Chapter Eighteen: Home Sweet Home
"C'mon Harry!" she called up the staircase, "the train'll be leaving soon!"
"Coming!" with one final mighty jump the lock of his trunk clicked shut. He wiped the sweet from his forehead before jumping down. He locked Hedwig in her cage, set her atop his luggage and then pocketed both his wand and invisibility cloak and jogging down to meet his group.
The train ride was uneventful. Hermione and Gwen read (Advanced Transfiguration for Advanced Minds and Hogwarts: A History respectively), Harry and Ben played a game of wizarding chess, Kevin napped, and Julie and Ron played Exploding Snap.
Malfoy and his cronies never made an appearance. The train pulled into King's Cross after the requisite few hours journey and parents stood on the platform, waiting to hug their children and whatnot. Chief among them were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and "Grandpa!"
Max Tennyson stood, beaming, waiting to welcome his grandchildren home. The American four rushed the old man, engulfing him in a tight group hug. Harry hung back, unsure of his place in this family reunion. Gwen and Kevin were the first to stop hugging and retreated back to where Harry stood, clapped their hands onto his shoulders and pushed him towards Max. Ben and Julie made way from him.
"Hello Harry," Max greeted, "I'm Max Tennyson, but just call me 'Grandpa'. All the kids do."
"O…kay."
"Harry!" Hermione's voice called as she ran up, with a scroll in her hands, "Thank Merlin! I thought you left already!" she turned to Kevin and Gwen, handing them the scroll, "Here's a list of all his food allergies, recipes for potions he may need, an inventory of all his possessions, his homework assignments, and contact information for Professor Dumbledore, The Minister of Magic, the Head of the Aurors Division, the Head Healer of St. Mungo's and myself."
"He'll be fine Hermione," Gwen assured her as Kevin took the scroll, "We promise."
"Just making sure…"
"Mione," Harry tugged on her hand, making her turn to face him, "I'll be fine."
"You always attract trouble!"
"and yet here I am…" he smiled.
"Hermione Jane Granger!" her father called.
"Call me, owl me?" she whispered and he nodded, "Bet on it Mione."
"Hermione!"
"Coming!" she gave him a quick kiss, "Be safe, please." She ran off.
"Ready to go home kid?" Kevin asked as Ship appeared with the luggage.
"Yeah," Harry smiled and nodded, "Yeah I am."
END
