Chapter 2 : First things first!

"Okay, you lot, listen up," Hermione and Emma came into the sunlit kitchen, lists in hand, ready to get down to business . . . what they weren't ready for was finding a poker game in full swing. Harry was dealing, the guys all seemed to have fairly even piles of chips in front of each of them and the only thing missing was the cloud of cigar smoke.

"Oh, sweet Mary, Mother of Pearl," Emma exclaimed, hands on hips. "What are you all doing?"

"Playing poker, woman! Now hush, this is serious stuff," replied Rupert, without looking up from his hand. "Give me two," he told Harry, discarding a couple of cards and picking up the ones dealt to him.

"But . . . we have to tell you . . . " Hermione sputtered, waving the list in her hand for emphasis.

"Relax, Hermione . . . we're going to be using a Time Turner . . . there's no immediate rush," Draco informed her, tossing two cards away and picking up the two handed him by Harry. "Get something to drink and either pull up a chair and join the next hand or relax and chat with Emma . . . we're just getting started."

"But . . . we really should . . " She started to argue, but thought better of it and grabbed Emma's elbow and pulled her out of the kitchen.

"Listen, I don't know about Dan, Rupert and Tom, but Harry, Ron and Draco are serious card players." Hermione explained, rolling her eyes. "I've given up trying to pry any one of them away from a game. Why don't we just go ahead and gather everything we need and be ready to start as soon as they finish the game."

"If you don't think they'll mind," Emma asked, sneaking a peek back into the kitchen in time to see Tom smile and pull a small pile of chips over to join the stacks positioned in front of him. "I guess they won't miss us for a bit, will they?"

"Won't even know we're gone. Besides, this way you get to brag you've actually done 'Side-along Apparation'."

"True. So, my apartment first and then Grimmauld Place?"

"Right and I think you'll like what Harry and Ginny have done with that old pile, too." Hermione held out her elbow and Emma grabbed on with both hands and closed her eyes. Hermione smiled and turned rapidly. . . 'Pop!'

X X X

'Pop!'

"WHOA!" Emma staggered a bit. "That was just like I imagined it would feel to 'Apparate'. That was awesome!"

"I'm glad you didn't feel any ill effects; makes some people a bit queasy." Hermione smiled and then looked around. "Oh, Emma, this is charming! I love your color scheme and," sitting down on the sofa, sinking into the plump cushions, she sighed and closed her eyes. "This sofa is just as comfortable as it looks!"

"Don't get too relaxed, 'mione; we've got work to do." Emma teased her new friend.

"Right," agreed Hermione, regaining her feet and checking her list. "Steno pads, pens or pencils, highlighters and sticky tabs . . . what were those used for, again?"

"To mark important passages in the books so we can find them quickly; we'll use different colors for different people or to rate how crucial some event is to the story/time line."

"AH, right. So, where do you keep your supplies."

"In that tall cabinet, just there in the hallway. I've got something in my closet to carry everything." Emma pointed across the room toward the front hall and then she headed to the bedroom. Returning, she held up a Brown University tote bag. "Ta-Da!"

"That's where you went to university in American, isn't it?" Hermione held a stack of steno pads, a couple packets of pencil and pens, a half dozen highlighters and an assortment of 'stickys', which she loaded into the roomy interior of the bag.

"It is certainly multi-purpose; not just for school papers and books. I've already worn out two of them!" Emma giggled and winked at Hermione, as she slung the bag over her shoulder.

"I can just imagine! Well, off to Grimmauld Place." Hermione once again offered her arm and "Pop" they 'Disapparated'.

X X X

"Who dealt this mess . . ."

"Call."

"Okay boys, read 'em and weep! Full house."

"Damn, I just had two pair."

"Me, too. Oh well."

"That beats my flush, too! GAH!"

"And my straight!"

"Hey! wait! I have two pairs, too; two red fours and two black fours, so guess what, gents . . . I win!"

"What! You tosser!"

"Bloody hell!"

"HE!HE!HE! Come to Papa!"

X X X

"Pop"

Hermione and Emma appeared in a secluded corner of the tiny park across the street from #12 Grimmauld Place. There wasn't anybody around so they just strolled out the park gate and across the street.

"Oh! #12 is right there! Not hidden anymore?" Emma inquired, as they approached the front steps.

"No need, now that Voldemort is gone. There are still security charms and wards on it for the family's safety, but even the Muggles can see it, although their memories have been modified to believe it's always been there." Hermione informed her.

They climbed the front steps and Hermione tapped the knocker with her wand and opened the door. Emma stepped into the front hall and was shocked at the change that had taken place. Of course, she was remembering the movie sets and how black, dusty and gloomy Grimmauld place had been made to appear for the films. She found herself standing in a light filled hallway with gleaming wood floors and fresh paint on the walls and ceiling. Before she could say a word, though, a little girl came tearing down the hall and launched her tiny body into the air, caught by Hermione in mid-leap.

"Aunt 'mione!" squealed the pint sized dynamo.

"Lily, you're going to be a Quidditch player like your mother; you have no fear of speed or falling." Hermione laughed, as she hugged the little red-head.

"Dad says so, too." Lily agreed whole heartedly, before she turned and spotted Emma. "Hello! Who are you?"

"I'm Emma. You must be Lily Luna Potter."

"How'd you know my name?"

"I am acquainted with your mother and father and you have two brothers, James and Albus, am I right?"

