes into the objects she had chosen, the first runes she carved into the root's of an ancient oak, slowly moving around the garden she completed all the six runes, now all she had to do was to wait for Dumbledore to arrive then she could complete her security measures, Mrs Granger decided it was time to make supper and went into the house leaving Hermione waiting on her own.
It was rather obvious that Dumbledore was going to do all he could to repair his relationship with Harry because he and Snuffles arrived as she finished the last of her preparations on the house its self.
Once The two visitors had entered the garden Hermione began to make several intricate movements with her wand, all the while she was chanting in some language neither of the two visitors knew, on the final wave they were surprised to see a beam of sapphire blue light slowly travel outward and upward from her wand, seconds later the light arched over and dipped to the ground before once again rising and travelling in a different direction, in just two minutes they found them selves standing under a six pointed canopy of blue lines of light, the star shaped canopy glowed with its blue light for several minutes the light spreading out until it covered the entire property then it suddenly vanished leaving no visible trace behind.
"Fascinating, absolutely fascinating," Dumbledore said as he looked at Hermione in a new light, "I take it that display was your protection wards going up," he said watching her blowing on the end of her now smoking wand.
Hermione nodded, "Yes sir though I still have the inner one around the house to do," she answered still trying to cool her wand down.
"The power from that charm almost set your wand on fire?" Dumbledore said more as a question than an observation.
"Yes it did get a little warm, and now that Harry and I are together it seems the magic is even stronger," Hermione replied as she led them toward the house.
"I take it that it is based on your love for Mr Potter," Dumbledore said smiling.
Hermione realised then that the magic was so much stronger because she now had the love of two life times in her heart for Harry, she wondered absently why she hadn't thought about that before but was dragged from her thoughts when Snuffles jumped up and licked her face, chuckling she stroked the huge black dog "Yes Snuffles, I love him enough to set my wand on fire."
After opening the door and inviting them into the house Hermione gave her wand a wave and pointed it at the front door step, the step glowed for a few seconds then returned to its normal look.
"That'll even prevent Dementors finding us," Hermione said as Snuffles changed from a dog into Sirius Black.
Walking through the rather large house they found Mr and Mrs Granger in the kitchen watching Harry standing by the cooker enjoying him self as he prepared their supper.
While Harry finished cooking Hermione and the two guests joined the older Grangers at the kitchen table, Hermione took a deep breath and then began to tell her parents all about Voldemort and what Harry had to do, she also informed them that she would be with Harry through it all right to the end.
She had expected her parents to shout and yell, to tell her she was crazy to be involved in a war but she was quite surprised when her dad spoke up.
Instead of talking to Hermione as she expected he spoke to her mother, a grim smile on his face.
"Just this once dear I really wish I had been wrong, but I think I win the bet."
Mrs Granger looked as sad as Hermione had ever seen her when she pulled out her purse and took out a penny coin "This is one penny I wish I had not lost," she said as she handed the penny to Mr Granger.
"Mum, dad, what's going on?" a baffled Hermione asked.
"I bet your mum that you were in love with Harry," Mr Granger said putting the penny into a small jar of coins.
"You bet a penny?" Hermione said sounding astonished.
"We always bet a penny when we have a bet, dear," Mrs Granger said smiling.
"How did you know?" Hermione asked her now grinning dad.
"I knew from the first letter you sent us after Halloween of your first year," Mr Granger said still grinning.
Hermione turned to her still sad looking mother "You don't approve?"
Mrs Granger reached across the table and took Hermione's hand "Oh I think you have fallen in love with the right man for you dear, it's just he, both of you have so much to bear on such young shoulders, I just wish my little girl could live a normal happy life, well when I say normal I mean, well you know what I mean."
Hermione nodded she did indeed know what her mother meant, she would love to live a normal life with Harry, to be able to go out on dates, to be able to walk around Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade holding hands and laughing with each other, without some one trying to kill one or both of them.
Dumbledore coughed "You wanted to talk to me, do we need to go somewhere private?"
Hermione looked at Harry then at her parents "No I don't think so, Harry you should sit down love."
Taking a deep breath Hermione looked around at those gathered around the table, there was no way they would believe where she found out what she was about to tell them, she just prayed they would not ask.
"First I need to say that I know about the Horcruxes, I also know where four of them are, the first three are going to be fairly easy to find and destroy, none of you are going to like what I have to say about the fourth one, though I think I have worked out a way to get rid of that one as well." She paused to give them time to digest what she said.
