As I did not write the Harry Potter series 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 7 Christmas in Paris part 1
Feeling like she was escaping from some horrible institution instead of heading home on Winter Solstice or Christmas break, depending on your preference, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Hermione Granger sat holding her boyfriend, Harry Potter's, hand all the way from Hogsmeade to Kings Cross station doing her best to put the previous three months 19 days behind her, at least for the next three weeks.
In the library when she'd go to research what she could do about Harry's godfather she found all the law books that had been so helpful researching the Hippogriff Buckbeak's defense in her third year were now missing. When she'd asked Madam Prince, a blank look appeared on the Librarian's face as she said, "All the required reference books are here." That blank look had been enough to stop any further questions from Hermione while sending a creepy feeling racing up her spine.
In November She'd experienced a bit of apprehension when that Bitch from Ravenclaw came flashing her tata's at Harry looking for a Cedric replacement. After Harry had brushed her off and sent her on her way, Hermione had cornered her in a girl's bathroom and convinced the Bitch that Hermione's claim on Harry was not to be messed with. Word had spread quickly through the girl's network and by noon the next day the entire female population was aware of Hermione's retaliation. This led to a confrontation with the two youngest Weasleys; Ginny accusing her of stealing Harry from her while her brother Ron stood by supporting her. The confrontation didn't end well with Hermione's shield spell reflecting Ginny's bat boggy hex back to Ron then a second girl received Hermione's special retaliation. Her claim on Harry was never challenged again. No other girl wanted to risk a month long visit of their Aunt Rose over a boy especially when the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, couldn't or wouldn't cure the problem.
A knock at their cabin door drew Harry's attention. His short squeeze of Hermione's hand brought her out of her memories to hear Luna say, "Harry, Hermione I just wanted to say it's been nice being with you and I hope you have a good time. Hopefully I'll see you back at Hogwarts."
Harry spoke for the two of them saying, "I'm sorry Luna I didn't know you were leaving school otherwise we'd had a party."
"Oh, I'm coming back silly. There are things that still need to be done here," Luna Lovegood said turning and leaving.
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks as Harry shook his head saying, "Only Luna."
At Kings Cross station, Jane Granger looked at her husband Alan asking, "Is everything set?" as she waited for the tow youngsters to emerge from the wizarding platform.
"Yes, these backpacks contain a set of their regular clothes and Mr. Limbu has the Rolls ready to take us to Waterloo station. The three miles through London traffic should give us enough time for any pressing conversations," Alan replied talking softly to prevent to being overheard.
Exiting the train Hermione kept a hold of Harry's hand until they passed through the barrier and she spotted her folks. Dropping his hand she sprinted across the gap enveloping her mother in a hug one she held until Harry had pushed a cart loaded with two trunks and two cages containing Hedwig and Crookshanks. "Thanks for letting me stay over the holidays," He said shaking Alan's hand.
"Oh, daddy!" Hermione exclaimed shifting from her mother to an equally intensive hug of her father.
"Rough time at school?" Jane asked opening her arms wordlessly inviting Harry to step into a hug.
"You could say that," Harry replied stepping into the hug.
Once the hugs were finished Alan said, "Here are your backpacks with a change of clothes. Take them and change in to your normal clothes, then we are out of here."
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks as they grabbed their respective packs and headed to the restrooms. Emerging Jane warned off any questions with the short phrase, "Later, ears" as she looked around while moving everyone out to where Mr. Limbu, the husband of Anna their housekeeper and all around handyman, waited at the curb behind the wheel of a Rolls Royce limousine. He popped open the boot and the two teens took note of the other luggage in there as they helped each other load their school trunks into it including their pet carriers at Jane's motioning. "It will be crowed enough in the back seat. Mr. Limbu will take your school trunks and pets back home where he and Anna will take care of them."
"What's up?" Hermione asked looking at her mother.
"We've decided to take a short vacation with you two before the holidays." Jane replied giving her daughter a look that conveyed the message 'go with it. I'll tell you all about it later.'
