Chapter 11 Matters of Principles and Love
December arrived to Hogwarts and with it, the cold. Every student was wearing warming cloaks every time when they weren't in their towers, especially in Care of Magical Creatures that was taken in Hagrid's Hut.
"Class, today, we'll begin to study a new creature. Let me introduce you to Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's Phoenix." Said Professor Grubby Planks during the first class of the month to the students of Fifth years of Gryffindor and Slytherin.
All of the students watched the Phoenix in awe and pointed him while they whispered. The bird sang a few notes while he watched all of them. When he spotted Harry, he flew from the Professor's arm where he was located, toward the teen. Harry seeing Fawkes' intentions allowed him to suit himself in his left arm.
"Nice to see you again, Fawkes." Said Harry with a smile to the bird stroking his feathers softly.
"Another creature that likes you, Harry!" Laughed Ron in a mocking tone, while Fawkes sang a few notes.
"What can I say? All the beauty persons and creatures love me!" Laughed Harry kissing Hermione.
"You have a strange gift with creatures, Mr. Potter." Said the Teacher watching, along the students, the teen and the Phoenix together.
"Thanks. With this one I have a big debt, though." Smiled Harry remembering the night at the Secret Chamber back in his Second Year.
"What do you mean with debt?" Asked curiously Blaise Zabini, the Prefect Boy of Slytherin.
"He saved my life in my Second Year at the Secret Chamber." Said Harry with a little smile.
"How did you meet him?" Asked Neville curiously.
"I met him during my first visit to the Headmaster's Office. That day, he didn't have any better idea that burning to flames right in front of me. Not a nice sight, I'll tell you." Said the teen with a shrug.
"You saw a Phoenix's reborn??" Asked many of the students and the teacher shocked at the same time.
"Yes, I did." Answered Harry with a smile remembering that day.
The class went on and Harry told them everything that he knew about Fawkes, his healing abilities, and some other things. The teacher added some information from time to time, but she left the teen to speak by himself.
"I want two parchments about the Phoenixes, their songs and other characteristics. It's due to the next week. Class dismissed!" Said Grubby Plank when the class finished.
"Do you mind if I take him back to the School, Professor? It looks like he doesn't want to leave my arm easily." Said Harry with a little laugh to the teacher.
"Go." Was the woman's answer before the trio went back to the school.
"Professor Dumbledore, are you there?" Asked Harry to his mentor through the link.
"What can I do for you this time, Harry?" Asked Albus curious about the call.
"I'll take Fawkes to my room. Someone wants to see him." Said Harry with a mysterious grin.
"I guess that Friegs is bored and wants some company, right?" Asked Dumbledore with a chuckle.
"Yeah, Lily is getting bored and I thought that Fawkes could make her company for a while." Explained Harry going to the MNG room.
"I see that you've changed her name." Said Dumbledore when he heard the name of Lily.
"I forgot to tell you, sorry. I did it last week. Must have slipped my mind." Said Harry blushing by forgetting to tell Dumbledore about the name's change of his pet.
Harry decided to change it finally the last Sunday. Although he didn't have anything against the name Friegs, it reminded everyone to her former master, Nicholas Flamel. Remembering that she had told him that he could change her name, Harry decided to name her after her mother, Lily Evans. That named was accepted by Friegs and since then she became Lily.
"Don't worry. And Lily is a nice name. I'll tell you." Said the Headmaster guessing the reason of the new name: Harry's mother.
"Thanks. We'll talk later." Said Harry finishing the chat after leaving the room and going to lunch.
****
"Potter, I want to speak with you for a moment!" Called Snape to Harry when the class of Potion of the next day finished.
"Yes, Professor?" Asked Harry going to Snape's desk where he was waiting for him.
"For you." Said Snape giving him a vial with violet drink.
"Is it finished?" Asked the Prefect watching the vial with interest. It was the Cantirious Potion that both of them had been working in since the start of the term.
"Yes, I added the last ingredient last night and finished it." Answered Snape leaving the Dungeon with the student to go toward the Great Hall.
"Thanks. I must say that work with you wasn't as hard as I suspected at the beginning, Professor Snape." Said Harry with a smile.
"It wasn't too bad work with you. I have to admit it." Said Snape extending his hand to the student.
"Thanks again." Said Harry shaking it and going to the Table for lunch.
"What did Snape want with you Harry?" Asked Ron when his best friend sat down next to him and Hermione.
"This." Said Harry showing them the vial.
"Is it . . . ?" Asked Hermione watching it with interest.
"Yes, our work finished." Answered the Prefect with a smile before he returned his attention to the food.
"Did you hear the rumor?" Asked Katie to the three Prefects suddenly.
"Which one?" Asked Hermione with confusion. Her friends looked like her.
"That there will be a new ball for Christmas this year." Said Lavender with his eyes twinkling.
"I heard that it will be of costumes and not with dress robes." Said Neville joining their chat.
"Cool! It will be great!" Said Dean with interest.
"I wonder who starts the rumors at the School." Said Harry with a laugh to his friends through the link.
"Maybe Dumbledore." Said Ron with a shrug of his shoulders.
"When will you announce the Ball, Professor?" Asked Harry to the Headmaster through the link.
Instead of answering, Albus stood up and called the attention of everyone in the Hall. The chats between the students died immediately and all of them turned their heads and attention to Dumbledore.
"Like many people have heard, this year we'll have another ball for Christmas.
"This year we have decided that the Ball will be of costumes. There will be prizes for the best, the most original, the most prepared and for a few other categories. The prizes will consist in 10 galleons for the winner and 50 points for the House.
"The ball will start the night of Christmas at 8.00 P.M. and will finish at midnight. Only the students above fourth year will be able to go. The students younger that wishes to go, will have to do it with a student older.
"There is a shop of costumes in Hogsmeade where you'll be able to buy them. Although you can make them by yourselves." Said the Headmaster before he sat down again. At the moment when he sat down, the chats burst in the Great Hall immediately.
"Do you want to be my partner, my lovely lady?" Asked Harry to Hermione with a pleading look.
"I'll think it." Said Hermione kissing him, before she said: "Yes, I will."
For the end of the lunch, another four couples had been formed for the dance: Ron was going to go with lavender, Fred would go with Angelina, George with Alicia and Ginny with Collin Creevey.
"Now, we have to choose the costumes." Said Hermione before the bell rang and everyone went to classes.
****
"Won't you stay for the Holidays?" Asked Minerva completely confused to Harry when she gave the list where the students had to write their names if they decided to stay at the Castle for the Holidays.
"I will, but I won't be here for the first four or five days. I have something to do." Said Harry simply.
"What will you do?" Asked Minerva not happy with his answer.
"I have to give a special gift of Christmas to a friend." Answered Harry in a tone of voice that told his Godmother that he wouldn't discuss the subject anymore with her.
"The Potion that you made with Severus, right?" Asked the Head of Gryffindor suddenly thinking in the gift.
"The same one." Said the teen before he went to the secret room to pack a few things.
"Are you going somewhere?" Asked Hermione to her boyfriend watching him packing, when she entered in the room with Ron and the Twins 20 minutes later.
"I have to do some personal things." Explained Harry pointing to the vial that Snape had given him a few days before.
"Can I go with you?" Asked Hermione with a smile.
"No problem." Said Harry shrugging his shoulders after thinking it for a few minutes.
"Let me pack." Said the girl before she started to do the same.
"When will return both of you?" Asked Fred, who had started to play wizard chess with his twin, while Ron was reading a book about Quidditch Teams.
"We'll be here in four or five days. A week at last." Said Harry before he went to speak with Dumbledore.
When Harry entered in the Office, with the Headmaster were his Godparents, Remus and Arthur Weasley, along his wife Molly. Mrs. Weasley hugged him tightly when he entered before he sat down and explained the reason of the visit.
"Where is this place that you will go to?" Asked Albus when he finished.
"Sorry, but it's a secret." Said Harry mysteriously.
"Harry!!" Said the adults with a stern look toward him.
"What?" Asked Harry with an innocent smile.
"We HAVE to know it." Said Minerva with her most serious tone of voice.
"Sorry, but your wish won't be granted this time." Said Harry with an evil grin before he went to the door.
"When will you return?" Asked Sirius seriously.
"We'll be here in four or five days." Said Harry opening the door to leave.
"What did you mean with "us", Harry?" Asked Remus confused.
"Hermione will come with me." Said the teen before he exited the Office.
"Does anyone here has any kind of control over him?" Asked Molly to the others with a confused look.
"No." Said the others with a sigh of defeat.
"That's what I thought." Said Mrs. Weasley with another sigh.
****
The Saturday before the beginning of the break that would begin on the Wednesday, the students of the years below third went to Hogsmeade to buy the gifts for his family and friends.
With all the teddies that he had made and sold, Harry had enough money to buy good gifts to everyone. To Minerva, he bought an old and big book about legends of cats. To Sirius, a big and full bag of the Twins' products. To Ron, a jacket with the colors of the Cannons. To Hermione, he bought a big and red owl. He also bought books for Remus, Ginny and the other Weasleys. He bought a big book of pranks for the twins. They would use it better than anyone and it could give them ideas for new products for their future shop.
When Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lavender went to The 3 Broomsticks, they found to their year mates discussing something. They joined their chat and found out that it was about the customs for the Christmas Ball.
"I haven't decided it yet. Have any of you?" Asked Dean to the others.
"Not yet." Was the general answer of the others.
"I have an idea." Said Harry suddenly with his eyes twinkling full of joy. "What?" Asked the others interested.
"Why don't we wear costumes of a same subject? All of us wearing about one thing." Said Harry with a smile.
