A/N: Ok, hope people have enjoyed the last few chapters, or been angered. I agonized over them a lot. Even thought of abandoning the story, but no matter what tact I tried, the story just wanted to follow this path. Just bear with it, please.
Also, some people have commented or wondered if this is a dead story. Far from it. I am slowing a little on the update schedule as I write Night of the Wolf, Twin Dilemma and just have a busy life right now.
A/N 2: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
-oOo-
Chapter 27
April 25, 1992
Harry stood by the window in the sitting room. He was waiting for Professor McGonagall.
Outside, the world was waking from the winter and he could see some fresh shoots on the tree in the courtyard next door. The house was quiet without David and Amelia around. He found that this house didn't like quiet. Or, maybe it was him that didn't like quiet in this house. Having his cousins around was something he found he really enjoyed.
An itch started at his neck and he was fighting not to pull at his collar. The dress robes and shirt were as uncomfortable as they had been when they went to Gringotts, but he was being a Scion of the House of Potter today. This was official business and Edmund had been trying to help him all morning to prepare for this.
Looking down, he saw the Potter crest, with the much smaller Peverell crest below it. According to Auntie Min, he may have the House Ross next to the Peverell soon.
His stomach was doing flips, but he was trying to hide it. If Edmund could do this, then he could too.
"Mum, do you mind," Edmund griped from the hallway.
"Not really," Angela said and Harry laughed silently. He could feel the annoyance in Edmund's voice.
"I'm not going on House business. Auntie Min and Harry said its only them."
"You should still look nice," she was saying exasperated. "These are people you will be dealing with the rest of your life. Anders seemed like a nice man, but I don't think you can do the same thing there that you do here."
Harry turned to see Edmund in his nice wizard robes. He caught the collar of a muggle t-shirt as Angela tried to clasp the top button on Edmund's robes. "Mum, I am wearing what Auntie Min told me to wear. I am not doing House business today so I don't need to have everything just right. Harry, is," Edmund rolled his eyes.
"Fine," she said throwing her hands in the air. Harry had a sense Angela was acting this way because she was flustered from the week. "I don't want to hear it if Lord Greengrass doesn't like it. When you two get back, make sure your bags are packed."
"Yes, mum."
"Yes, Angela," Harry said to her.
She turned to him. She was trying to keep a smile on her face, but Harry could see it was strained. Bill and Angela had been nothing but supportive of them this week, even if it was bothering them. Harry had heard a few whispered conversations between his cousins and they were concerned. The fact they were concerned was something he wasn't sure he would get used to anytime soon.
"Let me see you," Angela said walking over to him. She pulled at his robes in a few spots to get rid of wrinkles or wipe some lint or hair off them. "Would you like me to come with you? Minerva said I can," she asked him.
Harry shook his head. "I'll be fine with Professor McGonagall," Harry told her.
A moment later, there was a knock on their front door. "I got it," Ed told them.
Angela regarded him for another moment before hugging him. "Just come back," she told him.
Harry, for the first time, wrapped his arms around her. "Afternoon, Auntie Min," his brother's voice came to them. Harry pulled back and Angela looked like she had just given away something very special to her.
"Afternoon, Edmund. I see you are coming too. Is Harry ready? I am running a little late." Professor McGonagall walked into the room wearing an off blue witches robes with the Ross, Potter and Peverell crest on them. "Ah, Angela, I was hoping to see you."
McGonagall reached into her robes and pulled out five envelopes. "I have retrieved the letters that never made it to you or the Grangers. If you like, we can talk more about this later. You can invite the Grangers."
"I will pass these off to Jane and see what she says," Angela said taking the envelopes.
McGonagall nodded. She was acting as stiff and brusque as she normally did at school. "Are you ready, Harry?"
"Minerva, you are certain there is no other way," Angela asked.
The older witch took a deep breath before looking at Angela. "I would if there were. Now, it will be Greencross we floo to today. Edmund, you are to go last today. Harry, you are to follow me."
