Chapter 7 Home
Harry was having a wonderful dream of him and Hermione were flying on his firebolt and watching fireworks. It was so peaceful that he didn't want it to end but as soon as he touched down, he woke up, cuddling Hermione again. He slowly got up, put his glasses on and looked at the clock. Nine o'clock it read. Harry went into the bath and showered. While brushing his teeth, he remembered that he didn't grab any clothes before coming in. Sighing, he wrapped a towel around his waist and went back into the bedroom. Hermione was waking up as he made his way to the wardrobe.
Hermione hadn't seen Harry without a shirt for some time. He still had the look of being underfed but he had certainly tone up and she was enjoying the view, after all she had a right to look. Harry broke into her thoughts by asking "'Mione, where are all my clothes."
"They're in the trunk. Winky and I decided that since we are leaving soon, we might as well put everything in the trunk and only pack once."
Harry went over to the trunk, flipped open the lid, and descended the stairs, knowing that Hermione was watching him. He smiled at the thought. Finding his clothes, he noticed that Hermione had bought him a few more robes, everyday and dress. His smile turned into a grin. Quickly dressing, he went back up to the bedroom to find that Hermione was still in bed. Grabbing all three wands, placing them in his back pocket, he remarked "You might want to get up or else we're going to be in for a lot of teasing this morning." Whatever else he would have said was muffled by the pillows that Hermione was throwing at him.
"Go eat some breakfast so I can get ready" she said, laughing at him.
"Yeah, I have to keep up my strength" he answered, hurrying out the door. More laughter came from behind the closed door. A satisfied smirk was plastered on his face as went down stairs.
Passing the drawing room, heading for the kitchen, a voice stopped him. "Harry, I would like to see to you for a moment." Harry turned and saw Ginny standing in the doorway. His good mood vanished and he sighed. He stepped in to the room and she shut the doors while he went to the other side of the room, turning to face his former girlfriend.
"Did you enjoy your wedding night" she asked waspishly. Harry was taken aback by her tone and how direct her question was.
"That's none of your business" he stated, starting to get angry.
"But it should have been, since I'm the one you said that you loved. You could have married me. What did you do? Fool around with her and got her pregnant? I should have tried that" she yelled.
"Ginny, why I married Hermione is none of your concern but no she is not pregnant and frankly it's really none of you business if she is or isn't, now if you will excuse me I would like to eat some breakfast."
"Yeah, you need to keep up your strength" she spat, pulling her wand.
Not wanting to be on the receiving end of one of her Bat-Bogey hexes, Harry pulled a wand to defend himself. He didn't say a word out loud but thought 'Progeto' and felt the shield come up in front of him. She fired her hex and what was strange was that the hex didn't just bounce off his shield, it rebounded right back at her, hitting her dead on. He glanced down at his hand and saw that he had used one of his new wands, the phoenix one to be precise. He really didn't have time to think about it because at that moment the doors burst open revealing Bill, Fred and George with wands drawn.
Looking from Ginny, who was moaning on the floor, to Harry, just standing there. "She tried to hex me" he said and left the room. In the kitchen, Harry sat down at the table and Dobby slid a plate of breakfast in front of him. His good mood had completely vanished along with his appetite and he pushed his food around the plate. The twins came in and sat down.
"We don't blame you, Harry, but what did you do" asked George.
"I only cast a silent 'Progeto' with a new wand. I didn't know that the spell would rebound right back at her."
"We knew that you wouldn't hurt Ginny on purpose. She was trying to tell Bill that you had asked her to be your mistress and she said no and you lost your temper and hexed her" said Fred seriously.
Harry sat in shock at the huge lie that Ginny was trying to get away with. "I DON'T BELIEVE HER" he yelled. "She asked me to join her and started insulting Hermione and yelling at me for not marrying her. She had better watch what she says and does because I won't tolerate anything happening to Hermione and the twins, when they get here."
"We know, mate, we know."
"Bill's giving her a lecture and punishment that's worthy of Mum. Who knew that he had that in him. It's quite scary actually. Like he's channeling Mum. He also warned her to stay out of yours and Hermione's way, even at school."
