Chapter 3: The Secret Tree

Harry sat at the table in Hermione's kitchen, eating lunch. Hermione's parents were both at work, so Hermione just conjured up some turkey sandwiches. Staring at the clock, Harry noticed that it was already half past noon and Ron still hadn't arrived.

"Where do you think he is?" Harry asked Hermione who was refilling her glass with some tomato juice. "And how can you drink that stuff? It looks like blood."

"I have no idea where he is? He should have been hear by now." Hermione took a big gulp of her crimson drink. "And for your information, tomato juice is really good. Plus, it's extremely healthy for you."

"I'll stick to my soda, thanks." They had finished their lunch at quarter to one, and Hermione brought the dishes over to the sink to wash them. Harry sat at the table and watched Hermione scrub the plates.

There is something different about Hermione, Harry thought to himself. Why can't I figure out what it is?

Harry sat for a while trying to figure out what it was. She might have grown an inch, but that's not what it was. Her hair was the same. Her attitude, her stand, her walk; they were all the same. So what was different?

Harry continued to ponder his question until Hermione finished. They walked over to the living room and sat on the couch. They sat quietly for a minute, until a peck came on a window. A blurry brown shape fluttered behind an artificially frosted window. Hermione rushed over and Pig, an overly excited owl belonging to Ron fluttered in.

"He has a note from Ron!" said Hermione.

"Read it then."

"Okay, hold on." She managed to wrestle Pig and snatch the letter from his foot before he flew away. "Okay, let's see:"

Dear Hermione,

We're having some teknicle ("He spelt it wrong!" complained Hermione) difficulties. I'll be pretty late, around four. I'll see you later. If Harry's there, tell him I'm sorry for being late.

Ron

"Technical difficulties?" pondered Harry. "What do you think he means by that?"

"I don't know."

"You don't think that something serious happened, do you?

"Of course not. If something serious happened Ron wouldn't have his mind set on telling us that he was going to be late.

"I guess you're right."

"I'm always right," Hermione said in a serious voice but she winked at Harry. Suddenly they both broke into laughter, practically on the floor rolling.

* * * * * * * * *

After an afternoon of putting together puzzles and playing chess, the non-wizard version, Harry looked up at the clock again. It read 3:53. "Hey, Ron should be here any minute," stated Harry.

"I wonder how he's getting here."

"I don't know, but I have a feeling that he won't be coming by car." A few minutes later a crashing noise echoed through the house and soot covered Hermione's living room. Ron, dust covering his face, emerged from the fireplace coughing.

"Floo powder!" said Hermione and Harry in unison.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm so late. Dad had a fight with a friend of his at the Ministry and he had to work it out to get your fireplace temporarily put on the Floo Regulation Panel's list.

"That's okay, Ron," said Hermione brushing soot off of her shirt. She took out her wand and muttered, "limpisió." In an instant the entire room was spotless including Harry, Ron, and Ron's luggage. Suddenly, the phone rang.

"That's the mellowphone," Ron said knowledgeably.

"Telephone Ron, not mellowphone. I'll go get it. Harry, why don't you help Ron bring his stuff to the room. Show him where you guys are staying." Hermione ran off to the study.

"Come on." Harry led Ron up the stairs. He helped Ron drag his stuff into the room.

"Wow."

"Why wow?" asked Harry.

"Wow. This is bigger than my room and Fred and George's room combined." They put the trunk next to Harry's and headed downstairs.

"That was my mum, she'll be home soon," said Hermione. "I told her you guys got here okay. We're having a roast for dinner. She has to go pick up some groceries."

Hermione noticed Ron looking in awe around the house. She knew that Ron had become overwhelmed at the site of so many muggle devices that he ad never seen before. "Ron, do you want me to show you some stuff before your head explodes?" He nodded still looking around.

Hermione showed him many things which Ron had difficulty in pronouncing. She showed him the television ("telomision?"), the refrigerator (" a redrigeravor?"), and several other items. "Wait 'til I tell dad about all of this," said Ron. By the time the tour ended, Hermione's mom had come home with the groceries.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The dinner was wonderful. Ron said to Hermione that her mom was just as good of a cook as his mom. "And with out magic!" he exclaimed, still wondering how it was at all possible. Hermione's father wasn't present. Apparently, he was working late at the office (the dentist office) and wouldn't be home until ten.

"Now that dinner's over I want to show you guys something." Harry and Ron looked at each other quizzically and followed Hermione out to the woods behind her house."

"Where are we going?" asked Ron.

"Hold on we're almost there."

It was dark out and it was hard to navigate through the trees. Harry pulled out his wand and said, "lumos."

"We're here!" she said.

"Where? All I see are a bunch of trees and it's hard enough to see as it is."

"Just watch." She walked in front of one particular tree. It was most likely the tallest, about 60 feet and oldest tree in the area. She knocked on the tree four times. A bright white light surrounded them and Harry saw the most magnificent site.

* * * * * * * * * * *

A/N: Haha cliffy, I'll write again soon. I promise.