What Is Your Problem: Revealed – Rating T
Chapter 01 – The Contracts
Summary – Part 3 of the What is Your Problem series, Hannah confronts Harry over him ignoring her. Harry discovers something his parents left him with and evidence comes to light that helps the chances of Sirius Black. AU Forth Year. Disregards OotP/HBP/DH
Pairings – Hannah/Harry/Hermione
Warnings – Contains Swearing and mild violence throughout
-The Problem-
Defence Against The Dark Arts Corridor, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland
20th November 1994
Hannah Abbott was incensed, not because the attitude shown by some of her fellow members of Hufflepuff house, but instead, it was one specific Gryffindor but drew her ire. She was angry because of the amount of times that she had tried to get the attentions of one Harry James Potter, who would, seemingly, ignore her. She was waiting outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom for the teacher, Professor Moody, to arrive when she saw her quarry, followed by his lapdog Hermione Granger.
Hannah waked up to Harry and slapped him. "Why Potter? Why are you constantly ignoring me? Just tell me what is your problem? Is it because I'm not good looking enough? Or is it that you prefer that bucktoothed beaver that follows you around named Granger?" she said, slapping him again, "Or do you not care about the betrothal contract our parents made when we were babies?"
"Erm...erm...what contract?" Harry said, rubbing his cheek where Hannah slapped him. "Nobody told me about any contract or anything about any betrothals. If I had known anything about any betrothal contract, I would have approached you soon after finding out. And even though you did, there was no need to keep slandering my godfather and I these last two years. Then there were the slaps you just gave me for no reason. What was that for? And then you insult Hermione too? Do you wonder why I ignore you? It's because you can be a real vindictive bitch."
Hannah looked at where she had hit Harry, dipped her head and started to cry. 'I've gone and screwed it all up now. Mother isn't going to be happy with me. If Harry has the contract cancelled, they'll kill me. If only I hadn't sided with Ernie and Sally-Ann," she thought, stepping back. She lifted her head up to look at Harry. "I'm...I'm...I'm so sorry Harry. You must have heard me talking to Ernie and Sally-Ann at various times about the Heir of Slytherin and the Chamber of Secrets saga? And your Godfather? You mean that Sirius Black, the person who Minister Fudge has called a 'convicted mass-murderer', is your Godfather?" Hannah suddenly stopped and thought for a second. She then realised what Harry and Hermione were saying.
"If Sirius Black is your Godfather, as you say he is, then he wouldn't have been able to betray your parents to You-Know-Who. That means that he wouldn't have been their Secret Keeper?" Hannah continued, fingering her hair. "Hang on…if Sirius Black is you Godfather then he wouldn't have been able to betray your parents to You-Know-Who as he would be dead before he was caught by anyone. That means Amelia Bones, Susan's aunt, was unable to marry her betrothed because he was in jail for something that he didn't do? And that means someone else was the Secret Keeper!"
"It was Peter Pettigrew who was the Secret Keeper." Harry said, angry with himself for not getting the rat when he had the chance. "Unfortunately Wormtail is still alive. He even spent time here in the last couple of years in his form as a rat animagus as the pet of Ron Weasley."
"Wormtail…that's the bastard who was involved in the murder of my father and my brother." Hannah said, getting angry at what she had remembered. "Mom said that she remembered one of the Death Eaters refer to one of his friends as Wormtail. Fortunately for her, she managed to kill the one with a knife that my Grandfather used when he was in the Muggle Armed services."
"I bet Padfoot would love to see Madam Bones again, and possibly continue their relationship," Hermione said, winking at Harry, "Lets skip Moody and visit the Headmaster. I think it is time to get Sirius a trial!"
"Bloody hell, will miracles never cease? Hermione Granger skipping a class!" Susan Bones, Hannah's friend who was standing right behind the trio, said, clearly in shock. "I never thought I would see the day!"
"Same here Susan, in the four years that I have known her, I have never seen Hermione openly admit to missing a class!"
Headmasters Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland
20th November 1994
Harry, Hannah and Hermione walked into the office of Professor Dumbledore, having been granted access to it by the stone gargoyle that guards the office, where they saw him sitting at his desk, filling in various pieces of parchment required of him being Headmaster of Hogwarts. He stopped when he saw his visitors arrive in the office
"Ah, Harry, my boy," he said, smiling at the person who he thought would be a surrogate Grandson. "What brings you, Miss Abbott and Miss Granger here when you should be in Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
"Two things Professor. Firstly we may have a witness or two to prove the innocence of Sirius." Harry said, smiling, "That, and a witness who can paint Peter Pettigrew as a Death Eater."
