Chapter 5 – A New Year's Summer

The trio arrived at the local Ministry in Australia at ten minutes after five, feeling tired and glad that the long trip was done. While faster than muggle travel, international portkeys still wore a person out and also caused nutritional imbalances. All three of them would need to eat a hearty meal of carbs and protein soon, despite the gorging of the previous couple days. They picked up their bags and made their way to the customs desk where they turned in their portkey and registered their entry to the country. They were only in country for eight days, so they weren't expecting any issues. Then the official took a look at the papers and saw Harry and Hermione's names. He immediately started to make a fuss and several of his coworkers came to greet them as well. Harry tried to be polite, but he really just wanted to get out of there. Thankfully, a supervisor came over and took control of the situation. She welcomed them all to the country and insisted that they contact the Ministry if they needed anything. She then took control of her staff and let them pass. Hermione was familiar with the Ministry and led them to an external apparition point. Once there, she took them each by an arm and apparated them to her parents' back garden. Neil and Jean Granger were waiting for them by the BBQ and Jean ran to hug her daughter. Neil came over at a more sedate pace and hugged Hermione as well before stepping back to smile at Harry and Ginny. Both the Grangers knew Hermione's two friends and were aware of their engagement during the summer.

"Hello Harry and Ginny. Welcome. We're glad you could come with Hermione to visit."

"Thanks for having us Dr. Granger. Wow, it's hot."

"Yes indeed, it's summer here. And none of that Dr. Granger stuff. We're both doctors and you'll have us both turning around. It's just Neil and Jean. I know we've met before, but it will be good to get to know both of you better. I know you're both two of Hermione's closest friends."

"Actually dad, can we get something cold to drink and talk? Unless you have to watch the grill?"

"Sure thing. I haven't put the steaks on yet. I remember from when you came last time, protein and carbs, right?"

"Yes dad, thanks."

Everyone selected cold drinks and dropped their bags off inside before going back out to the garden. They all gathered on the covered patio and Hermione cast privacy charms around. The Grangers' eyes widened and Jean questioned her daughter.

"Now I'm a bit concerned dear. I wonder what's going on when you get secretive."

"Not to worry mum, nothing bad this time. I have news. Big news, but very happy news."

Jean clutched her husband's hand and looked at her daughter, a bit worried. The last time Hermione had been in Australia the news she had brought took hours to tell and included years of secrets. She wasn't sure she was ready for more.

"Mum, dad, Harry and I are engaged."

Hermione dissolved the glamour charms on her rings and then reached to both sides of her and took Harry and Ginny's hands. Jean was gaping and this time it was Neil's turn.

"I'm sorry dear, but what? Since when are you and Harry dating? I thought you were just friends? And I thought he was engaged to Ginny?"

"Yes dad, he is. We're both going marry him. It's not uncommon among pureblood families. Harry holds two titles. He is both Lord Potter and Lord Black. He inherited the Potter title from his father and the Black title from his godfather. His full title is Lord Harry James Black-Potter. Usually he just likes to shorten it to Lord Potter. When he proposed to Ginny, he offered her the title of Lady Potter. She cannot take the title of both Lady Potter and Lady Black. Any children she has will continue the Potter bloodline. That was a choice they made together, to continue his bloodline. It means that after him there would be no more Blacks to carry on the ancient and noble house of Black, one of the original Sacred Twenty-Eight among wizard families. While this was something he had come to terms with, there was another solution, but it wasn't one that he wanted to pursue. Ginny changed that for him and for us. She noticed that both Harry and I had changed the way we acted around each other. It's been happening for a while, but she especially noticed it during the summer after I broke up with Ron and before I came to visit you. She continued to watch us as school started and realized we were both on edge. Honestly, I realized in the past year that I was falling in love with Harry, more than just as a friend or brother. Apparently he realized the same about me. We were both too scared of ruining our friendship to say anything. Harry also fell in love with Ginny and would never do anything to hurt her. She knew this and made us confess our feelings. Then she told us that she is open to sharing Harry. We talked and decided to give it a try and it's worked well. We all love one another and we don't have an issue sharing. By taking me as a second wife, Harry will make me Lady Black and our children will carry on the Black name. I now wear the signet of the ancient and noble house of Black, as well as an engagement ring that was once Harry's great grandmother's."

Hermione extended her hands so that her parents could see both rings. They both looked stunned and Harry decided it was his turn to speak.

"Neil, Jean, I want you to know that I love Hermione with all my heart. I also love Ginny. I have vowed to do anything in my power to provide and care for them. I feel blessed to have them both. I know this idea is strange to you, it was to me as well. I was raised muggle and I know polygamy is taboo in much of the world, but this is not the case among the pureblood wizarding families. I would never have pursued this on my own, but Ginny was the one who pursued this for me. We've been working on our mutual relationships for several months and we've learned to communicate and understand each other's feelings. We aren't perfect, but we already have a unique bond."

Harry was holding Hermione's hand and she was holding his and Ginny's. Finally, Jean spoke.

"Alright, I guess I understand your viewpoint. Still, this will take a bit to adjust to. Not just the idea of you as a trio, but the fact that my daughter will now hold a title. Wow."

"Dad? Are you okay?"

"I don't know about okay. I think I'm still too stunned. If this makes you happy, then I'll learn to be happy."

"So dear, will you have a wedding? If so, will it be one wedding or two and when?"

"Yes mum, we will have a wedding. It's not required by law, but we want one. In the days of pureblood arranged marriages, usually a marriage just entailed a signed contract. We are going to have a shared ceremony sometime next summer after school."

