A.N. I've mad a mionor update to this chapter after a reviewer pointed tosome problems. I hope you like it.
4. Away
Shopping was not something Harry was experienced at, yet he had heard quite a few horror stories about what going shopping with girls or women was like, so he didn't look forward to that.
Once they left the ministry, Hermione led them to Harrods. Harry had never visited the famous store. He was delighted to see the elegance of the shop and the uniforms of its employees. Hermione wasn't impressed, though.
"We have a lot to buy and they close in about two hours. We need to hurry!" she informed him.
Harry cooperated and was pleasantly surprised by Hermione's efficiency at shopping. She first took him to the men underwear department, where she made him buy several sets of underwear of highest quality, two swimsuits and two pairs of sexy male knickers.
"What do I need these for?" he asked.
Hermione just rolled her eyes. "Men!"
She then went to the women underwear, where she bought a few comfortable bras and several sets of knickers some of which contained very little cloth. Just thinking of her wearing these made Harry blush.
Women wear was next. Hermione selected three pairs of comfortable trousers, a pair of tight, but not too tight, jeans and some t-shirts, She then added two dresses – one summer dress and another suitable for the evenings. She topped it all by selecting a business suit.
Harry wondered about it, but stayed silent, noticing how anxious she looked to get over with their shopping.
They then chose a similar wardrobe for Harry: Some slacks, jeans, t-shirts and a few button-up shirts. Hermione insisted that he buy a business suit as well with several ties in assorted colors.
Footwear came next, where each selected one pair of elegant shoes to go with the business suit or the evening attire and two pairs of walking shoes selected for comfort, with several sets of socks.
"We still have time to buy you a watch," Hermione told him, dragging him to the jewelry department. Harry didn't mind. The old watch that he had was one of Dudley's discards and it stopped working after the dive in the lake during the second task in fourth year. He never got another one.
"Which is your most expensive line of men watches?" Hermione asked the sales person.
Harry was surprised hearing her question. "I don't really need an expensive watch," he whispered in her ear.
"Once you decided to go first class, you have no choice," Hermione explained in a hush.
The sales woman showed them several watches, all seemed quite solid and well made. Harry liked one which was more "sporty".
"How much is it?" Hermione asked.
"Only £1099," was the answer.
"Isn't it a bit cheap?"
"No. We only have three models which are priced higher, and they are more suitable for older men. They would seem out of place on your boyfriend."
"He's my husband," Hermione corrected her nonchalantly, noticing the furtive glance at her ring finger, which was bare.
Harry also noted the glance. While he still had to come to terms with being a married man, he knew that he wanted Hermione to be happy. He was still alarmed at the price of what he considered just a simple watch, but knew better than to say anything. He just dragged her to the other side of that department, where he saw some rings.
"Which one would you like?" he asked her.
She glanced over the display, noticing a few simple looking rings. "This one would do," she pointed at a ring made of gold with silver decorations, "but I think there are more appropriate rings in your vault. We have to visit the bank tomorrow, so we can check then."
Harry bought her the ring nevertheless, He also insisted on buying her a watch as well. She chose one in the same style as his, which was a few pounds cheaper.
They left the store only five minutes before its closing time, each carrying so many packets that they could hardly see their way. Harry found it annoying. He stepped into a side alley and shrank all the packages to about a tenth of their size. It was still a large pile, though. He then called Kreacher. The elf was delighted to take the whole pile home, letting them enjoy their evening.
Hermione knew London well. She took him on a short tour of the main attractions: the parliament house with the Big Ben, the London Eye, Piccadilly circus and some more. Harry had only seen most of these places in photos and was quite glad to be able to visit them. What he liked best, though, was walking hand in hand with Hermione, trying to get accustomed to the idea that they were actually married.
"You know, it seems like my parents were the first we visited after we were magically wed," he told her. "It somehow seems right."
"Yes, it does," she said, walking closer and leaning her head on his shoulder.
They walked like that a few more minutes, just enjoying being peacefully together, when Hermione snapped her head. "Harry, you still owe me some courting and a proper wedding and a honeymoon. Don't you dare skip any of these!"
