Magic

Write a Muggle AU.

"Harry, you know magic isn't real," his therapist reminded the teenager from his armchair across from him.

The young man ran a hand through his messy hair and looked to the wall of degrees behind Dr. Halford. He was a well-educated man. A worldly man. But..."I know," Harry sighed. "But sometimes I almost believe-"

Putting aside his notepad and leaning in close with his elbows on his knees, Halford looked over his glasses and said "This is why you aunt and uncle insist on you coming here. These notions are...abnormal."

Harry drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair and clenched his jaw. No one understood. No one. "Is it really so odd to want to believe there's more to the world than what science proves? What about those paranormal searchers and Wicca believers? They think there's more to life and many of them lead successful lives."

Falling back in his chair, Dr. Halford studied Harry with hazel eyes. "Yet they are still condemned from all sides," reaching for his notebook again he asked "Do you want people to always stare at you? As they are now?"

The teenager bit his tongue and turned his head away. He didn't want to talk to Halford anymore. Seeing that Harry would say no more today, the aging man waved the young man away. "Our session's done in five minutes, if you want to leave now you can."

Harry got up and took his leave (and maybe closing the office door a bit louder than he should have).

Walking out past the secretary, he said "bye Sadie."

The petite woman smiled from behind her computer. "See you next week Harry!" And went back to tap, taping on her keyboard. It was a grating noise and Harry was glad he didn't have to stick around and listen to it today; his aunt Petunia had given him the car for the afternoon - so long as he remembered to pick up milk and carrots for her.

Rummaging in his pocket for the keys, Harry thought it would be quickest to stop at the pharmacy; but he knew they didn't sell fresh carrots like his aunt probably wanted. Getting into the little sedan, the teenager grumbled "Stupid grocery stores;" and started driving to his next destination. If he went to Aldi a town over, he wouldn't see anybody from school or around town - there'd be no gawking today.

("You need to start facing your anxieties Harry, even if it's just long enough to run an errand.")

Driving home, Harry gnawed on a candy bar as he drove. Typically, candy was enough of a distraction, but today his restless eyes skittered along the edges of the roads instead of in front of him. He slowed his car down at the sight of a girl, she was his age, slim and with a poof of brown curls that obscured her expression. She was obviously hitch-hiking though, so Harry felt curious enough to find out why.

Pulling up beside her, the young man notice for the first time that she was quite pretty. "Where are you going?" He asked her upon rolling his window down.

Smiling in an eager sort of way, she happily declared "Wherever you're going."

"Well, I'm going home," Harry explained.

The girl took a step back, smile slipping and doubtful light coming to her eyes. Blushing once he realized what he was saying, the teenager babbled his best apology. "Oh my - I don't mean - I'm sorry - look, I was just curious and have you eaten dinner yet? I live with my aunt, uncle and cousin, you see, and if you wanted you could get a free dinner."

Suspicious, the brunette studied him in a similar way to Dr. Halford (maybe if she had the chance, she could be a quack who fixes boys who believe in magic too). "I think I'll take you up on that offer," she told him.

Unlocking the passenger door, Harry replied "Hop in."

She scurried around and took the passenger side seat. "Thanks," she smiled. "So, what's your aunt making for dinner?"

"Roast beef again," the boy groaned. "It's the only reason she'd have me pick up these carrots." Pulling out the package from the bag from beside the girl's feet.

She giggled. "I'm Hermione, by the way," the girl imparted.

"Harry," he replied offering her one hand as he used the other to steer.

Shaking it, she murmured "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same."

They were quiet then. Harry wasn't going to push her to say more, he just liked sitting beside someone who didn't look at him like he was crazy for believing in magic.

"Aunt Petunia, I'm back!" Harry shouted as he walked in the front door with Hermione behind him.

The trim woman stepped out from the kitchen with oven-mitts on her hands. "Thank god! The water's boiling and your uncle will be home any minute!" Coming forward, she was about to take the grocery bag from Harry when she noticed Hermione.

