The next week passed quickly, too quickly. No one had brought up Katie or Jacob, and Y/N was happy with that. Hermione had slept next to him each night and the two fell comfortably into the routine.

The days were spent relaxing, helping out around the Burrow. Y/N enjoyed feeding the pigs and chickens, helping with small maintenance odd jobs around the house. He loved working with his hands, he yearned for a simple life like this, tending to animals, crops, a family.

To Molly it was a godsend- getting her children to help out could be like pulling teeth and Merlin-forbid she ask them to perform any maintenance. Percy's nose was always in a book, Ron was as lazy as the day was long, Ginny was a child and the twins... she shivered at the thought of what those two would do in the name of 'maintenance'. Y/N though came into his own, any job Molly mentioned was done with a smile on his face, and a bigger one on Hermione's as she watched him.

-~-

Thursday morning came around and for the first time since Katie left Hermione could see sadness on Y/N's face. He helped her pack her belongings before shrinking down her cases and levitating them into his pouch. He turned to Hermione with a sad smile.

"It's gonna be pretty lonely in here without you 'Mione"

Hermione looked at Y/N sadly before barreling into him, hugging him tightly as she replied:

"We'll catch up next week when Penny and Dean are back, ok? I'm going to miss you too Y/N".

As Hermione had looked up she looked into Y/N's eyes. Usually they were a brilliant, sparkling, emerald green and they lit up when he looked at or spoke to Hermione. This morning their colour was dull- Hermione could see the hurt in them. She stroked his face as she looked up at him, he looked down at her.

Knock knock knock

The two looked up from their intent eye contact as Molly looked at the pair with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

"We're all waiting for you two downstairs. You ready to go dears?"

Hermione nodded, pulling Y/N by the hand. In truth she was excited to travel by Floo for the first time.

They headed downstairs where the family were ready and waiting by the fireplace. Molly grabbed the Floo pot and handed it out, everyone taking a handful as she smiled:

"You go first Harry"

Harry looked terrified.

"But Harry's never traveled by Floo powder before Mum" Ron said to Harry's relief.

"Well you go first, Ron. Show him how it's done" Molly said with a reassuring smile to Harry.

Ron took a handful of the powder and stepped into the fireplace. He threw it down and said loudly "Diagon Alley" before disappearing in a bright green flame.

Everyone stepped back, almost intimidated by the flame. Everyone but him. Hermione laughed to herself. Nothing intimidated him.

Harry took a handful of Floo powder next and stood in the fireplace.

"Remember to speak very, very clearly" Molly reminded Harry who smiled, threw the powder down and yelled loudly:

"Diagonally"

He disappeared in a puff of smoke and green flame.

"Oh for fucks sake" Y/N said as he rubbed his temple. How do these people manage to continually fuck up such simple straightforward things? Molly promptly slapped Y/N on the back of the head again, for swearing, again. She turned to Arthur:

"What did he say dear?"

"Diagonally"

"Thought so" Molly replied.

"I'll go after him. We'll meet you guys at the Alley" Y/N said as he stepped into the fireplace and repeated Harry's mistake.

-~-

Harry emerged from a fireplace in a dark and dingy looking room. He was covered in soot and dust and was completely beside himself in panic. He messed up using the Floo and now he had no clue where he was or how to get to the others.

He stood there panicked before he heard something large come through the Floo behind him. He turned and smiled widely, in grateful relief, as Y/N stood and dusted himself off.

"Y/N, thank goodness you're here, where-"

Harry was cut off as Y/N rushed to him, covering Harry's mouth quickly with his hand.

Quiet Harry! We're nowhere safe. I'm going to apparate us. Keep calm and close your eyes.

Harry nodded and did so. After twenty seconds he opened eyes looking at Y/N puzzled.

You look constipated Harry thought in his head at the expression on Y/N's face. He wondered if Y/N could hear him. His answer came quickly as Y/N slapped him across the back of the head.

I was trying to apparate you out Potter, but theres damn anti apparition wards in place here that mean I can't. We've got to do this the hard way. Stay behind me and stay quiet.

