Somewhere Safe - Chapter 32 part 2

It was Sunday.

Harry woke up to find the bed was empty, but he didn't mind. It hadn't been in his plan to fall asleep. Voices from the next room over let him know that the ladies were still close. He got dressed in casual muggle style clothes. They were probably the best quality clothing he had ever owned.

He opened the door to the attached sitting room and paused. Another couch and desk had been brought in at some point. Every available seat was taken by one of his coven. They chatted and laughed amongst themselves. Even the ones from other Houses were present. He wasn't sure how that worked, but he wasn't going to argue. It was practically noon now.

Padma, Hermione, and Miranda -the other Hermione- were in a little group with a few different books open between them. Iris was teaching Delphi, Luna, and Katie how to play poker. Lavender sat on Rose's lap reading a magazine while the other girl had a resigned look on her face.

Harry smiled as he watched them. He had no idea how this coven thing would work in the long term, but right now it felt like they had come together to form their own family.

"He's awake." Lavender called.

She hopped off of Rose and rushed over to him. Harry braced himself as she nearly tackled him. He was pleasantly surprised by her soft breasts pressed against his chest. She wrapped her arms around him in a loose hug.

"You didn't invite me to the shower." She pouted.

"I didn't know that was an option." Harry chuckled.

"You're ours." Delphi spoke up from the card game. "Of course, it's an option."

"We could make a schedule." Miranda offered.

He bounced from witch to witch as the conversation progressed. Hermione nodded at the suggestion, which made sense. The fact that Padma also agreed struck him as funny.

"Who sleeps with Harry." Miranda continued. "Shower and other things."

"What other things?" Iris asked in her most innocent voice.

Miranda blushed.

"Sex." Luna chimed in without a pause.

Miranda blushed even brighter.

"Luna." Hermione called over to the blonde. "Has she talked to you yet?"

"Yes." Luna nodded. "They want me to talk to myself with you and Harry there."

"They?" Harry arced an eyebrow.

"My parents." Hermione said softly.

Harry nodded. He hadn't given the other world much thought at all. That world felt less and less real as the days went on. The mood in the room dimmed a little.

"When?" He asked.

"After dinner." Luna replied. "Muggles need a special potion to be able to come to Hogwarts. It takes all day to brew. Tastes like pickled ham."

"Yuck." Harry shivered.

"How do you know that?" Miranda asked.

"You can pickle just about anything." Luna replied as she turned her attention back to the cards. "Is this a good hand?"

She set out her cards to display three aces and a pair of queens.

"Yes." Iris sighed. "That is a very good hand."

"Note to self." Rose shook her head. "Don't play cards with Luna."

"I would love to see her play Flapper and Padfoot." Iris cackled.

Rose moved over to stand beside him. Her hand slipped into his and their fingers intertwined. She leaned close so she could whisper softly in his ear.

"How was dinner?" She asked so low only he could hear.

"It was ok for the most part." He matched her volume. "I had to leave early. Memories from that other world made things complicated."

"Other world." Rose smiled softly as she gave him a hug. "I like that."

Harry raised his eyebrows in question.

"It's not home." She kissed him on the cheek. "This is."

Harry nodded. "What did I miss?"

"The coven is settling in." Rose replied. "We're going to be spending a lot of time together so it's best that we can get along. I think we're doing good."

"It looks like it." Harry smiled at her. "How is Hermione?"

"I am doing fine." Hermione said as she joined them. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." Harry led her back into the room. "Is this just between us?"

"No." She shook her head. "I already spoke with everyone else."

Harry waited. She took a deep breath and gathered her courage.

"I'm staying here." Hermione said.

Harry's mind stuttered. His brain slowly processed the words. Hermione was going to stay with him.

"Are you sure?" His voice came out as a whisper. Almost like he was afraid to spook her.

"I've talked the girls." Hermione pulled him into a hug. "Miranda is going to talk to her parents. Our parents, technically. It gives me a headache if I think too much about it."

"I know the feeling." Harry chuckled.

"I'm going to spend the holiday with them to settle in." She continued. "Tonight, Luna is going to help me talk to my parents to let them know."

"Do you want me there?" Harry asked.

She gave him a bright smile. "That's sweet. I need to do this on my own."

Harry shook his head. He took a deep breath and let it out.

"I'm here if you change your mind." He pulled her close.