I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
The North Star
Chapter 8 – Warm Welcome
Hope is like yeast, you know, rising under warmth. – Leif Enger
Hope is warmth against the cold winter of adversity. – Terri Guillemets
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"Harry, I know there are a lot of jokes about dentists, but you don't really have to fear my parents," Hermione said with a teasing tone and a large smile.
Harry grinned sheepishly. "Them being dentists aren't why I'm a little nervous."
"My parents like you very much," Hermione said soothingly. "And they genuinely have no problems with you coming for the holiday. Trust me, if they don't want to do something, they won't do it."
"I know," Harry said. "And I really appreciate it. Just a bit nervous about it."
"I understand, I'm just trying to make sure you knew."
The holiday break had finally come and the Hogwarts Express was pulling up to Platform 9 an 3/4s at King's Cross Station. The bright red train pulled by the coal-black engine huffed and puffed cheerily with the whistle playing a jaunty holiday tune as it slowed down. The platform was packed with family members waiting for their children and they waved as they smiled. Despite the winter wind, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.
Hermione smiled as Harry chased Hedwig around the compartment. The owl, as per tradition, had kicked the door of the cage open as soon as they got settled and spent the trip hopping about and flying or napping wherever she liked. Now that they were coming to a stop, Harry wanted her to ride in the cage for safety while at the station and while Hedwig knew she should, she decided to make Harry earn her cooperation.
"I'm glad I can just grab Pig and put him in his cage," Ron said, watching Harry and Hedwig with amusement. Pigwidgeon, the miniature scops owl, watched on too, hooting encouragement to the larger snowy owl.
"I'm glad Crookshanks is lazy," Hermione said, tucking the blanket around her cat and securing the lid to the basket. The cat yawned and got comfortable, falling back asleep.
The trip back to London had been very pleasant. Hermione and Ron had put their things in the compartment with Harry and Luna and gone on patrol. When they finished and returned, they found that Parvati, Padma, and Lavender were there with Neville too. Ginny and Dean had joined them towards the end and it made for a pleasantly full compartment where they chatted and snacked and played games with each other.
They got off the train, waiting a little for the rush of students to die down some. As Harry helped Hermione take her trunk off, he coughed as he was hugged mightily from the side by Molly. "Hi Mrs. Weasley!" he wheezed as the air was crushed out of him.
"Hello my boy," she said warmly. "Thank you again, for all that you do." She kissed him on the forehead. "Such a kind hearted young man."
"Good families deserve each other," he said softly.
"And don't you forget you're a part of ours," Molly said, patting him on the cheek. She then swept Hermione into a rib-crushing hug too. "And you, dear."
"Thank you," Hermione gasped.
"Ah, hello there!" Molly said exuberantly when David and Jean approached. "Always good to see you again." She shook their hands energetically. "We are still on for the day after Boxing Day, yes?"
"Should be fine," David smiled back and nodded.
"Lovely! Arthur and Percy are still working on getting that connection for the Floo from your home to ours, but it should be set and ready well before. If there is some last-minute problem, any of the older boys and I will come by and side-along apparate with you. Can't wait!" After some more light chatting and another hug for Harry and Hermione, Molly and the other Weasleys left.
"She's a force," Jean smiled to Harry and Hermione rubbing their sides. "Has to be with all her children, I'm sure."
"Especially the twins," Harry grinned. "Thank you for letting me and Hedwig visit and stay with you for the holiday. I really appreciate it and promise to be a good guest." Hedwig nodded and cheeped from her cage, fluffing up.
"You're very welcome," Jean said. "You're the first person that Hermione wanted to come and we agree with that too." She hugged her daughter tightly and at Hermione's nod, offered Harry a hug that he accepted shyly.
"Right, let's get going to beat the traffic," David said after hugging Hermione and patting Harry on the back. "I got a message from Reynolds and they just finished a batch of bacon and is holding some for us after we asked." He grinned at Hedwig's happy barking.
The quartet plus petlings made their way off the platform and through the rest of the station, slowly moving through the crowds. They were soon on their way with the trunks packed in the boot of the car and everyone sitting comfortably. As soon as they were driving smoothly, Hedwig kicked the door to her cage open and hopped daintily out.
