Two Marvelous…
3.8.98 - Monday
Chapter 3: Restaurant
Harry woke up feeling unusually happy. He enjoyed this feeling for a little longer, being unaccustomed to such a luxury, before opening his eyes. He was surprised to see the light pink walls and smell that definitely feminine scent before remembering the events of the previous day. He turned his head to look at the sleeping bushy-head beauty at his side. He still felt overwhelmed by the speed of their courtship. A day before they were merely good friends. They both harbored some romantic feelings towards each other, but hid them well. Then those twin cousins made them lose their clothes and their inhibitions. He could only feel thankful for that. He looked at his fiancée again, wondering how he could refrain from showing her his love for such a long time. It was simply inexplicable!
Hermione stretched, revealing her well-formed breasts and yawned. She opened her eyes and seemed surprised, "Harry?" she whispered, and then she seemed to remember. "Harry!" she sighed gladly and turned towards him, kissing his lips tightly and rubbing her breasts against his bare chest.
They came down to the breakfast table about twenty minutes later.
"Slept well, I believe," commented Hermione's mother looking at their entwined hands.
They only nodded with a slight blush creeping to their faces, making her mother smile.
Harry and Hermione sat side by side, as her mother served them breakfast. "You had a phone call before you woke up – one Miss Evans. She left her number. You may call her after you finish breakfast – she said it wasn't urgent."
While the youngsters ate breakfast, Mrs. Granger got ready for work. "We are going to a professional meeting this evening, so we are going to be home quite late. Don't wait for us with dinner," she told Hermione, before taking her keys and her bag and driving to the clinic.
"Don't you want to know why she called?" asked Harry once they finished breakfast.
Hermione smiled. "I believe she wanted to know what happened after they left. Should I tell her?"
Harry shrugged. "I refuse to feel ashamed of loving you. If I'm ashamed of anything, it is of not realizing my feelings earlier."
Hermione kissed him lightly on his lips before lifting the phone, motioning Harry towards the extension in the living room.
"Hello, Iris Evans speaking," he heard on the phone.
"Hi, it's Hermione Granger. You have called me earlier."
"Actually, it was Daphne. We were just anxious to know what happened after we left. Have you gone the whole way? I hope you did!"
"That is not really something I should talk about, although I can't feel ashamed of anything I do with Harry..."
"So you shagged! That's wonderful! I just knew it!"
"I didn't say we did..."
"Never mind. Anything else? Did he offer to be your boyfriend? You are just made for each other!"
"Well, he took a step farther..."
"What do you mean? What kind of step?" She sounded confused.
"He proposed! We are now officially engaged!"
Harry could hear the thrill excitement at the other side of the line. "They are engaged!" he heard Iris saying, probably addressing Daphne, and then both screaming happily.
"We must celebrate this!" said Iris, after the excitement subsided. "Are you free this evening? We may all go to a nice restaurant. You should tell your other friends as well. We may even make it a party!"
"I don't think Harry would like a party, but there are a few friends whom he may like to join us. Don't you, Harry?"
He couldn't answer, as the surprised Iris gasped: "He is already with you? How come?"
Hermione replied. "He came with me for dinner, asked my father's permission and then proposed. It was perfectly romantic and chivalrous."
"Well, Harry – congratulations to you as well. The way we've seen you two yesterday it was clear you belonged with each other. You could hardly look anywhere but at her since she came in."
"Oh, thanks... I suppose..."
"Have you given her a ring?"
"Not yet. It wasn't planned, you know, but I intend to correct that as soon as possible."
"Do it before our dinner! You are a Potter. You can't let your fiancée stay without an engagement ring, not even as an Evans!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" replied Harry sarcastically.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't intend to sound so overbearing, but I believe it is just as important to you, especially since you were both so late to realize your love."
He let Hermione set the time and place for their meeting with his cousins before dinner.
"We have the whole day to ourselves now. What would you like to do?" he asked Hermione after she hung the phone.
"I believe we have some dishes waiting for us at your house, and then we should also check the master bedroom, I believe..." Her seductive smile indicated how she intended checking that room.
"We should also go to Gringotts, I believe," added Harry. "I need some money to buy your engagement ring and to pay for the restaurant. I don't normally carry with me more than the minimum."
They spent the rest of the morning at the Evans house, eating lunch there as well. They then apparated to Diagon Alley. Hermione thought she would check the books at Flourish and Bolts but Harry insisted that she join him.
