Chapter 41: Day Out
As the sun cast its first golden rays across the Hogwarts grounds, Harry awoke from a restful slumber, his mind buzzing with anticipation for the day ahead. It had been nearly two weeks since his visit to the hospital wing, and life at Hogwarts seemed to have settled into a steady rhythm.
In the classroom, Professor Lupin's captivating lectures had transformed History of Magic into a favorite subject among students. Even the most reluctant learners found themselves drawn in by his engaging storytelling and infectious enthusiasm. Remus had a knack for bringing the past to life in a way that made the dusty pa ges of history books seem like thrilling adventures.
Meanwhile, Professor Snape's disdain for Harry remained as palpable as ever, particularly in the presence of the Slytherins. But Harry had grown accustomed to Snape's icy glares and biting remarks, choosing to focus instead on mastering the intricate art of potions brewing. He knew Snape had to do it to keep up the pretense, even though Harry was acing his subject.
Surprisingly, Professor Quirrell had yet to do anything hasty. There had been no sightings of rampaging trolls or dying unicorns, leading Harry to suspect that Quirrell was biding his time for a more dramatic reveal – perhaps on Halloween, as the original script went.
Quidditch practice had reached a fever pitch, with Oliver Wood driving the team to new heights of skill and determination. The Gryffindor players pushed themselves to their limits, fueled by the memory of their win against Slytherin and driven by a fierce desire to emerge victorious in their tournament.
In the classrooms of Transfiguration and Charms, Harry found himself excelling effortlessly, as the material taught was quite basic and Harry had already finished them ages ago. He was also Apparating here and there whenever people didn't see him. Now that he could work around the Anti-Apparation wards at Hogwarts he wanted to practice it, so he keeps doing it at the first chance he gets. Apart from these, there wasn't really anything of importance in the past two weeks so far.
As Harry rose from his bed and prepared for the day ahead, he couldn't shake the feeling that something extraordinary was on the horizon. Today was a Saturday again, so they didn't have any classes, so Harry tried to plan the day ahead. He didn't really have any more research he wanted to do, no Quidditch practice either. He had just met Lumos yesterday, so he didn't really feel like going to meet him again today.
Harry took a moment to stretch his limbs, relishing the sensation of freedom after a night of restful sleep. With a quick glance at his timetable, he confirmed that there were no pressing obligations for the day – a rare occurrence that filled him with a sense of excitement.
As he dressed and prepared for the day, Harry's mind wandered to the possibilities that lay ahead. Perhaps he could spend some time exploring the castle grounds, or indulge in a leisurely stroll through the Forbidden Forest. The weather was pleasant, and the crisp autumn air beckoned him outdoors.
Or perhaps he could take advantage of the quiet morning to delve deeper into his magical studies. There were countless spells and enchantments he had yet to try, and Harry relished the opportunity to expand his knowledge and skills.
Lost in thought, Harry made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, his mind buzzing with anticipation for the day ahead. The Great Hall was still empty except for one or two students here and there, so Harry decided to go back to the common room and wait for Ron and Hermione.
Lost in thought, Harry settled into one of the comfortable armchairs in the Gryffindor common room, his mind whirring with possibilities for the day ahead. He considered exploring the castle grounds, maybe even sneaking off for a bit of mischief with Fred and George. But as he mulled over his options, he heard footsteps descending from the dormitories.
Glancing up, Harry spotted Ron making his way down the stairs, a drowsy look on his face. Harry offered him a nod of greeting, but Ron seemed lost in his own thoughts.
"Hey, Ron," Harry greeted, "What's up?"
Ron blinked in surprise, as if just realizing Harry was there. "Oh, hey, Harry. Sorry, didn't see you there. Just lost in thought, I guess."
Harry chuckled, understanding completely. "No worries. So, any plans for today?"
Ron shrugged, plopping down in the chair opposite Harry. "Not really. Probably just hang out here, maybe finish that chess game we started last week."
Before Harry could respond, Hermione descended the stairs, a determined expression on her face. She spotted Harry and Ron and made her way over, her bushy hair bouncing with each step.
"Morning, boys," she greeted briskly, taking a seat beside Harry. "What's on the agenda for today?"
Harry glanced between Ron and Hermione, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, Ron and I were just discussing our lack of plans for the day."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Ah, the thrill of a wide-open schedule. How exciting."
Ron rolled his eyes playfully. "Hey, not all of us have a stack of books to bury our noses in, Hermione."
Hermione chuckled, unfazed by Ron's teasing. "True enough. But I'm sure we can find something productive to do today. Maybe a study session in the library?"
Ron groaned dramatically. "Hermione, it's Saturday. Can't we have one day off from studying?"
Hermione shot him a pointed look. "There's no harm in a little review, Ron. Knowledge is power, after all."
Harry interjected before Ron could protest further. "Actually, Hermione, I was thinking we could take advantage of the nice weather and explore the castle grounds. What do you say?"
Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds like a splendid idea, Harry. I've been meaning to visit the herbology greenhouse anyway."
