Bring the Rain
by Jardyn39
Chapter 2: Arriving
Harry Potter waited patiently at the back of the car for Mrs Granger to get out of the driving seat and unlock the back of their large estate car. It seemed that Mr Granger, who had been sat pinned under several bags of shopping for the last part of the journey, had finally expressed the opinion that it might have been a better idea to go food shopping after they'd dropped off Harry and Hermione's trunks.
Privately, Harry thought he had a point. As large as their estate car was, it really wasn't quite large enough for everything they had just brought back with them.
Harry grinned as Hermione, having got out of the car as well, rolled her eyes at him and went to unlock the front door.
He took a moment to look around the square which was entirely paved in pale grey coloured brick paviors with occasional feature banding in dull red and yellow. There were about ten large nearly new looking detached houses, each with a garage and most with small grassed front gardens with no fences between the properties.
Harry also noted that there were no pavement areas and cars were parked around the square, including along the single narrow winding approach road.
He could hear some children laughing somewhere in the distance, presumably playing in one or more of the gardens. It was warm and sunny that day, perfect weather for school holidays.
Between the houses in three directions, Harry could see a few trees but no other buildings. Looking back towards the approach road, Harry could see a couple of farm buildings and the high spire of one of the village's two churches.
The car doors opened and the Grangers got out and Mr Granger carried several bags of shopping into the house.
Mrs Granger unlocked the back of the car and Harry immediately dived in to bet the trunks and other boxes.
"No," said Harry, "these are heavy. I'll take the trunks."
Harry heaved out his trunk, which happened to be the closer to him, and waddled his way with it along the narrow path towards the front door. He heaved it into the entrance lobby and returned to get Hermione's trunk.
Thankfully, Mr Granger arrived back in time to help. Between the two of them they just about managed to carry Hermione's trunk into the house.
"What on earth has she got in here?" gasped Mr Granger.
Prudently, they decided to leave it downstairs for now.
Harry returned to the car. There was a large cardboard box to bring in next. It wasn't heavy, but it was awkward to carry and Harry had to guess his way back because he couldn't entirely see where he was going. He had a choice of seeing where he was going but not where he was walking. He decided it would be better to see where his feet were, that was there was less chance of him tripping and breaking whatever was in the box.
Just as he almost got to the garden path, Harry heard bike wheels and fast peddling that told him a cyclist was approaching him at a rapid rate. At the last moment there was a long high pitched squeak of brakes being applied and an impressively long tyre skid.
Harry just waited for the collision.
When none happened, he peered over the top of the box.
A small girl was studying him closely, standing astride a battered bicycle that had chipped glitter paint and streamers on each of the handlebars.
"Are you moving in?" she asked, pushing up her safety helmet and brushing a couple of stray strands of her long blond hair out of her face.
"Um, no I'm just staying for the Easter holidays," Harry answered.
"I'm on holiday too," she replied. "So's my brother."
"That's nice."
The girl nodded and then appeared to decide that she'd devoted quite enough time to him. She pushed herself back onto her peddles and skilfully circled him before setting off again, once more at the same break neck speed as before.
Harry hoped she wouldn't need the elbow and knee pads she also wore, and set off up the garden path with the box he was still carrying.
He was about to enter through the front door, when Harry heard a loud crash and looked up with concern.
On the garden path leading to next door's side gate, the bike lay stricken on its side, both wheels still turning. There was no sign of the girl though. Harry decided that it must have been her practised method of disembarking from her bike.
After a tricky moment, he managed to get the box through the front door and decided to continue with it into the large kitchen. This was mainly because there was nowhere to leave the box without completely blocking the entrance lobby.
Mrs Granger followed and closed the front door having locked up the car.
"Oh, thank goodness we're home," she sighed, switching the kettle back on. It boiled quickly so someone else must have had a similar idea.
"Let's have some tea, then you can have the grand tour," Mrs Granger advised with a smile.
Harry nodded and looked out of the rear facing windows and Mrs Granger poured the boiling water into a large stainless steel teapot.
"That's some view you have!" he said.
"Yes, it is rather nice," she agreed, pulling open the large glass sliding patio window. They stepped outside into the warm late afternoon sunshine.
The patio was just high enough to see over the fence and across the fields. In the far distance Harry could see hedgerows and occasional trees.
"What are they growing?" he asked.
"We're not too sure yet," she admitted. "We thought for a while it would be left fallow this year, but they ploughed the field earlier."
Hermione stepped out of the kitchen door followed by her father carrying a tray of four teas which he placed upon the timber table.
"Thank you, dear," Mrs Granger said warmly taking a mug of tea.
"Thanks," said Harry, also taking a mug. His said, "You're sweet enough without sugar!" on the side.
"This place is much bigger than I'd imagined, Mum," said Hermione, who hadn't seen the Granger's new home before either.
