Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the End of Illusions	By : Christina_Potter_09 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Harry/Hermione Views: 11159 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
- CHAPTER FIVE –

The Return in the Problems

After two weeks in Australia, Harry and Hermione were setting their and Hermione’s parents return in England. David Adams, the Grangers’ friend, even surprised by their sudden decision, helped them to sell their house, its furniture and the café. They were still pretending to be Wendel and Monica Wilkins and displayed Hermione as a niece from England and Harry as her boyfriend. That made both the young people a bit uncomfortable but they tried to act with humor even if Harry didn’t feel to bother that much.

In those two weeks, only Ginny had sent a letter, asking if they were fine and when they would be back. She also informed about “Changes back in the Burrow” without giving more details. After a day, Harry and Hermione replied they were both fine and would be back as soon as they could, even if Harry wanted to stay away from everyone more than this ‘as soon as they could’. They sent the letter back in England with the same bird Ginny had used and then tried to be back to normal for Hermione’s parents.

Harry believed Hermione was relieved Ron hadn’t tried to contract them. He was sure his best friend was mad at both of them and the only thing Harry wanted right now was to help Hermione and stop giving attention in Ron’s attitude. He was happy he was with Hermione, so far away from everyone, but something inside him was different. He didn’t know what that was. He was feeling much more happy since the time he cried in the beach in Hermione’s arms. He didn’t know why but since the time they had been there, when he was sleeping, nightmares were gone and dreams with Hermione’s face or memories of his time with Hermione in Hogwarts or in the tent had filled his sleep. Sometimes even those dreams were nightmares with Hermione’s screams back in the Malfoy manor or her pained face when Dolohov stabbed her with his curse.

He tried to think of Ginny and what he wanted from her, after his return in England, he had to go back in the Burrow and face his best male friend and his ex-who-wanted-to-be-official again. He didn’t know what he wanted, he wanted to be like now, free, carefree. After a war and a year of pain he needed his peace for awhile. He needed to cry and scream and grief and—breath. He didn’t want to scare Ginny with his nightmares or fears. He didn’t want her to be a part of all that. She wasn’t there when all that started and he didn’t want her there when and if all that finish. He needed someone to comfort him. The last months of his life were full of pain, death and darkness. Now he needed someone to be there for him, someone who knew what he had been through, someone who knew him well enough to give him space to think or be right next to him when he needed to.

Harry knew that ‘someone’ wasn’t Ginny. He thought about what he wanted from her. He remembered how he was feeling when he was seeing her. Her long hair, her eyes, her form. But what except that? When he was thinking of Ginny, he could see beauty, yes, youth, yes, a way out of the troubles and a chance for snog, yes, but what else? He knew his parents loved each other deeply, he knew Snape loved his mother. He knew what love was and its kinds. But even with a small ache in his heart he realized he never loved Ginny as his parents did with each other. Yes, he always cared for her as a sister at first, he then maybe fell in love for her, or thought he did. But what now? He didn’t feel the butterflies in his stomach when he kissed her and his chest monster wasn’t roaring for being away from her.

Was a chest monster a sign of true love or he had been wrong again like with Cho? Where was the need he felt to look at the Map like he did back in the tent? After the past year and the battle, after the pain and his breakdown he could now see. Ginny was just the escape of his problems and now with most of his problems gone, Ginny was just the girl he was seeing as sister. He wanted to be honest with himself: he hadn’t felt true love for a girl yet. He had a crush with Cho and maybe something more, a fall, for Ginny, but love? The power to sacrifice everything and even more for the other? Where was that with him and Ginny?

His thoughts were interrupted by a hand on his shoulder, he turned and looked at Hermione’s father. Mr. Granger smiled at Harry and he returned the smile. Harry was again in the beach and Mr. Granger had probably noticed it. Harry suddenly felt the need to apologize to him again.

‘I’m really sorry, Mister Granger. I know your daughter changed all those things for me and I really feel guilty for making all the mess in your lives, again.’ Harry said and Mr. Granger smiled at him.

