Chapter 8
What He'll Miss The Most
Author's Note: Since publishing the previous chapter, I've had two separate readers tell me to 'cut down' on Viktor Krum bashing, and Ron and Ginny bashing respectively. The latter only read the first chapter, and said 'they aren't villains, and Ginny is shy', which as most of you know exactly how big they are villains in this story. It is strange to get comments like these when the summary (on FFN), and the Tags (on Archive Of Our Own) clearly says this story has bashing of those three characters and others. Why are people like this on fanfiction sites if they do not know how to read?! As a guest said: "Any changes in Ginny or the story are because this is fan fiction. You can only read the original story so many times. Some of us hate Ron and enjoy bashing him."
Sorry for another rant. Now to answer a question from a guest reader:
Q. How are you going to get around the elves protecting Harry during the tasks? It could really mess up the story.
A. Harry and Professor McGonagall will tell them they can't interfere in the Tasks.
Warning: Language. Let's just say Harry says the F-word a lot after figuring out the Egg's clue. Reference to Underage Alcohol Use. Hermione mentions having a sip of alcohol once. ONCE.
(Saturday, December 12th, 1994)
Harry used the Marauder's Map to avoid unwanted encounters, as he and Hermione made their way to the Owlery. Ron and Ginny Weasley were both in the Gryffindor Common Room, and Albus Dumbledore was in his office with – interestingly enough – Severus Snape. As they approached the Owlery, Harry grinned when he found it was occupied by one Neville Longbottom.
"Looks like we're going to get to talk to Neville sooner rather than later," Harry commented, with a smile.
"Wonderful," Hermione said, happily.
They entered the Owlery, and Neville jumped a bit when he heard footsteps. He looked a bit relieved when he saw Harry and Hermione.
"Oh, hey, you two!" Neville greeted them, "I'm just sending a letter to my Gran. I have some good news to tell her."
"Is this about you and Luna Lovegood going to the Ball?" Hermione asked, smiling.
Neville's eyes widened for a moment, then his face glowed red with blush. He grinned and shrugged, shyly.
"Right," he said, "I did see you sitting with her and Padma Patil. Yeah, I asked her. I was rather nervous about doing it. But… well, to be honest, I was actually thinking of asking out Ginny Weasley first. But then all that… you know… stuff happened with her, Ron, and you two. So I decided to ask Luna today. I was surprised she accepted!"
"Well, perhaps you shouldn't have been, mate," Harry said, "She looked absolutely happy about you asking her out. She had the biggest grin on her face when we sat down."
"Really?" Neville asked, as his face went pink.
"Yes," Hermione said, "I believe she's really looking forward to the Ball. She told us about how you and her were childhood friends."
"Yeah, we were," Neville said, smiling, "My Gran is her godmother, you see. So it was natural for us to be each other's friends, especially since we saw each other so much. If she hadn't accepted, or if someone had already asked her, I thought about asking Hannah Abbot. But Luna accepted, and I am happy to go with her. I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry."
"No problem, mate," Harry said, "Hey, how is it in the dormitory now, since – you know – you were singled out as one of those I trust?"
Neville smiled shyly, then shrugged. "Ron's been annoying, of course. Yesterday morning, he actually tore down the curtains around your bed, because he thought you were still sleeping there. I think he wanted to attack you again."
"I'm not surprised," Harry muttered. "He hasn't done anything to you in the past couple of days, has he?"
"No," Neville said, shaking his head, "When I got back to the Common Room, after Professor McGonagall excused us during the Gryffindor Meeting, Fred and George offered to help me put wards up around my bed and trunk. I accepted. Apparently they put a whole slew of different prank things on the protections. If Ron touches them once, he'll suddenly see spiders all over the floor and walls and the curtains around my bed. If he does it a second time, his hair will turn green and silver for a whole day. If he does it a third time, he'll receive a nasty shock. Same goes on my trunk. I warned Dean and Seamus about it, and soon they had the same protections thanks to Fred and George."
"Brilliant!" Harry said, "That'll serve Ron right."
"It also says you can probably trust Dean and Seamus," Hermione said, "Er… how are those two when it comes to us?"
