Harry Potter exited the Hogwarts Express incredibly nervous. Hermione pulled him into a full-body hug and he sighed but didn't relax, "They can't kill you Harry."
"They might try to," Harry said.
"Come on. Better to meet them now than later," she squeezed him and pulled back. Harry pushed the trolley and they exited the platform to find two dentists and two Marauders, all of whom descended on the pair.
"Hermione! You look different," her mother said.
"I had a bit of a growth spurt," Hermione answered; at least she'd grown two inches in height so she could at least attribute that to her growing. She and Harry were more nervous about other things that had changed but her parents didn't mention anything else as they all got into a car and headed toward Grimmauld Place.
"So any word on Malfoy?" Sirius asked.
"None he hasn't been back at school," Harry answered. "His trunk was taken away too."
"How were your sales?" Remus asked.
"Well the twins wanted to make a Chimaera-humping-Draco set but we refused," Hermione said. "We changed it to the Chimaera chasing Draco through the maze and once it corners him it leaps on him and begins licking his face like a dog."
"Still funny but without the penetration," Harry nodded. "And we made the Acromantula figure catch fire and roll through the maze chasing the champions. We sold out immediately and spent a large amount of time making more. But Hermione made sure we still studied."
"She wouldn't be Hermione if she didn't," Remus winked at her and Hermione raised an eyebrow before leaning into Harry who wrapped an arm around her out of habit. Their casual intimacy had Daniel Granger raising an eyebrow but a look from his wife kept him silent. He might have known about his daughter's relationship for nearing 11 months but he absolutely didn't like the thought of any boy dating his daughter.
Grimmauld Place looked amazing. Kreacher saw Hermione and promptly hugged her leg, "Thank you Miss Hermione thank you thank you thank you!"
"You're welcome Kreacher," Hermione said, patting him on the head.
"Great Miss Hermione knows Kreacher's name! Kreacher is humbled." Hermione glanced at her lover and the two Marauders who were obviously just shy of falling over with laughter. Dobby and Winky were beaming and she wondered just what exactly they were telling him about her.
"Kreacher I'm just glad that I could help you complete Master Regulus' last request." Kreacher beamed at her and she looked at the five others, "So how about a tour of this place. It's obviously well cared for." Kreacher stood up even straighter at the praise for his home. Harry loathed the hero-worship from Dobby but watching Kreacher react to Hermione he realized that it was rather amusing to watch. They made their way through the house.
The house only had four available bedrooms according to the elves. Hermione suggested she and Harry just share only to receive a glare from her father, "You are not rooming with a boy!"
Hermione looked at him, "Remus and Sirius have their own rooms and you and mum will obviously stay together. That leaves Harry and me to share. It's not a big deal. We've fallen asleep in the common room together before."
Emma helped her daughter out, "Dan it's for one night before we leave for France tomorrow."
"He's a boy."
"I'd hope so or I'd wonder why we're dating," Hermione said, earning a glare from her father, "Harry is my boyfriend and my best friend. I trust him with my life."
"I could sleep on the couch downstairs," Harry offered.
Dan Granger lit up at this idea but Hermione refused, "You spent ten years in a cupboard on a cruddy flat mattress. You're sleeping in the bed with me and that's the end of this conversation," she crossed her arms and glared at her father who flushed at her words. Hermione knew it wasn't exactly fair to bring up Harry's past to get what she wanted but she wanted to remind her dad that Harry wasn't just any boy.
"This isn't going so well so far," Harry told Hermione that night as they cuddled together.
"I'm just relieved that we only had to go through this tonight. My father won't dare say anything at the Delacour home." She kissed his jaw, "Are you excited?"
"Yeah. A little nervous and worried they might not respond well to you and then to our relationship but we've conquered dark lords so parents shouldn't frighten me."
"That's a good way to look at things," she said, her hand sliding down his torso.
"Your parents are in the next room."
"Silencing spells," she responded.
Harry gazed at Hermione for a moment and her hand stopped moving. He smiled. While the compulsion to shag was immense at times she never let it control her and he admired that. If their roles were reversed he was certain he would not have that same willpower. He turned to the other side of the bed and grabbed his wand, casting the silencing spells required. Hermione grinned and pushed him onto his back, "I love you," he said.
