Chapter 2: Harry's Arrival

Hermione had slept wonderfully that night. She had dreamt of Harry, Ron, and Ginny when they were all in Hogwarts years ago.

Hermione had been staring out her window for what seemed hours, waiting for Harry to show. They were of age now so she expected him to just apparate.

Then, out thin air, came a tall, toned, and slightly tanned Harry Potter. He was wearing a black hoodie and dark blue jeans. His hair was messy and sort of short, Hermione remembered that he had had that exact same haircut in their third year.

He was holding on to his trunk and a cage that had Hedwig inside. He had gotten another owl that just happened to be a white snow owl, and he named Hedwig Junior, but they all call him Hedwig anyways. And that Hedwig was the one in the cage.

Hermione sprinted down the stairs and out the front door. Harry smiled when saw her. He had set the cage and his trunk down, so it made it even easier for Hermione to give him the big hug she was giving him.

Harry had been so glad to hear that he could stay over at Hermione's. He was so excited that he even jumped up and down in his room when he got the letter, and this was something unusual for a 17 year old boy to do.

Even though it had only been a few days, Harry had missed Hermione and Ron. He had been through so much with them and he still felt like he needed them. Or maybe it was just Hermione he needed. He had loved the way they had gotten to know each other even more over the past year.

Harry held Hermione closely to himself. He loved how she felt when he hugged her. How she fit into his arms so easily.

Wow, I love the way her hair smells, sort of like mint and cinnamon, and the way it feels. It's so soft. She's so beautiful today. Wait, where the hell did that just come from? Well, she's always been beautiful. Harry's thoughts wondered while Hermione had similar thoughts as well.

Merlin, I could just melt in his arms. I don't want this to end. Please no time soon. I love the way we fit so perfectly, honestly it's like we were made for each other. He's so cute today. Well, not that he hasn't always been cute, but…

They finally let each other go after a minute or two.

"Well, I suppose we should go in now." Harry innocently suggested.

"Yeah, mum has made lunch already. It's not as good as Hogwart's but it might come close." Hermione replied as she picked up Hedwig's cage.

"Really Hermione, I can take care of this myself." Harry flashed her a friendly smile.

"I don't know Harry, you look a little wimpy today." Hermione raised her eyebrows and tried to hide her smile.

Harry's smile immediately faded. He watched Hermione walk back towards the house carrying Hedwig. "You're just joking right?" Harry called after her. Hermione couldn't help but laughing after that.

Harry pulled his trunk hurriedly after her. Once he entered the house, he stopped moving. The house was so…normal. It had a smell all it's own. Not like the Burrow and defiantly not like the Dursley's.

Hermione withdrew her wand from her pocket and with a flick of the wrist Harry's trunk disappeared.

"Come on, I'll give you a tour of the house." Hermione said as she began walking up the stairs, Harry right behind her. She topped at the first door, on the right. "This is my room." She said looking into the clean and neat room.

"It's…clean?" Harry tried to compliment, but failed.

Hermione had begun giggling but laughed out loud when she saw the embarrassed look on Harry's face. "Thank you." She said in her fit of giggles.

She continued to walk down the hall. "That's my parents room way down there on the left and this room that's next to mine is the guest room." She said while pushing open the guest room door.

Harry peeked into the room. He smiled. It had dark scarlet walls and gold carpet. Gryffindor colors. It had the Gryffindor Lion painted onto the wall that he shared with Hermione. The window had gold curtains and overlooked the park nearby, just like Hermione's window.

There was a Queen sized bed that had gold and scarlet sheets and fluffy white pillows. Next to it was a dresser, and next to that was a small bookcase. Quidditch books filled it up. There was a desk over by the window that had a piece of parchment, ink, and a quill on it. His trunk sat at the end of the bed. Hedwig's cage and Hedwig were placed.

"I fixed it up just for you." Hermione smiled proudly at the wonderful room.

"It's brilliant!" Harry exclaimed, still not believing that this room was going to be his for nearly a month.

"Glad you like it." She smiled. "And you can get settled in after the tour is over." She tugged on his arm to pull him back into hall.

They walked back down the stairs. "Here's the Family Room and in here is the Kitchen." Hermione stated while walking into the kitchen.

Harry followed her. The kitchen smelled like warm bread and pumpkin juice. In other words, it smelled magnificent.

"Mum, this is Harry." She said while turning to look at Harry.

Hermione's mother looked up from the Kitchen counter, then stood up.

"It's so good to see you again." She said while pulling Harry into a motherly hug.

"Good to see you too Mrs. Granger." Harry replied politely.

"So, tell me how you've been while you eat." She said sitting down on the stool again.

Hermione sat down on a stool and Harry followed.

"I've been good." Harry replied politely.

"Not getting into anymore trouble?" Mrs. Granger smiled.

"Not that I know." He replied smiling back.

"Good, good. Well, tuck in." She said while filling her cup with tea.

After a good lunch, Harry was full. He hadn't eaten so good since his last visit to the Burrow.

"How was the food, Harry?" Mrs. Granger asked.

"Excellent, it tasted wonderful." Harry replied honestly.

"Well, you should go and get unpacked deary. Glad you liked the Lunch." Mrs. Granger replied with a motherly smile.

"Ok." Harry replied as he walked towards the stairs and with a small nod to Hermione he walked up the stairs.

"He's very sweet." Mrs. Granger said to her daughter while she placed dishes into the sink.

"Yes, he is." Hermione agreed.

"I can see why you fancy him so much." Her mother stated casually.

"I do not fancy him!" Hermione whisper-hissed back.

"Then you explain to me why every time he said your name or looked at you, you blushed and smiled." Her mother replied looking at her daughter.

"I…I don't fancy my best friend." Hermione said back, more to convince herself then her mother.

"Say what you will, Hermione, but you can't hide it. And I'm surprised he didn't notice." Her mother said turning her attention back to the dishes.

Hermione turned and walked slowly out of the kitchen. I don't fancy Harry. I mean, I like him…I don't love him. Not that way. Do I? NO! No Hermione he's your best friend! Don't be stupid. That's like saying you love Ron, which you don't. But Harry's different. He's handsome, nice, funny, sweet, and oh my god I am in love with him! But, how could this happen? How could I not know? Or…have I always known. But…this can't be happening. He likes Ginny. And Cho is still all over him. There's no way. Just forget about it Hermione.

Harry walked into his room and unlatched his trunk. He placed all his clothes in the dresser and his the few books he owned in the bookcase. He put the picture of his parents twirling him around (magically) on the dresser, along with a magically moving picture of Hermione, Ron, and himself at Hogwarts, and one of just Hermione an himself. They were at a Quidditch Game in their third year. Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff.

He loved the way she looked in that picture. She had her left arm placed around his hip, and his right arm over her shoulder. It was cold so they were holding on to each other tightly. He could still remember the feeling he had when that picture was taken.

He felt eyes watching him. He turned to lock eyes with Hermione who had her arms crossed and was leaning on the door frame.

"Hey." He smiled.

She felt weak in the knees. His smile. His eyes. There too perfect. He's too perfect. And if hadn't been for her mother she'd never of realized that he did love Harry.

I love Harry Potter, and it's all my mothers fault.