Books in Series:
Book 1: A Girl Can Be More Important Than a Firebolt
Book 2: Light of the Heart
-o-
A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights.
REPOST to fix an error
-oOo-
Chapter 03
September 4, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
"Quiet, please," Professor Greengrass called just after the clock bell rang.
The class was pretty full with a mix of all four houses. "Twenty-three," Hermione whispered looking around the room. Everyone quieted down, unsure what type of professor Lady Greengrass would be.
Harry nodded and responded when his name was called out.
When she was done, she walked around the front of the desk, holding her hands before her. "For those of you who do not know of me, I am Professor Illiana Greengrass. Your former Professor was mine and also supported my Mastery in Transfiguration. This year will be a little different. We will focus on everything needed for your NEWT tests next year, but I plan to focus a little more on human transfiguration and more advanced work in transmogrification this year. Next year we focus on summoning, transmutation and advanced human transfiguration. You have all passed your Transfiguration OWL's with Exceed Expectations, so I expect you to know certain basics before we start."
She took out her wand and after a large flourish, a half dozen objects appeared before each of them. "Today and next week, you shall show me how much of the basics you truly understand." Her wand pointed over her shoulder. "You shall perform these twelve basic transfigurations, vanishments and summonings within the next sixty minutes. After that, you will have a small quiz and then we will go over the basic formula and theory that is important. Expect to have a minimum of twelve inches due for the next class each week."
"Those of you that need extra tutoring shall attend a remedial class Wednesday evenings with those that have mastered the skills. You may start," she informed them.
"Seems a rather simple list," Harry commented.
"Speak for yourself. I failed on the match box," Ron said behind them.
"But you could get the cup into a rat?" Hermione inquired.
"The tester asked me to go the other way."
"Less talk please," Professor Greengrass called out at the various groups that were talking while doing their transfigurations. McGonagall had allowed small talk as long as you got your work done.
Harry summoned a cage and put the cup in.
"Mind if I use that too?" Hermione asked.
He put it between them and soon they had rats, matchboxes, a few birds flying around their heads and a cat sitting nicely before each of them.
"How did you do that," Seamus asked looking at the cats.
"It's just the reverse of the felifors spell," Hermione whispered.
"That wasn't on the OWL's exam," he whispered back.
"We did study all this, but eight of those tasks were not on the OWL exam," Harry analyzed.
"Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger, very impressive," Professor Greengrass said walking up to them. "Now, can you vanish the birds and summon them?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said, holding up his hand and twirling his wand. One of the small blue birds vanished. Hermione did the same. The woman raised her eyebrow. "I see you have learned some non-verbal casting as well?"
"Yes, Professor. Professor Lupin started working with us end of third year," Hermione answered.
The woman looked at them. "Everyone?"
"Those that were earning an EE or higher and wanted to take advanced lessons on Sundays," Harry responded.
She nodded. "Now, summon the birds back, please."
Hermione swiped her wand down and the bird appeared and dodged Hermione's head. She moved her head without a sound. He couldn't help but chuckle, which earned him a sharp look from his girlfriend. "Mr. Potter," Professor Greengrass prompted.
He did the same, but aimed a little to his side. The bird came back and flew between him and the Professor.
She nodded and moved to Ron and Seamus behind them.
"I'm summoning the bird before you next time," Hermione told him.
"Can't be much different than a bludger heading for you?"
She huffed and he smiled.
-oOo-
September 19, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry walked down the stairs to the Common Room. It was twenty to eight and he was meeting Hermione. "Slave driver," Ron grumbled as he passed him with Seamus.
"You want to be on the team, you do the workouts twice a week," he told his best mate.
Ron gave him a two finger salute as he walked towards the portrait hole. Harry just laughed. Ron would come around eventually.
Hermione came down the stairs in her uniform, a smile on her face to see him. She was beautiful. "Happy Birthday," he said.
"You already told me that three times." She looked pleased anyways.
She was doing the morning workouts with him four times a week that started at six.
"I know," he said pulling her in and giving her a peck. "I haven't given you your first birthday present yet."
"What do you mean first?"
