Chapter 12—Revelations

May 22, 1948 was the last good day of spring that year, but Harry couldn't have known that unless, while back in the 1990s, he'd spent hours digging through old Met office records in the local library, which he hadn't.

Instead, he was revelling in the fine sunny weather, astride his broom on the quidditch pitch awaiting the start of the last quidditch match of the year: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. Gryffindor was the clear favourite. They were practically assured the cup this year. Ravenclaw had lost to both Hufflepuff and Slytherin, while Slytherin had gone down to Hufflepuff just a fortnight before. Still, Harry wasn't going to take Ravenclaw sitting down, well except on a broom, of course.

When the balls were released, Harry shot forward like a lightning bolt. Harry really missed his Firebolt at times like this. He liked his Cleansweep 4, but it lacked the sheer speed of the Firebolt. It was something he hoped to tinker with in his off time after finishing school. He sometimes dreamed of introducing the Firebolt decades ahead of schedule.

En route to the snitch, he barrel rolled around the Ravenclaw chaser line heading down the field. Then he popped over a bludger, before pulling in behind the snitch as it made a mad dash down the field to the Ravenclaw goals. The Ravenclaw seeker, a third year, was hot on his tail. Despite his poor seeking skills, he was a passable flier, and could largely follow Harry once Harry had seen the snitch.

The snitch abruptly changed directions, heading up and back towards the Gryffindor end of the pitch. Harry performed an Immemann Turn at speed, keeping his eyes fixed on the tiny golden orb. Suddenly Harry heard a crunch behind him, and turned to see an empty broom starting to fall from the sky, a tumbling young boy, and a bloody bludger zooming off into space.

Without a thought, Harry aborted his snitch pursuit and corkscrewed down after the Ravenclaw seeker. After passing through the Gryffindor chaser line, he reached the falling boy, wrapping him securely in his arms, and pulling slowly out of the dive. When he reached the grass he flew over to the Hospital Matron, a witch whose name he forgot, as he hadn't had the need to visit her yet. Without dismounting, he handed the boy over and zoomed back up to resume the search for the snitch.

The whole operation had taken perhaps five minutes since the start of the game, but Harry had lost sight of the little golden ball. Below, the Ravenclaw captain called a time out to try to figure out what had happened and how to proceed with the match. Harry remained at altitude, unconcerned with what was going on below. He continued to look for the snitch, but didn't find it by the time play resumed.

Being the smart lot that they were, Ravenclaw fielded a large reserve team, and the new seeker, a second year girl, rose up to join Harry in the search for the snitch. She didn't tail Harry. Instead, she took up position above and in front of the Ravenclaw goals and flew a figure eight pattern looking for the snitch.

By the time the Lions were up one hundred ten to twenty, Harry was bored. He flew over to the Ravenclaw seeker, just to see if the snitch was pacing her. It wasn't. Harry then wondered if the snitch was pacing any other players. He flew down into the scrim, and searched around. He got some odd looks from the Ravenclaws, but the Gryffindors didn't seem to mind.

After another five minutes, he actually caught a glimpse of gold near a Ravenclaw chaser, and flew at him. It scared the chaser, and he missed a pass as he ducked. Sheila recovered it and raced towards the Ravenclaw goals with the rest of the Lion's chaser line in hot pursuit. Harry, though, dove for the ground, spiralling down after the snitch. He bottomed out near the ground, streaking for the Gryffindor goals.

The snitch wove its way between the goal posts before flying at the stands. The crowd gasped as it looked as if Harry would collide with some of the spectators, but he hove left at the last moment, following the snitch. With the wooden wall of the stands a blur on his right, he poured on the speed, flattening against the broom as he accelerated towards the snitch. Sensing capture was imminent, it abandoned its usual dance and zipped off away from him. It wasn't fast enough, though, and Harry's hand finally closed around the tiny ball. Then he felt a sudden bump and slammed into the wall, and everything went dark.

ooOOOOoo

Harry blinked awake. His mouth tasted like cotton. He was in the hospital wing. In front of him, the windows were displaying a leaden sky over green trees. At least it was still spring, he snorted. Then he looked around. Hermione was dozing in a seat beside his bed. A little ways down the hall, there was another patient, but Harry couldn't see who it was. A Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff, both younger than he, were crowded around the bed.

