Happy Saturday, my freaky darlings! For those of you returning you know that Saturday is my me day, so I usually post. And when I know Saturday is a no-go, I post Friday. And not gonna lie- May is gonna be busy. So, the next post will probably be Friday. I have a nice little backlog right now, both first drafted and on the computer. So, I'm trying to be good and pace myself posting. Thank you all for the comments, reviews, kudos, favorites, follows, and subscriptions. (This is what happens when you post on several sites.) As usual, I own nothing, I adore you all, and hope you enjoy.

Chapter 3 Plans

At four thirty Hermione showered and dressed for company. Decades of hospitality lessons drilled into her, she prepared tea, lemonade, and trays of finger sandwiches. She tried to read, but her nerves prevented her from concentrating fully. Kingsley had fire called yesterday to inform her of the identities of her bodyguards.

At the moment the strongest emotion she felt was relief neither of them was Ron. As the clock on her mantel chimed six o'clock the flames in the fireplace turned green. She stood in front of it, leaving room for the men to enter her flat. Kingsley emerged first, greeting her with a hug. Robards and Carter followed, Marcus and Harry bringing up the rear. "Hello, gentlemen, come in, have a seat." She gestured to the seating she arranged in the living room. "I have tea, lemonade, and some light snacks. Help yourself." She sat on one of the wing chairs. Kingsley took the other leaving the couch and the transfigured one for the others. "Thank you, Hermione." They sat and helped themselves. Noticing Hermione did not serve herself Marcus poured her a glass of lemonade and fixed her a small plate. He offered it to her. "Oh, thank you." He nodded silently and served himself.

Kingsley waited until all of them had a chance to eat before starting. "Mr. Flint agreed to arrive on the 18th and stay the night, which I approve of. I have the portkey for you to use to travel to the enclave." Harry frowned. "Issues, Potter?"

"Andromeda agreed to host a Christmas party on the 18th for me and Teddy since I'll be gone."

Marcus's heart beat faster, an evening alone with Hermione would be the best Christmas present ever. "That's fine," he said in an even tone. "Miss Granger and I can meet you in the morning. Or you could meet us after the party."

"That'll depend on Ginny."

"Don't row with her on my account," instructed Hermione.

"It won't be on your account," promised Harry. They stared at each other silently.

Kingsley cleared his throat continuing, "The hamingjas sent a short list of cultural guidelines. You may accept or decline any gift offered to you. No one will offer more than they can afford to give, but will not be offended you did not like their gift. There are no strings attached. You may go anywhere you wish. No door is closed to you. Nor do you have to stay within a certain area. I'm sure they will remind you of all of this when you arrive. But most important, if you are forced to defend yourself it will be an insult."

"I can't defend myself?"

"Of course, you can. But if you should have to it will be seen as an insult to you. And that offends them."

"To me?" she asked surprised.

"That's why they asked for bodyguards. They will disburse crowds and discourage well-wishers that might overwhelm you. As an honored guest they want you to feel that in a positive way. Add the fact that as the focus of the ceremony you will absorb most of the magical energy, you might feel the need for space."

"I read that, and over the next weeks I can share the residual."

Kingsley chuckled, "Of course you did. You are correct, that is when you are in the greatest need of crowd control. Some of the younger members will find themselves drawn to you. Most beings with magical abilities will be." He looked at Harry and Marcus who nodded. "Any questions?"

"No, we portkey back on Dec 29th so we can attend the Ministry's
event" confirmed Hermione.

Marcus turned to Hermione, "Is there anywhere you'd like to stay?"

"Oh, um, you wouldn't mind muggle accommodations?"

"No, they would be easier to secure against wizards wanting to convince you to share the blessing. This is undoubtedly international news. If they can find you they will try. Most have no idea how to enter a muggle hotel once you charm it not to allow apparation."

Harry agreed, "Think immediately after the war. Everyone wanted to thank you, shake your hand, and all that stuff. Now add in that you're shiny and brimming with magic. This might be why they want you to stay afterward."

"I see your point. I will look over the internet and find something."

"Thank you," Marcus nodded.

Carter looked at Marcus, "Today is the 15th, take the next three days as paid leave, both of you." He included Harry. "Make arrangements, do what you need to. Just contact Miss Granger and Potter about arrangements." Marcus nodded once. "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Granger."

"You're welcome." One by one each departed until only Hermione and Harry remained. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"What?" Harry looked at her confused.

