A/N: You know, I'm really, really surprised. Pleasently. Despite the not ideal title, and the events so far, this story is gaining Serious attention. over nine hundred Alerts, nearly seven hundred Favs, and the most hits of any of my stories. And We're not even reached chapter 10! Seriously, thank you ALL!
Now, from this point on we're going more light-hearted and fluffy, as Harry & Co adjust to their new found closeness. It's 'Healing Harry' time...
A Word regarding all your reviews and comments. I do take them on board, but due to the way I write it might not be apparent until a couple of chapters later. Just... bare with me. I have a plan, and a plot, and reasons for how things are...
The ride back to the station was a study in contrasts for their group. Around them the other students laughed and cheered, freed from school and exams. Many were ecstatic to be away from the deplorable Umbridge, heading home for the summer. The next year was the furthest thought from their minds, as they yelled and chatted, talking about what fun and games they'd get up to back home.
The contrast was their small group. Harry walked in the centre, Hermione at his side as ever. Susan flanked his other side, Daphne slightly behind the pair, her sister tucked in close, uncharacteristically quiet. Neville walked on Hermione's other side, while Susan's former housemate Hannah Abbot walked on Susan's right. Luna walked just behind them, her eyes as dreamy as ever but with a small smile on her face. A surprising addition was Tracy Davies, who'd stepped up to speak with Daphne. Ron sulked along at the back several long steps behind, excluded from the group but unable to mingle with the other students. Ginny, whose face still showed the signs of crying, was besides him.
They moved onto the train as one, almost silently passing the luggage between them. Reaching an empty compartment Harry sat down first by the outer wall, and Hermione sat not surprisingly besides him, snuggled against his side. Instinctively he wrapped an arm around her as both of hers wrapped around him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. Harry couldn't help but smile at her actions. In the past he'd shied away from physical contact with anyone: the Dursleys had only ever caused him pain. His first real hug had come from this remarkable young woman at the end of their first year at Hogwarts. Now though, the feeling of her arms around him made him feel at peace with himself for the first time.
Neville sat across from Harry, looking between him and Ginny as she walked past heading further down the train. Neville knew that there was still tension between Harry and the youngest Weasleys. He'd tried to be there for Ginny when her own brother had failed, but she'd rebuffed him, crying out for Harry. The crush he'd harboured for her died at that point when she'd uttered the dreaded 'Mud-Blood' word regarding Hermione. Neville deeply respected Hermione, and considered her to be the big sister that he needed. Hearing the girl he'd been harbouring a small crush for a bit over eighteen months insult her so destroyed any romantic feelings he might have had.
Luna sat down on the seat next to the door, on the same side as Neville. Although she faked a calm, relaxed attitude as she brought a copy of The Quibbler out from her robes, inside she was nervously watching all her friends. She had picked up a lot more than any of them thought, and so knew that Harry and Hermione were tightly bound together now, even more so than they displayed. She also knew that they were also bound with Susan and Daphne, though those bonds were not quite as strong, yet. She also knew the source of the tension between the 'Golden Trio' was Ronald. Why, she hadn't quite figured out yet.
Sliding the last of their trunks into place, Susan and Daphne sat besides Hermione, just. The bench seats on the train were designed to seat three comfortably, or four if they didn't mind being a little cramped. The lack of personal space was the last thing on the two witches' minds however. Astoria stopped to speak softly with her older sister before moving on to another compartment.
Feeling eyes on him Harry looked up at the compartment entrance. Ron stood on one side, apprehension clear on his face, turning to anger whenever he looked towards Hermione. Traditionally Ron would take a seat with Harry and Hermione, but the events of the past week hung between them. Hermione had been compelled to reveal the rest of the way Ron had been treating her while Harry was hiding. Without his presence to act as a buffer between them, their relationship had deteriorated badly. Ron's unwanted advances had almost made her want to kill him several times while they had been patrolling the castle. Harry had had another word with Ron earlier that morning, though weather it would have a lasting affect was doubtful.
The other side had Hannah and Tracy, both of whom were looking between their former dorm-mates and Harry. It was clear that they would normally sit with them, but were unsure if they would be allowed to
Harry looked at the scene for a long moment then spoke softly. "Hannah, Da… Tracy, feel free to sit if you like." Both girls relaxed as they stepped in through the door way and took the remaining space between Neville and Luna. Hannah ended up alongside Neville, who blushed as the pretty, strawberry blond girl sat down next to him with barely any room between them.
