Chapter 2
Chapter Text
He awoke early again the next morning feeling refreshed, he dressed quickly before descending the stairs to find Hermione was waiting for him at the bottom, she pulled him into a tight hug and didn't let him go for several minutes.
"Good morning Beautiful." Harry greeted as her grip on him loosened. "Is everything ok?"
"Good morning, and no not really." She replied. "They were waiting for you to go to bed last night before they descended on me with questions, thankfully I was rescued by Percy."
"Sorry I didn't know that would happen." He replied kissing her forehead again.
"That's ok its not your fault. Let's get down to breakfast, it was nice being able to relax while eating it yesterday."
Their descent into the Great hall was uneventful, and once again they appeared to be the first ones to arrive, they choose to sit in the middle of the table again.
POP
"Good morning Mr Potter and Miss Granger, I am Tilly the head elf here at Hogwarts."
"Pleasure to meet you Tilly." Harry replied.
"Likewise." Hermione stated. "How can we help you today?"
"I am not needing any help, but you are the Headmistress' son and daughter-in-law to be, I have been instructed to make myself available to you." Till stated. "I have been asked to give this potion to you Master Harry, and will be providing you the breakfasts of your choice."
"A full English each and a large pot of tea please." Hermione stated while Harry drank his potion.
"Thanks, at least the potion tastes like strawberry, the smell almost put me off drinking it."
"Well hopefully you won't need too many of the nourishment potions before Madam Pomfrey is happy with your weight."
"Poppy thinks a week of them should suffice." Aunt Minnie stated as she sat down beside Harry. "Good morning you two, how was last night in the tower?"
"It was ok for me." Harry answered. "But the masses descended on Hermione after I went to bed."
"Ok just let me know if it keeps happening, there are some options we can explore if necessary. Oh and I've keyed the griffin outside my office to open for both of you so long as I'm not in a meeting if you ever need to just get away from the rest of the castle my door is open."
"Thanks Aunt Minnie." Hermione replied.
"Oh has my trunk arrived from Gringotts yet?" Harry asked.
"No but it should be here at some point today. I'll send Tilly to get you when it's ready, so what are your plans for the day?"
"Nothing really, we haven't had much time to think about it." Hermione stated as their food arrived. "But I do have a book I've been meaning to read."
"Which one?" Harry asked.
"Just one on the solar preferences of magical plants." She replied. "The topic interested me when Professor Sprout mentioned how some thrive in complete darkness."
"Give me a summary when your done please." Harry requested cheekily.
"I might just make you read it yourself."
"Fine, but I was going to be practicing the lapidis aquae spell from the transfigurations lesson we missed yesterday." Harry replied. "With my core unbound it should be easier then the last transfiguration spell I tried."
"True, but it requires very precise wand movements as well remember." Aunt Minnie advised getting up. "Just come find me if you get stuck."
"Will do." Harry replied smiling. "Have a good day Aunt Minnie."
"And you Harry."
It was at this point they were set upon by their friends who seemed to have moved up the table to join them, Lavender and Parvati smiled as they set their plates down, Dean on the other hand was slightly perturbed by the fact he couldn't get a breakfast like Harry's.
"How in the name of Merlin, did you get a full English breakfast?" He questioned.
"Well Madam Pomfrey is worried about my weight after years of living with my muggle relatives, so I've been assigned a house elf to track my meals to make sure I'm eating correctly." Harry half lied. "And as Hermione sat down with me it seemed appropriate to offer her the same as I'm eating."
"Well that and I ordered for you." She added smiling.
"Ron is not going to be happy when he sees that, there's only porridge and toast out today." Dean commented.
"Well if Ron could be a little nicer to me he'd still be able to hang around Harry." Hermione reminded them. "So what's everyone doing today?"
"Well I want to polish off Snape's essay." Lavender stated. "I'm not sure I got the different reactions right."
"Dean and I were going to go and sit by the lake it won't be long until it's too cold to spend time outside." Parvati stated smiling at Dean.
"You two should join us." Dean suggested. "You too Lav, we can look at our essays tonight."
"Fine, there's the oak tree right by the shore we can lean on." She replied.
"Well I do need to find a stone to use, and you can read your book anywhere." Harry said looking at Hermione.
"Sure why not, it does look nice outside." She agreed.
Their conversation was interrupted by the screeches of owls as they flew through the window high above the tables, they looked up to see several owls headed in their direction, the first dropped a parcel in front of Hermione, the second dropped another parcel in Parvati's lap, and the last landed by Harry screeching loudly. Harry looked at the large black eagle owl cautiously as he carefully removed the letter from it's leg.
"Who's it from Harry?" Dean questioned.
"I'm not sure let me read it."
To the heir of the Ancient and Noble house of Black.
Harry, I hope this letter finds you in good health. I apologise that I have not been able to care for you these last 10 years as I was meant to, but I am glad you will now receive the love you deserve. I am over joyed at the news you have a soulmate, I look forward to meeting her myself but this will need to wait until my health has returned. Until I'm well enough I will leave you in Minerva's capable hands, but know I am only an owl away should you have need of male guidance.
The ministry has seen fit to clear me of the crimes I was accused of after examining my memories of the events surrounding your parents death, they will now be looking for Peter Pettigrew in both his human and rat forms, but after 10 years there really isn't much hope of finding him.
To make up for missing the last 10 years I have transferred a small sum of money in to your trust fund account, use this to get anything you or Hermione would like.
Love as always, your godfather.
Lord Sirius Orion Black.
"It's from my godfather, he's been cleared by the ministry and has sent me some money as an apology for not being there for me." Harry stated.
"That's great Harry, does he say how much?" Hermione asked as she strapped her wand holster to her wrist.
"No, he just said a small sum." He replied. "I'll have to get Aunt Minnie to ask the goblins."
"Sounds good, let me put your holster on."
"I assume that your letter is from Sirius?" Aunt Minnie questioned returning to the table.
"Yes why?" Harry responded handing her the letter.
"That small sum had 7 zeros!"
"Just how much do you need to have for that to be small?" Dean questioned.
"To an old family like the Blacks, the amount sent may as well have been pocket change." Aunt Minnie advised him. "How do the new holsters feel?"
"I can't even tell I'm wearing it." Harry stated as he looked at the stretch of leather now securely strapped to his wrist. "And he really did manage to work our wands style into them."
"Wait are those holsters in the wand colour of the other person." Lavender asked.
