BACK TO GRANGER HOUSE
The next morning, Natasha did not wake up early in the morning. She knew that, she could get out of her room only after Aunt Marge goes. She woke somewhere around nine, and stayed in her room by reading some book. Then after 2 hours, there was a knock on the door and she could hear her aunt say, "Come on out, girl! Marge is gone."
Natasha was very glad for this, and went out of the room immediately. As usual she went and brushed her teeth, drank her coffee and had bath. By the time, she went to have her breakfast, it was nearly lunchtime. Then the phone rang. Aunt Petunia went and attended the phone. After a few seconds, Natasha heard her Aunt calling her, "Girl! The call is for you!"
Natasha ran and took the receiver from her aunt. "Hello. Natasha speaking.", she said into the phone.
"Hello, Natasha! This is Hermione here.", Hermione said.
"Hello Hermione. When did you reach back from France?", Natasha asked with a smile.
"I just returned two days ago. I had received a letter from Ron that, your aunt Marge was coming to your home, and had instructed him not to contact you until today.", Hermione said.
"That is correct, Hermione. I was not allowed to have any contact with you guys, as Aunt did not know about magic.", Natasha said.
"Very well, then. Is it OK, if I pick you tomorrow from your home? I am sure that, it will be ample time to pack things up.", Hermione said.
"Yeah. I am sure that, I can pack all things properly in a day. Most of my things are already put in my bag anyways.", Natasha said.
"That is good to hear. See you tomorrow then. I will be there with my dad to come to your home.", Hermione said.
"See you.", Natasha said, and hung up the phone. She knew that, she could not wait for tomorrow to come. Then she went to Aunt Petunia and said, "The Grangers are coming tomorrow to pick me up. So, I won't be here till next summer.", Natasha said. Aunt Petunia just looked at her and nodded. Fortunately, she chose not to talk anything about last night. That was a really good arrangement for Natasha. Natasha spent the rest of the day, by just roaming around in the street. The good thing was that, she did not see the big black dog she had seen yesterday anywhere. She thought that, the dog must have been a figment of her imagination.
Then she returned home by six, and tried to help her aunt a bit in making the dinner. Her aunt just gave her a look, but did not object to her. She cut some vegetables off, and helped her aunt. Then by the time her aunt finished cooking, her uncle came and they all had dinner. Neither her uncle or her aunt said anything. It looked as though her uncle wanted to talk, but her aunt was throwing looks at her uncle and he refrained away from it. Dudley as always was just sitting and eating without even a glance at the other three. As soon as Natasha finished her dinner, she went to her room and read books for some time and then packed her belongings for the day after. Then Natasha went to sleep.
The next day, Natasha got up enthusiastically, and got ready really fast. Natasha was excited as, she knew that the Grangers were going to come on that day. As soon as they finished their breakfast, there was a ring on their doorbell and Aunt Petunia went and opened it. Natasha could hear Mr. Granger greeting her aunt, and she went into the living room fast. Hermione came running to her and hugged her, as soon as she saw her. Natasha smiled and hugged her back.
"I so missed you, Natasha.", Hermione said.
"Me too, Hermione.", Natasha said with a smile.
"Hello Natasha. I hope you are doing good. Did you pack all your things.", Mr. Granger smiled and asked.
"Yes, Mr. Granger I am good, and I did pack all my things.", Natasha said.
"Good then. I will wait here till you get all those things down. I am sure that, Hermione here is ready to help you.", Mr. Granger said.
Hermione nodded at her, and they both went to Natasha's room to pick all her bags up. Natasha took two main bags, and Hermione took Hedwig's cage and a smaller bag. They both then slowly went to the living room, and found Mr. Granger in conversation with her aunt. "We are ready, dad.", Hermione said.
"We better get going then.", Mr. Granger said to her aunt and uncle. They both just nodded back at him.
"Bye then.", Natasha said to the three of them. But they did not respond. Expecting no other thing, Natasha and Hermione took her belongings to the car, and put it in the trunk of the car. Then they both sat in the back seat of the car. "Are you both ready?", Mr. Granger asked the two of them.
