Disclaimer: Everyone needs a friend. Go out and hug one today. I don't own Harry Potter, but JK Rowling does.
Chapter 8: The Bonds of Friendship
In late October, Harry and Hermione were enjoying a quick breakfast together before Harry had Quidditch practice. Mail on Saturday morning was infrequent as compared to the rest of the week, but it did happen on occasion. That was why both Harry and Hermione were taken by surprise by the large eagle owl that landed in front of Harry that morning.
The letter attached to the owl's leg was clearly addressed to Harry; however, the simple fact that a different owl delivered Harry a letter was surprising since the only owl he ever received mail from was Hedwig. As if thinking about her, made her appear, Hedwig landed on Harry's shoulder, hooting at the other owl.
Hermione, who had been watching the entire procession, simply raised an eyebrow at Harry. Harry shrugged in response; he had no idea what was going on. After staring at the owl for a few more moments, Harry reached forward and took the letter from it. It wasn't like the owl was going to solve any of Harry's confusion towards the situation.
The feel of the parchment in Harry's hands told him it was rather expensive. It was far nicer and delicate than anything he owned or even saw in the stationary store in Diagon Alley. Breaking the seal and opening the letter Harry was a bit surprised considering he had forgotten all about this on the first of September. But it seemed that Gringotts did not forget about their agreement to contact Harry regarding his accounts on a later date.
Dear Mr. Potter,
As per your requested, we completed a complete audit of your holdings with our institution to prepare a report of your current standings. Unfortunately, during the process of this audit we came across several irregularities, hence the delay in contacting you. Due to the nature of these irregularities we, the goblins of Gringotts, would like to request an audience with you and your sister at your earliest convince.
Please owl us with a date and a time that will be suitable for you.
May Your Gold Always Flow,
Ragnok
Manager of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, London
Harry read the letter over for a second time. It seemed pretty straight forward, there was something wrong with his account, and they needed to discuss it with him. However, it had him very worried. What if there wasn't enough money for Lexi and him to attend Hogwarts all seven years?
Deciding there was nothing Harry could do about it at the current time; he handed the letter to the curious Hermione and tried to push the matter out of his mind.
"This is strange, Harry," Hermione commented as she finished a complete read though of the letter.
"What's strange?" Harry asked wondering if perhaps Hermione may be able to determine the subject of the meeting he knew he couldn't be able to make till the end of the winter term.
"It's just who sent this letter," Hermione commented as she read through the letter again. "Ragnok, the manager of Gringotts, is actually the leader of the goblin nation here in England. I'm just surprised he is involved with your account at Gringotts."
Hermione handed Harry the parchment once again, which he began to stare at it curiously, wondering what this could all be about.
"Umm, Harry?" Hermione asked in trepidation. "I think the owl is waiting for your reply."
Harry looked up and noticed, that yes, the owl seemed to be standing in front of Harry awaiting his response. After borrowing parchment and a quill from Hermione, Harry wrote out a quick reply letting Ragnok know he and Lexi would visit Gringotts as soon as possible during the Christmas break. He also told him that he would owl closer to the date with more specific information on when they would be able to meet.
Once the owl departed, Harry noticed the time and reluctantly rose from his unfinished breakfast, to head to practice. Now he was beginning to understand why the other members of the team hated Wood's early Saturday morning practices.
~*~
While Harry attended Quidditch practice, two owls traveled at a rapid pace to the quiet muggle street of Privet Drive. Both owls, being highly intelligent knew immediately it was a muggle settlement and knew to act with caution around it. Those muggles never knew how to properly respond in the presence of magical owls.
A little after noon, both owls arrived and waited for the one named Alexa Potter to leave the residence. The eagle owl wanted to go in an open window to deliver its burden, but the snowy owl would not let this newcomer make things difficult for one of her masters. It was nearly an hour before the small girl stepped out of number four.
The eagle owl swooped down in front of the surprised girl, followed by her familiar snowy. The girl took the parchment from the eagle owl's leg before it took off heading east.
~*~
Lexi Potter continued to stoke Hedwig, who was perched on her shoulder, that strange eagle owl delivered an even stranger letter before quickly taking off.
Dear Miss. Potter,
It is my duty to inform you that during a routine audit performed on your family account, several irregularities have appeared. Gringotts has requested a meeting with you and your brother in the near future. Once the meeting has been arranged, we will notify you with the date and time.
