Meeting the parents
Chapter 22:
It had been a few days since Ron and Hermione had become Riders. Murtagh and Eragon had instructed them, just as they had done for Harry, to not perform any magic for a few weeks, to let their magic adjust. Fortunately, it was near the end of term, so the classes consisted mostly of revision and theory work, which meant they were able to get away with not doing any actual spellwork.
They were sitting in transfiguration, when Professor McGonagall made an unexpected announcement.
"This Christmas, Hogwarts shall play host to a tradition which had always been a part of the Triwizard tournament." She began. "The yule ball, a chance to socialise, make connections with the other schools, and give you an opportunity to... Let your hair down."
There was a brief chuckle from the class.
"The ball shall be open to fourth years and older, though you are welcome to invite a younger student if you wish. I expect you to behave in an appropriate manner, for you will all represent Hogwarts at this event. I do not wish for the other schools to believe the students of Hogwarts are nothing more than a bumbling, babbling, band of baboons."
This sent a chuckle through the room.
After the rest of the class was dismissed, Professor McGonagall held Harry back.
"Mr Potter," She began. "Traditionally, at the yule ball, the champions and their dates open the ball with the first dance."
Harry blinked.
"What?" He asked. "I... I have to dance... In front of everyone... With a date?"
Professor McGonagall nodded.
"It is tradition, I am afraid."
Harry let out a breath.
"But I don't know how to dance." He argued. "I wouldn't want to embarrass the school, or myself."
Professor McGonagall sighed. "I am sorry, Mr Potter. But it is mandatory. You are an intelligent young man, I am sure you can learn how to dance by the ball."
"Fine. I'll do my best, Professor." He sighed before leaving.
"I'm not sure why you are complaining about this." Ron argued when Harry informed him and Hermione about what Professor McGonagall had told him. "I mean, you already have a date."
"What?" Harry asked in shock.
Ron scoffed and gestured to Hermione, whose face turned pink.
"Please, I'm not an idiot." He began. "I know that something happened between you two."
Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. While they had confessed their feelings, they preferred not to broadcast their personal life. They had begun a very private relationship, one that they had not told anyone about. But it was very hard to resist the urge to sit slightly closer together, to not constantly exchange secretive looks, and to not accidentally on purpose let their hands brush against each other while walking together.
Harry sighed.
"To be honest, it's only been a few days." He began.
"And we have been trying to keep this as private as possible, so we haven't told anyone." Hermione finished.
Ron snorted. "I understand, seeing as anything could trigger the Hogwarts rumour mill into action." He replied.
Harry and Hermione nodded, smiling.
"But anyway, are you two taking each other to the ball or what?"
"Of course." Both Harry and Hermione replied at the same time.
Ron nodded.
"See, I have no chance."
"Don't say that." Harry replied. "I'm sure you'll find someone."
Ron nodded, smiling.
"Anyway, there is something bigger we have to worry about at the moment." Harry continued.
"What's that?" Ron asked.
"Telling your parents about the dragons."
Ron groaned.
"Mum's going to kill me." He said. "She still gets worried about Bill and Charley, and she gets angry whenever Fred and George talk about wanting to start a joke-shop."
Harry patted Ron on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll be there to smooth things over."
Ron grinned.
"And hey, that reminds me. You'll be going to help Hermione tell her parents too, right?"
Harry nodded. It had already been decided that Harry would go with both his friends to help explain to their parents about the situation.
"Well," Ron continued. "Aren't you nervous about meeting your Girlfriend's parents?"
"Ron." Hermione said sharply.
Both her and Harry were blushing again. This had actually been the first time either the words girlfriend or boyfriend had been applied to their relationship. It was actually kind of strange to think about.
Hermione turned to Harry.
"Don't worry, I've told my parents all about you. It will be fine."
Harry nodded, though he was still nervous.
He sucked in a breath. It would be fine. He had until the weekend to prepare.
In the morning the next Saturday, he and Ron took a portkey made for them by Remus, and met their dragons in the forbidden forest.
Ron's little blue dragon, who had been named Ledic, was thankfully not as hyperactive as Colaen, but he seemed to really like cuddles. Even now, he was clinging to Ron's leg.
"Alright, are you ready?“ Harry asked, holding out the old sack they were using.
"Ready." Ron replied, reaching out for the sack.
[Colaen?]
Harry asked.
[Do we have to travel like this again?]
Colaen grumbled.
[I almost threw up last time.]