"That's correct," answered Ginny Potter, as she approached, smiling. "Welcome, Emma."

"Ginny!" They embraced, then stood back and appraised each other. "I love what you've done to the house, it's quite a transformation!"

"Indeed. It took a while to get it right, but we're very pleased with how it all turned out. Well, come in and I'll call for some tea." Ginny turned and led the way to the Parlor.

Gone were the black lacquer, dusty rugs and horrid, stiff furniture of the old days. They had been replaced with rich oak floors, light colors and comfortable, tufted furniture. The bookcases was now pristine and sparkling, the shelves filled with numerous volumes that immediately drew Emma's eye. Hermione and Ginny exchanged smiles as she wandered over to peruse the titles; there was a mixture of Magical and Muggle literature, and a couple of shelves were piled with games and children's books.

"Kreacher?"

Emma spun around when Ginny summoned the ancient House Elf.

'pop'

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Kreacher, could we please have some tea and sandwiches?"

"Of course, Mistress, Kreacher will bring a tray right away." Hearing Emma's gasp, the elderly creature turned and looked up at her. "Ah, Missy Emma has arrived. Kreacher says welcome," muttered the House Elf, bowing, then he looked back at Ginny. "Kreacher will be back."

'pop'

"Oh my goodness!" Emma looked at Hermione, Ginny and Lily with wide eyes. "My first magical creature . . . and it's Kreacher!"

"Was he what you expected?" Ginny inquired, as they sat on the sofas and chairs, making themselves comfortable, Lily sitting on her aunt's lap.

"Actually, yes, he's just what I would have expected. I guess we're in for a few surprises, though, aren't we?"

"Most likely, but as you'll only be here at Grimmauld Place visiting," Hermione gave have a look and tilted her head at Lily, "I doubt you'll see anything too out of the ordinary."

Emma nodded her understanding.

"Lily, why don't you go play, dear? Weren't you and the boys building a model of Hogwarts?" Ginny asked her daughter, who was starting to wiggle, as small children will do when the conversation goes over their heads.

"Oh, yes, we were! Do you want to come see?" Lilly asked Emma.

"Perhaps, in a bit, after your mother, Aunt Hermione and I have our tea."

"Okay Mum, can Kreacher bring us some cookies and juice, too?"

"I'm sure if you asked him politely, he would be happy to bring you and the boys some refreshments. I'll tell him to check with you when he brings our tea." Ginny reassured her daughter.

"Okay." Lily clambered down off of Hermione's lap and took off out the door and up the stairs, calling to her brothers.

"She's adorable, Ginny." Emma smiled.

"And she's her mother's daughter, down to the inherited Weasley temper, too." Hermione leaned over and whispered, drawing a scowl from Ginny.

"I do NOT have a temper!" Exclaimed Ginny, drawing giggles from Hermione and Emma. She shook her head and laughed. "It's bad enough with one Hermione, but now, two! Merlin, this is strange!"

"Tell me about it!" Emma gasped. "To find that everything we thought of as an imagined world is actually real and alive and right here! It's mind boggling!"

"What do Dan, Rupert and Tom think of all this?" Ginny asked.

"Well, if their involvement in the poker game going on, as we speak, in Dan's kitchen is any indication, they're perfectly fine with the whole concept!"

"Poker?" Ginny glanced over at Hermione, who threw up her hands. "Oh, Merlin, I should have known when Hermione showed up with only you in tow." She shook her head.

'pop'

"Tea is served, Mistress Ginny"

X X X

"Nicking a little electricity won't be a problem, as our neighbors next door have gone on holiday at Christmas time for decades. We'll reset the meter so there's no record of any extra usage." Ginny grinned at Hermione. "A memory charm on the mechanical components, as it were."

"Oh, you are a wicked witch!" giggled Emma, Hermione nodding agreement.

"Well, I think that about covers everything for now." Hermione ran her finger down the list she had on her lap. "We best be getting back to Dan's. The boys have had enough fun for now."

"Could we pop in and say good-bye to the children . . . I did promise to take a look at their model." Emma stood and looked at Ginny. "If that's alright?"

"Certainly. That way you also get a quick tour." Ginny turned and led the way to the stairs.

"Excellent!"

X X X

"What time is it?" Tom asked, craning his neck to see the kitchen clock.

"About 11:30," answered Dan."Why?"

"Well, the girls have been gone for a while . . . hope they're not getting into too much mischief."

"Hermione and Emma? No mate; they and Ginny are just brainstorming and having tea," Harry reassured them. "And no doubt they'll arrive with multiple lists of things to gather and what to do when and with whom and possible outcomes . . . you know Hermione."

"And we know Emma." Rupert leaned back and smiled. "This is turning into another one of your adventures, isn't it Harry?"

"Afraid so, but at least, with both Hermione and Emma, we won't go unprepared!" Harry laughed

"We're back!" came a shout from the front room. The poker players threw their cards on the table and stood up to adjourn to the living room.

"Time to get this show on the road!" Draco announced, sweeping his arm to usher them through the door. "After you!"

"Ah, always the gentleman!" Tom poked him in the ribs as he passed.

"Somebody in this crowd has to uphold the social graces," sniffed the sole Slytherin in the group.

"Oh please," Ron laughed. "I've been with Hagrid and you at the Hogs Head, remember?"

"Shut it, Weasley," hissed Draco, "What happens at the Hogs Head, stays at the Hogs Head!."

They all laughed and filed into the living room.