"So," said Hermione, winding down. "I know that besides your aunt, you're the last of the Boneses, does this mean you'll have to enter into one of these sorts of conditions or agreements?"
Harry winced, as did Neville, and gestured to Hermione not to ask; but Susan both heard the question and saw Harry trying to get his betrothed to back off. Hermione clearly did not understand why.
"First, Hermione," Susan finally began to explain, "You should know that the question you just asked is considered quite rude in the magical world."
That startled Hermione and she immediately blushed. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't―"
She stopped as soon as Susan raised a hand to stop her.
"You've asked and you now know," she calmly said. "However, to answer your question, yes. I'm well aware of the need to continue the line of Bones. Auntie made sure I've known I'd need at least one of those since I was a little girl.
"But, please don't ask which of those is the likely choice, as that would be even more personal, alright?"
Still blushing, Hermione could only nod while looking down in embarrassment. "Again, sorry. I just find it all so interesting."
After finishing their cups of tea, Susan led them on a tour of the manor and the grounds, pointing out things of interest. Harry was surprised to discover Amelia had a rather large collection of antique auror and police paraphernalia and was quite proud of it.
"It's one of Auntie's passions," explained Susan.
When the time was getting close the three were starting to make ready to go when Harry said, "Thank you for allowing us to visit, Susan. And for allowing me the opportunity to introduce Lady Presumptive Hermione. It is much appreciated. We shall show ourselves out, yes?"
Susan smiled and said, "Actually, I'm coming with you. Hannah and I will be spending lunch and the afternoon together, once you've gone."
Harry gave a firm nod and said, "I've noticed the two of you are friends."
"Yes," she replied. "Because of Auntie's work Hannah's Mum, Pauline, was my babysitter right up until I started Hogwarts. I've come to see their home as a second home."
A quick Tempus later and Harry announced, "Seconds to go until ten thirty. Who's going first?"
Susan promptly replied, "Auror, me, Neville, Harry, Hermione, auror."
Harry didn't have a problem with it, but frowned when Neville said, "Give us about fifteen seconds, at least, before you step through, Harry." And grinned in amusement.
Harry gave a huff, folded his arms and rolled his eyes.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Waiting the fifteen seconds after Neville stepped through to the home of the Abbotts, Harry calmly tossed in the floo powder, called, "Abbott's Ford," waited until the connection was made and declared, "Hufflepuffs rule!" Then stepped in.
This time he managed not to be flipped onto his back as he exited the floo, but skidded across the polished wooden floors on his knees and toes. However, that was more to do with twisting against the spin to counter it than anything else.
As he popped to his feet he grinned and said, "Getting better!"
Looking around he was just in time to see Hermione quite agilely step with an almost hop out of the floo as if she'd been doing it for her whole life. Susan and Hannah were hugging one another while Neville was moving furniture back into place he had obviously moved to make way for Harry's 'entrance'.
Susan gestured for Harry to join her, who did.
"Harry," she said, "This lady is Missus Pauline Abbott of the Ancient House of Abbott."
Though he knew the woman to be a halfblood and that she did not expect the respect, as she offered her hand for a handshake with a slight but wistful smile on her face, Harry took it, turned it over to be face down, raised it to his lips as he bent forward and lightly placed the gentlest of kisses to the back of her knuckles.
As he released her hand and straightened up she brought her hand to her chest while she deeply blushed, while looking back at him in surprised shock.
He calmly smiled and, while looking into her eyes, said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Missus Abbott."
"I..." she softly began. "Th-thank you." Harry could hear the deep gratitude in her voice.
As Harry stepped away a little to his right, Susan introduced Neville; who stepped forward and performed the same greeting.
As the woman was recovering from that, Harry turned to his left and gestured to Hermione. He said, "I am pleased to introduce to you, Missus Abbott, Lady Presumptive Hermione Granger, magical ward of the Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and betrothed of the Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter; myself."
Again shocked, she turned to Hermione and offered her hand to her. Hermione stepped forward and almost casually shook it. "Thank you for allowing us to visit with Hannah in your home, Missus Abbott."
"Ummm..." said the woman. "You're welcome."
Harry, then Neville, had clearly thrown the woman for a loop.
Though Susan had then headed direct to Hannah and begun to whisper in the girl's ear as Harry and Neville introduced themselves to her mother, Hannah finally stepped forward. Whatever the two girls spoke about had both of them slightly blushing.
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