A/NSo it's been a longer wait than normal for this chapter, but I'm afraid Real Life™ has intruded a lot on he last couple of weeks.

Oh, in case anyone wondered about it, I based the magical index on the I.Q. scale, so a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

Previously

Within seconds, they were surrounded by the golden glow of their bond. Pulling back from Hermione, Harry looked at the glow and said "You know, if this keeps happening, it's going to be awfully hard to sneak a kiss around here."

Harry and Hermione walked up to the castle and immediately made their way into the Room of Requirement, commanding it not to open for anyone else. This room, more than anywhere else in Hogwarts felt like home to Harry. More so even than the Gryffindor common room.

They sat down and, unconsciously, Hermione snuggled into Harry who put his arm around her. Although they had taken in everything that Bloodfist had told them, they had still been somewhat stunned by the news. As a result, it wasn't until they sat down and relaxed that their brains, particularly Hermione's, began to work began to work at their accustomed pace.

As a result, a few minutes later, Hermione suddenly sat bolt upright and turned to Harry. "Harry, we're married!"

Harr just gave her a lazy smile that almost split his face, "yes, I know."

"No, no, no you don't understand. There's so much we have to work out. I need to plan, I need some parchment, I need to- Wha-"

Harry knew that when Hermione got like this it was almost impossible to derail her, so he sat up, leaned over and kissed her. Hermione sat frozen for a few seconds trying to process the interruption before she finally moaned and started kissing him back as she felt his love for her through the bond. After a minute or so, Harry pulled back and said "Better?" Hermione simply nodded, a smile on her face.

Holding Hermione's hand, Harry said "Hermione, you don't have to do anything."

"But" she interrupted before he held up a hand and silenced her with a finger on her lips.

"We" continued Harry, "have to work it out. We have to plan." He smiled again, "you said it yourself my love, we are a team."

Between sensing his feelings and his words, Hermione just about melted into goo. She said "Oh Harry" as she moved herself onto his lap and curled up, her head on his chest sighing with contentment as their feeling mingled through the bond.

After a few minutes she uncurled, standing up and stretching, "Come on Harry" she said as concentrated briefly. A table and chairs appeared next the couch and they sat down to discuss things. Hermione pulled parchment and quill out of her bag to take notes.

"Harry" she said, "as soon as people at the Ministry become aware of our bond, it's going to become public knowledge that we are bonded and married. How do we want to handle it? I think we have to assume it will be public tomorrow and probably merit a special evening edition of the Prophet tomorrow evening."

Harry's head dropped along with his mood. "I know you don't like your fame, but it's earned now and people want to know what's happening in your life."

Harr sighed, "It's not just that Hermione, with all the changes I've gone through in the last few days, I am more accepting of my fame. I'm more concerned about you. When people find out I am married to a mundane born, there is going to be a lot of anger directed at you. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Harry, I can look after myself," she said hugging him "You taught me well."

Harry sighed, "I know, but I couldn't go on if you were killed."

"We won't let that happen then," said Hermione smiling before turning serious. "Remember that goes both ways, I take the threat seriously but I'm not going to let it rule my life or yours."

Harr sighed and nodded. "Ok, how about we notify the headmistress tonight and tell our close friends and announce it tomorrow?"

"What about the rings, everyone will know?"

Harry looked at his ring and it faded from view. "How did you do that?" asked a surprised Hermione. "Look at your ring and command it to hide," replied Harry. "It's something Sirius told me about." Hermione looked at her ring, and it to faded out.

Hermione looked up at Harry with a slightly pensive expression. "Harry, what are we going to tell my parents?"

Harry paled slightly, even with his new-found confidence, telling Hermione's parents they were already married was vastly different to what he had envisaged about telling them they were engaged.

Mentally girding his loins, Harry replied "we tell them the truth. I think we have to tell them as soon as possible."

Hermione chewed her lip slightly, which for some reason Harry had always found incredibly sexy. Hermione felt a spike in Harry's libido through the bond and looked up. "What?" She asked.

Harry flushed slightly, "I have always found the way you chew you lip like that incredibly sexy. It makes me want to kiss you. "

Hermione's face flamed red immediately "Harry!" she admonished. Harry smiled, "Well you did ask."

