Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Predator, I just write for fun!
A week on and Hermione breathed a pain free breath with a sigh of relief, both her and Harry's final medical procedures had gone without any complications and the two were as healthy as before they had fought the werewolf.
Harry had told Hermione his decision regarding Remus and their family which she was in full agreement with, much as Sirius had pleaded his case afterwards both she and Harry stuck to their demands. If Remus wanted to be near them then he had to accept the guards. That the man wouldn't even consider it was his downfall in her eyes.
Now though, late in the afternoon after their last scans they were heading back to their quarters having sent a message ahead via Fleur's Arm-Comp to let her and the girls know, more to reassure Luna than anything, as even though she'd been told they were coming home today, with her past, the little blond had come to expect the good things to be taken from her.
They walked into their quarters and Hermione watched as Harry was immediately attacked by a missile dressed in a blue swimsuit with a blond warhead.
"DADDY!" Luna squealed as he lifted her up with a big smile holding her above him spinning.
Hermione looked about the room and smiled. There were welcome home banners about the room with what looked to be bright coloured paper chains about the walls, and on the table was a cake with 'Welcome Home' written on it with icing.
Sat at the table were her parents and Mark-sib smiling at the little reunion when Hermione felt a sudden weight on her back as two little legs came about her waist and Hermione moved to hold them so Luna didn't fall.
"Hey Babygirl." Hermione said with a smile as she felt completely happy for the first time since the fight. If you looked around you could still see the evidence of the struggle, there was the new shelf put in from when Remus had smashed her against the old one, and in the wall opposite there was now a permanent imprint from where Harry's shoulder had collided with it.
Going over the table she swung a giggling Luna around to be lifted up from her by Qu'Illaa while Na'Leth got up and quickly approached pulling both her and him into a gentle embrace.
"You are completely healed?" He asked.
Hermione smiled as she nodded.
"Fully, the Medic doesn't want us on the response rota for another two days while we spend a few hours in re-honing our reflexes sparring, but after that until our World Tour in the middle of April now we'll be fine."
Her father nodded and guided them to the table where they sat around it, Gabrielle making little signs to Fleur and Luna, who had picked up sign-language with amazing speed.
While Harry sat next to her his hand about her shoulders as she leaned into him.
Looking around she smiled, this was all she needed really, her family around her.
"Mummy try the cake I baked it with Aunty Fleur and Gabby's help!" Gabby waved her hands in the air smiling in 'surrender' shaking her head. Even she admitted cooking and her didn't mix.
Hermione smiled as she cut a few slices of the cake and passed them round before taking a bit.
She had to admit it was one of the best cakes she'd ever eaten.
"Thank you Babygirl it's delicious." She said with a grin.
Luna blushed a little hiding behind Fleur while Hermione mouthed 'Thanks' to Fleur.
The rest of the evening went quietly as Hermione just enjoyed being back home.
A couple of hours later her parents got up having to leave to take their shift on the bridge.
Smiling Hermione stood to give her mother a hug as they left.
"I'll see you tomorrow Daughter." Qu'Illaa said quietly before leaving after her embrace.
Hermione smiled and nodded as her mother left.
"And on that note I think it's your shower-time Babygirl." Hermione said moving round and lifting Luna into her arms as she finished.
"but Mummy! Bedtimes after that!" Luna tried to argue even as Hermione started heading down the corridor, spotting Gabrielle following.
"Yes, but if you're good Mummy will let you stay up a little later." Hermione said as they entered Luna's and Gabrielle's room.
"Really?" Luna asked smiling. Hermione nodded. "Only another 30 minutes, but then it will really be bedtime." Hermione said setting Luna down as Gabrielle came up and tugged on her hand.
Looking down Hermione heard her tiny whisper.
"Me too?" Kneeling down Hermione met Gabrielle's shy gaze as she answered. "I'll ask your Mother, but I don't see it being a problem this once." She said as Gabrielle smiled.
She made a quick sign with her hand that Hermione recognised as 'Thank you' before running into the washroom dragging Luna behind her.
Chuckling Hermione went to the little clothes chest and pulled out two sleep shirts, Fleur had told her that Luna and Gabrielle now shared everything except Luna's armour and weapons. The same went for Gabrielle with her little dagger.
Once the shirts were set out she headed back into the living room and collapsed, lying down along the couch, her head in Harry's lap as she spoke while he gently started stroking the skin of her stomach over the tiny mark left from her liver replacement.
"Hmm you have about 100 cycles to stop that." She murmured – since the surgery that had become a hyper-sensitive area of her skin and whenever stroked helped to relax her.
"Oh Fleur, I've said Luna can have an extra half an hour up after her shower, Gabrielle wants to stay up with her if that's ok." She said as she watched Harry scrolling through a Screen-Comp one handed, his other hand now just generally roaming her skin, navel to neck. Something she found even more relaxing.
"Yez, but I take it eet iz juzt for tonight?" Hermione smiled as she answered in the affirmative as Fleur came over to the couch.
She lifted her legs to let Fleur sit in the other corner before dropping them back across the French woman's lap as Fleur carried on reading her book, passing one to Hermione.
Shrugging her shoulders Hermione turned it over to read the blurb on the back and was intrigued at what she read.
Turning back to the front she opened the book and got lost in a world without space travel or even technology, following the main character as he fought with his double headed war-axe inside a three ring walled city.
After a short time she heard the little patter of Luna's and Gabrielle's feet as they came in running over to them holding a box with what looked to be a picture of a unicorn in a garden glade.
She watched as the two got settled on the floor and started to put together a jigsaw puzzle, that was obviously the image on the box.
Smiling she tapped a couple of buttons on the back of Harry's screen-comp as he'd fortunately grabbed a double-sided one, and set a little alert to let her know when 30 minutes were up – even though she was sure the girls had extended their shower time to try and stretch their late night, she went back to her book and carried on reading for a while.
Hermione closed her eyes and napped until a little double beep came from Harry's screen-comp and Hermione carefully swung her legs around as she sat up, before looking to the girls and smiled, albeit with some sadness. At some point the two had fallen asleep and Gabrielle had her arms about Luna once again, seeming even in her sleep holding on to her for protection, it was a cute little scene that would have been perfect if it wasn't for how it truly looked like Gabrielle had her head hidden behind Luna's shoulder.
She sighed as she looked to Fleur with a raised eyebrow.
"When zis 'appenze I zimply levitate zem to zeir room." Fleur said with a smile, Hermione nodded and watched as Fleur cast the spell before getting up and heading to their room, pulling the thin sheet back so it wasn't in the way when Fleur gently set the girls onto the bed.
Gently tucking them in Hermione tucked stray strands behind ears as Fleur tuned on the nightlight and monitor.
"Zey both ztill zometimez 'ave night terrorz – Gabrielle more zo." Fleur said quietly as they headed out. Getting back to the living room Hermione turned and hugged Fleur as she spoke.
"Thank you, for looking after Luna so well." Fleur smiled. "I could do no lezz, Luna iz my zizterz daughter, non?" Hermione smiled nodding before heading back to the couch, instead of lying down though sat on Harry's lap wrapping her arms about his neck as she gently kissed him resting her head on his shoulder after.
"I'm tired, gonna sleep here. Carry me to bed when you're done?" She asked quietly, none of the warrior she was showing, simply the woman that was tired.
She felt a gentle kiss to her head as Harry whispered.
"Rest now my Heart." And closed her eyes, not waking until Harry lifted her in his arms and carried her to bed.
-0-
The next morning Hermione woke up sore and sticky but with a huge smile.
There was one place where coupling was forbidden, only one, and she'd just spent three weeks there. When she'd spoken to the medic just before he'd let them go he'd admitted he'd kept them back two more days than necessary, knowing what they would do the first night back with them both having a higher than normal coupling drive, so he wanted to be sure they wouldn't hurt themselves.
Getting up she let out a bit of a groan as she peeled herself from the sheet. Looking down to it she grinned ruefully, it definitely needed changing, and not for the first time she thanked the fact the ship was hot enough that they didn't bother with a cover sheet or anything.
She looked up at the sound of movement to see Harry coming out the washroom, his braids still a little damp as he buckled on his weapon belt.
Smiling she stood and went to the washroom as he grinned at her.
