553Author's Note: The edits are finished. Hallelujah! And there was much feasting and rejoicing in the lands.
GMT 9:30 pm
Amelia's finger rolled a staccato like beat over and over on the dark surface of her desk as she pondered the problem which lay before her, her eyes staring blankly at the reports in front of her.
Horcruxes, if she didn't know what they were, the name for the abominations would seem almost…benign. She knew better now though, thanks to what Croaker had told her, and what notes he'd been able to forward to her for review.
Abominations, that was indeed what Horcruxes were. There was no other word which sufficiently conveyed the malign nature of those devices: the shattered fragments of a madman's soul created through the most vile atrocities known to man and then fused with an object for safe keeping.
According to the notes, the exact origin of the name was unclear, possibly being a bastardization of English or French. Not that the name's origin really mattered in the long run so far as she was concerned. Not the least because the meaning seemed to be similar enough in either language anyway.
When it came down to it, these devices meant that Voldemort could not be killed, at least not so long as they continued to anchor him to this realm. A troubling notion, to put it mildly. He obviously had more than one too if he was still around causing chaos after Harry had seen to destroying one.
The question for her, in her position as head of the DMLE, was how to go about finding and destroying the things. Especially without tipping off Voldemort to what they were doing.
It suddenly made a great deal more sense to her now, just why Voldemort's followers had remained so loyal, even after his apparent fall at the end of the last war. And why so many of them had proclaimed the belief that he would return.
An army based on such beliefs would naturally be much harder to fracture and defeat. Such forces would believe themselves near invincible even in the face of losses. More would always come to swell their numbers, a situation that would be made even worse after each successive time the Dark Lord returned to life.
This war, the one which was slowly but surely grinding into motion around them had the potential to be even worse than the last one. The last war had pitted Voldemort, a small elite cadre of fanatics and a small army of disenfranchised youths among the purebloods against the whole of wizarding society. It had been horrific, true. But this time would be worse if they didn't do all they could to stop it early.
This time those disenfranchised youths held positions of power and had great wealth at their fingertips. This time, his armies ranks would be swollen with those who wished to serve someone who had defied death itself. And this time the Ministry was utterly unprepared for hostilities to erupt. Due in no small part to corruption his followers had themselves seeded and encouraged to grow.
Amelia was afraid, she was not ashamed to admit it. Not for herself, but for Susan, she did not know how she could keep the girl safe in the face of what was to come. Normally, she would at least be able to send her to Hogwarts where she'd be relatively safe. Now however, in the face of recent revelations…she was not certain even there was secure anymore.
The only lead she had to pursue towards victory, towards ending this war early, was to hunt down these Horcruxes and eliminate them before Voldemort realized what she was doing. The problem was she had no earthly clue where to even begin with that task.
She needed to consult again with Croaker, but more than that she realized, her hand stilling on the desktop. She needed to talk to Harry, if he was somehow wrapped up in this, as she now believed he was, she suspected she would need his help if they were to win.
If that were even possible now…The will reading. She would speak to him then if the opportunity presented itself. That would give her time to gather what information she could and consult with Croaker on the matter. She hoped things held together that long.
Luna watched from the sill of her bedroom window as the slightly slouched figure of Albus Dumbledore paced away from the house towards the property line in the fading evening light. She found it hard to stifle the small feeling of elation and uncharitable satisfaction she felt seeing the old man so defeated.
Her father had never bought into the legend of Albus Dumbledore to the degree others had. Not the least which because he tended to distrust anyone who accumulated so much political power unto themselves.
And that was before Luna's mother had died and Xeno himself had retreated into his world of conspiracies and intrigue. Nowadays he had at least a dozen plots mapped out in his study which were all centred around Dumbledore.
Most were nonsense even by her reckoning, but some…? Regardless, her father had sent the old wizard away without allowing him to bother his daughter, something she was grateful for.
She had her own reasons for distrusting Dumbledore. The way he'd treated Harry was — as far as she was concerned — unconscionable, and the way he allowed bullying to grow rampant in the school he professed to rule had not helped any. She had a more personal reason for her distaste however.
Luna had no proof, but Dumbledore had definitely been in contact with her mother extensively in the days before her death. Oh, she doubted the man had in anyway harmed or arranged for the death of her mother himself, but she would not have bet against whatever it was he'd had her mother working on, being the thing which had killed her.
She still remembered, finding her mother after the explosion which had damaged their home. Lying alone, seemingly unharmed in the middle of her shattered workroom, but lifeless, as though struck by the killing curse.
Luna sighed, turning away from the window. She tried not to dwell overmuch on her mother's death, of course. It was hard though, she missed her a great deal. All she had left of the woman was her wand and a handful of cherished memories. A singing voice, the memory of a gentle hand running through her hair…
Luna cast about for something, anything less painful than those memories to focus on and turned her attention to the conundrum of finding Harry and Hermione.
