Chapter 17
Harry and Hermione eventually joined the queue for food, she wanted to drag him upstairs but Harry reminded his wife she was eating for four and couldn't skip meals.
Hermione retorted that he just wanted to sing in front of all their guests, this caused some nervous laughter from her husband.
Sirius approached and asked the question that everyone wanted the answer to. "How are you managing to free the elves?"
Harry gestured for everyone to sit; while they ate he explained what had been done.
"Tonight at midnight, a new law comes into force. Wizards who wish to employ elves must sign a contract with each individual elf they wish to retain. Should they not wish to sign, the elf goes free and the wizard is compensated with ten thousand galleons per elf."
The entire company was shocked at the sums of gold involved as Harry continued, "If an elf under contract is mistreated they can legally leave with no compensation paid as the wizard is deemed to have broken the contract."
"How the hell did you ever get this past the Wizengamot?" blurted Remus
Hermione gave a smile that looked more wolfish than Remus, "pure greed! Quite a few families have more than one elf. They could let the oldest go, collect the compensation, leaving the remaining elf to complete all the work. Just a pity everyone stopped reading the second gold was mentioned. They should really have read all of the proposal." Her smile was now positively terrifying.
Sirius now looked proud of his young marauders, "Ok pup, spill it!"
"You know we believe in choice so each elf has the choice to stay or go. If they decide to leave, the wizard has no veto but gets paid the compensation. Winky reckons between twenty and thirty want to stay where they are, the rest will become Potter elves." Said Harry
"How is that any different?" asked a bemused Neville
It was Winky who answered, "Neville, I have met both elves staying at your house and they are very happy but that is the minority. In some houses they are used for target practice. Potter elves are free! The spell that held us captive has been broken. It may take a generation or two before elves revert to their natural form but it has begun."
Dobby reiterated, "Elves don't need possessions but love to work. Stag Industries have set us free, supplied everything we could ever need and allowed us to choose the kind of work we like. This is the greatest day in our history."
Hermione explained, "These two are in charge of liaison with the elf community. Elves have the option of working at Hogwarts, the ministry, St Mungo's or any of the other projects we have running. Anyone abusing a Potter elf answers to us."
Winky looked at the young witch with adoration in her tear filled eyes before speaking, "the elves know they are free but want to be associated with house Potter as a mark of respect to the wonderful couple who made this possible. We wear our tunics with pride, not because someone forces us to."
Dobby was nodding in agreement with his intended, "we elves get to live our dream while Stag Industries receives the most dedicated group of workers in the world."
Harry placed an arm around each elf, "the minute building work is complete at Hogwarts, construction of the elvin village will begin. It will be built to their own design and even contain shops selling elvin goods. That potion they brewed for me was the best thing I've ever taken. Who knows what we could learn from our elvin and goblin friends."
The guests had started arriving and Ginny thought she was hallucinating. "What's Charlie doing here?" she asked.
"That's professor Weasley to you. He's the new care of magical creatures teacher at Hogwarts." Smirked Harry
Ginny let out a rather unladylike squeal before quickly kissing Harry, kissing Neville, hugging Hermione, kissing Neville, embracing Winky and Dobby, kissing Neville again before running and launching herself into Charlie's arms.
"Tut tut, a professor hugging a student" said George
"I wonder if McGonagall knows what she's employing here?" asked his twin
"I don't know," answered Charlie "but if they're all as beautiful as this wonderful young witch, I may have to resign before the week is out."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but my heart has already been captured. Even the most handsome professor in Hogwarts is no temptation." She laughed
"Oh sorry! Couldn't help overhearing, you mention me my lady." Said a smirking Sirius
"You jest of course Padfoot, the beautiful young lady was obviously referring to my good self." Proclaimed Remus while trying not to laugh
Ginny soon had everyone laughing by stating in all seriousness, "poor Hogwarts, she just wont know what hit her."
Taking Ginny's exuberance as one end of the emotional scale, Neville's reaction to the vision confronting the young wizard was the polar opposite. He was absolutely positive his seer abilities wouldn't compare favourably with the whomping willow's but knew in his heart this spelled trouble. His gran had just entered, chatting somewhat excitedly to professor McGonagall.
The headmistress made clearing the throat noises to get peoples attention. "Ah good evening everyone. I would like to introduce you to our new history of magic teacher, professor Longbottom."
Ginny and Neville felt as if the whole world was against them. Finding some time alone in a broom cupboard was always going to be difficult with the twins, Sirius and Remus at Hogwarts. When Charlie and Neville's gran were added to the equation it was going to be bloody imposable!
Harry and Hermione couldn't help their smiles, knowing exactly what the young couple were thinking. It also helped knowing that Ginny and Neville would be doing nothing more than handholding, with the occasional kisses for the foreseeable future.
They considered Neville a perfect gentleman but Ginny had a wild side to match her red hair. The more she was told not to do something, the more she rebelled against authority. Denying them opportunities seemed to be the best way to prevent them taking a step neither was ready for.
The ball was in full swing with music supplied by a mixture of wizard band and muggle disco. The combination of magical decoration and disco lighting was mesmerising.
Harry and Hermione were going round the hall, chatting to groups and making time to talk to the Abercrombie's, Griphook and the younger members of house Potter.
Later, as they were dancing Hermione whispered in his ear, "I think it's time you paid your debt, Potter."
Harry nervously nodded his head while his wife led him to the stage. As the music finished Hermione took the microphone and made an announcement.
"Good evening everyone! Please don't worry; there will be no speeches tonight. My husband, in his wisdom, made a bet with me. Of course he lost."
There was loud cheering and cat-calls at this
"Now as payment for loosing the bet he has to sing, right here, in front of everyone. It gives me great pleasure to introduce, the one, the only, HARRY POTTER!"
He took the stage to wild screams and chants of encouragement, the disco unit had a built-in karaoke function so Harry inserted a CD and started his act.
Harry strutted about the stage while singing
It's a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic
A kind of magic
Harry was now in full Freddie Mercury mode
One dream one soul, one prize, one goal
One golden glow changed what could be
Two spells of light that saved the day
The ugly dark tosser was blown away
Both were so into the performance that they didn't notice the feelings of unease that started radiating from the guests
The voice that sings inside your mind
Is loving you for the rest of time
The waiting seems eternity
The day will dawn of sanity
This reign that lasts a thousand years
Will soon be gone
The unease had escalated to dissatisfied mutterings
This flame that burns inside of me
Is fuelled by sexy Hermione
It's a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic
It's a kind of magic
Harry ended the song on his knees in front of Hermione and kissed her. Their guest's applause was sporadic to say the least but again, they only had eyes for each other.
While they were kissing, a very angry Emma Granger, her husband trailing in her wake, steamed right over to the couple and hissed, "I want a word with you two, in private, NOW!"
The four set off to find an empty room and no sooner was the door closed than Emma exploded. "What the bloody hell was that all about? Have you lost your mind? I have never been so ashamed of my family in my entire life."
To say that the Potters were gob smacked would have been an understatement.
"Mum, I didn't think Harry's singing was that bad?" said Hermione
Emma was ready to let rip when her husband's hand reassuringly squeezed her shoulder, signalling that he would handle it.
Dan said, "I don't know what you were trying to achieve out there but I'll tell you how it was perceived. Harry strutted up and down the stage boasting about killing someone."
Harry and Hermione were turning grey as Emma hammered home the point. "Almost everyone in that room lost a relative recently and you just rubbed their noses in it on Christmas Eve."
She was fighting to get her temper under control before saying something she'd regret, "can you please arrange for us to be taken home?"
