Hope you all are doing well? I'm sorry for the delay. I wanted this out monday or tuesday but kind of had too much fun with the dinner and letters. Which reminds me, can I be a monster and kill someone? I won't say who, and it's just gonna be sudden. I already have it written out. XD the timeline will be speeding up now. I really want to get to Hogwarts and get other things brewing. Please give me some feedback. I do love all who have talked about it and asked some questions. Also the raven thing is from a tiktoker I recently found and I fucking ador ravens IRL

Hermione sadly was with her family and wouldn't be able to come until tonight or tomorrow and would explain more when she does show up. Leaving Harry now in the awkward situation of sitting on a leather chair, that was moved on his request, to the main hallway where all the portraits were hanging including his angry grandfather. Harry stared at the man who wasn't even looking at Harry, yet just smoked his pipe. Though a nice added benefiet was that his grandmother has moved into the portrait though she didn't say anything to Harry yet, she came in shortly after he sat down. Slapped her dead husband upside the head but sat reading a book behind his grandfather.

"If youre not gonna teach me anything, how about I write up and sign a marriage contract all by myself. How hard can it be?" He said to his grandparents. He waited yet all that happened was a turn of the page and an extra long puff of his grandfather's pipe. "Willy, can you please bring me a writing stand and a parchment?" Harry called out and shortly after it popped infront of him.

Harry grabbed the quill and angrily dipped it in the inkwell. "The Potter and Greengrass marriage contract." Harry said outloud as he wrote. "Once engaged Lord Potter will pay one thousand galleons everytime he looks at another woman. Will have to listen to everything any Greengrass says to do even if it causes bodily or financial harm."

"Fine fine fine!" His grandfather shouted at Harry to stop writing and looked back up.

Harry couldn't help but to laugh that his childish behavour worked. "Oh come on, I was about to get to one of my better ideas, only Greengrass children would be born of this engagement. And they would enherait everything Potter. It would wipe us out if I do this all by myself." Harry continued.

"I said I will help Potter, so calm down." Charles Potter said, which caused his grandmother to laugh behind her book. "First off No normal person makes their own contracts anymore. Lawyers who know loopholes and wordings to make sure none or specific loopholes exist. There are three things you specifically need to figure out since it seems we are doing a crash course on this subject. First off, cleariaty. Who is being engaged, when a marriage should occur, minimal children and in how fast of a timeline. Cleariaty in consequences, what happens when infidelity occurs and or failed to produce children. And finally Cleariaty in what is expected to happen due to this engagement. Is it a misstress or is it a wife. Will she keep her name or yours, will the childrenn keep yours or her name, and so forth. Cleariaty is key in contracts."

"I remember when a second year student had to move to India and study there because he got engaged and his contract didn't say where they would live. So since she had the bigger family he had to move. I can't even remember his name." His grandmother spoke up but didn't look up from her book.

His grandfather nodded at her words like it was some words of wisdom. "Second after Cleariaty is price. Marriage is a merging of companies, of families and one will always come out on top over the other. Even though it's a battle of lawyers you will need to be able to spot the prices, dowry, mandatory presents, bride prices, and just other clauses such as creation of business, donations, or even just creations of jobs in possible businesses. Take Hogwarts for example. If it was a private business and the headmaster was being married he might have to give positions away or even make a few positions such as secretary of the headmaster or treasurer or even make an entire new class for a new professor to fill." His grandfather continued.

It made Harry upset that women are treated like pieces to be traded. Bartered or even sold. If Hermione found out about this last time through it would be like the house elves better treatment thing again. But this would be an actual thing he would get behind. He understood why the house elves were put into those situations, they essentially fed on the extra magic their masters held, or used or just had around them. Though treatment should be better for them. He didn't want what happened to Dobby to happen to others.

Harry shook himself out of his own thoughts as he realized his grandfather has already continued to the third thing to watch out for. "... There are other ways to get out too. Clauses such as adultery, or inability to produce children after a certain time." Charles said to him when his grandmother interrupted too.

"Sadly producing squibs were also in some contracts. There are some ideas that if a woman produces a squib they won't be able to produce another child with magic. Sadly at that moment the woman sadly turns into a concubine or misstress at best." His grandmother gave him that terrifying picture.

"Yes that is a possibility but blood is blood for Potters so that's out of the question for us."

Harry couldn't help it. "The Blacks are related to us, yet you turned on him."

This caused his grandmother to look over at Charels as he looked back at Harry with some fire in his eyes. "We will see If I regret that or not if you are right." He let that hang in the air where Harry only nodded.

"Potters tend to only have strict but possible and plenty outs for the disadvantage side of the contract normally the one that marries into the Potter but there have been a few where it favored the Potters. Such as, for friends of family. If both agree not to marry they can break the contract by paying back some of the price." To that Harry nodded, glad to hear that his family seems to have cared about love or at least caring about personal consent.

