Belong to Nowhere

Chapter 05: The boy who draws

London

Bill and Fleur's apartment

'The Veil and the Phoenix: Death and Resurrection."

Hermione had read that same book at least three times. Her mind was working very fast. She wasn't a girl that believed in silly things such as divination or whatnot, but somehow she believed in fate. Destiny. Yes, it could sound like a paradox, but Hermione Granger believed that some things were meant to be, to happen.

That book, for example. It was like was meant to be read by her. Coincidence, perhaps. However, a very intriguing coincidence.

Hermione had learned all her life that people couldn't bring the dead back to live. It was something impossible. No magic could do that. And even if it was possible, the consequences would be severe.

However, Sirius wasn't really dead. Well, not in the very strict definition of death: his soul hadn't left his body...

He had been thrown behind the veil. Somehow, he was alive.

In another dimension, limbo, whatever...he was alive, and Hermione knew how to bring him back.

Bring him back to them.

To Harry.

Her Harry.

For Harry, she would do anything.

Anything.

Instinctively, she put her hand on her belly. She sighed. And thought.

She thought about Nagini. She thought about what had happened. Harry was so angry when he found out...

She tried to talk to him but like always, he blamed himself.

What he couldn't understand was why she had done such a thing. Why?

To tell the truth, she wasn't sure why either.

But it wasn't something so terrible or horrible...

She wasn't dying or anything like that.

No, she was...

...incomplete.

She shook her head, trying to vanish those thoughts. That was the past.

Hermione looked at the book once more. She had made a decision. And she would stand by that decision.

Bring Sirius back.

At some point, the book was very simple and easy to be read. It didn't have difficult and complicated words but at same time, the procedure itself was very intricate and complex.

Right, there were some requisites to fulfill the ritual. The irony in it was that the most difficult issue was the easiest...however, there's one thing that preoccupied Hermione's mind: a drawing.

A damn drawing! Hermione knew she was a smart, intelligent girl but she also knew she didn't have...well...a creative soul. She could perform any spell or brew any potion but she couldn't draw!

Of course, she could draw a little house and tree...like those drawings in the Muggle kindergarten but she couldn't draw a blue phoenix with all the details and everything that was requested for the ritual...

What could she do?

Then she thought about Dean...

Yes, Dean Thomas. He always was good with his hand. He was an artist. And better, he was a Muggleborn and lived in London.

So, it was settled. Hermione would talk to Dean. First, she left Bill's apartment and looked for a Muggle telephone...

....

She talked with Dean (of course, he was very surprised!), and told him she would meet him in his house on the next day.

She couldn't wait.

Meanwhile, in the Burrow...

Ginny Weasley was mad. Angry, indeed. She was angry with Hermione, and with herself.

How could she be so stupid?! All those months of trying to conquer Harry and slam! It all went to hell in just seconds! She shouldn't have tried to kiss him! He wasn't prepared!

But again, if it wasn't for Hermione... damn bookworm!

To him, Hermione was almost a saint.

A saint...

Ginny smiled. She knew what she had to do...

*~*~* ~*~*~* ~

London

Dean's Bedroom

"Now, Hermione, tell me, what- why are you here? I mean, you mentioned something about a drawing but-" Dean Thomas was saying, who was a little surprised with the fact that Hermione Granger was there, in his bedroom and without Harry and Ron!

Hermione smiled shyly.

"Well, Dean, as I said, briefly, I know. on the phone, I want to ask you if you would do a drawing for me. A phoenix drawing. A blue phoenix. You see, I am not very good in...well...arts."

"Okay, Hermione, I understood that. But, why? It's that I don't want to do it. It's-"

"You are curious," Hermione pointed out, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Dean nodded, looking slightly guilty.

"It's for a ritual, Dean. I'm sorry, but I can't say anything more. But I can say that isn't a dark magic ritual. Oh, that's sure!"

Dean looked at her, thinking about something and then spoke,

"It's for Po- Harry, isn't it?"

Hermione looked at him in surprised but nodded.

