Harry Potter Of Hopes and Dreams: Chapters 12, 13 and Most of 14

#1
OK, this is a story that I started writing and posting to FFn before I became a member. The parts already posted to FFn can be read here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8569969/1/Of-Hopes-and-Dreams

Chapter 12: Post Gringotts
Approximately two hours later, Potter-Patil Private Classroom

There was the brief wind and swirling of colours and Harry and Padma were returned to the room they had left several hours ago.

“OK, Padma, you said you’d explain that bit about the Basilisk’s eyes that Gangrene and Mr. Juris didn’t want to talk about later, on and I’d rather have you explain it to me now while I can still remember than later on when I might forget.” Stated Harry.

“You’re right, Harry, we should talk about it before we forget and given the relationship Parvati and I are hoping to have with you, I’m probably the best bet. Now you have a rough idea of what muggle Viagra is, right?” Padma responded.

“Yeah, sort of, it’s got something to do with sex. I’m beginning to see why Gangrene and Mr. Juris didn’t want to talk about this.” Harry replied.

“Well in South-East Asia there are many substances that are said to have similar effects. Given what a Basilisk’s gaze can do it should be easy to sell the eyes to the sort of people who will buy those substances.” Explained Padma, starting to look a little green at what they were discussing.

“I see now why Gangrene and Mr. Juris didn’t want to talk about that, I could have gone without finding out that people are going to be doing that sort of thing with the Basilisk’s eyes.” Responded Harry

“Just be thankful that you don’t have any idea of what they’re going to be doing, Harry.” Said Padma

“I don’t think I want to know why you have an idea of what they’ll be doing with that stuff. Now, seeing as I don’t want to talk about what will be done with the Basilisk’s eyes anymore and seeing as we’re already talking about you said we’d talk about later this morning you said we would need to talk about allowances at some point, what was that about?” Asked Harry.

“Ok, Harry, at the moment our parents give us an Allowance, now if and when we become your concubines, do you really expect that we would still be getting an allowance from our parents?”

This caused Harry to become upset again. “Sorry,” He said. “I should have...”

Placing her index finger on his lips to quiet him, she resumed talking. “It’s not something you’re familiar with, Harry, I’d expect you to make mistakes and neither of those things is your fault. Now like I said, if and when we become your concubines, we won’t be getting an allowance from our parents anymore and, as we would be your concubines, it would be your responsibility to give us one.”

“Oh, that sounds simple enough. How much of an allowance do your parents give you at the moment?” Asked Harry

“Three Galleons a week.” Was her answer. “But when we become your concubines we essentially become married women and the rules are different, our allowances are currently only there to allow us to buy treats for ourselves, things like our clothes are paid for by our parents, it’s something to teach children about money. While a married woman’s allowance is supposed to cover most of her clothes and a house if her husband has given her one or put her in charge of the family house, at least, until, in the case of clothes she gets a job, it’s money that allows her to live her life, separate from her husband if need be, like him going overseas.”

“OK, so how much should I give you once you become my concubine?” He inquired

“I don’t know, I’ll write to my mother and ask her how much father gives her and Nalini.” Was her reply. “And I think those relatives of yours have caused you to miss out on too much that you should know about being in a relationship.”

“What makes you say that, Padma?” Harry asked.

“Most men get nervous at the mention of women’s clothes, especially if it involves someone like Par. Women’s clothes have this culture surrounding them that demands a broader selection of styles and colours, this means that the clothes cost more and that boyfriends and husbands are dragged along so that their opinion can be asked of every outfit the woman tries on, which takes a long time during which he’s asked to comment on a lot of outfits that he can’t tell apart, Par and I will probably put you through it this summer when we buy our new wardrobes. I think Par’s going to have a lot of fun teasing Lavender and some other girls next year with how much she gets each month to spend on clothes, with no parents to tell her no.” Answered Padma.

“And you won’t have fun teasing the other girls? And why would you and Parvati need new wardrobes?” Inquired Harry.

“The reason we’ll need new wardrobes is that we won’t be little girls anymore but rather your concubines and we’ll be expected to dress as such, which means lots of outfits that show how beautiful we are and how lucky you are to have us. I won’t be doing as much teasing or enjoying it as much as Par. Anyway the girls in Ravenclaw are more likely to be jealous to how much more money I'm going to have to spend on books then clothes and that is how I would go about teasing them, if I bother. Of course Lavender isn't going to think about, and the girls in Ravenclaw are unlikely to realize, just how much further our Allowances will have to stretch. I mean, we will have pay for our underwear and sleepwear out of our Allowances then as well. And the sort of things we will be expected to to own along those lines are a lot more expensive than the ones we currently own." Responded Padma

“We will probably have to go on several shopping trips over the summer to buy all of us new wardrobes, yours is all second hand and Par and I will need ones that emphasise the fact that we’re girls.” She continued.

