Disclaimer: I don't own anything that seems familiar.
Joshy: Why do you tell me you do then?
Jay: I thought she only told me that!? Did you lie to me?
Joshy: Yeah did you lie to THE JOSH?
Me: Erm well, not really…..I may have said I was writing book 7 that day, but I meant book 7 of my people 'to do' before I die….I have Usher and Orlando Bloom so far.
Joshy: it took 7 books to write 2 names!?
Me: *blushes* I may have written it close to 1,000,000 times but I hear they like that.
Jay: You're sick, you know that right?
Me: Shut up you asses I have to start the story. You boys shouldn't think they are hot anyway…unless you forgot to tell me something.
Joshy: Well Orlando does have those nice eyes *Dreamy smile*
Me and Jay: *stares at Joshy* Did he just come out the closet?
Jay: Please go back in there.
Joshy: *Smiles and winks at Jay*
Recap:
Tim narrowed his eyes then smiled. "No need to worry Harry. When we get home we all have some business to discuss"
Harry looked over to Hermione and she looked at him then out the window.
What could be so important!
Chapter 16: Who is this woman?
The ride home was absolutely brutal for Harry; it took forever for them to get home. He couldn't help but scowl at the thought of how slow Mr. Granger drove. He jumped out the car before it even made a complete stop.
"Harry! Hun you could have been hurt. Next time wait until the car has stopped." He nodded and gave her a small smile hoping she wasn't too mad at him. Hermione got out of the car after him.
She gently placed her hand on his arm, "Harry, calm down. My father was only messing with you! I mean sure it took him three hours to get us home from a the station but-"
"But it's only 45 minutes away!"
Hermione shot him a disapproving look, "The point is there is no need for you to get all worked up. He said there was nothing to worry about. You will simply talk business."
"Do you know what business we'll discuss then?"
"Um…no. But if he said not to worry then don't" She smiled and kissed him on the cheek and walked into the house, leaving Harry wondering, what's got her so chipper! I'm a bloody wreck and she skips right along to the house… Women.
Harry saw Tim struggling with Hermione's trunk and ran over to help him. "I'll help with the trunk. She packs a lot of books" Harry walked over and pulled the trunk right out.
Tim looked incredulously at the little boy. "Have you been working out Harry!? Is there a fitness gym at the school of yours?"
Harry looked at his arms and chest. I still look the same to me. "No. Why'd you ask?"
"Well first off, you just lifted that out of the boot! I struggle every year trying to load and unload her things, and you just pulled it right out!"
"Maybe someone is messing with you then. Maybe they made it lighter for people with magic or something?" Harry walked toward the house, Tim following close behind him.
Tim raised an eyebrow at Harry as they stepped into the house and dropped the trunks, "I hope so. I'd rather it be a joke, than thinking that a 12 year old is stronger than me. I'm not that old yet."
They both looked around the room to see that Rachael and Hermione we nowhere to be found. Tim took this as a sign to start talking to Harry.
OH god no! What did I do to deserve this!?
Harry stopped his mental rant when he realized that Tim looked nervous too.
"So...erm Harry, my boy. Have a seat lad!" No, that didn't sound right; I sound like my father. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Um…take a seat Harry."
Harry nodded and sat on the couch opposite of 'The King's Chair', as Tim liked to call it. He sat staring at the man. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts.
He sat up in his chair and leaned in a little. He opened his mouth to speak, paused and shut his mouth again.
Harry frowned, well, this is unexpected. He's scared stiff.
Time had similar thoughts, I can't believe this! I'm scared stiff! Okay just stay calm, lets start with the light work first!
"Harry well the first thing I want to discuss with you is of serious matter" Harry gave a slight nod. "You gave us permission to check your mail, in case something came late about the emancipation right?" Harry nodded again and he began to look worried.
I hope everything went through. Oh no! I have to go back with the Dursley's!
"No need to look alarmed Harry. We have been noticing a lot of letters from that wizarding bank Gringotts. After a while we got curious and opened those letters too. I hope you aren't mad about that?"
"Oh, no not at all! I thought it was going to be something serious. I gave you permission to open my mail no need to worry about that at all"
"Well Harry that wasn't all of the business." Tim chuckled at Harry's eagerness to leave the conversation at that. "You see, you are an adult in both worlds. Sure you are young, but your world pulled strings to get those things official. The thing is, you have fees to pay now Harry-"
"I know I paid a tax bill I got from Gringotts in September. It wasn't anything big."
