What If… Harry Potter

“Harry!” Ginny gasped when she woke up and saw a very green looking Harry Potter sitting next to her. “I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it! Tom made me and...”

“It's... all right.” Harry said as sweat rolled down his forehead and the basilisk poison flooded his body. “You're going to be... okay now. Ron's waiting for you... just outside the chamber door...” He managed to say before things started to go dark and he fell back onto the stone floor.

“HARRY!” Ginny yelled as a phoenix landed on Harry's wounded arm. “Please! Do something!”

The phoenix turned its head and cried to let some of its healing tears dropped onto the wound. The only problem was that unlike the poison, the tears weren't injected into Harry's body and only healed the surface wound and only a bit of the tears managed to get into his bloodstream.

*

Harry woke up in a white space and he blinked his eyes. He was just in the Chamber of Secrets and he was confused about what was going on.

“Boy, you really messed up this time.” A male voice said and Harry sat up to look, only to see a generic man wearing a basic suit. “Hey, don't look so surprised.”

“Who are you?” Harry asked.

“Oh, please. You know who I am.” The man said with a knowing smile. “Think about what you were just doing and take two guesses.”

Harry didn't need two guesses and sighed. He opened his mouth to speak and heard a whimpering cry instead.

“Just ignore that. I'll be taking it with me when I send you back.”

“Huh?” Harry asked eloquently.

“Only one soul needs to pass on when someone dies.” The man said and walked over to the withered little being that was huddled under what looked like a bench. “I've been waiting for more of this thing to come to me and I didn't expect to get two of them, one right after another.”

Harry caught his breath when he realized what that meant.

“Yes, the diary.” The man said and picked up the little being almost lovingly. He waved a hand and something like a train car appeared nearby.

To Harry's surprise, the man let the being drop and punted it across the distance and it thumped into the inside of the train car. For some reason, he felt laughter bubble up inside of himself.

“Go ahead and laugh, Harry. That was pretty funny, wasn't it?” The man smiled. “We both know what that thing was, so there's no need to feel bad about it.”

Harry let the laugh out that he was holding and the man walked over to give him a hand up. “Thanks.”

“No, thank you.” The man said and seemed to straighten Harry's robes. “You've given me two pieces of the thing that I've been waiting years for.”

Harry didn't have to ask about what he meant.

“Yes, there's more. You know there is.” The man said.

Harry's mind replayed the cloud of smoke with Voldemort's face on it after he had killed Quirrell last year, so he nodded in understanding. “What can I do to help?”

The man looked surprised for a moment, then he chuckled. “You really are a Griffindor, aren't you?”

Harry shrugged. “I guess.”

The man laughed and gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze. “You're a bit young to go looking for more pieces, so for now, just live your life.”

Harry frowned slightly. “It's not much of a life.”

The man let out a snort and then laughed loudly. “All right, you got me there. Your life kind of sucks.”

Harry sighed. “Yeah.”

“Then you know what you have to do, don't you?” The man asked and Harry looked confused. “Tell the truth.”

“About what?” Harry asked.

“About anything you want.” The man said. “Once any of it gets out, your life is going to change.”

Harry had a contemplative look on his face as he thought about it.

“I know you hate your fame because of how you got it. The cost was too high.” The man commented.

Harry nodded in agreement.

“Well, you can use it now, because you understand what it means to get that fame.”

Harry gave him an odd look. “But, won't I be worse than...”

“No, because you know what that fame cost you.” The man said. “Most just accept it and move on, using it to their advantage and don't care how they became famous. You on the other hand, accept that bad things happened to make you famous.”

Harry let out a sigh and took a deep breath. “It's not worth it.”

The man barked a laugh. “You see, my friend? You really do understand! People plead and beg for fame and they never understand that it's never worth it. The hassle by fans is grating on the nerves, isn't it?”

Harry couldn't help but nod in agreement once more.

“Then do the smart thing and use the fame you've earned and not the fame that was thrust upon you.” The man said and gripped Harry's shoulder tightly. “Let them see you for who you are and not for what they think you are.”

Harry made the decision then to do what the man suggested. He was going to let everyone know what he had done, which would let people judge him for his actions and not for the circumstances of his birth.

“I can feel your resolve, so I think it's time you went back.” The man said and the grip on Harry's shoulder became painful and his arm throbbed in response. “Make sure you ask that phoenix for a vial of tears and drink it all.”

“Wh-what?” Harry asked as he started to fade.

“You don't want to stay green, do you?” The man asked with a laugh. “Goodbye, my friend!”

*

Harry sucked in a deep breath and opened his eyes.

“HARRY!” Ginny cried and Harry felt her tackle him. He grunted and felt pain all over. He didn't know if it was from the fight or falling onto the stone floor.

“F-Fawkes.” Harry breathed out and the Phoenix hopped over to him. “Need... vial of... tears.”

“I have one!” Ginny said and dug out an empty vial from her pocket. The phoenix cried into the vial and after a few minutes, filled it.

“Thanks... Fawkes.” Harry said and tipped the vial into his mouth. He swallowed and then closed his eyes. He was exhausted and knew that the tears wouldn't work immediately, despite being a powerful healing ingredient. The basilisk poison was all through his body and it would take time for the phoenix tears to work.

“No, don't go to sleep again!” Ginny said loudly. “I... I don't want to be alone.”

“S-okay... I'm here... just tired.” Harry lied and then everything went black once more.

*

Ginny had gone and told Ron about the situation and then went back to lay down with her head resting on Harry's chest. She stayed there for nearly an hour before Harry stirred again. She didn't tell him that his heart hadn't been beating the first time he had fallen unconscious and she was going to keep that secret.

She was sure that no one would want to know that Harry had actually died while trying to save her. He was famous enough without having people know that he had done that, too. Her eyes looked at his face and she was glad that his skin no longer had that green tint to it.

“Hi, Gin.” Harry said and pat her back to get her to move before he sat up. “I hope I didn't sleep too long.”

“About an hour I think.” Ginny said and stood up. “We should go and get Ron. I told him you were sleeping and...”

“Okay.” Harry said and stood up. He felt lighter and couldn't stop the smile on his face.

“Harry, are you okay?” Ginny asked, concerned.

“Never better.” Harry said and picked up the Sword of Griffindor, the sorting hat, his wand, and the wrecked diary before he looked at Fawkes. “Do you want to take these or come with us?”

The phoenix let out a happy cry and fluttered its wings briefly to land on Harry's shoulder.

Harry took Ginny's hand, to her surprise and delight, and led her out of the chamber. He shut the door and took her through the tunnels to the collapsed section. “Hey, there!”

“Harry!” Ron said through the small space that he had made. “I think you can get through now.”

“I'm going to move more rocks, just in case.” Harry said and let Ginny's hand go to use his wand. After a dozen Wingardium Leviosa spells, a much wider opening was there and they easily crawled through.

“You've never done that so easily before.” Ron commented when they reached the other side.

“I know! It's great!” Harry said and took Ginny's hand again. “Come on. We need to get back up that slide.”

“How are we doing that, mate?” Ron asked.

Fawkes let out a shrill cry and they all felt reassured. They went to the spot and Ginny took Ron's hand and he took Gilderoy Lockhart's hand, then Fawkes took flight while holding onto Harry's shoulder.

“It's like we're flying!” Gilderoy said, happily.

Ginny giggled at him and then they were at the top of the pipe and inside the bathroom. Harry closed the entrance and led them out of the bathroom and to the headmaster's office. He was sure that whoever was in charge would be there and his instincts were right. The gargoyle opened without a password, probably because of Fawkes being on Harry's shoulder, and they went inside to see several people were there.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, and Lucius Malfoy were shocked to see Harry and those with him.

