Summer Love Not

Hermione felt sick. Looking down at the toast Mrs. Weasley set in front of her, Hermione picked it up and nibbled on it. Mrs. Weasley assured her that all spells were put in to place and that she would safe. Hermione didn’t even have to look at the clock it was 8:00 time to meet Dumbledore and then Viktor. Her stomach ached. She looked in the mirror, hair done nicely and makeup looked satisfactory, she was in blue jean and taupe shirt and Harry’s ‘I love you’ necklace. She buttoned up her shirt to hide it. She grabbed her coat and went to grab the snake fire poker but a hand grabbed hers. Harry stood there blocking her way saying, “ You don’t have to do this you know.” “Harry it’s only for a few hours, please don’t make this hard for me. You should do you homework, I’ll check when I get back. She kissed him and then grabbed the poker, transporting her to Diagon Alley.

Dumbledore and Hermione transported to Diagon Alley to the Inn and Museum where Viktor was waiting. He was so happy to see Hermione. They had breakfast and walked around the museum. He talked for hours. She noticed that his nose looked different, maybe a bludger or another player hit him. He seemed older and tired. He talked about teaching. “You’d be a great teacher or coach at Quidditch, but aren’t you still playing?” “ Yes I’m still playing, but I’d be teaching something else…. like Defense against the dark arts.” Hermione almost stopped breathing “ What? Where?” Afraid to hear to the answer. “Well funny .. Hogwarts needs a Defense against the dark arts teacher,” He had her hand in his.” Would you like that Hermione?” “ Oh, but you’re go great at Quidditch.” She looked at the time and it was nearly 2:00.
“ Lunch we haven’t had lunch, no wonder I’m hungry.” She said nervously. They went out in to the courtyard and had lunch it was a very long 45 minutes in Hermione’s life. Viktor asking Hermione what she thought about him being a teacher at Hogwarts made her nervous. “Well how good are you at defense against dark arts?” and they talked about that for while all the while trying to be friendly. Hermione realized she might know more about the dark arts then he. She had read most of the books they found in Bulgaria “Well there’s a school in Portugal that is also looking for a Flying teacher but I was hoping to stay closer to see you.”

Dumbledore walked in to the courtyard and said “ Miss Granger it is time for you to go. Viktor Krum may I have a word with you?” Viktor gave Professor Dumbledore all the information he promised. Viktor asked Hermione for a hug and a kiss. So she hugged his and kissed him on his cheek. “Good bye Viktor and thank you.” She touched a portkey back to Diagon Alley and another to Grimmauld Place when Hermione notice that her necklace was gone. She quickly touch the portkeys back to Diagon Alley and then the Inn and started looking around for the necklace in the courtyard. Viktor was in the doorway when she looked up. He put out his hand and the necklace was swaying back and forth. Hermione froze for a moment and tried to relax sighing “ there it is.” “ Who gave you this?” Viktor asked. “ A friend” Hermione said not meeting his eyes. “ Here, let me put it on you” Viktor said softly. “ Viktor the chains broken, I’ll have to fixed it.” “No, it works Hermione…see?” Hermione put her hand out “ Can I please have it?” he motion for her to spin around. “What do these symbols mean?” “It’s a muggle good luck charm that’s all.” As he put the necklace around her neck and clasped it. He felt her hair. “ I’ve missed you I’m sorry for the last time we were together. Please forgive me.” He was pulling her close. “Viktor I have to go.” She turned around and looked at him. “ Good bye Viktor, thanks for finding my necklace.” Hermione walked to the portkey and touched it. In a moment she was again in Diagon Alley.

She walked to the fireplace and as she was about to touch the poker Viktor shouted her name. “ Viktor you shouldn’t be here. I’m going home now.” He went to seize her but she touched the poker, and in few seconds she was back at 12 Grimmauld Place.

