Hey everyone I'm sorry for such a long break between chapters I was waiting for my beta to catch up to me but that seems to be taking a little longer than I thought. Anyway here is the next chapter it is a long one and I hope it will hold you over for a while because I don't want to post chapter six until my beta catches up with me (she is reading chapter 4 now so it may be just over a month.) so I don't have to repost anymore chapters.
Also for those who aren't new readers I changed chapters 1-3 with beta read chapters there are minor differences so it is not a must to go back and re-read them. And for those who are reading Runaway Bride I am going to be working on this story for a little while so that one might not be updated for a while. I hope you all enjoy! Also feel free to ask if you have a questions if you have any if I can make this story better I will!
Chapter 5
Hermione woke up before sunrise the next day, she could hardly hold in her excitement. She literally spent the better part of her morning pinching herself trying to convince herself it wasn't just a dream.
Most of the car ride the night before was spent listening to Harry and Ginny talk about Hogwarts. They told her about the four different houses, Hermione was sure she would have been a Gryffindor like Harry and Ginny, although there was a chance she could have been a Ravenclaw. They also told her about the walking talking portraits, and the ghosts, the great hall with the ceiling enchanted to look like the sky outside. They told her so much that she couldn't keep track, it made her night even better when Harry popped home, which Ginny explained to her was apparition, and brought her back a few books. Mostly basic school books but there was also a large tomb entitled Hogwarts; A History. Harry explained it was a little outdated since it was his mums copy but it explained everything just the same.
As soon as Ginny and Harry left Hermione began devouring the books, she had already finished reading the book on Charms and was halfway through the book on Transfiguration when Ginny walked into her bedroom.
"Hey Hermione," Ginny greeted making herself comfortable on Hermione's bed. "I hope you don't mind I just let myself in. I didn't think Emma and Everett would be awake yet and you would probably be too into your books to hear me ringing the doorbell."
Hermione turned here desk chair to look at the red head lounging on her bed thumbing through one of Hermione's dentistry books that was sitting on her night stand. "That's fine, besides you saw them last night I don't think an explosion would have woken them up before nightfall," Hermione joked.
Harry and Ginny had briefly met Hermione's flat mates the night before. By the time the trio had arrived at the flat it was well past midnight, the trip took longer than usually since Harry had made Ginny pull over fifteen minutes into the trip and demanded her let him drive. It wasn't until Hermione's first experience with Ginny's infamous Bat Boogey Hex did Harry stop whining letting Ginny drive the rest of the way with minimal protest. When they had arrived they were immediately greeted by a very drunk Emma and her "friend", who's name Hermione didn't quite get, playing a game of tag. It wasn't until they got to Hermione's room that the saw Everett passed out in front of his door. Hermione explained their behavior by simply stating mid-terms just ended.
"I doubt they will be awake even then. Speaking of your crazy friends did you think of something tell them on why you are going to be away for a week?" Ginny asked looking up from the text.
"I thought I would just tell them I'm at my parents for the week. They tend to avoid my parents whenever possible, they can be quite overbearing at times," Hermione explained. "Now all I have to do if figure out what to tell my parents."
"Well you have all day to figure that out Lily is in the car waiting," Ginny said jumping up from the bed leaving the open book sitting there. "Besides Lily might be able to help you figure out what to tell them, she is a Muggleborn too," she chirped pulling Hermione up from her chair and out the bedroom door.
Hermione penned a short note to Emma and Everett telling them she will be at her parent's house for the rest of the week and that she would see them at the end of Easter Break. A quick trip back to her bedroom to grab the bag she had packed the night before and her spell books and they were off.
Hermione happily climbed into the back seat greeting Lily with a polite hello before they began to drive.
"Hermione can I trust you to keep a secret," Ginny asked from the driver's seat.
"I guess," Hermione answered nervously. "I am keeping a few pretty big secrets now so what is the harm in keeping one more?"
"Well you see this car have a few alterations added to it. Harry doesn't like me using them, but it will get us to Diagon Alley much faster," Ginny stated.
"I won't say anything. Trust me I don't want to be near another argument about this car again let alone start one," she joked leaning forward in her seat to see if she could spot what kind of alterations Ginny was talking about.
"You know I won't say anything about it Gin. I think Harry is a little overbearing when it comes to this car," Lily laughed.
Ginny just smiled and began pressing some buttons that suddenly appeared on the steering wheel. Within a matter of seconds the car began to disappear and lift off the ground.
Hermione gripped onto the seat so tightly that her knuckles began to turn white. "Uh Ginny what is going on?" she stuttered nervously making sure her eyes were kept on the seat in front of her instead of out of the windows.
"Oh I should have warned you. This car can fly," she said with a laugh. "It also has a build in invisibility cloak so no one can see it from below or above."
"Don't forget the auto pilot," Lily added.
"Oh yea," Ginny said pressing a button on the dash board before turning back to Hermione who was currently turning a ghostly shade of white. "You aren't afraid of heights are you?"
"Not heights per say more the falling from heights," she muttered.
"Oh Hermione you have nothing to worry about. This car is safer than any airplane. Trust me," Lily said soothingly her green eyes focused on the young girl in the back seat whose color was slowly returning to her face.
Hermione took a few more deep breaths before craning her neck to look out of her window. She might be able to look outside but there was no way she was getting near any of the doors or windows just in case.
Ginny had somehow shifted her body so her legs were crossed and facing Lily in the passenger's seat. "So are you ready to start your training?" Ginny asked eagerly.
"Yes and no. I'm a little nervous about it. What if I am complete crap at it and it takes me months to learn anything? What if you all are wrong and I am not really a witch," she rambled on.
"Dumbledore is never wrong about stuff like that. Besides it takes even the best witches and wizards a year to learn some of the most basic spells and potions, and that is with everything at their fingertips. So don't worry if you don't get something right away no one ever gets it on their first try." Ginny explained.
