Author Note: Chapter six has some very lovely foreshadowing and at least one Chekhov's gun. Also there is at least one or two nice conversations...
OfficerDonNZ: Yes it could definitely be disturbing to one's entire worldview. Immortality is actually one of the most horrific things in the fantasy genre if one thinks about it honestly.
==============xxxxxxx=====Story begins
"Hey Pumpkin you guys are getting a lot better with the flame thing."
"Yeah hey thanks dad."
"So you ready for some techno thriller horror?"
"Oh. I thought it was about giants?"
"Sort of Harry."
"Dad can I talk to you a minute."
"Okay. Harry why don't you go on in and help Emma with the snacks."
"Uh okay."
"So what is it Pumpkin?" When Harry had gone inside.
"Draco asked me if he could have part of himself brought here. So he could come, as well as watch over the place."
"Okay that's the dead kid that is haunting you guys right?"
"Yeah. He can sense what's going on around where ever a part of him is located. HE can also travel to there."
"Okay. And he wants you to bring part of him here?"
"Yeah. I don't know why but he does."
"Well we do need a new skull for the production company. I suppose it would be all hygienic and everything."
"Dad you're not really considering that."
"I dunno. Having our own ghost haunting the place might give it that character you know. That sort of quintessential manor house feel."
She looked at him with her eyebrow raised.
"Okay maybe I'm joking a bit but why is he wanting you to do that?"
"He claims he's bored dad. I mean I suppose its possible but he's a bit of a prat at times."
"Oh well. Tell you what I'll talk to your mother and if you can get him to tell you more about what he wants we can consider it."
"Okay dad if you think its a good idea."
"Well what do you think Pumpkin. Ghosts and stuff is more your department."
"I don't know. Since he died he has been trying to behave better, and he is required to help us but he is still a prat."
"Well I'll trust your judgment on this. If he behaves himself and doesn't cause trouble then I suppose he can come visit."
"Okay. I'll let you know. Now I guess we should get in and watch the movie."
"Yeah Harry is going to love it."
====xxxx=====xxxx=====xxx
When the movie was over Harry was looking at the screen in confusion.
"That was a really dark movie. It wasn't very nice."
"No see that was the point. And the book it was based on was only the first one in the series. But the other two kinda went a bit strange. Anyhow the whole point was a dark future and sort of warning not to trust putting everything in the hands of computers."
"Oh. Sort of like if you can't see where it keeps its brains?"
"Uh right sort of I guess." Dan wasn't sure what Harry meant but nodded.
"Okay. There are some magic items that the computer reminded me of." Harry explained.
"You can say you didn't like it if you didn't like it Harry. I'm not going to be upset."
Emma and Hermione nodded. "Trust us. We are not really big fans of all of Dan's movies either."
"Oh uh. Well no I kinda would have rather seen a movie with a happy ending." Harry shrugged.
Dan sighed, "Okay. Next time we'll have one with a happy ending."
Hermione smiled, "Oh good. A happy ending is definitely something Harry deserves." She teased.
Dan and Emma both looked at her with shocked then amused expressions. "Okay and on that note maybe its time for a cold shower and then to bed?" Dan said putting the movie away.
Hermione giggled, then hugging her parents agreed, "Yes dad. Sorry."
Waving his hand Dan just shook his head, "Hey you justuh. Yeah. Sure."
"Say good night Dan." Emma called form the den doorway.
"Goodnight Dan." He said with a smirk then followed his wife out.
"Why do I get the feeling you just said something very naughty in front of your parents?"
"I'll explain when we get in bed." She coyly smirked.
===xxxxx====xxx
The next morning the formerly virginal Hermione Potter stretched sinuously. Her husband Harry Potter was still stretched out beside her asleep. His face composed and with a slight smile of happiness. She watched him sleep for a few moments, lightly brushing his hair with her fingers before getting up to begin the day.
Harry woke up alone in the slightly cool bed. He reached out to feel Hermione's presence downstairs. [Good morning.]
{Good morning dear. I'm on the patio with mum.}
[Okay. Everything alright?]
{Yes. Just wanted to talk to mom and I heard her and dad getting breakfast when I went for my shower. So get cleaned up and dear, don't forget your trousers.} She sent with a mental laugh.
[I wouldn't dare.]
===xxxxx=====xxxx====xxx
Coming down the stairs Harry ran into Dan in the lounge.
"Hey sport. I see you survived."
"Uh yeah." Harry had a very bad thought, "We didn't disturb you guys did we?"
"No not really I suppose. Just I know you guys are married and all that on your side of the barrier but just to make sure you are being careful right?"
"Hermione is on a protective potion. I can't use the charm here as its still a muggle home according to the ministry. Plus we're still kinda underage for magic even if we aren't for uh, other stuff."
Dan laughed, "Great. Well that makes me more comfortable knowing that bureaucracy is just as messed up on your side of the fence as it is over here."
