Chapter Eight: Ascension
Harold Potter stood before one Hermione Granger, letting the shock seep into her. He had told her he'd be there before she turned twenty-five, and so he had. He grew a few inches these past few years, leveling out his frame at 6 feet 2 inches with 210 pounds. The training had done him well, though he knew he had ways to go. There was however, no time for that, experience was the extent of his training now, and that was what he returned to gain. Hermione had changed a bit, he quick assessment showed as well.
She had grown into her feminine curves and he would wager lunch on, he was buying anyway, that she was no more than 5 feet 10 inches, a tall girl. Her baggy clothes hide the muscles he saw twitch when he first approach. She had been working out, but what style it was uncertain to him.
"So, do you accept?" he asked again, smiling. She squealed, causing some commotion in the library, as she ran around the counter to hug him. "It's good to see you again."
"I missed you so much," she said, as Harold tighten his hug around her. He could tell she had a gymnast's body, just from the way she fit into his arms.
"What's you answer?" He asked, keeping his arms around her. She blushed, though he could not tell why.
"Yeah, but not now, maybe later," Hermione said through her blush. She seemed to remember something, but what Harold could not tell.
"Alright," he said, pulling back from the hug. She seemed sadden almost for a moment, but it disappeared behind a façade. "Here," he withdrew a business card from his pocket as well as a pen. He quickly wrote something down on the card before handing it to her. "My number is on the back." Before she could ask any questions, his cell phone rang. "Sorry."
"Potter, where the hell are you," A voice said across the line.
"Checking out a few books," Harold said, with a sigh. "What is it now Draco?" He could see the shocked look on Hermione's face and held up a finger to hold back her question.
"You need to get your arse down here now," Draco said. Sighing once more, Harold hung up the phone and turned to look at Hermione with a smile.
"If you want to know what that was all about, you'll have to join me for lunch sometime," Harold said. He smiled at her, still trying to push the issue. She finally nodded, agreeing to him. "I've got to go Hermione. It's been great seeing you again." She moved forward, hugging him once more.
"You're back, just like you promised," she said. He pulled back and there was a question in her eyes, but from her body language, the question was not directed toward him. He let it go. He started to walk away, but shook his head, coming back to her.
"I almost forgot," he pulled out an invitation from his jacket, handing it to her. "I'm holding a banquet this weekend for a friend of mine. Harvey Dent, the Chief barrister for the Ministry and the Magistrate." Hermione nodded, her mind working on recognizing the name and everything else about him no doubt. "I figured you'd like to come." She smiled for a moment, before blushing.
"Could I have another one…for my boyfriend?" Hermione asked, looking embarrassed slightly. Harold gave her a look, not letting his emotion show. There was something that hurt inside, right in his chest. He could not explain it. He smiled for a moment, successfully hiding his pain. Another thing he learned while away.
"Give it to me," he said. She handed it back to him, fear in her eyes. Taking his pen, he quickly scribbled an addition onto the invite. He handed it back to her, still smiling. "Just show them that at the door with your date, and it'll be fine." She hugged him once more, this time tighter than before.
"You don't know what it means to me that you're back," she said, her arms still around his neck. He just smiled at her, and spur of the moment took over, kissing her on the cheek as he let go. She began to blush as she pulled back as well.
"I'm just glad to be back," Harold said, turning to walk away. "Just call me when you've found an available date. I'll clear my schedule then." He smiled at her once more. Her blush became more prominent as he stared at her for a moment or two. "Aren't you going to get back to work?" She blushed once more, nodding slightly. "Alright, see you around Hermione. And remember to call me."
Harold walked out of the library with a new sense of purpose. He had to meet with Malfoy, then, since Alfred insisted that he eat, he would have a sort dinner, before heading out for the night. Yes, that was a good plan.
I0I
Hermione stood in front of the mirror, making sure that everything was in order. Her dress she bought, but never wore, not even for her boyfriend. It was something she had been saving, something she did not honestly know if she could wear it, even looking at herself at the moment. She was going to meet her boyfriend at Potter Manor, despite his demands that he drive her. She was going with her mother and stepfather, since they too had been invited. It seemed like a good idea at the time to wear this dress.
"We're going to be late," her mother said. Hermione looked at herself in the mirror once more.
