Chapter Two

New Neighbors

Harry entered the kitchen to find that he made it just as Aunt Petunia, a bony woman with a long neck, started to make the plates for breakfast. Dudley, though looking leaner than he had been in the previous years, had been in a foul mood since he lost his Junior Heavyweight Inter-School Boxing Champion of the Southeast title to someone younger than him. Uncle Vernon, a large man with very little neck, complained that the fight was fixed and suggested it be reviewed. The review committee ruled in that the fight was legal and ruled in favor of Dudley's opponent. Uncle Vernon, however, still complained and wanted a rematch, but was overruled. Aunt Petunia handed Harry a small grapefruit half, since Dudley was still on his diet, while Dudley got two grapefruit halves. Harry knew that he should not complain since he could do magic outside of Hogwarts and he could just sneak into the kitchen during the night and make himself a sandwich. He had to be careful not to leave anything out since he could get into trouble. Dudley had been getting into trouble for sneaking food into the house that had not been on his diet.

Harry finished his grapefruit half and left the table where the Dursleys took no notice of his leave. He went up to his room to find that Hedwig was now awake and had been stretching her wings. Harry took some pieces of parchment and wrote two letters to his friends. One was to Ron saying that he would be glad to go to the Quidditch World Cup and the other to Hermione saying that he would be glad to meet her, but didn't know the time or date to put.

Harry decided to do his homework to pass the time until he could send Hedwig off so that she was safe. He started on a nasty Potions essay for his most hated professor, Professor Snape. Professor Snape hated Harry for something that happened to him during the years James, Harry's father, had been at Hogwarts. A few hours past as Harry started to edit and redo his essay when a vehicle was heard outside his window.

Harry knew almost at once that the new neighbors had arrived. Harry saw two cars pulling trailers loaded with furniture. The first passengers came out of the lead car and Harry could see a family with a small girl with them. The father, with dark brown hair, looked well mannered as the Dursleys came out to greet them. Harry knew that they were just doing this to be nice since they talked about their neighbors behind closed doors. The mother had dark blonde hair as she greeted Aunt Petunia. The young girl with blonde hair ran towards the second car as the passengers came out. It was a mother and father with a girl that looked like the same age as Harry. She had bushy brown hair hugging the little blonde haired girl and Harry knew at once that it was Hermione Granger with her family. Harry saw Dudley approach Hermione and Harry remembered that he had received Extendable Ears that he had received from Ron's older brothers, Fred and George. He found them and put them on his ears and listened.

"What's you name pretty girl?" Harry heard Dudley ask Hermione.

"Hermione and you are?" Harry knew that Hermione, being clever, must act like she never met Dudley in order to keep her wizarding identity from the Dursleys and her relatives a secret.

"Dudley, that's a pretty name Her-mo-nee."

Harry silently laughed at the way Dudley tried to say her name.

"Her-my-oh-nee," she said clearly.

"That's an odd name for a pretty girl like you."

"Odd? For your information, my name comes from 'A Winter's Tale' by William Shakespeare," she said fiercely, but low enough to not allow the Dursleys to hear.

"Come Dudley," Harry heard Uncle Vernon.

"I could give you a tour of your new surroundings."

"No, my family had already moved to Mongolia Crescent and I am just here to help my relatives," she said walking past him with her cousin on tow. "One more thing," she said turning to face him again as her cousin went to rejoin her parents. "I already have a boyfriend and he could get very jealous if someone like you were talking to me," she lowered her voice as she inched closer to Dudley. "I already know that you are in trouble with the law and I would never date anyone like you," she walked off toward the trailer to help her parents and relatives unload.

Harry laughed silently at Dudley standing flabbergasted at what Hermione had just said. Harry continued to work as Hedwig watched from her cage silently as Dudley went to retrieve his bike and left in the direction to Mongolia Crescent. Harry continued to do his Potions as Hermione continued to help her family unload the trailers. The next few hours past as Harry heard doors slam shut and Harry saw Hermione and family leave. Harry wanted to send Hedwig to Hermione and Ron but couldn't since it was too risky to send her. Harry suddenly remembered a spell that he had never thought of; the Disillusionment Charm.

"Okay girl, I have a job for you," he said taking her out of her cage and she presented her leg to him. "Send this one to Hermione first then the other one to Ron, but first," he talked to her as he attached the letters to her leg. He took out his wand that had been on the nightstand and performed the Disillusionment Charm on Hedwig. She vanished, but Harry could see her since she now match her surrounding; just like a chameleon does to match their surroundings. Hedwig flew off and Harry knew that she could not be seen by Muggles, non-magic folks, but only by others of the magic community.

Harry took off the Extendible Ears and put them in his trunk so that he could work in peace. He finished his essay after several redoes and started on his Charms homework; which was to practice for an exam on the first day of class. Harry closed his door so that he was not disturbed and so that his uncle would not fume at him for using magic inside his household.

Hedwig had returned two hours later and was still under the Disillusionment Charm. She had two letters with her. The first one was from Ron saying that he had received his message and the other was from Hermione and it was a short message:

Tomorrow at ten at the park near the swings near Mongolia Crescent.

Harry kept up in his room doing his homework after removing the Disillusionment Charm off of Hedwig. Aunt Petunia came by with his lunch; which was only another grapefruit half. Harry didn't care since he could make more grapefruits from the one he had. Dudley had returned home in time for dinner, Harry knew that he was looking for new targets to beat on, and he was talking to his parents that he fell in love with the girl he just met, but cannot find her again. Harry kept silent due to the fact that his aunt and uncle were glad that Dudley found someone he loves. Dudley had a hard time saying Hermione's name, but Harry kept silent; even with Uncle Vernon making snide remarks that Harry would never find someone that likes him for what he is. Aunt Petunia on the other hand kept quiet during Uncle Vernon's rant against Harry, and Harry knew that she kept silent since she might know that Harry could do magic outside of school now. Harry finished with his meager dinner and left to his room to continue his until he fell asleep at his desk.