Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
New A/N (2/2/2021): Thanks to ILRB80, who is beta-ing this story.
Chapter Ten
Making a New Friend
"I don't see why we can't just live at Grimmauld Place," Harry said for the tenth time that day as he helped move the smaller furniture into the house that they were supposed to be living in now.
"Because there's no way that I'm going to live it that dusky, dark, horrible place and I won't have you growing up there!" Sirius said, spitting out the words with as much venom as he could as Remus and himself moved the couch from the truck into the house. They made this look like it was a strenuous job, but the truth was the couch and all the other things they were moving were charmed to be feather light. If it wasn't for the fact that everyone would be suspicious of them, they could have been done with the move hours ago.
"There are more reasons than just that one, cub," Remus said, smiling as he saw his godson roll his eyes. "But honestly, you don't want to see how bad Sirius would get if we actually lived there."
"Hmm… I suppose you have a point," Harry sighed, his uncle had been extremely down ever since they had started living in Grimmauld Place, not to mention Sirius also seemed to be working later. "Still, I don't like the idea of Kreacher being all alone in that place—"
"Argh," Sirius growled, he still hadn't warmed up to the elf, even though he was pleased to see that Kreacher had been nice to Harry and even Remus. He had to admit the little guy wasn't quite as bad as he had originally thought, but he was still bad enough.
"You weren't this worried about Triny," Remus said frowning at Harry.
"That's true," Harry shrugged. "But I know that she has other friends that she sees from time to time… she's told me about them… I don't think Kreacher is ever going to leave the house and I don't like that portrait of Padfoot's mum that keeps screaming at him… giving him orders."
"Don't worry cub," Remus said smiling this time. "We'll make sure to visit Kreacher every once and awhile—"
"Argh," Sirius groaned again, but didn't voice an objection against what was just said.
"Okay," Harry smiled, in truth he was worried about the elf, but he also liked the idea of learning more about Sirius's family… though of course he only liked hearing what Kreacher had to say about Regulus and at times about Sirius and Andromeda too, though he could hear the disdain in the elf's voice when he talked about them.
"Anyways cub, there was no way that you could have gone to school—" Remus started.
"Argh… now I really wish we could live at Grimmauld Place," Harry groaned this time.
"You can't pull that one on me, Harry, I know you like school," Remus rolled his eyes and Harry shrugged. "You've been bugging me about it, knowing that you've been missing lessons for the last month."
"You know something pup? I just can't understand you at all," Sirius said shaking his head.
"I just get bored being cooped up with you old men all the time," Harry shrugged.
"Old… I'm not old!" Sirius whined. "I'll make you pay for that."
And with that Sirius ran after his nephew and left Remus shaking his head. Sometimes, it really did feel like he was raising two children alone, instead of one child with the help of what was supposed to be an adult.
O
Harry walked into the halls of his new school not showing any of the nerves that he was feeling, because he knew that as long as he walked with confidence he would be accepted. This was one of the most important things he had learned from his uncle, though Remus wasn't always quick to agree with that opinion. When he walked into the room, everyone looked up at him, he was slightly later than he should have been due the fact that he didn't know where he was going, and the Professor looked like he was about to start the lecture.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, I presume," Professor Smith said.
"Yes sir," Harry said in a clear voice, looking utterly relaxed, as he scanned the room.
"Well, take any empty seat you want, I'll assign you a real seat tomorrow," Professor Smith said.
Harry nodded and took a seat in the middle of the class. The Professor frowned suggested to Harry that his teacher just didn't know what to make of him yet. Harry had always had interesting relationships with his professors, seeing as he was a good student but he caused a lot of trouble at the same time.
The morning lessons were a little boring for Harry, he had already gone over this material before and he didn't like the idea that he had to do it all over again. He had no problem doing school work, he just hated repetition. His teacher had noticed Harry's lack of attention, something that he would normally call a student on, but decided to let it go this time because Harry was new, but he did asked the boy to stay and talk when the bell for the break rang.
"Harry, I noticed that your attention wavered in class," Professor Smith said in a stern voice.
"Sorry sir, but I find it hard to concentrate on things when I already know them," Harry answered truthfully and in a pleasant voice.
"I see," Professor Smith raised an eyebrow, not having expected this answer. "Well, I'm not sure what I can do about that but I am telling you that I don't tolerate laziness in my class."
"I'll strive to do my best, sir," Harry smiled at him. "And I promise, I'll always have the answer, and if I don't, I'll strive all the harder to get the next question right."
The professor sighed as he shook his head; he could see that this kid was going to be a handful, but he couldn't help but be slightly amused by him. "I shall hold you to that… now run along."
