Y/N smiled and walked forward, embracing Gellert tightly.

"Grandfather, it is so good to see you! I have missed you"

Gellert smiled as he looked up at grandson and gently slapped his cheek. He was much larger than last year, he had matured, he sported a full beard, he was a mountain of a man, yet he still looked a child in Gellert's eyes. His sweet grandchild, Heir to his noble and ancient House. Gellert smiled as he took in Y/N one last time, gripping his arms.

"Come grandson, sit. We have much to discuss."

—~—

The pair sat for hours, going over the events of the previous year. The Phoenix Bearers, the political assault on the Ministry, the revelation of Y/N's role in stopping the apocalypse, his trip to heaven, the current political climate, the orcish incursions and the vampiric attack on Bulgaria.

"Much is happening, largely hidden. It was wise of you to hide the presence of your army Y/N, wiser of you to form it in the first place. Test them frequently- the Diabolica is impossible to trick, impossible to deny. Anyone not loyal to will perish instantly. Have you been practicing your legacy?"

Y/N smiled as a small blue flame rose from his shoulder, taking the form of a Phoenix.

"I have Grandfather, frequently. I would not dare to call myself a master, but I have control of it, I can mould it to my will as you taught me."

"Excellent. I am proud of you grandson. What of this year? Albus tells me you will be competing in the Tri-Wizard at his behest."

"Yes Grandfather. I thought it a good opportunity to demonstrate my strength. Gather more forces for the coming war. But I did leverage the situation to my advantage."

"In what way?" Gellert asked intrigued.

"Hermione and I, we now have shared accommodation at Hogwarts. We share a home away from school, now we will share a bed within it as well."

Gellert chuckled and raised an eyebrow at his grandson.

"Well played Grandson, well played. You are truly a Grindelwald! Your cunning could match that of my father. And that dear Y/N, is saying something. Come let us eat before we assess your training."

—~—

The week sped by. Y/N and Gellert duelled for hours at a time, Gellert was incredibly impressed with Y/N's improvement, they would reach a stalemate, neither could beat the other.

Y/N had become his grandfather's equal.

—~—

As the week passed Y/N felt the pull of home. He ached to be with Hermione again.

"So I will return in the break for a few days Grandfather?" Y/N asked as they parted from an embrace.

"Yes. Darkness is coming Y/N. I have seen it watching you from the shadows. Keep on your guard and protect Harry and Hermione. Keep them close."

Y/N nodded and hugged his grandfather again before timeturning. He travelled back a week, and smiled from the balcony he stood on as he saw himself and Gellert sitting near the fireplace, talking.

He apparated.

—~—

It had been a long boring summer for Hermione. Well it wasn't boring, as much as it was lonely, despite being around her parents and Penny, despite Lavender's visits and the visits of Chiara, Charlie and Vinda.

Vinda's chats about how to make Y/N drool, how to make his desire for Hermione fervent and fever pitched left Hermione blushed and flushed whenever she would visit.

It also made Hermione's heart pang for her lover even more. Despite being gone for two months traces of Y/N were everywhere. He had left notes for her she would find in books, in pockets of clothes- even in one of their pillowcases. Everything from proclamations of love to a list of the ways she was wonderful. Each brought Hermione tears of joy and beaming smiles. His nightly patroni messages helped as well. Hermione hadn't learnt how to send one back yet, but just to receive the messages- updating her of the war effort, reminding her how much he missed and loved her.

The funniest reminder though was the day after he left. Hermione went to the letterbox with Wendell, who waved to a neighbour and remarked how five houses on the street had sold the week before she and Y/N returned from school.

Hermione looked at the neighbour puzzled- she recognised him- before being stunned when he bowed deeply to her.

Hermione rubbed her eyes and had laughed in realisation- Y/N had bought the houses. The five new neighbour couples were undercover Phoenix Bearers. Roughly two million pounds worth of real estate just to monitor her home. Y/N  certainly didn't do things by half.

