Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything in here. Just so you know.

            Harry was surprised at the time. He felt like he had only been reading for a couple of minutes. However, according to the clock it was almost seven o'clock in the morning. Harry knew that if he did not make breakfast for the Dursleys in time, he would have to face a yelling uncle Vernon, a shrieking aunt Petunia, and a whining Dudley. By now, Harry knew that the Dursleys were definitely not morning people. And he also knew that Hermione's letter to the Dursleys was supposed to arrive any day now, and the only way his uncle would let him go was if he was in a good mood, which he usually wasn't, when he was around Harry.

            Harry closed his book and turned off his flashlight, and placed both of them on the side of his desk. He got up out of his bed, stretched for a couple of seconds, walked over to his drawer and got out some clothes. He took those clothes and placed them neatly on his bed. He walked over to his drawer again, got out a towel, some soap, and shampoo. He started keeping his showering items in his room ever since Dudley replaced his shampoo with honey. He took the items and walked towards the bathroom. After a very quick cold shower, he brushed his teeth, got dressed and headed down towards the kitchen.

            The second he got there; he immediately threw the frying pan out of the cupboard underneath the stove, turned on the stove and threw the frying pan onto the fire. He dabbed it with some cooking oil, and while it was getting heated up, he ran to the refrigerator, and got out three eggs. He cracked two of them and slipped them inside a bowl. He immediately began to beat them as fast as he could, as he saw that the pan was already heated up. He put a little salt and pepper in the bowl mixed some more and dropped the mixture into the frying pan. He stirred it for about three minutes until it was finally done. He slid the omelet out of the frying pan and onto a plate. He set the plate onto the table and quickly rushed to clean the frying pan. He washed it for about two minutes, dried it with some paper towels, and immediately put it back in the cupboard. He sat down by the table and quickly wolfed down the omelet. He cleaned the plate, dried it and put it back where it belonged. He went back to the refrigerator, pulled out an old grapefruit, put it on a plate and placed it on the table. Next, he took out three other plates, and placed them near three corresponding chairs. After that, he took out four cups, and placed them near four chairs. He then took out a container of orange juice and placed it in the center of the table, and turned the coffee maker on. Finally, he took out another cup and he put a little bit of water in it, he then cracked the third egg open and he slipped the yolk inside the cup. He stirred it with a spoon, and placed it near a different cup. He got out a knife and sliced the grapefruit in four, and placed three slices on the rest of the plates. There, he was now done.

            He sat down and turned on the TV that the Dursleys had in the kitchen. As he flipped the channels, he came by the news, which had something very interesting on. He left that channel on and sat down to watch it. The reporter was near a museum where apparently a robbery had just taken place. "It appears that there was no forced entry, nothing broken, and the cameras had not been touched," the reporter was saying. "However, there does appear to be something missing, the police have not allowed us entry inside the museum as of yet, since they're still inside investigating. Once they are finished their investigation they will allow us to witness the area where the crime took place, and they might even comment about what happened. We'll keep you posted. This is Ervin Bleiss, Channel 23 news." Harry walked up to the TV and turned it off hearing someone opening a door upstairs. He looked down at the table and realized that he'd forgotten the knives and forks. He ran to the drawer as he heard someone coming down the steps. He got out the utensils and spread them around the table. He looked towards the stairs and noticed that it was Dudley stomping down the steps. He slumped over to the TV, turned it on, changed the channel to his favorite morning cartoon show and sat down by the biggest piece of grapefruit he saw. He sat there for a second glaring at it as he did every morning. Dudley had been as fat then as he had been the previous year. It seems that the only thing this diet has done for him, was stop him from gaining weight, which his parents were of course very proud of; even though they were getting countless notes from smeltings about it. As Dudley was glaring at his meager meal, the rest of the Dursleys came down stairs. Harry's uncle Vernon, a blond beefy man with a huge mustache, and his aunt Petunia, a bony horse-faced woman with a really long neck. His uncle sat down by the table, as his aunt poured both of them some coffee, and orange juice. The second after Vernon had a sip off coffee, he started glaring at Harry. "Boy!" He exclaimed. "Go get the mail. And you better not open any off it."

