The Granger Son

Harry; Hermione; Dr. Grangerx2

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

The Granger Son

Chapter 19

Umbridge could not believe it, and yet it was true. Professor McGonagall was the Potter boy's legal guardian. And because she was already aware of her suspicions, there was nothing else further she could do. Not only that, but the older witch wouldn't say anything to Potter because, like she had so unfortunately pointed out, she had no concrete proof. Despite this, she still believed he and his friends were up to something, possibly nothing good. And because she still believed this, she was determined to catch the boy in the act.

She enlisted the help of Mr. Filch to try and catch Harry and his friends, or at the least find out what they were up to and where. Mr. Filch was failing at his newly appointed job, though. The only concrete thing he could give the pink toad was that the students were all meeting up on the Seventh Floor near Gryffindor Tower. Other than that, he had nothing else to go on besides staking out. However, it didn't take long for Potter's Army to catch wind of what Mr. Filch was doing, and that it was Umbridge behind it.

Draco and Daphne had been the ones to realize the old Squib was trying to catch them for Umbridge and brought it up at the next meeting. And because of this new obstacle, the members of Potter's Army had taken to causing diversions and distractions to get past Hogwarts' caretaker, as well as prevent him from following any of them to the Room of Requirement. They kept this up, as well as the meetings, and before they knew it, the Yule season was upon them. Knowing that most of his members were going to be going home for the holiday, Harry decided to have one final meeting before Christmas.

Harry stood watching the club members practice spells and spar against one another. A smile was present on his face, as he couldn't believe, and yet was so proud of how far they had come from not having learnt a single Defense Against the Dark Arts spell from the beginning of term. Not only them, but himself included. They all had improved greatly during their time of secrecy and learning from Snape's old book. The curriculum he was sure had changed since Snape's school days, but it was better than nothing, and he was sure that the spells inside still applied to the curriculum now.

He continued to watch club members spar for a moment longer, taking notice of how Hermione and Blaise were dueling in an almost flirty fashion, before clearing his throat and calling out, "Alright you lot, gather round, please!"

Everyone stopped sparring and practicing their spells before walking over to stand in front of Harry, Hermione, Draco, Blaise, and Daphne taking their places by Harry. The bespectacled boy looked at everyone before smiling saying, "You all have really learned and improved a lot in the time that we've started Potter's Army, the lot of you improving on spells that you found difficult in the beginning and perfecting others. I'm really proud of each and every one of you, and you should all be proud of yourselves."

He, his sister, and his friends began clapping, the other members joining them in clapping as well for their own accomplishments. Once the clapping died down, Harry continued. "As you all know, the Yule season is upon us and some of us will be leaving Hogwarts for Christmas. If you can, I want you all to continue practicing your spells and keep your skills fresh, But if you cannot actively perform magic at home, definitely study up on your spells. Draco and Hermione have made copies of notes they have made with the spells and such that we've learned already, including some that we haven't but will in the future."

On cue, Draco and Hermione began passing out the copies of notes that they had made for everyone, making sure every member of Potter's Army had one. Once that was done, Harry smiled at everyone and said, "Well, this concludes the end of our meeting, the last one before the holidays. We will continue once we return to Hogwarts in the new year. So until we all meet again, I wish you all Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays."

"Happy Christmas!" many members replied enthusiastically as they were dismissed, many leaving while others mingled with one another. Harry turned to leave the Room of Requirement, only to see Hermione standing off talking with Blaise. He watched his friend and dormmate say something to his sister, his sister smiling with a blush on her cheeks in response. The two of them exchanged a few more words before Hermione turned to leave, waving at Blaise before doing so.

The siblings left the Room of Requirement, making sure Mr. Filch was no where in sight or out of sight spying, before heading for the staircase to begin their descent. They were quiet for a moment, Harry walking his sister to Ravenclaw Tower, before he finally asked, "So, you and Blaise, yeah?"

"What?" Hermione asked in response, her brown eyes wide.

"You and Blaise. You both are dating now, right? Or at the least seeing one another."

Hermione's eyes widened further before she shook her head, her curls flying around her head. "No, no, we're not. It's not…it isn't like that. We're just friends."

Harry chuckled. "You say that, and yet the blush on your face gets darker with each word of denial."

"Harry!" Hermione nearly whined, shoving her brother a bit, causing him to laugh out loud.

"Hey, I'm not opposed to it if you like him and he likes you. But if you do start dating, tell him I'll kill him, and his body won't be found if he hurts you in any way."

The brunette rolled her eyes at the threat but smiled and looped her arm with his as they continued down to the Fifth Floor. It wasn't long before they came upon the door with the eagle shaped brass knocker, the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower. Giving his sister a hug, Harry promised to see her in the morning to head to Hogsmeade station. Wishing each other 'good night', Harry watched his sister answer the knocker's riddle and enter Ravenclaw Tower before turning to head down to Slytherin Dungeon.

"Mr. Potter! One moment please!" the familiar, squeaky voice of Professor Flitwick called out behind him.

Turning, Harry saw the tiny professor come down the stairs after him. Greeting him, he said, "Hello Professor."

"Hello," Professor Flitwick replied. "I just wanted to inform you that Professor Dumbledore has asked for your presence in his office."

