Dobby's Deceit

by La Morraine

What if Dobby bound himself to Harry without Harry knowing about it? How would that influence the story? [Harry/Hermione]

17. Chapter 17

Hey there, and Happy Holidays to you all!

This chapter is covered in cookie crumbs and sort of drenched in coffee and tea because I wanted to get it done in time, but I hope you'll be able to enjoy it regardless. I'll probably go back and fix typos and shit as I find them later. :)

Since I've been writing this story for nearly a year, and the response to it has been overwhelmingly positive, to say the least, I want to thank you from the bottom of my little black heart for all your comments and cudos and support. I never imagined that my little idea would bear such fruit, but here we are, and I couldn't be happier. It's been a fun ride, which will probably be finished in a few more chapters. No idea how many yet, there are quite a few plot points left to deal with after all, but I can already see the finish line. After nearly 300k words, that's amazing and very satisfying.

Again, thank you for sticking with "Dobby's Deceit", and I'll see you next year!

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Dobby's Deceit

Chapter 17

"Are you really fine?" Neville asked anxiously when Harry had finally managed to get back to the Gryffindor common room. "It's all over the castle, was Malfoy did."

Harry sighed and sank into the overstuffed couch in front of the fireplace. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't do much magic for a week." Before Neville could worry more, he added, "But I asked about the ceremony and my healer said that it'll be fine, as long as we're not planning a huge magical communion with everyone."

Neville smiled crookedly. "I'm sorry, it's probably the last thing on your mind right now. I feel awful for even making you think about it."

"You didn't," Harry said firmly. "I thought about it, too, because it's important. The invitations are all sent out, in any case."

"And we're looking forward to it," Dean said, sitting down next to Harry. "Are you sure you don't want presents?"

"Very sure," Neville said, accompanied by a nod from Harry. "Just come and have fun."

Seamus sat down on Harry's other side and grinned. "Expectations are high after Hermione's birthday party, you know. And Lavender's been psyching herself up to ask for exclusive bragging rights for the Herald."

"She can have them," Harry said after exchanging a look with Neville. "My, uh, my dad can't come, and it'll be good for him to see something nice in the paper for once."

"Yeah, that's true, mate." Dean clapped Harry's shoulder. "But now tell us what'll happen with that git Malfoy. Susan Bones said her aunt was here ... will he go to Azkaban?"

"I wish," Harry muttered. He rubbed his eyes. "For now everyone's being interviewed, and our wands were tested, and Madam Bones said she'll ask for permission to get memory evidence from everyone ..." Harry repeated what Finch had explained in the infirmary.

When the amount of settlement money came up, Ron, who obviously had listened in from a hiding place, jumped up and cried, "What would Hermione need even more money for? Malfoy should go to prison, and good riddance!"

Harry flushed hotly when a lot of other students echoed the sentiment. "It's not for us to decide. Hermione's parents will decide whether they'll accept weregild on her behalf, or press charges."

"There'll be pressure either way," Neville warned quietly. "She'll need a good law wizard for the negotiations."

"She's got that, at least," Harry replied without elaborating. "But enough of that, how was Transfiguration?"

"Weasley's group didn't do so well, thanks to Weasley and Bulstrode," Dean said, looking pointedly at the furious redheaded boy. "Don't get huffy, you had the least lines and botched up the spell casting. What did you expect?"

"Yeah, you can be glad Lily and Runcorn won't murder you or Bulstrode in your sleep for only netting them an Acceptable," Seamus agreed. He shuddered. "Can you imagine what Hermione would do to us if we slacked off?"

Dean laughed. "I really don't want to." To Harry, he said, "You know how I was partnered with Parkinson, Crabbe, and Nott. Bit unfair of McGonagall, if you ask me, but Parkinson and Nott at least know how to buckle down and get things done. Crabbe was a dud, but they just shoved a portion of the presentation at him to read out loud, and we all did our spells okay. EE all around and we're still alive. I call that a win."

"Great!" Harry grinned. "And I'm glad your group will be able to make it up on Wednesday, Seamus."

"First thing, naturally, and yours too, but that's alright. I'm just glad Hermione is okay." Seamus glanced towards the stairs leading to the dorms. "Even if she did look rather shaken."

"It's the third time she's almost died at Hogwarts," Harry said, all humour lost. "She hasn't said anything yet, but her parents threatened to take her out of Hogwarts if this continues."

"Oh, shit." Dean actually gaped at that. "First Moon and Runcorn, and now Hermione? At that pace, there won't be many Gryffindors in our year group left."

"My, uh, my dad won't be thrilled either," Harry confessed. "No idea what he'll do, but if he says it's not working out anymore ... I guess I'll go."

"You can't leave!" Ron almost shouted.

Every conversation in the common room stopped at once.

"I mean it, Harry! If you leave, magical Britain will go nuts!" Ron continued, and for once it looked like he was saying what everybody else was thinking. "You-know-who is out there, you can't jump ship!"

"Well, I'd hate to see Harry go, but he definitely can," Neville said. "He's Sirius Black's adopted son, it's Lord Black's duty to protect his heir to the best of his ability."

"Yeah, and that includes taking him out of a school that regularly tries to kill him," George Weasley said cheerfully.

Angelina Johnson huffed loudly. "I bet a whole galleon that the Daily Prophet will try to bury this story."

"Sucker's bet!" everyone booed and she grinned.

Harry winced. "I'd better go up and check in on Hermione before I call it a night. I'm knackered."

"Do you want something to eat? You weren't at dinner," Neville asked.

"I do, but I'll ask a house elf to help with that. Thanks, though, I appreciate it." Harry heaved himself up, a little dizzy now that Brady's pepper-up potion was wearing off. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

Staggering up the stairs, he rang the hidden bell for the third year girls' dorm and asked for Hermione. She met him on the landing only a moment later.

"Oh, Harry," she almost sobbed. "It's horrible. I can't stop thinking about what my parents will do now."

"I know," he murmured, drawing her into his arms and burrowing his hand in her hair just the way she liked. "It'll be alright."

"Will it?" she whispered, hugging him back almost violently.

"I've got Sirius now," Harry reminded her. "He said I have options. I can change schools, too. Right now, I don't like Hogwarts very much, so it wouldn't even be hard."

"You're crazy, Harry James," she hiccoughed. A few tears dampened Harry's neck. "Thank you."

They stood a bit longer, just breathing in and out. Finally, Hermione shyly loosened her hold and wiped her cheeks.

"I hope you can sleep well tonight," she murmured. "Thanks again for saving me. I probably owe you my life."

"I probably owe you mine, too," Harry said. He leaned forward and bravely initiated a kiss. In her surprise, Hermione opened her mouth a little and Harry couldn't help but flick out his tongue for a taste.

"Oh," Hermione breathed, flushing.

"Too much?" Harry asked, staring into her red-rimmed yet still lovely eyes.

Her wet lashes fluttered a little and the blush deepened. "No."

"Mmh." Harry leaned in again, lips pressing against her, his tongue sweeping against her mouth again, a little bolder this time. "You taste nice."

"Runcorn threw chocolate at me to stop my blubbering." Hermione collected herself and returned the favour shyly. Harry's stuttering breath made her smile. "I ate it all."

"You deserve all the chocolate," Harry told her. "Will you be able to sleep?"

"I don't know, but Healer Williams gave us sleeping potions. I'll be fine."

Harry rubbed her arms. "If you need to talk to someone, just say the word. I'll ask Brady if he can help, or maybe Sharptooth can find someone."

"You'll talk to Healer Williams about it?" she asked in a small voice. "The longer it's been, the more I'm thinking that I'm probably overreacting. It was such a short moment, it seems rather silly to still be so upset."

"Yeah, it was just a moment, but that's not what's important. Important is that Malfoy actually tried to kill you. It'd have changed a lot of lives forever. You can bet that I'll talk about it, probably for weeks."

Hermione bit her lip. "That trial, or whatever ends up happening, will be hell. I never thought things would get that far." Fresh tears spilled over her cheeks. "I can't believe Malfoy hates me enough to actually do this."

"He'll regret it. A lot." Footsteps on the stairs alerted Harry to Parvati and Lavender's arrival. "I guess it's time for you to go back up."

Parvati nodded at him. "Thanks for looking in on her. Madam Pomfrey sent a note that said that she should try and sleep as much as she can. Something about combatting the trauma naturally."

"Take the potion," Harry encouraged her. Then, heedless of the other girls' presence, he pressed a lingering kiss to Hermione's cheek. "Good night."

"Night, Harry," Hermione mumbled. She smiled gratefully and allowed Parvati to lend her a hand for the trek back up.

Inside his own dorm room, Harry allowed himself to fume violently. Despite feeling exhausted, heat flared up in his chest and crawled through his extremities.

"Harry must calm down," Blue said, pushing his little head out of Harry's collar. "Magic doesn't feel good."

"If anyone tries that shite again, I'll kill them," Harry hissed back.

"I will help," Blue promised. "Bad boy was full of malice. It was hard fighting him off."

"It bloody drained me." Harry stilled, and to his relief his magic settled down again. "Wait. What do you mean, it was hard? What have you done, Blue?"

"I helped," the snakeling uttered defiantly. "Harry needed push to call his magic."

"I did," Harry acknowledged, "but you could've gotten hurt! Are you alright? Do you feel exhausted?"

"I'm fine," Blue hissed, winding around Harry's neck and seeking the warmth of his skin. "Harry needs food, though."

Harry's stomach grumbled promptly, and three house elfes popped into existence on his comforter. "Hey there, Betty. Lulu, Dory, nice to see you again so soon."

The elves bobbed small, apprehensive curtseys and presented little plates with food.

"Harry Potter sir be needing lots of nourishment," Betty squeaked. "This be soup with elf berry, chicken with elf mushroom sauce, and baked apple from Harry Potter sir's own tree with goblin potion caramel sauce."

"Harry Potter sir be eating all of it," Lulu said. Her eyes were suspiciously wet. "Magic be needing to come back quickly. It not be safe."

"Dory be terribly sorry. We be apologizing on behalf of all house elves for not being quick enough to protect Harry Potter sir's Mione from evil boy," Dory wailed. "We not be thinking children be that evil, even though Dobby warned us of his old master's spawn."

"It's alright, you couldn't have known," Harry tried to console them. "It happened really quickly, and if one of you had intervened, Dumbledore might have found a way to punish you for it."

"Betty be feeling awful," Betty whimpered. "Betty should be ironing her ears for letting Harry Potter sir down! Dobby will be so disappointed."

"No ironing of body parts, you hear me? Hermione and I are fine," Harry insisted.

