Chapter 9
I Don't Dance
Author's Note: I realized, after last chapter was published, it was odd that Harry mentioned Dumbledore, when it came to splitting up him and Hermione. I'm just going to say he was paranoid in his panic attack, and leave it there. Maybe Dumbledore's involvement was a suspicion in the back of his mind.
There are several moments during this chapter where McGonagall's Scottish dialect COULD show itself. I do not know how to write that type of dialect or accent. So use your imagination if you like that type of thing.
The Chapter Title is inspired by the Lee Brice song of the same title. If you've ever heard it, then you'll probably agree with me that it is perfect for Harry's mind-set in this chapter, especially when it comes to dancing and romance.
Warning: Discussion of Sexual Topics – not 'The Talk' yet, but rather a preview. You'll see.
(Saturday, December 12th, 1994)
Harry froze in spot for a moment as he saw Professor Lupin. When Professor McGonagall had mentioned her guest being a mutual friend, he hadn't expected it to be his third year Defense Professor. Did he consider the Professor a friend? He couldn't say. He had certainly been the best Defense Professor, though Moody was doing his best to prove he might be better. Harry had certainly had enough interactions with Lupin, but was it enough to call him a friend, just because he taught him so much and was a friend of his parents? Harry wasn't sure yet.
"Professor Lupin!" Harry said, as he walked over to the couch, and sat down next to Hermione, "It is wonderful to see you again."
"As I said to Miss Granger, here," Professor Lupin said, "I am no longer your Professor, so I think you can call me Remus. It is good to see you too, Harry. Professor McGonagall, here, was entertaining me with a wonderful story as we made our way up here. I was most surprised, but very happy, to hear the two of you have decided to explore a… ah… romantic relationship?"
"Yes, we have," Harry said, grinning as he looked at Hermione. "She has accepted to be my date to the Yule Ball, as well as my girlfriend."
"Yes, Professor McGonagall informed me," Remus said, "She didn't tell me much, because she wanted me to hear it from you. She did tell me you were now residents in the Head Boy and Girl Quarters, due to some troubles with your house-mates. I am sure she told you that your parents, Harry, lived in the very same Quarters for their seventh year."
"She did," Harry confirmed, smiling at McGonagall.
"Yes, well, I'm sure we can discuss that soon," Remus said, "Apparently, there is a more important topic we must discuss first."
"Yes," McGonagall said, "As we were making our way up here, Mallory told me you two needed to speak to me and that it was an emergency?"
"Yes," Harry said. "I suppose I should start from the beginning. At breakfast today, Luna Lovegood and Padma Patil helped me figure out how to obtain the clue to the Golden Egg. So a little while ago, I took a bath, brought the Golden Egg with me, and put it under the water. The shrieking sound turned out to be a Mermaid's Voice."
"Excellent job, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, with a rare smile, "I'm quite pleased that you could figure the clue out so soon."
"Yes, Mermaids do make that piercing, shrieking cry if one were to hear them from above the surface of water, when they are below," Remus said, "If you are under the water with them while they sing, their song is rather beautiful and intoxicating, and can be translated to the listener's language. I am now regretting not teaching your year about Mermaids around the time period I taught Grindylows. You would have known about the Mermaid's Voice, when you heard what I expect was the piercing shriek in your clue."
"Yes, well the 'clue' was a song," Harry said, "It was a song that hinted of what I should expect at the task."
Harry recited the song from memory. He knew he wouldn't forget that song until the task was over.
"I'm quite sure there was one line in that song that was supposed to throw us off," Harry said, "We weren't supposed to realize what it really said until the day of the task."
"And which line was this, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked.
"'We've taken what you'll sorely miss'," Harry said, shakily, "I think we're supposed to believe they'd take an object. My Firebolt, my Cloak. It isn't 'what', Professor. It is 'who'. 'We've taken who you'll sorely miss'. Hermione, Professor. They're going to take Hermione."
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened, as did Remus. He closed his eyes, and he seemed to be inhaling and exhaling deeply from his nostrils.
"Think of the last line," Harry said, "Too late, it's gone, it won't come back. Professor, think about what has recently happened. What better way to permanently break me and Hermione up than…"
McGonagall stood and walked across the room, then through a door into her private Quarters. The door closed behind her, and Harry, Hermione and Remus' eyes all widened when they heard Professor McGonagall's voice raise as she screamed loudly in what sounded like English and Scottish Gaelic swearing. A full minute later, she walked back out and sat back down in her chair.
"My apologies for that," McGonagall said, her lips thin. "Remus, you may be confused at the moment. I'll sum it up for you. We happen to believe there are people actively working on breaking Harry and Hermione up nefarious purposes. Perhaps they believe these two weren't supposed to be together. Perhaps Harry was supposed to be with somebody else in their plans."
"May I ask who is behind this?" Remus asked.
"Ronald and Ginny Weasley," Hermione said. "And possibly, Headmaster Dumbledore and Molly Weasley."
One of Remus' eyebrows raised at the mention of Dumbledore's name.
"Ron and Ginny confronted us after they heard Harry invited me to the Yule Ball," Hermione said, "Ron was trying to convince Harry that I had given him a Love Potion, and put his name in the Goblet of Fire, just to make him weaker in the Tournament, and get him killed. We… I… believe Ginny is trying to get together with Harry, and I am in Ron's sights, just so I can't be involved with Harry. We don't know the actual plot. We don't know if their mother or Dumbledore's involved…"
"I do not believe Ronald and Ginevra could do this on their own," McGonagall said, "Molly Weasley is definitely involved somehow, and Albus – he's working against Harry and Hermione somehow. Thursday he made a show of… supporting Harry and Hermione, only after he asked me where Severus Snape was."