"Who's this Harry?" She questioned.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Harry stuttered "um."

Taking over for him, the girl offered his aunt a hand and said. "I'm Harry's friend - we ran into each other at the market today."

"I thought I'd bring her back for dinner if that doesn't bother you aunt 'tuney..."

Gaping, the woman shook her head. "Oh no! No this is wonderful! You're uncle will be so happy to see your finally bringing friends home like a normal boy."

"Right..." Harry found himself blushing, glancing to see how Hermione was taking things.

She didn't seem to be listening at all, instead her eyes were on the hall table littered with pictures of Dudley and Harry. He wondered if her parents had kept a similar table - or if she'd never had one like it.

"Now why don't you two come into the kitchen and I'll get you something to drink?" Aunt Petunia offered.

Tapping Hermione's wrist, he made her jolt as he accepted for both of them. "That'd be great aunt Petunia."

xXxXxXx

"So how do you know Harry?" Dudley inquired as he took a bite of roast beef, "I don't think I've seen you in school."

Hermione hummed and put down her fork. "The library, we've run into each other a few times," she replied.

"I see." Harry's cousin accepted.

While things went on peacefully, Harry tried to still the thudding of his heart; he and Hermione should have planned for questions a little more. "Hey Hermione, d'you want me to give you a ride back to your place after dinner?"

The girl grinned. "That'd be nice, thank you."

"Remember not to stay out too late, Harry," uncle Vernon grunted as he looked over some paperwork he brought home.

Looking to his half-finished plate, the young man whispered "yes uncle."

Driving Hermione out of town, Harry asked "So did you runaway? Or...?"

"My parents kicked me out," Hermione replied. "I was all set for university next year, but then this Bulgarian exchange student came through and he was really romantic, you know? Like here I was just a silly little bookworm and know-it-all, but he thought I was pretty and smart; so asked me to the school dance. Suffice to say, things escalated quickly and my parents caught us in my bed together."

"Ouch," Harry mumbled.

Hermione shrugged in the darkness beside him. "It was fair, you could say, because as my mother so eloquently put it 'they didn't raise me to be a whore.'"

"Still, it's harsh. I might be crazy, but my aunt and uncle have not once discussed getting rid of me."

Hermione's head turned then. Her eyes becoming a reflective mirror for street lights. "Just where are your parents Harry? It's obvious you don't live with them."

"They died when I was a baby," the teenager told her. "My aunt says my dad was driving drunk and they crashed."

The girl frowned. "That's sad," she whispered.

"I don't remember them," Harry countered.

Tapping her fingers along to the song drifting out of the speakers, Hermione questioned "did you ever consider running away?"

"Tons of times," Harry answered.

Her eyes seemed to be all light as she breathed "Why don't you come with me?"

"I'm crazy," the young man answered. "You don't want me."

Hermione frowned. "Why are you crazy?"

"I believe in magic," Harry admitted with a thick voice.

The girl barked a laugh. "Oh Harry!" She exclaimed, "Harry do you want to know a secret?" Hermione giggled as she squeezed his arm.

He didn't think he did, but she was so close and..."What?" He sighed.

"I believe in magic," she declared. "I always have."

Harry studied her shadowed features then, wondering if Hermione was telling him the truth or simply making fun of him as every other child and teenager had throughout his life. With time, he saw that the girl meant it. Her gaze never wavered, expression never changed and her hold on him stayed steady. Smothering a smile, Harry looked back to the road.

"We have to ditch the car come morning."

Settling back in her seat, she put her feet up on the dashboard and closed her eyes. "That's fine by me."

I couldn't resist still discussing magic, but I guess they're still muggles so it's okay? Anyway, what did you think? Do you like Hermione here? And what about Petunia and Vernon, they aren't so much abusive toward Harry as they are disapproving of him in this fic.

This one-shot was written for the Muggle Studies Classroom of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments) forum.

Thanks to my reviewer nymphxdora; I really appreciate getting it!

Thank you all for reading and pretty please review!