Chapter 7: Portraits and explosions galore
AN: Thank you for all the reviews, as it's you guys that keep me writing!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Potter verse, so I don't want any lawyers after me...
Ah and on one note...I wrote this whilst having a meatloaf fetish...so if you see any of the lyrics...
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Last time on Burning magic:
"Mum...Dad?"
The two portraits sucked in a breath and then burst into tears, Lily blubbering like she was at a wedding, and James's eyes had gone shiny and moist, as he regarded his son standing tall and proud with his best mate, and very, very attractive girl by his side.
"Harry" James managed to croak out "My son...you've grown so much..." Harry took a few uncertain steps forward, urged on by Hermione.
Lily sniffled and wiped her eyes "Harry, my baby! (Harry went a lovely crimson at this remark) You look so handsome and..." Her eyes fell on Sirius and the portrait scowled "Sirius...I do hope your not corrupting my son" A chuckle rumbled from all three men's throats as they laughed at Lily's disparaging remark. Sirius was a marauder. It was his job to corrupt his friends kids! Lily's bright eyes then rested on Hermione and a wicked smile crossed her face "And Harry...who is this lovely girl that is with you?"
Hermione flashed Mrs. Potter a grin and said "I'm Hermione Granger Mrs. Potter...Harry's girlfriend"
Lily's jaw dropped as James roared out "Well done my boy! I bet she's the smartest witch in school too!"
Harry wrapped his left arm around Hermione's waist and smiled "Top of the school Dad, just like you mum, muggle born."
Lily had recovered from her shock and smiled warmly "I hope you know what you're letting yourself in for Hermione dear. The Potter men are notoriously hard to train..."
Hermione had an almost feral grin on her face "I'm sure I'm up to the challenge Mrs. Potter, besides, I'm already breaking him in"
"HEY!" Father and son realised that they had been insulted and both looked identical, with arms crossed and pouting faces. The pair of witches both burst into giggles, whilst Sirius guffawed with laughter. The mood was jubilant for a few moments and then Harry sobered up sighing. "Mum...Dad. I've got something to show you" Drawing the portraits attention, Harry shrugged off the leather jacket, removing his gloves and then he pulled off his jumper, leaving his chest and arms just covered in a short-sleeved t-shirt. His right arm was exposed to his parents pictures. Lily gasped in shock, averting her eyes, whilst James paled rapidly, the blood leaving his face ashen white as he stared at his sons right arm..
"So it's happened then" James sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, as his son scowled at him.
"What has?" Harry snapped, "I'd like some answers Dad"
James sighed again "Lily, dear please don't get upset, but I have never, ever told anyone this...including Sirius" James shot his wife a reassuring glance, that she did not return and James groaned, burying his face in his hands. "The Potters owe a debt Harry. A very large and ancient debt." James stood and said "Follow me, there are other empty portraits in the vault and we'll move between them. Everything will become clearer in a few moments" James moved off through the frame of the portrait and the trio heard his voice from down a small corridor just further into the vault. The trio quickened their pace, walking down a small corridor, the walls filled with mainly empty portraits. Harry had shrugged his coat back on, but had not put his gloves back on. As James walked besides them in the portraits frames, Harry frowned until a voice startled him. It was a portrait of a man, who looked much like James, but far older, with grey hair and far thicker glasses, who was squinting at Harry's right hand. "Oh my" the man said "I see the Potter debt has been called then...interesting indeed...Be careful young one...the ancients will see to it that you have a difficult path ahead..."
James stopped, and opened his mouth to speak but the portrait brushed past him, disappearing out of the frame and somewhere else. James frowned and beckoned the group on, as they came into a smaller chamber, which was literally a miniature library. Harry felt Hermione draw in a small breath besides him, as she was practically salivating over these ancient looking tomes. James lead them down the side of the library, hopping between three portraits that were there. Turning the corner James sighed and said "This is the explanation Harry. I'm just sorry this was forced onto you" There was one portrait hanging on the wall the trio stopped before. An ancient looking empty portrait was there and James breathed a sigh of relief. "He's not here. Good. I'll explain myself now" James rubbed his temples and sat down in the plush chair that occupied most of the empty portrait.
