Hogwarts, Hormones And Everything Else

~ Chapter One - Settling In For a Bit ~

Harry was amazed at how quiet things seemed when they arrived back at the Granger's house. He had gotten used to the commotion at the hotel, with employees going about their jobs, and guests constantly moving around. The trip back on the Eurostar had been much more crowded as well. It seemed everyone had decided to come back from their holiday at the same time.

He and Hermione had tried going back to visit Crookshanks and Hedwig, but once they had gotten there, the car was so full of animals and baggage, that there was no room to move. They had looked at each other sadly, remembering the nice time they'd enjoyed on the way, and how the conductor tried to frighten them.

All they could do was take refuge back in their seats and see how much food, and how many types of soda they could eat and drink. It wasn't long before Hermione was looking a bit green, and she turned around to ask her Mom if she could help.

"Ah, I thought you two were indulging a bit too much. Just because you're allowed to eat anything you like on here, doesn't mean you have to try it all, Hermione. Hold on a sec." Harry watched, holding Hermione's hand, and hoping she wasn't going to be sick all over both of them, as Ivy carefully put her wand over the seat between himself and Hermione, and muttered " Digestivus Settlinus." To his, and, he could tell, Hermione's relief, her face had returned to a normal color and she had slowly sipped a ginger ale the rest of the way to London, resting her head on his shoulder.

But now they were back, and Chris and Ivy were turning on lights, and opening windows, then settling on the couch with the mail they hadn't had forwarded to Paris. Hermione was looking at the huge pile of luggage and shaking her head. Chris looked up and smiled wickedly at her, "Don't forget, dear daughter, most of your Paris purchases aren't here yet, we had them shipped. Like it or not, you'd better work on putting away what's already here." He shook his head and looked at Harry. "Every time we go away, I tell her the same thing, but does she remember?"

Harry laughed, thinking that Hermione was a bit spoiled by her parents, but he couldn't imagine her any other way. Besides, once they were at Hogwarts, and back in their robes, Hermione would be back to living in the library, so he thought she should enjoy her fun to the fullest.

They still had a trip to visit the Weasleys at the Burrow to look forward to, and there was a possibility Percy and Penelope would have their wedding within a week or two. The details hadn't been decided, but he knew Fred and George were already busily at work, stocking up on some joke items they thought would be suitable for their brother's big day. He'd heard Ginny, alternately begging them and scolding them not to be so hard on Percy, and to remember it was Penny's big day as well.

Fred had snorted derisively, and replied, "She knows what she's getting into, Ginny. Percy's head is bigger than ever, and Penny's going to have to learn to be part of this family somehow. Might as well let her see how it's going to be from the first, no shocks later on."

"Right," added George. "If they have kids, they'll be spending lots of time with Uncle George and Uncle Fred, we'd best break Penny in now."

Harry imagined it would be a snowy day in July before Percy would let THOSE uncles take any child of his for very long, but he'd kept his mouth shut. It would be fun to be an observer.

He sobered a bit as he remembered some of the events of the last school year. He'd come very close to not being around to even enjoy this summer, now he was thinking ahead to when Penelope and Percy were parents. As little as he wanted to, he wondered how things were between Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge. He had attempted to ask the headmaster, when they were together on his birthday, but Dumbledore had changed the subject, and instead, told Harry some stories about the days when he and Nicolas Flamel had been partners. Professor Dumbledore had looked so happy as he reminisced, Harry didn't have the heart to bring up anything that might have changed the mood to a gloomy one.

For now, though, he came back to the present to hear Hermione saying, "Harry, you've got quite a pile of things here too. And some of your birthday gifts had to be shipped. You're going to leave things here, aren't you? Even with that Charm Mom put on him, I wouldn't trust Dudley with some of these things."

Harry agreed with her. He was still feeling embarrassed whenever he thought of the mountain of gifts he had received for his birthday. He'd never expected such a celebration, then the Quidditch game to end the evening, and coming back in after the guests had left to find all of those strangely wrapped packages. Ivy and Hermione had obviously given out some ideas for things he might like, and he could imagine what a stir it had made when some of the guests, who were accustomed to shopping only in Diagon Alley, had appeared in some of the muggle stores to purchase jeans, shirts, CD's, a CD player and some of the coolest shoes he'd ever imagined. There was also a new set of gobstones and a few magical creatures ( he'd sent those along with Hagrid, who'd stayed on after the other guests).

Hagrid seemed to not want to let Ivy out of his sight, and Harry could tell he had probably had a soft spot for her when she'd been at Hogwarts. They had talked for a few moments, privately, before he left, and Hagrid had told Harry and Hermione how happy he was, not only to see Ivy once again in the magical world, but to see how much stronger she looked than when he'd last seen her, not long after the murders of Harry's parents.

