Hermione woke up to the birds chirping brightly outside and the sunlight screaming, golden and warm, across her face. She groggily rubbed her eyes and sat in the glorious blankness that those first few moments of rising bring. Then she remembered her dream.
"Damn you Harry, damn you Ron," she muttered under her breath, thoroughly unruffled. "Must you tease me even in my dreams?" She lay back on the bed, staring angrily at the white ceiling, thinking of ways to spend her empty day. Suddenly there was knock on the door, and a meek voice called out, "Ya decent?"
Hermione gasped and sat straight up in bed. It hadn't been a dream! She'd recognize that voice anywhere. "Ron, come in," she called with a grin. The day was filling up faster than you could say "overjoyed".
Harry and Ron shuffled in, looking like little children, with their rumpled hair and bleary eyes.
"Morning," mumbled Harry, falling across the end of her bed. Ron flumped down next to him and they both closed their eyes.
"Uh, uh, uh, you guys. Its time for you to help me think up a decent reason why you showed up in the middle of the night."
"Oh, I've got one," said Harry in a sarcastically excited voice, "we missed you, and showed up to surprise you! That one took forever...lucky you have me here." His last comment was muffled by the pillow he had thrown himself down on. Hermione lay down next to him and closed her eyes, too. After all, it was only 7:30. Ron broke the silence.
"So when it's time, you go down and say, 'Look who showed up! They wanted to surprise me!' and then just act like you had no idea that it would be any problem that we stayed. Hope for the best. Be your normal, sweet, suck-up self- (Hermione threw a pillow at his head)- and it'll be fine."
"Ok, but back to your rooms. Get dressed and I'll call you for breakfast when everything is together."
Hermione nervously shooed them out and pulled on the sundress her mother had bought her as a welcome home present. She brushed her hair, took a deep breath, crossed her fingers and walked down the steps.
"It'll be fine, they're sensible, it'll be fine," she repeated over and over under her breath. Then why did she feel like she was walking the plank?
Mr.&Mrs.Granger sat quietly in the morning calm, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper, just as they had done every morning for 15 years. Mrs.Granger smiled as Hermione came down the stairs.
"Good morning, Sunshine. Want some grapefruit?" She offered her a dish of the ruby-red fruit.
"Um, no thanks Mum, not just yet." She giggled nervously and steeled her nerves. Now or never. "Guess what? The funniest thing happened last night." Her voice came out high and squeaky, and both parents set down their newspapers.
"What dear?" asked an interested Mr.Granger.
"Well, heh, you know my best friends, Ron and Harry, right? Heh heh, of course you do. Anyway, as I was saying, last night- it was the funniest thing- there was knock at the door, and I thought, who's at the door at this time of night-" Mrs.Granger cut her off.
"Get to the point, Hon"
"Oh, yes, the point." Hermione looked at her hands, folded in her lap. "Well, they showed up at the door, they wanted to surprise me, and now they're here, and can they stay?" She spit out the words quickly, trying to remember if that was the original plan. She didn't think so. So looked up apprehensively at her parents, and they stared back, slightly confused.
"They came here? In the middle of the night?"
"They got lost," Hermione nearly whispered.
"Where did they stay? Not in your room!" Mr.Granger looked very intense.
"Oh, of course not, Daddy! I put them in the guest room!" Mr&Mrs.Granger looked at each other, having one of those conversations only parents have, with their eyes. After a feel silent moments, Mrs.Granger spoke up.
"You say they're up in the guest room?" Hermione nodded. "All right then, they may stay, but no inappropriate behavior-"
"Mum! We're talking about Harry and Ron! We'll be good, I promise! Thank you Mummy, thank you Daddy!" Hermione flung herself around her parents necks, planting warm kisses on their foreheads as she passed. "I'll run and wake them!" And she bounded up the stairs, out of sight.
"Well? Is it safe?" Hermione caught sight of the contrast of Harry and Ron's heads poking out the guest room door.
