The Beginning
Hermione looked at her Hogwarts letter that was supposed to say she was Head Girl. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. But it not only did it say she would've been Head Girl but it also said she wasn't going to be in the seventh year. Her life was being turned upside down. She was going to be enrolled in a special program where she was an assistant teacher. She would get a special room, go to staff meetings and get all the responsibilities and privileges that regular teachers get. This program consisted of two people; her and another they left nameless. The pair would have been the Heads but Dumbledore thought they were too advance for regular schooling. Then she realized that it meant that the two were teaching the class together and they would only have a supervisor incase things went out of control. She finished the letter and read through it a second time trying to find what kind of class she was going to be teaching. She noticed that it left out a lot of the details, as if they were going to figure them out when she got there.
She suddenly jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around and got her wand out in one very smooth and fluent movement. She was in a house alone, who could it be? She then saw her little step brother who shouldn't have been in the house, he was suppose to be spending the night at his friends house. He smiled down at her. "You okay, sis? Going to kill an intruder with a stick? I love how you're such a genius." He joked. He saw her relax and even crack a smile at her dad's reaction to the first time he saw her wand. It was like an on going joke. Her "little" stepbrother was only five months younger then her and had just moved here from across the Atlantic. (America if you don't know your geography.) He had stayed there for about six years because of his real mom. He had moved in just as Hermione came back from Hogwarts. Now she had a family member in her year, or what year she should have been in. She frowned as she remembered her letter. She looked down at it. "What's got ya down squirt?" Bryan asked. Hermione just handed him the letter and headed for the kitchen. She needed some comfort food. Bryan read through the letter and burst out laughing. Hermione sighed as she grabbed the chocolate cake mix. "Squirt, this is hilarious! They want you to teach. They want you to stand in front of a huge crowd and teach. You'll never get anywhere. No one will pass. This is rich." Bryan said. As he walked into the kitchen.
"Hahaha. Very funny onion head. That means I get to teach you." Hermione said. Bryan immediately settled down.
"Ouch, that hurts, going against your own flesh and blood. That's mean." Bryan said, faking hurt.
"Yeah, pureblood boy wonder is hurt that little halfling gets beat up for the answers." Hermione mumbled seriously.
"Chill halfling. Only I get to tease you and that's a fact." He said with a smirk.
"That means I get to tease you, and you know I can do more harm than you can." Hermione said with a much bigger smirk that made her brother's wilt.
"Not fair! I get an older sister, I get an embarrassing life, and when I finally move to a place where no one knows me they know her. And she can torment me. Not fair." Bryan said.
"You forgot mature. Mature older sister." Hermione said with a laugh. Bryan brightened up and switched the oven knob to bake. Hermione started pouring all the ingredients in a bowl and mixed them.
"So… you're friends with that big headed fellow… potato head?" Bryan asked. "Hot Totters?"
"Harry Potter." Hermione said through her laughter. She loved how he always played Harry off as if he was some loser and made her seem like a goddess. It helped her self-esteem more than Bryan would ever know. Being stuck in the shadows of someone had its effects on you. She smiled at him as she poured the batter into the two cake pans. She loaded them into the oven and set the timer. Bryan had the sink filling with hot soapy water, which she proceeded to dump all the measuring spoons and bowl in. He gave her a glare through the suds and water she splattered on him. He took a wash cloth that was sitting in the water and wrung it out on top of her head. Hermione gasped at him. She was soaked from her waist up and her shirt and hair were dripping onto her pants. Bryan laughed as she hit him on the arm as hard as she could. He flinched at the contact. She was really strong for a girl.
"I'm going to go change." Hermione said from the stairs. Bryan ran after her slow moving figure and tackled her on the landing. They laughed as she flipped them over and took of her shirt to wring out on him. He sputtered as the water drenched him and put a hand so he didn't have to see his exposed stepsister.
"You're such a flirt." Hermione said to him. She got up and walked toward her room.
"And you're such a tease, flashing your stepbrother, that's wrong." Bryan said as she turned to close the door.
"I did not." Hermione said with a laugh. "I have a bra on!" She slammed the door. Bryan rolled his eyes and went to change.
"Mature my arse." He mumbled.
