Chapter 2: Meeting the Dursleys'
Hermione Granger rolled over lazily in her bed. Opening her eyes only slightly, she saw rays of sun light, bursting through her bedroom window. It was then, and only then, did she realize it was July 31st. Not just any July 31st, but the day she would go and pick up her friend, Harry Potter. This way he could spend the summer at her house with her, and her family.
"Uh, oh," she said to herself, glancing at the clock. It read 10:00am. She couldn't believe she had slept in so very late.
It wasn't like her, not to be up with the dawn, reading books. She then rushed about grabbing her clothes and showering. Feeling like a whole new person once she got her clothes on, she walked happily down the hallway stairs.
"Good Morning," said her Mum as she set down a plate of eggs in Hermione's place.
"Morning," she responded with a yawn.
"You slept late," commented her Mum, as she began eating.
"Well, I wouldn't have, if it had been my choice," said Hermione, between bites.
"We were all exhausted, plus it's good for you not to be up at all hours of the night, studying," her Mum commented.
"I have to. O.W.L.'s are this year and I need to pass," said Hermione, while pouring some pumpkin juice.
"Can't pass if you don't sleep," said her Mum in a know-it-all tone that Hermione often used herself.
Her father, walked into the kitchen now, carrying a pen and paper. He sat down right beside Hermione, and she could see he had a map inside of the paper.
"Where does this friend of yours live?" asked her father.
"4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey" answered Hermione, much faster than she intended.
"Good, we'll leave here at two and should be back in time for your Mum to make dinner," responded Mr. Granger happily.
"Awful fast at saying that address," commented Mrs. Granger, winking.
"MUM!" Hermione shouted, "He's just my friend."
"That's what I and your father were at first," said Mrs. Granger, walking over to stand by Mr. Granger.
"We were more then friends," said Mr. Granger, more towards Mrs. Granger than to Hermione.
"Maybe," said Mrs. Granger as he slid his arms around her waist.
"I will go read my books now," said Hermione, rolling her eyes.
Once in her room, she took out the same book she had been reading before. She was very interested, but not quite sure why. It wasn't like anyone she knew, were or going to be a vampire. At the same time though, she felt this information would be very handy sometime. Sighing at her own pointless thoughts, she went straight to the same page which was a start of a new chapter. It was all about one of the most famous vampire slayers, Rafe Kovich, and his defeat of the vampire Caleb, who was one of the worst in the twenty-first century. She found his story to be the most fascinating, and immediately wanted to read more books about Rafe Kovich, for she fell for the love story between him, and his now wife, Alison. Suddenly there was a knock on her door and it snapped her from the trail of thought.
"Hi Dad," she said seeing her father in her door way.
"What are you reading?" he asked, coming in and sitting on her desk chair.
"'Vampires, do you really know everything?' It's turned out better than I thought it would. Not only does it have information about them, but also true stories about the famous slayers and how they did what they did," explained Hermione.
"Sometimes I wonder about the things you read now that you're learning magic," chucked her father.
"I just want to take it all in. Absorb and enjoy every single minute of it," she said enthusiastically.
"I can't say I blame you. I've always had a love for reading, I think that's where you get it from," he commented.
"At least it's a good thing," she joked back.
She loved her father very much, and it was moments like this that she felt that she could always talk to him about anything and everything.
"Here, why don't you take this money and go to park, buy yourself some ice cream? Get a break from everything," he said reaching in his pocket and pulling out some money and handing it to her.
"Thank you," said Hermione, standing up.
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Once he went back downstairs, she grabbed her purse and was out the door. Even sometimes, bookworms like Hermione, need normal breaks.
Later on she returned home, slightly tired from her walk around the park. She glanced at the clock and noticed she was just in time. It was 1:50 and they would be leaving very shortly.
"Are you ready yet?" asked Mrs. Granger seeing her come in the door.
"Almost," Hermione replied running up stairs real quick.
She came close to grabbing the same book again but changed her mind and took her old favorite, 'Hogwarts, a History,' instead.
"I'm ready," said Hermione, unable not to smile as she came back down from her room.
"Good, we're going to take the van so there's more room," explained Mr. Granger, as he led Hermione and Mrs. Granger outside and into the garage.
They all piled in, rather quickly. It was a rather large vehicle, considering Hermione was the only child they would normally transport. It had three rows of seats and could fit seven adults comfortably and still room for trunk space. They normally only used it for vacations. Hermione got into the very back while her father got in the drivers seat with her Mum on the passengers side.