"Oh, God!" Hermione said, "This was during dinner when we did that whole snogging thing for a show. I bet Dumbledore asked you where Snape was, because he expected Snape to stop our show."
"And when Snape couldn't, Dumbledore had to interrupt us!" Harry continued his girlfriend's line of thought, "And then he does his whole 'Lord of Light' thing – 'hey, it is wonderful to see love flourish between the Boy-Who-Lived and his best friend!' – so he doesn't look like he hated every second he saw us snogging."
"I do not like this," Remus said, "I do not like the thoughts going through my head."
"Remus?" McGonagall asked.
"The Second Task will be in the Lake, right?" Remus said, "It certainly sounds like Hermione would be Harry's hostage. The Mermaids, maybe. Mermaids have a tendency to kidnap their hostages and tie them up to stakes, waiting for the hostage's friends, family, or mate to rescue them. That happens with enemy Mermaid tribes, for sure. If Hermione was tied to the stake at the bottom of the Lake, I am sure the Task handlers would make sure she was in some sort of Stasis, maybe until she reached the surface again. But if that stasis failed while she as the bottom of the lake…"
"Merciful Merlin!" McGonagall said, "She'd drown before Harry could save her! This… this could be an assassination! As you said, Harry, a permanent way to break you and Hermione up - with her death!"
Harry wrapped an arm around a shaking Hermione and held her close.
"It would explain why the clue said 'what' instead of 'who'," Remus said, "Perhaps Dumbledore included that in the clue, so that nobody would discover the tournament Officials were kidnapping innocent students who didn't volunteer for the Tournament before the Task could take place?"
"It makes sense," McGonagall said, nodding.
"With Hermione's death," Remus said, "Harry would be grieving, of course. And in his grief, who would comfort him but Miss Weasley, wanting to become his new girlfriend – due to whatever plan they are hatching up. Hermione's death would be ruled accidental, none the wiser, except those involved in the assassination. Harry would be free for Miss Weasley to come forth and take advantage. I suppose it wouldn't be impossible Love Potions to come into play at that moment in time. Since I'm under the impression Harry wouldn't simply go with Miss Weasley's plans without a fight."
"Not going to happen," Harry muttered, as he held Hermione close, "Never going to happen. Professor McGonagall. If this isn't remedied, if there isn't a plan to prevent this, Hermione and I will leave Hogwarts. I don't care if I lose my magic, Professor. I will not lose Hermione. I'd sacrifice my magic for her."
McGonagall inhaled and exhaled. "We'll figure out something, Harry. I promise you. I promise both of you. We'll figure out something."
"About that, Professor," Hermione said; straightening herself up just enough, even though she was still in Harry's arms, to look at McGonagall and Remus, "The Daily Prophet. What if we give Rita Skeeter an interview? Front page exclusive! Tournament Officials Plan To Use Innocent Students As Hostages In Second Task! There would be a public outcry, Professor. The Tournament Officials – Dumbledore – would have to come up with something else. They'd have to go with items instead of people. They could use Harry's Firebolt instead."
"If that works, Hermione," Harry said, "You will not be present the day before, and day of the Second Task. You will remain in your Quarters, or mine, if I have to watch you all day the previous day, and the following until I'm expected at the Task, I will. Nobody will take you from me. Dumbledore might even try to put you down there, while the others all have objects to rescue."
"Good thinking, Harry," Remus complimented. "Yes, I would volunteer to be here too. I'd even recruit others to be here to guard her as well, if I could."
"This might just work," McGonagall said. "We'll do it tomorrow even. I'll escort you off the grounds and to Diagon Alley where the Headquarters of the Daily Prophet is. I'll make an excuse to Dumbledore, make a reason for me going off grounds. He won't even know the two of you are gone. He doesn't know where you're staying. I'll tell him you're spending the entire day with each other in the Private Common Room near your quarters. Then we'll go, speak to Rita Skeeter, and it will be in the newspaper on Monday morning."
"Great idea!" Hermione gushed.
"Yeah, that sounds like it might just work," Harry agreed, then he sobered, "However, if it doesn't. If Dumbledore convinces the other Tournament Officials to keep the same Task. He might say the hostages will be completely safe, or something like that. Then me and Hermione will leave, Professor. The first chance we get. We're gone. We're not going to give them a chance to force us to stay here. I will risk losing my magic. I will not risk losing her."
McGonagall sighed and nodded. "If we fail, I will personally help you two leave, Mr. Potter. That is my promise."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said; Hermione echoed him.
"I might know somebody who will help you if you have to leave," Remus said.
The look he was giving the couple told them who he was talking about.
"You can tell Professor McGonagall about him, Remus," Harry said. "We trust her with this."
Remus stiffened. "Are you sure?"
Harry and Hermione nodded. Remus sighed and nodded too.
"What is going on, you three?" McGonagall asked. "What are you keeping from me?"
"Minerva," Remus said, "What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room right now. I happen to believe it has reached conspiracy level, the way things have turned out. Someone – Dumbledore, maybe, now I think on it – might be preventing things from happening. Things he doesn't want to happen."
"Well, if you tell me, I'll probably have a clearer understanding of what you mean," McGonagall said.
"Minerva," Remus said, "Sirius Black is completely and utterly innocent of all crimes he was accused of. Peter Pettigrew is, not only alive, but he is guilty of all the crimes Sirius was accused of."
