"Harry, will you answer a few questions? I promise I am on your side."
"I will try," Harry said miserably.
"Are you angry with me that I know too much about your personal life? I know you maybe didn't mean to share all that stuff with the Dursley's, but you must know I haven't treated you any different. I still care, more than I should. Are you mad at me or just embarrassed? Do you want me to leave? Can you accept that I can accept you? I just..."
"Hermione," Harry said in a low but firm voice, the tears still evident, "shut up. I just need some time to get a handle on this. I don't want anyone's pity."
"Why haven't you told anyone how bad they treat you?"
"I tried a few times. The last teacher that figured it out was fired a few weeks later."
"Anyone else?"
"I told Dumbledore about the broken bones and stuff. He still sent me back there, Hermione," Harry's voice went back to the normal tone he usually had.
"I want you to understand," Hermione said quietly. Then without warning she leaned over and kissed him. "Nothing has changed. I knew all of this all year, now you just know that I know." Harry was in shock, but he really didn't want her to think he didn't like her, and he had to admit that he really liked the kiss. So he kissed her softly and slowly. She matched him and the world disappeared for them both for a moment.
"I think I am better now, thank you." Harry took her hand and led her back downstairs. He wasn't sure how this girlfriend thing worked, but he already liked it a lot.
"I'm sorry for my outburst," Harry said, interrupting the adults talking about them.
"Don't be sorry for being yourself, Harry," Sirius said. Harry actually ignored him.
"I would like to finish this, Hermione," Harry looked at her with a soft smile.
"Where were we? Oh yes, another time of me spent by the hospital bed like a dutiful wife." She winked at Harry and he blushed, but it had the advantage of taking his mind off of their previous discussion upstairs. "Well, after he recovered from this one, we noticed that someone was in castle that had no right to even be alive. His name was Peter Pettygrew and we saw his name on a map that listed where everyone was in Hogwarts. Peter was the person Sirius had run after for betraying Harry's parents and in the conflict that later ensued the official story is that Peter was killed along with twelve bystanders. The fact that the dead Peter was alive was enough to easily show that at the least the trial needed to be revisited, but since there was no trial, it would likely clear Sirius almost immediately.
"Through a series of mishaps, we all managed to end up in an abandoned shack with Sirius and Professor Lupin cornering the rat. As they were trying to explain the escaped convict turned into friend to us, Professor Snape comes in and tries to hold Sirius so the ministry can implement summary judgment. Knowing an innocent man is going to die, Harry sneaks my wand and hits Snape with a spell that knocks him out.
"Then the bad run of luck continues and as we are leaving, Professor Lupin runs into the full moon and he transforms. In the ensuing chaos Peter escapes and we end up running away from a werewolf.
"By the end of the day we ran into another escapee, a griffin who was accused of being too violent. Well, through a series of events I am not allowed to mention, we ended up in two places at once. One was Harry and Sirius being confronted by a hundred dementors each of whom was looking to kill them. Harry held them off for a short time by himself, but eventually became too exhausted to continue.
"Now the copy of Harry that was with me was finally convinced to intervene and with a power I had never seen, cast the expectro patronum spell and, for the first time managed a physical form. Not only did he manage it, but it was so strong that it cleared the entire area of dementors chasing away by impact dozens, often striking half a dozen in a single run. It could be a record for patronus versus dementors for all I know.
"Finally we managed to get Sirius away and restore reality and he and the griffin escaped from the over zealous dementors. The ministry had given the dementors the kill on sight order for Sirius. Of course you must remember there had been no actual trial," Hermione sat down. She was almost shaking with anger and Harry quietly put his arm around her, whispering some sort of reassurances.
"A few points need to be made after all of this. In the middle, after we found out that Sirius was innocent, we got a visit from the Minister of Magic himself. Dumbledore said that we wouldn't be heard and when we talked to him he assumed that we were spelled by Sirius to be convinced he was innocent. Now the problem is that the headmaster's favorite teacher, Snape, made no effort to convince him of anything and was ready to just let an innocent man go to his death. Dumbledore suggested we use the method we did that allowed us to free both the griffin and Sirius, so he must have believed us. If he has that powerful of a position in the ministry, then why couldn't he at least get a trial for Sirius, when the same accusations were simply excused saying they were spelled for the senior Malfoy."
"Any questions?" Harry looked at the adults present and in the mirror.