"'Mione," he said, his voice low and raspy. He cleared his throat and Hermione blinked awake.

"Oh!" she cried, and enveloped him in a hug. "I'm so happy you're awake."

"What… happened?" he asked slowly, trying to get his bearings.

"The Ravenclaw seeker collided with you just after you caught the snitch," Hermione explained. "You both went into the wall. She broke her arm and her broom. You broke your leg, your arm, and a couple of ribs. Fortunately, Madam Wright put you right again." Harry snorted.

"The Matron?"

"Uh huh," Hermione said in agreement.

"How long have I been out?"

"It's Sunday morning, so… about eighteen hours," Hermione calculated. "Madam Wright says you should be able to be discharged soon."

"Awake eh?" the Matron called, moving towards them from the door at the back of the hospital wing. She bustled over. She was younger than Madam Pomfrey, but dressed much the same as she had. She had blonde hair, with a thin face and large eyes. As she approached, she pulled out her wand. Harry knew the drill. She waved the wand over him, casting diagnostic charms. If he relaxed, it would go faster. A minute later she lowered her wand. "Fit as a fiddle, Mr. Potter," she declared. "It's a few hours to lunch, so you should head back to Gryffindor tower, shower, and change. If you have any problems come back and see me."

"I will," Harry allowed. He slid out of bed, and picked up his things. He stepped behind a curtain to change, then accompanied Hermione back to the Gryffindor common room. "I suppose I missed the party." Hermione nodded. "What was the score?"

"Two hundred seventy to twenty," Hermione supplied. "You won us the quidditch cup. Congratulations." Harry just grinned and nodded in reply.

ooOOOOoo

"Good!" Dumbledore said with a smile. "Now pull the rock up from the ground, like this." He demonstrated, stretching a stone paver up into the room, forming a pillar.

Harry and Hermione were in the Chamber of Secrets for their last private lesson with Dumbledore before the end of term. They had one more week of school, mostly exams. While Harry had desperately needed a break from revision, and welcomed the lesson, Hermione was torn. On the one hand, this was time she might've better used studying for the tests. On the other hand, here she could learn advanced magics from the feet of a master. Harry had finally convinced her that she should come, pointing out that she'd included this lesson in their study schedules.

Harry raised his wand, focused his magic.

"Obstructionum!" He raised his wand, as though he were pulling the rock up, stretching it like taffy. The stone paver obeyed, rising slowly, clearly fighting Harry the whole way.

"Picture the stone in your mind," Dumbledore suggested. "See it rising from the floor, forming a column, and acting as your shield." Harry did, and the stone rose a little faster, but it still wasn't the nearly instantaneous shield Professor Dumbledore had created. "Very good," Dumbledore observed once Harry had finished. "Practice makes perfect, though. With repetition will come speed, which is vital in defence. Then we'll move on to incantationless casting, and the spell's battle applications. Of course, this transfiguration has other uses as well."

"Like what, Professor?" Hermione asked.

"Have you ever wanted to reach a book on the top of a shelf at the library, but there wasn't a ladder nearby?" Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eye. It wasn't quite the same as the hundred-plus-year-old Dumbledore had managed, but Harry thought it was still nice to see. Hermione blushed a bit and nodded, considering the possibilities.

"Finite!" Harry cast, shrinking the stone back to its original size.

"I believe that's all the time we have for tonight," Dumbledore said before reverting his own shield back to the stone slab it usually was. "Shall we?" He motioned to the exit, and the two teens followed.

"I've spoken with Lord Henry and your father about continuing your instruction this summer," he continued. "They've agreed to allow me to come to Edgewood on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for that purpose. Lessons will be in the mornings from nine until noon."

