I know! It's been a while since i've updated, but in my defense it is Christmas week so i've been busy. Thank you DarthMittens for being my Beta and helping my fix these chapters. Also, thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and alerts I got. They were really nice. I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter I have for you! R&R!
Lanzo stood there smiling at them. "Isn't this great? Every person in the town has a house up there. Here, I'll show you to your two houses. Follow me!"
Lanzo stuck his belly out and moved towards the biggest tree. He stuck his right hand out and waited a few seconds, when suddenly a rope came down, which he grabbed. As soon as he did, it pulled him up quickly towards the top. When he was up there he stuck his head out and shouted to them, "Now you do what I just did!"
The friends exchanged unsure looks until Draco stepped up and followed Lanzo's steps. He shot up to the top, laughing. "Come on guys! It's great!" he called, laughing along with Lanzo.
One by one, Harry, Hermione, and Kara followed, each secretly enjoying the rush. But what really amazed them was the sight of how the tree-houses looked above ground. Flowers were in planters outside each house, giving the houses a brighter look. A few tiki torches were set up across the bridges, lighting the way, and just by looking through the windows of the houses, the interiors looked almost tropical.
"I took the honor of getting the two biggest houses for our guests," Lanzo began, "I hope they're to your likings." The big man led them even higher, up to the bigger houses placed on the branches. Then he showed them two houses that were connected together around a trunk of a tree. "Go on in kids, and if you have any questions you can find me at my pub, the White Hart," Lanzo said, waving farewell to the group.
They watched the strange man go back down to the ground, then directed their attention back to the houses they were to stay in. Harry and Hermione decided to take the west side while the Malfoys went around the tree to the east side of the houses. Harry and Hermione entered their new home and stumbled upon a simple living area. It looked as though the home only contained three rooms.
One room contained a kitchen and a small sitting area, another was a bedroom, and the last one was a bathroom…a fairly small bathroom at that. The interior was bamboo and the furniture was quaint and homemade; probably made by the town's people.
Harry took Logan out of his sling and set him down on the green woven rug that was lying on the ground. Hermione did the same with Hailey, then let the twins mess around while the couple inspected their new temporary home.
"It's…nice," Hermione said quietly, feeling the scratchy sheets on the bed. "It's a good thing we brought our own blankets with us," she said, stripping the bed down.
"Calm down Hermione, we've only just arrived," Harry answered his wife, chuckling at her.
"Do you find this amusing?" Hermione wondered, placing her hands on her hips glaring at him.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Yes, yes I do," he said cheekily.
Hermione blushed but went back to tending to the bed. "Just go check on the kids while I try to fix this problem," she grumbled.
Harry obeyed his wife's wishes and left the room, only to find the twins attempting to climb on the wooden bench. Carefully, he picked them up by the waists, both of them giggling as they were lifted up higher by their father.
Hailey started squealing and wriggling her way out of Harry's grip, but Harry started spinning her around and it caused her to start screaming again and hold on tighter to his shirt. Logan was
happily clapping his hands as Harry started spinning them faster; clearly, he was the daredevil.
The three of them were having a great time and didn't even notice when Hermione came back into the room to see what was going on. She was smiling by the door frame, watching the scene unravel in front of her. Finally Harry noticed her watching them and whispered loudly, "Let's go get mummy!"
Harry carried Hailey and Logan under his arms and ran towards a giggling Hermione and attacked her with the twins. She started laughing out loud, trying to fend herself from Harry. "Harry, stop!" she screamed. Harry backed off of her, still laughing along with the twins.
"See 'Mione, this place isn't that bad," Harry told her, smiling.
Hermione shrugged. "I think I can get used to it."
After a few more laughs, Harry put Hailey and Logan down on the bed to take a nap while he and Hermione finished unpacking their belongings from the backpack. They did manage to change the look of the tree-house immensely, making it much homier and comfortable to live in. It was getting darker as the time went on and the Potters started getting hungry.
"Harry, did we bring any food with us?" Hermione wondered, scouring the fridge and cupboards.
Harry looked with her but both came up with nothing. "We're going to have to go into town to eat tonight. We can get Draco and Kara to come with us," Harry announced, sighing.
Hermione agreed, then went to grab the diaper bag while Harry picked up the twins and woke them up from their nap. The little family headed over to the other east side of their house and knocked on the Malfoys' door. Kara answered it fairly quickly, her usually silky dark brown hair bushy, her dark eyes circled with even darker rings. She looked a little frazzled and tired, but she tried to hold a smile for her cousin and Harry.
"Hi you guys, what's up?" she asked, sticking her hands in her jean pockets.
"Kara, we were wondering if you and Draco would like to come into town to get some food us, but if guys are busy that's okay," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow at her cousin.
Kara shook her head. "No, no! It's fine, we're both hungry too! We would love to join you. Hold on, I just have to get Draco. He's giving Olivia a bath right now so he's a bit busy, but I'll tell him to take her out so we can go. Come on in and wait so you're not standing out here!" she insisted, getting out of the way so they could enter.
