Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Thanks so much for all the kind words-they make my day! Yes, Hermione will really be gone for two weeks but that time in the story is not long. This is definitely not an `out of sight, out of mind' experience for Harry where Hermione is concerned. Bear with me…the payoff will be good when she returns.

Chapter Twelve

Harry woke a little early the next morning. He looked over at Ron who was still asleep, sprawled on his stomach with one arm dangling over the side of the bed. He quietly pushed his covers off and padded over to his trunk to get a T-shirt to go with the pajama bottoms he had on. Just as he turned to go downstairs, Hedwig flew in the window with a dead mouse in her beak and lighted in her cage, dropping the rodent.

"So the great huntress has returned," Harry whispered as he smiled at her. "I guess that new food and the treats I gave you last night just weren't enough, huh?" He reached in to stroke her downy back and she hooted softly and nibbled his arm affectionately. "I'll leave you to your breakfast, then." And he turned and headed out the bedroom door.

The chilly air prickled along Harry's arms and face as he walked softly down the stairs to the drawing room. When he reached the landing, he was surprised to see the flickering light of the fire through the doorway and walked in wondering who had left it going all night. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Hermione lying under the throw blanket on the couch. Harry walked as softly as he could to her side and smiled at her sleeping face as he softly smoothed a wayward curl from her eyes. She appeared to be wearing the same clothes she had worn last night. Harry noticed one of the books Dumbledore had brought on the floor beside the couch. He picked it up and sank into an armchair. Instead of opening it, though, he leaned his head back, propped his feet on the ottoman, and thanked his lucky stars for Dumbledore's redecorating. He looked up at the partly cloudy sky, which was quickly changing from a purpley-green to orange-pinkish and relaxed with a comfortable sigh in the squishy cushions and the warmth of the fire.

Harry looked back at the book in his lap and saw a bookmark sticking out the top. He opened the book to that place and saw that Hermione had been studying a part on Occlumency. He began to read but his mind drifted in the warmth of the fire. The next thing he was aware of was someone shaking his shoulder.

"Harry…Harry wake up…" Hermione's voice finally penetrated his sleepiness. He noticed her eyes had worried look.

"I-I'm awake…what is it?"

"I have to leave in a bit and I had a favor to ask…I almost forgot about Crookshanks. Would you mind watching him while I'm gone?"

"No problem, but how's he going to get here?" Harry sat up more fully and stretched.

Hermione looked relieved then took a step back to avoid being bonked on the head by one of Harry's arms. "Thanks, Harry. Remus said that you could just take the Portkey with me to my house and that it would bring you back with Crookshanks when you were ready to come back. I can just ride the Knight Bus to come back here after my trip-it's not that far."

"Okay…what time is it now?" Harry yawned and looked around.

"It's a quarter after nine and the Portkey goes at ten," Hermione said looking at her watch.

"So that gives me about forty minutes to get ready. I better get a shower, then. Do your parents know I'm coming?" Harry said as he stood up and stretched some more.

"No, but it won't make any difference." Hermione said and Harry noticed she had averted her eyes from him. His shirt had risen a bit with his stretch and he quickly pulled it back down into place.

"All right, then, I better get a move on. Be back down in a bit."

Harry went quickly upstairs to his room to get his things. He woke Ron to let him know that Hermione was getting ready to leave. Harry showered and tried to smooth his hair as best he could. He put on some jeans, a pullover and then his trainers. He glanced briefly in the mirror on his way out and thought he looked passable. Ron was just getting his clothes on as Harry walked back in their room. He quickly told him about getting Crookshanks and they hurried down the stairs to find Hermione and Remus waiting for them in the drawing room. Hermione's bag was sitting ready and she got up to say goodbye to Ron.

"I hope you have a fun time on your trip, Hermione," Ron said as they exchanged a hug.

"You, too, and tell your all your family hello from me," she replied. Then she gave Remus a hug. "Be careful," he said.

Hermione answered, "I will," then added in a whisper that only Remus could hear, "Take care of him."

Remus smiled slightly and nodded.

She turned and held out an end of the silver key to Harry. "Should be any second now, ready?"

"I'll be back soon with Crookshanks," he said to Remus and Ron and he had no sooner got the words out than he felt a jerk and heard the wind rushing by.

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

Harry felt his feet hit the floor and was able to steady himself and Hermione before she toppled over.

"Thanks," she said grabbing his arm for better balance. "I'm so glad I'm learning to Apparate. I really dislike using Portkeys." She put the key down on a small table by the front door.

Just then he heard a female voice call, "Hermione! Is that you?"

Harry could hear two pairs of footsteps hurrying towards them and Hermione's parents came rushing around a corner.