"A pitiful sight, yer mum was, Hermione. For so many years, she an' Lily had shared almost every thought, had always planned to raise their families together. Both Lily and Ivy wanted a house full o' kids, and they'd have had as many as the Weasleys, if You Know Who hadn't stepped in. Ivy never feared anythin' up until Lily and James went, but after that, her heart was fair to bein' broken. But she had you, Hermione and yer dad. Chris was there for her, an' muggle or no, he's been a fine and faithful husband. Kept all o' you safe in the muggle world, yet didn't protest overmuch when you came to Hogwarts. Ah, Hermione, how proud they were o' you both. Me and yer folks have been keepin' a correspondence o' sorts, and they were so pleased when you two were best friends. Although, unless I'm becomin' a bit blind in me old age, "friends" might not be sufficient for the two o' yeh these days?"

"Friends is what we have always been and will always be, Hagrid. We just kind of found we have a bit more in common than we once thought,"
Hermione told him, then looked at Harry, as if to say "Do something, say something!"

He gulped and added, "We, er, sort of found we liked spending time alone, as well as with Ron, and um, Hermione looks really pretty these days, doesn't she Hagrid?"

He knew he'd gone all the shades of red, and was extremely tempted to disappear out the French doors, but Hagrid had just laughed, and begun packing up the creatures he was taking back with him. Hermione, on the other hand, had smiled and kissed him on both cheeks, before leaving them alone. He remembered Hagrid had chuckled and said, "Yeh act jus' like yer dad did when he realized Lily was more than someone tuh play tricks on. Interestin' tuh see, I gotta tell yeh."
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When Harry woke up the next morning, the first thing he saw was the gift that had "magically" appeared last night, not long before they were ready to go to sleep. He jumped up and ran to the desk across the room, kneeling by the clear glass dome that enclosed a miniature Quidditch stadium. He'd already found that he could make the players move quite well, and he thought how useful this could have been, back when Oliver Wood had tried to explain tricky new plays with squiggly lines. He and Ivy had played the first game, and he could see why Dumbledore had asked her to help coach Quiddditch this year. Her reflexes were very quick, and she seemed to be able to see all the players at the same time. Next, he and Ivy had "coached" Chris and Hermione as they made the tiny players move, and it had been just as exciting.

Trust Sirius to come up with something like this! Then he noticed something he hadn't the night before. There had been a card attached to the dome, that read "Better late than not at all. Happy Birthday from Snuffles!" Now Harry noticed there was something that he hoped was a letter from Sirius, a folded piece of blue-violet paper. Unfolding it he read:

Dear Harry:

I am with Remus, and he tells me your birthday celebration was a great one. I sure hate that I missed all the food and dancing, and that Quidditch game. It must have been a treat to see Albus. Remus tells me he can still take care of a bludger with ease even though he has some years on him. Also I was told Hermione might be becoming interested in flying, after resisting it all these years. That wouldn't have anything to do with you, I suppose?
Ivy tells me you'll all be visiting the Weasleys very soon. As their home is quite a distance from anyone, wizard, or muggle, I may decide to visit while you're there. Arthur and I will be in touch, he will know whether it's a good time to chance it.
Have a great rest of the summer, Harry. We'll discuss some plans for the future when I see you. Hopefully by Christmas we'll be discussing how you'd like your new room at my house refurbished. What luck, you and Hermione finding Monsieur Maas and that pendant! Wear it constantly, Harry, I feel much better knowing you have it. See you soon!

"Snuffles"

'Well, this adds a whole new dimension to the rest of the summer,' Harry thought. He knew he was way too excited to go back to sleep, and without thinking, he headed out the door and went down and opened Hermione's door, saying much more loudly than was probably wise, "Hermione ! Wake up! I've found a letter from Sirius !"

Hermione did wake up and with a start! She sat up in bed with a yelp, and then when her eyes focused, answered with a sleepy, "That's great Harry, but d' you have to scare a person to death. And, oh, what a dream I was having!"

"About what?" he asked, curious about what dream could be better than hearing from Sirius.

Hermione's face went slightly pink and she mumbled "Never mind." Then in a more normal, Hermione-like voice she continued, "So what does he say?" sitting up in bed and pushing her quilt and sheets back.

"He's, um, he's maybe coming to the Weasleys to see us. And he mentions making some plans for the future, like my room at his house. And Hermione, I think I'll see you at breakfast. I wasn't expecting your pajamas to be so, well, see you in a bit." Harry backed out, closing the door behind him.

'Whoa,' he thought. When he'd said Hermione was looking really pretty these days, he'd had no idea she could look like that! Now that he'd left, he wished he'd stayed, but he just hadn't expected to see all that skin! 'All right, Potter!' he told himself. "You'll be swimming with her at the Weasleys, it's no different!' But he knew it was, not just seeing her in those little pajamas, but seeing how cute she looked, still almost asleep. And, could she have been dreaming about HIM? Why else would she have gone all pink and mumbling?

