Hello! I can't state how excited and thankful I am at the attention this story has been getting! I'm enjoying writing it! Please feel free to leave your thoughts and I will endevour to answer every comment/review. I hope you all enjoy chapter four!
"Hermione! Slow down, please?"
Hermione turned and paused her cheeks flushed. "Sorry Harry, I forgot for a moment that you've never seen our car." She stopped to wait for him Crookshanks limp in her arms as Harry hurried to her side giving her a nervous grin.
"You act like you're upset I'm coming to stay with you I-I mean you aren't… are you?" Harry finished actually feeling nervous. Of course, she doesn't want you, Potter, think about it even when you were locked in your room with bars on the window it still took most of the summer for Ron and his brothers to check on you…
Hermione frowned as she watched Harry's shoulders slump the light that had re-appeared in his eyes after Cedric's death had put it out was dimming. "Whatever you are thinking Harry it's not the truth so knock it right off." She carefully maneuvered Crookshanks into one arm and wrapped the other around Harry tightly. "Of course I'm not upset you are coming to stay! Are you knackers? I only wish it had happened sooner! I've always wanted to get you away from those abusers you lived with having and to have a legal reason that not even the headmaster can undo? That is just brilliant in my eyes."
"Then why?" Harry hesitantly wrapped his arm around Hermione's back similar to how she was holding him.
"Am I angry? Not at you Harry, I could never be angry with you… I mean not seriously angry. Annoyed yes, frustrated? Without a doubt but actually mad?" Hermione shook her head. "Never going to happen Potter. No, i-it's my Mum and Dad. They've lied to me my entire life!"
"You mean because they aren't really muggles?" Harry asked as his body relaxed more into her hug.
"That and… other things." Hermione said after a moment of thought. "It's like I told Mum and Dad Harry we'll talk about it at home."
"A good idea Miss Granger." A female's voice whispered in her ear. "Shall we continue moving towards the car? Most everyone is gone but you never know."
Hermione stiffened at the unfamiliar voice in her ear "If you mean to hurt Harry." She hissed under her breath.
"Hardly." The voice answered.
Hermione scanned the car park seeing her parents quickly approaching hands clasped per usual. "My Mum and Dad are coming… They are a very powerful witch and wizard…"
The female's voice laughed softly as Emma and Dan reached them Emma raised an eyebrow. "Is there a valid reason for stopping in the middle of the car park. Aside for Harry needing a hug of course." She smiled as she felt Dan's hands on her squeezing gently. "Which is, of course, a very valid one." Emma frowned as she saw Hermione's eyes glancing to her right side. "...Really Tonks? She hasn't met you yet…"
"Sorry Emma, wasn't sure if I should re-illusion myself until you got here. Rather stupid of me yeah?" Tonks reappeared and smiled at the two startled teens. "Wotcher Harry, Hermione I'm Auror Nymphadora Tonks… Don't call me by my first name."
Hermione's mouth opened a bit before she nodded another puzzle piece slipping into place. "Tonks then, nice to meet you. I guess you're coming home with us?"
"Yep." Tonks grinned one hand in the pocket of her jeans "Guard detail. I live there until such a point as my boss says I no longer do."
Dan cleared his throat. "And I think any more of this conversation should continue in said house." He walked past the others and up to his baby unlocking the doors and popping the boot.
Harry's eyes lit up. He might not have been exposed to much of the world but even he recognized a jaguar when he saw it. "This is your car Mione?" As she nodded with a small smile he grinned ear to ear. "Bloody brilliant. I think even Ron would be able to tell how amazing jaguars are. And Gryffindor coloring? Is that off the lot?"
"No." Hermione shook her head as she saw now for the first time what Harry had. The red Jaguar had gold where the normal silver trim would be. "He ordered it that way…" She glanced over at her Mum who simply gave her a smile before squeezing her shoulder as she pulled the passenger set forward so Harry, Hermione, and Tonks could climb into the back seat.
