The next week was busy as Hermione focused all of her free time on finishing the mirrors. After the revelations from the Emerald Trio it was now more imperative than ever to have as many ways of communicating as possible.

The Slytherins had barraged them with so much information that the breadth of what was shared did not fully sink in until the next day at breakfast. She looked across the hall and spotted multiple faces…many of which she had interacted with over the years…who now actively meant her harm. The tangibility was unsettling.

While Hermione worked on putting the final touches on the mirror project Harry seemed to be obsessed with protecting her…insistently remaining at her side whenever possible as he did his best to put the faces to all the names on the list and monitor their behaviors and patterns. The good news was that none of the death eaters in training had attempted to infiltrate the Hogwarts Defense Force. The bad news was a few of the maybes had signed up for duty.

So while she worked on the mirrors Harry wondered how much more the Marauder's Map was capable of doing. A quick missive was sent off to Remus asking whether the map could be modified to track specific people. A few days later they received a cryptic reply.

Just ask the map. Make sure to mention who your dad is. You may have to be a bit patient…

So that is how it came to be that she and Harry snuck out of the Gryffindor common room (again) after curfew (again) and into a nearby classroom. Hermione's time spent as a rule enforcing prefect seemed like so long ago.

"Er..." Harry began after tapping the map with his wand, "this is the son of Prongs and I'd like to track a few specific people on the map."

Mr. Padfoot would like to know if you are a specky git like Mr. Prongs? And what girl would be desperate enough to conceive Mr. Prongs' spawn?

"Uh…yeah…I wear glasses too. My mum is Lily Potter…Lily Evans."

There was a longer pause before more writing appeared.

The girl that Mr. Prongs insists on calling Mrs. Prongs actually became Mrs. Prongs? Mr. Moony doesn't believe you.

Neither does Mr. Wormtail.

Or Mr. Padfoot.

Mr. Prongs never had a doubt.

Hermione felt her patience wearing thin. It was like talking to four versions of the Weasley twins. She wasn't sure how Harry's mother put up with it, let alone decided to marry one. She quickly tapped the map and began speaking.

"This is the girlfriend of Mr. Prongs' son. We need your help and don't have time to mess around proving who we are. Mr. Prongs is James Potter. Mr. Moony is Remus Lupin. Mr. Padfoot is Sirius Black. Mr. Wormtail is Peter Pettigrew. Remus is a werewolf and the other nicknames are based on your animagus forms."

After a long pause the map once again sprung to life.

Mr. Prongs suggests you take a breath. Also, he is glad to see his son has carried on the tradition of courting strong willed women.

And by 'strong willed' Mr. Prongs actually means slightly ins-

"Are you going to help us or not?" Hermione interrupted, fully grinning now.

Mr. Moony apologizes on behalf of the Marauders and asks for you to speak the names you would like tracked slowly and clearly. The names will be listed in red until you cancel the enchantment.

"Thank you," Hermione replied in relief. As Harry began reciting the names Hermione wondered what other knowledge the map held. Remus unfortunately had not been too involved with creating the mirrors and there were a few small things she needed to tweak before they were ready to go. She waited until Harry completed listing the names before changing the topic.

"Can you answer questions about the communication mirrors you created?" she asked hopefully.

Mr. Padfoot can.

"Really?"

Mr. Prongs was there and still finds it hard to comprehend that Mr. Padfoot was the one to sort out the mirrors.

Mr. Padfoot is now sticking two fingers-

"Anyway," Hermione interrupted forcefully, "can you explain how you were able to synchronize the image and sound…"

With the mirrors now fully functional Ron and Lavender were dispatched to a nearby classroom instead of under the invisibility cloak for their follow up meeting with the Slytherins. Surprisingly there was one additional student waiting for them when they arrived. Hermione was reminded of Ron and Ginny at their worst as she watched the two sisters glaring daggers at each other.

Hermione wasn't sure what to say to the Hufflepuff…now knowing her horrific secret. She imagined this was how most people felt when meeting Harry for the first time. Thankfully the young girl quickly initiated the conversation before she or Harry could say anything.

"I know Daphne told you about my condition and relationship with Draco and I'm willing to sign whatever you've prepared to prove I'm on your side," she blurted, never taking her eyes off of Daphne.

