Harry's Bond Part 3
Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and various publishers. I make no claim to ownership.
A/N: Thanks to my betas Vettesr and Keronshara, and those kind enough to review.
Chapter Two: A Real Vacation
The next day, Aunt Marge came to visit. Harry had answered the door and was startled to see her. He had forgotten that Uncle Vernon had mentioned that she would be staying there. Accompanying her was her dog `Ripper'.
"Still here?" she sneered, and under her breath muttered, "Useless, boy, I don't know why Vernon puts up with him." `He used to wear glasses, she thought. What happened to his glasses?'
"Hello Aunt Marge, um… Aunt Petunia's in the kitchen."
"Petunia!" she bellowed, "Where's Vernon?"
Petunia broke into tears once more, telling Marge about Vernon being killed in a gas main explosion.
"What! Why didn't you phone me?" Marge was in a right state. "My only brother! When did it happen?"
"Vernon had gone to p-pick up Harry and his wife Hermione…"
"His WIFE?" Marge exploded. "That pathetic no good has a wife? Isn't he way too young to be married? The authorities should be notified…"
"Yes, Aunt Marge, I have a wife!" Harry started, getting angry. "You WILL leave us in peace while you are here. We were legally married a few weeks ago."
"Preposterous, boy! Nobody would perform a marriage ceremony on children! In any case, Vernon would never allow it."
"Uncle Vernon had no say in the matter, we are emancipated and as such are considered adults."
Hermione, wondering what the fuss was about, came downstairs. Eying the large woman, she made the connection. Aunt Marge, Harry?
Yes, Hermione dearest, I'll deal with her.
"Aunt Marge, may I introduce my wife, Hermione Potter. Hermione, this is my Aunt Marge."
"Pleased to meet you, Aunt Marge," Hermione said pleasantly.
"Why you disgusting little trollop…" Aunt Marge began, only to be silenced by a wave of magic that poured off Harry like a living thing.
Caught in a choking squeezing sensation, Marge was slowly turning purple.
Harry! Stop! It's okay, release her. She doesn't know about magic! You could accidentally kill her!
Believe me Hermione, if she had said one more word, I would have been tempted. I've put up with her nastiness for years. Nobody insults you in front of me!
Harry's anger slowly died and Marge collapsed on the floor, panting for breath.
Petunia only gaped in horror at Harry's display of anger. Clearly, her nephew was much more powerful than she had expected.
Aunt Marge had recovered, sputtering about not feeling well and asked Petunia if she might lie down for awhile. "It's been a long day and I'm a bit out of sorts. Vernon's death must have affected me more than I thought."
Petunia had convinced her to stay away from Harry, telling Marge that Harry was enrolled in a school for violent children. Marge took the hint.
Harry and Hermione managed to stay out of the vile woman's way for the duration of her visit. Fortunately, she only stayed two days, before returning home. Something was odd about the newlyweds, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Then as she was leaving, she caught sight of Harry and Dudley together. Harry was so much taller than Dudley, and seemed more mature. When had that happened, she wondered.
…
As the two weeks drew to a close at the Dursley's, Hermione and Harry were looking forward to spending time with the Grangers. Dumbledore had visited again and examined the new rings, but remained baffled.
"This looks to be old magic children, I'll have to research this. Have you noticed any changes?" Dumbledore asked.
"No sir," they answered, "It feels a bit weird though."
"How so, Harry?"
"Um… hard to explain. Sort of like when we bonded, except much closer. It's almost as if sometimes we are one person. Kind of scary really."
Hermione continued. "Sir, before when we completed the bond, we felt our magic grow. Now, we feel extremely powerful, as if there were no limits."
Dumbledore gave them a worried look before answering. "If that is true, you could be extremely dangerous in a fight. I think I'll have to assume your training myself and teach you how to control and limit the power you release. As soon as I can arrange it, I'll have you tested to see if indeed there are any limits on your power. I can sense the magic in you, and I've never been able to do that before. I would suggest you refrain as much as possible from using magic until we can teach you proper control. This is not something to be taken lightly. You could do a great deal of damage accidentally.
