Chapter 39: Smooth Criminal
After their meeting with the goblins, Harry and Grangers made their way home. Helen announcing she would be cooking her world-famous spaghetti.
"She makes the sauce from scratch," Hermione beamed wistfully. "There's nothing like it."
That night, Harry sat down to a plate of noodles covered in the most aromatic red sauce he had ever experienced. He ate his first bite and his eyes widened.
"This is amazing!" Harry heaped praise on Helen. "Can you teach me how to do this?"
"I think that can be arranged," Helen smiled at the boy, noticing just how much he had grown. "Tomorrow, we're going to have to go shopping for our trip. Might as well make it a full trip, seeing as you've outgrown your current wardrobe, Harry."
"I'm sorry," Harry hung his head.
"Harry," Helen reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. "That's a good thing. A boy your age should outgrow his clothes. Just means we'll have to make a full trip of it."
"Okay," Harry relaxed but still wasn't comfortable with anyone spending money on him. Dinner passed pleasantly and Harry collected the dishes, communicating his wishes to help clean.
While Harry was cleaning from dinner, Helen was outside of her daughter's room with two bowls.
"Can I come in?" Helen didn't have to wait long as the door was yanked open and the bowl snatched from her hand. "I'll take that as a yes."
Hermione's eyes rolled back into her head as she experienced the sweet treat.
"So how was the term?" Helen asked tentatively. She was curious how her daughter was pondering the events she endured.
"It was fine," Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "Odd as it sounds, losing the ability see for a week was probably my highlight. It brought Harry and me even closer together."
"You've moved past a crush, haven't you?"
"I… fancy him, mum," Hermione seemed to fight the words as they fell from her mouth. "I fancy my best friend and he has no idea."
"Have you thought about telling him?"
"Yeah 'oh by the way, Harry, I have a huge crush on you,'" Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that would just scare him away."
"It might…" Helen said cautiously. "Or it might get him to realize things he's not quite aware of himself. I've seen the way he looks at you since we came back. He's realizing things but hasn't quite figured out what they mean yet. Enough of Harry for the moment. How are you holding up? Being petrified must have been terrifying."
"I'm doing fine," Hermione shrugged. "I don't remember a lot of it. I just woke up two weeks later. Probably a good thing the first thing I saw was Harry because I would have been worried about what would have happened to him. Honestly, I had it easy. Harry had it truly rough. The entire student body seemed to think he was out to attack them. It can't be hard having a stadium full of students boo you."
"But he had you," Helen said. "Harry sent a letter to tell us you were petrified. He said the school was forgiving him but it meant nothing. He apologized to us for not being there for you and felt guilty until your dad talked some sense into him.
"The sense I got from his letter was he'd rather had the school hate him if it meant you were there with him. I have to admit, I like him a lot too and I'm rooting for him to figure it out quickly."
"But he doesn't even see me as anything but a friend," Hermione threw herself to lay back on the bed. "How can I fancy a boy who doesn't even know I'm a girl."
"Well he's probably become pretty aware of it right about now," Helen pointed down. "We're going to have to spend some time away from the boys tomorrow. You've outgrown your clothes too, in more ways than one. I notice the difference and I'm sure Harry will soon as well.
"Give it a little time but also don't give it too much," Helen continued over her daughter's protests. "You deserve happiness and if he's not going to notice, then you owe it to yourself to move on to someone who will love and appreciate you."
"I will, mum," Hermione leaned over and was wrapped in the tight embrace of her mother. "I love you, mum."
"I love you too, Winter," Helen collected the dishes and headed downstairs.
"We have a problem," Helen announced once she entered the living room. Richard was on the sofa reading.
"What problem would that be, beautiful?" Richard gave her his best roguish smile.
"Hermione is head over heels for Harry."
"Tell me something I don't know. What's the issue with that? I thought you liked Harry?"
"I like him a lot and I like them even more. But Harry can't even see Hermione as anything beyond a friend."
"Don't worry. Harry's starting to figure things out. I've noticed him taking a couple long looks at Hermione and I know you have too. I'll probably talk to him this summer about everything. Ugh I thought I escaped this when we had a daughter. That meant you got to give her the Talk."
"Well good thing Harry looks up to you," Helen slid into his lap on the sofa and wrapped her arms around him. "Just don't teach him too much. Can't have him using your same tricks on Hermione; she'll be helpless against them."
Helen finished with the smile the Richard had seen so many times. Without warning, Helen squealed as he picked her up and carried her upstairs.
"I love you, Mrs. Granger."
"I love you, Mr. Granger," Helen laughed as Richard kicked their door closed.
The next morning, Harry woke up early and snuck downstairs to cook breakfast. He wanted to do something unusual and decided on crepes. He looked through the kitchen but couldn't find one ingredient that he needed.
"Blast!" Harry said. "I need a little bit of butter."
"Harry Potter needs butter?" Dobby popped in, holding a block of butter.
"Dobby!" Harry started at the small creature's entrance. "I was just talking to myself. I didn't realize you were listening."
"Dobby's always listening, waiting to see how he may help," Dobby tapped Harry on the arm with the block of butter again. "Can Dobby cook instead? Dobby enjoyed cooking very much."
"Thank you, Dobby but not today," Harry smiled. "I want to make breakfast for the Grangers. Funny, usually Richard is downstairs by now."
"You called?" Richard entered the kitchen with his hair mussed and a big smile on his face.
"Oh I'm just making breakfast and was surprised you weren't up yet," Harry was a little concerned.
"Just thought I'd sleep in today," Richard sat down at one of the stools positioned around the kitchen island and looked over his shoulder to see a similarly pleased look on his wife except her hair wasn't as messy. In fact, he thought she never looked more beautiful.
"Good morning, Harry," Helen said as she hugged her husband from behind. "What are you making?"
"I was just going to make some crepes, I hope that's okay. I've only cooked them once, when Dudley wanted something special for his birthday and Petunia," Harry came to a stop. It was still sinking in that Petunia was dead.
"That sounds wonderful," Helen brought him out of his reverie. "Can I help in any way?"
"I think if I need anything, Dobby will step in. He's really good as responding when I need something."
"Do you mind we watch?" Richard inquired.
"Feel free," Harry went to work mixing the ingredients. Every time he finished with one, the remaining ingredient was whisked away by Dobby. Before long, Helen and Richard had a fresh crepe with strawberries in it. Helen went to reach for the syrup when Dobby put a different bottle into reach.
"Real maple syrup?" Helen looked down in surprise. "Where'd you find that?"
"A house elf never reveals their secrets," Dobby said. "Master Draco always preferred it."
"Thank you, Dobby," Helen smiled warmly.
"What are you thanking Dobby for?" Hermione yawned as she walked into the kitchen.
"He just found us real maple syrup to go with the crepes Harry made."
"Crepes?" Hermione latched onto that single word. Before she could ask, Harry was putting a crepe onto a plate, pushing it toward her. Hermione let a small, shrill sound escape before she dug with gusto.
"I see it's terrible," Harry joked. "Thank you for being polite and finishing it all the same."
"This is incredible," Hermione's eyes widened as she enjoyed her breakfast. "You're making one for you, aren't you?"
"I don't think I have eno-" Harry started to say before a plate appeared before him.
"-ough." Harry looked down to see Dobby retreating. "Thank you, Dobby. Actually, I feel bad. I should have made one for you."
"You don't need to be doing that," Dobby bowed. "Dobby will make his breakfast after."