“What’s the matter, Padma? You don’t sound very enthusiastic at the idea.” Asked Harry

“I’ve never enjoyed shopping as much as Par, I find it kind of tiring, and not only are we going to be buying a lot more clothes then we normally do, but we’ll also need to buy outfits that work with the fact that we’re twins, finding two of a single outfit that we both like the look of takes a lot of time, even worse is if we want to pull of the night and day thing, finding a pair of colour inverted outfits that we like is nearly impossible. Trust me, Harry, you are lucky that you haven’t got any idea about what clothes shopping with girls like Par until now.” Answered Padma.

“How can it be that bad?” Asked a naive Harry.

“Harry, Par and I will need something like a hundred new outfits and for each single one we but we will have to try on something like two or three and look at at least five, altogether it takes something like half an hour to chose a single outfit, and those are the simpler and quicker ones, any outfit that plays off of us being twins takes even longer to pick, because we both have to like it. And, Harry, I’m pretty sure that you’ll need to get some new clothes as well, probably even more then Par and I will need and that’s going to take a lot of time as well.” Responded Padma

“And where would I keep all of these clothes? I certainly couldn’t keep them at my relatives, they wouldn’t let me, either taking them for themselves or throwing them out. For that matter where will all of us live after the two of you become my concubines?” Inquired Harry.

“That’s actually a good question, Harry. And one I hadn’t thought of.” Padma replied. “Up until the contract is signed, Par and I will still be living with our family so if we buy clothes before then, they can be stored there, it shouldn’t be a problem to store any clothes we buy for you there either, Harry. After the contract is signed, well you’re right, I doubt that your relatives would let you keep the clothes, or allow Par and me to move in with you. Now nothing says that Par and I have to move out of our parents house but it would look rather weird and it sort of goes against what we’re doing and we would rather spend time with you, Harry. Now while you could move into our parents there is likely a better option.” She answered.

“Your family owns at least one house, your parents’ cottage in Godric's Hollow and you could choose to live there.” Continued Padma before pausing, knowing that her statement would have some effect on Harry.

“My parent’s house? Where they lived? Where they were killed? I don’t know what to think about that, Padma. I mean living where they did is something I wouldn’t mind, but it’s also where they died and I don’t know what to think.” Was his response.

“You don’t have to live there, Harry, I was merely offering it as a suggestion, I doubt that it is the only property that your family owns, I’m sure they owned several houses and that you could choose to live in any one of them. In fact, now that I think about it, I doubt that the house in Godric’s Hollow was your family's main residence, from the pictures I’ve seen of it, it was too small for such an important family as the Potters and your parents were in hiding at the time of the attack, that means they would have been living somewhere else before hand.” Answered Padma.

“You’ve seen pictures of my parents’ house, Padma?” Asked Harry.

“Yeah, there’s several books that try and explain what happened on the night your parents died and they cover background information as well, which normally includes a picture of the house taken before it was damaged. There was even one that said that Feng Shui was involved in,” Replied Padma before she steeled herself for the next bit, “Lord Voldemort’s defeat and had detailed maps of the house and land around it.”

“What is Feng Shui and why would it result in Voldemort’s defeat?” Inquired Harry.

“Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that deals with designing buildings so that magic flows through in providing good luck or other benefits, the author suggested the way the house was built provided you with some sort of magical protection. It’s unknown if it actually works or not, to difficult to tell the difference between no effect, a very minor effect or people just thinking that it works and it creates the appearance that it does.” Padma responded.

“Much as I hate to do it, I might have to read some of those books, it sounds like they have a lot of information on family that I’d want to know.” Harry said.

“Reading them would also tell you what the public thinks about you and what happened to the night your parents died and the events leading up to it, given Sirius Black's recent escape it seems particularly prudent to know what went on. Books on Wizarding genealogy and important families wouldn’t be a miss, but, Harry, be discreet about this, people could easily read the wrong way about you reading some of that sort of thing. Can you imagine Hermione’s reaction to you reading up on Wizarding genealogy?” Padma asked.

“Not good I’d imagine, and the sort of things that Ron or Malfoy might read into it would only cause me trouble.” Answered Harry.

“Exactly, now we’ve got some of the less factually challenged books on you at home, I can have them mailed to me so that you can read them without anyone finding out and as long as you keep quiet about it, borrowing a book on Wizarding genealogy from the library shouldn’t be too much of an issue, come to think of it one on marital customs, especially those surrounding Concubines wouldn’t be a miss either.” Replied Padma.