Mr Granger's snigger into his mug and Mrs Granger suddenly defensive look told Harry that this might have been a sore subject.
"Well," began Mrs Granger, "I know we were looking for something a little smaller, but once we saw this place, we decided we had to have it."
Harry fancied that Mr Granger was biting his tongue at this point.
"The garden's certainly lovely," said Hermione diplomatically.
Harry looked around. Most of the garden was green lawn with evergreen border plants all around. There was a large timber storage shed to the side as well.
As Harry turned back to look up at the rear of the house, he glimpsed the girl he'd seen before spying at them from an upstairs window in the house next door. He smiled and gave a discrete wave before she disappeared from view.
*
After tea, Harry and Hermione were conducted on a guided tour of the house by Mrs Granger, who pointed out every feature and insisted they look into almost every cupboard and cubby hole. Every room was filled with an assortment of packing crates. Mrs Granger explained that most of their furniture was in storage until they completed their decorations. The carpets were due to be laid the week after Easter.
The house had three generously sized bedrooms and a smaller fourth that would be equipped as an office. Harry actually thought the smaller one was the nicer room as the large rooflight in the sloping ceiling gave a spectacular view.
"We thought it would be easier if we bought a place that didn't need too much redecorating," said Mrs Granger, pointing out the freshly painted walls.
"Unfortunately," she continued in an undertone, "I then decided I didn't much like the original colour scheme."
Harry laughed and Mrs Granger smiled guiltily at him.
*
"Harry, where would you like to sleep?" asked Mrs Granger. "You can have the living room or the small bedroom, although we'll need to turf you out of either at some point."
"The small bedroom will be fine," said Harry, "although it isn't that small."
"Sorry about the bare floorboards everywhere," said Mrs Granger apologetically. "It doesn't seem very hospitable, especially as we're putting you to work as well."
"It's fine, honestly," said Harry with a smile.
Just then the front door slammed shut indicating that Hermione and Mr Granger had returned with their takeaway meals.
A few minutes later they were all sat around the round kitchen table as Mrs Granger unpacked their fish and chips meals, and Mr Granger poured them ice cold apple juice from the fridge.
Before they began to eat, they all raised their glasses to each other and said, "Happy Holidays!"
*
Early the next morning, Harry lay on his back on his narrow camp bed looking up at the sky through the large sloping rooflight.
He reflected on the previous day, at the beginning of which he had absolutely no idea he would be anywhere but Hogwarts.
After breakfast he had just waved off the carriages taking almost everybody else off to enjoy their holidays. Now that Voldemort was back, Harry wasn't surprised that families wanted to spend as much time together as possible. As the carriages finally went out of sight, he found that he was feeling a little envious. A moment later he had been summoned to the Headmaster's office.
"My apologies, Harry," said Dumbledore, as Harry entered the room. "I had hoped to be able to give you the good news before now. I kept quiet because I was afraid you would be disappointed."
"What is it, Sir?" Harry asked.
"You are to spend the Easter holiday with the Grangers. That is, I assume you would like to do so?"
"Of course I would!" said Harry loudly, suddenly finding himself with a grin that he wouldn't properly shake off for hours.
"Oh, good," said Dumbledore with a smile. "The reason I haven't mentioned anything is that we had a report of some unusual activity a few miles from their new house. However, I'm pleased to report that nothing was found."
Harry nodded.
"I would ask you to agree to a couple of precautions, however. The first is that you must agree to wear that excellent Hunter watch of yours at all times."
"Yes, Sir," said Harry.
"When I say at all times, Harry, I mean it. Do not go anywhere without it. If you go swimming, wear it. It will not get damaged and could save both your life as well as protect the Grangers."
Harry nodded, remembering the anti-Apparition properties that the watch had.
"The second thing concerns staying in contact. You must report in to us at least three times a day. Shall we agree eight o'clock morning and evening and again at two o'clock in the afternoon?"
"That would be fine, Sir," replied Harry at once. "Um, how will I be able to contact you? Could I use the Granger's telephone?"
Dumbledore shook his head and said, "I would like you to give me your twinned mirror and you borrow Hermione's mirror for the duration of your visit. I know it is a terrible liberty to ask, Harry."
"No, it's fine. Does Hermione know?"
"I'm afraid not. She knew you had been invited, of course, but she believes I have continued to refuse the visit. She has made several representations upon your behalf, though."
Harry smiled.
"Now then," continued Dumbledore. "May I ask you to go and pack your trunk and return here as quickly as possible with the mirror? You will Portkey to the Grangers from here, and with any luck you will all be able to meet with Hermione at King's Cross station."
Harry didn't need telling twice. He dashed out of the door, skidding to a halt and returning briefly to shout, rather more loudly than he intended, "Thank you, Sir!"
