Ramblings and Dribbles

by WolfgangNH

This is a posting of ramblings, dribbles, one-shots, unfinished ideas or other stuff I just don't think deserves it's own storyline. Some I plan to finish someday, others are what they are. This is mature reading for some posts. Some items may be well developed, others are not yet, and may never be. There will many different pairings, and sometimes none.

35. A Mid-Winter's Ever

Rambling and Dribbles: A dribble that I hope some enjoy.

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter does not belong to me.

Premise:

It all starts with a curious Hermione. She is currently taking Ancient Magics as part of her NEWTs and gets invited to attend and Imbolc Celebration. Imbolc is the pagan holiday, celebrated between Yule, the winter solstice, and Ostara, the spring equinox. It is the celebration of the rebirth of magic to herald in Spring, when the earth is rebirthed.

During the Celebration, the Rights of Bridgit are often observed. This involved a sacrifice, something important to the person seeking the blessing of the mother and warrior goddess. The blood of a virgin is one of the most powerful sacrifices, and thus Daphne Greengrass seeks to use this power to change her life.

Harry, not really knowing any of this, is happily dragged along by his girlfriend, Hermione, to witness the celebration. Caught in the moment, and by the magic, he is drawn into both girls' wiles, leading to a good night for them all and consequences that none of them could fully foresee…

-oOo-

Notes:

1) This is a Harry/ Hermione / Daphne as the main pairing

2) Weasleys are split between being hated on and not

a. Molly, Bill, Percy against Harry. They think all the Weasley misfortunes are because of him and the Potters

b. Arthur is convinced by Molly, but still doubts

c. Twins support Harry

d. Ginny had been dating Harry, but the arguments in her family have Harry breaking up with her.

3) Voldemort is dead

a. Harry killed him by sending him through the veil on the night of the DOM. He is forced into the veil.

4) Death Eaters are gone

a. The soul bonded Death Mark killed them when Voldemort is killed

5) The remaining Blood Purists are forced to move more towards the grey and neutrals so that they are not crushed in the aftermath of the DOM

a. Narcissa comes out as one of the top leaders in this shift, mostly to save Draco

6) Harry is Regent Potter and Regent Black

a. Laws and rules around ancient and Sacred Twenty-Eight blood lines require any person that is heir to more than one be recognized as a single person for each house, thus magic can recognize a single person ad multiple people.

7) Daphne was 'using' Harry to break a betrothal she didn't want, instead it goes slightly wrong, but not in a way she is sad about

a. This leads to the betrothal transferring from Draco, an heir of House Black, to Harry, the Regent and future Lord.

8) Other consequences of the rites lead to Harry having a Lady Potter and Lady Black

9) Not really caring for the politics, Harry and his girls look for a way to live their lives as Dumble's wants to draw Harry back into a fraught political environment that is unsure of Harry

a. Leads to Harry and the girls mostly abandoning the Wizengamot and Ministry to start work for the goblins. Harry finds he is good at Treasure Hunting and recovery and become one of their top people

b. Unsure if he might get involved in politics to see changes. Narcissa and other are to spearhead a more 'moderate' Ministry

-oOo-

Chapter 1

-oOo-

February 2, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Hermione, what are we doing and why are we sneaking out of the castle?" Harry asked his bushy hair friend. Well, she was more than a friend since New Year's, but they had kept it quiet after the blow-up at the Burrow on Christmas which had found him on a couch at her parents' house.

She gave him a smile, as though she had just found out some secret she was dying to investigate. He usually only saw that particular light in her eyes when she rushed off to the library. "You know how we've been studying the old pagan holidays, rituals and celebrations this year in Ancient Magics?"

"Yeah, you've told me about them. Are you saying this is a class project?"

"Not exactly. Where is your invisibility cloak?" she demanded.

He raised an eye brown. "The broom closet wasn't enough earlier?" he asked, laughing when she gave him a look.

"We are allowed to attend, but I'm not sure if the Head girl should be seen sneaking out at ten at night," she told him.

"Is it sneaking if you have permission?"

"Well, I only said we are allowed to attend. Anyone over seventeen can attend," she told him.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Does that mean the professors don't know?"

"Well, I hear Professor McGonagall and Professor Vector attend most of them. This is the side of magic that is almost never talked about. I want to see what happens and want you there with me," she told him.

Harry laughed at her. "You know you only had to ask."

She moved in, pecking him on his lips. "I know."

He took out his cloak and they made their way down to the old gates of the practice field. Just outside the door they were met by six people. "Is that you, Granger?"

"I have Harry with me too," she said.

Harry rose an eyebrow to see the long blonde hair of a girl he had spoken to a handful of times over the last year or so. Even in the dull light from the windows at the school he could see the pale skin of Daphne Greengrass.

"The more the merrier," a dark skin boy said from behind the blonde.

"Anyone else?" Greengrass questioned.

"No," she said.

"Right, take one of these cloaks and a cross," she told them. Harry was surprised to see the bulking forms of Crabbe and Goyle step forward. Crabbe had two cloaks and Goyle had an armful of four pointed stars made of grass.

"Bridgit's Crosses," Hermione said.

"What? Are you sure we should be going with them?" Harry questioned in a whisper.

"Listen, Potter, this is a sacred night. Only those that wish to anger the gods would do anything bad," Greengrass told him.

"Daph, we should get going," a girl with long, straight brown hair told them.

"I know, Trace. Get those on and let's go," Greengrass demanded.

"Who's the last one?" Harry enquirer.

"Bulstrode," Zabini replied.

"No Malfoy?" Harry put to them.

Greengrass snorted. "The Malfoys, like others, only talk about the old ways. Do you want to join us or not?"

"Who else will be there?" Harry was full of questions tonight.

"About twenty-five of us. Are you done with your twenty questions?" the blonde girl demanded.

"Harry, Daphne asked and promised our safe passage. I've worked with her and most of the others here for the last few years in classes. I want to see this," she told him.

Harry relaxed some. "Sorry, Hermione. I'm just still a little on edge from, you know."

She put a hand on his arm. "I know."

A few minutes later they were in black cloaks that had elaborate green and white embroidery around the edges and hem. They all held Bridgit's Crosses and were silent as they rushed across the grounds to the edge of the Forbidden Forest just behind the owlery. There was a large group of students. Harry recognized most of them. Neville, Susan, and Hannah were among a group of Hufflepuffs and sixth year Gryffindors. Many Ravenclaws and a few sixth year Slytherin rounded out the twenty-five of them there. Standing on the side of a path were Professors McGonagall, Sinistra, Babbling and Sprout.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward. "I assume everyone is here. Tonight is the celebration of Imbolc. We will lead you to the circle and the elves have already lain out the feast. For those celebrating the event, you must all be seventeen or older," Professor McGonagall told them, her eyes resting on him and Hermione for a moment. "Bathsheba, if you want to start the procession."

Harry looked to Hermione. This was a different McGonagall.

Professor Babbling held a Bridgit's cross over her head before starting an incantation in a language Harry didn't recognize. Most of those around them started the same chant. Whatever language it was, Harry could feel the magic around them start to respond. Hermione shivered as well. "Get in line behind me," Greengrass told them.

They did, following Greengrass into the dark forest. Hermione was between him and the blonde, but something had Harry feeling a little protective of both of them as the forest around them seemed to stop breathing. It was still. No rustling of branches or leaves overhead. No sound of animal or beast, only the quiet incanting of most of the people with them.

As they walked further into the forest, the trees grew thicker, the darkness only broken by a few candles that were evenly dispersed through the line, Hermione reached behind herself and took his hand. In the cold February night, her hair grew frizzier, like there was a static charge in the air. It was a good fifteen minutes before they suddenly took a turn and a large clearing opened at the end of the path. In all his adventures in the Forbidden Forest, he had never seen this place.

Walking out of the trees, Harry's eyes grew as they came into the outer ring of a druid stone circle. There were two concentric circles, the first twenty feet out from the centre, the centre circle fifty feet across. Daphne led them into the circle, indicating they should stand next to her. Zabini lined up to his right, Davis beyond him. The rest lined up, all equally placed as though directed there by some unknown force.

In the light of the half moon and the handful of candles, Harry made out a shape made of sticks and covered in moss. It was a rough shape of a man with rounded shoulders, long limbs and horns on its head. "What is that?" Harry whispered to Hermione.

"Shhh," Daphne snapped as Professor Babbling stepped into the centre. She was still talking in the language that he didn't recognize as she walked up to the statue. This went on for a few minutes s as the moon rose higher in the sky. The magic in the circle grew, making him feel a little like he was drifting. It was a pleasant feeling, but it was unlike any magic he had felt before. Hermione and most around the figure started to sway with the growing power.

Suddenly Professor Babbling cried out, "Glaoimid ar an dia adharcach, chun athbhreith na talún a bheannú. Glaoimid ar an máthair breith na ndaoine a thiocfaidh isteach in earrach a saoil a bheannú. Iarraimid ar an mbeirt beannú a thabhairt dóibh siúd a leanann na seanbhealaí agus an síol a theastaíonn uaidh a thabhairt don talamh chun é a bhreith arís."

The magic spiked in a pleasant way. It coursed through his body from his feet to his groin, then his balls before continuing up his spine, over his arms and ending in a shiver up his neck. Harry couldn't remember channelling so much power, not even when he defeated Voldemort almost two years ago. It was like his body was dancing with electricity. Professor Babbling pointed her wand at the figure, igniting it in a bright orange fire. As soon as it burst into flames, Harry let out a breath as the power rushed out of his body. A pulse rushed out from the circle, shaking the trees. A moment later, there were calls of animals and what he thought were excited yells from the centaurs.

Harry swayed a little. Hermione stumbled. Harry had to catch her as Greengrass fell to her knees. As Hermione fell into him it was another shock. Hermione gasped as the magic in both swung back and forth. It was like a wave bouncing from one side of Harry and crashing off the other side of Hermione before coming back to crash inside him. He almost fell as he tried to steady the magic in them. No one around the circle was unaffected, with most falling to their knees, others swaying until falling over, like Professor Babbling.

"What was that?" Harry croaked; his mouth dry from how much magic had just been in him. He still felt supercharged, but not as much as he had before the pulse.

"Is it always that strong?" Hermione asked. There was a quality to her voice that had Harry responding as his cock went semi rigid.

"I've never," Greengrass said in a voice that sounded like her thoughts were far away.

"Bathsheba," Professor Vector addressed the Runes professor, walking up on unsteady legs to the woman with concern.

"Merlin, what was that?" Zabini asked.

"I don't know, but I felt that," Davis said, leaning as heavily into the dark skin boy as Hermione was them.

"Help me get Daphne up," Hermione told him, her legs still too weak to really stand. Harry moved to extend a hand.

Greengrass looked up at him. Harry felt his breath catch. Her light blonde hair looked to be as full of power as Hermione's as silky strands gently floated around her. She had brilliant dark blue eyes that Harry felt enthralled with. It was like when he looked into Hermione's eyes. She reached a hand to his. "How are you standing after that?"

Harry gave her a wry grin. "I feel more energized than ever."

Hermione giggled. "You feel excited about something," she commented as he realized his now fully erect cock was digging into her side as he pulled Greengrass up. When her hand touched his he could feel the magic in her. It snapped, sending more waves between the three of them, with Harry at the centre of the maelstrom. Harry gasped to feel the surge of magic in all three of them, not to mention the near orgasmic feel of it. This time his knees did give out, bringing all three of them to the ground. Both girls gasped louder than him.

"Bloody hell," he got out after a moment.

Professor Babbling was standing. "The Great Horned God has given his blessing. It is stronger than any I have felt in the thirteen years I have led this," she said to the surprised voices around her. "If anyone would like, I am sure the Great Mother and the goddess Bridgit would bless any union or sacrifice you would make tonight. Until then, let us eat." She clapped her hands. "Bring the mead and wine."

A half dozen house elves came out from between some of stones and torches were lit on the outside of the Druid circle.

"What is going on?" Harry asked, trying to figure out why he felt like he was channelling the magic of ten men and looking at the blonde like he did the brunette. His body wanted both.

Daphne replied, "Merlin, Potter. How strong are you?"

"I told you he was," Hermione said, almost challenging Daphne to say anything different.

Daphne's blues eyes were locked on his again. An elf came over and held out two goblets. "The good masters should drink to honour the night," a familiar house elf said.

"Dobby?"

The elf smiled. "Dobby bring mead for the Great Harry and the misses."

A deep drink from the goblets had them all recovering enough to stand. Laughter was already coming from the tables. Dobby gave them a smile as they stood before leading them towards the tables and benches. "Are you two alright?"

"I didn't know you cared, Potter," Greengrass joked. Harry didn't miss how hard she was clinging to his arm, as though she was still a little unsteady. Hermione was squeezing his hand tight.

"It's Harry, if you call her Hermione," Harry told her.

"I only call her Daphne because of the years we have been in runes and ancient magics," Hermione told him.

Daphne smiled at Hermione. "And even that is a great compliment. Please call me Daphne."

They sat at a table, the food smelling delectable and Harry finding himself starving for some reason. Harry was between them. "So, Daphne, what happened tonight?"

"Hermione didn't tell you?"

"I wanted to see it and then explain things," Hermione said, he didn't miss the flush on her face.

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Really?" Something passed between the girls that Harry was curious about until his stomach growled.

Daphne chuckled. "You must have gotten a large blessing. I can feel your body burning through magic."

"Is that what that feeling is?" Hermione asked, a pensive look on her face.

"I thought you knew that our magic would be 'reborn' tonight. This is the rebirth festival. The magic that was passing through the three of us is the same effect, just not everyone touches each other," Daphne told them.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Reborn. You mean it cleans our magic?" Hermione asked. "I don't remember reading that."

"Not all knowledge is in a book or in Hogwarts. Eat and drink. I'm sure you are hungry as the blessing does its work," Daphne told them, taking up a silver goblet of mead.

Harry and Hermione reached for their own cups before eating. Harry wasn't sure how many cups of the honey tasting drink he had before Daphne suddenly asked, "Do you both want to make a sacrifice to Bridget and the Earth Mother?"

Harry was feeling lightheaded but really good. In his fuzzy state he had noticed that he was feeling a little randy. The way Hermione had been rubbing his leg, and sometimes going high enough to run her hand up his cock, had him ready to drag her off somewhere to snog... maybe get a little bolder tonight as well.

"What type of sacrifice?" Hermione asked, her hand roaming up again. Harry couldn't keep his groan in as she gave his shaft a gentle squeeze.

Daphne's eyes became half lidded and he sucked in a breath when her hand found its way onto his other calf, and then soon over Hermione's. Hermione started before giving a questioning look to Daphne. Harry was between bliss and fear to have two girls' hands on his shaft like that. "The blood of a virgin," Daphne said in a soft, seductive voice.

Hermione took in a shark breath. "You don't mean to kill someone?"

Daphne laughed, sending sparks of pleasure through him. "If you don't move your hands, I'm not sure I can hold it in," Harry told them.

Hermione looked to him.

"I don't mean kill anyone, Hermione. There are other ways to get the blood of a virgin," Daphne told her, the girl's hand holding him a little tighter. Instead of being painful, the extra pressure was rather enjoyable.

Harry groaned, his eyes closing for a moment. "I don't care what you bloody do. I'm about to strip one of you down," Harry told them, knowing he wouldn't normally say that, but he wasn't really thinking with the head on his shoulders at the moment.

Hermione bit her lip. Her hand tightened and Harry felt about ready to explode, never having been touched like that before. "Is this the 'traditional' part you were trying to tell me about?" Hermione asked.

"I told you, until you try it, don't be so negative about what you don't understand," Daphne told her, leaning over towards Hermione.

Hermione leaned over him. It was as though both girls were drawn to each other. Harry really liked Hermione, and would never cheat on her, but what guy didn't dream of two gorgeous witches kissing each other while holding his cock. Harry wanted them to kiss before internally chastise himself, thinking that he was just drunk and daydreaming. That was until Hermione said, "Sex magic is forbidden at Hogwarts."

Harry's eyes widened.

"It's not sex magic. It's a sacrifice to the gods for the gift they have given us. Can't you feel the magic in you. I know it's the most I have ever felt and all I want right now is to feel a man inside me for the first time. I want to feel Harry in me, and I want to kiss you," Daphne told Hermione.

Hermione looked a little shocked until Daphne leaned over more, her chest under her robes brushing against his. He really did almost lose his nut to see their lips meet. Hermione looked really shocked for a moment until she started to return the kiss. Harry was having a hard time to breath, trying to keep himself from exploding in his trousers, "Do I get a say?" the last of his resistance asked.

The two girls broke apart. The sultry look on both their faces had his blood running hot. Hermione's and Daphne's chest were heaving as they were trying to catch their breaths. Hermione finally looked away from the dark blue eyes of the blonde. "Harry, I want you inside me too."

Harry groaned, a shiver running through his body. Daphne looked at him. "Take Hermione first. She's yours. Just save enough for me," Daphne begged.

"Bloody Merlin," Harry said.

Something had him standing. Hermione launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist, needing him to hold her up by her nice arse, as Daphne led them away from the table. Daphne's mouth found its way onto his jaw, to Hermione's mouth, then to his. He wasn't sure he was aware of what he was fully doing as he lay Hermione onto some thick furs inside a tent just big enough for the three of them to move around comfortably. Hermione was kissing him, then kissing his jaw and neck. He pawed at her in a way that seemed to make them both needy. He had to sit up to take off his cloak and jumper. When he did, Daphne slipped her arms around his neck. In his half-drunk, magic fuelled lust, he attacked her mouth like he had Hermione's. She pushed his cloak off, then worked his shirt off.

Meanwhile Hermione was desperately trying to shimmy out of her jeans and to get her own jumper off. Harry let her go for his belt and push his trousers down as he slipped a hand inside of Daphne's cloak to be surprised when his hand touched the smooth skin of her stomach and side. Harry pulled back to look at Daphne, some common sense coming back into him for just a moment. "Wait, are you sure?"

"This may be the only time I ever get a choice. I like you, Harry. I have for a while. I really like Hermione. Tonight is a night to celebrate the rebirth of magic and the young. Celebrate with me?" she just about pleaded as she undid the last clasp on her cloak. Harry watched in some wonder as she opened it and let it fall down her arms. Daphne Greengrass was a goddess in her own right. Her slim waist, decent breasts with large nipples and the neatly trimmed muff between her legs were breath taking.

Harry was about to kiss her again when he sucked in a sharp breath. Something warm and wet had just latched onto him. Looking down he saw a sight that was beauty incarnate. Hermione had managed to get her clothes off. Her breasts were a little larger than Daphne's with small nipples and an athletic body. What had made him take in such a sharp breath and hold it was the site and feel of her mouth around the tip of his cock. Her tongue moved and he sucked in a sharp breath. Daphne looked down and did her own intake. "That fits in me?" Daphne asked.

Hermione smiled around his cock and moved her head up more.

"OH fuck," he muttered, feeling himself tense already. No one had ever given him a blowjob and here was his girlfriend working to take him all in while another girl was watching in rapped attention.

Daphne giggled at him. "I think that is the intention tonight."

Hermione pulled back and started to move her head. Kneeling over her and having her doing this had Harry watching in rapped attention. He only looked away when Daphne leaned over. "I never thought that would turn me on," she told him, taking his hand. Harry ran his fingers through her curlies as she moved to kiss him. Harry wasn't sure what was better? Daphne grabbing his shoulders as he learned to play with the blonde or Hermione doing her best to get him off. Harry lost that fight quickly.

"Hermione," he tried to warn her.

Instead of pulling her head back, she dove her mouth onto his cock. Harry bit down on the spot he was sucking on Daphne's neck as he unloaded in Hermione's mouth. Daphne cried out in pain from the bite as his fingers dug deeper into her. A second later, her fingernails dug into his shoulders as her body started to shake. His hand was slick but became drenched as she cried out.

Hermione gagged a little on how much he spurted into her mouth before trying to swallow.

"Merlin, Hermione," he muttered. Daphne was panting and using him to keep herself up, his fingers still in her warm twat. Her body was still shaking.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked Daphne

"Fine," she said, finally letting him go and moving down to kiss Hermione.

Hermione smiled as she let him out her mouth. "I want you in me now," she told him. Daphne's mouth was then over Hermione's.

Harry moved down, something telling him this was what he was supposed to do tonight. She spread her legs. Harry moved to between them, his semi-flaccid cock coming to rest on the fold of her core. Hermione moaned into Daphne's mouth.

The kiss they shared had his hard-on return quickly. The feel of Hermione's slick folds had helped as well as her writhing under him. His body involuntarily rocked his hips. Harry had a primal need to dive into her, but held back, slightly unsure of himself and not wanting to hurt her. Seeing her heaving chest and Daphne's hand touching Hermione's underswell was seriously taxing his resolve.

Hermione reached her hands to grasp his forearms. Harry moved his eyes up to lock her eyes with his. He didn't miss how her lips were puffy and wet from kissing. Her expressive chocolate eyes were half lidded. They were staring at him, the magic in her clear for him to see and drawing him in. His cock seemed to grow more.

"Do you want me?" he asked her.

"Always," she responded. "Please, Harry, I want you inside me."

It was all he needed, leaning down to kiss her as he pulled back. It took a time or two to figure out how to line up with her core, but when he did, he pressed into her. She was tight and moist. Hermione whimpered a little. He went to stop, and she put her hand on his hips to pull him in. Harry pressed past an even tighter spot. Daphne moved in to lean over him. He fought his excitement to feel Hermione's breast against his chest and Daphne's against his arm and back. When Daphne kissed the back of his neck, Harry pressed as far in as he could, his crotch against Hermione's now.

She let out another whimper.

"I'm not hurting you?" he asked.

"Just move slowly. It does hurt us the first time," Daphne whispered into his ear. Harry hissed as she took his earlobe into her mouth.

"I want you," Hermione said, her eyes closing as he slowly moved in and out. The sensation was even better than when he had been in her mouth. Daphne continued to kiss his neck and back, encouraging him on.

Hermione started to make noises of pleasure. Going with the moment, his mouth left hers and moved to her chest as he moved his hips. Hermione moaned when he kissed her left breast, then took a nipple in his mouth. Her hands came up into his hair to hold his head there. He felt Daphne move back to Hermione's head.

Hermione was quickly bucking her hips as he thrust into her. He didn't think it took long before he was cuming for the second time that night. He thrust as far into her as he could. Hermione cried out through Daphne's lips as he spent himself inside her tight core, her walls convulsing around him. He grunted, unable to say anything else as his magic melded with hers in that instance.

When they were done, he used his shaky arms to keep himself from falling on her. She was breathing as heavily as him. Daphne was moving between them. This time when she kissed him, her tongue was in his mouth. Their tongues battled each other for a bit.

Harry pulled back, his body still going through its high, but already responding to the blonde girl. He moved to be on his knees. Daphne shuffled so her front was pressed against him. She willingly moved her neck to the side as he kissed along her chin, neck, shoulder and to her breasts. Like Hermione, she put her hands into his hair to hold him as he sucked on her nipple.

"I want you inside me," she whispered.

Hermione had recovered and her wandering hands had Daphne moaning as Hermione gently played with Daphne's chest. "Lay on Hermione," he told her, the lust and the magic flowing between them guiding them.

