The trip to Hermione's flat was a very pleasant one as the two strangers made more small conversations. Harry was very fond of being able to talk to someone like this, in a calm civil manner and without having to call the security on him or her at the end. By the look on Hermione's face and her genuine smile, tells him that she was enjoying it as well. Every good thing comes to an end sooner or later and their little conversations ended in good terms as they arrived at Hermione's place.
"Well, this is me. Thanks again for the ride. It was sure very enjoyable." Hermione said as she opened the door, "Oh no, it's ok Alfred. I can get the door." She said before Alfred can get out of his seats.
"Very well Miss" Alfred replied giving her one last nod. Hermione was now outside as Harry follow suit.
"Allow me to walk you to your door." Harry suggested.
"Thanks, but its fine. I can go on from here. Good day Mr. Potter." She said reaching out to shake his hand good bye.
"As you please Miss Granger." Harry said while taking her hand and kissed it, "Good day" he finished and got back into the car missing the change of color of Hermione's face. What a day it was. Who ever thought things like this happens to complete strangers.
In the car Harry was still replaying his day over and over again. He has never felt so content in a long while. There was something different about this new stranger and he is willing to go and find out what that is.
"Mr. Potter?" Alfred spoke up
"Um?"
"This letter was sent to from your aunt this afternoon. It seems urgent sir." Alfred told him as he gave Harry the letter.
"Thank you Alfred." Harry replied, taking the letter and looking at it questionably. "I wonder what she wants." He said as it has been years since he lasted talked to his aunt and uncle. More like screamed with them but that's beside the point. He slowly opens the envelope and read the letter.
Harry,
At least she didn't call me "boy" anymore he thought and read on.
I know this might come as a surprise since it has been years since we last spoken. However, I wrote to you to let you know the tragic news of your uncle's passing. I know you might not care for much because of how we treated you but I still would like it if you would join us at the funeral this Sunday at 1 in the afternoon. Please send me back a respond to weather you would or not. I hope I would be receiving a yes rather then a no.
I'm sorry,
Your aunt
Harry was shocked, not because of his aunt writing to him but the fact that his uncle was no longer alive. It felt a bit emotional at this news and really didn't know how to respond to his aunt's request. Then he whipped out a piece of paper and pen.
Aunt Petunia,
I'm sorry to hear about uncle Vernon. Even though those past years weren't the best ever you guys are still consider my family. I'm glad you asked me to join and I would like to pay my respects. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
HarryAfter he finishes his message he then sealed it in a white envelope.
"Here Alfred, can you send this to my aunt for me as soon as possible?" Harry requested
"Absolutely sir."
The next couple of days went by slowly as Harry once again return to his daily routines. Then came Sunday, the day of his uncle's funeral. He dressed in all black, suit and all. He wasn't looking forward towards this day but he knew he had told his aunt he wouldn't miss it. There was something about it that told him that his uncle's family would not welcome him with open arms. Sighing deeply to himself, he took the keys to his car and decided that he would be driving today. Alfred objected but respects his master's decisions.
The road to Number 4 Private Drive was, for lack of better words, long. Harry didn't know if it was the long way or of his slow driving. Finally Harry had spot the house he dreaded seeing again. He parked on the side and got out of the car, taking a deep breath and started walking towards the house.
Ding dongThe
doorbell rang loudly and then he heard footsteps coming towards the
door. Slowly the door opened revealing a chestnut color hair woman
who was not looking at him but talking to someone in the house. When
she finally turned around to come face to face with him she gasped in
surprise.
"Harry?" she stuttered.
"Hermione, uh hello." Harry said a bit confused. "Can I uh come it?"
"Oh yes of course. It's not even my house." Hermione said as she moved out of the way.
"I know." He said walking inside. "Thank you." And from the other side Harry heard his name.
"Harry, you came." His aunt approached him with a hug. "Thanks"
"Its nothing, I would like to pay my respects." Harry told her.
"Well make yourself comfortable, we'll all go to the cemetery as soon as we are done here." She said and left him standing.
"So…" Hermione started from behind him.
"He's my uncle." Harry replied knowing exactly what she was about to ask.
"Oh, I am very sorry." She said softly.
"Don't worry about it. We weren't very close. I cam today on the request of my aunt." Harry replied rather casually. "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out that way. Its just that I never had a single good memory of this place of the 17 years I've lived here." Harry told her as they made there way over to the living room and took a seat. Hermione seem to have figured out something, as her face was force into a quizzical look.
"You're Harry…" she uttered out suddenly
"Uh, yes, you knew that already." Harry said a bit confuse about her sudden outburst.
"No, no. I mean your Harry, the little boy who lived here but was never allow doing anything because, as your aunt and uncle put it, you don't like people around you." Hermione told him.
"Um, I'm sorry Hermione but I a tad bit confused." Harry told her.
"Sorry. What I am trying to say is that I knew of you when I was small." Hermione said.
"Well, I think every witch or wizard knew of me before they were even born." Harry said as a matter of fact.
"No, I mean I knew of the little boy Harry not the famous defeating some dark lord Harry. I use to live at number 2 but of course you wouldn't know but my parents are good friends of the Dursley. I would hear stories about you told by Uncle Vernon saying how you were a mental child who is depress. Oh how wrong am I to believe in that. I've always wanted to meet you but too scared that the things your uncle said is true." Hermione told him her story a bit embarrassed of her being naïve.
"Wow, isn't that a surprise. Therefore, that doesn't make us strangers after all." Harry implied.
"Yeah, I guess not." Hermione said smiling as their conversations carried on about random subjects.
"Oh, Harry we are leaving to the cemetery now. Did you drive?" His aunt asked and he nodded a yes. His aunt then looks to Hermione and decided to introduce the two not knowing that they've already met. "Oh, this is Hermione Granger, Harry, the daughter of a very good friend of your uncle and mine."
"Pleasure to meet you Miss Granger, I'm Harry Potter." Harry introduces taking her hand and giving it a kiss.
"Well, how do you do Mr. Potter?" she replied playing along.
"I well, but better if you care to join me in the car ride." Harry requested.
"Gladly done." Hermione said smiling and followed Harry out to his car.
"If I didn't know better, I would have thought they known each other…" Aunt Petunia said quietly as she too was out the door.
In the car Harry had a good laugh about what just happen and Hermione questioned his behaviors.
"Why didn't you tell your aunt we knew each other?"
"Well, I liked the idea of meeting my second stranger." Harry replied.
"Well, its always better the second time around." Hermione told him as he started to drive. He looked at her as she was staring forward into the road.
"Sure is…sure is" Harry whispered as he pulled his attention back onto the road. Harry didn't know that Hermione had seen him looked at her from the corner of her eyes, and then she smiled to herself feeling lighten up although it was a gloomy day and a gloomy situation.
