Secrets and Lies

Author:Rose-of-Red



Rated:PG-13 for some swearing and sexual tension

Hermione looked at the girl intently. She sure as hell looks like me,Hermione thought to herself. I need to clear my head, was her thought as she dived into the clear water.Hermione resurfaced,her head cleared a little.She swam back and forth across the pool,enjoying the feeling of her muscles stretching. She flipped over onto her back and began a quick backstroke. Staring up at the clear blue sky,she watched a speck get closer and closer towards her house. She squinted and realized it was someone on broomstick. Hermione climbed out of the pool,water making small round drops against the oak wood. She watched the figure progress slowly downward.

Hermione ran into the house,her towel wrapped around her waist. She skidded to a stop in front of her front door just as the doorbell rang. Hermione opened the door to find Harry.

"Harry!What happened?"she cried,flinging her arms around him.

"My uncle and I had a fight,"Harry said.

"That's obvious,"Hermione said, taking note of a bruise on Harry's cheek,his ripped shirt, and wrist that was swelling.

"I didn't know what to do.Ron's on vacation and I realized I had your address so I came looking for a friendly face,"Harry said,stepping into Hermione's house .

"Do you want something to eat or drink?"Hermione asked,unsure about what to say about Harry's previous comment.

"Yeah,"Harry said,studying the house,"This is a pretty house.Much better than Petunia and Vernon's."

Hermione beamed,"Thanks.I had a hand in the redecorating."

Harry followed Hermione into the kitchen.

"What do you want?"Hermione asked,opening the refridgerator,"We have turkey,ham, and cheese. There's some cold chicken left over from last night. Or we could go somewhere and get something."

"How about we go somewhere?Are there any good restaurants around here?"Harry asked.

"Yeah.Just give me a minute unless you want me to get some strange looks in the restaurant,"Hermione said, a gentle smile playing acroos her lips.

"Go ahead and change,Hermione.I need to use the bathroom anyway.Where is it?"Harry said.

"Go down that hall and it will be the third door on the left,"Hermione said,walking upstairs.

Once Hermione got to her room,she tugged her bathing suit off and hung it over her shower curtain. She walked back into her room and pulled her closet door open. Hermione studied her closet. She closed the door without pulling anything off the hangers. She opened her a drawer of her dresser. Hermione pulled her favorite pair of white shorts out and a red tank top. She dressed quickly and cast a simple charm to dry her hair.

She walked back downstairs to find Harry lounging on the over stuffed leather couch in her living room.He stood when he saw her.

"Ready to go?"he asked.

Hermione nodded and grabbed her purse.

"Since we're going into Muggle London,I'm going to drive,"Hermione said, pulling her car keys from her small black purse.

"Okay,"Harry said.

Hermione and Harry walked out the front door and Hermione locked the door behind them.

"Where are your parents?"Harry asked.

"Oh,they are on a business trip. They will be back tomorrow. I'm expecting a call from them tonight,"Hermione said.

"Oh,"Harry said.

Hermione opened the door of her car. Harry followed suit as Hermione slid into the leather seat. Hermione slipped the keys into the ignition and the car started with a purr. They backed out of the driveway and started towards a favorite restaurant of Hermione's. They chatted easily on the way there. Hermione saw Harry flinch as they passed a road.

"What's wrong?"she asked.

"If you turn down that road,you'll reach Privet Drive,"Harry said with a suppressed shudder.

Hermione didn't know what to say so she said nothing and turned on the radio. They drove th rest of the way to the restaurant in silence.