A/N I've got at least another couple of chapters to go in this, but how far do people want me to push it? I can probably continue this story for quite a long time, but I don't want people to get bored with it.

I am thinking about a sequel where Harry and Hermione take on the wizarding establishment, but that will obviously be more political. For now, I will concentrate on True Love :) . Any thoughts on this appreciated.

Previously

"This is True Love... you think this happens every day?" said Harry smiling.

Harry and Hermione stayed in the Room of Requirement for another hour, sitting on the couch and snuggling. Since it was daylight and the room currently included windows that had the late autumn sun streaming in, neither noticed the slight golden glow that surrounded them. They were both blissfully happy and enjoyed the time, not thinking, just being. At the end of that time, with night starting to fall, they decided they needed to move.

As Hermione started to get up, Harry had a weird sensation in his head, it was as if he could feel Hermione's presence as she moved away from him. Hermione looked back at him, with a puzzled expression on her face. Harry looked at her, "Did you feel that as well?" Hermione stared back "Yes, it's like I can feel where you are…. even when my eyes are closed."

"OK, well that's officially weird," said Harry. "What could be causing it?"

Hermione looked slightly vacant as she cogitated. "A side effect of the ceremony? We don't know what the golden glow was yet." She smiled at Harry. "But…..I like knowing where you are." With that, she reached down and brushed his hair to one side to kiss his forehead. Suddenly she stopped and stared at his forehead, "Harry," she said urgently, "Your scar, it's gone!"

"What!" exclaimed Harry in surprise.

"Take a look" said Hermione, conjuring a mirror.

Harry examined his forehead and sure enough, his scar was completely gone except for a barely noticeable white outline. It had faded slightly after Voldemort's death, but had remained prominent and easily recognisable. Now, it was invisible unless you examined the area carefully from close range.

Harry then pulled up his sleeve to look at the scar from the Basilisk fang, Madam Pomfrey hadn't been able to remove it completely since it was caused by such a dark creature. Smooth skin greeted his gaze marred only by a small mark that looked for all the world like a Phoenix in flames.

Hermione gasped, "Harry, that's a Phoenix mark, it signifies you are worthy of being healed by a Phoenix. I looked it up after the chamber of secrets."

"Hermione, check my scalp, see if there's another one." Hermione parted his hair and sure enough there was a second mark.

They checked his other scars from battle wounds and a number were gone as well. "So all the scarring caused by dark magic has disappeared?" He said, "Maybe it's from Fawkes tears earlier today?"

"It seems that way," said Hermione who then paused. "I wonder" she said as she pulled out her blouse from her skirt and began to undo it from the bottom.

Seeing Hermione apparently starting to undress, Harry spun around and faced away from Hermione. "What are you doing?" he asked feeling surprised and somewhat embarrassed. Hermione still had an angry purple scar from where she was hit by Dolohov's purple curse in the Department of Mysteries. It stretched from her collarbone diagonally between her breasts to her other hip.

"I wanted to check my scar" she replied "It's OK, you can turn around and look, you would see more of me in a bikini."

Flushing slightly, Harry turned around to see Hermione with her blouse on the chair looking at her torso in a mirror while her top half was clad only in a bra.

Hermione smiled. "It's gone!" She hadn't been bothered by the scar, but was still been somewhat self-conscious about it.

Harry stared at her, stunned by her beauty.

Hermione grinned crookedly. "Like what you see?" she said.

Harry snapped out of his daze at the question and blushed scarlet with embarrassment. He looked at the floor and stammered "Her-Hermione I'm sorry. I shouldn't ha-"

Hermione interrupted, "Harry, it's OK." Walking over, she put a finger under his chin and pulled his head up so he was looking in her eyes. "Like I said, you would see more of me if I was wearing a bikini. Besides, if it's you looking, I don't mind at all." She said softly giving him a peck on the lips.

With that, they both tidied themselves up and headed for the library. Hermione wanted them to look up more on the blood bonding ceremony to try and understand what had happened. Since it had affected both of them it seemed unlikely that it was the Phoenix tears that had caused it.

The Headmistress was confused, she had felt a massive surge of magic earlier in the day. Positive energy to be sure, but she had no idea what had caused it. That concerned her as she worried about a possible threat to the students. It had stopped after about a minute and she could find no trace of it despite an extensive search of the castle. There might have been something near the Room of Requirement, but the room itself generated so much magic it was impossible to be sure. Meanwhile, in her former office, which new Deputy Headmistress Sprout wasn't using yet as she preferred to be near her greenhouses, a book glowed blue indicating a change had occurred.

Harry and Hermione walked into the library and grabbed a number of books on marriage bonds and blood rituals. With those in hand, they headed for Hermione's normal table. They seated themselves and started reading to try and determine what had happened to them. While they learnt a lot of interesting things, none of it seemed to apply to them.

After an hour or so, a first year Gryffindor student came to them and said that the Headmistress wished to see them in her office.

