When he finally pulled back he said, "Sorry. But, I want to be able to talk to you without someone coming in during our talk and ruining things, alright?"
"Ah!" she said. "That's why you want to wait until we get to Hogwarts."
"Yes," he grinned.
When Hermione left a few minutes later, she was more relaxed and happy.
Harry actually didn't want to talk about it, at all. But, that did not mean he was comfortable with the idea of talking about it, if he had to, while her parents were nearby. He just hoped she'd not remember.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning was the start of the day the two teens should have been getting ready to go to Kings Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express. They also knew it was the day that the new Headmistress, Lady Marchbanks, would be firing Dumbledore.
The aurors had been alerted over a week ago, confirmed by Madam Marchbanks herself, that Dumbledore would be fired that day. And there was already word back from Madam Bones that their auror contingent would now be expanded to a team of five until Tuesday morning.
Those aurors, though they weren't supposed to have arrived until after breakfast, had begun to arrive in time for breakfast. Dobby had made sure they were all fed as, unsurprisingly, none of them ate breakfast before arriving. Only those that arrived after breakfast had eaten.
So breakfast, that morning, ended up being a more 'lavish' meal than normal.
As they - Harry, Wendell and Monica - were finishing theirs, Monica asked, "I wonder what made Dobby lay on such a feast."
Harry smiled back and said, "The auror contingent has been increased. Apparently, Dobby's learned of the aurors' appreciation for his cooking, together with some of them arriving early, and he's gone all-out for them."
Wendell, where he was reading the Prophet and sipping on his tea, chuckled in amusement. Monica just grinned.
Wendell then said, "Monica and I are going to miss the culinary competition between you and Dobby."
Monica gave an amused little snort and said, "My waistline's not. I think I've put on about five pounds at least since you two have been here. With you not here I'll be able to trim back down again."
Harry blushed and softly said, "Sorry."
"Not your fault, Harry," she smiled. "I'm the one who... overindulged."
They were joined a few minutes later by a somewhat grumpy Hermione.
Wendell took one look at her and asked, "What's the problem, Princess?"
"I didn't sleep well, Daddy," she sighed, as she began to pick at her food.
"Why not?" asked her mother.
Hermione looked a bit uncomfortable for a few moments before she replied, "Today's the day we should be going to Kings Cross Station. And, I think knowing that Harry and I won't be there..."
Harry immediately twigged and asked, "It's just made it all the more real for you, hasn't it? That we're getting special privileges by flooing directly to the school, two days late."
She nodded with a sad expression.
"That's alright," he smiled. "You're allowed to feel that way; because, we are getting special privileges."
When she looked surprised he'd agreed with her, he explained, "Hermione, you're now the betrothed of One of the Seven. Sometimes, special privileges are going to be normal for you; especially once we're married and you're Lady Potter.
"I know you feel it's somewhat dishonest, but you need to accept it isn't. This particular privilege is not really a privilege at all. This is a... strategic move, more like... to ruin any plan Dumbledore might come up with in the short term. It's for both our protections. Ask the aurors, if you don't believe me."
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