McGonagall's eyebrows twitched, then she simply said, "I'm listening."
"Well, to begin," Harry said, "I suppose I must ask if you recall a certain rat that Percy Weasley had as a pet, before he gave it to his brother, Ron?"
"Yes, actually," McGonagall said. "I remember when Percy Weasley was a first year. He had brought the rat into Hogwarts, and I lectured him about how only cats, toads, or owls were allowed at Hogwarts, and I advised him to have it sent home. The following day, the Headmaster informed me that Percy Weasley had been given special permission to keep his rat as a pet at Hogwarts. He never made an exception for other pets."
"Yes, that behavior does seem strange," Remus said. "Perhaps you recall, Professor. Harry's mother had an iguana she had brought her first year at Hogwarts. It was you, I believe, who told her she had to have it brought home. I believe it was the first day of classes when you told her too. She didn't get an exception for that."
"Yes, I recall," McGonagall said, "There have been several students who brought different pets in. Anywhere from snakes, to dogs – small dogs like Crups or Chihuahuas – to parrots and ravens. There was even a couple of ferrets! None of them were allowed. Yet Percy Weasley's rat was allowed. The following year, another Gryffindor of mine wanted to bring a different pet in. It wasn't allowed. I asked Albus about Percy's rat, and he simply reminded me the rat was allowed."
"Merlin, that is odd," Remus muttered, shaking his head.
"What is so odd about this rat?" McGonagall asked.
"It was an Animagus, Minerva," Remus said, "By the name of Peter Pettigrew."
"No!" McGonagall gasped, pressing a hand over her heart. "A supposed dead man posing as a rat was here all this time at Hogwarts?"
"Posing as the Weasley's pet rat," Remus said, nodding. "The Weasley family was extremely foolish. As Sirius once recently pointed out, 'Scabbers' lived with the Weasleys for twelve years. Extremely long life for a Common Garden Rat, isn't it?"
"Perhaps they thought it was different rats?" McGonagall asked.
"Brown rats all with a missing toe?" Remus asked.
"Peter Pettigrew's finger was the only part of his body found!" McGonagall gasped. "Merlin! How… how did you find out?"
"We didn't," Harry said, "Sirius did. The summer before mine and Hermione's third year, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge visited Azkaban. He gave Sirius a newspaper. On the front page of the newspaper was a picture of the Weasley family in Egypt, recent winners of the Lottery, or whatever that was. On Ron Weasley's shoulder was the rat known as Scabbers."
"Or as we knew him – Wormtail," Remus said, "Remember the rumors about what Sirius said before he escaped?"
"'He's at Hogwarts," McGonagall said, "We all thought it meant Harry!"
"He meant Wormtail," Remus said, "Peter Pettigrew. The real Secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter – having been chosen secretly, while everyone believed the real Secret Keeper was Sirius – and the man who truly killed those twelve Muggles. The man who framed Sirius for it all."
"That is why Sirius broke into Gryffindor Tower, Professor," Hermione said, "He was looking for Scabbers, not Harry."
"Merciful Merlin!" McGonagall gasped. "How did you discover all of this?"
"Remember the day Buckbeak the Hippogriff was to be executed?" Hermione asked.
Harry and Hermione began the tale from the first sight of "the grim". They told the entire tale, with Remus commenting when we needed to. Remus recounted some of the tale he and Sirius had explained. McGonagall was shocked about Severus' actions, and she looked like she was going to faint Harry and Hermione told her about using the Time Turner. She was very pale when the story was finished.
"Mallory!" she gasped, "Four glasses of ice water."
Four glasses of water appeared on the table. McGonagall took hers and took deep gulps from it. Then she inhaled and exhaled.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," she said, "Why didn't you tell me this before now?"
"For Sirius," Harry said, "We didn't want anything to happen to him. We were afraid you would inform someone who would only put him in danger."
McGonagall sagged. "I suppose I can see your point. You spoke of a conspiracy, Remus? What did you mean by that."
"I'll give you two important facts, Professor," Remus said, "The first, Sirius only remembered very recently. You see, he and I have been living together in a house, and I couldn't tell you the location, even if I wanted."
"Fidelius?" Hermione asked.
"Indeed, Miss Granger," Remus said. "I'd give you points if I could. A good friend of mine and Sirius', someone we trust for various reasons I cannot speak of, is the Secret Keeper. She's a Healer, and she's been helping him recuperate. Well, recently, his memory has been coming back after years of Dementor Exposure, and one morning he woke up with a revelation. He remembered the fact that Albus Dumbledore was the one who performed the Fidelius with James, Lily and Wormtail!"
"He knew Sirius wasn't the Secret-Keeper!" Harry exclaimed.
"Indeed, Harry," Remus said. "What is worse – there were three people who placed Sirius in Azkaban without a trial! Former Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold, Former Head of the DMLE, Bartemius Crouch, and Albus Dumbledore himself!"
Hermione gasped. "Then that means - !"
"We believe, Miss Granger," Remus said, "That Dumbledore did not want Sirius to be Harry's guardian. If Sirius had been given a trial, he would have been discovered innocent of his crimes, and would have gained custody of you, Harry. Dumbledore didn't seem to want that."
"He wanted me with the Dursleys," Harry said.
"Damn it," Remus said, "Harry, your parents, months before their deaths, expressly forbid you to live with your mother's sister if she and your father died!"
"Then where should I have been living?" Harry asked.
