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.
A/N2: Happy New Years! 2021 is going to be a better year.
-oOo-
Chapter 4
October 5, 1996
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Ron was off with Lavender and Dean and Seamus had asked the Patil twins to go with them today. Harry had a feeling Seamus was just going along for Dean. He was pretty sure Ron and Lavender were off to the Snogging Rock by the Shrieking Shack later. Harry had heard of it, but never wanted to explore it. Well, not until now that was. Maybe later, if Hermione wanted.
Today it was Neville, Astoria and his luv.
"Would you like to go to Madam Puddifoot for lunch," Astoria asked.
Hermione made a face that said that was not what she considered a good time. "What I wish was that you were all seventeen and then we could go to the Saucy Serpent," Hermione told them.
Harry chuckled. "Maybe I can convince Ms. Blake to open a restaurant up here," he told her. "If we have time, I'll take you over Christmas."
Hermione smiled and he knelt down enough for her to kiss him on the cheek.
"Is that the place Aunt Bel took us too with the sea serpent," Neville asked. It had been a few years since Neville had come out to the island. Great Aunt Augusta didn't want Neville going far anymore, or for Aunt Bel to pollute his mind. Next summer he would be seventeen, and then the old hag wouldn't be able to stop his cousin.
"It's really quite beautiful," Hermione commented.
"Says the girl that asked me to avenge her," he smirked.
She huffed and Neville laughed. "I believe you said you would avenge me if it ate me."
"Oh right. That was right after you threatened to haunt me."
Astoria giggled. "I can picture her doing that."
Harry smiled. Astoria was not stodgy like Daphne.
Hermione took his hand. "I would like to go to Tomes and Scrolls and then Scrivenshafts."
"Only if we go to Honeydukes and Gladrags. I need a costume," Astoria told her.
"Better head there first. I think it will be busy later," Hermione told them.
They were towards the front of the line walking down the drive, which was a good thing. They were some of the first into Gladrags and one of the first out as it was soon inundated with students. Harry put a finger on the top of Hermione's enchanted satchel to open it and she slapped his hand. "You'll see it in a few weeks," she chastised him.
"Fine, I won't show you mine either," he said, holding up his nose.
"Harry," she said in a voice that immediately caught his attention and excited him. He didn't say anything as she looked at him with big eyes. She hadn't really done that before and felt his resolve waning within seconds. "Please?"
He blinked. "Let me see yours," he countered.
"No." She moved in closer, her hand on his satchel and her eyes sultry like before she dragged him into that broom closet yesterday. It was twenty minutes of bliss. He did have to admit though, he missed those days they went swimming, especially now both their hands were roaming more. As though reading his thoughts, she whispered into his ear, "I was thinking, it's not against the rules, maybe we could go swimming in the Prefects bath later."
Harry felt his heart flutter and the crazy desire to take her into an alley, snog her senseless and then snog her some more.
Harry hadn't realized that he had stopped in the middle of the street. Her breath across his ear was starting to drive him crazy.
"You little minx," Astoria chuckled.
Harry shook his head and he felt his face flame with embarrassment and excitement. Hermione still had that smoldering look. "Think about it," she told him before taking his hand and pulling him along. "I want to look at books."
"Sure," he said, still feeling a little out of sorts. His body was here, but his mind was in the school, in his swimming trunks and Hermione in her yellow bikini...
"Harry," Hermione laughed as she pulled his hand. "We are going into Honeydukes first."
Harry blushed again. This girl might be the death of him.
Neville chuckled. "Hermione, you have to come to our Christmas Ball this year. I can imagine Gran's face to see Harry like that."
"Hopefully she explodes," Harry muttered.
"Are you not staying for the Ball at school," Astoria asked looking disappointed.
"Babbling said it will be on Friday the twentieth and everyone will have a chance to go home on the twenty-first," Hermione told them.
"Nev, don't forget about New Year's Day," Harry reminded him.
"What is New Year's Day," Astoria asked.