There were several people she suspected either knew where they were or at least remained in contact with them. The trouble however lay with convincing them to help her.
She'd pondered the question long and hard, and come to no easy solution. It seemed that ultimately, when it came down to it, she would need to do it the old fashioned way. She just hoped they would listen.
H-AT 10:30 am
Harry watched until the tail lights of the cab they'd taken from the airport disappeared around the bend back down the road before turning around to regard his fellow travellers. It really was just a precaution on his part, but they couldn't really afford for a muggle to see something out of the ordinary when they approached property, even concealed as it was by the forest.
The others used the time to get themselves, their luggage and the familiars sorted, straightening out their clothes, shouldering packs and picking up their bags.
The gatehouse to the property was concealed by magic just off the side of the road, a small simply laid out building supporting a wooden gate and stone walls which disappeared off into the trees.
Its most notable feature really was the large metal sigil which dominated the centre of the dark wood of the gate itself. It depicted a helmet above a broad kite shield which had a gryphon emblazoned upon it. A phrase etched in latin on the sigil's lower edge. Amor Enim, Et Honora.
In English? For Love and Honour. Easy enough to figure out for anyone with a bit of latin in their education.
Apparently he'd spent a little too long staring at the gate because his mother noticed where his eyes had wandered, and spoke up from where she was securing a sleeping bag to a suitcase. "It's the family motto. It meant that the Potters always defended their family and upheld themselves to a strict code of honour."
He nodded ruefully, "I didn't know that."
She grimaced a bit, no doubt reflecting on just how little he knew of his own family, thanks to a certain aged busybody. "I'll tell you anything you want to know Harry, all you have to do is ask, okay?"
The offer and the knowledge that the information he'd so long desired about his family was finally available to him made him feel a bit…odd, "Thanks."
His mother smiled somewhat sadly at him before turning her attention to his sister while Hermione wandered over to stand beside him. "You okay?" She asked gently, no doubt having spotted his uncertainty following his mother's offer.
"Yeah sorry, it's just…I guess I'm not used to the feeling of having family I suppose, having a home?" He explained in a low voice.
She hugged him briefly, before pulling back, simply leaving a hand on his shoulder. "I'm happy for you Harry."
That earned a grateful smile from him, "Thanks…I couldn't have found her without you though…"
His friend snorted in amusement, before nudging his shoulder with her own as they made their way over to the gate trailing after his mother and sister who had begun to make their way over as well.
Once they had all gathered about it his mum looked about cautiously before drawing her wand, just in case anyone else had wandered into the area. Seeing no one in sight however she quickly cast a series of spells and proceeded to observe the results. The only notable reaction from the defences was a brief warning flash from the sigil before it dimmed back to a normal appearance.
"Hm, keyed to blood then. Not surprised really, seems to be Goblin make with some family wards thrown in for good measure." Lily muttered absently. "Easy enough to get access though in our case."
She shifted her wand in her hand before making a small incision with it in her other palm, which she then pressed against the sigil. Once certain she had gotten enough blood on the metal she stood back and healed the wound before speaking. "I Lily, wife of House Potter, request entrance to these lands for myself and those with me…" She intoned in a clear formal tone.
There was a pause before the blood seemed to be absorbed into the metal, causing it to glow white for a moment before a bluish cascade of magic rippled over the gate. Then there was a dull clunk from within it and the door swung silently inwards, allowing them passage.
They filed through quickly onto a neatly kept road, which wound its way up through the jungle brush and up out of sight. The door swung shut behind them without further fanfare. However the locks were much more impressive to observe from this side. Six large metal bars rising up out of the ground to hold the gate shut before locks within the gate sealed it in place.
It seemed his father had put more into defending this place than was strictly speaking obvious, especially to an outside observer. He noted that Kate seemed as impressed as he was.
As they got moving again Harry noticed there was an odd…atmosphere to the place. He could not really pin down why, as all they had encountered thus far was forest, but this place felt welcoming. Perhaps family magics recognizing that he belonged there?
It took a few minutes for them to wind their way further up the path, even losing sight of the gate in the process before they finally saw the houses. That there were more than one surprised Harry, he had not expected there to be five medium sized abodes set about on a plateaued hilltop based on the limited description he'd retrieved from Gringotts about the place.
Had he been a student of architecture he might have noted the way the traditional Hawaiian colonial houses had been enhanced with Japanese design work, as it was he noted the somewhat exotic appearance of the place and found himself instantly liking it.
He was about to comment on that when something which had been niggling at his perception finally made itself known. There was, around the area they stood within, a sort of strange hush.
Earlier, as they'd made their way up the path there had been birds in the trees…but now? He furrowed his brow unconsciously as he turned, before stilling as something moved out of the corner of his eye.
The next moment, before he could even open his mouth to speak, there was a blur followed by a chittering cry as something struck him about the waist and he was bowled over.
He would have no doubt been alarmed by the other cries which joined it, as well as the sounds of shock and surprise from the others, had he not found himself suddenly very preoccupied trying to wrestle off whatever it was that had latched onto his head.