"Yes, Auntie Min," Edmund said standing tall and holding his shoulders back. It was a pose he had seen on many of the pure or old bloods at school in everyday life. He was happy Edmund and him only needed to do this when they did something related to their Houses.
A few moments later, Harry found himself stumbling out of the floo. He caught himself and found Lord Greengrass entering the large foyer they stood in. "Good day, Lady Ross," the man said reaching his hand out to McGonagall. He noticed Lord Greengrass was in dark green robes with his crest, but they were cut with a little more movement and didn't look quiet as stuffy as his own.
Daphne and Lady Greengrass followed with Hermione. Daphne was in a nice pair of dark green robes, her hair tied back and looking cooler than he had ever seen her. Harry felt awful to know what was going to happen. He liked Daphne and didn't want to do this.
He didn't pay attention to Lady Greengrass, who was in similar robes or Hermione in a pair of dark blue robes that were very flattering on her.
He looked at Daphne as she straightened out to stand next to her father. She showed no emotion and was avoiding meeting his eyes. Harry felt his stomach clench. She seemed very upset at him. Edmund came out of the floo as he stepped up to McGonagall.
He saw Hermione look up immediately and a smile break her face before she tried to look more like Daphne. Lord Greengrass looked at Harry, looking just as amiable as he had to McGonagall. "It is very nice to see you, Scion Potter. I know your parents would be happy that you now have taken up that mantle."
"Yes, sir," Harry said, nervous and unsure what to do.
"And you, Scion Peverell. You look much more presentable this time," the man said with a smile. "I trust your tongue isn't as tied?"
"N...no, sir," Edmund said before looking mortified. "I mean yes, sir."
Lord Greengrass laughed. "It is fine, Edmund. We have time to help you both."
There were a few more pleasantries and he was introduced to Illiana Greengrass. "Now, I know we may all be anxious to get to business today, but I was hoping you would join us for tea first," Lady Greengrass said to them.
"That would be nice, Illiana," McGonagall said.
Soon Harry found himself in a much smaller room off the foyer. It was a comfortable room, with lavish decorations and furniture. Harry looked at the gold inlaid into columns around the room, the floor to ceiling windows with obviously expensive curtains and sashes and furniture that looked like it was out of an old Victorian lithograph.
He sat in a high back chair next to Daphne and McGonagall. Daphne had been rather cool to him so far. He couldn't keep his blush down when she offered him tea and poured it. Harry was already deciding that if this was the way it going to be, he would put a stop to it as soon as he could. He liked Daphne for who he had gotten to know at Hogwarts.
He didn't miss that no one else had their tea served by Daphne.
They talked for a while, going over school. His favorite subjects. He was relieved when Edmund steered the conversation away from where he had grown up. Hermione was excellent at distracting Daphne when it looked like she wanted to ask more questions. He didn't miss the few looks between them.
When Harry finished his second cup of tea, Lord Greengrass sat forward in his chair. Until then, they had been calling him Harry. "Scion Potter, I appreciate this time you have spent letting us get to know you. With the tea spent, I think it time to talk of more serious matters. Would you like a few minutes before I have the paperwork brought out?"
Harry swallowed hard. Daphne had stiffened up. Hermione moved a little closer to Edmund. Edmund didn't move.
"I could use the loo, sir," Harry said. He really needed to, besides wanting to delay this just a little bit more.
Lord Greengrass nodded. Harry was shown where to go and they all waited for everyone to come back. "If you like, we can take this into my study with myself, you, Daphne and Lady Ross."
Harry shook his head. "No, sir. Edmund should know of this too."
"Very well. Minerva, I assume you have discussed with Scion Potter the terms we wish."
She nodded. "I have Anders. Harry and I have no issues with them. He would like to add one of his own though," she told him. Her and Harry had spent a while before dinner yesterday discussing this.
Lord Greengrass raised an eyebrow. "And what is that," he asked.
"Harry would like to name her an Heiress Potter until such time as she is Lady Potter with a release clause on her magic and the ability to have children if she is required to take the title up. She shall be named after Edmund until an heir is produced, by a Potter, and the contract will not be required to pass down," McGonagall said.
