Chapter 2
With Hermione
The next morning Harry awoke later than usual. He donned some clothes and went downstairs, where he was met by Mrs. Figg in the kitchen. "Ah, good morning, Harry," she said happily. "Your Hedwig has returned with some answers from your friends."
Harry retrieved the letters from Hedwig, gently stroking the snowy owl's head fondly before picking up one of the letters, which he saw was from Ron Weasley. It read:
Hi Harry
Happy Birthday. I hope you have had a good summer so far. I'm sorry but you can´t stay here this summer. Mum´s trying to pretend like nothing's wrong, but everyone knows that she had a huge fight with Fred and George because they didn't receive any NEWT´s, started that joke shop, and left Hogwarts right in the middle of a school year. She is barking at everyone, so I don´t really think you should come stay here. I know...try Hermione! I'm sure she'll let you stay the summer with her.
Ron
PS: Just thought you should know, Harry...Hermione and I, well, are boy and girlfriend. We have both figured that out this year, and we are perfect for each other.
Harry laid the letter down. Hermione and Ron... perfect for each other? He shook his head and opened Hermione´s letter next. It read:
Hello Harry,
I presume that Ron has---by now, at least---told you that he and I are a couple? I do hope so. I'm so happy! If you can't stay with Ron this summer, you are more than welcome to come stay with me. I would appreciate some company, since I won´t have access to next year's school books for another month at least!
Love, from Hermione
Harry was disappointed because he wouldn't be staying with Ron at the Burrow, but he did have to admit he was glad that Hermione wanted the company. It would be awkward at first, he was sure, staying with Hermione instead of Ron, as Ron and Hermione were quite different people. But it wasn't as if he really had a choice in the matter; it was the only choice he had available.
"So, dear, have you a place to stay over the summer?" Mrs. Figg asked hopefully.
"Yes, Mrs. Figg. I'll be staying with my friend from school, Hermione Granger," Harry informed her.
"Oh, good. Um, have you any idea when she will be coming for you?" Mrs. Figg asked next.
"Sorry, but I don´t really know yet," Harry said. "But, I'll be sure to ask her when I send my reply back with Hedwig."
Harry sat down and began his reply to Hermione, which read:
Hi Hermione
I'm glad to hear that you and Ron are now a couple. Ordinarily I'd stay with Ron over the summer, you know, but...I'm afraid I can't. Mrs. Weasley is having problems with Fred and George, and it's effecting everyone at the Burrow, so Ron doesn't want me to become involved. So...if you are still of a mind to take me on, I look forward to staying with you until the school year starts. If that´s all right with your parents, of course.
Harry
P.S. If it is all right for me to stay with you, do you have any idea when I might expect you to arrive to pick me up? Mrs. Figg wants to know.
Harry gave Hedwig an owl treat, a gentle stroke upon her proud head, and then gave her his letter to deliver. It was only an hour later, when Hermione's answer appeared. It read:
Dear Harry,
Of course you may stay with my parents and I for the rest of the summer. I´ll get Mum to pick you up at Mrs. Figg's house tomorrow morning. Can´t wait to see you again, Harry!
Love, from Hermione
Mrs. Figg appeared in the room with Harry and couldn't but help noticing Hedwig standing on her perch. "So, Harry, when do you leave to be with your friend, dear?" Mrs. Figg asked politely.
"Hermione says that Mrs. Granger will be by to pick me up tomorrow morning," Harry told her.
"Good. It's probably best then for you to go and pack your trunk," Mrs. Figg suggested.
Later on, when Harry finally went to bed that night, he wondered what it was going to be like...staying with Hermione. He was sure of one thing...it would be very very different than staying with Ron at the Burrow.
The next day, Harry made his way downstairs early, where he ate his breakfast and made himself ready.
"Oh, Harry...I think your Mrs. Granger has just pulled up to the curb," Mrs Figg said looking out the window. She went out and returned with Hermione´s mother.
"Hello, Harry," Mrs. Granger said, smiling. She had the very same bushy brown hair as Hermione and much the same smile. "I´m Alice Granger," she told him and gave Harry her hand. "Hermione's told me so much about you."
"Um, just give me a moment to go get my stuff, Mrs. Granger," Harry said, not quite sure about just what Hermione had told her mother about him. It didn't come up in their conversation as they made their way to the Granger house.
Once they had arrived in the driveway, Harry caught sight of Hermione dozing in a hammock, the ever-present Crookshanks, her ginger cat, lying on her stomach purring contendedly. Hermione dear you have to wake upp Alice said.
