Disclaimer: I own nothing, no one. Harry and the others belong to JK Rowling. This is a work of fiction.

Chapter One: The Arrival

I awoke at 9:00 on the morning of July 28th, excited at the idea of seeing Harry again after what seemed like so long. I quickly took a shower and got dressed in a denim skirt and a light pink top, wondering all the time how much longer it would be until my dad arrived with Harry.  It just so happened that my father had an important dental convention at which he was speaking last night at a hotel just outside of Little Whinging. With some begging, I got him to agree to stay the night and pick Harry up on his way back home today. I am a bit nervous about the thought of Harry and my dad having all that time alone in a vehicle together, but that is out shadowed by my excitement to see my friend.

Although I woke up so late (I stayed up until one in the morning reading the revised "Hogwarts: A History"), I arrived downstairs to find out from my mother that Harry and my father had just called. They said that they were just leaving Harry's house, and since it's a three-hour trip, we shouldn't expect them until around noon or so. I was a bit disappointed, but decided to pass my time by doing my favorite thing: reading.

I grabbed one of my favorite muggle books, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and settled down in my window seat to immerse myself in the world of hobbits and elves.

As usual, time slipped by quickly as I read.  Only by the loud ding, ding, ding of the great grandfather clock downstairs did I realize it was 12 o'clock.  I slipped my bookmarker into the book before stretching. I was in the process of slipping my feet into my pink flip-flops when the picture sitting on my dresser caught my eye.  It was one of the many photos taken by Colin Creevey last year, and featured Ron, Harry, and myself sitting on the couch in the Gryffindor common room.

It was one of the few good days I remember from last year. I had just mentioned something about going to the library to study for a test, and the boys were both teasing me about my study habits. I had been in a very good mood that day, so I made a joke about their love for quidditch. This of course, resulted in a tickling war. Colin managed to grab our attention at some point during the midst of our fun, and we had good-naturedly posed for the picture. The photo showed me sitting in the middle of Ron and Harry, with their arms around my shoulders and all of us wearing big goofy grins with slightly disheveled hair and clothing.  Of course, being a wizarding photograph, the three of us were moving. My picture self was laughing at Ron, who was putting bunny ears behind my head while Harry continuously kept pulling Ron's hand down.

'Will we ever be that happy again?'

The thought struck me as I remembered just how grave the situation is that we are faced with. Voldemort is back in power, and we all know that things will only get worse from here on out, especially for Harry. What else would the Dark Lord want to do most besides vanquish the one person who bested him so many times?

A familiar bubble of worry rose up in my chest. I believe with all my heart that Harry can beat Voldemort, make no mistake about that. But I still have to face the reality that while I am sure Harry will eventually defeat the dark lord, he could very well die in the process.  Tears began to well up in my eyes as I tried to imagine my life without my dearest friend. What would it be like to never ruffle that unruly hair again, never look into those intelligent green eyes? How would it feel to never have those strong arms hug me, or never get onto him for not doing his homework early?

"Hermione! They're here!"

My heartbeat quickened at my mother's announcement, and I threw all previous thoughts out of my head. I quickly ran down the stairs two at a time, arriving in the living room in time to hear Harry greeting my mother.

"Hello Mrs. Granger."

"Hello Harry, and please call me Sarah. I think that Hermione should be on her way down in a minute or so..."

Instead of moving directly into the room, I stood near the doorway for a moment where no one could see me. I wanted to get a look at Harry before I greeted him. It seemed that he had shot up even more over the summer, now standing about 6'1 or so. He still maintained that lanky frame, but I noticed he seemed to be a bit more filled out in the muscle department. 'Since when do I care if Harry has muscles?' I wondered, creasing my brow a bit as I looked him over. The same unruly black hair adorned his head, but the glasses had been replaced by contacts it seemed.    A different look, but not all together bad, it would just take some getting used to.  He seemed to hunch over a bit, and his voice held a weary tone to it, but I think I only noticed these things because I know him so well. Finally I decided to make my entrance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

"Harry!!!" I exclaimed, grinning as I walked toward him. He gave me a genuine smile and accepted my hug.