Harry nodded as Y/N unsheathed his wand and waved it over both his and Harry's head, cleaning them both instantly.

Y/N stepped forward slowly before telling Harry 'stop' in his head. Two customers were in the store. Harry heard a muffled conversation about Ministry raids and haggling over the price of something before he heard a nasty sounding voice snap:

"Don't touch Draco!"

Was it Malfoy in the shop?

Harry was about to ask when he saw Y/N raise his wand at the employee and mutter

Somnum

-~-

Y/N half listened to the conversation between that piece of shit Lucius Malfoy and the employee of Borgin and Burke's, he was more focused on searching the mind of the man. It was deciding whether he would live or die.

Far from being the stereotypical Knockturn resident, this guy, Jacob Frye, actually seemed like a good guy- he and his twin sister, both Muggleborn orphans, he took this job to support his sister while she undertook an unpaid internship at St Mungoes. It made the decision easy. As Lucius and Draco left the store, Y/N raised his wand and pointed it at Jacob Frye...

Somnum

The store assistant fell to the floor instantly.

"Is... is he dead Y/N?" Harry asked.

"No, sleeping. My charm was positively charged, he'll wake up feeling like a million galleons. Now listen to me Harry, you stay close and stay behind me. If all hell breaks loose you run, ok?"

"What? But-"

"Harry listen to me and do what I say. This is no joke, this is fucking Knockturn Alley!"

Harry's eyes widened in fear. Ron had told him about this place. It wasn't good.

The two walked out Borgin and Burke's front door, Y/N with his wand raised. They quickly walked towards the exit back to Diagon as a hand suddenly gripped Harry from behind:

"Hello dearie, not lost are you?" An old crone asked with a cackle and a hungry glare. Before Harry could reply a red flash shot from Y/N's wand, sending the old Hag careening out of control and through a shop window.

Harry was stunned before being pulled behind Y/N as several other dodgy and dangerous looking people started to approach the two boys.

Y/N had to think quickly. He couldn't just slaughter these scumbags in front of Harry and risk exposing himself as the Punisher, but he had to get Harry out quickly. He snarled as he fired off three quick spells, sending one of the pack of delinquents flying, saying to the remainder callously:

"This is your last chance all of you. Back off or die!"

There was a tense stand off, Y/N was about to unleash the dogs of Hell when he suddenly heard a very friendly voice from behind him:

"Y/N? Harry?"

A moment later Hagrid had stormed passed Harry and stood next to Y/N. The people who had been opposed to the boys quickly thinking better than attacking a half giant and skulked off.

"Let's get you two out quickly" Hagrid said, grabbing Harry by the shoulder and escorting the two boys out. As they reached the exit and saw sunlight ahead Hagrid looked down to Harry:

"What were you doing in Knockturn? Dangerous place. People would think you were up to no good Harry"

Harry was confused as to why the question was directed at him alone and not Y/N. He stammered a reply:

"I got lost Hagrid, Y/N was rescuing me... wait a moment what were you doing there?"

Hagrid looked stunned momentarily before he replied:

"Oh I was looking for flesh eating slug repellent. They're ruining all the school cabbages."

Y/N chuckled.

"Your business is your business Hagrid. You don't need to explain anything to us. Thanks for the assist big man."

Hagrid smiled and nodded to Y/N as the three of them heard a loud squeal. Y/N was almost immediately engulfed in a massive hug from Hermione.

"Thank god you're ok. Thank god. Thank god. Arthur said you'd be fine but I was ever so worried!"

Harry and Hagrid chuckled and look at each other with a smirk as the pair of Y/N and Hermione stood in a warm embrace, Y/N saying gently:

"We're fine 'Mione we're fine. Ran into Hagrid on the way over here."

Not a word about what happened. She'll freak out. I'll explain to her myself later.

Harry and Hagrid both heard Y/N in their head and nodded as Hagrid chuckled again:

"If you're all right I'll go then boys. Be seeing you"

Harry waved as Hagrid walked off happily.
Hermione finally released her death grip on Y/N. She smiled saying:

"C'mon everyone is at Flourish and Blotts. There's a signing by someone called Gilderoy Lockhart".