"It's a good idea." Approved Hermione while the others nodded their agreement to the idea.
"Which subject?" Asked Dean thinking in the possible subjects that would suit them.
"We go to the School in a Castle, right?" Asked Ron suddenly having an idea.
"That's a good idea!" Said Harry understanding his best friend's idea.
"We would wear costumes of King, Queen, Knights and things like that!" Said Seamus understanding the plan and agreeing with it.
"Now we have to discuss what role will be played by everyone." Said Lavender.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Alicia going to the group with the twins, Lee and the other Chasers. All of them sat next to the group and joined their chat with curiosity.
"We plan to go to the dance wearing costumes of a same subject." Explained Hermione while Rosmerta brought Butterbeers to the students that had just joined the group of fifth years.
"Which subject?" Asked Katie with interest.
"Castles' residents." Said Lavender.
"We could do the same with another subject." Said Angelina to her year mates liking the idea.
"Which one?" Asked Lee agreeing with the idea along the other seventh year students.
"What about Muggle Literature's Characters?" Suggested Katie.
"I like that idea!" Said the twins at the same time.
"Same here!" Said the others.
"Why don't we suggest the same to the other years?" Asked Harry watching entering to some students from forth and sixth year.
"Great idea!" Exclaimed Katie going to talk with the fourth years while Hermione did the same with the sixth years.
After two hours the whole house had decided about which subject they would wear customs. The fourth years would wear about Muggle's super heros, the fifth years would do it about a Castle's inhabitants, the sixth years about characters of the mythology and the seventh years would do it about Muggle Literature's Characters. Now the only thing that they had to do was create the customs and decide which role would everyone play.
****
That Wednesday, Harry and Hermione, along a lot of students of First, Second and Third year, went to the Hogsmeade's station to catch the train that would take them to London. The Prefects were sitting on the compartment that was reserved for them. Like they were the only ones that were on the trip, they had it for themselves.
"Where does your friend live, Harry?" Asked Hermione when the train was near London.
"He lives in a little city called Whitehaven." Said Harry without looking up from the book that he was reading.
"Whitehaven??!!" Asked Hermione shocked with his words almost falling from her chair.
"That's what I said. Why?" Asked Harry confused by her reaction while they took their bags.
"I have family there." Said the girl taking her packages leaving the train a few moments after the train stopped in King's Cross.
Both of them crossed the barrier between the Wizarding world and the Muggle one and saw the station completely crowded with people who were going to catch trains to visit some family.
"Hermione?" Asked someone near them.
Harry and Hermione turned around and saw two persons watching them in shock. The man was in his forties, had brown hair and was wearing glasses. The woman was also in her forties, her hair was blonde and also wore glasses.
"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Asked Hermione after she hugged them.
"We could ask you the same! We thought that you were going to stay at your School!" Said Mr. Granger with a stern look to his daughter.
"I'm going to visit a friend of Harry." Said Hermione introducing her boyfriend to her parents.
"Nice to meet you, Harry. Hermione told us wonderful things about you." Said Mr. Granger shaking his hand.
"I say the same for you, Mr. Granger." Said Harry with a smile.
"Mr. Granger is too formal. Call me David." Laughed David while the four of them went to a private compartment of the train that went to Whitehaven.
"Am I correct when I say that you are a couple?" Asked Mrs. Granger with a smile to the teens watching them holding their hands.
"We have been one for almost two months, mom." Said Hermione as red as a tomato.
"Congratulations." Said David hugging his daughter and shaking Harry's hand.
"Why do you go to Whitehaven?" Asked Mrs. Granger to Harry.
"I'll go to visit a friend." Said simply the teen.
"Are you going to visit Grandma, right?" Asked Hermione to her mother.
"Yes, she wants a meeting of the whole family." Said David with a groan.
"Do you mind if we don't go?" Asked Hermione with a pleading look to her parents.
"Of course we don't. Your Uncle will be enough for us." Said Mrs. Granger with another groan. Hermione nodded with a grateful look.
"What's wrong with your Uncle?" Asked Harry confused to Hermione through the link.
"A long story that you don't want to know." Said Hermione with her most serious tone of voice.
"Ok." Said Harry before he took his book of the bag and started to read it in silence.
****
After a long trip, they finally arrived to the train station where they had to go down. Harry looked around with a big smile and took a deep breath before he followed the Grangers to the exit.
"Marianne! David! Over here!" Shouted someone.
The four turned around to watch an old woman standing near a big and black car. She was in her late sixties, had long and gray hair and looked at them with a smile.
"Mom, nice to see you again." Said Mrs. Granger hugging her mother.
"Hermione, oh my God! You really grew up since the last time I saw you." Said the woman watching the young witch with a smile.
"I missed you, Grandma." Said Hermione hugging her before she introduced Harry, "Grandma, this is Harry my boyfriend. Harry, she is my Grandmother."
"Pleased to meet you, Madame." Said Harry with a polite tone of voice.
"Call me Angela. The Madame makes me older than I am. And I'm really old. I'll tell you." Chuckled the woman leading the group to the car.
"Mom, Hermione and Harry want to be on their own way." Said Marianne to her mother after a pleading look from her daughter.
"I guess that you don't want to see you Uncle, right?" Asked Angela to her granddaughter.
"Sorry but we are here to spend some private holidays and it doesn't include my family. No offense to any of you." Said Hermione to her relatives.
"I'm not offended at least, Hermione. Stay at home tonight. It's late and you won't find room today." Said Angela with a plea.
"Only tonight, and I'm doing this for you." Said Hermione seriously to her grandmother.
"Of course." Said Angela nodding while the whole group went in the car.
"Why do I have the feeling that this will be one of the longest nights of my life?" Asked Harry to Hermione through the link.
"Because it will be." Said Hermione with a groan.
"Is there something that I should know about your family or your Grandmother?" Asked Harry while the car went by many streets.
"She's very rich and the owner of many hotels and companies. My mom, like me and my dad, isn't very fond of the money. She accepts it but prefers to stay away from her business. My Uncle is another thing. He thinks only in the money. He and my mom don't like very much. Every time that they meet, there are many fights. The only people that can make them sit in a same room without any fight is my grandmother." Said Hermione with a serious tone of voice.
"And I thought that the Dursleys were bad!" Said Harry with sarcasm.
"The Dursleys compared with my family can look like angels sometimes!" Said Hermione with a sarcastic laugh.
"Do you have any cousins?" Asked Harry wondering what the hell had he entered in.
"I have two: Martin and Liz. Snobs, they only care in money, jealous of everything that someone had and they don't . . . " Began Hermione but Harry cut her off.
"In short, Draco Malfoy before our truce." Said the boy understanding everything.
"I couldn't have summed it up better." Said Hermione before she kissed him.
"Ahem! If you have already forgotten, you are not alone here!" Said David in a mocking tone to the couple, while his wife and mother-in-law watched them amused.
"We always ignored our teachers while we were kissing in the classes, what makes you think that we'll pay attention to any of you now?" Said Hermione with a smile before she kissed Harry again.
"Point taken!" Laughed Angela along the other adults.
The car went on its way for another 20 minutes before they arrived to their destination. The House was a Mansion. It had a big park full of flowers and trees. The House itself had three floors and was huge. Harry watched it with awe and his jaw dropped in shock.
"Nice house, eh Harry?" Asked David laughing while the five went in the House.
"Yes, it's nice." Said Harry recovering himself from the shock and closing his mouth.
The Hall of entrance was really huge. There were many lamps on the ceiling, pictures on the walls. Harry recognized a Picasso and a Dali among them. There were also many statues. Harry didn't recognize any of them but they looked really impressive.
"Ah, James. Please prepare two rooms for our guests. They'll spend the night here." Instructed Angela to a man who appeared and went towards them, pointing to Harry and Hermione.
"As you wish, Madame." Said James with a bow, before he added: "Master Ken is waiting with his family in your office." After he had said this, he disappeared to do his mission.
"Ken is your Uncle, right?" Asked Harry to his girlfriend through the link while the five went to Angela's Office.
"Yes. He's very formal. Call him Mister." Said Hermione with a groan.
"This will be a very long night." Said Harry when the five entered in the office.
"Ken, so long." Said Angela kissing her son.
"Nice to see you again, mom. Marianne, David." Said the man to Hermione's parents. Her Uncle was tall, with not very much black hair. He was wearing an expensive suit and had an air of supremacy that disgusted completely to Harry.
"He reminds me to Crouch. I don't like it." Said Harry to his girlfriend.
"Same here, Harry, same here." Retorted Hermione before she introduced Harry to the other relatives, "Uncle Ken, Aunt Michelle, Liz, Martin, this is Harry my boyfriend. Harry, these are my Aunt, my Uncle and my cousins."
"Pleased to meet you." Said the teen with a VERY fake smile towards his girlfriend's Uncle.
"He makes very well the fake smiles." Said Angela to her daughter in a whisper that was heard only by Marianne and David.
"I thought that it was a true one." Said David in another whisper, with sarcasm in his voice.
"Can you blame him? We are talking about Ken and his family here." Groaned in another whisper Marianne. The other adults nodded in agreement.
"Excuse me, Madame. The rooms that you asked for Miss Hermione and her friend are ready." Said James entering in the Office after a few moments of awkward silence among all of them.
"If you excuse me, I would like to rest for a while. I've been on trains all day and I'm very tired." Said Harry, making what he could call a tactical retreat that was welcome for him.
"I'll go to rest too. We'll see to all of you for dinner." Said Hermione to her family leaving the Office and thanking all the stars by her boyfriend's retreat.
"What the hell have we got ourselves into this time, Hermione?" Asked Harry though the link to his girlfriend.
