A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Re-edited and Proofed 23 Jul 2022

-oOo-

Chapter 13

-oOo-

August 16, 1996

Sark, UK

It was a very hot day. His Aunt said it was probably going to be the hottest day of the summer and he was happy to be in the sky. Ron was screaming up and down the length of the island over the fields on Harry's Firebolt. He was hovering about a hundred feet or more up. Hermione was reading on his patio while Lavender was on his Nimbus watching Ron.

"Merlin, how fast does that go?" Lavender asked, her eyes not coming off the redhead.

"Fast enough," Harry chuckled.

"Why aren't you racing him?" she queried.

Harry was watching Ron wobble a little. He was a Goalkeeper, and it showed. A Chaser or Seeker wouldn't hesitate and would adjust for the air currents without thinking at those speeds, not fight them like Ron was. "Don't want too. This broom would win."

She looked at him. "When did you and Hermione start going out."

"July twenty-eighth." He didn't hesitate.

"I'm glad you asked her out. Parvati and I had been encouraging her." Harry figured being dorm mates, they watched out for each other like his dorm mates did.

"I was too barmy to realize it."

She smiled. "I know many think her over the top, but she really is nice."

"Pretty too."

"I always told her that," Lavender commented.

Ron came up to them with a huge smile on his face. "That was wicked," he said.

"You didn't crash, so that was better than I thought," he told his friend.

"Bloody Git," Ron exclaimed, his smile not falling. "You want to fly a little bit?" he suggested to Lavender.

"You coming, Harry?" she asked.

"I'm going to check in on Hermione. Don't stay up too long, the water will be low enough to go swimming soon," he told them.

"Come on, Lav. Once around?" Ron egged Lavender on.

She smiled at him and they took off.

Harry turned his broom and quickly dove down to his girl. She looked up and smiled as he pulled up short and drifted over to her, just above the ground, but not getting off his broom.

"Having fun?" she queried.

"It would be better if you came up," he told her.

She eyed him. "Not today. Where did Ron and Lav go?"

She had flown with him twice now, sitting behind him and holding him with a death grip.

"They were going for a fly around and then we are going down to Adonis pool today. I think Venus pool will be busy."

She motioned for him to move closer. He hovered to the side of her chair. She took his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he put an arm around her waist and pulled up. "Harry," she said breaking out of the kiss just enough to chastise him.

"We could fly there," he told her. She was now a few feet off the ground, holding onto his neck as he held her around her waist. "Down. Please," she pleaded.

He lowered her down. "Not trying to scare you," he said touching the ground and holding his broom.

She still had her arms around his neck and shivered. "You won't let me fall?" she questioned in a quiet voice.

"Never," he told her, kissing her again. Her tongue quickly met his and they only stopped when Ron cat whistled at them. Harry stuck his arm out with a two-finger salute.

Ron started to laugh, and Hermione playfully hit him. "Harry James!"

Lavender was giggling. "I never pictured you to just snog in the open."

"It is not in the open. You only saw us because you are flying," Hermione stated.

Harry shrugged. "I prefer privacy, but I will let anyone know I am dating Hermione."

"Should we show them how it's done?" Ron asked.

Lavender looked at him. "Later. It's hot. Did you say we could go swimming?"

"Yeah. Let's put the brooms away and we can walk over," he told them.

"I thought you were going to fly?" Hermione probed.

"You hate flying."

"You promised not to drop me?"

He smiled at her. Harry reached for the satchel with their stuff. Prim had helped him pack a picnic, towels and a blanket. He mounted his broom. "Ready?"

"No," she said climbing on behind him.

"Oh, I want to do that," Lavender said.

"Just don't scratch up my broom," he told them as Ron landed and she climbed behind Ron.

Hermione buried her face into his back and held him tight around his midsection. He didn't fly high or fast. even at the sedate pace, it took a moment to fly, instead of the almost fifteen-minute walk. He saw the people waiting at Venus pool. Adonis Pool was more of a local place and hard to get to. They landed on the rocks overlooking the pool.

"Harry, this island is beautiful," Lavender said.

"Ron and you are always invited."

