Author's Note: I somewhat solemnly swear this will be the last chapter for May 4th, 1991 . . . maybe. I had a bunch of fun writing this chapter as such it's much longer than my chapters normally are as well.
May 4, 1991 8:21pm Privet Drive
Helen waited patiently for her husband and daughter to come back from answering the door but decided she could see what was going as she got a drink refill and another slice of pizza from the kitchen. As she headed towards the kitchen, she put down her drink cup once she realized that Mr. Dursley and Harry were standing at the door. Helen couldn't get a good view of Harry or make out what here husband and Mr. Dursley were talking about, so Helen started making her way towards the front of their home.
Just as she was about to make her presence known, Dan stepped aside to allow Hermione and Harry to enter their home. Helen was concerned when she saw Hermione look at her with a worried expression on her face but Helen's concern grew even more when she saw that Harry appeared to have a black eye forming around his left eye. What set Helen on high alert though was that Harry didn't seem to notice her even though he appeared to look right at her before continuing to follow Hermione upstairs. Harry always seemed to be so happy and full of life when he was in her home but just now it looked as if Harry was exhausted to the point of not knowing where he was.
After watching the pair climb the stairs, Helen turned her attention back to her husband and Harry's Uncle. Helen would never admit this to Dan, but she could tell the mood he was in just by how he held himself during a conversation. Early on in their relationship, that ability had made winning arguments and figuring out what Dan wanted or meant when he didn't want to talk about something very useful. Later on after getting married and starting a dental practice together, it allowed Helen to assist her Husband in several situations without him having to tell her what was going on.
Tonight she was thankful for the ability because she could tell Dan was being polite but on guard. Whatever Mr. Dursley was telling Dan, her husband wasn't believing a word of it. Before Dan could start talking to Mr. Dursley again Helen decided to make her presence known to both men at the front door. "Mr. Dursley, how wonderful to see you this evening, how are you doing?" Helen asked as she reached out to shake his hand.
Vernon smiled as he shook Helen's hand. "Please call me Vernon, though I wish I was here under different circumstances. As I was just telling your husband, the boys had a slight altercation this evening from both wanting to play a game, and poor Harry ended up getting elbowed, accidentally, in his eye before I was able to stop it."
Helen, wanting to make sure she didn't give anything away, responded "Well I hope your son is alright as well Vernon." while at the same time motioning for Vernon to give her the duffle bag he was holding. Vernon thought this was all going even better than he planned it. How these two people were dentists he didn't know, but the money they were spending with him made him not want to think nor care about it too much.
"No Dudley was not hurt during the brief encounter, thank you so much for asking Helen." Vernon responded while handing over the duffle bag before turning his attention back to Dan. "I do want to apologize again Dan for not calling first. Now I know you were planning on Harry staying with you for a while this summer starting later this week but I'm sure you had other plans to do with your family without Harry being around. What time do you want me to come pick him up tomorrow morning?" Vernon asked Dan.
Helen decided this was the perfect opportunity to help Dan and make an exit for herself as well. "Dan I don't see why Harry couldn't start his stay with us early? Only if that is okay with you Vernon. I'll let you two work out the details either way while I take Harry's duffle bag upstairs. Thank you again for stopping by Vernon." Helen said as she left to head upstairs. It took everything both men had to not smile wildly at getting what they both wanted though their wants were both vastly different.
Vernon because Helen had just offered the solution to getting the freak out of his house for the majority of the summer. Vernon could not believe his good fortune, though he knew the trick to playing this situation right was to both seem grateful but not over eager at the same time. "Dan, while I have no problem with Harry starting his stay with you earlier, I find the offer extremely gracious especially considering what we previously discussed when I arrived earlier. I would be more than happy and very grateful to just have Harry spend the night, pick him up tomorrow and bring him back to you later this week like we had originally planned." Vernon said while trying his best to look sincere.
Dan had to suppress a grin as well, as soon as he heard what had supposedly happened to Harry, Dan had been trying to figure out how he could get Harry to stay at his house longer. Dan also knew exactly what Vernon was doing, though he still didn't understand why, so he would play his part as well, which was making Vernon think he had won one over Dan. "Vernon, think nothing of it, I imagine having a few days with one less child in your house while you get ready for your vacation is going to make everything easier. We're more than happy to host Harry."
