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Ch. 2 Summer Fun
After the lengthy conversation about studies they had worked out a plan of attack both for studying and their homework. Harry was ambitious; Hermione had to give him that. Not only did he want to learn to apperate, he wanted to become an animagus, learn shielding charms, and research blocking curses. Hermione was impressed by the list. They had settled on homework first and "fun" second. They had just finished their History of Magic homework and were about to start in on their Potions essays when they noticed that the time was inching toward 3 pm.
"Lunch time" Hermione said
"Woah, no wonder I was getting hungry" Harry agreed.
Lunch was a happy affair. Harry was teaching Hermione how to cook in return for her help in his studies. Today's lunch, which had been left up to them while her parents fluoridated and drilled their patients, was relatively easy to Harry's standards. A muggle dish known as Chili was on the menu. Harry watched as Hermione uncertainly poured the contents of the can into the sauce pan and stirred them over medium heat until it started to steam.
"See, its just like potions" Harry said as he took a warm spoonful of canned goodness and swallowed.
"Last time I checked potions didn't come in a bottle from the market made to be warmed" Hermione grumped.
"I know, but cookbooks are just like potion books. They tell you how to do everything and it what order. Just swap the wolf's bane for chicken and the toad blood for garlic and you could be cooking in Paris"
"So, if they are that important then why don't you use them" Hermione sneered.
"Well, there are a few reasons. The first is that everything I like to eat I have memorized how to make. I bet Snape has his favorite potions memorized. Secondly, when you get to where I am you sort of freehand things if you will and season to taste. Potions will kill you, but food will just taste bad if you screw up" Harry shrugged as he wolfed down the food.
"I guess I am going to have to try your cooking some time then" Hermione said with a wink "although I will stay away from your potions!"
"Har-har" Harry faked as he cleared the table.
*****
After lunch they hit the books again. Potions homework was going to be a much longer and harder time because Snape had decided that they were behind and needed extra work. Secretly the students suspected that Snape had no soul. "I bet he canceled his own birthday" Ron had said memorably on the train ride when the subject was last discussed.
"How are you doing Harry?" asked Hermione when they had both finished their fifth essay that afternoon.
"Good, although I'm almost out of ink and my quill is so blunt I couldn't stab water."
"Well that's good because once again I am famished and I don't know that I can face this next essay about acne potions with out some food in me."
"Good grief woman! is that all you do is eat" Harry joked.
As they descended the stairs from Hermione's library they smelled the joyous aroma of dinner. Apparently they had been studying so hard they had not noticed that Hermione's parents had come home and were cooking dinner.
"What have you guys been doing up there?" asked her father.
"Yeah" added her mother "your father and I have been home for almost an hour banging around in this kitchen"
"We were studying" said Hermione, at which point Harry wondered if Hermione ever did anything other than that.
"A likely story" cackled her father "Just make sure you two don't get to dehydrated up there in your little love nest."
"Dad" groaned Hermione "how could you say that with Harry here?"
"I thought it was pretty funny myself" Harry admitted. "Although we need get some more practice in after dinner. We haven't quite figured out how to keep our noses from bumping into each other."
"I love this kid" shouted Mr. Granger. "You can stay here any time you want son. Finally a kid who understands humor" Mr. Granger ranted under his breath as he finished dressing the plates and setting the table. Secretly he hoped some of Harry's jocularity would wear off on his daughter.
Dinner was picture perfect. The food was good, the wine better, and they talked about their days and what Harry and Hermione had learned. So this was what having a family was like? Harry had some times had dreams of living with Sirius, but he didn't expect it to be like this. Come to think of it, it probably wouldn't be like this. Who knew what living with Sirius would be like? He could almost see his godfather wandering around the kitchen in his boxer shorts and the mental image of Sirius's fridge made him shudder.
The picture before him was much different. The Grangers were about as normal as you could get, well, other than Hermione being a witch. Harry made up his mind right then and there that he wanted to get married and have children so his life could be perfect like this. He could almost see Hermione as his wife in the mental picture, but something just wasn't quite right. What was it? The truth hit him with a shock. Ginny?... Ginny Weasley….his wife? It couldn't be? He shook himself in fright as the realization set in. He loved Ginny. Hermione would support him but would Ron? This was either going to be incredibly good or terribly bad. He initially liked the idea of Bill and Charlie as brothers-in-law. Then he thought of Percy and Mr. Weasley's muggle fascination. It would be interesting to say the least.
Dinner ended with Hermione telling her parents that they needed to get back to homework and Harry winking at Mr. Granger while licking his lips.