The next morning, Harry woke to the sounds of commotion outside his window. Looking up, he could tell it was still dark outside. He grabbed his glasses from the bedside table and groggily placed them atop his nose. The sight at his window was enough to scare him over the side of his bed. Picking himself up from the ground, he rushed to the window. Opening it, he let a freezing Lupin inside.
"All packed then Harry?"
"Packed?"
"Yes, Hermione said she told you about coming to her house for the remainder of the summer."
"She told me…but I had no idea it would be so soon!"
"No matter," Lupin swished his wand and Harry's trunk was suddenly bulging with his belongings. "Come on then Harry, grab your broom…"
"Now?" Lupin flicked his wand again and Harry was wrapped tightly in his school robes.
The trip to Hermione's house was quiet, and surprisingly quick. Harry briefly wondered where his usual entourage of Order members was tonight and why Lupin was the only one escorting him.
They made it to the Granger home before the sun had peeked over the horizon. The Grangers were already awake for the day…at least, the older ones were; Hermione was nowhere to be seen.
They shared congenial conversation over tea, and then Lupin apparated back to Grimauld Place.
"Well then Harry, some breakfast?" Mrs. Granger asked with a grin.
"Sure! I'm starving," Harry smiled.
As Harry dug into his breakfast, he heard footsteps approaching from the hall. Then a familiar voice rose from the neighboring room, "Mum? Dad?"
He called to her from his place in the dining room, "Oy! They left for work already!" A squeal of delight rang in his ears as Hermione tore into the dining room. All smiles, she threw her arms around Harry's neck…practically knocking his plate from the table.
"Oh Harry! You're here! I told Mum and Dad to wake me this morning! Blast them!" Harry could only laugh, struggling to push her hair from his face. She released him from her grip and sat down beside him at the table.
"Hi, Hermione," he continued shoveling food into his mouth.
"That's it!? You're turning into Ron, you are!" she grinned mischievously. Grabbing him by his sleeve, she jerked him out of his chair. "Come on, I'll show you the house."
Hermione led Harry to his room, where Lupin had already deposited his luggage. "It's right across the hall from mine, so I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other." Harry stood in the doorway of his room as Hermione hoisted herself to sit on what was, in Harry's mind, and enormous bed. "Do you not like it?"
"I love it! I've never slept in a room so big before is all." Hermione giggled.
Hermione giggles?
Harry suddenly found himself studying Hermione as she propped herself up on her elbows. Not noticing his own growth was one thing, but he would have to be completely brainless not to notice how Hermione had grown. Funny, he thought, it was only weeks ago that I saw her yet she seems to have changed a great deal.
"Harry?"
"Uh…sorry," he attempted.
"You were staring you great brute!"
"Sorry, I don't think I'm quite myself these days." Hermione sat up on the bed, stood, and walked towards him. Her face was suddenly sad. Stopping directly in front of him she said, "I'm sorry, Harry." She looked down at her feet for a moment, then returned her gaze to Harry, "Do you want to talk?" Harry's head was suddenly spinning. All of his dreams lately had left him under a momentary cloud of disillusion.
Hadn't he told her everything!?
This wasn't dream Hermione, this was real Hermione. Real Hermione knew nothing about the prophecy. Harry reeled over what to say. He felt like he had said so much already…
"Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry Hermione; I don't think I can talk just yet." Her eyes fell to the floor. "Of course not Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to -"
"No, it's not your fault. I just…it's just that I have so much to tell you. But it can wait." He put his fingers under her chin and lifted her face. "It's fine, `Mione."
"`Mione?" she smiled, her eyes still shimmering.
"You don't like it?"
"No, I do!" she exclaimed, gripping his extended arm in her hands. "I do."
They spent the rest of the day lounged in Hermione's bedroom, which, to Harry's amusement, was wall to wall bookshelves. However, crammed in the corner was a small television. The two lay side by side on their stomachs munching on popcorn and watching an old movie.
"I can't believe your parents keep popcorn in the house."
"Why?"
"Dentists? With popcorn?" Hermione snorted. Harry couldn't help but watched her was she shook mildly with laughter. The day passed quickly and before they knew it the Grangers were home and dinner was served.
As Harry pulled his pajamas on and turned down his bed sheets, a soft knocking sounded on his door. Twisting the knob, he opened the door to see Hermione standing in her own pajamas.
"Hi Harry, I just wanted to apologize about earlier today, can I come in?" Stepping aside, Harry opened the door all the way to let Hermione inside. She walked bare-footed to his bed, sat down on the edge and began twisting her hands as they rested in her lap.
"Hermione?"
"I-I'm sorry Harry. It's just that I-never mind." With that, she sprung from her perch on his bed and made a bee line for the door. "Good night, Harry." The door swung shut behind her and Harry was left standing bewildered in the center of the room. Scratching his head, he made his way back to his bed.
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