“RON! GINNY!” Mrs. Weasley yelled and took the both of them into tight hugs. “Oh, I'm so glad you're okay!”

“Thanks to me.” Harry said and everyone turned to look at him. Some with surprise still on their faces and one had a scowl. That one was on Snape's face, as usual.

“Don't be so arrogant, Potter!” Snape snarled.

“I just killed a thousand year old basilisk.” Harry said and Molly let out a shriek of fear and nearly squished her children.

“That's... not possible.” Lucius said, hesitantly. “Even a fully grown wizard couldn't...”

“I did it with this.” Harry said and held up the Sword of Griffindor, to everyone's shock. Even the paintings on the walls were silent at his declaration.

“May I see that, Harry?” Albus asked and held a hand out for it.

“Careful of the blade. It has basilisk venom and blood on it.” Harry said and held it out, handle first.

No one missed the fact that he was holding it by the blade.

Albus put the blade on his desk and used his wand to cast several spells on it. “Yes, Harry is right. The sword has been imbued with basilisk venom.”

Gasps and grunts were heard from the people in the office.

“Please tell us what happened.” Albus said and took a seat behind his desk.

Harry looked at Lucius Malfoy and then back at the headmaster.

“Lucius is on the school board and I can't remove him from the office without using force.” Albus said.

“Why would you use force? You could just politely ask him to leave.” Harry said with a smile.

Once again, everyone was surprised by his words.

“Can I sit down? I'm still tired after my nap.” Harry said and Albus nodded at the chair in front of his desk. Harry put the sorting hat on the desk with the ruined diary and sat down. “You all might want to sit down for this.”

Chairs appeared and everyone sat as Harry recalled the tale. Harry ignored the snorts of derision from both Snape and Malfoy and told them everything that had happened. He wasn't surprised that they were having a hard time believing it.

“It's true.” Ginny said from her mother's lap. “He rescued me after fighting the basilisk.”

“Obviously it was only a normal sized snake.” Snape said, dismissively.

“It's about sixty feet long, assuming the stones in the floor are the same size as the ones in the halls.” Harry said and that surprised them all. “I've cleaned the floors enough during Snape's detentions to know how big the squares are.”

“Professor Snape, Harry.” Albus corrected and Harry just shrugged.

“You make him scrub the floors?!?” Molly gasped, clearly outraged.

“Harry, I must implore you to not speak of this to anyone.” Albus said, ignoring Molly's outburst. “I am also keeping the sword here in the office. It is too dangerous to leave unguarded.”

“That's okay. I can call it whenever I need it, apparently.” Harry said and didn't comment about the first part of the headmaster's plea. He had it from a much higher authority that he needed to tell the truth. There was no way that he was going to defy the man he had met. No one in their right might would defy the embodiment of Death.

They all looked surprised at Harry's declaration, except for Albus. He knew it was true and smiled.

“Very well. You can go back to the dorms and...” Albus started to say.

“They are going to the hospital wing and getting checked out!” Molly declared and stood. “After what they went through...”

“Now, Molly. I'm sure that Harry only needs rest and...”

“He can get that in the hospital wing.” Minerva said, adding her support to Molly. She wasn't going to let any of her lions be left unattended medically.

Albus looked at both women's stern faces and held in his sigh. “The hospital wing, then.”

Molly ushered her two children ahead of her and out of the office.

“Well, then. Since this crisis has been resolved I shall take my leave.” Lucius said and turned away with a swish of his cloak. “Come along, Dobby.”

Harry blinked when he saw the elf. Why did he bring Dobby with him? He asked himself, then his eyes landed on the ruined diary. He was going to steal the evidence. His mind whirled and then he came up with a plan as Lucius and Snape left the office. “Excuse me, headmaster.”

“Yes, Harry?”

“Can I borrow that for a few minutes?” Harry asked and nodded at the diary.

Albus nodded and then had a twinkle in his eye as he watched Harry remove a sock and tucked it into the ruined pages. He knew exactly what the boy had in mind and heartily approved of rescuing the abused elf.

*

“Oh, my god! It's really a basilisk!” Hermione gasped when she woke up.

“Shh, easy now.” Madam Pomfrey said and pat Hermione's arm. “The mandrake potion fixed you right up.”

Hermione looked around the hospital and saw several other students were relaxing in their beds. “How many...”

“It's all right. They are all fine now. You'll need a few nutrition potions from not eating for several weeks and a numbing potion to ease the stiffness you're going to feel in your joints from not moving for so long.” The healer said. “You'll be out of here tomorrow morning.”

Hermione nodded and laid back on her pillow. She wondered what had happened while she was petrified and then she realized that her hands were empty. She looked around and saw the mirror she used on the table beside her and didn't see the piece of paper with the basilisk information on it.

I wonder if it was Harry that found it? Hermione asked herself and drank the two potions that the healer handed her. She felt tired and went to sleep after that.

Hermione woke up the next morning and was released from the hospital after drinking two more potions. She ran all the way to the Great Hall and stopped at the doors as her eyes searched. She caught sight of the one she was looking for at the same time as his eyes found hers. She darted down the length of the table as he stood and she took him into one of her patented hugs that nearly squeezed the air out of him.

“I heard the rumors as I ran here.” Hermione said, her face flushed. “You did it!”

“You were the one that figured it out.” Harry said and grinned at her as he hugged her back.

Hermione couldn't stop the smile on her face and wouldn't admit that it might be because Harry hadn't let her go. “Now you need to tell me why everyone knows!”

Harry had to laugh at her desire to know right away. “I told them, of course.”

“He told the whole world!” Ron said and held out a newspaper. “We saved you a copy.”

“Thanks!” Hermione said and felt a little sad when she had to let Harry go to take the paper. “Exclusive Interview with Harry Potter?” She asked and plopped down to dive into the article.

“She's going to be busy for a bit.” Ron said and sat back down to keep eating breakfast.

“No doubt.” Harry said and sat beside Hermione. He gave her a plate of food and she ate it without even looking at it.

The three friends sat in silence as she read the newspaper. When she was done, Hermione lifted her head to stare at Harry. Her mouth moved as if she was speaking, only nothing was coming out.

“Breathe, Hermione.” Harry said in a joking manner. “In, out, in, out. There you go.”

Ron laughed into his pumpkin juice and wiped at his mouth.

“Harry, you... you really told them everything.”

“Yeah.” Harry said and looked around. Hermione did as well and she saw that a lot of the other students were looking right at Harry. The expressions were a mix of awe, surprise, and contemplation.

“When did you do this?” Hermione asked and tucked the paper into her robes. She was definitely keeping it to add to her collection of important events of the wizarding world.

“The weekend after the chamber.” Harry said. “I'm not sure why Madam Bones agreed so quickly to have a reporter at my interview...”

“Wait, isn't she the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, and boy was she pissed that there was a class five magical creature at the school and petrifying the students... and no one in authority told her that the students were in danger.” Harry turned to look at the Hufflepuff table and gave a girl there a little wave. “Thankfully, she had an inside contact that arranged a meeting for me.”

“Susan Bones.” Hermione said with a calculating look.

“Yeah, Amelia Bones is her aunt. She wasn't happy that all mail concerning petrifications and hurt students was being rerouted to a room at the school.”

“No way!” Hermione gasped. “I thought that was illegal to check other people's mail!”

“Not in the wizarding world.” Harry said with a shrug. “It's just frowned upon, especially if you keep whatever was sent.”

Hermione's eyes squinted. “What aren't you telling me?”