            Harry rolled his eyes and headed towards the front door. Sure enough the mail was here already. Harry picked it up and started to browse through it. There were two bills, and a letter. The letter was from none other than Hermione. He was about to open it, but thought better of it. "Hurry up boy!!!" His uncle yelled from the kitchen. He walked back to the kitchen and dropped the letters in front of is uncle. "I say boy, you're even slower than molasses," his uncle said angrily.

            "And another thing," his aunt added, as Dudley took his attention from the TV, and set on Harry. "The next time you feel like having yourself a good yell, take it outside, do you understand!"

            "I'm sorry." Harry responded nonchalantly.

            "Don't be sorry," his uncle started up. "Any idiot can be sorry. Just don't do it again. Got it!" He said placing a big emphasis on the 'got it', as if he were saying 'or else'.

            "Yes uncle Vernon." replied Harry in the same nonchalant way.

             "Good."

            "Say," Dudley started. "How many eggs did you put in here?" he said as he looked down the cup which Harry put the egg with water.

             "Three," Harry answered. "Go on, drink up, it will give you a lot of energy for the gym today."

             "Dudleykins isn't going to that nasty little disgusting place today," aunt Petunia started in. "He has been working so hard lately, I feel that he needs a bit of a rest. Besides, we have to go into London today to pick up some new clothes for him, and."

             "BOY!!!" Yelled uncle Vernon before aunt Petunia could finish. "What is this?!" He said showing Harry the letter that Hermione sent him.

            Harry took the letter, and started reading it.

            Dear Mr. Dursley

            I am a very old friend of Harry. I knew him when we were in grade school together. I am mailing you to ask if Harry can spend the rest of the summer at my house, so we could catch up on old times. Don't worry I'll take very good care of him. Unless there's a problem, which would result in Harry not being able to come (in which case you should mail me), I'll pick Harry up on Friday at 11:00 am.

                                                                                    Sincerely

                                                                                    Hermione Granger

            "Well?" Asked Harry. "Can I go?"

             "Dudley," said uncle Vernon starting to face Dudley. "Do you remember a Hermione Granger at your old school?"

            Dudley just shrugged his shoulders, signifying that he didn't remember.

            "She was in all the advanced classes," Harry immediately jumped in. "So I don't think Dudley ever saw her."

             "Granger, I swear I could remember that name from somewhere," his uncle Vernon said as he was starting to think. "But where?"

            "I remember Vernon," his aunt Petunia jumped in. "Mr. Granger. The dentist. Remember. We took Dudley to see him when he started teething."

            "Oh yeah," uncle Vernon remembered. "Bit of a weird fellow as I remember. Okay boy you can go," he continued turning his attention back to Harry. "But only on the condition, that you promise to stay at that school of yours for winter and spring break."

            "I always stay at Hog-at my school for the breaks." Harry answered sounding bored.

            "Don't get smart with me boy!" his uncle Vernon snarled at him.

             "Sorry." said Harry as he looked across the table at Dudley, who seemed to be very happy. Harry felt that the only reason that his uncle Vernon let him go was to give Dudley an excuse to stop going to the gym. But he didn't care, as long as he could get away from the Dursleys; that was all that mattered to him at the moment.

            The next few days went by pretty slow. Harry spent most of his time doing what he has been doing all summer: Working out, cleaning, and reading. He finished reading "the Origin of Species" a day after the letter came. After he finished that book, he started reading the book that Hagrid had sent him for his birthday. It seemed to be very boring, but sadly, there was nothing else to read.

            Finally Friday came. Uncle Vernon, aunt Petunia, and Dudley had been sitting in the living room while Harry was upstairs reading Hagrid's book. Harry looked at his clock and realized that it was fifteen minutes till eleven. Knowing how punctual Hermione was, Harry knew that she would be there any minute now. Harry put his book in his trunk (which was already packed) and started to carry it downstairs. By the time he got all his things-that is the trunk, broomstick, and Hedwig's cage; it was ten minutes till eleven. Harry sat down on the steps waiting for the impending arrival of Hermione.

