Hermione's Offer

by The Ghostly Minion

Alternate. The last battle with Lord Voldemort is imminent. Harry knows that he has little chance of surviving. He speaks to the spirits of James, Lily and Sirius, promising to vanquish Voldemort. But he also tells them of his sole regret. However, Hermione overhears and offers a solution. H/H, NL, LL, MM, Poppy P, LV

4. After 2 Wedding, Engagements Wizengamot

A/N: This story is in response to Chapter five (A challenge), in the late broomstick flyer's collection, All sorts.

As always, it is an honor to create my own world in the reality of Harry Potter. What you recognize is JKR's, the rest is mine (and broomstick flyer's).

Harry slowly became conscious. The first thing he felt was his naked wife spooned tightly against his back. Second, he felt his morning problem and a deep desire to share that with his amazing wife. Finally, he remembered the day before and realized he now felt at peace; pondering this, he concluded he had been in shock and on adrenalin overload. So carefully he turned in the bed, he took her in his arms and kissed her and felt amused when she opened her eyes. Guess that means I'm really her Prince Charming!

"Good morning love. I'm glad to find you in our bed, in my arms." Harry found his wand and cast Tempus. "Wow, 5:30 am on May fourth! Strong Dreamless Sleeping potions?"

Hermione nodded and Harry continued. "I don't suppose we can make love now; we'd attract your parents and I need to make a better second impression than I made a first."

"Harry, how are you feeling?" Harry could see the anxiety and borderline fear in her wonderfully expressive eyes.

"Quite well, Mrs. Potter-Black" he smiled, seeing her light up at the reminder of her married name, "I might not have dreamed, but my subconscious must have worked overtime because when I woke I realized that my breakdown was just the reaction to the battle; I wasn't thinking straight, it was too much, so soon and I was in fight or flight mode and not in control. I now know the DeathEaters made their own bed and had to lie in it. Speaking of lying in bed, when will your parents wake? Can I give you a promise for tonight?"

Hermione needed no prompting. She entwined her arms about Harry's neck and her lips firmly on his, tongues militantly in the other's mouth, their love, passion and oneness flowing amongst them. They spent a timeless interval as one being.

-HO-

After they rose and shared a shower, they went into the eat-in kitchen to find the Grangers and a big breakfast just reaching the table.

"Mum, dad, I want to formally introduce you to my husband and your son-in-law, Harry James Potter, Lord Potter-Black." Both Richard and Helen came around the table and gave Harry long, tight hugs that left no doubt as to where Hermione learned how to hug.

After the hugs ended, Harry looked at them with gratitude and love suffusing his eyes. "Thank you for your welcome; I feared I'd failed in giving you a good first impression as Hermione's husband and hopefully the father of your grandchildren, but I see now that you made allowances."

"Harry, first call me Richard or dad and my wife Helen or mum, we're all family after all. I'm not sure how much Hermione told you about us, but we met in the Royal Navy; I was in the SBS and Helen was in the SBS support services. We fell in love and after we were demobbed, we married, entered dental school and had Hermione. In the SBS, I was in on a number of missions that won't make the history books, at least not for a century, if then. I know about killing the enemy in hot blood and cold and your reactions a day and half ago fit the pattern to a T; honestly, had they not I would've worried for Hermione and her choice of husband. I'm proud to call you son. Later, we can talk about PTSD but not today or for a while yet."

They sat and had breakfast. Afterwards, Harry and Hermione filled her parents in on the events leading to her hiding them away in Adelaide and the events following, to the morning before last. It took a long time to tell even the bare bones of the tale. They stayed in the living room, breaking only for short but tasty meals fixed by their elves, who also listened to their saga. By the time the basics had been covered, it was just past midnight.

When they got to their room, they spent some time in foreplay that might otherwise have been termed taking a shower. By the time they reached the bed, they had barely the presence of mind to cast Silencing Charms before laying on the bed and uniting. Those charms were needed to blunt the murmurs, sighs, groans, yells and screams persisting over the succeeding two hours.

