A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Edited: Proofed, edited and adjusted for consistency. 24 Apr 2022

-oOo-

Chapter 4

-oOo-

July 11, 1995

Little Sark, UK

It had only been a few hours, but Harry felt the loss of Hermione already. She was going with her parents and cousins to Guernsey on the ferry for the next two days.

For the last three days Harry had taken Hermione to every little haunt he knew. Yesterday they had spent all afternoon comparing their homework. Today, Harry sat at the kitchen table, his transfiguration books open to work on the extra credit McGonagall had given them.

A half-eaten porkpie and some peas were at his elbow as he scratched away on the parchment.

"You going to sigh again?" his aunt asked coming into the kitchen. Two baskets full of herbs and fresh vegetables were on her arms.

"I haven't been sighing," he snarked.

She shook her head. "You have been sighing since you got back from dropping her off. She'll be back in two days."

Harry tried not to look bothered. "Who will be back in two days?"

"Your friend," she said, hanging the herbs from clothes lines over the far counter.

"She's not my friend," he told her.

"You could have fooled me. You two haven't left each other's side since Sunday morning," she said in a serious voice.

"Who else am I going to hang out with?" he put to her.

She looked at him while he did his work. "Hermione is very bright and inquisitive. I see why she challenges you."

He didn't look up, trying to concentrate on the intricacies of human transformation. They were starting that this year and he wanted to work on becoming an Animagus, like his father. "I will beat her this year."

His Aunt chuckled. "You keep telling yourself that. She knows theories I didn't even dream of before seventh year or after I got my NEWTs."

"And I don't?"

"I didn't say that. Just don't be so blind to get ahead that you miss something," she told him before moving to the sink. She started to wash all the vegetables. "You want frittatas or bubble and squeak tonight?"

"Isn't it my turn to cook?" he asked, knowing she was offering some of his favorite dishes.

She took the veggies out of the sink and put them on a towel to dry. "You can cook tomorrow, if you want. So, where were you two so late last night? It was after eleven I heard you come in."

"We out in the west field. Hermione wanted to see the stars. She said she had never seen so many. I was up to do my chores," he commented, as though it was nothing special. As it had been the last few days, they talked. He smiled to think he was able to grill her this time. He really didn't know much about some of the newer muggle stuff, like computers. She spent a while trying to explain it before they started to talk about the constellations.

He didn't see his aunt's smile. "So you wouldn't be interested to know that Millie was offering Hermione a job for the rest of the summer?"

He stopped and looked up. Why would that be a good thing?

"She is going to work the same days as you are, cleaning the rooms and working breakfast, at least. Her mother may stay, and her father may come back for the end of summer."

"That's nice," he remarked blandly, looking back down at his parchment. Why was he so excited about that?

"Just no staying out that late again. Millie isn't as accepting of a young woman out like that," she said, reaching out and patting his hand. "I also don't want any other nieces or nephews yet."

His face burned as he focused on his parchment. "Her parents don't care she's back that late, and I don't like her like that." His stomach was doing flips to remember her hair flowing behind her yesterday as they stood on the edge of the cliffs. She was cute, and the wind took her clothes and...

He shook his head. This was the girl that had denied him top spot for five years now!

She is cute, a conspiratorial voice said in his head.

"I am just saying. If you need to know the spells again, let me know. They are an exception to the law." She patted his arm before walking towards her workshops, leaving him still beet red.

-oOo-

July 13, 1995

Sark Island, UK

Harry was waiting for the boat to dock. He had saddled up the cart today, knowing it was five of them coming off the boat. The cart could hold eight to ten comfortably. He would have preferred the carriage, but the single driver seat cart would make it easier for them to get back.

He was smiling, as he waited for her. He was pretty sure the ministry owl would have found her on Guernsey, so he was dying to find out how she did on her O.W.L.'s.

His letter from the British Ministry was in his pocket. Ten OWLs. Ten!

His Aunt had given him 200 galleons when she saw his results. He was seventy-one galleons away now, though Harry was feeling higher from the eight O's and two EE's than the fact he almost had enough to finally get the Firebolt. The EEs were in subjects he really didn't care about: Magical History and Astronomy. He had received special marks in Charms, Runes, Transfiguration and DADA. He was very pleased with the marks. It meant he was possibly going onto eight NEWT classes next year. He was going to be busy, but he was certain he would beat Hermione this time.