Hermione replied, "we had hoped to spend Christmas at Potter Manor. Your things have already been moved to a guest suite."
"I think we need a break from the magical world. I would like to return to our own home." Emma said as the Grangers left the room.
Hermione didn't know whether to cry or scream as she watched Harry arrange with Dobby for her parents and gran to return home. Outwardly, Harry projected an image of being in control, no matter the situation. Inwardly he wasn't that far removed from the child being locked in the cupboard under the stairs.
It had taken an immense amount of courage for Harry to get on that stage, her parent's remarks had left him shattered and near to tears.
Had anyone else spoke to her husband like that the wrath of Hermione Potter would have rapidly descended upon him or her? This was her parent's though, who liked Harry. Could we have got it so wrong?
Harry was explaining to Dobby that he wanted the Grangers protected around he clock when they were interrupted.
A knock at the door announced the arrival of a very nervous Ginny and Neville, 'more bad news' thought Hermione.
"Hi Guys, can I talk to you a minute?" asked Ginny
"Sure Gin, what's up?" asked Harry
"It's rather delicate and I don't know how to ask." Mumbled Ginny
"Just come right out with it, things here couldn't get much worse," said Harry
"Well my five brothers are getting together tomorrow for Christmas dinner and have invited Neville and myself. The thing is our father is being released for the day and has asked to see me. You two have been brilliant and I love you more than words can say but I still have issues and I need to take them up with him." Ginny said the full speech without ever raising her eyes from her shoes.
Harry and Hermione both enveloped her in a hug. "Ginny, it's so much better to deal with these problems than let time erode your relationship. Enjoy your day and we'll discuss what's happening later." Harry's final words confused Ginny but before she could question him, Hermione jumped in with one of her own.
"What did you think of Harry's singing?"
"I didn't understand it, Harry is a good singer but why the Draco Malfoy impersonation? Sorry Harry, it must be a muggle thing." Stated Ginny, while Neville nodded in agreement.
Harry sank to his knees with his head in his hands muttering, "how could I have been so stupid?"
It was as if someone had switched on a light as Hermione realised the mistake they had made.
Anyone raised in the muggle world would have recognised the Freddie Mercury impersonation but their guests were almost all purebloods. Her mother and father only listened to classical music; to them, Gershwin was heavy metal.
The whole hall missed the point and now probably thought that Harry was some arrogant prick, they needed to speak to Narcissa quickly.
Narcissa thought she was at a tennis match as Harry and Hermione finished each other's sentences.
"I decided to copy a famous muggle singer" started Harry
"But we forgot the audience was almost all pureblood"
"I changed the lyrics slightly"
"We have already lost five members of house Potter"
"And hoped this would make any others think twice"
"Since no one had heard the original"
"They think I wrote it, Merlin I must have looked like a right arrogant arsehole"
"Which of course he's not, so what can we do?" finished Hermione
Narcissa shook her head to clear her brain from the duo's rant. She could see the problem and two solutions, neither of them all that appealing.
"Ok, you can do nothing and they might take it as a warning or try explaining, though you could appear weak."
There really wasn't much of a choice.
Martha Flint had never been so angry, considering what she just came through that was really saying something.
She had been dragged to the kitchens and placed in front of a sink full of dirty dishes. Martha had shouted, screamed and swore at the elves but they just ignored her. There were wards in place, preventing the raging witch from moving away from the sink but there was no way she was washing dishes.
After standing for a few hours, hunger forced the witch to ask a passing elf for something to eat. His reply, "no work – no food" left her shocked.
Last night's imprisonment had not lent itself to overeating and her period of mourning had very little food in it. Martha Flint was very hungry.
About two hours later the elves sat down to a meal, the aroma's of which were making her mouth water.
Martha watched them eat and chat amongst themselves while considering her options.
She could continue to stand here, doing nothing and starve to death or wash the dishes, earning a meal. She rolled up her sleeves.
After finishing one of the best meals she'd ever tasted an elf led her to a bench where others were preparing vegetables. She sat grating carrots while listening to the elves chat amongst them selves.
Their opinion of the Potters was only surpassed by an elf named Winky.
After a few days she had graduated to cooking which made her so proud until realising her situation. It was the following night, lying in bed when it struck her that she had enjoyed cooking today.
When Martha was returned to the main area she was almost sorry to be leaving.
As she saw Angela the difference was amazing, her daughter was talking confidently amongst friends with a young man by her side. Was this really Angela Flint?
When they caught each other's eye, neither was sure what to do next but when Angela came over and hugged her mother, both of them ended up crying.
Discovering they were invited to a Christmas Eve ball at Potter Manor was a bit of a shock, with no age limit on this one the younger Zabini's were going and could speak of little else.
Hearing that their mother was the new head of Slytherin was an even greater shock. The Potter's weren't just letting them work; they were handing out positions of immense responsibility.
Being approached by Narcissa to arrange an interview with the intension of discovering what Martha wanted to do with her life was another eye-opener.
Here was a woman whose husband and son were amongst the Dark Lord's most fanatical supporters yet the Potter's had made her their private secretary! She was beyond confused.
Martha was beginning to wonder if the Potter's were different, they certainly had changed the magical world. By the time the ball came round she had made up her mind to align herself with them and then that disgusting display had left her feeling sick. She couldn't believe falling for the hype of that arrogant prick. Here they come again, I wonder what bullshit he's going to hit us with now?
Harry and Hermione made their way to the stage and asked for quiet.
"Hi everyone, I feel I must apologise for earlier. It was a bad case of misjudgement on my part. I was copying a famous muggle entertainer without realising nobody here had ever heard of him. We are going to try something that's never been done before" said Harry, taking hold of Hermione's hand
He held out his hand, closed his eyes and a projection of Freddie Mercury appeared in front of them singing 'kind of magic'.
The entire audience looked on in stunned disbelief, the projection was practically a carbon copy of what Harry had done earlier.
Narcissa was watching the reactions of the guests and it was working on two levels, they could now see what Harry had been trying to achieve with his singing. Add to that the awe at the power required achieving a projection, never mind not using a pensieve, he wasn't even using a wand!
When it finished the crowd went nuts.
Harry and Hermione were mobbed while congratulations were coming from everywhere.
The guests were all thinking along similar lines to Martha Flint, most of them here tonight had tied themselves to Harry and Hermione in one form or another. The thought that their leader could be an arse had been extremely worrying.
The euphoria was mostly relief that the chosen one didn't have feet of clay and the whole incident has been a cultural misunderstanding.
Nowhere was the relief welcomed than with Harry and Hermione, they had made a serious error of judgement but recovered the only way they knew how. By admitting their mistake, apologising and trying to rectify it.
The twins, who had Alicia and Angelina as their dates, pulled them into a corner.
"Just the people we want to talk to," said Fred
"Could you please explain why we got invitations with Stag Industries employee stamped on them?" asked George
"C'mon guys, you know I already asked you to work on the muggle devices. What's the problem?" Harry returned
"You mean we get paid to take things apart?" a stunned Fred asked
Hermione took over, "you are employed in the research and development branch of Stag Industries. A salary will be paid and a percentage of any commercial discoveries you make. Everyone here knows your dream but we think you will find this more enjoyable, if not you will have enough gold to make Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes a reality. We think you two are geniuses and are prepared to back it up with gold."
Everyone laughed as the red headed twins grabbed Hermione and spun her round, everyone except Harry who froze them in place before releasing his wife from their embrace.
He then released the twins and apologised, "sorry guys, Hermione is carrying triplets so no spinning, no throwing her into the air and absolutely NO pranks."
