The Art of Love
Summary: Sometimes all you need is a little love. Hhr
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its affiliated characters. That all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: This chapter is where the story truly begins, in my opinion. My goal is to finish this story before I start school again, and that is in about two and a half weeks. So, I think I'm going to post anywhere between one and two chapters a day. I really hope this story intrests people, because I know I'm having a blast writing it. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Things are Looking Up
The sound of a train whistle could be heard in the distance. The sixth year girls' dormitory was beginning to stir, ready to start the day. Lavender threw a pillow over her head, Pavarti groaned and rolled over on her stomach, and Padma sighed and got up to go get dressed. Hermione, on the other hand, stayed exactly where she was in her bed, in the same position she had been in for the last seven hours. She had gotten absolutely no sleep the night before. As soon as she had crawled into bed the realization had struck her full force. She realized this was the last time she was going to sleep in this bed, the last time she was going to walk these halls as a student at Hogwarts, and the last time she was going to embark on the Hogwarts Express. After six years of nothing but attending this school, taking in all that it had to offer, Hermione had found herself with an ache in her stomach while she tried to sleep the night before. Even though she knew she couldn't attend school the next year, that she had to help Harry with the horcruxes, that still didn't stop the pain from seeping into her heart the previous night, or the tears from escaping and staining her face and pillow. This was going to be one hard day.
Hermione met Harry and Ron in the Grand Hall for the final meal they were to eat at Hogwarts. An unspoken aura of remorse and sadness floated above the Golden Trio as they ate. Hermione didn't actually eat at all, she simply moved the fork around on her plate. Harry barely ate anything, and Ron only had one helping of eggs. The other students didn't seem to notice anything weird in the trio's behavior, and they kept talking and laughing, ready to enjoy the summer holidays. As the meal seemed to commence to a close, the new headmistress gave a small announcement.
"I would like to first and foremost wish each and every one of you a splendid summer holiday, and I hope that you will take the time to relax and enjoy yourselves," McGonagall began. " In light of recent events, I find it necessary to also say that I also wish you all a safe holiday, and that I have discussed matters over with the other professors, and all summer homework will be cancelled." This caused for a round of cheering to burst out from all students, which McGonagall quickly silenced, though not as well as Dumbledore would have done. "Also, any of age wizard must have their apparation license by the beginning of next term. Those who turn of age during term, or as term is about to begin needs to get their license as soon as possible on they turn of age. Underage wizards must have a note signed by a legal parent or guardian granting permission to be side-along apparated by a licensed wizard if need be during the course of the next school year." There were uneasy glances shared all around the Grand Hall. Hermione looked down at her feet, unable to stand looking at McGonagall while she spoke so freely of the next term. Harry, sensing she was upset, gently placed a supporting hand on her shoulder. "This is simply a safety precaution, everyone. We do not know what the future holds. With that said, I wish you all a happy, safe holiday." Applause echoed in the halls, and Hermione felt sick to her stomach. Harry and Hermione shared a small look, silently relating the sadness they were feeling. Ron fluttered his lips and stood up, followed by Harry, who gently helped Hermione out of her seat, and the three of them walked toward the carriages that would take them to the Hogwarts Express station.
The train had been on route for about half an hour, and Hermione hadn't said a word to Harry or Ron since she sat down. Ron tried to get her talk by purposely making a mess with candy wrappers, hoping she would get so irritated with it she would yell at him and make it feel like old times for the last time aboard the train. She, however, didn't even seem to notice Ron was there. She had been staring out the window for the last thirty minutes, watching the hills roll by without an expression on her face. Harry, who had been watching her carefully, finally gathered his courage to speak.
"Mione?" She didn't answer, but he continued anyway, hoping she was listening. "Listen, if this is too hard for you, I understand. I know it was hard for me to walk out those doors for the last time, and I can't imagine what it must have felt like for you. Its up to you, Hermione. If you want to go back next term, I'm not going to stop you. I want you to enjoy yourself." Hermione finally snapped out her trance. She looked at Harry, and her eyes seemed to register what he was saying. She shook her head, and shifted her weight slightly to better look at him.
