Chapter 16:

The Grangers

After talking to Hermione early in the morning the three of them decided to pay her parents a visit.

'Are you sure this is safe?' Hermione asked as they entered her parents' house.

'Yes, perfectly. Although it would be best if we talked at the Manor and not out here in the open.' Said Sirius.

Hermione nodded but was still concerned. For all intents and purposes they looked to be alone. Harry knew there were at least 3 disillusioned battle mages around them, but he couldn't tell Hermione that out in the open. Who knew what or who was listening in?

'Hermione! You didn't say you were coming home! And you brought guests.' Mrs. Granger said smiling fondly as she hugged her little girl.

'You could have sent a bird. What if we were not home, young lady?' her father admonished lightly.

'It is best not to put in writing what can give away your location.' Said Sirius at which Mr. Granger frowned.

'Mom, dad, you know Harry. This is Harry's godfather, Sirius Black.'

'A pleasure to meet you both. Your daughter is one of the smartest witches I've ever met.'

'That's our Hermione.' Mrs. Granger said sighing. 'Please come in. I'll make some fresh lemonade.'

'Actually, we'd like you to come with us.' Said Harry. Hermione looked at him confused.

'Why?'

'What we wish to talk to you about is best done somewhere more secure.' Explained Sirius.

'Secure? But we're not…' Mr. Granger stopped himself before exchanging looks with his wife. 'We'll need to be back by midday. Our shift at the Clinique starts at 1 o'clock.'

'Two hours is plenty of time.' Said Sirius before taking out a rubber duck and creating a portkey to the Manor. Some explaining later the five were in Sirius's office.

'That was a very odd sensation.' Mrs. Granger said as she sat down on the couch.

'Where are we?' asked Mr. Granger.

'My family home, Black Manor.' Explained Sirius as Tia popped in with a tray of refreshments and freshly baked biscuits.

'What is that?' asked Mrs. Granger.

'Mom! Don't be rude, she is a house elf.'

'Pleasure to meets yous, guests of house Black.' Tia said bowing to the Grangers.

'Thank you Tia.' And with a curt nod to her Lord Tia popped out.

'Weren't you campaigning to set those little guys free?' asked Hermione's father.

'Got side tracked by You-Know-Who.' Sighed Hermione.

'Are you sure he's back dear?' Her mother asked 'We've not heard of any funny deaths or catastrophes all summer.'

'That's because he's not shown himself yet.' Explained Sirius 'He's taking advantage of our ministry's refusal to believe he's back to consolidate his power. But trust me when I say, he's very much back.'

'Is Hermione safe here?' asked the mother.

'Hermione doesn't stay here, although if she wants to she can. The same goes for you two.' Added Sirius.

'What?' Hermione's head snapped in Harry's direction.

'You're safe at Headquarters. This place is about as safe even though it isn't under Fidelius. But your parents aren't.'

'Who would want to target us?' asked Mrs. Granger.

'I'm afraid there are some. Hermione's affiliation with me is known at school. And some of the students are the children of Voldemort's followers. He could find out and in an attempt to get to me, or just out of sport, he could come after you.'

'But what about work?' asked Mrs. Granger.

'Well, if you were to move to the Manor, it would not be advisable to continue working. At least until we've dealt with Voldemort.' Said Sirius.

'Why are you speaking his name? Isn't it like a curse?'

'No it isn't. It's just a silly superstition that perpetuated during the first war against him and his followers.' Said Sirius.

'It's a name, not even the guy's real name. People shouldn't feel scared of a name.' Harry added.

'So you're offering for mum and dad to stay here, at the manor?' asked Hermione

'Yes, I can't offer them the London house for obvious reasons. But this place is sufficiently guarded that even if Voldemort decides to foolishly attack he'd be hard pressed to escape the Manor's defences intact.'

'Still, we can't just uproot our lives. What will we do for an income? And our patients.' Added Mr. Granger.

'You must decide for yourselves what you wish to do. There is a possibility to raise defensive wards around your home but they wouldn't guarantee your safety, just make it more difficult for the Death Eaters. Maybe buy you some time to escape. I don't know.'

'Who would raise these defences for us? Hermione?' asked Mrs. Granger

'Er, no. That would be me. I would also assign someone to guard you, keep a look out, if that is OK with you.'

'We know it's an intrusion in your private life.' Harry said 'So it's up to you how you wish to proceed from here.'

The two Muggles looked at each other and then at Hermione.

