"Oh boy" he thought to himself lying down on his
bed. He had only been back for 15 minutes and things were as grave as ever. The
Dursley residence was it's usually tense self, especially with him being
home.
"Things can't get much worse" Harry muttered aloud,
as he thought back on his year at Hogwarts, and the Tri-Wizard tournament where
he almost lost his life, but instead lost another persons instead.
"You have to stop blaming yourself" he could imagine
Hermoine saying in his mind. But it was true. Would Cedric have died if he
hadn't insisted on sharing the Tournament cup? How many people had he
disappointed in his life. The thought of Cho crying after he came back with
Cedric in his arms was unbearable. He had cared about her before, but now
things between them could never be.
"HARRRRYY, GET DOWN HERE" yelled Uncle Vernon as he
interrupted Harry's thoughts.
"Just great" he muttered as he picked himself up and
walked out the door of his abnormally stingy bedroom. He prepared himself to
get bickered at by his Uncle and Aunt but he remembered how they were
intimidated by the mention of Sirius, who they thought was a murderer.
As he entered the kitchen he saw his Uncle reading the
newspaper while his cousin Dudley was trying to sneak food from the Cabinet.
Dudley was bigger then ever. Harry wondered how he managed to fit in the
uniforms his school required him to wear. Harry decided not to ponder on the
thought any further though and sat down at the table.
"Now that your out of that school for a while you mine
as well get to work making yourself useful. Your aunt and I decided you can do
some construction and gardening on our property each day." Harry wasn't really
bothered by this though, which surprised his Uncle who was obviously trying to
pin him down. "And NO using any of your… objects or books. If I see any of
them, I'll"
"Will you just shut up I get the idea" Harry interrupted
with a strangely monotone voice. Dudley sat there with a spoonful of pudding in
his mouth, shocked at what Harry had said. His Uncle looked furious but didn't
say anything.
"I guess I'll start tomorrow" said Harry and with a quick
bite of toast he left the kitchen and went back up to his room, secretly
disappointed that he wouldn't have time to do his schoolwork or write to his friends
that much. But he would make time to talk to Ron, to talk to Hermoine.
Hermoine. She had given him a friendly kiss and hug when they had departed and
looked pretty worried that Harry would have a bad summer after all that had
happened. He smiled at the thought of having such great friends. He mentally
kicked himself and remembered that he had a whole summer to go through before
he would see them again.
Harry Potter wasn't going to listen to what his Uncle had
said earlier though. These times were most certainly not safe and he would have
to be ready in case Voldermont pulls something in the near future. Harry had
asked Dumbledore before he left if he could borrow some books on Dueling and
some books on curses from all around Europe. Hopefully studying these in his
free time would help him protect his friends and school. Voldemort had told him
he would be coming after him, and Harry was almost mad that Ron and Hermoine
had to be his friends. Getting them involved hurt him too much to think about.
If either of them got hurt, he would swear to hunt down the scum who did it and
kill him.
Harry's thoughts suddenly shifted and he decided he
should get to bed early. It was going to be a long summer ahead of him, so he
mine as well get ready for it.
Hermoine woke up, looking around her room until her eyes
focused and she realized where she was. It was kind of strange not to wake up
at Hogwarts. She had only been gone a day and she missed all her friends. She
was really worried about how hard this was on Harry. With this on top of
everything it would be impossible for Harry to even look at her that way…
"Stop thinking that way" she muttered to herself. Harry
was a friend, no less, but possibly more. Their bond had grown over the last 4
years they had spent together fighting He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and exploring
Hogwarts. She was almost reluctant that she was going on Vacation to Egypt then
Bulgaria for a few weeks, to visit Victor Krum. He was so much older then her!
And he could barely say her name either!!!
"Herm, come down here we have a lot of catching up to
do," shouted Mrs. Granger, actually named Mrs. Jacobs but she wanted all her
daughters to keep her family name. Mr. Jacobs was also downstairs when Hermoine
came down. They were both Muggles, but were a very happy family.
"So Hermoine how was your year. I saw your friends at the
train station. They look quite mature for their age. One had a scar on his
head. I presume that's Harry who you talk so much about. He is quite handsome,
a little scrawny and tall though." Hermoine blushed as the thought of Harry
entered her mind.
"He's a good friend mom and looks don't matter!" said
Hermoine, but her mother only smiled at this. Hermoine was getting mad. "What!?