Albus Dumbledore's eyebrows rose up his forehead but he said nothing, her parents, and Harry asked what a Horcrux was, While Sirius said he thought that they were a myth, Hermione explained to Harry and her parents what a Horcrux was and how Voldemort had created six of them.
Silence followed her words as she saw the looks of horror on the faces around her.
"The locket, the one Regulus died retrieving is at Grimmauld place, Kreacher has it in his cupboard, the next one is a tiara, it's in the room of requirements, the third one is that snake Voldemort has with him all the time," she finished and stared at Harry.
"And the fourth one?" her mum asked.
"The fourth one is, it's, Harry has it, it's attached to his own soul, oh it cant affect him, it's just dormant like some sort of parasite," she answered quietly.
"You said Voldemort created six of these evil things?" Mr Granger said looking at his daughter; she looked so grown up all of a sudden.
"Yes, but maybe we should ask the headmaster about the other two," Hermione answered looking at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded "I have two of them, but I have yet to figure a way to destroy one of them, Harry has already destroyed one, it was a diary he destroyed in his second year, when he saved the life of a young girl."
"Harry can destroy the stone with Gryffindor's sword," Hermione said looking at the headmaster "I know you don't want it destroyed, but it has to be done, and it has to be Harry that does it."
Dumbledore gave a tired smile "You are correct of course, it needs to be destroyed, but how do you know?"
Hermione smiled back at the old headmaster "You aren't the only one who has sought to own a myth." She looked with love at Harry.
"No I suppose not," Dumbledore agreed nodding his head.
"So the fourth one you said you have figured a way to destroy it?" Sirius asked looking worried.
"Yes, but we will need to go through the locked door, you need to get us into the department of mysteries," Hermione said looking at Dumbledore.
"Behind the locked door?" Harry asked looking puzzled.
"There is a room in the department of mysteries, it is kept locked at all times, within that room there is a force of such wonder, it is greater even than the forces of nature, Sirius and I were witness to some of that force just a short while ago," Dumbledore replied in answer to Harry's question.
"You said 'us', you said you need me to get 'us' into the room," Dumbledore said looking at Hermione.
"Yes well I will have to work out the details," Hermione said not wanting to reveal she had no idea yet just who or what would be needed to acquire enough of the force to work.
They ate their supper in silence, all of them alone with their thoughts. As soon as they had finished eating Dumbledore said his good byes and Hermione and Harry walked with him to the garden gate.
"I hope your wards are strong ones miss Granger, for they now need to protect Snuffles and your parents as well as you two," Dumbledore said as he opened the gate.
"Why don't you test them sir, another opinion on them would be quite welcome," Hermione replied as the gate swung shut.
Albus Dumbledore stood on the footpath and looked around, he wondered why he was there for a while, knowing he never went anywhere without reason he began to concentrate then slowly he began to remember, turning around he looked at the demolished fenced in building in front of him.
'Umm excellent' he thought as he looked up and down the leafy lane, seeing no one around he pulled out his wand and did several intricate movements, then smiling to himself he turned and walked away.
'Fascinating, I must congratulate miss Granger when next we meet, those wards are better than the blood wards I placed around number four Privet Drive' he thought before he disapparated.
That night Hermione tossed and turned in her bed as thoughts of the day's events ran through her mind, then she remembered Ginny's words, she was still thinking of them when she finally fell asleep.
The dream began as did all her dreams, random pictures of kissing Harry interspersed with pictures of her mum and Snuffles, then the dream changed.
'Ginny was raging at Hermione because her husband had just admitted he was in love with the older woman, she was still shedding tears as she finally calmed and accepted that Hermione could not control who fell in love with her, then the scene changed it was just after Harry's funeral and she and Ron were in Diagon Alley doing their shopping, Hermione saw someone like Ginny going into Flourish and Blotts, then she saw several other occasions when they had seen Ginny shopping or supposedly visiting St Mungo's for various reasons, each time they had been near to the book shop, Hermione received a helpful note or a book the following day, the last part of the dream took Hermione back to her last visit to the Burrow, and something she had forgotten, Ginny had been there and as they left Ginny had whispered to Hermione "goodbye and good luck," Hermione woke from the dream with a start.
After giving her pillows a good shaking and still not being able to go back to sleep Hermione made her way down stairs to the kitchen, sitting with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands she thought back, remembering all the help she had received in her research, she wondered why she had thought that George might be the one helping her, but the only thing she had based that on was he was the only one she knew who could brew just about any potion and he was always in Diagon Alley.