"Yes it was Harry's idea." Hermione replied.
"He's so romantic, you are soo lucky." Parvati added.
"Ragnok says he'll be here around 2 o'clock with your trunk come and see me after then." Aunt Minnie stated looking at Harry.
"Will do, Thanks Aunt Minnie." Harry replied as she walked away. "Why don't we go outside before Ron shows up?"
The group left the Great hall and passed Neville who was on his way in.
"Morning Nev join us when your done eating down by the oak tree on the edge of the lake." Dean said as the passed him.
"Maybe I'm still having issues with that potions essay." He replied
"We'll help you with that later lets get outside and enjoy the sunshine before its too cold." Lavender called back to him.
As they reached the tree Lavender and Parvati started giggling to themselves, Dean simply shook his head as he sat on the grass thankful that it wasn't wet. Hermione sat with her back against the tree and was reading her book in only a few moments, Lavender and Parvati lay down near her feet and started finding shapes in the clouds, Harry on the other hand was scouring the shoreline for a suitable stone to transfigure. After a few minutes he found a smooth round stone of uniform colour, he had read in the spellbook that this would be the easiest to to transform. He placed it in the goblet he had brought from the great hall, and began to wave his wand over it as the book had shown.
"lapidis aquae." He said quietly, and the stone shimmered before water began to overflow the goblet. "Yes, anyone for some water?"
"Did you just manage that on the first try?" Dean asked coming to take a look.
"Yep, didn't anyone in class get that far?"
"Seamus turned it into a liquid but it exploded before we could see if he had managed it."
"Where is Seamus these days anyway don't you normally hang around with him?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah but he feels sorry for Ron, and is hanging around him." He replied. "And I just can't bring myself to be near him, if Harry hadn't come to find you, you might not have survived that troll."
"I try not to think about that, but I understand your reasoning. It's part of why I cant stand to look at him." Hermione stated in agreement as Harry lay down and rested his head in her lap.
"Hey guys." Neville called as he got closer to them. "I hope you don't mind but I bumped into Professor Lupin on the way out and he decided to join us."
"Not a problem." Harry said without looking up. "Hey Uncle Remus, how does it feel to be back in the castle?"
"Better than I had imagined it would." Remus replied sniffing the air. "Is that pure water in that goblet?"
"Yes, Harry magicked it out of stone on the first try." Lavender replied.
"But I did weigh the odds in my favour." Harry said in a defensive tone.
"Choosing a stone uniform colour isn't just weighing the odds Harry, its the right thing to do." Hermione replied putting her book down. "What's impressive is that you did it on your first ever try."
"Agreed Hermione." Remus stated. "Even your mother took 2 lessons before she could do it perfectly Harry."
"Really?"
"Oh yes really bugged her too, she didn't even get it to change at all in first lesson, her wand movements were too sloppy. Which is why we teach it so early your schooling it helps you to grasp how important wand movements are."
"Uncle Remus, they released Sirius." Harry stated. "He says he needs time to heal before he sees me but hearing from you might help."
"I didn't even realise that was on the cards."
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement reviewed his memories and found him to be innocent of killing Pettigrew, so now they are looking for him in both forms." Harry stated.
"Then it appears I owe him an apology, before I go and see him I'll get a picture of you two to give to him." Remus replied. "Now do have a good day I have a letter to write?"
"You can send it with Hedwig if you like." Harry called as Remus turned to leave. "She doesn't get out much at the moment."
"Thank you Harry."
The rest of the morning was spent chatting about their class mates and Harry showing the others the precise wand movements he'd made for the spell to work, even Neville managed to turn a stone into a liquid before they headed back to the castle for lunch. They stayed in the great hall until Harry needed to head up to Aunt Minnie's office to see the trunk from his family vault, Hermione joined him but the others returned to the shade of the tree. The griffin cawed at them as they entered the corridor, and waited for them to be standing at its feet before it started moving. Aunt Minnie met them at the door to her new office waving them inside, the room looked largely as it has the day before except for the silver instruments and their table which had been replaced by two large tartan sofas and a small coffee table.
"Welcome, you two." She said as she lent on her desk. "To my new office and your refuge should you need it."
"It looks great." Harry said sitting on one of the sofas.
"And theses are really comfy." Hermione observed as she sat next to him.
"Is that a wise idea, Minerva?" One of the former headmasters questioned from his portrait. "Letting a student have free run of your office?"
"Yes Arno it is, as his guardian he is my son for all intensive purposes." Aunt Minnie snapped back.
"My apologies Headmistress your charge is of course most welcome."
"Anyway." Aunt Minnie said sitting opposite the young couple. "How was your morning?"
"Well I managed to turn a stone into water." Harry replied smiling.
"Excellent, how are you doing with the Quidditch training?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"I'm getting there, Wood seems happy."
"You really are the most modest person I know Harry." Hermione said kissing his cheek. "He managed that spell on the first attempt and helped 4 others get close to achieving it, he convinced Remus to contact Sirius, and with the way the rest of the team are going on about you I'd say we have a great seeker in our midst."
"First try?" Aunt Minnie asked dumbfounded. "Well that is a first in my time teaching it, now how about we look in that trunk of yours."
She waved her wand and the trunk floated over from where it had been placed behind her desk, she set it down on the coffee table. It was covered in black leather, every face held Harry's initials above the Potter griffin, and was bound by large golden buffers and a matching lock. Harry touched the lock annoyed that it had not come with a key and was about to ask Hermione to open it, when it clicked and the lid cracked open an inch.
"They locked it to everyone but you." Hermione stated. "It must be set to recognise your magical signature."
"It would appear to be so Hermione." Aunt Minnie agreed. "I certainly couldn't open it, I did the same thing Harry did when I asked Ragnok about a key."
Harry opened the lid slowly suddenly nervous about what he'd find inside, but what he found surprised him, everything was wrapped in brown paper and laying neatly on the top was an envelope that read: TO HJP LOVE FROM JCP & LP.
He opened this first knowing that it had probably been placed there for that reason, his hands shook as he removed a letter.
Dearest Harry
I am writing this letter to you with hope that you never read it, Albus says that you are at risk because of a true prophecy he heard, but that it might also concern your god-brother Neville. If you are actually reading this letter then I am glad at least that you survived.