"Lulu be wanting to make it up to Harry Potter sir," Lulu sobbed. "Lulu be accompanying Harry Potter sir everywhere from now on. Lulu be next for learning how to fight from Ninja! Harry Potter sir be needing many bodyguards!"

Instead of starting a discussion about their protectiveness, Harry just thanked them sincerely for their concern and their help, gave each of them a hug, and then tried to enjoy the food despite his clenching stomach.

Afterwards, he opened Sirius' journal and poured out all his jumbled anxiety for the man to read. It felt good to do that, and to have Sirius' reassurances that they'd do whatever was necessary to get through it.

oOo

Tuesday morning with Hermione was the only time that week where Harry felt somewhat normal. Surrounded by students and teachers, he was always scrutinized, like he were about to blow his top any moment, especially since the altercation with Malfoy had only yielded a tiny article in the Daily Prophet without any details. While Harry usually detested attention, he fiercely wished the world to see what sort of person Draco Malfoy was.

Sirius managed to make up for that in spades, though. His lawyer had a press release published in the Wizarding International Times in which he stated his intention to sue Hogwarts for gross neglience in Harry's care. Since they didn't want to put their own legal proceedings with the Malfoys in jeopardy, this release also didn't give any details, but it was bound to make people curious - and make the Malfoys and whoever fancied siding with them nervous. Madam Bones certainly had an air of smugness about her as she returned to personally extract the necessary second memory from Harry and Hermione and those classmates who'd gotten retroactive permission from their parents.

The one upside to this whole business was that Malfoy remained sequestered in the hospital wing the whole time, and that the rest of the Slytherins were too wary to get on Harry's bad side while the investigation was still ongoing. Not that they'd have much fun with that, since Harry's house elves were in no mood to tolerate unruly children.

They were even less tolerant of abusive teachers; news of Professor Snape getting a cauldron flung into his nose as he was unfairly berating and thereby reducing a fifth year Hufflepuff girl to tears made the rounds fast.

Since Harry hadn't even been on the same floor that time, Snape hadn't been able to blame him, but that didn't mean he wasn't out for blood. This, of course, meant that the house elves had their hands full punishing him for all the ensuing harrassment and legilimency attacks, of which they diligently informed not only Harry, but also Sirius, Sharptooth, and Mr. Finch.

By the end of the week, three of the four houses had lost so many points that they might as well just give up the running for the house cup now, and Snape seemed perpetually dazed from getting hit in the head so many times. Rarely had a weekend been more anticipated, and everyone had plans to vacate the castle if at all possible.

"School's so crazy right now," Neville puffed as he, Harry, and the girls tasked with organizing the party, hiked to the edge of the Forbidden Forest to see how the preparations were going. "I'm glad we have this, otherwise everyone would go bonkers."

"Snape's been such a beast," Parvati hissed. "Be very, very glad you've got your tutor."

"We are," Hermione agreed feelingly.

"I won't go back to his class," Lavender announced. "I told my mum to file my grievance so she can get a partial return of the tuition."

"You didn't tell me, Lav!" Parvati cried. "Why ever not?"

"You were so determined to see it through for the newspaper," Lavender replied, "and I wanted to help, but it's not going to happen. That man is crazy! And I caught him staring at my boobs. It was creepy."

"At least he has single-handedly delivered enough fodder for the whole November edition of the Herald," Hermione said. "Which is good, because we might finally get rid of him. I'm just sorry he's been such a git to you."

"Well, this edition will go down in history as the Snape Scorcher," Lavender said. "We've got anonymized letters, anonymized copies of complaints, even reports to the DMLE and about two dozen requests for Gringotts to cut the tuition. If that won't get him fired, nothing will."

"How many have complained?" Neville asked, horrified wonder in his voice.

"Out of around four hundred students, almost a hundred now. The number for tuition cuts is probably at least double of what we know so far," Lavender said. "Keep it quiet, though, we don't want to lessen our impact."

"My lips are sealed," Harry hurried to say. They came to a stop in front of a huge glass structure that had already been filled with plants, tables and benches. "Oh, wow, look! The house elves are almost finished!"

Neville ran inside, crying, "Nobby!" Delighted, he scooped up one of the house elves and spun him around. "What are you doing here?"

"Aw," Parvati cooed. "I didn't know Neville was friends with a Hogwarts house elf."

"Oh, Nobby's his best friend at home," Harry explained, glad to have learned as much from Neville. "Neville didn't know, but I've sent for his family elves to come to the party tomorrow and they obviously decided to help with the set-up."

"My mum would love to have a house elf," Lavender said a little wistfully. "My parents work so much that it's hard to stay on top of the house work."

"Even with magic?" Hermione asked.

"You try doing that after fourteen hour days at the Prophet, or in the shop. Spells are as likely to explode in your face as not when you're bone tired."

"Ah." Hermione smiled a little. "Well, maybe they'll find one soon."

"I don't think so. They're not exactly advertising themselves," Lavender sighed. "Besides, they're flocking to old families if possible, for protection, food, and of course work. It's just a magic thing, since they need strong human magic to unlock their own abilities. Also, if there's not enough to do, they'll get restless, and I guess our little bit of house work just doesn't cut it."

"I see," Hermione murmured, looking back at Neville, who was still hugging Nobby and talking with him.

"I know that look," Parvati teased. "What are you thinking?"

"Oh, nothing." Hermione shook her head and inhaled. "Shall we get busy? We need to sketch in the place for the ritual on our plan, and where to put the food. Also, have Harry and Neville decided on music?"

"Harry asked that we not play too much wizarding music. Said it mostly sounds like caterwauling to him." Parvati laughed. "Thank the Lord for house elf resourcefulness, because we've got a gramophone and lots of records. That should take care of the entertainment. There are also some games, and we managed to borrow a few brooms, in case someone wants to go flying after the ceremony."

"Well, it is rather nice out here," Lavender acknowledged. "So that nod to Harry's favourite hobby isn't too strange."

"Half a dozen brooms are hopefully enough - they are the least damaged school brooms, which is frankly horrifying. Do we have enough chairs and benches for everyone? The guest list was longer than I thought it would be." Hermione looked around. "It certainly doesn't look cramped in here."

"Expansion charm," Lavender explained. "The conservatory will be large enough inside, don't worry. Everything will be just fine. Look at how seriously the house elves take this. It's adorable."

It really was a marvel, and when a tea tray popped up on a table for all of them, a bit of a festive mood came up.

"Now that I'm seeing all this, I can hardly believe that we're actually doing this," Neville confided as he spooned elf berry jam onto his scone. "It seemed so far away when we first talked about it."

"Like half a year has already passed, what with everything that's been going on," Harry agreed. He took a gulp of his tea. "I'm not sure I'll get back to real time anytime soon."

Hermione smiled at him. "Take your time. This might go on for a while yet."

"I'll drink to that," Lavender said and raised her own teacup. "By the way, have you invited Weasley to your ceremony after all?"

Harry sighed. "We didn't, but I feel kind of rotten about it. I keep thinking that something's going on there."

"Well, tomorrow is your day," Parvati said, not bothering to hide her relief. "You and Neville should be able to enjoy it. Whatever's up with Weasley will just have to wait. It's not your fault he's the way he is."

"Life goes on," Lavender added wisely. This earned her hearty snorts from her friends, making her grin. "But really, it does. If you always allow others to ruin fun things, you won't have any sort of life. At least, that's what my auntie says when my uncle doesn't want to go out with her ... which is usually once a week or so."

"That doesn't sound good," Hermione said, taken aback. "How are they still together?"

"Auntie just finds friends to come along," Lavender said and shrugged. "It works out for them."

"We invited Fred and George, though, and Percy," Neville offered. "After almost all the faculty accepted, we decided that we want more students so it'd be an actual party for kids, not just them."

"Considering the number of RSVPs, you managed to invite at least seventy people," Hermione teased. "You're such softies."

"You try not inviting Dennis Creevey when Colin looks at you with those puppy dog eyes," Harry muttered. "Besides, Neville has a lot more friends than he lets on. It's not just me, you know."

Neville flushed a little. "My friends are more the quiet sort."

"I couldn't help but notice Zabini's RSVP," Lavender said, waggling her eyebrows. "He might be a Slytherin, but he sure is handsome."

"And he's an excellent study partner," Hermione stated. "It'll be a good show of inter-house relationships."

"Do you think he'll really come? He'd be the only Slytherin," Parvati said.

"He said he would, and so far he hasn't gone back on his word, even after Malfoy's stunt." Hermione gave the other girls a look. "Behave and he won't have cause to flee."

"Well, if house disapproval doesn't stop him, likely nothing will," Parvati said and poured a hefty amount of milk into her fresh cup of tea. "Do you have anything else you need?"

"Nobby will bring a cystern from Longbottom Manor," Neville said, looking a little apprehensive. "My grandma said that a cleansing before the ritual is a good idea, and she, er, also said that using my family's cystern would be a statement. If you don't want that, we can get a different one, Harry."

Harry, who had actually expected something like that to happen, shook his head. "No, that's alright. We have our vows to each other, anything else is just ... padding."

"Your grandmother looking to bring Harry into the fold?" Lavender asked shrewdly.

"She wants to try, yes," Neville sighed. "She can be overbearing, but she means well. Especially after Dumbledore's weird behavior. I'm not sure she'll forgive me for not using the vow she suggested. It's rather, er, heavy-handed."

"Well, it's not her business anyway, now that Sirius Black is back in the picture, is it?" Hermione asked matter-of-factly. "I wonder what he'd say if she got her way."

The boys grinned at each other and Neville said, "I have no interest whatsoever in finding out. Lord Black's law firm is the stuff of nightmares."

Lavender giggled. "It is. My mum said that the Ministry is already shaking with fright at the lawsuits coming through the ICW."

"Anything newsworthy yet?" Hermione asked.

"No, but the rumour mill is working overtime. There's talk of several million galleons in compensation for unlawful incarceration, and then there's the matter of the Potter will." Lavender frowned. "Dumbledore had it sealed after You-know-who died and every year he refuses to unseal it. The goblins are hopping mad about that. They send the Archmagister of the ICW a howler every time it happens."

Parvati grinned suddenly. "And you know what? The next howler is due on November third."

"That can't be common knowledge," Hermione stated.

"It wasn't, but ever since Lord Black sought refuge with Gringotts, the goblins have made it their business to air the Ministry's dirty laundry," Lavender explained. "I told you about how cut-throat my mum's colleages at the Daily Prophet are, right? Well, since the Ministry is squashing everything right now, they've taken to freelancing for international publications ... and to get material for their articles, they're sneaking around and interviewing everyone at Gringotts who's keeping still long enough. It's become a game, really. The whole staff has a grand time, and so do the goblins."