He tried to pry it off but got a rap on his knuckles for his trouble, he was about to try rolling to use the pavement to perhaps encourage the thing to get off him when a single word split the air. "Stop!"
His mother's voice rang through the clearing and everything immediately obeyed, even him! The thing on his head stopped tugging at his hair and the chittering cries stilled. However, unlike whatever it was that was accosting him, Harry's pause was only temporary, using the opportunity to pull the no longer struggling thing off his head which then itself wrestled free and dropped to the ground to stare at him.
Short, somewhere between knee and waist height, in a grass skirt, Hawaiian shirt and tiki mask which went down to its knees. It also had a rather intimidating looking saw toothed club in one hand.
He stared at it, and it stared back at him, until Harry finally glanced sideways to see his mum, the only one still standing while Hermione and Kate also staggered to their feet. Whatever these things were his mother was staring at them in what he would almost describe as disbelief.
Glancing back at the figure in front of him he found it was no longer looking at him but at his mother as well. There was a long pause and then a low, breathy sound he couldn't quite describe, as a hand came up pushing back the mask. "Mi—mistress Lily? Is that yous?"
A house elf. It was a house elf, in a hula skirt, an obnoxiously coloured shirt with a wooden club and a mask!
"Tinker?" His mother asked skeptically, looking shocked.
Apparently this was the turning point for the little elf as she, definitely a she considering how much she resembled Winky, dropped her club and threw herself bodily to latch onto his mother's leg and sob. "Mistress Lily has arrived!" She wailed loudly.
Soon enough his mother had another two elves latched onto her other leg, wailing loudly. "Tinker is so sorry Mis—Lily! We didn't means to attack you and your friends!" Tinker sobbed, "It's—it's just…it's been so long! Wees not being expecting you!"
His mother barked a surprised laugh, "I can see that Tinker," There was a palpable silence which followed that before his mother eventually ventured to speak again. "Uhm, Tinker? What's with the outfit?"
Harry shook his head in amusement as his mother questioned and comforted the elves shifting to stand beside Hermione. "You know…Even with attacking me, they're still nicer than Kreacher." He grumbled good naturedly and Hermione chuckled in rueful agreement.
"Come on you lot, Tinker and the others want to show us the house." Lily called over the din of elven voices. "Yes Tinker, I know Harry did get big!"
To say the last week had been hectic for the Grangers would an understatement. Which was why Dan and Emma were happy to just enjoy a quiet evening at home alone, and why they were somewhat perturbed to hear an obnoxious tapping at the window.
Dan didn't recognize the owl at the window, which wasn't terribly surprising, aside from Harry's owl Hedwig, Hermione had only ever received letters via school barn owls or that excitable little ball of feathers Pigwidgeon. This owl was different, not the least of which because it had crossed eyes.
Opening the window he took the offered letter from the concussed looking owl before it took off in a flurry of wings and disappeared from sight.
The envelope was unremarkable, being simple and white, so he disregarded it and opened the letter within. Staring at it silently for over a minute before his wife decided to ask him what it was. He shook out of his thoughts and smiled at her blandly before reading it aloud.
Dear Mr and Mrs Granger.
My name is Luna Lovegood, I have had the privilege of considering your daughter, Hermione Granger and her constant companion Harry Potter my friends. Therefore I was greatly saddened to hear that they had disappeared together. Though I certainly understand their likely reasons for doing so. I will not ask you where they are, instead only asking that should you have the opportunity to contact them, please let them know that I care, and that I miss them greatly. And that I'd like to hear from them if at all possible.
Sincerely grateful for your time.
-Luna Lovegood
The two adult Grangers shared a silent look for a minute before Dan spoke. "What do you think?" He asked baldly.
"I've heard Hermione speak of Luna," Emma ventured eventually, "Said she was a nice if sometimes odd girl…I see no harm in forwarding the message to them when we get the chance, do you?"
Dan shook his head. "No, though I admit to not knowing just how we'll go about that. Suppose we could try Madam Bones?"
Emma nodded, "We'll likely need to stop by Diagon Alley to rent an owl though…"
Dan sighed at that, it wasn't that he had a problem with Diagon Alley per se, it's just that finding the place without the assistance of his daughter guiding them was always something of an ordeal, still. Getting word passed along to their daughter and her friend would be worth the hassle he supposed.
"Okay, we'll do that first thing tomorrow, try and beat the worst of the rush." He agreed.
And with that, their evening returned to normal, nevertheless it was an important step for one Luna Lovegood.
Harry's skin was warm under Hermione's fingers as she worked on switching out the poultice once more. The 'burn' from his battle at Madam Bones' house in London had significantly reduced, especially with the help of the potions she'd acquired from Kate and Lily in Churchill.
"Is Master Harry okay?" Tinker asked tentatively from her perch in the bedroom Harry had claimed for the duration of their stay here. Her feet kicking nervously against the side of the dresser she was seated upon.
