As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, 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 16 Beginnings

Sunday morning at the Burrow there was a full-blown panic. "Headmaster what are you doing to find him! Harry has been missing since Friday night!" Molly Weasley was in the kitchen yelling at Dumbledore through the floo.

"Molly we sent owls out yesterday morning to the various friends Harry could be staying with. The only one's that have replied are Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. It was only ten minutes ago that the owls addressed to Harry and Hermione Granger returned without delivering their letters. Give us a chance to decide on the best course of action." Headmaster Dumbledore said trying to calm the upset witch.

"You decide what you want to do my mind is made up." Pulling her head out of the fireplace Molly turned to her husband saying, "Arthur go see if Hermione knows anything about Harry's whereabouts."

Seeing him look at the fireplace she added, "Don't you dare tell me you're not going Arthur Weasley. I'd go myself but you are the only one that the Granger's allow to have contact with them." Molly said her hands on her hips feet apart as she stared at her husband who with a shrug of his shoulders apparated to near the Granger residence. Walking up the road stopped and knocked at the house next to a gravel road.

"May I help you?" a man asked holding the door slightly open.

Arthur said, "I'm sorry I was looking for Hermione Granger. My children go to school with her. I just wanted to ask Hermione if she had any information about a fellow classmate."

"We are house sitting while they are on vacation. They gave me a phone number if you feel it's important I can give them a call." The man replied.

Arthur looked closer at the man, there was something about the man that hinted all was not as it seemed moments later he shook it off saying, "I would appreciate that."

At the house Alan picked up a ringing phone then turned to Hermione asking, "Were you due to meet Mr. Weasley today for any reason?"

"No, I wasn't scheduled to go with them this year."

"Well he's at Limbu's house looking for you."

"He's looking for me. Dumbledore wants me back with my relatives," Harry said sadness in his voice.

Alan looked at his wife and daughter before replying, "That's not going to happen." Then to the phone he said. "Mr. Limbu would you please tell Mr. Weasley that my daughter is unaware of Mr. Potter's precise location. By the way from the looks I'm getting I suspect we might have some more unwelcome visitors tonight. Yes, that would be fine if it wouldn't be too much of a bother, Thank you Mr. Limbu."

"What can he do if wizards show up?" Harry asked.

"Mr. Limbu is not just our housekeeper's husband and our gardener, he is a dear family friend. He will not like me telling you this but some time look up Rambahadur Limbu, of the 10th Gurkha Rifles. You might be surprised at what you find out." Alan said earning a glare from his wife who promptly said, "You promised to keep that quiet."

"I don't want the two of them to make a mistake. They are old enough and know how to keep their mouths shut." Alan Granger said looking at the two students who promptly nodded their agreement.

"Why did Mr. Weasley go to their house?" Harry asked as they finished up breakfast.

"We really do not want anyone in the wizarding world to know about the manor so when he came to pick me up every summer we would greet him at their house. He thinks we live in that house by the road. Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both know the truth but have given their oaths to not tell anyone about it." Hermione said.

Harry tried to clean up the breakfast dishes before Mrs. Granger chased him and Mr. Granger out telling them to go to the club.

At the club Harry was quickly outfitted with shoes and a loaned set of golf clubs before Alan led him to the driving range. Two buckets of balls later Harry found himself putting on a practice green followed by lunch in the club's dining room. "Mr. Granger I can't thank you and Mrs. Granger enough. This has been the best two days I've spent outside of Hogwarts."

Alan knew Harry wasn't lying he was a firm believer in the statement "Truth Rings" and Harry's statement had rung loud and clear. "Your welcome. How do you feel about a round of real golf after we finish up this lunch?" He asked changing the topic.

"I can watch. I don't want to embarrass you."

"Nonsense you've done well driving and putting. I'm sure you will do well on the course." Alan countered.

At the manor Jane Granger was lying out in the sun with her daughter both working on their tans. "Now that it is just us girls is there any change on the Harry front?" Jane asked knowing Hermione had spent both nights since arriving with Harry."

