Harry's POV

"Sit down," Fudge said while leading us to some chairs by the fire.

Cornelius Fudge had cornered me and Y/N when we arrived to the Leaky Cauldron and didn't give us a chance to protest.

"I am Cornelius Fudge. The Minister of Magic." He said. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Y/N rolling his eyes.

He must really not like him.

"Yes we know." Y/N replied annoyingly. "Just get to the point already."

Fudge glanced at him as Tom reappeared into the room, carrying a tray of tea and crumpets. He placed the tray on a table between us and left the room.

"Well," Fudge said while pouring himself some tea, "you've had us all in a right flap. Running away from your aunt and uncle's house like that!" He said before pointing at Y/N. "And you helped him, didn't you Mr. L/N." Causing Y/N to huff.

"I'd started to think....but you're both safe, and that's what matters." Fudge said. "Now you will be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Majorie Dursley."

How fortunate.

"Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department were dispatched to Privet Drive a few hours ago." He continued. "Miss Dursley has been punctured and her memory has been modified. She has no recollection of the incident at all. So that's that, and no harm done."

That's it? I broke the law.

"What about my punishment?" I asked the Minister.

"Punishment?" Fudge asked.

"Sir, I broke the law." I said.

"The Decree for the Restriction of Underage Magic." Y/N continued.

"Oh dear boy, we're not going to punish you for little things like that!" Fudge exclaimed. "And boys will be boys, it happens more than it should, but of course, no trouble. We don't send people to Azkaban for a little mischief!"

"But last year, I got an official warning just because a house elf smashed a pudding in my uncles house!" I said. "The Ministry of Magic said I'd be expelled from Hogwarts if there was any more Magic there!"

"Like I said Harry, things can change in a small amount of time." Fudge said. "Though surely you don't want to be expelled?"

"Of course I don't." I replied quickly.

"Well then what's the fuss about?" Fudge laughed. "Now have a crumpet, while I go see if Toms got a room for you both."

"I have my room already thank you very much." Y/N replied angrily, walking out of the room.

"Where are your manners Y/N." Fudge asked. "You wouldn't dare to disrespect the Minister of Magic. Your mother would never-."

"First off, I'm not my Mother." Y/N replied. "And second, I'll show you respect when you actually earn some."

Gracie hissed at Fudge for good measure and Y/N walked out of the room.

———————————————————————————

It's been about a week since me and Y/N have been staying at the Leaky Cauldron and I have to say, it's been a really fun time. It's nice to spend some time with your best friend.

We had gone into town and bought some last minute things for the term. Y/N had bought an absurd amount of books for the coming year. I knew that he was one of the top students in our year, but I don't have a clue as to why he'd take so many subjects.

We passed the days and nights just talking about our summer holidays. I didn't do much obviously, but Y/N told me a bunch of stories on his summer living in Scotland and playing Quidditch. It was a nice way to get my mind off of things at the moment.

Hermione and Ron would be joining us in a few days to bring our quartet back together, and I couldn't be more excited.

Hermione's POV

The Weasleys had owled me a few days ago that they would pick me up from my home in Hampstead after we came back from holiday. They assured me that they would not fly here, since there were a lot of Muggles in my area, obviously. I was very excited to see everyone again, Y/N, Harry, Ron, the twins, Ginny.......

Y/N especially.

I had missed him so much over the summer, I missed how he would study with me in the library, I missed the way he would call me "Mione," I missed his award winning smile that makes me blush every single time.

Yes, I realized over the summer that my feelings for Y/N are a bit different than what you should feel towards a best friend. I kinda sorta....have a crush on him.

I hope this doesn't make things awkward between us.

The Weasleys had also said that Y/N and Harry were already at the Leaky Cauldron and had been there for the last week.

I was really excited for 3rd year quite honestly, This year we would be able to go to the magical village Hogsmeade, and from what I've heard, it's absolutely incredible. I really wanted to go with Y/N so that we could have some time together just by ourselves.

If it came to that, I hope Ronald and Harry don't feel the need to come with us and ruin it.

