I. Dwelling on Dreams

The crowd of the Leaky Cauldron was sparse, which suited Harry just fine. He eyed his drinking partner from across the table, Neville really had filled out during his time away.

"Read in the Prophet you're going back to Hogwarts," Neville said over his glass before taking a sip.

Harry nodded, saying nothing - he flicked his wand out, the white noticeably vibrant against the darkened bench, and erected a ward around them.

"You sure that's wise mate?" Neville seemed worried, which reminded him of first year when Hermionie petrified him.

"Don't have a choice, Robbards told me all Auror Trainees need five N.E.W.T's" he leaned back, waving a hand with an eye roll.

"Couldn't give you a break?" Neville smiled. "You did make his job a whole lot fucking easier."

Harry laughed; "Since when have you gotten so crase mate?"

"Things changed.." his voice trailed off, and Harry's smile faded.

"Yeah, they sure did"

They paused, each taking a heavy helping of their whiskey before Harry flicked a hand dropping the ward and calling the barmaid over.

"Ms.."

"Rosewood" she answered lively, and leaned forward eyes wide and full of mirth. Harry felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up, "Ms. Rosewood, I believe me and my friend would like to get drunk this evening, can you help us?"

She smiled, and eyed up Neville who thankfully didn't blush; "Love to, Harry" she walked back to Tom at the bar, giving him a grinning glance along the way.

"See! This is what you're going to be dealing with back at Hogwarts mate, only worse!" Neville shook his head, and Harry let out a full belly laugh.

"I think I can handle it", he chuckled out "besides, I think her attention's on you."

"Rubbish I- "

"Killed a fucking python with the Sword of Gryffindor, and basically told Voldemort to go fuck himself" Harry smirked, making Neville blush at the compliments.

"Are you playing quidditch again?" Neville distracted, and Harry suddenly got a devilish glint in his eye.

"Damn right I am" he answered immediately. "Gonna splurge and get a new broom, early birthday present."

"Oh? What happened to the Firebolt?" he finished his drink down with a loud gulp.

"Lost it on the run" he mimicked, finishing his drink. "Which reminds me, mind if I borrow a little of your hair?"

Neville blinked, then cocked his head - "Polyjuice? Don't you know some Glamour Charms?"

Harry sighed, "Dead rubbish at 'em, only last an hour - I have a fat list of shopping to do, don't want to get caught in the middle of Diagon" he nodded thankfully at Rosewood who replenished their drinks.

She lingered a moment longer than was necessary on Neville, and Harry stifled back a laugh at his longing expression.

"I fair you'll get into a bit of trouble at Hogwarts too" Harry teased.

Surprisingly Neville smiled and nodded, "Cheers to that!"

They clinked glasses, the year ahead looking more promising by the day.

-_—_-

/

Harry sat at the edge of the forest, twirling the Resurrection Stone in palm, contemplating his next move.

The rock wasn't hard to find again - with the Elder wand in hand, he simply listened to that small voice that carried in his mind.

If it hadn't been for Voldemort's years of mental torture he could see the stone driving him mad, but for Harry, it was like a calm breeze.

He had one last thing to do, one last question to ask - before he could move on in life.

Determined he spun the stone thrice in hand, and thought of the man he wanted to speak to.

"You've been reckless, Harry," he said in greeting,

"Yes, Headmaster" he nodded stiffly.

The old man's eyes crinkled with amusement, "I believe it's just Albus now, Harry."

"Never, Sir" he stated, voice harsh.

One would think he was being respectful, but for the two who'd known each other for so long knew it to be otherwise.

"You have every right to be mad at me, I will never expect you to forgive" his expression soft, but strong.

"For the Prophecy, I already have, for the Dursley's someday soon, but for your family.. never" and Albus nodded remorselessly.

"Despite my mistakes, life was too kind. If my punishment is your wrath after death, I believe it will be for the better" Albus always had a way to make someone remember themselves.

"Ariana told me she doesn't begrudge you, that death might of even been better"

"But yet you still despise me for my actions?"

"Because you kept them secret, your father was a muggle hater; and your sister a squib and you feared this would belittle your own achievements. So you told nobody, not even me. That is what I hate, your selfishness."

Harry paused, he hadn't meant for it to spill all out - but he couldn't help it, Albus has a way of keeping him honest.

