Chapter nine
Molly Weasley was just leaving the living room to cook some supper when Harry suddenly realised he had not had a Christmas present from Hermione, certain that he had done nothing wrong Harry felt disappointed but decided he would say nothing. After all they had had a rather hectic few days and he did not want to make Hermione feel bad, anyway it was too late now; there would be no shops open even if he reminded her. So feeling tired and forgoing supper Harry headed off to bed, no body questioned his departure.
It did not take Harry long to fall into a deep sleep. Dreams of his other life invaded his sleep; dreams of the day Hermione had said "I do," to Ron Weasley, days when she had visited to happily tell them she was pregnant. He dreamt of the day she had turned down his proposal of marriage. Harry suddenly awoke from his dreams covered in sweat and feeling extremely miserable and lonely, the feeling of loss and sadness from his other life draped over him like a shroud.
Getting up and dressed Harry pulled on a thick jumper, one of the Weasley jumpers he received every year. After wandering around for some time he found him self in an old stable block, stalls for twenty horses stood empty and bare. Harry found himself wondering what it would be like to ride a horse, he would of course ride properly, just like John Wayne, he did not fancy the idea of being on a horse and bobbing up and down like a broken jack in a box. Fleeting day dreams of galloping alone across the countryside filled his head for a while. Then his daydream was interrupted by Hermione's voice.
'Harry where are you?' he looked down at his watch it was one in the morning and heavy snow was falling outside the stable. 'Harry where are you?' Hermione repeated sounding panicked.
'Watching the snow' was all he replied, he did not feel like talking to Hermione yet, he was still quite happy to wallow in his disappointment, and misery.
'Harry please tell me where you are, did I do something wrong?' she pleaded
'No you did nothing' Harry said emphasising the last word.
'Don't you want your Christmas present?' she asked
'It's to late for Christmas, it's already over, good night Hermione' he thought with finality.
He did not want to talk, tonight of all nights he had to go and have those dreams, dreams he had never had before, dreams that opened old wounds he had thought healed and forgotten. But for now he could not forget, visions of her kissing Ron, holding Ron, having Ron's children kept running through his mind.
Looking out of the small windows he could see the heavy snow falling, pulling his jumper up around his neck Harry stepped out into the cold night. Minutes later he was covered from head to foot in a thick layer of snow. Shivering he made his way into the kitchen and stood in front of the large fire.
He was still standing there when Hermione found him an hour later, "Harry? What's wrong Harry?" she asked as she walked over to him.
Harry looked at his wife and realised that the Hermione of his past life had been a different Hermione, she was not his wife, that woman was not this Hermione.
Harry held out his arm to her and she pressed close to him as he pulled her tight to his side.
"Bad dreams love, very bad dreams," he told her.
'You want to talk about them?' she asked looking worried for him.
So Harry told her how he had dreamt of his other life, of seeing her with Ron, marrying Ron, and celebrating because she had Ron's baby. He told her how even in his sleep all the old pain had flooded back into his heart.
"That was a different life Harry, that wasn't us, it was two different people." She whispered.
"What brought all this on," she wanted to know.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders; if she didn't know then he wouldn't make her night any worse. "You just pop off to bed love, I'll be along later."
"But Harry I haven't given you your Christmas present yet," Hermione said in a sultry tone.
"Like I said Christmas is over, so you can give it me at breakfast," he replied quietly.
'Harry sweetheart I can't give it to you at breakfast, Mrs Weasley would have a fit, mum would have a heart attack, and dad would try to kill you' she giggled' and Ron's eyes might pop out'
Harry began to wonder what his wife might have been drinking, she was making no sense at all, 'Hermione love are you ok, you do know the new day begins at midnight?'
Hermione stepped back and opened her dressing gown; all she was wearing was a pink set of under wear.
'Harry I've been studying marital laws and according to a law passed in seventeen hundred and two, we are of age, we are classed as adults. The law states that any young married male from the age of thirteen is allowed to do any magic to protect his wife from any danger, real or perceived, it goes on to state that he is also legally bound to carry out all the duties of a husband assigned to older Wizards, a small amendment affects the wife in saying that she should perform all wifely duties asked of her. That's why we were given quarters at Hogwarts'.
Harry stared at her, 'You mean all those nights when we just slept we could have...'
Hermione stopped him mid sentence 'Yes Harry love. So do you still want to wait till breakfast for your Christmas present?'
'No, no I wouldn't like to be the cause of Ron's eyes popping out'he laughed
They both overslept in the morning; they also both woke in a very good mood. 'Morning mood killer' Harry said as Hermione opened her eyes.
'Mood killer, what on earth are you talking about love?' she questioned as she raised an eye brow.
'Well there I was completely happy being depressed, and along you come and kill my bad mood, mood killer. Oh hi lover' Harry said with a huge smile.
'I never knew it could be like that Harry, I feel wonderful'.
'Fancy a shower?' he said cocking an eyebrow.
Later down at breakfast Harry was sitting looking thoughtful, "Penny for your thoughts," Hermione said
"Last night I found a stable block, did you ever go riding. Horses I mean," Harry enquired
"No but I always wanted to, especially when dad took me to see Black Beauty, I plagued mum and dad for months after seeing that film." She answered.
"What do you think; shall we buy a couple of horses?" Harry asked enthusiastically.
'I wonder if Ginny ever thought about riding, maybe we should ask her' Hermione sent to him.
'I don't suppose it would hurt if you asked. We would have to find someone to look after them, someone good with animals like Hagrid, someone who would treat them well' Harry continued 'Maybe Albus could help us'.
Just at that moment an owl flew in through the ever open window, hopping along the table the owl lifted its leg for Harry to remove a letter.
Harry took the letter and opened the official seal on the back and pulled out the parchment inside. After reading the letter Harry handed it to Hermione who had been feeding treats to the owl.
"Glanry," Harry called
A slight pop sound announced the House elf's arrival "Master Harry called,"
"Yes Glanry could you inform everyone that we are to receive an official visit from the minister of magic at eleven this morning," Harry said as he looked at his watch, "heck it's nearly eleven now. Come on Hermione we need to change,"
They were still dressed in their night clothes or in Hermione's case just her house coat. Rushing off to their bedroom Harry called back for the elf to entertain the minister should she arrive before they returned.
For some reason both Harry and Hermione found it amusing watching each other rushing around the bedroom trying to get dressed, five very rushed and hectic minutes later they were both running down the stairs heading for the main entrance. Reaching the foyer Hermione tried in vane to brush Harry's hair flat with her hand. 'Harry your pyjamas are sticking out' she told him,
Harry looked down and there from his fly a rather odd looking piece of his striped pyjamas was sticking out, he was still trying to tuck it away when a knock on the door made him jump.
Glanry arrived almost instantly and began to wave Harry and Hermione into the closest reception room. "The Master does not receive guests standing at the front door trying to straighten his attire," the old elf told them. He waved again and indicated they should sit.
