Hermione and Ron went up to the owlery with a quill and piece of parchment at the ready. Together, heads bent over their letter, the two of them sat on the ledge outside the owlery door and composed the message that would travel to the Burrow to hopefully secure Harry's sanctuary over the summer holiday. Ron was scribbling in his barely legible scrawl while Hermione sat with Pigwidgeon in her lap, clasped between her hands to still the Scoop owl's neurotic bouncing and hooting. Even restrained, the bird still bobbed his head and flailed his taloned feet like a beetle on its back.

"Bloody nuisance, Dad leaving in the middle of the night like that," Ron grumbled as he began to roll up the finished parchment, "coulda just asked him outright while he was here."

"Your dad works for the ministry, makes sense he'd have to get back straight away, wouldn't it?"

Ron didn't answer, instead leaned in to capture one of Pig's restless legs and tied the letter to it. "Take this home to Mum, Pig, and don't get lost, you ruddy bird."

Pig fanned his tail feathers, held back from doing much else, and Hermione opened her fingers to let him go. At once the bird took to the air, making one wild loop before zooming toward the horizon. Hermione watched the twitchy little owl going then turned when a rustle of feathers to her right drew her attention. Hedwig had alighted on the ledge beside Hermione and was looking out reproachfully, with mild disgust, at Pig. Hedwig turned her beautiful amber eyes up to Hermione. Harry's devoted snowy owl looked worried, as though she was fully aware of all that had recently befallen her master. Being a wizard's familiar, perhaps she was. The owl also looked disdainful that the welfare of her master was in the claws of that idiot bird.

Hermione stroked Hedwig's soft, pure white feathers. "I'd have rather sent you, Hedwig, but neither of us asked Harry if it would have been all right and we wanted that letter off as soon as possible."

Hedwig blinked but seemed to grudgingly agree. She blinked again and ruffled her feathers under Hermione's slender fingers.

Hermione looked once more after Pig (who was now a black spec in the sky), then she dropped down from the ledge. "Come on," she said to Ron, "let's go find Dumbledore and let him know we mean for Harry to go home with you this summer." It wasn't even a matter of asking but of insisting. Hermione couldn't fathom being overruled on this, not even by Dumbledore.

Hedwig took a couple of steps across the ledge closer to where Hermione stood and reached out to gently nibble on her shoulder. It was clearly meant to communicate appreciation for their efforts of Harry's behalf.

Ron jumped down to accompany Hermione and Hermione gave Hedwig a last pet before they set off for the castle again.

❾¾ ❾¾❾¾

Madam Pomfrey stuck her head out of her office when she heard the doors to the hospital wing open.

"Oh. I should have known it would be no good trying to keep you two out," the old witch said when she saw Hermione and Ron enter. Ron gave Madam Pomfrey a rather plaintive look, as though trying to puppy-dog face his way into getting to visit Harry. Hermione took a different approach. Her face was stolid and stony; she defied Pomfrey to tell her to leave.

Either one or the other, both, or neither worked, but whatever the case it didn't really matter because Pomfrey just gave a shake of her head and didn't pester the two students further.

Hermione and Ron found Harry reclined on a bed to the left of the entrance, the sole occupant in the hospital wing. Hermione couldn't ignore how alone he looked. She wanted to hug him, let him know he wasn't alone, soothe him and reassure him, but she knew if she succumbed to that impulse it would be for her benefit and not his. He was alone and despondent but he was also used to it. He'd started summer holiday early; the only thing missing was the physical presence of the Dursleys.

Harry looked up as his two friends came to his bed. "Hi, guys."

"How are you feeling, Harry?"

Ron rolled his eyes before Harry could answer. "Oh, lay off him, Hermione. He's going to go spare with you asking that every time you see him."

Hermione shot a glare at Ron but Harry only smirked, faintly and humorlessly, but it was a lot better than he'd been doing yesterday.

"For your information, Ronald, what I meant was what did Pomfrey say?"

Harry's expression closed and he gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Pretty much the same she said last night. Potions and charms don't work against the Cruciatus, Voldemort's a bastard."

"Bloody right," Ron muttered.

"Did she seem to think you were better?" Hermione pressed.