She looked up to see four wands pointed at her, and she jumped back. Ron, Remus, Mr. Weasley and Harry had all their wands ready to dual. Everyone lowered their wands and Harry draw her into an embrace, “ What happen? Why did you go back?” “ I lost my necklace, Viktor followed me to Diagon Alley. I’m not sure…” Hermione didn’t finish her sentence because Viktor was there the next instant. Harry pulled Hermione behind him.
“ Hello Viktor, why are you here?” Harry asked with a displeased tone in his voice. All wands aimed at him, he stepped back. “I need talk to Hermione.” “ You just spent the day with her, you couldn’t ask her then?” Harry inquired. “ Hermione, I need to ask you a question in private. Can we talk?” Hermione stepped forward, and Harry’s hand was on her shoulder and she looked at him and nodded. Everyone moved back.
Harry kept his wand out and ready. Hermione took a few more steps toward Viktor, “What is it Viktor?” Looking a little uncomfortable with Harry close by he whispered “ Will you forgive me for being a idiot when we were together. I’m just .. you were the first girl to turn me down and you’re the one girl I’ve really had feelings for. I was hoping we could work this out.” Hermione couldn’t believe her ears. Shaking her head, “ Viktor, there’s nothing to work out. We were never really boyfriend girlfriend .. just friends, I’m not in love with you Viktor. I don’t know how to say it any clearer.” He took her hands and kissed them with Harry standing guard. He looked at Harry for a moment and said
“ Will you ever forgive for being a drunken fool?” Hermione sighed, “ Yes I forgive you.” He smiled and lead forward to kissed her. The point of Harry wand was in Viktor’s Adam’s apple. “ I will be going now.” Looking at Harry “ you act like a jealous boyfriend. “ I’m not a jealous boyfriend.” Harry said quickly. A split second later he was gone.

Hermione turned to Harry “ You said that awfully fast.” “ What? That I wasn’t a jealous boyfriend?” Harry said. “ More like you’re not my boyfriend jealous or otherwise.” “ Do we want him to know?” Harry asked. “ No,” Hermione whined. Hermione looked tired, and Harry offered to get her some tea. As he got to the door to the kitchen he heard Arthur and Molly Weasley and Remus saying something about a few day apart and the spell or hand…,he couldn’t hear, would be broken. They sent word and were expecting another letter very soon.

The room became silent when Harry came in. Dobby asked if he wanted tea and would bring it in the drawing room. By the time he came back to Hermione to drink tea she had gotten a letter from her parents asking her to come home and that they were sorry about their trip and wanted to spend a little time with her before school break was over. They’d be picking her up in an hour. Hermione didn’t know what to say. “ I have to go home, my parent want to see me.” Harry couldn’t believe it. She put her arms around his neck. “Harry I want to stay here but…” “ No, you should see you parents” came out of his mouth. They drank their tea and went upstairs to get Hermione’s bags.

Bags packed and ready to go, Harry and Hermione layed down on the bed. Hermione eyes were watering. Harry shaking his head,“ This shouldn’t be this hard for us. We’ll see each at school like always. I’ll write. I’ll call you .. from a phone in a store.” Hermione nodded her head and tried not to cry. Harry thought ‘something happen on Christmas, but what?’ Hermione parents came sooner than an hour, and Hermione had to say bye to Harry. They couldn’t kiss the way they wanted to in front of her parents. They embraced whispering and nodding. The intense look on Harry’s face made all the parents and Remus a little concerned.

The next few days Harry tried to be patient and happy, but he missed Hermione so much. Hermione wasn’t much better. All she did is stare at the TV and try to do her homework, but she had a hard time concentrating. Dreams of Harry saying he didn’t want to be with her anymore, he had fallen in love with someone else, or he’d say she should be with Viktor, plagued her dreams now. Hermione missed Harry so much and would have given anything to see him, someplace inside her ache to be with him, she curse that place inside for being weak and primitive. The 3rd day Hermione was away Dobby was in the kitchen acting weird even for a house elf. Harry asked him what was wrong. “ The Mistress hasn’t come back .. I liked your Misses very much. She tried to help house elves. You’re sweet words were pure. You were happy I know. And now you is not happy when she is gone.” “ I’m blood miserable without Hermione.” Harry said feeling the ache in his heart. “ But she had tears sir. They take away your love, your family. Maybe again you’ll marry.” “What? Married again. When was I married before?” Harry asked looking confused.
“ Christmas sir. You and she drank from the cup and said loving words and kissed. Don’t you remember Harry Potter sir?” “ That was us getting married? Is that why there were sparks?” “ Yes sir. She drank from your hand, from your cup, the master’s cup, but it is a trial marriage, in one year and a day you are married. But the mistress is gone so long the marriage will be no more. No one will be happy with that.” “ There’s a time limit that we have to be together or apart. How long?” “ I can not tell you sir, it changes over the years. If she’s gone for more than three nights … or is it five night you are not married.” “But there was no preacher… we didn’t say I do. She drank from my hand .. Master’s Cup …trial marriage.” Harry went to the Study and looked up trial marriage…

