Chapter 1 - Going Home

Harry had never before ridden the Hogwart's Express at Christmas, and he found the mood much different. At the beginning of the year, everyone was getting re-acquainted and comparing notes about their summer activities. In general, they were looking forward to a new year with old friends, perhaps with the exception of the sometimes-terrified first years.

In contrast, the train home at the end of the year was focused on getting away from the school regimen and into the do-nothing freedom of summer. The exceptions here were the fifth years, who were anxiously awaiting news of their O. .

At Christmas, going home meant time with family, except for Harry. He had written to the Dursleys, telling them that he would, as usual, stay at Hogwarts for the holidays. He lied. He was headed for his new home in London.

Prior to leaving, Harry had a long, serious discussion with Dumbledore. They explored the information available regarding Voldemort and the death eaters. Harry found this conversation much more adult in tone, with Dumbledore regarding him almost as an equal. Given the prophecy, and Dumbledore's apology regarding it, this was hardly surprising, although Harry found it refreshing. If he was supposed to provide for the ultimate demise of Voldemort, he thought, then he should be included in the plans.

Harry had raised the subject of spending the holidays in London, and Dumbledore agreed, with the provision that Harry didn't leave the house other than trips to and from the train. Harry consented to this restriction. He didn't want to be in the open without support. After their conversation regarding the prophecy, Harry felt that he could share a confidence with Dumbledore, and so he asked the question.

"Professor," he began, "would it be okay if I have a visitor? I mean, somebody like Fred or George. Someone already in the Order."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful, and did not answer immediately.

"I see no reason why not, as long as it is someone who already has knowledge of the Order. May I ask who you have in mind?" This was a question that Harry had anticipated, and also feared, but he felt obligated to answer truthfully.

"Well, er...I want to have a...ah...Hermione visit." There, it was out in the open.

Dumbledore smiled. Harry knew instantly that he must have suspected their relationship, and Harry had just confirmed it.

"Harry, I think that would be fine. Where will her parents think she is?"

Harry froze: Dumbledore had their whole plan figured out! What should he say?

"She told her parents that she would be home for a couple of days and then had some things to do for the Order." Harry wasn't sure this would work, but if he wanted Dumbledore on his side he had to tell the whole truth.

"That will be fine, Harry. Please tell Hermione to inform her parents that they can send an owl to me if they need to contact her." Now Harry was truly amazed. Dumbledore was even willing to participate in their charade.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said smiling. When he had discovered Hermione he thought his life couldn't get any better, and now it just had.

Harry was still thinking of this when the train left Hogsmeade station and headed to Kings Cross and Platform 9 . Looking around the compartment, he thought about the changes in his life since the school year had started.

Ron wasn't here. He had never traveled to or from Hogwarts without Ron, even in their second year when they took the car rather than the train. But now Ron was off in another compartment, sitting with Mandy Brocklehurst.

Ginny was sitting across from them. She was no longer the little girl that Harry first met on the platform. She was a young woman, and growing more confident in herself every day.

And Neville. Harry thought Neville was a completely different person, someone he had never seen before. Up to last year, Neville had always said he had no skills, partly because his grandmother who raised him said the same thing. Now, Neville was proud of what he could do, his time in the DA and his participation in the defense of the ministry against the death eaters had awakened both his confidence and his personality. He participated in classes, mastered new skills, and had even told off Snape one day when the potions master questioned his courage.

And Hermione. She was sitting next to him, and, as was now her custom, taking every opportunity to create mayhem by tickling Harry or sliding her hand up and down his leg. She did even more every time the train went through a tunnel, and Harry had forgotten how many tunnels there were. Their relationship was no longer a secret, but their activities were. No one was aware that they had their own private room at Hogwarts.

When the train arrived in London, they all joined the queue waiting to go through the barrier and into the Kings Cross Station proper. As the monitor at the barrier motioned them ahead, Harry and Hermione pushed through and found quite a committee waiting. Tonks, complete with flaming red hair, was standing next to Mad-Eye Moody, as usual with his bowler hat pulled low over his magical eye. They were to serve as Harry's escort and, as Harry had suggested, also show him the way so he would know how to get to his own house in the future. Hermione's parents were also waiting, and both she and Harry walked over to them first. Hermione took the lead, and after kissing both her mother and father, pulled Harry over.

"Mom, Dad, this is Harry." Of course, Harry had seen her parents at the platform before, and even in Diagon Alley, but they had never been introduced.

"Hello, Harry," said her father as he shook his hand. "We've heard a great deal about you." Both he and her mother smiled.

"It's very nice to meet you finally," Harry responded. He had thought about what to say, but, of course, his mind went completely blank. "I...er...should probably go...they're waiting for me," and gestured towards Tonks.

Hermione smiled. "I'll see you later," and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Harry is going to start work on a project for the Order. He and Dumbledore may be able to head off more problems if it works out." She had told her parents much of the story of Voldemort, omitting that she personally had been in mortal danger a few times. They seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation.

"Good luck, Harry," her mother said

"Thank you, and it was nice meeting you both," responded Harry as Mad-Eye came over to retrieve him. In his opinion, Harry had been out in the open for far too long.