The first years walked out of the examination hall- happy, relieved, ecstatic. They had just finished their History of Magic exam, their last exam for the year. The exams were atrociously difficult in Harry and Ron's opinion as the two boys walked behind Hermione and Lavender.

"I always heard Hogwarts exams were dreadful but I quite enjoyed that" Hermione said happily as Lavender chuckled.

"Speak for yourself" Ron mumbled. The four first years walked to a courtyard near the main castle gate and sat under a big tree.

"We still going to Hagrid's in ten?" Harry asked. They had organised to have lunch with Hagrid to celebrate the end of their exams. The girls nodded and smiled before stopping, noticing Y/N walking passed.

Lavender looked at him with sadness. Hermione with a mournful expression. Harry looked at Y/N and sighed. He missed Y/N, he wanted his friend back.

Y/N had completely isolated himself from everybody. Students were actively avoiding him in the hallways. The anger could be practically felt pouring out of him.

The group had been witness to an incident during the week, between Y/N and Professor McGonagall.

-~-

Harry, Lavender and Hermione had finished their Transfiguration exam and were heading to the library to study for Herbology. Ron had ran off with Dean and Seamus because he 'needed a break'. As the three walked down a corridor, they saw Y/N follow Professor McGonagall into an unused classroom. The three students stopped at the doorway, eavesdropping on the conversation being had.

"Do you know why I asked you for this chat Y/N?"

"Should I presume there was a problem with my exam results, Professor?" Y/N replied, emotionless.

"N-No Y/N. I obviously haven't been able to assess your theory exam yet, but you scored full marks on your practical assessment"

"Then I have no clue Professor"

McGonagall sighed as she looked at Y/N, fighting back the emotion she felt.

"Y/N... since you and Ms Granger had your... falling out, I've noticed... all of your teachers have noticed... your mental health seems to be deteriorating Y/N, rapidly. I just think-"

"Have I broken any school rules, Professor?" Y/N asked in the same emotionless way.

"Apart from the incident with Mr Ross from Slytherin house no, but-"

"That matter was dealt with in my subsequent meeting with the Headmaster and Professor Snape. As I told them, Professor, Her-Her... Ms. Granger may not wish to be my friend anymore, but I will still protect her. He called her that word. He's lucky I didn't take something from him permanently. Is there anything else?"

Y/N's voice wavered as he struggled to say Hermione's name before it instantly reverted to it's previous emotionless state. McGonagall looked at Y/N sadly:

"I am worried about you Y/N. We all are"

"I assure you I am fine Professor. I've never needed anyone before and I don't need anyone now. May I please be excused to return to my revision?"

McGonagall sighed and nodded, Y/N turning and leaving the classroom. He walked several feet out the door before stopping, his head turning slightly to the side as he spoke coldly:

"It's not polite to eavesdrop"

"Y/N" Lavender said pleadingly. She was ignored as Y/N continued walking on, alone.

-~-

Harry was brought from the memory as he heard someone calling out:

"Y/N! Y/N stop!"

Y/N stopped about ten feet from the tree and muttered to himself. He turned just as Katie Bell ran up to him, wrapping her arms around him.

Hermione gasped in shock at the act, internally relieved when Y/N stood motionless, not returning the action.

"What do you need Katie?" He asked emotionless.

Katie smiled as she looked up into his eyes. She rested a hand on his chest as she asked sweetly:

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Katie" Y/N replied the same way. Katie giggled as she batted her eyelids at him.

"I was wondering if you had reconsidered my offer. We could find somewhere quiet... secluded..." She giggled again. "You deserve a reward after all for finishing all your exams".

Harry wasn't quite sure what he was hearing. He glanced at the two girls- Lavender looked like she wanted to commit murder. Hermione looked like she was barely holding back tears. Harry was relieved, for Hermione if nothing else, when he heard:

"Still not interested Katie. Anything else?"