“You’re probably right about that, Padma, but not going far enough, there’s probably a whole lot of things about the Wizarding world that people think I know or that I should know, so could you put together a list of topics you think I should read up on? And maybe a list of particular books? Now nobody's seen me since lunch time so I should probably leave and make sure I’m seen so that they don’t think I’ve slipped off to Hogsmeade or something. Plus Parvati should be back soon and I think the two of you will want to spend some time together talking about the dresses she bought and get ready for tonight.” Harry responded.

“You have a point there, Harry, I will start thinking about what sort of things you should probably know and think about the books you should read. And it will be interesting to see what Par’s managed to scrounge up for us to wear on such short notice.” She said in response.
[hr]
Thanks to Tommy King for his beta'ing and all the folks at the Caer Azkaban and Seel'vor fan fiction Yahoo groups for all the help I can't keep track of


Chapter 13: After Gringotts

Leaving the unused classroom where he had met with Padma and Parvati, Harry walked quickly, wanting to get back to the Gryffindor common room as soon as possible so that Neville, who likely would be there due to him also being unable to go Hogsmeade, and anyone else present could give him an alibi earlier. Unfortunately in his haste to return to the common room he didn't think to check the Marauder’s Map to see if there was anybody in the vicinity who could pay close attention to where he was coming from and so he ran into Professor McGonagall.

“Sorry, Professor, I wasn't really looking were I was going.” Said Harry, as he picked himself up of of the ground.

“I'm not surprised about that, Mr Potter. Not with how fast you were running. Did you know that nobody's seen you for several hours?” Enquired Professor McGonagall.

“Well considering that I haven't seen anybody for several hours that doesn't surprise me, Professor.” Harry answered evenly.

“Your snide remarks are not appreciated, Mr Potter. Now where have you been for the past several hours?” Professor McGonagall responded.

“Studying, in private. You don't think I managed to transfer into Ancient Runes without any work, do you?” Lied Harry.

“Several people suspect that you may have snuck into Hogsmeade, Mr. Potter. I'm going to have to ask again, where have you been for the past several hours?” Replied Professor McGonagall.

Deciding to try and divert the path of conversation, after all if he explained why there was no reason for him to go to Hogsmeade McGonagall would be less likely to suspect that he had gone, Harry returned fire. “Why would I want to do that? From what I hear there’s not actually that much to do. It is not as if I would want something from Zonko’s, I’m not much of a practical joker so I doubt their product line holds much interest in me, and if I wanted something from Honeyduke’s I can get Hermione or Ron or several other students to get anything for me.”

“Come on, Mr. Potter, there is much more to Hogsmeade than just those two stores.” Said Professor McGonagall, sounding somewhat amused by what Harry had said.

“Well, there’s also the Post Office, but I’ve got my own owl so why would I need to go there? There are also the two pubs but why would I be wanting beer at my age? And selling beer to people my age? Isn’t it illegal? Don’t tell me the Wizarding World is behind the Muggle one?” Harry added, trying to focus on the stores that he had no reason to visit. Although now that he was thinking about it there wasn't much he would want to do in Hogsmeade.

“Alright, Mr. Potter, I see what you're trying to do, clearly you have something to hide or you wouldn't be trying to distract me as you are, so turn out your pockets.” Responded Professor McGonagall.

Suddenly realising that the Marauder’s Map was in his pocket, cold with dread, Harry slowly pulled it out of his pocket, and handed it to her.

“Professor, I --”

“I don't want to hear explanations,” Said McGonagall shortly. She glanced around the empty corridor they were in and lowered her voice, “I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map,” She said, as Harry looked amazed.

Professor McGonagall paused before she started talking again, as if she was thinking things over. “I also know that of the people who created the map, the one most likely to give you a copy is the one who would have no problems with you falling into Sirius Black’s hands. I don't want to know how it fell into your possession; I already have my own guess as to how it did so. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in, particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you have it back, Harry.”

Harry had expected that and was too keen for explanations to protest.

“Why do you say that, Professor?” He asked.

“Because …” McGonagall hesitated. “Because the people who made this map would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining.”

“Do you know them?” Said Harry, impressed.

“We've met,” She said. She was looking at Harry more seriously than ever before. “I have, after all, taught at Hogwarts for almost fifty years.”

“Don't expect me to cover up for you again, Harry. I cannot make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would have thought that you have heard when the Dementors draw near you would have had more of an effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them – gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks.”

She walked away, leaving Harry feeling confused. Why did she seem to think that he had snuck into Hogsmeade?

