CHAPTER THREE: HOW DO I EXPLAIN?
SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1996, King's Cross Station, Platform 9 ¾, London
Hermione Granger was in heaven, if that was possible. She was being held in the arms of the one young man who existed for her, the one she had hoped would love her and the one who had only days before asked her to marry him. True, it was not the most romantic of proposals. Then again, had not one Ron Weasley gotten involved, she would have considered it perfect. She had been in love with the young man holding her for years and never for once believed he felt the same way about her. He did! She was in heaven!
Hermione had fallen for Harry back during her First Year and really fallen not long after. Harry was her first and it seemed one of her two only true friends. They had had only one major spat. Third Year she had told their Head of House about Harry's Firebolt. She suspected the top of the line racing broom was a trap, that it was cursed. Harry was less than pleased about that, but forgave her fairly quickly.
He had broken her heart on occasion. Then again, until very recently he did not know she saw it that way. He had not asked her to the Yule Ball the year before and that had hurt her. She eventually accepted a date from an international Quidditch star, Victor Krum. He was handsome and all the girls wanted him - except her. She considered Victor no more than a friend which was why he had asked her.
"I can 'ave any girl," he told her honestly. "They want the star, not me. You - you do not see that in me. We go as friends?"
"Why?"
"Anyone else ask you?"
"No," Hermione seemed ready to cry.
"Then they are all idiots! I go with you. They look like fools and I go with friend, not some fan girl after my fame, money and pictures in paper!"
"Okay," she had said. The one boy she wanted to go to the ball with had not asked her or anyone by then. True, she thought even then, girls might be a problem for him. But I'm his friend!
The look on Harry's face when she finally arrived at the ball melted Hermione's heart. He saw her, recognized her and seemed to melt at the sight of her. It hurt her and thrilled her at the same time. It hurt her that he had finally asked someone else to go with him and it was not her. She knew he would ask someone. As a Tri-Wizard Champion he was required to have a date. He knew she had a date and was too nice a boy to try and ask her to break it or not believe her when she told him - unlike Ron who tried both. The look on his face spoke volumes. Later that night, before Ron ruined everything, Harry told her she looked spectacular! She was in heaven, if only for a moment.
The problem was for Hermione, she had been head over heels in love with Harry perhaps since First Year. She remembered the moment they first had met. It was during the train ride to Hogwarts. She was a Muggle Born. She knew she was smart, but she had never had a friend before and she most certainly felt insecure about what was to come. She had only recently learned she was an honest to God witch capable of magic. While that thrilled her, she was terrified she was behind many of her classmates by virtue of the fact that they knew about magic and she did not.
She shared a compartment with two others. There was Sally-Anne Perks, another Muggle Born like Hermione. Sally-Anne seemed nice enough, but also seemed put off by Hermione. So were most, she thought. Neville Longbottom had grown up around magic and she and Neville were drawn into a long conversation. It seemed no one ever cared for what Neville thought about things before. Hermione did because she was curious. Neville was a nice boy. He wasn't put off with her at all.
Neville suddenly realized he lost his pet toad Trevor. Hermione could care less about toads, but it was Neville's pet so she agreed to help Neville find it. That was how she first met the boy and now young man of her dreams. She stumbled into a compartment on the train. There was a red haired jerk going on about something called Quiditch and a boy with black messy hair and glasses who stared at the red head as if he were talking Greek. The red head seemed seriously put out that a girl would interrupt his monolog. The other boy actually seemed relieved and smiled at her.
She had seen the other boy before. When Professor McGonagall had come to her parents house to tell her she was a witch and had been accepted to the most prestigious school in all Europe (so she was told) of Hogwarts, she had convinced her Daddy to help her find anything on the subject of real magic. One trip to Diagon Alley later, and she had loads of books and, by chance, that year's Harry Potter issue of Witch Weekly. It seemed every year that witch's magazine had an issue on the most eligible wizard in their word, now an eleven year old boy said to be set to go to Hogwarts. There was a picture of him on the cover and Hermione recognized the face on the boy who was not acting like she was gum stuck to his shoe.
She knew she had blown it the moment his face sank when she said she knew who he was. He seemed like such a nice boy. Why did I tell him that? Why? I don't care that he's famous or might be rich! He's a nice boy and I've never truly had a friend and what happens when I try?
The oddest thing then happened. She and Harry were sorted into the same house at school and while they were not best of friends, Harry was the only one who seemed to not ignore her or go out of his way to be mean to her. She had scolded him on more than a few occasions for either trying to break the rules or breaking them. He was not the only one, but he was the only one who did not seem to mind her and her bossy attitude. Ron Weasley, on the other hand…
Ron was an ass from day one! She was used to the type, but this bastard never let her off! His only saving graces were two: first, he was Harry's friend; second, it was because of his stupidity she became Harry's friend. Harry had always been nice to her, but being Ron's friend kept that quiet their first couple of months at school. Then, on Halloween, Ron said some extremely cruel things about her and she heard them. He said them to Harry and she thought Harry was on Ron's side, although she had no real reason to believe it aside from the fact she had never had a friend. She found herself crying her eyes out in a girl's bathroom for hours wanting to go home. A troll changed everything.
She was sure she was dead as the huge and menacing beast loomed over her when Harry burst into the bathroom calling for her. Ron was with him, but even as terrified as she was, she saw it was all Harry. Ron was only there because Harry had dragged him into it. Harry had come to save HER! Didn't matter. She was dead and she knew it. Harry was not match for an ten foot tall Mountain Troll. Still, her knight in tattered school robes had arrived to try! To her amazement, he and git boy Ron succeeded! While it would not be until a couple of years later that she knew she was in love with Harry, she knew then that Harry was far more impressive than the legendary Harry Potter - Boy Who Lived. The real Harry was - wow! Harry was her true friend and had shown it. Ron had just been along for the ride and Hermione knew that as well and over the subsequent years Ron proved that again and again!
When Harry had not asked her to the Yule Ball a few years later, Hermione began to doubt. She felt ugly and undesirable. He never truly gave her that impression. Just the opposite, really. When Ron asked her to the Ball in a condescending way, Harry stood up for her when she shot the git down. He said that so long as she was happy, he didn't care that she had a date. At the time this annoyed her to no end. Now she knew. Harry was only concerned with her happiness. He truly loved her even then.
Took him a while to realize it, she thought. Then again, compared to other girls I have not been advertising my feelings towards him. Then, then again, my feelings are for Harry and not some famous Witch Weekly pin up most eligible bachelor type! As she stood on the platform in his arms with her lips to his in a passionate kiss and remembered when he had told her that he felt the same way about her that she had about him for so long, she could care less about magic! I have the perfect one. He's my best friend and loves me as a woman too! And I so love him, she thought kissing back and not caring who saw.
A cough interrupted her bliss. She broke the kiss and saw her parents standing there.
"Mum! Dad!" she said.
"Missy," her Dad growled.
"Erm - this is Harry," she said.
"Really." Her dad seemed less than pleased.
"Harry?" her Mum said.
Harry nodded.
"Hermione's told us so much about you," she began. "Left out the bit about you being her boyfriend, it seems," she added less than pleased.
"Erm," Harry began, "recent development. Very recent development."
"Mind explaining that one?" Dad Granger asked.
"Um - well - there was this - erm - battle. My - shit - my Godfather got killed in it fighting beside me and … well that was after …"
"After what?"
"Hermione was there too. She fought. She was amazing! We all did. Outnumbered two to one we were against the best the enemy has. Hermione was the oldest there and - well we fought the best the enemy had to offer to a stalemate but…"
"But what?"