"I'm not leaving you, Harry. I've said this before, and I'll say it again; we're in this together. It just hit me sort of suddenly, the fact that this was our last time doing these things. I'm sad because its all over, but I'm not about to get up and abandon you. That never crossed my mind. Not even for a moment." Harry looked at her, wondering if she was just telling him this because she thought it was what he wanted to hear. He couldn't hold back laughter though, as Hermione's eyes grew fierce and she scolded Ron for leaving such a mess in the train car. Ron beamed as he bent down to pick the trash up, and Hermione sat back and huffed the words "Honestly, Ronald" under her breath.
Ron had gone to find Ginny to ask her for some more money for candy, leaving Hermione alone in the car with Harry. She could tell he was thinking about something by the way his eyes were narrowed, and his brow came together in a focused sort of trance. She had pulled out Secret of the Darkest Art again, still charmed to say Hogwarts: A History, and had pretended not to notice Harry's obvious mental turmoil. Eventually she couldn't stand it, and she set the book down and looked at him with a soft expression on her face. She pondered what it was he could possibly be thinking, and finally caught his attention with a soft, "Harry?" He looked at her, seeming slightly nervous. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah. I'm okay," he smiled, but he knew he had not fooled her. She stood up and came to sit next to him, and put her hand on his back.
"What's wrong?" she asked. He sighed.
" I've been thinking…What if your parents don't like me? What if they don't agree to let me stay at your house for a day or so? I mean, I already feel guilty for having you ask, and if they don't want me there... I hate imposing on people." Hermione smiled. She loved this about Harry. He always worried so much about pleasing other people. Hermione took her hand off of Harry's back and gently rested it on Harry's cheek. He turned his face to look at hers. She gave him a reassuring smile before speaking.
"Harry, I've told my parents so much about you. Every time I come home you are all I seem to be able to talk about. My parents are fascinated by you; in fact they've even scolded me for not introducing you to them on previous summer holidays. They are going to love you, trust me." Harry looked at her inquisitively.
"Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Positive." She gazed into his beautiful emerald eyes and lost herself in them for a moment. He gazed back into her chocolate swirls, locking in on the beauty they beheld, and rubbed her hand softly with his thumb. For a moment Hermione thought Harry might even kiss her. She felt her heart flutter and her stomach do a somersault as Harry slowly leaned his head in, and then -
"Ginny is a real prat sometimes, I mean she -" Ron exclaimed as he burst though the glass door. He had four boxes of chocolate frogs in his hand, one for Harry and Hermione, and two for himself. As he looked up he saw his two best friends huddled in an almost-embrace, looking at him as if he interrupted something wonderful; he cleared his throat and silently gave each of them their frogs, then took a seat opposite of Harry and Hermione, who had moved away from each other and were now sitting about two feet apart. Ron looked between the two of them, and Harry and Hermione avoided eye contact with Ron and each other. After a minute or so of awkward silence, Harry cleared his throat.
"I'm um… I'm going to go to the loo. 'Scuse me." He said hastily and left the car. As the door shut Hermione closed her eyes and leaned against the seat. Ron looked at her.
"What the bloody hell was that?" he whispered, quite frantically. Hermione opened her eyes and looked at him. She could feel the tears threaten to fall and didn't know how to stop them. She took a shaky breath and decided she better tell Ron everything in order for it to make sense.
