The final week of the '93-'94 school term came to an end, and even though there was nothing to do when it came to education, Harry and Hermione couldn't say it was boring at all.
Tuesday morning, before breakfast, Fred and George spoke with Harry and told him they had come up with a plan to give Oliver Wood a nice send-off from Hogwarts: one final Quidditch match. They had already discussed it with Angelina, Alicia and Katie. Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch had both agreed as well after a long discussion.
So during breakfast, Professor McGonagall announced a short two-day tournament – Thursday and Friday - and the winner would get 150 points toward the House Cup at the Leaving Feast which would take place after the final game of the tournament. All four Quidditch teams agreed and Oliver looked like he was going to cry with excitement. He had started talking about when they should hold a practice, when McGonagall made another announcement. Each team would get one scheduled practice for two hours during that day and the following day – the captains just needed to figure out a schedule. Oliver was the first to rush forward to McGonagall and assign practices. The first would be right after breakfast – Harry could have predicted that from how well he knew Oliver Wood. The second would be an evening practice the following day. Oliver said they would do a night practice just in case they had to play during the evening.
Harry had just barely finished his breakfast when Oliver ordered the team to grab their brooms and outfits and go down to the Quidditch Pitch. Hermione and Tonks both accompanied Harry down to the Pitch, and by the time Harry had began practice he found they had gathered quite a crowd. When Oliver realized their were students from all houses – including Susan, Luna, Daphne and Tracy – he had of course complained about spying. But Angelina reminded Oliver they had less than two hours to practice which stopped Oliver's complaints at once and sent him into Captain mode, ordering everyone to get into the air.
Even though Harry had not flown a broom for over a year – spanning both time-lines – it didn't take long for him to become accustomed to his Firebolt again. The feeling of wind whipping around him and the sounds of the crowd cheering below him, and the rush of speeding toward the Snitch as he attempted to catch it – it was familiar to him and he welcomed it.
It was a pity that there would be no Quidditch the following year. Or would there? Harry wondered if he could convince the Professors to allow a few matches in between the Tasks. After all, the Pitch wouldn't be used for the maze until after Easter break. He would ponder this and figure out a good argument for when it was time to speak to the Professors about it.
The start of the two-day tournament was on Thursday morning. Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were the first to play. Even though Oliver had put them through a hard practice the evening before, the entire Gryffindor team knew they were doing this for Oliver as a great send-off in his name. Their spirits were up the entire time during breakfast and the pre-match preparations. Oliver seemed rather worried and nervous though, and it didn't help Harry's nerves either. But they were able to overcome their nerves by the time they were in the air. And after a exciting and action-packed match that lasted nearly two hours, the match ended as Harry and Cedric raced across the Pitch, trying to capture the Golden Snitch. One of the Hufflepuff Beaters had smacked a Bludger toward Harry, but when Harry sped forward, the Bludger soared toward Cedric, causing the older Seeker to fly off path. This lead Harry to catch the Snitch for the victory – Gryffindor: 410 – Hufflepuff: 260.
In comparison, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw match didn't last very long at all. Draco Malfoy made a very early mistake when he found the Snitch and flew toward it. However, this also gave Cho Chang of Ravenclaw its position as well. When the Ravenclaw Beater smacked the Bludger in Draco's direction, he backed off in fear. This allowed Cho Chang to fly toward the Snitch and grab it. Ravenclaw won 190 – 30.
The final match of the two-day tournament was a rematch of the Quidditch Cup final a few weeks prior. It would take place on Friday afternoon just hours before the end-of-term Feast. Oliver was too nervous to speak, but Angelina Johnson said the words that everyone wanted to hear.
"We win this early enough," she said, "and we can have a party in Oliver's honor in the Gryffindor Common Room before we have to be down at the Great Hall for the feast!"
This pumped up the whole Gryffindor team. The Quidditch match that followed took only half-an-hour. Two-thirds through the match Harry took down Cho with a Wronski Feint, resulting in her plowing into the ground. It took her out of the match for the next few minutes. By the time she was able to fly into the air, Harry had found the Snitch. By the time Cho had gotten fifty feet away, the Snitch was in Harry's hand. Gryffindor: 230 – Ravenclaw: 60. Gryffindor won the two-day tournament, and the 150 points.
