The rest of the trip passed quickly. Too quickly- Y/N and Hermione had a fantastic time. Everyday they would smile and laugh together, hold hands, hug, go on long romantic walks, Y/N organised several picnics for just the pair of them on the shores of Loch Ness- Monica adored watching the budding love between the pair and laughed at Wendell as he rolled his eyes- Monica would whisper to her husband: "any day now."

Every night Y/N and Hermione would 'secretly' sleep next to each other, and every night there was not a single nightmare of Lyra and her abuse.

Unfortunately, Y/N's vision would still plague him every night. It seemed to intensify the closer they came to returning to Hogwarts. Y/N kept the worry down deep inside and hid it, desperate not to scare Hermione.

-~-

Y/N and Hermione were sitting alone in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Y/N was in a state of high alert. It was starting. It was coming. This is why he had pushed himself to breaking point, and then pushed through it, all summer.

It was go time.

Hermione picked up on the tension in her best friend and squeezed his hand, giving him a reassuring smile.

She knew how worried he was about Bane's prophecy. She knew how hard Y/N had pushed himself over the summer. Jacob caught up with Penny one day when Dean was at work. Dean and Jacob would butt heads constantly when they were around each other for more than ten minutes, but Jacob, like Y/N, adored Penny.

He had told her how hard Y/N pushed himself, the hours and hours of gruelling, torturous training that Y/N forced Jacob to submit him to.

How concerned Jacob was for his youngest brother's mental health.

After the Loch Ness trip, Hermione and Y/N went back to Dean and Penny's house to stay, and Penny had pulled Hermione aside, told her about Y/N's pushing of himself. Begged her to keep an eye on Y/N. Hermione had of course agreed.

Hermione was pulled from the memory as she squeezed Y/N's hand again and looked at him. When Y/N was in fight or flight mode he got a certain look in his eyes, a coldness- like he was ready to kick off at a moment's notice. Hermione tried to distract him by asking:

"I wonder where Harry and Ron are? Haven't seen or heard a peek of either of them"

Y/N looked down at Hermione, his eyes softening, a warm smile threatening to break across his lips as he replied:

"I'm sure they're on the train somewhere. Molly would never let them miss it. Try not to stress 'Mione, they'll catch up with us."

Hermione nodded, resting her head on Y/N's shoulder before the door opened and a girl stood there with a large smile:

"Hey guys I've missed you both so much!"

Hermione was instantly on her feet, wrapping Lavender in a tight hug. Y/N stood and the two awkwardly shook hands- they still weren't really talking after their falling out the previous year.

Lavender pulled Hermione down onto the seat across from Y/N and the two quickly began catching up and gossiping. Hermione glanced at Y/N repeatedly, noticing his gaze harden again as he looked out the window.

A couple of minutes later the door opened again and Hermione's face dropped, Lavender scowled and Y/N remained unchanged.

"Baby!!!" Katie screamed, bolting into the room and jumping on Y/N's lap. She kissed him deeply as Hermione averted her gaze, saddened, and Lavender grew an angry shade of red.

"Katie!!" Y/N snapped, pulling her off of himself and managing to hold her at arms length:

"For Merlin's sake, Hermione and Lavender are sat right there!"

Katie stopped trying to force herself onto Y/N and sighed dramatically, sitting down next to him and grabbing his arm forcefully, attempting to pull him out of the compartment.

"C'mon, we're gonna go sit with my friends."

Y/N remained unmoved, glaring at Katie as he snapped:

"No Katie, I'm not. I told you at the Burrow I am not leaving Hermione alone... at all!"

"So what about us, our couple time?" Katie snapped back furiously.

"We will have to work around it. Or we won't. It doesn't matter. You know how worried I am. You know how much I care about her. Hermione has to be my priority."

Y/N tried his best to speak calmly and hide his frustration. Katie though grew even angrier.

"You know what? I'm going with my friends. You think about what's important and who really cares for you! See you at Hogwarts" Katie glared at Hermione again before storming out the compartment.

Just as Y/N was about to curse loudly, Newt, who had been sat on Y/N's shoulder the whole time, blew a loud raspberry at the compartment door. It instantly broke the tension in the room as Lavender and Hermione cracked up and even Y/N broke into a chuckle.

"Yeah that's what I was thinking too Newt" Y/N said with a smile, reaching up to pat his tiny companion.

"I'll leave you guys to talk and see you both at the feast" Lavender said with a smile as she got up and quickly left the compartment. Hermione sat next to Y/N who sighed and looked up at the train roof.

"I'm so sorry Y/N. I don't want to cause any problems between you and Katie" Hermione said sadly as she rubbed Y/N's arm.

Y/N sighed again as he rested his head back against the wall, Newt happily disappearing back into Y/N's pocket with a wood louse Y/N had summoned for him.