"Will you be teaching us the same sorts of things?" Harry asked as they proceeded up the stairs.

"We'll be focusing more on transfiguration," Dumbledore replied. "I'd also like you to create your own spells this summer. Spell creation is an important part of a mastery. It shows skill, dedication, an understanding of theory, and the ability to conduct independent research. These qualities will stand you in good stead once you graduate and undertake your masteries. Having already created a spell will also enhance your reputations and act as an encouragement to a master to agree to take you on."

"That sounds amazing," Hermione gushed.

"We'll also begin work on a most complicated transfiguration," Dumbledore said. "It is extremely demanding and requires aptitude, skill, and concentration, however, I believe you can both achieve it."

"What transfiguration is that?" Harry asked, pushing the door to the corridor open and holding it for the others.

"It's one I believe you're familiar with," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "It involves a mandrake leaf…"

"You really think we can, professor?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"What?" Harry asked, confused.

"We're going to become animagi!" Hermione grinned. "You have to hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth from one full moon to the next. It's the first step in creating the potion that allows you to become an animagus."

"Wow," Harry said softly. He smiled slightly, wondering what his dad and Sirius would think, knowing he was following in their footsteps. Then he thought of Peter Pettigrew, Rita Skeeter, and Minnie, and was suddenly worried. What if he became a small, useless, or disgusting animal?

"Are you thinking about Sirius?" Hermione asked, noticing his introspection.

"Sort of," Harry shrugged. "I was also worried that I'd become a rat or a bug or something."

"The animagus transfiguration is complex," Dumbledore commented. "One of the reasons you hold the mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month is so your essence can be absorbed by the leaf. The potion doesn't turn you into something you're not, it merely reveals to you the animal already within you. Do you believe you'd be a rat or an insect?"

"I don't think so," Harry decided.

"You are a very brave, very dedicated, very caring young man, Mr. Potter. I believe you'll be quite satisfied with the animal you become." Harry smiled and nodded at the professor. Dumbledore came to a halt, and Harry was surprised to find himself in front of the fat lady's portrait. The walk hadn't seemed to take as long as it usually did. "I shall leave you here, and see you on Tuesday for your examination."

ooOOOOoo

"Ready for Defence.?" Harry asked at breakfast the next morning. The core subjects each got a half a day, except for Potions, which got three-quarters of the day; Astronomy, which got a quarter of a day and an evening; and History of Magic, which got a quarter of a day. Electives each got a quarter of a day except for Care of Magical Creatures, which got a half a day; and Alchemy, which was in the evening.

Hermione, of course, had developed complex study schedules for her and Harry, as well as other members of their friend group. Harry, Hermione, and Neville, fresh from their impressive, if somewhat underhanded, showing on the OWLs, were determined to keep impressing. Consequentially, they'd studied hard and performed well throughout the year. With the extra instruction from Dumbledore, Harry felt more ready to take on his end of year exams than he ever had before.

"Yes," Hermione replied. "Best get there soon. I don't want to be stuck at the back of the classroom."

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "We'll probably be done before the others, and it wouldn't do to disturb them when we move to practicals."

"Well, well," John snorted. "Look who's full of themselves."

"It's not bragging when you can back it up," Harry shrugged with a grin. He picked up his bookbag and turned with Hermione, but looked back over his shoulder. "See you there?"

"Yeah," John said with a grin of his own, and went back to his eggs.

ooOOOOoo

The Defence. exam ended up being very easy for Harry. He quickly worked through the written portion, writing almost as much as Hermione almost as quickly. He identified all the dark creatures, described the theory behind resisting the Imperious Curse, and wrote a lengthy essay on why non-verbal casting was important in defence. situations.

If anything, the practical was even easier. Professor Silver knew how Harry had done on his OWLs, and he had seen Harry's work in class. He didn't cut the boy any slack when it came to administering the practicals. It didn't matter.

Harry was the first to turn in his written test, and Professor Silver invited him to the cleared area at the front of the room. He erected a charmed barrier to silence the testing area and protect it from errant spells.

