THE GRANGER FAMILY
Natasha woke the next day very early in the morning. Her head was again full of questions about, what had happened the day before. A strange house elf called Dobby, had come and warned her , that something really bad was going to happen at Hogwarts. Her first thought was that someone had played a really bad joke on her. But she had seen a dream, the day before that, she was at Hogwarts, and the sorting hat was warning her of a monster that was coming. She had remembered that even the previous year she had gotten a dream, that was of Professor Quirrel's turban. That was nearly a warning of the thing that was to come. She wondered if she was a seer. But she did not think of it more. Her thoughts then went to her friends. She was wondering, what they were thinking about her. She knew that,even if she was able to send Hedwig out, Dobby might capture the owl, and send it back, taking the letter with her. She was wondering how to contact her friends.
She then went to the bathroom, to get ready for the day, and she put on her clothes. She then went to the kitchen for her breakfast. Aunt Petunia just nodded at her and motioned her to sit on the chair. There was already a breakfast on her table, which was cereals and milk. She started eating it slowly, and Uncle Vernon and Dudley came to the kitchen shortly afterwards. They pretended not to notice her. She as always, did not mind it. Then she suddenly got an idea to contact her friends, at least a friend. She was sure that the Dursleys will have the number of the Granger family, as Grangers were their dentists. So if she could just get the permission to make a call to them, she could call them and inform Hermione about her situation. Before Natasha could say anything to Uncle Vernon, both she and Uncle Vernon had finished their breakfasts, and they finished washing their hands. Uncle Vernon went to the living room, and Natasha followed him. Just then the doorbell rang, and Uncle Vernon opened it. Natasha could not see who was at the door, but then she heard Uncle Vernon say, "Mr Granger! What a surprise! Why have you decided to visit our humble home?". Natasha's face turned into a really happy one, as soon as she heard that, the man at the door was Granger. "Good morning Mr Dursley. I hope you are well. I am here to visit your niece, Natasha.",Mr Granger replied as he came into the house. To Natasha's happiness, Hermione also walked into the house. "Hermione!",Natasha shouted happily, and ran to Hermione and hugged her. Hermione returned her hug and said,"Oh Natasha! We were so worried about you. Why are you not replying to our letters?". "That is a really long story, Hermione.",Natasha said. "Well Natasha, meet my dad, Dan Granger.",Hermione said pointing to her dad. " Hello Mr Granger. Nice to meet you.",Natasha said shaking his hand.
"Please call me Dan, Natasha. My daughter had become a bit worried, after you did not answer the first few letters. Then when you were not answering further letters, and when the weasley boy told that, even his letters were not answered, Hermione really panicked.",Dan said. "You really scared me and Ron, Natasha. Ron was planning to fly a car here and see what is happening with you.", Hermione said. "Fly a car!? These people have cars that fly!?",Uncle Vernon said after a long time. "Our friend Ron's father bewitched a car, to make it fly.", Hermione replied. Uncle Vernon was shocked, and started muttering things under his breath. "Natasha, we would like to ask you something.", Dan said. "What is it, Mr Granger?",Natasha asked. "I would like to invite you to my home, to stay for the rest of the summer. If you don't have any problem that is.",Dan said. "Yes! Yes! I want to!",Natasha said happily, and looked at Uncle Vernon. "You can go, girl.",Uncle Vernon said trying not to say anything bad in front of Mr Granger. Natasha was surprised and happy, and said, "Thank you, Uncle Vernon.". Then Uncle Vernon turned to Mr Granger and said," I have to go to work, Mr Granger. I can't be late. I am sorry that, I can't be here for long.". "That is OK, Mr Dursley.",Mr Granger said and turned to Natasha, "How much time will it take for you to unpack, Natasha?", Mr Granger asked. Aunt Petunia then came suddenly to the living room, and said, "Oh! Good morning Dr Granger.". "Good morning Petunia. I hope you are well.",Dan said. Aunt Petunia just nodded and asked, "Would you like tea or coffee.",Aunt Petunia asked. "Please just give me some water, Mrs Dursley. Can I wait in your living room, till your niece packs her stuff?",Dan asked. "You may, Mr Granger.",Aunt Petunia said and went to the kitchen, to get some water.