"Well it's settled then, again thank you Dan and please don't hesitate to call if anything changes. Have a good night." Vernon said before waving and turning to head back down Privet Drive towards his home. Though Vernon tried his best not too, he couldn't help but have a little extra bounce to his step as he headed home without the freak in tow.
Dan just waved at Vernon before walking back into his home. After shutting and locking the door Dan wondered two things. First, what were the Dursley's hiding because he was now convinced there was something going on with or around Harry's home life that the Dursleys were trying very hard to keep hidden. The second thought on Dan's mind was something that had been bothering him for the great part of a decade at this point. How the hell did Helen always know what was going on around him without him ever saying anything to her. For the first few years of being with Helen, her ability bothered him though Dan never talked to her about it. In recent years, especially with the encounter tonight with Vernon Dursley, Dan was grateful for this mysterious ability as it made navigating these situations much easier.
As Helen headed up stairs with Harry's bag she was surprised to see that they were just entering Hermione's room as she was heading up the stairs. Maybe Harry had been going up the staircase slower than normal but she thought she was outside with Dan and Mr. Dursley longer than that. Helen glanced into Hermione's room as she walked passed just to see that both children were still walking into the room.
Just as Helen was about to enter the guest bedroom, which everyone at this point considered Harry's room at the Granger house, she heard Hermione's surprised squeak so she quickly set down Harry's bag. Turning back around and poking her head into her daughter's bedroom she saw, for the first time she might add, Harry initiating a hug with Hermione. Helen just smiled, everyone in the household had noticed that Harry had always been wary of physical affection, but Helen thought this was a step in the right direction as she went to pick up and put Harry's bag on his bed.
As Helen started to make her way back downstairs though, her progress was again halted when she took another glance into her daughter's bedroom. Helen watched as Harry put what looked like his whole body into an embrace around her daughter. While Helen had absolutely no problems with the two children embracing this way, it was so out of character that the concern Helen had for Harry a few minutes prior came back to the forefront of her mind.
Helen noticed Dan starting to make his way up the stairs. Taking one more quick look at Harry and Hermione, she noted that Hermione was now rubbing Harry's back and hair. Something had happened to Harry and it appeared to be traumatic enough to make Harry want to seek out physical comfort. To say Helen was concerned was an understatement, she vowed to get to the bottom of what had just happened to Harry. Just as she was about to intercept her husband, Helen's eyes caught Hermione's eye. Helen noted that Hermione appeared to be feeling and thinking along the same lines as herself. Helen just nodded with a smile towards Hermione before heading down the staircase.
As Helen reached Dan she spoke to him in a hushed voice "Come with me to the kitchen." Dan turned around, slightly bewildered, and asked as he followed his wife down the stairs with a hushed voice "Were you able to check on Harry, is he doing okay?" Helen just looked back at her husband as she neared the bottom of the stairs before shaking her head trying to prevent her eyes from watering up. Helen's mind was running wild with what was happening to their daughter's best friend and all the scenarios she was coming up with just caused her to worry more.
Dan was also getting more concerned as time passed since Harry arrived at his home this evening. Too many things weren't adding up around the story he was told about what happened to Harry. However, seeing his wife shake her head at him with tears nearly in her eyes, he really didn't know what to think or feel. Dan was about to ask his wife about what was going on once they both got to the kitchen before he saw her shake her head again, grab two glasses and a bottle of wine. Helen then proceeded to pour what appeared to be a very generous serving of wine into each glass. "This is going to be a long night apparently." Dan thought as he gratefully took the glass of wine offered to him from his wife.
Hermione almost stopped rubbing Harry's back and head when her eyes had connected with her mother's. The small smile and nod her mother directed towards her was all the encouragement that Hermione needed to keep holding onto Harry as he continued to rest his weight on her frame.
Hermione cursed her mind at times. Even now her mind somehow thought that if this had happened when she had first met Harry it would be slightly easier since they were practically the same size when they had first met at the beginning of the year. However after 5 months of proper meals, as well as much needed break from his relatives, Harry had grown considerably to the point that he now was almost a full head taller than Hermione.
Hermione's attention was brought back to Harry when she noticed the unmistakable signs that Harry had begun crying. Hermione was now on high alert. What had happened between the time they had gotten off the bus to just a few minutes ago when Harry showed up at her front door with his Uncle. Hermione just continued to rub Harry's back and hair hoping that it was bringing him some comfort to the trauma he had recently endured. Hermione, without thinking about it, turned her head to kiss the side of Harry's head as he cried while still holding onto her.