"He has?"

"Yes, he would like to see you. If you would follow me, please."

Professor Flitwick beckoned Harry to follow him, Harry doing so after letting him walk by him first. And as he went, Harry couldn't help but wonder what the Headmaster suddenly wanted, considering he had ignored him so far this school year. Well, it looked like he was soon to find out.

Dumbledore waited patiently for Harry to arrive in his office, wanting to speak with him before he departed for the holidays. He knew the boy was wondering what he wanted, considering that he hadn't spoken to him since he tried to get him removed from his home and go to his mother's sister's family, only to find out Minerva had taken up her right as his legal guardian. While that situation still irked him, and he still felt somewhat betrayed by his friend for doing that behind his back, he also had to recognize that him trying to force the boy away from the only family he had ever known would have caused him to fight back in any way he could.

A knock upon the door brought him out of his musings, and he called out, "Enter."

His office door opened in response and Harry stepped inside, a somewhat apprehensive look on his face. Smiling, Dumbledore greeted, "Good evening, my boy. Come, have a seat."

Harry walked over to one of the chairs in front of the Headmaster's desk and sat down, politely declining lemon drop when he was offered one. Once he was settled and a few moments of silence passed between them, Harry asked, "You wanted to see me, sir?"

Nodding, Dumbledore answered, "Yes, I did. You see Harry, I wanted to talk with you because I am aware that you are up to something, as well as your sister and friends. I had already had my suspicions, and those were confirmed when Professor Umbridge approached me saying the same. However, unlike her, I don't believe it is anything malicious that you are doing. So, I'm asking you to tell me of what it is that you and your friends are up to."

Harry's first initial reaction was to deny any secrecy, but he also knew that Professor Dumbledore wasn't stupid enough to believe him if he lied. Then again, he believed that he wasn't doing anything bad, which he wasn't. He didn't think it was a good idea to tell the Headmaster about Potter's Army secret activities, but he also had a feeling he wouldn't be left alone or be able to leave until he told him something. Not only that, but he just didn't trust Dumbledore still, especially after he tried to force him from his home and family. What if he used this against him to get him taken from his family once again?

Sensing his hesitancy, the Headmaster said with a small sigh, "If you are thinking that I'll use this information to try to remove you from the Grangers again, fear not. Now that Minerva is your legal guardian and signed the guardian papers, there is nothing I can do to counteract it. And I definitely won't tell Umbridge about this either."

The bespectacled boy smiled slightly for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Sir, the truth is that myself and others have started something in secret, but it is purely for out benefit that we are doing this."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?"

"We all decided to take up something that we've all been lacking this year, that's all."

Blue eyes looked at him for a moment before realization appeared in them. After all, there was only one thing all the students in Hogwarts were lacking that particular year. Nodding in understanding, Dumbledore dismissed the boy, as well as wishing him a fine holiday with the Grangers. The older wizard watched Harry leave his office, the door closing behind him as he left. He sat at his desk in thought, taking in the small amount of information Harry had given him about his secret activities. It was clear that Harry and his friends were learning and practicing defense spells in secret since they were not doing so in class with Umbridge because of the Ministry.

Standing up to head to his quarters for the night, Dumbledore decided that he'd allow the secret defense lessons to continue. After all, what he and others didn't know wouldn't hurt anyway. Of course, once the boy and his friends were eventually caught, then he'd stop turning a blind eye to them, but for now, he'd allow it. After all, it would be good for Harry to hone his magical defense skills. That, and it was perfect for him for when he had to face off against Lord Voldemort in the future.

The next evening, Robert and Jean were waiting at Kings Cross Station near Platforms 9 and 10. They knew there children would be showing up any minute after getting off the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾, and they couldn't wait to see them. They watched the people walking around them, many unloading from trains and others loading up. After a few more minutes, Jean asked, "Do you see them yet, dear? You don't think they missed the train home, do you?"

Robert chuckled at his wife, as she always got so excited to see their children, and anxious that they wouldn't come home. Shaking his head, he answered, "No, not yet. And I'm sure they didn't miss the train, darling. If they did, I have no doubt that Professor McGonagall will bring them home herself."

Knowing her husband was right, Jean went back to watching the people walk along the platforms of 9 and 10. Soon, a large crowd walked by the platform, obscuring their vision. However, it wasn't long before they heard the voice of their daughter call out, "Mum! Dad!"

Looking around, they finally spotted their son and daughter heading towards them, pushing their trolleys with their trunks and other belongings, bright, matching smiles on their faces. The Grangers rushed to their children, enveloping them in hugs as Robert greeted, "Welcome back home. Are you ready for Christmas?"

Harry grinned as he hugged his father, feeling more at home and at ease than he had since returning to Hogwarts. As he hugged them, he replied, "Hi dad. Yeah, we're ready."

"Alright then, let's get you two to the car and we'll get you home," Jean replied, her arm wrapped around Hermione.

With that, the four of them headed for the exit, walking out of Kings Cross Station to unload their trolleys and head home for the holidays, all the while talking and laughing together.

Author's Note: Hey guys! So sorry for the late upload to this story. I've been dealing with a bad bought of exhaustion and insomnia. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for the next one. Love, SehunsBae37.