JK Rowling owns Harry Potter
AN: In my head canon Dumbeldore is incompetent and doesn't take people dying seriously enough. However, he isn't the manipulative old bastard who does illegal things to control Harry's life. Harry is living with Sirius, and Dumbledore didn't try to stop him.
Hermione met Harry's godfather when Harry and Sirius joined her family on their vacation in France. Hermione had grabbed Harry and gave him a huge hug, Sirius laughed "just like James - girls jumped him all the time too. You must be the brilliant Hermione Granger, Harry talks constantly about you."
Sirius was a charming man who could pull off a moustache. He was hyperactive and jumped from idea to idea, and if he wasn't talking he was planning mischief. Sirius dominated the conversation at dinner, with tales of Hogwarts and the sometimes vicious pranks he'd pull with James and Remus "Once we made all Snivellus' clothes disappear in the Great Hall - he had to walk all of the way back to the dungeons in his underwear." Or "Snape was so serious about his potions work, so we switched his essay with a paper written by a friend of ours who hated potions - it was the rat," Sirius added with a grimace, "Sluggy of course knew it was a prank, but Snape got so angry." Sirius grinned at the happy memory. Hermione thought the marauders sounded like bullies.
Like Harry, Sirius loved flying and Quidditch, "James was a beautiful flyer, born natural, but the things Harry pulls off are amazing." Sirius said admiringly, "It's a crime you aren't playing…."
Harry responded smugly, "wouldn't be fair, I'm too good - besides," Harry frowned, "we wouldn't want the snakes to win."
"I keep forgetting you aren't a Gryff," Sirius shook his head sadly.
"Me too," Harry replied, also sadly.
Hermione realized Harry not only disliked Slytherin, but saw himself as a Gryffindor - why? His parents were Gryffindors, but that didn't explain why he seemed to forget he wasn't in Gryffindor. Hermione eventually figured out it was part of the mystery.
The damage from Azkaban was clear; after a few minutes of quiet Sirius become twitchy and nervous. Hermione thought his compulsive talking and activity was because he felt anxious when left alone with his thoughts. When Hermione told Harry she was worried about Sirius, Harry said he'd forced him to see a mind healer. Sirius was far healthier than he'd been when he first got out.
Sirius lived in the past. Every story was about Hogwarts or the fight against You-Know-Who; Harry was his only other topic of conversation. He treated Harry like James, a best friend and partner in crime, not a child in his care. And Harry changed around Sirius - it shocked Hermione to watch Harry try to gain his approval. At Hogwarts while Harry did crazy things, he always thought before acting. But if Sirius suggested something Harry immediately did it, and then found a way to top Sirius' suggestion.
Sirius played pranks on tourists and other beach goers to keep himself occupied; Harry would play along and sometimes come up with new ideas. Harry's pranks at Hogwarts were always fun for everybody. And the twins lived up to Harry's example - their pranks had become nicer and funnier during the year. But Sirius' ideas were sometimes mean, and when they were Hermione could see in Harry's eyes a moment of discomfort before he did what Sirius asked.
Sirius was devoted to Harry, or at least to the idea of Harry. Sirius would obviously risk his life to protect his godson. And he did provide a friend for Harry to talk to and have fun with. But - Harry didn't need someone to protect him or die from him. And he obviously didn't need someone who would convince him to jump into dangerous stunts, or who would talk him into mischief he wasn't comfortable with.
Hermione knew she needed to talk to Harry after watching him fly with Sirius on the fourth day of their vacation. Sirius kept cheering Harry as he plummeted toward the surf and pulled up at the last moment. Then Sirius dared Harry to dive bomb a flock of seagulls circling near the coast. Harry had been drinking a bit, and without pausing he flew above them and dived the densest part of the flock. Hermione couldn't see exactly what happened, but she thought Harry's broom clipped a bird at well over 100 kilometers an hour, and sent him spinning towards the ground. For a dizzying instant Hermione was terrified Harry would strike the beach head first, but he flung his hand out and used wandless magic to throw himself in the opposite direction.