The more she thought about it the more convinced she became that Ginny in either of her lives would indeed seek revenge on anyone hurting Harry, even her own brother. after pondering the implications for a while she made her mind up, she would visit Ginny as soon as she could.
chapter 4
Ginny's in love with you too.
Hermione woke early the next morning and found that she was the only one up, having made and drunk a mug of refreshing tea she made a decision, things were different now to the way she remembered them, she had changed the past and no longer knew what was going to happen so she would have to live like everyone else, taking each day as it comes.
She decided she would see Ginny today, early before anyone else was around, she knew of course that the Weasley matriarch would already be awake but she did not wish to talk to her yet so she could not just arrive unannounced, but she did need to talk to someone and she thought that she could trust Ginny because she wanted more or less the same thing as herself, Harry Potter happy.
So she would need to make her visit to Ginny and Ginny only.
It did not take long for Hermione to dress and apparate to the Burrow, nor did it take her long to find Ginny's bedroom window, she had slept in that room almost as much as she slept in her own bedroom and knew it well.
Using a levitating charm on her self Hermione rose slowly upward until she was level with Ginny's window. She was pleased to see that it was ajar just as it normally was, it was always open to allow in any owls that might visit, very handy she thought as she reached over and grabbed the frame. Pulling herself gently toward the open window she came to rest on the window sill, then having removed the levitating charm from her self she opened the window and climbed in.
Ginny Weasley woke with a shout when she realised someone was in her room, Hermione had already pre-empted any yell or cry that Ginny might make by placing a silencing charm on the room.
"Ginny shush, it's only me," Hermione said trying to calm the red head.
"Hermione? Hermione what the heck are you doing sneaking about my bedroom at… what time is it anyway?" Ginny hissed angrily.
"It's nearly six," Hermione said as she checked her watch.
"Tell me you mean six in the evening, tell me you are not actually here at six o clock in the morning," Ginny said irritated, she was never very good in the mornings and the earlier it was the worse she felt.
"Ok if that's what you want me to tell you, but it wouldn't be the truth," Hermione said chuckling at the red haired girl who was rubbing her eyes.
"Ok so what do you want at this ungodly hour during the holidays?" Ginny asked sitting up in her bed.
"What you said to me on the train, about not hurting Harry I mean, did you really mean it or not?" Hermione asked as she sat next to Ginny on the bed.
"Of course I meant it, why what's happened?" Ginny asked suddenly looking at Hermione suspiciously.
"You won't like what I have to say, but if you meant what you said then I will need your help to stop Harry being really hurt," Hermione told the young girl.
"I don't think I like this," Ginny said seriously "so spill it, who or what has you so sure Harry is going to be hurt."
Hermione told Ginny all about Ron's jealousy and his plot to keep Harry from being happy, how Ron had known how both she and Harry felt for each other, but instead of helping them he had tried to convince them both that the other wasn't interested, "he even tried to get me to fall for him just so he could gloat over it to Harry," she finished.
"Hang on let me see if I have this right, both you and Harry admitted to Ron that you fancied each other," Ginny said looking into Hermione's eyes.
"Yes, we did," Hermione agreed.
"And then Ron lied to both of you and said you didn't like each other that way, just because he's actually jealous of Harry's fame and money, and you say he's stringing Harry along simply because there are benefits to being best friend of the boy who lived," Ginny sounded as though she couldn't believe what Hermione was saying.
"That about sums it up," Hermione nodded.
"So why's Ron giving you the silent treatment, we all thought it was because he fancied you?" Ginny asked.
"I suppose he's just a little annoyed that part of his plan failed," Hermione replied quietly.
"And how the heck do you know all this?" Ginny asked still not able to believe it of her brother.
Hermione had been ready for this question and she answered with out pause "I heard him talking in his sleep when I went to wake Harry."
"Have you told Harry?" Ginny wanted to know "and why tell me?"
"No I haven't told Harry, I don't know how, I told you because it was beginning to get me down and I needed some one to talk to, someone who could help when Harry finds out the bloke he trusts with his life, actually hates him." Hermione answered honestly.
"Well I don't know what I can do," Ginny said frowning, it seemed so unlike Ron, even Percy wasn't that bad.
'I wonder what Ginny would say if she knew her dear brother was going to turn out to be a wife beater' Hermione thought as the two girls fell into an uneasy silence.
Ten minutes of silence later Hermione decided it was time to go home, she had done what she set out to do, she told Ginny the address of her parents, informing her she would have no trouble with sending owls but it would be a waste of time to try and actually find them.