"I don't know, Harry. I just wish that tomorrow reaches very quickly." Retorted Hermione before both of them went to take a hot bath.
****
"A nice boy." Said Angela to her daughter when the teens had left the Office.
"Hermione thinks a lot in him. She considers him like the brother that she never had." Said David with a smile towards his mother-in-law.
"What do you know about him?" Asked Ken to his sister with a superior tone.
"I'll ask you to keep your mind to yourself, Ken. Hermione loves him and that's enough for me and my husband." Said Marianne not liking his tone of voice at all.
"I have all the right to ask, sister. We are talking about the family here." Retorted Ken with a disgusted tone of voice.
"Really? Since when are you so interested in my family? Maybe since mom decided to leave a little part of her money to my daughter and not to yours?" Asked in a challenging tone of voice Hermione's mother facing her brother with her body full of anger.
"Stop it both of you! RIGHT NOW!" Shouted Angela stopping a new argument.
"Sorry." Said both adults to the woman without looking to each other.
"How long will they stay here?" Asked Liz to her Aunt with disgust by her cousin's presence.
"They'll leave tomorrow. And they are here because I invited my Granddaughter to stay. If she wants to bring her boyfriend, I will not stop her." Said the old woman to her family with a very serious tone of voice.
"I'll go to take a bath. I'll see all of you for dinner." Said David standing up from his chair and making a retreat like his daughter and her boyfriend had done before.
"I'll go with you, honey." Said Marianne following her husband, not wishing to stay in that room anymore.
"I think that your mother has made a very big mistake inviting Hermione and Harry to stay here tonight, Marianne." Said David to his wife with a serious tone of voice.
"So do I, David, so do I." Said Marianne regretting the meeting between her daughter and her mother. Something was telling her that the meeting would finish not very well, and she hoped that it was a mistake. But she wasn't very sure of that.
****
When both wizards had finished their baths, Hermione invited Harry to take a walk around the House. Harry, wishing to stay with his girlfriend and not with her family, accepted it very quickly. Hermione began to show him everything: the gardens, the Halls, the library that was almost as big as Hogwarts and many other places.
While they were walking in the gardens, Harry felt someone trying to make contact with him through the link: it was Dumbledore, the only Council's Member that he kept his link open, besides Hermione during this break.
"What's up, Professor?" Asked Harry to his mentor sensing problems. He was sure that the Headmaster wouldn't contact him except for any kind of emergencies.
"Harry, do you know by any chance where are Mr. and Mrs. Granger? It's very important to know it." Said Albus in a very serious tone of voice that didn't pass unnoticed by the Prefect.
"They are with us. We are at Hermione Grandmother's House. What's wrong?" Asked Harry confused.
"There has been an attack on her neighborhood. Many Muggles had been killed and Hermione's House has been completely destroyed. We were afraid that her parents would be dead." Said Mr. Weasley joining the chat, after a request of Dumbledore to Harry to allow him to enter in the chat.
"Death Eaters?" Asked Harry worriedly to the Minister and the Headmaster.
"That's our suspicions, Harry. We don't know if it was an attack to her parents or if it was an isolated one." Explained Dumbledore.
"What will happen now? If it was against them, they'll need protection and me and Hermione can't give them a lot of it." Asked Harry while Hermione noticed his lack of interest and realized that something should be wrong.
"Harry, what . . . ?" Began to ask the witch, but Harry held up a hand to stop her.
"We'll send protection immediately. When the break finishes, we'll see what will be our next movement. For now, don't tell it to them, except for Hermione." Instructed Dumbledore with a serious tone of voice.
"Ok. We are at Whitehaven. When will you send us the protection?" Said Harry sending them an image of the House to both of them.
"There will be a team of Aurors there tomorrow at night. You have my word. Till their arrival I'll ask you to stay there. If any of you must use magic, don't doubt it." Said Arthur very seriously.
"You have special permission to cast spells for defense during your stay there, Harry. Explain this to Miss Granger, please." Said Dumbledore.
""I will do it immediately. I'll contact you if we have any problem." Said Harry cutting the link and the chat.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Asked Hermione with worry.
"We must talk in private." Said Harry to his girlfriend returning to the House and going to her room.
When they were there, Harry retold her everything that Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley had told him a few minutes before through the link. Hermione was pale and had a look of worry in her face.
"Mr. Weasley told me that they would send a group of Aurors tomorrow's night. Till we leave this place to go back to the Castle, we have a special permission to use magic in case of an attack." Finished his explanation Harry.
"Ok." Said Hermione shaking a little with the shock of the news.
"Everything will be fine, honey. I'm sure of it." Said Harry hugging his girlfriend to assure her a little.
"I'm scared. They could have died." Said Hermione while tears began to roll down in her face.
"Everything will be fine." Said Harry hugging her tightly.
Both teens stayed in that position for almost 40 minutes before James went to tell them that it was time for dinner. Hermione dried her tears and began to change her clothes while Harry went to his room to do the same. A few minutes later both teen went to the Hall and sat down in silence while the others talked and ate their dinner.
The silence of the teens didn't pass unnoticed by Hermione's parents. Their worry grew when they saw that their daughter had cried. A look towards Harry said them that he was worried about something too.
"Did something happen?" Asked David to Harry in a whisper.
"We got news that isn't very good. Nothing to worry about." Said Harry with a smile.
"What happened? Hermione doesn't cry for anything, Harry." Said David worriedly.
"A friend was sent to the hospital Wing and is very serious. We don't know what will happen with him yet." Lied Harry while he told his girlfriend about the lie so she wouldn't contradict his story with her parents.
"Oh." Said David not very convinced with the story but dropping the matter seeing that he wouldn't take nothing from the teen.
"How long will you stay in Whitehaven?" Asked Angela to Harry and Hermione.
"We'll be here for four or five days. We aren't sure yet. I came to see a friend and on Monday we'll catch the train to London before we return to the School for this year's Ball." Explained Harry with a smile.
"I hope that you'll go together." Teased Marianne to her daughter.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Said Harry with a laugh.
"What? Are you thinking going with Cho this year?" Asked Hermione playing along with her boyfriend's game.
"I'm sure that she has already a couple. Although I don't know, who is it yet. Do you?" Asked Harry with curiosity.
"Neville. He told me a few days ago." Said Hermione laughing.
"Nice couple. Now I've seen everything." Laughed Harry.
Both wizards went on with their own chats forgetting about everyone else. Hermione's parents and her Godmother didn't mind at all. They were talking about things and persons that they didn't know or understood. Her Uncle was disgusted with their chat and ignored them. Her Aunt wasn't disgusted and either minded them, and she just concentrated in her matters leaving them alone. Her cousins watched them with hate and jealousy. They hated their cousin because the money that Angela would give her when the old woman died and because she was a witch. The felt jealousy because she had a boyfriend and none of them had a couple.
"We have to do something about this Martin." Said Liz to her brother in a whisper.
"Leave it to me, Liz. Those two won't stay together for a long time after I talk with dad." Said the boy with a mysterious grin to his sister.
****
The next morning Harry woke up and saw that it was really early. His clock said that it wasn't even the 6.00 A.M. He changed his clothes and went down, deciding to let Hermione sleep a while more.
"Do you always get up so early?" Asked Angela with a smile when Harry was going downstairs.
"I fell from my bed. The last time that I woke up so early was when my Captain woke the team to train at dawn." Said Harry avoiding a yawn.
"I assume that you play Quoddetch?" Asked the woman remembering everything that her daughter told her about Hermione's School.
"Quidditch. And yes, I play it and since this year I'm the Captain of my House's team." Answered Harry with a smile.
"Interesting." Said Angela while both of them sat down for breakfast.
"You have a big and very nice house, Angela. I recognized a Picasso and a Dali among the pictures." Said Harry beginning a chat.
"Do you know about art?" Asked the old woman interested.
"Not very much. Just a little. I remembered those ones from a magazine that I read a long time ago and recognized them when I saw them here." Explained Harry with a smile.
"At least you recognize the art when you see it. Besides Hermione, my other grandchildren don't see any difference between a scrawl and a Dali." Said Angela with a sigh.
"They don't look like the kind of people interested in books and arts." Said Harry with a little laugh before Ken and his wife joined their breakfast.
"Good morning." Said both adults when they sat down.
"Good morning." Said Angela while Harry just nodded.
"Could you tell Hermione that I'll return in two hours? If she needs me, tell her to contact me in the usual way. She'll know what I mean." Said Harry to Angela when he finished his breakfast and standing from his chair.
"I will deliver your message to her." Promised the old woman while David, Marianne, Martin and Liz sat down to eat.
"Thanks." Said Harry before he exited the House.
When Harry was out of the main door, he transformed himself in the eagle and began to fly towards his destination: the Disco where he had worked the last summer.
"Harry?" Asked someone from behind him when Harry landed.
The teen turned around to see a couple. The man was almost in his thirties, had long black hair and was wearing a cowboy's jacket with Jeans. The girl was in her mid twenties, had blonde hair and was wearing like him.
"Joanne! Steve! Nice to see you!" Said Harry after giving her a hug and shaking his hand.
"We say the same mate! What are you doing here?" Asked Steve with a big smile.
"I came to see Jimmy. Where can I find him?" Answered Harry.
"Sorry, Harry. But Jimmy died two weeks ago. His defenses went to the hell and couldn't resist it." Said Joanne with her eyes full of tears.
"Damn it! I wanted to see him again." Said Harry with a few tears in his eyes.
"We feel the same." Said Steve placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks." Said Harry to Joanne when she gave him a tissue.
"Where are you staying here?" Asked Joanne with a smile trying to change the subject.
