After going out driving yesterday and seeing Seamus I was reminded of my fellow Gryffindors that I had not seen since the end of the school year. I had owled Harry, who was still at the Dursley's, and I had owled Ginny and Ron who were both currently at the Burrow. Harry was planning on going to the Burrow for the rest of the holidays; he didn't want to go back to Grimmauld Place for these holidays, the memory of Sirius was still too strong for him. I had organized with Harry that I would drive to Surrey, pick him up and drive him to the Burrow. This way I could spend some time with Harry on the drive to the Burrow and I could spend what was left of the day with the Weasley's. This was a hurriedly organized plan which I only informed my parents of the morning when I got up. They didn't mind that I was going to be away for the day and when Blaise heard about my plan I pointed out that he could spend the whole day with Draco; I knew that Draco had been getting sick of Blaise hanging around with me. So at 9am drove out of the drive way with my Story of the Year CD blasting through the speakers at full volume. The drive to Surrey was quite uneventful as I speeded along the highway, occasionally attracting some attention from some boy racers out; this was however until very familiar dark blue car pulled up beside me. My cell phone begun to ring less than a minute later.
"Hello" I spoke into my phone
"Hey Hermione, is that you?"
"Yeah, I'm driving up to pick up Harry"
"Real! You want some company?"
"Yeah, that would be cool. Where do you want to park your car?"
"Follow me; I'll drop my car off at my mates place, its about 5 minutes from here."
"Okay, I'll be right behind you."
I hung up and slowed down so that Seamus could pull in front of me and exit off the highway, I followed close behind. I followed behind him as we drove through the small flats that made up the neighborhood until we pulled up in front of a small brick flat. I parked behind him and turned off my engine. Climbing out of the car I was greeted with his shocked expression; slightly stunned for a minute before I remembered that I did in fact look like a different person. Meeting his questioning gaze I gave him the simplest answer possible without a long explanation.
"It's a long story that you can hear on the road ok?"
"Right okay then; I'll just let Matt know that my cars out here" He said.
A couple of minutes later we were both seated in my car and driving back to the highway. I began to tell him the short version of the story; this consisted of I just found my real family, my brother is Blaise Zabini and I will most likely be sorted into Slytherin on my return to Hogwarts. He insisted that he would still be my friend no matter what house I was placed in and that he would beat up anyone that thought otherwise; he didn't ask me why I had been adopted out and I didn't say why either. I began to laugh as he told me of his holidays so far, and he laughed when I told him of Draco and Blaises antics in my car and their reactions to the basic muggle things. The rest of the drive to Surrey went by in a blur of laughter and jokes. I was surprised when I found myself pulling up in front of 4 Privet Drive.
"Wow, is this where Harry lives?"
"No, this is where his aunt, uncle and cousin live; Harry just stays here during summer."
"Ok. I remember that he didn't like them much but I didn't realize that it was to that extent. Well guess we should go rescue him then"
"Yeah, just look out for his cousin. If he sits on you you won't survive. His names Dudley, total ass in my opinion"
"Yeah I've heard of him. Don't really like the sound of him either. Have you met him?"
"No, luckily I have forgone that experience." I was able to tell Seamus before a tall boney woman with a long neck answered the door.
"Yes, what do you want?" The woman asked, I assumed that she must be Harry's aunt. Petunia I think her name was.
"Hi, were here to pick up Harry. Is he ready?"
"He will be down in a minute. Quickly get inside before the neighbors see you!" She said wrenching the door open and almost pulling us inside. This was defiantly his image conscious aunt.
"Wait here and do not touch anything. I'll go tell the boy that you're here." She ordered us before she moved up the stairs.
"Delightful woman she is, don't you agree?" Seamus whispered in my ear. I tried to stifle a giggle but I was not successful. Seamus and I were standing next to a china cabinet which was full of plates and tea cups; I noticed that they had begun to shake suddenly. I pointed to them and whispered into Seamus's ear. "Here comes Dudley." Less than 10 seconds later my prediction was proven correct as a VERY large piggy faced boy waddled threw the hallway towards us. He stopped in front of us and eyed us both up; I noticed that his eyes lingered on me for longer however.
"Who are you?" He asked us.
"Were friends of Harry's from school" That shut him up; immediately after hearing that statement one of his hands clutched over his mouth and the other attempted to cover his extensive backside. He spun around and thundered back into the room from which he came. Neither Seamus nor I could hold in the laughter that escaped us after witnessing that display. We both struggled to breath for a minute before Seamus managed to gasp out.
"What ..... was ... his .... problem?"
A full minute later I manage to answer his question but I however did not need to gasp for breath.
"He insulted Dumbledore in front of Hagrid and he encountered the twins." When Seamus heard this he burst out in more laughter and this was the precise moment that Harry began to make his way down the stair case towards us. I had told him in my owl about how I found out that I was adopted and that I looked different. I knew that he would be suspicious if I had shown up having not explained myself. Harry was dressed in a pair of baggy jeans and a tight blue t-shirt which showed off the muscles that Quidditch had so wonderfully gifted him with. His uncontrollable hair still hung in his green eyes and hid his scar from view. I pulled him into a hug as soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Mione?"
"Yeah, its me"
"How do I know that's true?"
