Chapter 7: A Day Out On the Town
I cannot believe that the sixth Harry Potter book is coming out in five months! I can't wait! Oh and this chapter is dedicated to Cam (iWILLmarrydanielradcliffe) who has helped me so much with this chapter. Also to Miss Ginny, Lunar Luna and magicalmoments for being such good friends! Last but not least, to Jess who e-mailed me and is really nice!
Disclaimer: I own none of this. The Great J.K.R. does.
Her eyelids fluttered open as the sunlight drifted in through the sun daisy curtains. Her chocolate brown eyes took in the site of the deep blue room and the sunrays that lit up the flecks of dust floating in the air. Her tousled busy brown hair lay behind her head atop a denim pillow. Her toes felt warm, though there was a pair sticking out the end of the bed going bluer by the minute. Her body felt warm from the clothes she still wore from yesterday and from the warmth that radiated from his body that was snuggled up next to hers.
Hermione sat right up and looked down to where she had just laid her head. What she saw was a peaceful, content sixteen-year-old read head with freckles everywhere laying there with out stretched arms that had once held something dear to him.
She had slept with Ron? Suddenly Hermione scrambled out of the bed and made a beeline towards the mirror in the bathroom to check her appearance. The knee length denim skirt was okay, a bit crumpled yes, but okay. So was her new pink top. Her hair was another story. Hermione spied a brush on the shelf above the towels. She hurriedly pulled it through her 'locks.
Once it was manageable again, Hermione decided that she looked acceptable enough to go out. As she had been brushing, Hermione remembered last night and now knew nothing had happened. However, she wasn't sure if nothing was going toohappened now.
Hermione stepped out into the silent hallway. As she looked up and down the long corridor, her eyes fell upon someone else step quietly outsomeone with long red hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose.
'Ginny?' Hermione whispered loudly.
Ginny jumped half a mile into the air and put her hand over her heart in surprise.
'Hermione! Don't do that!' Ginny padded in her socks towards Hermione.
'Sorry. So how was your night with Harry?' Hermione put Ginny on the spot.
It worked as Ginny blushed a bright crimson red. Nevertheless, she had a comeback up her sleeve. 'Fine thanks. What about yours with Ron?' Ginny smiled smugly as she nodded her head towards the door Hermione still stood next to. Ron's bedroom door.
Hermione had forgotten she was still standing next to that door. Her face turned a shade that could rival Ginny's.
'It was nothing. I was just upset and needed someone to comfort me. Okay?' Hermione stated defiantly.
'Oh-Kay,' Ginny raised her eyebrows slightly until her eyes lit up with a bright idea.
'What?' Hermione asked slowly, trying to read Ginny's mind.
'You know what we need? A day away from everyone, just us two,' Ginny started striding confidently, but quietly as if not to wake anyone, towards the stairs.
'Where to?' Hermione silently hastened her pace to catch up to Ginny who was already half way down the stairs in search of her mother to ask permission to go.
'Gred and Forge said that there was a new lady's spa in Diagon Alley that just opened last week. They say that you can get full body massages, manicures, pedicures, and there is even a hair salon,' Ginny's smile stretched ear-to-ear as she thought about the relaxing possibilities.
The two burst into the kitchen and once again found both mothers enjoying cups of coffee.
'Mum, mum! Can we please go out for the day?' Hermione asked her mum.
'I don't know, honey. Where do you want to go?' Anne inquired.
Hermione let Ginny take over this one to explain where they wanted to go. It was her idea, after all.
'Diagon Alley.'
'You've got another month until school, dear,' Mrs Weasley beamed at her youngest.
'Not for school, mum!'
'Then what for?' Mrs Weasley looked curiously between the two girls.
'The twins said there was a new ladies spa that just opened up and both of us want to get out of this house,' Hermione took over. As she explained, though, a crestfallen look came over MrsWeasley's face. There was no way Ginny could go. The place was bound to be expensive. The Weasleys were abundant with love and happiness, but money was one thing they didn't have lots of.
'Oh Mrs Weasleydon't worry about money. I'll pay,' Hermione quickly glanced towards her mother, seeking permission. Anne, thankfully, smiled and nodded her head in approval.
'Really?' Ginny's eyes illuminated once more with happiness after they had been extinguished by the look on Mrs Weasley'sface.
Hermione smiled and nodded to her best friend.
'Are you sure Hermione?' Mrs Weasley asked unsurely. She was used to Harry offering to pay for things but it was new with Hermione.
'Very sure,' the sixteen year old smiled again.
'Well I'm happy letting the girls go off alone,' Anne beamed.
'Alone? I'm sorry and I hate being the party pooper but you cannot go alone, not now especially with Hermione's new title as the first wizarding Princess in over a century. However, there is a possibility you could go. I'll just have to ask Dumbledore first,' Mrs Weasley tried not to ruin the mood that had just been deflated.
'Oh-kay,' both girls dejectedly replied. Now there was a chance they might not go.
Ginny's mother strode over to the fireplace, grabbed a pinch of floo powder, and thrust her head into the hearth yelling, 'Hogwarts- Albus Dumbledore!'
