DR: And here's the next chapter that you've all been waiting for. Fair warning: we do stray back into the NC-17 region in the first bit of this chapter, though I've tried to focus on what Daphne's Thinking and Feeling than what she's Doing. And I'm very pleased that so many of you commented that she seemed an outsider. That was not my intention, but I'm pleased to see you all care so much. Yes, she'll be that little more reserved than the other two, but in no way is she excluded.
Oh, and I tried to break the scenes up differently, but nothing works. So I'll have to continue to use the lines... (*sigh*) If anyone knows how to get that 'Shift+Enter for Single-Line-Break' thing to work right please drop me a line...
The next morning Emma Granger poked her head into the study to see the four teens still in bed, the four of them still where she had left them. She sighed as she studied Harry, Hermione and Susan; all three of them were clearly still deeply asleep. At the sound Daphne slowly raised her head from the spare pillow she had been resting on, her eyes still a little bleary.
"Ah good, you're awake." Emma spoke quietly. "Hermione's normally awake by now. When she or the others do, tell them that Nathan and I are at work?" Daphne nodded sleepily, prompting a smile from Emma as she headed down the stairs to join her husband in the car.
Back upstairs in the study Daphne yawned loudly before glancing at the others. She relaxed when she noted that all three were still asleep. Standing up, she was about to head back to the spare bedroom where her stuff was when her eyes noted a tell-tale 'bump' in the sheet that covered the three of them. For several long seconds she stared at it, comparisons with tent poles running through her mind. Daphne had never been enamoured with male body parts; her existence in the Slytherin dorm had mainly been about avoiding close encounters with such items. But now with Harry… she was drawn.
Slowly she lifted the sheet away before sitting back down in the space behind Hermione's knees. A laugh threatened to escape her lips when she saw the wardrobe malfunction that Hermione had suffered during the night. The muggle-born witch was only wearing an overlarge T-shirt, and when Harry had laid back down after their group hug the previous night after his nightmare, she'd slid down his body to nestle against him. However, the hem of her shirt had not moved with her, and was now hiked up around her waist. What made it even more amusing was that Harry's hand was gently cupping her barely clad rear.
The smile vanished into an open-mouthed look of shock when she drew the sheet away completely. The fact that Harry's other hand was on Susan was completely missed by the awed witch as she stared at Harry's crotch. Sometime in the night his member had slipped though the slot in his shabby, overlarge boxers, and now stood proudly before her. 'That was inside me?' was the only thought that was running through her head as Daphne drank in the sight.
Daphne continued to stare down at Harry's bits held in her grasp, indecision raging in her mind. On the one hand, she recalled the times in the Slytherin common room when she'd been forced to please others in her House with her mouth. It had been degrading and horrible. The smell alone with some of them had been enough to make her stomach rebel. It had been clear that for many of those 'superior' Purebloods hygiene was not a priority. And equally as clear had been the total disregard those boys had for her: their sole concern had been their own pleasure.
But... she wanted to give pleasure to Harry, anyway she could. Daphne was a little stunned at the change in her outlook. Before she had focused on looking out for herself and her sister, avoiding close contact with the others and not risking her neck for anything or anyone... an attitude that Slytherin House encouraged and promoted.
Now though... there was Harry. And Hermione and Susan, she amended herself as she looked between their sleeping faces. Harry was a one of a kind. By upbringing he should be a hate filled, repressed, broken thing, lashing out at anything he could in order to feel better about his own situation. But somehow he'd come through it all without one jot of cruelty anywhere in his body. He would give and give for eternity, never once taking by force, and receiving reluctantly.
'Well...' she thought as she leaned forwards, her eyes jumping back to the part of him she still held in her hand '...from now on, he's going to be given lots of things..."
It was a new experience for her, being in control. This time she wasn't being forced to do as the boy wanted, with his hands holding her head so that she had no choice. This time she could move and act as she chose, take her time and learn what he enjoyed. Another thing that was much improved was the smell. Unlike the Slytherin boys, Harry did not stink of weeks of dirt and grim. There was only the smell that she was starting to associate with him. Daphne was sure she would never really be able to put it into words, but it was enough to know it was 'Harry Potter'.
