Harry and Luna strolled down the sidewalk of the New York City street arm in arm. One would think, on first seeing the pair, that it was a romantic outing, but they couldn't be further from the truth.

Luna had never been to New York City before, to be more accurate, she'd never visited any city of this size before. Consequently, she had a nasty habit of being easily distracted and wandering off without telling Harry what had caught her attention. And with the crowds that New York were famous for, it'd taken a panicked Harry a few minutes to locate her more than once.

Thus, after the second time, Harry had taken her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm before they continued their outing. This had worked out fantastically. Now, whenever something caught Luna's attention and she veered off course, Harry was simply pulled along for the ride.

"Look Harry! Erumpets!" Luna exclaimed, her arm flung out to point across the street.

Harry closed his eyes, thankful that the magical word would mean nothing to the dozens of muggles surrounding the pair. Feeling the pull on his arm, Harry opened his eyes and followed his friend's finger, before blinking in shock.

There was no doubt about it, Luna had been right. Well, mostly right. Across the street was a bakery and in their front window were a number of their products, one of which, a bun of some kind, was unmistakably in the shape of an erumpet.

"Come on, Harry," Luna said, pulling him onwards, "I've never eaten an erumpet before. Not that one should eat a real erumpet." Her head cocked as she obviously was contemplating such an endeavour. "Given the size of one, I'm not sure how one could eat an erumpet."

"One bite at a time, I would expect," Harry said absently as he studied the sign above the bakery.

Kowalski's Bakery.

Judging by the style of building that the bakery was situated in, Harry guessed that it'd been there for a long time. Well, at least the building had been; there was no telling the age of the bakery itself.

Following Luna's urging, Harry quickly caught up before guiding a distracted Luna across the street without her getting hit by one of the many cars as they drove past.

The two paused outside the window of the bakery and Harry saw Luna's face light up.

"Demiguise; niffler; bowtruckle; thunderbird; erumpet; flooper; moon calf," Luna named as she pointed to each of the different buns or cake decorations in the window.

A small bell tinkled overhead as they entered and Luna quickly pulled free to all but press her face against the glass as she moved from display case to display case. What surprised Harry as he perused the cases himself were the names that had been given to each of the pastry items. The erumpet-shaped one was called a 'rhino bun'; the flooper-like ones, had been labelled 'owl cakes', each decorated in icing just like the magical bird – fluorescent pink, yellow, lime green and purple.

"Can I have a Dribbly Demiguise Bun, please?" a man asked off to the side.

The word 'demiguise' immediately caught Harry's attention, especially when he saw that, according to the small plaque, they were simply called 'Dribbly Buns'.

"Excuse me, but is that chocolate dribbled over the demiguise buns?" Harry asked.

The man looked up, clearly startled.

"Um, sorry?" he asked in a high-pitched voice.

"The Dribbly Demiguise Buns," Harry said, pointing out the bun that he meant, "is it covered in chocolate?"

"They're ... they're just Dribbly Buns," the man stuttered, sharing a panicked look with the older gentleman across the counter.

Harry leaned in and whispered with a grin. "To the no-majs, yes. But not to us, we know what they really are."

"You're a wizard?" the man asked, clearly relieved.

"I am. And my friend is a witch, so you don't have to worry," Harry replied and extended his hand. "Harry Potter."

"Luna Lovegood," Luna said, straightening and following Harry's lead to also offer her hand.

"Rolf Scamander," the young man smiled. "This is my cousin, Adam Kowaski."

"It's nice to meet you. You're both wizards as well? I didn't think that there were really any in the city at all," Harry commented.

"I am," Rolf replied.

"I'm a no-maj," Adam stated. "Well, as much as it matters. Neither my father nor I have any magical talent. Take more after Grandad Jakob at least. Baking. It's in the blood."

"That's why I come back as often as I can," Rolf confessed. "Great-uncle Jakob's pastries have always been something special. Besides, it'd be criminal not to have a magical person enjoying these magical creatures."

"Why did all of the witches and wizards leave New York?" Luna asked.

Rolf and Adam shared a look.

