A/n: Well guys this chapter was long awaited… Yes I know you all must hate me but a lot has been happening to me. I was in the hospital twice and school is a total bitch… Other than that I have been brainstorming so I can give you another great chapter for this Fic. Enjoy and don't forget to review!
Chapter 2
Reunion
I stood there for a few seconds trying to adjust to what Emily had just said to me. Hermione, my best friend, was her cousin. Oh boy is she in for a surprise! I grinned as I grabbed my bags and walked to the fence leading to my window. Good thing I leave it open for Hedwig to leave whenever she wants I thought as I started climbing. I left my bags by the back door and I would just walk down and get them when I got in my room.
I had to be as quiet as I could possibly be so Uncle Vernon wouldn't hear me and give me a kick for making so much noise at the late hour that it was. Thinking of him I had totally forgot that Dudley was now home. Oh the joy, I thought as I reached my windowsill. I climbed into my room like a cat and changed into some baggy sweat pants and a torn t-shirt to make it look like I was home for a while. Then I messed my hair up more than it already was so it would look like I was sleeping.
When I opened the door I heard the television downstairs and I started down the steps. When I reached the landing Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were sitting on the couch watching an old movie in black and white. I walked into the kitchen without even making my presence known and opened the backdoor. I grabbed my bags and walked back up to my room. On my way to my room a body collided into my and I stumbled backwards. I looked up to see Dudley, but yet it wasn't Dudley, it was like someone cut him in two and sent him on his way. I had to be honest when I say he looked really good.
"Watch where you're going Potter." He snapped as he made his way down the stairs.
"Well you would figure you lose all that weight and you could still be able to get threw the hall way without taking someone out." I said coolly.
I walked back into my room and dropped my bags when I heard my door swing open. I turned around to see a flying Dudley heading my way. He collided with me and we were both on the floor. He was cursing at me while throwing wild punches. I covered my face with my arms as I pushed myself up and pushed him off. For how much I wanted to crack him I didn't feel like taking a beating from my uncle tonight.
Dudley looked at me with a face as red as a stop light, "Don't make comments about my weight anymore. I worked hard to get the way I am and I'm proud of it."
After he said that I felt bad for making that comment, "Sorry, I didn't know you had become so sensitive about it, I won't say anything anymore, it was just a reaction when you do that to me." I apologized.
He didn't say anything; he just walked out of my room and down the stairs. I grabbed my bags and started to put all my new clothes away and got ready for bed, in the morning I was going to call Emily. I walked into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and thought more about the fact that Emily was Hermione's cousin. This was crazy, something Ron should defiantly know about. I rinsed my mouth and walked back to my room, flopped on my bed and picked up my Transfiguration textbook and started reading a chapter on how to turn stone into a fine red wine.
The next morning I woke up, my room was very bright. I looked around my room and noticed that everything was clear and crisp. I felt my eyes and realized that I must have fallen asleep with my glasses on while reading. My assumption was right when I sat up and my textbook fell into my lap. I looked at my clock and noticed it was 10:00. I jumped out of bed and realized I never set my alarm for work!
"Oh man Uncle Vernon is going to kill me!" I said as I rushed to get dressed and down stairs.
When I got down their Aunt petunia was sitting at the table sipping some coffee, with Uncle Vernon and Dudley. I looked at them all like they were crazy. Uncle Vernon looked at me as I stood there.
"To answer your question, no one has to work today, I forgot to tell you."
"Why?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Well, it seems that the head of directors was going to come but last night after we left the manager of sector seven spilled metal all over the place. So they closed down the company for two days and then the director is going to come." He explained.
"I see." I looked at the three of them and walked over to the cabinet and grabbed a bowl and some cocoa puffs. I pulled out the milk and poured a bowl for myself and went out back on the patio and ate my breakfast.
I couldn't help but think about the events of the previous night, it was all I had on my mind. Even more so that Hermione was now in the picture of this whole thing as well, "Can't wait till she sees me standing there." I said to myself.
