Chapter 02 - Little Whinging
The following morning, Harry woke feeling more refreshed than he had in a long time, as if a huge weight had gone from his shoulders and had been replaced with a calming presence. But it was definitely too soon to feel comfortable. Harry's feet hadn't even left his bed when he heard the hard thumping on his door.
BAM… BAM… BAM…
Harry drew his bedcovers aside violently. "Can't they leave me alone just once?" he muttered to himself, as he slumped his feet to the floor and dragged himself out of bed. He stood there stretching the sleep from his joints; thankful he had a quite night's sleep. He heard a muffled voice, ordering him up.
"Are you going to sleep all day? Get up, NOW!!"
Harry was so groggy that his mind didn't register that the voice coming from the other side of the door was definitely not from any member of Uncle Vernon's household. He completely forgot who else could be waiting for him. He opened his door and found a smiling Hermione standing in front of him while he stood there in his boxers. First confusion, then some another feeling took over him as he saw her for the first time away from the wizarding world. He had that feeling before; it was a warm one, warmer than a butterbeer on a winter evening. His thoughts drifted back to the night they spent on the Astronomy tower a few months ago, about how he was beginning to feel for her. His warm feeling soon disappeared when he noticed she was staring at him, and when she glanced down, he remembered his state of dress.
Hermione watched the play of emotions on her friend's face with a sly smirk on her face and decided not to over analyze whatever caused it, since she couldn't feel anything from her palm. Instead, she gave him a good-morning hug, completely ignoring his state of dress, as if to say 'you're alive and you're going to be fine.'
"So, are you going to sleep all day?" Hermione asked mock-sternly as she released him. "It's well past 10 o'clock."
'Ten o'clock? But that has never happened here before,' he thought, and then added aloud, "Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up and dressed." He shut the door and hurried to his wardrobe for a change of clothes, sending her back to her room to wait.
In only a few minutes, he grabbed a clean t-shirt and pulled on a pair of jeans, ran to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash up. When he opened the door again, she was standing there waiting.
"I heard you leave your room, so I figured you'd be ready. They tried to bother you at 6:00 this morning, but I convinced them to let you sleep; I know you've needed it. It really didn't take much convincing, actually, I think your uncle is more afraid of me then he is of you."
"Did they at lease offer you breakfast?" he asked, knowing full well those selfish people wouldn't offer a crumb.
"No, they didn't, and I'm not surprised. Besides, I'm not in the mood to check for poisons," she teased as they grinned at each other.
"There's a takeaway shop by the park, and besides, I'm starved," Harry offered as the two friends left the safety of the house at Privet Drive. Harry was intent on showing Hermione his little world away from Hogwarts. "Have you ever been to Little Whinging before?" he asked as they left the driveway.
"No. It's not too far from home, but we've never been to this part of London before."
"It's really a small quiet neighborhood; I guess I'm the most exciting thing that's happened here, except for Dudley's gang," he commented as he began the tour. "This is Privet Drive in all its glory. Nothing much, really. If you didn't see the house numbers, you wouldn't know which was mine."
They walked up Privet Drive, past Wisteria Walk. "Here's that alley where a pair of Dementors attacked us two years ago. Dudley was cowered over there." He pointed to the short wall near the lamppost that had failed to light that evening. "Dudley still doesn't believe he almost received a Dementor's Kiss that night."
"I, for one, wouldn't have lost any sleep, if I were you Harry. I know he's your cousin, but he's crude and rude."
"The park's just up ahead on Magnolia Road. The Park gate over there is where I first saw a rather large black shaggy dog," he said with an obviously distant tone.
"Sirius?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, Harry, I never would have thought about the memories this place has for you."
"It's ok, Mione, I've been able to deal with it. You, Ron and Ginny all helped."
She took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze of acknowledgment.
"Over there is where Dudley's gang attacked me last summer. Dung was hiding over there in those bushes and didn't lift a bloody finger. Dumbledore said he did, but I still think I did wandless magic then, too."