Eventually, the Weasleys had arrived and we headed off to the Leaky Cauldron, where Y/N and Harry were staying. When we arrived that night, we all booked our rooms. Each of the Weasleys shared a room. The twins, Ron and Percy, and Ginny shared a room with me.

We talked about our respective vacations until footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. I turned my head to see someone coming down. He had a grey hoodie on, and his hair was a bit messy, but still cute nonetheless. I smiled as I saw Y/N come down from the stairs as Harry followed behind him.

Y/N reached the last step and smiled as I ran up to him and hugged him tight.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you." He said.

"I-I can say the same a-about you." I stuttered while blushing.

"I'm here also." Harry said with a huge smirk.

"Yes, I've missed you too Harry." I said while still hugging Y/N.

"But really, I missed you so much." I said.

As we separated, I still hung onto him.

"Here, sit down." He said. "How was France?"

"Really good!" I replied. "Did you get the pictures I sent you?"

"I did." He said while reaching into his pocket. "My personal favorite is you standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, you looked really cute in it. And the Eiffel Tower was nice too."

I blushed a little. Wow, he really knows how to do it.

"How was your summer at home?" I asked.

"Not too bad." He said. "Did some work around the house, played some Quidditch, can't complain."

"Excuse me Hermione?" Ginny asked. "Is it alright if I borrow Y/N for a few minutes."

I started to feel an inch of jealousy, but I let her talk to Y/N.

Y/Ns POV

Ginny had brought me up to her room and shut the door.

"First I wanted to thank you for saving me last year." She said shyly. "I must have caused so much trouble."

"It's no problem Ginny." I said. "You were controlled, it wasn't even your fault, as long as your okay."

"Thanks Y/N." She smiled.

"I feel like this isn't the only reason you brought me up here is it?"

"Oh yes." She smirked. "What's going on between you and Hermione?"

I blushed a heavy red.

"U-um, I-I have n-no idea what your talking about Gin." I stuttered.

"Y/N don't lie." She continued smirking. "I've seen the way you two looked at each other just now, it's obvious you fancy her."

"Nothing gets past you does it?" I asked as she nodded. "I do fancy Hermione."

"You should ask her out!" Ginny squealed.

I put two hands over her mouth. "Jesus Christ Gin, your going to let the whole inn know."

She calmed down as I removed my hands.

"I really do like her." I admitted. "I'm hoping we can get some time together in Hogsmeade when we go."

"That would be nice." She responded. "I'm shipping you guys."

"Thanks Ginny." I laughed. "And don't think your off the hook just yet. I see the way you oggle over Harry."

Ginnys smirk evaporated as she blushed a heavy red.

"Shut up Y/N!"

"I'm kidding." I said laughing.

"It's not like he'd ever notice me." She said sadly. "He's Harry Potter and I'm nobody."

"That's not the right attitude to have." I said. "I'm sure if you spent more time with him, he'll come to his senses."

"I hope so." She replied. "Thanks Y/N."

"Anytime Gin."

We went back downstairs and I continued my conversation with Hermione until it was time to go to bed.

I helped her unpack her things as she sat in her bed.

"Y/N?" She asked.

"Yes, Mione?"

"Are you feeling okay? After what Riddle said in the Chamber."

I sighed. "I'm not going to lie Mione, I'm scared. More scared than I've ever been. But there are some advantages. I can possess very powerful magic according to Mum and Dumbledore, possibly even more powerful than Voldemort. That's why he tried to kill me as an infant." I said as she grabbed my hand. "I do have some special classes for Magical Training I'm taking along with my other classes."

"Yeah." She said. "We did sign up for more classes like Divination, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies..."

"Did Mum tell you about the Time Turner?" I asked as she nodded. "She said we'll be using the same one to get to our classes, but I'll need it at a separate time for my Magical Training."

Ginny came into the room and smirked at us before getting ready for bed.

"I think we've got to get to bed soon." I said. "I'll see you in the morning?"

"That's sounds great!" Hermione said. "I can tell you some more about France!"

"Good! I'll see you tomorrow!" I said with a smile. Before I left the room, Hermione stood up and pecked my cheek as I blushed and smiled.

"Good night Mione."

"Good night Y/N."