"I'll start from the beginning, I suppose" James said, his eyes focusing on a point somewhere above Harry's head. "The founders weren't the first people to wield magic. There were others before them, wild untamed savage sorcerers. But the Founders were the first to wield the power that were recorded, and with them came the ancient families. Lines that exist to this very day, like the Bones, Blacks, Malfoys, Potters, Greengrass, Longbottom...well the list is quite extensive." James paused and Sirius took the opportunity to conjure three chairs for the trio to sit down in as it looked like James was going to be talking for a while. "But something else came with the Founders. The darkness...and the ancients. A war ravaged the land, savaged it beyond repair, laid waste to fertile fields and small villages, destroying everything. Only the founders...and one family stood up to the darkness that was tainting the land. The Potters. We were going to die, the line wiped out...but at the last moment we were saved by the ones who call themselves the ancients" James held his hand out to the trio and said "Hold any questions or I'll lose my place" Taking a sip of water from a glass on the small table near the chair in the frame, James continued his narrative. "The Ancients...are magic. They aren't human and they heavily use the system of life debts and things like that, where we, wizards and witches, get most of our binding contracts and unbreakable bonds and the like. We, the Founders and the Potters, according to the ancients, were in their debt, as they had saved our lives. They gave the Potters a different debt to the founders. The founders debt was to build a school of learning for magical beings, but the Potters debt was...different"
Sirius frowned "Tell us what it is James, and stop beating around the bush"
"Fine Padfoot. The Potter line was cursed by this debt. All the male Potter heirs would die before they were twenty five, unless the male born was marked once at birth by the darkness and once when they are older by the ancients. You have to understand Harry, the first war nearly ripped the world apart. Now, the darkness and the ancients play through emissaries Harry. They choose people to... be their messengers, as it were, so it limits the direct influence that the ancients and darkness can use directly. There are two emissaries at the moment"
"Dumbledore and Voldemort" Hermione said, James giving her an approving glance over his glasses.
James clapped "Bravo Miss. Granger. Correct. But the debt was, once the boy was marked and rid the earth of BOTH influences, then the debt would be settled. Your the one who has to bear the debt Harry, be the shade of grey."
Harry frowned "Why get rid of both the ancients and darkness? Why not just the darkness?"
James sighed "I thought of this one too and I have a reason. Power corrupts. If one power remains then the world, eventually will suffer one way or another. Wizard kind has to make it's own decisions, not being swayed by two forces. Also, one other thing. Do not trust the old families Harry. All of them have sides, like a coin, the Bones for example. They got their name from at first by clairvoyance and talking to the dead, now the name refers to their darker relatives...Necromancy Harry, they raise the dead. Choose who you trust Harry. Only a select few know of everything. I'm sorry I never told you Sirius, but you knew what the Black family was like. I couldn't tell you everything."
Harry frowned "That still doesn't explain the arm Dad. The dragons had something to do with it and... I was told the Potters have dragon blood in their ancestry"
"Ah" James sighed "I did forget one thing...Before the forces retreated, the ancients left traces of their magic in some of the magical beings. The ancients left theirs in two"
"Dragons" Harry said, his brain thinking.
"And Phoenixes" James concluded, smiling sadly "And the darkness too left it's mark on magical beings. Dementors and snakes"
"Snakes?"
James sighed "Yes snakes, it's the reason snakes are used in a lot of dark rituals, however because the snakes were the second choice they only have a limited loyalty to the darkness. The rest they play by ear, or scale I suppose" There was silence for a few moments and James sniffed audibly in the silence "I'm sorry Harry...I wish I could be there to help. I really wish I could and the dragons claim...is true. I think it's a shifter dragon but I do not know. The Potters are still pureblood to the wizarding world and they would never, ever want that information that we have beast blood in our veins. I was never able to find out. My parents destroyed the information I had before I could read it"
Sirius smiled "It's alright James. I'm keeping the promise I made many years ago and the blood matters not to me"
The portraits eyes lit up, but it was Lily's voice that answered "Thank you Sirius. That means a lot to me and James" Sirius nodded silently as Lily continued "I heard everything James. Why didn't you tell me?"