"You've grown Harry, and are right; hindsight clears the mind - age even more so, at the time I was young and reckless; and in love."

He paused, and Harry said nothing in return; both minds very far away.

"I can't help, but be so extremely proud of you Harry. After all, you've lived through, after all the hate you've been tormented with - you are still capable of love, and as selfless as the boy who ventured into the Chamber of Secrets to save his best friends sister; you'll always be a much better man than I Harry"

He smiled widely, and Harry really couldn't speak - "But I don't think you called me to be showered in compliments" he nodded, they had gotten sidetracked.

"Why did you never leave? Always teaching at Hogwarts, the Elder Wand whispering power for so many years, surely you felt the call for more.."

"You flatter me Harry, but I think you'll be sorely disappointed in the answer."

"Try me"

"Fear, Harry, I was afraid"

"Of-"

"Losing that power, if I lost but one duel: that was it - the Elder Wand would be gone. Hogwarts was my sanctuary and my prison."

"..Surprised, Harry?" he nodded, "Albus Dumbledore, a coward? It is but the truth"

"Over the years many tried to challenge me to duels for sport and recognition. So I retreated to Scotland hiding behind children where nobody could bother, it was pitiful but .. effective."

It had never crossed his mind, but stiffly he could imagine it now - isolationism as a sanctuary.

"What do I do?" Harry suddenly felt like that small first year, asking his Headmaster for advice.

But he was older now, Albus would not be so kind.

"I believe you will have to determine that yourself"

"I'm just so tired of everyone asking something of me, I just want to... Live"

"Perhaps a certain Mirror can help prioritize what you seek most"

Harry's eyes widen, truly he had forgotten all about the Mirror Erised since his adventure to it in first year.

Merlin, that felt so long.

"Where is it?"

"Where it has always been" his office.

Harry nodded, "You don't think it's unfair for me to get a direct answer to a question so many people have to search years for, some; all their life?"

Albus gave a warm smile, "you know why I admire you so much, Harry. More perhaps than any man I know, because you do not seek power. Or popularity. You simply ask, is something right? In of itself, and you do it no matter the cost. I can't think of anyone better to have both; power and popularity"

Harry rolled his eyes, a move childish of a man his age, but it made Albus give a hearty laugh.

"Yes, you've been dealt a tough hand Harry; but I think you would not be you without it"

He continued to smile, even when Harry scowled with displeasure.

"Fear not, tough times are always ahead" Harry's eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh yes, one forgets the darkness, when living in the light for so long. For without dark, there cannot be light.

So if there is one thing, I must ask of you Harry; despite how little you may think of me - make sure to be the Light."

Harry nodded, "Always."

"Then I believe this is Goodbye, please take care of yourself, and make sure to visit Fawkes he will need a new friend"

"I will, Goodbye.. Albus"

With a nod, he disappeared. And Harry sat down, sighing to himself.

He had lied, his talk with Albus had reminded him of one more man he needed to talk to. For once, he was being selfish - indulging in the use of the Resurrection Stone, but after everything.. Death owed him one.

Sirius was, even in death, a man who could be distinctly be categorized as full of life. His laugh could lighten a room, and his smile could make any woman swoon. But for Harry, it made his heart ache.

"I'm sorry" he started, which didn't seem like enough but for him was.

"You never have to be" Sirius answered without pause, and Harry shook his head.

"I made a mistake, you- "

"Would of died anyways" he interrupted, with such determination Harry remained silent. "If not there, then in some other way - it was inevitable."

"But I-"

"Harry, you are without a doubt the most selfless person I have ever met. Do you think, I wouldn't stop at anything to kill Voldemort? For you? Of course! I'd battle him myself given the chance" he smiled with such mirth Harry couldn't help but mimic.

"Beat you to it"

"I know" he didn't ask how, some things better left unknown.

There was a pause, "I assume you called for a reason?"

"What do you want me to do with Grimmauld?"

"Live in it, burn it, I don't care - you know that. That's not-"

"I know, I know… The Black Title, I-..

"My Will was very clear-"

"it's a Noble house, there's-.. can go to- "

"To you, of course" he answered his stuttering gibberish.