“Harry had two mail redirect wards on him.” Ron added at the perfect time.

“He WHAT?!?” Hermione shouted and a bunch of people around them looked at them. “Maybe we should take this somewhere more private.”

“No.” Harry said, his voice stern, which surprised Hermione. “No more hiding things and no more lies.”

Hermione knew then that something bad had happened if he was that adamant about things. “Okay.”

“One was by that house elf that was taking Harry's mail over the summer. The other...” Ron looked up at the head table. “...was by Headmaster Dumbledore.”

“No!” Hermione gasped. She really needed to curb that kind of reaction.

“Twelve years of no mail.” Harry said and his hands became fists. “People thanking me, sending me gifts, asking for my help...” He shook his head. “Most of them are from students here.”

Hermione took in a sharp breath. She now knew why a lot of people didn't approach him when he arrived at the school, despite being famous. They all thought that he had ignored their mail.

“I've been going through it all.” Harry said and turned his fist over to open his hand to show her that his fingers were stained with ink. “Writing all those apology letters and thank you notes has me drinking pain relief potions every two days.”

“You've been doing it all yourself?” Hermione asked and her eyes locked onto Ron's embarrassed face.

“It's all right, Hermione. I have help.” Harry said and smiled. “I'll introduce you after breakfast.”

Hermione nodded and soon the three of them finished eating.

“Come on. It's pretty far.” Harry said as he took her hand, to Hermione's shock and secret delight. She hadn't held a boy's hand before and it felt oddly nice, even if he was just a friend. She didn't mind that it was the hand that was stained with ink, either. She wasn't sure of why she didn't mind, however. She liked keeping her hands clean.

Hermione went along with Harry through the little used parts of the castle and they stopped at a small door. It was about half the size of a normal classroom door and Harry opened it.

“Welcome to Harry's Fan Mail Central.” Harry joked. “Hey, Dobby! Any new cursed letters?”

“No, Master Harry Potter, sir.” Dobby said as his head popped up out of a huge pile of letters. “Yous got lots of new fans that likes you killed the big bad snakey, though!”

Harry laughed. “Dobby, this is my best friend, Hermione. Hermione, this is the elf I freed from the Malfoys, Dobby.”

“Hi, Dobby.” Hermione said and waved.

Dobby waved back and knocked aside half of the pile of letters he was in. “Oopsie! I cleans that up right now.”

Hermione watched as he stepped out of the pile and then he snapped his fingers. The pile reformed where it was and the little elf clapped his hands to lift the pile up.

“I's be putting these with the unsorted, Master Harry, sir.” Dobby said and walked over to a much bigger pile. He added it to the top that seemed to be a shelf marked with the year.

“As you can see, it's taking a while.” Harry said. “Thankfully, the headmaster only redirected things and didn't steal anything.”

Hermione sighed. “Harry, you can't hold the headmaster responsible for...”

“He sent me to the Dursleys.” Harry said and Hermione sucked in a sharp breath.

“Oh, Harry.” Hermione said and stepped close to hug him.

“Yeah.” Harry whispered and hugged her back.

Hermione saw several large brown wrapped packages off to the side. “What are those?”

“Basilisk parts.” Harry said and Hermione seemed to choke. “It's all right. They've been cleaned and protected. You won't be hurt handling them, even if they weren't wrapped a few times and inside sealed containers.”

“That's a relief.” Hermione sighed. “What are you doing with them?”

“Making a fortune.” Harry said with a smile. “Did you know that basilisks are extremely rare and that a thousand year old one is in very high demand?”

Hermione stared at him with her mouth slightly open. She had no idea what to say.

“It was Dobby's idea.” Harry said and waved at the elf, who had opened another letter and was now adding it to a stack that was marked 'thank you note'. Dobby stopped with his hand on the next envelope and waved back enthusiastically, even though he was only about twenty feet away.

“I really don't know what to say.” Hermione whispered.

Harry had to smile at her being speechless. “Come on, give me a hand with the parcels. Dobby already checked them for spells and traps.”

“T-traps?” Hermione asked, a little scared.

“You'd be surprised at how many people just wanted to say that they hurt the boy-who-lived.” Harry said with a shrug. “If you find a letter inside, leave it with whatever the parcel has in it. I need to keep track of what goes with what. When we get to ten, we'll stop and I'll decide what to do with them.”

“All right.” Hermione said and they got to work. “What do you do with things you don't want to keep?”

“I put them in a big pile.” Harry said and opened a parcel. “When I get through everything, I'll see about giving them to someone that needs them.”

Hermione's heart fluttered at the suggestion. He's not going to sell them. He's going to pass them on to the needy!

It took her a couple of minutes to get her heart back under control and she opened the next parcel. It was a tiny stuffed dragon and the letter was written in crayon. She read it and she couldn't stop her tears.

“H-Harry, you... you need to look at this.” Hermione said and showed it to him.

“It's a stuffed dragon!” Harry said and picked it up. “I've always wanted one!”

“Read the note.” Hermione prompted and he did.

“Dobby! I need my writing table!” Harry said and there was a popping sound. He strode over to the desk that wasn't there before and he sat down with the note and the stuffed toy. It took him ten minutes before he was done writing and he stared at the stuffed toy, then he nodded and folded up the new letter. He stuffed it into an envelope and turned to Dobby.

“Right away, Master Harry, sir.” Dobby said as he took the letter and then popped away.

“Where did he go?” Hermione asked.

“Express delivery.” Harry said and carefully put the note and the dragon back into the box it came from. “That young girl is getting my response immediately. It couldn't wait for the normal owl service.”

Hermione nodded and her heart started to flutter again. She wasn't sure why she was feeling so flustered around Harry. It wasn't like showing her how much he cared was something new for her. She knew he cared for her, especially after the matron at the hospital wing had told her that Harry had visited her every day that she had been petrified.

“What are you thinking about?” Harry asked and looked into her eyes with concern.

Hermione didn't know what had come over her in that moment. Whatever it was, it made her do something crazy, because she leaned forward and planted a firm kiss right on Harry's lips. Harry stared at her with a shocked look on his face while Hermione blushed so deeply that she almost felt faint.

“S-sorry!” Hermione said and turned to run. She was so embarrassed! That was her first kiss, too!

Harry automatically caught her arm, quite easily in fact, because he had so much practice catching a Snitch. He turned her back to look at him and the shocked look he had started fading away.

“Hermone...” Harry started to say.

“Harry, I...” Hermione interrupted and then couldn't look into his eyes.

“I like you, too.” Harry said and her head snapped up and her eyes met his. “I should have told you last year; but, I'm a mess and I didn't know what I was feeling, to be honest.”

“Harry, you... do you really...”

“Yes.” Harry said and hugged her. “I like you.” He said and then kissed her.

It was only his second kiss, so there was no magic lip locking or massive snogging session. It was just two young people with their lips pressed together for a few seconds. When he broke the kiss, Hermione was the one that looked shocked this time.

“Yous be needing more practises!” Dobby said from behind them.

“EEEK!” Hermione squealed and both she and Harry jumped several inches from fright.

“Dobby!” Harry nearly shouted.

“Dobby was back long ago. You didn't notice 'cause you two making eyes at each others.”

Hermione blushed and hid her face in her hands as she tried to walk away. “I need to go!”

“Hermione, please stay.” Harry said and she stopped trying to leave.

“I'm so embarrassed!” Hermione lamented and then she felt a hand on hers. She let her hands be moved from covering her face and she barely managed to look into Harry's eyes. Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed something that she hadn't before. “You're not wearing your glasses!”