As Harry approached, Hermione murmured something that sounded suspiciously like "Ron, I love you," but Harry wasn't certain. Harry chuckled quietly.
Alice Granger stared down at her only daughter, and smiled, shaking her head. "Hermione? Honey, your friend Harry is here."
There was no response, both Hermione and Crookshanks dozed on in perfect contentment.
"Let me try, ma'am," Harry told Mrs. Granger. He went down on his knees, leaned over and whispered into Hermione's ear, "Hermione, the OWL results are in."
Hermione's eyes snapped open suddenly, and she sat up quickly. So quickly in fact, that the hammock rocked and dumped Hermione out on to the ground. Crookshanks fortunately leapt away from the whole ordeal, getting away with no harm done. "Oh!" Hermione said, then she saw Harry. "Hello, Harry," she said with a smile, nervously brushing back her bushy hair from her face. Harry laughed softly, and helped Hermione to her feet again. "So, you've finally arrived, have yoy?" Hermione said.
"Yes, I have. It seems your mother and I intruded upon you and Ron in your dreams, Hermione," Harry said with a clever grin.
Hermione blushed guiltily, then scowled briefly at Harry.
"Oh, come along, you two," Alice Granger said, smiling and shaking her head. Hermione kindly carried Hedwig's cage, following Harry into the house and up the stairs to what would be his bedroom for his stay.
"Now, I know it´s a bit small, so I hope you don't mind. Most of the time this is a storage room, but it'll do as a guest room in a pinch," Hermione explained. "We cleaned thoroughly yesterday though."
"It's fine, Hermione," Harry said and took a look around. He placed his trunk at the foot of the small yet sufficient bed, and placed Hedwig's cage on the chest of drawers against the far wall beside the room's only window. He opened Hedwig's cage and let her out. The snowy owl moved out and began exploring her new surroundings.
"I'm in the room right next door, if you need any help," Hermione told him. Much to Harry's surprise, Hermione briskly set about to stowing his things away...though, she did let him help. After everything was in its place, the two turned to leave, when they both heard Hermione's mother call out, "Harry, Hermione... dinner!"
"Oh, Dad´s home from work," Hermione told him, smiling and elated. "Come on!" she added, and ran down the stairs with Harry following close behind.
Once downstairs, Hermione and her dad started a conversation. It appeared that Hermione's father hadn't like Hermione using magic on her teeth. Apparently, at least to Harry's eyes, this had been an on-going point of contention between father and daughter. "Honey, why couldn´t you of just let me fit you for braces?" he asked.
"Dad, what's done is done, and you know it. I don't see why we have to continue to rehash this subject...especially in front of our guest," Hermione said, giving her father a pointed look, and nodding in Harry's direction with her head. Harry took the seat beside Hermione, and placed his napkin upon his lap.
"Oh, hello there," Hermione's father said. "You must be Harry. I'm Robert Granger, and it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Robert Granger had short brown hair and white, straight teeth that would of made Gilderoy Lockhart jealous.
Hermione's mother entered the dining room and placed a steaming pan on the table atop a scarlet trivet. Hermione sniffed, then explained tonight's meal. "Carrot pudding, with meatballs, I'd say," she declared. Then she smiled a happy smile. "Wonderful! Though, just what are we celebrating, Mother?"
Harry successfully stifled his brief surge of laughter.
"I should of known I couldn't get anything past you, dear. That's my girl, all grown up now," Alice said proudly and hugged her daughter. "I still can´t hardly believe that you've a boyfriend."
Hermione blushed scarlet at her mother's fussing. She cast Harry a shy happy look, though she gave her parents a roll of her eyes. "Thank you for embarrassing me in front of Harry, Mom."
"Your face is as nearly as red as Ron´s hair, Hermione," Harry confided to her under his breath, chuckling quietly.
"Harry...do shut up," Hermione said primly. "It´s my parents that aren't handling this too well, not me."
After dinner both Harry and Hermione went to the bathroom, where Hermione laid down the laws of the Granger household. "The most important thing to remember in this house is to brush your teeth, after each and every meal," Hermione informed him, quite seriously. There were a few more simple rules, but Harry wouldn't have any trouble with those, having had to toe the line with the Dursleys, after all.
As Harry took off his glasses, and went to bed that night, he thought to himself that Ron was a rather lucky fellow, to have Hermione as his girlfriend. He smiled at those musings, and then, with a carefree expression on his face for once, promptly fell asleep.