He'd better go back and reread Sirius' letter and see if he could find a way to pay against himself in a Quidditch game. That ought to get the picture of Hermione in short pajamas with tiny straps and long, long legs out of his mind. He hoped!
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When Harry came into the kitchen a bit later, he was relieved to find Ivy and Chris there, as well as Hermione. He hadn't been sure he might not have embarrassed her, but typically Hermione, the thing on her mind was now the letter from Sirius, plans for going to the Weasleys and what would happen with Penelope and Percy.

"Harry, if you know Fred and George are planning anything evil, you'd better let someone know," she told him. 'It just wouldn't be fair to do something like turning Percy into a monkey like one of the Malfoys, right before the wedding."

"Oh, I will," Harry replied, thinking simultaneously, 'I'll tell Ron!' and what a funny sight it would be, Percy in his wedding tuxedo, acting like a monkey. He really wished Hermione hadn't said that, now it was going to be very difficult not to ask Fred and George whether they planned to have a special treat of banana "monkey tarts" for their big headed brother. Fortunately, Ivy said something at that moment that took the Weasleys straight from his mind.

"Harry, I know you will probably not love me for saying this, but I suppose you'd better spend a couple of nights with the Dursleys."

Harry couldn't believe he'd heard Ivy correctly, but when Hermione wailed "Oh. Mom, no!" he knew he had.

"We've just gotten back! Can't he at least wait until tomorrow?" she pleaded. "Isn't there an awful lot to do today, cleaning up, putting things away? It's just too much for me to do alone!"

Harry had to laugh at this. When had anything been too much for Hermione, as far as work went? But he wondered why Ivy was sending him back to the Dursleys'. Had she or Chris seen him going into her room or, even worse, coming out? He knew his face had been all hot and red then, and he wouldn't have noticed hearing any doors open or close. At least they couldn't know how he'd felt.

Ivy 's next words, though they didn't make him happy, did at least make there seem a glimmer of hope. "Don't whine, Hermione," she said, only half jokingly. "We've just gotten back, there's virtually nothing to clean up or put away, except your own clothes and things. As you've taken care of those since you were six, I see no need for Harry to stay and help you put clothes on hangers"

"Harry will only be with his family for a short time," she continued. "We'll be leaving for the Burrow within a few days, and the time to leave for Hogwarts is getting short. Chris and I will need to be there for at least a week before term begins, so you and Harry will need to stay with the Weasleys. Unless you'd rather visit the Dursleys, Hermione?"

'Well, this all made perfect sense,' Harry thought. He did need to pack the things he'd left there, though there wasn't a lot. And he knew Hermione's parents would be busy getting ready for such a change in their lives. He had just hoped he'd be allowed to help, but he guessed this was a family thing and they didn't.....

"Ivy has another part of her summer plan that needs to be completed, Harry," Chris told him, apparently noticing Harry's face had fallen to the floor, practically.(At least it felt that way to him.) "We need to make sure the entire family has experienced the Amiability Charm, and you know, there is one member we haven't completely addressed."

Aunt Marge?" Harry asked. "I really hadn't given her much thought since we left her in Paris. Wonder how THAT trip went?"

"Not the way she expected, but Chris is right, things need to be completed and we must be sure the Charm is still strong and working effectively with the others. I've been out of the magical world for some time and they may be due for reinforcing. I hope it will not happen, but if there's any chance you'll need to go back there, and quickly, I have to be sure they'd not only take you in, but not react badly while you're there. We don't need to have a repeat of anything similar to the "First Year Letter" fiasco!"

Harry saw Hermione turn a bit pale and look very worried. He felt that way too but he also knew Ivy was right to be thinking realistically. He remembered how angry he'd been when Cornelius Fudge had refused to believe anything other than a terrible accident had taken place at the Triwizard Tournament.

They really had no idea what they would be facing this year, and even if being at Hogwarts, with Dumbledore there was safer than anyplace else, anything could change. Unwillingly, he remembered the tired look on the Headmaster's face after the tournament and felt a shiver go down his spine. 'Well, still,' he thought. Professor Dumbledore looked young enough when he was handling that bludger, in Paris.'

"So when's she coming?" he asked. "And will old Ripper be coming along as well? Crookshanks will adore that. Right, Hermione?" Harry smiled at Hermione as he tried to cheer her up, and she seemed to realize he was attempting to put his gloomy thoughts and feelings aside, out of necessity. She smiled back at him, not much of a smile, it was true, but at least she was trying.

"Not only Ripper, but Marge's friend, Colonel Fubster," answered Ivy." If all goes well, you can go back to the Dursleys' with them. If I have any doubts that it has gone well, you'll stay here with us. I won't throw Harry to the "manticores", unless I know they've been made harmless."

"Okay, Mom," Hermione replied, looking embarrassed to have been so transparent about not wanting Harry anyplace unpleasant, but also distinctly relieved. "I guess I can't ask for more than that."

Harry couldn't think why Ivy would look so pleased about all this, aside from a group that contained Voldemort and Malfoy, the trio she'd just named sounded worse than any he could think of! "We'll use the same Charm on Marge that I used on Dudley and Vernon. Hermione, you, Harry and Crookshanks will have the fun of working with Ripper. I have a potion all ready for him."