"Did you remember the map?" asked Mrs. Granger, used to him forgetting it on the table.
"Oh, no," groaned Mr. Granger undoing his seatbelt.
"I have it right here," said Mrs. Granger smiling as she removed it from her purse.
"Why did you worry me like that?" asked Mr. Granger, pulling the van out of the driveway.
"Because I can," explained Mrs. Granger.
Hermione rolled her eyes, but was happy all the same. Although it was severely annoying at times, it was nice having parents still very much in love with each other. She knew how rare these things were and began reading.
"Wake up. We're almost there," said Mrs. Granger.
Hermione hadn't fallen asleep but only closed her eyes. She opened them at once and closed her book.
"I'm up Mum, don't worry," said Hermione now getting excited since they were getting near.
"What do you know? We're on time for once," teased Mr. Granger as they pulled up to the Dursleys' house and came to a stop. It was exactly 4:00.
"Whoa, that's a first," said Hermione getting out of the van with her parents.
"You go and knock, we'll stay back here, we don't want to be rude and intrude on them," suggested Mrs. Granger kindly.
"Okay," said Hermione slightly hesitant.
She had heard Harry talk about how his muggle relatives felt about him and magic. Having a feeling she would be no exception; she slowly walked up to the door and knocked reluctantly.
"Hello, welcome, you must be Hermione," said a woman, Hermione figured to be Harry's Aunt, Mrs. Dursley.
"Yes, thank you. Is Harry here?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Of course he is. Why don't you and your parents come in for some tea," offered Mrs. Dursley.
"Sure," said Hermione not understanding what was going on but then it hit her.
Mr. Dursley sold drills and her parents were dentists. They wanted to try and sell some to her parents. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of that sooner. Quickly she walked back to her parents.
"Mrs. Dursley has invited us in for tea but I think they really want to sell drills to you," explained Hermione very quickly but quietly so not to allow anyone but them to hear her.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of everything," said Mrs. Granger comfortingly as they all walked up to the house.
"Come in, come in," said Mrs. Dursley opening the door as they all walked in.
Hermione immediately took notice that there was no evidence Harry even lived here, let alone for 14 years.
"May I take your coats Mr. and Mrs. Granger," asked a rather fat boy asked to her parents left. She assumed this to be Dudley, Harry's dreadful cousin.
"Yes please, thank you," said Mrs. Granger as she and Mr. Granger handed the coats to him to hang up.
"May, I. I. I," said Dudley, stuttering when he looked at Hermione.
She knew he was asking for her coat, only she wasn't wearing one, she thought her parents were crazy for having on theirs. She was just wearing her new summer top that had a lower neck line then most of her clothes, and a pair of hip-hugger dark blue jeans. What she did not realize, was how much she had matured over the summer time. She had quite a few more well developed curves, than when she had went home from Hogwarts.
"I think it's to hot to wear one, don't you agree?" she asked, trying to strike up a conversation as they went and sat down in the living room.
"Ah. Ah. Yeah. Sure right," said Dudley.
"Dudley, take Hermione up-stairs to see Harry while we discuss drills with Mr. and Mrs. Granger over tea," suggest who Hermione, thought was Harry uncle Vernon, only it was more like a command.
"Okay," said Dudley brightly, he put an arm out to Hermione.
"That'd be great," said Hermione, ignoring his arm but following him up the stairs. She knew Harry was a good judge of character and would not lie about how Dudley really acted.
"Well, here's his room," said Dudley, only taking his eyes from her for a mere second to look at what she assumed to be Harry's room.
"Could you go get me some water? I'm dreadfully thirsty," she asked, exaggerating slightly. She wasn't really all that thirsty but wanted and chance to visit Harry without being stared at.
"I should have thought of that," said Dudley, turning around and hustling back down the stairs. From the back side, she felt he greatly resembled a pig, only bigger.
Smiling, she knocked on the door. Hearing no response she knocked again.
"Go away Dudley," she heard Harry's familiar voice say.
"It's not Dudley," said Hermione, giggling, as she heard him jump up and open the door.
She saw the same shocked look on Harry's face, as she had on Dudley's.
"What is it about me that shock everyone?" she asked impatiently, stomping one foot.
"Oh, nothing, just happy to see you is all," said Harry snapping out of his daze.
"If you say so," said Hermione not believing him.
"Err. You can come in and sit down," offered Harry, his brain just starting to function properly again.
"Thanks," Hermione said as he stepped to the side to allow her in.
