Chapter 9:

Preparetions

"So I did Harry, so I did." Dumbledore explained that his prodigy was indeed right in assuming that the betrothal between the greatest arch rivals in Hogwarts history would flush out the remaining Magical Creatures of the House it might not bring out their mates.

Only Ginny's mates would be flushed out being magical beings themselves but their was no guarantee that the Liger's and the Dragon's mate would too. So they had to make a contingency plan in case they wouldn't come out.

And also there was the matter of weddings to be discussed. What if either of the mates wouldn't want to get mated or married to their counterpart? Ron had given in considering that in the end getting married and mated you didn't love would be worth it if they could kick Voldemort's arse and he could still have a large family as long as he could have sex with his mate in their Liger forms.

"Beats having to see who you're having sex with", the redhead grinned. The group rolled their eyes at his comment.

"Ronald Weasley, you can be such a arse sometimes", Ginny said waspishly.

It was almost dinner time when they had decided that the best plan would be for all the revealed members of the House to stay at the Shrieking Shack till the time came that the Fifth House would open itself. They also agreed that it would be safest for Narcissa to stay at the mansion and have Tonks give her metamorphmagus training, Lupin would brush up her defence skills and Snape would teach her Occlumency.

Finally the headmaster proposed that Harry would reopen the DA-meetings. Ron, Hermione and Ginny were opposed to the idea saying that they didn't want a repeat of Marietta Edgecombe. There was too much at stake now.

"Actually, I think we can do that, Professor, but there have to be certain restrictions. First, if we do re-open Dumbledore's Army with your permission I would like to it to be clandestine. If it seems illegal they will be more alert. Next, I would like to be able to screen each member before giving him or her admittance. I certainly do not wish to train death eaters-to-be nor do I wish a repeat of last year. Furthermore I would like permission to enter the Forbidden Forest with the DA for special training sessions without having to worry about Filch. And lastly I would like to have permission to use the Quidditch field for the DA after curfew. I will keep you posted of course as to when we would be venturing out."

The teens looked at Harry in shock.

"Oh, and before I forget I would like the same privileges for the members of my house…The Fifth House."

Albus sighed.

"I should know better but I will still ask you. Are you absolutely sure Harry, that no harm will come to the DA-students if you were to venture out into the Forbidden Forest?"

"Yes sir. I don't know why but my unicorn self says it to be safe."

"Very well, permission granted."

This ended their meeting and they went into the kitchen where Dobby served the teens, the headmaster and Cissy a grand dinner. Severus and Remus had already taken of that morning to Hogwarts and Tonks had left on a mission.

"Dobby is wanting to asks masters if masters needs Dobby to go back to school sirs" the elf squeaked at Harry and Draco.

"Aren't you still in service of Professor Dumbledore, Dobby?" Dray asked politely.

"No sirs, Dobby is resigned from Hogwarts, sirs. Master Dumbledore good master but Dobby wants be with his Masters Potters, sirs," the house-elf answered sincerely.

Albus was thoroughly enjoying himself watching the astonishment on the faces of his students.

"And we couldn't let Dobby be unhappy now could we", the headmaster chuckled.

"But, but we haven't even discussed this", Harry stammered.

"I thought you like Dobby, love?" Draco said, "So what's there to discuss?"

"Payment of course, working conditions, free days etc.", Hermione spat with disbelieve at Draco. Slightly take aback and noticing the redheads rolling their eyes, the Veela decided it might be wiser to let his mate handle this as Granger obviously was still into that House-elf liberation thing.

"'Mione", Harry admonished, "There is no need to sneer at Dray. You know I'd never let Dobby do anything against his will and that I'd always keep his best interest at heart too."

Blushing the bushy-haired witch sat down again. Suddenly the floor seemed much more interesting to her. The others were chuckling at this development.

"Well Dobby", Harry spoke to the house-elf, "as you have been employed into our household without our knowledge", he looked sternly at the elf who cringed, "I guess we should thank you for all your services this summer."

"Harry Potter don't wants Dobby?" the house-elf wailed, "Harry Potter sirs don't wants Dobby to serve him?"

The big elven eyes became even bigger as large tears brimmed his eyes.

"That is correct Dobby, we do not want to employ you."

'Dray love, can we adopt him into our family? '

Startling his mate when he heard him in his head. Overcoming his initial shock the Veela nodded with a bright smile. The poor house-elf was crying so loudly that Hermione looked at Harry in shock, wondering when her best friend had become so utterly inconsiderate and cruel.

"Dobby", Harry addressed the elf in a compassionate tone, "the reason why we don't want to employ you is because…"

He stopped for a moment to let the house-elf regain his composure and the couple placed their hand on each of the elf's shoulders.

"Because we would like you to become part of our family, if you'd like that too of course."

