Disclaimer: I own nothing of this canon set up by JK Rowling or any affiliates connected to the books, movies, video games, or any other media that the series has moved to at this time. I'm just having fun on their playground. Harmless fun.
Author's note: This story just won't stop growing in my head, so it will have a third part.
I apologize for not meeting my deadline for posting. I have no excuse other than pure lethargy. I will no longer be setting deadlines for myself and posting them as it's not fair to my readers. I'm sorry.
Trust me when I say that I know this story comes off as sickeningly sweet, but hopefully it works. Enjoy.
Matchmaking Granger: The Return, The Gifts, and The Love
Grimmauld Place Library Saturday December 6, 2003 (exactly 6.2 seconds where we last left off)
Hermione Granger had, had her share of cries in life. Given everything she had lived through she felt she had earned the right to cry if she felt the need.
That being said, the only other time crying had felt this good was the moment she had realized that Harry had indeed leapt from Hagrid's arms when the moment before he had been dead. The cry she had at this moment was just as good, and under much less stressful circumstances.
What was making it even better was the feeling of being encased in Harry's arms as he gently rubbed her back and whispered that everything was okay.
It was a few minutes before she began to allow any other external stimuli to breach her bubble of happiness. The first thing she could hear were the sounds of Andromeda and Winky sighing, Teddy giggling, and the slight wheeze still attached to Kreacher's breathing. The first sight she could see (once the tears slightly dissipated) was Harry smiling at her. His glasses were askew on his face, he had slightly more stubble than she was used to seeing on him, and expression was more relaxed than she had seen it since after the war (but before the funerals). The first smell was easy to place for her; it was clean and crisp, a smell she long ago associated with harry. A second scent lay just beyond the first though; it smelled like freshly-mown grass (side-note: wink-wink). The first feeling was Harry underneath her, holding her. She could also feel the decidedly warm after-effects of her dreams last night. Dreams she had just started to remember. She hoped the blush she could feel begin to light her face was hidden well as she placed her head back on Harry's chest. Then she felt the taste; sour and acidic. She had drunk far too much for someone who usually sticks to one glass per night.
"Harry?" she began as she lifted her still teary eyes and moved her hand in front of her mouth. "I'm so happy you're back…so, so happy. But I should go freshen up really fast." She lifted herself of him in a quick motion, escaping his arms as she pushed up. She saw his face begin to frown as the world began to swirl around her, and a certain lightness took over her head.
"Whoa Hermione!" She heard Harry exclaim before once again feeling arms encircle her as she swayed. "Sweet Morgana's tits Hermione! Andi said you had been drinking last night, but I haven't seen you like this since after that full moon you and the girls spent with Lavender." He said with a bemused look.
"Harry not so loud, please. And watch your language Teddy's right there." Hermione replied and gained a small chuckle from the aforementioned child.
"Grandma Andi, Hermione-Mum. Harry-Dad said a bad word. That means ten knuts in the jar right?" The little boy exclaimed with glee as his hair and eyes shifted from mimicking Harry to Hermione in an unconscious bid for agreement.
Everyone in the room noticed the widening of Harry's smile at hearing the disjointed terms Teddy had used for his godfather and godmother.
"That it does Teddy." Harry said looking over at the boy. "What's it up lately?"
"One Galleon, Ten sickles, and twenty knuts." The boy said with a beaming smile.
"Really?" Harry asked looking at Andromeda and Hermione. "Uncle Ron and Uncle George have been around a lot haven't they?"
"Yes, but actually a good bit of that is actually converted pounds. It seems Richard and the Weasley men have taken to television you put in the parlor. There was a dispute over one of those footy-matches they were watching with Teddy, and Winky didn't take to kindly to the reaction of Richard losing his bet with George over the outcome of the match." Andromeda answered with a smirk, and Winky gave a blush at the memory of her admittedly, slight over-reaction (the memory of Winky brandishing a wooden stirring spoon charging them would forever cause nightmares in Richard and George).
"Okay could everyone speak less or in a softer tone, please?" Hermione asked as her right hand came up to pinch the bridge of her nose.
"Right." Harry said with a smile as he moved one arm from her back to behind her knees and lifted her into the bridal position causing a very un-Hermione like 'eep!' as her arms went around his neck on instinct. "Kreacher would you please fetch my potions kit, a pepper-up potion, a handful of Mistletoe Berries and a few Valerian sprigs from the garden?" after he witnessed Kreachers nod and soft pop out of the room, Harry stopped Hermione's question before it began, "I've learned quite a few things over the past few months, and one of them is a better way to cure a hang-over than the standard potion." He then turned to Winky, "Winky, I was thinking we could have an early lunch. Would you mind popping over to Richard and Helen's to see if they would mind coming for a bite?" As he saw her nod and prepare to leave he said, "and if you don't mind let's make me returning a surprise for them…as well as Hermione's current state as it will take me an hour to brew the potion." He added a wink to the little elf which caused her and the others (sans Hermione) to laugh as she popped out of the room.
"Honestly, Harry! Let me down! I'm quite capable of taking care of a hang-over and walking." She finished with a huff and a wince at the noise level she caused. She began to glare at him until she saw his smile shift.