"Hermione! I think you're crushing a lung here!" He said. I realized I was hugging him very tightly and laughed, pulling away sheepishly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my parents smiling at each other before they both quietly exited the room to go upstairs.

"Sorry! Just a little excited I guess. You look great Harry, how was the trip over?"

His bright green eyes focused on me as he put his hands in his pockets. " It was great. I really like your dad, Hermione. And by the way, you look pretty great yourself. "

I blushed a bit for some reason unknown to me, and raised an eyebrow. "And just what did you two talk about during the three hour trip?"

Harry raised an eyebrow himself and replied, "Oh, just this and that."

I gave him a fake glare before grinning again. "It feels like forever since we've seen each other...or Ron," I added quickly. Harry nodded his agreement.

"Yes, you are definitely a sight for sore eyes," He told me. I felt another blush coming on, so I decided to divert the subject.

"So, are you ready for me to show you to your room?" I asked him, grabbing one of the two bags he had sitting on the floor.

"Sure, but first you are going to give me that bag. I can carry my own luggage," He replied, reaching for the brown backpack.  I just shook my head and walked to the stairs.

"Nope, and no arguing Potter. Follow me."

I heard him sigh and felt him come up behind me with this other bag in hand.  I led him up the stairs and into the bedroom down the hall from my own. It was a medium-sized room with three windows and a small closet.  A double size bed was pushed up against the far wall, with a dark burgundy comforter and pillow set. Next to the bed was a small wooden nightstand with a lamp and pad of paper.  A four drawer wooden dresser sat on the opposite wall than the bed with a TV on top of it. In one corner by a window sat a wooden rocking chair, and in another corner was a smaller sized desk and chair. Above the desk on the wall hung a small bookshelf consisting of three short rows, and beside the desk sat a trash can.

I dropped Harry's bag onto the bed and turned around to see him gazing at the room.

"It's not much, but I hope it's okay. I requested a burgundy bed set in support of our House, of course."

At the sound of my voice he turned back to look at me. "It's wonderful Hermione. At least three times as big as my room at the Dursley's. And even if it were smaller, I would be happy. It's very kind of your parents to let me stay with you for the next few weeks, especially when they hardly know me," He said, laying his second bag down on the bed also.

"My parents do know you in a way Harry. I've always written to them about you and Ron, so they feel as if they know you. Besides, they know you are my friend, which is enough for them. "

Harry smiled and I felt my heart skip a beat. 'What is wrong with me?' I thought, looking out the nearest window, away from the boy-who-lived.

"Hermione?" I snapped my head back around. Harry was looking at me with a funny expression on his face.

"Oh! Sorry. Anyway, I suppose you want to get unpacked now. Do you need any help?" I asked, offering my services. He shook his head, unzipping one of the bags.

"No, but thanks. Actually, I was wondering if it was alright if I had a shower? The Dursley's had me outside weeding the garden at five this morning, and wouldn't let me shower before I left. Something about me smarting off to Aunt Petunia or some rubbish."

Mentally cursing his relatives I nodded, "Of course. The bathroom is directly across the hall. My room is three doors down from here, so you can just come on in when you get done, if you want to."

"Brilliant," He said, giving me a small smile. I went to exit the room, but his voice stopped me. "Hermione?"

I turned around to look at him. "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

I flashed him a bright smile before replying.  "You're most welcome. And Harry?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I still want to know what you two talked about on the way here."

He smiled, "Oh, just this and that. "  His face grew more somber as he looked at the ground. "  'Mione...can we.... you know.... talk later, maybe?"

I realized what he meant. He wanted to talk about what happened last year, about Sirius.

"Of course Harry. You know I'm always here if you want to talk. Just come to my room after your shower, okay?" I asked him. He nodded and with that, I left his room.

Walking quickly back to my own room I couldn't help but wonder how he was maintaining that cool demeanor of his, and how long it would be before it broke.