            "Your friend better not keep us waiting boy," uncle Vernon growled. "She'd better be more punctual than those people who came."

            But before uncle Vernon could finish the sentence, he heard a knock o the door.

             "Doesn't your friend know how to use a doorbell?" His uncle Vernon said as Dudley got up to answer it. "I guess they didn't teach her those things in those advanced classes of hers." Uncle Vernon ended laughing at his own joke.

            Dudley was obviously very curious to know whom this old friend of Harry's was, or else he'd never volunteer to get the door. For all he knew, Harry never had any friends while they were in school together. As Dudley approached the door the, Harry could hear knocking again. "Coming!" Dudley yelled. He unlocked the door and swung it open. And as soon as he saw the person behind, all he did was open his mouth, and leave it that way. For about twenty seconds Dudley just stood there mouth open not saying anything.

            "Hello, you must be Dudley?" Harry heard a voice that sounded exactly like Hermione's coming from outside the house.

            Dudley just stood there not saying anything.

            "Uh, can I come in?" Asked the voice.

            "Uh huh." Dudley said as he stupidly nodded, and stepped out of the way.

             Hermione came in followed by her father. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." Hermione said pretending to be polite.

            "Hello," growled uncle Vernon. "I take it you'll be leaving right away?" he said hopefully.

            "Yes," answered Hermione's father, giving uncle Vernon a huge glare. Obviously Hermione told him all about uncle Vernon. "If that's what you want."

            Harry got up from his step and walked toward where Hermione and her father were standing. As soon as he turned the corner, he found out why Dudley hadn't been able to talk. Hermione definitely did not look like she always looked. Her hair was dyed blond, she had a ton of eye shadow on, she was wearing low cut jeans and a tank top, and to top it off she was wearing high heels. Whoever this person was, it couldn't have been Hermione; but Harry knew it was, from the sound of her voice.

            Harry and Mr. Granger greeted each other, shook hands, and began to take his trunk outside to the car. Hermione followed carrying Hedwig's cage and Harry's broomstick looking a little eager for something. In fact she looked so eager that she didn't even notice uncle Vernon giving her a suspicious, and curious look when she didn't ask about the broom and cage.

            As soon as Harry and Mr. Granger loaded Harry's trunk into the car, Hermione put down Harry's stuff and jumped on Harry giving him a huge hug. "Oh Harry, I've missed you ever so much!" She said as she tightened her grip around him. He was a bit surprised, even more surprised than when he first saw her that day. Before, she had been away from him for even longer periods of time, and she never had a reaction like this.

            "Um, thanks," Harry replied, not knowing what else to say. "I've missed you too." He added looking her straight in the face.

            As soon as they met each other's eyes Hermione immediately let go and turned away as if she was completely shocked. Harry didn't notice the look on her face turn from a smile to a frown.

            "So, uh, you're probably wondering why I look like this," Hermione began trying to make conversation as her father went back in to get the last of Harry's stuff (Harry forgot to mention that he didn't have anything else). "You don't have to worry, this isn't my new look or anything. I just did this so your uncle Vernon wouldn't recognize me. I know he doesn't take any interest in what your friends look like, but I still thought it best to be prepared, just in case."

            'That was Hermione all right,' thought Harry. 'Always prepared for anything.'

            "So." Hermione continued, "How was your holiday?"

            "The same." Harry answered in a low voice.

            "You look like you've really been working out." Hermione said, feeling Harry's muscles.

            "A little." Harry said, obviously not making this to be anything big.

            "Well, it really shows," Hermione continued looking for something else to say. "You really look great." She added smiling nervously.

             "Thanks." Said Harry looking back towards the door, wondering what was taking Hermione's father so long. "Do you think we should go see what's holding your dad up?" Harry asked after around two minutes of silence.

            "Nah," Hermione answered casually. "He's probably just boring them with oral hygiene advice."

            Just at that moment Hermione's father walked out the door and started to face both Harry and Hermione in a melancholy way.

             "What's wrong dad?" Hermione asked the moment she saw the look on his face.

            "They weren't being mean to you or anything?" Asked Harry in tone signifying he knew that they were.