Hermione Granger was the undisputed expert on anything Harry Potter. Over years of observation, conversation, and action she had known everything he could say or not say, do or not do to someone, express in every facet of communication, and every belief he had held strong. Yet, the look she saw on his face at that moment was not in her mental catalogue. She ran through the files twice in her head as he began to walk them towards the kitchen with Andromeda and Teddy on their heels. No this was one look she had never seen Harry give anyone.
"Oh, I know you're more than capable. But so am I. So let me." Was all he said as he deposited her on one of the stools next to the small island in the center of the refurbished kitchen and tossed a full sickle into the "bad word" jar. In the time it took them to walk down the stairs and into the kitchen Kreacher had already set up Harry's cauldron on a burner and laid the rest of the requested materials in a neat row next to the separate sink they use for a makeshift potions lab. (Harry never did like the full one in the basement). "Now I'm going to get started on this while you three catch me up on what I've missed and hopefully we can give a good shock to Richard and Helen when they arrive."
As if called Winky appeared next to Harry and stated, "The Grangers shall be here in thirty minutes Master Harry."
"Perfect!" Harry said smiling as he looked at Winky, "and I thought we were over all that 'Master' business last year?"
"Yes sir, Master Harry, but things be changing." The little elf answered cryptically before moving over to the open section of the kitchen where Kreacher had already began moving ingredients about. "Winky and Kreacher will be working on lunch whiles yous catch up." She finished with a resolute nod before grabbing some of the vegetables Kreacher had set out.
"Okay." Harry said with an odd smile gracing his face.
Hermione's brows nit together as she started to say something regarding the loss of all her hard work in getting them to stop with the calling everyone who lived in the house 'Master and Mistress'. But Harry's voice stopped her.
"Well considering the time until our next arrivals I figure I should get the important rundown on what I've missed." He said making a face at his Godson.
"Well Tori and I got to help with de-gnoming the garden at the Burrow a few times!" The little boy exclaimed as his hair cycled to a Weasley ginger color.
"Oh really?" Harry asked while looking at the surprised faces on the two women present. "Let me guess Teddy, whichever one of your Weasley Uncles let you help with that also said not to mention to anyone. Correct?" he stated to the little boy who went white (hair and skin) at the realization of what he had divulged.
"Oh…Um, well…I" Teddy started.
"I believe we can let this information go in light of it being a happy day right ladies?" Harry asked with that odd smile on his face as he looked solely at Hermione (the one who would react the worst to the news).
Before Hermione was able to give her opinion though Andromeda gave a curt nod and "of course" in answer.
Harry nodded as well and began to quarter the mistletoe berries and dump them in the cauldron.
"Harry. Those are much more potent if you dice them into thin strips or grind them in the pommel." Hermione stated as she reached for a few of the extra berries and began to get off the stool. She was stopped in her actions by Harry's larger and calloused hand gently gripping her wrist.
"Hermione, maybe I don't need them to be all that potent." He said with a bemused smirk as he poured in the Pepper-Up potion. "Trust me. I've learned a few things over the years…and in these past three months. Unlike back in Slughorn's class I know why I am doing what I'm doing, I'm not taking shortcuts I don't understand. So on this please divert to my expertise will you." he finished with a chuckle and twisted the Valerian sprigs together allowing the oils to visible before he dumped them into the cauldron. His barb about 6th year would have usually left them with a bit of bittersweet aftertaste for both of them, but this time Harry was acknowledging why she had been angry back then and he was agreeing with her. This day was getting peculiar for Hermione. "Now we play the waiting game for forty minutes…well other than a stir in about twenty or so. So tell me all the juicy gossip." He grinned at them as he rubbed his hands conspiratorially.
"Oh, well you'll be pleased to know that despite her best efforts Hermione hasn't been able to stay idle in your absence." Andromeda supplied with a grin to the faintly blushing Hermione. "She's been up to her old tricks. Just last night she played host to Viktor Krum and Luna Lovegood, as well as myself and your former superior." She said with a smile.
"Krum and Luna?...You and Robards?…Well I'll need a while to wrap my head around that." Harry replied with wide eyes. "But far be it for me to doubt the skills of our personal Aphrodite." Harry gave Hermione his best roguish smile.
"Oh, don't even start with that Potter. Besides I didn't set Luna and Krum up. He stopped by hoping to see the both of us and Luna…well I saw her earlier and she told me she would be stopping by. You know how she is." Hermione said with her own smile. 'If he keeps up those smiles I won't need the hangover cure.' she thought to herself, before blinking at what had just crossed her mind. "Well as far as everything goes. Nothing has really happened lately." She paused in thought, "Well actually Zacharias Smith and Mundugus wound up in the prophet after a very public dispute over what seemed to be a poorly worded agreement over a bet." She gave him a smile. "They were quite sloshed the article said and made a spectacle of themselves on the south end of Diagon. I'm sure we have the article somewhere."
"Oh, yes that I really need to read." He said with a chuckle. "You know I warned Smith last time he was in the Drunkards hold to not get mixed up with old Dung, but the ponce never did like to listen to me did he?"
"No he most certainly did not." Hermione said with a laugh of her own.
The chat was light for a time, and just as he finished his counter-clockwise stir Hermione began to open her mouth to ask him about the trip. But she was interrupted by a very loud sound coming from the Floo on the other side of the kitchen.