The overjoyed twins grabbed Harry, spun him round and just to show there were no hard feelings, they caught him after throwing the young wizard in the air.
They then proceeded to kiss Hermione's hand in an overdone show of chivalry that this time did had everyone laughing.
"If you two can constrain yourselves for a moment, we hope you will stay with the company where you could earn some serious gold and help us change the world at the same time. Give it a few years and you could open shops all over the world." Harry could see the excitement on the twin's faces; he knew the first invention from the dynamic duo would have them hooked.
Their dates were busy congratulating Hermione who promised them any help they could with whatever career the decided on. One word from Harry could get them a trial with just about any Quidditch team in the country. The difference with Harry was he would get them a trial, it was then up to the individual to be talented enough to make the team. He would never ask for someone to be employed if they weren't capable.
Martha Flint approached the Potters and asked for a word, "My Lord and Lady I would like to apologise for my behaviour…"
"Not necessary Mrs Flint, that was a very bad day for all of us" said Harry, stopping Martha in her tracks
"Well at least let me thank you for the treatment of my daughter, I've never seen her happier"
The young witch in question had a massive grin on her face as Blaise was currently whisking Angela round the dance floor. Crabbe and Goyle had also never been off the floor, behaving like perfect gentlemen they had danced with half the young witches in the room.
"She just got treated the same as everyone else, we heard from Narcissa about your idea and you have our full support," said Hermione
"Yes, there will shortly be a very large client base for a good restaurant but I would advise a few trips into the muggle world just to see what's on offer out there. It should serve different food from the Leakey Cauldron," advised Harry
Martha's head was spinning, not only had her idea been listened to but had just got the stamp of approval. She gushed out some form of thank you before finding a seat beside the punch bowl.
Narcissa appeared at her side and handed the shocked witch a brandy, "they really are quite a pair and I thought you would need this after speaking to them, I know I did."
Hermione informed Harry over the bond that she needed to get out of here, they said goodnight to a few people, checked that everything was ready for the influx of elves before retiring to the master suite.
Hermione couldn't have told anyone the first thing about their room as tears blinded her eyes. Harry helped her into the bathroom before carrying his distraught wife to bed.
She lay and sobbed into his shoulder for ages and they had to communicate by their bond, Hermione was incapable of speech.
'Oh Harry, why did they have to storm out like that? We never even got a chance to explain.'
"I don't know love, I haven't exactly got a lot of experience here'
Harry regretted it the second the thought was out as Hermione cried even harder. The big disadvantage with communicating through their bond was you didn't get that extra second to decide not to say something. As soon as you thought it, it was gone.
'Oh I'm sorry sweetheart, I know you're just as hurt as I am'
He just held his wife tighter, pouring all the love he had over their bond before she calmed down enough to speak, "Harry, I don't want to go to the ball tomorrow, I think we should just bring our plan forward."
"Are you sure love? What about mum and dad?" he asked gently
"I don't know Harry, at the moment the only thing I'm sure of is that I want you to hold me and never let go," so he did as his wife asked, eventually Hermione fell asleep crying in his arms.
At the Granger household the scene was being repeated with Dan comforting a crying Emma as she fell asleep in her husband's arms.
Chapter 18
The wizarding community awoke on Christmas morning to a new world; doubts in anybody's mind were blown away by the screaming headline on the front page of the new, believable Daily Prophet.
Goodwill To All Men – As Long As They're Pureblood Wizards!
The headline was just the beginning of the shocks contained in the special edition; a factual account of the events from the ministry ball followed but it was the editor's column that had to be read at least twice to make sure someone had actually written it.
The Wizarding World and our part in its Downfall!
By Rose Parkinson
Last night I sat at the Premier Event in our world and was ashamed. Not at the courageous decision of the medal winners to either return or refuse their awards, but at the reason for their actions.
Daniel Granger, like his daughter has a very entrenched set of ethical and moral convictions. These would not allow him to accept his award when he could see first hand the disrespect most of the audience had for the Lady Gryffindor.
It is with a deep sense of shame that I can report to hearing the phrase 'uppity md' on more than one occasion at the ball, although it didn't escape my notice that this, and worse were all said well outside the hearing of Lord Gryffindor.
It should also be noted that the reason none of the pureblood elite spoke these words in front of the Gryffindors was their sense of self –preservation (cowardice) and unwillingness to spend Christmas in St Mungo's.
When I undertook the running of this newspaper it was on the understanding that it would print the truth so here it is.
The Gaunt's were the last surviving heirs of Salazar Slytherin. Pureblood paupers who's inbreeding had left the son, Morfin and daughter Merope, to put it kindly 'not marriage material'.
Young girls will always have dreams and Merope's turned to the handsome squires son, Tom Riddle. She managed to slip the unsuspecting muggle a love potion and they ran away together.
After some months the simple girl deluded herself into believing his potion-induced declarations of love were genuine and stopped administering it. Needless to say, without the potions influence Tom fled back home.
Merope was left pregnant and later died in a muggle orphanage, shortly after giving birth to a son she named Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Why should this concern us I hear you ask well here's the reason.
Below this comment, the letters from Tom Marvolo Riddlerearranged themselves into I am Lord Voldemort.
This is the creature that my husband used to voluntarily kneel before, kissing the hem of his robes and drooling over his every word.
This illegitimate half blood psychopath demanded unquestioned obedience as he slaughtered anyone who stood in his way while he sought power and immortality.
This is the creature that fired the killing curse at a one-year-old baby, Harry Potter who banished the self-proclaimed dark lord.
The same dark lord who attacked an eleven-year-old Harry who, with assistance from the girl he married banished him once more.
Voldemort tried again the following year with a sixty-three foot Basilisk by his side and was still no match for Harry and Hermione who thwarted him for the third time.
The young couple finally defeat the abomination and, due to them binding their souls to his life force, all his marked followers died as well.
After ridding our world of this blight what have they demanded? Power? Wealth? Adoration? No, both privately refused Order of Merlin's and all they have ASKED is to be left alone to enjoy their life together.
And how has our world responded to this request?
Twenty Aurors sent to bring them before the full Wizengamot under trumped-up charges of underage magic.
Their wedding ceremony attacked.
Continual and scandalous whisperings behind their backs, all centred on their unworthiness due to blood status.
Voldemort demanded treatment that would make a deity blush with embarrassment but the purebloods flocked like sheep to worship at his alter.
The Potters want nothing and have introduced the concept of choice to many who had none, yet the same sheep-like purebloods now bleat continually about the unfairness of a system they invented.
The dictionary definition of bigotry is 'stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.'
How many readers will be honest enough to admit this applies to them I found myself wondering and then felt the shame of realising it had applied to the writer as well.
The use of past tense is not a mistake as my eyes are now open to the harm this prevailing attitude is doing to our world.
Muggles first walked on the moon in the late nineteen sixties, have invented wonderful forms of entertainment and now most carry devices allowing instant communication to anywhere on the planet, while we wizards still tie pieces of parchment to the legs of birds.
Our bigoted views that other cultures have nothing to offer, far less improve our lives will be the death of our society as it stagnates under unjust laws born out of predigest and fear of the unknown.
I am a pureblood witch who has come to resent, even hate the bigoted baggage that goes along with that title therefore I, Rose Parkinson, of my own free will, publicly renounce my pureblood status.
I am proud to be a witch but no longer wish my birth status to determine how I am perceived in our society.
Rose had just made history as the first pureblood to renounce her status; she deliberately didn't mention her daughters as she was going to let them decide for themselves when they came of age. It was, after all, their choice to make.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione woke, still wrapped in each other's arms and, for the first time since they bonded, didn't know what to say to each other.