"Is that the grocery store where you've been stocking up?" she asked, pointing to the small group of shops just past the park.
"Yeah, there's a place over there we can get a bite to eat, if you're hungry."
"I'm starved, no breakfast and dinner last night wasn't much either."
He reached into his pocket to check his funds, and realized he'd forgotten to stock up on Muggle money. "Uhh, Mione, all I have are galleons. I haven't had a chance to change them."
"Forget it, I'll buy. Daddy gave me fifty quid before he left the other day. I know you're good for it," she teased.
"No, that's not good enough, I promised to buy you lunch, and I will, even if I have to go to Gringotts."
"Here's a fiver, let me have a galleon, and then we're even."
"Fair enough, come on, I'll treat."
They stopped at the small restaurant next to the store and as he promised, bought her a BigMac for lunch and one for himself. They sat at one of the outside café tables and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the day, and for all appearances, they were a normal teenage couple enjoying the beginning of the summer holiday.
After a second refill of their drinks, Muggle beverages neither had sampled in almost a year, she stood and grabbed his hand to pull him playfully from his seat. She laced her arm around his as they continued the walking tour of Little Whinging. They walked around the back of the park, past Maple Avenue, again crossing Privet Drive. On the far side of the park, they continued to Sycamore Avenue, just past Mrs. Figg's house on Wisteria Walk. He pointed out the field for the primary school on Bluebell Drive he attended before Hogwarts.
They walked and talked together for what seemed very short time, but in reality, nine hours had passed since they left his house. '7:30! How could that happen?' he thought.
They finished the tour through Little Whinging, ending up back at Number 4, Privet Drive and walked to the driveway in time to watch the sun sink behind the hills in the distance. He was still surprised that she was here with him, even more amazed that she had continued to hold his hand ever since they stopped for lunch, as if she were afraid to let him go.
'I always seem to lead her into danger, and into certain death. But today, she seemed so different, it's loyalty,' Harry thought. 'That's what's kept her by my side these six years.' Still holding her hand, he turned to face her.
"I'm sorry, Hermione---" he began.
"For what?" Hermione asked, looking shocked. She had had a very pleasant time.
"For last June at the Ministry, I thought you were... And after what I did last summer, and all last year… I can't believe you're still talking to me, let alone staying here. I mean, I keep leading you into danger, even when you know it's wrong. I couldn't protect--" Thoughts of the battle at the Ministry kept raging on in his ragged brain. He relived the memory when he saw her fall from the Death Eater's spell and lay like a broken rag doll. He remembered every detail of her motionless form on the floor. 'Please don't let her be dead…' kept ringing through his brain.
"When Dumbledore asked me to stay with you, I was surprised. But I'm glad he did. I've already forgiven you for last year, only because you were able to forgive yourself and get past it all. That took deep resolve, and, well… it really showed who you are."
"I-I'm glad he asked you to stay here, too. I know if I was here alone with those people…" he pointed his thumb at the house, "I'd end up like last year or worse. You can't understand how hard it is here."
"I know I can't, but I think I do. I never told you this, but it nearly broke my heart to see and hear you like that. I don't want to lose you again like last summer," she cooed while softly stroking his hand.
"I can't lose you either, Hermione." His swollen green eyes turned away.
"You're not going to. I know this sounds corny, but I'll always be with you, Harry, always." A gentle stroke of his ruffled hair told him she would be there for him. "Shhh… You don't have to worry about losing me," Hermione said soothingly. There was something about Hermione's voice that was different, something now that was soothing and calming, and something that would always be there for him no matter what the situation. Her voice had always been his voice of reason, and now she was there.
"You're scared," she said firmly. "I understand."
"Ever since Sirius di-- left I-I've felt so alone, you know all about last summer. And if I ever lost..." he whispered moving closer to her.
"You're not alone anymore, I'm here. I've always been there and I'll always be there." The knot that was growing in her belly grew tighter.
