Harry Potter and the Ancient Secret of War

Chapter Eleven

The Last Days of Peace

The remaining days of the week passed off happily and more importantly, without event and soon the weekend descended upon the students of Hogwarts. By the time it had, though, the sixth-years were subjected to quite rigorous counselling sessions and had already signed up for the required subjects. Harry had taken Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions ('Eww!' Ron said when he heard that, 'At least I am free from Snape's tyranny this time around.'), the subjects he would require for his Auror training. Besides, he had also enlisted for Herbology on Hermione's advice, since it would help him in his Potions work; and Care of Magical Creatures, mostly to express his support for Hagrid. Ron, on the other hand, had taken up Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. He'd said that he wouldn't mind being a Dragon trainer like Charlie, even though being a Quidditch player was still on top of the list of his priorities. Hermione, however, to no one's surprise, was taking the maximum number of classes. She had taken Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. She told Harry that all these eight classes were vital for her to become a Healer.

When he heard about the number of classes Hermione was going to take, Harry cautioned her. "Be careful." He told her. "We don't need another fiasco like third year. And don't forget about yourself...or about me." He added the last part to the sentence with a grin and a slight blush on the cheek.

Hermione looked at Harry and found herself nearly swooning at the way he was looking at her. She felt as if she would melt into a puddle right then and there. She went closer to Harry and kissed him on the lips. It was a chaste kiss but the sensations that it created were all the more breath-taking for the both of them. Hermione pulled away, making Harry feel extremely unsatisfied, and said, "I could never forget you, Harry; even of I forgot myself."

That was almost too much for Harry. He quickly pulled her closer to himself and kissed her fully on the lips hungrily. It felt so wonderful to Harry as he revelled in the rich, creamy taste of her lips. 'Just like strawberries and cream!" he thought just before Hermione, now overcoming her surprise at Harry's sudden kiss, started kissing him back. All rational thoughts fled from his mind as his blood drained towards south and Harry revelled only in the sensations of pleasure that were being created.

Harry ran his tongue along Hermione's bottom lip, seeking entry. She granted him that and their tongues clashed with each other as Harry desperately sought to examine her tonsils. His hands were now entwined in Hermione's bushy hair, while Hermione's hands were now roaming freely up and down his back. Soon though, it seemed to them only a few seconds had passed, and they had to pull up for air. But no sooner that both took the much-needed breath, than their lips met again, almost violently and they sought to explore each other in every possible way without actually having to shed any of their garments aside, off their own forms.

It had been very similar all throughout that week. They were still the best of friends, classmates who sat on the same desk, and study partners. But besides that, they felt this strange physical attraction towards each other that they hadn't experienced before, a transference of plain love from the level of friendship to that of liking and loving as more than a friend. Everyday, they stayed together in the common room, sometimes working, sometimes chatting and lazing about. They were most certainly always the last persons who stayed up in the common room up to late at night. And that culminated more than once in snog sessions that they enjoyed. (On second thoughts, who wouldn't?)

Ever since Harry had spilled the contents of his heart to his best friends, he had found great solace and some much-needed comfort. His friendship with Ron had since grown deeper and much more meaningful as they realised they were privy to one of the most well-kept and one of the most important secrets to concern the wizarding world during their time. Ron, it seemed, had finally realised that it was not he himself but Harry, who had got the wrong end of the stick throughout his entire life and that the fame and fortune he attracted was an obligation, a burden rather than being a great asset to have.

Ron was indeed, relieved that, Harry had taken the news of him being appointed Quidditch captain well and not at all like what he had expected. Of course, he had expected Harry to brood and be miserable about not being appointed himself, since that is what he believed he would himself have done in the first place. When he brought this up before Harry later, he just shrugged it off, saying, "It's alright, mate. For one, I don't think I have enough experience in strategising for Quidditch. All I can really do is just fly and catch the Snitch. For second and more importantly, you have the most extensive knowledge of Quidditch among every current student at Hogwarts and are without doubt, the best man for the job." Although Ron did not say anything, he felt gratified nonetheless.