Harry was looking on, Hermione's question had preempted his. Seeing her nod agreement to her mother he figured he'd be told when it was needed.
"Any problems Mr. Limbu? Alan asked.
"Not a one the Bobbies see a Rolls like this one here and they become far more tolerant, He said then drove the three miles to Waterloo International Station on the other side of the Thames.
"Wow," Harry exclaimed looking over the station's façade while exiting the estate wagon.
"Yes, but inside it's all modern just like the trains." Hermione quipped as Harry started to carry his only to stop and mutter in surprise when once past the curb Hermione pulled out a handle and started walking, her suitcase rolling along behind her. Checking his he found a handle. Grinning he followed her example thinking the wheels would be a good addition to a Hogwarts trunk especially for the firsties.
Once everyone was settled into a private cabin on board the Eurostar Harry looked at Hermione then at her parents saying, "I'm worried about the danger you might be in by having me spend the holidays with you not to mention the problems it might cause you with Dumbledore." Harry replied.
Alan Granger looked at the boy, no he quickly realized with everything Harry had been through this was actually a young man facing him then said, "Harry we tilled this field last summer before school know this even if the worst happens Jane and I still support you and Hermione. All that will happen is my brother will take control of the family finances a little earlier than he expected."
"Dad tell him about Dumbledore." Hermione said knowing her father had left that part out.
Alan nodded then looked at Harry saying, "It's a little more involved than I told you about last summer. Dumbledore has been forbidden to come to our home or to contact either Jane or I so he should not be a problem."
Harry's jaw slowly opened as he realized that Mr. Granger was serious. "Harry close your mouth." Hermione said a smile in her voice.
"Dumbledore can't visit you?"
"Not unless he wants to run into legal problems." Alan said firmly.
"How, who…" Harry sputtered in confusion as he realized that someone had the ability to prevent Dumbledore from doing something.
Hermione spoke before her father had a chance, "When I received my Hogwarts letter I initially declined and Dumbledore came to talk my folks into letting me attend. He was rather heavy handed about it."
"Sounds like him." Harry replied.
"I contacted my Barrister and he was a little better connected than Dumbledore thought. He contacted an associate known for handling unusual cases. Turns out that individual practiced in both worlds and filed papers with your ministry to prevent his contacting us."
Harry looked at Hermione wondering just why she had attended Hogwarts then if Dumbledore had caused such problems. As if she was reading his mind Hermione added, "Professor McGonagall requested permission to visit through dad's Barrister and was able to convince my parents attending Hogwarts would be a good idea. If it hadn't been for her we'd never met."
"Remind me to thank her when we get back to school." Harry said.
Hermione decided a change of topic was in order. "Why are we headed to Paris?"
"We are meeting a friend there." Jane said trying hard to keep a smirk off her face.
"Do I know this friend?" Hermione asked wondering just what was going on.
Alan interrupted, "We just passed into France and we are under the channel."
Jane nodded then in a firm tone said, "Hermione pull out your wand and check us and all our bags for tracking charms."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up as did Harry's but Hermione did as her mother requested praying her father was right and no warning was coming her way. A few minutes later she finished with everyone and their bags saying, "We're clean now," looking at her mother. Who nodded towards her father.
"We have been invited to spend a few days in Paris visiting Mr. Paddy Evans," Hermione looked at Harry watching as he broke out in a big smile. Her mother was going to get a big thank you for this.
The train pulled in to Paris at platform 4 Gare du Nord where they found Paddy Evans aka Sirius Black waiting for them. "Welcome to Paris everyone." Sirius said getting a big hug from Harry followed by a similar hug from Hermione.
Jane walked up with her husband saying, "Mr. Evans I'd like to introduce my husband Alan Granger."
Paddy held out his hand that Alan shook with a firm grip saying, "Mr. Evans it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I would like to thank you for the hospitality you showed my family last summer."
