To Suffer A Fool
Chapter 2: Beginning Of A Plan
Hermione rose early that morning and headed down the stairs for breakfast. She was staying with her aunt, uncle and cousin's for one week of her holiday. Immediately she was greeted with a "Good morning, dear, have a seat next to Leo."
Her aunt was over-all good but she tried too hard to make Leopold and Hermione to be friends. Leo was tall and red headed, but that was where his resemblance to Ron ended. He was as stuck-up as possible, and always looking for new ways to insult her. Every day he went out with a, "Sorry Mio, I gotta go hang out with my friends. Do you know what that's like?" then came home to bark at her, "Did you just read ALL day? Could you be any more lame?"
She was mildly annoyed but decided not to let it get to her. Today she was particularly determined to have a good day. Instead of staying in and reading she was going exploring. The local library was her goal, but then, one couldn't be too adventurous.
Leo jeered at her as she sat down but his little sister Emiline stuck her tongue out at him, which diverted his attentions. Emmy idolized Hermione, thankfully, because she could be a real whirlwind when she disliked someone. Leo and Em were punching each other all through breakfast, and when they got up to leave Em dashed out of the house. Leo waited five seconds after her then dashed to the door to find the bell ringing. As the door swung open Hermione saw a massive blonde haired boy solemnly looking in.
"Hey, D!" Leo said mildly. "Waz up? I don't really think I can entertain, I've got family over." After a moment he seemed to change his mind and said, "Scratch that, why doncha come on in?"
'D' shuffled into the house looking very glum. Hermione noticed the degree of which he looked like a pig. Was she supposed to be jealous of Leo's friends now?
Mio was becoming uncomfortably aware of the boy's piggy eyes surveying her with interest
Right, she thought. The first guy who checks me out, and he's this incredibly stupid-looking fatso. She immediately felt really bad about that, but couldn't deny that it was true. She resigned herself to lame pickup lines and not-so-subtle hitting on her.
Leo turned to address his parents.
"Mum, Dad, Dudley's a bit upset here, and I need to help him." He turned back to the large boy. "First, though, I want t' introduce you to my cousin. This is Hermione Granger."
Hermione stood up reluctantly and held out her hand for him to shake, which he did after a brief pause. Inside, she was rolling her eyes, although a polite smile never left her face. "Pleased to meet you," she murmured indifferently.
"I-I'm Dudley Dursley," he stuttered, in the stupidest voice she'd ever heard. Then the name sunk in. Dursley? Dudley Dursley? As in Harry's pig of a cousin? Her jaw dropped.
"Pardon-did you say Dudley Dursley?" she asked, just in case she'd misheard.
"Yup. That's my name. Hear of me?" He acquired a sort of half-smirk that Hermione found even more annoying than his dumb-as-nails expression. Still, she had just discovered the ticket to Harry and she not being bored to tears this summer. She played up his ego.
"No, but I'd love to get to know you," she gushed. The goon grinned, and for a moment she felt sorry for him. Pathetic lump. Then she remembered Harry telling of Dudley's favorite pastime. All sympathy vanished.
Her slimy cousin decided to interrupt.
"Yea, well, Mio, you're going to hafta wait, because I got to talk to him first."
"Nah, 'salright," Dudley said. Good, she had his interest. "Her-Hermione can come with us."
Leo regarded his friend, not without suspicion.
"Well, c'mon then," he said finally, and turned without a word. Dudley followed silently.
"Goodbye, Aunt Lucy, Uncle Charles!" Hermione cheerfully exclaimed. She was on her way to seeing Harry, months before she'd had any hope to!