"My girlfriend's grandmother lives here and we are staying in her house." Explained Harry whipping off his last tears.
"Hey, are you free tomorrow's night? Since Jimmy's death, I haven't found a decent DJ!" Said with a groan Steve.
"Sure. The whole weekend, right?" Asked Harry liking the idea of working at the Disco a few more nights. "Of course!" Said Steve with a smile.
"I'll be here with Hermione tomorrow at 9.30. If she doesn't enter, you don't have DJ!" Said Harry with an evil grin.
"Ok, no problem." Assured Steve before Harry went back to the House with sad look.
****
"Why that face, Harry?" Asked Hermione noticing his look.
"My friend died two weeks ago. The Potion won't work for him." Explained Harry with a sad look and smile.
"I'm sorry." Said Hermione hugging him.
"I don't know what I would do without you and the others." Said Harry kissing his girlfriend.
"I wonder the same, Blaze." Said Hermione with a new kiss.
"Ahem!" Someone cleared the throat behind them.
"Hi Uncle Ken." Said Hermione not happy with his interruption.
"Hi Hermione." Said Ken to his niece.
"Excuse me, but I must do a few things." Said Harry going to the door of the room where they were.
"I would like to speak with you, Mr. Potter. In private." Said the man with seriousness.
"Go. We'll talk later." Said Harry to his girlfriend before he sat in a chair in front of the man.
"Be careful. I don't trust him." Said Hermione through the link before she left.
"Neither do I." Said Harry before he turned his attention to Ken and asked, "What do you want to talk with me?"
The man did say nothing, but he just handed him a folder with papers. Harry opened it and saw a lot of information about him. Scanning it carefully he found information about his life till his start at Hogwarts.
"Thanks. I didn't know that there was so much information about me." Said Harry sarcastically giving it back to the man.
"What do you pretend with Hermione? Money?" Asked Ken disgusted with the teen sat in front of him.
"Don't confuse yourself. I don't need money. And I love her." Said Harry not liking at least where this chat was going to.
"Do you think that I'm stupid, boy?" Asked Ken with a hatred look.
"You are the biggest stupid man if you think that I am with her just by the money. I don't need it." Said Harry beginning to hate the man much more at every moment that passed.
"Which is your price?" Asked Ken taking a check notebook.
"You can't buy me because I'm not in sale." Said Harry sending the chat to Hermione through the link.
"Everything and everyone are on sale." Snorted Ken.
"What does this mean?" Asked Marianne completely furious entering in the room with her mother, husband and daughter, listening her brother's words.
"Here, this stupid git," Began Harry pointing to Ken, "thinks that I'm with your daughter by money. And if Hermione knows me as much as I'm sure that she does, she should know that I don't need it."
"Is it true?" Asked Hermione to her Uncle with all her body boiling in fury.
"It's a lie." Shouted Ken with fear and nervousness in his voice.
CRASH!
Suddenly Ken crashed against the window after being hit by Hermione's fist. That was something that no one expected. Harry looked at her shocked while her parents and Grandmother didn't look surprised at least with her actions.
"Nice hit, honey." Said David simply watching his daughter with pride.
"Never ever enter in my life again. Next time you'll wish to be dead. Did I make myself clear?" Said Hermione with a threatening tone towards her Uncle. Ken just nodded still recovering by her fist.
"We are leaving the house right now." Said Hermione to Harry before she stormed out of the room.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Angela. It was nice to meet you, Marianne, David." Said Harry before he left the room to follow his girlfriend.
"Do something like that again, Ken, and Hermione will be your last worry. I'll become your first!" Said Marianne to her brother while her husband held her to avoid a new attack towards Ken, this time from his sister and not from his niece.
"Leave this House right now, Ken. Don't make the things worse." Said Angela with anger towards her son when this one began to stutter apologizes to his mother.
"I knew that inviting them was a big mistake, mom." Said Marianne to her mother.
"I know and I'm sorry. You know that this kind of thing doesn't go with me. I'll talk with them later and will give them an apology myself." Said Angela with a sad look.
"We know, Angela. I just hope that Harry and Hermione can understand it as well as we do it." Said David leaving the room with his wife.
****
Harry found Hermione crying in her room. He sat with her and hugged her tightly. After 15 minutes, Hermione stopped crying and they faced each other.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I never thought that my own family could do something like this." Said Hermione to her boyfriend.
"Hey, I don't care what your family thinks of me, Hermione. I only care about what you think. Your Uncle was a stupid if he thought that he could do something like that. I love you and nothing or anyone will separate me from you. Not your relatives, not the students from the school, neither Voldemort. I'll be with you as long as I am alive." Promised Harry kissing her.
"Thanks." Said Hermione kissing him again.
"Ahem!" Said Angela clearing her throat entering the room.
"Hi, Grandma." Said Hermione with a smile whipping off her tears.
"Harry, first of all, I'm sorry by my son's actions. I'm not that kind of people. I would never ever try to stop Hermione from being happy. And it's very obvious, to me at least, that she's is happy with you. I'll ask you to not judge me from Ken." Said Angela with a serious tone of voice.
"Don't worry, Angela. Like I said to Hermione, I care about the thoughts of only one person about me: it's she. As long as she loves me, you, your family and the whole world can think or say whatever want about me. I won't pay any attention to them." Said Harry very seriously.
"That's the kind of persons that I would like to her. Nothing breaks your principles and you can go against the world to defend them and your love. It's very unusual to find it in young people." Smiled Angela to the two teens.
"Thanks . . . " Began Harry before Dumbledore tried to contact him, making the teen to turn his attention completely towards his mentor: "What's wrong, Professor?"
"We have received information that the Death Eaters are planning to attack the place where you are, Harry." Said Dumbledore very urgently.
"When?" Asked Harry very gravely.
"In 10 minutes. We'll send help to you immediately. Till then, you and Hermione are the first line of defense of the House. Good luck for you." Said Dumbledore before he cut the chat.
"Take your wand! Death Eater's attack in 10 minutes! We are the first line of defense of this House till the arrival of the Aurors!" Said Harry to Hermione very seriously taking his wand getting ready to use it.
"Oh my God!" Said Hermione taking her own wand.
"What's wrong?" Asked Angela sensing some problems.
"Some people are planning to attack us. Take my parents and the others to a secure place of the House now." Instructed Hermione to her Grandmother before she went to join Harry at the entrance's doors. They suspected that the Death Eaters would try to attack the House from there.
Angela didn't need anymore words to understand that the situation was very bad. She was sure that both wizards wouldn't take their wands for anything. She gathered her family and some servants and took them to the basement where they would be safe.
"Expeliarmus!" Shouted Harry when the first Death Eaters apparated in the garden.
From that moment, a war started between the young students and the Dark Wizards. Harry and Hermione Shot curses and hexes at right and left against all of the Death Eaters that tried to enter in the House. After 15 minutes of fight, in the place began to Apparate Aurors, some Council's Members and Wizards from the Ministry ready to join the fight against the Death Eaters and help the teens. The Council's Members were still in debt with them after the attack in Hogsmeade before Halloween and they knew that if they failed this time, the consequences would be very bad for everyone.
The fight lasted for another 30 minutes before the Death Eaters were stunned or unconscious, or, the most lucky ones, Dissaparated from there. Few wizards of the light side were injured, and those ones who were, didn't have serious injuries besides a few bruises and one or another broken rib or arm.
"Are both of you ok?" Asked worriedly Albus going to Harry and Hermione with the Minister and a Medi Witch.
"Yes, I am. What about you, Hermione?" Said Harry massaging his left shoulder that was sore.
"My shoulder is a little sore but I'm sure that I will live with it." Said Hermione before she kissed Harry forgetting the adults that were with them.
"It's obvious that she has found the best cure of all in him." Chuckled Albus to Arthur and the Medi Witch who nodded with a smile.
"Are you ok, Honey?" Asked Marianne going to her daughter. With her, were the other persons. Hermione's answer was a snore that told to everyone that she had fallen asleep. A look on Harry told them that he had done it too.
"Where can we put them to sleep?" Asked Albus to Marianne levitating Harry while Arthur did the same with Hermione.
"Follow me." Said James to both wizards before he leaded them to the teens' rooms.
****
After almost 30 minutes, the only wizards that were in the residence, besides the teens, were Albus Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley. Both of them were speaking with Hermione's parents and were explaining them the whole situation.
"What will happen now?" Asked David a little worried.
"We'll leave some Aurors in this place. When the Christmas' breaks end, we'll discuss some permanent defense for you and your family. We suspect that Voldemort is trying to harm you to hurt Harry in some way." Said Dumbledore very seriously.
"What kind of defenses, Professor?" Asked Marianne with some nervousness.
"There are many. We are considering in the Fidelius Charm as the best one." Said Dumbledore before he explained them in what the Fidelius' consisted.
"Who would be the Secret Keeper if we do it?" Asked David considering his words.
"It will be one of my most trustworthy persons. The last time we performed this spell, bad things happened. I won't do the same mistake again." Said Dumbledore not happy with the memory about the Fidelius Charm that involved the Marauders and the Potters.
"Very well, we'll wait your letter. You have out complete trust." Said David very seriously while Marianne nodded to his words.
"Let the teens sleep as much as they can. They have gone through a lot and they need it as much rest as they can get." Suggested Arthur to the Grangers with a smile before he and Dumbledore Dissaparated.
"I guess that we can get some rest too." Said David with a yawn.
"Have I ever told you that I'm proud if having a daughter as Hermione?" Asked Marianne to her husband when both of them went to the bed.
"Yes, and right now it's more true than ever." Said David before both of them fell asleep too.