"Your task is to duel me," Silver informed him.

"But…" Harry waffled. "You said we'd have to…"

"I know what I said," Silver cut him off. "You, however, are the top Defence. student in the school. I've already seen you perfectly cast all the spells I am asking the others to perform. So I'm going to actually test you, instead. Prepare to duel."

Harry raised his wand and took up the duelling stance. From the other side of the barrier, Hermione's eyes went wide when she realized what was going on. Silver fired the first spell, a stunner. Harry dodged, rolling to the right behind a desk. He leaned around the desk and fired his own silent stunner.

Harry missed, and leaned back behind the cover of the desk. Instead, the desk vanished, and Harry rolled away before another stunner passed through the space he'd been occupying. He popped up from the roll and fired a spell chain including two stunners, a jelly-finger jinx, two disarming charms, an impediment jinx, and a knee-reversing hex. He smiled when he saw Professor Silver had to raise a shield to defend against his attack. Harry moved and attacked again.

This time he conjured a flock of birds and sent them at the professor. He followed it up with a tickling hex, then dodged and fired off a knock-back jinx. Professor Silver managed to block those, but missed the tripping jinx Harry fired last. Silver quickly rolled and fired a brace of stunners, and suddenly Harry was on the defensive.

He quickly conjured a sheet of metal that deflected several of the stunners. Then the sheet vanished. Harry had been waiting for that, and tried to transfigure the professor into a chicken. He missed, but only by a whisker, and only because Silver had ducked. He cast a very powerful augamenti that nearly flooded the duelling area, then he froze the water, causing Silver to slip.

Before the professor could recover, he fired another spell chain of stunners, disarming charms, impediment jinxes, and conjured ropes. One of the stunners hit, and Silver went rigid, sliding across the ice until he bumped into the wall.

Harry hurried to his side, vanishing the ice as he went. He then bent over and revived Professor Silver, who sat up and shook his head to clear the cobwebs.

"Got me with a stunner, then?" Silver asked with a smile on his face. Harry nodded. He hadn't spoken a single word since the duel had started. "What was the white one fringed with pink?" he asked as he picked himself up off the ground.

"Erm, I was trying to transfigure you into a chicken," Harry replied bashfully.

"Oh, good show!" Silver laughed. "I say, that would've given the class quite the show." He glanced over to the desks where the other students were supposed to be taking their written exams. Instead, every eye was on them. "Although, I think you already did that. In any case, excellent work, Mr. Potter."

"Thank you, sir," Harry grinned. Professor Silver shook his hand, and lowered the barrier. The class applauded as Harry returned to his desk to collect his bookbag and prepared to leave. Professor Silver nodded but then admonished them to get back to work. Harry merely smiled and watched as Hermione step to the front of the class for her turn.

ooOOOOoo

By Wednesday, Harry was sure he was going to ace the exams this year. Charms had been almost as easy as Defence. Transfiguration was, if anything, easier than Defence., because of all the extra instruction Dumbledore had given them. Herbology was harder than the others, but even there, he benefited from his friendship with Neville, who was a Herbology prodigy. Each exam had consisted of the written portion, which usually took an hour, followed by a practical portion, which usually took about two minutes. With only three hours for the practicals, and eighty students to test, there wasn't much time for messing about. Harry had been the exception, rather than the rule during defence.

He sighed with relief when the Potions exam ended, and he staggered out of the lab to await Hermione. The brewing portion had been before lunch, and he'd successfully brewed the Draught of the Living Death and Volubilis potions in the four hours allotted. If Slughorn's beaming smile when he turned the vials in was any indication, he'd gotten an O on both. After lunch was the written portion, which Harry had had little trouble with, though it did take more time that he'd thought it would.

Hermione appeared a short time later, looking wrung out. He hugged her quickly and pulled her along with an arm about her waist.

"Come on," he said more cheerily than he felt. "Let's kip for a bit in the Room of Requirement before Astronomy."

"We need to study!" Hermione protested as she went along.

