A Kiss Can Save The World
Disclaimer: HP belongs to JKR, not me
Chapter 4
Ragnok had expected nothing less and the preparations were well under way.
Hermione asked, "How are we going to do this? Harry is not casting Avada Kedavra, even on Voldemort!"
"Actually Hermione, I don't think Harry would be capable of casting the killing curse as you have to feel hate for the spell to work. Harry can get angry like the rest of us,"
Both Granger women couldn't hide their blushes
The goblin leader continued, "but there is a great leap necessary to get from anger to hate. The prophecy stated, 'with love they'll see the bloodlines fall,' so a spell based on positive emotions would be best."
Harry and Hermione were smiling.
"Ragnok, can we have your permission to perform a spell inside Gringotts?" Asked Hermione.
Ragnok answered formally, "Lord and Lady Gryffindor are friends to the goblin nation and entitled to all the privilages this title entails."
Hermione was shocked at the honour bestowed upon them while Harry wished he'd paid more attention in Professor Binns class.
Hermione explained to her bemused parents, "friend to the goblin nation meant that the goblins considered them family, and the only thing worse than messing with a goblin was trying to mess with their family, This is a great honour and a very rare occurrence with the last known being Godric Gryffindor."
Both wizards took out their wands and while thinking of their first kiss said, "Expecto Patronum."
Prongs shot from Harry's wand but instead of silver his form was now gold, while bigger and brighter than ever before.
Hermione expected her otter patronus but was clearly surprised when a golden doe, matching Harry's in size and brightness, burst forth and, finding no enemy's to engage, proceeded to nuzzle prongs in front of a shocked room.
While Dan and Emma, as muggles couldn't see the golden animals, the whole room was filled with so much positive energy that the dentists hoped it could be bottled for use in their waiting room.
Dan asked Ragnok, "just how much danger are these two going to be in?"
"We will be taking goblin guards and have contacted Amelia Bones at the ministry. They will want a presence so it should be perfectly safe. Voldemort and all his followers are unconscious after all."
"Oh good," said Emma, "then you wont mind us coming along."
Hermione tried to object when her mother interrupted, "listen to me, neither of you are leaving my sight until we have had time for a talk!"
The emphasis on the word talk had Hermione beet red and when a confused Harry received the telepathic message, 'birds and bees!' from his wife, a shudder went down his back while his complexion had a distinctly green tinge to it.
Hermione couldn't help but hug him as she thought, 'he's ready to finish off a dark lord but terrified of my mother!' Both teens burst out laughing and any tension in the room was gone.
Four goblins entered the room carrying bundles that were presented to the teens and both elves.
"We didn't think school robes were appropriate for this task," said a smiling Ragnok.
Harry and Hermione received dragon hide armour and black robes of a material so fine it was obviously made by the goblins while, with a snap of their fingers, Dobby and Winky looked splendid in their new tunics and cloaks to match their friends.
It was then that Harry noticed the Potter and Gryffindor crests on each of the four cloaks, he decided they need to learn the elf magic needed for a quick change of clothes.
Harry and Hermione were led into another room to change and as the door closed two shy, blushing teenagers remained.
This was the first time they had been alone together since the discovery of their bond and neither was sure how to act.
It was predictably Hermione who regained control first.
"Oh for goodness sake Harry, we're only changing clothes and you are allowed to look at your wife!" she said while removing her clothing.
For all her supposed bravery, Hermione was terrified that Harry wouldn't like her. All her teenage insecurities were running rampant as she was now wearing only a bra and knickers.
While trying to put on the dragon hide trousers she suddenly got an image of Hagrid kissing Madam Maxime, it was a hurting Hermione who asked, "Harry, what are you doing?"
A shirtless Harry embarrassingly replied, "well you said I could look which caused a…problem! With no cold shower available I tried to think of something to make the problem go away. I'm sorry Hermione."
She pounced on him and kissed him senseless while thinking, 'he finds me attractive!'
As the kiss finished, Harry held Hermione's face in his hands, "Hermione you are the most gorgeous sight I have ever seen! You took my breath away and I can't believe your mine, though I think we better hurry up and change before your mother breaks down the door for our talk."
With shyness well and truly banished, dressing finished quickly and as they walked back to the other room wearing the skin tight armour. With their cloaks billowing in a way that would make Snape jealous everyone could see them for what they really were, the two most powerful warriors for the light in the magical world.
Everyone that is except for an auror called Dawlish.
