Chapter 14 - The present from Hermione

Hermione was leaning against her bed in her room at home. It felt so good, beeing back. She had missed her parents a lot. She didn't tend to come home for christmas break, so she could keep Harry company. Harry. He was now at the Dursleys. Harry had told her on the Hogwarts Express that they were always abusing him. She couldn't help but feel kind of empty, now that she knew that. He never told her or Ron. Why not? Ron and her were his best friends. But she knew the awnser. Of course she did, one could say. She was Hermione Granger. He felt ashamed about it and that was, what scared her most. There was nothing to be ashamed about. Those people were monsters. She really didn't understand, why Dumbledore sent Harry back to them every summer. Hermione looked down on her book, she was about to read, when she had started thinking. She missed Harry already. She just hoped, the Dursleys would maybe leave Harry alone this year. She knew the chances of that were low, though. She looked down, once again trying to read her book. When she found herself starring at the door fifteen minutes later, she gave up on reading for the moment. Last year she had given him a Broomstick Kit. But this year, she didn't have an idea, what he could possibly want. She thought about some books, but then agsin, she didn't think, he would be to happy about them. He didn't like reading as much as she did. She was the school bookworm, everybody knew that. Then she had a better idea. What if she maybe just invited Harry to a muggle restaurant for his birthday? He wouldn't have to spend his day with the Dursleys then, who just ignored his birthday every year. Crookshanks wasn't amused. He has been ignored by her pretty much since she came home. She had thought about Harry all week, actually. Ron, of course was to lazy to write her. But Harry hadn't sent her a letter either. That was a bit strange. Last year he wrote right away. What if he felt uncomfortable with her now, that he had told her, about his home life? She shook her head. She thought about the scars on his stomach. And the ones on his back. That gave her the last push to her earlier thought. She had to see him this summer. She couldn't just let him suffer in that hell of a house in Little Whinging. She would do something about this. Or at least try. Crookshanks was getting impatient. He scratched Hermione. "Okay, have it you're way", Hermione said, rolling her eyes, getting up to fix the cat some food.

Harry was lying on his bed. It was midnight, he had finished all of his chores hours ago. He wished he wouldn't have shown Hermione his scars and told her the truth. She would just pitty him. But that was the last thing he needed. Pitty. He told he was used to it, but it only seemed to make things worse. He promised her, he would write. He hadn't done that so far. The Dursleys didn't go to hard on Harry until now. But this was only the first week, they had plenty of time to make him suffer of course. Finally he fell asleep. The next morning Uncle Vernon told him, to make breakfest. Harry did so and went back into his room, since he wasn't hungry at all. He didn't eat much lately. He didn't want to have to sit with the Dursleys and listen about how ugly and untidy his hair was. He liked it. But of course, his view didn't count in this house. It wasn't even listend to. And that's how it has been for thirteen years now. He looked at Hedwig. He sighed. He wrote a letter adressed to Hermione Granger.

Hey Hermione,

How are things going? It's pretty boring here. As usual I guess...
Are you going on Holidays with you're parents this year? I really miss you. The Dursleys are beeing smooth on me before you ask in the next letter. Just the verbal hatred, just like always. Have you heard from Ron? I can't help but wonder, if you are studying again? Don't overdoo it. Just think of the timeturner - drama last year. I think I am going crazy here. Except for the chores, I've got nothing to do.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Harry.

He thought the letter was very short, but he really didn't have anything to write about. He sribbled "Love" awayand wrote it back down. He felt quiet stupid now. He had realized, that he was in love with Hermione. Since then, he was basically only thinking about her. He sent the letter of and lay down in Bed. He closed his eyes, even though it was only 10 a.m. in the morning. But since he didn't have anything to do, he didn't see, why it was a problem. Maybe because he was turning out to be as lazy as Ron.

The next day, same time:

Harry looked at the letter that Hedwig had brought a few minutes ago. It said "Harry Potter" on the front, and the handwriting was Hermione's for sure. He opend and read:

Harry,

I am glad that the Dursleys at least didn't hurt you so far. I wish you could just go to the burrow or stay at my house for a while, but we all know Dumbledore, don't we? Don't worry, I am not studying to much, I never go over 2 hours a day (Harry rolled his eyes and smiled slightly) and my parents actually tell me the same thing every day. I told them, if I want to be good in O.W.L.s in fifth year, I have to keep learning. Crookshanks is getting really annoying, I think he misses Hogwarts. We are not going anywhere this year, because my parents have a lot to do in their office. I'd like to go, but I don't really think Mum and Dad would. They are basically sleeping in office already. That's a shame because I really missed them in Hogwarts. And now I am still missing them. Anyways. I was thinking about what to get you for you're birthday, but to be really honest, I couldn't think of anything you could need or want. If there is something let me know. But I was thinking we could meet on you're birthday and go out to eat something, maybe Pizza or Mexican? Whatever you want. But I really miss you a lot and I can't wait to see you. I'll ask my parents, if they could take me to Little Whinging by car. Awnser me soon, so I can start planning, please. Hope to see you on the 31st and Harry: If the Dursleys touch you in between I'm gonna follow you home and kill them!

See you soon (Hopefully)

Love,

Hermione

Harry's hand was trembling. Hermione wanted to go out for dinner with him? Of course he knew she didn't mean a romantic dinner, of course not. But he was still nervous. Now that he knew that he liked Hermione not-so-friendly too, he didn't want to show up in his old clothes from Dudlley. Luckilly he still had some muggle money, he had got at Gringotts for some Galleons. He would have to get something, that actually wasn't five sizes to big for him. He never saw Hermione in the summer before, nore did he see Ron. Well, last year at the very end. But that was it.

"Never mind", he thought. He couldn't wait for his birthday to come. He finally wanted to speak to someone, who actually appreciated him.

To be continued...

A/N: So, I'm not really happy with this chapter. It is a bit to short and I think the content isn't all that interesting.

But I wanted to keep going and this is important for the following chapter. So I guess it's okay. Not perfect, but okay. Excuse me, please.