Chapter 6: White Diamonds
Hermione Granger had done something terrible. Sitting in the back of the Dursley's town car with Harry, and keeping her head down in utter shame, she bit her lip and suppressed a guilty cry. In her pocket - beside a flimsy branch with a leaf still attached to it - rested a priceless white diamond ring the size of a coin. If she were being honest, Hermione absolutely adored the way it looked on her finger. She loved the way it sparkled and glimmered whenever light passed through its delicate cuts. But, the beauty of the thing was tarnished by the blackness of Hermione's own guilt. Feeling it with the flat of her thumb, the coolness prickled at her fingertips as Hermione once again silently whimpered. She hadn't meant to steal the beautiful looking stone, and hadn't any possible idea what had come over her to do such a thing. Yet it sat quietly in the pocket of her ugly black jumper anyway, weighing on her mind.
The ring truly belonged to Emma Granger, gifted lovingly to her by Dan Granger as a run-of-the-mill gift. Hermione had always loved the look of it, and had overheard once that it was worth quite a bit of money. So when Emma Granger slipped it on her finger during a dinner party, and claimed to the table they were humble people, Hermione felt her cheeks grow a furious shade of rose red. Humble? She had thought, clutching her fists as she listened into the party from the doorway. How could anyone claim to have nothing, when half of Europe sat easily between two fingers, and on a band of silver? Hermione scoffed and immediately thought of Harry. Harry is humble. Hermione thought to herself, still glaring in the direction of where Emma Granger proudly showed off her favorite piece of jewelry. We don't even know what it means to be humble.
That same night, while waiting for Harry to come out of No. 4 Privet Drive, Hermione stole her mothers precious ring. It wasn't difficult, as the Grangers had downed more then a few drinks at the dinner party, but Hermione still felt less then proud. The deed had been so easy too, like plucking some normal stone from the bed of a slow moving stream. And to make it worse, Hermione's guilty conscience hadn't even registered till just that morning. Instead, throughout the night, she had worn the diamond and imagined her and Harry walking hand in hand on the beach. Hermione, as she had always imagined, would be draped in white. Harry would be in a pressed suit and emerald tie which matched his eyes. On Hermione's finger would be the same diamond, her mothers precious diamond, which would act as an eternity band. Yes, it was her own little fantasy. But the ring couldn't stay on her finger, no, it would help Harry. Hermione oh so desperately wanted to see the ocean. The ring was merely a certainty.
So as she sat in the back seat, head pressed up against the window as London flew past her eyes. Hermione's chest swelled and raged like a fresh storm. It's not like me to steal things. She complained in her mind. There's simply no justification for it, you have to give it back! Hermione glanced at Harry as his hand brushed innocently against the top of her leg as he adjusted his seatbelt. But what about Harry? Hermione frowned and turned back to the window. She promised never to leave him...she promised she'd help him. Certainly keeping her promises was more important then some rock on her finger? He said he'd take me to the ocean. Why must I be selfish?
"Hermione?" Harry asked from beside her. Hermione merely smiled in return,
"Yes?"
"Have you ever been to London?" His question was sweet and curious as Hermione shook her head at him,
"No. But I've read all about it. I'm almost positive it wont be able to compare to the real thing,"
There was a loud snort from the other side of Harry, from his cousin Dudley, as he sneered in a similar manner to a bulldog and spat, bloody ugly know-it-all. Hermione sunk back in her seat as Harry clutched his jaw, attempting to keep his temper. Hermione had a hand on his arm to assist, but she was almost positive that if she didn't, Dudley would no longer be in the car with them. She remained silent the rest of the ride, as did Harry as Dudley continued to blab on about what exactly he wanted to see at the zoo. Hermione rolled her eyes when he pronounced he wanted a ride on the Rhinoceros. After this particular comment, Harry whispered into Hermione's ear. If we're lucky, maybe it'll sit on him? This made Hermione crack a smile, but she was far too preoccupied to laugh at the funny joke. By the time they had arrived at the zoo, Dudley was about ready to chew through his seatbelt. Harry's Aunt Petunia took him immediately inside, white his Uncle Vernon pulled both her and Harry aside and pointed a finger,
"Any funny business, from either of you, any at all-"
"No funny business Uncle Vernon," Harry repeated robotically, "we wont,"
The obese man made a grumbling noise past his mustache as Hermione watched him go towards where Dudley was impatiently clinging onto his mothers arm,
"So do we just follow them?"
"Yep. We probably won't get to see much. Dudley has the attention span of Aunt Petunia's wooden spoon,"
This statement did make Hermione laugh, and she gladly looped her arm with Harry's as they walked together towards where the Dursley's had pounded off. It was a long while of just wandering about the zoo, watching amusedly from behind as Dudley rushed with amazing speed - at least for a boy his size - from exhibit to exhibit, pulling his parents along behind him. Hermione liked spending her time arm in arm with Harry, listing off specific animals and habitats from memory as they passed each one. And by the time the Dursley's had reached the Reptile House, Harry was enthralled with the amount of knowledge she retained.
Standing back against a stone wall as Dudley banged on a particular cage and cried, make it move! Harry merely scoffed and allowed Hermione to lean into him slightly to rest her feet,
"No manners, that one,"
"Indeed," Hermione agreed quietly, personally questioning how it was possible for any human being to be so absolutely horrid. But the question was forgotten as Dudley mumbled something unspeakable and prowled off, "come on, Harry. I want to see what's in there,"
Tugging slightly on her best friends sleeve, the pair approached the glass exhibit with some interest. Keeping their distance, Hermione smiled as she watched Harry's brilliant green eyes illuminate lime light bulbs. I wish they would glow like that all the time. She thought, watching as Harry nearly fell over trying to get a closer look at the huge spotted snake behind the glass,
"Wow, look at the size of it Hermione," Harry said, "have you ever seen a snake so huge before?"