As she continued to work her lips over him, slowly taking more and more, Daphne was surprised to realise that she was actually starting to enjoy this act, which until now had been disgusting and horrid. She slowed down a little as she tried to understand this. Was it simply that this time it was her choice, not forced on her? Was it Harry? She lifted her eyes to look up at his face. He was still asleep, but there were twitches in his face that showed he was having a very pleasant dream. A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth as she focused back on her efforts.
Harry was in fact having a very nice, hot dream. He was lying on a beach in the sun, the gentle breaking of waves filling the air. He was naked, but that was okay. Lying curled into his side was Hermione, just as naked, her hair spread out like a fan behind her. She was asleep, and the book she had been reading had slid out of her hand and down her rounded stomach. A few feet away on his other side Susan was sat in a reclined pose, arms cradling what he just knew was an infant to her breast. The sound of the waves was only broken by children's cries of excitement and joy. Lifting his eyes, Harry smiled wider when he saw Daphne sat with four infants at the waterline, her straw-blond hair shining wetly in the sun. Her skin was still very pale and porcelain like, but in this sun she'd soon have an excellent, all over tan.
"You do deserve this, you know."
Harry turned his head to regard Sirius over Hermione's shoulder. "What do you mean?" He asked simply.
Sirius waved a hand towards Daphne and the kids, then to Susan before nodding towards the slumbering Hermione. "Them. A family of your own kid. You've got three stunning, intelligent women who love you deeply. After all the shit you've had to put up with, you can be selfish for once in your life."
Harry nodded slowly, not fully agreeing with his godfather but also not willing to vocalise that sentiment. Hermione moaned quietly, and snuggled into him a bit more, throwing one bare leg over his lap.
Sirius grinned rakishly. "See, they know you Harry. Accept them, and enjoy it." He looked out to sea for a bit, and for an instant there was a shadow in his eyes. But then it was gone and he stood up, brushing a little sand from the loose off white shirt and cut off trousers he was wearing. Harry smiled as he looked at him. In those clothes and with his hair raked back Sirius Black looked a lot like a pirate.
"You'll beat him, and that whiskered ass-kisser too." Sirius continued as a shadow fell across Harry; Susan had gotten up and walked over. Kneeling on his free side she took his hand in her own. "Just don't forget to enjoy your life Harry. Make me and your parents proud." Sirius finished with a gesture over his shoulder.
Harry craned his head back to look past Sirius, further up the beach. A short distance away, sat on a recliner in the shade of a palm tree were his parents, almost in the same pose as he and Hermione were. His father was grinning at him, his free hand making a thumbs up signal. His mother had her head on James chest, and across the sand their eyes met. Time slowed as two sets of emeralds gazed into each other.
Then she smiled widely, and Harry felt a weight lift from his shoulders as he smiled back. He knew somehow that his mother approved, and that was all that mattered.
"Remember Harry..." Sirius crouched down, "... We'll always be with you. Here." And he tapped Harry's chest right over his heart. A pulse of warmth spread though Harry's body.
"But... how can I beat either of them?" Harry sighed in resignation even as Daphne walked out of the surf towards him, beads of water running down her naked form. "I'm just Harry..."
"You are also our son." He looked up to see that Sirius had been replaced by his mother seamlessly, before he met her eyes. Those eyes, just like his own, were filled with love and understanding.
"You have it in you Harry dear." Lily continued, her voice soft and gentle. "All you have to do is believe in yourself. As we do. As they do." Her hand waved to encompass the three young woman around him.
"Harry..." Lily whispered as she leaned forwards even further. "... Know this. Heaven is on your side, but there is no fate but what you make for yourself. The Prophecy may say that only you can beat him, but it's you who decides if you will. Don't ever give up, and someday, hopefully soon, we will be reunited."
Then she kissed him on the forehead.
As soon as her lips touched his skin, a powerful surge of warmth rushed throughout Harry's body, much stronger than the one with Sirius. Unlike that one, this wave didn't fade, but seemed to pulse through him again and again, in time with his heartbeat.