"Do other owls do that?" Jean asked with delight as Hedwig installed herself on her lap.
"Not that I've seen," Harry laughed. "Pig tried once and he threw himself back. He's a much smaller owl though."
After a relatively short drive, they pulled up to a very nice home. It was part of a small neighborhood with each house having a garden in front and back. Fences separated the properties and each place had nice decorations up for the holiday.
"Wow, when did you two do all this?" Hermione asked, looking at her home. Garlands of holly and other winter greenery hung around the home off the roof and other plants grew in the garden. Twinkling lights hung outside too and while there were some homes that were even more lavish in decoration, the decorations at the Granger home felt cozy and inviting.
"We actually didn't," Jean said as she opened the front door and let Crookshanks out of his basket. She smiled as Hedwig flapped indoors. "Your professors did."
"They did?" Hermione gasped as Harry and David brought their trunks in.
"They did," David confirmed. "After you told the Headmaster that Harry was coming, he popped over with Professor McGonagall. They put down some safety spells for us and then quickly helped with the decorations on the outside. Then two of your other Professors came, Sprout and Flickwick? No, Flitwick. They helped decorate the outside too."
"That's really nice of them," Harry said, sounding surprised.
"They offered to help with the inside but we wanted to wait for you two to get here so we can do the tree together," Jean said. "It's a family tradition."
Harry looked around as he entered. It was a very nice place and it showed how the family loved it. There was a sense of comfort and warmth in the air that went beyond the temperature. It was clean but not fussily so, with little bits of clutter and not perfect position that spoke of a home and not a house. The air smelled of flower and faint scents of food. The woodwork was polished but not shining, simply well-used and lovingly so.
"I really like your home," he said to a delighted Hermione. "It feels just like you. It's so warm and friendly." Still looking around, he missed her happy blush and the soft look on David's face and the big smile on Jean's.
"I'll show you the guest room," Hermione said brightly. She showed Harry the small guest room that was beside her room. He looked around with wonder at the very comfortable room, smiling when Hedwig flapped and landed on the bed. She fluffed up in the center, nodding with satisfaction.
"Thanks for having me," he said, looking at Hermione.
"Thanks for coming!" she replied, and hugged him. He hugged her back and they stood there for a moment before breaking apart. "I'll let you get settled." She went back to her room and briefly unpacked her trunk, taking out the essential things first. She put the small picture frame she had wrapped carefully, putting it on her nightstand. It was a picture of her, Harry, and Ron as first years, taken by one of the older students in the House. It showed them sitting together and smiling and laughing, taken after Halloween that year. It was the first thing she set up whenever she got to school or returned home.
Smiling at it, she changed into more comfortable clothes and left her room. To her surprise, she found Harry's room empty and went back downstairs.
"Your father took Harry to the market," Jean said when Hermione walked into the kitchen. "Getting some last things and Hedwig's bacon. Hedwig went with him of course. Crookshanks too."
"Crookshanks went with him?!" Hermione said. "He never goes with us normally!"
"He just followed them out and Harry picked him up when they got to the sidewalk," Jean smiled. "It was adorable."
"He's such a brat," Hermione huffed. "Crooks, not Harry."
"I gathered," Jean smiled. "When they get back, we can decorate the tree together." She poured out bubbling hot water into a kettle and then turned and gave her daughter a knowing look. "Well then, you've been looking especially happy! Go on then, tell me everything."
Hermione laughed and blushed. "Everything?"
"Everything! I want to know. How did the party go?"
Hermione sat at the counter. "It was wonderful," she sighed happily. Horace Slughorn, their Potions professor who took the position when Severus Snape took the Defense Against the Dark Arts role, was a man that enjoyed position and prestige as they found. He frequently talked about his former students that were leaders of their fields or possessed positions of power and grandeur.
He had an informal club at school where he gathered 'students of promise'. He had meetings where he went on about his past and the accomplishments of his favorite students. While some of the students he invited were very good at certain things, it was clear that others were children of powerful people in Wizarding Britain.
Harry avoided most of them, despite Slughorn desperately wanting him there. Hermione went a few times and sometimes she enjoyed the experience and other times she was dreadfully bored and mildly disgusted by the attitudes of some of the other members of the club. She recognized the importance of the occasions however, and tolerated them.