Harry chuckled. “It took you long enough.”

“I didn't notice because I don't usually see the glasses when I look at you.” Hermione let out a huff. “I never stare at your scar, either.”

“What scar?” Harry asked with a lopsided grin.

“Your scar. You know, the famous one that...” Hermione's voice trailed off as her eyes went to his forehead and there was nothing there. “H-Harry... what...”

“Let me tell you first hand what happened afterwards.” Harry said and then did just that.

Hermione was shocked when she found out that Harry had spent close to a week in the hospital wing right beside her as his various medical problems were dealt with. Old broken bones were the biggest ones, which had all been healed within two days, since there were so many and he needed multiple doses of Skele-gro.

“How did I not notice?” Hermione asked herself in a whisper.

“You just answered that question.” Harry said and hugged her close again. “You only saw me and nothing else.”

“But, I should have. I don't understand how I could miss something so obvious.”

“Well, it's not like I told you that anything was wrong, did I?” Harry asked and she shook her head. “Then why would you look for anything wrong if I never mentioned it?”

Hermione sighed and leaned against him. “You can't keep accepting the blame for everything.”

Harry shrugged. “I'm working on it.”

Hermione let out a soft laugh. “Work harder.”

“I plan to.” Harry said and kissed her cheek. “Do you want to help me?”

“Always.” Hermione said and turned to look at him, then she leaned forward and gave him another brief kiss.

The two let each other out of the hugs they were in and got back to work. Occasionally, they would lift their heads from opening the packages and would exchange a look that made the both of them blush a little.

It was definitely the start of something special for the both of them.

*

A month after Harry's interview, someone proved that the blood wards on the house at Privet Drive were insufficient. They only protected the people within from malicious intent from outside and not the house itself. It was quite vulnerable to attack, as long as you didn't mean for the occupants to be harmed, which was easily achieved by waiting for said occupants to go out for the day.

Vernon and Petunia were quite surprised when they came home to find a smouldering wreck that used to be a house.

“You need to come with us.” A deep male voice said and they turned to see a tall black man dressed in an African outfit. “It's not safe here anymore.”

“You're one of them, aren't you? Aren't YOU?” Vernon blustered.

Kinglsey Shacklebolt silenced the man before he started ranting and waved at their car. “Shall we go before someone you don't want to see shows up to harm you?”

Vernon and Petunia knew exactly who he was talking about and they climbed back into their car to go wherever the black man told them to go.

*

“I don't have to go back there.” Harry said as he read the report on the fire at his aunt and uncle's place.

Amelia looked at the young man across the desk. “Did you hope that this would happen?”

“Huh?” Harry looked up at her stern face. “No. I didn't even give them a second thought, actually. I just wanted everyone to know that those stories and books about me were complete lies. I didn't grow up in a castle or had perfect guardians to take care of me.”

“Harry.” Amelia said with a sigh.

“They are horrible people and hate anything that's not normal.” Harry said. “Did you know that I thought my name was 'Freak' until I went to school and found out that my name was actually Harry?”

Amelia bent slightly and put her head in her hands. “You're not making this easy for me.”

“I'm sorry that I'm not sorry.” Harry said and closed the folder to put it on the desk. “I only wish I had thought to set the place on fire myself. Maybe someone would have believed me years ago about what was going on in that house.”

Amelia let out a low groan at the truth in his words. At least he was no longer a suspect. “Do you have any idea who else would so this?”

Harry almost laughed at her. “I'd say about half of the wizarding world and probably a third of the neighbourhood where the house used to be.”

Amelia sighed and nodded. “I thought as much.”

Harry decided to help her. “If you want my advice, just chalk it up to a random attack on muggles and no one in the wizarding world will care. I'll even make a statement saying so.”

Amelia couldn't stop her eyes widening at that. “Harry, do you know what that could do?”

“Honestly, probably nothing.” Harry said, which surprised her. “Are you seeing any riots after my interview? Is anyone storming the Ministry to demand that the people in charge be brought to justice?”

Amelia knew what he was saying. “Harry, I'm sorry. If I'd known...”

“I know.” Harry said and cut her off. “I'm friends with Susan and she told me how hard it is for you.”

“That girl.” Amelia shook her head and had to smile. “All right, get out of here.”

Harry nodded and stood, then handed over a letter. “I'm sorry that this couldn't be delivered when it was requested.”

“What is this?” Amelia asked and looked at it.

“Something that shouldn't have needed to be sent.” Harry said cryptically and left the office.

Amelia stared at the closed door of her office for a moment, then opened the letter in her hand to see two sheets of parchment. One was aged and one was new and crisp. Her hands shook slightly as she read the aged one.

To my second hero, Harry!
Thank you so much for getting rid of that bad man!
He killed my parents and my uncles and cousins. There's only my aunt and me left.
My aunt has been so sad because we lost everything and I want to cheer her up!
If you could send her a letter to let her know that you were happy to help and would do it again, I would be really really really grateful!
I love her as much as my mum and I tell her every day that I love her and she's my hero!
I don't think she believes me, so if you tell her that, I'm sure she has to believe it!
Her name's Amelia and she's an Auror!
All my love,
Susan Bones

Amelia had tears in her eyes and wiped them away before she carefully put the aged parchment aside to read the new sheet.

Dear Amelia,
Your niece is a sweet girl and deserves all of the love that she can get in this world. I feel horrible that things like what happened to her and to you, have been all too common during the war. I'm happy that what little I actually contributed to the war effort managed to bring it to an end and I'm sorry that it came just a little too late for you and your family.
I'm also happy to let you know that I have been doing my part to keep evil at bay and even fought Voldemort's soul fragment that had possessed Professor Quirrell. Unfortunately, it escaped. That isn't the only soul piece, however. I destroyed one when I stabbed Tom Marvolo Riddle's diary with a basilisk fang and then shortly after, sent another soul piece to the afterlife. I won't go into the specifics in a letter, however.
I'm telling you this, just so you know that I am continuing the fight against the darkness in the world and will continue to do so. I am on your side and will do all that I can to make sure that Tom doesn't have much longer left in this world, no matter how long it takes for me to search for the remaining soul pieces.
By the way, your niece loves you very much and would do anything for you to know that, even by writing to someone she has never met to get them to convince you. So, here it is, me telling you that a little girl sees you as a hero as much as she sees me as one. That has to mean something special, doesn't it? If I'm the boy-who-lived, I guess that makes you the aunt-who-lived in her eyes.
I sincerely hope all the best for you and Susan.
With all respect and a bit of fear from a little girl's wrath for not sending this sooner,
Harry Potter
P.S. Yes, I showed her both letters and I still have the bruises to prove it.

Amelia let out a laugh at that last line and she knew that Susan had probably punched that poor boy several times for embarrassing her and then hugged him just as tightly. She put the new parchment under the older one and sat back in her chair as she thought about everything that Harry had told her. She knew that he was giving her some vital information and she worked her brain over to try and see if she could figure out how to use it.

Amelia smiled and picked up a fresh piece of parchment to write a letter. She had someone that could investigate under the table and she was sure that he would enjoy getting back out into the field for something this important.

Alastor Moody is going to freak out about Voldemort having pieces of soul floating around! Amelia thought with a grin and kept writing.

*

It had been a funny first meeting between Harry and the old ex-auror a month later, because Moody was gruff and straightforward, while Harry was calm and straightforward. The old man hadn't expected for Harry to tell him everything right off the bat, that was for sure. They had struck up an odd friendship immediately and began their adventure to rid the world of Voldemort, once and for all.

