She'd kissed him! The thought wouldn't leave the forefront of his consciousness. Sleep wouldn't overtake him since his mind was a whirlwind of confused emotions. Sirius was gone and it was most definitely his fault. He was mourning the loss of his Godfather, almost guiltily more so than his own parents. It was understandable, he'd really never had his parents with him, but he had Sirius for more than a year albeit sporadically.
But she'd KISSED him! The guilty pleasure he took from that single action was almost enough to make him forget…
Forget the Dursley's and the horrible treatment he received each year of his miserable life. Forget Cedric and Wormtail, Ron, Dumbledore, and yes, Sirius.
Almost…
Harry Potter would never forgive Tom Riddle and would eventually destroy the self appointed Dark Lord. He would never forgive Dumbledore for making decisions that cost him nearly everything he held dear.
The intoxicating scent of Hermione's perfume still lingered in his memory, or was it truly lingering on him? It didn't matter. He could still smell her and feel her lips on his cheek. The smile that played across his face was the only tell-tale sign of his recovery. He was still stuck at Privet Drive and Merlin only knew when his jailers would allow him visitation outside his hated relatives.
He had Hermione's phone number, perhaps he could call and invite her over for tea like 'normal' people and Petunia would allow it. It wouldn't hurt to ask. Since the talking to his relatives received on Platform 9 ¾ it may be easier than ever to get permission.
Besides, he was through being the angsty teenager. His life was in turmoil from the word go. He wasn't going to sit back and let all the wankers in the world stand in his way. Really, he wasn't going to take it anymore!
Harry retrieved the parchment with Hermione's contact information on it from under the loose floorboard near his bed. Sealing his hiding place back and leaving the privacy of his room, he made it all the way to the kitchen before his aunt noticed him. Dudley and Vernon were out for the day. Vernon to work, and Dudley to tea with a friend, or at least that's what Petunia still thought Dudley did during the day.
Steeling his resolve and not to be intimidated by anyone anymore, he approached Petunia and looked her in the eye.
"Aunt Petunia." Harry started.
"Yes?" his aunt replied with a slight scowl, but it disappeared as soon as she realized Harry's gaze was piercing right through her and the intimidation of old was suddenly and irrevocably reversed.
"I'll be using the phone to make a call to my friend. I'd appreciate some privacy, but I'd also like to ask if it would be alright with you to invite her over for tea today?"
She was shocked and silent. Thirty seconds passed before she got over it and responded with a look and a "harrumph!".
Harry took this as a yes, because frankly, he didn't give a hoot whether she cared or not he was going to do it.
As Petunia left the kitchen to give Harry the privacy he requested, however forcefully, she couldn't help but feel a slight guilty twinge somewhere deep within her soul. Somehow, she just knew she would end up paying for her treatment of this young man. She shivered at the passing thought and resolved to at least heed the words of the men from the train station.
"Hello?" a voice answered the telephone.
"Hermione? This is Harry."
"HARRY, how are you? Are the Dursley's treating you ok? When did you get home? How are you calling me? Are you sleeping? Are you having nightmares still? You know it wasn't your fault!" Sentences running together and finally having to take a breath, Harry stopped her heart with a single thought.
"Hermione, I've been thinking about that kiss."