James's breath hitched in his throat "I couldn't Lily, I couldn't. How was I supposed to tell you that I was cursed, that out little boy would be cursed from the moment he was born? How do you do that Lily? How do you tell someone that?"
Silence met his impassioned statement. Lily looked down serenely at the trio and said "If you'll excuse my husband and I, we have some things to discuss. Harry...we love you never, ever forget that and remember to tell the people you love, that you love them, before it's too late. We'll be at the manor Sirius, do stop by and see us"
Sirius smiled "I plan on it. We'll be there at Christmas, for certain Lily. We'll talk more then." Lily nodded and grasped her husband by the forearm, and the pair of paintings disappeared through the edge of the frame. "Well let's get going..." Sirius was talking to empty space, the two chairs Harry and Hermione had been sitting in were vacant. Hearing faint voices, Sirius walked into the stacks of books nearby and followed the sound of the two. Turning a corner and moving into another aisle of books, Sirius watched, slightly bemused as the pair, Harry and Hermione laboured under several large and heavy looking ancient tomes.
"You know Sirius, you could help us out here by casting some feather weight charms ya know! We're not in Romania any more!" Harry's snarky tone came from behind the pile of books and Sirius heard Hermione mutter darkly in agreement. Smirking, Sirius flicked his wand, casting the charm and a shrinking the books down to the size of a matchbox. Sirius raised an eyebrow as he met the glare of Hermione Granger and he sniggered slightly, as she glared at him, hands on hips.
"We need to talk Sirius" She said, glancing at Harry.
Comprehension dawned on Sirius as he saw how nervous the pair were. "Ah"
"Yes ah" Harry snapped, his green eyes darkening, as he entwined his hands with Hermione's own graceful fingers. "What do you know Sirius, because from the way you reacted to the news outside the vault, then you must know something" Harry's voice was hard, or demanding but nearly pleading to be answered in some way, shape or form.
"I..." Sirius faltered and gathered his thoughts. "Do you remember that trip into London, just after your birthday?" Two nods were given to him. "Well, in the taxi I wanted to check on you two, so I checked your auras, using my training. It's something I'll teach you two later. And I noticed something... Hermione's magic was trying to reach out to your magic to Harry, but something was blocking it. In all the commotion I suppose...I forgot about it and when Harry burned through the blocks when he got his new limb, your magic must have joined as Harry's magic had burned away the block leaving the two auras to mingle." Sirius took in a breath "Now, under goblin law, that makes you two basically married, apart from the ceremony, so apart from actually getting married in front of a ministry official, you're ok."
Hermione frowned and gnawed her bottom lip "Why? Why did my magic reach out?"
Sirius gave a gentle laugh "It wasn't just yours kiddo, Harry's was reaching out too, but like I said it was blocked from joining"
Harry shifted in his spot and cleared his throat "What about the goblins and the laws, what does that mean for us?"
Sirius frowned "I'll be honest. Goblins can be trusted explicitly, especially with the Potter secrets, as the Potters are one of the few families who do not owe the goblins money. So, you're fine there. As for how it affects you...well it wont have been logged in the ministry, so no-one we need to worry about will know...and that's really all I know" Sirius paused "From what I remember reading as part of a N.E.W.T project, you two are going to become closer...as in emotions and, especially you Hermione will get a boost in power. The bond will be cemented when you..well..er...seal the deal, if you catch my drift" The pair blushed and squirmed under Sirius's gaze who snorted and said "And I hope you wont be doing that for a least another year, maybe more and if you do take precautions...for merlin's sake"
There was silence from the two teens for a minute and Sirius sighed "You two got everything?" he asked. The pair nodded and they made their way back out to the corridor, passing Lily's and James empty portraits. Griphook, looked up as the trio made their way from the vault and stood up, clambering into the cart as Sirius, Hermione and Harry sat down in the back, Hermione wrapping herself around Harry. Harry winced. He was sure that she would leave bruises in the morning. The cart shot off into the tunnel, Hermione squealing in fear for the short journey, all the way to the surface.
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As the trio walked into the lobby, they felt the atmosphere change. Tension. Harry frowned and discreetly reached for his wand, Hermione doing the same. The reason for the tension, became clear. Aurors in their blue robes were standing at attention in the lobby with their wands pointed at Sirius. "Oh Joy" Harry muttered, glaring at the assembled wand tips "It appears certain people don't read the papers" A small snort of agreement came from his left and Harry suppressed a grin as he saw Hermione twirling her wand between her fingers.