"I'm just worried. Voldemort has killed every one I've cared for and loved. That's why I tried so hard to protect you, to distance my feelings. When I saw you fall that night in the Ministry, I- my entire world seemed to vanish. Because it would have been my fault if--" The well of tears began to build and he turned his head so she couldn't see him cry. No, that would be a sign of weakness. Voldemort could find out and use that, use her, against him.
"No, Harry. I chose to be there with you. Voldemort may, in the end, kill all of us. But if that's what it takes to destroy him, I'm willing. I'll stand by your side Harry; no matter what. I vow that to you. You mean that much to me, too."
He thought about telling her right then how he felt, and opened his mouth, looking for the right words. Then as if a dream, he leaned in closer, the fresh strawberry smell of her bushy-brown hair, and the rush of air escaping her lips with each breath, the warmth of her hand in his…
"No, I can't… I won't risk anyone else… I-I can't l-l-lose yo---" as he turned sharply to the door a single tear raced down her cheek. She watched as he quickened his pace. She followed him to the door only to watch him run up the stairs.
As she stood in the hallway, she heard a snide remark shoot her way, "Trouble in paradise? You wanna spend some time with a real man instead of that wimp?" She looked to Dudley as he finished his comments. He reminded her of a cross between Goyle and Malfoy standing there with that same smug Slytherin smirk.
"If I do see a real man here, other then Harry, I'll let you know!" she cut back.
Dudley grimaced at her dig, and his true self came to the surface. "You little tramp, when I finish with you," he said as he reached to grab her arm.
She slid her wand from her pocket and pointed it directly at his throat. And for once, the tension that had built up inside her snapped. She felt her anger radiate from her core as she watched Dudley's face pale. "Ahh, good, you know what this is. Do you also know I'm as skilled with it as Harry?" She glared at him and prayed to Merlin he'd try something. "How would you like a demonstration? Or are you going to take back what you called me?"
"Uhhh… I, uhhh… you're not my type anyway, if you're hanging with that wimp, you're 'spoiled goods' anyway. Besides, what can you do anyway, he's afraid to use his 'thing' here," he jeered as he pushed past her.
"Tarantallegra " she called and his legs suddenly began dancing uncontrollably. It was almost comical for someone his size. "You see, Dudley, it's not that he's afraid, it's our law. I'm seventeen, so I'm allowed to use magic as I want. He has permission to use his now, even though he's not of age. You're lucky he's not a vindictive person, I'd hate to imagine what he would do to you. I, on the other hand, have no use for the likes of you. Enjoy yourself tonight, Dudley; I expect I'll see you dancing down here in the morning."
"huff… NO… uffff… Don't… huff… leave…" He stammered as his legs tried to keep his mass from falling.
"Are you TRULY sorry? And you WON'T bother us again?"
"huff…. YES…"
"Finite Incantatem" she said, and his legs stopped as he collapsed to the floor. "Don't forget this little 'example' of what I could do to you, and remember I don't have any problems turning people I don't like into toads or slugs, and I really don't like you." She turned on her heels and went up the stairs, leaving an exhausted Dudley panting from air, while she muttered to herself just loud enough, "It's a shame, really, I do need some slug skin for that potion."
At the top of the stairs, she noticed Harry's door was shut, with no light coming from underneath. She went to her bedroom while Harry remained hidden behind his door. She reflected on the day and thought about how wonderful it went, just the two of them, and his revelation on his guilt for putting her in danger. "Rubbish," she heard herself say out loud. She sat at the desk and pulled out her diary to record her thoughts, and ease the sharp pains she felt in her palm that night.
Harry's scared.
I wish I could tell him I'm in love with him, but I know he's afraid that I'll get hurt. It can't happen anyway, I know he doesn't have any feelings for me. He can't.
He thinks it's his fault for everything that's happened, just like last summer. He feels so alone, if only he'd see I'm here for him. I'll always be there for him. I wish I could tell him how I feel for him. I won't let him fall into his self-defeatist mindset again.