They had both sat together a few times over the week (with Ginny, whenever her schedule coincided) and spoke extensively about the various moves and formations that could be tried out in the coming year. They also went to lengths planning new strategies for their forthcoming games. Or as Harry pointed out to Hermione later, he and Ginny were just providing inputs from their perspectives, while Ron was the one doing the actual strategizing. Tryouts were another big issue since none of the four remaining places in the team (two Chasers and two Beaters) - Ron still did not consider their Beaters from last year, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper to be good enough to merit a direct selection, especially taking their previous performances on matchdays into account - Harry and Ginny wanted to give them another chance but Ron was adamant. It was finally decided that the tryouts be held on Sunday afternoon. Ron had booked the Quidditch pitch to that effect as well.

So, all in all, it was quite a relaxing first week at Hogwarts, at least the later part for the Trio. But he knew that all would change when classes began, especially with such tough taskmasters as McGonagall and Snape.

* * * * *

It was Saturday night. Everyone was back in their respective common rooms, spending their time as they preferred to. Only two students were out and about - at least the ones that belonged to Gryffindor - one was Hermione Granger who had taken up a place in the library for the moment and the other was Harry Potter, who was going to the library itself to meet up with his girlfriend and convince her to relax and call it a night.

Harry was coming from the direction of the Entrance Hall. He would have normally walked the straight path to the library, but the Marauder's showed the tiny dot named 'Argus Filch' prowling the corridors in the same section of the castle. Not wanting to be caught roaming outside after curfew hours, Harry had taken the longer way around, using his Invisibility Cloak and the Marauder's map as insurance against any possible encounter.

Just as he entered the Entrance Hall, his attention was caught by a partially open door directly across the Hall from him. Harry vaguely remembered going to the classroom sometime the previous year. It was just that he did not remember when and what for. It seemed to him now as if an eternity spanned the gulf between that time and now.

The partially open door was casting a faint, soft light right outside on the floor. It could hardly be discerned in the light of the torches burning throughout the Hall. But years of Quidditch had honed Harry's myopic eyes to sight quicker, things unseen to the normal eye. He went closer to the door and having at last decided in his mind his own course of action, he shrug off his Invisibility Cloak and yanking the door fully open, entered the classroom.

As he entered, he remembered where he was and why he had been here the previous year, not once but many times over. This was Classroom Eleven, and he had attended Divination lessons in this classroom, for the better part of last year.

Sure enough, a figure appeared to his right and spoke to him, thus confirming his thoughts as to where he currently was.

Harry had found himself in a scene imitating a forest clearing. A centaur, Firenze, who was also a Divination teacher for those who took up the subject, stood to Harry's right and spoke to him even as Harry gazed at him, "Harry Potter," Firenze said, "It seems that the stars dictate that you must come here at this appointed hour."

Harry noticed that the ceiling reflected the night sky outside, as like the Great Hall. Stars were shining throughout, for the moon still seemed young and had not waxed to its proper brightness so as to overshadow them.

Harry nodded at Firenze and said, "Hello Firenze."

Firenze held out his hand to Harry and they shook hands.

"Indeed." Firenze said, "I see, the stars reflect the uncertainty of your mind. There is much amiss in these lands, much that needs to be banished, and much that needs to be created. The centaurs concern themselves only with the future. In the process, we ignore the present and the comings and goings in the world around us. But already it seems to me, that our quiet time in the forests is ending. Our time as a noble race, who are neutral and take no sides in the affairs of wizards, is ending. It appears to me that the time has come when we must either fight in battle or perish, or wait patiently for the Darkness to overcome us even as we die. Either way, there is no hope left for us."

"But what it Light prevails over the Dark?" Harry found himself asking.

:"Do you still harbour such a hope to that? Do you think it is still possible?" Firenze asked, fixing Harry in a piercing gaze. "The centaurs have been wrong before, Harry Potter, as I have undoubtedly told you before now. There are many forces in the universe which can alter or change the course of centuries and we centaurs know nothing of them. But already our ability to read the stars is fading. The Dark, clouds our vision, much in the same way as it happened to our master, aeons ago.

"Masters?" Harry said aloud, voicing his thoughts. It was indeed news to him, since the centaurs always proclaimed themselves as free creatures who roamed the forests willingly.

