Okay, I'm whippin' out the fluff.
Chapter Three-Getting There
Harry pulled clothes out of his closet. He dressed quickly, his mind spinning. He tried to push Hermione out of his mind, but he failed miserably. Harry grabbed Hedwig's cage and his trunk. He dragged them across the room and opened the door. He started to walk out the door, but stopped when he noticed Hermione sitting on the floor. She looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked, dragging his trunk in to the hall and closed his door.
"Oh, err, um, just waiting for you," she stammered. Harry smiled again.
"Let's go downstairs, I'm ready to get out of this place." Hermione nodded and stood up. Harry went to grab Hedwig's cage, but Hermione pulled it out of his hands.
"I'll carry this," she said, smiling at him. He shrugged and picked up his trunk. They made their way down the stairs and in to the living room. Harry's uncle was talking about drills, and the Granger's were smiling kindly. Mr. Granger was staring at Vernon, nodding, while Mrs. Granger inspected the living room. She saw Harry and Hermione enter and her face relaxed visibly.
"Got everything, Harry?" Mrs. Granger asked, smiling genuinely. Mr. Granger looked up at the sound of his wife's voice. When he saw the two standing there, he looked relieved. Harry didn't blame him; his uncle could drag on for hours, guaranteeing boredom with in five minutes.
"Yep, I'm pretty sure," Harry replied. Mr. Granger walked over and took the trunk from Harry. Aunt Petunia opened the front door, and they all filed out. Mr. Granger dragged Harry's luggage to the back of the car and popped the lock. The trunk of the car opened, and Harry's luggage was placed next to Hermione's. Hermione placed Hedwig's cage in, and Mr. Granger closed the trunk. The Granger's and Harry said good bye to the Dursley's, then climbed in the car. Harry slid in the backseat next to Hermione, while Mr. Granger got in the drivers seat, and Mrs. Granger in the passengers.
"So how has your summer been, Harry?" Hermione asked as they backed out of the driveway.
"Fine, as good of a summer as you can have at the Dursley's I suppose," Harry replied. "Yours?"
"Oh fine thanks. I finished the essay for potions-well, assuming I'll get in to potions," Hermione said, her face falling. Harry grabbed her hand on impulse.
"Oh Hermione, of course you'll get in to potions. I'm the one who should be worried," Harry said, chuckling. Hermione sighed, but said nothing. It was only then Harry realized he was stroking her palm gently. He blushed and pulled his hand away. She gave him an inquisitive look. He blushed deeper and took to staring out the window.
After awhile, Harry found his gave wandering from the countless trees they were passing. His gaze landed on Hermione. She was staring out her own window, obviously lost in thought. She was so beautiful; the afternoon sun brought out the golden highlights in her hair. Her hand made its way to her hair, separating a portion of hair and twirling it around her index finger. Harry smiled. It was one of the many things he loved about her. If he could, he would stare at her forever.
Just then the thought passed through his mind: that may not be possible. Harry tore his eyes away from Hermione, only to stare blankly in to space. That stupid prophecy; it was because of the prophecy, and ONLY the prophecy, that his parents and Sirius were dead, and why he himself may end up dead. Even worse, the people he cared about most could end up dead. Harry's heart gave a painful lurch when he thought about it, namely when his thoughts passed over losing Hermione. The pain must have shown in his features, because just then he felt a hand on top of his. He looked over to see Hermione looking at him curiously, a look of worry in her eyes. Harry smiled weakly at her, then looked out the window. He couldn't stand to look at her, to see her worried about him. She didn't let go of his hand. Instead she stroked it gently. Harry smiled inwardly, ignoring the shiver that ran down his spine.
*
Hermione sat there, stroking Harry's hand. She was only doing it absent-mindedly; she was too busy thinking about what could be bothering Harry. She hated seeing him sad. She loved his smile, when he smiled it lit up the whole room. His smile gave Hermione the hope, the assurance to know it would all be okay in the end. He had been on her mind constantly, and it drove her crazy. She cared about him more than he could ever imagine. She wasn't sure if it was just the way a best friend cared for a best friend anymore.
Just then Harry let go of her hand, and her heart fell. But he picked it back up again, interlocking his fingers in hers. She looked at him and smiled. He was staring out his own window, so she gave his hand a squeeze and looked back out her own window. The surroundings looked familiar, which meant they were nearing the Burrow. Hermione had mixed feelings. On one hand, the Burrow was like her second home. On the other hand, there was Harry. Literally. Arriving at the Burrow would mean letting go of his hand, something she didn't want to do. She also didn't want to face Ron. Hermione sighed and leaned her head against the glass.
*
Harry loved how he could just sit and stare at Hermione and she didn't have a clue. She had just sighed and leaned her head against the window. Something was bothering her, and he didn't know what it was. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. She looked over at him and smiled. He smiled back. Just then, they pulled in to the driveway of the Burrow. Harry's heart gave a lurch. The car came to a stop, but neither Harry nor Hermione made a move. Harry saw Ron and Mrs. Weasley come out of the front door. Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, unlocked their fingers, and got out of the car. Mrs. Weasley rushed over to Harry and pulled him in to a rib-crushing hug.