The two came out at the same time but Hermione was in a swimsuit and Bryan was confused. "I thought you were baking a cake?" Hermione smirked as she advanced on him.
"Nope, we have twenty minutes and some time for it to cool. You go change, we're going swimming." Bryan looked at her smirk and did as told. He met her beside the pool in the back yard and saw her floating on her back. Then he saw why she was smirking. The guy she was dating was in the pool with her. He steamed up. That punk was such a slut. He had five girls a night. Hermione was shamelessly flirting with him and he was advancing on her.
"That's a lovely bikini Rich. Seems to fit you well." Bryan said to announce his arrival. Rich only said 'you too,' before flirting with Hermione again. Bryan dove in and came up behind Hermione. Hermione pretended she didn't notice but Rich saw. He couldn't really miss the intense glare and the threat to beat him up. Rich may be famous with the ladies but Bryan could take him out in one punch. He was all about sports and had never met someone who could even give him a challenge.
"So what are you doing tonight Hermione?" Rich said, ignoring Bryan's threat. Hermione looked confused for a second but then smiled and ran a finger down his chest.
"I don't really know. Maybe I can sit all alone in my big dark house." Hermione sighed.
"What if I come and fix that?" Rich said. He was smirking as big as ever.
"What about me? I'll be home and awake I'll night, keeping creeps out of the house." Bryan said, smirking. Rich glared.
"Well then, you can come with me for a good time. Maybe even spend the night." Rich said seductively.
"I would… but I have to wake up early tomorrow to get to the other side of town so I can get all my books for boarding school. Then I have to pack the day after that and I'm gone on September first to school." Hermione said with a pout. Rich cursed under his breath before saying his farewell and threatening Bryan. Once he was gone Hermione spun around laughing.
"I am going to kill you!" Bryan said as he pushed her under. She popped right back up a few feet away. "You actually like that freak?"
"No, but I like to see him get rejected and I like telling people I haven't slept with him. He's such a slut." Hermione said. She walked over to Bryan and smiled the saddest smile he had ever seen. She let e few tears escape before she let the smile slip completely off her face. Suddenly she was sobbing into her brother's shoulder as he held her telling her it's okay to cry. She looked up once she had calmed down and smiled again before latching back on to him.
"You okay?" Bryan asked.
"No. You're going to be covered in girls soon and I'll never see you. It's not fair that right when it's my turn to see you, you're going to be busy." Hermione said sadly.
"I'll always have time to beat up your boyfriends." Bryan said with a laugh. "Besides, I'm not really looking. Girls are too hard to understand and please."
"I'm a girl." Hermione said. Bryan laughed.
"No, you're my sister, my pretty sister who I have to protect from people like Rich." Bryan said. Hermione sighed as she heard the timer for the cake. She dove under and swam to the edge closest to the back door in one breath. She dashed into the house and grabbed some hot pads before taking the cake layers out of the oven. She closed the oven door and put the now wet hot pads away. She then grabbed a towel and mopped up the trail of water she had created. Then she threw the soaking towel at Bryan as he entered the house.
"Cheap shot." He called as he ran to go get dressed. Hermione followed suit and headed after him. She finished getting dressed and headed downstairs to find Headwig on a chair back. Hermione fed it some owl treats she dug up and freed her of the burden. She read through the letter and noticed that they would be shopping tomorrow too. She smiled and grabbed the nearest pen to scribble her response on the back. She sent off the letter just as Bryan came back. The phone suddenly rang and he picked it up. Hermione rolled her eyes as he turned up the volume on the phone. That boy was going deaf from too many rock concerts. He was smiling and nodding like crazy before he hung up.
"Who was that?" Hermione asked the now beaming Bryan.
"That was my band manager, he said they found a replacement both ways. It's awesome. I only get one practice before school starts but they all go to different wizarding schools anyway. There is the issue of going to practices on weekends but I can always have you, right? Please?" Bryan pleaded.
"On one condition." Hermione said. "You get to buy me ear plugs so I can keep my hearing." Bryan smirked as he picked her up and spun her around. "What's the band called?"
"Black Catastrophe. Odd name but I'm told they're as good as we were. The new band members who replaced me suck but are getting better fast. The Black Catastrophe members on the other hand were a little upset when they heard I sing and play. They liked having five people, it's what they're use to." Blaise told her as they sat down at the table.