Another knock on the door had Glanry rushing from the room tutting rather like an old woman, or so Harry thought.
Glanry led the small official group from the ministry into the room, "The Minister of magic, Sir."
Harry stood and offered his hand to Madam Bones, and gave a curt nod to the two aides and two Aurors that entered with her.
"Mr Potter, I am here in my official capacity as minister, I have a few questions about your underage magic on the…"
Hermione interrupted "Excuse me, but my husband has performed no illegal underage magic at anytime, that would also include the last time you questioned him. according to the Jan Frederick Gregson, law of 1702, my husband is allowed to use any magic to protect me from any threat be it real or perceived, therefore minister we would be grateful if you asked no more questions about any underage magic."
Madam Bones looked at Hermione studying her for a moment, "My granddaughter told me you are the cleverest witch of the age, I must admit that I was wrong not to believe her, now back to business. Mr Potter about your capture of six Death Eaters, the Wizarding community is grateful, Madam Malkin more so than others, for your intervention in their attempted crime," madam Bones stopped speaking for a moment.
"Oh to heck with the formal stuff, would there be any chance of a nice cup of tea for my companions and me, Mrs Potter, and would it be alright if we sit down, my old feet are killing me," Madam Bones said taking both Harry and Hermione by surprise.
"Shall we go into the living room, we can sit comfortably in there," Hermione answered when she got back her composure.
Harry led the way to the living room while Hermione called for Glanry and ordered tea for all. Once settled into the comfort of the living room Madam Bones spoke again.
"Now Mr Potter, or can I call you Harry?"
"Harry will be fine," he answered
"Right Harry it is my duty to see to it that you accept the Order of Merlin first class, now I don't want you to go walking out on me again, that's why we came to you, will you accept the award."
Hermione looked at Harry for a moment then burst out laughing, trying hard not to laugh she tried to apologise. Harry stared at her as though she had gone quite crazy.
"Hermione love, would you care to let us all in on the joke, I don't think it funny to be offered the Order of Merlin," he said almost laughing himself.
Hermione finally calmed as Glanry entered and gave her a piercing look that seemed to say 'you are breaking every etiquette law there is'
By the time Glanry had poured tea for everyone, Hermione had everything back under control.
"I'm so sorry Madam Bones, you see Harry is already at fifteen, so much more powerful than Merlin ever was, and for a second I imagined someone receiving the Order of Harry, it just struck me as highly amusing, I do apologise." Hermione explained.
Madam Bones laughed a little herself "Umphff, yes that is a rather amusing thought," she said "more powerful than Merlin you say. Do tell me more Mrs Potter."
"Well you know how I was attacked by those three Death Eaters a while back, well it took Harry less than a second to render them all unconscious, and he wasn't even flustered or angry he was just extremely efficient," Hermione began.
As the minister and Hermione got into their discussion Harry and the aides were forgotten, two minutes later Harry nodded his head toward the door and silently asked the two aides and the Aurors if they would like to get a butterbeer with him, the two chatting women never even noticed them leave the room, or if they did they showed no sign.
Harry led the way to the kitchen and offered his guests butterbeers, they were joined shortly by the Weasley clan and Sirius; "The Grangers and Mr and Mrs Weasley have gone for a walk." Sirius informed him.
"Is it true Mr Potter, you took out those three Death Eaters in just one second," asked one of the Aurors,
Harry chuckled "Well I never checked my watch, but they were threatening my wife,"
"Is it true it was Malfoy and Bellatrix LeStrange and Nott," one of the aides asked
"Whoa, you never told us you caught Bellatrix, Harry," Ron said his eyes wide.
"And Lucius Malfoy and Theodore Nott," Sirius confirmed
"Wicked," one of the twins said in awe.
"What about the six in Malkin's just before Christmas," the other Auror asked.
"I only got five of those, Hermione got the other one. Tell you what, I bet you the one Hermione got is still wishing I had caught him, Ron keep reminding me never to set the wife off, that bloke shot across the shop like a bullet, he went through six racks and a partition and that was before she stunned him," Harry told them proud of his wife.
"Cool," chorused both twins and Ron.
Ron gulped and went pale, "And I was getting her angry just for… bloody hell Harry you could have warned me."
"Well I kinda figured I'd let you find that out on your own," Harry chuckled again.
Everyone laughed as Ron contemplated the potential risk he had taken just to argue with Hermione because he thought she looked cute when angry. A very pale Ron gulped down his butterbeer.
It was an hour later when Hermione and Madam Bones joined them in the kitchen. Hermione asked where her parents were, she had intended to introduce them to the minister.
"They went a walk down to the village," Sirius told her as she sat at the table with everyone else.
"But that's a five mile hike there and back, it'll seem like ten miles back just coming back up the mountain," Hermione murmured.
"Right Harry you never answered me will you accept the honour," Madam Bones asked.
'Say yes Harry' Hermione told him
"Ok, I suppose so," Harry replied sounding rather doubtful.
Madam Bones nodded to one of her aides who took out a blue velvet box and handed it to Harry. "Thanks," Harry mumbled.
"Well I must say that was one of the most unusual presentations I ever attended, but it was also the most enjoyable one," Madam Bones said as she got up to go.
"I'll walk you out," Hermione offered.
"Well goodbye Mr Potter, Mrs Potter, gentlemen," the minister said as she walked toward the door.
Out in the foyer Madam Bones said "You have a good man there Hermione, you be sure to look after him."
Hermione smiled "Oh I will, I know just how lucky I am."
Hermione walked back into the kitchen where all the boy's were chuckling, she wondered what was so funny till she heard Glanry mumbling "No etiquette, every rule broken, what ever is the world coming too." She joined the boys and chuckled.
chapter Ten
"Only two days left and then back to Hogwarts eh," grumbled Ron as he followed Harry and Hermione into the living room.
"You sound as though you're not happy to be going back," Hermione prompted him.
"Well with you and Harry living in your own quarters now, I don't really have anyone to talk to," Ron grumbled.
Without thinking Hermione commented "But you must have had someone to talk to when you deserted Harry last year."
Ron's face went slightly paler as he bit his tongue, he had just been about to yell at her but had remembered the discussion they had in the kitchen, he could hear Harry's voice 'he went through six racks and a partition and that was before she stunned him', the words made him shudder a little, then he had a vision of Malfoy hurtling backward through the great hall, an angry Hermione glaring at him, the thought brightened him up again.
"Well not really, everyone thought I was being a prat," he told them honestly.
"They got that right," George said as the other twin followed him in to the room.
Ginny joined them just after, Harry handed the butterbeer's all round.
George and Fred took the tops off their bottles then together they stood up and raised the bottles.
"To Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, due to open," Fred
"In two weeks time," George
"With a grand fireworks display," Fred
"Both in Diagon Alley," George
"And Hogwarts," Fred
The twins informed them "We will not be going back with you when you go, we have already Owled Dumbledore to let him know, tomorrow we head for London, fame and fortune," they said in unison.