He put his prized possessions into the satchel. "Swimming or lunch first?"

"Swim," Hermione said taking her shirt off.

Harry really liked this girl. He took his shirt off and noticed Ron looked a little red to see Lavender in a muggle one piece. He thought it flattered her, but his eyes were for Hermione. Harry raised his brow at his friend when he caught Ron looking at his girlfriend.

Ron looked away.

Hermione took his hand. "Don't want you falling," she said cheekily.

"I can see well enough to walk," he told her.

"Come on, Won Won," Lavender said

Harry laughed, knowing his friend was probably beat red. They walked to the edge of the rock. It was a ten-foot drop to the deep pool. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yes," Hermione said jumping and pulling him in.

"HEY!"

They jumped into the cool water. When they came back up, Lavender was screaming as she jumped in. Hermione came over and wrapped her arms around his neck while she floated behind him. She chuckled as the other two spluttered in the cold water.

"Merlin! This is cold, Harry," Ron complained.

"You get used to it."

Hermione put her mouth next to his ear. "It's warm like this," she said. He felt her chest pressing into his back as he treaded water.

He shivered at the sensation.

They swam for a while before getting out. Lavender was shivering and Ron wrapped a towel around them as Harry laid out a blanket and Hermione started to get the food out.

"So, where are we going tonight?" Ron asked.

"The Saucy Serpent," he told them.

"Can we take them to Reserve Park too?" Hermione requested.

"You mean can I take you," he prompted. Harry knew how much she liked it there.

"That too," she responded.

"What is Reserve Park?" Lavender looked curious.

Hermione explained. Lavender looked really excited while Ron eyed him. Harry shrugged and Hermione sidled into his side as they ate.

"Everyone is going to be surprised when we get back," Lavender said looking at them.

Hermione smiled. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm not going to hide it," he told her.

Ron laughed. "I can't wait to see the shocked expressions."

"Be polite. I don't want to hurt Susan anymore," Hermione said quietly to him.

"There are going to be a lot of girls envious of you," Lavender warned.

"They can't have him," Hermione said rather possessively and she wrapped an arm around his back.

"Those love potions have been selling at the store. Fred almost can't brew enough," Ron said. "I saw a few girls by them that usually look at you."

Harry made a face. "I will confiscate and destroy any bottle I find."

"You won't find any here," Ron said, kissing Lavender on the temple. She smiled and moved to give him a kiss on the lips.

Hermione moved and he met her lips briefly. He liked she was still in her bikini. Maybe later he would get up the courage to do more than snog her.

"Do you want to head over to Guernsey early? We don't have reservations until six," Harry asked.

"Sounds good," Lavender said, kissing Ron again before getting up.

It was a short flight back and Hermione took Lavender while Ron stayed at his place.

"Hey, Ms. Flint," Ron said as they walked in the door.

"Hello, Ron. You lose the girls?" Aunt Bel queried. A bolt of cloth was on the table, and she was laying patterns on it.

"They are getting ready to go out at the Bakers. You have your workshop," Harry told her.

"I already have three other projects on my benches. I need to get this cut and ready to sew. Are you busy tomorrow?" she asked.

"We are going to Nev's Sunday," he told her. "Hermione is going back home on Wednesday." He was sad about that. It had been weeks with her at his side every day.

"If you can stay around tomorrow, I can start showing you some of my secrets. Hermione is invited too. Are you staying over tonight, Ron?"

"Wicked," Harry said with a smile.

Ron shrugged. "Wasn't planning on it, but I could. Would just need to let mum know."

"We may be back late if we go to Reserve Park," Harry told him.

"What about Lavender?" his aunt asked.

"We'll ask," Harry said.

They took showers and got ready. Shortly before they were to leave, Harry was polishing down his Thunderwave while Ron was leafing through the pile of Quidditch Monthly's.

"Think we can go swimming again tomorrow?" he proposed.

"Maybe. If my aunt wants me to work, she'll start early," he told Ron.

"I hope so. Lavender was hot in that swimming costume."

Harry swore he still felt where Hermione's body had pressed against him when they had kissed in the water. "Yeah, Hermione is pretty."

