Circle's Close

Never opened myself this way,
Life is ours, we live it our way,
All these words I don't just say,
And nothing else matters.
Trust I seek and I find in you,
Every day for us something new,
Open mind for a different view,
And nothing else matters.
'Nothing Else Matters' ~Metallica

*

Chapter Three: Back to School

"Thanks, Hedwig," Harry greeted as his snowy white owl perched herself on Harry's shoulder. He retrieved the burden from her clutches and she pecked his fingers affectionately.

"It's a letter from Sirius," Harry informed Hermione after reading the signature at the bottom of the parchment.

Hermione crossed her brows in confusion. "But we're leaving today. Why would he be writing?" she asked.

After another moment of scanning the letter with his eyes, Harry frowned as certain words jumped out at him.

"He says he'll see us soon," he told her.

Hermione straightened, more puzzled by this bit of news than the fact that he had actually written.

"How? Will he be seeing us off at the station?" she asked.

Harry shook his head, tucking the note into his jacket pocket, and he shrugged. "If he is, I know nothing about it," he said, brushing off the subject. He turned his face upwards, towards the sky and took a deep breath.

"I'll miss it here," he told his girlfriend. Hermione smiled warmly and took his hand, leading him back up to her house.

"You have everything you need?" Mrs Granger asked hurriedly from the kitchen. The 1st of September always filled the Granger home with an air of excitement.

"We think so. We're going to double check upstairs," Hermione told her parents, leading Harry up the staircase.

When they returned to the main floor, they discovered the Grangers outside loading the minivan with Harry's and Hermione's trunks. Hedwig and Crookshanks in their respective cages took the very back seats, Hermione and Harry took the very middle seats, while the Grangers took the front.

Looking out the window, Hermione gave a slow, wistful wave, and whispered "Good bye, home. See you in a year."

Harry smiled at this, and squeezed her hand gently.

"This is going to be a great year," he promised. She smiled back, and nodded in agreement.

*

"Well, I say. It's about time you two got here. We almost thought you had gotten lost," piped up the youngest male Weasley.

"Hello, Ron! Hello, Ginny!" Harry greeted, waving them over. The red-haired Weasleys hurried over, barreling Hermione and Harry over with hugs and greetings.

London's King's Cross was presently scattered with adults and children of all ages, some standing between platforms 9 and 10. Many of them were eager to push their way through the barrier that would lead them to the Hogwarts Express.

"Did you have a good vacation?" Ginny asked curiously.

Harry and Hermione nodded furiously, smirking like young teenagers in love. Ron rolled his eyes playfully and then his eyes widened.

"Did you hear the news yet?" Ron asked eagerly. Ginny jabbed Ron in the ribs, and he yelped. Hermione observed the two, as the youngest Weasley gave odd looks to her older brother. Ron frowned, obviously in pain.

"What news?" Harry interrupted.

"Nothing, Harry. Ron is being a git again. Aren't you, Ron?" Ginny said, her eyes narrowing in a dangerous way.

"Absolutely," he muttered, before turning to his mother.

"Hello, Harry dear. Hermione! You look lovely," Molly Weasley complimented. Hermione gave a modest smile and greeted the older woman back.

"But where are your parents? Did they not come to see you off?" Molly asked, peeking her head above the crowd.

"They have to work. It's fine really. They'll probably write to me the moment we get to the school," Hermione insisted. Harry reassured Molly with a nod, and she relaxed.

"Well then, best be off, children. Wouldn't want to be late now," Molly warned, and sent Ginny through the platforms first. Ron ran through, followed by Hermione and just before Harry was about to run through, Molly stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder, steering him away from the barrier.

"How are things, Harry?" she asked with concern in her eyes. Harry knew that she wasn't trying to pry. She had been like the mother he had never known in the past six years. He understood that she was simply concerned for his well being.

"I'm fine. Wonderful actually. I don't think I've ever been happier," he replied, knowing it was the truth.

"How's living with Sirius? How's that going?" she asked.

"It's going great," Harry said while nodding. "He treats me like an adult. Like an equal and we have a great time together."

Molly smiled warmly at him, and pulled him into a last hug before he faced the barrier.

"Good luck this year, Harry. Don't let anyone get you down. You hear?" she said.

Harry nodded, desperately wanting to fulfill her demands. He wanted to believe that this year would be better than any other year. He could do it. He knew it was possible.

That is, if Snape wasn't teaching, and if Malfoy would fall off of the face of the earth.

"Go along now. Don't keep them waiting," Molly ordered, stepping back so Harry could speed through.

