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Lily's Son

Chapter 26

The Start Of Summer

Petunia managed to get all four trunks into the car, with great difficulty, Harry calling shot gun and riding in the passenger side. The three friends followed him into the car, two looking bewildered and pale. Draco and Neville both shared a worried look having never rode in any means of Muggle transportation. They buckled the seatbelt in with shaky hands and held on to the seats for dear life. Hermione just giggled at them, honestly they'd think they would trust Harry's aunt.

Once back, they got into the house dragging their trunks thankful for the wheels on them. They dragged them up the stairs and were introduced to Harry's Uncle and Cousin. Both were very, very different from what Harry remembered, the weight had come off with extraordinary ease.

"Aunt Petunia are you coming with us?" asked Harry curiously, as they sat down to a lunch which was just sandwiches which Harry helped his aunt make. Cheese and ham sandwiches which everyone seemed to like.

"Everyone's going, it's a good thing we have the bigger car!" laughed Petunia softly.

"Don't worry though we trust you to go alone, but we want you back at a reasonable time" said Vernon gruffly. He didn't want to spend too much time in the presence of magical people. He still didn't trust them very much, but he was going to give them the benefit of the doubt. He hadn't trusted anyone magical since those nasty people at Lily's wedding had levitated him and found it greatly amusing to prank him.

"That's great!" beamed Harry; they were going into the heart of London to all sorts of museums.

"Yeah" said Dudley, he was still unsure of what to make of Harry or the way his family was being. He was so used to thinking of Harry as 'freak' that it took time to stop it. He found it hard to stop himself instinctively being nasty to him; thankfully time at school had helped.

That night Petunia suggested they camp outside, it was a nice enough night and it helped better than sleeping on a hard wooden floor. Harry and Hermione had jumped at the chance; Neville and Draco were less enthusiastic. They took food outside, and put the tent up and dove inside with their covers and ended up staying there all night.

"This is so weird…Muggles do this for fun?" asked Neville.

"Yeah" grinned Hermione in amusement.

"What if they got cold?" asked Draco shivering slightly.

"More covers or just packing up and going home no one makes you sit there ya know" said Harry.

"I love nature but I'm not sure I'd do this all the time!" grinned Neville, it was fun for a change though he had to admit.

"You aren't meant to do it all the time, just for fun" laughed Hermione.

"So what's happening tomorrow then? What's in London that's not here?" asked Neville curiously.

"Oh lots of things! We can't wait to show you" smirked Harry sharing a secret look with Hermione.

After packing up the tent the four of them walked inside and had a beautiful warm breakfast. Then were told only to pack their clothes as the trunks along with the Dursley's things wouldn't fit in the trunk of the car as they had to put up the extra seats.

"We can use our bags!" nodded Hermione they were bottomless so it would be no trouble to use them.

"Yeah!" Harry pointed out; thankfully they weren't going to remain away the entire three weeks. Or they wouldn't get any homework done; if Harry had it planned they would be able to do two of their homework essays before leaving for Neville's.

"Anyone want to call their parents before we go?" asked Petunia aware that one of them was Muggle born but unsure of which one was.

"Oh I would love to if you don't mind!" beamed Hermione looking greatly relieved.

"Of course, go ahead" said Petunia gesturing towards the phone.

Nodding eagerly Hermione walked on and called her parents. Leaving Neville and Draco looking at each other confused thinking 'What in the name of Merlin was a phone? And how will Hermione be able to call her parents through it? Was it anything like the Floo call system?'

It wasn't long before seven people were in the seven seater car with a few belongings they want to take. They booked into a hotel four star and got comfortably into their rooms. Harry told his aunt where he was going and when he would be back. Agreeable she nodded and she made her own plans with her husband and son.

First things first Harry took them all to British Museum, Harry and Neville seemed to love the Egyptian section, the rosette stone was really cool, even if Neville did look freaked out at what was done to them mostly their brain getting yanked out through their nostrils. There was a lot about Greece and Ancient Rome, which seemed to draw Hermione and Draco in. Each of them spent a lot of time with their preferred subject.