"Harry's cousin and Uncle are getting married," Hermione told them. "Dora is supposed to meet me next time we go to Hogsmeade to help pick out the Bride's Maid dress."
They walked into Honeydukes, talking about the Christmas Ball, the possible Longbottom Ball on the twenty fourth and his cousin's wedding. As Hermione talked, he felt as though she saw all his family as hers already. He had to admit he looked at her family the same way. He liked that feeling.
Harry paid for the few sweets Hermione got. She still couldn't bring herself to go crazy because of her parents.
He, on the other hand, hoped his rather large bag would hold him for the next two months. His Aunt hadn't let him have a ton of sweets, but she never stopped him. He found he liked them after coming to Hogwarts, and often shared with his mates.
By the time they met his Aunts and Uncle at one, they had eaten lunch in the tavern of the Three Broomsticks with Neville and Astoria and then went into a private room after Astoria went off with a few friends. Neville promised to find her if she wanted afterwards and Astoria said she would see him at dinner.
Aunt Bel, Aunt Andi and Uncle Ted met them. The look on Aunt Andi's face told him she knew and he knew he would be in trouble again. He hugged Aunt Bel, shook Uncle Ted's hand and turned to his Aunt Andi.
Aunt Andi was greeting Neville and then turned to him.
"Don't be upset. Aunt Bel and I only talked about it the morning I was going to catch the Hogwarts' Express and Hermione really wants to talk to her parents before we announce anything," he reasoned with Aunt Andi.
Aunt Andi had her arms crossed across her chest and then looked to Hermione. "Your parents don't know?"
"No, Aunt Andi," Hermione replied. "I know I promised..."
Aunt Andi held up a hand and then a smile came across her face. "Come here," she said and Hermione moved into her arms. "I guess congratulations are in order."
"Thank you," Hermione said before pulling away.
"You two, my little troublemaker." Harry moved in and hugged him. "Congratulations. Don't do anything to lose her," Aunt Andi whispered to him.
"I plan to keep her around," he whispered back before pulling back. Her eyes were intense. "Now, for the reason I am upset. How long have you known?"
"I told him on his eleventh birthday," Aunt Bel spoke up.
His aunt looked at his other aunt. "You knew? I am a Black and I didn't even know! I had assumed it was going to the wrong people!"
"Of course, I knew. Harry is legally my son and ward. I know everything about what his parents and Sirius left him and Harry knows most of it. Ted has helped me keep everything together," Aunt Bel told her.
Aunt Andi gave her husband a look. "We will talk later, and you pull any of that client confidentiality, you will be on the couch for a while."
Uncle Ted didn't' look that concerned. "I never did anything that wouldn't have been in the best interest of everyone in this room."
"So, Scion Black, I can only assume this is a true courtship," she asked Harry.
"Yes, Aunt Andi," he said, taking Hermione's hand. "I have explained everything to Hermione. She has agreed to keep me," he started.
"I don't look at it as keeping you," Hermione voiced.
Harry continued, "Aunt Bel has answered our questions. I don't either, Hermione."
Aunt Andi eyed them. "Hermione, would you like me to escort you to your parents after this? Belvina will give Harry permission to leave Hogwarts for the day, or night, if needed."
His Aunt Bel didn't flinch under his other's aunt's glare. "I was hoping to offer them either today or make an appointment next weekend with their Head of House. I think we should keep this quiet for a while longer. It is known he is giving up his Potter Lordship. Now only us and the account Managers at Gringotts and Harpspear know of his other Lordship."
"Be that as it may, I would like it known my birth House is not going to be in the hands of one of my relatives."
"Are you saying you want to contest this?" Aunt Bel stood up tall, which was still a few inches short of Aunt Andi, as though to challenge the older witch.
"I would never do that. I can't think of anyone better suited to represent my birth House. Are you Escorting Hermione?"
"Yes, Aunt Andi. A seer has also validated our compatibility."
"She needs to talk to her parents today," Aunt Andi told Aunt Bel.