"It is Paddy and believe me it was my pleasure. Their visit did wonders for my godson here."
"I'm Alan, and it wasn't only him that benefited from that visit," Alan said smirking at Hermione.
Grabbing the two teens Paddy called out, "Let's be off. I've reserved a couple of rooms at a local hotel for everyone."
A short cab ride later the Grangers were settling into the Pissarro Suite in the Hotel du Louvre. "This is fantastic," Jane exclaimed alternating between looking at the paintings by Pissarro on the walls and the view of Paris out the six floor to ceiling windows. "I fell in love with his "The Avenue, Sydenham" and make it a point to go see his other works when I can. He's considered the Father of Impressionism. I even have a painting by his great-granddaughter Lélia." Jane blubbered in happiness.
"Glad you like it. Tomorrow evening we have reservations at Les Ambassadeurs just down the street. I thought about booking your rooms in that hotel but Jane mentioned she loved Impressionism when we were talking on the island. Combine that with the quality of these rooms… it was an easy choice." Paddy said smiling.
"Paddy how are you walking around Paris? Aren't you afraid of being arrested and set back to England?" Hermione interrupted unable to hold her questions in any longer
"Hermione!" Jane Granger said sharply upset at her daughter's lack of decorum.
Paddy shook his head saying, "No those questions needed to be asked and answered. The Hotel manager on my island made inquiries on my behalf and after getting assurances I would not be returned to England under any conditions. He made the arrangements for me to turn myself over to the French authorities shortly after you returned to England. I was interviewed under their version of truth drugs. I was able to prove my innocence to their ministry's satisfaction. They provided me with the proper paperwork allowing Paddy Evans to travel anywhere in the world except England. The goblins had already allowed me access to my funds once they were sure Paddy was Sirius."
"But why wouldn't they turn you over to the English if they'd found you guilty?" Hermione asked.
Paddy actually smiled, "It seems the French consider Azkaban, with it's dementor guards, inhuman punishment. Their laws will not allow them to extradite anyone to a country that will administer such punishment."
"Oh," Hermione replied while her mother and father nodded in understanding.
"I hope everyone doesn't mind but it's getting late," Paddy said rising.
"What about these two?" Alan asked motioning towards Harry and Hermione.
"I've reserved two Junior Suites for them. That is assuming they will be sleeping separately," Paddy answered with a wink.
Jane nodded before saying, "Speaking of sleeping, it's been a long day you two had the ride from Hogwarts then from London to here. Let's settle in for the night then tomorrow we'll start fresh."
"Good idea Jane. Harry and I have something special we need to do tomorrow the 21st at noon you all are invited by the way. After that it would be best to set aside some time for shopping. I need to get some proper clothes for dinner and I suspect Harry does also," Paddy said.
Harry and Hermione followed Paddy out going to their junior suites. Paddy followed Harry into his saying, "Tomorrow we are going to Gringotts in Paris. You will be able to get some money there so don't worry about having enough to go shopping tomorrow afternoon."
Harry couldn't hold his curiosity any longer, "What are we doing tomorrow at noon?"
Paddy looked thoughtful for a few moments before saying, "I guess I should ask if you want it before we go through all the trouble. Harry I would like to adopt you and make you my heir."
Harry fell stunned into one of the chairs,. Adopted? Heir? He wasn't sure how he actually felt about that. After a minute's reflection that made Sirius quite nervous Harry asked, "So would that make me Harry Black or what?"
Glad Harry hadn't rejected the idea outright he said, "You could stay Harry Potter for school but I believe that officially you would be known as Harry James Potter-Black or Black-Potter but I think the first flows better. We'll check it with Hermione if you want before we make it official."
"What about any kids you might have?" Harry asked.
Sirius shook his head at that question. "I don't know if it was what they fed me while I was locked up or just from being around dementors that long. All I know for sure is, after checking with the best specialists in both worlds, I will have no little Padfoots running around."
"Oh I'm so sorry." Harry said looking up at his godfather feeling bad for him.