Harry nodded his head and left the classroom. Upon walking into the hall one of his classmates came up to him. The other boy was tall for his age, with blonde hair and a lean stature. His hair had that careless look to it that Harry could tell must have taken the other boy hours to get just right (though Harry really couldn't say anything about that since he knew that's how his own hair looked, even though there was nothing he could do about it).
"Hey… Harry, right?" the boy said in a confident voice. "I'm Chris. This is my friend Alex," he pointed to another boy that was just barely taller than Harry (who was rather short for his age) with black spiky hair.
"Hello," Harry said cheerfully.
"We thought we would introduce ourselves… show you around a bit," Alex said, his voice sounded more friendly than his friend's cocky tone.
"Cool," Harry said simply and the other boys almost looked offended. Harry would have sighed if he had the chance, but he didn't want them to hear him. He was pretty sure that he had just been introduce to some of the more popular students at his school and they were expecting him to be grateful that they even bothered talking this him, a mere mortal. No, don't think that, Harry thought to himself, don't judge them before you get to know them and even if they are like that, that doesn't mean they can't be good guys to hang around.
He soon found out that he was right on both accounts; they were definitely part of the 'in crowd' as the other students seemed to flock to them with various degrees of success. However, they really weren't that bad to hang out with. Alex was quite funny, with his sarcastic remarks, and Chris told Harry a few highly amusing stories about some of the things that happened around here. They were soon joined by several other people as they sat at the table, but it seemed that by the time that Harry had heard all their names, it was time to head to class again.
"You're not so bad, Harry," Chris said, wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulder. Harry looked at him and was a little wary about what he saw in the other boy's eye. "I think you might just have what it takes to be one of us."
"Er… okay," Harry said slowly, playing stupid but he thought he knew where this was going. He had seen that look before in some of the students in his other school and he had never liked it.
"You want that, don't you?" Chris said.
"Yeah," Harry said, nodding his head.
"Good, good," Chris said, and gave him a smile that did nothing to make Harry feel better. "I'll tell you what you've got to do at lunch."
With that they walked into the classroom and Harry took the seat that he had used before. He didn't pay much attention to the lecture (even least than he had before the break) as he thought about what just happened. He never saw the point of a friendship where you had to prove something before you became friends… or at least one where you were force to prove something. However, he did like most the people that he met this morning… argh, he suppose he was just going to have to see what they wanted from him.
"… Potter, who was the English king that was born in AD 849 and died in AD 899," Professor Smith asked, noticing Harry's lack of attention and raising to the small change that Harry had given him.
"Er…" Harry said looking thoughtful… though he knew the answer; his mind was still on other things. "Er… Alfred the Great, right?"
"Yes," Professor Smith said and then went back to his lecture and not long after that it was time for lunch.
"You know if you keep answering questions right like that I might have to rescind my offer to join us," Chris said, but it was clear he was joking (or making it seem like a joke at least).
"Er… sorry," Harry said.
"Don't worry about it man," Alex chuckled. "That's not going to happen."
"Yeah," Chris agreed, "especially not before you've proven yourself…"
"Right," Harry said, trying to look properly anxious about this, but he had already made up his mind that he wasn't likely to join their little group. He didn't want to be with people if he couldn't be himself. "So what do I have to do?"
"I'm glad you asked," Chris said, smirking evilly, "you see that girl over there…" he said pointing at a girl that was sitting by herself in the corner with a book in one hand and an apple in the other.
"Yeah," Harry said.
"I want you to pull some kind of prank on her," Chris said.
Harry noticed the shock and almost terrified expression on Alex's face for a second before the other boy controlled his features. He wondered what that was about, but of course he wasn't going to ask Alex about it.
"Okay," Harry said, trying to look apprehensive, but willing to do this task. He then turned to walk towards the girl, his temper flaring a little. He hated bullies more than anything, and it just became clear to him these guys were bullies. Don't get him wrong, he'd pulled more than a few pranks on unsuspecting victims before, but he was never one to target someone weaker… no, that's not the right word… er… socially unpopular. However, as he kept walking towards the girl, a plan started forming in his head, for he had nothing against pulling pranks on bullies.
"Hello," Harry said sitting down next to the girl and pulling out his lunch that Remus had made him.
"Hi," the girl said without taking her nose out of her book, her voice was a little stiff; not friendly at all.
"What are you reading?" Harry asked, knowing just how annoying that question was, but he wanted to get this girl's attention somehow.
The girl sighed and looked at him with impatience, annoyance and something else that Harry couldn't identify. "Macbeth."
"Really," Harry said looking at her. "Isn't that a little advance reading?"
"I like to read," the girl shrugged, trying to turn back to her book, but Harry was having none of that.
"Well, I like reading too, but I don't know if I could read that," Harry smiled. "Especially after my godfather Remus made my Uncle Sirius act it out for me…" he smiled, Sirius might hate reading, but he was something else when it came to doing anything theatrical.
