The entire Granger household was up before dawn. Melinda was busy in her kitchen, making an early bird breakfast for her husband, Hermione, and Harry. John Granger came downstairs first and kissed his wife good morning.
Meanwhile, Harry looked like he'd just been cast in the movie 'Night of the Living Dead'. Even after a shower, he still looked like a zombie. He rubbed his temples and forced his brain to remain awake. Opening his trunk, he checked to make sure that all his things were inside. Hedwig was asleep in her cage, and her head was tucked under her right wing.
"Good morning," Hermione said brightly and walked into his room. She was wearing a white sweater and a grey, knee-length skirt.
"Uh," Harry just groaned and rubbed his face. She just giggled at him.
"You're not much of a morning person are you?" she sighed and sat down next to him.
Harry's tiredness faded as he caught a hint of her enticing aroma, and his eyes opened fully. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her thoroughly.
"Not unless I wake up next to you," he said softly.
"Harry…" she blushed and lowered her head. He kissed her forehead and kicked his trunk shut.
"Do you need some help with your trunk?"
"Sure, but what about yours?"
"That's what levitation's for, sweetheart, c'mon."
Melinda Granger walked into the dining room carrying a plate of steaming bacon when her daughter nearly bounded down the stairs.
"Morning mom!"
"Morning sweetie, is Harry coming down?"
"Right behind her," came a reply, and the young man popped up behind Hermione.
Harry turned around and pointed his wand towards the staircase.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
Tapping his wand in midair, Harry directed Hermione's trunk down the stairs and in front of the door. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were quite surprised to see something floating in the middle of their house. Next came Harry's trunk, and he set it down right next to Hermione's.
"Well…it beats having to carry them down," Hermione chuckled at her parents' questioning look.
Harry tucked his wand into his pocket and sat down next to his girlfriend.
"So Hermione…what classes are you taking this year?" her mother asked.
"Ah…Advanced Transfiguration…Expert Arithmacy…Potions…Care of Magical Creatures…and Apparition." Both of her parents looked at her with surprise at the thought of taking such courses. Harry, on the other hand, was grinning broadly.
"Come on, Herm, you can pass those classes in your sleep; since when do you slack off?"
"I'm not slacking off…" she defended, "…I haven't learned how to apparate yet!"
"And the others?" he prodded. She just smiled cheekily.
"Fine, I want to enjoy my last year at Hogwarts - not spend it all in the library again."
"Wow, Hermione Granger wanting to have fun instead of studying; my world has turned upside down," Harry laughed.
"What do you have, huh?" she said with a glare.
"Okay… Advanced Transfiguration…Advanced Arithmacy…Potions…Care of Magical Creatures…and Apparition. Now before you say anything, I have to take Apparition; it's a requirement."
"So you and Hermione have several classes together," Melinda said proudly.
"Well…I'm not as smart as Herm is so she helps me out when I get stuck. Arithmacy and Potions are really my worst subjects; she's a lifesaver in those."
"Now Harry…" Hermione put her hand on his arm, "…you do quite well by yourself."
"Then why do you always check my homework?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Old habit I guess," she answered. They both started laughing.
"It's strange to think that this is gonna be our last year," Harry sighed.
"Yes, our final term at Hogwarts."
"We better get going," Mr. Granger cut in, "We don't want to get stuck in traffic."
"You're right, John, London is going to be packed this morning," his wife added.
After finishing breakfast, Harry waited patiently as Mr. Granger brought the van up in front of the house. Whispering a soft spell, he once again reduced the weight of each trunk by half to make it easier to carry. John grabbed one, and Harry took the other. Hermione and Mrs. Granger followed them outside onto the driveway. After Hedwig and Crookshanks' cages were loaded, they were all ready.
"Goodbye Hermione," her mother said and hugged her tightly.
"Bye mom, I'll write to you soon okay."
Harry watched the two of them and smiled at how close Hermione was with her mother. However, once the two separated, her eyes turned to him.
"Come here, sweetie." The young wizard suddenly found himself smothered in Melinda Granger's arms. He hugged the older woman back; she'd been just like a mother to him this summer.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger, I've had a wonderful time this summer. I hope that someday I can repay your kindness."
"Oh Harry, don't be so proper. I'm glad that Hermione brought you here; you are quite an exceptional, young man." He blushed at her compliment.
He hugged her one last time, and she whispered something in his ear.
"You will always be welcome here, son." Those words made Harry's heart explode with warmth. For the first time in his life, he felt like a part of a family.
"Thank you…mom," he answered back just as softly.
