Meant to Be (Harry Potter X Hermione Granger)

Shopping

It was December 18th, although it was nearly the 14th as it was 11pm. Samatha and Richard were in bed in a comfortable silence which Samantha was about to break;

"So, I'm taking Hermione Christmas shopping tomorrow, did you think of anything to do with Harry, dear? Because you are not lazing around in the house watching football." She closed her book and put it in her bedside cabinet drawer.

"I haven't thought of something yet but I'll ask him if there's anything he wants to do. Although I'm not sure how that'll go, I imagine he'll be too anxious around me to suggest anything."

"Richard. Why would he be anxious? What did you do?" Her eyes nearly burned holes in him.

"What? Nothing. I mean how he's very timid and still not entirely comfortable here. Not that I blame him, I know what it's like." Richard lay down in bed and got comfortable, Samantha doing the same and then turning to look at him.

"I know, he's a sweet boy, I don't know how anyone could ever treat him badly. He certainly lights up around Hermione, however." Samantha smiled at her daughter's blossoming friendship, relationship? No, too soon.

Richard sighed, "Hmm, I know." And with that, they turned off their lamps and retired to sleep.

The next morning

Everyone was already up in the Granger household, breakfast had been eaten and again, Harry had offered to clean up and had been refused. It was 9am and Samantha and Hermione were leaving to go shopping. Once they were gone, Richard and Harry came back through to the kitchen.

"Samantha suggested that you and I go out and do something today, Harry, if you want."

"Oh...that's re..really not..necess - " Richard cut him off, "Harry, don't worry so much. We're not going to kick you out for saying something. If we did that, we'd effectively be kicking Hermione out too," Richard laughed.

Harry had no clue what he meant but brushed it off, "I think going out would be fun." Richard clapped his shoulder, "Good lad, what'd you wanna do?"

I was picking what we do? This has never happened before. This was entirely new for Harry. "Well..I do need to get something for Hermione, for Christmas, I haven't had a chance yet."

"Good, we can start with that. Shall we go to that Diagonal Alley." Harry smirked, "Diagon." Richard shook his head. "I'll get it right one day, well, get changed and we can head out."

Meanwhile

"So, I was thinking for starters we need to get Harry some clothes. They're awfully raggedy and I'm assuming are hand-me-downs?" Samantha asked, Hermione huffed;

"Yes, they are, from his wretched cousin Dudley. That's a good idea, Mum. I meant to ask, is Harry wearing some of Dad's old clothes?" Samantha turned her head left to make sure there was no oncoming traffic and pulled out onto the main road.

"Yes, I asked your Dad if he could lend them to Harry. Took a good amount of convincing for Harry to actually take them," Samantha shook her head.

"Well, he's only been at the house for a few days and honestly this is more than he's ever had. Thanks for letting him stay, Mum." Hermione smiled.

"It's terrible how he's been treated. We're happy to have him here, especially if it makes you so happy." Hermione blushed. "Come on, at some point you must tell me the full story of you two."

"There's no story, Mum!" She blushed harder, Samantha scoffed; "As if! You'll tell me before you go back to school." Hermione was desperate to change the subject;