Harry and Hermione Start their Sixth Year

DrT

Story Summary:
What happens when two close friends discover they are in love in a time of attacks? Covers late July to early September. H/Hr R/OC G/L DT/CC R/T

Chapter 05

Posted:
01/10/2004
Hits:
6,279



Chapter V

Thursday, August 1, 1996

Hermione woke up to a hand gently rubbing her silk-covered back. It seemed to instinctively find the small areas of tension and rub them into relaxation. "I like that," Hermione said softly.

"We have about twenty minutes before we have to go running with Tonks," Harry said equally softly. He flung the sheet off them, and moved to rub and massage Hermione's thin thighs and calves. Hermione had gown two inches over the previous two years, most of it in her legs. She was small-boned, ate enough but no more than she needed, and was not keen on exercise. Still a shade under 5 foot 2, she weighed in at a mere 6 stone 9 (93 pounds). While not unhealthy for her very small-boned frame, she knew Harry was right, and that she could stand to add some muscle to her body. While finally happy with her teeth, she still felt her mouth was too wide, her eyes too brown and large, her nose too short, her hair too frizzy and wild. Nearly any one else would simply look and say, 'Adorable!'

Harry knew all that, and had always thought Hermione attractive. As much as he appreciated her beauty, however, he had always cared more for her personality, intelligence, sympathy, and friendship.

"Oh, Merlin!" Hermione groaned as Harry moved to massage her feet.

"You have perfect feet," Harry remarked objectively.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Must be those sensible shoes," he teased.

"Git!" Hermione said, sitting up and kissing him lightly. "Do you want the bathroom first?"

"I'll be out in less than five minutes."



They were downstairs a little before 6:30, where they found Tonks and Remus waiting. "You too, Hermione?" Remus asked, grumpily.

"You're the one who claims to be in perfect shape," Tonks teased.

"Well, I'm not," Hermione admitted. "Or at least I'm not in training. I think I'm going to hate this."

Remus ignored them. "You two have your wands?"

They did, in sleeve holsters. "Good. First, we'll do our stretches. Then you two take off. Hermione and I will follow at a more . . . decorous pace."

An hour later, Hermione had long since gone down to a walk, and then sat on a log near the woodshed. Remus had done the same not long after. Right at the hour point, however, Tonks gave up. Harry jogged in place and teased her, "So, another fifteen minutes and then half an hour in the gym, or forty-five minutes in the gym?"

Hermione forced herself up, "Slow jog, Harry, very slow jog."

Harry smiled, "No, let's try out the gym." He held out his hand, and they walked towards the cabin together.

"Damn; he's worked harder this last month than I thought," Tonks said as they went in.

Harry only worked out in the gym for fifteen minutes, punching the heavy bag while Hermione mostly watched. They ducked into their shower for brief separate showers. Everyone was at breakfast at 8:10. Hermione found herself eating a second rasher of bacon. Her legs and side ached, but she also felt alive, and slightly closer to Harry.

"May I do anyone else's work schedules?" Hermione asked towards the end of the meal.

"I don't think so," Ron said. "I know, I wouldn't have done as well as I did on the O.W.L.s without your help, but I know now I'm not going to make auror, so I'm not even going to try."

"You turned down McGonagall's offer?" Harry asked.

"She offered to let you in, and you turned it down?" Hermione asked, shocked.

"You and Harry would have had to nurse me along," Ron said somewhat angrily. "The odds were so against my making the required N.E.W.T.s, it wasn't worth trying."

"So what are you taking?" Harry asked in such a natural, neutral tone that Ron was diverted. Harry had placed a restraining hand on Hermione's arm, and she decided that any intervention she made would only set Ron off.

"The N.E.W.T classes in Charms, Defense, Creatures, Herbology, and Divination," Ron said. "My O.W.L.s will get me into the Ministry. Any N.E.W.T.s will just help me start at a higher level. I'll also take that course on Ministry regulations. It'll be boring, but any N.E.W.T. there will help me get a really decent job. And no, I'm NOT following Percy; I'm following Dad."