Slughorn then threw a large Christmas party at the end of the term and it was a grand affair. For all of his faults and reputation, the man threw lavish parties and was generous with his wealth and connections and comforts. Many of his former students came and like his other get-togethers, was a chance to mingle and meet important people.
The students were encouraged to bring dates to the party and there was a flurry of interest from the entire school. Many wanted to attend the party while many wanted to know who would be going with who. Both reasons were worthy of intense discussion and gossip.
Emboldened by the success in Harry coming to spend the holiday with her and her parents, as well as encouraged by her dreams, Hermione had thrown caution to the wind and had asked Harry to be her date, momentarily forgetting that he had his own invitation. Or just as truthfully, not caring that he had one as well.
Harry had immediately accepted and had not even questioned if it was as just friends, something Hermione had not let go unnoticed either. Harry even managed to let his invitation go to Ron and Lavender to allow them to attend. Slughorn had immediately given permission for Harry's invite to be used that way, saying 'Rupert Wallenby' was welcome too.
Harry and Hermione had snickered at that and Ron had borne the name with good grace.
The party lived up to its reputation. There was a lot of food and drink. Many of the guests were popular and important people. Harry, Ron, and other students met professional Quidditch players while Hermione spoke with Ministry officials and other leaders of their fields.
The best part, for her, was when the floor was cleared for dancing and music.
Harry had noticed her tapping her foot along with a sprightly tune and also throwing caution to the wind, asked her to dance. Beyond delighted, she accepted and the rest of the night was spent dancing together. There was even a moment where a more classical tune was played and one of the guests had tutted at Harry and had taught him to dance 'properly' with a partner, demonstrating with another guest. They later learned that the teacher was a professional dancer and normally one paid him a lot of money for private lessons.
It was a wonderful night and Hermione had fallen asleep with a smile on her lips and dreams full of music, dancing, and a certain young man with messy black hair and emerald green eyes.
She had worried that the next day would be awkward, but it was not. They had breakfast, boarded the train, and arrived without any awkwardness between them.
"I met Ministry officials, the head of a large law firm, even some Unspeakables," Hermione said. "They work for the Department of Mysteries. Spoke with a couple professional Quidditch players."
"And?" Jean prompted.
"And Harry and I danced a lot," Hermione said with pink cheeks and a big smile.
"That's great!" Jean said, hugging her daughter. "I'm so happy for you." She looked closely at her daughter's face. "You really fancy him, don't you?"
"I think I do," Hermione confessed. "He's sweet, and treats me so well. He's so kind, I mean, he organized all the advent calendar things at school and got our friends lovely things just to be kind and to cheer people up."
She sighed, dampening her spirits slightly. "Even after I was being rude about the potions book this term and fought with Ron a lot and him in the middle."
"That shows how much he cares, when he can look past that and still do what he does," Jean said, pouring out cups of fragrant tea for them.
"Not like third-year," Hermione said wryly.
"Well he was younger then, and less mature," Jean said kindly.
"He's had to mature a lot." Hermione sighed sadly. "After the Ministry fight. He visits Sirius a lot and has been speaking with a mind healer occasionally, a counselor."
"Makes sense, what he and you all went through is a lot," Jean said sympathetically. She sipped her tea. "I see the way he looks at you, he cares very deeply for you." She smiled at Hermione's obvious happiness. "A bit of well-meaning but potentially overbearing advice, be careful Hermione."
"Do you think I'd hurt him?!" Hermione asked indignantly.
"Consciously, no," Jean said flatly, giving Hermione a calming look. "But I remember what you've written about him before. Terrible caretakers, a childhood that doesn't sound right. All the things you all got up to in the last few years. I don't want either of you to get hurt in a way that can tear you two apart. Seeing how close you are, I doubt that would happen, but it's not a complete certainty. You have to remember that some things we take for granted or as normal will not be for him."
"I know," Hermione said, softening. "I understand."
Jean hugged him. "From what I've read and what you told me, and the few times we've interacted, I think he's a very good young man and I don't have a problem. Especially since he swore not to get you into such dangerous situations again."
