Chapter 11
"Did you get the vault keys the last time you were here?"
Hermione looked at him with a dry smile and pulled out her pin. It was a replica of the one Harry had.
"I did but I didn't test to see if it worked," Hermione told him.
Harry would've asked her why but he knew that she had probably felt it was too strange to open Harry's vault without him, even if he explained that it was good for someone else to have access to his vault in case of emergencies.
"Why don't you give it a try?" Harry suggested. "You brought a couple of shrinkable bags, right?"
Hermione nodded. "I'm on coin collecting duty again?" She said it so dryly, Harry couldn't help but chuckle in the back of his throat.
"As soon as I'm done speaking with Ragnok, I'll join you," Harry promised with a slight quirk of his lips.
Hermione nodded, walking off to one of his vaults. Harry stared as she pulled out her pin key and pricked herself lightly before inserting it. When the vault opened, Harry was satisfied as he walked off to the side where Ragnok stood.
"Thank you for the metals and for allowing us to melt down the Galleons for reuse," Harry politely said while Ragnok nodded.
"Well, you're paying for the metals and I did say there was something to be negotiated for the Galleons," Ragnok snorted as he shook his head.
Harry cocked his brow. "That's right, I suppose. What is it? If it's within my powers, I will do what I can."
Ragnok turned, facing Harry fully. Goblins normally looked serious; it was just the way their faces were. Yet, Ragnok managed to look more solemn than he usually did.
"The Goblins want to know what your plans are after defeating the Dark Lord."
"My plans?"
Ragnok nodded. "Will you stay here with your witch and rebuild Britain?"
Harry was quiet for a moment. This was something he had been thinking about for quite some time since he woke up. The most forefront issue on his mind was making sure Hermione was safe. To do that, Harry needed to defeat Voldemort. Once that was done, what would Harry do?
Harry and Hermione grew closer by the day. She was beginning to look at him longer, invade his personal space and linger there. It made Harry burn—a desire to push the boundaries a little more with her.
But Harry could also acknowledge that Hermione didn't seem ready for anything more. He could kiss her, and she would probably respond back in kind with hot tension, but Harry knew it would only make things difficult for Hermione in the long run if he tried to push for more now.
Hermione was trying to look at Harry objectively. An ally, a friend, the reason why they were all going to win this war and remain alive—no matter the cost.
Hermione cared about Harry; she really did. But Harry could tell she was trying to control how much she cared about Harry.
Hermione wasn't ready for more. Caring for Harry more, wanting him more, would only make Hermione unable to stomach the cost she knew Harry would have to pay to win the war and keep them safe.
More would mean that she would be unable to help herself from putting Harry's safety and needs above everyone else's, and she wasn't ready for that—Harry didn't know if she ever would be.
But Harry loved Hermione because of those things. Whether it was as Herminia or Hermione, she always had such a great capacity to love, and that was something she had taught him to do as well.
"I don't know," Harry answered Ragnok honestly. "It depends on how the end plays out and who's still alive, I suppose. If I can win without exposing my nature, I'll remain here and rebuild Britain if that's what Hermione wants."
Ragnok snorted. "Better hope many of the purebloods die then," the goblin cocked his brow. "Because even if you win against Riddle, the leftover purists who remain will band together and rebuild Britain just the way it was before. Creatures will remain without rights, and muggle-borns will always struggle to get somewhere. The only thing that will change is that the ICW may get involved at the end to ensure there's no remaining Death Eaters to become the next or revive the Dark Lord."
Harry remained silent, and Ragnok could decipher the silence as his words were already possibilities that Harry had determined.
"You...have considered rebuilding your kingdom," Ragnok carefully deduced.
Harry peered down and over at the goblin.
"It's not as simple as you think," Harry said, confirming Ragnok's words.
"I destroyed my kingdom and abandoned everyone who was in it after the final war. I never even attempted to rebuild it after Herminia passed," Harry said quietly so as to not draw attention from Hermione. "The villages and other domains were fine for a century or two while I wandered. But then I went to sleep. Now, a millennium has passed. I can't say with full confidence that the villages and domains under my kingdom are still okay. If they are and the creatures, wizards, and other citizens that may still be alive wouldn't be happy about having me return. They would protest having a king who abandoned them return."
Ragnok hummed. Harry's words made sense. Though wizards seemed to have forgotten that Immortals existed, many creatures did not. Ragnok had heard of stories being passed down, and for the most part, Goblins were neutral about what Harry had done. Though, some would say that the Goblin rebellion had only happened because King Harry was gone, and there was no one to protect their rights when Wizards were trying to take control of everything.
But with the way the millennia has passed...
"I don't believe that there are many villages left," Ragnok mused. "Many had moved out from the barrier after you went to sleep. If that's the case, would you consider it?"
Harry shrugged. It was something he would have to look into, but with the amount he had on his plate, he was hard pressed to find the time.
"Kingdoms are long outdated nowadays, anyway," Harry answered. "There's no need for a king anymore. A leader, yes, but not a king. I'll build whatever Hermione wants to build after this is all over."
"And the purists that remain?"
Harry smiled. "I have a feeling that Hermione is much more lethal on the political field if given the chance."
"And what will you do if that's what she wants?"
Harry hummed. "Be her benefactor?"
Ragnok curled his lip and rolled his eyes, and started to walk off.
"Where are you going?" Harry blinked.
Ragnok turned his head and cocked his brow. "To appeal to your wife about how much better life can be if Goblins have more rights after the war. Having her favour is clearly much more valuable than yours alone." the goblin muttered.
o-o-o-o
The time to head to the banquet came quickly. Much too quickly for Hermione's liking, but she supposed it only felt as fast as it did since they had been busy since coming back from Gringotts.
They brought back the metals and bags upon bags filled with Galleons. Lily and Sirius had been curious where the money came from when Harry quietly answered that the money didn't come from the Potters' vault.
Harry didn't feel any consequence of letting them know, so Hermione explained that Harry had wealth that accumulated over time. Like, a lot of it. It was uncomfortable to explain, knowing that she had access to the same vaults. She routinely reminded herself that it was for the war's purpose, in case Harry needed something and he couldn't go. Hermione was just the backup.
She was reminded of it once more when she looked at herself in the mirror. Hermione almost wanted to let out a deranged laugh.
Here she was, looking as beautiful as ever with her hair charmed and tamed into delicate curls that Hermione had wished for when she was a kid. Her gown was expensive and golden, fitted to her like it was made for her.
