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Neville found Hermione and a seventh year Ravenclaw fixing the rune circle. "Hey Neville, don't worry it's almost done, it will be ready for your appointment," she said cheerfully.
"Umm… er.. that's not why I was looking for you, can we talk, umm… in private?" Neville stammered.
"Okay then. Give me a minute then we can talk," Hermione replied. "I need to concentrate on this."
A few minutes later the circle fixed the Ravenclaw boy left and Hermione drew Neville into an empty room opposite. "What is it Neville?"
"Oh.. Um.. I just heard your bonding with Ron didn't work," Neville said nervously.
Hermione frowned, wondering why he was bringing it up. Maybe he was worried that he and Hannah wouldn't achieve a bond and wanted some advice but surely it would be better to ask one of the couples who had succeeded. "No but I think I understand why, hopefully it will work better with Harry tonight, Professor Babbling said we just need to be sure it's what we both want," she replied anxiously.
"Would you wanna bond with me?" Neville blurted desperately.
"Neville you're booked to bond with Hannah this afternoon," Hermione exclaimed in shock.
"Yeah, she asked me and I thought it was worth the try, our grandmothers are friends so I've known her since before Hogwarts and she's always been nice to me… but if you wanted to bond with me then I would rather bond with you… And Harry said that if I was thinking about that, preferring that I was with you then my bond with Hannah might not work because of that… and… I had to know… if… you… well maybe… felt the same…. You deserve to be with someone who doesn't think of you as just a friend," Neville rambled awkwardly.
"Did Harry encourage you to come and talk to me?" Hermione asked, worried that Harry was hoping she'd agree to bond with Neville instead. That didn't make sense though unless someone better had asked him to try the ritual with them, because he needed to bond before the ministry started enforcing marriages and unless Ginny had changed her mind she couldn't think of anyone he would rather be married to. The thought that he might want her to bond with someone else made her feel slightly sick. Luckily for her, her rational side refused to listen to her insecurities and decided to wait and talk to Harry before she jumped to conclusions. She also thought that if one of those things had happened, Harry would have come and told her himself. He most certainly wouldn't have sent Neville.
"Well no, not really. He said that I had to put it out of my mind while I was doing the ritual with Hannah or it wouldn't work. But if it doesn't work for you with Harry and I'm already bonded with Hannah then I would've regretted not asking you," Neville tried to explain. "Harry does know I'm talking to you. I wouldn't do it behind his back."
Hermione tried to conceal her sigh of relief. "I'm fairly sure it will work with Harry, Neville," she said gently. "At least as sure as I would be trying it with you."
"You wouldn't rather it was me then?" Neville asked dejectedly. "Harry has girls asking him all the time. I'm sure he could find someone else he likes."
"No Neville I'm sorry but I wouldn't prefer to marry you than Harry. I know life with Harry won't be the safest option even now Voldemort is dead but I really care about him, and I'd hate to see him end up with someone who only sees him as the boy who lived or the saviour, or wants to use him for his fame. You're right he'd be able to find someone else to agree to try the ritual with him, but I don't think he would be happy marrying a fangirl, even if the bod managed to form," Hermione replied. "But if you really feel like this then are you sure you're ready to bond with Hannah? I always thought that you got along better with Susan than Hannah?"
"Yeah, but Susan asked Ernie MacMillan," Neville replied.
"And you thought I bonded with Ron and Ginny said she didn't want to bond at all. Is that the only reason you said yes to Hannah? Because she deserves someone who wants to be married to her too you know. She really likes you," Hermione said.
Neville blushed. "You're right but what should I do?"
"I don't know Neville. Even with all the doubts you have and the fact you really only feel friendship for Hannah, if the bond works between you, she might still probably be better off with you than with whomever the ministry pairs her with" Hermione said, sighing. "And while I think that normally honesty is always the best maybe it isn't in this case, telling her all this before you bond may cause her enough doubts to make the bond fail on her side even if you decide that you do want it to form. I don't know what to tell you. You must make up your own mind what you want to do. But if you don't want to be bonded to Hannah then the bond wont form and it would be kinder to tell her that than to try the ritual and fail."
"I'm sorry Hermione. I hope this won't stop you from bonding successfully with Harry," Neville replied contritely.
"I don't think it will, Nev." Hermione reassured him, confidently. "At least not on my part."
"Are you going to tell Harry?" Neville asked.
"Not before we bond unless he asks me about it," Hermione replied, "but I won't lie to him if he asks. It won't cause problems with us bonding for him to know that I had another option and still chose him."
-o0o-
"Did Neville speak to you?" Harry asked as Hermione sat down next to him at dinner. Uncharacteristically, Ron hadn't arrived yet.