Harry had been appalled to understand that Daphne would essentially become his property under the old laws after this was signed. There were items that could not be changed. They were required to marry by his twenty-first birthday. An Heir must be produced before she was twenty-four. If not, she would lose the entitlement of Lady Potter. Harry would have to pay a bride-price. It was so barbaric, he had felt sick to understand the clauses of the binding required of her magic to his. He would never enact them, but it was there, and she would be forced to comply or lose her magic. He would be forced to ensure she met the terms.
Some of the few positives were a dowry vault, in her name and under her control. It would allow her to produce a second heir for the Greengrass line should Astoria choose not to take up a continuance contract. It would be up to Daphne how many children she would want.
Personally, Harry didn't understand most of it except that he knew he and Daphne didn't want this. "Sir, is there any other way we can modify this contract. I don't want Daphne to make an oath of fealty." It was that oath that would bind her magic and free will to him.
Lord Greengrass looked sad and he heard Daphne sniff next to him. Looking at her he could see the devastation on her face over that part of the betrothal contract. "What is an Oath of Fealty?"
It was Edmund. He looked at his brother. Edmund had not been involved in the conversation with Professor McGonagall and his cousins. "It is an oath that will make her have to do whatever Harry says. Her magic will be bound to him and he can command it and her in any way he wants," Hermione said sadly.
The look of horror on Edmund's face mirrored his own to hear it that way. "You have to be joking! That is... that is..." Edmund blurted out.
"Monstrous," Daphne said quietly.
"You will not make this oath," Edmund said angrily. "This was supposed to be a contract for an Alliance. The Greengrasses are already Allies of House Peverell. This contract shouldn't matter," he yelled and he hit his hand on the coffee table. There was a spark that arced from his Scion ring. It was a blue electric bolt that caused Harry to turn away. He tried to shield Daphne. The room was blinded by the light. Harry felt like something drained from him, like he was suddenly tired from playing soccer for hours.
"Illiana," Lord Greengrass called out.
"Edmund," Hermione cried out.
Harry felt something run through him. As fast as it started, it ended. Harry wound up tackling Daphne to the floor and tried to cover her. "Are you all right," Harry asked looking up. He sat up to see Lord Greengrass drop his wand and a shimmery barrier dissipated.
Shakily, she sat up rubbing her arm. "What happened?"
"Edmund, are you all right?" McGonagall was saying in an elevated voice rushing out of her seat.
Lord Greengrass looked at his brother. "Minerva, what did he do?"
Harry stood up and saw Edmund passed out in Hermione's lap. McGonagall was at his side. She ran her wand over him before giving out a sigh. "He's only passed out."
Hermione let out a ragged sigh. She wrapped her arms around him. "Thank God."
"Harry," Daphne asked.
He turned and helped her up. She looked shaken. Lord Greengrass called their attention to the table. "I don't believe it. Minerva, Illiana, look."
The parchment had a hole in the center. Red ember edges of the paper emitted blue flames. It burned very slowly towards the outside edges, as though fighting the fire that was trying to consume it.
"The terms of intent were met," Illiana said. "The opening paragraph said it was to make a Union of Allegiance. He have confirmed out Allegiance and Lord Peverell has acknowledged."
Lord Greengrass looked at his brother. "Illiana, that would mean he is Liegelord of our House. The Greengrasses have been independent since my ancestor split from the Notts and the Greengrasses accepted him as their heir."
"Then there must be an ancestor that started the Greengrasses or another house that the Greengrasses absorbed from the Peverell line, descendant from Ignotis," Lady Greengrass said to her husband.
"What does this mean," Harry asked. Daphne had moved behind him.
Lord Greengrass looked up. "It would appear, Scion Potter, that the Peverell's still have minor houses that owe Allegiance to them."
"Father, does this mean that the contract is cancelled," Daphne asked.
"It does, Heiress Greengrass," Professor McGonagall said. "Anders, is there a place I can lay Edmund down? He needs some rest."