Hermione and Tonks met Harry outside the locker room and both congratulated him with a kiss – Hermione on the lips, and Tonks on the cheek. Harry was quite red after the latter. Later after the raucous party in the Gryffindor Common Room, Hermione asked him if he had done the Wronski Feint to Cho on purpose. Harry simply said he wanted to show off. After all, it wasn't as if he was deliberately trying to hurt the girl who he had a fancy for, for a long time, in the previous time-line before she broke his heart. Nah, that would be too mean. Especially since she hadn't done anything to him yet. At least that is what he told Hermione. He wasn't sure if she believed him or not.
When Harry wasn't practicing or playing Quidditch during the final week of term, he was hanging out with Hermione, either in the Lord's Quarters Common Room, or outside in their newly found spot on the Grounds underneath a shady tree. In the Common Room, when they weren't having innocent and fun conversations with Tonks, she usually left them alone. They later found out that when she was alone, she was doing some of her Cadet Studies. Just because she wouldn't be training at the Corps in Brighton, or the Ministry's Auror Department anymore, it didn't mean she wasn't going to teach herself a few things she would learn whilst in her last year of being an Auror Cadet.
When Harry and Hermione had their privacy, they discussed a lot about the future, doing so behind the ensured silence of a Muffliato Charm. Hermione outlined their discussions on parchment, adding privacy enchantments onto the notes so nobody besides them could see it. They discussed what they would say to Sirius, Remus and Tonks when it was finally time to tell their secret. They also started putting together their plans for the Death Eater Assassinations that summer, writing down all the names of free Death Eaters that they could remember. They both agreed they wouldn't begin until they talked about it to Sirius, Remus and Tonks. Yes, they would like it if the older three would help them out with their plans, but both Harry and Hermione knew it had to be done, and would do it with or without their help.
An interesting thing that both Harry and Hermione noted was that Albus Dumbledore was now ignoring them. He had not spoken to them or even looked at them much since Harry had taken the Elder Wand from him. Harry didn't know what to make of that, but they had decided to tread cautiously around him, in case he was just trying to catch them unaware. Every day, during the final week of term, Harry had made sure the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone were in the bottom of his trunk.
Also, aside from Luna, who would sit with Harry and Hermione at breakfast, Harry's betrothed were ignoring him. Susan and Daphne hadn't spoken to Harry since the previous weekend. But half-way through the week, Hermione had told him that Susan and Daphne were likely avoiding him just so there wouldn't be any rumors spread yet about the Betrothals. Harry figured she was probably correct.
Friday evening after the Leaving Feast – in which Gryffindor won the House Cup, thanks to the two-day Quidditch Tournament – Harry and Hermione were cuddled up on the couch in the Lord's Quarters. They had just finished up packing their belongings, and had placed the outfits they would wear tomorrow in their carry-on bags. Tonks was taking a long bath and had even commented she might fall asleep in said bathtub. If she hadn't exited the bathroom before they went to bed, then they had permission to see if she was alright. Hermione had set a Muffliato Charm on the bathroom door as soon as Tonks had vanished behind it.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, laying against Harry's chest and staring into the fire, "We've discussed Voldemort and the Death Eaters, and what to do about them. But we haven't discussed other people. Such as Dolores Umbridge."
"Perhaps we should add Umbridge's name to the list of assassinations," Harry suggested. "Even though she isn't a Death Eater, she gave us so much hell and grief. When we defeat Voldemort, she would be one of those who wouldn't believe that he even attempted to return, even with proof."
"She would call us liars," Hermione said, "and likely attempt to send Dementors after you – or us – again."
"And she might add my Betrothed to her list of targets too," Harry said, "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you or them, Hermione. We'll add her to the list of assassinations."
"Alright," Hermione said. "I really hope Tonks agrees to go along with this. We'll need someone like her to get us information on where everyone lives."
"Once she understands what we're doing," Harry said, "I think she'll agree."
"I hope so," Hermione said. "Harry? What should we do about Rita Skeeter?"