She replied with disappointment in her voice:

"No, it's ok. When you get over your little crush I'll be right here. When you realise there are other girls who like you and who would never hurt you like this. I'll see you at Quidditch practice tomorrow?"

"Well I have to be there so...."

"See you there" she smiled, leaning up to quickly kiss Y/N on the cheek. She turned and left, leaving a surprised and shocked Y/N in her wake. Y/N shook his head as he spoke loudly to himself:

"Why can't people just leave me the fuck alone!"

He turned to walk off as Harry got up suddenly and ran towards him:

"Y/N! Y/N!"

"WHAT?" Y/N turned with a roar. Harry stopped in his tracks as Y/N's fierce glare softened slightly before he sighed.

"What is it Harry?"

Y/N's eyes darted over to Hermione for the briefest of moments before going back to Harry.

"We were all going to Hagrids. I was wondering if you wanted to join us?" Harry asked hopefully.

"I don't think that's a good idea Harry" Y/N replied as he turned again to leave.

Lavender had had enough. She got up, storming over saying "Y/N!" loudly.

He stopped and turned with a huff...

Slap

Harry gasped in shock as Lavender slapped Y/N across the face, hard. His head turned slightly, before he looked back at the angry girl.

"Is that all Lav?"

Slap

Lavender slapped Y/N a second time. His head turned again, Harry could see Y/N's tongue in his cheek as he rubbed his chin.

"Damn it Y/N, we're all sick of this crap. Enough is enough. We miss you. We ALL miss you. Come with us... please?"

Y/N looked down into Lavender's eyes and relented with a sigh as he muttered:

"Fine"

She happily rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Y/N as she smiled happily, saying quietly:

"Thank you"

Y/N remained unmoved.

Hermione and Ron walked over to the trio and the five of them walked towards Hagrid's Hut. None of them spoke until Hermione moved up to walk next to Y/N. She looked down at the ground and spoke quietly:

"I've really missed you, Y/N"

Y/N kept looking forward but also answered quietly, saying almost in a whisper:

"I've really missed you too"

The five arrived at Hagrid's Hut just as he was walking out the front door. He looked at Harry, who was at the front of the group, with a smile:

"Sorry you lot, I know we 'ad agreed to meet fer tea. But something important has come up. I've got ter go. Let's make tea for tomorrow. You lot're free from classes now so it shouldn't be a problem.."

Hagrid stopped speaking as his eyes fell on Y/N. The others were shocked as Hagrid rushed forward, engulfing Y/N in a giant hug.

"It's good ter see ya Y/N. I'm so proud of you. We all are. Well done boy, well done".

"Um.. Hagrid... oxygen" Y/N said through a bright red face, causing Hermione and Lavender to giggle. Hagrid let go in slight embarrassment.

"Righ' sorry. Make sure you all come ter the end of exam feast tonight. Especially you Y/N. It's important".

Y/N sighed as Harry smiled and said:

"Ok. See you tomorrow Hagrid"

He looked at his friends with a smile, it was good to all be together again. He asked:

"So now what do we do?"

"Back to the common room until the feast?" Lavender suggested.

"I was on my way to the Forbidden Forest, I'll see you later" Y/N said emotionless as he turned and walked towards the foreboding woodlands.

Ron shrieked: "Why are you going there?"

"There's always evil witches and wizards skulking around in there. I need a good fight" Y/N replied.

Ron and Lavender gasped as Hermione ran forward, placing a hand on the back of Y/N's shoulder.

"No. Come with us Y/N. Please?" Hermione asked. The sadness in her voice from the past few weeks was evident. She sounded weighed down.

Y/N stopped and his head dropped slightly.

"Are you sure you want me there?"

"Of course we do" Hermione answered on the verge of tears. Y/N sighed.

"Ok. I'll come"

Harry and Lavender exchanged happy smiles, both were hopeful their fractured friendship group was starting to heal.

The five walked back to the Gryffindor common room. They discussed things- memories of the year, questions about the exams, just overall happy small talk. Y/N was silent the whole way there but the group were just happy to have him there.

