It was amazing how comfortable Hermione and her old friends were with each other after the long separation between them. They hung out together most days, other days, Hermione spent alone with Eric. She was having so much fun; she was wondering where all the time had gone when it reached the 12th.
She was waiting with her parents at the bus station for Harry's bus, which was supposed to be arriving at midday. According to her watch, the time was 12:01. Hermione was looking all around for her friend and felt relieved when her eyes finally rested on a familiar mass of untidy black hair.
Harry was refreshed from a small nap on the bus, and was casually looking around for Hermione, when something heavy crashed into him from in front. From the force of the push, Harry was knocked to the ground. He was struggling to get up, as he was entangled with a girl about his age with suspiciously bushy hair.
'Hermione?' Harry asked uncertainly. He was answered with a loud groan. He held out his hand and helped her up. She immediately enveloped him in a tight hug.
'Harry!' she said breathlessly. 'How are you? How's your summer been so far?'
'I'm fine, pretty boring so far, but hopefully that will change.' Hermione finally let go of him ad they made their way over to Hermione's parents.
'So how did you convince the Dursley's to let you get away?'
'Well, they were eager to get rid of me anyway, and Dumbledore said it was ok.'
'How's your holiday been?' Harry asked her later as they were driving back to her house.
'Well, I've been hanging out with my old friends, you know, the ones I told you about.'
'Cool, I'm assuming I'll get to meet them?'
'Definitely. We'll meet Eric later and then go to Jeff's house where you can meet everyone.'
They remained silent for the rest of the drive. When they got home, Hermione showed Harry the spare bedroom where he would be sleeping. Hermione's parents were extremely hospitable to Harry and seemed genuinely happy to have him to stay.
When he had unpacked, Hermione took him to the park to meet Eric. Hermione told him on the way that she was going out with him.
'So that's why I was so weird for the last few weeks of school – I couldn't stop thinking about him. And now he's here and I'm so happy! And back to normal.' She explained and Harry nodded in understanding.
They reached the park and found Eric sitting on the bench next to the playground. He saw them coming and stood up. He hugged Hermione and gave her a peck on the cheek, and then he held out his hand to Harry, who shook it.
'The famous Harry Potter.' He remarked. 'Of course, Hermione's told me all about you.'
'Ditto, Mr. Eric Sinclair, my good friend Hermione's boyfreind. I suppose I should do the protective surrogate brother thing.' His tone turned serious and threatening. 'If you ever harm any fibre of Hermione's being, you will have Ron and I to answer to.'
'Don't worry, I only have the purest of intentions, I assure you.'
'Alright then.' Harry lightened up. Hermione couldn't suppress a grin – Harry definitely needed practice on the whole big brother routine.
'You have nothing to worry about.' Hermione informed Harry. 'Eric is ever the gentleman. Now, let's go and visit the rest of the gang.
As Jeffrey's house wasn't far at all, the trio walked, Hermione and Eric, hand in hand, Harry, awkwardly off to the side. Nothing much was said.
They reached the door and Eric knocked. Daphne, who had evidently been waiting for Eric, Hermione and her friend, Harry, opened the door. Daphne led the three to the lounge. The new arrivals entered to see Isabel and Jeffrey asleep on the couch. Daphne walked over to the coffee table, picked up a book she had obviously been reading before Hermione and co arrived, and dropped it. It landed with a loud bang that awoke the sleeping couple. Daphne then turned to Harry.
'Hi, I'm Daphne.' She said extending her right hand. Harry shook it and replied.
'Harry.'
'That's Isabel and Jeffrey.' She gestured to the now yawning pair. Daphne sat don on the large armchair and returned to reading her book.
'Sit down Harry.' Isabel said gesturing to the third space on the couch. 'Make yourself comfortable.' Harry complied. Hermione and Eric went and sat in another large armchair, identical to the one Daphne was sitting in.
'So, Harry, tell us about yourself.' Said Jeffrey, who now seemed fully awake.
'Well, I go to a boarding school up north with Hermione and our other friend Ron. I grew up with my aunt and uncle, because my parents died when I was one.'
'How did they die?' asked Isabel. Harry looked around the room. Isabel and Jeffrey were staring at him with curiosity. Hermione was sitting with Eric and watching Harry, whereas Eric was looking away. Then there was Daphne, who, although she was still peering at her book, was clearly taking in every word Harry said. Harry cast around in his mind and remembered the story the Dursley's had told to cover up his parent's death, as he obviously couldn't tell the truth, and answered.
'They died in a car crash. That's how I got this scar.' He lifted his fringe and showed them his lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
They asked Harry lot's of questions, which he answered as normally as possible, with furtive looks in Hermione's direction. During his interrogation, Daphne had only turned on page in her book.
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