Harry gave her a smirk and took out a book from his pocket. "It's not every day someone turns seventeen."
"This means I can use my wand any time now," she beamed at him.
He chuckled. "Still a little jealous of that."
"One of the perks of being older," she teased and took the offered package.
"It's a book," she said feeling it.
"Just open it," he told her.
She did and scrunched her brow at the blue hardcover. "What is this," she asked, opening it. He let her read the name on the inside cover and she looked up at him.
"Take a look."
She looked down and leafed through some of the book. "Harry, is this what I think it is?"
"One of my mother's research journals. It has some of her notes on apparition, but she never finished it," he told her.
She looked up at him. "I can't accept this. This belongs to your family."
He leaned in and kissed her. "As your Escort, I insist."
Her eyes sparkled before she took his tie and pulled him in. He gave her a sweet kiss since they were in the Common Room. He pulled back and shot his head up when something crashed to the floor.
He saw a broken bottle of ink seeping into the carpet. A mane of red hair streaked towards the door. He figured the bottle fell out of her bag as she was running through to get to breakfast.
Hermione looked after her a few seconds longer. The smile returned to her face as she looked at him. "I love you," she said.
"I love you too," he replied. His stomach grumbled and she took his arm.
"I'm hungry," she informed him.
"I am too. After Runes is your next surprise," he told her.
Her smile grew wide. "I don't need so much."
"I think you will want it," he told her. After Runes class he was taking her to the Greenhouses.
Harry knew she wasn't a flower and jewelry type of girl, but he had flowers for her that she figured she would be excited about. Neville had agreed to get some special ones from his greenhouses that she could use for her potion research. It wasn't technically his gift, but he had asked Neville and offered to pay for them. Then for dinner, he had something special to give her. The box in his pocket held a bracelet. It was a simple silver chain with a few charms on it.
Of course, he didn't know of any other girl that would get excited about flowers in a pot like his Hermione.
-oOo-
October 1, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
It started out as a nice morning. The team, Hermione, Dean, Neville and Astoria had gone running with him at the early hour of six AM. The backups were only required for Thursday and that was the only day the three backups always showed. Ron and the Creevey brothers complained of the early hour. Katie, Ginny and Seamus just sucked it up and kept pace. Neville was getting better after a month of running twice a week while Astoria looked half asleep. He had been surprised by her the first morning, especially when she showed in a school uniform. Now she had a workout uniform like the other girls
Neville had told him he was really liking Astoria, but he hadn't given up on Hannah. His poor cousin was confused, and he didn't blame him. The girls where quite different from each other, both really cute and both had things Neville really liked. Though, Harry suspected Astoria was edging Hannah out with her liking of plants and how she hung out with him. Harry hoped it worked out for him.
Hermione had been doing this since her third week on Sark, so she ran right besides him. Ginny was getting there. The redhead was also getting on his nerves. If she wasn't such a good Chaser he would have cut her from the team. A few times now Ginny had asked him for special tutoring or to just hang out. Harry was not keen on that and had recommended others to help her since it would cut into his own study or research time, not to mention Hermione time.
Hermione time was very important, even if it was just an hour or two some days while they did their research in their lab.
Hermione was also getting annoyed with Ginny and he tried to keep them separated as best he could.
After their run was the half-hour workout in the room Professor Babbling gave them. Harry had managed to procure, thanks to Uncle Remus, some weights and other muggle exercise equipment. By the time they were done at quarter past seven, it was a quick trip to Gryffindor tower, a shower and a quick breakfast before making their way to Runes at 8:30.
At least, that was the normal Tuesday morning routine.
Just as they were making their way into the courtyard of the practice field, a white snowy owl came out of the sky. He noticed Hedwig and stepped off to the side. "Katie and Ron, get everyone to start the exercises. I'll be in in a few."
"Sure, Harry," Katie said.
Hermione moved next to him as Hedwig landed on his arm. "Good morning, girl. I thought you were to wait for breakfast," he asked rubbing her feathers. She nipped at him and he laughed. "Alright. Thank you. I wasn't trying to say you did anything bad."