"Good bye, Mrs Weasley! Thanks!" he shouted, before passing through.

"Don't tell me Mum kept you," said Ron, as Harry made his way to the three that had been waiting for him. Their trunks were already on the Express, the train that now whistled shrilly.

"She wanted to say good bye. Now let's hurry. We'll miss the train," Harry reminded them.

"So how does it feel to be Head Boy?" Ron asked once they had found a compartment to share as the Express sped on towards Hogwarts.

Harry shrugged while poking through a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

"I haven't really had time to think about it. I don't imagine it will be any different than how it usually is at school," he answered without looking up.

"Oh, yes it is. Don't you know? Head Boys and Girls and Prefects all get their own dormitories. Of course, you can't be separated from your own houses. Didn't you know that all houses have a separate area for all authority figures? It's kind of like getting your own bathroom," Ron explained.

Harry looked surprised, as he usually did. He seemed to be the last person to find out anything of importance. It was ironic enough, considering he was supposed to be the "famous" Harry Potter.

"Yes. We get our own dormitories. But we do share different rooms, Ron. So don't get any ideas," Hermione warned.

"Yes, one lousy wall separating the boys from the girls. Are you sure you won't need someone to keep you warm at night, on those cold, blustery--"

"Cut it out, Ron. You're not really all that funny, you know," Hermione said, though she was smiling and blushing at the same time.

Harry grinned and elbowed her softly.

"I do believe Ron's got a point, Hermione. Who's going to keep me warm at night?" he asked, and gave a heavy pout.

Hermione rolled her eyes and opted to start another conversation with Ginny, completely ignoring the two boys sitting next to them.

This only fueled their laughter, as the Hogwarts Express continued onwards towards its destination.

*

"I can't wait to eat," Ron declared once they arrived at Hogwarts as all the students piled together behind Harry and Hermione. Some of the students snickered at this and even Harry grinned, knowing of Ron's fetish for food, whatever shape, size or color. Taste also didn't seem to affect Ron's decision. He ate anything.

Harry opened the grand doors, and lead the students through the Entrance Hall. He took a deep breath, instant memories flooding his mind, heart and soul. This was his home away from home. At one point, it had been his only home, his only refuge.

The First years had yet to arrive for the Sorting, and Second years to Seventh took their seats at their proper house tables in the Great Hall.

The excitement of being back and the bustle of conversations floating around Harry distracted him from the front table which was lined with all of the professors, as well as the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Had he not been distracted, he would have seen Dumbledore trying to get his attention.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted into Harry's ear. Harry reeled back from the volume of her voice and rubbed his ear, frowning.

"All you had to do was tap me. Jeez, Hermione," he grumbled.

"I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes," Hermione said and nodded towards the Headmaster. "Dumbledore wants to see us. He's been trying to get your attention, too," she told him.

"Oh," was all Harry could say, and turned himself away from Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, making his way to the High Table beside Hermione.

"Hello, Harry and Hermione. I hope you enjoyed your holidays," greeted Dumbledore. He wore the same warm smile, and the same twinkle gleamed in his eyes, which were framed by half-moon spectacles.

"We did, thank you, Professor. You wanted to see us?" asked Harry.

The door that stood behind the table opened suddenly, and Harry reeled back for the second time in two minutes.

"Sirius! What are you doing here?" he cried in astonishment.

"I hope that's not an "I-don't-want-you-here" question, Harry," said Sirius warmly, taking his seat beside the Headmaster.

"No! Of course not. But...why are you here?" he asked again. His excitement was contagious, because Hermione was grinning as well.

Suddenly Ron and Ginny made their way to the High Table, also sharing wide, knowing smiles.

"It's taken me a lot not to blurt it out. Ginny here has been jabbing me every five minutes," Ron pouted.

Ginny smiled proudly.

"Blurt what out? What's going on?" Harry asked again.

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave an impatient sigh.

"Harry, honestly. Isn't it obvious? The new Defense against the Dark Art's teacher?" she said.

Harry turned back to his godfather, his jaw hanging. "It's true? You're going to be the new teacher?" he asked.

"Of course it's true. Lord knows I gave you enough hints, too. And you made him Head Boy," Sirius said to Dumbledore, and laughed when he saw the look of disbelief cross Harry's face.

"You never gave me hints! What are you talking about?" Harry demanded, secretly thinking back to when many hints were in fact given.

"The letter, Harry? He said he'd see us soon. We're both idiots," Hermione said.

"Important idiots, I'd say," Sirius said. Both Hermione and Harry glared at him, and he laughed again.