The black spaghetti strap dress hung to her nicely in her opinion. It was the low neck she could have done without. The embroidery running across it elegantly gave her a sense of class she thought. In general though, it was not a dress she would normally wear. Sighing, she picked up her black purse and her high heel black shoes. "Coming mom." She said, walking as fast as she could. She did not like high heeled shoes, seeing as she already was taller than some of the boys. Putting on the two-inch high heels made her taller than most she knew. Even if she wore them, she was taller than her boyfriend. Something he flat out refused. Which was one reason why she was wearing them tonight. He was so controlling at times, always wanting to make sure that he was in control of the situation. This was one time, he would not control her in public.
"Finally," her stepfather said. He gave her a look over once.
"You look lovely honey," her mother said. "Let us not keep your date waiting."
"Its not the date she wants to impress," Jim said causing her to blush.
"Dad," Hermione said, finally comfortable with calling him that. In essence, he was more of father to her than the one who she grew up with. He was there for her when she needed him, right after Harry left her. "I just felt like it was time to wear it." He gave her a look, shaking his head.
"Whatever sweetheart," he said. "Let's get moving." Hermione followed them out of to the car, letting her stepfather open the door. The ride to Potter Manor was filled with idle talk, mainly regarding Hermione's life update. Her stepfather worked odd hours at times, and her mother had taken over the office, forcing her to come home late. Hermione could not help it, but relax a bit. Maybe the evening would help her get her mind off the Batman.
I0I
Harold straightened his tie, or rather had Alfred do it for him. "Will you ever learn to tie a tie, Master Harold?" Alfred asked, tying it quickly and expertly. Harold just smirked and looked into the mirror one more time.
"Why learn when you do it so well?"
"Very well, Master Harold," Alfred said, holding back a smile of his own. "Nervous, sir?"
"Why would I be?" Harold asked, looking back at the mirror, trying to put down his unruly hair. "I mean, it's just a banquet for Harvey. No big deal right?"
"Will she be attending?" Alfred asked, picking up the jacket Harold was supposed to wear for the evening.
"What?" Harold said, taking the jacket from his mentor. "Yeah, she's coming." He paused for a moment, letting the grimace appear for less then a second. "With her boyfriend."
"Ah, well then, I shall prepare for that," Alfred said, walking out of the room.
"Hey," Harold said, throwing on the jacket, going after him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means sir, that I must prepare for the mess you shall make once the banquet has concluded," Alfred said without stopping. "You were gone for five years, sir, and if you don't mind me saying, she has every right to move on."
"I don't fancy her," he growled. Why did that old man insist on meddling in his affairs? Looking at one of the mirrors in the hallway, he straightened his tie. He could not fancy her. There was work to be done, work that could not involve her.
"Master Harold, the guests have begun to arrive," Alfred said. Harold gave himself one last look into the mirror, letting himself fall into the role he had made for himself.
Walking down the stairs, Harold watched as Harvey entered with his wife. He was slightly shorter than Harold, but both of them had grown up together. Harold had attempted to keep in contact, throughout his journeys, but he had failed miserably.
"Harvey, its great to see you," Harold said, walking over to the man.
"Harold," Harvey said, turning to him as Alfred took the man's coat and his wife's. "It has been a long time."
"Too long, I would think," Harold said as they shook hands. Both men wore large grins on their faces as they shook hands. "It's good to see you again Harvey, you must tell me about your job."
"Its not much, just working for the government," Harvey said modestly. His wife laughed.
"As if," she said, leaning over to Harold who obliged by leaning closer as well. "He's just about has enough information put away Salvatore Maroni."
"That's great Harvey," Harold said. Salvatore Maroni was a known mafia boss, one that he had been watching for quite some time. He controled the underworld, or a corner of it. Now the factions were more split and less concentrated on their efforts. The crooked police did not aid it. Harvey was one of the few, along with the commission that still believed in his work.
"let's not talk about my business Harold," Harvey said. "Let's talk about yours instead. Potter Industries have certainly done very well. I didn't know you had it in you."
"Neither did I," Harold said, jokingly. "All I did was entrusted it in some other broker's hands so that they could do what they wished."
"Master Harold, Mister Draco Malfoy," Alfred said as Draco approached him.