"Smug aren't you?" She said at the doorway. Harry simply chuckled as he answered holding his hands up.
"Hey as long as you're happy." Hermione sighed feeling a goofy smile across her face as she answered him with a quick peck on the lips, she didn't want to kiss him fully while she still had morning breath.
As they broke apart she headed into the washroom and quickly showered and brushed her teeth before coming back out, groaning at the sight of the bed. Harry had 'changed' the sheet, but for the life of him he could not tuck in corners.
She quickly fixed the tucking job with a sigh before grabbing her weapons belt.
Heading out she smiled at the sight, as the girls had missed 'Story time' last night they'd convinced Harry somehow to read them a story this morning.
He was currently sat at the table reading one of Luna's 'Wendy Witch' books to them. Chuckling she came up behind him draping her arms over his shoulders as she crossed them infront of him resting her chin on his head, following the story as he read, when he got to the end of the chapter she spoke up.
"Come on, breakfast time." Harry nodded as he closed the book marking the page.
"Aww Mummy it was just getting interesting!" Luna pouted.
"Well then, you know it'll be really interesting tonight then don't you." Hermione said slipping into the chair next to Harry's plating up her bowl of fruit.
"But I want to hear the story now!" Luna demanded sitting back with her arms crossed.
"Luna, 'ou don't mizbehave like zis normally, what iz zee matter?" Fleur asked her, Hermione too had seen something in Luna's 'glare' that said this was more than a missed story which is why she hadn't even tried to discipline her this time, Harry too it seemed had spotted it.
Both seemed to be relying on the trick their own mother had used on them, letting their tantrums run until the truth came out, and then dealing with that.
Luna looked to the floor as she mumbled. "Just want Daddy to read a bit more,"
"Would eet 'elp eef I read eet?" Fleur asked quietly.
"No – It's got to be daddy!" Luna pouted, causing Hermione to get up and move around the table to crouch next to Luna.
"Babygirl, what is it? What's really the problem." She asked seeing Luna's lower lip quivering slightly as her grey eyes seemed to fill with unshed tears.
"I just want you or Daddy to read a bit more – that's all" Luna said quietly. Hermione reached forwards cupping Luna's face with her hands, brushing the now falling tears with her thumbs.
"Why can't Aunty Fleur?" Hermione asked quietly.
Luna looked to the floor shaking her head free as she looked away.
"Babygirl, are you worried that if Daddy or I stop we won't come back?" Hermione asked quietly, now pretty certain this was due to their extended stay in the medical bay.
Luna didn't answer, only her shoulders shaking more gave any hint that Hermione was close to the mark.
"You're worried Daddy won't ever finish the story?" Luna gave a tiny sob and nearly collapsed to the floor, would have done if not for Hermione catching her.
She held the now sobbing little girl close as she stood going over to the couch where Harry quickly joined her and Luna, wrapping his arm about her shoulder's while his free hand gently rested on Luna's back.
Fleur had held Gabrielle back and was busy whispering to the girl while Hermione simply held Luna close while she cried.
Eventually Luna's sobs settled to little hiccoughs and Hermione was fairly confident she would be heard.
"Luna, you and I both know with what Mummy and Daddy do we can't promise that won't ever happen right?" Luna let out a second tiny sob as her little head nodded.
"But what we can promise you is this, even if we are in the medical bay for a long time again, we will always read to you every day when we're home."
"P – Promise?" Luna's little voice asked in a tone not heard in months, here was a little girl scared of losing everything good in her life again.
Hermione gently leaned her head down to kiss the crown of Luna's head as Harry's quiet voice spoke. "Yes Little One, we promise." He said. Hermione held Luna for a little while longer not caring that they would be late going shopping, helping their daughter past this fear was far, far more important in her eyes.
Hermione was relieved that they'd all managed to spot the signs of Luna trying not to let her fear show and not mistook it for one of her normal tantrums.
It made Hermione wonder how many parents made that mistake. It took a while but eventually Luna calmed down and was willing to let Hermione go and wash her milk-gland from where Luna had cried all over her and take Luna to wash her face of the traces of her tears and upset.
"There now, better Babygirl." Luna sniffed a little and although still looking a little sad nodded as Hermione lifted her up to settle her on her hip. She somehow knew Luna would need to keep her close today.
The group made their way to the teleport room and arranged to be Teleported down to Diagon Alley standing on the pad she had to let Luna down to be sure her weapon belt was properly secured before taking Luna's hand and nodding to the Teleport operator she was ready.
Once the group had all signalled their readiness the operator sent them down.
They re-appeared just by the Apparition point and the family headed out, Harry and Hermione were in their usual attire of just their belts and sheaths, Luna had really taken to wearing either tight fitting clothes that 'were good to move in' or dresses much like her little cocktail dress from the Yule Ball on her outings to places like here or Hogsmead every few days.
Today she was wearing a tight blue top, along with a pair of jeans and flat shoes, along with her weapons and wrist sheaths.
Gabrielle was just in her normal jumper and skirt combination, wearing the belt Luna had given her for her dagger. Fleur had been tempted to go 'au natrale' herself wearing just a choker charmed to keep her warm but decided against it for now.
She was wearing a tight white 'top' that consisted of two thin strips of fabric, coming from a white collar, one vertical over each breast, leaving much of the flesh on display, meeting a thin white 'belt' of fabric about an inch below her navel, and a tight pair of white leather jeans, and white boots to match.
Her Hair had been pulled back into a simple tail. She would have been freezing had she not employed warming charms on her 'top' as the whole outfit was just those four strips of cloth.
The group headed into Twilfit and Tattlings an Hermione went with Fleur immediately to the 'muggle' rack, pulling various lengths of unused fabrics out when the owner of the establishment came up to them.
"May I help you?" She asked.
Smiling Fleur nodded as she answered. "We are looking at getting zome tube tops and tight denim zhortz for my friend 'ere. She nodded to Hermione.
"Well we don't currently do the tops, however the shorts we do have," Turning to Hermione direct she spoke.
"Would you prefer Baggy tight or fitted?" Acknowledging Fleur as the expert here she nodded back to her.
"eet would 'ave to be fitted. Ze clothez zey cannot 'brush' 'er zkin wiz movement." The woman nodded.
"Miss, may I cast a spell on you to get your measurements please." She asked eyeing the various daggers with slight apprehension.
Hermione nodded and held out her arms letting the woman get the necessary readings.
As soon as she was done she turned again to Fleur.
"For the top I would suggest a fabric the Muggles are calling 'Lycra' eets stretchy but doesn't cause discomfort when worn.
Fleur nodded remembering the material herself before thinking of something.
"Ermione, will 'ou truzt me on zomezing?" Hermione shrugged before nodding and Fleur turned back to the woman.
"Alzo can 'ou make five zets of black zkintight leather trozters and fitted leather tops wiz matching bootz and glovez.
The woman nodded quickly getting Hermione's full measurements as she raised an eyebrow to Fleur.
"Zho 'ou don't ztand out too much in zee colder countriez." Hermione nodded before looking to Harry to step forwards.
"I'm much simpler, I'll need the same number of leather outfits as my LifeMate, and for the warmer climes at least three pairs of swimming trunks.
Hermione smiled a little as she saw the woman stutter to a halt at the sight of him as he fought his own frustration down.
Turning back to Hermione he grimaced – "I see what you mean; a lot of men tend to go 'stupid' at the sight of a body part? And women around me? I just don't get it."
"Deeferent culture 'Arry, deeferent culture." Fleur said.
Harry nodded before he frowned.
"Hang on, why are we getting all the clothes here, I thought we were getting something we could wear today to go out to the non-psionic city." Fleur nodded.
"Oui we are, I juzt 'ad ze thought while 'ere at leazt get zome clothez I know will eef not be comfortable, at leazt endurable for 'ou." Harry nodded before turning back when the lady returned.
"Here, that'll be 450 Galleons." Harry didn't even bat an eyelid as he pressed his ring to the bill while Hermione grabbed a set of the dark red fitted leather's and quickly dressed, she was pleasantly surprised at just how comfortable they were, even the fitted breast cups didn't even give her the sensation of being so much touched as supported.
It still made her tingle inside her skin though, and she knew she'd be much happier once back out of it, but she realised Fleur had been right, they were at least endurable.
