Soul Pieces

Chapter 03: Tonks' House

August 1^st

Harry was smiling to himself. Finally, he was free. He didn't need to see, speak or even mention the Dursleys anymore. And he was, seventeen years old, a legal adult, sitting in a comfortable couch at Tonk's house.

"So, Harry, you didn't tell me what gifts you received for your birthday," Hermione asked.

Her voice brought him back to reality.

"Oh, well, let's me see...I got a pensieve."

"Harry!"

"Kidding, but, seriously, you, Tonks and Remus gave me a wonderful present."

"I am glad that you liked it."

"I received some groceries from Mr. And Mrs. Weasley and Ron gave me a book about seekers."

Hermione smiled.

"Hagrid gave me a wand kit and Professor McGonagall and Mad-Eye gave me a spell book collection. Feel free to read them."

"Thanks, Harry."

"And Ginny-" he stopped and breathed heavily, a sad smile appeared on his face. "Ginny gave me a pair of leather gloves. In her card, she said they were for me use this year."

"She didn't know, did she?"

He shook his head.

"And the twins gave me a really cool potion kit."

"A what?"

"A potion kit. It's a box with several bottles with potions such as Veritaserum, Felix Felices, and even a pre made Polyjuice potion. I just have to add the hair of another person in there."

"Wow, they really gave you some useful stuff," she said.

"Oh, and I almost forgot to mention wonderful pair of socks from Dobby..."

Hermione laughed silently.

"Speaking o f Dobby, you told me he and Kreacher had already cleaned the house."

"Yes, they appeared in Surrey. I sent an owl to McGonagall. Of course, I didn't mention anything 'big', but she understood. She'll meet us on August eight."

"We have to call Ron."

"I thought about that too. In fact, I already talked to him. Remus will give him the coordinates to Tonks' house."

"That's good. I miss him."

"Me too."

"Well, I think I'm going to bed now. Good night, Harry," she called out.

"Wait! I'm going with you. I don't think Remus and Tonks will notice we're gone. They are too busy...snogging. I'm pretty tired," he said.

00000000000000000000000000000000

Harry thought that living with Hermione would be easy. How wrong he was. She wasn't a bad campaigner. She really was the best person to live with. Specially that the most part of the time they spent their time alone in the house. They only talked with Remus and Tonks at breakfast and dinner.

The problem was Hermione. Well, not her...her body. It was too bloody perfect for Harry's own good.

Harry began to feel increasingly uncomfortable around her. He couldn't understand it. One morning he saw her coming out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. That was a scene that he had already seen at the Burrow, but at that moment, he felt a strange tug in his stomach. He was hot and cold at same time... a strange feeling, indeed! He had to run to his room to...to...well, er, relieve himself. How embarrassing! And things became worse. Apparently, she seemed to have forgotten what pants were. She was only wearing dresses and skirts that showed her creamy legs.

If, during the day, the young wizard could manage to restrain himself from embarrassing situations, at night, in bed, in his dreams, things were very different. That wasn't the only night that he didn't have strange and sweaty dreams about his best female friend.

Oh, Merlin, help me. I'm here with her for 14 days! This can't continue. What about when we move to Grimmauld Place? It's wonderful that Remus and Tonks invited us to live there with them and give us private lessons, but Ron will be there soon too. OH. MY. GOD. What will I say if something embarrassing happened in front of him? 'Sorry, mate, but our best friend, the girl you fancy, makes me feel very excited. Oh, and by the way, I have wet dreams about her too...'

It was good that Ron didn't notice anything unusual between his two friends when they were with Professor McGonagall. The meeting went pretty well; Harry wasn't really surprise when she told them she already knew they wouldn't come back to Hogwarts.

"Albus (his portrait) told me that you three would be going on a kind of mission. He said that I should give you permission to use the library and with anything else that you may need. I agreed but I only ask you to tell me first and if you must something after the curfew, the other students can't know."

Harry was pretty curious about Grimmauld Place. Professor McGonagall said that the place was safe. If it were up to him, they would have moved in already but Hermione and Ron thought it would be better to do this after Bill's wedding.

Oh, Merlin. The wedding! I almost forgot. I'll see Ginny there...how will I act around her? I know what I NEED to say and I know she'll be really hurt when she realizes that Hermione and Ron and I will not be going back to Hogwarts... oh... I still have time to think.

Now, I must sleep. Ron will be here tomorrow. I just hope don't dream this time.

But he dreamed.

00000

The next day

A very tall and redheaded young man sat in the living room with his two best friends eating his FIFTH piece of cake.

"Ron! Haven't you eaten enough?" cried an exasperated Hermione.

"Come on, Hermy!"

She gave him a murderous look.

"NEVER. CALL. ME. HERMY!"

Ron gulped in fear.

"Sorry."

Harry watched his two friends. Always bickering, he thought. Of course, he could sense a little tension between those two. He couldn't blame them. After all, they had kissed each other and if wasn't because of him, and Voldemort, they probably would be together. Harry shook his head to vanish his thoughts.

"Well guys, when you're finished, we can talk about Godric's Hollow. I want to go there before we start figuring out about the Horcruxes. I don't know why, but I think I want some kind of blessing," Harry said.

Hermione gave him a small smile and Ron gave a little tap on his shoulder.

"We understand, mate."

"Harry? You said that your apparition test would be on August twenty five, right?" Hermione asked.

"I couldn't believe your dad arranged that for me. I know I might have to wait," Harry said to Ron.

"Yes, Neville and Macmillan will do the test next year. My dad told Scrimgeour that you would need to have the license, some kind of 'national security'. But you know, you'll only receive the license..."

"September third, I know."

"That brings me to my question, Harry. What do you say we go to Godric's Hollow after you get your license? I know you want to go before the wedding but wouldn't it be wise if we go there when you can apparate? Legally, I mean," Hermione said.

"You're right. I want to go there before the wedding but...well, I guess afterward is as good a time as any."

"Mate, er, do you know where is Godric's Hollow?"

Laughing, Harry answered his friend.

"Yes, Ron, I know where it is. Don't worry, it's in Wales. Remus told me it's a very small village. It's located in an island called Holy Island."

Hermione opened her eyes wide in shock and a big smile crossed her face.

"I'll be right back," she almost yelled.

"What was that about?" asked a very confused Ron.

"I don't know, Ron. I really don't know."

Minutes later, Hermione was back. She had brought a map of Great Britain and, of course, Hogwarts, a History. The boys promptly rolled their eyes at her.

Ignoring them, Hermione opened the map and pointed to the little place where the names 'Holy Island', 'Holyhead' and 'South Stack Valley' could be read.

"Godric's Hollow isn't ..."

"Well, Ron, like Harry said, it's a very small village. But that's not the point. Do you know what the name 'HELGA' means?"

The boys shook their heads.

Hermione didn't answer instead she opened her book.

'Sorting Hat's Song - 1994'

"Hermione-"

"Ron, read only THIS... Sweet Hufflepuff, from Valley broad."

Harry and Ron looked at her. She had a triumphant smile.

"And, my dear friends, Helga is a word from the old German language. It means HOLY."