"Everything's perfectly legal, of course," Parvati hastened to reassure Harry, who wasn't worried at all. "The goblins would never do anything to hurt Lord Black's case, or yours."

"Even the fact that he is Lord Black, magically speaking, is telling everyone a lot. Nevermind the fact that he's also your godfather and adopted dad." Neville smiled at Harry. "Honestly, my grandma's expecting a huge explosion when your dad and the ICW are ready for the actual trial."

"Everyone's expecting a huge explosion," Lavender said. "Parvati and I are already lobbying for listening time on the wireless so we can experience the making of history." She smirked. "It'd be loads more informative than the drivel Professor Binn's usually spouts."

Harry couldn't help himself; he laughed. "Can you imagine Snape's face?"

This caused his friends to also break out into laughter, and after that there was no more talk of trials, ceremonies, or even cranky potions masters.

oOo

"It's time, isn't it?" Harry asked, tugging on the robes Jerry had urged him to don. "I'm nervous."

"Of course Harry Potter sir be nervous," Jerry squeaked, sounding unruffled and even a little amused. "It be big day for Harry Potter sir. Harry Potter sir's magic be knowing that a big wrong be rightened."

"What if I forget my vow?" Harry tried to breathe calmly, but his chest was tight and his hands sweaty. "I feel faint."

Jerry hopped onto the bed and pulled Harry towards him with a tug on the robe's lapels. "Harry Potter sir be needing to know how he be feeling. Then, everything else be unimportant."

"You mean ... how I feel about becoming Neville's brother?" Harry asked uncertainly.

Jerry nodded, large eyes watching Harry attentively.

"I'm happy about it." Harry exhaled. "I've always wanted a family."

"Harry Potter sir be having a father already, now he be getting a brother," Jerry said, grinning. "Nothing be more important. Magic just be excited."

"I can eat some magic," Blue offered, poking his head out of Harry's collar and staring at him. "But not all."

"Do your best," Harry answered, huffing again. "Should I even take you? Brady said that foreign sources of magic can make cleansing difficult." To Jerry, he said, "What about Blue? I can't take him into the cystern. People would probably notice."

"One of us be able to hold Harry Potter sir's Blue snake until ceremony be over," Jerry offered. "We be putting Harry Potter sir's Blue snake back with just a snap."

"Right, you can do that. Would that be alright, Blue?"

Blue preened, showing off his pretty hood, before lazily hissing, "Of course. House elves have much magic, and they're always toasty warm."

"Thank you," Harry first hissed and then repeated in English. Jerry's little face flushed with pleasure and he fussed a little more with Harry's cravat. "Gosh, I'm going to be late."

"Harry Potter sir will not be late," Jerry assured him. With a snap of his fingers, Harry suddenly stood in the conservatory, right next to the cystern.

"Good lord!" Neville shrieked, jumping at least a foot at Harry's sudden appearance. "Warn a guy!"

"I didn't know I'd take the elf express," Harry defended himself. He grinned at Jerry. "Thanks, it was a good ride!"

Jerry bowed and popped away, taking Blue with him with Neville being none the wiser.

"That was one of your Potter elves, wasn't he?" Neville asked. His colour was still a little high, but his mood hadn't soured due to the shock. "His uniform was cute."

"My family apparently didn't believe in tea towels or pillow cases," Harry replied. "And really, why would they? House elves are fantastic tailors. They made these robes for me in a day." Harry showed off the fabric and the smart cut.

"My grandma bought mine, but maybe I'll ask our house elves whether they'd like to try their hand next time. Yours really look great." Neville rubbed his hands on his tighs. "Are you as nervous as I am? The first guests should arrive soon."

"I'm so nervous," Harry moaned. "Jerry tried to cheer me up, but this is so important and I don't want to mess up."

"You won't," Neville said loyally. "Why don't we check the place out? That way we'll at least know where everything is. Plus, we need to check the circle one last time."

Harry was only too glad to let Neville guide him around the conservatory. With the finishing touches it looked like something out of a fairy tale - with real fairies flitting between the many plants, blessing the venue with their glittering dust. On the buffet tables, the heaping platters and overflowing bowls of food were already giving off a delicious smell. Mingling with that were the scents of freshly brewed coffee and the undercurrents of tea, but there were also bulbous carafes of lemonade, juice, and water waiting to be consumed.

The Longbottom cystern had pride of place a little to the right of the large ritual space. As the cleansing was part of the whole thing, the house elves had taken special care to adorn it with flowers and creeping plants.

Their circle was next. Since Harry had only begun to read up on ritual magic, he didn't have much experience other than preparing a very simple circle for a communion. Neville was much the same, and so they had decided to rely on the circle the book about bonds recommended, although they had made an effort to understand the meaning of the runes and had also painted the circle themselves instead of using a copying spell. Now, the gold color was shimmering slightly in the weak afternoon light and a handful of fairies was flitting all over the circle.

"North feels still right for me," Neville said after their careful inspection. "If you don't mind?"

"It's perfect," Harry replied. "I thought I'd take South, but right now I'm feeling more like East. Do you think I should go with it?"

"You should do what feels right after the cleansing," Neville offered. "Just because you're a Gryffindor doesn't mean that fire is the right element for you. People aren't that simple."

"What if it messes up the circle?"

Neville placed a calming hand on Harry's twitchy arm. "It won't. It's been designed for children. Our magic's in flux all the time. It'll compensate, so don't worry."

"Alright. I'll try." Harry hated himself for fidgeting. "Oh man, I see people coming. The girls, and they have Hagrid in tow. And Zabini."

In short order, guests began to fill the conservatory. The gramophone played quiet but uplifting music, and invisible hands passed out drinks to the newcomers.

"It looks fantastic," Hermione said, eyes wide and admiring. The tall glass of chilled elf berry lemonade in her hand was sweltering. "The house elves did an outstanding job. And your circle turned out really nice. The gold colour really settled overnight."

"The fairies might have helped with that," Harry admitted. He glanced around. "I didn't think everyone would come, but it's getting full."

She smiled and took his hand, hidden between their robes. "It'll be great. Neville will be your brother!"

"That's what's keeping me upright." Harry grimaced. "Can I have a sip of your lemonade?"

"Take as much as you need. I can get more later."

As Harry took a few desperately needed gulps, the rest of the faculty arrived ... all of them, except Professor Snape, who had declined to attend.

"I can't believe Dumbledore is actually daring to show his face," Hermione hissed. "The nerve of that man!"

"And he's looking mighty smug, too," Parvati observed. "I don't think he means to just sit down and enjoy the ceremony."

Professor Flitwick stepped up to them, bouncing a little with obvious excitement. "How are you feeling, lads? Are you ready for your big moment?"

"Yes, sir," Neville said. "We're just waiting for the last stragglers."

"Nice work on the circle," Flitwick complimented. "It's a more old-fashioned one, but it should suit you well. And that's a Longbottom cystern! What a lovely statement from Augusta."

"Thank you, sir."

Flitwick beamed. "This promises to become quite the event. Why, there's Mr. Zabini chatting quite amiably with Miss Patil. I'd give points, if I could."

He moved on, in the direction of the nearest refreshment table.

"Oh, there's Mr. Finch," Hermione said, pointing at the wizard who was keeping to himself. "Why do you think he came?"

"Well, I can't be alone with Dumbledore, and I guess he wants to make sure everything goes according to plan," Harry replied. "Brady couldn't come, an emergency in Gringotts' snake house, so I'm glad at least he's here, even if I've only just met him."

"Me too," Neville breathed. "Oh Lord, and there's my gran. Ugh, why does she always have to wear her horrible vulture hat? That thing's ancient."

Harry and Hermione grimaced and all three quickly schooled their expressions when Mrs. Longbottom approached them with quick strides.

"Well! You've certainly outdone yourself, Neville," she exclaimed. "Good, I'd hate to have to read about a subpar ceremony in the paper. It's just not done in families as old as ours, or Mr. Potter's. Now, do you need help with any last minute issues?"

"Everything's well in hand, ma'am," Harry said bravely. "Just enjoy a drink and mingle."

Mrs. Longbottom eyed him critically before relenting. "Fine, I'll leave it to you. Neville, I'll be there if you need anything. Don't hesitate to ask for help, alright? This is your big moment and I want you to be able to enjoy it."

"Thanks gran, I will," Neville promised. He smiled and gestured for her to take his elbow. "I'll get you a glass of the punch. It's fantastic."

"Now that they're gone, do you want to hide and have a snog before you start?" Hermione asked mischievously. "You look like you could need a distraction."

"I do," Harry confessed, "but is it really okay to use you for that?"

She grinned. "I offered, so it's more than okay. Come here."

Harry let himself be led behind a huge potted plant and fell into the warm, firm hug Hermione initiated. Since that afternoon in the infirmary, he felt even more sensitive to ambient magic, especially her magic, and right now hers was reaching out fearlessly, inviting his to embrace it back.

"You feel so good," Harry murmured into her wild hair. "Screw snogging; if I had to choose, I'd choose this."

Her laugh at that was lovely and her voice soft and teasing when she said, "It's good that you don't have to choose, then, because I want both."

Then her equally soft lips were on Harry's, and her shy tongue soon followed, questing carefully and causing a rush of heat to run through Harry's whole body.

Harry felt overwhelmed with it, but not as much as in the beginning, when Hermione's closeness - and her willingness to be that close to him - had surprised him.

"Was this okay?" she whispered long minutes later, looking right into Harry's eyes. Her gaze was searching, but her reddened lips smiled like he'd given her a great gift.

Harry smiled back, hopelessly charmed. "I like it. It just feels like you give me too much. Of you. You always do, you know."

"Because I like you," Hermione murmured, leaning her forehead against Harry's. "So much."

Harry pulled her closer to him and buried his face into the bend of her neck again. "I like you, too. I like that you're ... that you're mine." He flushed, grateful that she couldn't see it. Her tightening grip soothed some worry in him that he'd maybe overstepped.

"It's almost time," Hermione whispered regretfully. "You and Neville will perform the ceremony wonderfully, and we'll all have a great party."

"I'm not worried anymore," Harry admitted. "Your hugs are magic, 'Mione."

She laughed. "Thank you. So are yours."

Sighing, they separated, taking a moment to fuss with their hair and robes, and to give their cheeks a chance to lose some of their colour.

Then it was time, and Harry and Neville stepped into the empty space of the conservatory side by side. Almost at once, all conversation and the music stopped and every eye was on them.

"Dear guests," Neville began, "welcome to Harry's and my godbrother ceremony. We are pleased to see so many of you here and hope that you'll have a good time witnessing our bonding."