Harry too had pulled on a black set, as they both pulled their weapons belts and sheaths back on.
Hermione knelt down infront of Luna who had a little pout on her face.
"Hey Babygirl what's wrong?" She asked her quietly.
"Can I have an outfit like that Mummy? But in my blue?" Hermione smiled as she lifted Luna up and turned to the lady who'd served them.
"Sorry but can we get five more of those leather outfits in Luna's size, one of them preferably in light blue?"
"Okay." And she quickly took Luna's measurements before heading out to the back room.
It didn't take long before she returned with the new set and Luna had a wide smile on her face as she was holding Hermione's hand as they left the store before quickly heading out to Muggle London, activating the camouflage on her weapon belt, reminding Luna and Gabrielle to do the same, Harry having already done his.
Hermione had yet to experience shopping on a scale of this, and soon found she didn't care too much for it, what kept her going and moving though was the wide smile and bright eyes of the two youngest in their group.
seeing those smiles would be worth anything she thought.
Harry's arm hardly left her waist that day as they strolled through the stores.
At one point though Hermione had to restrain Harry, it looked like he was contemplating buying everything in one section of the store to keep Luna's smile going.
As they were passing one store Hermione looked in the window at a row of white dresses and seeing the prices snorted.
"Harry, you know we said no to a wedding as we didn't need a ceremony and a piece of paper." She said catching his attention from watching the girls as they along with Fleur had gone into another toy store.
"Yes?" She pointed at the dress that shocked her.
"They're charging the equivalent of 7,500 pure gold's there for one dress for – a day. One day." Harry just shook his head as he guided Hermione away and into the toy shop to join the other three.
"easy my Heart, remember, different culture. I daresay had we been raised on earth fully that you would want a wedding and a dress like that."
Hermione grimaced.
"Glad I wasn't, I'd probably not have been able to fight as well as I do now, that and the humans and their – moralities, I can't wrap my head around them."
Harry slowly nodded as they headed away from the shop before they spotted a large art shop. Hermione spotting Harry's thoughtful gaze groaned inside. She'd avoided getting all the toys in the one store but knew that trying not to let Harry buy everything now was a wasted cause. It didn't matter that they were supposedly shopping for things when they went on holiday, Harry was rightly proud of their Daughter's artistic abilities and encouraged them whenever he could.
"Go on Harry, you won't be happy unless you do." Hermione sighed watching as her LifeMate went in, Luna quickly racing in after him, Hermione watched through the window as Harry went up to the counter with Luna Hermione watched turning to Fleur as he handed his card from Gringotts over.
"Three… Two… One." Hermione counted down, and right as she finished the 'one' an ecstatic Luna launched herself at Harry.
Hermione gave a small smile, shopping for a holiday or no, that smile was worth the diversion.
-0-
Two days later and the group were all in a Travel-Pod, Harry looked back over his shoulder with a smile at the sight while waiting for permission to depart.
There on the long back seat were Luna and Gabrielle. Luna had on her Screen-Comp a copy of the sign language text and was going through signs with Gabrielle, not only trying to read them, but also sign them, the two had turned it into some sort of secret code between them even though Gabrielle had started talking more when just the Family were around.
On the other side of Gabrielle was Fleur who was sat reading a book already, about combat magic in close quarters. To his left was Hermione, she'd just finished making sure the pod was secure. They were travelling down tonight to their first stop.
Disneyland Florida.
Through Fleur they had booked a large family suite and would be staying for a few days.
As they would be in some non-magic public areas, after checking the local temperatures, Harry had donned a tight muscle vest and a pair of exercise shorts with 'flip-flops' as Fleur called them. Hermione was wearing a simple denim shorts and red bikini top, while Fleur had gone for a white skinny jeans and bikini top combination, while the two kids in the group had gone with simple T-shirts and shorts with trainers.
All their weapons were stored in the back as they didn't feel they would be necessary while travelling. The only exception to this had been Gabrielle, she had gone into a near panic when asked to pass over her dagger.
As soon as they received clearance Harry guided the Travel-Pod out and down, bringing it to a stable 'hover' above the resort.
5 minutes later saw the four of them teleport down to the main walkway up to the entrance, but out of the way enough no one would see them simply appear.
Fleur had hold of a very excited Gabrielle and Luna had run up and grabbed hold of Harry's hand tightly, glancing down he smiled to see her wide eyed expression as they approached the main doors. Going in it didn't take them long to check in before they were shown up to their suite in the hotel. He was sure they were going to enjoy themselves.
-0-
A week on and the group walked back into the room, Hermione collapsing on the couch with a sigh even as she removed her bikini top and shorts leaving herself bare, she still couldn't feel comfortable in clothes even after a week, it always felt constricting as if someone was restraining her.
Looking up she spied Fleur in her room stripping as well, the French woman had quickly adapted well to this part of the Yautja culture.
The girls were off on a group swim, and Luna had been instructed that should anything happen to press that spot on her wrist hard – she'd had a sub-dermal tracker and emergency beacon placed there, that was linked to her and Harry's Arm-Comps.
Getting up Hermione went into hers and Harry's room and lay down on her front on the bed, an afternoon nap was just what she needed.
It was about an hour later though when she was woken up by Luna bouncing onto the bed.
"Hi Mummy!" She said with a big grin looking to the side as Hermione opened an eye.
"Hey Babygirl, what you doing back so soon." Luna rolled onto her back with a sigh.
"Everything the group wanted to do me an' Gabby already did. Do you know how boooooring it is when you've done it already!?" Chuckling Hermione sat up looking down to the frustrated face of her daughter.
"Oh and how bad can it be?" She asked with a grin.
"It's bad Mummy." Luna said looking up to her, "It's like every day is no pudding day!" A little giggle from the doorway made Hermione take a quick glance to see little Gabrielle stood there with a hand muffling her laughter.
"Well it's a good thing it is pudding night tonight then isn't it." Hermione said as she got up with a smile, internally resigning herself that her long afternoon nap was a bust.
Luna soon got up with her a big smile on her face as they headed into the little sitting room of their suite. Harry was off getting a surprise from on the Spear with Fleur for Gabrielle – a surprise that Luna had asked to give her. After checking with Fleur they had said yes. Then there had been Gabrielle's request as well that the group were happy to allow.
"Well let's go and get the packing in your room finished, we've got our next destination to go to soon." Hermione said with a smile.
"Ooooh where we going?"
Looking to Gabrielle Hermione smiled. "I can't tell you yet, but I promise you'll enjoy it Babygirl." Hermione said as they stepped into the two girls shared room.
Looking about Hermione's mouth dropped open.
The room was cleaner than how they kept their room up on the ship! Considering the mess it was in yesterday it was an impressive clean-up.
"Surprise mummy – we cleaned up and packed ready last night!" Luna said with a smile.
"I can see that." Hermione said with a smile as she went and picked up Luna's and Gabrielle's packed crates for on the pod. The two girls had only left out a single change of clothes for in the morning.
Hermione took the crates back out to the balcony and set them down in the middle of the sitting room before tapping on her Arm-Comp a couple of times and they disappeared in a flash of light teleporting up to the spear.
Glancing back to the girls Hermione checked the time and smiled.
Something that Gabrielle had insisted on while on holiday unless they were out, was Luna's weapon's practice.
While keeping a safe distance so as not to be hurt, Gabrielle would be able to sit there for ages just watching Luna practice.
"Okay Babygirl, seeing as you're here instead of out there, sword practice." Luna's grin and Gabrielle's little smile said Hermione had got it right.
"You two wait here a couple of minutes." Hermione said, heading into hers and Harry's bedroom, more specifically to the trunk at the foot of their bed where Hermione had put the practice weapons.
Getting two short blades that was the practice versions of Luna's except that they couldn't cut, Hermione headed back into the sitting room and passed one to Luna before moving to stand opposite her.
"Okay Luna? Ready?" Luna whose face had gone totally serious nodded.
The minute she did Hermione went on the attack, stepping forwards only for Luna to drop-roll away, coming up and catching her sword with the flat of her blade, diverting the overhead strike, before she returned with a sweep of the edge that made Hermione have to jump to dodge the blade continuing her spin, Luna brought the sword up to try catch Hermione's side.
Moving the sword she held across to block Hermione frowned.
