Letters From Home
"Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey!"
Groaning, Hermione rolled over in her bed and looked up to see a pair of twinkling crystal colored eyes peering down at her while dark brown hair tickled her face. Letting out a shriek in quick response, Hermione used her wand to fly the intruder off of her and onto the floor while gathering the thick floral patterned comforter up to her chin, trying to block the intruder from seeing her pajamas – which consists of pink heart decorated tiny cottoned shorts and a simple white tank top. Hearing laughter from the door, Hermione looked up and rubbed her eyes.
"Reid?" Hermione squeaked out, clutching the comforter even tighter and staring at her new friends standing at the door of her room. "Caleb? Pogue? What are you three doing here? Where's Tyler?"
"I'm down here," grunted a muffled reply on the floor.
Slowly looking over the edge of her bed, Hermione turned a bright shade of red, "Sorry Tyler, you surprised me. I didn't realize it was you. Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Tyler nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "Good to know you'll never be attacked in your sleep though."
Meekly chuckling, Hermione looked up at Reid and the others, "What are you guys doing here? How'd you get in?" then she gasped, "My parents!"
"Let us in," Reid chuckled, "They love us by now."
It was true. It's been two weeks since Hermione's met the Sons of Ipswich, and also her vampire and slaying friends, and within the first week her parents had met the four brothers, Faith, Cordelia, and even Spike. It was an awkward meeting when they met Spike, but they loved him for some reason – something about being Brits from the same parts of London and something about teeth. Hermione didn't understand her parents' logic, but then again they allow her to converse with a werewolf on the phone most of the time. "Be as that may, but I don't think my father loves you guys enough to allow you into my room."
"And alone," Tyler grinned, wiggling his eyebrows as he jumped onto her bed, lying down beside her. "They were leaving when we got here, and they told us to tell you that they wouldn't return until later tonight."
Rolling his eyes, Caleb grinned, "Tyler, leave the poor child alone. You just scared her awake. I doubt the last thing she wants is you lying on her bed with her."
"No," Tyler grinned back, "I suppose she wouldn't. I mean I'm not blonde enough for her."
"Well you're in luck then," Reid also grinned. He held a mischievous glint in his eyes that had Hermione pulling the comforter up tighter around her while shaking her head at him, "I just so happen to be blonde."
"You also just so happen to look like the certain blonde she would most likely prefer to wake up to," Pogue was the one who said it, so it was him who flew against the wall when Reid jumped onto the bed.
Squealing out in giggles as she was attacked by Tyler and Reid, Hermione was gasping for breath and trying to escape their clutches, "Let – me – go –" she managed to gasp out between breaths.
Rubbing his back as he stood back up from the sudden attack of Hermione's wand, Pogue had half the mind to jump onto her bed and join his brothers in tickling her, but he was stopped by the snow white owl that flew into the window. Caleb's eyes seemed to notice it as well and they both quirked an eyebrow at it. They've heard of how wizarding mail is delivered, but they've never witnessed it before. Not to mention the fact that they've never actually seen an owl before. It was magnificently beautiful. The owl perched itself on the tall stand in the corner of the room and looked at the trio on the bed with watchful eyes. She let out a hoot.
Pausing in their administrations to the teary eyed girl, Reid and Tyler both looked with the owl with apprehension. "Is that…" Reid started to ask, but Hermione was already scrambling out of the bed.
"Hedwig," Hermione greeted with enthusiasm, forgetting about the state of her being nearly undressed in front of four sixteen year old boys, "Is Harry alright?"
When the owl gave a hoot in response along with what looked like a head nod, Tyler climbed out of the bed. "Is that Harry's owl?"
"Yes," Hermione smiled, petting the owl after retrieving her letter from the offered leg. "Caleb, can you make a bowl of water for her please? And Pogue, there's a box of snacks inside my bag," while her friends did what she asked them to, Hermione began to read the letter.