Hermione chuckled. "You tell him, Hedwig."
"Do you have to egg her on?" he complained as he tried to untie the letter from her leg with one hand.
"Oh, let me," she said straightening up and reaching for the letter.
"You do excellent work, Hedwig. If you want to come to the Great Hall in a bit, you can have some breakfast and I will have some treats for you," he told Hedwig before thanking Hermione.
She handed him the letter and pet Hedwig. "Welcome. Thank you, Hedwig," she praised and the owl preened for him.
"I would almost think she's yours," he said and Hedwig nipped his finger. "Ow! I don't usually just carry treats around!"
Hermione chuckled. "He really does love you."
Hedwig hooted before taking to flight. "I'll have bacon for you if you come back," he called after her. "Ruddy bird has been moody all week," he complained.
"When was the last time you sent a letter to Aunt Bel, Aunt Andi or my parents?"
"About two weeks ago."
Hermione raised her eyebrow. "I send a letter once a week. Your Aunt is a troth of knowledge on runes and arithmantic calculations on runes."
"How do you think I got so good? I'll send a letter." He looked at the letter Hedwig had just brought him. His brow furrowed. "Uncle Ted doesn't usually send me mail directly like this. Did you send a letter with Hedwig?"
"Familiars can sometimes just know when they are needed. Crookshanks always seems to know when I need a cheer up, though I could do without the presents he leaves me," she said with disdain.
Harry opened the letter and as he read his good mood dissipated. "I'm going to throw her off the tallest tower," he muttered angrily.
Hermione looked concerned. "Harry, what is it?"
He handed her the letter and took off towards the school. She took it and took off after him. "Harry, wait! I can't read while walking so fast."
Neville was in the room with the others and he walked right up to his cousin. "Did you know," he asked.
Neville stopped doing his crunches and looked at him concerned. "Know what?"
"Great Aunt Augusta is filing a petition to take control of my House! She wants to reverse my decision!"
Neville's eyes went wide. "Gran did what!"
Hermione was reading the paper. "Harry, she is seeking the approval of four of your vassal-houses first, then she is petitioning the Wizengamot. That is what Uncle Ted says," she informed him as she started to read the second page. Harry hadn't even gotten that far.
"Harry, what is going on," Ron asked.
He sighed. "House business. Finish the workout."
Harry hated to tell his best mate that, but this did not concern him at the moment. He needed Neville and Hermione. He turned and walked out the door.
Neville and Hermione followed him out. Astoria followed Neville.
"If she petitions the Wizengamot, there is a chance she can get a vote from the peerage to reverse my Right of Non-continuance. She needs twenty-eight votes." He ran his hand through his hair as Astoria joined them. He noticed Ron looking at them and looking a little hurt he was left out.
"Four of your vassal-houses have already ratified the paper-work for the Non-Continuance. Can your Great Aunt do this without their support?" Hermione asked looking up from the letter.
Neville sighed. "I didn't think Gran would go this far."
Astoria spoke up. "Mother and Father agree and will not vote for this change," she reassured them.
Harry turned and walked away. "Harry," he heard Neville and Hermione as he walked as fast as possible.
They both caught up with him, with Astoria just behind Neville. "Will you stop for a moment," Hermione demanded.
"I need to talk to Aunt Bel and Uncle Ted," he told her, not stopping as he marched towards the Great Hall. He had to find Professor Babbling.
She shook the letter. "Harry! Luv! Will you listen!"
He stopped. She had not called him 'Luv' yet. Blinking, he turned on her. Neville was just behind her, with Astoria. He frowned. This affected all of them.
"Are you going to listen?" she demanded.
"I always listen to you," he told her.
"You weren't right now." Her brown eyes were full of power, anger and caring. He felt her magic reacting to her anger out of concern.
Astoria moved up to her after a moment when neither of them said a word. "Hermione, what did you want to tell him."
She closed her eyes and let out a long breath. "If you read the whole letter, Uncle Ted has told Aunt Bel and they want to meet us this weekend. Me, you and Neville. Astoria, you should send a letter to your mother and father too."