"Back foot Babygirl – you're off balanced. Too much force back right now and your ankle would give."
Little Luna glanced back and saw what Hermione meant and sighed.
"Why can I never get it right Mummy? I always end that spin wrong." Luna said disappointed.
Frowning a bit Hermione called 'break' so they would both back up a little.
Once away Hermione went to sit on the couch before she spoke.
"Okay show me what you're doing Babygirl. Ankle slice spin into torso slash." Luna moved to the middle of the room and pulled of the move and immediately Hermione spotted the problem. As soon as Luna started the shot for the ankles she moved both feet to face forwards.
Okay Babygirl, why do you move your bracing foot?" Hermione asked knowing Luna didn't do anything without a reason.
"If I don't my knee hurts." Hermione nodded. "Okay, I'll have the medic run a scan on the knee, it shouldn't hurt for a simple brace like that." Luna nodded as Hermione stood moving back to opposite her Daughter.
"Okay Babygirl, let's go." Hermione said with a smile as Luna went on the attack. Hermione saw all too much the little mistakes Luna was making that only time and experience would work out.
She couldn't help but be proud of her though, Luna was top in her class, holding down her own younglings class and keeping pace with her and Harry in learning Psionics.
Stunted emotional and physical growth or not, they hand an exceptionally intelligent and determined little girl for their daughter.
Hermione was shocked when she felt a slight graze to her inner thigh and looked to see Luna had used her tiny size to her advantage, and ducked under instead of blocking a blow, bringing her own practice blade up in an 'Amputation strike.'
Hermione felt the smile threatening but held off until they had withdrawn to their 'safe stands' before waving the spar to a close and quickly taking Luna's practice blade and putting it away before swooping the little blond up with a big smile.
"That was brilliant Babygirl, I can't wait to see what you can do in a couple of years." Hermione said swinging Luna in a big circle as the blond laughed, Gabrielle having stayed by the door safe was adding her own little claps as Hermione set Luna down.
"Now you two go on and play, we'll be leaving in the morning, a quick stop up to the Spear before we head to our next destination." She finished with a wink to Gabrielle that Luna couldn't see.
The next morning they quickly checked out the hotel and headed down the road until they came to a hidden alleyway and headed up there, waiting until no one could see them Harry tapped his Arm-Comp activating the transport on the pod, disappearing them up in a flash of light.
As soon as they were on and settled they moved to head up to the spear as Gabrielle and Luna were chatting quietly in the back while Fleur was reading a book – again.
As soon as they were docked Hermione took Luna straight to the medical bay and set her on the scanner.
"Remember you need to lie completely still for this okay?" She said quietly as Luna nodded while Hermione turned the Scanner on as the Medic came over.
Switching to Yautja Hermione spoke to the medic.
"Possible Lock-knee, she can't brace with her foot at an angle.
The medic nodded before looking at the screen and frowning slightly before giving a sigh.
"Luna has somehow trapped a tendon under her knee cap. How she's managed this when they don't go near it.
The medic looked to Luna with a questioning gaze whilst Hermione's held more than a touch of concern as she took her Luna's hand, helping her to sit up before placing her hands on Luna's shoulders.
"Babygirl – there's only one way the tendons move like that – tell me you weren't practicing the advanced hand to hand combat moves you saw me and your Daddy doing once." Luna looked to the floor avoiding Hermione's eyes as she spoke.
"I just wanted you and Daddy to be happy with me. Show I can be a good fighter, a good Daughter."
Hermione closed her eyes as she swallowed around the lump in her throat. Even now months on, Luna would sometimes revert to the shy, scared little waif they first met on the train.
Opening her eyes she took a seat next to Luna and lifted the tiny girl onto her lap, resting Luna's head against her shoulder as she spoke.
"Babygirl, even if you didn't want to be a fighter, hunter or any of those things, Daddy and I would still be proud of you, you are a beautiful little girl with a good heart. You don't have to push yourself this hard." She said quietly as Luna cuddled into her.
"R – really?" Her quiet voice answered.
Lifting her chin up so Luna's grey eyes had to meet her amber, Hermione continued.
"Really, that it's something you actually like to do is a bonus, I promise."
Luna nodded with a small smile as she said, "Thank you Mummy." Hermione looked to the medic switching languages as she spoke.
"How bad?"
The medic grimaced behind his mandibles as he answered.
"I will need her leg pulled and held straight at tension, before inserting a probe and pulling the tendon back, unfortunately I cannot use painkillers until after the procedure. I would suggest we put her to sleep through it. She should be up and walking in three hours, and have full movement by the morning." Hermione nodded turning back to Luna.
"Luna Babygirl, the medic is going to put you to sleep and fix your leg okay? You'll be a little bit sore tonight, but the sore feeling will be gone in the morning." Luna nodded as she spoke.
"Will you hold my hand while I go to sleep?" Hermione smiled as she nodded.
"Yes Babygirl I will." Hermione said with a reassuring smile as she picked Luna up and took her through to the anaesthetic room and set her down on the bed there, taking her hand and as the medic slowly put Luna to sleep.
Once sure she was out Hermione let him take her through to the surgery room after he told her he would contact her as soon as the surgery was done and he was ready to wake Luna.
Hermione nodded before turning and heading back to their quarters.
Upon entering she smiled to see the large bright blue box with Gabrielle's name the front.
noticing the other two had quickly stripped as soon as they could, and Gabby was in her swimsuit Hermione nodded, that told her that the decision had been made – they would be staying on the spear for a couple of days.
She quickly went to the bedroom and stripped, coming back into the living area curling up on the couch, head on Harry's shoulder as she spoke.
"Aren't you going to open it Gabrielle?" She asked with a small smile.
Gabrielle turned to shake her head as she motioned a few signs with her hands that Fleur quickly translated.
"Luna helped make this present, I'm waiting for her." Hermione smiled knowing what was in there and nodded.
"Well I think Luna will also like your little surprise too, I'm letting you be the one to tell her." Hermione said, causing the little Veela to smile.
"Thank you." Gabrielle said quietly.
Hermione nodded settling back against Harry as he passed her screen-comp over to her, she settled against him, pulling up the plans for when they headed back down to the planet and working through them some more, adding a couple of final refinements, working until she felt Harry completely still against her. Looking over she saw he held a piece of parchment that had been sent up with the mail from Gringotts.
"Harry?" Hermione asked quietly as he handed her the parchment.
Upon finishing reading it she shook her head. Somehow, Harry through the acquisition of House Parkinson, had now got the controlling share in the Daily Prophet newspaper.
She watched as he quickly scribbled a reply and had to smile, it boiled down to instructions that the Goblins took over the running of the paper and that in the future all articles printed have to be the truth.
Shrugging her shoulders she got up and headed into the kitchen to start the preparations for the evening meal, she knew Luna would be hungry after the operation.
Fleur soon joined her as Hermione looked out to see Gabrielle sat at the table with some pieces of parchment and a quill as she wrote, Harry sat next to her going through the book with her.
"How is she?" Hermione asked nodding to Gabrielle.
Fleur smiled as she spoke.
"She iz okay, 'opefully we will 'ear 'er zpeaking more now, zee 'ealer zaid when she started zpeaking a leetle bit zat, more and more she weel find eet eazier. But eet wel ztill be a while." Hermione nodded as she set carried on preparing the food.
"Zho what 'ad 'ou zo 'appy juzt now?" Fleur asked to Hermione's smile.
"We just found out we have controlling shares in that paper the Daily prophet. Harry's going to make sure it's an honest paper from now on, it's not like he can't afford the excess costs in bringing in new staff. Just on his treasure room up here, never mind his vaults as Lord Potter.
We looked into that and found that even had we no gold or treasure up here, we would still be one of the wealthiest people on the planet below." Hermione said matter of factly to Fleur's shocked face.
Hermione tried not to smirk or smile, but it was difficult, as she knew running through Fleur's head now would be the question of how she appeared to be so 'normal' and not have a sense of entitlement about her.
When Fleur asked her Hermione leant back against the counter as she spoke.
"Fleur, look around, until I told you we were that wealthy would you have guessed?"
Fleur took a look around their rather Spartan quarters and shook her head.
"Non, I would not." Hermione smiled a bit as she continued.
