77As always the main characters belong to JKR, thanks to her for letting us play with them by the way. I am not making money off this but I am keeping my mind active.
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That same morning back in England found Remus in the waiting room of "Bright Smile Dentistry". It had taken him several hours and phone calls to find their practice now he was waiting for one of them to get a few moments free to talk with him.
Jane Granger looked out from her office at the man waiting for her. She'd agreed to meet him here rather than at home. It was habit breed into her over years of living with first her father then her husband. Public face and private face, keep the two separate and distinct. If you made it hard for your… enemy was too strong a word… opponent too weak a word… adversary… that would do. If you made it hard for your adversaries to find you then you had some warning time. She'd started to panic when Hermione had mentioned Harry coming over then they'd talked. It was okay for a potential son in law to know where they lived she'd decided. This man was an unknown. Hermione had written and spoken of him as one on her side of this conflict but habit prevailed. She knew far more about the conflict in her daughter's world than Hermione suspected. Conversations with other mothers met at the entrance to platform 9 3/4 as they sent their children off to Hogwarts. It's amazing what one can pick up meeting with an individual over tea once a month or so. Mrs. Creevey had been a fountain of information not to mention Mrs. Finnigan. Now it was time to see what this individual had to add to her mosaic of wizarding world knowledge.
Remus stood as he saw a woman appear, "Mrs. Granger?" he asked knowing from the resemblance to her daughter who this had to be.
"Actually it's Doctor Granger. Mister?"
"Lupin, Remus Lupin, perhaps your daughter has spoken of me?" Remus said as he followed the woman in to a small office she obviously shared with her husband given the décor.
Jane appeared to contemplate this for a moment a she sat down indicating a chair for her guest before she replied, "Of course, now I remember but wasn't it Professor Lupin?"
"For only one year unfortunately."
"Ah, What can I or my husband do for you Mister Lupin?"
"I was hoping to be able to speak with your daughter. I asked the service for your home number but I was told I had to talk with you or your husband first," Remus explained.
"That is true. My husband and I instituted that after a number of calls at home about work. Emergency's we don't mind but it was getting out of hand," She said giving their standard reply to this question.
"I understand."
"Perhaps you might explain just why you need to talk to our daughter?" Jane asked the hint obvious this was the only way he might get to talk with Hermione.
"I'm looking for my godson, Harry Potter. I was hoping she might know where he is," Remus said doing his best not to appear stressed.
"I was under the impression that Harry's godfather had been killed a year ago."
Remus was taken back he had not expected to be answering twenty questions just to talk with his former student. After a moment's pause he replied, "That is true when Harry was born Sirius Black was named godfather. However his parents asked if I would be willing to step up should anything happen to Sirius. With Sirius gone I believe it would be his parents wish that I assume the mantle of Harry's godfather."
"And this concerns my daughter how?"
"Harry has run away from his aunt's home where he stays every summer. It is the one place other than Hogwarts where he was protected," Remus said causing Jane to arch an eyebrow. "I was hoping he had either told her something on the train ride or met your daughter after he'd left that would allow us to locate him and get him back to his aunts."
"This is all very interesting Mr. Lupin but I believe I will discuss this with my daughter before I say or do anything," Jane Granger said standing up signaling the end of the meeting.
"Mrs. Granger please we need to find Harry and get him to a safe place. This world is far too dangerous for Harry to be out in it by himself," Remus said the pleading obvious in his tone.
"As I said earlier it is Doctor Granger. Now how will I be able to get in touch with you after Hermione and I discuss this?"
Remus thought for a moment then realized he should have prepared a way for them to contact him. After a moments pause he replied, "Would it be possible for me to contact you here tomorrow morning?"
"That will work. Until tomorrow Mr. Lupin," Jane replied opening the door to her office and ushering Remus to the waiting room.
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The next morning Remus's call to "Bright Smile Dentistry" was quickly transferred to Jane Granger who told him, "I've talked with Hermione and she said she hadn't seen Harry for a while. She also said if you had taken this position on being Harry's godfather in late 1981 things would be a lot different today."
"Can I talk with her?" Remus pleaded.
"I'm sorry she'd not available right now. I'm sure she will contact you when she wishes to hold a conversation. If you will excuse me I have a patient waiting," Jane said hanging up. She'd learned a lot about the relationship between this man and her potential son-in-law during her daughter's phone call last night and she didn't like the way he'd kept his distance for all those years. Even when he was around him most of the boy's third year he hadn't seen fit to fully inform Harry about his family, an unforgivable act in her eyes….