"You're not Hermione. You haven't done anything wrong. I need to get Katie alone. Tell her it's over between us. There was nothing really there in the first place, other than me... yeah, I just don't want to tell her in front of anyone, you know, just-"

Y/N's rambling was cut off as a small feminine hand cupped his face, pulling his attention down to the girl sat next to him:

"Because you're a man of honour" Hermione said with a huge smile, stroking Y/N's cheek. The two stared into each other's eyes, time seeming to slow as they leant in towards each other...

Knock knock knock

The two jumped apart nervously at a loud knock on the door, a boy asking:

"Hi, we were just wondering if- Y/N!"

Hermione was shocked to see a small boy barrel into Y/N, hugging him tight as a huge smile broke on Y/N's face.

"Patroclus!" Y/N exclaimed, standing in the hug and lifting the much smaller boy in a bear hug. Y/N shook the boy in the hug, causing him to laugh even if the train cabin wasn't overly spacious, before Y/N gently placed him down. Hermione smiled, even though she had no clue what was going on.

"Sit, sit guys, I'll load your trun- Luna!" Y/N said happily as a small blonde haired girl rushed him this time, hugging Y/N tightly as well. Hermione was even more confused.

"How are you Luna? How's your dad?" Y/N asked with a tone that quickly turned serious before the young girl spoke with a far away dreamy tone.

"He seems ok. He waved goodbye at the station"

Y/N nodded, turning to the third small child who was stood nervously at the door.

"You can come in as well mate" Y/N smiled, taking the boy's trunk and stowing it with the others above the seats.

The boy entered, closing the door behind him and sitting with the other two first years, across from Y/N and Hermione. Y/N finished strapping the trunks and sat next to a curious Hermione.

"Introductions I think" Y/N smiled. He turned to the shy lad first.

"I'm Y/N L/N, this is Hermione Granger. I would bet a hundred galleons you're Rolf Scamander, right?"

The mousey haired boy looked at Y/N surprised and nodded, asking timidly:

"Ho-How did you know?"

Y/N smiled as he replied:

"I know your grandparents very well. Hermione and I visited them only a couple of weeks ago. They said you were starting this year, and you're the spitting image of your grandfather"

Rolf smiled and nodded, seemingly put at ease by Y/N's calm tone as Y/N turned to the other boy and the girl:

"Hermione this is Luna Lovegood, Jacob and I have done jobs for her father, Xenophilius, before. He publishes the Quibbler."

Hermione smiled and nodded, shaking Luna's hand.

"Daddy always speaks highly of you, Y/N" Luna smiled, garnering one in return from Y/N.

"Finally, Hermione we have my little cousin, Patroclus L/N"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as the two shook hands. Patroclus explained:

"Jacob and my dad don't get on. Dad and Y/N's dad were brothers. We don't get to see each other much".

"That changes now cousin" Y/N replied with a smile. "I'm gonna train you up special little bud, just like we always talked about... And to be fair no one gets on with Jacob".

Hermione, Patroclus and Luna all laughed. Rolf smiled and said quietly:

"Thank you for letting us sit here. The rest of the compartments were full, and the kids with green robes were scary".

"You don't need to worry about those silly Slytherins, Rolf, they're all deathly afraid of Y/N here" Hermione replied with a smile.

-~-

The next hour was spent with Y/N catching up with Patroclus and Luna, Hermione smiling as she rested her head on Y/N's shoulder, and Rolf being put at ease after Y/N had introduced the three first years to Newt. Rolf smiled at the Bowtruckle being named after his grandfather and spent most of the time playing with the small creature.

Y/N would look across and smile, how far out of his shell Rolf came with the help of a magical creature. Y/N could already tell how much the boy was like his grandfather.

Y/N was just finishing up a story as something outside the window caught his eye:

"So if anyone bothers you you just tell them you're under Y/N's protection and watch their faces change ok kids."

They all smiled as Y/N turned to the window and chuckled:

"Hey 'Mione... I've found our two idiotic friends"

Hermione lifted her head puzzled and began to ask:

"Y/N, what are you talking abo-"

Her mouth dropped open as she cut herself off, seeing Ron and Harry flying next to the train in Arthur's Ford Anglia.

The car quickly moved up past the window and Y/N shook his head, chuckling to himself:

"Pair of morons"

Y/N and Hermione went back to their easy conversation with the first years.

-~-

The rest of the train ride was relaxed and uneventful. Y/N and Hermione shared a carriage to the castle with Beatrice, Cedric and Lavender and sat happily at the Gryffindor table during the sorting.

Luna, Patroclus and Rolf were all sorted into Ravenclaw together, bringing a smile to Y/N's face. They reminded him of himself, Harry and Hermione. Ginny was placed into Gryffindor and sat next to Y/N, the two sharing a tight hug as Y/N congratulated her.

