Harry and Hermione Start their Sixth Year

Chapter II

"Hogwarts?" Harry was surprised, once he took his bearings. "I figured Gr . . . err, headquarters."

"It's good you've learned a little discretion, boy."

"Professor Snape," Harry said, almost politely, without bothering to turn towards the voice behind him.

"You need to see the Headmaster," Snape stated. "Now. Alone. Go!"

"Wait!" Hermione said to Harry. "There are some things I need to tell you that I didn't have time. . . ."

"If you wasted your time, Granger, that is no reason to waste others'," Snape said firmly. "Go, boy!"

"Snape, you're still tired and cranky," Tonks stated. "Leave them alone."

"I assure you, I am in better shape than your animal," Snape said with a snarl.

In a flash, Tonks had Snape's wrist twisted around his back and his face was slammed flat against the corridor wall. "Tease and insult me all that you want, Severus Snape, but if you DARE insult Remus in my hearing again, you'll find out the difference between a Dark Magic practitioner like yourself and the powers of an auror." She gave Snape a shove to separate them.

Snape sprang up and glared at Tonks, who glared back. Hermione and Harry just stared; they knew Tonks was an auror, but they had always taken her rather lightly. They wouldn't do so again.

Snape stalked off, and Tonks turned to Harry. "The password is 'kit kat.' Hermione, go with him, but make any explanations very very short."

They nodded and walked off. They heard Tonks drop Hedwig's cage, and her "Bloody 'ell."

"Harry, I meant to tell you this and, well lots of things, but we got. . . ."

"Involved?"

"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "My family is all fine, but there were a number of attacks last night. One was on us. I'm not certain where my parents are. I was brought here just before dawn, while they went with Mister Weasley. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will mention it. I don't want to keep anything from you again, Harry, but there's just too much to tell you now."

"I'm sure there's more I should tell you, too," Harry said.

"We'll have time, I'm sure," Hermione said. After a quick glance up and down the corridor which showed them to be alone, Hermione gave Harry a quick kiss and went back to see to their baggage.

Harry took a deep breath and went up to the Headmaster's office.

The portraits made no pretense of sleep; they looked at Harry very warily. He sneered back at a few he didn't like.

"Ah, Harry; happy birthday!" Dumbledore said, coming in from an inner room.

"Thank you, sir," Harry said simply.

Dumbledore sat and gestured Harry to do so as well. Harry sat, and greeted Fawkes, who trilled at him.

"I'm afraid I have mostly bad news today. Miss Granger told you about last night?"

"Just that her house was attacked, and that she and her parents weren't harmed."

"A number of homes were attacked. We knew at least three would be -- but only the Grangers and Weasleys by name." Harry sat up straight, but didn't say anything at Dumbledore's raised hand. "The aurors defended the Grangers quite well. Minister Fudge's attitude has become . . . fairly reasonable. Six of the eight Death Eaters attacking the Grangers were captured, although Bellatrix Lestrange escaped."

Harry looked puzzled for a second, then realized the other escapee had been Snape.

Dumbledore smiled as Harry figured it out. "All nine of the Death Eaters who attacked the Burrow were also captured. All the Weasley children except Charlie were there to help defend it. Arthur is a very capable wizard, and Molly is as formidable as you might imagine."

"Even Percy?"

"Yes, even Percy was there, although I believe they are still estranged to a degree." Dumbledore's expression went even more serious. "Alas, we were not as successful defending the three other residences that actually were attacked, although Azkaban repelled an assault as well. The Lovegood's cottage has been destroyed, although they are all safe. Only one of the attacking Death Eaters was captured there. Although he is safe, Dean Thomas' Muggle family was killed."

Harry swallowed and asked, "And the third?"

"Voldemort himself was at the attack on the Creevys'. The attack started an hour after the full moon come out. He sent six werewolves in. The trick is to give them just enough Wolfsbane potion to make them easy to command, but not enough to make them preserve their mind entirely. Fortunately, the Order had three representatives there."

Harry thought about that word choice. "Remus?" he asked.

