Chapter 9-

"This is a famous landmark of California?" Hermione asked, staring up at the apartment complex Harry had brought her to.

"No," Harry admitted sheepishly, "But my best friend, Nick lives here."

"Oh," Hermione said, "Yeah…you wro-I mean…Ginny told me about him." She blushed. Luckily, Harry didn't catch on.

"How is Ginny?" Harry asked, "Do you know if…"

"If what?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Did she tell you," Harry asked, "What…her answer was?"

Hermione opened her mouth

"Give me a clue," Harry begged, "How am I supposed to know if she said yes or no?"

Hermione shook her head. "Patience Harry," she said, as they walked towards and apartment, "Patience."

Harry groaned and lifted his hand to knock on Apartment number 307.

"Nick live with anyone?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head. "Nah," he mumbled, "But I stay here sometimes when Virginia gets too tired of me."

Before Hermione could say anything else, the door to the apartment swung open with a squeak. Hermione turned to look at the person.

He had long, shaggy brown hair that seemed to just fall on his head. He was a bit shorter than Harry, but much tanner. His eyes were a deep blue, and his teeth a bright white.

"Hey Harry," Nick said, "Hermione."

Hermione stared at him in confusion, "How do you know who I am?"

"Harry tells all," Nick said, sending Harry a smile, "But he didn't say you were coming to California."

"I didn't know," Harry protested, "And are you going to keep us waiting on your porch all day?"

"If you want," Nick said, moving aside to let them step through.

He ushered them towards his living room, and then pulled out a wand. Hermione gasped.

"You're a wizard!" she exclaimed.

"Harry didn't tell you?" he asked, sending Harry a hurt look, "Gee thanks mate."

Harry shrugged, "Ginny didn't tell me things," he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes as Nick sat down.

"So," Nick said, "Why are you in California Hermione?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'm here for S.P.E.W. That's-"

"Yeah, I know what it is," Nick said, "But Harry said Ginny was in charge of it."

Hermione sighed. This was the third time she'd had to explain this matter.

Settling back in her chair, Hermione began to tell her whole story.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Nick's great," Hermione said a few hours later as they were walking out of his apartment.

Harry grinned. "Yeah…he can be an idiot sometimes though."

Hermione smiled, "I've noticed."

"So," Harry said, "Where to next?"

Hermione shrugged. "You're the tour guide."

Harry grinned. "I know just the place to take you then."

- - - - - - - - -

"Can't you just tell me where you're taking me?" Hermione asked, gripping onto Harry's hand for support. "Is there any reason for blindfolding me?"

"First of all," Harry said, "It ruins the surprise if you know where we're going. And second…it's fun to see the great Hermione Granger in need of someone."

"Ha ha," Hermione muttered dryly, "How much longer?"

"Not much at all," Harry said, stopping and untying the blindfold around her eyes, "We're there."

Hermione drew in her breath.

"Oh my," she said, looking at Harry, "T-This is a library?"
Harry nodded proudly. "One of the hugest wizarding libraries in the world. This is the Mundrus Library."

"What!" Hermione exclaimed, "T-This is it?"

"Yep," Harry said, a shocked Hermione up the steps, "When I wrote to Ginny about it, she said she'd wanted to come."

"I-I can see why," Hermione said, still dazed.

Harry chuckled at her. "Don't you want to see the inside?" he asked her.

Hermione was speechless, and just nodded her head. Harry let out another low chuckle and guided her inside.

Hermione drew her breath in yet again. It was amazing. From the outside it looked huge, but on the inside it looked much bigger.

"I told you you would like it," Harry said.

- - - - - - - - -

Half an hour later Hermione was busy with a stack of books at a table. Harry was impatiently drumming his fingers on the table.

"C'mon 'Mione," he begged, "Are we ever going to leave?"

Hermione held up her index finger, her eyes never leaving the book. "You're the one who brought me here," she muttered, flipping a page.

Harry sighed. "My mistake," he muttered, leaning back in his chair.

He sighed as he looked over at Hermione. She hadn't changed a bit since when he had last seen her. Still an avid bookworm, he thought, smiling to himself.

Then, something gold on Hermione's wrist caught his eye. It was a bangle. A bangle that looked quite familiar.

Where have I seen that, Harry asked himself, biting his lip.

And then, everything came to him with a jolt.

'I've always hated Quidditch'

"I could talk about Quidditch for ages!" Ginny exclaimed, smiling

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Try reading The True Story of Hogwarts. It's a great book!'

"Hey!" Harry exclaimed, pulling down a book from Hermione's shelf, "This is the book!"

Ginny read the cover. "The True Story of Hogwarts?" she read, "Aren't these books so boring?"

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Uhh! I just can't stand when people are late!'

"I thought Ginny said she hated late comers…"

"Right on time 'Mione, as usual…"

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'You like the bangles?'

"What bangles?" Ginny asked in confusion.

Then, something gold on Hermione's wrist caught his eye. It was a bangle. A bangle that looked quite familiar.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'S.P.E.W. It's still going.'

"Oh," Ginny mumbled, "Well uh…"

"S.P.E.W is my thing now," Hermione interrupted.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Maybe you just don't understand matters of the heart," Hermione said, smiling.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry was stunned. Speechless. His mouth was dry, but he still managed to get the next words out.

"I-It was you?"

Hermione looked up from her book at last. "Pardon?"

Then noticing Harry's distraught face, she put down her book. "Harry, what's wrong?"

Harry couldn't find the words to describe it. In one motion he stood up, pushed the chair in, and Apparated away.

"Harry!' Hermione said. But it was too late…he was gone.

Sorry…confessions next chap. REVIEW and I'll post it.