Ginny and Lily had helped her with it all, even the light makeup on her face. She was lucky that it was charmed to be waterproof because her eyes brimmed with tears.
"You seem to cry a lot when there's a ball. Glad I'm not the cause of it this time. I hope."
Hermione quickly turned around to see Ron standing at the edge of the door in his own robes.
For once, Ron's robes looked well-made, sleek, and fitted him perfectly as well. Nothing like the atrocity he'd gone to the Yule Ball with during their fourth year.
He looked good, and he was giving her a small smile. Clearly, he thought she looked good as well—though he'd never say it out loud to her.
Hermione let out a bitter laugh as she blinked away the tears before she walked out with Ron.
"Hey," Ron stopped Hermione, gently grabbing her wrist to stop her. She turned to look at him curiously. "Are you—you're okay?"
Hermione merely smiled at him. It was probably one of the most depressing smiles she'd ever given him. "Yeah, I just—this seems surreal, doesn't it?"
Hermione looked down at her elegant dress. "We're still stuck in this awful situation but here we are—dressed and polished to our best, getting ready to go to a banquet with Riddle before dancing at his ball. I'm both worried that I'm going to die but also that my hair isn't going to last long enough before it returns to its unmanageable curls. I want to vomit."
Ron looked at Hermione with steady eyes before he gave her a half-smile. "It's bloody mental is what this is. Though, I must admit my robes are rather smashing. Much better than the cry for help robes I had in fourth year, right?"
Hermione held her small smile at him.
"And," Ron smiled more daringly. "I think I'll actually have to dance with my partner this time so at least there won't be a rumour the next day that I'm an awful date."
"It isn't a rumour if it's true," Hermione rebutted back without missing a beat.
They stared at each other a moment longer before they both burst into a quiet fit of laughter.
Hermione felt lighter after. She had missed this, missed laughing with Ron. Things had been so tense between them, and they rarely had time to talk since moving into the Potter Manor.
She missed Ron's friendship because, despite their bickering, Hermione really did care about him. And Hermione knew that under Ron's brashness and occasional selfishness, he really did care about her too.
His feelings made that more challenging, though. It was another distant reminder that Hermione needed to keep herself in check as well. Feelings made things complicated.
Hermione wanted to ask Ron a million more things, but in an effort to avoid them bickering tonight, she kept her mouth shut.
"Come on," Ron offered his arm to her. "We should get going. I promise not to ruin your ball this time and make you cry."
"The night's still early, don't get hasty with your promises."
o-o-o-o
The room felt stuffy.
Hermione personally felt confined, though, perhaps along with the other members of her house as they sat stiffly at the long table. As unfortunate as it was with Voldemort favouring Harry, they sat right next to him on his right while Avery and his wife sat on Voldemort's left and right across from them. Lily and Sirius sat next to Hermione while the Malfoys and Bellatrix sat across from them.
Everyone was uncomfortable but doing their best to not show it.
Voldemort had said some welcoming words that Hermione couldn't even remember with how panicked she felt. Harry couldn't take her hand in comfort, but he moved his outer thigh to press against hers under the table, and it had been enough to calm some of the nerves.
Narcissa was making small talk with Sirius, and Bellatrix was manically recounting old memories when they were all kids.
Needless to say, Sirius and Lily were facing their own demons.
Hermione tried to peer further down where Neville and Sophia were sitting and noticed the Carrows sitting across from them. Amycus seemed to be leering at Sophia, half put off by the fact she had married Neville, a pureblood, and escaped his grasp.
Sophia looked down at the table, elegantly cutting up her meal as if she didn't notice Amycus staring at her.
Neville was doing his best to keep close to Sophia, engaging her in conversation while also catching eyes with Amycus as if to warn the older man off or see if he would say something. Of course, Amycus wasn't stupid enough to pick an unwarranted fight with Neville while at Voldemort's table and eventually turned his attention elsewhere.
Hermione focused back on her own meal, zoning back into the conversation in front of her. Since this was a social gathering and ex-members of The Order were here, Voldemort and his Death Eaters refrained from discussing anything important. They were currently discussing plans about Hogwarts reopening up.
The Order had discussed it during their last meeting with the results that many of them were returning. The only thing Hermione was thankful for was that she'd be a part of the accelerated program, not stuck at Hogwarts with the way it was for an entire year.
It was also a blessing Harry would be there as well. The guilt started to creep in again when she thought about the privileges that she was getting because Harry had married her. She got to return at night; the others did not.
Everyone had tried to make her feel better about it, saying there were advantages to staying there and how she could help when she left at night. It hadn't quite worked, but she appreciated it nonetheless.
The hair on the back of Hermione's neck stood suddenly, and she looked up.
Amidst all the chatter, Avery was staring at Hermione. His head was turned towards his wife, but his eyes were peering at her through the side. His lip was curled in an unnerving smirk.
As quick as she caught it, Avery looked away.
What was that? Hermione wondered, feeling her stomach sink.
Hermione didn't have a chance to dwell on it before their plates were being taken away and replaced with some cake for dessert. Hermione and many others opted for a non-alcoholic drink earlier, but it seemed that wine was being served with their cake.
The conversation didn't seem to cease, and Harry took a moment to look at Hermione questioningly. She shook her head subtly, trying to tell him she was fine.
Nervously, Hermione grabbed the stem of her wine glasses, swirling it in small tight circles against the table to aerate it. She underestimated how shaky her hands were, and a little spilled out onto her hand—her ring.
It happened quickly. The short, biting zaps to Hermione's finger. It bit hard enough into her skin as a warning.
Hermione immediately brought her left hand into her lap, wiping the wine off with her napkin.
Poisoned.
Her wine was poisoned.
Merlin, what was she going to do? What if everyone else's wine had also been—
Harry was now gripping her hand under the table. She looked up and found him staring across the table.
He knew. Harry knew. Her ring alerted him.
It seemed everyone else's wine glass was fine; it was just hers. Sirius had subtly pulled out a drop of wine through his glass onto his ring as he held it and had done the same for Lily, and Harry had done the same for himself.
Hermione's eyes followed Harry's gaze and found him staring at Avery icily. It was all in his eyes as the rest of his face didn't display anything. Avery was smiling rather smugly, and Hermione knew right away who had arranged for her wine to be poisoned.
