When Harry woke up the next morning, he put on his glasses and found Hermione's bed empty and Ron still fast asleep in his bed. Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the door of the Hospital's bathroom opened and Hermione walked out in naught but a towel. She blushed cutely when she saw Harry awake.
"Madam Pomfrey is down at breakfast," she said, "She'll bring us back something to eat when she returns. A house elf set clothes out for you. How I never knew they were here until fourth year last time is beyond me."
Harry laughed and noticed the stack of folded clothes on the bedside table. He stood, collected his clothes then walked over to Hermione. He leaned toward her and kissed her softly. She chuckled against his lips and returned the kiss. When she backed away, she looked at Ron.
"Still asleep," she said.
"When I get out of the shower, he should be awake," Harry said, "We can put on a show in front of him and watch our so-called friendship self-destruct."
"Sounds good to me," Hermione said, then grinned so her teeth were showing; her front teeth were normal again, "Notice anything different?"
"Nope," Harry said, "You're as beautiful as you always were."
"Good answer, Lord Potter," Hermione said, grinning..
Harry smiled and pecked her on the lips again, then made his way into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, he walked out clean and dressed in new clothes. Madam Pomfrey was standing near a wide-awake Ron, waving her wand over him.
"Ah, Potter," she said when she saw him, as he walked over to his bed, "You're looking healthy. Breakfast is on your bed. Eat it all then you and Miss Granger may leave. It is a Hogsmeade weekend if you would like to go. The staff is allowing students to go today and tomorrow, even though today is a Friday."
"What about me?" Ron asked.
"I'm afraid you'll be in here until the night of the Leaving Feast," Madam Pomfrey said.
As Ron groaned loudly, Harry looked at Hermione, who winked at him. Harry grinned. It seems his suggestion to Confound the nurse into making Ron stay in the Hospital Wing worked quite well.
"Don't you dare try to get out of that bed, Mr. Weasley," Madam Pomfrey said as she walked away from his bedside. "You might injure yourself again. Oh, and I guess I should mention. Professor Lupin resigned from his post today. I expect he is leaving in the next couple of hours if you wish to say goodbye."
"We sure will," Hermione said.
Madam Pomfrey smiled and returned to her office. Hermione walked over to Harry's bed and sat next to him.
"How are you?" she asked.
"Didn't you hear Pomfrey?" Ron asked, "He's fine. I am the one she's kidnapping for the last week of term. Come and comfort me."
"I'm fine here," Hermione said.
She winked at Harry. Then she leaned toward him and kissed him.
"What the bloody hell are you doing?" Ron asked.
Hermione grinned against Harry's lips then backed away and turned to Ron.
"Kissing my boyfriend," Hermione said, "Suppose I failed to mention that. We became a couple last night."
"You had to do it again, didn't you, Potter?" Ron asked. "Took something I wanted just cause you're the bloody Boy-Who-Lived."
Harry glanced at Hermione and she nodded. She stood up, flourished her wand toward the door of Pomfrey's office and vocally applied a Muffliato Charm to it. Harry stood and the two of them walked over to Ron's bed. Ron had the decency to look slightly frightened as they towered over him.
"You're pathetic, Ron," Harry said.
"That's rich of you," Ron muttered.
"You have the greatest thing in the world," Harry said, "Something I wanted all my life."
"Oh yeah?" Ron asked, "What's that?"
"A Mother, a father, siblings," Harry said, "A loving family. Someone to tuck me in at bed at night, someone who will read me bedtime stories. A family who I could spend Christmas with. You know why I don't have that? Cause I'm the bloody fucking Boy-Who-Lived."
Ron winced at the unexpected swearing and tone in Harry's voice.
"You fucking celebrate Halloween and wonder why I don't like the holiday," Harry said. "Aside from the fact that something bad always happens to me on Halloween, I also lost my parents on Halloween. Every year Halloween comes is another year without my parents. You know what wizards and witches did the day my parents died? Celebrated. Voldemort defeated by a baby who is now our hero. Woo fucking hoo. Who mourned my parents, Ron? Who remembered them every Halloween aside from a few close friends?"
"You're off your rocker," Ron said. 'I celebrate the holiday cause of the fun, good food and candy. I was one-and-a-half when your parents were killed, you expect me to mourn them for something that happened over a decade ago?"
"He hoped you would respect his feelings," Hermione said.
"I'm not finished," Harry said. "You call me a mate, then insult me every time you whinge about me having something you don't. Money, good looks, good eating habits, brains, Quidditch skills. Yes that is all something I have that you do not." Hermione laughed at the obvious insult. Ron's face turned a purple tinge. "I'd give it all up in a flash to have my parents. I didn't add Hermione as my girlfriend to that list, because I would never give her up as long as she wants me."