The group's two favourite couches were fortunately empty so they quickly moved to occupy them. Ron, Harry and Lavender sat on one couch and Hermione sat on the other. Y/N stood there awkwardly:

"Uh... do you mind if I sit there Hermione?"

She looked up at Y/N shocked, answering quickly:

"Of course not Y/N. You don't have to ask."

Y/N nodded and sat down right against the arm to the couch, leaving as much room between he and Hermione as possible. It seemed strange, usually they would be cuddling by now, but instead they both sat there awkwardly.

The group sat in an uncomfortable silence before Lavender finally spoke up:

"So I wonder what came up that was so important for Hagrid to rush off like that? And why was it so important for you to be at the feast Y/N?"

"No idea" Y/N chuckled and leant his head on the back of the couch, looking up at the ceiling.

"Did you mean what you said in the courtyard Y/N? About wanting to be alone?" Hermione asked in a tone laced with concern.

Y/N was silent for a few moments before answering:

"Yes. Apparently it's abnormal to want to be left alone"

"Why do you want to be left alone Y/N?"
Harry asked.

"I'd rather not talk about it Harry" Y/N answered emotionless.

Harry was really concerned for his friend. He was taking this argument with Hermione really hard. Hermione had been sad about it as well but Y/N's reaction seemed like... something else. Harry couldn't put his finger on what it was.

Hermione reached her hand out and placed it on Y/N's. He jumped slightly. He'd never done that before. Hermione looked at him in shock but continued to speak:

"We're your friends Y/N. We...care about you. We're here if you want to talk about it".

Y/N looked down at Hermione's hand, then back up at her.

"I-I- I think I need to go for a walk. I'll see you guys at the feast".

Y/N stood and walked out the common room without saying another word.

Hermione look at where he had exited and tears started falling down her cheeks. Lavender ran over and hugged her.

"I've ruined it Lav, I've thrown it all away"

"Shhh. No you haven't" Lavender said soothingly:

"Remember what Bea said. He hasn't had a normal life. He doesn't know how to handle emotions like this. Just give him time".

Hermione nodded, as Lavender continued to hold her. After a few moments Lavender chuckled:

"Besides you heard him straight up turn down Katie earlier".

Hermione smiled.

"Yeah, Merlin knows what reward she was talking about".

"I've got an idea. The bitch. My older sister has told me a few things. Let's go to the dorm and I'll talk to you about it".

They said goodbye to Harry and Ron and headed up to their dorm where they were thankfully alone. The conversation that followed left Hermione feeling very overwhelmed, confused and she couldn't help but imagine doing those... things... to Y/N. Or have him do those back. Needless to say she was now extremely embarrassed about seeing him at the feast.

-~-

Following their... 'informative' conversation, Hermione and Lavender walked to the Great Hall to get a seat for the feast.

They arrived to see Harry and Ron sitting on one side of the Gryffindor table with Y/N on the other. Hermione sat next to Y/N and Lavender sat next to her.

Every time Hermione looked towards Y/N she flushed. She couldn't get the pictures out of her head.

Thank God he won't use legilimency on me she thought to herself.

Y/N had glanced at Hermione a couple of times before he finally whispered:

"You ok Hermione? you seem a little uh... bothered"

"Mmhhmm" she answered as Lavender chuckled: "She's fine Y/N. Just girls stuff".

Y/N's eyes shot open briefly as he nodded and looked away. Hermione shot Lavender a panicked look causing Lavender to chuckle more.

It was time for the feast to begin and Dumbledore stood to speak to the student body.

"Congratulations to all our students for completing their exams. As you are aware, students are free for the next two weeks to explore Hogwarts and have fun. A reminder we still have the final Quidditch match of the year, where Gryffindor and Ravenclaw will compete for the Quidditch Cup, not to mention the House Cup presentation."