Back in the corridor, Ron scowled. "So that's how it's going to be Harry?"
A flash of guilt swept across Harry's face, a glimpse of his inner turmoil. Hermione frowned as she distinctly felt a wave of guilt hit her, but from outside, not from herself.
"It's okay." Luna spoke quietly as she closed her Quibbler. "I'll..."
Ron cut her off however. "Don't bother. I'll find somewhere else!" He turned and yanked on his trunk, but before the door slid shut they could all hear his muttered words as he started walking. "At least I won't have to watch him fawn over my girl..."
Harry had to restrain Hermione from jumping up and going after Ron. "Oh, that... creep!" Hermione almost snarled, her eyes narrowed to thin slits. "'MY girl'? What is that prat thinking...?"
"Nothing but himself. How is that new?"
Susan's comment took the wind out of Hermione's sails, and she slowly settled back into Harry's embrace.
The rest of the trip to Kings Cross was quiet for the group. Hermione had been excused from patrolling the train by McGonagall, so she remained in Harry's arms. Something she was immensely grateful for.
During the ride, the gathered group talked about inconsequential things - none wishing to bring up the topics that were foremost in their minds - drawing the normally reserved Tracy and shy Hannah out of their shells. Tracy dropped the sinister, dark gothic persona she normally wore, her defence mechanism against the depravations of the Junior Death Eaters in her house. The others were surprised at the saucy, cutting wit that was revealed, expect for Daphne, who'd already known about this other side to her. She also revealed that Malfoy had spent the night in the Hospital Wing, apparently having to chug down a mug of Skele-grow every two hours. Hannah was slower to emerge, but slowly began to be more vocal. Harry noted with a soft smile that Neville was paying particular attention to her when she did say something. Even when she was quiet, he appeared interested in her.
As they stepped off the train Hermione couldn't help but snort again at the insanity of the situation. She figured the wizards must have pulled the choice of platform number out of a hat or something, since Platform 'Nine and Three-quarters' did NOT match up with the real platforms nine and ten. Instead, the barrier to reach the wizards platform was located between platforms Four and Five, where the roof arched down again into a series of brick arches that marched down the middle of the main station structure. The only thing between the real Nine and Ten was a few feet of air, which a pair of trains almost filled. Plus getting at those two was almost impossible if you didn't have a valid ticket.
Hermione had wondered if even the choice of Kings Cross, while a nod towards the Muggles achievements, was not also a way to discourage muggle-borns from attending. Being in the centre of London meant it was awkward to get to by car; the station did not have its own car park. And even when you'd worked your way through Central London traffic – a scary prospect even for keen drivers - there were few places to park anywhere near the station. You just had to hope that a space in the nearby streets was free. And what had they done before the station was opened in 1892?
Suddenly she realised that she and Harry were alone. Stopping she turned to look over her shoulder. Ron and Ginny had already left, collected by Mrs Weasley on the magical platform, while Neville was stood with his grandmother, complete in her fox stole and vulture hat. Susan and Daphne had paused in following them, eyes on the brick wall where the barrier to the muggle side was located. Apprehension rolled off them, though Hermione was not sure how she knew this. Of Tracy and Hannah there was no sign: they must have left while Hermione's mind had wandered.
A flash of insight ran through her: this would be the first time that either girl had actually stepped through onto the muggle side. "It's okay." She called to them both. "Just stay close to me and Harry." Returning her attention forwards, she took a deep breath before pushing her trolley forwards.
Emerging on the other side, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that both platforms Four and Five lacked trains, thus the platforms themselves were relatively clear of other rail users. When she'd checked that they were all together she led the way to the main concourse.
Susan and Daphne tried hard not to stare around at the sights as they follow their friend. A National Express intercity train was boarding at platform Six to their right, and both girls were amazed at the length of the train. The rumbling of the great diesel motors in the end engine unnerved them, but then they saw the chaos of the concourse.
Harry gulped as he watched the crowd. This was the bit he always hated, apart from meeting Vernon. While it was still a Sunday and thus the office workers were not travelling, there were still dozens of people moving about, many dragging their luggage behind them on their castors. Kings Cross was the terminus for trains that ran up the very spine of the country, reaching out to places like Hull, Cambridge, Peterborough, York and Edinburgh, plus dozens of more local stations along those lines. It was no wonder they had had to build an extra three platforms off to one side to handle the extra trains.
