Lion Rampant

Chapter 2

Everything was black and silent. Harry looked back and forth trying to see something, anything but the inky blackness that surrounded him. His breathing was panicked or so he assumed after all he couldn't really see or feel much of his body. Just when he felt like screaming a light blinked in the distance and then a second light a bit further away. There was a tug around his middle, soft and almost teasing, pulling him towards the two lights in the distance. Either he was moving towards the lights or the lights were moving towards him, he wasn't quite sure which. Inside his stomach he felt a small fluttering that excited him. Whatever these lights were they were important to him.

Two little girls laid sprawled out on the ground near Harry. If not for the way their chests moved softly Petunia would have thought all the children were dead. Cradling Harry to herself Petunia allowed her senses to open towards the other two families approaching quickly. She immediately pulled back her senses and became instantly alert. The man who had just reached the pale bushy haired young girl was a creature. From the similarities Petunia knew this man was the girl's father and posed no threat to the girl at least. Underneath the creature energy she felt a small spark of wizard's magic and that alone was almost enough to have Petunia grab both her children and head for the hills. She had not come this far and kept her boys out of that world just to be found out now.

The other slightly older girl was being fussed over by a woman who was clearly at least half veela if not more. Petunia sighed deeply and knew she would have to explain quickly before the veela could become angry. She didn't have any experience with actual veela but according to both her sister and her mate they could become very dangerous and aggressive if slighted.

"Vernon! Bring my bag to me quickly!"

Vernon Dursley lumbered forward and nodded before hurrying to fetch Petunia's bag. Dudley looked worriedly over his mother's shoulder unsure of the situation.

"Is Harry going to be alright mum?"

With a reassuring smile Petunia pulled her oldest son into a group hug of sorts.

"Don't you worry Dudders your brother will be just fine. He just needs to rest a little bit after doing what he just did."

Dudley wrinkled his nose in distaste at hearing his hated nick name. She always slipped into the worst nicknames when she began to worry. Harry was always getting hurt, not that it was his fault, and things just seemed to happen when he was left on his own. Dudley could feel the tension building between the three families even though they had yet to address each other. He shuffled uncomfortably beside his mother waiting for something to happen. Like most children patience was not his strong point, his shuffling increased. The wind picked up bringing the strange scents of the other families to Dudley's untrained nose. As with all children Dudley blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"What are you people?"

Petunia grabbed Dudley and pulled him behind her as the veela reeled back clearly insulted by what he had said. Before anything violent could happen the man laughed loudly startling both women out of whatever they had been planning.

"You're a curious little thing aren't you? Just like my Hermione, always full of questions."

The man smiled widely at Dudley as he stood up cradling his daughter close.

"It seems like we are going to have a lot to discuss and we don't live to far from here."

He gestured with his shoulder towards one of the paths behind him.

"My wife should have lunch just about ready. I can give her a call to set a few extra plates if you're willing to have this conversation at our place."

Petunia felt a pull deep inside of her, as if something was pulling on her very core. The man became even more appealing and she wanted to agree to anything she said. Vernon's hand landed heavily on her shoulder. Being touched by him activated the small shielding charms she had carved into the insides of his palms all those years ago. Her mind cleared and in those moments of wakening she realized his creature heritage was incubus. Taking another moment to clear her mind she heard the veela answer for both of them.

"We don't even know your name and you're trying your charms on us sir? That is not a very polite way to introduce yourself to your new family."

The veela woman raised her head haughtily and continued to kindly berate the man for his rudeness.

"Knowing this conversation would be solely for the best interests of our children of course we would be obligated to accompany you. Your manly charms were both unnecessary and rude."

The man was hardly cowed by the veela's tiny tirade.

"Madam I can assure you rudeness was hardly my intention. I merely acted in my daughter's best interest, as I'm sure either of you would do for your own children."

Petunia stood and gently handed Harry into Vernon's stronger arms. Dudley handed his mother's purse to her after taking it from her servant. This really was no way to start a family with mistrust and possible loathing. Their children could not wake up to this mess. Everything that was going on would already be so much to process for them. They did not need this on top of all that.

She firmly stepped on a small twig under her boot instantly causing a loud snapping sound. The other two parents sharply looked her way.

"My name is Petunia Dursley. I came to the park today with my husband Vernon Dursley and our two sons, Dudley and Harry. On behalf of my family I would love to accept your invitation as long as you're more interesting charms are kept to a halt."

The man nodded slowly.

"Once again I am sorry ma'am. I am Dr. William Granger and this is my daughter Hermione. I would be happy to introduce you to my wife Dr. Jean Granger during a lunch discussion at my home."

Understanding that everyone wanted to start over for the sake of the children the veela nodded as well.

"I am Apolline Delacour. I came here with my daughters Fleur and Gabrielle. I too would like to accept your offer Dr. Granger as long as Mrs. Dursley's conditions are met."

Dr. Granger smiled widely once again having died in brightness at being found out.

"Of course dear ladies all your conditions will be reasonably met. Give me a moment to phone my wife and I will be right back with directions."

Petunia and Mrs. Delacour watched Dr. Granger walk a few feet away and do exactly what he had said he would. The women turned stare at each other assessing each and every possible weapon and weakness.

"Petunia, darling mind your temper."

The senses her rituals had bestowed upon Vernon's body felt her demonic aura flare ever so slightly. Noting the public area Vernon took it upon himself to warn his Mistress in case it had slipped her notice.

Petunia blinked and smiled at his gentle reminder. She patted his hand in practiced fondness.

"My dear husband is right Apolline. May I call you Apolline?"

Steaming right along she ignored any protest Apolline might make.

"Thank you dear. We may have gotten off to a rough start. Instincts are running strong but we must do what is best for our children."

Petunia held out her hand in greeting and truce. Apolline reached forward and shook her hand firmly.

"Your right Petunia. We must do all that we do now for our children's best interests."

They smiled at one another before taking their hands back and turning to welcome the returning Dr. Granger.

"Well my wife agrees to the impromptu lunch meeting. If you could all just hop into your vehicles and follow me we can get this messy business out of the way."

His bright smile was back but without that special something extra framing it as promised. Petunia and Apolline quickly agreed and went to settle their respective families into their vehicles. Petunia secretly hoped the drive wasn't too long. The suspense of all this might just stop her heart.