But Harry was determined, "I have the Potter title, Draco was released; he can- "

"No" Sirius glared, "I have nothing against the boy, but the Malfoys can do with a little humility, it belongs with you."

Harry stared for the longest time, before nodding - "Okay, thank you."

Sirius nodded, smiling again; "You've grown" he looked him up and down, " look more like a man; more like your father by the day" Harry ran a hand through his hair.

"Except the beard - James tried one on Lily, she was having none of it, made him shave it after a week - stating it took away from his features. But I think it fits you, matches the scar and all - a little devil-may-care, the ladies will be tripping to get to you."

Harry's expression saddened, "Tell mom.." his voice died, there was so much to say.

"She knows"

He nodded, it was enough - "And Dad, and Lupin, and-"

"They know"

"Okay"

They paused.

"Alright time to go" he started, "I don't want you using the stone again; emergencies only."

He nodded, "Okay"

"Goodbye, Harry - we're all so proud of you."

"Thanks, bye"

"Bye" and with that he disappeared.

He let out a shaky breath, taking the stone in one hand he walked over to the tallest tree he could find. And weaving the elder wand with small flowing movement he buried the stone beneath it.

Never to be found again.

-_—_-

/

The Mirror was broken, cracked right down the middle; just another loss of the Battle of Hogwarts. He turned back to McGonagal who hadn't stopped talking.

"-I've brought in numerous experts, they've tried everything we can think of. But it's magic has been lost for years, complex atrimacy; it's become a personal project for Professor Vector," she was babbling, it hurt her heart to disappoint Harry after everything he'd done.

He never asked for anything in return, nothing from the many people he saved. And yet when he'd shown up, with an appointment mind you, expecting one small favor: she had failed him.

"She's quite versed in the field but has told me it might be past the point of fixable- "

Harry sighed and raised the stalk-white wand, weaving it in a complex pattern; his eyes closed in concentration - not saying a word.

After a full minute, he lowered the wand; and the silence between them grew. She was about to question him, then mystically the mirror started to repair itself, slowly at first; traveling along the cracks until it was racing to the finish. Edges creasing together, till the glass was smooth, unblemished.

"Mr. Potter- ! That was-...I've never seen-.."

He raised a hand, and placed his fingers against the glass; gazing into it - then after a moment pulled back - a flick of his wand draped the Mirror with a transfigured blanket.

When he turned to her, she saw a tear slid down his cheek.

"It's fixed", he stated simply, and walked past her out the door. Just before he left out of it, he paused - "Don't ever let me see it again" with that command he disappeared.

The Headmistress felt her heart contract in pain, she turned to Albus and Severus; who had watched the scene in silence. "Albus… Was that the Elder Wand?"

He nodded; still staring at the door.

"Well, I'm impressed - but with a wand like that I imagine anything- "

Albus pierced her with a thousand-yard stare.

"It is... powerful, but does not create new magic; it only exemplifies what the user can already do."

McGonagall's eyes widened; "He repaired what ten different experts in the field, could not.." her thought left unsaid.

Severus turned to Albus's portrait; "He will surpass even you".

Albus smiled; "He already has".

-_—_-

/

Hermione was staring at him in bewilderment; "Harry!"

"What?" he swallowed down the half-chewed toast, blinking away the early morning grogginess.

He was usually an early riser, but the night before Ron had gotten them properly drunk after the Chudley Cannons loss, and he was feeling the aftereffects this morning.

"The Headmistress told me what you did!" she was shaking a letter in front of his face, and he winced back.

"'Mionie, come on now - it's nine a.m., relax"

"It's noon, you daft dimbo" her eyes were shining brightly; and he groaned. Leave it to Hermione to be excited about something like a bloody mirror.

"Can we talk about this, I don't know, after I've woken up?"

She continued to smile brightly at him, but let it rest for now - which he was eternally grateful.

But his luck apparently would not hold this morning.

The fireplace roared to life, and George Weasley stepped out of it; faced immediately with two deadly wands staring at his nose.

"Where is the secret pathway that leads to Honeydukes?" Harry snapped at him, grogginess gone.

George swallowed, "Behind the One-Eyed Witch" - Harry nodded and lowered his wand; Hermione following suit.

"Sorry mate, habit" he offered a hand, pulling him into the kitchen with a soft smile.