Sirius stepped forward hands raised "Gentleman, aurors, I assure you there has been a misunderstanding here"
The lead Auror, a man named Dawlish snapped "Save it Black, you're going straight to Azkaban where scum like you belong and I don't care what tricks you used in Romania. Here their laws have no jurisdiction. Now...will you come quietly or or we going to have to curse you seven ways to Sunday?"
Harry scowled his own wand raising in his left hand, his wand tip glowing with a dim light. "Don't you dare threaten my father" The words had a harsh, reptilian inflection on them, causing Dawlish to shudder as the young boy-who-lived regarded him as a scientist would regard a specimen sample on a slide.
Sirius placed a hand on Harry's shoulder a withdrew a tube of parchment from his robes. "Catch Dawlish" Sirius said "I do remember you Dawlish, always last in classes weren't you?"
Dawlish seethed in anger, throwing Sirius a venomous look as he snapped the wax seal on the roll and read the parchment. His face paled and he quickly fell into discussion with his troops. An angry yell, came from the crowd of blue-robed wizards and a figure strode forward, an elegant cane at the man's side, as he waved the parchment roll furiously in the other hand. "Malfoy" Sirius and Harry spat at the same time, disgust crossing their faces as though they had swallowed something particularly vile. "You an ambassador? Not possible Black! No-one would have your mangy hide representing their country!"
"The scroll work is correct, Lucius, I assure you. Cygnus signed them himself" Sirius said, eye glimmering darkly. "Now unless you wish to create an international scene, I suggest you leave me be and let me go on in peace" Malfoy scowled darkly and thrust the scroll back into Sirius's hands as the trio walked past the stunned public and aurors and began to venture back into the alley. A snarl and a rustle of a cloak, and a muttered curse, twitched Sirius's enhanced reflexes, pushing the other two to the floor and rounding on the auror responsible. "Dawlish" Sirius said evenly. "Now, I'm going to pretend that didn't happen. I'm going to count to three, and you'll all walk away, wands stowed. One...two" the wands disappeared and Sirius flashed a feral grin, before turning, slightly, reacting with blurring speed Sirius had already cast a spell, before Dawlish had a chance to even react. The banishing charm forced the auror into the marble wall of the bank, the breath leaving his lungs in a woosh, and as he tried to get up, he felt the spear points of two goblins tickle his jugular. "Cheerio!" Sirius waved to the crowd before joining up with Harry and Hermione again, walking back into the alley, laughing softly at the terrified expression on the senior aurors face.
Laughing gently Hermione held onto Harry, her hand wrapped his larger one. Sirius looked down and glanced at his watch "It's only half past four. I don't want to see you two until half nine earliest, eleven latest, understand? Floo me from the cauldron. I'll pick you up" Sirius strode off, whistling a jaunty tune as he vanished rapidly down the alley, leaving the two teens blinking in surprise.
"He's always full of surprises isn't he?" Hermione remarked, watching Sirius's diminishing figure. "Like a hyperactive child" she said as Harry laughed softly.
Harry grinned "You could say that" He said "I just say it's Dad being Dad" Hermione beamed at him and he felt something like pride from her and his stomach did a flip-flop in response. "Why are you so proud of me?"
Hermione looked startled for a second and smiled "Oh...because you've taken so quickly to calling Sirius Dad. It's good for you to have accepted him so quickly" She smiled at him widely, and gave him a quick kiss on the nose, raising herself on tiptoes. "That" she said "Is why I'm proud of you smoky"
Harry smiled softly, returning the kiss, before saying "How about we do like I suggested earlier? You know see a film, grab a bite to eat...oh..be right back" Harry vanished back into the bank and re-appeared two minutes later, a wad of muggle cash in his hands. "This should cover tonight" Harry said absently placing the money in his back pocket. "So where first my lady, something to eat or a film?"