He would have been frightened if her words were not accompanied by a warm smile and a hug.
"Well, dear, where would you like dinner?" he asked her in an amused tone.
She pretended to think hard. "I believe we could do with dinner prepared by Kreacher. He's so glad when we let him show his culinary talents. Besides, I can't wait for the activity after dinner."
With that said, they apparated home.
Dinner was waiting for them, and Kreacher even set the dining room like a romantic restaurant, with some drapes enclosing a table for two, lighted by the candles. He had also outdone himself with the cooking, giving the young couple a memorable meal.
"How did you know we were coming for dinner?" Hermione asked him.
"It's a house-elf's duty to know what his master and mistress want. Our bond lets us feel when and how we are needed."
"Yet you did nothing for us while we were on the run," she noted.
His face turned sad. "I could do nothing unless you called me. I could stay here and tend the house or help at Hogwarts. I had no other instructions and none of you gave me new instructions."
"We didn't know," she said, "but now, that we know, I instruct you to inform us whenever you feel there's something you should do that we aren't aware of."
"Very well, mistress. That should take care of such events. Will you be needing me in Australia?"
Hermione was surprised by the question, yet the answer was clear. "We shall stay in muggle environment there. You won't fit in and may even cause problems with the statute of secrecy. Would you even be able to come if we call you?"
He seemed almost offended. "Of course I can come! No place on earth is too distant for a house-elf to reach his master!"
Harry was looking at the shopping bills. He now noticed that everything they bought seemed to be about ten times the prices he had seen his aunt pay for similar items. While he wasn't bothered by the expense, knowing he could well afford it, he was intrigued by the price gap.
"Why was everything we bought so expensive?" he asked.
"We only bought prestigious brand names. You can't fly first class and wear clothes bought at the market. Then there's your status as well. Lord Potter-Black should dress like a lord, even when in muggle environment."
"But I don't even need half of what we bought!" he protested.
"You soon will," she said cryptically. "Now – we need to go to bed." She took his hand, ready to lead him upstairs. She only turned back for a moment. "Kreacher, will you be so kind to wake us at eight o'clock? We're going to have quite a busy day tomorrow as well."
They Floo'ed to The Leaky Cauldron immediately after breakfast. Tom was already behind the counter and greeted them with warm smiles, "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, it's nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too, Tom. How is business?" Harry replied politely as Hermione just nodded.
"Much better, thank you, since you rid us of that madman. Can I serve you something?"
"Maybe later, Tom. We have a lot to do today and not enough time," Hermione replied.
If Tom was surprised at seeing them holding hands and acting like a couple, he didn't show it. "You're both welcome here whenever you come," he assured them.
They left through the door to muggle London and used the secret door to Gringotts. It opened into a long corridor that ended in a small waiting room, where a young goblin was already waiting for them. Harry let Hermione lead.
"I need to check the transactions in the Wilkins account in your muggle subsidiary," she told the goblin.
He led them through another long corridor into what looked like a normal muggle bank, where the tellers looked human. It was quite clear to both teens that these were goblins with glamor charms, just as their companion used to mask himself. He led them to one of the offices at the back. "Miss Granger," he announced for the benefit of its occupant, as he led them in and closed the door.
The manager in the office seemed delighted to see her. "Welcome back Miss Granger, or should I say Lady Potter?"
"Miss Granger is fine for now, and I'm very glad to be here as well. I need to find my parents, now that the war is over, and I hope you can help me."
The goblin looked at her questioningly. "I thought you would come here a few weeks earlier," he commented, not really expecting an explanation.
"There were some unexpected delays," she said, not wanting to go into details.
The goblin turned to his desk, where a keyboard, a mouse and a computer display were residing. "I can give you a record of all their cash withdrawals and their credit-card expenses. At your request, we have also put tracking charms on their cards, and we can give you a report of their whereabouts, updated to last night."
"I'd like all of these, keyed to me and my husband only, if you don't mind."