"But…" Hermione started but Lily quickly interrupted.
"You shouldn't worry about anything until it happens. You have some of the best professors from Hogwarts coming to tutor you. We have planned and plotted a stress free course for you," Lily explained. "Besides I really have my doubts that you would be horrible at anything. Ginny told me about the library in your room."
"You have also finished reading one of your course books something that I don't even think Ron ever did," Ginny added.
Hermione blushed at Ginny's comment. "I'm a very fast reader and the book was fascinating I can't wait to get my wand and try some of the spells out."
"When you get more comfortable with spells I will teach you my infamous Bat Boogie Hex. It really is a brilliant little hex."
"Is that the one you used on Harry last night?"
"That was the one," she said with a grin.
"So what else will we be shopping for at Diagon Alley. The only thing I know I will need is a wand."
"Well first we will take you to Gringrotts, it is a goblin run bank. We have different currency than England so you will have to get your money change and if you want you can open an account. After that we will get your wand, stop by Flourish and Blotts to pick up some books for your training, we also have to get you a cauldron, some potions ingredients, and a few other odds and ends. We will also take you to get fitted for robes since you will need them if you plan on going out in the wizarding world," Lily explained.
"Don't forget a trip to WWW, Fred and George's joke shop. Ron and George are working so you can officially meet them, and you will meet the rest of the Weasley clan at dinner. My mum found out about you and just insisted on making a feast. Just a warning, be prepared to be mothered within an inch of your life. My mum can be quite smothering at times."
"You will also meet your potions, and transfiguration tutor, Professors Snape and McGonagall."
"Professor Snape is a real git of a professor. But Lily here won't believe it they have been best mates since before Hogwarts," Ginny whispered none too secretively.
"Severus is not a git. He can be grumpy at times but he has a lot on his shoulders," Lily defended.
"Will I be meeting Mr. Potter?" Hermione asked.
"Mr. Potter, James had passed away when Harry was just a baby," Lily explained her eyes misting at the thought of her late husband.
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up such a sore subject," Hermione apologized.
"No its fine dear, I should be used to talking about his death, but that is a story for another time. It looks like we are getting ready to land."
"You might want to hold on to something, the car doesn't land its self, and I haven't quite gotten the handle on smooth landings," Ginny said readjusting herself so that she was facing the stirring wheel again. "Don't look at me like that, I didn't know you had a fear of heights before we took off," she cried.
"Fear of falling I don't mind heights," Hermione barely whimpered before throwing turning a slight shade of green and throwing her hands over her mouth.
"Oh please don't get sick in the car Harry would kill me. And no matter how many times you scourgify it you just can't get the smell out. It's why Ron is forbidden to come into my flat when he is drunk," Ginny rambled.
"Ginny I don't think now is the time," Lily scolded. "Just take deep breaths Hermione. Keep your eyes open it is less scary that way," she soothed the younger girl in the back seat that was minutes away from a panic attack.
Ginny landed the car with few problems and just a small incident of almost crashing into a post box. Hermione climbed out of the car the second it stopped moving gripping onto the stop sign like she would fly away if she wasn't holding it.
"Hermione, I promise I won't fly the care again with you in it. If I had known…" Ginny began but Hermione quickly interrupted.
"It's fine Ginny really. You know I was just thinking the other day how I need to do things that take me out of my comfort zone, and you helped me with that," Hermione said finally releasing her grip on the stop sign only to follow Ginny and Lily as they made their way into the Leaky Cauldron.
"Really?" Ginny said a proud smile emerging on her face.
"Sure Ginny," Hermione said sarcastically
If Ginny had picked up on the sarcasm she didn't let on. She just continued smiling as she made her way through the familiar pub and out the back door. "This is the gateway to Diagon Alley," she stated proudly pointing to a tall brick wall in front of her.
"Um Ginny that is just a brick wall," Hermione said nervously, wondering if this was another test to see if she really was a witch, that she was currently failing.
Lily pulled out her wand and tapped on the third brick up and second brick across.
Before her eyes the bricks began to shift creating an archway to a world Hermione didn't know existed. Everything gleamed and sparkled, but Hermione knew that was just added by her imagination. There were shops everywhere selling everything from quills and parchment to eye of newt. She just stood there in awe taking everything in before Lily grabbed her by her elbow and began to guide her down the cobblestone street.
"Griphook is expecting us at eleven we really should get a move on," Lily explained as she directed her towards the largest building on the street.
Ginny politely excused herself before they entered the building, saying she had to run a few errands but she would meet them at Ollivander's in an hour.
Hermione tried not to stare when she first met Griphook, she had never dreamed that goblins existed let alone that she would ever meet one. He was the head goblin in charge of the Potter's vaults and knew Lily very well. He was very kind and patient helping her open her first vault, changing some of the money she had in her saving account, from working as a secretary in her parent's practice during the summer holidays. After quick trip down to her new vault Griphook gave her the key, explaining to her that was the only way she could have access to her vault.
"Is there a secret to picking out a wand?" Hermione asked as they left Gringotts. "I mean do I just pick one off a shelf of do I have to fill out some sort of test and they pick out the wand for me. How does it work exactly?"
Lily smiled at the younger girl she had remembered her first trip to Diagon Alley like it was yesterday, she had bombarded the representative from Hogwarts with dozens of questions. She never did get answers to any of her questions he usually just scowled and made a tsking noise anytime she asked something. "Well you don't really pick your wand, the wand picks you," Lily tried to explain only to receive a perplexed look from Hermione. "It's best for you to just see it for yourself it is quite a magical experience."
Hermione just nodded as if to say she understood that it was one of those things that were better seen than explained.
Ginny was sitting in front of the shop with a few bags sitting by her feet a broom leaning against the wall and three ice cream cones dripping in her hands. "Here," Ginny said handing Hermione an orange cone covered in chocolate sprinkles, "Fred told me pumpkin was your favorite."