Hermione paused and raised a finger to her lips "Ah..." Then her stomach rumbled answering Harry's question and Hermione laughed, a red blush gracing her cheeks. "I guess my stomach says food first, then we see a film" Harry smiled and took Hermione's hand as the pair wandered down the alley and out into muggle London via the Leaky Cauldron.
A few yards away two sets of eyes watched from a set of shadows. "See?" A feminine voice said, a scowl detectable in her tone. A harrumph answered the female voice and the voice continued "Everything is going fine Cynder, I still cannot fathom why you insisted on testing Harry."
There was a pause before Cynders gruff voice answered "Because the boy needs testing. At the moment the fragment of the heart, Ishkar, is helping him control the draconic and ancient part of him. I am just testing him. The boy is strong though."
A snort issued from the female, Jaziz. "You mean he handed your ass to you on a platter" Silence fell around the pair. A giggle escaped Jaziz's mouth "Well at least we won't have to watch him when he goes to school"
"Ah..." Cynder said "That's where you're wrong Jaziz"
"What have you roped me into?"
Cynder's white teeth glittered in the gloom of the drawing dusk "The divination teacher a certain Sybill Trelawney has taken an early retirement"
"What did you do?" Jazz sighed.
"Nothing permanent I assure you. She just believes that she was visited by a vision and must go and seek some warmer climates, far, far away"
"You're a cruel bastard sometimes Cynder"
"I try" he said smugly.
"So what...I'm going to be a teacher?" Jazz asked, still in a mild sense of shock. She could feel Cynder rolling his eyes besides her. "Hey git, don't roll your eyes at me" Jazz said "So...I'm going to be a teacher..."
"You're interview is tomorrow"
"I hate you"
"Why thank you." Cynder said as Jaziz growled and stomped off, Cynder laughing softly at her retreating figure as he trailed behind her, Jaziz muttering death threats under her breath as she tried and failed to form words into how she hated Cynder sometimes.
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Tugging Harry out onto the streets of muggle London Hermione laughed and spun on the spot. "What film!" She said, leading Harry deeper into London, until they were outside a cinema. Idly looking through the listings, they debated over what film to see. Eventually, after much persuasion Hermione chose the film on her own, choosing Spiderman as Hermione hadn't yet seen it and because she felt Harry would connect with the main hero. Booking the tickets for eight fifteen sharp, the pair wandered down the streets nearby looking for a restaurant to eat in, as it was half past five and the pair were hungry.
Ten minutes down the road from the cinema, Harry pointed out a small neat Italian looking building down a small turn-off on the road with the title 'magic' above its door, in golden curved writing. Ignoring Hermione's varied protests (Including, but not limited to: "It looks to expensive!" "I'm not dressed properly!" and "HARRY!")
Opening the door a small bell rang and and in the echoes of the small bells tinkling, a house elf had appeared with a small 'pop' in front of the (slightly startled) pair. "welcome!" The little elf squeaked, it's red beret dipping about on it's head, as it flicked non-existent dirt from it's miniature shirt, tie and trousers. "Does sir and madam have a reservation?"
"Ah no" Harry said "We..were just wanting to have a quiet romantic meal..."
The house elf laughed, "Then master wizard, you are in luck, for we have a table spare for two. I do believe that you will find it most romantic. Ah young love. Follow me" The little elf led them the pair through a snake-winding course between tables. The place seemed empty but Harry could sense people were there. "Our speciality Sir, is making sure the diner has an intimate experience, so cloaking and silencing charms are placed. We value our clients atmosphere very much. May I ask for your name sir?"
"Potter-Black" Harry answered absently.
"P-P-Potter? Forgive me sir, if I had known then I would've had the other elves prepare your private suite!" The little head-elf seemed shocked and bowed. "Give me five minutes Sir Potter-Black and your private suite will be ready for you"
Harry seemed slightly flabbergasted and paused, whilst Hermione quietly asked a passing elf about the suite. Feeling a small hand tap his shoulder Harry looked up, to Hermione's smiling face. "Apparently the Potters have had a private room here since this place opened. They're one of the main investors apparently..."
