Chapter 1: Let the Bonding Begin
After the reveal of Barty Crouch Jr., Harry goes in search of his Friends. When he finds them, Ron and Hermione look like they are arguing, the twins Fred and George are comforting Ginny, who hadn't seen a dead body before. But before he can join them, Albus grabs him and brings him to the Minister. "Harry, I would like to introduce you to the Minister of Magical Britain, Cornelius Fudge. Cornelius I would like to –" "What happened tonight Mr. Potter?" Fudge interrupted Dumbledore "Who killed the boy?"
"Now Minister, this is not the time to discuss such matters, we should move this conversation to my off-" Albus was almost finished when Harry interrupted "No Headmaster, he need to hear it, just like everyone needs to hear it. Voldemort is back. He told Pettigrew to kill Cedric." "Now see here boy, You-know-who is not back, he was defeated back in '81" said the Minister not believing what Harry was telling him.
Dumbledore leaned over to whisper in Harry's ear "Harry, I believe you, why don't you go join your friends and I will deal with the Minister." Harry nods slowly and starts to walk away. As Harry got closer Hermione spotted him and ran over to him, giving him, a rib crushing hug as she went to place a kiss on his cheek he turned his head toward her and their lips met softly. When their lips connected a dull white light encircled them, they felt the need to continue and the longer the kiss lasted the brighter the light surrounding them got. When they stopped to catch their breathes. They noticed that everyone was looking in their direction.
"What in Merlin's name was that about?" shouted Ginny. "Ms. Weasley calm yourself." McGonagall said, then turned to Harry and Hermione "Both of you to Madam Pomfrey to see if she has any idea what that is about." "Right we will Professor." Said Hermione as she grabbed Harry's hand and began dragging him to the hospital wing.
As they were about to reach the hospital wing Harry stopped Hermione. "What was that for?" he asked as she turned toward him. "What was what for?" she replied with a slight blush. "You know what, what was that kiss for Hermione?" he told her getting the feeling she was trying to change the subject. "I am not sure. You just looked like you could use a little cheering up." "What spell did you cast when giving me the kiss?" asked Harry "Don't get me wrong when I say that it was not enjoyable, I am just worried that whatever spell was cast might not be reversible and that might be bad for one or both of us." Hermione looked at Harry and stated "I didn't cast any spell, I don't know what is going on just like you. Maybe we should hurry to Madam Pomfrey to find out what happened to us." With that said they walked through the doorway of the hospital to see Madam Pomfrey. "Mr. Potter what have you done now to deserve my care. I swear I should put your name on a bed permanently." Madam Pomfrey approached with a smile on her face when she saw the two of them.
"Well Madam Pomfrey, I tried to cheer Harry up after the task this evening by first giving him a hug then I tried to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head." She blushed as she continued "Our lips connected and there was a bright light that got brighter the longer our lips stayed connected."
"McGonagall thought that it might have been a spell, so we come to see what kind of spell and if it could be reversed." Harry stated but continued "Hermione also said as we got to the Hospital Wing that she didn't cast any spell, so it could not have been her."
Madam Pomfrey cast her diagnostic charms on Harry then Hermione, as she compared them she noticed the change and gasped "Oh Merlin! Stay here." she moved two beds closer together. "Both of you lay down, I will be back as soon as I get this looked up." She turned to head to her office, a small smile showed on her face, but then disappeared.
As she walked to her office she called for the house elf, "Nela!"
The elf quickly finished wrapping the bandages around Viktor's forehead. "How can Nela serve Madam Pomfrey?" as she popped from Viktor to Madam Pomfrey.
"Nela, I need you to get Professor McGonagall and bring her to my office immediately." said Poppy
"Of course, Madam." Said Nela and popped off.
Less than a minute later she popped back with McGonagall. "Poppy, what is so important? I was trying to calm my lions down and have them head back to the tower."
Smiling Poppy turned to her, "Minerva, it has happened again once again. Granted the last known case of this happening took place in 1339 When Nicolas and Parenell became known as the Flamels."
