~~~Disclaimer~~~Don't own it. Don't make money off it.
CHAPTER THREE: Getting Harry
Remus raised a brow, and stared down at the young woman. "You may like to , but you most certainly will not, young lady." He said sternly, and his weary features softened with a grin. "Thats my job." Just then, Petunia Dursely opened the door, and looked at the two of them. When she recognized Remus, she gave a screech and started to shut the door in his face, but with the preternatural speed that came with being a werewolf, he had the door blocked open before she'd even really more than completed the thought of closing the door. "Hello Mrs. Dursely." He said pleasantly. "You remember me, I presume? THis is Miss Hermione Granger. We're here to pick up Harry." Petunia struggled to shut the door. "He's not here! You'll have to come back some other time when Vernon's here!" She huffed, her face turning red, unable to shut the door on the werewolf's hand. Finally she stepped back, half snarling. "Your not welcome here. He's not leaving until Vernon says it's okay" she glared at the two people, and stared down at Hermoine. "Your one of them freaks aren't you, just like him!" drawing back like they'd give her a disease. Hermoine just smiled. "If you mean, am I a witch, why, yes, I am. Just like Harry." She looked at Remus, her wand hand almost itching, this stupid, petty woman. "We are here for Harry..and I suggest you let us in." She spoke irratabley, wanting more than anything to stupify this annoying woman.
Harry was upstairs, finishing up a potions essay, when he heard the commotion downstairs. Frowning, he retrieved his wand from the desk, and quietly opened the door, tiptoeing down the stairs. He didnt know who was here, and was prepared for the worst. However, at the sight of hermiones hair, and the sound of Remus voice, he gave a sigh of relief, and rushed towards them, ducking under Petunia's arm and wrapping Hermione in a hug. She didn't spot harry until he hugged her, he was skinnier than she remembered, and she hugged him back tightly. "Harry!" she explained. "Are you alright? Remus and I are here to get you. " She glared at the woman who stood in the doorway, both hands on the doorframe. "He's not going! I told you. Vernon's not here, and as his custodial guardians we say that he can't go.." Harry quickly released Hermione, the wide smile on his face fading when he heard his aunts words, and the dark circles and gaunt look he had about him, much like remus, became readily apparent. Rage flared in him, and he turned to his Aunt. "I"m going, and you can't stop me! Do you really want me here that badly?" Remus glared at the woman even as his arm reach out to harry, wrapping around the young teenagers thin shoulders to give him a comforting squeeze. "Don't worry about her, Harry." He murmered quietly. "Just go get your stuff ready, okay?" The grey-haired maurader turned to Hermione. "Woudl you help him while I have a...talk...with Mrs Dursely?"
Hermoine nodded, and ducked under the woman's flabby arms. "Come on Harry, I'll help you get packed in a jiffy." She scrambled up the steps, almost running over Dudley, who had come barreling down the stairs when he heard the commotion. "Muuumm" the young man welped, as Hermoine elbowed past him. "Fat pig" Hermoine uttered, as she passed him. She left Petunia to Remus, who she knew would deal with the irritating woman. Petunia glared as the two youngsters slid around her and into the house. "I said he shalln't be going..we tried to put a stop to it last time but you...you people keep turning up to steal him away, and you shall not have him this time!" the woman glared at Remus, only backing up a step when she remembered the threats. "Dudley!" she yelped. "Go call your father at work!"
As the two disappeared, Remus forcefully, but ever gently pushed his way into the house, and smiled at Petunia. "Mrs. Dursely, You are a perfectly normal, perfectly boring, female version of a slug-eating prat. That said, if I did not think that it was absolutely necessary that Harry live here, I would turn you and your husband and son into toads, and feed you to the snakes. As it is, should you continue to try to prevent Harry from leaving, you shall find yourself on the receiving end of many a prank." He paused, and then grinned. "Like this.." With that he whispered something under his breath, and made a slight swishing movement of his wand. "Normal! Normal! Normal!" Began to ring out throughout the house." Remus chuckled. "You're so obsessed with being normal, for a few days, we'll make sure you know you are. If there is anything UN-normal in this house..it will call it out..just draw attention to it." Grinning, he called out her name, and instantly a voice resounded. "FREAK!" It was too much for Remus, who could barely hold in his laughter. Meanwhile, upstairs, Harry opened his door tentatively, a bit embarrassed of his room, and let Hermione in. "It shouldnt take me long. I dont have much to pack. I mean, most of its already in my trunk..." He went over to the writing desk and began gathering up parchments.
