Unofficial Portkey Archive

Okay so I want to explain a few things. There were some comments on the story that I want to address. This WILL be Harry/Hermione eventually, otherwise I wouldn't be posting this here. It isn't following along with the story just yet, because it just started. So please be patient and bear with me as the story unfolds =]

Thank you all for reading!

Chapter Two: Letters and Fast Food

The next morning Hermione got up early to get ready for her day. She wasn't sure if the Braeden's were morning people or not, but she figured they most likely wouldn't be up at 5 a.m. Quietly, she readied herself in the bathroom, and then padded back down the hallway to her room. She passed Connor's room on the way; she could hear him snoring softly. Hermione smiled to herself as she walked back in to her room and closed the door silently. She walked over to her trunk and pulled out a small stack of books. She made to stand back up, when a book caught her eye. She set the books that she had in her hands on the floor, and then reached back in to the trunk, pulling out another book. She ran her fingers over the title, New Theory of Numerology. There was a pang in her heart and she pinched her eyes closed. This was the book Harry had given her for Christmas last year. Seeing the book reminded her of him and Ron. She hadn't written to either of them all summer, and they had no idea that she was in the U.S. right now. Digging a bit further down in to her trunk, she pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. She took the quill and parchment back to her bed, abandoning her books. Hermione propped herself up against the head board with pillows, and then wrapped a blanket around her. She glanced at the picture of the three of them on her nightstand before touching the quill to the paper.

.+.

Dear Harry,

Love, Hermione.

Harry scanned the letter again; making sure his eyes hadn't deceived him. Hermione was in America?

She told you, you idiot! She didn't want you to be disappointed.

But this hurts. I can't believe she didn't tell me.

He scanned it once more. He wouldn't get to see her this summer. It was a really odd feeling; he hadn't gone a summer without seeing her since he started attending Hogwarts. Even if she wasn't at the Burrow, he at least got to see her in Diagon Alley getting books and supplies. He didn't even know when he'd get to go, or if he would get to go. Moody and Dumbledore had him under house arrest at his aunt and uncles.

"As long as you're happy," he whispered as he pulled out a piece of paper and quill. He sat down to write back. Just then something whizzed over his head and smacked in to the wall behind him. Harry spun around to see what it was. Nothing was there; just his trunk against the wall. Harry slid off his chair and went to investigate. All of a sudden something hit him hard on the forehead.

"Oww!" Harry cried, falling backwards. He closed his eyes as he rubbed his forehead, and when he opened them, Pig was twittering over his head. He narrowed his eyes at the owl. "Stupid bird," he muttered as he grabbed it out of the air. It squawked in his hand and nibbled his finger. He pulled the piece of paper off of its leg and let go of the bird, allowing it to twitter around his room once more. Harry opened the paper, and right away recognized the handwriting.

Hey Harry!

How have you been Harry? I'm still working on getting you here. I think we may end up going to Snuffle's,

Harry stopped reading. He just sat staring at the word. Snuffles He'd tried to forget it the past few days, but something always had to remind him.

I can't go back to that house.

I think I'd take my chances on somewhere else.

Harry sighed and started reading again.

I'm sorry, but You-Know-Who has been going crazy lately. There have been numerous killings; we don't know what to do. I'll keep at Dumbledore and Moody, hopefully you'll get out of there soon.

-Ron

Harry sighed. He wasn't sure, but he was guessing this would be one of the worst summers yet.

.+.

Hey Hermione!

Don't worry about me. Nothing too much is going on here. I'm still stuck at the Dursley's, but Ron said he is working on getting me out. Even so, I may end up going to … Snuffle's old house. I don't know if I can go back there Hermione. How can I? How can I without you there for support? Hopefully I can just go to the Burrow. Please don't worry; I won't do anything drastic, I promise. I can't do anything.

Love, Harry

Hermione couldn't help but to feel guilty as she read over the letter.

How could I not be there for him?!

That doesn't matter. I should be there for him!

Hermione folded the letter back up and shoved it back in to its envelope. She put it in the top drawer of her desk. Just then Mrs. Braeden peeked her head around the corner of her doorway and peered in to the room.

"Hey Hermione, we were thinking about going out to eat for lunch. Have you ever been to a McDonalds?" Mrs. Braeden asked her.

"I've been there a few times. My parents don't really like to go out to eat much," Hermione responded, "but I'd love to go!" Mrs. Braeden smiled at her and left. Hermione slipped her feet in to a pair of sandals before leaving her room. She met Carrie in the hall as she was leaving too.

"Hi!" Carrie said excitedly, "Ready to go?" Hermione nodded and followed Carrie up the stairs. As they emerged, they almost ran in to Mrs. Braeden as she bustled in to the entrance hall.