———————————————————————————

The next day, we all got up at the same time to start the day. Me and Harry already had our books for the year, but we accompanied the others around Diagon Alley to get their supplies. Hermione had a s*it ton of books she had to get, as she would be taking the same amount of classes I was.

As we were doing that, Hermione and Ron told us more about their vacations.

"Egypt, and France." Harry asked. "What's it like?"

"Brilliant!" Ron said. "Loads of stuff....like mummies and tombs! Even Scabbers enjoyed himself. He's been feeling sick after though...have to find some rat tonic."

"France is lovely." Hermione continued. "Lots of couples were on the street. They don't call it the city of love for nothing."

And out of the corner of my eye, I could see Hermione glancing at me as she finished her sentence.

Maybe I'll have that moment with her someday.

We then made a visit to Magical Menagerie to get Ron's rat tonic. Harry and Ron went to look for it while I peered off with Hermione. I had to get Gracie some treats and other things.

Hermione had wanted to get an owl for her birthday, since Harry had Hedwig, I had Gracie, and Ron had Scabbers.

The shop was very cramped, cages were lining the walls and acting as shelves for other cages. It was incredibly noisy as well, all the animals were screaming at the top of their lungs. Ron approached the counter and plonked his rat onto the counter in front of a witch.

The witch pulled out a pair of spectacles and peered closely at Scabbers.

"Hmm." She said. "How old is this rat?"

"Dunno." Ron said. "Quite old. He used to belong to my brother."

"What powers does he have?"

"Er....none? At least he hasn't shown any." Ron replied.

"He's been through the mill this one." The witch peered closely at Scabbers. His missing toe in particular.

"He was like that when Percy gave him to me." Ron said.

"An ordinary, common or garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so. Now if you were looking for something a bit more hard wearing, you might like one of these...."

She indicated to a cage of black rats who were dancing and swinging on the bars. It looked pretty sweet to be honest.

"Show offs." Ron muttered.

"Well, if you don't want a replacement, you can try this rat tonic." The witch said.

"Okay...how much...OWWW!" Ron screamed as an orange feline bounced off of his head and hissed at the rat on the counter.

"NO CROOKSHANKS NO!!" The witch cried out to the cat while it chased Scabbers throughout the store.

A/N: We stan Crookshanks in this house

The rat ran through the door, both Harry and Ron chased after it as Hermione eyed the cat with a grin.

"You want the cat, don't you?" I asked.

"Yes." She said while biting her lip. "But I'll pay for it, it's my parents gift to me."

"Too late." I said handing the witch some money.

"Here you go, Crookshanks. It's kind of a relief to see him go actually, he's been here for ages, nobody seemed to want him." The witch said while handing Crookshanks to Hermione, along with the Rat Tonic Ron had left behind. "The Tonic's on the house, really sorry about that."

We went ahead and bought food for Crookshanks and some treats for him and Gracie.

"You did not have to buy Crookshanks for me." Hermione said while cradling him in her arms. "I had money from my parents."

"You can use that money when we go to Hogsmeade together?" I asked as she blushed.

"Y-you would w-want to go with me?" She stuttered.

"Well yeah, only if you want to." I said.

"I'd love to go to Hogsmeade with you!" She exclaimed.

"Great!"

We went to buy more supplies as we met up with the others. As they saw us, Ron gasped. "You did not just buy that maniac!"

"He's gorgeous isn't he?" Hermione said as she played with Crookshanks ear.

"That thing nearly scalped me!"

"You're overreacting." I said while petting Crookshanks. "Here's your Rat Tonic."

"What about Scabbers!" Ron exclaimed as I handed him the Tonic. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get it with that thing around?"

"Don't worry. Crookshanks will be sleeping in my dormitory and Scabbers will be in yours. Hermione said. "What's the problem? Poor Crookshanks...that witch said he'd been there for ages: no one wanted him."

"I wonder why." Ron said sarcastically as we made our way back to the Leaky Cauldron.

As we got our things and returned, Ginny pulled me over to the side again.

"So did you ask her about Hogsmeade?" She asked me.

"I did, and we're going together." I said as she squealed.

I feel as if it's going to be an exciting year.