Harry stood by the mailbox, observing cautiously. Mr. Granger was tidying the lawn, and Hermione was helping him.
"Dad, aren't you going to the dental practice today?"
"Miion, I can't work all the time, can I?"
"But Dad, you've been mowing the lawn for hours."
"Oh, if only you could help out with that."
Harry was a bit puzzled. They sounded like themselves, and he saw no sign of a dark wizard. To be absolutely certain, Harry pulled out a bottle of Thief's Downfall water (the kind from Gringotts) and, seizing his moment, splashed it towards Hermione. As for Mr. Granger, Harry was confident he could manage a Muggle without magic.
Hermione was operating the electric lawnmower when she was suddenly drenched. She looked at Mr. Granger, bewildered. To her surprise, Mr. Granger was also looking around, equally confused.
"Miion, what in the...?"
Just then, Harry pulled off his Invisibility Cloak.
Hermione and Mr. Granger were both startled by Harry's sudden appearance, but Hermione quickly narrowed her eyes. "Harry! How did you get here? And why haven't you replied to my letters?!"
Cough, cough. Mr. Granger reminded Hermione to go inside and change, as she was wearing something thin in the summer heat, and the water had made it somewhat see-through. Hermione, blushing, dashed inside, leaving Harry to nervously face Mr. Granger alone.
"So, you're the Harry Potter that Miion has been talking about all holiday?" Mr. Granger scrutinized Harry with interest. Luckily, this Harry wasn't the scrawny, poorly dressed Harry from the original stories, otherwise Mr. Granger's tone wouldn't have been so friendly. (Yes, when I read the original, I always found it ridiculous that Harry had a vault full of gold but still wore Dudley's old clothes.)
Hermione was quick to change. When she came downstairs, Harry was sitting rigidly on the sofa, and Mr. Granger was picking up his car keys, about to leave.
"Miion, since you're here, make sure you entertain Harry. I'm going to the practice to relieve your mother."
"But it's only three o'clock," Hermione said, surprised that Mr. Granger was picking up Mrs. Granger so early.
"Harry's here, I'm sure your mother will want to chat with him," Mr. Granger said with a mysterious smile, then left.
Hermione's ears turned red. She looked at Harry, who seemed completely unconcerned, and felt an inexplicable surge of anger.
"Ow!" Harry yelped, clutching his chest and staring in shock at Hermione, who had apparently transformed into a boxer.
"Serves you right! Why haven't you written to me all holiday?! Before, I used to see Hedwig circling nearby, but lately, not even a glimpse of her!" Hermione said nonchalantly, pulling her fist back, then sat down next to Harry.
It was then that Harry remembered why he had come to find Hermione, so he shared his suspicions with her. "I suspect someone or some magical creature has been intercepting my letters," Harry added.
"Who would do that? Could it be the Ministry of Magic?" Ever since Harry had told Hermione about the political factions in the wizarding world, Hermione had shown a tendency to lean towards conspiracy theories.
They discussed it for ages, but couldn't come up with anything concrete. Hermione then suggested they send another letter as a test to find out who was responsible.
Deciding to act immediately, Harry announced he would take the Knight Bus back to the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione insisted she was coming too. "I won't let you face danger alone again, Harry."
Harry opened his mouth to protest, but could only give Hermione a hug in the end. Just then, the door opened, and Mrs. Granger returned. She looked surprised to see the two of them embracing.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Granger and Hermione were whispering.
"Miion, your father and I don't object to you having friends, but you're only twelve!"
"Mum! Harry's just my good friend."
"Your only male good friend? Hermione, I've been around the block. There's rarely such a thing as a purely platonic friendship between boys and girls," Mrs. Granger added silently: Especially when you've been prattling on about Harry all holiday.
Seeing Hermione fall silent and turn away, Mrs. Granger prepared to give Harry a proper grilling. But when she returned to the living room with sliced watermelon, Hermione announced that she and Harry were going out for a bit.
"?"
"Oh, Mum, it's not what you think!" Seeing Mrs. Granger's shocked expression, Hermione knew her eccentric mother had jumped to the wrong conclusion again.
After Hermione's explanation, Mrs. Granger reluctantly accepted the fact that a boy had just arrived and was already whisking her precious daughter away.
"Where are you two going then? Do you want me to drive you?" Mrs. Granger was still a little uneasy.
"Don't worry, Mum, we're taking the Knight Bus, and Harry also has his flying broomstick!"
Mrs. Granger had a feeling that the "flying broomstick" was just another way of saying a motorbike that caught fire.
Harry and Hermione finally made it out the door. Harry hadn't said a word inside the house, and Hermione couldn't help but complain.
"Why didn't you say anything?!"
"What did you want me to say, Miion~?" Harry deliberately stretched out the last syllable, earning himself another chase from Hermione.
While they were playfully bickering, Harry accidentally noticed Mrs. Granger watching them from the window. He immediately straightened up and quietly told Hermione.
They both remained silent after that. Once they reached an unpopulated area, Harry pulled out his wand and summoned the Knight Bus.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus... I'm Mark..."
Once inside, Hermione looked around with wide-eyed wonder; it was her first time riding the magical bus. Harry, meanwhile, silently found a bed and lay down.
"Harry, what are you—"
Before Hermione could finish, the Knight Bus lurched forward, and she lost her balance, falling heavily onto Harry.
After getting off, Hermione knelt by the side of the road, throwing up. Harry, meanwhile, ran into the Leaky Cauldron and bought a strengthening alcoholic drink for motion sickness.
"Ah, another victim of the Knight Bus," Tom said, as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Hermione felt much better after drinking the potion, and then followed Harry back to the room.
"Harry, I'll give you the money for this later—"
"It's not important." Harry shook his head, released Hedwig from her cage, and handed her a letter he'd just written.
But Hedwig refused to deliver it. Harry had to promise her an even more luxurious owl cage before she reluctantly took the letter. However, Hedwig soon looked at Hermione questioningly, as if asking, Isn't the recipient right here?
"It's not for Hermione; it's to Hermione's house, and fly slowly so I can keep up with you," Harry explained. Hedwig didn't understand but respected the instruction, flying off towards Hermione's house.
Harry quickly pulled out his Invisibility Cloak and beckoned Hermione inside. "Hermione, you absolutely must stick close to me. Don't let anyone see you." Harry warned, feeling uneasy. Hermione obediently pressed herself close to Harry.
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