If they had been shocked in the passed few weeks the shock of those present was nothing compared to the shock they got when they saw their hosts standing on each side of the house-elf as if he was their son. Crying once more the little elf nodded.

"Do I understand correctly", Cissy said looking at the three of them, "that I've just become a grandmother?"

Grinning Draco shrugged, "I suppose so mother. And you'll have to pamper our son with love while we are at school of course."

As if struck by lightning, Cissy jumped into grandmother mode.

"You two do realize that Dobby is going to need godparents, his own room and everything else becoming of a Potter."

Smirking the couple nodded in affirmation. Tears brimmed the house-elf's eyes once more, realising that he wasn't just being treated as equal to a wizard; he was now adopted by one. He'd thought he was only to be treated as an equal.

"Thanks you sirs, Dobby knows of big heart Harry Potter sir. Dobby no guessed both masters Potter big heart. Dobby no is equal, Dobby is son!"

The little creature who'd looked after Harry's best interest since second year squealed and danced in delight. Ginny got up and joined him. Soon everyone was dancing in the kitchen even the old wizard. Tired from dancing Hermione approached the new parents.

"Congratulations guys. I have to admit for a moment I thought Harry, that you'd become a totally inconsiderate git like Ron but this is even better. And you my dearest brother-in-law never cease to amaze me."

"Actually 'Mione I only asked Draco if we could adopt him into our family, Dray's the one who decided to adopt him as our son."

"I'm so happy for the three of you. So I guess that makes me Aunt 'Mione then." Hermione Granger hugged her former nemesis for good measure before returning to the other teens.

"Well, it will be unofficial till after the marriage when the Potters can file for adoption. However, Dobby, being a pure Magical being, means it has to be approved by the Wizengamot. Not to fret though, I see no reason why the Wizengamot should reject your petition. Anyhow, I wanted to thank you both for a delightful and wonderful evening. I shall be returning to Hogwarts now and see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Tomorrow afternoon sir? Aren't we taking the Hogwarts Express?" Harry inquired.

"No, I'm afraid I shall require you, Draco, Narcissa and Dobby to come in early with regards to the itinerary of this year's Welcoming Feast. Therefore you shall apparate into Hogsmeade and enter the castle through the Shrieking Shack. Oh, and while you are there, please have a look around to see whether all is satisfactory. The others shall be boarding the train as per usual. Now what time shall we meet…. Afternoon teatime maybe?"

"Yes sir, we'll see you at teatime then."

"Mother, would you and Dobby be so kind as to meet us a ten in our private living quarters?" After Cissy and Dobby agreed, the boys walked over to their friends to inform them about their trip to Hogwarts.

The teens speculated to who would be the Dragon and the Protectors as they all figured that the mates where the most difficult to guess.

"Okay, so what do we know?"

"It must be a Slytherin or someone with Slytherin traits" Granger spoke.

"But the only non-Slyterin with Slytherin traits is Harry, so that's out of the question", Ginny added.

"The person has already turned 16…" the Pegasus mused.

"Oi Draco, you're Slytherin who do you reckon is the Dragon? My bet's with you mate', Ron declared.

"Hmm… The only Slytherins that are 16 other than myself are Zabini, Pansy, Bulstrode, Crabbe and Goyle from our year. So it's got to be one of them. Hmm…."

"Could it be Parkinson then Draco?", the redheaded girl asked, "I mean you were pretty to close to her. She hung on your every word."

"Sorry Weaslette, Pansy is worse than Aunt Bella. She isn't even a death eater yet and her idea of fun is torturing Muggle children. The only reason she stopped doing that and began hanging around me is because Lucius promised her she could bear my heir," the Veela said in a disgusted tone, "No, my best bet would be Blaise Zabini.

He doesn't voice himself out over the Dark Lord's antics. What? Why are all of you rolling your eyes?"

'Cause love, you are the only on here who doesn't say old Voldemort's name. I'm been hammering at them all of last year, and the DA too, to get them to stop fearing the damn name. How will you fight a wizard if you're afraid to say his name? Oh, by the way it works two ways if you think of me I can hear your thoughts too.'

'Okay, this is pretty cool but'

"Get one thing straight if I say 'Dark Lord' instead of Voldemort it's more out of an old habit than out of fear. If I'd fear the bloody bastard I wouldn't be here," the blonde sneered.

'And here I thought you were here because of pretty, old me?' Harry teased. Draco did the only thing he could think of and stuck his tongue out at his Mate.

"So you really think it could be Blaise?", Hermione asked Draco in a soft voice, laced with longing.

"Yes, I do 'Mione, but be careful what you wish for. Until the revelation has occurred; it remains an educated guess. Till that moment, you are yearning for someone who might end on the opposite end of the war or at best he'll stay on the sidelines and even if he is indeed the Dragon of Slytherin, the chance is slim that you're his mate. Remember that 'Mione, I'd really hate to see you hurt. You've grown on me, little Ms. Know-It-All, sister of mine."