At eleven that morning Harry opened the kitchen window to let in Ron's owl 'pig', the little ball of fluffy feathers flew around the room but was no match for Harry's quidditch skills, having caught pig Harry removed and read the letter while Hermione and her mum watched with some interest.
"It's from Ginny, she says she will be out side in the street at eleven thirty, her dads going to drop her off and can you meet her," Harry read, he did not seem to happy about it "why would Ginny be coming over, and how would she know how to find us?"
"It's ok Harry, I told Ginny the address so she could send us owl post, as to why she is visiting we will just have to wait to find out," Hermione told him calmly.
"Ok but you're not stepping out there on your own," Harry declared as he picked up his half pint glass mug and poured himself some orange juice.
At eleven thirty both Harry and Hermione stood at the garden gate, still within the wards but able to see out into the street.
The sound of a crack, rather like a car back firing made them both turn their heads to look to the right, standing a few yards away just outside the confundus charm limit were Mr Weasley and Ginny.
Hermione knew instantly that there was something wrong, the way Mr Weasley had his arm around his daughter told the story, Ginny was crying.
Both Harry and Hermione realised at the same time and together they rushed out to their friend and her father. Holding the crying Ginny between them they led the way into the hidden garden and on up to the house.
Ginny sobbed with her head bowed all the way to the kitchen, Hermione helped the younger girl to sit at the table, it was then that Harry saw something that turned his stomach.
"Who the bloody… who did this?" he asked a rather worried and upset looking Arthur Weasley.
Hermione stared in disbelief at the two black eyes and swollen lip and other bruises on Ginny's face, Mr Weasley pulled out his wand.
"Can I do the charms now?" he asked sounding upset.
Ginny looked around the room at Hermione, then Hermione's mum, then finally at Harry, before she nodded to her dad.
"She wouldn't let us do anything till she saw you two," Arthur said almost guiltily.
A few waves of his wand healed most of the bruising, leaving just a little yellowing where the bruises had been.
"It was Ron wasn't it?" Hermione asked Arthur.
"Hermione don't be silly Ron wouldn't…" Harry stopped talking when Arthur replied.
"To my eternal shame, Yes it was Ron, I have never seen a man hit a woman before, but to do it with so much hate and anger," Arthur said looking at Hermione's mum.
"Ron hit Ginny…" Harry said disbelief evident in his voice.
"Oh Gin, I'm so sorry, I never expected this," Hermione said tears falling down her cheeks.
"Why the heck would Ron hit a girl?" Harry asked still not able to understand that a boy could hit a girl; he found it impossible to imagine someone hitting their own sister.
Ginny turned to Harry "You want to know why he did this Harry, I'll tell you why your so called best friend did this, he did it because I said I was going to tell you how he has been stringing you along, how he hates you, but loves being the best friend of the boy who lived, he hates you and he even tried to stop Hermione falling for you. That's why he did this, he is so full of hate for everyone, he hates it because you have money and fame, he hates it because he can't live up to his brothers, he hates it because we don't have much money, on top of that he thinks he isn't as clever as the average person."
As all this sank in Harry began to get more and more angry, as if he didn't have enough trouble in his life he had to have this as well, Ron or not he was not going to get away with hitting a girl, especially one of his friends, grabbing his wand off the table he headed for the door.
"Harry, he's not there, he's in St Mungo's, the boys Fred, George, and Percy, caught him hitting Ginny," was all Arthur said to stop Harry's mad rush for the door.
Hermione was still in some shock, she knew Ron had hit her often in the other life but she had never thought he would hit his sister. he had hit Hermione when she had been trapped in her marriage to him, there was no leaving your husband in the wizarding world, no divorce, no separations unless the woman managed to get help and left the country and lived somewhere with out magic as a Muggle. Tears fell down her cheek as she silently blamed herself for Ginny's injuries.
Arthur asked Hermione's mum if he would be able to leave Ginny with them for a while, he had to do a lot of thing's and he did not think his wife would be able to cope, "She's devastated is Molly, she was so proud of all of our sons, and Ginny specially of course, but for one of them to turn out like this, it has really shaken her."
Mrs Granger agreed that Ginny could stay as long as she wished, she could share Hermione's bedroom, she waved Arthur away when he offered to pay for his daughter's food and board.
"Arthur Weasley, don't you dare," Mrs Granger said "you have had Hermione stay over at the Burrow almost as much as we have had her home, now don't be silly; friends should always be willing to help out when needed."
