Author Note: The real world can be a very busy place. Muses can get lost and distracted. But here we are with some plot movement and an ominous turn of events. Cliffhangers abound. Will this dastardly plot be found? Stay tuned...
The Brown residence was amazing Hermione thought. It was an old stone manor house dating back to the 1600s when the Brown family had made their fortune. It had the usual sort of furnishings that a muggle house would like electric lights and television. They even had a hoover they used to clean their carpets.
Lavender had explained that unlike some in the magical world her family did not flaunt their magic, especially as they had a lot of business dealings with muggles in the nearby village. So the more public rooms of the house were very subtle about their magic. While places like Lavender's room had a great deal more.
The guest room they put Hermione in was across the corridor from Lavender's room and made Hermione gape at it. There was a large four poster bed, its own fireplace and a bathroom just for her.
"Wow. This is nice." Hermione said grinning.
"Yeah one of my ancestors liked their luxuries and used magic to make the water heater supply infinite hot water, as well as making sure every bedroom had its own bathroom so there was no arguing or fighting." She laughed, "He had four daughters and three sons."
Hermione chuckled, "That would make it pretty important to get up early then."
"Yeah. Since I'm an only child though it makes for a lot of empty space." Lavender said glumly sitting on the bed.
"Oh." Hermione sat beside her friend wondering if she should ask the question she wanted to.
Lavender must have sensed her curiosity and said, "Its okay. Mum got hit by a curse in the last few days. She was a healer at Saint Mungo's and refused to hand over some muggle-borns to the Death Eaters. She couldn't have any more children after me."
"Oh wow." Hermione said in awe. "Your mum sounds like a hero too."
"She just saw it as doing the right thing. But its okay. I've got you now. And that's the same as having a sister. If you don't mind." Lavender said with a shy hopeful smile.
"I'd like that." Hermione agreed.
…...
"And this is our library." Lavender said as they walked into a rather large room lined with bookshelves the next day. They had spent the previous night getting Hermione settled in and comfortable.
Hermione looked around impressed, "Harry would love it in here."
"Most of these are muggle books but we keep the really magical one's in a more private room." Lavender explained quietly.
"Hey. Do you have any biographies or something that might have that Flamel guy in it?" Hermione suddenly asked.
Lavender thought for a moment then nodded, "Yeah, which library do you want to check in first? He was well known in the muggle world too."
"Since we're in this room we should check here first then you can show me the other room." Hermione said with an excited grin. "We might be on the edge of a deeper mystery."
"Maybe." Lavender agreed as they sought the books about Flamel.
…...
"Why was none of this in the books at school?" Hermione asked in frustration pointing at the biography of Flamel she was holding.
"I have no idea." Lavender said with a shrug.
"I wonder if Harry knows about this or has found it out."
"You could call him and find out." Lavender said with a grin, "Or you could maybe visit him."
"Your parents would let you use the phone?" Hermione asked in concern, "but he lives near London that's got to be a long distance call."
"I've called my cousin that lives in Philadelphia in America before. Dad doesn't care as long as I'm not making prank calls."
Hermione sighed as she smiled, "Sorry. Back where I used to live merely touching the phone was enough to get me, punished."
Lavender patted her on the arm, "Well you're not there so let's call him."
Hermione bit her lip before saying, "One problem with that. I have his address but not his phone number."
"How did you manage that one?" Lavender asked in a resigned tone.
"Well I didn't know where I would be staying and the castle doesn't have phones so I thought I would be writing to him. So I only asked him for his address."
"Well if you have that we could take the knight bus I suppose. And maybe go over to Diagon to do some Christmas shopping." Lavender grinned with a twinkle in her eyes.
"I suppose so. Let's go ask your dad." Hermione agreed.
Both girls ran into the barn where Charles was talking to the veterinarian about the bull. They waited until he was done and the man had gotten back into his truck to drive off.
"So what do the dynamic duo want now?" He asked with a warm smile.
"Dad can I have some gold to go to visit a friend of ours then shop in Diagon alley?" Lavender asked batting her eyelashes winsomely.
"You are becoming a right terror young lady." He shook his head, "Both of you I suppose?"
"Well yes of course dad." Lavender huffed, "And I know we're not supposed to let Hermione out of our sight and I won't. I'll even bring Mira with me."