Suddenly, Avery turned back to Voldemort, holding his wine glass high.
"I would like to propose a toast to Lord Voldemort," Avery smiled smarmily. "Congratulations to Lord Voldemort for coming out victorious and to Lord Harry for his debut. We give thanks for the wonderful banquet our Lord has graced us with."
No, Hermione thought with horror. Avery was trying to force her to drink from her glass. A toast to Voldemort and Harry? If she didn't drink, she was openly disrespecting them both.
But who knew what would happen if she drank from her wine. Was it a fast-acting poison? Would she die immediately? Or was it a slow-acting poison that would kill her by the end of the night?
Everyone began to grab their wine glasses, raising them as they began to sip.
Hermione didn't know what to do, but she couldn't put everyone at risk now. Maybe—maybe she could leave early if it was a slow-acting poison and see if she could figure out what poison it was before finding a cure. She could borrow Neville's wand to make a potion.
Her hand shakily grabbed her glass, raising it. She could see Avery's eyes light up with glee and anticipation. Just before she could put her lips to the cup and drink, Harry suddenly grabbed her wrist harshly and publicly.
Shock entered Hermione's body, and Sirius tensed next to her.
Hermione looked over to Harry, who was openly glaring at her.
"You know I don't like it when you drink," Harry hissed at her.
"I—" Hermione started to say, but she didn't know what to say.
Harry turned away from her, looking at Voldemort with a tip of his head in regret.
"I apologize for the scene, my Lord," Harry apologized. "I don't allow my wife the luxury of drinking."
Voldemort cocked his brow in amusement. "Surely you can make an exception for this occasion?"
Harry shakes his head. "Hermione doesn't have any kind of tolerance for alcohol. It's quite embarrassing. I would prefer if she is present-minded for the rest of the banquet and ball." Harry let go of Hermione's wrist but grabbed her wine glass away.
"Please allow me to toast to you on her behalf," Harry tipped Hermione's wine glass towards Voldemort, which the Dark Lord allowed with entertainment.
Hermione pleaded to Harry with her eyes not to drink it because they both knew it was poisoned, and they didn't even know with what. She was about to speak again, but Harry stared at her hard in a warning, and Hermione could only keep her mouth shut.
"To Lord Voldemort," Harry saluted, but as he lifted the wine to his lips, his eyes turned to Avery, staring at him the entire time before he tipped the glass upwards and drank every last drop from Hermione's cup.
Hermione and Avery both waited with bated breath. Hermione knew immediately that the poison was meant to be fast-acting with the way Avery stared in anticipation. It was perfect because everyone knew the cup was meant for her. If Harry died and they investigated who meant to poison her, it would likely end up with just some elf being punished.
But a minute passed, and nothing happened to Harry. He drank it like it was regular wine and indicated nothing of the sort was wrong.
Avery looked confused as his jaw clenched and brow furrowed. It seemed like he was going to keep waiting for Harry to have some kind of reaction.
Harry wasn't interested in Avery anymore, though. He turned to Voldemort and asked to be excused. "I need to have a word with my wife. It seems she's forgotten my rules."
Voldemort lifted his hand and waved them off in approval, his eyes positively gleeful that Harry was obviously going to punish her.
"Of course," Voldemort smiled. "Do try not to take too long. The ball will be starting soon."
Harry nodded as he grabbed Hermione's wrist again, dragging her out the door roughly, almost causing her to trip.
They walked and walked until Harry opened some broom closet and pulled her in, shutting the door behind her and cast wards upon wards around them.
Feeling confident they were away from anyone's eyes and ears, Harry cast a lighting spell, and Hermione blinked.
Harry looked frenzied.
"Are you okay?" He blurted as he let go of her wrist, rubbing it gently. "I'm sorry—I'm sorry. I didn't want anyone to be suspicious of you. Did I hurt you? I'm sorr—"
"Harry!"
Harry looked away from her wrist to her face. He looked so panicked that he might've hurt her. His face was slightly pale, and there was a little sweat at the edge of his hairline, which made Hermione worry.
"I'm fine," Hermione hissed at him as she pulled her hand out of Harry's grasp, grabbing his cheeks in her hand as she turned his face side to side to inspect him. "I should be asking if you're okay. You drank poison! We don't even know what it was and you drank it!" She was trying her best not to sound shrill, but what the hell was Harry thinking!
Harry took a deep breath to calm himself as he lifted his hands to grasp Hermione's that were against his cheeks. She was warm, and it felt good against his unnaturally cool cheeks.
"I'm okay," Harry reassured her.
"How can you be sure?" Hermione scolded him. She didn't know what to do.
A diagnostic charm. She needed to cast one. Could she cast one without her wand? Should she try to use Harry's?
"I really am," Harry insisted, using his thumb to stroke the back of Hermione's hand. "When I was a king, there were plenty of times I had to worry about being poisoned. I've developed a tolerance to most. You'd be hard pressed to find one that I'm not partially immune to."
Harry had said it to bring comfort to her, but that only served to make Hermione panic even more.
"You've developed a tolerance to most poisons!?" She shrilled, thankful there was a silencing charm cast. "Oh, god." Hermione really felt sick. She was going to throw up her dinner—the dinner she didn't even enjoy.
She knew the process of developing a tolerance to poison, and the thought of Harry purposely poisoning himself and being sick for days only served to make her feel unwell.
"I'm okay," Harry told her again because he didn't really know what else he could say. "Are you okay?"
Harry grabbed her hands more firmly again, inspecting the wrist he had grabbed harshly when he dragged her out of the room.
"I'm fine," Hermione told him. "I didn't even feel it."
"Adrenaline, maybe," Harry muttered before sighing. He really didn't like having to treat Hermione horribly in front of others.
This was Avery's fault. Harry's anger flared. Something absolutely murderous burned in him. Avery was going to make it to the top of his list at this rate.
"Hermione, Avery really seems to have it out for me," Harry said suddenly as he continued to rub Hermione's wrist. "You shouldn't drink or eat anything that wasn't given to you by Sirius or Neville. You need to stick to Sirius's side tonight. Don't catch yourself unattended for any reason."
"Why can't I stick by yours?"
Harry pursed his lip. "Dobby caught me before we left today. There was a tip floating around the other elves about an item in the Forbidden Forest that might be about Voldemort's Horcruxes. I'm going to slip out for a bit during the ball—no more than thirty minutes to check it out."