"Whatever I own is yours, even if we aren't officially wed yet. I want you to know what we own and I need you at my side." She just couldn't refuse.
It was really the first time Harry entered the Potter vault, having always used his fund vault before. They were both surprised at its size and its contents, but the most exciting object they found there was actually just an envelope. It was addressed "To Harry, our son".
Harry felt tears threatening to overflow when he took it into his hand and opened it to find the parchment inside. Hermione held his hand in support and they both started reading the letter:
"Dear Harry,
If you are reading this it means that we are both dead and that you have managed to survive, since you were about a year old when we wrote this letter to you.
We love you dearly and we intend to do everything possible to keep you safe, but the times are really dark. We are in a war against Voldemort – a Dark Lord who is targeting you for a reason we don't know. We are hiding right now, sending this letter to the bank with somebody else.
We want you to know that whatever will happen – we love you, even though we are dead. This vault contains both physical wealth – gold and silver and precious artifacts, but it also contains richness immeasurable in books of knowledge and ancient magic. Your mother would have loved to read them all. One of them may even hold a key to our survival, but, as you know by now, we have not found it. I hope you and the woman you choose to share your life with will read these books and get the knowledge within them to make your life happy and fruitful.
Talking of our future daughter in law – your Mom would love it if your fiancée would wear the same engagement ring that she had worn before our marriage. It is in the drawer with the lion handle near the door, along with the other ring, intended for you. If you both wear them they will help you come closer and understand each other better.
We wish we could know what you have endured and how you have lived until now, but that is impossible. We don't even know how old you are now, when you read this. We hope you are still young and able to enjoy life, using the contents of this vault.
We love you always,
Lilly and James Potter, your parents."
Harry's tears were flowing freely as well as Hermione's. They hugged each other for support and after awhile they regained control over their emotions. Harry walked to the cabinet near the door, opened the drawer with the lion handle and found several small boxes in there. Two of these were tied together with a red ribbon. He took them back to Hermione.
"I believe these are the rings. Do you want to open the boxes?"
"I'd be honored," replied Hermione. She untied the red ribbon. Harry opened the bigger box, revealing a definitely feminine ring with a red ruby surrounded by smaller emeralds. It was just the kind of ring he was thinking of buying for his love.
"Would you accept this ring and wear it as a token of our love?" he asked, sounding quite formal.
"Gladly," answered Hermione, almost in a whisper.
Harry slid the ring on her finger and it adjusted to her size. He then handed Hermione the other box. She opened it to find a masculine version of the same ring: a little wider and looking sturdier, but using the same styling and colors. She silently slid the ring on Harry's finger, feeling a kind of vibration on both rings once they were both set firmly on their respective fingers.
"Well, this saves us a visit at the jeweler's shop," she smiled at him.
Harry only collected a handful of gold coins and put them in his pocket. "We shall pay a longer visit to this vault when we have more time to spare. We have not informed any of our friends yet," he said, taking her hand and walking out of the vault.
They used the owl post to inform Neville and Luna, but visited the Weasley shop to inform Ron and his family. George, who was trying to continue business as usual, despite still mourning his twin brother, was quite surprised. "I always thought you were perfect for each other, but it looked like it would take you an eternity to realize this."
"Well, we had a small push," smiled Hermione, without going into details.
They used the floo to inform the rest of the family and to invite Ron and Ginny, along with George to the festive dinner.
It was almost dinner time. Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand towards the King's Cross train station. Hermione set that as the meeting point with his cousins.
"Why did you choose this place as a meeting point?" asked Harry.
"It's just a comfortable stroll away from Diagon Alley and it is a well known spot for both magical and muggle folks. I'm still not sure where we should go for dinner, though. I only know very few restaurants in London and none in magical London."
"I'm sure my cousins will have some suggestions, and Neville is sure to know a few magical restaurants of distinction."
They noticed the twins from quite a distance and were noticed by them a moment later. "Harry, Hermione, over here!" the twins called.
Harry could see Neville talking with Ron a little bit farther. They both looked surprised as they heard their friends' names shouted by the two obviously muggle girls. They reluctantly approached the two with Ginny trudging behind as Harry and Hermione crossed the road to reach them.