"Nu-uh," Harry shook his head. "You are part of the family. Whenever possible, I'd like you to join us for meals."
Hermione beamed, first at the Harry choice of the word family and then his consideration that Dobby join them. What she didn't expect was for Dobby to start crying.
"What did I say?" Harry looked to the Grangers for help. They looked back with equal confusion, making Harry kneel down to Dobby's level.
"Nobody treated Dobby like this. Mistress Cissy tried to but nobody ever treated Dobby like he was family. I wished so much to one day to find someone who would treat me like family."
"I know how you feel," Harry tried to help the elf collect himself. Next thing he knew Dobby threw his whole body into him. "There, there. You're fine now. Would you like to join us for breakfast?"
Dobby calmed down and snapped, creating space for two more people to sit at the island.
"You can do magic here?" Harry asked. "We're not going to get a warning from the Ministry, are we?"
"No," Dobby shook his head, making his ears wobble in the process. "Elves can mask their magic when they want so it won't register with the ministry. Plus the wards here will prevent them from detecting anything but the most powerful spells. While the ministry would prefer you not do magic, they cannot do anything to detect you doing so, as long as you're careful."
"I can do magic?" Hermione asked, warring between excitement at the possibility and her natural inclination to follow the rules.
"Yes, mistress Hermione," Dobby stumbled through her name but the fact he even got through her name showed how far Dobby had come in just a few weeks. "Just minor spells that they won't detect."
Any further questioning was forestalled when the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be this early?" Richard asked. "I'll check it. Everyone else hang back."
"Dobby," Harry nodded and the elf disappeared. He popped in with Harry's and Hermione's wands before popping out again. Harry heard voices and then footsteps. Richard walked back into the kitchen with Amelia Bones in tone.
"Madam Bones," Harry was not expecting to see her again so soon. "This is unexpected."
"I came to pass some news," she pulled a paper out. "Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban last night."
"Who is that?" Richard asked. Harry and Hermione knew but neither elder Granger did. Harry's entire presence darkened.
"He's the man who betrayed my parents," Harry growled. "My parents were kept hidden through a specific charm, called a Fidelius Charm. It works by storing the secret within a living vessel. According to Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore- who performed the charm himself- Sirius was the Secret-Keeper. They tracked him down the day after my parents died. He blew up a street to kill a man by the name of Peter Pettigrew, who was another of my parents' friends. He's been in Azkaban since."
Dobby popped in with a pot of tea, a cup already poured for Harry. Harry sat down heavily and his head in his hands with his elbows propped onto the table.
"We talked to a few inmates," Amelia said. "He was heard saying 'he's at Hogwarts' over and over again. Dobby, do you have any insights into any Death Eater activity? Despite his protestations, I know what Lucius Malfoy was."
"No, miss," Dobby hung his head. "Dobby wasn't born until right before He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named fell. Even if I did, I am forbidden from sharing any of my master's secrets."
"Werewolves weren't enough," Harry said, heavily. Hermione came around to him and laid a hand on his shoulder, gently massaging some of the tension out. "I had to have another person out for my blood."
"I'm sorry to keep passing you unfortunate news," Amelia hated giving him bad news. "We'll be posting security at the school and you already have Tonks watching you but it would be best to be constantly vigilant."
Amelia rolled her eyes inwardly as apparently her mentor's words had rooted themselves so deep, she was now saying them to others.
"Thank you, Auntie Amelia," Harry finally looked up. "Maybe next time we see one another, it'll be for a happy reason."
Across town, Fudge was in a similar state as he read the article again. He had hoped to keep the breakout quiet a short while longer. The door to his office opened and Lucius Malfoy walked in.
"Lucius!" Fudge smiled brightly. "My most trusted advisor! How are you today?"
"Better than you, I'd imagine," Malfoy held up the paper. "Nasty business, Black escaping. Though, I guess it was bound to happen. He wasn't the Dark Lord's right hand man for nothing."
Lucius walked in, letting the door close behind him.
"What have you brought me today?" Fudge leaned forward a little. Malfoy's visits were always profitable; he hoped this one was just as profitable. Like always, Lucius pointed to his money bag. Fudge took the hint and erected privacy wards around the office. They weren't cheap to install but they were worth every knut.
"Of course he'll go after Harry Potter," Lucius walked toward the desk, nonchalantly looking around the office. "Losing his master to Potter must have been the thing to make him snap."
"Yes," Fudge nodded blankly. "Of course he will. The paper hasn't reported it but he was saying 'he's at Hogwarts.' Amelia Bones is already on it. She's going to position Aurors around the castle and Hogsmeade village."
"Aurors won't stop him though," Malfoy said. "Remember what Black did to Pettigrew?"
"Madam Bones has trained them well," Fudge reasoned. "Pettigrew was not someone comfortable with dueling; he never stood a chance."
Lucius continued to walk around the office until he was at the front of Fudge's desk.
"Are you sure?" He made sure to jingle the coins in his pocket as he leaned forward, placing a single arm on the desk with the free to dive into his coin purse. "Are you sure the Aurors can successfully take down You-Know-Who's right hand man?"
Lucius withdrew a coin and threw it on the desk in front of the Minister, adding a little power to ensure the sound of gold hitting the desk was unmistakable. Like a trained dog, Fudge registered the sound and looked to the desk.
"Of course," Fudge's speech became slower as his eyes glazed over, greedily staring at the coin. "The Aurors are well trained. But there's so few of them."
"What about using the Dementors," Malfoy's voice became silkier as he punctuated every sentence with another coin. "They kept him at bay for 12 years. They should be the ones used to bring him in."
"I don't know," Fudge said which was Malfoy's cue to add more coins. "They are the best equipped to do the job. But assigning them to guard the castle won't be easy. Dumbledore can't stand the creatures. They will keep everyone safe, though."
"Yes they will," Lucius started throwing more coins. "You will be praised for your innovative solution and leadership during this crisis. Saving Harry Potter from Sirius Black? You will be revered, above Dumbledore even. Your name will live on."
More coins were added to the stack.
"Yes," Fudge's eyes took on a hard glint as his smile grew. "Yes! Harry Potter must be protected! And the Dementors are the ones to do it!"
Lucius moved back from the desk as Fudge hastily bagged the coins, dropped the privacy wards and pressed a rune on his desk. His assistant stepped into the office.
"Weatherby!" Fudge snapped out orders. "Get me some 104-DEM forms. I will need to reassign some Dementors to aid in the search for Sirius Black."
"How many sir?" The assistant looked poised to move, ready to impress the Minister.
"200 should do. We can't leave anything up to chance! They will recapture Black and keep the students safe!"
Lucius walked out of the office with a barely restrained smile. Oh Cornelius, he thought wickedly to himself, a few coins and you're putty in my hands. And with the warding around his office, no one will know I was ever involved. Cackling inwardly, he moved to his second target.
He knocked at the office a few doors down. Hearing a cheery "enter," he walked into the office. He had never met the Undersecretary before, he only knew her by reputation. Apparently, she had amassed quite the reputation after graduation. What his spies did not inform him was her favorite color. Malfoy blinked multiple times to clear the pink haze from his vision.
"Good morning, Senior Undersecretary Umbridge," Lucius smiled and greeted her. He didn't bring any bribe money for this; it wouldn't have worked and he had far better bait anyway.
"Mister Malfoy," Umbridge gave him a sickly-sweet smile, layered with an even sweeter voice. Malfoy knew it was an act but went with it anyway. "How may I help you today?"
