AN Sorry for the late uodate but here it is! Not a single review on that last chapter! Sucks a bit but hey, that's showbiz baby. Here's a shorter chapter. It was originally two chapters but it was super long so I broke it into two. R & R for me. (Rate and Review).
Today was the day he had been looking forward too. Christmas with his family had been great as usual and he had spent the holiday with his parents and close friend. He always found it more fun to give gifts to his friends than receive them which made it nice. Of course he had gotten some great things too but for the most part he had all that he wanted.
Today was New Years. His parents didn't seem to mind that he would miss the party. In fact, his mum thought it would be a great idea for him to spend time with Hermione. He wasn't surprised really, his mum seemed to really get on with her. He figured it was because they were so alike.
What burned into his mind was how her dad had been treated different because of his family's money. Her dad seemed like a great guy and they had gotten along well when they had him over. He seemed nice and a good father to Hermione. They shared the same intellectual makeup as well it seemed, over dinner Hermione and her dad had talked about new journals published over the year in muggle science. Her mother was also great, a quick wit which is something Hermione shared. She seemed sweet and accepting which reminded him of his own mom. To top it all off there was Hermione who was possibly one of the best people he met. They had become close over the year, and something about her cousins messing with her didn't sit right with him. He would get her some revenge, even though he knew she saw that as beneath her.
That in mind he dressed in his best muggle suit and the watch Sirius had gifted him years ago. It was silver and passed through the Black family since it's inception. He knew what fine jewelry was but he almost never wore any, it just really wasn't his style. From what he was told it was her families and if he couldn't make them like Hermione and her father, he would fight them in another way. Making them feel like they didn't have enough money to be in his company. He hated the idea but he only had one night to get his revenge and he didn't think it would be enough time to change their views.
He had gotten the address from Hermione and would meet her family there. He would take his car; he didn't know if it was worth much in the muggle world but it seemed to get an impression from Hermione's dad who seemed more into cars. He had his gift for Hermione too, they hadn't exchanged during Christmas Eve so he figured this was as good as time as any.
He heard a knock at his door and he yelled to come in while he struggled with his hair. He used a potion to style it the way he wanted, more tame than usual but still with its own wildness.
"Oh, honey you look so handsome." She said. She approached him and used her hands to make sure his grey suit was wrinkle free.
"Thanks mum." He said with a smile.
"Seeing you all grown up. I didn't think I would ever see this day when you were born. But I am so happy that I am here to see the man you have become." She said.
He could see a tear in her eye and without thinking about it he hugged her. He'd be lying if he said he never thought about the same thing with everything that he knew.
"Me too."
"Try not to cause too much trouble. Be safe, we love you, we will see you when schools out." His mum whispered before pulling away and pecking him on the cheek.
"Love you too." He said.
LINE BREAK
He had flown most of the way before making his way onto a road and driving the final bit. He never thought he would have to drive in the muggle world for real but now that he was, he enjoyed it. Apparation was great of course but it wasn't at all fun. This was fun, and he enjoyed it. It was kind of like flying on a broom but it felt like he was a muggle super hero with all the different abilities and buttons.
He knew enough to know he was pulling into a very nice neighborhood. The homes were large and reminded him of ones like Neville's. Nice houses, they weren't as large as his though. Not that he was really inclined to care most of the time. Except tonight was different, he wanted to knock these people down a peg or two so he would make sure to mention their 'modest' home. As much as he wanted to help Hermione, he knew that this was also going to be plain fun. Even if he had to act like an ass.
He pulled up to the front where a man with a red jacket stood. When he got out of the car the man smiled at him and he outstretched his hand. Without a second thought he handed the man the keys, anything magical was keyed into a muggle repelling charm. A quick ride to park it wouldn't be of risk. He also gave the man a hundred pound note he had come prepared with which earned him a smile.
Making his way to the front door he prepared himself to become the person he swore never to be. He knew he could… be a little cocky sometimes and take advantage of peoples respect for him but that was never about money. This would be different. Knocking on the door he waited. Not a moment later it swung open to reveal a man in a black tux and a shaved head.
"May I help you?" The man asked.
"I am here for Hermione Granger." Harry said as politely as he could.