"That is because we aren't a materialistic race, yes we go out of our way to collect treasure, but to us it's more for what can we use the metals or gems for. Here, open the top and take a look." Hermione pulled a small pistol from her weapon belt and passed it to Fleur after removing the power pack.
Opening the top Fleur looked in her eyes widened at the sight. Inside was a gem that would be worth 700,000 galleons right before the barrel.
"That gem focuses the plasma particles into a focusing chamber just inside the barrel, a barrel lined with as pure gold as we can find to aim the beam. Our wealth is simply a by-product of making sure we have all the resources on hand to make what we need."
Fleur nodded as she spoke.
"Eet iz zertainly a deferent way of thinking zan what I am uzed too." She said with a small smile.
Hermione nodded as she finished preparations and put the large bowl of stewed Greshna in to slow cook before taking the gun, and putting it back together before holstering it.
Come on, we've got a bit of time, let me teach you a few more things with your armour.
Going through to the Family Armoury she pulled out Fleur's helmet activating it as she spoke.
"The visor here has a neural sensor that's currently switched off at the moment. When activated you can – I'll show you how – switch between different scanning states from thermal, to psionic, to x-ray and a broad range in between. Your weapons will also be controlled there.
On the other side is the interface for communications and suit regulation for temperature and comfort." She said as they sat down on the bench pointing to two tiny dots inside the helm.
"Now all this does is "read" what you want so don't worry, it can't affect how you think, it's a one way link, you to the helmet. Any feedback you get is through the display, you literally have to look at a screen okay." Fleur nodded as Hermione passed her the helmet.
Fleur put it on as Hermione spoke.
"Now I want you to say "Helmet Identify" As Fleur did Hermione waited until the helmet registered Fleur befor Hermione nodded.
"Now I want you to think about locking the helmet to you, so that only you, unless you allow can use it." Fleur's helmeted head nodded before Hermione saw Fleur jump a little.
"Don't worry, the visor going fully green was just the helmet locking to you. Now think about seeing normally."
A moment later Fleur was looking around the room again before turning to Hermione.
"Zis ees magnifique!" Smiling Hermione nodded, "Yes, I thought so too, now to use the thermal vision…"
-0-
Luna woke up looking to her Daddy as he smile down to her.
"Hey Little One, you're all fixed up, you ready to go and get some food." He asked while he leaned down to pick her up, settling her on his hip as he nodded his thanks to the medic.
Luna smiled at him, before speaking.
"How long was I asleep Daddy?" He smiled as he answered her. "Just a couple of hours, the medic fixed you right up. So what do you say we get something to eat and then carry on with our holiday?"
Luna rapidly nodded a smile across her face as her Daddy carried her back to their quarters.
Once there he set her down on to the chair next to Gabrielle before taking the chair next to her, putting him between her and her Mummy. She didn't understand half of what the adults talked about but that was alright, she'd seen the box with Gabrielle's name on still unopened and couldn't wait to see the little Veela's reaction to her present.
As soon as lunch was done Luna looked to her parents.
"Can I go please, I want a quick shower and a clean swimsuit on. This one feels icky." She indicated the one she was wearing with a grimace.
Smiling her Mummy nodded.
"Okay, we'll be in here when you're done." She told her.
Quickly running to the bathroom Luna rushed through getting herself cleaned up and into a new swimsuit before going back into the living area.
When she did she moved hold her arms out to her Mummy who smiled and lifted her up settling her on her lap.
"Okay Gabrielle, do you want to open your present now?" Luna heard her Daddy ask.
Gabrielle's rapid nodding had them all chuckling.
"Well go on zen." Fleur encouraged her daughter. Needing no further encouragement Gabrielle ran over to the crate and threw the lid up before her eyes widened and she ended up just staring in surprise.
Inside was a blue leather outfit much like Luna's, and on top of that was a new weapon belt with two gun holsters attached, inside these holsters were two pistols.
Reaching in carefully and pulling a gun out, keeping it pointed to the floor Gabrielle looked it over with a bright smile coming across her face, Luna recognised the design as the 'Colt Peacemaker' from her history lessons off Mummy about Earth.
"Don't worry Gabrielle it's not loaded." Hermione said quietly before continuing. "Look at the handle grips."
Raising the grips Gabrielle gasped, set into the lacquered wood was a picture of her old pet bunny before it died, one she had once shown Luna earlier in the year.
It was obvious whoever had drawn the image had spent hours before passing it on to the armourer to work onto the handle. That there were pictures on both sides just seemed to stun the little girl even more.
It was when she looked closer and saw the tiny artist's signature that she finally lost it, dropping the weapon back into her trunk she launched herself at Luna, knocking her back into Hermione who kept hold of both of them making sure they didn't fall.
"Thank you." Gabrielle whispered before gently letting Luna go.
Gabrielle turned and made a few signs to Fleur who quickly nodded.
"Oui of course 'ou can tell 'er." Fleur said with a smile.
Luna looked to her slightly confused even as her Mummy and Daddy let out a big smile each.
Gabrielle came close so she didn't have to speak too loud.
"I asked az half zee 'Oliday waz to go to placez I would like, eef we could zkip zose and go ztrait to Auztralia. I love camping, and zat waz where 'our training 'untz were going to be anyway…"
Luna's jaw dropped a little even as her Mummy's arm tightened about her waist.
"That's right Babygirl, instead of one week training hunt, you're getting three – and then we go to Japan for the convention, leaving us two weeks before Daddy's final task in this silly Tournament."
Luna looked up to her Mummy before she spoke.
"Th – three weeks?!" Her mummy nodded with her own big smile as she answered.
"Yes Babygirl, three weeks, Gabrielle wanted so much to see you happy that she asked to skip everything and go straight to Australia.
Launching off her Mummy's lap Luna collided with Gabrielle holding her in a tight hug as she whispered 'Thank you' over and over.
After a while she heard her Daddy speak up.
"All right girls, we need to get packed up. Just remember we'll be camping so only pack what you'll need." Grinning Luna dragged Gabrielle back to their room and pulled out her travel chest, taking out everything that was in it from their earlier holiday until it was empty.
Gabrielle doing the same on her bed.
Once done Luna went to her clothes chest and pulled out all her leather outfits and left the blue set out before packing the others.
On top of those went her sleep shirts and a couple of swimming outfits, when she'd finished, she slid in a divider that was for weapons to be placed.
Closing the lid she looked up to see Gabrielle had finished.
Going back into the Living area she spoke up.
"Daddy what training? Will I need just blades or both my blades and guns?"
Her Daddy came over and knelt down in front of her as he spoke.
"Always take both Babygirl, you never know when training can turn to a real fight. Although this is going to be a 'Blade Only' hunt I want you to have your cannon with you just in case.
Luna smiled as she wrapped her little arms about her daddy in a tight hug, before she went back into her room.
She quickly packed up all her blades she thought she'd need, leaving out the sword, a dagger and her Sai's. Those along with her wand she would have on her weapon belt.
Once finished she closed the lid of her trunk and dragged it to the room back into the living area.
"Babygirl, did you forget that you're a witch? You could have levitated it." Her mummy said.
"I know Mummy but I don't want to end up relying on my magic, not when I can use my hands."
The proud smile her Mummy gave her had Luna smiling for the rest of the day.
By the time evening approached Luna had taken Gabrielle to the nearest practice shooting area and was carefully instructing the little blond on how to use her guns properly.
After she showed Luna how to load them she moved to stand to the side and slightly back from Gabrielle as she encouraged her to take her first practice shots down the range.
Gabrielle shocked her when she drew both guns and started firing them simultaneously until she was out of bullets.
The instructor in Luna had come to the fore and she had been really surprised at how fast Gabrielle had picked up on the most stable way to hold her arms while shooting as she hit a button that pulled the gel target back to them.
There in the centre of the block were all 12 bullets, each having entered in a tight grouping of the 'bullseye' section.
"Gabby, have you fired a gun before?" Luna asked quietly.
When Gabrielle shook her head Luna blinked.
"You did very good. I don't think I can teach you anymore – you were really, really good!"
Unbeknownst to either of the girls, Harry had come in just as Gabrielle drew her weapons and had held back, making Luna jump when he spoke.
