Chapter Three

Reunion

Harry woke up and changed before heading down for breakfast; after reading the Daily Prophet, which contained an article on the Order of Merlins that were issued to students who participate in the defense of Hogwarts; which was two columns long on one page. He ate silently while Dudley was talking again over the meeting with Hermione the previous day. Harry finished his grapefruit half and left the kitchen to proceed to his room. He continued to do his homework until it was near the time with his meeting with Hermione in the park near Mongolia Crescent. It was a quarter till the time of his meeting before he left his room with his wand in his pocket. He went down the stairs and proceeded to exit the house.

"Where are you going boy?" Uncle Vernon asked before he could reach the door.

"Just for a walk," Harry said coolly.

"A likely story," Uncle Vernon said with his mustache twitching.

"Would you like me out of the house for a few hours or in my room?"

Uncle Vernon was fuming at Harry's question and Harry knew that he would like Harry out of the house rather than inside. "You may go, but be back by dinner. We are going to a housewarming party for our new neighbors, and I want you in your room an hour before six," he said with his face turning purple before he left to sit in his chair to continue to read the newspaper.

Harry went out the door of Number Four and went in the direction Dudley had gone the previous day. It was a clear sunny day, but not as hot as it been the previous two summers. He turned on Mongolia Road and headed in the direction of the park; where he past the spot where he had first seen his godfather, Sirius Black, in his dog form. Harry was now over Sirius' death, but he still missed him. He vaulted over the park gate and it was just as desolate as he had visited two summers ago. Harry guessed that Dudley's gang have been vandalizing the park again, and nobody plays there since it was said that Dudley's gang own it.

Harry went in the direction of the swings to find a bushy brown haired girl the same age as Harry. She looked up as Harry approached and abandoned her swing to run towards Harry.

"Hello Her-" Harry could not finish since he was now in a tight one sided hug with her.

"Sorry Harry, but I was worried about you since the events that have transpired over this past term," she said releasing him from her hug.

"My cousin better not see us together since he had been saying that he was in love with you," Harry said and Hermione's expression changed.

"I hope he doesn't get any ideas of asking me out," she said hotly. "I told him that I already had a boyfriend, and I only said that so he doesn't get any ideas of asking me out. I also told him that he was trouble, and I hope he doesn't blame you for telling me."

"Dudley's not that smart. He hasn't said anything to me and Uncle Vernon thinks you are normal; by his standards at least."

"I consider myself normal, but knowing your uncle; he won't be too pleased if he finds out."

"I've read your letter that you received the Order of Merlin, First Class."

"I did and I know that you would have received one too since you are the Boy Who Lived and the one who killed Voldemort. That was a brilliant idea putting the Disillusionment Charm on Hedwig so not to attract any attention to my aunt and uncle."

"I hope your cousin doesn't get on the wrong side of Dudley."

"I hope she doesn't either, but she'd rather stay indoors and read novels."

"What?" Harry asked shocked.

"Yes, well, she is not an outdoor person," Hermione replied calmly.

"Did you get an invitation from Ron?"

"Yes I did and I would like to go."

Loud rude singing was heard and Harry's stomach went into knots. It was Dudley and his gang. If Dudley had seen Harry with Hermione; there would be trouble. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and dragged her in some nearby bushes where they sat.

"Harry-" but Harry covered her mouth with his hand.

"Did you hear him scream?" one of the gang said.

"Yes, like a little girl," another said.

"Where's that lout of a cousin of yours Big-D?"

"He must be in his room, and if he comes close to that girl I met. I am going to punch him senseless," Dudley said.

"That would be something I would like to see. It is too bad that Smeltings is an all boy's school; I wish girls were aloud," he dreamily said taking out a small box. He opened the small box and Harry could tell it was a box of cigarettes. He distributed them among the gang.

"That hit the spot," another member of the gang said after lighting his cigarette.

The gang continued to smoke as they tried to break the swings that Hermione was sitting on. Harry and Hermione kept quiet as Dudley's gang tried to vandalize the park. It had been several hours, and several cigarettes later, until they left the park singing rudely.

They left without even noticing that they were being watched. Harry waited until they were gone before getting up with Hermione by his side.

"Your cousin must be thick. He thinks that I or any other girl would like him even though he is being mean to you and to others, and above all; smoking," Hermione said fiercely while removing leaves from her hair.

"If they spotted us; I would be in trouble. Dudley would be too scared to take me on; even with his gang around, but I would be in trouble with my aunt and uncle; they would blame me for using magic on you to make you like me. I am supposed, as the rumor goes, to be attending St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys when I'm at Hogwarts."

"I think it is too risky for us to talk in the open and no one is incurable. There is a cure for everything, and you don't have to put a spell on me for me to like you. We've been close friends since you and Ron saved me from that mountain troll during our first year on Halloween night. I'll think of a way for us to communicate without using Hedwig since she might get tired of flying back and forth."

"I agree with you Hermione."

Before parting, Hermione gave Harry a kiss on his cheek and left. Harry, taken back from Hermione's second kiss on his cheek, left in the opposite direction and toward Privet Drive. Harry made his way towards Privet Drive and entered the Dursleys' home in time for lunch. He ate his meager meal and left for his room to continue his homework.

Harry never left his room as he started on his Herbology homework. Aunt Petunia gave him his meager dinner and Uncle Vernon locked his door. Harry knew that was an ill-fated attempt to keep him in his room. Harry could just use magic to unlock his door and make his way toward the kitchen before making his way back toward his room to relock the locks on his door. Harry started editing his Herbology when he saw a flash of light behind him. He turned and noticed that the light came from behind his door.

Harry approached the door with his wand ready and muttered, "Alohomora," and the locks unlatched. He opened the door to see a scarlet swan-like bird standing kneel-high near his feet with a letter in his beak. Harry knew the bird at once to be Fawks; a phoenix who resided in the headmaster's office since Hogwarts was founded almost a thousand years ago. Harry took the letter from Fawks' beak and read:

Gather your belongs Harry and grab hold of Fawks' tail feathers.

Albus Dumbledore

Harry gathered his things and made sure that they were all in his trunk. He also made sure that Hedwig was secure in her cage before shutting his trunk. He dragged his trunk with Hedwig's cage on top of his trunk and into the hallway so that he could shut his door. He didn't want his leave to attract the neighbors attention; especially his relatives. He closed the door before he picked up Hedwig's cage and grabbed a handle of his trunk. Fawks took a perch on his shoulder and waited for Harry to get a firm grip on his trunk. Fawks then burst into a ball of flames with Harry in tow.