Hermione,
How's it going in the states? I can't wait until this holiday is over. Ron said something about going to stay with them because of the World Cup Tournament, but I haven't heard anything from him yet. Have you? I've gotten two letters from Padfoot so far, but being locked up in his home doesn't make him feel any different than from when he was in Azkaban. He briefly told me that he's keeping in touch with you as well, but he hasn't told me anything else. I'm just glad to know that he has someone else checking in on him. Thank you; you really are a great friend. Oh and the Dursleys are treating me better now by the way. I just keep rubbing it in their faces that my godfather is an escaped murderer and that we're keeping in touch. I'm allowed to keep my school things in my room with me now – I know that would make you happy because now I'm doing my holiday assignments – and they don't bother me. Dudley's on a new diet because he weighs the same as a baby whale – his school's nurse's words, not mine – and of course this means I have to go on a diet as well. We all do. Uncle Vernon isn't too happy about that, mind you. Which reminds me, do you think you could send me some sweets please? I'm asking Ron too as well. Or not really only just sweets, but anything in general; I'm being starved here. We're all allowed only a quarter of a grapefruit for breakfast every morning, toast for lunch, and soup for dinner. I'm going mental here. Thanks if you can, if not, I understand. Hope your holidays are going well, I'd love to hear from you.
-Harry
"Thanks," Hermione told Caleb and Pogue as they placed a bowl of water and a couple of treats on the stand for Hedwig. "Stay here for a while girl," she told the owl who was now drinking the water, "I'm going to go out and buy things for you to take to Harry, alright."
When Hedwig gave a hoot in response and crooned against Hermione's laughing face, Reid smiled. He missed the owls from home; it was one of his favorite things about being a wizard. And it seemed like Harry had a smart one. "What do you need to get for Harry?" he asked Hermione.
"Food," seeing the confusion in their faces, Hermione laughed. "Apparently his cousin is the size of a baby whale, and Harry is forced on a diet alongside Dudley. He's asking for anything to eat before he goes mental."
"We'll wait for you here then, while you get ready," Pogue said.
Looking down at her pajamas, Hermione was scarlet colored, proving Spike's name for her to be truthful, and nodded her head. "I'll be quick."
Freshly dressed and changed into red colored jean shorts and a white baby tee that seemed to be decorated in grey colored smiling faces, Hermione braided her hair then left the loo. She saw the four brothers all sitting on her bed and watching Hedwig. Turning to see what could be so interesting about Hedwig, she laughed when she saw the tiny fluffy owl buzzing around in hyper-ness. It seemed like Ron used his new owl from Sirius to deliver her a letter as well. Grabbing the letter from Caleb, Hermione joined them on the bed then read it…
Hermione,
Did you get Harry's owl asking for food too? I was going to use Errol to send him some things, but thought against it. I doubt that useless thing can last with a box filled with things. I'm going to wait until Charlie or Bill arrive here then use one of their owls – Percy's still got a stick up his arse, and it hasn't gotten any looser since he's gotten that position at the Ministry. Even Ginny's annoyed with him. Anyway, how's your holiday going? Dad reckons he's got connections at the Ministry that will give us tickets to the World Cup. If it goes through, would you like to come? Of course that means he's already getting you a ticket, but we figured it would be polite to ask since you're on holiday with your parents in the states. Would they allow it? Have you been keeping in touch with Padfoot? I wrote to him only once so far, but he assures me that he's doing fine. I think he's lying though, the same way Harry does when we ask him how he is. Well anyway, send me back a reply about the World Cup so Mum knows I did warn you and your parents. Also, I want to know all about your holidays, I haven't talked to you since we left Kings Cross. You can send me your letter through Pig.
"Pig?" at the mention of his name, the grey colored owl flew towards Hermione, getting caught in her hair and fluttering about until Reid helped to release him. Scowling at the laughing brothers, Hermione sighed at the owl, "Oh Ron."
Tyler was pushing the cart throughout the store while Pogue threw in all sorts of useless things. Hermione kept rolling her eyes at Pogue and constantly reminded all of them that seeing as how Harry was sneaking behind his aunt and uncle's backs to get this food, and that he couldn't use his wand for magic, it meant that he couldn't have anything that would need to be heated up or would require a refrigerator. Caleb seemed to be the only sensible one and grabbed a couple of boxes of cereal – knowing that Harry could it eat it dry and it would most likely help to keep his stomach feeling like it was full – as well as two loaves of bread and a jar of jam. Pogue was the one who kept insisting that Harry would love something called 'Hot Pockets' and that Hermione could just use a heated charm on it, saying that Harry would appreciate it. Tyler went mostly through crackers and cold cut meats that he claimed was alright even if it wasn't refrigerated, and Reid – knowing the difference in muggle sweets, wizarding sweets, American sweets, and British sweets – threw in bags of chips and a variety of sweets. At the end of their shopping trip, Hermione was worn out and glad to just be out of the store. Each brother threw a huge tantrum until Hermione agreed to buy everything they picked out for her best friend.
