The Aftermath

Title: The Aftermath

CHAPTER 6: Hermione's Secret

Harry was in front of Hermione's room. He just had a little chat with Remus. Somehow he felt like he should share this new-relieved feeling with someone.

He tapped at Hermione's open door, "Er Hermione, can I come in?" he asked waiting for her reply before stepping inside.

"Sure Harry, come in," she replied. She was adsorbed with one of the new books Tonks and Remus had brought for them.

"I see you're all started for the school term. We've barely spent two months of our vacation," Harry commented. He sat by Hermione's bed and he picked out a NEWT Level Potions Book.

"Actually I've been trying my very best to keep up with my studies. We've been busy for quite a while and I haven't done any advance reading yet," Hermione cooed.

"Well, I'm really sorry you have to spend too much time teaching me Occlumency," Harry said.

"Oh, don't be silly Harry. I want to help you and it isn't a bother to me at all. I mean I learned two new skills, didn't I? I can keep up with my reading anytime but you on the other hand need to learn Occlumency and fast," Hermione said.

"You've been doing a lot for me," Harry started. "I don't know how to thank you enough and I don't remember saying thanks to you for the many times you saved my life because you're very smart," he added.

"If that's your way of saying thank you I guess you're welcome," Hermione said as she put down the book she was reading to give Harry a smile.

"I know I know it isn't enough. What if I help you with elf hats?" Harry said with uncertainty. He surely didn't know how to knit hats magically more so doing it manually.

"Now, what did Remus say to you or who are you and what did you do to Harry?" Hermione said teasingly. Harry couldn't help but laugh.

"Honestly, Hermione, I really want to make it up to you and I wouldn't mind making elf hats. Dobby love them all, anyway," Harry said.

"We can't use magic and I don't feel like knitting manually but I'll keep that offer in mind. For now I'd rather read this interesting ancient Runes book," Hermione said. "It's actually a very fascinating subject."

"You seem to enjoy it a lot when you were taking your OWLS," Harry joked.

"Yah, was I frantic then," Hermione, cooed.

"I still haven't come up with a way to thank you yet," Harry sighed.

Hermione looked at him in a puzzled manner. "You shouldn't bother Harry. It's okay. You really don't need to thank me and besides I'm doing all these stuff because you're my friend," she muttered.

"If only I could help you with one thing you're not good at? Well, I can't think of anything," Harry soliloquized.

"There is one but I don't think I really want to learn it," Hermione said as she turned another page in her book.

"Of course! Why didn't I think of that?" Harry exclaimed. A wide grin flashed on his face.

"Oh I don't like that look," Hermione muttered. "What are you up to?"

"Well, you don't really like flying, do you?" Harry asked her with a mischievous grin on his face. "How would you like me to teach you?" Harry asked.

"I don't know if that's a good idea. I'm afraid of heights and I'm not good on a broom. Remember our first year? I couldn't even get the broom to follow me that easily," Hermione reasoned.

"That's exactly why I want to teach you. Well, we can go and ride Buckbeak just to give you a feel of flying again. When we go back to Hogwarts, that's when I'll teach you to ride a broom," Harry exclaimed.

The look on Hermione seemed to be assessing the offer. "Wait, what do you mean we can ride Buckbeak? Are you saying we'll go flying tonight?" Hermione almost shrieked.

"Come on it will be fun. Nothing will happen to us, trust me," Harry argued. He had this happy look on his face.

"But Dumbledore just told us to stay here in the house. It isn't safe," Hermione tried to reason.

"Is there something that you know that you haven't told me?" Harry suddenly asked.

Hermione kept quiet.

"If there isn't anything you're hiding from me then you'll ride Buckbeak with me tonight. No one will know, promise!" Harry asked.

Hermione seemed to have been for once asked a question she did not know the answer to.

"What do you say Hermione?" Harry asked again. He searched her face of any sign of uneasiness. 'If I could just read her thoughts it would be a lot easier,' he thought to himself.

"I really don't think it's a very good idea," Hermione tried to argue but to no avail.

Harry knew that she would eventually agree with him. "All right. I'll go but we won't go too far," Hermione conceded

"Okay, now we have to make sure no one is upstairs. We'll make our way up there and we can get out through the window. I think Buckbeak will enjoy this little joy ride too," Harry said musingly. He took hold of Hermione's hand. "We'll get the invisibility cloak first," he added.

Harry poked his head out of Hermione's door to check if anyone was around. After affirming that the cost was clear they made their way to Harry's room and got the cloak inside his trunk. They quietly made their way to Buckbeak's room. The Hippogriff was standing magnificently only moving its head to look around once in a while.

Hermione and Harry approached the creature and bowed their heads and waited to be acknowledged. The magnificent creature did so and they had been granted the permission to go near it. Harry went to open the large attic window.

"I don't have a good feeling about this," Hermione uttered.

"Relax, we're just going for a night ride. We'll be back before you know it," Harry said as he helped her up the Hippogriff's back. He then went up and sat behind her. He placed the cloak over their heads. "Okay, hold on Hermione. This will be just like the old days," he said and with his prodding the Hippogriff set off to the night sky.

