The room was packed with men from Wizarding Britain. Great, Hermione thought as she stood to the side with Ginny as the rest of the women filed into their reserved seats at the front of the stage. Harry and Ron came up and were waiting for them there and greeted them seriously with warm hugs and morose looks. Beside Hermione, Ginny let a small sob escape and Hermione moved her arm around the younger girl's waist.

"You know I wouldn't just let you do this if I thought you'd be in any danger. Come on Gin, buck up. It'll be ok I promise," Ginny looked down at Hermione said, trying to be cheerful.

"Ok, I trust you," Ginny responded as Kingsley took his post on the stage.

"Ladies, gentlemen, families and friends, we welcome you to witness and participate in the ceremonies today. You are all currently inside of a ward that prevents any Apparition. This is because the rituals performed today will move each man to the stage to join the participating witch. We do not want people to take matters into their own hands, so the only magic that will be allowed is the ritual itself. I have made arrangements for each couple, or grouping, to have a private room to meet after their ritual. If the women don't feel comfortable for any reason, there will be arrangements made to accommodate them." Kingsley paused and looked at Hermione who nodded, happy with such precautions. In the time it had taken for that exchange, side conversations had erupted into a deafening racket, and Kingsley had to raise his voice to be heard. "I would now like everyone to be silent, and sit, and we will get underway." Kingsley waited for silence before he spoke again, "I would like to call to the stage Hermione Granger for her Ames Servile ritual."

Hermione took a deep breath, squeezed Ginny's hand, and took her place next to the Minister of Magic.

She raised her wand and pointed to the sky, her voice reverberated loudly through the auditorium, and everyone felt goose-bumps break out at the sombre tone and beauty of the words themselves.

"Ama me fideliter,

fidem meam nota,

de corde totaliter

et ex mente tota,

sum presentialiter

alens in remota;

quisquis amat taliter,

volvitur in rota."

As Hermione finished the words, she lowered her wand and there was a crash of thunder. The crowd gasped, and Hermione looked over her shoulder. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. Slowly, the darkness closed in around the edges and took her over.

The light shining on her face hurt, but Hermione had no idea why anyone would do that to her. The pillow felt foreign behind her head and the blanket was scratchy against her chin. Her head pounded with a dull ache and she could feel the tightness in the shoulders and back. Forcing one eye to open, she blinked rapidly as it adjusted to the light. Looking around, she could see that she was laying on a Ministry couch, in the same waiting room she had been in earlier that day.

With one eye closed, she had a restricted view of the room. The sound of a chair creaking behind her made her roll off the couch and draw her wand, aiming at the source of the noise.

"Oh, my…" she started, not believing what she was seeing, "Professor? Is it really you? I thought you were…dead?" Hermione said, her eyes widening in amazement.

The dark wizard stood and slowly made his ways to her. Once close enough, he took her wand.

"Yes, Miss Granger. I was deceased, however, you're quite the needy witch apparently, and the incantation brought me back," he stated with his familiar drawl. He smirked at her look of wonder and then at her confusion. Her eyes still hadn't left him and he knew she was in for quite a shock.

"But…wait… no, it can't… oh, sweet Merlin what have I done?" Hermione asked aloud as she plopped straight on the floor where she had been sanding she sat up and crossed her legs, and looked back at Severus Snape.

"Miss Granger, please," Severus said, extending a hand that was refused.

"I'm staying right here in case I faint. So, I called… you. To be my... husband?" Hermione said as she just stared at her ex-professor.

"Not just me Miss Granger. You haven't properly looked around the room. Merlin knows you can't see from there, tiny witch. Do get up. I, if need be, shall catch you if you decide to faint."

Cautiously she got up, took a deep breath and looked around.

"Ah, fuck," Hermione whispered.

"Language, Pet," Severus said.

"Mr Malfoy, Draco…um how nice to see you both again," she trailed off as the Malfoy duo stood and bowed graciously. The action caused Hermione to slide her eyes towards Severus partly in horror and partly in surprise. She saw him fight off a smile in response.

"Miss Granger, a pleasure to see you again, and in less trying circumstances than when last we met, if only slightly," Lucius said confidently.

Hermione nodded in response to the elder Malfoy. Draco simply watched her. Her gaze moved from the two striking men to the next group.

"I got three Weasley's? Seriously? Wow, I must have a wild streak the size of a barn…" Hermione said as Fred, George, and Charlie grinned and made her feel more at ease. Then suddenly concerned. Fred was here too? Fred and Severus? How many people have been raised from the dead? But wow…

"It's good to see you again, Fred," Hermione said, a little stunned. "You and Severus have scared years off me, but it is wonderful to see you both…with us again."

