Chapter 2.

Harry soon began to stir. Wherever he was, it was quiet. He felt a weight on his legs and he opened his eyes and slowly rose up. Despite the lighting in the room, he could see the bushy hair of the girl he loved.

Hermione was laying across his legs sound asleep, still wearing his sweater.

Harry smiled seeing she was safe. He nudged her gently and in a low voice as he didn't want to startle her called, "Hermione, wake up."

Hermione didn't move but Harry could hear a faint mumble, "five more minutes."

Harry tried not to laugh, then he remembered the kiss and thought of something. He nudged her again and said, "Mione, wake up love."

Hermione opened her eyes and rising up she stretched and wiped her eyes and looked at him. "Harry?"

Harry smiled. "Morning Mione."

Hermione's eyes opened wide and she smiled as tears of joy soon filled them.

She tackled Harry, wrapping him up tightly. "Harry, you're finally awake; thank Merlin."

Harry remembered his brief meeting with the great wizard. He then looked at Hermione. "Um Hermione, do you remember what happened at the ministry?"

Hermione nodded and then blushed. Harry gathered his courage, "Hermione, um when you fell, you almost died and I realised how much I need you. We have been friends for a real long-time and, um, would you...Merlin this is hard."

Hermione giggled "Exactly what are you trying to ask me Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked into her brown eyes and said "Um, would you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione made it look like she was thinking about it then looked at him. "Yes."

Harry frowned, "Ok, I can understand how... wait what?"

Hermione laughed. "I said yes, I think we already told each other how we feel in the ministry."

Harry looked at Hermione shocked and then smiled, she leaned in and Harry pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her slowly and placed his hand on the side of her face and the other on her waist. Madame Pomfrey walked in and saw the two. She was about to interrupt when she saw them engulfed in a golden light.

She dropped her wand, shocked by the golden light. The school began to shake. Dumbledore in his office grabbed his desk, bracing himself. One of the portraits told him that something was happening in the hospital wing. He got to his feet and assumed something had happened with Harry.

In the hospital wing, Harry and Hermione separated and looked lovingly into each other's eyes. The doors to the hospital wing swung open and Dumbledore and McGonagall raced in. Madame Pomfrey turned to see the headmaster. "Headmaster, I don't know what happened."

Dumbledore looked at the two students and he noticed something was glowing under Harry's sleeve and that something was glowing near Hermione's shoulder as well.

McGonagall looked at her young lions and it reminded her so much of James and Lily.

Harry turned to see Dumbledore, McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey looking at them. Hermione turned to see where Harry was looking and blushed seeing the teachers watching them.

Dumbledore walked over to them. "Good to see you awake Harry, I see you and Ms. Granger are well."

Harry looked at Dumbledore confused, "um thanks Professor."

Dumbledore looked at Harry suspiciously. "Harry, could you remove your hospital shirt and show us your arm?"

Harry was confused and was about to remove his shirt and then looked at Hermione. He became nervous and slowly removed his shirt, keeping his back from sight. That's when they saw it, the mark on Harry's shoulder. Hermione looked at the rune, remembering it from the battle at the ministry. Dumbledore kept a stoic face, but inside he was nervous for Harry now had the mark of Merlin on his shoulder.

Dumbledore looked at Hermione and then turned to Madame Pomfrey "Poppy, did you check Ms. Granger. During last night's events, she was hit with a curse." Madame Pomfrey looked at Hermione and back at Dumbledore. "No, I didn't, she seemed to be in good health."

"Could you please check to make sure Ms. Granger is well." Dumbledore said using his grandfatherly tone. Madame Pomfrey pulled a bed over and set up a privacy wall and asked Hermione to step over.

Hermione did as the healer requested. Madame Pomfrey asked Hermione to remove the sweater she was wearing and saw the was no sign of injury anywhere. But she then noticed that above Hermione's breasts near her left shoulder she had the same mark as Harry.

Hermione looked and saw the mark and was curious as to why. Madame Pomfrey ran a couple of diagnostic spells, finding them all saying Hermione was well. She asked Hermione to put the sweater back on and once Hermione was dressed, they returned to the others.

Madame Pomfrey looked at the headmaster "Ms. Granger is in good health, but it seems they both bear the same mark."

