Lion Rampant

-Story Start-

Whatever it was he had been walking on had disappeared a while ago leaving him floating in mid-air. The light still happily shown in the distance and he prayed it was not his imagination that was telling him that the lights seemed to be getting closer. Even from this distance he could feel the lights emitting a soft and comforting warmth. Harry imagined that this warmth was what it must have felt like to be held by his mother Lily. Petunia was a good mother, she always had their best interest at heart but he knew she was his aunt. If he had tears somewhere in this blackness he was sure they would be falling freely. The lights twinkled merrily bringing his focus back to them. Gathering himself once more Harry willed himself to float faster towards the shining stars in the distance.

Thankfully the drive to the Granger's home was short. The only thing eventful during the drive was Harry, his hands seemed to be reaching toward something in the distance. Petunia wondered if it was just him or if the other children were also reacting this way. Vernon parked the car as they reached their destination. In the backseat Dudley undid his seatbelt and gently undid Harry's as well making sure his still unconscious brother didn't fall forward. Once done with that Dudley hopped out of the way so that Vernon could lift Harry from the car.

Petunia felt Dudley grab her hand and she distractedly smiled down at him. The wards surrounding the Granger home were strong and if she didn't know any better seemed to hum with the magic of Sirius Black. That was impossible though, Sirius had sacrificed his freedom to throw the magical world off their trail. She personally made sure a Potter elf visited him at least once a week to provide him with simple nourishing meals and potions to help him survive the insanity of Azkaban. From the reports the elf provided Sirius was in excellent health even though he refused to let the elves clean him. No matter what his strange reasons were for staying filthy Petunia still insisted that the elf who visited him always asked.

She knew this meeting could change their lives but whether it was for better or worse she had no idea. Stealing her nerves she looked up to the Granger's rather large town home and locked eyes with a woman she had long believed dead.

William stood at the top of the steps holding his wife in his arms while warmly smiling down at all his guests. Jean Granger smile became forced as she locked eyes with Petunia, her eyes alight with recognition.

"We are lucky the traffic was light. It would have been unlucky to lose sight of me in this neighborhood. Sometimes a man can just get lost in here."

William chuckled softly to himself remembering just the other day how the post man had stopped by twice in one hour hopelessly lost and had needed to be guided out. Poor man must be getting on in years.

Jean seemed to snap back to herself and moved quickly aside welcoming in their guests.

"I'm so sorry I seem to be a bit preoccupied. Please come in I hope you don't mind the new paint smell we just had the living room touched up."

Apolline walked in first with Fleur in her arms once more. Gabrielle followed closely behind her mother.

"There is a fresh pot of tea in the parlor on the right along with a few cakes and biscuits. Please feel free to help yourselves. There are also a few extra sofas from the living room that are currently in the parlor if you would like to lay the children down."

Dudley watched Gabrielle rush ahead of her mother before looking up to his for permission. Petunia nodded and patted his back softly before he too rushed off.

"Vernon dear, go on ahead and lay Harry down would you."

Petunia watched Vernon walk down the hall before turning to Jean Granger and extending her hand.

"Nice to meet you Dr. Granger I am Petunia Dursley. I feel as if we will have much more to discuss after we settle up this business with the children."

Jean cringed slightly as William looked on confused.

"Your right Mrs. Dursley we have much to discuss."

Petunia smiled and followed the others inside.

William waited till Petunia was out of hearing distance before turning to question his wife of the last 10 years.

"Jean what is she talking about?"

She hugged him tightly and sighed deeply.

"It looks like you really can't run from your past forever my love. I only hope you can forgive me for everything."

William watched as she also fled inside. Just when he thought today couldn't get any more complicated fate decided to drop another bombshell in his lap.

Hermione opened and closed her eyes several times before realizing something was off. No matter how many times she blinked it was all dark. The only thing she could see were two lights bobbing around in the dark. She reached out towards the closest light and felt that she wasn't really standing, sitting or really much of anything.

Glancing towards the nearest light once more Hermione worried that whatever it was it wasn't moving. Or maybe she should be glad it was so still?

After all she didn't even know what the ball of light was.

So many questions raced through her young mind. Where were the other children she was playing with? Where was her dad? Would she ever see her mom again?

No, she wouldn't panic now.