Harry sighed and somehow it seemed to suddenly, viciously exclude Ron from their discussion. "A bit. Nothing I couldn't have told her, though. I do feel better. Down to feeling like I took a bludger during a match and fell off my Firebolt."

"Ouch," Ron hissed. Hermione frowned, her eyes never leaving Harry while he rubbed the topside of his right forearm with his left hand. She opened her mouth to say something else but changed her mind.

"Well, this should make you feel even better," Ron began, and Hermione moved a few inches aside as though to give Ron the floor. In a sense, it was his heroic moment and she would let him have it. Harry looked up, semi-interested in what Ron was saying. Ron was emboldened. "Hermione and I went to Dumbledore and told him that there wasn't a chance we'd be letting you go back to the Dursleys this summer after… well, you know, after what happened. Insisted you be allowed to come to the Burrow with me, demanded it, didn't we, Hermione? Said there wasn't any bloody way we'd have you at that dreadful house all holiday."

During Ron's speech Harry's expression grew increasingly alert and attentive. The light that ignited in his eyes wasn't so much joy as intensity. He was catching every nuance, every word, every unspoken meaning. Ron was oblivious; Hermione was merely watchful.

"So we kept at him until Dumbledore agreed and said you could spend the whole holiday with me and my family at the Burrow," Ron finished.

Harry didn't answer right away. His eyes cut to Hermione and his gaze held on her what seemed a long time. It was strangely discomfiting and Hermione covered her odd blush by clearing her throat. "It wasn't honestly that difficult. Convincing Dumbledore you should go home with Ron, that is. He seemed to think it was a good idea."

Harry finally tore his eyes from Hermione. He looked at Ron and gave a friendly nod and smile. "Thanks a bunch, Ron. It'll be nice not having to go back to Privet Drive."

Ron grinned. "Right on that count, mate. I've owled Mum asking if you could come. She hasn't owled back yet, but of course she'll say you can. Mum wouldn't turn you away. And it'll be great, having you there all summer. We can play wizard's chess, practice Quidditch, skive off on chores, all sorts of fun stuff."

Harry settled back on the pillows propping his torso up. "I appreciate it." Harry cast another sharp, burning glance at Hermione. She met his eyes and gave a fleeting half-smile.

Ron left to tell the twins and Ginny they'd be having company that summer. Hermione stayed behind with Harry. Once Ron was gone she moved to the side of the bed and sat on the edge. Harry scooted over to give her room but her hip still ended up touching his outer thigh.

"I know that was your idea," Harry finally said.

Hermione smiled at him. "I'm just trying to help you, Harry."

"You are. Seriously, thank you."

Hermione looked down at her lap with the remnants of her smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She didn't know what else to say. She saw Harry stop rubbing his injured arm, saw his right hand move in her direction, waver, and Hermione met him half-way. She reached out her right hand and silently took his hand in hers. Harry curled his fingers around hers and they sat like that a minute, unspeaking and unmoving but for the faint shifting of their connected hands.

Their companionable silence was broken by the doors to the hospital wing opening. Hermione turned her head and saw Dumbledore enter. Pomfrey saw the headmaster as well and took up at his side. Both adults reached Harry's bedside side by side. Dumbledore's eyes moved from Harry to Hermione sitting next to him then to their hands still twined together. Hermione made the barest of movements to pull her hand free but Harry's hold didn't loosen. She took it as indication that he didn't want her to draw away and with that unvoiced request she unwaveringly continued to hold Harry's hand. They were friends and Harry had almost been killed; not even prudish Pomfrey could blame them.

Dumbledore's gaze returned to Harry's face. "I take it Miss Grange and Mister Weasley told you the good news?"

"About going to the Burrow this summer? Yeah."

"I can imagine it comes as a relief."

Harry looked down with something akin to embarrassment on his face. He had a terrible home-life at the Dursleys and everyone knew it. Or at least Dumbledore knew, and that was enough at that moment.

Hermione didn't like the sudden shift and gave Harry's hand a squeeze. She looked up at Dumbledore, annoyed that the gentle old wizard could so inadvertently and casually wound Harry.

Dumbledore returned Hermione's look and, oddly, began to chuckle.

Hermione frowned and Harry looked up, embarrassment replaced with confusion.