Once I finished eating I went back inside and washed my bowl out and went back to my room. When I entered my room I noticed Hedwig was gone, she must be hunting. I grabbed a new shirt and a pair of jeans to wear for the day. I changed into a white t-shirt with a yellow pleaded shirt unbuttoned and my bleached jeans with my worn brown boots. I put a belt on and tucked in the front of my white shirt and looked at myself in the mirror. If only I had the talking mirror, I thought to myself as I sprayed some of my cologne on myself.
I walked into the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth, shaved, then gelled my hair. I left the bathroom just as Dudley was walking up the stairs and he stopped in his tracks to see what I was wearing.
"Mum and dad know you bought that stuff?" He asked.
"Yeh, and what does it matter if they didn't, my hard earned money, I could do what I want with it." I replied.
I walked past him and into my room. I made my bed and picked up my dirty laundry grabbed the watch Sirius gave me. I picked up the piece of paper that had Emily's number on it and I walked into the hallway and picked up the phone and went into my room. As I sat on my bed I started to dial her number, I was nervous but I had a lot of questions to ask her.
I waited for someone to answer, someone did, "Hello, is Emily there?"
"Hey, it's Harry… Yeh I had fun last night, but speaking of last night." I was tossing a pencil in my hand that I had picked up from my nightstand, "Your cousin Hermione… where is she coming home from? Bulgaria, really…"
Yes it was official, this was my Hermione, "Well I was just wondering where she… no the name sounded familiar I have a friend with the same name… I don't know if it's the same person… Listen I don't have work today, what time do you get off? Ok I'll meet you at your mothers shop then, bye." I hung up the phone and hit myself in the head with the palm of my hand, "Damn Potter couldn't you have put it all into better words!"
I gave a off an aggravated grumble and went and put the phone away. I grabbed my wallet and went down the stairs, "I'm going out, and I'll be back later!" I yelled from the doorway into the kitchen, and before they could reply I was out the door and heading down the street.
I spent most of the afternoon walking around town and stopping in and out of different stores. I stopped back at the mall I was at the night before and stopped in a store called Pacific Sun wear, and I bought a skullcap to wear and some new sneakers. For the rest of the day I spent it walking around the park. I watched as little kids played tag and hide-and-go-seek, running around trees and behind bushes.
I sat on a bench and watched them as I thought back to last year before the final task. Hermione, Ron and I were down by the lake and I was practicing some more spells that would help me. It was a hot day and I was sweating bullets as I was dodging spell after spell. Ron was sitting back enjoying how much I complained about needing a break and Hermione nagging me on how there where only a few more spells left to practice.
"Come on Mione' I'm dieing here, let me sit for five minuets!"
"Harry do you think that your going to be able to have a time out during the last task? You have to deal with this, plus it's going to build up on your character for when you win."
"Oh yeah, well if I don't take a break I'm got going to make it to the last task!" I panted as I dived and rolled near the bank of the lake.
"I'm on Harry's side here Herm's, you're going to kill the poor guy before he can finish this damn tournament." Ron said.
Hermione didn't answer him; she just flicked her wand at him and Ron sat there trying to insult her but it was just silenced. I laughed at him as he got up and started ranting and raving, but all you could hear was… nothing. I looked at Hermione as she grinned at her good work.
"He can hear himself but we can't…"
"Nice work" I laughed as I walked over to her and lifted her up, "Now it's my turn." I gave her a sheepish grin.
"Harry what on earth do you think your doing?"
I started to carry her towards the lake, "Just repaying you for all the hard work you have done for me."
"Harry… no… don't!" She squealed as I tossed her into the cold water of the lake.
I laughed and looked at Ron who was on the ground laughing in his own silence. I turned back to see Hermione coming my way, "Your going to pay Harry!"
She jumped at me and took me into the water with her; I have to admit it was very refreshing to feel the cold water cool me off from all the hard work I was doing that day. When I surfaced I looked at her, drops of water were running down her face, I had to say she did look beautiful. The sun from shone in her eyes and put a deep look over them. I was traced for a little while in her natural beauty. I felt different for a moment while in the water, and I could see the same thing in her. When I realized what was happening I shook my head and stumbled out of the lake.