"Indeed, we are free." Firenze said. "But I meant 'masters' not in the sense of ownership but more so in the sense of learning. They taught us, they helped us learn and now they have passed away." He hung his head as if in sorrow as he said this. "We do not speak their names out of reverence, for they are sacred and holy, having reached a pinnacle that no one who came to this planet ever has reached. Yet maybe, if the stars allow, you will know more of them."

Firenze paused a moment and then resumed, "The centaurs are an ancient race, Harry Potter, even more so that humans. We have the experiences of centuries and the wisdom of millennia. Yet, it is clear now that our power wanes. Either way, irrespective of the outcome of this war, we will dwindle and then fail altogether, surely but slowly.

"Yet I do not fear that fate. What I fear is the position that we will hold when we fail. Already, I know of secret whisperings of reclaiming our rightful position in the world, reclaiming our freedom to wander freely over all the free lands. I fear treachery, and I fear for the fate of my brothers."

Harry took all this information in and then suddenly asked Firenze, "Firenze, could you teach me to See?"

Firenze considered Harry's strange request for a moment and then replied, "You cannot teach anyone to See, Harry Potter! But if you want to know, I'd just advise you to close your eyes and concentrate. You will see what it is destined for you to See. The minds of centaurs and humans work differently, Harry Potter. We are not encumbered with the prejudices of your race. Even if both you and I look at the same object, we will See different things. So, I cannot teach you to See. Goodbye now. May the stars give us the opportunity of meeting again."

Harry accepted this opportunity of breaking this meeting. He exited the room and quickly went out into the Entrance Hall. He leant against a wall and took a few deep breaths. What did Firenze try to imply? He couldn't figure out for the world of him, maybe Hermione could help. That brought him back to his original motive of wandering around the place after hours. He quickly ran all the way up to the library, covered from head to toe in his Invisibility Cloak. Just as he ran through a corridor adjacent to his destination, he didn't quite see where he was going and dashed into someone.

Harry felt himself falling to the ground now with the 'someone' on top of him. He felt his face in soft curls, that smelled like heaven to him. He knew that smell, that aroma and he knew the person to who it belonged to.

"Harry?" came Hermione's voice, "Take that invisibility cloak off right now. I can feel you but it feels weird not to be able to see you.

Harry complied and took the cloak off his head. Hermione saw Harry's head before her now suspended in nothingness.

"Hermione, could you just get off from over me, please?" Harry asked her, his head being the only part of his body that was visible. "You are kind of preventing me from getting this cloak off myself."

Hermione got up and brushed herself off, even though there was no real need to. The house elves did their work extremely well and there never was much dirt on the floor. Harry got up after her and removed the Invisibility Cloak off himself.

"By the way, what are you doing here after curfew?" Hermione asked, none too pleased, and in a matter-of-fact tone that told Harry that a scolding was coming his way. "You shouldn't be here, you know."

"Yes," Harry said, "But I just wanted to escort my girlfriend back to her common room."

"A very gallant and noble thought indeed, Mr Potter." Hermione replied, keeping her voice even, despite the fact that she was quite please. "Although I hate to point out that if you get caught, you will lose Gryffindor a load of points, and not to mention, get a month of detentions."

"Well..."Harry said. "That would apply to you too. You are out of your dorm after curfew as well."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry and said, "Honestly Harry, how many times do I have to tell you? I have received special permission from both Professor McGonagall and Madam Pince to use the library up to midnight. Madam Pince has taught me the incantation to lock the library, so that I could do so after my work is done."

Harry grinned at her. He just wanted to head her off. Of course, he remembered that she had received the permission, considering that she was without doubt, the cleverest witch to come to Hogwarts and now, had the distinction of garnering the most OWLs by anyone in Hogwarts history, on top of all that. Harry remembered all this yet he just loved to see Hermione mad. He felt that it made her look cuter and more adorable than ever. It made him feel like he wanted to snog her senseless right then and there.

Harry said to her gently, "Yes, Hermione, I know that. I just think it makes you look very cute when you are angry and it makes me want to do this to you...and this...and this."

As he said this, Harry nipped at her earlobe, kissed her cheek and then her luscious, pink lips, lips that didn't need artificial make-up to make them look lovely. He nuzzled her neck gently, hoping to evoke the response he did whenever he did that to her. Hermione nuzzled inaudibly at his actions.

