Draco left the table quietly and slipped out of the room. Harry watched him go and wished the best for his new-found friend. Draco, who had been raised in a family where Muggles were considered to worth less than the air they breath, now found himself in love with one. Harry was sure that this was one of the hardest situations that the boy had ever been in.

Harry turned back to the table and focused on the conversation that was taking place. Hermione was once again recounting their adventures in America. Ron added nothing to the conversation. His jaw was set and Harry knew the look on his face. Ron had said little since they had sat down. Harry knew the look on his face to one of stubbornness. Harry didn't have to think long on what Ron was contemplating.

It had been Ron's idea that they try for Hermione's parent's permission to get married. But now that it had down to it, Ron was impatient. He wanted to marry Hermione. Hermione's parents knew about the bond, now, and there was no reason that they wouldn't accede.

But even with the subject on everyone's mind, they all chatted as if nothing had happened. It was getting on Ron's nerves. Harry knew how Ron got when was irritated. For once, Harry wanted Ron to act on his impulses.

Hermione was now telling her parents about how she and Ron had infiltrated the Death Eater's base to rescue Ron.

Hermione's father gasped as Hermione told them the odds they had gone against. He slowly shook her head and turned to Ron. "Weren't you scared?" he asked expansively. "I mean, a couple of teenagers going against a whole household of fully trained wizards."

Harry winced. Maybe Hermione's parents weren't as oblivious as he had thought. With that simple question, Peter Granger had brought up Ron and Hermione's young age and that they were still in school. Harry saw the intent expression on Peter's face and could easily imagine the man in a business conference, dueling with the big boys. Maybe that's how he viewed their marriage, as a business deal. A business deal he intended to get the best deal on.

Ron wasn't having any of it. He was tired of the game. He stared into Peter Granger's eyes and said, "I want to marry your daughter."

Silence fell over the room. Hermione brought a hand up to her eyes. Ginny looked uncomfortably down into her food. Hermione's mother's eyebrows catapulted up into her forehead. Only Mr. Granger remained emotionless. He was in his element. "Yes, boy, I'm sure you do. But you also must realize the irrationality behind that."

Ron's hands tightened on the armrest of the high backed chair he was sitting in. The wood groaned under the pressure. "No." Ron stated flatly. "I'm afraid I don't."

Peter laughed condescendingly. "Listen, son, I know all about boyhood infatuations. If I had married the first girl I was in love with, I wouldn't have met my wife."

Even Mr. Granger could keep his cool under the glare that Ron gave him now. Ron's eyes had widened at the word 'infatuation' and settled into a icy glare by the time Peter had finished. Peter saw the glare and settled back into his chair, and look at Ron as if seeing him for the first time.

Ron kept his icy eyes on the man. "You're aware that this isn't an infatuation. You spoke to the Auror."

Peter threw his hands up in defense. "Don't take it so personally! I know that you hold my daughter in high esteem. But you don't have the slightest idea of what true love is."

Harry was angry at Peter for a moment before he saw through his act. Mr. Granger was being abrasive on purpose. He was trying to get feel for Ron. He was weighing Ron. It was a test. Harry knew that if Ron didn't pass it, he would never get Peter's permission. Ron had saved his wife's life, but he was a practical man who never let emotion get the better of him.

Harry also knew that Ron was never the most perceptive person in the world. He looked angry enough to overturn the table. The wood groaned louder as Ron's fingers closed tighter. Ron's fingertips disappeared into the wood. Harry was sure that if Ron took his hands away from the wood there would be indentions where his fingers had been.

Peter must have heard the wood groan, but he continued as he hadn't. "I'll not give my daughter over to a boy who has no idea of what he wants to do with his life. How well do you do in school? What job do you hope to have when you graduate?"

Harry expected Ron to get up and walk away. He probably would have, but he seemed suddenly distracted. He cocked his head slightly, as if listening to something. Then he did stand up. But instead of storming out of the room, he moved silently away from the table. He moved on the ball of his feet, making no noise. To Harry, he looked like a tiger on the hunt.