"I was actually coming to offer a mutually beneficial arrangement," Lucius mimed flicking dirt off his jet black robes. "Tell me: what did you think of Lily Potter."
"Oh she was a hero," Umbridge forced a smile. "Giving her life for her son. Why, how noble could one witch get."
"I think you misunderstand me," Malfoy pressed. "What do you really think of Lily Evans- oh I'm sorry- Potter. You went to school together?"
"Yes and you'd know that, considering you were a few years ahead of the both of us," Umbridge dropped her smile a little.
"Yes that's correct," Malfoy acted like he just remembered. "I remember you having a bit of a rivalry with her, if my memory serves."
"Oh well that's all in the past. She was a very talented student after all," Malfoy noticed a pink twinge to her jowly cheeks.
"Yes. Such a bright student, top of her class every year. Especially impressive considering her upbringing, being a muggleborn and all."
"Her grades were impressive, especially for a Mud-muggleborn," Umbridge caught herself but Malfoy just kept pressing.
"Then she caught the eye of James Potter. All the girls had a crush on him, if I'm told correctly. I was graduated at the time but word is he was a real charmer. Tall, popular, intelligent, Quidditch star, not to mention rich, if I remember correctly."
"Many of the girls wanted him, yes" Umbridge's voice was so tense, he knew he almost had her. "There was quite the furor when he and the Mu- when he and Lily started dating. Head Boy and Head Girl, oh they were so cute."
"And then they had Harry," Umbridge flinched at the name. "The Boy-Who-Lived. The one who saved us all. Champion of the Light, beacon of hope to the muggleborns, ray of sunshine to the light faction. My if he had not stopped You-Know-Who when he did, who knows where we would be?"
"Yes that little shi- the Boy-Who-Lived- gave us a second chance," Sweetness was dripping from her voice as her eyes hardened.
"And what a second chance. Muggleborns are moving into the Ministry at a surprising rate. They're teaching us all so many wonderful things about progress, equality and… values."
"Those Mudbloods are infecting us!" Umbridge finally lost her cool. "Telling us we need to conform and progress. They hold Lily Evans up as a shining example of what their… kind can do."
Umbridge finished her rant by spitting, as if the very words were toxic.
"Yes it must be so terrible, working in a building infested and yet instead of an exterminator, they invite more of them in," Malfoy let his smile drop. "What if there was a way to strike back? Both at Lily Evans and the mudbloods."
"I'm listening," Umbridge leaned in, resting her chin on her folded hands, hunger in her eyes.
"Sirius Black has escaped, as I'm sure you have heard. The minister is rumored to be tasking the Dementors with finding him."
"A wise precaution. Dementors are the only tool to capture a Dark Wizard like Black."
"What if we repurposed some of them? I am in need of some information and I believe Harry Potter is the key to unlocking it. As I am no longer a member of the Board of Governors, thanks to Potter," Lucius rankled. "I will need to use an intermediary. A third year would be defenseless against them. It would only be too easy to have them bring Potter to me."
"Hmm," Umbridge thought hard. "What you suggest has merit but how would that look for us? Surely Dementors kidnapping the Boy-Who-Lived would create less a news storm and more a news maelstrom and we would be at the center of it."
"Oh but who knows what dark magic Black was capable of?" Lucius smiled wickedly. "We could lay the blame with him. Any sign of magic would lead back to Black and Black alone.
"I know you hated Lily Evans in school. I also know you have some control over the Dementors." Umbridge nodded aggressively as Lucius spoke. "I need the Dementors to bring Potter to me. Unharmed. It is a specific request but one I know you can make."
Lucius decided to play his ace, the one piece of bait he knew Umbridge couldn't resist taking.
"Oh and there's one more thing: he is close to a girl, named Granger. She is just like Lily: a brainy, upstart mudblood who is seducing the Heir of one of Britain's oldest houses. You missed your opportunity for revenge on Lily. How would you like to have another chance at knocking down a mudblood who doesn't know her proper place?"
"How would one go about doing that?"
"I'm not sure I'm creative enough to think of a way," Lucius grinned in victory as he stood. Umbridge was hooked now. "However you want to do it is up to you but I'm just saying that a Dementor's Kiss is absolutely the worst way to go, especially after prolonged exposure.
Umbridge smiled an evil smile and worked on retasking the Dementors to their new task.
(A/N: It was only a matter of time before putting those two together. I always pictured Malfoy manipulating Fudge with more than just gold, very similar to Jafar using hypnosis on the Sultan in Aladdin. His playbook is misdirection and laced magic on top of it. It would stoke the Minister's ego and hide his involvement. As for Umbridge, he's using her bigotry and sharpening it into a weapon. His involvement will never be public, nor would you be able to get anything to stick to him. He loves using intermediaries to do his dirty work while he reaps the rewards. There's a little/lot of that in this chapter.
Oh and yes, Lucius now has offered up Hermione as a prize to two different parties, I am very well aware of that.
Updated with an edit after a comment that any spellcasting inside the Minister's office would be picked up. This also better highlights the corruption of Fudge. Thanks to demonboy121986 for helping me edit it to work better.
A line from Dobby also added to address whether he can share any of Malfoy's secrets. He can't, just like Winky couldn't in GoF
A quick thank you to Lowten for correcting sticks of butter into blocks.)
Chapter 39: La Vie en Rose
Harry sat in the terminal, watching the planes move across the window in front of him. Wearing shorts, a polo and his new sneakers Harry drank in the sights around him.
"How's it hangin' Boy Wonder?" Tonks sat down next to him.
"I'm fine, Tonks," Harry deflected. His mind was still on Sirius Black and the threat he posed not just to Harry but Hermione and her family as well. "How are you doing?"
"Aside from my cousin supposedly stalking my other more distant cousin?" She smiled down at him. "I'm just peachy aside from that. You know, it's weird. My mum always had an issue with Sirius. Not what he did, everyone had an issue with that but she always had the hardest time believing he turned away from everything he believed in."
"What do you mean?" Harry cocked his head.
"In school, he was always the closest of friends with your father. They were more brothers to Sirius than his own brother, Regulus. She never could figure why he would do that."
"Something must have made him snap," Harry spat bitterly.
"Perhaps," Tonks shook her head. "But enough of that. We're on vacation for the next two weeks."
"I'm on vacation for two weeks," Harry did his best Malfoy impression. "You're on security detail."
Tonks pushed him, the both of them laughing as they cut the tension.
"Laugh it up, Boy Wonder," Tonks continued to give him a hard time. "You do have your wand, right?"
"Yes," Harry nodded, tapping his wrist. "The holder Auntie Amelia gave me last year has charms that make it go invisible. Hermione has hers as well."
"Good. You won't get in trouble for using magic in a life-or-death scenario which, for you, we just call Tuesday."
"Hey!" Harry protested.
"What'd you say to him this time?" Hermione sat down with steaming cup of coffee.
"That he gets into Life-or-Death scenarios on the regular," Tonks said.
"Why are you offended by facts, Harry?"
"Hey!" Tonks and Hermione laughed at his vociferous protestations. Next thing Harry knew, they were calling for the boarding of their flight. Harry pulled out the ticket and saw they were upgraded to First Class.
"Wow," Richard relaxed in his chair on the plane. "They really went all out, didn't they?"
"Most certainly," Helen relaxed with a glass of complimentary champagne. "We will have to find a way to thank them for everything once we get back."
Two hours later, they were checking into the penthouse suite the goblins booked for them in Paris.