"Mum, Dad!" Hermione beamed and met them both in a bear hug. After her mother had let her go, her father swung her around. "So good to see you, girl o' mine!"

"You, too!" Hermione responded happily as her father put her down.

Hermione stepped back to Harry, still beaming, "Mum, Dad, Harry's here to get Crookshanks and take him back to Grimmauld Place. He's going to watch him for me while we're gone."

If her Hermione's parents were surprised to see him, they didn't show it. "Harry, good to see you," Hermione's father shook his hand heartily.

"Yes, nice to have you in our home," her mother shook his hand, too. "Have you had breakfast?" She looked from Harry to Hermione.

"I have but I don't think Harry had a chance to eat. He had to get ready rather quickly as I forgot until the last minute to ask him to mind Crookshanks."

"Would you like a croissant and something to drink?" Mrs. Granger asked him.

"That would be really good, thanks, Mrs. Granger."

"Milk, orange juice or water?"

"Orange juice, please," Harry said gratefully as he felt his stomach start to rumble."

"I'll be right back, then. Why don't you all have a seat in the sunroom and I'll join you in a minute."

"Right this way, Harry," Mr. Granger took Hermione's hand and gestured for Harry to follow them.

Along the way, they passed through several spacious but inviting rooms. The sunroom was a smaller glassed-in room with plants and cheerfully colored furniture.

"Please sit down," said Mr. Granger taking a seat on a small couch and Harry sat in the chair next to Hermione's.

"So, I hear you're a Quidditch player, Harry," Hermione's father said. "Hermione's told us all about that. Sounds fascinating."

"It's a great sport. I didn't even know it existed until I went to Hogwarts. Now I love playing it." Harry replied, wondering if he should go into his being removed from the Gryffindor team by Umbridge. He decided against it as he was relatively sure he would be reinstated next year.

"You're the seeker on the Gryffindor team, is that right?"

Harry nodded.

"And you were the youngest to play that position in a hundred years?"

"That's what they told me…" Harry answered, his face turning a bit pink.

"From what Hermione says you're really great at it."

"All right, Dad, stop it," Hermione laughed, watching Harry. "You're embarrassing him."

"Well, I most certainly am not-"

Fortunately, Mrs. Granger walked in just then with a tray of drinks and croissants. Crookshanks trotted in after her and headed straight for Hermione who dropped to her knees and began to croon to him as she petted him. When Crookshanks had gotten his fill of attention from Hermione, he turned his squashed face to Harry and jumped into his lap.

"Hello, Crookshanks," Harry said softly. "Did you miss Hermione?" He purred loudly as Harry scratched him between the ears. Harry and Hermione exchanged a smile.

"Thanks, Mrs. Granger," Harry said as she passed him a glass of juice and a plate with a croissant and some butter on it.

"You're welcome," she responded with a smile then added, "Crookshanks, get down, shoo!"

Crookshanks wound his way out of Harry's lap and found a puddle of sunlight to lie in. Harry bit into his croissant hungrily and wanted to moan at the way it melted in his mouth.

Mrs. Granger sat down by her husband on the couch and his hand covered hers almost reflexively. They exchanged an absent-minded smile. It suddenly occurred with a pang to Harry that his parents, had they lived, would have been about the same age as the Grangers. For a moment, he could almost picture them in the Granger's place.

"We were very sorry to hear about your godfather, Harry." Hermione's mother said gently. "We would like to express our condolences."

"Thank you," Harry responded quietly. "I wish I could've had more time with him but I guess I'm lucky to still have my father's other best friend who's now my guardian." He cleared his throat. "I want to thank you for allowing Hermione to stay with me…she's been a real lifesaver. I know you've barely seen her this year…so thanks."

Mr. Granger nodded. "You're welcome. We do miss her very much but sometimes other things are more important. I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Thanks." Harry looked at Hermione. "I'd better be getting back…Remus and Ron are probably wondering where I am."

"Of course," Hermione responded standing. "Come on up and we'll get Crookshanks' carrier and his food."

Harry stood up and so did the Grangers. "Thank you for the juice and croissant. They were delicious."

"You're welcome. Glad you could come-we'll have to continue our conversation on Quidditch sometime." Mr. Granger shook Harry's hand again.

"Thanks, I'll look forward to that. I hope you have a nice holiday," Harry said as he shook Mrs. Granger's hand.

"Thanks, we will," she replied with a smile. "Hope to see you again soon."

Harry returned her smile and then followed Hermione back to the entryway and up the stairs to her bedroom. He couldn't help looking curiously around as she rummaged in her closet for Crookshanks' things. Hermione's room was done in buttery yellows and soft blues. It wasn't frilly-just cheerful and warm. Harry walked over to some shelves with pictures on them. Some were of Hermione as she was growing up.

