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 Four: Happy Birthday Harry
Jean, Dan and Emily planned Harry's party, while Hermione kept him busy. They had much work ahead of them if they were to surprise Harry.
Harry and Hermione would take the train to Cannes for the day and lie on the beach. Harry was looking forward to this (as any red blooded teenage boy would). Hermione knew he wouldn't do more than ogle the girls, but she reminded him that while it was a clothing optional beach, it was rude to stare and would quickly get them kicked off the beach. Harry pouted a bit, but you could see the wicked gleam in his eyes. Oh, he'd behave himself, since he knew Hermione would know every wicked thought that went through his mind, but he'd tease her too.
Their tans were nice and dark by now and what with the private beach, Hermione had tanned well. The tan had not missed a spot on her luscious body and Harry appreciated how wonderful his wife looked. Hermione had talked Harry out of his speedo's a few times and his tan was almost as good as hers. Harry liked the way they applied the sunscreen to each other, massaging each others bodies until unable to stand it any longer, they went `swimming' again and again.
……..
The beach at Cannes was hot that day. A couple of days ago, it rained and served to cool the oppressive heat that had built up. The beach was crowded with sun worshipers and almost every square foot of beach was occupied. Hermione found a free space and set the blanket down. The clothing optional part of the beach was certainly that. Mind, there was a varied clientele that had spread their naked bodies out today. Many of them were quite old in fact, and Harry rather wished he didn't have to see some of them. On the other hand, there were some `ogle worthy' young girls there as well and Harry casually surveyed the expanse of flesh. A swat on the arm brought Harry's attention back to the most beautiful girl there. Hermione had stripped down and was urging Harry to do the same. Harry felt awkward stripping in front of all those people, but they seemed to ignore him, so finally he lay on the blanket face down, while Hermione applied the sunscreen to his back, bum and legs. Turning over, she did the same to his front, careful not to arouse `Harry Jr.'. Then it was Hermione's turn and he concentrated on applying the cream to her body, shutting out the erotic thoughts that insisted on forming in his head.
Merlin, Hermione, will you quit squirming! It's hard enough applying this stuff to you without wanting to jump you right here…
Sorry, Harry, your hands on me drive me crazy. We'll have to go `swimming' to cool off if you keep your hands working like that.
Hermione was quietly moaning and Harry had a hard time controlling his lust for her. Finally, he finished and they lay on their stomachs for awhile, soaking up the sun. Every twenty minutes, they would turn over to even out their tans until their stomachs started to growl. Jean had packed them a lunch and they sat and ate quietly.
After they finished, they rested for a half hour, reading their books.
A gasp from a pair of girls a few meters away, startled Harry.
Walking up to Harry and Hermione, were a pair of extremely beautiful girls, both with white-blonde hair. The older one looked to be a couple of years older and the younger, a few years younger than them.
Introducing themselves, they started up a conversation.
"'Arry Potter!" Fleur gushed. "I recognized you at once. My name is Fleur Delacour and this is my sister Gabrielle."
Figuring correctly that both were witches, Harry introduced Hermione.
"This is my wife, Hermione. I'm guessing that you both are witches."
"Oui. `Arry Potter ees married? Mais naturellement, I zink I read zat in ze Prophet. Congratulations. `Ermione, you are so lucky!"
"Thank you Fleur, Harry and I are on vacation with my sister and parents. We're staying in Nice."
"What a coincidence, so are we," Gabrielle joined in. "We `ave a room at ze Hotel Beau Rivage. Our parents always stay zere in ze summer."
"What a coincidence," Harry replied. "That's where we're staying."
"Do you go to Beaubatons?" Hermione asked. "I've heard that it's an excellent school."
"Oui, I am een sixth year and Gabrielle weel be starting next year."
"Oh, you two must join us for dinner tonight! It's our last day here before we go back to Britain."
"We would be delighted, `Ermione and `Arry. We were about to go swimming, will you join us?" Fleur asked.
The meal had worn off and Harry and Hermione quickly agreed to swim and see what the water was like. After baking in the sun all morning, the water was cool and refreshing. Several people were enjoying the water when they went in. The surf was a bit rougher here than Nice, but they plunged in, After swimming in the shallower water for a bit, Harry wanted to swim a bit farther out. Quickly swimming out about three hundred meters Hermione and Fleur joined him. Diving, they swam side by side in the clear water. Eventually, Fleur headed back to the beach. Hermione was about to dive deeper with Harry, when she felt a presence nearby.
Harry, there's something not right. I can feel a sort of wrongness close by.
Harry felt it too. The green glow was suddenly augmented by a golden glow surrounding them. Glancing around, Harry was the first to spot them. Four swimmers with spear-guns and scuba gear had approached them unnoticed. Two more joined the four and surrounded the teens. A flash of metal and a spear swiftly arced toward them, followed by five more spears. The golden aura deflected the spears, catching the attackers off guard.
