Again, happy Friday! Another busy weekend with graduation parties and Mother's Day. Which means you lovelies get your chappie early. I know, you're devastated. Legal disclaimer: I own nothing. I hope you all enjoy. Know that your reviews and comments make me smile.
Chapter 5 Northern Lights and Beyond
Thirty minutes before their excursion began they gathered at the sleigh barn.
Marcus watched the snowmobiles with some interest, "Why a night trip?"
"I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights. This way you don't have to fight with technology and we get to hear about the Sami culture, too."
"There it is," he laughed, kissing her forehead when she mocked pouted.
Covered with fur blankets they cuddled in the seat of the sleigh as it glided through the forest. The trees broke apart and the green dancing glow of the aurora borealis illuminated the snow-covered meadow. Hermione gasped in delight and squeezed his hand excitedly. While she watched the sky, he watched her. Years melted off her face. She looked younger than her twenty-three years. She never took her eyes off the lights.
The reality of the sight exceeded her every expectation. When Marcus put his other arm around her shoulders she leaned into the embrace. She loathed the thought of being compared to Veronica, but she couldn't help but compare Marcus and Ron. Ron never displayed his affection like this until someone was watching. She had consoled herself that he seemed to be the same way with Veronica. She watched the celestial performance until she could no longer comfortably see it. The sleigh came to a halt in the center of the clearing before a bonfire circled by rough cut benches. The driver assisted Hermione out. She smiled brightly, "Thank you so much." She addressed the reindeer, "Thank you for bringing us. It made everything perfect."
The driver returned her smile, "You are most welcome. Enjoy the stories of our people." The other resort guests began arriving behind them. Yelena and Askel waved at them from their seats. The audience listened to the Sami speaker recount their beliefs, especially related to the Northern Lights. "It was held as a bad omen. One did not call attention to oneself by clapping back or calling to it."
As they filed back to the sleds, the speaker regarded both wizards, "You are other, are you not?"
"We are," Marcus answered cautiously.
He looked at Hermione, "You have suffered much standing between the world and the darkness." It was not a question. "We give you our thanks," he bowed his head in reverence. She simply nodded. The experience left them solemn. Neither spoke on the return trip until Marcus pulled her close in the sleeping bag, "Are you okay?"
"I think so. His words were similar to the hamingja. I don't really think I did anything that amazing. Then again, neither does Harry. We did what had to be done. Neither of us has ever really liked the accolades or the attention."
"What you did was nothing short of amazing. And you did save the world. Voldemort would never have been content with just Britain. I have no idea why most of you Gryffindors act like it was nothing. Anyone with eyes could tell you lot had been to hell and back."
"It had to be done," she said flatly. "Somebody had to do something. The ministry wasn't going to. And we'd been doing it for the last six years anyway, so there it is."
His arms tightened around her, "That doesn't make it nothing."
"I didn't do anything anyone else couldn't," she protested.
"So, Ronald Weasley could have pieced together all the vague clues Dumbledore left Potter?"
"How do you know about that?"
"Potter and Weasley get to chatting sometimes. If you sit quietly and listen you learn quite a bit of classified information."
"I suppose most of it isn't all that secret."
"I am confident they haven't discussed even half of it." He hugged her, "But what little I know is remarkable. Accept the gratitude. Hedge wizards recognize us. Some can see our auras, others get flashes of divination or glimpses of the past. That's what he saw, something that told him of your involvement. When a healer saves someone's life, we praise and thank them. You are the healer."
"Fine, I will accept it mentally and keep moving forward."
"Good. Now, got to sleep, big day of relaxation tomorrow."
"And a boat ride."
After Ginny left Harry focused on spending time with other friends and Teddy. Several expressed relief he had seen her behavior. "Ron can be just as bad," Neville told him. "Veronica this and Veronica that. Mustn't call her Ronnie, she doesn't like nicknames. Never mind, neither does Hermione. He always called her Mione."
"I don't like her," confessed Luna. "Too many nullywips for my taste."
Harry simply nodded sagely and avoided asking questions he didn't want to hear answered.
Andromeda hosted a small dinner for some family members for Christmas. Teddy, Harry, Bill, Fleur, and their daughter, Victorie. Plus Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. Lucius claimed a prior business obligation. She included Augusta and Neville Longbottom and family friends, Ernest and Octavia MacMillian and their children, Ernie and Camilla.
"No Ginny?" questioned Ernie.
"We want different things right now. So, we're going in different directions," Harry answered.
"That's a roundabout way to say you broke up," laughed Draco.
"I've been spending a lot of time with Hermione lately," Harry shrugged, "It rubs off on you."
"Think you'll reconcile, or is this it?" asked the blond.
"Probably over for good. We had a huge fight and she promised to make more of an effort. Didn't even make it to the next day. Live and learn, I suppose. The worst part, I feel more relieved than heartbroken, like I escaped."
"Well, good for you, mate," Neville clapped him on the back to break the awkward silence that followed.
"How is Hermione? I haven't seen her in a bit," Augusta asked.
"She decided to take a short holiday before going to the enclave."
Narcissa looked at him in horror, "Alone? Please tell me she isn't alone?"
"She took her hit man guard with her. They are staying at a muggle hotel," Bill assured her.
"No one is taking chances with her safety," promised Harry.
"Good," Narcissa promptly changed the subject. Though towards the end of the gathering she asked Harry to send her season's greetings to Hermione.