But soon she regained her senses and pushed him away gently. "No Harry," she said reluctantly, and not without a mischievous glint in her cinnamon eyes. "There will be a lot of time and a safer place for that later. But it isn't now."

"Okay." Harry said, with a bow. "You would better hold on to that promise, milady. For now, I will be satisfied if you decided to take a walk with me around the lake."

"What?" Hermione asked disbelievingly. "But what if we get caught, Harry? What then? I don't think the permission extends to that."

"Don't worry." Harry said, with a self-satisfied smirk on his lips. "We'll be invisible to them. Please Hermione, please." He clasped his hands in front of his chest like a little child and pouted.

Hermione looked at him for a moment and then let out a short, lovely laugh. To Harry, it was like the music of a flowing river cascading softly down a beautiful waterfall. She told him, "All right. But I will make you pay with hell, Harry, if it gets us into any trouble."

Harry grinned at her, his emerald green eyes flickering with the joy of acceptance, however small and insignificant that acceptance was. Harry quickly covered the both of them with the Invisibility Cloak and then taking care to see that it did so properly, they made their way cautiously to the Entrance Hall. As they passed through, Harry paused for a while and stared towards the direction of Classroom Eleven. The door was now firmly shut and no light was filtering outside.

Hermione felt him stopping and whispered, "What's it, Harry?"

"Nothing." Replied Harry. "Tell you later."

They carefully opened the castle doors, enough only to let only the both of them to pass through. They squeezed through and made their way carefully across to the lake, still not revealing themselves lest someone might be watching from up in the castle. Finally, once they were safely across to the far shore of the lake, they took off the Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it into Hermione's bag (Harry carried it for her, out of courtesy for the lady, but he wasn't too sure now if he had done the right thing, seeing that the bag seemed to weigh at least twenty kilos.)

They began walking around the lake. It was quite a cold night, much too cold for September anyways. It felt more like November or late October. Above their heads, the stars were shining down upon them, casting a calm, white light that didn't quite reach the earth. The sickle moon was dangling in this sky, already leaning more towards the west. Suddenly, a single streak ran through the sky, its reflection palpable in the calm, dark waters of the lake. It was a shooting star.

"Harry, look!" Hermione squealed happily. "Make a wish quickly."

"Now, Hermione, I don't think I believe in all this stuff!" Harry protested.

"Neither do I. But it doesn't make a difference now, does it?" Hermione replied. "The worse that can happen is nothing."

With that, she closed her eyes and made her wish.

Harry, however, didn't move, his face assuming the stubbornness that could have made the Rock of Gibraltar feel proud. He remembered the last time he wished for anything; he remembered its aftermath; he needed to remember no more.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked at Harry standing beside her and looking across the water, a strange gleam palpable in his eyes. She shivered a little, partly because of the cold and partly because it was the first time she had seen this other side to Harry, something that she couldn't decipher; in a state where she could not tell what he was thinking.

Harry noticed this. He had his cloak on, but Hermione didn't. She still wore only a baggy green jumper and white trousers. Harry took off his cloak and offered it to her.

"Take this." He said to her, "It will help in keeping you warmer."

"No, Harry." Hermione protested. "It's nothing - just a bit chilly, that's all. I'll be fine."

Harry shook his head at her and slipped the cloak over her shoulders, "I couldn't afford to see my only girl falling sick now, could I, Hermione? So you'd better wear this."

Hermione accepted and then asked, "Aren't you cold already? It's too chilly for September."

Harry laced her fingers through hers and replied, "If it grows too cold, which I doubt it will, I could always use a Heating Charm on myself, couldn't I? After all, I am a wizard you know." Hermione rolled her eyes at this quip.

"Anyways," Harry continued, on a more serious note this time, "I like the cold. Better than heat or rain, any day. It makes me feel alive. I feel as if the cold searches my very soul and gropes my heart, trying to pierce me, and in the process, it tears away from me all my memories, even my identity. I begin to feel as if I am a newly born child again, taking my first breath."

Hermione held her breath. She didn't realise that Harry had so much conviction in his voice. Even as he said it, she felt the images that he described appearing before her eyes and threatening to lull her into a trance; and she haven't even looked into his eyes. And she understood what he said, why he said it.

She got up on tiptoe and softly kissed him.

