Chapter 29: An Interesting Christmas Holiday Part one
November came and went with no further sightings of the dog or rat. Soon it was December and everyone was getting into the Christmas spirit. Hagrid had set up his usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall and everyone pitched in to decorate the trees. A good time was had by all.
Harry and Hermione were looking forward to going home to be with their family and possibly even visiting the Dursley's, since they had reconciled. As they were eating breakfast one day Hedwig flashed into the Great Hall with a letter in her beak.
"What have you got there girl," Hermione cooed.
She took the letter and opened it and while reading it got a depressed look on her face.
Harry noticed this right away and asked," What's wrong. No one is hurt are they?"
"No one was hurt. Our parents are going to a dental convention in America. Metropolis, I think." She says with tears beginning to form in her eyes," They say it is something they can't get out of and ask if we can stay here this holiday. They have to leave before we get out of school."
Harry sees the tears and says while wiping them from her cheeks," None of that now. We will just have to fly over on our own and spend the holiday with them in Metropolis. Write them back and get their hotel name and make sure they get an extra room for us. I would love to see America and we could visit the Kent's while we are there to check on little Kal-el."
She throws her arms around Harry and kisses him passionately," You are the best husband in the world. I love you so much it hurts sometimes."
"You best get on that letter. I'm sure this will make them happy as well." Harry says.
She laughs happily and pulls out some parchment and a quill to write her letter.
"Here you go Hedwig," Hermione says when she finished," Give this to mum please."
Hedwig trills affectionately at her companions and takes the letter and flashes out of the Great Hall to make the delivery.
A short time later she reappears with an answer which Hermione reads with a satisfied smile.
"They'll be at the Hilton on 5th avenue. They booked the penthouse suite and there are plenty of extra rooms. We can go shopping when we arrive." Hermione says.
"That's great, Hermione," Harry says," I can't wait for school to let out now."
After a few more agonizing days, school finally let out and Harry and Hermione found a secluded corridor and faded out to reappear in the Granger's sitting room.
"Jeeves?" Harry called out.
"You called my lord?" Jeeves asks as he pops in front of them.
"Are you able to pop across the ocean to Metropolis," Harry asks.
"Yes, my lord," he responds," Potter elves draw power from you and my lady. You are more than strong enough for us to do that."
"Good, we are going to fly to the Metropolis Airport and would like for you to meet us out front with a limousine for the trip to the hotel," Harry says.
"Very good my lord," he says," I can arrange with the hotel management for the service. It will also alert them to your arrival and your parents can go with the driver to pick you up at the airport."
"What a wonderful idea Harry. That way Jeeves can be available if we need him." Hermione says, then turns to Jeeves," We will call you when we are ready. Tell the hotel we are arriving on a special flight and once we clear customs we will meet out front. We should be there by three pm eastern time."
Once they packed appropriate clothing for casual and formal wear they shrunk their luggage down and placed it in their pockets. After morphing into their Panteras personas they disillusioned themselves and took off towards the American coast.
Their flight was pretty uneventful until they were approaching Metropolis. The weather had turned very bad with dense blizzard conditions and strong icy crosswinds. They were following a British Airways 747 on approach to the runway because it was having trouble. Ice had already formed on the wings making it hard to get the lift needed, so when a sudden crosswind caught the plane, it was flying practically sideways. The plane was committed to landing and going too slow to abort and the pilots were fighting the controls trying to compensate for the strong wind.
Hunter and Huntress nod to each other and speed up to get even with the plane, reappearing as they approach. Using their laser vision, they melted the ice from the wings. Then they each grab a wing tip and gently turn the plane till it is lined up with the runway. The pilots don't understand what's going on at first until the engineer looks out the window and sees someone flying at the tip of the right wing. He looks out the left side and sees someone on that wing as well. He looks at the pilot and copilot and says," Even out the power and land normally. We've gotten a couple of helpers. Looks like our Elder friends from the news have followed us here."
"They must have business in Metropolis so we are extremely lucky they arrived when we needed help." The pilot says as he lands the plane," Tower, this is British Airways flight 1127; we are safely down thanks to our friends the Elders. That crosswind is too strong. Recommend diverting flights until the storm passes, over."
"Roger that flight 1127; we witnessed the landing and are breathing easier now. You are clear to taxi to gate 16, over."
"Roger tower, taxi to gate 16, out." The pilot responds.
The passengers had been told to assume crash positions as the pilots couldn't seem to get the plane straightened out. Everyone was scared to death until one of the flight attendants noticed the flyers out on the tip of each wing.
"Look outside," She exclaims," aren't they the aliens from the news?"