            "No, no nothing like that," Mr. Granger quickly answered. "Its just, well."

            "What? What is it?" Hermione asked looking extremely curious.

            "Well, you see, we were invited to stay for dinner," Mr. Granger began. "And I kind of, accepted." Mr. Granger finished quickly seeing Hermione's shocked face, and Harry's unamused face.

            "Well, can't you just say that we can't." Hermione immediately spoke up. "Say that we have something important to do, or that you have some meeting to get to." Hermione continued, obviously getting desperate.

            "No, I already told them, that we were free for today," Mr. Granger sadly answered. "Before we were invited of course", he added immediately.

            "What about your self-paging beeper!" Hermione immediately brought up. "Just say you have an emergency at the office, that one of your patients is having a problem with the teeth that you installed for him or her."

            "Sorry, I left that, along with my real pager, and cellular phone at home to charge. Looks like we're stuck doing this dinner."

            "Why don't you just say that we don't want to?" Hermione said already starting to get irritated.

             "Because that wouldn't be nice."

            "So, they're not nice people. Sorry Harry."

            "That's okay," said Harry. "I agree with you."

            "Well, we don't want to act like them, do we now?" Mr. Granger said in a victorious tone.
 
            "Ughh, I guess not." Hermione answered in a sigh as if she was defeated.

             "What's really curious," Harry spoke up while the Grangers turned to him. "Is why would the Dursleys invite you guys to dinner. They never invite anyone, except relatives, or people whom my uncle Vernon could suck up to. Do you think that my uncle Vernon recognized you?" Harry asked looking at Hermione.

            "No, no," said Mr. Granger in an amused tone. "It was the young man who invited us to stay. His parents seemed to be against it."

            "Oh no!" Hermione gasped. Obviously, she knew what this was all about. "He probably only invited us so he could hit on me."

            At that Mr. Granger broke into a huge belly laugh.

            "And what is so funny?" Hermione snapped.

             "Hermione, dear, you have got to get over yourself," Mr. Granger answered, trying to regain control of himself. "I seriously doubt that's it."

            "What do you mean? Didn't you see the way he looked at me, when he saw me?"

            "No." Said Mr. Granger blank-faced.

             "Harry," Hermione immediately turned to him. "You saw him didn't you? You saw the way he looked at me?"

            "Uh, I guess I did?" Harry answered not knowing what else to say.

            "See." Hermione said looking at her father victoriously.

            "Well, it doesn't matter either way. If we refuse we might get Harry into trouble with his cousin." Mr. Granger stated matter of factly. "Just try and put up with it for Harry's sake." He finished pointing towards Harry.

            "Dad, we can't stay, I don't know when the potion will wear off," Hermione said getting desperate. "What if it wears off during dinner, and Mr. Dursley recognizes me from King's Cross Station? We'll be in trouble then, won't we?"

             "Potion, what potion?" Harry immediately broke into the conversation.

            "It's a potion that Mrs. Weasely gave me," Hermione answered him. "It changes your hair color. Although, you should always be careful when using it, because if you don't use it in the right doses, it could change your hair into freaky colors, or cause it to fall out. But don't worry," Hermione quickly added in when she saw that Harry was shocked for the first time today. "With the miniscule amounts that I used, there's no way that anything like that will happen. However, because I used such a small amount, the potion might wear off soon."

            "I thought you told me that the potion will last at least two to three days?" Mr. Granger said shrewdly.

            "Did I?" Hermione asked nervously.

            "Yes you did. Right after I asked you if it was safe for you to put that stuff on your head. I remember what you said very clearly. And I believe it was, and I quote: 'Don't worry dad, this potion is completely harmless, and the effects will wear off in at least two days, three days tops'. That was what you said, wasn't it?" Asked Mr. Granger even more shrewdly.

             "Something like that." Hermione answered once again feeling defeated.

            "OY!!!" Yelled a voice so loud that made all three of them look towards it. "Are you going to stand there until dinner is ready, or are you going come inside?" The voice belonged to none other than Harry's uncle Vernon. "Well are you coming in? I'm not going to wait out here all day you know."