"So," she said, linking her arms with his, "What did you want to tell me about?"

Harry then told her everything of what Firenze had said to him.

"What do you reckon he meant?" Harry asked her. "I can't figure anything out."

"I don't know, Harry." She replied, thoughtfully. "I really don't know. I think both of us will need to give some more thought to all this to get through to his deeper meaning, if there is any."

Harry nodded at her now and said, "Okay, now that we have got lesser matters out of the way, how about that little walk you promised me with?" With that, both of them shared a very romantic midnight walk around the lake, which was glimmering softly in the starlight, as if a velvet sheen had been placed all over it. It was a wonderful feeling indeed, it seemed to the couple, as they made their way back to the castle, an hour later, under the cover of Harry's Invisibility Cloak.

Meanwhile, unseen to either of them, a voice spoke softly out of the shadows, as he looked down upon their happy forms, "And so the healing begins!"

"Do you think we should reprimand them, Albus? They are breaking a few school rules here."

"No, Minerva." Dumbledore replied, his blue eyes lacking their twinkle and filled with sadness, "I think we should give them that allowance tonight!"

* * * * *

The next day, Quidditch tryouts were held for the vacant positions on the Gryffindor team. Harry, Ron and Ginny had sat down together with seventh-year Katie Bell (their ex-Chaser who had decided to quit the house team to have more time to prepare for the NEWTs. She wanted to be a Healer and needed the highest grades for the same. She hadn't budged from the stand even though Ron, Harry and Ginny had tried to convince her otherwise, even since she had announced her decision.)

The four of them had drawn up some detailed series of tests that would sorely put to the test, the aspirants' strength, stamina, grit, determination, agility and other essential qualities.

Once on the field, the first job on hand was to group the interested parties into the positions they vied for. Since almost half of the team was undecided, about thirty students appeared for the tryouts, all ranging from second-years to seventh-years.

The tryouts began with a race that consisted of making five laps of the Quidditch pitch clockwise and then pulling up to do an equal distance in the opposite direction. Harry, Ron and Ginny stationed themselves at appropriate points to ensure that no one could cheat; though the truth was they expected no one but the Slytherins to cheat in such a situation. It was more like they were trying to watch out for any accidents that might occur.

Even in the preliminary test, half of the candidates were eliminated. The rest of the hopefuls who qualified for the next round, were first called down to the ground for Ron to explain to them all the basic rules of Quidditch clearly. Such knowledge was indeed necessary to make them understand what they were supposed to do when they took to the air, considering especially that many among them had Muggle upbringing.

Eventually, the afternoon wore on as the hopefuls went through a series of rigorous tests, ranging from dodging Bludgers to executing certain basic moves that were asked of them. They flew with the entire team as well to see how they would get into the formation. At last, the tryouts were over and the hopefuls were told to await the results, which would be put up formally on the house notice board the same night.

As they met up in the changing rooms, Ron, Harry, Ginny, Sloper and Kirke talked their way through the list of players who had appeared. They had officially retained the latter two as Beaters, seeing that they had shown remarkable improvement over the off-season. They two Chaser positions though, were still up for grabs.

They finally decided on a fourth-year Selena Howard as the second chaser. The choice of the last chaser, though, was quite contentious with Ron wanting seventh-year Homer Butt to get the position, while Harry rooted for Euan Abercombie from second year. Finally, Ron gave in when Harry pointed out that it was their duty to leave behind a strong Quidditch team having some experience, so as to continue their legacy of winning Quidditch cups and that a young player like Euan would be an asset for them in the years to come. "And besides," Harry added. "Even if he makes a mistake, I'm sure he'll learn quickly."

Ron accepted this point of view and they quickly drew out the team sheet and then, headed off to the common room for the night.

* * * * *

The next day dawned bright and clear, a perfect day, you might say, for the students to just amble about. But ambling about was clearly the last thing on their minds. The sixth-years especially started their regular classes from that day. As Harry, Hermione and Ron went down to the Great Hall for breakfast, Professor McGonagall was handing out their schedules.

Harry saw that he had Defense Against the Dark Arts first up that day, followed by Care of Magical Creatures. The afternoon session consisted of Double Potions with the Slytherins.