"Thank you Kara," Hermione responded, stepping into the house.
Inside, the Malfoy house was set up just like Harry and Hermione's with the exception of Draco and Kara's personal belongings. Harry and Hermione sat down on the wooden bench in the sitting room and waited quietly for Draco and Kara to reappear with Olivia. When they did, Kara was fixed up again and looked like her usual beautiful self. "So I hear we're going out to get some grub. I'm so in!" Draco yelled, holding his stomach.
Harry chuckled. "Yeah mate, let's go!"
The group left Pine Heights and headed back towards the town. The bright, full moon was up and illuminating the village, the crickets were out and chirping, and singing could be heard from the buildings. The group walked into town over the cobblestone and muck on the street. They passed a few shops, but most of them were dark and closed. One of the only buildings that was alive, bursting with noise and cheer, was Lanzo's pub, the White Hart. Without knowing where else to go, they made their way to the entrance and went in.
Drunken Scottish songs were being sung by the folks at the bar, kids were scavenging the ground, picking up scraps of food, and mothers were gossiping at the tables and cackling at something funny. Kara and Hermione quickly latched onto Harry and Draco's arms without thinking about it. From behind the bar's counter, Lanzo spotted the party and waved them over to the bar.
"Oi you lot! Come on over here and grab a table!" he called, firewhiskey spilling out of his mouth as he talked. Lanzo was definitely drunk.
Cautiously, they sat down at an empty table that had half-empty beer bottles scattered on it. Kara immediately pushed everything off, sending them crashing to the dirty floor. "This place reminds me of crap! How is this supposed to be family friendly?" she wondered, pouting and pulling her jacket closer to her.
Draco was about to answer her when Lanzo stumbled over to them and fell on their table. Shaking, he tried to push himself up, and when he couldn't Harry and Draco got up and pulled on Lanzo's arms, trying to get his fat body away from the ladies and the babies. Lanzo put all his weight on Harry and Draco's shoulders, his eyes dilating while his legs threatened to give out. "H-ho-how are yo-you strange-strange-st-st-st-strangers doing?" Lanzo stammered in a drunken haze.
"We're doing fine Lanny, thank you. Do you think we can get some menus, please? We're very hungry; we had a very eventful day today." Hermione said in a fake polite tone. You could tell that she was itching to yell in Lanzo's face, demanding him to get a life! But luckily, she kept calm and remained in her seat.
Lanzo started laughing and then passed out. Instead of dealing with his dead weight, Harry and Draco dropped his body onto the gross, wet floor. His body was limp, in an uncomfortable looking position; a disgusting leaking of booze was protruding from his mouth. Hermione had to look away to keep herself from vomiting at the sight. "Is he okay?" Kara asked, leaning over the table so she could get a better look at him.
Draco tried feeling his pulse and listened to his breathing. "Don't worry, he's alive. But he's out cold." Draco stood up and lightly kicked Lanzo's stomach. "Yeah… he's out," he concluded after Lanzo didn't move a muscle.
Draco left to find an employee that would help them move Lanzo's body somewhere, and Harry and the girls uncomfortably sat in silence, watching the town's people drown themselves in alcohol.
"These people are so gross!" Kara whined, hugging Olivia close to her so no creepers would try to touch her.
"I agree!" Hermione whispered, "Harry, isn't there some other place in town where we can get something to eat?" she whined.
Harry shook his head at the girls, "I think this is the only place in town to eat, unfortunately." Hermione and Kara started pouting again, slouching in their seats stubbornly. One could tell that these two women were related by the way they acted and mirrored each other.
Eventually Draco came back with a middle-aged lady following behind him. She had striking short red hair, electric blue eyes, and freckles on her nose, along with a waitress's dress covering her skinny body. When she saw Lanzo's body on the ground she let out a loud, irritated groan. "That dang Lanny got himself drunk again!" she squealed, "I'll have Dumb and Dumber get him out in a few minutes, but they're a bit busy at the moment. I'm sorry for the inconvenience folks, but this is what happens every Friday night, too bad you arrived in town the very day that Greg the postman's birthday was. This town is huge on celebrating birthdays…well, at least huge on having an excuse to get drunk for no reason at all," she said in mock disappointment. "By the way, my name's Caroline Kerr," she greeted, sticking her bony hand out to shake.
Harry took her hand and shook it softly, afraid he was going to break her if he squeezed it too hard.
"Caroline said she would take our orders," Draco said, taking a seat by Kara.
The group gave Caroline their orders and waited till 'Dumb' and 'Dumber,' two very muscular, pin-headed guys, picked up Lanzo and swiftly carried him away to the back room. They ate their food, trying to enjoy the taste that really wasn't that bad, but because of the conditions of their surroundings, it was very hard to digest.
"Maybe we should leave now," Hermione announced, tipping her butterbeer over on the table and standing up. She was breathing hard and holding her forehead in her hands.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked seriously. He grabbed her shoulders and tried to look at her in the eyes. "You guys, I think we should go. Hermione can't take any more of this place," Harry proclaimed, already picking up the twins and pushing Hermione out of the pub.