"She was hit, sir," Harry began to cry. "I don't know by what, but she was! I thought she was dead! I didn't care after that! They could kill me and the entire world! I didn't care. There is no life for me without her in it.
"Then a friend of ours who was not resigned to death - I wanted to join her - he told me she was still alive and - well - battle on again! My godfather died. But my reason for living did not. I - I love your daughter, Sir. I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I attract life and death stuff. I would rather Hermione had nothing to do with me because of that. She's with me, it's life and death stuff. But…"
"But?"
"Damn it! I love her! I want her to be safe but I can't live without her, Sir! I - I could not - cannot face this shit on my own and she - she stands by me and completes me and…"
"And just what are your intentions with regards to Hermione?"
"I - I … Should we live, I'm going to marry her, Sir. Not tomorrow or something, but one day. There is no one else. I'll marry her or be a monk!"
"So you two are engaged?"
"Erm - ask her? I asked her already and she - she said later or something."
"Later, but not no?"
Harry nodded.
"You've seen her naked? You've shagged her?"
"No! And no again! She's not some shag, Sir! Were we to do that, should we do that, it won't be a shag! It'll be the real deal, Sir!"
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione said folding into his arms.
"Can't live without you, Love," Harry replied as he kissed her on the forehead. "You have a beautiful daughter, Sir," Harry said. "And her beauty is total! She has it in mind, heart, body, soul and - for us - magic. Total package and I feel lucky just to call her my friend!"
"So you haven't been shagging my daughter?" Mr. Granger asked.
"She damn near died," Harry all but cried. "I've been in love with her for so long and - and I never told her that and then I thought she was dead. I gave up right then. They could kill me and I'd welcome it if it meant I could be with Hermione again! But she wasn't dead and then I got pissed! They hurt her! No one hurts her! NO ONE! There are two dead Death Eaters out there. I offed them for helping hurt her! Another I damn near killed! NO ONE HURTS HER!
"We had not even been dating. I loved her and never told her and didn't 'cause I was afraid she didn't love me the same way. She was in hospital following the battle and I - I couldn't leave her. I had to tell her even if she didn't feel the same way. But she did, didn't you?" Harry asked turning to Hermione who had not left his side.
"Daddy," she said, "better get used to the idea. He's going to father your grand-babies one day. Not soon, but one day!"
"Harry," Mr. Granger growled.
"Should I live through this hell, she's right. I will marry her and she will bear our children - in that order and not until after it's over."
"Still, you're a death sentence! Or so it seems…"
"Did you ever serve in the Army, Sir?" Harry asked.
Captain Robert Granger, formerly of the S.A.S. kept silent. His service was still considered a State secret.
"Have you ever served in combat?" Harry continued. "Have you ever served in line of battle where victory or defeat mean nothing anymore, Queen and Country nothing and living and dying for you and your friends everything? Have you ever killed another person? Have you ever had to watch helpless while your friends died in battle?"
Robert granger could answer all of those questions with a "Yes."
"Most soldiers these days serve by choice. I never had that choice. At age eleven, I was thrown into a war against my will. I killed at age eleven. Again at age twelve. I have served in magical battle every year since. I have lost friends and family in this war and seen them die. The lives I have taken, I don't dream of them at all. It's the friends who I could not keep alive who haunt me.
"Through every battle, one has stood at my side. I never asked her to nor expected her to nor ordered her to nor was she compelled by oath to stand and fight. Yet she has always been there. I love your daughter for so many reasons, Sir. She is smart, beautiful - God is she that - you should have seen her at the Yule Ball - she's funny. She is the most kind, caring and selfless person I know. And she has stood with me in every battle I have fought or at least tried to. If there is one thing I could fault her for it's that she is also the bravest person I know. I'd rather her be the coward for then I could keep her safe! Twice I've held vigil by her bedside in hospital for her loyalty. I never asked her to come or to fight. She even tried to stop me on at least one occasion. But she fought like a lion! Twice, her friendship to me nearly took her away. Twice I was crushed.
"I swear, Sir. I cannot keep her out of battle should I have to engage the enemy. But I swear! Woe to those who ever seek to hurt her - EVER! Should I be alive, with my dying breath, I will hunt them down and kill them, their wives, children and ensure their line ceases to exist!
"Admittedly, I as I am sure you would prefer she stay out of the line of battle. But try as I might in that regard - well - your daughter is stubborn as hell, won't be treated as some helpless girl and, to be honest, is hell on wheels in combat!
"I don't want any of this shit! I want a normal life! But I am stuck with this goddamn war! She wants to help and try as I might I can't stop her. Truth is, I'd be dead time and again without her.
"I would rather we have a couple of years of teenage stuff, then marry and raise a family. But we are at war and I seem to be at the center of the maelstrom and I cannot stop her from standing beside me in the line. Honestly, I don't know if I want to! She's that good a warrior! But, I cannot lose her. I just cannot!"
How could he respond to this, Bob Granger thought. He wanted his daughter safe, but he too had been the warrior. Safe is for REMFs: Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers. In war, those were the ones who wanted the uniform but not the risk associated with wearing it so they passed out boots and such for the war effort. They were loathed by the true warriors, tolerated as a necessary evil and nothing more.
"You love my daughter?" Bob Granger asked.
"Yes," Harry replied. "With all my heart."
"Yet she stands and fights with you."
"I don't like that bit. But I cannot tell her 'no.' She's too - well, you know."
Bob nodded. To say Hermione was headstrong and committed was an understatement. This Harry seemed to know that and the pain he seemed to express about Hermione's willingness to fight seemed genuine.
"You spending the summer with us?"
"I want to, Sir. I'm told I can't."
"Should it happen, will you promise to try and keep her safe?"
"She'll be safe, Sir. Or I'll die trying to make it so!"
Bob Granger knew then that Harry was the only boy he really would not mind sniffing around his daughter. Of course, he'd still prefer none at all. She was still his little girl in his mind. He could see Hermione had moved away. She was beet red from the encounter. He leaned to Harry and said:
"You don't marry her, and she still wants you, I'll kill you myself!"
"Sir?"
"You have permission to marry my daughter, but not anytime too soon. Don't blow it, lad."
"Yes Sir!"
Hermione sat in the back seat of the family car as they drove away from King's Cross. She was in tears. She was humiliated at the way her father had treated Harry and was certain her father had ruined everything.
"Something the matter, Sweetie?" Rose Granger asked.
"H-he ruined everything," Hermione cried.
"Who?"
"D-Daddy! I finally - well not finally - I fall in love and he falls for me and, well I admit we fell a while ago but couldn't admit it to ourselves or each other until very recently and he asks me and I say yes but later and - and then Daddy scares him off!"
"Did no such thing!" Robert Granger protested. "Fact is, I told him if he didn't marry you - assuming that was against your choice - I'd cut his throat myself."
"DADDY!"
"BUT, if you and he are still in agreement on that matter," Robert Granger said, "I gave him my blessing and I now give you it as well."
"Bob!" Rose Granger protested.
"He's an amazing young man, Rosie. He loves our Hermione more than life itself but respects her enough not to reign her in. I wish he could. I wish he would! But how can I expect him to show less respect for Hermione than I have! How can I? Tell me Rose!"
"That bad, huh?"
"If Hermione wants to marry him and he still wants to marry her, I'm not about to stand in front of that on coming train!"
"Thank you, Daddy," Hermione said from the back seat.
"He'd better make you happy, love."
"We get out of this shit war - sorry - and he will!"