"Harry, I have lots of questions, but not for tonight I think," Mark said. "You two look knackered. Hermione, why don't you check the guest room and get Harry set up there for the night." With a wink he tossed his car keys at Harry.
In the background they heard Harry's shock that Mark would trust him with the car keys to get his things out of the boot.
"Mark," Olivia said tentatively, "did I just hear the truth?"
"Yes dear, I haven't found any inconsistencies I would have expected. Hermione is a terrible liar and Harry appears to be as well except where his home life is concerned. I believe we will have to address that soon. For now, if I read this right, our child is involved with a young man. I can't call him a child if even half of what I have heard is true. He will be dragged directly into a conflict with terrorists. This will answer a few things.
"Sirius, what would happen if we were to suddenly pull Hermione from this school?"
"Either she would be taken from you and placed with a magical family, where she would be treated as a second class citizen at best. You would have your memories erased and be convinced that you never had a daughter. One of the other options is that she would have her memories removed about everything to do with magic along with you. The only other option of moving to another magical school requires you to relocate to another country. The only two I know anything about are Bulgaria and France."
"Well, dear, I always wanted to spend some more time in France," Olivia said close to Mark's ear, causing him to look slightly embarrassed.
"I am not sure, what would happen to Harry?" Mark asked.
"There is no doubt that their friendship has been forged through experiences analogous to war. It seems that our little girl isn't such a little girl anymore. I have no doubt, after seeing them talk about the trials they have already come through, that she would stand toe to toe with the devil to defend him. I didn't miss his comment that he went after that monstrosity mainly because it had attacked Hermione.
"We are going to need to look into this. Any child that age that clings to one person so much may develop obsessive traits. Given the family background in question, we will need to keep this under observation."
"What about the rest of this, Sirius, I don't know anything about you. Tell us a bit about you and what motivates you," Mark finally said. He felt very much out of his depth and the three adults spend most of the night talking about what they had heard and learned and even included Dobby the house elf. Sirius told them about the last war and his friendship with the Potters and the details about his arrest and incarceration. He talked about his more wanton love life habits and how he realized that it meant he didn't have anyone to stand behind him when the chips were down. Then he told them his side of the story of his rescue and how much he felt he owed their daughter and his godson.
The next few hours were spent describing the political and social climate of the magical world and Mark finally started putting the pieces together more. They all turned in about five in the morning.
Meanwhile, Harry spent much of the night worried about his situation and what to do. Here he was putting a good family in danger, if he understood his enemies correctly. He had his godfather who couldn't even be in the country and Remus Lupin who was a werewolf and didn't seem able to take him in due to the prejudice. He found that the transom sent most of the conversation to the hall outside his room and he was unsurprised that Hermione joined him as he lay on the floor near her door. She put an arm on his back and casually gave him a halfway massage to let him know she was there with him. They listened to the adults trying to make decisions about their fate and future. Hermione was surprised that the only time Harry got upset was when they were talking about taking her out of school.
"Why does that make you mad, Harry, when you didn't say the same thing about you being forcibly moved to a different country," Hermione whispered.
"Shh, because you are being forced to do something without your agreement. It is like you aren't a real person," Harry said in a quieter whisper. She nodded.
About four in the morning Hermione fell asleep on the back of his shoulder. Harry woke her just before the adults came upstairs and she went to bed without a word.
At seven, Mark was awakened by the smell of food, especially bacon. Since Olivia was still asleep, he came downstairs quietly, to see Harry making breakfast for four. He had already finished the bacon and was browning some bagels brushed with butter and at the same time frying some eggs.
"Harry, you didn't have to," Mark smiled to himself at the boy trying so hard to please.
"It will make me feel better for the hospitality sir. And I think there are a few things we need to talk about before the ladies come down. I couldn't help but notice that you took in a lot of stuff yesterday without calling me a liar. You also showed a lot of patience with someone who put your daughter in danger, so I would understand if you forbid me to see her anymore.
"Don't mistake me, I won't give up friendship with her. I don't think I could. Even when we disagree, we are miserable at the disagreement, not at the person. But this isn't just about the two of us, but your family. I don't know how to convince you of this but I would do anything to keep Hermione safe. It looks as though the enemy would target her just for being my friend and certainly for being Draco's enemy. She shows him up every time they have a confrontation. Now if I can defeat Voldemore once and for all, we can make this a safer world for her and everyone else like her.
"I know you think of me as a kid, sir. But I have already had to kill. Not really on purpose, but I knew it was a possibility when I kept grabbing Quirrel and it burned him. If we end up in another life and death situation, sir... I won't hesitate to kill to keep her safe." Harry hung his head. He had just admitted to being a murderer.