The Hogwarts letters should arrive August first, like normal, and he would send in his request for classes.

He had gotten to the pier early and had to wait almost an hour before he saw Hermione come through the tunnel. She saw him and marched right up to him, her hand out. "Give," was all she said.

He chuckled. "Afraid I did better than you?" he asked, taking the envelope out and handing it to her.

Mr. Baker came up the cart. "Why don't you sit in the back. Hermione and you can decide who's better on the way home," he said.

Harry looked at Hermione as she took the parchments out and read down the list. He felt suddenly very nervous, as though he might disappoint her. It felt silly to feel that way. It wasn't like they were friends…

"I told you you were slacking. Only an Exceeds Expectation in Magical History and Astronomy," she commented.

She wasn't wrong. He hopped down and handed Mr. Baker the reigns. "And how did you do?" he put to her.

They walked to the back, totally ignoring the adults, and he helped her up into the cart. It had two benches and room for their overnight bags. She took her letter out of her bag and handed it to him.

"How did you do, Harry?" Mrs. Granger enquired.

He smiled at Mrs. Granger as Hermione read through his results and the testers' notes on the other parchments.

"Ten," he said with pride.

"Special marks in Charms, Runes, Transfiguration and DADA. Harry, you know how to cast a Patronus?" she asked, looking up.

"Yeah. My Uncle Remus showed me fourth year when they had that scare in Germany," he told her, finally opening her letter.

"A corporeal Patronus?" Mrs. Baker queried.

"I believe that is what it says," he answered, giving Hermione a cheeky grin when she rolled her eyes.

Mr. Baker whistled before snapping the reigns. "I can't even cast a Patronus," he said.

"As I remember you just barely passed your DADA OWL," his wife reminded him.

"Millie, is that really that impressive?" Mrs. Granger asked as Hermione started to read the remarks again.

"It is not common, I can tell you that. And for a fourth year to do that, that is exceptional. How many O's?" she asked him.

"Eight," he told her with some pride.

"Very impressive," she said.

The Grangers regarded him as he looked down at Hermione's grades. Nine perfect O's, with special marks in Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Charms and Potions. Her DADA and Creatures were only EEs though. He wasn't surprised, though a little disappointed that he only managed eight Os to her nine. He really didn't care for Astronomy and History of Magic, though. He was glad to be sod of them.

"Congratulations, Hermione. This is brilliant," he said.

She had a smug smirk, but also blushed. "I just worked really hard, that is all."

"It looks like you both did. Not many make eight or nine Outstanding's," Mr. Baker said over his shoulder.

Hermione finished and looked at him. "What are you taking next year?"

"I am dropping Herbology, Astronomy and Magical History. I haven't decided if I want to continue in Potions or not. I am definitely going for my NEWTs in Charms, Transfiguration, Runes, Ancient Magics, Advanced Arithmancy, DADA and Creatures," he told her.

"I can understand Astronomy and History of Magic, but why potions and Herbology? They are very important, and you do excellent in them," she observed.

"I really don't want to deal with Snape anymore and I know what I need to for Herbology. I don't need it anyways if I am going to be going into the family business."

She frowned. "Harry, you are really smart. Wouldn't it be best to do everything you can?" she asked him.

He looked at her. It was the first time she had ever admitted that she thought of him that way.

"Hermione, in your NEWT years, it is better to focus on only what you are really good at or what will get you where you want to go for a job. Studying for even a few NEWTS can lead to nervous breakdowns, never mind seven or eight," Mrs. Baker said.

"I want you to do well, but I don't want you pushing yourself too hard. You were a wreck after your third year, taking twelve courses," her mum said.

He looked at her. "You took everything?"

She shrugged. "I want to do well," she said.

"You shouldn't take more than seven. Studying for NEWTs is very intensive. You should leave some time for fun," Mrs. Baker told her.

She looked pensive.

"What are you going to take?"