'Damn," Remus thought looking at the dead phone in his hand. Hanging it up he starting walking back towards 12 Grimmauld place his mind free associating, 'Dumbledore is going to be upset. I'm glad I'm not the one who to explain loosing track of Harry to him, that will be Alasor's job along with informing the rest of the order. Nowhere has that boy up and disappeared to, Damn!'
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The third day of their ride to Torino took the warlocks through the mountain area at the junction of France, Switzerland, and Italy. Intending to stretch their legs by just browsing the offerings the Gang pulled off to the side of the road next to an estate auction just south of Cluses, France. Harry and Hermione stopped walking suddenly looking at each other in shock, "Yes I felt it too," Harry reassured Hermione.
"But what is it?" Hermione asked looking around at the items in the shop. Harry held out his hands slightly trying to avoid suspicion and tried to locate the direction the feelings were coming from Hermione noticed what he was doing and walked further along before repeating his actions following their individual paths they met at an old trunk that was covered with items from a house.
"Interested in the trunk?" An individual called out from behind them in French.
"Not really just thought it looked interesting," Hermione replied in passable French while thanking her parents for insisting she learn the languages where they vacationed.
"Interesting it is. We still haven't found a key for the lock. I was thinking about breaking it open but then that would reduce the value."
Hermione looked the trunk over and noticed there were a number of scrape marks where the lock was. "It looks like someone has already tried to break it," She replied watching the individual closely. 'It was him. Wonder if he'd sell it cheap?' she thought to herself knowing she had a credit card her father had given her incase she needed things.
"Would you consider selling it as is?" Hermione asked looking between the trunk and the salesman.
"Of course you could buy anything in here for the right price."
"And what would the right price be?"
"Oh say 300 euros."
"Not even if you tossed in everything resting on top of it," Hermione replied shaking her head and heading for the door.
"Wait what would you consider the right price?" he asked stopping Hermione who had no real intention of leaving the shop without the trunk. Twenty minutes of haggling later Hermione was watching Harry drag the trunk out of the shop having spent far less than the initial price. Harry had insisted on paying cash once he figured out what Hermione was doing and that lowered the price even further. Cash didn't have to be reported to the authorities. The group was mounting up their bikes to head out when Harry rounded the corner trunk being dragged behind him.
"Hey Snake, how are you going to put that on your bike?" Thor asked causing chuckles to break out among the rest of the gang.
"I've always wanted one of these. We're going to ship it home to my folks," Hermione said speaking up.
"Don't worry I know where you are stopping tonight in Aosta, we'll catch up with you," Harry said waving them off. Once they were able to get out of sight Hermione was able to shrink the trunk and place it in Harry's saddlebags.
They took their time on the trip and pulled in to a hotel that night after the gang getting a room for just the two of them "Whoever did the charm work on this was quite good," Hermione said when the trunk opened after five minutes work by Hermione.
Harry was reaching in for one of the last items as they slowly worked their way through the trunk when his hand brushed against the side by the left handle. "Hermione take a look again at the inside of this trunk right here," Harry said motioning to where his hand had brushed.
"Not quite sure what it is though it is rather well shielded. We wouldn't have found it if you weren't so sensitive to magic and had brushed up against it."
"Yup that's me mister sensitive," Harry deadpanned his reply while watching Hermione practically climb into the old steamer trunk to work her magic on whatever he'd found. It took her close to half an hour but at the end Hermione had a small door open and after checking for additionally charms reached in to a surprisingly deep pocket withdrawing a bag with the Gringotts' seal full of galleons. Repeatedly reaching in she soon had five bags of galleons sitting on the floor beside her the next time her arm disappeared up past the elbow before she withdrew it and looked at the object in her hand.
"A time turner?" Harry asked his eyes fixed on the object in Hermione's hand.
"I think so but it's quite a bit bigger than the one I had in third year," Hermione said turning it over in her hand. This one had its hourglass set up in the middle of an oval frame and a locking bar across the top of the hourglass to prevent inadvertent turning. She was examining it closely when her eyes caught the inscription on one end of the hourglass. "It's in Latin. "3 days per turn, maximum of 10 turns."" Hermione said looking at Harry.
"What do you think?" Harry asked looking at Hermione.
Hermione thought for a moment. She'd agreed to spend three weeks of her summer to insure Harry was safe. With this she knew he'd be spending as much time as possible training doing some quick math she realized that in three weeks they could spend over a year together without anyone else to buffer them. Despite the attraction they were currently feeling being together for so long would cause them to either end up fighting and split up or… or possible end up as a permanent couple. "Harry it is a great opportunity I know we were going to spend this summer doing the task Dumbledore left you but this will allow you to get a year or better of training before we even start on that if you do it right," She said carefully.
"Come with me?" Harry asked hesitantly his eyes fixed on hers.