"I would not be at all happy, but I would certainly understand if you asked me to leave right now. I must admit to being quite jealous of the parents she has."
"Harry, I haven't decided what to do with you yet, partially because it isn't what I should do but what you should do. Do you really think you are going to be involved in guerilla warfare? Do you think soon? I know there are children in the world in the middle of wars younger than you two, but I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. Don't think I haven't seen how the two of you are together and what it might do to either of you if you were permanently separated.
"I want you to stay here for a few weeks. If things work out the way I think then we can discuss future arrangements. I want you to know that we expect the courtesy you have already shown to continue. That included treating your girlfriend with respect. You will naturally be watched somewhat, but I will trust you both. Don't make me regret that decision.
"Hermione," Harry exclaimed, seeing her in the doorway. She looked exhausted. He led her to the table and set food directly in front of her and surprised Mark by setting a plate opposite her and not one for himself. He hadn't paid attention, but Harry had finished cooking while they were talking. As Mark started in with his food, pretty tired himself, he noticed that Harry brought Olivia downstairs and set her a plate. As she started eating Mark looked up.
"Harry, come in and eat with us. At least sit with us." He frowned at the lad hanging about in the kitchen starting the cleanup before he ate. He refrained from asking why and just watched and waited. Harry ate little and surprisingly started clearing the table as soon as people were done. A pot of tea was done before Mark managed to get the paper. They all drank their tea and Harry finished the cleanup and had the dishes done before Olivia could object.
"Harry, another thing I don't understand. How are you paying for your schooling? It seems to me that your family wouldn't be willing to pay," Mark inquired.
"I have a vault at the wizard bank. I guess the money is automatically sent from it, I am not exactly sure."
"Is it yours or kept in trust?"
"I don't know. No one mentioned it the first time I went and I still have the money I got out first year, although it is almost gone now. Hagrid had my key but I don't know where it is now."
"Who brought you into the magical world and introduced you to Diagon Alley?"
"Hagrid."
"I thought he was a great big, heart of gold, nice, but not too bright guy who is not very good at explanations."
"I guess," Harry frowned. He didn't like insulting Hagrid, but couldn't argue the point successfully.
"If this is your money, you are responsible for it." Mark's tone of voice made it clean that a person's responsibility was what they did, whether they felt like it or not.
"Yes sir, but I don't know how. I don't know where to get my key and I can't even get to the alley except on the one day I am usually with the Weasley's. I guess Mrs. Weasley has my key. Perhaps we should visit her and get the key and do a bit of shopping.
"Hermione, do you still have your third year books? I was thinking that I want to study up and see if I can't get into fourth year arithmancy and maybe even runes. I am definitely going to drop divination."
"Sure, Harry, I can help you study if we can meet together somehow. If not I can at least lend you my notes and revisions. Does this mean you are making any other changes Harry?" She was completely awake now and staring at him with an intensity that made him nervous.
"What do you want me to change?" he asked tentatively.
"No, Harry. I don't want to make you do anything," she blushed thinking there were a couple of things that wasn't true about. "You should want..."
"Hey girl," Mark broke in, "I think your opinion would be welcome, but I want to hear what he has to say without you trying to be his better half."
"But she is my better half." Harry immediately responded. With an unusual degree of forwardness he added, "she is my school wife."
"What!" Hermione exploded.
"Before you get mad, listen. You have always taken care of Ron and me. You help us with our work and sometimes scold us when we are being irresponsible. Ron you treat like a brother, but I don't feel like we are brother and sister, not that I know what that would be like. So you are the female lead role in my life. Even without the romantic part, you are like my wife who takes care and... I am not making it better am I?"
Olivia took this moment to burst out into laughter at watching the two teens blushing at the implications when it was obvious to everyone that they had little physical relationship.
"Careful what you are promising, Mister Potter," Hermione said suddenly.
"I have no problem with it, Hermione dear. I would love for you to be much more. I'd like to think that marriage was the ultimate goal of you being my girlfriend, otherwise why are we dating in the first place?" The simplicity with which he stated it shocked the parents.
"Are you saying that you would only date someone who you thought you wanted to marry?" Hermione asked.
"I would never ask someone I wouldn't marry to be my girlfriend. I don't believe in some boys' desire for a trial girlfriend for practice. That is demeaning and quite honestly just shows how selfish the guy is." Harry was speaking as if he was reciting his long held beliefs, not like he was making this up.