"Five? Two guitars, one drummer, one singer and…what?" Hermione asked as she frosted the cake.
"Two singers, they're still looking for a girl singer. The last one was killed by Voldermort and the two guys who played and sing are at war, one died and one missing." Bryan explained. Hermione sighed. "Know any chicks who can sing at Hogwarts?"
"I know Ginny can but she isn't rock, she's a sweet little girl. She might know someone though. Or she might try. She's a little hard to figure out when it comes to musical tastes." Hermione said.
"No, I meant can you sing." Bryan said. He stared at her. Hermione shrugged.
"Never tried. Never had a need or drive to." Hermione said, licking her fingers.
"Try Hermione. Sing." Bryan urged. Hermione laughed.
"I'm not going to make a fool of myself for your personal amusement. You should suggest an audition." Hermione said. She looked at the cake before putting it away. "I'm not hungry any more. I think I'll go watch a movie."
The rest of the two teen's nights were filled with movies. Hermione went to bed where as Bryan fell asleep on the couch.
Hermione woke up to her alarm ringing. She grabbed her alarm clock and threw it at the wall. She looked up and saw some paint fall off. She looked around for her paint roller thing her parents bought her to touch up her wall. She clicked the switch into position and in less than a minute; her wall was as good as new. She switched the roller shut and put it away. She picked up her alarm clock and looked very surprised to find it broken. Usually clocks lasted much longer. She sighed but was more than happy to get a new one. A clock that worked. She went downstairs for breakfast and heard the phone ring. She assumed that Bryan would get it but then realized he slept like a rock. She sprinted across the room and snatched the phone up before the answering machine got it.
"Hello, Granger residence." She said as cheery as possible into the phone, before covering up the mouthpiece to let out the breath she had been holding.
"Hello, this is the bass in Black Catastrophe. Is umm…" she heard him turn around and ask 'what's that punks name again?' She also heard the chorus of 'Bryan.' "… Bryan, is he there?"
"Yes, he's here." Hermione paused and smirked. "Would you like to talk to him or are just checking if he's home?"
"I wanted to talk to him, punk."
"Okay, I'm warning you now though. He's asleep and you're the one getting yelled at for waking him up."
"He can't do nothing, wake him up."
"Your funeral." Hermione shrugged as she walked over to Bryan. She then started tickling him. Didn't move. She then remembered the only way to wake him up. She sighed and made sure the mouthpiece was covered. 'Bryan, the phones for you.' She said seductively as she trailed a finger down his chest. Bryan shot right up, barely missing Hermione.
"What?" Bryan said, looking around.
"Phone, it's that band. The bass I think. Be a doll and tell him not to call me punk. Thanks." Hermione said as she left the phone in Bryan's hand.
"Hello? Why did you wake me up? It's like…what time is it?" Bryan said into the phone.
"Six thirty. I…"
"SIX THIRTY! WHAT THE HELL! WHY DID YOU CALL AT SIX THIRTY? IT'S LIKE, STUPID! ONLY FREAKS WAKE UP AT SIX THIRTY!" Bryan heard a chorus of 'hey' from the phone and Hermione.
"Well, I guess that punk was right. My funeral."
"My stepsister isn't a punk, she's a person." Bryan said into the phone.
"What ever. We all are going to Diagon Ally for school crap and we wanted to meet you at… let's say three in the… Flourish and Blots back room. Just ask Johnny, the punk at the register. He'll let you through. Okay punk?"
"I'm not a punk and sure, I was going anyway. Anything else?" Bryan said with a yawn.
"Yea, bring your step, she sounds hot."
"I won't and she wouldn't either. Then again, you'll see her a lot anyway. I'll try, but you can't touch. Okay?"
"Whatever you say-" he hung up and Bryan was stuck listening to a dial tone.
"Halfling. Want to meet the punks? Three at Flourish and Blots." Bryan yelled in the general direction of the kitchen.
"No." He heard her scream back.
"Why not?"
"Because I have to see the punks anyway, every weekend. Why now?"
"Because one likes you. He says you sound…hot." Bryan said with a grimace. He didn't see his stepsister that way.