Harry felt Hermione keep a tight grip on his right arm. "Relax Hermione, flying is like embracing freedom. Here I'll hold you," Harry said reassuringly as he placed his arm around her waist. She still took hold of the arm holding her. Harry's other arm rested at the neck of the hippogriff.

Harry realized that Hermione's eyes were shut. He couldn't stop himself from having a little laugh. But soon he came across the most beautiful sight. From up far were the well-lit streets of London. "Look Hermione the city looks amazing," Harry exclaimed.

"I don't want to look," Hermione retorted.

"Come on it's really very beautiful and it's nice up here. It isn't as scary as you think." He tried to convince her.

Hermione opened one eye then the other. She was awed by the breath-taking view of the night sky in contrast with the well-lit streets of London that she forgot all about her fright.

"See, I told you it looks amazing," Harry exclaimed.

Harry and Hermione flew around the night sky. They enjoyed the cool night air blowing against them with only the invisibility cloak warming them. Hermione eased a little and relaxed against Harry, leaning her head on his shoulder. Harry felt an unexplainable feeling like his heart just made a summersault.

"Don't you think we should get back now?" Hermione said. Her head still rested on Harry.

"We can stay here till the sun is up," Harry said.

"It's only eleven o' clock. We have to get back before anyone notice we're missing," Hermione reasoned.

"Okay, we'll head back to Grimmauld," Harry agreed and he prodded Buckbeak to head home when suddenly a cloaked figure on a broom seemed to have spotted them and was now trailing behind them.

Harry saw the cloaked figure and was thinking of trying to divert the stranger. Who ever he was.

"Hermione just stay clam. Someone is following us. I'll try to lose him. Just hold on to Buckbeak," Harry said as he let go of Hermione's waist and placed both hands on Buckbeak's neck. Hermione also held on the hippogriff.

"Do you reckon that person saw us? We still have the invisibility cloak on," Hermione said frantically.

"I don't suppose so. I hope he isn't a death eater," Harry muttered. He felt Hermione tense.

"Well, get out of this mess. I promise," Harry reassured her. She just nodded. Harry made a dive to trail off the cloaked figure but he seemed to be an expert in flying.

"Harry, stop," Hermione said.

"What, he's getting closer," Harry retorted.

"He isn't a death eater," Hermione said calmly, "but we're in so much trouble," she added.

The hooded figure got closer to them and came to a halt in front of the hippogriff to bow it's head. After the creature did the same the man took his hood off.

"Now, Harry if you'll just remove that invisibility cloak," A familiar voice said.

Harry followed as instructed, revealing himself and Hermione atop Buckbeak.

"Hermione, I thought you knew better," A redhead Weasley scolded.

"It's my fault Charlie I talked her into it. It's all my fault," Harry tried to reason.

"But I conceded. I knew that it was dangerous and I still agreed. It's my fault," Hermione argued.

Harry was about to reason but was interrupted. "Okay, you two stop it. Both of you have done something very unlikely. I believe you were given specific orders to stay in Grimmauld. Come on I'll escort the both of you back. What if something happened to you two? Put the cloak back on," Charlie lectured.

Both Harry and Hermione were surprised by his visit.

"What brings you here anyway?" Harry asked as they flew back to Grimmauld.

"I was assigned here," Charlie answered as he kept watch of their surroundings.

"You're not going to tell them, are you?" Hermione asked meekly.

"I don't know. It seems to me, you two are acting like typical teenagers but you were asked to be very careful. What if I was in fact a death eater? What would you two have done? Those rules were set for a reason. They weren't just made to spite you," Charlie said.

Charlie seemed a little different from man Harry met in his fourth year but he knew that he was probably showing his big brother side to them.

"We're really sorry. We promise, we will never do it again," Hermione said.

"Just don't tell the people at Grimmauld," Harry pleaded.

"Do you actually think that they haven't noticed the two of you missing?" Charlie said with a laugh. "You better be ready for some lectures from Moody."

Harry knew that the whole idea was his and that Hermione was being dragged along his little scheme. "Well, Hermione shouldn't get any lectures. She even tried to talk me out of it but I was too stubborn. You'll tell them that would you," Harry said.

"I don't think that would make any difference. You were both lucky nothing happened to you. Now let's go back to Grimmauld and like I said be ready for some ear cracking lectures from Moody," Charlie muttered.

Hermione gave Harry a sympathetic look. Both of them didn't talk the whole way back to Grimmauld. Harry still had his hands around her protectively.

They all arrived in the Grimmauld's attic. Remus, Moody, Bill, and Tonks were waiting for them. Moody had the worst expression on his face among the four of them.

Bill and the rest had an amused look on their faces.

"I'm very disappointed with you Miss Granger and to think both Dumbledore and I expected much from you," Moody started. Harry just started helping Hermione get down from Buckbeak's back.

"It's not her fault," Harry snapped. "I'm the one to blame. I persuaded her to come with me," he added.