Daphne looked supremely irritated. "You shouldn't be here, Tori. It isn't safe-"

While Daphne's glare had been highly effective with Zabini it only seemed to spur her sister on even more.

"And you shouldn't have told them about my condition, Daphne," Astoria replied, matching her glare.

"Just calm down," Tracey interrupted brusquely. It was clear that she had been stuck in the middle of the two multiple times in the past. She wondered if this was what Harry felt like having to manage her petty squabbles with Ron.

"We didn't tell anyone else," Harry assured.

"Are you sure about that?" Astoria replied, shooting him a slightly muted version of the glare saved for her sister. "I only sorted it out that you knew because Hermione and Lavender Brown keep staring at me at every meal."

Hermione felt her face warm in embarrassment. She thought she had been subtle…clearly she was incorrect.

"I told you that in confidence," Daphne interjected as she stared at them, betrayal evident in her voice.

"Harry isn't lying," Hermione replied in an effort to calm the situation as much as possible. She realized what a personal risk Daphne had taken last week and that she and Harry needed to reciprocate.

"Do you remember when Harry told you we weren't as outnumbered as you thought last week? Lavender and Ron Weasley were listening in and heard everything we talked about."

All three Slytherins quickly cast Hominum Revelio…immediately becoming frustrated and confused at their fruitless efforts.

Daphne folded her arms and glared. "I don't believe you. I cast several silencing charms before you arrived last week so unless someone was in the room no-one could have heard a thing. If we are going to work together we need to be hon-"

Her speech was interrupted as a silvery Jack Russell Terrier bounded into the room and began speaking. "Hermione is telling the truth and Lavender is sorry about the staring," the voice of Ron Weasley informed dully.

Silence reigned as the Slytherins' jaws threatened to break through the floor. It was clear that they were having difficulty reconciling the fact that they'd been outwitted by a group of Gryffindors.

"Was that…a Patronus?" Blaise asked dumbly.

Harry nodded.

"And it…talked?" Daphne mumbled, all semblance of her normal composure gone.

"They've sorted out how to send messages with them," Astoria answered.

Eventually Tracey began laughing…very loudly. Astoria seemed torn between staying angry at her secret being revealed and amused at her sister being so thoroughly flummoxed. Blaise looked contemplative…pondering this bizarre new reality.

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to share how Weasley and Brown are listening in?" Blaise asked as Daphne began stalking the room with her wand outstretched…desperately attempting to solve the mystery. As she continued to mutter incantations her non-wand hand remained outstretched, trying to feel for invisible eavesdroppers.

"No," Harry replied, now amused. "All I will say is we didn't cast any enchantments and there is no-one else in the room, Daphne, so you can stop searching." He turned to look at Astoria.

"No-one besides the four of us knows your secret and I swear to you we will keep it that way," he declared.

"Thank you," Astoria replied with a nod, "just do me a favor and stop looking at me like you want to burst into tears on my behalf. I get enough of that from my family."

"If you stopped being so pigheaded we wouldn't-"

"So let's see this agreement you want us to sign," Tracey smoothly interrupted…not wanting to let the two sisters build up a head of steam again. Hermione made a mental note to apologize to Harry later for having to deal with her and Ron's nonsense.

After a few minor adjustments all four quickly signed. They were all set to leave before Astoria stopped them.

"He's given up," she declared dully. The he in question was obvious.

"Astoria, that's just your heart talking…hoping that he's finally-" Daphne interjected before her sister forcefully ploughed on.

"It's got nothing to do with that," she continued. "Whatever he was working on was the only plan he had left and our group has made it impossible for him to continue without involving others and endangering other students. He doesn't want that."

"Such a humanitarian…" Harry grumbled sarcastically. Hermione knew she should scold him but couldn't manage it as she felt the same way. It was too little too late and it felt like he was only quitting because they had forced him into it.

Astoria ignored the comment. "I think he is going to leave Hogwarts soon but he is worried for his parents. They will be punished for his failure."

She felt like saying good or about time but pushed back on the urge.

"Why are you telling us this?" Harry asked. "It isn't our fault."

"I know," Astoria replied…her annoyance growing. "In case you've forgotten I've just signed a magical document vowing my allegiance," she replied fiercely.

"It's my fault," she eventually continued, her voice now wavering. "I convinced him to run…that he didn't owe his parents anything. I just wanted you to know when he disappeared that it wasn't a trick."