Deciding that waiting around would only increase the chances that he would encounter someone else, Harry continued walking back to Gryffindor Tower. When he reached the corridor where the security trolls were pacing, he saw Hermione walking towards him. For some reason she looked happy, so whatever McGonagall seemed to have thought happened, she hadn't heard about it. Good, that meant that their dinner for tomorrow night was still on, from what had been said, Padma and Parvati would have been upset if she cancelled. Hermione was holding a letter in her hands. “I just thought you ought to know that – Hagrid won his case. Buckbeak's going to live.” She said.

“Hermione, that’s great news, it sounds like all your hard work paid off.” Said Harry.

“Not really, Harry, from the sounds of things it's more likely that your letter to the Daily Prophet that's going to allow Buckbeak to live. Without Draco’s father around to push things in favour of execution the committee listened to the evidence, and realized that Draco was at fault.” Hermione responded.

“Oh,” Harry said.

Just then Ron came up the stairs, arms full of bags, and started talking, breaking the awkward silence that had sprung up between Harry and Hermione. “Horrible news,” He said, “The goblins are closing down Zonko’s, something about him not being able to pay a loan.”

[hr]
Harry stood outside the girls' bathroom closest to the private dining-room where he was to have dinner tonight with Padma and Parvati. He was already dressed in his best school uniform while Padma and Parvati were inside changing.

Then the door opened and Padma and Parvati stepped out wearing what Harry at first thought to be a pair of identical dresses but once he gave them a second look he saw that the dresses had been decorated so that side by side they produced some sort of mirroring. Both dresses had a floral decoration on one side. But on one it was on the left and on the other the right.

The net result of this was that while the girls were dressed the same you could tell them apart.

“Padma, Parvati,” Said Harry, taking all of this in. “You both look beautiful and while I can tell you apart, who's who?”

“You're just going to have to guess.” Said the twin on the left, whose flowers were on her left side. “Think of it as a 'Boyfriend-of-twins' test.”

Harry decided to change the topic slightly until he could figure out which was which, and hopefully not muck up in the process. “Padma, Parvati,” He replied. While I like that the two of you have taken steps to insure that I can tell the two of you apart, you did make a mistake, the differences in your dresses won't be visible once we have sat down.”

“Oh, that's easy to fix, just transfigure the surface of the table into glass, Harry.” Said the 'Right' twin.

“But sis, then he can't play footsy with us.” Replied the 'Left' twin.

Those two comments were all it took for Harry to figure out who was who. Ponting to the twin on the left he said “You're Parvati. Which makes you Padma.” Switching to the other twin.

“Very good, Harry.” Replied Parvati. “But you should remember that it's rude to point.”

“Sorry.” He apologised, lowering his arm, before offering both of them to the girls to grab.

Seeing this the twins smiled and moved to Harry, taking his arm that corresponded to the side she was on when he looked at them. The net result was that Padma, who had been on the right before had taken Harry's right arm, but would be on the left side to any one they ran into.

Once both girls had grabbed one of his arms, Harry smiled at them and started leading towards the room he had booked.

[hr]

Private Dining room, near the Great Hall.

Once they entered the room Harry realised that there would be a problem. The small dining table had three seats and accompanying tableware, two on the far side and the third across from them but “Padma, Parvati, I know the gentleman is supposed to pull out his seat for the lady, but who should I help to her seat first?” Harry asked.

“Well you always address me first, Harry, so why not seat me first?” Suggested Padma.

“OK,” Replied Harry. “And Parvati, I'm sorry for always addressing your sister first.”

“It's fine, Harry, whenever the two of us are together everyone says Padma's name first, it just sounds better.” Parvati explained, in part to make Harry feel better.

Thinking Parvati's comment over for a moment he realised that she was telling the truth, it did sound better when he said Padma's name first.

“Harry, adopting an order that doesn't show favouritism to either of us is a better idea then trying to remember which one of us you addressed first or helped to her seat first last time and then switch to the other one; alphabetically usually works out best” Padma added.

“I don't think I completely understand what you just said, Padma, but I think I get the point.” Harry responded.

“Good.” Said Padma, as she started to lead Harry, and thus her sister around the right side of the table towards the pair of seats.

Once Harry had seated the twins he walked around the table to his own chair; because he paid careful attention to which twin had sat where allowed him to realise that Padma was once again on the right. Once he was sitting down their dinner appeared on their plates, a bit like it did in the Great Hall. But instead of the Great Halls platters down the middle each plate had a separate meal on it.

“Indian food, Harry?” They both asked, almost at the same time.

“Well I figured since there are two of you and only one of me it was appropriate. Plus I figure that I am going to be meeting with your family on several occasions, and it would be better to find out what I like and don't like in advance.” Explained Harry.