"Uh yeah I'm still trying to figure it out."
"Good luck I'm pushing fifty and still haven't figured out ours. I think they design bureaucracy to be as hard to understand as possible so they can sweep a lot of things under the rug."
"I guess."
Dan clapped him on the back, "Well let's go see if the ladies are done with their girl talk then we have to figure out what we are doing for the rest of the day."
====xxxx====xxxx=====xxx
The two husbands came out and kissed their respective wives before sitting down.
"So safe for delicate male ears to join the conversation or will we have to cover our ears to protect our sensibility?" Dan joked setting a coffee carafe in front of Emma.
The two females laughed. "Oh we're fine Dan. Hermione was just telling me about how their link lets each of them feel what the other does. Makes for a rather extraordinary union."
"Ahh tis a blessed union devoutly wished and enjoyed?" He paraphrased in humor.
Hermione blushed as did Harry but she did so with a grin. "So do you guys want to go see someplace special?"
"Yeah sure. What do we need to do?"
"Well its December so you might want to put on something a bit warm."
"Okay so where are we going?" Dan asked.
"I was thinking of taking you to Hogsmeade. Showing you a part of our world."
"I thought muggles couldn't go there?" Harry asked.
"I asked Professor McGonnegal. The valley is unplottable and has muggle repelling charms on its borders. But if we brought them into the valley they would be able to see and walk around."
"Oh so its hard to get into the valley but if you do then you can see it. Sort of like Brigadoon?"
"Kinda mom." Hermione said with a shrug.
"Well that sounds like fun. Besides It'll be nice to see some of your world. Although you won't get in trouble for this will you?" Dan asked in concern.
"No not really. You're my family and you already know about magic so it's not a violation of anything."
"Okay good. We'll go get ready." Emma said taking Dan along with her.
======xxxxx=====xxxx=====xx
Harry had taken Emma and Hermione had taken Dan through their flame out ability. The Grangers had tentatively taken their hands with Dan joking he had forgotten his asbestos underwear.
When they reappeared in the valley at the edge of Hogsmeade Dan let go of Hermione's hand to check himself over quickly. "Okay on the trip back could we try and find my spleen I think I forgot it somewhere." He breathlessly said.
Emma squeezed Harry's hand quickly then went to make sure Dan was not going to hyperventilate. "That was amazing Harry. I'm not quite sure how to describe that."
"Thanks Mrs Granger." Harry said chuckling as he put his arm around Hermione's waist.
"Are you okay dad? Honestly."
"Yes just wow. You guys do this all the time?"
"Well yeah. Mostly. It is pretty cool, isn't it?" Hermione confessed with some concern and hope that her father was not hurt.
"Yeah kinda warm though. But very much better than Blackpool pier." He laughed.
"So where are we?" Emma said looking around.
"We're in the valley just outside Hogsmeade. I didn't think it would be a good idea to just drop into the middle of the village."
"Yeah probably. Its going to be awkward enough to see two muggles walking down the street isn't it?" Dan considered.
"Probably but they'll get over it."
"Okay lets go see the magical village Dorothy." Dan said with a grin taking his wife and interlocking his arm with her.
She gave a major sigh but said, "If you start singing I'm going to slap you."
He just laughed. Harry took inspiration from Dan and offered his arm to Hermione who took it with a happy grin.
====xxxx======xxxx=====xxx
As they approached the village Hermione was pointing out the various sights and experiences.
"And as its not a Hogsmeade weekend there won't be all of the students running around so you can see the village in a much calmer state."
"Nice we like it."
They had wandered around with a few of the locals looking at the Grangers in confusion and a few with minor disgust. Dan was polite and civil to them most of all as they wandered around.
Madam Rosmerta was excited to actually have real honest to goodness muggles in her tavern when they stopped for lunch. Talking to them happily and earnestly about how the food service industry was like in the muggle world.
Hermione was just coming back from the loo when Draco slid out of the wall. "Welcome back. I see you had a very good night."
Hermione frowned at the ghost, "And how can you tell that?"
"Your aura. You got plucked last night to quote my mother. I thought you were waiting for the right time?"
"Last night felt like the right time. Why should I have waited longer?"
Draco shrugged as they paused by the doorway to the common room of the tavern. Harry and Dan playing darts in the corner at a transfigured board while others watched. "Figures dad would introduce darts to the wizarding world. He says a pub without darts is a wretched hovel."
"Oh yes hoy joy indeed. Such fun you have."
"Is there a particular reason you are here haunting us right now?"
"Did you ask about the skull?"
"Why are you so concerned about it?"
He rubbed his ear as he floated a few inches off the floor. "No reason. Just like I said I was curious to have someplace else to go. And now that I've seen your mother. She's a fine woman. You must get most of your looks from her."
"Thank you now try again with the real reason. I seriously doubt prurient voyeurism is high on your list."
