After the Hug
By: Sheltie
I don't own Harry Potter at all
A/N: Took this from a suggestion from one of the people who reviewed After the First Task. This starts when Harry arrives at Grimmauld Place and enters the room that his friends are in. This is a part of my After series.
Chapter 1
Harry entered the room and was immediately engulfed by a pair of arms. All he could see was brown hair that smelled of vanilla. He knew right a way who it was, his best friend Hermione Granger. His arms wrapped around her. He felt her stiffen for a second then tighten her hold on him. When they parted Ron was staring at them with an odd look.
"Hey Ron" Harry greeted
"Hey mate, good to see you" Ron said though he didn't sound like he meant it
"Oh Harry, I'm so glad you're alright, I was so worried" Hermione said now standing close beside him
"I'm fine Hermione, now that I'm here" Harry said staring right her and conveyed a message with his eyes that only she could understood
Hermione smiled and nodded as she wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and held tight
Ron frowned at this and Ginny looked curious at this movement
"So, where are we?" Harry asked
Harry was told that this Grimmauld place, the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, an organization set up to handle Voldemort. Though he found out that they've been in the dark in what was discussed during the meeting even though they tried to listen in.
"You mean you don't know anything?" Harry asked in a frustrated tone
The others shook their heads
"We've tried Harry, believe me we've tried" Hermione said quickly hoping to avoid an explosion
Harry sensed what Hermione was doing and knew it wouldn't do any good to get mad, especially at her.
"I know Hermione, I just tired of being kept in the dark. I spend a good part of the summer isolated from you guys" Harry said a bit exasperated
"Harry, I never wanted to do that, but they told us we couldn't say anything in case the letter was intercepted" Hermione said soothingly
"I know Hermione, but it was so frustrating" Harry said sighing
Hermione's arm around Harry's waist tighten and she brought her other one to wrap around his torso as her head rested on his chest.
Ron was now getting somewhat upset, but his sister held him down
Later the teens went downstairs to find that it was time for dinner. The twins made their appearance by apparating in front of them and scaring Mrs. Weasley to death.
"Just because you two can do magic doesn't mean you should do it all the time" Molly said scolding the twins
The twins shrugged and decided to levitate the cauldron of soup that was made for dinner. Molly was shouting at them to be careful and scolding them at the same time. Dinner was nice as Harry greeted Sirius and Remus. He sat down with Hermione quickly taking the seat close to him and moving her chair as close as possible to him without being on top of him.
"So what is this Order?" Harry asked
This caused silence to descend across the table; the giggling that was going one with Tonks turning into a pig snout to amuse Ginny stopped.
"Nothing you should worry about dear" Molly said
Harry didn't like this answer
"I think it should concern me Mrs. Weasley, seeing as I'm one of the few people who's face Voldemort and lived" Harry said
Gasps and winces were heard and seen throughout the table when the name was said. Harry noticed that Hermione wasn't one of them and this made him feel happy for some reason.
"Harry dear, you are too young to worry about this stuff. Let the adults handle it" Molly said chided
Sirius looked ready to say something, but Harry beat him to the punch.
"Really Mrs. Weasley, I've faced Voldemort when I was fifteen months old," everyone winced at the name, "and when I was eleven I faced him again and saved a magical artifact that could've revived him. In my second year, I faced him again and a sixty foot basilisk also. And just this past year I faced Voldemort in the graveyard and was able to duel him to a draw" Harry said
Everyone at the table was quite shocked as they had no idea that Harry had done all of this. Hermione who was sitting by Harry looked at him with pride and love.
"Blimey Harry, you did all that?" George asked
"Well I'm not sure about how long the basilisk actually was since I didn't have time to measure it, but it was quite large" Harry said
No one at the table was sure what to say. Molly wanted to set Harry straight and keep him out of stuff that the adults should deal with. Fred and George looked at Harry with new appreciation. Arthur looked deep in thought. Tonks couldn't believe what she just heard and knew that she probably couldn't face what Harry had even as a fully trained auror. Moody was looking at Harry with thoughts of a possible training program for the lad. Sirius looked pissed at what his godson had to go through and was already wanting to rip into a certain old man. Remus was quite surprised and knew that Harry was good, but this blew him away. Ron wasn't happy as he heard Harry spout off all that he's accomplished. Ginny smiled as she thought of Harry saving her, but she was over her crush as she could see that she really stood no chance in getting Harry because a certain brunette that was sitting very close to her savior. Hermione was beaming with pride, she knew that Harry wasn't boasting about what he's done, he was just stating that he should be treated as an adult since he's gone through things that no adult wizard has ever gone through.