"What do you mean made?" the girl asked, looking surprised by what he had just said and a little puzzled too.
"Er… Moony… that's my godfather, won a bet that he had with Padfoot… my uncle, and the terms were that he would have to act out a play," Harry shrugged. Padfoot is rather good at it… but I must say watching him whine about having to do the task might have been more entertaining… Of course once he started acting the play… he couldn't help but get carried away."
"That does sound interesting," the girl smiled, but it turned quickly to a grimace.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked.
"Look Harry…" she started.
"You know my name," Harry said.
"We're in the same class," she shrugged, her expression was glum. "Why are you sitting here?"
"Er…" Harry was caught off guard by the question and so didn't know what to say.
"There are only two reasons why people sit next to me," she continued and he could hear the pain in her voice, though she was obviously trying to say this as logically as she could. "One, they want something from me… unusually it has something to do with homework or studying. The other is… well… to tease me.
"I saw you talking to Chris and his friends," she went on without giving him a chance to say anything. "So, if you're going to tease me or prank me or whatever it is they told you to do, just get on with it. Because it's clear that you don't need any help with studying."
"Nah, I don't need any help," Harry smiled. "But I'm not about to do anything to you, either."
The girl raised her eyebrow at him, causing him to chuckle.
"Honestly, I'm not," Harry said still chuckling. "I can't say that you're wrong though… they definitely think I'm going to be trying to pull something on you… I'm just saying, that I'm not going to do it."
"Really," the girl said skeptically, "And why not? Don't you want to be part of their group? You looked like you were having fun."
"It wasn't so bad at first," Harry admitted. "But there are too many things that I just can't stand about them… most of all is the fact that they want me to prank you. I'm sure they're thinking right now that I'm trying to pull something on you as we speak… Or at least that's what I'm hoping they're thinking."
"Er…" she said warily as Harry smiled became broader and there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I'm going to give them a taste of their own medicine," Harry said, "and I just wanted to ask if you would like to help me pull it off."
"What?" she said shocked. "I can't do that!"
"Suit yourself… but I guaranty it's going to be fun," Harry chuckled.
"Argh… you're just as bad as them," she said shaking her head and turning away from him.
Harry frowned at that, "no I'm not. Though, I suppose I'm not really showing that right now."
"Well, I'm not going to help you, so you might as well leave so I could get on with my reading," she said stiffly again.
"You're not very friendly, are you?" Harry sighed. "But I suppose if people only sit next to you for two very bad reasons… well, three now… that's bound to happen."
"Thanks for your approval," she snapped back.
"You're welcome," Harry smirked.
"I don't need your pity," she said, and then bit her lip, like she thought she had said too much.
"Pity," Harry scoffed. "You don't make friends with someone because of pity… or at least I don't."
"And you're saying that you're trying to make friends with me," she looked at him, not quite able to hide the hope in her eyes, though they were guarded too.
"Yes, I believe I am… you're not making it easy on me, though," Harry said.
"Well, there's nothing in life that's worth anything if it's easy," she shrugged.
"That's not exactly true," Harry contradicted. "I mean, you can't think of something that comes natural to you that's worth it."
"I suppose you have a point there," she smiled despite herself.
"So now, with our new comradeship, maybe you could tell me your name," Harry smiled. "I'm Harry Potter, I know you said it already but it's more polite this way."
"Oh," she blush a little, then she bit her lip. "That was rude of me. I'm Hermione Granger."
"No wonder you're reading Shakespeare," Harry chuckled.
"You know where my name comes from!" Hermione said; she never met someone… at least someone anywhere near her age… that knew that.
"Yeah, Moony read Shakespeare to me when I was younger and didn't realize the language was so bloody difficult to read," Harry said.
"You don't have to curse," Hermione said. "And it's not that difficult to read."
"Whatever you say," Harry shrugged, "but I can't stand reading most of them… though I do enjoy the comedies—"
"Why am I not surprised," Hermione rolled her eyes, and there was a weird feeling going through her. She'd never had this before. She'd never spoken to someone, besides her parents and teachers, about anything academic before. "You know that A Winter's Tale is not a comedy, right?"
"Yes, I do know that," Harry said. "And no offense, but I didn't really like that story at all… er… at least the part I read of it."
"I don't particularly care for it much myself," Hermione shrugged. It was then that the bell rang to signal it was time to go back to class so the two of them got up.
"Are you sure you don't want to help me pull a prank on those guys?" Harry whispered to her as he saw said people sniggering at some of the younger students. "I think they just might deserve it."
"Be that as it may… that's not something that I care to take part in," Hermione said sternly.
"Yet," Harry added, and laughed as Hermione looked at him incredulously. "I'm sure I'll get it out of you."
Hermione didn't say anything to him as she took her seat in the front of the class and Harry just smirked as he passed her on his way to his own seat.