He looked into her eyes. Seemed to be considering something then sighed, "Father had friends. Very unpleasant friends. His going to Azkaban did not set well with them and for some reason they blame Potter. Since they have nothing they can do to him directly, or you, they would come at the two of you sideways."
Hermione's eyes grew wide after she had considered his words for a heartbeat. "My parents!"
Draco nodded "And she figures it out in one guess. Yeah as muggles they are rather defenseless. The Ministry won't lift a figure to protect them, Dumbledore won't either. Not really."
"Why not?"
"Its complicated and there is someone looking at you talk to the wall." he said gesturing with his head to her left.
"Oh go and piss off." She said turning to the slightly confused man standing there and testily hissing. "Haven't you ever seen someone talk to a wall before."
The man looked shocked but smiled in what he must have hoped was a peaceful manner and sidled past her.
"Look we'll talk here in a bit but remember as I'm dead I can know what's going on around my body parts at all times. As the tomb is pretty quiet if you put a part of me someplace else..."
"Right okay. I understand. And thank you Draco. If you still had a body I would hug you." She said turning and hurrying off to the table with her mother.
Draco just sighed and said, "If I still had my body I wouldn't care as much." He followed her on a direct path not caring about the people he passed through or their drink. A line frosty chill in his wake.
"And that's why we need to put one of Draco's bones in the house mom."
"Well normally I would be a lot more creeped out but you're sure this is something we need to do?"
"I have no doubt." Hermione said looking to Draco who confirmed it.
"Alright on the way back home we can stop and pick up a piece of him. Better make it the skull. I suppose Draco has no problem playing Yorrick?"
Draco laughed, "I thought you were joking Potterette."
"You don't know my dad very well yet Draco." She said rolling her eyes.
Emma looked at the empty chair Hermione was talking to. "You do realize dear that talking to an empty chair can be considered a bit on the odd side of things."
"Uh not in the wizarding world mom. And Draco is a ghost."
Emma seemed to consider that then nodded, "Ahh good points. Sorry. And uh Hello Draco?"
"Well tell her hello I suppose. Since you always translate what I say anyhow."
"Only when you are being rude."
Harry came over at that point looking at Draco sitting in his chair he sat in Dan's, "Your dad is quite the darts player."
"Yeah he told me when we first got married that he spent too much time in the local pub with his dad playing darts when he was an uncultured youth." Emma snickered seeing Dan trying to teach a couple of wizards the game. "He takes Darts quite seriously."
"Oh wow that explain a lot."
"Yeah. Oh hey Hagrid!" Hermione said waving at their tall friend who had entered.
"Ermione! Arry! Blimey I thought you two would be off wit the others." He said coming over. When he sat in the chair Draco had not had time to move yet so he sat in his presence. "Ohh that;s a wee bit of chill breeze."
Draco huffed and floated up to the ceiling. "I really hate being invisible sometimes."
"Yeah you just sat in Draco." Harry said chortling.
"Draco? Oh uh sorry bou that."
"So glad to see you out and about Hagrid. You feeling better?" Madam Rosmerta said coming over with Hagrid's quart mug of ale.
"Aye I guess. I canna keep moping forever now." He said with a smile.
"No you can't now you want some food or you going to have a liquid lunch?"
"I'll take a special."
"Good choice." She said patting the big man on the cheek.
Draco floating over the table made an appreciative whistle. "You know being able to float does have it's benefits on the other hand."
"Pervert" Hermione shook her head.
Draco just shrugged.
"Who is this?" Hagrid asked looking at Emma.
"Oh Hagrid this is my Mother Emma Granger. The man in the corner playing darts with the wizard in the green robes is my dad Daniel.
"Oh pleasure ta meet ya Mrs Granger. Yer daughter here is one of the brightest witches ever. A real treasure."
"Oh well yes she is. Dan and I are quite proud of her."
Hagrid went gushing on about Hermione and Harry to Emma and Dan when he finally came over. Finally they had to leave and let Hagrid get back to his duties at the castle.
===xxxx=====xxxx=====xxx
They had flamed into the graveyard outside the Malfoy tomb. Dan looking around noticed they were not in Crawley. "Uh Pumpkin I know you like to share parts of your world but exploring graveyards is not real high on my tourism list."
"I know dad. But like I told mother we need to get a part of Draco for the house."
"Uh we hadn't quite discussed that yet."
"No but Draco's dad had friends. Very bad friends who would hurt you and Draco can watch the house if there is a part of him there."
"Well a bit Gothic I suppose but he'd be willing to help uh prevent these bad people from hurting us?"
"Well he can't do anything. I suppose he could give them a chill but he could come tell us and we could come help you." Harry explained as Draco sat on the top of the tomb.
"Oh well that's good. I guess he's a pretty nice guy then?"
Draco looked at Dan with a bitter expression.
"Well dying has helped improve his disposition a bit." Harry said cheerfully.