"We'll always be with you Harry." Lily told him softly as the pulses seemed to get stronger, focusing in his lap as his eyes drifted closed...
Only for them to jump open once more as he felt the beginning of a release. For an instant he stared sightlessly at the plain white rendered ceiling, before he glanced down, to see a straw-blond head.
"Daphne... I..." He made out before he lost control, and his eyes snapped shut again. An involuntary constricting of his arms pulled both Hermione and Susan tightly against him, startled yelps escaping their throats as their eyes shot open.
When he had ceased she lifted her head. Licking her lips, she smiled at the blurry, cross-eyed Boy-Who-Lived "Morning Harry. Sleep well?"
Susan looked at her close friend with wide eyes. "I thought you said..."
"When I was forced by those pigs in Slytherin, yeah." Daphne nodded. Then she looked at Harry once more. "But this time... I actually enjoyed it."
"Really?" Hermione looked both intrigued and a little disgusted.
Daphne nodded. "I know. I was surprised myself." Her smile faded however when she saw the look on Harry's face.
"They forced you to...?" Harry started, the heat rising in his tone.
"Nothing more than that Harry." Daphne cut him off, her cold, firm tone shutting down any further attempts to bring the subject up.
Hermione then broke in, shattering the tension that had begun to form between them. "Um... Harry, could you...?"
"Huh?" Then he realised where his hands were, tightly squeezing both girls' buttocks. His face flushed red as he relaxed his grip a bit. "Sorry."
Hermione smiled lightly as she shifted a little, tugging down her T-Shirt as she did. Propping herself up on one arm she looked down at him. "So... did you sleep better, after..."
Harry nodded, a small smile forming. "Yeah, actually. I feel... I don't know." He then looked at each of them in the eye. "But I do know that this... situation, between us four... I want it to work. I want us to be friends like this... forever."
Smiles bloomed on all three witches, and they all snuggled into him once more, kissing him passionately. After a couple of minutes though Hermione had to ask the question that was clearly burning in her brain.
"What changed Harry?" Hermione knew Harry very well, likely better than he knew himself sometimes. And thus she knew that his first impulse, with the prophecy and all it likely entailed hanging over him, would be to push them all away. He would be stupidly noble and isolate himself from everyone, in order to 'protect' them.
Harry sighed. "A dream I just had. A pleasant one, this time." He looked at them and then blushed.
A small smile appeared on Hermione's face. "Harry... was it a naughty dream? Did we star in it?" The light-hearted teasing tone in her voice was obvious, but to those who knew her well the hint of concern was clear.
Harry flushed redder. "Not naughty... not in that way." He swallowed audibly.
"Oh no Harry." Susan jumped in. "You can't just say that and leave us hanging. Come on, spill!"
Harry sighed, realising that he was not getting out of this. "We were all on a tropical beach... naked."
Daphne's eyebrows rose as her smile widened. "And what were we doing naked on this beach?"
Harry flushed red. "You were playing in the surf... with three or four toddlers." As Daphne's eyes widened he turned to Susan. If anything, his blush deepened. "You had... a baby in your arms. Susan."
Susan's face now matched his in colouration.
Hermione gently reached out and turned his head to face her. "And me, Harry?" She asked a little nervously.
Harry answered her quietly. "You were asleep, much like we just were."
Hermione flushed a little, but smiled lightly. "No kids with me then?"
Harry's face now resembled the Weasley's hair. "With you, no. But... you... were..." He couldn't continue.
Hermione frowned for a moment, but then her face paled. "You mean..." She trailed off, but traced an arc with her free hand in front of her stomach, clearly miming running a hand over a pregnancy swollen belly.
At Harry's nod, her face turned bright red too.
Daphne found her tongue once more. "Was... was there anyone else with us?"
Harry nodded, prompting a gasp from Hermione.
"Who?" Susan asked in a tiny voice.
Harry's head slumped back, his eyes closing. "Sirius. And my parents."