With Hermione
The next morning Harry awoke later than usual. He donned some clothes and went downstairs, where he was met by Mrs. Figg in the kitchen. "Ah, good morning, Harry," she said happily. "Your Hedwig has returned with some answers from your friends."
Harry retrieved the letters from Hedwig, gently stroking the snowy owl's head fondly before picking up one of the letters, which he saw was from Ron Weasley. It read:
Hi Harry
Happy Birthday. I hope you have had a good summer so far. I'm sorry but you can´t stay here this summer. Mum´s trying to pretend like nothing's wrong, but everyone knows that she had a huge fight with Fred and George because they didn't receive any NEWT´s, started that joke shop, and left Hogwarts right in the middle of a school year. She is barking at everyone, so I don´t really think you should come stay here. I know...try Hermione! I'm sure she'll let you stay the summer with her.
Ron
PS: Just thought you should know, Harry...Hermione and I, well, are boy and girlfriend. We have both figured that out this year, and we are perfect for each other.
Harry laid the letter down. Hermione and Ron... perfect for each other? He shook his head and opened Hermione´s letter next. It read:
Hello Harry,
I presume that Ron has---by now, at least---told you that he and I are a couple? I do hope so. I'm so happy! If you can't stay with Ron this summer, you are more than welcome to come stay with me. I would appreciate some company, since I won´t have access to next year's school books for another month at least!
Love, from Hermione
Harry was disappointed because he wouldn't be staying with Ron at the Burrow, but he did have to admit he was glad that Hermione wanted the company. It would be awkward at first, he was sure, staying with Hermione instead of Ron, as Ron and Hermione were quite different people. But it wasn't as if he really had a choice in the matter; it was the only choice he had available.
"So, dear, have you a place to stay over the summer?" Mrs. Figg asked hopefully.
"Yes, Mrs. Figg. I'll be staying with my friend from school, Hermione Granger," Harry informed her.
"Oh, good. Um, have you any idea when she will be coming for you?" Mrs. Figg asked next.
"Sorry, but I don´t really know yet," Harry said. "But, I'll be sure to ask her when I send my reply back with Hedwig."
Harry sat down and began his reply to Hermione, which read:
Hi Hermione
I'm glad to hear that you and Ron are now a couple. Ordinarily I'd stay with Ron over the summer, you know, but...I'm afraid I can't. Mrs. Weasley is having problems with Fred and George, and it's effecting everyone at the Burrow, so Ron doesn't want me to become involved. So...if you are still of a mind to take me on, I look forward to staying with you until the school year starts. If that´s all right with your parents, of course.
Harry
P.S. If it is all right for me to stay with you, do you have any idea when I might expect you to arrive to pick me up? Mrs. Figg wants to know.
Harry gave Hedwig an owl treat, a gentle stroke upon her proud head, and then gave her his letter to deliver. It was only an hour later, when Hermione's answer appeared. It read:
Dear Harry,
Of course you may stay with my parents and I for the rest of the summer. I´ll get Mum to pick you up at Mrs. Figg's house tomorrow morning. Can´t wait to see you again, Harry!
Love, from Hermione
Mrs. Figg appeared in the room with Harry and couldn't but help noticing Hedwig standing on her perch. "So, Harry, when do you leave to be with your friend, dear?" Mrs. Figg asked politely.
"Hermione says that Mrs. Granger will be by to pick me up tomorrow morning," Harry told her.
"Good. It's probably best then for you to go and pack your trunk," Mrs. Figg suggested.
Later on, when Harry finally went to bed that night, he wondered what it was going to be like...staying with Hermione. He was sure of one thing...it would be very very different than staying with Ron at the Burrow.
The next day, Harry made his way downstairs early, where he ate his breakfast and made himself ready.
"Oh, Harry...I think your Mrs. Granger has just pulled up to the curb," Mrs Figg said looking out the window. She went out and returned with Hermione´s mother.
"Hello, Harry," Mrs. Granger said, smiling. She had the very same bushy brown hair as Hermione and much the same smile. "I´m Alice Granger," she told him and gave Harry her hand. "Hermione's told me so much about you."
"Um, just give me a moment to go get my stuff, Mrs. Granger," Harry said, not quite sure about just what Hermione had told her mother about him. It didn't come up in their conversation as they made their way to the Granger house.
Once they had arrived in the driveway, Harry caught sight of Hermione dozing in a hammock, the ever-present Crookshanks, her ginger cat, lying on her stomach purring contendedly. Hermione dear you have to wake upp Alice said.