“Yes, that could end very poorly.” Parvati responded.

“More like what you can and can't tolerate. Unlike in the west, heavy spicing never went out of favour in the east, so as a result Indian food is a lot spicier.” Replied Padma.

“Do I need to be worried?” Asked Harry. “Is your father going to expect me to be able to eat such heavily spiced food?”

“No,” Answered Parvati. “Father often has British guests for meals as part of his business, and he knows that they don't have experience with so much spice, in fact we rarely have that much spice at home, in order to avoid accidentally serving to much spice to a guest.”

“That's a relief.” Harry said, and with that he tried his meal. “This is good, do you think that the House Elves knew that I haven't had really spicy food before?”

“I doubt it.” Responded Padma. “More likely they don't know how to make dishes that spicy.”

“OK. Now, when Ron came back from Hogsmeade he said something about the Goblins closing down Zonko's owner due to him not paying back a loan to them, do you think it had something to do with my meeting with them today? And Padma, I thought you said that Gringotts didn't make loans?” Inquired Harry.

“It could have had something to do with your meeting with them, Harry.” Answered Parvati. “I was there when it happened, shortly before the window for your meeting with them was due to start a squad of goblin guards headed up by what appeared to be an account manager based upon what he was wearing showed up, and announced that because Zonko's wasn't able to repay his loans to Gringotts due to raising interest rates brought about by all the money the Ministry was borrowing they were closing his shop down after today and advised everyone to make the most of this last chance to buy from Zonko's.

“It was really funny when this witch from the ministry showed up and demanded that they cease.” Continued Parvati. “She called herself Dolores Umbridge, Senior Under-secretary to the Minister and insisted that instead of closing down a business operated by a Pureblood they should instead be closing down businesses operated by Muggleborns, from her attitude I think she wanted to say Mud-bloods.”

“Senior Under-secretary to the Minister, what does that mean?” Inquired Harry.

“I don't know, Harry, I've never heard of the position, or this Dolores Umbridge before.” Answered Padma. “As for whether or not it is related to our meeting, I doubt there's a direct connection, I have no reason to believe that the goblins would shut down Zonko's just to provide a cover for you to meet with them, Harry, but if they were going to do it anyway I suspect they may simply have decided to use the closing of Zonko's as a distraction.

“In fact I suspect that they were planning on closing Zonko's today anyway.” Padma continued. “I think it was something of a political statement and doing it on a day when Hogwarts students would be in Hogsmeade would mean it would have maximum effect. You see, and this covers your question about loans, Harry, Gringotts only has so much money they can lend out and unlike Muggle banks, which use deposits by customers to provide the money for loans, Gringotts must maintain it's own reserves of Galleons for loans, something they have been wanting to change for some time.

“And, well, the Ministry for some reason hasn't been running a surplus these last few years despite no large expenditures, so when they needed more Galleons, first to deal with Black, and now to deal with all those former Imperiused Death Eaters the Ministry must have taken out loans with Gringotts to pay for it, draining Gringotts' supply of ready cash for loans and in response Gringotts has raised the interest they charge on loans in order to restore their reserve of Galleons in case of future loans the Ministry may take out; Zonko's likely couldn't pay the increased interest.” Padma finished.

It was at this point that Parvati started talking. “It's really not surprising that Zonko's was shut down; it would appeal more to students than adults who are actually in Hogsmeade all the time, and the students with the most Galleons to spend, the upper years, are the ones who are least likely to shop there.”

“OK, so it wasn't my desire to meet with the Goblins that caused Zonko's to be shut down then, good.” Replied Harry. “The idea that I might have done something to cause it to be shut down was upsetting me, even if I've never had a chance to go there. Now, I'd like to know how you managed to find such an appropriate pair of dresses for the two of you, Parvati”

“Oh, I didn't find them like this.” Explained Parvati. “You see Pad and I have been talking about what sort of things we might wear next year, if everything goes according to plan and one thing that has come up is that we'll want them in the twin themes. And while a pair of matching outfits is easy to get our hands on, mirror imaged or 'Left and Right' outfits or colour inverted outfits aren't. Couple that with the fact that we'll be wanting more risque or provocative outfits, and while that is the sort of thing that girls, or women rather, in our position would wear, are more then the wizarding world allows, plus the occasional costume, can you imagine us in maid outfits, Harry?”

“Yes I can.” Harry interpreted. “And I feel a little uneasy about the idea that me taking the two of you as my concubines will cause the both of you to wear that sort of thing.”

“Don't worry, Harry, we aren't planning on getting anything that a muggle girl wouldn't wear on a date with her boyfriend, at least for wearing in public.” Countered Padma.