He's never forced me into anything. If I didn't want to help him, I wouldn't have followed him. He's the one that defeated Quirrel and got the Sorcerer's Stone, and if Ron and I weren't there he'd never have gotten through. He rescued Ginny and fought the Basilisk, although I was still in the hospital wing. But I did find the clues that helped and then ran into the Basilisk. We both helped free Sirius. And at the Ministry, he needed all the help we gave him. I'd do any of it again without thinking. He's never asked me for help, he never has to.
Why doesn't he realize that he's all that stands between Voldemort and us? He's never been afraid to face anything before. I wonder why he's scared now. It can't be for me, can it?
I know he feels responsible for poor Cho, but he didn't have anything to do with that either. I know how he used to feel about her, but she always liked poor Cedric. After he died, she just wanted some closure. But the image of her, I can't get that out of my mind. I'm sure poor Harry's having difficulty dealing with it too.
Maybe tomorrow will bring some hope and change.
She closed her diary, extinguished the candles at the desk and sat on the bed thinking how to help him. She didn't have too long to wait, through the door, she heard a knock on his door and a muffled voice addressing him. She remembered hearing a similar conversation nearly a year ago on the telephone. She picked up her wand and waited until she heard him leave his room and quietly left hers.
"Harry, you have a visitor. Your uncle's gone out and shan't return for an hour at least. She's in the lounge." Hermione heard his aunt say. Spying at the top of the stairs was an old habit of hers, she use to sit quietly at the top of the stairs in her home when her parents entertained guests after she was suppose to have been in bed.
"Hello" the girl addressed Harry. "We haven't met, but I needed to see you. I understand you're Harry Potter. You've gotten to be quite famous here, you know." The girl extended her hand to Harry.
"Hello." He politely returned the girl's greeting. "Umm, how have I become famous? I really haven't been around much." He took her hand and returned the polite hand shake, still not really understanding who she was. Hermione wished she had a pair of the extendable ears Fred and George made to listen to the conversation. The thought that this girl may be one of Voldemort's agents crossed her mind as every possible scenario was conceived and rejected.
"Yes, well, you see, last year you helped my little brother, Mark. He was being bullied by your cousin and his gang. I don't know what you said, but Mark's not been bothered by them all year."
"I just told them to leave Mark alone, that he was a friend of mine." A look of acknowledgement came over his face as he managed to relax. He politely offered her a seat in the lounge, she accepted a spot on the sofa, and as he moved to one of the wing-back chairs, she patted the spot next to her. Puzzled at the gesture, he took a seat on the sofa, near to the other end.
"That's all? I don't mean to be rude, but your cousin, is known as a skilled boxer, and his 'friends' have terrorized this neighborhood for years. How could you…?" She scooted closer to him as Hermione could feel her palm chill slightly, and figured he was either scared or nervous, she was ready to be there if he needed help.
"Let's say I have skills that they're afraid of." He replied. He remained in his spot, not moving as she scooted a little closer.
"I'd really like to hear more, if you're free, that is." She replied softly. Hermione couldn't tolerate any more, she thought about leaving him alone, since maybe this was the girl he was supposed to meet. But then again, maybe she had to take some active role in him meeting his 'mystery girl'. Without thinking about it further, she walked down the stairs as she fingered her wand in her back pocket.
"There's nothing to tell, really. I've had, um, to deal with… Hermione?" Startled, he stood quickly. "Uh, this is my friend, Hermione Granger from school and you are, I didn't get you name?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you had your girlfriend staying here."
"We're not attached, really," Hermione added, as she extended her hand. "Harry and I have been friends at school since first year."
"Well, my name's Lillie, and I wanted to meet you and welcome you back. I understand you've been at school."
"Yeah, we got here yesterday, hang on, did you say your name was 'Lillie?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Lillie Evans, you met my brother last year, Mark."
Stunned, Hermione blinked twice, slack-jawed and looked to Harry, as he also stared in disbelief. "Lillie Evans?" Was all he could choke out.