Who'll Fill a Coward's Grave? ↣ Harmione

Chapter Twenty

Chapter 20 - Wheels in Motion

The night before the long planned visit to Hogsmeade, there was very little sleeping taking place in their York safe house. Harry had hatched a plan earlier that settled some of their nerves. It would probably be more accurate to say that Emma agreeing to this plan was what had that effect on all who lived here. Dobby would accompany Emma on her mission inside the Hogsmeade control centre and, at the first sign of the centre's security being breached, the faithful elf would pop her out of there.

Seeing the comfort this idea offered the people she now considered family, Emma couldn't really refuse what was merely an additional safety measure. There was also the fact that, should their security actually be breached, the former dentist would be nothing more than a dangerous liability in that situation.

The elves had once more read their needs correctly, with three single beds set up in the largest bedroom. When it soon became obvious to the trio that none of them were anywhere near ready to sleep, they lay and chatted into the wee small hours. They talked about anything and everything, with only what would happen after the dawn being recognised as a taboo subject.

Emma had decided she could not return to dentistry, and especially not in their former Crawley practice. Harry and Hermione both supported that decision, and all three talked over a few ideas they had for continuing their lives. As the night drew shorter, all felt better that their hopes and dreams were now known amongst the people needing to be there to make those dreams come true.

It went unsaid that this weekend could go a long way to helping those hopes and dreams become reality. Emma also didn't miss that nowhere in those dreams was attending Hogwarts mentioned by either teen that she now thought of as her children. Dumbledore may have post war plans for these two but Emma would be standing firm to see Hermione and Harry got what they wanted out of life, not what a meddlesome old headmaster thought he or the country needed.

There were tearful goodbyes next morning as Hermione, Harry, Sirius and Remus headed for Hogwarts while Tonks would be escorting Emma to the Hogsmeade Headquarters.

-oOoOo-

While there was an air of trepidation hanging over Hogwarts, there was also excitement sprinkled throughout the castle. This was a Hogsmeade weekend and, after being continually warned about the possible risks, like teenagers the world over the students of Hogwarts thought they were impervious to any kind of harm. Death and destruction happened to other people, not them.

The excitement for the Weasley contingent inside the castle certainly rose when they entered the great hall to see Harry and Hermione sitting at the Gryffindor table. While the male members of that family were trying to play it cool, Ginny was under no such restraint. Being smart enough to already understand the possible dangers her family could face today, there was no chance of her not rushing over and hugging her two best friends. Ginny certainly knew that these two would be at the centre of any danger that chose to show its face in Hogsmeade today.

She was quickly joined by Susan, with Ron pretending to be put out that his girlfriend hugged Harry and Hermione before him. Sitting down to breakfast, the group were soon joined by Neville and Luna - Luna being the youngest student who would be attending Hogwarts today. Hearing that she was a friend of Ginny's was enough for Harry and Hermione to accept the little blonde into their company, and ask both Luna and Neville if they wanted to accompany them into Hogsmeade today. All the students attending the village this weekend had been advised to tour the shops in the largest groups possible so both gladly accepted that offer.

The Minister of Magic walking into the great hall silenced a lot of the breakfast conversation. By the time Dumbledore reached the staff table, all eyes were now fixed on him.