"No we behaved at school. Now that we are in the modern world I'm hoping for some improvement." Hermione replied before going silent and letting her mother think about that for a few moments.

Harry and Alan stopped and picked up Chinese take away for dinner on the way home. "It is important to remember the little things like this Harry. Women are not just men with a different build. They are wonderfully unique creatures with their own ways of looking at things. It is amazing how being thoughtful eases the bumps in a relationship." Alan said subtlety coaching the young man. He was certain Harry's uncle may have instilled ideas of proper spousal behavior that would not insure a happy marriage. Alan had noticed his daughter's reactions around Harry and wanted her happy.

As they ate Chinese Alan said, "Harry's a natural, drives the ball good and reasonably long with just a little wildness."

"Yes but I can't putt at all." Harry countered with a laugh.

"No one can really. That's what separates us from the professionals." Alan replied.

Hermione sat listening to the two of them rehash the day they spent at the club. Her mother's words echoing in her ears, 'It is best for you and Harry if he and your father get along. Besides Harry could be the son your father never had,' 'And dad could be the father Harry's missing.' Hermione added in her mind as she watched the two of them.

Harry had just settled into bed for the night when he heard a phone ring. He slipped out into the hall to see Mr. Granger descending the stairs. "What's going on sir?" Harry asked as he approached Mr. Granger.

"Mr. Limbu has apprehended an individual trying to gain access to the Manor. I was on my way to meet him and try to identify the individual. Would you care to come along?"

Harry nodded following Alan out of the Manor on to the grounds to where a light had flashed for an instant when they exited the building. Arriving at the source of the light he was totally surprised to see Headmaster Dumbledore trussed up on the ground. He looked around trying to figure out how the strongest wizard in the world ended up tied to the point he couldn't move when he noticed a small bag no more that 10 cm square on the manicured lawn near the Headmaster.

"This elderly gentleman is Hermione's headmaster." Alan said to Mr. Limbu after examining the individual using the light from the moon before turning to Dumbledore and asking, "Headmaster do you recall the legal papers served on you by my Barrister?"

If he could have moved his head Dumbledore would have nodded but the only thing he could move was his eyes and those quickly went to the ground.

"I see you do. Harry do you have a way of contacting your police force. I'm sure from what my daughter has told me he would escape from our constables rather quickly."

Dumbledore's eyes were looking at Harry pleading for him not to contact the ministry. Harry knew it wasn't a good idea given how Fudge and Dumbledore were getting along. "I wouldn't bother he would escape from them just as quickly."

"What should I do then? I do not want him bothering us again."

"He is just here to get me. If I go with him they won't bother you again." Harry offered.

"Do you want to leave?" Jane Granger asked from behind him.

Harry shook his head saying, "There is no way I want to leave this family." Just how he felt about everyone.

It was Hermione's voice that broke the silence saying, "Father, lf Professor Dumbledore promises on his magic to leave us alone we should be alright."

When Alan looked at him Harry added, "That would work I can't see him risking the loss of his magic over this."

"Do I have your word Headmaster?" Alan asked as Mr. Limbu eased the gag he'd placed on the Headmaster.

"On my magic I promise not to contact you Mr. and Mrs. Granger unless it concerns Hermione or Harry's schooling." Dumbledore replied when the gag was sufficiently loose.

"Keep that to a minimum and preferably any contacts will be sent by normal post." Alan said before motioning to Mr. Limbu to release the rest of Dumbledore's bonds. "By the way I will be contacting my Barrister tomorrow to inform him about this and bring him up to date in case he needs to deal with you or any of your friends that may decide to visit us."

Monday afternoon it was raining and the Doctors Granger were at work leaving Harry and Hermione alone in the Manor. They were relaxing in her room on the loveseat that overlooked the garden when Hermione stood and opened her normal bookcase on its' concealed hinges revealing the magical library hidden behind it.

"Wow, your own restricted section," Harry commented looking over.

"One of several interesting additions to my room the goblins made over the years."

"I don't recall noticing it last summer." Harry said a bit confused.