Y/N groaned loudly, causing the other two to look at him puzzled.

"Is everything ok?" Hermione asked with concern.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me". Y/N groaned again, this time rubbing his eyes.

"What is it Y/N?" Hermione asked, this time there was audible panic in her voice. Y/N quickly hugged Hermione, apologising and kissing her on the head.

"No sorry 'Mione nothing like that. It's just another Quirrell situation. Dean's had run ins with Lockhart before. He can't be trusted. He's a liar and a gloryhound. I need you to trust me guys".

Hermione and Harry both nodded and smiled.

"Of course I trust you Y/N" Harry answered.

"You don't ever have to ask". Hermione smiled more while putting a hand on Y/N's chest and looking deeply into his eyes.

Y/N blushed brightly at her actions and Harry couldn't help but laugh at his friend. Ten minutes ago Y/N was wand out, ready to fight. Thirty seconds with this girl and he falls to pieces. Hermione smiled as she leant up and kissed Y/N on the cheek.

"C'mon, my parents were going to wait at the front of the store, it was too crowded further in. You come with me Y/N, they'd love to see you again. Harry, you go in and find the Weasleys so they aren't worried about you".

Harry nodded and Hermione gripped Y/N's hand, smiling as she interlocked their fingers, explaining her motives somewhat suspiciously as she blushed and whispered to Y/N:

"Just so we don't get separated again" as she pulled him towards Flourish and Blotts, Harry feeling very much the third wheel.

-~-

Hermione continued to hold Y/N's hand, smiling to herself as she felt him squeeze as they pushed through the crowd and finally made it over to the Grangers.

Y/N greeted Monica and Wendell happily, Monica hugging the boy and Wendell shaking his hand. They chatted happily for a few moments before Y/N looked up, a dark scowl crossing his face as he muttered:

"Shit!"

"What's wrong Y/N?" Hermione asked concerned.

"Trouble. Please excuse me a moment" Y/N said with a polite nod as he walked towards the ensuing argument deeper into the store.

-~-

Y/N walked towards his godfather as he heard Lucius Malfoy practically spit at Arthur:

"I'm guessing you didn't pay for these. What's the point of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you for it!"

"We have a very different idea on what's a disgrace to the name of wizard, Malfoy!" Arthur shot back.

"Clearly... associating with Muggles... just when I thought your family could sink no lower"

Y/N arrived and snapped viciously before Arthur could reply:

"You're walking a dangerous line Malfuck. Don't cross it".

Y/N stood directly in front of Lucius, cutting off Arthur, as he glared at the blonde haired wizard.

Harry, the Weasleys, Hell even the other adults in the store may have been intimidated by Lucius Malfoy, but Y/N sure as Hell wasn't.

Lucius stood about 5'11" so Y/N was only a couple of inches shorter than him now. He looked up slightly into Lucius's eyes glaring as the former Death Eater sneered at the L/N heir:

"If it isn't Y/N L/N. I hear you are so much like your father. The defender of Muggle borns and half breeds everywhere".

Y/N glared at the greasy piece of shit next to him. Death Eater. Murderer. Rapist. Piece of filth who used his money and influence to get away with his crimes. The room seemed to darken around the pair. Y/N spoke with an icy cold tone:

"Think very carefully about the next words that come pouring out your cunt mouth Lucius!"

Draco gasped in concern. He knew where this was going. His father though smirked at Y/N arrogantly before turned his attention to Hermione:

"And you must be his little girlfriend, the Mudblo-"

Lucius didn't have time to finish his sentence before Y/N's fist collided with his face, Lucius falling to the floor where he was instantly set upon.

The crowd gasped, Hermione, Harry, Arthur everyone in shock at the ferocity as Y/N cannoned blow after blow into Lucius's face, bone breaking, flesh splitting, the second punch connecting with Lucius's temple, knocking him out completely.

He was completely at the mercy of Y/N's ferocity as he roared:

"You dare... My Hermione!!!"

