Projects

by LordIakobsPyr

Summary:

Through a ritual for Hermione’s classes, she and Harry can communicate telepathically.

I Own Nothing

Chapter 1

Her runes project was coming together nicely, Hermione was using a mix of old magiks and new theories to create a telepathy-like effect, all she needed was a participant. Harry’s grades were, for one reason or another, skyrocketing, going from ‘Acceptable’ to straight ‘Outstanding’s and Ron’s grades, like his attitude, were plummeting, from barely passing to getting straight ‘Troll’s.

 

So that was what Hermione was currently doing: walking down the quidditch pitch to talk to Harry before dinner. When she arrived, she saw the team in the air running drills, Harry sacrificing his own practice to help the others, giving examples, and overall being a very good captain.

 

Hermione watched for a while, in awe of Harry’s skill, his broom responding to his will. Once the team landed Harry stayed in the air to pack up, only coming down once the change rooms were vacated. Hermione waited on the steps outside the changerooms. Harry left the changing rooms five or so minutes later to a Hermione buried in a book, “Hey Mi, whatcha doing here?” Harry asked kneeling down in front of her, perching his chin on top of her book. Hermione blushed at the closeness. “Hey, Harry!” Hermione said through the blush “I need help with a runes project,” Harry tilted his head in a silent question, “I made a telepathy-like ritual and it needs to be tested,” Harry, satisfied with the answer, nodded,

“Sure Mi, when do you need me?” Harry asked

“Tomorrow night,” Harry nodded, pulling out a small notebook that he started keeping and writing down a note. “Let's go to dinner,” Harry said offering his hand, he pulled her up, their hands mutually lingering together for a few seconds too long.

 

They walked to dinner, Harry asked questions on how the ritual would work, his questions more advanced than Hermione expected, but she didn’t bring it up now. They ate dinner in companionable silence, Ron was busy feeding Lavander as she was him. After dinner, they walked back up to the Common Room to talk about classes, Harry making some shockingly advanced comments like they were common knowledge, Hermione was so engaged in the conversation that Harry had to steer them to the Common Room, say the password and set her on a couch.

!__---(0)---__!

 

“Harry,” Hermione asked tentatively after a low in the conversation, “When did you learn all this stuff?” 

“Well…” Harry started, “I ran away from the Dursleys again and took control of Grimauld Place, I’m not planning on returning to the Dursleys again so I need to be able to do stuff and get a job so I need good NEWTs scores and defend myself from Voldemort and all that…” Harry said, then in a quiet voice added “and if I got better grades than Dudley, I’d get a beating… so I purposely got worse grades and took easier classes, a mistake now but still… I’ve been privately studying runes and arithmancy since third year… I’m sorry Hermione” Harry said, nervous.

 

Hermione appeared ready to kill someone “The only thing that you did directly that annoys me is that you didn’t tell me you studied runes and arithmancy, we could have been talking about that for years now…” Hermione said followed by a sigh “You sure as hell aren’t going back there now that I know that.” Hermione pulled Harry into a hug “You have nothing to be sorry for Harry, I’m sorry you had to through that,” 

“It’s fine Hermio-” Harry started but was rather promptly cut off,

“It’s NOT fine Harry!” Hermione yelled, pulling Harry closer to her. Harry sighed and snuggled into her.

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

The next day, during one of Harry’s free periods, Harry and Hermione met in the runes and arithimancy classroom. Hermione already had the ritual set up, when Harry walked over. “You have to add a binding rune here,” Harry said, pointing to a spot on the pattern on the floor, “Otherwise you have to be channelling the ritual constantly to maintain the effect,” he finished. Hermione wanted to snap back but took a moment to look over her work. He was right, it was such a simple mistake, but it slipped through the cracks. 

 

Harry, seeing Hermione stunned, chuckled, grabbing the chalk she used, he added the rune in and made the appropriate adjustments. Hermione watched as Harry did this, his work was flawless. “Harry…” Hermione said breathily, surprised, “You said you studied the class, you never said that you were this good,” Harry shrugged,

“I studied at my own pace, it might have been faster than the curriculum pace,” he said, “what was the prompt for the project?” 

