Disclaimer: Mr. and Mrs. Granger and Hermione belong to J.K. Rowling. This story is based upon the Harry Potter series. No money is being made from this story, and no infringement is intended. This story was intended for fanfiction.net only.

Author's note: Believe it or don't...there really is a Healthy Smiles game. And there are toothbrushes that sing when you use them.

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HERMIONE

Part 2

"We won't be gone too long, Lilah. Just out to dinner with the Burrows--the number of the restaurant's on the refrigerator. There's a casserole dish and some fresh fruit in there for you and Hermione."

Lilah Johnson nodded.

"And don't forget to have her brush her teeth after dinner. All right, dear, I'm coming! Do you have any questions, Lilah?"

"No, we'll be fine," Lilah assured her.

"All right. We'll be back about nine." Mrs. Granger shut the door, and Lilah was left alone with Hermione.

Lilah smiled at the five-year-old. Mr. and Mrs. Granger had long since forgotten what Hermione had done when she was thirteen months old. But Lilah hadn't. That was why she always took her camera with her when she baby-sat at the Granger's. So if Hermione did anything unusual, she would have proof.

"Lilah?" asked Hermione. "Can we play the Healthy Smiles game?"

"Sure, bring it out."

Lilah and Hermione spent the next half-hour rolling dice and advancing their playing pieces, which were teeth. Lilah kept a careful eye on Hermione. Her camera was within arm's reach at all times, the way it had been the last four years.

Finally, Hermione reached the end. Triumphantly, she lifted her arms over her head. "I'm in DENTAL PARADISE!"

Lilah laughed. "Should we put the game away now? What would you like to do next?"

"Can we go outside?"

Mr. Granger had made a swing in their backyard for Hermione. The swing was attached to a tree branch by the means of two old ropes. Though the ropes didn't look too sturdy to Lilah, the swing had always held Hermione well.

"Higher! Higher!" squealed Hermione as Lilah pushed her.

"I think you're high enough," Lilah told her. She had never seen Hermione swing so high before, and the ropes were starting to creak ominously. "Maybe you should slow down a little."

"No-AAAH!" One of the ropes had split apart, and Hermione flew off the swing. She hit the ground hard, and for a moment Lilah was worried she might be injured.

But Hermione was not. After hitting the ground, she bounced--ten or twelve feet into the air.

Grateful she had her camera in her hand, Lilah lifted it and snapped a picture. Click! The film captured Hermione bouncing ten feet, eight feet, six feet, four feet, two feet.

At last Hermione stopped bouncing. She stood up, brushed herself off, and turned to Lilah. "Daddy's going to have to fix the swing."

"Right," Lilah said shakily. She had proof. Indisputable proof. The Grangers would have to believe her now. "Hermione, what did you do after you fell off the swing?"

"What?"

So she's not aware of what happened? Or does it not seem amazing to her? Lilah wondered. She changed the subject. "Why don't we go in and have some dinner?"

Hermione and Lilah quietly ate the meatball casserole and apples Mrs. Granger had left for dinner. Then Lilah took Hermione upstairs to brush her teeth.

"Here's my brush!" Hermione said enthusiastically, waving a purple brush with a button on its handle.

"What does the button do?" Lilah asked as she helped Hermione put toothpaste on the brush.

Hermione pushed it, and the brush began to sing: Oh, I'm your friend, Tommy Toothbrush; to keep your teeth shiny and strong, please use me all the time, all the day long!

"Neat, that's neat," Lilah said. Hermione nodded in agreement as she began to brush her teeth.

The rest of the evening went well. Lilah read several books to Hermione, and then Hermione read one to her. Lilah was surprised that Hermione knew all the words in The Little Dog Lost in Liverpool.

"You're smart, Hermione!" Lilah exclaimed.

Hermione beamed. "I can read The Little Dog Found in Manchester, too."

"Maybe that will have to wait for next time," Lilah said, looking at the clock. "It's time to get ready for bed."

Half an hour later, Lilah sat down on the couch. Getting children to bed was never easy. She looked at the clock again.

Forty minutes until the Grangers come home. Should I tell them how Hermione bounced, or should I wait until the pictures are developed? I think I should wait. That way, they can't doubt me. The pictures will clearly show Hermione was bouncing off the ground by herself, without a trampoline.

After washing the dishes from dinner, Lilah busied herself with wasting the rest of her film. She took five pictures of the Granger's television set, two of their refrigerator, seven of their booksheves, and six of their couch.

At 8:58, the front door opened, and the Grangers walked in.

"Hello, Lilah! How was Hermione?" inquired Mrs. Granger. "Did she like the casserole?"

"She was good, and she did like the casserole. One thing, though. She went on the swing for a bit, but one of the ropes broke. Hermione wasn't hurt, but I thought I should tell you."

"Oh dear! Thank goodness she wasn't hurt, that's the main thing. I'll have to get him to fix that," Mrs. Granger said. She took some money for Lilah out of her pocketbook. "Did you need a ride?"

"I can walk home," Lilah said. "It's still light out."

"Okay. I'm sure we'll be calling you again soon. Thanks, Lilah."