"Mother-"
"And I know that you will do what you think is right because you are a strong, intelligent young woman," Jean continued, hugging Hermione. "But remember that you are my and your father's daughter. We love you and care about your safety in ways that you don't."
"I know, and I love you too," Hermione said, hugging her back hard.
"Just be patient and understanding," Jean said, kissing her forehead. "I don't want either of you to get hurt."
"Thank you," Hermione said, voice muffled slightly with her face pressed into Jean. After a long moment of shared comfort and contact, they broke apart gently. She frowned. "Daddy isn't going to try and be overbearing to Harry to scare him or something, is he?"
"I hope not," Jean groaned.
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"Okay, I have to say it, magic is awesome," David said softly with a big grin. He hefted the large rucksack over his shoulder. "We put so many things in this and it feels perfectly light!"
"That's what I say a lot," Harry grinned. "It's a really nice bag from a good place. Has all kinds of durability and expanding charms on it. Hope you don't mind that I have your gift to you early though."
"Not at all, though you honestly didn't have to get us anything for Christmas," David said.
"Just wanted to be a good guest and show appreciation," Harry said.
"Well, I do appreciate it," David replied kindly.
The out-door farmer's market was only a few blocks away from their home and when David said he was going to drive there so that they would not have to carry all the heavy things back, Harry had given David his new rucksack. Wanted to test it, and have time for a conversation and walk, David took Harry there on foot and they were joined by Hedwig and Crookshanks.
David introduced them to Reynolds and the farmer had been very amused and pleased to see Hedwig so enthralled by the bacon and other products he brought. Reynolds sold the good food to them at cost and provided other good things. Harry and David surreptitiously put all the things into the rucksack and after getting some more things, were on their way back to the Granger home.
"Someone's excited," David observed with a smile.
Harry looked up and smiled too as Hedwig wiggled happily on his head, still chewing on a piece of bacon that Reynolds had given her. "I am too, it smells wonderful." He reached up and took a piece that Hedwig tore off for him and he chewed on it appreciatively while still carrying a purring Crookshanks that looked very comfortable in his arms.
"It's really good," David confirmed. "Both kinds are. He doesn't go for fancy flavors and it's just plain good food. We've been getting things from the market for years now."
"It's really nice," Harry nodded.
"You know you can relax around me," David teased as they walked. "I promise I'm not normally as…prickly as I was the last time we were together."
"I don't blame you, Sir," Harry said plainly with a small shrug. "You care about Hermione and I got her into that mess and got her hurt. I accept responsibility."
"And you did," David said. "You came to talk to us and explain and that shows a lot of character and maturity. You even got Hermione to tell us other things that she's glossed over through the years." He shook his head.
"I thought mostly complete transparency was needed," Harry said weakly.
"Yes, and it was appreciated," David said with a sigh. "If rather frightening to realize what we've missed. I know we're Muggles and the Wizarding World is very different, but there really are some things that are completely foreign, isn't there? Despite us all being British."
Harry nodded. "Sometimes I don't know where I belong," he said honestly in that oddly innocuous way when someone says something mildly distressing as if it was not.
David looked at him and nodded slowly. "I can sort of understand that. Not knowing where you fit in sometimes." He groaned and shook his head when Harry looked at him questioningly. "Sorry, just realized I haven't warned Hermione, and you of something. I'll explain more when we get back."
"Okay," Harry said, still looking troubled.
"It's nothing too bad," David said, trying to calm him. "It involves family and all that nonsense that comes with being related to certain people."
"Oh, I understand," Harry said and relaxed, making David look at him again.
"So, you and Hermione then?" David asked mildly with no warning, grinning as Harry stumbled. He caught Harry's arm as Hedwig flapped her wings to retain balance. "Sorry, wanted to get an honest reaction from you." He looked sheepishly at a hissing Crookshanks and Hedwig.
Harry flushed and looked at David wryly. "That's fair." They walked on in silence for a few moments. "I'm not sure if there's a 'me and Hermione' to be honest," he said softly.
"But you want there to be?" David asked gently.
"I'd really like that," Harry said wistfully. "I think."
"You think?" David asked incredulously.
"I mean, not in how I feel about her," Harry said swiftly, feeling his face go beet red. "I really care for her and I realized after us spending more time together after we were arguing a lot at the beginning of term, I really missed her. I missed just spending time with her, doing homework together, that sort of thing."