Draco and Kara followed a couple seconds later, making sure to place a few galleons on the table for their meal. Harry rushed Hermione back to Pine Heights, where he hurried to put her in bed with a cold wash cloth on her forehead. He laid the twins down in the portable cribs they brought for the trip and went back out into the main room of the house, where Draco and Kara were waiting with worried faces.
"I think she's going to be alright, but she's scared, so I don't think that we should move her around a lot yet, at least not until she's feeling better," Harry calmly explained to his friends.
"Don't sweat it mate," Draco said, patting his back. "We'll leave you two alone; I think we all need some sleep after being in a hell hole of a place like this."
Kara nodded. "Harry, just make sure my cousin doesn't go crazy. Try to keep her sane while we're here, I don't want anything bad to happen to her." Harry agreed automatically to Kara's terms and then bade the Malfoys a good night. He went back into the bedroom and watched as Hermione lay in the bed, sick and disturbed.
Harry changed into his pajamas and climbed into the bed with Hermione. He tried to hold her close to him during the night, but every once in a while Hermione would start tossing and turning. Harry had to get up multiple times to re-wet her washcloth and dab her down so she wouldn't sweat to death.
By the next morning Hermione was lying still in Harry's arms, breathing softly into his chest. Harry was passed out, unable to get up even if he tried; the Potters all stayed asleep for the better part of the day and only woke up when a tapping was heard on the window.
Harry groaned and sleepily slit his eyes open to try to locate the annoying tapping noise. The taps stopped and caused Harry to relax in his pillow again, but right as he closed his eyes the tapping began again. This time Harry angrily grabbed his wand from his bed stand and shot a hex at the window. Shards of glass blew everywhere, and a shocked 'hoot' sounded from the outside. Suddenly a jet black owl with a white mask around the eyes flew into the room and landed on Harry's blanket.
The owl had a ministry note tied around its ankle and a muggle note tied around the other. Harry prodded Hermione's shoulder until she woke up. "What is it, Harry?" she demanded, still half-asleep.
"We just got an owl," Harry replied simply. Hermione began to stir next to him until she sat up and leaned against the headboard still nestled in Harry's left arm. Harry handed her the muggle letter while he opened the official ministry one.
Dear Harry Potter,
I hope to hear you and the Malfoys are doing well so far in St. Andrews. I'm sure you've all figured out the different environments that you've stumbled upon. I am undoubtedly sorry for not explaining everything earlier; it was for your safety, so hopefully you all understand sooner or later. We are all on the case to track down your killer; I have even taken the liberty of getting my best Aurors on the case (besides you of course). Because of intercepting issues I think we should call each other by code names to keep low profile. Please address me as Royal, and I will address you as Wingman. I sincerely hope you are all doing well, and just so you know Jack and Juliet Granger have been taken into the Ministry's custody for the time being. It has become unsafe for them to be sitting back so vulnerably. I must go now, that Longbottom fellow seems to have gotten something useful concerning this case. Keep in touch.
-Shacklebolt
(Royal)
Harry re-read the letter a couple times, trying to let Shacklebolt's words sink in. When he was sure he had processed it all, he looked over at Hermione, who was staring at her letter stone faced.
"Hermione honey, can I see that letter?" Harry asked softly, hoping he wasn't provoking her. She gave him a stiff nod and handed him the letter. Harry took it and read the scrawny handwriting of Jack Granger.
Dear my loveliest Hermione and respectable Harry Potter,
Excuse me for being so blunt but, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WERE YOU TWO THINKING? You insist that you're going on vacation, but instead you're being sent into this wizarding protection program! Harry, are you trying to get yourself and my daughter killed? I respect your decision to get her to safety, but I mean really? Who the hell is trying to kill you? Juliet and I are being forced to room somewhere at your so called "ministry" and I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I blame you for putting us in this situation. But since we're already in this position Harry, you better protect my daughter through this, or I swear I'll end you and this other wizard's life.
Love, Jack
P.S. Potter: I swear, protect Hermione and my grandbabies
Harry knew that Jack was scary and demanding at times, but nothing scared him more than this letter. Who knew someone could scare the crap out of a war hero by just a measly letter?
"Who do you think is after us?" Hermione asked staring up at Harry as he finished his threatening letter from Jack.
Harry took a deep breath, "I wish I knew Hermione, I wish I knew."
They were silent, each in a deep train of thought when suddenly Hermione broke through Harry by just one simple question. "Have you seen Kreacher anywhere?"
For those of you who may have forgotten, Royal was Kingsley's code name on Potterwatch, just to clarify some things there. But anyway i hope you guys liked this chapter, and i promise more Jack and Juliet will come later, but i need your reviews to keep me going. Oh! and if you want, i'm accepting OC's for the story right now, so just send your character in by either a review or by P.M. Thanks for reading! -SR7