Another pop announced the head-elf's arrival and he wordlessly asked them to follow. Moving to the back of the restaurant, the elf opened a small door that led into a very elegant dining room, with roses carved into the oak wood and plush chairs reclining in corners. "Your menu's will be here in a few moments. It is good to have the house of Potter back in our humble restaurant." The elf disappeared and a few seconds later two menus were on a small round table that had neatly been set up in the room and tastefully decorated. 'Simply state want you would like and you will have it. I've taken the liberty of only placing soft drinks on the wine list as you are both under age. Now, bon appetite."
The two teens sat down, slightly stunned by the sheer opulence of the surroundings. "Wow" Harry breathed looking around "Now I can see why my ancestors put money into this place. The elves know how to run this place"
"True" Hermione said, sauntering out from her seat and plonked herself down on Harry's lap. "Now Mr. Potter" Hermione began, lifting his chin up with a finger "I just want to thank you for today, for all of it. You are a knight for me...Miss plain Hermione Granger...and I love you for it..." Hermione's lips descended on his and claimed all of Harry's attention.
Hermione was warm, soft and pliant against him, small mews of pleasure coming from her and him, as the kiss deepened becoming more primal, more raw as tongues battled, and hands moved of entwining in hair and around waists. Harry pulled back "No Hermione, I -"
"Shut the fuck up Harry" The fact she'd sworn, startled Harry more than anything "I am not made of glass Harry" Hermione said, her brown eyes glimmering with lust. "You can go further...trust me Harry, because I trust you...and I'll stop you if I feel uncomfortable" The look of sheer love and trust in those brown, brown eyes stopped Harry dead and he nodded mutely under her intense gaze. A satisfied smile crossed Hermione's face and her lips descended on Harry's once more, as he lost himself in the taste, no as he just lost himself in her. There were no words to describe Hermione, how she tasted, how she felt, how she sounded when a hand, his hand dragged across her young pert bosom. There were no words to describe her. None at all. She was indescribable...
No words were needed when the two teens broke apart. "Now...how about we get something to eat, and then we see the film?" Harry agreed whole-heartedly. This day could not get any better for him.
They never got back to the house until eleven, looking very flushed and ruffled with swollen lips and pink faces. Sirius smiled as his godson, no his son dragged himself upstairs... At least he had found someone, no two people who would love him no matter what. Ruffling his son's hair Sirius smiled "Night kiddo. Looks like you need your sleep" and with a quiet "Nox" Sirius left Harry to slumber in the field of dreams.
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The next day:
"HARRY!"
'Oh shit...' Harry thought as he tumbled out of bed, wondering what Hermione wanted. "HAVE YOU SEEN MY WAND?"
Harry staggered into the kitchen, wrapped in his duvet and blinked in the morning sunlight "Christ Hermione, no need to yell. It's too early..."
"It's ten Harry, and Sirius wanted you down for duelling practice"
"Bugger, and no I haven't seen your wand...although Accio Hermione's wand!" a moment later Hermione's slim, willow wood wand soared through the air into Harry's palm and he passed it over to her, grinning "Aren't you starting with me and Sirius today?" Harry asked, quickly fixing himself a slice of toast and a cup of coffee.
"I'll start tomorrow Harry. I need to sort some things with my parents" Hermione said softly, her hands trembling slightly.
"You want some support?" Harry asked
Hermione shook her head "No, but I'll ask about you visiting. Daddy will threaten to skin you probably. Or something equally vile" a small smile graced Hermione's lips before it vanished again. "I'm meeting uncle Tom outside, and then we'll go to my parents. I'll be back later Harry. Good training" Hermione crossed over the room to Harry and placed a kiss on his lips "love you" she said softly.
"Love you too" Harry said softly as he watched her gorgeous backside shimmy out the door.
"Harry"
"Yes dad?"
"Put your eyes back into your head son and...GET SOME CLOTHES ON!"
"..." "I'll be right down..."
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England, Granger household
Life is never simple. It nearly always throws you a greased pig somewhere along the line. For Hermione her uncle was the greased pig of her life at this moment in time. She had lived a normal life, her parents loved her, not pampered but loved and valued. Yes there were tantrums, yes there were tears, arguments and pain but families are designed to work past that, to overcome the pain, to heal, to forgive and forget.
To love each other no matter what. Blood is thicker than water as the saying goes. Tom, however had come along and had cracked that image. Her family wasn't so perfect, with it's own skeletons in the closet. A big skeleton. Life was never simple.