‘Harry, first, call me Edward. And secondly, I and Jane always trusted our child like no other, we don’t have another child even if we wanted. Hermione is our universe. I’m sure she had her reasons to do everything and I’m very happy she did all that for someone like you. I’m sure my daughter has chosen the right person to sacrifice so many things.’ Mr. Granger said and Harry looked at him for a few good moments. He then nodded and tried to put his complicated thoughts in a turn in his mind. Hermione indeed sacrificed everything for him.

After two more weeks, the house was sold, so the café was and the Grangers had took the money and were ready to leave for England. They would return in their old house for awhile and then buy and move in the new one in Essex Mr. Addams had found for them. Hermione was almost glowing in happiness for having her parents back in their country. Harry was happy as well. A month in Australia had helped him to clear his mind from everything. He had decided to clear things with Ginny.

Harry and Hermione were sat on the same beach they had first sat, a month ago. They were now sitting with hot chocolates in their hands staring in the horizon. They were silent for very long and Hermione broke the silence first.

‘My parents offered, if you want of course to live with us for the rest of the summer. If you don’t want to be in the Burrow.’ Hermione said, looking at him now. Harry looked at her as well. That offer was indeed something very tempting. After his “cleaning up” with Ginny and talking to Ron. Harry was sure the Burrow would be much more depressing than it is because of Fred’s loss. He had never lived in Hermione’s house or in a house with normal and good muggles. He was very comfortable with Edward and Jane and they were more than happy with him close to their daughter as they seemed.

‘Thank you, Hermione. But are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to be a headache for your parents.’ Harry said finally. Hermione smiled.

‘Harry, they really like you. And believe me it’s like they know you, I have been talking to them for you for the last years.’ Hermione said but seemed to regret her words on the spot, she blushed and looked away. ‘I will follow you in the Burrow,’ she changed the subject ‘So Mr. and Mrs. Weasley can see I’m fine. I think we have to stay there for at least a day, to explain to everyone and then leave the family on their own, they still need to grief for Fred without visitors, anyway. I will try to talk with Ron to see if he is fine and of course to say my goodbye for now to Ginny and the rest but my parents need me more now.’ She added and Harry felt happier than before. When he had to face Ginny and Ron, he wouldn’t be alone. Hermione would be there with him. As always. The familiar voice with Hermione’s tone in his mind said. He tried to focus on Hermione again, she was saying something about the room he could use. He remembered his “family”, the Dursleys. He didn’t know what have happened to them. He hadn’t asked some Order member for their fate.

‘Hermione, I want a favor, I mean one more favor.’ Harry said, interrupting her. She looked at him.

‘Sure, if I can do it.’ she said and he smiled at her will to help him no matter what.

‘When we’re back, I want to visit my aunt’s house, to make sure they are fine, horrible or not, they were involved in a war which had nothing to do with.’ Harry said and wondered if he had lost his mind, he was counting the days to leave every summer from there and now he wanted to visit them. On the other hand, his words were right, the Dursleys had changed everything to save their lives because of a war in his name. Hermione even surprised smiled warmly and nodded her head.

‘Of course Harry, anything you want.’ she said and Harry nodded his thanks.

After everything being set, Harry, Hermione and her parents stood in Sydney a bit more, partly because Hermione’s parents wanted their daughter and her friend to have some sort of vocations and partly because Harry and Hermione needed more time away from everyone in England. So after two more weeks, in the middle of July, Harry and the three Grangers with Crookshanks were ready to return in their country.

It wasn’t difficult. They took a plane at five o’clock in the morning and flew for England. After almost fourteen hours, they were landing in London. Hermione’s parents left for their house and Harry and Hermione decided to go to the Privet Drive. It was still eight o’clock and even exhausted Harry wanted to finish this job. Hermione smiled and squeezed his arm, after their visit in the Dursleys, they had to go at the Burrow.

