Ch. 12 Family
The expulsion of Ronald Weasley turned out to be rather easy. To Harry's surprise, both Madam Longbottom and John Abbott both sat on the Hogwarts Board of Governors, and after watching the Pensive memory, signed his expulsion order right then and there. Harry in a stroke of genius had taken McGonagall aside after the order was signed and suggested that she let the wounded party have the honor of snapping the wand. Harry watched on with satisfaction as Hermione took Ron's wand and held it right in front of his face and snapped it clean in two with a maniacal smile on her face. Ron went to grab the two pieces but before he could reach for them Hermione took out her wand and cast a silent incendio turning the pieces to ash as Ron was dragged out of the school and left at the gates. It never occurred to anyone to call the other Weasleys to have them come and retrieve him.
With that accomplished, Hermione was finally allowed to leave the Hospital wing. Harry looked at the time and saw that it was just now mid-day and most of the group had not eaten breakfast yet. Harry suggested they adjourn to the kitchen for some food and the group followed him to the kitchen. As the group was walking, Harry noticed the Grangers looking around trying to take everything in, from the moving pictures, to the staircases, to the ghosts floating around.
"Hermione, after lunch how about we give your parents a tour of the castle." Harry suggested.
"That's a great idea Harry. I still can't believe you got my parents in. It says in Hogwarts: A History that Muggle Repelling wards are set up so that muggles can't enter the castle."
"It helps that they were accompanied by a wizard, and also we didn't actually go through the wards, but under them. I guess Hogwarts: A History doesn't know everything." He lightly teased his best friend who huffed good naturedly at the poke at her favorite book. The group reached the entrance to the kitchens with Hugh and Jane looking around for a door. Harry saw the wide eyed reaction as their daughter reached up and tickled the pair allowing entrance. Harry led the group to a small table set up and everyone took seats around the table with Harry placing Teddy in his lap.
As soon as they sat down a group of five house elves ran up to them. The lead elf stepped forward and bowed deeply to the group his ears flopping back and forth with his head.
"Master Harry has returned." The elf said in a squeaky voice. "We's honored to serve The Great Harry Potter and his friends. What can we's get for you?"
Harry let out a long suffering sigh. "Great, Dobby must have been a bad influence on the lot of them" he grumbled under his breath. Andromeda's chuckle and Hermione's glare was enough to let him know he didn't say it quiet enough.
"I hope that he was a good influence on them" Hermione said indignantly. "Maybe now they will be more accepting of freedom and not be forced into servitude."
The House Elves around the table turned frightened eyes on Hermione. Harry was sure they were scared that she would start knitting hats for them again and leaving them out for them the find. Harry put a hand on her shoulder in a hope to calm his passionate friend. "I'm sorry, about her my friend." Harry said to the lead elf. "She doesn't realize what she's suggesting. I will explain it to her while we eat. If we can please have whatever you prepared for lunch that would be most wonderful."
The small group of elves scurried off and returned quickly with plates full of food. Hermione quickly turned to Harry face full of indignation. Harry quickly put a hand up to stop her rant. "Hermione, I've been doing a lot of research since we returned from Australia on House Elves. While I agree with you in principle and I always have about SPEW, the truth of the matter is that House Elves need the bond in order to survive."
"But what about Dobby, he was a free elf."
"Actually, he wasn't. He actually bonded to me after I freed him from Malfoy. Kreacher was the one who actually found out while they were tailing Draco back in sixth year. Dobby never told me because he was scared I would free him."
Hermione just stared at him open mouthed for a few minutes trying to process this information. Harry took the opportunity her silence proved to continue the explanation. "House Elves are a symbiotic life form. Their magic is dependent on Wizards, and without that source of magic, they would die. The problem is, and this is one of the things the Lily Potter Foundation will be working on, is the treatment of House Elves."
Harry watched Hermione's face as this new information was processed. "I had no idea about any of that."
Harry smiled at his friend. "That's because in this one instance, you acted like me and jumped in with both feet."
