Thank you reviewers! I love you guys! Glad you liked it, I really hope this chapter is okay because I'm half asleep right now. Oh well.
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Harry awoke on July 31 and drowsily tried to figure out why he was so nervous and happy at the same time.
"Oh," he exclaimed, hitting himself on the head. "I'm seventeen today! Ron and Hermione are coming in. . .oh no, in half an hour!" He jumped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom, colliding with Sirius on the way ("Why didn't you wake me?!"), and showered quickly. He jumped out of the shower, dressed, ran into the kitchen, and found Sirius waiting with a plate of pancakes.
"Where did those come from?" Harry asked suspiciously. He had learned not to trust Sirius's cooking skills.
"My wand," Sirius grinned. "I already had some. They're definitely safe."
Harry sat down at the small kitchen table and quickly gobbled some pancakes.
"How are Ron and Hermione getting here if we don't have a fireplace?" Harry asked, between swigs of iced pumpkin juice. He turned around to see Sirius checking his watch.
"Portkey from the Weasley's," he muttered. "Should be here any--"
He was interrupted by the door swinging open and Ron and Hermione landing in the middle of the living room. They untangled themselves and stood up, breathing hard.
"Hi," Harry grinned at his friends. They too had changed over the years. Ron's years as Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team had transformed him from tall and lanky to tall and muscular. His hair was still the famous Weasley red, and he had gotten even more freckles, if it was possible. Hermione's bushy hair had softened, and was now thick and wavy. She had grown tall and willowy, and her shorter front teeth gave her a gorgeous smile.
"Hey, Harry," Ron said, grinning. "Sirius."
"Harry!" Hermione shrilled, and threw herself at him in a huge bear hug. She reached out her other arm to pull in Ron, whose face immediately turned red.
"So, Harry," he said, his face squashed into Harry's hair. "If Hermione would let go of me. . ."
Hermione put on an injured face. "I haven't seen you or Harry all summer," she pouted. "I'm being friendly." Harry could see by the look in Ron's eyes that he wouldn't mind Hermione being a little more friendly, and he shot a
questioning glance at his friend.
"Anyways," Ron continued, glaring at Harry. "Have you done anything with that Potions essay? I'm having the worst time. . .what?" he asked Hermione, who was staring at him with her mouth open.
"You're worried about your homework?" she gasped. "Harry--catch me. I'm going to faint." She mock-fainted into his arms, and Ron glared at him. Harry hurriedly helped her to her feet, and let go quickly. "Actually," she
continued. "That one is pretty pointless."
"Can you help me with it, Hermione?" Ron asked hopefully.
"If you're a good little boy, and do what you're told," she playfully teased.
"Of course," Ron laughed.
"I do not believe you three," Sirius chuckled from where he was sprawled on the couch. "Your first words besides 'hi' are talking about your homework? What is wrong with you?" he teased.
"One too many Peppermint Toads," Ron grinned, and Hermione giggled.
"Well, first place on the agenda today is Diagon Alley," Sirius continued. "But before that you might want to put away your luggage. Where is it?"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other, and pulled miniature suitcases out of their pockets.
"My mum told me you could unshrink them," Ron said to Sirius.
"Smart woman," Sirius said, reaching for his wand. He pointed it at the suitcases. "Engorgio!" The suitcases began swelling, and Ron and Hermione quickly dropped them to the floor. "Hermione," Sirius said to her. "You'll be
sleeping in the den. The sofa folds out into a bed. Ron, you'll share with Harry. Go ahead and get settled," he said, picking up Hermione's suitcase. "What do you have in here?" he grunted.
"Things," Hermione answered primly, picking up a smaller bag and her purse. She followed him into the den, where a loud THUNK! was heard, which was presumably Hermione's suitcase landing on the floor.
"C'mon," Harry told Ron, hoisting his sleeping bag onto his shoulder and leading the way into his bedroom. He dumped it on the floor, and turned to face his best friend. "Okay," he demanded. "What is between you and
Hermione?"
Ron turned red. "Technically, nothing," he said, putting down his suitcase. "That's not the way I want it, but. . ."
Harry started grinning. "Oh," he said knowingly. "Well, I'd suggest you do something about it, cause she'll be able to tell."
"How?" Ron demanded, going red again.
"Look in a mirror," Harry said. Ron glanced in Harry's, which was mounted on the wall and promptly screeched, "Stop blushing, tomato-head!" at him.
Ron turned even redder. "I can't do anything about it," he groaned. "Unless there's some charm or something. . ."
"I would say ask Hermione," Harry said devilishly. "But in this case. . ."
"But seriously, Harry," Ron said quietly. "She doesn't like me. I don't think she ever will." Harry strongly wanted to disagree, because he had seen the way Hermione looked at Ron, but kept quiet for now. They were interrupted by Hermione herself flouncing in.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked, hooking her arm through Ron's. "Sirius says to get your lazy bums out there," she giggled. Harry was amazed that Ron's face wasn't turning scarlet, but he shook it off and grabbed a sack of
coins from his dresser.
"Let's go," he said, shoving it into his pocket. They joined Sirius and and left the apartment, turning in the direction of Diagon Alley.
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I know, I know, at this rate they're not going to get to Hogwarts until about chapter 20-something. Oh well, I need
to set the context and this is a good way to do it. Click below and review!