"I have one more class today." Hermione said, as she looked into Harry's timetable. "Just Arithmancy before the lunch break. Guess I am full today." But she really did look happy today. Harry guessed it was from the fact that they were going to start their classes today.

"I only have two classes." Ron said cheerfully, his mouth overstuffed with food. "First two of the day - Defense Against the Dark Arts and then, Care of Magical Creatures."

So it was about fifteen minutes later that the Gryffindors found themselves gathered outside the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Soon though, the door to the classroom opened and they entered inside.

However, as soon as they entered, they regretted for spells started raining down upon them. Four of them collapsed on the ground, hit by various spells. A year worth of DA training had helped them practise spells and put them to work in a controlled environment, but they had rarely practised duelling before this. Only four stood - Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville.

Harry was crouching on the ground, Hermione beneath him. He had initially deflected the light directed at him with a 'Protego' shield and then taking hold of Hermione, had gotten her to the ground, covering her with his own body. Neville was also on the floor, beside Ron, who while going down had somehow caught Neville and had dragged him to the floor as well. All four of them now had their wands pointed in the directed from where the spells had been directed. Harry though, had a very good idea as to who was behind all this.

Sure enough, Professor Elijah Bickerstaff stood before them. He ignored the ones who had passed through unscathed, or at least un-petrified. He quietly went to those who had received his full body-bind curse and brought them back to reality by muttering the counter-curse. The ones on the floor got up and rubbing their necks, started muttering about teachers who attacked pupils for fun.

Harry got up, brushing his robes and holding out his hand for Hermione to do the same. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ron and Neville get up as well. Soon, the class was seated at their normal places, and not on the floor.

Bickerstaff had been silent till now. He opened his mouth to speak and all the murmurs in the class ceased to exist. "So, you don't seem to have got the hang of watching out for the enemy, have you? I have no doubt that you can cast spells and a multitude of them at that. But you still do not seem to have the ability to dodge your enemies. Reflexes will help (he eyed Harry and Ron at this), oh yes, they will, but more helpful is the knowledge of what the enemy is actually going to do rather than merely acting on instinct. All of you will have to learn that and I daresay you will. That's why we are here now, aren't we?"

He eyed the class in a gay sort of a manner, as if he did not really treat them as students, but more so as his equals. "Anyway, we will be dealing with all that during the course of this year, slowly maybe, but definitely in a perfect manner. For now, can any one tell me what curse I used on all of you?"

Hermione's hand shot up in the air, to no one's surprise. Bickerstaff said, "Miss Granger, yes."

"Sir, you used the Multiplicity Charm, commonly known as the Fountain Charm and merged it with the Total Body-Bind Curse."

"Indeed." Bickerstaff replied, smiling. "Ten points to Gryffindor...Now can anyone tell me its use?"

Again it was Hermione who replied. "Sir, the Fountain Charm is used to split the spell emitted by the wand into different channels, each directed in a different direction. It's often used in a one-to-many duelling scenario. However, each individual thread is less potent than the effect of the spell when used in a single channel. The potency often depends upon the magical strength and the skill of the wand who wields the wand."

"Very good, Miss Granger." Bickerstaff said as Hermione glowered. "Ten more points to Gryffindor. I think since that was such an exact and a concise definition, you would all want to write it down."

There was a flurry of activity as the sound of the scratching of quills filled the air and everyone scribbled out parchment full of notes during the course of the class. Bu the time the class ended, they had been taught the basic incantation and the wand movement for the spell.

As they made to pack their bags, Bickerstaff said, "The Multiplicity Charm is the first of many advance spells you are going to be learning. While it is the first, it is not the hardest by a long mile and I would, hence, advise you to practise the spell before our next class. A three foot long essay on the Basics of Spell Combination to be submitted to me by next Monday." And so it began and so it continued.

Even though it was their first week of classes, the sixth-years were already buried nose deep in their homework. If Ron thought that taking only four classes would exempt him from homework, he was wrong. Over the week, they were assigned two rolls of parchment on the Theory behind the Priori Incantatem spell and the reasons why it was officially classified as a charm, by Flitwick. McGonagall was her usual self, while not forgetting to add another couple of essays on top of the homework pile. It was worse for Harry with Snape assigning homework that rivalled in quantity and difficulty, the whole combination of all other subjects combined. It was the worst for Hermione, who had Arithmancy and Runes on her platter as well, but she was without doubt, doing the best among them. How could she not, considering the belligerence and diligence with which she burned the midnight oil?