"I want to go with you," Hermione frowned, but Harry shook his head.
"You need to stay here. If we're both gone, it's going to draw a lot of attention. If anyone notices I'm gone, I can say I've been notified that Hazel is having a fit and I went to settle her quickly. There isn't a reason for you to be missing."
Hermione wanted to argue, but she couldn't find anything suitable to rebuttal because she was disadvantaged. There was no reason for her to slip out if she was caught.
"I need you to have my back," Harry said to her, sealing in any arguments Hermione had.
She sighed frustradedly, and Harry smiled at her.
"Hurry back."
"I will."
"I mean it."
"Will you save me a dance?"
Hermione raised her brow at him. "If you come back in a timely manner."
"I wouldn't dare dawdle," Harry told her seriously.
They stay in the ignorant bubble of bliss for a moment longer before they decide they need to return back.
"You need to pretend like you've been crying before we go back there," Harry told her with a frown and apologetic look.
Hermione trailed behind Harry as she muttered, "I don't need to pretend."
Few people looked at them as they made their way back into the Great Hall. Some looked way too satisfied with Hermione's slightly red eyes and flushed cheeks, but Harry took special pleasure in seeing Avery's enraged face when they returned, and he looked utterly unharmed.
o-o-o-o
The ball proceeded with ease. It was primarily people of different houses mingling with each other. Voldemort had led the first dance with Bellatrix, who looked much too pleased.
Harry had wanted to turn to Hermione to see if she wanted to dance before he tried to slip off, but some noble lady from the Parkinson house approached him to introduce her snooty-looking daughter first.
So, Harry had been stuck dancing with her first. Pantsy or something—droned on about her pursuits in a potions mastery and other things he certainly didn't care about.
After that, it seemed Harry was being bombarded with young women from different houses, being introduced to him by their parents. It became quickly apparent what was happening.
They were expecting him to potentially take on another wife because they didn't view Hermione as someone worthy of the Lady Potter title forever.
Harry looked to the side to see Ron and Hermione dancing, but she kept glancing his way every few minutes.
Voldemort seemed as busy as he was as guests flocked his way. But at some point, Yaxley had slipped in and whispered something in Voldemort's ear. Whatever it was, it was urgent enough that Voldemort advised he would be slipping out for a bit.
Harry surmised it might've been about that McKinnon property he wanted.
Regardless, this became the ideal time for Harry to slip out himself. After bowing to his current partner, he excused himself before anyone else could approach him about their daughter.
Harry caught Hermione's eye briefly, nodding at her before he slipped out unnoticed.
The Forbidden Forest wasn't too far from the castle but a reasonable distance enough for walking. He trudged deeper and deeper within, trying to see if he could sense anything.
Harry pondered if the item in question was buried. He didn't believe that one of the items could be a tree or plant in the forest. The forest was a massive area. Harry wouldn't be able to search all of it in thirty minutes like he promised Hermione.
Taking a deep breath, Harry cast a detection spell, spreading it far and wide. If the Horcrux was a fragment of Voldemort's living soul, Harry wanted to see if it would show up as a sign of life.
He felt a few things. The detection spell didn't reveal exactly what was in the area as it more only indicated there was life somewhere and how much.
There was strong activity on the other side of the forest. It was big and felt like multiple beings. Harry guessed it was most likely the centaurs' nest.
There were few things here and there, most probable being some creature in the forest, but nothing of significance.
There were signs of life nearby, but they were spread out, and Harry assumed it was animals. But then Harry stumbled upon something of interest. It was weak—tiny. It barely showed up on his detection spell.
That could possibly be a Horcrux. It was a single soul fragment, too weak to be full of life.
Harry refocused his spell, narrowing it to the direction the life sign had been in. When Harry got closer, he found the object in question was buried and found it peculiar. Perhaps it really was a Horcrux. Turning off his detection spell completely, Harry waved his hand, and the buried dirt came flying out to reveal what was underneath.
It was concealed quite deep, and as Harry peered in, he frowned. It was a house-elf. He wasn't quite dead yet, but he was bleeding out profusely and shallowly breathing. There was no way the elf would make it.
That would explain why it was so faint on his detection spell.
Suddenly, Harry stood straight as his eyes moved to the side without turning his head. Before Harry could react, curses were being thrown his way one after another. Then, three wizards came into view.
Snatchers. Harry recognized one of them from Neville's memories. They must've escaped at the final battle or even just not shown up.
The curses were easy enough to throw off as Harry sent his own against the three, but they held firm. A three-way hex was thrown his way, and Harry deflected them effortlessly but took a step back.
The eyes of one of the Snatchers narrowed in on it, and before Harry knew it, something was being conjured out of the ground.
Manacles. Four came out of the ground, shackling onto Harry's ankles before his wrists. They were the highest-grade manacles; Harry was sure of it as it began to suppress his magic.
The Snatcher in control of the manacles used his wand to force Harry to kneel on the ground.
"Looks like he fell for it," another one said.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Harry spat as he tried to fight the magic suppressants. Normally, Harry could break through them without any problems but right now, he couldn't. Harry surmised it was because of the poison he drank earlier. While he hadn't lied to Hermione that his immunity meant that the poison wouldn't kill him, it still affected his body, and his magic had burnt itself out, trying to fight it off.
The Snatchers grinned at him.
"Oh, of course, we do, Lord Harry Potter," he said mockingly. "We've been waiting for you after all. I must admit, we didn't think you were going to come out for a moment there. You quite took your time."
It was a fake tip, Harry realized. He had been set up.
"Who hired you?" Harry answered instead, but Harry knew it was most likely Avery. The man seemed to have a neverending backup plan to either kill or capture Harry to bring him back to the Dark Lord to prove he was the enemy.
"Now, now," one of them tutted. "I don't think you're in a position to ask questions, Lord Potter. You might want to worry about what we're allowed to do to you before we turn you in."
o-o-o-o
Forty minutes had passed, and Harry had not returned.
It was taking everything Hermione had to not unravel and lose it.
She kept sending vibrations through her ring, and nothing was coming back.
Liar, liar, liar, liar—it was the only thing Hermione could chant in her mind every time one of her calls went unanswered. The only thing that kept her from going sick with worry was that her ring still said that Harry was alive and wasn't in any imminent distress.
Hermione looked around and found that everyone was having a grand time at the ball, drunk on wine and champagne, unaware of the internal panic Hermione was having. Some had noticed that Harry was gone earlier, but Sirius told them the practised lie Harry had given Hermione.
