Chapter Three: United Once Again
Hermione stormed from the bathroom in a huff, returning to her parent's sides. The entire meeting silenced and everyone took a seat. Hermione's uncle, Erik, took to the podium, grinning madly. "Hello everyone," he began hoarsely. been practicing dentistry for almost twenty painstaking years. It is my pleasure to say that I have enjoyed meeting all of my patients, and that the pay wasn't bad either." The crowd laughed. "Finally, after twenty years, I am finally… getting my name on the door!!!" Everyone was silent. "That was a joke! I am proud to say that I have been promoted to head of my facility!"
Hermione's parents stood and clapped, as did everyone else, except Hermione. She stayed seated, eyes glued to two blonde men sitting in front of her, laughing about something. Her thoughts raced. Why is Malfoy here? And "Today is a very special day for me. As you all know, I, Dr. Erik Granger, have why is he laughing? She assumed that he was with his father, by why were they here? It was too weird.
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by a hand on her shoulder, gently willing her from her seat. Her parents were motioning her towards her uncle who had just exited the stage. Erik hugged his niece. "Little Hermy! You get bigger every time I see you! Give me a big smile!" Hermione smiled, making sure to show her teeth. "Beautiful smile, dear! Perfect teeth!" The two hugged again.
"I'm so proud of you, Erik!" Hermione's mother congratulated her big brother.
"Son," Lucius said to his son, exiting his seating row and heading towards the door. "Come. I think we've found what we need."
Draco nodded and followed his father out the exit, wearing a malicious grin. He glanced at Hermione hugging her uncle as he left. 'She has no idea…'
~The following week at the Granger household~
"Hermione! Get up, dear! We're going to Diagon Alley today!" Hermione heard her mother call from the bottom of the staircase. She rolled over in her bed. She didn't want to wake up. She had been having a pleasant dream about Harry, or a wishful dream, if you will. "Now, Hermione!!!" her father's voice boomed.
Hermione remembered that she'd be seeing Harry that day and quickly jumped out from under the covers and began changing her clothing. "Coming!" she shouted back, pulling a shirt over her head. She didn't bother with her hair, but rapidly ran down the stairs and out to the family car. Her parents looked at her in a way that said, 'Finally!' and pulled the car out of the driveway.
Diagon Alley was quite crowded, which Hermione decided was because school was but a week away. She pushed her way through the swarm of witches and wizards towards 'Flourish and Blotts' the book store, where she'd be meeting Ron and Harry. Her parents were following close behind, but decided to go for an ice cream cone. Hermione left them and entered the book store, making the bell on the door ring. Several heads in the store turned to see who had come in. Many students must've been waiting for their friends as well.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat when she saw two tall boys approaching her- one with flaming red hair and blue eyes, and one with jet black hair and green eyes.
"Hey Ron…Harry," she greeted them.
"Hey Hermione!" they returned in unison.
"Sure is crowded in here! How was your summer?" Harry asked her casually as the threesome walked to a less crowded area.
"Excellent! My uncle just got a promotion at work, so we're all really happy for him. My parent's work is great and I'm excited for our final term to start up. How about yourself?" Hermione replied, careful not to say anything stupid.
"It was great as soon as I got to Ron's. Remember, Ron, when we jumped-"
"Off our broomsticks into the mud! How could I forget! That was awesome!" Ron finished, laughing. Hermione looked at her two friends, jealous of the friendship and companionship they shared. Sure, Hermione was their friend and companion, but that was not as strong as these two boys' bond. She suddenly felt lonely in a full room, short in a crowd of giants, freezing in a burning hell. Only was she saved when her two friends turned their attention back to her. Just then, she knew what she needed. A close friend that was hers, and only hers.
"Hermione? Are you alright?" Harry asked, concern obvious in his voice.
"I'm perfectly alright. Let's get our textbooks," she replied, desperately searching for something to do to take her mind off of things.
"Wow!" Ron exclaimed as he caught sight of something. He relentlessly grabbed Harry's wrist and pulled him towards whatever had caught his eye. "Harry! You've got to see this!"
Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes before following the two.
Harry gasped. "A Nimbus 2002! These must be brand new!"
Sure enough, there was a long broomstick carefully placed behind a glass window. Many students and passer-bys had stopped to admire the broom of such desire. Ron let his nose run down the cold glass, leaving a heat mark as it slid.
"That's disgusting, Ron! Next thing you know, you're going to be drooling!" Hermione said, turning away. Harry laughed. 'Just like old times,' he thought.