"Wow," Tonks said with wide eyes. The suite had tall windows and even taller ceilings. The walls were pastel blue with gold accents around the doors and windows. "Remind me to ask for protective detail more often. They really spared no expense."
Once they got settled, they headed to lunch at a place next to the Seine river. Harry ordered a soup with a baguette while Hermione ordered Bouillabaisse. Richard and Helen opted to split a sandwich with some wine.
"Oh this is delicious," Hermione exclaimed after her first bite. "Harry you have to try this!"
Harry leaned over and let Hermione spoon a bite into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he let the flavor pass over his tongue, relishing the softness of the fish, the richness of the broth with the herbs giving the soup a dynamic flavor.
"Oh that's incredible. Would you like to try mine?"
Hermione nodded aggressively. Harry tore a piece of his baguette off and dipped it into the soup.
"Not as rich but easily more comforting," Hermione commented as she swallowed. Neither noticed that they had scooted closer and their knees were now touching one another. It did not go unnoticed by the parents nor Tonks who was a few tables over, disguised as a young blonde woman. Smiles blossomed across the faces of the five individuals, all for very different reasons.
Harry was taking in his friend as he never had before. He noticed her face had lost a lot of its roundness over the year and her growth had done her well. Even her hair, bushy as it was, was calming down into relaxed curls, looking more and more like her mother. Her eyes were shining with joy, the gold flecks shining in the sunshine. Her blue sleeveless blouse and skirt was entirely different from anything he saw at school and he was finding it very attractive.
"Well," Richard spoke up as they finished their meal. "Where do we want to go first?"
"I was hoping we could see Notre Dame," Harry said. "It's not far from here and the tour would probably take us the rest of the afternoon."
"Seconded!" Hermione agreed. "I've heard so many things of the stained glass."
"Let's head on over then," Helen reached into her purse to pay the tab. Hermione stood and Harry noticed their legs had been touching and suddenly he was missing that.
Half an hour later, they stood in front of the doors of the cathedral. Harry looked up at the buttresses, connecting to the superstructure. Elegant spires reached toward the sky and framed the windows. Harry studied the arch above the door with the intricate carvings.
"It's incredible," Harry looked on in amazement. "Think about how long it took to do even one of these. The craftsmanship that it must have taken…"
"I know," Hermione ran her hands over the stonework. "We could make this in a few seconds but the fact that it took them years makes it all the more special."
They entered the cathedral and sat in one of the pews. Harry smelled the stonework of the building with hints of the wood that made up the roof, as well as the wood items placed within the church. As they sat there, the organ started to play. It wasn't just music, it was an all-encompassing sound, seeping through every pore of Harrys body. He let the music wash over him, overcome by its majestic power. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed Hermione's hand. He had no idea why he did it but it just felt right.
Hermione was startled at first but then relaxed as she felt his hand slide into hers. She even leaned into him as the organ began to play the next hymn. They lost track of time as they listened to the music around them.
Once it was over, they took the narrow spiral staircase up to the next level. Walking on the upper level, Hermione's fear of heights came roaring back and she started to breathe erratically. There wasn't a quick way back down and Hermione was starting to panic a little.
"Don't worry," Harry was there. "We're here. You're safe."
"It's so high," Hermione squeaked out.
"I know," Harry stepped closer. "Put your arm around me. You'll be safe; I promise."
Hermione looked into his iridescent green eyes and knew what he said was true. Slowly, her parents in the lead, they walked to examine the big stained glass window at the end of the walkway. Looking up at the glass, Hermione forgot about the height and drank in each panel.
"Simply incredible," Richard said. "How long do you think this took?"
"Years, probably," Hermione said. "They date back to the 13th century. Not like they could craft these in a day back then."
"Wow..." Harry marveled at each panel.
That night, they ate dinner near the Eifel Tower, finishing their day with a tour of the tower itself. Once they got up to the second level, Helen- a little afraid of heights herself- decided to stop there, instead of going to the very top. Richard also elected to remain, to keep his wife comfortable.
"Would you like to see the top of the tower with me?" Harry asked Hermione. She bit her lip in thought, weighing her fears against being able to see all of Paris.
"Sure," Hermione relented. "But you have to stay close to me the whole time, okay?"
As the elevator opened and they stepped out onto the top of the Tower, Hermione was awed. The city was lit up in a wonderful splendor. Without even noticing, she walked to the edge. The River Seine stretched out below them, cutting through the city. Casting her gaze down, she realized that how high she was. Gasping, she stepped back only to find Harry right behind her.
He wrapped an arm around her and brought her in close.
"It's okay," he soothed. "I'm here, like I promised."
How can I feel so secure, so solid when the only thing keeping me from falling is the young man behind me? Hermione's voice echoed in her head.
You know you won't fall because he'll catch you, a new voice made itself heart. As much as you've ignored it away, you have to admit how you feel. This isn't a crush, this isn't a fleeting fancy; this is something much, much more. You've fallen for your best friend.
I have NOT fallen, Hermione's brain argued.
Okay, then move away, Hermione realized it was her heart talking.
I don't want to.
Of course you don't. You're right where you want to be. You've fallen and you're waiting for him to catch you.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry's voice cut through her internal dialogue. Hermione didn't move away from him. She just turned and looked at him. In doing so, she realized how close they were and that he was a little taller than her.
When did he get taller than me? She wondered. Looking up through her eyelashes, her eyes locked on his, her whole being lost in those green eyes. Brown locked on to green and she leaned her shoulder into his chest. He laid his hand on her elbow, drawing her in closer.
"Hermione?" Harry spoke again. She noticed their heads moving closer, bit by bit. She tilted her head up and he leaned in. They were centimeters apart and Hermione wondered Is it going to..
"Wonderful view, huh?" The teens broke apart at the new voice. Next to them was an old man, smiling at them. "My wife and I came here every year. This was her favorite place."
A tear rolled down his cheek as he spoke.
"That-that's lovely," Hermione stammered out a response.
"Forgive me for interrupting," he said in a thick French accent. "You two remind me very much of her and I when we were younger. It brought back a lot of memories and I couldn't resist."
"She sounds wonderful," Harry said. "What was her name?"
"Her name was Perenelle," the man smiled sadly. "We had so many adventures, her and I."
"I am sorry for your loss Mr..." Harry reached out his hand.
"Just call me Nicolas," the man smiled before turning back to the view. "Thank you for the reminder. Avec amour, Perenelle."
"We'll leave you be, Nicolas," Hermione said before pulling Harry away toward the lift to head back down. On the way back to the hotel, Hermione was worried. Harry hadn't said a single word since their near kiss.
Does he hate me? Her inner thoughts raged. What was I thinking!? He's my best friend, of course he doesn't think of me like that.
Meanwhile Harry was reassessing everything he thought he knew.
She's your best friend, his inner voice admonished. Why did you think of kissing her? You've never thought of that before.
Yeah but now that you have, you can't think of anything else, a softer voice stated.
It's wrong. Her parents have taken you in and you're going to repay them by dating their only daughter.
They already love you. Why would they hate you dating their daughter?
But what if it doesn't work out? What if she hates me?
What if it does? She's your best friend, the one you rely upon when you can't rely on anyone else. Isn't it worth a chance to possibly see if you could be something more?