With a word to keep close, Hermione eased into the mass, watching out for rushing fools but allowing her trolley to act as a chisel, forging a path through the crowds. Several did pause or step aside slightly to allow her and the others through, though some were so concerned with their own business they didn't even notice.
Hermione snorted as one businessman rushed across in front of her, talking a mile a minute on the mobile phone clapped to his ear, his elbow being used to force others to move while his other hand was behind him. Held in that hand was a handle that led down to a slightly larger than normal briefcase, that was resting on its castors. Honestly, those things were a menace to other people! The lazy bugger couldn't even be bothered to carry his briefcase in his hand!
Susan glanced about nervously as she followed Harry, who was tucked in behind Hermione. The bustle was not quite like anything she'd seen before, though Hogwarts could come close. A voice blazed out from somewhere above, announcing that train to somewhere – she missed the destination – was boarding at platform Three. In response what seemed like half the crowds just standing around gazing up at large blocks started walking in one great mess, some almost running. Susan nervously jumped when they had to thread they way through a part of that mass.
At the back of their own little train Daphne shivered slightly as they moved through the crowds. A few of them levelled sharp looks at her or the others, she guessed because they were using the trolleys. No one else appeared to be using them, as far as she could see. It might also have had something to do with the two owl cages perched on top of Harry's and Susan's trunks.
Hermione smiled when she caught sight of her mother sat in one of the benches by the Underground entrance in the centre of the main concourse, though the lack of her dad was a bit of a surprise. Normally both her parents would be here to welcome her home. They must have decided to have one stay behind to free up space in the car.
Emma Granger stood up as soon as she saw the trolley being pushed towards her by her daughter. As she did so she looked carefully at her precious child. Hermione looked thrilled, with an inner glow that was hard not to notice. As a medical professional she noted that Hermione was walking a little awkwardly as she stepped around the trolley, but she pushed concerns regarding the possible source of such discomfort out of her mind as she opened her arms.
"Hi mom!" Hermione grinned as they shared a tight hug, though a tiny wince escaped her as they did. After a minute they parted and she pivoted to gesture towards the three other teens who had moved up. "Mom, this is Susan and Daphne... and this is Harry."
Emma took a close look at Harry, the boy who had figured so prominently in nearly every letter Hermione had sent from Hogwarts. Hermione's descriptions were spot on, from the messy but attractive black hair to the penetrating green eyes. His body was hidden under clothing that was far too big for his frame, but what could be seen was a wiry, tough looking one. But his face... there was an openness, an honesty, an innocence there that melted her heart.
His eyes however were not those of a child. Instead the firm gaze of an adult looked back, haunted and hurt. From everything that Hermione had told them, which Emma knew was not everything at all, Harry had been forced to grow up fast, far faster than he should have.
"Hello there. It's nice to finally meet those which Hermione talks so much about." She looked at the other two girls now, and was surprised to see that they too had a glow to them, though not quite as bright as Hermione's. The blonde, Daphne, also had a haunted look in her eyes, as if something terrible had happened recently. "Now, let's get out of this station while it's still quiet."
Daphne and Susan shared a surprised look. This was a quiet period?
Instead of towards the main entrance, Mrs Granger led them across the station, moving parallel to the concourse. Harry was relieved at her actions: Uncle Vernon always waited near the main entrance. He glanced across, and through the crowd saw a gathering of people he knew. Their backs were to him, but he could recognise Mad-Eye anywhere. The others appeared to be Remus, Tonks and Mr Weasley.
Then through a gap he saw who they were facing. Vernon. And from the look on his face, they were having words with him.
Harry snorted. 'Thanks guys! Really great idea!' Harry knew his uncle: threats from the Order would only work for a short while, maybe until the next day, but then he'd get angry and take it out on him. He might even get the belt out again, which he'd put away just after Hagrid had collected him from that shack by the sea. He shivered slightly at the memory of that belt: he still bore scars on his back from it.
Exiting the station via a side entrance, they emerged onto York Street, which ran parallel to the platforms. Looking to her right, Emma waited for a gap in the traffic before leading the four teenagers across the road, fortunately a one-way street. Clustering around the rear of their Discovery, they loaded the trucks into the boot before they returned the trolleys to the station. Once they returned, Emma looked over the four of them.