"Does mum know?" Ron asked in between sips.
"Don't be thick Ron, you think we're crazy, mum'll know after we leave,"
"Good thing for you two, but it's gonna cause us all some headaches, mum's bound to blame one or all of us for not stopping you," Ginny moaned. Not looking forward to the prospect of an angry mother.
"Come on Gin, bet you a Knut they are rolling in money within the year," Harry laughed "I mean who can resist things like puking pastilles or canary creams."
"But what about your NEWT's, you'll never get a job with out them," Hermione commented.
"Hermione dear, when we are rich and we work for ourselves, I can not see what use it would be to have them," George said as Fred rolled his eyes.
A loud banging and knocking noise drew their attention to the window that always remained open for Owl deliveries, several charms around the window prevented rain, snow, and wind, entering the room, but did nothing to suppress the sounds from outside.
"Who's doing all the banging?" Ginny asked the room at large.
"Oh that's dad and Mr Granger; they've been out there ages messing around. No idea what they are doing but dad said something about a Muggle contraption," Ron told them as the knocking continued.
An hour later Harry noticed the silence from outside "Hey you guys listen, can you hear it?"
His friends looked at him as though he had gone silly, "The silence you twerps, they've stopped all that banging."
Every ones eyes turned toward the window as though they would see the silence, "You're right, Harry, they have stopped," Ron said as he turned back to the coffee table and his butterbeer.
Before they could restart their conversation about quidditch Mr Weasley poked his head into the window, "You lot get your coats, hats, and gloves, then meet me out front in five minutes.
After a mad rush fuelled by a desire to see what had Mr Weasley looking like he had just won the lottery again, had them all standing outside the front door waiting when Mr Weasley and Mr Granger both came from around the back pulling four odd looking things made of wood.
"Ooh dad, you made us a sledge," Hermione almost squealed.
"What's a sledge?" Ron asked eyeing the wooden contraptions.
"A toboggan Ron, blimey! don't you know anything," Harry laughed.
"Ah one of those," Ron said then he turned to Fred and whispered "what's a toboggan."
"No idea, but dad looks rather excited," Fred answered also whispering.
"Right come on boys, grab one each and let's go," Mr Granger said enthusiastically.
"Harry, one for you, Ron, one for you, that leaves one each for you two," Mr Weasley said rubbing his hands.
'It's been ages since we went sledging Harry' Hermione thought to him.
'I never got to try it, they always left me behind when they took Dudders, still I always wanted to try it' Harry sent back.
After a quick gesture to follow, Mr Granger led them to the top of a rather long steep slope with a fairly long flat stretch of field at the bottom, "This is the perfect spot," Mr Granger said rubbing his hands together.
"You want to jump on the back princess," Mr Granger asked Hermione as he sat on the sledge Harry had pulled.
Hermione did a little excited jump and clapped her hands like a little girl who just got a new doll. Without hesitation she sat down behind her father.
Mr Granger gave the sledge a few pushes with his feet helped by Harry pushing on the back end. Seconds later the sledge was on its way down the slope picking up speed as it went.
Hermione was squealing and laughing as the sledge sped through the snow, "Yahayyyyy," she yelled as they hit the bottom of the slope and slid along ploughing snow in front of them.
Mr Weasley watched in awe, "You've never been sledging then?" Harry asked.
"We don't usually do Muggle sports but Hermione's dad insisted its great fun, er, excuse me Harry," Mr Weasley answered then he grabbed one of the sledges and pushed his way off down the hill, giving out hoots and hollers as he to sped through the snow.
"Well looks like fun to me," George said as he and Fred sat on a sledge and followed Mr Weasley.
"Go on, Ron take Ginny, down with you, I'll wait and go with Hermione," Harry said as he eyed the last sledge.
Neither Ron nor Ginny needed telling twice, this Muggle sledging looked like tremendous fun.
Harry waited for Hermione to return then he sat behind her as he took his first toboggan ride, both arms holding tight around her waist, "I love you," he shouted as they sped down toward the bottom.
They all took a few tumbles as they learned how to steer their sledges, Mr Granger and Mr Weasley were like two young boys again, playing and laughing with the teenagers.
Mr Weasley became a little bit of a daredevil and tried doing various odd things that all seemed to land him face first in the snow.
With the help of drying and warming charms by Fred, George, and Mr Weasley they were all able to really enjoy the new found exciting pastime.
Ginny suggested having a race for which Mr Weasley duplicated two of the sledges, all six of them set off down the hill together, the race turned into something like a ride on the dodgems.
Half way through the afternoon Sirius joined them, an hour later Harry watched happily as his godfather laughed and fooled about, the haunted look in his eyes replaced by brightness.
'Your dad is a genius Hermione my love, I don't think I've ever seen Sirius so happy' Harry declared as he rolled in the snow with her.
'Did I tell you today I love you? Well I do and I think dad has begun to think of you as the son he never had' Hermione said as they lay in the snow and kissed.
Quite a few hours passed as they all enjoyed the sledging, tumbles and all, Harry, Ron and Ginny, complained along with Hermione, and Mr Granger, when Mr Weasley and the twins kept apparating up the hill, while they all had to walk up.
By the time the sun started to go down they were all tired but all agreed it had been one of the best days of the holiday.
Hermione suggested shrinking the sledges and taking them to Hogwarts with them, the snow so far north would be around for quite some time.
New life long friendships were formed during the holiday at Potter house, as all the adults became firm friends. Mr Granger and Mr Weasley became very close, almost best friends, Sirius had found new friendships that had helped him to shed some of the depressive attitude that being in Azkaban for so many years caused.
Dobby became like a son to Glanry, and a much closer and better understood friend of Harry and his three friends. Even the twins took a great liking to the little elf.
The train ride back to Hogwarts usually a rather happy reunion with old friends seemed a little less happy in the compartment they shared, Just after leaving the platform they were joined by Neville who after spending his Christmas holiday with his gran was happy to be back with them.
The first free weekend they had the two Potters and two Weasleys along with Neville headed off to find a good slope to do more sledging, Neville turned out to be extremely good at it and was the first amongst them to lie on his stomach and plummet head first down the hill. their shouts and yells and fits of laughter drew a large crowd of students who eventually began to ask for a turn. By the following weekend Hagrid had lost count of the sledges he had made, he had begun by offering to make Neville his own sledge and every thing seemed to just grow from there. When the snow finally began to melt the entire school seemed to be enthusiastic about the new pastime, house teams were organised and race meetings held.
Hermione watched it all and wondered what other Muggle sport or pass time her father would bring to this world he did not even understand.
On the first Monday back at school Harry began to wonder what Ginny's future would be like in this new life, he knew she would no longer die so young, the problem that had killed her before had been cured, and Albus had assured him that she would now have a long life, he found himself wondering who she was going to end up with and whether she would still have three children. By Friday of the same week Harry could see the beginnings of a romance between Ginny and Neville, 'Perfect for each other' he thought.