"Here it is," she said pulling a pet carrier out of the closet. "I do hope he won't put up a fight going in it. He doesn't like it much."

"What's this?" Harry pointed to a picture of a young Hermione in a frilly costume with some other girls."

Hermione walked over. "Oh, that's a dance recital I was in when I was eight…" she smiled to herself. "I miss taking dance."

"Were you good?"

"Not especially…I just liked it."

Harry changed the subject. "You're parents are really nice."

"They're great…I know how lucky I am."

"Do they always get along like that?"

"Mmmm, usually they're very nice to one another but every once in awhile they disagree over something important." Hermione mused. "When that happens, even though they may be speaking strongly to each other, both of them treat the other with respect because they love each other. I've never seen them snip and snipe. They're each other's best friend."

"I guess I haven't seen that many married couples in my life. The Dursley's and the Weasley's are all I guess…"

"I don't guess the Dursley's would be that good a model."

Harry shook his head and smiled ruefully. "Watching your parents made me wonder about my parents and how they were together."

"They've certainly looked happy to be together in all the pictures I've seen of them." Hermione said with a trace of sadness in her voice.

"Yeah…well, I better go," he said wanting to change the subject. He picked up the carrier.

"Yes, come on down," she headed out her bedroom door. "I left the key on the table by the door."

They walked down the stairs to the entry hall in silence, each feeling a bit somber.

Hermione called Crookshanks and to their surprise, he went straight into the carrier. "You be good, then." Hermione stroked his head before she secured the door then turned to Harry. "Goodbye, Harry," she stepped forward and hugged him. "I'll see you soon."

"Be safe, Hermione," he whispered and gave her a quick extra squeeze before he let go.

"There's the key on that table behind you. It's supposed to take you right back when you touch it."

Harry made sure he had a good hold on Crookshank's carrier then reached for the key. Just before he touched it, he turned back, suddenly feeling that he was forgetting something. But that couldn't be right…he didn't bring anything that he could remember.

"Something wrong?" Hermione asked, confused.

"Er, no…I guess not," Harry answered but the nagging feeling persisted. "I feel like I'm leaving something, but that can't be right." He shook his head shrugging it off and taking one last look at Hermione, smiled. "See you soon." Then as his fingers closed around the key, he felt himself being whisked through the air leaving Hermione standing in her entryway with a thoughtful smile curving her lips.

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

When Harry got to Grimmauld Place he let Crookshanks out first thing.

"There y'go, mate."

Crookshanks rubbed his head against Harry's leg in thanks.

The house felt empty. "Wonder where everyone is?"

Harry walked down the stairs to the dining room with Crookshanks following close behind. He looked in the door to see Ron and Remus shining with sweat practicing with the weights. Grabbing a set, he joined them on the mats.

"Good trip?" Remus asked.

"Fine."

"Hey, Crookshanks!" Ron called to the cat. "So what was Hermione's home like?"

"Pretty large but it didn't really seem that way…it felt friendly." Harry replied as he lifted.

"Her folks doing all right?" Remus said.

"Doing well…y'know, I hadn't really ever got to talk with them before…they were very nice. Wanted to pass along their condolences about Sirius."

Remus nodded.

"This working out thing would be better if we had some music or something…" Harry suggested.

"Good idea…" Remus set down the weights and grabbed his wand. "Accio wireless!" Soon they had something to occupy their minds a bit so the exercise wasn't so tedious.

A half hour later, Ron set his weights down and lay down on the mat. "I'm done…my muscles are weeping."

"Yeah," Remus agreed. "Let's not overdo it or we won't be able to move tomorrow."

"They all put their weights back in the trunk and headed to the kitchen below to get something to drink.

"Dobby, please help us!" Groaned Ron as he plopped down on a seat at the kitchen table.

"Are you all right, Ron Weezy?" Dobby looked quickly from Ron to the others in concern.

"We're okay, Dobby," Remus reassured the house elf. "Could we please have some pumpkin juice?"

Dobby brought it and when he got close to them, his nose wrinkled and he waved the air with his hand. It didn't take them long to down the juice.

"Are you wanting some lunch?" The elf looked at them.

"Maybe some sandwiches in about an hour?" Harry looked at the others and they nodded. "Thanks, Dobby. I guess I need another shower now."

"Me, too," Ron and Remus echoed.

"That would be a very good idea, sirs…now please go from my clean kitchen and come back when you is not smelling like trolls." He shooed them with his hands.

They all stood chuckling at the look on Dobby's face. "Okay, we're going. See you in an hour, Dobby."

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