Hermione nodded absently as she held the bandage in place with one hand. "Yes Tinker, the burn's really gone down now." She assured the little elf. "He'll be right as rain in no time."
Tinker shifted uncomfortably, wringing her hands uncertainly. "Should I inform Mistress Lily of Master Harry's injury?"
"You can if you want to Tinker, but she's already aware of it." Harry said as Hermione secured the wrap holding it all in place.
That seemed to ease the little elf's mind a great deal. "Alright, I'll…I'll tell her just in case, but food should be ready soon. We'll be eating out on the lanai." She informed them before popping out.
Hermione smiled in amusement at the elf's antics, and she was sure the lanai would be a good place to eat, being the patio like arrangement for the house. "They seem happy." She noted, before sighing a touch ruefully. "I suppose your mum is right, the Potters have always treated them well, so they're more than content living like this…"
Harry directed a smile at her as he pulled on a shirt over his head. "There's plenty more elves out there that do need our help Mione, we'll figure out just how to help them together." He assured her and she smiled in thanks. His implicit support for her cause greatly appreciated.
There was a knock at the doorframe and Lily stepped into the room. "Tinker mentioned you were tending his wound, how bad is it now?" She asked, nodding to the small medical kit Hermione was packing away.
"Not too bad, it was only ever the energy wash from the spell…mum, I've had worse." Harry reported, stumbling slightly when it came to referring to her as his mother. Still clearly getting used to being able to.
Lily nodded, "Still likely to scar I assume and it probably hurt, do you need any more potions?" She asked, clearly hoping for a way to help out her son.
Harry just shrugged. "I've already taken some so I'm good, not that it hurts that bad anyways."
Hermione did her best to hide her grimace at that, but ended up responding to his assertion anyway. "That's because your views on pain are skewed Harry; not surprising considering everything you've been through."
Harry just snorted in amusement, "True enough I suppose. Doesn't change the fact it doesn't really bother me." He pointed out, before turning to regard his mother. "Tinker said lunch is going to be ready soon?"
Lily nodded, "Yeah outside, it should be ready any minute now, why don't you two go join Kate out there, I'll be along in a minute. I'll handle the supplies Hermione, thanks for looking out for him."
Hermione smiled at the woman, before bumping Harry with her shoulder. "Anytime Missus Potter."
It was a minute before Harry and her made their way out onto the lanai, and Hermione was amazed at the view which greeted her when they did.
It was…perfect, in a way. The property sat atop a small promontory on the lower slope of the mountains that formed the core of the island of Oahu. The island sloped in a vast green sea away from them to where it finally met the water about a mile or so away. There, a town or small city sat nestled along the shoreline of an ocean which was the deepest, most beautiful ultramarine blue she had ever seen.
The sky above it all, clear except for a few small clouds which gently drifted this way and that across it, driven by the same warm sea breeze which played against her face and rustled her hair. "Wow," was the almost reverent murmur which came from her lips.
"Yeah, no kidding right? That was my reaction too!" Came Kate's voice from further along the lanai, where the slightly younger teen leaned against the railing.
"It's gorgeous here…" Hermione continued nodding her head in acknowledgement.
She stood there for a time just taking in everything before her, her eyes fixing for a time on the town, it was near enough that she could make out individual buildings easily enough and see the small insect like cars drifting along its streets. She even spotted a river or man made stream which descended from a white building down towards the coast, and a park dominated by huge trees…
"What town is that? Just where are we exactly?" She asked, hoping someone knew the answer.
"That Laie," Reported Tinker padding through the door behind her, before dutifully reciting the pronunciation. "Lah-ee-ay, we're on the island's north shore. It's mostly a university and tourist town these days."
That caused Hermione to blink in surprise. "Really, they put a university in a town that size?" She asked incredulously, turning to look at the elf.
Tinker nodded, unoffended, "Laie was partially settled by a church, they built their temple there, you can see it there, that big white building." She said pointing away towards the town. "but they also built the school for their people here, I hear they offer education to many from all across Polynesia and the pacific now. Especially those who can't afford it normally."
The elf paused. "I've lived here most of my life. I only briefly knew the Potters before…everything went wrong." Tinker noted sadly. "The town's nice though, a fairly quiet place."
Hermione nodded understanding, "Is it always this nice," She asked indicating the weather and scenery around them.
Tinker shrugged. "Not always, but usually. It is rare for the weather to be truly awful here. The worst we generally get is a bit of light rain."
"How do paradises like this still exist?" Kate asked shaking her head.
"You'd think people would flock here," Hermione agreed wholeheartedly.
Tinker grimaced, a strange expression on an elf. "You haven't seen Honolulu properly misses, big city, like any other. Gobbling up the other side of the island." She said sounding disapproving.
"You don't like it?" Hermione asked.
The elf sighed, "It's not so bad I suppose, not so green anymore. I sometimes go there to visit the market."