"Not to worry, can't ever be too careful" George waved him off, "is my partner in? I believe he was expected for his shift ten minutes ago."

Hermione winced; "Right, sorry George - he was knackered this morning, I'll go get him up" she took off towards the stairs and Harry shook his head.

"Brutal really, first shift on a Sunday? After a Cudley Game? You're asking for a late worker" Harry teased, settling at the table - getting his hand around the coffee for another daft.

"I wouldn't if I had any other choice, Hogwarts week and all; speaking of which - anything I can get you? Some Pruvian Powder? Dung Bombs?"

Harry waved him off, "Not much for pranks this year, reckon I'll be extra busy".

George nodded, "Fair bet, that - way the Prophets been going on at it; McGonagalls gonna have a right old time keeping the Press off the grounds."

He paused, "You sure you wanna go back, mate? After everything?"

Harry frowned, "Everyone keeps asking me that.. yeah, gotta face up at some point"

They paused, Harry sipping his coffee.

"You know, I never blamed you, for Fred" he shook his head, "That's a lie - I blamed everyone for a while; even blamed Ginny, reckon if she hadn't told Lee Jordan we wouldn't have heard the Potterwatch broadcast and showed up.. " he was rambling, and Harry was suddenly a lot more awake.

"But, I was grieving at the time, not really in the right mind. It was bound to happen at some point, though, us dieing. Me, Fred, Charlie.. All of us; we were targets. They let Percy and Dad work at the Ministry just to keep a close watch, but at some point, Voldemort would of came for us... So, you did what you could and finished him in the end" he finished with more clarity.

Harry didn't respond, just nodded - the breakfast plate in front of him seeming so far away.

"Bloody hell, that's a right Good Morning, sorry.." he shifted uneasily with the awkward tension, "I ..Think I'll just wait for Ron at the shop then.."

"Right, take care" Harry stated half-heartedly and watched as the red-head disappeared with the flames.

A few seconds later, Ron stumbled down the stairs - his clothes disheveled and hair in a weeded mess. Hermione flicking charms from behind, fixing his appearance proper - his wallet and wand floating into his pockets while sliding his boots on at the door.

"Right, right - yes, thank you 'Mione; wallet - oh right there," he stumbled towards the Floo, half his outfit on and waved a quick goodbye to Harry who was trying not to laugh.

Finally, he vanished in the flames - and Hermione stood smiling at the floo, wand at her side.

Slowly her smile faded, and her arms crossed - sparing a sideways glance at Harry.

Oh no..

Harry seen that move a hundred times before, and quickly gathered up his remaining dishes dumping them in the sink before dashing for the stairs.

She blocked his path in an instant, "Oh come on Hermione; can't a man just relax - it's Sunday!"

"Harry James Potter" she crossed her arms again, tapping her wand against them - oh boy.

"You. Will. Tell. Me. What- "

"My parents, Hermione; alright? I saw my Mum and Dad alive, okay? Can we please.."

She was taken aback for a minute, then flashed him a stare - "No! You will not mope around in misery again, not alone. Ron told me you knocked out a few too many last night before the game even started!"

Harry silently cursed his best friend, "So I let loose for once, sorry?"

"This is not about the drinking, Harry. It's about why your drinking" she huffed, sometimes he hated that she knew him so well.

"What do you want from me 'Mione?"

"You never talked about it to anyone," he cocked a head confused. "The Forest!" She exclaimed, hands raised above her head.

"Ron might be too busy between his family, and the shop to notice but your drawing away from us" she pushed him in the chest, hard and he stumbled back stunned. "But I notice, I'm your best friend Harry; when are you gonna talk?"

"I talked to.. Gin- "

"Don't lie to me Potter! You and I both know you haven't properly talked to Ginny in ages!"

Oh, she was mad - she never called him by his last name.

"Rubbish, she went with us last night- "

"And got properly drunk too, begging you to come home with her - I know, who do you think apparated you home?"

He really hated how she knew him so well, it made his arguing pointless.

She grabbed his hand, opening up his palm and holding the back of his hand up.

The words Umbridge had etched into his flesh had faded with time, but just barely you could see the small outline whited against his tanned skin.

"Do you know how hard I cried when Seamus told me about this; me and Ginny both".