Fortunately, Dumbledore didn't seem to mind being shouted at on this occasion.
Harry arrived back in his dormitory to find Dobby and Winky just finishing his packing.
"Wow, thanks!" exclaimed Harry, beaming at them.
"Dobby and Winky hope Harry Potter will enjoy himself!" cried Dobby, jumping up and down on the trunk lid to help it close.
"I know I will, Dobby, thanks."
"Will Harry Potter require his owl cage?" asked Winky.
"I'm not sure, Winky," admitted Harry just as Hedwig arrived at the window. Harry dashed over to open the casement and she hopped in onto his outstretched arm.
"Hedwig," he said, gently stroking her feathers, "I'm going to stay with Hermione and her parents for a few days during the holiday. You can either stay here or come with us. I'm going by Portkey, so you would probably prefer to fly there on your own. Actually, I've no idea where they live! Is that going to be a problem?"
Hedwig looked at him reproachfully.
"No," he agreed, "you could find me anywhere, couldn't you girl?"
Hedwig nibbled his ear affectionately and flew off. Harry watched her until she was out of sight, musing that she was bound to get there hours before he did.
Harry looked around, thinking if he would need anything else. Then he remembered the mirror and decided he should warn Hermione.
He took the small mirror out of his pocket and gently said, "Hermione," into the glass.
Hermione replied at once, saying, "Harry? Is anything wrong?"
"No, quite the opposite. Dumbledore said I can come!"
"Oh, Harry, that's wonderful," she replied, coming into view in the mirror. "But you've just missed the train!"
"It's okay, I'm taking a Portkey," he replied before noticing her eyes.
"Hermione, what's the matter?"
"Oh," she said wiping her eyes, "I was a little upset, that's all."
"Well, try and cheer up," he said gently.
"Okay," she mouthed with a tearful smile.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Dumbledore wants me to give him my mirror so I can use your mirror to keep in touch."
Hermione's face dropped.
"It makes sense, Hermione. Besides, we won't need a mirror in a few hours time, will we?"
"I know. It's just that I've got rather used to having you in my pocket, as it were."
"Well, if you'd rather not have the real thing, I'll tell Dumbledore you don't want me to come!"
"Don't you dare, Harry!" she replied laughing.
Harry had met up with Hermione's parents hours before the train arrived at King's Cross. They had just parked their car when Harry stepped out of the red phone box he'd arrived in and greeted them.
The Granger's met him with enthusiasm and Mrs Granger proceeded to tell him that she intended to drag them both around several clothes shops in search of clothes for Harry.
"Honestly, I'm fine," said Harry as he heaved his trunk into the back of their car.
"Er, Harry, how on earth did this trunk fit into that phone box?" asked Mr Granger.
Harry shrugged and shook his head. He had no idea.
"Um, Harry?" he enquired quietly.
"Yes, Mr Granger?"
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't make too many objections to clothes shopping," Mr Granger said. "It's just that the alternative will be more DIY stores, and I'm not sure I could cope if she found another colour she preferred."
*
Harry grinned remembering, and looked over at the many small patches of sample colours that adorned the once white walls.
Harry looked over to the small clockwork travel alarm clock that Hermione had lent to him, and he realised it was almost eight o'clock. He would need to check in with Dumbledore.
He swung he legs out over the cot, trying not to make too much noise. Then he remembered, Hermione still had her mirror. He had forgotten to check in last night as well!
Harry was about to get up when there was a soft knock on the door and in came Hermione carrying the mirror.
"Thanks, Hermione," he said taking the small glass object.
"Professor Dumbledore?" he said clearly into the mirror.
"Good morning, Harry. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, Sir. It's snowing now, see?" he said, holding the mirror up to the rooflight.
"Excellent. Well, I'll speak to you later."
"Oh, Sir, I'm sorry for not checking in last night."
"That's quite alright. Miss Granger reported in on your behalf."
Harry put the mirror on the adjacent paint tin where he had placed his glasses.
"Harry, it's not snowing."
"I know it isn't, but we agreed a sort of code that tells him that I'm not speaking under duress."
"Oh, that's clever."
"It'll work so long as I remember what day of the week it is."
Hermione hesitated and then made to leave.
"Stay a moment?" asked Harry hopefully.
Hermione sat next to him, but seemed a little nervous.
"Thanks for reporting in for me," said Harry smiling. "Um, Hermione, what is it?"
Hermione brushed back her hair and said, "Well, the thing is, I haven't actually got around to telling Mum and Dad, yet."
"Tell them what?"
"About us."
Harry laughed quietly and took hold of her hand.
"I think they might have guessed, actually."
*
When they ventured downstairs, they found Mrs Granger preparing breakfast and happily enthusing about her decoration and furnishing plans for the new house to Hedwig, who was perched upon the back of one of the high kitchen chairs.