Daphne lain down on Hermione, there pussies lined up over each other. Hermione pulled Daphne into a kiss. Harry didn't ask this time, feeling pulled to her. Harry was on his knees as he took Daphne's hips. Pressing the tip of his cock against her entrance, Daphne moaned, which grew as Hermione's hands roamed over the blonde's body. Daphne moved her crotch up, rocking back and forth. Harry took in a sharp breath as the tip of his head moved in and out of her.

For whatever reason, he plunged straight into Daphne. She was tighter than Hermione and let out a whimper of pain. It was enough to have him stop. She was clenched very tightly around him as he had fully buried himself. "It will be alright," Hermione whispered to Daphne.

After a moment, she calmed, and he felt her unclench. "Should I keep going? I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Just be gentler," Daphne said, looking over her shoulder. Daphne rocked her hips some, a small moan leaving her after a moment of doing so. Hermione began to kiss Daphne's shoulder and upper chest. Her rocking hips slowly had Harry take up the motion, moving in a slow way. As he took over, she let his hands on her hips guide her.

Harry started slow. As her breath quickened, more moans and other sounds came out of her. Hermione lavished her chest with kisses and caresses as Daphne arched her back and pushed up on her outstretched arms. Harry was now pushing and pulling her on his long pole, grunting at the sensation.

When she suddenly started to quiver, a cry of pleasure escaping her, Harry lost it as she tightened around him again. He pulled her so he was buried as far in as he could be. He felt her juices dripping out as he pumped his nut into her. Daphne's magic pulled on his before pushing back. The sensation had him shoot even more into her at the excitement it induced.

After a moment, Harry pulled out. Daphne collapsed on Hermione as her arms and legs gave out. Hermione wrapped her arms around Daphne as Daphne put her head over Hermione's shoulder, her body still shivering as she caught her breath.

Harry sat heavily next to the girls, his own breath going in heaving gasps. For the first time since this night started, he was finally coming down from the high that the magic around them had started.

Hermione looked over at him. 'I love you', Hemione mouthed.

'Love you too,' he said without hesitation.

Daphne pushed herself up on her arms so she could shift. Her head fell onto Hermione's breasts. "Can I sleep with you two? Just for tonight?"

Harry gave her an understanding smile. Something had happened between them tonight, more than just all three of them losing their virginity. Harry felt his magic reaching out for both of them.

Looking around, he found a few blankets. "Come here," her said.

Daphne rolled off Hermione. It took a few minutes for Daphne to be on her side, her head on his chest and a hand on his stomach. Hermione had her head in the crook of his arm, one hand rubbing the side of his head, the other pushing the still sweaty hair of Daphne off her face. Harry kissed Daphne on the top of her head.

"I think she's already asleep," Hermione told him, giving her own yawn.

Harry shifted to kiss her head. "I'm knackered."

"I am too," she said, suddenly sounding as though she was just barely awake.

Harry drifted off to two girls on him. Their chests on his side were exciting but sleep quickly overtook him as well.

-oOo-

Irish: Glaoimid ar an dia adharcach, chun athbhreith na talún a bheannú. Glaoimid ar an máthair breith na ndaoine a thiocfaidh isteach in earrach a saoil a bheannú. Iarraimid ar an mbeirt beannú a thabhairt dóibh siúd a leanann na seanbhealaí agus an síol a theastaíonn uaidh a thabhairt don talamh chun é a bhreith arís. = We call the horned god, to bless the rebirth of the land. We call the mother to bless the birth of those that shall enter the spring of their lives. We call on both to bless those that follow the old ways and give the earth the seed it needs to be reborn.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 2

-oOo-

February 3, 1998

Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts, Scotland

Someone shook the tent. Harry opened his eyes. The tent was dark, but at this time of the year in Scotland it was always dark early in the morning.

The tent shook again. "Time to get up. Breakfast starts in an hour, and you must attend classes," he heard Professor McGonagall.

Daphne was curled up against his side, still sleeping. Looking down, he could see her chest moving in a rhythmic fashion. Hermione's head was on his chest now. She yawned then groaned. "My head hurts," she told him.

He felt like he had a slight headache but enjoyed the girls too much to let it affect him. "Yeah."

As he started to process what had happened last night, he wasn't sure what to do.

"Daphne," Hermione said, reaching over to shake the blonde awake.

"Five more," she said.

"We have to get up," Harry told them. He would have sat up, but that wasn't possible.

Daphne's arm went over his stomach. "What if I don't want to leave?"

Harry's eyes rose some. Hermione shifted to look up at him. He could tell something had really shifted last night. It wasn't just the sex, though that had been really good... at least he thought so with how he was feeling. Something in Hermione's eyes looked conflicted.

"We have to go to class," Hermione told them.

As they started to move, Harry couldn't help his eyes from roaming over their bodies. Daphne seemed to be moving a little more gingerly than Hermione. He felt guilty. Daphne seemed to catch onto it as he watched her slip her arms into her cloak. "Harry, thank you for last night. It was very nice, and I hope whomever I marry will be as nice."

"Did I hurt you?"

She gave him a soft smile. He had never seen her smile before. It made her look very beautiful. "It is supposed to hurt the first time. By the end it felt really good."

"I agree. You were brilliant last night," Hermione told him, kissing his cheek. Hermione looked to Daphne. She bit her lip before saying. "Daphne, this doesn't affect you, right?"

"No. Participating in celebrations do not affect me. I'll see you for our normal study time? I don't think any of us have classes today. You are invited too, Potter," Daphne said, her aloofness coming back.

"Please, call me Harry. I have my workout and training I need to do," Harry told them.

Daphne looked at him curiously. "Training and workout?"

"Harry is taking a special class in duelling. Professor Flitwick has him on a strict workout routine," Hermione explained.

"Is that why you looked like a chiselled statue?" Daphne questioned.

"Probably," he commented, pulling his jumper on. He felt pleased with himself to see the way Daphne had looked at him.

Hermione chuckled. "You liked his six pack too?"

"You are a lucky witch, Hermione. I'll call you Harry if we are in private, but it's Potter otherwise," she told them, standing up and moving towards the flap.

"Hold on, I'll walk you both up," Harry told her.

When they walked out, Hermione's hand in his, Professor McGonagall was waiting. "You are the last ones. If you need, Madam Pomfrey will be in the hospital wing through the end of breakfast."

"I'll see them up there, professor," Harry told her.

"I can go with Daphne. You go start your workout so we can go to the library this afternoon," she told him, giving him a kiss on his cheek.

"You sure?"

"I'm sure," Hermione replied.

He walked with them to the training yard, getting a peck on his lips from Hermione when they went their separate ways. Harry could see the longing in Daphne's eyes as they walked away. Harry found it very hard to leave them both, or to resist kissing Daphne as well. As he had time to really process it, he wasn't sure if last night had been a mistake... especially now that he wanted both girls to sleep with him like that again.

After changing, Harry went back out to the cold grounds, did his stretching and then started his run.

-oOo-

On the way to the hospital wing...

"Hermione, are you alright with last night?" Daphne asked.

Hermione's mind was racing as much as the headache would allow it too. She had always struggled some with how she felt for both sexes. There was no doubt that she really liked boys... men. Harry was a man but seeing Daphne kissing Harry and her tits bouncing just before her face as Harry had her ride his cock, had turned her on as much as it had having Harry in her last night.

This was not what her parents had taught her, and wizards seemed even more conservative that her parents' beliefs in the Anglican church. Hermione was more open though, and the blonde Daphne Greengrass has caught her eye for a while. Even with that, she was feeling a small seed of jealousy creeping up inside her.

Would Harry prefer Daphne or her now that they had had a threesome?

"Hermione?" Daphne questioned.

"I don't know. Last night was... different," Hermione told her.

"It was part of the celebration. I imagine it was different than what muggles would do," Daphne replied.

"I didn't mean like that. It was just... different," Hermione told her.

They were both silent for a moment before Daphne said, "I can't tell you how turned on I was when you took Harry into your mouth. Do you do that often?"

Hermione blushed. "First time, actually. Do you think he liked it?"

"Yes," Daphne told her. After a moment, she said very quietly, "I think I would like to do that to Harry too."

Hermione stopped. Daphne pulled up short, turning to catch her eye. Hermione was so torn at the moment. She was really tearing herself up inside about knowing she was supposed to be monogamous, but she had really enjoyed having more than one partner last night. All she knew was that she meant it when she mouthed to Harry she loved him. "Daphne, I don't know if that should happen again," she finally said, her fear of Harry wanting someone else making her say so.

Daphne looked a little uncertain. "What if Harry was required to have two wives?"

Hermione just stared at the blonde. "What?"

Daphne took in a deep breath. "What if Harry was required to have two wives. Would you accept me?"

Hermione blinked a few times. "Why would Harry have two wives? That's not legal and I can't see him having a mistress," she said... not trying to think of the trim blonde.

"Technically, it is against the law, but technically, Harry is two people in our world," Daphne replied.

"Explain," Hermione demanded after a moment. She was starting to think last night was just an innocent threesome brought on by the magic, but if it could be more...

"Harry is the heir to the Potters and heir to the Blacks. Both families are old, with potential seats in the Wizengamot and are recognized as members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. I know most don't put a lot of stock in that now, but there are laws and traditions about keeping those houses alive," Daphne told her.

Hermione made a face. "You mean like the Malfoys?"

Daphne shook her head. "The Malfoys are relatively new blood here in Britain. Yes, they have a long history in France, but Draco is only the third generation born on our soil. His family only received official pureblood status with Draco. They claim to be part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, but the original were the families that signed the Ministry Charter almost eight hundred years ago. My family is considered to be old, but we have only been her for about three hundred years. We came from Norway before then," Daphne explained.

Hermione's mind was racing. "If Harry was that important, why did Fudge and the Ministry try to discredit him and drive him away?"

"Politics. Just because he has the blood and now holds the reigns of two such old houses doesn't mean that others won't try to get one up over him, especially since the old houses have special privileges when they want to claim them," Daphne said.

"Harry knows that he could apply to be on the Wizengamot, but special privileges? You mean like multiple wives?" Hermione questioned.

"Each house of the Sacred Twenty-Eight is recognized as their own entity. They can't be combined or joined with another house. If you marry Harry, you will be required to give heirs for both. If he was to have two wives, then we could each represent one," Daphne told her.

Hermione's eyes narrowed a little. "You wanted Harry to sleep with you. Why?"

Daphne stood tall, looking more like a lady of an important House. "I was not trying to mislead either of you, but if the goddess accepted the spilling of my blood, then I will be cleansed of all binding magics. My sister and I are bound to marriage contracts to the Malfoys. Since they didn't have a second son, the magic of the contracts could have him claim either or both of us."

Hermione was frowning. "You used me," she accused. "You knew I wanted to see some of those celebrations."

"I did, but I didn't," Daphne confessed. She rushed to go on as Hermione put a hand on her hip. "I wanted you to come. I think more Muggleborn should be invited to our sacred holy nights. You must have been curious."

"I was. I am. That isn't all, is it?" Hermione demanded.

"I also wanted Harry. I know he is a powerful wizard. The letting of a virgin's blood may not have been enough. You can't tell me you didn't feel how much magic he was blessed with. He is more powerful than any handful of us. I also know you look at me," Daphne told her. "I've had a crush on Harry for a while. Tracey has teased me how you look at me, and I admit I find you rather attractive too. With the breaking of the bond of the contract, I need another contract bond. I was hoping you and Harry would accept me? If you do, Astoria can break her contract as well. This isn't just about me, Hermione."

"Bloody hell," she muttered. Harry and the red head had been bad influences on her over the years. As she tried to figure this, she asked, "Tracey didn't see me looking at her, did she?"

Daphne smiled. "Me. Tracey. Lavender Brown. Susan Bones. You have good tastes."

Hermione felt her face flush a little. She might like to taste Daphne. "Daphne? Is it acceptable for Harry to have two wives?"

"Yes," Daphne replied.

"You still used us," Hermione said. "Harry hates to be used or manipulated. He might be upset about this."

Daphne finally looked a little apprehensive. "Will Harry be that upset?"

"I don't know," Hermione told her. "I never thought he would have a threesome with me and you, so I don't know."

"Are you angry?" Daphne pressed.

"Some," Hermione replied. "Are you sore?"

"Merlin, yes. I still don't know how he fit in me, but, bloody hell, I want him again," Daphne told her.

Hermione bit her lip. "I do too," she confessed after a moment. "I want you there too."

Daphne perked up a little. "You would accept me?"

Hermione chewed on her lip. "Let's talk with Harry," she suggested.

Daphne stood tall. "I want some pain potion first."

-oOo-

Around the Black Loch...

Harry ran along the edge of the Black Lake. The path skirted the shoreline along the Hogwarts border, then plunged into a section of the Black Forest they were allowed to enter. It was a mile long path that brought him to grassy clearing at the end of the lake. Not far beyond, the Forbidden Forest started and covered the other side of the lake.

As he ran, his thoughts drifted back to the tingling sensation of having two very naked young woman cuddled against him. Daphne and Hermione were of similar builds. Thinking back, Daphne's hips had been a little wider while Hermione's nipples and areolas had been darker.

A smile had crept onto his face to think that Daphne had also been louder.

As he thought that, a frown replaced the smile.

He had just had sex for the first time. He had had sex with two incredibly beautiful girls. Hermione was his girlfriend of all of a month and some change. They had snogged and hands had roamed, but no clothes had come off yet. Well, not before last night. He really cared for her and would never cheat on her or leave her after everything they had been through. On the other hand, he found that he now wanted Daphne too.

How that would work... he knew it wouldn't.

"Bloody fuck," he huffed out.

Harry pushed himself, hoping he could run away from this new conflict. He ran out of the Black Forest as full speed, racing towards the rock he usually tapped before turning around. He was about to touch it when there was the chirp of an owl.

Harry looked up to see a black eagle owl swooping down. He came to stop, leaning a hand against the rock as he watched the owl. There were two thick envelopes attached to its leg. He slowed, putting his hand on the rock and leaning over. He was heaving for breath, having covered the distance from the school in almost half the time he normally would.

The owl landed on a rock next to him.

"Just a moment," he said, working to catch his breath. He got a sharp rebuke in reply. "You nip me, and I'll fry up like a chicken."

The owl, who looked about to do just that, took a step back, making him take a step to get the letters. Looking at it, he was wondering why Gringotts had sent him a statement. He had received one over Christmas break and shouldn't get another one until April.

One was addressed to Regent Potter and the other Regent Black. That had been an annoying thing he had found out over the summer once he turned seventeen. The Potters and Blacks were two different Houses. Harry had wanted to disband the Blacks, like Sirius' will requested, but when the goblins told him he couldn't unless he wanted to give the Blacks to Malfoy, Harry had claimed the magical line of the Blacks as fast as he could.

The owl gave him a baleful hoot before flying off.

"You have a good day too," he called after the bird.

He had a quick debate before breaking the seal on the Potter envelope first. "Come again?" he asked no one in particular as he read the letter a second time. Frantically he ripped open the letter for Regent Black. This one contained a cover letter and a multi-page legal looking document.

He scanned it quickly. "Bloody Hell!"

Harry started to run back to the castle.

-oOo-

Infirmary...

Daphne's insides were swirling. She may be cool and collected to the outside world, but that only hid the turbulence she often felt beneath her veneer. For years now Draco had been telling her she was his. As part of the marriage clauses with his mother to Lucius Malfoy, all marriage contracts not fulfilled would head to Draco, the next inline now that all the other Blacks were dead. Unfortunately, that would mean Draco was going to be head to two houses. The Malfoys may not officially be part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, but with Draco being the third pureblood Malfoy born on British soil, it meant he would now be bound by the old laws, needing to sire children for both the Malfoys and Blacks. He was using that to torture Astoria and her, wanting to excise marriage contracts that would see them both with the blonde ponce.

What sickened her even more was the fact he kept telling her his fantasies to see both sucking him off. If he were to marry them, they would have to comply.

The contracts were written in such a way he could make them. Sharing a guy with her sister just did nothing for Daphne. Sharing a guy with the likes of Granger... now that was a fantasy, she could like... and had enjoyed it last night.

Last night was as much about escaping Malfoy and hopefully freeing her sister, as it had been her hoping she had a choice, at least once in her life. She hadn't lied to Harry and Hermione about that. She really did want to have a choice the first time. A small smile came over face to think of it. The fact she knew Harry now outranked Malfoy had her hoping the bond would be broken by the true head of the Blacks.

Tracey and Hannah Abbott were also in the infirmary when they arrived. Abbott gave them a knowing smile as she walked past them. "Have a good night girls?"

"About as pleasant as it looks you did," Hermione said from besides her.

"I got my choice. Did you?" Daphne asked.

Abbott smirked. "Susan just left and Neville was grinning all the way to the Great Hall. You tell me? Oh, you know you both have bruises all over your necks, right?" With a cheeky grin the girl skipped out the door.

Hermione blushed, her hands going to her neck. Daphne giggled a little. Apparently, she was still feeling a little loopy because she didn't usually giggle. "Wear them with pride. We honoured Bridgit and the Earth Mother last night."

Madam Pomfrey came out of her office, took one look at them and said, "Both of you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione replied.

"Sit on a bed. Ms Davis, you can go when you are ready," Madam Pomfrey told her.

Daphne's best friend hopped out of bed then plopped rather unceremoniously next to Daphne, bouncing them both on the squeaky springs of the old bed. "You look to be walking a little gingerly," Tracey said with a huge smile. "So do you, Granger."

"You know why, you prat." Daphne rolled her eyes at Tracey.

"So the plan worked? Does Granger know? Does she approve? Where all those marks only from Potter?" Tracey questioned, a slightly mischievous hint to her voice.

"And what about those on your neck?" Daphne questioned.

"Oh, Blaise and I had some fun. You know he is meeting his betrothed this summer, so he was hoping for a little fling," Tracey said, rocking on the bed looking really pleased with herself. "Now, are all your bruises from Potter?"

Hermione answered. "It was a group thing," the girl said in a tone that had Daphne looking at her. Daphne had been curious what it might be like to be in a good poly-amorous relationship when she had had her better fantasies to escape Malfoy's sick ones.

Tracey gave Daphne a smug look as though saying 'Told you so'.

Daphne's glare said, 'Shove it!'.

Tracey laughed, being prevented from saying anything else when Madam Pomfrey came over with a small tray of potions which she set on a table at the end of the beds. "If you don't mind, I would like to just do a small check-up before I give you anything. All the students I have seen so far appear to have some extra magic in them today."

The way Tracey was still rocking on the bed, a huge smile on her face, had Daphne wondering how much extra magic.

"Is that why I feel so awake?" Hermione asked.

"Most likely, dear. If you received any of the blessing, then I dare say that all of you may find your spells more powerful for a while," the matron informed them. When she ran her wand over her, the matron looked surprised. When she did it again, Daphne was looking at the Healer curiously. "If you don't mind me asking, did you make a sacrifice of your virgin blood?"

Daphne felt her cheeks flush a little. That was something she didn't mind talking with Hermione about, or even telling Tracey, but it was not something she expected the matron to just ask so bluntly. The expression on her face must have said it all.

"I see. And you, Ms Granger, did you do the same?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

Hermione looked more comfortable with the question. "Yes, Madam Pomfrey."

The matron nodded, running her wand over Hermione. The woman nodded as though understanding something. "Would you both mind if I do some other diagnostics?"

"Why? Is something wrong?" Hermione asked nervously.

"I wouldn't say wrong, but something unusual." The matron's wand was going again. When she swished the wand between Hermione and her, Tracey's gasp was louder than both Hermione's and hers. Daphne almost felt like crying. The bond to the contract was still there. The golden cord looking stronger than before. It faded as it raced towards the door. There was also a new one. A silvery cord extended between Hermione and her. Another silvery cord ran from Hermione towards the doors.

"What the bloody hell are those?" Tracy demanded.

Hermione looked at the cords, the representation of bonds. "Are these what I think they are?"

"Magical bonds," Daphne whispered.

"Strong ones at that. Who are you betrothed too, Ms Greengrass?" the matron asked.

"Malfoy," she said morosely.

Hermione took in a sharp breath.

The matron frowned. "I don't doubt you believe that, but I never thought Mr Malfoy had any feelings for Ms Granger. This silvery bond strand is usually only made between those that have some feelings towards each other, and by the strength of it, probably gave their sacrifice to the same young man."

"Daph, you said the contract was with the Heir to the Blacks," Tracey said. "You said Draco claimed that at fifteen."

"It is," Daphne said in a confused voice. "He claimed the contract before Potter was declared primary heir. Last night should have broken that contract."

"When is Draco's birthday?" Hermione questioned. Daphne could see the gears turning in the girl's head.

"Sometime near the end of June," Daphne told her.

Hermione bit her lip. "Sirius declared Harry his heir before the fourth year. We found out at the will reading almost two years ago that Harry had been emancipated when he was declared for the Triwizard Tournament."

Daphne's eyes widened as the realization hit her. "Harry is Regent Black? I just thought him primary heir until he was twenty-one."

"Since Sirius died. The goblins didn't tell him about any betrothals though," Hermione replied dubiously.

"The Malfoys had claimed them. Harry wouldn't get them but should have been able to find them in the family's documents," Daphne replied.

"Harry claimed you last night, with his right of regency," Tracey deduced.

"That would explain the betrothal bond," Madam Pomfrey stated.

The doors to the infirmary burst open. Harry charged in, holding a fist full of parchment work. Magic was radiating off him. "What the bloody hell is all this?" he demanded.

"Oh, this won't be good," Hermione groaned as though she understood the situation right away.

-oOo-

Infirmary, Hogwarts, Scotland...

Harry's chest was heaving as he held up the stack of parchments in his hand. Daphne, Hermione, Tracey Davis and Madam Pomfrey were all looking at him. Davis shied back while Hermione and Daphne seemed to lean towards him. Madam Pomfrey rose her hands. "Easy there, Potter. No reason to be upset at the moment."

Harry looked to the matron. "No reason?" He even sounded deranged in his own head.

"Harry, what's in your hands?" Hermione asked.

He looked to her, noticing a braided silver cord going from her to him. Blinking, he noticed another going from her to Daphne. Even more surprising was the golden strand between him and Daphne. "What the bloody hell?" Harry blurted out. "Why are their ropes connecting us?"

He didn't realize his magic flared some, making the cords to the two girls increase in diameter.

"Mr Potter, I must ask you to calm down, please," she told him, moving to a rack of potions she had put on a table by the girls.

"CALM DOWN! I get letters from Gringotts that Daphne and I are betrothed. She is the intended Heiress Black and Hermione is now the intended Heiress Potter! What the hell is going on. I thought you said that nothing would come of last night," he asked desperately towards Hermione. "I love you, Hermione, but what is this!"

Hermione stood up. "It's alright, Harry. I don't think this is anything bad," she said.

Harry let out a pulse of magic. After last night, he really did like these two girls, but to be betrothed? To have no say in the matter? He didn't even get to really explore what this all meant before he proposed to one of them... "Merlin, Hermione, don't I ever get a choice!"

The understanding in her eyes had him calming a little. "Yes, you have a choice," she said.