"Okay, now who's going to sit up front?"
The four of them looked at each other, confused for a moment. Daphne had never ridden in a car before, while Susan had been in the rear with her Aunt the few times they'd used a Ministry car to get here. Harry had also always been in the back... because Vernon and Petunia forbade him even being anywhere near the wheel. Plus he was less visible in the back. He figured they would have thrown him in the boot if they thought they could have gotten away with it.
A second later Hermione spoke up. "As it's her first time in a car, why not have Daphne in front, so she can see better?" Her arm curled round Harry's, an action that did not go unnoticed by her mother, but one she didn't comment on.
Climbing into the iconic 4x4, Harry found himself being pushing to the middle of the rear seat, with Hermione behind him and Susan climbing in from the other. Once the doors were closed quite a lot of the noise outside was cut off, leaving a mute rumble. Harry was already fumbling with the lap belt, and Hermione was just closing the seat belt, when Mrs Granger spoke up. "Don't forget your seat belts you two."
From where she sat in the forward passenger seat Daphne turned her attention away from the dials that were behind the wheel in front of Mrs Granger to look at her. "Huh?" She asked in confusion.
Emma smiled lightly, remember her daughter's words. "Over your left shoulder, on the support pillar, grab the bare metal thing on the strap." Daphne and Susan both twisted to look over their shoulders to see the belts. As they reached for it, Emma continued to speak. "Pull it out across your body, down to your right hip. There's a dark grey block with a red button on the end with a slot next to it. Insert the metal tab into that slot until it clicks." She felt like a fool having to explain how a seat belt works to fifteen year olds, but she understood the reasons why. Susan quickly caught on, having seen something similar in the Ministry cars. Daphne struggled, so Emma leaned across and helped her lock the belt. Once all four of them were belted in, she turned the keys and started the engine. Daphne jumped when the sudden rumble kicked in, but after a moment she settled down as she realised what it was. Stifling a chuckle, Emma eased the Discovery away from the curb.
It took nearly an hour for them to reach the Grangers home. Once they got off the main roads however the traffic eased and soon Emma turned the Discovery onto their driveway. Once he'd stepped out, Harry could see that Hermione's home was easily twice as large as the Dursleys, with much larger grounds. It stood apart from the house next door, separated by the garage's.
The differences were even more acute once they were in the front door. The Dursleys home was cold, indifferent, almost antiseptic. The Grangers home was warm, comforting... inviting.
Between the five of them the four trunks and three animals were carried into the house and up the stairs to the upper floor. Once there, Hermione led Susan and Daphne towards the second bedroom, while Mrs Granger directed Harry to the spare room turned study den.
"Give me a hand with this, will you Harry?" She asked. Harry frowned, unsure what she meant, until her hands slipped under the cushion on the futon that resided in the centre of the room. Stepping to the other end of the sofa, he copied her actions and very quickly they had folded out the pine sofa into a low bed. The thick cushion unfolded to form the mattress. A couple of sheets and a blanket rested to one side, and with Harry's help Mrs Granger quickly had the new bed made.
"I'll get a couple of pillows from the airing cupboard." She smiled at him. "Just be aware that for the last couple of years this was Hermione's study den, so she might want to continue to use it as such." Harry flushed at the thought, his eyes on the towering stacks of books by the one wall.
In the next room Hermione sighed with relief as she sank down onto her old bed. It was always good to return home. A pang of guilt ran through her at the thought; she'd been ignoring her parents a lot during the last year. The focus of her concern had been Harry and how life in general appeared to hate him at times.
Her mind turned over the events of the last week, and how she had felt. The pain of seeing Harry so despondent, the horror of learning of the curse on him, the desperation of her search for a cure... Her cheeks flushed red as her mind visited That Night. The throbbing ache between her legs was almost crippling, but Hermione would not have changed anything. Despite the risks, she had opened her heart to Harry... and he had responded in kind. There was a connection between them now that no-one, not even Ron and his jealously, could break.
A pair of shoe clad feet stepped into her line of sight, prompting her to look up into the eyes of her mother. There was an arc to her eyebrow that told Hermione that her mother wanted answers, though it was softened by her smile.
"Penny for them?" She asked softly.
Hermione sighed. "Just thinking about this last year."