"They're pretty apologetic, actually," Neville said, smiling. "Said something about writing letters to the two of you to apologize, and how much they regretted it all. Feels like they betrayed a friend, even if you weren't close to them, Harry. Lavender and Parvati are behaving pretty similarly, I think. I don't know what Professor McGonagall said to them, or the rest of the Lions, but it must have been brilliant."
"It was amazing, mate," Harry said, "If the whole tower seems subdued, it is because of Professor McGonagall."
"Things have been pretty quiet," Neville said, nodding. "Some tried to be a bit… rebellious. You know, stuff like 'I'm not going to do this assignment McGonagall wants us to do'. But when they realized their friends are not doing the same, they changed their behavior pretty quickly. Plus, it sounds like their punishment if they didn't do it meant they couldn't go to the Ball. So once they were reminded of that, they changed their minds pretty quickly. A few of the second years and some of the third years still have that mind-set, since they don't have the same punishment. But not all of them. They felt pretty bad, it seems. Out of everyone it is the second and third years who seem the most subdued. The Third Years seem to blame it on Ginny, actually."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Neville said, "Seems she was the one who goaded them into doing everything they did to you."
"Peer pressure," Hermione said, "Same as the first years."
"Not the same," Harry said, "They're old enough to know better. Even with Ginny pressuring them. They could have ignored her, or told Professor McGonagall. Well, Neville. Thank you for this talk. I'm sorry we didn't do this earlier. We've been preoccupied."
"No, I definitely understand, Harry," Neville said, "I've been preoccupied too. What with classes yesterday, homework, as well as trying to get the courage to ask Luna to the Ball. Well, I'm done here. I sent the owl off right before you arrive. So, I'll let you do what you need to do. I wouldn't want to make Hedwig angry. We have been avoiding her."
"HOOT!" Hedwig screeched, from one of the nests above.
He winced. "My deepest apologies, your highness. Come down here, please?"
Hedwig hooted, then dived and landed on one of the perches positioned on the floor.
"I'll leave and let you and your Mistress talk," Neville said, grinning, "See you later."
"Bye, Neville," Hermione said, "It was so nice to talk with you."
Neville smiled, and walked out of the Owlery, after Harry said goodbye.
"Hedwig, I am sorry I've been ignoring you," Harry said, turning back to his very first friend, "I've been very busy. I should come see you, even if I don't have a letter to write. I shouldn't ignore you now that I have a girlfriend."
Hedwig hooted and looked at Hermione.
"You'll always be his first girl, Hedwig," Hermione said. "Now he has both of us to look after him."
"Hoot," preened Hedwig.
"So you approve of Hermione as my girlfriend?" Hermione asked.
"Hoot!" Hedwig said, her head bobbing. "Hoot-hoot!"
Hermione giggled. "Did she just say 'about time!', Harry?"
"Maybe?" Harry replied, with a grin, "I need to write a letter to Padfoot, Hedwig. I trust you know who that is?"
"HOOT!" Hedwig screeched.
"Of course you do, how presumptuous of me to think otherwise!" Harry replied, with a smile.
"Hoot," Hedwig agreed.
Hermione giggled as Harry sighed. He walked over to one of the writing tables, collected a bit of parchment, a quill and a small jar of ink. Then he began to write his letter.
Dear Padfoot,
I am sure you've read Rita Skeeter's article about me and my new girlfriend by now, and that you know I'm dating Hermione Granger now. I should have written to you before Rita's article came out, but I was very busy. It is all entirely true. Well, some of the article has… embellished things, as is Rita's style, of course! So let me tell you what happened…
Harry continued the letter by describing Professor McGonagall's Yule Ball announcement, followed by telling him he needed a dance partner! Then he talked about asking Hermione to the Ball, and then to be his girlfriend. Then he talked about the show in the Great Hall of publicly asking Hermione. He followed this with the story of Ron and Ginny Weasley's betrayal, the confrontation, and the talk with McGonagall that ended up with them in the Head Boy and Girl Quarters for the foreseeable future. Then he talked about the two – not five! – two-minute long snog in the Great Hall to let the students know he and Hermione were a couple.
So now I'm having Dancing Lessons tonight with Hermione and Professor McGonagall. I'm nervous, but I think it will be fun.