Ron perked up at the mention of outdoor exploration. "Count me in! It'll be nice to get some fresh air."
Harry's eyes gleamed with an idea at that, "Why don't I take you guys to a great place?"
Both Hermione and Ron's eyes gleamed at the proposal. Harry smirked, "I'll give you a choice – we can go to a hidden gem within Hogwarts or venture outside the castle ground." He said the last part with a wink at Ron, who understood the implication immediately.
Hermione chewed on her bottom lip, torn between her desire for adventure and her steadfast adherence to the rules. On one hand, exploring the castle grounds sounded delightful, but on the other, the allure of venturing beyond the castle walls was undeniably tempting.
Ron, however, needed no convincing. His eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect of outdoor exploration, and he immediately declared his choice.
"I'm with Harry – let's go outside!" Ron exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.
Hermione hesitated, her brow furrowed in uncertainty. "But Ron, what about the rules? We're not supposed to leave the castle grounds without permission."
Harry grinned, understanding Hermione's concerns but also eager to show his friends a side of Hogwarts they had yet to discover.
"Come on, Hermione, where's your sense of adventure?" Harry teased gently. "Besides, who's going to know if we sneak out for a little while? It'll be our little secret."
Hermione chewed on her lip, her mind whirring with conflicting thoughts. Ultimately, her curiosity and sense of adventure won out, and she reluctantly nodded her agreement.
"Alright, fine," she conceded, her tone resigned but tinged with excitement. "But just this once, and only if it's safe."
Harry flashed her a reassuring smile. "I promise, Hermione. No one will know and you guys will be safe with me."
With that settled, Harry instructed Ron and Hermione to change into more suitable attire for their outdoor adventure. He himself dashed up to his dormitory to change into a comfortable pair of jeans, a Gryffindor t-shirt, and sturdy boots.
When he returned to the common room, he found Ron and Hermione waiting for him, both dressed for the occasion.
Ron had opted for a pair of worn jeans, a red sweater that matched his hair, and his trusty old sneakers. His wand was tucked securely into his pocket, ready for any mischief they might encounter. Hermione, on the other hand, had chosen a more practical ensemble. She wore a pair of khaki trousers, a cozy jumper, and sturdy hiking boots.
Harry smiled as both of them came and stood before him.
"So we talking that passage Harry?", Ron asked excitedly.
Harry smirked, there was no need to take the passage anymore, because he could Apparate out of here in a second. Hermione eyed Ron suspiciously at that question. "You mean to say that you know where Harry is taking us?"
Ron smiled obliviously, "Yes...Me and Harry went there to get your birthday gifts when we almost forgot your birthd....." he paled. It had slipped out of his mouth before he had realised. Harry face palmed.
"I swear you are my best friend Ron, but sometimes I just want to punch you in your face" he snapped.
Hermione's mood seemed to be instantly down. Ron's eyes widened in horror as he realized his blunder. "I-I'm so sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to forget...but we didn't at last right...so....," he stammered, his face turning beet red.
Hermione's expression softened slightly, but there was still a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "It's alright, Ron," she sighed, though her tone betrayed her lingering frustration.
Harry sighed, "Well it's our fault Hermione, we did end up forgetting but at last we managed to get it done. Won't happen again. I'm sorry..."
Hermione turned to Harry sharply, "No Harry...it's ok. I had the best birthday this time because of you two. So don't apologise..."
Ron and Harry sighed but nodded. Harry then turned to look at the clock, it said 6:09 am. The Hogsmeade shops would just be opening right now so there is no use going there right now. Maybe they could go somewhere else for a while before heading to Hogsmeade, he thought.
"Say Ron, you okay if we go to your house first? I mean as you already know from the time, the shops in that place wouldn't be open yet.", Harry turned to Ron.
Ron looked up at the clock and saw that Harry was right, he really wanted to go back home too but he was a bit reluctant to show Hermione his home.
Ron scratched his head, considering the options. "Well, my house isn't far, but..."
He didn't know if she would like it or not. Harry read his thoughts and he turned to Hermione, "Or we could head over to your house and you could take us into the Muggle world?"
Hermione's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Oh, I hadn't thought of that! But how would we get there? My home isn't connected to the Floo network, and we can't Apparate from Hogwarts."
Harry's grin widened mischievously and winked. "Well, not everyone is restricted by those rules..."
Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion, then realization dawned on her. "No...you...but that's impossible..." Ron was shocked too but it seemed like he was accustomed to Harry doing the impossible by now.
"Come on, Hermione, how many times have we seen Harry defy the odds? Wandless magic, unicorns coming to make friends with him... It's Harry we're talking about."
Hermione's expression softened as she processed Ron's words, finally accepting the possibility. "You're right, Ron. It's Harry, after all."
Harry stood there, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips as he watched the confusion spread across his friends' faces. Hermione turned to Ron and him, her expression determined.
"If we're going to my house, then I want to visit yours too," she declared firmly.
Harry nodded in agreement, but he noticed Ron's hesitation. It was clear he wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of Hermione seeing his home. Sensing Ron's unease, Harry decided to reassure him with a subtle message.