She had caught Avery looking over them every once in a while, smirking at them as if he knew something—maybe he did.
"It's been forty-five minutes," Hermione muttered to Lily, Sirius and Remus. "It's been forty-five minutes and he hasn't returned."
"Just give him another five minutes," Sirius quietly told her.
"I've been giving him another five minutes for the last fifteen minutes!" Hermione snapped before she reigned herself in before she drew any attention to herself. She needed to calm down. It wasn't Sirius's fault.
"Something's wrong," Hermione murmured. "I know something's wrong. Harry would've let me know if he was going to be late."
The three adults looked at each other, unsure what to do or what they could say to pacify Hermione.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm going."
Before she could go anywhere, Lily held onto her wrist while Sirius moved and blocked her way.
"You can't go, Hermione," Sirius hissed. "Everyone's looking at you—Avery specifically. Harry said you can't go anywhere unattended and I agree, especially since you were nearly poisoned!"
Hermione wanted to scream at him, but she only let out a huff of air.
"What should we do then? Harry's been gone too long," Hermione urged.
Sirius looked at Remus, who nodded.
"Remus and I will go find Harry. I've been going in and out pretending I've been going to the washroom and no one is paying attention to Remus, despite how dashing he looks tonight."
"Thanks," Remus huffed with a roll of his eyes.
Sirius half-grinned at him before he turned back to Hermione seriously. "You stay near Neville and Lily, do you understand? I'll bring Harry back, I promise."
Hermione pursed her lips before she relented. She trusted Sirius.
At that moment, Ron finished his dance with Kiran, and they both made their way over when Kiran said her feet were hurting.
"Do you want to dance again, Hermione?" Ron asked quietly.
Hermione was about to say no because she could hardly focus on anything except how Harry was missing, but Lily ushered her into Ron. She frowned but let Ron lead her out onto the dance floor again.
Lily then turned to Sirius, pressing her own lips together.
"Be safe, don't do anything reckless," she warned him.
Sirius leaned over and down, kissing Lily's cheek before he gave her a charming smile. "When am I ever reckless?"
"Literally all the time," Lily deadpanned.
Sirius pretended to look confused for a moment before winking at her and turned to leave with Remus.
Once they were out of the castle, they looked at each other.
"There are no anti-apparition wards here and in the forest. We should apparate deep in to save time," Sirius said, offering his arm to Remus.
Once Remus grabbed his arm, they both felt that similar shrink and disappeared with a crack.
When they reappeared, they took a moment to check their surroundings. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. They both thought about whether or not they should try to shout Harry's name.
Before they could take any actions, they could hear spells being shouted and cast.
Sirius and Remus looked at each other for a moment before they both took off in the direction of the sound.
o-o-o-o
"Impedimenta!"
"Pungo!"
It seemed they were taking turns casting hexes at Harry to decrease his stamina while also creating welts across his arms and legs. His suit was torn up, and there were angry red welts on his skin. Harry felt sluggish as he tried to force his magic up.
It wasn't enough. Harry knew he didn't have enough in him to conjure a significant amount of magic to break free. He began to debate his options. He could feel Hermione sending multiple vibrations to check in on him, but he couldn't send any back when it required all his current magic to keep him from completely submitting to the manacles.
He could wait until the poison burned out his body. The moment it did, Harry could break free. But Harry didn't know how long that could take. Splitting his magic between fighting the effects of the poison while also keeping from falling to the manacles was slowing everything down. Harry could be taken to Voldemort by then, and he couldn't have that.
Harry could pull back his magic to send a vibration to Hermione that he was in danger. But that would mean potentially falling to the manacles and unable to pull up what he could now. It also meant putting Hermione at risk because no doubt she would come running after him.
He wasn't willing to risk that either.
"I don't know why everyone is making such a big fuss about Harry Potter," one of the Snatchers mused. "It was so simple to catch him."
"We should get going," another spoke. "The drop off is supposed to happen soon."
"Did they send us the money?"
"Yeah, I checked with Gringotts before we left. Anonymous donation obviously."
"I wonder who has it in so bad for the new lord," one of them pondered.
"It's none of our business. We're just to follow instructions," the last one coldly reminded them. He peered down at Harry, who was bleeding from his wrists and thighs. "Though, I did make a special request that eventually Lord Potter's wife be delivered to us after they're done with her."
"Why her?" One of them frowned.
"Because that bitch was the reason Scabior died!" The third one scowled. "So, once they're done with her, I'm going to have a continuation of her performance from the Malfoy manor."
The Snatcher grabbed Harry's cheek in one hand, forcing Harry to look at him. "You wouldn't mind, right?" He said with a cruel smile. "Rumour has it that you're quite the disciplinarian when it comes to your wife. You should thank me."
Harry's jaw clenched as he stared back at the Snatcher, cocking his brow.
The smile on the Snatcher's face began to slowly dissipate. The ground started to rumble, and it felt like the air had a sharp sting to it before the trees began to shake as well.
Harry's eyes began to glow faintly.
o-o-o-o
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Sirius muttered as they ran. Something was happening; they could feel it in the air.
"Here, take my wand!" Sirius tossed his wand to Remus, who fumbled when catching it as they were running.
"What?" Remus choked. "No, you need it!"
"Unless you can change to a werewolf on will, I'm going to fight as Padfoot while you use the wand! You're not a bad fit for my wand. It'll be wonky, but you'll make do." Sirius didn't give Remus time to rebuttal.
It was quick when Sirius transformed into his large Grimm form.
Sirius took off quickly in his animagus form while Remus cursed before casting a spell on his legs to brace them in an attempt to keep up. The limiter on the wand wasn't a joke—the spells he cast barely did anything, but it did allow Remus to run slightly harder.
As Padfoot, Sirius was able to pick Harry's scent much easier as he led Remus more accurately through the forest.
They arrived at the edge of the scene, coming to an abrupt stop. The two of them came from an area where they could see both parties from the side. Harry was kneeling on the ground, his arms held out at the wrists, and they could make out the manacles shackled onto him.
Yet, before they could jump in to help, they could see something else that terrified them too much to move.
Harry's eyes were glowing as the trees and ground around them shook. Something sharp nipped at the edge of their skin; it was electrifying and not in a pleasant way. It felt like it was threatening to rip into their skin.