As for the Triwizard Tournament, earlier today I had a breakthrough with my Dragon Egg clue. After I send this letter, I'm going to listen to the Egg's message and see what it says. Should be interesting.
There is more I want to say to you, Sirius, but not in writing. Maybe we can meet soon, if you can figure out something that doesn't end up with you GETTING IN TROUBLE! Seriously, Padfoot – and don't start with me – I am worried about you. Don't take risks just because you feel you need to see me. We don't need another fiasco like last year, do we? No, we don't!
Heh. Look at me. Lecturing you. Hermione must be rubbing off on me. Not that way, you pervert! All we've done is kissed and snogged, and you are not getting any descriptions about that from me! Don't ask!
I miss you, and hope you are safe,
Prongs' Son
He thought about how to sign it, without anyone figuring it was him. But if someone intercepted it and read it, they would figure it was him, just from the letter's contents. Like indicating his girlfriend was Hermione, and the Triwizard Tournament stuff. He decided everything from Harry to HJP and finally went with Prongs' Son.
A grin crossed his face when he thought of HJP. He was going to have to mention this to Hermione.
He rolled the letter into a scroll, and walked over to Hedwig. He attached the letter to her leg, gave her a good long pet, which she responded with by nibbling his fingers.
"Safe flight, Hedwig," Harry said, "By the way, if you return with a letter, don't be surprised to be intercepted by a house-elf. Dobby and Mallory are house-elves guarding me, and one of their duties is to receive my mail first. So they'll probably want you to give any mail to them."
"Hoot," Hedwig nodded, obviously understanding.
"Good girl," Harry said, "Now go. And be safe!"
Hedwig hooted, then took off out one of the windows. Harry checked the Marauder's Map again, found nobody who might cause trouble between the Owlery and the Private Quarters. He took Hermione's hand and the couple headed back into the corridor.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry said, as they headed for the Private Quarters, "I was just thinking of something. What are my initials?"
"HJP?" Hermione asked, "Why?"
"What are yours?" Harry asked, grinning.
"HJG," Hermione said, then she rolled her eyes, "You were thinking when we get married, our initials would match."
"Yep!" Harry said, "You know what that tells me. We were meant to be together, you and I. You are meant to be Hermione Potter."
Hermione smiled, then said in a sing-song voice. "Seventeenth birthday, Harry. Wedding the following August."
"A married couple during our final year of education," Harry said, "That is our NEWT year. When will we find the time to… consummate our marriage?!"
Hermione broke up laughing. "Oh, you! I am sure we'll be so wound up, we'll need to find a way to relax."
"Sounds wonderful," Harry said.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, "Do you know what that would mean?"
"Er… what do you mean?" Harry replied.
"I'm asking, Harry, whether you've been given The Talk or not," Hermione clarified.
Harry heard the uppercase letters. He stammered and coughed. "Does a Sex Education Class for one day in my final year in Primary School count?"
"You were ten, Harry," Hermione said, "I think The Talk in your teens is different than the one in Primary School."
"Then that would be a 'no'," Harry said. "I haven't been given The Talk. Vernon would probably find it humorous if I knocked a girl up. Just another way to insult me. 'Deadbeat Dad', or something like that, 'just like your father, boy! I knew you'd go the same way!'"
"One of these days you're going to tell me everything about your home-life, Harry," Hermione said. "I won't pressure you to do it, though. I know better than that."
Harry winced. "One of these days."
Hermione sighed. "Hmm… who would be someone good to talk to you about that? Padfoot? He… might turn it into a joke. Remus, maybe, but you don't know him well enough. Professor McGonagall or Madame Pomfrey, perhaps."
Harry coughed. "Do we have to talk about this?"
"Yes, Harry," Hermione said, "Because… sooner or later, there will come a time when we… have sex. It will happen if you want our relationship to last as long as possible. I'm not saying it will happen this year. But… what if it does? Not immediately or anything! But it might happen. There might come a time when we get lost in the moment."
"All you would have to do is say 'no, not right now', Hermione," Harry said, "And I would stop. I trust you know that."
