"Oh, there she is," Harry said to Ron. They were standing in the center of the Great Hall waiting for her. Harry had finally spotted her coming down the stairs with a large trunk and a cage.

            "Where were you? We've been waiting for ages!" Ron exclaimed.

            "Don't be stupid, Ron. It's been all of five minutes," Harry said.

            "Well, come on then!" Hermione said, in a much-too-cheerful voice.

            After boarding the Hogwarts Express, the trio searched for a compartment. Finding one, they settled in quickly.

            "So are your, er, parents, going to pick us up?" Ron asked, nervously.

            "Of course they are, who else would it be?" Hermione laughed.

            "Well, I haven't, er, seen them since we met in Diagon Alley. And…well…" Ron stuttered

            "Are you afraid to meet my parents?" Hermione asked, with a smile.

            "Well, not really afraid, more…well…" Ron said.

            "Yeah, he's afraid." Harry agreed.

            "Look Ron, I've already told my parents about you. They know all about you and Harry. There's no reason to be nervous," Hermione said, soothingly.

            "Yeah Ron," Harry laughed, "Her dad'll only tear you to pieces."

            "Harry!" Hermione scolded. "How do you know what I've said about you?"

            "Aw Hermione," Harry said, "You couldn't say a bad thing about me if you tried."

            "I could indeed," Hermione said. "You're…well, of course you're…what about that time when…no, that was Ron…"

            "Hey!" Ron objected.

            "See?" Harry laughed. "I can say loads of bad stuff about you."

            "Oh really, like what?" Hermione said.

            "Well for one thing," Harry began, "You study altogether too much."

            "That's the best you could come up with?" Hermione joked.

            Yeah, actually it is, Harry thought. What are the bad things about Hermione? I can't really think of any…

            "So what are we going to do over the holidays?" Ron asked.

            "Well, my parents planned a visit to London's Museum of Natural Science and History tomorrow," Hermione said. "You can see what being a Muggle was like then and now.

            Ron feigned a snore.

            "No," Harry said, "It's really not that boring. I went there on a school field trip."

            Ron shrugged his shoulders, looking doubtful.

            "Then on Christmas Day, we'll take you around Muggle London," Hermione said, excited.

            "Mind you Ron," Harry said, "you'll be expected to buy presents in Muggle stores."

            "What? Muggle stores?" Ron said, panicked. "But I don't know what to buy!"

            "Don't worry, Ron. You'll be a Muggle expert by the time we're through with you. Maybe even as good as your dad…" Harry joked.

            "Heaven help me," Ron moaned.

            "Hang on," Harry said. "Where are we going to get the money for this? I'm completely broke when it comes to pounds and pence."

            "Pounds and pence? What on earth are you talking about?" Ron said.

            "Don't worry about it Ron," Harry said.

            "You know Ron, you should really think about taking that Muggle Studies class. It would be good for you," Hermione said, disdainfully. "Anyway, it's already taken care of. Mum and Dad had Gringotts transfer a bit of money out of each of your accounts. It's waiting for you at home." At this, Hermione whipped out her latest 'light read'.

            "Harry," Ron whispered, "what am I going to buy Hermione? I mean, I don't have very much money." At this Ron blushed one of his more popular shades, tomato.

            "Don't worry about it, mate," Harry said. "If you need some I'll lend it to you."

            "No, Harry, you don't have to-"

            "Shut up, Ron. I don't want to hear anymore about it. Besides, what am I going to get Stella?" Harry wondered.

            "From what I heard, you don't need to give her anything," Ron snickered.

            "Shut up," Harry said. "It was just as bad as yours. It happened and then it was over."

            "Told you not to expect much," Ron said.

            "It's just, I thought I liked her a lot, you know? When girls talk about kissing, they talk about warm and cuddly feelings. And sparks going off while their eyes are closed," Harry said. "Must be a guy thing then."

            "Must be, mate," Ron said.

            Really, Harry thought, I felt like I was kissing one of my friends. It was so strange. But then maybe that's what it's supposed to be like. That's what Ron's was like. But then, he WAS kissing a friend. Can a kiss say a lot about a relationship?

            Soon after this whispered discussion, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at Kings Cross Station. The trio unloaded their things from their compartment and passed through the gateway into the rest of the station. There Mr. and Mrs. Granger were waiting for them.

            "Mum! Dad!" Hermione exclaimed, running towards them and giving them a giant hug. Ron and Harry awkwardly made their way towards the hugging family.

            "Mum, Dad, you remember Harry?" Hermione said. They nodded and Mr. Granger held out his hand to shake it. Harry shook back, smiling.

            "We've heard plenty about you," Mrs. Granger said, "Hermione talks about you nonstop." Harry blushed at this.

            "You must mean Ron," Harry said.

            "Oh, no. It's definitely you," Mr. Granger agreed. "Jet-black hair, deep green eyes…."

            Is that how Hermione describes me to her parents? She could have a good career in advertisement, Harry thought.

            "And Dad, this is Ron, my boyfriend," Hermione said, with a slight tinge of pink.

            "Hello...er…Mr. Granger…sir…" Ron stammered.

            "Hello, son. We've also heard quite a lot about you and your house. Hermione seems to be over there all the time, and we thought it was high time you came to visit us," Mr. Granger smiled.

            Wish I could invite someone to mine, Harry thought. Not that I would want to.

            Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, Ron, Harry, and Hermione carried their belongings all the way to the Granger's car. A turquoise Ford Anglia. Harry and Ron looked at each other and grinned.

Reviews:

Amandawho: Sorry, but I'm not the person you're looking for! But if you need some tips, just ask.

KawaiiFryingPanChick: You know, you just might be my favorite reviewer. I love frying pans. Still think Stella's a bad naughty girl? Guess you won't know till I tell you, will you? Mwahaha…I love knowing things that you don't know

Mara342: Thanks Mara!

Captain scarlet penguin keeper:  I don't like soap operas, but whatever floats your boat. Hee hee! You people keep asking me what's going to happen…but I'm not going to tell you!!

Possom2009: Interesting comment, actually. I'll get back to you on that.

Ashton Rushing: Read above reply to comment.

Raven-Padfoot-Marauder: Can't tell, can't tell…la lala la la la…