I don't own Harry Potter but I appreciate being allowed to play with the characters

Chapter 20

THREE WEEKS, THREE HOMES

The four teens departed the train together happy and laughing. They were greeted by an excited group of parents all jostling to embrace their children.

Ron and Daphne had stayed on board for as long as possible, neither wanting to part.

Arthur Weasley was standing with the rest of his family waiting for his youngest son. A slightly over weight, well dressed wizard approached them with his wife and young daughter.

"Arthur."

"Cyrus."

"How is things in misuse."

"Oh you know same old. How's things in the foreign office."

"You know same old."

The idle chit chat was interrupted as Lucius Malfoy strode past, sneering at the pair. His mini me followed behind attempting the same look. Unfortunately the boy looked more like he had crapped himself. Cyrus nodded to the man but waited for him to pass before speaking.

"That arrogant prick thinks I will sign my Daphne away just because his little shit has taken a shine to her. I will move us all to the embassy in France before that happens."

"I don't blame you, I will do anything to protect my lot."

Cyrus smiled he liked the man before him, he was honest, kind and very good at his job.

The Grangers, Longbottoms and Blacks departed the platform together, separated and headed to their own homes.

Ron and Daphne had waited As long as possible. Once they were on the platform they would have to pretend they were casual acquaintances. They were surprised to see their family's standing together.

Molly pulled Ron into a bone crushing hug. While Daphne embraced her Mother.

"Arthur I will see you in a couple of weeks, when we are back from the trade conference in France. You should definitely consider my offer."

Daphne tried to hide her disappointment, two weeks in France meant no chance in sneaking out to see Ron.

"Yes well its a fabulous opportunity but I don't know."

"Well if my daughters boyfriend can't convince his father after spending a fortnight in France I don't know who can."

The pair of pre teens looked up in shock as the two fathers laughed while their wife's rolled their eyes. Arthur was the first to regain control.

"Did you think we were so naive that we wouldn't spot what was happening. Ron telling us you were going to find a tree to sit under and do your homework."

Arthur laughed again as Cyrus continued.

"Mother I'm going to walk around the grounds for five hours."

The pair blushed as Cyrus continued.

"The first formal function will be in a week, so that is how long you will have to teach him all you know."

Daphne leapt into her fathers arms and thanked him. The man smiled, knowing he would not have to see his eldest daughter looking bored all night. They all travelled home to prepare for the start of their summer.

The Grangers entered "Harrys restaurant" as Hermione had taken to calling it. The building was packed with people and a queue out the door. The family were about to head to the back when they were stopped by the man standing at the pedestal.

"Ah Mr and Mrs Granger do follow me the rest of you party are waiting."

The trio were a little embarrassed to be guided past some very wealthy and influential people. Reaching the table they were shocked to see who was there. The long table had Sarah, Dudley, Nev, Sue, Harry, Tonks, Mooney, two people they didn't recognise, later introduced as Andie and Ted Tonks and all the parents. Hermione took the empty seat between Harry and Susan. Her parents sat between the Potters and Longbottoms. There were 2 more empty places, the table was huge. Emma Granger was beaming, the last year she had gone from worrying that she would loose her daughter to feeling more accepted that at Dan's snobbish golf course. The waiting staff started to load the table with a selection of starters, with that many people in one group it would be less strain on the kitchen. Hermione was keen to share her plans. While they waited for the last two guests.

"I thought picnics in the park, the cinema and we could ride our bikes. The magicals explained they didn't have bikes but Sirius said it would not be a problem.

"And we can go bowling."

"what a fabulous idea Hermione."

The group was addressed by Albus Dumbledore wearing a pin stripe suite and a smile, accompanied by Minerva. Four of the children groaned as Hermione and Sarah looked confused. They were unaware that the very powerful Dumbledore was a little obsessed with the noble art of ten pin bowling. The week was excellent the four growing closer. Dudley and Sarah joined them some of the time but also went on excursions with her parents. Hermione's favourite time was a bike ride to the park and a picnic. Harry found the cinema amazing he had seen a movie before but never in a place like this. Neville enjoyed the time at the Grangers home. They would all rise, criminally early as far as Hermione was concerned. Dan would chase them through an exercise routine until all but Neville was a sweaty mess. They would then move onto the mats and Dan then ran them through hand to hand training. The theory was the fitter they were the stronger their magic, Hermione had already proved that a mixture of both could be very affective. This was followed by the happiest times she could remember. Her boyfriend insisted on cooking her breakfast every morning, the first day spooning small amounts of scrambled eggs into her mouth when she stated that she would never be able to hold a book again. Following puppy dog eyes from Susan, Neville found himself feeding her as well.

The following week it was Frank and Alice's turn to host Longbottom manor was massive with extensive grounds. Neville's gran lived there as well in her own wing. The four were not expecting the three tents erected in a row on the back lawn with senior auror Alistair Moody.