As I write this you are asleep in your fathers arms as he paces the room around me, we have placed some items of importance in this trunk, some will help to guide you through your schooling, others to teach you of your family history, and one is to remind you of us.
We both love you dearly
And know that no matter what happens we will always be with you
Mum and dad.
Harry was in tears as he finished reading, he placed the letter on the table, removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes gently. Hermione read the letter quickly before passing over the trunk to Aunt Minnie, she wrapped her arms around Harry and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I don't know of any prophecy." Aunt Minnie stated. "But I'll contact the Department of Mysteries at the ministry they will be able to tell us."
"They knew they might die when they went into hiding." Harry stated. "Why didn't Dumbledore do more to help them?"
"I don't know Harry, I wish I knew that myself." Aunt Minnie answered. "But at least they managed to save this trunk for you."
"Yeah I suppose so." Harry said sitting back up.
He pulled out the first parcel, and carefully removed its wrappings. Several muggle notebooks were stacked together and tied with string, with a note attached to the top.
These are my note books from my years at Hogwarts, separated by subject and covering all 7 years, I hope they prove useful to you.
Love mum.
Harry read the titles carefully, all of his subjects were there and several others he didn't know about, including ancient runes and arithmancy.
"Those ones are for your third year electives." Aunt Minnie advised him. "Your mother took the classes I would recommend you do but that is a conversation for a later date, but she was always writing in those notebooks and I taught her how to add any pages that she needed."
"These are really detailed." Hermione stated calmly as she leafed through the charms note book. "It seems that she added a lot of additional notes to the earlier spells in her later years."
"Well she was preparing for a Charms and Transfigurations mastery before she and James got swept up in Dumbledore's war efforts." Aunt Minnie stated.
"Why don't you read these first Hermione, you'll be done with them before I will and can help me if I need it." Harry said picking up the next parcel.
This one was a single book with no note, he turned it over it over in his hands but no writing appeared on the book, he opened it and golden writing greeted him.
The Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Family history and grimoire
He closed the book again and set it aside for later reading only to have Aunt Minnie pick it up and begin reading.
"I'll keep ahold of this for you best not to let anyone other the people in this room know we have it." She stated. "It was believed to have been lost when Potter Cottage was destroyed. The spells in this book have been closely guarded for centuries and can give a clue as to how to breach your families wards. "
"But that's not fair is it keeping spells a secret from non noble families." Hermione complained.
"Well no it's not, but this book pre-dates Hogwarts, and on the plus side you are going to get to use it as well." Aunt Minnie replied.
The next item Harry pulled out wasn't wrapped but did come with a note.
This scroll will show your entire family tree.
And will one day change to show that of your wife as well.
"I wonder if it will show mine already?" Hermione stated reading over his shoulder. "Or if it will after the bonding has completed."
"Let's find out." Harry said pulling as he pulled it open.
There in the scroll showed a very large tree dating back to the Roman Empire, which branched after Merlin married into the family and came back together at Lily and James. Hermione squealed as she read as her name beside Harry's, it only showed up to her great grandparents but did include all of her cousins on both sides of her family.
"Well I guess it knows about me then." She smiled at Harry. "I wonder how old it is?"
"Judging on the size of the tree I'd say nearly 2 millennia, the preservation spells on this will be extensive." Aunt Minnie answered. "And another item that should remain away from the rest of the students here."
Harry wasn't really listening he was looking at the dates of the rest of the Potter family, his grandfather Fleamont and his wife Euphemia had died just days after his 1st birthday, and his great uncle Charlus within a month of his younger brother and his great aunt Dorea had died a month before his parents.
"He really wiped out my entire family just to get to me?" Harry asked crying again. "What could possibly have caused him to do that I was only just born and he murdered 6 people to get to me. Did my grandparents even get to meet me?"
"Yes he did kill them in an attempt to draw your parents out of hiding, and no neither sets of your grandparents got to meet you." Aunt Minnie stated solemnly. "But I know that they would be proud to see the young man that you are becoming and so long as you prove yourself to be kind and caring that will never change."
Harry smiled a little at the sentiment of how his grandparents would feel about him, he picked up the last item in the trunk, it was a roll of thick canvass like material and its note simply read:
remember us
Harry untied the string that was keeping it rolled and began to unroll it slowly, at first it showed two unmoving pairs of feet, but the more he unrolled the more the paintings occupants started to shuffle and move. As soon as he had the painting flat enough an ornate golden frame appeared around it, and there were his mother and father holding him as a baby, smiling as they looked out of their frame at their son before them.
"Hello." Harry said quietly, unsure if they could hear him.
"Hello champ." James replied. "How old are you now?"
"11 and I'm sorry I didn't find this sooner."
"That's ok sweetie." Lily stated swaying slightly to get the baby Harry she was holding to stay asleep. "We didn't expect you to open this before you started school."
"No Lily, that's not what he means." Aunt Minnie stated from behind Harry. "Dumbledore sealed your will and sent him to your sisters, it was only after Poppy unbound his core that Gringotts could bring it to him."
"So you grew up not knowing about your magic?" Lily asked. "Did they at least show you love?"
"No all I got from them was hatred."
"What happened to Sirius, he would have fought to keep you away from those people?" James questioned.
"Peter framed him for his own murder, and we've only just been able to clear his name and get him out of Azkaban." Aunt Minnie stated. "I have been given guardianship of Harry until Sirius is healthy enough to look after him, unfortunately Alice is a permanent resident in St. Mungo's, Bellatrix was not kind to her or Frank after You-Know-Who disappeared."
"So he's gone?" James asked.
"Not completely we don't think." Aunt Minnie replied gravely. "Yes he disappeared the night he killed the two of you and attempted to kill Harry, but he left a piece of his soul attached to your son. Luckily the core unbinding was enough to overpower fragment, but that doesn't mean he isn't still out there somewhere"
"Well at least that piece of him is gone." James stated. "And who is the beautiful young lady sat beside you Harry?"
"Mum, Dad, this is my Soulmate Hermione." Harry replied with a smile. "She is the brightest witch in our year."
"Soulmates?" Lily questioned. "No one mentioned that to us while we were sorting all of this out."
"I'm a muggle born Mrs Potter." Hermione stated. "So maybe they wouldn't have known until I entered the magical world properly."
"A logical deduction, I think you and I are going to get on just fine." Lily replied. "And please just call us Mum and Dad, Hermione, as his soulmate I think that's more fitting, don't you?"
"I suppose so, Mum."
