Harry didn't want to wake anyone. He certainly didn't want them to know what he was doing. Hermione had made it impeccably clear this was to be Harry's recuperating period when he'd catch up on some much needed sleep. Well, Hermione didn't have the weight of the Wizarding world on her shoulders.

Harry decided the kitchen would be the best place. He headed surreptitiously down the narrow halls and poky staircase sprinting past Mrs. Black's portrait in the process.

When he finally reached the kitchen he decided to settle in for the long haul and went into the stock cupboard for a snack. He soon found a small barrel of red apples that looked promising. He grabbed one and plunked his books and various papers onto the table with a resounding thud.

It was only after he had sat down did he realize he was not alone in the room.

"Oh! Err . . . Hi Miranda. I hope I didn't wake you?"

Sure enough there in the doorway stood Hermione's cousin swathed in a soft pale yellow robe with her name monogrammed on the left side of her chest. Her blonde hair in its abundance had been haphazardly pulled back in a pony tail, with soft tendrils falling against her face. She smiled.

"No I was awake. Just tell me where the apples are and no one gets hurt."

Harry chuckled and stood up gallantly to get her an apple as well. When he came back Miranda had moved closer to the table so he merely tossed it easily toward her. She fumbled slightly but caught it. To Harry's surprise Miranda sat down across from him at the table.

"So what are you doing up this late?" she queried after a short pause.

Harry looked over his papers uncomfortably and decided to dodge the question with another one.

"I could ask you the same question. In fact I think I will. What are you doing up this late Miranda?"

Miranda laughed lightly, "Jet lag. I'm a night owl anyway but switching time zones most definitely does not help." Her eyes narrowed a little and she smirked, "You are not going to dodge my question that easily . . . What are you doing up this late?"

Harry jerked back a bit. He hadn't counted on her being that sharp. But then again she was related to Hermione.

"Well I'm. . .I'm sort of. . .I'm trying to read what few clues I have on this mission I'm on. . .It's sort of hard to explain." He shrugged; it would be too hard to make this girl understand his complicated situation.

Miranda raised her eye-brows. "You mean your valiant search for the remnants of the poisoned and murderous soul of the villainous psycho-path that you are destined to ultimately defeat or be defeated by?"

Harry's jaw dropped, "Hermione told you . . .?"

Miranda waved him off, "She tells me everything. I'm like her outlet of expression. If she has to keep a secret telling her cousin who lives like 7,000 miles away is easier than keeping it to herself. Yes she told me about Voldemort and all things related to Voldemort. Maybe not in the exact words I used but hey I'm a writer . . . I embellish."

Harry was even more surprised when he heard her say Voldemort's name. He usually could only count on Dumbledore for that . . . well not anymore. This was refreshing.

Miranda continued, "So have you made any progress in the investigation?"

Harry sighed, "Not really, every time I feel like I've knocked down a wall I hit another road block. I never really had much to work with in the first place."

Miranda looked truly sympathetic, "Hey don't lose heart. From what Hermione tells me you're a really great wizard and a rocking good guy in general . . . I have faith in you."

Harry looked surprised at this. He hadn't quite expected this girl to come fully equipped with a full history of his life. Usually that would bother him but with this girl it was like she had gotten her information from the right source. She knew him because someone who really knew him had guided her through the history as it happened through a closer perspective. Also a refreshing change.

"Thank you. That means a lot."

She smiled and they sat in silence while Miranda took a bite of her apple which until then had lain forgotten.

Suddenly she seemed to be struck by a delightful notion and started chewing faster to speed the swallowing process to free her speech.

"This is why I am going to ask you to join me in Operation: Get-Ron-and-Hermione to-admit-their-undying-love-and-affection-for-one-another-before-I-leave-whether-they-like-it-or-not."

Harry doubled over laughing, "WH-What?" He finally gasped out.

Miranda face contorted to a rather pained expression, "Please don't make me say that again."

Now Harry looked thoughtful, "Are you sure you want to undertake such a feat? I was getting the feeling you and Ron didn't get along very well."

Miranda shrugged, "And that affects Hermione's feelings for him . . . how? He makes her heart flutter. Feelings like that don't come along everyday no matter what the romance novelists have to say." Miranda smiled dreamily, "So are you going to help me or not?" she straightened her glasses in a business-like manner, all solemnity now.

Harry leaned back in his chair and considered Miranda thoughtfully. It would be something to keep him amused. And he would have to learn to accept Hermione and Ron as a couple at some point. Maybe this would help make the adjustment easier.

"Alright, I'll help you. Just tell me what I have to do."

Miranda grinned, "You shall receive your instructions first thing tomorrow; until then let us seal our partnership," She held out her hand, "We're gonna have those two drooling over each other within the week."

Harry grinned and shook the little hand in a surprisingly firm handshake. His good opinion of Hermione's cousin solidified. She was strangely easy to talk to and most importantly she had let him be normal.

Well there you go. It's short but it has served its full purpose. Please Please Please PLEASE review!