I've Been Living A Lie

~* Okay, I can't wait another day to write another chapter (don't hate me!)! so here it is, thanks to Avri, sorry it's happening too fast, but I really like to get to the good parts! Lol! I'm skipping straight to 19th, can't think of anything to fill in the gap except Hermione getting all emotional, hope you don't mind. Enjoy. *~

Chapter 3 ~ Shopping In Diagon Alley

Hermione woke on the 19th of August, and remembered that she had to get to Diagon Alley. After a quick watch check (8:45am), Hermione grabbed a quick shower, and went downstairs to ask Mrs Granger to take her to the Leaky Cauldron. She was greeted by Crookshanks.

'Hello Crookshanks, you up for a visit to Diagon Alley? Wouldn't want to leave you with dad, he's allergic.' Hermione gave her cat a quick scratch behind his ears, and headed to the loungeroom.

Her parents were in their, Mr Granger, in his usual position in his chair reading the daily newspaper, and Mrs Granger, playing the Grand Piano. Hermione walked in.

'Morning.' She said in the middle of a yawn.

'Oh, good morning Hermione dear, you haven't forgotten that you need to go to Diagon Alley today, have you?' Mrs Granger said, stopping the piano music.

'No, I haven't forgotten, I was actually wanting to know if you would take me to the Leaky Cauldron?' Hermione asked.

'Sure, sure, Hermione, I'll just grab my coat.' Mrs Granger left the room. Hermione took a seat next to Mr Granger. She didn't expect conversation out of him, as he usually didn't like being disturbed while reading the paper, but this morning was different.

'Hermione, are you planning on telling this Harry Potter lad that you're his sister?' Mr Granger asked, looking over his half-moon specticals.

'Well, I haven't really thought about that much, I guess it would shock Harry, and I don't want to put stress on him.'

'Oh, alright then love, you could tell him if you like, I mean, no one's stopping you. . .'

'And no one's gonna force me either.' Hermione growled. The conversation was over. 'Come on Crookshanks' Hermione and Crookshanks walked out the door closely followed by Mrs Granger.

~***~

'Harry! Ron!' Hermione had arrived at Florish and Blotts. She ran up to the two, and gave them both big hugs (Oh come on, she hasn't seen them all summer).

'Hello Hermione.' Ron and Harry echoed.

'Where's your parents? Don't you normally bring them along?' Harry asked. Hermione almost looked like she would cry again, but quickly smiled.

'Mum's gone Muggle shopping and dad's at home reading the daily paper.' Hermione said, not missing a beat.

'Ah, fair enough. Ginny's running around here somewhere.' Ron said. 'We lost her after we went to Gringotts. I told Harry to watch her, but NOOO, he had to go and look at the new, upgraded Firebolt.' Ron added sarcastically. Harry responded with a playfull shove. Boys, Hermione thought, but she laughed all the same. It was the only thing she could do to stop herself bursting into tears and hugging Harry to death. Harry looked down.

'What did ya bring him for?' He said, motioning to Crookshanks.

'Oh, Crookshanks? I didn't want to leave him cooped up in the house, especially when dad's allergic.' Hermione said.

'Oh, alright then, just make sure he doesn't claw me or something.' Ron said, casting the cat an evil look. Hermione resisted the temptation to tell them about her attack. If she'd have told them, they would have asked why, and then it would have led to a sticky situation, where Hermione would have to explain herself. That was not to be allowed.

The trio went into Florish and Blotts to get their school textbooks. Hermione grabbed out her book list she had received earlier that month.

'We need all of those?' Ron asked, whining, seeing their booklist for 6th year.

'Yep.' Harry said.

'Oh man!'

'Oh come on Ron, it's not that many.' Hermione was busy looking at a new copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to find Them.

'Not that many? There's 11!'

'I'm sure you'll live.' Harry said, paying for his books.

'Ron?' Hermione said in a question tone.

'Yes Hermione?'

'Are your parents here?'

'No, they left me and Harry to take care of Ginny, we flooed here.' Ron replied as they walked out of the store.

'Oh.'

'Why?' Ron looked puzzled.

'Just wondering, that's all. I was going to ask your mum how she feels now that all her children are grown up.' Hermione lied. She was really planning on spilling her guts to Mrs Weasley. She had to tell someone, or she'd explode!

'That all?' Ron said, seeming completely uninterrested, he and Harry were busy goggling at the new Firebolt. Hermione sighed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

~* There's chapter 3, I have some good ideas for what's coming, but you'll just have to wait (I'm not magical, though I wish I was so I could get this story out!). What do you think so far? Apart from me making things happen too soon. . . ;) shouldn't be long before the next chapter, tomorrow maybe. *~

~Gryffindor Gal~