Emma Granger closed the door softly before stepping over to sit besides her daughter. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Hermione leaned into the embrace. "It's been a bad one, hasn't it?" She asked softly.
Hermione nodded. "More than you know." She answered quietly. "And Harry's had it the worst of all."
Emma raised an eyebrow at the fond tone as her daughter spoke her friends name. She had already picked up from her letters that Hermione was extremely fond of the raven haired young man, maybe even had a crush, but the depth of her tone...
She gently kissed the top of her head. "Just how far gone are you?"
Hermione sighed again. Maybe it was better to get this out now. "Mum, I... I'm in love with him." She turned her head to look at her. "I know that's a bold thing to say at my age, but... how I feel about him..."
Emma nodded slowly, her suspicions confirmed. "How badly?"
"I'd do anything for him." Hermione answered promptly and with certainty. "I can't imagine my life without him in it anymore. Anything I have, I'd give it up to save him."
Emma's eyes narrowed slightly. "Including your virginity?" She asked quietly.
Hermione's eyes flew open. "How did..." She trailed off at the look in her mothers eyes. "You... I mean..."
Emma sighed. "I saw how you were walking. I remember doing something similar during our honeymoon." She looked into her daughters eyes. "Why? I clearly remember you stating empathically that you would wait for your own wedding night." There was a slightly accusing tone in her voice.
Hermione fought back the tears that were suddenly threatening to fall. "It was the only way to save him."
"Harry?"
Hermione nodded, those tears beginning to escape.
Emma hugged her tightly. Her own eyes were starting to water. "Does he understand?"
"Yes." Hermione's answer was almost a whisper.
They sat like that for a few moments. Then Emma caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head slightly, she watched as the redhead – Susan, she remembered – step into the bedroom and sit down behind Hermione. Her own eyes were damp as she wrapped Hermione into a hug from behind. The blond sat just beyond her, part of the group but not as intimate as the other two.
Emma looked closely at Susan actions. There was an easy intimacy between her and Hermione that had her wondering. She'd noted how both the other girls had walked awkwardly, though not quite to the same degree as Hermione. Emma chuckled as her thoughts wandered to the most likely reason for both facts.
"I guess you all gave Harry nearly every teenaged boy's greatest fantasy."
Both Hermione and Susan laughed with her, and the blond smiled. All three girls also blushed, confirming the unasked question. With a large amount of embarrassment, Hermione explained how they had broken the curse on Harry. Emma listened attentively, before grinning devilishly.
"You'd best not let the tale of this spread, or you'll have every boy there claiming they've been cursed like Harry, looking for an orgy."
"MUM!" Hermione spluttered even as Susan laughed and blushed almost as red as her hair at the same time.
After a minute or two of chuckles Emma sobered. "Dear... what were your intentions in having Harry stay here with us over the summer?" She asked seriously.
"Mum... I understand why you ask..." Hermione began, her face returning to her normal tone. "... but my only thought was to help Harry recover and grieve. He lost his Godfather just over a week ago, and even before this latest... problem, I was thinking about how to get him away from his aunt and uncle. They would never help him. I only know a few fragments of what he has gone through while there, but what I do know..." She trailed off, her eyes hard and mouth pressed into a thin line. Emma recognised the look of anger: she wore it herself.
"All I wanted to do is help him recover." Hermione hesitated, and then blushed. "That and try to suggest that I can be more than 'just a friend'."
Emma smiled. "Well... I think you've dealt with that last part already." She chuckled at the blush that spread across her daughters face, before her smile dropped a little. "Just... don't to be too eager to return to that level dear. Sex is great with a good lover..." a faint blush touched her own cheeks. "... but without an emotional attachment, it's meaningless."
All three young women nodded in understanding.
Diner that night was a simply chicken roast. The dining table was full for the first time since Christmas of their third year at Hogwarts... the last time Hermione had returned home for the festive season.
Despite the look that she got from her father, Hermione made sure that Harry was sat next to her. Susan sat beyond him on the end facing her father, while Daphne sat across from Harry, next to her mother. For the first few minutes the only sounds were the clinks of cutlery as they all focused on eating.
After a bit Emma looked up from her plate at her daughter, a look of apprehension on her face. "So... how long are you staying here this year?"
