That Summer....
A/N: Ok this is the first fan fiction that I ever wrote. I posted it on FF.net and was planning on posting it again here until I reread it. So instead I decided to revise it a bit, make it longer and tie into the sequel more. I don't really know how long it's going to take or what the end products going to be but I'll try to get this out ASAP.
~*~Hermione~*~
Hermione sat on the window seat in her room remembering the past school year. It was the summer before her 7th and final year and the past year had been difficult. The loss of Sirius at the end of their 5th year had hit Harry harder then they all imagined it would. For the first week of the summer holidays Harry didn't sleep and only ate and drank if someone made him. It finally took Hermione breaking down in front of him to realize that he still had people in this world that needed him, and he then broke down himself. He cried for all those that lost someone to Voldemort and all those that may someday loose someone. He cried for Sirius and most of all for himself. Finally after all that he wiped his eyes and thanked her. He never specified what for but she knew and that was all that mattered.
Their 6th year had been confusing. Harry kept disappearing at night and would come back wiped out with cuts and bruises and sometimes broken bones. They had tried to get it out of him but he said that he was in no danger and swore on his life that he wouldn't tell anyone what was happening. That was the first year that he had spent Christmas away from everyone. He left the day before the break and promised that he'd be back in time for Christmas. He wasn't. He sent a letter apologizing and saying that he would make it up to them somehow but Hermione doubted it. See, she had realized through that summer that she cared for him more then she supposed she should. And the secrecy that he held so dear was tearing them apart.
While she was deep in her thoughts Hedwig tapped at the window startling her. When she realized who's Owl it was she instantly perked up and opened the screen. This was the first Owl he's sent her and it's already a month into the summer vacation. She petted Hedwig a little and then untied the letter from her leg. With some apprehension she unrolled the bit of parchment.
Dear Hermione,
How's your summer going? Sorry for not writing sooner I had a few things I had to finish up. Listen, Dumbledore told me that if I want I can move into Number 12 a week before my birthday. I'll be all alone however since Order Meetings are now being held someplace else. I wanted to know if you would stay with me. I know I've been a little secretive and distant this past year and I really do want to make it up to you. Ron will be by on my birthday but Mrs. Weasley wants him to stay home for most of the Holiday since this is probably the last he will spend at home. Please say you'll come, I've missed you.
Love,
Harry
P.S. At least say you'll come for my birthday, I'm going to be throwing a sort of party and it would be the best birthday ever if you were there.
Hermione sat there reading and re-reading the letter. 'I've missed you'? He sure hasn't acted like it. But that still didn't stop her from looking at the calendar and seeing, with some excitement, that a week from his birthday was two days away. The only problem was getting her parents to approve. She needed a plan.
~*~Harry~*~
"Here Hedwig, deliver this letter to Hermione for me will you?"
Hedwig nipped his finger lightly and flew out his open window. He just stared after her, even after she was out of sight. So much had changed in the past year that it hurt. Sirius was gone, and never coming back. It took awhile for that to sink in for Harry. Sirius wasn't going to send him another exotic bird with a message, or pop around the corner in his padfoot form anymore. He was really and truly gone and there was nothing Harry could have done to keep him here. It took longer for that to sink in. For ages after Sirius' death Harry truly believed it was his fault. He felt like he himself placed the curse on Sirius and made him fall through the vale. Thank God for Hermione.
She was his rock, the only person or thing that held him together. Through this past year it was so hard to keep secrets from her and to see the pained expression on her face after he came back from Christmas holidays 2 days late. It hurt him more then she knew. She doubted him now. For the first time he could see suspicion and doubt in her eyes when he spoke to her and it tore him apart. He realized the summer after 5th year when she had brought him back to his senses that he was in love with her. There was no doubt in his mind about that. The only doubt was if she felt the same way. He had brought her so much pain as of late that he didn't see how she could. He didn't see how anyone could feel the same way he does about Hermione. That was one of the main reasons he invited her to stay with him this summer. He wanted to get back on the same terms that he was on with her before Sirius was taken, maybe even better terms. He could hope. While he was deep in his thoughts there was a knock on his bedroom door.
"Come in?" No one ever knocks on his door. The Dursleys usually just barge in.
Harry was understandably confused then when his Uncle Vernon opened the door and walked in. He looked nervous and uncomfortable and Harry offered him his desk chair hoping that the large man wouldn't break it.
"As you know," Vernon started as he sat, "I was just promoted to General Manager at my branch of Grunnings."
As a matter of fact Harry did not know that but just nodded hoping to get whatever Vernon wanted out of the way before Hermione wrote back.
"Well," Vernon cleared his throat clearly staling for time, "They are throwing a large dinner party for me on the 27th and if you promise to behave you may attend."
Harry was shocked. After all the Dursleys have put him through they are asking him to come to a dinner party. Maybe he would go…
"Could I bring a date, if she promises to behave as well of course?"
This was followed by an "of Course" by Vernon who left as soon as that was over.
Once the door was closed Harry couldn't help but let out a large burst of laughter. He could tell that Vernon had hoped that he would decline. Now, all he had to do was to get Hermione to accept his invitation.
Just then Hedwig flew back in with a letter from Hermione. That was sooner then expected he thought as he took the letter off Hedwig's leg. She flew back to her cage to get some rest. For the longest time Harry just stared at the letter as if it was something that was going to bite his hand off. What if she said no, what if she can't even come to the party? What if she CAN come? We'd be all alone in number 12 for a month… this was a bad idea. All this was going through his head as he untied the string and unrolled the parchment. All his worries went away however as soon as he saw her neat writing.
Dear Harry,
It was wonderful to hear from you. I had started to worry. What kind of things did you have to finish up? I know you probably won't answer that question but you know me, had to ask. Well, about your invite to Number 12, it took a little persuasion but I had finally convinced my parents to let me stay for the rest of the holidays. So when do you want me to meet you there? I'll be driving myself and my parents are going to pick the car up at Kings Cross after we leave so we have a way to get there. I can't wait to see you again Harry, I've missed you terribly.
Love,
Hermione
P.S. Even if my parents wouldn't have let me come I would have been there for your birthday you should know that. I would've snuck out if I had to.
Harry just smiled. A month alone with Hermione was more then he could ask for. That was the best present he could have gotten this year. However, he was a little suspicious of how Hermione got her parents to let her spend a month alone with a teenage boy, even if it was only her friend. It made him feel good to think that Hermione, HIS Hermione, Little-miss-follow-the-rules, would sneak out of the house for him… he was a bad influence on her. He laughed a little as he wrote his reply.