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I honestly have no idea. I could do some research, just in case you do sprout ears.

[ She settles down before she turns back, face dropping into something a little more serious. ]

Speaking of research.

How's yours been going? I've gotten a few answers, here and there, but no one, great, perfect solution.

Someone must've taken that book out.

[ He pauses and frowns before continuing: ] And I am sorry for Glaem's library.

It's been a bit of a disaster, yeah. It's -- it's not too bad, really.

[ Most of the books Hermione needs most she keeps with her, after all. All the ones from home, especially. ]

I've been dabbling about and I have a few leads. That and Thranduil - he can hide one for us. Undetectable.

Good. That's a relief.

[ They might not be able to get them all hidden in time, but Reynard can't un-Sunder a court without the full set. ]

And, I know you must, but I have to ask, you trust him?

I do, with everything that I have. Legolas saved me from Ganondorf, you know that, with Ron, and his dad is as good a man as Legolas is. I'd trust them with my life and more, Harry. I haven't mentioned it to Legolas yet, of course, mostly because I'm trying to keep it quiet, but... I mean it. I really do trust them.

[ She takes his hand, squeezing his fingers gently. ]

They're incredible. You should come meet them one day.

I'd like to, but I want you to be sure that I'd be welcome there first.

[ Harry is fairly sure that they either don't know or don't particularly care that he went to Celegorm to the end, but it was a very public display and who can tell. ]

They're... I don't think either of them are particularly concerned with being part of either court. And, um... That --

[ She shakes his head, leaning over. ]

That... Person travels with them - us.

Even so. I don't want to show up and unintentionally cause trouble for you.

[ Note that 'unintentionally' is the key word there. ]

Can you tell me a bit about them? All I really know about the elves, I learned from Celegorm, but I don't really think he was much like them.

I don't think you would. Legolas and I are brother and sister, you know. They'll tolerate you, at least.

[ She's teasing, though, and she nods as she crosses her legs under herself. ]

Legolas is very brave and loyal to what he believes in, to what he thinks is the right thing to do. He really wants to make his dad proud and he worries, sometimes, that he's not doing everything he can to make things work out. We talk about it, sometimes, when he braids my hair. Thranduil... He's a lot like Legolas, but a little sterner, I think? I mean, he's a father, so of course he'd be, but he definitely has a joking side too -- they both do. It's just getting around to seeing it.

They sound like good people and I'm really glad, relieved, too, that you've got them here.

[ Harry makes a quiet, thoughtful noise and leans back, looking up at the sky and clearly trying to think something through before speaking. ]

So, it's you and Legolas, with Thranduil and John as your parents?

[ She's going to clock him and he knows it. ]

When you hit me, aim for somewhere new. I'll enjoy the novelty.

I am too. They're fantastic, they really are, and they're some of the best people I've ever known. You'd love them.

[ Hermione pauses before she snorts, covering her mouth to bite back her laughter, not hitting him but just nudging his side gently. ]

No! No, Thranduil has to be the big brother. It's a compliment because he doesn't look a day older than Legolas. Did you know that Legolas is over a thousand, though? I can't imagine how old his dad is - and an elf I met, Arwen, who said she'd teach me elven is even older than that. She's almost three times that.

I had an idea that the elves lived long and, well, they sort of look like us but they're really, really not. I also think they're used to a very different sort of witch and wizard.

[ Whenever he's mentioned that he's a wizard, they get this odd look. ]

That's what I've found too. Not just with Legolas and his dad but people from his home, too. The humans, like Éowyn, and the dwarves, like Gimli. It's all rather foreign to them, which I suppose is understandable.

But you all get along?

[ That's the important part, he things. Harry isn't too sure how he feels about the majority of the Unseelie. He has his friends and allies, but he wouldn't call any of them family. ]

We do. It's nice, travelling with them, and I don't think my legs have ever been this well exercised, not even when we were camping across England.

[ She's found a place here, she thinks, and that's all she could ask for. ]

[ Harry almost wants to tell her that he's getting his own exercise learning to spar, but he holds his tongue. Would it really be helpful to know that he's fighting? Even if it's not really all that dangerous? Probably not, no. ]

It's curious, there's no one at my court I'd consider family. I've met John, and I don't know, maybe it's my own inexperience, but he's more a soldier, someone to share a drink and a bad meal with, than a 'dad'. Does that make any sense?

[ Hermione would hardly be one to talk; her archery lessons are coming slowly but surely, her arms still sometimes aching from it. ]

It does, of course it does. But you haven't cried on John and had him pet your hair, so that might be why... And I don't think he's been gruff and particularly overprotective with you.

[ Harry leans against her side for a moment, bumping their shoulders together. ]

Sorry you had to cry, but I'm glad there was someone there for you.

I've been here six months. I was bound to cry at least once, right?

[ She nudges him back, offering him a soft smile. ]

It's alright.

I've done, too.

[ All over the Brucolac. So that's a thing that happened. ]

C'mon, happier thoughts for both of us. Have you sorted out what you're doing during Samhain?

Yes! I think so. I've got a mask and I think I can get someone to help me with my dress.

[ She pauses before her cheeks go a little pink. ]

Think he'll ask me for real this time?

He'd be a fool not to.

[ And that's the truth. ]

You could always ask him, if you wanted?

[ She goes even pinker and sniffs. ]

No, I - I don't know. Maybe?

If you want, I mean. If not, well, I trust that you'll do what you know will make you happiest.

[ He does, too. ]

[ She groans, resting her forehead against his shoulder. ]

It should be easier than this.

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