"Just lay off the grandbabies for a couple of years - a year at least and I'll have no issue," Robert started. "No, just make sure there are none until about nine months after your wedding night, okay?"
"Fine by me," Hermione said.
When Hermione arrived at her home, and owl was awaiting her. It was not Harry's snowy white Hedwig, but a tawny and tiny owl she knew as "Pig." It was Ron Weasley's owl. He must have sent it off while they were still on the bloody train back to London, Hermione thought. That set off alarms in her mind. Still, she opened the letter and was pleasantly surprised it did not blow up in her face, but only until she read it.
Dearest Hermione:
You are my girl and you know it!
I just had a brilliant idea and my Mum thinks it's brilliant too! Why don't you spend the summer here at the Burrow instead of with them useless Muggles and such? You can stay with Ginny and talk about - well whatever you girls talk about and you can be magical and not have to do that Muggle stuff. A whole summer, Hermione! Just think about how much fun we'll have!
See you soon!
Love,
Ron
Of all the presumptuous nonsense, Hermione thought as she noticed Ron's owl "Pig" was not about to leave without a reply. Hermione had no intention of spending the summer at the Burrow. With Harry? Yes! Otherwise, she would spend her time with her parents. She decided to pass this on in no uncertain terms:
To: Mr. Ronald Weasley
I regret to inform you I must decline the invitation your pathetic bird brought to my attention. My parents need not have reminded me that we can count the number of days we've spent together as a family in the last two years on one hand with fingers to spare.
I'm certain you cannot understand that stuff. Family means nothing to you at all. But it means something to me!
We - my parents and I - will spend this summer on the Continent seeing the sights. Maybe we'll be back the last week before school. But I intend to spend what time I have in Britain and away from my family with my future husband. Sorry Ronald. Got plans. Unless I can find a way to avoid the horror, I'll see you September 1st.
H. Granger
P.S. Asshole! "Them useless Muggles" and such ARE MY FAMILY! FUCK OFF AND DIE!
It was cold. It was heartless. For some reason Hermione could not fathom, it was the perfect reply. It was not true. Well, it was about how little time she had spent with her Mum and Dad. It just was not true about their plans for the summer. So far as she knew, they had no immediate plans, but she did know they wanted to spend time with her - especially after learning about her serious boyfriend. She hoped the red haired git would get the message to piss off! She was worried he would not get the obvious hint. For some reason she could not fathom, Hermione made magical copies of the two letters for future reference before sending the original on to her former friend. She then decided to write to Harry as she would not be at all surprised if Harry's owl showed up during the night.
My Love, Harry:
Just had an interesting ride home from King's Cross where I was interrogated at length about a certain tall, dark and handsome man whom I just happen to be head over heels in love with. (Don't fret! Said mystery Love of my life has always been and will always be you.). As pleasant as the interrogation was (as it not very) it did end quite well. I think my folks like you and Daddy said he's truly happy for us (with the proviso of no babies before we are married, although I'm not certain he's totally serious about this so long as we do get married.)
I already miss you loads, Harry. I miss your eyes, your smile. I miss your lips terribly. I miss you as my pillow and blanket. I feel so empty without you. I know why. I love you and never want to be apart from you again. But I'm here and your stuck in that horrid home for the time being so all I can do is write to you and dream about you and dream about the day we are together again.
My Love, I almost died without telling you how I really feel about you. I almost died without knowing that you love me as much as I love you. I don't know if Madam Pomphrey told you, but she did tell me and Professor McGonagall just how close a call I had. They still don't know what the curse was, but they do know what it did and what it could have done. A few millimeters in any direction and the brunt of the curse would have destroyed a vital organ. As it was, it was a close run thing.
When I woke up and saw you sitting by me (you were asleep, Love. You're so adorable when you're asleep, but much more fun awake.), it was the happiest moment of my life. It would have been wonderful and then you told me you loved me too and - well - had we not been in the hospital wing with people all around, you would have seen ALL of me real quick. I've been thinking about this for a long time, Harry. Years even. Of course, until about a week ago, that's all it was: thinking, dreaming, hoping. Hoping you would love me as much as I loved you. Dreaming of hearing those three magic words from you to me and me to you. Dreaming of my first real kiss and you being the one and only who could and would do that first time and every time. Dreaming of all the first and only times I might have in life and all of them with you. Dreaming of losing my virginity to the one and only man I feel deserves the honor. Dreaming of the ways I can please you and you me. Dreaming of a lot of things that a serious person like me should not be dreaming about.
A girl decides when. I did a long time ago. I decided that if you feel for me the way I feel for you, you will be my first and only. After I woke up following the Battle and heard those words, I decided then and there. I am going to make love to my Harry as soon as possible, preferably before this summer is out. I am going to make love to my Harry as often as possible for as long as possible, hopefully for decades and decades to come. It was a reason why I invited you to stay the summer with me: in the hopes that you loved me too and in hopes that you would make my dreams all come true.
But you're stuck there for now and I'm stuck here and in all probability, we won't see each other alone for a while. I would come to the Burrow when you're released from your summer prison. I want to. I want to be with you and be alone with you and make love to you and… But I don't know now.
I got a letter from Ron just now. It was rude, offensive and bigoted. It was his idea of an invitation and - well, he's no longer MY friend Harry. Please think of a way for us to be together this summer! Please! My birthday present to you is me, My Love. All of me! Without hesitation, and without restraint. I want you to have me, Harry. I want you! I love you! And I want to make love with you! Please find a way for my dreams to come true?
I miss you very much and long for you!
Love,
Hermione.
P.S., Hedwig is here with a letter from you. Thank you, Harry! It was wonderful. And yes, I do agree something is up with the Weasleys. I add that whatever it is, we probably won't like it. Remember what Mad-Eye says and I will too!
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1996, The Granger Residence, Loughton, Essex.
Hermione had sent Hedwig out with her letter to Harry just before she turned in for the night. She had spent some time debating whether to send it at all as she was basically promising Harry that she would make love to him at the earliest opportunity and was not entirely sure how he would respond to that. After all, she thought, Sirius just died and Harry has always been reluctant to get too close to people and she had just all but told him she wanted to be closer to him than anyone in his past. She knew Harry well enough to think he might be taken aback as to be that close to Harry begged for the kind of attention Harry did not want any of the people he cared for to suffer, both from the press and from his enemies.
On the other hand, Harry was a fifteen year old boy. He might not be as obviously obsessed about sex as his contemporaries, but she did recall seeing him looking at the more curvaceous girls at school, or at least the ones who did not hide their attributes. The part of her that feared that Harry might be put off about her overture had a counter part in her mind. The counterpart argued it was at least equally likely he would get aroused and do what most if not all boys his age did under such circumstances when they had the chance and that part of Hermione shocked her. That part wanted to watch.
She went to sleep that night hugging a pillow, pretending it was her Harry. She hoped one day soon she would go to sleep at night cuddling with her Harry and not some soft pillow. She hoped she would dream of being with Harry or maybe coming up with an idea about how to be with him considering his condemnation to remain with his so called relatives. Her last conscious thoughts before drifting into sleep were of her Harry and hoping one day they would indeed always be together.
Hermione awoke the next morning much later than she normally did. She was normally an early riser, even on little sleep. Since the Battle, she had been less of an early riser and even gravitated to wanting to stay in bed as long as she could get away with it. She had been told it was an after effect of the curse that nearly killed her and the treatment and it might be weeks before she began to return to her old self. Still, that part of her mind that remembered her old self was not pleased with the "lay about" new Hermione who slept until someone came to wake her.