"Whatever is bothering you. The reason you aren't rushing home to spend the next three days with Ginny?"

"I don't want to burden you?"

"And I wish you would. These are the issues I want to discuss. You can't talk about Ginny problems with Ron. He'd side with his sister more likely than not. And his method of dealing with Veronica's issues is to let her have her way." She rolled her eyes. "Me, he'd fight with constantly, her it's whatever dear. Let me help."

"I started to notice things once you pointed out that the only thing anyone discusses is Hugo. If she's not training or away at a match, Ginny is out shopping with Veronica or where ever Veronica and Hugo are at. We never go on dates or have dinner alone. Either I eat by myself or we go to the Burrow. She never does anything with her friends or Victorie."
"I know," Hermione said in a small voice.
"You know?"

"About Victorie, I mean. Since Gabrielle was still a minor, Bill and Fleur asked me to be her godmother. When Ginny stopped taking her to the spa Bill asked if I was comfortable increasing our outings so Tori wouldn't notice. Now, we go to the library and the spa."

"That's good. I also realized I pay all the household expenses, which to be fair aren't much. But I want a partner, not a sugar baby." Hermione tried to keep in her laughter. "Go ahead, laugh. I'm a twenty-two-year-old sugar daddy. She actually told me I couldn't go with you because I would miss Hugo's first Christmas." Hermione remained silent. "She tried to guilt me. I called her on it." He paused and added quietly, "I told her I'm afraid to have children with her. For some reason, she cannot put anyone else first."

"How can Ron afford Veronica's spending? Most of his Order of Merlin's money went to buying me out of our investments and letting her redecorate as she wanted to. She doesn't work, which isn't a judgment against housewives or stay home mothers, just an observation. But unless he got a huge raise I don't know about, he doesn't make enough to afford that kind of spending."

"I don't know. I never noticed or thought about it before. Now, I wouldn't know how to ask."

"None of our business anyway. I just wondered." She shook her head.

"I told Ginny she needed to take this time to think and decide our priorities. She tried to give me an ultimatum."

"Oh, Harry," Hermione whispered.

"Yeah, I also told her she needed to put us first. Wanna bet she isn't home when I get there?" he asked in a bitter tone.

"Would you like me to come with you?" she asked. "I could claim I came over to get out of the house and see her."

"It would be nice to not be miserable and alone," he admitted.

Ginny felt a little guilty when she finally returned home. But Veronica reminded her Harry wasn't her boss, she was a grown woman. She could do as she pleased. He needed to remember that. So what if she focused on her godson? He did that with Teddy right after the war. And he had vaults full of money he could afford to pay for his house. She should spend her money how she wanted. And it wasn't fair Harry was going with Hermione and not Ron. He should be demanding Hermione include their other best friend, not allow him to be excluded.

She started towards the stairs when she heard laughter from the library. She changed directions to discover Harry and Hermione playing a muggle board game. "Hello." They both greeted her. "What's this?"

"A game called Risk," Harry answered.

"Oh, why?" Ginny asked.

"Hermione asked if she could come over to see you." He pointed to a pile of wrapped presents. "She brought her Christmas presents for the family, too. When you weren't here we started playing to pass the time."

Hermione looked at the clock, "Good lord, look at the time. I should get going." She stood and kissed Harry on the cheek. "Thanks for dinner and the game. Bye, Ginny, nice to see you. We need to get lunch soon and catch up."

Ginny seethed, "I know what you're doing. You're trying to steal Harry. Well, you can't have him. He's mine."

"Are you sure about that?" Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Not that I want him like that. I tried dating my best friend. We all know how that went."

"You shouldn't be taking Harry without Ron. You're the Golden Trio," Ginny snapped.

"Yeah, well, Ron put paid to that when he stepped outside our relationship," Hermione shot back.

"Ginny," warned Harry.

"No, she's trying to steal you. And cut my brother out of the rewards. You owe him."

Hermione sighed, "We went over this. He cut himself out. And I'd say he owes me. I am leaving." She waved and Harry and left the room.

Ginny turned back to Harry, "Me or her, Harry. I won't tolerate another woman

in my house trying to take my place."

"Her," he answered instantly. "I think you should stay at the Burrow tonight. Kreacher will bring you your things tomorrow."

"Wait! What are you saying?" she panicked.