As one the three young witches forgot their embarrassment and pulled him back upright so that they could all hug him, much like they had the previous night. As they held him in their collective embrace, Hermione nuzzled into his hair before asking the question on her mind.
"Did they say anything?"
For a long moment Harry didn't say anything. But then in a small voice he answered her.
"Si... Sirius, told me not to quit. My mom... She said she was proud of me..."
"As are we. As is anyone who knows, really knows, you." Hermione told him, hugging him that little tighter. Harry didn't reply verbally, just gripped her a little tighter too. Susan too found his arm around her drawing her in too. A small smile twitched at the corner of her mouth as she realised the significance of Harry's actions.
The mood was broken however when a stomach rumbled. Three sets of eyes moved to look at Daphne, who blushed.
"Thought you had breakfast already..." Hermione started with a smile.
"Hey!"
All four laughed together.
A short while later, as Hermione dressed, she smiled to herself as she thought back to what had happened earlier. Despite the embarrassing moments, this morning had been good for Harry. Daphne's actions had been... unexpected, but it did serve a purpose. It showed him that she did care, doing something that in the past had been forced onto her.
Similarly, his reaction to the news of her experiences in Slytherin showed her that he cared about her in return. She'd worried before that Daphne having been sorted into Slytherin initially would have been a cause for problems between them, much like it had for Ron.
Hermione grimaced at the thought of their former friend. His actions over the last few weeks had been beyond redemption. There was no doubt in her mind; she would no longer tolerate his attitude or his actions. He'd gone too far, been too intolerant, too self-righteous for her to stand any more.
She sighed, her eyes moving over to one of the photos she had on her dresser. None of them moved; they were stills from 'normal' wizarding photos that Professor McGonagall had produced for her. Her eyes' settled on the one from the end of Christmas break, 1st year. The three of them were smiling happily, she between the two of them. They had been so innocent back then, so naive. Had there been clues to Ron's true character back then?
If she was honest with herself, then the answer was yes. She only had to look at the events leading up to the point where they became friends; Halloween. It had been Ron's words that had driven her to tears... something that he later demonstrated he had a knack for. She knew that she had been very bossy back then, but his complaints still cut deeply...
"Hey." Harry's voice made her turn her head to see him leaning in through the doorway. His expression fell a little when he saw the one on her face. "What's the matter?"
Sighing she turned to look back at the photo. "We're going to have more trouble with Ron, aren't we?"
She heard Harry walk over before sitting down besides her. She felt him wrap an arm round her before he spoke again. "He's the one with the problem Hermione. If he can't accept that things have changed..." Harry trailed off.
Hermione rested her head against his shoulder. "Harry... just how much has changed between us? Where are we now?" Unknown to both of them, Susan and Daphne were at the door, watching and listening, hearts in their throats.
Harry froze, her words rebounding in his head. Just what where they now? After all they had shared, all that had happened, could they really go back to what they were before?
No. Too much had changed. Harry felt the rightness of having his arm around Hermione. He couldn't explain it, but that was how he felt. Question was, why now? The sex was the obvious answer, but he knew it wasn't. Had it been Ginny, or Lavender, or even Cho who'd done what Hermione – along with Susan and Daphne, he reminded himself – had done what they had done, he just knew things would be... awkward, between them. They wouldn't be able to meet each others eyes, or even remain in the same room together.
So why was it not like that between him and Hermione? And what about Susan and Daphne, why was he feeling just as content with them as well? Susan he knew only a bit, as she'd been part of the DA, but Daphne... he barely knew her, the divide between their two houses keeping them apart. True, that would no longer be an issue now, but still...
Deciding to put that question aside for now, Harry refocused his thoughts on the young witch at his side. Where she had always been, he suddenly realised. Ever since Halloween that first year she had been with him, supporting him, looking out for him. Her knowledge and brain had saved his ass more times than he could count. Even during their split in Third Year over his broom, he had known that she had only done what she did because she was worried about him and was looking out for him. The previous year, she had been the only one who had supported him unwaveringly. Where as nearly everyone else in the school thought he had managed to cheat his way into the Tournament, Hermione was the sole one who did not doubt him, who believed him. Even this past year she had stood by him, stayed even when he had been in his foulest mood.
