How Much of This Stuff Do I Need?

Christmas break was upon them quicker than Harry had anticipated. The four friends stood on the platform in London saying their farewells and finalizing plans before parting ways. Padma was the first to leave with her family shortly followed by Blaise and Maddalena. Harry was holding her luggage when Hermione handed him a small bundle of parchment tied with a blue ribbon. Harry's brows furrowed as he accepted it, "What's this?"

She shrugged and blushed, ducking her head as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Hermione bit her lip before admitting, "Letters, notes, and a thank you for my birthday gift that I had written as I sorted through the mess that is my mind. You don't have to read them. I just wanted you to know that I thought about you every day."

Harry stared at the small bundle before he planted a kiss on her temple. Hermione had been doing a lot of small gestures like that since their reconciliation. They weren't back to their previous relationship, the trust, the easy camaraderie and somewhere in the back of his mind knew they'd never be again, but he hoped that one day they'd at least be closer than what they were now. With his lips against her ear he whispered, "Thank you."

Hermione's eyes glistened at him showing her relief and happiness, "You don't think it's silly then?"

"No, I think it's sweet."

"Oh good," The two heard the woman over the hum of noise and looked over in time to see the Granger parents making their way over to them.

Harry smiled at Danielle while giving Emerson a polite nod, "Hello Doctors Granger."

Hermione instantly went over to her parents, hugging them both. Emerson shook hands with Harry, but Danielle insisted on a hug so she could whisper, "I'm glad you two patched things up."

"Me, too." Harry admitted and stepped back. His eyes scanned the area for Remus who was apparently running late and landed on a sight he hadn't expected to see. "Viktor's here."

"Where?" Hermione looked around until she too spotted the excited gathering crowd.

"Who is Viktor?" Danielle asked.

"That's Viktor Krum, he's a famous quidditch seeker. He's very good." Hermione said.

"He's also betrothed to my little sister," Harry nodded to the young girl protectively tucked under the Viktor's arm. "Alia and her parents are going to Bulgaria for the holiday break."

"She's rather young for him," Emerson stated as he took over Hermione's bag from Harry.

"Right now she is, but when she's at her maturity it won't be as shocking. Viktor is eighteen, Alia is fourteen, but he cares for her and is willing to wait." Harry turned his attention back to the man and explained, "And that is the purpose of the betrothal contract. It lets her parents know that he isn't just toying with the girl, he intends to court her until she becomes of age and marry her if she is still willing to have him. In the past, marriage contracts were made by two sets of parents for political, monetary or social gains. The girl was protected by the boy's family: by name, financially and physically. Many contracts were drawn up when the children were still infants. Back then they were binding and unbreakable. Now they are simply promises of future intent along with his protection."

Emerson's eyes narrowed on the boy, "You seem to know a lot about them."

"I should," Harry agreed. "I researched them during the summer after a conversation with my Godfather." Hermione was back at his side, her hand slipping around his bicep, but he never broke eye contact with the girl's father, "Which brings me to a subject that pertains to you and yours. Someone will be contacting you over the holiday break in order to speak with you of my intent to officially court your daughter."

Danielle's hand went to her mouth to cover it as she gasped. Hermione pressed into Harry's side when Emerson glowered at him. Harry didn't flinch, instead he explained further, "I love your daughter, Dr. Granger. I hope to one day marry her if she'll still have me. While I admit my timing in announcing my intent could have been better, I felt you should know from me and not be blindsided by my representative."

"Everything okay here?"

"Professor Lupin!" Hermione beamed at him and the man chuckled.

"How many times must I tell you to call me Remus? I'm not your professor anymore." He said before turning to her parents, "Hello, Danny. Em, you look a bit unsettled."

"The boy here just proposed to my daughter… sort of…" Emerson shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and looked at Remus, "Sorry, Remus, it took me by surprise."

"I'd imagine so," Remus looked at Harry, "Cub?"

"I have stated my intentions, Remus. There will be a request for contract negotiations. I'm thinking we'll need a dinner to sort all the details out, if not two. I'll explain at the cottage." Harry said and watched as a grin pulled at Remus while he nodded in understanding.

Emerson began blustering again, but Hermione cut him off, "Daddy…" She waited until he looked at her, "We can talk about it at home."