"Yes," she said with a grin, "you can stay." Ron and Harry jumped into the hallway, looking very happy, but also very hungry.
"Can we eat?" asked Ron, "I'm starved."
"Sure, come on." Hermione lead them down the steps and into the sunny breakfast room.
"Hello, Mr.Granger, Mrs.Granger. It's nice to see you again." Harry and Ron politely thanked them for their hospitality, and although Mr.Granger kept suspiciously eyeing the boys, breakfast was an enjoyable affair.
"So, what are we going to do?" mused Hermione aloud. "You boys have never been to a movie...you've never seen Muggle London, either. Hmm, I wonder ..." She continued thinking in this fashion as the boys eagerly explored the computer sitting on a desk in the corner.
"Herm, does this thing have any games?" called Harry over his shoulder.
"It might have come with some on it," said Hermione doubtfully. She went over and peered over their heads at the meager list on the hard drive.
"It's just a few computerized card games," said Hermione, and the boys looked disappointed. "Well, we're not staying inside all day, either." They had already watched a television program, made popcorn in the microwave- they had gone as far as baking a cake, just to show Ron how the Muggle inventions worked. He had been especially interested in the washing machine and dryer- Hermione had let him do the laundry, out of the kindness of her heart. It was now nearing one, and she wanted to go out. She absently played with some papers stacked neatly on her bedside cabinet.
"Oh, crap!" cried Hermione loudly, causing the boys to whirl around. That was the closest she'd ever some to cursing.
"I forgot, in all the excitement, it totally slipped my mind. Ugh, it's to late to back out now, that'd be terrible. I'm going to be so late!" Hermione was racing around the room, yanking jeans and a t-shirt out of her dresser, pulling the jeans on under her dress. The boys stared at her openmouthed- she was freaking out.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" asked Ron.
"Close your eyes!" she snapped, and the boys obeyed. When they were allowed to open them again, the dress was lying in a little heap on the floor and Hermione was racing to the mirror in a grubby t-shirt.
"I forgot," she explained as she pulled her hair into a sloppy ponytail, "that I have to babysit today. I promised a while ago."
"If your going out then why did you put those on?" asked Harry, referring to the very un-Hermione outfit she was wearing.
"You've never been babysitting, have you? Well, this will be a learning experience then, won't it?" Hermione pulled on some tennis shoes and started down the steps, Ron and Harry close behind.
"I'll be at the Morrison's!" she called over her shoulder as she shut the door. Harry and Ron were looking horribly confused as they followed her, nearly jogging. They didn't stop or even slow until they had reached a small house a few streets away. It had a shabby yard in the front, littered with a few toys, and bright yellow curtains flapping merrily in the breeze. Hermione walked quickly up the front steps, and rung the doorbell. A slowly increasing rumbling sounds approached the door, and a tiny squeal could be heard. "It's Hermione! It's Hermione!"
A young woman peered out of the curtains and grinned as she opened the doors.
"Hello, Hermione. I see you have some friends?" Hermione gave her an apologetic look.
"Yes, well, they are here for a visit, and it was really quite unexpected..."
"It's fine, dear," the woman was pretty, and a tiny blonde thing was clinging to her knee as she spoke. Hermione kneeled down.
"Well, hello there, Celeste. I haven't seen you in a very long time. How have you been?"
"Good," she whispered shyly, staring at the boys behind Hermione. Hermione followed her gaze and giggled.
"Those are my friends, Harry and Ron," she whispered to Celeste, "would you like to meet them?" Celeste considered this for a moment, then nodded, and allowed herself to be picked up by Hermione.
"Er, hi, Celeste," said Ron as Celeste buried her head in Hermione's neck. Mrs.Morrison laughed.
"Well, Hermione, I'll only be out for a few hours. A friend of mine is having a baby, and I want to go pick her out a nice gift. Rosalie's upstairs, and I think Max is out for the day, but if he shows up, I've reminded him that you are the boss, and I really don't think it'll be a problem. Sound ok?"