-0-
Harry watched as Gabrielle drew her weapons, watching from the side as he caught the little Veela's expression, she had sunk into a mild version of 'The Now' This wasn't the total wiping of all emotions though, this simply seemed to be a focusing on mean's to end with the target.
Stepping forwards as Luna finished, he spoke up.
"To be honest I don't think even I could shoot that well." Harry said with a smile as his Daughter jumped before frowning at him.
"Daddy, you know the rules, you taught them to me! Don't make people in the Gun Range jump." Luna said sternly to him causing him to nod.
"Yes, you're right, however I thought you knew where I was, I think we'll spend the first week of your Training on being more aware of your surroundings." He said mentally adjusting the plan once more as he watched Gabrielle make safe her guns before sending the block down the belt for the bullet's to be extracted and recycled.
"Come on, packing's done, we're heading down in an hour." He said, smiling at the way the two girls' faces lit up.
The three quickly made their way to the quarters where they saw Hermione finishing putting on her armour. Harry's and Luna's out ready to be put on.
Fleur came out already in hers and signalled Gabrielle to follow her even as Luna started to put her own armour on.
"Everything ready?" Harry asked as he pulled on the flex-steel trousers.
"Yes Harry, but you still need to decide which blades you're taking." Hermione said when an overjoyed Gabrielle came running in and collided with Luna who'd just finished suiting up minus gloves and helmet.
"I think Gabrielle found her other surprise." Hermione said with a grin.
Laughing Harry nodded, Luna had pointed something out that all the adults had missed, with Fleur being Mark-Sib to Hermione, that meant not only was she entitled to the Armour and training, her own daughter was too. Having realised that hadn't been dealt with, Harry had immediately contacted the Armourer from Paris, and Gabrielle's own armour was waiting for them on their return.
Hermione's arms wrapped about him gently as she spoke.
"You know sooner or later Gabrielle will want to train, if only to be with our Little One when she's out on hunts." Harry sighed with a small smile as he spoke quietly not to be overheard.
"Gabrielle has a set of blades ready for on her 12th Birthday in August."
Hermione smiled as she let him go as Luna dashed off with Gabrielle to help her with her armour.
"Remember the first Armour I had?" Hermione said with a smile to Harry's laugh.
"I remember you couldn't understand why we didn't have a book compartment on them." Harry chuckled as his armour clanged with Hermione's mock slap.
"Shush you," She said grinning. "Now come on, we have a lot to get onto the Pod and not much time." Hermione said lifting the two girls' stacked crates and heading out.
Nodding Harry quickly lifting his and Fleur's crates and following.
Two hours later and the shuttle had landed at the campsite.
Stepping out Harry looked about and nodded, there were sand dunes all about them with a large empty cave and ledge behind.
He quickly set up the two Sleep Shelters as Hermione sorted a fire-pit, even as Luna, Gabrielle and Fleur drew the short straw and dragged the 'Necessities' shelter away a little before setting it up.
As they finished Harry carefully went to sneak up behind Luna, just as he was about to wrap his arms about her, she dropped and rolled to the left, leaving him slightly off balance.
"Ambush!" Luna cried, leaping at him and wrapping her arms about his neck using her momentum to swing around his body to land on his back, legs locking about his waist as her arms moved to the perfect Sleeper Hold without applying any pressure.
"Very well done Babygirl!" Hermione said, pride evident in her voice as she came up as she helped Luna slid from his back.
"I did good?" Luna asked with a bright smile even as Gabrielle and Fleur looked on.
"Yes you did Luna, that was really good." Harry said turning to kneel in front of her as he spoke.
"Now come on back to the campfire there's some things we need to explain to you." Harry said as the group went over to the fire Hermione had started.
Sitting on a log Luna sat next to him, Hermione the other side of her as Fleur and Gabrielle sat opposite, Gabrielle grinning at how happy Luna looked.
Hermione passed over the screen-Comp he'd brought, activating it he pulled up some images of a rather large looking canine, it's front legs longer than its back, four serrated recurve teeth coming out the top of its muzzle along with three claws where its toes should be.
"Okay, after we've finished your awareness training week this is what we're going to go hunting." Harry said.
Luna looked at the screen her eyes widening at the size as he spoke, it's head was another foot taller than her.
"This is called a Hyenat, they're related to Hyena's but are far, far more numerous and a problem for the Psionic population here. What I want you to do for the next week is study this, read up on its behaviour's, habits and signs of their passing's. Your Mum has hunted these before on a different planet, she's going to be quizzing you each lunch time."
Luna nodded, the look of determination on her little face absolute as he passed her the screen-comp and she immediately started reading about the animal.
Hermione looked up to Gabrielle as Luna studied and spoke.
"Now while Luna's here on her training hunt, we've decided to help you out as well, we know you're good with your guns, but you've got that dagger and haven't fully learned to fight with it or any other blade, so we're going to spend these three weeks helping you learn that with your Mum's help."
Gabrielle's mouth dropped open as she whispered, "Vraiment?" Smiling Hermione nodded.
"Really, now it's getting late so I suggest you two go get in your tent, we'll be getting up early in the morning." She said, nudging Luna as she did.
With a sigh Luna turned off the screen-Comp giving her Parents a quick hug and kiss on the cheek as Gabrielle did for Fleur before the two headed into their tent.
-0-
Two weeks later and Hermione was Running through the desert, Luna 50 metres to her left easily keeping pace as Harry a further 50m paralleled them, the medic had provided the correct stim dosages for Luna and they'd gone through all the safety points with Luna repeatedly.
At the moment Harry and Hermione didn't need their Stims as Luna's top running speed on her Stims had proven to be 'just' 15 miles an hour, something the medic was confident she would triple in the next 12 months with the right training.
The reason for their running was simple, they had spent the morning tracking a Pack of Hyenat, and were going to wait until dusk until attacking, however they had picked up the scent of another camp, and had broken towards it, only the Psionic barrier that had flared up about it had stopped any casualties – so far.
The two adults were going to flank the pack while Luna charged their rear, from all information the 'Pack Lead' would be at the back, should she bring it down, then the Pack would retreat back to their Den until a new Pack Lead ran them.
Cresting the dune Hermione's eyes widened as she spotted black somethings writhing through the pack and swore, the pack was over 100 strong.
"Blond Steel, Shock Bolt, activate cannons! Group up! Xenomorph-Hyenat crossbreeds in Pack!" She angled her run to bring her to within 5 metres of Luna, spying Harry do the same even as she activated her Helmet-Com to the Noble Spear, relaying the same message, this had now become a Extermination mission and no longer a Training Hunt.
Hyenat's themselves could drain a psionic barrier, as well as cope with many spells cast at them, she only hoped the Crossbreeds weren't faster at it.
Approaching the Pack her helmet signalled 10 'Droppers' coming in just as the three got to within firing range of the Pack, Luna taking the first shot, the bolt of plasma from her cannon slamming into a normal Hyenat mid-leap. Less than a second later the three were sending a veritable firestorm of plasma even as Hermione drew her blades.
Plasma raining from above let her know where to concentrate her fire, helping clear a safe Drop Point.
"Blond Steel, you stay near myself and Shock Bolt, Understood?" Hermione commanded, not as her mother, but as Battle-Lead.
"Okay," Luna's terse answer came back just as the droppers arrived slamming into the ground, at the same time the three hit the back of the pack and her blades sang.
She eviscerated the one, burning plasma smashing into another befor battle was fully joined.
Luna's sai's came out and Hermione watched with pride as she moved fluidly through the horde, almost dancing as her Sai's slashed and stabbed even as her cannon never stopped firing.
Hermione's eyes widened in Horror when a spiked tail looked certain to impale Luna and there was no way Hermione could get to stop it when the Blond split her legs wide dropping to the floor crossing her arms above catching the tail even as J'Treth sliced it from its owner.
Rolling forwards under one Hyenat cross, she split it before coming to stand above her Daughter as her blades slashed the Hyenat leaping at Luna, removing its head.
Harry was soon there as well, wielding sword and hand held plasma gun even as Luna came to stand.
The three stood firm in a back to back triangle, slashing, slicing and firing.
*Clang*
Their formation broke as one leaped at Luna bringing her to the ground on her back, large jaws descending before two short spikes shot up through its head.