“The prompt was ‘Find a way to connect two people’” Hermione said

“You could have made a bracelet with a smaller ritual inside it, so the person wearing the twin could hear your thoughts when you run magic through the bracelet,” He said with a shrug, “Could be useful, fun to make too. Alright, let's do this,” Harry finished, leaving Hermione once again stunned.

 

Hermione conducted the ritual, forming a bond between the pair. Harry? Hermione thought tentatively, It worked Mi Harry thought back, “Yes!” Hermione cheered,

“I’ll guess it worked?” Professor Babbling asked, Hermione nodded, lips pressing together, 

“yep, it worked.” Babbling looked over the ritual, taking down notes, when she got to the bit of Harry’s work she noted “This wasn’t in the form you handed in,”

“That was Harry, he pointed out that without the binding rune, we’d have to channel the ritual constantly so he fixed it,” Hermione said,

“Mr Potter, you did this?” Professor Babbling asked

“Yes Professor,” he responded 

“You should join my class then because this is impeccable,” Harry blushed at the praise,

“Thank you, professor, I’ll think about it,” Hermione was beaming at her friend You’re definitely joining Potter! Hermione thought at Harry.

Okay Mi, I will He responded.

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

Hey Mi, It’s done, I’ll be joining you in NEWT Runes and Arithmancy Harry thought to Hermione as he walked back from his meeting with McGonagall,

Great! Hermione thought back I’ll have to give you our next assignment, It’s a pair one so we can work together she finished.

Of course, Mi Harry thought fondly, can I try to send a memory? He asked

Do you think you could do that? Yes, please try it Hermione said. As she was studying she started to visualize flying on a broom, shouting orders to her, and his, team, it was Harry’s memory of the last quidditch practice. It worked, how did you do that? Hermione asked

It’s a meditation method… the method, no, the page the method was written down on appeared in her mind did a still image memory work? Harry asked

Yep, where are you? Hermione responded

The corridor leading to the entrance 

Great,  Hermione said. “Hello Hermione,” Harry said walking in and over to her. He sat down getting out his potions essay, but not the book. “No book today Harry?” Hermione asked, 

“I don’t need the book Mione actually…” a series of book pages appeared in Hermione's mind, “you weren’t the only sceptic Mione, this is the theory behind the changes in the prince book,” Hermione read over the mental pages, “I’ll concede to the points,” Hermione said with a sigh “I’m sorry for giving you trouble Harry,” she finished,

“It’s fine Mi,” Harry said. As Harry continued his essay, Hermione leaned into him, enjoying his presence, no longer needing to help him.

 

Ron’s really been pissing me off recently Harry thought 

Language Harry! Hermione scolded but why? What has he been doing?

I’m just getting fed up with his attitude and laziness Harry said with a sign. Harry grabbed the closest wand (which happened to be Hermione’s) to undo a mistake, I like this ritual Harry thought,

Me too Hermione replied. The pair sat in silence, enjoying each other's company, and doing their homework.

 

“Hermione, can you help me with my Homework?” Ron called out to her coming in from the portrait hole, “What do need help with?” Hermione asked

“My Transfiguration essay,” He said, The one that's due tomorrow? Harry mentally asked

It seems so Hermione answered, looking over Ron’s blank parchment. “Can you write the introduction?” Ron asked

“No Ronald, I won’t do your introduction, write your own essay,” Hermione said

“WHAT? Why not!” Ron asked outraged

“Because if she gives into this, then you progressively make her do more!” Said a very pissed Harry, “How would you know?” Ron snapped defensively

“Common abuse method,” Harry replied coolly. Ron stormed off in a huff. What an ass Harry thinks, pulling Hermione into his side protectively.

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

The pair made their way down to breakfast, chatting mentally the whole way, and through breakfast, following the meal they made their way to the joint class of Runes and Arithmancy taught by both Professors Babbling and Vector.

 

“Class, I’d like to announce our new student, Harry Potter,” a round of applause sounded for a few seconds before the class settled down. “The Prompt for your next project is… ‘Create a new form of defence’ ask us anything, submit your drafts, GO” Vector's stern voice rang out.