Hermione gave her Mum a small smile before climbing in tugging Harry in behind her to sit in the middle seat Tonks following after before Emma replaced her seat and got in just as the boot slammed closed and Dan climbed into the driver's seat placing his sunglasses on he started the car.
"Harry, go ahead and let Hedwig out. She can meet us at home." Dan smiled at the snowy owl who hooted gently to him "You know the way girl. The kitchen window is open."
Harry glanced over to Hermione who shrugged "She might not enjoy the car ride, Harry. I think if Crooks could fly he'd join her." She had placed the ginger cat on the floorboards where he had curled up between her feet.
Harry licked his lips and let Hedwig from her cage watching as she soared away.
"Good, alright then let's get going?" Dan turned the key and loud rock music came from the radio as the car started. Emma rolling her eyes indulgently.
After the two-hour car ride of Harry whipping his head around either Tonks or Hermione trying to take everything in, they pulled up to the Granger home." Dan turned off the engine and parked getting out after popping the boot to see one of his neighbors mowing the grass. "Afternoon Mr. Pitwick!"
"Granger," The man nodded towards Dan "Hermione home from school then?"
"That's right we picked up Emma's godson too. Taking custody of him." Dan smiled as Harry got out of the car holding Hedwig's cage.
"Right, goes to that mysterious boarding school somewhere on this island?"
Dan just grinned. "Harry do you want help with your trunk?"
Harry hesitated not missing as the neighbor mumbled something about at least the boy having a normal name as he returned to his grass mowing.
"Ignore him, Harry, neighbors have thought us peculiar since we brought Hermione home from the hospital." Dan shrugged "Now help wanted?"
Harry finally nodded as he watched Hermione and Emma carrying her trunk and followed in kind with Dan helping him.
The trunks were placed in the dining room as Dan shoved his hands into his pockets "well, shall we talk now or pretend nothing happened until after dinner?" He winced at the glares both his brown eyed girls were sending his way. "Harry do yourself a favor don't annoy them at the same time. Yeesh, I'm not a death eater you know."
"How do you even know that word, Dad?" Hermione shook her head "No, I-I know how I just can't believe it! How! It shouldn't even be possible I shouldn't be possible!" She threw her arms into the air "I kept running it through my head the entire drive home!" She turned to Emma staring into identical brown eyes "It-it can't be possible. Can it Mum?"
Emma wrapped her arms around her trembling little girl knowing what she feared and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Not how you are thinking baby." She kept her arms around her. "Dad and I were pregnant seventeen years ago. But, my body wasn't strong enough…" She felt Hermione freeze in her arms "We were warned that any other attempts of pregnancy would likely result in the same ending. So, a few weeks after we buried your sister. Her name was Lily Anne." Emma shook her head remembering when Daniel had held their red-haired daughter who was perfect other than having been born sleeping naming her after his mother. "We started the process to adopt a baby from birth."
Hermione buried her face in her Mother's shoulder as the shock hit her she was adopted. She bit her lip before smiling as the biggest fear she had left. "Adopted… Okay good. I was…"
Emma shook her head "Don't worry I understand. Now, are you ready to hear our story?"
"I'm ready Mum." Hermione gave her mother one final squeeze before she grabbed Harry's hand and led him to the couch Emma and Dan taking chairs in front of them.
"I'm gonna get started on the wards Madame Bones authorized if you need me just whistle." Tonks opened the sliding door to the backyard and closed it behind her.
Dan sighed as he ran his fingers through his messy black hair "Let's see where to start?" He frowned as he heard the doorbell. "Who on earth?" He got up and headed to the door opening it to clench his teeth and fists just so he didn't grab the wand in the back pocket of his jeans. In front of him in all of his so-called glory wearing dark purple robes eyes twinkling down at Dan was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon Mr. Granger."
"I'm sorry the Granger family has already donated to the Greater Good." Dan slammed the door in his face and headed back to the living room to hear the crack of apparition directly behind him "I told you Em, vampires have better manners than Albus bloody Dumbledore!" Daniel spun to face the headmaster. As Emma took her place beside him her arms crossed a cool look in her eyes.
"Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger." Dumbledore started gently as if he was speaking to small children or someone not mentally competent.
"Doctor! We are both Doctors. I swear to God, everytime I deal with one of you bloody magicals I wonder just why my wife and I went through eight years of university to earn our doctorates if it wasn't going to fooking matter! I got Ollivander to call me Doctor Granger certainly the great Albus Dumbledore can do the same!" Hermione's eyes were wide at the absolute hatred in her normally joyous father's voice.
"Very well, Doctor Grangers. Ah! Good there you are Harry, my boy! Glad to see you aren't hurt. Come on now let's get your trunk and get you back to your Aunt and Uncle. I'm sure they are very worried about you." Dumbledore smiled at Harry his eyes twinkling seeming to ignore the other three in the living room.
Hermione frowned as she grabbed Harry's hand tightly in her own as she felt him getting to his feet.
"Excuse me!" Hermione blinked at the even more intense hate dripping from her Mother's tone. "I did not give you permission to come into our house and I sure as bloody hell didn't give you permission to take my godson from me!"
Dumbledore turned his attention to the short brown haired muggle woman "Your Godson? I assure you that you have been misled. Harry has only a godfather. Sadly the man betrayed his parents and was arrested and sentenced to life in our prison."
"And I assure you Dumbledore, Sirius may have been the Godparent named in James' will but you never even glanced at Lily's did you? Beneath your care? After all, she was a mudblood." Emma spit out before snorting at his expression as she flicked her wand out. "Accio Lily's will." She caught it in her hand as Dumbledore's eyes narrowed at the revealed witch.
"Allow me?" Daniel reached for the will as Emma graciously handed it over. He cleared his throat "The last will and testimony of Lily Jane Potter nee Evans. I, Lily Jane Potter nee Evans being of sound mind on the date of October the fifteenth of the year of our Lord nineteen eighty-one declare this to be my legal and only will. Any other should be dismissed with prejudice. In the case of only my death, I leave all of my possessions and my vaults to my husband James Charlus Potter to be given to our only son and child Harry James Potter by his seventeenth birthday."
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand as she felt him tremble at hearing that his mother's will was written only two weeks before her death.
"If however I am proceeded or swiftly followed in death by James Charlus Potter my wishes are thus:"
"To Sirius Orion Black- Sirius you already said yes about taking care of Harry. I'm sure you both will figure it out. To help I leave you our cottage here in Godric's'Hollow and the sum of five hundred thousand galleons. Don't spend it all in one place, Siri. We both love you."
"To Remus John Lupin- Moony you know James and I would have chosen you to be Harry's Godfather if not for being forbidden by your fuzzy little problem. Don't you dare stay out of his life! I expect you to be his most beloved uncle. Maybe you and she can decrease the damage Padfoot will do. I leave you the Potter summer home on the coast and the sum of five hundred thousand galleons. We both love you and will be watching over you. Find a nice girl and give Harry a cousin or two to grow up with!"
"To Alice Aurelia Longbottom- I'm so sorry I won't be able to care for Neville how you would have wanted me to had you gone before me. I'm sure he will grow into a strong man just like Frank. I leave the sum of five hundred thousand galleons and no, I don't care if you are rich no take backs. Spend it on Neville and Frank if you don't want it."
"To Narcissa Helen Malfoy- Cissy get yourself out of this. Take Draco and go. Go far and raise your son how you wish to. I love you… I leave the sum of seven hundred thousand galleons. You have no excuse now go!"
Daniel paused and glared up at Dumbledore. "Why do I think she would have obeyed Lily's last wish for her. No, don't answer."
"To Andromeda Cedrella Tonks- Andi, I'm counting on you to help Siri and her to make sure Harry has a good childhood. Also that he bathes at least weekly. I leave you the sum of five hundred thousand galleons. Also, make sure he doesn't get Harry a racing broom until he's nine please!"