"Exactly. The werewolf's physical shape depends in part on the human's physical appearance and in part on their magical power. Four of the werewolves seem to be Muggles or squibs; the fifth an unfortunate recent bite victim who barely left here after his Fifth year with enough qualifications to be considered a wizard. The sixth was no match for Remus. While Tom and I fought to a draw, Remus mostly intimidated the other werewolves at first. Moody . . . disposed of three of them while Remus killed two. We captured the sixth, a Muggle, who will likely be . . . destroyed. Unfortunately, Denis, his parents, and his sister were killed."

Harry winced, but asked, "And Colin?"

"Colin was bitten."

Harry closed his eyes.

"For various political reasons, which alas I do not have time to explain, I think it best if you and your friends, and Remus, leave the country for a month," Dumbledore went on.

"Meaning who?"

"Yourself, Ronald and Virginia Weasley, Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, Colin Creevy, Luna Lovegood, and Henrietta Trowbridge."

"Won't that be hard on Dean and Colin, sir?"

"Yes, it will. It will be harder for them, especially Mister Creevy, to stay, however. His first transformation will be his hardest, especially if the Ministry is supervising him. It would be best to have his friends with him, and I understand that Mister Thomas and Miss Weasley are close friends."

"Really?" Harry knew Colin and Ginny were friends, but not that he and Dean were.

"You can probably figure out where I send you, but will ask you all not to pinpoint it. The safe house may be necessary later on. Only I know its location. Tonks is on detached duty, and will be the one traveling back and forth for supplies via portkey."

"Will we at least be able to fly?" Harry asked, standing.

"All of you may fly and practice your magic. Your O.W.L. letters will either be delivered before you go or they will go with you -- there has been some argument about how to grade the Astronomy practical. Dobby and Winky will also be going with you, and I will ask them to transport your broom with the rest of your luggage and supplies."

"Is everyone in Gryffindor, or are Luna and Henrietta in their Houses?"

"They are staying with Miss Weasley. Mister Creevy is in the Infirmary, but should be released before dinner. We will talk briefly again before dinner as well. The Gryffindor password is orange."

Harry nodded and left.

Entering the common room quietly, Harry saw Ron and Henrietta cuddled on a sofa near the unlit fireplace. Ginny and Luna occupied another sofa and were in a similar position. Hermione was nowhere to be seen.

Luna nearly leapt out of her seat and hugged Harry tightly. "We were so worried about you," she said.

Ginny hugged Harry from the other side. "We're glad you're safe."

Harry looked at them, puzzled for a moment. "Ginny," he finally said slowly, "do you. . . ."

"'Play for the other team', too? No," she said with a smile, "I play for both teams."

Harry was speechless for a few seconds, and then asked, "But what about Dean? And Justin?"

Ginny frowned. "Justin is nice, but had roving hands. I think he'd want to go too far too fast. I was helping Dean pick out something for his boyfriend."

"I'd always wondered about him," Ron said, coming over. He gave Luna a dirty look, which she ignored. "Hi, Harry."

"Hi Ron, Henrietta. Who's Dean's . . . boyfriend?"

"Colin, if you can believe that!" Ron said, shaking his head.

"He's in the infirmary now, trying to convince Colin his condition doesn't matter," Luna said simply.

"It doesn't?" Henrietta asked, surprised. When the others stared at her, she squeaked and hid behind Ron.

"It doesn't matter, because at worse it only affects Colin once a month," Luna stated.

"And if you make one remark about monthly cycles, Ron Weasley, you'll regret it!" Hermione said, marching into the room from the girls' dorms.

"So you two are a couple?" Harry asked Luna and Ginny.

"Yes," Ginny said. "I've been fighting it for months, but to heck with it." Ginny reached up and pulled the slightly taller Luna down to her and gave her a passionate kiss. Ron looked torn between anger and embarrassment. "Get used to it, Ron," Ginny said when it was over.

"Kiss Henrietta; it will make you feel better," Luna suggested.

Ron looked torn, and then glanced at Harry. Harry and Hermione exchanged a look, and Harry embraced Hermione in another soul-searing kiss.

"Wow!" Ginny said.

"It almost makes me wish I were straight -- or at least dating Hermione," Luna agreed.

"Now THAT'S passion," Henrietta said, and pulled Ron into an embrace.

About two minutes later, the three couples split apart at the sound of a throat being cleared.

It was Dean and Colin.