Ron moved to one of the room's windows. It was a high window used more for ventilation than for its view. Night had fallen outside and Harry couldn't see anything out through it. Ron crouched below the window and pushed his back to the wall beneath window, his eyes intent on it.

Whatever Peter Granger had been expecting out of Ron, this wasn't it. "What are you doing? I'm talking to you!"

Suddenly the lock on the window snapped open. Ginny gasped.

Ron didn't move. He just stared at the window. Slowly, the window opened. It seemed to rise on its own. Harry still couldn't see anything out through it. The window opened completely and everyone in the room stared at it.

Ron stood quickly and shot one of his arms out of the windows. When he brought it back, he had a man by the color of his shirt. Ron slammed him to the ground and Harry lost sight of him, the table blocking his view.

Ron pulled back one his hands into a fist and seemed about ready to pummel the man when his eyes widened. Ron stood up and stared down at the man. "What the hell are you doing here?!" he asked loudly.

The man at Ron's feet pushed himself up to his feet and Hermione gasped.

"Jared?!" Hermione screamed.

The man straightened his clothes and the glasses on his face. He had an awed smile on his face as he looked at Ron. He was a very handsome man with jet black hair and an honest face. Even having just been thrown to the ground, Harry could see the man was very comfortable with his body. He stood with an air of readiness that Harry had seen on few people. Harry's suspicions were confirmed when he saw a small, blue shield over the man's right breast.

"A Sentinel!" Harry screamed.

The man looked at Harry and bowed deeply. "Very perceptive, Mr. Potter."

Peter Granger stood up from his chair and demanded, "What the hell is going on here?"

The man ignored Peter and turned back to Ron. He dropped down to a knee, his eyes on the ground. One hand covered the blue shield on his shirt and the other was a fist on the ground. "Grand Master." He said reverently.

Ron put a hand to his own chest. "Rise, Sentinel."

Jared rose smoothly and he was smiling again. He looked over to Hermione and bowed again. "Lady Weasley, it is good to see you again."

Hermione smiled at the man. Harry ran over the stories of Hermione and Ron's capture and remembered them mentioning Jared. He was the only Sentinel that had tried to get Ron released while the malicious Dent had ruled the Sentinels.

"Jared," Hermione said. "What are you doing here?"

Jared's face became serious. "My job, Lady Weasley." He turned back to Ron when Mr. Granger yelled.

"What is this 'Lady Weasley' business. Her name is Granger."

Jared looked at Hermione's father. "Only in name, sir. Your daughter is the bond-mate of the Grand Master. Their love for each other is stronger than any name they might have had before they found one another.

Peter's eyes had widened at the word 'bond-mate' and Ron moved to stop the incoming explosion. "Why are you here, Jared?" he asked.

Jared looked at Ron. "I've come to report, Master. Your directive has been carried out."

Ron looked puzzled. "What directive?"

Jared smiled. "You ordered me to gather the Sentinels. It's taken me a few days, but the order has been sent out and for the first time in centuries the Sentinels are coming together. They're bringing their bond-mates. Within two days, you'll have an army at your disposal."

Ron looked taken back. "That was quick."

Jared shrugged. "I've worked hard."

Ron ran a hand through his hair. "Where are they gathering?"

"At the compound, Master." Jared said. "They'll be ready to move at your word."

Ron nodded. "How many?"

Jared tallied the numbers in his head. "Approximately, seventy five, Master."

Ron paled at the number. Harry's head swam. Harry had seen the results of Ron and Hermione's work when they fought together. He could hardly imagine what one seventy people with that power could do.

Ron ran his hand through his hair again. "So, I'll have one hundred and fifty men and women under my command?"

Jared's smile widened. "No, Master. That's seventy five Sentinels. One hundred and fifty men and women, including their bond-mates."

Hermione fell down into her chair, her eyes wide. "I can't believe it."

Jared nodded. "Neither can I, m'Lady. We finally have an army fit to fight Voldemort."

Harry's pulse jumped when he heard those words. Finally.

Ron smiled widely. "Why didn't you just use the front door, Jared? Why did you try to climb through the window?"

"And how did you get past my security?" Peter asked, incredulously.