"You have to promise not to say anything, Ron. Please." Ron was surprised at the plea in Hermione voice and the tears that had fallen from her eyes. He nodded, and waited for her continue. She took another shaky breath. " You probably know that I thought I had feelings for you this year." Ron turned red. The last time she said those words to him were the last words she said to him for about a month, until after Dumbledore's death. " Well, whenever I was sad because of you and Lavender, Harry was always there to cheer me up. We had some pretty good laughs throughout the year and well… I started thinking. I realized that I have always had some really strong feelings for Harry. I think they've been there since about third year, I just never fully realized them. He's always so caring." Ron looked at her, and she suddenly became worried she may have offended him. " You are too, Ron! Its just that our relationship is more like a brother and sister, like the way you act around Ginny." Ron smiled when she said that. He had to agree that he had only ever thought of Hermione as a second annoying sister who loved to boss him around. Ron also knew that he would absolutely anything for Hermione, the same way he felt about Ginny. She seemed relieved by his reaction, and spoke further. "I thought I had feelings for you, Ron. It made more sense to me. You were the one who seemed so irritated that I went to the Yule Ball with Viktor, and it was you who told me McCormick was slimy and didn't really like me for me. You seemed to look out for me from a romantic point of view, where Harry sat back and watched, and I guess I took it the wrong way." Ron gave her a sympathetic look. He could tell she was embarrassed to say these things to him. She smiled. " I love you, Ron, the way a sister loves a brother. I realize that now. I can't deny the fact that I have different feelings toward Harry. I think I may love him as more than a brother. I was so confused by the anguish I felt when he was with Ginny because he got together with her just after I realized I liked him, and I felt so lost." At the mention of Harry and Ginny, Hermione's face flushed. She realized she was talking to Ginny's brother, who may not approve of the fact that his sister's friend had feelings for her very recent ex-boyfriend. He caught on.
"Hermione, don't worry. Ginny has been attracted to Harry since she first heard his story, but it wasn't the same kind of attraction as you have to him. Ginny was star-struck by the Boy-Who-Lived, she was mesmerized by the fame Harry has. I honestly believe she didn't date him because she had any romantic feelings toward him. I think she wanted a taste of fame; she wanted that feeling she got when people saw her with him. I don't think Ginny quite knows what she wants yet. I love her dearly, though don't... don't tell her I said that; I'll never hear the end of it." Hermione smiled at that remark, and Ron did too. "As her brother I know I should be angry that you have feelings for him. However, you also happen to be one of my best friends, and I've seen the way you and Harry work together and act around each other. You two make way more sense than he and Ginny do, whether she wants to admit that or not. I'm okay with this, but if Ginny gets upset, I'm going to have to stay neutral in the situation. Are you okay with that?" Hermione smiled.
"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Ron. Harry and I haven't even done anything. I don't think we're anywhere near a relationship right now. And if it ever reaches that state," the thought of that sent shivers down Hermione's spine, " then I completely understand you not taking sides. I can't believe how understanding you are of this, actually. I thought you would be upset." Ron grinned.
"I've grown up a lot, thank you very much."
" I know," Hermione said, " I'm proud of you." That caused Ron to laugh.
"Never thought I'd see the day." he joked. " Just so you know, Hermione. That stuff about McCormick and Krum, that was me being the over-protective big brother. If you must know, Harry asked me a lot of strange questions the night of the Yule Ball about you and Krum." Hermione's eyes widened.
"He- he did?" she gasped. Ron got a smug look on his face as he answered her.
"Yeah. He kept asking if I thought you were really enjoying yourself, and if he should have asked you dance and stuff. He seemed kind of jealous of Krum, actually." Hermione smiled. She could not believe what she was hearing. Was it possible that Harry Potter may have feelings for her? She could not hide her glee, and let out a small squeal of delight to which Ron burst into laughter. She frowned and threw her wand at him, which he picked up and handed back to her.
"I'm sorry, I've just never seen you have a girl moment before. Its funny." Hermione scowled.
" Well, I AM a girl, Ronald." He shrugged, and she playfully slapped his arm. She was happy her and Ron were back to this kind of relationship. This year had been stressful with them not speaking to each other, and she was surprised at how much she missed him. She could tell he was thinking the same thing when he caught her in a friendly hug.
"Hey, Hermione?" he said, " I think I see Harry coming back." Hermione groaned and put her face in her hands. Ron sighed. " You're going to have to talk to him, you know that?" Hermione nodded.
" I know, I just…I have no idea what I'm going to say!" Ron thought for a moment.
"Well, you could always start with 'Harry, I'm madly in love with you'." Hermione slapped him again on the arm and huffed back in her seat.
"Honestly, Ronald! Be realistic!" Ron started laughing so hard that he had tears coming out of his eyes. Hermione stared at him angrily and snapped, "What?"
"Don't ever change, Hermione." He chuckled, and picked up his chocolate frog and took a bite out of it.