It was Harry who broke the awkward silence, "Merry Christmas darling," he said while kissing his wife.
"Oh Harry love, tell me last night was a bad dream and it will be a wonderful Christmas," cried Hermione.
"I honestly wish I could but it did happen and I have no idea how to fix it," Harry was almost crying with the hurt he felt emanating from his wife.
"I've never seen mum act like that before, we both know about the Granger temper but I wish she had stayed and sorted it out. A shouting match would have been preferable to them walking out like that. I was so looking forward to giving you a family Christmas and it just all fell to pieces." Hermione was now crying into Harry's chest.
"Hermione, as long as you're there, that's all that matters to me. Anything else is a bonus. Are you still planning on missing the ball?" he asked
"Yes, you changed my world the day we kissed. Hermione Jane Granger would have killed to accompany you to the Yule Ball. Lady Hermione Jane Potter Gryffindor is pregnant, with your triplets and has you for the rest of her life. I don't need to walk in that hall on your arm to boost my ego, the last time I tried that lives were lost." She was still crying.
Harry held her close and kissed her, while reassuring his pregnant wife, "that was not your fault and neither is this. Lets get a shower, breakfast, do what we have to do, then put our plan in motion."
Hermione gave him a weak smile, "I like that plan but you are going to have to carry me into the shower as I have no intention of letting you go."
"I like the sound of that," said Harry as he picked his wife up and headed towards the luxurious bathroom.
"I may as well enjoy being carried just now before becoming fat and ugly," said Hermione.
"You are carrying my babies and must put on weight but Hermione, you will always be beautiful," he said, wandlessly banishing their clothes before carrying her into the shower.
-oOoOo-
Sirius was first down to the table on Christmas morning, a big kid at heart he just couldn't help but be excited. In Azkaban, Christmas was just another day.
The image of a dementor, wearing a Santa hat while singing 'jingle bells' entered his head and brought a smile to his face.
'If I can smile about it, I must be getting better,' he thought and knew the reasons for that were currently still in bed with each other.
He remembered the first time he met Hermione, in the Shrieking Shack, standing by Harry's side and ready to fight a mass murderer for his life.
She is the smartest witch I have ever met; yet the hat had placed her in Gryffindor because her bravery outmatched her brains, now that is just scary!
When they both returned to save his life, his opinion of the couple was sky high and everything he'd seen or heard since has only reinforced his belief that here was what the wizarding world had been crying out for, leadership.
His relationship with Dan and Emma had been great; they'd hit it off that first night and laid the foundation of a lasting friendship based round their young charges.
This made last night's events even harder to understand, he was no expert on the Granger's but even Hermione seemed to think this was totally out of character. Even he knew of the Granger temper but walking away left everything unsolved, on Christmas day to boot.
He hopped Hermione had a handle on it as Harry had no experience whatsoever in resolving family conflicts.
Just then the post owl delivered the special edition of the Prophet and Sirius, like most of the wizarding world, sat amazed while reading.
It was after turning the page and absorbing the next article that Sirius found himself on the floor, howling with laughter. This would certainly not be the typical response to the piece entitled:
House Elves Free – Elvin Nation Formed
The article then gave the details that Sirius had heard last night but it was the last paragraph that had him helpless with laughter.
Elves will still be available for hire from Stag Industries for special functions. Anyone requiring information regarding hiring costs or conditions for an event should contact Dobby or Winky Potter. Appointments can be made via Gringotts Bank.
Sirius was imagining his late mother's reaction to having to go to Gringotts, ASK a goblin for an appointment to see an elf, she would then have to ASK if she could hire some elves for her New Year Ball. The image was complete when a smiling Winky answered, "piss off you bigoted old bat!"
Oh this was a prank worthy of a Marauder, no he had to be honest this was a level above Marauder. This opened up a whole new genre of pranking - this was a SuperPrank!
The thought of all those pureblood matriarchs having to sit politely, negotiating with Winky or Dobby had tears of laughter running down his cheeks.
They really needed a way to record those conversations; a fortune could be made selling them.
This was how everyone found him as they came down to breakfast.
Harry and Hermione entered, literally stepping over Sirius and sitting down to breakfast. Sirius, unintentionally, had really lifted the mood of everyone gathered around the table.
The morning group for breakfast in Potter Manor consisted of two elves, two Marauders and three Potters who all decided that breakfast would come before presents.
Remus couldn't help but ask where Rose got all her information for the editorial.
"She got most of it from us," said Harry, "we also gave her a load of documents belonging to the former headmaster as she wanted to write a piece on the real manipulative old bastard."
"Yes," chipped in Hermione, "there are still some out there who are fooled by all his fancy robes and even fancier wand movements when you're not looking."
"So this really is accurate?" the werewolf asked.
"She may have let the writer in her surface a little bit but a love potion was used and all the names and events are accurate," confirmed Harry, having read the notes himself.
After breakfast everyone was aware that two of their number were missing but nobody mentioned them in an attempt to keep alive the spirit of Christmas.
Most of them were in a far better place physically, emotionally and financially than at this time last year so it was not too difficult a task being jolly.
It was time to hand out the gifts from under the tree.
Harry and Hermione gave the elves a small package that when opened contained two gold rings.
"These are Potter family wedding rings and we hopped you would use them at your bonding, we consider you both part of our family and couldn't be happier for you." Explained Harry
Dobby answered shyly, "before, an elf had to ask their masters permission and that was it, we have no tradition of bonding ceremonies and are unsure how to proceed."
A smiling Hermione as usual, solved the problem. "Traditions have to start somewhere, why not with you two?"
It was a beaming Winky, who took the imitative, removing a ring from the box and slipping it onto Dobby's finger said,
"Here, in the presence of our family
I offer this ring as a token of my love
I give you my heart, body and soul
And enter into the bond of life mate
Wanting to be by your side for the rest of our lives"
There wasn't a dry eye anywhere as Winky poured her very soul into her vow to Dobby
"I have been blessed to know some special people
And most of them are in this room
But to me, Winky you outshine them all
There has never been anyone as special as you
And though I feel unworthy I gladly accept the gifts offered
I offer everything that I am in return
I, Dobby, enter into the bond of life mate
With the promise to worship you till the day I pass from this earth"
As Dobby placed the other ring on Winky's finger they kissed, clapping and cheering broke out amongst their friends.
"Well I think we should all just head down the pub and leave the happy couple in peace, how the bloody hell are you meant to follow that?" asked a laughing Sirius
"Please ignore the mutt, he's barely housetrained." Said Remus, "Seriously though, I am delighted that you consider me family and honoured to have witnessed this here today. Now another tradition that you have to adopt is kissing the bride!"
Remus kissed a blushing Winky and shook Dobby's hand; everyone soon repeated this.
Harry then handed Remus a gift, he unwrapped a sign that proclaimed 'Lupinville' and gave the couple a puzzled look.
"That's our suggestion for your village, the land is on the other side of the valley and building work can start on completion of the elvin project. The land is in your name and the ministry has no jurisdiction there, it will be up to you and the werewolf community to set up laws and enforce them. Design the houses to meet your specific needs and they should be ready February/March." Said Harry to an obviously overcome Remus.
Hermione continued, "Wolfsbane potion should be available shortly, as will more jobs as different projects come on line. Anyone out there needing help now gets it, we can sort everything as we go along."
An openly weeping werewolf asked, "have you any idea what this will mean to these people?"
Hermione hugged him while answering, "Remus, a job and a home is everyone's basic right. We are only doing something that should have been done years ago. Any werewolf wishing to attend Hogwarts will be welcome, with their village so close the children will be able to go home for their transformations and the potion will help."