The rest of the afternoon was spent in conversation and letting Harry get to know his parents a little better. As they entered the great hall for dinner Harry's happiness was marred by the sight of Ron punching Neville in the face, Neville to his own credit didn't falter and continued to argue his point with the redhead.
"What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall demanded as they approached them.
"Well Ron asked where Harry had been all day as he had been looking for him and when Neville said that we'd all been hang out by the lake until he'd gone to see you, Ron got angry stating that no one would want to hang around Neville if their life depended on it." Lavender explained. "So Neville told him to sit down before he said something else he'd regret later and Ron punched him in the face."
"Is that the case Mr Weasley?" Professor McGonagall questioned.
"Yes Professor."
"Fifty points from Gryffindor for attacking another student and I'll be writing to your mother, and knowing her she might just take you out of school herself even Fred and George don't go as far as you have today." McGonagall stated. "Now seat yourself as far away from Mr. Longbottom as you can."
"Yes Professor." He replied trudging away from them towards Percy who was sat near the staff table.
"Are you ok Neville?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"Yes Professor, Thank you for asking." Came his stout reply.
"You're welcome, do have a good evening you lot." She said as she walked away.
"So how was your afternoon?" Parvati asked as Harry and Hermione sat down.
"Good, there was a portrait of Mum and Dad in the trunk it was nice to actually talk to them." Harry replied. "And they love Hermione, which is a bonus."
"Good afternoon guys." The Weasley twin's said together as they sat down either side of Harry and Hermione.
"We would just like to apologise on behalf of our younger brother, he's an idiot and nothing like the rest of us." George stated.
"Now Wood has asked us to remind you we've got Quidditch training in the morning." Fred said looking at Harry. "We're all looking forward to seeing what your nimbus can do."
The rest of dinner passed jovially as the group discussed Harry's broom and his conversation with his parents, the first years gathered around the table in front of the fire after they returned to the common room. Hermione lent against Harry's legs as she gave the others advise on their errors, he meanwhile was reading his mother's notes on the pepper up potion in preparation for his and Hermione's catch up lesson with Snape the following afternoon, he occasionally added a comment on what Hermione was saying from his mothers notes. As soon as the others were happy with their essays he and Hermione bid the good night and got up to go to bed, she kissed his cheek and gave him a tight hug.
"I'll see you down at the pitch after I've had breakfast." She said into his neck. "I would get up with you, but I think it would be better to bond with your team properly."
"Ok Beautiful." He replied. "Sleep well."
Harry lay there awake, suddenly nervous about flying with the rest of the team tomorrow, he had only ridden his nimbus a few times and never in front of anyone but Ron. He heard Dean and Neville arrive and start to get changed, when Ron arrived arguing with Seamus.
"I still say you need to apologise Ron." Seamus stated. "You had no right to hit Neville, Harry has made it clear he wants nothing to do with you."
"Well I still think they're keeping Harry from talking to me." Ron stated throwing himself down on his bed.
"Actually Ronald." Harry said getting up. "You have been a right pain in the neck since Thursday morning and Seamus is right I want nothing to do with you, so you need to apologise to Neville before your mother gets involved at least if you've have she might go easier on you."
"Sorry Nev, I wasn't really thinking." Ron said calmly.
"Thank you Ron." He replied.
Harry lay back down but was still unable to sleep, and lay there tossing and turning for what seemed like hours while his room mates snored around him, Harry finally drifted off in the early hours and was awoken just a couple of hours later just as the sun was peaking over the mountains by Wood.
"Come on Harry, we need to make the most of the morning." He whispered.
"Yeah, I'll meet you in the great hall just give me a few minutes to get dressed and I'll follow you down."Harry replied groggily.
"Don't forget your nimbus."
And with that he was gone, and Harry stood up and dressed in the training gear he had been given, glad at least that it would protect him from the cold air of the morning. He met Alicia Spinnet as she was on her way out, they both just smiled at each other as the left the portrait hole and descended to the great hall where the rest of the team were waiting for them.
"Right guys, lets get a hearty breakfast in you so we can be productive today." Oliver said smiling.
"Tilly." Harry called.
POP
"Yes Master Harry?" She replied.
"I'll be needing my potion from Madam Pomfrey, and can we get a round of full English breakfasts for the team please?"
"Right away."
POP
"WHAT?" Came the collective response of the rest of the team.
"Oh, sorry perks of the Headmistress being my guardian I get to eat what I want and that means when the hall is as empty as this I can get you lot stuff as well." Harry stated. "Just don't go spreading that around."
"I knew it was going to be a good thing when McGonagall got you onto the team, she wasn't your guardian at that point was she?" Oliver asked.
"No that only happened on Friday morning and to be honest I'm still getting used to it."
As soon as their food arrived all that could be heard was the sound of eating, and as soon as they were done they were marched out of the hall by Oliver. Training was simple for Harry, Oliver released the snitch and tasked him to find it while the others flew their drills, spotting the snitch amongst the movement was his biggest struggle, but once he noticed the distinct shimmer of gold it's wings created he was able to find it quickly and had caught it 4 times by the time Hermione appeared in the stands. Harry spotted the snitch hovering below Oliver near the goal posts, he sped forwards and took a 90 degree dive past Oliver close enough to shake his broom. Harry caught the snitch and levelled out a foot from the ground, and landed gently dismounting his broom as he caught his breath.
"You really are a natural Harry." Oliver stated as he joined him on the ground. "But maybe keep those sort of moves for the match."
"Yeah sure, but honestly I wasn't really thinking." Harry smiled back at him. "I just did what felt right."
"Ok guys trainings over he's ready for next weekend against Slytherin." Oliver called to the others.
Harry returned to the changing rooms and got himself a drink of water before he met Hermione at the stadium entrance.
"Please don't do that too often." Hermione begged him. "I swear my heart stopped as you dived."
"So did mine." Harry admitted. "But from what I've been reading I'll only need to pull that sort of dive if the snitch is being particularly lively."
"Fine just try to be more careful you were too close to the ground." She stated taking ahold of his hand. "Why did Oliver cut the practice short?"
"He didn't the whole reason we were up so early was so that nobody from the other houses got to see me fly."
"Very clever." Hermione stated. "So what do you want to do before lunch?"
"Well I was thinking of reading some more of Mum's notes about the potion before the lesson started." Harry replied. "What do you want to do?"