The teachers began to applaud, the students following suit and cheering for them.

"I'd like to ask my grandmother, the Lady Regent Augusta Longbottom, to lead the ceremony," Neville continued after the applause had died down. "If you are so willing, please step forward."

Eyes suspiciously shiny, Mrs. Longbottom stepped forward. "Of course I will, you silly boy." To everyone's surprise, she curtseyed prettily. "It is an honour."

Harry straightened himself, deciding right then and there that he was going to take a risk. Mr. Finch as a legal representative of Sirius would have been fine, but it didn't feel nearly as right as his spontaneous choice. "As there are no Potters left to support our bonding, and my father by blood and magic cannot be here today, I call on Remus Lupin, one of both their oldest friends, to stand with me. Please, sir, if you are so willing, step forward."

"Harry-" Remus' voice broke. "Truly?"

The magic so forlornly reaching out from the werewolf only bolstered Harry's decision. "Yes, sir."

The man rubbed his eyes, inhaled sharply, and bowed. "It is an honour." Calmly, he left the ranks of the spectators, surprised murmurs in his wake, and took a place by Harry's right side.

Something like a warm cloak settled around Harry's shoulders and he couldn't help but lean into the feeling.

Clearing his throat delicately, Dumbledore pushed himself forward. His bright scarlet robes with yellow snidgets flitting around drew even the most unwilling eye to his person. "Do you think that's wise, my boy? Professor Lupin is nearly a stranger to you, surely you'll want someone more meaningful to guide you through the ceremony?"

Harry inwardly snorted. "No, sir. Professor Lupin suits my needs for this event very well. But I thank you for your concern."

It was the proper response, right out of the book, and it had several of the adults smirking into their cups.

"Without further ado, let's begin," Mrs. Longbottom intoned before Dumbledore could press his point, and thankfully no one else raised any concerns. "I ask for silence as these two wizards go through the ceremony. Neville, Harry, please step forward."

The boys did, Professor Lupin respectfully a step behind and to the side.

"As Lady Regent of my house, it is my honour to offer you, Harry James Potter, the use of our cystern for your cleansing," Mrs. Longbottom said. "May its magic bid you welcome to the family. To prove to you our intentions, Neville will go first."

Throwing Harry a grin, Neville followed the prompt and carefully stepped into the wide, low brass bassin. Runes all around the rim lit up, both inside and out, and a strong mist heaved up and around the boy. Colourful swirls lit up and then drained away in a matter of moments, and then Neville stepped out again, looking fresh and content. All of their friends looked on in awe, even those who already knew about ritual magic.

"Please step in now, Harry," Mrs. Longbottom said. Her expression gentled. "Have no fear, our family magic will not harm you."

Neville clasped Harry's shoulder and with that assurance, it wasn't hard at all to cross the few yards and step inside the cystern. As it had done with Neville, its runes lit up all at once. From the inside, amidst the rising mist, it looked a little otherwordly.

Harry only had a moment to admire the sight before the Longbottom family magic was upon him, shrouding him in opaque billows and taking away everything that was not him. It was a bit intrusive, and definitely clingy, but most of all the prodding and tugging felt friendly. It felt like the idea Harry had of Neville, which was doing more to soothe him than all the kind and helpful words people had offered before this.

The cleansing went on for so long that Harry couldn't help but reach out to the foreign magic, tangling with it and teasing back when its cool tendrils went under his collar and up his arms to tickle him.

Finally, the mist receded and Harry once more joined Neville, Mrs. Longbottom, and Professor Lupin.

"As you've both cleansed yourself of outside influences, it is now time for you to activate your circle. Who of you shall perform this duty?" Mrs. Longbottom asked.

"I shall," Harry said. His hands only shook a little as he walked to the North point, wand in hand. It was the work of only a moment to walk deosil around the shimmering golden circle and call upon the elements for protection. As Harry went, runes lit up in his wake. "As I have invited the elements to guard us, I also invite them to stand witness to this ritual." Harry took a breath as the glow of all the runes intensivied, and called, "May Magic look kindly upon our unified purpose."

The guests oohed and aahed quietly as golden light heaved up from the runes.

"The circle has been opened. Remus Lupin, please assist your ward to find his place in the circle."

Professor Lupin bowed and turned to Harry. "Which place in the circle have you chosen for this ritual?"

"I chose East," Harry said, calmly and clearly. Neville's approving nod lifted his spirits.

"Why does East speak to you?" Lupin asked in the same manner.

"East represents the element of Air, and Air represents not only movement and flight, but constant change in the world. To be the best brother I can possibly be for Neville, it is my goal to change my circumstances and myself to the best of my ability."

"So mote it be," Lupin said, leading Harry to the appropriate cardinal point and squeezing his shoulder.

"So mote it be," Mrs. Longbottom echoed. "Neville, which place in the circle have you chosen for this ritual?"

"I chose North," Neville replied, firm and fearless.

"Why does North speak to you?" his grandmother asked. It was so quiet in the conservatory, one could hear a pin drop.

"North represents the element of Earth, and Earth represents not only durability and nurturing, but also growth. To be the best brother I can possibly be for Harry, it is my goal to be as steady and supportive a presence in his life as I can possibly be."

"So mote it be," Mrs. Longbottom said. With no little amount of pride, she took Neville's arm and led him to the northern cardinal point of the circle. She then stepped back to Lupin's side and intoned gravely, "Your choice has been acknowledged. You may enter the circle."

Glancing at each other, Neville and Harry stepped forward as one, crossing the runic barrier and shivering at the rush of magic skittering over their skin.

"As you chose places side by side in the circle, link hands and raise your wands with the other."

Harry felt another surge of magic welling up inside him. The tip of his wand started to glow. Neville to his right, at last equipped with a wand uniquely suited to him, looked a bit startled when the same happened for him.

Mrs. Longbottom's voice took on a resonant quality as she intoned, "You have entered the circle with the purpose of pledging yourself to the other in a bond of brotherhood. As your parents wished to do for you so many years ago, you now stand before Magic with that same wish of your own free will."

"We do," the boys replied.

"Neville, as you chose North to represent your intentions for this bond, you may speak your vow first."

Harry had feared a strict glare, or even a verbal admonishment to follow her wishes, but all he could perceive from behind the heaving veil of magic was Mrs. Longbottom's shining eyes and the pride glowing from within her.

Neville exhaled noisily and then turned to Harry. His hand was warm and dry against Harry's, and his voice was clear as he spoke. "Harry, from the moment I met you at Hogwarts I knew who you were, and I wished that we could have grown up as brothers like our parents intended. My family could have given you stability, education, and love, and it pains me deeply that circumstances have prevented that. But now we are both standing in this circle, ready to pledge ourselves to this bond. All that my parents intended for you to have, I now offer of my own free will: stability, resources, support, and friendship. You will always have a home with me, and should strife cause you pain, you will always have my wand. So mote it be."

Bright light burst forth from Neville's wand, enveloping Harry in its warmth and causing the runic circle to hum softly.

Harry swallowed against the feeling of humility rising in his breast. While not flowery, Neville's words held a promise that resonated deeply within him in the best of ways.

"Harry, you may now speak your vow," Mrs. Longbottom coaxed.

"Neville, I came into the wizarding world with no understanding of myself or my family, let alone a family I could have grown up with had circumstance not prevented it. Still, for years you were my friend, and I'll always grieve for the time we could have been brothers but weren't. To make up for my many failings, I chose East to pledge to you my willingness to change and grow as needed to become the brother you deserve. For you, I wish to become stronger and smarter, so I will be able to offer you shelter, encouragement, support, and friendship. You will always have a home with me, and should strife cause you pain, you will always have my wand. So mote it be."

Harry's wand jerked a little as magic erupted from it, the light pure white and nearly singeing his skin with its heat. It shrouded Neville in a cocoon before gentling and sinking down, mingling with the magic already swirling around the circle.

"The words have been spoken, the vow has been made," Mrs. Longbotton called. "May the Lord and Lady of Magic bless this union, and may those two wizards' will be the only thing able to tear this bond asunder. So mote it be."

"So mote it be," Harry and Neville said.

"So mote it be!" the witnesses cried.

A wonderful wave of warm energy gripped Harry then, and he knew exactly who had wished him and Neville well. More than a hundred and fifty house elves rejoiced for them, as did all the wizards and witches.

All of them but one.

For a moment longer, the magic of the congregation heaved all around and through them, connecting the party for a long moment of perfect understanding. Then, it gradually lessened, the runes' light dulled little by little, until it had faded completely and everything was back to normal.

For a moment, there was no sound, but then applause, shouts, and catcalls sounded and the whole conservatory shook a little as around three hundred little invisible elf feet hopped up and down a couple of times in Colin and Dennis Creevey were moving to take pictures, now that they could.

Mrs. Longbottom waited them all out patiently. Only when the noise had died down enough for her to be heard, she said, "Harry and Neville, your bond has been acknowledged and blessed by Magic. You may now release your guardians and leave the circle. Who shall do this duty?"

"I shall," Neville said. With quiet dignity, the boy thanked the four elements for their assistance and dispelled the runes as he went widdershins around the circle. Like dust, the golden colour rose and drifted away, leaving only the bare wooden floor of the structure.

At last, he and Harry bowed deeply to show their respect, and then it was well and truly over.

"Well done, Harry," Professor Lupin murmured amidst new applause. "Your parents would have loved it, and if a report finds its way to Sirius, he'll love it as well." He stared at Harry. "Thank you for letting me be a part of it."

"You were my parents' friend," Harry said simply. "You'd have been there, had they been able to do it."

"I should've been there for a lot of things," Lupin admitted nearly tonelessly. "I can't apologize enough."

"You don't have to apologize to me," Harry said quietly. "But you should talk to Sirius sometime."

"I will. I promise."

Harry noted how the professor's eyes took on a light amber sheen - it was the wolf peeking out, Sirius had explained once. He nodded. "Please enjoy the party, sir. Stay for some food and drink."

Lupin inclined his head, his look still intent and no doubt analyzing every single word Harry had said to him.

Good, Harry thought. It's about time Sirius gets his friend back.

Neville smiled broadly at him and unceremonously pulled Harry into an embrace.

"First one as brothers," the boy said gleefully. "It was fantastic. Thanks for leading the ritual, Harry."

Harry returned the hug, laughing. "I'm glad it worked out so well. Your gran's not annoyed?"

"Nah." Neville pulled back, still grinning broadly. "She pretended not to cry and went over to the teachers for a cup of brandy, maskerading as tea." He eyed Lupin's retreating back. "He seems upset."

"I wasn't kidding when I said that he was one of Sirius' oldest friends from school," Harry said. "And of my parents. They were inseparable."