Hermione thought on the international market place*, where the local magical community hid its own shopping district. "We have to go to the market on the early on the Fifth."
Tinker bobbed her head, "Yes, Harry told me. You should visit before then though. Enjoy the sights properly, when it's not night time."
It clicked in her head just what the elf meant, "Oh yeah, I guess it would be night here if it's daytime in London."
"2:00 am," Harry noted dryly.
She winced, she didn't enjoy being up that late generally. "Oh joy."
Tinker considered the humans around her, "Go tomorrow," She instructed firmly. "See it in daylight, also stay for the evening festivities!"
"Festivities?" Hermione asked perplexed.
Kate snorted in amusement beside her, "It's the fourth of July tomorrow Hermione, and we're in America now."
Hermione made an oh of understanding, "Ah, Independence Day."
"Yes, and Hawaii has many soldiers compared even to other states miss." Tinker noted looking amused. "Proud people, very fond of fireworks."
Hermione could see how that would be true and pondered everything she'd been told thus far. "Are there any places you like to visit Tinker?" She asked eventually.
Tinker hesitated looking a bit guilty. "Technically Tinker is supposed to tend this house and go the market, nothing more…" She admitted sheepishly. "Tinker sometimes does more though…"
Perhaps sensing the elf's distress, Harry just smiled patting Tinker gently on the shoulder. "It's okay Tinker, we're not too strict."
Hermione was still concerned though, "Harry's father didn't let you wander?"
Tinker shook her head, "Oh no, he did…he just wanted us to be safe here when he and mistress Lily went into hiding."
Hermione could see what had happened there. The instruction had been intended to be short term and precautionary, but had ended up being more when James had died.
There was a weary sigh behind them and they all turned to see Lily standing in the doorway admiring the view. "Again, I am sorry I didn't know about this place earlier Tinker. You should know, you and the others are free to go where you please, just try and stay safe okay?"
Tinker looked relieved, "Thank you Mis—Lily,"
"The other two say that food's ready now, why don't you lot help us bring it all on out," Lily suggested. "Maybe after lunch we can try out the water?"
That certainly sounded good to Hermione and she was about to say so when a table popped into existence next to her, causing her to jump. "Mistress Lily forgets that elves can bring out food easy! Mistress Lily needs to be reeducated!" Tinker declared firmly, causing those present to laugh in amusement at her antics.
This…was definitely not how Draco had imagined his summer going, the boy in question had to admit. Summer for him was a time of luxuriant idleness. Occasionally flying about his family's land on his broom, attending extravagant parties and enjoying fine foods.
It was most certainly not… whatever this was. Being threatened and then tied up to be left for dead by a mad man they had invited into their own home? Being forced to approach estranged relatives on bended knee in hopes of finding safe shelter? Him, lying in an…admittedly comfortable bed, in a tiny bedroom in a tiny house which could have easily fit in its entirety within the entrance hall of his family's manor. No, he had to say none of that had been on his summer to do list.
Despite all that, and definitely because of it at the same time, he found himself conflicted. He'd expected he would feel scandalized at being forced to live under such conditions, and to a certain extent he was. On the other hand however he found his indignation soundly subsumed by his simple gratitude for simply being alive.
He might not have even managed that much, being alive that was, if it were not for Tipsy. Oh he was sure he and his mother likely would have survived a while longer before dying of thirst, but they hadn't because they'd been freed…By an elf.
An elf who up to that point they had treated…poorly. Not so poorly as Dobby of course, his mother had encouraged him and his father to be less hard on the elf they got to replace Dobby in an effort to discourage such rebellion in the future. That didn't mean they'd been kind to her either.
And yet, despite that, Tipsy had saved them anyway. Even with being threatened by the Dark Lord himself! Few wizards could scrounge up that sort of gumption on a good day. That an elf had, was frankly astonishing...and admittedly a bit humbling.
He was equally surprised that Andromeda had agreed to take them in. He knew the stipulations she had placed on doing so. But he found himself more than happy to fulfill them so long as it meant they were safe, even if it was only for a while.
Draco wasn't blind, he could tell the Tonks family held their…reservations about giving his mother and him shelter. It really didn't surprise him that they did. After all his mother and Andromeda's parting of ways had been less than cordial as he understood it. He himself had been…less than welcoming when he'd first met his cousin.
Tonks, he needed to remember that, she preferred to go by the name Tonks, she'd made that quite clear when she'd stopped by earlier to reinforce the wards. He knew better than to test her patience on that.
And so it was, that as Draco lay in bed staring blankly at the ceiling above him, listening absently to the sounds drifting up to him from the moving picture box downstairs, that it occurred to him that Fate really had a strange sense of humour.
"You, are being silly, Hermione." Kate sighed in exasperation, leaning tiredly against the dresser in Hermione's room. Tinker, who had perched herself atop that same dresser was nodding vigorously in agreement.