"Who?" Dumbledore said, glad that he could help his favourite student.
"Madam Bones, who was betrothed to Sirius, could prove his innocence." Harry answered, hoping that Dumbledore could help him, allowing him to be free of the Dursleys. "Hannah's mother can point out that Wormtail was a Death Eater as he was involved in the murder of her father and brother."
"That is interesting Harry. With that, I can arrange for Sirius to stand trial, especially if the Head of the DMLE can support him." Dumbledore said, smiling. "Was there anything else Harry?"
"Actually Professor there is. Apparently I have learnt that I am subject to a betrothal contract" Harry said, confused as before today, he had nether heard about anything like it before. "Is there a way that I can find out about if there was one?"
"Certainly my boy," Dumbledore said, heading to the fireplace. He lit it so it would be ready to Floo from. "Gringotts holds copies of all betrothal contracts that are in existence. If you come with me, we could find out for you."
Hannah looked at Harry, then Dumbledore, questioning them with her eyes. Dumbledore noticed her and said, "You are to come too Miss Abbott and Miss Granger. Though Muggle-borns aren't usually involved in betrothal contracts, I do know a couple of parents of Muggle-borns did make them during the First War with Purebloods in order to protect their family."
Eventually the four of them went through the fireplace, in order to Floo to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Banking Hall, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Diagon Alley, London, England
20th November 1994
'Goblins are curious things.' Harry thought as he arrived in the Banking Hall at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. He had to quickly move out of the way of the fireplace in the Banking Hall, lest Albus Dumbledore knock him over upon his exit!
Once the four of them had arrived, Dumbledore led them over to the nearest available teller. "Good morning honoured Goblin, I would like to seek audience with the Head of Accounts for the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, in order to discuss a matter of mutual interest."
"Wait here," the teller said, scurrying off to check on the Head of Accounts availability. After a short while, the goblin teller returned with another Goblin, one who looked angry.
"I am Kicktail, the Head of Accounts for the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter." Kicktail said, growling. "It is about time that the next Lord Potter turned up here. I have been waiting for the last three and a bit years for him to turn up."
Harry looked at Hannah and Dumbledore, completely confused about the statement that Kicktail had made.. 'What does he mean, waiting for Lord Potter?'
"Follow my lead" Hannah whispered in Harry's ear, to which he nodded slightly. She turned to Kicktail who was getting even more annoyed. "Honoured Account Manager Kicktail, we have come today because Lord Potter wishes to enquire about any open betrothal contracts that he is subject to." She said, hoping that he would help.
"Is Lord Potter incapable of speaking to me?" the Goblin replied, annoyed at the impertinence of the girl.
"Account Manager Kicktail, Lord Potter is unaware of our ways, mainly due to a mistake that I made years ago, placing him with his Muggle relatives, Vernon and Petunia Dursley." Dumbledore said, realising that he had messed up thirteen years ago. "Anyway Account Manager Kicktail, would you be able to assist Lord Potter in his enquiry."
Kicktail took a few minutes to contemplate the information and then broke into a grin. "Luckily for you, I have got the information that you require. It seems that the previous Lord Potter, James Potter, made two betrothal agreements, both of which was signed in blood, meaning they are binding." He handed over two files to Dumbledore and Harry. "One was to betroth him to the daughter of a Muggle and a Squib, the Squib being Adam Granger, with the Muggle being named Sophie Jones. Between them they had a daughter who they named Hermione. She would become the Lady Potter when the two of them get married. The second contract was with Lord Matthias Abbott and Sarah Spinnet, who married and had their daughter, Hannah." Kicktail continued, explaining the files.
"Now, I presume that these two ladies are the two mentioned in the betrothal contracts." He continued, referring to Hermione and Hannah. They nodded in the affirmative so Kicktail continued, "According to the contract, it was initially made to make Miss Abbott the new Lady Peverell, however because of the death of Lord Abbott and his Heir Apparent, the contract converted itself to a Line Continuance Contract, making Miss Abbott the Consort of Lord Potter upon their marriage. This means that any children that Miss Abbott has will enable the Ancient and Most Noble House of Abbott to continue. Furthermore, the contracts allow Lord Potter to take control of the votes and properties that House Abbott controls until the next Lord Abbott becomes of Age."