Hermione invited them to join them in their quarters some evenings to help them get away from Ron, who was over doing the big brother protecting little sister, quite a bit.
Half way through the term Harry and Hermione had a little scare, for a few days they thought Hermione might be pregnant, although they were almost sure they had done the correct contraceptive charm.
'Harry I don't want to go through that again, I have decided to go to see Madam Pomfrey for some contraceptive potion, it works for six months with no side effects is that ok with you' she asked him as they lay in bed the night they found out she was not pregnant.
'Well as long as it won't have any unwanted effects later, it's ok with me' he told her.
'What do you mean, unwanted effects later' Hermione asked.
'You do want children don't you?' Harry asked suddenly worried, they had never discussed having babies.
'Just a few' she smiled 'not a full quidditch team though'
The rest of the term seemed to rush by; Harry kept his class marks just below Hermione's though he did start to answer more questions in the various classes.
Ginny and Neville were invited for diner several times as they gradually became a couple.
Ron was also invited a few times; he occasionally brought Luna Lovegood with him. Harry noticed that Hermione did not appear to be as friendly with Ron as he might have expected and he commented on it one night.
'I hope my thing with Ron didn't influence you, or spoil your friendship with him' he sent feeling a little guilty.
'Harry, Ron came with the package, I fell for you and I wanted to be close to you, that's why we became best friends, Ron was your friend and as the saying goes any friend of yours is a friend of mine' Hermione replied.
'So you don't miss having him around then'
'Good grief no, I mean life without all those stupid arguments is great'/i Hermione laughed 'besides he would sort of cut down on our snogging time'.
Their O.W.L's at the end of term were a whole lot easier for Harry this second time around, he did his best to match what he thought Hermione's results would be, she was really pleased with him for finally getting down to his studying and complimented him on his hard work occasionally, he had to remind her that he had already done the exam once but as he had said before a lot of the spells never got used once learned so they were quickly forgotten, he just needed to read up on them.
The train ride home was once again uneventful and Harry almost missed Draco and his rude interruptions, almost but not when Hermione was kissing him silly, Ginny and Neville shared the compartment with them, Ron had gone off with Luna, Harry could only guess why.
The car ride to their home in Wales was rather long as there seemed to be no end to the holiday traffic. Arriving at Potter House was indeed coming home for Harry and Hermione.
Chapter eleven
Dudley Dursley grumbled once again about being hungry, "it's nearly two hours since we left Aunt Marge's and I want something to eat."
"Dudley sweetheart we will be home in five minutes, and mummy will cook you a nice big meal, how does that sound," Petunia simpered.
"I could do with something to eat myself," Vernon agreed as they turned into Privet Drive. Petunia almost bumped her head on the windscreen as Vernon slammed on the brakes.
"Oh my lord," Vernon said as he stepped out of the car his piggy eyes as wide open as they could be.
"Vernon! Our beautiful house, what happened?" Petunia gasped as they both stood staring at the remains of Number four.
Dudley lumbered from the back seat and peered around his fathers rather large rear "Shte, there goes lunch."
"Ah, Mr Dursley? Mr Vernon Dursley?" asked a young lady who was dressed in a business suit.
"Yes, yes, yes, what happened here?" Vernon demanded sweeping his hand to take in the pile of rubble that now stood where number four had stood when they left the day before.
"My name is Poppins, Miss Mary Poppins, I'm afraid there was a slight mix up in addresses you see, and our demolition team seemed to have slightly damaged your house," the young woman said in an apologetic voice.
"SLIGHTLY DAMAGED," roared Vernon "There's nothing but a pile of Rubble left you imbecile."
"I'm sorry but there really is no call for that attitude Mr Dursley, I have apologised for the damage, my employer has authorised me to place you at a private Mansion all expenses paid for two weeks, while repairs are carried out, now I have some photo's of the Mansion with me, the young lady in the photo's is the wife of the billionaire that owns the property, now if you would care to check out the photo's I feel sure you will accept the offer, I can assure you when you return you will not be able to tell anything ever happened to your House," Miss Poppins said while holding out a handful of photo's.
Petunia busied herself looking through the photo's, while Vernon stood his jaw working but no sound leaving him but the occasional strangled sort of noise.
"It does look rather a nice place Vernon dear, and as Miss Poppins said two weeks all expenses paid, it does sound rather inviting." Petunia urged.
"There will be a limousine here shortly to take to the Manor, Ah here it comes now," Miss Poppins said pointing at a stretch limo that was pulling up behind the Dursley car.
"Now if you would like to park your car in the drive,"
Vernon Dursley did as he was told looking like a fat zombie, Dudley carried the overnight bags they had taken to Aunt Marge's house, and climbed into the limo.
"Hey dad, come on, they have a fridge in here," Dudley yelled as he pulled open a small fridge.
Vernon Dursley took a last look at the pile of ruins that had been his home, and then resignedly he climbed into the limo, followed by Petunia. The Limousine took off as soon as they had taken their seats, three hours later the car halted outside a huge pair of wrought iron gates, the driver got out and said to what Vernon thought might be an inter com, "Your guest's madam."
The large gates swung open and the car drove up to the main doors of the large house. The driver opened the door for them then stood back, a small smile on his lips.
The large door to the house opened and the Dursleys saw their host for the first time, a young brunette who, Petunia decided could be no more than eighteen.
"Mr and Mrs Dursley, and this must be your son Dudley, how do you do, now if you will just give me a moment," the young woman turned to the driver smiling "Thank you Fred."
"Its George ma'am," the driver replied, got back in the car and drove away.
"If you would just follow me," their hostess said as she walked into the house. The Dursleys followed and were led into a reception room, "If you'll take a seat, I'll just inform my husband you will be staying with us, I'm sure he wont mind, he is after all one of the richest men in England." With that the young woman left them alone.
Back at Privet Drive Tonks watched the limousine drive away, as it rounded the corner and vanished from sight she pulled out her wand gave it a quick flick and the concealing charm on number four ended, revealing a perfectly unmarked number four. Taking a quick look at her reflection in a window she decided she much preferred her old look, so changed, this time turning her hair a rather light purple. Tonks began laughing as she did a quick twirl and disapparated.
In Molly Weasleys kitchen, Harry Potter stood waiting and wondering why it seemed to be taking Mrs Weasley so long to find the recipe Hermione had sent him to collect. A small noise outside made him look through the window, where he saw a laughing Tonks approaching the kitchen door, she was still giggling when she finally entered the kitchen, she took one look at Harry and doubled over, tears of laughter rolled down her cheeks as she struggled to sit at the table.
Ginny and Mrs Weasley both entered the kitchen at the same time one from the living room and one from the stairs.