"…Egyptian mummies are always popular with museum visitors like your self's. They are also an unparalleled source of scientific data, shedding light on physical anthropology, family relationships, life expectancy, nutrition and health, disease and the causes of death. They provide a unique insight into the complex process of mummification and life in ancient Egypt. For many years, the only way to extract data from Egyptian mummies was to unwrap them - a destructive and irreversible process. Then modern non-invasive imaging techniques - X-rays and Computerised Tomography, CT scanning - made it possible to look inside a mummy without disturbing the wrappings in any way. Thanks to the latest advances in computer technology, we are now able to perform a 'virtual unwrapping' of a mummy and to embark on a 3D journey within the body, visualising every feature and amulet. The subject for this ground-breaking experiment is the priest Nesperennub, one of the British Museum's treasured exhibits for over a hundred years. His beautifully painted mummy-case has never been opened since it was sealed up by embalmers in Thebes nearly three thousand years ago. Now we can explore the body within and even see the face of this man from the distant past…" continued the woman who was serving as a tour guide.

"What the hell…" gasped Neville looking in awe. He couldn't believe Muggles could do that, actually tell how a mummy from Ancient Egypt died without touching it! That picture looked so weird even magic couldn't do that. He was seeing a picture of a mummy from the Ancient times on a screen in front of him, magic couldn't do it, he was for the lack of better words utterly astonished and stunned.

"I don't believe it! Even we couldn't do that" gasped Draco awe lighting up his features.

"I told you they have their own magic" smiled Hermione softly. She hadn't thought about telling the boys things like that, just about the more basic things Muggles had done like gone to the moon.

"But look! Did the Mummy really look like that?" asked Draco.

"Yes probably" said Hermione nodding her head eagerly.

Four hours later they finally left the museum after exploring everything. As they left Draco was talking none stop, he had gone to the gift shop and everyone was coming out with one little gift or another. Harry had a replica of the Rosetta stone, Neville had Tutankhamen's mask Hermione got a book on ancient Rome and Draco got a replica of Anubis he had decided he liked it better than anything Roman he could find.

"The Greek history was actually accurate!" said Draco as if it surprised him.

"Course it is!" said Hermione rolling her eyes.

"But they aren't supposed to know about us so how can they possibly be allowed to display things like that!" said Neville.

"They think it's a myth" explained Harry "No one believes in magic anymore it's for children's parties"

"But they would like to it just too sceptical for them" said Hermione. Harry nodded along with her that it was true.

Draco, Hermione, Harry and Neville were having the time of their lives; they had even gone to Jewry Wall Museum, the oldest tallest surviving roman masonry in the country. They saw brilliant artefacts and all other interesting things, which Draco and Hermione once again loved. They seem to love absolutely anything roman and old they just couldn't understand how it could remain standing without help.

After a week away, they went back home to Surry, for the last two weeks Harry would remain there. Harry didn't want the wards weakening, true to his word he believed the two weeks there would strengthen them if needed.

"So what are you going to do for the last two weeks?" asked Petunia as she drove them home.

"I'm going to take them to the races" smirked Harry, he was sure neither boy had seen a horse race in their lives.

"Good idea!" said Petunia, at least it was close to home and they wouldn't need taken there.

"They really make them jump over all those things?" asked Draco wide eyed.

"Yeah" said Hermione.

"Sometimes they are badly hurt and need put down, they shoot them" said Harry watching Draco and Neville's jaw drop further in shock.

"That's just horrific" said Neville shaking his head, Muggles were barbaric! To do that for entertainment.

"The horses love it! They were made for racing!" defended Hermione even though she didn't like what was done to them.

They stayed for a few hours before leaving, the others had started betting on their won at which horse would win brightening them up. Each student began screaming and egging their horse on…it was a good thing none of their horses won.

"Remind me never to bet…I don't have much luck" snorted Draco in disgust as they got an ice cream come each.