“Anyway,” Parvati continued. “I realised that while the muggle world will actually have the clothes we want, they won't have them mirrored or in opposing colours, so I drew some extra money Galleons and used it to purchase several books relating to magical dress making and seemstressing, I figured that beyond simply allowing me to make the clothes we'll want to wear without paying a fortune, it's also something I might want to do once I leave Hogwarts.

“At the very least I can probably make some Galleons on the side by making clothes for some of the other girls before I graduate to see if I like it, would you believe that I had to go to a muggle store just outside of the Leaky Cauldron to get all three dresses I brought today?” She finished.

“Now that I think about it, I can see it, those aren't the sort of things I can imagine a wizarding store selling. But how did you manage that? I don't think students have permission to visit muggle stores on Hogsmeade weekends” Responded Harry.

“We don't, but students do need to be able to go to Diagon Alley to get Galleons out of Gringotts and the timing of my trip to Diagon Alley meant, between two waves of new student arrivals to Hogsmeade and subsequent trips to Diagon Alley meant that I had more time then usual, so as I hadn't be impressed with what the wizarding shops had to offer I decided to see what I could get from a muggle one, I was lucky that there was a one suitable one right outside the Cauldron.” Replied Parvati.

“I'll need to remember that if I ever get a chance to go into Hogsmeade. And as for you having an idea for what you might do once we leave Hogwarts? That's great news, I only wish I knew what I might do once we leave. Although after something that came up today, I've got an idea about what Padma might end up doing. She thought that she could write the contract we'll need all by her self, well it turns out that she can't, at least not yet, maybe Padma will end up as a lawyer.” Harry said.

“It's an idea at least.” Responded Padma. “And you'll need to study some of it, Harry, or have you forgotten about that massive estate you'll need to run when you get older, you're going to need an understanding of commercial law to run that, which could very well be in addition to something else.”
[hr]
Thanks to Jenifer for her beta'ing and all the folks at the Caer Azkaban and Seel'vor fan fiction Yahoo groups for all the help I can't keep track of



Chapter 14 (Unfinished): Hermione's Date

Gryffindor Common Room, The Next Day, Early Evening

Hermione was sitting at one of tables, intently reading a book when Harry came down. Harry walked around so he was standing behind her chair and then leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You're too tense.”

Hermione was so engrossed in her studies she had no idea he was behind her, and jerked in her seat at the sound of his voice. Turning her head, she said, "Don't do that Harry! You frightened the life out of me."

“Well you're too tense, you need to loosen up. That's why you're going to upstairs and get changed into this.” He said as he placed what Hermione recognised as a muggle dress box on the table in front of her. “And when you come down we're going to go to a private room and have dinner, just the two of us, to give you a chance to relax. Now go, and don't worry about taking too long to get ready, I've got to get ready as well.”

“Harry, I appreciate this, but I'd really rather study then have a fancy dinner with you, Harry.” Replied Hermione.

“And why is that? I've been keeping an eye on your workload as part of our bet, I know you don't have anything due for the next few days, and that you've managed to catch up to me in Arithmancy.” Replied Harry, reaching around the chair to hug her.

“Do you have to mention that after you tricked me like that?” Responded Hermione, sounding a bit upset.

“Tricked you, how did I trick you?” Inquired Harry, with what he hoped was an innocent look on his face.

“Don't try pretending you don't know. You tricked me when we made that bet, if you do better then me I have to give up a subject, you if I do better then you I don't get anything.” Hermione answered.

“And you mucked up making that bet because you've been working yourself into the ground. See if you had taken the time to try and relax every so often, like going on this date with me, then I wouldn't have been able to trick you like that. Your work will still be here when you get back, and once you've taken the time to relax some you'll be able to do even better.” Said Harry. “Plus it's time for dinner, so you can either come have dinner with me and relax, like you need to, or you can go do to the Great Hall, either way, you're having dinner.”

“OK, Harry, I'll have dinner with you, it seems like the you aren't going to stop until I agree to have dinner with you, so the sooner I agree the sooner I can get back to my work..” Hermione replied before grabbing the dress box, clutching it tight to her body and sprinting up the stairs to the girls dorms.

“And don't worry about taking too long, I've still got to get ready myself.” Harry called out after her.

When Hermione came back down after getting ready, which had taken longer then she had thought, Lavender and Parvati had apparently seen Harry give her the dress box and followed her up the stairs in order to 'help her get ready'. Truthfully Hermione didn't mind looking like she did after the other girls had gotten done with her, but she couldn't imagine spending anywhere near that much time or effort to look nice on a regular basis. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she found Harry waiting for her holding a bouquet of flowers, but she didn't know what sort they were, but they were small and white and appeared to be budding off from small pine tree branches about as thick as you finger. “Harry, what's with the pine twigs? I mean I like that you got me flowers, but their a bit unusual.” Asked Hermione.

