A/N: Sorry that I haven't updated the third chapter yet. It is quite long and is taking a while to take shape. It is almost done so it will be posted soon. Also I have been editing the previous chapters. I hope that you like them. Please r&r so I can make more changes. Tell me what you think good or bad. Thankx
Chapter Two
Hermione V.S. the Dursley's
By the time Harry got to sleep it was 6:00 a.m. Although he had been in bed since four o'clock, he just couldn't sleep. There was too much that had gone on that night, that Harry used the time to let everything sink in. Dumbledore showing up, telling him that Sirius was not dead, Sirius standing in the street, asking him to go and stay with him. So much to think about. I am getting really tired. I have to be up by eight to I can take a shower. Harry thought sleepily and then promptly fell asleep.
Harry woke only when Aunt Petunia was knocking sharply on the door. "You better be up," came Aunt Petunia's shrill voice. "That freaky friend of yours will be here in half an hour. Uncle Vernon and I don't want her or her family here any longer than they have to be. And don't expect us to welcome them either. You know how we feel about people like you."
Harry mumbled something that sounded remotely like "yeah I'm up." He rolled over and felt around for his glasses, found them and put them on. He looked around at the clock; it read 8:30 a.m. Harry was suddenly very awake. He cursed as he got out of bed. He didn't have much packed. Then he became conscious that he still smelt like dog.
He ran to the bathroom and took a super quick shower so he wouldn't smell. He ran back to his room and started to throw his clothes into a pile in his trunk. He was running around trying to find all of his textbooks (it's amazing how they can get so strewn around a room in two weeks) when he heard a car pull into the driveway.
Harry froze when the door bell rang. He unfroze and bolted out of his room. He took the stairs three at a time, jumping the last three. He got to the door as Uncle Vernon cam into the front hall. He looked extremely put out.
As her parents stopped the car, Hermione hesitated before she got out. She had to get herself ready for what might happen. She got out of the car and walked up to the door, waited, and then rung the door bell. As she stood there waiting for someone to open, she began to think about the car ride over here.
Hermione was sitting in the back of her parent's car. Her parents were talking like they always did on long car rides. Normally Hermione would join in on the conversation, but today she was very nervous. She told Harry that she would be able to control herself, and she wouldn't tell the Dursley's off. She wasn't worried about keeping doing what she said she was more worried about how her parents would react to the Dursley's. So she just sat there looking out the window. When ever he parents asked if there was anything wrong she told them that she just had a lot on her mind. She knew that they would leave her alone to think about what she was going to about this. They were the greatest parents that she could have asked for.
Harry was worried about the same thing. How would the Dursley's react to the Granger's? He had told them that they were muggle but Hermione was not. Harry had also told Hermione that she should warn her parents that there was no guarantee that they would not be rude; in fact they probably would be rude just because she was a friend of his. Everyone knew that if you were a friend of Harry Potter then you deserved to be treated horribly.
Sure Harry must have told them that I was a witch. From the way that he talked about them hating witches and wizards they are not going to want to very civil towards me or my family. What am I going to do? Maybe Harry told them that even though I am a witch, my parents have nothing to do with magic. Maybe they won't care too much. I don't know. Wait, if I told mum and dad about what the Dursley's are like then maybe they will be more prepared for the way that may be treated.
"Hey Mum, Dad, can I talk to you for a few minutes. I am sure that we will be at Harry's house soon and there is something that I need to tell you. You see Harry's parents' were murdered and now he lives with his Aunt and Uncle. Well, his Aunt and Uncle are not like Harry or I. They are non-magic. In fact from what Harry had told me they actually despise magic. I know that they are not going to be very pleasant to me but I am not sure how they will treat you. They probably will treat you the same way, but I just thought that maybe I should warn you so that way you won't be surprised."
"Ok dear, well what would you suggest we do?" said Hermione's mother.
"We want to make sure that you are able to bring Harry with us." Added her father.
"That's the thing. I don't know what we should do. I wish that there was someway that I could get a hold of Harry. I am sure he would know what to do," said Hermione.
"Well I guess we could sit in the car and wait for you and Harry. Would that work?"
"I guess that it will work. If everything is going ok then I will come out and get you," said Hermione. Does that sound good?"