"Yes.", the both of them nodded their heads and said, and Mr. Granger started the car immediately. On the way, Natasha and Hermione talked about random things. They were discussing about all the extra courses that, she had taken and what could be expected from it. Hermione and Natasha had taken Care of magical creatures, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as their subject with Hermione taking 2 more extra subjects Divination and Muggle studies. Natasha had no idea how Hermione will be able to cop up with all the subjects that she was taking. But she decided not to ask Hermione about it.
"So, you think that the book Hagrid gave is the book for care of magical creatures?", Hermione asked.
"I very well think so. Otherwise why would Hagrid send such book to us?", Natasha asked.
"That is true. But do you have any idea, who is going to be teaching us. I did hear a rumour that, Professor Kettleburn was going to retire.", Hermione said.
"I have absolutely no idea. We are not experts on who the magical creature experts are isn't it?", Natasha asked.
"It would be a very nice thing if, Newt Schmander himself comes and teaches us. It would be so exciting. I did hear that, he is a good friend of Professor Dumbledore.", Hermione said.
"We should be so lucky. I had heard that, he is retired and living somewhere in the country with his wife. I don't think that, he might come and teach now.", Natasha said.
"Well, we can all wish that he can come.", Hermione said. Then they turned their attention to the other subjects that they were taking together. Arithmancy was a subject that had a lot of maths in it. It was mainly used in spell creation and even predicting future events, in a more realistic and scientific way. Natasha took that subject mainly because she was fascinated by the applications of the subject, and wanted to learn much more about it. When Natasha asked Hermione about the reason she had taken divination, she told that she also wanted to see that part of the magic world, where even their logic fails to explain stuff. The next subject that they had taken was ancient runes, and it was a subject that mainly concerned about translating scrolls and texts which are there in ancient languages, and some runes which were said to have magical abilities of protection and safety. These were also fascinating things to learn, and she took the subject.
Then their discussion went on to the main subjects, and the things that they might teach in the next year. Most of the things they discussed were hinted by the teachers last year, or as in the case of DADA by the teacher that came at last. McGonagall had hinted that, she will start with the theory of animagus transformation and Professor Flitwick had talked about tickling charms. The professor that came in the end of last year, had told that they are going to cover in detail about the dark creatures in the year. Professor Snape had told them that, they were going to cover antidotes to many of the potions and the ways to administer them. Overall, Natasha knew that, the year was going to be very interesting.
After all the discussions were over, they reached the Granger house. Natasha was helped by Mr. Granger in taking her belongings out of the car. Natasha then went inside, and was immediately met by Mrs. Granger. "Hello, Natasha. How are you doing?", Mrs. Granger asked kindly.
"I am doing really good, Mrs. Granger.", Natasha said with a smile, as she was following Mr. Granger into her room. She was given the same room she had got last time, and started unpacking with the help of Hermione. As soon as she finished unpacking her things, she went down to properly meet Grangers. But she found that, Mr Granger had to go to the clinic immediately to see, how the things were.
"I hope the journey was really good.", Mrs. Granger asked.
"It was a good one, Mrs. Granger. With Hermione here, there was no chance of getting bored.", Natasha said.
"Knowing you both, I am sure that the main topic would have been about studies.", Mrs Granger laughed and said.
Natasha and Hermione looked at each other and just stood. "Anyways, Hermione and Natasha. There is a good news for you. Your friend Simran had called just an hour ago.", Mrs. Granger said.
Both Hermione's and Natasha's faces were now lit with happiness. "Oh my god! About time that she called.", Hermione said with a wide smile. "What did she say?"
"She said that, she will be coming to London in a week and will do her shopping. When I told that, you were not here she told that she will call at four in the evening.", Mrs. Granger said.
"That is a really good news. If we can know the exact date in which she is coming, we can plan our trip to Diagon alley with her plans.", Hermione said.
"That sounds like a good plan for me.", Natasha said with a smile.
"We are also Ok with that plan. I am sure that, we can arrangements for whichever day you choose.", Mr and Mrs. Granger said.
"We need to inform Ron too. I think Simran would want him to come too.", Natasha said with a wink to Hermione.