"But…"

"At home, Em," Danielle curled her hand around his bicep much like her daughter had with her boyfriend. Emerson looked at his wife, then his daughter and took a calming breath. Danielle smiled at him before she said her farewells, "See you again soon then."

"Yes, ma'am." Harry agreed and gave his girlfriend a reassuring smile, "See you soon."

"Okay," Hermione went up on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Bye Prof… Remus!"

"So long, Hermione."

The two watched the Granger family walk away. Remus gave Harry a nudge with his elbow, "Got your bag?"

"In my pocket." Harry said distractedly and shook his head to clear his thoughts. He looked at Remus and gave the man a crooked grin, "I'm ready to go."

The two stood before the bathroom mirror. The room was still humid from Harry's shower. The teen continued to dry his hair as Remus began his next lesson with a word of warning, "You may cut your face a few times when you first start, everyone does it once in awhile so don't be too upset if you do. So some important things to keep in mind," He began ticking them off using his fingers as he told Harry each point, "Shave after you shower so your stubble is soft. Splash warm water on your face before you start. Then apply shaving soap with 'tondenti fullonum'. Never shave without it," the man winced as if reliving a bad personal experience, "and no matter what anyone says, regular soap is not a substitute."

Harry nodded and gave a small 'okay', but Remus wasn't done, "Shave slowly and gently going with the grain of your hair, not against it. Don't push down too hard either, the razor should do all the work. If you get nicks or cuts, use the episkey spell immediately. Once you're done shaving, rinse your face with water, pat dry. Never rub. Then follow up with a face lotion or moisturizing aftershave. This will help prevent your skin from drying out. Got it?"

Harry just blinked at him as he absorbed as much of the directions as he could, "I should have taken notes."

Remus chuckled, "Practice makes this easier. After a month or two it will all come naturally. Alright, you've showered. What's your next step?"

Harry closed his eyes briefly and recited, "Rinse my face with warm water, put on shaving cream with the spell you'll teach me, shave with growth, small light strokes…" the last word came out as a question and when Harry looked at Remus' reflection, he breathed easier when the man nodded with a grin.

"Right," Remus directed, "point your wand at your palm reciting tondenti fullonum while making a circular motion."

He turned on the taps and took a calming breath before he bent over and rinsed his face with warm water. Water splashed everywhere, but Harry was thorough. He lowered the flow of the stream before he grabbed his wand, "How much of this stuff do I need?"

"Not much," Remus gestured with his finger, "About the area of your palm, but only an inch or so high. You'll have to learn as you go on that one. It varies from face to face and growth to growth. Those with lots of whiskers, need more shaving cream."

"Makes sense," Harry spoke the incantation and gestured into his palm as he was shown. "Whoa," He exclaimed as the shaving cream came out quicker than he had thought it would.

"It's okay, just rinse away what you don't need after you apply it to your face. Don't forget your neck." Remus pointed out spots that were missed and nodded when Harry managed to lather his face. "Good, now rinse off your hands. You don't want them to be slippery when handling the razor."

Harry had to take a calming breath before he began. Remus adjusted his angle and helped him with the first small light stroke, "That's it."

Remus didn't hide his grin, Harry didn't either and the two shared a smile before the boy continued.

Sirius couldn't get away from Hogwarts for another few days, so they were staying at Remus' cottage for the time being. They'd be at Grimmauld place before Christmas eve for dinner with the Tonks, Zabini, Patil and Granger families. In the meantime, Remus didn't push Harry on the subject of marriage contracts. He knew Harry would talk if and when he was ready. He just didn't expect it to come while they were shaving.

Harry's eyes shot to Remus and he spoke, "During the summer, I asked Sirius about arranged marriages." His eyes went back to his reflection so he could continue shaving. "It was an odd conversation. He has very Gryffindor-ish views when it comes to light and dark wizards."

"What does light and dark have to do with marriage?"

Harry paused in the stroke he was making and grinned at Remus, "That's what I asked."

Remus leaned against the door jamb and motioned his finger towards the water, "Be sure to rinse the razor often."