"So yeah. We'll get his skull and go home okay?" Hermione said moving to enter the crypt.
"Yeah okay. Well uh we'll just wait out here while you do your uh. Thing." Dan finished weakly as he wandered over a few yards.
Emma nodded and stepped over by Dan. Harry sighed, "I'll be right here Mione. Okay."
Rolling her eyes she sighed, "Okay Draco is there any particular trick I need to do?" She said as she entered the crypt. Draco slid down past Harry then entered the crypt.
Harry was watching the Grangers look around the place marveling at how they had been in the Scottish Highlands a few moments ago and now was obviously not. He turned to look in other parts of the graveyard and saw Narcissa make an almost silent apparate into the edge of the yard.
"Uh Guys we got company. Narcissa just arrived."
Draco called out, "Uh can you stall her for a few minutes the wards on the vault is a bit more than what I expected."
"No problem is it?"
"No but she's got to concentrate a bit harder."
"Okay."
Dan and Emma had noticed the new visitor heading their way and came over.
"Potter. Who are these people and why are you at the tomb?"
"Uh well Draco wanted us to do something and these are Hermione's parents."
She looked at them like she was studying some kind of strange creature. "Very well hello. Now what did Draco supposedly want you to do?"
"Uh he, uh, well he wanted us to take part of him and put it in the Granger house."
"Actually he wanted me to grab his skull." Hermione said walking out carrying the body part. Cleaned and smoothed devoid of all flesh.
Narcissa's face held some very dangerous emotions briefly Harry saw before she composed herself.
"And why would Draco want to help protect muggles?"
"Uh I never asked him." Hermione said turning to him.
"Because I want to okay." Draco glared back at Hermione. "I wasn't expecting her to come tonight."
"Because if anything happens to Dan or Emma that will make Hermione and I upset and he wouldn't be able to help us finish our mission so he would wind up in Perdition instead of Heaven." Harry explained quickly.
Narcissa relaxed a bit. "That I could believe more than some sudden development of altruism in him. As for the mission." She reached into a handbag and pulled out a small golden goblet with twin scroll work handles on it. A badger was engraved on the side with rubies inset along the rim.
"Is that what I think it is?" Hermione gasped looking at it carefully.
"It is the cup that once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff. It radiates dark magic and was in my dear sister Bellatrix's vault. As I seriously doubt Helga Hufflepuff was a secret dark witch this must be one of the things you seek. I finally managed to convince the Goblins to let me have access as dear Bella is not going to be leaving Azkaban anytime soon."
"Thank you ma'am. We'll take this back to the school and get it dealt with. This has been a great help." Hermione said.
Draco huffed, "Well if you want my consensus I see and empty hand. I don't see the stupid thing."
"Well that's good. Draco says he can't see it so that confirms it must be one of the anchors. Thank you ma'am." Harry said with some relief.
"Yes well. The quicker we can deal with this the quicker I can see to it that I disappear." Narcissa stated in her calm cold tone.
"Okay. I understand. Uh one thing ma'am. I know Draco said you'd probably reject this but depending on how the curse is preventing you from having a child there are ways to get around that, even in the muggle world there are infertility treatments." Hermione pushed ahead even with Draco glaring at her.
"Muggles have developed a way for the barren to have a child?" Narcissa asked in equal parts hope and doubt.
Emma stepped forwards clearing her throat. "Yes. Dan and I looked into it a few years ago after we had Hermione and had some troubles. I wasn't a good candidate unfortunately due to problems with my ovaries."
Hermione had known there was health reasons why she was an only child but not specifics.
"Yeah. We considered adoption and maybe a surrogate but when we found out Emma didn't have any more eggs to use. Well we decided that concentrating on raising Hermione would be the most important thing we would do." Dan said stepping up to put his arm around his wife's waist.
Narcissa watched the two of them interact. "This infertility treatment? All you need is a womb?"
"Well maybe a bit more than that, it depends. I don't know about curses or anything." Emma said carefully.
"I will discus with you Emma Granger this. And your daughter as well. The men may take the cup to Dumbledore for him to deal with."
"Uh alright." Emma said. "So how will you get there?"
"I will apparate. Draco is quite correct ever since he reported that Granger and Potter had become close Lucius had looked very closely into her background. Finding you to be mere muggles he dismissed your usefulness but kept it on hand in case the situation should change."
"Well that's nice to feel targeted." Dan quipped.
"Oh okay. Well Mom you ready?"
"What about your dad?"
"I suppose just asking dad to go to the other room while we talk would be out?" She asked and Narcissa's silent stare was answer enough, "No. Alright then. Harry can take him."
"Okay. I guess I'll take Dan with me to the castle and you can let me know when its safe to come home?" Harry said taking the cup from Narcissa.
"That sounds like a good idea." Hermione said giving him a kiss then taking her mother's hand flaming out still holding Draco's skull with the other.