"You're welcome!" Lilah found herself running home. She would have to wait until tomorrow to get the pictures developed, but she was anxious to put the camera in a safe place.

That night, Lilah had trouble falling asleep. She lay in her bed, gazing at the ceiling.

There's something different about Hermione, that's for certain. But what? Maybe the Grangers are aliens, and--of course not. It's 3:34 a.m., Lilah. You should get some sleep and think about this in the morning. She might be one of those special kids like they have on television...

Lilah yawned. Maybe if I close my eyes...She shut her eyes and forced herself to think of ordinary things. Spoons. Spoons are ordinary. They're handy and...

With that, Lilah drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Lilah walked down the street to Rouck's Pharmacy. In addition to filling prescriptions, Rouck's also developed film in an hour.

"It'll be ready tomorrow by five," the clerk told her.

"You can't do it in an hour?" Lilah asked, gesturing to the sign.

"Sorry, we're having trouble with our equipment."

Lilah forced a smile. "I see."

That night, Lilah fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow. She was exhausted from staying up the night before.

When she awoke, it was 11 a.m. Quickly, she washed and dressed for the day.

Ten minutes later, she raced downstairs. "See you in a minute, Mum! I'm going to Rouck's to pick up my pictures!"

"Don't you want breakfast?" she heard her mother call after her.

"When I get back!"

Lilah flung open the door to Rouck's Pharmacy and jogged over to the film counter.

"I'm Lilah Jo--" she began, but the clerk interrupted her.

"You're Miss Johnson, aren't you?" he asked.

"Why, yes." Lilah was startled. She'd never seen this man working in Rouck's before. He had a receding hairline, but still had plenty of red, curly hair. He wore old, shabby robes, unlike the other clerks at Rouck's, who wore short-sleeved shirts and pants.

"Please come with me into the back," he said, opening a door behind the counter.

Lilah found herself trusting him, and she followed him back into the room.

The clerk shut the door and fumbled for the light switch. Lilah heard him tap the wall and mutter something. The room lit up, though the light had not been turned on.

"Eckeltricity," he grumbled. "Well! Miss Johnson, I'm very sorry, but we had to take a few pictures from your roll." He produced the developing envelope from beneath his robes.

Lilah looked through the pictures. The pictures of the Granger's television, refrigerator, bookshelves, and couch were in the envelope, but the pictures of Hermione bouncing were not.

"Why did you take some out?"

"Miss Johnson, what I am about to tell you must not leave this room. Do you understand? Most wizards would make you forget this whole thing by putting a memory charm on you. I don't like to do that unless it's necessary. I think you're a bright girl, one that can keep a secret."

Wizards! So they're not aliens! Lilah was relieved. "Yes, I can keep a secret!"

"Miss Johnson, there is another world, a magical one we wizards and witches keep hidden from the Mug-er, general public. Mostly, those who can use magic are born into magical families."

Another world? I don't believe it...

"Following me?" Lilah managed a nod. "Good. Sometimes, though, there are people who can use magic that are born into non-magical families. Hermione is one of those children."

Lilah didn't think her eyes could open any wider. "She can use magic?"

"Not until she's properly trained. But sometimes the magic comes out of a child accidentally. That's what you've seen."

"That makes sense," Lilah said, vaguely wondering if she were dreaming.

"Yes! I knew you were bright. When Hermione's older, she'll go away to a special school to be trained. For now, watch over her. Don't tell her parents about the strange things she might do."

"R-right. I'll do that."

"Excellent! I knew I could count on you. By the way, the developing costs are on us. I'll send you back home now."

He raised a stick and said something Lilah did not understand. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was by her front door.

"Lilah, don't just stand there!" said her mother. "I have brunch ready for you."

Lilah opened the door and walked over to the table.

"Did you get your pictures back, sweetie?"

Lilah raised the envelope as she sat down.

"I'll put them off to the side while you eat." Lilah's mother took the envelope and put a plate filled with pancakes and bacon before Lilah.

"Eat up, dear!" Annie Johnson frowned. "What's this on your film? The envelope's stamped...'Inspected and Approved by the Ministry of M.' What's the government doing, looking at your photographs?"

The Ministry of M.? Magic? Lilah guessed. "I think it's a joke, Mum."

"Hmm. What they won't do these days. Oh, I forgot to tell you...Mrs. Granger called while you were out. It seems something came up this evening, and she was wondering if you'd watch Hermione again."

"Sure, Mum." A thought came to her. I'll be watching over her tonight. I wonder if that wizard knows? She shrugged, then took a bite of her bacon.

Late that afternoon, in an office not too far away...

"You told the girl, right?" asked the old wizard.

"I did, Perkins. She promised not to mention it to anyone. In fact, intelligence reports she'll be watching Hermione tonight. I think it's good for Muggles to feel as though they're helping us."

Perkins nodded sagely. "Yes...does help with relations...can't tell too many, though...not would I would have done--you handled it quite well, though."

The redheaded wizard grinned. "Ready to call it a day, Perkins?"

"I think so. See you tomorrow."

And both of the wizards Apparated.

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