She walked into the room, and looked around. It was sparce, hell it was worse than sparce, it was almost bare. She walked over to Hedgwig's cage and whistled sweetly to the great owl. "Heya girl.." she said, giving Harry a moment or two to get used to the situation. She smiled. "Need me to pack anything, or are you about ready?" she turned to look at him, feeling a little nervous about telling him that he'd be coming home with her. " Harry..um..they didn't think it's would be a good idea for you to go to the Weasley's this time, cause you always go there, and it's public knowledge, so well, would you like to come stay at my house until school starts? I know that well, it's not where you really wanna go, but still, it's your choice." She looked up at him, her nervousness showing, she didn't want him to not wanna come home with her, but she also didn't want him to agree too just to be nice. She looked at him. Biting the inside of her lip as she had a habit of doing when something made her nervous or worried.
Harry looked up from stuffing the last of the text-books he had laying out into his trunk, at hermione's words. Anger filled him, that his one relief was being taken away, but it went as quickly as it came as he realised that 1. It was probably true, that it was common knowledge now if people knew who to ask, and 2. He wouldn't know whether he'd like it at Hermione's unless he gave it a chance. "That makes sense, 'Mione." He said, as he got to his hands and knees and pried up the loose floorboard that he still habitually kept his most precious things under. "I assume they've doubled the wards at your house? What are we going to do if an attack happens? We can't legally use magic, and well, you've seen how the gits at the ministry are..." He carefully laid the invisibility cloak, photo book, and mauraders map in his trunk, and closed the lid, making sure it locked before rising fully up and turning to her.
She nodded her head. "Yeah, they said they doubled the wards, plus I think Remus will be hanging around some. Plus, no one is going to come looking at my house, they'll expect that you'll be at the Weasley's like usual..so we'll be okay.." She picked up Hedgwigs cage. "I got Hedg, if you can get the trunk.." she looked at him. "I hope you don't mind coming home with me, I think you'll like it.." she grinned. "Mom was excited to have someone to cook for..besides me, she says I eat like a bird. " She started chattering as she headed out of the room. "Besides, You'll be able to use magic soon, remember, the underage restriction won't hold for you much longer, and I'm not far behind you." She grinned, giving her a much younger look. "Come on, before Remus turns your Aunt and that fat piglet into toads."
"You're a girl..all of you do nothing but pick at your food!" Harry said teasingly as he hefted his trunk up, and followed behind his best friend, only stopped to close the door before he continued after her. "and you're supposed to encourage me to -hurry- 'Mione..not lag!" He snorted with laughter at the idea fo his relatives being turned into toads, and when they reach the living room, he immediately cast a hopeful glance around. "Nope. No toads. Pity..." It struck then, what was coming from everything, and he looked around carefully, before looking at Remus and raising a brow. Remus grinned at him, and called out Harry's name. "Wizard!" "Ooookayy.." Harry drawled out, and Remus shrugged. "You're not a freak, but you're not normal either. The spell calls it as it see's it...."
She grinned at Remus. "Darn, I was hoping you'd turned them into either pigs or toads.." she sighed, dramatically. "Well, we've got everything, can we get outta this pig stye now?" she spoke the words easily. Ignoring the cowering, screeching woman and the boy trying to hide in his mother's bossom. "Come on..enough of these...these people, before I get tempted again." With that, she stuck her nose up in the air, and marched towards the door holding Hedwigs' cage. She made the door, and moved right on out of it. She spoke as she passed Remus. "Still should have turned em into toads.."
arry sniggered as he followed after Hermoine, unable to resist,"You know, I think your the first person to EVER call my aunt's home a pig-stye! I mean, my room, yes, understandable, but not the rooms she actually touches..." He stopped, staring at the cab, and it wasn't until Remus placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, that he even realised he'd stopped moving. "Come, Harry.." Remus said softly, but the boy just stood there, looking at the cab. It was unbelievable that he'd be gotten in such a ...normal way. Finally he looked to Remus, and asked apprehensively. "It doesn't fly, does it? Cause, I've had enough of flying cars...really..."