Madam Bones and four aurors, along with Ragnok and a guard of ten goblins, Dobby, Winky and Hermione's parents were waiting for the young warriors but as they walked over one of the aurors started shouting.
"The ministry's in total disarray, no-one knows what's happening and we're here pandering to attention seeking Potter and his mudblood girlfriend! You can't be..."
He didn't get to say anymore as an unseen force threw him against the wall and held him there, a meter off the ground.
The other three aurors watched their stricken colleague slam into the wall and started to reach for their wands to assist, but the sight of eleven very angry, heavily armed goblins changed their minds.
Harry strode towards him, "you will apologise to my wife if you value your life!"
Amelia Bones had never seen such power and he didn't even have a wand in his hand.
"Excuse me Mr Potter."
"I am Lord Gryffindor Madam Bones. My wife and I are going to win this war and for what? For my wife to be insulted by a ministry employee, an auror no less! If this is the attitude we have to endure, could someone please explain why we should save you?"
"I apologise Lord Gryffindor, but we're all a bit on edge today with the unexplained happenings at the ministry and to some of the wizarding worlds post prominent citizens," said Amelia Bones
"Today my wife and I mortally wounded Lord Voldemort, which had a considerable impact on his marked death eaters and now we are leaving here to finish the job. You and the other aurors may accompany us but he stays till I've got time to deal with the matter."
Bones was in total shock at the implications of what this young man had just said; Voldemort back, the minister for magic a death eater, we're going up against the dark lord.
She looked to Ragnok for confirmation.
"Everything the Lord Gryffindor has said is the truth. The entire goblin nation is behind the Lord and Lady Gryffindor and I take it as a matter of honour that the Lady was insulted in Gringotts so, begging the Lords pardon, but we have first claim on him."
Ragnok winked at Harry while the auror called Dawlish wet himself.
"Thank you Ragnok, we've bigger fish to fry" said a now calm Harry, as two more goblin guards entered and tried, without success, to remove the now terrified auror from the wall.
"Excuse me Lord Gryffindor, could you release the prisoner?" Harry just glanced over and Dawlish hit the floor before being led away.
"Madam Bones the portkey leaves in one minute, it's your choice whether you wish to witness the demise of Voldemort." said Ragnok, producing a long spear for everyone to hold on to.
Harry and Hermione had experienced this form of travel so were coaching her parents, now dressed with the same Potter/Gryffindor cloaks over their muggle clothes.
Harry wondered if there had ever been a stranger group to take a portkey: eleven goblins, two elves, a pair of muggles and just before activation the aurors joined making it three witches and three wizards.
-OoOoO-
Everyone arrived safely outside the house Harry had seen in a vision that summer. The goblin guards quickly established a perimeter around the building, although no movement was detected nothing could be taken for granted.
Harry led the way assuming they would be in the same room from the summer vision while Hermione never left his side and everyone carried their wand ready for use.
The party reached the stairs with Harry and Hermione in front and Dobby with Winky very closely behind.
A couple of goblin guards were followed by Ragnok and the Grangers, who now realized just how far out of their depth they were. Amelia Bones and the aurors brought up the rear.
As they approached the open door of the room where Harry expected the Voldemort thing to be, pathetic whimpering noises could be heard.
They stopped outside the door and, deciding to take no chances, cast the patronus charm while still on the landing.
Using the memory of their kiss in the changing room, they lit up the whole house as prongs and his mate charged into the room looking for a target. Finding one crawling on the floor in the most hideous, baby sized form imaginable.
Hermione's doe didn't hesitate, just lowered her head and charged into the creature which screamed at the love and positive energy the doe was pouring into its evil body, quickly overwhelming the dark magic keeping it alive and it was no more.
As the creature died a green gas left its body taking an almost human form and looking for someone else to inhabit, but this was the moment prongs pounced His antlers pierced through the green mist, causing sounds that were beyond screams to be heard as the last piece of Tom Marvelo Riddle's soul died.
As prongs was ending Voldemort's reign of terror, Harry entered the room, held his wand aloft and cast the Praedia Bellica spell causing a pencil thin jet of white light to leave his wand and pass through the dispersing green mist.
Suddenly more and more beams shot out his wand one of them hitting a hidden figure who was lying in a corner of the room.
It took a few minutes for the beams to stop by which time he had been joined in the room by Hermione and Ragnok, with the elves barring the door to everyone else.
Harry actually felt drained between prongs and the numerous white beams, he'd been using a lot of magical power. When Hermione wrapped him in her arms and planted a gentle kiss on his lips, it was like plugging into an electrical socket as his core recharged.