Harry began to stand, despite the manacles, shocking the Snatchers into taking a step back. Sirius changed back into his human form because the magic Harry was exuding was too uncomfortable in his animagus form. Remus and Sirius saw something dark fluttering up Harry's neck and across his face from their angle, but they were too far to determine what it exactly was. The fact that it was dark out didn't help either.
Once Harry fully stood, whatever was fluttering across Harry's skin flared, and the manacles shattered into bits, falling onto the ground. Without wasting a second, Harry conjured the roots up from the trees underneath the soil, entangling the Snatchers and separating them from their wands.
The roots wrapped around their necks, wrists, and ankles while Harry brought their wands to him.
He had thought about snapping the wands, but he remembered the people at their house and believed it would be more beneficial to keep them.
After all, the Snatchers wouldn't need them, Harry determined.
He held onto the wands as if they're nothing, twirling them in his hand.
"You have cute parlor tricks," Harry turned to them as he tightened the roots, choking them. They began to squirm forcefully as they gasped for air.
Sirius and Remus remained rooted to the spot. They were close enough to hear everything, and how cold Harry's voice sounded made the hair on the back of their neck stand.
It was like their animal instinct was warning them. They needed to run; they needed to get far away. They had no idea what was in front of them, but they still stood rooted.
Harry picked up a piece of the manacle from the ground. "They're nice bracelets you've got, but the thing about magic restricting manacles is that they have a certain threshold they can suppress up to." Harry used his magic to crush the piece in his hand into dust. He turned to the three Snatchers who were looking at him in fear.
They were sputtering something, but the words could not get out with how tight the roots were around their necks.
"Ah, ah," Harry tutted mockingly. "You're not in a position to talk. You should worry about what I'm about to do to you before I leave."
Though Harry's words suggested torture, he quickly snapped their necks using the roots, dropping their limp bodies on the ground before the roots retreated back into the earth.
Sirius and Remus's breath hitched as they heard the thump of the bodies hit the ground. Harry turned their way as if he knew they were there the entire time. It was then they noticed with the help of the moonlight that the fluttering they had seen on Harry's skin were his veins. They were black and poisoned looking as they crawled up his neck and crawled his skin. It seemed to only happen on his left side, never crossing over his right. Even his left eye seemed to dim, the green fading from it.
Harry made his way over to the two as they didn't seem like they would walk to him.
Sirius and Remus finally seemed to find their voice, blinking rapidly as Harry mended his wounds and clothes as he walked towards them.
"What should we do..." Remus's eyes trailed behind Harry. "With the bodies?"
Harry didn't even turn around as the ground beneath the bodies began to shift. The dead bodies started to disintegrate as they began to sink into the ground like it was quicksand. It wasn't long before the earth swallowed them whole.
"Right," Remus choked.
Harry held out the three wands to Remus, who took them automatically.
"Shrink them and keep them hidden. We'll see who is most compatible with these wands tomorrow," Harry instructed tonelessly as he inspected his suit to ensure there was no more blood.
"Are you okay?" Sirius blurted out. "Your...your face..."
Harry merely looked at Sirius, and as soon as he was satisfied with his suit, the poisonous looking veins began to recede, and colour began to return to Harry's eye.
It wasn't long before Harry looked normal again. Unharmed, even.
"We should head back," Harry advised them as he walked past them, forcing them to follow him. "Hermione said she was saving me a dance. I imagine she'll be quite cross with me if I make her wait any longer."
Sirius and Remus followed without another word. They were both bewildered at what they witnessed. Bewildered and slightly terrified.
What the hell was that? What the hell was Harry?
Harry walked as if nothing were out of the ordinary, but since he walked ahead of them, he was able to grasp his chest tightly, face pinched in pain without them noticing.
Harry took a deep breath. He needed to focus—Hermione was waiting for him.
"We should apparate."
o-o-o-o
Hermione gripped her hands together tightly. It was nearing an hour. He was incredibly late, and it was unlike him. The worry in her started to fester even more, and it didn't help that Sirius and Remus weren't back yet either.
She had sent a couple of more vibrations earlier but still had received nothing in return. It took all the willpower she had to not bombard him with more vibrations because what if Harry was in the middle of something important and the vibrations distracted him? What if he was hiding and her vibrations gave him away.
The worst things were coming to her mind.
Someone caught Harry.
Harry was hurt.
Harry was dead.
Hermione thought she was going to start hyperventilating.
"It'll be fine," Lily murmured to Hermione. "Sirius will find him, just hang on."
But Hermione wanted to scream that Lily didn't know that but refrained since they were in public.
Ron tried to get her into another dance with him again, but she refused. She probably should've, though. Hermione wasn't the only one to notice that Harry had been gone a long time.
But now, people were staring at Hermione, leering at her. Harry wasn't here to protect his pardoned war criminal muggle-born wife.
The music shifted on the dance floor, and Hermione looked up to see Avery making his way towards her from across the room.
Mild panic set in Hermione.
He was coming to ask her to dance, and she wouldn't be able to refuse a Death Eater.
But the look on Avery's face told her that he had no intentions of dancing with her and then letting her go. He was going to take her away, and no one could say anything.
Hermione unconsciously took a step back as Avery approached closer.
"Mrs Potter!" Avery called out to grab her attention and those around them, forcing her into a situation where she'd have to say yes when he asked her for a dance.
Just as he was about to do so, the Great Hall doors opened loudly.
Everyone turned their attention towards the creaking doors.
Hermione felt her heart do so many things she wasn't even sure it was capable of all at once.
Unbridled joy and relief washed through her while her heart also sped up, beating against her ribcage almost painfully.
Harry was here.
Harry was alive.
Harry was safe.
Those words kept repeating in her head as she looked at him. His suit had changed. Now on the jacket of his tux was embroidered flowers in gold.
"Everyone will know I match with you."
Hermione's breath hitched in her chest as she bit her bottom lip.
Harry looked unperturbed, with Sirius and Remus following behind him. All sorts of witches were gazing at him, trying to seize his attention as he walked past, but Harry paid them no mind. He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve before he looked up, catching eyes with Hermione.
His eyes said it all.
I'm here.
I'm safe.
Wait for me.
As Harry approached, Hermione turned back to see Avery, absolutely red in the face with his jaw clenched and vein protruding on his forehead.
Harry smirked as he stood in front of the two of them, offering his hand out to Hermione.