After dinner Hermione pulled Harry into the library for a talk.
"What is it that you want to talk about Hermione?" Harry asked
Hermione didn't say a thing, but pulled him over to a sofa and had him sit down before she herself sat. This confused Harry, but knew better than to say anything. He knew that Hermione brought him here for a reason and she'd tell him once she's ready.
"I was so worried about you, Harry, I don't think I've ever been this worried before. I wanted so much to tell you what has been going on here, but they looked at my letters to make sure I wouldn't put anything that would be used against us. I didn't even have a week with my parents when they came and took me here," at this point Hermione had tears in her eyes and Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione, "but I promised myself this, when you came I'd tell you everything that I've been wanting to tell you since second year"
Hermione looked up at this point. Harry could see tears in her eyes and he wiped them away with the pads of his thumbs. Hermione sighed as she felt Harry gently stroke her cheek.
Neither knew the position they were in and how it could be construed to look like a couple in a comforting embrace, none of that mattered to them at all.
"Hermione, what is it you wanted to tell me?" Harry asked
"I love you Harry, not like how a sister would love a brother, no, this is a romantic kind of love" Hermione said softly
Harry was in complete shock. His best friend that he's known for the good part of his life loved him. He didn't know what to think as no one has ever used the 'L' word on him. It made his heart surge and he felt an emotion he never felt before. Did he love Hermione the same way?
"You don't have to say anything Harry, I know you don't feel the same. I just thought you ought to know" Hermione said now looking down
Harry had no idea what to think. He thought that Hermione had a thing for Ron, but obviously he was wrong. But what was his feelings for her, he knew he liked her, heck she was his best friend after all. But when it came to love he had no idea what it felt like since he never had any before. He thought about his crush on Cho and he knew that if he had to choose between the two girls he'd always pick Hermione. He knew Hermione. Knew what made her angry, happy, sad, and how to make her laugh. This then got him thinking about his feelings for Hermione more and that is when he realized that he did have more than friendly feelings toward her, but was it a crush or something more?
"Hermione, I don't know what to say to you since I've never knew what love is, but I know what I feel for you is something that I would always like to have" Harry said
Hermione saw this as an opportunity to get Harry to love her since he didn't say anything that otherwise. That was her goal, she was going to get Harry to love her.
"Don't worry Harry, I will help you through this, like I do on everything else" Hermione said and she smirked at the last bit
Harry chuckled at that
Harry smiled and Hermione smiled right back. They both leaned into each other then sensing which way their heads would go they tilted to the right angle and both had their first kiss.
It was amazing, Hermione had read all about what your first kiss should be like and she had to say that this paled in comparison in anything she had read. There was no fireworks going off in her head, but she knew it felt right. She tasted fresh air, which she thought was impossible to taste, she also tasted treacle tart and a hint of pumpkin juice too. This mixture was intoxicating and she can definitely say that she had a new favorite flavor. Harry was in a whirlwind of taste himself. He could taste parchment, ink, and vanilla, which was so distinctly Hermione that he reveled in it. When they broke apart they were both breathless, but very happy.
They headed for bed knowing that this was the start of something that could, no, will last for the rest of their lives.
The next morning Harry woke up feeling better than he ever felt before. He had a girlfriend. He showered and changed leaving Ron to sleep in some more. When he left the room he found Hermione waiting for him.
"Morning Harry" Hermione greeted smiling
Harry smiled, "morning Hermione"
The two headed downstairs to find Sirius and Remus in the kitchen. Remus looked up and a smile curved on his lips.
"Padfoot, remember the morning after James and Lily got together?" Remus asked
"Yeah, what about it Moony?" Sirius asked looking up from the newspaper
Remus nodded to the door and Sirius looked up and his eyes widen. There in the doorway was Harry and Hermione and they were holding hands and smiling at one another. They looked just like James and Lily the morning after they got together. Both smiling at one another and holding hands. Just enjoying the moment together.