With Hermione and Susan's help, with a pretty Auror named Nymphadora 'You better call me Tonks' Tonks occasionally showing up to officially provide cover on Amelia's behalf, their search was both fruitful and satisfying.

It took another year before Harry managed to finally convince Albus Dumbledore to come clean about the horcruxes. It was only for Harry's personal enjoyment, though. Both Harry and Alastor Moody had already tracked down everything and used some basilisk venom to destroy them. They had even tracked the escaped shade of Voldemort to Albania and managed to catch him before he could successfully possess a local wizard.

The shade was inside a very large snake that was apparently named Nagini. Unfortunately, they had to kill the crazed thing, which ended Voldemort forever. It did nothing for all of his followers, however. It would take the now legendary team to take them all down. Some went quietly and some caused chaos before they were taken down hard. If there was one thing that Harry had learned over the years, it was that you did what you had to do, to end the threat before it ended you.

*

During Harry's fourth school year, the Tri-Wizard Tournament was held and Moody had been hired as a professor. Despite the odds and the rules against such things, Harry was entered and his name came out as the Hogwarts Champion. Unlike what everyone expected, Harry admitted that he had entered his name on purpose and that it was easy. A lot of the students didn't like that he said that and started to berate him for it.

“Please don't ask him how he did it.” Hermione said to stop everyone from bombarding Harry with questions when he came back from the meeting with the teachers. “He's releasing a statement in the morning's paper.”

“He already sent it in, didn't he?” Someone asked and she nodded.

“So, do you think they'll let it stand?” Susan asked Harry.

“They have to.” Harry said with a smile. “My name did come out of the goblet, fair and square.”

“No matter how it got in there?” Susan asked and elbowed his side.

Harry laughed. “Come to the common room and I'll tell you which method I actually ended up using.”

Susan nodded and she, Harry, and Hermione left the Great Hall.

*

“Why didn't we think of that?” Fred asked at breakfast the next morning as he read the large list of different methods to bypass the protections that were around the Goblet of Fire.

“You were too busy trying to be clever about it.” Harry said and pointed to the beards that the twins still wore. “Sometimes a simple solution is the best way to go.”

“You've been spending way too much time with Moody.” Hermione said and ate some toast.

“Says the girl that helps us look up combat spells.” Susan said and sat down beside her. “Morning.”

“Morning.” Harry said and nodded to her before taking another bite of scrambled eggs. “What's on the agenda for today?”

“Relaxing.” Susan said and picked up several pancakes to add to her plate. “Moody's orders.”

“Well, damn. That means we're getting ambushed.” Harry said and Hermione let out a snort of amusement. “What? He always does it.”

“I know. I'm just remembering the last time it happened.” Hermione said with a smirk.

“Hey, it's not my fault that the last spell I learned was the teeth cleaning one and shot him with it!” Harry defended himself while Susan and the Weasley twins laughed.

“So, you finally admitted that you're a cheat, Potter.” Draco Malfoy said as he stalked over.

Harry's hand had his wand in it and it pointed right at Draco's face without Harry even turning his head. “Take another step Malfoy and you're going to be tasting something interesting.”

“You wouldn't dare. My father...”

“...isn't here to take the hit for you.” Harry said and turned to face the annoying boy. His wand hand hadn't moved away from Malfoy's face. “So, make your choice. Keep acting like the Griffindors that you love so much, or go back to the snake pit and hide like the little ferret that you are.”

Malfoy reached for his wand and took a step forward, so Harry shot the spell at him. Malfoy's mouth suddenly filled with the worst tasting soap suds and it foamed out as he tried to cast a spell. It garbled his words and no spell was cast.

“Potter!” Snape's voice cut across the people laughing at Draco's struggle to remove the soap from his mouth.

“Your student was going to interfere with a school champion, sir.” Harry said. “You wouldn't want him to lose his magic and be expelled, do you?”

Complete silence fell at Harry's words and everyone looked at Snape's angry face.

“It's in the rules.” Hermione offered with a soft voice. “Any interference that could cause a champion to not participate in any of the events, will be seen as interfering with a binding magical contract.”

Gasps spread across the hall. It had been a shock to everyone to hear that. Suddenly, the clatter of dozens of 'Potter Stinks' buttons that Malfoy had given out last night and this morning, hit the stone floor.

Snape took out his wand and swiped it at Draco to clean his mouth. “Go back to your house table and don't bother Potter anymore.”

Draco looked like he was punched in the gut. “But, professor...”

“Go.” Snape said with a glare. “I will also inform your father.”

Draco closed his mouth on his protest and sent his own glare at Harry, who had already turned back to the table and didn't see it. He stomped off and Harry didn't smile until Snape also stomped off.

“Hermione, meet me at the nook in the library.” Harry whispered as he stood. She blushed deeply and nodded her head just enough for him to see that she accepted. He left at a fast walk and went to the closest bathroom to freshen up. The nook was the special place that they had found that was out of sight of everything in the library, which meant that it was also completely private.

Harry went to the library and to the spot that he specified. He grabbed one of Hermione's favorite books and sat down to wait. It wasn't long before Hermione came around the corner and he smiled when she flicked her wand and set up the notice-me-not and silence wards. He held the book out to her and she blushed a little as she took it, then she sat down between his legs and leaned back to rest on his chest.

“Thank you for what you said in the Great Hall.” Harry said and hugged her close, then he started to lightly kiss the side of her face and her ear.

“H-Harry.” Hermione said and then moaned when he lightly bit her earlobe.

“You taste really good today.” Harry whispered into her ear and kept kissing the side of her face as one of his hands lightly slid up to cup one of her breasts over her blouse.

“Ohhh...” Hermione moaned even louder and she held her book close as she let Harry touch her.

“You're so beautiful.” Harry whispered as his other hand reached up to turn her face to his, then he kissed her.

“MMM!” Hermione moaned very loudly into his mouth and she felt very warm down below as she grew wet.

They stayed like that for several minutes, with Harry lightly petting her, then he broke the kiss and left her a little breathless. He moved his hands back down to her waist and hugged her close.

It took Hermione several minutes to calm down after one of Harry's thank you kisses that she thoroughly enjoyed. She didn't say anything and opened the book that she still held and started to read. She was very happy that Harry knew exactly when she wanted him to stop and he never pushed her for more. He knew that she would tell him when she was ready and he was happy to wait for her.

*

It was the day of the first task and everyone was excited to find out what the champions would be facing. Harry didn't know and he knew that it didn't matter what it was. Neither of the champions looked worried, so he knew that they knew.

“I assume your headmasters told you what we're facing?” Harry asked, out of the blue. Both Victor and Fleur looked shocked. “No, my headmaster didn't say anything. We kind of aren't talking right now.”

Harry didn't explain about the horcruxes or that Dumbledore no longer had a need for Harry.

“Champions! It's time for the main event!” Ludo Bagman said as he entered the champion's tent with a canvas bag. “Don't be nervous! This bag only holds models of the things you'll be facing. You need to get past them to retrieve the golden egg that has a clue to the next event.” He turned to Fleur. “Ladies first.”

Fleur reached in and pulled out the Swedish Short-snout.

“Dragons!” Harry exclaimed. “We're facing dragons!”

Ludo looked a little surprised at Harry's exclamation. “You didn't know?”

“Why would I know?” Harry asked and looked at the other two competitors. “I wouldn't cheat.”

Fleur blushed a little and Victor shrugged before reaching in the bag and took out the Chinese Fireball.

“I hope I get a nice one.” Harry said and pulled out a mean looking model that was covered in spiky scales. “Cool! What's this one called?”

