A/N: Sorry for the delay. My other story was taking my time. Don't own Harry and friends, just this plot.
Chapter 7: Australian VacationHaving told the basics of their lives at Hogwarts, Harry and the Grangers prepared for bed. They had a lot of time to answer questions in detail.
"Mom?"
"Yes dear."
"Harry and I got in the habit of sleeping together and I intend to continue to do so."
"Oh!"
"Mom, you have to understand that we have been through a lot together and there are nightmares. Sleeping together for some reason keeps them away. Harry has been a perfect gentleman so far. I trust him with my life."
"You know your father won't approve."
"I know and I want you to talk to him. I really love Harry and he knows that we aren't ready for more yet."
"Okay, Hermione I'll talk to him, but you can bet he will talk to Harry about it soon."
"Thanks Mom." she kissed her mom on the cheek and went to the room Harry was sleeping in.
"Hermione, what are you doing in here?" Harry asked in surprise as he undressed.
"I'm getting ready for bed."
"Hermione," he whined, "are you trying to get me killed?"
"Harry Potter! The guy who jumped on the back of a mountain troll, kills a basilisk, takes on a dragon and kills the evilest dark lord in history, but your afraid of my father?" She asked in awe.
"That's just it Hermione. He's your father. I could never hurt him."
"Why?" she asked breathlessly.
"Hurting him would be hurting you and I just can't do that."
She walked over and kissed him with all she had in her. "Thank you Harry, but Mom will handle Dad. He may ask you what your intentions are in the morning though. What are your intentions Mr. Potter?"
"Right now, sleep. It's been a long day."
"You're avoiding the question." She chuckled.
He grinned at her, "There are things I have to do before I can answer that question." He said, allowing her to lean back in his arms, looking at her.
"Such as?" she asked in a sultry voice.
"I promise you will be the first to find out. Now, let's go to bed."
The following morning Dan and Emma Granger sat at their table waiting for Harry and Hermione.
"What do you think of Harry?" Emma asked as she sipped her morning tea.
"He's not at all what I expected."
"How so?"
"Even though Hermione told us about him and what she thought of him, I still expected some arrogance. I mean come on, after all he's been through, he should be the cock of the walk, but the young man we spoke with yesterday is anything but. To think of all that he has been through and the way he was raised, it's just hard to believe it was that humble young man. Did you notice how well they fit together?"
"Yes, I did, not just physically either. They work well together. What one lacks the other makes up for. I have no doubt that he will be our son-in-law before long."
"I was thinking the same thing." Dan said with a far away look in his eyes. "I always thought no one would ever be good enough for my little princess. Then, Harry shows up. I don't think she could have done better. You know," he said with a smile, looking his wife in the eye. "I look forward to the day I walk her down the aisle. Do you think he has asked her yet?"
"No, I think there is something holding him back. Maybe by the time we leave for England he will."
The sound of footsteps let them know Harry and Hermione were approaching.
"Morning sleepy heads. Want some breakfast?" Emma asked.
After breakfast, Dan said, "Harry, would you go for a walk with me?"
Harry looked at Hermione, dread in his expression. "Sure Mr. Granger," after Hermione nodded to him.
As they walked about the neighborhood, Harry was nervous and it showed.
"Problem Harry?"
"A little nervous is all, sir."
"About what?"
"Why you want to talk to me, sir."
"It's simple really, Harry. I want to know what your plans are towards my daughter and how far you two have gone. No details, mind you."
"First of all sir, I would like to put your mind at rest as far as our sleeping in the same room. Nothing has happened sexually. We're not ready for that yet. We comfort each other and hold back the nightmares we both have. Second," he hesitated, screwing up his courage, "I would like your permission to ask her to marry me."
"Do you love her?"
"With all that I am." He responded with a look of pure joy.
"Tell me what you think of her."
"Humph. How do you describe perfection? Your daughter is smart, witty, fun, loyal, passionate, and compassionate. I don't think I know enough words to describe her. She's my best friend, a comrade in arms, my tutor, and my conscience."
"Your conscience?" Dan asked, surprise and curiosity evident in his voice.
"Yeah. You know how you hear a voice in your head when you're about to do something and it's telling you if it's right or wrong?"
"I've heard it a time or two," he chuckled. "What about it?"
"Mine sounds like Hermione, has for along time now. I wouldn't be alive now if it hadn't been for her. To tell the truth, I don't know if I could survive without her."
They walked for a while with out saying a word. Dan was deep in thought. "Yes, I give you my permission to ask my daughter."
Harry pumped his fist in the air, "Yes." He screamed. "Thank you Mr. Granger. I promise not to let her down."
"What are your immediate plans?"
"Well, like Hermione said, we need to be back the last week of August to get our books and supplies for school, but other than that we had planned on spending what time we had after finding you, with you. I wanted to get to know you and let you get to know me. Then I was going to ask you about marrying her. I guess I got ahead of myself."
"That sounds like a great idea. Give us a couple of days to let our partners know we are leaving and then we'll vacation together here before we go back to England."
"Mr. Granger?"
