A/N: I originally had this entire chapter written, but if I would have kept it an entire new plot would have popped up within this story, making it never ending. So I rewrote and here we are! I would like to thank you all for your patience and hope you enjoy this chapter!
Grammarly is my beta and all mistakes are mine!
Chapter 5 — Eager for a Holiday
The following weeks passed normally...well, as normal as their June's usually were. Which means it was far from what others would describe as normal. Their past adventures in June included saving the Sorcerer's Stone, saving Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets (though Hermione hadn't been there), and saving Sirius on the back of Buckbeak. This year was no different, though one couldn't call what had happened an adventure. It was far from it.
Hermione had barely spoken to Harry once he appeared after the third task, clutching Cedric's corpse. It had been a whirlwind since. So much so that she temporarily forgot her little 'mermaid' problem, though it was never far from the surface, little things such as water reminding her. Before they knew it, they were back on the Hogwarts Express speeding away from Scotland and the school they called home for nine months out of the year.
The train ride from Hogwarts passed quickly, Hermione always having one eye trained on Harry, just in case. If he wanted to confide in her, she'd be there, but said nothing as he played Exploding Snap with the others in the compartment. When the train returned to Platform 9 ¾, Hermione disembarked with the rest of the students while Harry stayed behind with Fred and George in the compartment.
Searching the platform, she quickly found her parents looking odd and uncomfortable as usual being surrounded by witches and wizards.
"Mum! Dad!" Hermione shouted, throwing her arms around the both of them, squeezing them tight. She didn't let go for several moments, but her parents never once complained. After seeing Amos Diggory in such distress over Cedric's death, she was thankful that she was still whole (though not unscathed) and could hug, talk and laugh with her parents.
"Hermione, dear, you look exhausted. Is everything alright?" her mother asked, as they broke apart. Katherine Granger looked over her, concern etched into her features.
"I'm fine, mum. Just tired from studying and exams. It's nothing that a good night's sleep can't cure," Hermione assured her mother. Hermione wasn't daft and knew that if she confided in them what had happened at Hogwarts year after year, they wouldn't let her return.
"Oh, look, there's your friend Harry!" her father said, pointing behind her. Hermione smiled to see Harry walking toward her, pulling his trunk behind him, Hedwig's cage in the other.
"Mr Granger, Mrs Granger," Harry said, nodding his head in greeting at the both of them.
"Oh, Harry," Katherine laughed. "How many times have we told you to call us Katherine and Matthew?"
Harry rubbed his head in embarrassment and grinned. "Probably too many to count, Mrs Granger. You'll always need to tell me at least one more time."
With the two adults still chuckling over Harry's response, Harry and Hermione led the way off of the Platform and into the muggle world.
"Have you told Ron yet?" Harry asked in a whispered tone as they casually walked through the barrier.
"Wha—What?" Hermione sputtered. She wasn't expecting him to bring up her mermaid situation. If anything, she was hoping he would confide in her about what happened in the maze as they were advised by Dumbledore not to ask any questions.
"Have you told Ron yet," Harry repeated.
Hermione bit her lip and shook her head. They stopped several feet away from the barrier, still speaking in whispers as not to draw the attention of their parents and the other muggles around them.
"I haven't found the time to," Hermione admitted. "Everything has been really crazy in the past week since...since, well you know. I was too worried about you and my mind preoccupied with a future that seems so uncertain now. I didn't want to focus on my issues when there are bigger issues at hand."
"You and your bleeding heart," Harry said, shaking his head, a smile spreading from cheek to cheek, though not quite reaching his eyes.
She couldn't help but smile back. "I can't help it. I was more concerned about more important things rather than with Ron knowing about me being a mermaid."
"You need to tell him, Hermione." Harry turned serious once more.
"I know, Harry. Just not yet, okay?"
"Are you sure? Maybe he could help."
Hermione snorted. "You can be serious. Right now, I am shoulder deep in research. He hates research."
"You're right, but that still doesn't change the fact that—"
"Boy, there you are! Let's go!" a voice bellowed behind them. Uncle Vernon appeared right behind Harry, purple in the face.
Hermione quickly grabbed Harry and kissed him on the cheek and whispered, "Why don't you see if you can come to my house in a couple weeks and go on holiday with us?" She pulled away and walked toward her parents before he could answer. As he walked away he looked back to find the Grangers waving, and Hermione shouted, "'Bye, Harry!"
Harry followed Uncle Vernon out of the train station and back into the muggle world. For once he wasn't upset to be returning to the Dursley's knowing they would be happy to get rid of him, even if it were only for a little while.
Harry spent a short two weeks with the Dursley's and didn't feel one bit guilty for not informing Dumbledore of his plans. He was intent on spending time with Hermione and her family and away from all of his troubles. Harry wasn't a selfish person, but if anyone needed a holiday, it was him. The doorbell rang, and Harry rushed down the stairs, his trunk and Hedwig's cage in hand.