"Thanks Ginny," Hermione smiled as she began eating the ice cream.
"It's the least I could do after everything that happened with the car," Ginny blushed. "I got something else for you let's just call it a token of my apology," she said handing Hermione the shiny broom that was behind her. "Before you say anything, I know you're afraid of falling, but the Cleansweep seventeen is the safest broom on the market, and with my training you might even get over your fear," Ginny boasted.
"Ginny thank you so much but I can't accept this it probably cost way too much," Hermione said handing Ginny back the broom.
"Don't worry about that Hermione. I'm sponsored by Cleansweep so they will give me as may brooms as I ask for."
"Well thank you then I really appreciated it. Although can we give it a week or so before we start our lessons I think one day in the air is more than enough for me for a while."
"I guess that is acceptable," She laughed throwing the rest of her cone into the trash bin next to the store. "Are you ready to get your wand" she said excitedly.
"I hope so," she confessed following Ginny into the tiny store, her new broom tightly gripped in her hand.
Hermione felt as if she had just walked into a closet, or a very tiny stock room. She was pretty sure if her and Ginny stood with their arms spread out they could each touch a wall. The store was made even more cramped by small narrow boxes covering the entire store with the exception of the small space the three women were currently standing.
"How am I ever going to find a wand in this," Hermione muttered to Ginny.
"It is an organized mess, don't worry" Lily said as she made her way to the front counter stepping over boxes on her way. "Ollivander are you here," she called out.
"Yes my dear," a voice responded from a small pile of boxes sitting on the counter.
"We are here for a wand," Lily explained.
"Excellent," the voice said and the boxes began to shift falling onto the floor staying perfectly stacked. "Oh Lily Evans Potter willow ten and a quarter inches perfect for charms. The wand is not for you is it? I thought you would be the kind to take better care of your wand."
"No I still have my wand" Lily laughed pulling her wand out of her pocket showing the man that it was still in perfect condition.
Ollivander nodded with approval before turning on the other occupants in the room "Ginevra Weasley, Cherry eight and seven tenth inches, but this wand isn't for you either," he stated looking her over. "Then the wand must be for you, I have never seen you before," he said eyeing her suspiciously.
"Hermione Granger" she stuttered, looking at the man nervously.
Ollivander said no more just clapped his hands and measuring tape began to surround Hermione measuring every inch of her body. He gave her one more glance before heading to the back of the store bring back a very dusty box with him handing it to Hermione.
Hermione took the box cautiously removing the wand from it carefully.
"Go ahead give if a swish" he urged
Hermione carefully moved her hand back and forth, within seconds the wand began shooting off fireworks.
"Wow your first wand I've never seen anyone get it right on the first go," Ginny whispered.
"Miss Granger I must ask do you consider yourself a loyal person?"
"Yes I would like to think so," she replied.
"Hmm interesting" he said glaring at her.
"What is interesting?" she said holding back her temper this guy was starting to give her the creeps and she was definitely ready to leave.
"You can really tell a lot about a witch from the wand that picks them. You see I sell many different wands with many different cores but after a while you get duplicates of wands. Some of these duplicates sell a lot others sell very few. Your wand vine wood with a dragon heartstring core has only been made seven times since this store has opened, usually going to very powerful, but very loyal and brave witches and wizards. I am anticipating great things from you Miss Granger. That will be seven Galleons please?"
Hermione quickly handed the man the money and made her way out of the store. "That man gives me the creeps," she stated to her two companions when they were back on the street.
"He is a little eccentric"
"But he is one of the best wand makers of his time, besides he gives almost everyone a speech on their wand," Lily explained
"We'll I just hope that I won't have to deal with him again, at least not for a very long time." Hermione blahed "So where to now?" she asked.
"Well I was thinking you and Ginny could stop by Madam Malkin's so you can get fitted for your robes. I thought I would go to the Apothecary and pick up the potions ingredients and cauldron you need. Then we could meet at Flourish and Blotts. I hope you don't mind it's just that I am sure you would rather spend your time looking at books rather than looking for a cauldron. And if we're late for dinner Molly would kill us."
"That is fine Lily. I'm sure there will be plenty of time for me to visit the apothecary in the future."
"Good well I will see you two in a little while." Lily said heading down the cobblestone streets.
"Well Ginny lead the way. I have no clue where I'm going"
After what felt like an hour of being measured, poked, prodded and fitted, Hermione finally had three sets of robes and a set of dress robes. Ginny had helped Hermione pick out the more popular age appropriate robes. As oppose to the classic or as Ginny called them "mum robes" that Madam Malkin's was pushing. She was actually very excited about her dress robes, they were a beautiful periwinkle blue made of a material that felt like a cloud or at least what Hermione a thought a cloud might feel like.
A few shopping bags and a broom later and Hermione and Ginny were on their way to Flourish and Blotts. Hermione was almost excited about visiting the book store as she was going to get her wand. When she entered the store her eyes bulged in awe, this was by far the biggest bookstore she had ever seen, there were books everywhere lining the shelves, floating in the air there were even some large enough to act as desks for patrons.
She looked to Ginny with wide eyes silently asking permission to explore.
"Go ahead," Ginny laughed "but watch out some of the books do bite, and stay away from the dark arts section some of those books can do unsavory things to a person. I'm going to go find Lily I'll come and get you when we are ready to leave."
Hermione nodded like a child being let loose in a candy store before making her way into the stacks to scroll through the books. She was glad she had put herself on a strict budget or else she was sure she would have bought the whole store. She had started looking through the history books she wanted to learn as much as she could about this new world she had landed herself in. She was curious to find several books written about Harry and Lily, and she made a mental note to ask them about that later, pulled a few books about the beginning of magic and a few about the twentieth century. Hermione did the same with books on charms, transfiguration, potions, and a few other subjects the thought would be good to learn, including a book on Quidditch and flying. It was in the Magical Beast section that Ginny and Lily had found her, she was trying to figure out a way to get any of the books off the shelves without them taking a finger or two off.