"What is the Lily Potter Foundation?" Hermione asked next.
"We can talk about that later." Jane said. "We convinced McGonagall to allow you to come home for a week. We knew you would want to finish the year out, but we thought that a week home will help you recover." Hermione smiled at her mum and wrapped her arms around her in a grateful hug. "Also, we would like to re-extend the invite for you to come to Switzerland with us this Christmas. Harry is taking his NEWTS and we are making a skiing Holiday out of it."
Hermione's eye seemed to focus on nothing "I think I remember you mentioned that, but Ron didn't like the idea of me going, I guess it was because of Harry." Her eyes seemed to come back into focus "But now that I'm me again, I think that would be brilliant." Hermione smiled and elbowed Harry in the ribs. "After all, someone has to teach Harry how to ski."
The meal continued as conversation flowed around the table. Harry couldn't keep the smile off his face for the whole meal. He had his best friend back, Hugh and Jane had their daughter back and only the fact that Weasley could not be prosecuted marred his mood.
"Andi, I know you said that technically Weasley didn't break any laws, but isn't there something we can do?"
Andromeda wiped her mouth with her napkin and replaced it on the table looking troubled. "Unfortunately there is not Harry, the only way that he could be brought up on charges for what he did to Hermione would be if she was somehow connected to House Potter. You could put her and her family under that protection now, but it can't be done retroactively."
Harry could feel his temper rising. The bigotedness of the wizarding world never failed to amaze him. "I never should have saved that bastards life." Harry ground out.
"Wait, you saved his life?" Andromeda asked quickly catching Harry off guard.
"Yeah, back in sixth year." Harry replied not understanding were this was going.
"Tell me." Harry told her the story about Ron's 17th birthday and drinking poisoned mead. Andromeda sat back and smiled. It was a smile that Harry had never seen on her before. For the first time in a long time, Harry was reminded that Andromeda was Belletrix's sister. "Well now, we might be able to do something."
"What are you talking about Andi?" Hugh asked.
"Weasley owes Harry a Life Debt. In the wizarding world, saving someone's life can have rather drastic circumstances. Depending on the situation, Harry could demand Ron's life to repay the debt. This will take some research." To Harry's amusement, Hermione's face lit up at the idea of research.
"As much as I hate him, I don't think that I want him dead." Hermione said not looking at anybody. Harry reached over and took his hand.
"I understand Hermione." Suddenly, and idea struck Harry and his face broke into a maniacal grin.
"I know that face. Just what are you thinking Harry?" Hermione asked with a little trepidation in her voice. Harry told the group his idea. It was met by smiles by everyone.
LPF
Lunch wrapped up quickly after that and Hermione apologized to the House Elves when they came to clean up the dishes. She couldn't believe how she had acted. She never went off half-cocked before. In the past she always gathered as much information as she could before she did something so drastic. Her mum must have noticed her mood as she put her arm around her supportively.
"Its ok sweetie, we all let our passions run away with us sometimes."
"People tried to tell me that I was wrong, but I always just put it down to pure blood dogma. I never even considered that they might have known something that I didn't." Hermione shook her head ridding the melancholy thoughts. She wasn't going to let that spoil her parents first time at Hogwarts. Smiling she looped her arm around her mum's and dragged her out of the kitchen. "Come on, there is so much I want to show you two before we head home for the week."
She led her parents out of the kitchen followed closely by Harry carrying Teddy and Andromeda. "I think, I will take Teddy home." Andi said as they stepped out of the kitchens. "He will start to get fussy soon." Andi took Teddy from Harry.
"Want me to come with you Andi?" Harry asked. Hermione face fell a little bit at the thought that Harry was leaving already. Andi must have noticed her reaction as she gave her a small smile.
"No Harry, I got Teddy. You stay and you can help Hermione get Hugh and Jane home." Hermione felt her heart swell especially when Andromeda gave her a subtle wink as Harry was saying goodbye to Teddy. When Andromeda started to make her way out Hermione looped her arm around Harry's so she was between her mum and him.