"How! You know what magically binding contracts are like! You told me what betrothals are like as well. Do I own Daphne now? It that what this is? Did I just trap her into this... this... whatever this was that happened between us last night?" Harry begged for an answer. His magic flared more, pushing the two beds closest away from him. "I never meant to trap you like this, Daphne."

Daphne looked like she didn't know what to say. He could see tears grow in her eyes. Madam Pomfrey handed Hermione a small potion vile with a dull red potion in it while whispering into her ear. Daphne stood when Hermione took her hand.

"What about us, Hermione? How can I marry two witches? I like Daphne. Merlin, I like both of you, but you've been my best friends since we first came to Hogwarts," he said. The pull to both grew as they came closer, but he knew he couldn't have them both.

"Harry, it will be alright," Hermione said calmly as she came to stand close to him. Daphne looked to be squeezing the life out of Hermione's hand.

"How will this be alright?" Harry asked her, really hoping she had an answer.

Hermione pulled Daphne so she was standing just besides her. "Tell him what you told me."

Harry looked to Daphne. Daphne looked uncertain for a moment before taking in a breath and standing tall. "You are Regent Black and Regent Potter. According to the old ways and laws enacted for the original Sacred Twenty-Eight, that makes you two people," Daphne told him.

Harry blinked at her, his magic starting to settle some. When Daphne didn't say anything else, he looked to Hermione. "I don't know all the details, but if what Daphne says is correct, you can have a wife for each magical line since they can't be combined. Otherwise, if you only wanted me, I would have to give you children for both magical lines."

Harry blinked again. His mind felt remarkably blank for what should have been a frantic thought stream. As it sank in, his magic pulled in more. "You are telling me," he started, looking at Hermione, then Daphne, "that I am considered two people before magic?"

"Yes," Daphne said after a moment.

"Because of this, I can have two women? As my wives?"

Daphne nodded. "Yes."

He stared at her for a moment. "Last night, did you intentionally trick me and Hermione into what we did so this would happen?"

Daphne's face crumpled, causing a falling sensation in his gut. He had been betrayed and tricked before and she had used their stupor from the magic and drinks to get him to make love to her, because to Harry, sex just wasn't sex. He would never have just slept with either of them just for that. When it came to Hermione, she was a woman he loved. The last two years had really shown him that. Daphne was someone he was definitely attracted too. Someone that had earnestly asked him for help. The fact he was feeling pulled to her magic hadn't helped... well, it had, but not in the way he meant.

"I didn't ask you to have sex with me to bind you into this contract. I only hoped that with my sacrifice, it would break the contract. The contract bound my younger sister and I to the Heir of the Blacks. Draco was threatening to claim both of us and what he wanted us to do..." Daphne trailed off, a shiver passing through her.

Harry felt his protective nature kick up. Hermione headed him off at the pass. "Harry, I don't think she meant to trap you or herself. Daphne was looking for a way out of a bad situation. She also told me she has had a crush on you for a while."

Harry looked to Hermione briefly before turning back to the dark blue eyes of Daphne. She was looking at him pleadingly. He let out a breath and the raging magic in him subsided. As it left him, Harry could feel how much exertion he had put his body through between last night, the run out to the end of the lake and to push harder to get back here and his sudden flaring just now. His knees gave out and he crashed to the floor.

"HARRY!" both girls exclaimed, dropping down to keep him from falling over.

"Whoa," he said as a headache came crashing in.

Seeing it was safe to approach now, Madam Pomfrey came rushing over, her wand up and silently working a series of spells.

"Harry! Are you alright?" Hermione asked, steadying him on his knees.

"Fine... though the world is spinning some," he told her. He looked to Daphne. "You didn't mean for me to get this?" He held the papers up.

Daphne shook her head. "I just wanted to save Astoria and maybe see if you and Hermione would want me. I'm not lying that you could have two wives or that I've had a crush on you."

Harry nodded, then looked to Hermione. "Do you want this too?"

Hermione searched his eyes for a long moment before leaning in and kissing him gently. "I won't say no if this is what you want."

"Do we have a choice?" he asked, knowing how magical contracts worked.

"Not really, Mr Potter. There are bonds between the three of you. With you claiming each witch last night, and the sheer power you seem to have now, there is no breaking those bonds. How are you staying upright? According to my scans you are near exhaustion," she asked.

Harry smiled, before swaying some. "I feel like I could still run a marathon," he told the matron before his head lolled back and his eyes rolled into his head.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 3

-oOo-

February 3, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, former Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Warlocks, receiver of two Orders of Merlin, stood at a window in his tower.

He was looking over the grounds towards the Dark Forest. A frown marred his features as he looked at patches of the ground where the snow had melted over the night. He could see some of the dead grass already showing a bright green, like it did in the early spring. It was still a month or so too early for any signs like that, but after the magical pulse he had felt last night, he wasn't surprised.

Last night had been Imbolc. The pagan holiday celebrating the coming spring and the rebirth of magic. At one time, most of the school would have marched through the forest to the old druid circle to honour the old deities that still called some of this land home.

It had been celebrations and rituals like that that had led to some of the most powerful Dark Lords in recent times and had been the reason he had led a campaign against the old ways for nearly seventy years now. It didn't matter that he participated in events like that when he was young, or that some of his one prodigious power came from some rituals at significant holidays, he had come to realize how dangerous it was. The unfortunate thing was that magic wanted these celebrations, and some families were resistant to give up their roots.

Thus, he let those that he had not been able to convert, or outlaw, use these holidays to let lady magic know some still believed. But those numbers were still falling. This year only twenty-seven students out of a hundred possible had attended. No one under seventeen was allowed to the rituals anymore. That had been one victory he had achieved. Even with that, it had been the most in almost two decades, and the next year class he knew of only ten that might attend.

What was concerning him, though, was the reaction from last night. It had been generations since he had felt such a strong blessing. It concerned him. The last thing he wanted was a resurgence of the old, wilder magics. That could be a recipe for disaster, not to mention increase the chances of a breach of the Statute of Secrecy.

"Headmaster, Professor McGonagall just passed me," a gargoyle statue from above his office door called out.

"Thank you. See her right in," he told the office's guardian. It wasn't long before the door opened as she reached the landing. "Good morning, Minerva. I take it the Rites of Imbolc went well?"

"Better than I can remember in a long time. I haven't felt this invigorated in many years," Minerva told him. "Pipsy, tea please."

Albus turned to his Transfiguration Professor and long-time friend. One of the few he allowed himself. He learned long ago getting to close to people could be bad. Looking at Minerva, his brow rose. The woman, usually dower and long of face, had a small smile today. Years of wrinkles and worry lines looked to have melted away over the night. Always a powerful witch, he could feel she was more so this morning. The slight kick to her step was more reminiscent of the woman twenty years ago. It would appear the rites has had more of an effect than he had expected.

"Yes, the signs of a successful blessing can be seen on the grounds, and it appears in you as well," he pointed out. Albus moved to the tea table in the corner as a taller house elf placed a tea service and two plates of breakfast onto the table.

"It was rather impressive. There were also some enjoying the Rites of Bridgit after the Horned God gave his blessing. I'm sure Poppy will let us know if we need to worry of anything," Minerva informed him while she prepared a strong black tea.

"I still think it wrong that we endorse activities like this," Albus told her, reaching for his own cup.

"I would rather supervise these old rites than to leave the students on their own. They are all of age and we have no say in what they wish to do," she pointed out, putting some fried eggs and hash onto her plate.

"You are right. It is better we support those that still believe than let them do this on their own. Are you feeling well?" he asked, noticing her leg bouncing. It was a habit she had stopped some years ago.

"I just feel more energized then usual and my bones don't ache like they have," she told him.

Albus tried to hide his frown. This was a most unusually powerful blessing. "Will I need to expect any angry Floo calls from parents?"

"You know Poppy tries to keep all girls over thirteen on potions to prevent anything. I also stay out of the student's business. Again, they are all of age and can make their own decisions," Minerva told him.

Albus was starting to worry some. This was unlike Minerva... well, a much younger Minerva had expressed those same sentiments, but not for some time. As he pondered this, he watched in curiosity as she ate her breakfast, then went back for more. A real concern was starting to gnaw at him. Imbolc was the night of rebirth, of cleansing. Could it be possible she had been cleansed of some magic he hadn't realized that had taken hold of her? Or was it just the power that had been unleashed?

They sat in silence as she finished her second plate. When done, she sighed. "I haven't felt this hungry in a while. Anything else, Albus?"

"I was just wondering who had attended, and again, is there anything I might need to head off?"

She gave him a look over her wire rim glasses. "You know I never talk about those activities and who might have been involved. Poppy made sure she was available if anyone needed to go the infirmary."

"I didn't mean any offense or to pry into something that is understandable personal. I just worry about consequences when magic and hormones are so high," he told her.

"Yes, well, I don't think there is anything to worry about. Even if there is, you know nights of magical celebrations the laws cannot override what magic decides, so if there is anything, it is up to the students and their families," Minerva reminded him.

Yes, that was something that had crawled up his craw a few times. No matter what he tried, Magic would not allow him to change the protections of those rites. "I would not want to interfere with any family business. I just know how emotional things can get should there be consequences."

"If that is so, I don't think a young woman would talk to the headmaster about such items. Let Poppy and I handle any issues that might arise," she said as though the issue was decided.

They were about done when he looked up. There was something niggling at the wards. A very powerful wizard was entering the castle. A very powerful wizard that was bleeding out power like it was nothing. A small bell started to go off on his desk. Minerva looked at it. "Is that a danger? I can feel the wards trying to protect the castle."

"I'm afraid it is something. We must investigate," he told her, standing and leaving what was left of his meal and tea. He moved as fast as he could, which was considerable for his age. Magic was wonderful. The fact the ability to channel his magic into his body to move like this had come from a ritual when he was younger had slipped his mind in his old age...

By the time they had made it to the infirmary, Albus felt the magical flow give way. He opened the door just in time to see a black-haired boy pass out. Two older year girls were moving to hold him up so that his head didn't hit the floor. Poppy was standing over him, her wand going. "I can levitate him onto a bed."

"Is he going to be alright?" a very concerned blonde girl asked.

"I'm sure he will be, but Potter has used an extreme amount of magic in the last twenty-four hours, if my scans are correct. You two are also showing signs of channelling massive amounts of magic and should rest for the day," Poppy told the girls.

"Poppy, what happened?" Albus asked.

"Just some high emotions after last night. Nothing to be concerned with," Poppy told him.

Instead of sitting on the bed indicated, Ms Granger used her wand to summon two chairs over to them. The two girls sat on the side opposite of the working matron. Seeing them sitting with Harry like that had alarm bells going off in his head. Ms Davis was silently watching the scene from a few beds away. Surely the boy hadn't fornicated with three witches on the same night?

"Perhaps the young witches should leave?" he suggested.

"I'm not going anywhere," Granger told him. He knew the girl was besotted with the boy. Anyone with eyes could see that. The fact she had been involved with all of Harry's adventures, including that disastrous night in the Department of Mysteries, he had no qualms about how she might feel about this. His concern was to separate them and perhaps counter anything that might have occurred last night.

"Surely the matron will need room to work..." he started to say.

"Headmaster, Ms Granger and Ms Greengrass are not in the way. I also have not finished with them. There isn't much to do for Mr Potter except let him rest. He may sleep the rest of the day," she said. Poppy twitched her wand, summoning several screens over.

"Are you sure he just needs to rest? Surely if you need to complete any exams or treatments then Ms Granger and Ms Greengrass should lay in other beds?" Albus suggested.

"Albus, this is not your concern. Poppy, will the three of them be alright?" Minerva asked.

"They will be fine. I really can't discuss anything about them unless they give me permission," Poppy told them.

"I do not give my permission," Ms Greengrass spoke up.

"Surely if there is something wrong, as Headmaster, I should know," Albus tried to convince them.

The look Ms Granger was giving him let Albus know that the rift between him, Harry and a few of his friends had not mended.

"Myself, Harry and Daphne are all of age. Unless there is a situation needing an immediate response as lain out in the Hogwarts Charter, the Headmaster has no 'right to know'," the girl said in a hard tone.

She was correct, of course, but that didn't mean that he still didn't need to know. Poppy levitated the curtains around the bed, cutting the three children off from him. "Ms Davis, if you can be quiet, you may join them," Poppy told the brunette.

"Yes, ma'am," Davis responded before slipping into the curtains.

"If you excuse me, Albus, I still have treatments I need to give," Poppy said as she moved to a rack of potions.

"Poppy, what happened in here? I felt a large magical spike before we stepped in. Did Ms Greengrass or Granger do something they shouldn't?" Albus pressed.

"Albus, that is none of your concern unless Poppy feels it is," Minerva stated.

"It is unusual to have a magical spike like that and Harry is one that has been through much in his young life," he countered.

Poppy stepped back up to the curtains hung on metal rollers. "There was nothing unusual about what occurred. Now excuse me."

Albus stared at the screens. About the only magic he was not allowed to get through in the entire castle were the silencing and privacy spells that came into effect the moment the curtains had been put up. He stared at the enclosed bed.

"Albus, if Poppy says this isn't your business, then I must press it isn't," Minerva told him.

He was quiet for a few. "Harry slept with all three girls last night?"

"If they did or did not, that is a personal thing between those young adults. Are you really trying to pry into their privacy like that?" Minerva asked.

Until the end of fifth year, Albus had known just about everything to do with Harry Potter. He had his spies, trackers and counters to a boy that exuded power. He needed Harry. The world needed Harry. That was until that night that Sirius Black and Voldemort had died. Black at the hands of his cousin. Voldemort by Harry himself. It was a feat that Albus had thought impossible, never have even considered the Veil in the DOM. Any soul going through that mysterious object had no way of coming back. It had also been proven that night once a soul, any part of a soul, went through, then all the other parts would as well. He had stepped into the chamber just as Tom had been blasted back. His shoulder had touched the moving material, and then was dragged kicking and screaming into the ethereal material. Mere seconds after the man had disappeared, everyone watching the last tantrum of a Dark Lord, Harry had cried out, his hands going to his scar, only to have a black mist pour out of it. He watched in fascinated horror as the boy screamed, blood pouring from the wound while the Death Veil sucked the mist into it.

As Harry screamed, he started to watch in morbid horror when all the Death Eaters in the chamber fell to their knees, screams of intense pain coming from them all. Black mist had rose from the left arms of everyone that had a mark. As he watched them, unable to do anything, another black cloud rushed into the chamber. The unearthly screams as the black cloud passed him still sent shivers up his spine. Harry fell over as the second cloud was sucked into the arch.

The Death Eaters all screamed, even if stunned, as it had no effect, until Albus counted seven of the clouds enter the Veil.

With some convulsing, the eight Death Eaters in the chamber all passed away.

The only saving grace was that Cornelius and many others had seen some of the fight between Harry and Voldemort. The inquest into those events had been done behind closed doors, clearing the six students that had gone there, claiming they had been kidnapped so that the Death Eaters could get a prophesy. It was never acknowledged that Voldemort had come back, but the Minister did say that Harry and him were cleared, having found a conspiracy that had caused the death of nearly a hundred and thirty wizards and witches, most of them Purebloods.

It had caused a stir, but it meant that Harry wasn't some hero. No. Harry Potter had been allowed to fade away. Yes, he was the Boy-Who-Lived, but wasn't seen as some great hero. All the damage to their reputations already done. The debacle after the Tournament had seen him sacked from his seat of power, and the way Cornelius played everyone after the DOM had seen him stay sacked.

Plans for Harry to die had failed. He had believed that the boy would have too.

Now, he had new plans to have the boy take up his family seat in the Wizengamot. Unfortunately, in his infinite wisdom to not tell Harry or Sirius about the prophesy, the boy blamed him for Sirius' death, Ms Granger almost dying and Ronald Weasley to be in the Pius Thickness ward of St Mungo's since that night.

"If you excuse me, Albus, I do have classes today," Minerva interrupted his musings. "Please leave the students alone. This is a personal matter between them."

"Of course, Minerva." Albus frowned as he looked at the closed curtains. How was he going to satisfy some of his promises if something had happened between Harry and those three girls?

It was a pile of papers on the floor that caught his attention when he went to turn to leave. Picking them up, his eyes widened...

-oOo-

A while later...

Hermione wasn't sure how comfortable it was, but Daphne had curled up on the large chair Hermione had conjured. Somehow the blonde girl's head had wound up in her lap. Hermione felt tired now that the excitement of last night and this morning were wearing off, but she didn't want to sleep. Instead, she was going through Harry's mail the Matron had brought into the curtains a while ago. She hoped Harry wouldn't mind, but knowing the letters involved the three of them, her curiosity had won out.

She didn't realize her hand was running through Daphne's hair as she read the contract. Harry hadn't been wrong. The way this was worded, it did indicate that he essentially owned her now. Being Regent Black, his betrothed was his responsibility. Harry wasn't happy earlier and would be less so to understand some of the clauses. She wasn't sure if it had been the Blacks or Daphne's great-grandfather who had been the bastard. It essentially read as though the Greengrasses were to sell two daughters to the Blacks in exchange for a political alliance and eighty thousand galleons each, to be paid upon marriage or enactment of the betrothal.

There was a transfer clause if there were no current heirs within ten years of the girls, or if the Regent Black choose to.

She knew that these things could happen, having to learn what betrothals were after being approached by Anthony Goldstein last year, and this was one of the worst ones. She was looking for ways out and could only find two. Either Harry rejected the Greengrasses, which would break the contract and potentially cost him or the Greengrass girls their magic, or he could declare the contract fulfilled after one of the girls were pregnant and the other not married into the family yet.

Daphne shifted. Hermione looked down to see Daphne snuggled into her lap.

Hermione gave a sad smile. Daphne had never shown this much affection before. The girl was usually cold as ice to everyone. She pushed the golden locks away from her face and over her ears. Daphne Greengrass was beautiful. Her high cheek bones, full lips and the dark blue eyes she knew to be under those lids had Hermione just as enthralled as the emerald-green eyes of the boy on the bed. For months, years really, she had fought the urges, knowing she could only end up with Harry. Being a lesbian or bisexual in the Wizard World was not usually an accepted thing.

Daphne sighed and nuzzled her cheek into the back of Hermione's hand when she brushed the blonde's cheek.

"Merlin, what will Harry think?" she asked, looking at the contract again.

"I'm hoping that he will say yes," another girl's voice interrupted her thoughts. It had been barely more than a whisper.

Hermione looked up, her hand moving towards her wand not having heard the girl come into the curtains. The girl held up her hands. "I swear I don't mean your boy or my sister any harm."

Hermione relaxed, recognizing Astoria. The girl was slightly taller than Daphne with a willowier frame. Her eyes were a shade darker than Daphne's, while her hair was lighter, being closer to a platinum blonde, with Daphne being more of a mid-shade blonde. Beyond that, the younger girl looked remarkable like her sister. Daphne had confessed that Astoria had been deathly ill until Voldemort had been defeated. She didn't know the full details, but that sickness had led to her leaner frame and slightly sunken eyes, though the girl looked much better than she had almost two years ago.

Hermione moved her hand to her lips, indicating the two sleeping people.

The girl nodded before sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked to Harry and then to Daphne. "Can I assume it worked?"

"You knew too?" Hermione asked, a slight hint of annoyance in her tone.

"Daphne told Tracey and I of the plan. If it didn't work, I was to try to follow another," Astoria told Hermione. "I don't particularly want to be a plaything of Malfoy or be force to do things with my sister I'd rather not."

"Yes, Daphne told me," Hermione confessed.

Astoria leaned over to move a stray piece of hair from her sister's face. "Did he wear her out that much?"

Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face. It may have only been once, but the magic that had been coursing through them was tiring in itself as her body got used to it. She was thankful for the pain potion, even if she was looking forward to doing it again. "It was a little late before we fell asleep."

Astoria gave her a lascivious smirk. "I'm sure." The girl became serious a moment later. "Seriously, did it work?"

Hermione looked at the papers on the arm of chair. Indicating the paperwork, she said, not being able to keep the disdain out of her voice, "It would appear that Harry is now the proud owner of one Daphne Greengrass. Harry would have never agreed to something like this."

Instead of being upset, like Hermione would be, Astoria let out a relieved breath while her shoulders slumped. "Thank Merlin. Potter doesn't seem like someone to push the fealty clauses. Do you know if he will claim me as well?"

The girl was a little apprehensive.

Hermione shook her head. "No. Harry isn't like that. He wants a family and to be loved, but he would never force it. We'll have a talk with him when he's awake."

Astoria gave a relieved smile. "I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted, but Daphne thought Harry was the best way to be rid of Malfoy. Though, I'm not sure she meant to make a play for him."

Hermione sighed. "He would have done it, even without the trickery. He has this saving people thing, you know," she told Astoria in a mildly exasperated voice that spoke of how she cared for Harry.

Astoria giggled. "Yeah, I think everyone knows about that."

Daphne shifted at Astoria's giggles. "Can't a girl sleep?"

"She could, but I think the girl she is sleeping with is more interesting than sleep," Astoria teased. She was pleased to see her sister and Hermione blush some.

Daphne sat up, half her hair wild from where it had been on Hermione's lap. Astoria giggled again. "I like the hair."

Daphne gave her a grumpy look. "You're a pain, you know?"

"I know," Astoria said cheerfully. "So, is he as good looking under the sheets as he has been in his Quidditch robes this year?"

Daphne stuck her nose up. "That is for us to know."

"And you not to find out," Hermione told the girl.

"Not even once? By the size of the tent there, her looks to have a basilisk in there." Astoria motioned to the obvious erection Harry had under the sheets.

"Merlin, it felt like one too," Daphne said under her breath, turning red as she realized she had said it out loud.

Hermione's face was matching Daphne's. "It did, didn't it?"

Daphne gave a shy look to Hermione. "I really didn't think it would fit inside me. It felt good though."

Astoria looked between the two girls and started to laugh. This earned her a glare from her sister and Hermione. "You too are too easy."

Hermione gave her a harder glare. "Don't talk about something you don't know."

"He can't be that big. I mean, he's still a little smaller than half the boys in our year," Astoria said, giving Harry a dubious look.

"He's more built than you think," Daphne defended Harry.

Astoria gave them a disbelieving look. "Come off it, Daphne."

Hermione huffed. "Until you sleep with a man, don't talk about things you don't know."

Without warning, Astoria took a hand full of the sheets over Harry, probably thinking she would just get a shock value out of her sister and the curly hair girl. Hermione moved but wasn't fast enough to stop her. Madam Pomfrey had stripped off his clothes for her check-up and hadn't put any back on. It was the same she had required of Daphne and her, but since they were awake, they were able to redress.

Whatever Harry was dreaming about must have been good... though Hermione had a good idea what type of dreams he might have after last night. Anyways, whatever he was dreaming had him rock hard and at full mast. It was the first time that Hermione had been able to see Harry in his all. Last night was too lust filled to really take in all the details, except how much he had filled her mouth and then her pussy. Both things she had found enjoyable, especially to see how Harry had enjoyed it too.

Seeing him in the light, in his all, had her catching her breath. Daphne took in a sharp breath. Astoria gasped, her eyes going wide. Looking at it, Hermione could easily say it would take both her hands, and then some, to fully hold his length. He was also thicker than what she thought her mother had described most men to be like. Admittedly, he was about as big as she thought she could take, but it had felt good.