"Maybe she'll calm down while we're away. Hermione and I going to Godric's Hollow for a few days. We'll be back for Bill and Fleur's wedding." Seeing the twins' smirk he added "It's not what you think. We're not giving each other the kind of 'comfort' that you two seem to be getting." Seeing the twins blush had returned some of Harry's good mood.
Hermione came into the kitchen at that moment, going to Dobby and Winky to tell them good morning and accept her plate of breakfast. Sitting down between Harry and Fred she noticed the twins blushing and Harry's smirk. "He's in a good mood" she thought, smiling at her husband. She kept stealing glances at him while eating her breakfast,
"Are we going to leave today" she asked Harry.
"No, I thought we would go tomorrow morning if Winky can free herself from here" answered Harry, saying the last part loudly so the elf could here him.
"Harry Potter sir, Winky has no trouble hearing, so there is no need to shout and Winky will be ready to leave tomorrow morning before Harry Potter can get himself out of bed." Winky put her small hands over her mouth in surprise that she actually chewed her master out. Harry grinned at the little elf and surprised her with a hug and said "Then Hermione and I will have to be ready when you are. We wouldn't want you to wait around for us would we Hermione?" Hermione just nodded, trying to keep herself from laughing at the sight of Harry teasing Winky. Still grinning at the elf Harry said "We'll use the portkey in the morning." Winky started cleaning up when Harry turned to Hermione and asked "How about we go to muggle London today? I know that you want to do some more shopping." Not telling her that he really didn't want to stay in the house right now, with Ginny still there.
"How are we going to get around, by bus?"
"No, I thought I would hire a car and driver."
"You needn't go to the expense. I'd be happy with using a bus or cab."
"But I'm not."
"Before you two lovebirds have your first all out fight, might we suggest someone we know. His name is Alistair and he is a squib who does errands and takes passengers, in a muggle car, around London. I can Floo him if you like" said George.
Harry answered him before Hermione "That sounds perfect. See if I can hire him for the day?" Hermione looked like she wanted to argue, but Harry cut her off "Look at it this way. We'll be able to go where we want, when we want and not where the bus takes us or have to wait for a cab." She could see the sense in that but still thought it was a waste of money.
George returned to say that Alistair would meet them in front of the Leaky Cauldron and he had a flat fee of one hundred Galleons for the day. As Harry and Hermione got up from the table, Ginny came in and shot a dirty look at the both of them. Harry sighed and Hermione looked a little confused. Harry grabbed her hand and said "Let's go." He lead her out of the house and apparated to the Leaky Cauldron. They greeted Tom, the barkeep, who told them that Alistair was waiting out front for them. Outside they saw a simple brown sedan and a man that could rival Filch in looks.
"Good morning Mr. Potter. I'm happy to be of service to you today and if I might inquire as to some of our destinations so that I might map them out in my mind?"
"His speech is much better than his looks" thought Harry. "We need the National Trust of W & W, and then I believe some clothes shopping, perhaps at a mall, lunch, then perhaps the cinema and dinner."
"Excellent. Shall we get started" opening the door for the couple. They went first to the bank, where they signed the paperwork for their account, going over details, and getting bank cards to purchase things or draw money out. By the time that was done it was lunchtime and they ate at a very expensive restaurant. After that they went to a large mall, where Hermione bought everything she could possibly need for herself, Harry, after making him try on several outfits, and muggle baby things. Harry thought that the babies had enough, but he let her have her way since she seemed so happy. The even found some muggle furniture that they both liked. Harry thought that muggle expressions were really funny, as if they couldn't believe their eyes, as he and Hermione shrunk things down to fit into their bags when their backs were turned. They then went to a French restaurant for dinner and then a movie at the cinema. By the time they returned to the Leaky Cauldron it was going on eleven o'clock at night. Harry paid Alistair and included a huge tip before he and Hermione apparated back to Grimmauld Place.
Harry got ready for bed and was in bed waiting for Hermione, reading his Occlumency book mean while she put their new purchases away in the trunk. He was nearly finished with it by the time Hermione was ready for bed. Determined to complete it, Harry finished the last few pages as Hermione settled in bed. He put the book down, took off his glasses and turned out the light. Holding Hermione, Harry thought about what the book had said 'Concentrate on a single image, one that helps you to focus. Think of that imagine as you meditate or sleep. This will help in the building of you mental shields.' Harry concentrated on an image that he had of Hermione since they had agreed to marry, a special one. Holding that image in his mind he went to sleep.