"I take it that everything worked," Ginny said as she sat opposite Tonks,
Mrs Weasley seemed to have forgotten about Harry and his recipe as she too sat at the table. "Well what happened?" she asked as she stared at Tonks.
Tonks managed to stand up, then after taking a deep calming breath she changed her appearance to once more look like Julie Andrews. She held out her hand to Mrs Weasley and repeated the words she had said to Vernon "My name is Poppins, Miss Mary Poppins," it was all she managed before she collapsed into fits of laughter again.
"And they swallowed it, Mary Poppins, they actually believed that?" Ginny asked amazed.
Harry was getting more and more perplexed, "Mrs Weasley, Ginny, would someone like to tell me what is going on."
"Nothing to worry about dear," Mrs Weasley said between bursts of laughter.
Hermione stood outside the reception room, and steadied herself 'they deserve this and so much more' she thought as she struggled to control her temper, it had not been easy to talk to Harry's detestable relatives without hexing them in to next week. Another deep breath and she calmly called for Glanry. Having given him her instructions she turned and re-entered the room, to talk once more to the horrid woman with a horsy face.
"I suppose you will be hungry after your journey, do make your selves at home while I see to the arrangements," she walked back from the room leaving the three Dursleys to their own devises.
Petunia was delightedly informing Vernon and Dudley, that the furniture was all original antique, "It must have cost a small fortune just to furnish this one room. How many rooms do you suppose there are, did you see any servants? Dudley do be careful dear we might be invited back if all goes well," Petunia carried on talking away, while neither Vernon nor Dudley paid her the slightest bit of attention.
Dudley's rather slow brain was engaged in wondering how long it would be before they got to have some food, the few snacks in the car fridge had done little to fill his rather large stomach.
Vernon was trying to work out how much compensation he could wring from a billionaire, 'maybe enough to retire on' if he was lucky. He was interrupted in his calculations when a man he assumed to be the butler entered the room.
"If you would like to follow me, I will show you to your rooms, lunch will be served in twenty minutes," without another word the butler walked from the room, the Dursleys following. Petunia looked around at the expensive furniture and things that stood around. She was convinced she was going to enjoy her stay at this splendid house.
On the first floor the butler stopped and opened a door "The young gentleman's room."
Dudley stepped around his parents and entered the room. The butler closed the door and moved along the corridor to the next room. Opening the door he announced "Your room sir," he pulled the door closed before Petunia could follow Vernon into the room.
The door to the next room was opened "Your room Madam," Petunia thanked him then entered the room. The butler closed the door then smiling he whispered "Do enjoy your meal."
Dudley felt around for a light switch, wondering why the room was so dark during the day. Suddenly the lights came on and he found him self in a room that looked remarkably like the small room his cousin had used, complete with a battered thin lumpy mattress on the bed.
At the Burrow Harry had come to the conclusion that he was either stuck in some gigantic prank or everyone at the Burrow had gone crazy, he had drawn this conclusion when Bill Weasley had stepped out of the fire place with a huge grin on his face.
"I don't know how she managed not to hex them, but they swallowed it hook line and sinker, and are even as we speak settling into their rooms," he then burst into laughter.
Mrs Weasley hustled Harry to the fire place telling him he best get on home "Hermione has some guests staying dear, you don't want to miss the fun."
Before he knew what was happening he was hurtling through the floo network towards his home.
Harry knew as soon as he stepped from the fire place in his living room that Hermione had done something to break a rule, she had that determined but guilty look on her face, and appeared to have been pacing. Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were sitting facing the rather nice comfortable sofa that Hermione had taken to using.
"Harry, how are you?" Dumbledore said in his quiet way, "Minerva and I were just helping your dear wife with a small prank; I do hope you won't mind,"
Harry looked at his wife who had stopped pacing and was now looking guiltily at him.
"Oh you are going to be so mad, I just know it, but since you showed me those memories in the Pensieve it's been driving me crazy," Hermione said as Harry sat on the sofa.
"Why don't you tell me what you have done, then I'll tell you if I'm mad at you," Harry said wondering just what Hermione might have done.
Vernon and Petunia Dursley found themselves in total darkness when they entered the rooms they had been shown, seconds after the door had closed a small dim light above them had lit the place they were in.
Petunia looked in total horror and disbelief, she was in a slightly larger version of the cupboard under the stairs at number four Privet Drive, complete with the thin piece of foam and scruffy worn out blanket, it was almost identical to the cupboard into which she had so willingly shoved her nephew on numerous occasions.
In the next room Vernon was discovering exactly the same thing, anger was his first reaction as he turned and began to pound on the door.
Harry sat trying his hardest not to let his feelings show as Hermione explained what she had, with the help of several people, done to his Aunt Uncle and cousin.
He could not remember how many times over the years he had wished he had exacted just a little revenge for their evil treatment of an innocent child. Finally as his wife stood looking extremely nervous he gave in to his urge and began to laugh.
"You're not angry then?" Hermione asked as Harry clutched at his sides.
"Angry love, no I'm not angry, I just wish I'd thought it up, Uncle Vernon in a cupboard under the stairs, it's priceless," Harry answered.
"You don't mind that I showed them your memories?" Hermione said nodding toward the two older people.
"You haven't seen it all yet," Albus chuckled "Minerva and I have a few more ideas to play with."
"You know Albus I had forgotten just how much we enjoyed pranking the Slytherins," Minerva chuckled.
"There's more then?" Harry asked surprised by his two senior professors'
"Oh yes there's more," Albus smiled "Much more for Mr and Mrs Vernon Dursley."
Chapter twelve
"Oh, they tried to knock the magic out of me, said I was a freak, and there was no such thing as Magic," Harry said loudly to Hermione as they stood outside the door to Vernon's cupboard.
"Well if they said that dear, then I don't think they should get any supper do you?" Hermione replied in an equally loud voice.
"It was what they did to me on countless occasions, locked me in with no food, but are we as bad as them do you think?" Harry said trying not to laugh.
"Maybe not, I'll feed this one, you feed the other one, ok," Hermione said as she tapped the door with her wand, a second later a cat flap appeared and Hermione pushed in a dish of cold thin vegetable soup.
Harry did the same thing with Petunia's door; he never said a word as he placed the dish on the floor inside her cupboard.
"It seems Hagrid's giant half brother Grawp, is in need of a servant or two, but as he doesn't have any cupboards he has to use dungeons," Harry almost shouted.
Harry and Hermione waited for a minute to let what they had said sink in before he continued.
"What happened to the last servant he had?" she asked
"Seems Grawp got a little hungry one day so he ate him, anyway Dumbledore said they would make perfect servants for a giant," Harry said before Hermione had to run to the other end of the corridor and cast a muffliato charm so she would not be heard, before bursting out in fits of giggles.
Harry joined her, a huge smile on his face.
"Harry that was wicked, got hungry one day, honestly," she burst into laughter again.
