"But, what about the accommodations at Hogwarts?" she asked.
"The Lords' Quarters, you mean?" he asked. When she nodded, again not looking at him, he replied, "That's not a privilege; it's a right."
When she suddenly turned her eyes to look at him with a frown, he said, "You heard me right; it's a right. A privilege is something that may be taken from you; a right cannot.
"As a Lord, no matter my age, I'm entitled... entitled... access to the Lords' Quarters. Where did you think the word 'entitled' comes from, if not from the term 'title'?"
Still a bit puzzled, she asked, "But... didn't you ask Headmistress Marchbanks if you could have access to the Lords' Quarters?"
He replied, "I was being polite, Hermione. I already knew Lady Marchbanks would not refuse me, because... as I said... it's my right to move to that accommodation. My letter requesting access was a polite way of saying, 'Please ensure the Quarters are prepared for my arrival, as I'll be using them.'"
Now better informed, Hermione seemed to lose that air of sadness she had and was able to eat her breakfast. Her appetite was back.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Once Hermione was comfortably eating her breakfast, Harry indicated an article in the Daily Prophet to her.
"Lord MacMillan has chosen today to make a public apology from the House of MacMillan to the House of Potter," he said. And held it so she could read it while eating.
When it was clear she was done, she asked, "I thought you said Lord MacMillan didn't need to apologise; that it was Ernie, who had to."
"That was the instruction, yes," replied Harry, pulling the paper back. "However, it seems Lord MacMillan was willing to exceed that requirement by also offering apology."
"Why wait until now?" asked Wendell. "It's been five weeks."
Turning to look at him, Harry replied, "I'm guessing it's because Hogwarts reopens today. He's giving his apology to be a... 'introduction?'... to a public apology from his grandson, once everyone arrives at Hogwarts; or, possibly, even on the train on the way there."
"Your not arriving there until Tuesday is going to partly destroy that plan," smirked Wendell.
Harry grinned and shrugged back. "Only a bit. Ernest can still apologise. He'll just have to wait a couple of days. He'll be yet someone else who'll be sweating our non-appearance."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At almost the same time in Hogwarts's Great Hall, Dumbledore had just entered and sat at his 'place' at the table when Marchbanks, from her centre place at the table as Headmistress, called to him.
"Albus?" she asked.
When he turned and asked, "Yes, Grisel... Headmistress Marchbanks?"
He'd quickly corrected himself, as soon as he saw her expression change from a neutral expression to fury as soon as he began to address her by her first name.
"I need you to see me in my office at 1.00pm sharp, Albus," she said. "Don't be late. And bring with you your teaching schedules and lesson plans, when you do."
"Yes, Headmistress," he sighed. 'Now the blasted woman wants to check I'm prepared for classes to start. Damn her. She knows damned well I've been the Professor of Transfiguration before and, therefore, know what I'm doing.'
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
About an hour after they'd broken their fasts, Harry asked Hermione, "As the old fart is going to be sacked some time after 11.00am, we won't have a chance to go beyond the wards, here, again. Feel like taking a stroll around the neighbourhood?"
Hermione smiled and said, "I'd love to!" Then slipped a bookmark into the book she was reading. Harry noticed it was the one he gave her on Occlumency, Occlumency for Beginners.
Once they'd alerted the adult Grangers and the aurors of their plan to take a walk, both headed up to their respective rooms to don warmer layers.
Meeting back in the entrance foyer five minutes later, it was to be greeted by two aurors dressed as muggles and waiting for them; a witch and a wizard.
"Ready to go?" asked the female auror.
"Yup," replied Harry, taking Hermione's hand.
The auror said, "We'll follow behind under disillusionment. We won't crowd you, but we'll be close by in case of trouble you can't handle."
Harry smiled back and said, "Thank you."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The two had been out on the street and were about two blocks and ten minutes away - they weren't hurrying - when Harry noticed two somewhat attractive muggle girls cross the road just ahead of them and walk their way. A blonde and a brunette, both had decent shaped bodies with fair sized boobs. Both were dressed in heavy denim jackets with fur-lined collars over tight T-shirts, denim mini-skirts, heavy skin-toned stockings and ankle-high boots. Both appeared about the same age as Hermione.
He then heard Hermione mutter, "Oh, Gods," as her hand tightened in his own.
Having a fair idea what was about to happen, Harry turned his eyes on hers, smiled, and said, "Don't worry; we'll handle it. Just remember who you are going to marry."
That had her relax again just as the girls got into 'range'.
"Oh, look!" snarked the blonde. "It looks like the beaver got herself a boyfriend."
That had the brunette cackle with laughter, though it did not reach her eyes.
Both stopped side-by-side about ten feet ahead of the two teens as Harry felt Hermione begin to cower behind him.
In a clear voice, Harry effected a posh, almost Malfoy-ish, accent and asked, "Hermione, dear. I believe these two prostitutes know you."
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/sosukeaizen123🎉