Harry had chosen a specific date and time of his summer holidays to wake up in, as he didn't think that he could handle seeing any more of Ron than he had to. Opening his eyes he discovered that he was exactly where he wanted to be, sliding out of the grate at Borgin and Burkes. Righting himself rather quickly, he silently slipped out of the shop before Lucius could arrive and cause him to hide in a cupboard.
Rambling up Knockturn Alley was a whole different experience now, than when he was 'younger', Harry mused. First huge difference was he wouldn't need Hagrid to rescue him this time, as he already had a plan in place to meet up with Hermione, hopefully she had succeeded in persuading her parents to let him spend the rest of the holiday with them. In order to get more support right away they had decided to let Hermione's parent's in on the whole thing, they were bound to notice a difference in Hermione anyway and this way they wouldn't freak out as much having their little girl 'Married' off too young… They hoped anyway.
Having arrived earlier than he thought Harry leaned into the wall and placed a low key notice me on himself, only Hermione would be able to see him unless someone was purposely looking to break through his charm. He had to agree that picking this particular alley way seemed a superb idea as it wasn't very well used, exactly the same reason why they had used it so long in the future as an apparition point. Hermione rushed into the alley way throwing herself at Harry, full well knowing that he would catch her, thankfully he was able to prepare himself as he heard her softly yell "Harry!"
Giggling as he held her at arm's length she stated, "Looks like some things never change," pulling out her wand and pointing it at his eyes, "Oculus Reparo." Smiling Harry blinked, funny how he didn't even notice the crack in his lenses until after they were fixed. "Thanks again Mione"
"Come on, we should hurry, we don't want to miss Lucius trying to slip Ginny the diary!" Hermione said while pulling him back into the main alley. "Yeah, I guess I'll have to go thru the whole 'Lockhart' scenario again, otherwise the ferret won't have anything to whine about." Harry stated with a roll of his eyes.
Upon entering the shop Hermione waved to her parents who were having a conversation with Arthur, as Molly pulled Harry into a hug, "Oh thank-goodness you're alright, seems you went just one grate too far.." Molly continued to brush the soot off of Harry's traveling cloak as they heard the pompous DADA professor start in on his self-absorbed rant. Showtime, Harry thought to himself, turning around to catch the eye of Lockhart.
Just like before, Harry handed over his stack of books to Ginny as he had no intention on purchasing or owning any book written by the fraud, making his way to the front of the store Harry heard the all to familiar drawl of Draco 'the ferret' Malfoy, "You enjoyed that didn't you Potter", Harry suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and let the scene play out normally, the biggest difference was that Hermione had found Kingsley Shacklebolt in the alley, he was out conducting a standard patrol as today was a high traffic day for Hogwarts students; she had convinced him to follow her into the bookshop as she made a very convincing argument that Lockhart had just put a target on Harry, and that he would have problems leaving the shop. They thought this would be believable as Harry had yet to do anything to loose face with the public, Kingsley and Hermione had just walked up as Lucius went to place the book he took from Ginny's basket back, only this time Harry was watching closely. "Ginny! Don't move! Mr. Malfoy just put something in your basket and my scar is burning, that book must have something to do with Voldemort!" Harry's scar wasn't really burning, but the story about how Quirrell died last year had spread so he used that to his advantage, laying it on a bit thick Harry rubbed his scar and grunted a little bit.
That declaration had gotten Kingsley's attention, not only was he always very cautious when dealing with the senior Malfoy to begin with, but he too had heard all about Harry's first year at Hogwarts. Kingsley sent immobilization spells at both Ginny Weasley and Lucius Malfoy, as they were the main ones involved; carefully, he levitated the contents of the youngest Weasleys basket into view. Sure enough there was an additional book that hadn't been there before, the book itself appeared to be a diary and it was giving him the willies. You didn't have to be a highly trained wizard to notice the dark aurora coming off the diary, who ever T.M. Riddle was, he obviously didn't want you snooping around his diary.
Unsure of what the book would do if held, Kingsley sent off a Patronus asking for back-up, advising who he currently had in custody of a dark artifact, and who had pointed it out; knowing full well Bones herself would be coming. Next Kingsley asked the clerk at the bookshop if they could obtain a room, knowing Malfoy the way he did, he did not want the chance of any bad press being able to muck up any chance he had of making charges stick.