They shared a look for a few before Hermione asked, "Why?"
The older woman looked at her. "Are you serious about my nephew?"
Hermione didn't' back down, making Harry feel even more in love with his brunette girl. "Aunt Andi, I mean it when I say I love Harry. He is my boyfriend, and I admit it is early but he is my Escort."
"Bel, you know it is safer for them to announce this, and to consider a betrothal. If they are serious about this courtship, it can help to stop this challenge from Augusta and can also provide a protection for Harry to become Lord Black."
"It will be Lord Potter. Aunt Bel said I can absorb the Blacks into my Blood line," Harry spoke up.
"Merlin," Neville said. "You realize that by doing that you would become Leige-Lord to a few of the darkest Houses," Neville told him.
"That is why I don't want anyone to know about Harry's inheritance before he is seventeen," Aunt Bel said. "Neville, I do mean anyone. If Augusta found out about this, I don't doubt your Gran or others would try to leverage this."
Aunt Andi frowned. Neville nodded and after a moment, Hermione asked, "What can they do it they know Harry will inherit the Black's Lordship?"
"Harry is the oldest direct male with Black blood in him. My sisters and I are not eligible because it is a paternal inheritance. Harry can break that once he absorbed our House and the title, but he has at least one cousin that could challenge it. My nephew, Draco, is only two days younger than Harry and only one separation apart. If the vassal-houses support it and the Wizengamot ratifies a petition, then Draco could become Scion Black, as well as be Scion Malfoy," Aunt Andi informed her.
"Just like your Great Aunt is trying," Hermione stated.
Harry nodded.
"I do not support what Gran is doing, but I can't stop it until next summer," Neville told them.
"Once Harry is seventeen, or if you decide to have a betrothal, he can claim his Scion rights and then he will not be able to be opposed," Uncle Ted pipped up. "If you were to enter a betrothal, the Vassal-houses of the Black's would not be able to contest it, so the Malfoy's would have to try to get the Wizengamot to break your title. Something that is not at all easy."
"I already have the paperwork ready to file with the Ministry next July, or earlier if necessary, and a release filed to the Goblins so that it is legal either way for you to claim Scion Black."
"How do I play into all of this," Hermione asked. Harry squeezed her hand.
"You two are in a courtship. It is equivalent to a muggle engagement, except magic already recognizes you as my nephew's best match. With a betrothal, you will be ratified as the Heiress of his bloodline and the Ladyship of House Black," Aunt Andi told her. "It would give you the equivalent status of someone of 'true' pure blood. You are already seventeen, so you would be Heiress Black."
"Aunt Andi, isn't this moving too fast? I love Hermione, but it's been a little over two months we've been dating."
"Harry, magic decides when it is ready. You can either just go along with it or fight it. Do you want to marry Hermione?"
They had talked about it a few times, but Harry had a feeling Hermione looked at it as more of an academic study until now. She understood the bond that was forming between them, but not the House and Wizengamot politics. Harry didn't either, but he knew enough to know the importance of his Aunt's words. Hermione's eyes grew a little wide and he saw the understanding.
"You understand, my dears?" Aunt Andi asked. "I agree you and Harry are young, but it is not uncommon for those over the age of fifteen to become betrothed. Especially if it comes to a good match for a bloodline or a House on the Wizengamot. Establishing a line of inheritance can be very important, and if there is no recognized Lord or Lady then others with enough of the bloodline in them can take control of the House. It is a way to keep the bloodline from failing. Those on the Wizengamot are especially zealous of this."
"I want to break that," Harry told her.
"You will have no argument here. Dora lost much potential when I was split from my family, but gained much from Ted," she said affectionately to her husband.
"Yes. I had no idea my grandmother was a squib, but that is neither here or there," Ted said. "What is important today is the challenge from Madame Longbottom. Bel, you are correct that you are Harry's legal guardian, but Augusta has much support on the Wizengamot. She is only missing three Houses ratifying the petition."
"The Greengrasses are not going to ratify the petition," Neville told him.