Hermione smiled, not really upset. "You find me sexy? She asked.

"You are the most beautiful and sexy woman in the world to me." After that, Harry blushed bright crimson and Hermione could sense extreme embarrassment.

"What was that for?" she queried.

"Nothing" replied Harry quickly. "Now, about your parents-"

"Uh-uh mister, you don't get away with changing the subject that easily, give!" Interrupted Hermione.

Harry blushed even more brightly, knowing Hermione wouldn't let up until he told her.

"Um", he stammered as he looked anywhere but at Hermione "I was remembering some dreams I had about you….. about how sexy you are."

"Oh!" said Hermione blushing again. Then it was her turn to suddenly go even brighter red.

"Harry, where are we going to sleep?" she said in a small, slightly scared voice.

Realising the problem, Harry pulled Hermione to him and hugged her.

"Hermione" he said softly "are you nervous about sleeping with me?"

Hermione just nodded into his chest, unable to speak.

Holding her close, he said. "It's okay my love. We won't do anything until you are ready. We don't have to sleep together yet."

Hermione relaxed slightly and bought her head up and looked at Harry blushing slightly again. "No, I think I want to sleep in the same bed it's just…"

Feeling her uncertainty through the bond Harry replied. "You're not sure how far you want to go."

Hermione bit her lip and nodded.

"Hermione, I love you, not just your body. Do I want to explore that part of our relationship? Yes, I do. But only at a pace you are happy with. I would never, ever want to do anything that made you feel uncomfortable."

"Thanks Harry," she said as she gently squeezed him in a hug. "I know you wouldn't hurt me, but this has all happened so fast."

"I know sweetheart, believe me I know."

"Sweetheart?" she replied.

Harry blushed slightly, "It just seemed right, do you mind?"

"No," she said pecking him on the lips, "it just surprised me."

Harry looked at her and frowned slightly. "Hermione, I know legally we are married, but do you want to have a proper mundane wedding for your family and friends?"

Hermione grabbed him and kissed him for all she was worth. A couple of minutes later she pulled back and said "How did you know?"

"Well, you commented about how quick everything had been and I realised you might want that."

"Harry, I daydreamed many times about walking down the aisle with you. I would love to make it a reality."

"When?"

Hermione thought briefly. "After we finish school next summer. We can work out the details later."

"What," smirked Harry, "you don't want to draw up the guest list and design the invites immediately?"

"Prat" she said slapping his arm. After mentally collecting herself, Hermione said "So when do we go see my parents?"

"Why not today, I think they need to know as soon as possible." At this, Hermione sighed.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry.

"Oh, it's just my dad. I know he loves me, but I'm convinced he thinks I'm nine not nineteen at times."

"Oh?"

"Don't worry, I can handle him Harry, but don't be surprised if I end up disappearing off to talk with him alone at some point."

"Okay, duly noted" he said, he paused. "Do they know you have split up with Ron?"

"Yes, and they are pleased about it. They didn't say anything originally but apparently they didn't think we were suited. I haven't told them about the potions or charms yet."

"Why don't we talk to Professor McGonagall and then go and see your parents. We can tell them about everything this afternoon."

"Are you sure?"

"Honestly, no. But we will get through it, together."

After another hug, they went down to the great hall to wait for lunch to be served. As soon as they appeared in the hall, Professor McGonagall approached them with a stern look on her face. "Harry, Hermione, please accompany me to my office." Both of them became nervous at this, and the fact that they could feel the others nervousness did not help.

Once they arrived at the office, Professor McGonagall looked at them rather frostily. "Do you two have something to tell me?"

Being nervous, the couple only stared at the Headmistress for a few seconds who then started speaking again. "This book," she said pointing at one on her desk "which normally lives in the deputy head's office, records the names and details of all students. It is self-updating and glows blue when a change has occurred. I needed something from my old office this morning and you can imagine my surprise when I found it glowing today. You can imagine my further surprise when I discovered you were now Lord and Lady Potter. When were you planning on telling me?"

"Um, after lunch?" said Harry

"You should have told me yesterday!"