Much of the summer had been spent with Penny. They had read together, Penny had taught Hermione a number of potions as well as some spells. They had grown much closer- where before they were friends now it was akin to sisters. Penny had gone on extended leave from St.Mungo's and so spent most days with Hermione when Monica and Wendell were at work. They had gone on outings together- to shops, to libraries, to Diagon. They always travelled the muggle way and always saw a smile here, a nod there, to let them know they were being watched, that they were safe.

Penny had been out on a number of dates with Dean. While her trust was still being rebuilt with him he was making a genuine effort to save his marriage, to make amends. Penny was going to return home for the fortnight after Y/N returned before they were all to head to Hogwarts for the year.

Dumbledore had come to the Grangers' house about a fortnight after Y/N left. He offered Penny a teaching position at Hogwarts for the year, as Assistant Professor in Potions. She would be working directly under Severus, and would get direct experience teaching. Albus explained he saw her as Severus's natural successor, and the experience would do her well. He also said that Dean would be returning to Hogwarts- that he had been offered a position as a mentor to the Tri Wizard Tournament champions.

Dean had won a similar tournament, the All Wizard Cup, held at Hogwarts when he and Penny were sixth years. It was the closest to the Tri Wizard there had been in a century so the experience would allow him to offer advice to the three wizards and witches selected to represent Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Dean had accepted on the condition Penny accepted as well- he didn't wish to be away from her for the year.

—~—

It was now 5pm on the day of Y/N's promised return and Hermione sat in the lounge with Penny anxiously awaiting her lover's return. The front door opened and Hermione looked excited and wide eyed... only to be disappointed as her parents entered the house. Wendell saw his daughter's face drop and chuckled.

"Good to see you too sweetheart."

"Sorry Dad. It's good to see you. I just thought..."

"Oh we did find something on the doorstep on the way in... but it looks like it's behind you now."

Hermione turned around and squealed. It was him. He was finally back.

"Hey baby" Y/N smiled as Hermione rushed him in tears. As the tears fell down Hermione's face she jumped into her lover's arms. She smashed her lips into Y/N's with as much passion as she could. Despite the messages, despite the notes, nothing compared to actually having him home. As the two separated due to the lack of oxygen Hermione's head was instantly buried into Y/N's chest. She didn't dare let him go.

"Hello to you as well my love!" Y/N smiled as he lifted her face with his forefinger under her chin and gently placed his lips to hers.

Monica, Wendell and Penny gave them the room, smiling with Penny fighting back her own tears at seeing her Cutie Pie back safe and sound.

Hermione was flooded with thoughts of her conversations with Vinda, of her longing to be with Y/N again as she pushed him to the lounge and climbed onto his lap, cupping his face with her hands and kissing him deeply once more.

After ten minutes Penny and the Grangers entered the room, Penny was still teary eyed and after Hermione begrudgingly got off Y/N's lap Penny squeezed him tight.

"Cutie Pie! I've missed you so so much!" Penny said as she hugged and squeezed even tighter. Y/N hugged his Penny back and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Missed you too Pens. It's so good to see you again."

"You're so tanned" Penny giggled as she leant back and took in all of Y/N.

"Yeah day in/day out on a Greek battlefield will do that to you!" Y/N chuckled.

Monica was next hugging Y/N tightly while Wendell shook his hand before hugging him as well.

—~—

Hermione had snuck off upstairs, with a grin on her face. The four smaller kids had stayed with her over summer and were upstairs- it would be hard to explain any but Crookshanks to a muggle visitor, but Hati and Buckbeak had to remain at the estate. They were cared for by the house elves but Hermione had missed them both. She entered her room and smiled.

"Kids come with me. Daddy's home!"

—~—

Y/N sat again and looked for his girl before he heard a scamper of little feet and squawks. The others smiled as his eyes lit up.

"My babies!"