Her first thought after her mother woke her up and said it was time for breakfast was to wonder whether Harry had received her letter. Little Whinging was only about sixty miles away and Harry's Owl could easily have arrived by now, even if it did decide to stop along the way for a nice feed on whatever Hedwig ate when on the hunt. Hermione liked Harry's owl almost as much as she liked her own familiar - Crookshanks. Crookshanks was a cat / kneazel mix. He was as adept at feeding himself as Harry's nocturnal bird of prey. Hermione did not like to think about what these two creatures ate when left to their own devices. Then again, keeping the rodent problem down was in the public's best interest.
"Morning Mum," Hermione said as she entered the dining area by the Granger kitchen.
"Morning Hermione. Did we learn how to sleep in this year?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "No Mum. Madam Pomphrey said its an anticipated after effect of the curse that hit me and the treatment. She thinks it should wear off in a week or two."
"Well, let's hope so. The daughter I remember was up at the crack of dawn even when she was a baby."
"Where's Daddy?"
"Shower."
"Oh," Hermione said as she sat down for her breakfast of cereal and fresh fruit.
"Hear from Lover Boy yet?" her Mother asked.
Hermione groaned. "Which one?" she chided back.
"The one trying to inspect your tonsils at the train station yesterday. You know, the one who you are supposedly head over heels for?"
"Oh," Hermione snarked, "that boy. As a matter of fact I got two letters last night. I got a wonderful one from that boy, my Harry. He's promised me he'd find a way for us to - er - get together this summer and if possible get together often. I also got a letter from Ron."
"Ah, the other boy in your life."
"Not after the Battle and his pathetic letter. Ron's dead to me," Hermione said darkly.
"And why is that, Sweetie?"
"The git acts like he owns me! He seems to think he has the right to not only claim me as his but to demand I accept that. Look, I was his friend. But just because a girl smiles at a boy doesn't mean the boy owns her, right?"
"Was it that bad?"
"Worse. His patronizing and self centered scribble basically said I would better spend my summer not hanging out with 'useless Muggles.' I'd be better off at his family's place. He meant you and Daddy!"
"Surely he did not!" Rose said in shock.
"Read like he did."
"Did you reply?"
"Told him I had not seen you or Daddy for all practical purposes in over two years. I am still your daughter and you still are my parents. If I am going to spend even part of this summer with a wizard boy, it's with Harry and not that so called and now former friend!"
"I'm sorry, Hermione."
Hermione shrugged. "Honestly, I think I got the pick of the litter. Harry understands me. Ron never did or even tried."
"Did you reply to Harry's letter?"
"Of course, Mum."
"And what did you say to him?"
"That I love him, miss him, want to kiss him and that as soon as I can get him alone I want to shag him senseless," Hermione quipped with a smirk.
"You didn't!"
"Okay. Well I didn't use the words 'shag' or 'senseless', but I think he'll get the meaning."
"Hermione Jane, your only sixteen! You've only just begun dating!"
"Mum, my virtue remains intact. As for sixteen - as I recall you told me you were sixteen when you first… As for dating? He's been my best friend since we were eleven. I've been in love with him for years and he's been in love with me. It's taken each of us a while to realize what we really felt and even longer to tell each other. And if you must know, Harry's been with me on every Hogsmeade visit, even when he didn't have permission. He even broke a date to spend time with me for a day in town. Tell me, how long were you and Daddy together before you…"
"We were older, Hermione."
"How long?"
"Erm…"
"Mother!"
"Second date."
"And your first time?"
"Th-third date."
"Were you in love then?"
"N-no."
"And with Daddy?"
"Then I was. We had known each other a while. Not nearly as long as you and Harry, but … Oh, you got me, don't you?"
Hermione nodded. "I've known for a while it would be Harry, Mum. But it would only be Harry if - if he felt the same way about me. He does. I know he does. He can't lie to me if he tried. You may see it as moving fast, but in reality we've been moving slow. This isn't some teenage experimentation thing, Mum. Real deal. Long term. He will make you a grandmum one day in the not so distant future. I hope and pray it's many times over."
"And until then?"
"There are spells I can use. They're good for twenty-four hours. Physiologically speaking, that means that they prevent any conception arising from sex. It doesn't shut me down, it shuts him down for twenty-four hours. Then there are potions. Good for a month. Lots of girls take it regardless 'cause it also prevents menstruation and extends a woman's life time of fertility."
"How long?"
"Five to ten years depending upon how many years you use it. Can I ask you a question, Mum?"
Rose Granger nodded.
"Why am I an only child? Didn't you want more?"
"We did," a male voice said. Hermione turned and saw her Dad in the door and wondered how long he had been there. "We wanted more, Princess. We had you and wanted more. But…"
"I got sick, Hermione," Rose said. "Cancer. They fixed it but I could never have another wonderful child again. At least we had you!"
Breakfast was a long conversation about the family the Grangers wanted to have and could not followed by another regarding their plans for the Summer holiday. Hermione was told that the family planned to travel abroad for a couple of weeks in August. Her parents were so pleased she would be with them for weeks this summer as they missed her terribly. Hermione admitted she had missed them as well, although they should have known that as she said it in nearly every letter she wrote for the last two years. There was a moving moment that brought them all to tears when Robert Granger complained about how they never saw their little girl anymore and how that now that she was almost all grown up and had a serious boyfriend, this summer could be their last real time together as a family.
"Daddy," Hermione complained, "I will always be your little girl. I hope to marry him one day, to have his children, to be with him as a grandparent. But from when I was born until the day I finally die, I will always be your little girl. I do want you and Mum in my life. Things have just been … difficult these last few years."
"You're sixteen, Hermione," Robert said. "You're sixteen and already a soldier in war. You should have had a few more years not to worry of such things."
Hermione nodded. "But such things happen. Were I not fighting, I'd be like most and fearing for the future. At least I and my friends are trying to do something."
"You're a Granger, Hermione. We always stand and fight for what is right. My only concern is you should have had a few more years just to be you before the world came down upon you." Before Hermione could reply, the doorbell rang and Robert rose from the table to answer it. It turned out to be Nymphadora Tonks.
A little over three hours later, Hermione realized that the world indeed was crashing down around her. Tonks told her and her parents that, while the enemy had suffered a major set back at the Department of Mysteries such that they could not mount a major operation probably for some months, they still had the manpower and resources to cause serious trouble on a limited scale. Intelligence had been received that the enemy was going to try and take out "The Ministry Six:" Harry Potter, Ron and Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and Hermione.
Five were considered reasonably safe for now provided they did not leave the protections on their homes. They were, however, going to be told of the threat. Hermione and her family were in immediate danger. The Order decided that it would be best if Hermione were to spend the summer in a safe house. She would not tell Hermione or her parents where, except that it was not where any of the other five were. Hermione was a little relieved at this as it meant she would not have to deal with Ron Weasley. Still, it was upsetting.
Worse, because of the protections on the safe house, her parents could not join her. The Order strongly recommended that the older Grangers leave the country on an extended holiday and would provide them with up to 500,000 Pounds to meet their needs. Because of Hermione, they were targets but so far the enemy was not operating overseas. It took hours, but eventually the three Grangers realized the true risks and agreed to the Order's plans for them.
Hermione packed three trunks with just about everything she owned. She did, however, leave behind clothes that no longer fit her as she had filled out somewhat over the last year. She was allowed a long and tear filled goodbye with her parents and was told that arrangements would be made that would allow them to write to each other. Still crying uncontrollably, it was time for Hermione and her things to go. Tonks took her by the hand and the next second, she was somewhere else. She was too upset to look around at her new surrounding but was aware she was no longer at her parent's house. Tonks told her she had additional errands to run but that Hermione's host would be there shortly. With that said, Tonks vanished, leaving Hermione alone, terrified and in tears.