December arrived to Hogwarts and with it, the cold. Every student was wearing warming cloaks every time when they weren't in their towers, especially in Care of Magical Creatures that was taken in Hagrid's Hut.
"Class, today, we'll begin to study a new creature. Let me introduce you to Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's Phoenix." Said Professor Grubby Planks during the first class of the month to the students of Fifth years of Gryffindor and Slytherin.
All of the students watched the Phoenix in awe and pointed him while they whispered. The bird sang a few notes while he watched all of them. When he spotted Harry, he flew from the Professor's arm where he was located, toward the teen. Harry seeing Fawkes' intentions allowed him to suit himself in his left arm.
"Nice to see you again, Fawkes." Said Harry with a smile to the bird stroking his feathers softly.
"Another creature that likes you, Harry!" Laughed Ron in a mocking tone, while Fawkes sang a few notes.
"What can I say? All the beauty persons and creatures love me!" Laughed Harry kissing Hermione.
"You have a strange gift with creatures, Mr. Potter." Said the Teacher watching, along the students, the teen and the Phoenix together.
"Thanks. With this one I have a big debt, though." Smiled Harry remembering the night at the Secret Chamber back in his Second Year.
"What do you mean with debt?" Asked curiously Blaise Zabini, the Prefect Boy of Slytherin.
"He saved my life in my Second Year at the Secret Chamber." Said Harry with a little smile.
"How did you meet him?" Asked Neville curiously.
"I met him during my first visit to the Headmaster's Office. That day, he didn't have any better idea that burning to flames right in front of me. Not a nice sight, I'll tell you." Said the teen with a shrug.
"You saw a Phoenix's reborn??" Asked many of the students and the teacher shocked at the same time.
"Yes, I did." Answered Harry with a smile remembering that day.
The class went on and Harry told them everything that he knew about Fawkes, his healing abilities, and some other things. The teacher added some information from time to time, but she left the teen to speak by himself.
"I want two parchments about the Phoenixes, their songs and other characteristics. It's due to the next week. Class dismissed!" Said Grubby Plank when the class finished.
"Do you mind if I take him back to the School, Professor? It looks like he doesn't want to leave my arm easily." Said Harry with a little laugh to the teacher.
"Go." Was the woman's answer before the trio went back to the school.
"Professor Dumbledore, are you there?" Asked Harry to his mentor through the link.
"What can I do for you this time, Harry?" Asked Albus curious about the call.
"I'll take Fawkes to my room. Someone wants to see him." Said Harry with a mysterious grin.
"I guess that Friegs is bored and wants some company, right?" Asked Dumbledore with a chuckle.
"Yeah, Lily is getting bored and I thought that Fawkes could make her company for a while." Explained Harry going to the MNG room.
"I see that you've changed her name." Said Dumbledore when he heard the name of Lily.
"I forgot to tell you, sorry. I did it last week. Must have slipped my mind." Said Harry blushing by forgetting to tell Dumbledore about the name's change of his pet.
Harry decided to change it finally the last Sunday. Although he didn't have anything against the name Friegs, it reminded everyone to her former master, Nicholas Flamel. Remembering that she had told him that he could change her name, Harry decided to name her after her mother, Lily Evans. That named was accepted by Friegs and since then she became Lily.
"Don't worry. And Lily is a nice name. I'll tell you." Said the Headmaster guessing the reason of the new name: Harry's mother.
"Thanks. We'll talk later." Said Harry finishing the chat after leaving the room and going to lunch.
****
"Potter, I want to speak with you for a moment!" Called Snape to Harry when the class of Potion of the next day finished.
"Yes, Professor?" Asked Harry going to Snape's desk where he was waiting for him.
"For you." Said Snape giving him a vial with violet drink.
"Is it finished?" Asked the Prefect watching the vial with interest. It was the Cantirious Potion that both of them had been working in since the start of the term.
"Yes, I added the last ingredient last night and finished it." Answered Snape leaving the Dungeon with the student to go toward the Great Hall.
"Thanks. I must say that work with you wasn't as hard as I suspected at the beginning, Professor Snape." Said Harry with a smile.
"It wasn't too bad work with you. I have to admit it." Said Snape extending his hand to the student.
"Thanks again." Said Harry shaking it and going to the Table for lunch.
"What did Snape want with you Harry?" Asked Ron when his best friend sat down next to him and Hermione.
"This." Said Harry showing them the vial.
"Is it . . . ?" Asked Hermione watching it with interest.
"Yes, our work finished." Answered the Prefect with a smile before he returned his attention to the food.
"Did you hear the rumor?" Asked Katie to the three Prefects suddenly.
"Which one?" Asked Hermione with confusion. Her friends looked like her.
"That there will be a new ball for Christmas this year." Said Lavender with his eyes twinkling.
"I heard that it will be of costumes and not with dress robes." Said Neville joining their chat.
"Cool! It will be great!" Said Dean with interest.
"I wonder who starts the rumors at the School." Said Harry with a laugh to his friends through the link.
"Maybe Dumbledore." Said Ron with a shrug of his shoulders.
"When will you announce the Ball, Professor?" Asked Harry to the Headmaster through the link.
Instead of answering, Albus stood up and called the attention of everyone in the Hall. The chats between the students died immediately and all of them turned their heads and attention to Dumbledore.
"Like many people have heard, this year we'll have another ball for Christmas.
"This year we have decided that the Ball will be of costumes. There will be prizes for the best, the most original, the most prepared and for a few other categories. The prizes will consist in 10 galleons for the winner and 50 points for the House.
"The ball will start the night of Christmas at 8.00 P.M. and will finish at midnight. Only the students above fourth year will be able to go. The students younger that wishes to go, will have to do it with a student older.
"There is a shop of costumes in Hogsmeade where you'll be able to buy them. Although you can make them by yourselves." Said the Headmaster before he sat down again. At the moment when he sat down, the chats burst in the Great Hall immediately.
"Do you want to be my partner, my lovely lady?" Asked Harry to Hermione with a pleading look.
"I'll think it." Said Hermione kissing him, before she said: "Yes, I will."
For the end of the lunch, another four couples had been formed for the dance: Ron was going to go with lavender, Fred would go with Angelina, George with Alicia and Ginny with Collin Creevey.
"Now, we have to choose the costumes." Said Hermione before the bell rang and everyone went to classes.
****
"Won't you stay for the Holidays?" Asked Minerva completely confused to Harry when she gave the list where the students had to write their names if they decided to stay at the Castle for the Holidays.
"I will, but I won't be here for the first four or five days. I have something to do." Said Harry simply.
"What will you do?" Asked Minerva not happy with his answer.
"I have to give a special gift of Christmas to a friend." Answered Harry in a tone of voice that told his Godmother that he wouldn't discuss the subject anymore with her.
"The Potion that you made with Severus, right?" Asked the Head of Gryffindor suddenly thinking in the gift.
"The same one." Said the teen before he went to the secret room to pack a few things.
"Are you going somewhere?" Asked Hermione to her boyfriend watching him packing, when she entered in the room with Ron and the Twins 20 minutes later.
"I have to do some personal things." Explained Harry pointing to the vial that Snape had given him a few days before.
"Can I go with you?" Asked Hermione with a smile.
"No problem." Said Harry shrugging his shoulders after thinking it for a few minutes.
"Let me pack." Said the girl before she started to do the same.
"When will return both of you?" Asked Fred, who had started to play wizard chess with his twin, while Ron was reading a book about Quidditch Teams.
"We'll be here in four or five days. A week at last." Said Harry before he went to speak with Dumbledore.
When Harry entered in the Office, with the Headmaster were his Godparents, Remus and Arthur Weasley, along his wife Molly. Mrs. Weasley hugged him tightly when he entered before he sat down and explained the reason of the visit.
"Where is this place that you will go to?" Asked Albus when he finished.
"Sorry, but it's a secret." Said Harry mysteriously.
"Harry!!" Said the adults with a stern look toward him.
"What?" Asked Harry with an innocent smile.
"We HAVE to know it." Said Minerva with her most serious tone of voice.
"Sorry, but your wish won't be granted this time." Said Harry with an evil grin before he went to the door.
"When will you return?" Asked Sirius seriously.
"We'll be here in four or five days." Said Harry opening the door to leave.
"What did you mean with "us", Harry?" Asked Remus confused.
"Hermione will come with me." Said the teen before he exited the Office.
"Does anyone here has any kind of control over him?" Asked Molly to the others with a confused look.
"No." Said the others with a sigh of defeat.
"That's what I thought." Said Mrs. Weasley with another sigh.
****
The Saturday before the beginning of the break that would begin on the Wednesday, the students of the years below third went to Hogsmeade to buy the gifts for his family and friends.
With all the teddies that he had made and sold, Harry had enough money to buy good gifts to everyone. To Minerva, he bought an old and big book about legends of cats. To Sirius, a big and full bag of the Twins' products. To Ron, a jacket with the colors of the Cannons. To Hermione, he bought a big and red owl. He also bought books for Remus, Ginny and the other Weasleys. He bought a big book of pranks for the twins. They would use it better than anyone and it could give them ideas for new products for their future shop.
When Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lavender went to The 3 Broomsticks, they found to their year mates discussing something. They joined their chat and found out that it was about the customs for the Christmas Ball.
"I haven't decided it yet. Have any of you?" Asked Dean to the others.
"Not yet." Was the general answer of the others.
"I have an idea." Said Harry suddenly with his eyes twinkling full of joy. "What?" Asked the others interested.
"Why don't we wear costumes of a same subject? All of us wearing about one thing." Said Harry with a smile.