"Me either" agreed Neville.

"A lot of people do bet" explained Hermione.

"I noticed" said Harry.

"We must get some homework done" said Hermione looking worried.

"Relax we have three months to get it done basically…but you are right we best not leave it till last minute. Maybe we should do at least one essay when we get back" agreed Harry.

"Yeah, something magical" said Neville looking relieved.

Draco laughed; he was enjoying himself seeing how Muggles survived without magic. It was such an odd word but he liked it, he didn't think he could ever live in this world it was too strange to his own.

They had their Potions essay completed before dinner and finally got their results for their classes. Neville top for Herbology, Hermione top for History of magic, Harry top for Charms and defence against the dark arts, Draco top for Potions. They got good grades for their first year but it was obvious what their strengths lay in.

"So what's an ice rink?" asked Neville as they walked towards one nearly two weeks into the holiday's already. The holidays are going to be over with if the time didn't stop flying in.

"Exactly what you said, ice in a rink" said Hermione.

"Yeah but what do we do there? Cant be much to do on ice" said Draco.

"You'll see!" smiled Harry.

Once they were strapped up, the four of them began making their way to the rink side. Taking off the strip the others followed his example and walked towards the ice. Stepping in gripping the side it wasn't long before he was making an ass of himself on the ice. Hermione though didn't seem very keen at all; she never left the side where she could keep a grip on her balance. Only time she did come away was when Draco and Harry coaxed her into it.

Turns out Draco and Neville liked it although Neville kept falling, Hermione and Harry had a hard time trying to get them to leave the rink before it closed. They had their Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Huffelpuff hats; scarf's and gloves on too.

"I have to ask Father for one of them!" said Draco his face rosy red from the cold.

"Would he really give you one?" asked Hermione curiously.

"I don't know…maybe not I mean he's not against Muggles' but he doesn't exactly love them if you catch my drift" said Draco softly.

"I guess you can ask" said Hermione softly.

"Yeah," grinned Draco hoping he could convince his father, maybe even get him to join in his father was very graceful it would be a sight to see.

"What is this place?" asked Neville nervously there were so many people here.

"It's an amusement park" said Harry laughing wickedly. It was night time, and they would be leaving for Neville's first thing tomorrow morning. Neville's grandmother was coming with a Portkey for them as they couldn't use magic outside of school to get there.

"Why are they all screaming?" asked Draco wide eyed, the lights were spectacular and the rides looked awesome.

"Because they are having a good time" said Hermione stifling her giggles.

Before long they began trying out some of the slower rides, Para gliders, Dodgems, Waltzers, and then Harry decided it was time to have some fun. He took them all on the ride 'no way out' of course Draco and Neville went on confidently, missing Hermione and Harry's smirk.

All that could be heard for the duration of the ride was; "ARRGGHHH ARGHHHHH AHHHHHHHH AHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHH STOP THIS NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW"

Harry and Hermione burst out laughing and Draco and Neville constantly screaming like little girls. The more the two screamed the louder and harder Hermione and Harry laughed. Needless to say by the time they had come off, their sides were splitting with laughter.

Draco and Neville just glared at them both looking very red in the face for their reactions.

"I thought they didn't have magic!" hissed Draco looking ready to be sick.

"They don't" giggled Hermione, clutching her side, as people continued past uncaring looking forward to going on their rides.

"Hm I don't believe it!" huffed Neville.

Unfortunately they weren't allowed on any of the rides that were spectacularly high and awesome looking. They managed to get on one, but it didn't look anywhere as near awesome as the others. This time they didn't scream in fear but scream in happiness - for the first time they were reminded of their own word up in the air thinking of Quidditch.

"Now that was cool" laughed Draco a little more like himself now.

"I dunno I'd prefer flying properly" said Neville.

"Come on then! Let's get some candy floss and a dummy maybe try and catch the duck and win some prizes!" grinned Hermione happily.