"I have been told," Uncle Ted responded. "How would you know that?"
"Astoria," Neville said a little shyly.
"Astoria Greengrass has been friendly with us and Neville since the Express," Harry started and Hermione squeezed his hand extra hard and gave him a look. He wisely didn't say anything else, as much as he wanted to take the Mickey on Neville.
His Uncle chuckled to see the exchange. "I never thought someone would control Harry that easily."
Aunt Bel smirked and Aunt Andi looked at his girlfriend approvingly.
Neville just looked abashed. "I was escorting her around today and she had agreed to attend the Masquerade with me."
"I am glad for you, Neville," Hermione told him.
"Masquerade? What Masquerade," Aunt Andi asked.
"I was going to tell you about in it my next letter," Harry told her. "We just found out Wednesday."
"Headmistress McGonagall is making some changes and there is a Halloween Masquerade being planned for everyone instead of the feast," Hermione told Aunt Andi.
"You going to show me your costume?" he prodded.
"At the Masquerade," she responded.
"It sounds like fun to me. Hedwig only brought me the note yesterday. My Grandmother used to tell me about the old Masquerades, but they stopped soon after Dumbledore took over. I never understood that," Aunt Bel told them. "You also said the Winter Ball is being revived? I wonder if the old Spring Equinox Festival is also?"
"My mother used to tell of those," Aunt Andi recalled. "We are being sidetracked. Augusta and the Lordship of Black. Ted who have you heard from?"
"The Greengrasses and Lovegoods. They are not going to sign and the Greengrasses have already submitted the paperwork to dissolve the House of Potter at the Winter Solstice and take up a Peerage seat, as have the Wintergreens. I have a meeting with Xenophilious Lovegood on Monday and Lord Howle on Wednesday. The Goyles have refused to even acknowledge they are a vassal-house," Uncle Ted responded.
Harry blinked. He knew about the Greengrasses and Wintergreens, not the others.
"Luna is a relative," Hermione asked.
Harry looked at her. "Who?"
"Luna Lovegood. She is a year behind us and Ginny hung out with her until last year. She has spent time with Professor Hagrid and a few others," Hermione told him.
Harry frowned. He could not put a face to the name.
"Is she a blond girl? Usually has odd shoes on and gaudy glasses," Neville asked.
"I wouldn't call them gaudy. Unique," Hermione corrected.
"I think it wise you get to know her. She will inherit the seat from her father and if you intend to be Lord Potter, then having strong allies now will be better for the future," Aunt Andi told him.
"Should that not be Harry's choice," Aunt Bel argued. "I was forced to be friends with many I didn't like because of reasons like that."
"We all were, Bel, but there is an importance to it," Aunt Andi told her.
"You sound just like my mother used to," Aunt Bel said with a shake.
"Mine as well, but as I have grown, I understand things differently. If Harry really wants to lead a revolution, like I have heard others talking about the last few years, then he needs strong allies. Neville, the Greengrasses, the Lovegoods and others can make a strong core. They are also all true purebloods. You know that gives them an extra vote," Aunt Andi countered.
"Do I need to know this all now? I can't even claim my spot on the Wizengamot until a year after I take up the Lordship, or after I turn twenty-one," he said.
Hermione spoke up, "Harry, I find this very important. Don't you see? If what Aunt Andi is saying is correct, that gives you eight votes already, regardless of what else you might do. How many are on the Wizengamot," she asked.
"It varies year to year. Mostly due to lower Houses changing hands or being voted in or out, but right now there are four Peerage seats empty. Four new ones that will be added once the Lordship of Potter is dissolved, and fourteen others with true pure blood status. The rest of the twenty-nine or so that are there most years only have a single vote. The dynamics are changing and Harry could make a difference in reversing many of the laws passed in the last few decades that have made it nearly impossible for those not connected or of the proper status to get into high position at the Ministry or elsewhere," Aunt Bel told them.
"I for one would like to finally see a muggleborn become Headmaster of Hogwarts," Uncle Ted said.