"There was an 'incident' back in the twenties that nearly exposed the magical world. Luckily, my grandfather, Newt, was able to help all of the no-majs forget. Even still, it didn't take long for the magical population to relocate – less chance of the obliviation being overridden that way," Rolf replied.

"Newt. You said your name was Scamander?" an excited Luna asked. "Harry, Newt Scamander wrote our magical creatures textbook. He's incredibly famous. The world's first magi-zoologist."

"You're saying that he was just like you, Luna?" Harry smiled.

"You're interested in magical creatures?" Rolf asked.

"Oh, yes. I go on expeditions to try to find new magical creatures as often as possible," Luna replied. "Perhaps you've read some of my reports in the Quibbler?"

Rolf nodded solemnly. "I have read one or two."

Almost absently, the two drifted off towards the nearest small table.

Harry shook his head before turning to Adam.

"If I know Luna, she's going to be talking to him for hours about all of the creatures that she's been searching for," he grinned.

"Rolf's the same way," Adam replied. "Always off on one expedition or another, just like Great-Uncle Newt was, even after he married Great-Aunt Tina."

"Well, while they're talking, can I have one of the nifflers for myself and one of the demiguises for Luna, please," Harry ordered.

ooo00ooo

Seven hours on a plane wasn't the longest flight that Harry had ever had, but it was awfully close. Not to mention that it'd been a while since he'd done a trip like that. Even travelling first class with all of the extra legroom and other benefits had almost had him reconsidering his decision.

An international portkey would have been over in just a few minutes and utilizing one of Tony's jets would also have been quicker. Both, however, would have been like using a sonorus charm to announce his presence. The first telling the wizarding world that he was back in the country; the other attracting every media outlet in the country to see who was in the Stark jet, and there were some wizarding journalists that did have connections in the non-magical world.

No, as uncomfortable and long as the journey was, Harry was sure that he'd entered the country in the best way possible.

As was his habit when flying, the instant that he could step to the side after leaving the tunnel that lead from the plane, he did so. A roll of his shoulders and neck eased the worst of the tension. The fact that he already had his pack and didn't need to collect any baggage was another plus – one less crowd that he could avoid.

There wasn't much that he could do about customs, but he grinned and beared it, knowing that he wouldn't have to put up with waiting in line for a taxi, nor would he have to endure the ride to the city.

As soon as he was done with customs, Harry headed for the bathroom, went into the nearest stall and apparated.

As expected, Platform Nine and Three Quarters was blessedly empty.

With a sigh of relief, Harry hefted his pack a little higher and walked through the entrance, trusting to the notice-me-not wards to keep his unexpected appearance out of a wall away from the muggles.

Almost instantly, he noticed the exact thing that he was looking for: a payphone. Using one phone to read off a number while dialling on another phone felt kind of silly to Harry (after all, the new mobile that Tony had given him was set up to make international calls), but he did it anyway, after all, there was no need to broadcast the number on his Avenger's phone if he didn't have to.

ooo00ooo

"Hello, Hermione Granger speaking," Hermione said with not a small amount of breathlessness.

Really, it'd been a miracle that she'd managed to answer the phone before the person on the other end had hung up. She'd first heard it before she'd even unlocked her door and in her rush to get to the phone, she'd ended up having to leave her keys in the lock when they failed to come out easily.

"Oh, Hermione, you are home," her mother's voice stated.

"Hi, Mum," Hermione said, plonking her purse down on the small table in the hallway. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, dear. And yourself?" Jane asked.

"Oh, you know, same as always," Hermione replied.

"Overworked then," Jane stated matter-of-factly.

Hermione chose not to dignify that with an answer, not only because it was the one – well, the main – thing that she and her mother disagreed upon and also because, if Hermione was being brutally honest with herself, it was true.

"Is there something particular that you called for, Mum?" she asked instead.

"Actually, there is," Jane replied. "I called to invite you over for dinner."

Hermione glanced at her watch. It was late and to be truthful, all she wanted was to get off of her feet and soak in the bath, preferably with a glass of wine at hand.

"I don't know, Mum, I'm kind of tired," she hedged.