"Sounds great," answered Hermione, and Celeste waved with her as Mrs.Morrison drove away.
"Lets go check on Rosalie," said Hermione, walking inside. Harry and Ron followed her into the dim house, tripping over some toys on the doorstep. There was a TV playing somewhere, and a plate full of bread crusts on the kitchen table. Hermione walked upstairs with Celeste still hanging off her neck. They stopped outside a door with a sign that said "KEEP OUT! ROSALIE'S ROOM." Hermione cautiously opened the door, and the four stepped inside.
"Hello Rosalie," she said with a false brightness. The girl had her back to the door, and was reading a TeenBeat magazine. She didn't answer.
"Well, I was just checking in. If you need anything, we'll be downstairs!" She sighed heavily and turned out the door. "She's going through a rebellious stage," she hissed to Ron.
"Who are you talking to!? And I am NOT!" Rosalie seemed to have a voice after all. She whirled around, face screwed up in anger, but her mouth dropped open in surprise when she saw Harry and Ron framed in the doorway.
"Woah, who's the hottie?" she asked loudly, walking right up to Ron and rudely staring at him. He blushed red and turned to Hermione for help, but she was struggling to hide her laughter. "Is he your boyfriend, Hermione?"
Hermione regained composure and shook her head no. "Oh good," said the little girl, still staring at Ron. Harry nearly wet his pants as she grabbed his hand and started taking him around the house, showing him every single possible detail of the residence. Ron's face was bright red, and, thought he tried and tried, he couldn't get his huge hand out of the little girls grasp.
"Hm, that was interesting," remarked Harry. Hermione nodded and took Celeste down to the living room, where the toy box was kept.
"Would you like to see my Mary?" asked Celeste, who was sitting in Hermione's lap, staring at Harry.
"Sure," he said, and watched as she pulled a ragged, much-loved doll from the bottom of the toybox. Half of her hair was missing, and she only had 3 fingers on her left hand, but Celeste was gazing at it as if it were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Harry watched in amusement as she maternally brushed the doll's face free of hair and kissed her lightly on the nose. She looked from Harry to the doll, Harry to the doll, as if comparing them. Then she spoke, in a low reverent voice.
"If you want to, and you are extra careful, you can hold her for a few seconds," she said with an extremely serious face. Harry had a feeling he was supposed to act as if this was a great honor, and cautiously took to cracked porcelain doll from the child's chubby arms.
"Isn't she the most wonderfulest thing you've ever seen?" asked Celeste with a proud look on her face. Then she cocked her head and cupped her hand behind her ear, her face this time a mask of concern. "Oops, she's crying. I think she wants her Mummy." She gave Harry a small smile as she took the baby from him, and began feeding it milk from a pretend bottle.
"She's so cute," whispered Harry, "off in her own little world...she can make a game out of a broken old doll and a block with rounded ends."
"Most kids are like that," said Hermione, "I wish I still had that much imagination."
The quiet talk was interrupted by a loud pounding on the door. Celeste looked p, startled, and jumped into Harry's arms. Harry looked a bit uncomfortable and turned to hand her off to Hermione, but she was already at the door, checking through the curtains once more. Harry awkwardly picked up Celeste and went to peer over her shoulder.
"Who is it?" said Harry
"Max," groaned Hermione. Harry gave her a quizzical look. "Celeste and Rosalie's older brother. He was the largest authority problem in the world! He positively HATES me. He usually just hangs out in the neighborhood common with his little friends, but sometimes he shows up to torture me." Celeste giggled as Hermione rolled her eyes, and opened the door to reveal a smallish, blonde boy, who was covered from head to toe in mud, and holding a toad in one hand.
"Hey Max," she said slowly, but he was already scowling.
"You're here? Mum didn't tell me you'd be here."
"Well, she told me she had. And it's too late for me to leave now. Are you," Hermione stared at his mud-covered face and toad-filled hands, "planning on coming inside?"
