Harry Potter and all related characters ain't mine…though the plot is very much my idea…R/R thanks for the reviews good or bad I appreciate it…well, I don't have a beta-reader and those kinds of mistakes I usually or actually always make… shoot me down sometimes…try to correct them when I make an update but I gotta finish this story first…
Chapter 10: Strange Encounters
Hermione
I had a very wonderful night and I slept like a baby, having Harry's last words echoing in my head. He said he loves me and I think it's the second time he told me and I still can't have enough of it. I never thought Harry could be so romantic. I mean living in a place where people don't show affection like the Dursleys it must have been hard. I do know one thing I have enough love for him to last a lifetime. I can't believe I'm becoming as girly as Parvati and Lavender.
I got myself ready for a wonderful day at Diagon alley with our friends of course and Harry. I missed Ron and Ginny a lot. Although Ginny and I had been writing each other a lot and I'd even shared some of the things Larisse had taught me with her.
"Hermione, are you up?" I heard Harry say as he knocked at the door three times.
"I'm coming Harry," I said as I went to open the door. Harry was standing right in front of it.
"Good morning angel," he said and kissed me on the lips.
"Good morning to you too," I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist. I had the urge to pull him inside my room and lock our selves in, but we heard a very familiar voice.
"I knew you two are sneaking around up here," it was Ron and he was grinning at us.
"Well, you're rather early," Harry said as he turned to him with disappointed look on his face.
"How have you two been doing? Well, I guess you're quite having fun. Come on you two everyone is already waiting down stairs," Ron said and he was talking rather fast. I'm usually the one doing that. He dragged us down the stairs and we saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, the twins, Ginny and Lavender waiting for us.
"Ginny it's so nice to see you," she came up to me and we hugged.
"Hey Lavender it's so nice to see you," I hugged her too. It was really nice to see familiar faces although I'm already starting to miss my mum and dad. It's only during summer breaks that I get to stay with them.
"We three are heading for Madame Malkin's to get some new robes but before that we have to do some shopping," Ginny said almost like a whisper.
"How are you Hermione dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked me.
"I'm okay. Mum and dad are in Berlin so I was hoping maybe Harry and I can stay at the Burrow for the rest of the summer?" I asked.
"Of course you're welcome to stay. Ron already told me. No need to worry. You and Harry are already part of the family, right dear?" she nudged Mr. Weasley and he just smiled at us.
"We should better be going now and start the shopping," Mr. Weasley said.
"Harry I'm going with the girls let's meet at Madame Malkin's so we can go to Flourish and Blotts together," I said before I went to join Ginny and Lavender. We were to shop for some items needed for Harry's surprise birthday party.
"I so want to kiss you, even if it's just on the cheeks," he whispered to me.
"Well, it's supposed to be a secret so we can't," I reasoned and he looked a little disappointed. I noticed Ron's knowing look and Ginny and Lavender giggling by the door waiting for me. The twins on the other hand were pretending not to notice. I went to join the girls but I smiled back at Harry and Ron.
I brought along the list of things to buy and my moneybag that seemed a little heavier than last night. I looked inside and well, there were probably enough money for me to last till sixth year. I bet Harry placed some of his money in my bag. I'll return it to him later. I placed my moneybag inside my robe.
"So we have to get this things in mum's list and meet her at Florean Fortesque for the drop off then we can go on our usual school shopping," Ginny said. We followed her to an herb and food shop where she gave the old witch Mrs. Weasley's list and after a little while of waiting she gave us three big paper bags. Ginny gave her 3 Galleons for each bag.
"What are these?" Lavender asked.
"Mum says it's for the party I think she's making some herb salad for Dumbledore and McGonagall. She's also making roasts and other delicious wizarding cuisines," Ginny said proudly.
"I bet we'll grow inches on our waist," I joked.
"Dear I hope not," Lavender said and we all laughed.
We went to meet Mrs. Weasley and gave her our load. She shrank them and placed them in her pocket. "Now you three get a move on and do your shopping. Ginny you have your moneybag with you? Buy everything you need. I have checked some of the things that you already have," Mrs. Weasley said.
"I'll let her borrow some of my books. You're studying Arithmancy, right?" I offered.
"Thanks Hermione, at least I still have enough money for a dress robe," Ginny beamed. "Bye mum." We went off to our shopping. We went to the Apothecary to get our supplies for our potions experiments.
"I heard Snape is going to teach us aging potions," Lavender said.
"I think that would be easy enough for us to do. It isn't as complex us the invisibility potion or the polyjuice potion," I replied.
