Chapter 11

Dan and Emma went inside leaving Auror Church to make her rounds outside. They were justifiably concerned at the obvious increase in the danger level in their lives. It had been years since they had thought about locking the doors on their home at night, yet they were locked right now.

They talked about the best course of action for their family. They were very comfortable in their home and business in Crawley, but they weren't married to them. They were comfortable with their daughter's abilities, but would ask her to change wizarding schools in a blink if they thought she would be safer.

They had concluded that the source of the danger was the wizarding world's rather unprogressive attitudes, which pitted blood against ability. While they weren't certain which side would prevail, they were convinced that it would end quickly.

Dan said, "Harry and Hermione obviously know how to take care of themselves."

Emma added, "And each other. Are we going to ask them what they were doing out at midnight in the first place?"

Dan, replied, "No. Let's assume that they were skinny dipping, and be thankful that they were out there."

Emma said, "The protective wards that they put on the house must have worked. Hermione lit a hot fire in the barbeque yesterday in about a second. Connie Hammer told me that those men had tried three times each to start the house on fire." She held his hand, and said, "They're good together. When do we leave for holiday?"

"The first of August. We fly out of Heathrow at 9:00. Did Harry get a passport?"

Emma nodded. "Yes. Director Bones dropped it over on Wednesday. Guess what?"

Dan replied with an indulgent smile, "You saw another dragon."

She smiled at her best friend. "No. The ledgers that the Goblins gave him indicate that he's really rich."

"What's really rich?"

Straight faced, she replied, "Three hundred million."

Dan shook his head for a moment, then asked, "Harry's got three hundred million Sterling?"

"Galleons."

Dan shook his head. "That's over a billion in Sterling."

Emma smiled. "Yes, but you took him into our home when he was dressed in rags."

He smiled back at her. "Yes, but you told me to. That makes you the genius."

She squeezed his hand. "True, but that wasn't my point. Hermione is the named beneficiary in his Will."

Dan asked, "Does she know?"

"I have no idea. Until two weeks ago, I don't think he had any idea, either."

Dan thought for a moment and said, "He's brought a lot of changes into our lives."

Emma said, "I'd phase it differently. Hermione's brought a lot of changes into our lives. Her other friend from school barely has five quid to his name. They're not all wealthy, just him. Hermione wants to do something special for his birthday on Wednesday."

Dan asked, "What does she have in mind?"

"I think she wanted to have a few of their school friends over, but that was before…"

Dan understood. Things had changed on Friday night. He didn't know what to say.

Emma said, "She probably invited him outside Friday night to share a special time together, and they ended up sharing a horrible adventure together."

Dan nodded. "You're right, and I wouldn't wish what they had to do that night on anyone, but they saved each other and us. That's pretty special."

She smiled at her lover. "You're pretty special. Let's go to bed. We'll hear them come in, and can grill them tomorrow. Never mind. Here they are now."

Hermione walked in with Harry a few steps behind her. She said, "Hi Mum. Hi Dad."

"Hi Hermione. Hi Harry. How was your evening?"

Hermione replied, "Pretty good. Actually it was great. The string quartet was really good, and we danced three times. We had a chance to meet and visit with some interesting people. I met a witch from the board of school governors. She asked me to contact her after school about a position."

Emma nodded encouragingly at her daughter and asked Harry, "How about you, dear? Did you have fun?"

Harry replied, "I got to dance three times with a beautiful witch. My lifetime ban on playing Quidditch was reversed, and we had fun talking with Susan."

Hermione asked, "Who else did you visit with?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. That reminds me. Ginny wants to stop over tomorrow. I also talked with Ragnot and Moody. Ragnot told me that you could come again and see the dragons if you wanted." Emma winked at him.

Hermione persisted. "What did Moody have to say?"

There was no smile on Harry's face as he replied, "He suggested that Narcissa Malfoy may have been behind the attack. He was pleased that we'd put up the protection wards."

Hermione persisted. "Who else did you visit with?"

"A bunch of goofy witches. They were all talking about their underwear."

Emma glanced at Dan who started laughing uncontrollably. Emma asked, "What were they telling you Harry?"

"Dunno. I wasn't paying attention to a thing that they were talking about," replied Harry.