"Your parents would have picked several families before they would allow you to live with your mother's sister," Remus said, "the Potters had several Allies in the wizarding world. I had hoped you were living with one of those families. Augusta Longbottom, since your godmother, Alice Longbottom, and her husband were… indisposed. Pandora Lovegood and her husband. Lily and Pandora were good friends. Castor and Illiana Greengrass."
"Greengrass?" Hermione asked. "As in Daphne Greengrass? She's in my Ancient Runes and Arithmancy classes."
"She's a Slytherin!" Harry said.
"Illiana was a Ravenclaw," Remus said, "Another friend of your mother's. Pandora was a Ravenclaw too. Lily, Alice, Pandora and Illiana were all part of a study group and became fast friends, along with a couple of other girls, who were Lily and Alice's dorm-mates. Harry, you hear Slytherin and you think Dark, right? The Greengrasses are Neutral. Not Neutral-Dark, nor Neutral-Light. Completely Neutral. Yes, you would have been quite welcome raised up at Greengrass Manor.
"You could have also lived with Amelia Bones. But I know she took in Susan when the poor girl's parents were murdered in an attack by Death Eaters, maybe even… Voldemort himself. So I suppose she was one of the last choices. Certainly you'd go to her before you'd go to your mother's sister!"
"Where would this information have been?" Hermione asked. "How did nobody discover this?"
"Your parents made a Final Will and Testament before they went into hiding," Remus said. "I remember they mentioned it to me, because they said I'd get a load of Galleons if they died. James joked that I better not murder him, because I wouldn't make a fortune from his death, if I was found guilty of it. I never received any Inheritance from a Will. So it likely wasn't opened or read.
"I'm quite sure it would explain who you were supposed to live with in the case of your parents' deaths. It might even make a point of forbidding you from living with your mother's sister. The Will would have been made at Gringotts, with the Potter Account Manager. They might have sent a copy to the Ministry as well. The only way it wouldn't have been released after thirty days after their deaths, was if –"
"Was if it was sealed," McGonagall said. "And the one person with any motive to seal the Will – would be Albus Dumbledore. Especially if it specifically said Lily's sister was forbidden from raising you. He would not have wanted that known. There is a possibility he was a Witness to the penning of the Will."
"Which is how he would know whatever the Will says," Hermione said.
"But the main Inheritor of the Will would have been able to have it opened," Remus argued, "Harry, upon his eleventh birthday."
"I've only met one Goblin since I been in the wizarding world," Harry said, "Griphook was his name."
"Definitely not your Account Manager," Remus said, "Ragnok is his name. Ragnok the Sixth. His father – Ragnok the Fifth - is the current Goblin Chief at Gringotts. And your Account Manager has a son – Ragnok the Seventh - who would be your Account Manager if he died. There is no way another Goblin would be given that Account."
"Never met him," Harry said, "Didn't even know I had an Account Manager. I asked my House-Elf to go to Gringotts later this evening. I suppose he would meet with Ragnok."
"I expect this House-Elf is going to come back with a request from Ragnok to meet you, Harry," Remus said, "Especially if you haven't met him at all. You should have met him at eleven. It would appear Dumbledore's been keeping a lot from you. The question is why."
"We'll go to Gringotts and meet with Ragnok tomorrow," McGonagall said, "Then we can go speak to Rita Skeeter."
"Dobby!" Harry called.
Dobby appeared a moment later.
"Have you heard what we've discussed about Gringotts, Dobby?" Harry asked.
"Dobby has," Dobby said, "Dobby will speak to Goblin Ragnok The Sixth when he be visiting Gringotts. Dobby be telling him Great Harry Potter be visiting tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry said, "You're excused."
Dobby bowed and vanished.
"Seems we'll be having a busy day tomorrow," Hermione commented.
"Indeed it does," McGonagall agreed. "Speaking of busy day. I have things I must do before your Dancing Lessons this evening. Remus, you're welcome to chat with these two for as long as you wish. Call my house-elf Sadie when you wish to leave. She'll direct you to me, and I'll escort you out then. Thank you for letting me borrow your gramophone."
"Of course, Professor," Remus said.
As McGonagall stood, so did Hermione.
"May I speak to you, Professor?" Hermione asked, "In private."
"The corridor outside this room should do," McGonagall said, "Nobody will hear us out there."
Hermione nodded and followed Professor McGonagall.
"Gramophone?" Harry asked Remus.
"Remember that large music box I used for the Boggart Lessons?" Remus asked; Harry nodded. "Professor McGonagall wishes to use it for your dancing lessons. Speaking of dancing, I would love to hear the entire story of how you and Hermione become a couple."
Harry then proceeded to tell Remus everything that had happened in last couple of days.
(Meanwhile…)
Hermione stepped out into the corridor with Professor McGonagall. The Professor leaned against one of the walls, and Hermione did the same across the narrow corridor.
"What can I help you with, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked.
Hermione cleared her throat. "I'm just going to come out and say it. Harry's never been given 'The Talk', Professor. I had suggested Sirius or Remus to give it to him, but… he might not be comfortable enough with them to do so yet. I suggested you or Madam Pomfrey. I'm only bringing this up because, while we don't have immediate plans to… do anything like that yet… I felt he needs to know just in case it happens at any point."
McGonagall's chuckle was not the response Hermione expected.
"This is a coincidence," McGonagall said, "When the Headmaster wanted to split you and Mr. Potter up for detention, I gave him the excuse that I put you two together in detention, so I could give you 'The Talk'. I told the Headmaster we wouldn't want little Potters running around Hogwarts before the two of you graduated!"