A couple of minutes later, a voice she thought she recognized began to bring her back to reality.
"Hermione?" a man's voice asked.
Hermione looked up at the source and immediately recognized the young man before her.
A/N: RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Harry James Potter, age 15 (born 7/31/80)Hermione Jane Granger, age 16 (9/19/79). Girlfriend/fiancé as of 6/18/96.
CHAPTER FOUR: SURPRISE HOUSE GUEST
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1996. Potter Manor.
"HARRY!" Hermione practically squealed with joy as she dashed towards him, almost knocking him over as she launched herself into his arms and began kissing him furiously. Harry was as shocked as she was that she was here, but was not about to say anything. He was too busy enjoying the final long kiss. Eventually, the kiss had to break and Hermione leaned her head into Harry's chest. Harry could feel her shaking slightly and soon he felt some wetness about where her eyes would be. He was gently rubbing her back, trying his best not to get too aroused at the feeling of her bra just beneath the silky blouse she was wearing when he heard her sniff. She was crying.
"Hermione?" Harry asked, "what's wrong? Please don't tell me I that awful a kisser." She looked up at him and he gently wiped away her tears. "It seems every girl I kiss is reduced to tears," he said softly. His pathetic joke was rewarded with a smile on the one and only face he needed to see.
"Harry, you're a wonderful kisser," Hermione whispered. "Honestly. Fantastic! I could kiss you all day. No, that's not it. I'm just scared and confused is all, and then finding you here and - I went from utter devastation to sheer joy and - urg! - stupid hormones - and, well I'm a bit out of sorts is all."
"What happened?"
Hermione lay her head back into Harry's chest and he slowly felt her relax in his arms as she told him about Tonks visit and all that had led to her weeping in this strange place.
"She said this was a safe house and my parents could not come with me," Hermione said finally looking at Harry.
"Safer than Hogwarts," Harry said. "Had a long talk with the Head Elf this morning as well as the Historian. The wards on this place are amazing! Better than Hogwarts, maybe even the best in the world. Only people I trust and who will not harm me can enter these lands. Muggles, unfortunately, cannot unless I leave to bring them here."
"And where are we?"
"Erm - seems this is my home, Hermione."
"The Dursleys?"
Harry laughed. "If they knew about this place, they'd have been kissing my arse since I was a baby. No, this apparently is Potter Manor, my ancestral home."
"How - how big is it?"
Harry could not resist the unintended double entendre. He felt the need to lighten the mood just a bit. "I'd like to think above average but it's not like I've ever measured it or that me and my mates compare ours to each other or something." Harry waited for the reaction and was soon rewarded with a slap to his chest.
"Harry James!" Hermione exclaimed glaring up at him, "I was not talking about your - your - er - manhood! I was talking about this bloody house!" She was blushing furiously, Harry saw, and he pulled her into a hug, although she resisted a little.
"I know," he admitted. "You're upset and I hoped my pathetic joke would - er - calm you down some." He could feel her relax in his arms.
"Blue humor?" she said. "I don't think I've ever heard an off color quip from you before."
"It worked though," Harry said holding her tighter.
"Yeah," she giggled. This was a recent development. Until he had finally told her how he truly felt, Harry was certain he had never once heard this girl giggle. He liked it. He liked it so much he cupped her chin and drew her into another long kiss. When they finally broke apart, she smiled with her eyes closed for a moment and sighed. "That was nice," she whispered. "Once again, Potter, how big is this place?"
"Don't really know," Harry shrugged. "Only got here late last night. After breakfast Tonks said she had some errands to run and I've been looking around. Haven't seen even half of it from what I'm told and I haven't even set foot outside."
"Surely you've been curious? Surely you asked someone?"
"Indeed I did." Harry smirked as he knew not telling her was driving her just a little crazy.
"Harry," she growled, "who did you ask? What did they tell you?"
"Well, I asked Darda. He's the Head Elf in charge of the Estate Staff. Also asked Elda. She's the personal chef for the private apartments. Then there was William the librarian and Marta, who's the Potter historian. Between them I got a fair idea.
"This house is huge, of course. It's one of the largest manors in Britain and the largest in Wizarding Britain. It's been in the family for over three hundred years. There as also twenty guest houses and a Chalet by the sea. There's thousands of acres of gardens and parks. The nearest edge of the property is four miles from here."
"Four miles?" Hermione said in disbelief.
"That's to the front, I'm told. The back of the property is on the coast, sixteen miles from here and the side boundaries are five miles in either direction. I was told that this property is approximately a quarter million acres or roughly three hundred and ninety square miles. And, there is a fishing village on the coast. It has a population of three thousand or more, mostly witches and wizards. All of the land is under the most powerful protective wards known. Not even Voldemort can get to us here. Not even Dumbledore, or so I'm told."
Harry noticed that Hermione seemed to be staring at him in either shock or disbelief and maybe both. He took advantage of the rare silence from his girlfriend to kiss her again. That seemed to work. When they finally broke apart, she was back in the moment.
"That's huge, Harry, you know?"
Harry shrugged. "Yesterday I was relatively poor," he said. "I knew I had a trust fund that was paying for school and such, but knew nothing about where that fund truly came from. Today, I awake to find all this. Bit of a shock, really. At least you're here now to share this with me."
"Harry, I got your letter, you know."
"Really?"
Hermione nodded. She then gave him an accusing look. "You didn't send Tonks to get me, did you? That wasn't just a plan for us to spend the summer together. Not that I mind, but if it was it was a bit cruel."
"I swear, Hermione, I had no idea," Harry pleaded. "All Tonks told me was she was going to pick up some things and buy me some decent clothes. I had no idea you were one of those -er - things."
"Fair enough. Did she tell you anything specific as to why you're here? Why I'm here?"
Harry shook his head. "She said she would later. It seemed more important to get me here, and you I guess than to explain it at the time."
"Did you tell her about me?"
Harry nodded. "She asked at breakfast just before she left. I told her. I told her we've finally started going out. I told her I love you more than anything and have for a long time, but was afraid you didn't feel the same way. I told her now that I know you do, I never want to lose you - ever and that I plan to marry you."
"You think that might have had something to do with her coming for me?"
Harry shrugged. "Possible. Don't know, though."
Hermione sought out Harry's lips for a long, slow kiss and was not disappointed. When they finally broke apart, Harry asked: "And what was that for?"
"All kinds of things," she said softly. "For loving me. For wanting to be with me. For not hiding me from others. For not being embarrassed of or ashamed…"
"Hermione, ashamed of what?"
"I'm not exactly beautiful or girly or…"
"Hermione! Don't you ever say that to me. You are and always have been the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
"What about Cho?"
Harry could not tell if she was joking or accusing. He sensed a female trap. Hermione had never set him up for one before, but he had seen her do that with others, namely Ron. "I didn't know how you felt about me then, sorry. My fault, I suppose. I'd rather have you as my best friend than not at all and was afraid that - well - that if I tried to be more than that and you didn't feel the same way, I'd lose you. Cho's pretty. She was definitely willing for a time. But she is not you, Hermione. Not even close."
"You didn't do…"
"No! I'm willing to bet that the night she kissed me, I could have. I didn't. I came back to the Common Room pretty quick."
"Why?"
"Felt guilty. I felt somehow I was betraying you. Felt the same way on Valentine's Day. Might be why I agreed to see you even though I was supposed to be on a romantic date. No, it was why. Deep down I think I wanted her to dump me and be done with it so I could one day be with you with a clear mind and heart."