Narcissa raised her eyebrow and shaking her head sneered at Harry, "That was a very good lie you spun a few moments ago. I do not know why, or how you got Draco to agree to this but I know that the protective wards of the crypt would not have been able to be bypassed without his help."
"Yes well it seemed like a reasonable idea." Harry confessed staring at her.
"The best lies usually do." She then spun in place apparating out.
Draco sighed, "Well I have to agree that was a good one. It really did sound like something I would do."
"Stow it Draco. Dan you ready?"
"If I say no will that stop anything?"
Harry grinned as he grabbed Dan's arm.
====xxxxx=====xxxx=====xx
"Okay. This sort of thing is really going to take some getting used to."
"I know. Hermione and I are starting to accept it as second nature."
"Are they going to be okay with that woman? She didn't exactly give me much warmth."
Draco was floating along with them as they walked down the stairs of the Astronomy Tower. "Mother wouldn't hurt them. Especially as she seems intrigued by this treatment thing." He seemed shocked.
"Well I guess her desire for kids outweighs her hatred of muggles." Harry said.
"Yes well I would not have expected my mother to act like that."
Harry shrugged.
"Just how many stairs are there in this place. Which by the way where is this place?"
"We are in the Astronomy Tower. Hermione and I use it sort of like our own private landing pad. Its out of bounds except when there is a class but most of the students ignore that. To be honest I'm surprised we didn't interrupt a tryst it being Saturday night."
"Yeah. No wonder you guys have such strong legs." Dan said following Harry down the stairs.
"Well the Astronomy Tower is the tallest one in the castle so it won't be that bad."
"Oh joy."
===xxxx=====xxx====xxx
Dan had marveled at the paintings moving and muttering about the obvious muggle in their presence. Being in an actual magical castle he was trying to look every direction at once.
Harry stopped as Professor McGonnegal came bustling up. "Mister Potter? And Mr Granger?"
"Uh Professor I can explain." Harry said holding up the cup.
"Put that away Mr Potter." She hastily cried. "Well come along. The headmaster sent me to intercept you."
"So this place is magnificent. Really wicked with the paintings moving and all of that."
"Yes well if Mr Potter had not brought you directly this would appear as a ruined castle due to the magical offset."
"You mean this entire valley is shifted off from the prime universe into a slightly parallel one, and anyone who enters it through the usual means find an illusionary reality?"
Minerva stopped and looked at Dan with an incredulous expression. "Somewhat simplistic but essentially correct. How did you know that?"
"I'm a Whovian!" He said with a big grin.
"I thought you were a dentist?" She asked in confusion.
Harry cleared his throat.
Minerva regained her composure, "Ah yes. Well we can discus this on the way."
Dan tried to explain the concept of Dr Who on the way to the headmaster's office making good headway by the time they had arrived. Minerva agreed that it was possible one of the creators of the show had been a squib.
"Some of them from the less gracious families have a great deal of resentment and push the boundaries of the secrecy act."
"Well I can understand why. This is amazing. Some of the things Hermione has told us and shown us when we can go to Diagon alley are amazing. I know I said that already but it bears repeating."
Minerva chuckled. "I must say you are taking this rather well Mr Granger."
"Well not all of us are idiots on the other side." He said with a smile as they entered the room.
"Ahh Harry. Welcome back although it would seem you brought the wrong Granger with you?"
"Uh Draco's mom wanted to have a girl's evening with Hermione and Emma sir."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrow, "Narcissa is alone with the two Granger ladies?"
"Yes sir. Draco says they should be okay and that Lucius already knew about them and where they lived."
"Well that is troublesome. I may speak to a few friends about keeping an eye on the Grangers, if you do not mind Mr Granger?"
"Oh hey I don't mind at all. I have no idea about how to fight in your war. Hermione has told us what will happen if this guy comes back, and that he has friends that are already around so its all fine with us if you want to help."
"Yes well I understand how the loss of family can be painful. Now I presume the reason for this is not to escape the hens in the house?" Dumbledore said with a chuckle causing Minerva to purse her lips in a frown at him after an exasperated sigh.
"Uh no sir." Harry said shaking his head then producing the cup. "This is."
"Where was that?" Dumbledore said all mirth drained as she leaned forward to examine the relic.
"Apparently Narcissa's sister Bella had it in her vault." Harry explained.
"Please do not touch that Mr Granger." Minerva called out as Dan was looking at a large glowing birdbath.
"Oh uh sorry. It just. I was curious." Dan weakly explained under the withering glare of Professor McGonnegal.
She took him by the arm and pulling a chair out of the carpet placed him in it out of the way. "Please remain seated here. As a muggle there are a great many things that could be rather, unfortunate if you disturbed them."
"Right okay. Good to know." Dan said sitting quietly making Harry think of a first year. The fact Professor McGonnegal was hovering not far from him just reinforced that.
"Well I will call for Severus and we can deal with this."