Arthur had insisted upon staying and sent the rest of his family on their way to continue shopping, Kingsley had asked Harry if he could remain as well, giving Arthur another excuse as he was currently in charge of Harry and Ginny. Making their way into a back room provided by the stout clerk, Kingsley placed Ginny in one chair and Lucius in another, both with the immobulus charm still in place. He wasn't going to be taking any chances, the Wizengamot might be fooled by his 'I was under the imperius' claim, but he never would, and to make sure he couldn't claim anything about slander poor little Ginny would need to remain frozen as well. Making eye contact with Arthur and receiving a nod, confirmed to him that the father understood his reasonings.
Amelia Bones had fought hard all throughout the war against Voldemort, she had lost all of her family except her niece Susan, and that was purely by luck, as she had agreed to watch the baby while her brother and his wife went out on their first date since she was born. With all that experience it was no wonder why she obtained the rank of Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Amelia was just getting ready to head out to meet Susan for lunch and get a little school shopping done when a silver Lynx Patronus came bounding into her office. Shacks deep steady voice started pouring out of the beautiful cat, this still took her by surprise sometimes, his patronus should have been a black panther or a gorilla something that would make more sense with that deep voice of his, pulled out of her amusing thought Amelia focused on the message. Lucius, Weasley, and Potter, what a combustible combination, still catching Lucius with anything linked to the dark arts and she would have to be there personally. Sighing she sent her own patronus, a beautiful silver lion, off to her niece advising her that they would have to push off getting her school supplies till after she was done with work. Susan would understand, she grew up with her aunt gone all the time due to work anyway. Thank Merlin for the Abbott family, they treated Susan like a second daughter, given that their daughter Hannah was Susan's best friend since practically birth that didn't seem to be too hard.
Amelia arrived at Flourish and Blotts and was immediately directed to the back room. Walking in she immediately felt the heavy presence of a very dark artifact, surprised by this, she shot Shack a questioning look waiting for him to give report. "Yes ma'am," Shack said without the need for an order, "I was just entering the bookshop as it was brought to my attention that Gilderoy Lockhart had pulled Mr. Potter here, rather unwillingly into the spotlight; thinking that he might need help then exiting the store, I came upon Mr. Malfoy here mocking Mr. Weasley about the state of his child's book." Kingsley took a moment to pause and place Ginny Weasleys' basket in front of Amelia. "I say book because when he was holding it up and inspecting it that was all it was, her basket was empty before he went to drop the book back in, Mr. Potter had noticed or rather felt, that there was something off and warned the young lady not to move." Looking towards Harry, Shack gave a slight nod and continued, "Mr. Potter seemed to be effected by something as he was rubbing his scar and looking a little peckish." Harry blushed as he didn't realize he had a physical reaction to the book. "I followed protocol by immobilizing the main suspects and removed everyone from prying eyes, after contacting the department for backup of course." Shack finished giving his report as Amelia levitated the diary closer for inspection.
"Ma'am," Harry said trying to put their plan in place, "That diary makes me feel exactly like I did when Voldemort was at school last year, Professor Dumbledore might have an idea who this T.M. Riddle is and why the book is effecting me so badly." Harry and Hermione had agreed that Dumbledore would have to remain in the picture, now they would never tell him about the time travel or the about their knowledge of the future, but both they and Harry's parents couldn't deny that Dumbledore was still the best person to have deal with the horcruxes, hoping that by including himself in the scenario by being some sort of 'detection unit' that Dumbledore would bring Harry into the fold earlier this time.
Amelia agreed with Harry's reasoning, Dumbledore did have the best knowledge on almost every magical person in Great Britain, seeing as he was first a teacher, now headmaster of the main magical school here in Britain. "I concur with your suggestion Mr. Potter and I shall have Professor Dumbledore meet up with Croaker, one of our Unspeakables at the Ministry after we get this whole mess sorted out." Harry had to really focus as he was jumping for joy inside that their plan, so far anyway, was going pretty much accordingly.
Amelia had Lucius Malfoy cuffed and placed into a ministry holding cell pending the investigation. Ginny was cleared as she literally had nothing to do with the case, except for being a victim of what was looking to be a malicious crime, and Harry was told to expect a letter calling him to be a witness if there was a trial. They were free to go, Harry couldn't wait to tell Hermione everything, now all they had to do was get her parents on board, get married and free Sirius; hopefully all before heading off to Hogwarts!