Remus could only nod at these two people who had radically altered magical Britain in such a short space of time, his mind was running flat out trying to find the words to describe the couple but they were so beyond anything he had ever experienced that 'unique' was the only thing he could think of.
Ginny unwrapped a long, hard case, which contained the most beautiful broomstick she had ever seen; it even had her name in gold along the handle.
Her whole face lighting up told Harry and Hermione they had got it right.
"Wow, guys! I've never seen a broom like it. What is this?"
"It's a prototype that will be on the market shortly, this is the first multipurpose broom. It's so new we haven't even named it yet." Said Harry
Ginny gave him a blank stare so Harry explained, "the four jewels embedded along your name change the handling characteristics of the broom. If you touch the first jewel with your wand the ride becomes so stable that even Neville or Hermione couldn't fall off."
This comment earned him a couple of good-natured smacks to the back of the head from both women in his life.
"The second puts it into chaser mode, seeker for the third and the fourth gives you incredible straight line speed – just don't try any fast turns in that mode."
Hermione presented her with another, much smaller box. "We got you this for two purposes, it's to try and remind you not to lose your temper. It's also a voice-activated portkey that will transport you to us no matter where we are, password is blue lagoon."
Ginny opened the box to find a gold bracelet with 'Ginny Potter' engraved on it.
"I totally understand if you don't want to wear it to dinner today but please wear it at all times after that," said Harry
Ginny hugged and kissed both of them.
Sirius opened his present and didn't know whether to laugh or cry, Remus had no such problems and promptly fell about laughing. Sirius was holding a door and a desk plaque, both bearing the legend 'Professor Sirius Orion Black, Head of Gryffindor House.'
"Are you two trying to make me responsible or something?" he cried
"Were even making you legal," said Hermione, handing him his animagus registration licence.
"We also got you these," Harry handed them both expensive designer watches, "both are portkeys that will take you to a certain unplotable tropical island where you might see some people you know."
"We'll explain later," was Hermione's answer to the puzzled looks.
Dobby and Winky gave Harry and Hermione a large wooden carving of the couple that was exquisite, a fantastic example of elvin artwork. While everyone was admiring the piece, it animated with both figures leaning into each other and kissing. None of them had ever seen anything to compare to this.
Remus gave them two photo albums full of pictures; one had the Marauders and Lily as they progressed through Hogwarts. The other was their own adventures of Hogwarts, including both of them with Buckbeak.
"How is this possible?" asked Hermione who knew that there were no cameras present at some of these events.
A smiling Remus replied, "we used a special camera that allowed us to take pictures inside a pensive, all we had to do then was collect memories"
Sirius present consisted of a box full of the weird and wonderful, the animagus diaries belonging to him and James defiantly fell into the wonderful category. A few 'bringing up baby' type books were accompanied by a wallet full of babysitting vouchers, redeemable anytime.
There were also three soft toys in the box, a black dog, a silver wolf and a stag. A weird collection of wizarding baby rattles and a few pacifiers thrown in for good measure completed the contents.
Ginny nervously handed over her gifts, she was so sure when buying them but now was full of doubts. How would they take it?
Harry opened the small box to find a gold ring with 'DAD' cut into the band, a glance at his wife showed a matching 'MUM' ring.
Both wore them proudly before hugging their daughter, tears for the missing was mixed with joy for those present.
Christmas hadn't been terrible after all.
-oOoOo-
The same sentiments were sadly lacking in the Granger household, Christmas cheer was in short supply.
Emma had cried herself to sleep and was now walking about the kitchen like a zombie, only one that kept bursting into tears.
On waking this morning, both had realised they had no way to communicate with Hermione or Harry and that was slowly eating away at Emma.
Christmas had always been her favourite time of year, yet she had ruined it for her family and had no idea why, the tears started again and she felt her husbands arm go round her shoulders and pull her close.
Amanda Granger sat at the table, nursing a cup of tea while watching her son comfort his wife. She let out an involuntary squeal as presents and a letter suddenly appeared on the kitchen table.
Emma reached for the letter with shaking hands and even had trouble opening it, she unfolded the parchment and read:
Dear Mum, Dad and Gran
Please excuse me if I don't do this right as I have never written a letter to my family before but I guess I should start by wishing you all a Merry Christmas.
I would like to thank you for pointing out my mistake last night, you made me realise that no one there understood what I was trying to achieve.
An apology and explanation was offered to all, with everyone seeming to enjoy the rest of the ball.
Hermione was, and still is upset that you felt it necessary to return home for Christmas, we understand you must have had a good reason but would have liked to hear it before you left.
I have sent our Christmas gifts, as we're not sure if you wanted to see us and here I feel I must apologise, the gifts were chosen under the assumption that we would all be together. We will of course exchange them for anything you wish.
Hermione and I are going to be leaving the country for a while but you can contact us by addressing a letter and leaving it on your kitchen table.
Will keep in touch.
Harry
As Emma finished reading, she collapsed sobbing onto the kitchen table. It took Dan five minutes to understand she was asking him to fix this as her sobs were drowning out her voice.
He kissed his wife on the top of her head before racing into the den for writing materials as Amanda tried to comfort the distraught Emma.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione appeared in a small park she knew well, next to the tree a younger Hermione used to read under, releasing painful and pleasant memories of a lonely childhood.
As they walked down familiar streets towards their destination Harry asked his wife, "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, it's something that needs to be done. We both know it can't wait but just stay close to me, please?" pleaded Hermione, her confidence needing his presence.
"Always!" said Harry as they approached the door, pressing the doorbell.
The door opened and Harry said, "Merry Christmas sir, could we speak to Carol please?"
Chapter19
Robert Burns was sitting in the living room with a smile on his face, while inside he was falling apart. It had all started to go seriously wrong when he heard the most hated word in any language, CANCER!
What made this a thousand times worse was the recipient of the terrible news, his daughter Carol had leukaemia.
That had started the worst six months of his life, he tried everything to help his daughter but seemed relegated to the role of spectator as Carol gradually lost her battle for life.
Robert could see she was loosing, a blind man could see she was loosing as the cancer and her treatment fought over her body.
His memory of a beautiful, bright, vivacious teenager bore very little resemblance to the frail, frightened waif who was trying to be cheerful for the sake of her family.
Carol sat on the sofa, wearing a baseball cap to hide the fact she had very little hair and wrapped in a blanket to combat the feeling of perpetual cold that nothing could seem to breech. She looked resigned to this being her last Christmas and seemed determined not to miss any of it.
His wife was in denial, her attitude was based on the assumption that she believed a miracle would happen therefore it would. Robert did not share his wife's belief but had never, ever wanted to be proved so wrong in his entire life.
His two sons were next to fall under his reflective gaze, thirteen-year-old Josh was very close to his sister and had been included in all family discussions pertaining to Carol's illness and treatment. Josh was putting on a brave front but his father could tell he was hurting, his son was a walking carbon copy of himself, in personality as well as appearance. Josh was hurting nearly as much as he was.
James was a seven-year old little scamp, his smiling eyes were used like a 'get out of jail free card' whenever the mischievous imp suffered the misfortune of being caught doing something he shouldn't be.
He was blissfully unaware of the impending doom about to decent on all their lives; his only concern seemed to be that Santa had forgot the expensive, must have toy that he changed his mind about last week.
How do you explain to a seven-year-old that money is tight because his sister is ill? The Burns family could never be described as 'well off' but they usually managed a comfortable standard of living. While the National Health Service meant no hospital bills, he still required numerous days off work, travelling to different parts of the country so Carol could receive the best treatment available.