"Granger? Come in then." The man said with a frown before opening the door fully and letting him in.
He was in a large foyer, more like a ball room. It was possible it had been cleared out just for this. On the far side of the room was a staircase that looked down on the rest of the room. This house was large, but it was in a very different style than his own. Closer to the Longbottoms. It was very old fashioned and didn't quite feel homey. All there was to do now was find Hermione and her parents.
Most of the people sported brown hair and suits of black, grey, or brown. Many of them sported different watches or rings that he didn't find all too fascinating. He was sure the best way to find them was to ask around, he looked around the room for someone who looked to be less of a prude. He spotted a young woman who had a strikingly similar appearance to Hermione. Her face was slightly different of course, with a smaller nose and hair that was a bit darker. Someone who looked so like her couldn't be all that bad right? He approached her, she stood next to a woman he presumed was her mother or another close relative. This was a family reunion so it could be deceiving.
"Excuse me young lady, would you know where I can find Hermione Granger?" Harry asked in his best noble house voice.
She turned around from her conversation with the other woman and looked to him with a raised brow. He could feel her eyes roaming over him and if he wasn't so used to it he would be annoyed. Then her expression changed, she smiled at him and turned fully to him. She wore a pink dress that ended almost where her legs started. She was objectively a beautiful woman, considering she looked so muc-
"Hermione? How do you know her?" She asked with a small laugh.
"Oh, we go to school together." Harry said with a small smile.
"That private school up north?" She asked looking at him closely.
"That's the one." Harry confirmed.
"I think I know where they are, I can show you." She said before taking him by the arm and leading him away.
He let it happen, the girl seemed nice enough and if she wasn't it would come as quite the shock when they found Hermione and he wasn't in the least bit interested in her.
"How do you like my grandmother's home? We have had it since forever, I always like coming here for holidays or a weekend here or there." She explained while they cut through a crowd of people which garnered looks from some of the other guests.
"It seems… cozy." He said with his best snob look.
"What is it that your parents do? She asks nonchalantly.
"They own their own business, don't really work much though." He replied. It was true really except his dad and Sirius did stuff in the ministry but he couldn't say that.
"That's fascinating. Where do you live then? Close?" She asked.
"It's an estate by the water. Not many houses around it like here though. More private." He explained.
"What was your name?"
"Harry Potter? What is yours?" He asked back politely.
"I am June, June Watson. My mother made sure I kept the family name to honor our grandparents." June explained.
"That is nice. How are you related to Hermione?" Harry asked.
"We are cousins, my mom and Aunt Jane are sisters. She was back there with me. How long have you known Hermione? I have never heard of you before, and you seem quite notable." She said with a smirk and a squeeze of his arm.
"We only met this year at school really. Fast friends."
"Can I ask you something then? Why Hermione… of course the whole family knows she is smart despite her father but she was never very social. Never mentioned any other friends, let alone boyfriends. Now you show up, handsome, charismatic, and obviously from the good sort. You are good enough friends to come here?" She questioned before he could reply.
Before he could come up with an answer, he saw her. She was wearing a deep red dress that hung off of her body perfectly. It had a deep neckline and was so shocking compared to the school uniform he was used to seeing her in. Her hair was done nicely but still let itself curl which he liked. She saw him and her eyes met his and she smiled before they made their way to his arm, then they furrowed which caused him to instinctively pull away from June. He could hear her huff but he didn't pay it any attention before he approached her.
Before she could say anything, he took her hand and kissed it softly, like he learned from Sirius when he was younger. He could see her face do its best impression of her dress before she made to cover her face. He thought he did his best to hide his own.
"Hermione, you look like a star in an otherwise dark sky." He said before pulling her into a quick hug. She responded and they broke apart.
"You will have to formally introduce me to Harry, he seems like a wonderful man." June said with a smile while she edged closer to Hermione.
He could tell Hermione wasn't fond of her cousin. She did the same look and posture when she was at school and around people, she wasn't comfortable around. Which was most people.
"I can do that myself. I am Harry Potter, heir to the Potter and Black fortunes. Not that you would know of them, very old. Most recently I am the boyfriend of Hermione Granger. Pleased to formally meet you." Harry said with a smugness before wrapping his arm around Hermione's waist to stop her from stiffening.