-HO-

Meanwhile, in Britain, there had been non-stop furor from the end of the non- Battle of Hogwarts to the present moment, a week later. As a result of Hogwarts having been under Voldemort's control, what was left of the Board of Governors declared the school term to be a loss, requiring all students to retake the year and allow those who were unable to attend due to blood status or other reasons to attend in September without prejudice.

Many students left for home and an extended summer; others, mainly from Slytherin, but a sprinkling from the other houses were buried, either by their families or by the Ministry. Harry and Hermione's wedding party felt a great need to be together and Headmistress (as confirmed by the Board) McGonagall modified the Heads' suite to accommodate the eight teens. Outside of those quarters, they were never seen apart and unlike almost all of the rest of the students, they attended classes getting a jump start on the next year.

On the morning of 9 May, they received a summons from the Wizengamot to appear Monday, 11 May at an investigative hearing on the ending of the war. They immediately sent owls to eight sets of parents/guardians. Inasmuch as that included senior members of the Ministry and the Wizengamot, including the new Chief Witch, none of the eight were particularly concerned. When they arrived at lunch time, they shared a meal with their children, then retired to the Staff Room, made available by the Headmistress to consult and plan. When they left after sharing dinner in the Great Hall with their charges the teens were reassured and spent the rest of the weekend in relaxation.

-HO-

At 10:00 am, 11 May, the Chief Witch, Augusta Longbottom called the Wizengamot to order. "Before addressing today's agenda, is there any new business which requires our attention?"

Neville Longbottom, resplendent in the finest dress robes bearing his family arms and the Lord's rings spoke up. "I, Neville Franklin Longbottom, Lord Longbottom by descent, wish to take my seat in the Wizengamot!"

At this there was a commotion, gaveled down by the Chief Witch. "Lord Dunhill, there has always been a standing rule that an heir may succeed the place of a permanently incapacitated Lord. Sadly, Frank Longbottom fits this definition and his son is eligible to take his place." Swiftly, Neville was granted the family seat.

"Is there any other new business?" Susan Bones stepped forward.

"I, Susan Amelia Bones, Lady Bones by descent, also with to take my seat in the Wizengamot!" This time, there was no dissent and she was granted her family seat.

Asking for more new business and receiving no response, she continued, "Very well. We now address a matter brought to us by the Minister for Magic. Minister, if you will."

Kingsley Shacklebolt rose. "I request that this body conduct an investigation of the events surrounding the end of the late war. I suggest that this investigation include the marriage of Harry Potter and the couple's current whereabouts."

"All in favor of the Minister's request, light your wands." About 3/4 of the Wizengamot lit their wands in favor. It escaped no one's notice that none of the families of the Potters' wedding party lit their wands, Lord Longbottom's and Lady Bones' dissent the most prominent. After some few minutes of organization, the chamber was set with Veritaserum, and a projecting Pensieve.

The chief witch called on the Minister to begin his presentation. "We have with us today all the players, as far as we can ascertain, who were involved with the wedding of our Lord Potter-Black with Hermione Granger..."

The spanner thrown into the Minister's works was pitched by the new Lord Longbottom. "How dare you" the best man roared "Harry and Hermione were married by Headmistress McGonagall, a licensed wedding bonder, moreover the Head of both their House. Had there been any hint of impropriety in their request she would never have consented to perform the service. They are therefore Lord Harry James Potter-Black and Lady Hermione Jane Granger Potter-Black. I, we," a glance showed him the agreement of the wedding party and the bonder, "strenuously protest and resent the Minister's sly insinuations casting doubt on the validity of their wedding and Lady Potter-Black's title. The Minister can apologize or not. I will submit my memories to this body as evidence and then leave." A growl from the others left the Wizengamot in no doubt as to the feelings from those closest to the couple.

Kingsley mentally cursed his stupidity, his mistake not only cost him the cooperation of those closest to this matter, but doubtless their friendship and by extension the friendship of both Lord and Lady, at least eleven of the people he truly liked and respected;, eating crow might not work but it was all he had left. "Lord Longbottom, Scion Greengrass, Scion MacMillan, Scion Lovegood, Scion Zabini, Lady Bones, Scion Corner, Miss Bell, Headmistress McGonagall, and the Noble Wizengamot. I retract and most humbly recant my previous words. I mistakenly attempted to bring an air of impartiality to my investigation and clearly have put my foot into it, to the hip. It shall never be repeated."