Many students groaned. Slytherin had an insurmountable lead on the House Cup and looked to win it for a ninth year in a row. Dumbledore continued:

"However, we are also going to celebrate something out of the ordinary tonight, prior to the feast. Something that has happened recently at Hogwarts which is monumental. For this reason I'd like to present you with a special guest who is here to make a special announcement. I give you Galton Scamander, President of the Royal Society for the Preservation of Magical Creatures!"

The staff and student body applauded as a tall handsome man shook Dumbledore's hand and stood at the podium, smiling out to the student body.

"Is that Newt and Tina's son?" Hermione whispered to Y/N.

Y/N leant over and whispered back:

"Yeah, but I've never met him before. I wonder why he's here".

Galton smiled at the student body as he began to talk.

"Thank you all for the warm welcome. As Professor Dumbledore stated, my name is Galton Scamander and I am indeed the President of the Royal Society for the Preservation of Magical Creatures. It's a society that was established by my parents and has long fought to preserve and protect Magical Creatures, so that future generations have the chance to study, observe and simply appreciate the many beautiful and wonderous creatures the magical world is fortunate enough to have".

He had a strong presence as he spoke and Y/N smiled. He definitely inherited that from Tina. Newt was a quiet, softly spoken, sweet man. Tina meanwhile had that streak of confidence that seemed endemic to all Americans Y/N had met. Galton continued:

"Now if you students will indulge me, I'm going to tell you a story. I'm sure many of you have heard it before. In the earliest time of Magic- before Merlin, before the brave Spartans, before even the sages Of Pharaonic Egypt there was the First Age. In this time lived some the strongest wizards and witches to have ever lived- Achilles, Thor, Thoth, Osiris, Zeus among others. Alongside them were some of the most incredible creatures to have ever existed- the Legendary Creatures. Many of them are sadly gone, their bones dug up and now litter the muggle museums of the world and labelled dinosaurs. However, there are some that remain. They are few and far between, and many that do are the last of their species.

Through actions that are currently unknown one of these amazing Legendary Creatures now resides in the Hogwarts Magical Creature Reserve. It was somehow released there, bewitched and in a state of aggression with the desire to kill. It attacked a staff member and student...."

Hermione couldn't hold back any longer and slipped her hand into Y/N's under the table. She prayed he would respond and was beyond ecstatic when he allowed her fingers to interlock with his. She squeezed his hand in relief. They both missed this touch, each other's presence, and it felt like pure bliss to have it back again.

"... but as I'm sure you are all aware the life of the staff member was saved in a heroic act. This act of selfless bravery caused the student to be severely injured. Because of this attack, the Ministry of Magic wanted to murder this poor creature, despite its bewitchments being lifted. This creature is the last Leviathan in existence.

To kill this magnificent beast would have been a tragedy of epic proportions. It was tragic enough that the student was injured, but to compound it by causing the extinction of one of the last of the Legendary Creatures would have been nothing short of apocalyptic for the Wizarding World"

Galton smiled, many students had began to look towards Y/N, who sat there stoically, no visible emotion on his face. Galton continued:

"But out of tragedy can come joy, and out of sadness and pain, love. The student that was attacked, this remarkable young man... well immediately after emerging from the coma he was placed in, set out to preserve and save this incredible species".

Gasps were heard around the student body. Hermione squeezed tighter.

"He concocted and coordinated a daring plan, from his hospital bed, in which he enlisted the help of his contacts within the Ministry, the headmaster here and even my parents in order to protect this creature. The bewitchments were lifted but it still wasn't enough. So when time was nearly out he did the unthinkable. He checked himself out of his hospital bed, still in immense pain, and went down to the enclosure. He stood toe to toe and eye to eye with not only the head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, but with the Minister for Magic himself"

Even more gasps and whispers were heard. Hermione noticed even the teachers looked shocked and impressed. Despite how fervently against his actions she was, she couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in her chest.

