The Worst Summer

CHAPTER 3: HERMIONE'S VISIT

Harry went to bed earlier than usual that night. He tossed and turned for several hours before finally falling asleep.

He woke up the next morning. Bright sunshine was streaming in through his window. There was also someone knocking on his door. "Harry," called Tom, "Wake up. There's a young lady downstairs to see you."

Harry sat bolt upright. There was a girl there -- to see him. Harry wondered who it could be.

Harry got dressed quickly. He washed in the basin on the dresser. He put his glasses on. Harry ran out into the hallway. He bounded down the stairs -- three, four at a time.

Sitting on a stool by the bar was a girl with bushy brown hair. Harry knew exactly who it was. It was...

"Hi Hermione," said Harry.

Hermione jumped off the bar stool. She ran over to Harry. She threw her arms around him as she said, "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry for you, I mean about your aunt and uncle abandoning you."

"What are you doing here?" asked Harry.

"You needed me, so I came. Besides, I have to get my school supplies for next year."

"How did you get here? Where are your parents?"

"They had a dental seminar to go to. They dropped me off so I could get my supplies and spend some time with you. You did say in your letter that you needed to talk with me.

My parents aren't picking me up until around eight o'clock tonight so it looks like you are stuck with me until then."

"I don't mind. I've had to bum around by myself for the last week and a half. It's going to be fun to have some company for a few hours.

Harry then noticed what Hermione was wearing. She had on a pair of tight denim shorts with high cut legs and a tight-fitting red and white striped tank top. She was wearing a pair of white socks that came up to her knees. Harry also couldn't help but notice that Hermione was developing a nice set of curves in all the right places. At that moment, at least in Harry's eyes, Hermione looked like and angel.

Together Harry and Hermione walked out the back door. "Harry, I didn't bring my wand with me."

"Never fear," said Harry pulling his wand from his pants pocket, "I always have my wand when I am in the Wizarding World." Harry tapped the secret brick and the archway opened. "Where to first?"

"Gringotts to exchange Muggle money. Then to Madame Malkins. I've grown a good three or four inches in the last couple of years and I need new robes."

Harry walked down to Gringotts with Hermione. he then walked her to the door of Madame Malkins. There they parted. "I'll meat you at Florean Fortescues Ice Cream Parlor," said Harry.

Harry walked to the ice cream parlor. He sat in his regular seat outside. A young wizard walked out. "Would you care...." The young wizard stopped in mid sentence and quickly said, "Hi Harry."

The young wizard was none other than Dean Thomas, a fellow Gryffindor that was one of Harry's room mates.

"Hi Dean," said Harry, "I never knew you were working here."

"My first day on the job. Can I get you anything?"

"Oh no Dean. Don't let me keep you. I told someone I'd meet them here."

"Oh. maybe you and whoever you are meeting would care to join me for lunch. I get off for an hour -- from 12:00p.m. until 1:00p.m."

"We'll see."

"Who is it, by the way?"

"Hi Harry. I'm done at Madame Malkins. Oh hi Dean," said Hermione.

"Is this who you were meeting?"

"Yes, Dean, I was meeting Hermione."

"Is there anything going on between the two of you?"

"No there is not," snapped Hermione, "and don't you go spreading it around the school in the fall that Harry and I are dating."

"Whoa Hermione," said Dean, "What goes on between you and Harry is your business, not mine. I am not a gossip. You are lucky Parvati or Lavender didn't see you. They are really big gossips."

Dean walked back inside and began wiping tables. When they were sure Dean was out of earshot, Harry asked, "Where to next?"

"Flourish and Blotts. I have to get my new books." They walked to Flourish and Blotts. Hermione got all the books she needed. She also picked up a copy of Advanced Transfiguration and Animagi.

"Are you in McGonagall's Advanced class, or did you just pick those up for more help when it comes time to take our O.W.L.s?"

"I'm in the advanced class."

"What do you study?"

"Transfiguring larger items and we also do a more in depth study of Animagi. McGonagall also chooses one student, whom she helps become an Animagi. I hope it's me."

"So do I, then you can help Ron and I become Animagi too. I also picked the books up to help me study for our O.W.L.s." They then left F and B and went to the Apothecary for Hermione's Potions ingredients.

From there they went to the Magical Creatures Emporium. There Hermione bought a bag of dried spiders. ("Crookshanks loves these," explained Hermione.) Harry also bought Hedwig a couple bags of owl treats. They then went and got Hermione more quills, ink and parchment.

Hermione was then done her shopping. "Hermione, you can leave your stuff in my room at the Leaky Cauldron until your parents come. It'll beat carrying them around all day."

"Good idea. This lot's heavy," Hermione replied. They walked back to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry led the way up to his room. Once there, Harry opened the door. Hermione walked in. She placed her things on the dresser with the mirror.

She then sat on the bed. Harry walked in and closed the door. "So, I guess you'll want to know exactly what happened?"

"Yes Harry, I do," Hermione replied.

Harry pulled the chair from the desk. He turned it so he could sit and face Hermione. Harry sat in the chair and started speaking. "After you, Ron and I separated at King's Cross Station there last week, I started walking to the car with my Uncle Vernon."

"Go on Harry."

"Well, I saw Cho sitting by herself waiting for her parents. I went and gave her my address and then I left her.

Before my uncle and I reached the car, Cho ran up to us and gave me her address."

"There's nothing wrong with that Harry."

"I haven't even got to the bad part yet.

As I was saying, Cho gave me her address. After she left, Uncle Vernon started teasing me. I felt like I was human to him at last, but I told him that Cho was just a friend.