Jared looked at Ron and smiled a knowing smile. Security? Harry thought. Harry doubted there was a security system in the world that was tight enough to keep a Sentinel out.

"I doubted the butler would let me in the way I look." he said quietly. He looked up at Ron. "You're a hard man to follow, Master. I came from America expecting you to be at you to be at your home, but when I got there, you're mother informed me that you had traveled north."

"You spoke to my parents?" Ron asked

"Yes. Very pleasant people, master. Your mother insisted that my wife and I stay for dinner, but we regrettably had to leave."

Hermione's face lit up. "Is your wife here?"

"I'm here." A soft voice said from the window. Harry looked up to see woman's face. She looked at Jared and smiled. "I told you it wouldn't work." She said and climbed through the window with surprising grace.

Jared laughed. "I had to try."

The woman came to stand next to Jared and her hand slipped into his. It was an unconscious movement, something they had done thousands of times before. Their fingers molded together effortlessly. She looked to Ron and gave him a respectful nod. Harry was struck by how beautiful the woman was. She was short, barely coming up to Jared's shoulder. Her brown hair fell to her back. She was wearing a simple, blue dress and worn leather boots. "Anyone who beat Dent in combat probably heard us when we were in the wood line."

Ron blushed slightly. "No, madam. I was just so angry that my power was the only thing that kept me from doing something very stupid. I heard Jared's footsteps when he walked up to the window. I wouldn't have heard it if I hadn't been raging."

Jared's wife smiled and nodded. She turned to her husband and stared into his face. Harry knew they were speaking to each other when Jared suddenly flinched. He slapped a hand to his forehead and turned back to the group. "Forgive me for not introducing my wife." He turned to Ron once again his hand went to the blue shield on his chest. "Grand Master, this is my bond-mate, Kathryn."

To Harry, the introduction had the feel of some ancient ceremony. Ron covered his own chest and bowed to woman. "It a pleasure to meet you, m'Lady" He gestured to Hermione. "Hermione Granger, my bond-mate."

Kathryn looked to Hermione and curtsied deeply. "You are most fortunate to have a man like Master Weasley, Lady Weasley."

Hermione smiled and nodded. "I know."

Ron took a step forward. Once they all arrive, how long before you can the Sentinels moving, Jared?"

Jared thought about it for a moment. "Less than a day, Master. Faster, if we can find a secure location to gather."

Ron bit his lip. "My house."

"Master?" Jared asked.

"Tell them to gather at my house. I want to speak to them personally."

Jared looked uncertain. "You mother was a very gracious woman, but I doubt she can keep one hundred and fifty people at her house."

Ron shook his head. "They won't be there long. We have work to do."

Jared nodded. "Yes, master."

((()))

Ron and Jared spoke for some time before Jared and his wife left. It was strange to see Ron so in control of the situation. He gave orders to the man, who was at least ten years older than he was, with no hesitation.

While Ron and Jared had spoken, Hermione had filled in her parents on the importance of the situation and the rank structure of the Sentinels. Hermione's father had seemed quite impressed when he found out that Ron was the head of a very powerful wizard organization.

When Jared finally left, Ron turned and looked at Hermione. "I have to get home."

Hermione stood. "I'm coming."

Ron nodded as if that were obvious. He turned to Hermione's father. Ron looked tired when he said, "I'm marrying your daughter. I had hoped it would be with your blessing, but it's happening either way."

Peter sighed dramatically. "I have no say in this, do I?"

"None."

"What is the date of the ceremony?"

"We haven't decided."

Peter sighed again and put his hands in his pockets. "Well…when you figure it out, you better let us know. I wouldn't want to miss my own daughter's wedding."

Ron's eyes widened. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes, it is a yes."

With a squeal, Hermione threw her arms around her father. Peter smiled genuinely. He looked at Ron over his daughter's hair. "Normally, I would have to say that if you hurt her I would kill you, but, somehow, I don't think I have to worry about that, do I?"

Ron smiled and shook his head.

"Besides," Peter said with a smile. "I think I'd have a hard time killing you."

Short chapter. Things happened that even I hadn't planned. This story is writing itself.