IV

The plane's wheels struck ground at full force. It wound around the runways before coming to a complete halt at the appropriate gate. Hermione and her parents got up from their seats. After taking their carry-on bags from the overhead compartments, they exited the plane through the terminal.

This was not Hermione's first visit to the states. She had come several times before to see her grandmother and also for vacation.

Having awoken very early that morning to catch the flight, Hermione found herself drifting off to sleep in the backseat of the taxi. An image passed through her mind.

It was a boy, quite handsome actually, with deep blue eyes and light- tanned skin. He brushed his reddish-blonde bangs out of his eyes and grinned at Hermione, with a smile to brighten the cloudiest day. Hermione smiled back, unable to take her eyes from the intriguing eternity of the boy's. Hermione could feel the warm sun-baked beneath her feet. The moist sea breeze swept her hair from her face and it danced in the wind. The boy's face grew closer and his soft brown freckles became more apparent. Hermione was pulled into a trance and caught in the web of love that the boy was spinning for her mind. He gently supported her head with his hand. Hermione felt as free as a bird. He was so close that she could feel the warmth of his lips, but not yet touching them. Hermione closed her eyes and released all the cares and worries from within her.

Just as the boy moved in for the kiss, Hermione was suddenly awakened from her sleep.

The car arrived at 1505 Katbyrd St. Hermione opened the door and got her luggage from the trunk as her father paid the cab driver. After they had retrieved all their luggage, they headed for the door. Upon knocking, a petite black-haired woman in a white apron answered the door.

"Oh! You must be the Grangers! Elizabeth has been expecting you. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Jennifer McKeln, the house-nurse for Mrs. Granger," The woman spoke rapidly, not stopping to take a breath. "Elizabeth is in the living room. I'm not sure if she is up from her nap yet." Jennifer stepped aside to allow the family entryway into the home.

"Hello Ms. Mckeln, nice to meet you," Hermione's mother said and introduced herself, followed by Hermione and her father who did the same and entered the house. The family put their bags by the steps and headed toward the living room.

Hermione cringed and swallowed hard to keep back instinctive reactions. The sight was almost unbearable. Memories shot through her mind of the once energetic woman who won the Olympic gold in the 500-meter. This could not be. Who is this helpless lady? Hermione did not want to see it, not want to think it. She pushed all the oxygen tubes and machines out of her brain and tried to remember the old times.

A congested cough came from the woman's mouth and she opened her eyes. Hermione had to blink many times to keep back the tears. What little spark of life was left in Elizabeth came out in her face at the sight of her family. Her eyes twinkled with delight.

"Well, hello! How nice to see all of you." She paused to let out another cough and continued in the same raspy voice. "How have you been? I hear you and you friends drove all the way up to the vacation house alone this year. How was. . ." Her grandmother stopped in mid-sentence to take another huge breath and cough before continung. ". . .it up there?"

"It was uh. . .um. . .just fine thank you," Hermione stuttered, trying to cope with the horribly depressing scene.

"Well isn't that nice. Things are great up here. I feel fine, couldn't be better." There was a deadly silent pause in which Mrs. Granger paused and continued. "Anyway, you must be tired from that long trip. Have you had supper yet? How about pizza, nice American pizza? Jennifer can you please call Domino's and order two large pizzas? Thanks, Doll. I don't know what I'd do without you. Before Hermione could blink, her grandmother had fallen back into a deep sleep.

"The medicine makes her very drowsy. Don't worry she does this quite often. Now, who's up for some pizza?"

* * *

Week after week passed by slowly. Most days the family stayed by their grandmother, but some days they went out to shop, see the sights and things. One moth after they had arrived, Hermione got word of new plans.

"Hermione, can I speak with you for a moment?"

"Sure Mum, hold on." Hermione logged off the computer. "Yes?" Her mother came and sat beside her daughter in the other computer chair.

"Listen, Papa and I have been thinking lately, and we both agree that standing by Grandmother's side for the rest of the summer, isn't a productive way to spend your vacation. You will only be sixteen once and it's off to school again in September. You are in America and you should have a real American experience. Papa and I have signed you up for a summer sleep away camp only an hour and a half away. If we need you back here, it will be no problem. I hope that is okay?"

Hermione took a moment to process all of the information. "But Grandma. . .?"

"Papa and I will be here to see that everything is okay. Plus, Jennifer is a certified nurse. She will be in good care and she understands completely. In fact, she was the one who came up with the idea. Now go along and pack your things. We will leave tomorrow morning and you will stay there a month."

"Okay, Mum. Whatever you say," Hermione said and went into her room to pack.