Trial marriage Handfast or Handfasting… to live as husband and wife for a year and a day. Parting if the couple are not happy, or staying together for another year or forever. It can be preformed by a preacher/pastor etc. but in the years ago a couple could perform it themselves alone in the forest/woods or in a circle of close family and friends. Drinking from a chalice, binding their hands with ribbons, soft straps or rope together. The couple may jump over a broom, fire, sword or cauldron together to after saying their vows/ or I take you to be my husband or wife.

Harry looked up Master’s Cup.
Masters Cups are to seal a deal (buying or selling of land or house) or business venture (becoming a business partner). The wizard or witch would drink to the deal or business after negotiations.
Many years ago the master of the house could marry a woman who he willingly gave the cup to drink from and she had to be willing to drink from it. If the bride left for more than three nights the marriage was dissolved, as the feeling would be.

Harry nearly fell over. ‘ Does that mean that Hermione and he would no longer be in love?’ “ No! I still love her. But will she still love me?” Harry felt panicked.
“I have talk to her, I have to see her.” He ran to get his coat and some coins for the phone few blocks away. Harry went to the door and.. bang he found himself on the floor. He had forgotten about the spells. “ Tonks….”he ran to her room, she wasn’t here. He ran to the kitchen and Remus was there. “Remus … I have to talk to Hermione. Can you take me phone a few blocks from here, please?”
“ Why? What’s wrong?” Remus requested. “ I just have to talk to her, I have to ask her something.” Harry said as he grabbed Remus’ coat and tried to put it on him. “Wait, Harry. Why do you need to talk to her so bad? Have you done something we should talk about?” “ What do you think I did to her? Really? Taken over her mind? Enslaved her? Is that what you think?” “ We’re not sure what spell you and Hermione did, or what it’s done to you or her.” Remus said as he folded his arms. “ Like you said, a binding spell, I can’t stand being away from her for so long.” Harry said as in read between the lines, I know what we did. “ Maybe it would be better if you didn’t talk to her. Let the spell wear off.”
“ No …. I can’t.” shaking his head. He backed away out of the kitchen and he flew upstairs to his room.

Ron was there. He paced the floor for hours, thinking how could he get out of the house and to Hermione. By dinnertime everyone knew he wanted to escape. He went to bed that night dreaming Hermione was crying, hearing her whisper his name and feeling her loneliness as he felt his own. He felt this way before in the summer, believing he would never grow up, fall in love and marry. But he had it, all of it, he just didn’t know and he wanted Hermione back. Have a family with her. Then an idea came in a flash. School, go back to school take the secret passage to Hogmeade, the bus to London or straight Hermione’s.

The next morning Harry told Remus and Tonks he wanted to go back to Hogwarts and do homework there.. ‘ it was to depressing doing it in the house with Hermione not there..’ So they put him on the early train, alone.

He read the book on Handfasting and traditions on it, but he still didn’t know if he and Hermione were still engaged or married. Both must want to be married in their hearts and consent to consummated the marriage. Start the marriage with a fivefold kiss; kissing her feet, knees, abdomen, her breasts and her lips,’ thanking her for coming to you.’

Harry falls asleep on the train and starts to dream.
Walking into a bedroom he sees Hermione. She kisses him and he brings her over to the bed, but she wants to stand up and kiss. He pulls her to the bed and sits down. Patting the bed Harry tries to get her to sit. She does. She trying to talk but he can’t hear her. Harry has an erection that is almost painful and puts her hand on his groin. Regretting it as soon as he does it. Hermione has a disgusted look on her face. He gets up and his frustration starts to speak in snake language. His penis turns into a snake and wiggles out of his pants as it grows to a what looks like a long boa constructor, but with teeth. It slithers up to Hermione and sways back and forth, hypnotizing her. It coils around her hips to her shoulders. It kisses her and it makes Harry feel sick. The snake moves her and caress her face with its’ head and tail. It whispers things and Harry can’t quite hear. “ You love me don’t you?” the snake asks in Harry’s voice, Hermione answers, “ You know I do.”
“ Then let me in.” the snake said. “ But…” Hermione started to wake up trance as the serpent attacked her. It squeezed her body and she let out a grunt as the gripped her tighter. Harry tried to move but can’t. Biting at her legs and neck making her bleed. She gets an arm free and grabbed the snake just below the head, but it tail started to thrash around bruising and cutting her. Harry then realized it was a very young Hermione. He wants to help her, but he still couldn’t move. It coils around her throat. She lets go of the head and attempts to get the snake off. The snake bites at the buttons and zipper on her pants trying to get them off. Harry hears Hermione shout out
“Get off me, leave me alone. Why are you doing this to me? I loved you.”
Harry shout out, “ That’s not me. I love you .” and the snake sinks his teeth into her neck. He hears her gasp for a moment and her back arches and falls died on the floor. The snake’s tail is covered with blood as it emerges from between her legs.