"What about Colonel Fubster," asked Harry. He'd never met the man, but any friend of Aunt Marge.....

Ivy laughed and Harry could, for a moment, see why muggles thought witches could be bad news. That laugh was something he wouldn't want to hear if it had anything to do with him.

"Colonel Fubster is an old Army career man," she told them. "And Petunia has not been tending Dudley's diet and exercise as she ought to. For the boy's sake, I thought it would be wise for Colonel Fubster to use his army skills, and my exercise and diet plan to get Dudley in better shape. I have some persuasion all planned for him."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and began to laugh, until tears were ready to pour and Harry was holding his aching sides. Seeing this would be worth being on Privet Drive for a few days, he thought.

"I.... I think I should come over for another dinner," Hermione gasped, when she could speak. "Maybe we all should!"

"That's a possibility," Chris replied, his eyes twinkling too. "Before we leave for the Weasleys' home, it would be good to see how they're all functioning together-and how strong your mother's potions and Charms are!"

Harry had to admit, he was a bit surprised the Ministry was allowing this, since ordinarily very little magic was practiced with muggles involved. He remembered Ron's dad telling him about penalties for muggle baiting and the way some wizards enjoyed shrinking keys and things, so muggles couldn't find them. Ivy must have some strong powers and some strong influence for this to be allowed.

The rest of the morning passed pleasantly, but uneventfully. He and Hermione played with his birthday gift from Sirius, Ivy talked to them about their part in the plan (he was going to enjoy this, Harry thought, remembering the times Ripper had chased him up a tree, or tried to attack him) and did some food shopping for Ivy. Before they left, Chris had told them to be sure to get some extra food that Harry could take to his Aunt and Uncle's house, since the food there would be very sparse. He almost wished Chris hadn't said that, because Hermione had insisted on getting a whole basket of various snacks and tinned foods for him to take along. When he protested that it was a lot for a few days, she'd said, "That's, OK, you can bring what's left to the Weasleys, and we'll finish it up there." He had to admit, that was a good idea, Fred and George were probably missing their trips to the Hogwarts kitchen by now.

Back at the Grangers', Hermione had coaxed him up to the attic, saying she needed help bringing her school trunk down, After they'd climbed the steep steps though, he found his best friend had other ideas and they passed a pleasant time, making sure they still enjoyed, as Hermione had told Hagrid "having other things in common." He had told her how good she felt in the silver dress and she had slipped behind a screen and reappeared in a blue dress that had the same feel. They were curled together in their favorite windowseat spot, and Harry was just enjoying holding Hermione, and smelling the fresh scent of her hair and skin, when he felt her tense slightly.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "Did I do something? Or not do something?"

"No," she answered with a sigh. "It's just that, the closer we get to the beginning of term, the more I wonder what we're facing. You know, this summer has been sort of a "time out" but I feel we're going back into the real thing. And I hate feeling this way, Harry! You know, I'm always so excited at this time of the year, knowing I'll be back at Hogwarts, learning all sorts of things, and back with you and Ron and the others."

"You think you're usually excited by now? This is the first year I haven't had a mark off calendar all summer!" He pulled her to him a little tighter and tried to say something comforting. "But Hermione, think about this... you won't have to miss your parents this year. If it were anyone else's parents I'd kind of wish they weren't going to be watching us all the time but yours aren't that way. 'Course I don't know how thrilled they'd be to see us now."

"Not especially," she giggled, and slid her arms around his neck." I don't really think it's a problem though. When we came up, they were "deciding" what to take to Hogwarts, and what to leave behind. If it hasn't turned into a full fledged battle by now, it will, once they reach the books!"

"So....?" Harry whispered." We are very, very forgotten and alone? The answer to a wizard's dreams!"

***(Now it's up to you and your wildly hormonal-or not!- imaginations, for a bit. Just remember they are FIFTEEN, and Harry's still going red.)

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Only a few hours later, Harry was riding in the back of Colonel Fubster's car, with Ripper looking adoringly at him from the floor. He still had to smile when he thought of the way Ripper had scrambled to try to climb a tree when Crookshanks came out to chase him, but after a while they had begun to feel sorry for the dog, even Crookshanks.

While Ivy and Chris were occupied with Marge Dursley and her friend, he and Hermione had amused themselves by teaching Ripper to attack a picture of Dudley. And they hadn't even used magic, except to make a picture of Dudley larger. Hermione had cut some pants out of a very large piece of material, and they had stuck on pockets and hidden some tidbits in the pockets. Ripper had now gotten the idea and would, when they showed him the picture, rip off the pockets, even when they were empty! The rest of the time, he followed Harry around and drooled on his shoes. Harry asked Hermione whether there was an anti-drool spell, and she'd found one immediately. After one "Evaporatum Salavicus!" Ripper seemed content to keep his mouth closed, and his drool to himself.