"I will, if only to flirt with someone just to piss you off. Okay?" Hermione said as she came into the living room, done with her bowl of cereal. She picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, this is Hermione Granger, may I please speak to Harry?" Hermione said into the mouthpiece.
"You're calling tator tot?" Bryan said loudly with a smirk.
"Hush." Hermione shot back just as Harry picked up the phone.
"Hermione? Why should I be quiet?" Harry asked.
"Not you. I just called to ask if I could meet you and Ron in like an hour in the Three Broomsticks instead of at two."
"That's why you called potato head?" Bryan said loudly.
"Hermione, I don't mean to intrude but, who is that?" Harry asked, hearing the insult.
"Nobody." Hermione said through laughter. Harry became puzzled. 'How is that funny?' he thought.
"I don't get it." Harry said to Hermione.
"It's okay, he can explain it when you meet him. Bryan don't touch that or it'll-" Hermione warned only to have the stereo blast. Hermione dropped the phone so she could use her hands to cover her ears. Bryan smirked and turned it down just enough so that Hermione wouldn't turn it off. Hermione rolled her eyes and picked the phone up off the floor.
"I'm so sorry Harry. Are you okay?" Hermione asked.
"Fine. Who's Bryan?" Harry asked, raging mad.
"He's who I wanted you to meet. Oh, did I mention he doesn't exactly…like you very much." Hermione said lamely.
"I think hate would be better." Bryan said loudly, over the music.
"But hate is such a… strong word. All right, he's probably with Draco on that subject but he'll love Ron. He'll think he's hilarious. He's a little… intimidating but he's like a kitten I promise. He won't harm you… I hope. Well can you come early?" Hermione said.
"Sure, I get to leave early. I'll call him and ask, but one last question." Harry said.
"Hmm?"
"Why is Bryan at your house, I thought you were going to be home alone?" Harry explained.
"Oh. He's my stepbrother and he was a… surprise. I found out when he was at the door with luggage and he just became normal so quickly. I guess it slipped my mind. Well, I have to make sure Bryan gets dressed and showers before we go. And eats. And gets a list made. I have to g- don't you dare! Bye Harry. Stop this instant!" Hermione said. Harry was stuck with a dial tone and questions. Poor Potter. (Not!)
Back to Hermione and Bryan…
"Stop this instant!" Hermione said to Bryan who was now doing air guitar… and the guitar was being played by an urn… that was filled with a distant relative's ashes. Hermione ran over to him and yanked the urn out of Bryan's hand. Then the lid fell off and all the ashes fell out. And because off this Hermione started crying while Bryan swished and flicked the urn and ashes back to normal state. Hermione cried more.
"Now you'll get a warning and it's all my fault!" She cried. Bryan looked at her funny.
"No I won't. I've done probably a hundred spells this summer and have yet to get a warning because a used a spell to block Ministry sensors. They are so much easier here than in America." Bryan said calmly.
"That's illegal." Hermione said wide-eyed.
"Of course it is! But I'll never get caught. Besides I'm taking it down the day we leave for school. No one will ever know." Bryan explained. Hermione calmed down, until she looked over Bryan's shoulder and saw the time. They had fifteen minutes. Hermione screamed and ran upstairs to grab a shower and change before time ran out. She was downstairs and making a list in ten minutes. When she finished and had two minutes left she pulled Bryan's wand out of his pocket and cleaned and dressed him with one flick. He looked down at his clothes and went wide-eyed. Hermione had changed his clothes and done everything he did in the morning in one spell. It took him an hour to do his hair, switch earrings, and decide what to wear. She had done all that and he hadn't even thought of the combo she had created. It was awesome. Then he had a list in his hand and was pushed out the door before he could finish eating. Hermione was a punctual freak.
In two minutes they were in the car, buckled in and Hermione was driving the speed limit on the way to Diagon Ally.
"You don't get pulled over unless you're eleven or more over. You could at least go five over." Bryan told her, looking at her speedometer. It felt like they were going slower but the dial didn't budge.
"I'm obeying the law." Hermione said calmly.
"We're getting passed by every single car." Bryan said through gritted teeth.