"All the more reason to," Jane replied. "No cooking or cleaning up for you. Simply pop over, have a nice relaxing dinner with family and then you can head home to bed."

"I don't know," Hermione replied, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in indecision.

"I'm making a roast," Jane cajoled.

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "You're not trying to set me up on a date, are you?"

"Of course not, Honey," Jane laughed, but it was a laugh that didn't convince her daughter.

"You promise there'll be no strange men there, no work colleagues or old family friends that you haven't' seen in ages? It'll just be the three of us?"

"Hermione, I promise that I have no ulterior motives. And that you'll regret it if you don't come," Jane promised.

"We-ll, I do always enjoy your roasts," Hermione said. "Alright, give me half an hour or so to get cleaned up from work and I'll apparate over after that."

"Wonderful, Darling. I'll see you soon, then," Jane said happily.

"Okay, Mum, see you soon," Hermione replied, hanging up the phone.

"And if this is a way to set me up, I'm going to hex you and Dad something frightful," she promised the handset.

ooo00ooo

Hermione appeared in her old bedroom after apparating from her apartment. A quick glance was enough to assure her that she was alone – a usual state of affairs when she popped over like this. Cocking her head, she noted that there was nothing to be heard which meant that her parents were both downstairs, most likely in the kitchen.

Hermione took her time going down the stairs, after all, she still wasn't convinced that she wanted to be here. Her initial idea of how to spend the evening was most appealing; unfortunately, her parents could be quite persuasive. Not to mention that she still had a lingering feeling of guilt after her Hogwarts' years – spending ten months of the year at the castle and then a large portion of each holiday away from home with Harry and the Weasleys meant that she hadn't spent as much time with her parents as she should have. Not to mention what she did to them in her 'first' seventh year.

The sound of her parents' voices coming from the kitchen as she approached the door had the corners of her mouth twitching upwards. That smile, though, was instantly dispelled the second that she heard that third voice.

And to think that she'd believed her mother when she'd promised.

With a scowl, Hermione stomped the rest of the way to the kitchen and pushed hard enough on the swinging door to slam it back against the far wall.

"Mother, I'm going to have to take a raincheck," she began through her clenched teeth.

"Hermione!" her mother said, one hand on her breast in her apparent shock of her daughter's appearance.

Hermione fixed her mother with a deathly gaze, her mind going through the myriad of hexes that she'd like to cast. In her peripheral vision, she noted the man seated at the table across from her father, but there was no way that she was even going to grace the man with any attention.

"I'm guessing it'll just be the three of us, then, Mister and Mrs Granger. Shame really, I was looking forward to catching up with Mione," the man said.

Hermione's eyes widened. She knew that voice. And that shock of messy black hair.

"Harry?" she asked in disbelief. Then, after seeing that lop-sided grin when said man turned to look at her, his green eyes sparkling with mischief, "Harry!"

Instantly, she was across the room, flinging herself at him. Thankfully, Harry was able to push himself and his chair back fast enough from the table in order to catch her on his lap. The two hugged fiercely

"What are you doing here?" she laughed in her ear. "You should have told me that you were coming."

"Now where would the fun be in that?" Harry asked as they let go,

"Prat," she smiled, giving him a gentle slap on his chest.

"Marauder," Harry countered.

The laughter from her mother spun her head around.

"And you! Keeping this from me. I thought that you promised that you had no ulterior motives," Hermione accused.

"Well, I didn't. Harry did," Jane grinned. "I did also promise that you'd regret it if you didn't come, didn't I? And I was right."

Hermine gave her mother a mock glare, one that she simply laughed at.

"When did you arrive? How long are you staying? Do you have somewhere to stay? Why are you finally back in England? I've got a spare room at my apartment if you need it," Hermione asked in a single breath.

Harry laughed at her. "It's good to see you again, too, Hermione. Now in answer to your questions: I arrived this morning; I'm not sure; Grimmauld Place (I do own it, after all); and a transfiguration problem."

Hermione's eyes lit up. "A problem. What is it? Describe the effect you're trying to achieve, the incantation and wand movements, then outline where it's going wrong."

