Hi All, my apologies n the delay in this chapter, it has been a combination of things. My muse deserted me for about 10 days and I have also been very busy editing another story. It does NOT mean that I will not complete the story, I hate that from other authors and I won't do it to my readers.

I'm going to reply to a review here as I think it's important to expand my thinking above what I have written in the story. this was from Mike3207

I have to wonder if Ron had done other things that embarrassed the family and this was the last straw-that seems the case. They could have tried talking Harry and Hermione into not calling the Aurors and just have academic penalties tied to his misbehavior, but they really took a hard line against him. It's not that I'm a fan of Ron-I'm not-it just seems harsh.

OK, yes it is harsh, but that is deliberate. What Ron did to Lavender and Hermione is sexual assault. I think that anything that happens to him will be thoroughly deserved. There is no way this deserves only academic punishment. I think I'm being consistent as well in that Aurors were called for Blaise Zabini's actions in the duel which could otherwise have been seen the same way. I'll also say again, Arthur Weasley has no choice. With what Ron did, if Arthur doesn't kick him out of the house, the whole family will be shunned. Ron may get back into the Weasleys IF he shows remorse. Which, unless he grows up a lot, isn't going to happen.

Finally, thank you to all my readers. I'm amazed and humbled to have reached 25,000 views along with 48 reviews, 243 followers and 110 favourites as well as being added to 4 communities.

Anyway, on with the chapter! As always, I don't own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does. I am also not making any money from this. The reviews are my payment, along with the fun of writing this.

Previously

"Nobody hurts you and gets away with it," replied Harry.

Harry and Hermione went back to their apartment and Hermione slid into Harry's arms and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"Anytime, my love," replied Harry. "What do you want to do, we both have the afternoon free?"

Hermione was enjoying being close to Harry and said, "I know we have assignments we could do, but I'm still a little upset from earlier. Can we just lie down and cuddle, maybe have a nap?"

"Of course, my sweet," he said and led her to the bedroom. Harry took off his robes, shoes and socks and got ready to lie down when he detected some nervousness from Hermione. He looked at her, "Hermione, are you okay? You seem nervous." Hermione blushed and looked at the floor. "Harry… could you please strip down to your boxers. I want to cuddle skin to skin."

Harry was dumbfounded and just stared at Hermione. Hermione looked up at him after several seconds of silence and stammered, "forget I said anything." That broke the spell on Harry who started slightly and said, "no, it's fine Hermione, you just surprised me." He paused, "Are you sure? We don't have to."

Hermione blushed, "yes I'm sure. You are my husband and I love you. I don't know whether it's the bond, but I crave your touch."

It was now Harry's turn to blush. He got over that and looked into her eyes. "I love you too. I also feel drawn to hold you as well." He then blushed crimson, "when I woke up this morning my hand was-." Hermione smiled as she interrupted, "holding my breast, I know." I woke up during the night and realised I was holding it there. Don't worry, I'm not upset. In fact, I liked it." She said blushing again. "That's one of the reasons I wanted to have less clothes on now." Harry blushed and asked again, "you're sure?" Hermione nodded, "I know you'll stop if I ask," she replied.

"Of course," stammered Harry, suddenly with a dry mouth as he unbuttoned his shirt while watching Hermione. He saw her reach an internal decision and, squaring her shoulders, she undid her blouse while staring into Harry's eyes. Harry's breath caught as Hermione took off the blouse revealing a black silk and lace bra. Continuing, she took off her skirt revealing matching panties. Meanwhile, with his own efforts, removal of Harry's shirt then pants revealed black silk boxers.

At this point, they looked unashamedly at each other's bodies. Hermione saw a toned body to rival that of a gymnast, lean with strong, well-defined muscles and very little fat. Harry was likewise impressed with the view. Although still her slim self, better food since the end of the war had enabled Hermione to fill out in very attractive ways.

Harry blushed again as a certain part of his anatomy made his interest hard to miss. He started to apologise, but Hermione interrupted. "Harry, don't worry, you are having the same effect on me, it's just not quite so obvious." At that, they both blushed. "For now, can we just cuddle?" Harry nodded in reply.

Lying down, they threw a sheet over their lower bodies and Hermione snuggled into Harry's side and threw her leg over his. Harry automatically putting his arms around her.

Lying there, Hermione felt warm, safe and protected. With her head on Harry's chest, she just lay there, listening to his heartbeat. With that comfort, she felt herself relax and the stresses of the morning and lunch fell away. No words needed to be said as they just lay there and cuddled up in a blissfully relaxed state.

Presently they both fell asleep until Hermione woke up about 90 minutes later. As she slowly came back to consciousness, she felt something under the leg that was lying across Harry. Something that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. A slight thrill raced through her as she realised what her leg was resting on. Along with the thrill came the satisfying thought, 'I make him feel like that.' That revelation caused her insides to tingle and she began to trail her fingers across Harry's chest. Hermione felt and heard Harry's breathing change after a few minutes. Suddenly she felt Harry's emotions spike through the bond.

Harry's eyes fluttered open. "Good afternoon beloved," Hermione said, kissing his chest next to her head.