"I'll give her orders to bring the two of you right back here in the first hint of danger. Understand me?" He warned.
"I understand." Lavender and Hermione both said.
"Alright. And who are you going to go visit and where?" Charles asked looking earnestly at them.
"A friend from school." Lavender offered.
"So a boy." Charles said sitting on a fence.
"Uh. Yeah." Lavender confessed, "His name is Harry Potter. He's a muggle-born and lives in Crawley."
"That means no magic and Mira will have to stay hidden." He pointed out.
"I know. But its really important dad. Please?" Lavender batted her eyelashes and pouted slightly.
He muttered briefly before saying, "Fine. You're old enough to know the rules and with Mira along you should be safe enough. Remember behave yourselves and no trouble."
"Thanks daddy." Lavender squealed hugging him before spinning and grabbing Hermione's hand, "We need to go change clothes."
…...
The ride on the Knight Bus was something Hermione would not even know how to describe if someone asked. It combined the practicalities of a normal bus ride with the thrill of an amusement park ride with the added uncertainty of not knowing if the next maneuver would be the time they actually crashed or not. All while riding in the mobile equivalent of a Victorian drawing room, including swaying chandelier. Which added the threat of being crushed to death Hermione considered.
Lavender and her stumbled a little bit walking down the street towards the Potter home. "That was amazing. Is it always like that?" Hermione asked in awe.
Lavender looking quite green around the edges nodded, "Unfortunately yes."
"Wicked." Hermione enthusiastically gushed.
Lavender just nodded sagely nodded and remained silent as they approached a nice house along a quiet street.
"Well this is it." Hermione said steeling herself she rang the bell.
Harry opened the door a few moments later with a confused expression, looking around he asked, "How did you get here?"
"We took an infernal contraption called the Knight Bus. May we come in as I need to use the loo." Lavender quickly said.
Harry stepped aside to let the two girls enter. "Its on the left."
"Thank you." Lavender said and quickly headed for the required room.
Harry turned to Hermione once she had entered, "Hello. I was only expecting a letter."
"I would have called but I forgot to ask for your number." She said looking around the nice and tidy house.
"Oh. Sorry. So what brings you here?" he asked as Lavender reappeared.
"We found out about Nicholas Flamel. He created something called the Philosopher's stone which can give someone immortality." Hermione summarized. "He was in a biography Lavender had in her library.
Harry smiled, "I know. I found him in a book I had here too."
"Oh. So if a muggle family can have a book with him and this information in it then why can't the school?" Hermione asked.
Harry frowned, "Someone must have removed it or used magic to prevent us finding out about it."
"But why would they do that?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged, "Because they felt that we shouldn't know for some reason."
Lavender huffed, "Well now that we know how does this help us?"
"Well we know what he's going after. They've got the Philosopher's stone in the castle." Hermione declared.
"Why would Professor Dumbledore do that though?" Harry frowned, "That would place students at risk."
Hermione looked like she was trying to think, "I don't know. But maybe he has some kind of plan?"
Harry looked skeptically at her, "Not a very good one if we can figure it out."
"Well can you think of something better?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked thoughtfully at the wall, "Unfortunately I do not have sufficient information to formulate a hypothesis."
Both girls looked at him before Lavender said, "Can you use smaller words."
Harry frowned, "I can. I just." he stopped talking as Hermione put her hand on his arm.
Hermione smiled, "Its okay. I understood."
Harry blushed briefly before asking, "Okay. Now that the great information hunt has been resolved what would you like to do now?"
"Well I need to go shopping for some gifts, as does Hermione, so you could come along if you want." Lavender said, "Another wand to guard our golden girl would not be a bad thing."
Harry smiled, "Twould be my honor miladies, permit me to change forthwith so that I may equal your fairness."
Lavender giggled as Hermione stood looking at Harry in confusion, "Oh go on you while I translate for Hermione."
…...
The three had ridden the knight bus once more to Diagon Alley. Passing through the Leaky Cauldron they managed not to be noticed. Harry had needed to exchange some of his pound notes into Galleons so the first place they headed was the bank.
Harry had gotten into line leaving Lavender and Hermione to wait in the lobby. Hermione examined the place as she had been far too confused, nervous and excited to pay too much attention the last time she had been here.
