Wandering: The journey continues

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the rights to Harry Potter and I'm not her.

Hermione sat across the breakfast table looking at Harry. She remembered the day Harry bought that t-shirt, he wore it out of the store. What Hermione didn't remember was how tight it was or Harry filling it out so well.

She could still see traces of that scrawny, bespectacled, shy boy she met on the train all those years ago. Her friend to her surprise had become even more dishy since the summer. He was deeply tanned. He had more confidence and without his glasses his eyes were even more expressive. He looked at her like a girl now. She was sure she saw him looking at her chest yesterday. She hoped he'd make a move. Prove she wasn't imagining things. She wished she had the courage to kiss him but what if she was wrong? She'd rather have him as her best friend than not at all.

000

Harry was bored. Kingsley was a good man but like every other politician he didn't know when to shut the hell up. Take twenty five minutes to say something the could be expressed in three sentences. He really could have done without the blow by blow description of what he'd done in the war and before. People who haven't been in a war make it out to be glorious, your actions heroic and brave. He was never heroic or brave he was scared out of his head and just did what needed doing. Hermione was brave she didn't have to be there, she could have left with her parents but she stayed, for him.

"And with that I am proud to award these honors to Mister Harry James Potter."

Harry stood and bowed his head allowing Kingsley to put the first medal over his head. Just as the medal touched his chest someone in the gallery yelled

"Die, blood traitor scum!"

At the word die Harry had his wand out and pushed Kingsley away. Taking three steps back to avoid the killing curse heading his way, he fired back with the Mayan incarcerous and saw the man fall screaming.

A second man this one from the Wizengamot seats got as far as "Avada" before he was taken down by a hail of spell fire from the spectators gallery. Harry saw Hermione, Neville, The Weasley's and a few others he didn't know with their wands out. He gave them a smile before checking on Kingsley who was getting to his feet. Looking around the room one more time Harry holstered his wand.

"What can I say? You can't take me anywhere." Harry said to the Minister as aurors looked after the two downed men.

It took about ten minutes then they continued the awards ceremony.

"You need to say a few words Harry." Harry stared at him for a few seconds.

"Ladies and gentlemen I was just informed that I'm supposed to make some kind of speech. Please bare with me as I try to think something up. Let's start with the first medal. The defeat of Lord Voldemort, he had it coming. I feel neither pride nor remorse for my part in his death. Killing someone no matter how much they might deserve it isn't something to be proud of. I would like to thank Hermione Granger for sticking with my through it all, without her I doubt I'd still be alive. I also thank Ron Weasley for his part. Most of all I thank everyone who stood up and said enough is enough. Those who put themselves in harm's way for the sake of others. Thank you. As to my second medal, I just had an idea one night. It was the healers that did all the work. Honestly as I was walking through the ministry on my way to this ceremony. I was stopped and hugged by both Alice and Neville Longbottom. I met a little girl who couldn't remember her Daddy ever hugging her because he was an auror and was tortured trying to protect someone elses child. Compared to that this is just a chunk of worthless metal."

000

Today Harry was seeing Hermione off on the train. She really didn't want to go back there.

Harry sensed her disquiet and put his arms around her.

"It's only a few months, you've worked hard for this. Don't let the jerks discourage you." He said hugging her.

"It's not the same without you there." She said a little weepy.

"I'll be here when you get off the train. If that helps at all. I'm going to be in France in March maybe I can come for a Hogsmead weekend?" He said softly.

She kissed him. She planned on the mouth but chickened out at the last moment and kissed his cheek.

"You missed." He said before gently kissing her on the lips.

000

As Harry cleaned up after the practical portion of his potions N.E.W.T. He knew he'd passed. The defense test had been laughably easy too. Charms, well the practical was easy He didn't think he did to hot on the theory though.

He had picked up his Order of Merlin holder's card yesterday and had plane tickets booked for India tomorrow. Sukhdeep's family would be hosting him and Kingsley had pulled some strings for him to receive auror combat training from the Sikh battle mages. For as much as he liked visiting he really didn't like Britain anymore. He couldn't even go to Fortescues without the new owners daughter trying to slip him love potions. Then the reporters, you should be allowed to severely beat anyone that shoves a camera in your face. Didn't those shameless cocksuckers know that noone likes being yelled at? Why is it their business who I'm dating? Dirty little parasites!

000

A/N: It took me ten minutes to pack and I was bored. This is a bit of a teaser I likely won't be updating this till the 17th