Before he was grabbed by the back of his shirt and dragged back by a giant pair of hands, who gripped Y/N tight, their owner's voice roaring:

"Clear a path Arthur, get 'im out before 'e kills 'im"

Y/N was dragged out by Hagrid, passed a store full of shocked and shaken patrons, many of whom were terrified of Y/N's barbarity.

Hagrid placed Y/N down, blocking the entrance to the shop as Hermione rushed Y/N hugging him tight and whispering:

"It's ok Y/N, it's over, it's over. Breathe Y/N, just breathe"

"What he called you Hermione. He dared call you. I'm gonna-"

Y/N was hugged tighter as Hermione felt his heart elevating again, the rage starting to build before he was snapped out of his growing furor by Hermione's soft lips gently kissing his cheek.

"Thank you for defending me Y/N. Thank you for always defending me"

Hermione smiled sweetly. Everyone else had been terrified of Y/N's rage, his tempered explosion. Not Hermione though. She had been completely calm throughout the entire event, strangely- even Hermione was surprised she hadn't been the least bit fearful of Y/N's outburst. Her only worry was calming him.

She pulled him to a bench in Diagon, near where the Weasleys and her parents had retreated following the assault. She pulled Y/N to a sitting position and knelt in front of him, holding his hands and speaking to him with a gentle loving tone.

"It's ok Y/N. It's ok. It's over"

Y/N smiled, shaking his hand at the same time. Hermione stopped and took it, looking at his knuckle that was pushed back further than the other ones.

Episkey

Hermione rubbed the hand she just healed, before holding it up to her face and kissing it. She looked up at Y/N again with a smile.

"Thank you for always defending me Y/N" she leant forward and hugged Y/N tight. It was returned as he spoke calmly, for a moment:

"You never have to thank me 'Mione. How dare he call you that!"

At the memory of Lucius's disgusting language Y/N's heart rate started to elevate again, Hermione giggling and hugging him once more.

"It's over now. Calm yourself babe, let's go talk to my parents".

Y/N stopped dead. Hermione just called him babe. She giggled at his loss of function as she stood and pulled him by the hand over to her parents.

Y/N began to speak, concerned about the impact his actions would have on the couple:

"Monica, Wendell I'm sorry you had to see that but-"

Y/N was cut off as Monica hugged him tightly.

"It's ok sweetheart. Hermione has told us about that horrible word before, how racist it is" Monica said gently.

"Thank you for defending our daughter, our family. She told us you always do, but it was nice to see it in action" Wendell chuckled.

Y/N sighed in immense relief. He opened his mouth but before he could reply his
attention was drawn towards the door of the book store by the twins. Lucius was wobbling out, barely on his feet, face busted and bleeding, walking out the store. Draco was supporting him.

"Yeah bitch you better run" Y/N yelled out. Hermione slapped his arm, secretly suppressing a giggle.

"You shouldn't have done that Y/N. You've just started a war with the Malfoys" Arthur said in a tone of fear.

"So? You think I'm scared of those scumbags?" Y/N replied harshly.

Arthur looked down and sighed. Who did Y/N think he was- his old man?

-~-

Y/N went back into the store and apologised profusely to Madam Villanelle, who accepted Y/N's apology and offer to pay for any and all damages,.

In truth Madam Villanelle despised Lucius Malfoy, and Y/N was literally her best customer. As annoyed as she was that the fracas happened in her store, she could easily forgive the young heir.

-~-

The group continued their shopping, ignoring the looks and whispers directed their way, before finally it came time to part.

Y/N went through the Leaky Cauldron with Hermione and her parents to Muggle London, and after returning her luggage to normal size, loaded it in the boot for them.

It was time to say goodbye, and they were always hard. Hermione was crying. Y/N was trying not to. He hugged her tight.

"I'm gonna miss you so much 'Mione. Hopefully we can catch up when Dean and Penny arrive home".

"I wouldn't worry about that you two" Monica said with a smirk.

"Think you'll see each other quite soon" Wendell chuckled.

After a teary goodbye Y/N went back to Diagon and met up with the Weasleys and Harry and Maisy. They all travelled back to the Burrow. Y/N was not in a good mood.