And how he repaid her? A surge of guilt tore through Harry as he looked back on his actions over the years. Now, he could see that he'd taken her for granted, never looking beyond her unwavering support. He remembered clearly the look she had given him before... He flushed at the thought. It had been one of pure desire and want, something he'd never seen in her before. And it had all been directed at him.
More images from their past came to him, revealing things he'd missed back then. The pride in her expression when she'd been un-petrified and returned to the Great Hall. The hurt she had tried to hide when Ron had laid into her about the broom. The look in her eyes at the Yule Ball. The pain when he'd yelled at her this year... and when he'd staggered back to the common room after his first – and only – kiss with Cho.
But now... now he had been slapped in the face with the truth; Hermione was a very attractive young woman. It wasn't overt or obvious like Cho, but deeper, more profound. She had beauty both within and without. It had been the bookworm image that had been created back in first year that had blinded him... that and his own flaws and failings.
Now that image was shattered, revealing what lay beneath. And what a breath taking image it was! Harry had never even suspected how utterly sexy his bookworm best friend could be. Then again, she could do anything when she put her mind to it.
Was he in love with her? Harry didn't know. He had no reference, no way to tell. But he was certainly willing to find out.
He hesitated though, fear crippling him. What if she didn't what to take their relationship to such a level? What if his interest in her scared her off, drove her away? But then he recalled her question... and the fear that had been beneath it. In a flash of insight he suddenly realised that she must be suffering the same doubts, the same fears. 'Gryffindor's charge forward.' He told himself. Steeling himself, he turned his head towards her.
"You're still my best friend Hermione..." He paused for a moment, screwing up his courage. "...But I would like... to, explore, us becoming more."
Two warm brown eyes turned to look into his own. "What are you saying Harry?" She asked quietly, hopefully.
Harry had to look away; he couldn't speak with her looking at him like that. "Hermione, I... I don't know what love is, not really. But I do know that I want you in my life, in any way you want to. You've always been there for me. You've been looking out for me every year, helping me out and keeping me safe. And I've never really thanked you for any of it. I can't think of my life without you beside me any more. You mean so much to me, and not just because of the... of what you did. But it did open my eyes, and I saw you, truly, for the first time. And so, I was wondering if you would, maybe..."
He didn't finish, as Hermione's hand gripped his cheek and yanked his head up. Before anything could pass his lips they were stilled by hers. Harry's mind blanked, stunned at her aggression. But his body took over, sliding his other arm around her, drawing her closer. His head tilted a fraction, and the kiss deepened.
At the door Susan and Daphne smiled even as tears slipped down their cheeks. Both felt a tingling warmth spreading from their own lips, but neither paid it much attention. They only watched as the two before them continued to kiss.
At last they drew back, and Harry opened his eyes to look at her. Hermione's warm hazel orbs shone with a bright, happy light, even as tears gleamed as they ran down to her smile.
"Yes Harry."
"But... you didn't give me a chance to finish..."
Hermione rolled her eyes playfully. "Honestly Harry, don't you think that I know you well enough by now to know what you were going to say?" Her eyes narrowed slightly in a playfully threatening manner. "And if you think I'd kiss any boy other than my boyfriend in that manner, then think again."
Slowly a grin formed on Harry's face, lighting up his whole face. His left hand came up and caressed her neck, prompting a sigh of pleasure from her. After a moment though she opened her eyes again.
"Just remember Harry, I won't be a stay at home, out of trouble girlfriend. I'm safer by your side. Don't try to wrap me in cotton-wool. You'll just get burned."
Harry sighed, but nodded slowly. He wanted to keep her safe, keep her out of harms way, but she would not let him. She wouldn't be Hermione if she did.
"Also, you can't control me Harry. I have other friends, and I won't let them be excluded." She looked deliberately towards the door. Harry followed her gaze, just in time to see the two watchers blush.
"How long were you two standing there?" He asked lightly.
Daphne shrugged. "Long enough." She answered simply.