Minerva gasped, "You don't mean…"
"Yea Minerva, Harry and Hermione are soul-bonded meaning they are Mr. and Mrs. Potter now." Poppy clarified.
"They will need to be given the news gently as a muggleborn Ms. Grang- I mean Mrs. Potter will not like it." Minerva thought out loud.
"I will have to tell them, also I will have to send word to their guardians." Poppy told Minerva.
Minerva nodded slightly to Poppy, "Very well, how much time do you need to explain everything that the magical world knows about soul bonds to the Potters? I will go and let their friends know that they are okay and they can speak to them tomorrow morning."
- H&L -
Meanwhile while Minerva and Poppy are talking, Harry and Hermione crawled into the two beds that Madam Pomfrey put together, Hermione reached her hand out for him. "Harry, I am really worried!"
Harry gently took her hand and replied, "Hermione, we really shouldn't worry, we have the best Medi-Witch here at Hogwarts." with that said Hermione let a small smile form on her face.
Just then a light tapping sound could be heard, Nela spotted the owl at the window and let it in. The owl flew over to Harry's bed. Harry gently took the letter tied to it and found it was addressed to him. He cracked the seal on the letter and started to read in a low whisper, just loud enough for Hermione to hear.
Dear Mr. Potter
I am writing to you in hopes that we finally get a response. My name is Ragnok, I am the director of Gringotts bank in London. We have been trying to get a hold of you since the 31st of October about your Vault. This letter is a Portkey for you and one other person that will bring you directly to my office. I understand that you are at school. So let your head of house know. The portkey will activate at nine tomorrow morning.
Your Account Manager and Director of Gringotts
Ragnok
P.S. We were just informed this evening that you found your mate. Let that be your one other so we may get acquainted.
After Harry read the letter Madam Pomfrey walked up to them while Professor McGonagall walked past. Harry looked up and spotted her. "Professor, I got this letter a few minutes ago." He handed her the letter and let her read it. She showed it to Poppy and pointed out the bottom of it.
"Mr. Potter, I will allow you to go tomorrow morning and since I don't have any classes to teach I will be going with you as an added security measure." McGonagall stated. "I will just need to clear it with the Headmaster." She added as an afterthought.
"Madam Pomfrey, what does Ragnok mean by my mate?" Harry asked when he got his letter back.
"Well Mr. Potter that is what we found out about the magic that you and Hermione described as for whether it is reversible. I will tell you that it is not reversible."
Hermione gasped, "How long will the effects last for and who cast this spell on us?" Harry wondered.
"I am not sure you understand Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey said
"That is why we came to you, Madam Pomfrey." Hermione stated.
"Hermione, what have you read about soul bonds?" McGonagall asked.
"I only came across one mention of it and that was while I was reading up on Nicolas Flamel back in first year. They are extremely rare to happen, but when it happens they are permanent and the couple are considered by magic to be legally married." Hermione said looking quite shocked by the time she finished.
"Are you telling Hermione and I that we are married?" Harry shouted quite shocked as well.
Both Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall nodded as Harry fainted from exhaustion and Hermione passed out from worrying what her parents would think.
When Harry woke up, he could feel a weight on the right side of his body. He looked down and could only see bushy brown hair then he chuckled inwardly so as not to wake Hermione. "Mr. and Mrs. Potter, it is time to wake up so you can get dressed. The headmaster has a speech to give this morning. Then you have your meeting at the bank." Madam Pomfrey called out as she entered the privacy curtains and smiled when she saw how they slept.
Hermione snuggled into what she thought was her pillow, but then heard a heartbeat that was not her own. The memories from last night came to mind and her eyes shot open. She found herself on Harry's right side and she slide over enough to give him space, but still be able to hold his hand if he allowed it. "Sorry Harry, I didn't mean to invade your space last night." Hermione said blushing slightly.
"It is alright Hermione, we will eventually have to get use to sleeping in the same bed." Harry said trying to get her to relax. "But Madam Pomfrey is right, we should probably head back to our dorms and get ready for today."