"Now, when you go to your parents home, Hermione, I want you two to be very careful. Any contact with muggles might be fatal. Your parents should be safe, since they are your blood relatives; the same as Petunia and Dudley is Harry's. Until you learn to limit your power, I want you to promise me not to use magic."
"When can we be trained, Professor? Magic seems to come naturally now," Hermione asked.
"Well, I can see it's going to be a problem, perhaps after you get settled at home, I'll make arrangements to visit each day to teach you. With your power and abilities, we should be able to have you safely trained in a week. It's not hard, but I want to test you first."
After bidding Aunt Petunia goodbye and thanking her, the Headmaster walked them over to Mrs. Figgs place, where they flooed to the Grangers. They would visit Potter Manor before going back to school.
…
Jean Granger was busy preparing lunch when Harry and Hermione exited the fireplace. Harry stumbled a bit and Hermione caught him. He had never managed a graceful exit from a floo.
"Hermione! Harry! Oh I've missed you!" Jean gave them each a big hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Dan! They're here," she called.
Dan came in from the back yard, where he had been cleaning the pool. Giving them both a hug, he exclaimed, "It's good to see you two at last! We've been hearing from Emily all about your adventures. You two really shouldn't be taking chances like that. I've already talked to Emily, telling her how foolish she was to involve herself. You two seem to be able to take care of yourselves, but Emily…"
"Hush Dan," Jean admonished her husband. "Harry promised to take care of Hermione and Emily."
Harry winced at the onslaught from his wife's father. "Really Dan, we tried to dissuade Emily from following us, but when she did, we made sure she was safe."
"Dad!" Hermione huffed. "We took precautions and Emily was never in any real danger." Harry and I killed the monster and were the only ones that could have done so."
"Never mind dears, Dan is only worried about his daughters and now son in law," Jean soothed. "Lunch is ready. I've made a salad and sandwiches.
Emily chose that moment to appear, greeting the pair with the traditional Granger hug. "I've missed you guys," she said. "It's been lonely around here when Mum and Dad are at work. How did you manage at Harry's place?"
"Well, it was different, that's for sure," Hermione answered. "Harry's uncle was killed on our way back from the train. A Death Eater attack, but we managed to kill several and stun most of the rest. A few got away."
The other Grangers gasped at this. Their daughter had survived a Death Eater attack? This was news to them.
Dan was the first to jump in. "You never told us about that, Hermione. You and Harry seem to attract some very unsavory characters. The wizarding world seems much too dangerous to me!"
"Oh, and traffic in London isn't dangerous?" Hermione asked. "Not to mention, the murders, terrorists, drugs, muggers?"
"Well… I just want my daughters to be safe."
"Daa-ad!" they both exclaimed, exasperatedly.
Harry took this moment to hopefully change the subject. "Um, Hermione mentioned we were all going somewhere?"
This had the desired effect as Dan thought a minute. "Yes Harry, we thought you might enjoy a proper vacation this year so we arranged a trip to the south of France."
Jean called them to lunch and the five of them sat down to a light lunch that included a salad and a wonderful soup. After they finished, they trouped into the lounge to discuss travel plans.
"We thought we might like to take in the French Alps. Grenoble would be the base for hiking and canoeing. We could visit Mont Blanc," Dan suggested
Jean continued, "After that we were thinking of a week in Nice with perhaps a side trip to Cannes for the film festival."
"Dear, the film festival is in May, we've already missed it," Dan reminded her.
"Oh… silly of me, time goes by so fast," Jean apologized. "Well, they have a nice beach there, anyway."
"Are you forgetting something, Jean?"
"Yes, dear, I'm well aware that they have clothing optional parts of the beach, but we've done that before. Harry wouldn't have, though."
Harry blushed a bright red at this suggestion. "Um… well… I guess I could get used to it."
Hermione hugged him. "Harry, it's fun and you'll get a really nice tan. The water is amazing; the clearest blue you've ever seen!"
"Yeah, Harry," Emily prompted. "Nobody pays any attention to you there. We've been there a couple of times and it's great."
"O-Okay, if you say so," Harry stuttered.
Jean loved to tease Harry. Dan just grinned, seeing the discomfort on Harry's face.