The next thing Harry knew, Hermione was waking him up with a breakfast tray. "What's all this" he asked.
"I wanted to surprise you. Dobby did the actual cooking though" said Hermione, grinning.
"A nice surprise, but there is way too much for me, care to join me?"
"I thought you would never ask."
Breakfast was enjoyable, sharing the plate of food, cup of tea, making sure that the other had gotten enough to eat, and a most unexpected kiss from Hermione that made Harry lose his concentration for a moment, as fireworks went off again. By the time he came out of his daze, Hermione was heading down into the trunk and saying something about his getting ready. Dobby came for the breakfast tray and told Harry that he would watch all that were at Grimmauld Place and serve them properly.
"Just don't do anything that you really don't want to, alright? And don't work too hard. We'll be back for Bill and Fleur's wedding."
Harry finished his shower and walked back into the bedroom where some clothes were laid out for him. He noticed that the trunk was gone. Dressing quickly, Harry made sure he had all three wands and the portkey, before heading downstairs. In the hallway stood the trunk, but no Hermione or Winky. Hearing their voices coming from the dinning room, Harry went in search of the voices and stopped as he entered the room. The transformation was amazing; an oriental themed room with red walls.
"Does Harry Potter approve of Winky's choice?" He just nodded with a big smile on his face.
"We love it Winky. This place will really shine by the time you're done" said Hermione.
After looking at the room a little more, Harry asked "So are you two ladies ready to leave yet or are you going to go over every detail about the room right now".
Hermione crossed her arms in front of her chest, smirked and said "I don't know, Winky, it seems that Mr. Potter is anxious to go after lolling around in bed all morning. One would think that he wore himself out but is ready for more." An excepted sound came from Winky that Harry had to guess was a giggle, which started Hermione to giggle and Harry just rolled his eyes, making the two ladies giggle even more.
"Since 'Master' Harry wants to leave then I guess we must" said Hermione, trying to hold back another wave of giggles. They went back into the hallway, where Hermione and Winky each grabbed a hold of the trunk and Hermione linked her other arm thru Harry's. He pulled out the key and his main wand, tapping the key with his wand and felt the pull of the portkey.
They landed in the hall of the house. It definitely needed work. But the kitchen was completely done, "This must have been done by Molly, her dream kitchen" Harry thought. It looked like a typical country kitchen, done in shades of green. It was quite soothing and comfortable. They silently agreed to leave it the way it was. The rest of the downstairs consisted of a dining room, drawing room, library/study, and a large ball/party room. The only other room done was the library/study, complete with books on the shelves that Hermione was itching the get her hands on. Upstairs there was a master suite and six other bedrooms and two full baths. Two of the bedrooms were done; one in Quidditch wallpaper and décor; and the other in wallpaper with lilacs on it. Harry assumed that had been done for when Ron and Hermione came to stay. The one bath done reminded Harry of the ocean so much that he swore that he could smell it. The master suite was a surprise. It had a small sitting room; a large bedroom with a king-sized bed; and a large bath, complete with walk in closet. The room was done in shades of blue and again it felt soothing and calming. It wasn't overly masculine but it wasn't feminine either. It was perfect.
They set to work figuring out what was done, what needed to be done and what they needed to buy. Hermione didn't want to spend a lot of time because she felt they needed to start studying for classes soon. Harry agreed that they would spend the day working on the house and spend the next couple of days doing homework but insisted that they spend an hour together as a couple, talking or just spending time together without school work. Hermione agreed, with a surprised, but happy look on her face.
After finding paint in the over grown with weeds shed, Harry started painting the hallway, using the phoenix wand, while Hermione was unshrinking the furniture that they had bought. Winky had shut herself in the dining room, saying that it was a surprise and that she had already done the nursery upstairs like the one at Grimmauld place. Harry was pleased with the pale yellow color on the walls that contrasted with the dark wood trim, in the drawing room. He decided that the hall should be the same color and as he was painting it, Hermione was levitating the furniture into the drawing room.