"Oi 'Mione, you've got the hots for Zabini and you never told me?", Ron asked outraged.

Ginny shut him up, "Look who's talking, you've been going out with all kinds of girls just cause you never had the gal to ask 'pretty Ms. Susan Bones' to be your girlfriend."

Her brother glared bright red at her.

"Yeah right Gin, like you have told anyone about your secret night-time strolls to the Astronomy Tower these past to years with Neville and Loony. What's it like Gin? Is it really as good as Fred and George say? Honestly Gin who in their right mind would like to to snog, a walking accident or a raving lunatic?"

Furious the Pendragon transformed.

"You dare to question me?", she hissed while yielding her sword.

Draco oblivious at how Weasleys' fought jumped between the Pendragon and the Liger. In her fury Ginny Weasley struck her sword against the silver-haired boy. If it hadn't been for his quick seeker reflexes he'd surely been hit. Pandemonium erupted once more. The Veela stood in his full glory ready to attack either the Liger, which was slashing about with his paws, or the Warrior Queen. Cissy scurried out of the kitchen carrying Dobby with her. Hermione was weeping in a corner, for once terrified that maybe her friends would hurt each other.

"ENOUGH!" Roared the Pegasus stomping his front legs onto the floor, his emerald eyes blazing with fury and his horn radiating power. The Warrior Queen bowed to him and sheeted her sword, though not yet transforming back. His mate came to stand next to him, wings relaxed, however the Liger wouldn't calm down. A bright light of pure white hit the Liger. Whimpering the Liger lied down on the floor.

"DON'T EVER CROSS ME AGAIN! OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT, YOU DUMB GIT!", the Pegasus roared.

Only then did everyone return into his or her human forms. Harry was the last to transform back.

"Other than the fact that I'm really disappointed in you guys, there is also a good side to this near disaster. Love, would you be so kind to tend to our Hermione and promise me you'll never jump into a Weasley argument again."

He looked at them all, one by one.

"Harry, what did you hit me with?", Ron asked wearily. He was feeling quite exhausted from the ordeal.

"I stunned your emotions Ron, that's why you feel so drained, you tried to fight it. Okay, now that everyone has settled down again I'd like to make a little announcement. I believe we've solved the mates' mystery of Ron and Ginny. If you take into account that Ron freaked out when Gin verbally attacked him on Susan Bones. The Liger in him went berserk meaning that she is his mate. Ron is a true Gryffindor who doesn't scare easily, except for maybe spiders, Harry added with a grin.

"And then Ginny who transformed into her Pendragon self when her brother mocked her lovers, tell me that they aren't the Protectors. Sorry Ron, you'll just have to learn how to live with it. But hey, if you can accept my relationship with your former nemesis, then you can surely accept your sister's love life as the Pendragon."

Hermione, still slightly shivering in Draco's arms, was listening in awe to Harry's revelations. Her head snapped up in attention when the speaker addressed her. "'Mione, how long have you wanted to be with Blaise?"

'Be careful, my lovely Pegasus, our sister is still very fragile at the moment,' came Draco's voice in his head.

'I know love, I know… But I have to confirm whether or not she is indeed most likely to be the mate of the Dragon in the event he is indeed Blaise Zabini.'

Blushing the witch answered, "Since our second year, but it got really bad after he caught me on my way to the common room after curfew last year. Why he didn't turn me in to that hag Umbridge I still don't understand."

"What do you mean by that 'Mione?"

Hermione recounted how she'd been in the library and lost track of time. On her way back to the Gryffindor Tower she'd hid in a nook from a passing by group of the Inquisitional Squad. Blaise had however grabbed her from behind and spun her around to face him. He'd lowered his face to nearly touch hers and whispered,

'Don't get caught by the others. It's pretty dangerous out here after curfew nowadays.'

With that Zabini had turned around and left. Since that encounter she couldn't get him out of her mind despite her efforts of trying because he'd probably end up on the Dark Side.

"Guess, that Zabini guy isn't as bad as I thought him to be", Ron piped up.

'Love, how close are you to Blaise?'

'We were best friends for sometime but he is one of few people I do trust in Slytherin, why?'

'Cause we need to invite a best man for both of us.'

"Oi Harry, Draco we need to discuss your wedding. It's tomorrow. When were you guys planning to plan your own wedding?", Hermione chastised them.

Laughing and knowing their friend would go into full lecture mode the siblings called it a night. In the end the couple had agreed that Dobby would be their ring-barer, Ron Harry's best man, Blaise Draco's best man, Hermione and Ginny their flower-girls with Dumbledore preceding the ceremony.

"Just one last thing before we turn in, have you told the others what their roles will be?"

Promising their sister-at-heart that they would have taken care of everything by morning they went of to bed.