~*~Chapter 2~*~
~*~The Arrival~*~
A/N There's a few things that I want to clear up. Yes, this was my first fanfic; however it's going through a
tremendous makeover for it to be placed here on portkey. The idea for this was my first and you can find the original
version, which I started on Feb. 2 2002 on Fanfiction.net under the penname CentralsPrincess15. I do warn you though,
it's really bad.
Thanks
~*~Hermione~*~
She couldn't believe that she was actually going to do this. She glanced once more at the letter she had received late last night.
Dear Hermione,
I was so glad you could come I nearly screamed. But then I realized that I was still at the Dursleys and that would probably end up in chores until the moment I have to leave for Number 12 and settled for a jig instead (just kidding). Well about the meet, there's been a development. See Uncle Vernon was promoted to head manager of his branch and there's going to be a party on the 27th, and he's invited me and I can bring a date. Will you go with me? If so come to Privet drive tomorrow at 5 for dinner. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia wish to meet you then you'll spend the night in the guest bedroom and we'll be out of there the next morning and off to Gimmuald place. I AM a bit curious as to how you persuaded your parents into letting you stay for a month with a boy all alone.
Love,
Harry
P.S. Even if that boy is only a friend of course.
Hermione liked to think that that last line was a bit rushed as if he threw it in at the last second. She sighed as she pulled the keys out of the ignition and opened her door.
She opted to wear a very Hermione like knee length blue skirt and a white top. Not reveling but still feminine. She cared for Harry but wasn't going to dress a different way just to impress him. If he didn't like the way she was now then she's not going to change for him. Even as the thought passed her mind she wished she would've wore something sexier but quickly pushed that out of her head. It was just nerves of course and it's will all be fine once she finally sees Harry.
The walk to the door seemed to take hours. As she looked around everyone was peeking out their shades to see who the new person at Number 4 was. She instantly regretted this. Not only will she be under the scrutiny of Harry's Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, and Neighbors but she also had to be his date at a diner party she had no wish to attend. Finally she reached the door to the house, took a deep breath, and rang the bell.
~*~Harry~*~
He didn't get a reply from Hermione but thought that may be a good thing. He couldn't help staring at that clock all day though. Dudley had called him on a few times and teased him mercifully. Harry had done an extra good job on all his chores today and even took the time to dust and vacuum his room, which brought on another laughing bout from Dudley until he nearly died from chocking on a candy bar he was eating at the time.
Harry thought he may have scared Hermione off with the '…month with a boy all alone' comment. From the time he sent the letter to 5:00 when the doorbell rang he was just a bundle of nerves. What made it worse was when the bell DID ring the Dursleys didn't force him (though it wouldn't take much this time) to answer the door.
"Dudley, honey, go and answer the door." Aunt Petunia poked her head out of the kitchen into the living room where Dudley was. He didn't hear a word she said.
"Dudley, sweetie, get the door please. We don't want to seem rude." Dudley just nodded this time but still stayed seated.
By this time Harry was ready to leave the supper that he's been working on for the past hour burn just to go answer the door. Then something happened that would be remembered in the Dursley's house for a long time to come. Petunia snapped.
"DUDLEY VERNON DURSLEY GET UP OFF YOUR ASS AND GET THE DOOR NOW!" Harry whipped around and stared at his Aunt. Dudley looked as if he was about to cry and Vernon, who had just came down from changing looked bug eyed at his wife.
"O-o-o-ok mum, I'll get it." Dudley scrambled to the door just as the bell rang for the third time.
Harry as still eying his Aunt warily hoping that she wouldn't blow up at him like that and that Hermione didn't hear that. Petunia came up to him and took the wooden spoon from his hand and went to stirring the food in the skillet.
"Go on boy; get changed for your guest."
Harry nodded and washed his hands. By then Hermione was inside the house and in the Living room. Dudley was no where to be seen and Vernon was trying his best to Entertain her. He shook his head and went up to change.
~*~Hermione~*~
She waited, and waited, rang the bell again and waited some more. Just when she was about to leave she heard a woman shouting from inside and tried one more time. Hoping it would be Harry answering the door she put on a large smile when she heard the door begin to open. She was sadly disappointed.
"Hello, may I help you?" The boy, she assumed it was Dudley, looked pale and confused. Her smile faltered a bit but she replaced it as soon as she could.
"Yes, my name's Hermione Granger. I'm here to see Harry."
The boy nodded and showed her in. She tried to look for Harry hoping he would come and see her but she was whisked away into the living room before she could find him.
A very large man sat on a chair in the room with a glass of Whiskey in one hand and the remote control in the other. As soon as Dudley showed her into the Living room he ran out saying he had to change. Hermione sat in an unoccupied chair and cleared her throat. Vernon looked from the TV to her and was startled.