Harry wrote some notes down, mainly outlines of ideas of what he would want for the contract. If this was to save Greengrass from her tourture or bullying during her time in Hogwarts the easiest way out would be a clause along the lines of, 'if the pair agree to a neutral break by the time they both leave Hogwarts they can end the contract with no money return needed.' Harry ended up smiling at that, helping Daphne will be one of the easiest things to do it seems like.

"Thank you Grandfather." Harry said formally, he was serious too. This little crash course helped him plan out possible wording and clauses for the contract so that Daphnee will have a good time at school. Maybe even get another family away from Voldemort. "Are there some books I would be able to read to learn more about politics and contracts?" Harry questioned as his grandfather was nodding at his thanks.

"Plenty." Charles responded. "I'll make a list on both politics and contracts, and make sure one of the elves will be able to get it to you."

"I'll do the same for your young friend too." His grandmother inserted herself into the conversation again.

"Would it be a different list?" Harry asked, a bit confused by that.

At this his grandmother chuckled and snorted at the same time. "Womens politics are completly different from mens." She said, shaking her head. "You men deal with the public, big choices. We women deal with subtle politcs, we also talk a lot more to each other. Some of us are really the power behind the names and their husbands just do the public talking."

"Why don't they just be the heads of their house?" Harry asked.

"That only happens if all other males are dead, or are too young." His Grandfather responded.

Harry rolled his eyes at that. "Hermione will be Minister of Magic one day." Harry said proudly. He knew she had hopes and dreams to go into the ministry and help the elves, and werewolves. And once in the ministry the top is the Minister.

His grandfather laughed at that but it seemed more like a scoff than anything but his grandmother seemed to smile and nod at his declaration. "How thick is her skin?" She asked.

"Thicker than any book you've ever seen before." Harry responded instantly. "She's quick on her feet too, and smarter than most adults." He continued to sing her praises. Which got his grandfather to shut up.

"Ill get her a list of books too. And when she has enough time to send her to me, I can explain and inform her more of this world." His grandmother said, but it looked like Charles wanted to protest but never did.

"Thank you grandmother, let me finish up some more thoughts for my notes before we continue." Harry said, but he didn't really need more time, his hand was hurting again for writing more than it was used to. So he just wrote really slowly a few lines till the ache went away. "So is it just not normal for a woman to be in charge or is there a rule somewhere?" Harry asked as he wrote.

His grandfather huffed but it was his grandmother to answer. "No rule, just tradition." Which caused Harry to huff at that answer.

They continued to talk about politics for a while after that, infroming Harry on titles and who he's supposed to respect and who is supposed to respect him just off of title alone. And to his suprise no one else is really above him except ministers, or the equivalent of them. And just over two dozen houses that were called the big 28. Houses that were around when Britain founded its ministry. Houses that were actually part of the founding and were around Merlin, and the founders of Hogwarts.

It actually caused Harry to ask them to stop as he processed that. Like how did he never learn any of that during Hogwarts, no class or professor ever mentioned it. But then he realized. Six long years of going over goblin revolts and how they mainly only focused on that. "What would it take to get a professor replaced at Hogwarts?" Harry asked, taking himself and his grandparents out of their thoughts.

"Binns?" His grandmother asked. To that Harry only nodded.

"Money is probably the only reason he hasn't been replaced. His wage can go to others or even pocketed or put toward school upkeep." His grandfather put forward.

Harry sighed, mainly to himself. "So I could technically reach out to the Deputy headmistress or headmaster himself and offer to pay the wage of a new higher under the guise of wanting my child, me in this case, to be taught by someone alive and more lucid or just willing to teach more than what is just in a text book." Harry said. "At least that is what I've heard from other adults that graduated from his class say." Harry added on to give a reasoning.

"But Binns is practically part of Hogwarts herself. You get rid of him, you practically chip away at the school." His grandfather protested but not with much if any heart.

"Please he was teaching before he died and it's about to be a hundred years after he died sooner or later. Harry might have a point. Maybe see if another history professor can join and teach other history rather than just goblin rebellions. Let the students decide what to take." His grandmother argued for him. With more heart but no hostility. Harry let them as he thought of how to either get Ted to send the letter for him or just send it himself claiming he was someone else.

While he was contemplating Betsy came down with an Owl on her head, and a Raven flew through some walls and sat on his own shoulder. With a legal pad paper as a letter in its claw. "Thank you." Harry said to the Raven as he grabbed it as Betsy came closer to him. Harry reached up and scratched tentatively at its neck. A spot relatively close to where Hedwig liked to be scratched too. "We should name you."

