Harmione|| Always And Azkaban

Chapter 3

The doors of Potter Manor opened for the small group. Greeted by a servant or two, Harry led his friends inside with the bags of school equipment he bought, and they were met by a short, plump maid. "Master Harry, do you need any help?" Harry smiled at the woman, "No, Layla. I can manage."

As Luna and Hermione continued to stare wide-eyed at the mansion, Harry took them to the living room. "Stay here. If you want anything, ask Layla or one of the other maids. I'll be right back." The boy disappeared to God-knows-where, leaving Hermoine, Luna and Ron together in the large, luxurious living room. For some time, there was an awkward silence among the three. Luna, being left alone in her icon's home sitting across from her crush with no one but her best friend to watch her painful glee, was especially unfamiliar with her surroundings. Hermione saw the way they avoided each other's gaze. The two obviously needed a push and Hermione needed answers. Her curiosity was at an all-time high being at Potter Manor.

"So, Ron," Hermione called him and he turned to her, "do you know why we're here? I don't know Harry well, or at all really." That broke off a piece of the tension in the room. "No, I don't know what exactly is going on. But by what I do see, it most likely has to do with his parents and Voldermort. That's the only time he looks this stressed and frantic." Ron replied. "Oh," Hermione saw the string of passion connecting Luna's light blush to Ron awkwardness and decided to kill two birds with one stone. "Is there a restroom around here?" she asked Ron. "Yeah. Just go down the hall, past the study and make a right. You'll find a guest bedroom with a bathroom." he answered her. "Thanks. Please keep Luna company for me." she said with a playful eye that neither Ron nor Luna missed.

Hermione left the two alone and grinned proudly to herself as she walked down the vast hall. She had planned to leave the two alone and go off and feed her curiosity's hunger. While walking, she peered at the paintings and portraits that hung on the walls. She remembered Luna telling her that Lily Potter had an eye for beauty and that in an interview, she told people that on special occasions, James Potter bought her a pretty portrait, regardless of the price. Some of the paintings she saw were surely at least a couple thousand pounds.

Her attention was suddenly drawn away when a loud bang coming from the study followed the angry voice of Harry Potter. Discreetly, Hermione snuck behind the door and looked in on the scene from a small creek Harry probably did realize he left in the door. He seemed to be on a phone with someone. She peaked and processed every word Harry said as well the emotions he said it with. 

"I'm a hundred and ten per cent sure that it was Wormtail. It's hard not to remember that mole-face. He came at me with a knife...I knocked him out just like you taught me...Yes Remus, I already called Sirius...Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood and Ron...No. The only people who saw were some police and Ollivander. Officers, Jones and Carter...Sirius said that he was going to work his magic and not worry too much which is easier said than done...He's back, isn't he?"

For a moment, there was a pause and Hermione took a step closer and accidentally touched a creaking loose floorboard. She could've sworn that the whole world had heard her and immediately hid behind the door and walls. When she saw nothing happen, she looked in the room and no one was there. She walked in and looked everywhere but behind her. The large room flooded with books, desks, chairs and lights, suddenly felt smaller as she felt a familiar hand touch her back ever so gently, sending shivers and a warm blush up to her spine and to her face. She quickly turned around only to see Harry Potter standing so close to her that she could smell his minty breath, count his pearly whites and even see her reflection in his gorgeous green eyes.

"Hello, Hermione," Harry said and she instantly backed away. "How much did you hear? You were always the more curious one. Whenever you were little you got yourself into the worst situations." Hermione's eyes slightly widened. "You remembered me?" Harry only smirked at Hermione's shock. "You're kind of hard to forget." he replied, charming her pants off. Hermione was the shade of Santa Claus' suit.