Walking out of the shop Harry was leading the way, Mr. Weasley had already sent his own patronus, a weasel, off to Molly to find out where they were. They were almost to Fortescue's Ice-cream Parlor when a bushy haired missile launched herself at Harry. Catching Hermione and pulling her close, Harry had to spin them both around to counteract the brute force of her slamming into him; Harry just laughed and carefully placed her back on the ground. "You were brilliant Harry, who's to say what could have happened to Ginny!" Hermione cheerfully said out loud while at the same time grabbing a shocked Ginny Weasley in a tight hug. "Sorry Gin, I know we don't really know each other yet but I feel like we do, I hope we get to be close friends this year at Hogwarts! I just love your family, even the twins!" Hermione made sure to specify the family and carefully avoided the topic of Ron, who was currently slapping Harry on the back, gratefully thanking him for potentially saving his sisters life.
Shocked at his heartfelt thanks, a shocked Harry fell right back into friend status and threw his arm around Ron's shoulder proclaiming no thanks were needed when among friends. Maybe if we change enough things, we can keep the Ron we thought we knew as a friend? Only time will tell, I guess. Harry not wanting to be rude walked over to where Hermione's parents were standing and extended out his hand to her father, "Hello sir, you must be Hermione's father, it's a pleasure to meet you! Sorry about all that excitement earlier, I promise I'm not a huge fan of being in the spotlight."
Shaking the young mans hand, Richard Granger eyed up the boy who was so heavily featured in his little girls letters, he seems polite enough, a bit scrawny and those clothes leave nothing to be desired, he thought, but didn't Hermione mention something about awful, abusive parents? No, guardians, that was it, his parents passed away when he was a mere babe. Being a dentist Richard has seen, and ultimately reported several cases to child's welfare through out the years, this young lad has obviously seen some hard times. Grabbing his wife's eye Richard nodded, as he introduced himself, "Pleasure to meet you young man, you are correct I am Hermione's father, Doctor Richard Granger but you may call me Mick, everyone else does," Smiling Richard tilted his head towards his wife, "And this beautiful lady is Hermione's mother, Doctor Jean Granger, she doesn't have a cool nick name like I do, so you may call her Jean" Smacking her husband Jean Granger corrected him, "Only himself and the boy's at the club call him Mick, the rest of us call him Mickey as his middle name is Michael. Nice to meet you Harry. Hermione has mentioned that she would like for us to offer you to stay with us this final week before school, we would love to if it is alright with the Weasley's" looking over towards Molly, Harry put on some puppy dog eyes and asked for permission.
Not wanting to disappoint Harry, the twins said they had to pull bars off his window for heaven's sake! Molly would never take away the chance of Harry having a normal childhood, and she knew her brood could be a lot to handle, even if you yourself came from a large family. Giving her permission, Molly asked Arthur to apparate Harry back to the Burrow so he could grab his things. Hermione not wanting to, but knowing that Ron knew nothing of the future, offered for him to join them. "Thanks Hermione, but I would rather stay at home and play wizards chess or fly around the pitch." Hermione shocked that Ron used manners, found herself wondering when he turn into the giant prat he was in the future, and how they could go about keeping this version of him?
Back in a holding cell Lucius was furious, how could his plan go so cockeyed? Blast that Potter brat to all hell, it must have been pure dumb luck that the mudblood found an Auror that Lucius couldn't payoff. How was he going to get himself out of this jam? Dumbledore was sure to know who T.M. Riddle was… being as obsessed with the Dark Lord as he was, maybe the Weasley family wasn't the best 'target' to pick as everyone knew they were a light family. Damn it, he hoped that his wife, Narcissa would have the forethought to be discrete as she bribed that fool of a minister to get him out of here.
Discrete was something that Narcissa Malfoy could most certainly do, when the situation called for it, this however, was something she had no mind to correct. Being from a dark pure-blood family as she was, Narcissa had a pretty good idea what that diary was, her cousin Regulus had warned her of the possibilities of the Dark Lord creating horcruxes; she was appalled that Lucius wanted to give that book to a child, no matter who's child that is. On top of that, that same child would then be in the same school as her Draco, who knew what havoc that book could do in the hands of a young witch. There were two things that every Black child learned growing up, Blacks always backed other Blacks, and children were to be protected. Not that all the Blacks followed that last one, her Aunt Walburga popping into her mind as one of her least favorite people on the planet, followed closely by what her older sister Bellatrix became.