The marble columns had Goblin faces carved into their tops. She didn't recognize any of them but thought they all seemed to have a certain gravity about them. The floor was a highly polished deep gray stone that did not reflect the light very well. As she was wearing a skirt she appreciated that.
She was looking at a painting on the wall of some sailors trying to save a sinking ship and wondering why a bank would have that hanging when she heard an unfortunately familiar voice behind her. Lavender had gone to the loo as Harry was stuck behind a tall wizard trying to convert some sort of Moldavian Daktaries into Galleons so he could convert them into pounds.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be at the castle?" Draco Malfoy sneered. "Interesting."
Hermione turned to glare at the blonde. "Where I am or am not is none of your concern."
Draco laughed, "No its none of my concern at all. You're correct. However when my father hears about this."
"He'll do what Malfoy?" Lavender had returned and just in time Hermione thought.
Draco smirked, "Oh of course you brought your girlfriend to fight your battles for you. Always getting someone else to do it for you. First mum and dad then."
Hermione had stepped closer to Draco when a tall blonde haired aristocratic woman placed her hand on his shoulder, "That will be enough Draco. There is no need to aggravate the riff-raff. Especially not here and now."
Draco glanced to his left and right to see that several Goblins had come closer to them. Their hands were reaching under their jackets for something so he almost lost his smirk but said, "You are right as always mother. Baiting this one is far too easy."
"Just a hallmark of breeding." Draco's mother sneered then guided her son out of the bank.
"I'm glad you did not draw your wand." Harry said walking swiftly over.
"Why?" Hermione huffed her bangs out of her face angrily. Lavender's hair style having failed by now.
"Because due to the treaty of 1656 Gringotts Bank is considered extra territorial to the Ministry laws and part of Goblin Territory. Technically we are not even on U.K. soil here as the treaty was signed by Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth and then ratified again by Charles the Second." Harry rattled off quickly. "Which means that if you had drawn a wand it could have ended very badly."
Hermione looked at the Goblins who had resumed their positions in the corner of the room. Unobtrusively observing everyone they could. "Oh. I wasn't going to use a spell on him. I was just going to punch him."
Harry raised his eyebrow, "Oh well that would have been slightly better. I suppose."
Lavender shook her head, "He's not worth risking chipping a nail over. C'mon. I want to get some ice cream now."
Hermione looked at Lavender with a grin, "That sounds like an excellent idea."
Harry sighed as he followed the two girls wondering if there was a book that helped understand them.
…...
The three had enjoyed their ice cream at Fortescue's shop, his happiness to have them there ensured they got an extra scoop for free 'accidentally'. Once finished they moved from shop to shop, with each of them trying to decide what to get the others and keep it a secret. Hermione had no idea as she had never been able to shop, or had anyone to shop for, before. She settled on a nice used book for Harry about Anglo-Saxon kings and a magic nail polish kit for Lavender that changed colors based on the mood of the person.
They had ridden back to Harry's house on the knight bus. There was a large green Land Rover in the driveway alongside a smaller Vauxhaul wagon.
"Oh good my aunt and uncle are here." Harry cheerfully said. "Can you guys stay for dinner. I want you to meet them."
"Uh I'll have to call home if you don't mind." Lavender said.
"Sure. Dad won't mind." Harry said leading the two girls into the house.
Hermione saw four adults and another boy around her own age sitting in the living room. The one male was tall and wide reminding her of Hagrid slightly. He had a huge walrus mustache that was twitching back and forth as the adults laughed at something.
The other adult male looked like an older version of Harry only with hazel eyes. He had a warm smile and his eyes lit up when he saw Harry come in with Hermione and Lavender.
The two women looked so different Hermione had no idea they could be sisters. The one was tall and gaunt with long wavy black hair while the other was shorter, plumper and had Harry's brilliant green eyes.
The young boy was chubby and sitting on the couch reading a book. Otherwise he was a fair blending of his two parents.
"Hello sport. Amazing the things you can find at the library eh?" The tall man with the mustache said heartily.
Harry blushed slightly before saying, "Uncle Vernon these are my friends from school Hermione Granger and Lavender Brown."
"Ahh Hello. Brown. Brown. You wouldn't happen to be of the Bristol browns would you?" Vernon asked.