“Well, clearly I didn't get you that dress myself, I had someone else get it for me. She also knew that I would need flowers and a present for you. And I was a bit surprised when I saw them first, but then I read about them in this book and it made more sense.” Replied Harry, reaching over to the table next to him to pick up a book and hand it to her. “Just open it to the bookmarked page and all will be made clear.”

“Floriography?” Hermione inquired, looking at the cover. And just like Harry had said there was a page bookmarked with one of the books integral ribbon bookmarks.

“Apparently there's an entire language of flowers, every flower means something and you can communicate to someone with them. And it's the perfect sort of thing to get you Hermione, wouldn’t get this for yourself.” Answered Harry

Opening the book to the page Hermione saw a photo of the flowers Harry was holding along with a lot of information on them. They where called Arborvitae, or Thuja and part of the Conifer family, along with pines. They meant, and this was the best bit to Hermione, everlasting friendship.

“Harry, it's wonderful, and your right it's not something I would think to get for myself. And so smart with the choice of flowers, to match both the book and our date.” Hermione said.

“Well I didn't pick out either of them, my friend did. But I will tell her what you said. Now, do you want to take your book up to your dorm so you have a free hand?” Asked Harry.

“Oh, no, I couldn't part with it.” Answered Hermione.

“Well then how about this, you take the flowers while I carry your book, that way we can hold hands.” Harry responded. Hermione blushed in response to that suggestion. “I'll take that as a yes.” And Harry held out his hand for her book while presenting her the flowers. And then the walked out of the room arm in arm.

“Harry,” Hermione asked, sounding really unsure. “Is this a date, are we going out now?”

“It's whatever you want it to be, Hermione, if you want this to be our first date then it shall be.” Replied Harry

[hr]

Gryffindor 3[sup]rd[/sup] year girls dorm, 1 Hour Latter

Hermione floated into the room from the landing, carrying her new book and the flowers Harry had given her.

“Looks like your date with Harry went well,” Said Lavender. “But I have to question Harry's taste in flowers, they look like pine leaves.”

“That's because they are on pine branches, Lavender, they're called Arborvitae and according to this book Harry gave me they mean everlasting friendship. Plus Harry wasn't the one who got them, someone else, and he hasn't said who, is appreantly concerned about me, I'm pretty sure their the one who got the dress, the book and the flowers. And I need a vase to put them in.” Replied Hermione.

“Mipsy,” Called out Parvati, and in response a small mouse like creature appeared in the room.

“What can Mipsy do for Miss?” Asked the creature.

“Hermione needs a vase to put some flowers in, can you fetch one and put it one her bedside table? Also a preservation charm on the vase to make the flowers last longer would be nice.” Answered Parvati.

“Mipsy can do.” The creaure said, before snapping her fingers. There was a flash of light and then there was a rather nice vase sitting on Hermione's bedside table. “Done.” And the creaure vanished with another pop.

“That was Mipsy, she's a House-Elf and is responsible for keeping the dorms clean. And House-Elves are a race of magical creatures that need to perform work around wizarding homes to surrive.” Said Parvati in response to Hermione's unasked questions.

“I wonder who got the dress and stuff for Harry.” Asked Lavender. “I don't think it was a boy, they choose too well. I wonder if this means you've got a rival, Hermione. Did Harry say if this was a first date or anything?”

“No he didn't. He said that this what whatever I wanted it to be, and well, I don't think I'm ready for something like that yet, so it was just a date between friends. And I think that Harry had been coached, everything was just sort of perfect.” Answered Hermione.

“Wow, Hermione, sounds like you've got yourself a rival for Harry's heart.” Responded Lavender.

“What do you mean? I don't like Harry that way, do I?” Shouted Hermione.

“I think your shouting answers your second question, Hermione. As for the first, well we're agreed that the person helping Harry prepare for the date was a girl, yes? Helping him learn how to romance girls sounds like something a girl training up a prospective boyfriend might do.” Answered Lavender, to which Hermione gulpped.

“Lav, I don't think they would be sending Harry on dates with Hermione if she wanted to keep him to herself.” Added Parvati.

“Do you reallky think I like Harry?” Asked Hermione.

“Of course, look at the way you reacted to Lavender suggesting it and the way you've been acting ever since you came back. I think you've had the hots for him ever since he saved you from that troll back in first year, you just haven't realized it before now.” Answered Parvati.

