"Molly and I will stop by often to make sure you don't need anything," Arthur continued. "And of course we'll be here for Order meetings. This is only until we make sure…." His eyes moved to his youngest children and then back to Harry and Hermione "well we'll see how the rest of the summer goes."
"It's probably for the best," Harry agreed.
"Now have a seat," Molly said. "Dinner is getting cold."
"If you don't mind, I think we'll eat in my room," Harry replied.
"But it's our..."
"Molly," Arthur said as he gave a significant glance at her and then at their youngest children. "I think it's a good idea."
"Well, were not leaving until tomorrow morning," Molly said to Harry and Hermione. "I do hope you'll have breakfast with us before Dumbledore is ready to escort you to the Ministry."
"Dumbledore is escorting us?" Harry asked. He glanced at Tonks. "What does Madam Bones think of Dumbledore escorting us?"
"Eh..." Tonks started. "As far as I know, she doesn't know he plans to. She told me to escort you there."
"But Dumbledore..." Molly started.
"It's alright," Harry said after a quick word with his wife. "Tonks, I think we'll let Dumbledore help this time," They could see that she was visibly relieved. "Now if you'll excuse us," He and Hermione quickly piled food on their plates and went upstairs where they locked the door and disappeared through the vanishing cabinet back to the Grangers.
"So, what's this about babysitters?" Mrs. Granger asked as the food reappeared in front of him.
"The Weasleys, you know Ron's parents?" Hermione said.
"Yes, I remembered meeting them and you've often mentioned Ron in your letters," Mrs. Granger remarked. "But come to think of it, you haven't mentioned him at all since you've been home."
"We…we had a falling out with him and his sister," Hermione explained. "You remember me mentioning Ginny as well."
"Of course I do," Jean replied. "But what kind of falling out? I thought you were all good friends?"
"Do we tell them?" Harry asked.
"We promised to tell them everything that's not associated with the future," Hermione replied. When Harry gave a nod of agreement she turned to her parents and started the explanation. "It seems Ron thought I should be his girlfriend and Ginny, well Ginny thought Harry should be hers. So…when we got together they didn't take it very well," Hermione looked over at her husband to make sure he wanted this part told as well. When he gave a mental agreement, she continued. "In fact that's what sort of led us to reveal that we were married," Hermione took a sip from her tea and with a sigh continued. "Yesterday, when we said something happened and we had to tell them we were married, they were the something that happened. Ginny tried to give Harry…" Hermione sighed again but then continued. "Do you remember me saying there are spells that can give a person control over another?"
"She didn't…"
"No, not that spell, but there are potions that can do similar things. Ginny tried to give Harry some combination of love, jealousy and…" again Hermione paused but after another quick glance at Harry she continued, "lust potions."
"You don't mean…"
"We really don't know what potions she had in his drink but yes, it's very likely she planned on seducing Harry yesterday morning."
"But why would she need…" Richard started as he tried to imagine a young man having to be tricked into sex with a young woman. "You…" He started but the words died on his tongue when his wife glared at him. "Well I'm glad it didn't work," He finished weakly.
"It couldn't have worked anyway," Harry explained. "We knew she was going to attempt it sooner or later so we were on our guard. Besides, that is one thing about our bond; those types of potions have no effect on us. I love Hermione and no potion can make me think I love another. Same with lust potions...eh..." Harry's voice trailed off as he decided that was not a topic he wanted to discuss with Richard Granger.
"That's why you haven't heard anything about Ron or Ginny this summer," Hermione quickly came to Harry's rescue.
"So two people who you thought were your friends were trying to hurt you?" Richard asked. Then with a sigh as he looked at his wife and then back at the teens he continued. "Is there anywhere you're safe?"
"When we're together, we are as safe as we can be," Hermione replied honestly. "Besides, as we said, the Weasleys are moving out."
Richard's eyes moved from his daughter to Harry. "I'll hold you to your word about protecting her."
"Dad…"
"No," Harry interrupted his wife and he locked his gaze onto her father. "Sir, you have my word that I love your daughter more than my own life and would not hesitate to do what I must to protect her."
An understanding passed between the two males at the table in the locked stare that lasted for several seconds.
"So…what else has been going on at your school we should know about," Jean Granger said trying to move the conversation along.
"I guess I should start with our first year," Hermione said. She continued to explain about trolls and the philosopher's stone.
"So...this professor was possessed by this Voldemort and your Headmaster didn't know?" Richard asked incredulously. Harry and Hermione had avoided mentioned the fact that Dumbledore had set up the confrontation. "And then he has this stone in the castle? Guarded by a giant three headed dog that any student could have happened upon?"
"We found out later that he did know the professor was possessed but thought he had the situation under control and...well he did warn everyone not to go to that corridor."
Jean snorted. "Telling a bunch of kids not to go somewhere is like offering them a candy bar but telling them they can't eat it."
"The door was locked," Harry explained. "It was only because Hermione knew an advanced unlocking spell that let us get in."
"And no other student knew this spell? Though advanced for a first year, it couldn't have been so advanced for other students there, could it?"
"That was many years ago Mum, so let's move on. Now during my second year when I…I said I'd been attacked," Hermione waited for her parents to nod, then continued. "Well I...I was actually petrified by a giant snake…" Hermione explained.
"So you were too frightened to run? Let me guess, Harry rescued you from this giant snake creature as well?" Richard asked.
"Uh…no Dad. I mean petrified as in turned to stone; not scared."
"What do you mean you were turned to stone?"
....
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