"I really want to continue in Potions, even with Snape. After that, Charms, Transfiguration, Advanced Arithmancy, Herbology, Runes and DADA. I could do creatures, but I'm not really interested. You are doing Ancient Studies? I had considered Alchemy, and Astronomy is interesting for Projections and when to calculate magical ebbs and flows," she said.

"What do you want to do?" her cousin asked.

Hermione opened her mouth, and then shut it. He had never seen her do that before, as though she was indecisive.

They all looked at Hermione for a moment. "Does it matter? We have almost two years before we really have to worry about that," he said, trying to save her from being the focus of attention.

"For the first time, I really don't know. I wanted to work for the Ministry, but I have seen some really interesting things in the last few days. Harry, did you get the letter from the ICW?" she asked.

He took another envelope out of his pocket. This one was thick. "These are all the possibilities for those without NEWTs," he told her. "I plan to send out my application tomorrow."

She took the envelope and took out the almost two dozen parchments, while still holding his OWL results.

"What is that?" her father asked.

"Research grants for under years," he told her father. "I wanted to apply for one in Transfiguration and Ancient Magics. I would like to get Mastery's in at least those two. Maybe Runes or Charms too."

Mrs. Baker shook her head. "I should have known. And how many do you want, Hermione?"

"Arithmancy and Potions, probably charms," she said without thinking as she read through the papers.

"I think you will have your hands full," Mrs. Baker said to Jane. "Most never do more than one Mastery."

"It appears so," Mrs. Granger said.

Harry didn't understand what that was about. He turned back to Hermione. "That one is really interesting, and they have three grants for it," he said looking at one that was for research into defensive objects.

"There were two on magical theory looking into application of muggle mathematics, especially calculus," she said.

"You know calculus?" he asked.

"I can learn. My parents have let me have tutors the last few summers. There was a bookstore in Saint Peter Port. You said you would take me soon. I can get what I need there. Oh, this one is doing research into African herbs and potion making," she said, sounding excited.

"This is another one I am applying for. I can use some of what I know about weaving and start working on the notes my aunt gave me," he said.

"They are in their own world," Mr. Baker said and he looked up.

The women were chuckling. Mr. Granger was looking at him like he was a threat and Mr. Baker laughed at his suddenly alarmed face.

"Leave him alone," Mrs. Granger said, laughing and knocking her husband's leg.

Mr. Granger softened his face. "Just respect my daughter," the man said.

"Yes, sir," he said. He wasn't sure why he felt so apprehensive. He was just talking with her. His eyes hadn't drifted to her legs once yet today.

Hermione hadn't noticed. She tapped his arm. "Is this in galleons?" she questioned.

He looked down. "Yeah. Most of them have bonuses if you can make significant progress or a publishable finding," he said.

"That's more than a year's salary for an entry level in the Ministry, even in the Unspeakables," she said.

He shrugged. "Not everyone can do it, and that is a hard project. I don't know if anyone has been able to solve how apparition works through Arithmancy. Imagine what else you could do if you could get a working formula?"

"It says there is a leniency that allows muggle technology. Harry, can you use computers around magical places?" Hermione put to him.

"We have electricity in our house. There isn't enough latent magic in places like this to interfere with muggle technology that much," he said.

Her mouth opened. "Oh, Merlin, I didn't even think of that. Aunt Millie, you have electricity at the hotel," she commented.

Her cousin laughed. "You just noticed? Harry is right. Only in places where magic is used often, and usually by many people or with many powerful wards, do you have that issue. We don't have much of that here. It's usually really quiet and the muggle wards and other simple ones aren't enough to interfere with electricity. Sometimes you get glitches and stuff, but the Council doesn't require the wards the British Ministry does. Bit of an overkill if you ask me," Mrs. Baker told Hermione.

"Most countries dropped the heavy wards in the seventies when they interfered with some technology too much. Muggles were noticing, so different, lower power and more effective wards were developed, mostly in the United States."

She hit him in his arm. "What did I do!" he exclaimed surprised.

"Why didn't you tell me this! This is totally opposite of what they teach at Hogwarts," she said incredulously.

"I didn't think about it," he told her. "I also didn't know about the different wards. Not something I have studied yet."

