A/N: Here is Chapter Fourteen! We're getting closer and closer to the end...
I still need some inspiration on the restricted chapters of this story so I won't be posting them yet.
Once the restricted scenes are ready, then I'll announce it along with a new chapter for the main story.
As always, your faves, follows, and reviews make my day!
THE POTTER BRIDE
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Fourteen
Harry and Hermione spent three whole days just lounging around at Potter Manor. They spent their days sharing meals that Harry cooked, reading and cuddling by the fireplace at the library, watching horror movies on the telly, and making love. On the fourth morning of their lazy streak, Hermione decided that it was time for them to face the world.
"Harry do you have a computer?", she asked as they were eating breakfast.
"Yes, I do. Why?"
"I reckon we should Skype call my parents. Tell them about our engagement", she shrugged.
"Sounds alright! But we do have to make sure their online though", he reminded her.
"I'll call them after breakfast so that they'll be online when we are", she had a big grin on her face.
"Er, so, what do we tell them?", he asked nervously.
"I believe it was your task to create a rated G version of your proposal, Mr. Potter", she teased.
"Mione, you love me, right?", he pouted.
"Not gonna work, Potter. I enjoy watching you squirm after all", she chuckled.
"Why are you so mean to me?", he whined.
"Well, it's your fault for falling in love with me, darling", she giggled.
"That's true", he grinned.
"We should hurry, Harry. We have to meet Astoria Malfoy about her theories this afternoon", she gestured to his half-eaten breakfast.
"Oh, alright. I was supposed to use this time to think of my proposal story", he sighed.
"I love you", she smiled at him.
"Love you too", his eyes were sparkling with joy. He resumed to eating his breakfast but he had a contemplative look on his face. It was clear that his mind was focused on creating their alternative proposal story. This bloke is just so adorable!
After breakfast, Hermione arranged with her mother that they would be calling at seven in the evening at Sydney time. This gave them enough time to shower and get dressed before the Skype call at ten in the morning their time. When they were both ready, Harry lead her to his entertainment room, the area near his study that allowed electricity to flow due to the special wards. Only the Lord's study and the entertainment room allows non-magical devices to function. He took out a laptop from a drawer and settled it on the center table across the couch. Hermione operated the computer and logged on to her Skype account.
"Darling! It's so good to see you. Oh! Harry is there too! Hi, Harry!", Emma Granger had a bright smile on her face as she greeted them.
"Hi honey, Hi Harry!", Daniel Granger had an arm around his wife as he talked to them.
"Hi mum! Hi dad! Harry and I are getting married!", Hermione squealed while he gulped nervously. Okay! You got this, Potter! Just go short and sweet with the fake story. No blushing and don't look into their eyes.
Emma Granger squealed like her daughter and hugged her husband tight. Both men stared at each other on the screens and rolled their eyes. Both mother and daughter are so alike!
"Show us the ring! And how did he propose?", Emma asked as she recovered from her apparent joy.
"Isn't it beautiful?", Hermione took the laptop from the center table, leaned her back on Harry's chest, placed the laptop on a throw pillow on her lap, before she brought the ring closer for her mother to see. Harry snuggled into her to get more comfortable so that he could remain fully visible on the camera.
"Oh, darling! It's beautiful", her mother swooned.
"Excellent choice, Harry!", Mr. Granger gave his approval.
"So, tell us how did he propose?", her mother asked with a giggle. Merlin! Here it goes.
"Harry actually likes telling the story, mum. So, it's his show", Hermione winked at him before turning to the screen.
"Er, so, she arrived here at the manor and we talked in my study. She was adamant that we should not be together due to the curse. I keep on rebutting her arguments. I finally wore her down, and then, I, er, knelt down on my knee and popped the question", he narrated his rehearsed spiel as his eyes avoided the camera on the guise of playing with Hermione's curly hair.
"Nice try, Harry. Now tell us the real story", her mother said knowingly and Hermione burst into laughter.
"Hey! You're supposed to be supportive!", he playfully pinched her side which made her laugh even harder.
"That was the lamest proposal story I ever heard, Harry. Besides, you keep saying 'er' and you sounded unsure", Hermione chuckled.
"You proposed while naked in bed, didn't you?", her mother asked with a giggle.
"God! Emma! We do not need to hear that. Let's just stick with Harry's version", Dan turned slightly green.
"You sure got it right, mum!", Hermione laughed while he blushed. Her father is going to kill me!
"So, when's the wedding?", her father asked.