"Bloody hot too, if you ask me. Think she could get Lav to wear something like that," he said turning a page.

"Keep your eyes off Hermione," he warned.

Ron chuckled. "You can have her. I am just thinking of what Lav would look like."

"Horny berk," Harry shook his head.

"Have you seen my girlfriend?"

"Yeah, and she's all yours Won Won."

Ron's neck heated up. "Shut it," his best mate said.

Harry made sure there were no nicks before hanging the Thunderwave on the wall. He would get the Firebolt and his Nimbus tomorrow. "You ready?" he asked.

Ron looked at his watch. "Only been a little over an hour. The girls can't be ready yet."

"Hermione will be."

Ron put the magazine down and rolled off his bed. "Sure."

Mrs. Granger met them at the door. "There almost ready, if you want to come in?"

"Thank you," he said, and they sat in the sitting room, waiting for the girls. Harry was sure Hermione was ready and just waiting on Lavender.

"Ron, was it?" Jane enquired.

"Yes, ah, Jane," Ron said.

"How did you do on your OWL's this year?" Jane asked.

Ron smiled. "Seven. An Outstanding in DADA, four EE's and two A's."

"You fail Divination?" Harry queried.

"And Magical History," he said. "I won't be able to go for the Auror's Academy now."

"Why is that?" Jane asked.

"You need an outstanding in Potions to take NEWT level. I only got an Exceeds Expectations and that's probably because Harry made me study with him," Ron said.

"I'm not doing potions either. You only doing four NEWTS then?" he asked.

"Five. I can still get into Magical Creatures with an Acceptable. So, it will be Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, DADA and Creatures. Dad said there is a lot of jobs in the Creatures Departments I could go for if I still want to get into the Ministry."

"Well, you will have Harry and Hermione in Charms and Transfiguration," Jane said.

"How well did you do?"

"Hermione and I each got ten," Harry said a little abashed. He didn't want to feel like he did so much better than his best mate, but Ron didn't work as hard as him.

Ron snorted. "Not surprised. What are you doing?"

"I actually decided to go with six," he said.

Jane's eyes widened. "I thought you were doing seven?"

"I really want to spend time on my research and don't want to give up my Captain's or prefect badges," he said. Hermione and him had received their letters and stipends yesterday from the ICW. They each had two papers due by June 1st if they were to be considered again next year. "I am doing DADA, Charms, Transfiguration, Ancient Magics, Runes and Advanced Arithmancy. I decided not to do Creatures. I sent in a letter this morning."

"Does Hermione know?" Jane asked.

"We talked last night."

"Does Hermione know what?" the girl in question coming into the room.

He looked up and smiled. She was in a yellow strapless dress that ended halfway up her calf, showing off her legs and shoulders he wanted to kiss. Her brown eyes caught his and they looked satisfied at his reaction.

"Bloody hell," Ron said in awe. He looked at Lavender and she was in a nice red dress that Harry had to admit emphasized her curves.

Jane shook her head and chuckled. "Harry was just saying he dropped a class for this year," she said.

Hermione nodded. "I know. We talked last night."

"Did you?" her mother asked.

"No. I don't play quidditch and figure I will have some extra time," she said.

Lavender smiled. "Ron got seven owls," she said with pride. Seven or eight was nothing to scoff at.

"And how did you do?" Hermione asked.

"Six, but I got five EE's and an A," she said.

"What are you doing for classes?"

"Divination, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Charms and Herbology. Mum wants me to do five, so I have options. You ready to go? We can talk about Hogwarts later."

Hermione looked like she was going to say something, but he moved in and took her hand. "You look beautiful," he said kissing her forehead before pecking her lips.

Hermione's eyes sparkled. "You don't look bad yourself."

"Harry asked if we were staying over tonight. Are your parents expecting you back?" Ron asked.

"I need to go home. My mum wants me to go to a high tea tomorrow," she said, not sounding pleased.

"I'll take you home then. Harry, mind if I stay over another time?"

"Sure, Ron."