And to his horror the Raven tilted its head and in a low growly voice replied to him. "Name you. Name you." It took almost everything Harry had not to jump in fright.

"Ravens can fucking talk!?" Harry asked no one in particular, his body frigid as now he didn't want it on his shoulder anymore.

"Oh yes! They are very smart birdys." Betsy replied to him. "I knows one that likes to say, Tickle Tickle."

"Please no." Harry said very quickly. Yet again to his horror he felt the Raven's beak brush against his ear and in a very deep voice it repeated what Betsy said.
"Tickle. Tickle."

"Mmm No. Please leave till I give a reply." Harry said standing hoping the bird would fly away but it didn't and just stayed on Harry's shoulder. Though it seemed to understand that Harry didn't want it to talk anymore.

He heard his grandfather chuckling, probably at his antics but he didn't turn to acknowledge it. Instead he turned toward Betsy. "Ted's owl?" He asked.

To which she nodded and stepped closer so he could get to the owl. He took the parchment and also thanked the bird. "Betsy, can you take the owl and hopefully the raven to the kitchen and give them some water and snacks." He suggested and the house elf seemed to love the idea. As she nodded and started almost skipping, to his relief the Raven flew off after the elf and owl.

Harry sat back down and opened Hermione's letter first.

Harry

So some unexpected progress. My mum and dad don't know everything but I was kind of caught by my Mum when I came back. We ended up doing a lot of talking. Good news: we don't have to mess with their memories.

Second kind of good news. You are required here for dinner. In an hour to talk to my Mom and Dad so they know who I'm with. We have more to worry about my Dad, no matter what I tell him (Most of the truth) he can't wrap his head around the fact that I'm acting differently because I've seen what this new world looks like.

Bring an appetite my mum has been baking and cooking to give me and my dad time to talk alone.

Looking forward to seeing you

Hermione

Not exactly what he was expecting but he trusts Hermione to be able to handle her parents how she wants to. Though a little part of him was sad, this means she won't be by his side the whole time. Everything seems easier when that happens. Like traveling across the country fighting and hiding from snatchers.

Harry physically shook his head. Comparing running for their lives versus being alone, bloody hell. He took his quill and responded shortly.

Hermione

Ill bring my appetite and I'll come prepared for questions then. Anything to collaborate to not mess up anything you said so far? And Ill be there.

Yours, Harry

He didn't summon the Raven right away instead he pulled out the letter that was from Ted.

Harry

So after a quick look from my daughter you are probably right that there were no trial records for Sirius, I would say it could have been buried a little bit due to the people involved. But I also reached out to a friend in the daily prophet. They don't have any coverage of the trial either. If it was one or the other I would continue to hold doubt but never both.

A family member may be in prison for something he didn't do. And we will work to get him out, but first we will dig deeper to make sure it just wasn't burried or classified but I doubt that is the case.

I'm good friends with the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Ill reach out to her to see if that is the case but she was partners in the department with Sirius and likely a love interest at the time. Honestly if she picks this up though it might just take off like a spell. She might not be tactful but if the case is that Sirius is innocent and she finds out he will be out quickly enough. Do I have your blessing to reach out to her? It might save us a lot of effort in this case.

Speaking about saving effort too, it sounds like Ethan Greengrass is reaching out to light families for help. So far no one is reaching back out to him, but this might be an easy way to get a marriage contract under talks. You help him for his daughter's hand in marriage? Honestly Harry it kind of seems like everything is on the up and up for you.

Harry couldn't help but to groan at that sentence. Everytime it seemed like it was going his way, something stupid turns into a giant problem. Beat a troll, get attacked by a specter of his parents' killer. Get an actual room to sleep in, get a shitty DADA proffesor and so on. He didn't want things to go his way cause that normally means a big problem coming his way.

Since he had a dinner date to get to he pulled himself out of his pity party and wrote a reply to the lawyer.

Ted Tonks

Thank you for reaching out to me so quickly. Yes please reach out to both Lord Greengrass and The head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. For Lord Greengrass please let him know that I can help financially before any descusions take place so he can conduct the talks with a peace of mind. And for the department head please keep me a secret, only let them know you've been hired to look into it. I don't believe my name needs to be in this matter at all.

Also You seem more connected than I was led on to believe thank you for working on everything I asked diligently.

Harry Potter, Lord

He wrote Lord, as an afterthought and hoped it didn't look too bad. He sighed and called out for Willy, who appeared momentarily. "I'll be having dinner out of manor today, should I take the potion now or with the food then?" Harry asked.

Willy nodded in understanding of the question. "It matters not but the food will help with the taste. We can get something to help now but."

It was his grandmother who spoke up. "But you would want to bring an appetite, it's rude if you don't finish the food that is given to you outside your own home."

