Chapter 4: Welcome Home, Hermione

Hermione had been released that night, but that wasn't going to stop her. Soon as she dressed, she took her Free House Elve pamphlets, and walked into the Slytherin kingdom. It was time for action.

            "We have to stop meeting like this," Harry said as he stepped outside of her jail cell. Hermione sat on the small bunk, her head lowered. "Guard, open the door."

There was a buzzing sound, and Harry walked in, and sat down next to her. "The Slytherin kingdom?" he demanded. "What were you thinking?"

            "The same thing my people think of everyday," Hermione snapped. "Equality."

            "Are you trying to get banned? Get hurt?" Harry raked his hands through his hair. "The Slytherins, Hermione… the Slytherins don't give a damn about Muggle-borns and won't think twice to kill you!" he scrubbed his face. "You're just lucky my guards found you first."

            "Lucky?" she asked. "Lucky? This cell is the size of my whole house, my people are starving, they're days that they don't have running water and you call me lucky? I had to do something, I have to do something."

Harry sighed. "You won't quit, will you?"

            "No!" Hermione yelled. "I'll never give up. I can't. The only thing that separates you from me is prejudice, Harry. And you have the power to help me. I'm asking you, please…" Tears were starting to form in her eyes.

Harry took her hand. Maybe he could help. All he wanted was to keep her safe, keep everyone safe… it was time for action. "Then either will I."

            "Y'know that day you remembered me and I said I didn't know who you were?" she asked, twirling her index finger in his palm. "I lied. I did remember you…" she paused. "I thought about you for at least a month afterwards…"

Harry stared at her. "Why didn't you say anything?"

            "I was scared," she said. "I didn't know how you'd react…"

            "Look at me," he said, lifting her chin to him. "Do you see how I'm reacting now?"

            "Oh Harry," she moaned. "What am I going to do? My people are dying… they're looking to me for help, and I can't help them. They're beginning to lose faith in me." Tears began to leak out of her eyes.

            "You won't have to be alone anymore," he said. "I'm here."

            "Oh, Harry!" and she flung her arms around his neck, sobbing.

The guards gave him a questioning look. "What should I do with this one?" one asked.

            "Leave her to me," Harry said.

Harry had never been to this part of Wizard London before. As he flew deeper and deeper into the town, it became shabbier and shabbier.

            "Just there," Hermione said, reaching around him and pointing at a rickety two story house. "That's my home."

It was by far the largest house in the community. Most were one story flats with dozens of children playing outside. It didn't compare to the Gryffindor kingdom… where there was lush green grass and play grounds every few blocks. No, here, there was no color of green nor any toys for the small children. They had to revert back to playing games such as tag on their broomsticks, or kick the can. Instead of rich, cobblestone roads in his kingdom, there were dirt paths. A well with an out-of-order sign stood to the left, and a small market was in the center. Harry noticed that a majority of the children had no shoes on their feet, and an extra layer of ratty clothes because they probably couldn't afford cloaks. Due to the chill in the air, Harry noticed that each home had a chimney, but no smoke billowed out of them.

            "No firewood," she said, catching his gaze. "And it looks like the well is out again." She sighed.

Harry set down, and they both climbed off. He was speechless and heart-broken.

            "Welcome to the Muggle-born kingdom," she said gloomily.

            "Hermione? Is that you?"

A voice rang out behind them.

They turned to see a boy standing behind them.

            "Hi, Justin." she said. "Harry, this is Justin Finch- Fletchly. Justin, this is…"

            "I know who he is," Justin spat. "What I want to know is why he's here."

            "I brought him," she said. "He's here to help. Calm down."

            "I'm sure he's here to gloat as well. Well, look at us, Potter. We're starving, we're dying…"

            "That's enough," Hermione said.

            "It's not enough!" Justin yelled. "Whose side are you on?!" he paused. "Don't tell me—you've gone soft for this aristocrat?!"

            "I said that's enough!" Hermione shouted. "Go back to your cottage. NOW."

            "Or what? You'll throw me in the dungeon? I'll only die faster---"

Some of the children had stopped playing and were staring at them. Harry wanted to say something or do something, but everything Justin had said was true. He was living the good life while witches and wizards just like him were freezing to death.

            "You're upsetting the children," she said.

A few of the townspeople stepped out of their cottages.

            "You better get out of here," Hermione whispered to Harry.

            "No way," Harry said. "They don't look too friendly."

            "I can handle them. Just go!"

Harry gave a swift nod, and took to the sky, praying she was alright.

Heehee!!! Here we are, end of chapter 4!!! I'm really loving this story, as I hope you guys are!!! Thanks for all the love and support, as always. ;o)