Hermione kissed him again. "Thank you, Harry," she said with a smile when they again broke apart.
Harry smirked getting a questioning look from Hermione. "Much as I am enjoying standing here and kissing your oh so kissable lips," he said, "I think we should get you situated and maybe get something to eat."
"No more kisses?" Hermione pouted.
"Loads, Love," Harry smiled at her. "But we need to get your things away and such and…"
"Harry? Do you know how long we'll be here?"
"If it were up to me it would be for the rest of our lives. As near as I can tell, we're here for the summer."
Hermione gave him a smile he could not place.
"Darda?" Harry called.
The elf appeared immediately.
"Darda, this is Hermione my girlfriend. It seems she will be staying here for a while and has loads of stuff that needs to be moved to her room. Can you see to it?"
"Of course, Milord," the elf said. He then turned to Hermione and added, "It is indeed a pleasure to meet the beauty that has captured Lord Potter's heart!" With that he gently took Hermione's right hand in his and kissed her knuckles briefly. Hermione was blushing.
"Harry?" Hermione asked. "What kind of elf is this?"
"I am an elf," Darda said. "The Eldar kind or High Elf, as all elves were intended to be when the Creator first gave us breath."
"But all the elves I've ever seen never looked or spoke like…" Hermione's voice trailed off.
"You speak of the House Elves. They are kin to us, it is true. But we are not them and they not us. They are slaves, bound by centuries old dark magic to serve wizards. We true elves serve our family out of love and not magical compulsion."
"Why would anyone enslave you?"
"I understand your lack of knowledge of this world, Miss," Darda said earning a scowl from Hermione who hated anyone suggesting she did not know something, even when it was true. "While there are those in your race who would think as you, there are others who do not. A thousand winters ago, a Dark Witch arose who believed that elves and goblins and others should be servants of her and her kind. We elves had served our families for ages. We served our families as brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters in spirit if not in blood. Said Dark Witch enslaved us and taught others how.
"Four hundred years ago, the then Lord Potter discovered this secret and how to return us to ourselves instead of the simpering, semi-literate creatures the enslavement magic had created. It was simple. Rather than treat us as property, he treated us as family. Those who choose to serve are adopted into the Potter family. Those who do not, work elsewhere."
"You're not paid?"
"Was your mother paid for caring for you? Was your father? We are cared for and the love of our family is all the pay we require. The House buys us our clothes and food, provides us with healing when we need it and helps us take care and raise our children. It is all anyone should want in life, Miss."
"So your not bound?"
"Indeed we are, Miss. We are magically bound to serve the Potters. But it was our choice. As young ones we were not bound as servants. When we came of age we were given the choice to join our parents and family or to seek our future elsewhere. Most of us stayed. There was a ceremony and the Lord Potter adopted us into the family which created the bond between us and our family. Alas, the last Lord died seven and a half years ago and there has been no bonding rite for our young since. Many have gone to work with the families in Pottersport. My youngest son and daughter work in one of the shops. They are happy too and my wife and I see them quite often."
"And what about the House Elves?" Hermione asked. "Can they become like you?"
"Alas, for most the answer is no. They must first of all want to be like us. Most House Elves are well treated and live quite content with who and what they are. To free them so that the process could begin to restore them is cruelty of the most extreme kind. It is more merciful to kill a House Elf than to free one that does not wish for freedom."
"Why?"
"A House Elf that is granted freedom it does not want suffers horribly, Miss. The pain is constant and unbearable. Many do not live but a few months as they lose interest in everything, including food and die from starvation and heartache. The severed bond is like an open wound to them and like an open wound, it bleeds them to death. Only the most vile and spiteful of humans would free an elf that does not wish to be free."
Harry heard a sniffle from Hermione as she leaned into him. He could tell she was crying.
"I - I didn't know! I didn't know! I didn't want to hurt them! I wanted to help them!"
"What's wrong Hermione?"
"Th-the hats. The hats I made all year. They're all gone! Each time I thought I had helped an Elf and instead … I didn't want that!"
"Shhhh," Harry said holding his girlfriend close. "Don't be upset…"
"BUT I AM! I hurt all those elves! I didn't mean to and I did! Now they're all like Winky and IT'S MY FAULT!!"
"Hermione, you didn't hurt any of them."
"Don't patronize me Potter! I most certainly did!"
"Didn't."
"DID!"
"Dobby took all of your little hats. Dobby was the only Elf cleaning in the tower and he took the hats. He's free. He chose to be so the hats did not affect him. Not one Elf was harmed. Not a one."
"Dobby took them?" Hermione asked looking up at Harry.
Harry nodded. "He admires you in a way."
"He - he does."
"Most witches and wizards think nothing about others, you always think about others. He didn't like your ideas, but he thinks your heart is in the right place."
"He - he was treated so terribly by his Masters," Hermione sniffed. "And what Crouch did to Winky was so selfish and cruel and I thought - I thought it was like that for all of them and wanted to help them all and…"
"Miss Hermione," Darda said. Hermione looked at the Elf. "You were trying to help our brothers and sisters?"
Hermione nodded.
"There are few who ever tried. One of Milord's ancestors did. Few others. Many House Elves are well treated and quite content with their lives. But the Slave Bond foisted upon them allows them to be the victims of cruel Masters. Hogwarts is a haven for them. But only because the enslavers have kept this place secret. Few Elves know of Potter Manor and that the Eldar life and that they can be Eldar too, free yet bonded."
"Harry!" Hermione said, "we have to help them!"
"Hermione!"
"Not all of them. Not at once. But there are two we can help."
Harry looked into Hermione's eyes and immediately knew what she was on about. "Dobby and Winky?"
Hermione nodded.
"Darda?" Harry asked. "We know of two House Elves, both of whom were freed by their Masters. One is my friend Dobby and the other is his friend Winky. Could they come here? Could they become Eldar like yourselves?"
"They must come of their own free will, Milord. They must choose the bond of their own free will. But yes, if they do, I am certain it can be so. You say this Dobby is your friend?"
"Yes Darda."
"Call him."
"Call him?"
"I've adjusted the Wards. Call him and if he wants, he will be able to come here."
Harry thought about it for only a moment. "Dobby?" he called.
A second later and there was a audible popping sound and the House Elf called Dobby stood before Harry. The elf wore a tea cozy for a hat, an old jumper that Harry had long ago out grown, leather shorts and two miss matched socks, each in bright colors. The outfit defined the term "clash."
"The Great Harry Potter calls Dobby?" Dobby asked as he bowed low. "How can Dobby be of help to Harry Potter, Sir?"
"Darda, this is Dobby," Harry said.
Dobby turned to see who Harry was speaking to and immediately his eyes went wide with shock.
"It cannot be," Dobby said, tears in his voice as he knelt before Darda, "you cannot be. Is you Eldar? Is you one of the good and wise of legend?"
"I am, my Son," Darda said.
"You calls Dobby that? Dobby am unworthy of it, oh Great One. But Dobby not understands. The Eldar of legend are gone. Gone for ages, they is. They once served with honor and love as free willed Elvin kind. Before the Dark Times. Before evil Wizards begins to treasure slavery over love. Before they's try to enslave. Dark Time came, the Eldar is destroyed or leave this world and we House Elves was left behind in bondage.
"But it can'ts be true. You can'ts have returned to this world for the Dark Times is not over."
"It is true, my Son," Darda said. "I am Eldar as are all of the Elvin kin that live and work here at Potter Manor. There are over two thousand of us here, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and children. But we have not returned from some mythical and far off land. We have always been here."