“That's a Hungarian Horntail.” Ludo said and wasn't sure that betting his money on the kid was a good choice after all. He would need to make a floo call and cancel the bet before the event started. Maybe Victor was the smarter choice after all. “You'll do them in order, so Victor first, Fleur second, and Harry last.” He said and stepped back. “Come out at the sound of the cannon blast.”

Harry almost laughed as the man practically ran out of the tent.

“You knew not of it.” Victor said in stilted English.

“Nope.” Harry said and played with his model dragon. “No wonder Hagrid loves these things. They're great!”

“They are a lot bigger than that!” Fleur almost spat. Her anger at the boy for not being upset about the task was getting to her. “How can you not be worried about fighting it?”

“We don't have to fight it.” Harry said with a shrug and looked at their hands. “Are you keeping your models?”

Victor huffed and held his out for Harry to take. “It only animation spell. It wears off in hours.”

“I have to look that up.” Harry said and held a model dragon in each hand, then held the hands together. The two dragons hissed at each other and shot fire out of their mouths. “I definitely want to learn that spell.”

Fleur clenched her empty fist in frustration. She had been worried for nearly a week as she tried to prepare to go against a dragon and here was a little boy that looked like he didn't have a care in the world. He was even enjoying a fight between stupid toys!

*BANG!*

“I go.” Victor said and turned to leave the tent.

“Good luck.” Harry said and sat down. He figured that he would be waiting for a while if he was going third. He ignored the silently fuming French girl that was trying to glare a hole through him for about ten minutes, then he let out a sigh and looked at her. “Did you do everything to prepare for today?”

Fleur looked taken aback for a moment. “Yes.”

“Then stop glaring at me for doing the same thing.” Harry said.

“You didn't know it was a dragon!” Fleur said and waved her hand at the tent opening.

“It didn't matter what I faced, I was going to do the same thing.” Harry said. “Dragon, werewolf, troll, giant... the same thing can be done with them.”

“What?” Fleur asked, just as the cannon shot off.

“If you're allowed to watch, you'll see. Or not.” Harry said, just to annoy her. “Good luck.”

Fleur gave him one more glare and took off running out of the tent.

Harry laughed and went back to watching the toy dragons fighting. The Horntail overpowered the Chinese Fireball and knocked it onto its back as it let out a roar.

“Good girl.” Harry said and scratched the top of its head, almost making the thing purr with happiness. He put the model dragons into separate pockets and sat there calmly. He didn't wonder why he couldn't hear what was going on, since the judges probably didn't want the next champion to compete to hear what the previous ones did. He just assumed that the cannon was just too loud and could be heard over the silencing charms.

The cannon sounded again and Harry calmly walked out of the tent and along the canvas hallway to the arena. When he got there, the cheering crowd was almost deafening. He looked around at the rocky setting and smiled. It was perfect for his plan.

“RRRROOOOOAAAAWWWRRRRR!” The dragon roared into the air when it saw him.

Harry waved at it and he watched as it took a deep breath then shot out flames towards him. He wasn't close enough to be hit, which was why he hadn't walked any closer. “Let's get this over with.”

The crowd watched as Harry brandished his wand in a flourish around himself and they wondered what he was doing. They were confused when he did several sharp jabs at his feet, then he did a very complicated swirl up his body and tapped the top of his head with his wand.

There were dozens of gasps in the crowd before the effect took place, because they recognized what Harry had done, as did the judges. The rest of the crowd's gasps soon followed as Harry Potter, Tri-Wizard Tournament Champion, faded away from sight and then fully disappeared.

The dragon could no longer see its opponent, so it settled down. With no visible threat, it didn't react at all. After several minutes of quiet, the golden egg lifted from the nest and disappeared.

“He did it!” Someone shouted as Harry reappeared at the exit.

Everyone was stunned, except for four people. Hermione Granger, Susan Bones, Alastor Moody, and Amelia Bones.

Ludo Bagman groaned as Harry's five minute time was shown and he hadn't taken damage or hurt the dragon or her eggs. He didn't bother looking at the judges and their scores, because it didn't matter. He had bet on the quickest time and not the winner.

Fleur Delacour was stunned when Harry appeared out of nowhere and entered the medical tent. She said several sentences in French and Harry couldn't understand anything she said.

“Dragons! What were the organizers thinking?” Madam Pomfrey asked and dragged Harry over to the closest bed. “Mister Potter, why can't I hear anything from you?”

Harry laughed soundlessly and swiped his wand over himself. “I'm sorry. I didn't want the dragon to hear me breathing or anything.”

“Did it smell you?” Victor asked.

“No, I used a smell concealing spell.” Harry said and let the healer fuss over him for a few minutes.

“You... disillusioned yourself.” Fleur said when she finally calmed down. That was an Auror level spell and she couldn't cast it if her life depended on it.

“Yeah, now you know why I said you might not see my performance even if you watch.” Harry said with a grin, just as two very excited girls entered the tent.

“HARRY!” Hermione yelled and ran over to him to give him a hug. “You did it!”

“I did.” Harry said waved Susan forward. “I have both of you to thank for it.”

“It was nothing.” Susan said and tried to not blush as he motioned her closer.

“I give credit where credit is due.” Harry said and their lips met briefly. “Thank you.”

Susan couldn't stop the blush this time.

Fleur was shocked again, because Harry had a girl in his arms and had just kissed another, right in front of her.

“You're both brilliant.” Harry said and turned his head to lightly kiss Hermione. She blushed, too.

Fleur seemed to be whispering several more short sentences in French and Hermione turned her head to stare at her.

“Watch what you say, trollop.” Hermione said in perfect French.

Fleur gasped. She wasn't sure if it was because of the name calling or hearing it in French.

“I'm not going to ask.” Harry said, wisely. “Come on, let's go up to the castle.”

“What about your score?” Hermione asked.

“It doesn't matter to me.” Harry said and led the two girls out of the tent.

*

The attitudes of the students in the school changed even more after seeing... or not seeing... Harry's performance in the first task. Most of them didn't know what spells he had used until the next interview in the newspaper told them. Their respect for Harry went up even more because of it.

Time passed for everyone and soon it was time for the holidays and the next big event of the tournament, the Yule Ball. So as not to cause a stir, Harry took his official girlfriend, Hermione. Susan went alone, even though several people asked her to go. She was surprised that several girls had asked her, too. Her friend Hannah went with her and people assumed that they were a couple. They didn't dance together, though.

The three of them had a great time, went for a walk in the enchanted garden that had been set up beside the school, and went back inside for the rest of the dance.

A certain reporter didn't get the scoop that she had been hoping for, either. All she learned that night was that Hagrid and Madame Maxine were half-giants. Anyone with half a brain would know that, so she ignored it and searched for something else. If her beetle form was capable of laughing, she would have cackled as she came across Snape and Karkaroff talking about their dark marks being gone.

Now that's a story! Rita thought and committed the scene to memory.

*

Harry left Susan at the Entrance Hall after a brief kiss goodnight and then led Hermione up the staircases towards the Griffindor common room.

“Harry.” Hermione whispered and he brought them to a stop. “I... I think...”

“Shh.” Harry said and silenced her with a kiss, because she didn't have to say anything more. He led her into what appeared to be a long abandoned classroom on the seventh floor. He locked and barred the door, then he transfigured an old desk into a mattress.

“Harry, you can't really think...” Hermione started to say, then suddenly the entire room transformed into a perfect bedroom with a small two-person couch by the wall. She was shocked and stared at everything, then she turned to look at Harry.

“It was Dobby's idea.” Harry said as a tray of food appeared with two butterbeers. He opened them and gave her one, then he sat down on the little couch. “I wish I'd thought of asking him about a private room years ago.”