"Uh no. The Herfordshire Browns." Lavender replied.
"Ahh. Quite alright though." Vernon said, "Well since introductions are in order this is my wife Petunia, and our son Dudley. This is James and my sister in law Lily."
The named people smiled at the girls politely. Although the boy's eyes glanced up and down each girl in an appraising and calculating manner.
"Charmed." Lavender said.
"I invited them for dinner. Is that alright dad?" Harry asked.
His dad seemed to be caught off guard but replied, "Certainly. Do your parents know about this or do you need to contact them?"
"I should call home. May I use your phone?" Lavender asked.
"Oh yes. The kitchen one would be fine, Harry dear could you show the young lady?" Harry's mother replied.
Harry and Lavender stepped out leaving Hermione to stand in the middle of the room, nervously trying not to fidget.
Dudley stood and moved to sit between his parents on the couch, "You can have my seat." he said as he walked past Hermione.
"Oh thank you." Hermione said as she now sat nervously trying not to fidget.
"Relax child. We don't bite." Petunia said. "So you go to that, special, school Harry does?"
"Yes ma'am." Hermione was not certain how much she could tell them but they did seem to know about Harry being magical.
"Oh that is so wonderful. I have always loved the idea of being a witch and brewing up some trouble in my cauldron." Petunia laughed.
Lily giggled along, "Oh yes. I know it would be nice to give someone like little Bobby Waldron a sleeping potion. Little blighter bit my finger when I was working on him today."
"Do you have a broom?" Dudley asked suddenly.
Hermione smiled slightly, "Yes. I do. I'm sorry. I'm not certain how much I'm allowed to tell you about the magical things."
"Oh yes. Harry has told us about some of the rules and such. Pish posh. People are a lot better than the olden days. Why fear something as wonderful as magic." Vernon said waving his hand. "Being able to turn some of that slop they serve at the work canteen into a good hearty steak and potatoes would be wonderful."
"Yes, of course you would think that dear." Petunia teased patting her husband's ample belly.
"Well as you always say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." he chuckled heartily.
Standing up Petunia kissed him on the cheek, "No dear, its in between the fourth and fifth ribs, but I suppose the stomach would work too."
Lily stood up, "Don't worry Hermione. My sister wouldn't really do that. She's a librarian."
Petunia stopped and grinning said, "Of course not dear. That would be far too messy. Now shall we cook dinner. I found this lovely recipe book by Lucretia Borgia."
Lily joined her sister on the way to the kitchen, "Oh good. I may have some leftover arsenic from last time." The two women laughing as they went.
Hermione looked confused and concerned but since the two husbands seem to find it funny she did not get too worried.
Lavender and Harry returned at that point, "Mum and dad said its okay."
"Oh good. And Hermione I'm sorry my wife and her sister have a rather unfortunately odd sense of humor." James said with a grin.
"Makes life that much more entertaining with my little pet." Vernon guffawed.
"Dudley asked if I had a broom and I wasn't certain how much I could tell him." Hermione said feeling slightly out of her depth.
"Oh we can talk about a lot of it. We just can't show them anything neat yet." Lavender replied.
Dudley perked up, "In that case is it true there are ghosts in your castle?"
"Oh certainly a lot of them." Lavender replied. "We have a lot of them We even have a ghost for each house that acts like a sort of spirit advisor and all."
Dudley grinned, "That sounds like it would be amazing. The things you could learn from talking to them."
Hermione began to understand why Harry was the way he was with the way the conversation flowed among all of them. Dudley was fascinated by knights in armor and how they fought and lived. Vernon was a gregarious cheerful man who enjoyed his meals and drink. While James was a calm studious man who loved Gilbert and Sullivan.
Hermione wound up trying to explain what flying a broom was like to the others rapt attention when Harry told them how she was the star player on the Quidditch team. Which then required explaining what the game was and how it was played.
"And here I thought rugby was a rough and tumble sport." Vernon grunted, "Sounds like you've got the easy position though."
"Its not that easy uncle. She has to pay attention to the score and only get the snitch when it would be most beneficial while still preventing the other seeker from getting it. And in league play they have a clock they have to worry about otherwise the game can be decided with no one getting the snitch." Harry explained going to his room to pull out a rulebook.
"Why do you have a rulebook for Quidditch?" Lavender asked.