"Just stroke your finger down the spine of the book" Lily said causing Hermione to jump at least a foot backwards bumping into the redhead.
"Sorry Hermione I didn't mean to scare you," Lily laughed helping the younger girl back onto her feet.
"That's fine," Hermione said stroking the spine of the book and placing it in her basket.
"Wow Hermione are you buying the whole store," Ginny laughed taking a look at the basket which held at least twenty five books in it.
"Well I just wanted to get a well-rounded education on the magical world," Hermione defended.
"Well you should head up front and pay for them. We should really get going it is half past three already and Harry wants us to meet him at WWW before we drive home," Lily explained.
"It is that late already, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to take so long," she said as she followed Lily and Ginny up to the front register.
"Its fine I know what I was getting into taking you here after I saw your bedroom," Ginny teased her new friend.
Hermione just blushed as she paid for her purchase and headed out of the store.
"Here Hermione if you just put everything in here you won't have so many bags to carry," Lily said holding out a small blue bag for Hermione.
"Um Lily I don't think all of my bags will fit in there," Hermione said eyeing the small bag.
"It has a stretching charm on it, you could fit an entire bedroom set in here with room to spare," Lily explained as Hermione placed each one of her bags and her broom into the bag.
"Thanks Lily," Hermione smiled taking the bag from Lily.
It was a short walk before the women found themselves in front of the brightest and busiest shop in Diagon Alley.
"Hogwarts break," Ginny said explaining the mob of children coming in and out of the store.
Hermione nodded in understanding before making her was into the store. Hermione was so busy examining all of the gadgets in the store that she didn't notice the bright red blur heading in her direction.
"Hermione!" the voice screamed picking her up and whirling her around before placing her on the ground.
Hermione looked at the red head pensively before she asked, "do I know you you?"
The red head gripped his heart dramatically, "Hermione I'm heartbroken. After spending the entire afternoon together I am appalled that you don't remember me. It's Fred," he said sticking his hand out for her to shake it.
Hermione eyed his hand suspiciously before refusing to take it. Harry and Ginny had told her enough about the twins to know not to trust either of them completely. "Ah Fred sure," she said walking away from the twin towards the counter in the center of the room where Ginny, Harry and another red head was standing.
"I have a photographic memory so I won't forget meeting you again George," Hermione called turning back to watch George's jaw drop in shock.
"How on earth did you know that wasn't Fred," Harry asked with a laugh as he watched George try to regain his composure, walking away probably to pull a successful prank on an unsuspecting customer.
"George has been planning that all morning," said the tall red head behind the counter who was currently wearing a set of burgundy robes.
"As I said I have a photographic memory, Fred has a freckle in the corner of his right eye and George doesn't have that. Besides Fred thinks that I am still mad at him for not telling me I was a witch sooner, and he is sulking in that corner over there," Hermione said with a giggle pointing out Fred leaning over the railing on the second level watching the group at the register. "I'm Hermione Granger by the way I don't think I have had the pleasure of meeting you," She said offering her hand to the tall lanky Weasley.
"Ron," he muttered offering taking her hand.
"Well it is nice to meet you Ron," she chirped.
"Yeah," he grumbled before helping a customer with their purchases.
"Don't mind him. He's just worried that if George catches him talking to you he might take the brunt of George's post failure prank," Harry explained. "Do you mind sticking around here for a few more minutes? Ron gets off work at four and I thought he could ride with us over to the Manor," Harry asked.
"That should be fine," Hermione said, Ginny nodding in agreement.
"Excellent, my mum already left she had to help set up for the Order meeting and wanted to see if Molly needed any help with dinner," Harry told the girls.
Hermione nodded again letting him know she heard him, but she wasn't paying any attention her eyes were wandering back to the corner she had seen Fred mere minutes ago but he wasn't there. "I'm going to explore the shop if you don't mind," she said absent mindedly before wandering into the crowd of people.
"Hermione," a voice sounded in her ear and after a small pop.
Hermione whirled around quickly seeing Fred standing there. He was a lot shorter than his brother Hermione noticed, but built in a lot more places which was nice. "Fred," she whispered.
"I was hoping we could talk," he said nervously.
"Okay."
Fred took Hermione by the hand and lead her to the back of the store, knocking on a door that read 'Weasley's Only' before walking in.
"I just really wanted to apologize for yesterday. I couldn't tell you that you were a witch until we knew for certain. I had a really nice time with you yesterday and I don't want my one stupid mistake to ruin our friendship," Fred explained his voice was soft and soothing as it washed over Hermione. "Can you forgive me?" he asked taking her hands as he looked deeply into her eyes.
"I thought about it and, honestly I really have no reason to be mad at you. It wasn't as if you completely lied to me like Viktor did you just kept a few details from me until you could explain everything," Hermione reasoned.
"Wow I thought I would have to work a lot harder to get you to forgive me. You were real pissed yesterday it kinda scared me a little," Fred said "I didn't even have to give you a bribe to forgive me," he added with a laugh.
"What is it with you Weasley's trying to buy your forgiveness?" Hermione exclaimed.
"Who else tried to buy your forgiveness?"
"Ginny she bought me a broom because," she started but quickly shut her mouth when she remembered promising Ginny she wouldn't tell anyone about her flying the car.
"She flew Harry's car didn't she, and you're not too fond of heights," Fred guessed.
"How did you know?" Hermione said in shock.
"Lucky guess," Fred laughed. "And it's like Ginny to buy you the very thing that terrifies you. She once bought Ron a stuffed spider for his birthday because he is terrified of them and she thought it would help him get over his fear."
"Ah so never tell Ginny about any of my fears."
"Exactly!"
"So where is this forgiveness bribe that you were talking about?"