Hermoine laughed, and put Hedgwig in the seat, near the floor boards, and scooted in next, placing her legs on each side of the cage so that the animal couldn't be jostled about in the trip. "It's a cab harry..you won't be living in Ron's kind of world, just a normal muggle family..it'll be different than what you'll expect, I promise you. " She grinned a bit. Looking at the driver. "Please pop the trunk, their's a well..trunk to stow. " The driver sighed, and popped the trunk, and she waited while the Trunk was carefully placed. Waiting for them to get in. spiritflames_tornsoul: Remus took the trunk from Harry, as though it didnt weigh a pound, and slipped it into the boot of the car. After making sure the lid closed firmly, he turned to go to his side of the cab, when he spied Harry still standing there, eyeing him. Finally, after a long moment, the silent teen spoke. "You know, sometimes, I almost wanna hurt you." It didnt take long for the werewolf to figure out what he meant, and Remus threw back his head and truly laughed, a deep happy sound that came from deep within him. Harry joined in after a moment, walking around and slipping in, so that he sat next to Hermione. When he finally regained control of himself, the older man sat down too, and pulled the door shut. "Don't worry, shrimp. You'll get big and strong one of these days" He said teasingly, and grunted when Harry elbowed him in the side. "Shut up!"
She rolled her eyes. When the door shut, she spoke. "1517 North Belladonnia Way.." It was almost clear across town, and the driver huffed a bit. She grinned. "So Remus, are you going to stick to us like proverbial glue, or are you going to trust us to keep our tails outta fire?" she spoke with an impish look, obviously curious. She tilted her head to the side. "Hmm. I think..mom said Steak tonight, or Lasanga.." she shot a look at Remus, then Harry. "Mom's made up the spare bedroom for you, I think you'll be suprised by what's there, she's so excited about having someone besides me to spoil, she's been up there most of the afternoon. I believe she even went and got some posters for the bedroom, and a new comforter set.." she spoke the words casually. "I know she was going grocery shopping when I left so I doubt if she'll be back for a while, she probably wants to give you a chance to settle in before your bombarded by her and dad.." she tossed her hair. "You..will be right next to my room, and dad will probably want to take us out sometime this week. He'll be delighted to have someone male to talk too..I think he feels outnumbered by me and mom sometimes." she grinned.
Harry and Remus both stared at her for a moment, wondering what happened to the bookworm, bossy Hermione they knew. It was Remus who spoke first, mirth dancing in his eyes. "I don't think you and Harry know what its like to have your tails OUT of the fire, Hermione, but I am going to stay out of your way as much as possible, I know you probably dont want an old fogey like me hanging around..." Harry's head whipped around and he glared at Remus. "You aren't old! You're just...just..erm.." Silence fell, and he shrugged mentally, not being able to find an appropriate word. "I don't mind having you around. You're pretty cool. I mean, you were the BEST defense against the dark arts teacher..and you wer..are..a maurader..." /and the last remaining link to my parents and to Sirius/ He added on quietly those emerald eyes darkening with sorrow before he determinedly shoved it away and grinned at him. "Besides, Hermione will need someone to talk to who actually -likes- books."
She rolled her eyes. "And what time we aren't running amuck in my neighborhood..we'll be spending studying for this year's courses in Hogwartz.." She arched a slightly bushy eyebrow. "Don't think I've changed that much, but I've learned that one can not learn everything from books.." she glared at Harry. "Don't you dare laugh! It's you and Ron's fault anyhow, constantly distracting a girl from her studies..." she muttered. Trying to not be secretly pleased by their reactions. "And Remus, your welcome there as well, mom made up a room just for you if you want to hang around some, she knows you might be showing your nose around some, and your certainly welcome, oh, just one thing..." she winced.."All the doornobs at my house are silver..so please, let me and Harry open the doors for you?"
Harry chuckled and reach over, mussing up Hermione's hair, then pulling her into a one-armed hug. "What would you do without us though, 'Mione?" But the playful mood faded when he heard the bit about the silver door-knobs, and he frowned. "Can't you like, transfigure them temporarily into wood? Or put some cloth over them or something? Cause there's no gaurantee that someones going to be around constantly to open the doors, and I don't wanna see you get hurt..."