Early the morning of the 19th Harry portkeyed to Tronso, Norway's wizarding community. Clumps of people crowded the narrow streets. They appeared to be waiting for something, or rather, he suspected someone. Rolling his eyes he extracted a message coin from his pocket, 'Beware crowds.'
'Noted.' came Flint's swift response, then 'Entrance.' Harry made his way to the barrier between the wizard shop and the muggle world.
'Here," he sent.
"So are we," Hermione said behind him.
Harry hugged his friend and nodded to Flint, "It isn't a madhouse per se, but this could get out of hand fast."
"And these people don't have that edge of fear or awe of you and her," Marcus said. "They never saw what the likes of Fenrir Greyback and what he did. Or how brutally you lot took them down."
"Exactly. How do you want to handle this?" Harry asked his partner.
Knowing Hermione would hate being seen as less than capable, and was about to snap at them for speaking of her like she wasn't right there, he turned her, "How visible do you want to be?"
"I acknowledge some of these people just want to see the witch invited by the enclave. This is historic. I don't want to disappoint them, they're harmless. But I don't want to be mobbed, jostled, or touched. I refuse to be interviewed or professionally photographed without my permission.
Both men nodded. "Perception filter?" asked Harry.
"No, I'm thinking psychic paper. Some average person wants to show their kids someday, they can have one. The newspapers get nothing usable.
Marcus looked between the two, "Potter, did any of that make sense to you?"
"Yeah, Hermione and I like Doctor Who."
"Who?"
"Exactly," she laughed. She touched his shoulder gently, "I'll show you when we get back."
He struggled to keep the goofy grin off his face at the idea of still seeing her after they got back. "Sounds good. So, how about this: one of us will go in and keep an eye on the crowd. The other two will follow twenty seconds later. We walk through the crowd some, if they get unruly you portkey out immediately, even if the frontman gets left behind."
She frowned, "I don't like the idea of leaving one of you behind."
"You are the priority here. We'll regroup later. But your safety and comfort come first."
Harry thought it over. "Solid plan, mate." Hermione glared at him. "Mione, this is our job. Honestly, you can handle yourself better than most aurors, but that could cause multiple international incidents. What if the pair follows thirty seconds later, and the front runner announces you will walk the street unless you are mobbed? No shouts for interviews or to look this way and you will smile and wave. Your spell prevents unflattering photos, no one smears you- you simply don't have time for questions. Sound better?"
She considered it, "Yes, I think that may help. And if it doesn't, at least we know we tried."
Marcus agreed, "Who do you want with you?"
She frowned again, "Um, I don't know. I feel safe with both of you. What do you think?"
Marcus felt his chest warm when she admitted to feeling safe with him. He wondered about Harry's thoughtful expression. "Why don't I go first? Separating us might keep things calmer," Harry said reluctantly. "And Flint's larger frame is more intimidating." He held out his arms wide, "Psychic paper me."
Giggling at his antics Hermione waved her wand in a complicated pattern. "All three of us can only be accurately photographed by someone with no monetary
or political gains in mind."
"Ready?" asked Marcus.
"As I'll ever be. Let's get this over with." She linked arms with Marcus.
Harry stepped through the barrier. He swept his gaze over the crowd, relieved to see aurors stationed throughout. He sent up blue sparks for attention. "Miss Granger wishes to thank those of you here to see for coming. She wishes to see your delightful street, but not at the risk of everyone's safety. If we remain calm she will travel the whole street. She does not wish to be interviewed at this time. We are expected at our final destination very soon. Thank you." Nearby cameras flashed rapidly. The volume of the street rose. Without looking, Harry knew the other two arrived.
Slowly the three British wizards made their way along the businesses. Harry kept his face pleasant, but neutral. Like Flint, he scanned the area for red flags. Hermione beamed brightly and waved, mostly to children who called her name. Marcus glowered. His entire bearing announced he knew his job and would accomplish it whatever the cost.
At the end of the street stood three official-looking people, two wizards, and an older witch. Harry paused in front of them. "Welcome, Miss Granger. I am Sigurd Rendall, mayor of Tronso. This is Elias Morck, Secretary of International Affairs, and Madame Dagma von Benzon, minister of magic. We will not detain you. We only wish to welcome you to Norway, and present you and your guards with tokens of our esteem." Two teenagers approached with baskets. Silently and without indication, Harry scanned each for dark magic or teleportation magic.
"Thank you for your gifts," Harry took the baskets, leaving Marcus and Hermione's hands-free.
She smiled, "Thank you for the baskets. But we will be leaving behind the listening devices." She reached into each basket and removed two innocent looking trinkets from each one. A wave of her wand returned them to recording devices.
All three officials looked first confused, then horrified, then enraged. "Our deepest apologies. We had no knowledge those items has been added."
She laughed, "No offense taken. Do you think Norway is the only country with calculating journalists? No harm has been done." She waved her wand over them again. "Well, no harm to you or me. The people who placed these have quite the headache right now." The devices emitted a high-pitched squeal then and burst into blue flames. "Again, thank you for your generosity. Very lovely of you to think of us like this."
Marcus pulled out the portkey, "Miss Granger, between us, please." She stepped between the two wizards grabbing a hold of the white disk. She leaned into Marcus's chest. "Ready, Potter?" he asked after securing Hermione with one arm.
"Portus," Harry activated the portkey.