"I hope Lord Avery won't mind if I ask my wife to dance with me? It would be a shame if her last dance of the night wasn't with her own husband," Harry drawled as Hermione put her hand in his.
It was the subtle way of saying that Avery would not be getting his hands on Hermione tonight.
But Avery couldn't even think straight. How the hell did Harry manage to escape? He had spent much effort making sure Harry would hear the wind of the Dark Lord's Horcrux.
Those Snatchers he hired were supposed to subdue him and chain him up so he could present him to the Dark Lord that Harry was a traitor. If Harry was uncooperative, they were to kill him.
Avery bit his tongue as Harry stared at him, his eyes piercing. It made Avery panic a bit. Did Harry know? Impossible. He didn't meet personally with those Snatchers. The drop off was going to be completely anonymous on his end.
Remaining as calm as he could, Avery forced a smile on his face.
"Of course, Lord Potter," Avery bowed his head slightly before he turned and walked off.
Harry watched the man's back as he walked away.
Avery seemed to be moving himself further and further up Harry's list. The sheer impudence that a bug like Avery dared to try to take Hermione away from him!
Harry was distracted from his murderous thoughts when Hermione squeezed his hand subtly.
"Harry?" She said softly.
Taking a deep breath, Harry began to lead Hermione onto the dance floor. The crowd parted where Harry walked, eyeing him with want while Hermione got curious or disdainful looks.
The orchestra music played loudly, the violin specifically standing out to Hermione as it surrounded her.
Harry pulled her close, his eyes never leaving hers as he placed one hand on the small of her back and his other hand intertwined with hers. She gripped his shoulder a little tightly, unable to pull away from his gaze.
They were moving; she was sure of it, though Hermione couldn't feel the movements Harry was guiding her through. All she could focus on was how warm his hands were, the way he held her, his heartbeat against hers.
Harry's eyes lingered on her, half-lidden with desire and—something else. He was so solemn as he held her close, pulling them in loops.
His eyes were speaking to her again.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
"I didn't think you were going to come back," Hermione choked quietly.
"You said you were saving me a dance, of course I'd come back," Harry said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're...a good dancer," Hermione found her voice and forced herself to say.
"Dancing is not my strong suit actually," Harry murmured back. "I'm only good with the right partner."
Heat was slowly building under Hermione's dress, starting in her stomach and painfully making its way up her chest.
Vaguely, even with how drawn in Harry had her, she could feel the eyes on them.
Hermione needed something else to focus on, something else to look at. Locking eyes with Harry this long was too much—too painful. It was dredging something up inside her, and she didn't know what it was.
She couldn't do this—she shouldn't do this. Everyone was looking. He was focusing on her too much. Everyone knew that she couldn't have this.
But just as she started to turn her head away, Harry moved his hand up her back, never leaving her body as it did and never allowing her to move even a millimetre away from him.
He gripped her hand a little tighter in his.
"Don't look away, Hermione."
Harry said it so quietly, so softly. Hermione would've missed it over the music if she wasn't so close to him.
"This dance is ours."
Hermione found herself gripping Harry's hand tightly, her other hand grasping at his shoulder.
Bravely and helpless to it, Hermione looked back at Harry just as he led her into a twirl underneath his arm. At the end of her turn, Harry changed their hand position with their palms pressing together, keeping it at chest level as they stepped in circles around each other.
The music felt so loud, thrumming in rhythm with her heart.
"This belongs to us."
Hermione read Harry's lips at what he was saying more than she heard it, but everything he said felt like it was cutting through her, and she didn't know why.
Something was happening. The background seemed to be fading away, and Harry was becoming the only thing she could see.
This was familiar.
Dancing like this with Harry.
But it couldn't be because she'd never danced with Harry before. Yet, even though he was the one leading, she knew precisely where to follow. His words were ringing in her ear. It was familiar. It was... hadn't she said that to him before?
"Don't look away, Harry."
The image was quick—fleeting. Hermione saw something. They were still dancing, but instead of being inside the stuffy halls of Hogwarts, they were outside under the stars.
Before she could make out any more details, the thought disappeared. She looked at Harry, who seemed to be tracing the features on her face.
Hermione swallowed.
Harry was right. No matter what else happened tonight, this was theirs—whatever this was. And Hermione wanted to be present for it.
Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius subtly watched Harry and Hermione.
"Was everything okay?"
Sirius turned his attention back to Lily, who he had in his arms as they danced.
"I think so," Sirius answered her honestly and just as quietly. His eyes were scanning the crowd again.
Riddle seemed to have returned shortly after they did and was dancing with Bellatrix. But just like Sirius, Riddle was also eyeing Harry and Hermione.
"I want to go home," Lily muttered.
"What?" Sirius grinned. "You're such a dancing bug, though. We've barely torn up the dance floor."
Lily pinched Sirius's arm lightly as she glared at him. Still, she rested her head on the small of Sirius's shoulder. "This is the most depressing dance. They've only played slow songs." She said it like it was the only reason she didn't want to be here.
Sirius snorted as his hand drifted to Lily's lower back. "Not everyone can have a dancing party like the one you and James had for your wedding." Sirius then smiled. "That was really fun."
Lily smiled as she thought about one of the happiest days of her life.
"You had the worst moves," she teased.
Sirius made some affronted noise in the back of his throat. "That's a lie!" He insisted. "I believe Hagrid actually danced the worst."
Lily had to turn her head into Sirius as she let out a choked laugh. "That was pretty bad," Lily acquiesced as she turned her head to the side again.
Lily could feel it, Sirius's steady heartbeat. It was comforting. He was alive. He was here.
The proof alone was both melancholy and relieving. Sirius seemed to think the same as his hand would shift to interlace their fingers together, his thumb dragging down to feel Lily's pulse in her wrist.
Sirius glided Lily across the dance floor; the talking long ceased as they tried to enjoy the moment. They had a similar dance the night Lily married. Of course, he had also danced with James when they were both sloshed. But with Lily, he was sober.
Soon, Remus cut in to get a dance with Lily while Sirius checked on the others. His heart ached for Ginny and Luna, who danced with their respective partners, though close by so they could still chat. Dean and Justin didn't seem to mind, though.
The night would soon be coming to an end, thankfully. It had been a painfully long day. Sirius leaned against the wall in the back, people watching as he normally did. It was easy to fade in the background when the shadows of the pillars cast over him.