Katie was sat further down the table with Alicia and Angelina, Y/N could feel her eyes boring into him but he ignored it. A crowded Great Hall wasn't the time or place.

Halfway through dinner Filch came in, running up to Professor Snape who followed him out quickly. Not long after McGonagall and Dumbledore exited the hall and almost everyone was whispering about Harry and Ron and a flying car landing on the Whomping Willow.

The feast finished and the Gryffindors headed up to the Common Room. Harry and Ron were already in the room getting a heroes welcome. Hermione and Lavender went over to chastise the pair as Y/N was suddenly pulled aside by Katie. She pulled him by the hands to the love seat.

"Can we talk please?" She asked as they sat. Y/N sighed and nodded. He opened his mouth but before he could speak Katie blurted sweetly:

"Look I'm sorry ok. I was just jealous"

Katie stared into Y/N's eyes. He was caught off guard again as she looked at him sweetly. He sighed and nodded even more conflicted as she leant in and kissed him. He hesitated momentarily before kissing back. It was sweet and tender until Katie pulled back suddenly:

"So you'll forget about following that little girl round right?"

A look Katie hadn't seen before crossed Y/N's face. If she was being honest it scared her. Y/N narrowed his eyes, all he could think was you manipulative little... as he spoke coldly:

"No"

The shock on Katie's face was replaced with fury as she screeched "What?!?!" loudly, gaining. The attention of the whole crowded common room. Y/N replied again, just as coldly:

"No!"

Katie scowled and stood, roaring at Y/N:

"I've had enough of this. You need to make a choice. Me or her!"

Y/N was on his feet in a moment as he smirked, only muttering "Fine by me" as he walked over and sat next to a shocked and wide-eyed Hermione.

Katie roared and stomped her foot, looking at Y/N with murder in her eyes. She screeched again:

"We are over you jerk!"

And stormed out of the common room, Angelina and Alicia taking off after her. It was at this point Y/N noticed the entire common room staring at him. He bellowed loudly:

"WE AREN'T PUTTING ON A DAMN SHOW!!!"

Within seconds the room had cleared, boys and girls scampering to their dorms. It left just Y/N and Hermione on one couch and Lavender and Ginny sitting across from them.

"Y/N, I'm so sorry" Hermione said looking into Y/N's eyes, genuine hurt reflecting in hers. Y/N smiled:

"Don't be. I told you on the train I was going to end it. I wanted to do it privately but she gave me an ultimatum, to make a choice. I made it"

Y/N smiled as he stroked some of Hermione's bushy hair and placed it behind her ear. The pair looked into each other's eyes.

Lavender motioned to Ginny to go upstairs and the younger girl nodded, both of them sneaking off as Y/N smiled, looking deep into Hermione's chocolate brown eyes as he spoke in a deep calming tone:

"Nothing is more important to me than your safety 'Mione. Nothing. But if it's ok I'm gonna go to bed. I need to be alone for a while. Meditate and sleep."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Y/N's neck, hugging him tightly and whispering in his ear:

"Of course Y/N, I understand".

The two sat in the quiet embrace for a few minutes before finally separating. Y/N asked Hermione with a tone of hope:

"Would you maybe want to go back to our old routine in the morning 'Mione?"

Hermione's eyes lit up as she nodded furiously:

"Definitely. I would love to Y/N"

Y/N smiled. He walked Hermione to her staircase and watched her ascend. She giggled and waved at the top, and when she had disappeared from view he went to his own dorm.

He placed Newt down in his terrarium and adopted the lotus position on the floor next to his bed.

"Are you ok Y/N?" Harry asked concerned.

"I'm good Harry, thanks" Y/N replied from his seated position without opening his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Dean asked puzzled.

"Meditating" Y/N answered bluntly. No one asked any follow up questions.

-~-

Y/N and Hermione arrived at the Room of Requirement just after 5:00am. Hermione was surprised to see a lot of new pieces of workout equipment present in the room-

"They're new" Hermione said puzzled as she sat her bag down on the desk.

"Whole new regimen 'Mione. Been pushing myself longer, harder and faster"

"Penny did say that" Hermione added sadly.

"How did Penny know?" Y/N asked surprised.

"Um, Jacob spoke to her... he was really worried about you Y/N. So was Penny. So am I. I love that you want to protect me but-"

"I had to Hermione. I have to. If you were in danger it was because I wasn't strong enough. I have to protect you. I can't. I-"

Hermione rushed Y/N, squeezing him tightly and cutting off his stammering. Y/N returned the embrace. Once they released Y/N turned quickly trying to hide the fact he was wiping his eyes. His voice half broke as he said quickly "I better get started."