Max glared at her, then a mischievous grin spread across his face, cracking the dried mud around his mouth. "Of COURSE I'm coming inside," he cried jubilantly, flinging his arms around Hermione's middle in a bone crushing hug, "so I can be with YOU!"
"Ugh, Max! You got mud all over me!"
"I know," he answered insolently. Harry frowned.
"UP to your room mister. And the toad stays outside," Hermione batted the croaking creature from his hands and dragged him up the stairs. Harry could hear her as they got farther and farther away, "You, Max, are going to take a BATH, until you shine like a NEWBORN BABY." Harry laughed along with Celeste, who had been watching the scene with great interest.
Around the corner, Harry heard a tiny noise. "Harry! Pssst, Harry!" Ron was down on his hands and knees, and Harry whirled around in surprise.
"Ron, what are you doing do-"
"SHUSH!" Ron looked furious. "She'll hear you."
"She? Ohhhhh..." Harry trailed off, trying to keep from laughing again.
"Oh, yes, hilarious, isn't it? I'd like to see what you'd do about this...this..situation." Ron's face was slightly red, and he realized, too late, that he'd been louder than necessary.
"Oh, Ron, there you are! I was so worried! Come ON, we haven't seen my room yet." She gave him as seductive a grin as a nine year old can manage, and Ron looked positively terrified.
"Er, Rosalie- I don't think.." Ron was saved by a harried looking Hermione thumping down the steps. She was covered in not only mud but water, and sighed as she approached them.
"Are you beginning to understand why I'm dressed like this? I truly believe he was trying to drown me." She stopped and looked curiously at Rosalie, who was trying to conspicuously tug Ron to the staircase.
"Rosalie, you can't go up there right now."
"Exactly WHY not?" she snapped, her hands going straight to her hips.
"Um..." Hermione looked at Ron, who was pleading with his eyes, "...because Max is taking a bath."
"So?" said Rosalie pointedly.
"So...it's movie time! How's Mulan sound?" Hermione watched Rosalie, who seemed to be considering the two carefully. Ron..movie...Ron...movie.
"Is Ron coming too?" Hermione gave him a stern Look.
"Sure," he said resignedly, and the ragtag troop got comfortable in the living room to watch the great cross-dressing tale. Halfway through the movie Max came down, looking like he wanted to cause trouble, but the allure of Disney's sexually undertoned animation and sickeningly butchered story lines was just to much. He settled down in front of the TV as well.
At four o'clock, Mrs.Morrison poked her head through the door and was pleased at the sight in front of her. Celeste was asleep in Harry's arms, Rosalie was showing Ron pictures of her favorite boy bands, and Max was engrossed in a Nintendo championship with Hermione.
"Wow, Hermione, great job," said Mrs.Morrison, pressing some bills into her hands. Hermione smiled and began the job of prying Celeste and Rosalie away from her best friends.
"But I don't want you to go!" cried Rosalie as Ron limped to the door, dragging her off his leg. Celeste had shyly given Harry a huge hug and when Mary had said her goodbyes as well, gone back to sleep. Once Ron was safely in the driveway, the three waved at the little yellow house and began the walk back to 10 Danley Drive.
"Oh my God Hermione, how often do you do that?" Harry sounded amazed as he leaned back, exhausted, on the headboard of his bed. Mr.Granger had vetoed the idea of Hermione's room being used as a hangout, so the guest room had been the next choice.
"Not too often, if I can help it," she answered honestly, "it's a good way to make money though."
"I can think of a few better ways," muttered Ron, and Hermione and Harry burst out laughing.
"You have to admit," joked Harry, "for a nine year old, she WAS cute!"
"Ugh, not funny, Harry," But Ron was having a hard time keeping the smile from turning up his face. Hermione watched her two friends begin childishly hitting each other with pillows, and couldn't keep from laughing along with them. It was so good to have them around. She was just thinking this when something soft hit her hard on the side of her face.