"I daresay you've awakened some new dimension of maternal instinct in Miss Granger with recent events, Harry."

Hermione ducked her head and blushed. She hadn't known her look toward Dumbledore had been so transparent. Harry looked to Hermione, their eyes met discretely a second, and he gave a fleeting, private smile that made Hermione's abashment at Dumbledore's comment vanish entirely.

"She put in quite a campaign for you when she and Mister Weasley came to see me a short time ago. Shouldn't have been surprised if she'd drawn her wand on me if I hadn't agreed to your summer holiday accommodations. I suspect the only thing that held her in check was the fact her final scores for this term are still undecided. Well, that and I completely agreed with her. A commendable friend to have in your corner." Dumbledore gave a sincere nod to Hermione and it bolstered her, made her sit up straighter and prouder.

"I know," Harry replied plainly.

Hermione was back to feeling embarrassed and decided to make a break for it. She tugged her hand out from Harry's hold and stood. "Well, I had some things I wanted to tend to before summer holiday. I should go see to them. Thank you again, Headmaster."

When Hermione moved to leave, Harry, for the first time, showed signs of animation more expansive than a shoulder-shrug. He sat up and turned on the bed to let his legs hang over the edge. "Madam Pomfrey, may I leave now?"

Pomfrey's cheeks puffed as she chewed on her distaste of that idea, but she could not change the fact that there wasn't anything medically she could do for him. The mediwitch looked toward Hermione, who had stopped at Harry's request, then gave a huff and hand wave. "Oh, very well."

Harry stood and looked toward Dumbledore. "Was there anything else, sir?"

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. "No, no, Harry. You can go."

Harry nodded and looked at Hermione standing beyond Pomfrey and Dumbledore. Their gazes locked and silent communication flared. Hermione waited for him. When Harry caught up with her they both headed toward the doors shoulder to shoulder. Only once they were in the hall did Harry ask, "Where are you going? Care for company?"

Hermione had that bothersome urge to hug him again. "You know I don't mind you coming along, but I'm going to the library." Hermione gave her destination like it was an undesirable place. For Harry, it wasn't exactly the Quidditch pitch, and it would have been enough to send Ron running.

Harry, rather than groan or look glum, smirked. "Shoulda known you'd want to go to the library even though classes are over. Well, let's go, then."

Hermione moved in to Harry's side and curled her arm around his. It wasn't quite the affirming hug she kept feeling inclined to give him, but it seemed to appease that beast within her that needed physical contact to prove he was still okay.

❾¾ ❾¾❾¾

The next day was Cedric's memorial service. His parents had already taken his body home for the funeral, but the students were gathered in the Great Hall to pay tribute to their fallen comrade. It was then that Dumbledore told the rest of the student body, as well as the representatives of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, what had happened that night in the maze. About Voldemort and Cedric's end at the tip of the Avada Kedavra.

Hermione sat beside Harry and heard Dumbledore's voice, but she didn't hear the words. She knew them already. Her attention stayed on Harry. She'd dreaded this. Her dream haunted the edges of her thoughts, and she half-expected to be able to turn and see Cedric's lifeless eyes locked on her from the back of the room. She heard people crying, she knew she was, too, but her main concern was Harry. How would everyone react when they knew what he'd seen in the graveyard? Could anyone who wasn't Harry handle that kind of news? They were all kids, frightened children, next to what Harry had endured his entire life. He shouldn't have to depend on their ability to cope. His life shouldn't be made harder by their inability to handle the truth. Hermione wanted to ferry him away, out of the reach of their taunts and eyes and whispers.

But, as always, Harry proved stronger than for which Hermione gave him credit. He didn't cry, didn't cringe, didn't hide. He sat there and remembered Cedric. He paid tribute as no one else in the Great Hall to their lost classmate.

And if there was to be a backlash from the students toward Harry after hearing the truth, it seemed there was an acclimation period before anyone braved to broach the subject with him. No one gave Harry grief, not even the detestable Slytherins. They weren't comfortable around him, they steered clear and gave him a wide berth, but that was fine. Hermione and Ron were there, and Neville, Ginny, Fred, George, Dean, and Seamus were almost the same as ever. Harry had his buffer of tried and true friends among the students. It would hold until the summer holiday.