Harry stabilized and flew to Hermione and her parents before jumping off the broom. He was shaky, but his eyes were brighter than she'd ever seen them, "Woah - the magic took a lot out of me." Harry sat on the beach and laughed at Sirius who flew in with a concerned expression - "Ha told you I'd nail them." Harry grinned showing his teeth, "Those seagulls will never forget the attack of the Potter."
Sirius took a deep breath and gave a shaky laugh of his own as he sat next to Harry, "Shit, James that was scary for a moment."
Harry laughed, "Its the risk that makes it fun. You know that."
Hermione was horrified as Sirius slapped Harry on the back, "that was incredible, never seen anything like it - you're definitely a chip off the old block."
Harry kept laughing, "Woah that was bloody fun." And after another minute of sitting there, breathing heavily, Harry laughed again, "that was so much fun."
Harry sat next to Hermione on the beach as they watched the sun slowly set - the adults had gone clubbing, since they trusted Harry and Hermione to be safe without supervision. After a moment of silence Hermione spoke, "Harry - you, you can't keep acting like this - you aren't your father, and he didn't have a broom modified like yours. You will kill yourself if you do everything Sirius suggests. At Hogwarts - you did scary things, but you were never stupid about it." Hermione then added feeling anxious and uncomfortable, "Also, the way you've messed with tourists - you wouldn't have done that if you weren't trying to please Sirius. You-" Hermione paused and swallowed, scared she'd offend Harry, "I know you want to impress him because he is the first father figure you've had - but it isn't good for either of you when you pretend to be someone you aren't."
Harry frowned at the ground as he played with the yellow sand on the beach. After a minute Hermione started speak again, but Harry put his hand on her arm, and then smiled at her, "Hermione, I am thinking about what you said - my mind isn't quite as quick as yours, give me a minute."
Hermione watched Harry anxiously, as he absently grabbed handfuls of sand and let them pour through his fingers. Eventually Harry turned to her with a serious face, "I've always felt guilty about Sirius; I've never had anyone else who was family and an adult. You're right, it isn't safe, and it isn't me" Harry trailed off "I have things I need to do, so I can't die - I shouldn't do something like that without thinking it through. I also shouldn't try to act crazier than my father." Harry grimaced, "Since I heard all the stories I've approved of my Mum more than my Dad -" Harry flashed Hermione a quick smile "She was a bit like you, you know - and well I wouldn't have done half the things I've done on this vacation without a… I guess, fear of being rejected by Sirius, being told 'you're less like your father than I thought - the risk would have made it fun for James'" Harry imitated Sirius' voice, as though quoting.
They sat staring into the sunset. Hermione wondered if she should say something else, maybe it was her turn to give the cliches Harry was occasionally fond of 'if he really loves you he will accept you as you are' or 'you need to be true to yourself'. But after a moment Hermione just scooted close to Harry and put her arm around his shoulder and leaned against him as they watched the red light glittering off the waves.
"It'll be more fun if we go together," Harry said, so Hermione's parents picked him and Sirius up at 12 Grimmauld Place before they drove to Charing Cross Road. Harry was sandwiched between Hermione and Sirius in the back of the silver Mercedes as he described a girl he'd met while introducing the twins to Sirius at the Weasley's house, "Luna is a very sweet girl and after a bit we definitely got along - but well her father is…" Harry trailed off.
"Bonkers, Xeno is completely bonkers" Sirius supplied with a grin.
Harry shrugged, "that's about it - and you know if Sirius thinks someone is round the bend." Harry grinned as Sirius smacked him on the back of the head. "Xeno publishes the Quibbler, which is half odd conspiracy theories, half imaginary animals - it's small circulation, mainly read for the humor value. Luna is very loyal to her father. You see her mother died two years or so back and since then Luna's been home schooled by Xeno. I think she does believe everything he says - but she tells everyone to prove she loves her father."