"Oy! Hermione! Join in the fun!" Hermione grinned and went to attack Ron. You're only young once, she though, and sometimes, I think really don't want things to change
"Damn you Harry, damn you Ron," she muttered under her breath, thoroughly unruffled. "Must you tease me even in my dreams?" She lay back on the bed, staring angrily at the white ceiling, thinking of ways to spend her empty day. Suddenly there was knock on the door, and a meek voice called out, "Ya decent?"
Hermione gasped and sat straight up in bed. It hadn't been a dream! She'd recognize that voice anywhere. "Ron, come in," she called with a grin. The day was filling up faster than you could say "overjoyed".
Harry and Ron shuffled in, looking like little children, with their rumpled hair and bleary eyes.
"Morning," mumbled Harry, falling across the end of her bed. Ron flumped down next to him and they both closed their eyes.
"Uh, uh, uh, you guys. Its time for you to help me think up a decent reason why you showed up in the middle of the night."
"Oh, I've got one," said Harry in a sarcastically excited voice, "we missed you, and showed up to surprise you! That one took forever...lucky you have me here." His last comment was muffled by the pillow he had thrown himself down on. Hermione lay down next to him and closed her eyes, too. After all, it was only 7:30. Ron broke the silence.
"So when it's time, you go down and say, 'Look who showed up! They wanted to surprise me!' and then just act like you had no idea that it would be any problem that we stayed. Hope for the best. Be your normal, sweet, suck-up self- (Hermione threw a pillow at his head)- and it'll be fine."
"Ok, but back to your rooms. Get dressed and I'll call you for breakfast when everything is together."
Hermione nervously shooed them out and pulled on the sundress her mother had bought her as a welcome home present. She brushed her hair, took a deep breath, crossed her fingers and walked down the steps.
"It'll be fine, they're sensible, it'll be fine," she repeated over and over under her breath. Then why did she feel like she was walking the plank?
Mr.&Mrs.Granger sat quietly in the morning calm, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper, just as they had done every morning for 15 years. Mrs.Granger smiled as Hermione came down the stairs.
"Good morning, Sunshine. Want some grapefruit?" She offered her a dish of the ruby-red fruit.
"Um, no thanks Mum, not just yet." She giggled nervously and steeled her nerves. Now or never. "Guess what? The funniest thing happened last night." Her voice came out high and squeaky, and both parents set down their newspapers.
"What dear?" asked an interested Mr.Granger.
"Well, heh, you know my best friends, Ron and Harry, right? Heh heh, of course you do. Anyway, as I was saying, last night- it was the funniest thing- there was knock at the door, and I thought, who's at the door at this time of night-" Mrs.Granger cut her off.
"Get to the point, Hon"
"Oh, yes, the point." Hermione looked at her hands, folded in her lap. "Well, they showed up at the door, they wanted to surprise me, and now they're here, and can they stay?" She spit out the words quickly, trying to remember if that was the original plan. She didn't think so. So looked up apprehensively at her parents, and they stared back, slightly confused.
"They came here? In the middle of the night?"
"They got lost," Hermione nearly whispered.
"Where did they stay? Not in your room!" Mr.Granger looked very intense.
"Oh, of course not, Daddy! I put them in the guest room!" Mr&Mrs.Granger looked at each other, having one of those conversations only parents have, with their eyes. After a feel silent moments, Mrs.Granger spoke up.
"You say they're up in the guest room?" Hermione nodded. "All right then, they may stay, but no inappropriate behavior-"
"Mum! We're talking about Harry and Ron! We'll be good, I promise! Thank you Mummy, thank you Daddy!" Hermione flung herself around her parents necks, planting warm kisses on their foreheads as she passed. "I'll run and wake them!" And she bounded up the stairs, out of sight.
"Well? Is it safe?" Hermione caught sight of the contrast of Harry and Ron's heads poking out the guest room door.
"Yes," she said with a grin, "you can stay." Ron and Harry jumped into the hallway, looking very happy, but also very hungry.