"No, it's my fault. Dumbledore told me about not leaving Grimmauld no matter what and I still let Harry talk me into it. He doesn't know the danger and I do. This is my fault. I'm so sorry Harry," Hermione cried and ran off down to her room.

"Hermione, wait," Harry tried to follow her but Moody stopped him.

"Let her go," he told Harry. "Tonks go and check on the girl," Moody instructed.

"Don't worry Harry," Tonks said before leaving the room.

"Now, you know very well, how important you are in this quest against Voldemort," Moody started. "I do not need to tell you all the details because Dumbledore already told you. We are just doing this for your best interest. You and Miss Granger should at all times be protected. You did not know about the small bit, did you?" Moody asked.

"No, I didn't know I was endangering her life as much as I was doing mine," Harry admitted but he was well aware that the mere association with him brought much danger to his best friend.

"I am in no position to tell you about the case of Miss Granger but I believe Dumbledore will tell you when you get back to Hogwarts. Now I will not lecture you any further. I would only want to press on you that we are doing all we can to protect you till the moment comes that you have to face your destiny. Now your carelessness and lack of good judgment can cause both you and Miss Granger mortal danger," Moody explained.

"Now, Remus I think you should talk to Harry. I will inform Dumbledore that they have returned," Moody instructed.

Harry was awfully quiet. 'Hermione is also being protected, but why?' he thought to himself. She didn't tell me about this and she obviously doesn't want me to know.'

Moody left with Charlie and Bill, and Harry was left with Remus.

"You really are your father's son," Remus commented and he was in fact grinning at Harry.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked. He relaxed a bit but he was still worried about Hermione.

"Well, you never let a bit of adventure pass you. I don't approve of it but it surely reminded me of the time James went off to look for Sirius when he ran off from here. See, Sirius didn't go directly to the Potters. We had to go looking for him," Remus narrated.

"Where did you find Sirius?" Harry asked curiously.

"We found him waiting at the back alley of the Leaky Cauldron. James knew that's the only place Sirius would have gone to," Remus continued. "The point is Harry. When James found out that Sirius ran away from home, he found the ordeal as a new adventure. Your grandfather was very upset because he thought James was kidnapped. The Potters are one of the most prominent families in the wizarding world who is against Voldemort so it was typical for your grand dad to be all worked up with his son missing. James told your grand dad the truth and took all the blame to himself. Sirius tried to defend him because he was after all the reason why James went off. And just now even if the circumstance may differ. You acted like your father," Remus said.

"Well, it really isn't Hermione's fault. She was against the whole idea but I convinced her anyway. She shouldn't be lectured because of me," Harry reasoned.

"I understand where you're coming from Harry and believe me I do sympathize with both of you. It's just that you two are here to be safe and your actions could have cost much danger to both of you. Like Moody said it's not for any of us to say. Dumbledore will tell you when you get back to Hogwarts but for now, try to concentrate on your Occlumency. And if you really do care about Hermione try to stay out of trouble for her," Remus pressed on.

"I just hope trouble doesn't find me," Harry said before he left the room to see Hermione.

He made his way to Hermione's door. He didn't hear anymore sobbing so he assumed she was asleep and he figured he could talk to her the next day.

That whole night Harry could not sleep. His mind was clouded with too many thoughts. 'Why is Hermione in danger as I am?' he asked himself. He knew that even Ron was in danger because of their association but Dumbledore and Moody seem to have given much emphasized on Hermione's safety as well as his.

'Harry? It's me,' he heard Hermione's familiar voice.

'Where are you?' he asked.

'Sorry to bother you but I have to tell you something,' her voice said faintly.

'Where are you? I can't see you,' Harry replied to the voice in his head.

'I don't want you to get tired. I just wanted to apologize for the whole mess. Moody was right, I shouldn't have agreed. I'm sorry I can't tell you the reason why either. Dumbledore will tell you once we get back to Hogwarts. You know I hate keeping secrets from you but it's for the best,' Hermione's voice said before it faded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Harry and Hermione got themselves busy with Occlumency training and Harry was getting better at it. He concentrated on blocking Hermione's intrusions and at times he was able to tap into Hermione's thoughts.

He saw the eleven-year-old Hermione as it marched into his and Ron's compartment in the Hogwarts express.

"You're reading my thoughts," Hermione exclaimed.

"I didn't mean too," Harry said.

"It's alright. I'm impressed. When you use Occlumency sometimes you tap into your natural Legilimency skill. You really have the inborn skills," Hermione commented.

"It happened before I saw something in Snape's memory but I couldn't quite figure what it meant," Harry answered.

"We'll practice more and I think before school starts you'll be able to master both Occlumency and Legilimency," Hermione cooed.

"I wonder if we can teach Ron how to do it too?" Harry asked.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Hermione said. "Like I told you. It's only studied when necessary," she added.

"I guess you're right. I mean wouldn't it be nice if the three of us can talk in our heads," Harry suggested.

"I don't like the idea of Ron reading my thoughts not to mention the possibility of him enjoying the benefits of reading my mind instead of studying," Hermione smirked.

"Now that you'd mentioned it I think I like the idea too," Harry joked and started to laugh. Hermione started laughing a long.