Do you think that I like Harry Potter or something, one of the most
world-renowned wizards of modern time!? We are best friends mom, jeez!" Her mom
was not impressed though so Hermoine just gave up on it. "I do hope I see him
soon though" she thought to herself and immediately mentally kicked herself.
Harry woke up early the next day. He decided he would go
for a jog in the morning every day before he got to work. It would get his mind
off things and would help him train for Quiditch. He hoped Professor Dumbledore
would start up the season again this year. He still kept his Firebolt well
polished and ready to fly.
While Harry was getting dressed, he heard a scratching
sound coming from his window. He hurried over to it and let his owl Hedwig in.
She had 2 letters with her, one from Hermoine and one from the Ministry of
Magic. Harry decided to open up the one from the Ministry first so he could
save to good news for last.
Dear Harry,
This
letter has been sent to you regarding your personal safety over the duration of
this summer. Professor Dumbledore requested that you be allowed to use magic
over the summer, but to be kept an eye on in case trouble should arise.
Regarding your situation, we decided this was a wise choice and are allowing
you to use magic to practice DADA and other spells you may need to prepare
yourself for Voldemort. We hope you use your privileges wisely.
Sincerely with Care,
Percy Weasly
P.S If you ever need anything from my family, or me
feel free to ask
Harry closed the
letter and put it in a scrapbook he was starting to organize things. He
immediately thought of all the things he would be able to do this summer. In
the letter was also an Application for Apparating. It said he would be able to
get his license early because of the "current situations". Harry was floored.
This was so cool! But then he thought of the Dursleys. They were no fun and
would never allow any of it. "Well too bad" thought Harry as he tucked away the
letter.
He then opened
Hermoine's letter and read:
Dear Harry,
How
is your first day away from school? I hope the Dursleys aren't being total
jerks and not letting you do anything. I won't allow it! You need a vacation
and your going to get one. My parents are arranging that we go on a trip to
France in July and you better come! Make sure you can because I'll take you no
matter what. You deserve some time with your friends. I'll invite Ron too.
The letter went
on, but the rest was insignificant about some things that had happened since
she got home, except for the last few lines.
I really can't wait to see you again. Write back to
me I really want to stay as close to you as possible this summer.
With Love,
Hermoine
"Typical
Hermoine" he thought. Harry put the letter back in his scrapbook and went
outside, ready to go running.
The magnificent
Harry Potter wasn't looking so good today. His shorts were way to big and his
shoes didn't fit at all. His muscle tee shirt showed his puny arms and it was
all gray/white colored. Harry quickly decided to run to a nearby Old Navy store
to buy some clothes. The people in the store looked at him funny, but when he
was done shopping he changed and looked a lot better. He put the money that he
had left from his transfer of wizard coins for muggle dollars in his pocket and
left the store.
When Harry got home
from his run he was drenched in sweat. He had only run around his block 3 times
and he felt very tired. It would come in time he thought as he made his way up
to the shower. It was only 6:30 and he had time to rest a little before he went
down to breakfast.
When he got
downstairs, Harry was amused by Dudley's new strict diet plan. He only had a
few fruits on his plate. Harry had eggs, bacon, and an orange. Harry managed to
cough to cover his laughter.
"See you slept
in this morning, always knew they raised slackers at that damned school"
muttered Harry's Uncle.
"Actually, I was
up at five. I went for a run and went shopping." Harry said in a very
matter-of-factly tone. At this Uncle Vernon just grumbled something and the
rest of the family looked very smug. Harry finished his breakfast very quickly
and went out into the back garden. When he got there he found a group of
construction workers there. He decided not to act to strange and walked over
hoping he could fit in without being treated differently.
"Hey a lil'
scrawny boy is gona be helpin' us out. Jus' great!" and they all roared with
laughter at this. Harry ignored this comment because he knew it was very true.
From then on nobody talked much to him, he just carried things across the lawn
and moved stones and such. Weeding the garden was also some of his usual work.
A couple days
passed and Harry decided to write letters to all his friends and relatives. He
wrote to Sirius and told him how things were. He also wrote to Hermoine and
Ron, telling them both about his letter from the ministry of magic. He told
Hermoine he would definitely try to be able to get to go to France with her
family.
After he wrote
all his letters he looked at his DADA books. He also looked in some advanced
charms books and read how to make a cloak of invisibility around his
broomstick, 5 feet in all directions.