Mr. Baker laughed. "Not surprising. You grew up here but was born after the Council changed the standards. Millie and I remember when everything changed. It was a rush for a few years. We even had a team from MI6 come here to investigate some odd issues. A team of Obliviators from the ICW were placed on Sark for a year. They left after we were able to replace the wards on all the wizarding houses on the island."

"Why is Britain and Hogwarts so behind the times," she asked.

"The Purebloods. They don't want things to change. There are pockets still that resist the change many of us have already adapted to. Places like Britain, Poland, Romania, Greece, Russia, many countries in the far East, they tend to be very traditionalist," Mrs. Baker said.

"We had no idea. Is it good for Hermione to keep going to Hogwarts?" Jane asked.

"Even behind the times, Hogwarts is still one of the premier schools. I would say Ilvermorny in the United States or Mahoutokoro in Japan have a much more modern curriculum, and are better at theory, technomancy, and arithmancy. Hogwarts still beats them in Transfiguration, Charms and Runes. There is rumored to be schools in India and China, but both Ministries there are very secretive."

"I wish we had known you were a witch, Millie," Mr. Granger said.

Harry was listening as he read over Hermione's shoulder. They both disregarded it. It was about raising some special plants outside their normal habitat. "Neville may like that," he said as she put it on the bottom of the pile.

"He's a nice boy. I wish more people would talk with him," she said.

"Neville is my cousin. He roped me into helping with the Greenhouses last year, and he helped me with some of Professor Hagrid's creatures last year," he told her. "I'll need to go to Longbottom Manor soon. We usually spend some time with each other each summer."

"Is that why you got an Outstanding in Herbology?" she asked.

"Probably. I'm helpless otherwise."

She laughed and he found he liked her laugh. "You always dive in with Neville. I think Ron just rode your coattails in that class."

"He's my friend, but he did that in a lot of classes. It was actually nice to have you to study with this year. I used to study with Padma and a few Ravenclaw, but they are just too mental when it comes to their grades. Corner cursed Brocklehurst one day so she would miss a test. After that, I was done," he told her.

"That was Corner? Mandy was in the hospital for two days for Madam Pomfrey to stop her nails from growing," she said upset.

"I didn't do it and didn't know until he bragged about it a few days later," he said defensively.

"She was so upset. I still study with her, Daphne, Padma and Parvati."

"I'm sorry she was so upset. She is really good at Arithmancy. I cursed him as I left the library the day I found out, if that helps," he said.

She looked up at him. "What did you do?"

He smirked. "His voice sounded like he swallowed helium for a week, hair grew in places it probably shouldn't have… Oh, he had to speak in limericks with that high squeaky voice." He chuckled and she looked incredulous as she smiled at him.

She hit him playfully on his arm after a moment. "Everyone thought the Weasley Twins had done that," she laughed.

"I taught them how to do that one after I figured it out. They are quite inventive on their own though," he observed.

She was still laughing as they reached the end of the parchments. The cart stopped and he looked up. He was surprised they had arrived.

"Harry, are you and your aunt coming over tonight?" Mrs. Granger asked.

He looked at her a little guiltily. "Aunt Bel wanted me to invite you over tonight. You, Mr. Granger and Hermione, if you want." He looked at Hermione out of the corner of his eye. "I was supposed to ask you when you got off the boat."

The woman chuckled at him. "Better late than never. What time?"

"Seven," he said. "We were going to eat out in the back garden."

"We would love to," Hermione said.

"I guess our mind is made up. Come on, Dan," she said taking her husband's hand. "Hermione, come back by five."

She handed him the envelopes after stuffing them again. "If you are getting the application together tomorrow, I would like to also," she told him.

"Of course. Aunt Bel said it should be rainy tomorrow. Maybe the next few days. We should have plenty of time," he said.

She gave him a brilliant smile that made his stomach flip. "Brilliant. I need to freshen up and want to talk with my parents about class choices now. I'll see you about seven?"

"I would like that," he said.

"Oh, and you did very well on your OWL's. Congratulations." The smile didn't leave her face as she skipped off, like she was still a little girl. He found himself watching her.

Mr. Baker chuckled. "Why don't I take care of the cart," he offered.