No one spoke to the Minister, following Neville's lead. Neville walked to the Pensieve, swore on his magic and life the memories he'd give were accurate and complete, then placed five memories into the bowl and activated the runes for projection playback.

The first memory saw Neville guarding the entrance to Gryffindor and Hermione's approach. "I'm sorry Hermione, but..."

"Harry asked you to keep others out. I understand, but I have things to tell Harry. He doesn't know it, but he has things to say to me also. Please let me through, don't tell him. Please."

Neville took no more than an instant of thought and stepped away. She stepped to the portrait. "Please open, but silently." A tear fell from the Fat Lady's cheek; she nodded and the door opened without sound.

The next memory commenced as the portrait opened again and Harry and Hermione rushed out. Harry turned and shouted, "Come with us, Nev! We've a wedding to perform, and you'll be best man!"

The third memory played. Harry entered the hall, he spotted Neville and the three others. He walked over to them, saying "Blaise, Ernie, Michael; if Neville didn't tell you, I am marrying Hermione as soon as things are set here. I hope you will be my groomsmen, Neville will be best man. Will you help me?" A chorus of 'yes' from the three left Harry beaming. "Great, I see the hall is being prepared." Taking two Galleons from his pocket, Harry transfigured them into wedding bands, a napkin into a velvet cushion and handed the rings and cushion to Neville.

The fourth memory was his of the wedding itself. They were at the hall, Hermione along with five young women and Remus Lupin. Motioning to Neville and his groomsmen, Harry reached his fiancée, hugged her and settled a gentle, love-filled kiss upon her lips. "Love, the next time I kiss you, you will be Mrs. Hermione Jane Granger Potter-Black." He could go no further seeing the adoration glow in her eyes. Wrenching his gaze from her with an effort he looked at the others. "Thank you all for helping us. Fleur will place glamors on us so we look like a wedding."

Fleur then waved her wand and Harry looked clean- shaven and resplendent in dress robes of emerald green trimmed in Gryffindor red. "Now alliez 'Arry to the front and await your bride—no peeking!"

Harry gladly obeyed. Professor McGonagall cast a Sonorus charm and called to the castle, "Your attention, all who are not on sentry duty please come and sit in the Great Hall now." Since the preparations had escaped nobody's notice, the table seats swiftly filled.

Neville's robes changed to gold trimmed with emerald, and he took Luna, now wearing Ravenclaw blue, to the altar and separated, taking his place on Harry's left. Looking back, he saw Daphne Greengrass in her house's shade of green robes on the arm of Michael Corner wearing Ravenclaw bronze with emerald trim. Then Blaise Zabini in Slytherin silver trimmed in emerald and Susan Bones in Hufflepuff blue. Finally Katie Bell in Gryffindor red took her place accompanied by Ernie MacMillan in Hufflepuff yellow and emerald.

Then, Hermione, on Lupin's arm. She wore a gown in bone, full length, shoulder-less and tight on top, flaring out modestly below the waist. There was no train, but a full veil. Upon her head a diadem of silver and emeralds, a necklace of emeralds at her throat and emeralds in her ears. Then Remus handed Harry her arm.

Minerva recited the marriage ceremony and when she asked if Harry wished to say his own vows, he nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Hermione Jane Granger, since our first day at Hogwarts we've been a part of each other's lives. As a friend, best friend, supporter, guide, teacher, partner in trials and battles, you finally came to mean the world to me as a woman, my beloved. I will spend whatever time we have as your strength and companion, as you are my strength, my heart's companion, my soul's mate. This ring to me means all these things and those things that crowd my heart that I haven't the words to say." As he placed the ring on her finger, his magic escaped and an emerald- green aura surrounded them both and then faded into them.

