Hey everyone,
So I'm sure I'm going to piss a lot of people off with this, but I am going to skip the whole adoption thing. It is just going to be summarized at the start of this chapter and maybe be a bit of dialogue between the three adults and three teens as yet again, the contract will be the main focus. Though next chapter is going to be ALL ABOUT the Yule Ball.
Hope that helps,

Venquine1990
Shout-Out To:
Shadow Wolf 15846
ThunderClaw03

Chapter 26
Law and Contract – Day 02

21st of December 1994
Sirius' Chambers, Hogwarts
Jillian's POV

"So, how did it go?" Angelina asks me as we retake the seats we were in the other day and I smile at her as I say: "The adoption? Quite brilliant, really. Because we agreed that our first picture for the Prophet would be during the Yule Ball, no one outside of Hogwarts knew what I looked like and Sir – dad was wearing a hoodie with the hood up, so we weren't recognized and could just meet with the Potter and Black Account Managers no problem."
"Did any changes happen? Like to your name?" Cedric asks, but I shake my head and say: "Dad and I agreed that my new gender and name were good enough. I do now have Potter-Black as my last name, but because dad already made me his heir when I was born as Harry, that doesn't really change much anyway. I do think the teachers will call me that from now on, but nothing else. Though we did make one decision after leaving the bank."
And at this does dad pull out his new wand, intriguing Mr. Diggory and Mrs. Johnson and shocking Angelina and Cedric, yet making me smile at him as the man explains: "Jillian and I discussed it after meeting with the Account Managers and – on New Year's Eve we're going to have an official burial for Harry, for friends, that is. And while we might not have a body to bury, we're going to compensate through three items that really are Harry."
My new partners look at me over this and while I tear up a little as these items have always been dear to me, do I whisper: "I – I've been thinking long and hard about this and – because I am now adopted, I want to bury my – my cloak, my wand and – and my photobook. I am not just going to bury Harry, I'm going to bury everything that links me to Lily and James as well; hold a burial of my own as I was never able to attend theirs."

At this Cedric and Angelina instantly hug me close while their parents cringe and grimace in guilt over this and yet I smile at them, grateful for the support of my partners and proving their parents I don't hold it against them as I silently thinking to myself: "Neither Granger nor Ronald would be like this; they'd object and try to change my mind. Or one of them would agree and the other disagree and they would argue and somehow make it about them instead."
And while it has been several months since I decided that they were never my real friends, do I still feel a twinge of pain and disappointment, something that happens often when I talk with my Mind Healer about what my relationship with the two had been like before the change. These talks are definitely the hardest as they prove that, as Harry, I really was just too accepting with the two, encouraging their negative character traits.
Though she also assured me at the same time that this doesn't make me responsible for their actions on the night of Halloween. And every time this conversation came up, the Healer made sure to end it by reminding me of one of the many times that Ronald and Granger did stand by my side. Though the fact that this was mostly in times of dire need just made me doubt the friendships even more.
I do feel very glad that they are over now, but also feel very proud of Ron as he, according to various sources across Hogwarts, is really growing into his own, into someone I know the Weasleys will again be proud to call their own. And the fact that Ron is actually still staying with the Hyenas just because of his illness makes me really proud of my old friend.

Then Mrs. Johnson pulls my mind away and says: "Well, while you were at Diagon Alley, dear, did Amos and I go over the base contract that you wrote up with Angelina along with our partners. And I have to say, for someone who wrote this to protect herself against the creeps that are apparently out there, you are incredibly generous and caring with your offers in this, Jillian. We definitely spotted a few instances that proved you were being protective, but mostly it was really sweet."
At this I smile and say: "I did have the creeps and bastards in mind when writing about a quarter of the contract, but I also had myself and what I would want for my future in mind. So to be honest, when I put down stuff that would benefit my partner, I was really thinking like this is something I would want my partner to do for me. That and I was determined to make sure that, if I bind myself to someone, it would be for life."
"That is just beyond romantic, dear. And I can definitely see that when looking at this contract. Though I did hear that Amos needed Nella at one point while reading." At this we all turn to the man, who turns a little red as he says: "I – kind of took one of those rules you had obviously put up to protect yourself and your rights the wrong way and needed Nella to remind me I would have done the same for Cedric. Sorry about that, dear." Yet I just shrug and say:
"I don't mind. It proves how much you care for your son. To be honest, that might not be in the contract, but that was one of my personal wishes. For there to be a good, solid bond of love between my partner and their family." This makes everyone beam at me and I ask: "So, shall we move on with the contract?" To which Mrs. Johnson says:

"Yes, though I don't think we really need to go over every last line and rule anymore. Let's just discuss the ones we feel we need to and agree to leave the rest for what they are." At which everyone nods in happy agreement before dad asks: "I have an idea. How about we adapt the rules put down to protect Jillian against bastards so that they, instead, protect their bond against bastards, creeps and people who – ahem – disagree on this union?"
At this everyone nods in agreement and dad taps his wand to the contract that lies in front of him. And looking down at my own, do I notice several words at several spots all over the paper changing and being moved over to other spots on the contract. This takes only a few minutes and after it is done, do I read a few of the newly written sentences and smile at the changed results. "Now that we're done with that, there is one rule I would like to add to this contract.
I know you probably didn't think this rule to be necessary, Jillian, seeing as how you were trying to make this contract benefit you and your partner, but I want this added for one simple reason. There are two years between Cedric and Angelina graduating and your own. Because of this, do I want the following rule. At least one weekend a month is to be spent together with all three partners after the graduation of the two eldest."

Yet while I love the idea of this rule, do I say: "I think you missed one of my rules, Mr. Diggory. Upon the signing is the bonded couple to be allowed their own chambers within Hogwarts and while they may still wish to stay at their House Dorm, are they to spend at least (enter number here) amount of weekends a month together. And because it's the three of us, do I want one weekend with Angelina, one with Cedric and one with them both."
Mr. Diggory looks startled at this and goes back to reading his own version as dad says: "We already got the deal with Albus that this rule would remain implemented even if Jillian would bind herself to someone who would graduate before her." And Mrs. Johnson smiles at this before Mr. Diggory mumbles: "Ah, sorry, I guess I did miss that one." Making us smile at the man before Mrs. Johnson asks: "Onto another something. I noticed this one rule at the start of the contract.
A Vault is to be made for all partners of this union for them to use up to the graduation of all partners. However, the control of this vault is to be in the hands of the parents/guardians until the graduation of all partners. I definitely like and agree with this rule, but I would like to know how much money is to be in this vault, when it is to be refilled and how much you three will be allowed to take out at a time." To this I rub the back of my head and dad says:
"Jillian and I agreed that that would be discussed between the parents and Gringotts. We didn't put any amount in, because Jillian wanted to keep families like the Weasleys into account. And remember, Percy, Fred and George were there as well at the Announcement Party. That and I already warned Jillian beforehand that her family is much richer than most others." At this I remember the meeting with my Account Manager and rubs the back of my head again.