"Bloody hell" Sirius shouted
This of course shattered the teens' little moment
"Morning pup, morning Hermione" Remus said chuckling at his friend's expression
"Morning Remus, Sirius" Harry and Hermione said
Harry pulled out a chair for Hermione and she gave him a smile as she sat down
Breakfast went well and when Ron came down his mind was only on food so he didn't notice the little gestures that Harry and Hermione made towards one another. Molly, however did and she wasn't very happy about it. She wanted her daughter to be with Harry as she saw it as the perfect match, Hermione could be pushed off on her youngest son since the boy needed a strong woman to keep on the straight path.
"Come on Harry, we should see what homework you've done" Hermione said
Harry nodded
"Bloody hell Hermione, Harry just got here and you're already pushing homework," Ron shouted with his mouth full of food
"I just want to see if Harry needed any help with his since I wasn't there to help him and don't talk with your mouthful Ronald it's rude" Hermione said
"Blood mental" Ron murmured
Hermione glared at Ron and if it wasn't for Harry's hand on her back you'd have seen hexes flying out of Hermione's wand right at a pig of a redhead.
"Come on Hermione, I do need your help on Snape's essay" Harry said guiding his girlfriend away
Hermione just followed Harry out without word to the redhead.
When they left Ron decided to go too since he was full. Ginny followed Ron to make sure he left Hermione alone. That left the three adults alone in the kitchen.
"Damn, Harry has Hermione controlled" Sirius said
"I wouldn't put it that way Sirius, Harry just knows how to defuse Hermione's temper" Remus said
"Well whatever it is Harry and Hermione remind me of James and Lily" Sirius said smiling
Remus nodded smiling also
"Oh that's nonsense, if anything, my Ginny is more suitable for Harry" Molly said jumping in
"Molly, are you out of your mind, Harry doesn't even know Ginny" Sirius said
"So, they look more like James and Lily" Molly stated
Sirius shook his head, but Remus was the one to answer.
"Molly, Ginny may look like Lily, but she doesn't have Lily's intelligence, which Hermione has. Not to mention that Harry looks like he's made his choice" Remus said
"He has not, they are young. What he has with Hermione is just a thing, it will pass" Molly said firmly
Sirius shook his head, "Molly, you have no clue about the Potter men, do you? When a male Potter sets his eyes on the girl he wants, he's relentless in the pursued and when he gets the girl he's totally committed to her for the rest of his life"
Molly didn't look convinced
"Molly, if you do anything to disrupt Harry and Hermione's relationship I will personally hold you responsible" Sirius said firmly
Meanwhile Harry and Hermione were sitting at one of the tables looking over Harry's homework.
"Harry, you've done a good job so far, but I think you can do better" Hermione said
Harry nodded
The two worked on their homework in silence when Ron came in and slammed his books on the table to get the couple's attention.
"Need your help Hermione" Ron said with a bit of a grumble
Hermione didn't look happy and Harry grasped her hand from underneath the table to sooth her some.
"What do you need help with Ron?" Hermione asked holding back her temper
Ron pulled out a nice stack of parchment
"Ron, that's all of the homework that was assigned this summer" Hermione said
"I know, I just haven't gotten to it" Ron said sullenly
Hermione huffed
"Ron, you had time to do it, if Harry was able to do his at his relatives' than you could've have done yours or at least started" Hermione said
Ron's ears went red
"Well sorry, that I'm not as good as Harry than, I have better things to do than mope and whine" Ron said
This of course was another thing stupid to say as Harry than became angry.
"Ron, shut your mouth, you have no idea what I have faced" Harry said keeping his temper in check
"Oh spare me Potter, you act all high and mighty because of that bloody thing on your head, and we all know that you're nothing, but a big showoff" Ron shouted loudly
This got the attention of everyone in the house, which made the trio now have an audience. Now some may think it is rude watching a private fight amongst friends, but right now everyone in the house was so bored that this was the best entertainment they've had in a while.