May Your Gold Always Flow,
Ragnok
Manager of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, London
Lexi held out the letter for her godfather to read once he approached her and turned into his human form.
"Well this is peculiar," Padfoot said while rubbing his chin. "I've never heard of account irregularities at Gringotts before."
"Should I be worried?" Lexi asked with wide eyes.
"Nah," Sirius said in a dismissive tone. "Even if the Potter family ended up being flat broke, there is always the Black family money for you and Harry to survive off of for several decades."
"But Padfoot," Lexi said with a bit of panic in her tone. "The Black family is your family, not ours."
"Of course, it is yours," Sirius said with a bewildered look on his face. "You and Harry are my godchildren. It is my job and responsibility to care for you, alright?"
Lexi nodded her head in agreement, too choked up to speak. It was a strange though to think that any adult was responsible for her or Harry who actually wanted to be.
~*~
Later that same afternoon, Hermione and Harry were studying at their favorite table in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione kept glancing at Harry out of the corner of her eyes. She hadn't said anything earlier but there was one other item in the letter from Gringotts that was confusing her. In the letter it reference that Harry had a sister, and Harry never made any indication that there was something wrong with this information.
Yet, every book Hermione had read never mentioned another Potter child, and in most cases the books actually claimed that Harry Potter was the only child of Lily and James Potter. Needless to say this new development was completely confusing to Hermione. She desperately wanted to ask Harry what it was all about, but she didn't know how he would react to her questioning him about it. It wasn't too long ago that Hermione didn't trust anything when it had to do with him, she didn't want to head down that road again.
"Hermione, what is bothering you?" the concerned voice of Harry Potter broke through Hermione's thoughts.
Hermione bit her lip unsure what to do, eventually she realized since he asked, she might as well tell him. "I've been a bit confused by something I read in your letter earlier today."
"Really, what was it?" Harry asked, with a look of confusion on his face.
"The letter mentioned that you have a sister," Hermione hesitantly replied. "In all my readings about you and your family, I have never seen a source that referenced that you had a sibling. So, it's just been a bit confusing..." Hermione trailed off the ending not sure where this conversation was likely to go.
"I know what you mean," Harry agreed with a nod of his head. "I just figured people were either just not that interested in checking the accuracy of all their facts or they merely didn't care about my sister since she wasn't the 'Boy-Who-Lived.'" Harry made quotation marks with his fingers when he gave his oh, so hated title.
Hermione couldn't help but giggle, now that she knew Harry much better she couldn't help but realize how thick she had been at the beginning of term. It was quite obvious to all that cared to pay attention that Harry Potter hated all of the fame associated with his scar.
"Sorry," Hermione replied a bit sheepishly once she got her giggling under control. "Like I said, the books didn't say anything so I wasn't sure. What's her name? What is she like? How old is your sister? Are you two close?"
"Wow, one question at a time," Harry replied holding his hands up in a pacifying manner. "Let me see, my sister is absolutely amazing, and really smart. She is my best friend. Her name is Alexa Lily Potter, but I call her Lexi. She just turned ten at the beginning of the month, so that means she won't be coming to Hogwarts until our third year. Our relatives, the Dursleys don't like us very much since we're magical, so it really has been just the two of us verses the rest of the world. That has made us really close. It's been horrible being away from her, but she insisted I go to Hogwarts and make her proud."
"You really considered not coming?" Hermione was shocked by the last thing Harry said. Hermione couldn't imagine not going to Hogwarts.
"Well, like I said, our relatives don't really like us," Harry said not meeting Hermione's eyes. "I really didn't want to leave her all alone with them and not be able to get to her if she needed help. Besides, Hogwarts is great, but it's not as wonderful as being with my sister, which I would have been if I attended Stonewall High, the school I was scheduled to attend before Lexi convinced me to go here."
Hermione was a bit shocked, what would the wizarding world have done if Harry Potter had refused to go to Hogwarts?
"So, what else is there about your family?" Hermione asked before she quickly added, "And I'll tell you about mine as well, but there isn't much to say since I'm an only child."
Hermione got comfortable in the stuff chair she was sitting in as she listened to Harry matter-of-factly tell her all about his home life and his magic-hating relatives. The more information he shared, Hermione was able to form a better picture of his home life before Hogwarts and it didn't seem very good at all.
~*~
Hermione had followed Harry to Quidditch practice on Tuesday afternoon. Harry always secretly wondered what Hermione did while he was at practice, since she usually spent every waking minute of the day with him. However, this afternoon he didn't have to wonder.
