Harry Potter and the Six Founders

Chapter 3 - Catharsis

Grimauld Place, next morning

Harry woke up slowly, sensing a quiet presence close to him. There was the smell of a sweet perfume and in the background the far off sounds of people talking and eating. He opened his eyes to find a large fuzzy shape standing over him.

Then the shape came down and kissed him. Hermione!

"Good morning Harry."

He smiled and reached for his glasses.

"Hi Hermione." He put them on so he could see her clearly. He reached out his hand to her cheek. "Did you get a good night's rest?"

"Never better. You look sweet when you're asleep you know."

"You're welcome to come and see me sleep anytime... love." How strange to use that word.

She smiled and kissed him again, he responded eagerly.

"Harry I think we should come down now," she said after a while.

He grinned and pulled her in closer, she kissed him back.

"Harry I love this but really!"

It took a few more minutes until he agreed, breathless.

"Yeah you're right but it's really because I have to go the loo, then we can go back to this."

"Harry!"

"No I'm kidding, we'll go down. Did you have breakfast?" he asked.

"Just a cup of tea, I'll join you."

"In the loo?"

"Harry!"

"Just kidding." He smiled at her. "This feels so good. You know it really reminds me of my first day at Hogwarts. Coming in from the Dursleys, everything there was new and pleasant, I was in heaven. It's the same feeling I have now."

"I know what you mean. I'm very happy too."

"I love you."

"And I love you too!" She stood up. "But I expect you downstairs in five minutes if you want to have breakfast with me."

Harry jumped out of bed and made a go for the bathroom.

"It'll be down in less than three."

He found that his clothes had been stored in the various chests and drawers. There was a remarkable amount of socks in most of them. He suspected Dobby to spend half his nights worrying that Harry Potter would run out of socks.

He dressed with the first things he found and rushed out of the room. When he came down there wasn't anybody in the house, except Dobby in the kitchen who told him everyone had wanted to have breakfast in the garden.

"There's a garden in this house?" he asked. "That's new".

"Yes it is something Master Dumbledore felt would be useful. A very nice one too, even with a Quidditch practice," Dobby winked at him.

"What!" Was there no end to the surprises in this place? "Dobby, please show me the way."

The Elf led him through a set of doors he didn't remember seeing before, and suddenly Harry was bathed in sunshine and walking on the grass of very real looking garden. It could not possibly fit in the normal space of the Grimauld property, so it must be a magical extension. Harry had never imagined however that one so big was possible - it was one thing to add two or three seats to a car, but this was almost a park, there was even a swimming pool.

At a table on a small terrace he found Remus and the others having breakfast. Ron waved him over.

Harry greeted everybody and sat down in front of Hermione. Ron was highly excited.

"Harry, did you know that there's a Quidditch field over there!" he exclaimed. "And Dumbledore brought back your Firebolt. How about a little game after breakfast?"

Hermione started to say that maybe the morning could be the occasion to organize the tasks that awaited them for the summer. But Remus put his hand on her arm.

"Let them have a little fun Hermione, there's a time for everything and now Harry's like a kid in a candy store. You will not get him to concentrate on anything."

She wasn't so sure but as she turned to Ginny for support she found her friend shaking her head.

"Sorry, I'm going with them. It's been too long since we played together."

Hermione looked at Harry who couldn't stop grinning at everybody. Well I can see that he's going to be useless until he's had his fill.

Ron jumped in.

"Hermione, Harry hasn't played Quidditch since Umbridge punished him." And then he added the final argument. "You know, when he defended you against Draco."

Well, she thought, there's nothing I can say after that.

Dobby brought Harry his mug of tea and fussed around them, offering more drinks and toasts Hermione looked at the Elf and frowned.

Uh uh, Harry thought, now she's ready to start on House Elves. I better do something or we'll have our first argument soon.

He sighted inwardly remembering how hard headed she could be about things. And so can I actually. Well it was too much to expect that being in love would change that.

He decided to at least try and smooth things, and reached out his hand toward her.

"Hermione," he said gently and she turned her head, "let me just do a couple of passes with Ron and Ginny and then we'll have a more serious discussion." She nodded. "And we'll also talk about Dobby," he continued, "I don't want to have a fight with you over this. Ok?"