[We can't spend the entire day flying, and anyway, you're still not big enough to carry all three of us.]
Harry replied.
[Fine.]
Colaen replied as she reached out a claw.
After a very uncomfortable few seconds, they landed in the burrow's yard.
"Oww." Ron said, staring down at his dragon. "It's okay, it's over."
Harry looked down to see that Ledic had clung onto Ron so tightly that his little claws had accidentally cut into his leg.
After the dragon’s claws had been safely extracted from Ron's leg, Harry quickly healed the little cuts and fixed his friend's trousers.
"Thanks." Ron muttered as he hoisted Ledic into his arms. "Do you mind err... Camouflaging Ledic until we're ready to tell my parents?"
Harry nodded, camouflaging both the little dragon and his much larger dragon who would be staying outside.
"Are you ready?" Harry asked.
Ron sucked in a breath.
"No, but let's get this done anyway." He replied.
They both approached the door and knocked. After a few seconds, Mrs Weasley opened the door.
"Ron? Harry?" She asked in surprise. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Hey Mum." Ron began. "Is Dad home? There's something we need to tell you."
Mrs Weasley nodded and let them in.
"Arthur," She called as they went into the living-room. "Ron and Harry are here, and they said they have something to tell us."
They met Mr Weasley in the living-room. It appeared he had been experimenting with some of his muggle gadgets again, as his hands were covered in soot.
"Boys, what brings you here?" He asked.
Harry cleared his throat.
"Maybe we should all sit down. It's a pretty long story."
After the elder Weasleys were seated, Harry gave them the same vow he had given to Ron and Hermione on the train. They were a bit hesitant, but they still repeated the words. Finally, Harry sucked in a deep breath and told them about his eventful summer, editing out the parts concerning Sirius, seeing as the man was still believed to be a mass murderer. Finally, he and Ron told them about how the latter and Hermione were now Dragon Riders. When the tale was finished, the two elder Weasley's expressions were quite different. Mr Weasley seemed intrigued, while Mrs Weasley's face was becoming a rather dangerous shade of red.
"So you... You made this very life altering decision, that you cannot take back, and you did not even think to consult us?" She demanded.
Ron shifted uncomfortably. Harry stepped in to help his friend.
"Mrs Weasley," He began. "With all due respect, this was Ron's decision..."
"He is too young to make such an important decision." Mrs Weasley interrupted.
"I became a dragon Rider on my fourteenth birthday." Harry retorted calmly. "And while my father was concerned for me, he understood that it was my choice to make."
"Well, there is a lot I can say about your newfound father." Mrs Weasley retorted. "Honestly, just leaving for fourteen years, leading you to have to travel so far by yourself... And then letting you make such an important decision. He does not seem very responsible..."
Harry stood, his magic flickering around him in anger.
"I would ask you to not insult my father." Harry replied, clenching his fists. "Yes, he may have left me for fourteen years, but he did so because he thought he was keeping me and my mum safe. While I do not agree with his methods, I understand his intentions. And as for letting me become a Rider... He let me make that decision because he understood that this was my life, and it was what I wanted."
"But you are just a child." Mrs Weasley argued.
"No I am not." Harry snapped. "I have never been allowed to be a child. Not since my Mum and Dad died."
He sucked in a calming breath.
"You already know that the Dursleys mistreated me. Well, do you remember a couple years ago, when Ron Fred and George stole the flying car to save me from my supposed relatives?“ He continued. "When they found me, I was locked in the bedroom that had only been mine for a year, and only because the Dursleys were afraid of the wizards finding out I had been living in a cupboard under the stairs for ten years. I was living on a cold can of soup a day, which had to be shared between myself and my owl. I had to use a rusty old bucket as a toilet, and I'm pretty sure it had more than one hole in it."
Harry sucked in another breath.
"I have been abused in almost every way possible, since before I can remember. I have never been allowed to be a child. My father understood this after only a few days of knowing me. He knew I was mature enough to make such an important decision. And I believe that Ron is mature enough to do the same."
He met Mrs Weasley's eyes, which were now brimming with tears.
"Mrs Weasley, I do not want to argue with you." He began calmly. "You invited me into your home, cared for me as if I were one of your own. Even before then, you were kind to me. You sent me a knitted jumper for merely being Ron's friend. You helped me when I was lost and I couldn't figure out my way onto the platform. To be honest, you are the first maternal figure I can remember, and I will always be thankful for how kind you and your entire family has been to me."
He clenched his fists.