"How about we walk around the lake and stop at the bench I have her notebooks with me."
"Sounds good." Harry agreed wrapping an arm around Hermione's waist. "Tilly?"
POP
"Yes Master Harry?"
"Can you place this under my bed please?" He asked handing her his broom.
"Of course."
POP
Hermione copied his gesture, wrapping her arm around him and resting her head on his shoulder as they walked, both smiling broadly as they meandered around the lake. Just as they reached the bench Harry stopped moving and swung Hermione around to face him, she rested her hand on his chest as he slowly brought his lips to hers. It had only lasted a moment but it had left her light headed, she smiled again as she rested her head against his shoulder again breathing in his scent.
"Sorry was that too soon?" He queried.
"No Harry, it was just unexpected." She explained. "It felt good though, I'm a little light headed to be honest."
"Well I figured as soulmates we'd get around to it eventually and as I'm having such a great morning why not start now."
"Well there will be plenty more, I promise."
"Just maybe only in private for now?"
"Agreed."
Harry sat on the bench closing his eyes and leaning backwards, Hermione giggled and sat down in his lap opening the potions book for them both to see.
"Taking liberties now are we." Harry teased.
"Why would I do that." She responded. "I just thought it would be easier for both of us to be able to see the book this way."
"Ok, if you say so."
"Harry James Potter, just what are you implying?"
"Nothing you just seem different today."
"Well I've decided to be open with you about everything and to be honest I just like it when you hold me in your arms."
"Like this?" He asked wrapping his arms around her tightly.
"Perfect." She stated snuggling into him.
They stayed there reading his mother's notes until a drop of rain landed on Hermione's hand, she quickly returned the book to her bag got up and started to run back to the castle, leaving a confused Harry on the bench until the rain suddenly became heavier. He followed as fast as he was able taking off his jumper as he ran, he caught up to her a short distance round the lake offering her his jumper as a way of keeping her hair dry.
"It won't make a difference now." She shouted over the noise of the rain hitting the lake.
As soon as they reached the entrance hall Harry realised what Hermione had meant, her hair was becoming frizzy as it began to dry in the warmth of the castle. It was only made worse when Aunt Minnie came out of the passageway that lead to the dungeons and cast a quick drying spell of the two of them as she passed. Hermione's hair ballooned into a tangled mass of frizz and she took off running again, heading as far as Harry could tell to the nearest bathroom, unfortunately it was the one on the first floor where the troll had nearly killed her just days before. She disappeared inside before Harry could reach her, she let out a frustrated cry as she reached the mirror and quickly cast a spell she had learned specifically for the occasion. As she calmed down she realised where she was, while the stalls and sinks had been fixed she found that she could still smell the beast, and this was enough to bring back the memories all over again. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed to the floor, suddenly unable to move as she pictured the troll above her once more, suddenly she felt herself being lifted from the floor and carried from the room, she looked up and saw Harry's concerned face looking down at her as he sat her down on the floor outside the bathroom.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
"I think so." She answered shakily. "I didn't even think about it I've made that run a couple of times now it was just second nature."
"Hey it's ok." He replied. "This was bound to happen eventually I'm just glad I was right behind you when it did."
"Me too." She smiled back at him. "Now let's get down to lunch."
The couple sat in near silence as they ate taking solace in being beside each other as the both tried to shake the images of the troll from their minds, part way through their lunch their friends joined them and after several attempts to get them to speak left them to eat in peace. As soon as Harry was finished Hermione pushed her plate away and got up to leave having not been that hungry to begin with, Harry stood with her and took ahold of her hand as they made their way to Professor Snape's dungeon classroom. Snape was sat patiently waiting for them by two cauldrons that he had set up at the front of his classroom, they each took a seat by one of them.
"I take it from your solemn mood that Miss Granger has had a vision of the troll again?" Snape questioned.
"Yes Professor." Harry answered him.
"Well let's see if we can cheer her up then." Snape responded. "Harry, I hear your mothers notebooks have been returned to you."
"Yes Professor, what do you know if them."
"Well in her first few years at Hogwarts I was a good friend of hers and helped her to make many of the potions notes."
"You were?" Hermione asked. "What bits did you contribute?"
"Well on this potion nothing your mother made a better pepper up potion in her first year than I was able to do in our 7th." Snape explained. "But on most of the others she marked my comments with my initials."
"I had wondered what that meant." Hermione stated looking at Harry. "Can you let us know the schedule for the rest of the year so we can read Lily's notes ahead of time?"
"Let us see how you do today." Snape stated calmly.
The next few hours were filled with laughter and learning as Snape instructed them and gave some history of Lily's pre-Hogwarts years living in Spinners End, and how he had taunted Petunia about her mundaneness.
"Well it seems that you do have some of her talent Harry." Snape said as they left the classroom. "I'm sorry I only saw your father in you."
Harry looked at Hermione who nodded, Harry blinked focusing on what he believed his mother would have looked like at his age.
"Is this close enough Sir?" Harry asked fidgeting in his now uncomfortable clothes.
"Well I knew you could shift but I didn't know you could do that." Snape smiled. "And yes you're almost spot on but she had more freckles at your age, I'll see if I have an old picture for you somewhere."
"Thank you Sir." Harry replied becoming himself again. "I'd like to see her younger, the only image I have is the portrait in Professor McGonagall's office."
"There's a portrait?" Snape questioned. "I would like to see her, with your permission."
"Well Dad is there to but so long as Professor McGonagall is there I have no issue." Harry replied.
"I will request an audience with them at dinner." Snape stated. "And Miss Granger I'll get you that schedule of the potions we'll be studying for the rest of the year, but I'll be insisting that you two are partners in all lessons so you can use the notes in class as well."
"Thank you Professor." Hermione stated smiling. "But won't pairing us up cause unrest in the rest of the class?"
"Well I do have the reputation of being a little unfair at times, I wonder if Mr. Malfoy will try to call me out when he's paired with Mr Weasley?"
"Well for all their differences, they seem to share a hatred for us these days." Harry replied.
"Indeed, but their families have been feuding since before the rise of the Dark Lord." Snape retorted.
"There you are, I've been looking for you all over Harry." Aunt Minnie stated as they reached the entrance hall.
"My apologies for keeping them longer than intended Minerva, but you are correct he does posses his mother's skill." Snape advised her. "And I'll be pairing these two up in classes so I can tutor them better."