"I'll want him as long as I live, Ron," Hermione said. "Even longer. You simply want me so you have something Harry doesn't. You just seem to constantly forget you do have something he longs for. Why else would you want me? You don't fancy me. Our visits to Hogsmeade were never dates. I wanted to go with Harry. Besides, you ignored me half the time. I bet you went with me, so you could boast around that you and I went on a date. I certainly heard the rumors. But how could I ever want you? You start fights with me thinking you can scare me away to the point where I don't want to be friends with Harry anymore."
Ron's eyes widened.
"Thought I didn't know that?" Hermione asked. "Here are a few other things I know about. When you first met Harry, you claimed everywhere else on the train was full. That was a lie. You just needed an excuse to sit with Harry."
"I think your brothers would have let you sit with them if you couldn't have found somewhere to go," Harry said.
"Ah, but that would have screwed up his schemes," Hermione said, still looking at Ron, "How many Galleons have you made spying on Harry over the past three years?"
"I – er – I -" Ron stammered, then cleared his throat, "She's mental, Harry! She's trying to split us up. We're best mates, aren't we?"
"I used to think so – now I'm not so sure anymore," Harry said. "Though I must ask why you're telling him we know his secrets, Hermione."
"Oh, he won't be able to tell anyone," Hermione said, "He'll know we know, he just won't be able to talk about it. Wouldn't want Dumbledore discovering we caught his spy."
Ron stammered again.
"Would you have passed first year if Dumbledore hadn't fixed your grades for you, Ron?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, now that is a little harsh, Hermione," Harry said, "Even Crabbe and Goyle were able to pass first year and even Malfoy admits they can't read. Come to think it, Lucius Malfoy must bribe someone to pass the trolls so they can remain his brat's bodyguards."
"Alright, maybe not first year, but surely second and this year?" Hermione asked, "You don't study, you don't read – not even sure you can read. Your homework would get Troll grades every time if I hadn't helped you. If I were to charm you to keep from blabbing secrets to Dumbledore, would you be destined to drop out by the end of next term?"
Ron's scared look was the only answer they needed.
"Maybe I'll save Dumbledore the trouble and make it so you don't return next year," Hermione suggested, "How about I turn you in to the DMLE for being an accomplice to attempted murder, given that I would never have gotten attacked by the troll if Dumbledore hadn't Imperiused me. It was you who insulted me which started the events."
"I saved you!" Ron said, "It was my Charm that did it. And what do I get in thanks? Accusations! She's mental, Harry! I said it the night we met her and I say it now."
"How about molesting me when I was Petrified?" Hermione asked.
"What?" Harry growled, gripping his wand tightly.
"How the bloody hell –?" Ron said; then his eyes widened as he realized he had basically admitted to doing it.
"Didn't think I knew that, eh Ron?" Hermione said, then looked at Harry, ''He stuck his hand up my shirt whenever he visited me whilst I was in here. And maybe down my pants as well."
Harry snarled in Ron's direction. A curse was on his lips. It would only be too easy. Panicked, Ron reached for his wand, but Hermione summoned it with her own. She clutched it in both fists.
"I could snap it you know," Hermione said, "I could probably permanently bind your magic too if I tried hard enough. They might give me an Order of Merlin for ridding rubbish like you from wizarding society. Or maybe I'll just claim it for myself."
"You wouldn't dare," Ron said, "They would throw you in Azkaban for stealing a wand from a pureblood."
"That belief makes you no better than a Death Eater," Harry said. "I suppose you think she has magic because she stole it from a pureblood too?"
"Can you prove she didn't?" Ron asked, "She wants to steal my wand!"
"I summoned it so you wouldn't curse me, you moron!" Hermione exclaimed.
She threw Ron's wand onto a bed on the other side of the room.
"Does it look like I am trying to steal it?" she asked.
"You threatened to take it from me," Ron said, "That is wand theft."
"Wand theft?," Hermione asked, "So if you claimed my wand, would you regard it as theft?"
"I'm a pureblood," Ron said, "I'd like to see you formally accuse me of doing it. Hell, doing any of the rubbish you are spewing. No one is going to believe a -"
"A what?" Hermione interrupted, "A Mudblood? Say it, Weasley! I know that is all you think of me. A Mudblood bitch that would bow to you, the superior pureblood."
Ron spluttered as his face turned a mixture of purple and green.
"I can't deal with your bigoted, jealous stupidity anymore," Hermione said.