"Can we eat?" asked Ron, "I'm starved."
"Sure, come on." Hermione lead them down the steps and into the sunny breakfast room.
"Hello, Mr.Granger, Mrs.Granger. It's nice to see you again." Harry and Ron politely thanked them for their hospitality, and although Mr.Granger kept suspiciously eyeing the boys, breakfast was an enjoyable affair.
"So, what are we going to do?" mused Hermione aloud. "You boys have never been to a movie...you've never seen Muggle London, either. Hmm, I wonder ..." She continued thinking in this fashion as the boys eagerly explored the computer sitting on a desk in the corner.
"Herm, does this thing have any games?" called Harry over his shoulder.
"It might have come with some on it," said Hermione doubtfully. She went over and peered over their heads at the meager list on the hard drive.
"It's just a few computerized card games," said Hermione, and the boys looked disappointed. "Well, we're not staying inside all day, either." They had already watched a television program, made popcorn in the microwave- they had gone as far as baking a cake, just to show Ron how the Muggle inventions worked. He had been especially interested in the washing machine and dryer- Hermione had let him do the laundry, out of the kindness of her heart. It was now nearing one, and she wanted to go out. She absently played with some papers stacked neatly on her bedside cabinet.
"Oh, crap!" cried Hermione loudly, causing the boys to whirl around. That was the closest she'd ever some to cursing.
"I forgot, in all the excitement, it totally slipped my mind. Ugh, it's to late to back out now, that'd be terrible. I'm going to be so late!" Hermione was racing around the room, yanking jeans and a t-shirt out of her dresser, pulling the jeans on under her dress. The boys stared at her openmouthed- she was freaking out.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" asked Ron.
"Close your eyes!" she snapped, and the boys obeyed. When they were allowed to open them again, the dress was lying in a little heap on the floor and Hermione was racing to the mirror in a grubby t-shirt.
"I forgot," she explained as she pulled her hair into a sloppy ponytail, "that I have to babysit today. I promised a while ago."
"If your going out then why did you put those on?" asked Harry, referring to the very un-Hermione outfit she was wearing.
"You've never been babysitting, have you? Well, this will be a learning experience then, won't it?" Hermione pulled on some tennis shoes and started down the steps, Ron and Harry close behind.
"I'll be at the Morrison's!" she called over her shoulder as she shut the door. Harry and Ron were looking horribly confused as they followed her, nearly jogging. They didn't stop or even slow until they had reached a small house a few streets away. It had a shabby yard in the front, littered with a few toys, and bright yellow curtains flapping merrily in the breeze. Hermione walked quickly up the front steps, and rung the doorbell. A slowly increasing rumbling sounds approached the door, and a tiny squeal could be heard. "It's Hermione! It's Hermione!"
A young woman peered out of the curtains and grinned as she opened the doors.
"Hello, Hermione. I see you have some friends?" Hermione gave her an apologetic look.
"Yes, well, they are here for a visit, and it was really quite unexpected..."
"It's fine, dear," the woman was pretty, and a tiny blonde thing was clinging to her knee as she spoke. Hermione kneeled down.
"Well, hello there, Celeste. I haven't seen you in a very long time. How have you been?"
"Good," she whispered shyly, staring at the boys behind Hermione. Hermione followed her gaze and giggled.
"Those are my friends, Harry and Ron," she whispered to Celeste, "would you like to meet them?" Celeste considered this for a moment, then nodded, and allowed herself to be picked up by Hermione.
"Er, hi, Celeste," said Ron as Celeste buried her head in Hermione's neck. Mrs.Morrison laughed.
"Well, Hermione, I'll only be out for a few hours. A friend of mine is having a baby, and I want to go pick her out a nice gift. Rosalie's upstairs, and I think Max is out for the day, but if he shows up, I've reminded him that you are the boss, and I really don't think it'll be a problem. Sound ok?"
"Sounds great," answered Hermione, and Celeste waved with her as Mrs.Morrison drove away.