One of the passengers looks and notices the plane is turning in the right direction," I've heard about them, they saved that train on the underground. We're turning; everything is going to be okay."
After a smooth landing the pilot comes on," This is the captain, thanks to the Elders intervention; we have recovered from the crosswind and landed safely. We should be at our gate momentarily. Please remain in your seats until we come to a complete stop. Thank you."
Everyone let out a breath in relief and relaxed until the plane came to a stop at the gate. As soon as the door was opened Hunter and Huntress flew in and landed inside.
"Is everyone alright," Hunter asks?
At the sight of the Hunters everyone cheered and clapped. The Hunters went up to the cockpit door and knocked. When the door was opened Hunter asks," Did someone report that crosswind?"
The pilot answers," Yes sir, I reported it to the tower and they diverted all other traffic until the storm passes."
"We were following you on your approach and noticed you were in trouble. We're both glad we were able to help." Huntress says.
"So are we," the pilot says.
"We will check on the passengers in the lower section before we leave just to be sure." Hunter says.
They walk down the stairs from the upper deck and the coach passengers spot them and give them a standing ovation.
The pair scans the passengers as they walk down the aisle checking them over. When they reach the back they duck into one of the lavatories and morph back into their real selves where they mingle with the crowd as it departs. As Harry and Hermione exit the breezeway they see a large crowd has gathered hoping to get a glimpse of the hero's.
"I'm glad we changed back," Harry sends to Hermione.
"Me too. Looks like the crowd must have witnessed what we did," she responded.
"Let's find mum and dad." Harry says.
They walked out the front door and found a person in a chauffeur uniform with a sign that said Potter. They approached the driver and announced who they were and the driver opened the back door for them to enter.
"Your parents couldn't meet you as they are in a meeting. They will meet you at the hotel." The driver says.
"That's okay driver," Harry says," Thank you for picking us up. Take us to the hotel please."
The limo leaves the airport and makes its way to the hotel on 5th avenue. The driver pulls up to the front entrance and the doorman opens the door to the limo and holds it while Harry climbs out and then turns around to help Hermione out.
"Thank you kind sir," she says to Harry with a smile.
"Welcome to the Metropolis Hilton Mr. and Ms. Potter. We have been expecting you." The doorman says.
"Thank you," Harry replies," please; lead the way."
They follow the doorman to the front desk where the manager of the hotel greets them and has them sign the register.
"Welcome to the Metropolis Hilton, Mr. and Ms. Potter. Drs. Granger informed us you were coming. Here are your keys," he says handing magnetic cards to the couple," Take the express elevator to the top floor and you will be there. Please enjoy your stay with us and room service is available if you need it."
"Thank you sir; I'm sure we will be fine" Harry says while taking the cards.
Harry and Hermione walk to the elevator and Harry swipes his card, calling the elevator and when it arrives they take it to the top floor. They walk out onto the balcony looking over the city and stand there in each others arms while they wait on the Grangers.
A short while later, the front door to the lobby was opened by the doorman and the Grangers came in, shaking the snow from their hair and boots . Mrs. Granger was dragging her husband by his hand.
"Hurry up George," she says," Harry and Hermione should be here by now."
"Okay, keep your britches on, I'm right with you," he says as they enter the elevator.
As soon as the elevator arrived at their suite they rushed out looking for their children.
"Harry? Hermione? Are you here?" She yells.
Harry and Hermione come in off the balcony and are both swept up in hugs from their parents.
"I didn't think we would get to see you this year with the convention" Mrs. Granger says," I'm so glad I was wrong."
"Me too mum," Hermione says in tears," I was getting depressed about not having Christmas with you and dad until Harry suggested we just fly here and be with you anyway."
Harry smiles at his wife's happiness and says," We have these abilities, we might as well use them. It was no problem to come over here so we could have a family Christmas."
He gets another hug from his mother in law and a pat on the back from his father in law. Everyone was very happy about the reunion.
"Why don't we go out to a nice restaurant and do some shopping. My treat," says Harry.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Mrs. Granger says," We already made reservations at Goldstein's and there are plenty of nice stores to shop in."
Everyone got cleaned up and dressed nice for the restaurant, as it was upper class. Donning heavy coats for the bad weather they got in the elevator and went down to the lobby.
"It's only a couple of blocks to the restaurant and then we can take a stroll around the downtown area for shopping." Mr. Granger says.
Harry discreetly casts an invisible shield around the group to protect them from the wind and snow.
They enter the restaurant and walk up to the maître d'.
"Good evening sir," he says as he takes in their immaculate attire," Welcome to Goldstein's. How may I help you?"
"We have a 6 o'clock reservation for Lord Potter and guests," Mr. Granger says.