Hermione, made a face as she examined herself in the mirror. "I know, I know, it's just—" She sighed, hanging her head a moment, before waving to her swimsuit clad form. Against her better judgement she had been talked into wearing a bikini, a black one, with a blue beach sarong with white flowers Tinker had provided. The one Kate had elected to wear was red.
It wasn't the bikini so much which was troubling her, as the flesh it exposed for all to see. It wasn't a question of modesty really, as much as the fact it left the curse scar across her chest clearly visible. Even after months it was still red and angry looking to her eyes.
Kate had thus far refrained from commenting on it, but Hermione still worried. Her own mother's words had been percolating through her head again, something they had done numerous times in the days since they'd had that chat back in their home about Harry.
Simply put she wasn't sure she was ready for someone she admittedly had a crush on to see her in a bikini, scar or no. She hadn't voiced this concern aloud to her companions, but they seemed to have sussed it out all on their own.
"It will be alright, I've not known Harry nearly as long as you have, but I already know that it won't be a problem. Trust him." Kate advised.
Tinker nodded in agreement and Hermione pinked realizing just how transparent she was. She hoped Harry hadn't seen through her so easily. "Easy for you to say…" She grumbled before sighing and nodding acceptance before padding towards the door.
Steeling herself with one last nod to the others she pulled the door open and made her way through the house to the living room.
When she found them Harry and Lily were standing outside on the lanai looking out over the ocean. Harry, who she noted was wearing a white T-shirt and what looked to be a pair of Gryffindor board shorts was the first to note their arrival, turning away from the railing. Only to stop and stare when he saw her. "Oh wow…." He breathed, before collecting himself somewhat. "You, look good Hermione."
Now that, was a good reaction! She thought happily as she felt her face heat. Still, she had to know, had to know that her scar wouldn't bother him before they went any further. If it did she could try on a one piece instead. "Thank you. Uh—the scar, it's not…" She started trailing off when his eyes drifted downward and he winced.
Shouldn't have mentioned it, she cursed to herself. To her surprise Harry sighed. "I'm so sorry Hermione—" He began before she cut him off.
"It's not your fault!" She rushed to reassure him, she should have guessed he'd feel guilty about that, and should have known seeing her scar would cause this reaction.
Harry shook his head mulishly though, "It is though, you came with me because I needed you. You wouldn't have even been there if not for me."
She waved that aside. "And I shouldn't have gotten overconfident, we've been over this remember?" She stated pointedly.
"Doesn't mean I agree it's not my fault." He argued. "Doesn't mean I don't regret what happened seeing that scar."
She sighed sadly, knowing what the guilt was likely doing to her friend. "I could change into something else…" She started only to be surprised when Harry shook his head strongly in disagreement.
"No, don't." He said firmly. "Really, don't, you look…wonderful. Don't let this keep you from wearing something nice."
She smiled shyly at him, it seemed Kate and Tinker had been correct. She'd been afraid, but she should have trusted Harry to be himself.
Kate apparently decided this was a good time to change directions, "Is it a hard walk to the beach?"
It was Lily who responded, shaking her head. "Tinker says it's not. The slope is pretty gradual and the weather's nice too, so if you lot are up for walking?"
Harry shrugged, replying first. "I'm up for it, but I wasn't aware there was an alternative."
"Tinker and I could apparate us us down there under an elf concealment spell." Lily suggested.
Hermione shook her head in time with Harry, "I think a walk would be nice, we could enjoy the view more that way." Hermione offered, getting agreement from everyone else a moment later.
As Lily and Kate made for the front door, Harry made a point to stop her with a gentle hand on her arm. "Hermione…" He started uncertainly before plowing onward. "In case you were wondering? I meant it, you look…wonderful, truly."
That earned another smile from her, perhaps it really was alright.
"It really does feel like a different world here doesn't it?" Hermione mused quietly to Harry as they made their way down the road towards the coast.
Harry nodded agreement considering the world around him, the sun seemed warmer here, the forests seemed…greener, somehow. The ocean definitely seemed a different clearer blue. But more than that, he decided, it was the peace.
It was a strange feeling, to be somewhere he knew was truly safe. No one knew he was here except those he knew he could trust implicitly. And of those only Hermione and his mother really knew their location all that precisely.
"It really is," he agreed. "I'd almost forgotten what it felt like..."
Hermione gave him a querying glance. "What?"
"Peace," He elaborated, realizing he'd not completed his thought aloud. "This is a place where our war hasn't yet touched."
Hermione smiled slightly nodding in agreement, "Hopefully it never will."
"We can hope," He agreed.
Harry couldn't help but steal little glances now and then sidelong at his best friend. Sometimes it was hard for him to fathom just how lucky he had gotten when she'd become his friend.
How many people could say they had a friend who would follow them into danger as she had? Or who would choose to join them in virtual exile? She really was something else.