Hermione and Ginny sat silently, both hoping that Dumbledore would grant them permission to go. They needed to get out of the house before the boys came down the stairs.
Right then a floorboard creaked upstairs. Hermione jumped a mile high as she had been staring off into space when it jolted her to attention. Anne laughed softly.
Finally after what seemed like forever, Mrs Weasley's head backed out of the fireplace, covered in soot.
'He says you can go,' She was interrupted by two very joyful teenagers jumping up and down. 'But on three conditions.
'First: Hermione goes to Gringotts to see her family vault- the one that she has inherited along with her title.
'Second, Tonks will join you,' at this, both girl's smiles widened. Tonks was the best Auror, no doubt the most fun, and the nicest.
'And Third: If any of you three detect any unusual activity at all, touch these portkeys. They will transport you immediately back here. This is the most important condition. You can do shopping if you want, as long as Tonks accompanies you,' Mrs Weasley passed a pair of sunglasses to each girl. Ginny received a golden brown pair and Hermione was passed a pair that was slightly tinted blue.
'These are your portkeys. Wear them to camouflage who you really are. To activate, press the little red button on the side. Yes that one, Ginny, the jewel-like one. If you want to go without the boys tagging along, go now,' Mrs Weasley hugged and kissed both girls, as did Anne.
With a sudden pop, Tonks appeared. Gone, however, were her short bubblegum-pinkspikes. Now dead straight, black hair was down past her shoulders. The tips were a deep blood red. Tonks face had also changed slightly. Her eyes were a piercing black, but luckily still had that Tonks glint.
'Hey! Let's go shall we?' Tonks glared under her long, black fringe, obviously practising her part. If you didn't know under it all was one of the most exciting girls out there, you would feel chilled and a sense of fear. Tonks looked positively frightening.
'Yep!' Ginny came out of her stupor of taking in the new Tonks.
'You two will have to take floo power to the Leaky Cauldron and I will meet you there,' Tonks disapperated with a crack.
'Be careful and remember the conditions,' both mothers reminded their daughters as they hugged them one last time.
Ginny went first, throwing another pinch of floo powder into the fireplace. As the giant green flames flickered around her, she yelled 'Diagon Alley,' clearly and disappeared as well.
Hermione was about to follow suit, when a tall, lanky, redheaded sixteen year old lumbered down the creaky stairs. He looked up and stopped when his baby blue eyes locked with Hermione's deep chocolate brown eyes.
'Where are you going?' Ron asked as she turned away to take some floo powder out of the pinch pot on the mantelpiece.
'Out. Bye Ron,' Hermione stepped into the emerald flames.
'Diagon Alley.'
After booking an appointment at three in the afternoon, they headed to Gringotts. Tonks walked a few paces behind Ginny and Hermione, wearing matching portkey sunglasses. Her instructions to the younger girls was to pretend that they did not know her, unless necessary.
'Hey, how about after we go to Gringotts, we do some shopping? For clothes and stuff?' Hermione asked Ginny as she adjusted her sunglasses. She was still wearing the same outfit that she woke up in, though Tonks had kindly cast an anti-crumpling charm on the top and skirt. Ginny looked nice in her cream skirt that she had matched with a pale green spaghetti strap top. She had been lucky enough to be the one in her room and had been able to change before they left.
'I'd love to, but um… I don't have any money to spend,' Ginny pushed her golden brown sunglasses further up her nose as she looked away and watched a little girl around the age of eight beg her mother for a broomstick. It sounded oddly familiar to her.
'Oh well, I'll lend you some,' Hermione grinned at her best friend.
'No, no it's okay,' Ginny looked away once more, ashamed.
'Really I will. Mum gave me a few hundred pounds as an early birthday present. I want to share the money with you and Tonks,' Hermione looked over her right shoulder, barely glancing at Tonks as she nodded in consent.
'All right since you insist!' Ginny grinned at Hermione, good-humouredly. She knew that her friend only meant to be kind and not to rub it in the let down of the Weasley family.
The two slowly dawdled along the cobblestone path past many shops and carts that trundled along the bumpy alley. Soon, the majestic white-gray building came into view just up ahead. Ginny and Hermione walked the last few steps before beginning the ascent up the stairs.
'Tonks, stay outside and we will meet you after,' Hermione spoke, as she looked directly ahead at the doors. She hadnot realised that she had started to make the decisions, like a real sovereign, but by the look on Ginny's face, the redheadsaw it.
'All right. If anything happens while you are in there and need me, press the nose piece on your sunglasses,' Tonks whispered as she pulled the Daily Prophet out of her pocket and sat down on the steps and began reading it. The two teenage girls finished their ascent and entered through the two grand doors.
Hermione made a beeline towards the closest desk that held a goblin bending over his books, looking very concentrated. He unfortunately was the only one available.
'Excuse me, sir,' Hermione began timidly. Ginny stood behind her, slightly to the side, also uncomfortable.
'Yes, Miss?' The goblinlooked up as he closed his dusty volumes.
'I was wondering if you could help me get into my family vault. You see, I didn't know I had one and therefore, don't have a key,' Hermione apologised.