"But that was only one thing Harry. You inherited all of you parents things; jewelry, investments, properties, and then there is the huge mounds of gold you must have piled in your vault." Harry nodded wondering where this conversation was going.
"You owe money for the property you own and you have responsibility over companies that your family owned. Before you were emancipated all of that stuff was automatically deducted from the accounts you have, but since you never signed to have it taken care of, the fees are adding up to quite a bit." Tim paused and let Harry soak it all in.
Harry looked up and nodded when he was ready for him to continue.
"Now, I'm sure you can pay your fees without even putting a dent in your wallet, but the investments need attention. The four properties need attention. And I don't know exactly what to tell you Harry; I'm not a part of your world. I only know the basics. You have to figure out a way to handle those things."
Harry nodded and ran his hand through his hair. "Well what if I pay people I can trust to take care of it?"
Tim frowned, "It's a good idea Harry but you have a lot of valuable things, you need to know for sure who is trustworthy"
"I trust you"
"Me! But, but I don't know-"
"You said you know the basics. All I want you and Mrs. Granger to do is pay my banking fees once a month. I'll allow you to access my accounts and set up another one for your pay."
"Well Harry that's a good idea to take care of the payments, but I can't accept your ummm…galleons."
"Don't worry about it. I want to pay you."
Tim was reluctant to let a 12 year old adult pay him. He felt like he was taking money again. The boy already tricked them into letting him pay a small room and board fee, a simple 25 pounds a month. But this was too far, maybe he can make up a compromise.
"Well okay, but it will be deposited into Hermione's account for her school things" Harry nodded. "Now what will you do about the investments? Neither Rachael nor I know anything about wizarding world, except that it exists. We don't know enough to handle the investments."
"I know. That's why I'll ask Arthur Weasley. He is a pure blood and knows all about the ways to go about these things. So I'll talk to him about managing my investments. I can go to Gringotts and set up the monthly deposits to Hermione's account and then ask Mr. Weasley to meet me there to discuss the investments. I can have Mrs. Weasley handle the properties until I get someone else to do it all. She loves to be busy and during the school year she only has Arthur so I'm hoping she would like the job.
Tim smiled at Harry. "You've gotten a bit of self-esteem! That's great Harry. You know how to handle your business. Do like all the other rich people and pay others to take care of it." Tim was laughing out loud at the thought of Harry tossing out money to 'the little people'
Harry didn't see it that way though "Do you think I'm just pushing it off to the side? I can try to handle it myself. I just thought that with school and quidditch-"
"No. It's not irresponsible at all. It's good. You help the people you care for when they help you. I remember you told me the Weasley family wasn't exactly swimming in gold. It's nice that you'll hire them to help. And at the rate that Hermione's going we don't have enough to buy a new wizarding book every two days. Last year, Hermione had no friends so she was always at the book store getting new things to occupy her time. I decided to get her a card for kids that takes the money from my account to hers personal credit card. I thought she was responsible enough for it; and it would teach good money management. Imagine my shock when I got five-hundred pounds debited from my bank account, all from the same book store in one day"
Harry had to laugh at that. He could see Hermione walking around with her credit card out in one hand like the rich girls on TV. Except, instead of a dozen store clerks carrying bags of clothes, they were struggling with her books hoping they wouldn't fall.
"It was only a matter of time before she asked for that library we wouldn't let her get" They roared in laughter and Rachael stepped in.
"Tim, I didn't think the conversations you needed to have with Harry would be funny."
"Well it seems that Harry here is now my boss. We have more business to take of at the end of the holiday, but the idea is in motion. He'll hire us to do bank fees, and the Weasleys for the rest."
"Oh that's terrific! How did the other conversation go?"
Tim paled at the thought of the other conversation. "Oh …erm we didn't get there yet honey, but maybe you should do it. You know, you're all motherly and stuff and I'm a guy." She ignored him while she made her way back to the kitchen. "Oh come on! I'm going to mess it up!" When he realized she wasn't coming back he sat down in defeat.
"So…this isn't the end of the discussion?"
"No Harry. I'm really nervous but I must know." Harry waited for Tim to ask. "I mean you're my daughter's boyfriend. It's funny how I hate saying that. But there is no stopping Rach and Hermione. I tell ya they can-"
"Um. Tim? Maybe you should just go on with the conversation. I mean it can't be worse than the other business" Tim gulped.