Neville frowned. "Where was he all this time, then? Couldn't he have stepped in, after ... ?"

"I don't know," Harry answered, thoughts jumping back to the werewolf issue. "He was great friends with my parents, maybe there's something in the will, but that's still sealed, and he never said anything. Most of what I know I've got from Sirius."

"The will won't be sealed for much longer." Neville herded Harry over to the next refreshment table and got them both a glass of lemonade. "Whatever else happens in Rome, the ICW will definitely get your parents' will unsealed, so you can have a proper living, and the goblins can have one of their more profitable accounts active again. That you were forced to live with non-magical relatives that treated you less than kindly ... people will go nuts."

Harry sighed. "I know. My life's about to turn into a soap opera."

"A what?" Neville asked.

"Uh, second-rate theatre?" Harry tried.

"Ah, that I get." Neville tapped his glass against Harry's. "I don't envy you, but it'll be worth it, right?"

"It already is," Harry admitted. "Cheers."

"Cheers."

They drank deeply and then braved their guests' good wishes and the immense variety of sweet and savory foods the elves had on offer. Soon, a lot of the girls asked them to dance, which they did with good grace, if not clumsy feet, and when they weren't dancing or eating, they were having entertaining conversations with friends, teachers, and of course the many little helpers that had made this feast possible.

"You all outdid yourself!" Harry praised Romy. The school's head elf stood on a bench before him, a little hidden behind a large potted palm, and blushed with pleasure. Harry held her hands and swayed a little to the energetic swing music that was filling the conservatory. "I never had a better party, truly, and everyone is having such a good time. Thank you so much!"

"Hoggywarty's elves be happy that Harry Potter sir be happy," Romy almost gasped. Her eyes were wide and nearly bulging out of their sockets. "There be lots and lots of good magic, and us elves be having lots of fun."

"I could feel you, during the ritual. We'll get a Ministry certificate soon and I bet you'll all be listed as witnesses." Harry grinned so broadly that his cheeks hurt a little. "I can't wait to put it on my wall at home."

Romy let out a mighty squeal and jumped Harry, hugging him tightly like an especially strong monkey. "Romy be so happy! All elves be so happy!"

Jules popped up beside them, grimacing a little. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but that rude boy is outside, ranting about the food."

"You mean Ron?" Harry's eyebrows shot up. "I thought he was being kept away from the ceremony."

Twisting his fingers, Jules confessed, "Well, the ceremony is over now, so the rude Wheezy can't disturb it anymore ... but is he welcome to the feast?"

Harry groaned quietly. "I'll have to ask Neville, it's his party, too. I'll find him. Will you wait for us?"

Both elves nodded and Harry hurried to find his brand new brother in the crowd. He was sorry to ask him away from Hannah Abbott, who was a little pink in the cheeks and looking at Neville admiringly.

"I'll bring him back in a minute," Harry promised, "I just have to discuss something with him ..."

Thankfully, Neville came along easily enough, and when he heard about Ron skulking around the conservatory, he sighed deeply.

"I guess it would be cruel to exclude him when so many other Gryffindors are here," he muttered. "But I'll be honest, Harry, I don't want him causing a scene, and he probably will, food or no food. Besides, if he gets to come in, one or both of us will have to stay close, or we'll have to ask the teachers and house elves to watch him, and that's just unfair."

"Yeah, I know." Harry raked a hand through his hair. "What can we do? Jules, do you have an idea?"

The slight elf hesitated for a moment, but then he said, "We could let the bad Wheezy have food and send him back to his tower, Harry Potter sir. It'd take but a moment."

"It be no bother," Romy added. "Romy be doing it herself."

"Sounds okay to me," Harry admitted. "If he's got enough food, he won't complain much about being sent away, and he probably won't come out here again. The walk takes twenty minutes, and all the safe brooms are here."

"It's a good idea," Neville agreed. "Let's do it."

Harry smiled at the two house elves. "Thank you, I appreciate it. Come back quickly so you can have more of your mushroom sandwiches. I heard Dobby bragging about them earlier."

"They are so good," Jules scowled. "Betty ate three before we even plated them."

He and Romy popped away and Neville laughed.

"You're in for the soap opera of your life," he chuckled. "Betty must be one hell of a house elf if he's pining for her like that."

"She's super cute and very kind," Harry said with a grin. "Even I get what they see in her. And now go back to Hannah, I can see her looking for you already."

Neville flushed a little. "She's nice."

"She is." Harry patted Neville's shoulder and followed him, now keeping a lookout for Hermione. "Will you ask her to dance?"

"Again?" Neville asked doubtfully. "We already did that."

"But that was more of a group thing," Harry countered. "She looks like she wants you to ask her."

"Really?"

Harry grinned. "I'll go before she gives me the evil eye for keeping you too long. See you later!"

He left Neville and made the rounds, slowly working his way over to where Hermione was standing with a whole group of students and their Ancient Runes and Arithmancy professors, animatedly discussing the ceremony.

"Hey Harry!" she called, waving him over. "We were just talking about the ceremony and the ritual circle you and Neville used. We've almost got the professors convinced to explain the theory behind it during class."

"Normally we wouldn't start so early with ritual magic," Professor Vector cautioned, "but I suppose we could take an hour and try to cover the basics ..."

Professor Babbling laughed. "Don't look at me like that, Septima. I'm in. We've had too few live examples these last years and it'll do all of us good to see what ritual magic can actually do in daily life."

"I'd like that," Harry said. "Do we get to vote?"

"At the start of our next class," Professor Vector sighed, giving in. "But only one hour, and no follow-up questions. If you want to know more, you'll have to look elsewhere."

"It's a deal," the students shouted and then laughed.

"Oh, off with you, go dancing!" Professor Vector groused. "I need another piece of that heavenly cake."

"Would you like to dance?" Harry asked Hermione, not really nervous but still relieved when she agreed happily.

As they moved among the other couples on the floor, Harry allowed himself to relax even with Dumbledore still there, hovering at the fringes of the party and keeping a keen eye on Harry. With so many small guards and one of Britain's most fearsome lawyers around, it was very improbable that the old headmaster would be able to get away with something.

"Do you know who I've been missing all afternoon?" Hermione asked, her soft breath tickling Harry's neck. "Dobby. Is he even here?"

"Oh yes, he's the self-appointed buffet master and refilling stuff whenever it runs out. Relaxing isn't really his thing," Harry answered. "But he's having lots of fun, plus, he's trying to impress Betty with all the work he does."

She giggled. "That's adorable."

"I was warned that there might be babies soon," Harry whispered. "Not like next month or something, but in a couple of years maybe."

Hermione's eyes got wide and round and she stared at Harry for a moment. "So soon? The book says that quite a few conditions have to be met ... can you provide all that they need?"

"They seem to think so," Harry said. "Maybe they'll show me their kids one day, that'd be awesome."

"You'd spoil them rotten, Harry James," Hermione teased, nuzzling back against Harry's cheek. "Colin took a lot of pictures of you. Are you alright? Do your eyes hurt?"

"No, they've been a lot better since the summer," Harry said. "Brady said that I need to do some more growing, to see what my magic will do before they correct them. It could mess things up otherwise."

"I see. Good! Colin should still take care not to flash you too often in the eyes."

"I actually talked to him about it a while ago and he promised to go easy on me." Harry twirled Hermione, pulled her back again and caught her around the waist. "Hah, that actually works!"

"Have you been secretly practicising?" she laughed.

"Only a little. Our room had a good, er, instruction manual. Besides, Sirius is of the opinion that a wizard should know how to dance."

"He's not wrong," Hermione replied. "I certainly enjoy it."

Outside, dusk was falling, allowing the flitting, glowing fairies to transform the conservatory into a festive fairytale castle. As long as their feet allowed, Harry and Hermione swayed to the music, going for refreshments and the company of their friends afterwards. Spirits were high long into the evening, and when Harry finally fell into bed that night, the new godbother bond thrumming within him, he neatly slotted this day next to other few best days of his life so far.

oOo

The party was, of course, the talk of the school come Monday. A lot of those not invited were scowling with envy at hearing the talk about fantastic food and dancing, and some of the more reticient students, especially the Slytherins, were watching Harry with something akin to consideration.

"I'm not just imagining it, am I?" he asked Zabini during Care of Magical Creatures. "People are actually watching me ... again."

"Of course they are," Zabini replied, throwing a dead ferret into the hippogriff pen. The snarling hippogriffs fought over it until the poor thing was torn into four parts and hastily gulped down. "You've bonded with the Longbottom scion and many assume that a more formal alliance will follow when you're older."

"It probably will, but what do they think will happen?" Harry huffed. "Neville and I already have pretty similar views and stuff. How we vote or whatever won't exactly be a surprise."

"Maybe not, but it's not actually you they're watching so much," Zabini said, glancing at Neville, who was working with the other Gryffindor boys to muck out the hippogriffs' paddock. "It's him, and what being your brother will make of him."

"Oh." Harry paused to consider this. "They're thinking I'm ... what? Toughening him up?"

Zabini smirked. "Compared to first year, Longbottom isn't exactly a pushover anymore, but yes. Your influence will probably toughen him up, and people are trying to figure out how much."

"Well, that won't happen overnight, so they can stop it," Harry mumbled, annoyed at how complicated everything suddenly was. "Their staring is creepy."

"That's why they're doing it," Zabini informed him, taking another ferret and tossing it. "You need to keep your cool. Every weakness will be exploited, even by your friends, and no one will show you any mercy."

"Speaking from experience, are you?" Harry grumbled. "This is so dumb."

"But necessary. A lot of Slytherins will be involved in Britain's future politics, so it pays to know who's up to what, and why." Zabini's smile was dark and more than a touch feral. "It also pays to have dirt on everyone."

"At thirteen?" Harry asked dubiously. "That seems a little extreme."

Zabini shrugged elegantly. "All's fair in life if it's for your own protection."

"Only if you're not a bully," Harry argued. "Or a criminal."

"Some people will call you both and act accordingly, even if what you're doing is perfectly reasonable and within the law," Zabini said. At Harry's unimpressed look, he added, "I'm just saying."

"You're awfully forthcoming today," Harry replied, a little suspicious. "Why?"

Zabini threw him an undecipherable look. "I had a great time yesterday."

Harry took a moment to let that settle, and then allowed himself to feel a little sad on Zabini's behalf. It wasn't like the boy hadn't told him point blank how hard it was to make friends as a Slytherin.

"Well, you were welcome," he said at length. "And the girls sure appreciated a dance partner who knew what he's about."

"A pity I didn't get to dance with you," Zabini said slyly, wicked humour lighting up his dark eyes. "That'd have made some eyes bulge."