"Right," Harry rinsed the razor and continued both shaving and talking, "I had been thinking of Hermione and me. Sirius stated that since my parents were light, I could marry whomever I pleased and wouldn't be forced into a loveless marriage. I wasn't really surprised to hear I would've been allowed to marry who I wanted even if my parents had survived. It was how Sirius went on about arranged marriages, associating them with purebloods and dark wizards. Honestly one has nothing to do with the others. There are halfblood dark wizards after all and pureblood light wizards. The man is blinded by prejudice at times all the while claiming to be otherwise."

He raised his chin and moved it to the left in order to get a better view of his jaw, "Anyhow, I fell pretty hard for Hermione. I knew it years ago when she was petrified. The thought of not having her in my life scared me." Harry rinsed the razor again and went back to work as Remus watched quietly. "We had that entire blow up and I was miserable. Silly girl was feeling insecure because I didn't have someone talk to her dad to get her under a marriage contract. She thought that I thought that she wasn't good enough to marry. For fuck's sake," Harry dropped his hand to stop it from shaking and possibly cutting his neck worse than he just had, "I've been in love with her for years and…" Harry closed his eyes as Remus did a quick episkey to staunch the bleeding.

Remus gripped his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, "Love isn't easy. It doesn't always make sense. But when you find that one, you just have to hold on and never let her go."

Harry met his gaze in the mirror again, "That's what I'm doing. I won't lose her again, Remus."

"Good," He gave the boy's shoulder another squeeze and motioned towards the water, "Rinse your face. You did a good job."

He rinsed the razor before setting it aside. Harry then rinsed his face and turned off the tap. "Thanks," he mumbled as Remus handed him a towel.

Harry dried his face and neck before Remus pointed at the other bottle, "Don't forget the moisturizer. The last thing you want is dried out skin from shaving. Girls like smooth skin."

He didn't know if he should laugh or just do as he was told. Harry couldn't resist asking, "Do they really?"

Remus grinned and ran a hand over his own jaw, "Damn right."

The two laughed and Harry shook his head, "Thanks, Remus."

"It was my honor to teach you how to shave."

"Yeah, for that too." Harry finished putting on the moisturizer, turned and looked at the man he considered an uncle. He held the ends of the towel hanging around his neck and stated, "There are a number of people in my life; each one has a role and each one means something to me. I respect each of you, but you're the one I feel I can talk to. So, thanks."

Remus' breath hitched and he quickly said, "Sorry, Harry."

The boy stiffened and he braced for rejection. Harry had to swallow hard past the lump in his throat as he asked, "Remus?"

The werewolf didn't speak; he just wrapped his arms around the boy and hugged him tightly to his chest. Harry's arms were pinned between them, but he didn't struggle. He laid his forehead on Remus' torso feeling safe and cared for. Remus' usual tenor voice sounded rumbley and muted, but that had more to do with Harry's head being wrapped by an arm rather than any other dynamics. The boy finally struggled as he muttered into the man's chest, "Can't. Breathe."

"What?" Remus pulled back and blushed when Harry began gasping for breath, "Well I did apologize."

"Is that what it was for?" Harry chuckled, "You had me confused."

"Yes, well…" Remus leaned against the door jamb again, "I haven't hugged you since you were a toddler and I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it."

"With me in pants and a towel, awkward would be the word." Harry laughed when Remus blustered, "Relax." He pushed the werewolf out of the bathroom doorway so he could go to his bedroom, "I'm not weirded out."

"So what others…"

Harry looked at him as he stood at his bedroom door, "Sirius, Professor Snape and Mrs. Zabini are all important to me. Sirius is my godfather, Professor Snape is my guardian and Head of House, Mrs. Zabini is… well, Mrs. Zee is like a mum to me and then there's you…" Harry shrugged, "You're more of an uncle then Vernon Dursley ever could be."

"You're sure about this, pup?"

Harry nodded and straightened his godfather's tie, "Yes. We talked about arranged marriages over the summer. You told me I wouldn't have to be in one, that it was my choice who I would marry. I want this, Sirius. I wanted it then, but didn't realize Hermione wanted it, too." Sirius gave him a nod and jumped when the doorbell rang. Harry grinned at the man, "Calm down. You know it's only the Grangers."

"Sure, but I have to talk to Emerson for you…"

Kreacher popped in, "Master's first guest is here with parents in sitting room."