"Mr Granger," Harry panted, opening the door.
"Ready to go?" Matthew Granger asked. Harry nodded his head and made to walk out the door when he heard, "Boy!" yelled after him. He turned, almost worried that the Dursley's had changed their mind.
"You won't be coming back for the rest of the summer, correct?" Harry nodded his head.
"Well, bye then," Vernon said, shooing them out the door and closing the door. Harry was surprised at his uncle's attitude, or lack of, toward Mr Granger despite him being a fellow non-magical person. He assumed it was because he was associated with Harry and that was just as bad as being a 'freak'.
Mr Granger didn't comment on Uncle Vernon's abysmal behavior, and for that he was grateful. He didn't feel like explaining almost 13 years of abuse over the years though he didn't doubt Hermione had already talked about it with them.
Harry loaded his trunk into the back seat of Mr Grangers car before taking his place in the passenger seat. "Where's Hermione and Mrs Granger?" Harry asked curiously, as he buckled his seat belt.
"You know how they are," Mr Granger said, backing out of the Dursley's driveway. "They are perfectionists, and everything must be perfect for your arrival." Harry laughed knowing that was exactly like Hermione and it was funnier knowing she had picked it up from her mother. The ride was comfortable, talking about various hobbies in both the magical and muggle worlds. Before Harry knew it, an hour had passed, and they were pulling into the Granger's driveway.
Hermione must have been watching from the window because she bounded out of the house as soon as Mr Granger cut the engine. Harry was barely out of the car when Hermione jumped into his arms.
"I'm so happy you're here!" she squealed.
"Me too," Harry said, grinning, setting the bushy-haired witch back on her feet. Her dad was looking at them curiously, and Harry could feel a flush creeping up his cheeks. Hermione seemed unfazed and instead grabbed his hand to pull him into the house. Harry shrugged his shoulders and looked apologetically at Mr Granger for leaving him to carry Harry's belongings. Mr Granger waved his hand which Harry took to mean 'don't worry about it'.
Hermione dragged him from room to room, giving him the tour and occasionally telling her favourite memories from each. Finally, they ended up in her bedroom, and Harry tentatively took a seat on the bed as Hermione shut the door.
"Uh, Hermione," Harry said, finding himself blushing again. "Shouldn't we leave the door open?"
Hermione laughed. "Harry, my parents don't care about that! As long as we are safe."
Harry spluttered finally spitting out, "What?"
Hermione laughed even harder. "I'm joking! But for real, my parents trust me and respect my privacy. My dad won't kick you out for being in my room with the door closed. Promise," Hermione assured him.
Harry shook his head and took a deep breath. "I think I'm ready to talk about what happened in the maze, but I really want to talk about you first. It's more pressing especially with a war on the horizon."
Hermione's mouth gaped. "You really think that my situation is more pressing than the return of Lord Voldemort?"
Harry nodded. "Voldemort is after me, I have no doubt that he will do everything in his power to find out about those around me. If he finds out about you being a mermaid, he could use it against the both of us in some way. It could be as simple as engulfing you in water, rendering you useless on land and unable to fight in a battle."
"Do you really think it will come to that?" Hermione asked, quietly, wringing her hands in her lap. Harry grabbed her hands in an attempt to reassure her.
"I am not going to lie to you. I have no doubt that a battle is on the horizon. It could be years still, but its coming. That's why us figuring out your mermaid situation is of the utmost importance right now."
Hermione nodded her head. "I haven't told my parents anything about the last four years at Hogwarts just so you know. I don't think it's a good idea to bring it up though I hate to keep them in the dark."
"I think keeping them in the dark is probably best. They'll just worry, and for completely selfish reasons, I need you with me. I can't do this without you."
Hermione blushed and gripped Harry's hand tighter. "I have no doubt that you could do this on your own, but I appreciate your confidence in me."
Hermione continued. "What is our next plan then? How do we figure this...me, out? I have been through piles of documents and books, and there's nothing."
"Well, we are going to Greece right on holiday right?" Harry asked, frowning.
Hermione nodded. "But how does that help us at all?"
"Well, one there is probably a library there and—"
"Oh!" Hermione interrupted. "I forgot that there is a magical community in Mykonos. I bet we could find someone that that could help us."
Harry nodded. "My thoughts exactly. Plus, don't you remember telling me why you didn't look like the mermaid in the portrait of the Prefect's bathroom?"
Hermione's eyes looked as if they grew two sizes when she widened them in surprise. "The Sirens," she whispered.
"We might need to dive in and get some answers," Harry told her. "They are the earliest recorded race of merpeople after all."
Suddenly, Hermione was much more excited about their holiday in Greece. She was sold with the idea of visiting an International Magical Library, but the idea of swimming with those of her own kind blew that out of the water. She was ready to find some answers.
Now we'll be getting into the history of mermaids more in the next several chapters! Feel free to leave a review!