Harry and Hermione exited the airport, Hermione gripped Harry’s arm and appeared very close to the house Harry had lived some of his worst years. He looked around, nothing, nothing, was changed in a year. He sighted as that was a bad omen and moved along with Hermione closer to the house with number 4 on the door. Hermione nodded at him and he knocked once. The house’s windows had lights inside so they had to be there.

A large form showed up behind the door, after a minute or so, Vernon Dursley was opening the door. He gasped and narrowed his eyes at the sight of Harry and Hermione.

‘What the Hell you want in my house again?’ Vernon asked, Harry sighted, he didn’t expect something different.

‘Hello, uncle Vernon. I just passed by to see if you are fine.’ Harry said, he felt Hermione’s hand wrapping his. He squeezed it and looked at his uncle firmer.

‘Who is it Vernon?’ a voice was heard from inside and less than a minute after, Petunia Dursley was looking at Harry and Hermione surprised behind Vernon’s back, she moved on the front and made space for Harry and Hermione. Vernon even shocked at his wife’s reaction didn’t say a word. Harry and Hermione moved inside and looked at Petunia again. From the kitchen, a much more slimmer Dudley showed up. He looked at his parents and then at Harry and Hermione. The two cousins looked at each other like they hadn’t seen each other before. The one of seeing the other alive and Harry for seeing Dudley slimmer. Vernon cleared his throat and Harry looked at his aunt again.

‘Hello, aunt Petunia.’ Harry said and Petunia opened her mouth and let it like that for awhile, not knowing what to say.

‘So you made it.’ she finally said and Harry nodded, Petunia looked at Hermione and then back at Harry. ‘And this is your girlfriend?’ she asked, the first time she asked something from interest and not curiosity. Harry and Hermione blushed.

‘No she is not, her name is Hermione Granger.’ Harry said. ‘ But she is very important to me, anyway. I just passed by to see if you’re fine.’ Harry said, Vernon snorted but none in the hall gave him attention.

‘We’re fine, Harry.’ Dudley said and everyone looked at him. ‘Thank you.’ He added and Harry nodded. He looked back at his aunt, she was looking at him unsure but then stretched her arm and touched his shoulder, she had never done that, and if she had, the next movement would be some slap or something.

‘I’m happy you made it.’ she said with a small voice. Harry nodded his head again and looked at his mother’s sister.

‘Severus is dead, he sacrificed his life to save me. Dumbledore is dead as well.’ He said and Petunia looked at him shocked, she then lowered her eyes.

‘I guess it was very hard for everyone.’ She whispered.

‘I saw mom,’ Harry went on and even Hermione looked at him shocked. Petunia jerked her head and looked at him.

‘What?’ she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

‘I did, she’s fine.’ Harry said, she just nodded and took a deep breath. Harry nodded to himself and looked at Hermione. ‘I think it’s time to leave.’ He said quietly. Hermione still shocked nodded her head. Harry looked at Dudley first.

‘Bye, cousin.’ Harry said Dudley nodded his head.

‘Goodbye, Harry.’ He replied. Harry looked at his aunt.

‘Goodbye, aunt.’ Harry said and Petunia nodded her head, unable to talk, her hand on her mouth trying not to cry. Harry and Hermione started for the door but stopped by Petunia’s voice.

‘Whatever you do, Harry, take care, don’t waste the life your mother gave you.’ She said, Harry looked at her and nodded before taking Hermione by the hand and leaving the house he lived in for more than a decade. Harry and Hermione moved around the neighborhood, Harry knew Hermione was waiting for him to tell her it was time to leave so he took the chance and make a small walk with her around. Their steps brought them to a small playground, Harry was used to spend hours, waiting for the days to pass and come to the date of his return in Hogwarts.

They moved inside and looked around. Harry wasn’t expecting to have this reaction from his aunt, he didn’t know she could actually show interest if not affection for him. He sighted and looked at Hermione. She was looking around, he was sure she was thinking about his uncle’s attitude. He tried to forget all this for now as it was time for something even more important. To go and spend a night in the Burrow and explain everything to the Weasleys, and especially, Ginny and Ron.
- 4
- 5
- 6
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Harry Potter and the End of Illusions