"You already forgave me I can't give it to you now. I can use it for the next time you are mad at me."
"I take back my forgiveness."
"You can't do that!" Fred exclaimed.
"I can and I did. Present please," Hermione smirked sticking out her hands to Fred.
Fred just rolled his eyes as he turned around a picked up a small fuzzy pink thing off the workbench behind him and placed it into her waiting hands.
Hermione giggled as the pink fluff ball moved around on her hands tickling her palms. "What is it?" she asked as she began petting it with her finger.
"It's a Pygmy Puff. Mum bought Ginny one when she was in school and she loved it," Fred explained with a blush.
"It is adorable thank you," Hermione smiled planting a soft kiss on Fred's cheek causing Fred to turn a shade of red that rivaled his hair.
"Am I interrupting something?" George said with a grin as he stuck his head into the workshop.
"No you're not interrupting anything," Hermione said.
"Damn oh well I'll try harder next time. Harry and Ginny are looking for you, they said to tell you Ron is off work and they are ready to go," George said making his way into the room.
"Oh okay we'll I will see the two of you at dinner?" Hermione said with a slight question in his voice.
"Of course, we wouldn't miss it," Fred responded with a smile.
"I will see you later then. Nice meeting you George and thank you for the Pygmy Puff Fred. Your forgiveness is reinstated," Hermione said making her way out of the back room and back into the shop.
It didn't take long before Ginny found her. "Hermione there you are I thought Fred kidnapped you or something," Ginny said with a huge grin.
"No he just wanted to talk to me and give me this," Hermione said showing Ginny the pink fur ball in her hands.
"Oh isn't he adorable, I have one at home I named him Arnold. Did you name him yet?"
"No, Fred just gave it to me."
"Well you should give him a name. They don't like being nameless for too long," Ginny explained
"I'll think of something then. George said that you were ready to go?" Hermione asked
"Yup, Ron and Harry are waiting for us outside" Ginny said helping Hermione through the crowded store towards the exit.
Harry and Ron were standing outside waiting for the girls, Harry holding Ginny's bags and Ron holding what looked like a foot long sandwich.
"Ronald we will be home in an hour did you really need to get something to eat," Ginny scolded at her older brother as he shoved the sandwich in his mouth.
"I was hungry," he complained his mouth still full and bits of food were flying out of his mouth.
"Boys," Ginny groaned rolling her eyes.
The small group made their way back through Diagon Alley. Hermione and Ginny made small talk about what Pygmy Puffs ate and how to take care of it, while the boys discussed Quidditch, and food.
When they made it to the car Harry stuck his hand out asking Ginny for the car keys. "We will get there much faster if we fly," Harry reasoned.
"The car can fly?" Hermione asked in mock wonderment.
"And become invisible," Ron added with a hint of pride, "I helped Harry with the enchantments."
"That is amazing," she said trying hard not to laugh. "To be honest Harry I am not all that comfortable with heights. Do you mind if we just keep the car on the ground for now?" Hermione asked.
"I guess that will be fine," Harry grumbled "but I'm still driving."
"Fine" Ginny pouted handing Harry the keys before she made her way into the back seat followed by Hermione.
The trip was relatively quiet with the exception of a few questions asked here and there. Hermione was engrossed in her books pulling her wand out and trying a few spells with the help of Ginny.
Ron sat quietly in the front seat seeming very disgruntled about something but Hermione couldn't figure out what.
Hermione nearly done with her transfiguration book when she remembered something, her eyes shot up from the book in her hands and she stared questioningly at Harry.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Yes?" Harry answered keeping his eyes on the road, Hermione knew it was all just for show and that the car mostly did its own driving but she appreciated the effort.
"Earlier today at the book store I saw your name and your mums name on the cover of a few books. Is there anything I should know?" Hermione asked eyeing him suspiciously.
"Um," Harry said shifting awkwardly in his seat. "Well you see I sort of defeated a dark wizard when I was just a baby and I am kind of the only person to survive a killing curse but it's not really a big deal." Harry stammered, happy that he was playing the role of safe driver and had a reason to keep his eyes on the road.
"Not a big deal Harry!" Ron barked.
"Shut it Ron!" Ginny snapped.
"It's a long story and now isn't the best time to explain it. We are having a meeting of the Order or the Phoenix tonight everything will be explained then," Harry clarified.
"I'm getting that there is a lot more you need to tell me than I'm a witch," Hermione gathered.
"Yeah a little bit more," Harry hinted.
Ron grunted as if he wanted to say more but a quick glare from Harry kept his mouth shut.
"Ron isn't used to keeping his mouth shut. There are things you need to know but none of us know all the details yet. Well Harry knows but he was sworn to secrecy," Ginny explained. "Besides Ron doesn't deal with change very well and you're kind of turning his life upside down at the minute," she whispered to Hermione.
"I didn't mean to," Hermione admitted quietly.
"I know you didn't, but see he has been Harry's sidekick since they began at Hogwarts. Now with you here I think he is afraid you're going to take his best friend away from him. He'll get over it just give him a few days, trust me when I say I'm sure you three will be inseparable friends." Ginny hinted as though she knew something she couldn't say yet. "Hey do you want me to teach you the levitation charm?" Ginny asked enthusiastically.
Hermione knew that the younger girl was keeping something from her but she figured she would find out what it was eventually. "In the car?" she asked.
"Yea, why not?" Ginny replied pulling her wand out of her boot and pointed it at the book in Hermione's lap within seconds the book was floating in the air.
"How did you do that?" Hermione asked in awe swiping her hands under the book.
"It's a really simple spell just say the words Wingardium Leviosa, while moving your wand like this," Ginny explained demonstrating the spell again so Hermione could see it. "Now you try," Ginny said taking the book off of Hermione's lap and holding it flatly in her palms.