"I love you," she responded.
The next morning they woke and used the bathroom attached to their room to shower quickly before getting dressed and heading downstairs. Kreacher was making breakfast, "Oh Miss Hermione what is you wanting?"
Harry smirked and Hermione shot him a glare before answering, "Kreacher whatever you're cooking is fine."
The elf smiled and resumed his work. Harry kissed her, "I think it's cute that he cares what you think."
Hermione went for a subject change, "Are you excited for your first ever vacation Harry?"
"Very," he nodded. "Do you think your parents will kill me if I admire you in your bikini?"
"I'd personally be offended if you didn't," she smiled. Harry returned the smile as they sat down at the kitchen table together.
When the Grangers came downstairs they looked at the pair and again Daniel Granger's eyes darkened as he watched the closeness between the two. Emma elbowed him and he glanced at his wife who shook her head. He gave a heavy sigh as he sat down. "Good morning Daddy, Mum," Hermione said. She felt Harry tense and she squeezed his hand in support. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," Emma said, "Harry, please explain quidditch to my husband. He's very curious but Sirius and Remus couldn't explain it in such a way that he understood it."
"Sure," Harry nodded, "but I have tickets to a game while we're in France. Seeing it is different than hearing about it." Dan smiled at that in spite of himself. He really wanted to hate any boy dating his daughter but it was hard when Harry was so polite.
Sirius and Remus entered the kitchen and soon they were eating their breakfast and talking about how long it had been since they'd seen Fleur and Viktor who had returned to their schools a few days after the tournament was over.
After breakfast Winky, Dobby, and Kreacher took them all to the International Portkey Station where they were met by a French delegate who took care of arranging their luggage and taking care of passports and whatnot. They were herded toward the portkey point and Remus and Sirius offered up pointers for portkey travel to the Granger parents who looked quite frightened by the notion that they would not be flying on a plane. They all finally were given the all-clear and walked forward to take fold of the plastic hula hoop. Harry felt a familiar jerking sensation through his navel as they portkeyed away.
When they landed he stretched out his free arm and caught Hermione to help her maintain her balance. She leaned on him a bit but maintained her composure. "Thanks love," she kissed him as Remus and Sirius helped the two dentists upright.
"Everyone falls their first time," Sirius said. Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Bonjour and welcome to France," an official said, "Your passports?"
Hermione handed hers over and the official smiled when he saw her name, "Ah Monsieur Delacour's party. Please, come this way. Your things have already arrived."
They followed the man to a car. Standing next to the car was Fleur and her mother Apolline. Hermione grinned, "Fleur!" The two Veela shared a hug while Harry introduced the Marauders and the Grangers to Madame Delacour.
Emma was struck by the beauty of the two women. On any conceivable scale of beauty the two were off the charts. Hermione released Fleur and Emma noticed that the changes in her daughter's body were not dissimilar to Apolline Delacour. Emma had not believed her daughter when she said the change in bust size was a push-up bra. She felt disappointed that her daughter would alter her body with magic, ostensibly for Harry too. She'd hoped her daughter had more self-confidence and pride in herself than she apparently did.
They got into the car, which was a stretch limo, and settled in to talk. Hermione and Fleur alternated between French and English and Harry, who'd learned quite a bit of French over the past year, was able to speak it as well. The parents and guardians spoke politely but Apolline carefully watched the two muggles. Both seemed suspicious and she wondered just what they thought about their daughter's rather obvious changes. She and Claude would talk to them once they were all at the mansion with Mira there to also help them. Hermione and Harry would need people on their side which Apolline could count on Sirius and Remus for.
Once at the mansion their things were taken up to their rooms. Fleur winked at the young couple when she spoke about placing their things in 'their' rooms. Harry's nervousness grew and saw Hermione had tensed as Apolline led them into a study to talk. Mira was there and greeted Hermione with a warm hug, "How are you doing?"
"Okay considering the circumstances," Hermione said softly.
"We are here for you child," Mira promised. "And your young man is without a doubt not going anywhere."