"Lets go check on Rosalie," said Hermione, walking inside. Harry and Ron followed her into the dim house, tripping over some toys on the doorstep. There was a TV playing somewhere, and a plate full of bread crusts on the kitchen table. Hermione walked upstairs with Celeste still hanging off her neck. They stopped outside a door with a sign that said "KEEP OUT! ROSALIE'S ROOM." Hermione cautiously opened the door, and the four stepped inside.
"Hello Rosalie," she said with a false brightness. The girl had her back to the door, and was reading a TeenBeat magazine. She didn't answer.
"Well, I was just checking in. If you need anything, we'll be downstairs!" She sighed heavily and turned out the door. "She's going through a rebellious stage," she hissed to Ron.
"Who are you talking to!? And I am NOT!" Rosalie seemed to have a voice after all. She whirled around, face screwed up in anger, but her mouth dropped open in surprise when she saw Harry and Ron framed in the doorway.
"Woah, who's the hottie?" she asked loudly, walking right up to Ron and rudely staring at him. He blushed red and turned to Hermione for help, but she was struggling to hide her laughter. "Is he your boyfriend, Hermione?"
Hermione regained composure and shook her head no. "Oh good," said the little girl, still staring at Ron. Harry nearly wet his pants as she grabbed his hand and started taking him around the house, showing him every single possible detail of the residence. Ron's face was bright red, and, thought he tried and tried, he couldn't get his huge hand out of the little girls grasp.
"Hm, that was interesting," remarked Harry. Hermione nodded and took Celeste down to the living room, where the toy box was kept.
"Would you like to see my Mary?" asked Celeste, who was sitting in Hermione's lap, staring at Harry.
"Sure," he said, and watched as she pulled a ragged, much-loved doll from the bottom of the toybox. Half of her hair was missing, and she only had 3 fingers on her left hand, but Celeste was gazing at it as if it were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Harry watched in amusement as she maternally brushed the doll's face free of hair and kissed her lightly on the nose. She looked from Harry to the doll, Harry to the doll, as if comparing them. Then she spoke, in a low reverent voice.
"If you want to, and you are extra careful, you can hold her for a few seconds," she said with an extremely serious face. Harry had a feeling he was supposed to act as if this was a great honor, and cautiously took to cracked porcelain doll from the child's chubby arms.
"Isn't she the most wonderfulest thing you've ever seen?" asked Celeste with a proud look on her face. Then she cocked her head and cupped her hand behind her ear, her face this time a mask of concern. "Oops, she's crying. I think she wants her Mummy." She gave Harry a small smile as she took the baby from him, and began feeding it milk from a pretend bottle.
"She's so cute," whispered Harry, "off in her own little world...she can make a game out of a broken old doll and a block with rounded ends."
"Most kids are like that," said Hermione, "I wish I still had that much imagination."
The quiet talk was interrupted by a loud pounding on the door. Celeste looked p, startled, and jumped into Harry's arms. Harry looked a bit uncomfortable and turned to hand her off to Hermione, but she was already at the door, checking through the curtains once more. Harry awkwardly picked up Celeste and went to peer over her shoulder.
"Who is it?" said Harry
"Max," groaned Hermione. Harry gave her a quizzical look. "Celeste and Rosalie's older brother. He was the largest authority problem in the world! He positively HATES me. He usually just hangs out in the neighborhood common with his little friends, but sometimes he shows up to torture me." Celeste giggled as Hermione rolled her eyes, and opened the door to reveal a smallish, blonde boy, who was covered from head to toe in mud, and holding a toad in one hand.
"Hey Max," she said slowly, but he was already scowling.
"You're here? Mum didn't tell me you'd be here."
"Well, she told me she had. And it's too late for me to leave now. Are you," Hermione stared at his mud-covered face and toad-filled hands, "planning on coming inside?"