Harry winced at her tone: he knew that his troubles had kept Hermione away from her family year after year. Hermione sent him a sharp look, knowing what he was thinking, before facing her mother again.
"I planned of us being here the whole summer. We all need time to recover." Harry knew that she really meant him, but he kept quiet.
Emma glanced at the silent young man, guessing what her daughter really meant. A smile formed on her face however as she put that thought aside, instead focusing on her first response. "That's good dear. We hardly ever see you any more." She spoke softly in a wistful tone.
At the head of the table Nathan Granger allowed a tiny smile to creep onto his face. Despite knowing what had happened between these four young adults, he was pleased to know his darling daughter would be here too. With Harry. The thought threatened to ruin his good mood, but he suppressed it, recalling that it had been Hermione who had started... things. It still made him very uncomfortable, thinking about his daughter doing... that, but he was determined to not be like his own father. He'd almost disowned Nathan's sister when he learned that she'd started sleeping with her fiancée, and even now the two weren't talking nearly twenty years later.
Instead he turned his attention towards the two new young women. While he knew a little about them from Hermione's letters, it was nowhere near as much as he knew about Harry.
He looked over them both carefully as they finished their meal. Both were very attractive, each in their own way. The red-head was full figured with a significant bust line, surmounted by a gentle oval face with rich dark red hair that trailed down to just past her shoulder blades. The blonde, by contrast, had an elegant beauty about her. While there was nothing he put his finger on, she had an air of aristocracy about her.
Of course, in his eyes Hermione was just as pretty as either of them. She was his daughter, after all.
"Anything on tonight?" He asked Emma.
"Haven't really looked." She replied. "But I doubt there'll be anything decent till eight or so. Sunday Night TV."
Nathan grunted, expressing the normal opinion of Sunday TV. Inwardly however he was pleased, as it make a perfect opportunity to learn some more about their three new lodgers.
When they had all finished Harry acted on automatic and began gathering the plates. He'd already gotten Susan's and Hermione's when he realised that Emma had the other three. She smiled kindly at him. "While it's nice that you're helping out Harry, you don't have to. You're on holiday, remember?"
Harry froze, and Hermione laid a hand on his arm in reassurance. So did Susan, sensing that Harry needed it. A series of emotions flickered across his face before he settled down. Emma's smile faded a little, but she decided to let go her concern, for now.
Harry moved to place the plates in the sink, but paused when Emma dumped her stack on the side and turned to him. Motionless, he watched as she took the plates from his grasp, leaving him holding air. Gathering the knives and forks together, she combined the stacks on the side.
Behind her Hermione saw how Harry was stood, and sighed deeply. Just what had the Dursley's done to him each summer? Setting the mint sauce down, she took hold of his hand and gently tugged, dragging him out of the kitchen and into the living room.
Nathan, already sat in 'his' spot on the two-seater sofa, watched in mild concern as Hermione all but dragged Harry in and sat him down in the centre of the three-seater before sitting besides him, her hand never leaving his. Daphne had already sat in the armchair in the suite, while Susan sat down on Harry's over side, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder. Harry visibly relaxed as Emma stepped through.
Harry took a few deep breaths as he tried to relax. For a moment he thought Mrs Granger was going to tell him to do the dishes: Aunt Petunia would have already screeched at him by now. 'I'm not at the Dursley's.' He told himself once more. Opening his eyes, he looked up to see the concerned faced of Hermione's parents sat on the two-seater watching him, while just to his left He could feel Hermione, while Susan's presence was clear just to his right. "Sorry. Flashback to Privet Drive."
Hermione squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. He sent her a small smile in reply.
"Was it bad?" Susan asked in a small voice.
"My own mini Azkaban." Harry answered in a deadpan voice.
Seeing the way that Harry reacted, Nathan turned to Susan, asking her about her own family, how she had grown up in the Wizarding World, her relatives. Seeing what he was doing, Susan began to talk. As she talked, Harry was able to draw himself out of his past and focus on her.
Susan explained that while she was considered a Pure-Blood, she was actually more of a Three-Quarter-Blood; her mother had been Half-Blood, like Harry was. She mentioned that her parents were killed in a bad fire while she'd been five, so she'd been living with her Aunt Amelia, the Director of Magical Law Enforcement. Susan told how despite her limited spare time, Amelia had tried to help her understand the Muggle world better, since so much of the world was Muggle, while at the same time looking after her as best she could.