"Okay," Hermione nervously. She pointed her wand at the book mimicking Ginny and instantly the book began to float into the air.
"I did it!" Hermione exclaimed at an awed Ginny.
"Wow I have never seen anyone get that on their first try!" Ginny stated plucking the book from the air.
Hermione beamed, "can we try another one?"
"Sure, let's try the summoning charm," she said curious to see just how talented the witch might be. "This is really easy you just say accio whatever you are summoning, in this instance you are trying to summon a book. So you think of where the book is, think of it in your hands and say accio book." Ginny demonstrated causing one of the books to fly out of Hermione's bag and into her waiting hands.
It took Hermione a few tries but after about ten minutes Hermione was summoning things from every corner of the car. Harry and Ginny's faces were stuck in awe, while Ron's scowl got even deeper.
"Hermione that is a fourth year charm," Harry said surprised.
Hermione blushed, "I'm a quick learner," she offered.
The rest of the car ride was spent levitating and summoning objects. Ron sat in the front seat glowering, until Hermione danced Pinky (her pigmy puff that Ginny finally named) in front of him causing Ron to smile for the first time since she has met him. Soon after Ron joined in on the fun circling books around Hermione's head, while Ginny and Hermione laughed as they tried making a game out of it, by calling out the name of the book before trying to grab it.
Before they knew it Harry was pulling into a gated driveway, at the end of the driveway was a huge stone manor that looked like it was built just yesterday even though she knew it was probably build hundreds of years ago.
"This is Potter Manor, it's been in my family for hundreds of years," Harry explained. "I didn't grow up here, my mum and I lived in a cottage in a magical village called Godric's Hollow," he added trying to make himself seem less important.
"His mum donated it to the Order as a meeting spot. We have all spent some time living here in the last few years. Right now only Harry, Ginny, and I living here full time. Fred has spent a lot more time here since Angelina has moved into his and George's flat," Ron began to explain.
"He only stays there when he has to work in the morning," Ginny added.
"Lily, Sirius and Remus will spend a week here now and then but only if there is something that needs to get done for the Order, or something around the house. And on Order meeting nights if they run late and a lot of people will stay the night," Ron finished giving Ginny a wicked glare for interrupting him.
"This will be your home sweet home for the next week. Your bedroom will be across the hall from mine. You will get the grand tour after dinner I'd show you now but mum hates us being late," Ginny informed her new friend.
"Should I bring my things inside now or leave them in the car and get them later" Hermione asked as Harry stopped the car in front of the house.
"Leave them Dobby will get them," Ron called already out of the car and halfway in the house.
"You have a butler?" she asked followed Harry and Ginny into the large house.
"Dobby is a house elf," Harry offered. "Their kind of hard to explain but you will meet him a little later."
"Oh," Hermione murmured not paying any real attention to what Harry was saying she was so busy looking around the room around her. It was a large hall with a grand staircase taking up most of the room the floors were a pink marble with flecks of gold which echoed the rooms coloring of burgundy and gold. There were a few portraits hanging on the walls that were currently whispering to each other Hermione moved a little closer to a painting containing a young boy, and girl whispering fervently to each other.
"Where have you been it is already quarter to six dinner is getting cold!" A voice screeched from the end of the hallway.
"I'm sorry Molly. Hermione isn't fond of heights so we decided to drive instead of flying," Harry apologized as he quickly made his way into the room a plump red head emerged from. Ginny quickly grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her into the same room knowing her mother was less likely to scream in front of guests.
The room they had entered was clearly one of the larger dining rooms painted in a deep burgundy trimmed with gold fixtures similar to the hallway. In the center of the room was a large mahogany table intricately carved what looked like lion heads on the legs of the table. Above the table floated a round iron chandelier holding hundreds of white candles. Around the table were almost thirty chairs, almost all were filled with a witch or wizard.
"You must be Hermione," the voice from the hallway asked before enveloping Hermione into a bone crushing hug. "I have heard so much about you. I'm Molly Weasley."
"It is very nice to meet you Mrs. Weasley," Hermione smiled politely at the older witch.
"Oh call me Molly. Have a seat we were waiting on you lot before we started," Molly said indicating to the empty seats in the middle of the table before she took her own seat between an older balding red head wizard and another wizard with long red hair and a fang earing.
Hermione followed the small group to their seats making herself comfortable between Ginny and Fred. As soon as they were seated food of all kinds appeared onto the table, Hermione watched as everyone began to help themselves to the feast before she began helping herself.
"Pumpkin juice?" Fred offered, holding up a pitcher of orange liquid.
"Is it any good?" Hermione asked eyeing it questionably.
"I like it," Fred said with a smile before he poured some into the glass she handed him.
"Fred do you think you could help me out with something?" she asked as the plates began to clear themselves off the table.
"Sure what do you need help with?" he asked
"Would you mind telling me who everyone is? I know some of the people but not all of them," she said nervously.
"Of course I will help you. Well you already know Dumbledore," he said indicating to the old wizard at the head of the table. "On his left is Severus Snape, potions master at Hogwarts, next to him, you know Lily, Sirius and Remus, then we have Remus's wife Nymphodora Tonks-Lupin, but only ever call her Tonks, then there is little Teddy Lupin, my adorable niece Dominique Weasley, her mum Fleur, and dad, my brother Bill, my mum Molly, dad Arthur, at the end is Kingsley Shacklebolt he is the Minister of Magic."
"Wait there is a minister of magic?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, one of your tutors will explain to you our government;" he answered.
"Now across from my dad is my brother Percy, then George's girlfriend Angelina. Then next to Ron is Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, herbology apprentice at Hogwarts, and then there is Minerva McGonagall, transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. A few more will be joining us for the Order meeting but I'm sure that Dumbledore will introduce them at the meeting," Fred finished.
"Thanks, I think I got everyone," Hermione said holding up a cheat sheet she had written on a piece of paper she had hidden in her pocket.
