Chapter 5
The gargoyle stepped aside to reveal a spiral staircase, as the four stepped on they were carried up.
Harry spoke to Hermione
"I'm sorry we didn't warn you before we went to see aunt Mini, we grew up around her and the headmaster."
Hermione nodded for him to continue
"I don't know who we are going to see, Headmaster or Grandpa"
In the office above them Albus Dumbledore stood waiting for his three surrogate grandchildren. He thanked the day Sirus took the boy, his original plan to hide Lilly and James son would have left him safe but isolated. Instead the reports from the professors described a cleaver, loyal and charming boy. He thought back to faithful night.
October 31st 1981
Albus sat at his desk preparing for the Halloween feast when the monitoring charms on the Potters home sounded. Leaping to his feet he ran to Minerva's office, as he reached the door she was exiting for the great hall. Seeing the distress her friend was in she stopped dead. Before she could speak the headmaster stated
"The Potters are under attack, I must go and do what I can"
With that he was gone in the direction of his office and personal apparition point.
He arrived at a the cottage to find Hagrid sat in the ruins crying.
"They are dead headmaster"
"where's Harry?"
"He's safe Sirius has him"
The headmaster shouted
"he was the secret keeper"
He vanished on the spot headed for Sirus's flat.
The wards around the flat crashed, Dumbledore burst through into the living room wand drawn and ready.
Sirius and Amelia burst into the room ready to protect their family.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here Albus?"
"you were the secret keeper you must have betrayed them"
"No we switched to Peter but told people is was me"
Albus was unsure what to believe until Sirius made a magical oath providing proof of his innocence.
Albus realised the only hope to truly defeat Tom was to share what knowledge he had. He would need to trust someone. The two people standing in front of him, willing to fight for the sleeping children in the room behind them would be a good start.
The fire place flared the voice of Alice Longbottom was heard screaming. The three adults jumped to their feet, Sirius and Amelia turned to Dumbledore.
"you need to stay with Children"
Shock evident on the older man's face, Sirius continued
"they can't be left alone, with all due respect Albus we won't be firing stunners. We will go in fast and hard. I have already lost two friends tonight, I won't loose anymore. They turned on the spot and were gone.
Albus Dumbledore stood dejected, when the sound of crying drew his attention. Walking into the bedroom he was unaware that his life would be changed forever.
Sirius and Amelia arrived in the early hours of the morning bloody, bruised but alive and carrying another child. The sight of a laughing Albus Dumbledore chasing two tottering, laughing children. Seeing this Neville wanted down so he could join in. While the children reacquainted themselves with each other, the three adults shared all the information they had.
It took them 2 years to discover what was lurking behind Harry's scar. Another 6 months to remove it, luckily the boy was to young to remember what happened. If all went well he would never need to know what the monster had planned. His musing was interrupted by the door opening
The four filed in chatting
"come, come sit tell me all about your week"
The afternoon was spent drinking tea and eating cake. The four children chatted happily about their first week.
Sunday morning Hermione sat down to write to her parents
Dear Mum and Dad
I have so much to tell you. School is great I have tons of friends.
All the teachers are brilliant and I'm learning loads of cool stuff.
Harry says I'm so smart it's scary but brilliant. Susan is his sister and my best friend. Their cousin Neville knows sign language and we are teaching the others. My other dorm mates are all really fun. Lavender is teaching me about makeup. Jamie plays football like me. Sarah's quiet but fun and Parvati knows loads about clothes.
Mum we had a girls night with PJ's and popcorn. I don't know where Harry got it.
I will miss not seeing you on my Birthday, but can't wait to see you Christmas.
Got to go love you
Hermione
PS This is Harry's owl her name is Hedwig (She loves bacon)
PPS Sorry I'm not sorry that I got detention standing up for Harry
Daniel and Emma Granger sat reading their daughters letter for the second time. Both were smiling their little girl was happy. Emma spoke to Dan.
"I wish we could write back"
The owl looked at them like they were stupid. The bacon was smoked she would happily wait to carry a letter back. Ruffling her feathers and shaking her leg the Grangers got the point. Emma ran to her desk for a pen and pad.