Harry and Ron found themselves with their hands really full, with Quidditch practice every alternate evening, on top of all the homework. Hermione had indeed, convinced them for the moment, backing herself up with all the facts from years gone by, that it would be better for their own sakes if they did their homework regularly (although she was not quite sure how long this new-found commitment would hold up) Harry was lately putting in regular hours at night, sitting beside her and studying. But she knew that the real motivation behind all this was the snogging that they did afterwards, when everyone had retired to their dorms.

* * * * *

That Thursday was very important to Harry, so much so that he had completed all his work beforehand and told Ron that he wouldn't be turning up for Quidditch practice. It was 19^th September and it was Hermione's birthday.

Harry wanted the day to be very special for her. It would not be the first time that they spent her birthday together, but it certainly would be the first time that they were to spend it as a couple.

In the evening, as the shadows lengthened and the sun cast an orange light all across the sky as it neared the end of its journey for the day, Harry took Hermione to a secluded area near the far shore of the lake. At first, Hermione didn't know why Harry had brought her along here, but as they stood next to the required spot, she knew why.

She saw a wooded alcove there, completely indiscernible from a distance of more than a couple of feet inside the entrance.

Harry took her inside through a narrow gap in the trees and then placed a Veiling Charm on the place. The result was that there was complete darkness. Hermione could feel Harry's touch but certainly could not see him.

Suddenly, she felt the pall of darkness lift up and an orange light filtered into the small clearing. It was the light of the sun that filtered in through the trees that guarded the space. Hermione guessed that Harry had cast the one-way Veiling Charm whereby light and air from outside could enter the alcove and they could discern what was going on outside.

But at the moment what was happening outside was the last thing on her mind. Before her was one of the most breath taking sights she had even beheld and that was saying something since she had visited such beautiful countries as France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Greece over the years with her parents. That was indeed the irony of the situation. After seeing many of the wondrous sights that those countries had to offer, Hermione was simply overcome by the simplicity of the sight before her. The orange sunlight made it look as if the trees were basking in the light of a fire. The stems gleamed and the leaves shone as if they were made from gold. There was a typical coolness in the clearing and a mild breeze blew through it. How it managed to penetrate the ring of trees, Hermione could never figure out, but there was something extremely old world-ish about this place. It was as if she had stepped through the annals of time and entered a place long forgotten, long untouched, a place which hid many secrets and was privy to some of the most important events that might have occurred since time immortal.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Harry whispered in Hermione's ear, with his hands around her waist, pulling her body closer to his own with his chin reclining gently on her right shoulder.

Hermione was speechless. She merely nodded at him.

Harry flicked his wand once at the empty grassy area before them and a table appeared. It held a small chocolate cake, with three world written simply in frosty white icing - 'Happy Birthday, Hermione.' Sixteen candles flickered merrily on top and soft music began to play in the background from somewhere.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione, my love." Harry said.

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. She had never expected such a wonderful gesture, even from Harry. To think that he went to such great lengths for just wishing her a happy birthday overwhelmed her. (Although the romantic part in her hoped that there was more to come)

Harry took her hand and walked her to the table. He handed her a knife and she cut the cake. After they were done with it, Harry waved his wand again and the table cleared itself. Instead, a dining table for two appeared, laden with all kinds of delicacies - every one of the platters filled with Hermione's favourites. The light outside was already failing rapidly and as it did so, Hermione noticed that a few candles were now hovering in the air around the clearing, keeping it properly lighted.

"So, shall we eat first?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded. In truth, she was feeling ravenous. Apparently, the fact that it is your birthday did not excuse you from the rigours of classes.

Few words were spoken as they finished the wonderful dinner. There were only frequent glances and smiles on their parts. Hermione wondered if Harry done the cooking all by himself, but then she reasoned that she could not really expect so much from him. After all, he had much the same schedule as her.

"So how do you like this till now?" Harry asked nervously running his hand through his hair as he did so.