"I lost you Hermione and I think it was my fault" Harry said after a few minutes when his tears began to stop. Hermione's eyes went wide at this admission from Harry. She had no idea what he was talking about but she believed what he had just told her to be the truth.
As he finally started to calm down, Harry debated if he wanted to go over everything that had happened tonight or just try going to sleep and dealing with it tomorrow. He quickly realized that his best opportunity of getting some sleep tonight was to share what had happened to him with Grangers though parts of it he would have to tell Hermione in private. Harry took the opportunity to leave his embrace with Hermione to wipe his tear stained face with his arm.
Hermione felt a bit lost, she didn't know how much she was helping her best friend. She didn't know if she should try saying anything else to Harry or just wait for him to open up to her. So far in their friendship, Hermione had taken the approach of letting Harry open up to her and being there for him when he needed her, never pushing but always ready to give support when needed. Tonight though Hermione decided to take a chance by being the one to initiate giving Harry some support and help.
Hermione watched as Harry started to wipe the tears off his good eye first but as he went to wipe his injured eye, Hermione decided this was her chance to act. Hermione stopped Harry from wiping his injured eye by placing her hand on his arm, before she asked softly, "Let me do that for you Harry." Harry just paused for a second looking at where her hand was resting on his arm.
Hermione was worried she had made the wrong decision before noticing Harry had shifted his gaze so that his eyes were locked with hers. After he held her gaze for another moment he nodded his head before slowly sitting down on her bed. Hermione quickly got a few tissues off her desk before sitting down next to Harry on her bed. While she went about gently wiping the tears off around his injured eye, which was turning a rather dark shade of black and blue, Hermione said "Please let me know if anything I touch hurts or if there is anything I can get for you Harry."
Harry didn't know why he had nodded his head to Hermione's request, he almost shook his head no but thinking back to the feelings and visions that he remembered/seen had given Harry pause. He still wasn't sure if it was a memory or a promotion anymore, it had felt so real and yet at the same time many aspects of what he had witnessed just seemed improbable. The one thing that had stuck with Harry though was the emptiness he had felt when he could no longer feel Hermione's presence.
That thought/memory of losing Hermione, while haunting him at the moment, was going to be a starting point which would allow Harry to slowly change the way he acted around the Grangers. It was going to be small things at first, but as time went on it would continue to grow. Harry didn't know any of this however, not consciously anyway, but it did allow him to ask Hermione a question he had never asked before. "Hermione, do you have any food I could eat and maybe something for the pain?"
Hermione honestly didn't think anything else could surprise her this evening but clearly the surprises were going to just keep coming. As Harry turned to look at Hermione, she quickly said "Of course Harry, we had ordered pizza earlier, would you rather me go get you a few slices and bring them up here or do you want to go down stairs to eat?" Hermione noticed that Harry was holding his gaze on her again as if he was debating something. Regardless of what it was, Hermione decided she could wait until Harry was ready.
"I owe Hermione an explanation and she would also be able to help me piece together everything that had happened tonight. I also need to talk to her parents about what happened at the Dursley's house early tonight. I just don't know if I should tell the truth or tell the story that Uncle Vernon had come up with instead." thought Harry not realizing the entire time he was holding his gaze on Hermione's face that was mere inches away from his. Harry stood up slowly before turning back to Hermione reaching out for her hand before Harry said "I would like to eat downstairs please." Hermione smiled as she took Harry's hand before they headed downstairs together.
Dan and Helen were both just finishing their glasses of wine when they heard the unmistakable sounds of Harry and Hermione coming down the stairs. Both parents had spent the last several minutes in silent contemplation over the events that had been unfolding earlier. Before Harry and Hermione walked into the kitchen, Helen and Dan shared a look that they understood to mean "We'll get through this, together." The first thing they noticed was that Harry and Hermione were holding hands as they entered the kitchen. Dan and Helen shared another quick glance but didn't say anything. Helen because she knew Hermione would probably speak first. Dan unfortunately at this point was completely out of his depth, he still hadn't even had a chance to talk to Helen, yet he knew Helen knew more about what was going on than he did. "One problem at a time" Dan thought quickly to himself.
Harry surprised both of them however by asking "Do you have any food I could eat and maybe something for the pain around my eye? Hermione mentioned that you might have some pizza if that is okay." Harry's confidence had started out strong but the more he talked the more he felt his confidence fading until he realized that Hermione was still holding his hand. Quickly turning his head to Hermione, he felt some of his confidence return with the smile she gave him.