"Well," Harry said, "Once the Quibbler with my stories are published, it will be known that Skeeter was lying. I still don't understand how she could get away with calling me a murderer. Doesn't she understand what kind of backlash that would bring?"
"She probably craves the drama," Hermione said. "I am sure she was given howlers and letters about her article. Those responses just give her more targets to write about and slander."
"Or more incentive to write more rubbish about me," Harry said, "Simply because she knows it gets a lot of attention."
"True," Hermione said, "So what should we do about her?"
"Well, we could discredit her ourselves," Harry said. "Apparently I own a percentage of the Daily Prophet and their sister subscriptions. I could waltz into their office and demand satisfaction. As Head of two Houses, I can do that and get away with it."
"And who was the one who informed you of that?" Hermione asked.
"You, love," Harry said, as he kissed her bushy hair, "However... waltzing into the Daily Prophet office seems... too easy. We need to do something more exciting. We've made her interested in me. We need to give her something else."
"Oh, that is easy," Hermione said, "Sirius' trial. She'll likely be there in person and so will we. After the trial, we say something in her vicinity. She might just try to follow us in her Animagus form. Then we capture her and... well, we'll figure that out when we get there."
"I say it again, love," Harry said, "You are extremely sexy when you're plotting."
Hermione grinned and turned over so that her chest was pressing against his. This was a common position for her to be in over the past few nights, but Harry still felt the tingles circulating through his body whenever it happened. Whether or not she had felt his reaction, she never said. She leaned toward him and kissed him soundly on the lips. Harry returned the kiss, and after a few moments, he brushed his tongue along her lips. She opened them and he dipped his tongue inside and slid it along hers. Their tongues danced passionately as they kissed. Both backed away when they had forgotten to breathe out of their noses. Hermione lay her head on his chest and smiled at him.
"Are you ready to officially meet my parents as my boyfriend tomorrow?" she asked.
"I think so," Harry said, nodding, then a thought came to his mind, "Oh, bloody hell!"
"What?" Hermione asked, alarmed.
"I didn't send a letter to the Dursleys," Harry said, "they'll be waiting for me at King's Cross tomorrow."
Hermione smiled. "Well, then you can say goodbye to them in person. And so can I."
"No," Harry said, "I know you're plotting something. Whatever it is will cause a scene in a crowd of Muggles. And maybe in front of your parents. Let me take care of it."
Hermione harrumphed and pouted. "Alright. I'd feel better if I could give them a piece of my mind though."
"You would also feel worse later on," Harry said, "I'm protecting you from that inevitability."
Hermione's pout turned into a smile. "My hero. I love you, Harry."
"I love you too, Hermione," Harry said.
And they sealed it with another kiss before silence took over again as they laid together in front of the fire.
The Hogwarts Express would be leaving at exactly eleven-o-clock on Saturday morning. So at half-past ten, Harry, Hermione and Tonks piled into one of the Thestral-drawn carriages with all their belongings, including Hedwig and Crookshanks in their carriers. Right before the carriage was about to leave, Luna and Ginny entered.
"Daphne and Susan found me after breakfast today," Luna said, as the carriage began its journey toward Hogsmeade, "They wanted me to give you a message. They wish to sit with you on the Hogwarts Express, so find a big enough carriage to hold all of us. And they said they might bring friends along. Only one each, I think."
"Alright," Harry said.
"Er... why would they want to sit with you?" Ginny asked.
Harry looked at Hermione, and she shrugged and nodded. Harry turned back to Ginny.
"Daphne, Susan and Luna are my Betrothed," Harry said, "I found that out last week."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Oh, I see. And... how do you feel about that, Hermione?"
"I'm quite fine with it," Hermione said, "If it comes to the point where Harry would marry me, and his three Betrothed, I'd be okay with that."
"I see," Ginny said, again, "I didn't know the Muggle world favored Polygamy."
"Well, they don't," Hermione said, "But I'm a witch, and we're not going to tell my parents about it for a while. Harry's meeting them today as my boyfriend, so it would be an awkward conversation to tell them that my boyfriend is planning on marrying three other girls."
"Ginny," Harry said, "Please keep this a secret... from everybody. Including your family. I am sure the news about this will get out sometime. But I'd like to keep it private as long as possible."