Hermione nodded at Harry when he paused, "Anyways I'm worried she'll have trouble making friends, you know how children are - if someone refuses to conform…"
"So you want me to ignore the silly things she says, and try to be friends?" Hermione asked.
"You don't need to ignore them; just don't make fun of her."
When they reached the station and walked through the wall Harry found Luna and her father already standing outside of the train. Xeno Lovegood was a tall pale man with long white hair that looked a bit like Lucius Malfoy's, and a ragged white robe over a shirt with a bright clashing floral pattern. Luna was a pretty blonde with a distant expression and radish earrings, who smiled brightly when she saw Harry. "Hello Harry Potter, I am very glad to see you again." Hermione felt a stab of jealousy when Harry hugged the girl. Luna was far prettier than Hermione thought she'd ever be.
However Hermione had promised Harry she'd try to be friends with Luna, and she greeted the girl with a smile when Harry introduced them, "Hello Luna, this is my best friend Hermione Granger, Hermione this is Luna Lovegood."
As they dragged their trunks onto the train Luna turned to Hermione, "Harry said your parents are dentists, are they part of the Rotfang Conspiracy?"
Hermione had expected something like this, "Rotfang Conspiracy?"
Luna lowered her voice, and with a completely serious expression explained, "Some aurors are trying to bring down the ministry with a combination of dark magic and gum disease - I thought maybe they'd asked muggle tooth doctors for advice."
Hermione felt several conflicting emotions; surely Harry couldn't like her (or was her nonsense attractive?). Hermione thought Luna tensed up, as though she expected to be made fun of; Hermione remembered what it was like to be rejected by other children. It was very brave to say something Luna knew people would think was crazy. But the emotion that won was mild offense, "my parents treat gum disease" Hermione said stiffly, "they'd never help spread it".
Luna intently watched Hermione then glanced away, and after a moment, "I apologize- I should have thought about that."
"Oh, its perfectly alright, no harm done - just remember, dentists treat gum disease"
Luna gave Hermione a genuine smile like she'd shown Harry earlier, and with that the two were friends.
Four months later Hermione was almost hyperventilating with excitement when her parents arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place for Harry's Christmas party. Harry met her outside as soon as the car pulled up, and Hermione tackled him with a big hug. Harry laughed, "you haven't even seen what I got you."
The old house had been overloaded with an extravagant profusion of red and green streamers; the tree was an eye watering combination of extremely bright lights and lots of shiny ornaments which covered it so completely that barely any green was visible. Mistletoe and wreaths and covered every bare bit of wall.
Sirius laughed when he saw Hermione's parents staring incredulously at the decorations, "we let Dobby decide how to decorate the house".
Hermione had met the excitable house elf who worked for Harry and the decorations now made perfect sense. "Well I think its brilliant," Hermione said loyally, though not honestly. She liked Dobby: he was cute and adored Harry as much as she did. And while a bit much the decorations did make the house look very Christmasy.
A moment later Luna and her father came through the floo, Luna looked around and smiled "the decorations are wonderful, Dobby did a very good job". Hermione hugged her friend with a smile. She should have known Luna would like the mess. Soon everyone arrived, Neville and his grandmum, the Weasleys and Professor Lupin were the guests Hermione knew best. Daphne Greengrass and her family were there for an hour but left early for another party. The house was crowded with everyone talking and laughing, and Dobby regularly popped up to give more cocoa or pastries.
After the present exchange Luna examined the mistletoe for nargles before joining Hermione and Ginny on a big red and gold sofa to happily discuss the presents they'd gotten. Hermione saw Harry and the twins stand by the big red brick fireplace, enthusiastically talking and snickering when they glanced at Sirius. Ron and Neville played a game of wizarding chess on a small garish table that Sirius had painted with yellow and red stripes; Ron stared intently at the beautiful board Sirius and Harry gave him, while Neville kept glancing at one of the herbology books he'd received. Eventually all of the kids played a long and enormously fun game of Exploding Snap, which Luna won.