"It may not be a basilisk, but that is bigger than the others I've seen," Astoria said.

Daphne snapped out of her stupor. "ASTORIA!"

"What? You can still do things without having sex," her fifteen-year-old sister remarked.

Hermione jumped up, covering Harry. He grunted and rolled onto his side. "I like when you kiss Daphne..." he muttered in his sleep. "Between your kiss..."

Astoria started to giggle again as the two girls blushed. "Sounds like fun."

"Bint!" Daphne yelled as she hit her sister's arm.

-oOo-

The Burrow, Devon, England

The knock on the door had Molly Weasley getting up from the easy chair in the sitting room. It had been a busy day. She had been bustling around the house, cleaning, organizing and brewing some potions to restock their cabinet. Over the Christmas break they had used some of the pain and healing spells. Even with five adult wizards and two still in Hogwarts, they still managed to hurt themselves playing impromptu games of quidditch and wrestling. Charlie just didn't know his strength at times, being built like a mini-giant with his years at the dragon preserve.

Percy found it all childish, but at least he was coming around again with that girl, Penelope Clearwater. She felt that she wasn't right for her Percy, but she wasn't willing to lose him. She already had one child that was lost to them, she didn't need another. That still didn't mean she wouldn't try to push him towards that nice secretary in Arthur's department. Audrey Trent was the right type of woman, with nice hips for childbearing and a lineage that was respectable. Clearwater was a Muggleborn, and since that Granger girl had rejected her Ronald, she wasn't too keen on Muggleborn for her children. They just didn't understand proper wizarding traditions.

Thus, she hoped Percy would cotton on before he did something stupid, like getting the girl pregnant or proposing to her.

Then there was Bill and his new wife. Bill had been the pride of her brood. Head boy. Ten OWL's of exceed expectation or higher, outstandings on his eight NEWTs, hired into Gringotts as an apprentice Curse Breaker before he even graduated had her bursting with pride. Of course she would have preferred him to go into the Ministry. With his blood status and obvious drive, he could have quickly moved through the ranks and possibly been head of a department within fifteen years. Instead, he already made three- or four-times what Arthur made. The only downside had been his rather roguish looks and personality over the last few years, ending in the marriage to the French half-beast.

Sighing, she had decided a while ago she could live with that, as long as all their children were redheads, and the bint didn't overrule her in her own house again. Molly was the matron of the house and when you were under her roof, you did as she said, not as his wife said. Her poor boy was wiped.

Then there was Charlie. At twenty-six, Charlie had never brought home a girl, never dated as far as she knew and had never even talked of one besides as friends. If she didn't know better, she would think he batted for the other team, but none of her children would be like that. It just wasn't accepted or condoned. Even Arthur had a low opinion of those that preferred the same sex. She was hoping he would be home over Easter. If Percy didn't show interest in Audrey, perhaps Arthur could invite her over to meet Charlie?

Even more worrying than Charlie were her twins. They liked women. There was no doubt there. Unfortunately, she wasn't sure they didn't like both sexes. She had heard a few rumours of wild parties in their flat above the store. One of the witches across the way, the counter woman at Reginald's Grocers in Diagon Alley, had been overheard about watching some strange things when they forgot to close their curtains. Molly just couldn't believe those stories of multiple partners, or that George had been seen serving another wizard... she shuttered. It just couldn't be true.

Putting the images out of her head, she hoped her twenty-year-old twins would settle soon. She liked Angelina Johnson. She was a half-blood that knew about their customs, even if she was currently playing for the Holyhead Harpies, she had the feeling the girl would settle down once children came into play. It was also obvious that she deeply cared for Fred.

Katie Bell was another she approved of. Another half-blood, her family owned two apothecaries, one in Diagon Alley, the other in Hogsmeade. Being raised in the traditional way, she had a feeling the girl would be a good mother. The fact she had nice hips and a body that looked ripe for children helped in Molly's opinion. She wanted grandchildren, already feeling disappointed that none of her adult children had given her any yet. She had Bill when she was nineteen. There should be no reason that at twenty-eight he should already have two or three, except his work had kept him busy and he wasn't allowed to marry while going through his apprenticeship, but that had been over with five years ago...

Yes, Molly wanted grandkids. She missed doting on her own young children. It was starting to feel very lonely in the house knowing it would only be Ginny coming home over Easter, unless Charlie changed his mind.

Thinking on her two younger children, she sighed again.

Ronald had followed that Potter boy into the debacle of the Department of Mysteries in June of nineteen-ninety-six. It was getting close to two years that her youngest boy had been attacked by Death Eaters and some brain things that the Unspeakables had been working with. Whatever they had done to Ron had scrambled his brain to the point that no mind healer could figure out how to fix him. He was stuck thinking he was a star player of the Chudley Cannon's, while still best friends with the Potter brat and going to marry Gwenog Jones. He was so scrambled he couldn't even remember how to cast a spell, never mind tie his shoes, but he would tell you how he was the top Keeper in the league and how he had led the Cannon's to their third trophy in three years and was being recruited by the English National team.

She wasn't sure what pained her more: to see Ron so delusional or the fact he often struck up conversations with the man that had tried to obliviate him? She hated Gilderoy Lockhart almost as much as Potter now. Of course, it made it worse to see the Longbottoms and often find Madam Longbottom in the ward when she would go see Ron. Her grandson was just as culpable as Potter. Especially since he had backed Harry Potter's story of Ron throwing that mudblood before the curse that had nearly killed the girl. Her Ron would never do that. He was an honourable boy that had told her a few times about how selfish and self-adulating Potter was.

No. Molly Weasley didn't believe any of the rumours of her Ronald being jealous, self-serving or selfish enough to try and use someone else as a shield.

The fact Ginny said she had seen it too, was even more galling.

Yes. For years she had built up the feats of one Harry Potter, extolling the virtues of the Boy-Who-Lived, to her daughter. Molly had hoped, planned even, that Ginny would catch his eye, quickly becoming her son-in-law soon after they graduated. Her daughter would give the boy a large family, something that Albus had told her Potter would want. In that large family, Potter would be so thankful that he would share the Potter fortune and raise the Weasley's back to where they belonged as members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight again, with the wealth they would need to regain the power the Weasley's once held.

It was the sole reason she had gone after Weasleys. The Weasleys were once a prominent family that Arthur's father had been trying to rebuild. Her family, the Prewitts, had offered to help Regent Weasley invest and build up the family's wealth again. As part of the marriage her family would support the Weasleys to petition for the seat they once held on the Wizengamot. She had been quite pleased with the betrothal contract, willingly giving herself to the elder brother, Ronald Weasley.

Then, in her seventh year, everything went wrong. Ronald was an Auror. He was killed in April of nineteen-sixty-eight, the contract transferred to Arthur, the second oldest of four boys. Arthur had been a tall, lanky boy of seventeen when that happened. He was getting top marks in his classes, even if he had this strange muggle obsession. He was also as endowed as his brother had been, so she gladly crawled into his bed as soon as she could. If she had known then how her life would have turned out, she would have pressed her brothers to change the contract to one of the younger Weasley brother. Both Garry and Benjamin had become more successful than Arthur, though they still lacked the push to elevate the family, if she had been one of their wives, she would have been able to help. Unfortunately, her brothers had been killed before that could be done and Aunt Muriel wouldn't hear anything against the current contract. With Arthur being the eldest now and Head of the Weasleys, she had been forced to marry him, while her husband and his love of muggles had seen the Weasleys fall even more from prominence.

Potter had been the answer to turn this all around. Until Ronald was sent round the bend, she had encouraged it, even had plans to force it. Now, she wanted Potter's gold, but not the boy. Unfortunately, Ginny hadn't seen her view of how dangerous and bad of a person Potter had been. Instead, her daughter had crawled into his bed the end of last year. At least, she assumed her daughter had with how smitten the boy had been with her.

It was disgusting to see how her daughter hung to him. Potter was more reserved but seemed pleased enough. What boy wouldn't be to have a willing girl spreading her legs. It had all come to a boil when he came for Christmas dinner. She just couldn't keep her mouth closed, having the arse sitting at her table in the chair that should have been Ron's. No. It was just too much.

That had led to row that saw wands drawn... as well as lines in her family. Ginny and her twins had stood on the other side of the table, standing with Potter, while the rest were all pointing their wands towards Potter. Before spells could be thrown, Arthur had stepped in, reminding them all how Potter had saved a few of them and he wouldn't have wands drawn on the boy. Potter had been allowed to leave without any harm. She would have liked to curse him like he had cursed her Ronald.

Ginny and her twins had followed him, none of them coming back. This had surprised her, since Ginny had gone to the twins to stay for the rest of the Christmas Break. George had come back to get her stuff just before the Hogwarts Express left, ignoring her opinions on Potter. The only good thing was that George had told her that Potter and Ginny had broken up. Of course, he had been rude in yelling at her, Molly not remembering how she had been yelling at him, but the fact was, Potter had thrown her girl to the curb, just like she knew he would.

The knock came again. She moved to the window to see the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, standing on her doorstep. Bustling to the door, she opened it, a smile on her face. "Hello, Albus. It's been a few months since you came by for tea," she said jovially. Molly was comforted that one of the most prominent wizards of their time showed such favour to her family.

"Ah, yes. Things have been busy lately, so I have not had the time to enjoy your excellent hospitably," the man said with a genuine smile.

She showed him and put a kettle on. "Is this a social visit or is there something we can do for the Order?" Molly asked, putting her best China and some snack cakes onto the only silver server platter she had. It was one of the few heirlooms she still had from her mother.

"A bit more of Order business than a social business," he replied.

The kettle whistled and she poured the hot water into a put with the freshest tea leaves she had. "Arthur and I are always willing to help, you know this." Molly was always willing to help as it meant a few extra galleons, which was always nice. "Though there hasn't been much need of late."

"No, I agree. The need of the Order seems to be waning with many of the Dark families giving up their Blood Supremacy and moving more towards the grey and neutral houses, but there is still need," Albus told her.

She put the best teacup before Albus, taking the other for herself. After serving it up, she took a seat. "What can we help you with?"

"Well, I have recently come across some disturbing news that might jeopardize my promise to raise the Weasley's back into the Sacred Twenty-Eight," he told her.

She frowned. "You said that we would be getting a substantial amount form the Lestrange estate. My great-grandmother was a Lestrange," she told him. The gold would be pittance to the Potter wealth, but she had been counting on it for well over a year now, ever since the goblins had said she would be the last person to be able to inherit the last of their wealth once the estate was paid off.

"Alas, I do not know. The goblins will not talk to be about that and some of the estate is still caught in the Ministry. I will enquire again in the DMLE law offices if everything is resolved," he promised her. "What I am more concerned with is Harry Potter."

Molly's jovial slant changed suddenly. "What about Potter?"

Her sudden vehemence had Albus raise an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that he was involved with your daughter..."

"The arse is well through with Ginny, though he has left a mess behind him. Ginny, George and Fred won't even talk to me or the rest of the family after Christmas," she said bitterly.

Albus looked at her for a moment. "I wasn't aware of that. I thought Harry and Ginny were still dating."

Molly gave a dark laugh. "Not now. Arthur and I have finally decided to press charges against Potter. We will be compensated for what he did to our Ronald."

"You can't do that. What about your plans to see the boy as part of your family?" the man questioned.

"I would sooner drown the half-blood bastard than have him give me any grandchildren. Ginny has already whored herself to him. We don't need any more shame. As it is, she will probably not be able to find a proper husband now," she just about snapped.

Albus sighed. "I see." When he stood up, she was shocked.

"Are you leaving already? You haven't even touched your tea," she pointed out.

"Alas, I came to talk about the potential of future nuptials and plans to help your family, but it would appear you are amenable," he told her. Albus reached into his pocket and place five galleons on the table. "When I call on you in the future, I hope you will still be amenable."

Her anger flared up. "You can't have meant for Ginny to still marry Potter! He got my Ronald put into St Mungo's, probably for the rest of his life. I have three children that won't talk to me now. Not to mention that he almost got Percy fired from the Ministry and the little prat wasn't even grateful enough to pay for his stays here. That was good gold and silver we paid to host him at your prodding."

Albus electric blue eyes stared at her. The normally caring and happy man was looking at her in a way that had her taking a step back. "Mrs Weasley, let me remind you that Harry Potter is responsible for saving your daughter, your husband, giving Fred and George the means to start their most successful shop and stopped Willian from being cursed the night he defeated Voldemort in the Department of Ministries. I am sure if he wanted, he could press for his own compensation under the laws of our lands. He is part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and elite group that the Weasleys were removed from three generations ago after they had tried to reverse the decisions of the Wizengamot on marriage and muggle mixing. I would caution you to do anything against Harry Potter or we may lose him as a potential alley in the coming years if he decides to enter the Wizengamot."

Molly, sacred, but being a Gryffindor and known for the same temper that her brothers had at times, came right back. "Good riddance then. It was the Potters that were against the Weasleys at that time. It was an alliance that they were leading members in that forced my family out of the Wizengamot. Since then, the Weasleys have lost out fortune, our standing and most of the respect that should be bestowed to such an old house. I will have Potter's money and House Weasley will rise again."

Albus bristled at her. She felt his power expand. The teacups rattled, as did many other objects around the kitchen. "I once thought you were one that believed in the Greater Good. I can see now you only care for your greater good. I don't think you will be called upon to do services to the Order of the Phoenix again. Good day, Mrs Weasley," the man said in a derisive tone. He turned and was out the door before she could come back at him.

Truth be told, Molly had been afraid, very afraid, at the last show of power from Dumbledore. That fear grew as she realized that she might have just lost them the grace of Albus Dumbledore. As she thought about it, her fear turned into anger. No. It had been Potter. Potter has just cost the family more. She would be talking to their solicitor to increase the compensation they were looking for to pay for Ronald's bills, the lost life he now had, the fact Potter was responsible for endangering Ginny and Arthur... why else would there not be a life debt from both if Potter had not been involved. It didn't matter that only one-life debt could be held at a time and Dumbledore had told them that Granger had one. To Molly Weasley, all their misfortunes came down to a Potter.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 4

-oOo-

February 4, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry was just finishing his dinner when the two girls he had been thinking about since waking came into the infirmary. Hermione gave him a big smile while Daphne looked unsure. Harry had awoken a little after noontime to find he was the only one in the infirmary, both girls having gone to classes for the day. The matron had looked him over before allowing him to get dressed. Dobby, his faithful friend, had brought him a change of clothes.

Being ordered to take it easy, he had settled into read through the letters again. Knowing what Hermione had coached him in, they were just the same as yesterday. Somehow both Hermione and Daphne were recognized as being betrothed to him. Not that Harry found himself that distressed about it... on the contrary, he was hoping that Hermione and him would be married someday. He knew that he was only seventeen and she was eighteen, but in all his life, she had been the only one to unconditionally stand by his side, whether he needed her or not, or if he tried to push her away or not. Sirius had been the second one, but there had been times he had seriously let Harry down, like the night he chases after Peter Pettigrew instead of taking him. Even so, he knew Sirius had loved him and it had gutted Harry when he lost the only man he had considered a father figure.

As much as Harry might want to someday be married to Hermione, his few hours of weakness the other night condemned her to him, no matter what. The declaration in the Gringotts' letter that Hermione was now the heiress-presumptive of the Potters had significant meaning to magic. He knew. He read the same books on the Wizengamot, the Ministry and how magic recognized marriages, betrothals, bonds and the progeneration of house lines. If magic recognized her as the heiress-presumptive, it meant they were betrothed, destined to be married. This was a betrothal ordained by magic. Like a prophesy.

Harry had thought he had had enough of prophesies for a lifetime.

He knew she would understand what this meant. Madam Pomfrey had told him that Hermione had read them.

They had learned of life debts and had talked about how Hermione might repay the one she had from the night he had saved her from the troll, but he wanted her to have a choice. He wanted a choice. So much of his life had been decided for him until that night he had found a way to banish Voldemort to the realm of death, or so Dumbledore had told him.

Even less of a choice was the blonde next to Hermione.

The night of Imbolc he had enjoyed Daphne just as much as Hermione. Truth be told, he wanted to enjoy it again. Both young women were sexy, especially when on his cock...

He shook his head to clear the image. He wouldn't deny he hadn't had dreams, but after experiencing one of his dreams, though Daphne had not been the other girl, he knew his dreams were so far below any expectation he could have had.

The nightmare was the betrothal contract sitting on the table next to him. The contract bound Daphne and her sister to the Blacks, to marry the best possible heir of the house and to birth the next generation. Daphne would be his wife - he would never abandon her to lose her magic or worse - in the coming year or so. She didn't have a choice. Well, she did, but Harry knew no witch would willingly give up her magic. It had made him sick to his stomach to understand she was essentially his property. She couldn't do anything without his say. That was something he found unacceptable, but knew many pureblood women were stuck that way in their marriages.

Thinking of this, he watched them both come over to him. His eyes didn't miss the slight sway to both their hips. "How are you feeling?" Hermione asked, coming to his side and giving him a chaste kiss.

"Alright," he said, knowing she hated when he said he was 'fine'. "How are you?"

"Doing well," Hermione said, taking his hand and sitting at the edge of the bed.

Harry turned to Daphne. "How are you, Daphne?"

"Doing well, my Liege," Daphne replied, bowing her head slightly.

Harry sighed. "If you call me 'my liege' again, we are going to have issues. I read through the contract, Daphne, I expect you treat me like anyone else. I figure, after the other night, we would get to know each other. Maybe as friends, then as something more?" Harry requested of her.

Daphne relaxed. Hermione gave the girl an encouraging smile. "I told you so."

Daphne gave a nervous giggle. "I couldn't take the risk. You know why?"

"I know that you are both my betroths. What about your sister?" Harry asked.

"Father sent us a letter this morning. We have both been transferred to you. Will you want Astoria too?" Daphne questioned. He could see the fear in her eyes.

Harry shook his head. "No. I think two girls are going to be more than enough for me," he said with a small smile, hoping to ease the situation.

Hermione smiled, but Daphne still looked apprehensive. "Father would like to meet with you this weekend to get to know you and finalize the date," she told him.

Harry snorted. "Nothing like the present to take care of things. Are you two really alright?"

"We are fine, Harry," Hermione told him.

"You are alright with this?" he asked the girl he knew he loved.

Hermione gave him an encouraging smile. "Yes. Don't give me that look. You can't tell me that this isn't any boy's wet dream?"

Harry smirked. "Maybe, but you know what others may say."

Hermione put a hand on his cheek. "Harry, I am fine with this. Daphne is a really nice person, not to mention sexy."

Harry's eyes went a little wide a Hermione's comment.

Daphne giggled again. "Now you are just being mean to him."

"Maybe, but he's cute when he looks like that. Daphne and I had a long talk yesterday, Harry. We both know the price magic will demand to break that contract. I don't want to see either of you hurt," Hermione told him in no uncertain terms.

Harry looked at her for a long moment, then to Daphne, who still hadn't approached closer than ten feet from the bed. "You are alright with this?"

"I'll admit this was not the plan the other night, but I am not disappointed. You are rather handsome and Hermione always talks highly of you. It also gives us a path to free my sister. That is the biggest thing I wanted," she told him.

Harry could see the sincerity in her face. Daphne had tricked them to save her sister. It was an act of bravery and unselfishness he could relate too. He would do anything for his friends, and soon to be family. He patted the bed to indicate for her to join Hermione and him. Daphne came over, her apprehensive look lessening. "You would accept me?"

When she sat, Harry took her hand. "I think I should ask if would accept me. I don't want to force you into anything. Neither of you. My life hasn't been all roses, and I don't know if it ever will be. You both being bound to me is probably one of the most pleasant things to ever happen to me."

Daphne gave a shy smile. "It was rather pleasant."

Hermione took Daphne's other hand. "More than pleasant."

They all sat there in silence for a moment. When Harry broke it, he put the question out that had been bothering him all afternoon. "What do we do now?"

"You talk with Daphne's parents. We decide on a date for the wedding and go from there," Hermione said rather simply. Harry rose an eyebrow at her. Hermione blushed some. "Of course, I hope we do more of what we did the other night. And at some point, I would like my own wedding."

Harry swallowed before smiling. Daphne squeezed Hermione's hand. "I want you to marry at the same time I do. If we are going to be in this together, then I want us to do this together."

Harry nodded to the blonde. "I'll go with what my girlfriend says."

Hermione gave him a look. "Your girlfriend? I thought I was your girlfriend?"

"Well, the Black girlfriend. You are the Potter girlfriend," he said a little cheekily, earning him a laugh from Daphne as Hermione playfully hit his arm. "Oi! Abuse!"

"I'll show you abuse, Potter," Hermione threatened with not heat to her words.

The clack of boots on the flagstones interrupted them. "I would hope you don't abuse my patient, Ms Granger," the matron said in a severe tone.

"I would never, Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said rather innocently.

"It depends on the type of abuse," Daphne said with a wink. Harry had images of a naked blonde making him beg... he had to shake his head. Daphne's smirk had him thinking she knew part of what he just imagined. Merlin, how was he going to survive with two women?

The matron had a slight uptick to her mouth, as though she wanted to smile. "Yes, well, nothing like that will happen in my hospital. Understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," Daphne replied.

"How are you feeling, Potter?"

Harry rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck from side to side. "Well, thank you."

She clicked her tongue before running her wand over him. After a moment, she nodded in satisfaction. "Your magic levels are not back up to par yet. You will need to avoid casting for the next two days, besides that, you are healthy. Can I trust you two to escort Potter out of here and not put him through anything strenuous for the next two days?"

The eye she gave both girls had Hermione blushing and Daphne taking on the emotionless mask he usually saw her in. Even so, there was a slight tinge to her cheeks. "I will make sure my betrothed is well taken care of," Daphne said.

"I'm sure you will, Ms Greengrass," the matron said with a wink. Daphne's neck coloured now. The woman chuckled as she walked back to her office.

Harry got out of bed. Hermione and Daphne stood, Daphne standing a few feet away. Harry wasn't going to have that. On an impulse, he reached out and pulled her in. Daphne moved, her eyes growing wide as Harry pulled her against him and leaned his head down. She didn't resist his lips meeting hers, leaning into him and pressing into the kiss. It wasn't long, but when he pulled back, there was a small, satisfied smile on her face. "What was that for?"

"If we are going to make this work than you are both equal to me," Harry told her.

Hermione, stepped in, pulling his face to her to give him a kiss. "I agree," she told him before putting a hand on Daphne's cheek and turning the girl to give her a kiss too. Harry let out a soft groan. Both girls seemed to smile at that. "I think he likes us kissing."

"I caught that when he was dreaming yesterday," Daphne said, leaning it to peck Hermione.

"Bloody hell," he muttered.

"Language, Harry," Hermione corrected him.

"So, Hermione, where is that plan does your father try to kill me when we tell your parents?" Harry questioned, putting an arm around both girls' shoulders.

"Bloody hell," she exclaimed.

"Language, Hermione," Daphne chastised with a grin.

"Oh, shove it," Hermione told the blonde.

"As long as Harry is doing the shoving," Daphne replied.

He groaned again, his pants starting to get tight.