Harry laughed, surprising himself as much as the other boy. "Next time, if there are a lot of people I can't stand, I just might."

"It's a date," Zabini chortled.

oOo

After class that day - and what good classes they had been, what with having not one but two interesting lectures about ritual magic around lunch - Professor McGonagall held Harry and Hermione back.

"A word, please, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," she said.

Worried, the other Gryffindors filed out of the classroom, and the purposefully left open door shut after a little flick of Professor McGonagall's wand.

"Your presence is required in the headmaster's office," she said, eyeing them carefully. "Mr. Finch is already waiting, as are Madam Bones, the Ministry prosecutor, Mr. Malfoy's parents plus lawyer, and your parents, Miss Granger."

"What?" Hermione asked, shocked. "Why?"

"Madam Bones has finished her investigation and now the time has come to determine whether official charges will be pressed or a weregild can be offered," Professor McGonagall explained. "I'll be honest, it won't be pleasant. And if I may offer some unsolicited advice?"

"Please," Hermione begged.

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Don't agree to anything today. Not even to accepting an apology. This meeting is not about settling, it's about sounding out weaknesses, and the Malfoys are known for being particularly vicious, even from a defence position."

"I ... yes. Thank you. That's really good advice. Do my parents know?" Hermione asked a little shakily. She gratefully accepted Harry's offered hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Since Mr. Finch is both your lawyer in this case, and he's been round their home a couple of times, yes, they do know." Professor McGonagall's eyes gleamed in satisfaction as she added, "And I know for a fact that he and Madam Bones are not inclined to give the Malfoys even an inch."

"Good," Harry said.

The march up to Dumbledore's office was long and silent. The moving staircases waylaid them twice, as if trying to tell them to just skip this bit of unpleasantness.

When the stairs twitched to move for a third time, Professor McGonagall snapped, "Don't you dare!" and the staircase ground to a halt and back into its resting position.

Finally they reached the gargoyle in front of the revolving staircase. It leaped aside at once, not demanding a password like it usually did, and then Harry and Hermione stepped inside the round office.

As dusk was already falling outside, several sconces were alight, bathing Dumbledore's many books and knickknacks in a soft, yellow light. Fawkes was sitting on his perch, head up and eyes trained on the two Malfoys and their lawyer, who stood to one side. Madam Bones, Hermione's parents, and Mr. Finch stood on the other, while Dumbledore had chosen to remain sitting at his desk.

"Ah, welcome, Harry and Hermione," the old wizard said jovially.

Mr. Finch cleared his throat disapprovingly, followed by Professor McGonagall and Madam Bones' no less disapproving glares.

"We're almost complete," Dumbledore went on, blithely ignoring the rebuke. "We're only missing Septima and Bathsheda, as they were the first ones at the scene ... ah, that would be them."

The two professors entered the office, nodded at everyone, and chose to stand near Fawkes' perch.

"Now, we've assembled today to-"

"Allow me, Albus," Madam Bones interrupted Dumbledore. "Since this is a DMLE investigation, it falls to me to moderate this meeting." Her beady glare went from the Malfoys to Mr. Finch and Hermione's parents. "Before we begin let me introduce Ministry Prosecutor Adelheit Sutcliffe. She is responsible for overseeing this mediation. Should it come to a trial, she'll represent the Ministry's side in the proceedings, Miss Granger."

Hermione and Harry greeted her, both looking curiously and a little awed at the tall, wiry woman in dark robes. She was of indetermined age and severely made up with barely any beauty charms in place and her ash blond hair in a tight bun.

"And the gentleman with the Malfoys is Law Wizard Hank Norrington, of Norrington & Son. Now, to be perfectly clear: There will be no intimidation of any kind, no attempts at blackmail, and certainly no drawn wands," Prosecutor Sutcliffe warned. "Any and all failures to comply will be fined with a hundred galleons, payable immediately. Understood?"

"Understood," Law Wizard Norrington said stiffly, echoed by his clients.

Mr. Finch's voice was perfectly bland as he agreed, and Dan Granger had murder in his voice as he ground the word out. His wife sounded downright pleasant in comparison.

"Good." Madam Bones put on her monocle and fished a roll of parchment from her robe sleeve. "I hereby read to the assembled parties the conclusions of the DMLE's investigation.

"One, Mr. Draco Malfoy has been found to have acted disproportional to the argument he was having with Miss Hermione Granger." She glared at Mr. Malfoy when he opened his mouth to protest. "In the extreme.

"Two, the DMLE has found that the spell Mr. Draco Malfoy used on Miss Granger and, albeit allegedly inadvertently, Mr. Potter, is not one taught to third years, for good reason. That he already knows it when only sixth years students are allowed to study and practice it under strict supervision, is concerning. Therefore, to remove the danger Mr. Draco Malfoy obviously poses to his schoolmates, his private wand rights have been revoked until the end of this school year." Her eyes flitted to Dumbledore. "Not the term, the year. Any failure to adhere to this ruling will result in charges being brought up against the teacher who failed and you, Headmaster."

Dumbledore blinked, clearly surprised. "Surely that is a little extreme, Amelia. The boy needs his wand for practice."

"He should have thought about that before he went and attacked another student with a deadly spell," Madam Bones replied. Dismissing Dumbledore, she continued, "Three, independent of the families' decision whether a weregild is to be paid or formal charges will be pressed, the Ministry herewith fines the Malfoy family with five-thousand galleons for conduct extremely unbecoming of its scion."

"That's prepestorous!" Mr. Malfoy shouted.

"No, it isn't. Being a Lord in our society is not only about the advantages, Lucius-"

Mr. Malfoy's left eye twitched a little at Madam Bone's nearly mocking words.

"-but also about the many responsibilities towards society. As an ancient house, your family wields a lot of social and political power. Therefore, it is your responsibility to teach the future Lord Malfoy how to conduct himself with grace and in adherence to the law. His behaviour last week was a loud, very loud, warning signal that not all is right in Britain." Here Madam Bones allowed herself a threatening stare. "The Ministry will not allow this aberrant behaviour to go unchecked. We're all part of this society, and the Ministry will see all of us protected. That means we punish thoughtless, cruel children with delusions of superiority before they actually kill someone in a petty fit of rage, no matter which social class said child belongs to."

"Now listen-" Mr. Malfoy fumed.

"No, you listen." Madam Bones' cold voice cut through Mr. Malfoy's bluster like a knife. "Your son behaved atrociously against another student. He used deadly force, at thirteen. This is not a matter that I will allow to be hushed up. If it were up to me, your son would get to know Azkaban intimately, because that's what happens when a magical person tries to murder another, regardless of age, and the Daily Prophet would write about it for months so that other miscreant children might be warned. Be very grateful that the old laws in favour of negotiating weregild still exist, or all of that would already be happening to your precious heir. Also, your disrespect towards the proceedings just earned you two hundred galleons in fines, payable immediately. Madam Sutcliffe will hand out the slip at the end of the meeting."

Narcissa Malfoy pressed a hand to her mouth and whimpered while the Malfoy family lawyer looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. He certainly wasn't pleased that Lucius Malfoy was speaking out in such a violent manner.

Malfoy looked like he was one step away from a huge tantrum.

Mercilessly, Madam Bones continued, "You will pay that fine, Lucius Malfoy, and you will keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you."

"I won't be talked to in that manner! Prosecutor Sutcliffe, I demand that Madam Bones be reprimanded for unprofessional behaviour!" Mr. Malfoy's whole head turned red, and a thick vein appeared in his neck. "It is an outrage what this person is allowed to spout! She needs to pay the fine for threatening me and mine!"

Prosecutor Sutcliffe's eyebrow rose a fraction of an inch. "Amelia Bones is the head of the Ministry's law enforcement division. The position does give her the right to read you the riot act, Lord Malfoy, with sufficient cause. Are you denying that there is sufficient cause, after all the evidence you have been allowed to review prior to this meeting? Also, make that another one hundred galleons for failing to behave with decorum."

"The accusation has been greatly exaggerated," Mr. Malfoy insisted. "Surely you can see that. I'll pay the fine for letting Draco learn that spell, but it's prepestorous to threaten us with Azkaban over this." His icy eyes fell on Hermione. "Sometimes boys do stupid things when they're trying to impress an ... attractive witch."

Hermione blanched and Harry felt fury boil up in him at the insinuation.

"If that's how Malfoy shows affection, I don't want to know what'll happen when he hates someone," he said sharply. "Either way, you failed as his father."

"Well said, Harry," Dan ground out through clenched teeth. He was gripping his wife's hand tightly, visibly hanging on by a thread.

Mr. Malfoy sniffed haughtily. "Well, Draco's always been a passionate child. It seems he can't help his ... infatuation."

"Is that how you want to handle this affair?" Mr. Finch asked, sounding only mildly interested. A dictaquill was busy transcribing the whole conversation.

"I don't see how else it could be seen," Mr. Malfoy replied, already much more collected. "At that age, emotions are fragile, and Miss Granger belittling my son's educational prowess, well ... it obviously stung."

"Still not a reason to kill her," Harry muttered darkly.

"I concur," the Ministry prosecutor said. "In the interest of letting Miss Granger and Mr. Potter have at least a portion of their evening, I ask that all parties adhere to protocol now. Lord Malfoy, what is your family's wish regarding this matter? Shall it be weregild to the Granger family, or shall it be a trial?"

Mr. Malfoy ground his teeth and forced out, "We're prepared to offer weregild."

"Law Wizard Finch, what have the Grangers decided?" Madam Sutcliffe asked.

"With reservations, depending on the offer of weregild, my clients are agreeable to forego pressing official charges," Mr. Finch replied, posture erect and still sounding supremely unaffected. "That may change as the negotiations come along, as my clients will not stand for being insulted in addition to having had their only child suffering significant trauma."

"Very well. May the negotiations begin," Madam Sutcliffe said sternly. She turned to Hermione. "Your parents already know this, but in the interest of making matters go as smoothly as possible, it falls to me to inform you that for the duration of these negotiations, you have to remain at Hogwarts. You could, theoretically, leave the school for another British magical school; however, as this is a purely magical matter, leaving for a muggle school altogether would forfeit your claim to either weregild or a trial. Aside from that, all your friends are here, and the school year is already well underway. I don't recommend it."

"She'll stay here, for now," Hermione's mother said tightly. "Under the provision that that horrible boy won't."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Dumbledore said gravelly. "The same rules apply to him, you see, and, ah, it turned out that none of the other schools will accept him for the duration of the negotiations. And as there appears to be a flight risk in the DMLE's opinion, Mr. Malfoy is also prohibited from returning home."