"We better finish its almost time for lunch."
"Actually, were done…" she said slightly down.
"Oh, well…" I could sense she was a little uncomfortable so I did the only thing I could, "Take a load off" and I pushed her into the water again and ran out of the lake and took off towards the castle.
I was sprinting as fast as I could go and I could hear Ron and Hermione chasing me all the way. I burst threw the doors and went as fast as I could to the common room. I could hear Hermione yelling "Potter you are so dead!" and it only made me run harder. I blasted past Denise Creevey and into the common room. I stopped in front of the fireplace and put my hands on my knee's trying to catch my breath. Soon enough Hermione and Ron had come in and looked at me.
"Your gonna pay for this Harry." Hermione said with a grin on her face.
"Try it Granger." I said.
"I'm just going to sit here and watch you too play, have fun now and don't get too ruff." Ron said he must have had the spell wear off.
I started running up the stairs to the boy's dormitories and tried to get into my room but it was locked and I didn't have enough time to open it before Hermione grabbed me by my waist and started laughing, "Got you."
Something felt weird inside me and I thought to myself, 'you sure do', I turned around to face her, "Looks like you do." I smiled and placed my hand on her cheek.
"Harry what are you doing?" She looked at me; I could tell her that she wasn't expecting what I was about to do. I wasn't even ready for it. I leaned down and kissed her.
It was soft and tender, an alarm rang in my head and I pulled away. I looked at her and the only thing I wanted to do was to kiss her again, she looked up at me and it seemed that she wanted the same thing.
I suddenly felt very scared of what happened, I just kissed my best friend! This is going to change everything! Oh God! Hermione must have felt this and told me, "Don't worry, it's our little secret… No one has to know about it." She gave me a smile.
After that we went back to how we always were, but something deep down told me that what happened that day was right. That was the last kiss I had given her until we departed at the Kings Cross and she kissed me on my cheek. Even that had a tingling feeling in to it.
I looked at my watch and I said that it was almost two o'clock and that Emily would be getting off work soon. I left the park and walked towards the shop she worked at. When I got there she was working on shaving a young man's face. She looked up when the bell rang that someone had entered and she gave me a warm smile.
"Hey Harry." She said and finished shaving the man's face.
"Hey." I said.
I sat down and picked up a magazine to read while I was waiting for her to finish, "Don't get lost in that one, there's a good article about High School homicide in there."
"Ok I'll make sure I skip it." I flipped threw the pages and saw some articles on local bands that were going to have a Battle of the Bands Contest.
By the time two thirty came along Emily was done with her days work and was ready to leave. Harry got up and grabbed his things; "Want to walk with me so I can drop off my things at my house?"
"Sure, I'd love to." She grabbed my hand as we walked towards private drive.
When we got there I opened the door and we walked in, it looked as if no one was home but then Dudley walked into the hallway and looked at us, "Mum wants you to go to the store for her."
"No way, I have a friend whom I'm going to go out with, you go." I replied.
Dudley turned towards Emily and looked dumbstruck, "Who's the fox?" He asked.
I sighed as I felt embarrassed to even say I was related to this fool, "Emily this is Dudley, Dudley… This is Emily."
"Hello, god's gift to man." Dudley said in his most charming voice.
"Pleasure." Emily said flatly.
"Emily I will be right back I just need to drop off my bags into my room…" I looked at her as she gave me a pleading look not to leave her here with Dudley, "Or better yet, come with me." I stared at Dudley.
I reached my room and dropped my bags next to my bed, "Sorry about him…" I apologized.
"It's ok, no harm done…" I noticed she was looking at my dresser where my pictures of Ron and Hermione were sitting, "Harry…"
"Yeh," I said not even thinking about what she wanted.
"Why do you have a picture of my cousin you and a red headed boy on your dresser?"