The next morning during breakfast the owl post arrived. The majestic white owl flew down and perched on Hermione's shoulder. Taking the letter she offered the owl some bacon, it wasn't smoked but would do.
She began to read
Dearest Hermione
A detention I am shocked, your farther on the other hand is impressed.
It is great to hear you are enjoying school and making lots of friends. Your father noticed you mentioned lots of people but this Harry got three. I asked if he was made of boyfriend material and Dad went green.
Keep working hard, also keep having fun well all need balance in life. Give Harry a kiss for me, for the use of Hedwig. Please ask if she would be able to return near your birthday to carry a card for us
All our love Mum and Dad
Hermione blushed as she read about boyfriend material as well as a kiss from her Mum.
This birthday is to early for that, she would be 13 next year so who knows.
The next 10 days flew by and suddenly it was the 19th September.
Hermione woke feeling the same as she did on all her birthdays happy but knowing a card from her parents would be arriving and little else. She opened her curtains to see the others still asleep. Her feet touched the floor and a bell chimed.
The other curtains flew opened and five girls leapt off their beds and shouted
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"
Hermione stood in shock, as they gathered around her with cards and presents. Lavender gave her some magical makeup. Parvati had a beautiful silk blouse in green. Jamie had a Tottenham Hotspur poster and Sarah gave her a box of chocolates. Sue said She, Harry and Nev had something special planned but she would have to wait until after class.
After getting ready for the day they made their way down to the common room where Harry and Neville would be waiting.
"Harry James Potter-Black"
Rang throughout the room as she marched down the stairs. The boy froze where he was. She marched up to him and promptly kissed him on the cheek
"That is from my Mum for the use of Hedwig"
She then proceeded the kiss him a little longer on the other cheek
"that is for making this the best birthday ever"
She marched past followed by her five giggling girlfriend's, the blush that formed on Harrys cheeks was a bonus birthday gift.
Throughout the day she tried all she could to get out of her three best friends what they had planned. Nothing worked. When the last class ended they made their way to their dorm room, she was told to drop off her bag and be back in the common room. Susan followed her to do the same.
They returned to a grinning Neville and Harry, each taking a girl by the arm they escorted them out and towards their head of house office.
They entered to find a black haired auror waiting, for a moment Hermione thought she had done something wrong.
"Sirius their curfew has been extended till 11 no later"
The stern witch stated. Harry handed Hermione a peace of parchment, read this and tear it up.
12 Grimmauld place. Harry explained that this was his address and was protected by magic.
She was then taught how to use the flew and they were off. She stumbled out of the fire into a beautiful town house and into the waiting arms of her farther.
"Dad, Mum what, how did you get here"
"Thank Harry"
Her Mum said and then whispered
"Definitely boyfriend material"
She turned to a nervous Harry who said
"I hope you don't mind but we thought you would like to see your parents on your Birthday"
Neville interrupted him
"it was all Harrys idea, we just helped make it happen"
It was Sirius's turn to interrupt
"Harry your Mum will be at the restaurant very soon she doesn't wait when it comes to Italian"
"it's Hermione's favourite as well"
Her Mother stated
"we know"
Susan and Neville chorused looking at a blushing Harry.
Sirius proceed to transfigure their uniform into evening wear and they were off. They arrived at one of the best restaurants in London. Dan had to ask
"How did you get a table"
A bashful Harry answered him
"Erm well I kind of have a small interest in the Restaurant"
He was interrupted by the maitre d leading them in to a table and an awaiting Amelia and two other adults. She stood to great the children as Neville ran to his parents, he signed as he spoke
"What are you doing here"
His farther started to move his hands to explain to his son, neither remembered there was at least one more person in the room that could understand them. They wanted to meet the girl that had captured Harry's hart, they also wanted to see him. The family were very close after the attack, they had missed Neville desperately.
Hermione turned to take in the Restaurants beauty when realisation struck her they were the only ones there
"Harry how much of an interest do you own"
His mumbled response was to quiet to hear
"Harry James Potter answer me"
Sirius froze looked to his wife and mouthed
"When did Lilly get here"
"Hermione it isn't important, I wanted you to be able to tell your parents everything about school"
"Harry please"
"95%"