Maybe that was a bad idea. She knew that the relationship between Dean and Harry wouldn't ever be the same after...after Ginny.

The boy seemed to have notice Hermione's internal discussion.

"I don't have any problem with Harry," he said. "To tell you the truth, I don't blame him. He wasn't the one to be blame for Ginny. She is-"

"Dean-"

"No, Hermione, let me finished, please. I know you are her friend. But you don't know her, Hermione. You don't know her at all! You see, first, our relationship was great but then I became a little, er, concerned, about her, er, voracity..."

Hermione's eyes opened wide.

"I was like...I was her guinea pig, you see...She wanted to do things..." Dean Thomas didn't believe that he was telling THAT to Hermione Granger! But, somehow, it seemed right. "She wanted to know how to make a boy...er....crazy, if you know what I mean..."

Hermione grinned, but a sickening feeling began to settle in her stomach at the thought of her making Harry crazy.

"When she began to date Harry, I - I realized that I really was her guinea pig...She all along wanted to be prepare for...Harry." Dean laughed silently. "It's funny that things didn't go well. At least, not entirely."

"What - what do you mean?"

"Well, one night in the boys' dorm...Harry didn't know I was there..."

Hermione's face became red. She REALLY didn't want to hear about Harry doing things, especially with Ginny.

"Oh, no!" Dean added quickly. "It wasn't anything like that. He was talking with Neville...Yeah, I know, it's a little surreal but well, Harry needed to talk to someone about, er, Ginny. The sexual aspect, I mean. And he couldn't do that with you-"

"Thank god!"

Dean chucked.

"- or Ron. So-"

"Neville was the victim."

"Yep, poor Neville!" said Dean, laughing at the memory.

*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~Flashback*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~

Hogwarts

Gryffindor Tower

Sixth year Boys' dorm

"Harry, mate, I don't know if I am the right person, "Neville was saying, looking very uncomfortable.

"Neville, I need to talk to someone! I surely can't talk about this with Ron!"

"Okay, Ron is out. But, what about, er, Hermione??"

"Merlin, Nev! I would never talk with Hermione about, er, sex! Gosh! It would like as she decided to tell me how good is to snog Krum! Merlin, I pass!"

"Oh, they only snoged?" asked Neville with a smirk.

Harry's face became red, with anger and embarrassment.

"What! Of course they only snogged! What the hell do you think she is? She is a ...a lady!" he yelled indignantly.

"And Ginny... isn't?" Neville asked, slightly confused.

Harry looked at Neville in surprise. The boy had a point. To tell the truth, Ginny's attitudes had made him a little...disappointed.

"I don't know, Nev. I don't know. That's why I need to talk to someone. I really like her, Nev. I really do. I like when we kissed and- whatever. But I have to say that I became I little disappointed with her attitudes. It seems that her main goal it's to lead me to bed! I am not saying that I wouldn't like to have sex with...someone. I just think that's a little early, that's all. I mean, Ginny makes me feel things but, well, I don't know! I'm only sixteen! And we hadn't been together that long, and I dunno if she's The One...I mean, sometimes things just feel...I dunno...off, I guess. Like there's something missing."

"I'm not an expert with those things, Harry. Well, look at me! I am the clumsy Neville! But I can understand about feelings. And if you aren't feeling right about, er, shag... so don't. I think you have to talk with Ginny."

"I think you are right, Nev. Thanks a lot."

*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~End Flashback*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~

"God!" said Hermione after heard Dean's tale. "I- I can't believe it!"

"Yeah, I know. I also know that you might be wondering if this is true and why I am telling you."

"Er, yeah..."

"First, it's the truth. And why I am telling you this? To tell the truth, I don't know. I never mentioned this with anyone. Even Seamus. I think I need to let this out. But, now, back to the drawing..."

"Oh? Oh! Yes." Hermione was still a little shocked by the news. Harry was still a virgin! How cute! She couldn't help but giggle, and felt an odd relief wash over her, just knowing that Ginny hadn't been with him like that. "I understand if you..."

"No, I'll do it. However, I can't do this right now. You said you want a perfect phoenix, right? I need to make several sketches first..."

