As I am NOT the original author, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 3
Morning brought Harry and Sirius to the Granger suite where they joined them for breakfast. "We've got to stop eating room service. It is far too expensive," Jane commented.
"They presented you with a bill?" Sirius asked a touch of something in his voice.
"No I just know it's going to be on the room charges when we check out," Jane said.
"There will be not charges of any type. You are my guests and if the hotel presents you with any type of bill I will be most upset," Sirius stated.
"But…" Jane started to protest only to be interrupted by Sirius.
"You are my guests. End of discussion."
Realizing that was the same tone of voice her husband used when he was finished discussing something Jane gave in saying, "Thank you. But if you are ever able to visit us you must allow us repay you in kind."
"We will discuss it then," Sirius replied ending the discussion.
Everyone was leaving the hotel but somehow Hermione got ahead of the group accidentally walking by a group of very loud young men. One of whom reached over and groped her.
Hermione spun slapping the young punk's face hard leaving a red handprint behind.
"Hey bitch, what did you do that for?" the punk asked.
"Are you that stupid," Hermione replied.
Sirius and Jane saw the confrontation and started to approach only to see Harry was suddenly in the middle of it.
"Are you all right Heidi?" Harry asked looking at Hermione.
"Yes H…James just a little shaken up."
"You should teach that bitch some manners," The punk said playing up to the group he was with.
Harry just took Hermione's hand and started to walk away when the punk grabbed Harry's arm spinning him around saying, "I was speaking to you asshole."
Harry looked at the hand then up at the punk saying, "Release me."
"Or what? I guess I should teach you some manners then teach your bitch."
"James," Hermione cautioned in a nervous tone.
"See the bitch is all ready worried you'll be hurt," The punk added.
"Go see Paddy," Harry said looking at Hermione then turned to the punk saying, "Actually she was worried about you."
The fist flying towards Harry was the Punk's reply. Watching the confrontation in case he had to step in Sirius suddenly growled, "Oh Shit!"
Harry glowed very slightly as he blocked the punch with his left then using a trick he'd picked up from his cousin he threw a right cross towards the punk's temple dropping him like a rock.
Seeing one of their own on the beach out cold with one punch the rest of the group circled Harry intending to rough him up. A few punches later none of which landed on Harry there were three individuals laid out on the ground two out cold and one curled up holding his leg while the rest of the Punk's posse milled around doing their best to look menacing while trying to figure what to do with their leaders out of action as hotel security approached.
"He attacked us," One of the group still standing yelled pointing to Harry.
"Gentlemen perhaps you should listen to this young lady," Sirius said approaching the security guards while motioning to Hermione.
After talking with Hermione they looked towards Sirius who said, "Noon if possible."
The head security guard nodded before the others rounded up the group insuring they helped up their four friends then herded towards the hotel. All the guests on the beach heard the head guard saying, "There is a noon boat off the island you will be on it."
While they were being escorted off Hermione ran to Harry checking him over then wrapping her arms around him saying, "Thank you I was starting to get scared."
"Hey compared to Draco and his bookends those guys were nothing."
"Still…" Hermione said before kissing Harry on the lips.
A minute later when Hermione released his lips Harry smiled and kissed her back. "Hey come on you two we've got places to go," Sirius said causing them to end the kissing and start walking towards the cabin.
Harry and Hermione were relaxing in front of the cabin stretched out on a blanket while Jane and Sirius where inside making lunch when Jane asked, "Sirius what caused the reaction from you at the hotel earlier?"
Sirius knew if there was one other person who needed to understand what happened a short time ago it was Mrs. Granger. "Have you ever wanted something to show but also feared its arrival?"
"Do you mean something like your daughter's puberty?"
"I'm not sure I've never had a daughter but I imagine it's something similar. Anyway what you saw this morning was Harry tapping into his magical core."
"But doesn't he do that all the time. I thought Hermione told us that was what she was doing with her wand," Jane said frowning.
