This doesn't have as much airy fairy description as the previous chapter. Instead of elaborating on specific plot segments this chapter is less well written but is more concise, I'll probably revert back to my previous style in the next chapter or so. I'll probably be offering cameos, though that is not set in stone yet. Preferably, I'd like a real name if your nickname is, like many frequenters of harry potter, Ginny W or Ron Weasley or something as having 15 Hermiones would kinda ruin the point of cameos.
F75: Not all the way. I won't say too much but later on something will happen which would make that impossible.
Crazylittlebumblebee: Yeah, fanfictions in Harry Potter never gets much time on the front page. July the Fourth was really good though. As I am not American, I don't celebrate independence day, which is why I guess, I managed to stay on so long.
The redbrick wall rearranged themselves into a wide archway, showing a twisty path that twisted itself out of sight, cauldrons, magical creatures, books littered the dusty floor contributing to the higgledy-piggledy motley of magical people. Hermione weaved herself through the crowd of wizards, witches, barely disguised trolls, goblins, disputable figures and all others of the magical community, to the Leaky Cauldron. First, she eagerly scanned the listing of guests, checking for "Potter" or "Weasley", but they weren't there. Guess they haven't arrived yet. She checked the listings for the rooms, looking mournfully at her dwindling bank account, then remembered Viktors' Gringotts account number. Oh well, he has so many billions of galleons there, he won't notice a couple missing. Smiling inwardly to herself, she rolled off the number and password and dragged her trunk carefully up the stairs. The room was well worth the hefty price, huge corridor, large chandelier hanging over her head, massive bed, and private bath reminiscent of the Prefects bathroom back in Hogwarts. It even had a house elf there, who she gave firm instructions to go and enjoy herself. She lay her trunk beside the bed, and, on closer thinking, locked up her new broomstick. Judging from what Harry's broomstick is supposed to cost, the price tag must have been pretty hefty. Pulling out the Hogwarts letter, she walked out of the resplendent room to buy her needed books.
She stopped by Madam Malkin's Robes to purchase some new robes along with some, rather risqué dress robes for the holidays. She then went to buy her spell books. Hermione was still taking all her OWL subjects, although there was no career which needed all those it kept her options open. The new curse books were especially hard to attain as some of them were actually illegal in Britain, requiring her to produce her letter before she was allowed her copy. She also leafed through some rather interesting books on Goblin revolutions. She saw a particularly interesting book on the history of the Voldemort period. It, to her interest, mentioned the Order of the Phoenix in it. That piqued her interest and she purchased the book, walking out while reading it. Nice, it mentioned Sirius in there. Instead of labelling him as a murderer, it showed a happy smiling picture of him, describing his background and history. Well, Harry may like this, showing Sirius in a light that is mot ominous. Hermione shouldered the bulging bad and hefted it onto her shoulder, bringing it back to her room.
She then went to Number ninety three diagon alley. Weasley's wizard wheezes, now called, she noticed Weasley and Zonko's wizard wheezes. She looked distastefully at the bulging bad of dungbombs and other tools obviously designed for the aversion of school rules. Well, they must be doing well considering the long list of new branches on the door and the wooden paneling everywhere. As she stepped through the door, she turned into a large ungainly chicken, ducked two pieces of what looked like cow dung, then fell into a large vat of water, which she could have sworn wasn't there before.
"Welcome to Weasley and Zonko's wizard wheezes, you have just experienced the chickenizing door, portable lake, and dung bludgers. They can be a perfect guard system for your house, all for twenty five galleons" Fred, or was it George, shouted from the large counter bedecked with things which looked like fake buttocks.
"No, I don't think I will. I'd just have to confiscate them from myself if I did" Hermione answered to what looked like a vaguely human shape behind the pile of rear ends.
"Hermione" George, she was pretty sure it was George, shouted, sweeping the pile of rear ends of his desk which promptly farted and rammed into the wall "long time no see, I guess Umbridge is gone now, we still send her free samples of our products by mail every week. So nice of us isn't it"
Fred came out of another room with a particularly large pat of dung on his head " George! I 'll get you for, oh, hi Hermione. Hey, I'll give you any product of ours for free if you promise to use it on that prat who calls himself our brother"
Hermione started edging nervously to the door as she saw the dung on his head start to twitch, "I think I'd better be leaving now". She ran headlong for the door as a pile of dung flew towards her. "We'll send you a chickenizing door and some dung through mail if we can perfect it" the twins shouted to her as the dung slammed into the glass.
