Dianemalfoy edit 8/2/15
AN: OK readers. 2 things.
I have been putting serious thought into Harry Charlie. Let me know your opinions.
Someone asked about time skips. They will be very short (a day or 2) until after Harry's birthday and transformation. Then there will be longer skips.
Also I think some of you will love this chapter and others may get angry with me. :) We'll see
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The short walk from the bus stop to the library doors was spent in silence as the group woke themselves up.
Once inside, all the children save Hermione, who had been here before, were impressed with the meld of modern and traditional architecture. The sleek glass paired with the older brickwork was very different from anything the purebloods had ever been exposed to.
As they began moving through the entrance to where the books actually were, Hermione began describing every part of the library and spouting facts, not unlike she had in the great hall that first night in Hogwarts.
"Shut up." Daphne finally said. "Just shut up."
Hermione looked at her mouth agape. The rest of the group watched the two girls in silence.
"You're smart. So what? You don't have to act like your intelligence entitles you to be the boss of everyone around you. You are not the smartest witch of our age, you're not even the highest ranking student in our year. You're just an above average bully that makes herself feel more important than others by spouting facts no one even cares about!" Daphne was shouting by the end, her hair becoming a bit of a mess as she got worked up. Some of the other library patrons were looking at the group now.
"Yes. Lisa and I agreed to come today because Susan and Hannah assured us that none of you were what we thought. And here you are proving them wrong by acting like a typical bull headed, arrogant Gryffindor." Terry added.
"We came to make friends not be lectured Hermione." Susan added. "We're here to learn for ourselves. Telling us a few interesting tidbits would be fine, but we don't want a professor's lecture on every single thing we see."
"Hermione you are so kind and caring, but this attitude is the exact reason why Harry, Ron and I are your only friends." Neville told her putting a hand on her shoulder. "Ron knows he'd flunk without you and Harry and I are too kind to tell you to piss off." He tried to explain as gently as possible whilst also still telling her the truth.
Hermione teared up. "Harry?" she questioned looking to her oldest friend and supporter.
Harry sighed. "Hermione these past two years you and I have gone through so much. We've faced life and death together. You are the sister I was never blessed with. But they are not wrong." Harry told her gesturing to the other. "You are bossy, and arrogant, and very very stubborn." Harry told her. "Things are changing for me... for us" He gestured to the whole group again. "It may have only been a few weeks and I know it won't be easy for you to change, but I have. I have changed a lot. I've got new responsibilities, which I don't want to discuss in public, and higher expectations placed on my shoulders. I know if I only asked, you would gladly help and take way too much of my burden on yourself but I don't want or need you holding my hand any longer. I need you to be at my side and just be my friend. If... if you can't do that..."
"NO!" She shouted grabbing Harry. "No! No, I can... I can change. I can grow up. I promise I'll try and back off. I'll try and be a better friend. A better... sister" she whispered the final word as if it was a precious, fragile thing.
Harry hugged her back. "That's all I ask is for you to try."
"Don't you worry." Daphne said coming over and poking Hermione in the forehead. "I'll let you know if you cross the line from now on."
Hermione very maturely stuck out her tongue in response, causing Lisa to giggle and breaking the tension.
"Now let's go look at those books." Blaise said heading off.
They spent several hours in the library looking at the various sections and subjects. All the wizards were amazed with the fictional section. There were so few fiction books in the wizarding world that there was only one thin bookshelf of them in Flourish and Blotts. Most of those being children's fairy tales.
Since they all had passable muggle ID's, all the children received library cards and checked out a book each. Harry chose the Hobbit. He had seen the series a few times, but the Dursley's hatred of everything magic or inhuman they never allowed him to read them.
Hermione chose an anthology of herbal home remedies that she thought might help her with potions. Daphne chose a beginner's book on Latin, since many spells were in that language. Neville also picked an educational book, his was about horticulture and various growing techniques. Blaise took a book that gave an overview of laws and the House of Lords.
The rest of the groups all decided on fiction books. Susan instantly fell in love with the bright colored Manga sections. While they were looking around, she devoured the first few Naruto volumes and ended up checking out the fifth one. Tracey and Hannah both checked out horror books. Hannah choosing the new release by R. L. Stine and Tracey picking up The Stand since she had few plans and would have plenty of time to work through the monster. Theo was a bit pink but he didn't put back Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul that had caught his eye. Lisa was also bright red but she too refused to put down her romance novel and finally Terry took a book of fairy tales. He was planning on sharing it with his little brother and sister.
The group all moved to check out only when there was an announcement that the library would be closing in 5 minutes. They were all surprised to find that it was starting to get dark. "Aunty is going to be worrying." Susan said.
"How quickly can we get back?" Lisa added. "My mother also said I had to be home by dark."
Harry looked around and then to the bus schedule. It would be another 20 minutes before it next ran. "Come on." He finally said leading the group to an alley that was deserted and already empty.
"Harry what are we doing?" Hermione asked
"Trust me?" He asked her eyebrow raised.
Hermione looked away biting her tongue to keep from making a comment or more likely a demand.
"Dobby. Siv. Laos." Harry called.
The others looked at him strange until there were 3 near silent pops. They all looked at the house elves.
"Brilliant." Neville said. "Dobby that's the elf that near killed you last year?"
Dobby turned an odd yellow hue as he blushed, head bowed. Harry put a kind hand on his head. "In his defense he was trying to save my life. He's asked me to join the Potter family and I agreed. Guys these are my friends and they are all going to be in trouble if we don't get them back to Diagon soon."
"Harry Sir wants us to pop his friends back to the Alley?" Dobby asked. Harry nodded with a smile. "We's can do that easily Sir. But only two each."
"Alright. Dobby take Tracey and Daphne. Siv you take Hannah and Susan. And Laos take Lisa and Terry. Then come right back for the rest of us." The three elves did as he bid them with a chorus of 'Yes Sirs.'
Once they were gone, Harry turned to Hermione. "One thing you are going to have to adjust too is this." He told her stepping over and putting his arm around Theo's waist. "We are in a magical contract. I won't tell you which one because it's personal. But we are going to be together for the rest of our lives."
Hermione looked at the two of them, one of her hands coming up to cover her mouth her eyes wide and sad. "Oh Harry. How can that be?" She asked looking between them.
"Like I said it's private. BUT..." He said heading her off. "I will tell you some about what is going on at my birthday party. It will be on the 31st. I'll tell you more in a week or so. I don't have all the details right now."
Hermione narrowed her eyes, she hated waiting but she would do it for Harry. "Fine but I expect a full explanation."
Harry shook his head just as the elves arrived again. "No Hermione. I will tell you what I can about the situation. I have secrets and private things that I can't or won't share." He told her "And you are just going to have to accept that too."
Hermione crossed her arms. "I don't like it but I suppose." She nodded with begrudging acceptance.
Harry nodded as well. "Dobby can take Theo and me while Laos takes Neville and Siv pops Blaise and Hermione." The elves nodded and did as they were told.
Once they had gathered all of their things, the group said their goodbyes and all headed for home.
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AN: This took forever. So sorry
I don't know about in other countries but here in the USA when you get a new library card you have a limit of 1-3 books for the first couple visits depending on the library. So I went with one book each.
Fun fact: R.L. Stine's first Goosebumps book was published in 1992.