She nodded her head "I've already talked to dad about it, and he said him and mom would pick up some plastic slip covers for them, I hope you don't mind terribley much Remus" she felt small, mentioning this to him, but better to tell him now than see him hurt himself and feel guilty later she supposed. She hugged Harry back one armed, then glanced at Remus to check his reaction. She arched a brow. "Can I ask something Remus?" she tried not to smile. "You are housebroken, right?" before chuckling softly and settling back for the ride.
Remus didnt even bother to sigh. He ran into problems everywhere he went, so it was nothing new. What was new, was anyone that was outside his ever-shrinking circle of friends being willing to go out of their way for him. He was lost in those thoughts, so it took a moment for Hermione's words to penetrate, but when they did, he jumped like he'd been shot, and turned to stare at her. "See if I do any magic for you this holiday, young lady!" He said sternly, then settled back in his seat, looking out the window, trying desperately not to give in to the smile that was threatening to take over his face. It was so nice to not be treated like he had some horrible disfigurement or a disease that you could catch merely by being in the same room with him. If the comment had came from the Malfoy's or Slytherins in general, it would have been an insult, but coming from Hermione...it was acceptance. Or at least, to Remus, thats what it felt like. Harry, meanwhile, looked aghast at Hermione's last words, and when Remus turned to look out the window, he stared at him concernedly, leaning forward to try and catch a glimpse of his face. When he did, and saw his lips twitching, he sighed in relief, and turned to his not-so-bushy haired friend. "So, how far is it to your house? Do you guys have a backyard? Are we allowed to go out there? How many chores a day do I have to do? Do I erm..get to eat with you guys all the time?" He flushed at that last sentence but, as the only muggles he had to go by were his aunt and uncle, he had to ask.
She chuckled. Then took the questions at face value. "Our house is on the other side of london, we're about halfway there by now, we have a big backyard, and of course you can go out there, as for choirs, you don't have any, but your welcome to help me with mine if you want. All I have to do is fold laundry and dust. " she grinned a bit. "And yes, you get to eat with us all the time Harry. " She tweaked his nose. "We might even let Remus eat with us...if he askes nicely" she grinned cheekily at Remus, she felt somehow at ease with the man, that she felt not very often with anyone, save Harry and Ron. She glanced at him. "I hope you don't mind my teasing Remus." She asked, almost a bit nervously. "I told mum and dad that you had a really bad allergy reaction to silver." she looked serious.
Harry smiled, his good mood returning from the small downslide, and he fell silent, content to lean his head back and close his eyes, and relax. /Wonder what it will be like, living with muggles.../ He thought to himself absently, tuning out Hermione and Remus un-consciously as he began to imagine. The former professor turned his head from the window, and gave hermione a half-smile. "I don't mind at all, Hermione. Its been ...too long since I've had it happen. Its nice." He said quietly. "I'm just glad that we dont have another full moon coming up while I'm there. That -would- be hard to explain." His eyes drifted to Harry, who looked rather peaceful, and some of the sorrow that was present almost constantly in the werewolfs eyes disappeared as he looked at his cub, and lifted a hand to smooth back the jet-black hair from Harry's eyes, absently noting he'd have to talk to him about getting a haircut.
She grinned. "Yes, the noises from the cellar would be hard to explain"she said,before poking harry slightly with an elbow. "It'll be fine, you see. My mom and dad are nothing like the drusley's, you've seen them before, they're fun." she grinned. "Dad wants to take us to the zoo, and to the mall I think sometime, I hope you don't mind if they seem to have planned some outtings, if you don't wanna go on them, all ya have to do is say so." she arched a brow. She noticed the fond look in Remus's eyes, and couldn't blame him. Harry was really Remus's only tie to that family now, so he'd probably look at Harry very much like a son. She smiled a bit to herself, a bit of puppy love wouldn't hurt either of them. She chuckled to herself at her own thoughts' words usage.
Harry didn't hear her words,as his imaginings had quickly given way to sleep. One that was actually pretty peaceful for once. It had been a while since he'd gotten a decent nights sleep, as the circles under his eyes had shown, and it had taken its toll on the young man. Sensing that Harry had faded into the realm of sleep, Remus gently pulled him over , wrapping an arm around his thin shoulders, and smiling as Harry instinctively got comfortable against him. "I'm sure that the both of you will have a great time." He murmured softly to Hermione, and then leant his head back and closed his eyes. It wouldn't bother him if he could catch a cat, or in his case, werewolfnap, at all.
