Chapter Two: Gain and Loss
"Harry, are you up yet?" asked Hermione, knocking impatiently on his door just after 8:00 a.m. the following morning.
"I'm coming, Aunt Petunia," said the groggy Harry, having been woken from a pleasant dream involving the bushy haired brown-haired witch at his door.
"I am not your aunt, and if you're going to insult me I'm going back to my room," she replied in a mock serious voice.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," he said, rushing to the door not realizing he was only wearing his boxers.
"Uh, Harry, I was just kidding, and ah, don't you think you should put some more clothes on before Daddy and Mum see you…" she said, blushing madly while throwing his freshly laundered new clothes at him and running to her own room.
"Oh, no, what are your parents going to think," he said, shutting the door, grabbing his clothes, and going into the bathroom connected to his room to shower.
"So, what's up with you two?" asked Fordyce, noticing the flushed look on the two tweenagers' faces as they sat down to breakfast some thirty minutes later.
"Nothing," they answered, casting nervous glances at each other.
"If you say so," said Fordyce, winking at his wife, as she placed a platter of blueberry pancakes on the table. Placing some pancakes on his own plate and passing the platter to Harry, he added, "I have to go into the office for a bit this morning, and then we can go to Diagon Alley and Gringotts when I get back."
"That's fine with me," said Harry, taking one pancake from the humongous stack on the platter.
"Harry, don't you like my cooking?" teased Jean.
"No, ma'am, it's just that the Dursleys…" answered Harry.
"Harry, the Dursleys are not here, so here," said Hermione, putting three more pancakes on his plate before putting four on her own. "And, I want you to eat every bit of them, too."
"Yes, ma'am," he said, causing her to blush and stick her tongue out at him.
"So, while I'm at the office, what are you two going to be doing?" asked Fordyce, pouring sugar-free syrup on his pancakes.
"If Harry doesn't mind using Hedwig I thought we could send our friend Ron a letter," said Hermione.
"I don't think she'd mind," said Harry. "Dursley made me keep her locked up, and I think she'd really like to get out a bit. Then, I'd like to start my homework…"
"You haven't started your homework, yet, shame on you…" said Hermione.
"It's not my fault, Dursley locked my things up and…" he replied.
"I'm sorry, Harry, I should have thought of that," she said patting him on the arm. "Want me to help you?"
"Would you let my copy yours?" he asked, winking at her parents.
"You most certainly will not," she snapped before noticing her mother's giggles and her father's knowing smile. Glaring at her best friend, she spat, "You're just winding me up, aren't you Potter?"
"Sorry, Hermione, but I couldn't resist," said Harry, grinning at her. "You know I always at least try to my own work, even though you don't always approve of what I come up with."
"I know," she said, smiling brightly at him. "Anyway, let's hurry up so we can get started on your homework."
"Slow down there, young lady; you know the rule, no wolfing your food down at our table," said Fordyce firmly but kindly reprimanding his daughter. Seeing her apologetic look, he added, "Although, it is good to see that some things haven't changed about you. You always did try to eat fast when you wanted to get at your school work."
"So, Harry, what subject do you want to start with?" asked Hermione, as they sat in his room after breakfast.
"I think I'll start with Snape's essay to get it out of the way, first," he said, taking out his potions' book, some parchment, a quill and ink. "Do you have any reference books I could look at to help me research my essay? Even though it probably won't do me much good, I'd really like to do a good job on it the same, if for no other reason than to learn as much as I can about my topic."
"All right, who are you, and what did you do with my best friend, Harry James Potter?" she giggled, going to her room to get him some reference books on potions.
"Hermione, I really want to do better in school this next year," he said when she returned with the books. "Since school let out for the holidays I've been thinking about you and my parents a lot, and I decided I'd like to be more like you and them. All the teachers at school, but Snape told me how clever they both were, especially Mum, and I want to make them proud of me wherever they are. And, well, you're the smartest and cleverest of our year, and I decided to be more like you. I still want to have fun and play Quidditch and the lot, but I want to take my education more seriously."