'What is your family name?' the goblin exasperatedly asked. He pulled out one of the catalogues from beneath his desk and put his finger on the index, waiting for her answer.
'Granger,' Hermione stated.
The goblin almost dropped the book. Her family name was Granger! Everyone had believed to family to have died out! Nevertheless, it was his duty to show her to the appropriate person. 'Then you will want Mister Greyhelm, Miss. Let me direct you to him.' The goblin disappeared with a crack
Hermione looked amazed when suddenly he appeared once more at her side. The stout goblin started walking towards the offices behind the desks, motioning for both girls to follow him. They obliged.
The clerk goblin soon led them to a particular office at the end of the hall that held a plaque saying 'Master Greyhelm Rokhunstone, Goblin In Charge of the Granger Estate.'
Hermione's mouth formed a silent 'o' when she read it, but quickly turned her attention to the knocking on the door the clerk performed. Within moments, the door was thrust open by another goblin, this one, though, was certainly in a higher position as could be told by his clothing.
'Master Greyhelm, sir, this young lady claims to be a Granger. I thought it would be best if you saw to it,' the clerk bowed to his elder.
'Thank you, Grisham,' Greyhelm nodded at the young apprentice. He then noticed both girls and waved for them to enter his office.
'I assume you are Hermione Jane Granger, are you not?' Greyhelm looked at Hermione as he sat down in his executive chair.
Hermione nodded in response, not sure of what else to say.
'But who are you, young miss? Dumbledore didn't mention any other heirs,' Greyhelm looked fixedly at Ginny.
'Oh, I'm Ginevra Molly Weasley, sir,' Ginny managed to squeak out her full name as this goblin made her feel uncomfortable.
'Then I'm sorry to say, but you must wait this conversation outside,' Greyhelm held his hand out towards the door. Ginny merely looked at Hermione, gave an encouraging smile and ran.
Hermione slowly turned back to face the goblin, shorter than her, who was supposedly in charge of her estate. 'Dumbledore?'
'Yes. He wrote to me a couple of days ago about you and asked if I had any artefactsthat would help you understand all of this news. I sent him the diary,' Greyhelm explained.
'Alex's diary?' Hermione asked dumbfounded. She wasn't sure why she was surprised, because she knew Dumbledore knew many things behind those half-moon glasses.
'Yes, once more. Princess Alexandria Christine Matilda Jane Calloway Granger, as you now most undoubtedly know, was the last pureblood member of the Granger Monarchy over the Wizarding Community of England . She, unfortunately, passed away before her time.
'Her younger sister, Madeline, was a traitor to bloodline. Iwas a mere child at the time of the murder, yet it is still fresh in my mind. My father had beenthe family advisor at the time of Princess Alex's death. He also continually had warned Princess Alex about the treat of an assassination. However, no one guessed it would be the young little Maddie at the age of fourteen. After the crime had been committed, everyone suspected it to be her, but no one stood up to the new Queen, thanks to the murder of also both of the princessesparents. King Rolf and Queen Adeline never stood a chance.
'The story does not end happy, as Madeline fell in love with a Muggle called Roger. She did not know of his true nature, until after they conceived a child. Alyson turned out to be a squib, even though there had been a good chance of her being half-blood, it was not destined to be. The family tree from then on, crumpled. That is until you.
'Now what I have to show you is the heirlooms of the family name Granger. In your vault are many items of considerable wealth,' Greyhelm stood up and started to walk towards the door. He beckoned Hermione to follow. However before he left the room, the goblin unlocked a hidden cupboard next to the mahogany door and extracted a set of very ancient keys.
'These are the keys to your vault, and after today I will leave them in your possession,' the two passed through the door and headed down to one of the carts.
'Vault 1144, please,' Greyhelm directed the lesser driver goblin as Hermione and he climbed aboard. The cart ride was none the pleasant as the vault they were looking for was very deep down.
Finally, after many twists and turns, they came upon the landing site. Hermione scrambled off first, in search of solid ground, followed by Greyhelm, who was used to the long ride.
The vault door loomed ahead of her. It seemed very tell, as Hermione could not see the top. Encrypted on the doors was the number of the vault and the Granger family crest. It was of a lightening bolt, an open book and a broomstick. It could have meant anything, but Hermione saw it to stand for her trio. In the middle of the shield was the lock, just as ancient as the keys.
'The vault has let me in many times to guard the things inside, until recently. Now only you can enter,' Greyhelm held the keys out to her.
Hermione took them and placed the first in the lock. As she turned it once to the right, she felt a vibration of the lock as it begun to hum. As she turned it twice to the left, the hum became louder. Then as she turned it once more the right, the hum burst into a tune before a click erupted.
The door swung open to reveal a blinding light. Though she couldn't see, Hermione felt a push forward from Greyhelm. It made her stumble, coincidentally forward, into the vault. The bright light slowly disappeared and into sight came the most wondrous heirlooms of the Granger Family that Hermione had ever seen.
This chapter is kinda short, I know! It is just a filler as something big is coming up. I am so sorry about all the waiting, but thanks so much for sticking by me. Till next time,
Manda