"What are you doing?" Chris hissed as soon as he got there. "You're supposed to pull a prank on her… not talk to her all lunch—"
"Don't worry, I've got a plan," Harry smirked evilly at him. There was no need to tell the other boy that the plan was against him.
"Okay," Chris smiled this time. "That's better… but don't take too long… er… let's see, you have to do it by the end of the week."
Harry nodded his head as Professor Smith entered the room and again started lecturing them. This time Harry was paying more attention and he noticed that Hermione raised her hand at every question… though she wasn't called on often (Professor Smith was obviously trying to give the other students a chance) but whenever she was picked, she would always give the right answer.
Hmm… Harry thought, he never been friends with someone that was this enthusiastic at school work, but he suppose he was going to have to give it a try now. He was sure that it wouldn't be such a bad thing; seeing as everything he had gathered from Sirius's comments about their school life, Remus and his mum (Lily) were both like that and they were still pleasant enough people to be around.
Not long after that Harry was standing on the curb in front of his school waiting for Remus to pick him up.
"Hey cub, how was your first day of school?" Remus asked as they drove away.
"Not bad," Harry sighed, looking glum. "The lessons kind of suck though… you taught me way too much over the last few weeks."
"Sorry about that," Remus chuckled. "I know how much you hate going over things twice."
"I really do," Harry moaned. "You could always make it up to me by getting me some ice cream…"
"Not a chance, cub," Remus shook his head.
"It was worth a try," Harry shrugged, and as he was looking out of his window he noticed some familiar bushy brown hair go by and was rather pleased when the car turned into the driveway of their new house only seconds after that. He got out of the car quickly and watched the bushy hair disappear behind a door of the house that was across the street and three houses to the left.
"I'll see you in a while, Moony," Harry said walking towards the house.
"What's the rush?" Remus asked. "Did you make a new friend or something?"
"Well, actually I think that's what I'm about to find out," Harry smiled.
"Okay cub, but I want you back here before dark," Remus said sternly but Harry could see the amusement in his eyes.
"Sure," Harry said, barely even looking at him before he headed for the other house.
"Hello?" an older woman said as she opened the door and looked at Harry curiously. He was more confident now looking at this woman that he had been right about who the bushy hair girl was because he could see the definite resemblance she had to her mum.
"I was wondering if Hermione is here," Harry asked politely.
"Er…" the woman said, looking taken aback by his request and he's confidence wavered a little. "Yes, she's here… who may I say is asking?"
"Harry Potter," Harry said, smiling again.
"I'll go get her," Mrs. Granger smiled back at him.
She left the door open a crack and Harry just stood there waiting, not even able to hear what was going on inside the house. He stood impatiently, waiting there for three minutes before Hermione came out of the house.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, bluntly.
"Well, it's nice to see you too," Harry chuckled.
"Sorry," Hermione said. "I just… er… um…"
"I saw you when I was pulling into my house…" Harry said pointing at his own house.
"You moved into the Andersons' old house," Hermione stated.
"Er… sure," Harry shrugged. "Anyways, I thought it might be nice to continue the discussion we were having during lunch."
"I suppose that would be okay," Hermione said, "do you want to come in?"
"Well it would be nicer than just sitting here on your porch," Harry smirked. He stayed there, talking about all kinds of things and Hermione made them do their homework at some point in time, until Mrs. Granger said that it was time for dinner. She asked if Harry wanted to stay for dinner, but he said that he had to get home.
"So, Hermione, I just have to ask you something before I go," Harry said.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione said.
"About the prank…" Harry said.
"Harry! I told you no," Hermione said. "Why do you keep asking?"
"Because you know you want to," Harry said. "I'm just hoping that you'll figure that out sooner rather than later. Well, it's up to you… but if you don't talk to me by the end of tomorrow, it will be too late."
"Don't hold your breath, Harry," Hermione said rolling her eyes, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"We'll see," Harry said and walked back to his house with a smile. Well, that went better than he had expected it to go. He found that it was a lot easier to talk to Hermione than he would have thought. Even though he didn't really think that Hermione was going to come around to his request, he knew they would be a lot closer if she did agree to pull the prank off with him… besides it would be a lot more fun that way.
Original A/N: Okay, so I know that it would be far fetch that Harry would move in the same town as Hermione, but I've always love the friendship between the two of them. I'm just going to say this now, my favorite couple is Ron and Hermione, and I basically like all the cannon relationships, so things should probably work out similar as the book, but I hope to put a spin on them. I would also like to say that my second favorite thing to write is the friendship (a sibling like relationship) between Harry and Hermione. I suppose the really reason why I'm doing this is because Hermione is my favorite character (followed closely by Harry) and I always wondered what her life was like before Hogwarts and this is the closest I'm going to get to writing about that.