"Well our homework was done and there were other things keeping us busy," Hermione replied with a grin.

"So is there a copy of "Most Potent Potions" in there?"

"Yes actually there is, along with several others that Madam Pince has placed in the restricted section. I owl a want list to the goblins before I leave school each year, they are quite successful in filling it," Hermione replied continuing to look over her shelves.

"Anything in particular you wanted to read?" she asked without turning around.

'No this view has my total attention for a while.' Harry thought watching Hermione standing there in her normal around the house outfit of a skin tight strappy T-shirt that never seemed to extend completely to the tight shorts that emphasis her long legs both items featuring some football teams logo, today's being Newcastle United, her favorite team.

Not hearing a reply Hermione spun quickly to face Harry 'Oh, this outfit is working' she thought taking in the silly smile on Harry's face. "Like what you see?" she asked challenging him.

Harry surprised both of them when he looked her up and down before replying, "Very much."

Returning home a bit early Jane Granger stood in her daughter's bedroom door taking in the sight of her daughter seated in a boy's lap. Both participants had messed hair, bruised looking lips, and mussed but still intact clothing.

That evening during an Order of the Phoenix at a backroom of the Leaky Cauldron Dumbledore had leased and secured, the death eater raid having rendered 12 Grimmauld Place unsafe. Snape was looking at Dumbledore not believing his ears, "Yes, I agreed not to bother them or have anyone else bother them this summer." Dumbledore re-iterated for everyone at the meeting.

"I can't believe you just gave into them that easy Headmaster. The Dark Lord would be ecstatic knowing that brat was outside the protections you created for him." Snape said in a hard tone.

"Let us hope he doesn't find out then." Alastor Moody said both his eyes coming to rest on Snape.

"He will not hear about it from me but there are other sources." Snape said eyeing the Weasley family.

"Right like any of mine is going to go running whenever that thing calls." Molly Weasley said staring down the Hogwarts potions professor.

"It would do to show him the proper respect." Snape countered only to get a glare in response.

"We can't contact Harry at all? Not even for his birthday?" Molly asked obviously concerned about Harry ignoring Snape's comment.

"I believe your children can still respond to any owls they receive but any member of this order is prohibited from contacting either of them." Dumbledore said in a resigned voice.

"Well at least someone will have contact with them." Arthur Weasley said accepting the situation.

It took her until Wednesday evening but Jane Granger was finally able to corner her daughter without either her husband or Harry around. "So care to tell me how I happened to find you two sucking face like there was not tomorrow when I came home Monday?" She asked her daughter.

"I was trying to get Harry's mind off the last few months, successfully I might add," Hermione replied with a goofy grin.

"Yes I noticed the outfits you've been wearing. They would have gotten a dead man's attention. So what's your plan from here on?" Jane said knowing her daughter did nothing without thinking it through. She listened as her daughter laid out a plan that would make ninety nine percent of the other mothers in the world including Jane's cringe.

Harry and Hermione spent most of their first two weeks out of school relaxing around the house, both of them just getting used to being a couple. Hermione seemed intent on continuing to show Harry her extensive collection of football club tank tops and running shorts. Of course several of them were a few years old and fit her rather tightly something neither she nor Harry seemed to complain about. Hermione also made a point of staying awake at night until she was sure he was having a good night, while always going to Harry the moment she heard him starting to have a nightmare. After that close call the first weekend when she'd fallen asleep in his bed she made it a point to slip out once she was sure Harry was sleeping soundly.

Wednesday the two of them traveled into London with Mr. Limbu for Harry's second fitting while Hermione visited the dressmaker again after noticing some of Harry's new outfits.

Sunday came around with Harry and Alan heading off for another round of golf while Hermione and Jane relaxed around the pool.

The following Friday Alan and Jane Granger were driving home from their practice when Jane asked, "Alan what do you think is happening tonight?"

Alan risked a glance at his wife and seeing a concerned look on her face he treated her question seriously replying, "My wife and I are taking my daughter and her betrothed to dinner and a gallery opening in London."