"Yes sir."
====xxxxx======xxxx=====xxx====xx
Hermione and her mother appeared in their back garden with Narcissa showing up a few moments later. She looked around then followed the two others into the house.
Hermione placed Draco's skull on the mantle over the lounge. Arranging things so it held a prominent spot. Narcissa chuckled. "Well I did not expect muggles to be quite so accepting of such décor."
"Well Dan is a member of the local amateur theater group so he has a rather eclectic taste in decorations." Emma said with a chuckle.
"Yes well." Narcissa said looking around surprised. "This is not quite what I was expecting."
"Don't come to our side of the wall much?" Emma gently asked.
"No I do not. And please disabuse yourself of the thoughts of making my friendship. I am here only to find out more information about how to have a child. No magical healer has been able to reverse the curse and I am, "She paused to consider her words, "desperate enough to even consider muggle methods."
"Wow. Draco said you would rather die first."
"As I am the last of the Black family line due to my cousin being disowned I must do my duty to continue the ancient and noble line of my ancestors."
"Sirius Black? Is he your cousin?"
"Yes. I saw that he had been found and is receiving treatment. However as far as I am aware his mother had him disowned for his rejection of the family code."
"Ahh. I don't know the brief time I spoke with him he was not exactly in his right mind."
"That is not much different than before he went to Azkaban."
"Well make yourself comfortable as I have to go dig this out of my office in the basement."
Narcissa nodded as she stiffly sat on the sofa.
Hermione sighed, "Would you like something to drink? We have some orange juice or there is some tea bags."
"No thank you. Please sit I have a question for you."
Hermione took a seat not far from her. Looking expectantly at her as Narcissa seemed to be working out what to say.
"You said Draco asked you to do this." She said waving at the skull sitting quietly on the mantle. "Your husband's polite fiction sounded reasonable but your expression gave away that you had not heard that."
"Oh uh yeah. I need to work on my poker face as dad calls it."
"So why did Draco have you remove his skull and bring it here."
"Honestly for why I said. He asked me to. He has changed after he died. He really has."
Narcissa sat back with a perplexed expression tinged by concern Hermione thought.
"He believes that there could be a threat to your parents." She said not asked.
"He said some of your husband's associates blamed Harry for this and since we're better protected they might go after my parents as they're muggles."
"True they would. Holding them hostage to draw the two of you out or killing them just to hurt you. Lucius was rather high in the Organization."
"Maybe you could use that. Use what you know to take down the organization?" Hermione asked leaning forward eagerly.
"There is much corruption and infiltration of the ministry by the Organization. I would have to do so carefully."
"True but it could benefit you too. They probably are not entirely happy with you right now either."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well you're still walking free but your husband is in Azkaban."
"If you must know they have dismissed me as useless. A rather unfortunate mistake on their part. As I have already been making plans to remove them."
The cold venom in her voice made Hermione shiver briefly.
"You are not comfortable about such casual conversation. I was not joking when I said I will have my vengeance upon all of them. There are a great many things your innocent ears do not need to hear about what occurred during our meetings. Although I am sure Draco has heard or guessed much."
"He hasn't spoken of it if he did."
"Good. I will not repeat them then." She stared off into the distance at something Hermione realized was not in the room.
Emma returned several minutes later with Hermione sitting quietly and Narcissa lost in whatever thoughts or memories she was contemplating.
"Okay here is the folder I got from the clinic we went through. They are good people and want to help." She said handing it to Narcissa. The Slytherin dame took the folder and looked it over.
"I do not understand any of this."
"Well basically they can take your own eggs, and his sperm and combine them outside the body in a lab and then put the resulting embryo back into your uterus. That's the really really simplified description."
Narcissa frowned, "According to the healers I have seen my womb is destroyed. It does not have the ability to receive the seed. My organs that carry the vital spark are intact though."
Emma translated that in her mind for a moment then smiled, "Okay. I think I understand what you're saying. Your womb was injured but your ovaries are still intact. So they could harvest the eggs and work with that. Yeah you wouldn't be able to carry the child but a surrogate could be found I bet that would be able to."
Narcissa looked entirely confused , "I only understood about half of what you said."
Emma sighed not expecting to have to give the reproductive talk to a woman her own age. "Well you see, its like this."
===xxxxxx======xxxxx=xxxx
Severus walked in with his case of venom pausing to stare at Dan who waved hello politely.
"Sir?"
"Ahh this is Daniel Granger. Mrs Potter's father. Apparently Narcissa is visiting with the Mrs, Granger and Potter this evening for a girl's chat I believe is the term."
"Oh. And you felt bringing him here would be better than perhaps the three broomsticks?" He turned to Harry who simply shrugged.
"Yes well Narcissa did give us a gift Severus." Dumbledore said pointing at the cup.
Raising his eyebrow he looked at it carefully. Drawing his wand after he placed the case down he cast several detection spells on it. "Hmm this is another soul anchor. We should move to the conference room."