No, Narcissa was going to leave Lucius sit right where he belonged, she often wondered if her oldest sister didn't have the right idea to begin with, being a Malfoy was okay, as she often got to do as she pleased, run the household, organize charity balls, host galas… but to be an equal to someone, now wouldn't that be marvelous?
Narcissa sent Draco home to have supper, explaining that she had to finish some things up for a charity event she was holding later that month, after she had seen him off with the assistance of an elf, Narcissa made her way back into the alley. Her shopping could wait for a bit longer, a stop into Amelia's office to let her know what she was getting herself into, yes, she thought, that would have to come first.
Amelia was just thinking that today couldn't get any crazier when the orb on her desk went off, her secretary Jo's voice ringing out that she had a visitor, sighing she asked who it was that was here to see her so late. Jo's normally chipper voice now came off as questioning, "It's Mrs. Malfoy, Ma'am." Narcissa? What in the devil does that woman want?
Narcissa and Amelia were friends at Hogwarts, every Slytherin had a Hufflepuff… didn't they? The two were actually quite close, up until the war divided them. Amelia with her family firmly on the path of light and Narcissa's family being as dark as their last name. She knew that Lucius had the Minister of Magic in his pocket, she also knew Narcissa knew better than to try and buy her. Curious as to what Cissy was trying to pull, Amelia let Jo know to send her in. Walking in Narcissa knew she would have to dispel any doubts Amelia had right away, "Ami darling, its been far too long!"
"Yes it has Cissy, what can I do for you?" wanting to be polite, but also firm that she wasn't a person that one could buy, Amelia made sure to settle for a shake of the hand instead of the hug and kiss to the cheek like they used to do.
"Oh for the love of Salazar, would you relax Ami, I promise you I'm not here to beg, nor buy you to release my husband. The git deserves every ounce of weight the law can throw at him." Narcissa explained to the now shocked face of Amelia Bones. Laughing Narcissa continued, "I know that this must come as a big surprise, but I was never made to follow a man who would put hundreds of children in danger just so some half-blooded, megalomaniac could return from the dead and haunt my nightmares once more."
Amelia, now thoroughly shocked, had a million questions running through her mind but none of them would come out, she was quite thoroughly stunned into place, even allowing her ever present monocle to fall from her eye. Giggling a little giggle Narcissa clued her friend in, "Ami, just because I was forced to marry the man doesn't change who I am. I am still the same girl you were friends with in school, though I would like to think I matured a little bit." Blushing at the memories of them chasing older boys, Narcissa got back to the point. "Lucius has changed too, at the beginning he wasn't so bad, it was when his father Abraxas passed that Lucius turned into the prat he is today. He wanted so badly to follow in his father's footsteps that he ran to his master and requested the dark mark." Stopping due to Amelia letting out a gasp, Narcissa asked that all questions be held until she had completed her tale, seeing Ami nod she continued on, "Yes, Lucius willing took the dark mark, at least to my knowledge he did." Raising her sleeves to show both her forearms, "I refused, thankfully I had the perfect built in excuse… Draco. No one knew what the mark would do to a woman with child, so I was saved from being forced into a life a servitude. Even after Draco was born, I kept away from the meetings and gatherings so as not to draw attention to myself, I was born a Black, and Blacks follow no one." Narcissa said this with enough emotion that Amelia knew everything she was saying was true, "I could never come out and say it at the trials, there was too great a chance that Lucius could buy or talk his way out of anything, I would have been confined to the manor and never allowed in public after that."
Amelia could see where Narcissa was coming from, it was true though wasn't it, Lucius did buy and talk his way out of a prison sentence. But from everything she heard today, Amelia still couldn't promise her old friend that he would finally get what was coming to him. "You know he still has the ear of the Minister" Narcissa put words to Amelia's thought process.
"That's definitely true, so what made you step forward today? Aren't you putting yourself in the same position you would have then?" Amelia asked. Without skipping a beat Narcissa said the one thing that made Amelia believe that she had her friend back for good, "He put the children in danger."
Amelia shook her head, it was something they both had always had in common, their love of children. With that Amelia started putting together a plan to keep Lucius in a jail cell until she could, without a shred of doubt, convict him for all his crimes and she knew just who would work best with the plan she was brewing… Looking towards Narcissa she was going to ask, even though it wasn't needed, "I have a plan, are you willing to help me?"
Narcissa just smiled, yes, it was good to have her sister in all but blood back.