"Of course," Hermione replied wondering if it was a good thing his eyes never left hers, never drifted down her body as if he was thinking of her as a convenient female to take along for how do they say it? Ah companionship that's the current word
The next morning they took their leave of the Warlocks for the day saying they'd meet up with them tonight. Before gathering up everything and shrinking it down to fit in one saddle bag. With the bike parked in a grove of trees Hermione looped the time turner's chain around both of them as they sat on the old Triumph and gave it three turns sending them back to before they left England. With that accomplished they took off for the Swiss border planning on staying in the city of Annecy for a week.
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July 22ed
In England Remus was frustrated. He'd tried sending international delivery Owls to Harry and Hermione separately but the owls recognized they had multiple targets and didn't know what to do. All three owls the mail clerk tried never even left their perch. "I don't know what to tell you occasionally I've had one that was getting old fail to leave when it was a long flight but I've never had three in a row refuse to leave. If you ever find out what is going on I'd like to know in case this happens again," the clerk told him after refunding his money.
Walking back to the apparation point Remus thought 'I have truly gone and buggered things up. I was suppose to keep Harry on track destroying the Horcruxes without letting him know I was aware of them while Molly and her family's two youngest were on track to keep Harry focused and Hermione distracted. Not sure what happened there. Molly began dosing both Harry and Hermione with mild attraction potions keyed to her two youngest around Christmas time. The elves were keeping up the regiment at Hogwarts. No problems should have occurred there. All the elves are loyal to the headmaster and he was in on the scheme.' Remus thought before realizing someone had to deal with the Horcruxes and with Harry out of the picture he knew where that burden fell. He'd need to contact Moody and find out where Dumbledore was living after faking his death with the fall from the astronomy tower. Like the fake Moody said in Harry's fourth year you really have to mean the dark curses it took more than just saying the words. While it did blast Dumbledore off the tower he was able to survive the curse as Snape was violating a magical oath to cast it and his enhanced senses told him the body they found at the base of the tower was not Dumbledore.
Back at Grummald place he was going though Kreacher's stash when he found a necklace that fell very odd to his werewolf side. Kreacher died when Tonks took exception to his attempt to kill Remus and her banishing charm was a bit overpowered the blood stains did come off the wall after several different cleaning charms were cast. As he fingered the charm he recalled something Bill had told him just before being exiled, "Anything odd you find and don't know what to do with take it to Gringotts and ask them to forward it to me."
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July 14th
When they checked in to the Fasthôtel Hermione found herself blushing when she spoke up requesting one room with a double bed before Harry could even reply to the desk clerk's question. Luckily the desk clerk didn't notice or choose to ignore it. Their room wasn't fancy which Harry appreciated but it was functional and had a restaurant. They spent the time in Annecy walking through the parks while quietly debating various travels ideas and working out how to avoid running in to the potentially thirty copies of themselves that would be running around Europe. Hermione also took the opportunity to hit some different shops in the area getting both of them outfitted in proper riding gear for all conditions adding a substantial amount of leather to her wardrobe in the process. With them out of the detection range of the British magical sensor network Harry was able to use his wand and between the two of them the saddlebags on Harry's bike held enough clothes for a week or two and food to sustain them for a week.
They left Annecy a lot closer having spent a few days longer than the planned week sleeping together and bonding as a couple spending the remaining time slowly making their way to Torino where they met up with the Warlocks again for the England vs Italy football friendly on July 24th. The football match proved to be anticlimactic. Both sides were playing more not to injure themselves than to win the match. It was enjoyable just to see the stars from both countries running around as the coaches yelled from the sidelines trying to insure that the players at least learned a little about playing with each other.
After the match they rode off to a little town called Liddes to spend the night. It was a little out of the way but everyone wanted to avoid the eight mile long Fréjus Road Tunnel they'd used to get to Turin besides the girls wanted to pick up some proper Swiss chocolate and with this place being up in the mountains it promised a relaxing night. Dusk was turning to night when they were nearing the town only to find their way blocked by a group of black clad individuals spread across the road. Riding in the lead Thor did an impressive job of stopping his bike without hitting them, or dumping him and Shella on to the road.
"So kind of you to bring us our dinner," One of the group said approaching Thor and Shella as they were the closest. Before opening his mouth revealing the protruding canines of a vampire ready to feed.
"Ah Shit," Harry called out drawing the vampires attention to him.
