Harry couldn't remember ever sleeping so well and after the day he'd had previously it was long overdue. It was almost noon the next day, when he was awoken by their head of house Minerva Mcgonagall who was quite surprised to find Hermione in bed with him. "Potter, Granger. I'm sorry to wake you but Professor Dumbledore has requested to meet with you in his office. He has many things to discuss with you."

"Is everything okay? What happened?" Harry's mind was suddenly flooded with horrible possibilities and Hermione wore a look of equal concern.

"Everything's fine" Mcgonagall was quick to assure them. "But he wanted to give you the good news himself. So freshen up and I'll take you to his office."

They hurried as fast as they could, both eager to hear how it had all turned out. When they met Mcgonagall outside the portrait, the professor smiled at them both. "I'll have to look into finding somewhere in the castle you can use as married quarters." Harry and Hermione both flushed with embarrassment at this.

Mcgonagall looked at them with something like amusement. "Well we can't very well have the girls going into the boys dormitory. It's against the rules and even though you two are a special case, if the other students see you doing it they'll all want to." They arrived at the griffin statue and their teacher said the password, kindly relieving them from this awkward conversation.

Dumbledore welcomed them and asked them to take a seat.

"I think perhaps I shall give you the good news first" He said.

"Does that mean there's bad news?" Harry asked worriedly.

The headmaster didn't answer. "The good news is that both Pettigrew and Barty Jr. have been put on trial and were both ruled as guilty of the crimes they confessed to while under the truth potion. Both have also confirmed your story about Voldemort's return." Harry felt the urge to leap out of his seat and cheer.

"That's wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed.

"So Sirius is free then?" Harry dared to hope.

Dumbledore nodded. "He's been pardoned of all charges. The only problem is the ministry still doesn't know where is. We can remedy that soon enough. I trust you're still in contact with him?"

"Yeah."

"Excellent! You can write to him after our meeting. Now for the…other news."

Harry and Hermione exchanged looks.

"I'm afraid Fudge is already denying and attempting to cover things up."

"But you said Pettigrew and Barty confessed!" He exclaimed angrily.

"They did but it evidently wasn't enough for the minister. He won't be able to deny it for long however. Voldemort is back and he won't stay quiet forever."

Dumbledore asked Harry to tell him in more detail about what had happened at the graveyard and he reluctantly obliged. The headmaster watched him thoughtfully for some time after.

"Professor" Hermione began and he looked up. "Now that Harry has Sirius, you won't make him go back to his aunt and uncle will you?" She asked.

Dumbledore's expression was grave. "I'm afraid he must go back for his own safety."

"But why?" Harry challenged angrily even though he knew the answer. He wasn't going to let Dumbledore keep him in the dark and treat him like a child anymore. "And don't give me some excuse or say you can't tell me until I'm older. I'm almost fifteen, I deserve to know the truth."

Dumbledore let out a long weary sigh but at last consented to this. He explained about the blood protection and how since the Dursleys were his only relations, he had no choice but to stay with them, especially now that Voldemort was truly back.

Harry wanted to argue further but he knew there was no point. As much as he hated the Dursleys, he would have to put up with them a little longer.

At that moment Mcgonagall showed up and even Dumbledore looked surprised at this. "Albus there's something you should know about Potter and Granger before you dismiss them" She informed him.

"Professor please" Harry said. He had hoped she would keep his confidence and felt a little betrayed at this.

"What it is, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked when both Harry and Hermione remained silent on the subject.

"I wanted to be sure first so I hadn't said anything up until now" She withdrew a certificate. "I acquired this from the ministry."

All three gasped aloud at what it said. "It's a marriage certificate" The transfiguration teacher confirmed. "Potter, Granger, it was just as I suspected you are married."

"What is this the meaning of this?" The headmaster asked in astonishment, for once in his life he didn't have the answers.

"They were soul bonded, back at Christmas time" Mcgonagall explained.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, rounding on Harry and Hermione.

"Why would we tell you?" Harry retorted.

"We weren't even sure this soul bond thing was real. The only proof we had was our newfound telepathy" Hermione replied.

"Can you truly speak mind to mind?" Dumbledore asked gravely. They nodded. "Then this…this changes everything."

"Marriage is the blood of my blood" The headmaster continued thoughtfully. "Yes that would work just as effectively if not more so."

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked feeling confused.

"Normally a blood protection only with works with actual blood. It's not enough for you consider Sirius family and stay with him safely unfortunately. But a soul bond is another matter. It's more than a typical marriage. You are both intertwined with one another for all eternity, nothing can break such a powerful connection. The blood protection should therefore work if you but stay with Miss Granger in her home for the summer. The spell would consider her, your wife, as your blood family even without her actually being blood related to you. It's all very complicated to explain, but the point is you will not have to return to your aunt and uncle after all."

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Could it really be that simple? He was absolutely flabbergasted that he could be so lucky.

"Well Hermione, suppose I could stay at your place this summer?" He smiled, knowing he didn't even really need to ask.

"Oh Harry it's not just my home now, it's yours too."