"Please call me Dan since you're about to be my son-in-law."
"Dan, can you get us reservations at a really nice restaurant before we leave here?"
"Romantic dinner for two, so you can propose, Harry?"
"Actually, Dan, I was thinking of dinner for four. Don't you think it would be more memorable for her if her parents were there for her?"
"What a very rare creature you are, Mr. Potter. Do you have a ring?"
"I have two for her to choose from. Why did you call me a rare creature?"
"I called you a rare creature because almost any other chap would want to be alone with the girl in question in case she said no."
"I never thought of that. You don't think she will do you?" he asked nervously.
"No Harry. I can almost guarantee she will say yes. But then again, she is a woman and any man that says he understands them or knows what they are thinking is either a liar or crazy. Another reason I said that is because most lads wouldn't have thought about her feelings that way. Why do you have two rings?"
"I wanted to give her a choice since we aren't picking it out together. One I bought with her in mind, the other is my mother's ring. It has been handed down for generations."
"I like you Harry. I think I'll keep you." Dan said as he put one arm around his shoulder for a quick hug as Harry blushed.
"Thanks Dan."
Since it was a Saturday, they spent the rest of the day sightseeing and small talk. They took the time to find out each other's likes and dislikes. The Grangers found Harry didn't have many as he was denied the experience to find out what he liked. The Grangers now had a new mission, give Harry a chance to see what he missed out on growing up. They went to the cinema and toy stores, bookstores that didn't have schoolbooks. Harry even bought a few. Dan introduced him to the local pub and taught him how to play billiards and drink ale. They found out much to their dismay, Harry can't sing when drunk.
"Harry, what were you trying to sing last night when dad brought you home?" Hermione asked sweetly.
Harry lay in bed with his arm across his eye, "Do you have to speak so loud, Hermione? My head is killing me. Was I singing? I don't remember much of last night. Remind me never to go drinking with you dad again."
All too soon, their time in Australia was coming to a close.
"Dan, do you have everything set for tonight?"
"Yes. Emma will take Hermione dress shopping this morning and the beauty parlor this afternoon. Our excuse not to be with them is I'm introducing you to golf."
"You'd make a good Marauder. You are devious."
"I've pulled a prank or two in my time. Come on let's find a pub to pass the time."
"No ale. I need my wits about me today. It's too important to mess up."
"I promise, Harry, no ale or any other alcohol. You're right this is too important."
At seven that evening, a sober but very nervous Harry was waiting on Hermione and Emma to emerge from the bedroom for their all important dinner date. When they finally come into the living room Harry's jaw hit the floor.
"Well say something Harry." Hermione stood there biting her lip.
Harry shook his head. "Hermione, words can't describe the vision of beauty that stands before me. I thought you were beautiful at the ball but that pales in comparison."
"Harryyy. I'm not that pretty."
"Hermione, have I ever lied to you?"
"No."
"Than trust me, you are a goddess. Your father and I will have to beat the other guys away when we go out tonight." He walked over to her and extended his right hand. "My lady, will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to diner?"
"I would be delighted to, kind sir." She giggled as she took his hand. He placed her right hand in the crook of his left arm and strode to the door. Dan and Emma could only smile at their antics.
Dinner was at a very up scale restaurant and they fit in very well. More than a few men ogled both Hermione and Emma.
After dinner, Harry got up, "Would My Lady care to dance?"
"Yes I would kind sir."
As they turned to walk to the dance floor, Harry winked at Dan. It was a prearranged signal between them.
"Emma, shall we join them on the dance floor?"
"What's going on Dan?"
"You'll see." He replied with a glint in his eye and a smile on his face.
Half way through the dance, while Dan and Emma were close by, Harry stopped and got down on one knee.
"Hermione Jane Granger, would you do this lowly lad the honor of becoming his wife?" he asked as he held her left hand between his. By now most of the people on the dance floor had stopped to witness the event.
With tears of joy in her eyes, "Yes Harry, I would be honored to be your wife."
Harry retrieved the box from his pocket and opened it. "Choose which ring you would prefer." One had a diamond with two small emeralds and the other had and emerald as the main setting with two brown gems. She picked the latter.
After he slipped the ring on her finger, he stood and kissed her amid the cheers and clapping of the people around them.
After returning to their table, she had to ask. "Why two rings, Harry? Either one had to cost a fortune."
"One I picked out and the other was a family heirloom passed down for generations. My mother was the last to wear it. You my dear lady picked the one I hoped you would. The family ring."
"You should have just offered the family ring, Harry."
"No, Hermione, I will always give you a choice. We are equals, you and I, and I will never take away your right to choose."
"Thank you Harry. You don't know how honored I feel to wear this ring."
They danced until well past midnight. Several people stopped by their table to say how romantic his proposal was and admire her ring.
"Thank you, Dan for helping me set up the perfect evening." Harry told Dan after the returned to their home in Sydney.
"I did it as much for her as I did for you, Harry. The look on her face and in her eyes was worth all the effort."
Two days later found them on a flight back to England.
A/N: Next; Kreacher, the Weasleys, Epilog