Neville gave Harry an inquisitive look to hear her reference to their relatives as Aunt and Uncle.
"Why would they want to see you, Hermione?" Neville asked confused. "This is House business."
They hadn't told anyone else yet except Aunt Bel. Hermione wanted to talk to her parents before they said anything. Neville was his cousin though.
Hermione looked at him, the same thoughts going through her eyes. He could see it and after a moment said, "Do you want to tell him?"
Her eyes didn't leave his. "Can we trust Astoria?"
Harry broke her gaze to look at Astoria. "Can we trust you not to tell? At least not until we are ready to announce it?"
Astoria's dark eyes regarded him. The girl had hardly left Neville's side in the last month and Neville sought her out as much as she did him. "I am still a vassal-house of yours. You can forbid me if this is House business."
He shook his head. "I am not going to be Lord of House Potter. It is your word or I will ask you to walk away."
She nodded. "I give my word."
He took Hermione's hand. "You want to tell them or should I?"
She moved in closer. "Harry is my Escort."
Astoria gasped. "Mother thought you were just saying that because of Matron Longbottom!"
"Under the old pureblood courtship rights?" Neville asked.
"A seer confirmed our compatibility," Harry told him.
Neville's eyes widened. "Merlin! You never do things by half?"
Hermione laughed. "That is an understatement at times."
"Oi! We didn't go there to ask if we should get married," he protested.
"Why are you keeping this secret?" Astoria questioned confused.
Hermione looked at her. "I want to talk to my parents first. Why?"
"A formal courtship gives Hermione a say in what her Lord's House is to do. Your Great Aunt doesn't have standing over the Lady-apparent, only your Great Aunts husband, or the Scion of the House would have say to petition the Wizengamot," she told his girlfriend.
Hermione shared a look with him. "Astoria, I am giving up my Lordship."
"Maybe of the Potters, but you could not claim a formal courtship unless you were still eligible," she told them. "Unless you are only in a courtship, but I thought only a pureblood claimed courtship could be validated by a seer and you could not claim her your Escort unless you were eligible for a Lordship. Where you given a trinket?"
"How do you know this?" Hermione queried.
"Daphne and I are purebloods, just like Harry and Neville. My mother has ensured we know the proper rituals and rights."
Harry frowned. "I'm not a pureblood."
She gave him an unimpressed look. Hermione straightened. "You know what I mean, Harry. We can trace our lineage back almost seventeen-hundred years, and we have been a vassal of the Potters for almost five hundred years. I understand how our blood is tied to the land."
"How many purebloods understand this," Hermione asked.
She scoffed. "Most that claim themselves purebloods really aren't. They may have only magical heritage for a few generations, but it is not the same. They do not have the blood of the Romans in them. They may have some of the old blood of the land, but that is all. Mum says there is only about a hundred houses left that can follow their lines back that far, and many are no longer on the Wizengamot or if they are, don't have the standing anymore to be on the Peerage, like my House."
"Gran said she knows of one hundred and twelve houses, with only eighteen on the Wizengamot, and ten in the Peerage. Most of the others are vassals of those houses. Once your lordship is dissolved, four of your vassal houses are true purebloods, meaning they will automatically be in the Peerage. You two are really in a courtship?"
Harry could tell Neville knew what it really meant between them. Astoria did too. He wasn't sure if any of his other friends would get it. He actually felt a little relieved he would have someone else to talk with if he needed.
"Harry is my Escort." She hesitated for a moment. "I love him."
Harry smiled and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. "I love you too."
When he straightened up, Neville and Astoria were just staring at them. "Where is the trinket?" Astoria demanded.
Hermione regarded the dark hair girl. "How much do you know?"
Neville gave him a look and he shrugged. They had not talked to Neville yet about the Blacks, and Harry didn't want to tell anyone else. Not even Aunt Andi knew, as far as he knew, and it was her birth House. At least Aunt Andi nor Aunt Bel had mentioned it.
"My mother has suspicions," the girl responded.
He scrunched his brow. "I think that is enough for now. Neville, we need to talk with you later. Astoria, you need to keep whatever suspicion you have to yourself."