Harry woke up feeling sick. The train was just stopped at the school.
Harry got off the train and in to the carriage. His trunk was in his dorm room before his was. It was late afternoon and Harry had Hermione address, money (muggle and wizard) he dressed warm. He thought about getting something to eat, but he wasn’t hungry.

Harry went down the stairs to the Humpback witch passage. He thought about Hermione and started to walk faster, soon he was running. He got to Honeydukes and realized he didn’t have his visibility cloak with him, so he’d really have to be very careful not to be seen or knock over things in the store cellar. The store was very busy luckily and Harry had an easy time walking out unnoticed.

He pulled out his wand and held it out. The next moment the purple bus was slowing down. Harry got on and gave them Hermione’s address. The bus was decorated. Harry didn’t realize it but it was New Years Eve. The bus bounced around what seem like forever to Harry. He thought of things they should talk about. Handfast, ‘does she want to be with me’ Harry wondered. He should tell her about the Prophecy and that the sorting hat wanting to put in Slytherin house. Looking at a witch with a child sleeping in her arms, Harry wondered would Hermione want children and how soon. He had a house and in theory
he had a wife, plenty of money, why not have a child too. A warm wave washed over him like a wonderful warm blanket and heard himself say “My own family.” A bad thought came into Harry’s mind. ‘What if she’s out at a party or something.’ Harry now thought maybe it would have been better idea to call her first. The bus picked up a few passengers here and there. Finally bus came to a stop.. “ This is your stop sir.” The conductor said. Harry got up and off the bus.

It was nearly 10:00 by Harry’s watch. He looked the house in front of him.
There was a party or gathering going on. Harry stood there not knowing what to do. It was a big two story white house with a fence around it. He heard voices and music. He wondered how he could get in to see Hermione. ‘ Maybe I should just go up and knock on the door.’

A catering van pulled up and two men got out. One of the men got out a clipboard and read out “Granger party”. Harry walked over as the men were trying to carry several tray of food. “Here let me help you,” Harry said. One of the men gave his a few containers of food assuming that Harry was one of the Granger’s.

Harry followed the men to the house and they knocked on the door. Someone open the door looked. One of the men announced, “Forgerty Catering, this is the Granger party correct?” The person said “Oh yes come in, please. Come in. The kitchen in the back left door. Helen, Forgerty’s is here.” So Harry walked into the kitchen passing the guests. Harry helped set up and got food on his hand. He looked for the bathroom keeping an eye out for Hermione. The bathroom on the first floor was busy. One of the guests’ told him to go to the bathroom upstairs. So he did. He took off his coat and washed his hands. Harry waited until hallway was empty of people. He saw one bedroom, lights off and but the door open. The other door was ajar and the light was on. He walked to it, his heart pounding. Knocked on it lightly, and opening it more slowly.