"I choose Hermione. She'd never ask me to choose her. As this is my house, that I pay for the running of, you are leaving. I do not want you to come back, so Kreacher will collect anything belonging to you and deposit them at the Burrow. I warned you just yesterday not to manipulate me. I also asked you to be home when I got here. Kept you informed of my plans. You choose not to. I know what's important now, and it isn't me. I'm done. We're done." He left the room without looking back.

Ginny stared after him. She blinked. Veronica had been dead wrong. Harry dumped her. Threw her out. She wracked her brain for somewhere to stay not the Burrow. She didn't want her parents to know about the breakup before she could fix things. She could give Harry space, let him miss her. Then she would stun him at the New Year's Eve ball. She would be more careful about getting home before him once he took her back. Kreacher handed her a suitcase and ushered her to the fireplace. She called a teammate asking to crash there. Tomorrow she would figure things out.

Hermione surfed the web for hotels, curious she looked into the ice hotel her parents honeymooned at. Sorrisniva still operated both the traditional style hotel and the ice hotel. She called. They had one ice suite available still. She could have it at a discount if she took over a canceled reservation for the next three nights. She held the rooms with her credit card, promising to confirm by five their time. A call to Kingsley confirmed that while he would prefer she travel with someone he could not, and would not, control her movements. She was free to travel as she pleased. She knew Harry had plans for the next few days with Teddy. Luna and Rolf were abroad. Neville would still be busy with school. She hated to impose, but she wanted to see the Northern Lights and sleep in an igloo. Well, not a real one, but the closest she would ever get. Before she could overthink she apparated away.

Marcus packed his bag while Adrian Pucey and Cassius Warrington made outrageous predictions. "You'll come back with some exotic bride," joked Adrian.

"More likely be cursed by one," laughed Cassius.

"I'll be working. This is a work trip," he replied through gritted teeth. "There will not be time to meet a bride, exotic or not."

"Except Granger. The two of you alone. Damn, she got fit. Put in a good word for me?" asked Adrian.

"No. And Potter will be there. I'm sure I'll be a third wheel."

"They aren't together," Cassius protested.

"You know what I mean."

He considered throwing them out when a visitor knocked on the door. He opened it to find a nervous Hermione standing there. "Hello," she said giving a small wave.

"Hello."

She looked behind him noticing Adrian and Cassius. "Oh, you have company, of course, you do. I can come back, oh, but, no, I can't, can I?"

"They're leaving," Marcus said simply. "Now," he barked when they stood there looking at her. Grumbling both men exited. Adrian turned and waggled his eyebrows suggestively at Marcus, who scowled back t at him. "Come in, Miss Granger," he said in a warmer tone.

"Call me Hermione, please."

"Only if you agree to call me Marcus."

"That's fair." She entered the flat. "I'm sorry to impose."

"You're not, imposing that is. Have a seat." He cringed internally at the mess. She didn't seem to notice or simply ignored it. "How can I help you?"

She wrung her hands, "This is silly. You're busy. You won't want to go."

"Try me."

She took a deep breath, "Sorry, I've been flustered this last week. Looking into muggle hotels I remembered the hotel my parents stayed at during their honeymoon. Does cold bother you? Like really cold?"

"No, not really."

"Do you have pressing plans before we head to Tronso?"

"Um, no. My family does a formal dinner for Christmas, which they won't reschedule just because I'll be gone. The black sheep, if you know what I mean."

She nodded, "Would you be opposed to a short side trip? In Alta, there's an igloo hotel. You can sleep in one of the suites. I always wanted to go. Kingsley said it was fine, but doesn't want me to go alone. He'd prefer I went with someone, but nearly everyone I know is busy. And I'm rambling."

"Merlin's beard, woman, when do you breathe?"

"About eleven times a minute," she joked. "Let me start again. I want to take the next three nights and stay at the famous Sorrisniva Ice Hotel in Alta. Sorry for the rush, they have one room left and need me to book tonight through the 18th. We would check out the morning we go to the enclave."

"Okay. Do I need anything in particular?"

She blinked at his easy agreement. "Muggle id, really warm pajamas, and slippers."

"All packed. Do you need me to arrange a portkey?"

"No, I can manage one," she said distractedly, reviewing her mental lists. He tried to cover his surprise. Portkey creation was complicated magic requiring a large amount of power. To create them yourself required a special license.

"Do you still need to pack?" he asked.

"Just a few things since you agreed," she answered. "I came straight here to ask."

Marcus grabbed his bag, "I'll come with you."

"That sounds like a good plan." She offered him her hand.

He wrapped his arm around her, "Safer like this, spin away."