Harry was a happy man, er… boy, he had just gotten done putting a few things away in a beautiful armoire that was in the guest bedroom that he was now occupying, he was only going to be there a week after all. He was just finishing up when Hermione walked in and took a seat on his bed, "Today couldn't have gone much smoother, could it?" she questioned as he rummaged thru his trunk. Nodding Harry added his own thoughts, "Thank-god you brought Shack, he's probably one of the only aurors who isn't afraid of good ole' Lucius."
"That was my plan, I didn't know if Tonks would rank high enough being as she would have just graduated from training, she probably has some sort of crappy job within the department. Shack was really the only other auror I knew without a doubt was on our side." Harry was shocked, he had forgotten how close in age Tonks was to them having graduated Hogwarts the year before they started school. "You're amazing Mione, you truly are." Harry said while sitting down next to her on the bed. "When do you think we should bring your parents into the fold? They seemed receptive to me when we met, do you think we should do it before or after we bond?" When Harry said the word 'bond' it was like a swarm of butterflies all took flight at the same time in Hermione's stomach.
Nervous about telling her parents, Hermione thought it would be better to beg for forgiveness then ask for permission in this case. "I think we should bond first, that way if it goes badly…" She didn't want to say it out loud, she knew Harry would have to alter their memories as she couldn't stand to point a wand at her parents again, it was hard enough the first go around. Harry just nodded and gave her a hug, even without the bond there was normally no need for words to get in the way. Harry knew it would hurt Hermione to have to wipe her parent's memories again, this more than anything left him praying that they wouldn't have to deal with that this go around.
Ever since they had left Diagon Alley they started to hold hands, her parents noticed this right away, as they weren't trying very hard to hide their feelings for one another, they did that for far to long already. Knowing that their daughter had a hard time making friends, never mind ever thinking she would have a boyfriend this soon, they didn't stop or make a big fuss about this development. Harry seemed to be a polite young lad, and if he made their daughter happy, then so be it. That didn't mean that they weren't going to lay down some ground rules though, one of which was if they were in each other's room the door would always remain open. Given their ages, they didn't expect anything scandalous to happen, but they wanted to set the precedent early on.
Richard was finishing setting up the table, he could hear from the dinning room the two kids upstairs giggling at something and that made his heart expand. Hermione has never had, nor even asked for, a friend to spend the holiday at their home before, to hear her giggling and acting like a normal child instead of holed up in her room with a dusty tomb was a nice change of pace. He was just walking up the stairs to call them down for dinner when it happened, a bright golden light was pouring out from Harry's bedroom, the feel of euphoria could be felt as he started to run up the stairs, whatever what happening, he knew it couldn't be bad, but he ran anyway.
Hermione was nibbling on her bottom lip again, nervous about kissing Harry. They had been friends for so long, and she had suppressed her feelings for him for almost just as long, she couldn't hold it in anymore, she let out a long, loud, belly laugh. Harry raising an eyebrow at his soon to be wife was curious at what made her bust out laughing… he didn't think that he said anything funny enough to warrant that kind of reaction? "Mione, are you okay?" he asked cautiously. "Oh Harry, I'm fine" she said while gasping for breath, "I was just thinking how silly it was to be so nervous over giving you a simple kiss, I have loved you for forever, and I know you love me back, why then should I feel so nervous?" To say Harry was shell shocked would be an understatement. "Forever? Hermione?" Harry thought back through the years, he too had felt and instant connection with the girl when she was helping Neville find his toad that first day on the express, but he didn't think that she felt anything towards him up until very recently. "Oh you silly man," she laughed and then proceeded to quote something she said way back in first year… or he supposed just a few months ago, "Me! Books! And Cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery and – oh Harry – be careful." Nodding, even after all this time he still remembered her saying that, she continued, "Harry, I meant to say love! Friendship and bravery and love! Of course, I would love you after you rescued me from the biggest bloody troll I've ever seen!"
And with that said she leaned in and placed what was meant to be a small sweet kiss on his lips, but the moment that their lips touched, a bright golden aura surrounded them and filled the room, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Hermione felt the earth spin and melted into the kiss; her mind completely blank as a calmness took over them both.
Breaking off the kiss, they sat still and stared into each other's eyes as they rested their foreheads against each other, that is until Richard burst thru the open doorway nearly out of breath, looking around for whatever had caused the golden light.