"Oh, no! I understand!"

"I can bring it to you, you know. You said you were staying here in London..."

"Oh! Yes! Could you do that? I would be so glad! Let me write the address...do you have a pen and a piece of paper?"

Dean went to his desk and took a little notebook and a black pen. Hermione was absently following him with her eyes when something caught her attention. It was a Muggle photographic at the wall. It was a photograph of a young black man. He seemed was about twenty something. Hermione had the strange sensation that she knew that man.

"Who is he, Dean?" asked Hermione taking the notebook and pen from Dean and writing down Bill's address.

"Oh, he?" said Dean taking the photographic from the wall and looking at it. "He is my dad."

Hermione was confused. That wasn't Dean's father. Well, at least not the man that brought him to King's Cross...

Dean looked at her and knew she was confused.

"That man, the man you saw with me and my mom every year it's my father too. Well, my step father."

"Oh, sorry."

"That's alright. You didn't know. And I always called Michael dad. Well, he gave me his name...You see, I don't know my real father's last name. I only know he was called Kevin. He disappeared when my mom was pregnant with me."

"Oh."

"Oh, no, it wasn't anything like that. My mom said he worked to Interpol. That's why she didn't know his last name. He was Kevin S., secret agent." Dean said with pride. "He was a muggle, right, but still a hero...Mom said that some people were looking for him. Mafia, I think. They lived in Manchester. When he found out that mom was pregnant he bought this house, here in London. He gave us some money and...disappeared. Mom said his was killed."

"Oh, Dean!" Hermione cried and hugged him.

"You are a great girl, Hermione. I just hope that Harry- and Ron- know that."

Dean and Hermione continued to talk for a few more hours until she left. Hermione had made him swear that he wouldn't tell anyone about the drawing. Especially Harry.

Hermione thought it was a nice day. She didn't know Dean very well. At least not until that day. He was quite a good guy. But she was still a little intrigued about his father. She knew that man! Well, but she would think about that later...she was too tired...

*~*~* ~*~*~* ~Meanwhile, in the Burrow*~*~* ~*~*~* ~

"Harry, my dear, I don't think..."

"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley, but I will visit Hermione tomorrow! It has been five days since she left. She needs us. I need her," he said almost in a whisper, an odd sense of urgency in his voice.

'And I will go with Harry, mom," said Ron.

"Ronald-"

"Mom, I think they should go," intervened Bill, who had just arrived. "I think they need to talk to her. They need to take off their guilt. I'll go with them, don't worry."

Reluctantly, Molly Weasley nodded. She knew that Bill was right. It was breaking her heart to see the boys like that. Especially Harry. That didn't mean Ron wasn't felling bad about Hermione, but he had Luna and Harry...Harry had no one. She knew that for sure that she, her family...Ginny...loved him, but they would never be...Hermione. Never. She never had seen a friendship like that. Never. It was something beautiful, but at some level, a little scary too. She just prayed that her own daughter would understand that.

So, it was settled. The following day, Ron and Harry would go- with Bill- to see Hermione. Of course, there was a little complaining from Ginny. She said that she was also Hermione's friend and she had the right to go too. Harry and Ron were emphatic about their answer: NO!

No, they would- need- to do that alone. After all, Luna, had understood them...why Ginny couldn't? And to tell the truth, Harry was still a little disappointed by Ginny's words (and attitudes!) on Christmas Eve. Okay, she had apologized for saying that and said she had drunk a shot of Firewhisky and wasn't thinking straightly. Harry had accepted her apologizes but still...he felt agitated by her presence.

Well, but why get annoyed by thinking about Ginny? In the next day he would see Hermione again.

Oh Merlin, he missed her.

Yes, he REALLY missed her...

*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~The Next Day*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~

Bill's apartment

Living Room

Hermione was reading a book when someone knocked on the door. Before she could asked who it was, a voice spoke,

"It's me, Hermione, Dean. I am with the- you know."

"Oh! Dean! Wait a minute!" she said and then, seconds later she opened the door.