Harry wasn't sure he wasn't imagining things, but Crookshanks had been in Hermione's arms when they left, with a more smug, self-satisfied look on his squashed-in face than usual, almost as if he was saying to Harry, "Hermione is all mine now!" He shook his head, as if to clear it. Was he jealous of a cat? However, Crookshanks was certainly no ordinary cat.

Aunt Marge, as he had expected, was not especially delighted to see him, but she also wasn't as unpleasant as she had once been. Ivy's Charm had been successful though, since, before she left the Grangers' , she'd pulled out a huge box of chocolates, handing them to Harry to share with his friend. She told them she'd bought them for Dudley, but he wasn't to be allowed such things any longer.

He knew Hermione would probably throw hers away, but he thought he might enjoy strolling around the garden and eating a few at his aunt and uncle's while Dudley was busy with his new exercise regimen. Marge had told them she was shocked that Petunia wasn't taking better care of her nephew's health, and was in the front seat with Colonel Fubster, discussing exercises and "running" on a track. That would be fun to see. The only running Dudley had done was to run to the refrigerator during a television advertisement.

Soon they arrived at Four Privet Drive, and Harry groaned when he noticed the rose bushes looked a bit straggly. Would Petunia have him out pruning before the day was over? The front door also looked faded, and he imagined the garden bench did too. Were they saving all the work for his return, or, after Ivy's Charm, did they just not care? He hid a snicker,as he imagined his aunt, lying in front of the television, eating candy and watching the TV, instead of rushing about, obsessively cleaning and spying on the neighbors.

Looking at the front seat, he could tell he wasn't the only one to notice some changes.

"What's happened to your brother's house, Marge?" Colonel Fubster blustered. " It was perfectly tidy the last time I was here. With a teenage son to help, there's no excuse for this shabbiness."

Harry could see Marge's face darken, and he thought, 'Oh, no, now she'll defend her precious "neffie" and Colonel Fubster will just leave!' He needn't have worried, however, since Marge turned to him and said, "I see the one who's been doing the work around here all this time has been you, Harry. As soon as you left with the Grangers, Vernon and Petunia let everything go. We've gotten here just in time to make sure Dudley's trained to takeover. It will probably take all of us to do it though."

Once again Harry had to hide a snicker, but couldn't help feeling happy. 'This ought to be fun,' he thought as they got out of the car.'Me, training Dudley, after all those years of him, lying around, watching me work, while he ate everything but the couch!' They went to the door, and it was opened by Petunia, who greeted Aunt Marge with the usual "air kisses" and exclamations. Then she seized Harry and gave him a hug that rivaled Mrs. Weasleys for force, but wasn't nearly so pleasant, due to the sharpness of all Petunia's bones! This was more like being squeezed by some insect with a hard shell! He couldn't help thinking longingly of the hug from Hermione, before he'd left. A lot of force there, too, but what a difference. She sure did manage to feel soft in all the right places, while still being small enough for him to ....

"Harry!" Dudley shouted, shaking Harry from the thoughts that were so pleasant. "Mum said you'd be back today, but we'd nearly given up. How was the trip? Guess it was great, traveling with Hermione. D' you think she'll come over for a visit before we begin school."

'Not if I have anything to say about it!' Harry thought fiercely, but then he remembered Dudley was going to be in for a pretty tough time for a while. And he was acting perfectly, well, not normal, for Dudley, but like a real person.

"She might," he answered, cautiously, not wanting to commit to anything. " I've got a couple of CDs for you, Hermione and I got them in Paris." It was a good thing he had listened to Hermione, who told him this might be a good idea, whether Dudley was friendly or back to his normal self, when they met again. He noticed Dudley did look more like a baby whale than ever, and he could tell, from the look on Colonel Fubster's face that he was thinking the same, or worse.

Aunt Marge was also surveying Dudley, and then she turned to Petunia. " It's time we helped Dudley, Petunia. We've all spoiled him and now look.... he can barely get through the doors!"

Harry saw Dudley's face go a bright red, but he also had a look of surprise that made Harry want to laugh. Dudley was accustomed to Aunt Marge, and his mum and dad too, finding no fault with anything he did. He did feel a bit sorry for Dudley, though he'd never expected such a thing to happen, not in a million years.

The group moved into the Dursley's living room and when Colonel Fubster sat down, he pulled out a folder, and opened it. "Petunia, I have a plan here for helping Dudley. Dr. Granger has added some nutritional ideas and I've worked out an exercise regimen. Marge and I hope you'll let us take on his care for a bit."

At this, Dudley's face had a look Harry hadn't seen since last year, when he'd eaten one of Fred and George's Ton Tongue Toffees. Aunt Petunia, however, was nodding in agreement and Dudley was looking more horrified by the moment, as he listened to Aunt Marge's friend outline the diet and exercise that would be his new life. Harry settled back contentedly on the couch, listening. He reckoned after hearing all this, he'd be heading back to the Grangers' house (and Hermione!) very soon. Of course Uncle Vernon hadn't arrived yet, but surely if the rest of the muggles were this way, Vernon would be no problem.
As they sat in the living room, with Marge and Colonel Fubster talking fast and Dudley looking more dismayed by the moment, there was the sound of a door opening. Next they heard the door slam forcefully and Uncle Vernon's voice, bellowing "Petunia!"