Looking at her fathers bewildered expression as he frantically looked around the room, Hermione fell off the bed, grabbing her stomach as she was once again laughing so hard that she was snorting.
"Will someone tell me just what in Gods name is going on in here!" Richard all but yelled, still frantically searching for the source of the golden light he saw from the bottom of the stairs.
"I think we should go downstairs and sit down at the table with Mom first, then we will tell you everything we know." Hermione said once she was once again under control from her giggles.
'I can't believe I'm married to Hermione! Holy shit! I must be one of the luckiest men alive!' Harry thought while sitting at the dinner table in a daze, waiting for Hermione to finish helping her mom bring in the meal. 'Language love, and remind me to reward you for that thought later' Hermione's voice said inside his head. Shocked Harry stared off towards the kitchen where he knew Hermione was, 'you can hear my thoughts?'Harry thought again hoping he wasn't imagining things.
'Your dad did say one of the advantages of being a bonded couple could include telepathy remember? I guess we will just have to test out and see what other things we gained in the process later, right now I'm heading toward you with the shepherd's pie.' As soon as she said that the kitchen door opened and just like she said Hermione walked in with a big casserole dish of delicious smelling shepherd's pie.
After everyone was seated with a big helping of food, Richard asked once more, "Okay, we are all here, now what in the world was that golden light that was shooting out of Harry's bedroom?"
"Golden light? Dear are you feeling okay?" Jean asked while reaching up to feel her husband's forehead.
"No Mom, Dad is correct, something happened up in Harry's room, we knew it was going to happen and wanted to tell you but were afraid at how you would take it." Just as Hermione said this, two owls flew in thru the open window off the patio and landed right in front of Harry. Hermione offered the owls a little bit of her meal as Harry read thru the letters they were carrying. 'Well its official, one letter is from Gringotts asking to see me about my change in status, the other is from the Ministry of Magic congratulating us on our marriage. We should probably see Amelia sooner rather than later about this, do you think we can trust her?' Harry thought this was an amazing way of communicating, it was fast, easy and best of all nobody would be able to eaves drop. 'You're probably right love, but we need to finish the conversation here first, these letters should provide enough proof for my parents, it's a shame we didn't realize that the ministry would find out so quickly, you know there are more leaks in that building than a straw hat holding water!' laughing at Hermione's joke only seemed to agitate her parents as they were basically left hanging after Hermione's last statement. "I'm sorry Jean, these letters I just received will kind of help us explain everything to you." Harry paused and let Hermione take the lead on this, she knew them best after all, he just didn't think she would be so blunt, "Mom … Dad, Harry and I are a soul bonded couple and in the eyes of the magical community we are married. We knew about this before it happened, and we had just chosen to complete our bond upstairs, that's what caused the golden light that Dad saw." Hermione explained.
"And what did you 'do' per say to complete this bond of yours young lady?" Jean asked rather taken aback.
"MOOOOOOOOM" Hermione whined, "It's nothing like that at all! All we had to do to complete the bond was share a kiss!" If Harry thought the blush that covered Hermione's face was bright, he could only imagine his own at what Mrs. Granger had implied. 'well this is fun' Harry thought, and Hermione smacked his arm.
"What did you mean by, you knew about it before it happened?" questioned Richard.
"That's the next bit that is going to be kind of hard to explain…" Hermione said while trying to think of the best way to approach the whole 'traveled back in time' thing.
"Just blurt it out dear, and we will ask questions to clarify anything that we need." Suggested Jean.
Taking a deep breath Hermione dived in, "Well as of this morning, when I woke up in the backseat of the car when we arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, I didn't just wake up from a nap, I… actually we" pointing at between Harry and herself, "have been given the chance to travel back in time to correct several things that created mass chaos in the universe." Seeing that her parents where either frozen in disbelief or thinking they need to check their daughter into a psychologist, Hermione continued. "Up until this morning I was an eighteen, nearly nineteen-year-old woman who had just gotten married by accident. I was undergoing a ritual to get an annulment when Harry and I found ourselves in a limbo like state, meeting his parents for the first time." Hermione stopped to see if her parents had any questions so far.
Richard, who remembered how he felt when he saw the golden light shooting out of Harry's bedroom, found himself believing this crazy tale that his daughter was spinning; Jean, however, was unusually upset.
"Hermione Jean Granger, what do you mean you were married by accident?! What the hell is an annulment ritual? And if you were going thru with one, why get married again?"