Hermione blushed red. "No… we wouldn't want that."
"Would you like to be present when this takes place?" McGonagall asked.
"Er... maybe?" Hermione replied, "I've… well, I haven't exactly been given the magical side of the 'Talk'. I've read books, but… I've recently discovered they might be biased and may not be the best book for the subject."
"Madam Pomfrey should have a few copies of the best book on the subject if you ask her," McGonagall said, with a smile. "I tell you what. After we return from Diagon Alley tomorrow, you, Mr. Potter, and I will sit down in my office here in the Den, and we'll have that 'Talk'. I've been telling the Headmaster we need to bring back the Sex Education Lectures, but he disagrees. He made the excuse that it would only encourage students to have sex whilst here in Hogwarts. Flimsy excuse, if you ask me. As if the lack of a proper sex education is stopping students having sex! Madam Pomfrey could have been an excellent choice for the lecture. He uses the same argument every time it is brought up. Won't hear another word about it."
"Maybe he expects the parents to be responsible for that?" Hermione suggested.
"Indeed," McGonagall said, then huffed, "But as you said, Muggleborn students do not always get the best information! For example, did you know a wizard's semen is too potent for Muggle… rubble, I think they're called? No, that's not it."
"Rubbers," Hermione corrected, "Also called condoms. Really? No, I never knew that!"
"Many a pregnancy scare happened before that message got around," McGonagall said, "And it still isn't universally known. That is why we witches and wizards resort to Contraceptive Charms or Draughts. Of course, the added benefit that it helps lessen the problems during a witch's monthly is also a preferred reason to use the Draught. There's also the fact that you only need to take it once every twenty-eight days. Not once a month, Miss Granger."
"Not all months have twenty-eight days, of course," Hermione said.
"Indeed," McGonagall said, "That is why Madam Pomfrey, me and the others who volunteer for this kind of 'Talk', whenever someone like yourself has the courage to ask, never say 'once a month'. Those two or three days between before the first of the month might be very crucial. Anyway, you'll hear the rest of that 'Talk' tomorrow. Thank you for coming to me about this. I would be happy to talk to you and Mr. Potter about the subject."
"You're the only one we trust to talk to about it here," Hermione said, "With Madam Pomfrey, it could get back to Dumbledore. If Dumbledore believes we're… going to be intimate –"
"He might try to interfere in your relationship," McGonagall said, her lips thinning, "Indeed. I wish I could argue against the fact that he is trying to interfere in your relationship, but after what I just heard about the second Task and the worst-case scenario? Yeah, it sounds quite believable. Well, if there are no more questions?"
"Until this evening," Hermione said.
"Until then," McGonagall said, "I had planned to talk to you and Mr. Potter about Mr. and Miss Weasley's detention, but we'll discuss that while the two of you take breaks between dancing this evening."
"Anything we should know right now?" Hermione asked.
"They're definitely wary of me," McGonagall said, conspiratorially, "There was a moment when Ginny was talking to Ron in the middle of their detention, and then she looked at me strangely."
Hermione nodded. "She wondered why you weren't telling them to be quiet and get back to doing whatever they were supposed to do."
"That crossed my mind too, Miss Granger," McGonagall said "I suspect she knows that I want to eavesdrop on them, and that I'm interested in whatever they have to say to each other. I must say I did make that rather obvious by the end of the detention. I'll explain further tonight. As always, Constant Vigilance around those two. That conversation they'll have when they finally admit their secrets will come up sooner or later, and I firmly believe you and that young man in there will be the instigators behind that conversation."
"Something we do will make them angry enough to have an entire conversation about it, you mean," Hermione said.
"Precisely, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Your… continued public displays of affection might just be what sets them off. They know I am wary of them, and if they step another toe out of line, they could see themselves gone from this castle. So I don't think they'll try to do anything physical to either of you at the moment. Definitely nothing that could lead to their suspension or expulsion. I don't believe they've made any moves to their mother or the Headmaster yet. I firmly believe they're trying to work the problem out for themselves. Probably trying to prove themselves to their mother. So they're trying to complete their mission without assistance at the moment."
"Until they have no choice but to get outside help," Hermione said, nodding. "We'll be careful and watchful of them."
"I would expect no less, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "If that is all, I'll see you this evening."
Hermione simply nodded. McGonagall turned and left the Lion's Den. Hermione exhaled. She had expected McGonagall might have known that she had been in Harry's Quarters. But the Lioness of Gryffindor hadn't mentioned it. She inhaled and exhaled, then returned to the Private Common Room.
"There you are, love," Harry said, smiling as he saw her enter, "Remus was just about to tell me how Sirius reacted to the newspaper article this morning."
Hermione went pink when he called her 'love'. She sat down beside him and kissed his cheek. She was so used to public displays of affection – simply because she needed to be – that she didn't even blush at the fact that Remus was watching.
"Sirius loved the article, actually," Remus said, "Though he wouldn't believe me when I said Skeeter liked to overexaggerate about certain things. Such as the 'five-minute snog'."
"It was about two minutes," Hermione said, "But if you wish to cheer Sirius up, tell him we're going to try to work up to a five-minute public snog in the Great Hall."
Remus laughed so hard, he had tears in his eyes. "James would have never dared to do that with Lily, simply because Lily would have never dared to do it anyway. James might have been a joker and a prankster, but he settled down after he started dating your mother."
"I'm not sure we'd participate in so much public affection if we didn't feel it was necessary," Hermione said, "I trust Harry told you about the Obliviation Theory."