"It's a good idea." Approved Hermione while the others nodded their agreement to the idea.
"Which subject?" Asked Dean thinking in the possible subjects that would suit them.
"We go to the School in a Castle, right?" Asked Ron suddenly having an idea.
"That's a good idea!" Said Harry understanding his best friend's idea.
"We would wear costumes of King, Queen, Knights and things like that!" Said Seamus understanding the plan and agreeing with it.
"Now we have to discuss what role will be played by everyone." Said Lavender.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Alicia going to the group with the twins, Lee and the other Chasers. All of them sat next to the group and joined their chat with curiosity.
"We plan to go to the dance wearing costumes of a same subject." Explained Hermione while Rosmerta brought Butterbeers to the students that had just joined the group of fifth years.
"Which subject?" Asked Katie with interest.
"Castles' residents." Said Lavender.
"We could do the same with another subject." Said Angelina to her year mates liking the idea.
"Which one?" Asked Lee agreeing with the idea along the other seventh year students.
"What about Muggle Literature's Characters?" Suggested Katie.
"I like that idea!" Said the twins at the same time.
"Same here!" Said the others.
"Why don't we suggest the same to the other years?" Asked Harry watching entering to some students from forth and sixth year.
"Great idea!" Exclaimed Katie going to talk with the fourth years while Hermione did the same with the sixth years.
After two hours the whole house had decided about which subject they would wear customs. The fourth years would wear about Muggle's super heros, the fifth years would do it about a Castle's inhabitants, the sixth years about characters of the mythology and the seventh years would do it about Muggle Literature's Characters. Now the only thing that they had to do was create the customs and decide which role would everyone play.
****
That Wednesday, Harry and Hermione, along a lot of students of First, Second and Third year, went to the Hogsmeade's station to catch the train that would take them to London. The Prefects were sitting on the compartment that was reserved for them. Like they were the only ones that were on the trip, they had it for themselves.
"Where does your friend live, Harry?" Asked Hermione when the train was near London.
"He lives in a little city called Whitehaven." Said Harry without looking up from the book that he was reading.
"Whitehaven??!!" Asked Hermione shocked with his words almost falling from her chair.
"That's what I said. Why?" Asked Harry confused by her reaction while they took their bags.
"I have family there." Said the girl taking her packages leaving the train a few moments after the train stopped in King's Cross.
Both of them crossed the barrier between the Wizarding world and the Muggle one and saw the station completely crowded with people who were going to catch trains to visit some family.
"Hermione?" Asked someone near them.
Harry and Hermione turned around and saw two persons watching them in shock. The man was in his forties, had brown hair and was wearing glasses. The woman was also in her forties, her hair was blonde and also wore glasses.
"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Asked Hermione after she hugged them.
"We could ask you the same! We thought that you were going to stay at your School!" Said Mr. Granger with a stern look to his daughter.
"I'm going to visit a friend of Harry." Said Hermione introducing her boyfriend to her parents.
"Nice to meet you, Harry. Hermione told us wonderful things about you." Said Mr. Granger shaking his hand.
"I say the same for you, Mr. Granger." Said Harry with a smile.
"Mr. Granger is too formal. Call me David." Laughed David while the four of them went to a private compartment of the train that went to Whitehaven.
"Am I correct when I say that you are a couple?" Asked Mrs. Granger with a smile to the teens watching them holding their hands.
"We have been one for almost two months, mom." Said Hermione as red as a tomato.
"Congratulations." Said David hugging his daughter and shaking Harry's hand.
"Why do you go to Whitehaven?" Asked Mrs. Granger to Harry.
"I'll go to visit a friend." Said simply the teen.
"Are you going to visit Grandma, right?" Asked Hermione to her mother.
"Yes, she wants a meeting of the whole family." Said David with a groan.
"Do you mind if we don't go?" Asked Hermione with a pleading look to her parents.
"Of course we don't. Your Uncle will be enough for us." Said Mrs. Granger with another groan. Hermione nodded with a grateful look.
"What's wrong with your Uncle?" Asked Harry confused to Hermione through the link.
"A long story that you don't want to know." Said Hermione with her most serious tone of voice.
"Ok." Said Harry before he took his book of the bag and started to read it in silence.
****
After a long trip, they finally arrived to the train station where they had to go down. Harry looked around with a big smile and took a deep breath before he followed the Grangers to the exit.
"Marianne! David! Over here!" Shouted someone.
The four turned around to watch an old woman standing near a big and black car. She was in her late sixties, had long and gray hair and looked at them with a smile.
"Mom, nice to see you again." Said Mrs. Granger hugging her mother.
"Hermione, oh my God! You really grew up since the last time I saw you." Said the woman watching the young witch with a smile.
"I missed you, Grandma." Said Hermione hugging her before she introduced Harry, "Grandma, this is Harry my boyfriend. Harry, she is my Grandmother."
"Pleased to meet you, Madame." Said Harry with a polite tone of voice.
"Call me Angela. The Madame makes me older than I am. And I'm really old. I'll tell you." Chuckled the woman leading the group to the car.
"Mom, Hermione and Harry want to be on their own way." Said Marianne to her mother after a pleading look from her daughter.
"I guess that you don't want to see you Uncle, right?" Asked Angela to her granddaughter.
"Sorry but we are here to spend some private holidays and it doesn't include my family. No offense to any of you." Said Hermione to her relatives.
"I'm not offended at least, Hermione. Stay at home tonight. It's late and you won't find room today." Said Angela with a plea.
"Only tonight, and I'm doing this for you." Said Hermione seriously to her grandmother.
"Of course." Said Angela nodding while the whole group went in the car.
"Why do I have the feeling that this will be one of the longest nights of my life?" Asked Harry to Hermione through the link.
"Because it will be." Said Hermione with a groan.
"Is there something that I should know about your family or your Grandmother?" Asked Harry while the car went by many streets.
"She's very rich and the owner of many hotels and companies. My mom, like me and my dad, isn't very fond of the money. She accepts it but prefers to stay away from her business. My Uncle is another thing. He thinks only in the money. He and my mom don't like very much. Every time that they meet, there are many fights. The only people that can make them sit in a same room without any fight is my grandmother." Said Hermione with a serious tone of voice.
"And I thought that the Dursleys were bad!" Said Harry with sarcasm.
"The Dursleys compared with my family can look like angels sometimes!" Said Hermione with a sarcastic laugh.
"Do you have any cousins?" Asked Harry wondering what the hell had he entered in.
"I have two: Martin and Liz. Snobs, they only care in money, jealous of everything that someone had and they don't . . . " Began Hermione but Harry cut her off.
"In short, Draco Malfoy before our truce." Said the boy understanding everything.
"I couldn't have summed it up better." Said Hermione before she kissed him.
"Ahem! If you have already forgotten, you are not alone here!" Said David in a mocking tone to the couple, while his wife and mother-in-law watched them amused.
"We always ignored our teachers while we were kissing in the classes, what makes you think that we'll pay attention to any of you now?" Said Hermione with a smile before she kissed Harry again.
"Point taken!" Laughed Angela along the other adults.
The car went on its way for another 20 minutes before they arrived to their destination. The House was a Mansion. It had a big park full of flowers and trees. The House itself had three floors and was huge. Harry watched it with awe and his jaw dropped in shock.
"Nice house, eh Harry?" Asked David laughing while the five went in the House.
"Yes, it's nice." Said Harry recovering himself from the shock and closing his mouth.
The Hall of entrance was really huge. There were many lamps on the ceiling, pictures on the walls. Harry recognized a Picasso and a Dali among them. There were also many statues. Harry didn't recognize any of them but they looked really impressive.
"Ah, James. Please prepare two rooms for our guests. They'll spend the night here." Instructed Angela to a man who appeared and went towards them, pointing to Harry and Hermione.
"As you wish, Madame." Said James with a bow, before he added: "Master Ken is waiting with his family in your office." After he had said this, he disappeared to do his mission.
"Ken is your Uncle, right?" Asked Harry to his girlfriend through the link while the five went to Angela's Office.
"Yes. He's very formal. Call him Mister." Said Hermione with a groan.
"This will be a very long night." Said Harry when the five entered in the office.
"Ken, so long." Said Angela kissing her son.
"Nice to see you again, mom. Marianne, David." Said the man to Hermione's parents. Her Uncle was tall, with not very much black hair. He was wearing an expensive suit and had an air of supremacy that disgusted completely to Harry.
"He reminds me to Crouch. I don't like it." Said Harry to his girlfriend.
"Same here, Harry, same here." Retorted Hermione before she introduced Harry to the other relatives, "Uncle Ken, Aunt Michelle, Liz, Martin, this is Harry my boyfriend. Harry, these are my Aunt, my Uncle and my cousins."
"Pleased to meet you." Said the teen with a VERY fake smile towards his girlfriend's Uncle.
"He makes very well the fake smiles." Said Angela to her daughter in a whisper that was heard only by Marianne and David.
"I thought that it was a true one." Said David in another whisper, with sarcasm in his voice.
"Can you blame him? We are talking about Ken and his family here." Groaned in another whisper Marianne. The other adults nodded in agreement.
"Excuse me, Madame. The rooms that you asked for Miss Hermione and her friend are ready." Said James entering in the Office after a few moments of awkward silence among all of them.
"If you excuse me, I would like to rest for a while. I've been on trains all day and I'm very tired." Said Harry, making what he could call a tactical retreat that was welcome for him.
"I'll go to rest too. We'll see to all of you for dinner." Said Hermione to her family leaving the Office and thanking all the stars by her boyfriend's retreat.
"What the hell have we got ourselves into this time, Hermione?" Asked Harry though the link to his girlfriend.