Remus raised a brow, and stared down at the young woman. "You may like to , but you most certainly will not, young lady." He said sternly, and his weary features softened with a grin. "Thats my job." Just then, Petunia Dursely opened the door, and looked at the two of them. When she recognized Remus, she gave a screech and started to shut the door in his face, but with the preternatural speed that came with being a werewolf, he had the door blocked open before she'd even really more than completed the thought of closing the door. "Hello Mrs. Dursely." He said pleasantly. "You remember me, I presume? THis is Miss Hermione Granger. We're here to pick up Harry." Petunia struggled to shut the door. "He's not here! You'll have to come back some other time when Vernon's here!" She huffed, her face turning red, unable to shut the door on the werewolf's hand. Finally she stepped back, half snarling. "Your not welcome here. He's not leaving until Vernon says it's okay" she glared at the two people, and stared down at Hermoine. "Your one of them freaks aren't you, just like him!" drawing back like they'd give her a disease. Hermoine just smiled. "If you mean, am I a witch, why, yes, I am. Just like Harry." She looked at Remus, her wand hand almost itching, this stupid, petty woman. "We are here for Harry..and I suggest you let us in." She spoke irratabley, wanting more than anything to stupify this annoying woman.
Harry was upstairs, finishing up a potions essay, when he heard the commotion downstairs. Frowning, he retrieved his wand from the desk, and quietly opened the door, tiptoeing down the stairs. He didnt know who was here, and was prepared for the worst. However, at the sight of hermiones hair, and the sound of Remus voice, he gave a sigh of relief, and rushed towards them, ducking under Petunia's arm and wrapping Hermione in a hug. She didn't spot harry until he hugged her, he was skinnier than she remembered, and she hugged him back tightly. "Harry!" she explained. "Are you alright? Remus and I are here to get you. " She glared at the woman who stood in the doorway, both hands on the doorframe. "He's not going! I told you. Vernon's not here, and as his custodial guardians we say that he can't go.." Harry quickly released Hermione, the wide smile on his face fading when he heard his aunts words, and the dark circles and gaunt look he had about him, much like remus, became readily apparent. Rage flared in him, and he turned to his Aunt. "I"m going, and you can't stop me! Do you really want me here that badly?" Remus glared at the woman even as his arm reach out to harry, wrapping around the young teenagers thin shoulders to give him a comforting squeeze. "Don't worry about her, Harry." He murmered quietly. "Just go get your stuff ready, okay?" The grey-haired maurader turned to Hermione. "Woudl you help him while I have a...talk...with Mrs Dursely?"
Hermoine nodded, and ducked under the woman's flabby arms. "Come on Harry, I'll help you get packed in a jiffy." She scrambled up the steps, almost running over Dudley, who had come barreling down the stairs when he heard the commotion. "Muuumm" the young man welped, as Hermoine elbowed past him. "Fat pig" Hermoine uttered, as she passed him. She left Petunia to Remus, who she knew would deal with the irritating woman. Petunia glared as the two youngsters slid around her and into the house. "I said he shalln't be going..we tried to put a stop to it last time but you...you people keep turning up to steal him away, and you shall not have him this time!" the woman glared at Remus, only backing up a step when she remembered the threats. "Dudley!" she yelped. "Go call your father at work!"
As the two disappeared, Remus forcefully, but ever gently pushed his way into the house, and smiled at Petunia. "Mrs. Dursely, You are a perfectly normal, perfectly boring, female version of a slug-eating prat. That said, if I did not think that it was absolutely necessary that Harry live here, I would turn you and your husband and son into toads, and feed you to the snakes. As it is, should you continue to try to prevent Harry from leaving, you shall find yourself on the receiving end of many a prank." He paused, and then grinned. "Like this.." With that he whispered something under his breath, and made a slight swishing movement of his wand. "Normal! Normal! Normal!" Began to ring out throughout the house." Remus chuckled. "You're so obsessed with being normal, for a few days, we'll make sure you know you are. If there is anything UN-normal in this house..it will call it out..just draw attention to it." Grinning, he called out her name, and instantly a voice resounded. "FREAK!" It was too much for Remus, who could barely hold in his laughter. Meanwhile, upstairs, Harry opened his door tentatively, a bit embarrassed of his room, and let Hermione in. "It shouldnt take me long. I dont have much to pack. I mean, most of its already in my trunk..." He went over to the writing desk and began gathering up parchments.
