Title: The Girl who Never Knew
Description: When Hermione Granger starts off a new year at Hogwarts, she expects nothing. Soon she learns, she is an important part of Voldemort's plan. Searching for hope, finding true feelings, and trying for happiness, she does her best to make it through her fifth year, at least still breathing. "
Spoiler: All of them.
Time: 5th year. A/N: This is going to be a full length novel so I would greatly appreciate reviews on each chapter! J Also normally my chapters are a lot longer and this is the shortest one out of the whole novel, I promise!
Dedication: To the troops heading out to war and the loved ones they are leaving behind. May they be reunited in good health. Also to Heaven, who authored the first fan fiction I ever read, because if it wasn't for her support I wouldn't be writing this. Thanks Heaven!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with the Harry Potter characters, situations, or even the plot. I'm only a fan.
Chapter 1: Letters from Harry
Hermione Granger yawned deeply as she walked into her bedroom and quickly lay down. She was exhausted from going to Paris, France with her mum and dad that past month. Of course, she wasn't having all that much of a break, most of the time she was studying. Turning over, she rolled onto a pile of letters she didn't know had been there. Almost of them, she took notice, was from one of her best friends, Harry Potter. Sighing, she sat up and decided to start on the bottom of the pile so to read the one that came first. She opened it and read:
July 1st
Hermione,
I know you just left and won't be back until the 30st. I thought that when you returned you would enjoy a big stack of letters, so I will write to you at least once a week. The Dursleys' are being worse than usual but I suppose that's because of when the Weasleys' picked me up last year. Shame I can't go there again this time even though Dumbledore wrote to me, saying that I could.
Harry
Feeling a little better, she looked back to the pile. Unless her eyes were playing tricks on her, it looked like he really did write at least once a week. Next in the pile she saw a letter from Ron but the rest did appear from Harry. 'Why can't he?' she thought to herself but was quickly answered by reading Ron's letter.
Hermione,
Can't believe you're gonna go to France. Just as well I guess because we're off to visit Bill in Egypt all this summer. He's paying for it! Apparently he wants Mum to meet his girlfriend. Her name's Amanda, sounds kind of American to me. Oh, well at least we'll be going without Percy!
Ron
'Poor Harry,' thought Hermione sifting through the pile of letters to put them in order of when they first were sent. Noticing none were from Victor, she was slightly disappointed. She hadn't heard from him at all over the summer holiday. 'To think I was ready to go to Bulgaria with him,' she thought, grabbing another letter, this one she noticed, was quite a bit longer than the last one Harry had sent.
July 6th
Hermione,
Everything is as normal as it can be here. I teased Dudley because he got a letter from a girl and Aunt Petunia made me scrub the kitchen floor with a tooth brush. I think they may be running out of ways to torture me over the holidays. Once Uncle Vernon got home he decided he was going to walk all around the kitchen with mud just pouring off his boot. He did it on purpose, I know it. What he doesn't know is I put the mud back inside of his shoe. I can imagine how furious he will be later this morning when he puts them on.
I need to tell you something but you have to promise not to freak out or anything. I had a nightmare this morning. It was of Voldemort, not quite sure what he was doing but he was kneeling by a fire place. That's not like him, to do any work he doesn't have to. It is probably just a regular dream, not really going on like last year. Don't worry, I already told Snuffles and I'm sure he's told Dumbledore by now.
Harry
'Some days I just don't understand how you want me to react,' she thought carefully, 'How could I not be worried and freak out a little? He is after all one of my closest friends and is in danger. On top of all that, most likely he is still blaming himself for the death of Cedric.' Slowly she took another of the letters, opened, and read it.
July 12th
Hermione,
I was right. Uncle Vernon was furious. It took everything I could do not to laugh right out in front of them all. Of course, I was forced to clean his boots for him at least three times but, it was worth it. At first today, Aunt Petunia and I were the only ones at the house, because Uncle Vernon and Dudley were out to teach Dudley to drive. She did something I never thought was possible, and asked me what was bothering me today. I had, in fact been very bothered because I found out that Cedric's funeral was today which struck me as odd considering he died so long ago. Well I told her about it and she just out laughed at me. Told me that was what I get for hanging around with those kind of people and I deserved it. So much for the ray of hope I had that she'd give me sympathy. It's like she wants me to hate her. If that's true, she's done a fine job.
Harry
'I knew it,' she thought. Taking in a deep breath she tried to relax herself. It angered her very much that someone could be so insensitive and cruel. She then got up and looked out her window. It was a beautiful day outside, but she could see the dark clouds coming up and over the horizon. 'Signs of a storm, both with rain and emotions,' she noted to herself, that saying she had once read in a book. Reaching over she opened the next to last letter. She was dreading the last one because then she would have to think of what to say, when she knew nothing could make Harry feel any better.