"We've not talked about the details yet but Harry and I sure hope to find a cure for the curse first", she shrugged.
"Hermione, I'll be expecting you to tell me the real story when we're alone. Your father is still stuck in his dream world that you're still a six-year-old little girl. And well, poor Harry is blushing so hard, I'm afraid all his blood is now staining his cheeks", her mother laughed.
"Was my story really that bad?", he whined.
"Yes, it was Harry! Anyway, you still have a long time to come up with a better story to tell your kids someday", her mother chuckled.
"I would like to thank you for giving me permission to be with Hermione, sir", he addressed as he recovered from his embarrassment.
"Son, Hermione would have married you even if we do not agree. She controls the decisions in her life like that. Besides, I actually think you're okay for a bloke who's stealing my princess away", Dan chuckled.
"But she told me I had to ask your permission first?", he looked at Hermione who now had a mischievous smirk on her face.
"I just love making you squirm. It's adorable!", she pecked him on the cheeks and the Granger women giggled.
"Women! Gotta' love 'em", her father remarked and they all shared a laugh.
After the Skype call with the Grangers, they decided to apparate to West End London for a short five-night vacation. It was Harry's idea to relax Hermione's mind especially since he knew that the effects of the curse are still looming over her. In a much as she was certain of his love and devotion, he knew that Hermione would continually stress about her inability to conceive a child. He only hoped that by entertaining her with her favorite shows and by lavishing her with his undivided attention, she would feel better about the start of her treatments. Of course, after checking in to their hotel room and grabbing lunch, they would have to visit the Ministry of Magic since Astoria Malfoy and her team of researchers will meet them at four in the afternoon. The schedule was set late, nearing the ministry's closing time, so as not to rouse suspicion on the nature of their visit. The four prophecies and most especially the utero mortis curse on Hermione should be kept secret.
Harry side-along apparated Hermione to a hidden corridor three blocks away from The Savoy, the hotel they will be staying at for five nights. He hailed a cab and asked the driver to bring them to the hotel. It would look really weird to just walk into the luxurious hotel so they had to take a cab. Since their vacation was a spur of the moment kind of thing, they were lucky to even find an available room. They were settled into one of the most beautiful one-bedroom suites with an overlooking view of the River Thames when Hermione told him that she hungry. They were holding hands as they headed for the hotel's world class restaurant, The Savoy Grill.
As guests to one of the premier accommodations, they were given special treatment as soon as they walked inside the restaurant. They took their seats and sampled some champagne as they checked the menu for food to order.
"Harry?", his fiancée asked.
"Yes, love?", he lifted his eyes from the menu.
"Why does the non-magical world acknowledge you as Lord Potter as well? I thought that wizarding titles, like the Blacks, are just applicable in the magical world?", she whispered in his ear since they were seated side by side.
"Apparently the Potters had some connections with the muggle peerage system due to two ancestors, one a squib, and one a wizard who provided great service to the then reigning monarch. Also, er, when we defeated Voldemort, the Queen of England awarded me and she insisted that my title will be known. Furthermore, the goblins who manage all my finances actually named my cards as Lord Harry James Potter, Duke of Richmond", he explained in a hush tone.
"Oh! That makes sense. No wonder Mama Pierre addressed you as Lord Potter during the auction", she commented.
"Yes! The goblins arranged for me to be able to get an invitation to the auction. And of course, to give credence to my presence there, er, they had to send a liaison officer claiming that Lord Potter, the Duke of Richmond is highly interested in a specific lady at the auction", he admitted.
"I should be flattered then?", she feigned anger but he could tell she was just teasing him.
"Of course! Lord Potter is very picky with his choice of women after all", he said pompously and she laughed.
"Excuse me, miss?", a rotund man Harry Potter has never seen in years approached their table.
"Yes?", Hermione looked at the man.
"Aren't you the British model who became a lingerie model in Australia who eventually became a lawyer?", Dudley Dursley asked Hermione. His cousin's eyes were so focused on his gorgeous fiancée that he didn't even spare him a single glance.
"How did you know that?", she was surprised.
"You were featured in a YouTube video. My dad and I are fans of yours", Dudley gestured to a table. When Harry looked to the direction he pointed, he saw his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. They now look so much older than the last time he saw them.
"That's right! It's Dudley's birthday today, love", Harry realized.
"How do you - Harry?", Dudley was surprised to see him after all these years at one of the most expensive restaurants in London.
"Hello, Dudley!", he replied with a smirk.
