Harry shrugged, unconcerned. "You are two stubborn people, people who can't possibly understand the danger you could be in. We didn't expect you to come with us today, but I also promised Hermione I would do everything in my power to protect you. Since I now officially own both your buildings, no one can stop me putting protective wards around them. Not the Ministry of Magic, and not either of you. We know you're stubborn, we can't allow you to be stupid too."
Snatching the documents out of Dan's hands, Emma was reading them as Harry continued speaking. "There's a mortgage agreement there that you can sign, or you can tear it up and consider both properties a gift. Pure-bloods consider it appropriate that money changes hands during a betrothal. While there's not enough money in the country to come anywhere close to Hermione's worth, there's certainly precedent for you accepting this as a gift."
Dan was practically growling as he eyed up Remus and Sirius. "Now I know why he turned up with two bodyguards here..."
Sirius had a wicked smile on his face as he answered for both marauders. "Not even close, Dan. These two are very powerful, Harry's certainly more powerful than me. Just over a week ago, a horde of the darkest creatures imaginable tried to kill the three of us - Remus was indisposed at the time. They made a mistake though and threatened the lovely Miss Granger, Harry released his magic and drove them all away. I can think of only one other wizard in Britain who could possibly have managed that. These two saved my life twice in the one night, and were then responsible for me being declared a free man. They've held meetings today with national leaders, more than holding their own. You just see two teenagers sitting there, no one else in this restaurant does. You don't shut the premier restaurant in magical Britain for two teenagers."
It was now Remus' turn to fling his two knut's worth into the ring. "I work for the two of them, and it is the two of them. I don't know what happened between Hermione and Emma but I would bet my pay check Harry does - and also before he spoke to Hermione about it. These two are so close, sometimes it seems as if they can read each other's minds."
Since these were her parents, Hermione thought she should at least say something here. "It's not mind reading, we can communicate through our rings. We share thoughts, memories and experiences. Yes, Harry heard everything that was said in there, that's why this meeting became so confrontational. A slight to one seems to rile the other up more than the person it was aimed at. It's something we're working on but don't hold out much hope of fixing. Harry puts far more emphasis on my safety and happiness than he does on his own, and I'm the same with him."
Shaking his head, Dan just had to ask. "Are you happy with this... I don't even know what this is."
"Oh dad, I've never been happier. Hogwarts has been horrible again this year so we're going to Italy and opening our own school. We're meeting a bunch of our friends off the express and they're coming too, but only for a holiday. The school bit is a secret for now but we're going to be working all summer to try and make this happen. We've already convinced some of the best people at Hogwarts to at least consider working for us. Harry and I seem to grow closer day by day, and we both see our relationship ending up the way we want it to - with me becoming Mrs Potter."
"And where does this leave your mum and I?"
"Dad, I so want you both to come with us, even if only for a holiday. We were sure you wouldn't leave today but the invitation is an open one - come anytime. Harry promised me he would keep you safe, and he always keeps his promises. Yes, we could have handled it better but Harry thought keeping you safe was the most important thing here. Feelings can be mended, these people don't play around."
"Torture, rape, murder, arson - it's all the same to them. We discovered one wizard this week, who actually worked for the Ministry of Magic, had killed so many people - men, women and children - he couldn't even remember the total to the nearest dozen. The Minister is trying to cover this news up, because it will make some of his friends look bad - so we're leaving Britain behind."
He was almost afraid to ask but Dan had to know. "What happened to this man?"
"He tried to attack Harry, he won't be killing anyone else."
Emma meanwhile had been looking through the documents Harry had tossed on the table. "There appears to be a document missing, I can see only one mortgage here."
Nodding, Harry answered her. "I combined both mortgages, that's why there is only one."
Looking again, Emma's brows furrowed. "That can't be right, we were paying more than this to each of the mortgages."
....
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