July 18
Hermione,
Wow it looks like I'm writing to you every six days rather then seven. Leave it to me to lose count. I'm feeling better now than before, honest. Time does take its toll and I can't wait to be back at Hogwarts with you and Ron. It'll be like going home to me. I know it sounds a bit weird but it is the truth. The Dursleys' are slowly getting worse by the day. I wish I was any where but here. I'm studying, and that shows just how bored I am but I know the O.W.L.'s are coming up and you will be happy to remind me and Ron every single day.
Harry
Slightly taken aback by his comment, Hermione couldn't help but smile. Too true, she would be constantly reminding them whenever they would start goofing off, but studying wasn't something you only do if you're bored. 'He and Ron are so alike yet different, I'm willing to bet Ron hasn't picked up even one book all summer,' she thought, while taking the last letter.
July 30
Hermione,
Looks like you'll be heading home today. Good thing too, I am driving myself crazy writing letters that I know won't be responded to in such a long time. I hope you've enjoyed your trip. If anyone deserves a bit of time away from it all, it's you. You're always having to keep on after both me and Ron about our work, which I have finished my homework, and just plain everything that's gone on in the past year. Wish you well.
Harry
Hermione stared at this one for a long time. She couldn't quite figure out Harry's logic but sure he meant well with whatever he was trying to say. Sighing, she got out a long piece of parchment, to write to Harry with. Suddenly she was struck with an idea. Not wanting to wait a minute longer she rushed from her room, down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Mum," said Hermione walking over towards the stove where her Mum was cooking.
"Yes dear?" she asked calmly.
"Do you remember meeting my friends from Hogwarts before?" she asked trying not to sound too suspicious.
"Sure I do. Your father does as well," she added pointing into the living room where her father sat in his reclining chair, watching the news.
"You know that one boy, Harry Potter. Sort of tall with green eyes and black hair?" she asked.
"I do, he wore round glasses. What's with all the questions?" asked Mrs. Granger curiously.
"Well, I know I talked about before, how is relatives are so cruel and hateful towards him during the summer," explained Hermione slowly.
"Will you just tell me what you're getting at and get it over with?" asked Mrs. Granger pouring them both some hot tea from the tea kettle.
"Thanks," Hermione said while taking the glass. After a tiny sip she said, "Can he please come here for the rest of the holiday and stay in the guest room." She said this much faster than she had intended to.
"Hmm," said Mrs. Granger, drinking deeply from her cup. She looked up from it and set it down. "Daniel, will you please come in here for a moment," she called to her husband in the other room.
"Coming Emma," said Mr. Granger, turning off the TV, and then sitting down at the table with them.
"Hermione wants a friend to stay for the rest of the holiday. Do you see any problem with that?" asked Mrs. Granger.
Hermione kept her fingers crossed under the table. She knew exactly what her Mum was trying to do. She had purposely not said a guy because she knew they were just friends and that was that, but her Dad wouldn't have seen it that way. He never was one to understand these things but she could always go to her Mum.
"No, l don't see any. Does this friend need to be picked up?" asked Mr. Granger.
"Yes," said Hermione nervously.
"I really don't feel much up to driving tonight. Can we pick him up tomorrow around four pm.?" asked Mr. Granger with a smirk on his face.
"How did you know?" Hermione blurted out.
"I listen to you talk. I know your two best friends are males. There's nothing so wrong with that since he will be staying in the guest room, all the way down the hall from yours," replied Mr. Granger simply.
"Thank you!" squealed Hermione hopping up and giving him a hug. Then she happily walked off to her room to write to Harry. She wanted to tell him the good news. Taking the same parchment as before, she picked up a quill and started writing.
Harry,
I'm so sorry to hear about all of the problems your family has been giving you this summer. They're just horrible really. I have some great news, and no it's not about O.W.L.'s! My Dad has agreed to pick you up tomorrow and then you can spend the rest of the holiday here. That is if that's what you want to do. Please tell me soon. If you do want to, we'll be there at 4:00pm. Remember, what happened last year with Cedric, isn't your fault, never has been, and never will be.
Love always,
Hermione
She then saw Hedwig right outside her window. "What are you doing there?" asked Hermione, although not expecting an answer. Deciding she would use her, Hermione tied the letter and let her fly away. She would wait until later to write to Ron. Opening up a new book she picked up when she was out, 'Vampires, do you really know everything?' It wasn't that she was afraid, but she knew that 5th years studied Vampires normally. Barely reaching the third chapter, 'Blood is thicker than Water', Hedwig was back with a response from Harry. She quickly opened it to read.
Hermione,
I want to come over if it isn't too much trouble for your parents. I already asked my Aunt and Uncle and told them that your parents were like them, as in they were muggles. Also I told them that you'd be coming in a car which was great relief. See you tomorrow!
Harry
Smiling to herself, she lay back on down and continued her book. This was going to be a interesting summer. And she couldn't wait.