Hermione's parents were quizzed by Mr. Lovegood and Mr. Weasley while standing next to the dark oak table Dobby had placed munchies and wine on; Mr. Weasley wanted to know exactly what a dentist did, but was confused by their explanations. Mr. Lovegood, while he knew they weren't involved with the Rotfang Conspiracy since dentists treat gum disease, still wanted to know if they had any insights. Before they left Hermione overheard Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass talk with Neville's grandmum about how much they disliked the new undersecretary to the minister, Dolores Umbridge. Sirius and Professor Lupin spent the evening laughing together. At one point Hermione heard all the adults talk about how Barnabas Cuffe, the editor of The Daily Prophet, wanted muggle baiting to be legal.
Shortly before 10 o'clock Harry made them sing Christmas carols. "Forge and Gred," he ordered while handing out song books, "in the right key - not that awful thing you do during the opening feast."
Hermione was flushed with excitement and stuffed with pudding and turkey when her parents finally forced her to leave. Harry carried her presents out to the car, and gave her a big hug before she left. It had been the best Christmas ever, Hermione thought with a wide smile. Two years earlier she hadn't had any friends, and Hermione spent the evening reading a book at a boring Christmas party held by a dentist Hermione's parents knew from college. Being surrounded by laughter and friends was so much better; Hogwarts and Harry were the best things that ever happened to her.
The next years were wonderful and fun for Hermione. She was busy: Harry had arranged for her and Luna to work through a muggle home school curriculum with him so they wouldn't miss anything by going to Hogwarts. However Hermione was still less stressed about school than ever before. Though Harry pretended he wasn't that smart Hermione knew he was better at school than her. Of course this never bothered her; he was Harry, obviously he was the best at everything. But it was liberating to know she wasn't the smartest person in her generation. Since Hermione didn't need to prove she deserved that praise she was less stressed and enjoyed learning far more, and could goof off with friends without feeling guilty.
Hermione was surrounded by friends. While she was never 'popular' - and never became close to Parvati or Lavender - Hermione knew and liked almost everyone in her year. In addition to Neville, Luna and Ginny, Hermione became close friends with Daphne Greengrass, Ernie MacMillan and Susan Bones. Hermione thought without Harry she might not be good friends with anyone. Not only did he help her meet people, like Luna and the twins, Harry helped Hermione learn to be herself without being a bossy know-it-all.
Summer was always fun. Everyone went on vacation together, and the group of friends would spend weeks jumping from one house to another. Though they never stayed at Neville's house because his grandmum didn't want a horde of kids.
Harry was always Hermione's best friend; he was still the person who wouldn't get bored if she spent half an hour describing a book; he was still the person she wanted to tell first when she succeeded at casting a new spell; he was still the person she told as soon as she finished a major class project. And he was still mostly perfect.
Also Harry depended on her in a way he didn't their other friends; Harry had regular nightmares and once or twice a month he'd go to the Gryffindor table at breakfast, with dark circles around his eyes. He'd sit there silently and scowl at the table, and Hermione would babble about books, and homework plans, or once experiments Luna wanted to run where they tried to make cosmetic charms more interesting. Harry would slowly relax and after fifteen minutes he'd start to eat, and after twenty he'd give Hermione a smile that made her stomach flutter with happiness.
Hermione always made Harry spend May 2 with her. Usually Hermione forced him to teach her; one year he helped her get over her fear of flying and other years he taught her things not covered in their class about runes. Harry was good at everything, but runes was the class where Hermione was convinced Harry knew more than the professor. If Harry was talking, he couldn't brood. The next day Harry would always thank Hermione for being there with a hug, and it made Hermione feel happy and needed.
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