She walked into the room, and looked around. It was sparce, hell it was worse than sparce, it was almost bare. She walked over to Hedgwig's cage and whistled sweetly to the great owl. "Heya girl.." she said, giving Harry a moment or two to get used to the situation. She smiled. "Need me to pack anything, or are you about ready?" she turned to look at him, feeling a little nervous about telling him that he'd be coming home with her. " Harry..um..they didn't think it's would be a good idea for you to go to the Weasley's this time, cause you always go there, and it's public knowledge, so well, would you like to come stay at my house until school starts? I know that well, it's not where you really wanna go, but still, it's your choice." She looked up at him, her nervousness showing, she didn't want him to not wanna come home with her, but she also didn't want him to agree too just to be nice. She looked at him. Biting the inside of her lip as she had a habit of doing when something made her nervous or worried.
Harry looked up from stuffing the last of the text-books he had laying out into his trunk, at hermione's words. Anger filled him, that his one relief was being taken away, but it went as quickly as it came as he realised that 1. It was probably true, that it was common knowledge now if people knew who to ask, and 2. He wouldn't know whether he'd like it at Hermione's unless he gave it a chance. "That makes sense, 'Mione." He said, as he got to his hands and knees and pried up the loose floorboard that he still habitually kept his most precious things under. "I assume they've doubled the wards at your house? What are we going to do if an attack happens? We can't legally use magic, and well, you've seen how the gits at the ministry are..." He carefully laid the invisibility cloak, photo book, and mauraders map in his trunk, and closed the lid, making sure it locked before rising fully up and turning to her.
She nodded her head. "Yeah, they said they doubled the wards, plus I think Remus will be hanging around some. Plus, no one is going to come looking at my house, they'll expect that you'll be at the Weasley's like usual..so we'll be okay.." She picked up Hedgwigs cage. "I got Hedg, if you can get the trunk.." she looked at him. "I hope you don't mind coming home with me, I think you'll like it.." she grinned. "Mom was excited to have someone to cook for..besides me, she says I eat like a bird. " She started chattering as she headed out of the room. "Besides, You'll be able to use magic soon, remember, the underage restriction won't hold for you much longer, and I'm not far behind you." She grinned, giving her a much younger look. "Come on, before Remus turns your Aunt and that fat piglet into toads."
"You're a girl..all of you do nothing but pick at your food!" Harry said teasingly as he hefted his trunk up, and followed behind his best friend, only stopped to close the door before he continued after her. "and you're supposed to encourage me to -hurry- 'Mione..not lag!" He snorted with laughter at the idea fo his relatives being turned into toads, and when they reach the living room, he immediately cast a hopeful glance around. "Nope. No toads. Pity..." It struck then, what was coming from everything, and he looked around carefully, before looking at Remus and raising a brow. Remus grinned at him, and called out Harry's name. "Wizard!" "Ooookayy.." Harry drawled out, and Remus shrugged. "You're not a freak, but you're not normal either. The spell calls it as it see's it...."
She grinned at Remus. "Darn, I was hoping you'd turned them into either pigs or toads.." she sighed, dramatically. "Well, we've got everything, can we get outta this pig stye now?" she spoke the words easily. Ignoring the cowering, screeching woman and the boy trying to hide in his mother's bossom. "Come on..enough of these...these people, before I get tempted again." With that, she stuck her nose up in the air, and marched towards the door holding Hedwigs' cage. She made the door, and moved right on out of it. She spoke as she passed Remus. "Still should have turned em into toads.."
arry sniggered as he followed after Hermoine, unable to resist,"You know, I think your the first person to EVER call my aunt's home a pig-stye! I mean, my room, yes, understandable, but not the rooms she actually touches..." He stopped, staring at the cab, and it wasn't until Remus placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, that he even realised he'd stopped moving. "Come, Harry.." Remus said softly, but the boy just stood there, looking at the cab. It was unbelievable that he'd be gotten in such a ...normal way. Finally he looked to Remus, and asked apprehensively. "It doesn't fly, does it? Cause, I've had enough of flying cars...really..."
