home is where the heart is (and you hold mine)

the finality of peace (everything after is unknown)

Author's Notes:

So like, I felt very neglectful of this story despite knowing exactly what I said - On April 10, I looked at this and saw that my last update was on March 23rd. I had the immediate impulse to just update because I'm getting such sweet comments - anyways... here... I did all of my updates and I can reward myself but shoving this toward you....

Welllll, actually let me correct myself- I have the chapters ready and written I just have to edit them but I convinced myself that by technicality, that the updates are ready and gave myself a reason (albeit a poor one) to update this story and shove my written into visibility. So yeah, that's what I did and that's how it's going to beeee ;P

Also, because the last chapter was just shy of over 2.7K, this chapter is about.... 7K words. My fingers hate me but I'm happy lol :)

Enjoy

Chapter 7

the finality of peace (everything after is unknown)

Harry woke with a large yawn, a jaw cracking one, and scrubbed his face tiredly. He slunk off his bed and stumbled his way through the bathroom and turned on the shower. The hot water jump started him, waking him as he slathered himself with soap. It was a quick shower that he went through in about 7 minutes and then shut it off, wrapping himself in a towel.

His uniform seemed a bit tight around his hips, which felt marginally uncomfortable, but he ignored it in favor of going down the stairs while balancing his bag and 3 other books with an inkwell. The Common Room was empty when he entered, to which he frowned. What time was it then? When he cast a Tempus, it was barely after 6. Normally Hermione would've been down here already, doing something like practice N.E.W.T papers or something. Which wasn't a bad idea, it was just that Harry had much more to do than focus on his end of the year Exams.

So instead, he flopped down and got himself comfy in a chair, reading over an Auror grade Defense book he'd found in the library. It was an excellent read, if only a bit biased, and he found himself listing out the spells to practice when his magic wasn't feeling so strained. He suspected that while he had renewed the bond between Riddle's magic and his baby's core, his magic was still acting a bit off because of the sudden flood and change, fluctuating, just as it had before his Inheritance, to get used to the change.

Finally after a bit of reading, Hermione came down in her neatly pressed uniform and smiled at him. "Harry! You're up early. Were you having trouble sleeping?"

Harry shook his head. "No – I feel really good actually. The normal bit of strain but other than that, I'm doing really good. Also, do you have any catalogues? I need some for Christmas and we have a Hogsmeade weekend next week so I can get some stuff then."

Hermione nodded. "I have some – how many do you need? And what in specific are you looking for? Cause I have a few..."

"Bring them all to me except for the ones you know I won't use – no frou frou or girl stuff Hermione."

She giggled and shook her head. "I know, Harry. But I do have some.. useful catalogues you might enjoy." Harry nodded.

"Later – preferably after classes but we might be able to do it during lunch."

"Will do... who's waking Ron? You or me?"

Harry gave her a pleading look and she sighed. "I'll be right back – don't go anywhere." She got up and went up the stairs to the boy's dormitory. Harry continued to read until there was a loud screech from up the stairs. He laughed to himself and then Hermione marched down, looking positively delighted with herself.