Willy also nodded at her words, to which Harry accepted. "I'll be leaving within the hour. Can you please have a vial ready for me to take with me?" Harry asked the small creature who only bowed and popped away.

Harry stood and started to pack up but then stopped. One, he wasn't in Hogwarts; he will need all this stuff here later. And two, he had his grandparents behind him. "I'll be having dinner with Hermione and her parents tonight. Thank you both for informing me on more of this political business. I'll be back for more leasons either later or tomorrow." He was about to leave but stopped himself again. "And Grandfather. I was wrong to move you, but you were being a dick. I'll keep you out here a bit longer but I will move you back sooner rather than later."

He heard his grandmother chuckle at that, and quietly from his grandfather. "That's fair. I was."

As he was walking away he made a mental note to research paintings. They interact and have knowledge but how much of the real person is left? He hoped enough, cause if his actual grandparents aren't like that he didn't want to get to know the real ones. He found Betsy the owl and the Raven in the kitchen, Betsy throwing treats up in the air and the two birds competing to see who can get the treats first. Harry didn't want to interrupt but had to. He tied the letter to Ted first and then to Raven.

Harry took a quick shower, and brushed his teeth to get ready. And instead of flying out of the mirror infront of him. The Raven was apparently already in the bathroom enjoying the fogged room. And announced itself by saying "tickle, tickle." In the low voice from earlier making Harry jump.

"BLOODY fucking bird. I swear you and that master of yours just wants to see me squirm huh?" He said to the bird, it flew down from it's pertch and landed on the faucet. Holding out it's letter for him.

He made it wait by spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing out his mouth befor taking the letter.

Harry

I told my mum that we ran into each other and our magic kind of hit us both with a electric shock. Showy enough to show that we both have magic. Since then we have been talking via Raven. It's now named Lilith.

At that Harry stopped and looked up at the bird. "Youve been named Lilith, you fine with that?" The raven only cocked it's head and clacked it's beak at Harry like he was crazy for even asking the question. "Youre gonna make me go crazy. You talk sometimes. But not others." He sighed and went back to reading.

You promised to teach me about the magical world and in return I help you prepare for social encounters. Sorry Harry but I made it out that you don't like a lot of people and have just been keeping away from as many people as possible. Nothing about last time, and my mum believes that i'm in love with you so be prepared for embarrassing questions. Also she doesn't fully trust me, she knows me too well.

I've only talked to my father about this a little bit. He only knows I wasn't in the library where I said I would be. And would like to meet the boy that got me to lie to them, again.

Hermione.

Harry was smirking as he finished up the letter. No real problems, just interesting situations. He never really had to have a talk with his girlfriend's parents since Mr. and Mrs. Weasly already knew him well and trusted their boys to deal with him if he ever did anything to Ginny.

"Come on, I need to reply, Lilith." He said leaving the bathroom with only a towel on still needing to pick out clothes. He walked to the study next door to find a quil and quickly responded on the back.

Arnt you though?

I'll be there shortly, my wife

"Make sure only Hermione is around when she reads this letter. No use putting oil on the fire." Harry said to the raven as he gave the letter to it.

It clicked it's beak again thankfully not talking to him, and flew off.

Harry quickly left and went to look at the clothes they bought the other day. Now hanging in the master bedroom closet. Probably due to the elves' work. He picked out a dark blue longsleave shirt that was supposed to go with a matching robe but figured the robe would be a little too much for a non magical household. Then a dark tan trousers figuring it would look good. Hermione would tell him otherwise when he showed up.

"Willy." He called out for. And expecting what he was being called for only a vial popped onto the floor infront of Harry. "Thank you." He called back as he picked it up.

He patted his trouser pocket and felt his wand, he put the vial into the other pocket. He breathed in deeply and then ran his hands through his hair. "It's just meeting Hermione's parents, nothing to be nervous about." He said to himself.

He apparated to the ally where they left the other day figuring it would be better there than into her house, or right outside it where people can see him just appearing.

A few moments later he knocked at her door, taking a deep breath.

The door opened up to Hermione's mother. She looked him up and down with a smile. "Much better than last time." She said as a thudding sound came from behind her, which Harry can only assume to be Hermione.

"Thank you, your daughter picked these clothes for me." Which caused the older woman to smirk at him, but to step to the side.

Showing Hermione already down the stairs and heading to the pair at a pace slower than a jog. She was wearing a sky blue sundress with a white ribbon at the waist. "Harry!" Hermione called out smiling showing off her white teeth. Harry prepared himself for a Hermione hug as she continued toward him. He was right as she just plowed into him, though it only caused him to take one step back.