Joining hands, Harry and Hermione concentrated their magic and a wave of energy erupted from them in all directions. The massive wave hit the attackers like a solid wall. Face masks were shredded along with several bodies. None were spared the destruction of the powerful energy wave. The water boiled and surged and after it quieted, Harry and Hermione were alone in the water once again.
Viewing the scene from a boat well offshore, Lucius couldn't make out what had happened. A golden glow had erupted and traveled toward him but had dissipated by the time it reached his boat. The water still roiled where he figured the Potter's must have been, but since no one had surfaced, he decided the mission was a success. Pleased with his plan, he left the area, not knowing that Harry and Hermione were still very much alive.
Swimming back to land underwater, they wondered, not for the first time, who was trying to kill them.
"Arry! "Ermione!" Fleur called, once they emerged from the water. "I lost sight of you so I came back. `Ow did you two manage to stay under ze water so long, and what was zat glow out zere?"
Might as well tell her Harry, she would only ask more questions.
Agreed, love. We'll give the abbreviated version.
"Fleur, Gabrielle, we'll tell you a bit, but you mustn't tell anybody," Harry replied. Hermione and I are Soul Bonded and have developed magic's that are much more powerful than anyone else's. What you saw was out ability to breathe underwater. We were attacked after you left by six scuba divers with spear guns. Our magic was able to protect us and destroy our attackers. Please, please, don't tell anyone what you saw. Our protection is known only to a very few people and we want to keep it that way."
"Zat is amazing `Arry. Of course we know about ze soul bonding `ere in France, but eet ees not so common I zink. When did zis `appen?" Fleur asked.
Hermione replied. "On the train in our first year, Fleur. We married at the end of last school term."
Gabrielle was awe struck. As a part Veela, she could feel the connection between the two, and it seemed to be very strong. Fleur could also sense the bond and something else… almost a duality in the two teens.
"Why were you attacked `Arry?" Fleur asked.
"We don't know. We were also attacked near Grenoble a few weeks ago. Hermione managed to kill two men. At least one escaped, so I think these six may be related to that attack."
"Somebody must really `ate you two, `Arry. Somebody wiz money I zink."
Promising to keep their secret, Fleur and Gabrielle lay on the beach with them. Sunning themselves for another two hours, the quartet then dressed and took the late afternoon train back to Nice. (Remember you have Hogwarts population knowing about the bond. The only thing you need to keep secret right now is the powers the bond supplies… not the fact the bond is there. This conversation makes it feel like the bond itself is secret. Also I feel like the friendship between the delacours and the potters are a little too quick to develop.)
……..
Hermione led Harry and the two Delacours to a conference room just off the main lobby.
What's up love? I thought we were going to meet…
"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Harry" A small crowd greeted Harry. Hermione grinned and Fleur and Gabrielle smiled. Hermione had let the two girls in on the surprise while they were on the train, managing to keep the surprise from Harry.
Harry stood in shock. He had no idea they would have a surprise birthday party for him.
Present were Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick and, of course, the Granger's. After Fleur and Gabrielle were introduced, the party swung into high gear.
Not wanting to spoil things, they decided not to mention the incident at Cannes. Dumbledore would have to be told, but later. Hermione dreaded having to tell her parents, but that could be put off as well.
After the presents were given out; Harry received a book of advanced defence from Albus, a book on animagus transformations from Minerva (Harry and Hermione already had his fathers notes), and a handy advance charms book from Filius. The Grangers had gone in together for a nice set of gold cuff links to go with a green silk dress shirt. Fleur and Gabrielle invited them to visit, whenever they were in Paris. Hermione presented Harry with her present, a block of what looked like glass, encasing a charmed set of figures dancing within. On closer inspection, the figures turned out to be likenesses of themselves, Hermione in a blue gown and Harry in a tuxedo. Harry was mesmerized looking at the beautiful present. The others gathered around in awe.
"Wherever did you get that, Hermione?" Professor McGonagall enquired. "I've never seen anything like it."
Hermione blushed prettily, "My Mum and I found it in a small wizard shop, right here in Nice. Oh course, I had to modify the charm to Harry and my likeness."
Dumbledore and Flitwick were duly impressed. "That's a nice piece of charm work, Hermione. If you were in school, I'd have to award you points for that," Flitwick praised.
"It changes dance steps, depending on Harry's mood; cha-cha, waltz, salsa, swing and foxtrot As well as a few um… more romantic… uh moves." With this, she blushed, as the rest of the room caught on. Only Emily was unaware of what caused her sister to blush.
Thanking everybody, the group sat down for a very nice dinner of Wine-Poached Salmon with Black Truffles and a nice Nicoise Salad. Desert was a large chocolate birthday cake. Bottles of a nice Bordeaux white wine completed the dinner.
After the guests had said their farewells, Harry, Hermione and the Grangers retired for the night. This was indeed the best birthday Harry ever had, despite the auspicious start.