Hermione's smile shone like the sun. "Harry James Potter-Black, I fell in love the moment we met. That it took this long to share my feelings shows even know-it-alls aren't infallible! I have never known a more humble, kind, decent, giving and loving man and I shall never find even a pale copy in anyone else. I will never have another and all the time we may have shall be more precious than any gem, purer than any gold. Together we will be one and pass our name down to futures yet unimagined. My being is too full of my love and joy for expression. This ring shall speak those things to you, now and as long as our hearts beat." As she slipped the golden band onto his finger, her aura, pure gold permeated them, lingered and entered them.

For a moment, none could speak then Minerva found her voice. "As a licensed marriage bonder, I declare this man and woman married, in the sight of magic and of the law. You may kiss your bride."

Harry gently lifted the veil from Hermione's face, cupped her cheek then embraced her waist. As her arms encircled his neck their lips met in a kiss that swiftly deepened. The kiss lasted just until the edge of that cusp between perfect and uncomfortable was reached.

After a brief but filling luncheon, Neville raised his glass and gained the attention of the company. "I will be brief, Lord and Lady Potter-Black should be our focus after all. I will claim the distinction of having introduced Hermione to Harry through my toad Trevor, or should I say Yenta?" Laughter. "Anyway, it has been my great good fortune to watch and know them as we grew up and I'm proud to call them my best friends in the world. Now, let us drink to their joy and happiness. I give you Hermione and Harry Potter-Black, the bride and groom!"

The final memory found Neville looking at early night, standing in his place on the Hogwarts' steps. "They're here everyone, they just reached the far side of Hogsmeade. Get your game faces on and take your places," as Harry rushed out and took his position on the point. After a couple of minutes, he checked behind himself, seeing that all were in their positions. "I'll give the word for Patroni when they cross into the grounds; by then you should feel them too and we'll chase them back to Azkaban!"

About fifteen minutes later the Dementors reached and crossed the gates. With a "Now!", fifty Patroni soared into the air and into the oncoming cloud. As the silver avatars collided with the horrors a keening sound attested to their discomfiture and several terrible-sounding screams made them wonder if some one of the azure defenders might have actually killed some of the monsters. In any case, all sense of the Dementors had vanished and they canceled the Patroni.

It took another fifteen-odd minutes before they could see the shadowy forms of their antagonists in the dark. They heard shouts of astonishment and fear rise as the trolls and giants vanished and then cries of anger when their auxiliaries under the Imperius, placed in the front as shock troops also disappeared. They heard the scream of "POTTER!" from the evilest of wizards and soon the foe were in plain view, with Tom Riddle in all his serpentine 'glory' standing as Harry was, ten paces or so in front of the DeathEaters, ranked in a semi-circle behind him.

"Well, Potter," hissed the self-styled 'Death Fleer' "are you really so deluded as to think your pitiful collection of Mudbloods, half-bloods and blood-traitors can stand up to my DeathEaters?"

"I don't think it matters. We both know that the ones with us are only a sideshow and we're the main event. Neither can live while the other survives. There's the end of the prophecy, you half-blood by-blow. You and me. Winner takes all. So,

Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away

With a roar of outraged anger, Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry and screamed, DIE, HARRY POTTER. AVADA KEDAVRA! Harry bonelessly hit the ground.

Voldemort completed a twirl to face his followers, arms akimbo and they started to shout "Master. Master."

The celebration shockingly ended with Harry's roar of SECTUMSEMPRA! Still half lying on the ground, the curse hit Voldemort's neck, just below the Atlas and Axis vertebrae, very efficiently shearing his brain-pan from his face. By the time Harry reached his feet. Voldemort's brain was striking the ground and his body was following. What was shocking though were the wails of utter agony from the DeathEaters seeing them slowly collapse to their knees then fall on their faces, unmoving. Harry sank to his knees hands covering his face and was racked by sobs. Then a pop was heard and Kreacher appeared by his master's side. "Master has won, but master's soul, spirit is hurt. Kreacher takes him now to Mistress, Master needs his family." With another pop, elf and wizard were no more.