"If you're trying to make me feel sorry for him-"

"I'm not!" she replied…the fire in her voice returning. "Draco is selfish and immature and I know he's been awful to you…" she drifted off, unwilling or unable to explain.

"He used to be nice," Daphne supplied, "but that was a long time ago. Draco's father was, is, awful…and his mother is a coward. He's inherited the worst of his parents. It's not all his fault that-"

"Yes it is," Astoria interrupted sadly. She suddenly looked very weak…tired.

"When he runs it will be the last you see of him," she continued matter of factly. "He's terrified and wants nothing to do with V- Voldemort. He's going to flee the country or die trying."

A coward to the end, Hermione mused. She wasn't surprised in the least.

As they skulked back to Gryffindor the next day Hermione fought the urge to destroy anything and everything in their path. "He didn't even care!" she repeated angrily for what felt like the millionth time during their journey from Dumbledore's office. Harry remained calm which only served to aggravate her more.

"He did care. It's fine," Harry finally responded.

"It's not fine," she admonished. "He barely acknowledged the list we gave him! Why aren't you angrier?"

Harry shrugged. "You wouldn't know because you haven't talked to him as much this year…but he's different now. He used to sound disappointed in me….like I wasn't doing enough. Now it's…different."

"Different how?" she demanded.

"Like he's disappointed in himself. We found a Horcrux…we are fighting back against Malfoy and have other people helping us…we're messing with his plans…" he offered before trailing off.

"Why doesn't he just tell us his plan then?" she asked indignantly.

Harry shrugged again and gave a sad chuckle. "I have no idea."

"It's so infuriating!" she protested once again. Harry was smirking now. "What's so funny?"

"You sound like me last year. Like a smarter version of me," he quickly added at her pointed glare. "Its weird…me trying to calm you down," he added as he pulled her closer.

She shrunk into his side and relaxed…not quite wanting to vocalize how well it was working.

"I think we should work on your flying this afternoon," he interjected as they approached Gryffindor.

In one sentence Harry had destroyed all of his hard work in calming her nerves.

"Why on earth do you think I would want to do that now?"

Or ever, she silently finished her thought.

"It's relaxing," he answered with a shrug. "It will be a good way to get your mind off Dumbledore. You'll see," he said reassuringly as they stepped into the common room. "Besides it isn't about doing what you want…it's about being practical and doing the smart thing."

She really hated when Harry used her own speeches against her because not only was he right she couldn't even get properly annoyed with him…because his stupid speech was always followed with a grin. She really loved it when he grinned.

"To you, Harry. It's relaxing to you. Besides…it's not safe," she countered. "We'd be sitting ducks out on the pitch by ourselves." She was exceedingly proud of herself at coming up with an excuse based solely on logic. Her reluctance definitely had nothing to do with her abject fear of those cursed sticks of wood. Definitely.

"Good point," Harry agreed before spotting Ron and Lavender. "Oi! Can you two come with us down to the Quidditch pitch in a few minutes? I'm going to help Hermione with her flying."

Shit.

It was as if Harry had provided Ron with the greatest gift imaginable. "Absolutely!" he exclaimed, pulling Lavender up from the couch.

Before she could protest that only having two people as backup would still be risky Ron began circling the common room, speaking to the other sixth year students milling about. As they looked her way and nodded she knew she was doomed. They were all too pleased at the prospect of helping. She fought the urge to curse them all.

Everything seemed to start moving in slow motion as she watched Harry discreetly hand the map over to a now beaming Ron. Lavender shot her a piteous look of sympathy and she realized her day of reckoning had come.

"This is really happening isn't it?" she muttered in defeat.

"You'll be fine, I promise," Harry reassured once again. "I've got it all sorted."

"That's what worries me," she mumbled.

Harry had been right about one thing. As she hovered in the air, desperately clutching Harry's broom, Dumbledore was the furthest thing from her mind. Unfortunately her thoughts were now consumed with the ground that she was positive they would be plunging into very soon. The Gryffindors scattered in the stands that were most assuredly smirking at her ineptitude only added to the annoyance. Even having Harry sitting behind her on the broom and only being a few feet off the ground weren't helping.

He'd let her try taking a few laps without instruction and it had been a disaster. Full of stuttering stops and starts…uneasiness and failure. She really hated failure.