Hermione smiled. Harry walked over to her and squeezed her hand, "Okay I'm ready," Hermione said, taking a deep breath.
Everyone was sitting at Apolline's direction after introductions to Claude and Mira had been made when Hermione squeezed Harry's hand, "Mum, Daddy, there's something I need to tell you. Just please, let us explain it."
"Oh my god you're pregnant!" Emma gasped.
"No I'm not Mum," Hermione said immediately before her father could get worked up at the thought. "No it's something else. And it's not something I'm ashamed of in the least." Hermione looked at Apolline and Mira for help.
It was Mira who spoke, "I met your daughter at the Quidditch World Cup. She did not know until I told her but I could see it instantly. Your daughter is Veela."
Apolline took over, "Veela are creatures of pleasure, daughters of Apollo. He blesses us with unique powers and abilities and watches over us."
"And those we love," Hermione said, squeezing Harry's hand. Harry smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
"My daughter is a witch though," Dan said, wondering just what they meant by 'creatures of pleasure' but not wanting anyone to confirm what he thought they meant.
"She is," Remus interjected. "I'm a werewolf but I'm also a wizard. Being a creature doesn't diminish our magical ability."
"Think of it as Hermione having a bonus set of powers," Sirius said. "Granted some are good and others are bad but that doesn't mean she's a dangerous creature. Unless you tried to hurt Harry or her. Then you're in trouble."
Hermione smiled at the Marauders. Emma was gazing at her daughter, "So all those physical changes are because of you being a Veela?"
She nodded. "They began on my fifteenth birthday with just a few changes. Others have happened since then. Veela have the ability to use allure to draw men to them or to paralyze them with lust. And we can turn into harpies and cast fireballs from our hands if we're angered."
Mira took over again, "We come into our power at fifteen. Controlling the allure depends on the person but accidental blasts of allure aren't uncommon among young Veela. And there is of course the sexual component."
Emma looked at her daughter, expecting her to blush in embarrassment, but Hermione hadn't. Harry spoke, "When we got to Hogwarts we finally had a conversation and Hermione told me about how things would change on her birthday. I wanted to ask her out anyway but I'd been worried that she wouldn't feel the same. When Hermione told me she was afraid she'd use her allure to possibly rob the boy she liked, me though she didn't say so right away, of his ability to choose his own girlfriend I decided to just ask her out. I was afraid that she'd worry she couldn't get a guy just for being her wonderful self so I swallowed my fear and asked her out."
"Harry was very understanding about everything from the possessiveness of the Veela to the intense sex drive. But there is a perk to the intense sex drive," Hermione said quickly. Keeping her parents calm was important, "Veela don't become fertile until we're in our thirties."
Emma visibly relaxed. Not risking becoming a grandmother anytime soon was a relief. Dan was nowhere near calm but, remembering his rather infamous blow-up when he learned his daughter was a witch, kept quiet.
It was Claude who spoke next, "I'm sure that this is much to take in. Veela often are faced with fear and discrimination. Until your daughter Fleur has never had a friend; she's known about her heritage since she was young but in our experience Veela tend to have a problem with making female friends; whether they know they're Veela or not. And it's unknown why some women are chosen and others aren't."
"You say chosen like someone blessed my daughter."
"We are the daughters of Apollo; it is he that blesses us and claims us as his own," Mira said.
Harry looked at Hermione to see that she was looking nervous. "Want to go for a walk in the gardens?"
She nodded and Harry glanced at Apolline before he stood with her and they exited the room. Apolline smiled as they left, "It is frightening to be honest about ourselves. Rejection is a common occurrence and fortunately your daughter has not had to witness much rejection though she's certainly faced bigotry."
Emma wanted to go to her daughter but seeing how she leaned on Harry for support she thought it best to let him take care of her daughter. Harry and Hermione obviously depended on each other for support and while she missed being that support she had to admit that Harry was a good replacement.
"You okay?" Harry asked once they were outside.
"It just brought back memories," she said. "When we learned that I'm a witch…well let's just say my dad didn't take it well. He was upset. My mother was relieved that there wasn't something wrong with me but…Daddy didn't take it well."