"I like the color Harry. It goes well with the furniture" said Hermione as she placed one of the dark red sofas in front of the fireplace and the other across from it. Harry decided that the ball/party room should be a tribute to Hogwarts and decorated it to look like the Great Hall.
After lunch Hermione and Winky went upstairs to finish the rest of the rooms, while Harry went down into the cellar. He found a complete potions lab, stocked full of ingredients and potions already made. Looking through the desk he discovered his mother's potions notebook, as he flipped through it, he noticed that it improved on existing potion or created whole new ones. It was something worth taking a closer look at later. Investigating the rest of the cellar revealed a dueling/work out room, a couple of storerooms and a laundry room, complete with muggle washer and dryer.
Harry went back upstairs and went out back to the garden. It was completely overgrown. Using the cutting hex, he trimmed the hedges and some of the grass leading to the shed. He thought that he had seen something more, but decided that it was his imagination. Harry then starting cutting the vines off the shed. As he vanished the cut vines, he found a black adder snake, coiled and ready to strike.
"Did I hurt you" Harry asked the snake in Parseltongue. The snake seemed to blink, surprised that this human could talk to him in his own language. "No, I was simply trying to defend myself Highness" answered the snake, bowing his head.
"Why did you call me 'Highness', my name is Harry by the way."
"You carry the venom of the King of Serpents in your body, therefore you are royalty to the rest of us and for one such as I, who carries venom inside, it would kill me to bite you."
"Are you saying that because I was bitten by a basilisk, when I was twelve, and survived, if you had bitten me you would have died? What if I could transform into a snake and bite you, would you still die?"
"Yes."
Harry sat down next to the snake, going over the information he had just heard. Here was way to kill Nagini, if he could learn to change himself into a snake.
"Highness?"
"Please don't call me that. Harry, just Harry."
"Harry, is there anything else that you wish to know, otherwise I will leave to search for a new home."
"There's no need to leave. You can stay if you want, I don't mind, as long as you don't attack my family or friends."
"Thank you Harry, I would like that. I have grown accustomed to this place; however I do need to find a new shelter to stay in."
"I can help you with that" and Harry pulled out his snake wand. He hadn't used it yet but a snake wand for a snake's house seemed to be a reason to use it. Harry saw an outcrop of boulders near a tree. With a wave of the wand, Harry transfigured one of the larger boulders into a house for the snake. It looked like a creepy doll house, something that Bellatrix would have played with as a child, but the snake seemed happy with it. The talked more as Harry finished the garden. He learned that the snake's name was John and when Harry asked if he would keep watch on the house, John was more than happy to.
The sun was starting to go down when Harry finished, tired and hungry, but satisfied with the job well done. He went back into the house, cleaned up, and found Hermione in the library/study, reading a journal. She glanced up at him and said "Winky says that dinner will be ready soon."
"Good, I'm hungry. What are you reading?"
"Your father's animagus notes. It says here that your mother was working on a potion that would make the transition faster and safer."
"Well I found her potions notebook down in the cellar, in a very impressive potions lab."
"Really? I'll go through both notebooks tomorrow while you are finishing you homework. I've already corrected what you have completed."
Harry made a grimace that Hermione laughed at. Winky announced that dinner was ready in the kitchen. Harry insisted that the elf eat with them. He told them both about the snake living in the garden, but not to worry about it attacking them, and that he was their watch dog, so to speak.
After dinner Harry and Hermione retired to the library, where Hermione continued to read, while Harry stretched out and fell asleep, holding Hermione. She felt safe and cherished in his arms, something that she never thought that she would feel again. She finished her book, woke Harry and told him to go to bed.
"Not until you do" he mumbled
"Fine, then we'll both go to bed" she answered, trying not to giggle.
Practically guiding Harry up the stairs, they finally made it into their bedroom. The moment that Harry crossed the threshold, he started undressing, dropping clothes as he got them off and crawled into bed. Hermione followed him, picking up as she went and put everything in to the hamper in the bath. She quickly got ready and climbed into bed, snuggling into Harry's embrace.