Susan however stepped forwards and wrapped the two of them in a hug. "Congratulations you two. I always thought you should be together. Anyone with half a brain could see it." They blushed, but then Harry saw that Daphne was still at the door. Wordlessly he opened his left arm. Daphne was still for a moment, but then she stately walked forwards to sit on his knee, his arm around her.
Hermione's smile widened when she saw Harry's actions. Actions, not words, was Harry's strength. As she leaned into Susan's shoulder Hermione allowed her thoughts to wander to the years ahead. Between the four of them, they had all the traits of all the Founders of Hogwarts. Harry was courage and nobility, sometimes too much of both. Susan she knew was steadfast, loyal to a fault and would never, ever quit. The harder the challenge, the harder she worked. Daphne had the sly cunning and ambition that Salazaar had prized, both traits that could be used just as well on the light side.
As for herself, she could still clearly recall the words of the Sorting Hat, all those years ago.
"Hmmm... tricky. Such burning intellect, so much passion for knowledge. Rowena would have been proud to have you in her house. And yet... your passion would stand out, and you have no need to be immersed in others like you. Slytherin worthy cunning and ambition, but your heritage would be... unwelcome, in there right now. I see great loyalty to those you believe in, and a good work ethic. Hufflepuff would work, except... your loyalty would be to individuals, not to a group as such. But what is this? Bravery to stand up for those who can't or won't, and such determination! I see now... you have the traits of all the houses, but the strongest ones are in GRYFFINDOR!"
The rumbling of a stomach, almost immediately followed by a second... her own, cut off her moment of reflection. She felt her cheeks burn as she drew back from the hug... and noticed that Harry was also going red.
"Come on." She said standing up. "Let's get some breakfast.
Once the four of them reached the kitchen, Harry went straight to the fridge. Opening it, he had to take a moment to locate the bacon and eggs. The girls watched with wide eyes as he grabbed all three packets of bacon before deftly picking up the five eggs in the holder. Before any of them could say anything he'd already got a frying pan out on the gas hob, with what looked like a whole cup full of oil inside, and was just lifting the first rasher.
Surprisingly, it was Susan who first found her voice. "Harry... what are you doing?" She asked softly.
Harry froze, visibly tense, before he looked over his shoulder at them. At the sight of them he relaxed a little. Then he looked at the pan before him and his shoulders slumped. "Sorry. Habit." He replied as he dropped the rasher back in the pack while turning the gas off.
Hermione frowned as she stepped forwards to rest a hand on his shoulder gently. "You were going to cook all of this?" She gestured to the five eggs, two full packs and one half full pack of bacon before him. Then she looked at the pan and her frown deepened. "In that much oil?"
Harry shrugged. "That's how Uncle Vernon and Dudley like their breakfast."
All three girls paled at the implied meaning of his words.
"Do you mean... that all of that would have been given to your cousin and uncle?" Susan asked.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Now he's off the diet again, Dudley get's through seven rashers and three eggs each morning. Vernon's five and two, respectively." He paused for a moment. "And let's not forget the half-dozen slices of toast. And the half packet of biscuits. And the pack of sausages they split."
By then Susan was feeling nauseous, and Daphne appeared to be turning green. "How do those two eat that much, each morning?" Daphne asked.
Harry sighed. "What else? Pure greed."
Hermione's frown was even deeper. "What about you? Or your aunt?"
Harry bowed his head. "Aunt Petunia doesn't eat much in the morning, if anything. I get... scraps, and leftovers."
There were three very sharp intakes of breath at that admission. "Not this time Harry." Susan put forward firmly, daring him to challenge her.
"That's right Harry." Hermione continued. "This summer, you eat what you want, when you want."
Harry looked up at her, a tiny spark of mischief in his eyes. "Even sweets and sugar?"
Smiles broke out on the other three as Hermione stuck out her tongue. "Prat."
Harry chuckled softly, and Susan felt reassured that he could laugh, even lightly. With a little luck, their actions last night had helped him recover.