"Ginny was mad at Umbridge, thinking of ways to kill her. But me.. I was mad at you."

He cocked his head again confused, "after all we've gone through you still keep secrets! You still hold stuff in! Why? Why do you think it's easier to keep us in the dark?"

"I just- didn't think- I don't- " he was backtracking, trying to find when this day went so wrong.

"What happen in the forest, Harry?" she grabbed his shirt, holding him in place - wand pointed at the ground for the moment.

They stared at each other, faces inches away - and Harry knew in that moment she would go to the farthest depths of madness for him without even asking; why would he hold back from her?

"Message back McGonagall" he stated, and she gave a confused look.

"We need a pensieve" he pushed away, walking towards the stairs - and Hermione finally caught on, dashing towards Pigwidgeon who was resting in the living room.

-_—_-

/

An hour later, Harry was pulling the silvery strand of memory from his temple, the two women watching in awe.

Grabbing the rim of the Pensieve, he drifted the memory down and flicked it into the watered bowl - the outlining darkening with black and green.

He nodded towards Hermione, who held her hair back - and dived into the memory.

"Potter, I was wondering- " the Headmistress, with a saddened expression started.

"Go ahead, but it stays between us" he nodded towards the bowl, and walked over to the portraits hanging on the wall while the Scottish woman dipped into the memory.

Every picture was filled, except one - Albus was hiding; if in shame or sadness, he couldn't tell.

Harry walked up to Severus's portrait instead, giving him a studious glance.

"What do you think I should do?"

"In life?" Severus asked, not at all condescending or angry as he had been expecting.

Harry nodded.

"Your father was an Auror for a time," he started, "and you share, with him, qualities that are expected of that Department; ambition, bravery, fierce protectors of innocents."

"Was that a compliment?"

"To me, hardly so; to you, undoubtedly" Harry chuckled.

"Your father was limited though, in ways you are not. I doubt there is anything you couldn't do, if given the time. You have health, youth, wealth, and fame - I know men who had none, and rose above and beyond their expectations."

"I also know men who had all, and yet failed to achieve anything. Always know you will have to work hard, whatever you do; and you will have to become the best in whatever that is - for we all expect nothing less."

"You hardly answered the question" he stated, glancing at the women behind him - still buried in the memory.

Severus sighed; "If you had been listening, you would see that I have".

He eye-rolled, and walked to the oak-wood desk in the center of the room; running a hand against the rosin.

"Where is Fawkes?" he asked, seemingly to the audience before him.

Professor Dippet answered, "He visits, at times - but I believe he resides in the Forbidden Forest these days."

Harry nodded, thinking.

"I think I want to finish school, first.. If there's one thing those two"; he waved a hand towards the women, "have taught me, it's one would be remiss without a proper education."

Severus nodded with a satisfied look; "And then?"

"Then maybe travel the world.. Adventure outside the Ministry's reach.."

"I've realised recently that I've only ever known a small pocket of the World - that there is more magic out there; magic that even the Ministry doesn't know about.. I want to be the first to discover it."

His audience was patiently listening, and he turned back towards the empty portrait.

"Too long, I've lived in a prison - trapped in lies, and deceit trying to claw my way out. Now that I've escaped it, I don't think I'll ever go back."

A word wasn't said for a moment, and Harry leaned against the desk - staring at nothing.

"The Elder Wand, will have to stay with me; regrettably. I intended to bury it with it's previous owner, but.. It's too far away. And where I'm going, I reckon I'll need a powerful wand" - he gave a short smile.

Albus didn't appear in the portrait, even though Harry was mentally willing it so - but was then distracted by Hermione returning to the world, giving a startled breath.

She searched the room, disoriented at the sudden low lighting and found him leaning against the desk.

Startled, he almost stumbled when she crashed into him like a lightning bolt; grabbing him into a fierce hug.

He rubbed her back in confusion, watching as the Headmistress wiped away a tear falling from her eyes.

"I knew you died," she mumbled into his shirt, wetting it a bit. "The way you came back and all, we knew Voldemort had done it .."

"But.. you choose to stay, you could of left; but you came back. I thought you were depressed, I thought you wanted to die - but.. You just wanted to live; you fought him to live - not to die."

He nodded, running a hand down her side - and started to pull away. Hermione finally let go, running her palms over her eyes; trying to dry them unsuccessfully.