 

What should we do Harry? Hermione asked, writing down the prompt,

Hmm… Elemental Shields Harry replies

Do you think we could do that? Hermione asked, Harry nodded, writing down some basic charms “What if we made runes and put them on, say, a ring or bracelet,” Harry proposed, 

“Yes, but making runes is both difficult and dangerous,” Hermione said

“All the more fun,” Harry said with a smirk causing Hermione to shake her head.

 

They set to work as such, writing down proposed ways to make a rune like that work. When Babbling comes around to check on them, she sees them working diligently, when she checks over what they’ve done she notices the undertaking they’re performing. “Making runes? That’s ambitious even for you Hermione,”

“It was Harry’s idea,” Hermione says, waita shif the blame Harry thought, Hermione chuckling. “Well then Mr Potter, if you manage to pull this off then you’ll be setting a high standard,” Professor Babbling said, letting them get back to their work.

 

Harry pulled out his carving kit and a blank stone, he carved their earth control rune. “ Accio Stone, ” Harry said, summoning a rock to his hand. He palmed the runestone, channelling magic through it. The rock responded to his will, flying around, expanding in size and changing shape. “YES!” Harry and Hermione simultaneously yelled, drawing everyone’s attention.

“So one of your runes worked?” Babbling asked

“Yep,” Hermione nodded profusely, as Harry smiled he gave a demonstration, manipulating the rock.

 

Hermione, can you make a really small threat detection scheme? Harry asked

Sure Hermione responded, pulling out a new page. We should get muggle notebooks she thought, Harry mentally nodded, agreeing with her.

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

The rest of the lesson went fast, Harry made a few prototypes of the air rune and Hermione a few prototypes for the threat detection scheme. Lunch came quickly, and Harry and Hermione mentally chatted about their project.

 

“Harry! You weren’t in divination?” Ron asked

“I dropped it, I’m taking Runes and Arithmancy now,” Harry replied half-mindedly. Ron looked scandalized, “Why take a harder class?” he asked

“I wanted to,” Harry said only half paying attention. Ron huffed and walked off.

Chapter 2

Notes:

Sorry this took awhile... I was reading...

They walked into potions after lunch. Harry was erecting his anti-tampering wards when Hermione asked Can you send me the memories of the Book? Harry promptly sent them over, all the knowledge he gained from the book and the sources backing each change up. Wow… That's a lot to take in Hermione thought, Harry mentally nodding in agreement.

 

“Hello Class!” Slughorn boomed, “Today, we will be studying Healing potions, not simple pepper-up potions but potions like Skele-Grow and organ fixers.” Slughorn leapt into a lecture, describing the effects and outcomes, how to properly brew them and how to fix them if you do make a mistake. Hermione decided to brew using the Prince's instructions.

 

The pair got to work making Skele-Grow, Hermione found that the Prince’s instructions didn’t only make the brewing process easier but more simple and less precise. Okay, Harry, you were right, this is so much better Hermione thought, Harry smiled at her from his cauldron. The pair worked for a while, chatting using the bond. “Oh, Good work! Both of you,” Slughorn cheered as he checked up on their progress, “Perfect really,” he said on further inspection, “30 points to Gryffindor, each, for such excellent work.”

 

“For Homework Class,” Slughorn called, getting the attention of everyone “Write a 12-inch essay on what happens when you brew healing potions  incorrectly.” Harry and Hermione both pulled out a piece of parchment, cut it to 16 inches and wrote the prompt at the top. After packing up their things, they went to dinner. I’m loving this mental bond Mi Harry said We can talk about whatever we want and no one will know Hermione laughed,

It is nice Harry she replied, it is true, not having to worry about eavesdroppers was very handy and in a world where Hermione was a celebrity by correlation, not having to worry about Skeeter 2.0 is very nice.

We should patent the ritual so no one else can use it Hermione thought

Well, Christmas is yet to come up, so we could go to the ministry and get it sorted then? Harry proposed, sounds good Harry she replied

 

They ate dinner in relative silence, processing the day. Ron was secluding himself to Seamus Finnigan, and Lavender, more specifically, her mouth. 