He was mobbed- Na-Hath perching on his shoulder and rubbed his little head against Y/N's. Gizmo darted all over Y/N's abdomen and shoulder's before Y/N gave him a big hug and sat him on the coffee table.

He sat there doing his adorable little happy dance.

Crookshanks purred as he rubbed into Y/N's legs. Newt danced happily on the table.

Before he stopped, looked at his Daddy and blew a raspberry. Y/N gasped and smirked.

"Are you upset at Daddy Newt? Are you mad that Daddy had to go away?"

The Bowtruckle nodded sadly. Y/N held out his hand, which Newt climbed on, and raised him to his face. He whispered.

Daddy had to go help. Some bad people were trying to kill good people and creatures. Daddy was the only one strong enough to stop them. I never wanted to leave you, or Mummy, or your brothers. Do you understand? Do you forgive me?

Newt looked down for a moment before smiling and leaning out with his little cheek to Y/N. Y/N smiled and leant in, having a nice little hug. Hermione awed and giggled.

A/N: Closest Gif I could find. Have some Penny love.

"All forgiven then!"

—~—

Y/N caught up his loved ones with the events of summer. They were shocked to say the least.

"What does an orc even look like?" Wendell asked. Y/N chuckled and opened a portal.

"Ratbag!!!"

Ratbag looked through the portal at the family. Monica shrieked. Hermione and Penny gasped. Wendell's mouth dropped open.

"Thank you Ratbag!" Y/N chuckled, closing the portal.

"He was hideous!" Monica shrieked, still breathing heavily and panicked.

"Times it by 400, 500, a thousand, charging at you with cursed spears. Not the nicest experience" Y/N smiled sadly, thinking of all the brothers lost.

"How did you do it?" Wendell asked.

"With the strength of my Spartan brothers next to me. You gain courage in a Phalanx."

"Like you need any anyway" Hermione giggled, stroking Y/N's beard and kissing his lips gently.

"So you were just accepted by the Spartans?" Monica asked.

"Is it because you're descended from Leonidas?" Penny added.

"You're descended from Leonidas? The Leonidas?" Wendell asked wide eyed.

"I am" Y/N smirked proudly. "And that was part of it. I still had to pass an initiation into Spartan manhood."

"What initiation?" Hermione asked with concern.

"It ties into presents. Present time" Y/N chuckled nervously.

He pulled out two bottles of wine from his pouch and handed them to Monica and Wendell.

"From the King's personal estate. The finest in the Mediterranean. Enjoy"

They thanked him profusely. He then pulled a vial and handed it to Penny.

"Cyclops tears" he smiled. "Have a vial for Sev as well!"

"Oh Cutie Pie!" Penny gushed. "That's one of the rarest ingredients in the world"

"And we have an unlimited supply now. Steropes is in the Dark Creatures Reserve now. He was happy enough to come."

Penny thanked Y/N again as Hermione narrowed her eyes at her lover.

"Initiation?"

"Right. So every Spartan, once they graduate from the agoge, are required to pass through an initiation, surviving in the wild to prove their strength and resilience. But because I am of the Royal Line my task was slightly... different"

"And it was....?" Hermione asked getting impatient.

"Ok, I need you to not panic love. Here is your present"

He handed her a small wrapped box. She opened it and pulled out two beautiful necklaces, each with a large carnivore tooth in it.

"I had matching ones made for us both babe" Y/N smiled as he gently fastened one around Hermione's neck before doing the same for his own.

"Thank you love. But what is this from?" Hermione asked slightly panicked, slightly frustrated.

"Ok so it's going to sound bad no matter how I say it. I was thrown into a pit. Then they threw a lion down there."

Hermione's eyes widened. The others were speechless.

"You had to duel a lion?" Penny stuttered out.

"No. Magic wasn't allowed. I had to fight it" Y/N answered honestly. He squeezed Hermione's hand, seeing the look on her face.

"It's ok. I was allowed to use a spear."

He braced himself for the tirade.