"Okay then, Harry. I know you and Hermione are still young and you ARE NOT going to even THINK about doing this but…" He pouted and said "Rachael is making me give you the talk"
Harry's eyes bulged out and he tried to make a run for it. Tim grabbed his arm before he could get away. "Now, listen Harry, this is three times as bad for me as it is for you. But she said that 'this is the age that boys get this talk from father figures! He will grow up miserable and feel unloved and blah blah blah'. My dad didn't give me the talk, but I did have my older brother do it when I was about your age." Harry tried to run again, but Tim had a firm grip.
"Now we can do this the easy way and you sit and listen carefully, or we could do this the hard way. That's when I sit you down and show you the birth tape then you sit and listen carefully anyway"
Harry immediately sat down and paid attention. Tim smiled, "Good. Because I personally don't want to see that again."
***In The Kitchen***
"Mum, do you think Harry should suffer through this alone? I know it was like torture when you gave me the talk"
"Well if you care so much you can go sit through it with your father…and you know how he is. He'll start off afraid to speak, then get in vivid details like he does with new guest"
Hermione's eyes widened. Her father was always nervous when meeting new people. But at the end of the night, he'll share even the most intimate details with them. "Poor Harry"
***Almost an hour later***
Harry sat slightly twitching in the family room. Tim dismissed him and he ran to his room. Hermione entered soon after. He was sitting on his bed and looked to be in thought.
"Harry?" He snapped his head up and then glanced back at the carpet. "I didn't know that was going to happen until my mum pulled me off into the kitchen. She told me about how you plan on taking care of your business at Gringotts. I think it's a good idea, that's good for you and school. You couldn't possible do all that alone"
Harry shook his head ignoring what Hermione said "You have no idea what I went through Hermione. It was horrible. I'm afraid to go to sleep. It's almost as bad as Aunt Marge in her thon…I can't bring myself to say it!"
She pulled him into a hug, "You're afraid and you don't even know my Gram yet" His eyes widened in fear. She smiled and said "Goodnight". Harry stared at the spot where she was once standing.
Why is she always so happy!
***The Next Day***
Harry awoke at 11:31am. I haven't slept that long in ages. He slept so long he was tense when he woke up. He felt like he slept in the same position all night.
Harry got up and stretched his limbs. He heard a few faint pops as his muscles and joints got adapted to standing up.
As he walked downstairs he could smell breakfast. Mmmmm. Smells like eggs and toast.
"Good morning Harry. We just had eggs and toast." Harry chuckled at how happy Rachael was and how Tim looked depressed.
"Good morning Rachael. Mr. Granger, are you okay?"
Tim lifted his head up and looked sharply at Harry. "Do I look okay? The old bat is coming today!"
Rachael sped across the kitchen and whacked Tim in the back of the head. "Don't talk about mum that way! She's absolutely wonderful."
Tim rolled his eyes and Rachael scoffed, "She raised me and my sister on her own. She was very hardworking and loving"
"Exactly hun. She WAS very hardworking and loving. Now she's just lazy and evil"
Harry chocked on his toast and tried not to laugh. Mrs. Granger's eye began to twitch and Tim cowered behind his newspaper.
Rachael spoke to Harry while looking at Tim with her twitching eye. "Harry dear, maybe you should go and wake Hermione"
Harry got the hint and ran up stairs and he heard "You are in so much trouble!"
He gathered his breath as he stood outside Hermione's room. When he was sure Rachael wasn't going to run after him for laughing at Tim's joke, he opened the door.
Hermione had her head under her pillow and her feet were thrown across the bed. Harry walked over, forgetting about the summer warning, and tapped Hermione's shoulder. Without warning her foot shot out and kicked Harry in a place that he's rather not be kicked. Harry doubled over in pain and fell next to her on her bed. His head hit her arm and her fist shot out giving him, what he assumed to be, a black eye.
Oh Merlin, the pain! Where did she learn to hit like that!?
When he saw her arm twitch again, he jumped up and fell out of the bed. "HERMIONE! WAKE UP"
She jumped up and looked around her room. She saw no one. She panicked and jumped out of her bed, only to hear a grunt and step on something other than her carpet.