Hermione heard Harry's outburst recognizing those were vampires confronting them at the same time as Harry. Instinctively knowing her knife would be useless against them she reached into her jacket pockets she pulling out some toothpicks she'd picked up from the restaurant the day before intending to use them for cleaning her teeth but now a better use presented itself. Taking one in her hand she quickly used her wand to transfigure it into something resembling a javelin before hurling it at the vampire directly in front of her. Although she was successful in eliminating that one she realized that without the element of surprise that was now lost her chances of killing another with her weak throwing ability was slim at best. Looking around she could see their compatriots were either stunned in to inaction or under the vampires thrall.
Harry didn't hesitate quickly dismounting before throwing his arm in the air shouting "Gryffindor!" causing the sword bearing that name to appear in his hand. A few swings later and the remaining vampires trying to surround him were giving him greater respect now that several of their clan were lying headless on the ground.
Hermione's next javelin responded well to her overpowered banishing charm blasting through her vampire target before pinning the dead body to the tree behind it.
When Harry removed the head of his next attacker who approached the group the remaining vampires fell back for a moment giving the appearance they were retreating before the majority suddenly surged at Harry while two of the females attacked Hermione. Fifteen seconds later it was over. The last head of Harry's attackers fell to the ground still processing the realization that it was possible for one person to swing a sword through that many necks at once while Hermione's attackers were looking at each other's dead eyes with the opposite ends of the same javelin impaled in their chests.
Catching his breath Harry looked at the rest of the Warlock motorcycle club and their companions as they were coming around. "Hermione we need to obliviate them," Harry said looking to his girlfriend.
"I can't do them all at once. We'll need to separate them."
Harry nodded casting Petrificus Totalus on the rest of his gang would be the right word now that he thought about it for a moment.
"Hey if you can do that why don't you just obliviate them in one go," Hermione asked.
"I'd probable wipe far too much. Over powering spells I can do easily it's when I need fine control that I have problems," Harry explained.
"All right then over power the clean up here."
"What do I do with the bodies?"
"Transfigure them into rocks or something and leave them out until the sun comes up. If I'm right the moment the sun hits them they'll disappear," Hermione countered.
"Works for me," Harry said pulling out his wand only to whirl around at the sound of several individuals apparating in.
The individuals quickly raised their hands in the air in the universal sign of non-aggression when they saw both Harry's and Hermione's wands on them before quickly rattling something off in Italian.
"Any one speak English?" Hermione asked.
"I do. Who killed these vampires?"
After a quick glance between the two Harry spoke up saying, "That would be me."
Only to be interrupted by Hermione, "Actually that would be us," when Harry glared at her she added, "If you get in trouble I get in trouble. I'm not letting you take the blame for something I did to protect myself."
"No sorry, misunderstanding, you are not in trouble. This is a vicious clan we've been hunting for months. I suspect you will be rewarded. We will take care of the mess and obliviate the others. Let me notify our superiors the hunt is finished."
While everything was being cleaned up Harry and Hermione had been hustled off to the side were several new arrivals questioned them about their actions. "That was quite resourceful of both of you. I intend to add the transfiguring of toothpicks to our training Miss Granger. Before we leave let me present you both with these Swiss Creature Hunter licenses. They should make things easier for both of you should you run in to similar problems in the future."
Harry looked at the license in his hands for a moment before looking up at the older man who had given it to him. "Thank you sir. I can't tell you how much it means to be rewarded for something instead of punished."
"Having read what passes for a newspaper in England I can understand that feeling Mr. Potter. My people appear to be finished with your traveling companions and the clean up You and Miss Granger have a good evening," The man said before apparating away leaving just the warlocks and their women on the road.
"Let's get to that hotel. I need a nights sleep," Harry said watching as the others joined him and Hermione in mounting their bikes and riding off towards the village.
The next morning they parted company with the Warlocks Harry told them he'd look them up in two weeks when he returned to England but for now he and Hermione wanted to ride around Europe for a while. "You take good care of Snake," Shella said walking with Hermione while the guys were teasing Harry.
"I will, He's my best friend," Hermione said doing her best to ignore her current feelings.
"Best friend my arse girl let me tell you right now if you don't have him properly taken care of by the time you two return to England I'm going to call up a few girls I know and I guarantee one of them will do the job proper like.
"Harry and I don't have that type of relationship," 'yet,' she added mentally.
"Oh, I knew that the first night. You two in the same bed alone for a while before we returned and not even a hint of a smell, well until Thor and I arrived," Shella said with a grin turning to wave at Thor when he yelled at her to get moving.
"We'll see you back in England," Hermione said hugging the other girl who'd given her a lot to think about.
"That you will. Now remember what I said," Shella said passing Harry as she joined Thor on the bike.
"What do you need to remember?" Harry asked once he was standing beside Hermione.
"Oh just that we're going to meet up back in England," Hermione said slipping an arm around Harry and smiling to herself when he returned the gesture with his own arm around her waist.
