Harry Potter and the Pureblood Agenda
Thanks to all the readers who have subscribed to this story and added it to their favorites and to all who have reviewed. KazeHayate is now my Beta, so that position is closed unless something comes up. If you would like to see something in the story, tell me and I just might include it. This is a shorter chapter than the last.
*Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money off of this and will not at any time.
Chapter 3
Diagon Alley
June 30, 1996
With heavy thoughts, Harry searched Diagon Alley for Hermione. After asking a few people and checking in the shops she was most likely to go to with no luck, he decided to check the Leaky Cauldron. Upon entering the dimly lit building, Harry asked Tom the pub owner if he had seen her. After Tom said she came in but hadn't seen her since, Harry scanned the room before focusing on a bushy haired figure in a dark corner. Harry rushed over to Hermione, oblivious to the cloaked person at one of the tables watching him.
"Hermione-"
"Leave me alone Harry." Hermione sobbed.
"No, of all the times I've said the same to you when I was upset; you did the best thing for me and persisted to comfort me. It's time I return the favor." Harry said, his voice quiet and firm, and sat across from her.
"Why? You heard what he said and he's right." she said finally raising her head to look at him.
"You're wrong Hermione. He said that because he's a rude obnoxious nitwit. He always thinks he has to have everything because everyone else has it and doesn't use his head when he speaks." Harry said.
At this, Hermione burst out laughing, drawing attention from everyone in the place. Quickly noticing everyone staring she ducked her head and looked at Harry's confused look.
"Why did you start laughing?" Harry asked
"You spelt his name." Hermione stated as if it were the weather outside.
"How did I spell his name?" Harry asked with a puzzled look.
"Rude obnoxious nitwit, R-O-N." Hermione said giggling.
At these both laughing at the coincidental insults and kept at it for a couple of minutes before trying to calm down. When they both finally composed themselves, a solemn look graced Harry's face as he stared intently at Hermione.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked
"Yeah, a little. Thanks Harry." She said glowing.
"No problem Hermione, it's about time I paid you back. Do you want to go into the Alley and stop by Flourish and Blotts and Eeylops?" Harry asked. "I need to get some more owl treats and pick up some books on Occlumency. Maybe if we get done on time we can stop at Florean Fortescues and get us some ice cream. I saw a sign for a flavor called Rocky Road that sounds pretty good. Besides, it will give us a chance to catch up with everything that's been going on since school let out."
"Sure that sounds fine Harry."
Fifteen minutes later after they had checked out all the new items and purchased food for their familiars, Harry and Hermione walked into Flourish and Blotts. After Hermione saw some new books and all but ran off too look at them, Harry checked to make sure she was engrossed in reading before heading up to the counter. Up at the counter, Harry spoke with the clerk about having a tab set up and it being billed to his bank account. After learning that only someone with a Family ring could, Harry filled out the necessary forums and waited while the clerk used the necessary spells to verify the authenticity. While waiting on what she told him would be a ten minute process, Harry glanced over to see where Hermione was. What he saw captivated him. Hermione, sitting in one of the plush chairs that the store offered with her legs brought up next to her reading a book and chewing on her bottom lip. Normally, this wouldn't affect him since she normally sat like this, but the way the light filtered through the windows and hit her hair, highlighting the golden strands and giving it a golden glow made it hard to tear his eyes away, which he only did after the clerk who had been saying his name finally tapped him on the shoulder. Turning towards the clerk, Harry told her to charge everything that Hermione bought to his tab. Once she agreed, Harry purchased an Occlumency book then went to Hermione and told her to get all the books she wanted. Despite her claiming he didn't have to pay, she still spent over 200 galleons on the books and promised to repay him. Harry, shrugging off the money, reminded her that they were going to Florean Fortescues for ice cream so they needed to hurry before it closed.
After leaving the bookstore, Harry asked what kind of ice cream she wanted then went and ordered while she found a table. Once he got the ice cream and sat down they started talking about their summer so far. Finding out that her parents were at a two week conference in the states for some kind of new dentistry tools and that they decided to stay for the rest of the month for vacation. Realizing that the conversation would turn to the Weasleys, they both got quiet. Done with his Rocky Road and her almost done with her sundae with extra whipped cream, Harry was still sort of hungry when he saw what he wanted. On the very tip of Hermione's nose was a smidgen of whipped cream which he quickly leaned over and kissed causing her to blush intensely. Realizing what he had done he quickly started apologizing.
"I…I…I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that." Harry stammered out both embarrassed and ashamed.
"It's alright Harry, I'm not mad at you and it was really quite cute." Hermione said bashfully.
"I still shouldn't have done that." Harry said
"Don't worry about it." Hermione said looking at her watch so he wouldn't see her tear up. "It's getting late; I need to talk to Tom about getting a room for cheap and paying him back later since I'm not staying at the Weasleys.
"You can stay at my place Hermione. I'm sure I'll have plenty of room." Harry said quickly.
"I guess I could. I don't know how we will fit in the same bed much less bedroom for the rest of the summer." Hermione said grinning
"No, that's not what I meant. I have a lot of houses but I was planning on staying at Potter Estate." Harry replied, feeling his face go hot.
"I'd be glad to Harry, just lead the way."
"Grab onto my arm and hold on" Harry said.
And with a swirl and flash of light, both of them were gone, leaving the Alley empty except for a cloaked figure sitting at a table a few buildings away who mumbled "Maybe he can feel love after all." and disapparated.