"I know that," Hermione said, nodding, "But there will come a time when I do not say 'no'. When I will want you. You will need to know what to do at that time."
"I suppose you're right," Harry said, blushing.
So, yes," Hermione said, "you need to have The Talk with somebody. Harry, do you want me to ask Professor McGonagall? Maybe she'll do it, or she'll refer you to Madam Pomfrey. Neither choice would be so bad. Madam Pomfrey would be like talking to my mother.
"My mother was very clinical when it came to The Talk. Very… descriptive. It happened this summer. It was The Talk, Part Two, actually. The first was the summer before I started at Hogwarts, because she was sure I'd start my monthlies during first year. She was right.
"I'm getting off topic. This summer, she gave me 'The Talk" about sex. That was an awkward and embarrassing talk. But, you know me. I was a knowledge sponge, listening intently during the whole thing. Taking it all in, no matter how embarrassing it was. She actually let me have a sip of whatever type of alcohol she was drinking afterward and told me not to tell my father. Just a sip, nothing more. Definitely not enough to make me woozy or drunk or whatever. It calmed down my poor, tattered nerves, for certain!"
Harry coughed. "I'm not letting your mother give me The Talk. Nor your father!"
Hermione laughed. "Yeah, no. They would basically be talking to you about having sex with me! No, thank you. I will not let either of us have to suffer that!"
Harry sighed. "If you feel you need to ask Professor McGonagall, you can."
"Then I will, Harry," Hermione said. "For the sake of our relationship. Okay?"
"Okay," Harry said. "For you."
"Thank you, boyfriend," Hermione said, then her eyes widened, and she looked around, wildly, "Sweet Baby Maeve! We've been talking about this in a public corridor! What were we thinking?!"
Harry burst out laughing. Hermione glared at him, then broke down giggling. Thankfully, nobody was around to have eavesdropped on that conversation. So with that little bit of awkwardness over, they made their way to the Lion's Den. When they finally stepped through the enchanted, hidden doorway into the Den, the pair kissed each other and agreed to meet half-an-hour later in the Common Room. Harry promised it wouldn't take him that long to get done with his bath. After another kiss, they went into their own Private Quarters.
Harry greeted Sir Leon, then headed for his bedroom. He retrieved the Golden Egg from his trunk, as well as a fresh set of casual clothing. He chose an outfit that wouldn't get in the way during Dancing Lessons that evening. He laid the outfit on the bed, then headed into the bathroom.
Before today, he had only taken a couple of showers in this new bathroom, and had not used the tub.
The bathtub, while not as big as the rumored baths in the Prefect Bathrooms, was still a lot bigger than any bathtub he had ever seen before. It was like a very small swimming pool: built in-ground, deep enough to stand in and keep his head above water, and at least a dozen feet long. Harry raised a confused eyebrow at the numerous faucets, then shrugged. He turned on several of them, and suddenly the tub was filling up with comfortably hot water and various types of perfumed, soapy foam was settling on the top of the rising water.
He set the Golden Egg down at the edge of the tub, and undressed out of his clothes. Once the tub was filled enough – which took several minutes – Harry stepped into the pool-like tub, gasping and murmuring at the comfortable heat that surrounded him as he settled into the water. Knowing he was meeting with Hermione in less than thirty minutes, he decided not to waste time. He decided to listen to the Egg, decipher the message as he took a bath – as best he could without help, anyway – then get out.
With that decision made, he picked up the Egg, held his breath, and dove under the soapy surface of the water. When the Egg was well-submerged, it automatically opened before he could do anything with it! Instead of the horrid screeching and wailing sound he had heard before, it was now replaced with a chorus of eerie, melodic, voices singing:
"Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour — the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."
He had to surface for breath, then listen to the song two more times before he could memorize it all.
"It is definitely Mermaids," Harry said, "If there were any Mermaids anywhere, they would be in Hogwarts Lake. Probably deep in the lake."
He splashed the water in irritation! "Fuck! I don't know how to swim! Go over that bridge later, Harry. Okay, next. 'We've taken what you'll sorely miss.' What will I miss most? My Firebolt? My Cloak? My…"
Harry's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No! They wouldn't! They couldn't! Fuck! It isn't 'what' you'll sorely miss, it is 'who'! They're going to take Hermione!"