But soon, he felt someone join him a few feet away silently. He didn't need to turn to see who it was. After all, Sirius had decided to linger in the back alone to lure her out.
"I know you've been trying to arrange a meeting with me, Cissy," Sirius muttered quietly.
Sirius saw Narcissa stiffen from the corner of his eye but didn't say anything else. He focused on the dance floor and saw Draco dancing with Parkinson's daughter. Draco held that same stiff, blank expression on his face as he danced with her perfectly. Lucius was off to the side speaking with Nott and McNair, not even aware his wife had wandered off.
"Why would you think I am?" Narcissa asked, drawing Sirius's eye to the side as he peered at her without turning his head.
"Because despite my circumstances, I'm still the head of the House of Black—a house that still carries ancient magic and is considered powerful." Sirius's eyes then moved back onto the dance floor where Remus and Lily danced, smiling lightly as they chatted. "You're secretly looking for protection from me—from Harry."
Narcissa was silent, and Sirius knew that he had hit the nail on the head and began to plough on.
"You've realized how much in danger you're in—how much Draco is in. One misstep from Lucius means you or Draco will be punished. One mistake from Draco means he'll die."
"Sirius, please..." Narcissa let out a shuddered breath, hands gripping each other tightly.
"You were an idiot to follow Lucius, Cissy. You're fucked."
"Sirius, please. I'm begging you. Draco...Draco was just a child when he was forced to take the dark mark. He did it to save me. He's scared—we both are." Narcissa was prim and proper; she had always been as long as Sirius could remember.
Sirius never had any strong opinions of Narcissa. While he respected Andromeda for breaking away from the family and hated Bellatrix for...being Bellatrix, Sirius was neutral about Narcissa.
On the one hand, it seemed that Narcissa did believe in the pureblood supremacy rubbish they were all taught growing up. But on the other hand, Narcissa seemed to deeply care about family. She was never as cruel as Bellatrix and was openly distraught when Andromeda was disowned by the family.
It was clear that even now, Narcissa loved Draco more than anything—more than Lucius, more than their ideals. Sirius could only half empathize with that. Draco was an absolute nightmare, in his opinion. Spoiled rotten by his father and his doting mother, Draco turned out to be quite the prat. A prat that ended up doing terrible things and taking the dark mark—to save his mother from having to take it.
Sirius huffed as he pushed himself off the wall. "...Fine. I will ask Harry to meet with you. But you listen and you listen closely, Cissy. You best make sure you and Draco abandon any of that crap we were taught to believe when we grow up. You'll also make an unbreakable vow with me to keep this a secret."
Narcissa nodded before she pursed her lips. "Isn't Harry a pureblood too? He has openly declared his beliefs and openly punishes his...wife." Sirius could tell Narcissa hadn't quite agreed with the way Harry had dragged Hermione out of the banquet earlier.
Still, Sirius shook his head lightly.
"I'm going to tell you one thing now and one thing that will save your life if you take it seriously before you meet Harry," Sirius grimly said as he looked at Narcissa. "He is dangerous and powerful. If Harry thinks for even one second you're a threat to us, he'll cut you where you stand without even blinking or feeling bad about it. That man only obsesses and hovers over one thing. He only cares about one person—the rest of us are just part of the package deal that takes no extra effort to protect. And that one thing he cares about? That person is Hermione Granger—the girl who was tortured in your manor while you and Draco watched."
Narcissa paled.
"So, figure out what the fuck you're going to do before you meet Harry. I can get you the meeting, but you're asking the wrong person to help convince Harry to save you," Sirius half-curled his lip in disdain.
Narciss nodded shakily. "Thank you, Sirius."
Before she left, Sirius grabbed her arm. "If I sense you are toeing between the lines, I don't care that you're family. If you risk Lily or Hazel's safety, never mind what Harry will do to you. I'll put you and Draco both into the family catacombs, do you understand?" Sirius's tone was menacing and threatening, his face all harsh lines and steely grey-eyed as he looked at his cousin.
Narcissa nodded once firmly and mutely. Sirius let go of her arm as he peered onto the dance floor once more. Lily was dancing with Harry while Remus was with Hermione.
"Let's get out of here to make our little unbreakable vow," Sirius muttered at Narcissa. "We need to be quick, people will soon look for us."
Quickly agreeing, the two snuck out unnoticed by everyone.
Well, nearly everyone.
Harry had caught Sirius off to the side earlier and now watched him leave with Narcissa before returning his attention back to Lily. People were staring at them strangely, but he could also hear people discussing how Harry must bear no ill-will towards Lily like he had said at his debut. After all, he did get to become the next head of the House of Potter instead of Lily's child.
But Lily kept a respectable distance and neutral expression as she danced with Harry, even though she enjoyed it. Harry was the same height as James, and their uncanny appearance while also knowing he had Lily's eyes sparked a different kind of joy.
They didn't speak as they danced, merely enjoying the strangeness and familiarity of it all quietly. But it was soon that Sirius came back and cut in.
Harry stared at Sirius for a long moment, seeing if he could convey that he had noticed the other man leave earlier. It seemed to work as Sirius nodded, indicating they would talk later.
"We should call it a night," Harry said before Remus led Hermione back to him.
Harry could collectively see the relief in everyone's eyes. People already started to disperse from the dance floor, bidding their farewells, and Harry had felt like being a part of the middle crowd to leave would be appropriate.
"We need to bid the Lord farewell," Harry informed them as he placed his hand on the small of Hermione's back, ushering her towards Riddle, who had joined Lucius, Nott, McNair, and Avery in chatting.
Hermione stiffened as they all turned to look at them but tried to relax when Harry dragged his thumb back and forth once to comfort her, obscured by her hair.
She just had to do this, and then they could go home, Hermione told herself. Once they were home, Hermione could finally do what she wanted, which was obsessively check over Harry to make sure there wasn't a single scratch on him. She wanted to hear him talk about what happened when he left.
And while his voice would soothe her, she could take more moments that would belong to her. More moments she could hoard away.
"Don't look away, Hermione."
Yes, Hermione determined. Harry was right. She could look. As long as she didn't touch, tug, or pull, it would be fine.
A/N: Huge thanks to amidland for picking up this story to beta. Teamwork makes the dream work y'all. Previous chapters will be re-edited slowly. Please go back to check prologue + chapter 1 for the update.
Thank you so much for your patience, really enjoyed all the comments! Until next time!