A fact that irritated logical Hermione to no end. In fact it in infuriated her sometimes that no matter how much you planned or checked or double checked, something always came back and bit you on the arse. Metaphorically speaking of course.
Walking up to her own house had never been more terrifying, especially now she had Uncle Tom walking besides her. She was terrified her family was going to fall apart. She looked at Tom and sighed "Are you ready?"
"Are you ever ready for nuclear bomb?" Tom wise-cracked back, his voice betraying his nervousness. Hermione didn't answer him, instead snorting under her breath as she rapped on the door smartly, her stomach clenched in fear.
A face appeared at the door "Hello Daddy... Can we come in?" Dan Granger paled at the sight of his brother and wordlessly motioned the two in through the front door. Today was the day he'd been dreading for nearly four years after his daughter had received her Hogwarts letter. Today was the day his family would be torn apart. He felt hollow.
Hermione sighed as she watched her father's eyes cloud over in defeat. He thought tom was here to rip the family apart. That wouldn't happen. Dan was her Daddy. No-one else was, and never would be. Dan had nothing to fear from Tom, nothing at all. Walking into the hall the pair slipped off their shoes and Tom hung his cloak up on the hanger on the opposite side of the hall. "In the living room you two" Emma called out, as Hermione and Tom readied themselves for hurricane Emma. It never came. Hermione had never seen her parents so withdrawn, so...dead and tired. Tears sprang to her eyes as she saw these giants in her child-like eyes crumble to dust, to be replaced with these forlorn, dull and defeated figures.
She sobbed and Dan and Emma flinched as though struck "Mummy, Daddy! I love you no matter what! Why won't you just listen! I don't care if Tom is my biological father, but you Daddy are my Daddy and always will be! Always! I love you two can't you see that?" Tears were running down her face, her heart bared for her parents to see. They shattered and the family threw themselves on each other, howls being heard as they wordlessly re-formed the bonds they thought shattered.
Tom stood to one side, uncomfortable in this intimate setting. He turned to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder "Thomas" Dan said, their eyes boring into each others "My brother...do you have any idea how much I've missed you?"
Tom cracked a small grin "Not as much as I missed you, you big lug" The two Granger men wrapped each other in a manly hug, each brother feeling more at ease. Brothers are never meant to be separated. Never. Bonds of brotherhood run deep and far and as both men hugged they felt those bonds renew into something deeper and more meaningful than before. Brothers once more. Tom smiled and his smile faltered as Emma and Hermione approached the pair. They encircled the men in a hug and Tom felt tears well in his eyes. He was part of a family once more.
Some skeletons can destroy a family. This family's skeleton made it stronger. For hours they laughed, made small talk, tortured Tom as he failed miserably at Trivial pursuit, cooked and bonded together. Sensing a good mood Hermione finally decided to bite the bullet.
"Daddy?" She asked sweetly, putting on what her mother called her 'princess' voice. Emma sat upright at attention, the warning signs all there.
"Yes Hermione?" Dan asked, mumbling around his dessert.
Hermione swallowed "Can my boyfriend meet you guys sometime soon?"
Silence descended on the table as three pairs of eyes swivelled to pin Hermione on the spot. Dan swallowed audibly. Hermione grinned, a blush filling her cheeks. "Is that a yes then?"
Again there was silence, until finally Dan managed to sputter out one word, the word every father hates to hear. "B-b-boyfriend?!"
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Three days later, back at the Granger household
"Why do I feel like this is a very bad idea all of a sudden?" Harry asked, earning a small giggle from Hermione "I mean, Dad was telling me all sorts of horror stories about 'meeting the parents', and you know, I'd really like to retain all my limbs..."
Hermione laughed "Oh Sirius was just pulling your leg Harry, relax. I'm sure Daddy will be fine..."
The front door to the Granger's house swung open and Emma smiled at the pair "Are you two going to natter all day or come in? Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes, so plenty of time to chat" Harry swallowed in fear as he followed Hermione's mother inside, taking off his shoes in the immaculate hallway, Hermione mimicking his actions, but with more ease and less fear. "In the dining room dears!" Emma's voice echoed down the hallway and the two trudged into the dining room, Harry feeling a certain empathy with a lamb going to slaughter. Hermione's hand entwined with his and she smiled, planting a small kiss on his cheek for luck as they entered the dining room.