"I'll do my best," Ginny said, "Though wouldn't it bring up questions if someone sees you and your Betrothed sitting together in the train?"
"Oh, that's easy," Tonks said, "Notice-Me-Not Charms on the doors and windows as soon as everyone is in the carriage. We'd have to keep watch out for the Snack Lady so she doesn't pass us by, but aside from that, we'll have our achieved privacy."
"Harry and I bought plenty of candy during our last Hogsmeade trip," Hermione said, "We can share with everyone."
"Well, that is perfect then," Tonks said, "We don't need to keep watch for the Snack Lady, and we can have our privacy for the entire journey."
"Which means we can avoid Malfoy who usually likes to visit us," Harry said.
"Ah, that will be a nice change," Hermione said, with a grin.
Harry chuckled, then smiled as Hermione laid her head on his shoulder.
Ginny turned her attention to the window, and concentrated on the passing scenery. Harry didn't know what he was going to do about her. He would like to have her a friend, but definitely nothing more than that. Yes, he had loved her in previous time-line. Whether it was due to Amortentia, or his own feelings – well, he wasn't sure yet. But things were different now. He loved Hermione, and she would be a part of his permanent future if he had his say. Hermione didn't have any problems that he had three other girls who he was contracted to marry. Ginny's mannerisms seemed to say that she would likely have problems with it. As long as she was satisfied with being his friend, then he would be her friend. And nothing more.
When the carriages arrived at Hogsmeade at a quarter-till eleven, Harry wasn't at all surprised when Ginny broke away from their group the moment they left the carriages. He knew she still fancied him. Hopefully if someone invited her to the Yule Ball in December – perhaps Neville – then they could take her mind off of Harry and let her explore new options for romance. Harry just hoped she didn't try anything stupid to achieve what she wanted.
Harry and Hermione had packed all their belongings – aside from their pet carriers – into his Undetectable Extension Bag. So once Luna set down her trunk with the rest of those that would be placed in the storage compartments under the train, Harry, Hermione, Luna and Tonks made their way onto the train.
"I suppose we should find a carriage that can hold eight," Harry said.
"Nah, any will do," Tonks said, then led them into an carriage. "Watch this."
She flourished her wand around the carriage, and it began to stretch so that the area, whilst still the same width, stretched lengthways and two more separate seats appeared along the window and the wall near the sliding door.
"Wicked!" Hermione said, "That is some very advanced Transfiguration!"
"NEWT-level magic," Tonks said.
Harry and Hermione took the farthest seats back from the door, and set Hedwig's cage and Crookshanks' carrier above the seat. Tonks and Luna sat near the door. A couple minutes later, Susan arrived with Hannah Abbot.
"Wow," Hannah said, "I don't think I've ever come across a compartment this size."
"It was transfigured with magic," Harry said, "Come in and sit down."
"You don't mind if Hannah joins us, do you?" Susan asked. "I – er – told her about – you know – us. She's my best friend, so I couldn't keep it from her."
"I don't mind at all," Harry said.
Hermione, Tonks and Luna agreed, and Susan and Hannah sat down at the window seat. Harry introduced Susan and Hannah to Tonks. It turned out that Susan and Hannah had known Luna for many years..
"Hannah, Luna and I grew up together, sorta," Susan said, "Every time our families took us to social parties, that mostly had to do with the remaining Great Alliance members, we hung out in a room specified for the children."
Daphne and Tracy arrived a few moments later and Harry welcomed them inside. They sat down together at the remaining seat.
"Kind of a risk having all three of your Betrothed in here, eh?" Daphne said to Harry, "Especially if you want to keep it quiet for as long as possible."
"We've already thought about that," Harry said, "Cadet Tonks? Would you do the honor?"
Tonks smiled and flourished her wand toward the door, then she explained to those who didn't know what she was doing. "Notice-Me-Not Charms. Nobody will bother us. They'll walk right by the door and not even look in here."
"Handy," Daphne said. "Harry, I'd like to apologize if you think I was avoiding you. As I said, I thought you might want to keep our... future relationship quiet for the time-being."
"Luna explained that already," Harry said, smiling. "To be honest, I didn't really notice. Had a busy week what with Quidditch and other things."