"We'll need the rest more than the studying," Harry pressured. "You'll get a T if you fall asleep halfway through, and you look done in after Potions."

"Fine," Hermione huffed, though Harry could tell she wasn't really peeved. She knew she needed the rest as much as he did. They had about an hour before the Astronomy written test began—just enough time to recharge their batteries.

ooOOOOoo

The last two days were a much lighter load. On Thursday morning, Harry and Hermione had a headache-inducing History of Magic exam, followed by a free period where a few other students were taking the Ancient Studies exam. Then in the afternoon Harry and Hermione sat their Arithmancy and Ancient Runes finals, which Harry found surprisingly easy. Alchemy was that evening, and was perhaps his most difficult final, as it was his worst subject. He was fairly certain he managed to pull an Exceeds Expectations, but he might've gotten an Acceptable.

Friday saw Harry and Hermione taking the Care of Magical Creatures exam, which concluded before lunch. It was their last exam. Muggle Studies and Divination had exams after lunch, but Harry and Hermione weren't taking those classes.

"Come on," Harry said, pulling Hermione out of lunch. "We'll see you lot later!" he called to the others.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked, shaking her head.

"I thought we could start date night a bit early," Harry replied. "After all, we'll want to get back early in order to pack."

"I'm already packed," Hermione countered. "Well, close enough, anyhow."

"Me too," Harry grinned. "Close enough. I guess we don't have to get back early after all."

"So, if this is date night, where are we going?" Hermione asked. "The Room's back that way."

"I know," Harry shrugged. "But it's so nice outside, I thought we could take a walk."

"Oh, and where are we walking to?"

"Someplace new," Harry replied as his mouth split into a cryptic smile. "It might take a while, though."

"As you pointed out, we have hours and hours," Hermione sighed, resigned but not unhappy. To her, any time spent with Harry was not time wasted.

They walked in companionable silence to the far side of the Black Lake, holding hands. Presently, Harry stopped and pulled out his wand. He stepped forward and raised it like a conductor leading an orchestra.

"I thought I'd try this out," he said, looking back at Hermione. When he again faced the Black Lake, he started incanting. Hermione recognized the spells and chuckled softly. About a hundred yards out in the lake the water started frothing and eventually, dry land emerged. It formed a small island with a slightly domed top. A few more spells and the hundred foot diameter island was covered in grass with a few trees growing on it. He added some small shrubs and flowers. A small sandy beach completed the new land.

"That's really good, Harry," Hermione said, honestly impressed. He'd managed to combine practically everything Dumbledore had taught them over the past year into one project. It clearly demonstrated his power, focus, and commitment. "You should show it to Dumbledore."

"It's almost done," he observed, waving his wand again. A small stone bench appeared, just large enough for two, hidden from Hogwarts by the trees and shrubs, but visible from where they were. One last wand wave created a twenty yard footbridge from the shore to the island. It was stone with delicately carved Gothic handrails. He lowered his wand, satisfied. Returning his wand, he turned to Hermione and held out his hand. "Care to join me?"

She nodded and took his hand, following as he led her over the bridge. She looked down in the water and could see fish flitting about below. Harry let her wander, and went to the bench, sitting. He leaned back, enjoying the midday sun that winked through the new tree leaves above him.

He was done for another year. There would be lessons, but no real grades—nothing to affect his public record, until September. After that, only one year of study remained, or perhaps not. Dumbledore seemed to be setting him on a course for at least one mastery following his NEWTs. Harry had no idea who he could convince to take him on as a Transfiguration apprentice, since he knew of no other masters in the subject besides Dumbledore.

Hermione wandered over at last, basking in the fresh air and the sounds of the Black Lake. She sat next to him, leaning into the nook created by his arm draped over the back of the bench.

"This is perfect," she said happily.

"I agree," Harry smiled back at her. Then he decided to ask her. "Have you thought about the future?"

"You mean the 90's, or our future now?"

"I mean our future," Harry clarified. "What do you want to do after next year?"