"Thank you Serverus." Aunt Minnie stated. "Now Harry dear, I need you and Hermione to follow me."
"What's wrong Aunt Minnie?" Harry asked.
"Mr Weasley has requested your presence during Ron's disciplinary proceedings, as the affected parties."
Harry slid his hand into Hermione's again as they walked unsure of what to expect of the Weasley patriarch, he imagined a stern man much like Percy, but to Harry's surprise the man was jovial and smiling as he met them at the entrance to Aunt Minnie's office.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Mr Potter." He greeted smiling. "And you Miss Granger, of course, I only wish it were under better circumstances."
"Hello Mr Weasley." Harry answered shaking his hand. "Why did we need to be present for this, as I understand it Ronald is being punished quite adequately by Professor McGonagall."
"Indeed he is, but that isn't the only reason I asked for this meeting." Mr. Weasley stated. "Why don't we all sit down for a chat."
"Certainly." Aunt Minnie stated. "The sofas are quite comfortable."
Harry took a seat in the middle of the sofa under his parents, Hermione sat to his right holding his hand, and Aunt Minnie sat to his left. Mr. Weasley sat directly opposite Harry while Ron stayed sat in the wooden chair by Professor McGonagall's desk, looking at the floor.
"Firstly the House of Weasley humbly apologises to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter for the actions of its youngest son, please understand that the rest of us bear you no ill will." Mr. Weasley stated. "And please call me Arthur."
"The Ancient and Noble House of Potter accepts your apology, as we have received nothing but friendship from the rest of your sons." Harry replied.
"Well the ones still within the walls of this castle anyway." Aunt Minnie added.
"Ok now on to the other reason I'm here." Arthur said gravely. "The monies owed for the shelter your house provided mine during the last war, unfortunately I don't have that kind of money, what with 4 children already at Hogwarts and another starting next year."
"Well I wouldn't want you to jeopardise their future over something like this." Harry stated smiling.
"Thank you for you kindness." Arthur replied. "We would happily provide service in lieu of payment if that is acceptable to you."
"What kind of services can you offer?" Aunt Minnie asked politely.
"Well Molly is willing to teach the both of you all of the household spells she uses, Bill is a curse breaker and is willing to do anything you ask but isn't sure how he could help, Charlie is looking after dragons in Romania and is able to care for any magical creatures you have, and I am the head of the misuse of muggle artefacts office and rather an expert at the removal of charms and hexes from objects."
"May I cut in?" James said from behind Harry. "Your Great-Uncle Charlus had a heard of Griffins at the manor Charlie could help with those, and I'd advise getting a head start on Arithmancy and Ancient runes before you start them in your third year."
"Thanks Dad." Harry replied turning to look at him. "So that's a yes to all of your suggestions."
"That sounds fine, how would you like to do this?"
"Well we'll be going back to the manor at Christmas and can determine the condition of the heard then if Charlie could be available then that would be great." Aunt Minnie stated. "And as to his service the first year could be as repayment of the debt and anything further than that would be gainful employment if he doesn't want to return to his dragons."
"Agreed, I'll tell him to get his affairs in order at the sanctuary." Arthur responded. "How about we talk about a training schedule for over the summer break?"
"Certainly, all of your children are welcome to attend, I'll be granting them the ability to use magic whilst they are on the manor grounds for lessons." Aunt Minnie stated. "Ronald can attend as soon as he learns to treat my son and daughter-in-law civilly."
"An excellent suggestion." Arthur agreed. "Wait did you say daughter-in-law?"
"I'm Harry's soulmate." Hermione stated smiling. "We just found out but I've already asked mum if we can stay with Harry over the summer."
"You did?"
"Indeed she did and Mrs Granger has already started to plan your summer with me, she mentioned a holiday villa they're visiting in France." Aunt Minnie advised.
"Why didn't you tell me you'd asked her?" Harry said to Hermione.
"Because I hadn't had an answer yet."
"Well I'll leave you all in peace and escort my son back to his common room." Arthur stated. "I'll be in touch when I've heard back from the boys Minerva."
"Thank you Arthur." Aunt Minnie said standing to bid them farewell. "Tell Molly she is welcome to join me for a night away from the house any time she likes."
"Ok so that takes care of 1 of the debts owed." Harry stated after they had left. "What's happening about the others?"
"Well the House of Malfoy have submitted a plea to the Wizenagmot to have theirs overturned, but seeing as it was found as part of an inheritance ritual that's unlikely to happen, and could cost them even more if they aren't carful with how they approach it." Aunt Minnie stated gravely. "And we will be informed what's happening with the money from the House of Dumbledore after his trial which I will be attending on Wednesday."
"Sounds good, but what will happen if they can't pay?" Harry asked.
"Then by law you can claim their Lordship and all of the offending members possessions, and seeing as he's going to be in prison for nearly the remainder of his life I won't hesitate to request that, but he does have a brother who owns a bar in Hogsmeade, the village nearby, and he might be able to pay some of it."
"Could you speak to him ahead of time to see if that's likely to happen? I know in muggle law speaking to the opposition is grounds for a mistrial." Hermione asked.
"Yes I was planning to head into town tonight to see a friend in the Three Broomsticks, I'll pop into the Hogs Head and speak to Aberforth before I meet her."
Harry spent the rest of the day cuddling Hermione on the sofas and talking with his parents about the manor, they didn't even move for dinner, letting Tilly bring it to them in Aunt Minnie's office, they only returned to the common room when it was time to turn in for the night.
Harry awoke the next morning to what he thought was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, Hermione was sat on his bed beside him smiling down at him, he marvelled at the fact that he could see without his glasses.
"Good morning sleepy head." She said softly. "You're normally awake by now, I didn't mean to wake you."
"That's ok I don't mind, that has to be the nicest sight I've ever woken up to."
"Stop it your making me blush." She said swatting him on the shoulder.
"Well it's the truth, give me a few minutes to get dressed and I'll meet you in the common room."
"Ok." She replied kissing him softly. "Just don't take too long."
"Well I only need to get dressed and use the bathroom, so 10 minutes and I should be down."
"I'll hold you to that any longer and you'll have to find me in the great hall."
9 minutes later Harry descended the stairs having not bothered to pick up his glasses, he was soo happy he turned his hair to the same mousy brown as Hermione's. She beamed at him from his favourite chair, before standing and all but leaping into his arms.
"No Glasses?" She queried.