Daphne didn't talk as much when she was asked. Her relationship with her father was strained, at best, since his work consumed so much of his time. Her father was a Pure-Blood just like his stern father, though they weren't supremacists. Her mother was like Susan, technically a Pure-Blood. Most of the time she was with her three younger sisters. From some of her answers, it was clear there were areas that she didn't wish to go into. Sensing this, the elder Grangers halted the discussion to switch the TV onto a movie that was just starting.
As they watch Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock try to deal with a booby trapped bus without stopping, Hermione allowed her thoughts to wander to the young man sat besides her. So far it had only been two days since Their Night, barely a week since That Night, and they had been home less than a day. Still, she hoped that with the support of herself, her parents, Susan and Daphne that Harry would recover. She rubbed her thumb against his hand out of reflex.
They all enjoyed the movie, but by the end they were all feeling the effects of a long day. When they reached the upstairs hall Hermione paused and turned to face Harry, a worried expression on her face. The two of them looked at each other, a whole conversation held silently between their eyes.
Will you be okay?
Harry shrugged fractionally. I think so.
Well, I'll be here if you need me.
A tiny smile. Thanks.
She smiled too, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
The stillness of the house at night was shattered by a cry of pain, fear and loss. It tore through the mind of Mrs Granger, snapping her awake and making her bolt upright in bed. For a few seconds she couldn't understand where that cry had come from.
Then she heard the hurried footsteps in the hall, and she remembered the other teens that were staying with them. Slipping out of bed she snatched up her dressing gown, throwing it on as she moved to check on Harry.
She emerged into the hall just in time to see one of the girls enter the study. The pale shape at the top of the figure identified her as Daphne.
Stepping through the door, Emma paused at the sight. Harry had clearly bolted upright on the futon, eyes wide in shock and pain. Hermione and Susan were in the final steps of reaching for him, wrapping their arms around the clearly distraught youth and drawing him into their combined embrace. Even as she watched Daphne climbed onto the futon behind him and hugged him tightly from behind.
A quick couple of steps brought Emma over to sit just behind her daughter, who she could hear was whispering to Harry. "It's all right Harry, it's all right… You're safe now… we're safe…" Emma noticed in passing that Hermione had one hand running through his raven locks. Looking into his face, Emma gasped slightly at the look of pain, loss and fear contained in those emerald depths. His lower lip was quivering, and there was sheen to his eyes that she understood at once. Yet Harry refused to cry. Reflected in those eyes she could see past pain and terrors that haunted him even now. Her heart went out to him, and even if he hadn't won her daughters heart, Emma would have enfolded the clearly troubled and wounded young man into her arms and driven away the darkness in him.
Susan spoke now, softly and gently. "Let it out Harry, let it out…" She too had clearly seen what Emma had seen.
It started with a single tear, running down from the corner of his eye. Then, after a long moment, his eyes slowly closed and a sob escaped his lips. As his body began to shake with them he allowed the two young women to guide his head down to rest between their chests. Behind him Daphne moulded herself to his back, her cheek resting on the nape of his neck.
Emma, now with tears of her own in her eyes, leaned forwards a bit and wrapped her arms around Hermione's and Susan's shoulders. Both young women turned their heads to look at her, but did nothing to remove Harry's face from their cleavages. His sobs and cries were muffled by their bodies, and she could feel his arms slide round each girls' waist, pulling them closer to him.
Emma said nothing, just nodded and smiled slightly. Hermione nodded in reply, then both turned back, their faces almost touching as they did. Together they tipped their heads forwards, resting their chins on Harry's head, foreheads almost touching. Susan began to hum a soft lullaby, while Hermione began whispering words of comfort and reassurance. Harry just clung onto them tighter, clearly drawing comfort from the three young women that now surrounded him as he shook and sobbed between them.
Despite the almost violent shaking he was going through, Hermione, Susan and Daphne remained still, offering themselves as steady rocks for Harry to cling on to. And with the same desperateness as a drowning man clings onto a piece of driftwood Harry clung to them, losing himself in the circle of love and support the three of them had formed for him. Warmth seemed to pass through them all, gently soothing Harry's worn and frayed nerves, easing his tired and frightened mind and calming his soul.