"That is correct. We will owl-", Natasha then realized something. "I forgot that Hedwig was with him!"
"We should hope that, Ron decides to write a letter to us so that we can send him informing him the dates.", Hermione said.
"You both girls were winking when you were talking about Ron and Simran. Is there something up?", Mrs. Granger asked playfully.
Both the girls looked at each other and thought that, there was absolutely no harm in telling it to Mrs. Granger. "Well, the thing is, Simran seems to have a crush on Ron. There is no indication that, Ron does not have the same feelings either.", Hermione said.
"I say that, he definitely has the same for her too.", Natasha said.
"Well, we will have to about that don't we?", Hermione said.
"Well, that is a nice thing. Well Natasha, do you have such feelings on someone. You can definitely tell me you know."
"Oh no, Mrs. Granger. I don't have anyone till now.", Natasha said blushing heavily. But a certain Diggory boy came to her mind, when she told that. Was she having the same feelings for him?, she thought. But she dismissed it. Hermione looked at her with an expression of knowing something.
"What about you, my daughter. I assure you I will not tell anything to your dad.", Mrs. Granger told.
"I-I too don't have anyone.", Hermione said also heavily.
"If you both say so. I will go and finish making the lunch. You girls can go outside if you want.", Mrs. Granger went to the kitchen as she said it.
Hermione and Natasha went outside immediately, and started roaming around in the neighbourhood. Natasha and Hermione again met Hermione's friend whom she had seen the last year. Though the girl did not recognize Natasha first, but when Hermione informed her she remembered her a bit and they started talking about their school. Natasha and Hermione had to change many of the subject they had with some muggle equivalents, so that the magic part of their education was kept away. Potions became chemistry, Transfiguration became maths etc.
By one o clock, the two of them went back to the house, and found that even Mr. Granger had arrived for the lunch. They finished their lunch quickly, and then went to see a movie in the television. It was showing 'Indiana Jones and the raiders of lost ark'. It was an action movie about an archaeologist, who was going to try and protect an object called 'Ark of the Covenant' from a crazy group of German Nazis. It was a really nice action film, which also had some amount of comedy. They watched the movie till four in the three forty five in the evening, and then Natasha and Hermione realized that, it was nearly time for Simran to call them.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger then decided that, they both will go to their clinic, and told the both of them that they could go out of home if they wanted. Natasha and Hermione decided that, they both will go to the park and play for some time after their call with Simran was finished. At exactly four five in the evening, their phone rang, and both of them ran towards the phone in the house. Natasha picked up the phone and said, "Hello. Granger residence."
"Hello! Natasha, is that you?!", the voice from the other side spoke, which clearly belonged to Simran.
"Hello, Sim. Nice hearing from you again. Yes, this is Natasha in this side.", Natasha said.
"Oh that's nice. Mrs. Granger did inform me that, you were going to come there. I called Hermione first because, you had told that, you will be with her during this time.", Simran said.
"You guessed it right. I wouldn't have been able to pick up your call, I had a relative that knew nothing about my magic at my home, for a week. She had left only yesterday morning.", Natasha said.
"Good thing that, I decided to call Hermione first then. So how was your both's holidays?", Simran asked.
"Mine was good. It was pretty much like last time.", Natasha said and gave the phone to Hermione. "Hello, Sim. Hermione here. My holidays were nice too. Me and my family had gone for a vacation in France. So my holidays were awesome.", Hermione said.
"That is nice to hear. I had mostly wandered in and around my city Bengaluru these days. Met some of my old wizard school friends too.", Simran said.
"That is nice.", Hermione said. "So, when are you planning to come to London? I think me and Natasha also will plan accordingly."
"Me and my family will be there in a week. I think we can go to Diagon Alley on 15th August.", Simran said.
"15th August sounds good for us.", Hermione said.
"Please inform even Ron about our plans. I think I want even him to join us, when he goes.", Simran said.
"Sure. I will inform even Ron about our plans. I am sure that, even he will come.", Hermione said with a grin. Natasha giggled.
"Bye then. See you guys on 15th.", Simran said.
"See you.", Hermione and Natasha said together into the phone, and they cut the call. Then they went back to the living room and discussed their plan aftes.