'Can we think about it?' asked Mr. Granger

'Of course. Take your time. Harry and I will check on lunch.' And so Sirius and Harry left the three alone.

'Hermione, who is this man?' asked Mr. Granger

'He's Harry's godfather.'

'He looks familiar somehow.' Said her mother.

'That's because he was on the telly two years back. He escaped from prison, they thought him a dark wizard but he's innocent. Harry and I found out in our third year.'

'He doesn't look like an ex-convict.' Daniel Granger said.

'More like an aristocrat.' Added Monica.

'Well, his family is one of the oldest wizarding families in Britain. That's why you shouldn't worry about living expenses and such. I'm sure Sirius will take care of everything while you're living here.'

'But honey, how can we just stop going to work? And what happens after this is all over?' her mother asked.

'You really think they will target us? We're no threat to anyone.' Added her father.

'These people consider Muggle hunting a sport.' Hermione said testily. 'They don't care about threats and such. They'll do it for fun.'

'Hurting people for fun? Honey, they can't be that bad…'

'They are worse mom. Honestly, I have been worrying about you ever since I got to headquarters. When Harry came this morning and raised the question about your safety I was relieved.'

'Why didn't you ask for this yourself?'

'Because the people that are keeping me safe have more pressing matters to deal with.'

'So Mr. Black isn't the one keeping you safe.'

'In part he is. I can't say any more, the information is protected by a charm.'

'So even if we come here, you'd still be somewhere else.'

'I can come here too. Harry told me Sirius doesn't mind.'

'That's mighty generous of him. But honey, are you sure he is trustworthy.' Asked her father 'You said he's from a very old family of wizards. Aren't You-Know-Whose supporters also old wizard families? What if…'

'Sirius isn't like that. He never liked his family. He only inherited because he's the last Black from the main line.'

'I don't know, sweetheart. It's still too much to ask of a man who doesn't know us. To just welcome us in his home like this.' Daniel sighed.

'And we'll be safe with the wards around the house…right?' asked Monica looking for confirmation from Hermione. But the little witch knew better. No matter how good the wards were, Voldemort and his best men would break them down. It took constant renewal or a very strong magical land to keep wards to their full power all the time.

'I'd feel better if you guys moved to the manor. But I will take the wards. Just promise me you'll be careful and if something happens, you'll come here.' Hermione finally said what was on her heart. 'I'll even move here with you if that happens.'

'Well that settles that. Wards it is, and we will be extra careful.' Daniel said smiling.

'And you will be extra careful.' Hermione emphasized. 'No unnecessary going out anymore.'

'All right honey. We'll keep going out to a minimum.' Said her mother hugging her.

'Rick will be pissed I'll cancel our football training, but I guess it can't be helped.' Added her father.

Hermione breathe out a sigh of relief. Her parents would be protected. It wasn't like headquarters, but the wards would let them know if something was coming for them and stop small attacks. She doubted Voldemort would come in person for her parents. They went in search of Sirius and Harry and found the two in the drawing room together with Andromeda and Tonks. Tonks and Harry were keeping quiet as Andromeda and Sirius were having a heated discussion.

'…know any better, I'd say you're trying to kill me dear cousin.' Sirius said.

'Oh you're exaggerating as usual. You were never good with commitments.'

'Commitments? Meda, you've handed me a dinner invitation from Nora Zabinni, screw commitments, that woman was on her fifth husband half a year ago, all dead under mysterious circumstances.'

'She hasn't killed any of them. She's just unlucky.'

'Unlucky is walking in a pile of shit because you weren't looking.'

'I've known Nora for 10 years now. She is a very nice woman.'

'I am not looking for a girlfriend. If you haven't figured it out yet, I have my hands full with Voldemort and his merry men.'

'Exactly. You could be dead tomorrow. Best reason to live in the moment.'

'More like live a moment.' Sirius muttered before sighing and calming down a bit. 'Look, I appreciate your concern, but I am not looking for a girlfriend, companion, wife or whatever you think Nora can be to me. Thanks, but no thanks.'

'Fine, but you're not getting any younger you know. Clock is ticking.'

'What the hell does that mean?'

'You're 35 Sirius, people settle down in their 20s.'

'I am settled down. I'm running this mad house, how much more settled down can I get?'

'A family Sirius, you need a family.'

'I have Harry, and I have you and Ted and Dora.' Harry loved his godfather for saying he was his family but couldn't help snickering at the embarrassing situation Sirius was in. The man loved to poke fun at him, well, Harry was entitled to have fun at his future father's expense.