"So where should we go first?" She asked the group.
"How about we start up and work our way down. We can take them to the Gryffindor common room and you can show us the Head Girl Suite. Then we can hit the library." Harry suggested.
The four of them made their way up to the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione introduced her parents to the Fat Lady as she gave her the password. Hermione was thankful that the day was a Hogsmead day and the weather was warm out as the majority of the students were outside. She didn't fail to notice the stares that followed Harry, along with the not so subtle pointing and whispers. Each time she heard someone refer to her friend as "The-Man-Who-Won" or "The-Boy-Who-Lived" she felt Harry's arm flinch. She also saw the concern on the faces of her parents at all the attention Harry was getting. Seeing the reaction of the student body, she finally agreed that Harry made the right choice.
After showing her parents around the Common Room and the Head Sweet, they then went to the library. After some good natured teasing about having to drag Hermione out from the stacks they started to make their way outside. They were about to enter the grounds when the one person she was hoping she wouldn't run into came running up.
"Hey Hermione," Ginny asked. "Have you seen Ron around? Some idiots have started a rumor saying that he was expelled." Ginny then noticed Harry standing beside her. "Oh, hi Harry, it's good to see you. What are you doing here?" She noticed their linked arms and her eyes narrowed. "What is going on?" She turned accusing eyes on Hermione.
Hermione sighed, she really didn't want to have to deal with this now but she saw no alternative. Meeting the angry red heads stare she stood up straight and could feel Harry's arm tighten around hers supportively. "The rumors are true Ginny. Ron was expelled for using a love potion on me. He's been doing it on and off since 6th year."
Hermione saw Ginny pale, her freckles standing out even more on her already light skin. "Love ppotion?" She stammered. Hermione saw her eyes quickly shift to Harry and she knew Harry saw it also as she could feel him tense even more.
"Yes, a love potion." Harry said in a cold voice. Hermione could see his eyes drilling into Ginny's "Unfortunately, there is nothing the law can do since Hermione is a muggleborn. But I wonder what the law says about giving the future Head of Two Ancient and Noble houses a love potion, especially if the culprit owes said person, a life debt."
Ginny paled even further making her complexion almost ghost like. "I'm sure that person would do anything to keep that information from coming out." Ginny stammered in a quiet voice. Harry only nodded. Ginny took that as her queue to leave and scurried off.
"What just happened?" Hugh asked.
"Some more pieces in the puzzle just fell into place." Harry replied. "Unlike Ron, her plan was more straightforward I think. I am guessing that she began to slip me a mild love potion back in sixth year in order for me to 'notice' her." Harry turned to Hermione. "Sound familiar Hermione?"
Hermione felt her eyes widen in shock. "Yes, Mrs. Weasley told us a story about her doing that to Mr. Weasley."
Harry nodded. "Once we started dating though, she stopped dosing me."
"What are you going to do about it?" Jane asked.
"Nothing, she knows we know and we can make her life very difficult. I think we can count on no trouble to our plans coming from her, in fact, I think she might be useful."
"Why Mister Potter, how very Slytherin of you" Hermione drawled.
"Didn't I tell you that was the hat's first choice? Thank God I convinced him otherwise."
The group continued down the law towards Hagrid's hut enjoying the warm October day. When they got to the door, Harry reached up and knocked. Hermione could hear Fang barking inside and Hagrid moving to the door. The half giant opened the door and stared down for a full second before realizing who was at his door step.
"'Arry!"Hagrid almost yelled grabbing Harry and pulling him into a hug the Hermione hoped left at least one rib still intact. "It's good ta see ya."
"Hi Hagrid, have time for tea with some old friends?" Harry asked.
"Always time for you Harry, you know that." Hagrid led them into his small hut. Hermione introduced her parents and what followed was an enjoyable afternoon tea with Hagrid regaling her parents with tales of her and Harry. She had to hold back tears when Hagrid brought up Hedwig. She could see Harry struggling to hold back the tears, but the gentle giant would have none of that. He again drew Harry into a hug, this time without the rib cracking force. When Harry seemed to get his emotions under control, Hagrid reached into a cabinet and pulled out five glasses and a bottle of Fire-Whiskey.