"I never expected you to be a cheater" Fred joked.
"I am not a cheater!" she huffed. "There are a lot of people and I don't want to call someone by the wrong name."
"What ever you have to tell yourself, cheater," he teased her smiling as a blush rushed into her face. He was about to comment on how cute she looked when Dumbledore stood up calling attention to himself.
"I have called you all here tonight for a very special reason. I would like you all to meet Miss Hermione Granger. She walked into the Leaky Cauldron yesterday not knowing she was magical or anything about the magical world, and today she joins us here today as a full fledge witch. I have told Miss Granger that we will all work to give her the training she missed out on by not going to Hogwarts."
"Ginny has already taught me a few charms sir." Hermione interrupted, turning bright red when she realized she had spoken out of turn.
"What charms did Miss Weasley teach you Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked with little emotion in his voice.
"The levitation charm," she offered watching his face to see his reaction to the news, but his it did not change. "I also learned the summoning charm," she added a little dejectedly, apparently it wasn't all that impressive to learn a spell on your first day of becoming a witch.
"You were successful at the summoning charm?" Dumbledore asked a twinkle appearing in his eyes.
"Yes sir," she stammered.
"Well done Miss Granger," he said in a non-pulsed tone, his hands rising to quite any comments from anyone else at the table. "As I was saying Miss Granger will go through a course of training. She has muggle classes beginning again in a week and ending in early June but I am sure we can work around her schedule. Professor McGonagall has agreed to teach you transfiguration, Professor Snape will teach you potions, Lily has kindly agreed to work with you on Charms and Defense, and Remus will work with you on History and help Lily with Defense. Now if there are no questions I say onto dessert." Dumbledore stated.
When no one spoke up the table began to fill with all sorts of desserts.
"I feel like I have disappointed him in some way," Hermione whispered to Fred as he began filling his plate with pudding.
"Miss Granger, why on earth would you think that?" Fred said taking on Dumbledore's bland tone and empty face.
"Stop that, you're giving me the creeps," Hermione cried giving Fred a light smack on his arm.
"Hey you promised not to hit me," Fred whined rubbing his arm.
"I promised yesterday that I would not hit you again that day. Today is a new day I am allowed to hit you if I would like," Hermione stated.
"That is not fair," Fred pouted sticking out his bottom lip his eyes widening in his best attempt at a puppy dog face.
"Oh grow up," Hermione sassed turning back to the desserts helping herself to a small slice of Treacle tart.
"You will never get anything out of Dumbledore," Ginny whispered. "Harry has tried for years to get some sort of reaction out of the man but has gotten nothing."
"Oh" Hermione sighed before going back to her tart. Dessert went by with no further announcements, Fred tried to entice a comment out of Hermione but she was having too much fun giving him the cold shoulder. Just before the plates cleared, Tonks and Fleur left the room with sleeping children in their arms, Hermione assumed that they had cribs set up in one of the rooms in the house. When the guest started leaving the table, Ginny offered to show Hermione where she was going to be sleeping for the week. "Dumbledore usually gives us a little time after dinner before the meeting starts. It gives the house elves time to clear the table and everyone to gather their notes. We will give you the grand tour after the meeting right now I can show you to your room," Ginny explained as they left the dining hall and made their way up the grand staircase to the second floor.
Ginny pointed to the first door on the right, "that will be your room three doors down is Ron's room and next to that is Harry's." Ginny then pointed to the first door on the left, "that is my room. Lily Sirius and Remus all have their bedrooms on this floor too if you need them."
"You and Harry don't share a room?" Hermione asked.
"Our mothers won't allow it. They put charms on all of the bedrooms in the house so that Ginny and I can't be in the same room alone together." Ginny said.
"If we do end up in the same room alone one of us suddenly remembers that we have to be somewhere else and leaves," Harry explained emerging from his bedroom at the end of the hall with an armful of papers.
"They can do that?" Hermione asked amazed.
"Oh course you can do almost anything with magic. We should get going we don't want to be late for the meeting," Harry said taking Ginny's hand and making their way back down to the dining room.
When they returned to the dining room the table was changed from a long rectangular one to a large round table, which was covered in parchment, glasses of all different shapes and sizes and bottles of wine, scotch, and something called fire whisky were sitting in the center of the table.
Dumbledore was discussing something with the minister in the corner when everyone began sitting at the table. Dumbledore noticed this quickly ended his conversation before taking his seat and the minister quietly exited the doors everyone had just entered from.
"Minister Shacklebolts apologizes for missing this meeting but he had to return to the ministry from some important business," Dumbledore announced. "Now I think we should begin this meeting by telling Hermione what the Order of the Phoenix is. About 45 years ago a dark wizard named Voldemort began to rise in power, his goal was to kill every witch and wizard that is not pure of blood or does not believe in what he believes in. He had started a war in our work between the wizards who believe in purity of blood and those who believe that blood status means nothing. The Order of the Phoenix was founded around that time to help fight on the side of light. About twenty years ago the war turned in our favor when a prophecy was made about a baby who was about to be born that had the power to defeat the dark wizard. Voldemort had heard part of this prophecy and was determined to kill the boy the prophecy spoke of. Now there were two families that had a child that the prophecy could have been referring to, the Longbottom family, and the Potter family. Both families went into hiding under a spell that would not allow anyone to find them unless their secret keeper had told them their where about. The Potter's secret keeper betrayed them and Voldemort went to attack the family but something happened that night that saved both Lily and Harry. Now no one can quite be sure what it was that saved them all we do know is that Voldemort gave James an opportunity to live that night but instead he choice to die saving his family. With James dead and Lily unconscious Voldemort turned his wand on Harry only to have his spell backfire. Everyone thought Voldemort was dead until Harry's first year, when he possessed a teacher and tried to steal something that would bring him back to life. He disappeared before anything could be done and luckily the only person hurt was the teacher. That was the last time we saw the man we know as Voldemort. There was an incident second year where a diary written by Voldemort's younger self, possessed a young student, unfortunately I cannot say no one was hurt in this incident but no permanent damage was done and the diary was destroyed," Dumbledore took a sip of his whisky when he finished his story.