She pointed her wand at Ron. Once again, he had the decency to look afraid.
"Imperio," she said, then as Ron's eyes went cloudy, she continued. "Ronald Weasley, you will not speak of this conversation to anyone. If you attempt to do so – or if you attempt to spy on Hermione Granger or Harry Potter and blab to anyone about what you heard about us – your tongue will temporarily roll up and you will have bad flatulence until you cease in attempting to blab. You will not speak to Hermione Granger or Harry Potter unless they speak to you first, and you will do your best to ignore them. This will go on as long as Hermione Granger or Harry Potter says so."
Hermione waved her wand again, then after a moment, lowered it and Ron's eyes returned to normal.
"Consider our friendship – if we ever had one – terminated," Hermione said.
"Same goes for me," Harry said.
"Good luck with surviving next term since you can't reveal our secrets to Dumbledore," Hermione said, "I'd just drop out right now if I were you. Come on, Harry, we have better things to do then hang about with this bastard."
The pair turned and left the Hospital Wing.
"I like how you worded that," Harry said, as they headed down the corridor. "Even if someone figured it out, nobody aside from us could cancel it out. I ask you though... flatulence?"
"Embarrassing for Ron," Hermione said, "and more than likely when it happens around us, we'll know. Everyone else will avoid him too. And if anyone tries to blame us? No one would believe we're capable of using such Dark magic."
"Note to self," Harry said, "Learn Air Freshening Charm."
"I'll teach it to you," Hermione said. "It was quite useful in the tent during the Horcrux hunt."
"I think I have been insulted," Harry said.
"I used it around him, not you," Hermione said, "At least you took daily showers. He wore the same underwear for days on end."
"Well, hopefully he changes them whenever your Curse strikes him," Harry said, "By the way, I owe him a beat down for touching you inappropriately."
"After me," Hermione said. "I want to do to him what I did to the older version. Two kicks to the bollocks."
Harry winced. "Remind me never to upset you."
Hermione looked scandalized. "I would never do that to you. I need them healthy in the future!"
Harry stammered and blushed furiously. Hermione giggled and kissed him on the cheek.
"What was that spell you did after the Imperius?" Harry asked.
"A specialty I found in the Black Library at Grimmauld Place," Hermione said, "He'll remember the conversation but it can't be viewed through a Pensieve or Legilimency. It could cause dangerous side-effects similar to Obliviation, so I dare not use it on us. We'll simply stick to Occlumency."
"Either way it was brilliant," Harry said.
"Thanks," Hermione said. "Now that we're thoroughly shot of Ron, we can concentrate on other important things. Come on. Let's go talk to Remus, then we can write the letters we planned on last night."
Harry agreed. Five minutes later, they were at the door of Remus' office. Harry knocked on it. They heard Remus' muffled voice, and Harry opened the door and led Hermione into the office. Remus' back was turned as he was packing up suitcases.
"Good morning, Harry, Hermione," Remus said, as he turned toward them; he motioned to the parchment known as the Marauder's Map, "I saw you coming. Speaking of... I think I'll give it back to you. As I am not your Professor anymore, I feel no guilt in giving it back. Also... this. I brought it back for you"
He revealed the Invisibility Cloak. Harry crossed the room and took the Map and Cloak.
"Thanks," Harry said, "We heard you were leaving. Madam Pomfrey told us. That you resigned."
"I think the loss of the Order of Merlin hit Professor Snape hard," Remus said, "So he — er — accidentally let slip that I am a werewolf this morning at breakfast. This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving from parents. they will not want a werewolf teaching their children Harry. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten any of you. That must never happen again."
"We need to speak to you," Harry said, "But privacy and secrecy is required. Would you do the honors, Hermione?"
"Muffliato!" Hermione said, pointing her wand toward the office door.
Remus raised his eyebrows. "Where did you learn that Charm?"
"A book," Hermione said, "Why?"
"It was Lily's creation," Remus said, sighing wistfully.
"Mum's?" Harry asked, "Would you believe us if we told you we got it out of a book once owned by Snape?"
"Severus and Lily were friends until a big fight our fifth year," Remus said, "I am sure they shared several things like that."
"Were they close?" Harry asked, remembering watching the Pensieve scene of the fight.
"Lily reckoned that Snape loved her," Remus said.
"That explains his Patronus," Hermione said.
"And his hatred for me," Harry said, "I am the proof of her love for my father."
Remus laughed. "The evening after you were born, me, him and Sirius had a few celebratory drinks. James said you were the proof he shagged Lily Evans."
Harry laughed then cleared his throat.