"It's settled then?" Dan asked. Nods greeted him. "Then we'll start making the arrangements. I'll contact our travel agency and see if we can get a flight next week. Jean can take you three on a shopping spree for beach wear and hiking clothes."
…
Harry was a bit nervous when they were shopping. It was one thing to swim at Brighton, but the French Riviera sounded daunting. What if he stared and made a fool of himself!
You'll be fine Harry. I'll make sure you pay attention to only me! Hermione smirked.
That's what I'm afraid of, love. I don't want other guys staring at you either.
Oh, Harry, they won't. France is very liberated.
Hermione picked out a tiny blue bikini for herself and added a cape to ease Harry's mind. She smiled as his jaw dropped when she tried it on.
Harry's eyes glazed over when he saw her in the bikini. There was very little left for the imagination. "Hermione! That thing is practically indecent! You can't go out in public like that!"
Hermione pouted. "You don't like it Harry?"
"You look fabulous in it Hermione, but I'll be fighting every guy on the beach when they see you in that!"
Hermione smirked. "Oh, I think I'll take that chance. Now for yours… let's see… Ah, here, try this on Harry, it looks about your size."
She handed him a skimpy speedo bathing costume that Harry just gaped at open mouthed. "You've got to be kidding! Hermione, this is actually less than what you have! I can't…"
"GO TRY IT ON, Harry!" she commanded.
Meekly, Harry complied. He came out to show her, blushing furiously.
"Perfect. It even matches mine. Now we need one more each and then we can shop for hiking clothes."
All this time Jean and Emily were grinning like mad, knowing Hermione had her husband well in hand.
Returning home after the shopping spree, Dan greeted them, confirming their flight for Monday. British Airways had a flight that left in the morning, for the two hour and fifty minute trip from Heathrow to Grenoble.
…
The flight to France was full but they were assigned seats together. Harry sat next to the window with Hermione next to him and Emily on the aisle. Jean and Dan were across from them.
Harry had never been in an aircraft before and sat entranced as they took off. When the aircraft reached its cruising altitude, Harry was amazed. He had never been this high on his broom and looked in awe at the scene below him. Everything looked so tiny, he thought. The aircraft bounced as it hit an air pocket and the bottom seemed to drop out. The seatbelt sign came on and the captain announced that they had a bit of rough weather to contend with before the descent to Grenoble.
Hermione clutched Harry's arm tightly; she preferred broom travel where you controlled everything. Aircraft made her nervous. Harry didn't mind, so he calmed Hermione in their mind link. Sweetheart, relax. You know nothing can happen to us. We can always shift if it was an emergency.
But Harry, I still worry, what about my parents and Emily?
Dear, we could probably shift them at the same time. Don't worry!
As the ride smoothed out, Hermione relaxed and when they landed, she apologized to Harry for being such a baby about it.
…
Lucius had finally tracked Harry and Hermione to France. He had people on their flight keeping an eye on them. Lucius knew he couldn't reveal himself since there now seemed to be a warrant out for his arrest. `That old fool Dumbledore must have found out I was there at the wedding,' he thought angrily. `Well, when they least expect it, I'll have my revenge!'
…
The ride from the airport to downtown Grenoble was uneventful. No one noticed a pair of ordinary looking people following them at a safe distance.
Checking in to the Park Hotel Grenoble, the Grangers and the Potters settled into their rooms.
…
After relaxing for an hour, they arranged to meet in the hotel restaurant for lunch. Harry and Hermione wanted to pay for everything, but Dan insisted it was their treat. "Consider it a wedding present and enjoy yourselves. This is our way of saying thank you for taking such good care of our daughters, Harry."
The lunch was perfection and Harry enjoyed the change in cuisine. Afterwards, they toured the city and bought souvenirs before the women settled down for some serious shopping. Dan and Harry kept an eye on them, groaning when they went into yet another ladies clothing store. Coming out with piles of bags, they finally made their way back to the hotel.
Supper was an extravagant meal with Harry trying many dishes he had never heard of before. Hermione and Emily were used to this, as the Grangers always traveled and stayed at the better places during the summer.
Tired, after the long day, they all agreed to meet the next day to explore the nearby mountain trails to begin their vacation.
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