Jean nodded and Neil sighed deep as he got up to go start the steaks. Hermione switched the topic of conversation to her parents and how they were doing with their new life in Australia. After she had restored their identities, the Ministry had arranged a cover story of witness protection to explain why the Wilkins were coming out of hiding and were actually the Grangers. The news was a shock to their friends and colleagues, but all seemed to be adjusting well. With the steaks well on the way, Jean went to the kitchen to finish mashing the potatoes and finish the salad. The trio followed her and went to collect their bags. Hermione was about to lead them to the guest room when Jean spoke up.

"Um, Hermione dear, we only have the one guest room. I'm using the third bedroom for a studio. We do have an air mattress."

"Actually mum, the guest room has a king bed. It will be fine for us. Like we agreed during the summer, we're going to be honest. The three of us sleep in one bed at school and did at the Burrow as well."

"Oh. I see. Alright, I guess no point in making a fuss over a few days when that's your regular arrangement. I think I better warn your father though."

Hermione just nodded and proceeded to lead Harry and Ginny to the guest room. The room was actually a second master with its own en-suite and was more than sufficient for the three of them. They settled their things and traded a few kisses before proceeding back out to the garden. When they arrived, Neil turned to look at them and it was obvious from his penetrating gaze that Jean had discussed the sleeping arrangements. He didn't say anything, but instead returned his focus to the grill. Soon dinner was ready and they all eagerly dove into the delicious and much needed meal. Conversation was a bit tense at first, but gradually settled with a combination of good food and drink. Not long after, the long day was obviously taking its toll and the threesome decided to turn in early.

The next couple days in Australia were spent sightseeing with the Grangers. Sydney was a magnificent city with a lot to do and everyone loved the break from the cold and wet English winter. On their third day they spent the day at the beach and Harry couldn't help but enjoy the envious stares he received as he cuddled both of his witches. They returned home perfectly tanned thanks to a couple carefully cast spells. Neil was in the back grilling again when they arrived home. Harry and Ginny went to the backyard, while Hermione decided to help her mum in the kitchen. Ginny offered to help, but Hermione insisted that two women in the kitchen was enough. She was busy cutting fruit for a fruit salad when Jean decided it was time to bring up a subject that she had been wondering about.

"Hermione dear, we can talk about anything, right?"

"Of course mum."

"Well, the three of you have been here for several days and I really like Harry and Ginny and I can see how in love you are. I've been watching you all and all three of you seem quite attached. The news was hard at first, but I'm glad you're happy. I have to admit I'm a bit surprised about you and Ginny. You seem to be more than just friends marrying the same man."

Hermione chuckled.

"I see where this is going mum. We agreed years ago to never be embarrassed about talking to each other. You gave me my first sex talk at eight after all. So, you want to know how sex works with the three of us, is that the question?"

"Honestly, yes. I mean, I never thought of you as being gay or bisexual. I would have thought I would see signs."

"Alright, here goes with honesty. I agreed to never hide anything from you since I came back from the war. Yes, I guess I am bisexual now, but not in the traditional sense. I was never attracted to women before. Ginny and I have been friends for years and talked plenty about boys. When I started a relationship with Harry, she was already there of course and our intimacy naturally progressed. Without Harry involved, I don't think we would have gotten involved with another woman. Ginny is special and I love her. She is the fun and sassy side to my serious side. And I will say that having another woman in the bedroom who understands you is quite helpful. Combined with magic, it makes for some interesting experiments."

Jean gasped and shook her head before smiling at her daughter.

"Well, you're certainly honest. Thanks, I think. I know I shouldn't worry, but I do. You aren't afraid of discrimination?"

"No mum. After everything with the war, I'm beyond worrying what others think. Within the wizarding community, our multiple marriage is not that unusual. As for our sex lives, we keep that private. Some of our friends realize of course, since they see the three of us come out of the same bedroom in the morning, but they're our friends and they're understanding. Some of the guys are a bit jealous of Harry, but it's mostly teasing."

"Yes, I would guess that Harry has his hands full. That young man must have stamina."

Jean smirked and Hermione laughed at her mother.

"Actually mum, Harry doesn't have a problem keeping us both happy. Ginny was actually glad when I joined because it drew some attention from her. You see, when Harry had the horcrux blasted out of him, his magic core was released. His magic is much stronger now. Unfortunately, that came with another side effect. Since he is the last of the Potter bloodline, his magic sees the need for him to keep the bloodline going. Until he produces a couple heirs, his endurance is quite incredible. Complete honesty now. Harry can go four or five times in a night and still be ready for a couple rounds in the morning. If he goes longer than a day without release, his magic starts to flare and cause unusual effects. When we were in the middle of exams, Ginny and I let him go almost two days and we had to take a free period in the middle of classes to help him out after he accidentally destroyed a desk in Charms because his magic was out of control."

Jean's mouth hung open while she found her voice.

"WOW. Well that certainly puts pressure on the two of you then. So I guess you won't be waiting long for children?"

"No. We want to finish school and get married. Then we'll probably toss the potions and see what happens."

"Well, that is certainly an aspect to magic I hadn't anticipated."

"Neither did we mum."

"So, once he produces his heirs, then his appetite will decrease? Will you and Ginny be alright with that? I mean, you are my daughter and if you're like me, you're not the passive type."

"I try not to think about you and dad, but I understand mum. Honestly, I wish you could use silencing charms sometimes. I think I definitely take after you. I'm not worried about Harry keeping us happy. After all, Ginny and I have each other as well if he ever needs a break."

"Well, speaking of things we don't want to think about, that right there tops my list. We can turn off the honesty now."

Hermione laughed and hugged her mum and went to take the salad out to the patio. She was glad that their relationship was repaired and they were able to talk openly again.

The trio spent a total of eight days in Australia with the Grangers. They thoroughly enjoyed their time, but soon school was due to start again. They took a portkey back to the Burrow on the second and then prepared to return to school on the third of January. They arrived back in England happy and refreshed with tans that everyone envied.