Harry chewed at his lip not certain where to go or what to do. His entire world had suddenly flipped upside down in the space of a single afternoon. He smiled as he felt Hermione give his hand a firm squeeze and shook his head as he was reminded that he wasn't alone in this.
"Yeah, I need five number fives and a number eight… Yeah, family size… uhhuh… Daniel Granger Number twelve Hillman Dr. Yeah… Thank you… You too." Daniel sat the phone back on the receiver as Tonks walked back inside.
"So, what did I miss? I could feel some major magic in here tugging at the wards I just placed. It was pretty intense." Tonks shook her head dropping onto the couch next to Harry.
"Just Mr. For The Greater Good himself determined to take my Godson back into an abusive situation. He was irritated I said no." Emma snorted "Barmy tosser, thought to have James' will to be sealed but didn't even think of checking if Lily had her own will. One which would supersede James'"
Tonks rolled her eyes "Is this the moment I should mention that he sent me an owl last night asking me to join something called…"
"The Order of The Phoenix." Daniel stated his hands in his pockets as he took a deep breath "Bugger, almost forgot about that. What do you think Em?"
Emma made a weighing motion with her hands. "Remus or Arthur fifty-fifty either way. If I was a betting woman though I'd say, Arthur. He's the most familiar with both Harry and Hermione. Who knows what Dumbles will tell them to get them to come."
"Probably that we are disguised death eaters who murdered the Grangers when Voldemort returned a few nights ago." Daniel sighed after a moment before looking over to Tonks. "I almost want to have you join the order as our spy."
Tonks shook her head. "Have you gone daft Dan? Do you know what me boss would do if she found out I was away from you and the kidlets for any reason? She'd hang my arse on her wall! No thanks! Until Bones says to move my arse it is staying right here with you four."
Dan chuckled at the image of Madame Bones sipping her tea with Tonk's arse hanging on a plaque behind her. "Can't say you're wrong Tonks. We do need some type of spy though. Ron and Ginny won't work as they were too young so were the twins. Maybe we could convince Arthur?"
Emma frowned as Harry hesitated "What about Sirius?" He asked after a moment to see Dan shaking his head.
"No way in hell am I allowing our godfather to stay close to that arsehole… Not this time. Remus would probably do it if we told him everything?" Daniel turned to Emma who was nodding her head.
"Yes, I think Remus is likely the best choice for our spy within the order Arthur is just too…" Emma paused a moment "Naive about the headmaster to go against him."
Harry frowned and opened his mouth to ask Daniel about Sirius when the sound of a loud motorcycle was heard coming from right outside. He looked over to see Hermione practically bouncing before she got up and ran to the front door as it opened leaping into the arms of the man who was walking in.
"Uncle Nigel!"
Nigel chuckled as he caught his only niece lifting her into the air above his head. "This can't be little Hermione! Your gonna be taller than your Dad if you keep growing." He grinned as Hermione kissed his cheek before he set her down. "Daniel!" Both men hugged each other firmly before he hugged Emma "And the most beautiful woman on the island!"
Harry stared wide-eyed as he took in Hermione's Uncle Nigel who he knew was actually his year mate Neville Longbottom. If he hadn't have known he never would have expected. The man was big. Not fat in any way, no Neville had definitely lost his puppy poundage. This man was tall a good six feet at least! And muscular. Harry shook his head as the man looked over at him Harry was surprised to see he had a full beard but found that it suited him.
Nigel chuckled and walked over to the couch where Harry was still sitting having not moved since they arrived. "Harry James Potter, as I live and breathe it is very good to see you." He smiled at him and held out his hand "I'm Hermione's uncle. Names Nigel."
Harry took his hand firmly before smiling "Like Hermione's Mum and Dad are Emma and Daniel and not Hermione and Harry. Right, Neville?"
Nigel laughed and knelt down hugging Harry "Wasn't sure if they had gotten to explaining that bit yet. How much do you know?"
"Not much actually," Hermione said as she sat back down with Harry. "Oh, this is Auror Tonks. She's Mum and Daddy's bodyguard."
"I'm to watch over the kidlets as well." Tonks grinned and held out her hand. "Watcher, is it Nigel or Neville?"
"Nigel if you don't mind? Don't wanna get mixed up if my little self ever stops by after all. So, Hermione, you were saying?" Nigel turned his attention back to his niece after shaking Tonks' hand.
Hermione shrugged. "Well, we know that Mum and Daddy don't like Dumbledore."
"Oh Sweetheart, I think that may be the understatement of the century." Emma sadly shook her head. "Daddy and I don't dislike the codger we utterly loathe the man with every bit of our being. And Uncle Nigel doesn't feel much better about him."
Nigel shrugged "I think when he finally dies he'll make amazing fertilizer."
