Disclaimer: Seriously, I'm a middle class African American female from the Chi; I see no resemblance whatsoever to JKR. There's no way I own Harry Potter. Unless you want to count the books I purchased.
Recap:
Harry asked "Do you have any specific questions?"
Hermione had a question in mind but she didn't want to seem too obvious. Oh to hell with it. "Have you ever had a girlfriend?"
Chapter 5: The Lake
"W…w…Wha?" Harry never thought that would be the questions she asked.
Hermione was a little embarrassed by his reaction but she wasn't in, or going to be in, Gryffindor for nothing. So she pulled up a lot of courage and failed miserably at trying not to sound scared of his answer. "I asked if you ever had a girlfriend. You know someone that you've went out with. You know held hands. Maybe even kissed?"
I can't believe she is asking me this!
Maybe she likes me?
Maybe she wants to know just because she's my best friend and we're supposed to talk about this stuff.
Oh just answer Potter!
"Erm. No. At the beginning of the school year girls threw themselves at me; older and younger girls. I didn't want them though, I mean, I was 11. Although that's not really an excuse. Ron was eleven and he thought that in the right light, with squinted eyes McGonagall looked fit." This is the point where Harry and Hermione look like they're about to blow chunks. "Even then I knew I wanted to have a girl that wants me for me. Until then, I'm a free man…boy. A free man-boy. Why did you want to know?" After embarrassing himself enough, he decided to turn it over to Hermione.
"No real reason. I just hoped you never dated anyone."
"But why? Why did you want to know? Why would you hope I never dated anyone?"
Oh no. Just think of something Hermione! He's smarter than you remember; he would have never caught that 'hope' slip up. I've crushed on Harry since we were seven. I'm not gonna scare him away now. "Here's the thing Harry. Your aunt and uncle…and other aunt, are trying to get me with Dudley. I'll have you know that I most definitely don't want to be with him. I was hoping that maybe we could pretend to date only in front of Dudley so he could back off." Hermione was really quiet while explaining the last part.
"Erm... I don't know if that a good idea." Hermione's face fell "Not that I wouldn't mind pretending to be your boyfriend. It's just that the Dursley's are still my guardians and if they see us dating…um… pretending and having fun they will make me go back and I'll be in soooo much trouble for stealing a girl that Dudley wants." Harry couldn't help but feel a little sad. She only wanted to know because she doesn't want to be with Dudley.
"Well that's what my parents want to talk to you about later. How about I ask again when we get back?"
Get Back? Where are we going? Would it be hard pretending to be her boyfriend? I mean she is my best friend. She attractive…in a friendly way. But what about the Dursley's. Yeah. They will kill me for sure.
"HARRY!"
"What you say?"
"My parents are calling us. Take off the tux jacket and the tie. And unbutton the top few and you look casual dress. Now let's go."
Harry was beyond confused when he got downstairs. He was 'casual dressed' as Hermione put it. He knew they all were going somewhere…at 10 o'clock at night; he just didn't know where. Lastly he was afraid of what her parents wanted to talk to him about. He was a complete mess the whole ride. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice when they arrived.
Mr. Granger cleared his throat to get Harry's attention and looked at him through the rearview mirror. "This is the part where you pull that little handle and jump out of the car." Harry chuckled nervously and got out of the car. They were at a lake. This lake had ice cream booths, restaurants, and all kinds of shops surrounding it. Harry was in awe. The Grangers walked to an ice cream parlor and Harry followed Hermione; she ushered Harry to a seat while her parents went to pick out a treat. They were sitting outside with the warm breeze and a beautiful view of the lake brightened by the city lights.
"Harry. Don't be so nervous. We're not gonna throw you in the lake or anything. We're having a family night out. Just relax." Harry was enthused to be considered a part of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Granger came back with four huge sundaes. Harry had to control himself from making a mess of himself by drooling. He hadn't had any sweets since Hogwarts. A whole five weeks! That is far too long for a 12 year old boy. Mr. Granger was looking at Harry oddly. Harry was getting a little nervous under the older man's stare. He was startled when Mr. Granger finally spoke up.
"Harry. Hermione spoke to us this morning about the Dursley's. We were warned on how they treat you. Actually, Hermione was reluctant to tell us but we knew whatever it was, it was important, so threatened to not let her go to Hogwarts this year if she wasn't being honest with us."
At these words Hermione gave an apologetic smile. Harry smiled back signaling that it was okay and he wasn't mad at her for telling her parents. If he had to choose he would have done the same thing.
