Cynthia POV

Seated at the settee in the main sitting room of her home, she should have been comfortable. Her son was here and there had been no emergencies at home or the offices here during his absence. However, much had changed and he was unaware of it. That wouldn't please him and she was tired of knowing such impactful things and knowing also that Nathan did not.

Hermione had given her a searching stare and then a glance toward Adrian that made it clear, she was doing this for him. It was a risk and in a way she was grateful for the witch deciding to trust her discretion. Information relating to Hermione could be shared at Cynthia's discretion. That was the outcome of the discussion on what Nathan should know. If he did end up before the Dark Lord, the worst case scenario, she would prefer nothing that he didn't need to know need to be shielded. Occlumency was a particular interest of her husband but it wasn't fool proof in any way. That skill had been one of the most dreaded things about the wizard.

Adrian sat on the other couch and was looking out the window as dusk fell. Nathan should be home any minute and they would know, via the wards, when he was. There was nothing to do but wait and hope for the best. She didn't fear disownment or a permanent fracture in her family but they were close and she did fear that her husband and son would not be able to understand each other, or display that clearly enough.

The ward pinged and the faint crack of apparition was heard. Then footsteps and him speaking to Tolk, his elf.

His smile was genuine and she took a moment to appreciate how handsome he was and the content look in his eyes to see them there, waiting for him. It didn't last long though and his sharp brows came together.

"Thia?" He asked quietly and his glance told her that his question was why his son looked so tense and perhaps even wary. Her smile was gentle but not easy. He stilled and then leaned down to kiss her cheek before settling beside her.

"Adrian." It was greeting and she appreciated Nathan's even tone. No hint of question or suspicion. All of them knew it was there and she was a bit surprised when Adrian looked at her before glancing back to his father.

"I hope your trip was successful Father. Pardon my abruptness but I have to tell you. I have a bonded, a natural one. It was merely a potential until recently but now. It's Hermione Granger." That had been blunt but she knew her son was agitated and nearly frightened.

Nothing from the man next to her. He was completely still and then his hand reached for hers and she felt his thumb circle her palm as he liked to when he was thinking. A minute passed and then she decided to speak the truth.

"She is lovely and to see them together is a wonderous thing." Some of her emotion was clearly heard and he looked at her. Having been watching their son, his gaze softened slightly at the emotion she let show in her eyes.

"This is not the simplest of matches then." Her eyes darted to their son and watched him sag into the cushions and smile with gratitude at his father.

"I am sorry. Not for her though." That was fair and after a long look Nathan accepted the truth in their sons' words. She could see him thinking rapidly and his glance moved from their son to her several times. She just tried to keep her emotions and demeanour steady. Not wanting to add to whatever he was already trying to manage as far as thoughts and concerns went. Eventually his gaze fixed on Adrian and she could see the assessment there.

"You've known then. Has this been going on for some time?" Adrian stiffened and she knew he was offended that his father thought he might do something like that.

"Yes I've known. Wednesday was the first time that I have seen her for this alone. It was only since Yule that we have been speaking." Cynthia knew that the ragged tone was in remembrance of the last weeks and she let enough show in her eyes that Nathan would know that all had not been well.

"Would you prefer your mother told me of the series of events?" Adrian's nod was reluctant but she could see that he wasn't sure of how to speak of something so emotional with his father.

"That is fine. There are some things I would like to know from you though." This nod was more relaxed and she wondered if their son wanted to speak of her. This had been his alone for years and they did speak quite openly between them. She smiled slightly and waited to hear what her husband would ask.

"Is she suitable? Otherwise." All knew he meant her parentage.

"Magically, she is more than suitable father. Gifted and dedicated. I know that all you know of her is whatever trash Skeeter writes but little of that is true." She watched the way her son's face showed his appreciation of the witch and her skills. It was easily seen that such a commendation of her skills had intrigued her husband. Nathan's love of magic for its own sake was something few enjoyed to his level.

"Gryffindor?" Adrian's nod didn't answer Nathan's question though and he looked to her.

"Courageous certainly and loyal. To few it seems but those completely. Not reckless in a thoughtless way but perhaps willing to risk more and quicker than you or I would naturally." Nathan nodded and she could see him looking at the view outside in the darkening gardens.

"What is not being said? Now that I think about it, I might have assumed she would be here. Had I thought my son having a natural bond a possibility." Adrian didn't shift his posture nor did he look to her or even away from his father.