'And we're there for you, but we're also concerned.'

'Leave me out of this mum.'

'Fine, Ted and I are concerned.'

'Dad said you should leave him out of this also.'

'Fine, I am concerned! There happy?'

'Meda, this conversation is over. Now, turn around and say hello to Hermione's parents.'

'Oh, I didn't know you had visitors.' Meda said feeling a bit embarrassed.

'Sorry about the shouting match, my cousin Andromeda was always concerned about my private life.'

'Or lack thereof.' Meda couldn't help but retort back.

'I guess it's true what they say.' Daniel chuckled 'If you don't get married until the age of 30, the women in the family will marry you off.'

'Don't give her ideas. Come, let's eat, and then we'll discuss things further.'

Andromeda opened her mouth.

'Not about Zabinni.' Sirius growled.

After the three course meal Bessy and Trill prepared for them everyone was feeling better.

'That was one of the best cheese cakes I've ever eaten.' Said Monika.

'It is old Black family recipe.' Said Bonny as she came to vanish the table.

'I don't suppose I could get it from you then.' Added Monica

'Sorry, the house elves protect those recipes somewhat fiercely.' Said Sirius.

'And they are usually done using magic.' Added Meda

'Pity.' Said Monica.

'I am sorry to cut this visit short, but if we're to get to work today, we'd better leave now.' Said Daniel

'So you've decided against staying here?' asked Sirius.

'Yes.' Daniel sighed 'But we'll take your protection at our home.'

'That is wise of you.' Said Andromeda. 'These are dangerous times we live in.'

'And we are grateful for your help. How will this work?' Added Monica

'I will send someone to your house tonight to erect the wards.' Sirius smiled.

'You won't do them yourself?' asked Hermione

'No, my magical signature is quite strong and can be identified by the Black family members in Voldemort's service. If I did the warding they would know your parents are affiliated to me. That wouldn't be wise. The man I will send tonight is very good at warding but with the added benefit of not being known to the enemy. His magical signature will make it seem the house is simply inhabited by some wizards not that the people living there have anything to do with me.'

'That makes sense.' Said Daniel 'How will we know him, and when will he come?'

'After midnight and Tonks will accompany him.' Sirius explained pointing at his cousin.

'Oh, but I thought there was a meeting tonight.' Hermione said looking at Tonks confused.

'I resigned yesterday.' Tonks said.

'Why?' Hermione asked.

'It became a family business. And my family is here.' She said looking at her mother.

Hermione's eyes grew big. Tonks had resigned from the Order.

'Well, we wish you luck in your family venture.' Daniel said not understanding 'We'll wait for you after midnight then.

'I will be there. Don't open the door to anyone, we'll be using the back door and the signal will be three knocks followed by a whistle then three knocks again.'

'This sounds like spy stuff.' Daniel smiled.

'It's a precaution.' Said Sirius.

Daniel and Monika stood up as did Sirius.

'The portkey is ready for your use. Tonks.'

'I'll be coming with you now to make sure you get there safely.' The Metamorphomagus said joining the Grangers around the rubber duck.

'Thank you again, Mr. Black. For this and for taking care of Hermione, even if indirectly. I hope we can count on your help to get her safely back to school.' Daniel said shaking Sirius' hand as Hermione hugged her mother.

'I will make sure both Harry and Hermione and every other kid on the Hogwarts express gets to school safely.' Sirius said smiling.

'Is the school safe?' asked Monika.

'With Dumbledore in charge, I'd say yes.' Sirius reassured them.

'Of course we're going back. It's our OWL year, the most important examinations we'll ever have.' Hermione said testily.

'I'm sure you'll both do great.' Said Daniel

'We'll miss you, Miony.' Said Monika hugging her daughter again.

'I'll miss you too, mom, dad.' A few moments later the three were gone. Hermione sighed as she was left with Sirius, Harry and Andromeda.

'Are you OK?' Harry asked.

'I am, and I'm happy they'll be better protected, but I'm also scared for them, you know.' She said sitting back down at the table.

'There is a slim chance of them being targets Hermione.' Said Sirius 'And Ben is a guy I would trust the wards of this place to, if it wasn't already a fortress in itself.'

'Who is this man anyway?' Hermione asked.

'Someone who is helping me take down Voldemort. I can't say much more as his identity is somewhat a secret.' Explained Sirius 'Anyway, I should get going if I want to file these adoption papers today.'