"Remus," he said, "We – Hermione and I – believe you were outed for another reason aside from what happened last night. We think Dumbledore is responsible for it. We believe he doesn't want Sirius to be free. If you were to tell anyone about Sirius' innocence, they may not believe you because of what you are."
"Why would you say that?" Remus asked.
"We need to tell you something," Harry said, "We – Hermione and I – we freed Sirius. Dumbledore wanted us to use Hermione's Time Turner to save Buckbeak and Sirius. He wanted us to go back five hours or so. We went back twelve."
Then he and Hermione told Remus about their visit to Gringotts. About his parents' Will.
"The Dursleys were never supposed to raise me," Harry said, "Dumbledore was a witness to the Will. He knew about it, and yet he sent me there Also, Remus... Sirius and my parents did a Godfather Ritual."
Remus' eyes widened. "I knew nothing about the Will or the Ritual."
"Maybe you did," Hermione said, "and someone Obliviated you so you wouldn't know about Sirius' innocence."
"But who would –?" Remus asked, then paled worse than he already looked, "... Dumbledore?"
"We think so," Harry said. "Remus, we told Sirius to stay in Great Britain. We're going to speak to Amelia Bones soon enough and ask her to meet with us. We'll tell her about what happened last night, as well as the Godfather Ritual."
"I think Amelia may believe you," Remus said, "She'll be thrilled. She and Sirius were Betrothed and were planning to marry after the Great War ended. But he went to Azkaban..."
Harry's eyes widened. "I'm betrothed to her niece, Susan. And two other girls. Daphne Greengrass and Luna Lovegood."
Remus laughed. "I recall James hinting about doing that. He wanted to ensure the continuance of his father's Alliance. How do you feel about that?"
"Unsure," Harry said, "I'm actually taken at the moment."
"You two?" Remus asked. "I didn't know."
"It happened last night," Hermione said, "After the events."
"How does Ron feel about that?" Remus asked.
"Er... yesterday during our time traveling, we discovered some revelations," Harry said. "Let's just say he and Pettigrew have a lot in common, except he sold himself to Dumbledore instead of Voldemort. We confronted him about it today, and he more or less admitted he was spying on us in turn for money and good grades. Our friendship, if there ever was one, is over."
"Oh, I see," Remus said, "Well, it seems you had an eventful couple of days."
"You could say that," Hermione said.
"Remus, when you leave," Harry said, "Please find Sirius. Make sure he's safe."
"I intended to do that very thing," Remus said.
"Good," Harry said, "He needs to be in touch in case Amelia gets him a trial."
"I will make sure he is healthy and presentable," Remus said. "For now, we say goodbye. I know we will see each other again soon."
"Count on it," Harry said; then offered his hand.
Remus shook it. "Your father would be very proud of you. And your mother would love your choice in women. A genius, feisty, adventurous Muggleborn just like her."
Harry smiled and turned to Hermione, who was blushing and smiling. They said their farewells and left the office, then headed toward the Grand Staircase, hand-in hand.
"Do you reckon we should have told him our – er – big secret?" Harry asked.
"Wasn't the right time," Hermione said, "I agree we should tell him – and Sirius. But we need to do it at a time where we can sit down and take our time."
"Alright," Harry agreed.
When they reached the Grand Staircase, they heard a voice calling their names. Susan Bones was coming up the stairs.
"I was about to search for you at the Gryffindor Tower," she said. "Glad I caught you. Have you received post today? Maybe from my Auntie, Amelia Bones?"
"We spent the night in the Hospital Wing – long story," Harry added, when he saw the curious and worried expression on Susan's face, "Madam Pomfrey didn't give us post."
"Then I expect it is in your dormitory," Susan said, "She wrote me today, and said she wrote to you as well. She – ah – wants to meet you tomorrow at noon in the Three Broomsticks. She wants to talk about – ah – well, maybe you don't know yet since you haven't got your post."
"The Betrothal Contracts?" Harry said, "Found out about those yesterday. Also a long story."
"I-I see," Susan stammered, "So you know about it then. I wasn't sure. I saw you two holding hands, and... well -"
"We're a new couple," Hermione said, "And I have no real issues at the moment about the Contracts."
"Wait... Contracts?" Susan asked, "As in plural? More than one?"
"I am also betrothed to Daphne Greengrass and Luna Lovegood," Harry said.
Susan's eyes widened. "Fellow Children of the Alliance. I see. Your father wanted to strengthen the Alliance through you and unions with three of the Children."
"Probably," Harry said. "Well, this is a coincidence. I was going to write to your Aunt and the other families to suggest future meetings with them. I will answer my acceptance when I return to my dorm."
