Nose to the Wind // tomarry

Chapter 13: Mirrored in Your Stare

Saying good-bye to Hermione in January was hard, but Harry was soothed knowing he'd bolstered her waning self-confidence and that he'd won a promise from Ron to partner with her in the few classes they shared. Too, she had dirt on one of her professors and her headmaster, which Harry doubted she'd actually use in any way, but might change how she interacted with Barty, at least, enough to win some respect from her housemates.

Her owls, which came bi-weekly and for the whole family, sounded like there was a slow improvement as the term passed. And while Ron was hardly what she'd call a good friend, he and the twins made a concerted effort to show that she wasn't so bad, which had won her some points with both the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor houses. (Personally, Harry wondered how many of those points had to do with half the school having a healthy respect for the twins, and made a note to pass them some money in a few years, should they again decide to form up a joke shop.) She'd also mentioned a certain Ravenclaw prefect who'd started checking in on her in April, and Harry suspected the twins had tried to get Percy in on their plan to help out Hermione, and he'd reacted by brushing them off, then going to Penelope Clearwater and telling her about the problem.

In June, only Harry, James, and Sirius went to pick her up, his brothers both more interested in helping Lily and Remus prepare the welcoming party they'd planned. Sirius had wanted to stay and help out, but Lily had put her foot down, and Remus had helpfully pointed out, "If Harry's going, that means it'll be a portkey or waiting an age for the floo back here, unless you go to help apparating."

"And you don't want to make me take a portkey," Harry added cheerfully.

Sirius had given in at that.

Hermione got off the train surrounded by Weasleys, glowering at Fred and George while they grinned widely in that way that meant they'd been up to no good recently.

"Oh dear," Arthur murmured, the Weasleys having opted to wait with the Potters and Sirius.

"If those boys have been picking on her–" Molly started.

Harry coughed. "That doesn't look like she's upset, just irritated."

"Yeah, that's the same expression Lily gets when she really wants James to leave the house for a couple hours so she can stop herself from cursing him," Sirius agreed cheerfully.

"I'm sorry, who does she usually aim that expression at?" James asked, turning narrowed eyes on Sirius.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other and he wiggled his eyebrows, which started her giggling.

The wave of Weasley boys and Hermione crashed into them, then. Or, well, Hermione certainly crashed into Harry, wrapping her arms around him and whispering, "Thank you," in his ear.

Harry hugged her back, grinning. "I'm sure I haven't the vaguest idea what for," he whispered back.

Hermione gave him a knowing look as she stepped back, then turned to greet Sirius and James, followed by Molly, Arthur, and Ginny, whom she'd all briefly met in December.

Once everyone had traded greetings – and Harry had passed Ron, Fred, and George sweets as thanks for their assistance in easing Hermione's second term – the Weasleys headed out to their car, while Harry grabbed Hermione's trunk with one hand, and Sirius' arm with the other, so he could apparate them, leaving James to take Hermione.

Harry had moved her trunk out of the way by the time James and Hermione arrived, so there was nothing to trip over when Will, Chris, and Sirius all bellowed, "Welcome home!" Harry, Remus, and Lily a much quieter addition.

"Oh," Hermione whispered, looking a little overwhelmed.

And then Lily and Remus stepped apart, revealing a little surprise: Hermione's parents. "Hello, Hermione," her mum offered.