"Start teaching," she finally ordered, desperate to start failing slightly less.

"Close your eyes," he eventually instructed in a tone that brooked no argument. It reminded her of what she sounded like when helping Harry. She immediately complied.

"I've been trying to think of the best way to explain how to fly and the closest feeling I could come up with is when you and I are alone…together-"

She knew immediately what he meant by together. She loved it when they were together. So much. She snapped herself out of her daydreaming.

"Harry, this isn't the time or place," she replied, trying to think of anything but Harry's hands that were now lightly gripping her waist.

She'd read a book once with a similar scene…the grip had been described as being a bit tighter and the characters hadn't been on a broom, they were- She forced herself to focus.

Harry ignored her and continued. "Sometimes we take our time…sometimes we are more…aggressive…but it still feels the same…brilliant but…different. When it's happening I don't think about anything else."

Despite her nerves Hermione felt herself leaning into Harry a bit more as she briefly lost herself in Harry's description. After several blessed moments of contemplation she once again remembered that she was floating on a stick and immediately sat a bit straighter.

"Harry, I don't-"

"Flying is the same way, Hermione. You're having trouble because you keep wanting to stop. You need to stop worrying about the ground below you and focus on the air in front of you. Just focus on what you are doing and where you are headed. Now open your eyes and try again," he instructed.

Hermione opened her eyes and thought over Harry's words. She leaned back into Harry and allowed herself once again to briefly think about his hands gripping her protectively. While her pace was slow and she remained near the ground the jerking and hesitancy had ceased.

"Brilliant," she heard Harry softly murmur in her ear. "Now a little bit higher and faster," he gently commanded. She gulped and did her best to comply. As she slowly increased her speed and elevation Harry continued his instruction.

"Can you feel the breeze on your face now? In your hair? It's nice isn't it?" he asked.

He was right…it was rather nice. She focused on the sensation…how it felt a bit like when Harry played with her hair…the beautiful view of Hogwarts in front of her. She pushed herself a bit higher…a bit faster.

She vaguely heard the congratulatory cheering from the stands but purposely avoided looking down…doing her best to heed Harry's instructions and focus on what was ahead of her. As they circled the pitch she spotted a familiar tower in her periphery and grinned despite herself…remembering another flight a few years ago where she had hung on to Harry for dear life. She had been terrified at the time yet somehow knew she was perfectly safe…because she was with Harry and they had a goal in front of them that was more important.

She stared at the tower and reveled in the safety and reassurance of Harry's hands on her waist…the feel of the breeze on her face…and finally started flying.

Harry's whoop of excitement spurred her on. She knew that her speed was nothing compared to Harry's normal pace but that was beside the point. The tower…their tower…was getting closer…because she had listened to and trusted Harry.

Before she knew it…before she lost her nerve…she had made it. They had landed and were now sitting together…hand in hand…their legs dangling over the edge. She put her head on his shoulder and let herself daydream about flying with Harry…nothing fast or outrageous…just flying…maybe teaching their children someday. It felt so unreal…an impossible and unfathomable goal…but so had the idea of her managing to get them up here on her own.

"You did really well," he complimented.

"You're a good teacher," she mumbled…closing her eyes and focusing on the feel of the breeze.

Emboldened by her success Hermione brought up something that had been niggling at her brain recently.

"Harry. Do you know how you were talking about us being together?" she asked.

"Yeah?" he offered…unsure of where she was headed.

"I think I'm ready for us to be together. Really together. Do you know what I mean by really together?"

"Yes," he managed to squeak out before clearing his throat. "I just figured…you'd want to wait awhile for that…so it would be special."

"You mean like candles and rose petals?" she asked with a giggle.

"Something like that," he muttered.

"I don't care about that," she informed, "and I don't think we need to plan anything out. I just mean the next time we're together and it feels right I think we should-"

"Be together," he nearly breathed. "That sounds…great. Really great."

She fought the urge to giggle again and looked out into the horizon…reveling in this final bit of peace.

"We should probably head back down…the others will be wondering where we've gone to," Harry eventually mumbled, reluctance clear in his voice.

She nodded into his shoulder before finally allowing herself to look down. Her stomach lurched.

"You can take us back down," she murmured before pulling his face toward her. As successful as the lesson had been she still much preferred being together over flying.