Hermione sat next to Madam Hooch in the stands. From what Harry could tell by sneaking the occasional glance, Hermione spent most of the practice watching the flying and talking to Madam Hooch. Once in a while when he looked over she was reading a book she must have bought along with her.
When practice was over and the Quidditch balls were rounded up, Harry landed near the stands on his Nimbus 2000. Wood had recommended that particular model as perfect for a Seeker to use and he loved it. Thankfully, he had no problem purchasing it due to the funds his parents left him.
"That last catch was simply amazing, Harry!" Hermione practically shouted, as Harry approached the stands where Hermione and Madam Hooch were seated.
"It certainly was," Madam Hooch agreed.
"Thanks," Harry replied with a bit of a blush forming on his cheeks. He didn't want to come straight out and ask Hermione why she attended his practice, even though they had been closer since their conversation on Saturday, but he was dying to know.
"Well Miss. Granger," Madam Hooch began, "if you and Mr. Potter want to fly together you'd better get started."
Hermione at least had the decency to blush as she walked with Harry on to the Quidditch pitch.
"Sorry," Hermione explained in a low voice, "I don't like hanging around the common room alone. Ron Weasley can be such an ass. So, I came with you to practice, but Madam Hooch questioned me on why I was here."
At this point Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and turned him towards her. "I guess I panicked and didn't want to admit to her why I was here, so I told her I wanted you to help me with my flying. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Harry replied, a smile over taking his face, as he patted her shoulder. "I'd be glad to help you. What is your major issue with flying?"
"Well," Hermione began, "I guess it could all stem from not really liking heights. I don't feel all that comfortable in the air."
"That's a big issue," Harry responded with a solemn look on his face. "The only way you can overcome it is by practicing you know."
"I realize that," Hermione said in her 'bossy' tone, "And Madam Hooch is proud of me for taking initiative to persevere in the air."
Harry chuckled, "Okay, Hermione, are you ready to get started?"
"Sure," Hermione replied, although her face seemed to disagree. "Should I get a school broom?"
"Nope," Harry firmly responded, "no need. You'll be riding on my broom with me."
Hermione's eyes widened as Harry's statement sunk in. If it wasn't so serious, Harry would have been hard pressed to hold back his laugh at Hermione's reaction.
"You won't be doing any fancy flying with me on the broom, right?" Hermione asked with genuine concern.
"I will only do what you feel comfortable with," Harry quickly replied. He really wanted to help his friend, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her fear flying. "We'll stay low and slow until you tell me otherwise."
Hermione shot him a brilliant smile before nodding her head in agreement. Harry steadied his broom so he and Hermione could get on it.
The Potter School of Flying had its first lesson.
~*~
"Did you see that, Fred?" George Weasley asked his twin brother after they made their way back up to the castle.
"Yeah, I did, George," Fred readily replied. "Looks like Ronnie-kins was right about that Potter boy. At first I thought he was just being his usual jealous prattish self, however it does seem that he was right where Potter was concerned."
"I would hate to admit to Ron that he was right," George said with a frown on his face, kicking the gravel on the walkway. "But he was. Looks like the teachers do allow Potter special privileges for being who he is. No other firsty would be allowed to fly outside regulated school times, not to mention they let him on the Gryff team."
"No one can argue that the boy has talent," Fred agreed with his brother, "but its not exactly fair that they let him on a school team while no other firsty was even allowed to try out for their house's team."
"Oh, my dear brother!" George said dramatically, while brining his hand to his forehead. "What on earth shall we do?"
"Why what we always do," Fred replied with a grin that was a tad bit too feral. "We will make his life a living hell."
"Too right, brother of mine," George replied with his own malicious grin. "Before we were punishing the sap for messing with our baby brother, now we have to show him that there will be no favoritism for rich snobs at Hogwarts."
Fred saluted his brother with a serious look on his. "For if we don't tell the snobs they are being assholes and the world does not revolve around them, then sadly no one will. That is our mission in the world." George pretended to wipe a fake tear away, as Fred continued. "However, we will have to postpone the pranking until after the first match. Don't want Wood to nail us to the wall for pranking the Seeker near a match."
George pretended he was marking a list on his hand, as he began, "So we continue our Quidditch assault of the prat, and then move into pranking around mid-November."
"Sounds about right to me, brother of mine," Fred replied with a grin once more.
"That prat won't know what hit him," George said before breaking out into an evil laugh that his twin joined in moments after he began.