Harry shook his head. "I can do that. Mrs. Baker pays me for the entire trip," he told the man, stuffing the enveloped into his pocket. He was happy his aunt enchanted the back pockets of his shorts.

Mr. Baker reached into his pocket, took out a handful of coins and sorted through them before handing Harry three coins. "You did enough today. Go help Belvina get things ready."

Harry was about to put the coins into his front pocket, but thought they felt a little heavier. "Mr. Baker, I can't take this. These are five galleon coins," he said holding his hand back out towards the man.

"You earned it. Congratulations on your OWL's," the man said snapping the reigns to take the cart around to the barn.

Harry looked after the man. He felt a little like he was robbing Mr. Baker. Part of him was feeling very proud. The Bakers had helped to raise him almost as much as his aunt. They felt proud of him. When he looked back up, he caught Hermione looking at him from the door of the Bakers house. She smiled and disappeared inside. Something inside him squirms in a not unpleasant way.

"What are you smiling at," Aunt Bel asked as he walked inside.

"Hermione is coming over," he told her. "She also said I did well on my OWL's."

She smiled. "You did. Why don't you go take care of the sheep and then get cleaned up? Prim and Cork offered to get things ready," she told him.

"Sure," he said.

Harry went to his room, opened the small wooden box in his top draw, put the tip of his wand to it and it opened. Fifty-six more galleons.

It was a nice evening, but clouds were already on the horizon. The back garden was a nice area next to the upper paddock. Three vegetable beds were around a greenhouse. Flower beds surrounded a nice patio area and a trellised arch led to a lane next to the house. Various coloured roses grew on the arch. Lane behind the arch split the upper and west fields and ended at the south field. All three were owned by his aunt.

Wheat was growing in the west field. It would be used for feed for the sheep when it was harvested.

"Prim, I can do this," he told their elf as he took out two large glass pitchers. One had lemonade, the other a berry juice made from the garden.

"Prim offered to set up for Master Harry," she said, sounding put out.

"Thank you, but you already set things up," he told her.

She huffed and moved back towards the door that led to the kitchen.

"Cork, the flowers look fine," he said to the other elf who had been fussing over the garden for the last half-hour. This garden was his pride and joy.

"There are still some weeds I missed," the elf said.

"What has gotten into you two tonight?" he asked.

"Master is having a girlfriend and her family over. Things should look nice," Cork told him.

Harry just blinked for a second. "Ah, Cork, you do know we aren't friends, right?"

The small elf with grey hair in his ears looked up. "Cork knows it is the Grangy that Master talks about."

The elf lowered his head again at Harry's incredulous look. House elves were much more in tune with their master's desires and inklings than many realized. Was he that nervous to have her over?

Harry didn't talk about her that much. Did he?

"Cork, out of the flower bed. You should have about ten minutes to clean up if they are on time," his aunt said taking out a large salad bowl and putting it on the table.

"Hermione always likes to be early," he told her. He was sure she was already bugging her parents to leave.

"Go get ready then, Cork," she told the older elf.

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

"Just call me Bel or Belvina," she called after Cork.

"You know you're never going to win."

He chuckled as the elf said over his shoulder, "Yes, Miss Belvina."

"Is that a house elf?" a man asked as Cork ran across the old cobblestones of the patio.

He turned to see the Grangers coming in from the narrow lane. "It is," Hermione said, still not sounding as pleased.

"Dan, Jane and Hermione, welcome," his aunt said, moving to greet them.

"I hope you don't mind we are a few minutes early. Hermione just couldn't wait anymore," Jane told them.

"Yes, Harry was just telling me she likes to be early," Aunt Bel commented.

Harry was looking at Hermione, who had her hair pulled back. It wasn't as frizzy as normal, instead all her curls flounced as she walked. She had a nice white dress on that went down to her knees and had a had a broad neckline that showed off a lot of skin. He was starting to think the uniforms at school hid too much. She was very cute.

He liked the way her brown eyes were looking at him.

Harry hadn't realized they were both just standing there until his aunt said, "Are you going to greet our guests?"

He shook his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. Why did he find her so pretty?

"Yes. Thank you for coming," he said, reaching his hand out to Mr. Granger.

"Thank you for inviting us."