Both of her parents nodded to show that it was a good plan. Just then they were about to pull into the driveway marked number 4 Privet Drive. Hermione suddenly got very nervous. Everyone always thought of her as the insufferable-know-it-all. That was only because she exuded so much confidence. She hated doing stuff like this and she was no good a public speaking. Harry and Ron didn't even know that she was like this. It was the one thing that she kept from them. I have no idea why I won't tell them. I don't think that it will change the relationship but I am not sure. Maybe I am just embarrassed.
Harry opened the door and saw it was who he expected, Hermione Granger. She was early just like Harry had told the Dursley's that she would be. Harry smiled at her and then hugged her. Harry could tell that she was very nervous. Of course she had no idea what to expect. I never realized how cute she was when she bit her bottom lip. And god she smells good too. Harry mentally shook himself. No why am I think that? I don't have feelings for her. She is my best friend. Ron is the one that likes her. I don't like her like that. There is someone else anyway.
When they drew apart there seemed to be an awkward silence between until Hermione asked how his summer had been so far.
"It hasn't been that bad."
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"Not quite, I still have got a bit left to pack," he said. She gave him a questioning look and he said "I will tell you later."
Hermione nodded, she instantly knew that something had come up that prevented him from packing and she would make sure to ask him about it later. Uncle Vernon on the other hand looked peeved. "I thought you were all packed last night," he said gruffly.
"Something came up and I didn't get to it. Don't worry we won't be here long," snapped Harry.
Hermione looked at Uncle Vernon she hadn't even noticed him standing there. When she saw him she went very tense. I have to keep my mouth shut. I cannot lose my temper. Uncle Vernon seemed to have noticed that Hermione had going tense as well.
Then all of a sudden, out of no where Uncle Vernon spoke;
"So are you old enough to be driving?"
"No I don't have my license yet," answered Hermione.
"Well then, how did you get here?" asked Uncle Vernon suspiciously.
"My parents drove me. They didn't want to intrude so they are sitting in the car," Hermione said with a bite in her voice.
Harry hearing this decided that it was a good idea to avoid any and all confrontations. He knew that he had to get Hermione out the there.
Before Harry could say anything to Hermione Uncle Vernon said "Just make sure you hurry." He turned and went back into the kitchen muttering to himself.
"Follow me. You can meet the rest of my wonderful family," Harry said sarcastically. Hermione couldn't help but smile. Harry led Hermione into the hall and then into the kitchen, where he found Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and very surprisingly Dudley were up and awake. Uncle Vernon was sitting at the table with Dudley drinking a cup of tea. Aunt Petunia was standing cooking breakfast. Dudley was doing what he always did during the summer when he wasn't being a bully, watching TV. Harry was surprised to see that they were all dressed in Sunday church clothes.
When Harry walked into the kitchen with Hermione trailing behind him, Uncle Vernon looked like he was about to say something but then promptly shut his mouth.
"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Dudley I would like to introduce my friend Hermione Granger," Harry said.
Hermione gave a small wave. Aunt Petunia looked up from cooking and gave a curt nod. Dudley stopped watching TV long enough to see what she looked like and then went back to watching TV. Then it finally registered that there was actually another girl in the house aside from his mother, he turned and stared at Hermione.
'No wonder Harry wants to leave this place so badly. These people are so unfriendly. It was a good idea for mum and dad to not come in. And what is up with this Dudley kid. He has not stopped staring at me. In fact I don't thing he has even blinked. He is really starting to freak me out,' thought Hermione as there was an awkward silence.
"If you want to wait out front I will be there in just a sec I have to finish putting my books away and then we can leave." Harry said.
"Yes I will go tell my parents that we won't be much longer. But please hurry, we have got a long drive ahead of us."
Harry turned to leave and looked back at Hermione. She nodded again as if to say 'I can handle myself. Just hurry.' With that Harry turned and went up to his room. Meanwhile Hermione was about to leave and go talked her parents when Dudley spoke to Hermione.
"S-So how d-did you meet Harry? Are you just like him? I mean, you know, a weirdo?" Dudley asked.
