A short chapter to show how summer is going for the Golden Trio, after their troubles of first year.

HERMIONE IV

"YEAH!"

A part of the crowd exploded as another goal was scored. Hermione was part of this crowd. The team who just scored retreated back into a defensive position while the keeper retrieved the ball. After waiting a moment, he sent it to another player of his team. The ball kept going from one player to another, getting closer to the net. They were at three-quarters of the terrain when Harry slid and pushed the ball to one of his teammates.

"Yes, Harry! Let's go!" his mother shouted. She was sitting next to Hermione.

They sat on the metallic benches on the side of the field, watching Harry play football. Hermione looked at the scoreboard on the other side of the field. There were only ten minutes and twenty-seven seconds left. Harry's team led 2-0. Judging by the limited numbers of goals within a game, and how close to the end they were, Hermione doubted they would lose today. She took another gulp of her smoothie. The temperature was very high today. They were in the middle of a heat wave. She didn't know how Harry did to play in these conditions. Hermione felt like she was roasting despite her light clothes. Harry's mother was dressed in a similar way. It had almost surprised Hermione to see her like this as the few times she saw Mrs Evans, she either wore pants with a jacket over a top with long sleeves, when she wanted to dress as a Muggle, or dark and long robes when she dressed as a witch.

Hermione herself had never been a huge sports fan. She moderately liked Quidditch, of course, like every wizard and witch, but she wasn't the kind of person who usually sat to watch people play for hours. Her parents though, being dentists, forced her to make sports activities along with ensuring she followed a good diet for health purposes. One of their main concerns when she went to Hogwarts was that the food they served there was balanced. However, if it was to watch a friend play, she quite enjoyed it, like when Harry played Quidditch at Hogwarts.

She watched Harry remove the ball from another player of the opposing team again, and passing it to one of his own teammates.

"Let's go the wizard! Come on! Show us some magic!"

The man who just shouted was Harry's coach. Hermione looked at Mrs Evans. "They know Harry is a wizard?" she whispered to the woman. Luckily enough, the benches were not packed and there was enough distance between them and the other parents and spectators to make sure they wouldn't hear them.

Lily Evans smiled. "He told his friends on his team about two years ago. They didn't believe him, but they started calling him the wizard on the field, to laugh. But Harry is so good at taking control of the ball that they kept using the nickname for this reason. It just stuck."

"Is this not a little dangerous?"

"Muggles don't know that magic exists, Hermione. And Harry's powers never manifested during a game."

Still, Hermione was not sure. She watched Harry's team passing the ball between them and taking a shot that hit the left pole of the net before going out the lines. The opposing team now attacked.

"How did you manage to register Harry on a team? The season starts before we leave school," she asked.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve," she told Hermione, a smirk displayed on her face. Hermione wondered what she meant exactly. "I couldn't let my son alone in our apartment the whole summer. I'm too busy with my training. It would be stupid if he didn't have summer activities. Too bad there is no stadium for his favourite sport, though."

Hermione had no problem understanding this. In the heart of London, it was impossible for Harry to play Quidditch. How could you fly a broomstick in the most populated city of England?

The game came to an end. Harry's team had won 2-0. The team held a reunion at the end, but Harry didn't linger much afterwards. He ran to his mother and Hermione with his sports bag.

"We won," he said stated.

"We know, Harry. We watched the game, have you forgotten?" Hermione asked.

"Well, you know what victory means?" Mrs Evans asked.

Hermione remembered at this moment what it meant indeed. Harry's mother bought them a large ice cream cone for each. They ate on their way back to the apartment, something Hermione was sure her parents would disapprove.

"So, Hermione? Do you still find the game boring?" Harry asked her on their way, his mother walking not far ahead.

"Well, I wouldn't watch it if you weren't playing," Hermione answered sincerely. "It can be amusing, but I don't have much time for this. My parents are the real football fans. They are supporters of Manchester United. Our living room turns into a stadium every time they play. Do you have a favourite team?"

"Yes, Liverpool. But I'm more of a player than a watcher. And since I learned that I was a wizard, it's more the Quidditch professional games that I follow."

"Just like Ronald. And he speaks loudly, very loudly, about the Chudley Cannons, if you know what I mean."

"What, Ron managed to call you with a phone?" Harry asked, obviously surprised.

"Yes. He didn't try with you?"

"Yes, he did. It's just... well... I wasn't sure..."

Hermione understood what he meant and went on to explain. "Look, I still find Ronald noisy, impertinent sometimes lazy, and he complains way too much about too many things, but he helped us in those dungeons. He's a good friend. I won't take that away from him."