That afternoon found Harry and Hermione in a little cul-de-sac off the beaten path sitting on Harry's bike with a time turner looped around them. "Max turns," Hermione said flipping the hourglass.
"I trust you Hermione and we need some good memories to over come last night," Harry replied just as Hermione let the hourglass tumble sending them 30 days into the past.
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July 23ed
Lupin's trip to Gringotts was more productive than he would ever realize. He left the necklace with a security goblin who promised to forward it to the proper people. It never made it out of the bank. As was procedure it was first examined by a curse breaker who detected the Horcrux and after getting direction from his supervisor transferred the spirit to a pig which was promptly slaughtered. The necklace with the note Lupin had left along with a few of the sausage links were sent though goblin post to Gringotts Paris and then on to Bill Weasley who understood the meaning of his gift.
What only the goblins knew was Grabhook a sibling of Griphook had just taken a job in mail security and noticed an express owl being sent off by a member of the Bag clan with no corresponding entry as to where and why it was being sent. the person that had the job before him ignored procedure when something like this occurred and confronted the sender to update the logs resulting in him awaking the following morning from a presumed night of drinking with only vague memories of the day before.
Grabhook however followed procedure and reported it to his supervisor who did his own research and with a guard accompaniment confronted the sender who tried to bluff his way out of it accusing Grabhook of trying to eliminate him. Later under proper persuasion he reveled he and a number of his clan were working with Lord Voldemort to great financial gain. Well it was until the Goblin council decided their actions were not in the best interest of Gringotts. To Gringotts historians that day became known as the day the Bag clan became extinct.
Unknown to most Wizards though that is also the day Gringotts began hunting Horcruxes in England.
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When the Gringotts owl arrived at Parkinson Manor it was left to those death eaters who dealt with all received mail. All those individuals knew was information for this source was to be handed directly to one of Lord Voldemort's inner circle who were then tasked to quickly bring it to his attention. It was only moments after Bellatrix Lestrange entered the room that everyone save Lord Voldemort fled the ballroom as curses could be heard striking the walls. When the noise subsided Bellatrix used the point of her wand to urge Peter Pettigrew to enter and check on their lords condition.
He returned moments later summoning just Bella and Lucius into Voldemort's presence while he stayed outside guarding the door. When those two left they ordered all death eater activities put on hold and teams of four guards be established on the ballroom door with access limited to Peter Pettigrew and those he allowed in after consulting with their Lord.
In the Parkinson's ballroom Voldemort was going though a mental list he never wrote down.
His Personal Diary: Destroyed by Potter when Malfoy attempted to bring him back.
(Well that was what Malfoy said)
Gaunt Family Ring: Missing and presumed destroyed. Possibly by Dumbledore or treasure hunters.
Hufflepuff's cup: Bellatrix rechecking her family vault.
Ravenclaw's Diadem: Removed from Hogwarts and used by Barry Crouch Jr. to bring him back
Slytherin's Locket: The Goblin Clan that worked for him just reported a Locket horcrux was destroyed.
Possible his. Lucius is checking on this one.
His Snake Nagini: Right beside him.
It was possible he was down to just two horcruxes and it was impossible for him to create more. He regretted having used the Diadem but its use strengthened the ritual and to be honest him. At least with Dumbledore dead he was down to just Potter to deal with. Though from what Severus reported the boy had disappeared and no one knew were he was. Though he'd supposedly taken a girl with him. Just why someone would do that was a bit beyond him. While they had their uses but their emotional makeup prevented them being truly useful. It was only a rare one like Bellatrix that was truly useful to him.
It was late that night when Bellatrix Lestrange returned to her Lord's presence with disappointing news. "What took you so long Bella?"
It was a very nervous witch who replied, "The Goblins were doing security checks my Lord and found the cup in the LeStrange vault. I was told by housing a person in my vault I broke their rules. I was fined half the galleons in the vault and they took the cup in compensation."
Voldemort didn't even try to keep his control. "Curio!" He called out his wand pointed straight at Bellatrix's heart. Thirty seconds later he lifted the curse before calling out for Pettigrew. When he shuffled in Voldemort said, "Get Rodolphus and have him take his wife away. Tell him to keep her out of my sight until I call for her! I should never have trusted her with one of my treasures," He muttered the last to himself as Pettigrew had disappeared.
Once he'd calmed down not knowing about Potter he thought there was just one horcrux left and it was the snake beside him.