'Adoption?' asked Hermione

'Harry.' Sirius simply said 'Think you can hold down the fort?'

'Go already. We'll be fine. Just come back around 6, that's when we said we'll return Hermione.' Harry said.

'Perfect, love you.' Sirius said ruffling Harry hair. 'Don't blow anything up.' And he was gone turning on the spot.

'Well, that was a dramatic exit.' Andromeda sighed. 'What do you two want to do?'

'Well, I was thinking if I'm here, I might visit the library.' Hermione said sheepishly.

'I'll show you the way.' Harry said.

'I'll be in the study if you two need an adult.' Andromeda added and Harry lead the way to the biggest library Hermione had ever seen, and that included the one at Hogwarts. It was in one of the Manor's towers and the bookshelves spiralled upwards three stories high.

'I can't believe there are so many books in one place.' Hermione gasped.

'The Black library has subscriptions to all the publishing houses in magical Britain and some overseas too.' Trill explained as he came towards them. The old elf bowing slightly 'Master Harry, what will today be?'

'Hello Trill, this is my friend Hermione Granger. Hermione, this is Trill our oldest house elf. He knows every book here and where it is. So if you have any particular tome you want to read.'

'It would be great if I could read those books you said helped with the Transfiguration homework.' She said beaming at Harry.

'Well then, that would be Shaping matter by Glinda Crook and Trans-modelling by Ivan Kremlin.' Trill popped out and back again with two huge tomes in his small hands.

'Thank you Trill.'

'Trill lives to serve the Noble and Most Ancient house of Black and its friends.' Trill said bowing.

'I'll just pick up where I left of with my mind defence book. It's still where I left it, right?'

'Of course Master Harry.'

'We'll be fine on our own, you can go rest if you want, Trill.'

Trill bowed and Harry showed Hermione to one of his favourite spots in the library, the shaping net almost at the top of the tower in which he had left his book and which moulded to the sitter to give him or her the best position to read. Hermione became engrossed in the two books almost immediately. Harry continued to read through his for quite some time until he understood the intricacies of finer mind barriers and maze like traps for intruders. Although he was Voldemort free, he had grown very preoccupied that his mind might become accessible to others if he was in the same room with Legilimens Masters. He wanted to have a strong mind and knew it was also good against attacks from creatures like Dementors, so he was building his mind like a fortress, Sirius had taught him the basics but each mind was different and some techniques were better suited for some than others. He found that using his time to mediate for his Animagus transformation had given him a far greater attention span and made it easier for him to remember stuff. He had been struggling with some of the school work, but he wanted to struggle no more. He didn't have time to struggle, he needed to be ready when Voldemort struck, and that meant, disciplining himself.

Hermione had been making notes on the two books for almost two hours when she realized this was probably not how Harry wanted to spend his time. She was a studious person, but Harry was definitely not. She looked up to see Harry had indeed put down the book he had been reading at the beginning but had three new books around him. Her best friend looked concentrated as he turned one page of a book and consulted a second. She blinked to make sure she was seeing right. That was indeed Harry, her best friend, but he somehow looked different. Him having a tan was not it, nor was his less scrawny frame, or his unruly hair which no longer looked like a bird's nest but seemed to have a casual elegance to the tussle, Hermione couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something different and quite disturbing in some ways. Harry looked up from his study and smiled at her. But it wasn't Harry's smile, it was more a smirk. She turned away blushing before she realized what she was doing and that it made no sense to turn away or blush, it was Harry, just Harry. Only it wasn't.

'So what do you think?' he asked.

'About what?'

'Crook or Kremlin?' Hermione blinked, he wanted to discuss Transfiguration theory?

'Well, Crook's method seems more scientifically based. I'm dying to try out that transfiguration chart of hers.'

'I knew you would say Crook.' Harry laughed.

'Oh, I suppose Kremlin's method is more to your taste, then?'

'I tried them both, during my holiday with Sirius. Crook's method is…good, but it doesn't work for me all that well. Sirius said my dad found Crook's method restrictive but that Remus and my mom used it to great effect in their 6th year. I take after dad that way, Kremlin made it easier for me to transfigure the toucan into a water goblet.'

'You tried them already?'

'Well, yeah, what is theory without practice?' Harry shrugged.

'Who are you and what have you done to my best friend, Harry?' Hermione asked making Harry chuckled as he leaned back and traced a hand through his hair.