She was standing on Harry's back. "HARRY! Oh my god, I'm so sorry for stepping on you, but what were you doing on my floor?" Harry looked at her incredulously, and began to tell the painful and scary tale of what happened after he woke up.
Hermione was in tears by the time he finished telling everything. She was laughing almost as hard as when Ron told them about his black eye.
After showering and getting ready for the day they went downstairs to see if Tim was still breathing. Harry saw him sitting in his chair, with his arms folded and a pout on his face.
He looked up at them and said, "She'll be here in ten minutes"
Hermione smiled brightly and ran over to hug her father "Cheer up dad, Gram is so nice!"
Harry laughed as Hermione left the room to find her mother. "Don't laugh; you sure won't be laughing when she gets here!"
The smile fell from Harry's face, and he went to the kitchen to find the Granger women excitedly about Hermione's gram.
"Oh Harry, you're here! We were just going to go over ground rules with you. My gram knows I'm a witch, but she's not really comfortable with talking about it so keep the Hogwarts talk to a minimum." Harry nodded
One rule isn't bad at all.
"And she likes all of us to call her Gram. Only mum and Aunt Alexis, Alex for short, can call her mum."
Okay, two rules aren't bad.
"She doesn't like anyone talking back to her. And if you do answer, please answer her question only, she hates when people give more than asked."
That's a little fussy but what can I expect.
"Don't treat her like she's old, she hates that too"
This is going to be a long week
Rachael stepped into the conversation, "Hermione dear you forgot the most important thing. Harry, never touch mum's dog Taz, he will bite off your fingers. He's very protective of mum and if he doesn't trust you, you will get bit. So it's best not to touch him at all," She looked Harry over and said, "Harry dear, try to walk straight and…is your eye swollen?! What happened?"
Hermione blushed and Harry frowned. Mrs. Granger smirked at Harry, "You woke her up the wrong way didn't you? I gave you a warning this summer, but you kids today never want to listen."
Then they heard Tim scrabble in the other room and the kitchen doors burst open. Tim looked horrified, "RUN FOR IT HARRY! SHE'S HERE!"
Do what he said and RUN!
Harry was going to make a dash for it but Rachael put a firm hand on his shoulder and pulled him along with Hermione to the door, while Tim tried to put on a 'happy smile'.
Harry opened the door to see an average height woman with grey hair and brilliant hazel eyes. She looked like a typical grandmother. She looked to be about 60, because Mrs. Granger was going on 36.
And behind her was a very attractive woman. She had long flowing brown hair and hazel eyes. She looked exactly like Hermione and her mother…just an in between version. She looked to be about 27 and she walked like she knew she was what men want, but she carried an atmosphere about her that scream 'I'm no fool'.
The oldest woman hit the cab driver with her purse and said "I can carry my own bags, no need to try to get closer to me! I'm much older than you…unless you're 25 to 26, then we can talk"
The cab driver's eyes widened and he hastily said, "Sorry I'm 24 and three-fourths" then jumped in the car and drove off.
Harry gulped as both women turned towards them. How can I be scared, nervous, and trying not to drool at the same time!!! I need to stay focused.
Hermione and her mum ran over to them and they all engulfed each other in hugs. Tim made eye contact with Harry. It was only then that Harry realized exactly what he was in for.
The women walked toward the house, with Hermione running through first, Rachael second, Gram walked by while crinkling her nose at Harry, and last was Hermione's unnaturally attractive Aunt, who gave him a wink and a pat on the shoulder.
Harry blushed as red as he could get. As he was stepping into the house Tim pulled him back and pushed his back against the wall and spoke like they were planning the next war.. "Now Harry there are two of us now, but you will break. You're just a boy and Gram has made me want to cry on many occasions. And stop blushing! Alex will get you in trouble. She doesn't do it on purpose, she's just bloody hot! And blushing like that will get you the silent treatment."
Harry nodded and Mr. Granger stood up and fixed his shirt, "Good. Because I haven't had a time yet when I didn't have to sleep on the couch, after a visit from Alex…I tend to say the wrong things." Then he narrowed his eyes at Harry, "You AREN'T old enough to even think of saying the wrong thing, got that"
Harry nodded again while thinking I'm glad you couldn't hear my thoughts a minute ago!
Tim looked at Harry, "Don't think I don't know what you were thinking a minute ago" then he mumbled, "cause I was thinking the same thing"
"Timitus! Get in here and give greetings!" they winced at the shrill voice calling Tim. Harry followed him into the house and found Gram standing with a disapproving look on her face.