"Yes," Remus said, grimly, "And when he explained it, I had to admit how plausible it could be. Although it might not be well-thought out."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Those students who are Experts or Masters at Occlumency," Remus said, "Are not so easily susceptible to Obliviation. They can sense lost or modified memories. I am sure several older students in this castle are Occlumens."
"Occlumency?" Hermione asked, "I don't think I've ever seen a book about it here."
"Not surprising," Remus said, "Especially if there is an Active Legilimens – term for a complicated mind-reader, let's say – who is trying to read the students' minds."
"Like Snape?" Harry asked, "I always thought he might be able to read our minds."
"Quite possible," Remus said, nodding, "Him, and your Headmaster."
"Of course he'd be able to read our minds," Harry grumbled. "I guess we need to figure out how to learn Occlumency."
"I'll ask around some of the more obscure bookshops in Diagon or Knockturn Alley," Remus said, "Flourish and Blott's rarely sell them actually. It is a mystery why."
"It really sounds like someone – perhaps Dumbledore? – is trying to limit the wizarding world's knowledge about the subject," Hermione said.
"Not an easy feat," Remus said, "Given that most families who have seats in the Wizengamot have books like them so every member of the family – at least those in line to be Heir or Heiress – can learn the subject. Again, it isn't easy to learn, especially at a younger age. The older students, those in the aforementioned families, are likely good Occlumens. But we're getting off subject.
"Where was I? Oh, yes. Sirius. Well, not much more to say. He was unhappy he didn't hear it from you first, Harry."
"I wrote him a letter telling him all about it – just an hour or so before you got here," Harry said. "I didn't expect an article so soon."
"Understandable," Remus said, "He told me that you two reminded him of James and Lily when he met you last June. He isn't surprised at all the pair of you are together. He actually thought you were a couple last June, because you were so close. He was surprised it didn't happen until recently. And then when he saw that 'Tomorrow's Exclusive' about him 'wanting revenge' by breaking you up, he just laughed out loud and said – well –"
"He said what?" Harry asked.
"He said if he could put you in a Betrothal Contract together just to prove how wrong the Daily Prophet is," Remus said, "He'd do it in a heart-beat. Just to show how much he supports you, and how happy he is for you."
Harry and Hermione blushed.
"Betrothal Contracts exist in the wizarding world?" Harry asked; then grimaced, "I'm not… at risk to be involved in one, am I?"
"No, your parents wouldn't have wanted it for you," Remus said, "They would have wanted you to find love for yourself. James brought it up once. Only once. Then Lily brought up something that stopped James in his tracks."
"What was that?" Harry asked, curiously.
"She said what if they had Betrothed you to a girl," Remus said, "And it turned out you ended up attracted to the same sex instead?"
Harry's eyes widened, then he cleared his throat. "Definitely not, but I can see why Mum would take a precaution like that."
"Your mother did a lot of thinking about your future," Remus said, "Especially since she was afraid her and your father wouldn't be a part of it. Which is why I am sure there will be all kinds of plans for your placed in their Will. There won't be any Betrothals written by them, however. Now, while I say that…
"I'd honestly think about penning one between the two of you if an opportunity pops up for you to do so. If only to protect the two of you. It'd go a long way to get those Weasleys off your backs. Even Molly Weasley and Albus Dumbledore would know not to interfere in a Betrothal Contract."
"Could it protect Hermione from the Second Task?" Harry asked, seriously.
Remus shrugged. "I don't know. I'd have to ask Sirius. He might have an idea. He grew up on all that Pureblood stuff, since he was a Scion of a highborn Pureblood House. So he'd know better than me. Don't worry, you two, we'll figure this out before the Second Task comes. Your best bet right now is the Daily Prophet interview. If Dumbledore can get past that, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Harry and Hermione smiled in appreciation. The couple and the former Professor talked for a while, until it was closer to lunch-time. Then Remus said he better go, before he risks someone like Dumbledore or Snape seeing him in the castle. Harry offered him to use the Marauder's Map, but Remus waved it off.
"I'll manage, Harry," Remus said. "You have a far better need for that map than I do. Your father would very much favor you using that map. I think I told you, when I was your Professor, that he'd actually encourage you to use it."
"My mother?" Harry asked.
"She'd be furious if she found out what the Weasleys – and whatever allies they have – are trying to do to you," Remus said, "She'd probably march here to the castle and confront Ronald and Ginevra herself and get those secrets out of them, surpassing whatever magic they're using to keep the secrets. And know this, Hermione. She would very much approve of you as her son's girlfriend. You remind me of her, actually. Muggleborn, of course. Smart, feisty when you need to be. And loyal to your friends. And… last but not least. You could not resist but fall for a Potter."
Hermione chuckled. "Thank you, Remus. I appreciate that."
Remus bowed his head. "You're very much welcome. I better get going. Good luck with your dancing lessons, Harry."
"Thanks," Harry said, "Was my father good at dancing?"
"Yes, but only because he was taught by his parents from a young age," Remus said, with a smile. "He had to be. He was the Scion of a highborn Pureblood House, like Sirius. He attended social parties and there were several daughters of Allied families he was expected to dance with, or he would offend them. That's what he told me anyway."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said, "I appreciate everything we've discussed today."
"You never have to thank me for reminiscing about your parents, Harry," Remus said, "It does this old wolf a lot of good to talk about them. I will see you soon – especially if it means I must protect Miss Granger during the Second Task."
He smiled, as Harry and Hermione gave him their farewells, then he walked out of the room.
