Love On Risky Ground

Love On Risky Ground

Chapter 11

Hope

A couple of days had passed without any trouble from Death Eaters. Harry and Hermione were safe and comfortable in the little cottage that held many happy memories for Hermione as she was growing up. Ron had sent a reply telling them that Sirius was going to undergo the Veritaserum potion to settle his innocence once and for all; a relief for Harry and Hermione when they read the letter.

The potion would have to be put under strict guard for fear of tampering while the wizarding world waited for the news of Sirius Black's future. Under normal circumstances the potion would not be used; protected by wizarding law. But the case of Sirius Black had been so controversial and so long running in the pursuit for the fugitive that the restricted potion had to be used. Highly prominent people such as Dumbledore were speaking out for the convicted murderer in trying to prove his innocence, so the wizarding world had to be lenient and allow the use of the Veritaserum.

Hermione and Harry had been knocking into one another quite a lot as they moved throughout the house. And it was becoming an annoying habit, which they hated. It was like there was some sort of an invisible force drawing the two together. They felt embarrassed and their emotions each other would bubble up making them scurry off in different directions after several apologies.

So they kept themselves busy.

Harry sat down doing some Potions homework, which was stupid, he thought, because he would never go back to Hogwarts to learn magic ever again with his condition. But Hermione insisted that he will eventually, and made him do the work, plus doing distracting things would help him forget the trauma.

Harry was tickling his upper lip with a feathered quill when he heard a happy cry in the house. It broke his concentration in figuring out an antidote for a Doxy bite. He hopped up, bewildered, trailing the source of the cry.

"Harry ... Harry, come here, quickly." He heard from somewhere within the slightly eerie household.

Harry ran down the stairs and walked into the living room where he found Hermione sitting down with Crookshanks and Persia.

"Harry, I think Persia is heavily gravid," Hermione chortled, positively beaming and then lovingly kissed Persia. The feline purred and swung her tail around happily.

Harry smiled, his eyes sparkling at the news that kittens should arrive soon. He sat down next to Hermione as she stroked Persia. Crookshanks sat lazily as he ate some cat food Hermione had bought in a town store.

"I just noticed today; isn't it wonderful? I don't know when she's due, but hopefully soon."

Harry nodded with a warm smile. Hermione turned her face towards Harry, only inches apart, about to say something when she was stopped in her track. She looked into Harry's eyes for a second and then gazed away, her cheeks blushing a deep pink.

Harry sighed, brushing the moment away as he took out his paper and pen.

What will you do with the kittens? Are you taking them all to Hogwarts?

Harry asked.

Hermione smiled. "Well you're going to have one for a pet, aren't you? After all, Hedwig is gone and you need another companion. And the others, I'll probably take with me and see if anyone would be interested in having a kitten. I'm sure Persia won't mind?" Persia purred in agreement, staring at Harry with her hypnotic, yellow eyes.

Hermione stood up and looked out of the window. It was a clear day with only a few soft, bundles of clouds in the light, blue sky. The birds were celebrating with joyous song and the trees were thick with green. Not to mention it was also hot, with only a weak breeze to welcome them with its coolness. Harry watched her from afar. She was lost in her thoughts, but she looked pretty when her mind was elsewhere. Her hair was put up in a ponytail, with only a few strands of brown hair swaying near her cheek.

She spun around all of a sudden with a bright grin. It was one of those expressions where she was bursting to tell Harry and Ron about some amazing find.

"Harry, do you want to go down to the stream?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. He had no idea there was one near the house.

Hermione sat down again. "It's near here. Just a short walk from the path amongst the shrubs. There's also an old shed there with fishing equipment. At least I hope it's still there." She took in a deep breath and continued, "My Dad and I used to go fishing there. It's a sweet little spot. It'll just bring back those happy memories of my childhood -" She sighed, gently clasping Harry's hand. "Come on, let's go. Some fresh air will do you some good. Anyway, it's protected under the charm. The stream's a part of the property."

Harry gave her a half smile and got up, Hermione by his side. He had the sudden urge to bring her close to him and kiss her until sunset. But he stopped himself, telling himself that it was wrong.