"Yeah," Daphne said, "Even with no classes, there is never a day's peace at Hogwarts. I did want to talk to you about Rita Skeeter's article. Are you going to do anything about her? She basically called you a murderer to all of Great Britain."
"We're going to hit it from two sides," Harry said, "Luna, here, is going to be putting together a couple articles for the next edition of her father's newspaper."
"We should have it ready for the middle of next week," Luna said, smiling. "I can send everyone here a copy when it is ready."
"She's going to write the real story of what I said about Tom Riddle," Harry explained.
"Counter-propaganda," Daphne said, nodding, "That will work. What else?"
"Rita Skeeter doesn't know something very important about me," Harry said, grinning, "I own forty-five percent of the Daily Prophet."
Daphne laughed. "Skeeter basically slandered one of the owners of the Daily Prophet. Nice."
"We also know one of her biggest secrets," Hermione said, "We know how she gets most of her information. Can everyone here keep a secret? At least until we pin it on her."
Everyone in the compartment nodded.
"Rita is a beetle Animagus," Hermione said, "We sort of found that out by accident."
"And she is unregistered," Harry added.
"Oho!" Tonks said, "You could do a lot with that."
"You could tell Auntie about it," Susan suggested.
"Too easy," Daphne said, "Make her pay for what she said about you, Potter. She needs her reputation injured or outright destroyed. Tell her exactly what you know about her. Blackmail her. Either she resigns from the newspaper, or you out her as an unregistered Animagus."
"Can't she register herself once you tell her you know?" Tracy asked.
"Not unless she wants to pay a heavy fine," Tonks said, "It all depends on when she became an Animagus. If it was more than two months ago, then she's in trouble. You have two months from your first successful complete transformation to register yourself. There are spells used by those in that specific Department that can detect how long you've been an Animagus."
Harry nodded. He liked the the suggestions already. Especially if he could prevent Rita from writing her slander during the Triwizard Tournament. Just one of the things he would be doing during what would be a very busy summer. As the train jolted into movement, Harry looked out the window at Hogwarts. What he had told Dumbledore a few days prior had been the truth. Hogwarts was truly his home. But his true home would likely change during the summer. Potter Manor sounded fantastic, and the beach house in La Rochelle sounded quite beautiful. He wondered if, by the time he returned to Hogwarts in September, he would feel homesick for the first time in his life. He certainly never felt that way when he lived with the Dursleys.
"By the way," Daphne said, and Harry turned his attention to her, "Daddy wrote to me yesterday. He knew I would likely be talking to you today. He is going to wait to contact you with an invitation to our home, for a dinner meeting, until after Sirius Black's trial. He knows Sirius is your godfather and hopes that he receives his freedom, so he can join us at the dinner meeting. He knows you are Emancipated; he just likes to do official meetings the correct way with an adult guardian on both sides of the conversation."
"Fine with me," Harry said.
"Good," Daphne said, "He says he'll send you a voice-activated Portkey through the post when the time comes. He promises it will lead you straight to our Manor."
"Alright," Harry said.
"I think Daddy would agree to the same kind of arrangement," Luna said, "Though he does want to meet your parents as well, Hermione. I told him all about you."
"I think they might go along with that," Hermione said.
"Good," Luna said, "Daddy and I will figure out the details, and send you a letter along with the Quibbler."
"So aside from those official meetings," Susan said, "as well as Sirius' trial, and making Rita Skeeter regret writing that article. What are you planning to do this summer? The reason I am asking is Auntie wrote to me a couple days ago. She wants to invite the two of you, and you as well Cadet Tonks, and a few friends to the Quidditch World Cup at the end of August. Maybe you too Daphne, Luna. Hannah's already said yes."
Harry wondered if the Weasleys would still invite him and Hermione now that they were no longer friends with Ron. Then he realized he didn't really care. Amelia and Susan would be his family in the future.
"I'd be happy to accept," Harry said.
"Me too," Hermione said, smiling.
"Daddy has tickets through some of his connections," Luna said, "So Madam Bones can give my ticket to someone else."
"Tracy then?" Susan asked.