"I don't know a finer man to follow," Remus said. "What about you, Dean?"

"I really want to go to art school," Dean said. "If I get my Muggle degree, and manage any N.E.W.T. level in Charms, I can apply for an apprenticeship within the magical art guild. I'm going to do Defense and Charms, and I'm thinking about several others. Mister Johnston -- he's a guild member in Hogsmeade -- has agreed to take me on for drawing lessons, and I might be taking the Household Potions class."

"How about you, Harry?" Colin asked.

Hoping it wouldn't set Ron off, Harry said, "Defense, Transfiguration, Charms, Basic Medicine, Muggle Studies, and Care."

"Does that give you a shot at auror training?" Ron asked. "I mean without the Potions?"

"A shot," Harry said. "It would have been better to do the Potions instead of Care of Creatures, but Snape would have been unbearable."

"I agree," Hermione said quietly. "I'm doing Defense, Transfiguration, Charms, Basic Medicine, Arithmancy, Runes, and Care," she added.

"So you're all taking Defense?" Henrietta asked.

"Absolutely," Dean said. He looked at Harry. "Harry won't fight alone."

"But . . . the Ministry is involved now!"

There was a collective snort from all around the table.

"If the Ministry was really efficient, we wouldn't be here," Ginny almost snarled.

Luna placed her hand on Ginny's shoulder to calm her. "The burden is on Harry. It is our duty, and our honor and pleasure, to support him." She said it with a warmth and conviction that no one could doubt she meant every word.



Harry stayed to talk with Remus and the rest of the group broke up. Hermione went back to the bedroom to start working out schedules and to write in her diary. Harry came in over an hour later.

"What were you and Remus doing?" she asked, looking up.

"Going over the holdings of the Potter Trust and what I inherited from Sirius," Harry said, "and then making out my will."

"Oh, Harry!"

"Hermione, Voldemort or one of his followers might just kill me, in which case it won't matter. Or I might kill him, in which case it won't matter, hopefully, for many decades. But we might both die, or I might kill him and one of his followers could still manage to kill me. Then, it matters."

"Oh," she said. Hermione understood. If Voldemort triumphed, all arrangements any of his enemies made would be moot. "Well, I know you'll win, so it doesn't matter."

Harry smiled at her faith. "What are you doing?"

"Writing in my diary, and no, you may not read it."

"Enchanted, is it?" Harry teased.

"Actually, yes," she said, scribbling a few words and closing it. She held it out to him. "Go on, you can't read anything without the password."

Harry took it and looked at it. "You've had this since First year, haven't you? I knew you were keeping a journal of some sort; I didn't know it was enchanted." He arched his eyebrow. "You do know where it's brain is, right?"

"In the back of a shop in Diagon Alley," Hermione replied. "No worries there! So what are you up to now?"

"I need to do my Occlumency meditations."

"Can you explain it to me? I mean, there must be more to it than just clearing your thoughts."

"That . . . Snape just threw me into deep water and watched me drown," Harry snarled. "There are a bunch of easier ways to get started, although the blank slate is the ultimate goal." Harry smiled. "Let's see if I can teach you something for once!"



Harry was startled out of his meditation when Hermione cried out in pain. Her right calf had a severe cramp, part of the muscle spasming. Harry quickly had her foot flexed and was massaging it. He pulled down her sock to get at it better.

"I wish I had some massage oil," Harry said when the cramp had finally eased. "I should do both your legs, and then do them again tonight."

"Go ask Luna," Hermione said. "I'm sure she has some."



"What kind would you like?" Luna asked. "I mean, is it for entry lubrication or to massage her. . . ."

"Just to massage Hermione's legs," Harry said, very red in the face. "Honest!"

Luna smiled. "Oh, Harry! I didn't mean to embarrass you." She went over to her dresser and hesitated between a number of bottles.

'I really do NOT want to know,' Harry thought. 'If Ron knew about this, he'd like as not have a tantrum.'

"Lavender or rose?" Luna asked.

"Rose," Harry decided.