"Hello, Hermione," Dean said smiling.

"Hello! Please come in!"

"Well, I won't make you wait," he said, taking a piece of parchment from a small bag. "Here, here is the drawing. I hope it's good."

Hermione took the parchment from him and gasped when she saw the draw.

It was....unbelievable! It was perfect!

"Er, well? Is it good?" asked Dean, a little nervous.

"Good? Good! It is perfect, Dean! You are a really artist!" she said hugging him tightly.

Dean was about to say something he heard a voice. A very angry male voice.

"Oh! How silly of me to think that you were feeling alone...that you were suffering! I can see that you are just dandy, Hermione Granger!"

It was Harry.

He, a smirking Bill and a pale Ron had just arrived.

Hermione let go of Dean and stared at Harry.

"Harry?" she managed to say.

"No, Prince Charles!" Harry replied sarcastically. "I see you are very well, Hermione."

"What are talking about, Harry?" asked Hermione totally forgetting the presence of Bill and Ron.

"I am talking about you, Hermione! You simply disappear from the Burrow! Then I-we- found out that your parents were killed and... You haven't said anything to me...or Ron!"

Hermione was about to say something but Harry ignored her and continued, "I was so preoccupied about you! Bill said you didn't want to return to the Burrow and you would be staying at his place. I didn't agree but I understood that you wanted to be alone. And then I came here and- and you are with- with him," he finished pointing a finger at Dean who cried, "Hey!"

"Shut up, Thomas!" Harry cried back.

At that point Hermione was too red with angry. She loved Harry very much but sometimes...argh! How dare he?

"How dare you, Harry? How dare you come here and say these things?! You want to know why I left the Burrow? Let me tell you! I left the Burrow because I was feeling alone! Yes, alone! I know that might sound strange, but I was feeling more alone in there than in here! There, it was like I wasn't even existed! You were only talking about Quidditch! When was the last time we talked, Harry? I mean I really talked? Can you remember?"

"But-but we talk..."

"No, Harry! I am not talking about homework or Hor-, er, the war! I am talking about life! The small things, you know! Little talk! Those things that friends usually do!"

"Hermione-"Harry tried to say but Hermione ignored him.

"I thought that sixth year had been a nightmare, but I was wrong! I began to realize that I wasn't so important to you- and Ron- as I thought. In sixth year, I was very happy when you began to date Ginny, you know. Yes, I always thought you deserved a little of happiness...I just didn't think you would become so distant. And then, this year. Dumbledore's death. Our hunting...We finally succeed in that, right? We finally destroyed the- you know- and then you could be almost normal again." Hermione took a breath and continued, "Ron began to date Luna. I have to confess that I was a little surprised but not unhappy. They make a sweet couple. And you- you didn't come back to Ginny but- what is that, Harry? A date without kisses? Who are you trying to fool?"

"Hermione, Ginny and I aren't-"

"And me, I was left behind. It was I wasn't that important anymore. I was useful until the last...was destroyed and now I am only the plain, know-it-all, Muggleborn Hermione Granger. A boring girl that didn't deserve to even goes with her friends to Hogsmeade! Oh, yes! I didn't forget that day, Harry! The day you forgot to wait for me to go with you to Hogsmeade. After all, why wait for the bookworm? You had Ginny and Ron was with Luna-"

"I already said that I am sorry for that day, Hermione," Harry said. "You said you spent that afternoon studying."

"I lied, Harry! I spent the afternoon crying! I am not only about books, Harry! And you should know that!"

"Sorry," he whispered, feeling guilt settle unpleasantly in his stomach as he remembered that day. Why didn't he wait for her, dammit? Why was he so blind to not even notice when his best friend was hurting and needed him there?

"And then my parents died." Hermione had at that moment tears in her eyes. "All I wanted was a friend's shoulder and- and- what I received? Laughs! You, Ron and Ginny laughed at me! You laughed at me and made jokes about my book! So you know why I was with that book, Harry?"

The young wizard shook his head, feeling numb and almost dreading her reason, knowing nothing he could ever say could justify his actions.

"It was the last thing my parents bought."