The twins welcomed the couple with hugs and kisses and then stepped aside to allow the magic friends to congratulate them as well. Hermione made the introductions: "These are Harry's newly found cousins, Iris and Daphne Evans." She then continued introducing each of the friends to the twins.
By the time the introductions were finished, and Harry couldn't fail noticing Ron eyeing his cousins attentively, George and Luna joined the group, causing Hermione to repeat the introductions. "Where are we going to?" asked Harry. He thought Hermione would have the answer, as always. He was surprised to hear the twins.
"Oh, we've already made a reservation. It's one of the best restaurants…"
"…I'm sure you'll all like it…"
"…and we are paying anyway."
"Where is it?" asked Hermione.
"Not too far…
"… We can just walk there."
George looked bemused at the way the twins were talking. As they started leading the group, George walked besides the twins, trying to start a conversation.
"You are Iris, aren't you?"
"Right on the spot! How could you distinguish us apart?"
"It's not so difficult, really, especially for one who is… was a twin."
"Oh, I'm sorry, George, but I don't think this is the right time to talk about the past. I'd like to meet you some other time for a chat, though."
George smiled. He could tell that Iris was really interested and he knew this was not the right time to talk about his loss. "I'm looking forward to such a meeting," he said.
They were approaching "The Leaky Cauldron" and Harry was starting to wonder where the restaurant might be. As muggles, the twins could not be aware of that place. But had they really said they were not magical? He wasn't sure.
"Oh, they have finally renovated the sign," he heard one of the twins saying.
"You can really see it?" he wondered loudly.
"How else would we know it has recently been renovated?" replied one of the twins.
"Then… you are magical!" mumbled Harry.
"I don't know. We can see things others can't and we can do a bit of magic, but we were not invited to attend Hogwarts."
Harry looked at Hermione and grimaced. "What is it?" asked Hermione.
"Probably another of Dumbledore's meddling affairs," answered Harry. Hermione didn't comment, but her face showed she was thinking about it.
They entered "The Leaky Cauldron". "Hi, Tom," said both twins in unison.
"Hi, girls. Want to party?" responded Tom, the barkeeper.
"Sure! Our cousin has just got engaged!" they replied.
Tom's glance skipped to the group. He recognized each and every person, yet he couldn't see who that cousin might be.
"Welcome, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger; Welcome Mr. Longbottom; Hi, George!" said tom. He then noticed Harry's hands entwined with Hermione's. "Oh, that's lovely! Just about time you came together!"
They reached the backyard. Iris turned to George. "Will you open the way for us, please."
Once at Diagon Alley, the twins seemed to know their way perfectly, leading the group towards a secluded shop which turned out to be a very luxurious restaurant. The waiter seemed to know the twins before. Harry wondered quietly about that.
They were seated at a round table. Harry and Hermione sat together, followed by the twins, then George, Ron, Luna, Ginny and Neville. The twins seemed to be quite at home. They recommended the appropriate selections from the menu and most accepted them, knowing no better. Only Neville, who seemed to have already visited that place, ordered differently.
"Will you two tell us how you became engaged?" asked Luna.
Hermione smiled cheerfully. "Harry has just received his inheritance from his Evans grandparents. When checking the house he has inherited, he met these cousins he was unaware of. He asked me to check the house with him and when we were alone we found out our love for each other. He then escorted me home and stayed for dinner. Once we finished dinner – he proposed."
"That was fast!" commented Daphne.
"Not really, considering that we know each other for seven years and we were only hiding our feelings as we thought they weren't mutual," replied Harry.
"Everybody knew you were destined for each other; only you seemed oblivious," added George.
"Aren't they nice together?" asked Luna, elbowing Ron.
"Oh, they surely are!" he replied, although his tone was quite reluctant.
Ginny also didn't seem too happy for her friends. While she knew that marrying Harry would only stay a dream, she found it very difficult to let that dream go. Neville had no such ambivalent feelings. He was very happy for his friends and was even happier to sit so close to Ginny.
The conversation at the table was very lively. George, with just a little push from Iris, almost returned to his old self, joking, teasing and making fun. Luna enjoyed herself as well, leaning occasionally on Ron, who seemed to find that quite endearing. He put his hand around her shoulders eventually and she seemed to like it, snuggling even closer.
Neville didn't seem to be as lucky with Ginny. They talked and enjoyed themselves, but Ginny sat straight, not giving him any chance to come closer.
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