75. Expressing Gratitude

"Hermione!" Harry was surprised to find Hermione at his home when he made back that night.

"Harry.." Hermione ran to him and gave him a tight hug.

"How are you here? Do you need my help with something.." Harry asked, confused.

"It's nothing like that Harry. I just didn't want to let you welcome Cristmas, sitting alone in your home." Hermione said sweetly, holding his hands.

Harry face softened as he felt a warm feeling in his chest. Hermione does that to him. He had been praising his past self that he helped Hermione be what she is today. He brought his mom's portrait near the fireplace, made Hermione sit on the ground and lied down on the floor itself using her thighs as lap pillow.

"What happened Harry? Is everything all right?" Lily asked seeing her son's action.

"Yes Harry. Is there something bothering you? Can I help you with something?" Hermione also asked as she used her fingers to brush his hairs, clearly concerned.

"Everything is fine. I just want to be with the two most important persons in my life." Harry said giving a happy smile.

"You know, I feel closest to you mom. And then its Hermione who I feel the closest with. I have never really thanked her for all she does for me.

Hermione, you have been with me since we met, believing me, supporting me in all my endeavours. You are the first to come to my room in the morning, just to spend some time together with me, to not let me feel lonely. You are also the one to go at the last, always giving me hugs, telling me to not lose myself in everything and to relax.

You know mom, she even goes to kitchen elves to tell them what they should serve me and when, to maintain my health between all these works.

Similarly mom always makes sure to talk to me at least once a day, asking me how my day was, if my health is good, if I'm feeling some problem. You are the one I share my everything with, all my secrets, all my thoughts everything.

I feel really blessed to have both of you here with me today. Thank you mom. Thank you Hermione. And I'm really sorry if I made some mistakes unintentionally and hurted you.." Harry said, pouring his heart out.

" I'm always there for you Harry. You didn't make any mistakes. You have been doing you best to help us in every way possible." Lily said with a loving smile on her face.

" You don't need to thank me Harry. What have you not done for me, for my family.. But I'm not here with you for that today. I'm here because I want to be with you. I don't want the only person I'm closest to, even more than my parents, to wear himself out by all the burdens he is carrying.

You are the one I know I can always rely on, I just want you to know that you can also count on me.." Hermione said giving his forehead a sweet peck.

Lily was watching everything from her portrait, she could she how deep their feelings were for each other. ' They haven't even realised what they share between themselves. This is not just pure friendship anymore, this is much more than that. I just hope the changes they can understand and accept not only each other's pros and strengths but also the cons and weaknesses.'

"So how did your meetings go Harry? Did you face any problems?" Lily asked changing the subject.

"Hmm let me show you.." Harry said as he tried to stand up only to be stopped by Hermione.

"Dobby is also here. Ask his for whatever you want." She said.

"Dobby, please bring me the pensive here."

"- and bring us the dinner too, Dobby." Hermione added.

As Harry and Hermione ate their dinner, they all watched the his meeting with Amelia Bones.

"My god Harry!, you flirted with the head of DMLE.. Are you serious.." Hermione exclaimed in horror.

"Yeah.. I also realised that my puberty has started." Harry replied awkwardly.

"But that was not the only reason you behaved that way right?" Lily said looking sharply at him with a proud look on her face.

"You again caught me mom.." Harry grinned.

"What are you talking about Lily? " Hermione asked truly confused.

"It's not your fault that you didn't understand Hermione. Not many would.." She consoled her, then explained -

"The whole meeting was planned, from the start to the finish. You saw how he greeted Amelia at the start by saying ' Aunt Amelia'. Now Harry knew that Amelia had told Susan to stay away from Harry but he still trained her, visited her home personally and then called her in such a friendly way- it was all to get a reaction out of her.

Then when she said her piece, he again dominated her, telling her where in the past she failed. But that was risky as she could have exploded in anger so he flirted with her for the first time, making her stunned and lessening her anger and then he guilt traped her by calling himself an 11 year old orphan.-" Lily paused and looked at him with narrowed eyes.

" -By the way I saw for what purposes you are using your new eye powers."

" I'm only a man, mom.. " Harry said scratching the back of his head.

" no Harry. You are an 11 year old.. " Lily said dryly.

" Come on mom. I didn't do it on purpose, really. It is all my harmones making me do these.. "Harry said 'innocently' making both Lily and Hermione shake their heads.

" Anyway, as I was explaining.. He made an impact on her and made her apologize to him willingly - directly elevating his status in front of her and to add a cherry on the top, he said those 'wise words' , already knowing that Amelia was hearing.

Then he gave the gifts, demonstrating his intelligence and talents as well as his care for Susan's safety. And then you saw how he used his shamelessness and flirting to again stop her from exploding in anger. Otherwise do you really think that Amelia Bones, will let her niece use blood magic or use it herself.

It was easy afterwards, he praised her and flirted with her constantly to make her treat him like an equal instead of a child and got his things done... "

" Isn't this some next level planning. How did he know that she would act the way she did? " Hermione asked.

" He knew. He has his methods but we can't tell you that as you will still be in Hogwarts. Work on your Occlumency and I'm sure that by the next year, you would be ready to know his secrets." Lily advised.