"I'm not leaving him," Hermione told McGonagall. She looked fierce. Harry also noticed she looked like she was barely holding herself up right.
"No. I suppose you are not." There was a resigned quality to her voice.
Lady Greengrass came over the them. "We have a drawing room with a nice couch just across the hall. Would you like me to get Deedee to move him or would you like too?" She put a hand on Edmund's head. "We can make a place for Hermione too if she needs a rest."
Harry caught Lord Greengrass move to his daughter's side out of the corner of his eye. "Do you feel well?"
Harry turned to look at her. She looked about ready to breakdown. She stood tall, her eyes on the burning parchment, but the mask she wore most of the time was a shatters of emotion. "Is it truly cancelled?"
Her father opened his arms. "Come here, my beautiful swan."
Tears started to fall and she rushed into his arms. He hugged her to him as she cried. Harry was just watching, still trying to figure out what just happened. "Harry," Professor McGonagall asked touching his arm. Harry jumped, tripping over a chair and ended up on the floor. When he looked up, he her arm still outstretched and looking at him concerned.
"What just happened," he asked her.
-oOo-
Hermione sat next to Edmund. She had felt the draw on him, and her, when the lightening had arched from his ring. It was an amazing show of power. It had also scared her.
That day he had burned up the contracts from Malfoy, she had felt it. She knew it had happened, even if she didn't know what it was that happened. Today, she felt Edmund's pain and anger. It had been the same pain and anger that had burned in her for days. She had willingly let him draw on her magic to sunder that barbaric parchment. It had taken far more out of him, but she had done her part too.
It was an overwhelming feeling to understand that Edmund and her were that closely linked, forever. She was not ready for it. She didn't want it, but at the same time she would never abandon her best friend. That was why she was in a very large and comfortable chair at Edmund's side with his hand in hers.
Lady Greengrass was in a chair by the high windows, a book in hand and looking up, every once in a while, to check on them. "Lady Greengrass," Hermione asked. Her mind was looking for something else to think about and what had been said before they took Edmund out of the room was going through her head.
The very pretty blonde woman put a ribbon between the open pages. Shutting the book, she placed it gracefully in her lap and put both hands on it. Hermione didn't miss the motions. She had seen similar actions from Daphne and she was wondering if that is what she should be doing. Edmund was going to be Lord Peverell, a high-ranking member of the Peerage in the Wizengamot and unless something happened, she would be by his side. She swallowed. More thoughts to be afraid of. "Yes, Hermione."
"Was the contract burned up?"
Lady Greengrass gave a gentle smile that spoke volumes of her own relief. "Yes, it is. Daphne and Harry will not have to follow through with it. I have your young Scion to thank for this and can never express my gratitude enough."
Hermione tried not to let her pride in Edmund show, or her blush to think he was hers. "I am glad. That was abhorrent. Daphne was so afraid."
"I assume you were too. I heard Edmund was going to take it until Harry overruled him."
Hermione paled some. So that was why Harry had taken it. "Harry is his Liege lord. That means he can overrule Edmund's decisions?"
Lady Greengrass looked at her for a moment. She felt as though she was being weighed and appraised. If this was anything to do with her and Edmund, she would not back down and sat straight in her chair and returned a level look. After a moment, Lady Greengrass nodded. "Very good, Ward Granger. Yes, Scion Potter is the liege lord of Scion Peverell. Edmund will have control over his House, but when a decision involves both houses, Harry's word will rule. Just as, I expect when we sort this out, we will find ourselves in the same situation as Scion Peverell. There are only two ways I can think how to explain what happened."
Hermione parroted what she heard earlier before she started to process what she said. "Edmund is your Liege lord?"
Lady Greengrass nodded her head once. "I believe so, Ward Granger. Can you guess at the second way?"
Hermione looked at her for a moment. "There was a violation of the contract."
"Very good, Ward Granger. Now, why would I not suspect that?"