Sirius offered to accompany Arthur to collect Ginny's trunk "After all she's going to need her things," he said while Arthur shook his head.
"If I find you putting your self in danger for me, I'll put my foot up your butt," Ginny said to Sirius smiling.
"Me too," Added Arthur, Harry, and Hermione, together.
"I wont tell you what I intend to do to you Sirius Black, if you so much as think of stepping outside our garden," Mrs Granger said laughing.
Sirius shrugged at Arthur then walked over to examine something on the cooker. Arthur gave a small chuckle before saying that he would bring the Trunk himself now that he knew where the house was.
"I think you should arrange to meet us out side again," Hermione stated.
"Ok how about in an hour then?" Arthur replied smiling at Hermione's authoritive voice.
By lunch time on the fifth day of Ginny's stay with them, Hermione was beginning to get worried about the awkward atmosphere around the house, and Harry though he was a boy and somewhat slow on picking up on people's feelings had definitely noticed the change.
Still Hermione felt guilty that Ginny had to stay away from home because of something she had told her.
Though he had said nothing yet Harry was getting annoyed with Hermione, because since Ginny arrived Hermione hardly let him kiss her, and when she did it was usually just a quick peck before she moved away, she no longer held his hand during their meals at the table, or when they walked in the garden, she didn't sit with him on the sofa as they watched the TV, in fact as far as Harry was concerned it seemed that Hermione had lost interest in him and was treating him almost as a stranger.
"Ok what the heck have I done?" Harry suddenly asked as they all ate their lunch.
Sirius, who had also noticed the rapid cooling of Hermione's affections toward his godson, excused himself and with a worried frown went to sit in the living room.
"Sorry Harry, what do you mean?" Hermione asked pushing her plate away.
"Look if you have changed your mind and you want to finish with me, just say so, and I'll go pack my things," Harry said getting up from the table and heading to the door.
"Harry, where are you going?" Mrs Granger asked looking from him to her daughter.
"Like I said I'll go and pack my stuff," he replied opening the door.
Hermione sat stunned she could not believe that while trying to save Ginny's feelings she had pushed Harry away, she had almost blown everything and now he was walking away from her.
Harry reached the door and had it open, with one last glance at Hermione who was just sat staring at him, he shrugged "Well it was nice while it lasted," he said then he was gone.
"Don't just sit there you fool," Mrs Granger said giving Hermione's shoulder a shove "you need to reach him before he packs his trunk."
Hermione almost fell from her chair before she snapped out of her stunned state, she jumped to her feet and raced up the stairs, reaching Harry's bedroom door just as it shut, she didn't even bother to knock, opening the door she rushed across the room and threw herself into his arms.
She was still kissing him a minute later when there was a small knock on the door, pulling apart and quickly straightening their clothes they both said "come in."
Ginny stood in the doorway looking slightly guilty and sad.
"I think it's time I went home, I don't want to be the cause of all this," Ginny said
"Be the cause of what?" Harry asked slightly bewildered by all that was happening.
"Hermione knows what I mean Harry, I'll pack my things, oh and can I send Godric to ask dad to pick me up," she said as she turned to go.
"Sure Gin, and thanks," Hermione said as Ginny left them.
"What's going on Hermione?" Harry asked still baffled by it all.
"I'm sorry about how I neglected you love, it's just, I didn't want to upset Ginny," Hermione told him.
Harry still looked puzzled "You have no idea do you?" Hermione asked him.
"Eh?" was all he answered.
"Well Ginny is in love with you as well you great prat, I was sort of trying to spare her feelings, I sort of forgot all about our feelings, about you and me, I really am sorry," Hermione said quietly, "I wont let it happen again though you can bet on that."
"Ginny loves me, you got to be kidding," Harry managed to say before the huge smile spread across his face "Wonder how many more girls love me."
Hermione gave him a gentle thump on his shoulder "You are mine Potter and don't you forget it, now give me another kiss."
When Mr Weasley arrived to collect Ginny he told them that Ron was still in St Mungo's undergoing some sort of treatment and would not be allowed out for quite a while. Hermione wondered if what was wrong with Ron could be treated but she doubted it.
Harry was a little uncomfortable when he hugged Ginny while saying goodbye, Hermione promised to get things right for when they visited the Burrow. Then with all the good byes said Hermione, Harry, Sirius and Mrs Granger stood at the gate and gave a final wave.
"You know you two had me worried for a while," Sirius said as they walked back into the house.
"Me too," Mrs Granger added as she pushed them all through the door way.
Harry simply remained silent, it looked like he was in deep thought.