Hermione opened the front door. Sunlight flooded in, warming their faces while birds circled in the heavens above. She breathed in the air and started walking, tugging Harry behind her. Her hand was still tightly gripping his as she made her way down a thick wad of bush, all brightly coloured with flowers in bloom. Harry had no choice but to follow her. He helped her pull some branches aside, and a small dirt path was revealed before them.

"It's through here ... there should be some worms along the way that we can use as bait," Hermione said cheerfully, tilting her head back to see Harry. Harry was happy, bowing his head towards the earth, smiling internally as well.

It was a short walk, only took ten minutes to get to the stream, and by that time they had dug into the rich, nutrient soil pulling out some wriggly worms.

Harry wished he could stay in the scenery with Hermione forever. She was growing more beautiful in his eyes. He wondered if she was feeling the same way, but he didn't dare ask her.

Harry stepped over a fallen trunk, which lay on the path, and heard a trickle of water somewhere in the distance. Soft and soothing, he closed his eyes for a moment to savour the sound.

"Come on Harry, we're a few steps away," Hermione urged.

Harry walked on, treading into the clearing and seeing a sparkly stream ahead of him. Dark rocks smoothed from years of weathering trailed the water's edge, catching the flow of the water, making soft, spluttering sounds. Trees and small shrubs were everywhere, some of its branches and leaves bathing in the translucent liquid. Harry also caught sight of some small animals, cautiously drinking the water before escaping.

Hermione ran over to the stream's edge and knelt down. Her jeans getting wet at her knees, but she wasn't worried. She lowered her hand into the cool, fresh water and let the flowing jet stream smooth past her fingers.

"Harry, it's beautiful."

Harry took her word and sat beside her, copying her movements, instantly feeling the coolness spread all over him. Hermione splashed her hand in the stream, making a spray of water hit Harry's face and glasses. Harry retaliated and did the same. Broad grins materialised on both their faces. Hermione had to run off laughing before Harry could deliver a huge splash, which would've rained down on her.

They explored the area for a while, until Hermione disappeared behind some bushes. "Harry, the shed's over here," she yelled where a dark green, aluminium shed had been constructed, poking slightly out of the shrubs. It was a bit wobbly and run down, but Hermione managed to open the door and take out two fishing rods without it falling apart.

Harry helped himself to one. He had never gone fishing, so this was his first time. But he had a pretty good idea how to go about things. He sat down by a huge boulder where Hermione had laid down the worms, still alive and moving around as they set about putting on the hooks and danglers on their fishing lines.

At last they were done. With their baits set, they flicked the lines into the stream with a small plopping sound, which was followed by a silent ripple in the water.

"And now we just wait and relax," Hermione said. Harry turned his head a little seeing her welcome form as he tightly held onto the rod, the line sagging.

"You'll know if you caught one, by the straightening of the line and a significant pulling by the fish."

Harry could feel little nibbles on the line vibrating to his fingertips as he hoped for a catch. He did very well relax, he could feel less tension and the horrible thoughts of never being about to talk or do magic again left him. The thought of Voldemort finding out where they were also slipped from his mind. He was actually enjoying fishing, not to mention he was glad to be with Hermione.

***

Hermione could sense that Harry was just bouncing back from his horrible ordeal. Seeing him sitting there, happy, made her remember all those good times back at Hogwarts. Those times without any threats or dangers, comforted by each other; joking and talking. But she suddenly thought ahead, and a horrible weight seemed to be stuck in her chest ... it would never be the same again. Especially with Ron.

She was beginning to feel something strange ever since he had seen into the depths of Harry's eyes back at her house. Then with realisation, she finally understood what she felt, when she had studied Harry's face - eyes - again.

Hermione frowned, brooding a little as she absent-mindedly dangled the line next to Harry. Were her feelings for Ron changing? She was deeply confused and felt the urge to run away from Harry, just so she didn't have to get that strange feeling every time she looked at him.

Harry suddenly nudged her with his elbow, bringing Hermione's thoughts down to earth. "Something wrong, Harry?" she asked, her voice sounding falsely cheerful and Harry knew.

He shook his head, reeling the fishing line back in. Hermione pushed her emotions back and gave a little laugh because Harry's bait had been stolen from a cunning fish and no fish was snagged.