"Uh, you must be Harry's date for the dinner." He took a long drink from his glass to steady himself.
Hermione merely nodded and looked around nervously. She wished for Harry to come in a hurry and soon her wish came true.
"Hermione!" Harry rushed into the living room and picked her up in a hug. She smiled for the first time since entering the home.
"Hey Harry, how's it going." She was a little embarrassed as she was still in his embrace.
He pulled back so he could see her. "Better now." She blushed and he pulled away from her and turned to his Uncle.
"Uncle Vernon this is my best friend, Hermione Granger. Hermione, my Uncle Vernon Dursley." Hermione gave a quiet "nice to meet you" and all Vernon did was grunt. Thankfully at that moment Petunia called for them to come to dinner.
Dinner was as it most always was in the Dursley household. All the conversation revolved around Dudley. The many Dinner topics were Dudley's Grades, his school, his friends and the weather. Finally came the moment that Harry was dreading.
"So Hermione, You go to that school with Harry?" Having two magical people in the house had caused Vernon to drink a little more then usual tonight and suffice to say he was drunk at this point.
"Yes sir." Came Hermione's polite reply. She had taken a sip from her water glass to keep from saying anything rude. She's been doing this all night and by now she had gone through 3 glasses of water.
"So I suppose that your parents are…like you as well." Hermione instantly shook her head.
"No, my parents are Mug- Non magical people. They're Dentists. They have their own practice and everything."
"How…nice." Petunia had gotten into the conversation. She hasn't spoke much since she yelled at Dudley and he had gotten an extra piece of pie as an apology.
"Well, if Hermione and I may be excused I'll show her to her room." Vernon waved him off and the left the table as fast as they politely could.
(at this point it's no particular POV)
When they got to the stairs Harry stopped and turned to her. "Do you want to see your room first or get your clothes?"
"Most defiantly get my clothes. I don't want to have to come back down here anymore then I have to." Harry nodded and led the way outside.
"So Hermione, did you bring something to wear to the party or do you want to go shopping for it?" Harry was just trying to make casual conversation, something that seemed very hard to do with Hermione walking so close to him at the moment.
"Well, I did bring something, but I don't know if it will be presentable enough. I don't have many fancy things. I don't really need them anymore what with being at school most of the year." Hermione grabbed a small night bag from the backseat of her car.
"I'm sure it will be fine but I need to go shopping anyway so if you see anything you like tell me, I'll get it for you." Harry grabbed the bag from her and walked a little ahead of her. She just followed with a small smile on her face.
When they got to the guest room Harry opened the door for her. He set her suitcase on her bed and turned to her. They stood there for a few seconds just staring at each other before Harry shook his head and wrapped his arms around her again.
"I'm so glad you're here Hermione"
And so was she.
Thanks to:
HnH4eva19 - My first reviewer! YOU GET COOKIES!!!
ShawnPickett - you're very welcome
VipyGirl831 - *blush* you really think so?
Hrhermione - There is a very good reason Vernon asked Harry to come.
Hermione Granger Potter - Hope this was soon enough for you
Zoe Clair Black - HrH 4 eva Hecky yea!!!
Willow - Thanks!
HPfan1 - It warms my heart it know that it's becoming a fave
Austenlover - Oh, I have big plans for the party. You see Vernon's Boss… never mind.
RomaFlavour - Sneaky…humph… J
Woefulwabbit - I GOT POTENTIAL *does a little dance* thanks!!
Lara - I hope you like it.
Readingeye - … never thought of that… hmmm… *wheels turn in head*
Lord Belial - What would be the fun in that?
Lally - why thank you *bows*
Mcgaughy1661 - beginning is easy…it's the middle that's hard
Xxbluesparklesxx - glad you like it?
Emily - Soon enough?
Pnutpotter437 - plenty of tricks, don't worry.
Harrysgrl - nope, but something like that
Mis Granger - he thinks by keeping her in the dark he's keeping her safe
Silver Snitch- Thanks!
Eschiva - All in due time. Yes Dumbledore is letting him stay alone, not something we expected after OotP I know. But that trust is important aspect of the story.
Kensit - Well, it's not finished yet and I've always disliked my stories but with all these wonderful reviews I can't really argue can I?
Bryana1029 - I'm glad I peaked your interest.
Akjennymay9 - Well, you may be surprised at how Hermione handled that. The things we do for love *sigh*
Lily Evans Potter - He has more of an influence on her then he realizes.
Sweet - Here's the next chapter! I found it! Do I get a prize????
Izabel - Me either! But of course I don't have to…he he he J
There were also plenty of anonymous reviewers.