Dan snorted before shaking his head "As much as I hate to disagree with another doctor, I firmly believe that magical aura of his will kill every plant in the vicinity." He rubbed at the stubble on his chin "Well, maybe it'll be good for weeds."
Harry glanced over at Hermine a confused expression easily visible. "Your uncle is a doctor?"
With a giggle, Hermione shrugged "Technically? Yes, just like Mum and Daddy Uncle Nigel got a doctorate in his chosen study. He has a doctorate in Botany. I'm guessing it was as close to herbology that he was able to find."
Harry found himself quickly agreeing with Hermione before he frowned up at his future self who was quietly discussing something with Emma and Nigel. The two other adults seemed to be in agreement about it. Whatever it was. "You said you were going to explain?"
"After dinner, trust my stories are better on a full stomach. And don't worry. I do recall what foods I liked at fourteen. You and Hermione are very similar when it comes to your tastes." Dan smiled as the doorbell rang. "And speak of the devil." He walked over to the door pulling his wallet from his jeans as Hermione tugged Harry up guiding him to the dining room.
Emma was already pouring three glasses of milk "Nev? Would you like milk or a pint?"
"The last thing I want is to be buzzed while we talk to the kids. Milk for us all I think. Especially Danny." Nigel helped set the table as Hermione and Harry sat down.
"I think that is a very good idea. Tonks your seat is on Harry's left." Emma smiled setting a glass of milk at her spot as the pretty auror sat down.
"Food incoming!" Daniel walked into the dining room carrying two bags. Soon everyone was dishing themselves up.
A few minutes into eating Hermione frowned. Her Dad and Mum kept glancing at each other having a conversation with just their eyes and subtle movements. She felt lost. So many things she was now seeing. Gestures, expressions… "How?" She covered her mouth with her hand realizing she had spoken aloud to see her Mum smile sadly at her as her Daddy shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I know you said you'd tell us everything once we finished dinner. But, but I just don't understand how… how were you able to hide the fact that you were Harry from me, Daddy?" Hermione frowned looking down at her hands "I always thought I knew Harry…"
"Don't you see Mione?" Harry placed a hand on her upper arm and gave that same unsure smile she often saw her Daddy give. "You never suspected he was me because you do know me! Probably better than anyone I have ever met! You already knew me before we even met. You never connected us because well. You knew your Dad first. My mannerisms would have just seemed normal to you." Harry shook his head "It's likely why you can read me so well. You know we drive Ron nutters when we do that." He motioned with his head at Emma and Dan. "He can never understand how in just a few looks or smiles we can have an entire conversation."
"I'm really glad to see we never lost it." Harry hesitated a brief moment before he brushed Hermione's cheek with his lips.
"...Harry…" Hermione's fingertips went to her cheek a light blush on both of them before she smiled and simply nodded. Without another word, both teens returned to their dinner.
Once everyone had finished eating Dan swallowed his last drop of milk and stood up. "Em, leave the dishes. If it really bugs you I'll do them before I come up to bed ok?"
Emma frowned but finally nodded and gestured everyone back into the family room. Harry, Hermione, and Tonks retook their spots on the couch as Emma sat on the love seat. Nigel leaned against the mantel with his arms crossed watching as Daniel began to pace running his fingers through his hair.
"Alright, I...I never actually thought about where to start… I guess it all starts with Voldemort."
Daniel watched as Tonks winced when he said Voldemort's name and shook his head "I suggest you get used to our calling him by his name. I refuse to call him any hyphenated bullshit because wizards are afraid of a name!" He took a deep breath and shook his head "I'm sorry Tonks." He returned to pacing. "Monday's Daily prophet you should be ready Harry it will not be kind to you."
"My summer before my fifth year was a nightmare." Daniel finally sat down next to Emma who wrapped her arm around his waist.
"Dumbledore… He kept everyone from me. I didn't receive any mail the entire summer. Well, nothing of substance. So I kept an eye and ear out for any mention in the muggle news that could be related to the death eaters. It was after listening outside the window that I met my first assassination attempt." Dan smiled as Emma rested her head on his shoulder. "Dudley and his gang were being jackarses to a younger boy…. Trying to rob him if I remember correctly. I took out my wand Dudley knew I meant business and told his gang to pack it in. That's when I felt it."
Harry leaned forward his lips dry as he watched Dan tremble.
"What did you feel Daddy?" Hermione asked nervously as her father briefly closed his eyes before looking at both of them.
"I felt the night go silent… I saw all light vanish And the cold… The bitter piercing cold Dudley started freaking out thinking I was doing it. He knocked me flat before running right towards them."