"I hope you're right. I hate making mistakes in potions and Parvati isn't exactly the best partner," Lavender explained.
"Well, you can always pair up with Ron but I doubt if his any help," I suggested and we had a nice laugh about it. We bought some nice rolls of Parchment and I bought some extras of course. I also bought some fine ink in nice little decorated inkbottles. Lavender and Ginny did the same.
"Well, well, what have we here? The Weasel's girl friend, his nice looking sister and what do you know Potty's mudblood girlfriend. Didn't recognize you for a while. New hair, for Potty no less?" It was the filthy git Draco minus his goons. But did I hear him complement Ginny? Must be my ears playing a trick on me.
"Well, it's none of your business and besides I don't think we need additional company at the moment. Go on and find your beefy friends," I retorted. I had my wand kept in my robe pocket and I just got hold of it in case I'd need it.
"Don't bother Granger although I did saw Potter in Quality Quidditch supplies talking to a certain Ravenclaw seeker. I guess Ms. Chang is on the bounce after Cedric's death," Draco exclaimed. He probably thought he got me pissed. Well, maybe a little.
My face was growing red with fury. "Hermione, don't listen to him Harry was probably just talking to her," Lavender tried to say.
"So it's true. You and scar head are a couple. How lovely my two favorite people are together. I'll have a feast annoying the two of you," Draco smirked.
"To bad only a silly bimbo would fall for someone like you. At least they got each other and all you have is a sorry excuse for a girlfriend, Pansy," snapped Ginny. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The youngest Weasley was putting up a fight with Draco.
"Ginny, you don't have to. I don't believe him and besides if Harry is talking to Cho he was probably clearing things up with her and nothing more. Draco is just trying to play Rita Skeeter," I said. "And Draco check out the Daily Prophet's office they might have an opening." All three of us laughed, and Draco had an annoyed look on his face.
"I'll get back at you three, and Weasley, for your information not only Slytherin girls fall for me. I bet I can take a Gryffindor like you down too," he smirked and walked off.
"He's so full of himself," I commented. "Don't worry about that git." Ginny was flushed red.
"If he thinks he can handle me. Well, he's wrong. I'm no longer little Ginny who needs to be saved. I can handle him single handedly," Ginny remarked. I think Draco messed up with the wrong Weasley.
"Well, I guess we can go to Madame Malkin's to get our robes now," Lavender suggested trying to ease the tension.
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HARRY
Ron and I went with Fred and George. We talked about Quidditch non-stop although Ron and I had a little talk about Hermione. We went to Quality Quidditch first to get my new uniforms.
"So where are your old ones?" Fred asked as we went inside the store.
"I gave it to Hermione," I replied. The twins just looked at each other and George tossed a Galleon to Fred.
"So, Ron I hope you can play Keeper for the team," I said trying to change the subject.
"Sure hope so. I mean Fred and George here had been torturing me to practice everyday," Ron said.
"Not really, you spend a lot of your time hanging out at Lavender's so don't go blaming us," George remarked. "Hey isn't that Cho? Cedric's you know."
I looked at where George was looking. She just came out from the fitting room with her new uniform probably. "Why won't you come up to her and talk, Harry," Ron said.
"Ron's right and besides Hermione isn't here," Fred joked. George nudged him on the side.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to talk and beside it's not like I'm going to cheat on Hermione or anything," I whispered to Ron. I got myself together and approached her. It wasn't like before when I felt all fidgety when I see her. It was more of guilt that I was feeling. I know that I'm the reason why Cedric died. I should have taken the cup from him when he offered it to me.
"Hi Cho, remember me?" I said awkwardly. She looked at me and smiled weakly. It wasn't like her before. She was cheerful and free spirited. I guess a part of her was lost when Cedric died.
"Harry, of course I remember you. How was your summer?" she asked me. I saw that sad look in her eyes.
"It was nice I spent it at Hermione's," I said.
"Well, I'm glad you had a nice time," she replied.
"Hermione and I will be staying at Burrow the rest of the summer. Hermione's parents are away for a conference," I guess I was babbling.
"Oh, that's nice I hope you have a great time," she said and with an even sadder look on her face. I can't believe I was so insensitive. Here I am all happy about my relationship with Hermione while she was still grieving Cedric's death.
"Harry, I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you," She must have seen the look on my face. "It's just that since Cedric died I just… don't know how I should react to everything," she admitted. She was starting to cry.
"I should be the one apologizing to you. I should have done something to save Cedric," I muttered.