He embarrassed her back trying to give her a propper hug back but she pulled back quickly trying to ussher him inside the house, which he listened to her. Over her shoulder he can still see her mother watching them. WIth a close of the door though Emma spoke up again. "I'm Emma Granger, and please call me Emma. My Daughter has been selling your praises."

At that Harry could feel his cheeks heat up in a blush. "Hopefully only as much as she sells her.

"Mmm You never said he was a Gentelmen." Emma said as she held out her hand. To which Harry shook it. As he does hermione sidded up next to him. "Dan, Harry is here." Emma called out as Harry pulled his hand back.

Dan came from the hallway that's connected to the stairwell. "Ah, welcome back Harry." Dan said as he came to the door, his eyes moving between Harry and his daughter.

"It's good to be back at a respectable hour, are you fully caffeinated today?" Harry asked, thinking back on their first meeting where he blamed his lack of coffee for his lack of tactfullness.

Dan grimmanced a bit, obviously remembering his blunders aswell. "Not gonna get my daughter introuble again today?" He shot back not wanting a kid to dictact the conversation.

Harry's mouth opened like he was about to speak back but then stopped and closed it. Everyone else seemed to notice too but Hermione spoke before anyone else. "Daddy, that was my decision to leave the library and you know it."

"When have you ever lied to us, I'm still convinced that it was Harry's doing that got you to leave." Harry couldn't help but to think this might be a bad idea. Unbeknownst to Harry and Dan Emma did wince as the lying comment.

"That is not the point of his invitation to dinner Daddy." Hermione spoke up. "He is my friend and he will be going to school with me shortly. He, other than Mcgonagald who has only shown up once, and that was with the letter telling us I'm a witch, is our only source and knowledge of the magical world." Hermione said to her Dad.

"And this is so she won't have to lie to us anymore. We will know who she is with." Emma broke into the conversation.

Dan looked to want to argue a bit more but was interrupted by a buzzer coming from behind Emma signalling that a food must be done.

"Dinner time." Emma's side. "Dan, come help me get food to the table." She said turning and pulling on her husband's arm not giving him a choice in the matter. But it didn't seem like he was putting up a fight either.

Hermione turned toward Harry but not moving away from him. "Don't worry about that. He's still a little mad at me for not being where I said I would. But it's my mum that knows that I'm able to do magic and was gone all night."

"What do you mean don't worry, that sounds like something we should worry about." Harry responded in a quiet tone.

"I talked to her almost all day. She's not exactly happy but understands that I'm changing, especially now that I'm essentially going into a different world than they are in." She said quietly. "Just follow my lead please. It is mostly a dinner to find out about you. Who I'm going to be spending a lot of time with."

Harry was about to argue back but stopped when she emphasized her last sentence. "You'll be able to come over?" To which Hermione smirked but nodded. "How?"

"My Mom has practically read me easily, I forgot how good she is at that. She figured out that I will do it regardless, this way she knows who I'm with." Hermione explained.

"And we aren't doing what we previously talked about?" Harry asked as he heard clanging of utensils and glasses on wood.

Hermione sighed and thought about it. "No. They… They look so healthy and happy. Just a year ago for us. Both of their hairs were fully turning grey. My mum was so thin too. The stress of the war and worry about me got to both of them. But we can stop that from ever happening."

Harry thought about it too but ultimately it wasn't up to him. "Alright." He looked her in her eyes. "I trust your decisions. And speaking about that we really need to talk about Daphne."

She looked at him with some confusion but nodded. "Not here. They wouldn't understand if they overheard us." To that Harry nodded and motioned if they should go in.

But Hermione took a step back and looked Harry over. "You look pretty good."

"Still pretty scrawny though. I hope with these potions I'm taking Ill grow faster this time."

Hermione smiled and reached out to toss his hair. "Should have showered earlier though. It looks like youre putting a lot of effort in the 'first meeting'" Hermione teased him.

"Because I am putting a lot of effort in." At that Hermione grinned again, grabbed his hand and led him to the dinner room which already had a good spread of dishes on the table. Instead of a chair on each side of the table, it was two across from each other. Only Emma was in the dining room putting an entire shepherd's pie in the middle of the table. She looked up and saw them holding hands.

"And here you said you wernt." Emma said to Hermione.

"No, I said Maybe. I'm working through it." Hermione shot back, her face becoming a little flushed. Harry just looked between the two a bit confused.

He was smart enough not to ask about it. "This smells amazing Emma, was it just you or did Dan help aswell?" Harry asked.

"Almost all of it was me, But he made mashed potatoes and some candy carrots."

And almost on que Daniel came out of what Harry can assume is the kitchen holding a clear bowl of glossy carrots. "I can't cook much but what I know how to cook I cook well." Dan said smiling. "Pluss it gives me a reason to be with my wife and not get in her way while she cooks."