The two made an odd couple. Dean was slightly taller than Ron's six foot one, and built along the same trim but muscular lines. Colin was about the same height as Ginny and Hermione, between five foot one to two, and his manner had grown slightly effeminate over the previous year. Dean had been the darkest student at Hogwarts the year before; Colin made the blond Malfoy look dark. There was no mistaking their affection for each other, however, as Dean stood holding Colin up. It was clear Colin's left shoulder was still bandaged.

Harry walked over and spoke to Dean first. "I'm sorry about both your families. If there's anything I can do for either of you, let me know."

Dean said, "Thanks, Harry."

"Colin, I hope you know this doesn't change how we feel about you?"

"Being outed as gay or becoming a werewolf?" Colin asked bitterly.

Besides his workouts and Defense reading, Harry had been doing a lot of reading about leadership and thinking about his role. He might hate it, but he was a leader. That meant taking care of his people, supporting them when they needed it.

"You're both Gryffindors, and you're both my friends," Harry said. He looked into the deeply-pained eyes of Colin, who had had a crush on him for nearly four years, and knew what he had to do. He couldn't deal with his own pain; if possible, he wouldn't allow others to suffer as he did. Harry embraced Colin (careful of Colin's torn shoulder), and whispered, "I mean it, Colin. We all care for you."

Colin wrapped his arms around Harry and cried. After a few minutes, Harry drew Dean into the hug, and then helped the two to a sofa, where they cried together. Soon, the only dry eyes were Harry's; even Ron was tearing somewhat.

"You all know what happened last night?" Harry asked, and five of the seven managed to nod. Colin was still too upset, and Ginny was the one currently comforting him the most. "Dumbledore told me they're going to send the eight of us away for the month, along with Remus, Tonks, and two elves. I don't know why; perhaps he'll explain tonight. Whatever it is, we can face it together. Alright?"

All seven nodded. "Ron, may I talk with you?"

Ron and Harry went up to their room.

"What?"

"How serious are you two?" Harry asked.

"Why do you care?"

Harry was a bit surprised at the angry tone, but he merely weighed in. "In part because we're going to be spending a month in close quarters. Hermione and I hope to be a long-term couple. Dean and Colin seem to be. I don't see Luna going for a fling, and I doubt Ginny would, either."

"Remember that embarrassing lecture we all went to right before Hermione was petrified?"

"'Why Witches must Wait, and Why Wizards Should'?"

"That's the one. So, we'll wait to do that. But we've done everything else."

"Everything?" Harry was surprised.

Ron shrugged. "Everything a boy and a girl can do without actually doing . . . it. When did you and Hermione get together?"

"Just today, actually."

Ron smiled. "She's a great kisser, isn't she?"

Harry wasn't going to be jealous. "She is; certainly a lot better than Cho." Harry turned serious. "Was anyone hurt last night at the Burrow?"

"It was scary," Ron admitted, "but the wards held and we had them on the run." Ron paused in thought. "They weren't very good. I mean, Wormtail might have been the most competent."

"He was there, huh?"

"He was; he seemed to be second-in-command." Ron's eyes glistened. "It was frightening, but we all came through without anything more than a few slight burns. I can't imagine how Dean and Colin feel."

"I'm surprised they didn't attack Neville, too."

Ron snorted. "His family aren't active in the fight against You-Know-Who any more, except for Neville himself. And they are Pure-Bloods. . . ."

"So are you," Harry pointed out.

"True. But everyone mistakes Dad for a lightweight and Mum as a simple witch. Well, they won't after last night! Anyway, Neville's grandmother is a pretty grand lady. There are a number of very snobbish and powerful wizarding families that hold themselves aloof from the rest of us. Make families like the Blacks and Malfoys look open and liberal. They usually don't even send their children to school; they're privately tutored! Dame Longbottom has a lot of connections with them. Torturing Neville's parents was one thing -- they were active aurors, after all. Hit at Neville at home, and those families, the entire noble wizard community in Europe, might easily come into the fight. Understand?"

Harry was about to answer when Hermione knocked at the door. "Sorry to intrude, but Professor McGonagall asked to see us." The two boys shrugged and followed her down the stairs.