"I will be back in twenty minutes.",Natasha said to both Dan and Hermione. "I will come and help you.",Hermione said and followed Natasha to her room. When Hermione and Natasha reached the room, Hermione asked," Is this your room? This is so small!". Natasha looked at Hermione and said," Well, this is an improvement from my previous room. That was the cupboard under the stairs.". Hermione looked shocked and angry. "They gave you a cupboard under the stairs to sleep?! That is so wrong!", Hermione shouted. She had so much anger in her. "Well, they have started to treat me really good, these days. So no complaints for now.",Natasha said. "But you are so small for your age, Natasha! I really have to talk with my dad about this.", Hermione said as Natasha started packing.. "And look at your clothes! They are so old, and shabby!". "I know Hermione, but I had not much choice in this.",Natasha said sadly as she finished packing her clothes. "We will have to go to London for shopping tomorrow, or the day after that.", Hermione said. "I am sure my parents will agree.". "I have no money with me, Hermione. Except for some Galleons, which is of no use in muggle world.",Natasha said sadly. "I am sure my parents will buy you the clothes with their cash.",Hermione said. "Please don't argue now, you can pay back after you get your money back.". Natasha wanted to argue, but knew there was no use arguing with Hermione.
Hermione helped with keeping all her books inside her bag. She arranged all of it very carefully. They finished packing within fifteen minutes, and then took her things down the stairs one by one. Then Hermione's father helped them to take Hedwig's cage out. "Goodbye, Aunt Petunia.", Natasha said to her aunt, just before leaving the home. Her aunt nodded and whispered in Natasha's ear, "Be careful.". Natasha was really happy at this gesture and nodded at her aunt again. They then put her stuff on the back of Dr Granger's car, and put Hedwig's cage on the back of the car with Natasha and Hermione. Then Dan started the car, and started going. "What happened Natasha? Why were you not replying to any of the letters?",Hermione asked. Then Natasha went on to explain what had happened the previous night. Hermione and her dad was shocked to hear this. "A house elf! What is happening at Hogwarts that made him so desperate, that he did this?",Hermione said. "He refused to tell me that, as he said that, he would have to punish himself, if he did that.",Natasha said. Hermione looked angry and said, "I had hated this behavior since I heard of this, for the first time. It is just slavery in broad daylight.". "Even I agree, Hermione.",Natasha said agreeing with her. "Now, what you have said is definitely strange Natasha. I am wondering whether to send you both to the school, considering the situation.",Mr Granger said. "I want to go, Dad. This might just be a story formed by someone as a joke.",Hermione said. "Yeah Mr Granger, considering how elves are treated, the wizards will use them for even this.",Natasha said. "OK, you both can go, if you think so.",Mr Granger said.
The ride took nearly an hour to complete. Hermione and Natasha spent the whole ride, just discussing about the next year, and what will happen in the courses. "I wonder who will teach us Quirrel is gone,so Dumbledore will have to find a new one.",Hermione said. She had told all of what happened to her parents, and they were really reluctant to send her to that school again. It had taken a big argument to make her parents agree to send her back again. When they reached the house, Mr Granger and Hermione helped Natasha take out her trunks and bags. Natasha saw that the Granger house was, a two story building. It was a really beautiful, and had bright colors. "Welcome to Granger house.",Hermione said smiling. Natasha smiled as Mr Granger rang the doorbell, and called loudly,"Emma, we are home dear.". Then after few seconds, the door was opened, by a woman who looked very much like Hermione. She smiled at the trio who was standing in front of her, and said,"Aaah,... I see that you have come with a guest, Dan. Come on in Natasha, I am Emma Granger. I am Hermione's mother.". Natasha smiled back and said,"Thank you, Mrs Granger.". "Please call me Emma dear girl.", Mrs Granger replied as the three of them entered the home. The interior of the home was decorated beautifully. It was very different from the Dursley home, as it was more neat and tidy, though aunt Petunia was a neat freak. There were chairs and couches present in the living room, most of which were facing the television, which they had. "Hermione, please show her into her bedroom, so that she can unpack her things.",Mr Granger said. "Come with me, Natasha. Your room is going to be upstairs.",Hermione said carrying one of Natasha's bags and taking her to her room.
Natasha followed her happily to her room. "This is going to be your room, Natasha.",Hermione said smiling happily at her. Natasha smiled as she saw the room. The room was nearly twice the size of that she had with Dursleys. It was neatly furnished and had a large cupboard to keep her things. She even noticed a bookcase, where she knew that she could keep her books. All this made her immensely happy. Hermione then said, "I will leave you now, so that you can unpack Natasha. You can call me, if you need me.". "OK.",Natasha said and started unpacking. Hermione went downstairs and told he r parents, what she saw at the Dursley's home. Her parents looked really angry on hearing how Natasha was treated at her home. "If Natasha did not say say that, her conditions were improved this year, I would definitely call the police, for the mistreatment and neglect of a child.",Dan said. "I definitely agree, Dan. I really can't see any reason to treat the girl like that. She looked really sweet, and polite.",Emma said. "Mom, Dad, We need to take her for shopping in London tomorrow. She does not have any decent clothes. ",Hermione said. "You are right Hermione, we really should take her to shopping, and need to give her some good food! She looks too short and thin for her age.",Emma said. "We should, Emma. We should.",Dan Granger agreed..