Hermoine laughed, and put Hedgwig in the seat, near the floor boards, and scooted in next, placing her legs on each side of the cage so that the animal couldn't be jostled about in the trip. "It's a cab harry..you won't be living in Ron's kind of world, just a normal muggle family..it'll be different than what you'll expect, I promise you. " She grinned a bit. Looking at the driver. "Please pop the trunk, their's a well..trunk to stow. " The driver sighed, and popped the trunk, and she waited while the Trunk was carefully placed. Waiting for them to get in. spiritflames_tornsoul: Remus took the trunk from Harry, as though it didnt weigh a pound, and slipped it into the boot of the car. After making sure the lid closed firmly, he turned to go to his side of the cab, when he spied Harry still standing there, eyeing him. Finally, after a long moment, the silent teen spoke. "You know, sometimes, I almost wanna hurt you." It didnt take long for the werewolf to figure out what he meant, and Remus threw back his head and truly laughed, a deep happy sound that came from deep within him. Harry joined in after a moment, walking around and slipping in, so that he sat next to Hermione. When he finally regained control of himself, the older man sat down too, and pulled the door shut. "Don't worry, shrimp. You'll get big and strong one of these days" He said teasingly, and grunted when Harry elbowed him in the side. "Shut up!"
She rolled her eyes. When the door shut, she spoke. "1517 North Belladonnia Way.." It was almost clear across town, and the driver huffed a bit. She grinned. "So Remus, are you going to stick to us like proverbial glue, or are you going to trust us to keep our tails outta fire?" she spoke with an impish look, obviously curious. She tilted her head to the side. "Hmm. I think..mom said Steak tonight, or Lasanga.." she shot a look at Remus, then Harry. "Mom's made up the spare bedroom for you, I think you'll be suprised by what's there, she's so excited about having someone besides me to spoil, she's been up there most of the afternoon. I believe she even went and got some posters for the bedroom, and a new comforter set.." she spoke the words casually. "I know she was going grocery shopping when I left so I doubt if she'll be back for a while, she probably wants to give you a chance to settle in before your bombarded by her and dad.." she tossed her hair. "You..will be right next to my room, and dad will probably want to take us out sometime this week. He'll be delighted to have someone male to talk too..I think he feels outnumbered by me and mom sometimes." she grinned.
Harry and Remus both stared at her for a moment, wondering what happened to the bookworm, bossy Hermione they knew. It was Remus who spoke first, mirth dancing in his eyes. "I don't think you and Harry know what its like to have your tails OUT of the fire, Hermione, but I am going to stay out of your way as much as possible, I know you probably dont want an old fogey like me hanging around..." Harry's head whipped around and he glared at Remus. "You aren't old! You're just...just..erm.." Silence fell, and he shrugged mentally, not being able to find an appropriate word. "I don't mind having you around. You're pretty cool. I mean, you were the BEST defense against the dark arts teacher..and you wer..are..a maurader..." /and the last remaining link to my parents and to Sirius/ He added on quietly those emerald eyes darkening with sorrow before he determinedly shoved it away and grinned at him. "Besides, Hermione will need someone to talk to who actually -likes- books."
She rolled her eyes. "And what time we aren't running amuck in my neighborhood..we'll be spending studying for this year's courses in Hogwartz.." She arched a slightly bushy eyebrow. "Don't think I've changed that much, but I've learned that one can not learn everything from books.." she glared at Harry. "Don't you dare laugh! It's you and Ron's fault anyhow, constantly distracting a girl from her studies..." she muttered. Trying to not be secretly pleased by their reactions. "And Remus, your welcome there as well, mom made up a room just for you if you want to hang around some, she knows you might be showing your nose around some, and your certainly welcome, oh, just one thing..." she winced.."All the doornobs at my house are silver..so please, let me and Harry open the doors for you?"
Harry chuckled and reach over, mussing up Hermione's hair, then pulling her into a one-armed hug. "What would you do without us though, 'Mione?" But the playful mood faded when he heard the bit about the silver door-knobs, and he frowned. "Can't you like, transfigure them temporarily into wood? Or put some cloth over them or something? Cause there's no gaurantee that someones going to be around constantly to open the doors, and I don't wanna see you get hurt..."