Hagrid poured a little of the smoking liquor into the pewter mugs and handed them out. Hermione noticed concerned looks pass between her parents and they glanced over at Harry who was looking at the cup with an unreadable expression. She remembered her mum saying something about Harry drinking and the concerned looks made sense.
Hagrid noticed nothing though as he lifted his cup. "To Hedwig,"
Harry raised his mug in a shaky hand. "To Hedwig, my first friend, she was with me through thick and thin, suffering the Dursleys right along with me." Everyone else raised their cups and saluted the fallen bird. Harry quickly tossed the drink back. Hagrid went to refill his cup but Harry stood up and set the cup down.
"I'm sorry Hagrid, but we really should be going. I need to get home to help feed Teddy."
"Of course 'arry, come back anytime. It's good to see you again."
"You two Hagrid." Harry shook the big man's hand then hurried out of the hut. Hermione said her goodbyes and followed Harry out. She eyed her friend nervously and could see him struggling with his emotions. She wrapped her arms around him let his head fall on her shoulder. "Shhh," she cooed quietly. "It's ok Harry. Let it out. We never did have time to morn for her did we?" As if her permission was all he needed, Harry began to cry silently on her shoulder. After what felt like an hour but could only have been a minute, Harry's tears stopped and he dislodged himself from Hermione's arms. He gave her a watery smile that she returned. Taking his hand she led him to the down the grounds to the Hogwarts gates followed a little ways back by her parents. When they reached the gates they waited for her parents. When they were together again, she took her mum's hand while Harry took her fathers and they apparated back to her home.
LPF
It was official, Jane did not like apparition, but after such an eventful day she was glad to be home. She saw her husband and Harry pop into existence right next to her Hugh wearing the exact same face that she imagined she had.
"I should be heading home. Teddy refuses to sleep if he doesn't get his bedtime story." Harry said smiling. Jane chuckled.
"You really do spoil that boy Harry."
Harry smiled. "I know, but can you blame me." Jane shook her head still chuckling. She noticed the look her daughter was giving her out of the corner of her eye. Guessing at the meaning, she said a quick goodbye to Harry drawing a promise from him for him and Andi to come around for brunch tomorrow. Taking Hugh's hand she went into the house giving the two teens some privacy, or at least, an illusion of privacy as she peaked through the curtains.
"What's going on?" Hugh asked.
"Hermione wanted some alone time." Jane answered.
"Then why are you spying?" Jane just rolled her eyes at her husband and went back to watching. Hermione was saying something and by the looks of it, it was something rather serious. She could just imagine her daughter biting her bottom lip and could see her hands fidgeting. Whatever was said must have gone over well, as the two teens hugged for a long moment and Jane could see Hermione give Harry a kiss on the cheek before they let go and he apparated away.
Hermione stood in the garden for a full minute apparently watching the spot Harry apparated from. She then turned around and started to walk inside. Jane quickly moved from the window and picked up a book off the coffee table sitting on the couch trying to appear like she wasn't watching. Hermione walked in and looked at her raising her eye brow and crossing her arms.
"I know you were watching mother." Hermione said. "Besides, unless you are reading the Quibbler, books should be right-side up when reading."
Jane looked down and sure enough, the book in her hands was indeed upside down. Cursing quietly she sat the book down and smiled impishly at her daughter. "So what did you two talk about? Whatever it was seemed to go well."
Hermione blushed. "We just talked. I tried to apologize for everything I said over the last two years and not being there for him at the end of the war like I should have been. He wouldn't hear it. He said that he knew it wasn't me but the potion that did those things. He was just happy to have his best friend back again."
Jane couldn't help but smile at her daughter's happiness. "I told you everything will be all right. And did I see you give him a kiss?"