Melinda let him go as tears formed in her eyes. She'd come to love the boy as her own; soon, he'd be calling her mom all the time.
Hermione smiled at the tender exchange. She'd hoped that her mother would love Harry, and she did. Her mission for the summer had been accomplished.
They loaded up into the van and slowly pulled out of the driveway. Harry turned to watch as the house disappeared in the distance; this had been the best summer of his life. He turned back around, and Hermione took his hand. He squeezed it gently and settled back against the seat.
Thankfully, the trio avoided most of the early morning traffic, and Mr. Granger pulled into the parking lot in front of King's Cross Station.
"All right, we better head for Diagon Alley," Hermione suggested. She and Harry climbed out but left their trunks in the van.
"Dad, we shouldn't be more than an hour, okay?"
"That's fine, sweetie, take your time," John said to his daughter.
"We'll be back soon," Harry confirmed and followed his girlfriend.
Harry and Hermione walked down a familiar street and headed for a worn-looking, solid black building on the side of the street. They entered the Leaky Cauldron, and Harry was brought back to the first time that he'd come through here with Hagrid. It was strange to think that this was the last time he'd be doing this - as a student anyways.
"Well bless my soul, Harry Potter!"
The young wizard smiled as he heard Tom mutter the familiar words, and like clockwork, the entire bar froze in mid-action.
"Hello Tom, nice to see you again."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter, same to you."
"Please, just call me Harry," he laughed and rolled his eyes.
Just as he anticipated, a crowd quickly gathered around him, begging to speak with him. They all wanted to speak to the wizard who had defeated Voldemort. Hermione remained at his side, holding his hand and occasionally squeezing it for encouragement.
"Excuse me, everyone, but I must leave you now," Harry stated firmly. Several groans were heard, but his hoard of followers dissipated.
"What will you be having today, Mr. Potter?" Tom then noticed that he was holding Hermione's hand tightly.
"Oh, please forgive my rudeness, who is this lovely, young lady?"
"I'm Hermione…Hermione Granger, it's a pleasure."
"Ah, now I remember ya'. Haven't see ya much though?"
"I don't usually come this way; I've used floo powder for the last several years."
"Of course, that would explain it. Well then, what will the two of ya be having?"
"Nothing Tom, thank you. Hermione and I have to pick up our supplies for this year."
"Certainly, look forward to seeing you again."
"Goodbye," both teens said at the same time.
They exited out the back door and walked up to the brick wall.
"Now then, let me see if I remember this," Harry sighed and pulled out his wand.
"Allow me," Hermione said confidently and drew out her wand. She quickly tapped the five bricks, and the wall rolled back out of the way.
"There we are." Harry grinned and kissed her cheek.
"That's my girl…genius by day…" he voice lowered to a husky whisper, "…vixen by night."
"Harry please!" she gasped and blushed furiously. His eyes twinkled with mirth, and she couldn't help but smile at him.
Sliding his arm around her waist, the two headed into Diagon Alley.
Now, Harry was used to having people staring at him, but it seemed like everyone he passed by was gawking at him. Hermione could sense it too, but most of the looks she got were jealous glares from girls. It made sense to her since Harry had never openly showed such a close affection to someone of the opposite sex - especially walking down the middle of Diagon Alley with his arm slung around her waist. She felt nervous but excited and proud at the same time. She had to admit that it gave her ego quite a boost that she was Harry Potter's girlfriend, and his fiancé at that! Hermione didn't even want to think of the backlash when that information got out.
"So what's our first stop?" Harry asked.
"Why don't we pick up our books first? That way we won't get stuck in there later on."
"Sure, but can I meet you there? I have to stop by Gringotts first, okay?"
"That's fine, I wanted to check out the new Hogwarts A History anyway."
Harry shook his head; he should've known.
"See you soon." He bent down and kissed her cheek. He heard several gasps but ignored their onlookers.
They separated, and Hermione headed into the bookshop.
Harry stopped by Gringotts to fill up a pouch with enough galleons to pay for his supplies and a few extra for during the school year. He was heading back to the bookshop and decided to check the list of supplies that Hogwarts had sent him. His eyes scanned through it, but something just didn't click. Then, he finally caught it.
'I don't believe it!' he screamed silently. Why hadn't he seen it sooner?
He'd been given all the classes that he needed to graduate and so had Hermione, but there was one that was left out…Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Author's Notes: That's gonna do it for 'Meet the Parents', but don't worry, there will be one more story in this series. It's gonna go through their final year and maybe a little longer so stay tuned for 'Duel of the Hearts'.