This seemed to reassure Harry, and to make him very happy. It was true. After the events at the end of last year, Hermione had come to consider Ronald Weasley as a friend. She couldn't pretend he wasn't one after he got almost killed by that giant chess queen. She understood now why he and Harry had been good friends. Perhaps there were aspects of his personality that were unsufferable, but in the moments when you really needed him, he was there.

"When you say he is noisy... Do you mean he screamed at you too when he called you?" Harry asked her.

Hermione grumbled and looked in his eyes. "It was as if he believed I wouldn't hear, as if I was on the other side of the world. He screamed at you too the first time?"

"Yes. He never used a phone before, Hermione. Don't be too hard with him."

"Apparently, his father is very knowledgeable about Muggle technology. I thought he would have explained Ron how to use a phone," she continued.

"He probably did, but Ron..."

"Well, he should use his common sense. I didn't know anything about the world of wizards before I received my letter for Hogwarts, and I didn't end up cleaning my dormitory with a flying broomstick."

Harry laughed at this moment. Hermione joined him after a moment. Harry was laughing much more easily than she did. But well, it was good to have a friend who took things more lightly than she did. Hermione had a tendency to take most things in life very seriously, a little like her parents.

Hermione had always been at the top at school, from as far as she could remember, even before she arrived at Hogwarts. As such, she earned a reputation of bookworm long before she embarked on the Hogwarts Express, a reputation that followed her at the school for witchcraft and wizardry. She had very few friends in elementary school, and as a result, she buried herself into books and studies even more. Her parents told her a few times that they were worried she had so few people at school she got along with.

The same pattern happened at Hogwarts. From the very beginning, on the Hogwarts Express, she felt alone. But she was also excited to make her marks and prove to everyone she could be the best witch in the world, despite her origins. Then Neville had come to meet her, asking if she had seen his toad, Trevor. He looked so lost, so sad about losing it, she decided to help him. He was quite different from the boys she was used to, who looked down on her. Neville just asked for her help, kindly, and she helped him the best she could. While she checked the whole train, she fell upon Ronald and Harry. She found Ron displeasing and rude at first sight. Harry was kinder, and she was excited when he told her his name. She began to find him irresponsible and stupid afterwards, especially when he took flight during their first flying lesson against Madam Hooch's orders, but she was also impressed by his skills on a broomstick, and by his willingness to break rules to retrieve Neville's Remembrall, though it was still stupid. She had to admit she was relieved to hear he wouldn't be expelled, and very surprised that McGonagall placed him on Gryffindor's Quidditch team. She was also impressed that he managed to answer one of the three questions Snape asked him at their first Potions class. She even congratulated him afterwards.

But then happened the night when he and Ronald left their common room in the middle of the night for a duel with Malfoy, which was obviously a trap, and could have gotten them in a lot of trouble. This was a pure act of stupidity and recklessness. Though now that she knew Malfoy better, she could understand to a certain degree why they went there. It was only after Halloween that she considered Harry a real friend. Harry was definitely not as knowledgeable and intelligent within a classroom as she was, but he was the only one who came to see her while she shut herself inside the toilets and who insisted to make sure she was alright, and who really tried to lift up her spirits. He was the first in Hogwarts to truly say something kind to her. She was quite touched by this, and after they dealt with the troll that night, he became her best friend. Ronald only became one as well after their adventure into the dungeons months later.

Although she sometimes disagreed with his behavior, she liked that Harry took things more lightly sometimes. Even the fact he could get himself and others into trouble was quite pleasant, since he did it for noble reasons most of the time. Hermione had to concede she sometimes felt thrilled by the idea of breaking rules. But more than anything, Harry was a very good friend, someone she could rely on.

"Here we are," her best friend in question said all of a sudden.

They arrived before an old tower that seemed abandoned, hence its name, the Abandoned Tower. It had broken windows and a gloomy appearance. They turned into an alley right next to it and walked deep into. Unlike many alleys in London, there were no homeless people nor anyone lingering there. They turned left towards a condemned door which they walked through without opening it.

On the other side, they were welcomed by a beautiful entrance hall that was perfectly lit by huge windows. The door outside acted like a barrier, just like at King's Cross, but this one opened to a tower where about twenty families of wizards lived, right next to the Muggles but out of reach for their eyes. This was where Harry lived with his mother since he came back home for his summer vacations. They climbed a few stairs before they arrived before the door that gave on their new apartment.

