Harry Potter Breaking Free

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"Tell me all about your life," Hermione explained, while looking up from her book with a serious expression. "Tell me everything, and I'll be your sister for life through anything. I know you think your upbringing makes you weak, but once you train your Occlumency, you'll see that it's exactly the opposite."

At first, Harry nodded his understanding, but then he shook his head. "I'm going to train my Occlumency first then. Afterwards, I'll get back to you. I'm still going to call you sis whether or not you give me permission or not though." Harry smiled up at the ceiling again because yes, yes he would, and he was already feeling pretty damned good about it.

Hermione smiled even as she shook her head. "Well, I had to try, didn't I?"

Smiling softly at his best friend, Harry put a hand on her forearm. She was right after all. Hermione did try and she never ever quit, it just wasn't in her nature. "I appreciate how you've always tried Mione. I know I need to talk about it at some point, but it's all just so messed up and awful... I'm not quite there yet sis, but when I am I'll let you know. Self-awareness doesn't always make you strong it seems."

Smiling back at Harry, Hermione took her new nickname in stride. Harry really did love her like family, and she could feel that much in his shroud. On the other hand, she thought her friend was selling himself short. "Harry... I think strength is a relative thing where you're concerned. You bounce back and forth on that front from one second to the next. You'd sacrifice every ounce of yourself until there's nothing left to save your friends... Making yourself vulnerable, sharing your life and feelings is another matter entirely.

While Hermione's words made him feel just a little bit embarrassed, Harry still ended up nodding his agreement. He'd put himself in danger for his friends without any hesitation several times in the past and they both knew it. Exposing himself emotionally on the other hand... Well, that felt all but impossible and scary in a massive way.

Turning his body towards Hermione, Harry leaned a little closer to his newfound sister. "Actually, Poppy told me something two days ago that's changed how I look at my shyness and introversion. She explained that I might be an isolated person like I am as a direct result of the bindings that were on my core. She said that up until three days ago, I'd never magically "felt" anything around me before. She implied that the binding of my magic would've made me feel like I was all alone in the entire world, even while I'm completely surrounded by people. I know I can feel you now and it's making me feel… emotional."

Hermione extended a hand to hold Harry's. "I've always been with you Harry."

Squeezing his sister's hand in return, Harry smiled. "I knew that Mione, I just never felt it."

Looking up at the wall clock, Harry saw that it was almost time for the train to leave back to London. As reluctant as Harry was to see his friend go, he pointed at the clock to inform Hermione of the time.

At Harry's prompting, Hermione looked at the wall clock and then blanched in alarm. "You're a lifesaver, Harry. I need to hurry to the Entry Hall! I was distracted because you've become the most relaxing reading environment on the face of the planet." Giving her brother one last smile, Hermione scrambled to pick up all of her assorted books and quills. Then, when she was packed and ready to go, Hermione turned her attention back to Harry. "As soon as you know where you're going for the summer, you will owl me won't you?"

"Of course," Harry replied, as that much was completely obvious.