Chapter Eight: Best of Intentions
"So, what are your intentions towards my daughter, Harry?"
Harry sucked in a surprised breath, choking in the process. Once he'd recovered enough to make speech possible, he turned horrified eyes to Michael Granger.
"Excuse me, sir?"
"Harry, you're seventeen years old. Hermione will be seventeen in September. I'd like to know..."
"Mr. Granger, I think there has been some misunderstanding..."
"Oh?"
"Hermione and I... we aren't... we don't feel that way about each other."
"Oh? Then perhaps you could explain why Hermione has come home every summer since she was eleven full of stories about you, and this summer, refused to come home at all. Instead, insisting she must come and stay here, in your home?"
"Umm..." Harry sat down on the sofa. "I can, but..."
"Well?" Mr. Granger didn't appear upset, merely... curious. Harry took a deep breath.
"Mr. Granger, Hermione and Ron and I have been best friends since practically our first day. We met on the train to Hogwarts, and we've pretty much been... well, they're my best friends. Hermione and I... she's like a sister, sir. There really isn't anything... untoward... going on."
Michael Granger's eyebrows rose.
"As to why she insisted on coming here... well, that was rather more at Professor Dumbledore's insistence than mine. I wasn't even here until this past week, myself. As you know, sir... there's a war going on in the magical world."
"So Hermione tells us."
"But what she probably hasn't told you, what she didn't really know until this past week herself, is that I'm the one who... well, there's a prophecy, and apparently, I have to be the one to... take care of the problem."
"The problem?"
"Voldemort. A dark wizard whose true name is Tom Riddle... he... he's been terrorizing the magical world for years, and the muggle world... sorry, your world. Most of what he gets up to outside the magical world is explained away as accidents or house fires, but... it's him. And the people who are targeted are generally... people like you and Mrs. Granger. Not involved with our world directly, but with ties to it."
"And Hermione...?"
"When she's in the non-magical world, she's in more danger, because the magical world can't protect her as well."
"Why is Hermione in danger?" Michael Granger asked quietly.
"Because she's chosen to be my friend, and anyone close to me tends to be targeted."
"So the answer, as far as I would be concerned, would be to remove her from... this danger."
"You can't."
"Oh, Harry, I assure you, I can."
"No, I'm afraid you can't, sir," Harry said. "You see, Hermione has already declared herself, and Tom Riddle wouldn't care if she was suddenly removed from this world... he'd still go after her, and you and Mrs. Granger, to prove a point. You have no idea of the things he's done. He's capable of anything."
"How do you know?"
"He murdered my parents, and tried to kill me, sixteen years ago."
Michael Granger leaned back in his chair as though he had been slapped.
"But he failed," he said quietly.
"Yes, but only because..." Harry paused. This man was a muggle, should he be telling him this?
"Because?"
"Because my mother died to protect me. There is powerful magic in sacrificing yourself for someone you love. My mother did it to protect me, and because she gave her life, and he took it, her blood protects me. When he tried to curse me, it... well, I suppose the best way to describe it would be to say it rebounded... onto him. He was gone for a long time. But his followers have managed to help him come back, and he's getting stronger."
"So, why don't the wizards of your world do something about it? Arrest him, or something?"
"It doesn't quite work that way. They would if they could, but he's a very, very powerful wizard. No one who goes against him can win, because they're not powerful enough."
"Then how do they expect you to?"
"Because they think I'm more powerful," Harry said quietly. "So, I have to be trained. I was raised by my aunt and uncle... muggles. I didn't know about this world until I was eleven. I learned of Hogwarts the same way Hermione did."
"And you're willing to sacrifice yourself for this world?"
"No, sir," Harry denied. "But I am willing to do it for some of the people in it. Like the Weasleys, and Hermione."
Michael Granger stared at him for a long time, then sighed.