"Not at all. We're here to serve our customers," the goblin replied. He clicked a few commands on his keyboard and soon enough one could hear the printer, hidden under the desk, going into action. A moment later he was handing several printed pages to Hermione.
"Do you need anything else?"
"Can we have a money-bag? I've heard these are very useful," Harry said, "and I don't like going into the main branch for that."
"Of course, Lord Potter. I'll have one brought here in a moment." He lifted the normal looking telephone on his desk and spoke with someone.
Harry was quite intrigued. He could sense the magic around him, yet these muggle instruments seemed to work flawlessly. "How do you make these work in such a magical environment?" he asked, pointing at the instruments.
The goblin chuckled. "Wizards don't want to use any muggle technology, so they devise theories to justify it. Most muggle instruments would work well, unless subjected to direct magical bursts. Some of the more delicate ones can be shielded, using a simple spell, and then they will work well even within the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts."
"I'd like to learn that spell!" Hermione blurted, not even thinking.
"Of course, Milady." He punched a few more keys and handed her another printed page. "I believe this covers all that you need."
"I think we may need to visit our vault," Harry said, once they finished their business there.
"We may bring here anything you need from your vault," the goblin informed him, "as long as you can state exactly what it is."
"Well, I'm sure there are some engagement rings used by my ancestors. I'd like Hermione to see them and select one to wear until we wed officially."
"That should be no problem," the goblin said, turning back to the phone.
Ten minutes later, Hermione could look through a large drawer full of rings, most of them in pairs. She chose one looking like a bent twig, decorated by two bright emeralds, just like Harry's eyes. It had a companion of thicker build with just two green dots on top, which Harry took gladly.
Harry also found the official Potter signet ring there, which he also took. It flashed briefly when he put it on his finger and he felt it was also giving him some additional power.
They left the bank later through its muggle main door, situated conveniently on Oxford Street. The bank had also supplied them with passports, as Harry had never had one and Hermione's had already expired.
"We need to buy a few more things now. We need appropriate suitcases and handbags and I'd like you to buy a new pair of eye-glasses."
"So, back to Harrods?" he asked.
"Not necessarily. There's an optician shop just across the street and I know there are some high-class luggage shops nearby as well."
The optician was very pedantic. He used several instruments to measure Harry's sight and then made additional tests with various correction lenses. Harry would have lost his patience if it wasn't for Hermione's soothing presence and her hand, which was holding his comfortingly.
"It will take a few hours to have your glasses ready, sir. They should be here by five in the evening. Would that be alright?"
"That would be fine. I'll come take them at five, then."
He had actually ordered three pairs, as Hermione suggested. One was for general use, replacing his old worn set; another had tinted glasses to be worn outside on sunny days – Hermione was sure these would come handy in Australia. The third pair was just a spare, and yet the most elegant, reserved for special occasions and show-offs, which Hermione was sure that Harry would not be able to always dodge.
It was past lunch time when they left the optician's shop. Harry was pleased to find a nice looking restaurant nearby and invited Hermione for lunch, remembering she wanted to be courted.
"Why do we need suitcases? We can take everything in a small backpack, you know." Harry wondered.
"Flying first class with only a backpack? That would be odd. Even the most expensive suitcase we're bound to buy would cost much less than the difference between tourist class tickets and first class ones, and I don't want anybody looking at my husband as a freak."
"Oh, right..." he said. Suddenly their shopping started making sense. Money was of no concern to him now, and he really didn't care for brand names, yet his new position made people expect certain standards from him, and Hermione was the last to let him dismiss his obligations.
"Just think what impression it would make on your cousin, if he happens to see you wearing those expensive brand names," Hermione added with a smile.
Harry also smiled at the mental image of Dudley looking at him with open mouth.
Buying suitcases was easy. Hermione chose the most expensive kind of wheeled ones. "These are ten times stronger than normal suitcases and only weigh about half as much. That comes at a cost, of course..." the shopkeeper explained. They chose two medium sized cases. One was dark gray and the other was a bit pinkish.