The rest of the train ride home was filled with awkward silences and quick glances away whenever Harry or Hermione caught the other one looking at the other. Ron pretended not to notice and tried to distract Harry with talking about quidditch, and Hermione pretended to busy herself in Secret of the Darkest Art. She was all too relieved to get off the train when it arrived at Kings Cross Station.
When the trio exited the train, the met up with the Weasley family first. Ron told his mother about Harry coming just before he turns 17, because otherwise he can't get to the burrow without getting in trouble with the ministry, and Arthur whole-heartedly agreed, but brought up the same concerns Hermione had shared, plus suggested that Harry go somewhere other then the Dursley's a few days before his birthday, so the ministry would not know the magic had been preformed, to which Ron explained that Harry would leave the Dursley's the day before his birthday and go to Hermione's, and then they would apparate a few hours before midnight so that Harry's protection wouldn't break before he got to the burrow. Arthur seemed to approve of this plan, and Molly assured Harry that every protection charm known to wizards was set on the burrow at the moment, and that he would be perfectly safe. Harry didn't know how to express his gratitude to the Weasleys, so he hugged them tightly and told them thank you, and then the Weasleys were on their way. Before they got too far away Ron muttered he would try to find out who R.A.B. was, but that it might be hard with wedding plans going every which way. Harry and Hermione nodded, and shooed Ron to catch up to his family. Then, realizing they were alone again, the pair was surrounded with another awkward silence.
"Er… My parents should be here soon." Hermione said, avoiding looking at Harry. Harry nodded, and pretended to peruse the scenery at the train station. Finally, Hermione spotted her mother and father off in the distance. Avoiding any skin contact, she motioned Harry to follow her. When they caught up with Dan and Jane Granger, Harry watched with a twinge of sadness as Hermione was swept up in gigantic hugs and kisses by both of her parents, then she turned to introduce Harry.
"Dad, Mum," she said, " This is Harry Potter." Dan's face broke into a smile and Jane's eyes widened as she too beamed at Harry. Both of Granger's shook Harry's hand, and Harry was surprised to find their smiles just as contagious as Hermione's. After some polite chatting, Dan looked around the station, and realized they were the last ones there. He looked at Harry and frowned.
"Where are you aunt and uncle, Harry?" Dan asked. Harry turned pale. He hadn't thought about what would happen when he got to the station before now. He doubted the Dursleys opened the letter Hogwarts sent out stating that school would be getting out two weeks early, especially considering an owl probably dropped the letter on their doorstep. Hermione felt her heart skip a beat as she realized what he was thinking, and despite their awkward encounter a few hours before, she reached over to give him a small squeeze. Harry looked at Mr. Granger with a sad expression on his face, which he tried to hide, but Jane understood what Harry was feeling. She stepped up to be in an even line with her husband before addressing Harry.
"Why don't we take you to your house, Harry? After everything Hermione has told us about you, we would love to get to know you better. Wouldn't we, dear?" Jane asked Dan, who smiled and nodded at Harry. Harry was astounded by the Granger's kindness and politely accepted, and then couldn't say thank you enough times. Hermione finally had to tell him to stop. Once in the car, Hermione popped the question to her parents.
"Mum? Dad? I have something I want to ask you," she began. Her parents said nothing, which indicated to her she should continue. " Um, I was wondering if the day before Harry's birthday, um… If we could maybe pick Harry up and take him back to our house? You see, our friend Ron's older brother is getting married and we were invited, but Harry will still have the magical trace on him that alerts the ministry of any magic done at Harry's house, and the only way to get to Ron's house is by apparating, and I was wondering if he could come over so I could apparate both of us to Rons?" The nervousness in both her and Harry's stomach was uncanny, and quickly released when Dan smiled and Jane said of course. Harry looked at Hermione, forgetting for a moment about their encounter, and beamed at her, which she gladly returned. So far, it appeared things were looking up.
"So, Harry, where do you live?"
"Number 4 Privet Drive, sir. In Surry," Harry responded. Dan nodded and started driving.