"Now we have not heard anything about Voldemort or his where about in a few years but the Order has been set up to prepare for when he does return," Remus stated.
Hermione sat there in awe for the rest of the meeting unable to truly digest anything else that was being said.
Before she knew it the room began to clear and Harry Ginny and Ron were pulling her out of the room and into the main hall.
"Are you ready for the grand tour?" Ron asked as he grabbed Hermione's hand taking her into a large room on the other side of the hall. "This is the Grand Ballroom!" he announced pulling Hermione into the center of the room under a large elaborate gold chandelier. The whole room was decorated in the same burgundy and gold as the hallway and dining room.
"Red and gold are Gryffindor colors. And every Potter that has gone to Hogwarts has been in Gryffindor house. That's why everything is red and gold," Harry explained as Hermione looked around the room.
Hermione nodded in acknowledgement as she continued to look around the room. Before she had a chance to completely examine the room Ron grabbed her hand again and pulled her into the next room.
An hour later Hermione had seen the whole house which included another ball room, two more dining rooms, two parlor rooms, the kitchen, twenty bedrooms, a library, three studies, a few sitting rooms, an observatory, a potions lab, training room and what Ron called the Muggle room which had a large screen tv a computer and a few other Muggle appliances.
Hermione was exhausted by the time she reached her room the only room they didn't see on their tour.
It was a large room decorated in deep blues and light purples. Against one wall was an intricately carved four poster bed, with matching night stands on either side of the bed and a matching dresser across from it. It also had its own attached bathroom which was larger than her room in her flat with Emma and Everett.
Hermione had finished unpacking her bags and was settled on her bed reading one of her school books when there was a loud knock on her door. She was about to get up to answer door when it swung open itself reveling Harry, Ron, and Ginny.
"It looks like she's done unpacking," Ron said joining Hermione on her bed while Harry and Ginny sat on the bench at the end of the bed.
"What are you up to?" Ginny asked from her seat.
"Just reading I thought I look into some of the History of the magic before my first training session tomorrow," Hermione explained placing her book on the nightstand. "Oh we can leave if you like. We thought you would like to practice some spell work with us," Harry asked.
Hermione jumped off her bed in excitement, "Oh Ginny can you teach me that spell you did on Harry last night that batty one," she cried a wicked smirk on her face.
"Oh no," Ron grumbled from his place on the bed. "Don't you think that spell is a little too advanced?" he whimpered.
"Oh no it's really simple," Ginny giggled grabbing Hermione by the hand and pulling her into the corner of the room to practice the spell.
"This is bad now there are two of them," Ron squeaked paling as he watched Hermione successfully preform the spell on the dummy Ginny transfigured from a lamp.
"Now who what's to be my live test dummy," Hermione said turning on Ron with a wicked grin.
"I think it's time for me to go," Ron whimpered making his way toward the door.
"I was just joking Ron don't worry," Hermione teased grabbing Ron's hand pulling him back into her room. "How about you teach me something? Teach something you're good at."
"I can teach you how to play Quidditch," Ron said excitedly.
"It's too late to teach her how to play. Besides I already promised to teach her how to fly," Ginny said.
"You're good at Wizarding Chess you can show her how to play," Harry suggested.
"I'm great at Wizarding Chess! I'm going to get my chess set stay right here," Ron said eagerly running out the door and down the hall to his room returning seconds later with his arms full with his chess set.
Ron spent the next ten minutes teaching Hermione how to play chess as Ginny and Harry whispered moves in Hermione's ear.
"Is anyone else hungry or is it just me, Harry want to join me in raiding the kitchen" Ron asked curiously after he watched his Knight destroy Hermione's King.
"Ronald you just had dinner not two hours ago" Ginny scolded her brother.
"Yes that was two hours ago, I'm a growing boy," he whined.
"Growing out is more like it," Ginny muttered earning a small giggle from Hermione.
"What did you say?" he asked turning to glare at his sister.
"Nothing," Ginny said with a fake smile.
"I thought I heard, oh well Harry you coming?" Ron asked halfway through the door, Harry just shook his head and Ron was gone.
"Does he have a tape worm or some kind of illness?" Hermione asked genuinely concerned.
"You would think? But no he has always been like that," Ginny explained with a laugh. "I hope you don't mind me leaving too I am exhausted and I have an early practice tomorrow," she said with a fake yawn and a mischievous look in her eye.
"Go ahead I will see you tomorrow, besides I'm pretty tired myself," Hermione said.
"I should go too," Harry said as he started to follow Ginny out of the room.
"Harry, can I ask you something before you go?" Hermione asked stopping Harry before he left.
"Sure you can ask me anything you want."
"I just want to know about this prophecy that everyone is talking about. Where do I fit into it exactly? What does it say?"
Harry looked at her deeply contemplating what he was about to tell her. He could count on one hand the number of people who knew exactly what the prophecy said. Most people only knew that it was about Harry Ron and a girl who were destined to defeat Voldemort. He knew he should tell her, it was her right to know, but now wasn't the time he didn't want to scare the girl away. They needed to build her confidence in her magical abilities before sentencing her to defeat one of the darkest wizards in history.
"To be honest Hermione now is not the time. I don't want you dwelling on this prophecy all week while you're trying to learn. I promise before you leave I will tell you everything you need to know about Voldemort and the prophecy."
"I understand but I will keep you to your word," she said with a chuckle.
"Good you better," Harry said with a laugh. "Well I have some paper work I have to do before bed. If you need anything just come and get me I'll be down the hall."
"Goodnight Harry and thank you," Hermione said giving Harry a hug before he left her room.