"He is so wonderful," Hermione gushed. "How can he believe himself to be a monster? He is one of the kindest men I've ever known."
"It's this society, Hermione," Harry grimaced. "They've turned him into a monster and he believed them. He is so kind and good because of his friends – like my parents. He couldn't be a monster around them. They wouldn't let him, I think. Just like you help me to be 'Just Harry'. You keep me grounded."
"You do a lot of that yourself, Harry," Hermione said.
"You help," Harry said, "And I will never be able to thank you enough for that."
Hermione smiled, then leaned in to kiss him. God, she loved this young man!
(Seven P.M.)
At precisely seven that evening, Harry and Hermione stepped into the Transfiguration Classroom. Professor McGonagall was seated at her desk, which had the large gramophone – which Harry had last seen in Remus' old classroom – sitting on it.
"Good evening, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," the Lioness of Gryffindor said, "I do hope you didn't eat too much at dinner. You may find yourselves uncomfortable."
"Hermione thought of that," Harry said, "We kept to a light meal."
Hermione merely nodded and smiled when McGonagall looked in her direction.
"Excellent," McGonagall said. "And a good clothing choice as well. Easy to dance in. Of course, the current outfit you have on, Miss Granger, will be much different than the one you'll wear at the Ball, I'm sure. I imagine you'll have a dress of some sort."
"Yes," Hermione said, simply, not wanting to give anything away to Harry. "I'm alright. I've practiced dancing with my parents occasionally, and been to a couple of New Years' Social Parties with them. Danced with a few boys."
"Really?" Harry asked, hating the jealousy he felt right now.
"It was expected of us," Hermione said, "The most they did was kiss my hand, which they did with every girl they danced with."
"That type of thing is expected from gentlemen, Mr. Potter," Harry said, "That is no different between our societies. Some of our customs may be old fashioned, but they are also traditional. And tradition has a way of lasting a long time. Even to modern times in the Muggle world."
"Er… as her boyfriend, am I expected to do something more than kissing her hand?" Harry asked.
"Certainly no public displays of affection aside from a peck on the cheek or lips if you must," McGonagall huffed. "No five minute snogs, shall we say?"
The reference to the Skeeter article made Harry and Hermione blush. "I'm sure we'll be doing enough that evening to convince everyone how close we are. We won't need to prove it too much."
"Quite," McGonagall agreed. "We shall start off with something simple. Something I am sure even you, Mr. Potter, might favor. The slow dance. Now, as a devoted couple like the pair of you, you two would be allowed to get closer than a couple who are having their first date, so to speak. But we'll practice both ways, shall we?"
Professor McGonagall was very good at showing Harry exactly how he needed to position his body and his hands when it came to the dances. The Professor was right. Harry did favor the slow dance. It felt so intimate, that he was embarrassed at first, but then he decided it was like an extended hug Hermione usually gave him. And when they were dancing the closer, intimate dance, Hermione even laid her head on his shoulder, or his chest – apparently deciding which was more comfortable; she favored his chest, just under his chin.
Her bushy hair got in the way a bit, but she promised she would tame it a bit for the evening of the Yule Ball, and that position would be far more easier. Harry also liked the slow spinning around of the dance, as their feet kept in tune to the music playing on the gramophone. He didn't need to move much, and his feet shuffled mostly, so he couldn't step on Hermione's toes.
Then Professor McGonagall started suggesting the more complicating dances. The first: the traditional Waltz. McGonagall said it would be the dance that the Champions and their partners would do to open the dancing, so they needed to be perfect. Hermione was familiar with the Waltz, so she was able to move her feet the correct way. Harry just had to listen to McGonagall's instructions and try not to trip and pull Hermione down with him. Fortunately for the couple – especially Hermione – McGonagall reinforced Hermione's shoes so her toes wouldn't be harmed if Harry stepped on them. It proved to be necessary a few times before the night finished.
Then the more complicated part of the dance came. He had to lift her up, and spin her around a bit. She wasn't heavy – and he dared not mention anything about her weight in front of her – but it was awkward trying to pick her up by the waist. It took a few practice tries just to be able to do it. Finally he was able to do it three times in a row. By then Hermione was getting dizzy, so they sat down at one of the desks that had been shuffled off to the sides of the room.
"I promised we would discuss Ron and Ginevra Weasley's detention while we took breaks," McGonagall said, "So we'll start with the simplest of things I discovered. You were correct when you thought Ron was the one breaking into your trunk ever since your first year. He's stolen somewhere between ten and twenty galleons, but I'd say it was closer to twenty. I advised him to tell his parents to help him pay you back."
"I don't even know why he wanted it," Harry said, "Do you? The first two years we couldn't even go down to Hogsmeade."
"I think he wanted to take it just to say he could do it, Harry," Hermione said. "To prove he could snatch something like that right out from under your nose. As your best friend, you might not have even suspected him."
"I suspected a lot of people," Harry said, "Boys of all ages. Then Ginny was able to break in, and I had to add girls onto the list. Excluding you. I know you weren't capable of that. But you're right. I wouldn't have suspected Ron of stealing from me. I trusted him too much, because he was my first friend. But hindsight is twenty-twenty."
"As for you, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "Ginny didn't steal anything. According to her, she 'borrowed' those missing books, just so she could read them. She did it without your permission, because she didn't want her mother to find out she was reading them."
"That's no excuse," Hermione huffed, "But it is nowhere near as bad as stealing twenty Galleons or a bunch of candy, which must have been worth several Galleons combined."