Dumbledore looked at the two. "What happened last night at the ministry?"

Harry frowned, remembering the events of last night and how he lost his godfather and almost lost Hermione. Hermione could see Harry was struggling and sat next to him and took his hand.

With her support Harry felt better. He looked at Dumbledore, "when Hermione was hit, all I could think was getting over to her. She was growing cold and there was so much blood. I knew she was in pain and fading slowly. I grew angry, thinking another person I cared for was about to be taken and that's when…"

Dumbledore looked at Harry intrigued. "Yes Harry, go on."

"That's when I saw him, I saw Merlin. He asked me if I truly cared for Hermione and I told him I would gladly trade my life for hers." Hermione's eyes then filled with tears as did McGonagall's and Madame Pomfrey's.

"He smiled and helped me heal Hermione and I think he helped me against Voldemort. I don't really remember all that happened. I only knew I wanted to stop him."

Dumbledore nodded, "you did and then some. You can put your shirt back on now."

"Why is he constantly coming after me?" Harry said in frustration as he put his shirt back on.

Dumbledore looked at Harry, "I don't think you're ready for that answer yet Harry."

Harry looked at Dumbledore, seeing the headmaster's face told him he was hiding something. "Professor, you know why don't you?"

" Harry, now is not the best time to discuss this, you just-"

Harry was growing angry. "I lost my godfather, I know. You know why and I want to know now!"

Seeing how serious Harry was, Dumbledore gave in. "Harry, I will tell you, but not here. When Poppy discharges you, meet me in my office."

Hermione watched her boyfriend and Dumbledore go back and forth, she wanted to know why as well. Harry looked at Hermione and saw the look she had when deep in thought. He looked at Dumbledore, "Hermione comes with me."

Hermione looked at Harry and then at Dumbledore and nodded.

"No Harry, this should just be us." Dumbledore said, unnerved by Harry's defiance.

Harry looked at Dumbledore, "where I go, Hermione goes to." He looked at Hermione and squeezed her hand. Hermione looked back at Harry and smiled.

Dumbledore frowned. "Alright."

Madame Pomfrey looked at the Headmaster, "I'd like to know what that golden light was."

Dumbledore looked at the matron. "If it's what I think it was, we will soon know."

Suddenly a letter appeared on Harry's lap, then two more, as one appeared next to Hermione as well. They looked at the letters and saw the Ministry's seal. Dumbledore looked at Harry, "Harry, could you open the letter and read it aloud."

Harry broke the seal and opened the letter and did as Dumbledore requested.

"Mr. Potter

On behalf of the ministry, we would like to congratulate you on your Soul Bond with Ms. Hermione Jean Potter nee Granger and wish you both a long and happy life. You are both now emancipated and are from now on treated like full-fledged adults. The tracking charms on your wands will be removed. Have a wonderful summer.

Mathilda Hopkirk."

Harry looked at Dumbledore, "um Professor, the way they make this sound, it's as if Hermione and I were married."

Hermione's eyes went wide "This has to be a mistake, Harry and I just agreed to being a couple."

"I'm afraid, Ms. Gra - I mean Mrs. Potter, it's not. You see the golden light Madame Pomfrey saw and the castle shaking are signs of a soul bond. It's an ancient class of magic that is held in higher regard than even a marriage certificate. Hence why you two are now considered married."

Hermione was trying to process what they were being told and she looked at Dumbledore. "and the mark Harry and I have?"

Dumbledore looked at them. "You both have a Triskelion, which is known to have been used by Merlin. He blessed your bond and I bet gave you a power boost from what we saw in the ministry."

Hermione paled slightly. "How am I going to explain to my parents that I'm married?"

Harry looked at Hermione "I'm sorry Mione, I never-"

Hermione gave Harry a glare that would put McGonagall to shame. "For what Harry? Don't you dare say you never meant for the bond to happen! Because I'm not upset about it. I told you how I felt in the ministry. So, I never want to hear you say you regret it!"

Harry nodded, "I only meant I'm sorry if this will cause you problems with your parents." Taking her hands, he gently kissed the back of them. "I will never regret being with you." Hermione smiled and hugged him.

Madame Pomfrey discharged Harry and once he was dressed they joined the headmaster as they were walking back to his office.