It was a fun time as they wandered in and out of Muggle and wizard shops. Lavender wasn't totally naive of muggle stuff, but she had not done something like this. Hermione teased her as she took ten minutes enthralled with an electric torch and then Ron and her marvelled at a television in the window of an electronics store.

"How do they do that? Is it a pensive?" Ron asked confused.

"Electronics," Hermione said.

"Dad would love that," Ron told them. "It even has a cord. That is what you call it, right?"

Harry shook his head. Last time he was at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley had been yelling at Mr. Weasley about him taking out his car. Personally, he thought it had been brilliant and knew that others around Europe would be interested in getting one.

Lavender was looking the other way as they approached the Saucy Serpent and screamed when she turned to see it swimming close by. Ron pulled her in close while he laughed.

Ms. Blake was not there today, but Margaret met them. She was very pleasant, and they all had a great time, spending a while there. Ron looked uncomfortable when Harry signed the check for the draft. Ron had helped him earn some of the money for the Firebolt, so Harry figured they were even now.

They were out early enough to stop in a bookstore. Ron and Lavender did not want to come in, so they wandered for a bit before they went to Reserve Park. Hermione pressed her back into his front as Ron and Lavender wandered around.

"Harry?" Hermione tried to get his attention.

"Yeah," he said. The sun had just set, and they were waiting to see the flowers open.

"Do you think we will still be together at Christmas?" she asked.

He nuzzled his nose into her hair. "Unless you are tired of me, I plan to be together for many Christmases."

She tightened her grip on him. "I don't see myself getting tired of you. Dora asked me to be a bridesmaid. I haven't answered her yet."

"I was going to ask you to go anyways," he told her.

She shifted so that she could look in his eyes. "Would you come to a dinner at my house next weekend?"

"Yes. Just tell me what time. I can make sure Hedwig is at your house Friday if you need. A week and a half of not seeing you is going to be long."

"Torturous," she agreed.

Her brown eyes were pools of desire and emotions he liked. He leaned down to kiss her. His tongue brushed her lips and she quickly met him with her tongue. Merlin, she felt good pressed into him!

"Oh," they heard Lavender exclaim.

Hermione smiled against his lips. "Think they found the faeries," she said.

"Can we just kiss some more?" he asked, and she rammed her lips to his.

-oOo-

August 18, 1996

Morpeth, England

Hermione was holding his hand as they walked out of the large country manor. Neville had a wicker basket in his hands as they headed towards a row of greenhouses.

"Gran wants to grab you into the tea this afternoon. I would run before she knows you're hear," Neville warned him.

"I am not changing my mind," Harry told him.

"I agree. I am doing the same. You and Aunt Bel were right. The ICW is getting really upset and now with Dumbledore sacked, Gran thinks its sooner than later," he said.

"What do you mean Dumbledore was sacked?" Hermione asked.

"The ICW removed him as Supreme Mugwump. Once that happened, all those around Malfoy were able to get a Vote of no Confidence. He was stripped of Chief Warlock Friday and Gran said there is a petition on the Board of Governors. She is willing to sign it only if McGonagall accepts being Headmistress," Neville said.

"Bloody hell," Harry said. "We've been busy, and I haven't picked up a paper all week."

"Hasn't been in the papers yet, but I know Aunt Bel still hears many things."

"This is big. What happens if something gets through with Dumbledore gone?" Hermione asked.

"You could file for temporary residency with the Counsel if you plan to spend a week on Sark over Christmas," Harry told her.

"Think I want to also," Neville said.

"We have an extra room or two," Harry told his cousin.

"What does this mean if McGonagall becomes Headmistress?" Hermione speculated. "I know she's wanted to change things."

Neville shrugged as he unlocked a door and let them in. The greenhouse was about a hundred feet long and filled with hundreds, if not thousands of plants and flowers.

"Oh, this is beautiful," Hermione said.

"Thank you. My elves help keep them up when I'm at school," he said.

Hermione squeezed his hand. "Neville is like me. He never orders them."

Neville frowned. "Gran and I got into a fight over that beginning of summer. Pansy, Tinker and Maybelle are my elves, and I will not order them around. They take care of all this because I ask. I won't let her shut down these greenhouses and she had enough to take care of the manor."