"The reason I spoke to her, finally, at Yule was that the bond knew she was considering leaving Britain. It was surprising and then frightening. Best friends with Potter and she has seen more than even I had known." For a moment Cynthia admired the way her son phrased this.

"Leaving? That has been ameliorated?" Nathan's eyes snapped to hers and she smiled her assurance. Pleased that the immediate risk to their son was such a priority.

"I will of course discuss this further. Her concerns. Miss Granger. I do not like that I know nothing of her at all. Is she what you want Adrian?" Her son remained composed and then he smiled and she knew Nathan would be able to see the joy and nearly disbelieving happiness that was there for them to see.

"Alright son. A bond. My congratulations." With that he walked over to their darling boy and pulled him to his feet to hug him firmly. Unable to help herself, she wiped a tear away then quickly spelled herself so that her emotions wouldn't make either of them feel more awkward than they already did.

Hermione POV

It felt as if she was barely the same person who had gotten on the train to London nine days ago. Outwardly nothing had changed but inside, everything was different. Adrian was four compartments further up the train and the satisfied hum that rode the bond between them was reassuring and had made her smile to herself several times. She hadn't seen him but understood, she hadn't looked for him either. Not sure how she would react to seeing him in public and knowing that the parents observed what they could on the platform. Cynthia had caught her eye and she had let a small smile be her greeting while trying not to stare at the man beside her.

He was watching her, Nathan Pucey, but it didn't seem disdainful or even suspicious. Merely as if he was observing what he could. That made sense. Adrian's letter yesterday had been encouraging. She could tell from the words he used and the tone of the whole letter that he was relieved and hopeful. Had there been more time in the vacation, she thought that a meeting might have been arranged but there wasn't so that would happen this summer. Marcus had caught her eye both times he had walked down the train corridor and Hermione wasn't sure why or what he was looking for. Harry would have been extremely curious though, if he knew as much as the Slytherin did.

As the train began to slow then pulled into Hogsmeade station, she let some of her anxious excitement down the bond and felt his flash of steady reassurance. He would know that she was thinking of Harry and being at school with him. Both were exciting and nerve wracking. The carriage ride was mostly quiet and she ignored the group of third year Hufflepuffs that were chattering excitedly. It was with some surprise that she noticed her friend waiting for her just inside the huge doors that led into the castle.

Allowing herself to catch Adrian's eye for a moment, she accepted the encouragement he was sending her and saw his smile soften before she turned to the green eyed young man with messy black hair. Harry was shifting from foot to foot and watching her with something she didn't understand. Wariness or uncertainty maybe. Not frowning outwardly she walked over to him and was further surprised when he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the closest corridor. Then hugged her hard. For a second she just stood and then hugged him back. Trying to let all of her feelings into it.

"I've got a letter for you, from Snuffles. Where is Ron?" He pulled back and then held her shoulders while he searched her face and looked her over. Smiling softly she waited until he met her eyes again then his shoulders relaxed.

"Krum is on the pitch. I was glad of it, even more now. Let's get out of here and you can tell me what has been going on." The tone was a demand and she nodded agreeably and gestured him to lead the way. Not surprised when they headed back outside and toward the path down to Hagrid's hut. After a wave to the huge man they made it to the tree line and began to walk along the path between it and the lake's edge.

"Want the letter first?" She asked, wanting to begin. His nod was decisive and he caught her eye. Without thinking too much about it, she walked to a pile of boulders and climbed atop one. The letter was in her pocket and she handed it to him, watched him scan the writing and then raise his eyebrows, probably at its length, before beginning to read it. Minutes passed and she thought he had read some parts twice before he looked up at her.

"Hermione. What is going on? He says to listen calmly to you and a bunch of things that don't seem related before a paragraph on trusting those who have proven themselves." Hermione blinked in surprise. Not knowing what the man had written and unsure how to answer immediately. Looking around, she made sure they were alone and then began speaking softly.

"I know that you knew something was wrong before I went home. It was. Have you heard of natural bonds? I hadn't either, there is nearly nothing written about them and what has been is in the family libraries not the public ones. Anyways I have one. A bonded. I won't tell you who now. After I explain what I can, you can decide if you need to know now or if some time can pass. I don't want to hide this from you but there were several reasons I went to talk to Snuffles." Harry was watching her and it wasn't suspicious but he wasn't comfortable with this either.