She nodded and felt a pang of guilt as she realized that there would have to be a number of compromises between them and she had clearly missed her opportunity for the first one.

"You're right. I'm being a spoilsport as usual." She smiled. "Go over there and play with them."

Remus had stayed silent during the exchange. I'll have my hands full handling these kids, he thought.

He took a sip of tea. I'm not going to worry about it, he decided.

The weather was perfect. Plenty of sunshine but not too hot. He stretched his legs and settled more comfortably in his chair. Harry finished his breakfast quickly while exchanging light hearted remarks with his friends. He was certainly in a very good mood.

"I think I will enjoy seeing how the two of you are going to manage each other," he said teasingly to Hermione when the others had left. "Concerning Quidditch I believe you will have to cooperate with the inevitable, he's never going to give it up."

Hermione nodded absently, and followed Harry with her eyes, as he ran with the others, clutching his broom.

"Yes I can see that, and honestly it isn't going to bother me. Each of us will have side interests. I'm more worried about us having too so many differences and ending up arguing about all kind of things." That's a problem I never had with Viktor.

She kicked herself mentally for comparing the two again. It was fast becoming a bad habit.

I've chosen rightly and I don't regret anything.

"There are differences between you two Hermione," said Remus gently. "You should accept them. Especially when you consider what they are."

She turned toward him.

"What do you mean?"

Remus selected his words carefully.

"Both of you will play major roles in the future. You have a tremendous drive, will and power to engage problems and solve them. This makes you very important, not only in the present situation but after we'll have dealt with Voldemort." He grinned at her. "In fact I'm confident that one day you'll find yourselves on chocolate frog cards among legendary wizards and witches."

Hermione make a face at him, but inwardly she smiled at the thought. Actually I would like that very much.

"More seriously," he continued, "the differences between you are best considered in the way you handle challenges. You will want to use your intellectual capacities to solve problems, and I don't mean using knowledge taught to you, or read from books. I know you can be very creative and that you are very good at pure research. Harry on the other hand will prefer a direct approach, using his raw courage and power to battle against obstacles."

"Aside from that I find a lot of similarities: being true to your friends, moral rectitude, resourcefulness and vitality to say a few."

Hermione considered that.

"So, you think we're not only compatible but that as opposites we attract each other?" Why not. Viktor is very logical like me, and while that was nice, maybe it didn't attract me?

"I don't really believe that opposites attract each others in human relationships," he answered. "I believe that initial attraction is a volatile, random thing, were hormones also play a part." He winked at her and she blushed. "But this doesn't last unless both partners can build something together."

"For instance," he continued, "I believe that Cho and Harry had no real goal they both wanted to pursue. Not to mention the fact that Cho is basically a weaker person than either of you. I'm not surprised that Harry couldn't stay interested very long in her."

"I think I see what you mean." Hermione recalled her summing up of Viktor for her mother. "There was something like that about Viktor and I."

"Possibly. Now, what I think can justify that 'opposites attract' impression is that it is easier for people to distribute roles than to do share them. Sharing is liable to beget frustration, especially if one is more competent that the other, or especially," he grinned at her again, "if both have rather strong personalities."

She smiled, ignoring his friendly jab.

"I think I understand what you mean Professor." He's right we're not so different Harry and I. We start from the heart and then we use separate talents to do things.

"And consider also," added Remus, "that Lily and James were as different as you and Harry, and although they were as great a match as I ever saw, I can bear witness that they had some impressive arguments in the beginning of their relationship."

"Harry's mother," said Hermione pensively. "I would have liked to know her."

"She was a fine woman, strong and generous. She was a very good thing for James," he thought back on the wild kid that had been James Potter. Master prankster of Hogwarts, arrogant bastard and extraordinary friend. "Yes," he whispered, "she transformed him into the most gallant wizard you can imagine."

"Transformed him? What was he like before? I thought he was like Harry?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No. He looked like Harry but his personality was much more assertive - with a dark side to it. He was powerful with magic and he didn't hesitate to show it." He paused. "Harry has been paying the price of it with Professor Snape."

Hermione remembered the prank Sirius had played of Snape, which had nearly resulted in his death. She gathered that there had been other incidents.

"James amended later," Remus continued, "but when he was Harry's age he was very arrogant." He marked another pause. "Harry is not like that at all, and I'm glad he inherited the kindness of his mother."