Neither Hermione nor Susan cared about how Harry's tears had soaked through their sleepwear to the soft curves underneath. All they cared about was Harry, as he cried out what appeared to be fifteen years worth of grief and suffering. Hermione knew, better than most, the hardships and loses Harry had gone through, and both Susan and Daphne were aware that Harry's lot in life so far had been horrible. Yet all three knew that they had only scratched the surface of the horrors that the young man in their arms, the young man who had captured their hearts, had suffered. Not even Hermione knew the full extent of how he had suffered in the ten years before Hogwarts.
Tears of her own were blurring Emma's vision now, her mind racing in concern. What could have happened to this fine young man that would make him break down like this? How much pain and suffering had he taken, silently and stoically, all these years? When they had first met, briefly, at that wizards bookstore three years ago, Emma had been struck at how… undersized… he'd been for his age. It was clear that he'd had a growth spurt since then, but there was still a disconcerting sense of malnutrition about him, even after ten months of school food.
Slowly the sobs died away, and Hermione gently lifted his head from her breast. Harry's eyes were closed, his breathing slow and deep. Tear tracks still marred his cheeks, but the crease in his forehead was gone.
Emma smiled lightly. "Good work dears." She whispered.
Hermione smiled and Susan blushed, but as Daphne eased out from behind Harry the others frowned before glancing down. Harry's arms were encircling them both, with no signs of letting go anytime soon. Hermione sighed in mild exasperation and began to peel his arm away from her. She stilled though when Harry moaned and a frown creased his forehead. When she let go of his arm it moved back to where it had been, and Harry relaxed once more.
"Er…?" The confused tone in her voice was one that Emma had rarely heard. A small chuckle escaped her lips.
"Looks like Harry wants to keep cuddling." She smiled at the blush that filled Hermione's cheeks, pushing down her own unease about the implications of this development. They already had gone 'all the way', after all.
"Sleep tight you three." She said as she stood up. Dropping a loving kiss on her daughters head, Emma watched as Hermione and Susan eased Harry back down, lying down with him in the process. From the doorway she watched as they took a few moments to get comfortable before stilling, their heads pillowed on Harry's shoulders.
Turning to leave, Emma paused when she saw how Daphne seemed torn, unsure as to what to do. After a moment the blond shrugged her nearly bare shoulders, and laid down across the foot of the futon. Emma snagged a spare pillow from the pile by the door and passed it to her, prompting a smile of gratitude from the young witch.
Easing the door closed, Emma returned to her bedroom, to see her husband sat up in the bed, the lamp on his side on. "Harry?" He asked softly.
Emma nodded as she slipped the robe off. "That poor young man's hurting bad Nath'." She said as she slid in besides him in the bed. With a small 'click' the light went out and a few seconds later she felt the familiar feel of her husbands arms wrapping around her bare body. "I could see it in his eyes. He's been bottling up his pain and loss for years. Maybe ever since… that night."
Nathan Granger was not a stupid man. He knew which night his brilliant wife was referring too; When Hermione's letters had started mentioning a 'Harry Potter' in them, someone who was a kind of celebrity in that world, they'd looked him up in some of the books Hermione had left at home. It still turned his stomach at how the books had all but glossed over the loss of Harry's parents, instead going on and on about the 'Defeat' of 'You-Know-Who'.
"I think… just now, was the first time he's ever let his grief and pain surface." Emma continued, her voice haunted. It would be a very long time before she could think about what had happened without her seeing once more Harry's eyes filled to overflowing with grief, pain and fear.
Nathan sighed and hugged her closer to him. "We can only be there for him if he lets us dear." He whispered. "He's already let Hermione in, right?" At her nod, he continued. "We'll just take one day at a time, let him know we will be there if he wants to talk, but not smother him."
Emma lifted her head a little to look him in the eye, a dark look in hers. "So you think he's been… too?" She didn't want to say the word aloud.
Nathan nodded slowly. "He's got all the classic signs. How no-one noticed before now…" A scowl briefly crossed his face.
"Maybe, in time, he'll tell us everything…" Emma said quietly, unsurely.
"We can only hope…" Nathan replied, unsure if he really wanted to know the truth in this case…
A/N: A word regarding Kings Cross: I recently was travelling throught that station twice a day for over a year. I can assure everyone that it has no car park, and the level of crowding is correct. And as for getting at platforms 9 & 10... ticket barriers block both entrances, and I don't think a magical ticket would agree with those automated machines...