Chapter 201

What he didn't know was that Dobby decided to go ahead and pop food down to the aurors in the servants' quarters. He'd been doing it since the first day, anyway.

All the aurors knew that, if they had a shift at the Grangers that occurred across the breakfast period, they'd get a 'Dobby' breakfast. Now none of them ate before starting their (early) morning shift. Even those going off-shift got a breakfast before they left. The same also happened at lunch. And the lucky ones got a 'Potter' dinner if they were on the evening shift.

Unknown to the Grangers, their servants' quarters had become something of the place to be if you were a member of the Potter Protection Detail, as it was now known.

Unbeknownst to the core of the PPD the common room in the 'Quarters', as it was known in auror-speak, was also becoming known to the 'higher-ups' in the DMLE. Rumours, by their nature, have a chance to get around. The PPD were bragging to their fellows and their fellows were grumbling about it.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

As they were sitting for breakfast, all four 'official' residents were just finishing when Monica asked, "What are everyone's plans for the day?"

"A lazy one," Wendell immediately replied.

Hermione said, "I don't have any." Then turned to Harry and asked, "What about you?"

Harry shrugged and replied, "I like Wendell's idea."

"No working on Potter House documents?" she asked.

"Nope," he replied. "All work and no play..."

Hermione looked at the dinette window and suggested, "It looks to be a fine day, outside. We could go for a walk?"

Monica suggested, "What you two probably don't know is that Sunday trading restrictions have been significantly lifted as of this year. Almost everywhere, bar a few small privately-owned stores, now open from ten 'til four in Wimbledon Town Centre and twelve 'til six in London."

Hermione perked right up. "Really?" she excitedly asked.

Monica smirked and replied, "Really."

Hermione immediately swivelled to stare at Harry with a pleading expression.

He took one look at the expression on his girlfriend's face and knew he'd already lost. "Fiiiine," he sighed.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, before jumping forward to kiss him on the cheek.

It said something for their developing relationship that Harry didn't blush to the roots of his hair when she did that. His cheeks only coloured a little.

Hermione wasn't watching Harry's reaction, though. She was watching her father's. And he didn't even blink at seeing his daughter kissing her boyfriend on the cheek.

Monica noticed though. She covered her smirk by taking a sip of her tea.

"I want to be at the Town Centre as the stores open, Harry," declared Hermione. "We need to see about getting you some new clothes."

When Harry gave a pained look and was about to protest, she verbally rode over the top and said, "Don't go giving me that look, Harrison James Potter. Those pants we only just bought for you are already too tight in the waist. And you're starting to show ankle and wrists outside of the cuffs."

With a sigh he said, "Fiiiiine. But... we'll only be getting a few items. And only long pants and shirts. I'm just going to have to get even those replaced within a week or two, if that."

She nodded and said, "Plus a couple of jumpers and a coat. I can live with that... for now."

As Harry looked a little dejected, she turned her attention to her mother. "Wanna come with?"

"No, dear," she replied. "I'm sure you can handle it."

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

ˇ

When the Weekend Daily Prophets were delivered the lead story was the disappearance of the Longbottoms from the Janus Thickey Ward at Saint Mungo's.

The story had broken.

"The shops open at ten, right?" he asked Hermione.

"Yes," replied Monica. Hermione was focussed on reading the article 'over' Harry's shoulder.

"Then I need to write a letter to Neville before we go," he stated. "There's time."

As soon as breakfast was done and the dishes banished away by Dobby, the Granger adults moved off to do what they wanted to do, while the two teens collected their stationery supplies. This time, Harry pulled his out, rather than Hermione always pulling hers out.

He quickly had a letter written for Neville.

~ # ~

Neville,

Hermione and I have read the article in this morning's Prophet. We both hope you're doing alright and coping.

The article states they were taken from their beds and no one else was hurt. That implies whoever did this had no intention of hurting anyone - otherwise they would not have gone to the trouble of taking such precautions as they clearly must have done.

As your parents were taken and not harmed where they lay, also indicates there is no intention to hurt or harm them. I mean, really, why take them if the intention was to harm?

That, itself, is good news.

To ensure yourself they are okay, my suggestion is to sight their life-stones in Gringotts. It will let you know so you do not need to worry as much as you likely are now.

I've already lost my parents. Therefore, I really cannot comment on what sort of fear that will lead a person to. However, Hermione tells me that it would be a nightmare she does not wish to contemplate.

If their life-stones still glow you must hold to the hope they will soon be returned to you safe and sound in the very near future. I can see no other outcome.

Harry

'Sometimes, when it is the most darkest, a line appears to guide the way.'

~ # ~

Hermione read it and asked, "You're not adding my name?"

"No," he replied. "I don't want you involved in any of this other than me referring to you in passing. At the moment you are the Lady Presumptive of the House of Potter. You are not a full member of a member House. And, therefore, you are not fully protected by the Charter.

"I do not wish to give Rosier any avenue by which she can take a shot at me. And that includes her trying to use going after you as a way to get me."

When he saw she wasn't going to argue, he called, "Dobby."

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