Hermione had been thinking about what to do since overhearing the confrontation. She hoped to get more context before deciding one way or another, but if nothing else, she could try to remain neutral. Both her father and Harry were in the wrong here. And she really wanted to believe Harry was nice like she thought… a-and she really wanted a friend in Hogwarts…

As soon as she entered the dining room, she found her father nursing some sort of injury on his shoulder with an ice pack. Her mom and Harry were not here yet. “What happened?”

Dan looked embarrassed if anything. “Nothing dear, it was an accident.”

That was a relief, her dad wasn't mad at Harry. But should she be mad at her dad? She remembered Harry's words, and the emotions behind them. It probably hurt him more knowing Dan would have, than actually being struck. “You should apologize.”

Dan looked momentarily surprised then just sighed and shook his head. “I know dear, I will. How much did you hear?”

“Just a crash and what Harry said after…” Hermione continued pensively. ”Did you hear everything he said at the end? About having enou-.”

Hermione was interrupted by her mom leading Harry back into the dining room.

Dinner was served in silence, it was a decent spread of ham, mashed potatoes, rolls and asparagus. Nobody said anything throughout the meal. It was extremely awkward for everyone, Hermione included.

Finally, once dinner finished, Emma left to take care of dishes. Harry and Dan left the dining room, to, Hermione assumed, talk somewhere more private. Hermione wanted to join them but it wasn't any of her business. She thought about eavesdropping, but didn’t want Harry to think worse of her.

Eventually she joined her mom in taking care of the dishes to keep herself distracted. “Mom, did you hear the last bit of what Harry said before leaving the dining room?”

Emma, like Dan, was surprised. ”Were you eavesdropping?” slightly accusatory.

“Not intentionally, no. I was just about to join you guys in the dining room, when I heard a crash. I waited by the door to see what was happening. Then I left after hearing Harry leaving…”

Emma didn't say anything so Hermione pressed forward. ”So? Do you remember what he said?”

Emma sighed. “And don't you EVER raise your hand to me… Of course I remember, what's this about dear? Your father and I have already discussed apologizing and trying to make amends.”

Hermione shook her head. “I've had enough of that already.”... “T-That's what he said right afterwards. He said it in a whisper, I only heard him because he was so close to the door. M-Mom… I think -”

Emma interrupted her with a hug. Hermione felt her mom crying and hugged her back.

It took both of them a few minutes to calm down. Hermione started crying too at some point. They made themselves presentable once more, before joining Harry and Dan in the study.

----------------------------------------

“No, that's fine. With this, and at least beginner books on these subjects,” Harry slid a paper he’d prepared along the desk. “And whatever books Ms. Granger recommends, I'd call us even. We can be rid of each other.”

Harry was right. Dan didn't try to argue that they wanted to be rid of him, nor did Emma try to stop him from distancing himself. They may have apologized, but it didn't really matter if their actions pushed him out the door. He could collect on whatever Emma felt they owed him, and leave.

Harry was about to stand and request to use the phone to call for a ride, when the brown blur struck again.

“I'm sorry Harry, mum told me what happened.” Face still buried in his shirt.

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Harry turned to the door, raising an eyebrow at the red eyed Emma Granger.

Giving a sympathetic smile. “Apparently she heard the tail end of our … disagreement in the dining room.”

Harry momentarily stiffened. “I see. If that is all? I’ll need to call for a ride.”

“No. Don't leave, please.” when he looked down to the girl, still clutching at his shirt. He noticed her eyes were red too, still crying.

Harry didn't know how to deal with this situation. If they were angry or cold to him, he could just leave and send Hedwig to pick up the books later. But she was… sad?

Looking up to Emma for help, he found her in the same state as her daughter.

Dan noticed Harry's hand starting to shake, as his eyes started darting around the room. “Hermione enough.” using his no nonsense voice. “Let him breathe.”

Now free, and unsure what to make of the situation. He had to take a moment to calm himself. Harry stood, asking Emma where the phone was.

Harry waited at the phone for a while just thinking about what happened. He could call up a cab and leave now, but, every time he tried, he remembered Hermione pleading for him to not leave.

Sighing, he decided to give the Grangers another chance.

He rejoined the family in the living room. Hermione and Emma hugging on a couch while Dan was in a recliner. As soon as Harry entered the room, Hermione burst into tears again.

Dan gestured to a seat. “I'd like to preface this with another apology. I'm sorry. We've discussed things as a family and I understand” Emma coughed. “Ahem… my wife lovingly pointed out to me. That it was extremely rash and stupid for me to act the way I did. It wasn't your fault. Even after cooling down, I felt it would be best if we all parted ways…”

Dan looked to be struggling so Emma took up where he left off.

“What he's trying to say is, he's sorry for trying to push you away. After discussing things, we decided we would like to invite you to stay here. You would have full access to the library and can ask us any questions you have.”

Harry was silent for a while. He liked the straightforwardness. This could work, Emma was smart. Start with a working relationship. He could ask any questions he wanted but in turn, they had full access to him to ask questions as well. He could make an index of the library or something while he was here, then later request books via owl. He would still have someone to help along their plans for Hogwarts. And… he glanced at Hermione still latched onto her mother.

Harry 'negotiated’ his terms. Getting 'reacquainted' with Emma, easing everyone's tensions. He was given a room nearest to the front door, a subtle gesture on Emma's side. And a stack of books that the Grangers recommended to get a basic understanding of anatomy.

He spent roughly a week at the Grangers, improving his knowledge. And enlightening the Grangers about the wizarding world. Harry spent more time with the adults, they didn't want Hermione to know just how bad the world she was about to enter is.

Any time not taken up by books or conversations with the Grangers was spent exercising. Dan and Emma cooperated in creating a training regiment based on what they used to do in the military.

Harry showed them what the goblins had him do, and they had to redo their whole regimen to keep up with the insane intensity of the goblins' workouts. The goblins did not joke around.

He would have continued the goblin workout methods but he was advised by the healers to find one that suited him. Apparently their smaller stature and bulkier frame needed different exercise, especially since Harry didn't want to be large… just strong.

Harry often caught Hermione hovering around while he was doing various things. Even with his low e.q. Even Harry felt embarrassed when she just watched him workout. And it was increasingly distracting having someone watch you read a book, causing him to take much longer than normal reading. Resulting in Harry being a bit snappy towards her.

Unable to put up with it anymore, Harry informed the Grangers he would be returning home. They shared a look, again sharing some telepathic conversation. Emma losing this time, she sighed and nodded before heading to Hermione's room.

“Don't be too hard on her, it's the first time anyone her age has been around. She's curious and probably wants to be friends. You're all she's been able to talk about for a while now, she just doesn't know how to go about making friends. ”

That makes sense… Harry would like to help her along but for one, he didn't know how either. And two, he didn't have time. His plans for Hogwarts didn't include a lot of free time, he needed to finish most of these books before getting there.

He also didn't like how Dan just divulged all of that… probably very sensitive information like that. He hoped they at least discussed this beforehand.

Harry just nodded to Dan causing the man to sigh. Apparently he hoped that Harry could help too.

Soon Harry was home thanks to a taxi, and making quick progress in the books he needed to finish.