-oOo-

February 6, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

"POTTER!" an angry voice yelled out.

Harry's face scrunched in anger. He was walking in a group with Hermione, Daphne, Neville, Susan and Hannah towards the third floor and charms. Today they had decided to go the slightly long way to go past the courtyard to enjoy the above freezing temperatures that had settled in this week. He was happy to be walking with the group he was with. In the last few years, since Ron was no longer around, Harry and Neville had become friends, and the people Neville was friends with often hung out with them. Harry was pleased that they all accepted Daphne with no questions. He couldn't say the same for others, mostly some in Slytherin and Gryffindor.

"POTTER! You stole my women!" the voice exclaimed over the ground of the inner courtyard. They were all on their way to charms after Neville, Hermione, him and Susan had come from DADA.

"Excuse me," Harry said to the group.

"Harry, just let him be for now," Hermione told him.

Daphne stepped in closer to him. He could tell she was afraid of the angry Malfoy stomping across the courtyard. Any other day Harry might look at the greening grass and the melting ice as unusual at the start of February, but he was eyeing the boy that had just pulled his wand instead. Like a bull to a matador, Harry stepped before the girls. "Get lost, Malfoy."

"You stole Greengrass and her sister. How dare you!" an irate Draco screamed at him, the boy's wand coming up and sparks shooting out. Harry had never seen the blonde ponce so upset. It just made Harry very protective of his girls. Yes, he now looked at both Daphne and Hermione as his girls. It wasn't in a possessive way, but they did belong to him, as much as he belonged to them.

"I would watch what you say, Malfoy. Daphne and her sister are now under the protection of the Regent of House Black. Do you really want to go against me?" His voice was low and dangerous. It was dangerous enough that the two goons that usually bracketed him were still back across the courtyard. Actually, Crabbe and Goyle hadn't bothered them since Tuesday night.

Malfoy was beyond angry though. Spit flew from his mouth as he yelled at Harry. Harry's wand was ready to react. "Bloody, fucking twat. You kill my father, steal my inheritance and now you steal my betroths. If you don't give them back to me right now, I'm challenging you for the regency of the Blacks. This is a matter of blood."

There was a pulse of magic at his words. Daphne gasped behind him. Most of the others were stock still as magic grew around them. Harry's eyes narrowed. His eyes took on a slight glow as he drew on the power around them. It was like the other night, except this time his body could handle the increase in power. "This is a matter of blood. I will give you one last chance to back down and walk away. I doubt your mother would want me to declare you blood traitor, Malfoy."

Through the boy's rage, Harry saw a quick flash of fear and possibly apprehension of what he was doing. Sirius had hoped that Narcissa and her son might be reformed. Narcissa Malfoy had not threatened him or done anything against him since that day her husband died. Harry wasn't directly responsible for Malfoy senior's death, but he had defeated his master, causing the death of anyone that was marked by the bastard. If Harry were to declare Malfoy blood traitor for going against the Regent of House Black, the one that held the reigns to part of his blood, it would give Harry cause to cast the ferret out of the Blacks. It would also label him as one of the people he hated most.

Andromeda had been tutoring him in all this since he had adopted her and his distant cousin Nymphadora back into the house. That was another request of Sirius. It was something Sirius had wanted to do but couldn't when he was still a wanted criminal.

It took maybe two seconds before Malfoy's anger came roaring back. "I call a challenge for the Regency of House Black. I name Harry Black, Regent of House Black, as betrayer of the charter and intent of the blood. I will give you the standard hour to prepare."

Harry stepped up to Malfoy, letting the boy's wand poke him in the chest. "You are an idiot, Malfoy. You are challenging the head of House Black, the head of your mother's blood. You do not get to dictate the terms. I have two meetings in Hogsmeade tomorrow. I expect I shall be done by three. We will meet at the style at the end of town. Out of respect, if you do not show, I will beat you bloody and then cast you out of the house as oath breaker and blood traitor. This is only out of respect for my godfather's last wishes and the way your mother has treated me over the years."

"Screw you, Potter. I'll kill you tomorrow," the boy snapped. "I'll take Daphne and Astoria and they will learn to regret crossing me."

Malfoy's magic felt unhinged. Harry's magic responded, reflecting the sparks that suddenly leapt from Malfoy's wand at his uncontrolled anger. There was now a smoking hole in his shirt where the Black's magic had protected him. As Regent of the Blacks, Malfoy wasn't supposed to do any harm to him until this duel was started now. It would also protect Malfoy from his magic. It didn't stop him his fist though.

Harry's fist made a satisfactory crunching sound as his fist made contact. Even better was to see Malfoy's eyes roll back into his head before he fell over, Harry leaning over with the force he had put into his punch, before taking a stumbling step. Even with his workouts, Harry could tell that his hand was hurt, but seeing the crumpled form of Draco on the ground was worth it.

"Mr Potter!" Professor McGonagall called out. The gathered crowd was talking loudly as an angry Scott's woman stepped over to him. "What are you doing?"

"Knocking out Malfoy," he said rather nonchalantly. Daphne snorted while Hermione gave him a reproachful look.

"I see that! Twenty-five points from Gryffindor. Now tell me why," she demanded, looking at the crumpled heap as his feet.

"He has issued a formal challenge for regency of House Black and then threatened by betrothed," Harry told her, standing tall. This caused as much a stir as the confrontation did. He saw a few rush away, probably going to tell others of what was going on.

Professor McGonagall looked a little shocked. "Malfoy challenged you? Not on Hogwarts grounds, surely?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, at three, at the style on the edge of Hogsmeade. If you would be an impartial judge, I am sure Mr Malfoy would accept that as well," Harry offered. Her reaction was just what he thought it would be.

She looked shocked for a moment before bristling, "I would never. I do not condone such actions. Wizarding Duels are serious matters and should be talk about so glibly."

Harry huffed. "Believe me, professor, I don't think this a laughing matter. He has challenged by blood as Regent Black. My grandmother was a Black and puts me one seat ahead of Malfoy. I have a meeting with Lady Malfoy tomorrow, if she cannot convince her son to drop the challenge, I will not be held responsible for what happens."

The two of them stared each other down for a moment. When the bell tolled, she let out a huff. "Twenty-five points from Slytherin for starting this row. I hope you know what you are doing, Mr Potter. Crabbe. Goyle. Take Mr Malfoy to the infirmary. Everyone else, to class now. You are all tardy."

The courtyard became a flurry of activity as everyone made for their classes.

"You are to get to class too, Mr Potter," McGonagall told him before turning on her heels.

Daphne took a step towards him as he shook his hand. He was sure he had a knuckle or two that would need some healing, but at the same time, he was sure he had broken Malfoy's nose, if not his cheek as well.

"You accepted a challenge from Malfoy?" Daphne asked.

Hermione huffed. "I don't like this, but did Harry have any other choice? Harry, are you going to set any rules for this? I think Malfoy will try to kill you."

He looked to Hermione, trying to keep his wince down as Daphne took his hand. "I know. I am only going to say no Unforgivables. He is all words."

"You broke a knuckle," Daphne told him. Harry looked down to his hand. Daphne had her wand out. "No one has ever stood up for me like that before."

Harry ran his other hand through his hair. "I would have tossed the tosser if Sirius hadn't asked me to give Narcissa and Draco a chance. Sssssss," he hissed in pain when she cast something over his hand. He felt his bones pop back into place and his broken skin mend. When she was done, he stretched his fingers a few times. It was sore, but not broken anymore. "Thank you."

"Don't hit anyone else for a few hours and it should be back to normal. Will you be able to beat Malfoy?"

Hermione came in, taking Harry's other hand. "Malfoy won't know what is about to hit him next time."

Harry chuckled. "I don't think he knows what hit him this time."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Not funny, Harry."

"I thought it was a little," Daphne said with a slight smile.

"If you don't get to class right now, I'll dock twenty points from each of you," Professor McGonagall called from her classroom.

"We have to go," Hermione told them, pulling him, and Harry pulling Daphne.

-oOo-

That night...

The week had been very busy, and this was the first time he really had a chance to relax. Wanting to spend it with Hermione and Daphne, he was surprised when Hermione had told him to go for a walk with Daphne. She could have him when he got back.

Not having many places to go, Harry started to head for the seventh floor.

"Where are you taking me?" Daphne enquired.

"Some place special," Harry told her. Hermione and him had had a long conversation last night about how they wanted this relationship to go. Alone time with each other was going to be a must, as well as together time. Harry found himself looking forward to both, even if he was unsure if it was the magic or honest attraction to the newest young woman in his life, and the fact Hermione was so accepting.

"What kind of special? I hope it's better than a broom closet," she told him.

Harry laughed. "I promise it's better," Harry told her.

"It better be," she responded.

As the week had gone by, Daphne had started to act a little more like he knew her too. Aloof to most. Mean to those that annoyed her. Obviously scared of Malfoy. Getting her up here was as much about getting her away from Malfoy as it was getting to know her better. Tracy was keeping an eye on Astoria tonight, but the younger Greengrass already seemed to be surrounded by a group of, well not fully friends, but associates? Some she obviously thought of as friends, but Harry had the feeling the Greengrasses had a bit of influence that could rival Malfoy.

When he had her stand right before the painting of Barnabas the Barmy, with the trolls being a bit off tonight. Harry had never seen clubs before, nor Barnabas running around avoiding them. He wasn't sure what had happened, but the trolls looked intent on crushing their teacher tonight. Daphne arched a brow at the painting. "Do they usually try to kill... ah... Barnabas," she asked, looking at the plaque.

"HELP! I swear I didn't let the chicken loose in here!" the painted wizard was yelling. Harry hadn't noticed the chickens. He wasn't sure where they had come from either, never having seen the birds in any other painting.

"Poor man. Right, stand right here," Harry told her with a smirk on his face.

She put her hands before her, standing tall. She was in a nice dress under a cardigan. As she stood tall, she made sure her chest was out. Harry tried not to feel distracted at that. Daphne gave him a small smirk as though knowing the effect on him. Even with her being more of the Daphne Greengrass he had come to expect over the years, she didn't treat Hermione or him like that. "Is this how you want me to stand? Am I pretty enough?"

Harry gave her a once over. "You'll do," he commented, earning him a glare. Harry started to walk back and forth, his eyes not really leaving her. If he hadn't dated Ginny, and now Hermione, he might be totally tongue-tied.

"You look very beautiful," he told her honestly.

The smile she returned had his insides fluttering. "You clean up nicely yourself," she replied. Harry was in a nice pair of slacks, a green, long sleeve silky shirt and a vest. He was told to dress a little more formally for Daphne.

As he completed his third pass, an elaborate set of doors appeared behind him. Daphne looked a little shocked. "What is that?"

"Have you ever seen a movie before?" Harry asked her.

"Is that a muggle thing?" Daphne asked, reaching a hand out to the take the one he was holding.

"Think of a play that goes like a wizarding picture with sound," Harry told her. "I thought it so cool to see this one party and ballroom."

Harry pushed the doors open. Daphne gasped as she looked around. Having grown up with magic, she could honestly say she hadn't seen anything like this before. The doors opened onto a large circular floor with intricate gorgon knots, runes and a crest in the centre. It was all white. White, elegant chandeliers hung all over the place. Strings of pearls hung from the chandeliers. Glass looking bubbled the side of apples floated everywhere. Staircases came off in random areas. Some going up to other platforms, some curving into a space she could see where they went, and another circled around and down. She looked over the circular floor she was on, she noticed that there was another beneath that did the same thing. She couldn't see a bottom and felt a sensation of vertigo.

Harry took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist to keep fer from falling. Both her arms wrapped around the one on her waist.

"What is this place?" Daphne asked, a sense of wonder as she looked around.

"It's called the Room of Requirements, but tonight it is an area where a Goblin King held a masquerade for a beautiful woman. I thought it was a fun place and thought it would be nice to see you here," Harry told her, pulling her back. She turned to see him in a black suite with a white shirt. It was stylized, pointed in areas and covered in what looked like black diamonds. He grinned at her as he reached for a black mask on a table that hadn't been there before. "I thought it might be fun for us to take our masks off tonight."

A table appeared as her side. She started when it suddenly appeared under her fingertips. Looking down there was a white mask covered in gems on a stick. Where Harry was black, she was white. Even more surprising was that her dress and cardigan had been changed to an elaborate white dress with gold braiding, gems and silver woven into it. She looked like some fantasy princess.

"What do you say, Ms Greengrass, would you have this dance with me?" Harry asked.

She looked up at him. "How did you do this?"

Harry laughed. "Magic."

She would have rolled her eyes, but she felt too caught up in the moment, taking up the mask. She put it to her face as he extended his hand again. Some type of classical music started up in the background. "If we weren't already bound to be with each other, I would be very tempted to claim you anyways."

"I wasn't this smooth last year, but I like to think I've learned quickly," he replied.

She laughed in joy as he pulled her and spun her. Harry dropped the masked to take her up properly. He still remembered the lessons from his disastrous Yule Ball and the New Year's dance that Hermione had taken him to. That had led to their first kiss. As the music slowed, Daphne moved in, her mask falling to the floor and hers telegraphing the fun she was having. When her front came to rest against his, her eyes became half lidded and her mouth opened a little. Harry leaned his head down, lightly brushing her lips.

"Aren't you going to kiss me?" she asked when he pulled back, a needy and breathy quality to her voice.

He moved back it, this time giving her a real kiss. They had pecked each other this week, but nothing more than that. He was still unsure, but with Hermione's blessing, and urging, Harry was going to let himself fall for this beautiful blonde, and hope she fell for him. Harry didn't want to have one marriage that was full of love and the other not.

He tried to put this into his kiss. It was slowly at first. Daphne seemed a little hesitant, even as her body leaned into him. As their lips moved together, there was more of a surety that they were physically attracted to each other. Harry was the first to let his tongue ghost over her lips. Without the magic of Imbolc, they were being more explorative, making sure that they wanted this.

Daphne did the same with her tongue over his lips. After a few, she pulled back. It wasn't a breath-taking kiss, but it had been very nice. She leaned her forehead against his. At this close range he could just barely make out the details of her dark blue eyes. "How was that?" Harry asked.

She gave a very satisfied smile. "If I didn't know better, I would think you actually like me."

Harry pulled back enough to really look into her eyes. As some point his hand has found her waist as her hands were inside his fancy jacket on his chest. "Daphne, I know we don't have a choice in this, but I meant it. This is going to be something we are all equal to each other. I feel incredibly drawn to you. You are a beautiful woman. But I want to get to know who you really are. I want this to be more than some contract. Hermione does too. I know this is the about the three of us, but I want us, me and you, to have something special too."

Daphne's eyes became watery as he talked. It took her a moment to respond. "Do you really mean it?"

"I never say things I don't mean," he assured her.

Her eyes searched his. "You know that most marriage contracts are just business deals? This one we are bound to is just that. The Blacks and Greengrasses will become allies and share certain key businesses. You don't have to fall in love with me or anything. I only need to give you two children."

Harry shook his head. "I won't ever trap anyone like that. I find myself wanting more and I hope you do to. We are in this together."

"And Hermione? I can tell you love her," Daphne said, sounding very unsure.

"I want to love you too," he told her.

Daphne looked a little shocked for a moment. Harry wasn't expecting her to run her hand up, around his neck and pull him into a kiss that was totally searing. They were rather breathless this, her hands had made a right mess of her hair and he been running his thumbs along the side of her bust. She put her head onto his chest. "I want to go further, but I want to talk to my parents first. There are rules we should follow," she got out.

His chest was still heaving, enjoying her own body recovering. "I'll do what you want."

She pulled back, a radiant smile on her face. "Thank you."

Daphne pecked him. "Can you walk me back?"

"Will you be safe?"

"Malfoy and his lot won't dare touch me. My father holds interest in their export business, and he won't risk the duel tomorrow. If he attacks me or my sister, you will have rights to demand a forfeit from him," she told him.

"I don't care about that. I just care that you are safe," Harry told her, though forcing magic to judge the ponce as soon as possible had merit.

Daphne gave him a small kiss again. "You keep talking like that, and I might believe you that you want to fall for me."

"I think I already am," Harry replied, earning him another kiss.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 5

-oOo-

February 7, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry walked into the Great Hall with a knot of Slytherin. He had seen Daphne back to the common room last night, being rewarded with a ten-minute snogging session when he showed her his invisibility cloak and they avoided Draco and his bookends waiting in an unused classroom. Well, it wasn't that they snuck past them that earned him those happy moment, it was that Harry had cast a ward to keep them out of Slytherin for the night.

Harry had gone to bed a very happy boy when Hermione had given him her own reward for taking such good care of Daphne.

This morning he had gone down to pick up Daphne, Tracey, Astoria and two of Astoria's friends. He hadn't expected Blaise to join them, but he was escorting a very pleased looking Tracey. Perhaps more than one betrothal had been broken or changed Tuesday night?

"Draco was livid with whomever locked him out of Slytherin," Astoria said with a big smile.

"I slept well last night knowing he wasn't in the house," Daphne added.

Astoria looked at her. "How did you know he wasn't in the house?"

Daphne gave her sister a very small smirk. "I have my ways."

Tracey giggled. "Do you think he will ever figure it out?"

"Probably not, but I'm sure I'll be blamed," Harry told them.

Inside the Great Hall Hermione was sitting with Neville and the two Hufflepuffs that has been at his side all week. Daphne had mentioned that Susan would need a line continuance contracted marriage if she wanted to keep the Bones name alive. Neville still looked in a daze as Hannah kissed his cheek when they sat.

"Good morning," Hermione said, giving Daphne's leg a squeeze as they sat. The three of them wanted to explore this new relationship more but having the two girls kiss in the middle of most of the students was too much attention for them just yet.

"Good morning. Would you mind if we escort Astoria and her friends into Hogsmeade?" Daphne asked.

"Of course not," Hermione said. Harry had already agreed.

"So, I heard an interesting rumour yesterday," Hannah said as they all served themselves breakfast.

"And what is that?" Tracey enquired.

The fact that Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors and Slytherins were all sitting at the Hufflepuff table and being friendly with each other was already generating new rumours didn't distract Hannah from whatever juicy gossip she had. "I know you said that Daphne is now your betrothed, but Granger is carrying your baby?"

Harry spluttered hot tea all over the table. "Oh, gross," Susan complained. Hannah made a disgusting face. Hermione patted his back worriedly as he coughed up a lung.

Daphne rose an eyebrow to Hannah. "Who said that?"

"Parvati. She said that Hermione told her and Lavender how Harry took you both multiple times and that the only reason Harry hasn't dropped his mistress yet is because she's pregnant." Hannah had a huge smile on her face.

"Oh, Merlin. Do they really think that?" Neville questioned.

"I hear he's bigger than you, Nev," Susan insinuated with a lascivious smirk, then a wink to Harry. " Is that true?"

"What, do you they think boys just stand around trying to measure each other?" Astoria put to the group, obviously finding it absurd.

Neville flushed while Harry wouldn't look towards Astoria. "Well, Harry and I haven't," Neville said.

All the girls around them stopped for a second, looking to the two blushing boys. Harry wasn't about to say that Neville and him had found Dean and Seamus doing just that a month back. Blaise shrugged his shoulders. "It's not something we like to talk about," the dark skin boy said.

Neville and Harry turned to him with incredulous faces. Most of the girls looked between grossed out and curious. That was when Blaise started to chuckle. "You're right, Trace. They are all gullible."

One of Astoria's friends had a faraway look. "Don't ruin my fantasy. Do you shake your hips while comparing? Limp or stiff?"

"Slag," Astoria accused. Most laughed as they turned back to their food. Harry was just finishing his first egg when most around him tensed. He knew right away that it was either Malfoy or a teacher.

"Good morning, everyone. It is refreshing to see such a diverse group," the headmaster said over his shoulder.

Harry tried to keep his face passive. Even if it had been more than a year-and-a-half, Harry had not been able to forgive the headmaster for what he had done, especially since Harry was convinced Sirius would still be alive if Harry had known of the horcrux in him and the prophesy.

"We see no need to adhere to the old boundaries," Hermione pointed out from besides him. She sounded just as cold as she had for a while to the man.

"I can't agree with you more, Ms Granger. I am sorry to break up what appears to be a happy breakfast between friends, but I would talk with you, Harry," Dumbledore said.

Harry took in an angry breath. "It's Mr Potter, headmaster. Or if you wish to be more formal you can address me as Regent Potter or Regent Black."

His petulance to the aged man rose a few eyebrows that didn't really know him well yet.

"Yes, Mr Potter, if you would, I would like to have a conversation before you head into Hogsmeade with your group," the headmaster suggested.

"Is this related to school, headmaster?"

"I would like a private conversation," the man told him.

Harry shook his head. "Unless it is about school, headmaster, I don't have anything to say or want to hear anything you would say."

Harry missed the annoyed look on the man's face, especially when most eyes bounced between the two. Astoria took in a sharp breath.

"I think you should listen to me on this, Harry," the headmaster pressed

Harry slammed a fork into the table, burying the prongs into the magically reinforced wood. Harry turned to look up at the man. "I really don't, headmaster. If you have something to say, you can say it before by betroths and my friends."

The headmaster's eyes grew a little wide. Those sitting with them weren't surprised by Harry's declaration. Many others had heard about Harry and Daphne suddenly being together. Apparently, the fact Harry was betrothed to both Hermione and Daphne hadn't gotten around... well except that Hermione was pregnant. He was sure Parvati and Lavender would not be pleased once Hermione got her hands on them later for spreading that rumour.

"This would be best to discuss in private," the headmaster tried one last time.

"Unless this a school matter, I am going to finish breakfast and then head into Hogsmeade," Harry said, turning back to his plate.

The headmaster let out a long breath. "Very well. I was going to tell you are forbidden from going into Hogsmeade today and didn't want to make a fuss."

Harry snorted. "Try to pull another one. You can't deny me because I am over seventeen or when I am going to be taking care of House matters," Harry replied, taking a new fork as his other was buried a good inch or more in the table.

"As your headmaster, I do have rights over when students can come and go, even if they are of age," Headmaster Dumbledore said in an imperious tone. "I would also like to talk about your betroths. You do know it is illegal to marry more than one witch, Mr Potter?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Not your concern. Are you ladies done?" Harry asked.

None of them had eaten more than half of what was on their plates or in their bowls. Daphne daintily patted her lips with her napkin while Hermione pushed all her hair over her shoulders. "The first coach doesn't leave for another hour. I would like to go back to Gryffindor tower for something I forgot."

Harry gave her an amused look, not sure if what she forgot was to curse Lavender and Parvati or something else.

Unsure what was really going on, most of the rest moved to get up.

"Harry, you can't duel Draco Malfoy today," Dumbledore said in more of a command.

Harry had been helping Daphne up. When the old man spoke, he turned to look at him. "Again, Headmaster, that is a House issue that you have no say in. Professor Flitwick has agreed to referee the dispute."

"You have to call this off. Mr Malfoy is the head of an old house. He can't be killed without repercussions," the headmaster said.

Harry gave the man an incredulous look. Couldn't the headmaster just keep out of other's business?

Daphne spoke up beside him. "My Regent Black has been challenged by another of the blood of Black for control of House Black. Both the challenged and challenger are of age. Laws around such a challenge do not allow you to interfere, Headmaster Dumbledore."