When they arrived there, they found Lavender and her parents there. After the introductions, Harry addressed Lavender's father. "Mr Brown, Hermione and I allowed details of what transpired to be published in the belief that Lavender had done things that hurt Hermione. We now find that this was not the case, but rather those events where due to the heinous acts of Ron Weasley. Even without Lavender's great assistance to us today, we would want to make this right. Please tell us what we can do to help?"

"Thank you, Heir Potter."

"Please, just Harry."

"Harry then, and please call me Brian." He replied. "As to what you can do, the details of Mr Weasley's trial will no doubt make the Prophet. However, Lavender is receiving abuse from the students. A show of support at dinner this evening will hopefully help matters. It may be embarrassing for Lavender, but that will pass."

Harry didn't even bother to look at Hermione, he could feel her approval of this course of action. "Of course Brian, we would be happy to help." Turning to the Headmistress he asked, "Professor, can you please call on me after the main course has finished and Hermione and I will say something then."

"Certainly, Mr Potter."

With that, Harry turned to Lavender and bowed. "Miss Brown," he said formally, "House Potter stands in your debt. If you, or your family, need my assistance, you have only to ask."

Hermione cleared her throat and they all looked at her. "Lavender, the muggle world has counsellors that help girls who have been raped. If you want, we can try to find a squib who is in that field if you think it would help you."

Lavender went over and hugged Hermione, "Thank you, I will see how I go. If I have trouble coping, I will tell you."

"Thank you, Heir Potter, Miss Granger" said Mr Brown who then bowed to acknowledge the obviously sincere offers.

Later at dinner, the students were abuzz as Harry, Hermione and Lavender entered the great hall together and sat next to each other. Although they were quiet there was no animosity between them. Some speculated that it was probably related to the arrest of Ron Weasley. Ginny had refused to comment on that and after a student received the Bat Bogey hex for enquiring about it, people st6opped asking.

After the main course, the Headmistress rose and addressed the students. "Earlier today, the former Ronald Weasley was arrested for crimes relating to the use of Love potions on two of his fellow students, Miss Lavender Brown and Miss Hermione Granger." There was a shocked gasp from the students and the noise level rose sharply.

"Quiet! I am not finished!" continued the Professor. "He will be tried before the Wizengamot in the next few days. I say the former Ronald Weasley as I understand that he has been cast out of House Weasley by his father."

"Now, I understand that Mr Potter wants to say a few words."

Harry stood and looked around the room. "You all know that Hermione and I believed Hermione had been wronged by Lavender's actions with Ron. We now know that this was incorrect, Lavender was a victim in this just as Hermione was. In fact, I stand in debt to Miss Brown as her actions today prevented any harm coming to Hermione." With that he bowed to Lavender before continuing. "You can probably understand that Hermione and Lavender are quite upset by events and don't wish to discuss them. Therefore you will understand that I will take it ill, if anyone treats them poorly over this or pesters them for information. Thank you." Standing next to Harry, Hermjone gave Lavender a hug.

Harry started to sit down and then stopped and straighened again. He whispered in Hermione's ear and she gave him a beaming smile and a nod. "Oh, you might also like to know that Hermione has agreed to be my girlfriend," said Harry smiling as Hermione gave him a peck on the lips.

This news received a very mixed reception. Whistles, catcalls and applause were heard from some of the students along with tight lipped stony expressions from some of the girls and outright glares at Hermione from others. Harry could feel Hermione's simultaneous happiness and embarrassment at the attention. He gave her a hug to reassure her. He couldn't understand why he felt like he was sensing Hermione's emotions, but he liked it.

After they had received congratulations from many students they headed back to the dorm and after sitting together snuggling and reading ahead on charms they headed for bed after a kiss.

Harry lay in bed and thought about his momentous day. He knew for certain that Hermione loved him and he loved her just as much. He had saved Hermione again and it appeared that that, combined with him asking her to be his girlfriend, had prevented Hermione from suffering mental trauma as a result of what might have happened.

'Girlfriend' he thought. He had known her for seven and a bit years now. He knew he was fantastically well suited to her and she for him and they loved each other. He suddenly thought, 'Why did I introduce her as my girlfriend? I should have introduced her as my fiancé. I'm certain we will be getting married.' With that, he resolved to discuss this with her in the morning.

The following morning, as Harry stirred, he felt a happy presence in his head. This puzzled him for a second until he realised it must be Hermione. As soon as he thought that, he also felt her presence about 30 metres away in what must be the girl's 7th/8th year dorm. She was moving around so Harry jumped up and grabbing a towel quickly showered and made his way down to the common room. Hermione was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled at him and said "I felt you coming down the stairs," as she slid his arm through his. Together they made their way down to the great hall. Given that it was only 7 o'clock on a Sunday morning, they had the room to themselves.

Harry thought about the decision he had made last night and turned to Hermione. Sensing his sudden nervousness, Hermione swung around on the bench toward him. "Harry, what's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing's wrong Hermione" he said. He was pretty certain that Hermione would say yes, but couldn't stop the butterflies in his stomach. "Hermione, we did the blood bonding ceremony, I don't have any doubts any more….. I'd like to go to Gringotts and let you pick a betrothal ring from the Potter vaults. Will you marry me?"