I've never seen a regular snake before. Hermione commentated mentally, stepping up onto the small black fence separating the walkway from the exhibit,
"If I'm remembering correctly, Harry, this particular snake is a Burmese Python (I know it was a Boa Constrictor in the books people), and before to ask, yes they can be found in Burma. Surprisingly enough, they also inhabit other regions of Asia, as well as Africa. Though I highly doubt this particular snake is from any of those places, as it is much too small,"
"You mean they get bigger?"
If Harry's eyes glimmered any more, Hermione thought they would start sparking. Smiling, she nodded her head and mindlessly used her sleeve to wipe at the face grease left on the glass by Dudley,
"Oh yes, Harry. A snake will grow to fit its environment. This particular one, if wild, could easily grow to be twice this size. Of course that's with proper food and environment,"
"Wow," Harry mindlessly reached out, only to pull his hand back as Hermione gave him a glare. He instead placed his elbows on the fence and leaned on them, "do you think he knows?"
Hermione lifted a brow slightly and cocked her head to one side,
"Know what, Harry?"
"What the Ocean looks like," Harry actually made a sort of pouty face as he looked in on the Python, "do you know what the ocean looks like, Mr. Snake?"
I don't think the ocean is a particularly good habitat for snakes. Hermione thought immediately, opening her mouth to speak, only to be cutoff as the Python raised his head up and stared. Shaking, Hermione backed away from the fence as the snake turned its attention on Harry and flicked its tongue, "can you hear me?"
To Hermione's astonishment, the snake bobsled it's head in affirmative. This is impossible. My best friend can't talk to snakes?
"Harry, lets go,"
Hermione's wanted to protest, but as Harry's fingers intertwined with hers in a silent, don't be afraid, Hermione's hesitantly stepped back up to the glass. Soon enough, Harry was asking a bunch of different questions. Do you talk to people often? Are you actually from Burma? Was it nice there? Do you have a family? Hermione was actually starting to be engaged in the one sided conversation, but the snakes incredible actions didn't seemed to get past Dudley Dursley. Soon, Hermione felt herself skidding on the concrete as both she and Harry were shoved aside by the whale of a boy,
"Dad! You won't believe what this snake is doing!"
Placing his fat hands against the glass, Hermione's silently nursed a skinned elbow as she glanced at Harry from across the floor. He looked ready to kill, shooting daggers at his cousin with a clenched jaw. And just like that, the glass to the snake exhibit vanished, and Dudley fell forward. With a pig like squeal, he tumbled into the Reptile Pond as Harry scrambled to Hermione's side and took hold of her,
"Are you alright?"
"Fine. Harry the snake!"
Pushing herself back across the floor, the large Burmese Python dropped down to the floor gracefully, and turned it's attention onto Harry. There was a hiss, a moment of silence before Harry said,
"Anytime."
The snake was soon gone, causing a commotion in it's wake as Dudley stood inside the exhibit soaking wet and shivering. But his wet hands met with glass again as he strayed to pound on it, and Harry helped Hermione' to her feet, "this can't be good," he mumbled, whipping his head around as Aunt Petunia cane around the corner and shrieked,
"Harry," Hermione's own voice felt hoarse as Uncle Vernon turned, his face reaching a hideous shade of plum as his hands twitched,
"You two!"
"Run, Hermione!"
Harry practically dragged her toward as they both just missed Uncle Vernon's massive paws, ducking away from him as they weaved and ducked around crowds, and eventually ran right out of the zoo and down the street. Soon, away from the angry Dursley's, they both collapsed onto a bench.
"I don't think I've ever run so long in my life," Hermione croaked, placing a hand against her heart to count its fluttering beats, "are we going to go back?"
"I don't think I'll survive going back," Harry admitted, "Uncle Vernon is going to-"
"Stop," Hermione held up a hand, "I don't want to know. So...what do we do now?"
Pulling Hermione closer to him as she began shivering, Harry shook his head. But before I don't know could make it past his lips, there was a puff of smoke and a screech of brakes. Looking up, an abnormally large purple bus was parked before them on the curb,
"Ello' stranded witch or wizard!" A skinny man called, leaning out of the bus in a conductors uniform as he read off some notecards, "I am Stan, the Knight Bus conductor. I'll take you anywhere you need to be, for just a small fee if 11 sickles,"
Glancing at one another confusedly, Harry shook his head,
"We haven't any money,"
"Oh?" Stan lifted a brow and glanced at his watch, "I best be on my way then-"
"Wait!" Hermione lunched forward, digging the white diamond ring out of her pocket and holding it up, "will this be enough to get us to a place called the Leaky Cauldron?"
Stan said nothing and took the ring, observing it closely before glancing at both Harry and Hermione. Please say yes, please say yes-
"Alrigh', this should do it then. On you go, both of ye'. We've got a schedule to keep,"
Taking his hand and squeezing it, Hermione and Harry entered the bus and sat down on one of the short benches. I'll buy you another ring someday. Harry whispered, holding Hermione close to him as she nuzzled into his neck as the bus shot forward and the London zoo was forgotten. But if Hermione now knew one thing, it was that she was never, taking a downtown London bus again.
