AN: HARRY POTTER IS NOT MINE.

Enjoy!

AN2: Thanks to everyone still interested in this. Hoping to update in the next few days.


Hermione and Ares headed toward where the group would be arriving. She was getting more and more nervous with every step. 'Hopefully Ron doesn't go on one of his anger-filled rants when he gets here. Although, he has been a lot calmer since he started seeing Pansy. Must be all the shagging they've been doing.' Hermione couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of her with that thought. Out of nowhere, she heard a faint "Bloody hell!", and knew the group had arrived.

'Time to face the music, as they say.'


When the group landed, they looked around at where they would be spending their summer. They thought they had landed in the wrong spot, but then saw a sign to their left that said 'Granger Estate', and 'Built 1992' below that. They knew they were in the right spot.

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled. "Are we sure, like 100 percent, that we're at the right house? I mean, this can't be Mione's house, right?"

"It has to be, mate. The sign says it's the Granger's. Surely we're in the right place." Harry said.

"Right place or not, I'm staying! Look at this. It's beautiful." Ginny said.

"Who's that?" Draco asked.

Immediately, just from reflex, Severus was alert. He carefully drew his wand from his sleeve, and held it in the palm of his hand. Looking up, he saw a woman on a horse, galloping toward them.

"Merlin! It's Hermione." Pansy said. "Isn't it?" she added, unsure if she was seeing things right.

Looking closer, Severus agreed that it was Miss Granger. She was riding a beautiful black stallion. She was wearing a blue plaid shirt and jeans tucked into a pair of black motorcycle boots, and her curly hair was in loose pigtails. She was also wearing a pair of black sunglasses. He thought she looked like what the muggles called 'a farmer's daughter' in that outfit.

"I agree with Miss Parkinson. I believe that is, indeed, Miss Granger." he said.

Little did anyone know, Severus was hypnotized at that point. He had a well-hidden love of horses, and the one Miss Granger was currently riding was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. He was actually, although reluctant to admit it, enjoying this holiday so far, and it had only been about 2 hours.


"Hey, Hermione! Are we at the right spot?" Harry asked as she and the horse came to a stop in front of them.

"Hi, guys. And, yes, Harry. Welcome to the Granger Estate. This is where we'll be spending the summer." she said with a laugh. "If that's alright, that is." she added.

"Merlin, yes that's alright. Is this all yours or what?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, Ginny. This is all mine. And, for the summer, yours as well." Hermione said with a smile.

"Miss Granger, would you be so kind to tell us a little about the house?" Severus asked.

"Of course, Professor. Well, it has 11 bedrooms, so you'll each have your own room if you'd like. Or, you can share, whatever. 11 bathrooms. Game room. Harry, there's satellite TV, so you can introduce the guys to muggle sports." she said, noticing the way Harry's face lit up at the mention of TV. "You can go anywhere on the property, just not the guest house. I have 2 squibs taking care of the place, and that's where they live. Although they're visiting family in Texas for a few months." Paul and Laura had gone to visit their daughter for the summer, like they do every year. "Why don't you guys start heading to the house, and we'll catch up in a moment? I need to discuss something with Professor Snape." she said.

After the group walked off, Hermione turned to Severus and softly said, "There's also a Potions lab in the basement, Professor. I'll show you how to get in later. And, over 20 horses that you can ride at any time." Seeing Severus' look of surprise, Hermione added, "I saw the look in your eyes upon seeing Ares here close up. The look of a true horse lover. Any horse you want to ride, any time of day, sir."

"That's very kind of you. I have asked the others to call me Severus for the duration of this trip, and you may as well, Miss Granger." he said, while patting Ares.

"Then you may call me Hermione, Severus. Oh, also in the basement, I have a cabinet charmed to always have plenty of firewhiskey. If you're going to put up with us for the summer, I think you may need a drink every now and then. I'll show you how to access it later, too." Hermione said with a nervous smile.

She was surprised to hear him laugh. As he walked along with her and Ares, he asked, "This may be inappropriate to ask, Hermione, but just how much is this place worth?"

Hermione sighed. "Not at all, Severus. Umm…the property, the horses, the cars, the house, the valuables in the house, and a few other things make this place worth around 75 million. The Granger family is the third wealthiest family in muggle Britain."

"Did I hear that right, Mione? You're worth more than my family?" Draco asked.

Hermione hadn't noticed that they had caught up with the others until Draco asked that question. Nodding her head, she said "Yes, Draco. In wizarding Britain, however, the Granger's would be the second wealthiest, behind your family, of course. My parents made several smart investments when they were younger."

"Why didn't you ever tell us, Hermione?" Pansy asked.

Hermione gave her a sort of smile and shrugged. "Would it have made a difference? It's better if people like you for you, not how much money you have, or possessions you own, I think. I never told Harry, Ron, or Ginny, either, and I've known them longer."

"I see your point, Hermione. And, for the record, I do like you for you. All this won't make a difference in our friendship. Promise." Pansy said, the others nodding their agreement.

"Right, Mione." Millicent said. She could see what Hermione was talking about. Instead of wearing something fancy, here was Hermione greeting them in comfortable looking jeans and a plaid shirt. She knew Hermione had money, but by the way she dressed, you'd never guess just how much she had. That was one of the things they all liked most about her. She was down to earth, despite the money.

Trying to lighten the mood, Blaise chimed in, "Hey, Hermione? Could you loan me like a million dollars?" The rest of the group laughed, instantly lightening the mood.

"Would you like it in small bills, Mr. Zabini?" Hermione asked in a professional voice.

"And non-sequential. Can't have the government tracking me." he said, getting another laugh.

"One more thing, guys. I'll have to show you which horses not to ride later. There are a few that don't like being ridden, and will more than likely throw you." Hermione said.

"How many do you have anyways, Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Right now, I have 22. But I bought a couple that will be arriving in a couple of days." she said. "Go on in, guys. I need to put Ares here back in the stable." she said, and turned Ares toward the stable.


When the group approached the front doors, Harry opened the door and they entered. The entryway was beautiful. The floors were hardwood, and huge pictures lined the walls. There was one of Hermione's parents to the left, and one of Hermione to the right.

"Blimey! I think this is even more fancy than your house, Draco." Ron said. "And, we're not even technically in the house, yet."

"Yeah. Mother would love it here." Draco said. Ron was right. It was more gorgeous than the Manor. And, it felt more like home than the Manor did.

"Well, by all means, invite them here for Christmas, Draco." Hermione said, walking in from the back. "This is where I'll be, and you're all invited, of course." she said with a smile.

"Really, Hermione?" Ginny asked, practically bouncing from excitement. At Hermione's nod, she smiled. "Great. By the way, when did you take this picture?" she asked, pointing at the large picture of Hermione on the wall.

"I had it taken when I was around 16, I think. Not one of my favorite pictures. Well, while I'm sure you're all in love with the entryway, there is more of the house to see, guys. Follow me." Hermione said. She turned and started walking, the others following behind.


PLEASE REVIEW. XOXO

*I UPDATED THIS CHAPTER. I TALKED TO A COUPLE FRIENDS OF MINE WHO OWN HORSES AND DECIDED THAT 50 WAS ABOUT 30 TOO MANY, SO I CHANGED IT TO 20.

*I AM WORKING ON THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THIS, AS WELL AS MY OTHER STORIES. IT'S BEEN A LONG COUPLE OF DAYS, GUYS.

*THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED, FAVORITED OR FOLLOWED ANY OF MY STORIES. AND ME. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!