~*~
The morning of October 31st was damp and drizzling. It was as if the weather was sympathizing with Harry's current mood. This was the first year that Harry knew the day his parents had died. Which meant it was the first time he ever had the opportunity to mourn them on the anniversary of their death. In all honesty, Harry had no idea how he should respond to this day.
After rising and performing his morning routine, Harry walked down to the common room to be greeted by an entirely too perky Hermione.
"Happy Halloween, Harry!" Hermione joyfully cried, as they began to walk towards the Great Hall. "Oh today is supposed to be simply wonderful," the young witch began to gush, "after classes we have the Halloween feast. Audrey told me last night in one of the girls loo, that last year they had a ghoul band perform for the students. Wouldn't that be fascinating to see?"
Harry had to bite back his initial reply. He really could care less about the feast that evening, and was seriously considering not attending. Why would he want to celebrate a fibrous holiday on the anniversary of his parents' death?
"It sounds lovely, Hermione," Harry answered in a flat tone of voice.
Hermione immediately stopped and grabbed Harry's arm to stop him as well. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked with concern reflected in her eyes.
"It's Halloween," Harry simply answered, hoping he wouldn't have to explain things in further detail.
"Oh my," Hermione's eyes lit up with comprehension, "I'm so sorry I forgot, Harry."
"It's nothing," Harry attempted to dismiss Hermione's concern. "I mean it's not like it affects you in anyway."
"You don't mean that do you?" Hermione asked in low voice, after getting no response she clarified. "If it affects you, it affects me, so it is something important to me as well."
"I guess you're right," Harry conceded. "It just feels so strange. I never knew when they died before, so I'm not sure how I am supposed to act."
"You act anyway you feel like," Hermione said with a warm smile on her face. "There is no set way people act when they mourn someone they lost. People just do what feels natural to them."
After a few moments of silence, Hermione broke it with a question. "Does Lexi know about today?"
"Yeah," Harry said with a smile crossing his face at the thought of his sister. "I told her as soon as I knew more details about how our parents died. I wish I could be there with her," Harry began wistfully, "the Dursleys never recognize anything to do with us, so she'll be alone in her mourning. At least I have you."
Hermione shot Harry a wonderful smile. Having a friend at Hogwarts was the best thing in the world.
~*~
After school that afternoon, Lexi skived off her chores. She knew there would be hell to pay when she eventually returned to Privet Drive, but that didn't matter to her. She had plans with her godfather, Sirius Black, and that took precedent over anything the Dursleys wanted her to do.
Sirius in his 'Snuffles' form was waiting for her just outside the gate to the school yard. Even though Dudley and his gang had moved on to other schools, their presence was everlasting. No one her age wanted to have anything to do with her for fear that Dudley's gang would find them and punish them for doing so.
Lexi was beyond caring how the other students treated her. It just didn't matter anymore. She had survived years of being tormented and teased by her peers. And now in just two short years she would be escaping all of it to go to Hogwarts. Life would be so wonderful at Hogwarts compared to life on Privet Drive. She would be able to learn about magic and make new friends like Harry did. It will be glorious.
Once Lexi reached Sirius, he began to walk quickly towards the park. Lexi had to run to keep up with him. She knew that he had been anticipating this day just as much as she had been but he really needed to slow down. Dudley's gang had been watching her closely to see when she wasn't accompanied by Sirius in either his man or dog form. Lexi didn't want to know what they would do if they found her alone, since Sirius had threatened them many times in both forms.
After entering their secluded area, Sirius transformed back into his true appearance, "Alright, I need you to hold on to my hand. This is going to feel like we are being pressed into a tube, but the more times we do it, the easier it will be." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "You might want to shut your eyes. Sometimes it's easier on your first trip if you do."
Closing her eyes shut with as much pressure as she could, Lexi blindly reached out her hand for Sirius to take. After feeling his large, strong hand around her own, the whole world turned upside down. Sirius wasn't joking when he said it would feel as if she was being pressed into a tube. But not only did she feel the pressing and spinning there was a sense of weightlessness as well. When the spinning and pressing finally stopped, Lexi was able to feel the sensation of the soft earth under her feet.
"We're here," the gruff voice associated with Padfoot announced. "It is safe for you to open your eyes again."