            "Still as loudmouthed as when I saw him at King's Cross", Hermione uttered under her breath. "Alright, let's just get this over with." She said in a voice loud enough for Harry and her father to hear. And the three of them walked back inside the house.

            "Took you long enough," uncle Vernon snarled as they walked past him inside the house. "What were you doing outside for so long anyways?"

            "Oh, we were just having trouble, opening the hood of the car," Mr. Granger lied. "You see, it's a very old car, and the parts are a little rusted".

            "Oh really," gleamed uncle Vernon. "Well I think in that case maybe it's time for a new one, don't you agree? I could show you what my car looks like if you want, you know, for a little inspiration, and advice in the type of car you should get." Uncle Vernon began to boast. Ever since he received his new company car that year, he's been looking for any excuse at all to show it off in front of people.

            "Yes, that would be lovely." Mr. Granger said swallowing his pride.

            "Well then, follow me!" said uncle Vernon sounding like he's really trying hard to help out a friend.

            A few hours later while uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia were busy boring the life out of Mr. Granger in the kitchen, Harry, Hermione, and Dudley were sitting on the couch watching one of Dudley's favorite TV shows. Dudley was sitting on the right side of the couch, getting a glance at Hermione whenever he could. Harry [who was forced to by Hermione] sat in the middle looking extremely bored. And Hermione was sitting on the left side feeling completely repulsed whenever she caught Dudley looking at her.

            "So, uh Hermione," Dudley began to make conversation. "Uh, I hear that you went to school with Harry and me?"

             Hermione just grunted signifying a yes.

            "Yeah, so, I never saw you before; where have you been hiding all this time?" Dudley continued trying to act smooth.

             Hermione gave him one those 'you've gotta be kidding me' looks, and was about to answer, when she was interrupted by Harry.

            "How would you know her, you never bothered to meet anyone from the advanced classes?" Harry said trying to tip Hermione off about how he told his relatives that Hermione was in all the advanced classes. From the look on her face, Harry could see that she got it.

            "Well that's true, but I should've at least seen her around the hallway." Dudley said looking at Hermione again.

            "Well, I guess must have just been fate that we never met Dudley." Hermione said hoping he'd get the hint.

            "But we've met now." Dudley replied obviously not getting it.

            "Can we change the channel, this is boring!" Hermione said in a very irritated manner.

            "Sure, whatever you like." Dudley said as he handed her the remote control. She quickly snatched it from his hand, getting the feeling that he was going to try something. She turned to Harry asked him what he'd like to watch in a much sweeter voice.

            "I don't really care." Harry answered. It had been such an unusual question for him, that he didn't know any other way to answer it.

            "Well, I'll just flip the channels around, and you tell me where you want me to stop, OK?"

            "OK." Harry replied in a nonchalant way.

             Hermione didn't even get through four channels when Harry asked her to stop.

            A news reporter was in the middle saying something. "We have received Conformation of the object that had been stolen a few nights ago," said the reporter on TV. "It seems that the only thing stolen was a mysterious ruby red sphere with markings all over it. According to researchers, these markings are only for decoration, for they do not match any known language on earth. Other than that, not much else is known about this particular object. The police are completely baffled by this mystery. It seems that this crook has left absolutely no evidence that he was even there. He probably could have stolen many other much more expensive artifacts, but obviously neglected to. We'll keep you posted on any further developments, reporting live this is Ervin Bleiss, channel 23 news."

             "Weird." Harry said as he cupped his chin.

            "Yeah." Hermione agreed a she lowered the volume.

            "Uh, I know." said Dudley trying to get Hermione's attention, which he didn't.

            At dinner Hermione was stuck sitting between Dudley and his father. When she first saw that they were moving in around her, she tried to make a break for it, in order to go and sit next to Harry, but the look on her father's face told her she'd better sit still.

             Throughout the entire dinner uncle Vernon did what he liked doing more than anything: complaining. He would complain about something whenever he got the chance. His most usual complaint was Harry, but since he was in the presence of one of Harry's friends, he chose a different subject. This time it was traffic lights.