Harry lay silent for a good 30 seconds and then, stuttering slightly, said, "H-Hermione, your le-."

"I know where my leg is Harry and don't apologise, I like knowing I have that effect on you." She said smiling. Hermione felt him twitch under her leg as she felt him get excited through the bond. With her own excitement building, Hermione moved to lie on top of Harry. Moving her head to his, she kissed him deeply, forcing her tongue urgently into his mouth.

They stayed that way for several minutes, hands roaming over each other's bodies, exploring every inch by touch. As Hermione moved slightly, she felt a wave of pleasure as what felt like an iron bar pushed against her bud. Gasping, she rubbed herself against it for a while before moaning as she felt her release, all the while kissing Harry.

After a few seconds to recover, Hermione sat up, reached around and removed her bra. Rolling off Harry, she shimmied her now soaked panties down her legs. Looking at Harry she said, "get those boxers off, now."

Harry goggled at her, "Hermione, I thought you wanted to wait?"

"Harry, it might be the bond pushing us by exciting us both, but I don't care." She leaned down, supporting herself on one arm and used the other to place one of Harry's hands on each of her breasts. She then reached down and grasped him through his boxers. She kissed him again and drew back, "we were waiting for me to be ready. Well, I'm ready now."

Harry stood up and removed his underwear and turned to look at the sexy vision of loveliness on the bed. "Hermione," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "You're beautiful and you are my world, I'm the luckiest buy on the planet." Hermione smiled, grabbed her wand and performed the contraception charm on herself, while Harry did the equivalent to himself.

Harry lay back down on the bed and Hermione resumed her position atop him. They kissed and explored each other for a full hour, Hermione bringing him to a peak in the process and he returned the favour.

Finally, the time felt right to Hermione and kneeling over him, she smiled and asked, "ready?"

Harry smiled at Hermione and said softly, "I love you." "As I love you," replied Hermione. She lined Harry up and after a brief sting of pain, sank down fully onto him. They stared into each other's eyes, smiling. Gradually they increased their pace, Harry pulled Hermione to him and rolled over kissing her all the time. Hermione wrapped her legs around him and they rapidly built towards their peak, their emotions feeding off each other. A golden glow surrounded them, as they were raised up off the bed. Floating in mid-air, their muscles started to vibrate as they orgasmed together, moaning into each other's mouths as they continued to kiss. As they peaked, a golden flash raced outward from them and startled people throughout the castle. In her office, Professor McGonagall smiled to herself and thought 'so, the bond is now finalised, even quicker than I thought.'

Slowly they sank towards the bed as the glow faded. With them now feeling tired after their exertions, not to mention relaxed and extremely mellow, Harry rolled off Hermione onto his back. Hermione rolled into him and cuddled next to him as they held each other.

They fell asleep for a few minutes from the huge endorphin hit. The pair lay there with smiles on their faces. Harry awoke and gently squeezed Hermione and thought to himself, 'wow… just wow.' Harry felt Hermione start slightly and after a few seconds he heard what sounded like Hermione's voice in his head, 'Harry, was that you?'

Also startled, Harry said "What?"

Hermione looked at Harry somewhat stunned. After mentally collecting herself, she looked at Harry, "tell me if you can 'hear' me." She then just looked at Harry and without moving her mouth, she asked, 'Can you hear this?'

Harry's jaw dropped briefly and he nodded. 'Can you try to send to me again?' asked Hermione.

Harry looked at Hermione, "How?" he asked.

"I just sort of pushed my thoughts toward you as I spoke in my head," she replied.

Harry nodded and after a few seconds to organise himself, he tried to send. 'one, two, two, one'. Hermione smiled and said, "so you're a roadie now." Harry laughed and hugged Hermione, 'this is amazing!' he sent.

'It certainly is' she replied. Harry also felt her sense of wonder as well. 'I can sense your emotions so clearly now,' he said.

'I wonder…' she thought to him. Grabbing his hand, she put it on her breast, 'rub my nipple.' Harry gasped as he felt the very pleasant sensations caused by his actions flow through him as if it was his own body. Hermione smiled, 'well, this is going to be fun.' she sent with a sultry smile.

"Close your eyes Harry," she said. Harry did so and was amazed to suddenly see himself from Hermione's viewpoint. He suddenly developed a lump in his throat as he felt the love Hermione had for him as she looked at him. Opening his eyes and looking into Hermione's, he reached up and cupped her face with his hand, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I love you," he said softly.

Hermione grasped his hand and closing her eyes, rubbed her cheek against his hand before gently kissing his palm. 'As I love you,' she replied.

Harry pulled Hermione to him and they cuddled. Not thinking, just feeling and enjoying the closeness. They lay there for several hours until they felt a light sense of hunger. They smiled as they realised the couldn't tell who the feeling was coming from, their thoughts were so intertwined it was like one mind in two heads.