"You know, Ron's probably not going to like your new approach to school, don't you?" she said, beginning to write her letter.
"I know, but I really don't care," said Harry. "Well, I really do care about Ron, because he was my first real friend ever, but sometimes he can be so, well I don't know what, but you know…"
"I know," she sighed. "At times like with the giant chess set he can be really sweet and caring, but other times he can really piss me off."
"I know," he sighed, as he began to work on his essay. About two hours later, he let out a sigh of relief, and said, "Finished at last. Would you please read it and tell me what you think?"
"Harry, this is really good, I'm impressed," she said after reading his essay. "Other than a few spelling errors and one or two grammatical errors I can't find anything wrong with it. Well done."
"Thanks, but it probably won't do me any good with Snape," he said, as an elderly grey owl flew in through the open window and crashed into the floor. Recognizing the owl, he added, "Hey, that's Errol, the Weasleys' owl."
"The poor thing looks like it's on its last leg," she said, kneeling down to remove its letter. Looking at the address, she added, "It's addressed to both of us, but I don't recognize the writing. It's too neat to be Ron's."
"That's his sister Ginny's writing," said Harry, looking at the envelope. "She sent him a few letters last school year and I recognize the writing."
"I wonder what she wants," said Hermione opening the letter that read:
Dear Harry and Hermione,
I'm sending you this letter mostly to warn you about my git of a brother. You see, he was really looking forward to Harry coming to stay with us during the whole month of August. Then, after, Professor McGonagall sent us a message about Harry spending the rest of the summer with Hermione and her parents, he got all hacked off and started going on about how much of a traitor Harry was for not coming to our house, instead. I thought you were both supposed to be his friends, and at times, he blamed Hermione while at other times, he blamed Harry, and then to top it all off he started blaming both of you. Anyway, it got so bad that Daddy sent him to his room without any supper, and Daddy hardly ever punishes us for anything, including Fred and George.
Enough about my dimwitted brother, and guess what. I finally got my Hogwarts acceptance letter, and I'm so excited. Mum says we can go to Diagon Alley on my birthday this coming August 11 and I was wondering if you could meet us there. Of course, the git will probably have to be there, too, but maybe we could ditch him somewhere along the way; like maybe in a pile of Dragon dung. I really want to finally get to meet both of you, and I can't wait for school to start.
Oh, and could you please do me a big favor? Could you send your reply to my letter with Harry's owl, Hedwig? Our owl Errol always has to rest up for several days after delivering our post, and he won't be up to making the return journey for several days. I met Hedwig a few times last year when Harry let Ron borrow her, and I think she really likes me, because she always let's me pet her, and I like to tell her she's so pretty.
Hope to see you soon,
Ginny
P.S. Address the letter to me and ask Hedwig to give it to me when I'm alone so the git doesn't know I've written to you.
"Well, what do you make of that?" asked Hermione. "What do you think is wrong with Ron?"
"I think he's jealous that we're together without him," said Harry.
"Whatever for?" she asked. "I mean, if you'd gone to the Weasleys instead of here, he'd be with you without me around."
"He's a boy, Hermione, that's why," he replied.
"What does that have to do with anything?" she asked.
"Because, I think he fancies you," answered Harry.
"Why would he fancy me, I'm not all that pretty," she countered.
"Ron thinks you are," he said, and with barely a whisper, he added, "and so do I."
"Harry, do you think I'm pretty," she asked, with a blush.
"Y-y-yes," he stammered, looking at his feet.
"Y-y-you do," she stammered back. Then, using all her Gryffindor courage, she asked timidly, "Do you fancy me?"
"Y-y-yes," he stammered. Beaming, she jumped to her feet and kissed him squarely on the lips, causing a magical shock wave that shook the Grangers' home, made the instrument measuring underage magic in the Ministry of Magic and three magical detention devices in Albus Dumbledore's office all to explode just as Madam Pomfrey and Professors Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall entered the Headmasters' Office.