"Bloody buggering piss of a way to travel," she heard her father say as he straightened and moved to the side for his wife's arrival. "Of course you come through with nothing but a bit of soot on shoulders." He muttered as Helen strutted out of the fireplace.
"Well Darling, as Hermione and I have told you many times you just have to…" She stopped as she looked past Hermione's shoulder.
There was a long silence that ensued; the only sounds being made were the quite hum coming from Winky as she watched over the stew she was making, the slight wheeze from Kreacher as he sliced a roll of bread, and the noise of Teddy's constant shifting on his stool.
"Papa Richard said a bad word. That means more money for the jar right?" Teddy asked with a grin and his hair and eyes once again shifting to look like Hermione's (and by genetics Helen's as well)
"Yes it most certainly does. Richard, pay the man." Helen said as she began to purposely stride to Harry, "and you." She said as she stopped in front of Harry, and placed both hands on either side of his face looking into his eyes. They stayed like that for a minute as Richard gave the pounds to Teddy (who promptly placed them in the jar with a smug smile). Finally Helen gave a beautiful smile and said, "I'm happy you're back, Harry." She then pulled him in for a tight hug and lifted up on her tippy-toes to kiss his forehead (something undisputedly reserved for only the Granger women).
As she moved to the side Richard similarly grabbed the boy's shoulders and pulled him into a hug. In releasing the younger man from the hug Richard lifted his hand to the back of Harry's head and gave it a soft tap. "That's for not coming back sooner and leaving my little kitten…" Hermione blushed at the nickname her father still resolutely used for her, "worrying about you these past few weeks without a letter."
"Dad…" Hermione began to shake her head (which only caused the headache to flare up again) but was interrupted by Harry
"I'll take my due punishment and make sure I'm never too far from her again Richard…I promise." Harry said turning to her and giving her that same new smile. He then turned back to the cauldron on the countertop. "Now I believe this potion will be done shortly, so we can get rid of your daughter's hangover." Harry paused to watch the 'you're-a-traitor' look Hermione threw at him, and raised eyebrows of her parents, "Then we can all sit down for the lovely looking meal Kreacher and Winky have been working on so quietly behind us." He turned and threw a wink at the two elves who preened under his compliments.
Harry then ladled some of the potion into a conjured cup and handed it to Hermione who gave it a sniff. "Harry are you completely…"
"Yes." He cut her off, "Just drink it Hermione. I promise you'll feel loads better." He smiled again, and she tipped the cup up.
"Oh!" she said surprised. Her headache began to immediately recede and the potion itself tasted like one of those Italian sodas her mother loved so much. "Harry...this is brilliant. You could market this at the wheezes and make a fortune!"
"Ah yes, but if I gave the potion to George you just know he would try and find a way to make into a proper wheeze with some form of prank inside of it wouldn't he?" He replied with a grin before turning to look at Teddy, "But we can talk about that later. I believe this young lad has been waiting for the spoils of my travels quite patiently hasn't he?"
Teddy's face began to light up and he started to nearly vibrate in his seat.
"Now Teddy I will be giving you a few presents," Harry said before giving a conspiratorial wink to Hermione, "but you won't be getting all of them until Christmas alright? And a few of the ones I'm giving you Hermione and Andi will be in charge of when you get to use them." As he said this he walked over to Kreacher who had disappeared for a second and returned with a rucksack.
"Of course Harry-Dad," Teddy said with a toothy smile, "What didya get me." The little boy hopped off his stool and bounded around everyone in his mad dash to his Godfather.
"Wait a moment there." Harry said before turning to Kreacher and Winky. "I believe we'll all take lunch in the parlor, and I mean you two as well." Before the two could protest that it was not a holiday Harry said, "I've presents for everyone, and I spent nearly three painstaking months collecting all of them. You'll be getting the rest on Christmas. So you will take the ones I give you today and enjoy." He said before hoisting Teddy onto his shoulder and carrying the laughing child into the parlor.
"Oh dear," Helen said with a roll of her eyes, "This is going to turn into a spectacle isn't it?"
"Yes, but quite a fun one." Richard said looping Helen's arm through his and offering the other to Andromeda before turning to begin the short walk to the parlor. "Are you coming Kitten?" He threw over his should to Hermione.
With resignation Hermione followed and found the wondrous sight of Teddy sitting on Harry's knee with the rucksack to the other side, both smiling as if it were already the yule.
"Alright for his patience I believe Teddy should get his presents first." Harry said smiling. He reached into the rucksack and began to pull out a semi-long wrapped object with a very distinctive shape. "Now this is the only wrapped gift anyone will be getting at the moment, and I can already tell you know what it is Teddy. I picked this up while I was in Brisbane. It's specially made, hand-crafted, and perfect for you for the next three years or so. Depending on how tall you get that is." Harry said as he handed the present to the boy.
Inside the wrapping was a spectacular looking broom. Not a play or model broom, but a smaller version of a full-sized quidditch ready broom.
"It won't go too fast, or too high. But it should help him enjoy flying more than few feet off the ground." Harry said quickly seeing all three women and Winky begin to protest. "and this is one of the presents with the stipulation of being supervised by either Hermione or Andromeda."