"This may not sound connected but I assure you it is. All of it. I've written you dozens of letters via muggle post. I don't think you've gotten them. In fact you magically don't get any mail unless it's via Hedwig. What about Gringotts Harry? Bank statements and things. How come no one speaks to you about your family and where are your parent's things? I know this is upsetting but it's all part of my unease. Snuffles too. You and I know, so does Dumbledore. What reason is there for him to be kept an outlaw, unable to advocate for you as a magical guardian should be able too?" She stopped then at the tension and heartbreaking uncertainty in his gorgeous eyes.

"I'm sorry Harry. I just wanted you to know why I had to see him." She didn't want him to be upset about her having seen the animagus. He watched her and she waited. Not wanting to continue without something from him.

"He said you went to him for me, with valid concerns, those are his words." She nodded and smiled a relieved small one at him. This had worried her, he had so little in this way that she wouldn't blame him for being jealous.

"Yes. This part is hard to say. I'm sorry it was just, I would have talked to you first." He frowned now and she just hurried on. "I was thinking about leaving. Trying to transfer schools or something. I know you've been worrying this year. Thinking more and differently about the future." She had been watching him carefully and wasn't surprised by the way his face began to close off and he straightened away from their touching shoulders before she grabbed his hand and spoke as quietly as she could. What she wanted to do was scream but that wouldn't help and it would scare Harry.

"That's what I mean. Maybe you thought I wouldn't notice but to me, I think." She took a breath and then forced herself to keep going. "Ever since the dream and the world cup you've been thoughtful but the tournament and everything. It's like you don't think you will have a future at all. I haven't wanted to talk to you about it, I didn't know if I was crazy or being dramatic. I'm just a girl Harry." She had looked down but looked up at his soft huff of laughter.

"Not just a girl Mione. A brilliant witch and friend. Even Snuffles agrees." Now wasn't the time to cry but she felt like she didn't deserve such praise.

"There isn't anything I can say to that, except I don't feel like I'm doing enough, for you especially. Don't interrupt please. Your reactions made me think things over and then some things became more relevant and I needed to talk to someone. The only person I could think of was Snuffles. This started after the Yule ball, the bond. Well it had always been there." Harry listened intently and didn't interrupt as she told him about Adrian coming upon her that night and then what happened after. She left out the personal things but kept the series of events in order and finally stopped at going home.

"Mione. Why didn't you say something? I had no idea what was wrong." He sounded angry and she just accepted it and nodded. Knowing she would be upset if their roles were reversed.

"I can't explain properly how hard it was to keep the bond out. Try and make sure that I didn't do anything because it indicated that it was safe or whatever. Now though, it's much better." She did let her smile out now. The real one that thinking of him and the content feelings of the bond made want to permanently stay on her face. He smiled softly in return and then looked expectant.

"Seeing Snuffles was so helpful. I said to him and I'll say it to you, both of you deserve to have that. Be able to talk to someone about your problems and get actual help and information that you trust. He knew immediately that it was a bond and explained what he could to me. After that I went to their home and we talked. I can't explain this either really. How relieving and wonderful it was to be there with him. He really wants me Harry, thinks I'm beautiful even." Knowing that she was blushing, she expected him to say something about it but he was just watching her intently.

"Hermione, you are beautiful and so brilliant. Not just smart but thoughtful and kind. More than he could ever want, whoever he is." She blushed further and nudged his shoulder.

"Dinner now and I'm hungry. Have you found anything else for the task, or did you play chess and fly this week?" Letting her smile show that she didn't blame him if he did, the sheepish one she got in return just made her laugh genuinely.

"You'll tell me more. Not hide things now? Even if I don't know who he is?" They were walking back to the school and she met his eyes.

"Yes Harry. Let's get through the rest of this year and then we can see where we stand." The nod and grim look she got told her that he understood her thoughts.

Harry knew things about Voldemort, or could sense things. Something was not normal about that but she didn't know how to ask him or what to say. Even to Sirius, she hadn't known how to speak about his dreams and the way his scar hurt sometimes. It wasn't normal and she didn't have the words to explain it.

It also seemed revealing that he didn't ask for more information, seeming reassured by what she did say and some of the looks she got over dinner that night were speculative and thoughtful.