I froze when she said it. I forgot that she didn't know that I knew Hermione. "Oh, well…you see…she's…well… my best friend."
"That's why you asked me about her this morning and why you looked like someone hit you in the face with a brick last night." She said staring at me.
"Yeah, I was meaning to tell you that I knew her and all but I just forgot." I walked over to her, "Please don't be upset."
"Harry why would I be upset, I just found the best present I could give her for when she comes home!" She smiled, "Your perfect!"
She came over to me and gave me a tight hug before she looked up at me, "How would you react if I kissed you right now?"
If she kissed me, God I wouldn't know, "I donno… I would probably be shocked." She gave me one of those smiles, "But since I was warned I guess I wouldn't be as shocked since I knew it was coming."
We stood there with our bodies close together; slowly we both moved your heads forward slowly closing the space between us. We were so close now that we could feel the body heat generating from each other until… our lips met. We stood there like that for a little bit but something didn't click, I knew it didn't and so did she.
We parted and looked at each other. Nether of us said anything until I spoke, "Well… I guess we just proved something."
"Yeah…" She said slightly disappointed.
"But maybe it's better to be friends. Besides I don't want to stop hanging out with you because nothing happened between us when we kissed." Damn I was bad at explaining things like this.
"Your right Harry, besides, I have a lot of fun with you and my friends think your great!" She gave me a hug, "Plus, if your friends with Hermione Granger, something is good in there."
I grinned, "It's good to know I just made a new friend."
I held out my arm to her and she hooked her arm with mine, "Time to go to our movie as friends?" She said.
"Yes I am." Together we walked out of my house and to the cinema to see a movie, two new friends.
~*~
The week came and went by very fast. Emily and I have grown very close as friends and we were always together in our spare time. Ron had sent me a letter telling me that he was very busy with some things with his family and that, like the rest of the summer, wouldn't be able to write much.
Hermione had sent me a letter telling me how her one cousin has this huge surprise waiting for her when she comes home and now it's the only thing she can think about. She had also said that she would have to meet with me as soon as she came home to tell me something important. Work went by in a flash for me. Dudley started working and the guys were having a blast teaching him how to do the crud work no one else wanted to do. They also taught him how to play hacky sack, and Dudley wasn't bad at it either. Everything seemed to be going great!
Today was the day, Hermione was coming home and I was her BIG surprise. I also made my own little surprise for her. A locket with a picture of Ron, her, and himself inside and said Friends for life; I knew she would love it. I put her gift in a box and put it in the pocket of my jeans. I spiked my hair and looked in the mirror. My black and red plaid t-shirt was hanging nicely and the gray shirt inside was tucked comfortably. My new sneakers fit prefect and the only thing left was my skullcap. I slid it over my head and put my watch on my wrist. I walked down stairs and saw the Dursley's sitting in the TV room.
"I'm leaving now, I'll be home around eleven." I said.
"Don't have too much fun Harry, you're only fifteen." Dudley said.
I rolled my eyes at him, "Dudley, get a life and grow up."
I left the house and walked to Emily's. It was a long walk but I had time, she lived fifteen minuets away when you walked so I didn't really mind. I couldn't wait to see Hermione again, she had been gone all summer and now she would be coming home! I fumbled with her gift in my pocket and smiled as I imagined the look on her face when she would see me standing there.
I reached Emily's house at 5:30 and I noticed all the lights in the back and some guys running around in the huge front yard. I walked up to them and noticed they were playing a game of rugby. One man stopped and looked at me as I walked on the yard.
"Oy! Who are you?" He said walking up to me.
"Harry Potter, I'm looking for Emily." I said.
"Ah, your him. I'm Clay, her brother. She's in the back you can just go in." He said.
"Thanks."
I headed into the back yard where a big group of people were sitting and standing talking to one another. Little kids where playing by an oak tree while some girls around my age sat talking and laughing. I noticed Emily and I saw her look around and smile when she saw me. She stood up and started walking my way. I met her halfway and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey."