That was the Harry I knew from the past year, always suspicious; I felt he had been spending too much time with Mad-Eye Moody over the past summers. "Yeah it's me. I have the rope to prove it." I whispered into his ear. This was all the proof that he needed because only he, Dumbledore and I knew that we were bonded. His arms tightened around me and he whispered back into my ear.
"Hey Sis, you look fantastic" It was nice to hear these words and to be able to see him again. "Where on earth did you find Finnigan?" He asked me louder so that Seamus could hear.
"On the highway; He offered to keep me company for the drive down to see you and to pop into see Ron. He left his car back near London."
"Hey Mate, How's it going?" Seamus asked Harry let go of me and embraced him with a one armed pat on the back hug.
"Not to bad, how about you?"
"Alright; bloody interesting cousin you got there." We all laughed at that comment.
"Come on Harry, lets head off the to the Burrow"
Seamus helped Harry with his trunk and Hedwig and we all headed out the door to the car. While Harry and Seamus put his trunk into the boot of the car I carefully placed Hedwig in the back seat of the car. We all climbed into the car but this time Harry was in the front seat and Seamus in the backseat. I started the engine and turned the car around so that I could drive out the small circular street. I paused and looked back at Seamus with a cheeky look, he nodded. I slammed my foot down and did a very long burn out before speeding off out of the street.
"Wonder if the neighbors saw that?" I asked them innocently. Seamus and I both began to laugh and a moment or two later Harry joined in, having just figured out the joke.
I drove back onto the highway and onto the Burrow while listening to Harry talk about his time at the Dursley's and while telling him about my new found family. The turnoff on the highway approached and soon we found ourselves on a dusty dirt road bumping along. Pulling up in front of the Burrow the cheerful sight of the house greeted us.
"Welcome to the Burrow" I said aloud to Seamus. Harry and I sat there with smiles upon our faces both recalling the happy memories that we had shared here.
Okay, this is a short chapter but I have been busy with cleaning out my stuff and school work, even though it's the holidays. Also got a wee problem of getting a tad obsessed with Snape/Hermione fics but do not fear I will not abandon this story. I love this story! My writing excitement took a blow when I received an absolutely scathing review from someone called Primadonna. They said some horrible stuff about my writing and my intelligence, I was going to write a horrible email back but I decided that I was bigger than that. So please leave me lots of encouraging reviews to cheer me up. I broke the 70 review mark, now lets aim for the 90 review mark!!! ONCE AGAIN EMAIL ALERTS ARE AVAILABLE!
PLEASE REVIEW!
GiRl On tHe EdgE – Thanks sweetie for the review, here is a short update. Hopefully I will have another chapter up soon.
Cocoaducks – Thanks honey for the review. Ron's reaction will be interesting, but not as interesting as another reaction in chapters to come. Must say, I love the name!
Michelle – I understand what it must be like for you to get on the computer with the sisters around. But I must say thank you so much for all the encouraging things that you have said to me since I started writing this story. Thanks so much hun, lots a hugs.
crazee – In response to you being the only one to guess it YAH. I have a very interesting plan for the return to Hogwarts that I don't believe has been done and I'm quite excited about writing it (which will hopefully be not to far away). Thanks honey, hugs.
Rockybuddie – Must say that fan fics are a healthy obsession. Thanks for all the encouragement that you have given me and I hope that you enjoy the update. Had to put in something that was cute Draco. Lots a hugs sweetie. See you on Monday!
slyswn28 – Thanks sweetie for the kind words. I had to put Seamus in here, when I was thinking of who to include that accent from the movie just popped into my head. Uncle Sevvy, had to put in. )
Cow as White as Milk – Thanks for the review and enjoy the update. )
RubyRain – Thank you for the review sweetie. I must say on the driving thing, I am too lazy at the moment to get my lincence but my friend does. We go out driving and when we were last out our top speed was about 188kms. Its real fun but I know that if I was driving I couldn't do it, so I agree on the whole I couldn't drive that fast thing. I have some basic ideas on where I want this story to go and what I want to include. Thanks for saying that you like the story. I hope that you enjoy the update.
k00lgirl1808 - Simple and Sweet, glad you like the story. Please review again.
blackrosebunny451 – Hope that you enjoy the new chapter. Thanks honey. Like the name!
firehottie – I broke it, thanks for the help.
LadyProngs – I have you added to my update list, did you get the email? You didn't bug me about the length; I know that the updates have been short. Me and Rockybuddy also have the bad boy syndrome. Terrible syndrome but oh so delightful to suffer from.
Sunshine03 - you just had to include my motto didn't you? Glad that you enjoyed the last chappy and I must say such a big thank you for your words the other day about the story, they really cheered me up hun. Hugs to you and Margo too. Luv Slut
THE EVER FAITHFUL Sarahamanda and scarlet-knight13 Well your questions will be answered in time. I'm glad that you both enjoyed the update and I hope that you liked this chapter. I don't know about the marriage thing yet, its such a stereotypical thing in quite a few of the stories where Hermione finds out that she is a pureblood. Hugs to both of you. )
And finally Blueflamerose, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I got that review from Primadonna and I was like kicked in the guts and then I got your review I was so happy. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and BIG HUGS to you. Must say the name did suit them though, don't ya think.