Fred smiled as he ran his hands through his red hair, "I'm not sure I completely understand what happened, but this looks like fun." Hermione was extremely happy with having the Weasley men being part of her group it made her feel like she had a solid backing. Really, she'd kept her family.

Hermione smiled, turned again, and her mouth fell open slightly at the strange sight.

"Miss Granger, please don't be startled, we were all dreadfully worried when you passed out on the stage and we wouldn't wish for it to occur a second time."

"Zabini?" Hermione asked as she looked at the group of her Hogwarts classmates.

"Yes," He smirked now, raising an eyebrow as he gestured to the men surrounding him, "and I believe you will recall Theodore Nott, Gregory Goyle, Marcus Flint, and Adrian Pucey from Hogwarts?"

The group nodded politely, all looking at her with mixed expressions of concern and hungry eyes.

"I concur with Blaise's sentiments and reiterate, we were and still are worried about you," Adrian said. "I imagine that you will need to keep your strength up," he said with a smile.

"Perhaps you need to have a sit-down," Theo chimed in as he motioned to the chair he had just risen from, "or maybe even a lie-down. You slept for a while but nowhere near long enough."

"Thank -you Theo and Adrian, but I think I should remain standing, nothing like the idea of fainting to keep a girl on her toes," She said, trying for a kind and thankful smile but fearing it came out as a grimace.

"Miss Granger, I would like to say you look well, however, I don't think we should start this off with lies," Marcus Flint said simply as he looked into her eyes.

She involuntarily cocked her head to the side as she raised an eyebrow in thought. She noticed exactly how tall and muscular he was. Oh, my… Hermione thought as her mind raced away with naughty images about what exactly a massive wizard like this could offer her. Need to think of ANYTHING else, she reminded herself quickly.

"Well, Mr Flint, I'd like to say that I had considered you for today's activities, but as you said, we shouldn't start this off with lies."

He looked surprised and there was a distinctly Malfoy chuckle and a Weasley snort in the room. Shaking her head and noting that he'd be a handful, Hermione looked at Greg Goyle, a classmate that she saw perish in the Room of Requirement. Greg didn't say anything but simply nodded at her and she returned it. She knew that he had more to process about all of this than she did. He was back from the dead, and because of her; a woman that he tried to kill years ago.

Hermione turned slightly and faced the table that she had been sitting at earlier in the day. It was now occupied by three familiar and welcoming faces.

"Oh, Neville! Remus! And Sirius?"

"Not quite sure how you managed it, Little Witch, though I am quite pleased with this arrangement," Sirius said as he winked and flashed her a cheeky grin.

Hermione's lips curved slightly upwards at his antics. He always knew how to make her smile, even when she didn't want to.

"Wait a moment…Remus, where's…" Hermione started to ask. Before she could finish her sentence, the doors flung open and in burst Molly burst in, carrying a wriggling bundle of pink skin and fluorescent yellow hair, "…Teddy."

Giggling, Teddy her reached for his father and snuggled up, making Remus grin.

Turning sharply Molly turned sharply and lunged for Hermione, and pulled her into the tightest hug she had ever experienced.

"Oh, my dear girl! You have no idea how amazing you are, you had the entire place in an uproar! Everyone protested that saying they felt the pull too, and they are also meant to be with you, but you maxed out the spell. I can't believe it, and you even have three of mine! Oh, I am so proud, so proud of all of you. I have to get back to Ginny. You rest, you got the most husbands by a long shot. I must go but be safe. Love you dears," Molly said. After this rapid-fire delivery, she was gone again, moving much faster than anyone imagined.

The sound of the toilet flushing and a tap running broke the awkward silence Molly left in her wake. Hermione turned towards the bathroom in time to see Harry exiting and wiping his hands on his jeans.

"Merlin, Harry!" she shouted as she rushed towards him and threw herself into his arms.

He wrapped them tightly around her and whispered in her ear,

"How are you holding up?" He could tell from the way that she clung to him that she was still a little shaky. It was understandable, given the circumstances. His head rose from where it had been resting on the top of hers to look at the other wizards. They were all looking at the pair with a mixture of concern and jealousy. He chuckled and whispered to Hermione, "I'm going to guess and say that you haven't greeted everyone like this?"

Hermione shook her head, not moving it from his chest.

"How do you know?" she sniffed. She hated crying, but she was so happy that she had Harry.

"Because everyone is staring, and I feel as though any minute there will be a line forming so everyone can have a turn." Still watching the others, he saw a few men nod at his assessment of the situation. He thought that if he didn't change the topic quickly she might be forcibly removed from his arms and passed around.

