Chapter 10
Sirius arrived home mid afternoon
"Kreacher "
"Yes Master Sirius"
"Where are the kids"
"Miss Susan has gone to visit master Neville and Master Harry is in the library with miss Hermione"
The little elf was smiling broadly
"Master will want his camera"
The Elf clicked his finger's and a camera appeared in his hands
"Thank you Kreacher, shall we"
They pocked their heads into the library, Sirius quickly pulled the elf back out.
"Kreacher can you go and get the Grangers if they are free I'm going to flu Amelia"
The gleam in the little elf eyes were full of mischief when he popped away silently. Sirius ran to the reception room with the fireplace in.
"Amelia, can you get away for a few moments you have to see this"
The mischief in Sirius's eye said she needed to make time. She called to her Secretary that she had to pop out for a few minutes. Arriving home she found Sirius with Dan and Emma.
"OK we are all here what got you tittering" Amelia said
"Follow me but be very quiet"
The four adults crept towards the library as they looked in the two women in unison let out an "aaaaahhhh"
On the sofa the two children were fast asleep, Harry was in the same position with his feet on the table. Hermione had turned on her side with her feet tucked up, her head on Harry and her arm around him. Harry's head was resting on top of hers and his hand held the one Hermione draped on his chest. A smiling Sirius snapped some pictures, the parents then left the two asleep.
Dan was suffering with mixed feelings, on one hand his little girl was asleep in a boys arms, on the other the boy was a gentle soul who would treat his daughter with respect. He decided he would worry when his wife told him to. Harry and Hermione woke an hour later neither wanted to wake the other. Hermione spoke.
"Sorry Harry, I was warm and comfortable"
"I'm not sorry"
They both blushed
"Hermione I really like having you as my friend but"
" I'm not good enough to be your girlfriend" tears started to well in the young girls eyes as she dropped her head.
Harry took both her hands "Please look at me Hermione, you are one of the kindest and bravest people I know"
She looked up and he continued
"But I have already put you in harms way by dragging you into our lives, the brand of girlfriend will be a thousand times worse. The witches who have had marriage contracts sent back will see you as a challenge. Also the dark tossers in this world will see you as a way to hurt me. Your far to important for me to let that happen. We have plenty of time when we are older. I'm still only 11 I haven't totally given up on being a Power Ranger when I grow up"
The girl smiled and cuddled back into his side "I understand what your saying, I think I got a little carried away with how it felt being around your family, as long as you remember Red Ranger I will be your Pink Ranger. And there will be nothing in this world that will make me give up whatever we are"
They entered the kitchen to find both their parents and Susan sitting at the dining room table looking at something and laughing. Kreacher was happily pottering about the stove cooking dinner.
"Kreacher do you need help"
The group at the table turned to see the two of them in the doorway
Thank you but no Master Harry, although I'm sure your hungry. You did sleep through lunch"
The pair blushed as everyone else laughed, Dan spoke first "Did you have a nice nap Princess" He waved a photograph at them.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at her farther
"I see you took pictures of me asleep on my friend"
Christmas eve would be the last day that Hermione would see her friends before new years eve. Christmas day would be spent with her parents and then boxing day they would be off skiing for three days, a Granger family tradition. The four friends met lunchtime Christmas eve.
They had agreed joke gifts, Hermione was voted Queen gifter. Harry received a chefs apron and hat both branded kiss the cook. She decided on this after discovering that he enjoyed to cook and spent time in the kitchen with Kreacher. For Sue she bought a muggle witches costume and a copy of a film called Hocus Pocus. Susan found the costume hilarious. They all looked forward to the film next time they were at Hermione's house. The star gift was for Neville a plastic sunflower in a red plant pot, wearing sunglasses and a smile it moved as if it was dancing when music played or you made enough noise near it. The boy beamed at his friends.
"I have one more gift for you Hermione"
"Harry you didn't have too"
He handed Hermione a small wrapped package, she ripped the paper off and opened the small box. Inside was a gold chain with simple gold hart charm.
Tears welled in the young witches eyes
"It's beautiful Harry"
The boy let out a breath of relief and helped her put her new necklace on. She turned and kissed him on the cheek. It was then time to return home to her parents. Susan walked Neville to the fireplace, A very happy Neville flu'ed home to his parents. They each spent Christmas day with their families, sharing gifts and eating too much food. Hermione enjoyed her trip with her parents but missed Harry and the others. Harry spent three days hanging out with Neville and Susan but wished Hermione was there as well. They all missed the brunette she had become an integral part of their group.
Sirius and Amelia entered the kitchen to find Harry fed, showered and dressed.
"Excited to see your girlfriend"
"She's not my girlfriend"
The boy blushed and tried to look nonchalant. While his parents laughed.
"We are picking her and Nev up to visit Albus and Minerva, he said he had gifts for all of you"
"Cool they always seem to know what we need not what we want. We've been waiting to ask him something all Christmas"
His parents became tense
"What about" Was said in unison
Harry shrugged "nothing special, school stuff"
Harry mirrored Hermione when they were ready to leave, she arrived through the flu and leapt straight into Harry's arms, he spun her around before putting her down. Neville followed moments late.
Amelia whispered to her husband
"Not his girlfriend" Sirius nodded
"The only two who don't know it is them, I think a little chat with Harry latter is good idea"
Amelia nodded ad they all stepped towards the flu. The six arrived in the headmasters office to find Albus and Minerva waiting. Three of the children ran into the waiting arms of Minerva McGonagall.
Hermione was still struggling with the different way they acted out of school, the Scottish witch looked up and smiled.
"I'm sure this is very confusing for you but don't fret. With time you will relax now who wants presents"
Susan bouncing up and down
"me first, me first"
The four adults laughed, Dumbledore waved his hand and four identical packages floated towards the children. As one landed in front of Hermione she was surprised. The headmaster addressed her shock.
"I am well informed you have been dragged into our strange family"
The young girl blushed and opened her gift, all four had matching book satchels.
"They have an undetectable expansion charm as well as a built in summoning, and feather light charms. So they will hold anything, weigh nothing and if you put your hand in and call for something in the bag it will come to your hand"
Dumbledore looked very smug, the kids were very impressed. Hermione thanked the headmaster
"Hermione out of school you may as well call me Pops, they do"
Pointing at the others. The older man rolled his eyes, secretly enjoying that he was thought of as a grandfather.
They enjoyed Christmas cake and hot chocolate, while Hermione tried to explain skiing and it's merits. When the time came to leave Harry looked at the others now or never.
"We know about the third floor"
"And what pray tell do you know"
Harry started to wilt under the man's gaze but continued
"you are guarding something for a friend, all the professors have laid traps. We could pass the first if we want but have not tried"
The four adults stood in shock until Sirius let out a barking laugh. Amelia silenced him with a smack to the head
"Bloody Marauders the lot of them"
Dumbledore became serious after Amelia's comment
"Have you told anyone what you discovered" the children shook their heads
"Good I can't stress enough that you tell no one"
They all new this was an order not a request
"I'm sure you have people waiting for you, enjoy your new year and I will see you again when term starts"
They all left by flu to Grimmuld Place, they arrived to find someone waiting for them
"Hey pups"