Chapter 14: The Summer's Close
Harry was woken up my warm hand brushing through his hair and the smell of cinnamon and vanilla feeling his nose. He opened his eyes and put on his glasses. As his eyesight focused he smiled.
"Morning mum," he said stretching.
"Morning Harry love. Sleep well?" Minerva smiled down at him.
"Oh yeah," he nodded sitting up.
"Good. Now hurry and get dressed. Your grandmother will be here in twenty minutes to take you school shopping. I think she's bringing the Weasley children with her," Minerva explained standing up.
"Oh Gran is brave to take us all by herself," Harry laughed crawling out of bed.
"You have no idea," Albus laughed as he passed the room.
Harry slid down the banister of his home at 114 Norton Street as Minerva opened the door to reveal Katherine smiling brightly; the four youngest Weasleys and Hermione behind her.
"Harry dear how lovely to see you," Katherine laughed as she entered the home and spun Harry around in a large hug.
Harry laughed and returned the embrace as Katherine sat him back down.
"Thanks Gran. You're looking particularly beautiful this morning," Harry grinned.
"Well a month with Albus and he's already taught you how to flatter a woman," Katherine laughed messing his hair. Harry just grinned at her.
"Well kids shall we get going?" Katherine asked.
"Yes Kat!" the little group exclaimed.
"Mother please don't fill them up on junk food and by them joke supplies," Minerva begged as the children walked out of the door and climbed into Katherine station wagon.
"Minerva dear don't worry so much," Katherine smiled and kissed her daughter's cheek as she walked out of the door.
Albus and Minerva stood in the door way waving as the car pulled off before shutting the door. Albus wrapped his arms around her slim waist and kissed her neck.
"You know she didn't promise to not do those things," Albus whispered in her ear as he nipped at it lightly.
Minerva sighed and turned in his arms.
"I know. Kiss me," she commanded smiling. Albus happily obliged.
"All right boys these are the rules….don't get anything that will kill anyone," Katherine smiled as she dropped a bag of gold coins in Fred's hands. They were sitting outside of the ice cream parlor eating large sundaes.
Fred and George peered into the bag and their eyes lit up as they dashed to the joke shop. Hermione frowned as they ran off and turn a disapprovingly look to Katherine. Katherine looked down at the girl and sighed.
"Don't look so high and mighty. Every one breaks the rules at some point. You sneaking out of the dorms is no different so I suggest you quit trying to be a teacher's pet."
Hermione flushed and turned back to her ice cream.
"Now Ron how do you like your prefect badge?" Katherine smiled.
"I'd rather not have to worry about it," Ron said quietly.
"Sure I was the same. Then I realized something…being in a teacher's confidence gives you insight into very well kept secrets," Katherine laughed as they heard a distinct soft voice cough.
"Hem, hem."
Harry saw his grandmother's eyes close in annoyance before she turned and plaster and brilliant smile on her face.
"Dolores darling you look wonderful," Katherine smiled as she stood and bent down to hug the woman.
The Golden Trio and Ginny raised their eyes at Katherine's choice of words because this woman was a toad and wore way to much pink. Not to mention Katherine towered over her when she stood.
"Thank you Katherine. I didn't know you were one to take you daughter's students on outings," Dolores replied peering at the four children at the table.
"Oh I love taking the more promising ones. And as I recall I took Albus' as well. I did take you on a few outings," Katherine replied as she sat down, "Care to join us?"
"Certainly," Dolores said taking one of the twins' chairs.
"So how is Cornelius and the Ministry?" Katherine asked.
"He's doing well. Although Mr. Potter and Professor Dumbledore's misunderstandings are really starting to worry people," Umbridge replied.
"Yes I've seen the papers. It's such a pity. I've known Albus since he was a small child and he never seemed one to lie. Actually I remember quite vividly a time he came to me with tears in his eyes holding the broken pieces of my priceless crystal tiger figurine," Katherine said thinking, "Poor thing had been showing off his little magic abilities to Apollo and Hephaestus. He had levitated the tiger in the air and lost concentration and it fell shattering into several little bits."
"Yes well admitting to breaking a knickknack is one thing but this is an entirely different matter," Umbridge frowned, "You should speak with him about this story. Scaring everyone is just not good politics."
"You're right of course. I will," Katherine smiled.
"Thank you. Well I better be off then," Dolores smiled as she nodded and stood.
"All right then. Bye Dolores dear," Katherine waved.
As soon as the toad was out of earshot Katherine hissed like an angry cat.
"The nerve of that woman telling me my grandson and son-in-law are insane. One of these days I will boot her and Fudge out of their positions and I'll set someone with a brain in the high chair."
"What happened with the tiger?" Harry asked trying to get Katherine off her brooding.
"Hmm? Oh…he cried in my lap for over an hour before I could get him to understand it was an accident and I could fix it," Katherine laughed.
"How old was he?" Hermione asked taking Harry's lead.
"About seven or eight," Katherine shrugged, "Simple flick of the wand and the pieces came together… but there were a few pieces missing. He cried about that too till I told him a broken figurine had character and that made it even more special. I said the same thing when he was twelve and broke his nose the second time."
The friends laughed and enjoyed their sundaes before heading back to their homes.
The summer ended and the friends were taken to the train by Katherine, Fiona, and the Weasleys. They said by to everyone and promised to come home for Christmas as they headed off to school.