"Ah, there you all are," the Professor said. Dean and Colin were just sitting down as the trio entered the room. "We are all sorry about the delay in your O.W.L.s, but there was some discussion about the scoring of the Astronomy practical." Nothing betrayed McGonagall's participation in the 'distractions' that night. "So, here are the O.W.L. results for the four of you, as well as your Hogwarts letters. If Mister Potter would see me in fifteen minutes, followed by the others at about fifteen minute intervals, with Miss Granger last? Thank you."

The four students stared at the O.W.L. envelopes while the other four stared at them. After nearly a minute, Ginny couldn't hold back any further. She tore open her Hogwarts letter, and let out a shriek. "I'm a prefect!"

The group congratulate her, and Luna, Colin, and Henrietta opened their letters as well. Neither of the other two Fifth years had been named prefects, to no one's surprise.

Ginny gestured at the O.W.L. results. "Well! Open 'em!"

The four were startled, but Harry merely handed his over to Hermione. Dean and Ron did the same. Hermione picked up a letter opener from a nearby table and read the form letters, starting with the

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results for Harry J. Potter:

Required:

Astronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
Charms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O
Defence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O*
Herbology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T
Potions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E
Transfiguration. . . . . . . . . . . . .O
Theory I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E
(Potions, Herbology, Defence)
Theory II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O
(Transfiguration, Charms, Defence)

Optional
Arithmancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Care of Magical Creatures. . . . . . . .E
Divination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
Muggle Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Runes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted

*Superbly Outstanding on the Practical

"So that's nine O.W.L.s! Including the special notation! Well done, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, leaning over and patting his arm.

"But not good enough for the aurors," Harry pointed out. "I would have needed an O in Potions."

This silenced everyone, especially Ron. Hermione went on to the

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results for Dean H. Thomas:

Required:
Astronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
Charms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
Defence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E
Herbology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
Potions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
Transfiguration. . . . . . . . . . . . .A
Theory I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
(Potions, Herbology, Defence)
Theory II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
(Transfiguration, Charms, Defence)

Optional

Arithmancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Care of Magical Creatures. . . . . . . .E
Divination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
Muggle Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Runes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted

"Six!" Colin cried out. "Well done!" He kissed Dean lightly on the lips.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results for Ronald J. Weasley:

Required:
Astronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P
Charms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E
Defence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O
Herbology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D
Potions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
Transfiguration. . . . . . . . . . . . .E
Theory I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
(Potions, Herbology, Defence)
Theory II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
(Transfiguration, Charms, Defence)

Optional
Arithmancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Care of Magical Creatures. . . . . . . .E
Divination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A
Muggle Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Runes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted

"Nine! Well done, Ron!" Hermione tried, but he just shook his head.

"I'm even further away from auror training than Harry," he pointed out.

"But you tied Charlie, and beat both the twins put together," Ginny pointed out. "Mum will be proud!" Ron managed a small smile at that.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results for Hermione F. Granger:

Required:
Astronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O*
Charms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
Defence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
Herbology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O*
History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O
Potions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
Transfiguration. . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
Theory I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
(Potions, Herbology, Defence)
Theory II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
(Transfiguration, Charms, Defence) Optional
Arithmancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O**
Care of Magical Creatures. . . . . . . .O*
Divination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Not Attempted
Muggle Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . .E
Runes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .O

*Superbly Outstanding in Theory
**Superbly Outstanding in all areas

"Wait a minute! You snuck in Muggle Studies!" Ron accused. Hermione shrugged, modestly.

"So that's thirteen O.W.L.s, twelve of them 'Outstanding'! Well done!" Harry said, leaning over and kissing Hermione lightly on the cheek, which made her blush.

Harry then stood up. "I guess I'd best see McGonagall, and see what I can do with my life," he said. His expression suddenly looked very burdened. Hermione knew he was thinking, 'If I have a life.'

Hermione stood and took Harry by the arm, leading him from the common room. As soon as they were beyond the portrait, she flung herself into his arms, kissing him soundly.

When she released him, Harry said, "Shouldn't I be kissing you? You're the genius, conqueror of the O.W.L.s."

"I saw that look, Harry. We all have to die sometime, but in your case it will be after you set a record for longevity. I am NOT going to lose you now. Understand?"

Harry smiled a smile that made Hermione's heart melt. "As long as you believe in me, and are with me, how can I doubt?" He kissed Hermione lightly, and went off to see McGonagall with a much lighter heart.