Indeed by the time they were going home, they had three different prizes in their hands, their candy floss, the big dummy around their neck and still managed to hold a tub of greasy sauce filled chips with a can of juice in their pocket.

"This is rather odd. What do you do with it?" asked Neville looking at his hammer in amusement.

So Harry took his and quickly and efficiently brought it down on Neville's head. The hammer gave a squeak as it walloped Neville on the head, the four teens ended up wasting their chips as they whacked each other on the head all the way home. Draco's usually pristine hair was all over the place, and he didn't seem to care.

"It's just a shame people cant see it…I'm not sure anyone will like such a Muggle thing" sighed Draco clutching his blow up hammer close.

"We will!" grinned Hermione her arm around Draco the teddy she won on both their shoulders.

"Yep! We will put them in our private room" smirked Harry.

"We could couldn't we?" said Draco almost slapping his head until he realized his hands were full and it would be an impossible thing to do.

Neville just laughed in amusement, his life was great and he was glad he had started Hogwarts. He was even more grateful to those three people walking casually down the road with him in the Muggle world of all places. The place his Gran had threatened him with because she thought he was a squib.

Life truly was ironic.

Neville wasn't the only one to be having such thoughts, but Harry was thinking on how much his life had changed in a single year. A family that loved him, now anyway the past was exactly that - past. He didn't want to hold on to the hate when he could have everything he had dreamed off and more. Then he went to Hogwarts and now has three great friends, he would never have imagined this happening in all those lonely years of his cupboard.

Dreams were simple real life was so much better! And he loved it he thought as he walked home his three best friends close by. Walking with him and Harry wondered if that would always be the case.

It wasn't just Neville or Harry thinking such thoughts either, all of them were. Draco was grinning like a loon, he finally had his place in the world, and he would never in his wildest dreams think it was here. With Harry Potter, a Muggle Born Hermione Granger and a Longbottom. He couldn't help but be glad his father was a spy and not an actual Death Eater or he would have died long ago. He shuddered anew at the thought of just having Crabbe and Goyle for friends and watching them stuff their faces all the time.

Draco felt like he was in some sort of twilight zone, as he watched his three friends giggling and laughing. Wistful smiles on all their faces, as if they were thinking the same as him. If he had looked he would have seen the same wistful look on his own face.

Even Hermione couldn't believe how her life had turned out, a year ago she was just a know-it-all, and teachers pet with no friends those who did befriend her just wanted answers to tests. She thought she had been destined to be lonely for all her life, never to have friends or be happy. Then Hogwarts was the turning point, she thought perhaps she wasn't a freak, but she hadn't held her breath on friends. Yet here she was, friends with three purebloods and she sure was fascinated with the pureblood society and their rules. More than that though they were real friends, friends who did well like her in school. Didn't want answers, didn't care that she preferred books to talking sometimes and teased her if she did spend to long in one.

The four sleepy teenagers slipped into sleep murmuring a quiet goodnight to one another. They all had sleeping bags, which had been conjured at Hogwarts for them. In their house colours too, before long the snoring started up it didn't take long for the teddies they had just won to be flung at one another, before the giggling started up again.

"You know I've loved it here but I'll be glad to get a bed" said Neville quietly as if he was scared to wake his friend.

"I dunno I kind of like it" said Harry; he wasn't going to admit he had slept this way since he was a baby. The mattress in the cupboard had been his bed until he was eleven.

"I agree with Neville" yawned Draco.

"I think Harry has a point! It's supposed to be good for the spine" said Hermione sleepily.

That made them burst into giggles, Hermione sometimes came out with the most absurd things. It was as if she liked channelling her mother or something, they would find out soon enough as they would be meeting her and Hermione's father too.

Well what did you think? what will they do in Longbottom manor? help cuz i'm stuck i need wizarding things to do with them oh yeah thank you for everyone that gave me ideas for my story i really appreciate it! i really really did...now im stuck again...damn it maybe i shouldnt bother about the summers...:/ i'm no good at them! goodness knows what they will do at Draco's or Hermione's either! help lol R&R please