Max glared at her, then a mischievous grin spread across his face, cracking the dried mud around his mouth. "Of COURSE I'm coming inside," he cried jubilantly, flinging his arms around Hermione's middle in a bone crushing hug, "so I can be with YOU!"
"Ugh, Max! You got mud all over me!"
"I know," he answered insolently. Harry frowned.
"UP to your room mister. And the toad stays outside," Hermione batted the croaking creature from his hands and dragged him up the stairs. Harry could hear her as they got farther and farther away, "You, Max, are going to take a BATH, until you shine like a NEWBORN BABY." Harry laughed along with Celeste, who had been watching the scene with great interest.
Around the corner, Harry heard a tiny noise. "Harry! Pssst, Harry!" Ron was down on his hands and knees, and Harry whirled around in surprise.
"Ron, what are you doing do-"
"SHUSH!" Ron looked furious. "She'll hear you."
"She? Ohhhhh..." Harry trailed off, trying to keep from laughing again.
"Oh, yes, hilarious, isn't it? I'd like to see what you'd do about this...this..situation." Ron's face was slightly red, and he realized, too late, that he'd been louder than necessary.
"Oh, Ron, there you are! I was so worried! Come ON, we haven't seen my room yet." She gave him as seductive a grin as a nine year old can manage, and Ron looked positively terrified.
"Er, Rosalie- I don't think.." Ron was saved by a harried looking Hermione thumping down the steps. She was covered in not only mud but water, and sighed as she approached them.
"Are you beginning to understand why I'm dressed like this? I truly believe he was trying to drown me." She stopped and looked curiously at Rosalie, who was trying to conspicuously tug Ron to the staircase.
"Rosalie, you can't go up there right now."
"Exactly WHY not?" she snapped, her hands going straight to her hips.
"Um..." Hermione looked at Ron, who was pleading with his eyes, "...because Max is taking a bath."
"So?" said Rosalie pointedly.
"So...it's movie time! How's Mulan sound?" Hermione watched Rosalie, who seemed to be considering the two carefully. Ron..movie...Ron...movie.
"Is Ron coming too?" Hermione gave him a stern Look.
"Sure," he said resignedly, and the ragtag troop got comfortable in the living room to watch the great cross-dressing tale. Halfway through the movie Max came down, looking like he wanted to cause trouble, but the allure of Disney's sexually undertoned animation and sickeningly butchered story lines was just to much. He settled down in front of the TV as well.
At four o'clock, Mrs.Morrison poked her head through the door and was pleased at the sight in front of her. Celeste was asleep in Harry's arms, Rosalie was showing Ron pictures of her favorite boy bands, and Max was engrossed in a Nintendo championship with Hermione.
"Wow, Hermione, great job," said Mrs.Morrison, pressing some bills into her hands. Hermione smiled and began the job of prying Celeste and Rosalie away from her best friends.
"But I don't want you to go!" cried Rosalie as Ron limped to the door, dragging her off his leg. Celeste had shyly given Harry a huge hug and when Mary had said her goodbyes as well, gone back to sleep. Once Ron was safely in the driveway, the three waved at the little yellow house and began the walk back to 10 Danley Drive.
"Oh my God Hermione, how often do you do that?" Harry sounded amazed as he leaned back, exhausted, on the headboard of his bed. Mr.Granger had vetoed the idea of Hermione's room being used as a hangout, so the guest room had been the next choice.
"Not too often, if I can help it," she answered honestly, "it's a good way to make money though."
"I can think of a few better ways," muttered Ron, and Hermione and Harry burst out laughing.
"You have to admit," joked Harry, "for a nine year old, she WAS cute!"
"Ugh, not funny, Harry," But Ron was having a hard time keeping the smile from turning up his face. Hermione watched her two friends begin childishly hitting each other with pillows, and couldn't keep from laughing along with them. It was so good to have them around. She was just thinking this when something soft hit her hard on the side of her face.
"Oy! Hermione! Join in the fun!" Hermione grinned and went to attack Ron. You're only young once, she though, and sometimes, I think really don't want things to change