Weekend at the Granger's
Written By: K-Chan
Chapter 8: Back to Privet Drive
The next morning, they were awakened by the smell and sound of bacon sizzling. Harry and Ron got dressed quickly and hurried downstairs. The girls were already seated at the table, and Mrs. Granger was dishing out scrambled eggs. She said good morning as they sat down.
The conversation that morning was quiet. Everyone was tired from the night before. Harry noticed that, for some odd reason, Hermione was avoiding his gaze.
Shortly after they were done eating, Lavender and Parvati left. They were riding the Muggle bus home and needed to buy tickets. Ron left shortly after them, when his Dad arrived to pick him up.
After dragging his father away from a nearby stack of magazines, Ron gave his good-byes.
"Bye Hermione, later Harry," he said as he climbed into the fireplace, "see you on the train."
He smiled at Harry, giving him a teasing look, then jumped into the flame and was gone.
Harry flushed. He knew what Ron was thinking. Fortunately for him, Hermione didn't. In fact, she hadn't even noticed. After hastily packing his stuff, Harry hopped into the backseat of Mr. Granger's Honda, next to Hermione.
The car ride back to the Dursley's was a quiet one, because, as was earlier stated, everyone was rather tired. Gazing out the window, Harry felt his eyes droop. He was sleepier than he thought. Resting his head against the back of the seat, he closed his eyes. Seconds later, he was awoken by a sudden weight against his arm. Blinking with surprise, Harry noticed that Hermione had fallen asleep and was now leaning against him, her head on his shoulder. Despite the loss of circulation to his right arm, Harry had to admit that he didn't mind. Listening to her quiet, even breaths, he went back to sleep.
Both were shaken awake by the sharp turn into the Dursley's driveway. Harry's glasses were knocked off his face as he jerked awake. Picking them off the floor, he thanked Mr. Granger for the ride and grabbed his dufflebag. Hermione walked him to the door.
"Thanks again for inviting me," he said as they approached the stoop.
"Oh, you're welcome," she replied, "it was lot's of fun."
Harry hesitated, something didn't seem right.
"Oh, and sorry about last night," he added.
"What?"
"You know, the kiss."
Hermione looked down,
"Oh, yeah. That."
There was an awkward silence while she stared intently at her feet.
"Actually," she continued slowly, "I was wondering why you stopped."
Harry was shocked. That defiantly was not the answer he was expecting.
"Well… uh… Ron appeared, and… uh… it just didn't seem right."
Hermione's head snapped back, her surprised gaze meeting his,
"What do you mean?"
Harry shifted his weight,
"You know… it didn't seem to be for the right reasons. It was a dare," he looked away, "I was actually kinda hoping it was a different situation so it would have meant more."
Hermione's shocked and slightly angry gaze melted at the last response. She smiled and threw her arms around his neck.
"Oh, Harry. That was so sweet."
He returned the smile and wrapped his arms around her back. Harry hesitated for a second, then leaned forward and kissed her. Hermione returned the kiss and the two of them stood there, arm in arm. Eventually, Hermione had to return to the car, so she leaned back and gazed into his sparkling green eyes. Harry smiled, she looked speechless, but at the same time, like she had released a heavy burden. Slowly, they broke the hug and Hermione turned to go, her face positively beaming.
"See you on the train," he said, wishing she didn't have to go.
"Yes, see you then," she smiled.
When Hermione returned to the car, her father raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as they backed out of the driveway.
Harry waved until they were out of sight. Reaching for the doorknob, he noticed Dudley's fat head pressed against the window, oogling at him. But Harry didn't care, that didn't matter anymore. Hermione Granger liked him. And that was all that mattered.