Hermione blinked. "There has never been a muggleborn Headmaster," she asked. Harry could see her mind thinking.
"No, my dear. There has not," Aunt Andi stated.
Uncle Ted spoke up. "I would not want to keep these three from the rest of their day, but should I draw up a Betrothal contract? It would be the best way to protect Harry, and his lovely bride-to-be."
Hermione flushed.
Harry felt a little flustered. "I haven't even proposed and we need to talk with her parents."
Aunt Bel regarded them for a moment. "Harry and Hermione, I would never force you, but you both willingly accept each other in a courtship?"
"Yes. I love her," he said rather fiercely to his Aunt. He was not giving her up.
"I don't see myself with any other," Hermione stated.
Aunt Bel gave them a sad smile. "Harry, I will not make this decision for you. Hermione is of age and has the full rights to decide on her own."
"It is in their best interest," Aunt Andi told them.
"Andi, I will never make a decision like that for Harry. You know what my father was going to make me do before I gave myself to Camden," Aunt Bel said.
Aunt Andi backed down. "I was not asking you to force him, Belvina. I would never do that. I was in the same position before I refused the contract. I was only lucky I was seventeen at the time and my father couldn't sign it for me." Aunt Andi sighed. "Harry and Hermione, I will not force you, but I think it is in your best interest."
"Can we talk it over?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, but I would not recommend waiting long to decide. If the Lordship of Potter is dissolved at the Winter Solstice, then the only way he could claim being your escort is to reveal his rights to the House of Black," Uncle Ted told them. "A betrothal would stop all contention for either."
Harry looked at his Aunts and Uncle before turning to Hermione. He was set in his course, it was only going to be Hermione that he was unsure of. She put a hand to his mouth. "I want to talk in private before you say anything. Uncle Ted, can you draw up a document and send us a draft? As well as any options or laws I might be able to research?"
"Of course. We can meet again in three weeks at your next Hogsmeade weekend if you like," he offered.
"I think that prudent," Hermione agreed. She turned back to Harry. He saw the love in her eyes. "We will talk."
Harry nodded.
-oOo-
Bushy, England
The Grangers were quite surprised, to see their daughter, Harry and Belvina suddenly on their doorstep in the middle of a Saturday afternoon when they were supposed to be a few hundred miles away. After an initial alarm, they were pleased after Aunt Bel reassured them nothing was wrong and no one was hurt.
Jane set out tea and coffee in the kitchen, much to Hermione's delight, and they talked about school for a few before Dan finally broached the subject. "So, sounds like things are going well at school, you are already making progress on your research and no one is hurt, so why are you here?"
Hermione looked at her parents and then Harry before she turned back to her parents. Hermione had told them she wanted to try to explain things first. "You know how in the Wizarding world I am legally of age at seventeen?"
"Yes, you have told us this," her mother said kindly. Her father looked apprehensive.
Hermione reached for his hand and grabbed it tightly under the table. "I want you to know I love Harry and this is my own decision."
Her father looked a little concerned and her mother apprehensive. "You have only been dating a few months. You aren't pregnant, are you," Jane asked. "You are keeping the baby?"
"No. Nothing like that," Hermione told her mother alarmed. "Harry and I, well, we haven't gotten that far."
Harry kept a level face and felt himself relax some when Dan's eyes went from wanting to kill him to only beat him.
"Mum, Dad, in the magical world, there are different ways to become engaged or married," Hermione told them.
Jane's eyes darted to the hand Hermione had on the table. "I don't see a ring and Harry isn't old enough," Jane told her.
"I haven't proposed to her, and we aren't quiet there yet," Harry told Jane, though it was meant more for Dan.
"Harry, let me handle this," Hermione told him. He heard her determination. He tightened his grip on her hand to let her know he supported her. "We are not officially engaged, but magic has recognized us as a potential match and I have accepted a courtship with Harry."
"You are engaged," Dan asked. "You are only seventeen and Harry is only sixteen!"