Stay calm, analyze the situation, and plan for all outcomes. This would be a great way to test all of the training her dad had been trying to show her on their weekend camping trips. She took deep breath in and slowly exhaled just trying to remember what to do first.

What was the last thing she remembered?

Oh yes! She and her new friends had been about to make a human cyclone.

They had all grabbed hands when a sharp tingling feeling had travelled up her arms and then nothing. She had woken up here in the dark with only two strange floating lights for company. That tingling felt similar to when she was younger and first trying to summon her powers. There wasn't much a prepubescent succubus could do but it was important to always stay in touch with her powers.

Well at least that's what her dad always said.

It was important for all young magical beings to always tap into their magic. It helped ease the transition into adulthood. No matter if you were a wizard, witch, or other type of magical or demonic creature magic was life.

The boy and girl she had been playing with had hummed with latent magic, which was the reason she had gravitated towards them in the first place. Playing with humans was always a risk. You never knew when some strange bout of accidental magic would occur and blow their cover. She really didn't want to have to move again her mini library was almost perfect.

Their magic had called to her like her father's always did. Like calls to like her father always said but there was something different about them something that pulled her like a moth to a flame. No matter what different species her new friends were they were meant to meet she just knew it.

Hermione took another deep breath, well at least she thought she did. In the darkness she couldn't exactly see her body her best hope for figuring out this place were her senses. She opened up her senses to the darkness surrounding her and hoped she would find anything familiar.

Hermione laughed to herself feeling silly for being worried in the first place. She was in her mindscape! This place was nothing new to her, she had been here many times while practicing her blossoming powers with her father.

A warm feeling began to fill her and she glanced around spotting the furthest light. While she had been trying to figure out her surroundings it had gotten closer. Well this was her mindscape and she was going to figure out what these lights were doing here.

In the parlor the children rested on the extra sofas. Apolline had placed Fleur on the sofa furthest away from where Harry and Hermione shared a rather large loveseat. Gabrielle and Dudley were enjoying themselves with all the sweets Jean Granger had set out. It really was a lovely home but with all the uncertainty and tension in the air it was very hard for the visiting adults to be comfortable.

Vernon hovered near the unconscious children his face stoic. It wasn't necessary for him to eat anymore but smelling all the delicious things on the table was making him crave the sweets. He glanced round to see where his Mistress had gone to and noticed she had found a rather comfortable looking recliner to sit on.

Vernon scoffed internally at the chaos of sofas in the otherwise beautiful parlor. If only someone gave the order he could have this place in impeccable order within a few hours. Interior decorating was not what concerned him at the moment. The longer he waited the smaller the pile of sweets got.

He glanced about once more to make sure his Mistress' attention was otherwise occupied. Petunia was making polite conversation with Apolline while they waited for the Grangers. Vernon slowly made his way towards the table. When he was about a meter away he discreetly let a small gray gas bubble out of his mouth. The small bubble floated in the air in front of him and blinked tiny eyes up at him slowly. Vernon pointed at the bounty of sweets and the little gas creature bobbed affirmatively.

The bubble bobbed its way between the children before landing atop one of the piles of snacks. Slowly the creature melded itself to the pile and prepared to take off. Gabrielle squeaked in surprise and shifted closer to Dudley. Noticing what had startled her Dudley laughed softly before trying to calm her nerves.

"I don't know if you speak English but it's alright he won't hurt you. That's just Charlie he helps Vernon every now and then."

Dudley pet Charlie softly as the tiny creature tried to bob away with one to many treats. Gabrielle had slowly moved closer to Charlie and held a tray under him. Charlie gurgled happily as he accepted the ride from the young girl. She smiled up at Dudley when the tiny creature had set himself down. Not wanting to be left out he grabbed a large plate and piled a good amount of cakes for himself and the girl before following them to Vernon.

The large man had moved to a sofa large enough for all of them to sit and was in the process of settling himself into a comfortable position. Gabrielle handed Charlie and his tray to Vernon and happily made her way to a spot on his side. Dudley too made himself comfortable as Charlie released the delicious treasures he was guarding.

Charlie bobbled around the trio as they enjoyed their sugary meal. The Grangers entered the parlor and the women who had been politely conversing in the corner instantly became quiet. All the parents stared between themselves as if trying to read each other. The silence amongst them did not go unnoticed by the trio as they continued to eat. William cleared his throat loudly.

"Well everyone I guess we should get started."