"It's alright Harry. You brought him back to us. That's all that matters. I'm not holding anything against you. Cedric would always be in my heart and nothing will ever change that," she said. I wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure me, or herself.
"Thanks Cho that means a lot to me," It was like I was freed from the guilt that had built up inside me.
"And Harry. Do take care of Hermione. If you really love her you'll do anything to keep her," she said.
"I will," I nodded and left her on her own. She had a little glow in her face. I guess we heard what we wanted to hear from each other.
"What did she say?" George asked. "You two looked pretty serious."
"We said what should have been said before we left school," I looked down on my hands. If only I did something but her voice echoed inside my head, `you brought him back to us. That's all that matters.'
"Harry the lady gave me your uniform," Fred said as he handed me my package. I paid the lady and we spent a few minutes marveling at the new Thunderbolt.
"Say, Harry do you reckon maybe Sirius would buy you one?" Ron asked me quietly.
"I don't know my Firebolt is still new and I guess that beauty is worth a fortune," I cooed.
"You bet it does. I heard Viktor Krum is endorsing that for five hundred thousand Galleons," Ron said.
"Well, Viktor is no match to Harry here both in Quidditch and with Hermione," Fred joked.
"Very funny you guys," I said. We went to buy rolls of parchment and ink. I bought Hermione a nice Eagle feather Quill and I got myself the same. I saw a nice set of hair combs and brushes, which I bought as well. The twins were enjoying the sight of me looking at the nice hairpins. I guess there wasn't any point in denying anything to the Weasley twins because they would have their way and find out anyway.
We went to the Apothecary and got what we need for potions and made our way to Madame Malkin's.
When we got inside we saw the girls already trying on dress robes. Hermione just got out of the fitting room in a very nice red dress robe. She saw me and waved at me.
"So what do you think?" she asked me. I liked the color it matches her beautiful lips. Her brown eyes were just sparkling and I was just mesmerized.
"Earth to Harry!" Ron said and it snapped me back to reality.
"You look lovely Hermione," was the only thing I said.
"Harry, I'm talking about the dress. What do you think?" she asked me again.
"Well, anything will look good on you but this one is very nice," commented.
"Thought you'd say that. I'll take it," She said and she went back inside the fitting room. After a while she went out with her regular robes and she's still as beautiful as ever.
"Here I think a black dress robe would look nice on you. Why won't you try it on?" she said as she handed me a nice black dress robe. Ron was trying on many colored dress robe.
"Don't worry Ron pick anything, we'll pay for it," I heard George say.
"Yah, Ron, go on. Pick anything you like," I heard Fred say.
"Yah, right and leave me here to labor for it," I heard Ron say and we broke into laughter.
"No seriously baby brother go and pick anything you like and we'll pay for it. That Blue dress robe looks nice on you," George offered.
After a while the twins have convinced Ron and he bought the blue dress robe and Lavender picked the same color for her dress robe. Hermione helped Ginny in picking one and she got a nice pink dress robe.
Before we went to Flourish and Blotts I took Hermione to one side of Madame Malkin's shop to talk.
"Hermione, I have something to tell you," I started.
"If it's about you talking to Cho at Quality Quidditch Supplies I already know," she said without a hint of jealousy.
"You know but how did you…" I wanted to say.
"Draco saw you and had cheerfully announced it to us. It's all right, Harry. I'm not jealous. I know you two would have to talk eventually," she said calmly.
"You're okay with it," I asked a bit surprised.
"Well, of course it's okay. You just talked. I trust you Harry," she said and I just had to kiss her that instant. Good thing we were well hidden.
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RON
"You two ought to wait till we get back to the Burrow," I said. I caught Harry and Hermione snogging in a corner. I can't believe this two. Well, I can't say I'm not guilty of snogging with Lavender but not in Madame Malkin's.
"We're coming Ron," Hermione said as she dragged Harry outside. We went to Flourish and Blotts. Harry carried Hermione's packages and well I had to carry Lavender's also. The twins carried Ginny's things not that she bought a lot. She would be reusing some of my old things like my books.
"Ron, where did you find Harry and Hermione?" Lavender asked me as we went to look for the books in our list.
"Snogging in a corner," I said bluntly. She giggled. Well, she found the whole thing amusing and well I have to say it really was. I should have Colin taken a shot of that if only he was around. Those two had priceless expressions on their faces. I can't believe it I caught them a record breaking two times.
"Will you be buying a whole new set of books?" Lavender asked me.
"Percy gave mum extra money for Ginny and me. I'm buying a new set alright. Ginny only need two new books though that's why she got a new dress robe," I said.