Hermione, shocked that her mom had cussed, seemed to have caught onto why her mother was so mad.
"Mom! Harry and I were not married by accident. I was coerced into marrying Ron when I was eighteen not Harry! The annulment ritual was done because Ron gave me a potion that messed with my memory, he basically conned me into marrying him, I never wanted to marry him!" Hermione was shaking at this point, as she found herself angry at Ron all over again. Harry sensing this grabbed her hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Ron? That red headed boy we met in the ally today?" Richard who was now back on track with his wife asked.
"Yes" Harry answered before Hermione to give her a chance to cool down. "We were kind of shocked that he seemed so different when we came back, almost like he didn't become the person we despised in the future." Sighing he finished, "I still don't know what to do about him, there is a small chance that we can change enough of the past to alter the outcome of his radical change in attitude, but I'm not going to be focused on that, there are many other people and things that need to be changed. We lost several good friends and family to the war that is coming up in the future."
"You guys included" Hermione said in a near whisper.
Gasping Jean asked the question she dreaded hearing the answer to, "We… we died Hermione?"
"Oh, heavens no, I never put you guys in danger," stumbling on her words Hermione knew she had to tell them what she did, she knew they would be angry with her, but at least they were alive. "I wiped me from your memories and sent you off to live in Australia thinking you were Wendell and Monica Wilkins." She said so quietly both elder Grangers had to lean in to hear her.
Sensing that Hermione was near her breaking point, Harry barged his way into the conversation before anyone else could speak, "What she did was brave beyond any doubt, and she fully intended to track you guys down and reverse the spell after the war, however we had several things to do before we could come find you. We had multiple funerals to attend to, and as Hermione stated she was basically drugged into marrying Ron, even though it was killing her not to have you walk her down the aisle Mick" Harry used Richards nickname in hopes of bringing a familiarity to his words. It seemed to have worked.
"Oh Hermione," Jean said with tears in her eyes, "That must have been horrible for you!" Getting up and wrapping Hermione in an embrace, Hermione let go of the tears she was desperately trying to hold back.
"Shhhhh now baby, its okay, it never happened now, we are here" Jean tried to soothe her daughter, the food on the table was long ago forgotten.
Harry pulled his wand out from his pocket and cast a spell on the meal to put it in stasis. Shocked at his display of magic Richard questioned, "I thought you weren't allowed to do magic outside of school Harry?"
Pulling back from her mothers embrace Hermione answered her fathers' question, "When we became bonded, we were married in the eyes of the ministry, therefore they consider us adults, allowing us to perform magic outside of school."
"You mean we finally get to see what you have learned at that school of yours Hermione?" Her mother asked.
"Sure, actually there is one thing that we need to do before we forget. Harry?" Hermione gave him a pointed look. 'Ah yes thank you love, I almost forgot' Harry thought lovingly. Pulling out his wand once more Harry pointed it straight up in the air and repeated the words his father gave him, "I, Harry James Potter, do here by claim the Head of House Potter, as I am heir to James Fleamont Potter and have right by blood. So mote it be." With the end of his line a brilliant flash of white surrounded Harry, as it died down a golden ring with a Griffin on it adorned his pinky finger. Smiling Harry turned and showed Hermione his ring.
Clapping both Grangers had wide eye expressions on their face. "Wow! That was so pretty!" Jean said with a smile.
"So you believe our tale then?" Hermione questioned nervously. "As crazy as your story is, and as much as I don't want to believe it," Jean paused to look towards her husband, his nod was all she needed, "we can't deny the proof you have given us, in both the letters and your magic. Not to mention the way you both talk, and act, is so drastically different than the twelve-year-old we woke up this morning." Laughing as she watched her now married daughter blush. "I just hope that you two remember your current ages, and don't make me a grandmother this young!"
That was Harry's cue to glow crimson as he choked on his water that he had just taken a drink of. "MOTHER!" Hermione gasped, "was that really called for?" Hermione sputtered.
"Of course not dear, that's what made it so much fun." Laughing at his wife's playful side, Richard thought she was taking this way better than he would have believed, in fact he was shocked at how well HE was taking everything. Hermione, his baby girl, his pride and joy, was married at twelve years old, and he wasn't even mad! He guessed it had something to do with the feeling of euphoria he felt earlier. Either way, he was going to live life to the fullest and accept the old motto of 'you are not losing a daughter but gaining a son'. He always wanted a son after all, and Harry seemed like a damn good kid.