She looked at him and nodded pensively.

"Thank you Remus. I will remember this and think about it."

He shrugged it off.

"Don't mention it. It's really a pleasure to talk with you kids. It certainly beats sulking alone and thinking about old memories."

He took on a somber expression and Hermione realized that this man had suffered a lot too, almost as badly as Harry. The rest of us don't really realize how easy we've got it compared to some others. Harry, Remus, Neville...they're among the victims in this war. They survived and they're still fighting.

She placed her hand on his.

"You lost Sirius too, he was your friend. I'm sorry."

He looked in the distance, and his voice sounded far away and wishful.

"When we were with James it was like the three of you, Hermione. We did do many things together, nothing as dramatic as yours but it was pretty strong stuff sometimes... We felt so alive."

He paused and she held her breath, not wanting to interrupt.

"After James and Lily died, and Sirius was taken away and even I thought him a murderer - I was more dead than living." He shuddered and she felt a pang in her heart at the thought of the lonely werewolf's pain.

"Then I came back to teach at Hogwarts where I found Harry and I began to live again, and then Sirius returned and we had each other for a while. After all that had happened he became more a brother to me than a friend."

She was deeply moved, and, as she emphasized with Remus' pain, she also imagined Harry's. And he never talks about it. She grasped the man's hand tighter.

He shook himself and tried to smile at her.

"I'm sorry Hermione I should not be rambling about the past like that. It's really much better to live in the present. I do have some good moments too, you know." Yes, care to name a few perhaps? He ignored the inner voice.

Hermione face became serious. He deserves happiness, and so does Harry. I should never begrudge them any fun.

"No Remus, I think I needed to hear that." She paused. "And maybe I will also need to hear Harry tell me all that has happened to him. He never has. Did he speak with you?" she asked him.

He shook his head.

"Not really, and you're right in thinking that he should," he grinned sheepishly, "because it does help to confide in someone."

"But," he added more determinedly, "Harry is extremely resilient. He's been through a lot, more than anyone I know." Hermione winced and he nodded at her reaction. "Most people would be a basket case after that, but he's still capable of loving life and laughing with his friends." He gestured toward the practice field. "I don't know what's inside him but it must be very strong. Be careful when you let it out."

She stood up, her eyes were serious.

"I'm very glad that you're here with us Remus. We need you and you've made me realize a lot of important things." She turned toward the house. "I'll be in my room writing to my parents."

Remus followed her with his eyes. They're a great bunch, Dumbledore is certainly right in placing his bet on them. When they'll be ready we'll have a formidable force.

He laid back in his chair relaxing. It's really going to be a fine summer I think.

Just at that moment, his eye caught an unusual movement by the trees. Intrigued and a little alarmed he turned toward it, and started to take out his wand when something moved very fast and blocked him.

What the... The indistinct presence transformed into a familiar female shape.

"Tonks!"

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" she yelled, laughing at his distress. "Caught you sleeping didn't I? What if those protections spell failed?"

"You Imp! You scared the daylights out of me!" he exclaimed. "And you're unreasonable about the spells."

"I know, but it was too good an occasion to pass by," she answered unrepentant.

Mad Eye Moody has turned the Auror force into a bunch of paranoid daredevils, he thought. Then he reflected that it was probably the best thing he could have done.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough to appreciate your talents," she answered. "You're really tuning up these kids like a fine psychologist. I'm impressed and I expect Dumbledore will be too."

"I'm doing it for them more than for him," he grunted, "even though I fully agree on what is needed. And you didn't make a bad job of it the other day as I recall." She almost broke the kid's heart! But it worked.

She grinned then spoke softly.

"Yes I know how you feel about them. You couldn't hurt them even if it was for their own good, so I had to do the dirty work." She touched his arm. "You're such a nice guy, and you've been lonely so long, that you care about others more than anyone."

He looked at her. She was standing very close and he was acutely aware of her perfume. Nice one, a touch of musk and then something flowery.

"Yes I am lonely sometimes." He shrugged. "Aren't you?" he added without really thinking.

She looked at him silently for an instant. He was suddenly embarrassed and kicked himself for letting his guard down.

"I'm alone, most of the time, I'm not really lonely," she replied gently, moving a little closer. "But I miss company now and then."