"That is what I thought you were thinking, but that is not quite right. It would be better for all concerned if you thought of it as two golfing buddies going to dinner and a gallery opening with their lovers, one real, one soon to be." Jane said ending with a silent prayer that Alan didn't blow his top at the revelation.

Several moments and calming breaths later Alan asked, "How soon?"

"If she has her way it will be tonight."

"Oh."

"By the way you need to insure you don't over react when you see how your daughter is dressed tonight." At a raised eyebrow from her husband she continued, "The skirt is short and she has been practicing walking in heels higher than mine all week when there are no men around. Alan she is ready to become the confident woman I've always wanted my daughter to be." Jane said with conviction leaving off, 'Mess this up and you will regret several times over,' but being the smart husband Alan was understood that part without it being said.

Once back at the manor Alan and Jane said hi to Harry and Hermione before everyone went straight to their rooms showering away the day's grime and problems before taking the proper time to dress. Emerging from his shower Harry entered his room where Hermione had laid out his clothes before she left to get ready. Remembering Richard's instructions Harry donned his clothes only after taking care of everything else. Emerging from his room he met Alan who escorted him downstairs saying, "We must let the ladies make a grand entrance. They don't get to do it that often and it pleases them so much."

Jane ducked into her daughter's room to see if she needed any help just as Hermione stepped into her skirt. "That's a pretty outfit." She forced out to cover her surprise at what her daughter had chosen to wear. She'd known about the skirt but the top and overall effect surprised her. Hermione hadn't shown this much skin in public since their visit to the Island last summer.

"I hope he likes it."

"If he doesn't like you in that, he's into boys." Jane replied knowing at this point in Hermione's life the he in question was not her father. She had been a little concerned when they first were introduced to the Wizarding world. The fashion's had been right out of a Charles Dickens's novel. Jane had been concerned it would stunt her daughter's emotional development but given tonight's fashion choice she put that worry on the back burner.

Only moments later Jane descended the stairs after asking her daughter to wait a minute before following her. Time Jane spent thanking her husband for his complements while subtlety positioning both of them so they could watch Harry's reaction when he saw Hermione. She knew the moment Alan saw his daughter because his hand tightened where it rested on her shoulder she prayed he didn't leave a mark. They both knew when Harry noticed Hermione as his mouth fell open.

Harry was spell bound Hermione wore a black top that superficially resembled a man's shirt It was sheer enough to read through except for two solid black fake pockets that protected her modesty. It disappeared into a dark emerald green skirt that ended just above mid-thigh with textured black hose encasing her legs down to where they disappeared into a pair of 3-inch heels the color of her skirt. She carried a short jacket which matched the skirt in her hand along with a black clutch purse.

Hermione's eyes were locked on Harry's eyes as she slowly descended the stairs noting his mouth opened more as she felt her unrestrained breasts sway in rhythm to her steps.

"Merlin Hermione you are so beautiful. What could an angel like you see in me that would cause you to marry me?" Harry asked.

"Many things my love. Close your mouth it's hard to kiss it when it's that wide open." Hermione said flowing in to his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck, tilting her head slightly for a kiss that took both their breaths away.

Alan watched all this with his wife's earlier statement replaying in his mind. She was right the individual kissing Harry was not a young girl it was a woman.

Meanwhile Jane was thinking 'that kiss belongs after either a 'yes' or 'you may kiss the bride'. On second thought if I heard him right it was after a yes.'

Alan cleared his throat causing Harry and Hermione to part and turn to face him. As they did Jane suddenly realized why Hermione had insisted on that color green for her skirt, jacket and shoes. Harry was wearing a dark emerald green silk shirt with the collar unbuttoned that Richard had selected to accent Harry's eyes and a pair of black trousers.

Hermione held out the jacket to Harry who held it as she slowly slipped it on and suddenly her outfit was reasonably modest. Her outfit was the reverse of Harry's a black top with an emerald green skirt and jacket combination. It was a statement Hermione was making to everyone who saw them. They were a couple and proud of it.