"Seriously, I knew you were impressive, but you have fifteen wizards. You brought people back! Sirius, Hermione! You brought Sirius, Snape, Fred, and even Goyle back to life! You nearly started a riot, people were trying to get on that stage like no one's business. Luckily you had fifteen impromptu guards. Kings got us to grab you and move you to safety as soon as possible."

"Stupid, bloody, Kings. He should have had the sense to at least hire more security. Honestly they'd have to be here anyway most of the Aurous are men. I'll be giving him another piece of my mind, and it won't be pretty. How did the rest of the pairings go?" Hermione asked as she took a deep breath and a small step back from Harry. She made it look like she needed to calm herself, but in reality, she needed to clear Harry's warm, comfortable scent from her brain before she became silly.

"Mr Weasley came in while you were sleeping and said that was once Kingsley calmed the crowd down, Ginny was up. She got two, Seamus and Dean. She was lucky because there was nearly another riot when Cormac McLaClaggan and his father and tried to make it up on the stage. They got close, but Mr Weasley said Ginny was bustled away nearly as quick as you were."

Horrified, Hermione swung towards the door and made to leave. Severus blocked her way.

"Now, Miss Granger," Severus said as he put his hand on her shoulder. "Do not behave rashly. Her parents are with her. Now I believe Potter said something about a line?" his eyebrow formed a perfect arc as hers drew together in confusion.

"A line for what Professor?" Hermione asked.

"For the proper greeting that Potter suggested. You embraced him but you have fourteen other husbands. Does that seem fair to you Miss Granger?"

"No… I suppose not… but still… this is very strange. Did the rules you received say anything about what expectations or stipulations were on private time or group time? I feel like I got my hands on all the literature that went out but you never know I may have missed something…"

Draco cleared his throat interrupting Hermione's rambling.

"Granger, if you are wanting alone time I will make sure that I'm the first in line." He winked at Hermione and she turned back to Harry.

"What is going on? I mean seriously, what has happened. What am I supposed to do with fifteen husbands?" Hermione's her voice was starting to sound panicked.

Hands clamped down on her shoulders and spun her around. She came face to chest with a very tall werewolf.

"Hermione eat this and sit down. It will make you feel better. Neville, get her some tea," Remus said as he handed her some chocolate and guided her over to a chair. Neville placed a steaming hot cup of perfectly prepared Earl Grey with two sugars in front of her.

She smiled up at Neville.

"How on earth do you know how I like my tea?"

"I hope you realise we sat at the same table everyday 'Mione. And unlike Ron, I was interested in you." He grinned at her. She'd not seen Neville a lot since the end of the war, just at the occasional party or meeting but shed been obsessed with her new business ventures and he'd been getting a herbology mastery. She couldn't help but notice that he looked good. The stubble on his jaw made him look very… manly.

She liked his silly little grin and thought his blush was sweet, but her eyes tightened at the use of the nickname.

"I hate that nickname. I mean, it's not so bad coming from you Neville, but it still grates on my nerves." She said taking a sip of her tea and sighing lightly. The warmth coming through the cup was comforting and being so close to the people she loved was soothing. So soothing in fact that it took her a moment to realise that everyone had gone quiet and was watching her. She cleared her throat gently ready to speak again but she was beaten to it.

"Hermione, I understand how this situation is a shock for you and shock is putting it gently, but I think that getting to know your new husbands individually would help you adjust to the situation better," Sirius suggested.

Hermione noticed how he looked at her kindly, and how he, and the others were being very patient with her. "Well Pads, I happen to agree with you, it is rather a lot to take in. I think I'd like to go home and have something to eat and take a bath. Perhaps tomorrow we can make arrangements for meetings. I need to start organising things, creating list and schedules. Goodness, there is too much to do," She said as she put her head in her hands as if blocking off being able to see would help her sort her mind out.

A very deep, quiet voice came from beside her.

"How about you delegate some things now, Hermione? You have fifteen very capable men at your disposal. Give us jobs, it might take some of the pressure off, plus we're in this with you it might help us bond if you can share some of the responsibility."

She looked up into Greg's face. Hermione hadn't spoken to him much before. She'd only seen him with Malfoy in some capacity. She took a deep breath and straightened in her chair, now facing the rest of the wizards that had ventured closer.

"You're right, Gregory… Greg, thank you. Now, boys, I'll list a few errands I need taken care of and you can pipe up if you think you could suitably help. First things first, we need a place with enough room for all of us both right now and a place that we can build up as our own."

As she said it Lucius stepped closer.

"I believe I could be of assistance there. The Manor is currently available and I have several real estate agents owing me a few favours," Lucius answered as he looked her right in the eye, making her not quite remember what he was volunteering for.