"would you relax Harry?" Hermione asked, sighing theatrically. "Nobody is going to cause you bodily harm in this household."
"I might" Dan's rich baritone made Harry jump as it rang in his ear, as he gulped in fear.
"Daddy..." Hermione threatened, "Me and Mummy warned you about this...remember?"
Dan grunted and folded his arms across his chest "It's a fathers right to scare his daughters boyfriends"
"No it isn't Dan, unless you want your golf clubs fed to the wood chipper..." Emma threatened, standing in the doorway with a tea towel in her hands.
"You wouldn't do that would you darling?" The hard look in Emma's eyes made Dan (wisely) shut up. Grudgingly he stuck his hand out and shook Harry's hand, giving him a critical once over. Dan sniffed "He'll do for my princess" Leaving Harry slightly stunned, an embarrassed Hermione and a spluttering (with rage) wife. "I'll be in the study..." Dan called as he walked out of the dining room, Emma hot on his heels.
Hermione chuckled "Sorry about that...my family is a little mad"
"Guess it runs in the family then eh?" Harry said cheekily, earning a smack on the arm from Hermione, as Emma came down back into the dining room, muttering anatomical impossibilities concerning her darling husband under her breath.
"Everything alright mum?" Hermione asked, grinning at the old family ritual.
"Oh, nothing dear. Just your father being a stubborn ass again" Emma sighed and then her blue eyes focused on Harry, who squirmed under her gaze. "So this is the famous Harry then...my he's quite a specimen isn't he Hermione?"
Her daughter smirked and wrapped an arm around said boy "Yes he is mum...and he's all mine"
Harry cracked a small grin "Yes I am all yours" he said, eyes twinkling.
Emma smiled and then cursed "Hermione? Could you be a sweetheart and get the potatoes out from the oven?" Hermione nodded and vanished into the kitchen, where she could be heard muttering "Where are the bloody oven gloves?" to herself.
Walking nearer to Harry, Emma touched his shoulder, noticing Harry's visible flinch. "Harry, I do approve, but just promise me one thing"
"Anything Mrs. Granger"
"Keep her happy, keep her safe and love her"
Harry smiled "I'll do that Mrs. Granger. I...Hermione means the world to me... I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. She's a very special girl Mrs. Granger and I wouldn't do anything to hurt her" he said seriously.
Emma smiled, just a small twitch of her lips. "Good. I can see you'd do anything for her and love" Harry nodded sheepishly as Hermione came bustling back into the room. Emma smiled and said "Right, dinner will be ready in a few, so sit yourselves down. I'll go and get that misery guts I call a husband"
Emma went out of the room and was heard walking up the stairs. "Everything alright Harry?" Hermione asked, as she wrapped him in a hug.
Harry smiled slightly, his nerves rapidly vanishing. "Never better Hermione...never better"
Dinner went off without a hitch...and even Dan had to admit Harry was the perfect boy for his 'princess' especially since he knew more about the boy than he let on with all those letters he featured in.
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First of September, Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, great hall.
Sirius stood in between the two teens looking at the tall majestic oaken doors that were the entrance to Hogwarts great hall. These doors had been a feature of Sirius's life for seven years, and now he loathed the image. They reminded him of what a failure he'd been to his friends and family. They also reminded him of Dumbledore and he knew the old man was up to something, something that involved his son and that thrice-damned fucking prophecy. Glancing over at his Son, he felt a his chest swell with pride. Harry had come along way with his magic, Hermione too. Together they were lethal and even separately they were still dangerous. They were ready to handle the world and anything it threw at them.
"Ready to go in with a bang?" Sirius asked with a grin.
He received two smirks as three wands were raised.
"Three"
"Two"
"One"
"REDUCTO!"
When Sirius said with a bang, he really meant with a bang...
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And that's that chappie!
Next chapter: Dumbles plots, the 'couple' news and new teachers!
And I leave you with this: Redemption can be fatal. If anyone can figure out which canon character that I'm applying that too...they get a prize...