Okay, so maybe that wasn't the only reason he kept stealing glances at her. He had to admit, he greatly enjoyed the sight of Hermione in a bikini. Hogwarts robes had never been overly flattering, and even her more casual wear was generally not intended to showcase her figure. That swimsuit that she wore as she walked beside him though…Wow.
And in a way, that was what was troubling him. He wasn't new to the concept of finding Hermione attractive, far from it. No, what bothered him was how he'd stopped himself from saying what he'd intended to back at the house.
He had intended to tell her she looked beautiful, but had balked at the last moment. Beautiful, a loaded word really, filled with a lot more meaning than the more neutral words friends used. Wonder, fabulous, spectacular even… But not beautiful.
He sure found himself thinking it though. He'd always known Hermione was a woman, had ever since he'd met her really. Though there had been certain times that had really pressed that fact home. Like the Yule Ball…
But for some reason he'd always pushed such considerations to the side. Why? He wondered. He was aware he was somewhat oblivious in some ways, and he certainly had plenty of things to dominate his attention, but still…
He really should have given the matter more thought he supposed, after all he basically spent all day everyday for eight or nine months for the last five years in her company.
Of course, he'd heard various terms used in reference to a woman's attractiveness. Who hadn't? Hot, well fit, babe, smoking…But the women described as such had always come across as somewhat…false, to Harry. Like their attractiveness was only skin deep or it was an act they somehow put on. Though that was probably just be a reflection on the particular girls he'd had occasion to meet who were described that way.
That wasn't even considering the fact such terms always felt a bit diminishing to Harry. They were labels, not a genuine and heartfelt reflection of who that person was.
Hermione was beautiful, but it was an honest sort of beauty. Natural and not presumptuous, not in your face and obtrusive in the way so many girls worked so hard to achieve. Not that Hermione seemed to see herself so. But she was, beautiful, inside and out.
Regardless, he mused, it would surely do no harm for him to pay a bit more attention to his best friend for a change. Of course it was an exercise in futility over all. As he'd told Dan Granger, whatever his feelings were on the matter, she didn't feel the same way, and thus it was irrelevant…wasn't it?
It was becoming harder and harder for him to convince himself of that fact.
Harry was considering all this as the four of them walked down towards the beach in companionable silence, just basking in the sun and enjoying the sights.
That was until something darted across the road chasing a gecko. "What was that?" Kate called from behind them.
"Mongoose," Was Hermione's quick reply.
"They have those here?"
Hermione chuckled. "Yeah, apparently."
Kate laughed briefly, "Okay, well yeah, I mean obviously so, right? I guess I'm just a bit surprised is all."
"Way I understand it, they're an introduced species." Hermione reported easily as the Mongoose and gecko vanished from sight in the trees. "They brought in cane plants as a crop, and that came with cane spiders and rats. They brought in the mongoose and a couple others to try and control them. Not that they had much effect on either of them."
Harry found himself smiling fondly as his friend continued rattling off little factoids as they made their way through town. Eventually crossing a road on the edge of town and crossing over some grass onto the beach.
The first thing that struck Harry was just how absurdly soft the sand was. It was incredibly fine, almost powdery, especially in comparison to the rougher sand and gravel mixes common to any of the beaches he'd been to or even heard of.
"Want to take a swim?" Harry asked, nudging Hermione as she stared almost skeptically at the sand beneath her own feet.
This served to break her out of her thoughts as she looked up and smiled eagerly. Ditching her sarong on the beach with the towels to follow after him into the water. Though he kept his shirt on, not quite free of his own self-consciousness.
"It's so warm!" Hermione said in shock as they waded out a ways. It really was too, perfect for just relaxing in.
And in the end that was exactly what the two of them ended up doing, swim back and forth through the gentle waves just enjoying themselves. Lily and Kate occasionally joining them before drifting away again, seeming to understand this alone time was important to them.
They didn't even need to chat about anything, enjoying each other's company proved more than enough for a while, it was close to an hour in that Harry finally felt the need to speak. "Thanks again for coming with me Mione…It just wouldn't be the same without you." He murmured, eyes closed and head tilted back as he enjoyed the sun.
Had he opened those eyes he'd have seen Hermione's position mirrored his own, and a small smile now graced her lips. "You're welcome Harry. I'm glad I'm with you too."
It was close to three hours after they'd arrived before they finally decided they needed to get out and move on with their day. The beach had a few more denizens now, a pair of surfers further along, a few families and couples swimming here and there.
A man was further up on the shore line setting up a flower stand.
Harry waited patiently while Hermione and the others dried off and secured their sarongs at their hips. Eventually, reluctantly they all began to make their way back up the shore, pausing only when the man tending the flower stand greeted them amiably as they went to pass.
"The water's nice today huh?" The slightly portly polynesian man said smiling brightly.
Harry chuckled, "Yes, it is. Nice and warm."
That produced a laugh in response. "It's always warm man! But it's nice and calm today too! That's better for swimming." The man noted, before eyeing them curiously. "Not from around here huh?"