"Oh! So, this is your cousin, Dudley", Harry could tell that Hermione's mood immediately shifted. Hermione Granger holds grudges after all!
"Dudley Dursley, meet my beautiful fiancée, Prosecutor Hermione Granger", he introduced.
"You're marrying her?", Dudley was surprised. Harry could hear the envy in his voice.
"Yes. She agreed to marry me a few days ago", he pecked Hermione on the cheek before he gave Dudley a smug look.
"Does she know you're, you're", he knew Dudley was talking about magic.
"How could I not know how special my Harry is?", Hermione asked with a brow raised.
"You know what he is and still want to marry him!", Dudley was aghast.
"That is quite simple, Mr. Dursley. I am madly in love with him", this time Hermione pecked him on the lips. How I love this woman!
"But you're gorgeous! A model and a lawyer! How could you want to be with him?", Dudley asked in a much louder voice. Harry noticed that some people were already looking at them.
"Lord Potter, is this man bothering you and your fiancée?", one of the waitstaff approached.
"Lord Potter?", Dudley was now dumbfounded.
"It's alright. We're fine. My cousin just can't believe my fiancée here agreed to marry me", he chuckled.
"Love, can we order now. That way we can go back to our suite earlier", Hermione smiled sweetly. Dudley gave them one last look before walking away to return to his parents.
"You just had to make Dudley envious of me for having you in my life, did you?", he had a huge grin on his face since he understood what she was doing.
"Well if it annoys him that you're marrying a hot lingerie model then I'm all for it! You deserve some revenge for all he's done to you in the past", she explained.
"I have an idea!", Harry had a mischievous grin as he raised a finger to catch a waiter's attention.
"Yes, Lord Potter, how can I help you?", the waitstaff approached them immediately.
"Do you see that table over there? With the two rotund gentlemen and the skinny woman? Could you give the younger man a cake, please? Oh, and do add in some of your best wine for them. You may tell them that it's compliments from Lord Potter and his fiancée for the younger man's birthday", he politely instructed the waiter.
"Of course, Lord Potter", the waiter nodded.
"Thank you!", he grinned.
"You Lord Potter are a sly devil", Hermione giggled.
"Hey! I just followed your lead", he winked at her. Thirty minutes after they enjoyed their meal, they heard a commotion from the Dursleys' table. Apparently, they already received his compliments. Glancing at Hermione, they stood up together and had knowing smirks on their faces. He held her hand as they walked towards the Dursley family.
"Hello, Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia! My fiancée, Prosecutor Hermione Granger, and I just wanted to greet Dudley on his birthday. We do hope you enjoy the cake and the wine. It's on my tab", he said in a gracious voice.
"Let's go to our suite, love! You owe me a massage", Hermione said seductively and he played along.
"It would be my honor, my lady. If you'll excuse us", he gave his relatives a formal nod before he escorted Hermione out of the restaurant. When they reached their suite, they let out the laughter that they tried to hold in.
"Your relatives faces were so funny as you approached them!", Hermione said after her laughter subsided.
"Well Dudley's leering face and defeated look when he learned how madly in love you are with me was the clear winner!", he laughed.
"Ah, well, at least you showed them that you have succeeded in life despite how they discouraged and mistreated you", Hermione hugged him comfortingly.
"I love you, Hermione", he whispered into her ear as he tightened the embrace.
"I love you too, Harry", she replied and she pulled away.
"Now Lord Potter, I do believe you owe me a massage", she wiggled her eyebrows playfully.
"Hmmm… Is this a full body massage?", he leered.
"That's perfectly doable if you're that good with your hands", she giggled.
"You're on, Granger!", he had a predatory look in his eyes as he moved closer to her. She ran away from him while discarding her clothes. Merlin! I'm such a lucky bastard to have her in my life!
After a very thorough shower and massage, Harry and Hermione fell asleep on the large bed all happy and sated. He woke up due to a desire to go pee. Shit! What time is it? He glanced at his watch and sighed in relief. It was still thirty minutes passed three. They still have time.
"Mione, love, wake up", he gently nudged the naked beauty in his arms.
"Harry?", she yawned as she slowly opened her eyes.
"We need to get ready, love. We need to be at the ministry in thirty minutes", he reminded her.
"Oh, shit!", Hermione ran to the bathroom and he heard the shower running. Five minutes later, she came out from the shower wrapped in a fluffy towel. She took out a new dress from her bag along with some underwear and got ready. He too took a quick shower and got dressed. Five minutes before four, they directly apparated from their suite to Diagon Alley and flooed to the ministry atrium from the Leaky Cauldron.