'I wonder what Dumbledore has in store for the Dursleys in the morning' Hermione sent Harry later as they lay in bed holding each other face to face, arms and legs entwined.
'I don't think it will be anything that they are going to enjoy, do you, I mean did you see that gleam in his eyes, it looked positively wicked' Harry replied.
Hermione gave him a final kiss before saying good night, 'I want to be up to watch' she said as she rolled over and shuffled backward a little, so that she was spooned up as close as she could be to the love of her life 'night love' she thought as she began to drift off to sleep.
At five the next morning Vernon Dursley was awoken from a very fitful sleep; it only seemed like an hour since he had finally managed to fall asleep. The banging on his cupboard door was insistent so he yelled "I'm up, I'm up."
Petunia received the same rude awakening; she tried to stretch but cringed when her body reminded her of where she had slept, and just how uncomfortable she had been.
The two doors opened at the same time and two very painfully stiff Dursleys found them selves standing in front of Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall.
"You Vernon will mow the lawn, weed the flower beds, sweep the drive way, and then clean the windows," Albus said before Vernon could speak.
"And you Petunia will scrub the stairs, clean the carpets, and polish the foyer floor, you will then clean all the windows inside," Minerva said.
"I'll do no such thing," Vernon yelled just before finding himself outside with an old lawn mower in his hands, he tried to walk away but found he could not let go of the mower handle. He knew then he had no choice but to do the chores he had been told to do, and as if to verify the thought for him the lawn mower began to drag him up and down the large lawns. One and a half hours later a rather tired and bedraggled Vernon was finally able to let go of the mower, he was just about to congratulate himself when a broom flew into his hands then proceeded to slowly sweep from left to right dragging Vernon along with it as it began to sweep the long drive.
Petunia found herself on the top floor of the house, a scrubbing brush firmly fixed in her hand; she was terrified as the brush dragged her to her hands and knees then started to rhythmically scrub each step on the long stair way down to the ground floor, finally reaching the bottom step Petunia was able to let go of the brush and tried to stand in order to stretch her aching back and to relieve her sore knees, the few seconds respite she got did not help as she was dragged once more to her hands and knees by a small hand held sweeping brush, as it stuck it's self to her hand, then it vigorously began to sweep the nearest carpet.
Once more Vernon felt himself the victim of some magical object as a bucked of water planted itself in his left hand and a wet wash cloth filled his right, a rather terrified Vernon found him self hanging in mid air as the wash cloth began washing the upper floor windows. Screaming for help did him little good because those that saw him just watched as the cloth dragged him from window to window, Vernon seemed to vaguely remember some one saying there were twenty bedrooms and groaned as his shoulders and arms began to ache afresh.
At lunch time Vernon and Petunia were ushered into a small study, both were extremely tired and dirty from their labours. They were told to take a seat and to wait.
Five minutes later Harry, Hermione, Minerva, and Dumbledore entered the room.
"First I would like to introduce my wife Hermione," Harry said as he bowed his head toward his wife, "I would also like to introduce one of my professor's, Minerva McGonagall, professor Dumbledore I think you already know, professor Dumbledore though is not here today as my headmaster, he is here as the head of the Wizengamont, who are wizard judges, and law makers, he would like to speak to you," Harry having finished sat down in a large leather chair along side Hermione, who immediately climbed in to his lap and snuggled as close as she could to him.
Dumbledore sat behind the large desk and looked at the Dursleys. "Vernon and Petunia Dursley, you have been brought here accused of child cruelty, and having witnessed the incontrovertible evidence, Mr Potters' own memories, you have both been found guilty. As these crimes were carried out on an underage wizard, I am inclined to sentence you under wizarding law, and to send you to Azkaban prison for a term of at least ten years, one year for every year you tormented and mistreated Mr Potter, however Mrs Potter wishes that you be given a chance to write full and complete confessions of your crimes and to sign them in front of witnesses. The choice is yours, you have five minutes."
"Do they still have those Dementors that suck out your happiness and soul there?" Harry asked Minerva.
"Oh yes dear, the most evil beings on the planet, little wonder so few people ever leave Azkaban once sent there," she answered.
Both Vernon and Petunia winced at her answer, Petunia suddenly looked at Harry and asked "So you're the billionaire, and when did you get rich, and married without our permission."
"Madam I would worry about your own position and not Mr and Mrs Potter's, though for your information Mr Potter has always been rich, and they were betrothed at birth and there is nothing you could have ever done to prevent their being man and wife," Dumbledore said quietly.
The Dursleys realised they were between a rock and a hard place, there was no way out, but to actually go to the wizard prison, or write out their full confessions.
After quickly discussing their options they both decided to write a confession.
"I want full and complete confessions, I want every thing you did, the beatings, the starvation, and the mental torment, all written down, and don't forget about his bedroom for ten years, the cupboard under your stairs," Hermione told them in an icy voice.
Once they had written their confessions, Mr Weasley entered the room with three people Harry recognised, they were all members of the Order of the phoenix, what he had not known was that they all lived as Muggles in the local village.
The local constable, the vicar, and a farmer, all signed the confessions as witnesses, the police constable then made a copy of both pieces of parchment and placed them in his pocket.
It was obvious to Harry that Hermione had no intention of letting his Aunt and Uncle get away with what they had done.
After serving the Dursleys some bread and cheese for their lunch, Vernon and Petunia found themselves once more at the mercy of some magical object. Vernon found himself in the stable scrubbing the floors with a toothbrush, while Petunia was being led around the house by a cloth that insisted on polishing every surface several time over. Vernon's final task of the day was cleaning out the toilettes in all the rooms, followed along by his wife as she polished all the tiled surfaces.
"Hello Dudley," Harry said as he entered Dudley's room "I understand you have met my wife Hermione,"
"H-H-Harry," Dudley stammered as Harry crossed the room and sat on the bed, "is this your house?"
"Yes Dudley, this is one of my houses, I just thought I would pop in and let you know you'll be going home soon, and to tell you that if you find you need somewhere to live in the near future, don't bother to come looking for me," Harry told him before getting up and leaving. "oh and Dudley if I hear of you beating up little kids, which if you do I will, you will be subject to the same magic that your parents have endured for the past twenty-four hours, you might want to remember that."
Dumbledore left with Minerva and the Dursleys just after lunch, leaving Harry and Hermione in peace at last. No visitors, no where to go, and nothing to do, except what ever they chose to do, which that afternoon was to go to bed, and be together.
Later that evening as Harry got dressed while watching his near naked wife brush her hair he said "Well that was an interesting start to the holiday, do you think the Dursleys will ever recover from their day meeting you for the first time."
"Oh I think they will be remembering the last two days for a very long time," she said a huge smile lighting her face "and anyone else who messes with my husband will find they have me to deal with as well."
At supper they had several visitors, all of them Weasleys who had turned up to hear Hermione's account of the Dursleys visit, which both Harry and Hermione were happy to tell in fine detail.