"Oh sorry girls. Carrie, have you seen your sister?"

"I'm right here mom," Key said, coming from the living room. Hermione's eyes widened as she saw Keegan. She was wearing a short black flared skirt, a black-and-pink striped midriff tank top, and hot pink fishnet stockings. She had on black sandals and bracelets lining both of her arms. Her hair was swept back in to a messy bun, and it had pink streaks in it. She looked so wild, yet so cool, Hermione couldn't explain it. The front door opened and Connor walked in.

"Hey guys, we going?" he asked, closing the door behind him. Mr. Braeden came walking down the stairs.

"Yep, we're ready!" he announced.

"Why don't we take two vehicles so we aren't crushed in to one car? Carebear, you come with us. Hermione, why don't you ride with Key and Connor?" Mrs. Braeden asked. Hermione nodded.

"Aww mom, why can't I ride with them?" Carrie whined to her mother. Fahreeda rolled her eyes.

"Fine, you can ride with them. We'll meet you guys there, okay?" she said as she followed her husband out the door. The rest filed out after them. Mr. and Mrs. Braeden crawled in to their red Mustang and pulled out of the driveway. The kids climbed in to a blue Saturn Coupe with Connor in the driver's seat. Hermione went to open the back passenger door, but Key stopped her.

"Why don't you ride up front? Give you a chance to see some of the sights." Hermione gulped and crawled in to the front passenger seat. Connor grinned at her, and then pulled out of the driveway.

"This is really weird, I didn't know wizarding kids would get their driver's license," Hermione thought out loud as they passed houses, each as big and elegant as the last.

"Well it's like I told you, Hermione, my mom grew up muggle. Our parents want to give us the most experience of both worlds as they can," Carrie told her, leaning forward and sticking her head between the driver's and passenger's seats. "See that over there?" Carrie asked, pointing off to the left, blocking Connor's view.

"Carrie!" he yelled. She pulled her arm down and blushed.

"Sorry! Anyway, that's our school," She told Hermione as they passed by. "Er, our old school at least. It's the muggle high school." It was a rather large building, with fields of brilliant green grass and sidewalks winding all over. "See that?" Carrie asked, pointing across Hermione. "That's our local shopping mall. Maybe later today we can go there!"

"Oh sit back," Key said, pulling her sister back in to her seat. "You're scaring the poor girl," Key told her, laughing. Hermione started blushing.

"No, it's fine, really. I'm just trying to get used to all of this," Hermione told her. A few blocks down from the mall, Hermione spotted the large Golden Archway, which only meant one thing. In a minute they were pulling in to the McDonald's. They all walked in to find Mr. and Mrs. Braeden standing in line.

"There you guys are!" Mrs. Braeden exclaimed. "Figure out what you guys want to eat." Hermione looked over the large menus hanging behind the counter. She had no idea what to order, the last time she was in a McDonalds was a few summers ago. Key saw her confused face.

"I'd recommend a cheeseburger," Key muttered to her, then grinned at her. Hermione smiled back.

They found a table after they had gotten their food and sat down. Hermione was reluctant about her cheeseburger, but Key leaned over to her.

"It doesn't bite, I promise." She winked at her and went back to her own food. She was about to take a bite when she saw a rather cute boy exit the building. She followed him with her eyes as he walked through the parking lot. Key leaned over to see what she was looking at, and then raised her eyebrows to Hermione. "Ahh, good find!" Hermione smiled and bit in to her cheeseburger. It was surprisingly good; it just wasn't something she'd eat on an every day basis.

As they were leaving, Carrie asked her, "So how did you enjoy your typical American meal?" Hermione looked at her funny.

"That's a typical American meal? Oh my…" Everyone burst out laughing at Hermione's response. They finished their meal with small chit-chat and finished off with ice cream cones.

"I haven't eaten things like this in such a long time, my parents are big health nuts," Hermione told them as she took another lick of her ice cream.

"Oh man, I don't know what I'd do if you guys were health nuts," Key said to her parents. They smiled.

"We could always start being health nuts, you know," Mrs. Braeden said. Mr. Braeden took a lick of his ice cream and shook his head.
"No way." They all laughed and got up to leave.

"Hey Connor, go home with mom and dad," Key told him as they walked out the doors. He scowled at her.

"What? Why?"

"Because we're going to go sight seeing a bit more. And unless you want to go to the mall, go home with mom and dad," Key replied with a smirk. Connor's eyes widened and he abruptly turned to follow his parents. The girls all giggled quietly and hopped in to their own car, now with Key driving.

"So, where now?" Key asked, fixing the rear view mirror. When neither of the other girls answered, Key just said, "Okay, mall it is!" and pulled out of the parking lot, the sun streaming in on them.

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