He felt his skin shivering. His wolf enhanced senses took in other details of her, the texture of her skin, the smell of her body. She's beautiful, even if she can't decide what color to use for her hair.

"My company?" he said very quietly, almost in a whisper.

"Yes your company Remus," she answered in the same voice. "I would like that very much."

God his heart was beating so fast. It had been a long time since he had felt those emotions. He brought her closer in his arms and his mouth found hers. She responded eagerly.

Harry, Ron and Ginny were still playing when Harry spotted the couple from the air. He stopped and held out his hand for the others.

The three of them observed their guardian clearly preoccupied by something other than their security.

"It's Tonks," exclaimed Ginny. "How nice. I was wondering when they would come clean about each other."

Ron was making disgusted face.

"There must be a bug around this place what with all the snogging going round. And it would be great if I could catch it. Then he blushed when he caught Harry's grin directed at him and tried to throw a punch at his friend.

"I'll advise you to be careful when making funny remarks about Tonks," said Harry, "unless you want to end up like a pretzel. That girl can be hard as nails."

"What'd she do to you?" asked Ron.

"She chewed me out good a couple of days ago when I said... something stupid," he answered. "Talk about an unforgettable lesson!" He grinned at them. "Actually she reminded me of your mother," Ron grimaced and Ginny stuck out her tongue. "But if you ever get into a fight she's the best partner you can hope for."

Ron and Ginny remembered the battle at the Ministry and agreed.

"Let's leave them alone," proposed Harry after a moment. "What time is it? I think I'll go back to the house."

"Yes, maybe Hermione's reading up on advanced snogging techniques," baited Ginny.

"She doesn't need to," answered Harry firmly, "and you can keep your dirty thoughts to yourself."

They stored the Quidditch equipment and started toward the house. By that time Remus and Tonks were simply holding hands and looking at each other.

Remus jumped when he heard them coming and looked a little embarrassed, but Tonks was characteristically self assured.

"Hi Harry, Ron, Ginny. Perfect weather for Quidditch isn't it?"

The three of them greeted the young Auror and shot happy grins at Remus who tried gamely to keep his dignity, and when he found he couldn't, he broke into the biggest smile they'd ever seen on him, and deliberately placed his arm around Tonks' waist.

They cheered the new couple, and they all walked back to the house.

As they came to it, Harry took Tonks aside.

"Er... Tonks, I wanted to apologize about what I said the other day..."

She stopped him.

"Harry, I know I was very hard on you but I think it was something you needed to hear." He nodded. She lowered her voice and grinned. "And if you think that was bad, let me tell you that it was a love song compared to some chewing out I saw Moody give to trainees. He really has the right touch for reducing someone to a tear soaked rag and then wiping the floor with it."

Harry swallowed as he imagined the formidable Auror veteran becoming mad at him. Hum. Maybe I'll think a little more before applying for Auror school.

She laughed at his expression and punched his arm.

"Never mind that. I'm very proud of you Harry. Keep going the way you are and you'll be fine. And my congratulations about Hermione." Harry's face lit up.

"Thanks Tonks, I'm glad we talked, both times." Then as an afterthought, but trying not to smile too much he asked. "Should we tell Dobby to prepare for a new guest?"

She looked at Remus, then back at Harry.

"Hum, I wouldn't want to presume on your hospitality."

"Tonks, this house may be officially Remus' and mine, but in my mind it belongs to all my friends which includes you," he said with sincerity, "and if you pair up with Remus, then you're practically my godmother," he added.

Tonks raised her eyebrows. She evidently hadn't thought it out all that far.

After Quidditch they needed a shower, so they removed their shoes and went up to their rooms. Ginny won the toss for the first go at the bathroom, and Harry stopped by the girls' room to check up on Hermione.

He found her writing a letter.

"Am I interrupting?" he called.

"No, I'm just finishing a note for my parents, please stay. I'll only be a minute."

Harry sat down on one of the beds. Her's or Ginny's? He looked around. The two girls had just started to adjust the room's decoration to their personal styles, and it only showed by one or two items here and there.

The other bed must be Ginny's. There was a big poster of the Burrow above it.

So I'm in Hermione's bed. That's nice! He stretched on it, laid his head on the pillow, and softly breathed in the lingering smell of her.