"You're right, of course," McGonagall said. "Then I told Mr. Weasley I knew he had stolen the Golden Egg. He tried to blame it on the first thief, even after I told him he had admitted to stealing it for only a week, and it was gone for two more days. He only admitted to doing so when I told him what the punishment was for stealing a Tournament clue. He then said he was doing it as a prank. I then told him I heard rumors of him trying to sell it off as a Boy-Who-Lived souvenir, and he looked shocked that I knew about it. Which tells me he attempted to do so. But he never was able to sell it."
"Any prospective buyers would have realized it was a Tournament Clue," Hermione said, "And likely realized the ramifications of having it."
"Indeed," McGonagall said. "I punished Mr. Weasley in a similar way to the punishments I gave the rest of the students. He has to write an apology letter – a believable one – or he cannot go to the Yule Ball. Due next Friday."
"I suppose that is enough for now," Harry said, with a shrug. "Until we know what they're truly up to."
"Then the discussion got a little more interesting," McGonagall said, "I tried to convince them to stop interfering in your relationship, and they never agreed to it. Miss Weasley said it felt like a betrayal, due to the conversations she had with you, Miss Granger, over the summer about Mr. Potter. I remember you talking to me about that. So I asked her if she was keeping any secrets about her feelings from Mr. Potter from you. If she did, why couldn't you do the same? She believes you should have allowed her to have a chance at him first."
"Of course she did," Hermione huffed, "Especially since we know she has nefarious reasons for getting with him. Whatever they are."
"Mr. Weasley accused you, Miss Granger, of stealing Harry from him as a friend," McGonagall said, "Going all the way back to the day you first met him. He barely listened when I said there wasn't a problem with you being his friend too. Then, I basically accused him of trying to prevent other students from being your friend, Mr. Potter. He had the nerve to look shocked that I knew about that. It's almost as if… whatever these enchantments are, Mr. Weasley doesn't know exactly what they do. I think he was surprised I knew of his plan to keep other students away from you. It is like… according to him, I wasn't supposed to know about that."
"He believes if you know one of his secrets, you forget about it," Hermione said, "At least that isn't what happens. Which means we can talk about if after we discover what the secrets are."
"True," McGonagall said, "Either way, it is good to discover what the limits of these enchantments are. Anyway, there wasn't much else, aside from confirmation of him attempting to steal your broom and the Map, Mr. Potter. He thought the Map was his brother's, which means it should be his. Until I explained it first belong to your father, and if he tried to steal it, he'd be stealing a family heirloom. Trust me, he'll never do that again. Even he knows the crime for stealing heirlooms."
"Well, that's good," Harry said.
"Indeed it is," McGonagall said. "Alright then. Shall we continue exploring the various dances and seeing what you are both capable of as a couple?"
Harry and Hermione agreed, though Harry wasn't as eager as Hermione. Still, he had fun over the next hour or so. He couldn't believe how much time had passed by so quickly. It was ten minutes to nine that evening when Dobby appeared, returning from his journey to Gringotts. That basically stopped the lesson right there.
"How did it go, Dobby?" Harry asked.
"Dobby be afraid to be the bearer of bad news," Dobby said, "The Goblins be rather angry with the Great Harry Potter. Keeper Ragnok be saying he be expecting you for three and a half years now. Since the Great Harry Potter be turning eleven. He be saying he be trying to contact you several times over the last three and a half years. He be saying recent events be the most important. He be wanting you to explain it tomorrow morning. Or he be freezing your account – he be saying it is for your own good, Great Harry Potter."
"Angry Goblins are not something you want to experience, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"So what should I do, Professor?" Harry said.
"Tell them what I assume is the truth," McGonagall said, "You haven't received any correspondence from Gringotts since coming into the wizarding world. Someone is blocking your mail from getting to you, especially from Gringotts – which is quite difficult, to be honest. Which means there is only one person I believe is responsible for this."
Harry's fists clenched. "Headmaster Dumbledore. He doesn't want me to meet with anyone he doesn't approve of at Gringotts. He's afraid of what I'm going to discover, isn't he?"
"I truly believe that is correct, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"Well, then," Harry said, "Tomorrow, we're going to discover exactly what the Leader of the Light doesn't want his Boy-Who-Lived to find out."
Well, a lot certainly happened in this chapter. I hope you liked the dancing lessons. I'm not much of a dancer myself, and describing them isn't very easy. So I simply described a couple of the ones I used to – the two I'll definitely use during the Ball - and summarized the rest of the lesson without mentioning other dances. Harry and Hermione had fun, this I assure you. They learned plenty so far.
Remus is not a Dumbledore minion in this story. He lost his trust for the man when he and Sirius uncovered the conspiracy behind Sirius being in Azkaban. Then that loss of trust went deeper during his visit with Harry and Hermione. He supports Harry and Hermione completely. Of course, Dumbledore will probably try to win Remus' trust again. It won't work.
While some might see the gramophone as school property, I decided it was Remus' personal item. Simply because I believe David Thewlis (who played Lupin) owned the actual gramophone used. So it is a nod to that.
Next Chapter: The Obligatory Gringotts Chapter in which Harry meets with a Helpful Goblin who does so much for him, and he receives so many surprises and revelations! Even Hermione isn't immune from surprises and revelations! If you've read my other stories (Vanishing Cabinet, Ilvermorny Champion, Harem War), you already know some of the stuff that will happen. No worries, no Betrothal Contracts – except an illegal Harry and Ginny one!
The Gringotts Visit is so long, I have to split it into three – yes - three parts! Sorry!