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A few days after their second arrival in the past Harry was enjoying the view as they rode along side Lake Geneva when Hermione tapped him on the shoulder pointing to a hotel on their left at the water's edge just south of Montreux, Switzerland. A head nod later Harry was slowing down and negotiating the hotel's winding entrance road. At the front desk they were surprised when a door behind the counter opened and a gentleman walked out before smoothly taking over registration just a woman at the front desk was explaining the hotel was booked. "Mr. Potter welcome to La Tiniere you should have owled us you could have avoided the front desk entirely. I am Snichook, would your traveling companion be Miss Granger?"
"Glamour spell?" Harry asked slightly confused and stalling for time to recover.
"Yes, though I thought you were required to be in Hogwarts at this time."
"We are however we recently found a way to treat time rather fluidly," Harry replied hoping he wasn't heading for jail. A nudge from Hermione brought him back on track. "Yes this is Miss Granger we were wondering if you had a room available?"
"For you always. One room?" Snichook asked making a mental note to inform Gringotts wagering division that they were to accept no bets from Potter or Granger.
"Yes, we are planning on staying two weeks or so," Hermione added speaking up still blushing slightly at the implication the one room gave.
"As I said not a problem at all. Would you like us to bill your Gringotts account directly Mr. Potter?"
"It is Harry, Snichook. Would that be a problem?"
"Not at all this hotel is goblin property," Seeing Hermione's eyebrow rise at that statement he couldn't resist adding, "Not all governments are as restrictive as Great Britain Miss Granger."
"If you call him Harry I am Hermione."
"Very well Harry, Hermione if you will follow me I'll show you to your room," Snichook said leading the way to one end room on the top floor where he keyed both of them into the door so they'd only have to place their hands on the knob to gain access.
Hermione was taking in the view out three sides of the hotel including a great view of the lake. "Wow this is fantastic. This is how the minister would be treated," She remarked.
"The minister would not get this room he would at least be a floor or two lower. This floor and the one below are hidden from muggle view," Snichook replied.
"Harry can you afford this room?" Hermione asked suddenly realizing just how much a room like this must cost.
At Harry's glance then nod Snichook replied, "Actually Hermione, Harry would pay the same for any room in this hotel. He gets a flat rate."
Hermione looked between Harry and Snichook deciding Harry would be questioned later about that remark.
Realizing the time had come Snichook went to the door and turned saying, "Harry, Hermione if either of you need anything to improve your stay let either myself or a member of the staff know."
Hermione stood and walked over having a quiet conversation with Snichook who nodded replying, "Tomorrow morning at breakfast," before taking his leave.
At a quizzical gaze from Harry Hermione replied, "Girl stuff," causing Harry to blush slightly and drop his inquiry.
Their first night's sleep in the hotel was just like the previous night. Hermione started to shake as memories of the vampire attack surfaced. It was only when Harry put his arm around her while kissing her forehead that she was able to relax and fall asleep. Harry on the other hand suffered far less problems having been left alone after worse mental stress. Still wrapping his arm around his best friend also eased his nightmare problems. The next morning neither wanted to admit just how pleasant their sleep had been.
Harry and Hermione spent that day either in the pool or their room relaxing appearing only for meals. During this time Hermione managed to worm out Harry's explanation about his rapport with the goblins. "It seems that one of my ancestors did them a favor. They feel compelled to repay it despite the fact several generations have passed."
"Must have been a big favor," Hermione mused.
"I have no idea what it was so I just do my best to keep an even balance with them. I've promised to help them when they ask and they seem to accept that."
'I bet they do,' Hermione thought to herself.
Leaving the pool at the end of their second day Hermione's comment to Harry "while I can understand French to a point due to my family trips there I wished I'd spent more time studying other languages," Was over heard by one of the service goblins who informed his supervisor.
After dinner Snichook was waiting for them at their door, "Harry, Hermione, if I could have a moment of your time?" he asked.
"Of course Snichook come on in," Harry said opening the door.
Once everyone was seated Harry asked, "What is the problem?"
"One of my associates heard Hermione's complaint regarding languages. This caused me to wonder if you are aware of memory learning."
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks before Harry replied, "Not to any great extent although I believe Hermione has heard of it."
Seeing her opening Hermione added, "I've read something about it but I believe it was outlawed."
"Only in England although they have been lobbying the international for years to have it outlawed world wide. Something like this could reduce the need for years of schooling in some subjects. The memory strand would be cheaper than the years of tuition."
"I take it this would help with our language problem," Harry stated.
"Yes, and before you ask although it is legal here it is a bit expensive."
"What does it involve?" Hermione questioned.
"Gringotts' local branch accepts memory strands occasionally in place of Galleons. They then sell the memory strands to individuals who wish to acquire those abilities."
"What's to prevent the person from re-selling those strands?"