"I'm glad you could make it," Harold said. He did quick introductions, but was pulled away from the conversation as the host. He waited at the front of the room, casually addressing the people as they walked in. He played the part of unknowing billionaire bachleor so well. That was until he saw Hermione enter the door. He knew his jaw must have dropped slightly, but quickly regained his composure.
"Thank you for inviting us Mister Potter," Gordon said to him, shaking his hand.
"The pleasure is all mine. Harvey has informed me about how much you've done for this city, and it would only be right that you join us tonight," Harold said. Gordon beamed slightly at this, and Mrs. Granger kissed him on the cheek lightly. Hermione gave him a smile, that caught him off guard slightly. As her parents where lead away by Alfred, Hermione quickly hugged him, kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you for that, he knows what good friends you are with Mister Dent," Hermione said as she pulled back. She still shorter then him, but not by much. She stared back into his eyes directly, but a cough interupted anything he wanted to say.
"Mister Krum I believe it is," he said, holding out his hand as Hermione moved over to Krum's side. The man put a possessive arm around her, but she shrugged it off smoothly, almost like she had been in some of the circles he ran in, like one of those princesses he met on the mainland. He caught a bit of the conversation that was quickly played between the two of them.
"I thought I told you not to wear those heels," Krum said sternly.
"They're the only heels that go with this dress," Hermione countered. She turned back to Harold, who pretended like he never heard any of this. "Thank you for inviting us," Hermione said, though the glimmer in her eyes told him more.
"It was my pleasure," Harold said, finally shaking Krum's hand. The man did not have as strong of a grip as Harold thought, betraying his physical appearance. Glamour spell possibly? Harold kept it in the back of his mind as Alfred appraoched him once more.
"Master Harold, I believe the party is waiting for you," Alfred said.
"Ah, thank you Alfred," Harry said. "Excuse me." Harold said to them as Alfred took their coats. He caught a glimspe of the interaction between Hermione and her date, how Krum seemed angered at Hermione for one thing or another. Shaking his head, he moved toward a conversation between Harvey and the Commissioner, something that he thought would be instramental in finiding out more current information.
"I believe he is doing something good for this city," Harvey's wife, Alysia said.
"There is only so much you can do as a viligante," Harvey disagreed. "Harold, what do you think?" He took a drink of his champaigne, pausing for a moment before answering.
"I think a man who dresses as a bat," Harold said, spinning his fingers near his head, "isn't all there."
"That may be true," the Commissioner said. "Sorry, looks like my wife wants to dance." He was pulled away by Mrs Granger, causing everyone to laugh once more.
"Wonderful party, Harold," Alysia said to him.
"Why thank you Alysia, though I must admit, Alfred did much of the preparations," Harold said. "I was told the time to show up and look good." He got the crowd to chuckle once more, and he scanned it quickly as the Commissioner was talking with an Auror. He knew Alfred would catch the conversation, the gentleman's gentleman had a nack for being everywhere and hearing anything.
"Master Harold, I have been told that we need to open more wine," one of his other hired workers for the night said.
"open another twelve cases sound good," Harold said, looking between them all. They all knew he had bought the wine in bulk for the evening, but the shooked looks on their faces told him they did not expect that much extravegance. "Twelve cases is good." The hired help looked shocked but nodded and went off to carry out his orders. "What?" he said, smoothly taking a drink from his glass to hide his smile.
"You're really out done yourself," the Minister of Magic said. Harold looked back at the minister, containing his smirk.
"What can I say," Harold said, shrugging his shoulders. "I must admit though," he said looking at sevearl younger women who walked past him. "That the perks are definitely worth this." He saw Alfred motioning him toward his study. "If you must excuse me." He said, moving past the Minister without a further glass. "There are some lonely ladies waiting for me." They scoffed at him, aiding in his growing playboy image.
"Sir, I believe there is some business you must attend to," Alfred said quietly. Harold nodded, looking back at the party.
"If Hermione asks, tell her that…" Harold was at a loss for words. He couldn't lie to her, he never could.
"I shall think of something Master Harold," Alfred said. "Now go." He shooed Harold away into the parlor as he continued out the main ball room. He could only hope that Master Harold came back in better shape than he had the previous night.
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