"I think that can wait until after dinner," her father, Henry, interrupted.

Hermione pouted, but relented, moving from Harry's lap to the chair beside him.

"You know everyone's going to want to see you now that you're back," Hermione said.

Harry grimaced. "I guess that I'll catch up with a few people. But really, Hermione, all I'm wanting is a short, low-key sort of visit."

Hermione stared at him incredulously for a few seconds before bursting out laughing.

"Why does everyone start laughing every time I say that?" Harry pouted, running a hand through his hair.

"Who else laughed when you said that?" a still smiling Hermione asked.

"Luna," Harry replied simply.

"You've seen Luna?" a surprised Hermione asked. "When did you see her?"

"She just appeared at the Den about a week ago and ended up staying with me until I left New York," Harry explained. "She made a new friend, a fellow magi-zoologist, and she's now gone off with him on an expedition."

"Yes, that sounds like Luna," Hermione smiled. "How did she go keeping the fact that she's a witch from Doreen?"

"Uh, Doreen knows about magic now," Harry replied and quickly continued at her rounded stare. "It wasn't Luna's fault. And there were other factors involved. Let's just say that it involved a squirrel, a snake and a really interesting tail."

Harry snickering to himself while not providing the complete story did not impress Hermione.

"I promise to tell you all about it later," Harry said. "Perhaps after dinner."

"Good idea," her mother agreed as she carried a large white pot full of vegetables to the table and placed it in the middle.

"Do you prefer white meat or leg, Harry?" her father asked from where he stood over the roast chicken, carving knife and fork in hand.

ooo00ooo

The two needed to squeeze together on the end of the lounge for them both to be able to see across the hall and into the study, but neither Henry nor Jane Granger minded. Simply getting this chance to see their daughter happy like this, smiling and laughing even in the seriousness of the magic puzzle she was working on with Harry, was worth a small amount of discomfort.

Both had gasped and Henry had nearly spilled his tea when Harry had changed his body from human into some bird-human hybrid. Hermione's laugh at the absurd sight eased their fears that something terrible had happened

"Animagus," Jane said, snapping her fingers. "That's what it's called, what Harry's trying to do. Remember when that McGonagall lady first came to give Hermine her Hogwarts' letter, that she could turn into a cat? That's what she called it."

Henry nodded as the memory surfaced.

"If Harry's doing it, how long do you think it'll be before Hermione sets her mind on doing it, too?" he asked.

"Probably not long," Jane agreed. "She's never been one to be beaten at anything."

The two sat and watched as Hermione circled Harry, one hand cupping her elbow as the other tapped her chin. And then the questions began. While neither Henry nor Jane could make much of them, obviously Harry could, for he patiently answered every one. Finally, Harry transformed back and the two flopped onto the couch in there together, Hermione immediately turning her body and tucking one leg under her so that she was facing her best friend.

"I know that fathers aren't supposed to ask this, but remind me why didn't she leave with him all those years ago. They could have been married with kids by now," Henry sighed. "Not to mention happy."

"I know. It's so rare to see her this happy," Jane replied. "But to answer your question, if you remember, she was still dating Ron back then, not to mention that she'd not long started her career and had all of those goals."

"And how many of them have become a reality? The magical world is so backwards and as much as I admire Hermione wanting to ensure equality for all magical species, I doubt that one woman, no matter how impassioned, is really going to make a difference," Henry stated.

"I completely agree," Jane said. "But you have to admire her for what she's trying to do."

"Oh, I do, don't get me wrong," Henry replied quickly. "It's just ... seeing her so happy like this, it's all we ever wanted for her."

Jane watched as Hermione laughed at something Harry said and gave him a slight push and the lop-sided grin and bright eyes that Harry was giving her back.

"Who knows, maybe having Harry here in England for a bit will get her to think where her life is headed," Jane suggested.

"Maybe," Henry agreed.

ooo00ooo

Standing in the small run-down park, Harry stared at the town house across from him. In the years that he'd been gone, it hadn't improved – nor had the neighbourhood. The same derelict car, its tires gone, sat in the same place in front of one of the houses down the street.