The meeting hadn't been just to sign an adoption form that Sirius had, apparently, set up in the second weekend after Halloween, but also so I could finally get my first chance to learn exactly what Lily and James left me. And when I first looked at the total amount of Galleons that were stored in all of the vaults that my family has been collecting over the centuries, did I almost faint and did dad need convince me for ten solid minutes before I believed it.
I did reassure the Goblin Account Manager that I didn't doubt his ability to manage my account or put the results of that managing in a report and explained him that I had been growing up at the bottom of the food chain with my Muggle relatives, who constantly complained about how much feeding and housing me cost them. The Goblin had been even more insulted at this and told me that, by order of my parents' last wishes, they had constantly sent the Muggles a small amount for my care.
And when I heard how much that small amount had been had I finally understood how Vernon, with his regular and simple job, was always able to make such expensive trips to Hawaii and other rich countries and how Dudley was always able to get all of the gifts that he kept asking for, regardless of their expensive prices. Instantly dad and I had demanded all of this money to be paid back to us, dad even demanding there be a 39% rent.
The Goblin had asked why 39 and dad had answered: "Because that's the amount of years they have been stealing from my late friends – times three. One time extra added for all three of them." And the Goblin had been only to happy to agree and comply with this. I had also found out that a lot of people in Magical England had actually demanded compensation for the gifts they kept sending me, gifts I never received and that the compensation came from my mother's vault.
This I myself had demanded back and I had told the Goblin: "For every time they refuse to pay me back, add a 14% rent and double that for every time as well. Fourteen percent the first time they refuse, twenty-eight for the second, forty-two for the third. And even if you reach 100%, do not stop. They only demanded that out of my mother's vault, because she is Muggleborn. I consider that both theft and a bad case of them insulting my mother and her sacrifice for me. I won't allow it." And the Goblin had viciously grinned at me as he had agreed to these terms.

I take a deep breath as I remember this and put one of my arms beneath the desk, touching the small roll of parchment that is in my pocket and that has the total amount of my vaults' monetary value written on it as dad had recommended I keep it on me until I could convince myself that, on a financial level, I was worth this much. "Though even that number pales in comparison to how much you yourself are worth to me, of course." The man had told me afterwards.
I turn slightly to look at both Cedric and Angelina respectively and think to myself: "I know I'm already worth a lot to both of them, they wouldn't have agreed to this union if I wasn't. I just wonder – will I ever be worth that much to them?" And as I think this do I know I don't just mean dad's words, but the amount of money written on that note in my pocket. "There is one thing I want to mention. Something I think we need to take into account, at least now that we've started all of this." Angelina says and this takes me out of my train of thought.
We turn to the girl and she says: "I have gone with Jillian to a total of two meetings that she has with her Mind Healer now and she allowed me to ask said Mind Healer how much and how well Jillian has recovered from that unnamed event back in Halloween, the one that wasn't mentioned in the Daily Prophet article. The Healer was very honest with me and, while I know it isn't part of the contract, do I feel that we need to discuss it, if nothing else."

This makes me grimace as I had really hoped that I wouldn't have to discuss that anymore during these meetings, but I know Angelina and I know she has my best interest at heart. She turns to Cedric and says: "I really hope you won't take offense to this, Cedric, but the Mind Healer told me that, the best way for Jillian to fully heal, is for her to be intimate with me first, then watch us be intimate and only be intimate with you when she feels ready.
This doesn't mean you can't do things like holding her hand or kissing her when you both feel ready, but – just be careful when you want to undress or when you want to – let's say – commit to this bond and only try that with me, not Jillian. It's not that – I'm sure – she doesn't want to, it's just that her meetings with her Mind Healer has convinced them both that she just isn't ready." Yet at this Cedric smiles at us both and says:
"Don't worry, girls. The minute I heard about that event, I already realized that myself. And I have a personal code. I don't sleep with anyone unless I am committed to them, have had several dates and they come to me. Heck, I have a few Muggleborn friends in my dorm and they told me that they are actually not going to commit until they get married and I was more than ready to, if either Jillian or you wanted that, have that added to the contract." At which both of us smile at him.

"Okay, I think that covers everything, doesn't it? The rules that benefit the trio as a whole have been agreed on to stay, the rules to protect Jillian are now rules meant to protect the three of them against creeps and bastards and there have been a few personal agreements made between them. I just have one last question. Amos, Lorraine, what do you think of the date and visit rule?" Dad asks the other two adults and Mr. Diggory smiles as he says:
"I think that date rule that says that at least one date is to be had between the couple a month is very nice and will prove a lot of those more Traditional Purebloods that Jillian respects their ways. And I definitely love the rule that states that spending the Easter, Summer and Winter break is to be divided between our three families. Nella was over the moon when she read this and actually looked as if reading it had cured her a bit of her fever."