"Yes please. I just had the desk polished and it would be a shame to mar the finish." Dumbledore said levitating the cup into the other room. Minerva nodded for Daniel to come with them. He followed placidly with a big grin.
The cup settled on the table while Dumbledore and everyone other than Snape backed tout of the room. Snape took his crystal pipette and the vial of basilisk venom out of the case. Carefully drawing some into it he placed several drops into the cup until a nasty greenish black gas began to issue from it. A horrific growling hissing face was formed from the smoke which Snape cast a spell of some kind on causing it to dissipate.
"Whoa. That was wicked." Dan gushed.
"Yes well it was what one could expect." Snape calmly said packing his things back in their case.
Dumbledore chuckled, "Irregardless of Severus' blase attitude this is not the usual sort of thing that happens."
"Sure. Yeah. Hey Hermione told me about the giant snake and everything going on. So your world is a bit more dangerous and exciting. We understand that. We are also putting a LOT of trust in you to protect her."
Snape raised his eyebrow while looking calmly at the headmaster with a slight smirk on his face.
Dumbledore fumbled for a moment before saying, "And I greatly appreciate that trust sir. We are doing our best to uphold it."
"Well good. I know you will then. So Harry is it safe to go back to the casa de Granger?"
[Mione? Is Narcissa still there?]
{Yes Harry. Mum has to explain the birds and bees to her, muggle style."}
"Uh Narcissa is still there. Emma is explaining muggle reproduction to her."
Severus looked disturbed slightly at that. "Narcissa Malfoy is in a muggle home, discussing muggle reproduction?"
Minerva and Dumbledore both looked at Harry in confusion.
Draco snickered, "Wow. Quite the shock to everyone."
"Yeah well you said she would never do that."
Draco shrugged, "Okay I guess mother is turning over a new leave totally."
"Well why not." Harry said arguing with the ghost.
{Harry they just got done and Narcissa is getting ready to leave.}
[Okay thanks.]
"Hermione said Narcissa is getting ready to leave."
"Yes well if you will excuse me I have some work to do in the dungeon." Snape said nodding to everyone as he left quickly.
"Well well. Looks like uncle Sev is wanting to check on things with mother." Draco sneered.
"Anyhow sir, ma'am. If there is nothing else I should at least take Dan back home."
"Oh no. Harry that will be quite fine. Enjoy the rest of the night and tomorrow. Just be sure to have returned by dinner." The headmaster said with a smile.
"And do not forget your transfiguration homework. It may only be two weeks until Yule break but that does not excuse a lackadaisical attitude."
Dan chuckled, "Trust me Hermione has cracked the whip on him quite a bit."
Draco considered, "Really a whip? Kinkier than I thought."
Harry just glared at the ghost for a moment before saying, "Uh yes sir. Yes ma'am. Hermione has already got tomorrow afternoon planned for homework."
"Very good. Then good night Mr Granger, Mr Potter." The professor said with a polite nod.
Harry took Dan's arm as the two educators stepped back, and flamed out.
"Well I must admit that his wife's work study habits are beginning to rub off on him apparently. His grades have certainly improved."
"The love of a good woman can do a great many things to help." Dumbledore said walking to his desk. "Plus I do believe that this is the first time I have heard him refer to a place other than the castle as home."
Minerva gave Dumbledore a look.
"Yes Minerva. I admit you were right about the Dursleys and I was wrong. There is no need to be crass about it."
She simply smiled as she said, "Good night Albus."
Chuckling Dumbledore agreed, "Yes it certainly has been a good night."
=======xxxxxx======xxx
Arriving back at the Granger home the wives met their husbands with hugs and kisses.
"Oh my god Dan. That has got to be the most surreal conversation I have ever had. Giving the talk to a forty year old woman. I am amazed at the lack of education among these pure-bloods. Not to mention common sense. Did you know she had utterly no idea how babies were actually made?"
Harry and Hermione left the adults to their discussions. Going upstairs to their bedroom.
===xxxx====xxx====xx
"Was it really that bad?" Harry asked once they were in their room.
"Well mum may be exaggerating a little bit but yeah. Some of the basic ideas and such. That's why they really need a sex education class at the school."
"Can you imagine some of the Slytherins in that? Plus Ron has some of the strangest ideas. I swear you even mention anything sexual and Neville turns redder than a stop sign." Harry recounted.
"Well hopefully we can get something to eat soon. We missed dinner." Hermione sighed as her stomach rumbled.
"Well we could always go back up to the island and go fishing."
"I'm not as enthusiastic about that idea as I was you know." Hermione said with a wry smile.
Harry kissed her, "Good."
"Hey guys get your clothes back on we're going out to the Thai place tonight." Dan called up the stairs.
Hermione called back down. "We are not that sex crazed you know dad. Besides there is such a thing called foreplay!"