After the story had been told a few times by both of them, Mrs Weasley told Harry and Hermione, what Tonks had said and done, after expressing disbelief that the Dursleys had been thick enough to fall for Tonk's 'Miss Mary Poppins', Hermione invited the Weasleys to stay over for the night if they wished, an offer that was taken up by Ron and Ginny, the others all had reasons to return home.
At six the next morning Harry crept from his bedroom quietly so that he would not wake his sleeping wife, and went to wake Ron and Ginny, after a very quick breakfast, which Ron was not to happy about, Harry asked them to join him in a visit to the local village. The reason for their long trek to the village was waiting at the local post office. It was the farmer Harry had had the pleasure of meeting the day before after he had signed the Dursley confessions.
Hopping aboard the farmers land rover the three friends were taken to a small farm a few miles away, there with Ginny's help Harry chose a half dozen well behaved young horses. Arrangements were made for delivery to be made sometime after lunch. Having shook hands on the deal and paying out a rather large amount of money, Harry, Ron, and Ginny accepted the offer of a ride home in the land rover. The farmer who's name was Sebastian dropped them at the gate and bid them good day after inviting them to a night at the local pub later in the week.
After lunch Ginny was put to work keeping Hermione busy in the library while Harry and Ron waited outside for the Horsebox to arrive, Hagrid arrived to help and offered to prepare the stables. He had just finished laying out fresh straw and filling the feed wracks with hay, when the vehicle arrived.
Hagrid looked over the horses and declared that Harry had bought some good animals. Hagrid was left talking to the horses as though they were old friends while Harry and Ron went in search of the girls, finding them reading in the library Harry led them outside then had them wear a blindfold before leading them to the stable. There was not a sound coming from the horses; it was almost as if they were in on the plot to surprise Hermione.
Hermione's eyes lit up as one of her childhood dreams seemed to be standing right in front of her, after staring for several seconds she turned and threw her self into Harry's arms and gave him a very passionate kiss, though he did not want to he had to break the kiss with her, it was time to name the horses.
Ron stood looking at his feet his face a brilliant red, while Ginny did her best to look out of the windows.
Removing her self from her husbands arms Hermione stepped into the stall in front of her, where there stood a jet black horse, with not another colour visible except a tiny white blaze in the middle of its head.
"Just like black beauty," Harry said as he watched the happiness on Hermione's face spread to her eyes, and he could tell she was falling in love with the four legged friend stood calmly by her side.
Chapter thirteen
'Oh Harry I feel like a little girl again, he's so handsome, does he have a name?' Hermione thought as she stood with the horse nuzzling her.
'No, no name yet just a number' he replied feeling very happy with his world.
'Well his name is obvious, don't you think, 'beauty' my very own black beauty' she thought before turning to Ginny.
"What do you think of beauty for his name?" she asked Ginny.
"Sounds perfect to me," Ginny answered as she watched her friend nuzzle the horse back.
"Right Gin, your turn to pick one, anyone but the palomino," Harry said as he put his arm over Ginny's shoulder and turned her toward the other horses.
"What I get to name one?" Ginny asked surprised.
"Well you'll want a name for your horse won't you?" Harry said smiling at her.
"You mean I get to have one?" she said hugging Harry in a real Weasley hug.
"Gin, Gin, breath, got none left," Harry wheezed as she hugged him tight.
Ron and Hermione burst out laughing, "You best let him go Gin, after all his wife is just here and she would prefer a breathing husband," Ron chuckled.
Ginny chose the only chestnut, "She's got the same colour hair as Bill," she said as she stroked her new friend. "Hello blaze, how do you like your name?"
"Ok Ron your turn," Harry grinned at his friend as his face paled.
"I was never much good with animals," Ron complained as the others watched him looking at the three remaining horses.
One of the horses a piebald seemed to take a liking to him as it nuzzled him then rested its head over his shoulder, "looks like this one picked me," he exclaimed as the horse licked his ear.
Hagrid smiled at the young people then went over and started to talk to the two remaining horses "I recon you two will be Mr and Mrs Grangers, thems Hermione's mum n dad."
"Hagrid do you know where we might find a groom, someone who is good and kind to animals?" Harry asked as the big man made a fuss of the horses.
"Well I do matter o fact, there's a young wizard fellow, name o Joseph Diggle, he's workin in a shop in Diagon Alley, always wanted to work with horses, just not many wizards as has em, I kin ask im if yer want," Hagrid replied with his customary smile somewhere behind his beard.
"Well if he's interested there's accommodation above the stables, it'll want cleaning but I'm sure the house elves will be willing to help out if Hermione asks them, when will you see him do you think?" Harry said hopefully.
"Well I gotta go to Diagon to get some more things fer Hogwarts, I'll pop over in the morning," the half giant said enthusiastically.
"Ron what name did you give to yours?" Ginny asked as Hagrid turned back to talking to the two horses.
"All I could think of was patch," Ron answered; his horse shook its head as if in dismay.
"Well if you can do better," Ron said to the horse
"How about Swift?" Hermione asked,
Ron turned toward the horse "Swift be ok?" The horse nuzzled him "so Swift it is," Ron said. "Hey Harry what about you, what name did you pick?"
"I already gave mine a name and she seemed happy with it," he answered.
"Yeah but Whats the name?" Ginny asked a little exasperation in her voice.
"Oh the name, she's named Goldie," he answered.
The four friends left Hagrid in the stable and spent the rest of the evening floo calling several people.
Harry ordered six saddles, "I don't want those Jack in a box types, I want the sort the Americans use, the sort you can sit on and relax," he told the sales clerk at the only shop that sold harness and that sort of thing.
Ron and Ginny floo called the Burrow and got permission to remain another night with Harry and Hermione.
Hermione had them all sitting in the library reading all the books they had on horses and their welfare, and there were quite a few.
When they went to bed that night and made love Hermione showed Harry just how happy she was with his surprise, in fact she showed him several times. It was the early hours in the morning when they finally got to sleep.
Hermione and Ginny were up fairly early the next day; together they walked over to the stables.
"You know Hermione, your Harry is such a beautiful and kind person, I always wanted a horse, I suppose most girls do, but dad never had that sort of money so I never mentioned it, now I have blaze and I am so happy, If I were not so head over heels in love with Neville I could fall in love with your husband, and you know what, I think you would have loved him even if you weren't soul-mates. You have the perfect catch do you know." Ginny said as they cleaned out the stalls.
"Ginny did you just say you are in love with Neville?" Hermione asked just a little surprised.
"You have no idea, it gives me butterflies just waiting for him to collect me for our dates, I want to spend my entire life with him, in fact I want to make love with him and have his babies, he makes me feel beautiful, special," Ginny said a distant look in her eyes as she thought of him.
"Ginny you are one of the most beautiful girls at Hogwarts," Hermione chuckled.