“So did you two decide if the two of you are going to have any more dates?” Lavender interrogated Hermione.

“No, Lavender, I'm not ready for anything like that, so we only went as friends, but Harry did say that if it looks like I'm overworking myself again he's going to take me outb on another date.” Answered Hermione. Parvati smiled, the seeds of a closer relationship had been planted between Harry and Hermione, and Harry was casuing Hermione to relax, everything was owrking out nicely.

[hr]

The Great Hall, The Following Morning

Harry was a bit surprised to see an owl other then Hedwig heading towards him that morning, but once it got closer he recognised it as one he had seen delivering letters to Padma and Parvati, so he guessed it belonged to their father, after taking the letter he offered the owl some baccon, before quickly finishing off his breakfast so that he could read the letter private.

Mr. Potter, my name is Ajeet Patil, the father of Padma and Parvati. I am sorry for not writing to you sooner, but this letter was difficult to write as some of it would be best dealt with face to face, something that wouldn't happen soon enough and I felt it might be better to wait until Padma's plan to write the Concubine Contract herself reached it's forgone conclusion.

I don't know if the girls have told you about this yet, but there is a ritual associated with the Contract that would require them to be nude. A Contract always very specific in describing which girl it effects to ensure that only that girl is effected. In times past this would mean that the written description of the girl must be verified against her naked form as the Contract may have been prepared in advance. With the advances in magical contracts these days that part of the Contract is normally prepared by the girls mother on the morning the Contract is signed, meaning that it does not need to be followed, saving much embarrassment.

Despite the fact that its use is no longer required to prevent problems it still sees a lot of use. Many girls that become Concubines these days do so voluntarily, on one level or another, and insist on the use of that ritual. The reasoning behind this is long and complicated, part of it is a coming of age thing and another is a chance to show off. Additionally many girls do not get dressed after the inspection is complete, preferring to travel to their new husband's home nude.

The thought of my daughters taking part in that piece of tradition does not sit well with me, but I know my daughters. This problem they face has forced them to grow up fast in some ways, particularly in terms of relationships, they act more like girls several years older. Chandrani and Nalini have been rather disturbed by Padma and Parvati's choice of clothing on several recent shopping trips, Chandrani and Nalini were much older before they grew interested in the sorts of clothes Padma and Parvati were buying. I suspect that you will be in a situation that many boys your age would wish for, Mr. Potter, and yet you will be very uncomfortable about the whole thing, at least for the first few years. And for this reason I know that Padma and Parvati will no doubt insist that the tradition be followed, there is nothing either of us can do to persuade them otherwise, Mr. Potter.

The other thing I felt I should talk to you about is far more simple. As I was an Auoror before my injuries I am far more familiar with Defence then most other parents, as a result after Padma and Parvati returned home with their tales of their dismal Defence Professor after their first year at Hogwarts I set about teaching them to defend themselves, whilist at Hogwarts they have a morning run to keep in shape and they have to practice the spells they would normally be learning. I want you to join them on their morning run and have them teach you the spells they've been learning because from what the girls have told me you most likely need it given some of the trouble they've told me you've gotten into. Just don't be upset when you find you can't keep up with them on the morning run at first, I doubt that you will be as used to it and in the same sort of shape as Padma and Parvati.

Ajeet Patil

Ok, thought Harry, Padma already about that ritual, but she put it very differantly to how her father has

I'm definately going to need to talk to them about the Contract again and see if what their father wrote is correct, and if they actually intend to do that. But why would they want to do it? Wait, their father, Ajeet, said something about clothing choices. Looking back over the letter he quickly found the sentance. Now why does that sound familiar? Of course, it sunendly came to him, that comment about them in maid outfits. Ok, so they seem to like sexy clothes but why would they want to do this bit in the nude?

When he got to the classroom for his first lesson that morning, Hermione was already there and from the look she was giving him, she was waiting for him. It wasn't that surprissing, an owl other then Hedwig had delivered a letter to Harry, Hermione would of course be curious, now all he had to do was come up with an explaination.

“Harry, who was that leter from and what was it about?” Asked Hermione.

“Just a parent of a classmate, worried that one of out classmates' might do something that would only bring pain upon themself. And I can't tell you any more, Hermione, some of the things in the letter are private.” Answered Harry.

That was some tricky wording, thought Harry, and I don't think I've managed to deflect all her suspecisons, but she's not going to pry anymore.
 

Prince Charon

Well-Known Member
#2
Interesting. Good that you're still doing this story, though I have the vague feeling that you may want to revise it more (too tired to think of details right now, but I'm reasonably sure someone else will).
 
Top