***

Mrs Granger had the shock of her life when she saw an owl perched on her bedroom window. She was making the bed when she heard a loud hoot. She wandered over to the window clutching her chest. Helen thought it was highly unusual for an owl to be awake during daylight hours. But with her daughter becoming a witch and all, they had to expect anything out of the ordinary.

She let the owl in, wondering if it had anything to do with Hermione. Helen had been worried for a week, but she knew instinctively that she was safe.

The owl brandished his leg out, where a letter had been attached. Helen removed it with a huge sigh, as thoughts of concern swam around in her mind. She opened it after calling for her husband, who scurried up the stairs.

"What is it?' he asked, running his fingers through his hair.

"It's a letter from Hermione's boyfriend, Ron," Helen answered with curiosity. Jack stood beside her. Helen unfolded the letter, praying, hoping that it was all good news.

Dear Mr and Mrs Granger,

Sorry for the wait. Hermione and Harry are safely secured, but I can't tell you where they are hiding. Although I can say that Hermione misses you very much and that she loves you.

If there's any further news I'll contact you.

Don't worry, they're both fine.

Ron Weasley.

Helen dropped the letter in happiness and hugged her husband tightly. "They're safe ... they're safe," she repeated feeling relieved to hear those important words. "That's the best news I've heard all week."

Jack kissed her forehead. "I told you they were, didn't I? Never underestimate our Hermione."

Helen broke away from her husband's embrace, tears glistening in her eyes. "You know, I think we should have a talk with the Dursleys. Just to be there for one another in this time of trouble," Helen said with a sad smile.

"Er ... are you sure that's wise?" Jack said.

"Well they have to feel some concern for the boy, Jack," she said.

***

Harry was thinking about playing Quidditch again, when his fishing line suddenly pulled at the rod heavily. With wide eyes he hauled back in alarm. Hermione stood up.

"Yes! Harry, you've caught one," she yelled.

She helped Harry pull the line in, but it made him lose concentration momentarily when her armed touched his own.

"Harry, concentrate," Hermione said.

The fish was giving them a huge fight, and it wasn't going to give up his life for the dinner plate. Harry knitted his brow and with a burst of strength, heaved himself back, pulling the rod up in the effort to snag in the fish.

Hermione bolted into the shed again, leaving Harry to half wonder how big the fish was and if he'd fall into the water trying to take it out. A second later Hermione ran back holding onto a fishing net, getting ready to help Harry when she saw the fish in shallower water.

"Wow! It must be a huge one, Harry. Just keep pulling it in. The more energy it expends trying to go back in deeper water, the more likely it is to weaken."

Harry nodded, even though he hadn't fully absorbed whatever Hermione was talking about. His arms and hands were getting tired, but he held on tight, clenching his teeth at the strain.

"Harry, I can see it; you're doing well," Hermione praised him, craning forward to observe the water where the fish's tail rose above into the air. The fish then descended quickly with a splash. "Just a little more."

Harry stepped back, recoiling the line, the fish was trying to move frantically out of the shallow waters. As it tried to escape it flipped around wildly, breaking the smooth water. Nevertheless, the hook was tightly embedded in its mouth. It was a huge salmon that Harry had caught, and Hermione was beaming as she scooped it into the net.

"Great job, Harry." She grinned, holding the net up to see the fish jumping about, in its last bid to escape. The salmon's huge mouth opened and shut rapidly, suffocating above its normal living environment.

Hermione looked at the fish curiously. "That's odd!" she remarked. Harry gazed at her, wondering what was wrong. "Harry, adult salmon only live in salt water ..." She shook her head.

Harry shrugged and stepped forward, breathing fast like he had been running. He put his hands in the net to retrieve the hook form the fish's mouth. He was excited for what he had achieved. Even though it was just a simple Muggle leisure, it felt good. He didn't care where the fish should have lived.

Harry grasped the wet hook in his fingers while with his other hand he held onto the slimy slippery mouth of the fish. Its bulging black eyes were wide with exasperation. Harry rotated the hook, and finally it was freed.

He turned around when he heard something that made him blink in mystification.

"Put me back in the water you damn, foolish, Muggle-impersonating-buffoons!"

