Fit the usual disclaimer here…

Author Notes: Okay. I intend to update every two or three days, maybe faster if I have some more free time. Please review, since this is my first fan-fic I need help and direction. (Healthy criticism, HEALTHY).

Chapter 2:

Harry quickly threw on some clothes. (Dudley's castoffs) and ran down to see what was problem. He was shocked at what he saw. Dumbledore and Snape were at the door, trying to calm Aunt Petunia down. He quickly came to their aid.

'It's alright Aunty, they are from my school' he said.

This did not have the desired effect, instead of calming down, she became even more hysterical. Suddenly, she turned and ran, yelling for her husband Vernon.

Vernon, a huge fat man with a mustache to match came charging up to the front door. He was trying not to show his fear, masking it behind anger.

'What is your business here?' he snarled at them.

Dumbledore spoke up. 'My, name is Albus Dumbledore, Mr. Dursley I need to speak to you about very something urgent, can we move to somewhere more private?'

Thinking it over, Vernon, decided that the safer option was to comply. Who knows what this band of weirdoes would do to him? He led Dumbledore into the drawing room, leaving Harry with Professor Snape.

There was an awkward silence, Snape spoke up first.

'Potter, I had no idea you lived with such, such…" he trailed off shaking is head.

'It's alright Professor I'm been living with them fourteen years now, I think I will manage' Harry replied.

'I'm sure Potter, you have heard from Weasley about Miss. Granger' Snape said, back to his loathing.

'Yes, I just received a letter form him, but he is vague', Harry said.

'Well, the Headmaster feels, I know he has his reasons, that this maybe the safest place for Miss Granger, until the new terms starts', Snape said.

'Hermione! Here! Where is she?' Harry said excited at finally finding our where she was.

'Calm yourself Potter, she is outside in a Ministry Car, and no you cannot go out and meet her yet' Snape said.

'But, professor! Is she alright, is she hurt?' Harry stammered out.

'She's fine, contain your obvious affection for her, I believe the Headmaster is returning' Snape said with a sneer.

Harry blushed slightly, but was angry at the implications that Snape was making out.

'So, it is arranged then Mr. Dursley, Miss. Granger will put up here, you have the payment for her stay, I am sure it will be enough' Dumbledore said with emphasis on enough.

Vernon Dursley just grunted.

'Harry' Dumbledore said, 'A ministry card will pick both of you on 30th August so you can buy your supplies'

'You, boy' Vernon addressed Harry 'take her case up to the room'.

He took a small suitcase from Snape and went upstairs to put it in his room. He placed it carefully in the corner. He was turning to go back down when he bumped into a disheveled puffy eyed Hermione.

Before, Harry could say anything; she hugged him tightly and began to cry. Astonished and embarrassed at this awkward embrace, he put an arm around her and tried to comfort her.

'Hermione, its okay, don't cry please don't cry'.

'Oh! Harry', she wailed 'It was horrible, they were death eaters everywhere, they kept shouting and laughing…' With that she burst into a fresh wave of sobs.

Harry gently took her hand and made her sit on the bed. He sat down next to her.

'Hermione tell me everything that happened…'

She sobbed a little and started.

It was around six in the evening. Hermione looked up from her book 'Advanced Transfiguration for Beginners' and noticed the time.

'Oh No!' she thought aloud 'I'm late for tea'. She put her books aside and ran down.

'There you are young lady' said Mrs. Granger 'I was just coming up to call you'

'Sorry Mum' she replied sitting down at the table. 'I was doing some school work'.

'That's our Hermione' her father ruffled her haie as he said this. 'The most brilliant girl in the world'

Hermione glowed with pride.

'Thanks' she said.

'Your welcome' he said with a smile.

The family started to have tea, in what seemed to be a peaceful atmosphere. Suddenly, there was an explosion. The Grangers House rocked, as if caught in an earthquake.

'Oh My God what's happening?' Mrs. Granger exclaimed

Mr. Granger got up and looked out side the window. What he saw would haunt him for life. Several men in black robes and masks, with wands were blowing up everything around the house.

When Hermione got to the window she nearly fainted. Death Eaters her mind screamed. Here, attacking my house.

A loud amplified voice resounded, 'Hermione Granger, we know you are in there, the Dark Lord wished to speak with you'.

Hermione's mother's face went white.

'Hermione, who are these people what do they want?' she quickly stammered.

'Mom, I'll explain later, but they are truly evil men, we have to escape' Hermione replied.

'I'm calling the police' her father said as he picked the phone. 'The line's been cut' he said; panic beginning to enter his voice.

'There must be something we can do' said Mrs. Granger.

Hermione finally got over the initial shock.

'Mom, Dad, whatever you do don't leave the house, it seems to be protected by some spells that is why they cannot come in' she said quickly.

She was to be proved wrong in the next few moments, the door burst open and five death eaters stepped it.

'Hermione Granger, I presume' said the leader. Hermione screamed, she screamed as never before. Her worst nightmare was coming alive around her and she was powerless to stop it.

Crucio…

She opened her eyes to see her father attack one of the men, before the curse was said. Her father fell down on the ground and his screams of pain sounded into the night.

'Stop, please stop' Hermione cried. 'I'll do anything'

The man took off the curse.

'Excellent' said the leader.

'No!' shouted both her parents. 'You will not take her'.

'Try and stop us, muggle filth' the leader sneered.

Suddenly a voice from behind spoke.

'I believe I can do something about that'

It was Dumbledore; he had somehow found out and arrived. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. His face was full of rage, such anger she had never seen. No, wonder he is hailed as the greatest wizard in the world, Hermione thought. He was glowing with power.

The death eaters quailed under his gaze, but were quick to recover. A fight ensued as Aurors poured in behind Dumbledore. Severely beaten, the Death Eaters quickly retreated and aparted off.

Back at Privet Drive, Harry didn't know what to say.

'I'm sorry Hermione, I'm so sorry' he said over and over again, one arm around her, while she rested her head on his shoulder.

'Are you parents alright?' he slowly asked.

Hermione calmed down and answered 'There are fine, Snape gave them both some potions, they are still at the house, trying to get everything fixed up, Dumbledore volunteered to help. They didn't want me there, as they felt it was not safe enough. So they sent me here'

'Hermione, this is all my fault, Voldemort was trying to get at me through you, maybe we should not be such close friends' he said dejectedly.

'Harry James Potter! This is not your fault! You did not ask for you-know-who to come after you and as for going after me, I make my own choices, I shall not give up our friendship because of some madman. If I ever hear you say or thing like I'll, I'll…" she fumed at him

He shrunk back from her, quite shocked and scared.

"Hurt you very badly!' she finished.

Harry grinned.

'Thanks Hermione I needed that' he said.

'Don't mention it' her mood improved.

'Now, how about I take you out for lunch, it's nearly lunch time and I doubt the Dursleys will give us much to eat' said Harry.

Hermione nodded 'Okay'.

'Luckily, I converted some Wizarding money, into muggle money, via Hedwig from my account' Harry said as he helped her up.

They moved downstairs.