Kicking the carcass off her Luna withdrew her Sai's from the beast's head before sending one spinning end over end, embedding in the one behind Hermione about to impale her.
Luna drew her short sword as she retook her place.
On they fought until only a single Hyenat crossbreed was left standing, it was the largest of the pack standing at twice Luna's height.
Turning to face her Daughter Hermione couldn't help but feel pride, Luna had lured the beast out, in one hand her Sai, the other her short sword as the two circled each other.
Harry had held his arm up stopping the other Hunters from interfering with a short command, that didn't stop Hermione, Harry and the others all track the beast with their shoulder cannons, should it look like Luna would not survive there would be 12 plasma bolts disintegrating the beast.
Luna dodged to the side as it lunged, spinning her sword swept through the air removing it's long whiplike tail, before rolling away to come back to her feet to face the beast again as it turned to watch her.
Judging her moment Luna feinted to the right, an as the beast lunged, she leapt going to stab its side, only for its dense hide to deflect her Sai, leaving a long shallow gash on its ribs.
Spinning the Sai in hand Luna quickly sheathed it, leaving her off-hand free.
As the beast charged she leapt to the side, grasping it's black fur and jumping as she pulled herself onto its back, bringing her sword up to stab, point down into its neck, through the spinal column.
As she did the beast collapsed to the floor motionless.
A great roar went up as the Yautja and Luna's parents let out their Victory cries as Luna slid from the beast, coming to land by it, stood there in her blood spattered shining armour, Luna looked every inch the Warrior she would become, all her training there had come into play, the little blonde quickly cleaned her sword and ran to her Mother, Hermione kneeling down and wrapping her arms about her as she spoke.
"Luna I am so proud of you, you were wonderful." Hermione said quietly on Private-Comm, linking only Harry in.
"As am I." Harry said quietly before he removed his helmet heading over to J'Treth.
"I claim you as Witness, Luna was here on her first Training Hunt, yet at the first sign of real trouble, she dived right in, protecting the innocent, has claimed her first kill and brought low he first Large Prey."
J'Treth nodded as he and the others all removed their helmets, Hermione smiled to see the glow of happiness on Luna's face as she gently kissed the little blondes forehead.
"We scanned them all as we fought Babygirl, there are no more waiting infants, go, claim your first Trophy in a Hunt."
Many would have expected her claim to be from the beast she'd just killed, but she made her way unerringly to a smaller one, a non-Crossbreed and with a single cut removed its head.
"Daddy, how do I clean this?" Luna asked lifting the head.
Removing her helmet Hermione watched as Harry came over and started to show her while one of the men from the camp approached her.
"G'day, name's Jonas Wheeler, we'd just like to thank you and your party for saving us, especially the little one." He said just as twenty *PoP*'s were heard and they were surrounded by what Hermione recognised as Australian counterparts to Britain's 'Red-Robe's'.
"HOLD!" Hermione shouted out to the Yautja Warriors as they dropped into defensive stances even as Jonas strode over to what appeared to be the leader.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL TOOK SO LONG! IF IT WASN'T FOR THESE WE'D BE DEAD NOW!"
"M – minister! We got here as f – fast as we could." The lead spoke.
"You're a ready reaction force! Supposed to be in the departure room at all times and leave at a seconds notice! Not 20 minutes! Where were you!"
As he continued to berate the forces and it was obvious they were no threat to the Yautja, while Harry carried on showing Luna how to clean out the skull, she and the rest started to drag the bodies into a pile, she herself took a standard Hyenat's claws for her Trophy as other Warriors took their own trophies.
One thing that was obvious though was the lack of any taking a trophy from the crossbreeds.
Once all trophies were taken Hermione and the others including Harry and a Luna now holding a clean Hyenat skull ringed the bodies.
Drawing both her pistols Hermione set them to a low power beam and passed one to Luna.
"Remember Babygirl, we always clean up after a Hunt or Battle." She said as she brought her plasma gun to bear on the pile waiting for Harry to give the signal.
Moments later and the carcases were all burning.
Turning back she saw Jonas re-approach as she took her weapon from Luna.
"Right as I was sayin', we'd like to thank you all for saving us, to do that, I'm awarding everyone here the Golden Eagle of Distinction, it's the highest honour we Australian's can give to foreigners.
Hermione noticed Luna's mouth drop open at this and knelt down next to her.
"Babygirl?"
"They aren't joking Mummy, from what my Birth-Mummy once told me, to be awarded that… it's as if we were being awarded the Order of Merlin First Class back in Britain." Hermione nodded seeing all the Warriors stand that bit more prideful before turning to who was obviously the Australian Minister of Magic.
"On behalf of the Yautja, we accept, however, we need to first finish our last week of training hunts for this little one," Hermione lifted Luna up settling her on her hip, "Before we can go anywhere, after that we need to be back in the UK within a week."
Jonas nodded as he spoke.
"Certainly, is there some way we can get in touch with you or leave a Liaison with you?"
Hermione smiled as she spoke. "I can give you a communication device or you can leave someone, but you need to understand our base camp is about 25 miles that way." Hermione pointed back towards where they were camped. "And we ran all the way, if you've got someone who can run at 15 miles an hour for over an hour and half in sand and not be too winded at the end then yes."
Jonas nodded before his wand flicked out and a brilliant silver fox shot out.
"Reena, I got a run for you. Apparate to me and I'll explain."
The fox shot away as Jonas turned and explained the little spell.
Five minutes later and a *PoP* was heard and standing next to the minister was a tall woman, with long blond hair tied back, her eyes nose and mouth all very similar to Jonas's.
She was wearing a small back pack with a water bottle on the side and a straw coming along the shoulder strap to easily reach her mouth if needed. A tight chest support and shorts that seemed to be made of some stretchy material, and on her feet were two long socks leading to a pair of boots perfect for running in sand.
"Father?" The woman spoke.
"Ah, Reena, I need you to stay with these and act as a liaison between us for the next two weeks, they're those hunters from the stars we were told about."
The woman's eyes lit up as she looked at them with a smile.
"It'll be my honour." She said quietly.
"Good, send me a Patronus every two days. Unfortunately I've got to go and remind our 'Alert Ready' forces that the Cafeteria is not the Ready to Go room." He said with a scowl to the other Australian Red-Robes.
Reena's eyes flashed a moment as she nodded.
"Very well, and Father, have you explained to them I am a half-breed?" Jonas shook his head with a groan as he turned to Hermione.
"Reena is half Vampire, I managed to catch the Vampire that bit her as he was turning her, she has the stamina, speed and abilities of the Vampires, but can be in sunlight, to deal with her thirst she drinks animal blood, resorting to donated human blood only if no animal is available." Hermione nodded even as Luna looked to Reena.
"Your skin's not sparkly?"
Reena burst out laughing at that.
"No young one, those books were a total fabrication, we certainly do not sparkle in the daylight." She said with a smile that revealed her fangs.
Harry came over and took Luna's skull and set it on the ground placing a Tele-Tag on it.
"It'll be waiting for you in your Trophy room for you to put up properly, Luna" Harry said quietly.
"Well I best be off, Reena I'll see you in two weeks."
Reena nodded as the Australian's all disappeared. Looking around Hermione saw the ten who'd dropped had also already left just leaving the four and a ring of blackened sand where the fire had been.
Setting Luna down Hermione lifted the catch on a box on Luna's belt and took out a small Stim.
"Sharp sting Babygirl." She said quietly as she injected it into Luna's neck, dropping the used needle into the waste box on her belt.
"Well, are we ready?" Reena, Harry and Luna all nodded.
Smiling Hermione put on her helmet as Harry and Luna did the same.
Turning to the half Vampire Hermione spoke.
"We won't be slowing down from 15 miles an hour so here." She passed her a small screen with an arrow on it.
"If you fall behind, that'll show you the way to our camp." Reena nodded slipping the pad into a little pouch on her tight shorts.
Looking to Luna Harry spoke, pride in his voice as he did.
"Lead us back to camp Huntress Blond Steel." With that the four took off, the Stim giving Luna what she needed to be at her top speed, the three adults keeping pace.
90 minutes later and the four crested the bowl of the crater where their camp site was opposite, when Hermione's helmet caught flashes in the distance.
Zooming in her blood ran cold, Fleur was down on the floor of their camp bleeding, Gabrielle hidden behind a rock using her gun and wand to shoot at six Magicals firing a constant barrage of spells.