"It's okay, Ron. I promise she won't be disappointed," he transmitted to Ron's mind.
Ron's eyes widened in surprise at hearing Harry's voice in his head. He glanced at Harry, who sent another thought his way, "Not now, I'll explain later." Ron nodded in understanding, grateful for Harry's support.
Meanwhile, Harry contemplated whether he should bring a gift to Hermione's house since it was his first visit. However, he ultimately decided against it, not wanting to give the wrong impression.
"Alright Hermione, I need you to visualize your home very clearly," Harry instructed.
Hermione closed her eyes and concentrated, mentally painting a picture of her house. Harry tapped into her thoughts, using Legilimency to extract the memories of her home.
"Done. Follow me," Harry announced, leading the way out of the common room.
"But I thought we were going to Apparate there?" Ron questioned as they followed Harry.
"We will, Ron. Harry's just being cautious to avoid being seen," Hermione explained patiently.
"As expected of you, Hermione," Harry remarked with a smile as he guided them down a deserted corridor.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Harry extended his hand to Ron and Hermione. "Hold on tight." They grasped his hand firmly as Harry turned on the spot.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione Apparated into the drawing room of Hermione's house, they were greeted by an atmosphere of warmth and elegance. The drawing room of Hermione's house exuded an air of warmth and elegance. Tastefully decorated with plush sofas and armchairs, the room featured colorful throw pillows that added a cozy touch. Ambient lighting cast a gentle glow, creating an inviting atmosphere. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with various titles, while framed photographs captured happy family moments.
A large bay window overlooked a well-manicured garden, allowing natural light to flood the room. In one corner stood a grand piano, its polished wood gleaming. Overall, the room was a harmonious blend of comfort and sophistication. a grand piano stood proudly, its polished wood gleaming under the soft light. It was evident that music held a special place in the Granger household, with sheet music neatly stacked nearby and a few framed certificates adorning the walls, attesting to Hermione's proficiency in playing the instrument.
"You never told me you could play the Piano Hermione", Harry was too shocked to notice that him knowing about that instrument could be considered weird as it was not there in the Magical world.
"You know what that is?", Ron asked confused.
"Yes Harry, I do play the piano, but I never knew that you would recognise it. I don't think I have seen it in the Magical world yet.", Hermione asked him questioningly.
"I...I mean I have read about it in a book related to Muggles...", Harry quickly lied.
Hermione just nodded, Ron was still trying to figure out what that is. He watched it with great curiosity and seemed to be expecting the piano to burst out a melody on it's own. Hermione told both Ron and Harry to wait while she got her parents.
As Hermione excitedly bounced away to fetch her parents, Harry and Ron settled into the comfortable seating arrangements, taking in the tranquil ambiance of the room. Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension as he glanced around, silently questioning whether they should have announced their arrival beforehand. He knew Hermione's parents were Muggles, and the sudden appearance of three wizarding teenagers in their home might come as a surprise.
Ron leaned back in his chair, fidgeting nervously with his robes as he exchanged a glance with Harry. "Do you reckon we should've Apparated outside the house instead of just popping in like this?"
Harry nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "Yeah, maybe. It might seem a bit rude just barging in unannounced."
Before they could dwell on it further, Hermione returned with her parents in tow, her face beaming with excitement. Mr. Granger had a kind smile and gentle eyes, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed and his posture relaxed. He exuded an air of quiet confidence, and Harry could sense the warmth and intelligence behind his gaze.
Mrs. Granger, on the other hand, had an air of sophistication about her, with her chic attire and polished demeanor. Her hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity and warmth as she greeted Harry and Ron, her welcoming smile putting them at ease. She had a nurturing presence, and Harry could see where Hermione inherited her strong-willed nature and passion for knowledge.
Harry stood up to greet them with a warm smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his hand in a friendly gesture.
Mr. Granger shook Harry's hand firmly, returning the smile. "The pleasure is ours, Harry. Hermione has told us so much about you and Ron."
Mrs. Granger stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Yes, it's lovely to finally meet Hermione's friends from Hogwarts. She talks about you both all the time in her letters since her birthday."
Over breakfast, they exchanged stories and laughter, Harry and Ron regaling Hermione's parents with tales of their adventures at Hogwarts. Mr. and Mrs. Granger listened with rapt attention, their interest piqued by the magical wonders Harry and Ron described.
As the afternoon rolled in, Harry suggested that they should start heading back before it got too late. Hermione's parents bid them farewell with warm smiles and promises to visit Hogwarts sometime in the future. With a final wave, the trio made their way to a spot in the Granger's backyard, ready to Apparate back to Hogsmeade.
"Hey Hermione, how about we visit mine and Ron's home tomorrow? For now, let's head to Hogsmeade," Harry suggested, reaching out to take Hermione's hand. She nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting excitement mixed with a hint of apprehension. With Ron joining them, Harry concentrated on Hogsmeade, and in an instant, they vanished from the Granger's backyard, reappearing in the bustling village of Hogsmeade.
Weekly Power Status
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