Hermione cast a muffliato to prevent those around them listening to their conversation. "Yes he did. He said you encouraged him to. Were you hoping that I'd take him up on his offer?" Hermione asked watching his expression carefully.
"No, I just wanted to make sure you knew you had another choice now while there was still time to make it. I didn't want you to find out tomorrow or next week that I'd stopped him from asking you, and regret marrying me," Harry replied. He didn't tell her how much the thought of that hurt him.
"I don't want to marry Neville, even if he hadn't already promised to marry Hannah, I would prefer to marry you unless you don't want to," Hermione said honestly.
Harry smiled in relief. "I want to" he said. Seeing that Hermione still looked uncertain he explained his feelings.
"When Neville told me he wanted to marry you, I was angry with him for accepting Hannah if he wanted to be with someone else. I don't know her well, or like her much personally, but she really cares about Nev and she's going to be really hurt if she finds out about all this. She deserves better than to marry someone who would prefer to be married to somebody else. But my main reaction was a feeling of loss. I didn't want him to tell you because I didn't want to risk losing you but I also thought that I didn't have the right to make that choice for you, and I kind of needed to know that you actually chose me, not just settled for me because you thought you didn't have a better choice," Harry rambled nervously trying to explain his feelings.
"Oh Harry I told him no! I want to marry you. I know you know that Ron and I tried to bond Harry, but you need to know it wasn't because I preferred him to you. You're my best friend but I honestly thought you and Ginny would bond," Hermione said.
"I tried to ask Ginny, she was my girlfriend, of course she was the girl I thought of first, and I was sure you and Ron would make a go of it," Harry confirmed. "But she stopped me before I could even begin to ask. She said that seeing as neither of us are muggleborn then we don't need to bond yet and she wasn't ready to tie herself down like that. She wanted to have some fun before she thought about getting married."
"She's an idiot, doesn't she realise that for all muggleborns to marry purebloods there must be purebloods being forced to marry as well" Hermione exploded.
"No, I don't think she does realise it. Of course, the ministry haven't said anything about that. I'm wondering whether they're actually planning on giving the purebloods a choice," Harry said.
"It wouldn't surprise me" Hermione said disgustedly. "But it won't be purebloods our age that choose to marry it will be wizards our parent's age or older."
"That kind of makes sense, remember that if you divorce your husband or wife after having three kids they older partner will be given custody, not the more pureblood partner so I think they're going to make sure that we are paired with people at least a year older than us, but is there enough purebloods to marry all the muggleborns without using the purebloods still at school?" Harry said.
"I don't know but they're using half bloods with mostly magical ancestors as well, and at least that means I won't be forced to marry Malfoy, Crabbe or Goyle if our bond doesn't work," Hermione replied grimacing at the thought of the Slytherin boys.
"But Parkinson and Bulstrode are both older than me," Harry groaned.
Ron arrived and dragged Harry into a conversation about professional quidditch players, and what he'd read that afternoon in the Quidditch magazine.
"They're making Galvin Gudgeon marry, and he says he's afraid he'd have to give up Quidditch!" he exclaimed, while shovelling food into his mouth.
"Well yes the Cannons haven't won the league in decades, I wouldn't think they'd pay their players very well," Hermione said nodding. "You can't blame his wife for expecting him to earn a decent living, especially since they're going to have to have a baby almost straight away."
"Never mind him. The whole Harpies team will have to have a baby next year! Including all the reserves and anyone else they tried to recruit to play!" Katie Bell exclaimed in shock. "That isn't fair, the team might have to disband."
Harry nodded, babies cost money. He wasn't sure how much but he knew it was a lot. It was one of his Aunt Petunia's complaints, that they couldn't afford to have a second child of their own because they'd been saddled with the cost of him. But he hadn't thought about the fact that pregnant witches shouldn't play quidditch, he guessed there were other things they shouldn't do either, like fight a war. Could that be the pureblood's secret agenda? To get all the muggleborn witches pregnant to halve the opposition if Voldemort was resurrected again?"
"Yeah how's that going to work if all the married couples have to have a baby straight away. How do we finish our schooling and how will we afford a baby?" Katie asked.
"I don't think the ministry cares whether muggleborns are able to complete their educations," Hermione said angrily. "Pregnant witches aren't allowed to attend classes that require the use of active magic or potions, even if they can afford it."
"You've got plenty of money in the Potter Vaults, Harry," Ron said resentfully.
Harry looked at him surprised but didn't want to argue with him tonight. Telling Ron that they were married and getting him to accept it, tomorrow if the bond worked would be difficult enough without him already being mad at them.
"But that means that the pureblood witches couldn't attend those classes either," Katie said.