"I suppose I hadn't really thought about it," Hermione reasoned. "Coming back to the 1940s has really thrown my long-term plans for a loop. That, and we were fairly busy doing… everything we've done, and studying… I mean, well… you know."

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "We've been non-stop for the last year haven't we? Then again, we've been non-stop for the last six years when you think about it."

"It's been pretty wild." Then Hermione turned the tables. "What do you want to do?"

"I have literally no idea," Harry replied. "Dumbledore seems to be setting us up for a mastery after NEWTs, but a mastery in what?" He looked out over the water, thinking for a moment. "Dumbledore will probably be dead by then, so he won't be able to take us on for a Transfiguration mastery, and I don't know of any other Transfiguration masters. I was thinking maybe I'd do a Defence. mastery. I could see if Professor Silver would take me on, or perhaps Professor Yates would let me do a Charms mastery. Then… I dunno."

Hermione considered his statement for a moment, her eyes flitting from the water to Harry and back again.

"The idea of a mastery is one I like," Hermione agreed. "It would give us some time to develop a better idea of what we want to do with our lives."

"I like that."

"What?"

"Our lives." Harry smiled. "I might have no idea what I'd like to do, but I know in my heart that I want you there with me whatever I do."

"I want you there too, Harry," Hermione replied, looking at him and smiling broadly, eyes perhaps a little damp. He leaned down and kissed her gently. When he pulled back she continued. "I might try for a mastery in Charms, or perhaps Ancient Runes. Maybe Uncle Flea or Aunt Mia can give us some tips."

"Sure," Harry agreed. "And I think our ruse will help you out in the long run."

"Why's that?"

"I know it's wrong, but… well, we can try to change it… at least it won't affect you between now and then…"

"What are you talking about?"

"People here don't know you're a muggleborn, Hermione. They think you're a half-blood," Harry replied. "Even in the 1990s you couldn't do much as a muggleborn. In the 1940s that's even more true. As a muggleborn only were you not a member of the 'elite', many of them wouldn't even consider hiring you because of their prejudices. Now, you're a titled half-blood. You might not be a member of the 'elite' pureblood class, but they won't immediately reject your application just because you're muggleborn. You can climb to near the pinnacle of any profession you choose, and you won't be held back by an accident of birth."

"I wasn't ashamed of being muggleborn, Harry."

"I know! I'm not saying you were. I'm saying… our lie has set you free." Harry sighed. "I love you for you, not for who your parents were or weren't. I want you to succeed, and now you can; even if that means leading the charge for muggleborn rights. You might have to hide who you are because of our lie, but maybe, because of it, others won't."

Hermione stopped to consider this. Harry knew he wasn't the best with words, and he knew that the entire subject of muggleborns was a tricky one where Hermione was concerned, despite her protests. It really hadn't come up over the past year, mostly due to the fact that almost no one in the 1940s knew she was one. Harry hoped he'd convinced her. Finally, she smiled.

"I could become a political activist," she said at last. "Hermione Granger, Organizer!" She chuckled, ruefully. "Could you imagine?"

"You bet I could!" Harry grinned in reply.

ooOOOOoo

It was suppertime before Harry and Hermione returned to the castle. Their friends were all venting their frustrations at the exams when they reached the Gryffindor table and sat down.

"I think I failed the Divination exam," John moped. "I mean, I still don't understand how chicken bones can help tell the future."

"Are you planning to become a seer?" Neville asked around a mouthful of Yorkshire Pudding.

"No," John laughed. "Could you imagine?"

Harry and Hermione shared a smile at that line.

"Then I wouldn't worry about it," Neville continued. "I think I did very well where it counted, which is a first for me."

"You've done well before," Hermione said, jumping in. "Herbology's always come easy to you."

"I suppose," Neville shrugged. "I'm finally doing well on my wanded subjects, I should've said."

"You did great on your OWLs," Harry commented.

"Will you lot stop arguing with me?" Neville pleaded. "I did well on my exams, and I'm happy!"

"We're happy for you," Hermione agreed, ending the discussion.