Whatever Helen and Dan were expecting, Harry asking for anything from them was not it. Dan was the first one to recover by saying, "Of course Harry, we have cheese and pepperoni pizza, do you have a preference on which you want?" While Dan was talking Helen headed to the medicine cabinet to grab some aspirin for Harry. She was taking longer to recover from Harry asking for anything.
Harry paused for a second until he felt Hermione give his hand a reassuring squeeze. Harry answered, "A slice of cheese pizza please." Dan nodded his head as he went to grab a plate and slice of pizza for Harry. Helen then finally spoke as she approached Harry asking "Do you want anything to drink for the aspirin and the pizza?" Harry nodded his head as he took the medicine that Helen offered him. "Milk if you have some or water, either would be great thank you."
Hermione then spoke up "I'm going to take Harry to the couch where we were eating earlier." Both Dan and Helen watched as Hermione guided Harry to the couch where she had been eating pizza earlier this evening.
Much to Harry's relief, eating pizza was uneventful while everyone watched an episode of Mr. Bean. During a commercial break, Harry had asked for another slice of pizza which Hermione quickly ran to get before either of her parents were even able to answer Harry's question.
As the show came to an end, Harry decided now was as good a time as any to talk to the Grangers about what had happened earlier. Harry decided to start by saying "Thank you for everything you have done for me. None of you know how much allowing me to be a part of your lives has improved mine."
Hermione shifted how she was sitting on the couch next to Harry before grabbed his hand as he began talking, not quite believing what he was telling her and her parents. While Hermione did know a little bit about Harry's home life, it was from the diary that her future self had sent her which was sparse on details. Harry had told her very little about his home life, usually just when things improved was Hermione able to piece together how things were for Harry beforehand.
When Harry had started talking, Helen set down her drink while at the same time adjusting her position on the couch so that she was now facing Harry and Hermione. Dan had taken the opportunity to turn off the television before he also turned to face Harry and Hermione.
Harry took a deep breath before continuing "My family doesn't like me, they don't like that my parents died and left me in their care. My uncle wanted me to tell you that I got into a fight with my cousin over whose turn it was to play a video game and that is how I got injured." Harry took another deep breath, he didn't know if what he was about to tell Mr. and Mrs. Granger was going to change the way they thought about him or not, which terrified him.
Glancing at Hermione quickly for support, Harry breathed out before continuing "My Uncle warmed me to not tell you the truth so he could still complete the dental drill contacts from your colleagues. It all started earlier this year after the Dursley came by to welcome you to the Privet Drive."
Harry spent the next hour recalling the major events that had happened over the previous 5 months, minus anything related to magic or the book that Hermione had shared with him, up until the point where he and his uncle had arrived at the Granger's front door early this evening. By the end of Harry's story there wasn't a single dry eye in the room.
Neither Helen nor Dan noticed that Harry had started to tremble slightly on the couch. The only thing keeping Harry together at the moment was Hermione who was still holding his hand. Even with Hermione's hand in his, Harry couldn't bring himself to look at any of the Grangers.
Harry finally added "I never wanted to deceive or lie to any of you. When I first met Hermione I really was just hoping to make a friend. I even tried warning Hermione about hanging out with me . . . " Harry stopped when he felt Helen give him a hug as she leaned down from behind the couch where Harry and Hermione were sitting. Harry was then surprised by the supportive hand on his arm turning to see Dan smiling at him as well.
Dan spoke as Harry turned to look at him "You have nothing to apologize for and you did nothing wrong either. What you have been through no child should ever have to go through. I speak for all of us when I say we love you Harry."
Harry quickly glanced at all the Grangers that were around him, Dan on his right with a supportive hand on his arm, Hermione on his left still holding his hand and Helen still hugging him from behind the couch. Harry didn't know what he had expected but this was not it. Because of this, Harry wasn't able to prevent tears from falling down his face. For the first time in Harry's life, he felt like he belonged somewhere but that also felt like heading into the unknown which was just as terrifying.
Author's Note. Well that is not how I had imagined this chapter ending but I'm happy with the outcome. I will say Harry is not going to be immediately healed mentally, and there are still going to be obstacles that are going to have to be over come. I hope everyone liked the little seeds of a relationship starting between Harry and Hermione as well. Let me know what you think!