Hesitantly, Lexi did as she was told. Sirius had never lied to her in the last month and a half that they knew each other. She highly doubted he would start doing so now just for a laugh. Opening her eyes, Lexi took in her surroundings. They were standing on the outskirts of a quiet village in a wooded area near a cemetery. The wooded area followed the road to the village and where she could see several houses in the distance so they could stay in the cover of the woods for a quiet a distance.
"This is where my parents lived?" Lexi asked, unable to keep the amazement out of her voice.
"For a time," Sirius replied. "They were living with Harry here in an Order safe house when your mother went into labor with you. This isn't the location of their first home; it was burnt down by Death Eaters several months before you were born."
Lexi didn't care about the details. There was only one thing that mattered, her parents had lived here.
"So, this is Godric's Hollow," Sirius continued as they walked along the street. Once they were in an open area he would have to shift into his 'less wanted' form of a grim like dog. "They buried your parents in the cemetery just over there, and they left the house Lily and James died in the way it was. I doubt the wizarding world will ever let anyone rebuild over it."
"How do you know all this?" Lexi hated asking but since Sirius was in jail when all this happened it seemed odd that he knew about what occurred during his incarceration.
"One of your neighbors is a squib," at Lexi's confused look Sirius further explained. "That means she was born with no magic to a magical family. She receives the wizarding newspaper, The Daily Prophet, and she isn't too careful with it. Just about every other day I nick a recent copy of the paper out of her rubbish."
A branch suddenly snapped a bit to their left. Sirius stopped talking and indicated to Lexi not to speak. After waiting a few moments there were no further noises, nor could they see anything from their current position.
"Must have been an animal," Sirius muttered before he continued their pervious conversation. "Since it's the ten year anniversary of Harry's trump over Voldemort, the Prophet did several articles about your family including information on your parents' final resting place. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other people visiting your parents' graves today as well."
Lexi took a few moments to process all the new information she was learning. Sirius did share a lot of information that Harry wasn't very forth coming with. Sometimes Sirius would assume she knew something, since he thought Harry would have told her already. But Lexi could understand why Harry may not want to share his celebrity status with her by letter. But oh, what she would give to be able to talk to Harry once again in person. She hated keeping secrets from him, but there was no way she could tell him about Sirius by owl post.
"Alright," Sirius said once again as they came to the end of the wooded area. "We're at the end of the road. I need you to stay close to me. I'll make sure to walk slowly so it won't be too difficult for you." After receiving a nod in agreement from Lexi, Sirius continued. "First we will go to the location of where the house used to stand. Once we are done there we will travel to the cemetery where your parents are. You understand the plan?"
Lexi had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. They had been talking about the plan for the last week, of course she knew what they were about to do. However, since she knew he was just worried that something might go wrong, she merely nodded her head again.
"Excellent," Sirius said before turning into Padfoot once again.
Small dark-haired girl and large dark-furred dog walked out of the forest together to pay their respects.
~*~
Harry was in a melancholy mood all day. As the time approached for the feast, the last thing he wanted to do was sit in a large crowded room with a bunch of different people, who for the most part didn't like him. It didn't a genius to figure out that the feast just wasn't a good idea for him that evening.
Hermione Granger, in Harry's opinion could be arguably considered a genius so it came to no surprise to Harry that she knew. Hermione understood why Harry really didn't want to go to the feast and supported him in his decision. However, she did one thing that truly surprised him.
"Why don't you pick out an unused classroom for us to hang out it?" Hermione asked after their last class of the day. "I'll briefly stop into the feast and grab some food for us to eat, while we just hang out together."
"But, Hermione," Harry said unable to keep the surprise out of his voice, "weren't you looking forward to the feast tonight?"
"There will be other feasts," Hermione replied in a dismissive tone. "Besides, I'm your friend and what kind of a friend would I be if I let you be alone and miserable on a day like today?"
Harry shot Hermione a smile as he thought about what she said. Hermione was one of a kind.
After returning their school bags to their dormitories, Harry and Hermione left the common room together to perform their prearranged tasks.
~*~
There wasn't much left to the house her parents had once lived in. However, it was nice to see the monument created in memory of her parents and her brother's accomplishment. The only thing that bothered her was the plaque in front of the statue talked about the Potter family, but it made no mention of her.
Now she and Snuffles were walking around the cemetery looking for the location of her parents' plot. Lexi had to hide her snicker at her thought; she knew Sirius preferred to be called Padfoot when he was in that form. However, she personally loved to tease him as much as she possibly could.
Walking through the various rows of tombstones was not very exciting, however, the final result would be. She just couldn't wait to see where her parents were, even if they wouldn't be there with her.