"If everyone else jumped off a bridge would you? No." Hermione said.
"Oh, screw this." Bryan said. He reached his foot over and put hies foot on the accelerator so they were seven over and pulled the lock in. It was a special feature he had put in without Hermione's knowledge. Hermione immediately tried everything to slow the car down but nothing moved.
"Undo this now!" Hermione said in horror as a cop car passed them.
"See, didn't even look at you." Bryan said with a smirk. Hermione steered the rest of the way there and Bryan only undid the lock once they were about to park. Hermione got out and walked straight into the pub, leaving Bryan to catch up. He followed her to the brick wall and tapped the bricks. Bryan stood unmoved as the archway was built. He followed her hurried pace to the place where she was to meet her two 'friends.' Only when she was seated in a booth that fit four did she acknowledge his presence.
"That was a horrid thing to do. You could have given me a heart attack. When did you put that dreaded thing in my car?" Hermione said in one breath as she glared at her brother.
"I put it in at the beginning of summer. You're to young and healthy to have a heart attack." Bryan said calmly. Hermione scoffed at him but suddenly brightened up and stood. She was smiling at someone behind him. He followed her gaze to the red head and the freak with the scar.
"You have to be kidding me!" Bryan mumbled as his sister and the two freaks hugged. She introduced them quickly and sat down next to her step so the other two didn't have to.
"How have you two been?" Hermione said happily as Bryan slouched and slid down low in his seat.
"Fine." They said at the same time. Hermione laughed, Bryan glared. Suddenly Ron jumped. All eyes were on him.
"'Mione, who's that?" Ron said, pointing at Bryan. Hermione glanced at Harry.
"You mean Harry didn't tell you? Well he's my stepbrother. He's a seventh year too. He'll be going to Hogwarts too. Didn't you hear me say his name a moment a go?"
"Not really. What's his name?" Ron asked.
"Stop talking like I'm not here. I'm Bryan, and let me take a wild guess Ron. You're a Weasley. Interesting choice of friends halfling." Bryan said. Hermione rolled her eyes at his attitude.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Ron spat back.
"Not as much as I have a problem with potato head over there." Bryan said. Hermione's lips became a line in her desperate attempt not to laugh. She had to bow her head so they didn't see her smile.
"You think he's funny?" Harry asked in shock. Hermione gave a sad smile, still holding back laughter. She looked very odd.
"She does. You have a problem with it tator tot?" Bryan sneered. Hermione emitted a few giggles as she bit her lip hard. The dynamic duo looked a little surprised.
"I didn't think he was worse than Draco, Hermione." Harry said. Hermione finally regained composure and stomped on Bryan's foot hard enough for him to glare but not hard enough for him to scream.
"He isn't, just mad at me. He's usually better behaved." Hermione said with a sigh. Bryan rolled his eyes.
"Drama Queen of only eighteen…" Bryan started to sing very softly with a smirk.
"Oh Bryan will you shut up already. I've already broken the law twice because of you. Don't make me do it a third to kill you." Hermione threatened.
"…had some troubles with herself…" Bryan continued. Hermione slammed his foot as hard as she could. Harry and Ron heard it too and winced. Bryan hid his pain well.
"You're going to break my foot one day and I'll wind up in therapy telling the nice man of all the times you slammed my foot." Bryan said with a sniff. Hermione rolled her eyes but then smirked.
"And you'll tell him about the time when you were six and-" Hermione started. She was cut off when a wide-eyed Bryan covered her mouth with both hands.
"I'll stop if you don't finish that sentence in public today. I swear I'll behave." Bryan pleaded. Harry looked quite happy where as Ron looked confused. Hermione nodded and rolled her eyes. Bryan smiled and sunk down in his chair.
"What's a theripiss?" Ron said. All three burst out laughing.
"Therapist, Ron. He is some one who helps you get over things that cause you permanent emotional damage. Like abusive parents, drugs or diseases. Cost an arm and a leg though." Hermione explained.
"Why does he want arms and legs?" Ron asked. Bryan burst out laughing and Harry and Hermione looked at him in pity.
"He doesn't Ron. It's an expression. It means it's very expensive." Hermione explained. Ron took a few moments before a smile appeared on his face.