Hermione saw him wipe his eyes. Hermione heard his voice falter. She drew attention to neither, knowing Y/N wasn't comfortable displaying any kind of what she knew he viewed as 'weakness'. She wanted so badly though to hold him tightly. Tell him it wasn't weakness to be vulnerable. That it meant more than she could express how much Y/N cared for her, wanted to protect her. Loved her.

She sat at the desk the room provided, pulling her transfiguration textbook. She feigned an interest in reading but in reality watched Y/N.

-~-

Two hours. For two hours Y/N had pushed himself almost to breaking point. Hermione had watched in stunned disbelief. Usually Y/N's workouts went for 20-30 minutes, by which stage he was exhausted and a sweaty mess.

Hermione had watched him do his former routine- running on the treadmill, push ups, pull ups, sit ups. She had noticed the intensity of each was far greater than the last time she had watched him. She expected him to say he was done and he was going to shower.

Instead he had gone to the big punching bag.
Then the little one.
Then the weights bench.
Then running back and forth touching the ground at each end.
Then lunging.
Then squatting.
Then a half crawl along the ground.
Then going up and down from laying on the ground to a high jump and back down to the ground.

Newt, who had sat with Hermione, looked up at her with worried eyes as he looked back at Y/N and gently rubbed her forearm with his long fingers:

"I know Newt. I'm worried about him too" Hermione had said sadly.

She had been shocked by the intensity and duration of the workout, and that when Y/N was finally done and headed to the shower that it was almost 7:00am.

-~-

The walk down to the Great Hall was a slow one. Hermione could see how badly Y/N was hurting. When they made it to the Gryffindor table and Y/N sat gingerly Hermione poured herself a bowl of oatmeal, Y/N saying simply:

"Filk."

Two trays appeared in front of him- a large plate full of poached eggs, a bowl of yoghurt surrounded by smaller bowls of nuts, seeds and berries. Y/N had also added an avocado cut in half and two bananas to his growing breakfast.

"Thank you Filk" Y/N smiled.

Hermione giggled as she rested her head on Y/N's shoulder momentarily:

"I think I wouldn't be able to move for a week if I ate all that."

-~-

The pair had been sat in the Great Hall for close to an hour. Lavender had come and joined them. There was still no sign of Ron or Harry. Katie had came in with her friends but sat at the far end of the table, glaring at Y/N and Hermione the whole time.

Just after 8:15am Oliver approached the three friends, sitting next to Lavender and across from Y/N and Hermione.

"Hey L/N" he said, seemingly unsure.

"Wood" Y/N replied with a nod.

"So... about last night. It's not gonna affect the team is it?"

Y/N dead panned his Quidditch captain. Hermione's mouth dropped open as did Lavender's.

"Really Oliver. Ever heard of empathy?" Lavender asked in shock. The look Wood returned suggested he hadn't. Y/N spoke quickly:

"It might not come to that Wood"

Oliver cut him off quickly, asking in a panicked tone:

"What do you mean L/N? Why not?"

Y/N looked at his captain, still emotionless, and asked:

"Are you still insisting on no one being able to watch our practice sessions?"

"Yes. Spies could be anywhere" Oliver replied, still paranoid from Maisy the previous year. Y/N smiled:

"Then I resign from the team. Effective immediately".

Hermione and Lavender's eyes and mouths opened even wider. Wood looked at his star Seeker like he was about to cry. Hermione spoke quickly, almost pleading with her best friend:

"Y/N, you can't do that. You love Quidditch more than anything. You can't quit!"

Y/N looked down into her eyes and smiled lovingly, replying simply:

"For you I will!"

Hermione blushed intensely as Y/N turned back to a panicked captain:

"Look Wood. The Centaurs gave me a warning last year that Hermione was in danger this year. Mortal danger. I can't let her be alone. If she can't accompany me to Quidditch I can't play. It's as simple as that. Her life is infinitely more important to me than a fucking game."

Oliver held his hands up to Y/N:

"Fine, fine if she can watch training you can play?"

"Yes. As long as Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley and Lav here can come too"

"Why?" Wood asked incredulously.

"I have to change Wood. I can't keep an eye on her when I'm in the dressing room."

"Fine. Fine. But no one else. And you stay on the team. Deal?" Oliver asked holding out his hand.

Y/N nodded and shook it back. The captain walked off muttering to himself as Ginny walked up and joined the trio.

"You were bluffing weren't you Y/N?" Hermione asked. Y/N turned and smiled, simply answering:

"No."

They chatted with Ginny about her classes as Percy walked up and down, his nose in the air as he handed out timetables.

"Oh good" Y/N smiled. "We've got Sev first, then Herbology, then.. ugh... Lockhart."

Hermione giggled at the look of disgust on Y/N's face.