"If Lord Potter would sign the register I will lead you to your private room," he says.
Harry steps up and signs the register with Hermione on his arm and says," Lead the way good sir."
They follow the Maître d' to their private dining room and he seats them with Harry at the head of the table with Hermione on the left and the Grangers on the right. A server comes in almost right away and sets them up with menus and a glass of water. During dinner, Harry and Hermione bring their parents up to date of happenings at school. They enjoy their dinner and then go out on the town to do some shopping, finding the storm had passed while they were eating. After they get done the group makes their way back to the hotel after Harry shrinks all of the gifts down for easy transport. As the Potters and Grangers are approaching the hotel, Harry and Hermione hear a scream coming from an alley they had just passed. They look at each other and then at the Grangers.
"Go on ahead to the hotel," Harry says," We will catch up after we investigate the scream."
Mr. Granger nods and says," Go do your thing. We will be alright and wait for you."
Harry and Hermione run around the corner and disillusion themselves while running, hoping they are not too late to help whoever is in trouble. As they reach the back of the alley they come upon a group of men and women tormenting a young couple by passing them around among the group while laughing.
"You sense what I do?" Harry sends.
"Yes Harry, these people are vampires and have murder on their minds." She answers," We have to stop this."
Harry immediately puts up wards to contain the alley and keep others out. The vampires feel the wards going up and start to look around in panic.
The leader grabs the girl and yells out," Come out or we will harm the girl. We were just having a little fun. We would have let them go."
Harry and Hermione release their disillusionment and appear in the middle of the group, standing there with their arms crossed and a serious look on their faces.
"Release the girl and we might let you leave here unscathed," Harry demands.
The leader just laughs," You're children. What do you expect to do against us; little ones?"
While everyone was focused on Harry, Hermione subtly waves her right hand freezing the gang in place.
"You probably have noticed you can't move right about now," Harry says," that is one of the things we can do to you and your gang."
Hermione walks up to the girl and frees her from the clutches of the leader while Harry does the same for her friend.
The couple turns out to be a young witch and wizard that were out on a date and thought they could take a shortcut through the alley on the way home.
"Did you walk here," Harry asks?
"Yes we did," the wizard says," we were just on our way home when we were surrounded by these hoodlums."
"These hoodlums are actually vampires and they were not going to let you go," Hermione says," We will take care of them."
Harry looks at the wizard and says," If you will look into my eyes and think of home I will make you a port key to get you there. Tell your parents what happened so they will be aware of possible rogue vampires roaming the area. This group will no longer harm anyone."
The wizard looks into Harry's eyes while thinking about home and Harry says," Got it."
Harry looks around and picks up an old coke can and taps it with his finger.
"Portus," He says. The can glows blue for a second and he hands it to the couple.
"Thanks," The witch says," who can I say helped us get away?"
"Tell your parents you met the Elders of the Universe," Harry says and taps the can with his finger and the young couple flash away.
Harry and Hermione turn back to the now frightened vampires.
"What should we do about you?" Harry asks," I could release a solaris spell right here in the middle of the group. While that would give you guys a really bad sunburn, it would probably attract too much attention. "
They cringe when he says that.
"Or," Hermione says," We suspect you are out here without your clan's permission. So what we will do is send you back to them."
Harry waves his hand and the vampires are forced into a tight group with everyone touching. He conjures a piece of rope and ties it around them and attaches a note describing their activities.
"You will be free when your clan releases you. Until then you will get to know each other real well. Better hope they find you before the sun comes up." Harry says.
He taps the rope," Portus."
It glows blue for a few seconds.
"You will not bother humans again or your whole clan will pay the price," Harry says," We prefer not to take a life but will do what is necessary to keep the peace. Having to exterminate over a hundred dementors in Scotland was bad enough; even if they were just mindless vermin."
The vampires looked at the couple with renewed fear in their eyes.
"You were able to kill dementors," the leader asked trembling?
"Yes," Harry answers," Here's how."
He looks over and picks up a small block of wood lying on the ground. Two thin beams of red light come from his eyes as he burns a message into the block of wood. "Stay away from Humans."
"Give this to your clan leader and tell her what you witnessed." Harry says as he puts the block in the leaders pocket and then nods to Hermione.
She taps the rope with her finger and the vampires flash away to just outside their home.
"Let's go to the hotel, Harry," Hermione says," Mum and dad are probably getting anxious by now."
Harry takes her hand and the couple walks slowly out of the alley, back to their hotel where the doorman opens the door and bids them a pleasant evening.
When the Potter's arrive in the suite, they fill the Grangers in on what happened in the alley while Hermione's mum checks them over for damage, and then decide to go to bed for the night.