"You know, I think we can make them to come here for dinner or something after 15th. I am sure that, mom and dad won't mind.", Hermione said.
"That is a really good idea. We can have a kind of sleepover too.", Natasha said.
"You know, there is a connection between India and August 15th. It is the day in which muggle India got independence from the British muggles.", Hermione said thinking.
"How do you know all that?", Natasha asked curiously.
"Hey, I used to read so much even in my muggle school. I was very much a big fan of history.", Hermione said. They both laughed and went outside to play for some time. Just like the last time, the playground was full of other people of their own age playing, Hermione and Natasha just sat on the swings, and chatted. They were also watching a football game (soccer in America) which was played by a bunch of boys. They actually cheered whenever a team had scored, as both of them took the side of a team. At last, Natasha's team was defeated by 3-2.
It was a big shock for the group of boys when Hermione actually went to them and congratulated them. But they accepted the congratulations, and thanked them.
"When did you become so much interested in sports?", Natasha laughed and asked Hermione.
"During these holidays, my father started watching English premier league and even I was to watch. I got a bit interested in the game, and wanted to watch the game.", Hermione said with a smile. Natasha and Hermione then went back to the house. They had reached back at six in the evening. Mr and Mrs Granger had already reached back at the house, and Mrs. Granger was now busy preparing dinner. Mr. Granger was watching the news, and the story of the escaped prisoner was on the television again.
"I don't know why, Natasha. But I have a feeling that I have seen that prisoner somewhere.", Hermione said.
"You mean that, even you find that person familiar? Can this guy be a wizard?", Natasha asked.
"I have absolutely no idea. But I know that, there is a family called Blacks in the wizarding world. I had read like that, in one of the book about the list of families in the wizarding world. But the question is, how come a wizard is in a muggle prison?", Hermione asked.
This conversation was noticed by Mr. Granger and asked, "Are you suggesting that, the escaped prisoner might be some wizard? But I don't think that is the case, as it is described as he has a gun. I don't think that, wizards carry a gun, do they?", he asked.
"That is correct. But still, they maybe referring to the wand as a gun. They really cant tell the ordinary public that they are carrying a wand, can they?", Natasha argued.
"That is a good argument. I say that, we ask Ron about this when we write the letter to him. I am sure that, he can give us some answers.", Hermione said.
"That is a good idea. Just then, Natasha heard a tap on the window. She saw that, it was Hedwig and Natasha ran and opened the window to let her in. Natasha knew that, Hedwig always found a way to find her wherever she was and will come to her. Natasha smiled and led her to the room she was in. Hermione followed her, and entered the room.
"I think we should write the letter now, and send Hedwig back to Ron's place tomorrow morning.", Hermione said.
"Yeah. That is a good idea.", Natasha said and took out a parchment and quill and started to write the letter.
"Hello Ron,
Natasha and Hermione here. I hope that, you are well and have reached back safely. I am at Hermione's at present and will be here for the rest of the summer. We have already made plans to go to Diagon alley. Simran called us through the telephone (I have explained you what it is.), and she told that, she will come just after four days and we all have planned to go on 15th. Can you come on that day? Simran is also very much eager to meet you.
Hoping to meet you soon,
Natasha and Hermione.
P.S Do you know anyone named black, in the wizarding world. I saw a man named in the muggle news as a prisoner who has escaped and thought that, I have heard about him somewhere.
Natasha folded the letter, and kept it in one of her books. Hedwig looked at it with interest. "You can rest now, Hedwig. You should deliver this and wait for Ron to give a reply.", Natasha said.
Hedwig hooted as if to say, OK. Then Natasha and Hermione went and took some books to read. They both took a different book, Natasha had taken one of the lord of the rings book which was the next one, after the one which she had read. Hermione had taken a book, which Natasha knew was a really old novel called, 'the time machine'. It was a book about a man who invented time machine, and went to different time periods including a distant future. Then after sometime, Mrs. Granger called the two girls to the living room so that they could have dinner. They finished dinner fast, and went back to their rooms and continued the reading. At ten in the night, Hermione went to her room and Natasha immediately went to sleep.