Daphne and Tracy looked at each other and smiled, then Daphne turned to Susan.
"We're in," she said.
"Excellent," Susan said. "Auntie will be happy. Thanks to her job, she's getting several tickets in the Minister's Box."
Harry raised his eyebrows. He certainly didn't remember seeing Amelia and Susan in the Minister's box last time. He wondered what had changed. Maybe it was a reward for the capture of Snape?
"Well, to answer your question," Harry said, "Aside from the aforementioned stuff... I have a few plans. I'm going to be staying at Hermione's house for the first two weeks of summer. And then – well, I hope to move into Potter Manor."
"Ooh, I've heard stories about that house from my Auntie," Susan said, "she's been there several times back before we were born. She said it is quite a beautiful house."
"It is," Tonks said, nodding.
"Well," Harry said, "Maybe once I get everything situated and figured out, I can host a dinner party or something for the Great Alliance."
"Your birthday party, Harry," Hermione said, "We could have it there."
"Unless we're elsewhere at that time," Harry said, "Like the beach house in La Rochelle."
"Ooh, yes," Hermione said, "That does sound like a nice way to spend your birthday."
"Well, whatever you figure out," Daphne said, "I think hosting a party is a good idea. A nice way to officially introduce you to the wizarding world as Lord Potter. I like the way you think, though, when it comes to the Great Alliance. A smart way to bring together the Alliance and discuss the future of it. I'd have it take place in August, since most of the Great Alliance families spend their holidays outside the country for much of the summer."
"I'll figure out some plans for it then," Harry said.
He certainly wasn't going to tell everyone about his and Hermione's other plans – such as dealing with the Horcrux in his head, and the Locket Horcrux as well. And then there were the planned Death Eater assassinations. Yes, it would certainly be quite the busy summer.
The conversations continued on as everyone else discussed what plans they had for the summer. Luna and her father were planning on going on holiday to find some exotic creatures to write about in the Quibbler. According to Luna, they would be leaving sometime after the planned Betrothal meeting, and would be back in time for the Quidditch World Cup.
After their Betrothal meeting with Harry, Daphne and her family would be going to Italy to spend time with her grandparents on her mother's side of the family. Apparently her grandmother had fallen very ill and her mother feared this would be the last summer they would get to spend with her. Tracy would be going on holiday outside the country, but as for the destination, she was not sure yet.
Hannah would be spending part of her summer in Ireland, where her much older brother was getting married. Susan said she would likely be spending the summer at home since her Aunt was quite a busy person at her job. Harry and Hermione promised to keep in touch so she wouldn't have a boring summer, and discussed the possibility of hanging out with her and going on various excursions. Harry felt his cheeks go warm, and Hermione and the rest of the girls laughed when Susan unabashedly referred to the outings as dates.
The conversation went on after that, as the group discussed other topics. At one point, Daphne wanted to hear about the latest visit to the Chamber of Secrets, having only heard it through others aside from Harry and Hermione. After that tale was told, it rolled into a long conversation in which Harry and Hermione discussed much of what had happened to them over their first three years of Hogwarts. Mostly major events, including the Philosopher's Stone getting rescued, the Chamber of Secrets ordeal with the Basilisk, and – since Susan had already heard the tale, Harry and Hermione decided it was fair to tell the others about the Time Turner ordeal.
All of the girls were quite amazed, though they had turned shades of pale throughout much of the story. Harry felt a burden lift from his shoulders after he finished the story. Even though he couldn't tell the girls about his big secret – and probably wouldn't be able to do so until after Voldemort's defeat – they now knew much of what he had gone through for the first three years of his time in the wizarding world.
By the time the stories had ended, it was time for the Snack Lady to make her rounds. Harry and Hermione revealed their trove of Honeyduke's candy, which they shared with everyone. It was mutually agreed, as they gorged themselves on the candy and snacks, that it was probably better than what the Snack Lady had with her.
Once their meal of candy was finished, most of the group in the carriage fell into sugar-induced naps that lasted much of the remainder of the train ride.