"Hey, You came just in time!" She said, "Come on I want you to meet my other cousins." She took my hand and lead me over to the table where the girls were sitting, "Hey guys, this is him, Harry meet my cousins, Terry, Sara, Angela, and Debbie. Girls, this is Harry, the one I told you about.
I waved at them as they all said hey to me. I sat down next to Emily and listened to there conversation about there up coming school year. I looked around the yard and couldn't believe how big her home was, an in-ground pool and a half of yard to play with a tree and play set. Next I saw the guys who were playing in the front come into the back tossing there ball back in forth between each other talking about there game they just played. They came to our table and pulled up chairs and sat down.
"Hey girls." Clay said, "Harry." He added.
"Hey Clay… how was the rugby match?" Emily asked.
"Could have been better, we were out numbered by one, so I called the game on a count that we were getting crushed." He said with a laugh.
I grinned at his comment and looked at the other guys. Emily noticed and she decided to introduce me to them, "Guy, this is Harry, Harry this is Clay, Boomer, Matthew, Joe, Jason, and Danny." They all gave smug looks as I waved.
"Where you from Harry?" Clay asked, being the only one who looked remotely nice.
"Well, I'm from Little Whining." I said crossing my arms over my chest.
"Oh so you're not that far from us, what's up with you and my sister?" He asked now trying to sound more like the protective brother.
"Nothing at all, we're just friends." I answered.
"Oh, well what do you do?"
"I don't follow…" I raised my eyebrow.
"Where do you go to school I should ask." He said with a grin.
By now all the guys were hanging on their chairs with grins like Clay was being a smart ass or something, "A private school, in Scotland."
"Just like Hermione… You two go to school together?"
"Actually yes, we do." I said and now it was turn to grin when Clay gave me a blank stair.
Emily grinned, as she knew who and what I was when I explained to her how Hermione and I know each other. She took my hand and gave it a squeeze and she tried to hold back her laughter. Clay on the other hand was in a daze as he looked at me. Suddenly he got up and walked off, the rest of the guy got up as well looking at me like I was some sort of virus they might get if they stayed there.
Once they left Emily burst out laughing as she leaned her head on my shoulder, "I can't believe you said that to him."
"Why?" I asked looking at them retreating into the house.
"My brother gets SO scared to see a wizard, he used to taunt Hermione for hours, but when he found out she was a witch he backed off and has been like her best friend since." She explained.
"Yeh, but I don't see why he would be like that to me." I said a little confused.
"Harry, he knows who you are. Your all Hermione talks about when she's home. I think he's just nervous being around you form hearing all the story's we've heard about you."
"Oh now I get it. Now I can't even go into the muggle world and be a normal guy." I said.
"Don't worry about him Harry, it's Clay, he'll grow to you, he'll have to because when you come home for summer you have me to hang out with."
I nodded as I sat back and looked at my watch, "She should be here soon. Should I go and get ready to make my entrance?" I said.
"She's here!" Jason said as he came running out into the back yard.
"Yeah, now would be a good time."
I got out of my chair and went on the side of the house where no one was able to see me. I waited silently as I heard her come into the backyard and everyone yell and welcome her home. I heard her soft voice thanking everyone and it made my heart skip a beat. I was so happy she was back. I heard her ask eagerly where her big surprise was and I knew I only had a few more seconds.
"Ok Hermione, sit here and I'll be right back." Emily said and she came over and grabbed my hand, "Are you ready."
I nodded, "Of course."
Together as everyone watched us walk out and Hermione who was facing opposite of us ask what everyone was looking at. I stood there with my hands in my pockets and looked down at her as Emily told her to turn around. Slowly Hermione got up and turned around to face me.
I couldn't breath, I looked at the expression on her face and it sucked everything out of me. I noticed that her eyes had a watery glaze over them as she walked to me and pulled me into a very tight hug. Instantly my arms wrapped around her and I lifted her up and set her back down.
I whispered in her ear before I let her go, "I missed you Mione'."
"I missed you too Harry." She said looking at me before pulling me in another tight hug.