"So where have you lot been all day?" John asked, looking at Harry and Hermione.

"Out by the Black Lake," Harry said. "We were taking an afternoon stroll."

"That's a heck of a stroll," John whistled. "It took, what… four hours?"

"So?" Harry challenged with a smile. "How long do your walks with Kathleen take? And at night too!"

"No comment," John said, reddening, and becoming suddenly very interested in his chicken.

"Speaking of night, can we expect you too to be out?" Neville asked. "It is date night, if I'm not mistaken."

"You shouldn't wait up," Hermione said, grinning like the cat that got the canary. Harry blinked in surprise.

"Harry?" Neville prodded.

"What she said," Harry replied quickly.

ooOOOOoo

After dinner it was Hermione's turn to pull Harry away, to the catcalls of their friends. Blushing but undeterred, she headed straight for the Room of Requirement, and paced before the door. When she opened it, she looked in and grinned. Then she reached back and pulled him into the room.

Harry got a good idea of what she wanted to do on their last night there when he entered. There was a sitting area to the right with a loveseat, side tables, coffee table, and fireplace. To the left, there was a large bed nearly buried in fluffy pillows. In the back there was a large tub sunk into the ground that rivalled the prefects' bath. Harry hoped against hope, and when he did so, his brain disengaged, and he was speechless.

"Come and sit," Hermione said, pulling him to the loveseat. He sat next to her, fingers intertwined with hers. They were both silent for almost a minute. Harry looked around a bit, smiled at Hermione and then stared into the fire. "I've been thinking…"

"About?" Harry asked lightly.

"Do you remember the conversation we had over Easter hols?"

"Like it was yesterday," Harry admitted.

"So, I've been thinking quite a bit about what I said…" She trailed off, suddenly uncertain. The silence held for several heartbeats.

"And…" Harry tried to draw her out.

"And I've come to realize that you were right," Hermione said at last. "I love you for you. I love you because of what you represent as well, but first and foremost, I love you because you're kind, and gentle, and loving, and strong, and vibrantly alive… I love you because you love me, because you care for me, because you put me first almost always, and because you're never not thinking about me. I love you because you're protective and inventive. I just… I love you, Harry; more than I've ever loved anyone or anything else." She paused for a moment, and Harry let her.

"I care for you very deeply," she said. "I mean, I love and care about my parents. I always will…"

"And you should," Harry agreed.

"And I can't deny that you help bring them closer, even though you've only met them a few times. Of course I love Uncle Flea, Aunt Mia, and the other Potters I've met as well. I love Neville, and Margaret, John, Marina, and Kathleen. I love Ron and Ginny too." She smiled sadly at the sense of loss. "But I love you more than anything."

"I love you too, 'Mione," Harry said, drawing her into a hug. "More than anything." They didn't need words. They knew through each touch and caress. They knew through the look in their eyes. Finally, they knew through the kiss. Harry moved forward, pressing his lips insistently to Hermione's, which she reciprocated with enthusiasm.

For nearly ten minutes they were lost in the kiss. When they finally surfaced, flushed and breathless, they grinned at each other.

"I'd hoped that we might… do a little more than just kiss," Hermione said with a sultry look.

"Did you have anything specific in mind, or were you just going to play it by ear?"

"I'm Hermione Granger," she snorted. "Of course I had something specific in mind."

"And what was that?"

"It's a surprise," she said, standing. She pulled him to his feet as well. "Now, let's go to bed."

"As you wish," Harry said as he followed her. He watched as she sprang onto the bed, wallowing in the pile of pillows. "You're so beautiful."

"Are you coming, or are you going to stand there all night, staring at me?" Harry didn't need any more prompting, and climbed into bed, snuggling up to Hermione. They kissed some more and hands started to wander. "You, sir, are wearing entirely too many clothes."

"Taking my clothes off is your job," Harry said smugly.

"Oh really?" she asked. With a smirk she moved to undo his buttons. His shirt was soon cast to the floor, where they were joined moments later by his shoes, socks, and trousers.