"How do you know it's not Ginny's bed you're in?" asked Hermione.

"The picture of the Burrow over the other one," he replied. "Then I'm not sure about the perfume but this clinched it." He held a book he had found under the pillow.

"How dare you!" Hermione threw him the first object she found within reach, "not be sure about my perfume," she cried in mock outrage.

"I need more practice."

She threw herself at him and they struggled together. He nuzzled his face to her neck and closed his eyes. This is really good. Too bad Ginny's going to barge in on us in a moment.

"I forgot to tell you," he said after a while.

"What?"

"Tonks is here, and ten minutes ago she was kissing Remus half to death."

"And what was he doing? Kissing her back I hope?"

"That's right." Harry was grinning again.

"Good! I was talking with him and he was so sad about..." She paused unsure about broaching the subject with Harry.

"About Sirius?" Harry's grin disappeared, and Hermione immediately pressed her cheek again his.

"I'm sorry. I know this hurts you terribly too." Stupid! Why did I bring that up now?

He shrugged.

"Don't be. I have to live with it, and with other things too."

She looked at him earnestly.

"Harry I want you to tell me about those other things, about everything. I only know some parts of the story and I want to share it with you. "

He shook his head. There was no way he was going to dump everything on her. Maybe when things would be better, when it wouldn't seem so despairing.

"There are other things aren't there? Stuff you've been keeping to yourself?"

He turned away. He couldn't bring himself to lie to her.

"Later..." he murmured.

"No!" He cringed and she went on in a softer voice. "Harry I opened up my heart to you. The fact that you don't want to talk about it, it proof that it's bad and that it's hurting you. Tell me everything. I'm sure it will help."

He looked at her, saw her love and caring, and then he turned his head toward the wall and let his attention drift. Yes maybe it could help. I've never actually told the whole thing to anyone.

"It's a long story."

"We have time. I want to hear it all Harry. I think it's important. Start at the begining." Behind him Hermione saw Ginny coming back from her shower and grimaced frantically. Ginny raised her eyebrows and nodded, she grabbed the first set of clothes she could find and left the room quietly.

But she wanted to hear what Harry had to say, so she didn't close the door and just sat in the hall, wrapped in her soaked towel, and listened in.

Harry didn't notice anything. He forced himself to recollect the details of his life that Hermione did not already know. He talked in a quiet voice and started with the Dudleys' nastiness, and the joy of finding his first friends in Hogwarts, of discovering the wizard world and Quidditch. He went on to the events of the Philosopher's stone and the Chamber of Secrets when he faced Voldemort as his possessed teacher, and then as Tom Riddle. As he talked Harry felt the tension building up inside him. He was reliving his memories, and confronting once again the terrible fears. His breathing became rasping.

Outside the room, Ginny was captivated. Ron stumbled upon his sister and she shushed him, and tried to explain with hand movements what was happening. She was so frantic that her towel fell open, and Ron's eyes grew to saucer size. He attempted awkwardly to re-adjust her clothing. Ginny didn't seem to care and closed her eyes, the better to hear. Ron sat next to her and did the same.

At each terrible event unfolded, his friends became more horrified. When he described his discovery of Ginny's lifeless body and the fight with the Basilisk, she whimpered at the memories it evoked, and Ron held her against him.

His voice broke when he described the effects the Dementors had on him. Hermione couldn't believe such evil was possible. Blind and hearing nothing but the dying screams of his mother!

It took all of Harry's energy to go on. For him it was like climbing a hill, one step at a time in an agony of exhaustion. He dropped down on the floor but he continued talking, and after a while the story was coming out by itself.

He got to the third task of the Goblet of Fire. He talked about the shock of being teleported to the graveyard, among Voldemort and Death Eaters. He described the death of Cedric, the ordeal that followed climaxing with the duel with Voldemort, and the vision of the ghosts of his parents helping him in a narrow escape.

Hermione's imagination was showing her every terrifying detail of that night. It's even worse than what I thought! How can he stand it? She wanted to scream, but she willed herself motionless so as not to interrupt him in any way. She put her hand to her mouth and bit on her knuckles.

Outside the room Ron and Ginny could only stare at each other in horror.