"Good answer, Harry," quipped Dan, who with each passing moment had increased respect for the young man.

Emma eyed Hermione and smiled, knowing that was exactly what she'd wanted to hear.

Hermione smiled back at her mum, the unspoken message sent and received. Then her smile disappeared. "We also talked with Professor Dumbledore."

Harry said, "I think he knew that Snape might have planned to come by and didn't tell us. He didn't make any apologies about the attack or Snape's involvement. I'm sick of his keeping secrets."

Dan looked at the teens and said, "You don't know that for a fact. We may never know how it started. We're just grateful that you two kept your heads, did your magics, and none of us got hurt. Mum and I are going to bed. We love you. Good night."

"Good night," said both teens at once.

Harry started to get up, but Hermione held him back. "I thought maybe we could visit a bit more."

Harry said, "OK. "I'll go get us a butterbeer."

He came back and sat by Hermione. She looked at him with her bright eyes and asked, "Harry, are we a couple?"

Harry replied, "I'd like us to be. Would you?"

She smiled at him and leaned closer, so that her lips almost touched his. Harry leaned forward, and there was only one word for it.

Magic.

"Wow," said Harry, who after the disastrous first kiss with Cho had never tried to kiss anyone properly since.

"Mmm," said Hermione. "I liked that. Thanks."

"Me too," said Harry

"Harry, I'm not asking you to say anything, or feel anything that you may not feel or be comfortable saying, but I want you to know that I love you."

Harry replied, "Thanks. I can't remember anyone ever saying that to me before today. It feels really nice. I'm not very good at saying these things, but I love you too, Hermione. You mean everything to me."

She was tired, but her eyes were bright with joy. "Thank you Harry. You say those things perfectly. This has been a big day for us. I'm glad I had you to share it with. It's pretty late. We should get to sleep. We'll try skinny dipping again another night."

Harry beamed at her. "I'd like that."

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Ginny arrived at 8:00 on Monday. Auror Shetland arrived a few minutes later. Minister Bones was having a meeting with all of the Senior Aurors and the hit wizards, and Church and Hammer had been asked to attend. Emma brought out a cup of coffee and introduced herself.

Ginny hugged Hermione then went over to hug Harry. "It's good to see you both. I'd have brought my git of a brother over, but he was too busy getting his foot out of his mouth as it is. Seriously, we were all sorry to hear of the attack and what you had to do, but we're so grateful that you're OK. I have no idea how much it must hurt, but we know that you did the only thing that you could. Snape and Malfoy made some really bad choices, and their actions took away a bit of your lives."

Hermione said, "Thanks, Ginny. We're OK and we're getting better. We know it wasn't our fault, and we know that we did what we had to do. Everyone from the Aurors to Minister Bones told us the same thing. It hurts, but we'll get past it together."

Ginny had listened carefully and understood what Hermione had said. She replied, "I'm really happy for you both. You both are good for each other and deserve a bit of happiness. Have you told anyone or did you two just figure it out today?"

Hermione replied to her best girlfriend, "Last night actually, but thanks for the thought. No, we're still trying to tell each other. Everyone else will have to wait until we get that part straight. A lot of really good things and some really bad things have happened this summer. My best friend became more than that. He stood up to Dumbledore and Fudge. Harry and my dad have become friends. My mum thinks he's cute, and I taught Harry how to swim properly."

Ginny gave Hermione a lusty wink and asked, "Been doing the breaststroke Harry?" Hermione turned flame red. Ginny smiled and said, "I'm sorry you two. I couldn't resist."

Harry joked back. "Actually, that lesson was cut a bit short. I'll probably need a repeat some time. Seriously, Hermione's been my best friend for a long time and I came to realize how much more she really means to me. I love her, and I'm just grateful that she sees the real me and likes me anyway."

Ginny gave a wishful look and replied, "That's so sweet. Harry, you've had to face a lot of really crappy things, and you always came out the stronger person. You can take a summer to live without feeling guilty." She was careful not to mention the attack, knowing that the two of them would still have raw feelings over it.

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A/N

Would it be in character for Hermione to want to move their relationship to "the next level?"

If she did, would Harry comply with her wishes?