Was this a lesson? A test? What would happen if she failed? She couldn't let Edmund down. "That was a magical contract. Magic always exacts a toll. Someone, or all of us, would have lost their magic or died," she said suddenly with wide eyes.
Lady Greengrass smiled. "And no one in that room had either of those consequences, and I ensured Astoria was well, so I do not see that as a possibility."
"No. That does not seem possible."
"Daphne receives tutoring in etiquette, the history of the Peerage and other wizarding lineage and politics every other Sunday while at Hogwarts. I would like you to join. I will pay your tuition."
Hermione's eyes opened wide. She understood the importance of this. She was being offered the training to be a Lady of an important magical house. Apparently whatever test she was in she had either failed spectacularly, or passed well enough to go to the next level. "You really believe that Edmund and I are bonded." It was a statement.
The woman gave her a sad smile. "My dear girl, the connection between you two was apparent the first time I met you. Even before you came to Greencross that day, I had suspicions about the reports Daphne sent us. Especially as the reports became more of a letter about friends than unknown Allies we knew nothing about."
Hermione took in a sharp breath. She had suspected that Daphne, Blaise and Tracey had only sat with them because of Edmund's status. It shouldn't have been a surprise that Daphne had sent back information on them as though she was a spy. The fact that she looked at Daphne as her friend, a truly good friend, was why she was hit by it. Lady Greengrass must have seen her thoughts. "Please, don't blame Daphne. Her father and I ordered her to start the contact. Daphne views you as a friend, Hermione. I have never seen her make a friend outside of Scion Zabini or Heiress Davis. The fact she wished you here last night instead of asking me to find a way to have Tracey pulled from Hogwarts is not something to take lightly."
She thought about her response. "Lady Greengrass, I mean no offense by this, but I don't want to stay home. I want to do something when I graduate."
"And what would you like to do?"
No one had asked her that question yet. It caught her off guard. She had her dreams that she suspected only Edmund might now, but she hadn't voiced them yet. She was only a first-year. Was she supposed to know what she wanted to do yet? Lady Greengrass regarded her while things worked through her head. Eventually, she responded. "I would like to do magical research, probably get a Mastery in Transfiguration. Maybe Arithmancy too. I would like it if Auntie Min might accept me as her apprentice someday, but I am not sure I am gifted enough."
Lady Greengrass raised an eyebrow. "You have known this is the path you wanted for a while, isn't it?"
Hermione blushed. "Since Auntie Min described what she does and she bought us our first transfiguration and magical theory books."
"And, no offense meant, Ward Granger, but why could you not learn to be a proper Lady when it is required and still follow your dream?"
Hermione's blush deepened. "I didn't mean to offend you, Lady Greengrass."
"Hermione, you did not offend me. This is the path I have chosen. I know many woman in our circumstances are expected or forced into being what muggles call a 'house wife'. I chose this path when I was pregnant with Daphne. I have a Mastery in Potions. I use my greenhouses and lab to continue my love of the subject, but raising my daughters, instead of allowing a House Elf or Nanny to do so, is my true passion. I have been blessed that Anders provides for us so I can do this."
Hermione blinked. Some of the weight of what it might mean someday to be a Lady lifted. It settled her some. It actually settled her quite a bit as she thought about it more. After a moment she let out a long breath. "Thank you, Lady Greengrass. Does Daphne know this?"
"I have never hidden this from my daughters, even if Astoria is nine. I expect them to find their own way in life. Anders and I will not hamper them by agreeing to any contract that would bind her in such a way they have no decision and I trust our daughters to someday find a husband that will not tie them down. Daphne is too strong willed to allow that."
Hermione snorted before trying to hide her amusement. Lady Greengrass smiled. "Yes, I know my eldest is very head strong. Now, will you accept my offer?"
"I would be honored, Lady Greengrass. Can I pay for any of it?"
She held up her hand. "Hermione, allow me to do this. It is a small payment I can offer you and your Scion for what you gave my daughter. I will contact Mrs. Bulstrode and first class you will attend is next Sunday. Daphne will show you were to go."