Harry's eyes unfocused slightly. "One of the times I was visiting Sirius, sitting by myself at his bedside, I thought how lonely it was. I know others care about Sirius too and visit when they can but I saw him lying there and thought how alone he was. And I guess that made me feel how alone I was too. That's why I did everything for the holidays at Hogwarts. I wanted to take my mind off things and if I could cheer other people up, that would be a good thing."
"A really good thing," David said. "Hermione told us all about the things and the calendars. That was really good of you and a wonderful thing you did."
Harry smiled shyly and sidestepped the compliment a little. "It was good to see people happy," he said. "Seeing Hermione happy makes me feel a lot better, and I like to think I help her be happy too. I just don't know if I actually do. I don't really have much to offer. I don't have any family of my own," he scowled and David blinked with surprise at the expression, "none that I would want her to meet anyways. And like you said, I do tend to get her in trouble. She gets hurt around me."
David coughed slightly. "Lad, let me tell you something. When you have children of your own," he smiled at Harry's look of panic, "if you do and with whoever, way into the future, you'll find yourself thinking a certain way about them. When you're responsible for a child like that, no matter how old they get or how big they get, they're your child. You'll always want the best for them and to protect them. So while I was a bit…concerned let's say, last we met, it came from a place of care for her, and not complete anger at you."
"No I understand," Harry said. "I don't blame you."
"I think you do understand," David said respectfully. "Because from what I've heard about you, you do care about others. You try for others. Doing the holiday stuff for the school only shows that. Some do it for the attention, for the accolades. But I believe it when you do it just so people can smile and be happy. And that's a good thing."
"Thank you, Sir," Harry said softly, feeling better.
"And, since I do know my daughter very well, she does what she wants because she wants to," David added fondly. "If she doesn't think it's right, doesn't want to do it, she doesn't do it. Simple as that."
"She does do that," Harry said warmly.
"And I will say that you do make her happy," David said gently. "Don't think otherwise."
"Thank you," Harry said again, softer still. He looked up and smiled when he saw Hermione walking down the sidewalk towards them.
David saw that soft expression on his face and he smiled too, his smile turning warmer when Hermione reached them. "Hi there Little Bee."
Hermione smiled at her father and his use of a nickname before she frowned slightly. "Daddy, you're being nice, right?"
"I'm always nice!" David gasped. He sniffed at her look. "That time over the summer doesn't count."
"He's been very nice," Harry said stoutly. "Gave me good advice."
"Really? Like what?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"To never feel shy haggling at a farmer's market as long as you're doing it respectfully," Harry said. "Farmers want to sell their products and not waste time and energy taking it away and as long as you treating them well, there's no harm in trying to negotiate."
"Oh, well that's good," Hermione said, wrong-footed.
"He also said Manchester is better than Arsenal."
"Daddy, you are not trying to convert Harry!"
"Convert?! Never. Properly educate maybe, but convert? Wouldn't think of it," David snorted.
"He also said as long as you brush proper, sweets aren't a problem," Harry grinned.
"That's not what you told me when I was growing up!"
"Honey Bee, you have to know that your mother and I were just looking out for you," David grinned, dodging irritable poking. "Harry looks like he could do with some sweets, especially knowing you."
"And what does that mean?!"
"Come on Harry," David grinned. "Let's hurry back and get some bacon cooking. I'm hankering for a few butties. How does that sound Hedwig?" He laughed when Hedwig nodded eagerly and launched herself into the air, buzzing Hermione before flapping back to the Granger home with an irate Hermione trailing after them.
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odonnellzoo99 - Sometimes the dream trope is used well and amusingly. In this case, not even Dream Hermione can win against Dream Hedwig. Thank you for the kind words.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - To be fair, Hermione did start everything and Hedwig is petty, and delightful. Thanks for reading.
carlos29 - Thank you.
poka - A whole lot did happen. I know I'm rushing things a smidge, but I did want a simple tidy story. Didn't want or need it to meander too much.
alix33 - Hermione and Hedwig giving identical looks is very funny.
lordwitherdale - Thank you, glad you are enjoying it.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Hedwig is always cute.