Harry was panicking. He could still hear those last words in his head. 'Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.'
"No!" Harry growled, out loud, his voice echoing around the bathroom, "No, they will not! I will not let them! I will fight them tooth, nail and wand! I'll – I'll lose my magic, take Hermione and run if I have to! They will not take her!
"This… this is how Ron, Ginny, - this is how Dumbledore is going to split us up! They're going to use this task to kill her! Fuck you, Weasleys! Fuck you, Dumbledore! Fuck you, Ministry! Fuck you Goblet of Fire! Fuck you, YOU FUCKING EGG! FUCK!"
Harry tossed the Golden Egg across the bathroom, and it slammed to the wall with a crash, and fell onto the floor with a clatter. He inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm himself down. He needed to focus. He needed to get out of the bath, get dressed and find Hermione. They needed to leave Hogwarts. Now. They needed to get far away from the Triwizard Tournament and wizarding world in general. Somewhere they wouldn't find him or Hermione.
"FUCK!" Harry growled.
"Great Harry Potter, Dobby commands you to calm down right this minute!" Dobby's voice echoed around the room as he appeared; then his eyes widened. "Dobby is sorry to command the Great Harry Potter. Dobby asks for punishment."
"No punishment, Dobby," Harry said, "Why are you here?"
"Dobby be hearing Great Harry Potter yelling and cursing," Dobby said, "Great Harry Potter be panicking about his Hermy. Great Harry Potter be forgetting that Dobby be promising to protect Great Harry Potter's Hermy. Dobby be never letting bad Master Head or Bad Weasels hurt Hermy."
"Dobby, you are the best, the bravest elf I've ever met," Harry said, "But this… even this might be out of your league. I can't risk Hermione."
"Great Harry Potter need be calm," Dobby said, "Great Harry Potter need Hermy's help to be calm. Dobby be back."
Dobby disappeared with a crack! Then a few moments later, he appeared, with a shocked Hermione standing beside him.
"What? Where – Harry James Potter!" Hermione shrieked, when she realized she was in a bathroom with Harry! "What am I doing here? Why am I in your bathroom while you're taking a bath, and most likely naked?! I am not supposed to be in your Quarters! I am definitely not to supposed to be in here! Explain!"
"I didn't do this!" Harry said, "Dobby did! Dobby!"
"Great Harry Potter be panicking," Dobby said, "Great Harry Potter be needing Hermy to help. Dobby be bringing Hermy here to help Great Harry Potter."
Hermione blinked and calmed down. "What happened, Harry?"
Harry inhaled and exhaled. Then he explained the Egg's clue. "You are what I'll miss the most Hermione. 'Too late, it's gone, it won't come back!' Don't you see! This is how Dumbledore and the Weasleys will split us up! They're going to cause you to have an accident in the lake! Probably drowning! We have to leave Hogwarts. NOW!"
Hermione wasn't in the panicking state he thought she'd be in. She inhaled and exhaled, then began pacing. After a minute, she stopped.
"Mallory!" she called.
Mallory, the House-Elf, appeared.
"Yes, Miss Hermy?" Mallory called.
"Please go to Professor McGonagall, Mallory," Hermione said, "Tell her to meet us in our Private Common Room in… fifteen minutes. We need to talk to her. It is an emergency."
"Yes, Miss Hermy," Mallory said, "Mallory will go tell Mistress now."
She vanished with a crack! Hermione turned back to Harry.
"Harry, I know you're not happy right now," Hermione said.
"Not happy?!" Harry shot back, "Is that all you have to say! I shouldn't have asked you to the Ball. I shouldn't have asked you to be my girlfriend. You're going to – they're going to – and it is all my fault!"
"HARRY JAMES POTTER, YOU STOP THIS INSTANT!" Hermione yelled; then she inhaled and exhaled. "Harry, who has been your greatest, most trusted friend, over the past month and a half?"
"You, of course!" Harry said.
"So how do you believe I wouldn't be chosen for this if you didn't ask me to the Ball, or to become or your girlfriend?" Hermione asked. "I've been your only friend. Of course I'd be chosen!"