Hermione gave him a pointed look.

Harry laughed. “Not for this! For getting away from everyone and their stares.”

Hermione waited for a moment, then she took a drink of her butterbeer and sat down beside him. She leaned into him when he put his arm around her shoulders. “This is really nice.”

“Only because you're here.” Harry said and took another drink of butterbeer.

“Harry, I...”

“I said it's okay.” Harry said and put the butterbeer bottle on the small desk that appeared. He took hers and put it there as well. He turned to the side slightly and Hermione matched the movement. “I love you, Hermione.”

Hermione caught her breath and tears suddenly came to her eyes. “H-Harry!”

“I was going to wait until summer to confess, then remembered my vow to never lie about important things.” Harry said and reached up to cup the side of her face. “I've always seen you as pretty and I've told you hundreds of times.”

“Y-yes, you have.” Hermione said, her face red.

“Now everyone else has seen you that way because of the ball.” Harry said with a bright smile. “It's too bad that they were too late to ask you out. I really feel sorry for them.”

Hermione blushed and tried to duck her head in embarrassment.

“Now you're even prettier.” Harry said and Hermione felt like her heart was going to bust out of her chest. “My brilliant beautiful witch.”

Hermione let the tears roll down her face and was grateful for borrowing Lavender's waterproof mascara. She looked up at his eyes and the bright emerald green seemed to stun her and her brain told her only one thing.

She was ready.

(Lemon Scene - skip if you don't want to read about sex)

As if he knew, Harry leaned in and started to kiss her. It was soft at first, then quickly went into a full passionate make-out session. Before either of them knew it, their hands had stripped each other off and they had somehow made it over to the bed. Neither of them questioned it and laid down together, kissing the whole time.

Harry slowly moved down and Hermione gasped and moaned as his lips wrapped around one of her nipples for the first time. She cried out as he played with them and her hands pushed on his head. She really hoped that he had read that book she had given him last year.

Harry wasn't stupid and moved where Hermione really wanted him to go. He had teased her during the year by briefly touching her between the legs only twice. She had nearly cried both times and he knew that she really wanted him to go down on her. He also knew that her own curiosity about what it would feel like had nearly driven her mad.

Harry pulled her panties down and out of the way, to see that she was dripping onto the bed. I hope you're ready for this. He thought and started to kiss her there.

“OHHHHH!” Hermione moaned and came right away.

I guess you are. Harry thought and explored her completely.

Hermione loved it. She LOVED it. Her mind and body sang with joy as Harry licked and kissed her most sensitive place. She lost count of how many times she came and her whole body shivered as she revelled in the pleasure... and then she heard a hissing sound before the entire world exploded in bright colors.

“AHHHHHHHHH!” Hermione screamed as she had a continuous orgasm from the stimulation. As soon as it started, it was over, and she laid on the bed gasping for air. She had almost screamed herself hoarse and it had only been a few seconds.

“Maybe you aren't ready for that yet.” Harry whispered as he wiped off his face with a convenient cloth and then he crawled up the bed to look into her eyes. “Hermione? Are you okay?”

“I love you.” Hermione croaked. “So much.”

“I love you, too.” Harry said and Hermione felt something poking her stomach.

“Please...” Hermione whispered.

“Are you sure?” Harry asked. “I know witches mature faster than...”

“Do it.” Hermione commanded and Harry wasn't going to say no.

Harry carefully inserted himself and Hermione took in a sharp breath at the brief feeling of pain. “Tell me when it's okay.”

Hermione didn't move or say anything for several minutes, then she nodded. Harry started to move and Hermione felt all of him inside of her. She started to pant as he seemed to fill her even more than her fingers had, then she berated herself mentally because he was definitely bigger than a couple of her fingers.

“I'm fine.” Hermione said when Harry stopped moving and he didn't need any more prompting.

Harry started pumping slowly into her and she barely reacted, so he knew he needed to do better. If his tongue could make her finish, his other part was a lot bigger than that. His hips started to move faster and Hermione's breathing sped up. She started to lick her lips and low moans escaped from her, so he knew he was on the right track, just like that book wrote about.

Harry shifted his hips slightly and changed the angle he was thrusting, which made Hermione moan louder. There we go. He thought and went faster.

“Ohhh... ohhhhhh... OHHHH!” Hermione moaned and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck to kiss him deeply.

They continued on like this for another ten minutes before Hermione started to shiver and shake. Harry knew she was close, so he went even faster and their bodies slapped together in a fast rhythm. Hermione's moans were constant as they continued to make love and then she gasped as the orgasm hit her like she had slammed into a brick wall.

“HNNNNNNNNN!” Hermione gritted her teeth together as her body seized up and gripped onto Harry tightly.

“Oh, god!” Harry almost yelled and then he was spilling himself inside of her.

Hermione felt something filling her down there and it gave her another orgasm, even though she hadn't fully handled the other one yet. She groaned as her body lost function and her arms flopped onto the bed.

“Good god... good god.” Harry whispered as he panted and tried to catch his breath.

Hermione's body eventually eased up and let him go.

Harry slipped out of her and laid down beside her. “That... good god, Hermione... your body... it didn't want to let me go.”

Hermione couldn't speak yet and barely turned her head to look at him with hazy eyes. Harry leaned close and kissed her unresponsive lips, then the two of them laid there and waited for their sweat covered bodies to recover and for their minds to come to terms with what they just did.

It took almost half an hour before either of them tried to move. Hermione was a little sore between her legs, which she expected because it was her first time. She was glad that there wasn't a lot of blood and she sat up to look for her wand.

“Use mine.” Harry said and handed it to her.

Hermione was surprised that the wand felt okay in her hand and didn't fight against her. She did several swishes to clean herself and Harry up.

“So, are you ready for round two?” Harry asked with a big smile on his face. “Practice makes perfect.”

Hermione couldn't stop her giggle before she rolled over on top of him. Now that they had taken that first step, she was going to do her best to learn as much about it as she could so that they would both keep enjoying each other to the best of their abilities. If there was one thing Hermione was good at, it was studying.

(Lemon Scene - end)

*

The day of the second task, Harry couldn't find Hermione, which meant that she was his hostage to rescue. That was fine, because he had placed several tracking charms on her, with her permission. They had a plan and he was going to follow through with it.

Harry ignored the stupid announcer and waited for the cannon sound. When it rang out, he threw off his school robes and revealed a professional wet suit. He conjured large fins for his hands and feet, put them on, and jumped into the lake. He stayed on the surface and everyone saw how quickly Harry swam all the way out to the center of the lake.

“Accio Hermione!” Harry yelled and pointed his wand down into the merpeople village.

A few seconds later, Hermione popped up out of the water and started coughing.

“I got you.” Harry said and moved her around to grab onto his back. He started to swim with both hands and legs as Hermione clung to him. They made it back with only ten minutes lapsed in the time and Harry passed Hermione up to Madam Pomfrey to check her over. Ten minutes later, Fleur broke the surface of the water by the dock.

“No! I have to go back! My sister! My sister!” Fleur said, desperation clear in her voice.

“Harry!” Hermione said and got his attention. “You can loan her the fins and cast the upgraded bubblehead charm on her. You are NOT going back to save her sister yourself!”

Harry chuckled because he wasn't going to argue with her, so he went to the other champion and did as Hermione said. Everyone was shocked when a solid sphere appeared around Fleur's head and she slipped on Harry's fins.

“Merci!” Fleur said loudly and jumped back into the water as the judges started to complain about cheating.