She tightened her grip even more. "I am an adult in our world, dad. It is a little young, but legal, and many in our world are married before they turn twenty. If magic recognizes a pair, it is an attraction that is hard to fight," she told them. Hermione hurried to see her mother open her mouth. "I freely accept this, mum. There is nothing being forced here. I know Aunt Millie talked about contacts and other stuff this summer. I wish I had known about it sooner, but there was no witch to tell me about those things and Hogwarts didn't have any class until this year. We have not done anything like that yet. Our magic calls to each other and I want Harry. Someday, I would like to be his wife, if he will have me."
Harry smiled at her. "Someday," he said before turning to Dan, who cleared his throat.
"Are you telling me that this boy is using something on you to take advantage of you," Dan asked. Harry instinctively reached for his wand.
"No, dad. Harry has been straight forward with me and Belvina has been open to explain any questions that Harry and I have," she said calmly. "He explained what is happening and as I said, I freely accept it."
They sat for a few heartbeats of silence, Harry unsure if her father was going to come after him across the table or not. Harry didn't back down though, holding the man's gaze and ready to protect Hermione, even if it meant he might get in trouble with the DMLE. Her mother asked, "What is happening?"
Hermione explained the bond and what the courtship truly meant. There were some questions, and blushing on their end when it was explained how the bond was finalized.
Jane sat with her hands wrapped around another steaming cup of tea. Aunt Bel had been very quiet while Hermione, and Harry at times, had explained. Jane looked up at his Aunt. "You are alright with this? This sounds like some of the stuff you told me you ran away from."
Aunt Bel smiled. "If this is what Harry and Hermione want, I am in full support. Jane, I don't know how to explain it better than Hermione. I am a witch, raised and bred in a household full of magic. To me, this is just the natural way of things. Their courtship has nothing to do with what I ran away from. They are not being forced or coerced. There is no betrothal that was forced on them by their Heads-of-House. Magic is a strong and mysterious force that is not always controllable. It has a will of its own when it wants and it has marked these two as a very good match. Harry loves your daughter, and she loves my son. I am good with this."
Dan was eying him. "You are courting my daughter without proposing? How am I to take that? You say you can make the bond permanent, which I assume will make her your wife, by... deflowering my little girl?"
"I don't want to have sex until we get married," Hermione said angrily to her father. "Harry has been nothing but a gentleman and has never pressed himself on me."
Harry took in a long breath. "Dan, I will always respect Hermione like that. We are not ready to be married and I do want to propose to her," he told the man, feeling scared but thrilled at the thought.
"A courtship can go on for as long as we want," Hermione told him.
"I wouldn't say that," Aunt Bel told them. Everyone turned to her.
"What do you mean, Bel?" Jane asked.
She looked at them. "Normally, Hermione would be correct. I should have seen it earlier today. I can feel your bond. It is growing faster than I thought. You have maybe until Christmas, probably sooner, to decide if you want to break this off, or consider the next step. How much can you feel each other?"
Hermione blinked. Harry understood. Bloody Merlin!
"If I was to ask Harry to go stand somewhere outside, would you be able to tell me which direction he is," Aunt Bel asked.
"What are you saying?" Dan questioned.
Neither of them said anything. Harry was thinking about the times in the last few weeks he just knew which direction to go to find Hermione when he needed too. They spent much of their time together, but they were separated many times for classes, studying, quidditch or just to hang out with friends
"Their bond is already growing strong. I see how much they care for each other. We should talk later, but your parents deserve to know the whole truth," Aunt Bel told them all.
"Are you saying we are already merging magic," Hermione asked.
"Intermingling, I would more likely put it, but if you go much further, it will hurt to separate, or could possibly cause damage. I would say a month, two at most."
Harry swallowed. He really, really liked Hermione. He loved her. Bonds like this were not common. Looking at her brown eyes, he didn't fear it. Harry really wanted her. "We need to talk when we get back," he told her.