"Thank you, Kreacher." When the elf didn't leave immediately as he usually did, Harry asked, "Is there something else?"

"Dinner for fifteen," Kreacher peered at Sirius and his ears lowered warily, "ready at seven as Master likes."

Harry noticed the change in Kreacher's demeanor and asked, "Sirius, what did you do to Kreacher?"

"Nothing!" Sirius huffed, "I just asked for elf wine with dinner and he started yelling at me."

"Yelling?" Harry raised an eyebrow of disbelief.

Sirius huffed in indignation, "He grumbled at me."

"Right, well Kreacher knows that I always want elf wine with dinner at seven in the dining room. He doesn't need to be asked to do those things. He just needs to know how many to feed when guests are invited. He doesn't need you to remind him of my standing orders." Kreacher stood taller with pride upon hearing Harry's words of praise. "Thank you, Kreacher." Sirius deflated under the reprimand from his godson. Once the elf popped away, Harry addressed his godfather again to soften the admonishment, "The elf has his dignity, too. Dealing with him is easier if you give him a bit of respect." Harry chuckled at the man and moved towards the door. "Let's go, Sirius. We have company and I have to keep Hermione out of the library until after dinner or we'll never get to eat."

Sirius groaned, "He's going to be difficult!"

"I told you I can ask my guardian, but you played the godfather card."

"You did." Something dawned on Sirius. It was obvious because he blinked slowly when it happened. His eyes widened as he pointed at his godson and proclaimed, "You played me!"

"I did no such thing. I simply told you about my intention to betroth Hermione and I would need a representative. When you didn't immediately volunteer, I mentioned that 'I needed to speak with Professor Snape'. I never said what I'd speak to him about. You just assumed I'd ask him to speak with Dr. Granger and demanded to be allowed to do so as your right as my godfather." Harry just laughed when Sirius groaned again. "We both know Professor Snape couldn't have done this without giving away his position as my guardian. I am a Slytherin; you are a Gryffindor." Harry gave Sirius' shoulder a sympathetic squeeze, "I simply planted a seed for you to nurture."

"But you did talk to Snape!"

"I needed something suitable for Hermione from my family vault that only he currently has access to."

Dinner that evening was to be a casual family affair, some guests were extended family, but they were family all the same. The Grangers were asked to come earlier than the rest of the guests so the contract talks could begin without an audience.

Emerson, Danielle and Sirius went to the study while Harry was left to entertain Hermione. After fifteen minutes of needling, Harry caved and promised Hermione that he'd show her and Padma the Black library after dinner… which was what he had intended to do all along.

Harry was seated on a sofa while Hermione paced in front of the fireplace. She stopped and looked up as if she could see through the ceiling and into the study. "Do you think they're okay up there?"

"Sure, why wouldn't they be?"

"Oh, I don't know…" Hermione rounded on him, flailing, "Maybe because my dad flipped out when we got home from the station. He's been in a bad temper ever since and then he swears he'll die before he allows his daughter to marry some boy."

Harry walked over to his girlfriend and pulled her into his embrace. She slid her arms around his waist and laid her cheek against his chest. He assured her, "I'm not just some boy, Hermione. I'm the scion to a Noble House. If that isn't enough, Sirius knows how much money I stand to inherit when I become of age: I can pay for both of us to attend any University you wish to attend, afterwards we never have to work a day of our lives and can still afford to live easily-"

"Really? You're going to University?" Hermione pulled back to look up at him and he chuckled.

"That's one of the things that I love about you." He kissed her forehead, "I just told you I'm rich and you're excited that I have plans to get a degree."

"Education is important, Harry!"

"I'm well aware," He agreed. "This is why I intend to go to a four year university. Not sure where yet, I suppose I will simply apply wherever it is you care to attend. I have to get caught up on my studies, then we'll apply-"

"What studies?"

Harry tensed at the sound of Emerson's voice, but that was the only visual sign that he was unnerved by the man's sudden appearance. He hadn't realized that they were out of the study already or that they were listening. Harry loosened his grip on Hermione. He turned to face the man, leaving his arm around her shoulder and kept Hermione close to his side. Harry answered, "Since I started going to Hogwarts, my studies in the muggle world came to an end. Knowledge that muggles are privy to isn't available to me through conventional means. That will make going to University more difficult, therefore my cousin has recently given me his old text books. I've been studying up on some of the mandatory classes: English literature, Geography, History, Mathmatics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics for my GCSEs and A Levels."