"Then, when all hope seemed lost, this student did the unthinkable. He dove into the water and swam with the majestic Leviathan. The creature that nearly killed him only days earlier!"

The gasping and whispering around the hall now sounded like dozens of hives of angry bees whenever Galton stopped to take a breath.

"This student spoke with the creature and this act of bravery, demonstrating that the creature truly posed no risk to anyone, encouraged the Wizengamot to immediately pass a decree ensuring the safety of the Leviathan and any other Legendary Creatures that are discovered. I am told that this act, this noble act of heroism and self sacrifice jeopardised one of, if not the, closest relationship he has..."

Hermione squeezed again. She was fighting back tears at this point.

"... but for this act of bravery, the Wizarding World owes him a tremendous debt. It is for this reason I am proud to invite Y/N L/N onto the podium now, to receive the Newt and Tina Scamander Preservation Achievement Award, which is the highest honour our society bestows."

To say Y/N was shocked was an understatement. In a daze and with thunderous applause he walked up to the stage to be presented with the Societies medal and had a photograph taken with Galton for the Daily Prophet.

He returned to his seat and Hermione hugged into his arm. She whispered close to his ear. "I'm sorry. I'm so proud of you". Y/N felt himself involuntarily and inexplicably shiver.

As the applause died down Dumbledore returned to the podium.

"Yes congratulations Mr. L/N. It is an honour well deserved. I'll add one last thing. Mr L/N has been blessed with an extraordinarily rare magical gift. He is what is known as a loquitur animalbus. A beast whisperer. He has the ability to talk to Magical Creatures. While this may seem incredible in itself, there is a deeper aspect of this ability. Like so many other wonderful gifts, being a whisperer straddles the line between a gift and a curse. For Y/N does not just talk to these creatures, he bonds with them, at a spiritual level. A beast whisperer connects to Magical Creatures as if they were his or her own children. The whisperer feels the need to protect Magical Creatures in every microscopic cell in their body. So while Y/N's actions may appear to some reckless or even foolish, I ask you. What parent wouldn't risk their safety to protect or save the life of their child. It's not something the whisperer chooses to do. They are compelled to do so, from the deepest part of their souls. Just thought that it is worth consideration".

Hermione at this point felt that the Headmaster was talking directly to her. She held Y/N's hand even tighter, lowering her head onto his shoulder and inhaling deeply at his scent and his presence. It was only now she was with him again did she realise just how much she had missed her best friend.

The feast went well and Y/N and Hermione remained attached to each other as the students all headed back to the common room.

They were walking back holding hands, still not wanting to relinquish the long missed touch of each other. An idea sprang in Hermione's mind and she pulled him back towards the rear of the group of Gryffindors. When they had fallen back enough she pulled him close to her and whispered:

"I know there is so much we need to talk about. But just for tonight can we go to our special place and stay there? We'll worry about everything else tomorrow, but just right now, tonight, I need to be close to you. I don't want to go to my dorm bed tonight. Please"

Y/N smiled, one of the first times in weeks, and nodded. They snuck off towards the seventh floor.

-~-

As they arrived at the Room of Requirement they opened the door to see a bedroom. There was a large four poster bed with a dressing cabinet each side and an ensuite. Nothing else was needed at this time. They each took turns in the ensuite getting changed and got into the large comfy bed. Y/N wore just his normal shorts and Hermione pyjamas. They climbed under the bed sheets and wrapped their arms around each other. Hermione placed her head on Y/N's chest, that old familiar position of warmth and safety, and listened to his heartbeat. She slowly traced the outline of his scar with her fingertip.

"It doesn't hurt when I do this, does it?" Hermione asked, looking up into Y/N's eyes as her finger ran along the length of the scar. He gave her a cocky smirk:

"No. It doesn't. It's still quite painful, all the time, but when you touch it it's... nice. I'm sorry I don't know how else to describe it"

Hermione smiled, lowering her head again. No other words were spoken- none were needed. The pair fell asleep comfortably in each other's arms.