"I won't be in the same room with him," Hermione said, clamping down on Harry's hand until it hurt. "I won't give him the chance to finish what he started."

Madam Bones cleared her throat. "You won't have to, Miss Granger. In addition to the fine Mr. Malfoy's family will have to pay, Mr. Malfoy is not allowed to be around other children until the matter is concluded, not even without a wand. He will receive assignments and an hour of practical tuition a week for each of his courses. It is up to Mr. Malfoy's family to decide whether they want to employ tutors for this, or if they'd like to avail themselves of the services of the Hogwarts professors."

"For an additional fee, of course," Professor McGonagall added tartly. "After all, it is not our job to teach murderous children for free."

"Hardly for free," Law Wizard Norrington said stiffly. "The family does pay the full Hogwarts tuition."

"Oh, you mean the twenty percent lower tuition than the one for mundane born students?" Emma replied snidely. "How very correct of you."

"Consider it a danger allowance," Professor McGonagall needled the Malfoys. "After all, we might have to defend ourselves against Mr. Malfoy jr."

Madam Sutcliffe cleared her throat pointedly. "While I understand the sentiment, let's not devolve into useless sniping, Minerva. I did say the fine applies to everyone."

"My apologies, Adelheit," Professor McGonagall replied, completely unrepentant.

"Of course you are." Madam Sutcliffe took a deep breath and then stared them all down. "It has been decided. The families Malfoy, Granger, and Potter enter into negotiations for weregild. This process will have come to a conclusion at Yule at the latest, or formal charges will be pressed by the DMLE. The number of meetings shall not be restricted, but there shall not be less than three for each of the affected families. Each of the parties is subject to the Rules Of Negotiation. Breaches of protocoll will be punished by fines and time in Azkaban. To make sure everyone involved can be held accountable for their actions, you will be required to take an oath."

"With all due respect, Miss Granger's family is hardly able to swear that oath," Law Wizard Norrington said. "We will not allow you to apply double standards in these proceedings."

"The Grangers are of course aware of this," Mr. Finch said. He pulled a roll of parchment from his briefcase and handed it over to Madam Sutcliffe. "To compensate for the disparity in magical ability, Lord Black has offered to act as bail. This writ has been signed by all relevant parties and only has to be accepted by the Ministry."

Madam Sutcliffe unrolled the parchment, read it, and then tapped it with her wand. A golden glow appeared, to which she nodded in satisfaction. "The offer of bail has been verified and accepted by the Ministry of Magic. Your objection is moot, Law Wizard Norrington."

"Very well," Norrington said tightly.

Harry and Hermione went over to Hermione's parents, exchanging exhausted hugs and watching the oath-giving with tired interest. Their professors only maintained the facade of detachment until the Malfoys and their law wizard had finished their business, crowding around Hermione's family as soon as the heavy door to Dumbledore's office had closed after Narcissa Malfoy's sweeping robe train.

"All will be well," Professor Babbling said to Hermione, patting her shoulder comfortingly. "None of us teachers will allow that boy to be in the same room with you, much less let him be alone with you."

"And if it happens regardless, you may always call on the house elves to either call on one of us, or extract you from the situation altogether," Professor McGonagall added. "I'll inform the head elf of the situation immediately."

"Furthermore, I'd like you to accept this," Madam Bones said, offering up a silver bracelet. Runes were stamped all over its surface. "It's a device the Ministry has developed around thirty years ago to record failures to adhere to a restraining order. With the implementation of equal rights divorces, there have been some cases of aggravated stalking and harassment, most often perpetrated by the wizards whose wives have left them. This will help us protect you, and your interests in court, should something happen despite the threat of high fines and Azkaban."

"That doesn't sound good," Hermione said roughly.

"I'll be honest: it isn't. The Malfoys are known for using scare tactics and I wouldn't put it past them to encourage their boy to pressure you into retracting your charges." Madam Bones' frown smoothed out a little. "I've talked it over with your parents, and they agree that wearing the bracelet for the duration of the negotiations would be a good idea. Of course I'll personally swear an oath that the bracelet only does what I told you it does and nothing more. Mr. Finch quite insisted on it, and so did your parents. Would that be alright?"

Hermione turned to look at Harry, wide, slightly wet brown eyes entreating him for help. "What do you think?"

"If Madam Bones swears an oath, and Mr. Finch says it's good, it'd be fine, I guess," Harry said. "I just want you to be safe, 'Mione." He looked up at Madam Bones. "She'd be able to take it off if it's somehow fishy, wouldn't she?"

"Yes, of course. Wearing it is supposed to help, not harm her," Madam Bones promised. "It's mainly for monitoring Mr. Malfoy's proximity to her, but a few mild protection charms have been added as well."

"It's hard being a girl," Harry said seriously, ignoring how the mouths of the women in the room twitched. "You should do it."

"Okay then," Hermione said. She closed her eyes when her mother kissed her cheek and her father pulled her into a short, grateful hug.

"But first the oath," Harry insisted.

"Of course." Madam Bones drew her wand, performed the oath to Mr. Finch's approval, and then slid the bracelet around Hermione's wrist. "There, all done. It might feel strange for an hour or so, until your magic has gotten used to the magic imbued in the metal. If something doesn't feel right, take it off immediately and contact me."

"Thank you," Hermione whispered.

Madam Bones smiled. "All will be well, Hermione." She tipped her hat at Dumbledore, who hadn't moved from his desk, and at everyone else after. "I'll take my leave now and file everything with my department. Adelheit, if you want to accompany me?"

"I do, thank you." Madam Sutcliffe also nodded at the room and then threw Floo powder into Dumbledore's fireplace. "The Ministry of Magic, atrium!"

With two loud swishes, the witches were gone and the meeting well and truly over.

"Would you like to have dinner with us, before we have to head back home?" Dan asked Hermione. "Harry, you're welcome, of course."

"How can you even ask?" Hermione asked. Her voice wobbled a little and then the tears were spilling over and she threw herself into her father's arms. "I've missed you so much!"

"I'll show you to a lovely little room where you can have privacy for your meal," Professor McGonagall said. "Do not strain yourself overmuch when showing your parents some of the spells you have learned so far, Miss Granger."

"We'll take care," Emma said. "Thank you, we appreciate it."

"Think nothing of it," Professor Vector said, rather cheerfully considering the circumstances. "It's quite rare that we have muggle visitors, and it is a shame that the parents barely get to see what we teach their children. That being said ... how do you find the Muggle Studies course? Your daughter only attended one class, poor Charity Burbage was quite beside herself. Do you like the book? It's the newest edition."

Emma squirmed a little. "Well, it's ... interesting. As a whole, the course wasn't, er, demanding enough for Hermione, since she grew up in the mundane world. And, well, the material is a bit ... outdated." She winced.

"Outdated?" Dumbledore piped up. "By how much?"

"Oh." Emma exchanged a glance with Dan. "Uh, about thirty to forty years would be my estimation. Excuse us, we'd like to take Hermione somewhere quiet now. Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore."

Without further ado they led Hermione from the office, barely taking the time to say their goodbyes. Professor McGonagall accompanied them, ostensibly to show them to the room she'd promised Hermione's parents.

Harry thought that she just wanted to leave. The same couldn't be said about Mr. Finch; the law wizard turned towards Dumbledore, briefcase already open and another roll of parchment floating out of it.

"Thirty to forty years!" Professor Babbling hissed, which was the last thing Harry heard as he hurried after Hermione.

He flushed in mortification for his teachers. He already felt stupid when he didn't know something seemingly everybody else was aware of, so how much worse must it be to know that you were teaching garbage to students for years?

oOo

Professor McGonagall led them to a small cozy room with a blazing fireplace. A table had already been set for four.

"Won't you join us, Professor?" Emma asked.

"Oh, no, thank you. The afternoon, and indeed, the whole last week, was unpleasant enough for your daughter; you must be eager to visit and I would definitely be in the way." Professor Mcgonagall smiled briefly. "Enjoy your time together, it is a rare enough pleasure to host mundane parents of our students."

The Grangers bade the professor farewell, and then Dan pointedly held the chair for Emma to sit down. "I haven't forgotten how you've showed me up last time, Harry."

Emma laughed. "I'm certainly not complaining."

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione said with a smile as he helped her sit down. "The table looks incredible."

"Yes, just look how shiny the silver is." Emma admired her fork. "Does anyone know what we're having?"

Dobby popped into existence next to Harry. "Hello, Harry Potter sir's Grangeys!"

"Hello, Dobby," Dan greeted the elf. "How are you doing?"

"Dobby be having much work," Dobby replied, bouncing a little. "Dobby be sorry that he not be protecting Miss Mione from bad old Master's spawn."

Emma spat out a mouthful of water. "God, Dobby."

"Well, he's not wrong," Dan said dryly. "The Malfoy boy definitely behaved like a hellspawn."

"Why did you agree to the negotiations, then?" Hermione asked, apropos of nothing. "Why not make them go through with a trial?"

She immediately had the attention of both her parents, and the mood turned somber.

"There are many reasons, love," Emma said gently. "And I'm sure you can think of them all."

"I can, but ... it makes me feel dirty, acceping their money," Hermione admitted.

"To maybe accepting their money," Dan said. "There's a difference."

Harry looked at each of them in turn and frowned. "I don't understand."

"We decided to fight them with their own weapons," Emma explained. "Making the Malfoys choose between trial or paying a frankly insane sum of blood money has hurt their pride. We, lowly mudbloods that we are, can nonetheless force them to choose between a rock and a hard place, and that right there is power."

"I didn't think you were the type to humiliate others," Harry admitted. "Not that they don't deserve it, because they do, but ..."

Dan patted his shoulder. "I know what you mean. It's alright. Let's speak frankly, hm? You deserve it, after what you did to save our princess."

"Thank you, sir," Harry said, a little stunned.

"In essence, we want to set a warning excemple for each an every one of those stuck-up, racist pureblood magicals," Emma said. "Right now, we hold all the cards, and after some discussion with Mr. Finch and Lord Black we decided to do as much damage as we can: first we force them to negotiate with mundanes, trying to get as much out of them as we can."

"Because the purse is always where it hurts most," Harry said, suddenly understanding where this was going. Uncle Vernon had certainly said it often enough.

"They might end negotiations if they deem our demands too high," Dan went on, "and in that case we will, of course, go to trial. Due to the spawn's age it'll be closed, but enough information will get out that the family's reputation will take a big hit. It always does."

"Either outcome would be fine for us, although I'm hoping that they'll go for the weregild in the end," Emma concluded. "Not only would we have enough money to get Hermione everything she needs for her education, bleeding those ... those cockroaches dry would have the added benefit of denying them funds to support their effing Lord, or whoever is in charge of that abominable terrorist group."