Harry then spoke of the Dementors attack last year, the trial of the Wizengamot, the burning pain in his head when the link with Voldemort intensified and the vision of Sirius being tortured. At last he came to the battle of the Ministry and the death of Sirius, then to the duel between Voldemort and Dumbledore and the terrible pain of Voldemort's possession.

He paused. The others became gradually aware of the frantic beating of their hearts and of their heavy breathing. The air in their lungs felt thick. Blood ran from Hermione's hand. Harry closed his eyes, and tonelessly he ended with a recollection of the extensive conversation with Dumbledore and the revelation of the prophecy.

And then he stopped. He was trembling with the tension brought on by these recollections. He turned to a white faced Hermione and tears finally flowed from his eyes.

"So you see, it's going be him or me," he sobbed. "We're linked together but if I don't want to die I'll have to kill him, I'll have to become a murderer."

Ron couldn't stand it. He barged into the room and rushed toward his friend.

"Harry, mate. Oh Harry you're not alone in this, you'll never be alone again, we'll work it out together."

Harry looked up, startled, as he realized they had heard every word he'd spoken. Why not. We're all in the same story now. His vision was blurred, it was hard to concentrate.

Ginny was crying against him, and Ron was staring anxiously at his face. Harry took in their affection but it only made him lose the little control he had.

"Hermione, Ron, Ginny..." He burst into raking sobs, and they pulled him close trying to ease his pain with all their love. Then they were all crying, holding on to each other in a desperate embrace. Gradually Harry felt the tension drain out of him, and peace came as he drifted into oblivion.

Slowly the three friends emerged from their trance and returned to the world. Harry seemed to be sleeping peacefully, but their own thoughts were anything but peaceful.

Hermione stood up and wiped her eyes. She'd bitten her hand so deeply that blood was all over her dress and face. She felt the throbbing pain of it now and ignored it.

Ginny was still wrapped in a disheveled mix of towel and clothes. Ron couldn't take his eyes from Harry's face. His fists were clenched and his expression was set into an angry scowl.

Hermione felt anger rising too. How could they! She thought of the adults who should have acted to preserve Harry from such things.

The three of them looked at each other.

"Let's have a talk with someone," said Hermione in a hard voice.

Ron nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Ginny you get dressed, we'll put him to bed, and then we'll go down."

He picked up Harry in his arms. He was quite strong enough to do it. Hermione followed them to their room. They placed him on his bed, and she covered him with a blanket and kissed him tenderly.

Ginny pulled on her rumpled dress, not bothering with anything else, and she joined them in the corridor.

When they entered the living room, Remus and Tonks where talking with Dumbledore, Arthur and Molly who had just arrived.

"Ron, Ginny we've brought a set of clothes for you," greeted Molly pleasantly. Her expression changed when she took in their hard, tear streaked faces, and the blood on Hermione's dress. "Hermione! What happened?" she cried in alarm.

"Harry's been telling us his story. HOW COULD YOU LET THAT HAPPEN TO HIM!" screamed Hermione. She had never been so angry in her life and she had to strike out at something.

"We should have been told!" Ron added. "We didn't even know he'd been told of the prophecy."

Ginny didn't say anything, but she stared at the adults with a mix of anger and loathing.

"Children please!" Arthur started to say.

"WE'RE NOT CHILDREN ANYMORE!" Ron yelled. "Harry isn't. No one can be after that kind of horror." He chocked a sob.

The adults were petrified by these outbursts, except for Dumbledore who kept his calm and kind face toward the young group.

Hermione turned to him and spoke in a biting voice.

"Harry's a wreck after talking like that. YOU could have spared him the horror!"

"How?" replied Dumbledore calmly.

"You could have told us everything so Harry wouldn't have had to relive it," answered Ron.

Dumbledore's voice stayed level.

"I could only have given you a diluted rendering of these events. The impact would have been less real than what you just felt and Harry would have kept the memories inside him," he explained reasonably.

"As it is you have shared these terrible experiences with him," he continued. "It has helped him and you are closer together as a result. You should understand that Harry can only heal fully by ridding himself of these things."

Hermione started to speak but found herself hard pressed to find valid arguments. Damn it! He's always right and so sure of himself!

"He was kept in the dark throughout last year, and so were we," she said finally.