"We didn't know then," said Hermione.

"How could you possibly not know you had gotten married?" asked the headmistress with an incredulous look.

Here Harry and Hermione glanced at each other and reached out to hold hands and let their love for each other wash over them. After a couple of seconds, the golden glow started and they looked at the headmistress. Professor McGonagall abruptly sat down with her mouth hanging open. "You're soul-bonded!" she gasped.

Hermione and Harry both smiled and nodded. "We didn't know what the glow meant until we went to Gringotts this morning" said Harry.

"May I ask what triggered it?"

They looked at each other and Hermione spoke. "Harry was concerned about whether his feeling for me were real after all of Dumbledore's manipulations. We decided to use a magical ceremony to see if we were actually suited to each other."

"What ceremony?"

"A blood bonding-"

"But that's a wedding ceremony!" exclaimed the professor.

"Hermione blushed slightly, "Only if you consummate it. If you don't-"

"Then it has no effect" finished the Professor nodding. "What happened?"

"We did the ritual using our Goblin knives to cut our palms and after a few seconds the silver glow started, it spread up our arms and after it reached our chests it changed to gold in colour and then continued to our feet. We were then lifted into the air about 3 feet. After a while the glow faded and we lowered back to the floor."

Minerva thought for a moment, "It sounds like the bond changed when it reached both your cores." She grimaced slightly, "I wish I could tell you more, but little is known about soul bonds because they are so rare." Harry and Hermione glanced at each other and decided not to share what Bloodfist had told them.

Hermione decided the change the subject, "Headmistress, since we are married, where will we sleep?" She asked blushing heavily.

The Headmistress pursed her lips, "have you been sexually active already?" she asked.

Hermione and Harry both blushed scarlet. "No!" replied Hermione, "but we are married now. We aren't ready for that step yet, but eventually…" Hermione said, looking at Harry. She could feel his agreement and acceptance through their bond.

The headmistress's visage softened. "You are right and given how new your relationship is, I am glad you are not rushing into things. Now, although they haven't been used in a long time, there are lord's suites in each tower. I can have the elves prepare one for you if you would like."

They both smiled. "Thank you headmistress."

"Now, the change of accommodation is going to be noticed, when do you wish to announce your marriage?"

Harry answered. "We believe it will become known tomorrow and there may be a special edition of the Prophet tomorrow evening, so before dinner tomorrow night? We want time to let our friends know and we are planning on telling Hermione's parents this afternoon."

The headmistresses' face quirked in a brief smile. "Good luck with that" she said with a droll tone and a twinkle in her eye.

Harry paled and receiving the Headmistresses' permission, they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and then apparated to Hermione's parents' house, arriving in the backyard. Daniela and Emmet Granger were still settling back into life in the UK after they had returned from Australia. Hermione had gone there almost immediately after the end of the war and restored their memories. Initially angry, they understood why Hermione had done it and decided that, although they enjoyed Australia, they wanted to be closer to their daughter.

Hermione looked over at Harry as she could feel his nervousness. 'He defeats dark lords and he's worried about a dentist.' She though with some mirth. Harry looked at Hermione, his nerves making him a little irritable. "It's not funny!" he said.

Hermione sighed as she realised, 'Despite everything, He still fears rejection.'

She turned to him, "Harry, it's OK, they already like you. They know how much you have looked after me in the past. It will be OK."

"But now we have to tell them we are married-"

"Harry, I don't think it will be a problem, if it is, we will face it together. Remember we are a team." With that she hugged him and gave him a peck on the lips. Feeling his nervousness recede, he smiled at him and grabbing his hand she dragged him inside.

"Mum? Dad? I'm home," called Hermione.

Soon her parents appeared in the kitchen, "Princess" said her father "Are you okay? Why are you home from the school?" Hermione let go of Harry's hand and went over and hugged her parents. Harry looked on slightly wistfully at the scene with a feeling of melancholy about his own parents.

After the greetings were finished and Harry had shaken her parent's hands, Hermione said "Let's go and sit in the lounge, Harry and I have some news for you."

Both Hermione's parents were a little surprised when the pair sat together and continued to hold hands.