"Hermione, Harry!" screamed Jean, running into Harry's room. Seeing the bright golden aura surrounding them, she gasped, "They're kissing. Hermione and Harry are kissing, but what does this bright light mean?"
Running to the phone in her bedroom, she picked up the receiver and noticing there was no dial tone, she ran down to their sitting room where she encountered the same thing. Starting to panic, she looked out the window to see Fordyce pulling into the drive, and ran outside, shouting, "Something's happened to Hermione and Harry and all the phones are dead."
"Where are they?" asked Fordyce, looking up to see Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Pomfrey appear in their back garden.
"There up in Harry's room," she answered.
"May we be of assistance?" asked McGonagall, walking up to the Grangers.
"Yes, please, Hermione and Harry are upstairs, please help them," said Jean.
"Albus, what's happening to them?" asked McGonagall, as they entered Harry's room.
"I believe I know, but first I must go to the Ministry to make sure," said Dumbledore, before turning and disapparating.
"Where did he go?" asked Fordyce.
"I believe he said he was going to the Ministry of Magic," said Snape. "As our magic is useless on these two at the moment I suggest we wait until the Headmaster returns."
"Albus, what did you find out?" asked Pomfrey when Dumbledore returned some five or six minutes later.
"First, I discovered the instrument the Ministry of Magic uses to detect the underage use of magic was destroyed beyond repair in much the same manner as were those in my office," answered Dumbledore.
"How long before they can make a new one?" asked McGonagall.
"At least six months, for that is how long the potion required to make a new one must brew," said Albus. "Additionally, what I suspected is true. Young Harry and Hermione have soul-bonded and are now known to the Ministry as Mr. and Mrs. Potter."
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter," exclaimed Fordyce. "Please tell me you're joking."
"While it is quite within my nature to joke, on this matter I am being completely truthful," said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye. As a barn owl flew into the room, he repeated, "As far as the Ministry of Magic is concerned Harry and Hermione are now a married couple and are now considered by the UK magical community to be completely emancipated and free from any restrictions to their magic. As to how long these two are in this condition will depend on the strength of their bond, which could last from anywhere between twenty minutes or so to more than two hours. The longest time on record was just under three hours and was set by Harry's parents during their seventh year at Hogwarts and Godric Gryffindor Rowena Ravenclaw when they married following the death of the first spouses. So, in the meantime I suggest we find something to read. Ah, it appears that one of them has written a potions essay."
"This is quite good, and most innovating wouldn't you say, Severus," said Dumbledore, handing the essay to Snape.
"This is obviously Miss Granger's essay," said Snape, reading the essay.
"Severus, her name would now be Mrs. Potter, and that essay is written in Mr. Potter's hand, anyway," said McGonagall, reading it, as well.
"Then, he must have copied her work," said Snape.
"Mr. Snape, you are most incorrect," said Jean. "Our daughter would never allow anyone to copy her work no matter how close she was to them."
"But, Potter is incapable of work like this," argued Snape.
"Are you sure Mr. Snape?" asked Fordyce, returning from Hermione's room with her finished essay. "This is my daughter's essay that she finished her second or third day back from Hogwarts."
"Severus, what was your first year homework assignment?" asked Dumbledore.
"It was to research a known potion, describe how to make it, what the long and short term effects of taking it were, and to give at two examples of possible improvements to the potion," answered Snape.
"You gave such an assignment to first-years," scoffed Pomfrey. "I was required to get an O in my NEWTS to be admitted to the healer's class I was in, and I doubt that most of my colleagues, some of whom are potions' masters, could have completed such an assignment. What was Potter's subject, anyway?"
"It was Wolfsbane," said Albus. "Now, I do not claim to be a potions' master, but I do believe his suggestion for adding Phoenix tears and/or a bit of a Calming Draught may be of some value."
"Yes, they may indeed, Headmaster, but who do you know that would be willing to be a test subject for such new potions?" asked Snape.
"If I remember correctly a lock of hair should suffice for toxicity tests, and I know of at least two who would be willing to be test subjects for the right price," said Dumbledore.