"You cannot duel on Hogwarts grounds or in Hogsmeade. There are laws and rule against that," Dumbledore countered.

"Good thing I'm not. Ladies," Harry said, holding an arm out for both of them. Hermione took his right hand while Daphne slid her hand into the crook of his left. The other nine students left with them.

"Arrogant prick," Harry mumbled. He pecked Daphne's cheek. "Thank you." He then pecked Hermione's.

"If I am to be heiress Black, my place is to stand next to my husband-to-be and defend our House," Daphne said with her nose up.

Tracey sniggered. "Merlin, she was stuck up before."

Daphne cast a glare over her shoulder, making a few of them laugh.

-oOo-

A little while later...

Hogsmeade, Scotland

Harry just wanted to spend time with his two girls, but he knew that wouldn't be possible right now. They had enough time to run into Honeydukes, where he found out Daphne liked anything dark chocolate, he had to convince Hermione to take more than a few sugar quills and sneered at the chocolate frog cards with the new card: Harry Potter, Gilderoy Lockhart and Victor Krum.

When Astoria picked a few up, she responded to his disgusted look. "Just because you may not like how you look doesn't mean I don't still like chocolate frogs."

This made him laugh.

"I'll take the real thing over those," Hermione told him, kissing his cheek.

"Harry has filled out since that picture," Daphne added to the one that was on the display.

"I say burn the lot," Harry ended it. He thought he had avoided all this after the Ministry pretty cut out his part in destroying Voldemort.

About ten, Hermione, Daphne, Astoria and him headed towards the public Floo in the Three Broomsticks. He was sure Dumbledore would be even more put out when he found out they left Hogsmeade for a bit, but Harry didn't want to do this here. Not where others could overhear. The last he needed was someone like Skeeter getting hold of all this, though he suspected something might escape today. It did draw some eyes though when Harry and them stepped in. Daphne had insisted they were nice clothes and preferably wizarding robes with his House crests. Harry had a set. One of the few things he had held close to his heart from Sirius was to always have a set of dress robes. You never knew when you might need them. Hermione had put all their nice robes in her beaded back, letting them don them before heading for the Floo.

"The address is Green Crest," Daphne told them. "Astoria, you go first. I'll go second. Hermione, you should follow and Harry you last. Father and mother are nice people, but they like things to be proper when talking about important stuff."

"Like a betrothal?" Harry questioned.

"Yes," Daphne told him. She looked a little nervous.

"Mother will love him. Dad may kiss his feet that we don't have to give our family to the Malfoys," Astoria stated with a cheeky grin.

"Father will not kiss his feet," Daphne chastised her sister, even if she secretly thought that might be a possibility. Her family had not wanted to give themselves to the Malfoys.

"He may. If Harry wants the set, I may not say no," Astoria winked at him. "Green Cross!"

Astoria disappeared before Daphne could do anything.

"You better not," Hermione warned him.

Daphne huffed. "She is becoming a little minx!"

Harry snorted. "I like her when she gets riled," he whispered to Hermione, indicating Daphne.

Daphne whirled on him. "Don't you start," she pointed a finger at him. "Be polite. Ignore the pain I call sister. Don't let my father kiss your feet."

Harry chuckled. "I thought she was just joking."

"She is. I think," Daphne said, sounding unsure as she picked up some Floo powder. "Green Cross."

Harry watched her disappear. "She wasn't serious, was she?"

Hermione shrugged. "I can't always tell. You did wash your feet today, right?"

Harry blinked owlishly. "You know that doesn't sound like a turn on, right?"

Hermione pecked his lips. "I hope not. The man must be at least twenty years older than us. Green Cross."

"You brat!" Harry got out as she stepped into the fire. With a huff he put a whole galleon in the tin. "Green Cross."

When he stepped out, Hermione was brushing off the cinders from her robes. The Potter Crest was over her left breast. Harry had claimed her protected by his House the summer he found out he was emancipated. Sirius had left him a letter telling him that Hermione would be better off that way and more doors would open for her. Now, she had technically earned the right to wear it over her right breast being betrothed to him, but he really wanted to propose to her after asking her parents... That thought had him sweat a little. He felt even more nervous to see Astoria between a woman that looked much like Daphne, just a few decades older, and a man. The woman was a beautiful blonde that was lighter of hair, like Astoria, but had the same dark blue eyes of the new girl in his life.

The man to the left of Astoria was taller than him, with wide shoulders and looked like someone that was relatively muscular for a man that must have been in his early fifties. His darker blonde hair was down to his shoulders and pulled back into a ponytail at the top of his head and hair covering his neck. There was something older fashioned in the feel of it.

The three, and the blonde that had stayed at his side, screamed old blood, old money and old fashion, especially in the highly polished English oak hall. Even so, the man had an easy smile on his face as he extended a hand while stepping forward to Harry. "Regent Potter-Black, it is an honour and pleasure to accept you to Green Cross."

Harry had expected some stuffy greeting that he would bollocks up. Instead, Harry found himself extending his hand and shaking Lord Greengrass' in a bemused manner, unsure if he was reacting the right way or not. "Thank you, Lord Greengrass. Daphne has told me that you and your wife would like to meet me today."

The man put another hand over his. It was a warming gesture that felt more like long lost family greeting each other than the man that Harry felt he was stealing his daughter from. "Meet you. Get to know you. Finalize the joining of you with your daughter. Perhaps both of them. All things I am eager to talk about. We would like to get to know you better. Let's start with this charming young woman you brought with you."

Harry felt shocked. Daphne looked equally as shocked at her father's reaction. Harry was starting to worry the man really might try to kiss his feet. "Uhm, right. This is Hermione Granger. She is the Heiress-apparent Potter."

Lady Greengrass spoke this time. "Not the infamous Hermione Granger that got Head Girl this year and is always top of class?"

Daphne looked to be trying not to blush. "Yes, mother. This is Hermione Granger."

Hermione was looking between the two women as though unsure if it was good or not to be Hermione Granger. Lady Greengrass came forward to hug Hermione. "Daphne has talked about you for years. As you will be family in the near future, no standing on ceremony."

"Yes. Yes. No ceremony today," Lord Greengrass said. Harry tried not to look green as Astoria made a kissy face behind her father's back before silently laughing at him. "If we are going to all be family soon, please call me father or Grover."

"I will take nothing less than mother or Erica, from either of you. Come and join us in the family tearoom. Quillen will have tea and treats ready," Erica offered.

Harry cast a confused look to Daphne and Hermione. Daphne stepped in closer as she went to lead them into a room off the main entry. "If he asks you to remove your shoes, excuse yourself to the bathroom. Immediately."

"You don't really mean?" Harry asked concerned

"I don't know, but I've only ever seen them get this way with a few of my relatives," she said in a worried tone.

"Brilliant," he said nervously.

Hermione quietly asked, "Should we leave now?"

"I would suggest the seats closest to the door," Astoria said in a hushed tone over her shoulder.

"Brilliant," Harry repeated in a defeated tone.

-oOo-

On the return to the Three Broomsticks...

Astoria was laughing as Harry stepped out. "Merlin, Harry, I would think our parents worship the ground you live on."

Hermione smirked. "That was nothing of what I thought it would be."

"If didn't know my parents, I thought they were polyjuiced," Daphne added, still looking a little shellshocked.

Harry felt it. "I'm just glad they didn't ask me to remove my shoes. They really hate the Malfoys, don't they?"

Both Astoria's and Daphne's faces darkened for a moment. "You have no clue," Astoria said. Harry had an inkling after talking with Daphne this week. "Though father did look disappointed you didn't want the set. Well, I must go. Now that I am a free agent, I have a certain Ravenclaw I would like to find."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "And who is that?"

"I'll let you know if I want to take him home for Easter. Have fun with your boy and girl, dear sister," Astoria said happily. The girl really had been happy when Harry had emphatically told their parents he wasn't interested. Her mother had looked relieved, while her father had looked disappointed. The man was very pleased that Harry was going to be his future son-in-law instead of the blonde ponce. Speaking of said ponce, Daphne frowned to see the boy coming down the stairs from an upstairs room. He looked upset, walking right past everyone to leave the large bar room.

She didn't miss Hermione and him pass a look between them.

Harry let out a big breath. "Do you see Andi?"

"Over there," Hermione said.

"Andromeda Tonks?" Daphne asked, just to confirm.

"She's taken on the last name of Black-Tonks," Harry told her.

Daphne raised her eyebrow. "You and Hermione didn't tell me anything about this."

"Until you were officially my betrothed, it was a family secret. Only Hermione knew about it," Harry confessed to her.

"I thought her only your girlfriend," Daphne said.

"Harry extended the protection of House Potter to me soon after we found out he was emancipated," Hermione said with a blush.

As they walked over to the woman, she reached out to hug Harry, then Hermione. "It's so good to see you, Andromeda," Hermione commented.

"It is good to see you too," Andromeda Black-Tonks said, holding Daphne's future sister-wife at arm's length. She then looked to Harry. "There is something different."

"There are many things that are different. It's why we wanted to talk with you," Harry told her.

Mrs Black-Tonks looked at them again before looking to Daphne. The two women sized each other up for a moment. "So, you are to be the new Lady Black?"

Daphne did a slight bow out of respect. "Daphne Greengrass, Mrs Black-Tonks. As my betrothed has said, there has been many changes this past week."

"Indeed. You can call me Andi or Andromeda then. Are you betrothed as well?" the woman asked Hermione and Harry.

"Uhm, sort of," Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"We participated in the Rites of Brigit on Imbolc," Hermione said.

There was an immediate flash of understanding. "Ah. That explains the letters and why my sister requested to meet with us today."

Harry gave a nervous grin. "Well, that and the fact Draco has challenged me for the Regency of House Black."

Andromeda's closed her eyes and let out a long breath. "And you accepted it?"

"He is threatening Daphne, her sister and Hermione," Harry said in explanation.

"Draco also gave a formal challenge. Harry would have to abdicate if he refused the challenge," Daphne added.

"Fool of a boy. I assume you will kill him?" Andromeda asked Harry when she opened her eyes.

Harry shrugged. "If I must. He's such a little shit he should just be left on a Muggle street without a wand."

Daphne snorted.

Hermione looked concerned. "I agree he needs to be taken down but killing should be a last resort. Are you thinking some place like Brighton or a hedgerow path?"

"Why Brighton," Daphne asked confused.

"No Diagon Alley," Hermione replied. Daphne understood.

"Some of it might depend on what Narcissa says," Harry told them.

"Let's go up and talk with her," Andromeda said.

"Andi, you should know that Draco had the Black betrothal to Daphne and her sister. I dissolved the one for her sister," Harry said.

"And accepted the one for Daphne. I understand. Welcome to the family, Daphne. Hermione, you already were," the woman said with a smile.

Madam Rosmerta showed them up the stairs. In a small room, they found Narcissa Malfoy sitting at a table with three other chairs. The woman didn't get up to greet them. Harry made sure that she, Hermione and Andromeda were sitting before he conjured a chair. A carafe with a bottle of wine was in the centre of the table.

"I can ensure you that there is nothing poisonous in the wine. It's rather good, actually," Lady Malfoy said.

Andromeda snorted as she reached for the wine. "You always did like your wine."

"Yes, well, mother didn't mind. I suspect it dulled the way father was," Narcissa replied. Andromeda nodded. "It is nice to see you again, Ms Greengrass."

"Lady Malfoy," Daphne said.

"Oh, please, if we are all going to be family at some point, call me Narcissa," Narcissa told her. "And you, Hermione. I hear that you are doing very well in school this year?"

Hermione gave a small smile. "Yes, Narcissa. I expect to do very well on my NEWTS in June."

Daphne found that interesting that Hermione was on first name basis with the woman.

Narcissa snorted. "I expect much better than my son. I have been finding he thinks rather highly of himself. He has told me that he has challenged you for the House of Black. Will you kill him?"

Daphne raised an eyebrow.

Harry shrugged. "Do you want me too?"

Narcissa took a large swig of her wine before responding. "He is my son. He is the last Malfoy. He is a fool, like his father. I would prefer to see my blood go on, but it doesn't have to be through Draco. I may not be able to keep our easy alliance in the Wizengamot if he does die though. Without Malfoy blood, I would lose the seat I hold right now."

"And if he is maimed?" Harry asked. Hermione frowned, but she could tell that this was needed.

"I would not complain if I were to remain Regent and we could work out other deals in the Wizengamot," she replied.

Andromeda shook her head. "This is why I married Ted."

"And why is that, Andi?" Narcissa asked.

"I love my daughter and wouldn't use her to get ahead," Andi asked.

Narcissa gave a sly grin. "Yes, you always were more like mother. Father and grandfather would not have balked if it kept the House of Black in the right hands. They wouldn't have even minded you marrying Ted if you had done it the proper way. Harry, I do need Draco capable of carrying on his bloodline."

Harry nodded. "He'll still have his pretty face and enough body parts to attract a wife."

Narcissa nodded to him before emptying her glass. "I would appreciate that. Is there other business you wanted today?"

"Harry has claimed both contracts, and dissolved the one with Astoria," Hermione replied.

Narcissa rose an eyebrow, looking between her and Hermione before looking as though she understood. "Are you for House Potter then?"

"I am," Hermione confirmed with a smile.

"Congratulations."

"Cissy, we do have something else. We want to push through the new laws on testing for competency for Ministry workers," Andromeda stated.

Narcissa rolled her eyes. "You know that will be a hard sell to my voting bloc."

"I have twenty-five votes. Four more and we will pass it anyways and it will bring your block more bad publicity," Andromeda said.

"You have to give me something in return, Andi," Narcissa replied.

Andromeda looked to Harry and Hermione. Hermione sighed. "I know over Christmas we talked about the Ministry releasing some of the Gringotts Accounts to those left of the Death Eater families."

Narcissa looked very interested now. The ministry had 'seized' eighty percent of all accounts, but they had been held by the Goblins, not releasing the funds. "We could do that. Maybe a five percent tax," Andromeda suggested.

"Three," Narcissa countered.

"Four-point-five."

"Three."

"Four-point-two-five."

"Three."

"This isn't like when you were younger, Cissy. I won't give into you."

"Fine. Four percent," Narcissa gave in.

With a nod, the deal was sealed.

Daphne was very interested in this new dynamic. She had never seen Narcissa Malfoy so... personable.

"Harry, may I ask for a boon," Narcissa requested.

Harry looked to them before saying, "It depends. Usually we work together with a deal."

"Yes, that is how we were raised, but this is something I can only ask the Regent or Lord Black," she said. Narcissa turned her gaze to Daphne. "I supposed the future-Lady Black would also have a say in this."

Daphne smiled. "What is this boon you request of our Regent?"

Narcissa gave her an appreciative smile. "You will make a proper Lady Black. I would ask if I were to have another child you recognize them as a child of the Blacks."

Andromeda perked up at this. "Are you, Cissy?"

"Not that I know of, but I have found a man that I would like to take as a consort," she said.

"When I beat Draco today, I am going to disown him," Harry told her.

"Acceptable. He was the fool to ask for this," she said. "I would be careful, Harry. Draco is very upset. He will not go easy, and I would not trust him to not use every dark spell he knows."

Her betrothed just nodded. Daphne felt a little tinge of fear, but Hermione looked extremely confident in their man.

"Will you be there, Narcissa," Hermione enquired.

The woman poured herself a good glass of wine. "I will have to. Please know I go under protest."

"He has challenged our Head of House. Grandfather would do nothing less than kill him," Andromeda said.

"Times are different. I just ask he be able to continue the Malfoys when you are through with him," Narcissa said.

"I will do what is needed," Harry said. It was spoken like a true Head of House. It didn't commit Harry to anything, but said he would execute Draco if needed, or wanted.

-oOo-

Close to 3 PM...

Daphne had been pensive since they had left the Three Broomsticks. Harry nudged her. "You alright?"

"Yeah. How close are you to Andromeda and Narcissa?" she asked.

"Pretty close," Harry said. "As close as I am to anyone, besides Hermione. And now you."

Hermione answered her unasked question. "As part of Sirius will, he wanted Harry to take Ando back into the family and reach out to Narcissa about giving her a path to leave her husband. Andi helped Harry understand about his new responsibilities, the accounts, the Black family, how to find out about the Potters and gave him a place to sleep."

"Andi still says I can use the room," Harry told her.

Daphne nodded. "So, that is where you stay now?"

"Until I turned seventeen. I wasn't able to accept her back in until then, and by then Dobby had cleaned and remodelled the Black Townhouse in London. I've moved into there, but it gets rather lonely at times, and, well, it was where Sirius had been trapped for the last year or so of his life. I don't like it, but it's better than my relatives and I don't feel like I'm imposing on anyone there," Harry told her.

Hermione moved into hug Harry as they walked. He wrapped an arm around her. Daphne felt like she was missing something very important here. "You aren't imposing, Harry. Andi is glad to have you around, as are my parents."

"I'm sure my parents would be over the moon to adopt you," Daphne said with a small smile. Astoria wasn't far off that they were overjoyed about Harry.

Harry laughed, putting an arm around Daphne's shoulder, a warmth he wasn't used too spreading over him. Daphne wrapped her arms around him as well.

Approaching the edge of town, it was obvious that a large crowd had gathered. Harry noticed a few Aurors, Dumbledore and a woman with a monocle. This was a larger affair than Harry had expected. As he approached, the woman moved to stop them. Two Aurors flanked them.

"Good day, Regent Black," she greeted him.

Good afternoon, Madam Bones," Harry replied, letting go of his two girls. "Did I do something that needs Aurors?"

"As of yet, no, but I have been informed that you called a duel inside of Hogsmeade?" she said. Harry had worked with the woman a few times to deal with some issues when he took over the House of Black, primarily getting Sirius name cleared to prevent any challenges to his headship of the Blacks.

"Ah. Yes. That. Hermione, would you mind taking care of this while I get ready? I don't want to call a forfeit for being late," Harry told her.

Hermione pecked him. "Of course. Madam Bones, my betrothed has been formally challenged for the Regency of Black. Draco Malfoy has called on the blood rites. Harry has called for the duel to occur beyond the style," she said, indicating the old hitching host as the end of the cobbled street.

Daphne came with him. As the future-Lady Black, that was where she should be.

Harry walked out past the crowd. Draco was pacing about a hundred feet beyond the village. Crabbe and Goyle were standing near him. He was surprised to see Parkinson. She had been avoiding Draco for a while... not that he thought of it, since he had claimed the Greengrasses a summer back.

Daphne stopped him before he could walk out into the centre of the field. He turned to her. She looked rather worried. "You have to win. I can't be with him."

Harry gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. "Hermione would be rather upset if I let you go."

Daphne gave a soft smile. "She would, wouldn't she?"

"Yep. Plus, I would like to see you both in my bed," he said a little cheekily, bringing a light blush to her face.

"You win this, and I'll do the same thing Hermione did with her mouth," Daphne whispered, causing a goofy grin to spread over Harry's face.

"No that is something to fit for," he teased.

Daphne put her hands on his cheeks and pulled him down to kiss him.

"POTTER!" Draco bellowed, having finally seen Harry.

Daphne pulled back, an angry look on her face. "If you have to kill him, don't hesitate."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, earning him an eye roll and another soft kiss.

"Leave my woman alone, Potter," Draco yelled, pulling is wand.

Harry sighed. Hermione had just come over. "No damage to the town of the spectators, otherwise you are in the clear."

"Thanks, luv," he said, giving Hermione a kiss. Hermione wasn't having the short kiss. She put a hand to his cheek and pulled him in for a longer on. Harry gave her a small grin, before becoming serious and then passing Daphne over to her.

Draco was snarling at him. "I'll have your mudblood too."

Harry stretched his head from side to side. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Where is your representative?"

Draco nodded over his shoulder. "Crabbe. Goyle is my second. Who do have?"

"Andromeda Black-Tonks will be my representative. Neville?" Harry looked behind him. Neville stepped out of the crowd, leaving a worried Susan and Hannah behind. Dumbledore didn't look happy, but they were not on Hogwarts or Hogsmeade grounds, so he had no say here. It looked like Madam Bones was keeping the man from walking out into the field. "Longbottom is my second."

Malfoy scoffed.

Harry noticed Professor Flitwick standing off to the side, his wand moving in intricate patterns. Runes lit up around the field. The man was setting up a professional duelling ring.

Andi stepped up. "Heir Draco Malfoy, son of Lord Lucius Malfoy and Lady Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, you have challenged the Regent Harry Black as a son of Black and for the blood of Black. Do you persist in your challenge?"

Crabbe looked a little nervous. Harry removed his cloak, letting it drop on the ground. He stretched, the dragonhide vest creaking under the strain. Hermione had insisted that he use it, even if he hadn't broken this one in yet. He had had to get a new one over Christmas, having grown out of the one Sirius had insisted he get before he died. A goblin made knife was in a sheath on his side and both his arms had wand holders. Harry thought it a little much, but Andi and Narcissa had ensured he knew how to use the knife and that he get a second wand. Harry had been formally trained in how to duel in the last year and a half. The Blacks were renowned for their duelling, with only the Potters and a few other families, like the Bones or Longbottoms, known to be better equal or better duellers than the Blacks.

Draco, even through his anger, must have noticed the crest on the hilt of the knife because his eyes widened, and he paled a little.

Crabbe looked to Draco. After a long moment, Draco nodded. Crabbe, nowhere near the presence that Andromeda Black-Tonks was, said as loudly as he could, "Heir Draco Malfoy seeks to challenge the..." he looked back to Draco.

"Infidel," Draco said in annoyance.

"Heir Draco Malfoy seeks to challenge the infidel that has stolen his birth right as a son of Black to be the Regent of Black," Crabbe said.

Harry saw Narcissa grimace. Harry took in an angry breath. He had no illusions that Draco had coached Crabbe and meant the insult he had just made.

"Regent Harry Black shall recognize the challenge but will call for reparation for the slight of the challenger. By not recognizing Regent Black as his Regent, Heir Malfoy shall lose any link and blood to be a son of Black," Andromeda stated.

Draco spat on the ground. "Potter is no Black. He's just the son of a mudblood whore and will be crushed under my heel."

Andromeda stiffened at the lack of protocol. With an imperious crocking of her brow, she said to Harry, "My Regent, the uncouth creatin has made his challenge clear. Do you accept or will you decline, claiming your right as Regent to disown the welp since he will not recognize you as the proper Head of House?"

Harry snorted to see Draco blanche some. He was just starting to realize that in his angry and pettiness, he had just insulted the Head of the House of Black. My not recognizing Harry as the regent, he had just nullified his challenge. If Harry had not been named Regent, or had the House ring, he would have been fine. Holding up his hand, Harry let everyone clearly see the two rings. The platinum ring with a black opal and ravens around the stone was on his left middle finger. Next to it was the golden ring of a griffon trying to eat a large ruby.

"I, Regent Harry Black will allow the challenge, even if a son of Black will not recognize me as the Regent of Black. Heir Draco Malfoy, you fight for the regency and blood of Black. I fight to strip you of your blood and claim. Should you lose, I shall claim all that is due the House of Black," Harry said. Even though Andi had trained him in the Black's heritage, he hoped he got it right. A slight nod from Andi said it was good enough.