            "I'm telling you, people, those green lights do not last long enough!"

            "I so agree!" Harry's aunt Petunia joined in.

            "You know what I think. I think that the Government makes them that way on purpose. You're just driving around, minding your own business, and then when you least expect it, poof, the light just switches on you!" Uncle Vernon was saying while trying to fit a piece of steak in his mouth.

            "Yes that's right!" Aunt Petunia once again agreeing with her husband.

            "And then, by sheer coincidence a police officer stops you and gives you a ticket. You know what I say, I say that those so called police officers are somehow controlling those traffic lights; just so they can squeeze money out of hard working people like myself!" Uncle Vernon ended his little speech by banging his fist on the table, immediately waking Mr. Granger up (who was asleep because he had already been bored to death by the Dursleys during the day).

            "Oh, ah right I completely agree." said Mr. Granger, who had absolutely no idea what uncle Vernon was talking about.

            "I knew you would!" gloated uncle Vernon looking extremely self- satisfied. "Anyways, where was I, Oh yes..."

            While uncle Vernon continued his extremely boring speech, Dudley started trying to talk to Hermione again. "So, uh Hermione, where do you go now?" He started.

            "Well, first tell me where you go." Hermione said not turning to him.

            "I go to smeltings academy, the same school as my dad." Dudley answered with pride.

            "Yeah, and I bet you spend more time in the cafeteria, than you do in classes." Hermione said under her breath.

            "I'm sorry?" Dudley said leaning in to hear better.

            "I said, 'that's wonderful'." Hermione answered giving him a fake smile.

            "So, uh do you want to do something sometime, uh I mean with me?" Dudley asked obviously very nervous.

            "Sorry, I can't I'm very busy." Hermione answered him, pretending to be sad.

            "Oh really? Well, with what?" Dudley asked curiously.

            "Well, there's homework, and uh...." Hermione started to try to think of something else. And when she couldn't, she just ended with "You know stuff."

            "Oh, what kind of stuff?" Dudley continued.

            'This guy is really thick!' thought Hermione, who was already getting extremely agitated. She conformed her face into a smile and answered, "Well, for starters, I want to show Harry a good time before he heads off to school. Say, uh, what school does Harry go to? Out of curiosity?"

            "Uh, he goes to uh, to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurable Criminal Boys." Dudley answered, adding more gleam to every word.

             "Really?" Hermione growled.

            "Yeah!" Dudley answered as he began to chuckle a bit.

             Hermione immediately got up, asked if she could get some fresh air, and left before anyone gave her an answer.

             Hermione stepped outside the house, took a very long deep breath, released it, and began to lean against the house. "I knew Harry's relatives were bad, but I never expected them to be this horrible. Weird, why would Dumbledore insist on having Harry stay with them?" Hermione began talking to herself, but stopped as she saw someone passing by.

            "Hello, young lady." an old woman stopped in front of her and began to smile a bit. "My name is Mrs. Figg, are you a friend of Dudley's?"

            "No." Hermione answered with a hint of disgust. "I'm an old friend of Harry's."

            "Oh, that's nice. You know I used to baby sit Harry when he was younger."

             "Really?" Hermione asked as she looked up at her quizzically.

            "Yes, whenever, they went on family trips, carnivals, and to social gatherings. I'm really sorry about Harry's problem."

             Hermione knew that she was going to be sorry for asking, but "What problem?"

            "Oh, you mean you don't know?" Mrs. Figg looked down at her oddly. "Well, his uncle told me that he has a small case of agoraphobia. That's why he was doing so poorly at school."

            "It was very nice meeting you, but I think I'll go back inside now." Hermione quickly said, knowing that if she stayed out with Mrs. Figg any longer, she'd find out some of the other rumors that the Dursleys were passing around about Harry; and the last thing she needed was another reason to be mad at them. She did all she could not turn them into frogs as it was. If she heard anything else, she might not be able to control herself.

            When she stepped back into the house, she saw Harry and Mr. Granger heading towards her, obviously getting ready to leave. 'At last!' She thought to herself.