"Babygirl Peel left, Protect Gabby," Luna seemed to put on an extra burst of speed even as the adults did.
"Reena can you fight?" Hermione asked even as the Vampire let her rucksack hit the floor without breaking her stride.
"I can." She didn't even sound winded before almost disappearing, her speed almost a blur as Harry and Hermione took to the sky, Flex-Wings snapping open.
As they approached one of the five got too close to the girls and Luna's wrist flicked and he went down.
Harry and Hermione's shoulder cannon's blasted two off their feet, dead before they hit the ground, landing infront of the remaining three as Reena appeared and snapped the neck of one, even as Hermione and Harry incapacitated the others.
Going up to the two left alive she dropped two Cell Tele-Tags on them as they disappeared.
Harry had already dropped a medevac tag on Fleur as Luna took a trembling Gabrielle into her tent away from the sight of the remaining four dead bodies.
Reena looked like she too was trembling.
"Reena?" Hermione asked quietly as Harry gathered up the bodies for burning.
"I – I need to go find an animal to feed on." Hermione nodded.
"Wait just two minutes." Before diving into the adults tent and pulling out a goblet.
Taking off her gauntlet she drew her blade and nicked her wrist, letting a stream fall into the cup until it was full, before sealing the wound with one of the healing spells Madam Pomfrey had taught her.
Going back out she passed the goblet to Reena.
"Drink, I'm going to go see to Gabrielle." Reena gave a look full of gratitude to her taking the cup as Hermione left.
Going into the tent she saw Luna had gotten herself and Gabby out their armours and was holding the scared Gabrielle like she or Harry would her when scared.
Kneeling down Hermione looked into Gabrielle's wide scared eyes.
"It's okay, you mother is already up on the ship, our medic will have her healed in no time." She said quietly.
"It was m – me they were after." Gabrielle said quietly, not knowing with that one sentence the other two were now already condemned. "I'll find out why and deal with them for you Gabby, I promise."
"Mummy," Luna spoke looking up to her.
"Can we go home, I think Gabby needs to." Hermione looked and saw in Luna's eyes how her only thoughts were for Gabrielle's wellbeing.
"Sure we can Babygirl, how about I ask Granny to meet you in the Teleport Room while Daddy and I clean up here?" Luna nodded and Hermione saw something in her eyes that gave her hope, there was steel there, and a maturity that she hadn't ever expected to see. "Thank you Mummy, I'll take care of Gabby as best I can." Hermione nodded before flipping up her Arm-Comp and signalling her Mother.
"Daughter what is going on down there?!" Qu'Illaa said immediately in Yautja.
"I don't know Mother, I will be interrogating the two we sent up shortly, first though, Gabby needs to come back to the ship, Luna's bringing her, can you meet them?"
Qu'Illaa quickly confirmed she would and the channel closed.
Five minutes later helping Luna calm Gabrielle Hermione's arm-comp bleeped. Looking she saw it was a simple message from her Mother. 'Ready'
"Luna, I'm sending you up now." Hermione warned her before signalling the okay.
After the two younglings had disappeared she stepped out to see the camp apart from this tent already packed down and Reena helping carry things into the pod.
Without a word she quickly emptied and collapsed the tent, packing it and the gear, before storing them on the pod.
Looking about she saw they were all packed up and ready, Reena had even had time to retrieve her back pack.
Once everything was secure they headed up into space, Reena's face as she saw the earth shrinking was a picture.
"So high," She said quietly before Hermione indicated the window.
"And there's home." She pointed to the Noble Spear.
"Eagle's Beak! That's huge!" Hermione couldn't help chuckling as she spoke.
"Our clan is rather large yes. A full third of the ship is to raise the meat and plants that's necessary for feeding us." Reena nodded at Hermione's words eyes wide as Harry piloted them into the bay.
An hour later a freshly washed and clean pair of human Hunters stalked into the Detention and interrogation block.
Going to the first cell Hermione slammed the door open and grabbed the still unconscious man, dragging him to the interrogation room where Harry had set out the implements she'd listed before.
His screams echoed throughout the block as she slowly extracted every little piece of information before ending his life.
He had been part of a small mercenary band, hired by political rivals to the DeLacours to hold as a hostage, ensuring Jean-Claude would allow certain restrictions to be dropped, restrictions on dark item imports.
Their other orders which they had broken when harming Fleur was absolutely nothing harmful was to befall the DeLacour sisters, after the vote, the sisters were either going to be returned if it went their way, or 'gifted' to the mercenaries if not, and this one was looking forwards to be the first to try Gabrielle.
The last thing she extracted was where the mercenaries were based.
Looking at the now mangled body on the bed she sighed.
"I would have preferred his skull, but I cracked it too much." Harry came up next to her as he spoke.
"His rib cage is still good." Hermione nodded, proceeding to extract that before they cleaned up the room, and setting the still bloody cage to the side she went and retrieved the second man.
The information he gave was clear, concise and freely given.
Hermione looked to his terrified eyes as she continued.
"Why were you helping them capture Gabrielle?"
"M – Money! This w – was my first job! As soon as we g – got paid I was gonna l – leave! I swear!" Hermione nodded.
"Okay, until today have you broken any laws." The man nodded reeling off a list of petty crimes that increased to mugging and violence, but never a death or murder.
"Right," Hermione said leaning back against the wall, knowing the sight of her blood streaked body was scary enough.
"Here's what you're going to do, when we send you back to the planet, it'll be to the Ministry Holding Cells, you will then confess all your crimes to the DMLE, accepting their punishment without any deals. If you don't, you'll be brought back up here to face Yautja Justice. Understood."
The man nodded before she stepped forwards hitting him with a binding field before going to wash the blood and other things from her bare body as Harry dragged him away.
As she finished she headed to the medical bay to find an awake, but pale Fleur on the bed.
"Hey, how're you doing?" She asked her.
"Like I 'ave been 'it wiz too many 'ealing potionz – my 'ead 'urtz, my shoulder 'urtz and my mouth iz like zee desert we were camped een." Fleur grouched.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh, although pale Fleur was doing better than she'd hoped, when the medic came over and passed Fleur a screen with French on it.
"Ah merde, anozzer night? 'Ermionee can 'ou take care of Gabby tonight pleaze, I 'ave to ztay for 'Obzervation'" Fleur grumbled, it seemed she liked being in the medical bay as much as Hermione and Harry did.
Leaning forwards Hermione kissed her brow as she spoke. "Of course I will sister, you just get better, I'll bring Gabby up tonight okay?" Fleur nodded thanking her with a smile as Hermione left.
She wondered just how many hunters were going to be raiding that mercenary camp after the report sent to her father before putting it out of her mind, knowing she wouldn't be in the group.
Going into her quarters she couldn't help but smile, there in the middle of the couch were the two little ones, curled up asleep in the other's arms.
Quietly going over to the shelf she quickly pulled down the picture maker and took a few shots, before sitting on the end of the couch with a screen-comp, pulling up the video feeds from all of Luna's training these past couple of weeks and started to go through them, making notes on what the things they'd need to focus on.
She'd just finished the third full two on one where her and Harry were going hand to hand with her, and couldn't help but smile, even though she and Harry were holding back, Luna forced them to go harder and harder until they were fighting her with the same skill as a Newblood. A few more months training and she wouldn't be at their level, but would certainly be getting close.
If the medic agreed it may be time to start letting her have the vitamin and build-up supplements in her food and drink.
There were some points they'd have to go over but that could wait.
It was as she was going through the video's she spotted something and frowned, rewinding the video she let it play again in slow-time before shaking her head and looking to her Daughter, no wonder Harry had been limping a little after that bout, Luna had somehow got a solid kick into his seed-makers, and at the time they were out of their armour.
"That must have hurt." Hermione muttered.
Getting up she looked to the time and nodded, flicking her wand to the two girls she carefully levitated them through to their room, putting them to bed before heading to her own. Harry would be back later, Sirius had sent a request to speak to him while they were gone and Harry had decided he would at least talk to the man, but if Remus was there then he would immediately leave if Remus didn't.
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A/N: An uncensored version of this fic will be published on my hpfanficarchive account with the author name Harmonyerotica.