"My next question is where Potter got the research material to make such assumptions?" asked Snape.
"This book is lying open, so I must assume he got at least some of his ideas from here," said Dumbledore, picking up the book in question. "This book appears to contain a wealth of knowledge regarding potions ingredients. Severus, what is your opinion?"
"I have never seen this book in my life, I wonder where Potter got it from," said Snape.
"I believe that particular book was in a grab bag of books Hermione purchased from a street vendor in Diagon Alley when we took her to buy her school supplies last summer," said Fordyce. "Since she was about seven, she's been a most voracious reader, and if memory serves me correctly she purchased the grab bag for five of your Knuts."
"Your daughter got a book like this and others for five measly Knuts," exclaimed Snape. "Can you show us the other books that came in this grab bag?"
"The book on the desk next to you is one, and I'll go get you the others," said Fordyce.
"Why that is a copy of the potions text I used when I was a student at Hogwarts," said Albus, looking through its pages. "I'd say this book is over one hundred years old and just look at the notes in its margins. If I'm not mistaken, they are written in Lily Potter's hand."
"Do you think these books Hermione bought may have belonged to Harry's mother?" asked Jean.
"Well, this one most assuredly was," said Minerva, leafing through an old charms book. "It has a picture in it with her, James, and Black in it. Oh my, Albus, look at this note."
"If what this note says is true, then there has been a serious miscarriage of justice," said Albus.
"What does the note say?" asked Fordyce.
"It says that the Potters made Peter Pettigrew their secret keeper instead of Sirius Black," said the visibly shaken Dumbledore.
"Who is Sirius Black?" asked Harry, as he and Hermione reawakened.
"He is your godfather, and if what your mother wrote in this note is true, then an innocent man has been in Azkaban for almost eleven years," said Albus.
"My mother's note," said Harry, standing and pulling Hermione to her feet.
"Yes, the grab bag of books Hermione purchased last summer apparently belonged to your mother, and this note was in one of them," said Albus.
"The charms book, that's the only one I didn't read yet," said Hermione, leafing through the book. Seeing a photo fall out, she picked up, gasped, "Harry this photo. Ron's rat is in it."
"Let me see, you're right, but what in Merlin's name is a rat doing in this picture with a big black dog and a stag with a baby sitting on it?" asked Harry.
"There's writing on the back, maybe that will give us a clue," said Hermione.
"It says James Potter alias Prongs with Harry on his back, Sirius Black alias Padfoot, and Peter Pettigrew alias Wormtail, July 31, 1981, hey the baby is me and Dad's a stag," said the bewildered Harry.
"That must mean Sirius Black is the dog and Peter Pettigrew is the rat, and, aside from the missing paw, the rat looks just like Ron's rat," said Hermione.
"Harry and Hermione are you sure the rat in this picture is your friend Mr. Weasley's rat?" asked Albus.
"We're positive they're the same rat," said Harry. "It was in our dorm all last year."
"I do believe a visit with the Weasleys is in order for later this afternoon, but first we must discuss what happened today to young Harry and Hermione," said Albus. "Would you two care to tell us what caused you to kiss each other?"
"Well, sir, it all started when we got this letter from Ron's sister Ginny…" said Hermione.
"…and that's how we ended up kissing each other," said Harry, as he finished their tale.
"I know it will come as a shock to both of you, but when you kissed you set off a magical shock wave that destroyed the device used to monitor the underage use of magic at the Ministry of Magic, as well as, several instruments in my office at Hogwarts," said Albus. "Plus, as far as the Wizarding world goes, you are now Harry James and Hermione Jean Potter."
"What do you mean, Harry and Hermione Potter?" asked Hermione, "we're not married now, are we?"
"As shocking to you as it must be, in the Wizarding world you two have been married a little over four and a half hours," said Albus.
"We're married," said Harry, staring at Hermione in disbelief. "How can we be married? I mean, I really like Hermione a lot, and to me there isn't a better girl in the whole wide world, but married. We're only twelve for Merlin's sake."
