I made sure I didn't sleep in the next morning. The second my alarm went off, I sat bolt upright and went to the bathroom to have a hot shower, in hope that it might wake me up. I almost fell asleep in there. I closed my eyes, letting the vaguely stinging water wash over my body. I opened my eyes and was presented with, in seeming slow-motion, the sight of the doorknob turning, the door opening, a groggy Harry in t-shirt and boxers rubbing his eyes, him realizing what was happening as he saw me, then squeaking (no mean feat for a boy) and backing out quickly, slamming the door. I had barely uttered a shout, in a state of shock. How bloody embarrassing. Oh God, how am I going to look him in the eye?
I got out of the shower straight away. It was no longer relaxing. Let him not be outside that door. I turned the knob and stepped out, wearing my bathrobe. No Harry in sight. Good! I bolted to my room, and got dressed in a hurry. I couldn't help but think that my almost encounter with him in the shower two days ago proved you could hear the shower running, so why didn't he? I wanted to ask him but at the same time, I didn't really want to discuss it, lest I die from shame. I walked down to the kitchen, knowing I'd have to face him some time.
I was met again with two perfect pieces of toast and Marmite, and a very apologetic-looking raven-haired boy.
"I am so sorry Hermione," he pleaded, his eyes widening.
Don't want to talk about this. I looked down. Don't want to look in those eyes either.
"S'alright Harry, it's no big deal". If you happen to have no shame. Harry looked sceptical.
"If you say so Hermy. But I truly am sorry".
I sat down at the kitchen table to eat the toast. Harry joined me with orange juice. We ate and drank in silence, until suddenly, I could hold it in no longer.
" But how could you not hear the water running?" I demanded. Harry blushed.
"I don't know. My senses are all strange when I wake up," he laughed, "and I really, really needed to go to the loo".
I giggled at him.
"Well, I'm sorry I got between your bladders needs and the toilet"
"It's alright, after some frantic searching, I found your downstairs toilets."
We spent the morning doing homework (Harry very reluctantly). I had just remembered Professor Snape had given us a Potions essay to be done over the holidays and I hadn't thought about it, what with Bulgaria and Harry visiting. I felt incredibly guilty and pulled out all my Potions books and notes, and insisted Harry do it also. I didn't want Snape to have a reason to take points off Gryffindor first thing in the term. I slogged away for three hours, at which point I was satisfied with my essay. Harry had finished half an hour ago.
Just as I put my last book on the shelf, Pigwidgeon, Ron's owl, flew in the window, dropped a piece of parchment and hooted excitedly. Crookshanks, curled up on my bed, glared at him. Harry, in surprise, held out an arm for Pig to land on, which he did. Harry took him out of the room, away from Crookshanks, presumably to give him some food and leave him in Hedwig's cage. I meanwhile, picked up the parchment. It read:
Dear Ninny and Harry,
How are you? Done anything exciting? Ninny, I hope you're not working Harry too hard and aren't raving on endlessly about a certain Bulgarian Quidditch player. Life is about as boring as can be around here. Well, not for everyone else but for me. No news on the You-Know-Who front. See you in three days,
Ron.
I felt horrible. Since we had said goodbye, I'd hardly thought of Ron, my other best friend. While trying to keep Harry's thoughts off one thing (and failing), I had basically forgotten everything else. I wanted to write back straight away, but then I remembered that the letter was also addressed to Harry.
"Harry! Letter from Ron!" I called. Harry rushed in and read it, laughing at the reference to Viktor, and then sobering as he read on. I started writing a reply and Harry added his part when I was finished. Our completed letter was:
Dear Ron,
I'm well. We went to London yesterday, which was fun. I have certainly not been working Harry too hard you cheeky git (apart from making him clean the house!) and he's been keeping me so distracted, I haven't even mentioned a certain Bulgarian Quidditch player. Hope you're not too bored over the next three days. How about actually doing that Potions essay?
Hermione
Hello Ron,
Harry here. The woman's a slave driver. I had to clean the bathroom! It's as bad as the Dursleys. But I think I got my vengeance this morning (just joking Hermy). Don't ask. London was amazing. I even had a good time in a bookstore! Oh, and as Hermy reminded me, not doing that essay will give the Greasy One an excuse to take points off us. So do it!
Harry.
Harry fetched Pig and we sent him off. It was hot, in an unusual steamy English summer sort of way. I looked at Harry. He was sweating.
"Have you got your swimming trunks?"
He shook his head.
"Well, you're just going to have to wear your shorts, because it's too hot and that pool is dying to be used". I grinned. He grinned back and went to his room to change. I went to my drawer and looked at my choices. One-piece or bikini? Heck, the guy's seen me naked, might as well go for the bikini. The red triangle bikini won out, so I changed into it, grabbed two beach towels and went outside, where Harry was already waiting beside the pool. His eyebrows shot skywards. I wonder what that was for? I tossed a towel to him and we hung them over the fence.
The dive in was terrible. It was freezing! Also, I wasn't too fond of water after the second task last year. At least I knew Harry was fully capable of saving me (although there was no Gillyweed this time). Suddenly I got a rush of memories, sitting beside the lake, Viktor pulling weeds and beetles out of my hair… 'I've never felt this way about a girl'…I shook off the memories as I surfaced. Harry was floating on his back, his eyes closed. I decided to have a little fun. Diving low and being careful to avoid the initial kick, I rose below him and ran my hand along his bare back. This had happened to me and I knew it felt very creepy.
I floated up again, to Harry with a shocked face yelling "Hermione!" I laughed at him, and he rushed at me (as much as you could in a pool). I think he was trying to tackle me. I decided to duck him, and put all my weight on his shoulders. I hadn't counted on him being so strong, as I was unexpectedly lifted into the air. Squealing like mad and demanding he let me down, I heard a "Hellooooo" and the click of the side gate. If this is my parents, they're going to be incredibly suspicious. It wasn't my parents. It was Diane, whom I had grown up with. Her eyes bugged out as she walked into my backyard to see me in a red bikini, riding a strange boy's shoulders. I don't blame her.
"Hello!" she called, "what happened to your older man? The Bulgarian hunk?" she asked with a laugh. That girl had no shame. Also, as far as she knew, I went to a regular boarding school in Scotland and Viktor had been an exchange student. I whispered to Harry "Let me down" and he did. I got out of the pool and wrapped a towel around myself. Harry did the same. Once Diane had reached us, I hugged her and stepped back.
"Diane Grayling, Harry Potter, Diane, Harry's one of my closest friends from school. Harry, Diane and I grew up together, she lives around the block"
The two shook hands, and Diane studied both of us.
"So, are you two dating or something?"