Teddy didn't hear a word of what was being said as he began to lovingly stroke the bristles on the end of the broom. "Can I take it to the Burrow tomorrow? I could get Uncle Charlie to come with me." Teddy pleaded.
"Yeah mate," Harry said, "I figure you and I can get all the quidditch nuts in that house to play a small pickup game. Fits perfectly actually I was planning on showing up with you lot unannounced to prank them…though I am afraid of how Molly will react." Harry finished with a worried smile on his face.
"Oh don't worry Harry. I'm quite sure you won't be knocked flat again." Andromeda said with a traitorous smile directed at Hermione.
"Ah…yes, well I believe you have more presents for Teddy." Hermione said redirecting the attention of Teddy, Harry, and Her father.
At changing the subject she noticed both her mother and Andromeda giving her curious smiles. Both women then turned to look at Harry giving presents to Teddy and gave warm motherly looks.
"He does look loads better than when he left. Lighter almost." Andromeda commented.
"Yes he certainly seems to have found whatever it was he went looking for…" Helen said with unshed tears in her eyes. She moved over to where Harry was explaining one of the little toys he had just pulled out of the Rucksack to Richard and Teddy. When he looked over at her, Helen pulled Harry in for another hug and rubbed her hand on his back in a clockwise motion much the same way she would do for Hermione growing up.
"You know we joke how your mother has Harry wrapped around her finger, but I believe we both know how much sway Harry has with your parents." Andromeda said as she leaned over to Hermione. "They already think of him as a son you know…" She let the sentence hang as she smiled.
"Really, Andi not this again. There has never been anything like that between me and…" Hermione began.
"Of course not dear." Andromeda interrupted in a louder voice before turning to the two elves. "Would you two terribly mind if we held off on lunch for just a little while longer? I believe we should let everyone enjoy this before eating." Andromeda asked and received nods before the two elves popped out and then back in.
"I agree." Harry said, "All right. Teddy, the rest will have to wait for Christmas morning mate." The boy gave a pout before going back to focusing on his rewards. "Ladies I have something for all of you. Winky you come over here as well." He smiled.
Hermione and the other women congregated around him as he fished around in his rucksack and pulled out a large bag. "In this you will each find a sari that will automatically fit to your size whenever you put it on, and they are designed to be some of the most comfortable clothes any woman can wear I'm told. Winky, yours should be on top. And Winky I want you to remember the talk about clothing we gave you. This is not me dismissing you; I just wanted to get you a gift." Harry said with a smile as he placed the bag on the floor in front of them.
"Harry, where did you get these?" Hermione asked.
"India." He said with a smirk. "I picked them up when I began to make my way back to England. I stayed a few days in Mumbai and they have a not-so-small version of Diagon Alley that hosts quite a few…persuasive clothing vendors. The older woman I bought these from seemed keen on selling me everything she had in her stand. I'm lucky I left with only these." He chuckled at what Hermione guessed was the recollection of the memory.
"They are very lovely." Andi supplied as she held the one she chose to her frame mirroring Helens action. "The colors are very beautiful."
"Yes they most certainly are." Richard said with a leer at his wife, "Perhaps, darling you should wear that next time we go to that Indian place you love here in the city."
"Oh hush you." Helen said shifting over and giving him a peck on the lips. "None of that talk in front of the children."
"I don't believe I said anything wrong, Love." Richard said holding onto his wife.
"Dad! It's not what you're saying. It's the way you're saying it and the ogling that's the problem." Hermione huffed at her father. Teddy was giggling over to the side, Andromeda and Harry had begun chuckling next to Hermione as she said this.
"Alright, alright." Harry interjected while still stifling his chuckles. "Kreacher I have a gift for you as well. I noticed that you had begun to wear some of those newer blouses that Hermione bought for you before I left. So I decided you needed some to wear when out and about doing business for Houses Potter and Black." Harry said while pulling out a cloak with the arms of the two houses on them. "I figured you could use a cloak during these winter months and it will let air in during the warmer seasons." He finished with a smile as they all watched the old elf begin to lovingly run his gnarled fingers over the fabric.
"Kreacher will wear this with the utmost pride Master. Master gives honor to all elves in his generosity." Kreacher said with a quiver in his scratchy voice. The elf then placed his hand over Harry's and gave a squeeze in a show of uncharacteristic physical affection. He then turned from Harry and walked towards the door leading to the kitchen. As he passed her, Hermione quite clearly caught the sight of a few tears leaving his eyes. "Kreacher will be back in a moment." He said as he left.
Hermione spun her head to stare at her best friend. It was moments like this where she would admit to him being at his most "fanciable", the man just did not understand what his kindness and selflessness did to those around him. Beside him Winky was smiling at her with her eyes even larger than normal. Hermione assumed the young elf was happy for her friend and mentor, Kreacher.