On and on, his brain spun ad nauseum. He admitted to himself that Hermione was beautiful. He loved her eyes, her smile, her laugh. Beyond her physical appearance, she was kind, loyal, intelligent and fierce force of nature. He felt comfortable around her in a way he was comfortable around no one else. She inspired him, comforted and motivated him. She understood him and he felt he understood her as well. He knew when she was upset and knew how to comfort her when she was. But what did he feel about her?
Harry moved on autopilot up to the hotel. He sat on his bed for a long, long time until finally he knew what he needed to do. Exiting his room, he walked across the suite and knocked on the door.
"Can I come in?" He asked.
"Sure, come on in," the voice Harry needed to hear said.
Opening the door, he spotted Richard reclining on the bed while Helen brushed her hair in the bathroom.
"Can I talk to you?" Harry spoke softly, avoiding eye contact with the elder Granger.
"Sure," Richard said, sitting up on the bed. "What's on your mind?"
"Well..." Harry's eyes flicked to Helen.
"I'll go make myself some tea, I think," Helen shut the door behind her as she left.
"I'm having a bit of an issue and I'm not sure what to do with it."
"I'm guessing this has something to do with why you've been quiet since you came be down from the top level?"
"When we were up there, we had a... moment."
Richard let the silence draw out. This was Harry's
"We were looking out across the city when Hermione stepped back into me. I know she gets scared of heights so I just stayed close. She looked up at me and I started to lean in. I thought she was going to kiss me."
"Did you want to kiss her?" Richard's inner protective father was throttling him for his measured reaction.
"I... don't know," Harry started to pace around the room. "When Hermione was petrified, I felt off. I missed her so much it made my heart hurt. Like a piece of me was just... gone.
"When I administered the restorative, I sat there and wished that she would come back to me. At the moment, I would have given anything to see her smile again, to hear her laugh. Since then, nothing has been the same. I want to be closer. I'll sit close, lean into her. I've never been one for physical affection but with her, I'm just..."
"Comfortable," Richard nodded. "Look, kid, I see the way you look at her. I also see the way she looks at you. I know you care about her; you probably have since you met. Now, as you're getting older, you're starting to notice things. Suddenly, she looks a little different, yes?"
Harry nodded without looking. He had caught himself checking her out a few times but caught himself before anyone noticed- or at least so he thought.
"I wasn't intending to have this conversation quite so quickly but I think it's time. You're about to go through some changes, some I expect you've already encountered."
Harry nodded again.
"It's a confusing time. Soon you're going to experience some urges and you're going to notice things you never noticed before. That's perfectly natural and normal. There's nothing wrong with exploring your feelings and urges. However, there are two things I must make clear.
"One: consent matters. Whatever you are doing, whoever you are doing it with, if anyone says no- it could be you, it could be your partner- everything stops. If you aren't sure if you have consent, you need to ask. Do not push this and do not be afraid to stop someone from pushing you to do something you don't want to do.
"Two: protect yourself and your partner. You are going to have a lot of urges and you might want to act on them. Don't get yourself into something you aren't ready for. Always remember that it isn't just a physical act; there's a lot of emotion involved, for both of you. Communicate your wants and needs and listen to theirs. Protect yourself from unintended consequences that could ruin your or your partner's life, to say nothing of your relationship.
"Back to Hermione..." Harry recoiled a little in fear. "Do you see her as a friend or as something with the potential for more?"
"I definitely see her as my friend but lately... I don't know. I feel more toward her, like it's building toward something bigger. But I don't know how she feels. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if she's not willing to risk what we have? What if..."
"Whoa whoa whoa," Richard stood up to stop Harry from pacing all way through the floor. "Have you thought about talking to her about this?"
"What would I say?"
"Just tell her the truth; tell her how you feel. See how she feels and work with her on navigating the best way forward."
"Thank you," Harry relaxed back onto the bed. "I do have one more question."
For the first time, Harry looked into his eyes.
"Would you be okay if I started dating Hermione?"
Richard couldn't resist, he let out a laugh.
"Harry," he clapped the younger boy on the shoulder. "I've been quietly hoping for this for a while now and even if I wasn't, my wife certainly is and I'm not going to cross her anytime soon. Now, go on. I'm sure my daughter is waiting on you."
On the other side of the suite, Hermione was sitting on her bed, deep in thought. The door to the adjoining bathroom opened and Tonks walked out.
"Penny for them?" Tonks asked as she dried her hair.
"Harry almost kissed me," Hermione said. "We were interrupted and he hasn't said anything since then. I'm worried I pushed things too far and now he regrets it."
"You didn't," Tonks said from the doorway. She pulled the towel through her hair as she talked. "I was there, doing my job you know? He was leaning in just as much as you were. I think it just freaked him out a little. Like he's suddenly aware that everything is different and he's processing it."
"What if it was just a moment?" Hermione growled she sprawled back on the bed in frustration. "I mean look at me. I'm just a buck-toothed, bushy-haired, bookworm. Why would he choose me when there's so many girls who have everything I don't?"
"I used to think like you, Hermione," Tonks sat on the edge of the bed. "When I was in school, I used to change my appearance to attract the boys. Some wanted bigger tits, others a firmer ass. Some wanted me shorter or taller. It was when I realized they were just dating me to mold me into their dream girl that I realized the only person I should change my appearance for is me. The boys who accepted me as I was were the best ones and the ones who tried to change me were the pigs I should avoid."
"Whatever physical deficiencies you think you have, I promise you Harry sees none of that. All those other girls, while they're beautiful but do they know him? Does he trust them? Does he let them close? Or support them the way he does you?"
"Well, no" Hermione relented. "But what if he doesn't see me that way?"
"Hermione, I love you but sometimes you think too much for your own good," Hermione looked up to see her mother leaning on the doorway. "Listen to your heart and trust your instincts. And, yes, talk to him. See how he feels and figure out how you want to go."
"I need to grab some air," Hermione brushed past her mother and stepped onto the balcony. She closed her eyes and listened to the traffic of the city below, letting the cool breeze calm her troubled mind.
"Hermione?" She turned to see Harry standing on the balcony, his hands in his pockets. "Do you have a minute?"
"You haven't said a word in hours and now you want to talk?" Frustration was bleeding off her.
"I know, I know and I'm sorry. I've been... thinking." Harry looked suitable abashed. "This is all new to me. I've been thinking about life since you were petrified and the role you play in it. It's not a shock for me to say you're the most important person to me and those weeks without you really revealed just how important you are to me. I guess today, tonight specifically, gave me sudden clarity and I saw what was right in front of me all this time."
Hermione's frustration dropped off like stone over a cliff, replaced with hopeful curiosity.
"Recently, I've been thinking about this relationship and what it possibly could be," Harry started fidgeting with his hands. "I have no idea what the future holds for me. There's so many people out for my head, that want my blood. On one hand, it makes me nervous for anyone close to me. On the other, it makes me want get the most out of the time I have."
"What are you saying?" Hermione asked, not daring to hope.
"I guess what I am saying is that I've developed feelings for you, feelings beyond friendship. I don't know where they'll lead but I'm hoping to explore them together. I don't know if you feel the same way but I'm hoping you d-oop."
The rest of Harry's words were drowned by Hermione throwing herself at him and covering his lips with her own.
"Harry Potter," she smiled as she placed a hand on either side of your face. "I have had a crush on you since you stood between me and a fully-grown mountain troll. That has only grown since then. I started to fancy you when you stayed by my side when I couldn't see last February. Yes, I would very much be interested in exploring something more. Together."
"Really?" Harry couldn't believe his ears. He also couldn't wipe the smile from his face.