Without verbalising anything, even in their heads, they jointly decided to get up and shower. They got into the huge shower and had two shower heads running, one on each side. Grabbing a wash-cloth, Harry put soap on it and turned to Hermione. He merely thought about wanting Hermione to turn around so he could wash her back. Hermione sensed this and turned around. Harry softly and lovingly washed her back, enjoying the feel of her soft smooth skin and also enjoying the sensations though Hermione of his hands on her.

Finishing that, he put the cloth aside and soaping his hands, he reached around and ran his hands over the front of her body and she leaned back into him. Hermione then returned the favour. After getting clean, they simply enjoyed touching each other as they relaxed under the warm water.

After a while, Hermione shut off the water. "Come on you," she said, "we'll look like prunes if we stay in here any longer." Once out, Harry grabbed large soft white towel and proceeded to dry Hermione. after Hermione had dried him as well she walked out of the bathroom flowed by Harry who stared at her derrière. Hermione sensed this and looked over her shoulder and smiled. Stopping, she bent down slightly and shook her fundament at her husband. 'Like what you see?' she thought to him. Harry just smiled and sent feeling of approval.

Arriving back in the bedroom, Hermione sniffed the air and giggled. Harry looked at her quizzically. "I have heard the expression 'a room smelt like sex', now I understand what they meant." Harry smiled and concentrated on the smell of the room. "So do I," he replied, pulling a giggling, naked Hermione to him and hugging her. "Now, when can we do that again?" At that point his stomach gurgled loudly. Hermione grinned and put her arms around his neck and gave him a peck on the lips. "After you've eaten apparently."

The couple then dressed, with absolutely no body modesty. On the way to dinner, Harry thought to Hermione. 'I don't want to tell everyone about the telepathy yet, not everyone is happy about us being together. It's too big an advantage to give away.' Hermione thought about that for a second and agreed. 'It's not anyone else's business, but we should tell Ginny, Luna and maybe Neville.' Harry nodded, 'Okay.'

As they walked through the great hall towards the Gryffindor table, several people noticed how smoothly they walked together with complete synchronisation of their movements. They sat with Ginny and Luna. Hermione feeling a small amount of pain as she sat. 'Maybe give myself a day to heal before we do that again,' she thought to herself.

As soon as they sat down, Luna looked at them and smiled. "You are even closer now, I see you finalised the bond. Actually, I think everybody in the castle noticed."

Harry and Hermione blushed scarlet. "What do you mean?"

"A wave of golden magic went through the castle earlier. It seemed to come from the direction of your quarters."

Harry and Hermione looked mortified. Ginny laughed and smiled wickedly at the pair. "Care to share the details?" she smirked. Harry and Hermione went even redder and Ginny laughed hard. Once she eventually recovered, she said, "I'll take that as a no then."

Soon the food appeared and they helped themselves. At one point, Hermione put down her cutlery and reached for a dish and handed it to Harry without a word being spoken. Ginny frowned slightly on seeing this and saw Harry pick up the salt shaker and after using it on his own food, he put some on Hermione's food as well.

This was too much for Ginny who asked. "Harry, why did you salt Hermione's food?" Harry looked up surprised and shrugged his shoulders, "because she wanted some."

"But how did you know?" queried Ginny.

Luna interrupted at this point. "Harry, can you sense Hermione's feelings?"

Harry looked at Luna, "Can we discuss it later?" Realising why Harry was reluctant, Luna looked around the room and then back at Harry and nodded. With that, they continued their meals

Later, in the Lord's quarters, Harry and Hermione explained the new abilities. Both girls were awed by them. Ginny warned, "you need to talk occasionally, otherwise people will work it out. Your actions are so well coordinated that if you don't talk some of the time, people will get suspicious." Harry and Hermione both nodded at that, realising the truth of it. They were no longer involved in a war, but old habits die hard and they weren't going to give away what could be a decisive tactical advantage.

Luna looked at Harry and asked, "are you getting taller? You seem to have filled out a little in the last few days."

Harry grinned. "Possibly, the goblins put me on some potions and I have certainly had more of an appetite since then."

Ginny looked at Harry and Hermione with a pensive expression on her face. "It's Ron's trial tomorrow… What do you think will happen? I know what he did was horrible, but he's still my brother, at least he was."

Harry shrugged, "I think he will be found guilty. After that, it's up to the Wizengamot to decide on a sentence. Frankly, I think he deserves it."

Ginny nodded slowly, still conflicted in her feelings about the matter.

Harry sighed, "we will be at the trial. We'll send a Patronus as soon as we can."

Ginny looked up at Harry, "thanks, that would be good."

After that, the four of them sat down and did some homework. As it got close to curfew, the two younger students left for their dorms.

After they had left, Harry hugged Hermione. 'Time for bed, tomorrow will be a big day.'

Hermione snuggled into Harry for a minute and then asked. 'Harry, I'm still a little sore from earlier, can we just cuddle?'

'I'm sorry if I hurt you.' Replied Harry quickly.

'No, it was amazing and wonderful, but I'm still a little tender.'

Harry grinned, 'can we still cuddle naked?"

A/N Well, a significant chapter I think. :) The bond has been consummated and new abilities have appeared! What will be the public reaction to the revelations when the newspaper articles from last chapter are published.