"Ron is always going on about his Chudleigh Cannons and how Slytherin is doing all sorts of illegal fouls and plays and I wanted to be able to understand the game better to argue with him. Although he does not base many of his arguments on rational foundations." Harry frowned. "He is a very emotional person."
Lily laughed before giving her son a kiss on top of his head, "You'll find that many of the best people are very emotional. Now come along dinner is ready. And boys no books at the table. You remember what happened the last time you spilled soup on a book Dudley?"
Dudley nodded, "Yes aunt Lily." Sliding the book he had onto the coffee table next to him. Hermione saw that it was a biography of a knight named William Thatcher.
Petunia sighed, "You can still talk about it Dudders."
He smiled, "I know I was planning on it."
Vernon stood guffawing heartily, "Well let's not stand on ceremony then. I smell a delicious roast coming from the kitchen that is calling to us."
Petunia took her husband's arm, "Then come along dear. The arsenic does get so bad when it gets cold."
"Ohh. I do hope so." He said laughing. "Gives it that extra tartness."
Hermione looked at Harry who shrugged, "My family is rather, odd."
Taking his arm she smiled, "They are nice. I like them."
Harry blushed but smiled at her, "Really?"
"Yes indeed."
…...
Dinner was filled with laughter, jokes and discussion about the latest books that came out, movies based on books and some inquiries as to how Hermione and Harry's friendship was going. Dudley teased Harry a little bit that he had two girlfriends causing Hermione to blush and Harry to scowl at him.
"Yes well at least I have girls interested in being around me." Harry retorted smugly.
Dudley raised his eyebrow, "I am waiting until I am old enough to understand and appreciate girls better."
James laughed, "Better not wait too long there sport. I'm still trying to understand women."
Vernon gave another of his guffaws and said, "Ahh I appreciate the mysteries of the female. It makes life entertaining and worth waking up for each day."
Petunia patted his hand and smiling said, "Yes. Indeed dear."
"We had better get home." Lavender said when the clock struck eight.
"Oh. Well thank you for coming. You're welcome back at any time." Lily said with a smile.
"Oh yes. I would love to see how you do at bridge" Vernon said rubbing his hands. We do need some fresh blood since James has such a obvious tell."
James placed his hand over his heart, "Thou dost wound me foul knave."
"Then draw your spades master Potter and meet me in the den!' Vernon said assuming a dueling stance.
"I shall see you on the field of honor good sir!" James responded.
"I'll walk you guys out." Harry said, "Then I may have to call Bedlam and let them know they are missing a couple of guests."
Lily gave Hermione and Lavender a soft hug, "Harry is just a bit embarrassed. We enjoy life and living it to the fullest. He's afraid we might have scared you off."
Hermione laughed, "No. I liked tonight. You guys are neat."
James smiled, "You hear that Vern? The girl thinks we are neat."
Vern bowed, "Then with that great compliment I shall bid you adieu young lady and look forward to your many returns with my nephew."
Petunia smiled at Hermione as well, "Yes. You seem like such a nice young girl. Are you certain you want to be associated with this group?"
Hermione looked sideways at Harry smiling. "Yes ma'am. I really do."
Harry was blushing furiously, "Well they have to get going. The evening is getting late."
Lavender sensing Harry's discomfort said, "Uh yes. We have to catch the bus so good evening everyone. Thank you we will visit again."
Once outside Harry groaned, "Thanks. I'm sorry about them."
Hermione laughed and shrugged, "I didn't mind it. You have a nice family."
"Yes. Just rather loud and chaotic." Harry sighed in resignation.
"Maybe they would let you come to Lavender's for Christmas?" Hermione asked as they walked down the path towards the curb.
"I'm sorry we already had plans. Uncle Vernon plays Father Christmas at the local community center giving out gifts and basically enjoying being around the kids. Dudley and I get," He paused, "Get to play elves." He said distastefully.
"That doesn't sound all that bad." Hermione replied.
"I do not look well in green tights." Harry said.
Hermione grinned mischievously, "Maybe you can show me sometime and I can give you a second opinion."
"Behave yourself." Lavender playfully scolded.
"I thought I was." Hermione stuck her tongue out.
Harry laughed before asking "So how are you getting back?"