"Okay, Richard." Harry said snapping everyone out of their thoughts. "This I got after I left Australia. I was in Kyoto for two weeks, and unlike most other places their magical community is spread throughout the city so there is no central hub. I was walking down the street one morning and saw this little shop tucked in-between two restaurants." He paused when Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but he mouthed the word 'later' to her before moving on. "The man who owned the place didn't even let me look around before he put this in my hand and said that this was the gift for a man who had fine taste in drink…he then added the man in question was not me, but I knew the man who it was for." Harry said handing the box he had pulled out of the rucksack over to Hermione's father. The box was old and made of fine hard wood, on its side were Japanese characters and on the front were rows of movable blocks. "The rub is that you cannot drink the sake, a type he called koshu, until you open the box. No one has been able to open it in over six-hundred and eighteen years. The box does not let air in and the bottle was thirty-two years old when they put it in there. So it should be pretty good I suppose." Harry gave a laugh. "I figured between you, Helen, and Hermione one of you could figure out the riddle that's on the side of the box." He pointed to the Japanese characters lined on one side of the box. "The translation is: 'Left is the beginning and end, but not the middle. Twenty three is the total, minus the first. Too many rights and you will find yourself lost. Start from the center.' I looked at it, but got lost after moving it more than ten times. It will reset if you run your fingers along the writing twice. "
"Thanks Harry." Richard said already looking over the box. "I'll try not to let your purchase go to waste on this one mate." He finished with a laugh.
"Well I figured you'd need something to get you through this so I also bought a case of his homemade sake from the man without a puzzle box, and a few other things that I'll leave until Christmas." Harry said with a laugh before looking over at Helen. "For you I had to really look to find some fun things. First your supposedly secret fascination: magical creatures. Seven volumes containing everything you could ever want to know about every magical animal from here to the pacific isles." Harry said placing the heavy stack of books on the table to his left. "This next one is more of me just passing on a gift. This old man I met in Bhutan handed me this after I had tea with him and said I would have a better use for it than him." He pulled a small stick out of the rucksack that was covered in odd characters. "This is an old healing stick. A kind of precursor to a wand. It has only one ability and that is to alleviate pain within a person for a given amount of time. The core is actually from a dhole, a kind of fox that's endangered there now. Anyone can use it muggle or magical as all you have to do is hold it over the affected area, and focus on 'warm' thoughts." He smiled. "This way you and Richard could do your own little bit of magic, and…" anything else he was going to say was quickly cut off by Helen wrapping him in a tight hug.
"You really are a brilliant young man, you know that?" Helen muffled question came from Harry's neck.
Hermione began to feel choked up at the sight of her mother trying to quell her tears in Harry's shoulder. Here he was giving her parents yet another way to feel connected to her world. He had done this countless times before, but now he had given them an actual piece of magic. Something they could do themselves. She had to turn away and wipe her eyes with the handkerchief Andi handed her. As she dabbed her eyes she noticed Kreacher walk back into the room and stop at the sight of Helen crying. 'He never was one who could handle emotional women' Hermione thought to herself with a small laugh. A quick peek showed that Teddy was confused as to why her mother was crying, but interested in seeing the outcome.
"Darling, how about you let the boy breathe." She heard her father say as he pulled Helen over to him. "I believe you still have to give Andi and Kitten their presents, Harry."
"Yes, right in one." Harry replied as he began to awkwardly move back to the rucksack and he pulled out two large cases. "Andi the first gift is actually a tea set I picked up on in China. Nothing special about it, but it looked like something you would like and the woman said it was top quality." He said as he popped the latch and opened the top for Andi to see. After she nodded and smiled He placed his hand on the top of the second case. "Now this is something you were complaining about last year. How we couldn't get fresh ingredients from the east? Well I have the first batch of a contracted bi-monthly shipment from one of the biggest suppliers in the Tianjin province." He said with a smile as Andi gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Harry, this is brilliant. Thank you so much…wait did you get this for George as well?" the woman asked. At his sheepish smile she said, "Minerva is not going to be happy with you come the new term."
"Well I also set it up of Slughorn to use at Hogwarts for study, so she shouldn't complain too much I hope." Harry smiled.
"Thank you, and I should have figured you would cover all fronts. Well I believe you should move on to Hermione, dear." She said directing a smile at the other woman.
"Yes, well I obviously have a plenitude of books, parchment, and quills from around the world for you in a very large expanded chest sitting in your room. But all of those are from the birthday I idiotically left before, sorry about that. I plan on making up for it real soon though." He said walking over to her with his rucksack in hand.
"Plenitude? Really Harry, big word." Hermione replied with a smile.
"Hush you." he replied with his own smile. "This though," he pulled a small box from the bag and held in front of her, "is the real present. This box will only open with a certain phrase. The words have to be an absolute truth for it to open, but that is not the worry for you. Do me a favor and put your hand over lid." He said staring into her eyes. She complied with his request. "Now say 'I Hermione Granger claim the contents of this vessel'," she complied once again, "Good, now I am going to place this on the mantle right here," He put the box on the mantle atop the fireplace never taking his eyes from hers. She was trapped following his movements. "No matter where you are when you say the correct words this box will unlock and the lid will open and only you can remove the contents the next time you see the box. I know you'll figure it out sooner or later, but I'm hoping for as soon as possible. No pressure though." He gave her that new-smile again before clapping his hands. The noise was enough to pull her back to noticing that it was more than just him and her in the room. She noticed the way the rest of the occupants were looking at them. "Well I believe it's time for lunch, actually it will be an early supper I guess. What's on the menu for us Kreacher? It smelled wonderful." Harry said with a laugh.