Hermione's face turned scarlet. "It's not the first time I've kissed his cheek, but it was nice. I think he was a little surprised by it, but he smiled none the less and seemed happy about it."
Jane nodded and covered her mouth as she let loose with a jaw cracking yawn. "Well, I guess that means, it's time for me to head to bed." She got up from the couch Hermione mirroring her movements. Jane wrapped her into a tight hug. "I'm so happy to have you back Hermione. Your room is just as you left it. Goodnight sweet heart."
"Night mum, it's good to be home." Jane gave her daughter one last smile before heading off to bed a large smile on her face.
LPF
Andromeda looked up from her book when she heard the door open and saw Harry walk in with a smile on his face.
"Looks like someone had a good afternoon." She commented dryly.
Harry glanced at her his smile never leaving his face. "Over all it was a good evening. I've missed spending time with Hermione and things just seemed to fall right back into place."
Andromeda nodded. She was unsure how she felt about the current situation. On one hand, she was happy that Harry was happy, but on the other, she was worried that now that Hermione was back, he wouldn't need her anymore. She must not have hid her feelings as well as she usually does as Harry came over and sat down on the couch and looked at her worriedly.
"What's wrong Andi?" Harry asked voice full of concern.
"It's silly really." She said fidgeting with her hands "It's just, I'm worried that now that you have your best friend back, you won't need us as much."
Harry wrapped her arm around her and drew her into a hug. "Silly Andi, we're family now and no matter what happens, family sticks together. Or at least, that's what I'm told. Honestly, I don't have much experience with that part but those people I really don't count as family."
Andromeda smiled. "I know, I'm being silly, you're as much a part of my family now as Dora was and Teddy is. I bet he's still awake waiting for you to tell him his story." Harry smiled and nodded heading up to Teddy's room. Andi followed close behind not wanting to miss story time. Harry always seemed to tell the best stories to Teddy. She had no idea where he learned to tell stories the way he did but Teddy seemed to love them.
They walked into the little nursery and sure enough found Teddy still wide awake playing with a stuffed wolf. Teddy looked up and smiled seeing the two of them walk in.
"Dada!" Teddy said holding his arms up for Harry to pick him up. Andromeda was shocked. Teddy's just said his first word. She beamed at the little guy as Harry just stood there speechless. He seemed to recover quickly and picked the little guy up and gave him a hug.
"Good job Teddy," Harry said and Andi could tell he was trying to keep his voice excited and happy for Teddy. "Can you say nana now? NANA."
"Nana" Teddy said happily and pointed to Andi.
"That's right Teddy. What a smart boy. Now it's time for you story." Harry laid Teddy down and tucked him in. What followed was a story of epic proportions. Harry read Teddy a story out of a fiery tail book he had found in a book store. The story was accompanied by sound effects, different voices for different characters and even hand motions. Both Teddy and Andi watched with rapt attention. When the story was finally over, Harry kissed Teddy goodnight as did Andi and the two adults left the room as Teddy fell asleep.
Andi followed Harry downstairs to the kitchen where she fixed a pot of tea for the both of them. Handing Harry the cup she sat at the table with him. "Harry, are you ok?"
"He called me Dada." Harry whispered. "He thinks that I'm his dad."
Andromeda couldn't help but chuckle at the look on Harry's face. "Of course he does Harry. And to him, you are his daddy."
"But Remus…"
"Will always be his father, and we will make sure that when he is older, Teddy knows all about his birth parents. But I am sure you will always be his dad."
Harry nodded, but Andi could still tell he wasn't convinced. "Harry, there is more to being a dad than just supplying the genetic material. To Teddy, you are his daddy. He knows that you love him and will always be there to watch out for him and protect him. That's the difference between a dad and father."
Harry finally smiled and nodded. "I guess never having a dad I will be making it up as I go."
Andromeda laughed. "Oh sweetie, all parents make it up as they go." Both laughed at that. "Just try to think of what Hugh would do and you will be just fine. Plus, I will be their every step of the way." Both sat in companionable silence as they sipped their tea both lost in thought before heading off to bed.