Harry was a bit surprised, but then thought, 'Oh well, maybe he's just hungry.' Petunia got up, and went into the hall and they could hear her murmuring, and he could catch an occaisional word, such as "Marge" and "Harry" and finally "doing something with Dudley!" Each time Vernon just made a grunting sound, but eventually he and Petunia returned to the living room, and greeted his sister and Colonel Fubster fairly normally. Then he turned to Harry, and immediately Harry could see a glimmer of resentment in his uncle's eyes though he masked it quickly. "So, back from your holiday are you? Looks as if that foreign food agreed with you." Harry was amazed that Vernon had even noticed anything was different, but he realized he has gained some weight and grown a bit over the summer. Ivy had already done a lengthening charm on his robes, but she said he would probably need new ones, by the time school started. Well, they'd be going to Diagon Alley soon anyway.

Petunia and Vernon were now talking to Marge and the Colonel, who Harry had discovered was named Nigel. Uncle Vernon didn't seem especially pleased, but he was going along with their plans.

"Just as well," he said. "I've looked everyplace, and there are no Smeltings ' uniforms any larger than last year's Dudley. I'm afraid we'll have to resort to something drastic, if you're to return to school."

"Then let me stay here!" Dudley howled. " I know enough already. I can work at the sweet shop, year round, or work with you, Dad." Harry surpressed a laugh as he pictured Vernon and Harry trotting off to the drill company, dressed identically, except for Dudley's increasing size. Vernon quickly squashed this idea though.

"That won't be possible, Dudley," Vernon sighed. "In fact, if things aren't soon looking up, there may not be a drill company and I may be looking for a new position as well. There'll be no new computer for you, Dudley, and I advise you to stop chucking your things out the window when you aren't pleased with them."

This was interesting, Harry thought. Maybe he'd better tell Chris about this. He didn't want the Dursleys to try to pull him out of Hogwarts, and put him to work in a muggle job. That would be just like them, to say he "owed" them for all the years after taking him in. He knew though, that if they tried it, he'd go out and buy a pile of old, ugly clothes, and a few sacks of groceries, present them to Uncle Vernon, and tell him they were even. As Ivy had remarked this summer, his aunt and uncle hadn't exactly gone overboard, providing for him.

Aunt Marge made a sudden exclamation from the couch, and said," Harry, I've left Ripper out in the garden. Be a dear and go fetch him."

Dudley, Petunia and Vernon all had odd looks on their faces at this." HARRY, be a dear?" Once again, he had to suppress a laugh, as he thought of the attack dog Ripper had been that afternoon, and would be again, at a word from himself.This didn't seem to be the time though, so he went out and muttered "Calmiveritas Caininis", then brought Ripper in to Marge. Dudley was still blubbering loudly, and Petunia was trying to calm him

.
"Tell you what, Dudley," he said. "I need to train for the sports season at my school. We can do this together, I'll be here a few days. " He was thankful he had taken Hermione's advice and shrunk the basket of food, and was even more thankful to have that piece of parchment allowing him to do a small amount of magic over the summer. Dudley immediately looked up with interest, then yowled,"You can already run fast, Piers and I've been chasing you for years!" The grownups in the room looked at Dudley in astonishment since he had always maintained that he'd never bothered Harry.

"Then you can learn to catch him!" Vernon growled. Then he got up and stomped from the room, leaving Petunia, and the others in a furor of exclamations. Harry decided this was probably the best time for him to make an exit. He could hear Vernon in the kitchen, probably pouring himself a large brandy, so he took the steps up to his room two at a time and was thankful to see Hedwig in her cage on his desk. Ivy had told him she would apparate over with the cage and leave the window open for Hedwig, and she had kept her promise.

Somehow, Harry didn't feel things were going well, Vernon seemed to be full of some sort of confusion over who to direct his anger toward. He now could see what Ivy meant, if he had to come back to the Dursleys because of an appearance from Voldemort, this wasn't the sort of confusion he wanted to encounter. He rummaged in his desk and found a few pieces of parchment, a quill and some ink, then wrote:

Dear Hermione, Ivy and Chris,

Things seem a bit odd here - Vernon is charging around like a mad bull, but I don't think he's sure who to be furious with. I wouldn't think he'd be too receptive to me moving back in here so maybe you could reinforce him, Ivy. I've offered to go along with Dudley for a few days and join him in the new exercise and diet, hope that wasn't a mistake. When are we leaving for the Burrow, again?