Hermione paled some. Weren't the Bulstrodes some of the worst Purebloods and suspected of dark leanings? Again, her emotions must have been all over her face.
"I think you will like Mrs. Bulstrode. She is Millicent Bulstrodes grandmother. She is a muggleborn that started much the way you are now," Lady Greengrass told her.
Hermione blinked. "But aren't the Bulstrodes purebloods?"
"They split when Turgeon Bulstrode married with Millicent's Grandmother. They were cast out of the family but allowed to keep the name. Lord Bulstrode does not have any children. His sons were killed serving in the last war. His cousin is more like us. Neutral. They did not support the Death Eaters in the last war, and I think you can understand why."
Hermione nodded. There was much to learn of this world that she still thought was all pomp, but if she wanted to stay in this world, she would need to learn all she could.
-oOo-
April 26, 1992
Edmund watched the countryside roll by. They were rolling through farmlands, the last muggle village just a few minutes behind. He was preferring the silent watch at the window opposed to what else he could be doing.
When he had woken yesterday, Hermione was at his side. The relief and giddy joy that had flooded him to see her there and feel her holding his hand had been short lived. When he realized she was probably there because she had to be, it had soured his relief. Things had been strained between them for the last week and he didn't like it, but he didn't know what to do either. The thought that he had some control over his best friend, his only friend until eight months ago, was not something he liked and it ate at him.
Hermione, for her part, was sitting close to him, but not leaning against him like she might normally. She sat with a book in her hands, but he hadn't seen her turn a page in a bit. A sign she was deep in thought. It had pulled at his heart this morning when she didn't jump to greet him when they met to go to Kingscross Station. Instead, she had looked at him hopefully, but he just couldn't bring himself to hug her.
It was a quiet ride. Daphne sat across from him, a book in her hands, but looking out the window. She wasn't wearing her mask, but she wasn't exactly good either. Edmund knew she was happy the contract was burned up, but it had scared her. Edmund could see that. Edmund understood her fear. He was also glad she would show that to them. Daphne did not like to be vulnerable.
Harry was the only one that seemed normal. Or at least he thought so. It was hard to tell, only having really known him the last month or two. He was reserved most of the time, and tended to hang back until action was needed. Edmund had also seen Harry lead when the situation was called for and his friends listened to him and followed his lead. Even Ron had been doing that before they had come home for Easter.
All though it had felt glad to have Hermione around again and he had been able to us his House magic yesterday, Edmund hadn't felt like talking much yet. He had accepted the Greengrass' heartfelt thanks, but he left as soon as he could. He made sure Hermione was with him though. It had scared him how much he didn't like her being so far away and he wasn't going to do that again if he could help it.
Edmund let out a long heavy sigh.
That was it though. He and Hermione couldn't be far apart for long. Friday night it had been a pit in his stomach. Yesterday morning, his stomach felt upset. The second he had stepped into Greencross, even without seeing her, it had vanished and he had been very happy to see her. This morning, he could feel the separation, and she was only a few houses away. It wasn't a pain, and knew, somehow, that it wasn't anything that would affect him, but he felt it when she wasn't near. It was that thought that had made him not hug her. She should be able to do and go wherever she wanted without this.
At the same time, why shouldn't he be happy to see her? Hermione was his best friend, his closest confidant. She was the one that had been with him for most of his memories growing up. They could still be best friends. The fact she was cute didn't matter. Hermione was his best friend.
The train entered another small town. He watched the houses, station and shops pass by before they broke into more farmlands and countryside.
"Hermione, it's all right if you want to lean against me," he said quietly.
He didn't look at her, still very unsure of these new feelings. He knew Daphne looked at him, he could see it out of the corner of his eye. A moment later, he felt Hermione sidle into his side. It was a position they had done countless times since they were little. It was them. He enjoyed it, but at the same time it felt different. Not a bad different. Just different.
Edmund didn't realize he had moved his arm and wrapped it around her, or that Hermione had laid her head on his shoulder. A moment later, she turned the page.