"Oh, Hermione! I am so sorry! So sorry!" Harry said coming closer to her and taking her in his arms, tears threatening to fall from his shame filled eyes. Tears of regret and hope for forgiveness.

Hermione didn't refused his embrace and let him hug her, loving the comforting feeling he brought out in her. She was finally receiving what she had been longing for ever since that terrible day, comfort from Harry. Harry, who was her best friend who she loved and cared for more than anyone in the world.

Harry hugged her with all the feelings he had deep in his heart. It felt so good, so right...

His hands softly stroking her hair...

Her fingers rubbing his back in slow circles...

They were so absorbed into their embrace that they didn't notice that Dean, Bill and Ron had left the room.

When he finally let go of her, Harry looked into her beautiful eyes. He never had realized how beautiful she was. Of course, he always thought she was pretty but at that moment...at that moment he felt something so incredible, so strange...

"You are beautiful, Mione," Harry whispered looking between her teary eyes and her trembling (and almost irresistible) lips that he found his eyes involuntarily drawn to.

"You don't need to lie, Harry," she said softly, hiding the blush in her cheeks by shyly looking away.

"I am not lying, Mione," he said gently touching her cheeks with his fingers, "I don't need to lie. You are beautiful. Both insider and outside. You are beautiful, Hermione Granger."

At that moment their eyes meet and everything seemed to stop. Harry didn't know what he was doing. He simply put her hand behind her neck and brought her head closed to his and...

"Oy! Harry! Hermione! Oh, you finally made up!"

Ron had just re-entered in the room.

With a deep breath, Harry let go of a very blushing Hermione. The young, dark haired wizard didn't know if he wanted to kill or kiss Ronald Weasley.

"Yes, Ron, Harry and I made up. WE are fine now."

"I am glad, Hermione," Ron said walking towards her.

"Me too," she replied and hugged him.

"I am sorry, Hermione. You know I am not very good with these things but, er, I just want you to know that, er-"he was saying as he awkwardly hugged her back.

"I know, Ronald. I know."

They talked a little more until Bill came with Dean, saying that they should go. Of course, Harry had asked Hermione to come with them but Hermione said she needed to be alone.

When they finally left, Dean followed suit and also left.

Harry and Ron never asked Hermione what Dean was doing there with her.

And she was glad for that.

*~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~

Next day

The Ministry of Magic

Aurors' department

Hermione was at the Aurors' department talking with Tonks.

"But tell me, Hermione, why do you want to talk with me that Remus- or Harry- can't know?"

Hermione nervously looked around. She knew that Tonks had cast a silence spell in the room but...Oh, for Merlin's sake she was there! She knew she needed to go on!

With a deep breath, the young brown hair witch spoke, "I will bring Sírius back."

She didn't say must, perhaps, want. No, she said will.

Tonks almost fell from her chair.

"W-What did you say," the young Auror managed to ask.

"I said that I will bring Sírius back."

"Er, Hermione- Sírius is, er-"

"Dead? No, he isn't. And you know that. He only passed the veil. He is in another, I don't know, dimension, but not dead."

Tonks knew that Hermione had a point.

"Okay, let's suppose that you are right. He is not dead. How can you bring him back? I mean, if this was easy every wizard or witch that had passed the veil would return."

"No, only can return those wizards and witches that throw the veil by accident or the innocent ones. That's the first thing. Then, there is a ritual. That's why I needed to talk with you. I need you to fulfill the ritual."

Without waiting for Tonks' reply, Hermione took from her coat a book and gave it to the Metamorphmagus.

"It's here," she said.

In silence, Tonks took the book from Hermione's hand and began to scan it.

After a few minutes, the Auror finally spoke, "Where did you find this? It's- It's amazing!"

"Bill's apartment," she said but didn't elaborate.

"Okay, for what I could see you need a familiar blood to do the potion and to be with you on the day of the resurrection. I believe you have the drawing."

"Dean Thomas made it."

"Right, and of course the other requirement is you..."

Hermione just nodded.