"Maybe, but the other boys make me feel like, oh I don't know like an object to be leered at, but Neville, what I see in his eyes is different, totally different," Ginny sighed.
"Maybe its love you see Gin, I've seen the way he looks at you, it's a lot like the way Harry looks at me," Hermione said thinking of last night "but don't you go forgetting you are only fifteen."
Hermione remembered then how old she and Harry had been when she could no longer resist the desire to make love with her man, 'but we were married' she reminded herself.
The horse stalls were fairly quickly cleaned, with new straw laid and fresh hay in the feed wracks, the floor swept and their tools put away. They were just about to leave the stable when Glanry appeared with a small pop.
"There is a young man at the gate Mrs Potter, he said someone called Hagrid told him you wanted to see him," Glanry said as he gave a gentle bow.
"A young man, I wonder if it's that Joseph Hagrid spoke about, heck Gin I thought we were up early, Hagrid must have got up with the sun. If his name is Joseph will you show him into the kitchen please Glanry, we'll be along shortly," Hermione told the elf.
"Well I suppose I best go wake Harry, I'll leave Ron for you to sort," Hermione said.
"Yeah well I suppose someone has to wake the twit of a brother, might as well be me," Ginny sighed.
Harry was just walking down the stairs looking as though he had not slept much; when Hermione and Ginny arrived, Hermione chuckled as she remembered wearing her husband out the night before. "Morning lover." She said as she kissed him.
"We have a visitor," she told him as they made their way to the kitchen, the room they now preferred to eat breakfast in.
"Who the heck calls this early," Harry moaned "I just want a nice fresh cup of tea."
"Yeah well seems Hagrid was up a little earlier than the rest of the world, I think Joseph Diggle is here," Hermione told him as she kissed his cheek.
"Oh heck I didn't expect him so soon, I have no idea how much pay he should get or anything," Harry grumbled, he just wanted his early morning drink.
Harry took his usual seat at the table he had had put in the kitchen, apart from enjoying eating breakfast in the kitchen, the table came in handy when Mrs Weasley was visiting and the four friends wanted some privacy. Erin placed a fresh pot of tea and Harry's mug in front of him.
"What would the master want for breakfast?" she asked.
"Erin this time in the morning is too early to be called the master," Harry chuckled "can't you just call me Harry, or Harry Potter like Dobby does?"
Erin smiled, "Well master Harry Potter sir, what would you like for breakfast?"
"Erin you really are incorrigible," Harry laughed "I'll have the usual, please miss Erin miss," he laughed again.
Hermione laughed at the interaction between the house elf and her husband, "I'll be back shortly," she said as she left Harry to drink his tea.
Ron and Ginny joined Harry at the table and helped themselves to a mug of tea; they both told Erin they would have the same breakfast as Harry, when a young man of about Charlie's age nervously entered the kitchen. Harry waved him over and offered him a seat and a cup of tea.
"Hello, I'm Dig, my real name is Joseph Diggle but every body calls me Dig, I'm here to see Mr Potter about a job, must admit I'm feeling a bit nervous, I haven't had the time to work with horses for a year, I hope he wont hold that against me, what sort of person is Mr Potter, all Hagrid told me is that he's a good friend, well anyone who's a friend of Hagrid can't be too bad can he, he's the one who got rid of Voldemort, oh but I guess you know that, I don't envy him having to do that. I'm babbling aren't I, I always babble when I'm nervous."
"Would you like some breakfast, might help calm you down," Harry asked as he nodded to Ginny.
"Well I did miss breakfast, I work in a newspaper shop, I took the day off soon as Hagrid told me about this job, I'm doing it again aren't I, yes please breakfast would be nice," Dig said turning a little red.
"Erin dear could we have another breakfast for Dig here," Ginny asked the elf.
"Yes Miss Ginny, one more for breakfast,"
"So you look about the same age as my brother Charlie, Charlie Weasley, do you know him?" Ginny asked the nervous Dig.
"Yeah, me and Charlie studied care of magical creatures together, but I always sort of liked horses, so I studied them as well," he answered.
Erin brought Dig a huge breakfast over and placed it in front of him, "I like him, Miss Ginny," she said as she went back to her work.
The four of them chatted away for quite some time getting to know Dig, Harry decided he liked this rather large friendly young man, he was rough looking and his clothes were well worn, but non of that mattered a jot to Harry. He liked the tousled hair and rough features of Dig, he looked just like Harry thought a farmer should look like.
Hermione joined them, whispering she had floo called Sebastian and he said twenty Galleons was about the going rate for farm hands, to Harry before she sat down, "Well Harry aren't you going to introduce me to our guest," she asked.
"This is Dig our new groom, if he accepts the job," Harry smiled "how about it Dig, you get your own flat, mealtimes when you want, and I'll pay you twenty-five Galleons a week, oh there are six horses and I want the best of care for them."
Dig sat his mouth agape "Y, you're Mr Potter, and here's me babbling like a madman,"
"Well how about it you want the job, if you do when can you start?" Harry chuckled.
"Twenty five Galleons a week, and a flat, cor, I only get fifteen at the shop and the only perk would be reading the Prophet, but I gave up that trash years ago. Yes Mr Potter Sir, I can start this afternoon if that's ok," Dig replied happily.
"Right we need to set a few rules first, number one, my name is Harry, not Mr Potter or sir, number two, if we make a mistake or cock up something you're to tell us and make sure we don't do it again, number three, you are in complete charge of the stable, there are two horses that you will be allowed to ride if you wish, you can eat over at the stable or you can join us here for meals," Harry said firmly.
Harry then introduced every one, an opportunity he had not had before, with all the formality now behind them they all enjoyed the breakfast before taking Dig to see the stables and introduce him to the horses. Harry was touched by the way Dig handled the animals, and he knew he had just hired a real horse lover. It seemed the horses knew it too as they all seemed to trust him straight away.
Dig spent a little time examining the horses then declared that he was pleased to find a job where the animals had been well looked after.
"You can thank the farm we bought them from for that," Hermione told him.
"Dig, I take it you can ride," Harry mumbled.
"Yes sir, I learned to ride when I was a youngster,"
"Ah good then I hope you won't mind giving us a few pointers, see none of us has a clue, we never rode before," Harry asked.
"That sir, er, Harry will be a pleasure, now if you will excuse me I'll just get off to Diagon Alley and get my things, I'll try to be back for twelve," Dig said as they left the stables.
"I like him," Hermione, commented as they watched Dig walk off down the drive whistling out of tune some nondescript music.
"Yeah me too," Ginny agreed.
"Well I'll ask Charlie about him some time," Ron added "but he seems a nice bloke."
"Well come on you three, I at least need to put some clothes on," Harry chuckled as he pulled on his pyjama jacket lapel.
"Yeah and after cleaning out those stables, I think I need a shower," chorused Hermione and Ginny.
After her shower Hermione floo called Neville and asked him over, "Bring an overnight bag with you Nev, just in case."