Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter or anything from the magical world. However, I own the plot of this story!

Chapter Three

Harry pushed Hermione on the swing again.

"Come on Harry, I'm going high enough already!" Hermione squealed, holding onto the metal chains for dear life. Harry gave in and leant on the pole holding up the swing set, watching Hermione slow down and finally come to a stop. Instead of pushing her, he sat on the swing next to her.

"Now, Harry, have you done any homework?" Hermione asked. Harry rolled his eyes.

"I was just waiting for you to ask that question!" he replied, laughing. "And yes, I've done it all!"

"All?" Hermione continued, surprised.

"Well, I don't have much else to do around here on my own," Harry pointed out.

"We'll have to go to my house next time then. Plenty to do there."

"I'll hold you to that."

"It's a shame I didn't think of inviting Ron. We could have played 'it' or something," Harry said, looking around the park. Hermione jumped off the swing and grabbed Harry's hand, dragging him after her.

"What are you doing?"

"I have a game we can play. Just the two of us," Hermione replied before stopping. "Lay down."

"Huh?"

"Lay down, on the grass," she ordered. Harry obeyed her and she laid down next to him. "Look for shapes in the clouds, see, that one looks like a dragon," Hermione pointed out. Harry smiled and pointed out another cloud.

"Crookshanks."

"That looks like the Durmstrang ship," Hermione added.

"The tree at Hogwarts." Harry looked over at the park gate as it opened and groaned.

"What?" Hermione asked, sitting up.

"Dudley. Why does he have to be everywhere? Come on, lets go," Harry said, dragging her up and hoping to get out of the park before Dudley saw them. No such luck.

"Oi, Potter, what are you doing here?"

"I was enjoying a nice day in the sun before you lot got here," Harry mumbled, grabbing Hermione's hand. The two of them looked over as Dudley and his three friends began walking towards them.

"Nice day while it lasted?" Harry whispered to Hermione. She smiled.

"Yeah. While it lasted." Dudley shoved Harry backwards. Hermione moved backwards with him.

"I asked you a question, Potter."

"Yeah, and I answered you with a stunning silence. Can I go now?" Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and tried to walk off but Dudley shoved him backwards again. Harry knew he couldn't threaten Dudley with magic while his friends were there and came to the conclusion that, that was the only reason Dudley was doing it. He knew Harry couldn't do anything and he wanted to impress his dumb friends.

"Hey, Dud, get his money!" one of Dudley's friends called. Dudley smirked and held out his hand for Harry's wallet.

"What would make you think I have any money?" Harry asked.

"I know you do, Potter, now give me it." Hermione smiled and whispered in Harry's ear. He smiled too and reached into his pocket, producing a knut.

"Here you go."

"What the hell is this?"

"Money."

"No it's not."

"It's a knut. It's used by wizards and witches, you see." Dudley threw the money on the floor and glared at Harry.

"Come on, Dud!" one of the three boys shouted. Dudley shoved Harry again and he lost his footing falling on the grass beneath him. He suppressed a groan and stared up at Dudley.

"I've got it in my pocket Dud," Harry pointed out, referring to his wand.

"So? As long as them lot are here, you can't use it." Hermione looked from Harry to Dudley and back again, trying decide what she should do. Harry reached for his back pocket and Dudley smiled.

"Dare you." Harry stopped with his hand over his wand and then pulled it away again briefly looking at Hermione who seemed to have backed up quite a lot. The look didn't go unnoticed by Dudley who looked over at Hermione instantly.

"So, Potter, she's really not your girlfriend?" Dudley asked. Harry instantly saw where this was going and climbed back to his feet.

"What's it to you?"

"Well, she's not all that bad once you get past the fact that she's your friend." Harry saw Hermione glare at his cousin hatefully and smiled.

"You know Dud, as her best friend, I have a say in who she goes out with and I'm afraid that whales aren't on the 'ok' list." Dudley punched him and he doubled over in pain. Hermione winced.

"Shut it," Dudley sneered before walking over to Hermione. Harry looked up and followed his progress. Hermione stepped backwards and stopped as her back hit the tree. Dudley put a hand on her waist and smiled. Hermione tried to move away but he stopped her. Harry stormed towards him and shoved him aside before standing in front of Hermione.

"Don't you dare do that again," Harry warned reaching for his wand. Hermione grabbed his arm to stop him pulling it out.

"Aw, you're pathetic, Potter and I can't believe anyone would want to go out with her anyway-" Dudley finished his sentence seconds before Harry's fist made contact with his face and he fell backwards onto the floor. His friends took this as a cue to join in and the three of them walked forward. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and turned to walk away but stopped instantly when he realized how stupid he'd been. They couldn't go anywhere. Dudley regained his footing and stood up to join his friends. The first punch landed on his chest and he fell back against the tree, gasping for breath. The second was to his stomach and he felt Hermione grab his arm and try to get him to stand up properly. After the third blow it stopped as Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at Dudley.

"I'm warning you, I'll use it." Hermione hesitantly pulled out her own wand. Dudley turned to his friends.

"Let's go," he ordered.

"But Dud-"

"Now!" The four of them quickly departed and Harry sunk down to the ground. Hermione kneeled down next to him.

"Are you alright?"

"I think so…" Harry replied, then looked up at her. "Are you alright?"

"You're the one that just got beaten up, not me. Why are you asking me if I'm alright, honestly Harry, sometimes you can be so silly!" Harry laughed as Hermione helped him up.

"You know what?" Harry asked.

"What?"
"I think it's going to rain…" And it did.

Ten minutes later, the two of them walked in through the front door, dripping wet but laughing none the less. Before any of the Dursleys could corner them, Harry pulled Hermione upstairs and into his room, locking the door behind them. Hermione threw herself on the bed and they both took one look at each other before bursting out laughing.

"Remind me never to go out without a coat again, even it's the hottest day of the year!" Hermione said, untying her hair and letting it fall down over her shoulders. Harry stared at her, wanting desperately to kiss her. His eyes traveled down to her soaked shirt and he felt his face heating up. He quickly looked away.

"You alright, Harry?"

"You might want to change."

"Wha-"

"Your shirt is see-through when it's wet," Harry added sheepishly. Hermione turned an even bright shade of red than Harry and quickly jumped off the bed.

"Right, I'll go and get changed in the bathroom then," she whispered, grabbing some clothes from her trunk. As she turned round she jumped. Harry was standing directly in front of her. She noted that he shirt was see-through now too and blushed.

"I-I'm really sorry about…all of that at the park," he said.

"That's alright, it wasn't your fault." After a few moments of silence Hermione finally looked up at him to find him staring at her. He smiled.

"You're cute when your hair is wet too." Hermione smiled too but it instantly faded when she noticed how close the too of them were. He was already lowering his head and Hermione was sure she'd die of shock before he even managed to get within in inch of her. Finally deciding she wasn't going to pass out she closed her eyes and stood on tiptoes.

"Potter!" Hermione stopped and opened her eyes. Harry did the same and both of them turned pink. Harry stepped backwards first, both of them looking anywhere but at each other.

"I'm going to go and get changed," Hermione whispered, walking out the room. Harry cursed.

Almost…