"Clever!" Harry said. "I like your plan."

"You'll paint a target on your back," Hermione fretted.

"Oh, honey, it was always there, we only became aware of it when we sent you to Hogwarts. We're nothing to these people, and I'd rather take them down with me than simply go down quietly." Dan smiled grimly. "We Grangers do not go down quietly."

"Never," Emma and Hermione answered in what obviously was a practiced family motto, Emma with determination and Hermione a little wobbly.

"I'll protect her at school," Harry blurted. "I mean, not all the time, but I have lots of house elves, and they need work. They'll watch out for her."

"That's a lovely thing to do, thank you," Emma beamed. "Your newfound father was already such a delight, but it's so good to know that Hermione has such a good friend in you."

"Boyfriend," Hermione murmured, looking nervously at Harry. "That is, if being almost murdered by Malfoy hasn't put you off."

Harry snorted. "It hasn't yet, and it won't. Voldemort is a lot worse than Malfoy, and I don't see you running for the hills, 'Mione."

"It might put you off yet," she insisted. "Trauma can have significant after-effects. Healer Williams and Madam Pomfrey said so."

"The same goes for you," Harry said, exasperated. "You said you don't want to talk about breaking up, so don't."

"Have that argument often, do you?" Dan asked, putting his head in his hand and staring at them thoughtfully. "I feel sorry for you. All I wanted to do at fourteen was meet pretty girls and snog behind the bleachers. Murderous school mates never even crossed my mind."

"Daddy," Hermione complained. "I'm serious!"

"So am I," Harry sniped. "You know what? I hereby swear that Malfoy's attack has not scared me off being with Hermione. So mote it be." A sharp flash of light erupted from the tip of his wand. "There, satisfied?"

Hermione sighed. "Harry James." Then, in a small voice, she admitted, "Yes."

"Good. That bloody bleached hellspawn does not get another second of our time. Alright?" Harry took Hermione's hand and squeezed it.

"Alright." Hermione raised their linked hands and pressed a shy kiss to the back of Harry's knuckles. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too," Emma said, starting to giggle. "You're very sweet, but ... bloody bleached hellspawn?"

Dan laughed. "Thanks for that, Harry."

Aggrieved, Harry rolled his eyes. "Can we have dinner now? I'm sure Dobby went to a lot of work with it."

"Dobby did not. Dobby popped over to Italy for pizza. Harry Potter sir's dogfather insisted. There also be wine and dessert."

"You are the best!" Hermione said, wiping her damp cheeks. "I can have dessert, right, mum?"

"Of course you can, honey."

Dan rubbed his hands. "Then show us what you've got, Dobby!"

With a snap of thin fingers, the table filled with several steaming pizza pies fresh out of the oven. Salad, water, wine, and tiramisu completed the feast. The spread looked simple in comparison to Dobby's usual efforts, but its fragrance and obvious freshness held its very own appeal.

Discreetly, Dobby handed Harry two potion phials, nodded at Harry's heartfelt thanks, and then popped away quietly.

"Thank you for the invitation, Harry," Dan said, offering his wife the wine. "This looks expensive, so it's our turn to buy next time."

"Since Sirius arranged for it, you'll have to invite him, sir," Harry replied. "Uh, what is this?" He pointed at a strange looking vegetable on one of the pizzas.

"That's artichoke, dear. It's interesting, and after you went to that imbiss with Hermione and liked it, I'm sure you'll like this as well. Here, let me get you a piece ..."

Emma dished out pizza and Hermione filled everyone's salad bowl. Dan took care of the drinks.

"I know that we've already thanked you, Harry, and that you're probably uncomfortable with our gratitude, but please let us have a toast in your honour anyway." He, Emma, and Hermione raised their glasses and Harry indeed blushed hotly. "You saved our daughter from a petty bully who thought it'd be okay to kill her, with no thought to your own safety. We'll never be able to repay that debt, but we'll sure try. If you ever need anything, and it's in our power to provide it, don't hesitate to ask. I mean it, Harry."

"Thank you sir," Harry managed to get out. "I appreciate it. A lot."

"As far as I'm concerned, saving my daughter's life makes you family," Dan continued, voice a little rough as well. "We drink to you, Harry."

"To you," Emma and Hermione echoed.

Harry took a great swallow of his water, willing his face to stop burning. Thankfully, the others knew when to let up and busied themselves with the food. Harry gave them and himself until after the tiramiso had been licked off the plates to ask what had been plagueing him all week.

"So ... will you make Hermione leave Hogwarts when the thing with the Malfoys is over?"

Emma and Dan looked at each other.

"Well, it'd certainly be best," Dan began soothingly. "Three times is a very lucky number to escape death, don't you think? I wouldn't want to test the Grim Reaper's patience any further."

"Neither would I," Emma said. "Hermione deserves better. Beauxbatons has been very open about accepting her, no matter when she'd like to start. The headmistress even told us that two of Hermione's dorm mates will transfer there after Christmas, so she'd even have a few friends there."

"Mum ..." Hermione played with her coffee spoon. "I'd rather not leave."

"Well, you can't, right now, but we want you to think about it," Emma said firmly. "Just keep an open mind. Hogwarts is but one school in the world, and not even the best, like they told us. As far as your father and I am concerned, they lied to us."

Hermione turned to Harry, wide-eyed and anxious. "Harry ..."

Heedless of her watching parents, he took her hands and said, "It's okay, 'Mione. I told you."

"You did, but that's kind of crazy," she whispered, still staring searchingly at him.

"You knew from the beginning that I'm not exactly normal," Harry joked, relieved when she cracked a small smile. "Promise you'll stop worrying about it, love."

As soon as he'd uttered that small endearment, Harry kind of wished that he could take it back. Not because he didn't mean it, but because Hermione's parents were there and witnessing this moment.

He flushed violently.

Thankfully, Hermione blushed just as hotly, her grip tightening another fraction. Her lips moved like words wanted to come out, but in the end she remained silent, just looking at Harry in wonder.

In the gentle flickering light of the large fireplace, she appeared especially pretty and Harry decided that he didn't mind the presence of her parents quite so much after all.

oOo

The funny thing about school gossip was that it never stayed inside the walls of the school. More than a week after Draco Malfoy's attack on Hermione Granger, seemingly all the parents knew, regardless of their social or blood status. And while the Daily Prophet couldn't print the information due to the laws protecting the concerned parties during weregild negotiations, the news spread from those parents via owl post, Floo calls, and the good, old-fashioned gossip in the streets of the magical districts in Britain.

It therefore surprised exactly no one when owls started arriving at Hogwarts on Tuesday morning, bearing hundreds of letters for Harry and the Hogwarts Herald, as well as the teachers. The deluge continued for the rest of the week, literally swamping them in parchment and paper.

"I don't mind helping you look through them, if you don't want to sent them along to your lawyer directly," Parvati said on Thursday evening, surveying the mounds of correspondence accumulating in the room Professor McGonagall had donated to this influx of post. "But it might have to wait until the weekend. That's a lot of mail! Our newspaper office looks like a war zone. We're scrambling to read all the letters and sort them like the professors taught us, but it's a challenge."

"I'd send the lot along, frankly," Lavender said. "The wards already redirected the cursed ones to your lawyer, anyway. Besides, you can't answer them all by yourself, you'd never get anything else done."

Hermione bit her lip. "I agree. This is too much to handle for us." She took a fortifying breath. "Say ... is it bad that I'm sort of glad the news is making the rounds like this?"

"Definitely not," Harry said immediately. "I wanted everyone to know what a git Malfoy is. Now they know. And Dumbledore knows what most parents think about it, too."

"They're definitely not happy," Neville agreed. "My gran told me that the board of govenor's been getting letters as well. Most were demanding Malfoy's removal from Hogwarts outright."

"Too bad that the weregild negotiations prevent that from happening, and that they're taboo for the press," Lavender sighed dramatically. "That'd have been a fantastic headline. Almost better than everything we have on Snape."

"Don't you go spreading that around," Hermione warned. "We told you in confidence."

"And I'll keep it," Lavender replied with a huff. "It's still such a fantastic story; it's hard not to be able to make use of your insider information."

"If the Malfoys decide to pay weregild, that story will get buried," Harry insisted. "We don't like it, but that's the deal."

Parvati grinned. "Well, first they'll have to decide to pay, won't they? Hermione told us that your lawyer is badass, Harry, so they might not be able to cough up that much money."

"You're certainly entitled to your hope," Neville said. "But back to those letters ... I agree with Lavender, Harry. Send them to your lawyer. He wouldn't want you to respond to them without his counsel anyway."

"And right after the ICW forced Dumbledore to remove the mail redirection ward he's placed on me, too," Harry sighed. "This is getting complicated."

"It doesn't have to be," Hermione said. "It's true that you should have gotten Gringotts mail and whatever else at Hogwarts from the beginning, and likely at your relatives' house too, but the situation has changed significantly now. I'd let Mr. Finch put a mail direction ward on you, either to him, your dad, or even Gringotts. The delay would be minimal and have the added bonus of allowing either of them to collect and condense information for you. That'd save time you could much better use for school work and give Dumbledore one less chance to mess with you."

Harry laughed. "That true. It feels like I hardly did any homework until now, there's been so much going on!"

"Well, your grades are good, I'd say you're holding up pretty well so far," Parvati replied with a grin. "But why take on unnecessary drama."

"Right?" Hermione asked.

"I'll take it up with Mr. Finch." Harry once more looked over the piles of letters and shuddered. "That'll never not be strange. I'm so glad I have adults in my corner now who'll deal with it."

"Competent adults," Hermione corrected archly, earning herself four smirks.

"I know it's getting late, but are you up for a hot chocolate in the kitchens before we turn in?" Harry asked. "As a thank you for being such good friends."

"Just hot chocolate, Potter?" Lavender quipped. "Aren't we worth more than that?"

"There might be some cake left over from our party," Harry said. "And some berry compote with custard. But if you don't want it ..."

"Nope, I'm your friend for life," Lavender said quickly, taking Harry's arm and dragging him towards the door. "Lead the way, I've never been to the kitchens. Parv, help me drag him, before he changes his mind."

Parvati gamely wound her arm around Harry's free elbow, and together the two girls pulled him along.

Behind him, Harry could hear Hermione and Neville laughing, and something inside of him relaxed.

He had a great girlfriend, a new brother, and, apparently, at least two good friends who were willing to sacrifice their time to help him with his issues.

Despite the craziness going on in his life, Harry suddenly felt like a very lucky boy indeed.

---

End of part 17