"So it's just the two contracts then?" Hermione asked Kicktail, who nodded back to her in reply. "It is a good job that I fell in love with Harry in Third Year!"
Harry looked at Hermione, his moth bobbing open and closed in shock. He had to pinch himself as he thought he was dreaming. He turned to Hermione and smiled. "You mean…you mean I don't have to be a noble git and hide my feeling for you, feeling I had since I sat next to you in the Hospital Wing when you were petrified. I know I have never known love, but I know my feelings for you are different for you are different to what I would for say Parvati or Lavender."
After a while, the three teens left Gringotts to head back to Hogwarts, whereas Dumbledore had to leave on a mission, this one was a mission of importance.
Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland
21st November 1994
Harry walked out of the boy's dormitory to see Hermione sitting on a couch by the fire in the Common Room. He walked over to her, kissing her on the cheek in greeting. "Do you feel better now my love?" he said, hoping she was a bit calmer than the previous night. "I know you could kill that jerk over last night. I felt like smothering his head with a pillow the way he snores!" They were in the middle of a Floo conversation with Sirius discussing the betrothal contracts and the TriWizard Tournament when Ron Weasley, who was being a total jerk to Harry over the Tournament, accused Harry of acting as if he was being in an interview.
"Shhh…I'm alright my love, I just wanted to see you. I am glad that you have admitted your feelings for me." Hermione said, getting up off the couch. She stood next to Harry, holding his hand. "You know what Harry, I really want to taste those lips of yours again."
Harry decided to dive in and kiss Hermione when he heard the sound of Ron coming down the stairs from the dorms to the Common Room. Instead of pulling out, he deepened the kiss when suddenly…
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING POTTER KISSING MY GIRL? HERMIONE IS MINE AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!" Ron shouted, punching Harry in the face. Hermione moved Harry away from Ron and tended to her betrothed.
She looked at Ron, glaring at him. The way she was glaring at him, if looks could kill, Ron would have been dead! "Firstly Ronald, I'm a human being, not something you could own!" Hermione said, holding onto Harry. "And secondly I am betrothed to Harry, thanks to our parents making that choice when we were babies, meaning that you have never stood a chance with me, even if I wanted to date you!"
Harry got up and went over to his former friend, annoyed with Ron's attitude. ""You dare hit me, or touch in any way either of my betrothed, you will have the might of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter upon you!" With that, Harry punched the redhead.
Neville came down the stairs, smiling at Harry. He went over to Ron and punched him. "Let that be a lesson to you Weasley. You mess with one Ancient and Most Noble House and you risk the wrath of another. A Longbottom always stands with a Potter, and don't you forget that!"
Harry smiled at Neville, nodding to him in thanks for the bit of help that he, Susan and Hannah had given to him. Neville turned to Harry and smiled at him. "Congratulations on your betrothal Lord Potter," he said, shaking Harry's hand. Suddenly he started laughing for no reason. "Now that is the pompous bit over and done with, I think Gran would be proud of me standing up for her Great-Nephew against a jerk like Ron Weasley!"
"Great-Nephew?" Harry asked, confused about Neville's statement. "What do you mean by that?"
"You see Harry, your Grandfather, Fleamont Potter, was the older brother of my Gran, Augusta Longbottom, so as your father was her nephew, that makes you her great-nephew." Neville explained, smiling. "Technically making us second cousins because of a common ancestor, Henry Potter, who is our Great-Grandfather. Ironically, both of us are descended from Ignotus Peverell via two methods, both of us via Henry Potter and Peverell's oldest Granddaughter, Iolanthe Peverell, and me via his younger Great-Granddaughter, Charlotta Peverell. The Peverells were also known as the Three Brothers."
"You mean that those are the Three Brothers in 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard.'" Hermione asked excitingly.
"What is 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'?" Harry asked, unsure, as he had never heard of it.
Neville looked at Hermione and Harry, then smiled. "Harry, you know your cloak that is in your trunk, can you bring it here?" he asked excitingly as he could teach Harry something he did not know. "Hermione, can you get a copy of the story please so I can explain it all." Harry and Hermione left the Common Room to collect the items that Neville asked for. To say that they would be shocked after reading the story was to be an understatement!
-The Problem-
A/N –Based on characters and themes introduced in the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Her rights as Author are respected.
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Coming Up in Chapter 2 – Rita Skeeter sticks her oar in and the two ladies decide on a plan of action for the Yule Ball…