"You may keep this," Luna said. "We didn't like it, but it should work well for Hermione's . . . legs."

"You should all really come out running with us," Harry said, trying to divert the conversation a bit.

"And will you massage our legs after?" Luna teased gently.

"You'll have to ask Hermione if I can," Harry answered, refusing to be drawn.

"That's probably your best, or least safest, answer," Ginny said, coming into the room.

Harry gave them a wan smile and fled the room.



Harry brought up the idea of group running again at lunch. Colin and Dean agreed quietly, while Ginny and Luna did so with a bit more teasing. Henrietta, however, had no interest what so ever, and Ron flat out refused to get up that early.

After lunch, they all went out to fly. All, except for Harry and Hermione, were soon engaged in a rousing game of quaffle tag. Harry had Hermione sit on her new, and very stable, broom, and then climbed on behind her.

With fifteen minutes of Harry's coaching, Hermione had regained what form she had had at the end of her first year. The All-Weather was a much more stable broom than the school brooms, which often listed to one side or the other at inopportune times. As Madam Hooch often ruefully said, if a student could master a school broom, they should have no problem flying.

Within the hour, Hermione had mastered flying with one hand (flying alone), although she still was too nervous to fly without hands long enough to play tag. Harry was sure she would be able to play tag within a few days.

Coming in, Winky told the students that the rest of their supplies were in their rooms. Harry was not surprised that Hermione ignored the large pile of bagged clothes and headed straight for the books. He kissed the top of Hermione's head, and left her to organize both their books for the year. Having observed Hermione for five years now, Harry knew that since he would likely go along with most of her ideas in any event, he was best off letting her have her head now. He went off to see if Remus or Tonks would help him practice his shielding spells.

At dinner, Hermione was full of texts and schedules, which everyone pretended to pay attention to. It was clear to Harry that everyone else was casually flirting with their partner. After dinner, everyone felt compelled to sit for a few minutes, but Hermione was the only person talking, even if Harry, Colin, and Remus occasionally made affirmative grunts. Ginny was the first to break, standing and simply holding her hand out to Luna. Luna gazed at her friend and lover, slowly smiled, stood and took her hand. On their way out, both passed by Harry, touching his shoulder.

Ron made such a lame excuse that it even drew Hermione's attention away from her chatter about the entire Medical syllabus and the differences between Muggle and magical medical training, to which Remus and Harry where half listening to. Henrietta rolled her eyes but seemed to gain enthusiasm as the pair left the room.

Hermione paused to gather her thoughts about which subject to tackled next. Before she could dissect the logic tree which had led her to decide not to take History, Remus saw his opportunity to escape, a snickering Tonks trailing behind him.

Hermione looked from Harry to Dean to Colin in puzzlement. "Weren't you going to show me the magical way to develop photos?" Dean asked.

"Oh . . . right!" Colin said, standing.

"Have fun in the dark room," Harry teased. Colin blushed and Dean sent Harry a friendly two-fingered salute.

"Is it me, or was everyone else . . . not themselves tonight?" Hermione asked a few moments later, when she realized they were alone.

"Hermione, do you love me?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Hermione stated firmly, but then asked, puzzled, "but what does that have to do with tonight?"

"Are the others also in love with their partners?"

Hermione pondered that, as usual taking the question very literally. "I do wonder if Ron and Henrietta aren't more in lust than in love," she said very softly, "but generally, I'd have to say yes. Why?"

"So why do you think everyone wanted an early night tonight?"

Hermione looked puzzled for a few seconds, then, "Oh!" She sat back. "And I suppose I missed everyone flirting with each other, while they all ignored me?"

"Remus didn't, and I didn't."

"Really?" Hermione asked drily.

"I didn't follow it all," Harry confessed, "but I didn't ignore you or tune you out."

Hermione smiled ruefully. "Mum and Dad do the same." Hermione's mouth twisted a little. "So, you promised me another massage. Before or after a bath?"

"Your choice."



Hermione chose before. When Harry came out from his shower nearly an hour later, again just in boxers, Hermione was again in the thin lavender pajamas. "Is there any part of you that needs massaging?" Hermione asked.