Hermione grinned wildly, "Oh something fun and amazing. Its called the knight bus and its a wild ride!"
She looked around carefully and drew her wand.
"I am not riding that death trap back. Mira you can show yourself." Lavender said quickly.
A small pale pink being wearing a towel tied around it like a toga suddenly appeared. It stood almost three foot tall and had large blue eyes. Smiling at Lavender she said, "Yes mistress."
Harry and Hermione both stepped back in surprise. Although Harry quickly recovered and began to study the being, "Are you a house elf?"
"Yes Mister Harry Potter sir. Mira is one of the Brown family elves."
"She's helped take care of me since I was a baby." Lavender said.
"Mistress Lavender was a good child." Mira said proudly.
"I am pleased to meet you." Harry said holding his hand out.
Shaking it Mira said, "Mira likes this one."
Lavender said, "So does Hermione and I."
Hermione bashfully turned to face Harry and said, "Well good night Harry."
Harry awkwardly stood with his hands twitching at his sides before Lavender said, "Oh just give the boy a hug."
Hermione gave him a quick squeeze around the waist that he returned with a bright blush.
"Goodnight." Harry managed to stammer out as Mira took Hermione and Lavender's hands.
Hermione was still waving when the world faded out and then faded into Lavender's bedroom.
"Thanks Mira, could you tell mum and dad we're back. I'm going to change clothes for bed." Lavender asked.
"Yes mistress." Mira said then vanished.
Hermione looked disappointed, "I had fun on the bus."
Lavender shook her head, "Given the way you ride your broom I am not at all surprised."
Hermione sat on her friend's bed grinning, "I had fun. Harry's family is nice."
"They seem to be happy." Lavender agreed, "What do you think of my family?"
"Well they're nice too. Just differently nice." Hermione replied after considering for a moment.
"Cool." Lavender said as they chatted about their day.
…...
Ron Weasley was walking back to the Gryffindor common room when Professor Quirrel stepped out of the shadows.
"h-h-hello M-mister Weasley. A m-m-moment of your tt-t-time?"
Ron knew that Hermione had said not to trust him or Snape. Not that Ron needed much prodding to distrust Snape as he was a Slytherin. "Uh. I suppose sir." Ron said though as he was still a professor. He would just have to be careful and ready to run or scream.
"G-goo-d. I was w-w-ondering w-here-re your friend Miss Granger went?"
"She's in the castle." Ron replied remembering what he was supposed to say.
"R-re-ally? Sh-she hasn-t c-come to meals."
"She hasn't been feeling really well." Ron tried to take another step but the brown eyes of the professor seemed to be boring into his brain making his legs not want to work.
"Come now Mister Weasley. We are men of action, lies do not become us." Quirrel replied smoothly in a more guttural voice. His stutter vanishing as he stood taller.
Ron began to become very nervous and actually took a step backwards, "Neat job curing your stammer."
Quirrel gave a mirthless grin replying in that guttural voice again, "Yes. Indeed. Legilemens!"
Ron froze as the power of the spell infiltrated his mind. He began to watch as his memories of the last several days rewound before his eyes. Some of them rather personal and private memories that he did not want the professor seeing. The parade of memories continued until they reached the last time he had seen Hermione and then reversed and started playing again. He recalled the last conversation he had with her as she said she was going to be in the library as she had said goodbye to their friends who were going home. He had gone back to the tower and not seen her again.
"Interesting. I doubt she managed to escape our clutches without help." Quirrel said in a guttural voice.
In his normal voice Quirrel replied, "Well there's that then. No need to continue with this one."
"No, I have plans that this one will be useful for." Quirrel's guttural voice self replied.
The last thing Ron knew before the world went black was seeing Quirrel maliciously grinning at him as he said the word "Imperious."
Review Reponses:
Atomikboots: Thank you. I am trying to work on it.
Smithblack: Cool glad you are enjoying.
Dennisud: Thanks I reread the book to refresh my mind so glad it paid off. Not that one really needs an excuse to read. Lol.
Ariandi: Thank you. I do like to let Dumbledore be the good guy sometimes. And hopefully this little bit of interaction between Hermione and Harry's family was enjoyable.
KGFinkel: No her brother is named John Bates. Works as a valet. Her cousin in America is named Norman...as for the joke you are welcome.. lolol.