His employers had been very understanding and allowed him any time off required; this had the unfortunate consequence of reducing his income as his expenditure increased.
With his overdraft and credit card maxed, Robert was really between the proverbial 'rock and a hard place' and if things didn't improve soon, their mortgage was going to fall into arrears as well.
Robert felt ashamed at considering finances while his daughter was so ill. He was enough of a realist to understand that even their strong marriage might not be able to weather the multiple hits of loosing their daughter, house and even his job.
There was deep-seated, mutual animosity between him and his wife's parents. The thought of having to live under their roof while trying to recover from the trauma of their loss only added to the feeling of being in an old movie, he was tied to the railway tracks with the express hurtling towards him and there was nothing he could do.
He was at his lowest ebb, losing all hope when the doorbell rang.
-oOoOo-
Hermione was barely listening as Harry spoke to Mr. Burns, she was about to confront one of the girls responsible for making her childhood a lonely one.
A tiny voice in the back of her mind, sounding uncannily like an eight-year-old buck-toothed bookworm she thought she'd grown out of, whispered that perhaps this was Carol's punishment for being so cruel to her.
Hermione's compassion immediately crushed this thought at the first sight of the sick girl; she rushed over, sat down beside Carol and began to gush.
"Oh Carol, I spoke to Tina at our wedding and she told me you were ill but it wasn't till we spoke to our doctor last night that we realised just how serious it was. He said we had to get in touch with you without delay so here we are. He also gave me this for you so here, drink it all." She said in a voice that brokered no argument.
Carol was so used to taking orders and medicine that she swallowed the potion before anyone else could offer any objections or ask questions.
Robert Burns exploded, "just what the hell do you think you're playing at…" he never got to say anymore as the upset father had made the mistake of reaching out to grab Hermione. Suddenly he found himself sitting in a chair, unable to move anything but his eyes.
"I apologise for my impetuses wife sir," said Harry calmly "I've noticed that since she became pregnant, Hermione has begun acting before thinking."
Hermione managed to blush with embarrassment and beam happily at the same time, noticing Carol's enquiring look she nodded her head. "We just found out, would you believe triplets?"
Harry had used the diversion to release Robert from his spell before providing the explanation, "we prefer to be called Harry and Hermione but under our titles of Lord and Lady Gryffindor we own a private clinic to help children that the health service can't. The medicine that Hermione gave Carol was provided by the head of our clinic with the instruction that there was no time to lose. We all need to be honest here and admit that Carol was almost beyond even our help."
Hermione took Carol's hand, "I'm sorry Carole but when I saw you I just wanted to get the medicine into you as soon as possible, I just didn't think."
Robert heard a sound he though had gone forever, his daughter actually chuckled with laughter.
"Hermione Granger not thinking? I never thought I'd here that. Tina told me you had changed but I had to see it for myself." She noticed the ring on Hermione's finger and gave her a questioning look.
Hermione actually laughed, "well, I'm Lady Hermione Jane Potter Gryffindor but the title I'm proudest of is 'mum'. We adopted a young girl who had a family catastrophe and needed someone to help. My wonderful husband has a saving people thing."
Harry was blushing as he answered, "which brings us back to why we're here, we have medicine for Carol to take over the next two days before heading for the Lily Potter clinic. Dr Abercrombie expects her to be in hospital between five and seven days, he also expects her to make a full recovery."
Robert had been released from the body bind but hadn't moved an inch, he had a million questions running through his head but it all came down to just one. So he asked, "can you really save my daughter?"
Harry gave a reassuring smile before answering, "yes, the doctor acquired her case notes and has assured us he can cure Carol. All we ask is that you keep any details of our clinic a secret. We will be helping as many children as possible while trying to get our treatments accepted into the mainstream market. Anything you see in a health shop with the Stag Industries logo, you have my word it will work."
Hermione continued, "we will market our products using terms like 'bring relief' or 'help with symptoms' when they will actually be providing cures. All our products are natural remedies that have existed for many years but had been lost or forgotten. Our scientists went to work, researching and refining until each product is as good as we can make it."
"Just how rich are you?" blurted out Carol.
Harry looked embarrassed, the Burns parents were mortified but Hermione just took it in her stride and answered as honestly as she could, "Well some people say the Queen is the richest person in the country and some say it's us. Personally, we've never counted it and tend to use the money helping as many people as we can."
Harry suddenly had a bag that no one had noticed earlier, he spoke to James first. "Santa asked me to say 'sorry' but he forgot to leave this under your tree earlier. He asked me to give you this."
James ripped of the wrapping and squealed as this week's 'dream present' was revealed, "Oh thank you sir, could you please thank Santa as well the next time you see him."
Harry then turned his attention to Josh, "and what can Santa get for you?" he joked.
He noticed the serious young boy was staring directly into his eyes before asking, "can you really help my sister?" Harry's nod, indicating yes had tears running down the boy's cheeks, "then please tell Santa thanks but that's the best present I could ever receive."
Harry put his hand on the boy's shoulder as he gave him a gift, "you're a very smart lad to realise that Josh, when you leave school come and see us. We like to have smart people working for us."
Josh opened his gift to find the new playstation; he looked at this strange couple in awe. He'd told no one that he wanted this, knowing his parents couldn't afford it at the moment but these two had came to his house, promised to cure his sister and were now handing out gifts that cost a fortune. Who were these people?
Hermione put her hand in Harry's bag, removing a gift for Carol. She took off the girls cap and gently replaced it with an exquisite wig that looked remarkably like her own hair.
Both parents and their daughter burst into tears, all for different reasons. Robert knew that the wig was purely cosmetic but after hearing she could be cured, the effect was like having his little girl back from the dead. His wife had just received the miracle she had prayed so hard for; she'd been keeping her emotions in check for so long that a release had to come. The fact they were tears of joy made her cry all the harder, she had hoped for this news, but not expected it.
Carol was crying for a different reason, she had to know. "Why are you doing this for me? We made your life hell all through school yet her you are, on Christmas day, saving my life and helping my family. I need to know why? Please?"
Harry stood beside his wife and took her hand, knowing this was hard for her.
"Yes, you made my life hell and yes, I hated you for it. Harry and I have seen where hate can lead and never want to travel down that road. I had intended to chat at the wedding and put it behind me but we all know what happened there. When I heard you were ill and I could help, there wasn't a decision to make. I would like to think, if the positions were reversed, you would do the same for me."
Hermione reached into Harry's bag again and removed a golden envelope, "Harry and I have some wonderful friends but there's always room for a couple more, this is an invitation for you and Tina to spend some of the Easter holidays with us. We're going away but our personal assistant, Miss Black, will be in touch and make all the arrangements. We hope you accept and we can all get to know each other afresh."
Harry handed Mrs Burns an envelope, she opened it and passed the contents to her husband. Robert couldn't believe his wife had just handed him a check for ten thousand pounds, he tried to give it back but Harry just shook his head.
"You heard my wife, the look on James face when he opened his present means more to us than that cheque. We also know what this could do for you and this family, please accept this and stop worrying about money."
The couple stayed a while longer, Carol and Hermione were chatting quietly while Harry was joining the boys with the playstation.
Robert could see the spark rekindling in his daughter's eyes, whether it was the medication, the wig, being given hope or a combination of all three he didn't care. Just seeing it there meant he owed this young couple a debt that could never be repaid. All they asked was to keep their location secret when he would have offered his very soul; there was hope for the world when it produced people like the Potter's.