"Yes Master," Kreacher said, "we have a vegetable and venison stew with potato bread that was sent over by Mrs. Weasley." The elf bowed low before he popped out and in with the food.
The meal was a happy affair. Hermione stayed unusually quiet during as she listened to Harry regale them in the stories of his odyssey. He had stayed in Australia for only a small time before moving to Japan, China, Bhutan, India, Turkey, down to Egypt, then back to England. He interwove descriptions of the sights he saw and explained in detail some of the colorful characters he met. Through it all she could see the small shift in his eyes to look over at her. He understood that she wanted the full story, not the one he was telling everyone else. She knew something had happened. He was looking down far too much and was pausing in between explaining to take sips of pumpkin juice too often.
The time for talking came after her parents had left late in the evening, and Andi had gone to bed after they all set Teddy to sleep.
She found him in the Library where he had woken her that morning. He lifted a bottle from nightstand along with two glasses.
"Fancy a glass?" he asked her with a grin.
"Just one for now."
"After the state I found you in this morning I think one is limit for tonight. After all we know how Molly will react if we show up to the Burrow with a hangover, now don't we?" He finished with an arched eyebrow.
"Yes, yes…no need to be drudging up old memories like that…besides it was you and Ron who wanted to stay out that night after the Cannon's match…she still eyes us if we take more than one butterbeer for Merlin's sake." She replied with her own mirth filled grin. She took the proffered glass and studied him before asking, "Are you going to tell me everything now?"
Harry took a sip and looked at her.
"After I left Japan I stopped off in Shanghai before moving to the Tianjin Province." He said, "I ran into Malfoy there."
"Harry? You ran into Malfoy half the world away?"
"Yeah, fair enough. Robards and I got a listing of everyplace he's been known to skulk around since he left." Harry took another sip and looked to be steeling himself for something. "Bloody fool was arse-over-head on opium when I found him…apparently that's what he does now…goes out whenever he begins to remember too much and takes whatever mind-altering substance is close-by." Harry gulped down the rest of his glass before filling it back up. "I got angry when saw him…I mean the bastard was just sitting there higher than the bloody Weird Sisters at a concert, like nothing was wrong..."Harry's voice had begun to rise, so Hermione place a small privacy charm on the room. "Forget all the shite he during the war, during school…the prick was just sitting there!...Do you know how many times Narcissa would come into to the office to see if we could release any information on his whereabouts to her? At least twice a week."
"Harry, I know." Hermione said softly as she placed her free hand on his arm.
"And Lucius is supposedly taking it even worse, the guards are saying the bastard looks worse than if a dementor had been taken to him."
"Harry, I know." She repeated. She then settled into the crook of his arm and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I just got so angry at the ponce." His voice to a harder edge.
"Harry what did you do?" she asked.
His face began to heat with shame and he took a long breath before expelling it in a huff.
"I knocked the pipe from his hand and began to drag him out of the damn place…the owners of the place didn't take that so well at first…I thought I had dug myself a hole until I heard one of them say my name…guess they caught a look at my scar…after that they cleared a hole to the door." Harry paused and took another sip. "I dragged him out of there and apparated straight to this little side alley I had seen earlier. Placed a notice-me-not on the alley, and then I beat the little bastard until he was sober."
"Harry." Hermione exclaimed with a sigh.
"Not done yet, Hermione." Harry interrupted. "It took a little while for the prick to come around, but when he did I gave him another thrashing. Needless to say he tried to pull that same old act he used to, but I gave him an ultimatum…" he stared into Hermione's eyes, "I explained that if he gave a damn about anything other than himself he would sober up as fast as possible and be back in England by February…or I would go to his mother with all the information I had on him and let her come and get him." Harry's face began to break into a smile. "Big bad Draco Malfoy as it turns out is more afraid of his mother's wrath than he ever was of Riddle."
"Harry! Sweet Morgana I thought you were going to say you killed or maimed him!" Harry began to laugh as she said this, "Don't get me wrong I'm none too happy that you resorted to physical violence without provocation, but don't scare me like that!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry, but it was worth the look on your face." He said through his waning chuckle. "Other than that the trip was exactly what I told at dinner. Turkey and Egypt were a bit odd to go to, but they were fun. And I've got a few letters to give to Bill when we go to the Burrow tomorrow. I stopped by that little teahouse that he always talks about and once I said his name the place was a cacophony of chatter and people asking me to bring a note for them."
"Cacophony? A few months away from me and all of a sudden your vocabulary is astounding?"
"Hush. No one was around to use the big words so I had to do it myself." He replied with a grin. "Now off to bed with us." Before she could say that she was comfortable and didn't want to move he continued. "No we need to get up early and be at the Burrow early if we're going to deal with all the Weasley's before sundown." Hermione gave a sigh and allowed him to drag her from the library to the door of her room, all the while she stayed as close as possible to him with her arm snaked around his middle. "Okay my fair lady, you have a good night of rest." He said to her as he turned to look at her with that same, damn, infuriating new-smile. "Tomorrow is going to be fun." He then leaned down to give her what she assumed was there usual good night peck to the cheek. What he did though, was not that. His hand reached up and took grip of her chin. Without conscious thought Hermione's eyes fluttered closed, and she felt the stubble of his chin and upper lip give her face a light scratch as his lips pressed harder-and-longer-than-just-a-peck to the corner of her own lips. Her mind raced, but she did not open her eyes, as he pulled away slightly and whispered, "Sleep well, Hermione," before he moved away and down the hall.