"Unless something changes, you have my permission," Mark said suddenly, "just not too soon."
"Oh, I think we should wait quite a while, sir. But one thing I want to be perfectly clear is that if there is a signup list, I want my name in the 'to be considered' column."
"I can arrange better than that. I will be your school wife as long as we make certain to keep up appearances and not go to fast," she jumped up and threw herself on his lap and kissed him soundly. Self-conscious about having an audience, Harry started reluctantly before relaxing and enjoying the feeling of love. After by far the longest kiss so far, Harry looked over at her parents to see Mark look impassive but Olivia was smiling for all she was worth.
"I approve," Mark said.
There followed a long and intense discussion about family and responsibilities that told Harry a great deal he had never heard before. Some of his surprise at what a family was supposed to be like shocked him.
Later that day, after the teens fell asleep leaning on each other on the couch while reading a school text and the adults took their own nap. They headed out to diagon alley the following day. Harry had sent a note to Molly Weasley about needing to get into his vault to buy some books and she replied that she would meet them at Flourish and Blotts.
There was surprisingly little fuss and Ron was not in evidence. Ginny came and Hermione and her talked quietly for a bit while Harry and Molly went to the bank with the Grangers.
The trip to the vault was uneventful, but the trouble came when Harry simply kept his key.
"Harry, why don't I hold on to that for you?" She said kindly.
"I can manage, thank you Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied politely.
"I can assure you Harry, that you cannot manage your vault. Handling money is a difficult task that should be left to the adults."
"I am sure that some would agree with you, Mrs. Weasley. I however think that I will need some experience handling finances and that I had better start now. I have people I can ask for help like you. In addition to some really smart friends like Hermione and her parents here," Harry hadn't meant to make it into an insult, but she definitely took his statement wrong.
"So you are saying we are stupid as well as poor," her voice rose dangerously.
"I just think I should learn to take care of myself. No one should deny that Hermione is one of the brightest witches around. Who do you think helps Ron on his school work, when he listens anyway."
"Give me the key Harry and we will take this up with the headmaster at the beginning of the school year."
"I am not sure why Professor Dumbledore is in charge of the Potter finances, Mrs. Weasley. I am keeping the key." He put it into his pocket and Molly Weasley grabbed his arm when there was a loud crash. Four armed goblins had appeared as if by magic and had crashed their swords on their shields to get her attention.
"Madam, is this your son?"
"No, but I am legally responsible for his welfare." She stood taller, looking down on the goblins she spoke to.
"I believe we need to take this into the back," the leader said. "Would you follow me?"
They are with me, was all Harry said when they looked at the Grangers. They were put in a well appointed room that had weapons on the walls, but otherwise would have looked at home in many corporate buildings. There was an older looking goblin seated at the desk who looked irritated at the interruption.
"What seems to be the problem here," he said without introducing himself.
"This boy refuses to give over his vault key. As a minor he has no right to it. I'm legally responsible for him."
"You are?" he looked at Molly with a narrow eye in obvious distaste.
"Mrs. Weasley, goblin. As a minor he is not allowed to speak for himself in legal proceedings."
"That is true, son. You may not defend yourself."
Harry nodded and turned and quietly whispered something to Mr. Granger, then handed him something. Mark Granger came forward with Harry and they both bowed.
"My name is Mark Granger sir. May I have the honor of knowing whom I am addressing?" he asked.
"My name is Spearhaft, Mark Granger. What is your relationship with this lad?"
"I have been hired as his legal representative, until he can find a solicitor who will work for him for what he can pay." The goblin chuckled at the way the human had said that the other was suppressing the boy's right to professional representation by controlling his money without actually coming out to say it.
"Very well, what appears to be the problem?"
"I am new to your excellent institution and its policies. We would greatly appreciate a legal understanding of the possession and ownership of vaults and vault keys pertaining to Mr. Potter here."
"I object to this muggle being," Molly's voice started to approach screeching volume before the goblin 'barked,'
"Is this Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?"
"Yes sir," Mark said.
"Then, Mister Potter. We have much to discuss. You may have one representative or companion with you, but you must trust them with your life."
"Mister Spearhaft, may I have a minute with my legal counsel?"
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley, we will wait outside for Mr. Potter's discussion." Spearhaft made it clear that this wasn't a suggestion. After they closed the door, Harry looked carefully at his best friend's father.