"I don't know, Harry. I just wish that tomorrow reaches very quickly." Retorted Hermione before both of them went to take a hot bath.
****
"A nice boy." Said Angela to her daughter when the teens had left the Office.
"Hermione thinks a lot in him. She considers him like the brother that she never had." Said David with a smile towards his mother-in-law.
"What do you know about him?" Asked Ken to his sister with a superior tone.
"I'll ask you to keep your mind to yourself, Ken. Hermione loves him and that's enough for me and my husband." Said Marianne not liking his tone of voice at all.
"I have all the right to ask, sister. We are talking about the family here." Retorted Ken with a disgusted tone of voice.
"Really? Since when are you so interested in my family? Maybe since mom decided to leave a little part of her money to my daughter and not to yours?" Asked in a challenging tone of voice Hermione's mother facing her brother with her body full of anger.
"Stop it both of you! RIGHT NOW!" Shouted Angela stopping a new argument.
"Sorry." Said both adults to the woman without looking to each other.
"How long will they stay here?" Asked Liz to her Aunt with disgust by her cousin's presence.
"They'll leave tomorrow. And they are here because I invited my Granddaughter to stay. If she wants to bring her boyfriend, I will not stop her." Said the old woman to her family with a very serious tone of voice.
"I'll go to take a bath. I'll see all of you for dinner." Said David standing up from his chair and making a retreat like his daughter and her boyfriend had done before.
"I'll go with you, honey." Said Marianne following her husband, not wishing to stay in that room anymore.
"I think that your mother has made a very big mistake inviting Hermione and Harry to stay here tonight, Marianne." Said David to his wife with a serious tone of voice.
"So do I, David, so do I." Said Marianne regretting the meeting between her daughter and her mother. Something was telling her that the meeting would finish not very well, and she hoped that it was a mistake. But she wasn't very sure of that.
****
When both wizards had finished their baths, Hermione invited Harry to take a walk around the House. Harry, wishing to stay with his girlfriend and not with her family, accepted it very quickly. Hermione began to show him everything: the gardens, the Halls, the library that was almost as big as Hogwarts and many other places.
While they were walking in the gardens, Harry felt someone trying to make contact with him through the link: it was Dumbledore, the only Council's Member that he kept his link open, besides Hermione during this break.
"What's up, Professor?" Asked Harry to his mentor sensing problems. He was sure that the Headmaster wouldn't contact him except for any kind of emergencies.
"Harry, do you know by any chance where are Mr. and Mrs. Granger? It's very important to know it." Said Albus in a very serious tone of voice that didn't pass unnoticed by the Prefect.
"They are with us. We are at Hermione Grandmother's House. What's wrong?" Asked Harry confused.
"There has been an attack on her neighborhood. Many Muggles had been killed and Hermione's House has been completely destroyed. We were afraid that her parents would be dead." Said Mr. Weasley joining the chat, after a request of Dumbledore to Harry to allow him to enter in the chat.
"Death Eaters?" Asked Harry worriedly to the Minister and the Headmaster.
"That's our suspicions, Harry. We don't know if it was an attack to her parents or if it was an isolated one." Explained Dumbledore.
"What will happen now? If it was against them, they'll need protection and me and Hermione can't give them a lot of it." Asked Harry while Hermione noticed his lack of interest and realized that something should be wrong.
"Harry, what . . . ?" Began to ask the witch, but Harry held up a hand to stop her.
"We'll send protection immediately. When the break finishes, we'll see what will be our next movement. For now, don't tell it to them, except for Hermione." Instructed Dumbledore with a serious tone of voice.
"Ok. We are at Whitehaven. When will you send us the protection?" Said Harry sending them an image of the House to both of them.
"There will be a team of Aurors there tomorrow at night. You have my word. Till their arrival I'll ask you to stay there. If any of you must use magic, don't doubt it." Said Arthur very seriously.
"You have special permission to cast spells for defense during your stay there, Harry. Explain this to Miss Granger, please." Said Dumbledore.
""I will do it immediately. I'll contact you if we have any problem." Said Harry cutting the link and the chat.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Asked Hermione with worry.
"We must talk in private." Said Harry to his girlfriend returning to the House and going to her room.
When they were there, Harry retold her everything that Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley had told him a few minutes before through the link. Hermione was pale and had a look of worry in her face.
"Mr. Weasley told me that they would send a group of Aurors tomorrow's night. Till we leave this place to go back to the Castle, we have a special permission to use magic in case of an attack." Finished his explanation Harry.
"Ok." Said Hermione shaking a little with the shock of the news.
"Everything will be fine, honey. I'm sure of it." Said Harry hugging his girlfriend to assure her a little.
"I'm scared. They could have died." Said Hermione while tears began to roll down in her face.
"Everything will be fine." Said Harry hugging her tightly.
Both teens stayed in that position for almost 40 minutes before James went to tell them that it was time for dinner. Hermione dried her tears and began to change her clothes while Harry went to his room to do the same. A few minutes later both teen went to the Hall and sat down in silence while the others talked and ate their dinner.
The silence of the teens didn't pass unnoticed by Hermione's parents. Their worry grew when they saw that their daughter had cried. A look towards Harry said them that he was worried about something too.
"Did something happen?" Asked David to Harry in a whisper.
"We got news that isn't very good. Nothing to worry about." Said Harry with a smile.
"What happened? Hermione doesn't cry for anything, Harry." Said David worriedly.
"A friend was sent to the hospital Wing and is very serious. We don't know what will happen with him yet." Lied Harry while he told his girlfriend about the lie so she wouldn't contradict his story with her parents.
"Oh." Said David not very convinced with the story but dropping the matter seeing that he wouldn't take nothing from the teen.
"How long will you stay in Whitehaven?" Asked Angela to Harry and Hermione.
"We'll be here for four or five days. We aren't sure yet. I came to see a friend and on Monday we'll catch the train to London before we return to the School for this year's Ball." Explained Harry with a smile.
"I hope that you'll go together." Teased Marianne to her daughter.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Said Harry with a laugh.
"What? Are you thinking going with Cho this year?" Asked Hermione playing along with her boyfriend's game.
"I'm sure that she has already a couple. Although I don't know, who is it yet. Do you?" Asked Harry with curiosity.
"Neville. He told me a few days ago." Said Hermione laughing.
"Nice couple. Now I've seen everything." Laughed Harry.
Both wizards went on with their own chats forgetting about everyone else. Hermione's parents and her Godmother didn't mind at all. They were talking about things and persons that they didn't know or understood. Her Uncle was disgusted with their chat and ignored them. Her Aunt wasn't disgusted and either minded them, and she just concentrated in her matters leaving them alone. Her cousins watched them with hate and jealousy. They hated their cousin because the money that Angela would give her when the old woman died and because she was a witch. The felt jealousy because she had a boyfriend and none of them had a couple.
"We have to do something about this Martin." Said Liz to her brother in a whisper.
"Leave it to me, Liz. Those two won't stay together for a long time after I talk with dad." Said the boy with a mysterious grin to his sister.
****
The next morning Harry woke up and saw that it was really early. His clock said that it wasn't even the 6.00 A.M. He changed his clothes and went down, deciding to let Hermione sleep a while more.
"Do you always get up so early?" Asked Angela with a smile when Harry was going downstairs.
"I fell from my bed. The last time that I woke up so early was when my Captain woke the team to train at dawn." Said Harry avoiding a yawn.
"I assume that you play Quoddetch?" Asked the woman remembering everything that her daughter told her about Hermione's School.
"Quidditch. And yes, I play it and since this year I'm the Captain of my House's team." Answered Harry with a smile.
"Interesting." Said Angela while both of them sat down for breakfast.
"You have a big and very nice house, Angela. I recognized a Picasso and a Dali among the pictures." Said Harry beginning a chat.
"Do you know about art?" Asked the old woman interested.
"Not very much. Just a little. I remembered those ones from a magazine that I read a long time ago and recognized them when I saw them here." Explained Harry with a smile.
"At least you recognize the art when you see it. Besides Hermione, my other grandchildren don't see any difference between a scrawl and a Dali." Said Angela with a sigh.
"They don't look like the kind of people interested in books and arts." Said Harry with a little laugh before Ken and his wife joined their breakfast.
"Good morning." Said both adults when they sat down.
"Good morning." Said Angela while Harry just nodded.
"Could you tell Hermione that I'll return in two hours? If she needs me, tell her to contact me in the usual way. She'll know what I mean." Said Harry to Angela when he finished his breakfast and standing from his chair.
"I will deliver your message to her." Promised the old woman while David, Marianne, Martin and Liz sat down to eat.
"Thanks." Said Harry before he exited the House.
When Harry was out of the main door, he transformed himself in the eagle and began to fly towards his destination: the Disco where he had worked the last summer.
"Harry?" Asked someone from behind him when Harry landed.
The teen turned around to see a couple. The man was almost in his thirties, had long black hair and was wearing a cowboy's jacket with Jeans. The girl was in her mid twenties, had blonde hair and was wearing like him.
"Joanne! Steve! Nice to see you!" Said Harry after giving her a hug and shaking his hand.
"We say the same mate! What are you doing here?" Asked Steve with a big smile.
"I came to see Jimmy. Where can I find him?" Answered Harry.
"Sorry, Harry. But Jimmy died two weeks ago. His defenses went to the hell and couldn't resist it." Said Joanne with her eyes full of tears.
"Damn it! I wanted to see him again." Said Harry with a few tears in his eyes.
"We feel the same." Said Steve placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks." Said Harry to Joanne when she gave him a tissue.
"Where are you staying here?" Asked Joanne with a smile trying to change the subject.