"I am fifteen. I think I know how to keep House secrets," she said offended.
"What of Daphne," Hermione asked.
Astoria snorted. "She is going to be just like Father. She would never say anything if it didn't give her an advantage or serve her goals. Hermione and Tracey are about the only people I ever see her let her mask down around and not play games with."
Hermione blinked. "Why am I so important?"
Astoria shrugged. "I think she looks at you as a true friend after your years of studying together. She talks about you about as much as she does Tracey."
Hermione frowned. "I don't feel I've been a good friend."
"Then change that," Astoria told her.
He looked at her. "Are you sure you're a Slytherin?"
"Of course, why," the girl asked.
"You just seem much more forward than the Slytherins we study with," Hermione said.
"I don't have a strong desire to be a Socialite like many girls in my circle," she told them.
They made it to a junction in the hallway where they needed to split. Harry stopped and they stopped with him. "Astoria, please don't say anything until Hermione and I decide to announce something," he asked her.
"This is your courtship. It is not my place to say anything. I will also not say anything about your House secret," she affirmed.
"I will speak for her honor," Neville vowed.
Harry nodded at his cousin. Neville's word was as good as his Aunt's or Hermione's. Astoria looked at Neville, but didn't say anything.
"Astoria, would it be alright if I were to sit at the Slytherin table with Daphne," Hermione asked.
"Are you doing it to shake up the House or just to be friends," Astoria inquired.
"A gesture of friendship," Hermione responded.
"Let Daphne come to you," Astoria encouraged. "I will discretely mention it."
Harry took Hermione's hand. "I need to write a letter for Hedwig and then apologize to the team. The Captain should not walk out like that." He was feeling calmer.
"House and family comes before anything," Neville said.
He nodded.
-oOo-
October 2, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Wednesday morning was one of the days he did not work out and took it a little slow. That usually meant he spent an hour on his research before meeting his girlfriend, and usually their friends.
He was sitting in bed, a muggle book on weaving and rune inscription on his bed and a writing board in his lap. Today he was doing research on different weave patterns and trying to figure out if he could save some thread while still getting the same power of the spells tied to the runes. Even saving a few yards of thread here and there would add up. It would also help with his project to reduce some of the latency leak. Less fabric meant less draw on the magic around them.
Ron's bed curtains opened.
"Morning, Ron," Harry said as he drew a pattern on the parchment on the writing board.
Ron gave a large yawn and rubbed at his eyes. "Do you ever sleep in," he asked.
"I slept to six this morning," he told Ron. Harry usually went to bed an hour or so earlier than most of his dorm mates and got up an hour or two earlier on week days.
"What time is it?"
"Near seven. I am going to meet Hermione in ten minutes and then go down to Breakfast."
The shades around Dean's bed opened. "Some of us don't have class until this afternoon," Dean grumbled.
"I was being quiet until Ron woke up," Harry told him, his finger going to his Runes book to follow some lines as they talked.
"Do you ever relax?" Dean asked.
"Hermione and I don't have anything after Arithmancy. I was going to just go fly for an hour for fun before we have practice."
Ron perked up a bit. "Can I use your Firebolt," he asked.
"As long as you don't scratch it. Last time it took be three hours to fill in the scratch and polish it. Three hours I could have been doing something else," he said distractedly.
"I offered to do it," Ron told him.
"How about I try it?" Dean asked.
"You have Muggle Studies and I will only bring it down while I am there."
Dean screwed his face.
Neville came back toweling his hair. "Morning."
"Morning, Nev," he replied.
Harry frowned as he looked at his notes and calculations. He wasn't sure if this would work. He would have to ask Aunt Bel if she had a few skeins she could spare. He would need to use some treated thread to make the runes.
Ron got up and got ready. He usually took his shower the night before, like Harry, on days they were not to work out.
By the time Ron was ready, Neville joined them and Harry put his stuff away and grabbed his bag.
"So, you resolve whatever was bugging you yesterday," Ron asked.
"No. Going to meet my Aunt and Uncle this weekend."
"What was that about? 'House business',' Ron mimicked.