"We bumped into Draco today," Lavender said as I got two of the same books from a stack.
"Well, what happened? What did that prat do to you?" I asked as I handed her one of the books. I was anxious to know what that git did today.
"He didn't do anything just babbled a lot. He said Harry had talked with Cho in Quality Quidditch," Lavender explained. "Well, Hermione was a little annoyed but she didn't do anything just told Malfoy off. Well, actually Ginny told Malfoy off."
"My sister. She did that? Well, at least Malfoy had a little dose of Weasley wrath from her," I said. Well, my sister isn't exactly the weakling type. I guess she made me realize that this summer. After all those pranks the twins pulled on me with her help.
"I think there is tension between them," Lavender said.
I had to look at her all of a sudden. "What do you mean tension? What kind of tension?" I asked. Unlikely thoughts were running through my head. I'm not exactly sure but I had a feeling I didn't want to hear what Lavender had to say.
"Tension. There is something going on between them but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I think Ginny had entered the forbidden grounds. She had challenged Draco without even realizing it," Lavender said. Now I was a lot more confused.
"I still don't understand it. What are you getting at?" I asked.
"Ginny your sister. Got Draco's attention. She said some things that got Draco's advertence shifted to her. Remember how Draco loves annoying and pestering Hermione, well this time when Ginny spoke he had forgotten about Hermione and had focused on your sister. Well, I think she challenges him. I wouldn't be surprised if Draco would start to make a move on her soon. He did say she's pretty," Lavender said and I couldn't believe my ears. No way. That's impossible. Why would Draco want to date my sister?
"He can't possibly think of using Ginny to get back at me?" I swear if he lays a hand on my sister I smash his stupid face to oblivion.
"Actually Ron, sometimes things get a little out of hand when you do it for the wrong reasons and, well, it back fires most of the time," Lavender said knowingly. It's like she's on her element when we talk about relationships. Oh my goodness. The words Draco, Ginny and relationship should never ever be in the same sentence, no way, definitely not going to happen. What does she mean by back firing. Could it be possible that a git like Draco could fall for someone like my sister?
"Stop that non sense Lav. My sister would never like a prat like Draco, and that twit of a Slytherin has bad taste in women so I don't think he'd give a second look on my sister," I said with conviction.
"Whatever you say Ronniekins but if my predictions are correct you might end up having Draco as your brother in-law in the very far future," Lavender said. And I definitely hope she's joking.
"So when do you expect everyone one in Gryffindor would find out about Harry and Hermione?" I asked as I tried to change the topic.
"Tomorrow afternoon tops. At the rate those two are going I think only dumb founded Gryffindors wouldn't know," she said eyeing Harry and Hermione who made book shopping such a romantic scene.
"Will you be as sweet and gentle manly to me as Harry is to Hermione?" she said as she gave me the rest of her books.
"Of course," I said as I took the books whole-heartedly but I was quietly regretting the act. These books must have a weighed a ton. I can't believe Harry is carrying all those books and his Quidditch uniforms school uniforms and their dress robes. Hermione had to carry just quills and ink bottles but Harry doesn't even complain.
"I can carry some of that Harry," I heard Hermione offer help. "Those books are heavy. I'll carry the uniforms and robes. They're not that heavy."
Harry was going to decline but you know how stubborn Hermione is. He had to give in but she only gave the uniforms and kept the dress robes and Quidditch uniforms in his load.
After a quiet book shopping with no Draco in sight we went back to the Leaky Cauldron. We stayed for some Butter bear. Lavender took a seat together with Harry and Hermione across from us. Ginny and the twins were playing exploding snaps at one table while mum and dad shrunk our load so we can easily carry them.
Harry and Hermione's trunks were also shrunk and they placed it in their pockets.
I secretly spoke to the twins alone if they got Harry the present we planned on giving him and well they bought it without anyone noticing anything.
Tomorrow is the big day and Harry would never forget his fifteenth birthday.
We flooed back to the Burrow and they all went their respective room assignments. Lavender and Hermione is going to stay with Ginny. I personally asked permission from Lavender's uncle that she was staying at my sister's room.
Harry was to crash in my room. The whole night we spoke about what happened to him and Hermione and how he handled the Kyle guy whom he said wasn't as bad as he seemed. My plan was working perfectly. Harry is going to be so tired to wake up early while we prepare for tomorrow. I hope the girls don't stay up late. They'll be the one's to wake me up.
To be continued…
[N/A:] Last Chapter comin' up…… I hope you like my story so far… Toodles…R/R