"Hermione, I will do this for you- for Sírius. I know I am the only one that can help you. No, okay, there are aunts Bel, er, Bellatrix and Narcissa..."

"And Draco Malfoy."

"Yep, I can't believe that git is my cousin! Merlin, what a family! But, Hermione, why are doing this?"

Hermione didn't answer, she looked down while bitted her bottom lip nervously.

"It's Harry, isn't it? You are doing this for him."

With a very weak voice, Hermione answered, "Yes, it's for Harry. Oh, Tonks! He's lost so much! He deserves to have a little happiness!"

"Hermione, do you like Harry?"

"Of course! He is my best friend!"

"No, that's not what I mean. Do you love Harry?"

Hermione closed her eyes, thinking about that almost kiss at Bill's apartment.

"No, Tonks. I don't love Harry. What I feel for Harry is bigger than love. I could die for him, Tonks. Before him- and Ron- I never had friends. I was nobody. He makes me want to live. But this isn't anything romantic. I don't want to marry him or whatever. After all, he deserves someone better than me."

Tonks looked at the young witch in surprise but didn't say anything about.

"Oh, and do you know why the last pages of the book are in blank?" the auror asked changing the subject.

"Oh, no. I don't. But I think that's nothing important."

Tonks nodded.

Hermione and Tonks continued to talk for a while. They decided that was best not to tell Harry and Remus about the ritual. After all, if something went wrong they wouldn't be disappointed. Well, the truth is, they wouldn't tell anyone. They would perform the ritual on February 1, the Imbolc. It was the day when the ancient Celtics celebrated the victory of life against the death. The ritual must have to be performing in the veil room. It was good that Tonks worked at the ministry.

About an hour later, Hermione said she needed to go. Tonks said she would walk with her to the exit.

They were in the Aurors' hall when Kingsley Shacklebolt called Tonks from his room.

"Tonks, please come here! It's quick!"

"What's up, Kingsley?"

"Hello, Miss Granger," saluted the Auror.

"Hello, Mister Shacklebolt."

"Now, Kingsley what do you want?" asked Tonks again.

"I need to give you some papers. Please come here," he said letting Hermione and Tonks entered his cubicle.

Kingsley's room was different from Tonks'. If Tonks room was clean with almost nothing on the walls, or her desk, Kingsley's room had papers and parchment everywhere. Wanted posters covered the walls and his desk had some pictures.

Hermione was absently looking at pictures at Kingsley's desk while he and Tonks talked when she saw ...she saw something. A picture. A picture of a young black man. She noted that he look like Kingsley just younger. She couldn't believe. It was Dean's dad.

"Who is this?" she blurted interrupting Tonks and Kingsley.

"What? Oh! This is my brother, Kevin," he answered with a sad smiled. "He died in the First War."

Hermione's eyes opened wide. "Kevin? Er, sorry to ask, but, er, how-"

"He was an Auror and the years before Voldemort's first fall were very dark. Very dark. A death eater killed him."

Oh, I am sorry. Er, Mister Shacklebolt- do you know if he had, er, someone?"

"You mean, a girlfriend?" asked the Auror, curious by Hermione's questions.

"Er, yes."

"Well, I knew he was seeing someone in Manchester. I never met the girl. I just knew she was a Muggle. But why do you ask?"

Hermione smiled.

"Well, Mister Shacklebolt, I think you have a nephew."

*~*~* ~

Meanwhile, in the Burrow...

"Ron told me that Dean was in Bill's with Hermione," was saying Ginny.

"What? Oh! Yes," said Harry. His thoughts were away. He couldn't take of his mind that- that moment with Hermione. He never had thought about her with feelings that were not of a friend. However...If Ron hadn't showed up...oh Merlin! What a mess!

"Well, it's seems that they decided not hide anymore," she muttered.

Those words startled Harry.

"W-What did you say?"

"Oh, nothing...nothing," Ginny answered trying to hide a smirk.

"No, Ginny! You were saying that they didn't need to hide...hide what?"

Ginny came closed him and put a hand on his cheek.

"Harry, dear, Hermione and Dean are dating."