Hoping to see all of you soon!
Harry

He rolled it up and called to Hedwig, who flew over immediately and stuck out her leg. Harry chuckled as he tied the note on her leg. "Can't wait to get out of here again, can you. I know the feeling. But bring an answer soon."

He tried not to feel despair as she soared out the window, but he'd forgotten how lonely it felt to be in this house, surrounded by muggles. It was even worse, now that he'd been with Hermione's family and felt a part of them. He sat down on the bed and pulled out the food basket he'd shrunk, and hid it far back under his bed, under the loose board on the floor. His thoughts were jumbled and he lay back and closed his eyes, thinking of how it would have been if his parents had lived. He and Hermione would probably have grown up together, as close as a brother and sister, since their mothers were such friends. He wondered if things would have turned out the way they were now. His feelings about Hermione were definitely not on the brotherly side. He felt his cheeks redden as he thought of holding her yesterday, and he wondered whether they could stick to their plan about going slowly. She had developed some very nice curves, and he'd be surprised if she wasn't going to be going to Madame Malkin's for new robes too.

He closed his eyes and soon drifted into a dream of himself and Hermione, . They seemed to be standing t the edge of a river, and she grabbed his arm, stuck her foot in the water, smiled at him, then began pulling a t-shirt over her head. He was standing beside her, grinning, as a Hermione he'd never seen appeared. Her swimsuit looked like water itself, what there was of it was swirls of blue and green, on small triangles of fabric. Then she turned and said, "Ready?" and began to pull his t- shirt over his head, coming close enough so that her body was almost touching his, and he put his hands out to touch her.........

"Harreeeee!!!" Harry jerked up from the bed and shook his head. 'What timing these people have!' he groaned. But he also knew the first thing he'd do when he got back to the Granger's would be to ask Hermione about what swimsuit she had. Taking a deep breath, he headed back downstairs, not knowing what he'd find.
_________________________

The next morning Harry awoke to a scrabbling sound at the window, and saw Hedwig, sitting on the window ledge, a large package by her side He quickly opened the window and she dropped the package on his bed, giving him a slightly reproachful look before she nipped into her cage for some water.

'Had she been out there long?' he wondered. He'd been exhausted, since Colonel Fubster had insisted on starting Dudley's exercises, and had used Harry as a model. Dudley kept saying he didn't understand and so he'd had to show him repeatedly the complicated series of exercises. He'd seen Uncle Vernon sitting there with a look that seemed pleased, but it was hard to tell, since he kept ducking behind his paper. Petunia kept chattering on about how it was too hard for either of the boys, but Dudley had finally managed to get through some form of what Colonel Fubster wanted, and when Harry finally was able to get away, Marge and her friend were still standing over Dudley, telling him to go faster.

He was thankful for the food he'd brought, since he was able to have a snack before he slept. Unfortunately the tinned food seemed to bring on unsettling dreams, and he kept seeing Peter Pettigrew, holding up his new hand triumphantly. He had hoped to be able to slide back into the dream with Hermione but no luck on that score. Now for the package....

Dear Harry (the note began),

It's a good thing you were able to discover so quickly the need for Vernon's "reinforcements"! It should be fairly simple to add these things to the Dursley's regular diet. I've added a Replenishing Charm, so they won't run out. We'll be meeting the Dursleys for dinner tonight, then you will be able to come back home with us, to leave for the Burrow in the morning Now Hermione has a few words for you-

Harry, I hope you are being really, really careful. Don't let Dudley fall on you or something, he would probably squash you flat It's awfully quiet and boring here without you, can't wait to see you tonight.

Love from Hermione

and her family too!

Harry grinned as he unpacked the parcel. It felt good to know Hermione was missing him too, he had sort of expected she'd get out her books and forget him. And Ivy had quickly responded when he admitted things didn't seem right. It sure felt good to know someone was looking out for him. Looking into the parcel, he saw a large bag of the rolls and cakes Ivy had sent before, a tall bottle of brandy and what looked like some kind of heath food bars.

Harry sat back with a huge grin. He remembered the summer before, when he'd awakened with that awful pain in his scar. He had thought then how much he had wished he had someone like a parent to turn to. He was really thankful Sirius had been there, but at the time, it had taken a long time to communicate with Sirius. Now, a year later, he had not only Sirius, but Ivy, who was able to take care of any situation quickly. Harry didn't know how much experience she had in the Dark Arts, but he imagined she could learn, if she chose. Hermione and her mom were a great deal alike and he thought it was going to be pretty interesting seeing Chris progress through the Kwikspell Course. Would he learn as quickly as Hermione had? Chris had a more relaxed personality, and yet he seemed to have a lot of confidence. No wonder Hermione thought she could do most anything.

Inside the package, Harry found a bottle of Uncle Vernon's favorite brandy, a package of the same rolls and cakes Ivy had sent over before, and what looked like some sort of health bars, that were wrapped separately for each of the Dursleys, 'he thought, and left the room quietly. Half of the rolls and a few of the health bars he left on the table, the others went into the freezer, then he carefully opened Version's liquor cabinet, and put in the brandy. Just in time too, as he immediately heard sounds of protest coming from the stairs, and judging from the creaking sound, it must be Dudley.