"Just making sure my precocious little pumpkin." He said laughing uproariously.
===xxxx====xxx====xxx===xx
Dinner was fun at the restaurant. Harry had not been to this one or had Thai food before so he tried a little bit of everything. Hermione giving him ideas and suggestions as she worked her way through a dinner platter.
"I still cannot get over how much you guys eat now."
"Its part of our metabolism mom. We run hotter." Hermione said with a shrug. "And we did a lot of jumping around today."
"Yeah although I feel like Ron now." Harry said before slurping up the last of his noodles.
"No dear you still have better table manners than he does." Hermione pointed out earnestly.
"True. Although I think he's getting better. Dating Parvati has got to be helping."
"Ahh the blossoming of young hormones. Remember those years my dear?" Dan sighed with a puppy dog expression at Emma.
"Entirely too sadly. I was not quite as blossoming as Mandy Berkowitz so the boys did not even notice I was a girl for a few years."
Hermione snickered, "Yeah. We have a few like that."
Harry nodded, "Susan Bones in our class."
"Yeah she came in with curves as a first year." Hermione shook her head.
"Sometimes it happens." Emma sighed.
"Yeah fortunately her mom is a major player in the government so the boys are a lot more respectful. That and there is some rumors about her and one of her fellow Hufflepuffs." Hermione laughed.
"Well lucky guy." Dan said.
"Girl actually." Harry shrugged dryly.
"Oh okay." Dan said with a why not expression.
======xxxx=====xxxxx======xxx
Hermione woke up early the next morning before Harry did. Their previous nights exertions making her hungry she still felt that a shower and personal matters would come first.
Letting Harry sleep she took her fuzzy robe and padded to their bathroom. Running the shower she got in only for a cold chill to run down her back. Spinning around she was face to face with Draco.
"Draco. You have exactly three seconds to get out of my shower or I will send your skull to the middle of the North Sea." She said with a glare that if Draco had been alive would have indicated he would not be much longer.
"Sorry Potterette. I was coming to tell you a message from mother." He said looking her up and down.
"You can tell me from the other side of the curtain. You're making the water cold."
Stepping through the curtain Draco snickered. "Potter is a lucky fellow you know. If I'd known you looked like that under the school robes I'd have made a play for you."
"I would have rather had Norbert make a play for me." Hermione said resuming her morning ablutions.
"Ouch. That really wounds me Potterette."
"You're dead. You'll get over it I think."
"Well Mother came to the crypt. She left a package on the bench inside for you or Harry to give to your mother. A mirror so she can talk to her about making a baby with some one. Doesn't your mother still have a womb?"
Hermione almost drowned herself when she gasped "What?" Sputtering she stuck her head out of the curtain to glare at Draco, "If that was a sick joke I will find some place worse to put your skull than the North Sea."
"No joke. In case you hadn't noticed mother does not trust very easily. Your mother and father somehow impressed her greatly." Draco grimaced in distaste when he said that.
Returning to her rinsing off she thought for a moment then asked, "She isn't going to want dad to help is she?" Hermione sounded sick and disgusted by the thought.
Draco sneered, "Eww. Potterette you have got to be kidding me. Uh no. Mother has better taste than that. Besides Uncle Sev will be doing the job no doubt. He is her favorite bed partner."
"Draco I have not had breakfast yet. Please do not damage my appetite with those sorts of mental images."
[Hey is everything okay? I got woke up by the weirdest dream.]
{Yes Harry everything is fine. Draco just came by to tell me Narcissa left a package for one of us to give to mother in the crypt.}
[You want me to pop up and grab it?]
{If you don't mind.}
[Okay. Be right back.]
"I sent Harry to go get it."
[Wait a second, you're in the shower. Is Draco in there too?]
{No he is standing right outside the shower though.}
She felt Harry get grumpy for a moment then a mental shrug. [Fine. He keeps this up I am finding a way to charge him admission.]
{Fine by me. I think he's just doing it to spin us up Harry.}
[No doubt. Okay found it. On my way back.]
Hermione turned the shower off and grabbed her towel. Reaching through Draco to do so.
"Oh excuse me Draco." She smirked taking the time to dry off then hang the towel back up.
"Whoa when did you get to be the free spirit?"
She shrugged, "Well everyone saw me already, You're dead so there isn't much you can do and as perverted as you are how do I know you hadn't already watched everything. Besides I have nothing to be ashamed of."
"No I don't imagine you do." Draco leered.
Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to brushing her teeth as Harry walked in. He glanced at Draco then got in the shower after giving Hermione a kiss on the cheek. Draco put his head through the curtain briefly causing Harry to growl "Hey!" at him.
Draco snickered. "What Potter? Got some body issues?"
"Well I guess that answers the question of which side of the quaffle you played." Harry observed.
"Hey I'm an equal opportunity pervert. I might as well enjoy some of the perks of being dead."
Both Potters sighed deeply.