She spent the next few days relaxing in the sun, working on her remaining pieces of holiday homework. It was surprisingly hard as pictures of her and Viktor on the railroad station had been in the papers and she was getting quite a bit of attention. That must have been what life was like for Harry, and she wasn't quite sure she liked it. She sighed, sipping on her butterbeer, free of course, one of the good things about being a celebrity. After about a week of long summer days, Harry and Ron finally arrived in Diagon alley. Now that they had come, she didn't really feel as if she really wanted to see them. First, Sirius had died, and she wasn't quite sure whether she wanted the awkward meeting. Also, she realized sheepishly, that, for once, she was probably more behind in her holiday homework than Harry was. As for Ron, the remarks in his letters and the recent newspaper article days enough. In the end, meeting Harry wasn't that bad. He seemed stiffer than usual and slightly pale, but, after a month with the Durseleys that was to be expected. Ron was a different matter. Their conversation was quite formal and awkward in the beginning, until the bickering and arguments began. God, Ron could be so annoying and prejudicial sometimes. He just assumed Viktor was the "enemy", a foreigner, to be admired, not trusted. It almost seemed as if he was jealous or something. Anyway he assumes too much just like he assumes all House elves want to be slaves.
First Ron casually remarked "How was your summer with Viktor".
A bit hotly, Hermione replied "Fine", then she looked away, suddenly finding her empty butterbeer cup extremely interesting.
Ron pressed further " Nice picture on the train"
"It was a good bye kiss"
"He mentions that you still have the scar from Dolohovs' curse"
Harry, attention suddenly piqued, jutted in worriedly "What you still have a scar, personally, I find that scars from curses are particularly pesky, are you okay?"
"I am fine, besides, who wouldn't be interested in that. We talked about it, he was also worried, so he saw my scar. No problem, just natural curiosity, besides its fading away now"
Ron then concluded triumphantly "But that scar is on your chest"
Then there was an awkward silence with Hermione finally breaking it "Anything to add? Good."
Ron spluttered looking at her, desperately trying to think of a snide remark. Luckily Hermione was spared Rons' ailing wit by another source of annoyance much wore then Ron. Malfoy. Malfoy sauntered in, face no longer as smug as it used to be but still bearing the same malicious look, his small eyes gleaming as they rove around for victims.
"Ah, Ronald Weasley, still in your unkempt excuse for robes. And here are you friends, Potter, still can't go anywhere without getting on the front page. Wait, my mistake, Mudblood here has you beat. She edged you out, even if it meant duping Krum."
Ron leapt up livid with indignation, brandishing his wand. Hermione however kept her cool, remarking like she was just discussing the weather "Oh, Harry and I aren't the only ones on the Front Page, I remember your dad got on too. What was it again? Lifetime Azkaban as soon as they can find enough Dementers or was it Dementers kiss"
Scowling, Malfoy beckoned to Crabbe and Goyle and left.
The next few days passed quickly, Harrys' mood improved a lot now that he was back in friendly company. He was taking everything needed to become an auror, including, much to Rons' surprise, potions.
"You are going through another year with Snape" he had remarked with astonishment. Still Hermione was not sure if Snape would accept Harry. He had to accept her because of the OWL, but he only managed to get Exceeds Expectations not the required Outstanding. Ron had taken everything needed for an auror besides Potions. After another care-free week, it was finally time to leave for Kings Cross. Hermione saw a sign in Quality Quidditch Supplies as she prepared to leave, advertising the custom Firebolts.
Firebolt
Firebolt Incorporated's' answer to the plea for a new version of the award winning Firebolt. Each Firebolt needs a hair from the designated flyer. It sports the same qualities as Firebolt but with improvements. First is the improved cushioning charm, It has an acceleration of 0 – 200 miles an hour in ten seconds and all the charms of the firebolt have been implemented but improved. Each broomstick is specially tailored for the user. It also sports custom insignias and carved names. All broomsticks are designed to survive dragon fire and made to be virtually unbreakable. Price varies depending on individual broomsticks. Estimated at roughly triple an ordinary Firebolt, more for custom carvings. Note, please make orders a month in advance.
"Wow" Hermione breathed "that must have been really, really expensive, God, I'd like to see Malfoys face when he sees this"
Well, can't let Ron see it yet. He'd probably die of jealousy. Then, Hermione ran into a seemingly solid wall to gat onto the Hogwarts Express.