"I did nothing to showoff Ron, I did those things because it was the right thing to do, no one else was doing anything" Harry said
"Big talk from you Potter, you're just an attention seeking brat" Ron said with a sneer
"You take that back Ronald, Harry has never did anything to get fame. His parents died the night he got that scar and became famous. That's not something to celebrate" Hermione said jumping to her boyfriend's defense
Hermione then took Harry's hand knowing that it was still hard for Harry to think about. Ron missed this, but their audience didn't.
"Hermy, you can't be buying into this crap, he's just doing it to get more famous, just like the tournament" Ron said
"I'm not buying into anything since it's the truth and don't call me Hermy" Hermione shouted
"You're a crazy as he is" Ron shouted
"I'm not crazy Ron, and I thought you got passed the whole tournament thing" Harry said
Ron didn't say a thing, but Harry could tell that the redhead wasn't over it.
"You bloody idiot, Harry never wanted to be part of that horrible thing. What did he get out of it, he saw a classmate murdered and the rise of Voldemort" Hermione said
"That's what he say, what's to say that he didn't kill Cedric himself," Ron said
This caused silence, which was very uneasy to everyone.
"So, you think I killed Cedric, well then I guess I should show you what really happened" Harry said softly
Harry pulled out his wand and without really even knowing what he was doing he pointed it to his head and a projection appeared. It showed from the start where Harry saved Cedric from an Acromantula to when Harry brought Cedric's body back. Every horrify detail was displayed nothing was left out. No one heard the gasps when they saw James and Lily appear. Sirius had tears in his eyes seeing his best friend as did Remus. What didn't register was the magic being displayed. Harry was very powerful to be able to project a memory without a use of a Pensieve. When the memory finished Harry lowered his wand.
"Do you need anymore proof" Harry said calmly then left
Hermione followed Harry not even bothering to notice the crowd that watched the whole thing.
Ron sat there not knowing what to say, his friend had suffered something bad and he had to accuse him. He felt low.
The crowd had now parted and were deep in their own thoughts. They now knew what Harry had went through and felt for him. Moody was now really thinking of a training program for the lad and he really didn't care what Dumbledore said otherwise. Tonks, who had a day off was stunned, she couldn't believe what she saw and now knew where her allegiance laid. Sirius was sad that his godson had to go through that and knew that the worse was yet to come, he vowed to himself to be there for Harry and it didn't matter what Dumbledore said or did this marauder wasn't going to be persuaded otherwise. Remus felt about the same as Sirius and vowed the same. Molly feared for the boy she thought of a son and couldn't believe that he had survived something so horrible, she decided then and there to give the boy some happiness and that meant pushing him towards Ginny. Ginny knew Harry was tough and strong, but this blew what she thought of out of the water, she vowed to herself to be the best friend she can be and stand by Harry no matter what. The twins were on the same wave link as their sister and vowed to stand by Harry.
Hermione found Harry sitting in the room that housed Buckbeak, after bowing to the noble animal and have the it bow back she comforted Harry the best she could. She held him tight and told him that she was there for him and would never leave him. Harry looked up and she saw despair in his eyes.
"Harry, we are going to beat Voldemort, you and me" Hermione said firmly
This brought a spark come to life in those green eyes
"We are?" Harry asked
"Yes, I don't care how much we have to study and train, but we'll beat him" Hermione said
Harry nodded
"You're right Hermione, you and I will beat him, we can't lose" he said
Hermione smiled, "Yes Harry, we can't lose"
Harry's trial was a farce, but he sighed as he went with Mr Weasley to the Ministry. When they found out where the trial was going to be held it shocked them. But Mr Weasley led Harry down there and then left him, but not before wishing him luck.
"Harry James Potter, you are charged with using magic in front of a muggle and for being underage and using magic" Cornelius Fudge said
"Minister, may I say something in my defense?" Harry asked
Fudge looked like he was about to deny this request, but Madam Bones, head of the DMLE spoke before he had a chance.
"You may Mr Potter" Madam Bones said
Harry nodded to her then pulled out his wand and did the same thing he did at Grimmauld. He showed his cousin and himself being attacked by Dementors and then how Harry drove them back with a Patronus. After it was done there was silence in the courtroom.