"Harry," Jane began, " tell us about home. What's it like?" So far, Jane was quite impressed with the boy Hermione had befriended all those years ago. She was surprised, however, when Harry cleared his throat and simply answered, 'its okay,' to her question. She shared a quick glance with Hermione, and then looked at Dan. The Grangers and Harry drove in silence for a second, and Jane kept glancing back at Harry, mentally taking notes as his body behavior changed dramatically the closer they got to the Dursley's. When they left, Harry was sitting up tall and straight, and was happily conversing with the Grangers. Now, he was huddled the best he could do with a seatbelt into a small ball, and politely answered the Grangers questions, but less enthusiastically. When she put it all together, Jane looked at Dan, who seemed to be thinking the same thing she was.
"Sweetheart, I need to use the loo. Do you think you could pull over at the next possible place?" Dan looked inquisitively at Jane. He could tell she was up to something, but agreed and pulled into the nearest gas station. Both he and Jane got out of the car, leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
"Dan, I don't like the way Harry reacted when we mentioned his family. I..." she bit her lip for a second before going on, "I'm not sure, but I think they may be abusing him." Jane said, and Dan grimly nodded.
" I know. I think so too. I could tell by the change of tone in his voice whenever we brought his aunt and uncle up, the way he shifted in his seat, and back at the station he looked as if he was going to be sick at the thought of going back to them." Dan shook his head. He too was quickly growing very fond of his daughter's best friend, and he couldn't understand how a boy so well behaved could come from such a home. Jane looked at him.
"Dan, what if Harry stayed with us? Just for a couple of weeks until Hermione takes them to Ron's? The reason he's coming to our house first is because he has the trace on him so he can't leave from his house, but from what Hermione told us about her trace it doesn't say a wizard can't stay at another house. I know Hermione would be okay with it, and I rather like this boy."
"Jane, I would love to help him out, but we barely know him," Dan said. "I'm not sure his aunt and uncle would allow it." Jane frowned at her husband.
"Dan, from what I've gathered, I'm not sure they would care either way, and we would simply be offering. You and I both know Hermione would go to the world and back again for this boy, and as her parents we should do everything we can to get to know him. And a child shouldn't stay in a home he doesn't feel safe in." Dan contemplated this and nodded. They started to walk back to the car.
The entire time her parents had been talking, Hermione had gathered a small knot in her stomach she couldn't untie. Harry looked at her, obviously just as nervous, but neither of them said anything. For the life of her, Hermione could not figure out what her parents were talking about. When the car doors opened, Hermione closed her eyes, dreading what her parents were going to say.
"Harry," Jane began sweetly, and Hermione opened her eyes. " Harry, Dan and I were wondering, if it was alright with you aunt and uncle, if you would want to come stay with us for a couple weeks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're coming to our house before you and Hermione go to Ron's so that the trace doesn't catch you, correct?" Harry nodded. "Perfect," Jane said, "If you would like, and if its okay, we would love to have you stay. We have a guest bedroom you can sleep in." Harry stared at the Grangers. He looked at Hermione, who was smiling so wide it was a wonder her skin wasn't ripping.
"Er…" Harry stumbled, " I… Thank you, thank you so much. That… that sounds absolutely fantastic. Are you sure?" Harry asked, stuttering almost every word. Jane smiled and looked at her husband.
"Of course, Harry. We would love to have you." Dan said. "Do you think your aunt and uncle would go for it?" Harry gave a small snort.
"Well, um… Yeah, I do." Hermione felt her heart ache as his face hardened, thinking about the Dursleys. Jane and Dan looked at each other for a second, and then gave Harry a reassuring smile. Then Dan got back in the car, and the group continued on to Surry.
Number 4 Privet Drive was a very wholesome looking home. The yard was perfectly trimmed, every window had a curtain on it, and a perfectly polished station wagon sat contently in the driveway. If they did not know better, Dan and Jane would have suspected the people living inside to be absolute sweethearts. However, any doubts about the Dursleys behavior was wiped from the Grangers mind as soon as the front door swung open.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Vernon Dursley exclaimed as soon as he saw Harry standing on his front step. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?" he bellowed. Harry stood right where he was, glaring at Vernon. Before he had a chance to respond, Petunia Dursley came into view, and gave a shriek that closely resembled a banshee. Hermione's face cringed in pain, and Dan and Jane looked at each other in alarm.