"That may have been a mistake, and I admitted as much to Harry when we talked afterwards." Dumbledore lowered his head. "In hindsight I was probably wrong but at the time there were good reasons for what was done. If you can show me a better analysis of the situation, as it we knew it then, I will be glad to hear of it."

They were silent. Hermione thought desperately for a flaw in the old wizard's words but she couldn't find any.

After a moment, she acknowledged it by shaking and lowering her head. Maybe he's right but Harry's been hurt! She felt powerless and started crying again.

Dumbledore walked up to her and gently raised her chin with his hand. Hermione looked up to him, tears running down her face.

"Believe me when I say that I care for Harry as much as you do and that I tried to spare him all I could. I know I failed, several times, because too many things were beyond my control," he said in a sad voice.

"Destiny has selected Harry for a terrible task," he continued, "and all I can do is to help him face it as best as possible, and that means he needs to be strong, not weak."

"Every times he survives an ordeal he grows stronger, despite the scars. If I had preserved him too much he would not have lived through the last of them. What I can do, and what I am doing, is making sure that he will face his ultimate challenge not alone, but with strong friends at his side, and that they will also help him heal the wounds he is bound to receive."

He turned to include Ron and Ginny.

"And that is what you are doing. I know that it is painful, and it is so for us also, but it is a price that must be paid."

He paused to let them digest his words.

"I agree with you that because of this you are not children anymore, but you have yet to become adults with your full potentials. That is why the present is a time for building your strength."

The room stayed quiet for a long time. Hermione, Ginny and Ron were beginning to feel somewhat ashamed, and they didn't dare look at anybody. The other adults, for their part, were becoming aware of the true pressure which had weighted on the young wizards and witches.

Only Dumbledore seemed serene.

Molly ached to hold her daughter in her arms, but everyone seemed to be waiting for some kind of signal before making a move.

They heard steps coming from the stairs and turned to see Harry coming down with a puzzled frown on his face. Hermione ran into his arms.

"What's all the matter?" he asked. "Did something bad happen?" They all looked at him with frozen expressions.

It was Remus who answered.

"No Harry, something happened all right. But it wasn't bad."

"Come my friends," Dumbledore said. "Come and let us sit down together around food and drinks, under the sun, and we will talk about lighter things." He led the way out to the garden.

Molly gathered Ginny in her arms, and Arthur put his hand on Ron's shoulder and talked to him softly.

They all went outside. Ron and Ginny stayed close to Harry and Hermione, as if ready to protect and comfort them. Remus was deeply moved by this, and he nudged Tonks who nodded. Dumbledore is right. It's a painful method but it works.

They placed themselves around the garden table and felt their tension slowly diminishing. A number of sheepish grins were exchanged, but the seriousness of the past moments was still with them.

Harry was very calm and almost dreamy. He noticed Hermione's bloody dress and hands and started to speak, but before he could do so, Dumbledore took out his wand.

"Allow me," he said.

He whispered an incantation, and the stains and marks disappeared, as did the tear streaks on her face. Even her hair arranged itself into an elegant shape.

"Neat!" said Ron.

"A simple spell I learned long ago," he shrugged with humility. "I once was in love with a very emotional girlfriend, and this proved very handy." Hermione couldn't help chuckling at that while he corrected Ginny's appearance as well.

Harry's face broke into a smile once again. The old wizard turned to him.

"How are you feeling Harry?"

The boy paused and seemed to consider this.

"Better," he replied softly and looked at his friends. "I feel very good sir, a bit tired but I really feel better now." Relief showed on their faces and Hermione squeezed his hand.

They all relaxed while Dobby arrived, surrounded with floating pitchers, glasses and plates. A light lunch was served and conversation turned on practical matters. Arthur and Molly had brought some clothes for Ginny and Ron but it was decided that they would all return to the Burrow for other things that afternoon.

Dumbledore had also brought their OWL results. Hermione had top marks, as everyone but she had expected. Harry and Ron weren't so bad but nothing to brag about, except in Defense Again the Dark Art where Ron had an Outstanding, and Harry had the only Superbly Outstanding mention. The only subject where he topped Hermione.

The Headmaster then explained that he had installed a permanent portkey system between Hogwarts and Grimauld Place. They could use it to visit the school library, or to consult him.

"Will we be able to see Hagrid too?" asked Harry.

