Harry Potter The Surprise

As Remus left them to collect Hermione's parents, Sirius was left chuckling at his godson's display of nerves while they headed toward the restaurant.

"Harry, today you've met with the leader of the Goblin Nation, and then Amelia Bones. What are you so nervous about?"

"We pretty much knew how each of those meetings would turn out. Everything we did in Gringotts was by the numbers, the goblins' reactions then were rather easy to map out. Amelia will do anything to bring down Voldemort and his Death Eaters. As that is our number one aim, again her reactions were predictable. We don't know how this meeting will go, and that's why I'm worried."

Trying to help his Goodson, Sirius pointed out the obvious. "You hold all the cards here. Hermione is of age to accept your betrothal. As Lord Potter, you are now her magical guardian. Barchoke just sent over the deeds to their house and business, you have them exactly where you want them. Why are you worried?"

"They're Hermione's parents, they're also muggles. I'm saying that not as a bad point, rather to point out they don't have a clue how dangerous our world can be. Simply by being Hermione's parents, the Grangers will have wizards and witches thinking they have no right to live. How do I explain that to them, especially when I don't understand it myself."

Hermione was quietly walking along while holding Harry's arm, dreading this meeting even more than he was. If her father tried to get heavy-handed and impose a solution none of them wanted, Harry's reaction could be bad.

Upon reaching the restaurant, Harry discovered the owner had closed his doors to everyone else. Since 'Ambrosia' was considered the best restaurant in magical Britain, it was causing quite a stir.

When the owner came out to greet them personally, a small crowd who's bookings had been cancelled didn't take it too well. Harry thought the owner was trying to cash in on the whole Boy-Who-Lived phenomenon. Finding out he couldn't be more wrong was a very pleasant experience for the teen with the unwelcome and unwanted fame.

The owner eventually turned on one of the people venting their anger at being refused entrance, he soon shut them up. "This young man's Grandfather gave my father the gold to open this restaurant, and then wouldn't take a knut of it back.

The Potters will always have a table at this restaurant, it belongs to their family as much as it does mine. That the latest Lord Potter wants to meet his new family here is a great day for 'Ambrosia', and a great honour."

They were then led inside by the owner, only to discover the entire staff lined up and waiting to greet them. Harry felt like a visiting dignitary while Sirius loved it, especially chatting up the two lovely waitresses. By the time they reached the bar and had a butterbeer in their hands, both Harry and Hermione's nerves were shredded.

It was then Remus led Hermione's parents over to be introduced. Her father didn't wait for those introductions though. "Hey dear, I hope your new beau isn't blowing all his allowance trying to impress us?"

The embarrassment radiating from Hermione just added to the spike of anger Harry was experiencing. This man hadn't seen his daughter for ten months and that was how he greeted her?

Hermione mumbled through some introductions before Remus intervened.

"Sorry Hermione, this has to be done formally. Doctors Daniel and Emma Granger, may I introduce Lord Sirius Orion Black, Harry's Godfather."

Sirius took Emma Granger's hand and kissed the back of it before then shaking hands with Dan.

All this had given Harry time to study these two. He immediately understood why McGonagall was Hermione's favourite professor, her mother looked like she was attempting to be the strict Scot's apprentice. Sharp business suit, hair in a bob - with not one strand of her brunette locks daring to move out of place.

It was her mouth though that reminded Harry most of their Head of House. His immediate impression was that it had been a long, long time since Emma Granger's lips had formed a genuine smile. With her husband acting the fool, he thought these two were the very definition of the odd couple. Harry didn't have time to think anymore, it was his turn to be front and centre.

"This is Lord Harry James Potter, your daughter's betrothed."

Harry repeated the same procedure with Emma as Sirius, but Dan pulled him in when they shook hands.

"Listen son, I don't want to alarm you but that looked like some kind of demonstration outside. I also heard them mention filthy muggles. Are you sure this place is okay to eat in? Emma and I would be more than happy with a pub lunch, this place must be costing a fortune."

It was in that instant, Harry had his epiphany regarding Daniel Granger. Funnily enough, he had his many years spent living at Privet Drive to thank for it. His impression of Dan was completely formed by Hermione's memories, but her view was tainted as he'd always been dad to her.

Viewing Dan with a fresh set of eyes, Harry spotted something Hermione had missed. She missed it because this was the man she'd grown up with, and she'd never met the Dursleys in person.

His Uncle Vernon had many faces. The differences between the one he showed Harry and his 'respectable' persona was vast and startling. His Aunt Petunia too could be hobnobbing with the neighbours one minute, and snarling at him the next. Even Dudley was a master of this skill, he easily pulled the wool over his parents' eyes. These years of experience allowed Harry to see that Dan was wearing some sort of a persona here, he just didn't know why.

All this ran through his head in a few seconds and Hermione's worried 'Harry?' over their bond snapped him out of it. "Those people outside are angry because the owner closed the restaurant so we could have the place to ourselves. We really have a lot to talk about and had requested a private room."

This news shocked Dan. "He closed the entire restaurant?"

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