"Hermione thinks that they will make sure the pureblood is older than the muggleborns which would give them custody of the children if the marriages ended without them having to state that the children would be kept by the purer blooded parent," Harry said.
"Not to mention that if an of age witch or wizard married a student, they'd probably have financial control of the marriage, and therefore more control of their husband or wife," Hermione added.
-o0o-
Harry waited while Hermione finished eating to leave the great hall together and they walked towards the hallway they were using for the rune circles. As soon as he could guarantee they were alone Harry pulled her to turn to face him and sank down on one knee. Hermione Granger will you marry me?" he said baldly holding out the ring he'd made.
"Yes Harry I will," Hermione replied. "But you shouldn't have bought a ring, someone could get suspicious and send word to the ministry that students are trying to circumvent the marriage law arrangements. We all agreed not to do that and I hate to remind you but you're Harry Potter. The shopkeeper will take more notice of your purchases. What if he brags to the wrong people?"
"I didn't buy it Hermione, I made it. It's only made out of transfigured sand but I used a permanent transfiguration, and resizing charms, once it resizes to fit you I'll add an unbreakable charm," Harry said getting to his feet.
Hermione hugged him. "It's beautiful, I've never seen anything like it. What did you transfigure the sand into?" she asked curiously.
"I can't transfigure metals yet but Aunt Petunia had an ionised glass pendant that's really pretty. I figured I'd use sand because glass is made of sand which would help make the transfiguration easier. I know you won't be able to wear it until this whole thing comes out but I wanted you to have something," Harry said.
"I love it," Hermione said hugging him again. She put the ring on her hand and watched it resize before she took it back off and handed it to Harry to put on the last charm.
"I know it doesn't have the protections that old family rings have but I didn't know how to put them on. Once everything is settled we can go and buy you a proper engagement and wedding ring," Harry said.
"You don't have to Harry, this one is lovely," Hermione replied putting it back on even though she would need to take it off again for the ritual in a moment. "And there might be a Potter family ring in your vault."
"There's nothing but money in my trust Vault," Harry replied.
"Yes but the Potters were an ancient and noble family, they probably have an heirloom vault as well, though you might not be able to access it until you're seventeen," Hermione said.
"Oh. Nobody told me I have another vault," Harry replied.
"You didn't really think that Ron is jealous of you having money because of what's in your trust vault did you?" Hermione asked surprised.
"Well yes, when we went shopping before second year the Weasley vault was almost empty. Mrs Weasley took every knut out of it to buy their school things and they still got everything second hand," Harry replied.
"Oh, I didn't know that. I didn't think they were so very poor. Mr Weasley is a department head at the ministry," Hermione said.
"Head of a department of two who look after muggles, it wouldn't pay very well and you said it yourself, children cost money," Harry replied.
"Yes they do, even if Arthur did earn a good wage, seven sets of Hogwarts fees would be a huge amount. No wonder they don't have money for luxuries," Hermione agreed.
"It must have been what Ron's parents wanted, even if he isn't too thrilled about it. I envy him his family nearly as much as he envies me the vault full of inherited money," Harry said almost sadly.
"Are you upset that I didn't choose you first?" Hermione asked.
"No of course not. I've known for ages that you were interested in Ron and that he had a crush on you. I'm sorry for your sake that it didn't work out for you," Harry replied smiling at his friend.
"You're not upset that I'm not a virgin?" Hermione asked trying not to blush.
"No?" Harry said sounding confused.
"It's a sex ritual Harry. The bond didn't form but Ron and I did complete the ritual, we did have sex," Hermione explained, blushing profusely.
"I guess it's a good thing that one of us knows what we are doing," Harry offered smiling crookedly.
"I don't know much about it. It didn't go very well," Hermione said grimacing.
"Oh.." Harry said blushing.
"Do you want to know why it failed?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked taken aback for a moment. "The ritual or the sex?" he asked hesitantly.
"The ritual," Hermione squawked blushing hotly.
"I'd assumed you didn't know," he replied. But you don't have to tell me unless you want to."
"The runes were perfect, I checked them afterwards, he said the words right, and the sex worked as it was supposed to, though I didn't enjoy it. He ejaculated at the right time. I didn't orgasm but the ritual doesn't require me to. I checked that. I wanted it to work. I wanted to be married to Ron. So I have to assume that the bond failed to form because he didn't want to be married to me," Hermione said bluntly.
"That's what I thought would be the reason. I don't think Ron wants to be married yet at all, like Ginny didn't. He wants to stay at home and have his Mum look after him, he's not ready to be a grown up and marriage is a very grown up commitment," Harry said.
"And you are?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione, I would do anything to keep you safe. I want you to be happy and to live the life you want. And I want a family of my own. It's all I've ever wanted," Harry said.
