When the Grangers arrived home, Wendell took one look at his daughter, both radiant from the exercise and looking gorgeous, and goggled in shock. Then he turned an almost scowl on Harry.
Harry just looked innocently back and shrugged. Wendell's behaviour was exactly as he expected.
Monica, not so much. She took one look at her daughter and smirked before dragging her upstairs 'to chat'.
As soon as they were gone, Wendell asked him, "What happened to Hermione's hair?"
"Betsy fixed it with elf magic and a hair management potion called Sleak-Ezy," he immediately replied. "It looks good, doesn't it?"
"Hmmmph," Wendell grumbled. "Remember: As her betrothed, it's your job to make sure no harm befalls her. If you need help hiding the bodies, let me know."
Harry grinned and replied, "No worries. I remember."
Both 'men' knew the other knew exactly what they were both alluding to.
When both ladies came back downstairs, Monica was demanding to know more about the potion and if it worked on non-magicals.
"No idea," said Harry. "I don't know why not, though. Try it and see. Call Betsy and ask as she'd probably know and could even source it for you."
Monica did exactly that and Betsy couldn't say it wouldn't work. She also promised to purchase some for her and come to apply it if called, with Hermione's permission."
"My permission?" asked Hermione.
"She's your Ladies' elf, Hermione," Harry explained. "If you order her to answer someone else's call, she'll do it."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Dinner that night was a bit of a feast. However, the only people sitting at the table were the Grangers and Harry. The aurors said they'd eat in the 'Quarters', so Harry and the Grangers could have this last meal together in private.
As it was winding down, another well-cooked and succulent roast beef with all the trimmings, Harry made sure the two Granger adults were finished with theirs and about to have their teas when he gave his throat a little clear and said, "Wendell... Monica... Thank you, so very much, for allowing me to come and stay. And for putting up with having strangers in your home for this past near month and a half―"
"You're very welcome, Harry," said Wendell, cutting him off. "And the aurors and other guests have not been a bother."
"You've brought us new friends and acquaintances, Harry," said Monica. "Plus, we've both been given a better look and understanding of the world our daughter is now a part of."
He blushed and looked down. "Still―"
"Still nothing," Wendell firmly said. "Monica and I are now a great deal more relieved our daughter is going to be alright in your world. It was something that plagued us with... yes, even nightmares... this past few years.
"This past five weeks has given us both a lot of peace. Especially knowing that manipulative old coot of a Headmaster of yours is now effectively dealt with."
"And the wards," added Monica. "And the floo out the back."
Still blushing he said, "If you're safe, Hermione's happy. Plus, I've got one more thing to give you and a couple of things to tell you to keep you safe."
He then reached into his pocket and drew out two items before offering, one each, to the two adults. They were little lapel pins.
"Each of these is a fully charged portkey. If someone, for some reason, manages to get through your wards with ill intent and you're home, the bringing down of those wards will activate them. As long as you're wearing them, you'll be portkeyed direct to Pottermore and under the far more powerful wards there.
"If the wards come under attack, an alert built into them will also alert both myself and Sirius that they're such. And both of us will be able to call on the aurors to get here with alacrity. But, the portkeys will get you away to safety even if something goes wrong with that, or the aurors are delayed."
Both accepted them with near reverence and looked at him with gratitude. Hermione, however, turned in her chair, leaned over to him and planted a major kiss on him.
With eyes shining brightly she pulled back and quietly, but heartfeltingly, said, "Thank you."
Wendell gave his own throat a clear and softly said, "Yes. Thank you, Harry."
Getting his blush under control, he frowned and said, "Dumbledore worries me. But, he's not the only threat to you out there from our world. While Dumbledore will try and use you, there are those who may come after you with more life-threatening intent. Dumbledore's attempts to get in through the wards, twice, is only an inkling of that."
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