That earned Danile a kiss on the cheek from his wife.

"Candy carrots though? Hermione told me you two are dentists, I figured sugar is banned in this house." Harry says as he and Hermione sat down at the table.

This seemed to get a chuckle out of all the of the grangers

"Well it is frowned upon. Don't remember the last time I had a candy bar." Hermione muttered.

"But we do get ice cream for special occasions." Emma chimed in.

"And candy carrots are made with Honey cooked with raw carrots carmalizing it while cooking into the carrots making them very sweet and more healthier than they sound." Dan said, sitting down next to his wife.

"Huh, never thought to do something like that." Harry said as all of the grangers started to dish out food to their own plates.

"Oh, do you cook?" Emma asked.

"I cooked a lot for my aunt and uncle. It was one of my chores when I lived with them." Harry said not sure where to start with the food, but was saved by Hermione who started handing him the dishes she was done with.

"When you lived with them, so who do you live with now?" Dan asked. More than likely remembering his blunder of the previous morning.

"Er my uncle or possibly uncle in law? A very close friend of my fathers." He lied, since if he said he now lived alone Hermione probably would get introuble if she went to his place.

"Oh you should have invited him over then it would have been nice to have an adult wizard to talk to aswell." Emma said. To which Hermione smirked at.

"Ah well he isn't around right now, had business down south to take care of. Just being watched over by Willy and Betsy, my fathers old head butler and maid." Harry said figuring half truths would be better.

The adults seemed to nod at this. But it was Emma who asked first as all their plates were filled. "So does this mean you have old money?" She asked, and received a small kick from Hermione and a scowl.

Harry laughed at that. "It's fine I'd be curious too if I had a child and they suddenly found a strang boy to be a round too. And kind of. Parents left a lot for me, including a… What's the title they would have?" He turned to Hermione, but found she had already started to eat and coudlnt help right away. "A financial advisor, taking care of my money to grow while they couldn't trust my mothers family to help with." Harry pulled out his potion and uncorked it and drank it quickly and shoved a carrot into his mouth right away.

"What was that?" Both the adult Grangers asked the right way.

Harry cursed as he should have taken it before he even walked into the house. But the sweet taste of the carrot made the potion very bearable. After swallowing his bite he answered. "A um…" He sighed, not sure how else to say it. "A nutrition potion. Willy found out i wasn't fully grown for my age so I'm being forced to drink this before every meal and tea snack to make sure i have plenty of well everything to grow up."

"It's not being forced on you, Harry. It's for your health." Hermione chimmed in.

"Says one of them forcing me to drink it." Harry scoffed.

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave him a quick kick under the table.

"Is that why you're no longer with your uncle and aunt, the ones that made you cook?" Dan asked.

"Really daddy? Not really good questions during dinner."

Harry sighed though. And looked at Hermione.

She placed a hand on his thigh and gave a smile. "Hermione is right, how about I answer that after dinner over a cup of tea or coffee?" Harry asked.

To which both adults nodded, neither sure how to continue. Harry ended up putting his hand over Hermione's so they both ate one handed.

The rest of dinner was pretty quiet but it did pick back up in comfortable chatter. Talking about if he can do magic too, and what about Hogwarts they can expect to deal with. The adult Grangers were a bit awkward but knew how to have a dinner conversation. Though it did come crashing down as Dan asked over the last bits of dinner. "So what is your intention with my daughter?"

Harry couldn't help but to laugh as Hermione exclaimed "Daddy." And Emma shot him a dangerous look.

"What? I can see both you eating with just one hand. And it's a perfectly normal question darling." He said the last line toward his wife. Who only sighed but smiled nonetheless.

"Just did it in a bit of a tactless way, love, is all."

Yet neither of them seemed to not want to hear the answer and with a glance over Hermione seemed to be looking at him with a smile on her face too like she wanted to hear the answer just as much as her father.

Harry sighed as he realized no one is gonna take a none answer. "Meeting your daughter and spending time with her." He started and paused after. "It makes me see flaws in the world and inmyself. My intentions are to get better. Make the world better. I don't know how much she told you yet but the wizarding world is a bit behind from the muggle world. I don't think they can be the same. At least nothing I can do to make that happen. But maybe she can. I've seen her mind in action. Depending on what she does in Hogwarts, she can easily be a ministra of magic one day."

Dan let out a whistle as he finished his declaration. Emma seemed impressed but also a little sad, like she was expecting something else. Hemione though was beaming with pride. "And here I thought you were just trying to rebuild your family." Hermione said beside him.

"No use of having a family if they are put into a bad world." He shot back.

"You plan on having a family?" Emma said as she was about to drink. Her eyebrows raised high and a hand on Dan's arm.