"I get it." Ron said. Bryan laughed for a few seconds before trying to confuse Ron again. He succeeded and they were both launched in their own discussion.
"Told you he would think Ron was funny." Hermione said as she turned to Harry.
"Yeah, he's like Draco's clone except he's related to you." Harry said. Hermione shook her head.
"No, he doesn't hate muggle-borns and he is only like this around people he dislikes, namely you. And guys who flirt with me. And guys I date. And people who wake him up. And authority figures. And rules. I think that's it. Wait, I forgot famous people and goody two shoes and anyone who has a big head and anyone who isn't a goth." Hermione said.
"That's like everyone though. That means he hates you."
"No, he loves me because were blood and I let him get away with anything less than murder." Hermione said.
"I see. So he'll be in our year?" Harry asked.
"Um… he'll be in seventh year." Hermione said.
"Well then he'll be with you a lot. That's nice." Harry said sarcastically.
"No, not really. He'll probably be in Slytherin. He lies enough." Hermione said.
"He can't. Wow, I'm correcting Hermione. He's a muggle-born. Are you okay?" Harry asked.
"No he isn't." Hermione said with a shake of her head. "He's my step. He isn't my real brother. He's my dad's son. My mom is a muggle-born and my dad is a squib. He just didn't know until recently." Hermione explained. Harry looked a little shocked.
"Your dad is a pureblood?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. I looked up the line he's from. You don't want to know." Hermione said.
"He does. It's very fascinating. Right Ron?" Bryan said.
"Umm…yes?" Ron asked.
"Exactly!" Bryan said before going back to confusing Ron.
"I guess I should. Whose line?" Harry asked.
"I'll give you one guess. I'll tell you if you're right." Hermione said.
"Malfoy's?" Harry guessed.
"No, it really isn't a fair game. It's just some old forgotten line. Forget it." Hermione said.
"It's a royal line Hermione! We should be ruling this rat hole. Right Ron?" Bryan asked.
"So cheese whiz is cheese in a bottle that comes out magically without actual magic?" Ron asked.
"Bryan! No Ron, it's pressurized so when it opens the pressure causes it to come out. It's a muggle thing." Hermione explained.
"Is that really how it works?" Bryan asked.
"Yes! Don't hurt Ron's head." Hermione said. She glanced at her watch and jumped up. "We have to get our supplies. Bryan you're going to be late to your band… thing. Let's go!" Hermione said, herding them out of the establishment. She got them in and out of all the stores in two hours. The three tired boys were then ushered into an ally and they all looked stunned that she led them there. She mumbled something and a door appeared. She opened it wide and they all entered. Hermione walked over to the man at the counter and started to talk with him. After about two minutes he let her and the three boys behind the counter. The three entered an old style dinner and followed Hermione into a booth. The waitress came over and looked at them boredly until she saw Hermione.
"Hermione! Oh my gosh! You didn't come in yesterday. We got worried!" She shrieked.
"It's okay. I ditched Rich again, hilarious! He even tried twice. Stupid loser. These are some of my friends from boarding school. Harry, Ron and my step Bryan." Hermione said, gesturing to each in turn.
"Usual for you I assume and what for those three?" The girl asked.
"Steph, would you mind terribly if I gave you money to put in my tab? I think I'm almost out and they'll have a lover's Sunday without the heart theme. I keep forgetting what that's called."
"Jumbo sundae duo. One each?" Steph asked as she took Hermione's money.
"Umm… yes. They're teenage boys." Hermione said.
"No, they're expensive and evil!" Steph said.
"John didn't break up with you, did he?" Hermione asked her cautiously.
"No… we're engaged!" She exclaimed, showing off her average ring. Hermione jumped over Bryan's lap and hugged Steph.
"That's wonderful! I'll call you as soon as I have a few free hours so you can tell me everything!" Hermione gushed.
"Okay, I'll go get the food. You coming Hermione?" Steph asked.
"No, I have to baby-sit. You know why." Hermione said as she sat on Bryan to get him to scoot over. Steph shrugged and walked away.
"Who's that?" Harry and Ron asked in unison.
"Steph works here? I can't believe it." Bryan said.
"Steph is one of my friends I've known forever. She's one of my best friends. I eat here every week or so." Hermione explained.
