Changing pasts, New Futures

Chapter 6

I stood there, completely still as he said goodbye. I didn't want him to leave, not when he just got there, but I was frozen. Unable to voice my thoughts or my protests. As soon as he walked out the door, I excused myself to the bathroom. I ran to Ron's old room and found the hidden cloak. I pulled it on and ran back downstairs as silently as I could. The Weasley's were still gathered in the kitchen, talking over each other, discussing Harry's reappearance in their lives. I slipped out the back door relieved to see him walking only a few feet ahead of me on the path to the road. I started to follow him.

I couldn't get over the sight of him. He was so different from the boy who killed the most feared dark lord. He looked almost happy, like where ever he had gone; he hadn't been burdened with the pressures life here had placed on his small shoulders. His shoulder's were definitely broader now, his muscles defined. The others hadn't noticed as far as I could tell, but he kept slipping in and out of an American accent. I found that curious. Perhaps that's where he's been hiding this whole time. In America, though where was the question, that place was huge and very limited on magical population I was sure. So how did he live? Where did he live?

I saw him stop at the intersection leading through the small town; I stepped in front of him before he could apparate away and pulled off the cloak. He froze, his eyes widened as he stared down at me. I smiled internally; at least I could still surprise him.

"Hermione" He whispered. I was surprised by the pain in his voice when he said my name. I watched his face display a kaleidoscope of emotions before his face went blank and he straightened up. I cursed inwardly. "What do you want?" he asked neutrally.

I blinked back tears. "I wanted to talk to you. I've missed you." I hated the pain that was apparent in my voice at my admission. I should be angry at him; Merlin knows I was hurt when he just left. But it's been two years, and I really had missed him. All I wanted was to feel his arms around me, hugging me close. I wanted to hear him tell me that he missed me too. Harry turned his head away and he let out a rough sigh like he had been holding his breath.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I wish I could stand here and chat, but I've got a few things to take care of. Perhaps next time." He said evasively. My heart sank to my stomach. He doesn't want to be near me. What did I do to make him hate me so much?

"Harry, please" I begged. I was ashamed of how desperate I was to be near him. But I swallowed my pride. I needed him, more then I even knew and I wasn't going to let him walk away from me.

XxXxXx

I cringed eternally at her desperate plea. How I wanted to pull her into my arms and never let her go. She wasn't mine, and she never would be. I had to walk away before she broke my heart all over again. I looked over at her, ready to say no and walk away when I saw the pain in her eyes. The loneliness. I ached inside, and I moved towards her. Before I could even think I had my arms around her, holding her close against me. The feeling was so foreign and yet so familiar my heart burst in my chest. I felt her arms wrap around my waist as she buried her face into my front.

God, she felt so good there. It felt like coming home, and her smell, she smelled so good. Vanilla and lavender. I bent my head, burying my nose in her hair and inhaling that wonderful scent that was Hermione. Vanilla, lavender and old parchment from the many books she read. I missed her so much, it was taking all my willpower not to snatch her up and take her back with me. I felt a wet spot forming on my shirt where her face was buried and realized she was crying. I started rubbing her back trying to soothe her "Shhh, its ok. I've got you 'Mione it's alright."

After a few minutes she had pulled herself together and lifted her head off my chest. "I'm sorry Harry; I've just missed you so much. It hasn't been the same since you left." I looked down into her tear stained face my arms loosely wrapped around her shoulders, I lifted one hand and wiped the wetness from her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered close at my touch before she opened them again to give me a watery smile. I smiled back.

"I'm sorry I left. Actually I'm not, but I am sorry I left the way I did. I needed to leave Hermione, there were too many bad memories everywhere I went. Not enough good ones to counter balance. And the fawning, oh my God. That about killed me above all." I smiled crookedly at my attempt at a joke. She gave me a half smile and lightly hit my arm.

"You could have taken me with you" She whispered, "I would have gone anywhere with you if you asked." I felt my breath seize up in my chest. What does she mean by that? Would she leave with me now even though she's still with Ron?

"What about Ron? You'd leave him to follow me?" I asked incredulous. I thought they were in love. Why would she be willing to leave him to follow me across the world?

She pulled back from me, stepping out of my arms. I was left cold from where our bodies had touched and warmed each other. I stuffed my hands into my jeans pocket watching her. She had wrapped her arms around herself, like she was trying to fight off a chill. I was confused. What has happened to her the last two years? I was starting to realize how rash I had acted in leaving the way I did. But I couldn't completely regret my decision. I got to meet Brett and Dustin, Chad, Randy and Annabelle. They were the friends that I had always wished to have.

"Ron wasn't who I thought he was" Hermione turned her back to me as she spoke, like she was too ashamed to face me. "I needed you more than ever when he changed. But you were gone, and I was left to deal with him on my own."

"What do you mean deal with him? What has he done?" I couldn't imagine Ron having any pull over Hermione. She was tough, and smart, and powerful. There's no way a second class wizard like Ron could ever overpower a first class witch like Hermione.

"He took my wand, he controls me now" She said harshly. She whipped around to face me, her beautiful hair lashing out in the wind that surrounded us as her anger grew. I stared at her in shock. Ron was controlling her? What the hell does that even mean?

"What do you mean he's controlling you? Hermione you're ten times more powerful than he is how could he keep you from cursing his prickish ass?" Hermione let out a choking laugh at my description of the fool.

"I never learned wandless magic, not like you did before the battle. Without my wand, I'm powerless to stop him."

"So, just leave him then if you don't want to be with him. He can't lock you away like a prisoner."