"I thought coming in here that I was going to have to have a talk with you about our expectations for our daughter, and how I would appreciate it if you didn't get in the way of them. I had assumed..."
"No, sir," Harry said.
"Very well. Now, you're telling me that Hermione was in danger at first because of her friendship with you, but now... it's more than that?"
"Sir, I don't know if you understand..." Harry said quietly. "Hermione is more than just my friend, or a normal witch. Hermione is one of the most powerful witches the magical world has seen in a long, long time. She.. she was doing NEWT level spells in fourth year. She's a shoe in for Head Girl this year, and I have to say, that's quite an accomplishment for someone who wasn't raised in the magical world. There are a lot of magical people who... well, they have beliefs like the painting in the hallway. Hermione's power is her greatest asset, but it's also the thing that puts her at the greatest risk."
"So you're saying..."
"If I'm going to beat him, I need her. She's..."
"I understand, Harry. I may not like it, but I do understand. You have my blessing. Both of you."
"Thank you, sir," Harry sighed.
There was a brief knock on the door, and they turned to see who was there.
"Harry," Ron said quietly. "Mum says lunch is ready."
"We'll be right there, Ron, thanks."
I have to talk to him, as well. We can't go on being angry with each other.
Ron nodded, and retreated.
"I'd also like to ask..." Harry began.
"What, Harry?"
"Well, you and Mrs. Granger might well be in danger..."
"Oh?"
"Well, Voldemort has been targeting the families of muggleborns... um, students such as Hermione. And I think... I think Hermione might feel more comfortable if she knew that you were safe."
"And how do we accomplish that?"
"Well, I don't know how you have your practice set up, but would it be possible to take a vacation for a while?"
Michael Granger watched him closely. "For how long?"
"Until this is over. Until I... kill... Tom Riddle."
Hermione's father stared at him.
"It's what I have to do, sir. Hermione knows this," Harry said quietly.
"I... I suppose a sabbatical..."
"I really think it would be for the best."
"Where would be safe? If we went overseas..."
"The magical world is not limited to England," Harry said. "If you would be willing, you're more than welcome to stay here. The house is warded, and you'd be accessible to Hermione then, and I have a feeling she's going to need you this year more than any other."
Dr. Granger watched him carefully. "I would appreciate it, Harry. I'll speak to Laura. Harry... if something should happen, and Hermione's mother and I..."
"Sir, we're going to do everything we can to keep that from happening."
"But if it should..."
"Hermione will always have a home here, Dr. Granger. I'll do everything I can to keep her safe."
Michael Granger nodded. Harry felt it was time to change tack, and he knew that there was something else to be gotten through before lunch.
"Before you encounter him, Mr Granger, I'd like to introduce you to someone..."
"Encounter him?"
"Magical homes quite often have... staff. This one is no different. I..."
"Oh, a servant?" he seemed relieved.
"In a manner of speaking," Harry smiled. "Dobby is a house elf."
"A... house... elf?"
"A magical creature who takes care of things. In the normal course of events, you'd never see him, but if you do, you and Mrs. Granger being... well, muggles... I wouldn't want you to be startled. He's perfectly harmless, and is bound to my family."
"A slave?" Hermione's father looked as horrified as Hermione had the day she discovered that Hogwarts was run by a small army of house elves.
"No, sir. Dobby is a free elf. He chooses to serve me... and earns a wage for doing so."
"I see," he said, although it was very clear that he didn't.
"Dobby?" Harry called, only to have the little creature appear with a pop.
"Harry Potter sir called for Dobby?"
"Dobby, I wanted to introduce you to Dr. Granger. This is Miss Hermione's father. Sir, this is Dobby."
"Dobby is honored to be introduced to such an honored guest as Miss Hermione's sire, sir." Dobby bowed formally, looking rather comical as he was no more than two feet tall and dressed as he was in a green t-shirt and four pairs of socks.
"Sire?" Michael Granger looked faint.