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

Harry and Hermione were starting their homework before Hermione had to go out to do her prefect duty. “Do you think internal magical burns could be an effect of incorrectly brewed potions?” Harry asked, Hermione nodded,

“Definitely, so I was thinking I’d do incorrect bone growth, with skele-grow, incorrect organ growth with organ fixers and wrong blood type with blood replenishers,” she said

“I’ll do internal magical burns, the bone growth one… and neuron failures,” Harry said. They wrote down the topic they chose to write their essays on, Harry continuing, waving Hermione off on her prefect duty but continuing their conversation mentally. 

 

Ron hasn’t shown up Hermione thought,

I hear him upstairs… do you want me to get him? Harry replied

This would be his last strike and Dumbledore is out of the castle right now… no, he’d get his badge taken away and McGonagal will probably give it to you she finished, Harry’s laughter rang through the bond. Sounds like a plan Mi He replied, still a little giggly. Harry continued his essay, getting about halfway through it before switching to working on the R&A project, working on the air control rune. We need to get a runes lab to test these runes safely Harry thought

There might be something like that in the library Hermione thought back we can check tomorrow when she finished. Harry nodded through the bond. Do you want me to wait for you to test the air rune? Harry asked

Yes, Hermione nodded in response, I’m on my way back now, I’ll be there in five.

Hermione came back five minutes later.

 

 She cast shields on Harry as he carved the rune. He palmed the stone, channelling magic through it. He stopped quickly, making a few changes, and then he started to channel magic again. The air around them responded to his will same as the what happened with the stone. “YES!” They both screamed simultaneously. 

 

They recorded their results, packed up and went to bed.

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

Breakfast the next morning was sure to be a trying affair, Hermione had registered Ron’s offence last night, so his badge was likely to be taken away this morning.

 

“Mr Weasley, I need to talk to you for a moment,” Professor McGonagall said, pulling Ron into the antechamber. And there it is Hermione thought, Harry chuckling lightly.

 

A few minutes later, McGonagall comes out with a very angry Ron in tow. “Mr Potter, can I see you?” She asked, Harry nodded, walking over to her. She presented him with the badge and his roster. “I wanted to give this to you last year, you deserve it Harry,” McGonagall said affectionately. I got the badge Harry thought on his way back, the pin already on his robes. Hermione smiled, standing up to hug him, “good job Harry,” She whispered in his ear. Harry’s gratitude for Hermione trickled throw the bond. Did you just send your emotions? Hermione asked, I think so… not on purpose… Harry replied. Harry could feel Hermione’s excitement, causing him to chuckle.

 

!__---(0)---__!

Harry and Hermione were walking to Transfiguration when Ron came screeching down the hall at Hermione. “HOW DARE YOU!” He screeched, still storming toward them “YOU MISIRABLE FUCKING BINT, HOW FUCKING DARE YOU GET MY BADGE, MY, BADGE TAKEN AWAY!” He screamed, raising his fist to hit her. He opened his mouth to yell at her more but Harry saw a threat and responded accordingly. Harry’s fist flew straight at the point between Ron’s jaw and his skull. Harry’s punch was so powerful that not only did Ron instantly fall to the ground, but both heard the sound of bone breaking. Fuck, well, I’ll have to miss class Harry thought with a mental sigh. No way Potter Hermione thought back, levitating Ron. “Expecto Pratrum,” Harry incanted “Tell McGonagall ‘Ron tried to hit Hermione, I hit him and We’ll be taking him to the hospital wing’,” Harry watched his pratronus runoff, before turning back to Hermione, who warped Ron in a binding spell. “Neat trick,” Hermione teases

“Thank you, my Lady,” Harry joked back. 

 

The pair walked to the hospital wing chatting and joking. “Hello Madam Pomfrey,” Harry said, stepping into the infirmary, “Hello Mr Potter, Ms Granger and… ah Ronald got himself something?” Madam Pomfrey asked,

“He tried to attack Hermione, I might have broken his jaw,” Harry said. Madam Pomfrey nodded, taking over the levitation and movement charms to position Ron on a bed. “Well you more than broke his jaw, 3 clean brakes, 9 fractures and a tendon snap,” Madam Pomfrey listed then she sighed, “You did a good one, Mr Potter, he’ll be fine in three days, tendons are rather painful to repair,” she said, waving them off.