'Sorry, I guess it is a big change from doing my homework last minute to actually reading extra on the holidays. It just felt right, having so much extra time and knowing what was waiting for me when I came back to England. I want to be ready, if…'

'I understand. I've been reading and re-reading all my charm and defence books whenever I got the chance. Ron thinks I'm going mental.'

'I guess it hasn't sunk in that we're at war, for him at least.'

'Him and Fred and George too. They seem to think everything is a joke.' Hermione sighed

'Not Ginny though.' Harry said.

'No, not her, in fact, she has been borrowing my 4th year notes all summer.'

'Hm, do you think it has something to do with what happened to her in second year?'

'The chamber you mean? I guess. That had to have been a traumatic experience for her.' Hermione said 'Why do you ask?'

'Well I've been reading some treaties on the mind and how to defend against attacks and such. There was some stuff about trauma and what happens when you go through something like possession. Do you think she talked to anybody about what happened to her back then?'

'I honestly don't know. But it might actually help if she did, I mean I know that there are therapists in the muggle world who deal with such things, there should be something more efficient than that in the magical world.'

'There is, but it's not very common.'

'Why?'

'Well, because most wizards don't want to let other wizards poke inside their mind.'

'I heard there was something like mind reading in the wizards' world.'

'There is, but not as simple as reading.' Harry said and handed her the book he had first been reading. 'It's called Legilimency and it's complicated to use, and even more complicated to defend against.'

'You've been reading about it?'

'Sirius told me about it when I asked him why he wouldn't tell me everything that he does against Voldemort.'

'Oh.'

'Yeah, he said I needed to know how to defend myself against it before knowing everything.'

'And how far along are you?'

'With Legilimency? Barely started, but I am quite good with Occlumency now.'

'Master Harry.' It was Tia with a tray of fresh tea and some baked sweets.

'Tia, you're the best. Thank you.' Harry grinned at the lady elf as she puffed her chest proudly.

'Master Sirius has returned 10 minutes ago, but he's in the west wing now.'

'Ah, OK, we'll let him do his thing.' Harry nodded. Hermione didn't know about the Battle Mages. 'If he wants to find us, we'll be here.'

'I will tell him.' Tia nodded and popped away.

'What's in the west wing?' Hermione asked. But Harry only smiled before taking a bite out of one of the cakes.

'Try the chocolate one.' He said 'They are so good.'

'So what's in the west wing?' Hermione asked after taking a bite of the chocolate fudge cake.

'Something Sirius is working on. Don't worry yourself about it.' Harry said dismissively.

'Don't you want to know?'

'It's no big deal, but it is his secret to tell.' Hermione didn't push any further.

'Like the location of your home?' Hermione tried a different angle.

'That is a lot more complicated than the west wing.'

'I thought it's under Fidelius like HQ.' she said confused.

'No. It's more than that.' Hermione waited for the rest of the explanation but it didn't come.

It was later in the afternoon that Sirius came to the library and smiling gave Harry the registered adoption papers. They were now officially a family.

'So fast?' Harry asked scanning the paper.

'Amelia helped speed things along.' Sirius added 'There is no turning back now, pup, you are officially mine.'

Harry grinned. 'And you are officially my dad.'

'Congratulations.' Hermione said smiling.

'Thank you Hermione. Now, why don't you two come to dinner and then I'll take you back to HQ before Molly gets too worried.'

Dinner was a short affair only them and Andy and Ted, as Tonks was still at work. Then Sirius and Harry made sure Hermione arrived safely at Grimmauld Place before returning and being met by Hughes and his team and music and champagne. It seemed the American wanted to celebrate the newly formed family. So Harry was pulled into conversation with Sora and Kal, Sora being closer to his age and Kal being her mentor, they talked about training exercises until someone suggested a game of fly tag in the back yard. And the night continued on with laughter and jokes, and Harry felt free and happy and loved.

A/N: And on that happy note I will end the HP story updates this year. Let me know what you guys think. Oh and just to be clear, even with Hermione's observations of Harry, this story won't focus on a pairing between them. In fact up until the end-ish, Harry will flirt with more than one girl. Because they are teens, and let's face it, meeting your true love so early in life is rare, and it's healthy to explore more than one relationship. Also, about the Taboo part of Voldy's name. I know there are a few stories that say that it had been used as a Taboo during the first war, but I don't recall that being in the books. I also figured that a Taboo the likes of which happened in Book 7 needs the Ministry to work. So the You-Know-Who thing is just people acting silly (at least in this fanfiction). Still hoping for snow here people, Iris out.