"Right behind us were two dementors, and they were there for me. It… was a close thing but Dudley and I both managed to hold onto our souls. I think you both can imagine." Dan gave a sad smile at both of the teenagers who simply nodded.
"That's when I first started to learn of Dumbledore's deviousness. Harry, Mrs. Figg is a squib. She lives on Privet Drive on Dumbledore's request. She came up to help me with Dudley and told me herself. Then she began cursing someone called Mundungus. Em and I became very familiar with that man. If I have my way neither of you two will meet him. Turns out he was supposed to be watching over me. So there you go Harry. Proof that Dumbledore not only knew what the Dursleys did to you but, more than that he didn't care." Daniel took a deep breath "We got home and I was expelled, told not to leave by Sirius, Was kicked out by Uncle Vernon, Had Dumbledore send a howler to Aunt Petunia, and finally received yet another owl from the ministry telling me I wasn't expelled yet."
Emma gently kissed his forehead right over his scar. "I meanwhile had been taken from my Mum and Dad fairly soon after returning home and put under the protection of The Order Of The Phoenix. Ron, Ginny, Fred, George and myself weren't allowed to know anything of what the order did, of course, we were all far too young. Harry… he wasn't happy with us when he got to … Oh, bloody hell I can't say the name already." She frowned "Let's just call it headquarters."
"The rest of the summer wasn't great, we did a lot of cleaning of the headquarters it was very dirty… Old anyways, Harry had his hearing and while Fudge tried to screw him over obviously he was not expelled." Emma paused and took a deep breath before turning to direct her full attention to Hermione. "Sweetheart… Baby, my beautiful little girl. I have to ask something of you which may break your heart."
Hermione licked her lips and felt Harry's hand clutch her own "Mummy?"
Emma smiled sadly "Dumbledore is going to make you a prefect… I need you to reject it."
Hermione's jaw dropped "Bu-but Mum…Being prefect?"
Emma shook her head "I'm sorry Hermione I have to insist on this. Dumbledore made Ron and I prefects and I now suspect it was likely a plot to pull us from Harry. A-and it worked… To a far greater degree than I ever thought. Do you understand?"
Hermione finally nodded "Yes Mum, yes, I understand… For Harry, I'd give anything up."
"Mione…" Harry squeezed her hand smiling as she returned the gesture.
"I think we should fast forward a bit… Oh! Harry, Hermione you are going to meet a girl by the name of Luna Lovegood on the Hogwarts Express. She's… odd but both your Mum and I count her as one of our best friends." Dan smiled at the memories of the fae like girl. "She will be a friend for life I assure you."
Nigel coughed and stood from where he was leaning "I think we should get to Umbitch."
Both Emma and Daniel nodded "The ministry upon deciding that Dumbledore and I were both lying for attention about Voldemort decided to interfere and placed their own representative as the professor for Defense Against The Dark Arts. I wish it had been Snape…" Dan saw both Harry and Hermione exchange a glance "No I haven't gone round the bend. You see, Snape may hate me because of Dad… But he has his reasons. Umbitch just wanted me gone dead or expelled. Didn't matter to her." He heard his daughter suddenly gasp and nodded "You're right she was the one who ordered the dementors to go after me."
"Then Fudge?" Harry rubbed his scar it was irritating him a touch. He saw Dan do the exact same and frowned.
"Nah, apparently as Under Secretary to the Minister she could sign off on all sorts of things. That was the first of many. Harry, I want you to listen very closely to me. That woman is going to bait you. She is going to do everything she can to make you angry you must not let her. She's just waiting to give you detention… Quite fond of lines she is." Dan frowned as Harry cocked his head they both had the start of a scar ache Dan knew which would impact their moods. "I know what you're thinking. But, her lines are ones I'm going to insist you never do." Without another word, he rubbed the back of his left hand with his right fingertips until he had removed all of the concealer he regularly wore unable to explain this scar.
Harry stood up and walked over to see Dan make a fist the words clear for all to see.
I must not tell lies
Harry took a step back and nodded the last thing he wanted was another scar. His scar was starting to feel better as he sat down. Guess something pleased old Voldemort.
"A black quill… Don't risk it either of you. In fact, I want you both to keep your heads down all year if you can. The only thing I want from you both are good grades. That and…" Dan looked to Emma and Nigel who both nodded "Alright, there is one more thing. On the seventh floor across from the large tapestry, there is a blank wall. Just pace in front of it thinking I need someplace to learn to fight three times and a door will appear. Harry, I want you to teach Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, Neville, and Luna to fight. Really fight I'll help you this summer Neville and I both will and I'm sure Em will help Hermione to track down the best spells. Harry, we know there is at least one dark lord coming for us. But you and I both know there may be two. I swear to you Em and I would both trust any of those I listed with our very lives. Trust them, train them."