"By all means," confirmed Dumbledore. "The only limit is for you Harry not to leave Hogwarts, or this place, without proper protection - as defined by myself, Remus or Tonks." Harry nodded gravely.

"I can also tell you that professor Snape has agreed to hold a remedial potion class during August, for those students whose OWL grades are deemed insufficient for his sixth year course." Harry and Ron groaned. They didn't get an Outstanding in Potions.

"Oh no. Things were going so well," said a dejected Ron.

"I thought you wanted to be an Auror," said Tonks. "You need a NEWT in potions for that, and Snape is the best teacher there is."

"I believe that Remus and Tonks will be able to tutor you in that and other subjects," continued Dumbledore. "I also think a dispensation for an Apparition exam could be arranged for you all, due to the special situation." That cheered them up considerably. "Of course I would ask you to be discrete about it with the other students."

"As you know it is impossible to apparate here, or at Hogwarts, but circumstances might require a quick retreat to a safe location, so you will have to use your best judgment. Until you are able to do it however, you can use this re-usable portkey which I prepared. It will only work with one of you."

He showed them the device which was, of course, in the likeness of a rabbit's foot.

"To use it a simple contact is not sufficient. You have to twist the bottom part," he explained them. "Then you, and any mobile object or person you are in contact with, will be teleported inside this house."

"Neat!" said Ron, whistling his appreciation.

They discussed the general schedule of the summer and everyone wanted to know what was planned but Dumbledore made it plain that he wanted them to profit from the house and practice their magic more than anything. Short visits outside would be arranged, and friends could be contacted and invited but that was all. Harry made a special note of calling up on Neville and Luna.

"I want you to have some fun and prepare yourselves for what is to come," he encouraged them. "Nobody knows what that might be, or when, but it will come soon enough."

"I will be available should you need me. But I don't expect anything to happen until the end of the month." All understood that he meant Harry's birthday, which this year would be certainly be particularly well prepared.

They all thanked him, and with a last blessing for all of them, Dumbledore left.

Once his powerful presence was gone, the full impact of what had happened was brought back to them. Harry felt very tired and decided to take a nap in his room. The Weasleys would be returning shortly so he took his leave of Molly and Arthur. Molly hugged him fiercely.

"You'll be back tonight?" he asked of Ron and Ginny. They confirmed that they would.

Hermione took Harry's hand and they went back inside together.

When the Weasleys had left, Remus and Tonks found themselves alone in the garden.

Tonks turned a mischievous face to Remus.

"Harry indicated that I could move in anytime. Of course it would be a bother to prepare another room for me."

Remus managed to keep a straight face as he replied.

"Well mine is rather large. I imagine you could squeeze in... Somewhere."

"What don't we check that right now?" she asked.

Remus saw the promise in her eyes and extended his hand.

"Yes why don't we?"

They stood up and he led her inside.

Hermione was very much aware of Harry at her side as they went to his room. Not really thinking about it she followed him inside. He paused for a moment then went to close the door. She started to protest, but he put his fingers to her lips.

"Shss, I just want you to be with me, alone." He kissed her gently. "We'll want to take our time learning about each other, one step at a time." She nodded fiercely. "Let me just go to sleep next to you, dreaming of you my beautiful, sweet, caring, love."

She kissed him back with passion. Harry my brave, magnificent, gallant love.

They took off their shoes and installed themselves on the bed, snuggling against one another, her head on his shoulder, his arms around her.

Harry gently caressed her face and then let the back of his hand move delicately over her chest. She shivered and pressed closer to him. He smiled, laid back his head and closed his eyes.

Hermione listened to Harry's heartbeat and breathing as he slowly drifted into sleep. She closed her eyes and followed him.

Tonks entered Remus' room and looked around. It was, she reflected, a typical bachelor's place. There wasn't much more than a bed, a chest and a table. I could certainly improve the decoration.

He pulled the curtains, and darkness reduced the details to him and the bed. She turned and reached out to him. He came into her arms, and they fell rolling on the bed, kissing and caressing each other. Desire led to passion, release and then to tenderness.

As the lovers fell asleep, the only remaining sound in the house was Dobby happily preparing a knitting pattern for a matched set of socks he planned on offering to everyone in the household.

Catharsis ch3 - 15