There were two gasps of horror; one came from Hermione and the other from Aunt Petunia. Hermione really wanted to slap Dudley for saying what he had, but then she realized that she couldn't because she had promised Harry that she would try to avoid any confrontations with the Dursley's.'That still doesn't make me not want to hit the stupid git. He has no right to say what he said. He doesn't even know me. He has no idea what I am like. But that doesn't stop him from staring at me like I was a giant piece of candy.' Hermione thought angrily. Even Aunt Petunia looked mortified. Even though she and Vernon had no desire to have any contact with the sort of people like Harry, they never called them anything to their face. They would never say anything like what her son had just said.
Uncle Vernon however looked pleased with his son. He seemed to be happy that his son had taken after him and always being honest. Because Vernon Dursley never lied to anyone's face so that they would not be embarrassed. Uncle Vernon was smiling proudly seeing the look that Hermione had on her face. It was like she didn't know what to do with herself.
When Harry walked into the kitchen he sensed that something had gone wrong. Judging by the look on Hermione's face, Harry knew that one them the Dursley's had said something to upset her. Although, he was very surprised that the one that had said something hadn't been jinxed already. 'Looks like Hermione really is going to try to keep her promise. I bet that it was Uncle Vernon that said something. I don't think that Aunt Petunia or Dudley would have the courage to say anything. I wonder what he said.' Harry thought amusedly.
"Hermione are you ready to go?" Harry asked hoping that she would say yes.
"No not quite. There are a few things that I have got to say. First, Harry I am sorry but I can't keep my promise. You are coming with me no matter what these people say. Second," she turned to the Dursley's "you are the rudest people I have ever met. But I am sure that is only because I am a witch and Harry is a wizard. Yes we may be different but that does not mean that we are not human and that we don't deserve to be treated like humans," said Hermione in a huff. 'They flinch every time that I say those words. It's kind of like when we hear the name Voldemort.'
Harry knew that he had to stop Hermione; she looked like she was about to slap Uncle Vernon. And it was only going to get worse, because Hermione Granger was only getting warmed up.
"Hermione, what about your parents? Aren't they still waiting in the car?" Harry asked hoping that this would change her mind about starting and/or finishing this. But something told Harry that there was no way that she was going to leave without giving them a piece of her mind. So Harry decided that it would be the best for him to stand there and wait for her to get done with the Dursley's.
"As for you," she looked at Dudley. "You have no right to say what you said. Just because you and your parents and every other person in this town thinks that we are as you said 'weirdo's' that does not mean that we are. I think that you desperately need to be taught what respect is." Uncle Vernon looked upset when she said this.
"Now you just wait a minute missy. What gives you the right to come in to this house and start sprouting off like you know how I run this family?" Uncle Vernon spat at her. Aunt Petunia who had just been standing in the kitchen came and laid a hand on Uncle Vernon's shoulder. She had stopped cooking by now.
"I never came into this house thinking that I know how it is run, but I do not appreciate it when I get called a weirdo. I don't care if it is by a muggle or if it is by a witch or wizard. There are some things that this family lacks and respect is one of them.
"I never said that I was done talking to you," she said to Dudley. He saw this as a perfect opportunity to try to escape. He turned around and looked at Hermione, and said:
"You know when I first saw you, I thought that you were pretty cute but now, now I think that you are just an insufferable know-it-all-twit. You think that you are so perfect, but are not; freaks can't be perfect. I mean look at that bunch with the red hair, the Weasels or something like that. They looked like they were living on the street. There clothes were ragged and outgrown. And t-those gits that gave me the candy that made my tongue swell, they deserve to be committed along with their father. Who hasn't seen an outlet, or batteries?" Dudley said. Harry looked at Hermione; the look on her face was hard to read. She looked angry, hurt, and in disbelief.
"But they are nothing compared to the one will all of the freckles. I remember when the idiot called to talk to him," he said pointing at Harry. "He was bellowing like he was at a football game. I was laughing the whole time daddy was yelling at him about giving the number out. It was almost as funny as watching Harry being chased up a tree by Aunt Marg's dog."