There had been utter silence during the viewing of Neville's memories. He glanced at the other eight silently asking if they wanted to add to his testimony but received eight almost imperceptible shakes in return. He addressed the assembly, "I have a few thoughts before I leave. First, there was no doubt in our minds that Harry and Hermione love each other, love deeply and that they've been in love with the other for nearly seven years. Second, we know why it came out when it did, why they married when they did but that is their story and their choice as to whom they confide in; we will never betray the confidence with which they've honored us. Third, wherever Harry is Hermione is too and when they wish to contact anyone they will as they see fit. Finally, they are still on a honeymoon after all and even were we to know how to contact them we would not." Neville then took Daphne's hand and strode out of the courtroom, feeling the three other couples and McGonagall following. As they reached to doors they heard the chief witch declare that the Wizengamot was adjourned.

-HO-

During their first two weeks as married, Harry and Hermione explored Adelaide, sometimes with Richard and Helen, often by themselves. They found both the magical and non-magical sides of the city fascinating. When they were in the magical parts, a simple glamour over Harry's rapidly fading scar and a very weak Notice-Me-Not were all that was needed to avoid commotion. They were amused that though Harry was celebrated here as, they assumed, he was in the entire magical world, the Australian wizards and witches had so little expectation of ever meeting him that their assumptions did almost all the work hiding him for them. Of course their nights were spent energetically observing their honeymoon.

About three weeks after his arrival, Harry, Hermione, Richard and Helen went to St. Joseph's Church in the city and asked to speak to the rector, Father Jacob Twitchell. Once seated in his office, Harry explained their situation.

"Father, we are all originally from England and not quite a year ago, Richard and Helen moved their dental practice here. Hermione and I were finishing our term in a very exclusive school in Scotland. At the start of this month I learned that I had inherited a noble title from my godfather; in addition to being Lord Potter from my late parents I was also Lord Black so I'm Lord Potter-Black. The problem arose that I only had one week to marry in order to retain my godfather's rather considerable inheritance. Hermione and I have been in love since we've been 11 and there was no doubt in anyone's mind we'd eventually marry; still this was an emergency, so with Richard and Helen's consent, we married at Gretna Green and came to Adelaide at the end of the term. Here are our marriage documents and we wish to remarry or renew our vows or however you choose to name the ceremony here for them and their friends. I know this sounds like a romance novel or a hokey movie plot but can you, will you help us?"

Father Twitchell looked a trifle agape at the four but had long ago learned the value of keeping silence and thinking things through. After a few moments, he smiled having perused their papers. "My son, my daughter, your papers are in order. I should be happy perform a service of renewal of wedding vows. The only question is in the timing. You'll need at least a month and a half to make preparations and every Saturday in summer is filled. But, if you'll settle for a Friday, 3 July, we could perform the service at any time after noon."

The quartet considered this in low voices for several minutes. "Father, the third at noon sounds perfect," Hermione told him. "By having it at Noon, we can have a short reception and have everything cleaned up for Saturday's ceremony." That having been agreed, they returned home to begin planning.

With both Hermione and Helen making the plans and Harry and Richard helping, everything was set by the end of May and invitations went out on 1 June. They soon got replies by the wedding party who asked to come three weeks before. Assured by the elves that the house could accommodate any number, they agreed. Bill and Fleur, Remus and Tonks replied and would be there three days before.

When their friends arrived, it was to the joyful news that the Potter-Blacks were expecting twins, sex unknown as they wanted to be surprised. In their turn, they were flummoxed to learn that their party were now four engaged couples. Since the events of May, Neville and Daphne, Michael and Luna, Blaise and Susan and Ernie and Katie had fallen in love and were determined to marry and had the blessing of their parents and guardians.

Having first-hand experience of the madhouse Wizarding Britain still was after Voldemort's end, the idea of living somewhere else strongly interested the eight and their families. They spent their time exploring Australia, particularly Adelaide, and the four couples separately decided to settle near the Potter-Blacks. To say Hermione and Harry were overjoyed was to understate. Houses were found, bought and furnished. By the time the rest of Harry and Hermione's personal guests arrived the wedding party couples had met with Father Twitchell and wedding dates for the first and third Saturdays of September and October were set.

The renewal of vows was a brilliant success. Everyone there including the Grangers' friends found the service hugely moving. Afterwards, they went to a hall owned by one of Helen's friends for the reception. Their friends wasted no time in booking the same hall for the September and October weddings. Before everyone left, Hermione and Harry arranged with Augusta to speak before the Wizengamot and the Minister at the 3 August meeting. The couple spent the next month arranging for tutors and touring the large cities in Australia.