Sirius shook his head as he took the other seat saying, "Don't worry almost everything has started to work again. There's just no baby juice there. That's why I suspect they used potions on me. Makes sense too."
Now Harry was confused, "Why does it make sense?"
"Harry under the rules the Black family's assets would go to the next living male even if the line passes through the female branches of the family. Regulus died without fathering any children, Andromeda was cast out of the family. It wouldn't make a difference if I brought her back in she only had Nymphadora. Bellatrix has no children and won't have unless someone other than her husband does the deed seeing as how he lost his family jewels in a fight with your father. That leaves…."
"Draco," Harry said venom practically dripping from the name.
An instant later Harry's face revealed there was a question he never wanted to ask but was intensely curious about the answer. "Ask it Harry. I won't be offended. If it is what I think it is you need to know the answer."
Harry looked at his godfather before asking, "So if Draco would inherit the Black family assets if something happened to you why didn't they just kill you?"
Sirius nodded replying, "That's what I thought you were wondering about. It has to do with the Black family magic. There is a family rule that states if you or anyone you influence off the head of the family or his designated heir you are kicked out."
"But no one would know."
"Ah there is the heart of the matter. All the Black family rules are tied into our family magic. It wouldn't go to a court. So even if you mentioned that you couldn't pay a debt until you inherited and that person killed the head of the Black family. Magic would see that as you killing the head of house and exact the required retribution."
"So no one acting on Draco's behalf could cause your death."
"What about what they did to you?" Harry asked a bit confused.
Sirius nodded saying, "There's the loophole. They didn't kill me nor did they technically kill my kid. I just can't have one. So magic doesn't see that as killing the heir. Right now I suspect Lucky Lucius is already counting the Black fortune. My doing this will really tick the little boot licker and his son off so if you don't want to… Well I'll understand."
"Okay I'll do it." Harry replied before asking, "Paddy I was planning on giving Hermione a promise ring either tomorrow or on Christmas. What do you think?"
It was Sirius's turn to be silent for a minute. "There are several parts to your question. First are you a wizard giving a witch a promise ring or a muggle boy giving a muggle girl one?"
"What's the difference? I mean Neville hinted there was one but he wasn't clear as he doesn't know muggles that well."
Sirius understood the confusion it wasn't until Lily had he and James explain it during their fifth year the she understood then Lily explained the muggle version to them. "A muggle would do it on Christmas or Valentine's Day and the meaning would vary depending on the two families involved. Normally it would be between teens unable to become engaged and interpreted as a commitment to be monogamous and imply the boy intends to offer an engagement ring when he is able. A Wizard would do it on the Solstice, as that is the more important day to us. Not that we don't honor the Christian beliefs but a few of them did try to burn us at the stake. The meaning is also different in the wizarding world. Formal Courtship requires both families approval and you risk being disowned, you exchange promise rings and agree to be monogamous as you get to know each other. Your mother said it was like going steady in the muggle world. When you get engaged you exchange rings again, this time they are normally far more ornate and make magical vows to keep any family knowledge learned private, you then learn each other 's family history. Actually this is normally the wife learning the husband's but occasionally it goes the other way particularly if she is keep her family name alive taking another part of your question just how old is Hermione?"
"She is sixteen her birthday is September 19th," Harry replied confused at the direction his godfather was taking.
"I suspect she is aware of this being the smart witch she is but you should know by tradition a witch should refuse a promise ring after she turns sixteen."
"What, why is that?"
"Harry you're thinking like a muggle again. A sixteen year old witch is entering prime marrying age. A serious suitor would be proposing marriage. If you offer her a promise ring you are insinuating she is not mature enough to make proper decisions. Now if she was fifteen or even a bit younger then a promise ring would be appropriate. The magical world sees a promise ring as a formal pre-engagement. When the witch turns sixteen the suitor would be expected to propose marriage. Should either party not feel this marriage is suitable their families would negotiate a settlement taking into account a number of issues," Sirius said not feeling the need to mention some of his classmates were probably wearing promise rings under a glamour when they arrived at Hogwarts.