Both Harry and Hermione were rooted to the spot that they were standing. They were so angry. How could Dudley say this stuff? He is such a coward when it comes confronting someone that is about his age. Maybe he thinks that Hermione is just simply a girl and can't do anything, thought Harry. Hermione was standing there with a look of astonishment on her face. "He doesn't even know Ron or any of the other Weasley's. He can't do this. I have got to stop him. No control yourself. You can't let him see that he had gotten to you or it will be worse, thought Hermione with tears in her eyes.
Dudley seemed to notice the tears, because he changed the subject to Harry completely. "I see that you are just as big of a crybaby as he is," he said pointing at Harry. "He doesn't know that I can hear him during the night; always crying about his godfather, and a Cedric kid. Just from listening to him you'd think that he was gay. Then it really starts to get good when he starts talking about a 'Lord Voldemort' "No don't kill him. No don't he doesn't mean anything to you. No Cedric." Dudley said laughing. Aunt Petunia looked so scared that Harry was going to hex Dudley. She tried to get him to stop but he just ignored her. Even Uncle Vernon now looked scared that Dudley had gone too far. But there seemed to be no stopping him. After he finished laughing he started right back in on Harry.
"That's not even the best part. After he stops crying about the Cedric fellow, he starts talking about someone called Sirius. I would guess that he was your godfather. You always say that you want to go and live with him."
"Living with hi would be better than living here with you," Harry snapped waspishly.
"So why don't you go and live with him. Oh wait I forgot you can't because he is dead." Dudley said with a wide evil grin on his face.
Hermione grabbed Harry to make sure that he didn't do anything. He is not going to be able to hit this stupid, oversized git. I am. She thought to herself.
"To think we were almost rid of you. But the worthless piece of dung that you had for a godfather is dead. You have nowhere to go. Obviously your worthless parents didn't want you. If they did, they wouldn't have gotten themselves killed by that 'Lord Voldemort' fellow.
"Mum, dad, stop him he is going to kill me. Dad, helps me. Mum please..." It is a shame that this fellow didn't finish you off because th —"
Dudley never got to finish; before Harry could even move Hermione had punched Dudley right in the mouth. She had punched him so hard that he was knocked back a couple of steps. She stood there, looking mutinous. Her chest was heaving. Uncle Vernon saw this and was on his feet moving towards Hermione. Uncle Vernon was standing facing Hermione when Hermione's parents had come in to see what could have possibly been taking her this long to come back. Mr. Granger heard what Dudley had said to Hermione and saw that Vernon was about to do something to his daughter. He stepped in between Hermione and Uncle Vernon.
"Dad what are you doing in here?
"Who the bloody hell are you?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"I am Shawn Granger. And just what do you think you were about to do to my daughter?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Your daughter, eh...well then I suggest that you tell that little girl of yours to watch her tongue. She had no right to come in here and start talking like she owned the place. This is my house and nobody talks to me or my family like that," Uncle Vernon said. Aunt Petunia nodded enthusiastically.
"You are positively right Vernon, she had no right," said Aunt Petunia. She then remembered that Hermione had hit Dudley and ran over to him asking him if he was alright.
Mr. Granger stood at least a foot over Uncle Vernon. Looking down upon the shorter, squatter man, Mr. Granger asked Hermione if she had indeed punched Dudley; meanwhile he never took his eyes off of Uncle Vernon.
"Well yes actually, I did. And I do no regret it one bit. In fact, I believe that he deserved what he got. There was no reason for him to say what he did," Hermione said.
"Well there you have it Mr. Dursley was it? My daughter felt that she had every right to hit your son and frankly I believe that she was right in her actions. I already don't think that I like you and your family. You don't like my daughter, that is fine, and everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But for you to allow you son to voice something like that in front of someone that you have just met, that is just plain rude. Now if you will excuse us we have a very long journey ahead of us so it was a pleasure to meet you." Mr. Granger said with a note of sarcasm in his voice. With that he turn to Hermione and Harry and led them out of the kitchen.
It was Harry's turn to look as though Christmas had come early. He turned and followed Mr. Granger and Hermione out of the kitchen, then he turned around and wave to the Dursley's. Seeing the look on their faces was priceless. Harry really wished that he had a camera so that way he could have captured the look on the faces of the Dursley's because they had just got a taste of their own medicine.
