Chapter Two: Close Calls

Hermione could not believe her eyes. How did they realize that she was missing so quickly? She continued to duck down in the back seat of the cab, not daring to peek out the window in fear of being sighted by either her drunken mother, or extremely angered father.

She could hear a car horn honking, and her father yelling "GET OUT OF THE WAY". Tears silently flowed down Hermione's cheeks, as she waited.

"Geez, what'shis problem?" The unattractive cab driver slurred, as he pulled his gearshift into drive and jammed his foot on the gas pedal.

"Oh no…" Hermione thought inwardly. "Please don't tell me he's drunk-"

"Ya know, I've had a few this mornin' but it aint nuttin you gotta worry 'bout!" Winked the overweight man, while taking a unruly amount of alcohol from his flask.

Hermione couldn't even fake a smile. Was she going to be able to make it to the train station? Or would she be killed in the process of getting there!

"Where ya off to anyway? Might need to know that in order to getchu there!" He cackled, the foul smell of cheap beer escaping his lips.

"King's Cross please.." Hermione whispered, and though it was barely audible, the man must have heard her for he replied with a nod.

The taxi turned a corner roughly, causing Hermione to grab onto the door handle for her dear life as she heard all of her luggage flopping around uneasily in the trunk. Holding her breath, and closing her eyes, Hermione just tried to think of the last time she was at peace with herself, and with her friends…

"Ronald Weasley! You can't honestly be thinking about making that bet, can you?" Hermione had said looking disbelievingly at both him, and Harry Potter.

"Well sure, why not?" He had replied, giving a sheepish grin.

"Ron! You and I both know, and Harry does too I suppose, that if you just waltzed over and kissed Hannah Abbott, that she would hex you into oblivion!"

"Now why would you say a thing like that Hermione?" Ron asked, still grinning.

"She HAS a boyfriend Ronald! You don't just go up and kiss girls that HAVE BOYFRIENDS!"

"I dunno Hermione.." Harry began, deciding to finally put in his own two cents. "I think that Hannah quite fancies Ron"

"If that were the case than why is she going out with Michael?" Hermione had said, whipping around to glare at Harry.

"Simply because he asked her first."

"Hermione, why are you making up excuses to try and stop me from kissing Hannah?" Ron said, his grin changing to a smirk.

A slight blush crawled into Hermione's face as she said "I'm not! I'm just telling you the truth. You go on over there Ron Weasley and you kiss her, and you can come back and thank me right afterwards!"

"Hermione," Harry began slightly confused. "If Ron had just kissed Hannah, than why would he be coming back to thank you?"

"Because neither of you two will know the counter curse! Though maybe I'll just walk away, and say 'I told you so' !"

"Fine Hermione! You know what? I'll go over and kiss her right now!"

Ron stood up from his seat at the library table, marched on over to Hannah Abbott, and planted a sloppy kiss on top of her lips. Than, he turned back and began to strut, only his victory was to soon when Hannah had cast the Jelly Legs Jinx on him as soon as he had turned his back.

Hannah marched straight to Ron, and smacked him across the face, while his legs were moving uncontrollably.

Immediately, Ron's face turned beat red, and he bowed his head down in embarrassment while everyone in the library laughed at him.

"Finite," Hermione said smirking, while pointing her wand at Ron's legs, and they returned back to normal.

"Thank you Hermione.." Ron had muttered.

Though Hermione had heard him, she still grinned and said "What?"

"You heard me.." Ron said angrily.

"No, I'm afraid I didn't" Hermione said. "But if you don't want to repeat yourself than I'm sure I could think of a few good jinxes myself which would make you."

Ron's face turned white as he said "THANK YOU HERMIONE" loud enough for the entire library to hear. Madame Pince looked at the trio indignantly, and held a finger to her lips.

Hermione grabbed up her books, and began laughing as she skipped out of the library, once again, being the one who was able to help, leaving Ron utterly embarrassed, and Harry laughing madly at him…

"Oi! Oi girl yur hear!" Hermione was rudely awakened for the second time that day, by the hollering of someone drunk. Though this time, it was to be told of her arrival at King's Cross, and to fork over the $29.38.

Well, at least she was finally here, and still in one piece.. Hermione thought, while paying the fat drunk his exact amount.

"I told you my life story and you don't even leave a tip!" The man became angry. Quickly Hermione threw a 5 dollar bill at him, grabbed her luggage from the trunk, grabbed Crookshanks, made sure her wand was in place, and ran away from the taxi as fast as her legs would take her.

Well, here's the second chappie! I am sooo glad that I actually got reviews I can't even believe it! I didn't think I would get any! Today I will also work on the writing of the third chapter, and it will either be up later tonight, or early tomorrow. And as promised, I would like to thank everyone that reviewed either last night, or today, especially cuteclaws, who was the first person to ever review one of my stories! Enough babbling, I'll write more later. Thanks again! Please review!

Love always,

Carly Jayne.