"Cloakus
Fieldus" chanted Harry quietly at about 10 o' clock at night. He watched as his
broomstick disappeared from view. He then walked over to it and watched as his
legs disappeared. "Mission accomplished" Harry thought, excited with this new
development of things to do.
"Detectorus"
said Harry as he pointed his wand at his glasses, enchanting them to see
cloaked objects. Things were going pretty good for Harry. He had almost read
all the material on Apparating and felt he was about ready to take the test to
get his license.
Harry had been
cooped up to long and decided to take his Firebolt for a ride. The cool night
breeze felt good on his cheeks as he flew through the sky. It felt like forever
since he had flown so freely. He had almost forgotten the sensation of it all.
For two hours, Harry flew around his town doing flips and barrel rolls on his
broomstick. He couldn't wait to play Quiditch again. After he decided he had
been out too long, he flew back to his window and crept inside, a few minutes
later, he was asleep on his bed.
After a few
weeks, Harry had grown quite a bit. His muscles were getting bigger and he was
getting taller too. His scar hadn't been hurting much, which he was thankful
for. Late one day after he finished work and was studying his textbooks and
doing homework, he got another letter from Hermoine.
Dear Harry,
My
vacation has been pretty fun! How about you? I am looking forward to seeing you
so you better not let me down! I haven't had much time to write because Victor
and my parents are dragging me all over the place. He's nice and all but I
don't think I like him. I took a picture of myself and enclosed it in this
letter. I hope you've been thinking
about me and I have been thinking about you and Ron. Love you guys!
With Love,
Hermoine
"Hmm" thought
Harry as he took out the picture. Harry almost fainted. Was that Hermoine? What
happened??? The picture of Hermoine was of her on a beach in Egypt with a black
bikini on with a very revealing black bathing suit. By this time, Harry's jaw
had dropped. "Damn, she is hot" Harry hit himself at the thought. But why had
she given him this picture. She had sent pictures before but this one showed
her long tan legs and curves almost too well. Her long brunette hair lie
stretched down her body in waves. The picture could fit in a Sports Illustrated
Swim Suit Edition.
Harry didn't
know what to think. How had he not noticed Hermoine so long. Immediately he
took out the other pictures of her. All of them were taken far away, so he
didn't really see her very well. Harry then decided to summarize Hermoine. She
was smart, caring, and a very good friend. She was also very good-looking.
Harry had realized this before though at the Yule Ball. "Will you stop it Harry
your being stupid" and it was true. Hermoine would never think of him that way
and by the first week of school she would have boys all over her. Who would
have thought. Bookworm Hermoine. Hah.
Harry then took
out a quill to write a response.
Dear Hermoine,
I think I will be able to apparate soon so I will be able to come
visit. Also I enchanted my broomstick to be invisible so I could fly it around.
Ill try my hardest to be able to come with you to France but that's not until
around my birthday. We still have like a month and a half. Anyways, thanks for
the picture, im starting a photo album with the ones Colin shot of you, Ron,
and me. Il be sure to include all of the ones with our teachers and friends
too. I must say though Hermoine, all the boys are going to stare at you in the
fall. You look drop-dead gorgeous.
Harry thought
for a second. No wait that sounds dumb. What will she think. Ah, well it will
have to do.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Harry
p.S Now we can describe you as good looks and reads books for all your
singles adds. Just joking!
Satisfied, Harry
closed the letter in an envelope with a couple of the pictures in his album and
made sure to include one of himself because she said she wanted one. He picked
one of himself when he was on his first task flying on his broomstick. It was a
pretty good picture and you could see his face very well.
After three
weeks, Harry had finished all the manual labor that could possibly be done and
was running 9 laps around his block each day. His Uncle being determined not to
keep up his good spirits came up with a plan.
"HARRY, come
over here. Starting tomorrow you will be working at this dentist picking up
blood and sweeping floors. Immediately, Harry asked whom the doctor was and was
pretty upset when he heard it wasn't the Grangers.
"Would have been
to good to be true" thought Harry as he gloated over himself and walked to his
room. He was starting at his job tomorrow and would work there for the rest of
the summer. "Just great, how boring" muttered Harry aloud as he drifted off to
sleep. That night he dreamt about good things, about him and Hermoine, about
his parents, about Sirius, and about Hermoine…