Hermione's eyes returned to the food still out on the counter. "Bacon and egg does appeal this morning. But we won't need as much." She stepped towards the fridge, taking one full pack of bacon with her. Once the pack was set back on the shelf, she reached out, collected one of the eggs, and returned it to the tray. Closing the fridge she lowered her hand to the freezer below. "Put the oven on will you Harry?"
Soon a dozen hash-browns were tucked away in the oven, and Hermione was hovering over the hob, looking at the frying pan filled with oil. "This is so un-healthy." She stated firmly.
Harry nodded. "I always thought so, but if I didn't do what Vernon and Dudley wanted..." He trailed off, his face falling.
While Hermione looked appalled, and Daphne sick, Susan pushed her own temper aside and stood up. With three swift steps she reached Harry and enfolded him in her arms. Harry stiffened for a moment before relaxing into the hug, accepting what she offered. In her heart Susan felt the warmth of his acceptance, and she smiled.
Seeing that she had him in hand, Hermione smiled at her friend before turning back to the pan. After a second close look, she shrugged and grabbed the bottle. The other three watched in amazement as she poured most of the pristine oil back into the bottle.
"Waste not, want not." Was her explanation.
A few minutes later they were sat down to eat. Hermione had just put the grill back after serving three rashers to each of them, making sure to give Harry the largest three over his protests. For a couple of minutes the only sounds were the clinking of metal cutlery on china as the four ate almost ravenously.
Once her plate was almost clear Susan looked up at her bushy-haired friend. "So... what are we going to do today?" She asked as she reached for her orange juice.
"Let me guess." Harry cut in. "Homework?"
Hermione blushed as she pushed the last piece of hash-brown around her plate. "Not right away, or all at once..." She looked up at them. "But wouldn't be nice to get it all out of the way quickly?" Both Susan and Daphne nodded, while Harry simply shrugged.
By the time lunch came round they had all nearly finished their Transfiguration work, even Harry, although his was the shortest. Emma Granger had returned home to join them; it fell to Hermione to explain the subtle differences between their jobs. As Harry finished off the last bit of his essay the three witches assisted Emma in making sandwiches for everyone. Soon they were sat out back on the patio in the sun.
Emma looked over at her daughter, a small smile on her lips. "Homework already dear?"
Hermione just looked calmly back. "If we get it out of the way first, we can focus on more important things."
"Such as?" Emma asked, the lightly teasing note gone from her voice.
Hermione visibly took a deep breath. "Training and researching. There is so much we need to know it's not funny."
Emma's eyes drifted over to Harry, who had slumped in his chair a little. Hermione caught her action.
"Yes, it has to do with Harry... and before you say anything Harry..." She whirled round to look at him, freezing him with his mouth open. "...understand this: despite what happened to me last time, I will not be pushed away. None of us will. At the very least, you'll need us to keep the Death Eaters off your back while you deal with Voldermort."
Harry looked between the four of them nervously. The three young women all looked at him firmly. Under that combined look, Harry relented and nodded.
"Now..." Hermione turned back to her mother, her tone light and easy. "Despite that, we can still take the time to relax and enjoy ourselves. Act our ages, have some fun." She smiled towards Harry, who brightened up.
Emma Granger too smiled, pleased that her reclusive, bookworm daughter was willing to get out of the house and interact with others. For years now she'd drawn deeper and deeper into her books, staying inside and not mingling with other kids her age. Part of the reason she and Nathan had agreed for her to go to Hogwarts was the hope that she'd come out of her shell, interact more. The first few letters had not shown that happening though.
Then Harry Potter had come into her life, and her darling daughter had begun to emerge. For that alone Emma was forever in Harry's debt.
DR: The next few chapters will be... slow. Got to bring Susan and Daphne up to speed on everything that the core two have been through. Plus the obligatory Shopping Trip, Gringotts Visit and other stuff. An awful lot's going to happen in the next two-three weeks for them (I actually have an excel spreadsheet with a calendar and events written in! July '06 is getting... cramped) The next update will be in a fortnight's time, December 25th. That's when my portrail of Dumbledork, and why he's not already in Azkaban, will be explained... I hope.