Grimmauld Place, Hermione's Room, Sunday December 7, 2003 9 am
Hermione had never needed much sleep in her life. She was usually good with a few good hours and was ready for the day. The only time she actually required a full eight hours was during her monthlies, before exams (when at Hogwarts), and during important cases that she was working on. This particular morning, despite having a solid five hours of sleep, she found herself not happy. She was not angry or sad, but she was very confused and far too contemplative over something as small as a kiss. Even her dreams had left her very confused. Not even the daydream charms she sometimes "acquired" from Angelina (without George knowing) were not as vivid as the feel of dream!Harry's hands last night. She had woken twice and in the end was forced to use one of the charms she and all the other Gryffindor sixth year girls had been taught by Katie Bell to "relieve certain tensions", and yet she still woke up sweaty and unsatisfied.
"Arghh!," she exclaimed tossing down the fifth sweater she had put on.
"Problem darling?" she heard her mother ask as her door came open.
"Mum! Close the door." Hermione replied, "I thought you and daddy weren't supposed to be here for another thirty minutes…and nothing is wrong…I just had trouble sleeping last night."
"Well dear, your father and I were up early and decided to show up early…and trouble sleeping…hmmm…wouldn't have anything to do with the apparent mess you've developed in your…would it?" Helen asked her while looking at the clothing littering the floor.
"I'm just having a little trouble deciding what to wear…eh." Hermione answered her mother with a shrug of her shoulders.
"You, my daughter, are having trouble deciding what to wear. My daughter who even through the hormonal minefield of adolescence had her clothing picked out the night before is having trouble finding an outfit?" Helen asked while barely hiding the grin finding its way onto her face. "I've never been so happy."
"Honestly mother!" Hermione exclaimed, "I'm just…I'm just…" Hermione began to build up a head of steam to start a rant, but then she deflated and stared at her mother, "I'm confused."
"Confused?" Helen moved them both to bed to sit. "Confused about what darling?"
"Harry kissed me last night." Hermione said in a small voice as she looked into her mother's eyes.
"Darling I've seen you two kiss…"Helen began.
"No he kissed me. He grabbed my chin. He kissed the corner of my mouth. It was not a peck on the lips mother. Harry kissed me. Wished me a good night, and then walked to his room as if nothing happened." Hermione was sure she looked a sight as she said this sitting on the bed in nothing but her nice jeans and a bra but she needed help, "I know it's been a while since I've had a proper kiss, but this was most certainly not the normal kiss from Harry…this was…" she began to move her hands in an effort to express the moment.
"Good? Brilliant? Fantastic? Orgasmic?" Her mother supplied with light in her eyes and a smile.
"Mother!," Hermione chastised half-heartedly, "I…I…yes it was all of those…well not orgasmic." Hermione said with a smile.
"I'm sure that came later." Her mother smirked.
"Mother!"
"Oh calm down darling." Helen looked at her, "Listen Hermione. You are confused, but it sounds like Harry is not. Wear this one." Her mother said while grabbing the sweater she received from Andromeda the past Christmas. "And take the day to enjoy that everyone is happy and think about what it would take for you to be happy. Maybe that is the way to get rid of your confusion." And with that her mother strode out of her room.
"Hey Helen." She heard Harry's voice as he greeted her mother. She quickly threw on the sweater and began to run her fingers through her hair. She heard a knock on her door.
"Hey you." Harry said as he slipped his head in.
"Hey!" Hermione said trying to keep her voice normal. As she looked at him in the small silence that followed she really took in the sight of him. "You've shaved." She said.
"Yeah…"He said with a chuckle. "I'm showing up to the Burrow after being gone for nearly three months…I'm not about to show up without a clean shaven face…can you imagine Molly?" He finished with a smirk. "Kreacher and Winky made a small breakfast for us." He smiled as he began to back out of the room. "By the way you look great."
The Burrow, Sunday December 7, 2003 10:30 am
"'Arry, Oh 'Arry! You 'ave come back to us!" Were the first words Hermione heard as they stepped in from the Floo to the noisy Burrow living room. Oddly enough the only person in the room at that moment was a young woman. The perfect, freshly-graduated, French, part-veela Gabrielle flew across the living room to hug the object of her near-decade obsession. The "young girl" began to talk in rapid fashion to Harry as Andi and her parents moved to take seats. Crookshanks had fled to the snow-laden garden to no doubt harass the frozen gnomes. Teddy had already run out to find his "Tori" and Hermione was left awkwardly standing next to Harry.
Normally this would be the time when she encouraged Harry to be more "friendly" to the young girl, but on this day she felt the overwhelming need to peel the bi…girl off of Harry.
She watched the girls eyes light up as Harry returned the hug, then as Harry leaned down and softly spoke into the girl's ear. Hermione felt that need to rip them apart flare up even more. Then she saw the smile fall from Gabrielle's face and a small nod come from the girl before giving one more small hug to him as the girl's eyes met Hermione's for a brief second. Gabrielle then moved over and hugged Hermione, and as she moved away the girl gave Hermione an odd look that turned into an "I-Know-More-Than-You-Smile".