……..
The next day, they checked out of the hotel and drove to the airport, returning the hired car in the process. The trip back to Britain was uneventful, although they had to pay extra for the amount of luggage they now brought back with them.
Once at the Grangers, Harry was anxious to visit Potter Manor. They still had a month until school started.
Harry rummaged around in his trunk until he found the portkey. Taking the special Potter Portkey Galleon and holding onto Hermione, Harry tapped the Galleon and they felt the pull on their navel as they traveled to Potter Manor.
Landing heavily in what appeared to be an atrium, they stood and massaged their bums. "That hurt, Harry, we'll have to practice landing when we take a portkey."
"Master Harry!" a squeaky voice shouted, as a small female house-elf launched herself at Harry. She was quickly pushed aside by another house-elf who bowed deeply and introduced himself. "Good morning Master Harry. I am Cody, your personal house elf and head of the house elves that work here." He bowed once again and gave a sharp whistle and six more house elves appeared with a pop. "We have waited for your return, Master Harry, Dobby has kept us informed of your status at Hogwarts." Bowing again at Hermione, he greeted her. "Mistress Hermione, we welcome you to Potter Manor. As Lord and Lady Potter, it is our pleasure and duty to serve you."
Harry and Hermione were shocked. They had eight house elves and no one had ever told them.
"Um, Cody, Gringotts informed me that I have to reset the wards here. Do you know what needs to be done? Oh, and please, address us as just Harry and Hermione."
"The wards can be reset by the incantation `Agnitio Novus Erus' and then state your full name and title. To add Hermione, state her full name and title and add the word `Addendum'. These are the only names that will be recognized by the wards until you have children. They will automatically be added to the wards. You will each then need to provide a sample of your blood to the ward stone." Cody opened the main door and pointed to a purple stone set on the outside of the door.
After Harry completed the incantation and they both supplied a blood sample to the stone, a sharp deep `bong' sounded and the manor glowed briefly. The wards quickly spread to encompass the grounds as well.
Cody introduced the rest of the house elves. "Minni will be Mistress Hermione's personal house elf and will assist her, whenever she needs it," he pointed to the female house elf that had initially greeted them. "Honi and Lonni prepare the meals. Gimli and Danny tend the gardens and lawns. Maddi looks after the Manor with Jojo and myself." All the house elves bowed respectfully. Each had a small maroon uniform with the Potter crest on the lapel.
"Harry, I'm really not in favour of house elf enslavement," Hermione whispered.
"Cody," Harry asked, "what are the terms of your employment here?"
"We are all bonded to the Potter family, Harry. We love our work. Potter family wanted to pay us, but we are good house elves and properly refused pay."
Hermione was not really happy with the answer, but decided not to push the issue.
"Cody, could you take us on a tour. Please? I haven't been here since I was born, I think."
The tour took quite awhile, since the manor and grounds were really quite extensive. The manor contained seven bedrooms with attached bathrooms complete with both a bath and a shower. These were located on the fourth floor. There was a massive library and study room on the third floor, which delighted Hermione. The main floor contained the formal dining room and kitchen, along with a large lounge. The master's den was attached to the master bedroom on the second floor. The nursery and three much smaller bedrooms for children were on the same floor. An indoor garden was located beside a breakfast nook, just off the kitchens. A large recreation room shared the top floor with a training and weapons room.
Outside on the grounds, Cody showed them a regulation Quidditch pitch. There were also stables, but no horses were currently in residence. The main attraction was the well maintained lawns and gardens. Heavily forested riding trails completed the rest of the estate.
Cody informed them that their nearest neighbor was ten kilometers away, and was a large sheep farm.
After the tour, Harry conferred with Hermione. What do you think dear? Would your family like to visit for the rest of the month?
Ooh, Harry. This is a wonderful place! I'm sure they'd love it.
Then let's bring them.
"Cody, we'd like to bring Hermione's family here for the rest of the month before school starts. How do we do that? I don't even know where `here' is."
"Cody and Minni can bring them here. Master Harry can bring Hermione's sister Emily."
"You know about Emily?" Hermione asked.
"Yes Mistress, Dobby has told us. Dobby is a strange house elf, but he is loyal to Master Harry."
"Cody, I'd like to add Dobby to the wards as well."
"Dobby doesn't need to be added, Harry, since he is loyal to only you, as a house elf, he will be able to pass the wards."
……..
Harry and Hermione portkeyed back to the Grangers, and after enthusiastically describing Potter Manor, Hermione was able to talk them into visiting for a couple of weeks. (Dan and Jean had to return to their dental practice by then).
Cody arrived with Minni and the transport to Potter Manor began. Harry told Emily to hold on to Hermione and as she held on to Harry, they felt the tug of the portkey as it returned the three of them to Potter Manor. Cody and Minni followed with Dan and Jean right behind them.
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