"I'm sorry love," he said, kissing her on the cheek.
"He just…I could tell that he's upset about this and I just can't go through that again. Every year in the summer he asks if I'm sure I want to go back to Hogwarts and not because of what I've gone through but because he doesn't want me to go."
Harry hugged her. Hogwarts without Hermione wouldn't be Hogwarts. Harry was certain if Hermione hadn't returned to Hogwarts he would've left too. She was the reason he enjoyed Hogwarts as much as he did and he knew that. "Where you go I go," Harry said.
"Have I mentioned how lucky I am to have you?" She asked, pulling him to her and giving him quite the kiss.
"No but if I get kissed like that when you want to show me then I'm going to make a point of reminding you to mention it more often," he grinned. Hermione rolled her eyes and playfully pushed him away. Harry growled and leapt at her and they rolled in the grass, laughing and just enjoying their time together.
Inside the mansion Emma had questions and Apolline and Mira answered them, Claude and the Marauders jumping in when they could. What struck Dan was how protective the Delacour parents and Mira Krum were toward Hermione; almost like she was their daughter instead of his. He didn't like that. He also didn't like how his daughter was so attached to her boyfriend. Still, he kept his mouth shut. After the talk was over they were led upstairs to their bedroom. Dan finally let his opinions out, "I don't like it. Acting like she's their daughter and they know better than we do. Knew she should never have gone to that bloody school. Now she'll never want to leave."
Emma sighed. She loved her husband but she knew that Dan didn't get it. Emma made an effort to learn about her daughter and magic. She read Hermione's history books and her spell books and potions books. Dan never tried to and was constantly telling Emma each year that that would be the year she wanted nothing more to do with the magical world. Emma disagreed. If trolls and basilisks couldn't dissuade her, her father couldn't do anything to get her to return to living a non-magical life. "Dan whether Hermione went to Hogwarts or not she would still be a Veela and still be a witch. And let me make something clear. Right now our daughter has a house full of support and love. No one cares more for her than Harry and if you do anything against him she will never forgive you. Harry is devoted to her and loves her. Answer me this question- Are you prepared to give up your relationship with your daughter because she's a Veela and a witch?"
"She's my daughter!"
"And everyone here knows that," Emma pushed, "They patiently explained to us about Veela. The people downstairs were far more accommodating to us than the professor who came to explain about Hermione being a witch. They didn't talk down to us, they didn't disrespect us. They want us to understand that our daughter is still our daughter. But you refuse to see that she is still Hermione." Emma moved to the window and looked outside to see a sight that made her smile, "Dan, come here and look outside."
Dan obeyed his wife, unsure what she was showing him. To his surprise, and pleasure, Hermione and Harry, the two Marauders, Fleur and Harry's friend Viktor, two little children who looked to be related to Fleur and Viktor, and Claude and Mr. Krum were all playing a game of footy. "Come on then," Emma said, taking him by the hand and leading him outside where they stood away from the two mothers who were watching the teams- Hermione, Remus, Fleur, Gabrielle, and Claude vs Harry, Sirius, Viktor, Yosif, and Sergei (Viktor's father).
Dan felt his chest swell with pride when his daughter scored a cracking goal some twenty yards out with Harry's fingertips not even coming close to the ball as he lunged for it in the top left corner of the goal. "I taught her that form," he said.
Emma pushed home her advantage, "She'll always be your daughter. Stubborn to a fault but loyal, strong, and determined like no other. We always wanted her to have friends and just have fun. Live outside of her books for a change. She certainly has that now."
Watching Remus lift up Hermione and swing her around as their team celebrated her goal he couldn't argue with that statement. His daughter's penalty kicks had been extraordinary because she'd just never fit in. Yet here in a magical mansion and with magical people she fit in perfectly. The sulking of Harry and how his daughter then shouted a taunt to him only to have him stick out his tongue in response made Dan smile. So long as he didn't walk in on his daughter shagging her boyfriend he could handle it. Harry was a nice lad who obviously loved his daughter and given what they'd learned about Harry, from his letters to them as well as from what Hermione had told them over the years, the lad could certainly use all the love Hermione obviously had for him.