After we let go Hermione looked around at all the adults and her parents, "Harry does everyone know it's you?"
"No, I was only with Emily and the rest of your cousins."
"Good, because I wanted to do this part for a long time…" Hermione took my hand and looked at all the adults, "Mum, Dad, everyone… This is Harry Potter… we go to school together."
All the adults looked at me and smiled, Hermione's mother was the first to come up and give me a hug, "I'm glad to have finally met you Harry, your very important to my daughter."
"Thank you Mrs. Granger." I said.
After that everyone got acquainted with me and a great night was in order with Music, food, games, and good conversation. I sat between Hermione and Emily as we ate. Hermione told us stories of how her visit was all the things she brought back.
"Of course Harry can't get his until Christmas." She smirked as I dropped my head back like I was hit in the head.
"Mione' your evil, I've come to that conclusion."
"Thank you."
The rest of the night went great, everyone was enjoying themselves and all of Hermione's cousin's were dancing to the music. I myself was sitting since I still didn't know how to dance that well. Hermione was keeping me company and asked me if I wanted to go for a walk.
"Sure I think that would be great." I said standing up and holding out my hand to her.
We left her aunt's house and walked down the street. I noticed that Hermione kept looking me up and down and I had to ask her why, "Something amusing you?" I said with a smirk.
"Yes, I can't believe how much you changed in such a short amount of time." She said, "Your clothes are stunning, and I don't know about that hat, but even looking at your arms I can tell you've been doing hard work."
I took my hat off to reveal my new hair and Hermione instantly put her hands in it, "When did you get this done?"
"Last week… Emily did it for me, that's how I met her." I said.
"You look good, it doesn't have that shaggy look to it anymore."
"Thanks, it's a lot more easier to manage… and a lot cooler, I noticed I don't sweat as much anymore."
She looked at me and then ahead, "Did you like the pictures I sent you?"
"Are you kidding, Mione' I loved them, made me feel like I was there with you." I said.
"I wish you were there." She said in an upset voice.
I stopped and grabbed her hand, "Did something happen out there?" I asked concerned.
She didn't look at me but stood there looking at the ground, "Hermione, what happened?"
"Victor…" was all she managed to say before walking over to the curb and sitting down.
"What happened? Did he do something to you?" I was aggravated now, if that bastard hurt her I was going to track him down and kill him.
"He didn't get very far with me you now, I never even kissed him… I couldn't, it didn't feel right." I felt her shake.
"Go on…" I took her hand to let her know it was ok.
"So one night he asked me why I was being so prude… and when I told him that all I wanted to be was a friend to him… well he didn't like that idea." She wiped a tear from her cheek, "So after that he would give me the cold shoulder and barely talked to me. A few nights before I left I was in my room getting ready to go to bed and he came in raging like a mad man. His parents weren't home so I had no one. He pinned me to the bed and…"
She couldn't go on but I had a good idea, "He hit you didn't he?" I said holding her as I felt her head nod, "Oh Mione… Don't worry, it won't happen again, I promise." I held her tight as together we sat there and waited for her to stop crying.
As I waited for her to stop I reached in my pocket and pulled out her gift, "Mione', I have something for you." I smiled as she lifted her head, "Here, it's just something small but I think it will make you feel better."
I held out the black box and gave it to her. She took it and opened it; a light gasp escaped her mouth as she looked at the gold locket opened so the picture inside was showing.
"Harry, this is beautiful." She held it in her hand, "It's so light."
"Yeh, I know, I hoped you would like it."
"I don't like it Harry…" She looked up at me, "I love it."
She reached up and put her hand around the back of my neck and pulled me to her. For a second time our lips met for the sweetest thing in the world. We pulled apart and she smiled at me, "Just another secret no one has to know about."
I smiled and held her close, something new is going to happen here, and I can't wait.
A/n: well that's it for my second chapter, sorry guys for how LOOOOOOOONG it took me to write this, and I donno if this is the best writing I have ever written I understand if you flame it. But I hope you liked it and I'll be working to get the third chapter up real soon.