Hermione felt it as well, 'their powers combined this world will save' "does that mean we can share power as well as thoughts? We never did ask Ragnok for a book on soul bonds did we?"
"Been kind of a busy day love," chuckled Harry.
Dan and Emma joined them in the hug with tears of relief running unashamedly down both their cheeks.
Harry gestured for Dobby and Winky to join them saying, "you're both part of our family" so the group was back to six with two elves sobbing with happiness.
Ragnok was standing looking proudly at the group hug while the aurors checked the room.
Harry said, "Madam Bones the body over there is Peter Pettigrew who, as you can see, was alive moments ago. My godfather, Sirius Black spent twelve years in Azkaban without a trial for crimes committed by this man. Fudge knew this last year but we now understand why no action was taken. Poetic really, as Sirius is alive while Fudge died a death eater. I expect his pardon to be announced by tomorrow at the latest."
"You have my word justice will be done Lord Gryffindor. Can you please explain what happened here tonight? I'm sure that's the dark lords wand but this thing and the snake?" Amelia asked.
"The thing is Voldemort; it's mostly made-up of dark magic and snake venom. With his loyal servant over there not able to care for it, the thing was dying. My wife and I used the patronus charm, positive energy and love were like poison to it and Voldemort's spirit was destroyed as well. No come backs this time." said Harry
A pink haired auror approached Harry, "hi, my name is Tonks and Sirius Black is my cousin. If you see him could you say hi from me. My mother never believed he was guilty, she knew your mother and father as well. She always said Sirius would die before he betrayed them."
"Thanks Tonks, guess that makes you family as well," he gave the startled young witch a hug and her hair changed colour, "this has been a real red letter day for family but tiring to say the least."
Looking at Hermione, "I think it's time to go home love, how about you?"
Hermione smiled at her husband, "second best idea you've had all day dear. Ragnok any luck with that book we asked for?"
Ragnok pulled a slim volume out of his pocket and handed it to Hermione, "I will see you tomorrow as we have many things to do, although the issues we discussed today are well in hand."
Harry shook Ragnok's hand, "thank you for everything and please wait till tomorrow before imposing anything too permanent on our problems. I at least want to hear their side. Madam Bones I would like to see you tomorrow as well if that can be arranged. I trust you and sadly there's not many in the ministry of magic I can say that about."
"For what you have done I will always be available Lord Gryffindor. The wizarding world owes you a debt that can never be repaid."
"Try telling Rita Skeeter that!" said Hermione, "Mum, Dad hold on. Winky, Dobby take us home." And they were gone.
-OoOoO-
At the burrow that evening, Molly and Arthur were sitting listening to the radio for news bulletins, the whole magical world was in an uproar.
Witches and wizards had collapsed all over the country, what caused it? was it contagious? could it happen again?
Since everyone collapsed at once and, as yet no repeat occurrence had been reported, things had quietened slightly but the worry was still there. Who would be next?
The radio caught their attention again, "We now have an announcement from Amelia Bones, who has just been appointed acting minister for magic." The husband and wife stared at the box in anticipation.
"Good evening, I would like to put everyone's mind at rest by saying we now know what caused the mass collapse and it will not, I repeat will not effect anyone else."
Had the ministries monitoring devices not already been destroyed, they would have been sorely tested by the surge in positive magical energy from all over the country that could have run a small town.
"Earlier today Lord and Lady Gryffindor battled he who... Lord Voldemort to his severe injury. He then began drawing power from his marked death eaters causing them all to collapse. Tonight I was part of a group that accompanied them both to his lair and finished Voldemort for good."
Energy output was now on a city scale.
"And who are the heroic Lord and Lady Gryffindor? Why none other than Harry Potter and his new wife Hermione Potter nee Granger."
The verbal explosion at the burrow was probably unique in the wizarding world, as Arthur Weasley stared blankly at the instrument that had just pronounced their doom, his wife yelled at the top of her voice "NOOOO..."
Molly had the potion all prepared, was ready to add it to some cakes for Harry when that bloody tournament took over.
She couldn't have him fighting dragons while doped on love potion, he could get killed then where would they be?
What the hell was Albus playing at letting him marry? Just wait till she got hold of that worthless son of hers, falling out with Harry and pushing him into the mudblood bitches arms. She would..
We'll never know what she would because at that moment the front and back doors of the burrow were simultaneously blown apart. Before Molly or Arthur had time to even think about their wands, a dozen goblin guards had burst into the room, slapping magic suppressing manacles on them both.