A loud bang and Colonel Fubster appeared, holding Dudley by the collar. They pushed past Harry, and Dudley was sputtering, and gasped "I never get up this early!" and then, "Harry has to come too! He promised!"

"Harry can come along but it's you who'll be working! And you will be up each morning at this time from now on," the Colonel replied harshly. "There'll be no more lie-ins for you, boy!" He and Dudley went into the garden where Harry saw a sort of track had been set up, even though it wasn't a large one.

A few moments later, Vernon and Petunia came down the stairs, and Petunia whimpered, "I can't watch my Duddy being tortured this way, Vernon, pull down the blinds!" Harry and Vernon both looked at her in amazement, as she had always insisted on keeping the blinds open in the kitchen.... everyone knew this was to enable her spying on the neighbors.

"I forgot to let you know, but Dr. Granger sent over some more of those rolls and cakes that she sent before," he told them hastily, before the mood could deteriorate further. "There's some things for Dudley as well. And more in the freezer for all of you."
"Thank heavens!" Petunia said with a sigh. "I just don't have the energy to do anything around here today." She and Vernon pulled out chairs and after pouring themselves tea, began eating Ivy's food.

"If you don't mind, I'll just get myself some fruit from the fridge" said Harry, in case they wondered why he wasn't digging in too. He wasn't sure how they'd respond to things this time, but very soon, both of them seemed to perk up and they went out the door, presumably to check on Dudley.

He stood at the door watching as Vernon suddenly began to gallop around the track, with Dudley half heartedly following him. Petunia was telling Colonel Fubster something and Harry saw him studying the label on one of the bars Ivy had sent, then calling Dudley over. True to form as far as food was concerned, Dudley grabbed the treat, and stuffed it in his mouth, then drank something from a bottle on the ground. A moment later, he also was galloping around the track and soon Colonel Fubster had added some small hurdles for them to jump over.

Behind him, he heard Marge enter the kitchen and she immediately came to the door and joined him. "I knew Nigel could help them, just a matter of discipline. Speaking of which, I've made a list of things that need to be done around here," she said, waving a piece of paper.

'Oh, no, here it comes!' he thought, and quickly pointed out the fresh pot of tea and Ivy's cakes and rolls to her. She held tight to the list but did make herself a cup of tea, and began munching a cake, scattering crumbs across her wide tweed bosom. " As soon as she could speak, Marge turned to him and said," It will be interesting to see Vernon and Dudley doing all the chores you've taken care of for them over the years. Of course I'll be helping. Now you had better pack up, Harry. Dr. Granger said they would be picking you up this evening, time to head back to school. Energetic people, those Grangers. Teaching as well as practicing dentistry, and here Vernon is, having trouble holding down one position."
Shaking her head, taking another cake and her mug of tea, Marge went out the back door, followed by Ripper, who had once again been giving Harry that adoring gaze.

He sighed happily, and went back up the stairs to send Hedwig off with another letter, a happy one this time! Hermione would sure be relieved things had been taken care of so quickly. After sending Hedwig off he peered out the window, and began laughing until his sides and face ached. There below him was something better than a circus ...... Vernon and Dudley were moving faster, and enjoying it less and less, if he could judge by the looks on their faces. Vernon was pushing the lawn mower rapidly while Marge was watching, and yelling "Faster, so much to do!" as she painted the garden bench. Dudley was pruning rose bushes, with Colonel Fubster standing by him, holding a stop watch. Dudley was scratched and sweating, and Harry remembered the day of his twelfth birthday, when HE had done all this while Dudley ate ice cream and laughed.

The crowning sight was Petunia, standing at the back of the garden, surrounded by a crowd of the neighbors she had spent so much time spying on. He couldn't tell what was going on but there was a great deal of laughing and pointing.

He sighed happily as he began sorting through his clothes, pulling out a few things that weren't five times too big for him. He decided to leave the socks and underwear, since he had replaced all of it in Paris anyway. He grinned as he thought about Petunia's face, if she could see some of the boxers he'd bought there. But he was a teenager now, he wasn't going to keep wearing some little boy's underwear she had thought suitable. He might not be Draco Malfoy, but he'd found an occasional pair of silk boxers wasn't so bad.

He remembered the dressing gown Sirius had sent him, so his old one stayed in the closet as well.
Now, with any luck, he could take a nap, and dream about Hermione this time, instead of Wormtail's silver hand. It was going to be interesting, arriving downstairs fresh from a nap and a shower, when the Dursleys came in hot and tired. Then with the arrival of Hermione, Chris and Ivy, he could finally leave Privet Drive for the summer, without having to make some kind of dramatic near escape.

Now on to the Burrow for some domestic magic. We'll see how Harry and Hermione enjoy visiting the Weasleys together. Will Danielle and Adrian appear? How about Sirius?