"Now who has too many clothes on?" Harry asked with a smirk of his own.

"It's not my fault you're laying down on the job!" Hermione joked.

"I'll show you…" And Harry moved to divest Hermione of her clothes as well. By now, he was an old hand at it and even the bra came away easily. Together they shucked the last of their clothes, and once again lost themselves in each other.

Harry was particularly fond of Hermione's breasts, and he lavished them with attention. Hermione, on the other hand, enjoyed groping Harry's arse. Each made sure to pay attention to other body parts as well, and the two teens were quickly a tangle of limbs. They explored and petted for a quarter hour or more, steadily working themselves into an excited state.

Finally, breathless, Hermione pulled back, holding up a finger. She reached over to her trousers and pulled out her wand. She cast a spell on herself, returned her wand and turned back to him.

"Harry, I… I'm ready."

"What…"

"Make love to me."

"Are you sure?"

"More sure than anything in the world. I'm yours and you're mine. Love me."

So he did. Three times.

ooOOOOoo

Afterwards, a thoroughly exhausted pair of teens relaxed on the bed before cleaning off in the bath. There was quite a bit of groping that went on, as is wont to happen between two nude teens in love, but both were too tired to do much more than that. In the bath, Harry sat on the seat and simply held Hermione on his lap. Hermione leaned her head back and played with the bubbles.

"That was better than I could've ever hoped," she said happily.

"It was quite good," Harry agreed, equally happy. "What was that spell you cast?"

"The contraceptive charm," Hermione answered. "I love you more than life itself, but I'd still like to be married before I become a mum."

"Agreed," Harry nodded. "I suppose we should talk about that, too."

"What? Marriage?"

"Yeah," Harry allowed.

"Ask me when we've got our NEWTs," she said. "If you want to."

"I can't imagine not wanting to," Harry said firmly.

"Good to hear," Hermione said, caressing his leg under the water. "But I'm not ready to think about doing that for a while."

"Okay," Harry acquiesced, fondling her.

"What time is it?" Harry reached for his wand and cast a tempus. It showed just before ten o'clock. "We should get back," she said after sighing. Harry made a moue. "Oh, come on," Hermione grinned, turning and rising. "We're going to be doing this a lot more now that we've done it. How many nights did I not come to your room over Easter hols?" Harry took some time answering her because he was too busy staring at the bubbles dripping off her breasts that were conveniently right at eye level. She chuckled and snapped her fingers.

"Every night," Harry replied at last, smiling.

"Then don't be sad it's over tonight," she chastised. "'Cause it's going to happen again soon. Probably tomorrow." She pulled him up. "Let's go."

ooOOOOoo

"You both look entirely too happy," John said as the friends entered their compartment on the Express. "It wouldn't have anything to do with your late return to the tower last night, would it Harry?"

"I have no comment," a smiling Harry replied.

"Will I get the scoop later?" Kathleen asked Hermione.

"Not with any details you'll be happy with," Hermione replied smugly.

"Oh, come on," Kathleen pouted, then lowered her voice. "I told you about…" John blushed crimson.

"Yes, and you shouldn't have," Hermione replied with a feral grin as she sat next to Harry. "It was most unladylike." Kathleen's eyes went wide.

"Don't think I'll forget about this," Kathleen said at last when she recovered her composure. "I'll get the story out of you when we get back next year if I don't see you before then."

"We'll be pretty busy," Harry informed them. "No rest for the weary."

"I believe the saying is 'no rest for the wicked'," John parried.

"Them too," Harry allowed.

Neville and Marina joined them, exchanging greetings without comment. Margaret came last, sitting next to Hermione. Rather than join the conversation, she pulled out a book after her trunk went up overhead.

Harry took Hermione's hand and smiled at her as the train lurched away from Hogsmeade station. Things were definitely looking up.

THE END

A/N: I've started work on the sequel to Me Without My TARDIS. I have no idea how long it will take to write, but be assured that as soon as it's done, it will be published.

Thanks for reading!