The guard who was obviously in charge withdrew a scroll from his tunic and read:
"Molly Weasley and Arthur Weasley, you are charged with crimes against a friend to the goblin nation and as such you will be tried under goblin law."
"What are you talking about? What have we done and who is this friend? There hasn't been a friend of the goblin nation for centuries, I work at the ministry so release us this instant." Shouted Arthur.
The burrow was being torn apart as the goblins searched for evidence, when a flask of potion was placed in the head guards hand, removing the lid, he sniffed the contents before looking at them with clear contempt.
"The Lord and Lady Gryffindor have been awarded friend status." He said.
Both Weasley's knew they were screwed.
-OoOoO-
At number 4 Privet Drive, Vernon and Petunia Dursley were sitting in front of the biggest television in their street, feet up, glass of wine in hand and bemoaning the quality of programs available. All things considered a perfect evening!
The perfect evening rather quickly went pear shaped due to the unscheduled interruption of about a dozen evil looking creatures with the longest knives they had ever seen. They effortlessly threw Vernon into a wall and kept him there by means of a goblin sword under his chins.
As the goblins began their search, the contrast between Dudley and Harry's bedroom caused their mood to darken, but when they found his old bedroom under the stairs - all hell broke loose!
A seriously pissed off goblin can do a lot of damage, but if you multiply that by twelve and drop them into the middle of a muggle house the result is utter carnage.
The goblins portkeyed out of Little Whinging with both Dursleys in tow and without a word being spoken, less than five minutes after entering.
At number 4 Privet Drive not one item inside the house remained intact and no pieces bigger than a matchbox could be found – the destruction was total.
-OoOoO-
The bearded old man in the Granger's back garden only required a fishing pole to conform with the muggles idea of a garden gnome, a six foot garden gnome maybe but a gnome none the less.
Albus Dumbledore was loosing his patience. As well as his job, his position as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, his Order of Merlin, First Class - NO! He could save this. He was Albus bloody Dumbledore after all – the most powerful wizard of his time. All he needed was the little mudbloods parents, that would get him the mudblood, and through her Potter.
He could do this, though what he could do without is the twenty goblin guards, in full body armour with weapons drawn, that had just appeared. Ah well, time to go – shit! anti-apparition wards so emergency portkey it is – deep shit! anti portkey wards as well.
"What can I help you with this fine night?" he said while spotting a gap in their lines. He decided to make a run for it as, once outside the erected wards portkey travel and apparition would be possible.
He drew his wand and fired stunners into the goblins while running through the gap, suddenly the ground wrapped around him and he was underwater. Having dropped his wand he found the more he struggled the more entangled in this strange ground he became, with freezing water trying to enter his lungs blackness overtook him. Albus Dumbledore had never seen a pool cover before.
-OoOoO-
The group arrived back in Gryffindor apartments to be greeted by a cleaner, but no less frustrated Sirius Black, who looked to have worn a groove in the carpet pacing up and down.
"Harry Potter! You are not moving from that spot until you tell me what the hell is going on."
A smiling Harry, with his arm around Hermione's waist couldn't resist winding up his now scrubbed and brushed godfather. "OK! short version, we're married, voldie and all his minions have kicked the bucket and your pardon should be through by tomorrow! Any questions?"
A stunned Sirius couldn't seem to get his mouth and brain to connect but did manage to croak, "are you serious?"
Quick as a flash Emma replied, "I thought that was you, I'm Emma and this is my husband Dan."
Sirius Black proceeded to do something he hadn't done in many years, he roared with laughter before grabbing Harry and Hermione and dancing around the room. His laughter was infectious and soon everyone joined in.
Harry's comment of, "way to impress the in-laws Sirius," started the whole scene over again.
The all ended collapsed into the various sofas and armchairs spread about the room with Hermione in her usual position on Harry's lap.
Emma asked, "where exactly is here and why aren't we at home?"
Hermione was about to explain when a large cat bounded onto her knee, demanding attention just as a snowy owl landed on the back of their chair and affectionately nipped Harry's ear.
"Crookshanks, Hegwig how did you get here?" said Hermione, while scratching a now purring cat behind its ear.
Harry just looked at the elves and it was a rather subdued Dobby who supplied the answer.
"Your trunks were moved into the master suit and your familiars were brought here for their protection," he said.
He turned to Dan and Emma, "you will find some of your belongings in the first guest room. When they were collected a certain Albus Dumbledore was seen sitting in your garden, waiting on you returning home we presume."