"Oh Harry dear, I do hope you've been alright," Mrs. Weasley said, pulling back. Harry mustered up a smile.
"Oh yes, thanks," he replied. She smiled and turned to greet the Grangers, and Harry's smile wiped off his face. Truth was, he was miserable. So far he had been able to keep his godfather off his mind, but he knew he couldn't avoid it forever. Harry shook it out of his mind and walked over to where Hermione and Ron were standing. They weren't talking; Hermione was looking at the ground and Ron towards his house.
"Hey Ron," Harry said uneasily. Ron looked at him and grinned.
"Hey mate, everything good I hope?" Ron asked, nervousness lingering in the question. Why did everyone insist on asking Harry this question? Harry just grinned back and nodded.
"Well, we better get our things out of the car," Harry said to Hermione. She nodded and the three walked to the car. That was when Harry noticed something.
"Hermione, where is Crookshanks?" Harry asked curiously. He immediately knew it was the wrong thing to ask. Her face twisted in pain and her eyes glistened
"The day after we got home, I couldn't find Crookshanks. He didn't show up for three days. The fourth day, my dad came home and broke the news to me. He found him dead, lying in the street." A tear trickled down Hermione's cheek. Harry took a breath in and pulled Hermione in to an embrace. She sobbed in to his chest. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. She felt so small in his arms. He closed his eyes, fighting back the tears that were threatening his eyelids. It wasn't really the fact of Crookshanks being dead, it was Hermione crying in his arms that made all of his emotions surface. Harry pinched his eyes closed, then opened them. Fighting the urge to keep Hermione against him all day, he pulled her back and looked in to her bloodshot eyes. He brought his hand up to her face and used his thumb to wipe her tears away from her cheeks.
"Are you okay?" he asked her gently. She looked in to his eyes and nodded. He kissed her forehead and let go of her. He realized that everyone was looking at them, and he felt himself blush. He walked over to the car and pulled his trunk and Hedwig's cage out, placing them on the ground. Ron walked over and picked up Harry's trunk, while Harry pulled Hermione's out. They dragged the luggage in to the house and up the stairs to the appropriate bedrooms. Harry set Hermione's trunk down in the room her and Ginny shared, then took Hedwig's cage from Hermione. He smiled slightly, then made his way to his room he shared with Ron. Harry was surprised to see Ron sitting on his bed, staring at his hands, which were rested in his lap. Harry walked in and placed Hedwig's cage on the dresser.
"Err, Ron? Are you okay?" Harry asked gently, walking over and sitting down on the bed across from Ron.
"Oh yeah, everything's fine," Ron said dully, not looking up. Harry frowned.
"Doesn't seem fine. You wanna tell me what's really wrong?" Harry asked, trying to get Ron to crack.
"Look Harry, I don't want to talk about it, okay?" Ron said bitterly, finally looking up. Harry wasn't sure of the look in Ron's eyes, but it was enough to tell Harry not to say anything more. He shook his head and stood up. He walked back downstairs to say good bye to the Grangers.
*
After Harry dropped her trunk off, Hermione had gone back outside to say goodbye to her parents. They were still chatting with Mrs. Weasley.
"…We really must be going, just say good bye to … Hermione!" her mother exclaimed, surprised by her daughters presence. Hermione smiled.
"Hi mom. Are you guys leaving now?" she asked.
"Yes, we were just waiting to say good bye," her mother said, smiling back. Tears started welling up in her mother's eyes, jut like every other time they said good bye. Her mother pulled Hermione into a tight embrace. Hermione fought back the tears that were stinging her eyes. They broke apart, and then Hermione's father pulled her into a hug.
"You take care of yourself, okay?" he said, squeezing her gently. He kissed the top of her head and let go. Hermione nodded. Her mother pulled her into another hug.
"Write all the time, promise?" her mother said through tears, chuckling. Hermione laughed.
"I promise I'll write," she replied, pulling back and looking her mother in the eyes. Hermione heard crunching behind her, and turned around to see Harry approaching. He didn't look happy at all, but he plastered a smile on to his face. Hermione caught his eye, questioning him, but he just shook his head slightly, giving her a look that said `I'll tell you later.'
"Thank you for the ride, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I really appreciate it," Harry said, walking up next to Hermione. She felt his hand grab hers, and he gave it a squeeze. A shiver rand down her spine, but she was disappointed. She figured Harry would squeeze and let go, but he didn't. She smiled, trying to contain herself.
"Anytime Harry. Anything for a …" Mr. Granger paused, "friend of Hermione's," he said, winking. Hermione felt her cheeks grow hot, and she didn't have to look at Harry to know he was doing the same.
"Well, we best be off," Mrs. Granger said, glaring at her husband. He shrugged and headed for the driver's side of the car, but not before hugging Hermione once more.
"Good bye, everyone!" he said, pulling the door open. Mrs. Granger hugged her daughter one last time.
"Good bye, love you sweetie," she said, walking to her own side of the car.
"Bye!" Hermione, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley said in unison. They waved as Hermione's parents backed out of the driveway. They waved until the car was out of site, but Hermione wasn't paying attention to watching them leave. She was more focused on Harry's arm, wrapped around her waist.
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