"SWEET MERLIN!" The screeching voice of one Molly Weasley broke through all noise as the woman stood at the transition from the kitchen. "Harry?" Molly's voice broke as she began to slowly move towards him. "You're home!" she wailed as she gripped him in her patented hug, "Ohh our boy is home!" She opened her other arm and pulled Hermione into the embrace nearly suffocating her.
"Oi! What's with all the noise mum?" Ron, who was holding a sandwich, asked as he and the rest of the Weasley clan appeared in the doorway. "Bloody buggering hell." He whispered into the sandwich, which he was just preparing to bite into the moment before. The tall red head stood at the front of his family staring at his best friends locked in the embrace of his mother as silence reigned in the Burrow for once.
"Uncle Ron you said a bad word! That means Knuts in the jar!," the voices of Victoire and Teddy said in tandem.
This was the moment that chaos took over in the Burrow and every person in the house stormed the still embracing Molly, Harry, and Hermione. Hugs and tears (by most of the women…and Arthur…and Ron) were shared throughout the next hour.
The Burrow, Sunday December 7, 2003 Roast is served!
Hermione had been seated in her usual spot next to Harry with her father on her other side. Her mother, Molly, and Andi were all whispering to one another with wide smiles on their faces. Ginny, Angelina, Daphne, Lavender, and Fleur were all leaning over their significant others, speaking in clipped phrases, and sending looks to her. Gabrielle was in a conversation with Victoire that seemed to be of the greatest importance given the way the child's eyes widened with every word. Luna Lovegood sat across from her and seemed to be smiling at the hum of conversation. Teddy was not-so-subtlety sneaking pieces of food to Crookshanks under the table. The two eldest Weasley brothers were trying talk in between their wife and girlfriend. Percy and Terry were discussing a new bill being put forth through the Wizengamot with Lee rolling his eyes every few seconds. Her father and Arthur were deep in conversation over DVD players. Harry was busy speaking with Ron and George. The roast had been delicious as always and Molly had already
Hermione took a break from her observations to take a few sips of the wine Fleur brought from her family's vineyard. In the span of the sips she mulled over the question her mother had posed earlier to her. 'Happiness? She was happy. At least she considered herself to be happy. Family, friends, a successful career, the people around her had found love (even little Teddy and Victoire seemed in a fruitful relationship with childish joy), she went out at least one day a week with most of the young women at the table for drinks and fun, and she was helping to raise an amazing young boy. Yes, her life was happy…but there was something that was missing…she had known that for a long time but it had never bothered her until…well until…damn Harry! She would have been fine if he had not…"
"Oh dear, Hermione! The wrackspurts were just leaving. Why are you calling them back?" Luna's voice cut through Hermione's thoughts.
"What Luna?" Hermione asked as she noticed that quite a few people had left the table and were mulling about in different areas. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, considering the amount that were leaving you during dinner I guessed that you were finally beginning to admit to being in love with Harry." Luna stated as she refilled her glass. "I'm amazed that you two seemed to be coming to the realization at the same time. Considering the way Harry's infestation is completely gone now. The trip really must have been amazing. And the rate at which they were fleeing from you just a few moments ago I'm guessing that something must have happened recently to make you two to be so freely thinking. Harry must have initiated whatever it was I'm certain."
"Luna…I…" Hermione started.
"I must thank you for playing host to me the other night. Viktor has asked me to give him a tour of Diagon Alley later this week. I believe he is quite the interesting man. Very quiet, but very interesting. He remembered me from Bill and Fleur's wedding. Oh…and Hermione," Luna paused in her clipped, non sequitur speech and looked around Hermione's head, "I'm happy that you are so close to achieving the happiness that you've been helping others towards. The wrackspurts are leaving again. Tonight will be very joyous." Luna finished as she stood and moved over to where Teddy and Victoire were playing Ron in a game of chess (and beating him much to his exasperation and the humor of everyone else).
Hermione continued to stay quiet for the rest of the time at the Burrow only speaking a few times. Most of the women seemed to give her space and smiles that gave her an odd sense of understanding and encouragement. Her father, Arthur, and Bill would show up every hour and give her a hug that seemed to radiate with feelings of paternal pride (the ones from Bill were mixed with brotherly affection as well). The oddest moment wasthe winks she received from all the females her age as they were leaving the Burrow.
Grimmauld Place, Parlor, Sunday December 7, 2003 9 pm
In the whirlwind of her thoughts Hermione realized she was standing next to the fireplace with her mother and Andromeda in the Parlor, a glass of wine in her hand. Teddy was at Shell Cottage enjoying a sleepover with Tori. Harry was with her father in the corner by the billiards table laughing at some joke. He turned his head just enough to catch her eye and he smiled. 'His smile. Harry's smile.'
She looked at the two women in front of her and said it.
"I'm in love with Harry."
A small pop was followed by a metallic sound. She saw more than heard her mother and Andromeda gasp. She turned her head to the mantle over the fireplace and in the box that Harry had given her the day before was a ring.
From the author: Once again there will be one more part to this little story. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
~A Vagrant Boy~