Sirius had told her that the people we love, and who love us, never leave us. That her parents were watching over her every day from Heaven. Even so, it was still nice to be able to do something to show them, how much she loved them. On their way through the village, Lexi had picked a small bouquet of flowers to place in front of their grave. She hoped that they would like it.
Padfoot, who was a few feet ahead of her, suddenly barked. Lexi ran over to him, to see what he was barking at. There in front of her was her parents' grave.
JAMES POTTER LILY POTTER
BORN 27 MARCH 1960 BORN 30 January 1960
DIED 31 October 1981 DIED 31 October 1981
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death
Lexi reached forward and placed her flowers in front of their tombstone. She didn't know what she was supposed to do now. Looking to Sirius for guidance, she received none. He had his head dipped down to the ground and he seemed lost in his own thoughts. Gathering up her courage, Lexi decided to do what seemed to her like the right thing to do.
"Hi, Mum and Dad," Lexi began in a whisper; "Harry and I miss you. We love you very much and I know Harry would be here if he could. Padfoot came to take care of me while Harry was in Hogwarts. Thanks for making him my godfather. I don't know what I would do if I was all alone this year. I wish you were here with me."
Lexi waited patiently for Sirius to finish. There wasn't much for her to say since she never knew them. Sirius on the other hand was their best friend. He had to have a lot more to say to them.
After a few more minutes Sirius finally raised his head up to look at Lexi, as if asking her whether or not she was ready to go.
"I'm all set, Snuffles," Lexi said as they began to walk out of the cemetery. Lexi was slightly ahead of Padfoot at this time.
"You have balls of steel to come here, Padfoot," a voice suddenly ripped through the silence of the cemetery.
Lexi turned around just in time to see Sirius transform into his normal form. Looking her straight in the eyes, Sirius mouthed one word, 'hide'. Lexi didn't need to be told twice.
~*~
Hermione couldn't help but think how nice the evening had progressed, even though she didn't attend the Halloween feast. While it would have been nice to get a better glance at some of the things she briefly saw when she went to the Great Hall for some food. Hermione would have still preferred to be at her current location in an unused classroom on the second floor.
Hermione never had a real friend before. Of course there were people who were friendly with her, mainly to copy off her homework, but never had she had someone like Harry in her life. Most of the other children in her muggle primary school tended to steer clear of her due to her large intellect and because of the weird things that would always happen around her.
She was thrilled to know that the strange things were actually accidental magic and that she would be able to attend a school filled with people just like her. Unfortunately, the other students weren't 'just like her' they were just like the other kids at her old school, just that they were magical.
Now though, everything had changed. She had Harry and wouldn't trade it for the world. They had spent the early evening just talking about everything and anything. It was nice.
"So, what do you think about Professor Quirrell?" Harry asked once their last line of discussion ran its course.
"I'm sure he must be very knowledgeable," Hermione quickly replied, "but it does seem odd to have a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor who is afraid of his own shadow."
Harry spat out his mouth full of pumpkin juice all over the desk in front of them and unfortunately some on Hermione as well.
"Oh, my!" Hermione cried as Harry started spluttering apologies. "Harry, it's alright!"
"I'm so sorry, Hermione," Harry repeated. "I just didn't expect a comment like that from you."
"Really," Hermione said while placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm fine. I'll just run to the girl's loo to wash some of this off."
Before Harry had a chance to go into another series of apologies, Hermione was out the door and on her way to the loo. Harry had to be the nicest and most polite boy in the entire school. There was no way a guy like Ron Weasley would ever say they were sorry for accidently spitting out their juice. Why just earlier that day Ron Weasley had made fun of Hermione for her ability in charms. She and Harry just laughed it off as him being jealous of her.
As she finished dabbing the juice filled parts of her blouse with water and soap the bathroom door swung open. There standing in the doorway was a very large mountain troll. Hermione had read all about them in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. After thinking about the odds of seeing one in the school and how dangerous they were, reality struck Hermione and she did the only think she could thing to do.
She screamed on the top of her lungs.
~*~
A/N: Dum, Dum, Dummmm! I promise the next update will be on Monday. This chapter ended up being so long I unfortunately had to cut it in half. I need to thank everyone who has reviewed this story so far. You guys keep motivating me to write more and update more frequently then I originally planned. Thank you all for the kind words and the critques. I also need to thank my beta, zephy for all her hard work.
Foria
Next Chapter: What Friends Are For