"No. England and Canada actually." Hermione said, smiling at the friendly man indicating Harry's sister and mother beside them.
"Ah, and how are you enjoying Hawaii?" He asked, smiling knowingly at their contented grins.
"It's like paradise," Harry said simply, getting murmurs of agreement from the girls.
The man nodded agreement, "That it is my friends!"
Harry took a moment to take a look at the man's stall. He supposed it made sense a man could make a living selling flowers to tourists around here. "You sell flowers then I take it?"
The man nodded agreeably, "Yes, great place for growing flowers Hawaii. Lots of exotic blooms you don't see elsewhere." He said seriously before looking at them. "Any chance you want one for your pretty lady? Maybe some for the others too?" He probed, any irritation caused by him asking being softened by his friendly tone and smile.
Harry nodded immediately, earning a blush from Hermione. "Yes please."
Hermione placed a hand on his arm, "Harry you don't need to—" She protested.
"How much for three of the flower necklaces?" Harry asked ignoring that with a small smile at his friend. The man named a figure, a fairly reasonable one actually and Harry started doling out some money. "Sorry it's all in pounds, I haven't had the chance to visit a bank yet to switch out for dollars."
"Not a problem man, I'm used to it. We get people from all over here." The man said handing over the flower necklaces. Harry selecting a nice one with pink and white plumeria flowers before proffering it to Hermione, who nodded allowing him to slip it over her head.
"Thank you sir," Harry said to the man as Kate and his mum also pulled theirs on.
The man waved that off easily. "No problem, you guys have a nice vacation!" He said happily, bidding them farewell.
It was a few minutes into their walk before Hermione spoke again, fingering her necklace thoughtfully. "You really didn't need to buy me flowers Harry." She murmured to him.
He nodded, he knew he didn't have to after all, and considered his next words carefully. He hesitated before deciding to take the chance. "It's like the man said, flowers for a pretty lady." He said firmly shooting her a small smile.
Wow, he felt nervous saying that aloud, but judging by the pinking of her cheeks and small smile on her lips she was pleased.
Pretty, was so much less neutral than wonderful…but he was glad he'd said it.
The walk up to the house naturally took longer considering it was an uphill journey, but it was so nice out it was very hard to complain and Tinker met them at the door with drinks on a platter.
"Ah, I see you all had fun, come in come in, we have drinks!"
Lily laughed and smiled fondly at the little elf as they trooped inside. "Yes Tinker, it was lovely."
Tinker bobbed her head, grinning fondly. "You got leis for the girls I see Harry. Do you want me to put preservation charms on them tonight?"
Harry nodded, "That'd be nice, thank you Tinker."
"Excellent, now, why don't you four get changed? Me and Tot will begin supper soon." The elf promised.
"Okay, thank you." Harry said, taking a drink as the elf passed. "Tinker?" He called just before she could leave, causing her to pause and look at him expectantly. "We might be practicing some magic today or tomorrow , do you know somewhere we can work?"
Tinker nodded, "The whole property is nicely enclosed, and has a powerful set of privacy wards too." She promised him. "Outside would be better though. Wouldn't want to go blowing up the house!"
Hermione went to her room to change while the other's chatted with the elves, carefully pulling the beautiful lei Harry had gotten for her from her shoulders and laying it gently on the bedside table.
Then, noting she was still a touch sandy from her time at the beach she decided on a quick shower to clean it all off padding into the bathroom, stripping off quickly along the way. Only to pause when she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
It wasn't the sight of her scar or even the fact that she was now naked that made her stop and take note, it was the small but persistent smile on her lips that just wouldn't go away.
Thinking about how that smile had gotten there, only served to cause that smile to grow and the giddy feeling in her tummy to reignite.
It had started she supposed with Harry and her scar before they made their way down to the beach. He hadn't been repulsed, merely concerned for her sake.
Then had come their trip down to the ocean and their time there. Despite what she'd pretended she'd noticed Harry's little glances her way, and it was hard not to smile after enjoying the water here.
But Harry's words after had been what truly marked this day as a good one that she'd treasure for times to come. "Flowers for a pretty lady."
Harry thought she was pretty!
Now, Hermione did not consider herself a vain person, but even she couldn't help but feel her heart swell a little at the praise from a friend. She seldom thought well of herself, physically speaking at least. Even before the scar she hadn't thought of herself as 'pretty'. But hearing Harry say it, smiling so earnestly at her? Well she could believe it. At least for a bit.
*In real life the International market place no longer exists as it once did. As of a couple years ago now, it has sadly been replaced by a mall bearing the same name.
** Point of interest. Most flower leis from Hawaii include Plumeria blooms. I'm told they smell really nice. I actually can't smell their scent for whatever reason, so I'll have to take everyone's word for it.
Author's Note: As ever thanks to my betas. In this case, Mordreek and the ever faithful Temporal Knight. No rec this chapter, need to sift through and expand my list again I think. Anyways, hope you all enjoy that.