As Harry approached, Hermione murmured something that sounded suspiciously like "Ron, I love you," but Harry wasn't certain. Harry chuckled quietly.
Alice Granger stared down at her only daughter, and smiled, shaking her head. "Hermione? Honey, your friend Harry is here."
There was no response, both Hermione and Crookshanks dozed on in perfect contentment.
"Let me try, ma'am," Harry told Mrs. Granger. He went down on his knees, leaned over and whispered into Hermione's ear, "Hermione, the OWL results are in."
Hermione's eyes snapped open suddenly, and she sat up quickly. So quickly in fact, that the hammock rocked and dumped Hermione out on to the ground. Crookshanks fortunately leapt away from the whole ordeal, getting away with no harm done. "Oh!" Hermione said, then she saw Harry. "Hello, Harry," she said with a smile, nervously brushing back her bushy hair from her face. Harry laughed softly, and helped Hermione to her feet again. "So, you've finally arrived, have yoy?" Hermione said.
"Yes, I have. It seems your mother and I intruded upon you and Ron in your dreams, Hermione," Harry said with a clever grin.
Hermione blushed guiltily, then scowled briefly at Harry.
"Oh, come along, you two," Alice Granger said, smiling and shaking her head. Hermione kindly carried Hedwig's cage, following Harry into the house and up the stairs to what would be his bedroom for his stay.
"Now, I know it´s a bit small, so I hope you don't mind. Most of the time this is a storage room, but it'll do as a guest room in a pinch," Hermione explained. "We cleaned thoroughly yesterday though."
"It's fine, Hermione," Harry said and took a look around. He placed his trunk at the foot of the small yet sufficient bed, and placed Hedwig's cage on the chest of drawers against the far wall beside the room's only window. He opened Hedwig's cage and let her out. The snowy owl moved out and began exploring her new surroundings.
"I'm in the room right next door, if you need any help," Hermione told him. Much to Harry's surprise, Hermione briskly set about to stowing his things away...though, she did let him help. After everything was in its place, the two turned to leave, when they both heard Hermione's mother call out, "Harry, Hermione... dinner!"
"Oh, Dad´s home from work," Hermione told him, smiling and elated. "Come on!" she added, and ran down the stairs with Harry following close behind.
Once downstairs, Hermione and her dad started a conversation. It appeared that Hermione's father hadn't like Hermione using magic on her teeth. Apparently, at least to Harry's eyes, this had been an on-going point of contention between father and daughter. "Honey, why couldn´t you of just let me fit you for braces?" he asked.
"Dad, what's done is done, and you know it. I don't see why we have to continue to rehash this subject...especially in front of our guest," Hermione said, giving her father a pointed look, and nodding in Harry's direction with her head. Harry took the seat beside Hermione, and placed his napkin upon his lap.
"Oh, hello there," Hermione's father said. "You must be Harry. I'm Robert Granger, and it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Robert Granger had short brown hair and white, straight teeth that would of made Gilderoy Lockhart jealous.
Hermione's mother entered the dining room and placed a steaming pan on the table atop a scarlet trivet. Hermione sniffed, then explained tonight's meal. "Carrot pudding, with meatballs, I'd say," she declared. Then she smiled a happy smile. "Wonderful! Though, just what are we celebrating, Mother?"
Harry successfully stifled his brief surge of laughter.
"I should of known I couldn't get anything past you, dear. That's my girl, all grown up now," Alice said proudly and hugged her daughter. "I still can´t hardly believe that you've a boyfriend."
Hermione blushed scarlet at her mother's fussing. She cast Harry a shy happy look, though she gave her parents a roll of her eyes. "Thank you for embarrassing me in front of Harry, Mom."
"Your face is as nearly as red as Ron´s hair, Hermione," Harry confided to her under his breath, chuckling quietly.
"Harry...do shut up," Hermione said primly. "It´s my parents that aren't handling this too well, not me."
After dinner both Harry and Hermione went to the bathroom, where Hermione laid down the laws of the Granger household. "The most important thing to remember in this house is to brush your teeth, after each and every meal," Hermione informed him, quite seriously. There were a few more simple rules, but Harry wouldn't have any trouble with those, having had to toe the line with the Dursleys, after all.
As Harry took off his glasses, and went to bed that night, he thought to himself that Ron was a rather lucky fellow, to have Hermione as his girlfriend. He smiled at those musings, and then, with a carefree expression on his face for once, promptly fell asleep.