"You want children right away?" Hermione asked shocked and worried.
"Eventually, though we don't really have a choice about that unless the law is revoked, but a wife is family too Hermione. You will be my family," Harry said excitedly.
"And you're sure you wouldn't secretly rather me be your sister?" Hermione asked.
Harry smiled. "I've never had either a wife or a sister, but seems to me you're already more important to me than Ginny is to any of her brothers."
Hermione leaned over and hugged him. "This is going to work isn't it," she declared confidently.
"It will Hermione!" Harry said determinedly.
Hermione frowned. "Please tell me you don't want too many children? Not as many as the Weasleys," she begged.
"Well I hadn't thought about it but Professor Trelawney told me I was going to have a dozen?" Harry said teasingly.
"She also said you were going to die gruesomely every week and be minister of magic. I'll take my chances," Hermione retorted.
"No, I don't want twelve or even seven but I would like at least two. It would've been nice to have a brother or sister, if I wasn't at the Dursleys," Harry replied more seriously.
"We have to have two anyway according to the law," Hermione said.
"Yeah, how many would you want?" Harry asked.
"I wouldn't mind two at some stage, but not now. I'd rather wait until I finished university or an apprenticeship and established myself in my work," Hermione admitted.
"I can understand that," Harry said. "But I don't think I'd mind looking after the baby so you could study or work if that's what you wanted. You'll probably get a better job than me anyway."
"Are you confident with the ritual itself? I haven't had as much time to go through it with you," Hermione asked.
"I'm confident with the words," Harry replied, quickly repeating them for her.
"And the rest?" Hermione asked.
"I'm a little… I've never... but Ron said the ritual helped with not coming too quickly before the right time," Harry stammered.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Hermione asked.
"Not really. If we had more time I would suggest we had a practice run or two but..." Harry said nervously.
"Let's get this done," Hermione said as the couple before them came out smiling.
Harry nodded and Hermione sealed the door casting the silencing charms on it, before they both awkwardly undressed, trying to sneak peeks at each other while the other person wasn't looking and blushing furiously as they were caught.
"Careful where you put your feet," Hermione said taking his hand and leading him into the centre of the rune circle.
It took some effort for Harry to concentrate on his feet with Hermione's bare bum right in front of him but at least he was able to stop worrying that he wouldn't be able to perform under the pressure. Hermione lay on her back and opened her legs. Harry hesitated staring at her for a moment. "You're beautiful" he whispered reverently.
Hermione blushed pleased, but gestured to him to get on with it. He moved on top of her and Hermione reached down to guide him into her core. The moment he breached her she began chanting her half of the spell and, with difficulty, Harry managed to gather his wits to complete his part. They had just managed to repeat it the third time when Harry lost control and came with a surge of his hips making Hermione wince in pain. She hasn't really been aroused anywhere near enough to be penetrated and neither of them had the experience to know that or how to prepare her.
Light flashed between them and a warm feeling washed over them, Hermione grinned triumphantly. "It worked!"
Harry grinned too, and tried to hug her. Hermione pulled his head down and kissed his cheek. Harry kissed her back on the lips. It was quite a chaste little peck for a couple that had just had sex but both of them thought it was perfect.
"Um... We better get up and dressed. The next couple are probably waiting for the room," Hermione said blushing.
Harry scrambled to his feet, scarlet faced and held out his hand to help Hermione up.
Getting redressed was almost as awkward as undressing had been, they both hurriedly pulled on their clothes wishing that they could clean up a little first, sneaking glances at each other, blushing and grinning when they caught each other's eyes. Hermione grabbed a rag and went back into the centre to wipe the floor before carefully checking the rune circle for damage.
They left the room embarrassedly greeting the seventh year Hufflepuff and fifth year Slytherin waiting without words, but Harry got through it by reminding himself that Hermione had done this before and having to come out and admit that they'd failed to achieve a bond would've been even more mortifying.
Harry took Hermione's hand as they walked back towards the common room.
"I want to get another book from the library for my potions essay. There's plenty of time before curfew. You don't have to come if you don't want to," Hermione said.
"I'm happy to come with you, unless you want to be alone for a bit," Harry replied, not wanting to leave her but unsure what she wanted, and not wanting to push himself in if she needed time alone.
Hermione just kept hold of his hand as they walked past the corridor that would lead to the Gryffindor common room. They collected the book she wanted and arrived back in the common room just before curfew and sat down at the table to complete their potions homework.
A/N: Thank you to Tyler'sPrincess, katmom, caughtinblackseyes, Child of Dreams, BMS, roon0, Daphne is our Queen, Rori Potter, Millie072, sucinquee, Jostanos, , .Wonderland.8510 and those who favourited or followed for your support.