Jane pulled the camera she kept by the door out and took several pictures of the couple before everyone climbed into a Rolls Royce so old it qualified as an antique. Mr. Limbu was behind the wheel in a chauffer's outfit. Seeing Harry looking over the car Alan said, "Yes it's the same one you were in at Christmas it's been in the family for years. We use it on occasions when we don't want to be bothered finding parking places. Mr. Limbu loves driving it he says the police are always polite and never a problem no matter how long he has to wait for us to exit."

At the restaurant every pair of eyes were focused on either Harry or Hermione as they made their way to a table. Jane looked at her husband noting as she did that despite the fact that they dined here several times during the year they had never been given such prominent table before. Watching how the staff responded to the four of them she realized it was not her or Alan that had prompted the table selection by the maitre-d'.

The Gallery opening proved to be more of the same with the exception that far more women looked at Hermione wishing they could pull of her look than guys wanting to look like Harry, wanting his companion most definitely, but not his look.

Walking around the Gallery looking at the paintings and sculptures Harry eavesdropped on several conversations as the people talked about the various paintings wondering what the artist meant. "I don't know Hermione I've seen some of Dean's work and he is better than most of these." Harry said as they stood before a landscape.

"I don't recall seeing any of his work. Doesn't he keep them out of sight?" Hermione said thinking for a traditionalist this individual wasn't bad. There were a large number of better paintings at Hogwarts though.

"I happened to catch him putting one away and complemented him on it. He showed me several others he'd done at school. He is good Hermione. I caught a glimpse of one he was trying to keep out of sight. If it ever sees the light of day we will need to hide Dean from the Weasley's." Harry said chuckling.

"Ginny?"

"Yes, if the red hair was any indication."

"What was she… don't tell me that way I can't say anything. Just was it good?"

"I only got a glance and I can't vouch for the accuracy of the painting, but it would have a place of honor in any boy's dorm room Ron wasn't in." Harry said smiling.

When they returned to the manor late that night or rather early the next morning, Alan said, "It was a great evening you two, now Jane and I are going to bed we will see you two in the morning" As he put an arm around his wife.

"Make that very late morning, say some time in the afternoon." Jane added as they left the other two in the kitchen were everyone had shared a nightcap.

Harry stood and held a hand out to Hermione pulling her to her feet and into a kiss. "Time go to bed love." He said.

Hermione smiled nodding her agreement as she held his hand all the way up the stairs.

When he reached their rooms Harry tried to let go of her hand but she kept a hold of it. He looked at her his eyes asking a question and she squeezed his hand in reply.

The next morning Harry woke to find the blankets were heavy on his right arm, leg, and right side of his chest. And he had a good grip on something with his right hand. Opening his eyes he was surprised to find it wasn't blankets that were heavy but Hermione sleeping on his right side. As he was realizing this, the part of his brain responsible for correlating the signals from his fingers informed the rest of his mind that they were grasping something that was nice and soft but had firmness to it and by the way it felt like skin. Confused Harry raised his head and with his left hand the covers slightly and looked down Hermione's body. He noticed that she was not wearing a nightgown actually from his vantage point there wasn't anything but skin on her and only boxers on him. To his embarrassment it took his body only a few seconds to react to the news and he was tenting the covers before he finished his next breath. When he tried to recall what exactly happened Harry found he couldn't. All he could remember was her squeezing his hand and then they were in his room kissing and he was removing her clothes. 'Did a cracking job of it too,' said a voice in his head that sounded like suspiciously like his godfather Sirius.

Late the next morning Jane quietly opened her daughter's bedroom door intending to have her help with brunch only to spot Crookshanks, her familiar, laying in the center of a still made bed. She then checked the bathroom to make sure her daughter was alright, again coming up empty. When she cracked opened the bathroom's opposing door she found her daughter in bed with Harry and their clothes draped over a chair. Jane pulled the door shut and went to start brunch alone. Once she had things going she when up and woke her husband then knocked on Harry's door calling out, "Brunch will be ready in a few minutes Mr. and Mrs. Potter," before dashing downstairs.