“There's no rules about sharing equipment or helping each other after the task starts.” Harry said, cutting them off, and he went back over to Hermione. She hugged him and promised a kiss later, because neither of them wanted to taste lake water when they kissed each other.

Victor showed up with ten minutes left in the hour and handed his Yule Ball date to Madam Pomfrey. Everyone was surprised when Fleur was next with only two minutes to spare. She had made it.

“I'm all warmed up, let's go.” Harry said and slipped his robes back on.

“Don't you want to see the results?” Hermione asked jokingly, because she knew his answer.

“It doesn't matter. I got you back and that's all that counts.” Harry said and they left before the judges had made their decision. They entered the castle and a very pleased witch stood there waiting for them.

“So, it worked?” Susan asked and Harry and Hermione nodded. “I knew they wouldn't think of making the hostage immune to being summoned.”

“Like I said, you're both brilliant.” Harry said and leaned it to kiss her, then stopped. “Sorry, we don't need to taste lake water any more than we already have.”

Susan laughed and followed them up to the Griffindor dorm rooms to let them shower. They came down the stars dressed in normal clothes and Susan pat the couch beside her.

“I love my life.” Harry said and sat where Susan wanted him, gave her a kiss, then Hermione sat down on his lap and gave him the kiss she wanted to give him back at the lake.

*

“Okay, this is ridiculous.” Harry said as he stood with the other two champions and stared at the foot tall maze growing on the Quiddich pitch.

“It's not as bad as you think.” Ludo said with a fake happy smile. The tournament had cost him a lot of money so far and he had all of it riding on Harry winning it all. He explained what the maze would entail and then bid them goodnight.

Harry turned to the other two champions and gave them a calculating look. “I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask what you think is going to be a stupid question.”

Both Fleur and Victor had been respectful of Harry since the second task. Both of them knew that the young man had different ways of seeing things and he was easily beating them at tasks that were designed for seventh years.

“Go ahead and ask.” Victor said.

“Do you want to win the tournament?” Harry asked and both Fleur and Victor looked at him like he was an idiot. “I told you it was a stupid question.”

Fleur laughed and shook her head. “You are asking for a specific reason, aren't you?”

“Yeah.” Harry said and turned back to the short hedges. “Incendio.”

A burst of flame shot out of his wand and the hedges wilted a little, then they became green again.

“They won't burn.” Victor said and Harry nodded.

“It's too simple of a solution to burn our way to the center.” Harry said. “I have a better idea, only it needs the three of us to work.”

Fleur and Victor exchanged looks and then turned back to Harry.

“Tell us of this idea.” Victor said and Fleur nodded.

*

“Welcome to the final event of the Tri-Wizard Tournament!” Ludo said with the Sonorous Charm. He went on about fame and glory and Harry doubted that anyone was listening at that point.

Harry glanced at his fellow competitors and they gave him subtle nods that he returned. He smiled slightly and heard his name being called as going in first. He waved to the crowd and took the proper position, in a sprinter's starting pose, then the cannon went off. Harry dashed inside the maze and as soon as he crossed the entrance, all of the sounds from outside were muffled.

“I thought so.” Harry said and ran to the first intersection. He came to a stop and waited there with his wand at the ready. After about five minutes, Victor came inside and Harry hadn't heard the cannon.

“Is silent, yes?” Victor asked as he ran over to Harry.

“I didn't hear the cannon.” Harry said and they both smiled knowing smiles.

Two minutes later, Fleur entered and saw their smiles. She didn't comment and joined them at the intersection.

“I can't believe I agreed to this.” Fleur said and held her wand towards the hedge. “Bombarda Maxima!”

The hedge in front of them disintegrated and left a perfectly clear path in front of them for almost thirty feet.

“Inter-school cooperation.” Harry said with a laugh and the three of them ran to the next intersection. “Point me Tri-Wizard Cup.”

Victor and Fleur stared as his wand flipped around in his hand and pointed slightly to the right.

“What spell is that?” Victor asked.

“A custom Hermione special.” Harry said, very proud of his girlfriend. “That's why it doesn't have a Latin name.” He pointed his wand at the hedge. “Bombarda Maxima!”

The hedge and part of both walls were obliterated for nearly twenty feet, which shocked the other two champions.

“You could do this yourself.” Victor commented as they ran to the next intersection.

“No, I'd run out of stamina before I got there. That's why I needed both of your help.” Harry said.

“Why not go through the maze the right way?” Fleur asked as Victor blasted the next intersection.

Harry used the point spell again. “It'll take too long and I've met some of Hagrid's creatures. You do not want to meet them, too.”

Both champions accepted that explanation and they ran to the next spot that needed to be blasted. Fleur did it this time and they kept going. By going in a straight line from the entrance, they avoided nearly all of the creatures and obstacles, which they blasted anyway when they had to.

“I can't believe this worked.” Fleur said as they stood at the recently cleared hedge that was near the cup and their destination.

“Together.” Harry said as the three of them posed by the cup. “On three. One, two...”

“Three!” The three champions said and grabbed the cup at the same time.

The pull of a portkey grabbed them by the belly button and they swirled around in a circle for a second before the ride ended and all three of them fell to the platform in front of the stands where everyone sat.

“NOOOO!” Ludo yelled and fell to his knees. He had just lost everything.

“Never bet against Harry Potter.” Hermione whispered as the three champions stood up to thunderous applause. She was clapping just as hard as everyone else as she and Susan went to the stage.

“Ludo! LUDO! Say something!” Bartemus Crouch Senior nearly yelled and smacked the man.

“I'm ruined.” Ludo said and slumped to the ground in defeat.

Bartemus scoffed at the waste of a man and did the honors himself. “I present to you, the winners of the Tri-Wizard Tournament!”

“YEEEAAAHHHH!” The crowd yelled and didn't notice the hedge maze dissolving into the Quiddich pitch, which just so happened to remove all evidence of what the champions had done.

Harry saw Hermione and Susan coming and he stepped down from the platform to hug them both. They didn't speak or kiss, mainly because that was no one's business but their own, so they left the area after a short interview and several pictures with the other champions. They would make international news for sure.

*

(Lemon Scene)

The train ride home for the summer was a loud one, so Hermione silenced the door and locked it.

“It came out just like we planned.” Harry said and pulled Hermione onto his lap.

“You planned. We just helped the entire time.” Hermione said and Susan laughed.

“Don't go claiming all the credit or you're going to get a big head.” Susan said and hugged Harry's side.

Hermione blushed and turned her face away to hide it.

“I think someone's got a dirty mind today.” Harry whispered and kissed her ear.

“No, I... well, if you're offering...” Hermione whispered and Harry had to laugh a little.

“Anything for you, Hermione. I love you.” Harry said and his hands slipped down between her legs.

“Mmm.” Hermione leaned back to let him play with her.

“She's so sexy, isn't she?” Susan asked and leaned over Harry to kiss Hermione on the lips.

“If she was thinking straight right now, she would deny it, even though the truth is right here.” Harry said and bit her earlobe.

“Ohhhh!” Hermione gasped into Susan's mouth and came a little.

“I think it's time she gets that big head she wants so bad.” Susan said and opened Harry's pants.

Harry slid Hermione's panties aside to gain access, then they joined together right there. He started to move her up and down slightly and moved his own hips slightly to push up.

“That's so hot.” Susan said and leaned in to lick the both of them.

Hermione yelped and then came all over Harry and Susan. She was super-sensitive and Susan enjoyed teasing her about it. She didn't stop licking, either.

“I love my life.” Harry said and continued to make love to his official girlfriend before giving his second girlfriend the attention that she was due.

THE END