Godric chose this moment to make his presence known to the astonishment of the Grangers. "Until order returns to the wizarding world this is the safest place in Britain. There will surely be some retaliation attempts and, as muggles I'm afraid you will be easy targets."
"Mum and dad Godric is right, they would use you to get to us. We're all going to have to sit down to discuss the future but not tonight please, we all need a good nights sleep before tackling anything else."
Emma went straight into mother mode, "and just where will you be sleeping young lady?"
"MUM! I shall be sleeping, and I mean sleeping with my husband. We shared our first kiss today and are not ready to go beyond that yet, but we just can't bear to be parted."
Harry had his arms round his now blushing wife, "Hermione and I can already share thoughts, emotions and magical power. With one kiss, Voldemort and his death eaters were wiped out. We all need to know a lot more about this bond before we unintentionally destroy Britain!"
Sirius couldn't help it, he just couldn't do stern parent and the thought of little Harry destroying Big Ben just cracked him up and he was nearly on the floor with laughter.
Dan was clueless how to handle this situation, the standard 'hurt my daughter I kill you' doesn't really apply when the boy in question can slam an armed magical policeman, who insulted Hermione into a wall just by looking at him.
He almost chuckled at the thought of what he would do to anyone who dared to try and cause her harm.
Hermione was just as powerful as Harry and nearly destroyed a building when she heard what Dumbledore had done, how the hell were you supposed to discipline the two most powerful teenagers in the world?
Then there was this marriage, the fact they adored each other and he liked Harry, so what to do?
When Harry made his 'destroy Britain' joke, Dan's mind screamed 'TMI' before joining Sirius in laughter.
Emma was left as the sole voice of parenthood but what could she do? It was an issue of trust and she had always trusted her daughter.
Her choice of young man couldn't be faulted as Harry had impressed the hell out of her, and impressing Emma Granger was not an easy thing to do.
She decided to cut them a break but not let them off the hook entirely, "Hermione Jane Potter, we will be having a talk and I would really like a look at the book Ragnok gave you when you've read it."
Hermione was smiling knowing her mum had deliberately said Potter to take any sting out of the remark.
Her parents were doing their best to cope with the situation and she loved them for it, "sure mum, next few days I promise."
She now had a butterbeer in her hand and looking around, everyone had drinks with her parents and Sirius had champagne, Dobby and Winky were holding glasses of pumpkin juice while Harry, like her had butterbeer.
Dobby raised his glass, "To the demise of darkness, the freedom of Sirius and the joining of the two finest people I know!" they all drank to that.
Harry thought, 'we really need to sit down with those two though I much prefer them this way'
'Its on my to do list love' answered Hermione.
-OoOoO-
Minerva McGonagall sat in the Hogwarts great hall looking around the tables wondering what else could happen today.
She knew her two favourite pupils were missing from her house table but others had also left the school as families were effected by grab arm and collapse disease, three teachers had been infected and taken to the infirmary.
She had just about got over the shock of one of them transforming into an already dead convicted death eater when Poppy reported that the three of them had just passed away.
Where the hell was Albus?
He had shot out the school as if his robes were on fire and hadn't been heard from since. Thankfully the damage to the castle was minimal and quickly repaired, although the potions department will require to be completely restocked.
She had allowed the Wizarding Wireless Network to be broadcast into the great hall, everyone was desperate for news.
Madam Bones announcement that Voldemort was finally gone created the loudest cheer ever heard at Hogwarts, revealing the identity of Lord and Lady Gryffindor was met with total silence as all heads turned towards the empty seats normally occupied by the couple before bedlam erupted.
Ron Weasley's temper seemed to know no bounds as he shouted at the top of his voice about them going behind his back.
Nobody could actually figure out where this sense of betrayal came from as the whole school had heard about their latest, and final falling out in the Gryffindor common room.
His young sister was crying uncontrollably while the twins offered comfort, though she was by no means the only witch crying at the news of Harry's marriage to Hermione she seemed the most distraught.
Minerva decided it was time to open that forty-year-old bottle of single malt; she needed a wee dram tonight!
-OoOoO-
Harry climbed into bed beside Hermione as she put the soul bond book down and cuddled into him.
"Hermione is this real? I keep expecting to wake up in the dorm and realise I'm late for double potions," he asked
"Harry, if I wake up in my dorm tomorrow then you are going to have one extremely pissed off witch to deal with!"
Hermione waved her hand and the lights went out.
Authors note: thanks for reading, please review