"I didn't know that."

Hermione looked up at him again and he gave a single shoulder shrug, "I had to do something with my time when you weren't talking to me."

"But you didn't tell me you were going to do that in the first place." She countered.

"True, I hadn't thought to do the extra work until we weren't speaking, but then I don't tell you everything that I do." Hermione scowled and he grinned, "Okay, next time I have quidditch practice or a meeting. I'll be sure to let you know ahead of time so you don't think I'm hiding things from you."

"That's not-"

"Sure, it is." He interrupted, "If I have to clear everything I do with you, then that includes things like when I go running in the mornings… which by the way is every weekday morning at seven am. I run the perimeter of the school. You're welcome to join us if you like."

"Nope," Hermione shook her head, "That is your time with your little sister. We all know that."

"Good point," He steered Hermione over to the couch and sat her down. When he sat on the table in front of her he took her hands in his and told her, "Over the summer both Sirius and Remus kept bringing up the old 'what are you going to do when you graduate' question. I didn't have an answer. Still don't really. I'm interested in runes, I find wards fascinating. Do I want to do that for the rest of my life? Bugger if I know." Harry took a deep breath and laid things out for her and anyone listening, "I have a mad man trying to come back from the half dead. If he succeeds, he wants to make me permanently dead. It's hard for me to plan my future when I'm not positive I have one. I do know I want you there with me. I know you are going to University once you graduate. I thought it couldn't hurt if I did that too… and maybe by then I'd figure out what I want to do."

When he was done talking, he rubbed his thumb along her cheek to wipe the tear that fell. "I love you, Hermione. I've loved you since we were twelve. I need to know you're there for me, because with you behind me… I have something to fight for… something to live for…"

"Sirius…"

"Yes, Em?" Sirius asked.

"I'll sign the contract," Emerson acquiesced.

"Right…" Sirius turned to the dentist and nodded his understanding.

Hermione smiled at Harry through her tears when the men moved up the stairs, "You're sure you really want to marry me? This is your last chance to back out."

"Yes, really. I'll want you in my life until the day I die and beyond, but I need you to make me a promise."

"Anything," Hermione said without hesitation.

Harry gave her a lopsided grin while handing her his handkerchief, "You shouldn't agree before I ask."

"Fine," Hermione blushed as she rubbed away her tears with the soft cloth, "What's the promise?"

"The next time you find yourself getting lost in that beautiful mind of yours, you'll talk to me so I can help you back out. I don't want to lose you again."

"I promise that I'll try to keep my promise."

"Good enough for me," Harry nodded.

Danielle sniffled and Harry turned his attention to his future mother-in-law having forgotten she was still in the room. Hermione went to her mother and the two females hugged as the doorbell rang and the floo flared announcing the arrival of Remus and more guests.

AN: So much cornball stuff… honestly… who knew my boy had it in him to be so sappy? I sure as heck didn't.

As for that shaving stuff… yeah, I had to look that up on the internet. What do I know about shaving a man's face? Oh except for the shaving and episkey spells … yeah that wasn't in the original text of course.

jkarcanus: Thank you for your review. I hadn't realized I was doing that, well I did, but not to that extreme. In my head I knew the flow of time, which wasn't fair of me to think that anyone else knows what's going on in my convoluted mind. Then there's the other bits about the couple and ... well (and this is going to sound like a very flimsy excuse... and maybe it is?) my daughter usually proofreads my stories and chapters. She hasn't done that with this one or with the last. She questions me on everything forcing me to answer or reword things for clarity. Hmm... that is a huge issue. I need to reread my own chapters and think like Elipsa.

With all that in mind, I went about tweaking this chapter a bit to accommodate. You've given me loads to think about and I'm... overwhelmed. It's all great advice, believe me when I say I will need to read your review over and over again because it was that good.

tumshie: Thanks for the input on the educational bit. I've updated that.

Spell(s) created for the trilogy:

tondenti fullonum: Charms, produces shaving soap