"When Harry uses a wand that is true but this time he wasn't using his wand when he tapped into his magical core to protect Hermione," Seeing the light of understanding starting to enter her eyes he continued, "When that punk grabbed Hermione and she slapped his face Harry was willing to let her handle it knowing she would object if he interfered. Then the punk did the wrong thing. Harry moved so fast I couldn't follow him and I was watching to see what he'd do. He got between Hermione and the punk blocking the punk's swing with his left then laid him out with a right that caved in the entire side of that punk's face. His friends then started for Harry who dropped into a perfect fighting stance. I don't know where he learned it but when the first friend tried to kick him and Harry caught the foot then smashed the knee with one blow to the side of it leaving the friend with a leg bent forty five degrees to the side when his next punch dropped their biggest guy cold it took the fight out of the rest."
"And when you mentioned anything to hotel security they followed your orders."
"I might have a little influence there," Sirius admitted.
Jane nodded then said, "Go call the kids lunch is ready."
After two glorious days of sun the following day dawned dreary with a small squall predicted for the morning hours. Harry and Sirius dressed in t-shirts and shorts made their way to the hotel before the rain started joining the Grangers in their suite. Jane and Sirius sat in the living room enjoying the comforts of modern living. "This seems like a good time for that discussion you alluded to earlier," Jane said prompting Sirius.
"The short version is properly motivated some magicals can absorb a lot of knowledge quickly and as I've verified this summer with the right nutrition, motivation, and exercise accomplish astonishing gains in fitness.
"Now I can agree with the knowledge portion. Hermione has always been a quick study. Every year they wanted to advance her an extra grade or one on occasion even two grades but Alan and I have always refused hoping by staying with her classmates friendships would form. Of course that proved to be a vain hope." Jane confessed.
"It must have been difficult. However now that she's here and with your approval, I can give Hermione a few hints on how to help Harry at school." Seeing the look he was getting Sirius quickly added, "Not those motivational tactics," mentally appending 'Shell figure those out on her own.'
"No what I mean is just a few things I picked up from James and I explaining magical concepts to our friends. Not that Remus needed much help," Sirius finished in almost a whisper.
"Okay I'll agree as long as it only involves studying or fitness. But how are you going to tell her without telling Harry?"
"That' is going to be the hard part." Sirius admitted. Meanwhile the two teens had adjourned to Hermione's room leaving the door open. Harry was laying on the bed with Hermione who was wearing a short crop top and shorts. They were talking and Harry had his arm draped over allowing him to pull her closer when they were exchanging kisses. When she took his hand sliding it down to her rear. He smiled and gave it a squeeze prompting Hermione to kiss him yet again. The sound of someone clearing their throat had them rolling apart onto their backs so they could look at the open door where both Sirius and Hermione's mom stood with smiles on their faces. "We thought you two might like to go down and eat lunch in the hotel's restaurant," Sirius said a slight smirk on his face.
"You two will need to keep your hands in acceptable places," Jane said after the elevator door shut.
"Mother where James had his hand was perfectly acceptable to me. In fact I put it there," Hermione said when she saw a smirk on he mother's face.
Jane's face flushed at her daughter's comment before replying, "You both know what I meant."
"Yes we did but James is my boyfriend and I expect him to have his hands where others would not be allowed," Hermione said firmly.
"I believe we both understand that," Sirius said smiling at the young witch.
Harry was looking back and forth between everyone as he realized neither of the adults had a problem with what they were doing. They just wanted them to realize that different levels of what was appropriate existed depending on where they were and who they were with.
They entered the small dining space and were surprised to see it was nearly full with lunchtime patrons. As the foursome followed the hostess to an open table overlooking the bay Harry noticed several tables were looking in their direction and nodding towards him. "What's going on?" he whispered to Hermione realizing this was far too much like walking into the Leaky Cauldron.
"I think you're being recognized because of yesterday," She replied.
They'd just sat down when a man from a nearby table stood and approached them. As Sirius shifted to protect them the man in a normal speaking voice said, "Forgive me for interrupting your meal but I want all of you to know my family and I appreciate what you did yesterday. That group of individuals was making our vacation unpleasant. Having to check where they were before allowing my wife and daughters to go to the beach or even exit the room was not enjoyable Thank you both."
"James was just protecting his girlfriend. I'm sure if the circumstances had been forced on you as they were on him you would have done the same," Sirius said speaking for everyone.
"You don't know who your son beat up do you."
"A punk who was picking on his girlfriend let's leave it at that," Sirius said shrugging.
"All right by me, thanks again young man," The man said before returning to his seat. As Harry glanced around the room he could see the parents at nearby tables nodding their thanks also.