-oOoOo-
Dan Granger was pacing up and down the kitchen while his mother looked on. Emma had gone back to bed for a lie down, she hadn't slept well last night.
The letter had disappeared the moment he placed it on the table, he just hoped they came by today. Dan had always wanted more children but after the difficult time Emma had carrying Hermione, the doctors had said it would be imposable to have any more.
Now he had a son and three grandchildren on the way, nothing was going to come between this family. Emma had asked him to fix this and that's exactly what he intended to do.
When the doorbell rang his heart sank, things may be worse than he thought if Hermione felt she couldn't enter the house she grew up in without permission.
He answered the door to find the young couple standing there, Hermione holding on to Harry's arm so tightly she must have been stopping the blood flow.
"Merry Christmas Mr Granger," said Harry.
Dan couldn't hide his disappointment, "what happened to dad, Harry?"
"After last night I wasn't sure where we stood sir," answered Harry.
Dan realised that Harry had no frame of reference here; his only experience of 'family' was those bloody Dursleys.
Dan dragged his son into a hug, "Harry, family's may argue but they always remain family son."
Hermione joined them in the hug, kissing her father as she wished him Merry Christmas.
They entered the kitchen and greeted Amanda with hugs and kisses before they were all seated, drinking cups of tea in deference to Hermione's condition.
Amanda asked where Ginny was and heard about the planned Weasley reunion.
"Where's mum?" Hermione asked.
"She went for a lie down, I don't think any of us slept well last night." Answered Dan
"And we all know why, a neurotic mother not only spoiled the ball but managed to ruin Christmas as well. I'm so sorry everyone," said a crying Emma from the doorway.
Dan made to rise but Harry's hand on his arm stopped him. Hermione rose and hugged her mother, "Merry Christmas mum, it's ok"
Emma was on a roll and would not be placated, "No it's not ok, this is your first Christmas as a couple and I've ruined it. We're all here without even a tree and the only food in the house is frozen macaroni." She sobbed.
Harry approached and took Emma in his arms, "mum, I'd gladly eat the macaroni, frozen even, if it means I get to spend Christmas with my family. Merry Christmas mum," he said while kissing her on the cheek.
Harry led her over to the table then sat down, content to watch the mother and daughter quickly repair any hurt that was done last night. He had never really noticed how similar they were, both were frighteningly intelligent and downright scary when angry, both had an innate sense of morality, compassion and the conviction to make a difference, and both were pregnant?
Harry bursting out laughing had everyone in the room staring at him, then Hermione's hand suddenly flew to her mouth as she realised what Harry was thinking.
The Grangers watched in confusion but when Hermione stood up and pointed her wand at Emma, Dan made to intervene. He was once again stopped by Harry's hand on his arm, "if I'm right you really need to be sitting down, trust me on this," said a smiling Harry
Hermione shot a faint yellow beam of light at her mother, which gathered at her abdomen before turning blue.
Harry slapped Dan on the back, "congratulations dad, you're going to be the proud father of a wizard."
It took a few seconds for the news to sink in, then Dan's eyes rolled in his head as he promptly fainted.
As Harry was levitating Dan through onto one of the couches, Hermione and Amanda were hugging Emma; the tears were flowing from all three.
Dan was coming round by the time the ladies decided to grace them with their presence, Harry was congratulating Emma when she asked him, "how did you know?"
"When we hugged I felt a tiny magical presence in the room, I wouldn't have felt it in the castle or manor because of all the magic in the background. Hermione and I share an identical magical signature so that left you or Amanda. I want to see in the New Year so I figured it was safer to test you first."
A cushion hit Harry on the back of the head, "hey gran, pregnant women here," he laughed
"Don't worry Harry, I never miss," answered Amanda.
Dan took Emma in his arms and proceeded to kiss her with such passion that only Hermione shouting 'children present' got them to stop.
It was Dan that asked the question that was on both of their minds, "how is this possible?"
Hermione answered before anyone else got a chance, "looks like you didn't do a very good job with 'the talk' gran, well when a man loves a woman…"
Emma just smiled, "ok Hermione, we probably deserved that but you know fine well that wasn't what your father was asking."
"In the past few weeks you have been totally immersed in the magical world and in constant contact with it's two most powerful users, namely us. Hermione and I had a worry that our bond was affecting those around us so it is entirely possible that our magic healed you." Hermione took over from Harry.
"You have also been staying in a sentient magical castle and the healing powers of phoenix tears are legendary. It could even be a combination of effects but the result is certain, mum is pregnant with a boy who will be magical." Hermione was extremely happy, she would now have her mum with her throughout their pregnancies.
"Well that at least explains last night," said Dan, "when she was carrying Hermione her mood swings were the stuff of legends."
"When a non-magical woman has a magical baby growing inside them it affects their moods and cravings. Oh Harry, we may have to change mums present," said Hermione.
Emma's mood changed again, "we should be celebrating but macaroni just doesn't do this justice."
"Mum, would you let us take care of it?" Harry asked, Emma's nod of agreement brought a smile to his face as he said, "guys!"
Six Potter elves immediately appeared in the living room, eager to please the people responsible for their freedom.
"Could we have dinner in an hour? Surprise us. Oh and something to drink in the meantime but non-alcoholic, due to the pregnant ladies here." He asked.
The elves all popped away; almost bouncing with excitement and moments later a punch bowl appeared on the centre of the table.
Dan made sure everyone had a glass before he made a toast, "Christmas is a time for families and we are delighted to welcome the Potters joining with ours. The thought that next year there will be another four of us fills me with so much joy I could be the first muggle to cast a patronus. Merry Christmas everyone."
The spiced, fruit punch was the best any of them had tasted and an excellent precursor to opening presents.
Amanda opened the black velvet box and couldn't believe the diamonds set in the necklace were real; her hands were actually shaking as she removed it, holding it up to the light. The way it sparkled confirmed her fears, it was real and when she put it on it made her feel like a millionaire. If she ever decided to sell it, she would be.
Harry got his promised set of custom made golf clubs, complete with the Gryffindor emblem engraved into the back of each club head. They were fabulous and even non-golfer Harry couldn't wait to try them out.
Dan opened his present, a book titled 'Worlds Greatest Golfing Holes.' As he opened the book, a gift certificate fell out. Dan looked at the certificate then glanced over at the kids who were smiling.
Emma read the certificate, "Welcome to Granger's Golf Course, a nine hole course designed by Daniel Granger."
The Grangers looked to the Potters for an explanation.
"Hermione and I are leaving to live on our island, we hope you will come with us and dad can design his own golf course. The elves will build it and we are planning cottages for them to stay. They will all take turns at staying there as that's about as near a vacation as we could get them to take."
Hermione continued flawlessly, "there's a twenty four bedroom house as well as a guest house and the choice would be yours, although Dobby and Winky are using the guest house at the moment for their honeymoon."
The Grangers all had that 'catching flies' expression but Harry kept going, "they were life bonded at breakfast this morning. Open your present mum."
Emma had a gold envelope that she was now afraid to open; they were all watching her as she pulled back the flap and removed a picture of a yacht. The word yacht didn't even begin to describe the ship in the picture; it was brilliant white with three decks and not a sail in sight. It was named 'First Kiss' and was the most beautiful object Emma Granger had ever seen.
She was about to show Dan the picture when she noticed writing on the back; it was a notice informing her that she had lessons in yacht handling and what exams she would need to pass before she could captain the 'First Kiss'.
Hermione knew her mother loved studying almost as much as she did and had always loved boats, "look inside the envelope mum," she said.
Emma found a dozen invitations to Potter Island, dated for Easter.