"But all who remain were slaved," Dobby protested. "Only House Elves remained!"
"Indeed," Darda said. "And my ancestors and the ancestors of all Elves here were once House Elves such as yourself. They were enslaved by the evil spell. But long ago, a Lord Potter discovered the injustice, freed our ancestors who chose to be re-bond to his family by the ancient Eldar rite. My Ancestors chose that rite. They ceased being the property of the Potter Estate and became part of the Potter family. When they took the ancient familial oaths, when the ancient bond formed, they transformed from the corrupt form of House Elf back to the form as nature intended. They were once again Eldar."
"Dobby," Harry said, "we would like you and Winky to have this opportunity. We would like you to join our family and hopefully become as you were meant to be as well."
Dobby threw himself into Harry's legs, pleading he was not worthy of such an honor but he would do it for the Great Harry Potter.
"And Winky?" Hermione asked.
"Winky be in a right state, Miss," Dobby said. "Being free cuts her like a knife. She drinks to dull a pain that can't be dulled for her. She blames the Great Harry Potter for her plight because it were his wand she be founds with. For another, she mights. Not for Harry Potter, Miss."
Hermione bit her lip and was lost in thought for a time.
"Dobby?" she asked. "Will she live?"
"Dobby fears not, Miss. Dobby tries to help Winky, but Winky be refusing. Dobby offers to be Winky's husband, but Winky be not thinking Winky be worthy of love. Winky's being dyings Miss. And a part of Dobby shall go with Winky."
"She will not be part of Harry Potter's family?"
"No Miss."
"How about Hermione Granger's?"
"W - Winky might, Miss. Winky be thinking you's kind to Winky and appreciates your trying. Winky might."
"Could you ask her? If she agrees, could you bring her here?"
"If Harry Potter wishes, Dobby shall try."
"I do, Dobby," Harry said.
"Then Dobby shall try."
"We await your return, my friend."
With a slight crack, Dobby was gone.
"I'm a little surprised at you, Hermione," Harry said. "I never would have believed you would be in favor of bonding with elves."
"I'm opposed to slavery," Hermione said. "I am opposed to any situation where one man lords over others and treats them like vermin just because they can. I'm opposed to pet owners who abuse their pets, parents or guardians who abuse children. I always will be, Harry. But, I am not opposed to a relationship based upon kindness, caring, compassion or even love. Dobby may be free, but I think there is a bond between you and him. You are clearly his Master and he is clearly and willingly your servant, but you treat him with respect and as an equal in most things. You do not abuse your trust like others.
"I did not know about how painful it is for most of them to be free. Had I known that, my focus would have been solely on seeing them treated with the respect they deserve, not freeing them. Winky is clearly in pain and it's all because she was let go. Aside from Death Eaters, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone."
"So you're okay with this Hermione? You're okay with Dobby serving me and Winky serving you?"
"Can we still pay them? Buy them things?"
"Don't see why not."
"Then I'm okay with it."
"What if they don't want pay?"
"Darda said that the estate pays for their stuff, that's like paying, right?"
"It is indeed, Miss," Darda said. "We have no need for trifles, just a place to live with our families, some nice furnishings, clothes and the like and we are content."
"And an occasional trifle in appreciation?" Hermione asked.
"They are, of course, most welcome."
There was a loud crack and Dobby appeared holding an unconscious female House Elf in his arms. It was clear Dobby was crying.
"Winky," Hermione practically shrieked. "Dobby what's wrong with her," she added with tears forming in her eyes and voice.
"Over edge," Dobby said crying, "drank herself over edge to ease pain. D - Dobby can't fix Winky. Winky be broken. Winky be dying, Miss."
"No!" Hermione cried. "Winky? I want you to be my family! Can you hear me? I want you to be my family!" There was no response from the elf who was reeking of filth, but Hermione seemed not to care. She looked at Darda, "Can you help her?" she said with tears streaming down her face.
"I cannot," Darda said. "But there is one who might be able to. CONSTANCE? EMERGENCY!"
There was almost immediately a popping sound and a new elf appeared. She was Eldar, with long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. She was dressed all in white and was carrying a large bag of some sort.
"Milord Potter, Miss Hermione," Darda began, "this is Constance, our Chief Healer. She may be able to help this poor elf maid."
Milord," she said bowing slightly. She then turned and bowed towards Hermione saying: "Milady."
Constance then turned to her patient and began waving hands and muttering over the seemingly lifeless elf. No one kept track of the time as Constance continued her waving and mutterings. She soon stopped.
"This elf was freed by her Master against her will?" Constance asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "She's been miserable ever since."
"And when did this happen?"
"When did what happen?"
"When was she freed?"
"Almost two years ago," Hermione replied.
"She is a very strong elf to have lasted so long when her freeing was not by her desire. Most would have died ages ago. Do you wish to save her Miss?"
"I - I do."
"Then I will revive her. She shall be given the choice to bond with you. If she so chooses, she will live. But here, she must choose the Eldar oath. It is the law. The bond of the House Elf works not beneath these wards. Do you understand?"
"I - I don't know," Hermione replied hating that she truly did not.
"She must be willing to bond as the Eldar. To bond as a House Elf will not suffice. The bond is of her will, not your's Miss. Should she refuse, all I can do is make her comfortable in death."
"Please," Hermione begged, "give her the choice!"
Constance seemed to wave her hands over Winky and Winky slowly awoke from her stupor.
"Winky?" Hermione asked.
"M-miss Hermione? Where is Winky? This not being Hogwarts."
"You are with me, Winky. I've learned you are unhappy. Is this true?"
"Winky is unhappy. Winky wishes to die. No one be wanting Winky."
"You're wrong, Winky. I want you. I want you as part of my family. I want you as my sister and … and my handmaiden - I guess. Do you wish to be a family again, Winky?"
"Winky do! But no one will haves Winky!"
"I will, if you wish it!"
"But you's not from a line! You nots understands us!"
Hermione was taken aback for a moment. "Maybe I'm not," she said, "and maybe I don't. But I need you, Winky, and want you to be my sister and part of my family. I can and will offer you this."
"You will? Miss, you've cared for Winky when no other witch or wizard would. You offer this?"
"Of my own free will I do. Will you accept it of your own free will?"
"This being no trick?"
"No trick. This is the real deal. I only ask that you take the Eldar oath. I wish to adopt you into my family and not bind you as slave. Can you do that?"
"Eldars are gone, Miss."
"They are not. They are here. They say if you accept the Eldar Oath of your own free will and of such will become my sister or such, then you can be happy again."
"Winky wants a family agains, Miss."
"Do you accept me as family?"
"You's always kinds to Winky. Winky wants it. Whinky accepts it."
"Dobby," Darda said, "do you accept Harry Potter as your family?"
"D - Dobby does, Eldar."
"Then each of you take your elf's hand."
Harry and Hermione did so and as they did, Darda began a chant in a language neither had heard before:
"Elas enara kalan bitul,
Cilas britran enara,
Silur chasandi emul,
Taran bitrar e namar,
Sistran Kazan a nimu,
Chosay ekan zemara,
Magyara sem basu,
Ti shem tokai dinsar!
"Hermione ne Winky kontul,
Ne Winky sa Hermione nomar,
Winke ne Hermione sunontul,
Se endanda fonar senar.
"Harry ne Dobby te kontul,
Ne Dobby sa Harry e nomar,
Dobby ne Harry e sunontul,
Se endanda forar senar."
A flash of magical light passed between Harry and Dobby and Hermione and Winky.
"The bond is completed," Darda said.