Lunch passed without any more interruptions the Ladies had salads while Harry and Sirius put away specially seasoned ham and cheese sandwiches with fresh pineapple on dried tomato bread. Causing Harry to comment, "I've never had anything like that before."
"You've never had a ham and cheese sandwich?"
"Actually no, I've had moldy ham sandwiches and dried out cheese sandwiches but nothing that tasted anything like this," Harry replied looking Hermione in the eyes.
Hermione didn't say anything just looked depressed for a moment. When she noticed Harry's attention was elsewhere she looked at Sirius who caught her eye and nodded. She knew that nod meant Sirius was going to deal with the Dursleys later.
Mrs. Granger observed it all filing it away to tell her husband. The more she got to know Harry the more she respected him but her worry also increased when she thought about all the problems he had growing up had to manifest themselves sooner or later. And Her daughter intended to be around him for a long time if the discussion on the flight down had been any indication.
Back in the room Hermione led Harry back to her room as her mother called out, "The door stays fully open."
"Mother!"
"Hermione she just wants to keep you safe," Harry said trying to make peace.
"She should know that I will always be safe with you," Hermione said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Splash!" reached Harry's ears just as his body was telling him he was suddenly cold and wet. Leaping out of bed he turned to the door where Sirius was standing a big smile on his face, "Happy Birthday Harry! Now get dressed we've got some exercising to do."
"Sirius you no good son of a #$#$ #^$%^ 4$%^$^ &&**&!" Harry yelled.
"Hey I tried to wake you up twice and all you kept saying was Hermione's name. I figured if I wanted you up it required drastic action."
Once they were out on the beach Harry said, "Sorry I called you those names."
"I think that was a very kind description of my mother. I am normally much more harsh."
"Well you've got to cast a drying charm when we get back I don't think that bed will ever dry otherwise."
"I'll leave it like that and you can tell Heidi you don't have anyplace to sleep. I'm sure she has someplace you could bunk," Sirius replied.
"The sofa doesn't look that comfortable in their suite."
"It doesn't but I bet she'll be thinking more along the lines of the other half of her bed," Sirius countered laughing uproariously when Harry turned beet red in embarrassment. "Don't ever change Pup. You know I love you," Sirius added when he caught his breath.
"Glad I could be a source of amusement," Harry replied before drying off and getting dressed for the day before following Sirius out the door heading to the Hotel.
When Harry looked at the sofa as they went entered the suite he started to turn red causing Sirius to start chuckling.
"What's up?" Jane asked.
"N… Nothing," Harry said trying to avoid blushing more.
Jane turned to face Sirius who said, "Harry might have had a shocking wake up call this morning."
"What did you do?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing," Sirius said then as Harry glared at him he added, "Harry might have had a few drops of water hit him while he was sleeping."
"A few drops? Try having a hundred gallons of cold water dropped on you and see how you react," Harry countered.
"Which was it?" Jane Granger asked.
"I might have conjured a block of ice water the size of his bed and a foot thick over his bed and lost control of it," Sirius admitted a big grin on his face.
"Paddy how could you and on his birthday!" Hermione cried out as she entered the room wearing her gold thong suit.
"He wasn't getting up kept muttering something all three times I tried to wake him," Sirius replied earning a warning glare from Harry that he'd said far too much all ready.
"Do I want to know what you were muttering?" she asked looking at Harry who turned beet red and shuffled his feet. If Hermione had looked over to her mother she'd have seen Sirius whispering in her ear causing her mother to cover her mouth to hide the smile that was breaking out.
"So what's the plan for today? Anything special on tap?" Jane Granger asked looking at Sirius.
"Now that would be telling. I can let you know there is nothing planned for the rest of the morning other than swimming and relaxing on the beach in front of our cabin."
"Anyone else expected?" Hermione asked she didn't mind Harry seeing her dressed like this but Ron or most of the other boys from Hogwarts was a totally different story.
"I can answer that one. No it will just be the four of us. As has been said the one's Harry really trusts are here," Sirius said before waiving off any more questions and following the others out.
Jane Granger had fallen back from her daughter and Harry allowing them to get far enough ahead that she wasn't worried about being overheard when she asked Sirius, "Are things going according to your plan?"
"Don't know what you're talking about," Sirius said trying to bluff.