"YOU!" Petunia shrieked. " You, you aren't supposed to be here for another-" but she stopped herself short. For the first time since opening the door, the Dursleys realized Harry was not alone. Vernon loudly cleared his throat, and Petunia started whimpering in a squeamish way. Dan, unsure of what to make of the couple, introduced himself and his family.
"Dan Granger, Mr. Dursley. This is wife, Jane, and my daughter, Hermione." he said, and extended his hand. Vernon's eyes glanced at the shiny black Sedan the Grangers drove, before taking tentatively taking Mr. Grangers hand, and shaking it gingerly.
"Yes, um… Good to meet you." Vernon said. He licked his lips in anticipation, obviously trying to formulate what he wanted to say next. "Are you, I mean… Can you do…Er," Harry groaned.
"No, Vernon. Dan and Jane are just as 'normal' as you are. Hermione is-"
"One of your lot, yes." As Vernon said this, he caught the alarm in Dan and Jane's eyes, and cleared his throat loudly. " I mean, she has your gift. Yes, yes, that's what I meant." Hermione's eyes narrowed on the plump man, wishing more than anything to jinx him into a balloon, similar to what Harry had done to Vernon's sister three years before. Now Petunia came forward and attempted to make up for her previous outburst.
"Oh, s-sweet boy. Um… what are you doing here so early?" Petunia asked, practically vomiting on the words. Dan stepped up to Harry, and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, some things happened at the children's school this year, and the term ended early. Didn't you get the letter Hogwarts sent out?" Vernon's eyes practically shot out of his head.
"Well, I… No, I did not! That school does not associate with our family, ever. We seem to be on their black list, wouldn't you agree sweetums?" Vernon snapped, and turned to Petunia, who nodded and agreed in a nervous tone. Dan frowned.
"I…see. Well, Harry here is a dear friend of Hermione's, and we would love to have him stay out our house for the summer. Is that alright with you?" Dan asked, the irritation at the Dursley's growing in his stomach. Vernon stared at the man, dumbfounded. Harry guessed his uncle was trying to comprehend why any one would willingly take what he thought to be such a problematic boy into their home.
"Why, I suppose that would alright, yes." Vernon murmered, his face turning bright red. Dan relaxed slightly, and Hermione's eyes drifted over to Harry's cousin Dudley, who had appeared in the door frame behind Petunia. He had a cupcake in one hand, and the other was pointing at Harry.
"Hello, Dudders." Harry said, smirking. If possible, it appeared Dudley had gained another five pounds since Harry had least seen him. He surpressed his laughter as Dudley dropped his cupcake and started yelling. Petunia turned around, and began her "Oh-my-poor-baby!" tantrum once again. Harry rolled her eyes, and Dan, Jane, and Hermione all turned to each other in shock. Finally, Harry cleared his throat, and Vernon turned, realizing company was still on his doorstep.
"Boy," Vernon began, looking at Harry. " Will you be returning to this house?" Harry looked at Vernon, and he tried very hard to hide a smile. He realized that this was in fact his last visit to Privet Drive. Even though he was jumping for joy inside, Harry simply shook his head, and Dan and Jane exchanged another glance, trying to figure out the relationship this boy and his uncle shared. Vernon huffed at Harry's response, and turned away. Petunia, who had turned her attention away from Dudley long enough to witness this exchange, also turned away and walked into the kitchen behind her husband. Dudley, however, stared at Harry.
"You, you aren't going to live here anymore?" he asked, as if trying to process the information he had just gathered.
"No," Harry stated, flatly. Petunia came back into the room with Vernon, and gasped as Dudley walked closer to Harry.
"But you… You saved my life." Harry stared at Dudley as incredulously as Dudley's parents were.
"Don't worry 'bout that, Dudley. I won't be around to cause any more trouble," Harry said, trying to understand what was going on. " And you," Harry began, addressing Vernon and Petunia, "If you knew what was good for you you would get out of this house. Things aren't very pleasant in my world right now, and you are unfortunately tied to me." Vernon's eyes grew narrow and his face plumped up at these words.