Crabbe turned to Draco. "Do you accept the Regent Blacks terms?"

"I'll take everything he has," Draco replied.

"Terms shall be until a neither can continue, be that by exhaustion, disarming, incapacitation or death. No Unforgivable shall be used. Should these terms be violated, it shall be a forfeit. Do you accept?" Andi asked.

Draco nodded. Crabbe replied, "Heir Malfoy accepts."

By now, Professor Flitwick had completed the ring of runed and came over. "Have all terms been accepted?"

"They have, Master Flitwick," Andi stated.

"Let's get this over with," Draco snapped.

Flitwick rose and eyebrow. Andi said, "I leave you as the officiator of this duel. My Regent Black shall abide by the rules stated."

"Very well. Second shall only be called should the dueller wish, otherwise this is a single contestant duel as required by House Ascension rules and laws. Do both duellists understand?" Flitwick said.

"I do," Harry clearly stated.

"I understand. Get ready to die, Potter," Malfoy said in a deadly tone. Something about the seventeen-year-old prat just didn't scare him like Voldemort, his old insane aunt or even his slippery father. The death grip Malfoy had on his wand had Harry already knowing that Draco was going to attack fast and hard. Harry wouldn't let him win.

"This is a standard ring, as agreed upon by both parties. All action is to remain in the ring. Apparition is allowed. No spells will be blocked inside the ring. Should you forfeit, you are to drop your wand," Flitwick said. "The rune barrier shall not drop until the duel is completed or forfeited. Duellists, take your spots."

Flitwick stepped to the edge of the glowing circle just inside the runes. Pointing his wand at the ring, a white dome formed over them, then turned transparent. Draco took up on the far side of the hundred-foot circle.

"Ready to die, Potter?" Draco called out.

Harry shrugged. "No one's managed it yet," he replied, not feeling as cocky as he sounded but knowing it would anger Draco.

"On the count of three," Professor Flitwick called out.

Harry bent his knees a little, his left foot forward, his wand at his midsection. Draco looked like he was just barely holding back.

"One."

Harry let out a breath, letting himself feel the magic around him.

"Two."

Harry felt the increase from Draco. He flicked his wand before the first syllable of 'three' could be said. It was just like second year.

Harry side stepped to his left. Draco had aimed to the right. Harry's wand was already jabbing. Draco's cutting hex missed Harry. He was flourishing his wand for his next spell. Harry's piercing hex caused Draco to jump to the side, interrupting whatever he was going to do. Harry wasn't wasting time on being flamboyant. As he pulled his wand back, his magic pulled on the dirt behind Draco.

Draco, starting his spell again, didn't expect a foot high moving wave of dirt. He toppled over backwards, a sickly yellow spell shooting high. It caused the protective shield to illuminate as it hit.

Harry didn't stop moving. As his wand came to the top of its arc, he twirled it before jabbing it at Draco. Ropes shot out. He was trying to end this quickly and not hurt Draco too much out of respect for his mother. Narcissa Malfoy had been the wife of a bastard and had had to act as such. As much of a bitch she could be at times, she cared for family and had treated Harry like family. Well, family for the Blacks. She had also treated Hermione well. That, more than anything, had won Harry to accepting her fully into the family and not throwing her out like he had wanted too. Her son, on the other hand, was all his father in his personality.

Draco fell over, rolled and shot up. The ropes just missed him. Harry was surprised to see the sickly yellow curse and a blasting hex come at him. He made a small circle with his wand and a semi-solid protego duo sprang into existence. The yellow spell bounced off his shield. He didn't have time to see what it did before the blasting hex rip a hole in the ground. Parts of dirt and grass hit the shield. Harry had time to see the dirt dissolving. His eyes narrowed to realize the yellow spell had been some type of acid or dissolving spell.

He dropped his shield, swiping his wand across his body and then flicking it towards Draco. The dirt that was covered in the yellow ooze swept up into pile and then banished towards the blonde ponce.

As though realizing that he was at a disadvantage wearing his robes, Draco had been working to get them off. It saved him as he was able to throw it up before him. The robes absorbed the messy mass at Draco dove out of the way. From the ground, he shot a series of cutting, piercing and blasting hexes towards Harry.

Harry pulled up a huge chunk of the ground to absorb the spells while working his wand in a complex manner. "Terra Animatifors."

As Draco tried to pummel his dirt wall, Harry looked on satisfied as a section of the ground rose up, forming into a crude earth golem. In the heat of battle, he didn't have time to make it look nice.

"Detain him," Harry yelled, putting up another shield as his wall looked ready to be blasted apart. His wand was moving again as the earth golem roared at Draco.

"Bloody fuck!" Draco cried out.

While his first creation was being blasted apart, three large snakes were now formed out of the turn. Bind him, Harry ordered the snakes. He dropped his shield and pushed a huge amount of power into the pile that had been his dirt wall. Chunks flew away from Harry.

"Depulso maxima!" Draco yelled out. The blue arc of power shattered the dirt balls, making a wall of dirty mist. His golem shot away, crashing into the barrier. The barrier lit up again. His creation was missing an arm and had part of its side blasted away, but immediately started to get up.

Draco shot wildly into the cloud of dirt. Harry dove out of the way as yellow, purple and blue spells shot out of the dirt randomly. He recognized some as nasty cutting curses, more of the acid curses, a bone breaker and two he didn't recognize. Draco let out a scream of surprise.

"Emundationem venti!" Harry commanded. A wind shot out of his wand. It cleared the dust cloud by forcing it away into the barrier.

Draco was blasting at one of his snakes. Harry didn't wait, sending a few stunners towards Draco. The young man, panic is his eyes, turned on the spot. The loud crack told Harry that Draco was panicking. It was also evident as a piece of flesh fell to the ground. About the same time part the blonde's shoulder hit the ground, there was a resounding gong as he literally bounced off the barrier. Apparition was allowed in the barrier, but not to leave it.

Harry spun quickly to see Draco. For a split second he caught Draco spread eagle against the barrier as though he had been thrown into it. With a muffled cry his opponent crumbled to the ground.

The golem saw him and started to charge towards him. It bellowed in rage at Draco. In a strangle cry of pain, Draco's wand came up. "Bombarda Maxima!"

Harry watched his creation be blasted into a million pieces. Draco moved to cover his head, a cry pain coming from him as he moved his splinched shoulder. Harry flicked his wand, the white spell covering the distance in only a second. Draco's wand was ripped from his hand, sailing towards Harry's outstretched hand.

"NO!" Draco yelled.

Harry didn't hesitate, jabbing his wand. Ropes shot out. He followed up with two stunners. Draco screamed as the ropes forced his arm to move, then was quickly silenced. He rolled as the second stunner hit him.

When he was satisfied Draco wasn't going to move, Professor Flitwick declared, "Winner! Regent Harry Black!"

Harry stood tall as the barrier came down. There was cheering and calls. Hermione and Daphne were running towards him. It was only then than he realized there was a stinging on his cheek and arm. Looking down, her realized that he was either grazed with a piercing hex of a bit of the golem.

Hermione reached him first, her hands pulling his arm up. Daphne wasn't far behind her, her wand out and scanning him. "Where are you hurt?" Hermione demanded.

"Just a few scratches," Harry told her.

"Nothing dark," Daphne sighed.

Hermione jumped on him to hug him. "Don't scare me like that again," she whispered into his ear.

"I won't, luv. Daphne, come here," he said to the blonde girl that looked like she was being left out but wasn't trying to get between them. He was going to have find a way to get Daphne to really understand he wouldn't hold one of them over the other.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Out of instinct, Harry pushed Daphne away. Her eyes widened in fear. The green spell passed between them, missing Daphne by millimetres. Harry turned to the side. "Flamma flagelli!"

A thick whip of flames shot out. It just missed the green robes Healer that was on the ground. Draco screamed in agony as the whip caught his already hurt shoulder. Harry flicked his wand down, the burning magical rope cutting into Draco's skin like butter.

A second wand fell out of his hand just before his arm fell off his body.

Clutched the now cauterized stump, Draco squealed like a pig. Harry, angrier than he could ever remember being, stepped before Daphne, shoving a protesting Hermione behind him. "Draco Malfoy! I disown you from the House of Black! I claim you oath breaker for violating the peace there should be after a duel. I claim all properties, magics and moneys that have been bestowed on you from the Blacks!"

The screams of agony became ear piercing shrieks as any magical heritage he had from the Blacks were ripped from his body. Wispy silvery streaks leaked out of him before moving to Harry. After a moment, Draco collapsed into a heap on the ground.

Around them people were screaming. Someone was upwelling at the smell of the burnt flesh. Harry was making sure Draco wasn't going to get up.

Dumbledore and Madam Bones came over as the aurors and teachers were working to calm the crowd. Dumbledore had the 'I'm disappointed in you' look.

Harry didn't care, turning to Daphne, who was on the ground, looking shocked, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Daphne blinked, looking at him. "That was a killing curse."

Hermione moved to Daphne's side. "Are you alright," she asked herself.

Daphne was looking very shaken. "He tied to kill you," she said to Harry.

Harry had to suppress his anger. Daphne needed someone to reassure her. Hermione wrapped her around Daphne's shoulders, which Daphne sank into. Harry knelt to Daphne. "He won't be doing that anymore."

Daphne looked at him with wide eyes. Hermione was used to the shite that happened around him. Daphne was still getting really understand what it was going be like to involved with Harry Potter.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 6

-oOo-

February 7, 1998

Red Hill, England

It had taken then an hour to get away after the duel. The DMLE cleared Harry since it was a House matter and performed in a legal area. Dumbledore hadn't been pleased, especially when Draco was taken to St Mungo's by a few Aurors. After all there walking, she felt like she had to freshen up. Daphne definitely did. No one questioned when Harry and Hermione walked into the Common Room with Daphne. Others had been brought into the house before, but no student in living memory had seen a Slytherin in the Gryffindor Common room. After Harry's beat down of Draco, no one looked like they would say anything to threaten him.

As they walked in, Harry had to suppress a slight smile at the sudden panicked looks on Lavender's and Parvati's faces. The normally bubbly and insatiable gossip queen, Lavender Brown, had gone from a dirty blond to a vibrant purple hair colour. Her normally pristine makeup and skin had visible signs of pimples. To make it worse for the girl, she had a shiner around her left eye.

Parvati looked even worse with her normally straight, shiny black hair being a mass of frizzy split-ends and all over the place. She was also sporting some nasty looking pimples and shied away from Hermione.

Hermione was still livid with her roommates. They had spread rumours after overhearing Harry and her talking.

Daphne looked at the girls before nodding in satisfaction.

"Give us an hour or so," Hermione said to Harry.

"Sure," he said.

Hermione took Daphne up to her dorm. The cute blonde still looked to be in some shock. Once inside, Hermione closed and locked the door. Daphne looked around. "You have a window?"

"Yeah. What is it like in the Slytherin dorms," she asked, moving to her school trunk. She kept all her normal clothes locked up so that her dormmates wouldn't steal them again. Both girls had found they preferred Muggle fashions outside of class but had a hard time getting them and thought that 'borrowing' and altering Hermione's was acceptable. Unfortunately, Lavender was several bra sizes, and normal sizes larger and her clothes had been stretched out. Lavender wasn't a large girl, but she was larger than Hermione.

Daphne moved to the window. Hermione knew it looked out over the roof of Great Hall and courtyard on that side of the castle. "Not like this. The few windows we have look out into the lake. It's rather murky."

"That sounds awful. Would you like a dress or jeans tonight?" Hermione asked, pulling out the three nice dresses she had. One was white with a plethora of flowers, another was a solid Gryffindor red that she liked because it made her modest chest look bigger. Harry liked it too, if their last date a few weeks ago meant anything. The last was a floor length green dress that she had gotten because it reminded her of Harry's eyes. Of course, that was before they had started to date, and she only admitted to herself afterwards that was why she had gotten the dress. She had a feeling her mother knew before she had when she wore it to the New Year's Eve party where Harry had kissed her for the first time.

Daphne, still looking out the window remarked, "You get used to it. What are you wearing?"

"Jeans and a nice top," Hermione replied, taking out a pair of jeans she knew was just a little tight on her rear. The top was far more modest. No reason to set her parents off more than they already would be.

Daphne turned as Hermione took off her jumper and shirt. When she pulled them over her head, she caught Daphne staring at her bra covered chest, then drifting lower. She found she really liked the small amount of lust she saw in the blonde's eyes.

Daphne shook her head when she realized Hermione was looking at her.

"You can look. I won't mind if you touch either," Hermione told her. "We just don't have time right now."

Daphne gave her a shy smile. "How about a dress? Can you help me?"

"We need to get ready. I bet Harry is already waiting for us."

"It's not even been ten minutes," Daphne replied as though that wasn't close to enough time.

Hermione pulled out the green dress. Daphne and her were close enough to the same size. "Strip," Hermione demanded.

Daphne's smirk was coy enough that Hermione just wanted to take Daphne and throw her on the bed. "Why, Ms Granger, if I didn't know better, I would think you just want me out of my knickers?"

Hermione felt her heart speed up some as Daphne started to undo the buttons on her robes. The girl wasn't as fit as she was, but there was no extra fat, and seeing the girl's knickers showing off her rounded hips did something to Hermione that sent a heat to her core.

Daphne moved her hips at Hermione's glare. "I did promise Harry a reward, maybe you can help?"

Hermione gave a sexy smirk. "I could help." She shook herself. "You are a little minx, aren't you?"

Daphne laughed, taking the straps of the dress and stepping into it. "I am finding that I don't feel as inhibited as I did before our celebration. I also am missing sleeping with Harry."

Hermione frowned. It had only been that one night, but she had to admit she was missing it too.

"If things go well with my parents tonight, I don't plan to come back to the castle. Perhaps we could sneak in with him?" Hermione thought out loud.

Daphne turned to let Hermione zip up the dress. "Well, I doubt you just appearing there in your bra will make things go well."

Hermione chuckled. "It covers more than when I go to the beaches in France with them."

Daphne looked over her shoulder at Hermione. "What do you mean?"

Hermione gave a mischievous grin. "You ever hear of a topless beach?"

Daphne's eyes grew huge. In a playful moment, Hermione shucked the long skirt that was more acceptable to the wizarding world and bent over to get a different pair of jean trousers from her trunk. Daphne's eyes grew more. Hermione was starting to like the power she seemed to have over Daphne and Harry with her body. She had never felt that attractive before, but the way they both looked at her had her confidence boosted.

"Topless?" Daphne asked when Hermione stood up and shimmied into the jeans.

"Totally bare if you really want," she replied, taking the nice blouse. "I'm not great at it, but do you want me to do your hair?"

Daphne looked to be staring off into the distance. "Is that a Muggle thing to go in your all?"

"In some places," Hermione replied with a smirk playing at the edge of her mouth.

Daphne looked to like the idea. "That might be interesting."

Hermione came over as Daphne lifted her hair. Hermione moved her over to the vanity, kissing her neck because it just looked like a good thing to do. Daphne shivered. Hermione avoided repeating the kiss while she helped to brush out Daphne's hair and put it into a neat plate. She knew if she kissed Daphne's flesh again, or her lips, they would be very late for Harry.

Daphne tried to tame Hermione's curly locks but failed. Hermione smiled at her. "I think Harry likes it when we are more natural."

"I don't know if I can do that. Mother has always told Astoria and I we need to be presentable all the time," Daphne confessed.

"You'll find Harry and I don't really care. Let's go. Harry's probably wearing a hole in the floor by now," Hermione told her.

Daphne looked a little uncertain. "Is he that impatient?"

Hermione laughed. "He just doesn't like to be idle for long. He can be very patient most of the time."

Hermione put Daphne's cloak back over her shoulders. A cloak didn't look much different than some trench coat style jackets. Hermione put on a blue winter jacket that was much better suited for the Muggle world.

Daphne took her hand as they were walking down to the common room. True to her word, Harry was pacing at the side of the room as he talked with Neville. Most had left, probably going down to the Great Hall for dinner.

Neville caught sight of them. "Looking nice, ladies," he replied. Neville had been different since fifth year.

"Why thank you, Heir Longbottom," Daphne replied.

Harry was just staring at them. Hermione enjoyed his reaction. "Ready to go?"

"Oh, right," Harry said. "Right. See you later, Nev."

"Should I expect you back tonight?"

Harry looked to her. She made a little shrug. "Depends on how my parents take all this," Hermione told them.

"So I don't have to worry about some weird foot fetish thing with your parents?" Daphne enquired. Hermione laughed at the look on Harry's face. Neville looked confused.

"I'll tell you about it when I get back," Harry told Neville.

"Right. I'll walk down with you to the Great Hall. I'm sure Hannah and Susan are wondering where I am," Neville said.

"Are you going to marry both of them?" Hermione asked as they went out the portrait.

Neville blushed. "They want me too."

"And why don't you?" Harry asked.

"I don't know what Gran will say. Susan needs a line-continuance since I won't be eligible to take on her name," Neville explained.

"They are both beautiful," Daphne commented.

"They are," Neville said with a dreamy expression.

"I'm sure she was talking about with their clothes on," Harry teased.

Neville just got a dreamy smile. "Oh, they are that too."

Harry laughed at the boy while Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry wasn't too much of a typical guy at times, but he was occasionally. Daphne gave them a small smile as though she found it amusing. When they walked down the drive in the dark, cold February night, Harry cast a warming charm over all three of them. Daphne pulled the cloak around her, moving to be closer to Harry. Hermione was happy to hold his hand.

Just outside the gates, the clock from the school chimed six. Hermione let out a nervous breath. "Mum and dad usually don't eat until about seven on Saturdays, often getting carry out."

"Carry out?" Daphne asked.

"They order from a restaurant and take it home," Hermione told her.

"You can do that? What else do Muggles do," Daphne asked, sounding very curious.

"Many things," Harry said cryptically.

"Stop teasing her," Hermione said playfully. "It's not like we are trying to keep everything secret."

Daphne rose an eyebrow at them. "I get the feeling you are keeping something from me."

"It's nothing much," Harry replied.

Hermione laughed at him. The blonde was looking a little dubiously at them. Reaching the gates, Harry put his rings onto the lock. Hogwarts wouldn't keep a student in if they had house business. The gate swung open. "Hold my hand," she told Daphne. Harry knew where to apparate, she would need to guide Daphne. Just as she turned, a flair of fire came just inside the gates.

They appeared in her backyard.

Harry was a good twenty seconds behind them. "The bloody, fecking old goat tried to keep me, saying that I had no right to open the gate."

Hermione let out an annoyed sound in her throat.

"The headmaster has no right to stop you. You gave your rings as proof to the castle," Daphne said.

"He's still a fucking old goat. Probably likes to shag them too," Harry said angrily.

Daphne snorted while trying not to laugh. "Language," Hermione chastised out of habit, even if she did agree.

A light turned on in the yard and the back door opened. The light illuminated a yard just large enough for a pool, a patio and small garden along the fences. "Hermione, is that you?" a woman asked.

They all stepped out of the shadows behind a few tall spruce trees. "Hey, mum. Is dad home too?"

It was apparent that Hermione was Emilia Granger's daughter. Her mother's hair was cut shorter but was just as curly and unruly as Hermione's. Her chocolate brown eyes were a shade or two darker than her daughter's. The older woman's body was still fairly trim for her age, having been rather athletic when younger. Hermione wasn't an athlete, but she had had to keep up with Harry and had trained with him for years now.

They hugged. "What are you doing here? We didn't' expect to see you and Harry until Easter," she said. When Hermione let her mum go she moved to Harry, giving him a hug. In the years since that night in the DOM, her parents had come to know and like Harry, barely batting an eye when they finally got together New Year's Eve.

"We need to have a talk with you and dad," Hermione replied.

Her mum gave her a questioning look over Harry's shoulder. "It's nice to see you, Harry," her mum said in a welcoming tone. "I assume that you aren't in any trouble?"

"Not this time," Harry said in a joke.

Her mum gave them both a look that said she didn't believe that. "And you pulled a new person into your 'not trouble'? Hello, dear, I'm Emilia Granger."

Daphne stepped forward, holding her hand out like Hermione's mother. "Good evening, Mrs Granger. I'm Daphne Greengrass."

"Oh, posh. Call me Emi or Emilia. You are all getting to be old enough to be considered adults," her mother said, shaking Daphne's hand. "We were just about to order out for some Indian. Have you eaten?"

Harry's growling stomach was answer enough, earning a laugh from her mother.

Inside the house, her father was looking at a carry out menu. "Was it just something hitting the neighbours trash bin again?" her dad asked, not looking up.

"Hey, dad," Hermione said.

Neill Granger looked up. He looked surprised, then worried. "What happened? Harry is with you. Are either of you hurt. Oh, hello, I don't know this one, do I?"

Harry chuckled from behind her. "Nothing bad happened. Not this time, Mr Granger. I've kept my promise."

Hermione turned to look at Harry as her father got up. "What promise?"

Daphne looked curious as well, but kept her mouth shut.

"I'll tell you later," Harry said.

Her father hugged her before shaking hands with Harry and then Daphne. After putting in orders for dinner, and Harry and her having to describe to Daphne what they were ordering, Hermione got to show them around the house, not wanting to get into things until her father was back.

Even then, they all acted as though nothing was out of the ordinary for Hermione to just show out of the blue with Harry and some other girl that looked to have some connection with them, or the fact that Hermione was supposed to be at Hogwarts.

Dinner was nice, her parents asking about the winter term, how they were getting ready for their NEWTS, getting to know Daphne and just general pleasant talk. There was a slight tinge of strain, which was countered by Daphne's reaction to vindaloo and naan. Hermione was thinking they would have to find a good Indian place near wherever they wound up living. Harry had a few choices, especially now that Grimmauld Place had been remodelled.

Hermione's stress levels didn't spike until they were done. Her father was leaning over the table with his hand folded before his face as her mum sat up straight. "So, which one of you is going to give the straight story the first time? I don't want any lies like you gave us the first five years," her father bluntly said.

"Neill, you know why Hermione didn't tell us everything," her mother defended Hermione.

"Emi, the fact is Hermione didn't tell us everything, and it was only Harry that finally let us in on everything that happened. Are the Purebloods trying to control things again? Did you really kill Voldemort, or is he come back?"

Daphne gasped on the other side of Harry. Hermione wasn't sure if it was because of how much her parents knew or Voldemort's name. Her father looked to Daphne. "I assume you aren't a Muggleborn, Daphne. I can tell that these two don't care, but we have been told what your world is like."

"Was like," Harry said.

"It's changing, dad," Hermione said.

Daphne sat up. "No, I am not a Muggleborn or Muggle raised, Neill. My family has a history almost as long as Harry's. I am what you call a Pureblood, but I don't believe in those beliefs of the Blood Supremacists."

"What do you believe then?" her mother asked.

"My family has been what you call grey or neutral. We believe that magic is magic and blesses those that truly deserve it. Talent may show in any who possess the gift. I am proud of my ancestry but will admit that my ancestors were not all magical parents. The most recent I know of is my great-grandmother on my mother's side, and she went on to create three of the most used potions today," Daphne replied.

"Daphne is not one of the blood supremacists, Neill," Harry told her father.