 

After checking the time they knew they had missed transfiguration, so they made their way to charms. “Hello Professor,” Harry greeted Flitwick, walking in as the rest of the class sat down. The pair sat down toward the front of the class. Professor Flitwick dived into a lecture on simple conjurations' practical, charm-based applications. Harry and Hermione diligently took notes, Harry made a connection to Grump's Laws of Elemental Transfiguration. He set the class to work on advanced versions of the simple elemental spells (like incendio), Harry’s spells were slightly more potent than Hermiones, a given since they both knew how magically powerful he was. They had the spells down in under a minute and then began experimenting, sharing ideas on how to make the spells more effective, their discussion slowly shifting into a debate about ways it could apply to the R&A project. 

 

Before they knew it, they were sent off to lunch, chatting the entire time

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

The Weekend was great. Harry and Hermione spent most of their time working on their R&A project, finishing both the defence scheme and the water rune, with prototypes of the fire runes. Ron not being in anyone’s general area made existence pleasant (at meal times anyway). Malfoy showed up this weekend with a defeated look on his face. Harry was past caring at this point.

 

Much to both teens chargin', the library didn’t have an experimenting room, but the Room of Requirement could produce one. So on Sunday night, just before dinner, Harry finished carving the latest prototype for the fire rune, the most dangerous. Harry walked into the protected testing chamber, bailing portkey on his hip, rune stone palmed.

 

On his will, fire erupted from his hands, not burning him. “YES!” They both cheered. Their last new rune worked.

 

With their triumph in hand, they went down to the great hall for dinner. They made plans over the mental bond about how they’d fix all the parts together. They chose to make it as a bracelet so they had more space to work with, not much space but more than a ring would provide. They had to make one more scheme to build the shield.

 

The pair fell asleep working on their project in the common room, Hermione fitted against Harry who subconsciously pulled her into him in his sleep. They slept ready for the week ahead. 

 

!__---(0)---__!

 

“And of course, they’re cuddling on the couch now,” Ron said, much too loudly, waking Harry. Harry looked down, noticing the very comforting weight on his chest, and then he noticed it was a still-sleeping Hermione, he blushed in embarrassment but didn’t move her. “Shush Ron, she’s still sleeping,” Harry said, stroking her hair. He noticed the cat ears buried in her hair, smiling fondly at the memory of when she showed him back in 4th year. “Of course, that’s all you care about,” Ron snarled,

“Yes I care about my friend's well-being,” Harry replied calmly 

“What’s gotten into you mate, why are you spending so much time with this bint, studying, more than you have to, ” he asked, Harry shrugged in response, careful not to wake Hermione.

“I should have been studying since first year, I should be more prepared, for anything…” Harry said with a sigh. “Prepared for what?” Ron snarked

“Voldemort,” Harry responded, Ron grunted and shook his head in annoyance and stalked off.

 

Harry held Hermione, playing with her hair until she woke up.

 

Hermione woke slowly, enjoying the warmth and comfort wrapping her… was her mattress beating? And headboards don’t play with her hair. Both were addictively comforting, she snuggled into her mattress for good measure before slowly opening her eyes and looking up. At Harry.

 

“Good morning ‘Mione,” Harry said, his voice a little gruff. Hermione realised that she wasn’t on her mattress, she was on Harry. Hermione squeaked and jumped off him, instantly missing the warmth. Hermione let out a small whine at that absence. “Oh, I’m sorry Harry!” Hermione starts but is promptly cut off by Harry placing a finger on her lips, “It’s fine Mi.” Harry stood up, pulling Hermione up with him. “We can forget about it if you want,” he said, “let’s get changed and we talk over breakfast.” He pulled her into a hug, kissing her on the cheek before walking up to his dorm. Hermione stood there for a moment, still blushing a deep red before going up to her room. She got changed fast, still slower than Harry who was already back in the common room, packing up their things. He handed Hermione her bag, guiding her out of the common room to the great hall for breakfast. What did happen back there Hermione bravely asked,

Harry mentally shrugged my need to protect people he replied

Did you sleep well she asked

Really well actually Harry responded, Hermione nodded in person. 

 

They discussed the topic a little more, expressing mutual aprication for the others company, the conversation shifted to their R&A project, the sleeping arrangement was pushed to the far back of their minds but they did sit a little closer than normal.