"Ah yes, perfect. I'd like to be kept abreast of the details, I'd very much like an active role as it pertains to any decisions made about my future from here on out," Hermione said as she mentally checked that problem off the list. "So, Mr Malfoy is on accommodation. Now I need someone to start filling out the paperwork for this, er, union."

"I can do that for you witch, I'm sure that I need to go about documenting the fact I'm alive with the Ministry as soon as possible. I'll pick up everything we need then," Sirius said with a big grin on his face. She couldn't help but smile in return.

"I'll go with you Sirius. You'll probably need some backup." Harry positioned himself next to his Godfather with his own grin that threatened to break his face.

"Oh, you won't need to find anything, and I have filled out all the bits that are mine already. And it's signed. I think you'll just have to get everyone else to sign and you'll be set. Now that's three down. Hmm, I will need someone, or a few of you actually, to help me pack up my house. Maybe three of you for tomorrow afternoon?"

As soon as she finished, there was a deafening argument about who the three would be. Hermione raised her hand to silence them. Surprisingly it worked.

"I know this is exciting and such but we will all get to spend time together, quite a bit, I imagine. What I need for tomorrow are people who can work hard and fast," Hermione said.

Draco and Marcus's hands flew up immediately. Hermione snickered and but smiled. It WAS cute.

"You don't need to raise your hands. But thank you for being quiet," she said pleasantly. She was starting to enjoy herself. They both returned a smile to her and the high fived each other, causing Hermione to laugh.

"I'll help too Hermione, I want to take the samples of your garden," Neville said.

"Ok, that's that, then. Remus, you know what I want you to take care of, and Teddy, I want you to both go take care of each other. It's going to be a difficult transition for the both of you, but I know it'll be easier if you're together. So, don't worry about anything else until you two are sorted."

Both males in question smiled and came forward. Remus passed Teddy to Hermione and landed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Teddy, we'd better go now and tell your Grandma about the new arrangements." Teddy gave Hermione a small kiss, Teddy reached for Remus, and with a general goodbye, they were gone.

"There are people I must inform of this new situation as well, and I have properties to examine," Owl me the parameters I am to search within," Lucius said. He stepped up and took her hand gently kissed her hand before sliding out of the room. She couldn't help but giggle.

"That means I still have quite a few of you left. I know it's not traditional to the Wizarding community, but I'd like us all to have rings. A hang over from my muggle up bringing if you will. I loved seeing my Mother's ring to me it was a physical display of their love. Not that I'm under the impression that this is a union of love it's more about mutual respect and a commitment. Who knows though it could be love one someone could possibly pick them out and bring them all to me, I have a few nifty ideas to try on them."

"Hermione, Theo and I can get the rings for you. We are sure to get in the ball arena of what you desire." Blaise said as he tugged on Theo's shirt, ignoring Hermione's tittering at his botched attempt at a Muggle phrase. A small waved goodbye and she was two more down.

"Fred and George, I need you to go back to the shop and look under the second to last floorboard in the kitchen that's closest to the oven. I've hidden something there and I'd like it back," she said.

The twins who looked confused then shrugged in unison. Fred winked, and George saluted just before they Disapparated.

Running a hand through her hair, Hermione mentally checked off who she had left and what she had left to do.

"Charlie, I'm sure your parents are going mental, and Ron and Ginny will need more support. Go be with your family," she said with concern.

Charlie, the quietly powerful Weasley, who took more after the Prewetts if Hermione was being honest, strode forward confidently, and gathered Hermione into his arms and lifted her off the ground in a massive hug.

"You really are the kindest witch I've ever met." After planting a kiss on her forehead, he set her down and left quickly.

"Now who is left?" Hermione asked aloud. "Ah, Adrian, Severus, and, Greg, my last husbands. Severus, from you I'd like to read some interesting books from your library. Choose at random, I imagine I will get through them all eventually. Adrian, can I get you to come around to my place tomorrow with Draco and Marcus? All of you boys should go home now and sleep or relax, as I have no idea what time it is anymore. Shoo," Hermione said playfully as everyone who had waited left. Finally, Hermione looked back at Greg who hadn't gone anywhere.

"From you Mr Goyle, I seem to remember from the requirements of this blasted ritual that I need to have one of you with me at all times. Since I simply must get some food and then sleep, I wondered if you would be willing to join me? I really would like to get to know you better, we got off to a fairly rocky start back in school,"

"Of course. That sounds wonderful," Greg said, offering Hermione his arm.

She smiled and stood, rubbing the small of her back with one hand while she looped the other through Greg's crooked elbow.

"Let's go, I'm famished. I'll take you to this nice Thai place I know near my house." She slipped her arm into his. Just as they Disapparated, she looked to see him smiling down at her. He needs to smile more often…