"To my Goddaughter Nymphadora Lily Tonks- Hi sweetheart I'm sorry I won't be able to take you to the amusement park for your ninth birthday as I promised. Be a good girl for your Mummy and Daddy. And don't worry Harry will big enough to actually play with you soon. I leave the sum of two hundred thousand galleons to be placed in a trust vault until you reach the age of seventeen along with an additional ten thousand galleons to change your first name if you so desire. Honestly Andi what were you and Ted thinking?
"To my Godson Draco Lucius Malfoy- I know you'll never remember me but I was there when you were born. In disguise, of course, your father never would have allowed me in. I adore you, child, you and your mother both. I hope one day when it is safe for you and your Mother to return to Britain that you and Harry will be great friends even if you boys are sorted into separate houses. Your Mummy and I made it work. I leave the sum of two hundred thousand galleons to be placed in a trust vault until you reach the age of seventeen along with an additional ten thousand galleons to change your last name available immediately. Take the hint Cissy"
"To my Godson Neville Frank Longbottom- I know you and Harry will be the greatest of friends and brothers. I love you so much buddy you are going to be a great man and wizard. I only wish I could see it. Born just before midnight just a few minutes before Harry. You boys are so beloved by your Mummy and myself as our twins. Remember, whenever a Potter went into battle a Longbottom was on his right side. I leave the sum of two hundred thousand galleons to be placed in a trust vault until you reach the age of seventeen along with an additional ten thousand galleons to be used for your second birthday."
"To my Sister Petunia Rose Dursley- Thank you for the vase. It's lovely. I leave you the sum of one thousand pounds. Don't worry it's from my muggle bank account all that is left in it."
"To my Brother in Law Vernon Dursley- I leave you ten pence. Use it to call someone who gives a damn."
"To my only nephew Dudley Dursley- I wish I could have met you. I wish you could have grown up with Harry. I'm sorry that your Mummy and my falling out will affect yours and Harry's relationship. I leave you the sum of six hundred and two thousand six hundred and eighty nine pounds and forty four pence to be placed in a muggle trust account until you reach the age of eighteen along with an additional thirty thousand one hundred and thirty-four pounds and forty-seven pence to be given to Petunia Dursley to be used only for birthday and Christmas gifts from me and my name had better be on them."
To Severus Tobias Snape- I forgive you Sev, I pray you survive this war. No amount of money will be given to you. You'd never take it. Instead. To you my first and greatest friend." Dan paused swallowing the lump in his throat remembering the joyous little boy who was always beside his Mother whenever he and Emma were over. "I leave my advanced potions book and the key to Gringotts vault five three one zero. Everything within it is yours. Please Sev, You must move on. Find a woman muggle or witch who makes you happy. Allow yourself to love my son Sev. He…" Dan takes a deep breath before finishing the sentence. "Has my eyes you know?"
"To Peter Phileas Pettigrew- If I am dead of natural or accidental causes then I leave you the sum of five hundred thousand galleons and the Potter winter home on the island of Tahiti. If however I have been murdered by Lord Voldemort and you had better read his name out no bloody You-Know-Who. It is your fault you filthy rat! We trusted you and I pray you are haunted by James' and my ghost for the rest of your miserable life! Peter was our secret keeper and betrayed us! I leave you the sum of thirty sickles. Ask a muggle born for the reference!"
"To Emma Jean Granger and Daniel James Granger- I love you both so much. I know you wanted to take Harry while James and I went into hiding. I-I'm sorry I decided to agree to the fidelius instead. Harry and Hermione will be the greatest of friends I'm certain of it closer than siblings. I leave you both the sum of eight hundred thousand galleons and with the agreement of James, Potter Manor. Take care of my baby as you took care of me when I was a scared little girl."
"To Hermione Jean Granger- I don't know if you'll remember me for long sweetie but you are so smart you already are running around and speaking in full sentences. Your Mummy thinks you may be a witch! That is fantastic if you are. If you aren't though it's nothing to be ashamed of. Your Daddy is one of the best muggles I know. I leave you the sum of two hundred thousand galleons to be placed in a trust vault until you reach either the age of seventeen or eighteen to be determined by your Mummy. I also leave an additional ten thousand galleons to be transferred into pounds and placed in a savings account for further schooling you may wish to do. Although I expect universities to be throwing themselves at you."