At 10:00 am, 3 August, the Chief Witch called the Wizengamot to order and called for new business, whereupon Lord and Lady Potter-Black appeared in their finest dress robes. Once she gaveled down the assembly, she invited them to speak.

Harry began "Chief Witch, Minister, noble members of the Wizengamot. As you can clearly see, my wife and I are quite well and, I can assure you very happy indeed. As my friend Lord Longbottom informed you we married because we are and were deeply in love with one another and have been since we were 11. This is all the information you need to know and that we'll tell you."

"My Harry and I, particularly my Harry," Hermione continued, "have given to this world everything you could legitimately ask and considerably more. You lost the peace James and Lily Potter's sacrifice gave you by allowing the Death Eaters to escape justice on the flimsiest of excuses while innocent people like Sirius Black were thrown into Azkaban without trial."

"When Voldemort returned, most of you vilified me for warning you," Harry noted with scorn "then when his presence could no longer be denied, some of you indulged in frantic, useless measures, just to be seen doing something or shuffling off the burden of your rescue on a fifteen-year- old and his friends, hardly any older or more prepared than I".

"Did you fight when the Ministry fell to Voldemort?" pressed Hermione. "There was never a time when you didn't outnumber the DeathEaters dozens to one, but you were too cowardly to make a stand or a difference."

"And now, when against all odds, I and mine finished Voldemort you want to know everything? I tell you now that you have all you'll likely ever get from us!" Harry's anger-loosened magic swirled around the chamber until an effort of will brought calm. "If ever you hope to see us again, if ever you hope for us to play a part in this backwater, or educate our children here, you had best win the peace this time."

"What we mean," Hermione's passion was scarcely less than her Lord's, "is that you must pass the laws against discrimination by ancestry. The only measure for success must be one's magical strength, knowledge, will and drive to make a difference. These laws must be enacted and then enforced with resolution so that all know the old ways of doing things is over."

"My lady and I are delighted to inform you that we are expecting twins! They will be born early in the next year so you are now on the clock. You have eleven years to show you are not making a mockery of our sacrifices.

"If you fail, rest assured we'll never come back and as we forge ahead into a better future, you will stall, decay and die as a society. I hereby give the proxies to the seats of Potter and Black to House Longbottom and House Bones to be held jointly—yes, yes, this is allowed, we do homework after all. And now, farewell Britain." Their elves silently whisked them away.

Back home, Harry read a number of books Richard, Helen and Hermione had bought for him. Three weeks or so later, Harry went to a nondescript room in the city's downtown. In one of the suites he helped himself to a large mug of coffee, entered a room with a dozen rough-looking men and women all with haunted eyes. Some were smoking and Harry cast an anti-smoke charm around himself. At the gesture from a man slightly less haggard and having considerably less- haunted eyes Harry rose. "My name is Harry James Potter-Black. I've been through Hell all of my life. My wife and our unborn twins light a path out but I need help to walk out of the jungle."

A/N: First, a big shout out to my Beta, texan-muggle. Betas keep me on the straight and narrow, bless them all. Any goofs are on my dime.

I hope my efforts meet with your approval. I'm trying not just to honor broomstick by accepting her challenge, but to write it also in as close to her writing style as my own limitations as a writer allow. So, if you noticed the run on sentences and paragraphs, they're part of the tribute!

I made a few edits to Neville's memories that should have been in the original drafts. One day I might correct them and repost.

The story recommendation for this chapter is Hermione's Greatest Gift By Professor Evans id: 5919950 Yet another response to the challenge.

One final thing. There is a poll up on my profile. Your input is needed to decide a character's birthday. That will be used in the rest of my stories. Please help.

Once more, thanks to all of you who read my efforts. Visitors, hits, reviews, follows, favorites, C2s are my only payment. Believe me, they make me feel rich!

The Ghostly Minion, in mourning for the flyer.

Posted: 08/10/2015

Reposted 08/20/2015
Words: 5,092