"You did not fool me Paddy. You invited us down here with an ulterior motive. At first I thought it was to get those two together, but then I met the boy and after a few hours I decided it was to give him some companionship and my daughter was the best one being… what did she say we were…."
"A muggle?"
"Yes that is it. Something about the other boy sticking out like a sore thumb."
"He would at that," Sirius agreed with her assessment.
"I think I was right the first time. You are looking for a wife for your godson."
"You came close. The second reason was the real reason you were invited here. However you should know that if you were wizards I would be discussing a marriage contract right now."
"Why are you not? Is my muggle daughter not good enough for your godson?" Jane Granger asked her temper starting to flare.
"Good grief it's not that at all! Lily, Harry's mother, told me that thinks like that just were not done in her world," Sirius said hoping to avoid having to deal with a mother who felt her daughter was being slighted.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
"All right what would you say if I had approached you two days ago asking that you consider entering into a binding marriage contract between our two families for James and Jane? A contract we would announce today."
"I would have told you the same thing I'd tell anyone. No way is anyone but Jane picking her future husband," Jane announced with a determined voice.
"And that's the difference. If I approached a wizarding mother with that proposal she would have informed me that she needed to discuss it with her husband and one of them would get back to me. Then they would talk it out between the two of them. Oh in the majority of cases they would try to find out how the girl in question felt, but it is not be required. Now a day's I would most likely be informed that they would agree to a non-binding contract laying out the dowry and other items should the two decide to wed," Sirius explained.
"When would you tell Harry?"
"Once I had the contract in hand."
"He doesn't get a say in this?" Jane asked shocked.
"He has had his say."
"When?"
"Every night and every morning the woman in his dreams has a name and it is your daughter. Hers is the only name that escapes my godson's lips when he is asleep."
"Oh," Jane said going silent as her mind processed all this new information. For if this information exchange was going the other way there was only one name that her daughter muttered and it was this boy's.
They walked the rest of way in silence Jane taking her customary seat on the cabin's porch, watching the subjects of their discussion playing in the water and relaxing on the sand. Finally she turned to Sirius asking, "Paddy when do you plan on sending James back?"
"I was thinking August 29th. It would give him a day to get his school robes and stuff before having to board the train," Sirius replied fighting the urge to ask, 'What are you thinking.'
"Would you be willing to send him a little earlier?"
"How much earlier are we talking?"
Jane consulted the calendar she pulled from her purse before replying, "At least a week possible more like ten days."
"What do you have in mind?"
"There is a fancy hospital dance that we attend every year. This year it is on August 28th and I was thinking Jane and James might like to attend. She didn't get to dance with him at the ball they had at school and I suspect it might further your goals if they attended," Jane said with a smile.
"Why not have him arrive on the 27th?"
"This is a formal dance. He needs to be fitted for a tux and doing that properly will take a few days. Not to mention his need for at least a day of haircuts, nail care, and such."
"If you get him to agree I'm willing. Heck I'll even foot the bill for him. What about your daughter?"
"As you say if they agree she will start her preparations when we arrive back home. I figure at least three days hunting for a dress probably more. Then she will need to visit the beauty salon and well you just don't want to know the rest. I figure it will take at least two weeks for her to get ready."
"Glad I was never a girl."
"Oh it has its upside," Jane said with a smile.
"So how do we get them to agree? We've only got one day left before you have to leave."
"Leave that to me. I hinted about this to Hermione last night and she is quite willing. I think the winning point was that Harry would need to stay in the muggle world until picking up his school stuff on the 31st."
"You have a place in mind?" Sirius asked knowing this had all been worked out in advance.
"Two options actually. There is a hotel in town that he can stay at, Our relatives have used it over the years when they didn't want to inconvenience us or he could stay with us we do have a guest room that would be perfect. He would be close and Alan, my husband, could help him if he need any assistance getting into a tux."
"They are two fifteen year olds. Do you think that is safe?"
"Let me tell you a story," Jane said before launching a story about how her and Alan Granger fell in love at thirteen that took so long she had to finish it after lunch.
When she was done Sirius looked out at the ocean and the two teens playing in it for a while before saying, "You are right, it is a good idea just be upfront with James. He has been manipulated too often in his young life. I don't mean you have to tell him everything right now but let him know it will be all right before you allow anything to happen."
By noon the next day plans were in place for Harry to leave in the middle of August and spend the remainder of his summer with the Grangers.