"You have a life outside of studying?" Ron asked. Everyone's jaw dropped at his rudeness.
"Yes, Ronikinns. I have always had more than you and Harry as a social life. I know more people than you give me credit for." Hermione said flatly.
"More like dated more people." Bryan mumbled.
"You actually date?" Harry asked.
"Do these two live in a hole or are they just stupid?" Bryan asked.
"I'll let all three of you slid this time because you shopped quickly. Yes, Harry. Did you think Victor Crum was the only person I dated?" Hermione asked. The duo nodded. Hermione sighed. Then Steph came back with a tray full of ice cream.
"Thanks Steph." Hermione said as she dove into her little bowl of ice cream. The three boys were already half way done with their huge sundaes.
Once they were finished it was a quarter until three. Hermione threw a tip for Steph and they walked out the way they came, except Hermione hugged the guy who had let them through. All three were enraged but stayed quiet. Hermione hugged her two friends and said her good byes as she turned with Bryan toward Flourish and Blots. Hermione led Bryan to the back and she started talking with the guy behind the counter. He seemed nice but when she mentioned a back room she was supposed to find he started to smirk.
"That comes at a price sweetie." He said.
"Really? Hey Bryan, you have extra cash right?" Hermione said innocently. Bryan came up behind her.
"What did you want sis?" Bryan asked.
"Oh, never mind, come on." The attendant said wide-eyed. Bryan smirked. They followed him into the back room where a single guy was sleeping among instruments and sound equipment. Bryan shook his shoulder. They were only five minutes early. He woke with a start.
"Who's there?" He asked, as he looked around shocked.
"Bryan's here. What's it to you?" Bryan asked. The kid looked him over and shrugged.
"I'm the drummer so, not much. You seem all right. Looks like you got that chick to come. What's the deal with her?" He asked.
"She's my sister and if you touch her I'll kill you. Clear?" Bryan asked.
"Crystal dude. I'm taken anyway. I'm Josh by the way. The other freaks are always late so you should chill. Beer in the fridge." Josh said. Hermione's jaw dropped.
"I hope not. Both of you are under age and Bryan, I'm not a dog or a thing, I'm a human and I demand your respect." Hermione said. Josh smirked.
"Poor guy. Have to deal with her. Guess Chain will lay off her though. Has his mind set on banging her." Josh said.
"He better not." Hermione growled. "Stupid pig. Ashamed of his own name too. Hardly worth my time."
"Chill, you'll mouth will drop when you see him. You'll change just like all of the other ones. He's gorgeous. All girls dig him. You'll be his groupie in no time." Josh said.
"What ever you say." Hermione said as se sat on a couch that was along the walls. She saw that there were quite a few instruments. Hermione got up and started looking around. She spotted the piano and made a beeline for it. She hit a note and winced at how out of tune it was. She said a spell and tried again. She smiled at its rich tone. She started playing Bach and the two stared at her but she was to absorbed in the song. She wasn't aware of the rest of the band and some groupies that came in either. She finished and just walked over to the bookshelf and started scanning titles. It wasn't until she heard someone start clapping that she turned to find all the guys clapping and the girls glaring. She looked confused and said, "What?"
"Your performance sis. Where did you learn to play?" Bryan said. Hermione shrugged again.
"Books." She said. She turned back to the bookshelf and the band started setting up. She sat down on a hardback chair that wasn't occupied by the jealous groupies. She watched as they handed music and lyrics to Bryan. She watched him read through the lyrics and nod his head. The drummer then called out a name.
"We need a Sara to come and audition. Lyrics are on the stand. We're only playing the first half." Josh said. He then counted off and Hermione's eyes never left Bryan. He was sight-reading music and lyrics. He was doing really well too. He sung his part and Hermione was impressed. He sung well. Then Sara started to sing and Hermione covered her ears. She was so bad they just stopped after two lines of her singing.
"You can't sing. Karen." Josh called out. They tried again but she was only a tiny bit better so they stopped where they planned to. Josh kept calling girls. Then they ran out. Josh looked down at the list.
"Does anyone want to try? You can't try again. Please tell me if you haven't sung." Josh said desperately. Thirty sucky singers.
