Chapter 7:
Harry watched as Ted Tonks closed his eyes, looking like he was in deep thought, which he probably was. He could feel both girls' eyes on him after he as that question was asked. After what seemed like an eternity Ted moved to a set of books where after scanning the covers before pulling the volume that he wanted. As he was looking for the actual page Ted made his way back to the table. Once he found what he was looking for he looked Harry in the eyes.
"There is no law on plural marriage for or against. I never heard of anything to the effect."
"But I take it there is a but?"
"In a way. Recently I became interest in medieval law. As far as I know this solution is still viable in England."
"What"
"What do you know of Vassalage?"
Hermione gasped in recognition of it, but Luna looked as lost as Harry felt.
"Due to you Houses prestige and power within the Magical side of the Kingdom on which our Ministry was founded you have the power to have what is known as a Vassal."
"Okay not that does that mean."
"A vassal is a person of a family that pledges their something to you in exchange for protection and help when needed."
Not surprising Hermione was the first to grasp what Ted was implying.
"So, you're suggesting that Luna and I make such a pledge to Harry, say like having a child with him, in exchange for him treating us as his wives?"
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting. If you do this no one can break it but Harry. Not Dumbledore, not the Ministry, I'm not even sure that the Crown could break it."
Ted handed the volume to which he referenced to Hermione who lived up to her title as a bookworm as she devoured the pages that Ted had indicated. Harry waited for Hermione to finish, watching her as she read. Slightly stunned Hermione look up with an astonished look and nodded, agreeing that Ted was right.
With that nod Harry sat up straighter. A determined look entered his eyes. Looking at Hermione first, his eyes asked the silent question. Ted watched as the brunette sat just as straight as Harry and nodded in return, tears starting to form in her eyes. The then watched as Harry turned his head to the little blonde, who's smile was so bright that no was immune to the joy and everyone return it. She giggled and nodded as well.
"Well then can you help us with the wording and witness it?"
Ted Tonks could only nod. This was going to change the world.
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The trio left the office of Ted Tonks nearly three hours after entering it. Most of the shops were still open but closing time was near. Harry grabbed both girls by the hands since Hermione was carrying her cat's cage. He led them to a small shop and lead them inside.
At first it didn't register that it was a jewelry shop to Hermione, but she did she should have realized that Harry would do this. He had been wanting to marry them for years back in the old timeline but could never find a legal way between all of the running and fight. It hadn't really matter to her, but Luna had mentioned it a couple of times. It was Harry who had been the driving force on the issue. She knew that it was from his desire for a permanent family in his life. Both she and Luna stood near the door and let Harry handle his business. Fifteen minutes latter they had portkeyed back to the trunks.
Arriving back in their 'home' Hermione let Crookshanks out so that e could explore. Luna set up the magical litterbox and food dishes for the cat. Judging by the purring Crookshanks was happy to be there.
Once that was done harry led both girls to the sofa, motioned for then to sit before getting on bot knees in front of them.
"For years you two have been my rock, my sunshine, my frustration, my joy, my relief, my sounding board, and my eternal loves. I want you to know that I plan to treat this day as if it were our wedding day. August 31st will be our anniversary. Will you both where the ring that I give in honor of that pledge we gave each other?"
Both girls had tears streaming down their faces but couldn't find the words so simply nodded. The bands of gold and platinum inter-twined were slid onto first Hermione's then Luna's ring fingers. Silently they both reached for the box, knowing that harry had gotten himself one as well, the big sap. They slid it onto his left ring finger before tackling him onto the floor.
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Meanwhile at the Leaky Cauldron:
Arthur, still glaring at his wife, made his way over to Tom the innkeeper, who looked just as angry at Molly as he was.
Arthur sighed. This was not what he had in mind when his family arrived here. What caused Harry Potter to act the way he did was not something he knew. But something had happened since the end of the previous term and today. The only thing that was a possibility was that Betrothal contract, something that he had been against but had been worn down by his wife, daughter, and Albus Dumbledore. They had argued, successfully that since Harry had saved Ginny's life, she needed to repay that life. The best scenario was marriage to create said child. That was the only reason he went ago with it, but he found that he couldn't sign his only daughter away like she a side of beef. In the end Molly sighed it with Dumbledore in his role as Harry's guardian. But that was neither here nor there. Time would help.
"I'm sorry about the commotion Tom but do you have any rooms available?"
Long ago Tom had learned the lesson 'don't let personal feelings affect business. Molly Weasley was making that mantra awfully hard to live with. But Arthur was a good sort. He the man had styed married to the living Howler was one of those mysteries in life, but Tom would bet his soul that potions were involved.
"I only got two rooms. One has four single beds, the other has a double bed but I can add a cot to it if you want."
"That will be fine."
"That will be three Galleons."
Arthur handed the money over and went back over to his wife. He stopped her from opening her mouth by grabbing her and pulling her out to where the entrance of Diagon Alley. The children followed quietly, embarrassed by what had happened.
Once the family was in the alley, Arthur led them to a small alcove nearby. He casted a Silencing Charm around the area as he knew Molly could no longer be silent.
"HOW DARE THEY! HOW DARE THEY TREAT ME, US, LIKE THAT! WHEN I GT MY HANDS ON THEM…"
"You will do NOTHING!"
"But Arthur! They"
"They are not yours two punish. Hermione is correct that she has LIVING parents. Luna has a father. And Harry has Professor Dumbledore."
"I KNOW that but as the family that two of them are marrying into they are our responsibility. If we don't then it will reflect badly on us."
"NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS THE WAY YOU REACTED BACK THERE!"
"ARTHUR!"
"No! I'm putting my foot down on this. Until either one of those two come to you, you will leave them alone!"
"ARTHUR! NO!"
"YES! I FORBID IT!" he shouted. Turning to his children he leveled his stare on them.
"Each and everyone of you will leave the three of them alone! No PRANKS, NO COMPLAINING, NO POINTS TAKEN WHEN THEIR ON THE TRAIN PERCY! IF I FIND OUT THAT YOU HAVE DONE SO THE ONE DOING IT WILL NOT SIT FOR A MONTH AFTER I COMEUP TO HOGWARTS TO DELIVER YOUR PUNISHMENT! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
His children could only nod. Their father showing his temper was a rare thing.
"I want VERBALE agreement!"
Five "Yes Sirs" were given before he dropped the charm. "Now let's go get your supplies and no, no one is going off on their own."
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After the children had left Ted Tonks fire called Amelia Bones' office hoping that the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was still in. Getting an affirmative he grabbed the Potter Family Bible and the cage before stepping into the floo.
He had been lucky in the fact that he was arrived in the main Department office. Amelia's secretary was there to greet him and lead the way to Amelia's office.
"Ted! How wonderful to see you!"
"And you as well Amelia,"
"Now what's the problem?"
"Before I answer cab you scan for any recording or listening charms?"
"You know that I do that daily."
"I know but indulge me."
Amelia looked at Ted for just a minute before running her wand in a familiar pattern, What surprised her was that Ted joined her running the same charm. What she wasn't expecting was it to come up positive. Now she was angry. Heads were going to roll! But after her meeting.
Ted used a trick that his wife had showed him. He sent a bubble head charm at each charm that was uncover so that Amelia could trace them back to the caster, but their conversion would be kept unknown.
Amelia, not wanting to be interrupted by whom ever placed the charms, placed a locking charm on the door so that they wouldn't be disturbed.
"Alright Ted, what is so explosive that you needed to see me?"
"Amelia, hold on to your wand. You wouldn't believe the afternoon that I've had."