"Dobby... the Grangers will be staying with us for a... while. They are honored guests."
"And will be treated as such, Harry Potter sir." Dobby stated solemnly.
After Dobby had popped out of the room, Michael Granger turned rather shocked eyes to Harry and smiled.
"Any more surprises, then, Harry?"
"I certainly hope not, sir."
Unfortunately, Harry was proven wrong as they stepped out into the hallway on their way to lunch. A very obviously furious Metamorphmagus stormed down the stairs, her hair cycling through the colors of the rainbow as she charged.
"Harry Potter! Where is that damned werewolf?"
Well? Surprises aplenty in Grimmauld Place, I think...
Treck: Ah, Snape has his uses. You'll be seeing more of him, though, I promise. Harry and Ron do seem to be competing for the 'clueless' title, don't they?
Larna Mandrea: Tonks has always had a soft spot for Harry, I think. More like a big sister than anything, before any of you people get any naughty ideas... but a soft spot, nonetheless. I think far too many people hang out in their comfort zone as a matter of habit. It's when you do things that are light-years outside of that that you truly learn things. I know the times that I've learned the most about myself are when my butt is hanging in the breeze and I've got three fingers left gripping the ledge. And what's with "minty house elf flesh"? Never mind, I'm not quite sure that I want to know. And you're doing it again – picking up the important bits. As I've told Merlindamage repeatedly, get out of my head!
Not Your Average: You're right, Harry is different. Harry has had to put up with a lot of crap in his seventeen years. I think JKR began to hint at it in OotP, and I think we're goint to see a LOT more of it in HBP. And it's not so much being rude as being fed up.
Sorrowl: Comedy of errors? Hmmm... hadn't thought of it that way. They're just all completely unbelievable in their blindness, aren't they? Ah, well, it will all come out shortly, I suppose...
Merlindamage: Are you writing exams or something? I've not been getting my nice long reviews from you! I miss them!
Ima quidditch fan: Tonks and Remus are very important people to Harry. Their "act of faith" shows him that others can be trusted. And Mrs Weasley has six sons, do you think something like that would be an issue for her any longer? Well... maybe if she found out who the girl in question was...
Shotgunn: Now you're mad at me. Great. I TOLD James this would happen. Ah, well, the things we do for our art... Oh well, I can't talk about soccer with James! And the last part of my response that you didn't get was in response to YOUR review, sir. See, you go all philosophical on me, I respond, and you forget. SIGH. I can just see you dragging your buddies to Kings Cross, and their response. My DH thought we were insane (the boys and I) when we insisted on finding the platform there. Oh, well... at least we're not alone in our addiction! And Harry is angry because he thought that Ron TRUSTED him... and now it appears that Ron thinks Harry isn't trustworthy. Remember, Ron is going on the evidence of his eyes, and Harry thinks he's talking about a supposed relationship with Ginny... it's all very confusing, I know. But it's all central to TRUST.
Sabine Strohem-Moss: Hehe... Tonks and Lupin are easy to write. They're very one-dimensional in canon, I think.
RadcliffeRox24: Thanks! And yes, Ron is probably reaching capacity...
Kordolin: But that IS what the story is about, right? Trusting in the face of circumstances that tell us not to... ah well, it'll all come right in the end, I'm sure.
Aenigmatic: You know, you were the fiftieth person to add me to their Author Alerts list. I love you for that. You have no idea of the mental boost that one gave me! Thanks! Deception, whether intentional or otherwise, whether viewed as such or not, is still a form of a lie, in my view. And it all just makes for a more entangled story... as the saying goes... "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to decieve..."
Eris, Queen of Shadows: Hermione's response to Harry having Dobby live in the house is minimal, really. I think she, too, is beginning to grow up and see that most things aren't as we would have them, but maybe that that is okay, sometimes, too. That doens't mean she has to like it, of course!
Thanks for the reviews, folks... you truly are my inspiration!
CQ