Hermione's dad looked at the hands, and an icy ball materialised in his gut. He was about to go into protective father mode, but fortunately retained enough control to ask before making assumptions. "Hermione, you're not pregnant, are you?"

"DAD!" "EMMET!" Said Hermione and her mother simultaneously.

"Sorry." Said a chastened Emmet.

"I should think so" said his wife glaring at him.

Realising this was a good segue, Hermione replied "But we are married."

"WHAT!" said her parents in perfect unison with identical stunned expressions.

Timidly Hermione replied. "Would you believe it was an accident?"

Now looks of complete disbelief crossed the Granger parents faces that were remarkably reminiscent of the Headmistress'es earlier in the day.

"Let me explain…" said Hermione. She then went through what had been happening. When she got to her potioning, her father jumped up in anger. "If I ever see that boy, I'm using my shotgun." He snarled.

"Dad sit down!" said Hermione. "Nothing happened, Harry protected me. He got me to the healer at school who gave me a purging potion." Here she grabbed Harry's hand and squeezed it, both for comfort and to thank him. "He saved me."

Harry looked at her, "only partly," he said smiling. "True love did the rest."

"True love?" asked Dani, sensing that Harry meant more than a cliché.

Hermione smiled at her mum, "When someone feels True Love for another, love potions don't work on them. It's a real condition in the wizarding world." Hermione's look changed to one of embarrassment and her face turned red.

"Harry found me just after I had eaten the chocolates, since the love potion part didn't work I focussed on the person in front of me. I… threw myself at Harry, but rather than do anything about my advances, he immediately took me to the healer and made me take a potion."

"Made you?" asked her father worried about her being forced.

Hermione could now replace a radiator with the amount of heat coming off her face. "He said I could kiss him if I drank the potion first."

Harry blushed as well. "I thought kissing was safer than anything else she might want to do."

Hermione's mother smiled and nodded at Harry. She then turned and cast a warning look at her husband telling him not to push it. Emmet was struggling, this was his little Princess and she couldn't possibly have met a boy that deserved her. Still, he nodded slightly to his wife.

Hermione continued with the explanation and got to Ron's arrest.

"So, he's facing trial and previously you put him in the infirmary?" Emmet said looking at Harry.

"Yes" replied Harry.

"Good." Emmet said coldly.

They continued the explanation and got as far as the Bonding.

"So, you were checking to see if you were compatible and the ceremony changed to a soul bonding and married you?"

"Well, we soul-bonded and the magical world considers that a marriage. Bonding like this only happens about once a century."

Emmet just shook his head at this and Hermione continued.

"Lady Potter?" queried her mother with a smile

"Yes," replied Hermione. She concentrated and allowed her ring to become visible. "The ring provides protections for me. Also, if anyone doesn't like the fact that we married, they would now be insulting Lady Potter if they say anything about me."

Harry and Hermione finished bring her parents up to date. Hermione could see her father was not happy that they were sharing the Lord's quarters.

Hermione realised it was time to bite the bullet. She stood up and said to Harry "I just need to talk to dad for a few minutes, talk to mum and I'll be back soon." Harry just smiled at her and replied as you wish," as Hermione grabbed her father and took him into another room.

"Dad, what's wrong?" already having a fair idea.

"Sharing the Lord's quarters?"

"Dad, we are married! Besides, we aren't' going to rush into being intimate."

"I know what boys are like."

"He's not a boy, he's a man. He loves me and he would never knowingly hurt me."

"How can you be sure?" said Emmet taking a sip of his scotch.

"True love and the soul-bond. Remember?"

"How can I be sure?"

Hermione sighed, getting frustrated. "Dad, I wouldn't want it, but Harry would die to protect me."

"You can't know that for certain" said Emmet, happy to score a point that couldn't be refuted.

Hermione smiled, "He already has once, is that good enough for you?"

Emmet's glass hit the floor and smashed after dropping from his suddenly nerveless fingers.

A/N I know I keep promising Ron's trial, but it's taking longer than I thought to include all the elements I want. It's now likely to be a couple of cahpters a way. Hope you all are enjoying it. Please review.