"Hermione when you remove a memory strand your knowledge contained within that memory is significantly diminished. If it was a skill to do something the extent how to do it diminishes depending upon how long they've had the knowledge in the vast majority of cases that skill is lost by the donating individual. If it's an event their recall of it depends upon how important the event was to them," Snichook explained.
"So if we wanted to learn to speak and write German. We'd need two strands one for each of us?" Harry asked.
"Precisely."
"How much would that cost?" Hermione asked.
"Prices for memory strands start at 1000 galleons and go up from there depending on how rare the ability being purchased is, reading and writing French would be 1000 galleons. Replicating Harry's Parseltongue ability currently cannot be done, as we have no memories of that ability."
"All the memories are freely given?" Hermione questioned not wanting to take part in anything that was against her moral standards.
"No memory is taken by force. Most individuals have no need of the abilities they are giving up. For example individuals moving to another country will give up the language from their old country and get one for their new. Sometimes they make a few galleons in the swap sometimes they pay a bit, but it is a quick way to adapt to a new environment."
"Thanks for the information I assume should Hermione or I be interested you would be able to set something up," Harry stated.
"This is a goblin establishment," Snichook replied with a toothy grin.
"Right we need to talk this over if we decide to we'll let you know," Harry said standing to signal the end of their meeting time.
"Of course I'll be awaiting your reply," Snichook said leaving them alone.
Once they were alone Harry asked, "So what do you think?"
"Let me sleep on it tonight. Something is tugging at my thoughts. Hopefully a good nights sleep will bring it to the front and just for clarification a good nights sleep means me in your arms."
Harry grinned happily at the thought before going to get ready for the evenings rest.
They were at the pool the next morning Harry enjoying his new morning ritual of watching Hermione apply sunscreen to the areas not covered by her modest bikini. "You do know there is a charm for that," He said teasing her.
"And as I've told you several times before I prefer doing it this way," Hermione covertly admiring the way Harry's form was filling out this summer. While enjoying the growing attraction she was feeling towards him. Deciding to get him more involved she asked, "Would you mind spreading this on my back?"
Harry shrugged wondering why she asked today. She'd managed to do it herself yesterday morning. Still he was game, "Sure let me get situated."
"Just take a good size dollop and spread it. By the way I've remembered what was tickling my brain yesterday. Before we do any memory strand learning I would like to try out a few things with your help."
Harry looked up from were his hands were spreading the sunscreen on her prone form, "Any time."
"We'll do it in our room we'll leave here a little before lunch. I'll think of something I'd like you to share with me before then."
Slightly confused Harry still nodded in agreement before turning is attention back to his task. When he'd finished he realized that it really was a shame that she'd managed to do the rest of it herself.
"Okay Harry what we are going to do is extract your memory of doing the Patronus charm and place it in this vial. Then we'll take a blank memory from you and mix the two."
Harry finally realized just what Hermione was up to. She was looking for a way to duplicate a memory strand. "Don't you think the goblins would have already tried this?" he asked looking at her.
"Yes but I recalled reading in my parents science journals how it was possible to take one strand of DNA and copy it using a solution that contained the basic building blocks until you had millions of copies. I think it might be possible to do the same thing."
"So what's special about your method?"
"Your magic," Hermione said in her I am utterly convinced I know what I am doing voice.
"Huh?"
""You are going to take the vial in your hands like this and spin it like so will trying to focus your magic on it with the intent of creating a duplicate," Hermione said demonstrating by sliding her palms back and forth against each other with the vial in between. While Harry did his best to avoid looking at Hermione like she'd lost her mind being his best and not to mention most attentive friend she could practically read his mind. "Oh, just do it!" she said in exasperation.
Knowing she was at her limit of being teased Harry closed his eyes to remove any distraction and complied not daring to ask just how to focus his magic on it. Thus only Hermione could see the magic glow between his palms as the cylinder rotated. "Keep it up for another minute Harry," she said softly when he started to slow down, then "That's it."
"So what now?"
"There's two strands in there ideally one goes back to you and one to me. If this worked we will both know how to cast the charm."
"And if it didn't?"
"Then it didn't. You will go first as it's your memory if you get the blank string then just add the other one and you've got your knowledge back if however you get the knowledge with the first memory string I will take the second and either get a blank memory or your knowledge," Hermione explained.
She watched him as he removed one of the memory strands before placing against his temple where it slipped into his mind. Harry was going to tease her but the look on her face brought forth an honest answer, "Yes I still know how to cast the Patronus."
After slipping the other memory strand into her mind Hermione squealed, "I do too!" excitedly before reminding herself that she did not squeal.
"Time for lunch," Harry said standing up adding, "I know you want to talk about this but I'm hungry."