"Way to start on the wrong foot Sirius. Don't get these two angry. I certainly wouldn't want to face their wrath," Ron said.

Sirius turned to Ron, smiling.

"That's Professor Black to you, Weasley," Sirius retorted, eliciting a laugh from those around him.

"Well then. Now that you know of Sirius's well kept secret, I suggest we all take our seats. Harry, Hermione, we'll talk after the feast," Dumbledore told them. They nodded, and the four Gryffindors went back to their table.

It was all Harry could do to keep from jumping for joy. Already, his Seventh year was shaping up to be a wonderful year indeed.

*

Harry and Hermione walked wearily back to their Gryffindor common room for the first time since they arrived at Hogwarts. Having spent what seemed like hours in Dumbledore's office (it had actually been an hour) they were exhausted. Too much travel, a full stomach, and the only thing keeping them awake was the desire to spend some time together alone. Naturally, the only thing they could think of doing was talk. They had spent another hour taking on their duties as Head Boy and Girl (this included making sure the Prefects knew their positions, their own duties and responsibilitie. And it also included checking on the students).

It was no surprise to them when they found the dormitories completely deserted. It was still too early for the students to go to sleep. All the trunks were accounted for, each student and Prefect having already chosen their beds. The Head Boy and Girl, however, got special treatment: a special perk to being the Head of the school. Their beds were still the same four-poster, but the bed seemed double the size of their regular ones. Harry could get used to this. He also had his own bathroom, just as Hermione had her own.

Hermione twisted the silver and gold band that circled the finger next to her pinky on her right hand, a look of deep concentration etched in her brows.

Harry stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her slim figure and enjoying the feel of her relaxing in his arms.

"What are you thinking about, love?" he asked.

Hermione's mind went blissfully blank as Harry's arms wrapped around her. But when he spoke her former worries returned to her.

"Have you...been having more of those nightmares?" she inquired softly.

They hadn't discussed Harry's nightmares since that first one nearly two weeks ago. Harry supposed that they both had come to a silent agreement not to bring it up and ruin their vacation.

He shook his head and hugged her closer.

"I haven't had a single one. That's a good thing, Hermione. There's no danger. It was just a fluke dream," he said.

"Nothing is fluke in the wizarding world, Harry," she said quietly. Deep down she wanted to believe him. More than anything she wanted to believe that no one had anything to worry about. Maybe he was right. But that still didn't diminish the majority of her fears.

Harry sensed this and prodded gently, asking what exactly she was worried about.

"Do you think we can pull this off? Us, being Head Boy and Girl. I mean, we're responsible for every student," she reminded him.

Harry turned her to face him.

"You doubt your abilities, Hermione? I never thought I'd see the day," he said.

"Don't tease," she pouted. "I have a right to worry."

"Then let's put this into perspective, shall we? Do you doubt my abilities?" he asked.

Hermione's eyes widened, shocked, thinking that she could never doubt such a thing.

"Exactly," Harry said, reading her thoughts. "We have the advantage here, Hermione. We have each other. Ron knows it, he said it: when we're together, no one wants to face our wrath. Likewise, we are probably two of the most approachable people in this school. People like and trust us. Well... at least they like you. I'm just in for the ride," Harry told her.

She punched him playfully in the arm.

"Don't be silly. They love you, and will always love you. You're Harry Potter. The hero. The boy who lived," she reminded him.

He shook his head in denial.

"I may be Harry Potter, 'the boy who lived.' But you're the hero, Hermione. Even Voldemort knew it. And I don't care if they love me. I only want you to love me," he told her.

Hermione gave him warm smile, the same warmth that she felt in her heart while she listened to his reassuring words.

"Thank you," she said and reached up to place a kiss on his lips.

He kept his arms wrapped about her and tilted her backwards, deepening the kiss.

She giggled into the kiss and pulled back, running a hand through his hair, the other hand clutched to his arm. And their eyes blazed as they sent the secret message of love to one another.

"We should go back to the common room," Hermione suggested. "Our friends are going to start to wonder what we're doing up here."

"Let them wonder. Heck, invite them up," he said and Hermione laughed.

"Isn't that what video cameras are for?" she teased back, and he nearly dropped her on the floor from the shock of what she had just said.

She laughed harder this time and loosened herself from his grasp.

"See you downstairs, Romeo," she called, already heading out of the room.

Harry shook his head in disbelief. He liked the fact that Hermione could loosen up, and lose that composure that labeled her as 'the brain'. If only others could see what she was really made of.

They would probably never find out, and Harry had to remind himself that if that were the case, then all the better for him. He could have her all to himself.

To Be Continued...