"I wish they could be freed," Hermione told them.

"I know, beauty," he soothed.

Neville went to a plant that rang like small bells. After a snip, he handed it to Hermione. "Figure you'd like this," he said with a smile.

"What is it," she took it and as she did, the half dozen bell shaped flowers tinkled. She started to examine it.

"Bell ringing lilies. From Nicaragua. My grandfather collected them on one of his trips in the America's," Neville said.

"Does it have any potion qualities?" she asked.

Harry laughed and she looked at him curiously. "I think he just gave it to you to be nice."

Harry felt no danger or jealousy towards his cousin. Neville was too polite, and Harry knew he liked someone else. "Not sure."

"What?"

He continued watching her as she examined the plant.

"Nothing," he said.

She gave him a look as Neville moved through the greenhouse. "What are you getting all these flowers for?" Hermione asked.

"Just because," Neville said, sounding flustered.

"Is Hannah coming over?" Harry queried.

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Harry chuckled. "Nev's liked her for a while," he said.

"She's a really nice person," Hermione told the blonde boy.

"Pretty too," Harry said. Hermione regarded him. "What, I can't say another girl looks nice? You're the only one I want to kiss, and you are beautiful."

Neville chuckled. "I was going to offer you a shovel, but you don't need one."

Hermione moved in. "I better be the only girl."

"You are," he said, leaning down to kiss her. It was a sweet kiss.

Neville snipped a few more flowers. "Should I leave you here?" Neville teased.

"Sorry," Harry said, seeing his cousin looked uncomfortable.

"It's nice to see you two happy. I want to go up and get these ready," he said.

Hermione looked a little abashed.

Up in the manor, Neville led them to a stairway and up to a room with a wall of windows. Plants were all over the room, as were a few workbenches and places where things were drying or being cured.

"My mum's old workshop," Neville said.

Harry frowned. "Any change?" he asked.

Hermione looked curious, but kept her mouth shut.

Neville frowned and his eyes pinched. "You know there isn't," Neville said.

Harry nodded. "You want me to go with you before we go back?"

Neville sighed. "I would never ask."

"But it's better than going with Great Aunt Augusta," he said.

"Yeah."

When Neville moved to a bench on the far side of the room, Hermione whispered, "What happened to his parents? I thought them dead."

"Uncle Frank and Aunt Alice are in St. Mungo's. A group of Death Eaters tortured them into insanity shortly after my parents died," he said sadly.

Hermione gasped and put a hand to her mouth. "I didn't know."

"Neville doesn't like to talk about it and most seem to forget what happened at the end of the war."

"You going to see your parents soon?" Neville asked.

"We'll all go Friday before we go back," Harry said.

"You didn't tell me you were going to your parents grave," she questioned him.

Harry shrugged. "We go before we go back to school since I can't on Halloween."

She squeezed her hand. "You want me to come?"

Harry looked out the window as Neville worked. "I'm not really a good person to be around on that day."

"I would like to go. I would like to go for Neville too," she said.

Harry gave a heavy sigh. "We meet in Godric's Hollow about nine," he said.

Neville walked up to them. "I was going to visit my parents Wednesday. We could meet for lunch and then head over."

"The Leaky Cauldron or you want to go to that pizza place Aunt Bel would take us too," Harry asked.

"Pizza," Neville said.

A bell went off. "They are arriving. You want to come meet everyone or just go to the Games room?" Neville offered.

He gave another heavy sigh. "I have to face them at some point."

Neville took the flowers he had put into a nice arrangement and led the way.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.

"I will be seeing many of these people again, unless you don't ever want to see Neville or a few of our other friends?" he countered.

"Neville is my friend and your cousin."

They followed him to the large entry hall. Great Aunt Augusta was immediately recognizable with her stuffed vulture hat. She was talking with Madame Bones. The blonde hair Mrs. Abbot and her husband stood nearby. Harry didn't recognize many of the others as they came by Floo, but he recognized some of their children.

The Greengrasses, Patils, Corners, Smiths and Davis.

"Neville, this isn't just a tea."

