Over the next two weeks, Ant and Harry put in the hard effort and converted the small rear back verandah into a decent-sized wooden deck that stretched the width of the house, and projected out into the back yard a dozen feet. Due to it's height off the ground it was bordered by a railing, and a set of stairs descended to the existing path directly opposite the back door.
At regular intervals, the four inch square wooden support beams continued up to a height of nine feet above the height of the deck surface. These would eventually form the support structure for the roof. For now, Ant would be using them to support a gazebo style wooden slat roof with clear Alsynite style sheeting to keep out rain.
While they worked on their 'summer project' the girls, accompanied by Cele, went browsing wedding catalogues and shops. Hermione had chosen to wear a traditional muggle bridal gown while Daphne would wear a traditional witch's bridal robe.
At various times, friends also came visiting.
Blaise and Neville found themselves helping out, at one point, in building the deck. Neville loved it and asked plenty of questions; even going so far as declaring it was a concept he wanted to include at Longbottom Hall. Though putting in an equal effort, Blaise just appeared bemused by the whole thing and couldn't understand why they couldn't just build it with magic. It took Ant and Harry about an hour to convince him of the pleasure that came of doing it by hand.
Watching a pureblood like Blaise pushing the drillbit of an electric drill through a four inch square vertical wooden beam highly amused the other teens, with the girls coming out to watch. When he'd finally pushed it through, he looked up to see the others grinning back. They even applauded him for his effort; leading him to grin back.
"That was actually fun!" he exclaimed to Ant. "What can I make a hole in next?"
After laughing about the Italian-descended Slytherin boy's expression and choice of words for a few moments, Ant showed him where he needed more holes drilled, before leaving him to it.
But the two weeks weren't just about building the deck. Harry and Neville also had to accompany the ladies, when they were required, to give their opinions about a few things relating to the wedding. On most of those occasions they were also accompanied by Luna and Tracey in their roles as bridesmaids.
Some of those visits were to muggle shops, and some were to Diagon Alley and other magical shopping areas that Daphne knew about. The latter trips were by way of the Knight Bus.
The completion of the deck led to Cele buying a six-seater outdoor setting for it while Ant bought a decent sized gas-powered barbeque. And the next night, once the decking oil had dried, they had a mini -party out on the new deck to celebrate.
As summer deepened they had just entered into August when the three teens were walking through the local neighbourhood, enjoying the warm day. Hermione was showing them the local sites, including where she attended school, when the weather suddenly turned foul. Unforecasted storm clouds rolled in, so the three were making their way back to the Granger residence when the air suddenly turned very chilly and heavily laden with moisture. They were taking a shortcut through a pedestrian right-of-way when Daphne suddenly cried out. "Dementors!"
Looking behind them and where she was pointing, Harry saw three of the horrid beasts heading straight for them. He immediately popped his wand into his hand and cast his patronus, with Hermione and Daphne - who the two had taught during the previous year - right behind him with their own.
As Harry's patronus stag led the way, it was joined by the patronus does of both his wives. And all three patronuses charged straight at the dementors. In only a few moments the three dementors were driven off with the patronuses chasing them back into the sky.
Not wanting muggles to see the magic, the three debated whether to race for 'home' or stay to make sure the beasts didn't return. They waited a further couple of minutes before they realised they were gone. And the storm like conditions faded away again.
As they hurriedly walked, Harry pulled out his mirror and contacted his godfather.
"Hiya pup!" answered Sirius, until he saw the expression on Harry's face. "What happened?" he asked, now quite concerned.
"We were just attacked by three dementors," Harry almost snarled back.
"Where are they and where are you, now?" asked Sirius, almost snapping out the question.
"They're gone. But, we're about half a mile from the Granger's home and hurrying back there now," he replied.
"We'll be there soon," said Sirius.
When the mirror went dead, Harry dropped it back into his pocket and quickly scanned the skies again, just as the girls were doing, as the three quickly headed back to the house.
When the three hurried into the yard of the house Sirius and Remus were waiting for them out front. They were concerned the dementors had been there ahead of them. Their worries were unfounded when they found Ant and Cele hadn't even realised a dangerous situation had occurred until Sirius and Remus suddenly apparated directly into their sitting room, startling them both, and explaining what had happened.
"You're both alright?" asked hurrying over to check them over.
Hermione,
"Yes, we are," replied Cele, checking them over right back. "We didn't even know there was anything wrong."
"They didn't harm you, did they?" asked Sirius of Harry. "Do you need chocolate?"
"We're fine," answered Harry. "I'm just bloody glad the three of us know and can do the patronus charm."
After the six of them began to settle down, Sirius was about to leave to head directly for the Ministry when a Ministry owl flew in and dropped off an 'official' Ministry letter. Remus grabbed it and quickly scanned it for traps and the like before releasing the owl of its load. He handed it to Sirius to read while he took the owl to release it out the back. Sirius ripped it open and quickly read through it before handing it off to Harry. He was fuming.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past six this evening in a muggle-inhabited area within view of and near the presence of muggles.
As you have already received an official warning for a previous offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the 5th August.
Hoping you are well, Yours sincerely, Mafalda Hopkirk IMPROPER USE OF MAGIC OFFICE Ministry of Magic "Don't worry, Harry," said Sirius. "I'll be taking care of this."
"This is Umbridge," said Harry, as Remus walked back into the sitting room. "This happened in the old timeline but we didn't expect it to happen this time. This time I'm emancipated and not living at the Dursleys.
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