Harry gave one last look at the portrait to his right, "Right, well.. I guess I'll see you in two weeks Headmistress."

"Harry- !" she started, seemingly at a loss of what to say after what she just witnessed.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live" he quoted, making the Headmistress brighten just barely.

He moved towards the door, Hermione close behind - trying to stifle her tears. Before he could reach it, McGonagal called out; "I fair for once, Mr. Potter; you have taught me something".

"And what's that Headmistress?"

"How to turn on the light," she answered, moving back towards her desk.

Harry smiled and nodded, taking his leave out the door.

-_—_-

/

The distorted voice of the train conductor mumbled across the platform, announcing the train's nearing departure.

Harry crossed the platform, flanked on either side by a battalion of people; he really didn't need all the security, could of apparated straight to Hogsmeade and walked the path in.

But Kingsley insisted they needed a publicity boost, something to help assuage some of the on-the-fence parents that Hogwarts was safe once again.

Why he thought that Harry Potter showing up would be a signal of safety, after all his years of life being the exact opposite, he would never know.

They made way stepping through the crowd, and for a moment Harry thought they were being ignored; but then it happened - slowly at first but rose to a roaring tempo. He could barely make out the sound of the train whistle over the noise; the crowd was clapping and cheering him on.

Wizards, and regrettably some witches were clamoring at the Aurors to get even a touch of Harry Potter. Many grabbing at his jacket, screaming how much they loved him; showering bits of thank you's at him. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he spotted the flash of some rather nice breasts.

But before he could turn, Hermione was at his side - pushing him through the crowd onto the train. The Aurors dipped their heads, bidding farewell and disappeared; Harry watching in amusement.

"Come on, Harry!" Hermione grabbed his wrist again, pulling him further in; as Harry started to notice the crowd in the train trying to find him too.

They dashed for an open compartment on the opposite side of the train from the crowd; shutting the door and locking it with a ministry illegal charm and Hermione weaved her wand placing wards against the door.

Finally, she finished - sinking down into the seat with a loud sigh.

"Sorry- " he started, and she shook her head.

"You have nothing to be sorry for", she smiled - "I just feel sorry for Madam Rosemerta, I think Kingsley spotted a glance at her "assets" and he was clearly not impressed."

There was a long stunned pause, before full blown laughter erupted between them carrying on for far too long. Each moment they tried to stop, one of them would start again before long their sides were hurting.

"Alright, alright - I'm dying here 'Mione" Harry tried to say, catching his breath.

She let out a long sigh, and suddenly the roar of the engine sent vibrations through the floor.

Harry gripped his seat, the anticipation of returning to Hogwarts taking over.

It was almost comical, this otherworldly life he thought he'd never return to was starting up again.

School, he never thought after leaving the Burrow for the last time; that he'd ever return. It made him almost giddy like a young schoolboy, not for the classes; but for that normal life he always dreamed of.

The room lurked forward as the train began to move, signaling it's departure with a screeching whistle. And just like that, they were on their way. The sense of motion felt dull and insignificant compared to their other, wildly extravagant forms of travel. The build-up was minimal, mundane even.

Hermione seemed to recognize his disappointment; her smirk nothing short of condescending.

"It's not a Dragon.." she teased.

"Ay" Harry laughed, faking a sullen pout. "I feel cheated, this is my last train ride after all."

She frowned, "What about the end of the year?"

"I'll probably take off after N.E.W.T's, no point sticking around.."

She nodded, glancing out the window; the scenery starting to shift from the inner-city to the background hillside.

"Ron and I, broke up; you know" she mumbled, and Harry almost didn't register what she had sad.

"Wha-.. when did..?" he was baffled, with living in the same house as the two; apparently he had missed something.

"Last night, we had another row - but... This one was different before it was about... Other... Men" she gave a shifty eye, and Harry frowned.

"I thought he'd learned- " he started to say, voice defensive.

"And he did, about us, but I guess he just assumed it was someone else; I don't know - maybe he just thought he wasn't good enough for me.." her voice trailed off in confusion.

"But last night?" he prompted, and she nodded gratefully.

"Last night, he was mad about us going back to Hogwarts; kept saying over and over it was a waste of time; no point being there.." she waved a hand in aspiration. "But I think he just expects something else.."