"To my only son and child Harry James Potter- I'm so sorry I won't be here to watch you grow into the strong, brave, intelligent, and powerful wizard and man you are destined to be. Promise me to live your life without worrying about this stupid prophecy. Grow into a man and I know you will do great things. I love you, baby. I leave the remainder of my assets to you to be calculated by Ragnok and no other. Along with your school trust vault which has already been prepared."
"If both myself Lily Jane Potter and my husband James Charlus Potter have died I have chosen to leave my son and only child Harry James Potter in the custody of his Godfather Sirius Orion Black and his Godmother Emma Jean Granger. If neither is able to take him custody will be given to Narcissa Helen Black or Andromeda Cedrella Tonks. Custody is to never be given to my sister Petunia Rose Dursley. If it comes to that point the muggle authorities will place him with Remus John Lupin with a foster home placement for the two days prior and two days following the full moon with Severus Tobias Snape."
"And it's signed and dated James signed as did myself and Emma as witnesses prepared by the Evans family attorney." Daniel hands the will back to Emma "And don't even think about obliviating us and taking both of our kids. The Goblins have a copy of that will and so does Amelia Bones. Now. We will continue sending Harry and Hermione to Hogwarts but during the Summer, Christmas, and Easter holidays I don't want to even hear your name whispered in my presence."
Emma holds her wand loosely in her hand. "You should know by now Dumbledore that my husband is very stubborn when he believes in something."
Dumbledore's eyes are narrowed his lips pursed into a thin line as he stared into Daniel's very familiar emerald eyes his eyes searching under the man's fringe.
Daniel smirked and wiped a fingertip over his scar wiping the concealer away. "Looking for this old man?"
"Harry… I should have known… and you dragged Miss Granger into this even…" He sadly shook his head. "You know you cannot do this Harry…"
"I'm not Miss. Granger thank you very much if you feel you must refer to me by my prior name I am Mrs. Hermione Jean Potter. Or Lady Potter to you." Emma narrowed her eyes. "You don't get to treat us like kids anymore. We are not students and we are no longer scared and injured fifteen and sixteen years old. Now I suggest you leave now or I'll whistle for our auror guard and she'll apparate directly to Madame Bones."
Dumbledore frowned and tried to catch the young Harry's eye to see that he was staring at his trainers his left hand clenched into a fist while his right was clutching Hermione's who was glaring at him much in the same manner as her parents. "This isn't over Mr.- Doctor Granger." He stared into Dan's eyes and frowned as his probe hit a firm occlumency formed shield.
"Maybe not but you are in check old man now you will leave!" Daniel pulled his wand out and Dumbledore vanished as Daniel slid his wand back into his back pocket to see Emma looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "What? It was simply the opposite of a summoning charm, he's back on our porch." Slowly he turned to the two teenagers on the couch and kneeled tilting Harry's chin until they were looking into each other's eyes. After a few moments, Harry smiled nervously.
"I shoulda figured it out. I mean... you look just like Dad… Hi Harry." He turned to see Emma had taken his left hand in both of hers "Hi Mione…"
"Mum… Daddy? Please, will you tell us?" Hermione asked finally able to speak her trust in Dumbledore shattered.
Daniel smiled. "Let's invite Tonks back in and I'll call your Uncle to join us for dinner. Then the three of us will tell you everything."
"Uncle Nigel… wait he can't be my real uncle…" Hermione trailed off remembering Lily's will.
"He's Neville isn't he?" Harry finished Hermione's thought as Daniel nodded.
"That's right. I'll order take out and after dinner." He saw both of them nod and placed a gentle kiss on both Harry and Hermione's brows and picked up the phone dialing. "Hey, Nev. It's time… Right, see you in fifteen." He hung up as he watched Emma wrap both of the teens in a loving hug. He ran his fingers through his fringe. It's going to be a long night...