Hermione had never gone into Harry's old apartment, the one he and his mother occupied when they lived among the Muggles, but according to him, their new home was bigger and better lit. Windows in their apartment were as large as in the entrance hall. They had a vast living room and a modern kitchen with all necessary accessories. There were three rooms, one for Harry, one for his mother and one for guests, which Hermione occupied during the last week. She would leave at the end of the afternoon, when her own mother would come to bring her back home. It was a pity she couldn't invite Harry at her own home, but her parents were bringing her on vacations in Spain for most of the rest of the summer. She wouldn't be able to visit Ronald either because of that. It was a shame. Harry himself told her how excited he was to visit the Burrow.

"It would be better if you took a shower right away, Harry," his mother then told him. Indeed, she was right. Hermione had to agree with her. Her friend went to the bathroom without complaints and closed the door. It wasn't long before they heard water running.

"You want something to drink, Hermione?" Mrs Evans asked her.

"Yes. Orange juice, please."

"Right away." Harry's mother filled two big glasses with orange liquid and brought one to Hermione. "So, what are you planning to do for your last afternoon here?"

"I think I'd like to finish our work for Professor Binns. We're almost through, Harry and I."

"If you want. But you can do something more relaxing if you wish." Harry's mother took a long gulp of orange juice. "After all, you will not see each other before September, which means in over a month."

"I know. That's why I want to finish this work with him before I leave. I'm the only one who takes notes for the entire course. No one else does. Imagine if Harry didn't have my notes for his homework."

Mrs Evans smiled at her. "You're very kind, Hermione."

"He's my friend."

Mrs Evans' smile widened further. She finished her own glass. Hermione still had half of hers to empty. "Well, I need to get back to work me too. But don't hesitate to interrupt me if you need anything."

On that, Mrs Evans left her alone to go into her bedroom that also served as an office, which she closed the door behind her. She had indeed been working a lot of time during Hermione's stay in their home. Hermione knew the training to become an Auror was very demanding, and she admired the dedication of Harry's mother, all the while she continued to take care of her son. Hermione also admired Harry about how he handled the situation. He woke up early every morning to prepare breakfast for her, and he often ended preparing dinner alone. Hermione tried to help him, but it was obvious that Harry was far better at cooking than she was. Cooking wasn't part of the cursus at Hogwarts.

Harry got out of the shower about fifteen minutes later, fresh as a rose, but his hair still untamed and messy as ever. She sometimes wondered if he shuffled it on purpose, but she never witnessed him actually do it. Perhaps he just didn't care about combing it. Hermione didn't mind very much, truth be told. She didn't give much attention to her hair either.

"So, homework in History of Magic?" he asked, as if he already knew the answer. He must have heard the conversation Hermione had with his mother. He didn't look particularly enthusiastic about doing it. This meant Hermione had to push him.

"Yes," she replied in her bossy way.

Harry sighed. "Okay. You lead the way."

They went into Harry's bedroom, where he had his personal desk. Two chairs were already in front of it. Hermione could hear Harry's mother writing something behind her door. They took place and resumed the work they had started yesterday.

Harry and Hermione had chosen very different topics for their respective dissertation. Hermione had chosen the 14th Century Wizarding Economic Bubble, which eventually led to the creation of Gringotts. Hermione was fascinated by the various periods of this economic crisis and its consequences. Harry had chosen quite a different and limited subject in comparison, by focusing on the Gargoyle Strike of 1911. He consulted Hermione's notes, which she had placed between them, quite often. Hermione had already exceeded the number of words Professor Binns had asked from them, and she was only at the middle of her dissertation. Harry was reaching the end of his. He exceeded the professor's request, but not as much as Hermione did.

After an hour spent in writing and searching about their topic, Harry stretched on his chair. Hermione was at a passage on the creation of Gringotts, in the final stretch of her work, but there was a fact she needed to include, and she couldn't find it in her notes.

"Harry, could I borrow your History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot?" Hermione asked. She had forgotten her own exemplary back at her home.

"Of course. It's in the living room, on the small table."

Hermione stood up and went to find it. The table in question was littered with books though, some open, some closed. Most of them belonged to Harry's mother. Future Aurors did have to read a lot.

Hermione was moving books in order to find the one she was looking for when she fell upon one that was open, with a drawing that attracted her attention. It represented a woman all dressed in black, with the bottom of her robes red, high boots in leather, a long wand in her right hand, and her left hand wearing a device she didn't recognize, but it looked like it contained a blade. But the eyes were what kept Hermione's attention on her face. The picture of this women was looking at her as if she could pierce all the secrets of Hermione's mind. The woman also had some freckles on her face. Her hood was raised and hid most of her head, but Hermione guessed her hair was black. She read the legend below the picture.