"It's been wonderful, Harry." Hermione smiled at him. "I can't believe you did all this for me." She reached across the table and covered Harry's hands with hers. "Thank you." She said, tears of joy welling up in her eyes yet again.

Really speaking, Hermione's birthdays had always been quiet family affairs. She didn't really have any friends in her pre-Hogwarts days, with who she could share the joy of celebrating her birthdays. It generally was her and her parents having a quiet celebration. At Hogwarts too, her birthdays over the last six years, were 'hectic' to say in the least - what with all the classes that had to be attended and the homework that needed to be done. Aside from a few birthday greetings from her close friends and their gifts, the days were not exactly memorable. Not that she blamed anyone; Hermione herself was so logical and rational that it was her firm belief that a birthday was just another day in the grander scheme of things.

But what Harry had done was different. It might have been only a simple gesture, but it touched Hermione's heart. It reminded her of the birthdays that she had celebrated with her parents. For her, it was another testimonial as to how much Harry loved her and cared for her.

Harry though, seemed happy and a tiny bit embarrassed, at the same time by the praise. He blushed red, trying to hide his smile. He said, "Honestly Hermione! This is nothing. Anyway, it was Dobby who made most of the arrangements. I just told him what to do."

"But it is still the thought that counts, Harry." Hermione said. "And so, thank you for what you have done for me." With that, she leaned into him and kissed him, leaving Harry to inhale the scent of chocolate cake that she had eaten mingled with her own taste. The flavour of chocolate, especially the chocolate that came from Hermione's lips aroused him greatly and he felt a wave of desire gush forth, overcoming his entire form.

He kissed her in return and they engaged in one of the lengthiest snogging sessions they ever had. Even in the midst of all that, they fell off their chairs and onto the grass with Harry on top of Hermione. But they didn't seem to notice it in the least. They continued exploring each other's passions - lips inter-locked, tongues clashing, bodies rubbing against each other and hands roaming all over.

Neither Harry nor Hermione knew how they managed to restrain themselves any further or how they finally came to their senses two hours later. It was already eleven at night by the time their bodies got exhausted; even though their hearts and souls were yearning for more.

The clearing was now lighted by the dancing light of candles. The soft light illuminated the features of Hermione's face. Harry could see her chocolate brown eyes gazing longingly at him. Come to think of it, he wasn't even sure if her eyes were brown. With each passing moment, as their passion grew, the lights flickered and flamed, they cast a different light, a different shadow on her features and her merry eyes seemed to take on a different hue, a different shade of brown.

They got up from the grass and stood before each other. Harry put his hand into his pockets and fished out the treasure he had kept from Hermione for the past month. He knew it would eventually belong to her, but he was waiting for the right moment for that to happen.

Hermione saw Harry draw a velvet covered box from his pocket. He drew it up before her and opened it. Therein lay the gift he had bought for her from Diagon Alley. It was a necklace - a simple thin gold chain with a small diamond pendant embedded in it. It was a simple necklace, nothing too extravagant, none too heavy, something that Hermione decided at once that she would like to wear for every remaining moment of her life.

Harry put the necklace around her neck and waited expectantly for her to say something.

Hermione took the pendant in her hand and said, "It's beautiful, Harry! But you really shouldn't have spent so much money."

"It's the least I could do for your birthday." Harry answered. "Anything for you, my love."

Hermione got up on tiptoe and kissed Harry even where they were standing. They broke apart after a while, to take in some much needed air. They decided that they had lingered here long enough and would come here again later. It was now time that they headed to the common room. Harry produced his Invisibility Cloak from underneath his robe and they proceeded on their way.

As they trudged along, Hermione reflected on the evening. Everything about it was so simple that she had almost feared at one point that it wasn't real. Even the birthday gift that Harry gave her was simple. Expensive, yes, but simple nonetheless. It didn't have any elaborate and large designs carved on it. It was exquisitely simple.

Somehow, Hermione felt that the evening marked an attempt to achieve something that had always eluded both Harry and her - a certain kind of simplicity in life, an opportunity to be normal, a chance to be away from the glaring focus of others, an occasion when they could share their love with each other, only each other, without others hindering the same.

It was one of the most beautiful evenings in the life of Hermione Granger. Everything about it reflected Harry's love for her. And she remembered it even until the end of her days.