As the train entered Platform Nine-And-Three Quarters, the group inside the carriage said their goodbyes, well-wishes for the summer, and promises to write frequently. Then Harry, Hermione and Tonks collected their belongings and made their way onto the Platform. Hermione had explained to Harry and Tonks that she had already written to her parents about the situation with Tonks as a bodyguard. Tonks would likely be sleeping on the couch during her stay at the Grangers, but she didn't mind at all.
Hermione pointed out her parents, and the trio made their way across the Platform. When she reached them, Hermione set down Crookshanks' carrier and hugged both her parents. Harry knew the reunion was tougher than usual for Hermione, especially since the last time she saw them, she had made them forget they ever had a daughter.
"Mum, Daddy," Hermione said, when she backed away nearly a minute later, "This is my boyfriend, Harry Potter. And this is our friend, and bodyguard I told you about, Dora Tonks. She likes to be called by her last name. Harry, Tonks, these are my parents, Drs. Daniel and Emma Granger."
"Greetings, sir, ma'am," Harry said, and Tonks echoed the same.
"I'm sorry we didn't get the chance to introduce ourselves a couple summers ago, Harry," Emma said, as she shook Harry's hand when he offered it. "Hermione's written so much about you. Seems we know you already. Isn't that right, dear?"
Daniel sized Harry up as he shook his hand. Harry did his best not to wince; Hermione's father had quite the grip!
"Call me Dan," Dan said. "Or sir. Whatever suits you. Former member of the SAS, and a dentist for nearly fifteen years now."
"Yes, yes," Emma said, "Both careers have made you a very dangerous man, one Harry should fear. I swear he practiced this in front of the bathroom sink two times last night and three times today."
Hermione giggled. Dan huffed.
"Emma, please, this is a father's duty," Dan said, then turned back to Harry, "So you are the boy who has taken my daughter's heart from me."
"Daddy!" Hermione said, "You know you'll always have my heart. You just have to learn to share it."
"I know that," Dan said, with a sigh, "I just didn't expect it to happen for a few more years. Well, come on then. Let's get going. Wait... where is your trunk, Hermione?"
Harry showed him the Undetectable Extension Bag. "Everything can fit in here. As long as it is a manageable size."
"It is like Mary Poppins traveling bag, Daddy," Hermione said.
"Oh," Emma said, "That is quite handy. Could be useful for shopping!"
"I know what to get you for Christmas then," Harry said, smiling.
"Oh, aren't you sweet?" Emma said, smiling.
Dan cleared his throat and motioned them to leave. Then he looked at Harry with an expression that said 'we'll be talking more soon enough.' Harry only smiled and followed Hermione and her parents through the crowd and toward the barrier. Tonks remained at the back of the group with her hand on her wand, which was hidden in her robes, at all times. Harry was surprised to find that Arthur Weasley had greeted his four children and he figured that Mrs. Weasley was at home with Ron.
As soon as they walked through the barrier, Harry heard an unfortunately familiar voice.
"There you are," Vernon Dursley said, "Say goodbye to your friends, so we can be off."
Vernon, Petunia and Dudley were standing together near the entrance to the platform.
"Uncle Vernon," Harry said, "I must apologize for not writing to you and letting you know. I was Emancipated recently. I no longer have to live in your house."
"But that old man," Petunia said, "Dumbledore... or whatever. He said you were required to stay with us for a few weeks this summer."
Harry sighed. So Dumbledore had contacted the Dursleys, huh? He had probably hoped that the Dursleys would force Harry to go home with them, even though he was Emancipated. What Dumbledore didn't know is that the Dursleys would jump at the chance to be rid of Harry.
"Well, he was wrong," Harry said, "I suppose this is goodbye now."
"Do you have anything you need to get from your old house, Harry?" Emma asked. "We could go there first."
"Nope," Harry said, "I have everything with me."
Vernon stared at Harry for a moment, then looked around at the others he was with. Harry thought Vernon might make a fuss about having to bother to drive from Little Whinging to London for nothing. But he must have decided it was best not to make a scene, because all he said was a simple "See you later, boy. If we're unlucky." Petunia and Dudley both said goodbye... which Harry found odd, but shrugged it off. He responded in kind, then left with Tonks, Hermione and her parents.
He hoped it would be the last time he'd see the Dursleys. But he knew he just wasn't that lucky.