"I will need to take these two to the infirmary," Constance added.
"W-why," Hermione asked.
"The Dark Magic that bound them as House Elves will begin to dissipate over the next few days, Miss. As it does, they will sleep and will need to be monitored as they transform into Eldar."
"T-transform?"
"They will gradually assume their true form, that which magic intended. It's not unlike a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. But, they must be watched as the transformation occurs."
"How - how long?"
"Dobby should take about a week. Given Winky's condition, she'll take longer. Three weeks tops."
"But they'll be okay, won't they?"
"They should be," Constance said. "I will do everything possible to make sure of that, Miss."
"Thank you," Hermione said. With that, Constance popped away with the two House Elves.
"If you're not needing me, Milord," Darda said.
"Yes of course," Harry replied. "Thank you. We really do appreciate it."
"You are welcome." With that Darda was gone as well leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
"So," Harry began.
"So," Hermione replied.
"It's around lunch time," Harry continued. "How about a spot of lunch and then I can show you around?"
"Sounds like a plan," she said smiling at her boyfriend.
"Right, lunch it is! Elda?"
A female Elf appeared before them. "Yes, Milord?"
"Is it possible to have lunch served outside?"
"Tis no trouble, Milord. Fancy showing your lady guest the view from the veranda?"
"I haven't been out there, I just thought it's a nice day."
"It is indeed. There are tables out there. I can bring your food to you. The view of the gardens and fields beyond is lovely. Perfect for a quiet romantic lunch. Here," she said handing each of them a small book.
"What's this?" Hermione and Harry asked together.
"Menu," Elda said. "Lunch menu to be exact. Go and find your table and look it over and when you're ready, I'll cook what you want."
"Erm, okay," Harry replied taking Hermione by the hand and leading her towards the veranda.
The new couple walked through to the back of the Manor and out upon the expansive veranda. They chose a table with an umbrella at the far end with an unobstructed view of the landscape beyond and perused their menus. They were both amazed at the choices and after several minutes chose something they each recognized. Elda seemed to know when they were ready and appeared and took their orders and told them it would be twenty minutes or so before their food arrived. The couple looked out over the gardens and green fields beyond.
"You own all this," Hermione asked looking at the huge building to the other side as well.
"Apparently," Harry shrugged. "I have never been here before and if this place is as big as I'm told…"
"What?"
"Well, I could take the whole summer and still not see all of it."
"It's a bit much," Hermione admitted. "But it is very pretty here."
"Anywhere would be with you," Harry said and was rewarded with a blush from his girlfriend.
"Harry?"
"Hmmm?"
"How are you doing, really?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sirius."
"Oh. Oddly, not too bad. I had a huge row with Professor Dumbledore when we got back that night, mostly 'cause Sirius died and I thought that had I'd been told things, that might not have happened. I pretty much busted up his office over it. But…"
"But?" Hermione asked genuinely concerned.
"But, when I left I went to the hospital wing and you and the others… Madam Pomphrey," Harry started tearing up, "she told me she didn't know if you would make it. I - I could not lose you, Hermione. I can't. I can't lose you and live on. I - I kind of forgot about Sirius because I had to be with you and had to be there to help you come back. I wasn't told to or asked to, I had to.
"Second Year when you were petrified, I knew you could come back, but I spent all my spare time with you anyway. This time…. I wanted to be there when … when whatever happened. I wanted you to know that I love you so damn much, Hermione. I was so worried and in such pain because you were not you… I forgot all about what happened to Sirius.
"Then you woke up. I told you what I should have told you a long time ago and you told me what I hoped you would tell me. I told you I love you and want to marry you and I meant and mean that! And you told me the same thing.
"I was so relieved you were alive! I was so elated you loved me too! I continued to forget about Sirius as you got better and as we spent time together. Time with you was and is all I wanted and I finally had it. Sirius was not that big a deal.
"I got back to my Dursley prison after school was out. I knew I had to think about Sirius. I did. I thought about a lot of things. And all I got were questions. Worse, there were no answers. None that made sense anyway. So the night I got back, I began writing them down and - well - I don't like where they are leading me to think. Here!" he added handing Hermione his notebook. "Read it for yourself and tell me if you can make any sense of this mess."
"Harry?" Hermione pleaded, but he cut her off.
"You are the smartest person I know of any age. If anyone can see a reasonable explanation for the mess my life has been, you can. Please?" he pleaded.
"O - Okay, Harry," she said. She opened the notebook and began to read.
She finished as their lunch arrived. "Harry?" she asked, "is all this true?"
He nodded.
"It doesn't make sense," she began.
"Tell me about it."
"I mean it shouldn't make sense! It only makes sense if someone wanted you to suffer for some reason. Someone wanted to keep you down!"
"And where does that point to?"
"It can't be right! It can't be! But the only logical conclusion is…"
"Dumbledore," Harry finished. Hermione nodded.
"But why?"
"That being the great question," Harry said. "No idea."
Hermione nodded. She then began to eat lost in thought. As she ate, she saw a snowy owl with whom she was well familiar land on Harry's shoulder with an envelope attached to its leg.
"What you got Girl," Harry asked the bird as he removed the letter. "Letter from Hermione, it seems." Hermione looked up at him and he could see her beginning to blush furiously as he opened the envelope.
"Obviously, she's here and will not need a written reply," Harry said to the bird, noting Hermione's reaction. "Go have a hunt. You always seem to know when I need you." The owl seemed to hoot a reply and soared off into the sky.
Harry noted Hermione biting her lower lip as he began to read her letter. He did his best to hide any reaction when he knew what it implied. She wanted him. Not just as a friend either. She wanted him physically. Truth be told, he thought, he had wanted her too. For ages it seemed. Still… She wrote the letter not knowing she would be with him less than a day later. Maybe … maybe it was want later, not really now as the letter implied.
He smiled at Hermione, who was still looking at him and was clearly expecting him to say something and was clearly afraid of what that something might be.
"This one's definitely a keeper," Harry said with a smile. "Then again, I've kept all your letters."
"Th-that's all?" she asked. "That's all you have to say?"
Harry stared into her eyes and nodded. "For now," he said with a mischievous smile.
Their lunch soon ended and Harry offered to give Hermione a tour of the place, admitting he had only seen one and a half floors or so and none of the grounds. She agreed. Harry noted she seemed very nervous and was pretty sure why that was. He knew of the one place that should get her mind off of things, such as what she said in that wonderful letter. He took her strait to the Library and was not disappointed as he watched her jaw drop in awe.
"Largest magical one in all Britain, I'm told," he said. He had to say something as he was convinced she was going to start to drool.
"R-really?" she asked. It was the first time she spoke since the letter arrived.
"So I'm told. William is the Librarian. He says the magical section is larger even than Hogwarts. The non-magical… You ever hear of something called a Gutenberg Bible?"
Hermione nodded. "First book ever printed," she said.
"Apparently, I've got one here."
"Y-you do?"
"First folio Shakespeare's as well."
"But Harry, there are no…"
"Apparently there are and I have them."
"Oh my!"
"Hate to tell you this love, but I think this is one library you can't read you're way through. Too many books. Well over three hundred thousand."
"Really?"
"William says so. I haven't counted of course.
"Er, of course."
"What do you think?"
"It's wonderful, Harry. Can I … can I use it?"
"Of course."
The girl squealed with delight and jumped into Harry. Her bear hug was now combined with a passionate kiss.
A/N: RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Harry James Potter, age 15 (born 7/31/80)
Hermione Jane Granger, age 16 (9/19/79). Girlfriend/fiancé as of 6/18/96.