Evie Frye. Powerful witch of the Victorian era. Slayer of Jack the Ripper, the Witch Killer. Known to have brought from India fear-causing spells. Order of Merlin, First Class. Member of the Order of the Sacred Garter. Last known witch to be a member of the British Brotherhood of Assassins.

Hermione was intrigued by the text below the picture. She read a few lines on the page at the left. It was talking about a magical artifact called the Shroud of Eden. Hermione had never heard about this. She kept reading for some time, then someone walked behind her.

"Interesting reading?" Mrs Evans asked behind her shoulder. Hermione jumped in surprise.

"Sorry, Mrs Evans. I was... I was looking for the History of Magic and I..."

"Calm down, Hermione," Harry's mother said, almost laughing at the same time. "Curiosity is not a bad thing. But it happens to be the book I needed. I'm sorry to interrupt you."

She seized the book in question and closed it, the drawing of the woman disappearing. Hermione noticed a symbol on the book cover. It looked like an "A" without the horizontal line in the middle, and it had a curve bending downward underneath the letter. She also noticed the title of the book. Assassin Brotherhood. Reality and Myth. Hermione had never heard about this organization.

"What does it talk about?" Hermione asked.

"A secret society that presumably exists since the dawn of time. Muggles and wizards were apparently part of this organization. They dedicated their lives to hunting powerful magical artifacts in order to keep them away from people with bad intentions. Sometimes, I think they should have protected the Philosopher's Stone instead of Dumbledore."

"Why are you reading about them?" Hermione found their name quite strange and wondered why Aurors were to study them.

"They were experts in stealth and camouflage, but also secret assassinations." Now Hermione understood where their name came from. "Some of their tactics and strategies were adopted and adapted for the Aurors to use them when tracking and fighting forces of evil. Pardon me, Hermione. Work is waiting, for both of us, I believe."

Hermione woke up. Mrs Evans was right. She still had a dissertation to conclude. She resumed her search, quickly found the book from Bathilda Bagshot she should have been looking for since the beginning and went back to Harry's bedroom with it. She resumed her work there. Harry was very close to the end of his own dissertation. He was checking the beginning of her notes on the Strike, where the possible causes were detailed. This meant he was either reviewing his introduction or searching for a good way to conclude by reminding the origins of the Strike. Hermione accelerated the rhythm of her writing. Perhaps her own dissertation was too long. Or maybe it was too short. Once, Professor McGonagall told her homework was too long and needed to be more concise.

Hermione was about to conclude her work when Harry put down the final point to his own. "I think I've done it. What about you?" he asked her.

"I'm nearly over," she replied, still focused on her work.

"Okay. I can start reviewing your introduction if you want," he said, beginning the movement to look at the top of her parchment.

"Wait. I have to complete it first," she said, still writing furiously quickly.

"Alright."

Harry stood up and straightened again. Then he went to his bed, took the book he left there and started to read it. Hermione only saw him from the corner of her eyes, focused as she was on her work. Two minutes later, she had completed it. She sighed in relief, but now they had to review it.

"I'm done. Ready for review," she said, seizing Harry's parchment at the same time and starting to read it through it.

Harry remained on his bed reading his other book, which was apparently about the Tutshill Tornados, one of the thirteen professional Quidditch teams in England. He soon laid it back and went to review Hermione's parchment on his side. It was something she and Harry did sometimes, reviewing their respective work after they completed it. Hermione had several suggestions to make for Harry's copy, including adding further details in some instances or removing some in others, but overall this was a good homework. However, when she was done reviewing it, Harry was still halfway through her own. She waited for him to finish, but it was dinner time when he was finally done. Hermione, Harry and his mother dined after they prepared the meal together.

About half an hour later, Hermione's mother had arrived. She left after kissing Harry on the cheek and thanking Mrs Evans for her hospitality. She left through the magical barrier. Her mother could not enter. As a Muggle, the Muggle-Repelling Charm would make her leave if she approached the alley that led to it. Hermione climbed into the left seat at the head of the car, and her mother started driving.

"So, you've spent a good week, Hermione?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Did you brush your teeth on the morning and after every meal?"

Hermione wasn't surprised this was the second question her mother asked her.

Not much happened, I know, but we got to see characters enjoying some good summer time between their troubles.

Please review.

Next chapter: Ron