They stood around the headmistress office in varying states of discomfort. Theo was next to Hermione, her hands in his as she stayed close to his side, a lioness protecting her cub. Ron was leaning heavily on Harry, still groggy from Theo's punch. Ginny was standing next to Draco, in the middle of the two other pairs and was avoiding her mother's gaze. Mrs. Weasley did not look impressed by the sheer closeness her daughter had seemed to develop with the Malfoy heir. Mr Weasley seem to be the only one unfazed as he sat down in the chair next to McGonagall's' desk. The headmistress was the first to break the silence.
"Would someone care to explain why Potter and Weasley are not only present at Hogwarts but also engaging in physical altercations with my students?"
"Actually, professor the only person who got physical was Nott." Harry shot a look toward the Slytherin and Hermione adjusted her body to be directly in front of him like a shield.
"Actually, Potter, Weasley put his hands on Hermione and Theodore defended her honor" Draco snapped back.
"Shut it Malfoy"
"Control yourself Weasley"
"Stop it all of you"
And then the room plunged into chaos, shouting could be heard by everyone except Mr Weasley and Theo, who had moved to take the seat next to him. They spoke in hushed tones to one another whilst Professor McGonagall tried to calm the rest.
A quill and parchment appeared in front of them, Mr Weasley begun scribing as he and the young Nott heir talked. When the shouting began to dull Mr Weasley could have sworn he saw Theodore give his daughter and the Malfoy boy a pleading look and then suddenly the uproar began again.
"It's a lot easier to work out the particulars without outside interests clouding, aside from Hermione of course" Theo shrugged.
Mr Weasley nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. This process had already been complicated by his son and Harry bursting into Hogwarts, the contract did not concern them at all.
When they had come to an agreement, they both signed and shook hands, Mr Weasley smiled that Master Nott had made it so that the contract would not be binding until Hermione herself had signed it.
Theo looked to Ginny and Draco nodding, both went silent and stepped back.
"Hermione," Theo tried softly but Potter and Weasley were still shouting. "Mione, love, can you please come read this."
Mrs. Weasley's head snapped to Theo so quickly her daughter feared she may break her neck. The Matriarch in shook and the warm and loving way he spoke to Hermione. Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrow as she spied the parchment on the desk. Those sneaky Slytherins, and Ginevra she might add, had caused a distraction so that Mr Weasley and Master Nott could speak freely to one another.
Hermione made her way to the desk and Theo rose immediately to giver her his seat. She waved him off and began reading through the contract.
"You!" she turned to Malfoy who had the slightest fear in his eyes. "Read this."
"What!" the voices of Harry, Ron and Draco said in unison.
"Make sure he is being fair to himself." A smile graced the lips of Draco Malfoy as he realized that she was not trying to take advantage of his best friends' kind nature. "Professor McGonagall, if you could please excuse Miss Greengrass from class. I would like her to look over it as well."
"Of course, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley could you please retrieve Miss Greengrass, I believe she has Divination."
"Potions," Draco interrupted. "She has potions, let her know I am sorry I did not walk her to class"
Ginny nodded and headed out the door.
"Well Granger, he has given more than Blaise would have but not more than I gave Astoria. As long as she thinks it is fair, I would say you are good to go" Draco beamed suddenly very excited for Theo.
"Yes, well Hermione wouldn't allow for me to do what you did we both know that." Theo chuckled whilst Hermione swatted at him.
"What the bloody hell is going on" Ron screeched.
"Ronald, it would appear your father has given his consent for Master Nott to court Hermione" Mrs. Weasleys tone was harsh as she looked at her husband with disapproval.
"The hell he has!" Ron moved forward to snatch the contract from Draco but to the surprise of everyone it was Harry who stopped him.
"Ron, stop." He pushed him back and then turned to Hermione. "Is this really what you want?"
"Yes Harry, it is."
He nodded solemnly and extended his hand toward Nott who accepted it.
"Take care of her."
"With my life."
'I heard I was neede…. Merlin, Theo your hand!" Astoria rushed forward pushing through the former Gryffindor's taking his hand to examine it. "What happened!"
She scanned the room and her eyes met Weasleys and she saw the bruise forming around his eye.
"Oh." She said with a scowl and much like Hermione had, positioned herself protectively in front of Theo. It was Draco who pulled her back.
"Tori love, Hermione would like you to read over hers and Theo's contract."
The young girl nodded taking the parchment from her Astoria began slashing and parts of the writing.
"Hermione have you read this?"
"I mean technically, yes? But I didn't understand most of it. Draco did though, he said it was fine."
Astoria's eyes locked on Draco's and you could see the fear in his grey eyes.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy. You horrid snake. Theodore, Mr Weasley were you aware Draco put a clause in this after you signed?"
"HE WHAT!" Theo rose in his chair, Hermione reaching out to stop him.
"I was just protecting you! You left out the heir clause!"
"For a damn good reason!"
"I just thought you were being courteous!"
After much fighting and Astoria running through every clause and detail with Hermione, a new courtship contract was drawn up that everyone, bar Ronald an Mrs. Weasley was happy with. Hermione would not have to produce an heir if she did not wish to and she could call off the agreement at anytime with no financial ramifications.
To be honest Hermione had no idea about any of this but she trusted Mr. Weasley, Astoria and Theo would do right by her.