"So I might just as well ask her to marry me?" Harry asked looking at his godfather.
"Yes, but as you are not sixteen yourself you can't do that just yet. I could give you permission of course but I would prefer to let tomorrow's events at Gringotts play out then make a decision."
"I've already made my decision."
Sirius shook his head saying, "Not that one. After I make you my heir and all the repercussions of that come about then decide. You might be in a position to offer her an engagement ring without my permission."
Harry looked stunned and it took a moment before he replied, "I'm only fifteen how can I become an adult?"
"Magic is funny and occasionally unpredictable about things like that. All I'm saying is there exists a slight change your status might change tomorrow. I'll tell you what let's go talk with Hermione's parents for a bit you can ask for their daughter's hand and I'll inform them of the differences between muggle and magical promise rings."
"Thanks, Sirius." Harry said a smile gracing his face.
Harry pulled the box containing the promise ring with its Celtic knot and heart he'd bought during their last Hogsmeade visit out of the pile of sox he'd hidden it in when he'd switched luggage deciding against using it. After the talk with his godfather he knew this wasn't the ring he'd be offering Hermione.
"Just a moment." Alan called out when he heard a knock at the door to their suite. Opening it he saw Harry standing there looking a little green around the gills with his godfather beside him.
Harry took a deep breath when the door opened asking, "Can we come in for a moment. I have a question for you and Mrs. Granger and my Godfather is here to help with the explanation."
"It's Jane, Harry. Is everything alright?" She asked emerging from the bedroom a robe wrapped around her.
"Yes actually I came up here to ask…" Harry started then stopped trying to gather himself before continuing, "To ask your permission to give Hermione an engagement ring," He asked doing his best to look both of them in the eyes as he asked.
"When did you plan on asking her?" Jane asked doing her best to keep a neutral tone as she watched both Alan and Sirius out of the corner of her eyes.
"Sometime after we visit Gringotts." Harry replied watching as Jane and Alan carried on a conversation consisting of shoulder, head, and facial movements indecipherable to a teenager who didn't know them well.
Sirius took this silence to speak up, "There are a few things you should be aware of. Harry originally wanted to offer Hermione a Promise Ring. I had to inform him at her age that wasn't done in the magical world." Sirius then proceeded to tell the Granger's everything he'd told Harry about the differences and why Harry was waiting until after Gringotts meeting to ask Hermione.
"We'll just be a few moments." Alan said escorting his wife back to the bedroom for a private discussion.
Once they were alone Alan asked, "Will she say yes?" knowing his own opinion was his daughter probably would but wanting his wife's view point on this.
Jane looked at her husband wondering just how clueless he really was. Hadn't he read the same letters from school this year she had. She could understand him not catching the nuances involved in the interactions she'd witnessed since they'd picked up the two of them in London, Hermione constantly checking where Harry was and if he needed help while he was doing the same thing to her, but surely he remembered them dancing last summer before they'd returned to school. The main point she'd planned on making with her daughter over this visit was to insure she knew and was taking the precautions necessary to prevent pregnancy. Giving up she gathered her composure before saying, "Alan if he asked her to marry him tonight before midnight she'd look at us asking if we were coming to her wedding. There is no chance our daughter will turn done that boy."
"I don't like the idea of our sixteen year old daughter being engaged. It sounds very final in the magical world."
"That is her world now. All we can do is trust our daughter and hope she comes home occasionally." Jane said hugging her husband tears appearing in the corner of her eyes.
After giving his wife a moment to clean up they returned to the sitting room where Alan looked at his wife. Finally Jane nodded and Alan said, "You have our permission to ask Hermione. We will leave the final decision up to her."
"Thank you!" Harry said giving Jane a hug and shaking Alan's hand before turning and leaving the room on an emotional high leaving them alone with their thoughts about what was going to happen tomorrow.