"But I will not be patronised. I will not be coddled like a child. And I will not stand for insults towards my family, not even from others I consider family."
Both of the elder Weasleys were staring at him with tear filled eyes.
"Oh, Harry." Mrs Weasley said, before wrapping him in a very tight embrace. "I am sorry... But why didn't you tell us about your home life sooner?"
"I have connections at the Ministry. I could have helped." Mr Weasley continued. "And I am sure that Dumbledore would..."
Harry laughed bitterly as he managed to escape Mrs Weasley's arms.
"Who do you think put me there in the first place?" He retorted. "And never bothered to check on me in ten years. You remember how insistent he was this summer to find me and put me back with those people."
Mrs Weasley's face turned a very deep red.
"Oh, that man." She said angrily. "First he is irresponsible with the school, then he leaves you with abusive relatives that think a cupboard is an appropriate bedroom for a child and does not even bother to check on you..."
Harry cleared his throat.
"We've gone off topic." He said. "This is about Ron."
Mr and Mrs Weasley turned their gazes to their youngest son. Ron cleared his throat, his ears turning pink.
"Mum, Dad," He began. "I know this isn't exactly what you wanted for me. But I... I want this. I know you want the best for all of us, but you do not seem to be thinking about what we want. Even with the twins, Mum, you still get angry at them because they want to open a joke shop, instead of getting into the Ministry like I know you want them to."
He sucked in a breath.
"But they want to make others happy, and they see opening a joke shop as the best way to do this. I want to help people, and that is exactly what a Dragon Rider does."
He met his parents' eyes.
"This was my decision. You have to understand that we will grow up, and we will make mistakes. But you have to stop coddling us and let us make these mistakes and trust that we will learn and grow from them."
There was a long silence. Finally, Mr Weasley cleared his throat.
"If I may," He began. "Ron, while I wish you could have at least discussed this with us before making the decision, I am glad that you were capable of being so grown up and independent in this. I have seen how you have matured over the past few years, and while I am worried for you, as all parents should be, I... I just want to say that I am proud of you."
It was Ron's turn to blink away his tears.
"Thanks Dad." He replied, his throat tight.
Mrs Weasley sucked in a deep breath.
"I am still angry with you for not telling us beforehand," She began. "However, you are right. I... I do tend to be overprotective. I only want what is best for you and your siblings. But I... I guess I have to let you spread your wings and become who you were meant to be."
Ron smiled.
"Thank you."
Mr Weasley cleared his throat again, a smile spreading over his face.
"So, when do we get to meet this dragon of yours?"
"Right now." Ron replied as Harry dropped the camouflage on Ledic.
What followed was a lot of cooing and cuddling from Mrs Weasley, which Ledic enjoyed a lot, and a lot of questions from Mr Weasley concerning this new breed of Dragon.
"A shame Charley had to go back to Romania." He said. "He would have loved this."
Harry smiled.
"Well, when we decide we are ready to tell the rest of the family, I'll let him borrow some books."
By the time they left, Ron was smiling in relief, and Mrs Weasley was planning on inviting Murtagh over for tea, while muttering about what she would do to Dumbledore. Hopefully, she wouldn't send him another howler. Harry would rather his childhood not be broadcasted to the entire school.
Harry stared at himself in the mirror in the bathroom in his dormitory. He was nervously fidgeting with his clothes. In only a few minutes, he and Hermione would go to meet her parents.
Harry had changed into some nicer clothes that he had bought over the summer. He wanted to look nice when he met them, but now he was second guessing himself. He was wearing a pair of black dress pants and a crimson dress shirt. At first he thought he looked fine, but now...
Was he formal enough? Was he too formal? Should he wear a tie? What was he going to do about his hair?
He ran his fingers through the long strands. He liked it now that it was long. His head no longer looked like a bird's nest. But should he have gotten a haircut? He remembered that some people didn't like boys with long hair. What if Hermione's parents thought the same way?
[You do know I can hear your anxious thoughts from the forest, right?]
Came Colaen's voice.
[Colaen, I thought I told you not to come so close to the dormitories again.]
He replied.
[Yeah yeah, I might get caught and blah blah. But that's not important.]
Harry sighed.
[I can't help it.]
He replied.
[What if... What if they don't like me? What if they don't approve of me being with Hermione? What if....?]
[What if you shut up and listen to sense?]
Colaen interrupted.
[You have nothing to worry about. I think you're great.]
[You're biased and you know it.]
Harry retorted.