She nodded her head "I've already talked to dad about it, and he said him and mom would pick up some plastic slip covers for them, I hope you don't mind terribley much Remus" she felt small, mentioning this to him, but better to tell him now than see him hurt himself and feel guilty later she supposed. She hugged Harry back one armed, then glanced at Remus to check his reaction. She arched a brow. "Can I ask something Remus?" she tried not to smile. "You are housebroken, right?" before chuckling softly and settling back for the ride.
Remus didnt even bother to sigh. He ran into problems everywhere he went, so it was nothing new. What was new, was anyone that was outside his ever-shrinking circle of friends being willing to go out of their way for him. He was lost in those thoughts, so it took a moment for Hermione's words to penetrate, but when they did, he jumped like he'd been shot, and turned to stare at her. "See if I do any magic for you this holiday, young lady!" He said sternly, then settled back in his seat, looking out the window, trying desperately not to give in to the smile that was threatening to take over his face. It was so nice to not be treated like he had some horrible disfigurement or a disease that you could catch merely by being in the same room with him. If the comment had came from the Malfoy's or Slytherins in general, it would have been an insult, but coming from Hermione...it was acceptance. Or at least, to Remus, thats what it felt like. Harry, meanwhile, looked aghast at Hermione's last words, and when Remus turned to look out the window, he stared at him concernedly, leaning forward to try and catch a glimpse of his face. When he did, and saw his lips twitching, he sighed in relief, and turned to his not-so-bushy haired friend. "So, how far is it to your house? Do you guys have a backyard? Are we allowed to go out there? How many chores a day do I have to do? Do I erm..get to eat with you guys all the time?" He flushed at that last sentence but, as the only muggles he had to go by were his aunt and uncle, he had to ask.
She chuckled. Then took the questions at face value. "Our house is on the other side of london, we're about halfway there by now, we have a big backyard, and of course you can go out there, as for choirs, you don't have any, but your welcome to help me with mine if you want. All I have to do is fold laundry and dust. " she grinned a bit. "And yes, you get to eat with us all the time Harry. " She tweaked his nose. "We might even let Remus eat with us...if he askes nicely" she grinned cheekily at Remus, she felt somehow at ease with the man, that she felt not very often with anyone, save Harry and Ron. She glanced at him. "I hope you don't mind my teasing Remus." She asked, almost a bit nervously. "I told mum and dad that you had a really bad allergy reaction to silver." she looked serious.
Harry smiled, his good mood returning from the small downslide, and he fell silent, content to lean his head back and close his eyes, and relax. /Wonder what it will be like, living with muggles.../ He thought to himself absently, tuning out Hermione and Remus un-consciously as he began to imagine. The former professor turned his head from the window, and gave hermione a half-smile. "I don't mind at all, Hermione. Its been ...too long since I've had it happen. Its nice." He said quietly. "I'm just glad that we dont have another full moon coming up while I'm there. That -would- be hard to explain." His eyes drifted to Harry, who looked rather peaceful, and some of the sorrow that was present almost constantly in the werewolfs eyes disappeared as he looked at his cub, and lifted a hand to smooth back the jet-black hair from Harry's eyes, absently noting he'd have to talk to him about getting a haircut.
She grinned. "Yes, the noises from the cellar would be hard to explain"she said,before poking harry slightly with an elbow. "It'll be fine, you see. My mom and dad are nothing like the drusley's, you've seen them before, they're fun." she grinned. "Dad wants to take us to the zoo, and to the mall I think sometime, I hope you don't mind if they seem to have planned some outtings, if you don't wanna go on them, all ya have to do is say so." she arched a brow. She noticed the fond look in Remus's eyes, and couldn't blame him. Harry was really Remus's only tie to that family now, so he'd probably look at Harry very much like a son. She smiled a bit to herself, a bit of puppy love wouldn't hurt either of them. She chuckled to herself at her own thoughts' words usage.
Harry didn't hear her words,as his imaginings had quickly given way to sleep. One that was actually pretty peaceful for once. It had been a while since he'd gotten a decent nights sleep, as the circles under his eyes had shown, and it had taken its toll on the young man. Sensing that Harry had faded into the realm of sleep, Remus gently pulled him over , wrapping an arm around his thin shoulders, and smiling as Harry instinctively got comfortable against him. "I'm sure that the both of you will have a great time." He murmured softly to Hermione, and then leant his head back and closed his eyes. It wouldn't bother him if he could catch a cat, or in his case, werewolfnap, at all.