"Really, really," Hermione leaned in and kissed him again. The two smiled into the kiss and just reveled in the embrace of their new relationship status.
Richard stood in the doorway of the room and watched them, smiling like a loon. Helen approached him and gave him a long kiss.
"What was that for?" Richard asked his wife.
"Just you being you," Helen kissed him again. "Come on, let's give the new couple some privacy."
While the Grangers disappeared into their room, Harry and Hermione were still locked in their embrace.
"So what does this make us?" Harry asked.
"I don't know," Hermione said. "We'll just say it makes us closer and take it day-by-day. No need to put a label on it just yet. Let's just enjoy the moment."
"Yes ma'am," Harry smiled and leaned in for another kiss. While it wasn't the top of the Eiffel tower, kissing his best friend on the balcony of a penthouse suite, looking out onto the city was pretty romantic location for a first kiss.
(A/N: I wasn't intending for this to happen this soon but the scene, specifically the one in the Eiffel Tower took on a life of its own. It was going to be soon... but not this soon. It was initially going to happen at Christmas of this year but I didn't want to have a moment that close only to string the two of them - and the readers- along in a "will they, won't they" scenario.)
Chapter 39: Walking on Sunshine
Hermione woke the next day glowing and giggling like the giddy teenager, bouncing from her bed to the shower.
"Someone's happy," Tonks laughed as she watched Hermione bounce around the room. "Did something happen last night?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione deflected as she turned on the water. "Last night was just ordinary in every way."
"Uh huh. That's why your lips are swollen and you can't keep the smile off your face. Out with it: what happened?"
"Harry," Hermione said his name breathlessly. "We... we kissed! After I went to the balcony to get some air, he came out to talk to me and told me he had feelings for me."
"Get it girl!" Tonks high-fived the young brunette. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks," Hermione turned toward the bathroom. "I've got to start moving if we're going to make it to the Louvre on time."
"I'm just about to head down and do my security sweep of the lobby. Have a fun day with loverboy."
Tonks dodged one of Hermione's slippers as she walked out the door.
In the other room, Harry was laying in bed. Did last night really happen? He thought as he sat up in bed. He conducted his morning routine as quickly and happily as he ever could remember. Opening the door, he saw Richard in the main room buttering a croissant.
"Morning kid. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," Harry's smile gave him away. "Yes, I did."
"From the look on your face, your talk with my daughter went well."
"Yes... we decided to try for something more. Don't really know what that is or what it will be but I am... happy."
"Good for you, kid. Now do me a favor? Take care of her and try not to break her heart."
"Last thing I want to do," Harry replied. "You've seen Hermione angry. Do you want to be the person to willingly upset her?"
"Point taken," Richard pushed the croissants to Harry. "Eat up. We leave for the Louvre in a half hour."
They were joined by Helen and Hermione, the former enjoying the look of pure joy on the latter's face. Next thing Harry knew, they were walking through the glass pyramid into the Louvre. Harry and Hermione walked through the museum, hand in hand. Painting after painting went by until they arrived at one in particular.
"Yup. She's still here," Harry said, looking at the Mona Lisa.
"Did you really think she'd walk out of her frame?" Hermione asked.
"You never know..." Harry said and then, while they were looking, Mona Lisa winked at them.
"I don't believe it..." Hermione stared at the painting in surprise.
"Don't believe what?" Her father said as the parents caught up them.
"Oh I just can't believe how good these paintings are," Hermione lied effectively. "The amount of history in this building..."
"I know," Helen was awestruck. "It's overwhelming just being here."
A short ways away, they were gazing a portrait when Harry remembered back to last night. Even though they didn't kiss then, their moment atop the Eifel Tower was one of the best of his life. Even getting interrupted by the old man was sweet in a way, how Nicolas remembered his wife.
"Son of a bitch," Harry exclaimed out of nowhere.
"Language, Harry," Hermione said.
"Do you remember last night?"
"It'd be rather hard to forget, Harry."
"The old man who talked to us last night," Harry powered on. "Do you realize who that was?"
"No I..." Hermione stopped halfway through. "Son of a bitch!"
"Hermione!" Helen admonished as Harry laughed at the expression on Hermione's face.
"Nicolas Flamel!" Hermione said. "We met Nicolas Flamel and we didn't even know it."
"I know! I guess we were focused on other things at the time to put it all together."
On and on they wandered through the museum. They sat on a bench to observe a Monet painting, Hermione leaning gently into Harry. He wrapped his arm around her to pull her in even closer.
"Isn't this beautiful?" Hermione asked. "The artistry involved is incredible. Such a beautiful work."
"Still not as beautiful as you," Harry pulled his eyes from the work to look at her. "All the world-famous paintings in this building and still the most beautiful thing in here is you."
"You're a beautiful liar," Hermione said, leaning in to kiss him. "I know I'm not even the prettiest girl in here, to say nothing of the artworks."
"Hermione, you've got to stop putting yourself down and start seeing what I see," Harry put his hand on her cheek, running his fingers through her hair. "I see a beautiful girl with a slim figure, an angelic-looking face and the most beautiful brown eyes with flecks of gold interspersed. She has the most wonderful smile, even though she's self-conscious of her front teeth and a laugh that lights up a room. Then there's her personality. She's kind, giving and understanding, with enough intelligence to fill this entire museum. I mean, you know something about every single painting here. That's impressive
"It isn't your looks that define you, Hermione. You're not just a pretty shell; you have fire and grace, intelligence and kindness. That's what I see when I see you."
Hermione was struck silent by his speech.
"Is that really how you see me?" She finally asked, tearfully.
"It is."
"Thank you," Hermione leaned in and kissed him deeply. "Come on, we have to move along, I think."
The vacation passed like a dream for Hermione. They played tourist around the city, visiting museums in the morning before sampling their way through French cuisine in the evenings. They even made a trip down to Versailles to see the royal palace. The vacation finished in Nice where they were booked in a villa next to the beach.
"You ready?" Hermione asked Harry who looked nervous. They were heading out to the beach.
"Sure," Harry then looked off her shoulder to the overweight gentleman standing just beyond her. "You shouldn't go incognito today, Tonks. Just be yourself today, okay?"
"How'd you know?" Tonks asked as she morphed back to her usual form.
"You always position yourself where you can see us and wherever we're heading, with an angle to get us to safety," Harry said. "Just relax for today, okay?"
"You got it, Boy Wonder," Tonks disappeared upstairs to change and the group of five headed out toward the beach. Harry was drinking in the sight of the ocean before he turned around to setup his towel on one of the loungers. He stopped midway as Hermione pulled off her sarong. Underneath, she was wearing a red string bikini. He had never seen her wearing so little and suddenly he was able to appreciate the curves she was developing.
"See something you like, Wonder Boy?" Tonks had removed her wrap to reveal her purple bikini. Harry certainly noticed her but for some reason, he didn't see her the same way as he did Hermione.
"Just enjoying the sights," Harry tried to play it off.
"Yes, yes, the sights," Tonks elbowed him. "I'd say they've never looked better."
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione asked as she stretched her arms wide over her head. "You're still wearing your shirt."
"I'm fine," Harry said. "I'm just not sure I'm ready for that."
"It's okay," she said softly. "You're in a safe place."
Taking a deep breath, Harry pulled the shirt over his head, leaving him only in emerald green swim trunks.
"Harry," Hermione's eyes widened in amazement as she looked at his back. She ran her hands over his arms and down his back. "Your scars..."