At this Cedric starts to grin and he says: "And speaking of that date rule – Jillian, Angelina, would you two mind following me, please?" This confuses me and intrigues Angelina and we want to do as asked, but then Mr. Diggory says: "Just a minute, Ced. We need to sign these contracts first." And the slightly older and very handsome boy turns a slight shade of red, which really brings out the brilliant grey of his eyes. We all take a quill and ink pot from dad and the man says: "With this, we complete this union. So it is written, so shall it be known."
And I happily put the new signature that dad and I practiced yesterday morning before the other meeting on the bottom of my version of the contract. The others do the same and when everyone is done, do five of the six contracts light up and fly over to the sixth, which is in front of dad. They all merge together and when this is done, does the man roll up his version and put it in the inside pocket of his robe. "Can I?" Cedric asks and dad nods.

Angelina and I start to follow the boy out and while I walk past a few of the other students who are out and about, do I try not to feel uncomfortable as I suddenly notice how many of the girls are glaring at me and hissing things to their friends as they see me pass. "They're just jealous, Jill. Our Cedric is, after all, very handsome, very popular and a Hogwarts Champion. This was expected to happen." Angelina whispers at me reassuringly.
Cedric then slows down his pace a little and comes to walk in between the two of us, grabbing both of our hands and gently entangling his fingers with ours as he says: "And trust me, this is nothing compared to how the guys treated me after I came back from that Announcement Party. I actually lost two friends to their own jealousy because they accused me of having been picked over nothing more than my looks and my role in the Tournament."
This horrifies me and I want to stop, but Cedric just gently tugs at my arm and says: "Don't worry about it, Jill. I've been having arguments with them all summer and from time to time over the last few months. Those insults were just the last straw as I felt they insulted both me and you. I was furious with them for thinking you would have such a bland taste. I may not know you as well as Angelina does, but I know you're not a girl like that."

He glares at another group of girls, this one from Ravenclaw who are also glaring at me, and angrily snaps: "Unlike some people." And the girls look at him startled before I suddenly realize that we are heading up to the North Tower of the school. This intrigues me, but as we pass the entrance to Gryffindor common room does the Fat Lady suddenly open and a second later does Angelina have her wand out. And just in time as she instantly needs to block a nasty hex heading my way.
Cedric instantly pulls both his hands free and pulls out his own wand just as, to my shock, Parvati comes storming out of the portrait hole, her eyes blazing with rage and aimed my way as she screams: "YOU FILTHY LITTLE BITCH! MY DAD WAS PLANNING TO MEET WITH MR. DIGGORY TOMORROW AND NOW YOU RUINED IT! YOU RUINED MY CHANCES!" But before she can continue, does something happen.
Nearly Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron, the Grey Lady and the Fat Friar all float out of the walls of the Grand Staircase and fly right for the girl, the Baron and the Lady flying through her and causing her to shiver so badly she halts in her tracks and drops her wand before, to my shock, Nick and the Friar actually grab both her arms and raise her off the floor. "I – I didn't know the – the ghosts could do that." I whisper as I watch them work.
"Normally we can't, Jillian, but Lady Hogwarts gave us this power, at least until every last Hyena, like this little witch, has repented for their actions and returned to their former House." Nick says while I also notice Peeves coming out of the ground in front of me and picking up Parvati's wand. "Take it to McGonagall, Peeves. We will follow." The Baron then actually orders Peeves and the Poltergeist nods, but before they leave, does Cedric step forward and snarl:

"Let me make two things clear. One, no, my dad was not going to meet with your father tomorrow, because he knows that you are a Hyena. He was contemplating it, because he thought it meant your sister, but when he found out it was for you, he instantly declined the request. Two, I don't associate with Hyenas, especially not Lion-Hyenas.You have no right to be angry with Jillian for choosing me, that's what happens at an Introduction Party. You only have yourself to blame."
The ghosts all nod at this, the Fat Friar smiling in pride at one of his own Badgers and after they drift off, does Angelina move over and actually kiss Cedric on the cheek as she says: "And that is why the Goblet chose you as Champion and not me." Making both of us smile at her, but then suddenly the twins exit the portrait hole and Fred says:
"Hey Ced, I think the ghosts are going to be a little busier.""Yeah, it looks like something happened to your little date plan." And while I feel astounded at the thought that Cedric had already prepared a date site for us, does the Badger ask: "How do you know?" And the two aim inside with their thumbs as they chorus: "It got moved in here – and it looks a bit roughed up." Instantly Cedric gets angry and yet he turns to us first. "You're our partner, Ced. You can come in." Angelina tells him.
Cedric nods and we all climb inside. And the sight that greets me there looks horrible. What is supposed to be a gorgeous table for three with a silvery-white linen cloth and the usual golden plates that are always in the Great Hall and with a small chandelier in the center has been utterly destroyed, the linen ripped, the chandelier bent in half and the plates scratched and covered in mud.

Cedric snarls at the sight of this, but then takes a deep breath and actually calms himself down before he calls: "Challa?" And a small female House Elf appears in front of him. "Did they get to the food?" Cedric asks and the elf answers: "No Master Cedric sir. Challa take the food before they could.""Did you see the culprits? Can you identify them?" The House Elf nods at this and Cedric says: "Report them to their Heads of House. Thank you, Challa."
The elf nods again and then snaps his fingers before popping out. And to my shock does that one snap of the elf's fingers fix everything, returning the table to its former glory. Cedric sighs and says: "I would have preferred to have this date in the North Tower, but – if you girls are okay with it – ehm –." And while he falters, do Angelina and I smile before I say: "Give us five minutes so we may go dress for the occasion and just wait here. We'll be right back."
Cedric beams at us, making me gulp as the sight of his huge grin makes my heart skip a beat and makes my cheeks flush and Angelina giggles at seeing this before she pulls me up to her own dorm, my trunk actually appearing next to hers. "Let's give our man a reward for how obviously hard he worked on all this, shall we?" She asks and I nod, giggling myself at the term our man.

And about ten minutes later do I feel like I'm in paradise. The twins actually conjured a secrecy wall that is more or less similar to the shields that held them back on Halloween, but these still allow people to pass through them, just not for anyone outside the shield to hear what is being said inside it. I am dressed in my favorite dress and both Cedric, who seems to have changed as well, and Angelina look good enough to eat.
And under the intense enjoyment of Hogwarts' delicious cuisine, do we just simply talk and laugh and joke with each other. But what actually makes me feel as if I'm in paradise is not the scrumptious food, is not the funny jokes that Angelina and Cedric crack with each other. It's the way that the two look at me as the look actually reminds me of how Mr. Weasley looks at his wife and vice versa from time to time and makes me feel all warm inside.
"I made the right choices." I think to myself several times over and, when we finish a mouth-watering piece of treacle-tart, do I decide to prove this to not just my two new partners, but all of Gryffindor, especially because I feel sure that, if I do, it will be all over the rest of Hogwarts by dinner time if not sooner. And so, after cleaning my mouth with a napkin, do I get up and move over to crouch down between where Cedric and Angelina are seated.
The two turn to me and I, after taking a deep breath to gather my courage and while it feels as if I am sucking and absorbing all of the courage that is in the rest of the students around me, mutter: "You are mine. My future is yours, but you are mine." And while Cedric looks startled at this, does Angelina beam at me and this time, do I kiss Cedric first and Angelina second, both on the lips.

Okay, that was sweet.
Honestly, I was grinning throughout almost the entire chapter and I definitely plan to make the next chapter – which will cover the Yule Ball – just as precious and adorable for our new trio as the ending of this chapter. I just need some time to decide what I want the three of them to look like. And to be honest, I could use some help with that. WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DRESS LIKE FOR THE YULE BALL?
Let me know,

Venquine1990