Harry turned around again, looking for a wizard, but the only thing he saw was the fish flapping around in the net. Hermione hung onto the net gaping, stunned. The fish had spoken!

"Wha-what?" Hermione managed to say. "You can talk?"

"Oh, spare me the ignorance of young wizards and put me back into the water," the fish demanded.

Harry looked on, and the fish tilted its head eyeing Harry curiously. " STOP GAWKING AT ME BOY, AND PUT ME BACK IN THE WATER," the fish screeched once more with a grumpy voice.

"You're a talking fish," Hermione spoke, still rather shocked. Harry just looked on amazed, than again why should he be shocked? He had seen some stranger things in his past.

"No, I cannot talk. But since you both touched my scales, my thoughts have become audible in your own native tongue. Now don't insult me - I am not just any food source. It'll be rather humiliating if my friends found out that I had ended up on a dinner table."

"Who are you?" Hermione asked, very interested. "You must be magical, and how do you know that we're -"

"Oh, I can bloody tell! You can always tell. Animals have a special affinity with wizards. Now put me back." The fish tried to jump out of the net, but couldn't, getting its fin caught up in the string. Harry thought he heard the fish sigh for an instant. "If you put me back, I'll grant you an answer to a question," the fish said finally.

Hermione had a determined look on her face. "Really now? Then who are you?" she pressed on.

The fish huffed finally, lying still in the net. "My name is Vedas and I am the Salmon of Wisdom. There are legends after me, and I am the most wise in the world. I know everything that passes, and I can see into the past, present and future. I have lived for many, many generations and I would like to live a generation more ... That's if you put me back in the water." The fish explained his story, like it would awe and fear Harry and Hermione.

"I suppose this is why you can live in fresh water as well?" Hermione said, raising an eyebrow. The fish scowled when it did not get the reaction it wanted. Harry smirked.

"Yes," Vedas said glumly.

Hermione nodded with a smile on her face. She flicked her eyes towards Harry with a plan. "And how will we know if we let you go that you won't swim away?"

The fish looked on. "Well, seeing that you won't eat me, I will not swim off."

"Ha! A fish that can see into the future, sounds like Professor Trelawney," Hermione scoffed loudly. She took the risk however, and tipped the net into the water. The fish moved its fins and tail against the current, breathing in the oxygenated water through his gills.

"Ahh, that feels better," it said. " But you do believe in prophecies, don't you, witch? You had learnt to believe quite recently."

Harry was beginning to like this fish. Plus there was the fact that Vedas didn't act like a misty old prune Trelawney acted like in class.

Hermione shrugged. "Yes, some are real, but not all."

"The knowledge of the future: It is hard to know, especially with the paths constantly changing. But my dear, I know what young Harry Potter here will endure. His fate is sealed with Voldemort and Voldemort's fate is sealed with his."

Hermione looked at Harry for a fleeting moment, but Harry's focus remained on the fish. He gulped, because he had told neither Hermione nor Ron about the prophecy he had heard.

"Now, as I've said, I will grant you an answer to a question. Speak away now, I have plenty of feeding to do."

Harry had plenty of questions to ask the fish. He wanted to know many things. However, there was one thing that he really wanted to know; something he was frantic to know about.

The fish looked at him with an analysing expression. "I know what you are desperately seeking for, Harry Potter. You want to speak again."

"Do you now some sort of potion that could help him?" Hermione pleaded with rising hope.

"Indeed I do," Vedas replied, its mouth out of the water to speak. "Nobody, but I knows about it."

"Quick, Harry, give me your pen and paper," Hermione said ushering him.

Harry obeyed and silently observed as Vedas divulged his secret. A smile spread on his face. Knowing that soon he would be talking again, that he would be going to Hogwarts again ... hopefully!

***

Vernon Dursley wiped away a few dangling droplets of wine from his moustache and opened the front door. In front of him were a couple, a couple he felt like he'd seen before but couldn't pinpoint who it was. He just hoped that it wouldn't be one of those magical freaks.

"Who is it dear?" Petunia asked, craning her head over her husband's shoulder.

"Yes, may we help you?" Vernon grunted, straightening down his shirt.

"Mr and Mrs Dursley ... sorry for this uncalled visit. We are the Grangers. This is about your nephew, Harry Potter."