"You really think I'm the best girl in the whole wide world," said Hermione, taking Harry by the hand.
"Yes, I do, but that's not the point I'm trying to make here," he said, pulling her close. "I mean, we're only twelve. I barely know how to talk to girls, and I don't have any idea how to be a husband. Bloody hell, the only example I've had was Dursley, and he was the worst example I could have had."
"Don't worry, we'll find a way to make things right," she said.
"Well, okay, as long as you're the one I get to learn it all with," he said. "At least I get to learn with the best."
"Now, could you please tell me why the wards at your aunt's home have fallen?" asked Dumbledore.
"When we left there last night, Aunt Petunia said I couldn't come back until next summer, that wouldn't have caused them to fall, would it?" said Harry.
"No, there must be another reason," said Dumbledore.
"Maybe it was what happened when we met up with your uncle's sister," said Hermione.
"Yeah, maybe she called the Dursleys after the police hauled her away, and that's what made the wards fall," said Harry.
"Can you tell me what happened to Marge Dursley?" asked Dumbledore.
"We met up with her in this store last night, when she got all hacked off and tried to hit me with her handbag," said Harry. "But, when she missed, she hit this pole instead and this dog food she was trying to steal exploded out of her handbag."
"Then, the foul woman grabbed Harry's head and smashed him into a shopping trolley, "said Hermione.
"I see," said Dumbledore. "Would you allow Madam Pomfrey and me to examine you with our wands?"
"Hmm," said a few minutes later. "Because of the strength of your soul-bond I believe I can build stronger wards than those at Privett Drive. However, to do so, I need you to sleep together in this home for the next thirty days to solidify the wards. This means we will have just enough time to get this done before the Hogwarts Express leaves on September 1. It would be for your benefit to keep your soul-bond and marital status a secret for the time being, as well."
"What about when school starts?" asked Hermione.
"There are married student quarters in each of the house areas, and if need be you can be housed in one of them, but they have never been used for students as young as you two are," said Dumbledore. "However, it is most interesting to note that James and Lily Potter were the last to use them."
"I have a photo of Dad and Mum dancing on their wedding day, was that taken after they bonded?" asked Harry.
"No, your parents had a Muggle ceremony after they graduated from Hogwarts, and I would gather the photo in question was taken on that occasion," said Dumbledore.
"Ouch," said Harry, as the barn owl pecked him on the wrist. "What's with this bloody owl?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but we completely forgot about this owl, and apparently this one does not want to wait anymore," said Dumbledore.
"Okay, I'll take your bloody letter," said Harry, taking the letter from the owl. Opening the letter, he read, "It says here that my wife and I are invited to Gringotts to take something called an inheritance test, and we have to have it done by midnight tonight or all inheritances are forfeited to Gringotts."
"We already promised you a trip to Diagon Alley, as it's now 3:38 p.m. I say let's get in the car and make our way to Charing Cross," said Fordyce.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to meet in Diagon Alley," said Dumbledore. "I hear Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour has a new flavor of ice cream and I have some business at Gringotts myself, so I'll meet you in the Leaky Caldron say around five o'clock."
"That should give us plenty of time to get there," said Fordyce.
"Ah, there you are," said Dumbledore sitting at a table near the Muggle entrance to the Leaky Caldron a few minutes after five o'clock. "May we depart for Diagon Alley?"
"How may I assist you today?" asked a goblin, as Harry and the Granger approached his station as Dumbledore spoke to another goblin nearby.
"I got this letter today," said Harry, handing the goblin his letter.
"Do you have a magical guardian with you today, Mr. Potter?" asked the goblin.
"I don't have one that I know of," answered Harry.
"Before we conduct the inheritance tests you must have a magical guardian present," said the goblin.
"Could Professor Dumbledore be my magical guardian?" asked Harry.
"As you are an orphan, Mr. Potter, Chief Warlock Dumbledore may act as your guardian," said the goblin.
"Professor Dumbledore would you act as my magical guardian for the inheritance test?" asked Harry, walking up to Dumbledore.