"I know," Harry started to put his shirt back on. "They're hideous."
"No," Hermione stopped him. "They've faded. I can barely even see them; I can't even feel them. How?"
"Madam Pomfrey gave me a cream that's supposed to help," Harry said. "But I've never been able to reach my back. Not sure why those have faded."
Dobby chose that moment to pop in.
"Begging your pardon," he said sheepishly. "But Dobby has been putting it on while you sleep."
"You did?" Harry asked.
"Master needed to be healed and Dobby needed to make up for leaving him with his nasty relatives last summer."
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry said. "You've done a great job. How may I repay you?"
"Dobby would like pants, sir."
"Then you shall have pants. You can either grab my old school ones and shrink them or you can buy ones yourself. I have told the goblins you can access my vaults for a stipend up to 10 Galleons a month."
"Thank you, Harry," Dobby bowed and popped away.
"You weren't lying, Hermione," Tonks was holding her sides in laughter. "He doesn't do anything normal."
"Nope!" Hermione smiled and kissed him. "And that's just the way I like it. Come on, let's go swimming."
"S-s-sw-swimming?" Harry stepped backward.
"Yes swimming. In the ocean." Hermione pulled on his hand but he didn't move. "What's the matter?"
"I, uh," Harry mumbled. "Dunnohowtoswim."
"What? We've been swimming lots of times at home."
"I don't really swim there, I just float, mostly," Harry said. "I've never learned how to swim properly."
"No better time than the present," Hermione pulled his hand again and dragged him toward the water. For the next half hour, Hermione went over the different strokes and techniques until Harry, ever the athlete, was literally swimming circles around her.
"There you've got it!" Hermione was impressed and a little jealous at how quickly Harry picked this up. Standing with the water up to her waist, She looked across the beach and took her eyes off Harry. Big mistake as Harry dove under the water, emerging right next to her, picking her up out of the water as he stood. Hermione shrieked as her feet left the ground. "Harry! No, no, no put me down!"
"As you wish," Harry said as he threw her into the water.
Hermione shrieked again as she splashed into the ocean. Regaining her footing, Hermione pushed the curtains of hair out of her face.
"Oh you," Hermione growled as Harry laughed jovially. "You're in for it now."
She dove for him as Harry tried to backpedal. He wasn't fast enough, however, as Hermione grabbed him by the waist, put her leg behind him and dumped him into the water. Hermione laughed victoriously as he rose out the water with his hair falling over his eyes like a black waterfall.
"Alright, alright," he said as he raised himself out of the surf. "You win."
"Darn right," Hermione nodded primly.
Hermione lead them back to their chairs and laid down upon the one next to Tonks. She pulled out a book and started to read as Harry dozed next to her.
"Hermione, dear," her mother's voice roused her. "Don't forget to apply sunscreen. You'll burn if you stay out here unprotected."
"Yes mum," Hermione said, pulling out the bottle of sunscreen. She applied the cream to all the spots she could get. "Harry? Would you mind doing my back?"
"Sure..." Harry hesitated a little as she turned over. Squeezing the bottle, Harry got a decent amount of the sunscreen into his hand. Kneeling next to Hermione, he started to rub it in, working across her back. Vividly aware her father was just over his shoulder, he kept his hands from drifting. Applying sunscreen turned into a back massage. As he rubbed the cream into her shoulders and upper back, Hermione let out a relaxed moan.
"Oooh keep doing that," Hermione cooed. She could feel his hands working all her muscles, massaging them to get the tension out. "That feels exquisite Harry."
Harry was finishing up with the sunscreen when he felt a pull on his mind. Every male head, and a few of the females, snapped to look at a family who just arrived on the beach. It was a balding man with three women; his wife and what must have been their two daughters. One daughter looked about 16 while the other appeared to be around 6 or 7.
Harry pushed the feeling away and returned to working on Hermione's back. The family scanned the beach. Noticing Richard engrossed in his book and Harry focused elsewhere, the family moved and set up on the loungers next to the Grangers.
"Do you mind if we sit here?" The man asked in a thick French accent.
"Of course not," Helen gestured for them to sit. "Make yourselves comfortable."
"Thank you," the wife said. "It is not often we can find a place on the beach where we can relax. Usually, we attract too much attention. So glad to find males who aren't enchanted by us."
Harry greeted the family as Hermione continued to be puddy in his hands. Nonchalantly, he flicked his fringe back.
"Mon dieu!" The eldest daughter suddenly pointed toward Harry. "Mama, it's!"
"Not polite to point, Fleur!" Her father admonished. "Yes, I know who he is."
"You do?" Harry asked, before shrinking as every head snapped to him. "You weren't being all that quiet. You know who I am?"
"Yes," the mother said. "You look just like the news stories said you would and that scar is hard to hide. I am Apolline Delacour. That is my husband, Jean-Luc, and my daughters, Fleur and Gabrielle."
"Nice to meet you," Harry said. "This is my... best friend Hermione Granger and her parents Richard and Helen. The one with the purple hair is Tonks."
"I must commend you both," Jean-Luc said. "It takes a lot of effort for any male to resist the allure of my wife and daughters."
"Allure?" Helen asked.
"We are Veela," Fleur spoke for the first time, making Hermione gasp.
"I've read about them," Hermione said. "Creatures of fire and air. Their allure is said to entrance all but the most dedicated and focused males."
"Oui," Fleur smiled. "We come to this beach every year and every year we have had to put up Notice-Me-Not Charms. It's been rather frustrating. You've got a good man, Hermione."
"I don't, we're not," Hermione stammered.
"Please," Apolline said. "We see the bonds between people and yours, while newly formed, is strong, as is the one between you and your husband, madame. Our allure is most difficult to ignore, even controlled as it is."
"Is that what that was?" Harry asked. "I felt something pull on my mind and my magic. It felt foreign and so I pushed it away."
"Really?" Apolline seemed surprised. "Do you mind if I try something?"
"Sure..." Harry replied, cautiously. Before he could ask what she wanted to try, he felt the heat of the beach rise. Her hair seemed to shine more and she took on an ethereal aura. Harry felt pulled and compelled to impress her. As he was about to move toward her, he realized that wasn't something he would do. He shook his head and pushed the feeling away. He focused on his breathing, closed his eyes and calmed his mind. When he opened his eyes, Apolline was back to normal.
"Impressive," she said. "Not quite full blast of the allure but you were able to resist. Even your husband wasn't pulled."
"Oh that's only because he's reading," Helen laughed. "Nothing gets between him and a book."
"I thought Hermione got that from you," Harry joked.
"She did," Helen smiled at her blushing daughter. "She actually got a double dose from the both of us, it's why we couldn't keep books away from her, literally, when she was younger. Every time we did, she'd just levitate it back to her."
Harry laughed at that image and rubbed Hermione's shoulder in a supportive way.
"I'm sorry what did you..." Richard looked up and went a little slack-jawed.
"Richard, dear," Helen brought him out of his state. "These are the Delacours. They are aware of who Harry is and came over to say hi."
Richard shook his head and smiled at the family, understanding they were magical.
"Good to meet you," Richard waved. "Do you go to school around here?"
"Oui," Fleur said with pride in her eyes. "I am currently heading into my sixth year at Beauxbatons."
"So you just took your O.W.L.s?" Hermione had turned over and sat up.
"Oui!" Fleur said. "I am waiting on my results. I am hoping for enough to become a Curse Breaker one day."