Harry shrugged. "Just some people not happy I'm giving up my Lordship," Harry told him.
Ron stopped on the top step as Harry and Neville walked down. After a few steps, Ron said rather loudly, "You're what?"
"Giving up the Potter Lordship," he repeated. Being sixth years, they were close to the top of the tower and Ron caught up to them on the fifth-year landing.
"You can't do that! Why would you do that? You are going to be a Lord. Not only that, dad said you have a Wizengamot seat. Imagine the girls you could get? Top quidditch player. Lord. Not to mention Lavender tells me how much all the girls love you," Ron reasoned.
They passed the two fourth year doors.
"I have a girl," Harry told him.
"You sure Lavender likes you and not Harry," Neville asked.
Ron brushed it off. "She doesn't' like Harry. Lav just hears all the rumors and knows who everyone talks about. Harry, you could have more than one girl."
Harry raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Ron, I have Hermione. I don't want another girl."
"What about..."
"Would you like to have someone besides Lavender?" Neville asked, clearly getting annoyed with Ron, like Harry was.
Ron missed a step on the third year-landing. This one had three doors. He put a hand on the back of his neck. "Well, no."
"Then don't bug Harry or I about it. We know we can support a second wife or more under a line-continuance, but we have no desire for that," Neville told Ron.
Harry hit it cousin's arm. For the last few years, Neville had been doing the same workout routine he had, thanks to Uncle Remus, and it felt like a wall to punch him. Of course, Harry wasn't much different, he just wasn't as large as Neville.
"Thanks, Nev," Harry snarked.
"I wasn't trying to say anything bad. I just don't get why you would give that up." Ron sounded seriously confused.
"I don't want it. I hate politics. I live in Guernsey and it helps more than it hurts for me to give it up," Harry told him.
The second landing had three doors.
"How many know this?" Ron asked.
"Don't know. Don't care. Most of my family and those that have a say agree."
They were silent as they passed the two doors of the first year.
At the base, he was surprised not to see Hermione, but instead a mass of people around the notice board. There was a good twenty or more students, most sounding excited.
"What's going on," he asked a younger girl who was walking back towards the stairs.
She looked up at him and blushed. "Oh, ah, a Halloween Masquerade," she squawked before moving past them.
Ron chuckled. "Sure you want only one?"
"Positive."
"Only want one of what?" Hermione inquired coming up to them.
Harry found her hand and brought it up to his mouth. "You," he told her. "Morning, luv."
"Morning." She moved in closer and pecked him on the lips. They didn't want to be like some hormone drunk peers they saw making out everywhere, but they wouldn't hide their affection either.
"The girls' dorms are abuzz. There is a notice about a Halloween Masquerade?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Apparently," Neville said.
"You want to go," he asked her.
"Are you asking me to a dance?" she asked.
"If that is what it is," he told her.
Ron shook his head. "She is your girlfriend. Of course she is going with you."
"It's still polite to ask," Harry told him. "What about it?"
She gave him a mischievous look. "If you can find me that night, I'm all yours."
He winked. "It won't take me long."
"We'll see," she told him.
Lavender appeared with Parvati. "Morning, Won Won," she said, kissing him on the cheek.
Ron looked a little abashed. "Do you have to say that in the middle of the common room?" His voice sounded embarrassed and they only heard him because they were standing so close.
"I don't know, I kind of like it, Won Won," Harry joked.
Neville moved to the board and they followed. "You think Astoria would like to go," he asked them.
"You can ask her this weekend," Hermione encouraged.
Neville flushed some.
Harry cast a quick look to Lavender and Parvati. 'Not a word,' he mouthed to them. They were some of the worst gossipers, but they seemed to respect him if he asked them not to spread anything.
Parvati gave him a thumbs up and Lavender acted as though she was zipping her lips.
"Ready for breakfast," Hermione asked.
"Sure, Boss," he replied, and she shook her head.
"Incorrigible," she muttered.
-oOo-
A/N: I am not trying to sound like a broken record, but last chapter, next chapter and when the news finally breaks I am rehashing some of the same things with the courtship to capture different reactions.