The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was just sitting down at his desk getting ready to go over some paperwork when there was a knock at his door. As it was after hours, his secretary was not around to screen his visitors, so Cornelius simply yelled for whoever was on the other side of the door to enter; praying it wasn't anything too important, he really did want to get home soon.
Narcissa entered the Ministers office, closing the door behind her as she confidently walked up to Fudge's desk. "Good evening Minister" Narcissa practically cooed.
"Ah, Narcissa my dear, what brings you by my office this late in the evening, nothing troubling I hope?" Cornelius stated hopefully.
"I bring disturbing news to you, dear Cornelius." Narcissa started, "Lucius was arrested earlier today for possession of a deadly dark artifact and attempted endangerment of the children of Hogwarts due to the same artifact."
Startled, but not completely shocked, Cornelius thought that this night just got longer by a few hours. "I'm so sorry Narcissa, I wasn't informed. I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding and we can get this all worked out." Reaching out towards his orb to call Madame Bones, Narcissa stopped him. "On the contrary sir, I believe he is where he deserves. I have simply come here tonight to warn you about your known association with my husband, and perhaps help you."
Seeing the fear in his eyes Narcissa knew she almost had Fudge right where she wanted him. "You see dear Cornelius, my husband was caught red handed trying to hand over this deadly dark artifact to head of a departments daughter," Fudge paled at her words, this was not good, he thought. "That was not his only mistake however, he was caught by Harry Potter, and arrested by Kingsley Shacklebolt. Both of which have outstanding accreditation to the magical society. Kingsley with his honor and fairness, and Harry Potter with his victory over the Dark Lord." Fudge gulped rather loudly. Those were two big names in the magical community. "I myself, have been coerced by Lucius on many occasions, I will not allow myself or my son to go down with him for this." Narcissa spat, then softened her voice once more, "I couldn't see someone as dedicated to our family as you have been, go down with my git of a husband. I have come to offer my support for you to do what is right in this case. I wouldn't want you to lose your esteemed position over my husbands idiotic plan." Narcissa could see that her words were doing exactly as she wanted them to do, Fudge was now eating out of the palm of her hand at the thought of losing his comfy ministerial job.
"I thank-you my dear, you always had a better head for politics than your husband. I will most definitely make sure that his crimes do not go unpunished." Knowing quite well Narcissa's love of children, Cornelius sweetened the pot a little bit more, or so he thought he did, "We can't have him get away with the attempted harm of our societies children, Draco falls into the category after all." Smiling Narcissa thanked the Minister of Magic for his kind consideration of her son and left the office, what a gullible git he is, but at least he's my gullible git and I didn't even have to pay him to be so.
Harry and Hermione sat and talked for several hours with Hermione's parents about all different kinds of things, the future, their hopes and dreams, the plans they had thought up with Harry's parents. Hermione felt grateful that her parents took the news so well, in all honesty she thought they would have had a bigger fight on their hands. Harry had picked up a book earlier at Flourish and Blotts about soul bonds knowing Hermione's parents, like herself, were avid readers. He thought that maybe having a book on what they shared would not only help them, but also settle some fears Mick and Jean might have too.
It was actually Jean who discovered the passage that explained the need for physical contact, which explained the need they had to be close to one another. Both decided to head to bed early that night, as it was not only a very long, tiring day, but Harry had to move his stuff from the guest room into Hermione's room. I can't believe I was given permission to sleep with Hermione! Harry thought, completely forgetting that Hermione could still hear him. Listening to her giggle again after he thought that Harry felt obligated to say, "I guess this whole hearing my inner most thoughts thing is going to take some getting used to?" Harry said while shrugging his shoulders. "I'm sure there is a way to 'mute' our thoughts to each other, almost like a form of occlumency." Hermione mused. "Oh well, add it to the check list, will you dear?" Harry said with a yawn.
"Sure dear, right after Gringotts, Amelia, and freeing Sirius." Hermione said as she herself yawned.
'Godric, we have a lot to do tomorrow' thought Harry. "Yes we do, we should get some sleep now," Hermione said out loud to Harry's internal thought.
Handing his glasses to Hermione, who placed them on the nightstand next to her, Harry pulled Hermione tight up against him as he buried his face in her sweet smelling bushy hair that he loved so much.
'Good night Mione, I love you' … 'I love you too, Harry."
And with that the newly married Potters fell soundly asleep.