"I think you need to talk now. I don't' understand all this," Dan told them, his anger had dropped and he looked genuinely perplexed. "Do I get to give my blessing and walk my daughter down the aisle or is magic just going to take her away from us again? She is only seventeen and I had hoped she would move back in with us for a while."
Jane reached a hand over to him. "Hermione hasn't been taken from us, Dan. She is growing up."
Dan didn't look pleased. "We sent her away at twelve and have hardly seen her the last few years, even when she is home. Every time she comes back it's like she is a different person than the little girl we used to have. Now she is saying she is going to be married?"
"Dad," Hermione spoke up and waited for him to look at her. "Dad, I am still your little girl. Do you think I would have been happy to stay in muggle school? You know what it was like for me."
"I just figured you would grow up and find other people like you. It was much the way I was until Secondary," he told her.
"Dan, I have never seen her happier than that first Christmas she came back from Hogwarts. You saw it too and agreed it was the best for her. Hermione is not going to just abandon us," Jane reassured him.
Dan looked at Hermione and then turned to Harry. Harry held the man's searching look. "Harry, would you like to step out back to talk for a bit?"
Jane gave her husband a look and Hermione clutched his hand like she was never going to let it go. "Dad, this is my choice."
"I know, Princess. Let me be a dad for once," he asked her. "I promise Harry will come back in one piece."
He let go of his grasp on her hand and after a moment, she did the same. Dan had gotten up and pulled out a beer from the fridge. "You want anything," Dan asked.
"No thank you," Harry responded.
Dan shrugged and Harry followed the man out back. "Dad's not going to do anything," he heard Hermione before the door closed. It was a decent October day in central England. A light breeze was blowing through the yard and clouds were gathering on the horizon.
Dan walked over to a nice white iron table with four white iron chairs before motioning for Harry to take one. The man sat and opened his beer. Harry sat across from him.
They sat in silence for a few. "You are only sixteen?"
"Yes, sir," he said, feeling this was not a time to call him Dan.
"You and my daughter have only been going out for a little over two months."
"Yes, sir," Harry responded, keeping the man's gaze.
"How would you plan to provide for her at your age and still be in school?"
"My parents and cousin left me enough money for us to live off of until we get jobs," Harry told him.
Dan took a drink of his beer. "You don't find her bossy, annoying, a freak, Muddy Blood or any of the other names she had been called in Primary or at Hogwarts?"
Harry pursed his lips. "Never. I never put up with anyone calling that to her face. There may have been a few times with my friends I didn't correct them when we were alone. I was a stupid, scared git that should have sat with her our first year, but I never said any of that about Hermione and my friends will never say it again."
They sat there, staring each other down.
"You claim you love her after only two months. What can you tell me about my daughter?"
Harry blinked. It was the last thing he thought the man would say. "Hermione is bright. She is top of class because she earns it every year. She absorbs everything that she reads or hears. It's like she's a sponge or has photographic memory. I can't tell you how many books she goes through..."
Dan shook his head. "Tell me what my daughter is really like."
Harry wasn't sure what to say at first and sat for a moment before he spoke. "She loves you. She loves you and your wife. First year, I convinced Parvati to send home a letter. Hermione would look up at the owls that came into the Great Hall every morning, and I saw how sad she would get when she would get a letter only every few weeks. It took me almost three months to realize you probably only sent letters back when she sent you an owl and asked it to stay."
Dan raised an eyebrow and stopped the beer coming to his lips. "That was you that suggested her friend to write us and tell us how to get an owl here every week?"
Harry had never told anyone. Parvati was the only one that might have had a suspicion how he cared. He felt embarrassed for being such a chicken not to talk with her, but Parvati and Lavender always tried to include Hermione in things. "She is very kind and passionate. She hates to see anyone controlled or enslaved. Fourth year she tried to free all the house elves in Hogwarts by leaving knit hats, socks and scarfs everywhere. I don't know why she hates it so much. I am going to have to ask her."
Dan put his beer down on the table.