"Then order room service. We, well at least I need to talk this out," Hermione said standing up and starting to pace while replaying the memory in her mind several times.
"Salad for you and a burger for me?" Harry called from the phone.
Hermione nodded her mind fixed on some… under memories that came along with the transferred memory. Once Harry was back and seated she said, "Let's try oblivating the next blank memory strand before we put it in."
"What? I didn't notice anything extra."
"You wouldn't let's just say I got a little extra and leave it at that."
"What did you get?" Harry asked truly curious.
Hermione debated for a moment then realized it was his memory after all, "I now know beyond a doubt you think I'm sexy. Is that sufficient?"
Harry's eyes went wide then he hung his head.
"Don't be embarrassed Harry that thought makes me quite happy."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I know boys have thoughts like that. In fact I'm pleased you think that about me if you didn't I'd wonder if you preferred boys."
"I'm not Colin!" Harry responded sharply.
"I know but sometimes I wondered. Now let's get back on track."
They ate in between a few more trial runs then Harry went to see Snichook and ordered up single strands of French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Hermione's thought being those four would give them the ability to travel through most of Europe without major problems.
Snichook was able to deliver them the next morning and by noon both Harry and Hermione had headaches and command of four new languages, the only change to their process being Harry's overpowering obliviation of the blank memory strand prior to its insertion in the vial.
Despite their best attempts to keep the fact both had learned languages quiet it was only the next evening when Snichook approached them saying, "I have heard rumors that you are both proficient in French. I was wondering how this was accomplished as you were supplied only one memory strand."
Harry's glance at Hermione had her almost slapping her head. "The couple we were talking with at the pool this afternoon. It started in English but switched to French. I only realized it when she complemented me on my accent."
"Yes the towel attendant thanked me for acting on his comment. I suspect he was fishing for a promotion," Snichook added.
Harry gave in to the inevitable. "We have developed a method however the current potential for abuse causes us to prefer to keep it private," Harry explained and waited for the goblin's outburst.
"I suspected that might be the case. If asked I must tell our director about it however."
"You, and your director I do not mind I would request that knowledge of it be kept at the director level and within the nation," Harry asked.
"Of course, Harry. Might I suggest a visit to Lichtenstein when you finish your stay with us. I think it has the potential for being quite informative."
"Thanks for the suggestion I suspect Hermione and I will be here a while longer however," Harry replied before following Hermione up to their room. She'd been getting increasingly snappy as the day had progressed he hoped he'd find out what was troubling her soon.
As she took her nightly shower Hermione was one frustrated female strike that she was beyond frustrated at this point. She'd shared Harry's bed for 25 days now and while their nightly snagging sessions were brilliant things had pretty much stalled once they'd arrived here. Fifteen bloody days and he hadn't tried to get past her nightgown once! The memory trick yesterday revealed he did have those feelings for her but even after that he didn't try anything. Tonight she'd get her answers one way or the other.
Harry knew when Hermione emerged from the bathroom wand in hand and started casting silencing and anti-eavesdropping charms on all the walls plus the floor and ceiling he was going to get told off and sent packing. Deciding to get it over with he asked, "What have I done wrong now?"
Caught off guard Hermione spat out, "Nothing and that's the problem!"
Harry didn't even get out a huh before Hermione's frustration caused verbal diarrhea, "I spent ten days taking the lead and getting you used to me being in your bed. Now for the last fifteen days you've done absolutely nothing to increase our intimacy! Nothing, no roaming hands, no trying to slid my top up, not one darn thing. Damn it Harry after viewing your Patronus memory yesterday I know you have those desires why haven't you acted on them?"
Harry started to answer then stopped to gather his thoughts earning a glare from Hermione before finally saying, "Believe me I really wanted to but I was trying to be the gentleman your father told me to be. I specifically remember him telling me to never push you to do anything you hadn't initiated first. So...," he finished with a shrug not knowing what else to say.
A stunned Hermione sat there doing her best to process it was Harry's single minded devotion to following her own father's directions causing her frustration.
"Hermione?" A still nervous Harry asked.
His question restarted Hermione who said, "Forget what he said. I'll tell you when to stop."
"Okay I'm good with that," Harry replied watching Hermione join him in bed.
It took them until noon the next day to appear but both were smiling when they did.
They were checking out when Snichook presented them when a travel guide that listed all the wizard friendly accommodations Gringotts was involved with across Europe as they left heading for Lichtenstein.
Once on the bike they decided to avoid the hard riding on mountain roads that had brought them out of Italy. Instead taking two days to cover the roughly 200 miles of mountain roads to Lichtenstein not only was it easier on their bodies it allowed for more sightseeing along the way.