"Yeah I woke up able to see, whether it took my shifting ability time to correct them or my core somehow did it I don't know." He stated kissing her softly on the cheek
"And you choose my hair colour because?"
"I like it and I felt like a change."
"Well it suits you, shall we get down to breakfast?"
Harry nodded and they descended down to the great hall to find it completely empty, the choose seats halfway along the Gryffindor table and sat quietly holding hands until Tilly appeared.
"Good morning Master Harry, and Mistress Hermione." The elf beamed at them. "How are you both this morning?"
"Exhausted, but getting there." Harry replied. "Can we get the usual order please?"
"Certainly, I'll add a pot of coffee if you like."
"That would be lovely Tilly thank you." Hermione replied. "Do you know what time Aunt Minnie will be down?"
"She just spoke to me before leaving her office shouldn't be too long."
POP
Aunt Minnie arrived just as their breakfasts appeared.
"Good to see someone other than myself is getting an early start today." She stated sitting down across from them. "Tilly can I get the same breakfast please."
"Are you allowed to join us?" Harry queried.
"The teachers are allowed to sit where they please, most just prefer to use the staff table to deter unwanted questions." Advised his guardian. "And as the rest of the room is currently empty, I thought I'd join you for breakfast."
"Has there been any news on how Sirius is doing?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, he is currently at a health spa of sorts in America." Aunt Minnie said between mouthfuls. "He's being treated for gross malnutrition, Dementor exposure, and a few other issues he didn't share with me. But he is hopeful to at least make an appearance at the manor during Christmas, even if it's only to meet you properly before he returns to America."
"Well that should help with his emotional healing." Hermione stated as the rest of the hall started to fill up around them.
"Indeed." Aunt Minnie agreed. "Serverus tells me he's set aside a larger desk for the two of you on the left hand side of his classroom, he's going to be going over some different preparation techniques with you two while the rest of the class makes another attempt to make the pepper up potion as they all failed to create it properly."
"Well thats gong to go down like a sinking ship." Harry replied.
"No I agree that the rest of your classmates aren't going to like it but you both were able to brew the potion without much input from Serverus." Aunt Minnie stated frowning. "And I believe he will be using your potions as part of the supply given to Madam Pomfrey."
"Really?" Harry questioned.
"Indeed I will Mr Potter, the potions brewed by Miss Granger and yourself were of equal potency to my own." Snape stated having overheard the conversation on the way to the staff table. "So I'm awarding you 50 points each for a masterfully brewed potion, a feet no first year has ever achieved since I began teaching."
"Thank you Professor." Harry replied smiling as he turned and watched the rubies fall into the Gryffindor hourglass behind the staff table.
"Well done Harry." Aunt Minnie stated calmly. "You have managed to gain 1100 house points in just 4 days."
The rest of breakfast was a blur of conversation with Aunt Minnie and Harry's friends, who joined them slowly as breakfast drew to a close. Harry and Hermione were just leading the group out of the hall towards the dungeons when they bumped into the Slytherin first years, lead predictably by Draco Malfoy.
"Well if it isn't perfect Potter, and his muggle-born girlfriend." The blonde haired boy sneered. "I hear they had to cut your Quidditch practice short at the weekend, something about you being too inept on your broom. What have they got you using anyway one of the old cleensweeps?"
"My choice of broom is none of your business, you'll have to wait until Saturday to find that information out like everybody else here." Harry replied.
"And you can attest to his flying skills Malfoy." Dean stated from behind Harry. "He did nearly knock you off your broom as he moved to catch Neville's rememberall."
"I... I wasn't, he... he didn't." Malfoy stammered. "After I threw the the stupid thing I returned to the ground normally thank you."
"So having to suddenly grab your broom and a quick drop of 10 feet isn't nearly falling off?" Hermione asked.
"Nobody asked you opinion Granger." Malfoy spat at her. "You're a muggle-born you don't no the first thing about flying, I've been using racing brooms since I was 6."
"Mister Malfoy, would you care to explain why my first year Slytherins are blocking the brightest students in their year from exiting the great hall?" Snape asked approaching the group.
"Just chatting about lessons Professor."
"A likely story, 5 points from Slytherin for insulting another student about their magical heritage." Snape stated glaring at him. "Now all of you get to the dungeons, some of you are in for a rough morning."
The dungeon was lighter than normal, Snape appeared to have added some candles round the workspaces, additionally the desks had been rearranged to allow for a better view of the front of the class.
"All of you who haven't yet brewed a successful pepper up potion will find your names on the blackboard, please take a seat by the cauldrons on the right hand side of the room." Snape called as he entered the room. "All of you who's name is not on the board please take a seat on the preparation bench on the left hand side of the room."
Harry and Hermione didn't even read the board as they took their seats at the prep table, taking out their potions book and Lily's notes, ignoring the indignant stares of their classmates.
"Did you even read the board Potter?" Malfoy shouted. "You weren't in the last class how could you have completed the potion at all?"
"Be quiet Mr. Malfoy." Snape stated calmly. "You clearly haven't read the board, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger completed the potion to such a masterful extent yesterday that it was sent to Madam Pomfrey for use in the hospital wing. Should any of you catch a cold this year you will likely receive dose of their creation. Now if you have completed the essay to satisfaction you will be able to complete the potion successfully, the instructions are on page 12."
"And what are they going to be doing?" Ron demanded.
"Advanced preparation techniques. And thats 10 points from Gryffindor for questioning a teacher." Snape sneered at him.
"Will we be learning them Professor?" Malfoy questioned.
"It will be your next lesson so long as you are able to make this potion without any mistakes." Snape answered.
The rest of the class avoided questioning Snape as they set about gathering their ingredients, while Snape instructed Harry and Hermione to read over a later chapter in their textbooks and Lily's notes. Snape circled the room until the class were about halfway through, he smiled softly as he approached the preparations bench to find Harry and Hermione deep in discussion as to whether it was better to cut or squash a bean to extract its juice.
"Well there are advantages to both." Snape explained pulling a few ingredients from the jars behind him. "On a soft bean when a recipe states cutting I wouldn't hesitate to follow that example, but as I'm sure Lily's notes suggest a hard been is better if it is crushed under the blade of the knife like so, it can provide much more juice and remove the risk of a bean flying across the room you are working in."
"So you wouldn't crush a soft bean?" Harry asked.