"How exciting!" Hermione bounced a little on her lounger. "How tough were the O.W.L.s? Did you find one more difficult than others? What about..."
Harry laid a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Easy, Hermione," he calmed her down. "She's here to relax, not think about the tests she just took."
"Thank you, Harry," Fleur smiled at him. "Owls were exhausting and stressful. I am just glad to relax a little. However, to answer your questions: I loved the Charms exam and struggled with Potions and Herbology."
"Well I hope you get the results you are looking for," Harry said. "Are you doing okay Gabrielle?"
The little girl blushed and hid around her mom.
"She's a little shy," Fleur said, smiling wistfully. "However, once she warms up, be ready. She's quite the chatterbox."
"Wonder what that's like," Harry dodged Hermione taking a swat at him as the elder Grangers and Tonks laughed. Harry and Hermione spent the rest of the day building a sandcastle. What started as a simple castle became a thorough recreation of Hogwarts.
"This is your castle, yes?" she asked to which a pair of heads nodded. "It looks magnifique. Much bigger than Beauxbatons."
"What is Beauxbatons like?" Hermione's inquisitive brain could not be stopped.
"Have you been to Versailles?" Again the pair nodded.
"We actually saw that on this trip," Hermione said. "I loved the hall of mirrors."
"Oh yes and the gardens were incredible!" Harry added, remembering just how great the experience was.
"Well Beauxbatons is almost a carbon copy, though a bit larger," Fleur said. "We do have a hall of mirrors and our gardens are where Herbology is taught but we don't have a whole lot of room on the grounds."
"Do you have a Quidditch pitch?" Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry's question.
"Oui," Fleur beamed. Being a Veela, it was unusual for people to have a real conversation with her. Boys were, well, boys and girls always seemed to think she was horning in on the boy they were dating or even wanted to date. "It is not much but we do have the occasionally friendly match. There's only two teams so it isn't really competitive."
"Do you play?"
"Non. I am a decent flyer but I am not interested in competing. I take it you play?"
"Yes, I am the Seeker for my house team."
"So you must be a fast flyer. How do you deal with his playing, Hermione?"
"Well assuming his broom isn't getting cursed or a Bludger isn't trying to take his head off, I'm fine. However, his dives are as terrifying as they are thrilling to watch."
"Well don't scare her too much, Harry," Fleur smiled at the way he awkwardly laughed. "What you have is special. You wouldn't want to scare your Hermione to death, no?"
My Hermione, Harry smiled at that thought. He wasn't often possessive but that honorific had a nice ring to it. Similarly Hermione was blushing for the same reason. I could get used to that, she thought.
"So you've discovered Hermione's detail-oriented fixation with Sand Castles?" Richard said as he approached the two. "Simply incredible work you two. Now where is the tower where you sleep?"
Hermione then took her parents on an external tour through the castle.
"Well we should take a picture of you two with it, for posterity," Helen said as she palmed the camera. She had them both kneel in front of it. Harry pulled Hermione in close and she leaned into his shoulder. Both smiling, Helen took the picture. "Fleur? Would you mind taking a picture of the four of us?"
Fleur grabbed the camera and took a picture of the four with the crystal blue water in the background. As the sun was starting to set, Harry and the Grangers bade the Delacours farewell before heading back to their villa, Tonks following in tow. Tomorrow, they were to head back to England and they celebrated the end of the trip. Dobby had cooked a meal for them and the Grangers let Harry and Hermione try a little bit of wine.
"Here's to family," Richard held his glass aloft. "I've never believed family was just what you were born into but where your heart finds its home. I never expected my baby girl to be dating this soon but I couldn't be happier with her choice of who she chose to date. Thank you, Harry, for all you have given us."
"Here, here," Helen slurred at little. She was on glass three and feeling the wine.
"And to Tonks," Richard extended his glass to her. "Thank you for everything you're doing to help protect us."
"Thank you for letting me tag along," Tonks beamed. "I haven't had the opportunity to see France yet and especially in such style. To the goblins!"
"To the goblins!" Everyone chorused. They clinked glasses and finished their meal off with a crème brulee. Tonks slipped off to the room and Helen pulled Richard into their room, leaving the teens alone on the couch.
"Did you have a good vacation, Hermione?" Harry asked as he leaned back on the sofa. Hermione leaned in to him, snaking her arms around him and setting her head on his chest. She was soothed by his rhythmic breathing, comforted by the strength in which he held her. Leaning in to him, she absorbed her favorite scent that she could only define as Harry.
"I had a wonderful vacation, Harry," Hermione smiled and looked up at him. For the first time since she met him, he looked truly content. Not simply happy but overwhelmingly content. She leaned up to kiss him just as he leaned down. Their mouths met in the middle and she basked in the euphoria. "I wouldn't change anything."
"Nor would I," Harry replied. "Just when we get back, I have a request: could we keep this thing between us a secret?"
Hermione's heart fell. Is he embarrassed of me? Her mind became a whirling maelstrom. What could I have done wrong?
"It's not anything to do with you," Harry spoke as if he could hear her thoughts. "I have a number of people after me and, while you're already a target, us dating would make that even more so."
"So you want to protect me?" Hermione sat up slightly as she started to get irritated. She wasn't about to have him be overprotective and use their relationship as a crutch to keep her from harm. That's not who she was.
"No. Well I do but it's more than that," Harry admitted. "I'm still uncomfortable with my celebrity within the castle, within the whole Wizarding World, even. I don't know if this is selfish but I... I'd like to have some privacy when it comes to dating, at least for a while. I'd like to explore this, whatever it is, on our own without anyone else offering their opinion of who I should or should not date and how I should date them. I love what we have and I am excited to explore what we can become. I just don't think we can get where we both want to go if everyone is inserting themselves into our relationship, offering their two cents."
"Oh Harry," Hermione cradled his head with her hand. He's so sweet and he doesn't even know it. "I think I would like that very much. I'd like to let certain people know, like Neville, Luna, Parvati and Lavender but only if they swear to keep it among themselves."
"You'd tell Parvati and Lavender?" Harry knew their penchant for gossip.
"They'd keep it a secret," Hermione said. "I know they gossip but when it comes to the important things, they know what they can and cannot share. They're good like that. Oh and we should probably tell Susan too."
"Why Susan?"
"Stay the way you are, my sweet oblivious Harry. She has a bit of a crush on you, just like I did. You're sweet, kind, noble; you aren't afraid of her aunt being in the DMLE." Hermione looked at him from under her eyelashes.
She's really cute when she does that, Harry chuckled.
"And you're very, very cute," Hermione leaned in and kissed him again. "So yes, we should tell Susan so she isn't waiting on you to ask her out."
"Okay," Harry relented. "We can tell Susan. But that's it."
"I can live with that," Hermione said, returning to her place on his chest. Before long her breathing evened out and she fell fast asleep. Harry, tried to move her or slide out only to be met with the most adorable mewling groans. Giving up the effort, Harry instead opted to cradle Hermione in his arms, holding her tightly before he fell asleep as well.
(A/N: Just a quick note on formatting with Owls/O.W.L.s. When there are periods, the character is saying the letters and when the periods aren't there, they are just saying OWLs. Just in case anyone noticed the inconsistencies. Hermione usually goes by the letter, literally, to pronounce them O.W.L.s while Harry and others will shorten to OWLs.
I debated introducing Fleur and her family or not but I liked the way it flowed together and it keeps up the theme of Harry fighting off anyone trying to get into his mind.)