[And anyway,]
Colaen continued, ignoring Harry's comment.
[Anyone that raised someone as amazing as Hermione has got to be very nice and incredibly intelligent. Intelligent enough to know that you are the perfect mate.]
Harry chuckled.
[Thanks.]
[Hey, what's a dragon for?]
The portkey landed the four of them in a suburban neighbourhood. All the houses looked rather different. The residents had clearly put great effort in their appearance, and highly valued their individualism. Colaen was yet again camouflaged, and Hermione's dragon Hirvari clung to Hermione's hair. She really loved wrapping herself around Hermione's upper body and playing with her hair.
Harry sucked in a breath.
"You ready?”“ He asked.
Hermione nodded as she laced her fingers with his.
"Don't worry, it will be fine." She reassured.
Harry sucked in another breath, before Hermione began to lead the way to her home.
They stopped in front of an old-fashioned looking house. It looked like something out of the fifties or sixties. A few seconds after Hermione knocked, the door was opened by a woman, in her late thirties or early forties, with a very familiar mane of bushy brown hair.
"Hi mum." Hermione began.
"Hermione, what are you doing out of school?" The woman, obviously Mrs Granger, began. "And who is this?" She continued, staring at Harry.
"This is Harry, you remember me telling you about him?" Hermione replied as they stepped inside the door.
Mrs Granger snorted.
"You might have mentioned him a few thousand times." She replied. She took Harry's hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Hermione has told us so much about you."
Harry smiled nervously.
"Thank you ma'am."
"Oh, and so polite." Mrs Granger gushed.
Before they could continue, Hermione's father appeared from upstairs. He was a man with greying blond hair, and the same warm brown eyes as his daughter. After a second round of introductions, Hermione and Harry finally managed to get them into the living-room, where they told them about the dragons.
"So," Mr Granger began after a while. "There is an entire hidden continent full of magic and dragons and a lot more magical beings, and no one, magical or not, has ever found it?"
"Not to my knowledge." Harry replied.
"Well, I am thankful you have told us." Mrs Granger began. "And while I am concerned for Hermione's safety, I trust that she will be responsible about it."
Harry and Hermione nodded.
"Now, when were you planning on telling us about the new... Developments in your relationship?" The woman continued.
The teens froze, both their faces turning pink.
"How did you know?" Hermione asked.
Mrs Granger snorted.
"The two of you have not let go of each other since you got here."
They both looked down at their still laced fingers.
"I'm actually surprised it took you this long." Mr Weasley continued.
He narrowed his eyes at Harry, who shifted uncomfortably.
"And I hope that you will be responsible with my daughter." He continued.
"Yes, of course." Harry said quickly.
"Good," Mr Granger replied. "Because I have some very interesting instruments which can be used on more than just teeth."
Mrs Granger slapped her husband on the arm.
"Don't mind him." She began. "He's just being a typical overprotective father. I, on the other hand, trust that you will be responsible with each other. And trust that you will understand the consequences for your actions, should there be any... Complications."
She said the last part in a way that sent shivers down Harry's spineback.
Hermione decided to rescue Harry from her parents' combined over protectiveness, by introducing them to Hirvari. They ended up loving the little dragon, and the mood was instantly lightened.
When they left a few hours later, Harry let out a breath.
"That wasn't so bad." Hermione began gently.
"Your parents are terrifying." Harry muttered.
Hermione snorted.
"Don't worry, they do like you. They're just being stupidly overprotective."
Harry snorted.
"Guess we all have that in some form. Me with the world's biggest hover-parent, Ron and his mother's constant coddling, and you and your terrifying parents."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I am seriously beginning to question your sanity." She muttered. "An army of dementors and a basilisk are fine, but it's my parents that scares you?"
"I can't help being teenager." Harry muttered.
They both laughed.
"Come on, let's get something to eat before we go back." Hermione began. "I know a place up the road that does some amazing salmon. And don't worry, we can have them put any of your leftovers into a container for later."
Harry smirked.
"So we are just going to sneak off for a little dinner date?" He asked in amusement.
Hermione returned the smirk.
"Only if you want to make it a date."
They both laughed again.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any muggle money." Harry began.
"Don't worry, I'll pay and you can pay me back later." Hermione replied.
And so the two went on their little detour date. Hermione snuck some of her food to Hirvari, and Harry gave his leftovers, which ended up being only half the plate, to Colaen. Though he was sure to wait until after they had traveled to give it to her. No one wanted Colaen to vomit due to traveling on a full stomach.