"We never got to meet your friends at the wedding so you can invite them to spend Easter with us. They will fly to a nearby island and then you can pick them up in the 'First Kiss', bring them to your children's island where dad can then clobber them on his own golf course." Harry could see the gleam in their eyes.
So could Hermione, "mum, dad, I know it's tempting to invite people who turn their noses up at you but I tried that and it's a very hollow victory. Besides, we have to spend a week with your guests!"
Everyone was laughing but Dan was shaking his head, "I can't believe how much you've grown up and, of course my brilliant daughter is right as usual. It's a much better idea to invite our friends, and it will make the bastards so jealous when they come back and tell everyone how good it was."
His language earned him a slap to the back of the head while Harry was on the floor with laughter. When he could eventually speak, his admiration for his father-in-law was there for everyone to see. "You need to tell Sirius and Remus that one, they'll make you the first Muggle Marauder."
Hermione opened her gift, which was obviously a book, but what a book! Her eyes nearly popped out her head when she realised what she was holding. "Where did you get this?" she whispered, in reverence to the treasure held in her hands.
"Godric told us where to find it and Winky got it for us. Do you like it?" her mum asked.
Hermione was speechless and could only nod, though her eyes never left what was now her prized possession.
Harry looked at the book in his wife's hands then looked at her parents, "are you serious? You just handed her the equivalent of the Holy Grail. The journal of Rowena Ravenclaw is a legend, no one even knew if it actually existed. 'Like' doesn't even begin to scratch the surface, you just gave my beautiful bookworm the greatest gift she's ever had."
Hermione actually spoke, "not quite love, you did that but this comes bloody close."
Her language told everyone what she really thought of the book that she hadn't even opened yet, in fact she put it away saying, "I have the rest of my life to study this but Christmas only comes round once a year."
Harry then gave Amanda and Emma bracelets while Dan got a wristwatch, after explaining they were portkeys and the activation words, they all promised never to take them off.
Hermione told her mum that the 'First Kiss' was the only way for non-magical people to access the island unless they had a portkey made by them.
Emma was a bit daunted with the task of captaining such a vessel until Harry pointed out it had so many charms on it, the 'First Kiss' could sail through a hurricane without getting it's paint scratched or making her passengers sea-sick.
The family chatted and the Grangers decided to put their affairs in order before joining the Potters for the New Year. With four magical children on the way it wasn't a hard decision to make and, with the portkeys they could come and go to please themselves.
An elf announced that dinner was ready before leading them through the kitchen and into the garden.
Snow was gently falling on the Granger garden and the whole scene was illuminated by hundreds of fairies and multicoloured floating candles.
A large table with a canopy magically suspended above it held so much food, its legs must be in danger of collapse.
They were all lost for words at the beauty of the scene when Harry and Hermione suddenly stiffened, "we're about to get visitors by portkey," he said.
-oOoOo-
Ginny was a nervous wreck with the waiting, they had spent some time with Neville's gran before meeting up with her brothers. They were all here except Percy who was bringing… She didn't know what to call him, dad was now Harry, biological father sounded clinical, Arthur or Mr Weasley sounded even worse.
She would just have to wing it, glancing down at her 'Ginny Potter' bracelet she silently promised to keep her temper. Percy walked in the room with the other guest and she immediately lost it.
"YOU BASTARD! How could you do that to us? Me, your one time daughter, Harry and Hermione who looked up to you." Ginny drew her wand and aimed a curse but her wand turned into a rubber chicken.
"Have you lost something Gin?" asked George while twirling her wand round his fingers.
"Can't have you hexing our guest now, can we?" laughed Fred
"Purely a precaution, you'll get it back later," said George, joining his brother laughing.
Ginny had her face in her hands crying when she heard the sound of laughter change to gobbling, she moved her hands to see two red-headed turkeys and an enraged Neville Longbottom.
"No one treats my Ginny like that," he raged. Grabbing Ginny's wand from where George had dropped it, he then proceeded to change Arthur Weasley into a skunk.
Ginny wrapped her arms round Neville while speaking to her brothers, "your presents are under the tree, I'm sorry but I'm not ready for this, I may never be ready for this. I'm Ginny Potter now and if I ever meet the bitch he married, I'll kill her. Blue lagoon."
With that they vanished leaving the three eldest Weasley boys stunned.
"Well that went downhill fast," said Charlie.
"Guys, I can understand changing the skunk back but can you give me a good reason why the twins shouldn't remain as turkeys for the rest of the day?" asked Percy.
Bill and Charlie both smiled at the splendid idea their younger brother had come up with.
-oOoOo-
Neville and Ginny appeared in the Grangers garden, the little redhead crying in her boyfriend's arms.
"I'm sorry, but as soon as I saw him I wanted to hurt the bastard as much as he hurt me. Does that make me a bad person?" the distraught young witch asked.
"Not to me it doesn't," answered Neville, "you were trying to bat bogie hex him, not cast an unforgivable. Look what I did and that was just because they upset you, does that make me a bad person?"
"Oh Nev, I thought you were wonderful," she said before giving a practical demonstration of just how wonderful she thought he was. Wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down into a deep kiss, oblivious to the people watching.
"If I don't find out what happened in the next thirty seconds someone is going to be so grounded," growled Harry.
"Sorry dad, just thanking my boyfriend for sticking up for me, you should have seen him, he was brilliant," said a non-crying Ginny.
They eventually got the story of the shortest Christmas dinner in history as Ginny tried to apologise to Harry.
"I tried to think before acting but the result was still the same," she said.
Harry just smiled, "I don't know how we would act either, Molly would at least need St Mungo's."
"Neville, what spells did you cast to transform them into animals?" asked Hermione.
Neville looked puzzled, "I didn't really cast any spells, I had my wand and was so angry that my magic did the rest. I don't even know a spell to do that."
"It might be a side effect of the magic we passed to you through Ginny, we'll try some tests in a few days. Since you obviously didn't get to eat Christmas dinner, I think we have enough for you to join us," said Hermione.
They had a great dinner and an even better time, laughing and joking with each other as the snow fell around them. The heating charm kept them warm as the garden was the only one in the south of England with snow on it.
Ginny and Neville had to leave and get ready for the ball, Neville couldn't believe the Potters weren't going to be there, Ginny was less than impressed with the news they would be going home with Neville's gran after the ball.
Both teens cheered up considerably with the news that they would be joining Harry and Hermione on a tropical island tomorrow, staying for the rest of the school holidays.
Ginny was ecstatic with the news that Emma was Pregnant, though had trouble getting her head around the fact that the baby would be her uncle.
After they left, no one wanted to go back inside and sat in the garden, watching the enchanted snow, thinking the only way this could be better was with a few children running around.
It was time for Harry and Hermione to leave, promising everyone would be together for New Year. The Grangers would be busy selling their practice and seeing friends before joining them. Amanda was going to wait until after she'd stayed there for a few days before making any final decisions.
After much hugging and kissing, Harry and Hermione left for their new home.
-oOoOo-
Later that evening, the young married couple were to be found walking barefoot along a deserted moonlit beach, the sound of the waves in the background.
Harry had an idea and, with a snap of his fingers, Hermione was dressed in a ball gown while he wore dress robes. Music started playing as Harry asked his wife to dance.
After a few minutes he said, "can I ask you something?" he took her nodding as a yes so asked, "do you regret not going to the Yule Ball?"
"Oh this is much better," she beamed "now its only fair that I ask you a question. When you changed my clothes, was leaving me without underwear deliberate?"
"Oh hell yes!" he answered.
"I was hoping you would say that," with a smile as bright as the moon, she pulled her husband down onto the sand.