Neville blinked. There must have been twenty or more families in the entry hall. "This is much of the people Gran deals with in the Wizengamot. If you want, the fire in my father's study still works."

He was about to run when Great Aunt Augusta saw him, and then Madame Bones and others. Harry couldn't leave now she saw him. Where he might fear Aunt Andi only because he never wanted to disappoint her, Harry had never cared much for Great Aunt Augusta, and until he turned seventeen, she could potentially go after him. He was grateful that the Wizarding Child Services went to Aunt Bel first.

She motioned for him to come down as her elves took their classmates and other younger children and many of the guests moved into a large ball room.

"If you want to go, you can," he said to her.

"You are my boyfriend, and I won't leave you," Hermione said taking his hand.

"I'm not acting," he told his cousin, who had stood tall and looked more a proper boy of society.

Neville nodded and they walked down. His Great Aunt tapped her foot as they came close, and she didn't look pleased with him. Madame Bones and another woman with dark hair and looking much like Daphne Greengrass was waiting for them. "Good afternoon, Great Aunt Augusta," Harry said.

"Harry," she said with a certain coolness, her voice laced with anger. "When did you get here?"

"About an hour ago, Gran," Neville said.

"I wasn't talking to you, Neville. We will talk later. Where is Belvina?"

"At home working," Harry told her.

"Did you receive my owl about today?"

"I did not. I don't know about Aunt Bel," he said.

"She is your representative until you take up your rights at seventeen. It was made clear she was to be here."

"Great Aunt Augusta, I am renouncing my Scion rights. We came to visit Neville and I think we will be going," he told her.

"I received the notice and will contest it," his Great Aunt said.

"You can talk to Uncle Ted. I have made my decision," Harry answered. He knew this would happen at some point, he had just hoped it would wait a year or ten.

"Harry, you will treat me with respect before my guests,"

Hermione nudged him and he stifled his sigh, standing tall and putting one hand over his stomach and the other behind his back. "Yes, Great Aunt Augusta. Please excuse me," he said, doing a half-bow to each of the Ladies. "I would appreciate the same."

Aunt Bel had made sure he knew how to act. Technically, his House was higher than any of theirs and should be controlling the situation, but he was still underage. Just over eleven months and then he could tell them all to sod off.

His Great Aunt took in a breath. "You are correct," she said, not sounding pleased. "Madame Bones and Lady Greengrass, my Great-nephew, Harry Potter. Who is this young woman with you?"

"May I introduce Ms. Hermione Granger? I am Escorting her." It took some willpower to hide his annoyance at his Great Aunt.

Madame Bones and his Great Aunt pursed their lips. Lady Greengrass tilted her head just a bit, as though observing a curiosity.

"Mr. Potter, we received a notice this week as well. Are you really renouncing your Lordship?"

"Lady Greengrass, I am. If you received a notice, I can only assume it was sent by the Ministry or my uncle, who is my solicitor," Harry told her.

"It is the same notice we all received. You are not to give up your Lordship. The Potters have been in the Wizengamot..."

"Great Aunt Augusta, that is not your decision."

"It is very much my decision. I am a Potter from my mother and have a say what happens, as does the other senior relatives and your liege-houses."

"I'm afraid you don't," he told her. "The last senior relatives died when my parents were murdered. You are the daughter of my great-grandfather's sister, Great Aunt. Aunt Bel is my representative, and she agrees with my decision."

"This is not the time to talk about this, Augusta. You have the whole alliance here and we need to talk about events of the last week," Madame Bones said.

Harry felt like the stuffed vulture was staring at him as hard as his Great Aunt. She let out a huff. "You are correct, Amelia. Harry, you are to mingle with the other children of the Alliance, and we will talk later."

"Great Aunt, if you want to talk of this, you know Uncle Ted is my solicitor," Harry told her. "I am not changing my mind."

She looked less than pleased with him. "You better be here when this is done," she told him.

Harry frowned as she walked away. Lady Greengrass just stood there. Harry huffed. "I apologize for being rude, Lady Greengrass."

She shook her head. "James was just the same at your age. You look so much like him, except with Lily's eyes."

"Thank you, ma'am," he said, feeling his anger go down.