"Yes, Harry, I would be honored to," said Dumbledore.
"Griphook, show the Potters, the Chief Warlock, and the Grangers to Spagnack's office," said the goblin.
"Nice to meet year again, Mr. Griphook," said Harry, extending his hand to the goblin.
"You are the first human to call me by my name, young Mr. Potter," said Griphook, shaking the young wizard's hand. "Spagnack's office is just through these doors."
"Thank-you, Mr. Griphook," said Harry.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Chief Warlock, and the Drs. Granger," said Spagnack. "First, we must have the guardians sign these documents of approval."
"What are you doing to do to them?" asked Jean.
"This test involves me cutting the palms of their wand hands and letting five drops of their blood fall on to this special parchment, which will then trace their ancestry back as far as the days of Merlin and King Arthur," said Spagnack. "This will allow us to give them the keys to the proper vaults and their rightful inheritances. The cutting of their hands will be most painful, but the pain only last until I can draw the proper amount of blood and heal their wounds."
"Mum, please, I really want this, and so does Harry," said Hermione.
"Alright, but I don't like it one bit," said Jean.
"Spoken like a true loving mother," commented Spagnack. "You'd be surprised at the number of mothers who come in here with little or no regard to what their children must endure for this test. Now, Mrs. Potter, you will be first, and then your husband."
"Wow," said Hermione, as she watched her ancestry unfold before her eyes with any magical people appearing in red.
"You can say that again," said Harry, as his ancestry began to unfold, as well.
"Just as I suspected, Harry you are a descendant of Ignotus Peverell," commented Dumbledore.
"Ooh, look, Harry, we're both descendants of both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw," gasped Hermione.
"That's odd," said Harry. "If we're both descendant from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, then why are you a descendant of Merlin and I'm a descendant of King Arthur."
"That Mr. Potter is because your ancestry comes from the Gryffindor half of the Gryffindor Ravenclaw union, and Mrs. Potter's ancestry is traced through the Ravenclaw half," said Spagnack.
"Hey, look, I'm an heir of Gryffindor through Mum and not Dad," said Harry. "Does that mean Petunia and Dudley are heirs, too?"
"Harry, your aunt does not know this, but she and your mother did not have the same father, and it was through your grandfather Vance Evans line your inheritance comes from," said Dumbledore. "I know not of your aunt's father, for only your grandmother knew the whole story, and she chose to keep it a secret."
"Blimey," said Harry. "Did Mum learn this through this test, as well?"
"Yes, Harry, she did," said Dumbledore.
"Now, that your lineages have been completed let us see what your inheritances shall be," said Spagnack. "Mr. Potter, you now have complete access to the Potter, Evans, and Peverell estates and Mrs. Potter you have complete access to the Starkey and Reindorf estates. Together, you have complete access to the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw estates."
"Who were the Starkeys and the Reindorfs?" asked Hermione.
"Starkey was my maternal grandmother's name, and it is her father's name that is listed on your lineage," said Jean.
"Reindorf was my paternal great grandfather's name, and his name is on your list, as well," said Fordyce.
"Can you provide us with a list of all of our holdings, and may we withdraw some money and exchange it for pounds sterling?" asked Hermione.
"I can provide you both with magical debit cards which can be used in both magical and Muggle shops, and I can have a detailed list of all your holdings sent to you by owl sometime tomorrow morning," said Spagnack.
"Thank-you, sir, and may you vault always be overflowing with galleons," said Harry, shaking Spagnack's hand.
"It has been my pleasure doing business with you, young Mr. and Mrs. Potter, and may your vaults always be overflowing, as well," said Spagnack.
"Harry, Daddy, and Mum, would you mind if we didn't go shopping tonight?" asked Hermione, as they got into their car. "I'm really tired, and all I want to do is go home, eat supper, maybe watch a movie, and go to bed."
"I don't mind, because I'm really knackered, too," said Harry.
"After all you two have been through the past two days, it's no wonder," said Jean. "We'll go straight home tonight, but tomorrow we're going to do some serious shopping."