"You have said these words to us before, boy, and I will give you the same answer. I am not going to leave this house. It is my home! And I don't believe in this evil magic nonsense!" he retorted. Harry shook his head lightly, giving up on his uncle's arrogance. Hermione, however, spoke up next.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. Harry isn't lying to you. The same man who killed Harry's mother is growing strong again, and terrible things are happening as a result," she said as politely as she could. "I think you should listen to Harry; he's only trying to save your life." Petunia looked at Hermione, and fear grew in her eyes. Although Petunia and Lily had not been as close in the last years of Lily's life, the loss of her sister's life still gave Petunia a heartache. She looked at Vernon and pleaded with her eyes, and Vernon nodded gruffly.
"I will... consider your request, boy." he said. Harry looked at Hermione in disbelief. He could not believe she had gotten through to them. As Harry turned back to look at his aunt and uncle, Dudley was the one he saw first.
"How will we know you are alright?" he asked. Harry stiffined. After so many years of torture from this boy, Harry could not believe how kind Dudley was being.
"Because, Dudley. I've been through tough times before, and I've always come back here." Harry said. Dudley nodded, and looked at Harry as if he wanted to say something else, but instead sank back into the center of the room, and looked down at his feet. Vernon cleared his throat.
"Yes, well. Off you go." He said, grumpily. Hermione couldn't take the stiffness of Vernon Dursley anymore, and addressed him with judgment lined in her voice.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Harry?" she asked. Vernon stared at her as if she had spoken a different language.
"I…I beg your pardon?" he stammered.
"Harry," Hermione said sternly. " Why won't you say goodbye to him, he's your nephew!" she shrieked. Harry put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't bother, 'Mione, its not worth it." He whispered under his breath to her.
"NO!" she demanded. "After 15 years, you deserve a goodbye." She directed her eyes to Vernon, piercing his features with an icy glare. The plump man cleared his throat.
"Yes, um… I suppose your, friend here has a valid point," Vernon said, practically hissing the word 'friend.' He walked closer to Harry, still not coming within a three foot radius of him, and extended his hand, which Harry timidly took. Vernon shook it once, and cleared his throat. "Um… Goodbye, boy. Be, er, be careful out there." Vernon looked as if he was about to be sick. He walked back to where Dudley was standing and waited for Harry to leave. Harry was about to turn around when Petunia stopped him.
"Harry," she said, her mouse like features more visible in the light. Harry looked at her, wondering what she wanted. She looked at him curiously, and pulled a letter out from her blouse. Harry looked at it strangely, and Petunia gently handed it to him. "This was from my sister. A few weeks before she died she gave it to me and told me to give it to you if something happened to her. I should have given it to you before now, but um… I couldn't. It didn't seem right." Harry stared at the letter, and then at his aunt. This was a side of her he had never seen, and he felt tears threaten to well up in his eyes . He took a breath, and muttered a thank you to Petunia, who nodded and gave Harry one last curious look.
"Good luck with whatever it is you have to do, Harry." She said, and walked back to her family. Harry took one last look at his aunt, uncle, and cousin and gave them a curt nod. Hermione gave him a caring look as her eyes glanced at the letter, and she grabbed his hand for support. He gave her a small smile, and walked with her back to the car. Before Harry sat down in the black sedan, he turned around one last time, and took a final glance at Number 4 Privet Drive. He sighed out slowly, feeling a mix between happiness and astranged sadness, and took a seat next to Hermione.
"Are you alright?" she whispered. He nodded.
"Yeah, its just… After all this time, you might think they actually cared." The thought gave Harry a strange feeling. Hermione gave his hand a small squeeze, and Dan looked at Harry in the re-view mirror.
"You sure you're alright, son?" Harry looked up. No one had ever called him son before, and the notion moved Harry almost to tears. He nodded, and Dan pulled out from against the curb and started to drive away. Harry clutched the letter in his hand, and for the first time in about a week, began to feel hope.
Author's Note: I cut this chapter a little before I wanted to, but this seemed like a nice way to end it. I hope you enjoyed! Chapter 4 will be up soon. -M.