"Not unless you need to use the whole been skin and all as this can often mix the juices into the skin."
"Ok so if a recipe asks for a whole been would you crush it first?" Hermione asked.
"Only if I was adding another ingredient straight away, if the potion needs time to simmer afterwards no matter how little time it needs it is probably to allow the bean to be absorbed." Snape explained as he looked out over the rest of the class to see Malfoy drop something into Ron's cauldron on his way past. "Get behind the desk you two, Mr Weasley's potion is about to explode."
As soon as Harry and Hermione were behind the desk Ron's potion did explode showering the rest of the class with boiling hot potion, that instantly caused boils to appear where it touched skin. Ron and Neville were covered from head to toe and was beginning to swell rapidly.
"Everyone to the hospital wing." Snape called as he stood up from behind the desk. "And 100 points from Slytherin Mr Malfoy for endangering the entire class and wasting a rather expensive ingredient. Mr Potter you and Miss Granger are welcome to start your break early."
"Thank you Professor." Hermione responded. "Is there anything we can do to help."
"No thank you." He stated trying to help Ron walk. "But I'll need to tell the Headmistress about this shortly."
"I can do that Professor, might look better if you stay and help Madam Pomfrey with this lot." Harry stated smiling.
"Good idea Mr Potter."
Harry and Hermione quickly gathered their things being careful to clean them off first, and set off for Aunt Minnie's office at a brisk walk. This time the griffin didn't move as they approached, he cawed at them but remain rooted to the spot.
"She must be in a meeting." Hermione stated.
"Yeah." Harry agreed. "Tilly."
POP
"Yes, Master Harry?"
"Can you please inform Aunt Minnie that we are waiting to see her regarding an incident in potions."
"Certainly, She is currently meeting with the Minister of Magic and a board representative, but I don't think she'll mind the distraction."
POP
A few moments later the griffin cawed again and began his slow assent, taking this as a right to enter they climbed on and waited for him to reach the top. Harry knocked of the door politely, it may have been his guardian's office but she had company.
"Enter Harry." Aunt Minnie called from within.
Harry opened the door slowly and walked inside holding on to Hermione's hand, Aunt Minnie was sat behind her desk wearing her standard tartan robes, sat across from her was a man in a lime green bowler hat and purple robes, and a woman who reminded Harry of Neville, she had a large stuffed eagle on her hat.
"Good morning you two." Aunt Minnie greeted. "What was so important that you are here before your first lesson is completed?"
Hermione quickly explained the incident in the dungeons.
"And then I suggested that Professor Snape stayed with the class to help Madam Pomfrey, as Ron and Neville were almost completely covered in boils." Harry stated.
"Well done you both of you for offering to help." Aunt Minnie replied. "Don't worry Augusta I'm certain that Poppy will be able to sort Neville out quickly, I wouldn't be surprised if he's been given a sleeping drought so she can treat the rest of the class without him being in pain."
"I should think you are right Minerva." The old woman stated. "Now Cornelius can we agree that Minerva's relationship to Harry here isn't affecting her role as Headmistress."
"Well it certainly seems to be the case so far but if I get told about any other preferential treatment towards him I will have to step in."
"If i may ask." Harry said. "What preferential treatment are you referring to?"
"Well the special commendation and being allowed on to the Quidditch team in your first year." The Minister stated.
"The special commendation was Dumbledore's last act as Headmaster and Professor McGonagall wasn't my guardian when she argued the case for me to be allowed to play Quidditch."
"She should have been." Hermione added. "But that wasn't known until Friday morning."
"Very well then, but my point stands just one case of preferential treatment and you will be removed from this office Minerva." Fudge said as he moved towards the fire. "Good day to you all."
"You two head along to Transfiguration, and tell Remus that the rest of the class is in the hospital wing." Aunt Minnie stated as Fudge disappeared in a whirl of emerald flames. "Augusta why don't we head down and see your grandson."
Harry and Hermione arrived at in the transfigurations courtyard just as Remus let the fourth year class out for their break, he noticed the couple and waved them into his classroom.
"Problems in potions?" He asked as they took seats at the front of the class.
"Yeah Ronald's potion exploded and showered the rest of the class, causing boils to grew where it landed." Hermione explained. "I wouldn't expect any of them to be on time."
"Well they have a few minutes before I have to start." Remus replied. "But why aren't you two covered in boils exactly?"
"Snape saw it happen and as he happened to be giving us a different lesson than the rest of the class, he managed to get us behind a larger preparation desk." Harry explained.
"So was Ron sabotaged?"
"Yes by Malfoy."
"Well let's hope Ron learns how few friends he actually has when nobody visits him." Remus stated calmly. "Now uncle Remus is gone it's time to start your lesson."
He had them go over all of the spells they had studied so far, and much to Harry's surprise he was able to complete them all with no difficulty. Hermione was equally surprised when Harry managed to limit the amount of water he produced from his stone and stop it from overflowing his goblet.
"How did you manage to do that?" She enquired.
"Well I just didn't use all of my power." He replied.
"Harry are you telling me that after only a few days at your power level you can sense how much you are giving a spell?" Professor Lupin asked. "Most people don't manage to achieve that level of comprehension of their own core."
"Well yeah, I sort of feel the power flow through me and I'm able to hold some of it back if I need to."
"I wonder if I'll be able to do that after the bond forms?" Hermione pondered.
"You are likely to share all of Harry's abilities if my research is correct." Remus smiled at her. "Most soulmates share the ability of the other, but none of them have had the level of power or the amount of abilities that Harry has."
"So anything could happen during the bond?"
"Precisely, there will be a lot of people at the manor that night." Remus smiled. "Because if your power level is raised to match Harry's it could be dangerous."
"You mean pure magic?" Harry asked.
"Yes, if you gave some off during your unbinding, who knows what's going to happen." He sighed. "For all we know your power levels will be combined within each other."
"You mean Harry's being raised by mine?" Hermione asked.
"Quite possibly."
The rest of the couples day was quiet, their classmates still hadn't returned after lunch so they were the only Gryffindors trudging out to the greenhouses with the Hufflepuffs. Hermione didn't even ask Professor Sprout about the solar preferences of magical plants book she had read over the weekend, they just quietly trimmed the leaf on the plant that had been asked to look after. Their classmates drifted into the common room in ones and twos that evening, they didn't stop to talk they just smiled weakly at Harry and Hermione before they climbed the stairs into their dormitories.