"So we know that the information she told us about the Dursley's will keep you out of that house. The law enforcements will not allow you to be subject to that kind of abuse. If you had told sooner we would have took you in earlier." Harry and Hermione both looked disappointed that they could have never been separated all those years. "We want you out of there, but we don't want you just anywhere. We want you to move in with us. Now we don't want to be your parents; we could never take their place. But we do want to be your guardians. In the sense that you look up to us for advise… Erm I can't really explain it."
"Harry, my husband and I want to get you emancipated and offer you a room living with us as an adult. Of course there will be house responsibilities like chores and respect, but you will be able to make your own decisions. We feel you deserve it after being with the Dursley's all this time; you deserve to be called an adult. We only ask for your respect in return… oh and keep Hermione's head out of the books… What parent ever thought they'd say that? But we will provide everything for you, like you were our own son. So, what do you say?" Mrs. Granger explained like a school teacher.
Harry sat there soaking everything in. He looked at Hermione who was absolutely loosing her mind waiting on Harry's answer. The older Grangers looked just as frantic as Hermione. "Mr. Granger. Mrs. Granger. Hermione. I don't know if I can accept your offer."
"What! Harry, why!"
"Hermione, Dumbledore has me on a short leash. He won't allow me to go anywhere. I asked if I could go to Ron's for the summer he said 'No. trust me Harry I have my reasons.' Even if Dumbledore said yes, who in their right mind would emancipate me? I'm 12 years old. Am I really mature enough to be an adult? I found out that my parents left me enough money to live comfortably until I'm 17 and the heritage galleons come in after, but they wouldn't think I'm responsible enough to be emancipated. Sorry everyone, but the plan wouldn't work."
For a second there I thought I would have a normal life. But there is always something holding me back. Voldemort took my parents, I'm in the spotlight, now Dumbledore won't allow me summer fun. This sucks!
"Harry!!!!" he snapped his head toward Hermione wondering what was wrong. "You've got to stop zoning out like that! I can't tell if you're listening to me until I'm done talking. I literally ramble on and on and you never hear what I say!"
Harry had the decency to blush when the Grangers snickered at their daughter reprimanding Harry. Not wanting to get another lecture Harry mumbled "Sorry Hermione" and gave her all of his attention.
"Now, I know you may not be happy about this but you can use your fame in the wizarding world to get emancipated. After all you are a hero there. They'll probably think they owe it to you. And I know there are ties with the wizarding world and the muggle world so maybe if you're an adult there they can make you one here too. But the information about Professor Dumbledore is new to me. I can ask if he can explain why you can't stay with us and maybe we all can figure out a solution." Harry still looked skeptical but he was slowly giving in. "Please Harry. If Professor Dumbledore says yes will you do it?"
"Yeah. I'd love to live with you guys but I will pay my dues. If I'm gonna be an adult; I'm gonna pay for my stay at your home. But I really would love for you to tell me if I'm doing wrong. Don't be afraid to be like my parents. I know they're gone but, I'll respect you the same. I guess I'm saying I really want to be a kid, but I will not throw away the fact that I have adult responsibilities." Harry finished with determination and confidence they didn't know he possessed.
The Granger's admiration for the boy went up a notch when Harry offered to 'pay his dues'. They didn't understand why he didn't think he was mature enough. Any other kid would have no problem living free off other people while legally being called an adult. This boy sitting in front of them proved his maturation when he asked if he was mature enough. To even think of that as a possibility showed responsibility in their eyes. The doctors Granger heard plenty of their friends talking about their kids saying "I can't wait to be grown" or "I can't wait to live on my own". They never expected it from their Hermione but she said it when she wasn't allowed to get a state of the art library built in the basement. Then here is a boy that has every reason to want to be an adult, and he just wants to be a kid; a very responsible kid.
Hermione broke the silence, "Getting professor Dumbledore to agree will be the hard part. But we'll write a letter tomorrow. Until then, we can enjoy these great desserts."
After the dessert, they sat along the lake and talked about Hogwarts. And played games like Concentration (does anyone still play that game?). When they got back, Harry thanked the Grangers for taking him on their family outing. The Grangers were getting tired of being called sir and maam so they told him to call them by their names, Rachael and Tim.
Later that night when Harry settled into bed in his soon to be official room, he thought about how this was one of the first times he was truly happy. He was getting ready to fall into a peaceful sleep when he thought about the question Hermione asked earlier. Should I pretend to be her boyfriend in front of Dudley? It would work out well if everything goes according to plan. I guess we'll talk about it tomorr.... Before Harry could finish his thoughts he was asleep.