They could feel a lot of curious eyes following them as they made their way to the Department of Mysteries. Standing by the door into the main entrance, Draco Malfoy waited for them. They exchanged nods and followed Draco to his wife's research facility.
"Lord Potter, may I formally introduce my wife, Astoria", Draco gestured to a statuesque blonde woman.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Malfoy. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts in finding the cure. May I introduce, Hermione Granger, my fiancée", he formally replied and introduced Hermione.
"Thank you so much for all your help, Lady Malfoy", Hermione smiled and the woman smiled back.
"Please call me, Astoria, Hermione. Merlin! I've always been a fan of yours. My sister, Daphne, used to tell me how smart you are. But given she was a Slytherin and you're a Gryffindor, it was hard for you two to become friends. I was a Hufflepuff, three years below your own batch", Astoria smiled.
"Of course! I remember now. Nice to formally meet you, Astoria!", Hermione grinned.
"Well, Potter, it seems my advice worked, eh? I mean you went from clueless to fiancé!", Draco smirked.
"Yeah, thank you for the advice, Draco", he grinned.
"Hermione, I am sure that Harry told you whatever it is that Draco told him. For now though, I want to test your EMI levels", Astoria was now all business.
"Well, I last tested six years ago. I was a 700", Hermione admitted.
"While 700 is high, based on your EMI record on your sixth year at Hogwarts, you were a 790", Astoria explained as she looked at a roll of parchment.
"But I only did the EMI in Australia", Hermione was confused.
"The Hogwarts wards automatically detect each student's EMI as they first arrive every school year. The record is then updated here at the ministry", Astoria said.
"I can test again if you want", she suggested.
"Go ahead", Astoria encouraged.
"in robore fortitudinis meae revelare", Hermione stated the spell before a number appeared. 735!
"I think my second theory could be applicable here. The curse is weakening your magic. You were a 790 per your last Hogwarts record. You said you registered as a 700 in Australia and that was already after the curse. Now, your magic is again slightly stronger than the last record. Hmmm, have you, er, been intimate with Lord Potter recently?", the unspeakable inquired.
"Well, yes", she admitted.
"Potter, you dog! I'm so proud of you!", Draco wiped invisible tears and Harry playfully punched him on the shoulder.
"Draco! Behave!", Astoria glared at her husband and Harry snickered.
"Sorry, dear", Draco smiled and his wife rolled her eyes.
"Hermione, when was the last time you were intimate?"
"Er, three hours ago", she blushed.
"Interesting. Lord Potter -"
"Please call me, Harry."
"Right. So, Harry did you do an EMI test recently?"
"Yes, I did it in front of Hermione. I was at 935", he answered.
"So, if Hermione's magic was negatively affected by the curse, and well, when you became intimate, her power increased again. Bellatrix Lestrange last EMI record at Hogwarts is 684. Which means, my theory on overpowering the curse could work", Astoria muttered to herself.
"What does that specifically imply, Astoria?", Hermione inquired.
"I am not really sure yet Hermione. For now though, you be intimate with Harry as much as you can and we will monitor how much your magic changes. If it reaches back to your last record at sixth year or even higher, then we will test if the curse is still on you. If the intimacy only works at some degree, then we can try the blood ritual. For now, I believe that whatever is happening to you is good news! Given that Harry is a 900 plus, that should be a factor we can look into", Astoria expounded.
"You know, your wife sure is like Hermione. Gets lost in her thoughts and ideas as she speaks to herself", Harry whispered to the man beside him.
"I know. I reckon they will be great friends. When that happens though, we must watch our behinds", Draco chuckled.
"That's a good idea, Malfoy", he nodded.
"Us dumber spouses should stick together, Potter", Draco nodded.
"Astoria, can I get copies on any documentation you have for the potential treatments? Also, do you have the arithmancy for the spell?", Hermione asked.
"Oh yes, of course! I can give them to you. Please follow me", Astoria lead Hermione to sit down on a table before she gave his fiancee piles of parchment.
Hermione sure found a soul sister in Astoria Malfoy, he thought with a fond smile as he looked at the determined look on her beautiful face as she perused the parchments. He was hopeful that they would find a cure. After all, Astoria informed them that Hermione's recovering magical strength is a good sign. Besides, I basically received the go signal to keep making love with my Hermione!