Harry looked over to Tim to see him with an extremely wide smile "Gram, it's so nice to see you again. I was just talking to young Harry here"
Oh crap it's my turn
She looked at Harry expectantly, "Well…who are you to us? I get lost with all the grand children I have. Oh that's right Alex here won't have any" Alex rolled her eyes at her mothers blatant hint for more grandchildren.
Hermione stood between her grand mother and Harry, "Gram this is my boyfriend Harry"
I think her face can only be described as priceless…no wait! There's also heart attack and shock.
"BOYFRIEND?!" Alexis and Gram both burst out at the same time.
Then Alex smirked, "I had to sneak a boyfriend at that age" she nudged Hermione's shoulder "good job too. He's cute"
Gram glared at Hermione and said, "Boyfriend! You are far too young for a boyfriend." Then she looked at Harry and said "I'm sorry young hairy boy, but she's too young to date so just go and skip along to your house and come back in ten years"
Tim was thinking Oh no she's going to think I'm a horrible father and then she'll kill me.
She hates me and looks like she's going to kill me.
She turned Harry around and gave him a little push towards the door. Taz, the toy poodle, jumped out of her dog bag and barked at Harry.
"Mum! I allowed her to have a boyfriend because I felt it's better than her sneaking like Alex did." Alexis glared at the older sister, "I remember you said you were more furious that she lied to you. They were honest and we allow it, we just watch them closely. Very closely" Gram went back to her grand mother smile and ushered her girls to the kitchen.
Tim gave Harry an 'I told you so look'. " Don't look at me like that Timitus!"
Tim glared at Harry. "My name in Timothy, she's just an old bugger who messes it up on purpose. But you would agree wouldn't you Hairy Boy?"
***DINNER***
Dinner was quite the talkative affair between the females at the table. Harry and Tim were sulking at the other end of the table.
So far Tim got beat with a purse twice and bit by Taz once. Harry on the other hand had four small bite marks on his shoe and he was sure it went through to his toes. It would explain his slight limp.
"So Harry, when are you going home?" Gram was really blunt with what she really wanted to know.
"Well I am home. You see the story is actually interesting" Hermione winced when he said that.
"I didn't ask about the story. I wanted to know when. However, the answer you gave for that is quite shocking" She looked at her daughter waiting for her to answer.
"Mum, Harry lives here with us. He used to live next door but they abused him. At the time he and Hermione were best friends, and we invited him to our home. He's a legal adult though. But this way is better for everyone"
Gram pursed her lips but nodded in agreement. Alexis gushed with happiness. "This is so cute! My little Hermione and her new boyfriend, all together and they will grow old and live happily ever after" Hermione turned her head and laughed at her aunt's tactics.
After that Gram stared at Harry the whole time. He was sure that she was checking him over.
Maybe she's thinking of ways to sneak in and let the dog attack me!
After dinner, she pursed her lips and said goodnight to everyone and went to bed with her dog following obediently after her.
Harry and Hermione were washing dishes as the other three adults got set up for a movie.
They heard Tim mumble something and Rachael yelled "ON THE COUCH TONIGHT!"
Hermione laughed. "Dad always says something about Aunt Alexis growing up, and how mum used to look exactly like her. She gets mad because he's implying that she isn't beautiful now"
Note to self never mention anything like that to Hermione….She'll look like that!?
"I messed up didn't I? I went on with a story and I made her go to bed early"
"No Harry she always sleeps after dinner. Something about slow metabolism and it was only one mistake. My dad got beat three times. You didn't get one so, good job…Harry?"
"Hmmm?"
"Stop drooling at my aunt. It gets annoying" She grinned at the shocked look on his face.
Harry decided to tease her, "Yeah and besides you'll so be ten times hotter then her when you grow up…. OUCH!" She swatted him in the back of the head.
"What do you mean when I grow up!?"
"You already look ten times better. I was only joking Hermione" she gave him a mock glare and blushed.
Harry smiled and kissed her cheek and they headed up to their rooms for the night. He had to get to sleep early if he was ready to start the Family Winter Vacation.
A/N: Hello all! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It gave me a hard time. I'm sure this whole winter break will. Gram isn't exactly easy to write, I have so much more to add to her character. Don't forget to review!