Harry looked over at Hermione in an exasperated look. "Eventually. Most witches and wizards are engaged by the time they leave school. My mom and dad were just twenty when they had me. And only twenty one when they died." Harry sighed, not wanting all of this to be said during the first meeting. "What Hermione failed to say is that It's just myself and my uncle. Who is distantly related to my father. My mother has a sister and a son. But they hate me."

Harry breathed in and out a few times letting them take in that information. "I have a few people that are like siblings to me. But Hogwarts changes people so I don't know if they will stick by me or not. Yes I do want blood relations in my life. But I want to build my family first. I have been alone for too long." Harry said smiling thinking he was able to navigate that well enough.

Though his smile faded as soon as Dan and Emma shared a look of something Harry couldn't understand. Not pity but not sadness either. Hermione gave his hand a reasuring squeeze though.

"Harry." Dan started but then seemed to falter on what to say afterwards.

"Are you safe?" It was Emma who said it. "You've given a few hints that you, how to say it politely."

"Abused?" Harry offered in a dry tone, and yet he could feel his blood drain from his limbs and head. He was able to keep most of his emotions down though his body is screaming at him to leave this situation.

He felt Hermione flinch even though she saw what he did to Vernon and apparently saw their memories as she erased him from their life. Both of the adults seemed to shift uncomfortably in their seats now. "I am safe, those I call family will be as safe as possible." He couldn't help but to look at Hermione when he said both of those things. "My… No, those barely human beings will not be able to get to me anymore. Nor will I allow anyone to be in those situations again." Harry said while his mouth went dry, his heart beating. His body still telling him to run.

"I'm sorry we brought it up but we are doctors, we are taught to spot it and report, help if we can." Emma said, trying to say excuses on why they brought it up. But Harry just looked at Dan with an eye raised.

Dan nodded, probably realizing why Harry was looking at him like that. "No, that's not why I brought it up. Hermione comes first to me, Harry. If she was putting herself in a dangerous houshold I wouldn't allow it."

At that Harry saw an ability to change topics. "That is not a worry at all Dan." Harry said, giving an answer that they probably saw coming. "I'm now in my ancestral home, no one I don't want there will ever get on the property."

"Can we see it? And in turn visit your uncle." Emma said, taking the chance to switch the topic.

"Possibly?" Harry said, wincing at his poor redirection since Sirius is still in prison. "I don't fully know where the house is physically and I don't know if it's warded like Hogwarts where non magicals can't see it or even get compelled to run from the building. "I'm still trying to learn all the politics and power I have since I'm now head of my household." Harry said, trying to get the conversation away from the past and meeting sirius.

"Wait, you're in charge? Not your uncle?" Dan asked apparently on board with changing topics aswell.

"So normally with someone like me, I'm not in charge fully. My magicall guardian votes for me, and also takes care of most everything else. But my uncle is also in charge of his own house, dealing with even more polotics than I will." Harry said wishing they were talking about this over tea so he can take a drink, his mouth is still dry from the previous fright of abuse.

"So he is in charge of a lot for me. But i'm mostly, what's the word. Empancemated?" Harry asked looking toward Hermione then her parents to see if they knew what he was talking about.

This caused Dan to crack a smile while Emma corrected for him. "Emancipated. You have some legal rights even though you are only elleven. But I still have some adult oversight." She said for him. To which he nodded.

The silence returned as they all seemed to have eaten everything they wanted and no other giant question was looming over their heads. "What topics are you looking forward to in school?" Hermione asked. Figuring a dead spot in the conversation was good enough to switch to the topic of school.

Harry looked at her quizically, but answered regardless. "Transfigurations and Charms. I think they can have some great day to day applications. How about you? I figured potions or runes."

"Potions maybe. I spotted a book when we were in the ally that showed different kinds of potions that are hard to believe actually exist." Hermione said back lying but he knew where she actually saw all of that.

"Do pray tell." Dan said from across from them.

"An invisibility potion that can last from thirty seconds to a whole minute."

"Please, something like that is probably illegal." Emma spoke up taking the new change in topic aswell. Though the talk of law wasn't something Harry wanted to be brought up.

"Actually it's not. Normal things are. But there's even a potion that can let you turn into someone else. Voice and body as a whole. And that is legal. Just doing crimes isn't." Harry added into the conversation.

"Wait even if they impersonate them?" Dan asked.

"Maybe, I'm not entirely sure. Some might see it as a joke and since they were caught it's all well. Others though…" Harry let it hang. "Magic as a lot of textbooks say. Is mainly about intent. I've had accidental magic that transported me ontop of buildings or into trees before. My magic knew I wanted to be where it was hard to get to me. If someone takes said potion and looks like you to play a prank on you it's fine. But if they did it and committed a crime its not." Harry explained.