"Her passion makes her seem bossy at times. Hermione so desperately tries to fit in that in her exuberance she tells people the best way to do things. She's so intelligent, she doesn't know how to relate to people at times. I can tell she is trying to share her knowledge and she doesn't always get that not everyone is as bright as her or cares about doing it how a book or teacher instructs. I think she believes if she doesn't do it exactly right, she will be tossed out of our world," Harry told him.
Dan just sat there.
"Hermione also hates the way she and others that aren't from our world are treated. I have done what I can to keep the worst of them away, but she has learned how to standup for herself and others. Last year she dressed down a seventh-year that was picking on a few muggleborn first years. The boy was what we call Pureblood and a total bigot to those not of Pureblood. Purebloods are those that believe having a certain number of only magical ancestors makes them better than anyone else. After she left, I had a talk with him. He was mumbling about getting some friends to show her who was better. They didn't bother her."
Harry wasn't sure what else Dan wanted to know.
Dan picked up his beer as Harry looked at him and drank before speaking up. "You have paid attention and protected her for that long? Why didn't she ever tell us?"
"Hermione didn't know. I haven't told her all this yet," Harry admitted. "She only knows I have done some to protect her and got into some fights over her."
Dan shook his head. "She wrote about you. Every letter there was some mention of you. Every break, she would talk about you. I never had the sense you treated her poorly, not like a few others she only confessed to Jane about. She also wrote how smart you were and how much you challenged her. Jane always said it was because she had a crush on you. I always thought she was just frustrated you kept nipping at her heels," Dan confided.
"Dan, Hermione is the brightest person I know. I know you don't want to hear it, but she just understands anything thrown at her. I meant it when I said she should have gotten the other grant. Aunt Bel sat with us a few times when we were doing our Arithmancy or Runes and even my Aunt was surprised with what she knows. I love her for that. I love Hermione for all of those things and more."
Dan took another sip of his beer. "You don't turn seventeen until next July?"
"July 31st. We haven't told you everything," Harry admitted. Harry had a feeling the man deserved to know. He was going to be family at some point.
He told Dan about how he was renouncing his family's Lordship. How he was going to take up the Black Lordship and how this changed some of the dynamics in their government. They sat out there for a while as Dan listened and asked questions.
When they were done, the man asked, "Can I tell Jane?"
"Yes. Can I have your blessing?" Harry knew Hermione was old enough to decide on her own, but Harry knew there was a proper way to do things. They were in a courtship by magical standards and he should do it by muggle standards too. Part of him thought it insane at sixteen to ask. Hermione was worth it though.
"Hermione will do as she wants. She always has," Dan told him.
"Hermione loves you and looks up to you and Jane. She may not say it, but she wants your approval," Harry told him. Harry knew she did. Why else would she wait weeks to tell anyone besides Aunt Bel of her decision.
"There really are Lords and other such things," Dan asked for the third time. "Like you are royalty?"
"I wouldn't call us royalty, but a Lordship is the closest thing in our world. Hermione would become Lady Potter," Harry repeated.
Dan gave him a little smile. "I always knew she was a princess. You promise to give her a proper wedding and we will see her?"
"I would never keep Hermione from anyone she wants to see, and if that is what Hermione wants, then she can have whatever type of wedding she wants," Harry reassured him.
"You will wait until you are both of age in the Wizarding world?"
"I give you my word," Harry told him.
After a moment, Dan nodded and stretched out his hand. "I had hoped this would be a few years from now, but welcome to the family."
Harry smiled as he shook Dan's hand.
"We are still getting together for Christmas," Dan told him.
"I look forward to it, Dan. I was hoping to hold off proposing to her until then."
The man nodded. "Jane would like that."
-oOo-
A/N: More conflicts, angst and teen drama planned ahead. Also some fun with a Masquerade, The Winter Ball and a Wedding. I don't plan on Harry attending the Wizengamot Winter Solstice session unless there is interest. I find that dry to write and read many times. Eventually I will have to get into it though.
