Jean kept an eye on Harry all during the meal. From the way he glanced around for clues on how he should conduct himself it was obvious he had little experience eating in a fine dining establishment. She almost had to force him to take a second glass of wine, but through it all he was as polite as ever. The one thing that amazed her was how well he and Hermione were in tune to each other. It was almost like they were talking but not speaking. When Hermione lifted a mushroom, it was as if Harry was expecting her to offer it to him and the same thing happened when he took a piece of his lamb and offered it to her. The conversation was pleasant, but then it turned to the Ministry and what had happened that morning.
"How did it go this morning?" Jean asked. "Did you get everything worked out?"
"Yes, mum," Hermione replied.
"Mione, I told your father about this morning, and we probably should tell your mum."
"This morning?" Jean asked. "What happened this morning?"
"You told him everything?" Hermione asked. "Even...About Goyle?"
Harry nodded. "Your parents deserve to know," When Hermione returned the nod Harry turned to her mother and explained. "We were attacked on the way to the Ministry."
"Attacked? By whom? And why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"Because I thought you and Dad would worry," Hermione replied honestly.
"Well I have to presume it was serious then, so what happened?"
"On our way to the Ministry three Death Eaters jumped us and we fought back," Harry said. "Two were captured and..." He stopped and glanced at Hermione before he looked back at Jean, "and the other one was killed."
"Did you tell Dad...who?" Hermione asked and Harry nodded his answer.
"What?" Jean asked looking from one to the other.
"Mrs. Granger, I was the one who killed the last Death Eater. As I told Mr. Granger, I wasn't trying to, but he was about to curse Hermione and I stopped him," Harry explained.
"Hermione?" Jean had turned to her daughter for further explanation.
"Mum, I told you it's a war in the Wizarding World," Hermione replied. "The Death Eaters don't care about people, especially muggles and muggleborn. He would kill or torture you in a heartbeat if he was given the chance," She sighed before continuing. "Would you've preferred Harry not do what he did?"
"No...but.."
"Mum he was a Death Eater. They enjoy using or killing Muggles or Muggleborns or as they call us, mudbloods," Hermione explained. "He wouldn't think twice about killing you and dad or worse; he could actually force you to kill dad. He can do that you know. There is a curse that allows a person to take complete control over another person and I mean COMPLETE control and these people think nothing of using it," Hermione paused to let that sink in before she continued. "That's the type of people we're fighting. It's why we have the protection around the house so if one of those monsters die we aren't going to lose sleep over it because more than likely we probably saved lives in the future."
"But you're only teenagers," Mrs. Granger complained. "How can people expect you to fight these people?"
"There's not a minimum age to fighting when someone is trying to kill you," Hermione argued. "Voldemort tried to kill Harry when he was one year old and again when he was eleven and twelve and again...last year and last week."
"But..." Jean started again and then sighed, "just tell me Hermione, are you really okay with it?" Jean asked; the worry obvious in her eyes.
Hermione paused and reflected before answering. "Truthfully? No, but what choice do we have? Voldemort wants Harry dead and until he is defeated we will have to fight. Someday we will beat him; that you can count on."
Jean didn't know what to say or how to say it. Finally she just murmured "Be careful, or as careful as you can be. Please don't let anything happen to you."
"Nothing will hurt Hermione if I can help it," Harry said defiantly.
Jean took what comfort she could from the look in the young man's eyes. "But he is only almost sixteen, what can he really do?" She asked herself. She forced a smile and nodded. "Shall we order dessert?" She asked to change the subject.
Over dessert, Hermione broached the subject of Alton Towers, and Harry showed his excitement for the idea.
It was close to ten-thirty when they pulled back into the garage.
"Leave me several of the packages," Hermione said to Harry as he unloaded the packages from the car and started stacking them next to the Vanishing Cabinet.
"Why?"
"How are you going to explain them?" She asked. "I'll really take the Knight Bus tomorrow with some of the bags. I can then say I went shopping for you and no one will question the clothes."
"Have I mentioned how brilliant you are?" Harry asked his wife. "But I want Sirius to escort you. After yesterday, I don't want you coming into that neighborhood without an escort. I'm sure he'll be over here first thing in the morning."
"Fair enough," Hermione agreed.
"I'll leave you two be while you say goodnight," Jean said with a knowing smile.
"Thank you," Hermione said to Harry once her mother had left.
"For what?"
"For being you tonight," Hermione replied as she straightened Harry's tie. Then she lifted her lips and gave Harry a small kiss. "For a wonderful time, for everything. I know Dad is being difficult but..."
"It'll work out," Harry assured her. "I think we reached an understanding earlier or at least a starting point. Even if we haven't, I'll put up with whatever I have to, to keep from coming between you and your parents," He put a finger to her lips to keep her from answering. "I love you and you know I'll always love you. I'll do what it takes to make it work with your father. He could never be as bad as the Dursleys and I survived them for sixteen years."
Hermione nodded and smiled. "I love you and just want dad to see who you really are."
"Give him time," Harry replied.
....
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