At the same time a very nervous Ron was escorting a beautiful dressed Daphne behind her parents I to a large ball room. The boy had never worn cloths as fine as these, he was shocked the Ministry of Magic had paid for them. Daphne's sister Astoria was with them as well, the 10 year old had taken an instant shine to Ron. He was treating her like a little sister and would make sure danced with her so she would feel included. This had the effect of making Daphne fall for him more the two girls were every close growing up. It had been explained that as part of the delegation representing England, there was a standard to be expected. The previous week had been surprisingly enjoyable, lessons on how to great people, how to eat correctly and how to dress. The evening playing chess with his girlfriend's father was great. He treated politics as a game on a bigger board. Discovering that it had been Arthur who had taught the lad was a surprise. They had been asked to listen for any information let slip by the other teens in the room. The pair danced a laughed, Daphne was not totally happy dancing with the other boys and Ron was just as unimpressed dancing with the other girls. Some would try to flirt with him much to his girlfriends distain. Ron would politely rebuff them and find a reason to dance with Daphne. Ron had only let one little snippet of information slip the rest of his admirers had left empty handed. In the coach on the way home Cyrus asked a question.

"So Ronald it seems the Swiss delegate would like to know if we were serious in dealing with them over Germany."

"Sorry Mr Greengrass but I did hear the German's were looking for ways to ramp up the shipping fees to bolster their profit. Seeing as Sweden are desperate for our products I thought it would beneficial to let slip that England was willing to sacrifice a little profit for the deal and cut the Germans out. Sacrifice a Pawn for greater control of the board and more profit."

Cyrus laughed and patted the boys knee.

"You lad have the makings an excellent politician."

Daphne had been dozing with her head on Ron's shoulder a small smile crossed her lips. The following week was filled with sight seeing and other political meetings, The young couple were not always needed to attend.

The smile on Mad-eye's face was practically predatory.

"So you four want to learn to look after yourselves, so be it. I have arranged for two of the best Aurors I have trained to teach you."

The flap on the centre tent opened, Frank and Alice Longbottom emerged. Hermione looked confused, it didn't look big enough for two adults. Moody stomped away chuckling to himself.

Alice informed them that they were wizarding tents, bigger on the inside and their home for the next week.

"Sue you and Hermione are in the left tent, Neville and Harry you are in the right. We will show you how to pack then up and we will be off into the grounds."

The group made camp hear the lake on the grounds. During the day they learned how to maintain the tents, how to set protections around their camp, played in the water and learn about the wild plants and flowers around them. At night they would cook together on the open fire or using the kitchen in the Longbottoms tent, sit and listen to Neville's parents share stories and snuggle by a fire. When the week ended Frank and Alice were shocked when 4 pleading children begged for another camping adventure before the end of the holidays.

On their return to the Greengrass ancestral home Ron and Daphne's family were greeted by Molly and Arthur. Arthur was beaming with pride.

"Ron the Minister of Magic has been informed of the help you provided and I have a request of your parents that you be able to join us in Spain for the last 2 weeks of the holidays." Cyrus explained.

Ron and Daphne were now 12, Ginny would be 11 in August and Astoria 11 in September. The group spent a lot of time together during the rest of the holidays. Ginny and Astoria became very close as well as the youngest red heads childhood friend Luna. Both Luna and Astoria had early September birthdays. Due to this they would both have to wait another year before they could attend Hogwarts. Fed and George the twin terrors had tried to prank them with little to no luck, it seemed the young trio of girls would be a force to reckon with and most of the pranks were turned back on them. There were times when the three would disappear off and leave Daphne and Ron with his older siblings. Ron would fly with the twins, Daphne would engage Percy in a game of chess. The two formed their own bond as the quietest of the group. When it was time for the trip to Spain Luna and Ginny were sad to see their new friend leave. The travelling group would be back for the weekend before the start of school so they could get their new school year things. It was quickly agreed that Luna would join them so Astoria didn't get bored.

Harry, Neville, Sue and Hermione spent the third week of their holiday at Grimmuld Place. The mornings were spent in the basement, Tonks would arrive some mornings to put them through their paces. Other days a tall muscular man by the name of Kingsley would come instead. The two Aurors entered Amelia's office. Looking up the head of the DMLE greeted two of her favourites.

"How's the baby sitting going." The two laughed.

"Ill be honest with you boss, if those four chose to seriously fight as a team they would decimate anyone."

Amelia nodded for the young auror to continue.

"Your Susan constantly transfigured the environment to give them the upper hand. Hermione was constantly on the move providing shields and don't let her get close, she could probably rip your arm off and feed it to you. Neville has the brute force to smash through almost any shield. And there is your Harry team leader and tactician. That quite lad becomes a different person. An instinctual fighter with the skill and knowledge to match"

Amelia was taken by surprise.

"They are that good?"

Kingsley smiled "Better, for them it's all a game at the moment and I personally think it's s good thing. They are children not Aurors. On the other hand I'm glad they can look after themselves and each other."

After their training the group would wander into muggle London and visit the different museums and parks. So far three different homes but all wonderful experiences.