            "Well good bye then," uncle Vernon yelled from across the room. "You can keep the boy as long as you want!" He added just before leaving for the kitchen.

            Harry and Mr. Granger exited the house and before Hermione got the chance to follow them, out of nowhere Dudley appeared in front of her. "Well Hermione," Dudley began, his pink face getting even pinker. "I just wanted to say good bye."

            'Man, for a fat boy, he sure knows how to hide.' Hemione thought. "Good bye then." she replied trying to side step around Dudley.

            "Do you think we'll ever see each other again?" Dudley asked looking hopeful.

            "No I doubt it." Answered Hermione looking disgusted.

            "Uh, well, can I call you sometime?" Dudley asked still not getting the fact that Hermione couldn't stand being around him.

            "Oh, sorry, we had our telephone disconnected about a week ago." Hermione quickly said the first thing that came to her mind. "That's why I told your dad to mail me back with an answer in my letter, instead of giving him my phone number. We should be getting a new connection soon, but we won't know our new number until then. Sorry." She tried to side step him again, but Dudley moved in the same direction.

            "Well then can I write you?"

            "I'm going to be in school, remember?"

            "Oh yeah. What school do you go to, I'll write you there."

            "OK, you really want to know?" Hermione growled, getting more annoyed at Dudley's ignorance. "I go, to St. Helen's Secure Center for Incurable Criminal Girls!" She stopped, and noticing the shocked look on Dudley's pink face, she continued, "That's where I really know Harry from. St. Helen's is across the lake of St. Brutus's. I swam across the lake one night and that's how I met Harry!"

            "But, but that's impossible!" Dudley started.

            Before he could continue Hermione interrupted him. "Why, is it because Harry doesn't really go to St. Brutus's?" At this point Hermione was very angry, but was able to keep her voice at a volume that only Dudley could hear.

            "Wha-wha-what are you talking about?" Dudley asked getting a little scared.

            "You still don't get it, do you? Well let me spell it out for you. I go to the same school as Harry: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

            At this Dudley's pink face turned completely white. He tried to call for his mother, but Hermione covered his mouth with her hand before he could.

            "And if you tell anyone!" Hermione whispered in a threatening manner while letting go of Dudley's mouth. "I'll turn you into a dung beetle and squash you, got it!"

            "You, c-can't," Dudley stuttered. "You-you're not al-llowed to use magic on summer holiday, you'll get expelled."

            "I may not be able to use magic now, but I can use it during winter, and spring break. If I find out that you told anyone, I'll come looking for you here or at that school of yours. And speaking of magic, from now on, there are going to be some changes around here. As soon as Harry gets home from school you will act nice to him. You will help him with the housework, and stop your lousy parents from bullying him. And if I see, hear, or even think that you or anyone else in this house is being rude to Harry when he comes back, you'll be very sorry. I may not be able to use magic during the summer, but my friends Fred and George are. You remember Fred and George, don't you?"

            Dudley nervously shook his head.

            "The ones who made your tongue grow last year," when Hermione saw Dudley's eyes getting wider she continued. "They'll be graduating this year, and thereby they'll be allowed to use magic anytime they want. And between you and me, they don't like you, or your parents that much, and I'm sure if I asked them to, they'd use their powers to make your life extremely miserable. GOT IT!" She ended poking Dudley in the chest.

            When she saw Dudley nervously nod, she said "good", and pushed him out of the way, and headed out the door. She grabbed the door handle, and before closing it she gave Dudley one more leer. She pulled the door closed, took a deep breath and headed towards the car. She opened the door to the back seat and saw that Harry was already sitting there. She asked Harry to move over so she could sit down and he obliged. As she was getting in, her father asked her what kept her so long.

            "Oh, I was just having a heart to heart with Dudley," Hermione answered in her most innocent voice.

            "You didn't threaten him did you?" her father looked suspiciously at her.

            "Of course not, why would I ever want to do such a horrible thing," Hermione answered (sounding even more innocent) as she sat down and closed the door. "Well, let's get going."

            "OK!" Mr. Granger replied. He turned on the engine, stepped on the gas pedal, and drove off, leaving number four Privet drive behind.