She was even angrier than when she first stepped into the house and saw nothing that showed Harry lived there. Finding his bedroom to be about the smallest she had ever seen, she was now very mad at the Dursleys'. She felt Harry deserved so much better than that considering all that he had been put through. Deciding not to comment she sat down on his bed.
"I see you got everything packed up," she commented seeing his suitcase and Hedwig in her cage on top of it.
"Yep, I just want to be out of here. I feel bad for your parents," said Harry sitting down right beside her.
"My Mum said she'll handle it," said Hermione but than Dudley was at the door.
"I got your water," said Dudley, waddling in and handing it to her.
"Thanks," she said.
"We better get down stairs," Hermione stated after a minute.
Harry attempted to pick up his trunk but it was far too heavy.
"Dudley, could you please help Harry carry down his trunk?" asked Hermione.
"He'd rather me stay then to help me," commented Harry still trying nonetheless.
"True," said Dudley and to what Hermione could see he was straining to think about it.
"Please, for me?" asked Hermione. She was getting used to this by now. Dudley was dumber then dirt to what she could tell.
"Okay," said Dudley reluctantly helping Harry carry his things downstairs.
Once down, she noticed her parents seemed to be rapping things up.
"So I'll mail you the order form?" confirmed Mr. Dursley as Mr. and Mrs. Granger were about to go out the door.
"Of course," replied Mr. Granger and they stepped out.
"Hermione, wait," said Dudley, holding her back as she was about to go out.
"Do you think we could go to the movies some time?" he asked nervously.
She was about to kindly decline when Mr. Dursley spoke.
"DUDLEY! You know better. You know what she IS! She's one of those. You don't want to mix with her, she nothing but a FREAK!" roared Mr. Dursley assuming her parents couldn't hear.
"How dare you speak about my daughter like that?" asked Mr. Granger, right outside the door. It appeared he had indeed been listening.
"I, well, we both agree on how horrible it is to be caught up in such abnormal," said Mr. Dursley in a tone of voice like he had a disgusting taste in his mouth.
"I am very proud of my daughter and I will not be buying a single thing from you," said Mr. Granger ushering her and Harry out to the van.
"FINE THEN! You can keep him next year too!" yelled Mr. Dursley.
"Not a problem," said Mrs. Granger from out the car window.
They got in and rolled up the windows to block out the noise of Vernon's yelling.
"I'm glad to get you out of there, Harry," commented Mrs. Granger as they pulled out.
"Me too. Thank you very much for taking me," said Harry.
"Not a problem," said Mr. Granger.
Harry had sat in the very back along with Hermione for the long ride back. Hermione took out her book again and was about to read it until Harry took it from her hands.
"Hey!" she said, half laughing as he held it out of her reach.
"How many times have you read that?" Harry asked when he finally handed it back.
"I think 15 but it could be 16 times," she answered thinking hard.
"That's too many," he teased.
She didn't reply but instead they rode in silence. After what felt to her like forever, they pulled into their garage.
"Well, here we are," said Mr. Granger.
They all got out and Mr. Granger unlocked the front door.
"I'll show you around and to your room," offered Hermione cheerfully. From the look on his face she thought Harry was very happy.
"Sure," he said.
She first showed him the living room, kitchen, dining room, and laboratory. Which he did make a few comments about it being to pink since it was the one she used all the time and her parents had a separate one in their room. Finally they reached her room.
"This room is mine," she said, opening the door to reveal her bedroom. It was painted blue, had her canopy bed along with her desk, book shelf that was now over flowing, and the normal things a bedroom has. It didn't look much like it belonged to a witch; she knew that and enjoyed it better that way.
"Figures," snickered Harry as he saw her book shelf.
"That's not nice," she commented back, playfully hitting him on the arm.
"Just teasing you," he said and for a second she thought that he had taken her seriously.
They then went to the guest room Harry would be staying in. It was nice, painted white, with a four poster bed, dresser, and book shelf. Also there was a small desk beside the window.
"Wow, this is nice," he said in reaction to it.
"I'm glad you like it," said Hermione, smiling slightly at the joy on his face.
She left him to get settled in. To pass the time Hermione read more in her book but found it was soon time for dinner. After that, she and Harry watched television with her parents and before she knew it, it was time for bed. She was now definitely sure that she was not going to get much studying done.
A/N: I'm getting all my vampire stuff and people involved with them from my favorite soap Port Charles, which is having a vampire storyline right now. Also I don't know much about Britain money so I wasn't quite sure how much her Dad should have given to her.