"And you, Ms. Granger, I have heard as much about you as your Escort. Daphne holds you in high regards. She did not mention how beautiful you are."

"Thank you, ma'am," Hermione said. "Daphne has been a very good study partner and is very pretty."

The woman smiled. "I will have her extend an invitation to you, if you wish."

"If she wants," Hermione replied.

Lady Greengrass took her handbag and opened it. "Mr. Potter, I can only assume Theodore Tonks is your uncle?"

"Yes, ma'am. You can call me Harry."

She nodded. "You mentioned you have filed to renounce your Lordship?"

"Yes."

Taking out an envelope, she held it out for him. "My husband was going to take up the notice sent to most of us at this meeting. The Potters are stepping down from the Wizengamot and we were notified that the House of Greengrass was still considered a vassal House. No Potter has called it in generations, but with you stepping down, we are now going to be recognized as a House of standing. You may not realize it, but your decision is going to make some large changes, and I think for the better. Could you give this to your uncle?"

Harry took it.

"Lady Greengrass, what changes?" Hermione asked.

"I am unsure if your Escort knows, but the Potters have five Vassal houses. A Vassal House can be elevated to the Wizengamot, but not into the Peerage. With you stepping down, Harry, that raises us into the Peerage and now gives us an equal number of Houses in the Peerage and allows other Houses to be elevated. Part of this meeting is to discuss your decision. Your Great Aunt and a few others are not as... enamoured with this, but I think that is only because of their beliefs in Blood, even if they are known as progressives. I can only hope this shift in power will help keep the ICW away long enough for us to make a positive change."

She looked at them. "The House of Greengrass may no longer be a Vassal of House Potter, but House Potter will always be welcome. There is a long history between our Houses and debts we owe you."

Harry shook his head. "I filed for release of all debts."

Her smile was more genuine. "Not all debts are by contract or magic, Harry. Your father saved my husband when we were just married, and your mother was a friend from school. Ms. Granger, the same is extended to you. Daphne really has enjoyed her time with you, and I would encourage a friendship if you are amenable?"

"You are welcome out to Sark whenever you need."

"I will look into it. I hear your aunt is very skilled in making garments."

"Yes, ma'am. I help and will apprentice with her next summer," Harry said.

"Do you plan to follow your aunt?"

"I would like to."

The woman nodded. "Scion Longbottom, I heard you made ninth this year? I also hear you are quite skilled in Herbology."

Neville smiled. "Yes, Lady Greengrass."

"Not a bad standing. Are you going onto your NEWTs in Herbology?"

"Défense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration and Potions."

"You got an Outstanding in Potions?" Harry was shocked. He hadn't asked him yet.

Neville blushed. "Thanks to Hermione and Daphne," he said.

"Daphne has much to say about you, Scion Longbottom. She has nothing but praise for your Herbology skills. Could I ask for your help to tutor Astoria in Herbology, and perhaps Potions?"

Neville looked shocked. "If she would like," he responded.

"Good. I shall have her send you an owl and if you have time, you can come over next week. Perhaps you might be interested in looking at our greenhouses while there. By the look of some of those flowers in your hand, I would say I could consider some trades, or contracts," she said.

Neville smiled. "I will ask Gran. She may be interested in a contract."

"Are you seventeen soon?"

"Next July," he said.

She regarded him. "Perhaps I will send you a correspondence and we can work a deal out by next summer. I would prefer to deal with the Scion of the House. Augusta and I don't always see eye-to-eye."

"I will look for it," he said surprised.

She nodded. "If you would excuse me, I should join the meeting. Harry and Hermione, I do hope you stay. I know Daphne would like to see you, Hermione. Scion Longbottom, I will send you an owl by tomorrow."

Harry and Neville bowed as she left. When she opened the door into the ball room, it was loud with talk.

"What just happened?" Neville questioned when she shut the door behind her.

"I think if Hannah says no, you have another date next week," Harry said with a smile.

Neville blinked and Hermione put a hand on his arm. "I told you that other girls were looking at you."

Neville rubbed the back of his neck. "Merlin."

-oOo-