"Hermione, you need to get away," Harry said, "You need to leave Hogwarts, leave Britain. Go to… the farthest reaches of the world. A third-world country even. You cannot be anywhere they can find you!"
"Harry, stop," Hermione said, "I'm not leaving you here."
"Then we'll leave together!" Harry argued, "Fuck my magic! I'd rather have you!"
"Harry, calm down," Hermione said, "We'll talk to Professor McGonagall and we'll figure this out together. She'll figure out what we should do. She won't let them take me. Okay?"
"How do you know she can do anything?!" Harry asked.
"Because if she can't, I trust her to be able to tell us that!" Hermione said. "If she can't help us, we'll figure out someone who can! I have a few ideas running through my head, but I need to run them by Professor McGonagall first."
Harry inhaled and exhaled. "Fine. We'll meet with her. If we three can't come up with anything, we're leaving, Hermione. Somewhere they'll never find us. We'll go to a third-world country or the middle of the Amazon if we have to. If only so they can't find us! Promise me!"
Hermione sighed. "If we can't figure out anything to prevent me from being a part of the Second Task, we'll both leave. I promise, Harry. But we don't need to do anything too quickly. Second Task is at the end of February!"
"Unless they find out we're going to try to leave!" Harry said, "Then they'll move it to the first week of January or something!"
"Harry, stop being paranoid," Hermione said.
"It's not paranoia when they're really out to get you!" Harry argued.
Hermione rolled her eyes. Mallory appeared at that moment.
"Mistress be agreeing to be meeting with Harry Potter and his Hermy at scheduled time," Mallory said, "Mistress be bringing guest Mistress be mentioning to Harry Potter and his Hermy previously. Mistress' guest be arriving earlier than Mistress expects. "
"Excellent!" Hermione said. "Take me back to my Quarters, please, Mallory. Harry, get out, get dressed and meet me in the Common Room. If you're there before McGonagall and her guest, I'll snog you to calm you down. Okay?"
Harry grinned goofily and nodded. Hermione rolled her eyes, took Mallory's hand and the two vanished.
Harry inhaled and exhaled, then stood and stepped out of the bath. He used his wand to dry himself off, then – completely ignoring that fucking Egg! – he walked out of the bathroom and back into his bedroom. He dressed into the outfit he had prepared, then walked into the main room of the Quarters.
"Are you alright, young Lion?" Leon asked. "I heard you yelling and cursing."
"I'm not alright, Sir Leon," Harry said, "But I'm going to be speak to my girlfriend, and Professor McGonagall about it. Hopefully they will be able to help."
"If you need any advice from me, please feel free to tell me your troubles," Leon said, "I might be able to help."
"I'll consider it," Harry said. "Excuse me. I need to meet with my girlfriend."
"Good luck, young Lion," Leon said, "I hope you find the answers to these new puzzling troubles."
"I hope so too," Harry said, "Thanks, Leon."
He waved to the portrait, then exited the Quarters. He walked into the Private Quarters, and found Hermione waiting for him on their chosen couch. She was not alone. Sitting in one of the chairs was Professor McGonagall.
In the other chair, smiling up at him, was Professor Remus Lupin.
Dun-Dun-Dun.
Blame the Golden Egg and Harry's panic attacks for the reason there not being Dancing Lessons in this chapter. Originally this chapter was going to be – eh, twice as long probably. Originally, Harry's panic attacks weren't going to be so dramatic. He wasn't originally going to be like 'fuck my magic, Hermione, you mean so much more to me, we're leaving!' But that scene wrote itself. Which will lead to the opening conversation of next chapter. Originally, Harry and Hermione would be having a normal conversation, reuniting with Remus, telling him about their new relationship and troubles with Ron and Ginny. Now they have another topic to discuss.
So can you guess why Remus is there? Hint: it has to do with the Dancing Lessons, and it is something that was seen in the third movie.
Next Chapter: Harry, Hermione, Remus and McGonagall have important discussions with several topics. Hermione speaks to McGonagall in private. Then Dancing Lessons. Basically, aside from the discussion about the Egg's clue, everything that will be in next chapter, should have been in this chapter as well if it wasn't for the panic attacks, making it twice as long!