"I thought he understood," she explained to Harry's confused expression. "That I wasn't just going to be some house-wife, doing nothing for the rest of my life."

"I mean after everything, we've gone through.. " she floated a hand between them, "I think we deserve to get some laws changed, bring in a new era."

He nodded; "He's a git, my best friend, but a git - sometimes I think Molly fattened him up too much, makes him expect a wife to be the same."

She laughed, and nodded; "You don't have to rip on him for my sake Harry, I understand - We're just better off friends."

The silence between them carried heavy, and Hermione pulled out a book - an itch he'd notice she did whenever nervous, or unsure; just something to put between her and the object of her nervousness.

After the fifth time of her giving a shifted glance, he couldn't take it anymore.

"What?"

She shifted in her seat, then shut the book; "And Ginny?"

He shook his head, taking off his glasses and rubbing the dust off with his shirt.

"Was never gonna work"

"Because of the age difference?" she questioned, curiously.

He slipped the glasses back on, and sighed; "No, she's mature - just... Not what I was expecting I guess.."

Hermione stared at him until he continued, which he did with a long sigh.

"She's obsessed, clingy; like if she's not snogging, or... Other things, then its a waste of time."

"I think she's expecting me to be someone else, someone obsessed with stuff like that - you know?" he was surprised when she nodded fervently.

He blushed, "Oh.."; she mimic'd him, somehow this conversation didn't feel safe anymore.

Hermione tried for humor, "Guess it's just a Weasley thing", which failed dramatically.

Silence fell between them, each trying not to look the other in the eye before suddenly there was a knock at the door.

Hermione flicked her wand, erasing the silencing charm; "Yes?!"

"Sorry to bother, is P-P-Potter in there? I have a message from Professor Slughorn!" a feminine voice they didn't recognize carried through the tinted window.

Harry sighed; "Probably an invite to the Slug Club" he waved his wand, and the door bounced open harder than he'd meant to, startling the young third-year girl wearing Hufflepuff robes.

"My bad," he said, waving her in - and she blushed furiously, handing him the finely wrapped note before taking off with a loud eep!

Hermione had to decency to shut the door, before letting out a teasing laugh.

He ignored her, unwrapping the note; "Yeah, he's hosting one in the last compartment.. wants you to join with."

"Alright, let's go" she stated, starting to get up - and Harry immediately confused pulled her back down; sitting her in the seat.

"What?"

"I'm not going" he frowned, surprised she even though he would.

"Why not?"

"Why would I, so people can stare and ask a million questions?"

"Oh rubbish, it's Slug Club - sixth, seventh years; they're not going to bother you.." though she sounded unsure the more she talked.

"Right, no thanks - I'll just wait here" he finalized by pulling out a book of his own. Hermione chuckled.

"Scared Potter?" she teased, sounding like a younger Draco.

"Shut up" he mumbled, flipping an unread page.

"Besides, if you wanna get a leg up in.. whatever you do after Hogwarts, this will be the best way to go about it" he raised an eyebrow at that, lowering the book.

"I don't think it's right, nepotism; but it is the way it is.. especially in a boys club like the Ministry. But relationships can be useful, even dubiously convenient; especially when trying to get some laws passed" she explained, and Harry suddenly was wondering where the Hermione he knew had gone.

"So, are you gonna make me go there by myself? With.. " she left the rest of that un-said statement to hang between them.

"Alright, alright!" he shook his head, exasperated, "But Merlin Hermione, one question about Voldemort I walk out."

She nodded satisfied, and the two made out the door - into the hallway; Harry's stomach sinking every step...

Merlin, what have I gotten myself into..

-_—_-

/

READ AND REVIEW, LET ME KNOW IF IT'S WORTH THE TIME CONTINUING THIS STORY.

As promised, I'll dive into a Daphne/Harry relationship - starting next chapter.

It'll be a slow burn, which if you're expecting some smut right away you'll be sorely disappointed.

But I think the best type of stories are the ones where the relationship builds instead of simply;

he's hot, she's hot we talked once.. let's have sex.

Also, Harry will be facing against a bigoted Ministry - maybe even some Law's coming into place that Hermione will be attempting to fend off..

who knows... you'll have to tell me if you wanna find out :)