"Dad, I've known Daphne for a long time. We've been study and project partners in runes and arithmancy since third year," Hermione said.

"This is Daphne? I know you have written about her at times," her mum said.

"I wasn't aware I was that popular," Daphne said with a soft smile to Hermione.

She couldn't keep from blushing a little. The look her mum gave her told Hermione they would have words later. She had talked with her mum a few times about her confusion over her sexual preferences. She was afraid how her father would take it.

"Nothing good, I'm sure," Harry teased her, earning him a nasty look from Daphne. Having dinner before this conversation had loosened them all up some. That, and Harry had never seemed intimidated by her parents. After how his life had been, she supposed an angry father was nothing to raging Death Eaters.

"All very positive, dear," her mother assured Daphne. "Harry on the other hand..."

"I'm sure I earned all the times Hermione cursed me out," Harry agreed.

Her father chuckled. "I doubt she ever had a bad word to say about you, Harry. So, if it is not about the Purebloods, what is it about?"

Hermione let out a long breath. "You know how I was telling you both about my Ancient Magics class last summer?"

"I read your books. Some very interesting topics. It also explains how many of the Ancient Wonders were built and why," her mum said.

"Which part about your Ancient Magics class? As your mum said, there were many topics," her father asked dubiously.

"Well, about the ancient holidays and rituals," Hermione started. When her parents didn't say anything, she went on. It was a tactic they had used on her since she was a little girl to get her to talk. "Many of the old families in Britain have links back to either the Romans or Picts, and some still celebrate the sacred nights. Tuesday was the pagan holiday of Imbolc. Daphne invited us to attend," Hermione said, her voice trailing off as her father stared at her.

After a moment, her mother asked, "And what do you do on Imbolc?"

Daphne spoke next. "We honour the Earth Mother, the Horned God and their champion Bridgit. It is a festival night where we go to the old druid circles. As part of the ceremony, we give a small gift of our magic, and if the Goddess accepts it, we receive a gift back."

It was her mother who seemed to catch onto what Daphne might be saying. "And did you receive a gift?"

Harry chuckled. "I would say so. The first charms class we had this week I just about vanished half the room before I realized how much more magic I had."

Hermione shook her head. "It was only two tables, but still, you were only supposed to vanish the stone on the table."

"What would have happened if I had put all my power into it?"

"You would have vanished half the classroom," Daphne told him.

"Vanish? That's when you make things disappear?" her father asked.

"Yes, Neill," Harry answered.

"How long will the boost last?" her mother enquired.

Harry and her looked to Daphne, who gave a one shoulder shrug. "Usually a few weeks, but some blessings can be life long, especially if a sacrifice is accepted."

Hermione felt a twinge of fear go through her as her father asked, "Sacrifice?"

"Not what you are thinking, dad. No one was killed," she said hurriedly.

"But I am sensing there was a sacrifice?" her mum prodded.

Hermione nodded. "There was a sacrifice," she affirmed. At the slightly red look on all their faces, her mum's brow rose. Her father looked like he was trying to figure something out. She rushed on. "Mum, understand, nothing was killed. We didn't give anything that we all didn't want to give. It was also for a good cause."

"Even if we didn't know about it," Harry muttered. He reached for Daphne's hand to assure her that he didn't blame her. Hermione knew he just wished he had known.

The move wasn't missed by her parents. "Harry, are you still with my daughter?" her father asked.

Harry nodded. "I am, sir."

Her mother looked to her.

"Dad, let me finish explaining. The champion Brigit and Imbolc is a rebirth ceremony, or ritual. It is meant to cleanse impure magic, break unwanted magic or to birth or rebirth new magic. It is the holiday that brings Spring."

"And you sacrificed something for this? Is this why your friend Daphne is here?" her mother asked.

Harry sat tall. "Daphne is more than our friend, Emilia."

"How much more?" her mother asked.

"The Rites of Brigit requires virgin blood to break and remake," Hermione told them, getting the expected reaction of her father going white and her mother to give her a knowing look. "Daphne had been in a betrothal agreement..."

"Barbaric things," her father uttered.

Hermione went on, "...with a young man she didn't want to be betrothed with. She used the rites to break the contract."

"With Harry?" her mother questioned.

"And me," Hermione said.

Her father went from white to red. "He did what! You said you would protect her! What did you do!"

"Dad, listen!"

Harry was up as fast as her father. Her father hit his fists into the table.

"I did nothing that the three of us didn't agree too," Harry said back angrily. Hermione knew it was not a good thing to threaten anyone that Harry cared for. Accusing him of hurting someone he loved was worse. "We had no clue about Daphne's betrothal to my arse of a cousin, but I won't abandon her or Hermione. I love Hermione, Neill. I am falling for Daphne. This is a good thing because the three of us are going to be together, no matter what."

Her father's face was still red, but his mouth opened a few times before saying in a dangerous tone, "You what?"

"The betrothal was broken between Daphne and Draco Malfoy. The rites then remade it with Harry," Hermione said.

Her mother looked sad. She understood what Harry's life had been like. "Oh. I'm so sorry. But you can't all be together."

"We can, Emilia," Daphne spoke up.

"You would have Hermione as a mistress?" her father demanded.

"If you would give me your blessing, I would have Hermione as my wife. By magic, I am two people. Harry Potter and Harry Black. The betrothal is between Harry Black and Daphne Greengrass," Harry resolutely said.

"And our daughter?" her mother asked.

"A bond between all three of us were made that night, mum. I am betrothed to Harry Potter," Hermione said.

There was absolute silence for a few. Her father broke the silence by standing tall. He gave a nasty look to Harry, then a concerned look to her. "I need a beer," he declared, leaving the table. No one said anything as he went to the refrigerator, took out a beer and then walked out of the kitchen.

Harry took her hand as she felt a pain in her chest. She knew this wasn't going to be easy, but her father had never been that upset at her before. "Maybe we should leave," Daphne proposed.

"Absolutely not," her mother said. "Neill will come around. Just so I understand, the three of you are all betrothed to each other?"

"We are betrothed to Harry. Magic doesn't recognize marriage between those of the same sex, but it can make bonds just as strong," Daphne explained. "Harry is the only one recognized as two people in this... relationship."

Daphne sounded a little unsure as she said 'relationship'.

"Magic did make a bond though," Hermione said. "It is a partners bond. Mum, we are all together."

Her mum lifted her wine glass and took a drink. "And you are all happy and accept this willingly?"

"The Goddess would not have bound us as such if we didn't," Daphne answered.

"Can I see this bond? I know you said that something like this can be proven, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded. "Daphne and I had Madam Pomfrey show us the spell. If you can't see it right away, then you can take my hand once I cast it."

Her mum nodded. Hermione took up her wand. "Vinculum Revelio."

She watched as the silver cords spread from her to Harry and Daphne. Once it touched Harry, a golden cord spread to Daphne. She blinked a few times. There hadn't been blue or pink threads before. Daphne's eyes went wide as saucers.

"That is different," Harry commented.

"I can see it. What is different?" her mother asked.

"There weren't any blue or pink strings last time," Hermione said.

"Merlin," Daphne uttered before her eyes rolled back into her head.

"DAPHNE!" Harry called out as she slumped and rolled over out of her chair.

They all rushed to Daphne.

-oOo-

A little while later...

Daphne was sitting on the bed just staring at her hands. She was in a sleeping gown she had borrowed from Hermione while waiting for the pretty brunette to get done in the bathroom. As she looked at her hands, she was trying to figure out how her life had changed so much in less than a week.

On Tuesday, she thought her life was about over, hoping that the Earth Mother granted her wish to not be sold to Draco Malfoy. Even worse was her sister. To break those bonds, she had intentionally invited Hermione and Harry, hoping that his strength would get her out of a miserable life.

He had done that, but it had led to some very unexpected consequences. Tuesday night they had all sacrificed their virginity to use the magic of that night. It broke one marriage contract to make another. More surprisingly, it also created new magic. To confirm it, she cast the bond revealing spell. She had never heard of it showing both sexes, but it was unmistakable. She had a blue and pink string running towards the door and the room across the hall.

At eighteen she hadn't expected to be betrothed to a man that actually looked at her like a woman, not just some possession. More surprising was that she was carrying his child. The strands were unmistakable for what she knew of bonds. It was one of the ways that a Healer could tell. Blood was blood and the bond link would show direct blood between bonded magicals. She wasn't sure why there were two strings. Perhaps they couldn't know the sex of the baby yet?

Looking at the bond, she had the urge that she had to know what Harry really felt. It had been such a frantic night. Once she had been enervated in Hermione's room, Harry had seemed shocked when Daphne had told him. Luckily Emilia or Neill had not overheard her when she told Harry and Hermione. They had decided not to say anything until the morning. Shortly after, they had all decided to get ready for bed, a shell-shocked Harry closing the door behind him without saying much.

She could still hear the shower from the bathroom in Hermione's room. Needing to know, she got up.

When Harry opened the door to the guest room, the jittery nerves in her turned into tears. She just stared at him with watery eyes for a few.

"Come here, luv," Harry said. Daphne felt shocked. It was the first time he had used that endearment with her. Daphne teared up more as she fell into his arms. Harry wrapped his strong arms around her. She felt him kiss her head. "Are you alright?"

She shook her head, unable to say anything.

"Need to come in?"

She nodded.

It was a little bit later when Hermione knocked on the door, slipping in without Harry saying anything. She was still wrapped in Harry's arms when Hermione sat on the bed. "Is everything alright?"

"I don't know, she hasn't said anything. She just wants me to hold her. She keeps crying," Harry said.

Daphne buried her face into his chest. She had always thought herself strong, but it just felt too much this week. The fears of Harry being hurt earlier had her tightening the hold on his shirt. The fact she had almost died brought up more feelings she didn't know what to do with. Hermione rubbed her back before leaning over, encapsulating her between them. "It will be all right, luv," Hermione said.

More tears came out. Her parents had loved her, but this felt different. It was a comfort she desperately wanted, even though she hadn't realized it. She finally said, "I'm pregnant."

Harry kissed the top of her head. "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know," Daphne said, liking how she was trapped between them.

"I'm pregnant too," Hermione said, sounding a little more accepting of their circumstance.

"I know I didn't say it earlier, but I'm happy. I'll do everything I can to raise our children and give them everything I can," Harry told them, his left arm moving to hold Hermione.

"I am not letting you spoil our children," Hermione told Harry in no uncertain terms.

"Not even a little?"

"No."

Daphne giggled. "A little," she said, moving her head to the side.

Hermione huffed. "Fine, a little," Hermione agreed. Daphne smiled when Hermione kissed the side of her head.

The three of them lay on the bed, her on Harry, Hermione on her. "I'm sorry," Harry said after a few.

Hermione shifted so that she could look directly into Harry's eyes. "Harry, don't. I should have known better what could happen. We all chose to participate. I love you and hoped I would carry your child someday."

"Just not now," Harry said a little down on himself.

"Will you love them?" Daphne asked.

This seemed to shock both of them. "Without question," Harry said after a moment. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable.

Hermione leaned against her again. "No child of ours will go without love," Hermione promised.

Daphne smiled. Hugging Harry still, she let his beating heart and rising and lowering chest start to lull her into a peaceful rest. Hermione shifted to be on Harry's other side. The chocolate eyes of the girl looked into hers. Daphne's eyes were getting heavy.

"Should you go back to your room?" Harry asked.

"My dad can deal with it. We are all of-age, you are my betrothed and I am right where I want to be," Hermione told him.

Daphne just smiled, letting her heavy lids close. She felt so spent. It had been an emotional week. The last thing she remembered was Harry kissing her on the top of the head again before Hermione kissed her forehead.

-oOo-

February 8, 1998

Redhill, England

Harry's dreams had been full of little blonde girls, boys with raven hair and another brunette girl running through them. In one, he was chasing them, two small children laughing and screaming in glee as they ran through a house. Another dream had him holding a boy in the water as he learned to swim, which turned into Hermione and Daphne in skimpy bikinis splashing in the waves with a boy and a girl. The children kept changing hair colour and eyes, but they were always that of one or two of their parents.

It was one of the oddest, but happiest dreams he could remember. It was also one of the soundest sleeps he had, only broken by a sliver of sunlight across his eyes. He wanted to cover his eyes before realizing he couldn't. It took him a few minutes before he realized that he had a blonde on his right and a brunette on his left. Daphne had her back to him, her head on his arm and a hand woven into his fingers as she slept. Harry found he liked feeling her arse pressed against his leg.

Hermione was sleeping with her head on his chest. He could feel her chest pressing into his side. More troubling, and most likely why he woke was her leg that was rubbing up and down his. She was squirming in her sleep, making a deep moan as she rubbed herself against his leg. The motion already had him rock hard against her leg. The fact that he could soon feel a dampness on his leg and the heat from her core, Harry was trying not groan with her.

Daphne stirred a little. "Harry," she muttered.

'BLOODY HELL', he screamed in his head.

Hermione shifted, her lips finding his neck. "I feel how happy you are," she whispered.

Harry let out a small groan. "Daphne is still sleeping," he said.

She pressed her damp knickers into his leg. "Let her sleep."

Harry moved to kiss Hermione when she lifted her head higher. She let out a soft moan when his tongue licked her lips, then started to play with her tongue. Hermione kept rubbing herself against him. Harry's arm that was wrapped around her found its way to her tits. The groan of need she let out shook down her whole body. Harry shifted so his hand could fully cup her breast.

Daphne softly said, "Do you two need a few minutes of privacy?"

Hermione pulled away from his lips. "I won't say no if you want to join. I need you, Harry."

Daphne shifted. Hermione had enough room now to straddle him. He was so hard that having her warm core on his cock, even through his shorts and her knickers, had him groaning. Daphne giggled. "A little excited, Harry?"

Hermione started to rock on his cock. "Hermione," he said, the sensation already having him feeling like he might blow soon.

Hermione opened her chocolate eyes. There was lust in them. "I want you," she told him. Unlike the other night, the only compulsion he felt was that of a girl he loved.

Daphne watched as the two of them scrambled to get their clothes 72 a heat developing in her own core to watch how frantic they were. Hermione didn't even wait for Harry to get his shirt off, straddling him again. Harry felt Hermione's wet pussy on his cock as he struggled to get his shirt off. He groaned as she rubbed against him a few times before pulling forward enough for him to slip his tip into her. They both moaned.

Daphne, finding it a huge turn on to see Hermione impaling herself on Harry, let out a groan of need of her own. Hermione was kissing Harry before pulling back. Her tits were bouncing slight. "Daphne, you can join," Harry said. Hermione was closing her eyes, a look of ecstasy on her face as she slow road Harry's cock. Harry met her dark blue eyes.

"Do I get you next?" she asked. She found her hand was rubber her thigh. She remembered how much she liked Harry's fingers in her the other night.

Hermione started to get a little more energetic. Harry moaned. "Yes," he got out.

Daphne whimpered. Harry's eyes grew wide to see her hand below her night gown. He could see her fingers rubbing her knickers. "Oh, Merlin," he said. Needing to satisfy both his girls, he put his hands on Hermione's hips and started to meet her thrusts. Hermione started to make squeaks every time their crotches met. Daphne pressed harder into her knickers, spreading her legs when she realized Harry was watching her.

Hermione let out a small scream before burying her head against Harry's shoulder. He grunted, his eyes closing. A moment later, they were both panting with Hermione laying on him. Daphne was letting out small whimpers as her fingers dug into her panties.

Harry kissed Hermione's temple. "I have another girl, luv."

Hermione chuckled. "Good thing I put up silencing charms last night."

Hermione rolled off him. Harry liked how her chest was still heaving.

Harry rolled over to Daphne, who immediately search his mouth out as she continued to work her slit. Harry wasn't even sure if he deflated after unloading in Hermione with how Daphne was playing with herself. His hand slipped down to be over hers. She moved her hand and put his over knickers. "Do you love me?" Daphne asked.

"I love you," Harry said. Did he have any other choice? Not that he saw it that way.

Daphne let out a huge moan. "Make love to me," she begged.

Harry took his hand away, gently pushing her knickers down, then pulled the gown over her head. Daphne gasped when he kissed her neck, then down to her chest. Daphne bucked under him as he found her nipple. He moved to be between her legs. Like the other night, she was dripping as he pressed into her. Daphne grabbed his hair. "Oh, Merlin," she whispered, then whimpered some as he entered her. She was still tighter than Hermione. He went slower than their first time. Daphne started to grind her hips when he was fully inside her.

Still sucking on her nipples, he started to move. Daphne let out a whimper of pleasure every time he pulled almost all the way out and then went back in. It didn't take long for her to be arching into his thrusts, her hands keeping his mouth on her breasts. He quickened his pace when he felt her shiver below him. Soon she was crying out. He unloaded in her as she clamped tight around him.

When they were done, he flopped on the bed. Like he had enjoyed seeing Hermione's chest, he enjoyed Daphne's slightly smaller breasts doing the same. Hermione pulled up behind him, putting an arm over his midsection as she formed her body to his back. "You're all sweaty," she said.

"You don't have to lay against me," he told her, putting a hand over hers. She snakes her fingers between his. Daphne rolled over, a very satisfied look on her face. Harry put an arm over her as she shimmied to press into his front.

"I don't mind sweaty," Daphne said.

Hermione kissed his shoulder. "We should take a shower. We must tell my parents."

Harry let out a sigh.

Daphne cuddled into him. "Can we contact my parents? They have to know too."

A peck at the window had Harry trying to look over Daphne's head. Hedwig was outside the window. "I love that owl."

-oOo-

A few hours later...

Redhill, England

Daphne and Harry had shown the Greengrasses to the Granger's home. She was nervous, but not for the reasons that she thought she might me. It felt like a meeting between the parents, but how many witches worried about the other witch's parents?

Her mother looked around. "This is a nice place. What is that covered hole?"

"A swimming pool," Harry told them. "The Grangers have it heated so it can be used year-round. Hermione was thinking of putting some runes in there to let them save on electricity."

Her parents looked to Harry. "Electricy? That is what Muggles use to make light? I saw it one time," her father said.

"They can do more than that with electricity, father," she told him, still feeling a little dazzles by the tellie this morning. Neill had been watching the news when they had finally wandered down the stairs. The man nodded at them, not saying anything.

The door opened. Hermione came out, looking a little frazzled. "Oh, thank god. My parents have been grilling me since you left. Good morning, Eryk. It is nice to see you again, Flora. We must tell them before I'm sent around the bend."

She grabbed Daphne's hand, pulling her toward the house. Daphne tried to protest, hearing her parents behind her.

Eryk leaned over. "Is she always this intense?"

Harry smiled. "Nah, this is calm."

Flora laughed. "She reminds me of your grandmother."

Eryk made a face. "Yes, a woman I loved dearly, but one you never wanted to upset."

"Sounds about right. Our best friend once said she is brilliant, but scary," he said, his voice trailed off some. He hadn't thought about Ron in a while... well, he had made himself not think of Ron for a while.

He let them into the house and into the sitting room. After some introductions, in which Daphne was more formal, looking slightly embarrassed she had let Hermione drag her away. Once they all had some tea or coffee, Flora said, "This is a very lovely house, but I don't think we were brought here just to meet the parents of the future Lady Potter."

Neill still looked a little disgruntled. "I am glad to meet you too, but we are in the dark as much as you."

"Perhaps we should let our children tell us what his going on," Emilia offered.

Hermione was a little nervous. "Let me show you," Hermione said. They had all agreed this might be the best way. It was mere seconds before her mother was gasping.

"What does it mean?" Emilia asked.

"Grandchildren," her mother said, a huge smile coming across her face. She watched George pale.

Emilia blinked a few times. "There are blue and pink strings to both girls..."

Her father clapped his hands, a huge smile on his face. "You have found a proper husband. This is excellent."

"They will have to be married over Easter, if not sooner," her mother said.

Emilia looked to Hermione. "Are you really?"

"Yes," Hermione said.

Neill made a strangled sound. "What are you looking at?"

Emilia's hands went to her mouth as her own mother got up to come over and hug her. "This is wonderful news. You will be able to share this with your sister-wife."

"We can hold the wedding at our manor, especially since there will be many wizards there," her father said.

"Wait a minute! You are telling me that Harry got both Hermione and Daphne pregnant! You little shit!" Neill charged Harry. She screamed but needn't have worried. Harry had his wand out and Neill had been stunned before he could cover half the distance. Harry's wand moved to make sure the man didn't hit the floor face first.

"Neill!" Emilia shouted, rushing to her husband's side as Harry put him back in the chair he had been in.

With the power coming off Harry, no one said anything as he walked over to the look the scared man in the eyes. "Neill, I can understand you are upset. This was not what we planned, but like I have told you, I will do everything to protect and make sure Hermione is happy. That now includes Daphne. I would like you to accept this, give me your blessing to marry Hermione, because I know she will want that, and then be a loving grandfather. I won't deny that we may not be ready for this, but I won't abandon them. I have violated the terms you gave me when Hermione and I started to date?"

Emilia was looking at Harry wide eyed, probably never seen or felt magic like this.

Harry went on. "I will not hurt you. When I release you, you can nod your head yes or shake it to say no."

Harry flicked his wand. Neill flinched and pushed himself back into the chair. After a moment, he nodded.

"Excellent. Are we in agreement then of where they can get married," her father said.

"Father, I don't think the Grangers are ready to talk about that," Daphne said.

Harry had swung around her parents. Her mother was regarding her betrothed. The look on her face had Daphne wondering if she was apprehensive to get Harry upset. "George, it is not just your daughter I am marrying. Hermione has family that is Muggle. We haven't even talked about a wedding yet." His eyes were glowing slightly in his anger. Daphne felt drawn to him. Too bad they were going back to Hogwarts instead of staying another night.

"You can't expect all our family to just show up in a Muggle area. There are traditions that must be held, and Muggles are not supposed to be around magic," her father informed him.

"I want to be married in a church," Hermione blurted out.

"A church! They are the ones that forced us into hiding," George said.

"If Hermione wants a church, that is what she will get," Harry demanded.

Her mother stepped into the ring. "If I am not mistaken, Hermione is going to be Lady Potter. Our daughter will be Lady Black. We could arrange it for two separate weddings. One after the other?"

Harry calmed some. He looked to Daphne. "I would like a hand fasting," she told Harry.

When he looked to Hermione, she said, "Two is fine by me."

Harry sighed. Neill looked to have gathered himself up again. "Hermione and Daphne are both pregnant? Is there a reason why we can't wait for the summer? Or after the baby is born?"

It was Hermione that answered, "Dad, I think the Greengrasses would like Easter so they can adhere to the Wizengamot rules of claiming a birth."

"The what?" Emilia asked.

Her mother replied, "It is tradition to announce the pregnancy when such prestigious houses as the Potters and Blacks are expecting. It helps to solidify the child's claim when they are born. Such announcements are frowned upon for illegitimate children. Daphne and Hermione should be married to Harry before the announcement."

Harry blinked at them. "Bloody hell," he muttered.

Neill took a big breath. "Who wants a beer? Or have scotch and bourbon."

"I think a celebratory drink is appropriate. Which wedding would you like first? I expect the next to be a day or two later," her father said.

Her mother looked a little annoyed at her father's insensitivity. It was obvious that Neill and Emilia were still shocked at this.