"I'll pack them all up," Reid grinned, throwing everything they just brought into a large box.
"Wait," Caleb told him, "Hermione needs to place the charms on the items first."
"I still don't understand what purpose that Hot Pocket thing is going to have for Harry," Hermione grumbled, annoyed that Pogue spent his own money on it and brought three boxes himself, ensuring that Harry would now have a total of sixteen to eat. She had brought one box herself and each box contained four inside of it.
Gasping as if he was offended, Pogue glared at her. "You have not tasted real food if you don't know what that is, Hermione. I'm offended. You wound me. Trust me; you'll get a letter back from Harry begging you to buy him more."
"It is the greatest food known to mankind," Tyler solemnly nodded his head in agreement.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione walked over and sighed, "Whatever then. Just place all the items that need to be charmed to stay heated up, so he can enjoy them properly, in one section."
Once the Hot Pockets, pizza rolls, and mini little hotdogs wrapped in dough were all charmed to stay completely heated for what would last only one month, the four brothers all packed up the food items while Hermione wrote her two letters to her two best friends.
Harry,
She decided to write to Harry first.
Sorry about all the items I'm sending you. I've made friends here in the states and they were all too pleased to hear you needed food. They took me shopping, and well… you'll see the results. My friend Pogue promises you'll enjoy the Hot Pockets and claims you'll never want to eat anything else once you've tasted it. I tried telling them you would have to hide everything and couldn't exactly use a microwave to heat things up, but they've persuaded me to use a heating charm. All the heated food items are going to stay that way for one month. I know it seems a bit much, but they couldn't agree on what to get and threw tantrums until I agreed to buy everything. I hope it works out for you, and if you need anything else just let me know. I'll gladly get you something else or more of anything. I'm glad to hear that Dudley needs to go on a diet, but it isn't healthy that you need to go on one as well. And you know that normally I would frown upon using Padfoot as a threat, but I agree with you just this once. It needs to be done and I'm glad that they're treating you a little better.
My holidays are fine. As I said, I've made friends. Brothers - four of them. And some other friends as well. You wouldn't believe it if I told you, so I'll wait until I see you guys again and tell you and Ron both in person. Yes, Ron has told me and I'll see you then. And yes, I am writing to Padfoot. I had a bit of a problem my first week here and he gave me some great advice; he and Moony both did. I hope your holidays continue to only get better.
Love from Hermione
PS. Good – doing your assignments is always a well thing, Harry.
Apologizing to Hedwig for the weight and size of the box, Hermione tied it to the owl's leg then sent her off to Harry as quickly as possible. Then she sighed and started to write to Ron…
Ron,
I haven't spoken to my parents about it yet, but I know they'll be perfectly fine with it. We're leaving the states the week after Harry's birthday anyway, so I'll be back in London by the time the World Cup arrives. Why is this poor owl named Pig? And why is he acting as if he's had too many sugar cubes? You know he got caught in my hair? And yes, I did get Harry's letter – I just sent him a large box filled with food from the states. My holidays are going nicely, and as I told Harry I won't say too much; you guys would never believe me anyway, so I'll tell you both when I see you guys again. But I have made friends: four brothers who are also vacationing here, and another group. I'm glad to hear you've been keeping in touch with Padfoot as well; it seems we all have been. And tell Percy I said congratulations on his new job. I'm sure he loves it there. It was nice to hear from you, tell me more about your holidays.
Love from Hermione
"Love from?" Tyler asked, peeking over Hermione's shoulder as she tied the letter to the bouncing owl.
Blushing, Hermione nodded her head, "They're my best friends. And I always end my letters like that."
"So if we were to write to you once you return home?" Reid asked, hoping that Hermione wanted to stay friends with them once she left the states.
Continuing to blush, Hermione smiled, "Of course I would put it. We are friends aren't we?"