Anyway, when we got to the car, my Aunt Petunia started being very rude towards me. The first words out of her mouth were, 'I don't know why you keep letting them send him back to us every year. You know we don't want to have anything to do with FREAKS like him.'

My uncle replied, 'I keep taking him back so we can squash that abnormality out of him.'

By that time I was really upset. I took a few deep, relaxing breaths to ease my anger. Uncle Vernon demanded to know what I was doing.

I told him I was meditating and not doing magic. He didn't believe me."

"Is that when he abandoned you?"

"No. We got into an argument over magic. I told him I wasn't allowed to use it outside of the school.

He brought up the subject of Aunt Marge. I yelled at him that she deserved it for putting down my folks. Uncle Vernon told me to watch what I say or he'd hit me.

That's when I lost every ounce of control I had. I told him that they were insects to me. I said I knew magic. I yelled that I was a wizard..

Uncle Vernon slammed on the brakes. He threw my stuff out of the car. He told me to get out. I did. He slammed the car door as he told me that if I were a wizard my magic would get me out of there. That's when he abandoned me." Tears were running down Harry's cheeks.

Hermione got up off the bed. She walked over and hugged Harry. "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry.

I wish I could invite you to my place for the remainder of the summer. I can't for a couple of reasons. First, I have an aunt and uncle and their family are coming to my place in a couple of days. Secondly, my parents would never allow it.

"That's OK Hermione. Dumbledore gave me a special present." Harry pulled the Portkey Quill out of his trunk. "This is no ordinary quill. It is a Portkey. It will take me anywhere, anytime."

"I hope you don't abuse its powers Harry."

"I only intend to use it to get back to Hogwarts after I receive replies from Sirius, the Weasleys, and Cho."

"Good. What the heck is that?" said Hermione pointing to Harry's new broom.

"That," said Harry, "is the Thunder Rod 3000."

"How much did it cost?"

"Two thousand Galleons."

"Harry! I'm shocked! It must have cleaned out your vault!"

"Nope. I've traded in my Firebolt for half the cost.

"That's still 1000 Galleons."

"Wrong again. The clerk heard of how well I played. He gave me an extra 30% off on my trade-in. Eighty percent of 2000 is 1600. 2000 minus 1600 is four hundred. This broomstick only cost me four hundred Galleons and my Firebolt."

"You received a very good deal Harry. Don't expect deals like that all the time."

"I don't."

Hermione looked at her watch. "Lunch time. I saw a burger joint down the Muggle street. Do you want to go get a bite to eat?"

"I haven't got any Muggle money."

"I've got lots. I'll buy you lunch. You'll have to pay me back later."

"Okay." They went downstairs and exited the Leaky Cauldron through the front door. They walked to the burger bar Hermione spotted earlier. Hermione ordered a salad and a glass of water. Harry had a burger, chips, and a soda.

They spent the afternoon exploring Muggle shops within a five block radius of the Leaky Cauldron. Harry noticed that Muggles had some nice fashions and not just the ugly stuff the Dursley's wore. In another shop, Hermione bought Harry a journal so he could write down his thoughts and feelings instead of keeping them locked up inside.

After eating supper in another burger joint, Harry and Hermione made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. When they got back, Hermione's parents were waiting for her.

"You're early," said Hermione, "Mom, dad, this is Harry Potter. You know, the one I received the tear-stained letter from."

Hermione's mother walked up to him and hugged him. He felt like he was being hugged by Mrs. Weasley. "What were those idiots thinking? Abandoning a fourteen year old in the middle of nowhere."

"I don't know," said Harry as he shrugged his shoulders.

Mrs. Granger hugged Harry a second time. "I wish we could take you home with us for the remainder of the summer," she said, "but I'm sure Hermione has told you that we have relatives coming to stay with us for a few weeks."

"She has."

"Maybe you can use the Portkey and come and visit us though?"

"If it's okay with your parents."

"No problem there," said Mr. Granger.

"I'll be right back. I have to get my stuff from Harry's room," said Hermione.

"Make it quick," said Mr. Granger, "your aunt and uncle are arriving later tonight."

Harry and Hermione ran up to Harry's room. "Need a hand getting this stuff to your parents' car?"

"Not really," said Hermione as she wrapped her arms around Harry. She placed her lips to his. "Just to tell you that you'll never be alone," she whispered. She grabbed her purchases and turned and walked to the door. She stopped in the doorway. "Bye Harry." she said.

"Bye Hermione." Hermione was gone. Harry couldn't believe it. Hermione kissed him, not on the cheek, but on the lips.

Harry sat at the desk and began to write:

"Harry's Journal June 27

Dear Journal,

This is my first entry. Hermione just bought you for me today.

I've been staying at the Leaky Cauldron for nearly two weeks. When I first got here I wrote letters to Hermione, Dumbledore, the Weasleys , Sirius (my Godfather), and Cho. So far I have only received two replies. They were from Dumbledore and Hermione.

Dumbledore sent me a letter. Enclosed in this letter was a Portkey. I can use it to get back to Hogwarts, or anyplace for that matter. I'll wait here until I receive all my replies though.

Hermione came and visited me. She came today. Boy did my heart leap when I saw her. I haven't been as happy as I am now for several days.

Hermione and I spent the morning getting her school stuff. This afternoon we explored a small area of Muggle London.

Hermione just left a few minutes ago. Just before she left, though, she kissed

me -- right on the lips. It felt great, if I do say so myself.

Yours truly,

Harry Potter."

Harry felt tired so he changed into his pajamas. He crawled under the covers of the bed and closed his eyes and slept. He didn't feel alone anymore. He felt far from it.

Hermione's Visit