"We also have assorted handbags to go with them," the shopkeeper offered. "We have one suitable for carrying a laptop computer, it has a wide, well padded shoulder strap that would make it easy to carry. We also have a photographer bag of similar design for your cameras and lenses with a few packs of film. We also offer ladies' bags of different sizes to go with the suitcases."
Hermione bought a small handbag for herself and a small photographer's case for Harry. He didn't know how to use a computer yet, but taking some photos during their trip could be fun.
They still had time until they returned to the optician. A side alley gave them the shelter to shrink their shopping and put it in Hermione's bag. With nothing burdening them, Hermione decided to just have some fun. She dragged Harry to Hemelys store, where Harry was stunned by the sheer number of toys, games and fun stuff – for children of all ages. "I'm was sure I could spend there more than a week and never get bored," he told Hermione, yet three hours later he was back at the optician.
"I'd like you to try your new glasses on, to make sure everything is fine," the man told him.
Harry took off his old glasses and put on his new set. He felt like he had never seen clearly before. He could now discern every hair on Hermione's head; he could read the numbers on the bus-stops across the road and he could fully enjoy Hermione's beauty. He kissed her passionately, thanking her for the wonderful gift of clear sight she had given him.
Once again they ate dinner at home. Kreacher seemed somewhat sad that he would be soon left alone again. Hermione thought of something to make him still feel needed.
"Kreacher, do you know where my parents' house is?" she asked the old house-elf.
"Yes mistress. It all comes through my bond to my masters," he answered.
"Well, they have not lived in that house for almost a year and nobody has taken care of it for them. The garden is probably in worse state, having either overgrown in places or become dry at others. They won't like finding it in such state. Can you take care of the house and the garden for me? It may take a few weeks until we find them and bring them back, so you don't need to hurry."
Kreacher looked as if she had given him a large present. "Of course, mistress. Kreacher would take care of the house and the garden. Your parents will love to come back there."
"Just make sure nobody sees you. Make it look as if a gardener was working there. It is a muggle neighborhood, after all."
Hermione helped Harry pack for the voyage. She then made their suitcases light enough to not burden them and still heavy enough to not raise suspicion. With that done, she urged Harry to bed. "We need a good night's sleep before we go and we still have a few orgasms to reach before sleeping."
They didn't need to hurry in the morning. They spent some time making love in the large bathtub before dressing and going down for breakfast. Once ready, they walked a short distance to the underground station and reached Heathrow with time to spare.
Harry was fascinated by the large airport. While the technology posed no surprise for him, the sheer size did, as did the number of people present everywhere.
They went through check-in and passport control with no problem, although none of them liked the queues. With these behind them, they ate lunch at one of the food outlets and then Hermione decided to pamper Harry with some technological toys. "A top of the line shaver is a must," she said, buying one along with a few bottles of aftershave lotions of different fragrances.
She then bought two cellular phones. "Will these work in Australia as well?" she asked. Hermione wasn't sure if these could be used everywhere, as the network was not yet fully deployed even in Britain.
"I know these will work with the Australian network, but I don't know if that network can be accessed from wherever you will be," the seller replied.
She then bought a nice camera with a few rolls of film, to go into his photographer's bag and a portable CD player with some disks of music they both liked.
They skipped the computer store. Hermione wasn't sure she knew enough to use them and was sure Harry couldn't use any yet. She put it on her mental "to do" list, though. She wanted to make sure they would both master the use of computers as soon as they had some free time.
With all this shopping it was getting late. Harry didn't pay any attention to the loudspeakers, announcing the different flights, but Hermione did. "We should now go to our boarding gate. It's time to board the plane," she told him.
Harry was delighted as they approached the boarding gate. "I've never seen an airplane, except on TV," he told Hermione as his eyes shined while scanning the many airplanes he could see through the large window.
His excitement mounted as they boarded. He sat at the window, watching all that could be seen and trying to control his excitement. Hermione's hand in his helped some.
He only unglued his glance from the window well after takeoff, when the airplane reached above the clouds and all that could be seen was an endless white fluff.
Please Review!