"Old school world indeed." Emma said, which caused Dan to give her a questioning look. "Hermione told me a bit about it. More on how the world will look at us and her." Emma said to which Harry nodded.

They continued to talk about the magical world, what little bit Harry knew about the government and everything else. Hermione stayed mostly quiet as she wasn't supposed to know much about the world yet but she did provid guiding questions and comments to keep the conversation to be more peaceful.

Eventually the Grangers started to put away dinner and tea was brought out and Harry decided to turn the questions onto them. How did they meet, why they chose to be dentists and so forth. He could tell they wanted to ask more questions about him and the magical world but Hermione was on Harry's side as she pressed for her parents to tell him certain stories. Stories that took a while to tell. By the end of the evening when it was polite for Harry to leave.

Both Harry and Hermione's parents knew more about each other than they probably thought they would have earlier in the day. It still looked to Harry that Dan wanted to ask more questions or had more to say but both Hermione and Emma seemed to be thwarting his attempts. Which Harry was happy for, he knew eventually if they stayed in Hermione's life his past would be revealed but he didn't want to go into the gorry details as they might not want Hermione to be near him if that came out. Not that Hermione would listen anyways.

They were now back at the front door saying their goodbyes. Dan held out his hand again, but to Harry's surprise Emma pulled him into a hug, which he wasn't abble to return as he was to stuned. Though it was followed by Hermione's hug, which he did return.

"I'll be there tonight." She whispered into his ear. He didn't respond but just kept hugging her back until Emma coughed politely. They broke apart to see Emma and Dan still standing close by. Dan looked at the ceiling while Emma watched them with an amused look.

"I look forward to seeing you all again. Though it might be easier if you write down all the questions you may have for the magical world. That way both I and Sirius, my uncle. Can respond to them. Not saying I didn't mind all the questions since I had a fair share myself. Was just hard on the throat." Harry said, trying to bid them farewell but ended up ranting.

They bid him goodbye and he left out the door heading toward the ally he apparated into.

"Well he's definitely a good kid, pretty good manners." Dan said to the two women of his life.

"Pretty smart too. Though his speech pattern reminds me of an older person, like i was talking to a young adult instead of a preteen." Emma commented.

To which Hermione interrupted. "Please, how many preteens do you talk to that don't have their mouth wide open and can only respond with grunts."

"I would say you, but you are smarter than most." Dan came to the aid of his wife. "He is a good kid but something is a little off I can't place it though.

"An acceptable friend for sure." Emma added in.

"Just acceptable?" Hermione asked in disbelief as the dinner went amazingly in her eyes.

"No one is perfect for you Hermione." Emma responded. "There might not be anyone better yet, but he can improve."

"You're still talking about being friends right?" Dan asked.

"Yeah, are you?" Hermione chidded her mother with a smirk.

"Give it three years, and we will see." Emma said with a knowing smile, and broke off from Dan. "Got to clean up now."

"Honestly Daddy, how do you feel about him" Hermione asked her father who lingered enough for her to ask this question.

This got her father to sigh and look back at the door Harry left from. "I wasn't lying there, something about him that is… not weird but different. But he does seem good where it's concerned for me. I believe I can trust him around you, as long as you tell me where you are going." He chidded her with a smile.

"It won't happen again. I didn't know how you two would react if I said I was going to check out the magical world."

"Better to seek forgiveness than ask for permission?" Dan asked her.

"Not so much the case I found out. It's harder to get back to the same page with that philosophy." Hermione admitted.

To that Dan nodded and pulled her along toward the kitchen. "Come on, let's go help your mom."

Upon apparating home Harry found a letter waiting for him. Apparently Ted was able to get a response back from Lord Greengrass.

Harry

Lord Greengrass declined the offer of financial help before any contract was signed. I explained to him that the offer was genuine and offered without any other motive. Atlas he still declined but would like to meet as soon as possible. I set up the meeting since I knew you wanted everything done as soon as possible. Or at least before school starts. So it will be in two days, enough time for both parties to find out what can and can not be offered.

I suggest you come by my office tomorrow and we can figure out a contract to start with. And then to also create a list of things to add on toward the contract to entice them further, and a list of things that will never be on the contract.

And finally your 'friend' partial emancipation is extremely difficult. It's all or nothing sadly and since we can't exactly tell the authorities exactly why it's very close to nothing i'm sad to say Harry. Maybe we can come up with another possibility.

Ted Tonks.

Harry sighed, he wanted to go to take a nap before Hermione came over but now it seems like more study was in store for him. "Grandfather." He said walking up to the portrait. "Are you up for more contract talk until my wife gets here?"

"Certainly grandson." Charles responded by taking a hit from his pipe.