"Mr Potter, I must say that was quite an astound display of power there" Madam Bones said
"I only did it to save not only my life, but my cousin's, who knows about magic" Harry said
Madam Bones nodded
"I learned the Patronus spell my third year because the Dementors have a certain affect on me, they make me remember the night my parents died" Harry said continuing
Gasps were heard at this and madam Bones glared at the Minister for a moment
"All in favor of clearing Mr Potter of all charges say aye?" Madam Bones asked
A resounding Aye was heard and only one Nay, which was from Fudge. Harry was relieved that he was cleared and was about to go when madam Bones asked him to come to her office. Harry was confused by this, but followed. He did ask her if they could let Mr Weasley know the verdict. The gray-haired woman with the monocle nodded and wrote on a piece of parchment then with a wave of her wand had the parchment fold out into a paper airplane. Once that was done with Harry was in madam Bones' office.
"Mr Potter, I've been meaning to talk to you for a while ever since my niece Susan told me about her first year" madam Bones said
Harry blinked, "madam Bones, I would've come if you asked me to, but I never got a letter asking"
"That's something I also wish to discuss too Mr Potter" madam Bones said
"Please call me Harry" Harry said
Madam Bones smiled at the lad
"Then you can call me Amelia when we're in private" Amelia said
Harry nodded
This then began a long talk. Harry told Amelia about his years at Hogwarts as honestly as possible and Amelia wrote it all out with Dicta-quill, which she explained to Harry, who had bad experience with magical quills. Amelia was amazed at what Harry told her and she knew she could trust what the lad was saying since she could by looking in his eyes that it was the truth. Once Harry finished his adventures at Hogwarts including the last year Amelia told him about why he never got a letter from her before.
"It appears Mr Potter that someone has put wards that redirect your mail" Amelia said
"But that doesn't make any sense since I still got mail from Hermione and Ron" Harry said
"The wards can be adjusted to allow certain pieces of mail" Amelia said
"Well, Dumbledore put the wards around my relative's house, he said that they were blood wards" Harry said
"Are you certain he said they were blood wards?" Amelia asked
Harry nodded
"Harry, blood wards are illegal" Amelia said
Harry paled
"Now Harry, you're not in trouble since you didn't cast them, only the caster would be in trouble" Amelia said
Harry nodded feeling relieved
They talked some more and found that they shared some of the same views. Harry was shocked that Amelia knew a lot about the muggle world.
"Harry, unlike some purebloods I like to know both the muggle and magical way since it could help keep me alive" Amelia said
Harry nodded in understand what Amelia said
"Harry, I fear that Dumbledore has certain plans for you, now I'm not sure what they are since the man likes to keep his secrets, but I will do my best to help you in any way I can" Amelia said
This made Harry smile, as his list of trusted adults was small and adding Amelia Bones on was a big score.
"Amelia, whatever help you can provide will be welcomed" Harry said
"Yes, and the first thing I'll do is see if I can clear Sirius Black for you" Amelia said
Harry was happy about this
After that Amelia needed to get back to work and escorted Harry back to the atrium. Harry met Mr Weasley in the atrium and they headed back to Grimmauld Place. Once back Harry pulled Hermione away and into an empty room where he put up a silencing spell and other spells so they could have a private talk.
"Harry, what are you doing, you know that you can't use magic. You just got off charges and what you just did will get you back in that courtroom" Hermione said
Harry hushed her with a kiss, which turned quite passionate. When they broke Harry told her that the house under Fidelius and that it was a pureblood house made the Ministry unable to detect any magic cast there. Hermione as shocked at this and was about to go on a tirade about bigotry, but again Harry hushed her with a kiss.
"Harry, you've really got to stop that or we'll never finish talking" Hermione said though she anything, but mad
"I know, but it is the only way I know how to calm you down quickly" Harry said smirking
Harry then began to tell Hermione about the trial and then his talk with Amelia Bones. Hermione was happy that Harry was cleared and the talk he had with the head of the department of magical law enforcement made her think. She was quite happy that the head of DMLE was on their side.
Dumbledore had a frown on his face as he heard from Arthur Weasley that Harry had a long talk with Amelia Bones. This wasn't going to be good and he had to find a way to persuade Amelia to his thinking. He leaned back as he thought of the prophecy and the need to sacrifice Harry for the greater good. Yes, this will require a lot of thought.
End of chapter
A/N: That's that end of the first chap. I hope you like it. Thanks for reading and please review.