"My girlfriend's grandmother lives here and we are staying in her house." Explained Harry whipping off his last tears.
"Hey, are you free tomorrow's night? Since Jimmy's death, I haven't found a decent DJ!" Said with a groan Steve.
"Sure. The whole weekend, right?" Asked Harry liking the idea of working at the Disco a few more nights. "Of course!" Said Steve with a smile.
"I'll be here with Hermione tomorrow at 9.30. If she doesn't enter, you don't have DJ!" Said Harry with an evil grin.
"Ok, no problem." Assured Steve before Harry went back to the House with sad look.
****
"Why that face, Harry?" Asked Hermione noticing his look.
"My friend died two weeks ago. The Potion won't work for him." Explained Harry with a sad look and smile.
"I'm sorry." Said Hermione hugging him.
"I don't know what I would do without you and the others." Said Harry kissing his girlfriend.
"I wonder the same, Blaze." Said Hermione with a new kiss.
"Ahem!" Someone cleared the throat behind them.
"Hi Uncle Ken." Said Hermione not happy with his interruption.
"Hi Hermione." Said Ken to his niece.
"Excuse me, but I must do a few things." Said Harry going to the door of the room where they were.
"I would like to speak with you, Mr. Potter. In private." Said the man with seriousness.
"Go. We'll talk later." Said Harry to his girlfriend before he sat in a chair in front of the man.
"Be careful. I don't trust him." Said Hermione through the link before she left.
"Neither do I." Said Harry before he turned his attention to Ken and asked, "What do you want to talk with me?"
The man did say nothing, but he just handed him a folder with papers. Harry opened it and saw a lot of information about him. Scanning it carefully he found information about his life till his start at Hogwarts.
"Thanks. I didn't know that there was so much information about me." Said Harry sarcastically giving it back to the man.
"What do you pretend with Hermione? Money?" Asked Ken disgusted with the teen sat in front of him.
"Don't confuse yourself. I don't need money. And I love her." Said Harry not liking at least where this chat was going to.
"Do you think that I'm stupid, boy?" Asked Ken with a hatred look.
"You are the biggest stupid man if you think that I am with her just by the money. I don't need it." Said Harry beginning to hate the man much more at every moment that passed.
"Which is your price?" Asked Ken taking a check notebook.
"You can't buy me because I'm not in sale." Said Harry sending the chat to Hermione through the link.
"Everything and everyone are on sale." Snorted Ken.
"What does this mean?" Asked Marianne completely furious entering in the room with her mother, husband and daughter, listening her brother's words.
"Here, this stupid git," Began Harry pointing to Ken, "thinks that I'm with your daughter by money. And if Hermione knows me as much as I'm sure that she does, she should know that I don't need it."
"Is it true?" Asked Hermione to her Uncle with all her body boiling in fury.
"It's a lie." Shouted Ken with fear and nervousness in his voice.
CRASH!
Suddenly Ken crashed against the window after being hit by Hermione's fist. That was something that no one expected. Harry looked at her shocked while her parents and Grandmother didn't look surprised at least with her actions.
"Nice hit, honey." Said David simply watching his daughter with pride.
"Never ever enter in my life again. Next time you'll wish to be dead. Did I make myself clear?" Said Hermione with a threatening tone towards her Uncle. Ken just nodded still recovering by her fist.
"We are leaving the house right now." Said Hermione to Harry before she stormed out of the room.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Angela. It was nice to meet you, Marianne, David." Said Harry before he left the room to follow his girlfriend.
"Do something like that again, Ken, and Hermione will be your last worry. I'll become your first!" Said Marianne to her brother while her husband held her to avoid a new attack towards Ken, this time from his sister and not from his niece.
"Leave this House right now, Ken. Don't make the things worse." Said Angela with anger towards her son when this one began to stutter apologizes to his mother.
"I knew that inviting them was a big mistake, mom." Said Marianne to her mother.
"I know and I'm sorry. You know that this kind of thing doesn't go with me. I'll talk with them later and will give them an apology myself." Said Angela with a sad look.
"We know, Angela. I just hope that Harry and Hermione can understand it as well as we do it." Said David leaving the room with his wife.
****
Harry found Hermione crying in her room. He sat with her and hugged her tightly. After 15 minutes, Hermione stopped crying and they faced each other.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I never thought that my own family could do something like this." Said Hermione to her boyfriend.
"Hey, I don't care what your family thinks of me, Hermione. I only care about what you think. Your Uncle was a stupid if he thought that he could do something like that. I love you and nothing or anyone will separate me from you. Not your relatives, not the students from the school, neither Voldemort. I'll be with you as long as I am alive." Promised Harry kissing her.
"Thanks." Said Hermione kissing him again.
"Ahem!" Said Angela clearing her throat entering the room.
"Hi, Grandma." Said Hermione with a smile whipping off her tears.
"Harry, first of all, I'm sorry by my son's actions. I'm not that kind of people. I would never ever try to stop Hermione from being happy. And it's very obvious, to me at least, that she's is happy with you. I'll ask you to not judge me from Ken." Said Angela with a serious tone of voice.
"Don't worry, Angela. Like I said to Hermione, I care about the thoughts of only one person about me: it's she. As long as she loves me, you, your family and the whole world can think or say whatever want about me. I won't pay any attention to them." Said Harry very seriously.
"That's the kind of persons that I would like to her. Nothing breaks your principles and you can go against the world to defend them and your love. It's very unusual to find it in young people." Smiled Angela to the two teens.
"Thanks . . . " Began Harry before Dumbledore tried to contact him, making the teen to turn his attention completely towards his mentor: "What's wrong, Professor?"
"We have received information that the Death Eaters are planning to attack the place where you are, Harry." Said Dumbledore very urgently.
"When?" Asked Harry very gravely.
"In 10 minutes. We'll send help to you immediately. Till then, you and Hermione are the first line of defense of the House. Good luck for you." Said Dumbledore before he cut the chat.
"Take your wand! Death Eater's attack in 10 minutes! We are the first line of defense of this House till the arrival of the Aurors!" Said Harry to Hermione very seriously taking his wand getting ready to use it.
"Oh my God!" Said Hermione taking her own wand.
"What's wrong?" Asked Angela sensing some problems.
"Some people are planning to attack us. Take my parents and the others to a secure place of the House now." Instructed Hermione to her Grandmother before she went to join Harry at the entrance's doors. They suspected that the Death Eaters would try to attack the House from there.
Angela didn't need anymore words to understand that the situation was very bad. She was sure that both wizards wouldn't take their wands for anything. She gathered her family and some servants and took them to the basement where they would be safe.
"Expeliarmus!" Shouted Harry when the first Death Eaters apparated in the garden.
From that moment, a war started between the young students and the Dark Wizards. Harry and Hermione Shot curses and hexes at right and left against all of the Death Eaters that tried to enter in the House. After 15 minutes of fight, in the place began to Apparate Aurors, some Council's Members and Wizards from the Ministry ready to join the fight against the Death Eaters and help the teens. The Council's Members were still in debt with them after the attack in Hogsmeade before Halloween and they knew that if they failed this time, the consequences would be very bad for everyone.
The fight lasted for another 30 minutes before the Death Eaters were stunned or unconscious, or, the most lucky ones, Dissaparated from there. Few wizards of the light side were injured, and those ones who were, didn't have serious injuries besides a few bruises and one or another broken rib or arm.
"Are both of you ok?" Asked worriedly Albus going to Harry and Hermione with the Minister and a Medi Witch.
"Yes, I am. What about you, Hermione?" Said Harry massaging his left shoulder that was sore.
"My shoulder is a little sore but I'm sure that I will live with it." Said Hermione before she kissed Harry forgetting the adults that were with them.
"It's obvious that she has found the best cure of all in him." Chuckled Albus to Arthur and the Medi Witch who nodded with a smile.
"Are you ok, Honey?" Asked Marianne going to her daughter. With her, were the other persons. Hermione's answer was a snore that told to everyone that she had fallen asleep. A look on Harry told them that he had done it too.
"Where can we put them to sleep?" Asked Albus to Marianne levitating Harry while Arthur did the same with Hermione.
"Follow me." Said James to both wizards before he leaded them to the teens' rooms.
****
After almost 30 minutes, the only wizards that were in the residence, besides the teens, were Albus Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley. Both of them were speaking with Hermione's parents and were explaining them the whole situation.
"What will happen now?" Asked David a little worried.
"We'll leave some Aurors in this place. When the Christmas' breaks end, we'll discuss some permanent defense for you and your family. We suspect that Voldemort is trying to harm you to hurt Harry in some way." Said Dumbledore very seriously.
"What kind of defenses, Professor?" Asked Marianne with some nervousness.
"There are many. We are considering in the Fidelius Charm as the best one." Said Dumbledore before he explained them in what the Fidelius' consisted.
"Who would be the Secret Keeper if we do it?" Asked David considering his words.
"It will be one of my most trustworthy persons. The last time we performed this spell, bad things happened. I won't do the same mistake again." Said Dumbledore not happy with the memory about the Fidelius Charm that involved the Marauders and the Potters.
"Very well, we'll wait your letter. You have out complete trust." Said David very seriously while Marianne nodded to his words.
"Let the teens sleep as much as they can. They have gone through a lot and they need it as much rest as they can get." Suggested Arthur to the Grangers with a smile before he and Dumbledore Dissaparated.
"I guess that we can get some rest too." Said David with a yawn.
"Have I ever told you that I'm proud if having a daughter as Hermione?" Asked Marianne to her husband when both of them went to the bed.
"Yes, and right now it's more true than ever." Said David before both of them fell asleep too.