“ Hermione? Are you there.” Harry said softly. He looked in the room. There he saw figure on the bed asleep. Books and notes on the bed and floor. He closed the door behind him. Hermione had fallen asleep doing homework. Her eyes were puffy and there were traces of tears on her cheeks and pages on an open book. He knelt down next to the bed. All he wanted to do is crawl into bed with her. He touched her cheek lightly and just watched her for a while. She took a deep breath and moved her arm making the paper crinkle and woke up. She looked at Harry with dreamy eyes and smiled, and blinked a few times. Her eyes widen as she looked around and looked back at him. “ Harry?” she whispered. She was now wide wake and looked frightened. “ How did you get here? How did you get in?” she got up and walked to the door and listened.
“Did any see you? Does anyone know you’re here?” Hermione whispered looked panicked. Harry heart ached. He sat on the floor and pulled his knee to his chest and rested his head on his knees. She doesn’t love me any more.
“ No one knows I’m here, a lot of the guests saw me though.” “ Harry, you didn’t do anything bad right, you didn’t hurt anyone.” “ No! Why would I … what are you talking about Hermione?” “ Everyone said the spell at Christmas went wrong, that you might be dangerous,” she wept. “Do you think I’m dangerous Hermione?” Harry said getting to his feet. She looked at him like a trapped animal,” I don’t know,” shaking her head. “ Hermione I don’t know what they told you, but the spell we did was … well kind of a Binding Spell, but not. It’s bigger.. more like a special spell. But before I tell you what we did I want to tell you two things.” Harry took a deep breath. “ You know I can talk to snakes and I got that from Voldemort.. I have other traits at he prizes and when I had the sorting hat on it wanted to put me in Slytherin. But I asked to be put into Gryffindor.” “ Well that sounds logical.” Hermione remarked. “ The other thing is when we were in the Ministry of Magic. There was a bottle that had a name on it, my name.” Hermione nodded, “I remember.” Harry continued, “ It had a Prophecy in it. It got smashed, but Dumbledore told me what it said.”
Harry told Hermione. To Harry shock, Hermione didn’t look surprised. “ Well he killed your parents to get to you. You somehow survive his attack and he was nearly destroyed. You are the biggest threat to him. You are the one who can put an end to him.” “ I may be the one who can kill him, but will I be killed too. Voldemort isn’t going to wait much longer for me to get out of school. He’ll want to get me while I still learning, while I’m still have not real experience.”
“No. I won’t let that happen.” She said softly in his ear as she hugged him.

It felt so good to have her in his arms. He held her gently. She looked in to his face, but he couldn’t look at hers. He couldn’t look at her and not want to kiss her, like they did less than a week ago.
“ Now, what spell did we do?” she asked backing up to sit on her bed. Harry wasn’t sure how to tell her now, now that she was no longer in love with him. He walked around the room.“ Have you ever heard of Handfast or Handfasting.” Harry asked. She looked puzzled and shook her head. “I don’t think….no I don’t think so.” Harry looked around and found one book with the meaning.
“Here, handfasting…. a trial … marriage” is all that Harry could get out.
Hermione looked at Harry and read it and read it again. “ But, how?” she asked, smiling. Harry heart jumped, ‘she’s smiling’. “ Look up Master’s Cup” and she did. She looked at him and thought out loud “ We’re married? … We’re married,” She laughed. “Oh my God. Harry does anyone know? ” “Yes Remus and Mr. And Mrs. Weasely .. they know , they may have told your parents.. oh and Dobby knows, Dobby is the one who told me. They sent you back here, to dissolve the marriage, to annulled it. We had to be apart for a number of days to annul the marriage, I read as the marriage is dissolved so are the feelings.” He took a step towards Hermione. “ Are we still married?” he asked. “Do you still love me?” Harry whispered touching her face lightly with a back of finger, feeling a sense of hope when he gazed into her eyes. He wanted to hold her, kiss her and be with her. “ Your not dangerous, the spell didn’t go wrong. Bloody Snape tried to me make me believe… I knew it, I knew you weren’t dangerous.” Harry was holding her face with both hands as the feeling began to build in him, the want, the need. “ Do you still love me Hermione? Please tell me,” his voice, desperate. She saw the urgency in his face. “ Yes,” she said softly. His mouth enveloped hers, wiping all thoughts out of both of their minds. His hands were on her back now puller her closer to him, his heart pounding as her was. They had to break the kiss in order to breath, they were both out of breath. “ God I missed you Hermione, God I missed this.” Hermione smiled
“ Me too.” He dove back to her mouth, like a diver going after a treasure. They fell on to the bed Harry on top of her. In moments instinct kicked in without them really know. Harry pulled Hermione’s legs up and round him as he pushed himself between her hips, kissing and pulling each other closer. Harry broke the kiss, looking at Hermione, in a deep voice “ We are married.” He said looking into her eyes looking for a sign. “Um, we’re not married yet…” “What?”
with a surprise look on his face. Hermione continued, “A marriage ….isn’t legal until it’s…. consummated. I don’t make this up ….it’s common rules and knowledge… it’s in the book.” But all Harry could do is smile.