Harry considered. "Actually my right arm and hand are a little stiff. Remus really jolted my shields a few times."

Hermione considered this, and had Harry lay diagonally face down on the bed. "What happened to the other bed?" Harry asked as he made himself comfortable. He was sure it had been there when he went in to shower.

"Do you mind?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"No, no!" Harry insisted. "I just wondered what happened to it."

"Winky stopped by to ask if we wanted anything for the night. I asked for the pitcher of ice water, and then asked if it was possible for them to take the bed out tomorrow and replace it with a pair of reclining chairs. She took the bed out and said she or Dobby would bring the chairs in tomorrow." Hermione was massaging Harry's shoulder and neck while she was explaining the situation.

"This feels . . . wonderful," Harry said.

"No one has ever touched you like this, have they?"

"No, no they haven't," Harry admitted.

"Well, get used to it," Hermione told him, "I like touching you." She slowly massaged his upper arm, and then moved to his forearm.

That's when she saw them. The white scars that had been cut into the back of his hand by the quill of that very evil woman.

Harry was more relaxed than he could ever remember. He was luxuriating under Hermione's touch. Suddenly, he felt a new sensation. It took him several seconds to realize what it was, since he was enjoying the feelings too much to want to move to look.

Hermione was tracing the minute scars on the back of his hand with her tongue. When she was done, she simply turned his hand over and traced the lines on his palm with her long and very pointed tongue.

"If I remember that silly book, these mean you should have a long and sensuous life," Hermione said softly.

"That's probably why we spent so little time on palmistry," Harry managed to say as Hermione licked his fingers "Hermione. . . ?"

"Yes?"

"What we did, what you did last night. . . ."

"Did it bother you?"

"No! Oh, no!"

"So you liked it?"

"It was about the most bloody marvelous thing I've ever felt!"

"Better than flying your Firebolt in a Wonky Faint?" she teased.

"Better than everything except kissing you," Harry said in a tone of voice that convinced a person and melted their heart at the same time.

"Then you won't mind if we do that about every night?"

"No!" he agreed eagerly. "But. . . ." he started in a puzzled voice.

"I'm glad I did it right," Hermione said. "If you wonder how I had the general idea, well, my parents have books on nearly everything. Some they never realized I've read."

Harry had to smile at that.

"And if you're wondering, I'm hoping you'll want to reciprocate, somehow."

"I do!" Harry said with great enthusiasm.

"Good. Tomorrow, I'll take Ginny up on her offer to depilate me. That should make things easier."

Harry had a coughing fit, which made Hermione laugh.

"Do you think the others feel this . . . not awkward, just nervous, I guess?" Harry asked.

"Not tonight," Hermione answered. "I gather Colin and Dean have been together in secret for at least a few months, though how Ginny figured it out is beyond me. The others have been snogging for weeks. We've been a couple for less than two days, even if we've loved each other a long time." Hermione reached down and stroked Harry cheek. "And, no offense, but you haven't had much experience with affection, my heart."

"No," Harry had to admit, "I guess I haven't." He rolled over on his back. "You know, I was listening to Ginny and Luna . . . flirt earlier."

"Yes?"

"They were calling each other. . . ."

"Something special, or just general endearments?"

"Probably just general, but that made me realize something." Harry looked up at Hermione's troubled face. "I don't think I've ever used one, and you probably just used one for me for the first time in my life I never even told any one that I cared for them, let alone loved them, except for you." Harry tried to smile. "I do love you, even if I can't seem to call you anything except Hermione."

"Goof," Hermione chided.

"'Hermy'?" Harry asked in a serious voice."

"I don't think so."

"'Mione'?"

"No!"

"'Mimo'?"

"Don't be a git!"

"That's hardly an endearment," Harry teased.

"Harry?" Hermione breathed.

"Yes?" Harry answered, looking up at her.

Hermione pulled her top off, and then slipped off the bottoms. "I love you, Harry."

Harry gently pulled Hermione down to him.