Hermione gaped for several seconds, her brain almost exploding as it tried to process what Harry had just asked. Harry got nervous and started to say "Forget I- "

"YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!" She screamed. With that Hermione jumped into his lap and kissed him for all she was worth. Again, they started to glow, but no-one was around to see it. After a while, remembering the rules on PDAs, Hermione sat down on the bench next to him. "When can we head for Diagon Alley?" she asked him eagerly. Harry smiled "We can talk to the Headmistress after breakfast." Since they were of age, they just had to notify her when they would be away from school, providing they didn't miss classes it wasn't an issue.

They didn't notice Luna walk in, so they missed the look of joy that crossed her face as she watched her friends. Luna had missed dinner the night before, being busy writing articles for the Quibbler, so this was the first time she had seen them since the infirmary. Harry and Hermione were a little surprised when she walked up and said "Congratulations!" Hermione smiled and said "Thanks Luna, how did you know?"

"It was obvious to me as soon as I walked in."

"But I only asked her to marry me a few minutes before you walked in."

Luna giggled to herself, 'they don't know!' she thought. 'Should I say anything? No, I'll let them find out themselves.'

"Oh, I'll let you tell everyone else. I'm sure things will become known to us all soon." She said with a smile.

That seemed a little mysterious to Harry and Hermione, but they put it down to Luna being Luna.

"We are going to go to Gringotts today to look at the Potter betrothal rings."

"I'm sure that will be an exciting experience! I always find out the most interesting things when I go there." Said Luna with her dreamy persona. 'I imagine it will be VERY interesting,' she thought.

Having not yet decided how to announce their betrothal, Harry and Hermione decided to simply tell the Headmistress that they needed to go to Gringotts. She allowed them to use the floo connection in her office and they went to The Leaky Cauldron. Walking down Diagon Alley was an experience as they had a continuous stream of people coming up and thanking them for defeating Voldemort.

"It's not like we did it on our own," whispered Harry to Hermione.

"I know" said Hermione, "but we were the most visible face. I know it's not fair on the others, but that's the way it is. Maybe we can use the fame to do something good in the future."

"I hope so, because at the moment I don't see an upside to it." Replied Harry.

Soon enough, they arrived at Gringotts. The guards on the front door, on seeing Harry, brought their weapons up in a salute as a mark of respect. Harry bowed to them both in acknowledgement of the honour.

Once inside, Harry asked to go to the main Potter vault. They arrived at the vault after the usual exhilarating ride which caused Hermione to cling tightly to Harry, an event that Harry greatly appreciated.

Opening the vault, they walked to where Harry knew the Potter rings were kept. Opening the first of the boxes, Harry showed them to Hermione. Pointing to a matching set of a betrothal and two wedding rings. These were mum and dad's, unless you like something better, I would like you to wear those. We will swap the betrothal for the wedding ring when we get married." He said smiling broadly. He felt a wash of love from Hermione when he said that.

"Oh Harry, it's beautiful, I would love to wear it," breathed Hermione.

Picking the ring up, Harry dropped to one knee. Looking up at her he said. "I want to do this properly…." Holding the ring up to her, he asked "Hermione Jean Granger, will you make me the happiest wizard in Britain by agreeing to become my wife?"

Hermione beamed "I think I will be an even happier witch," she said softly. "Yes, I would love to become Mrs Potter." Harry grinned and felt her love wash over him as his washed over her. Standing, he carefully put the ring on her left hand. He frowned, the ring should have resized itself to fit Hermione's finger from what he had been told. But it was just sitting there, loose on her finger.

Hermione sensed Harry's concern and asked what was wrong. "The ring should have resized to fit your finger and given a flash of magic to acknowledge it had accepted you."

"Let's try another one," he said. He slipped a different ring on her finger but the same thing happened. Hermione began to worry, was the Potter family magic refusing to accept her as Harry's betrothed?

Sensing her concern, Harry reassured her. "It's probably just something else I have to do first that I haven't done. I wasn't expecting to do this any time soon and I haven't gotten the details yet. Let's go and ask Bloodfist, my account manager."

This calmed Hermione down, although she remained a little concerned. They grabbed the tray of rings and went back up to the main bank area. There they were shown to the Potter account manager's office. Entering, they both bowed to Bloodfist, "May your gold flow" they said in unison. "And may your enemies fall before you like wheat before the scythe," replied the goblin. After they were seated, Bloodfist said "I understand congratulations are in order."

"Yes, thank you," they both replied with smiles on their face.

Harry then explained the issue they were having with the rings.

Bloodfist looked at them with a confused expression on his face. "Why are you trying to use the betrothal ring when you are already married?"

Harry and Hermione sat there with identical stunned expressions on their faces for several seconds before Hermione blurted out, "What do you mean we're married?"

A/N So there we have it. It was probably fairly predictable, but I wasn't trying very hard to disguise it 😊 Next we will see reactions and Ron's trial.

I've also added an Omake as a separate story. It relates to Ron's arrest, I decided it didn't fit the rest of the story as it's somewhat violent.