Two days went by before Hermione got another letter from either of them. She was lying down in bed, texting Reid about plans for the next morning when three things happened at once: Pig and Hedwig both flew in at the same time, and her phone rang. Looking at her phone to see who was calling her, Hermione saw that it was Cordelia. It's been nearly four days since she's last heard from any of them; something about trying to fight an evil law firm. She kept Lindsey a secret from everyone, including her former professor and Sirius. She knew that Sirius would leave hiding and come to her rescue, and she knew Remus would do the same; she needed them to stay safe and protected. She didn't know what Spike them would do once they found out, but she had a feeling it wouldn't be good, and the brothers have all seemed to take a liking to her as well, proving that it wouldn't be smart to tell them anything either. Deciding to ignore the call for now, Hermione picked up Ron's letter first.
Hermione,
I refuse to tell Percy anything for you. If you even mention anything about the Ministry, he goes into a long and boring lecture. Even Fred and George said they would rather sit through one of Professor Binn's lessons than listen to that prat. You would agree too. We'll find out whether or not Dad got the tickets next week, but Mum says you can come to the Burrow even if he doesn't. Ginny's pleased about that; she says she misses you and she needs another girl around so she doesn't go mental with all us boys. Fred and George have been teasing her about something lately and she's always moody now. Bill and Charlie are always arguing with the twins for teasing her, but even they want you to hurry up and come here so Ginny can have someone to talk to. I don't get it because they haven't even met you, but anything to help Ginny out I guess,
Hermione smiled as she read the letter from Ron; it sounds like Ginny's becoming a woman now and her poor brothers are going mental with her. She would have to write to Ginny about that later. She continued to read.
And who are your friends? Four brothers? Do I know them? Do they come to Hogwarts too? You need to be careful, Hermione, you can't trust strangers you know… Agh! I need to hide from Percy right now.
Be careful, Ron
Smiling at the paranoia in Ron's letter, Hermione began to read the one from Harry.
Hermione,
I love your friend Pogue. He was right, I love the Hot Pockets; they're brilliant. I can't say much right now because I need to clean up, but I just had to let you know. I love them. Thank you for everything that you sent me, I'm sure it's enough to last me until I go to the Burrow. I'm glad that Padfoot and Moony were able to help you with a problem, but what was it? Is it serious? Do you still have a problem? I'll find a way to the states if I have to. I'm glad that you made new friends, and that they know what you are, but you should be careful around them. Have these past three years taught you nothing? Be careful Hermione, I don't want you getting hurt. I love you like a sister, you know! I'll write more when I get the chance.
-Harry
Hermione smiled at the paranoia in Harry's letter as well and started to laugh. It seemed like Pogue was right, but she wouldn't tell him that. Not yet at least. She was just about to write back when her phone began to ring again. "Hullo," she answered, already knowing it was Cordelia.
"Hermione," a panicky voice came through.
Jumping up in her bed, Hermione grabbed her wand just out of pure instinct, "Cordelia? What is it? Is everything alright?"
"Hermione, we need your help with a case."
"Sure. What do you need my help with?"
"There's a wizard here," Cordelia told her, "Spike is on his way to get you. Do you think your other friends can help us out too? The ones you told us about?"
"I can call them," Hermione nodded her head, already climbing out of bed to change her clothes. "What is it?"
"We'll explain it to you guys once you get here," Cordelia said. "But oh, Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Make sure you have your wand on you."
A/N: So the very first line in the chapter was something that I've seen in a movie once and I don't remember what movie it was so please don't ask me. Haha, but ever since I saw the movie with my brother, we use that line to sometimes wake each other up. My cousins all use it too now and it's quite amusing. So I thought I'd just throw it in here(:
Seeing as how this was originally meant to be just a short, couple paged prologue to the real story, some of you may be wondering why is it dragging on this long until the real story, well I'll tell you(: - a lot of the things that are happening in this story are being answered now before it goes into the sequel. I had a lot of things happening and planned for the original story that most of you would have been confused about and instead of going into super long chapters and flashbacks to explain certain things; I can give long chapters now and go into full detail about things. So when you see something in the sequel to this, you'll already understand it and I can put more into the actual story. So this is like a background/prologue/introduction story thing. I hope you guys don't mind that(: and yes, everything that is happening in this story does have a reason and purpose!