Harry turned to Mrs. Granger. "Thank you for coming," he said to her.

Taking his hand, Mrs. Granger smiled. "Your aunt and you have a very nice house and garden."

"Cork really deserves the praise here. He takes care of the garden and this area. He is very proud of his garden and greenhouse," he told her.

"Is that the name of the… house elf, is he?"

"Yes, mum. Harry has two of them," Hermione said stepping up. Her cheeks were a nice colour he liked.

"I'm glad you came," he said to her.

"Didn't have much else to do," Hermione told him.

He shrugged. "Me neither. Would you care to see the garden?" he offered. "I'm sure Cork would be more than happy to tell you all about it."

She didn't look away. "If he is willing," she said.

"Ask him. Like I said, we don't order them around."

"You two can ask Cork after dinner. I don't know about you, but something smells wonderful," Mrs. Granger said.

Harry offered Hermione to step to the table and pulled out a chair for her and helped her sit. When he looked up before sitting, his aunt had an amused expression on her face.

Harry tried not to let his face heat up. Mrs. Granger looked much the same way, while Mr. Granger gave him a hard look. Mrs. Granger knocked Mr. Granger's knee as they sat.

Prim came out with a tray with frittatas, fresh crusty bread, a few butter spreads and a wonderfully smelling vegetable ratatouille. His stomach grumbled. He had had a very light lunch and had been doing much all day.

"Hope you don't mind a mostly vegan meal, but Prim wanted to make this from our garden," Aunt Bel said.

"It smells wonderful, Belvina," Mrs. Granger said.

"Thank the chef. She takes some pride in her cooking," Aunt Bel said.

"When Mistress allows Prim to cook," the elf responded.

"It smells wonderful, Prim," Mrs. Granger praised.

Hermione leaned towards him. "I thought you didn't order them around?"

"We don't. Aunt Bel just likes to cook and made sure I know how. Prim just thinks she should do all the chores."

She eyed him before nodding. Maybe someday she will believe him?

"This is a beautiful island," her father said.

"We like to call it home," his aunt commented.

"I can understand why. Millie said you produce garments?" Mr. Granger asked. They were all serving themselves.

Hermione was quiet as they listened to the adults.

"You can say that. We make some very special products, usually on commission," his aunt answered a little cryptically.

"Like what?" Jane asked as she took some of the ratatouille to her mouth. "This is wonderful."

"Depends on the client. One of my last projects was to make an invisibility cloak. They have become popular again and the methods I use last many more years than the standard cloaks. They also work better against some new muggle camera technologies."

"I can't wait to start learning next year," he said.

Mrs. Granger looked at him. "What was that, Harry?"

"I was just saying I am anxious to start learning some of it next year," he replied.

"You should be ready. Are you going to be sixteen soon?" Aunt Bel asked Hermione.

"I am sixteen now. I turn seventeen in September," Hermione responded.

"Harry turns sixteen end-of-month. If you are still friends next summer, I could consider another apprentice," his aunt offered, not looking up at Hermione as she focused on her frittata.

Harry looked at his aunt. This wasn't just an apprenticeship. This was their family magic. Aunt Bel had always been very protective of it.

Hermione perked up. "Are you serious?"

"I would not joke about something this important. Now, I hear you are both dentists?" his aunt turned towards Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

"Dan is a dental surgeon and I specialized in dental restoration and tooth replacement. Though, I have mostly been doing the office work as our practice has expanded. We have three other dentists and a half dozen hygienists now. I don't think I've seen a patient in a year or two," Mrs. Granger said.

"Sounds busy," his aunt remarked.

"It is. My assistant manager is running things while we are away. Speaking of which, Hermione says there aren't any dentists in your world?" she asked.

Hermione leaned over. "Was your aunt serious about next summer?" she queried.

"She must like you. She has never offered to take anyone on as an apprentice," he told her.

"Your aunt hardly knows me," she noted.

He shrugged. "She knows your serious and that you are a genius."

She bit her lip. "You think we could go through those research grants again, after dinner?"

"I thought you wanted to have Cork show off his garden?" he reminded her.

"You really don't order them around?"

"No," he told her.

She nodded. Neither of them noticed the glances being cast their way as they talked.