"Brilliant," Susan said, "So... I'll see you later then."
She smiled as blush dominated her cheeks and she turned and headed back down the stairs."
"That went well," Hermione said.
"If you say so," Harry said.
Hand-in-hand, the couple headed up the stairs. When they reached the Common Room, neither remembered the password, but a few older students stepped out as they arrived, so they were able to move past and into the Common Room. It was fairly empty except for a few first and second years.
"Harry!" Colin Creevey said, from a table where he sat playing chess with Ginny Weasley, "Hey, Harry! You're holding Hermione's hand. Is she your girlfriend, Harry?"
Harry glanced at Ginny whose head spun so fast toward him and Hermione, she must have hurt her neck. She frowned and looked quite sad at seeing the pair holding hands.
"Yes, she is," Harry said, "No pictures please."
"Where is Ron?" Ginny asked.
"In the Hospital Wing with a broken leg," Hermione said, "Long story. He'll be there till the night of the Leaving Feast. He's no longer our friend because he's too stupid to get over his petty jealousy that we're a couple. I hope others don't make the same mistake."
Ginny nodded once and returned to her chess match. Harry thought Hermione did quite well with giving that warning to Ginny – if she wanted to be their friend, she'd have to support them.
"Go see if you have any post," Hermione instructed Harry, "Then get some writing material and come back down."
Harry nodded and Hermione kissed his cheek. He grinned and made his way up the stairs. When he arrived in his dormitory, he found two envelopes on his pillow. He picked them up then moved to his trunk and opened it. He took out writing material, and placed his Map and Cloak in the trunk. He then returned downstairs and found Hermione sitting at a table. She was cuddling her cat Crookshanks and cooing at him.
"Crookshanks," Hermione said, "Harry is my boyfriend. Can you be a gentleman around him?"
Crookshanks looked at Harry as he sat down. He mewled softly, moved to a vacant chair and curled up to sleep.
"I think he approves," Hermione said, giggling.
"Nice to know one ginger does," Harry said, as he glanced at Ginny who was now ignoring him and Hermione; he cast a Muffliato Charm around the table, "I have two letters. I think one is from Gringotts and the other is from Madam Bones."
He opened up the plain envelope and looked at the letter.
"From Amelia," he said, "Basically says what Susan said it would."
"We can ask McGonagall at lunch for permission to meet with her," Hermione said, "Since you don't have permission to go to Hogsmeade, unless you reveal Emancipation this early.'
"Not yet," Harry said, "Can you make a convincing copy of your time turner by lunch? I'd like to also discuss our class changes with her."
"Actually I thought of a much better plan," Hermione said.
She told him her plan and he laughed out loud.
"Brilliant," Harry said, "I think it will work."
He opened up the Gringotts envelope and two letters poured out.
"This letter congratulates me on my three Betrothals," Harry said, "And this... yes!"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Ragnok and his team found the Goblet overnight and removed the curse from it," Harry said. "Cup is whole and untainted."
"Excellent," Hermione said.
Bloody hell!" Harry said, "the Potter Family Vault is apparently in the same area as Lestrange's Vault."
"Near the dragon?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Harry said, "Oh, there is more. Ragnok and the crew who is harvesting the Basilisk will be here Sunday afternoon."
"Alright," Hermione said.
"I'm going to write a letter to Ragnok and thank him for finding the cup and removing the curse so quickly. Then I will write to my betrothed's families."
"I'll write to Mum and Daddy," Hermione said, "And ask them if you can stay with us for a couple weeks at the start of summer."
"'Kay," Harry said, "Hedwig can take all the letters at once."
As Harry and Hermione wrote their letters, Fred and George entered the Common Room and walked over to them.
"Hey Gred, Forge," Harry said.
"Did you do something to Ron?" Fred asked.
"Huh?" Harry asked, "Oh you mean his leg. Long story. Very boring, long story."
"Nah, not the busted leg," George said.
"We're wondering if one of you hexed him." Fred said.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Because he's quite odorous," Fred said.
"Gassy in the – well, something that rhymes with gassy," George said.
"Letting off big ones," Fred said.
"Pomfrey is threatening to place him in a giant bubble," George said.
"And he is also having trouble talking," Fred said.
"So," George said, "We wanted to know who hexed him."
"AND CONGRATULATE THEM!" Fred and George said.
"Passing the torch to new pranksters," Fred said.
"Just got to find them," George said.
"AND CONGRATULATE THEM!" Fred and George said again.
Fred and George walked away. Hermione and Harry looked at each other.
And burst out laughing.