"Hermione hasn't sung." Bryan smirked. Hermione looked shocked and started shaking her head. Josh rolled his eyes and got up and dragged her to the microphone.
"I'm going to kill you Bryan." Hermione muttered. Bryan smirked.
"Love you too." He said as the song started.
You left me a long time ago,
But I just want to love you so,
My world is darkness you are my light,
Come bring day to my night.
Bryan's part ended and Hermione looked at the lyrics.
I'm free finally of your abuse,
I tried but you lied what's the use,
I was your toy; you threw me away,
Why should I come back to you any day.
Hermione sung with all her heart. She heard the music stop like it was supposed to and she looked at the ground. She jumped when she felt Bryan's hand on her shoulder.
"You said you couldn't sing." He said.
"If you don't call that singing I don't know what is. You're in. No contest." Josh said.
"I vote no." Chain said from behind. Bryan and Josh looked shocked.
"I don't want family in the band." Chain explained. Hermione then noticed "Chain" looked familiar.
"Chain, what's your real name?" Hermione asked.
"That's none of your buisness-" Chain started but Hermione's eyes grew huge.
"Oh my God, it's-" Hermione started but Chain put a silencing charm on her just in time.
"I'm not like you think. Don't tell them my name Granger. Please?" Chain said. He looked really sad. Hermione took of the charm and rolled her eyes.
"What ever chain. What do I call you…"Hermione finished weakly.
"Nothing. Like always." Chain finished. "Fine, she's in, but family issues don't get involved. Deal?"
"Don't I get to decide?" Hermione asked. The three boys exchanged looks.
"No." They said in unison.
"What ever. But… Chain, how do you get out of school? Your not allowed." Hermione said.
"Snape." Hermione mouthed 'oh' before nodding. She looked at her watch to see it was six at night.
"I'm expected some where else. Am I allowed to go?" Hermione asked rushed. Bryan looked confused.
"Where?" Bryan asked. Hermione grabbed part of his shirt and yanked so she could whisper in his ear. "No. I'm letting you go. I hate that jerk and you know it."
"Such an immature prat. Josh…" Hermione said sweetly. "…can I please go?" Bryan and Josh looked shocked at her fake sweetness.
"Umm…this isn't right. Ask Chain." Josh said.
"Chain," Hermione said as she walked over to him. She ran a finger down the side of his face. "May I go?" She asked seductively.
"Of course." Chain said with a smirk. "If I get a kiss."
"I guess I'm stuck here." Hermione said with a frown. She pulled a cell phone out of her pocket, earning lots of looks. She dialed a number quickly and started talking into it.
"I can't come…I'm being held against my will…that's not funny…yes, but I wouldn't…please do…sure, whoever…don't kill them! Bye." Hermione said. Bryan raised an eyebrow.
"Who was it?" Bryan asked.
"My rescue committee. Seven people is enough to take down you three right?" Hermione said.
"Well, not that this isn't fascinating but let's finish that song up." Josh said. Hermione shoved her phone in a pocket and sung along. At the end of the song there was applause, a girl who flashed them, and shouting. Hermione was bored. She disliked the groupies' lack of self-respect. Bryan wasn't looking interested either. All looked a little distracted. Josh was digging through music to find the next song and Chain was watching him and listing what pieces he should pull out. Then Hermione smiled at the knock on the door.
Chain looked at Hermione and she mouthed 'hide' to him. After all the people would recognize him. He became invisible and Josh rolled his eyes and opened the door. It was Ginny Weasley.
"That's one, I thought you said seven." Bryan said. Ginny walked in calmly and grabbed Hermione and her things. Josh blocked the exit.
"We aren't done practicing." Josh said. Hermione winced and the three guys noticed.
"This is your warning, move." Ginny said calmly as she lightened and shrunk Hermione's things and put them in her pocket.
"Not a chance shorty." Hermione's eyes practically popped out of her head. In a flash Ginny had him on the ground with a broken foot nose and a sore groin.
"Don't ever call me shorty." Ginny said as she stepped over him. Hermione followed suit and was out the door in a flash. Bryan was in shock and Chain became visible and helped Josh.
A/N: Please review and give me ideas for the title! Thanks!