"Harry?" Vernon said with a wobble of his fat neck. "Come in, have a seat," he replied, sensing that they were normal people.

"He is our nephew," Petunia said, moving alongside Vernon. "Why, have you seen him? Has he done something wrong?"

"Something wrong? No!" Jack said. "He came to us a week ago, in need of help."

"He did, did he? Wasn't grateful enough to give us a call. Put us at ease," Vernon said, sitting himself in the living room couch with the Grangers.

"Well, he was in danger. We didn't know who to turn to either, because there are powerful people after him."

"Oh he- he told you about them?" Vernon said with terrified eyes. "He couldn't find safety could he? We had those freaks come to my house. Nearly scared my wife out of her wits," Vernon bitterly retorted, wanting to have no friendly association with those people. Petunia nodded, breathing deeply.

"Freaks?" Helen replied with a bemused expression. "Are you referring to the community that Harry belongs to?"

"Very well so. They're a nuisance to our society. Not normal." Vernon closed his eyes with a shake of his head.

Jack sighed heavily. "Our daughter ... Harry's best friend, is a part of the wizarding community that you are referring to, Mr Dursley."

Vernon jumped back, his eyes wide. He had not expected that they were - But they were dressed like normal people. "Are you one of them?"

Anger radiated from the Grangers' expressions. "No! We are not. We are normal as you put it," Helen said curtly. "Now, I'm beginning to wonder why Hermione hasn't talked much about your family. She'd rather keep the knowledge to herself, every time we ask. She raves on about the Weasleys -"

"Those red-heads -" Vernon interrupted.

Mrs Granger ignored his reply and continued, "Hermione never mentioned Harry's family. She always had an expression on her face, like she was hiding some sort of a tragic family history. But the Weasleys ... yes, they warned us about you. I came here thinking that maybe you do care deep down."

"Warned you about us." Vernon narrowed his eyes, his face growing hot. "That boy and his kind are nothing but trouble," he spat.

"Mr Dursley, you are insulting my daughter as well!" Jack raised his voice, which echoed in the living room.

There was a silence for a while after that. Petunia sat with her hands on her lap, grasping Vernon's hand. Vernon fumed, though he was glad that Dudley was at a friend's house and not at home to witness this absurd spectacle.

They were all looking at each other with loathing, when Mr Granger said something sensitive. "You've been abusing Harry all this time," he said with a strong voice. Helen raised her chin in agreement

"How dare you imply that!" The Dursleys said together. "We take good care of him."

Mr Granger nodded silently, curling his top lip. "Do you really? Because the level of care you've provided is questionable; everyone Harry knows thinks so. I kept my mouth shut, when my wife said she wanted to tell you that Harry was safe. I didn't want to come here because you make me so bloody mad, but now I'm just going to outright say everything I've kept bottled up."

Vernon sat gaping, his eyes flicking to the cupboard under the stairs where for over a decade Harry had slept in miserable conditions. Petunia bit her lip, fumbling with the hem of her blouse.

"You've been neglecting him - denying him happiness and love. Starving him to the point that he has to desperately ask his friends to send him food." Mr Granger hissed.

Vernon huffed, "You have no right -"

"No, Mr Dursley ...YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! You have no right to treat Harry that way; wizard or not." Jack stood up, pointing his finger at the couple. "I had noticed since his second year that he hadn't been the right height and weight for a boy his age. I know now that it takes long term neglect to have made Harry that way, then. That boy has needed your love and support from the moment he came to you ... and you willingly turned a blind eye on him, wishing he never existed."

Vernon shot up, his face blotching up again. "Get out of my house!" he yelled.

But Jack was determined not to let the Dursleys walk away with such a crime. "Either you both shape up and treat Harry like a proper human being ... or I will call the proper authorities! The wizards already know and are keeping an eye on you, but the Muggle kind still don't. And by God I will let them," Jack said through gritted teeth. "Come on, Helen, let's get out of here."

Helen got up and they made their way out alone but then she stopped. "By the way, Harry is safe if you have the slightest humane nerve in you to worry about him."

And with that lost sentence, the Grangers slammed the door shut, leaving the Dursleys to contemplate what had happened.