"Actually he can" I stared at her with confusion. "The wizarding world has a similar law that the muggles have when it comes to couples living together. If they've lived together for over a year in the muggle world, it's called common law marriage. In the wizarding world, it's called bonding."

"Bonding? That doesn't sound so bad."

"Think of it more like bondage. Especially since the rules state that if only one of the couple is working, then the other owes service and companionship to the one who is providing for them. Ron has refused to allow me to work. Most jobs require wands, which I already told you, he took from me. I'm trapped Harry. He won't let me go. If I try to leave him without paying him back for his 'hospitality'," She spat the last word with distaste and I clenched my fists in anger, tempted to wring the pricks skinny little neck, "Then I'll be arrested and put in jail for five years." She moved towards me her eyes pleading with me to help her, but I didn't know how, and I was sure she didn't either.

"Well how much do you owe him?" I asked.

"Two years worth of rent, food, and personal hygiene products."

"They actually hold all that against you?"

"Yes. I didn't have money to buy any of it, so he had to, which means, since I've been living with him for two years, I owe him everything back. If I can't pay with cash, which is obvious in my lack of job, then I have to do it in other ways." She looked sick at whatever 'other ways' she was thinking about.

As I stood there thinking that over, something hit me. Other ways. She meant sexually. I saw red at the thought. There was no effing way I was going to let Ron claim her as his sexual slave. I couldn't even believe this was an actual law. It should have been abolished, it was horrible.

"How is that legal?" I thought out loud, and Hermione just shook her head. She didn't know how it could still be legal. "How did you find out about it?"

"I tried to leave him when things were starting to get bad. He told me I could try if I really wanted to, but then he'd have to call the authorities on me, and I'd be arrested. I told him I haven't broken any laws he can't do that to me, he told me that he could. Then he tossed an old law book at me, and I found the law that he was talking about. I was shocked. If I had known it was even a possibility, I would have told him hell no to living with him. I don't know what to do Harry, how do I get out of this?" She looked so depressed, and trapped. I wanted to steal her away, protect her with everything I had. I didn't know what I could do though. But I was definitely going to look into it.

"I'm going to do what I can Hermione. I'll find away to free you. You have my word." Her face lit up, and she wrapped her arms around my neck and climbed up onto her toes and kissed me with everything she had. I felt that kiss sear me body, heart and soul. I held on to her for dear life as I felt myself drowning in the taste of her. God how I had always dreamed of this moment. I couldn't believe it was happening. It was everything I thought it would be and more. So much more.

My grip tightened as the kiss heated up, her body flush against mine, and her hands running through my hair as our tongues teased each others, our mouths open and hot, our breath ragged. I finally let her go, taking a step back as I tried to catch my breath, Hermione stood in front of me, her face flushed and her lips swollen and red from my kisses. We stared at each other silently, with just our heavy breathing the only sound, and then I smiled gently at her. I cupped her face in my hand and bent down one last time to kiss her softly against her lips, then I let her go stepped back and without a good bye I disapparated on the spot.

XxXxXx

My lips still tingled as I walked towards the large white building. Having spent the last two years dreaming about that moment, I still couldn't believe it had finally happened. Though not in the best circumstances I would have hoped for, even still, it happened. I wanted to jump for joy, scream from the top of the buildings, I was just so happy.

I was going to set her free, and we could be together finally. The thought of what Ron was doing to her, it enraged me. How could any man force a woman into servicing him? It was wrong. It went against every belief and grain of my entire being. I knew that my friends back home...

Home, I guess that's what it is now. The states, the ranch, my buddies, it was all home to me now. It was more of a home to me then England ever could be.

As I approached the front doors, I noticed two goblin guards standing in front, their bodies covered in full armour, from their helmets to chest plate and leather arm bands as they held a spear in one hand and a sword strapped to a belt on their waist. They held the spears upright beside them as they faced outward, ignoring all the shoppers and merchants that filled Diagon Alley. As I passed them, they both bowed to me, murmuring something in their language, their free hands fisted over their chest. I nodded my respect in turn, hiding my shock at their behaviour. I didn't remember their being guards here the last time I came by. Curious I continued into the bank, seeking out a free goblin to request an audience with Ragnok. I knew that he would be the most likely creature to help him with his problem. Spying a free goblin, I strode over to his desk, I held out my family ring, and requested to see Ragnok as soon as he was available. The ring had been something I had forgotten I had until after my last appointment at Gringotts. I had kept it hidden in my old trunk, which I had transfigured into an old ratty looking suitcase. Dobby had collected it, despite me not remembering about it. Dobby was an amazingly astute elf, and I am very grateful to have his help.

"Right this way Lord Potter-Black"

I followed the goblin through a maze of corridors to the back office of Ragnok. Once again the layout was different then it had been the last time I was here. Apparently, the goblins laid special magic wards on their building for protection to keep people from knowing where the offices of the higher ranking goblins would be. Interesting, first the guards and now this safe guard with the halls. It was as if the goblins were preparing for a war.

As I entered the office, I noticed that there was another goblin in the office with Ragnok. Griphook, the first goblin I had met in first year. I don't think I'd ever forget that, as it was my first introduction to the magical world and creatures.

As I was escorted into the room, Ragnok said something quickly to Griphook, who bowed quickly before leaving the room. My guide followed. Ragnok pointed to a high-backed chair that sat in front of his desk, the carvings within the wood and gold filigree were exquisite. I sat down, and was surprised by how comfortable it was, before Ragnok followed suit. "How can I help you, Lord Potter-Black?"

"I need some information on a very old pure blood law, and a way to fight it" I said abruptly. I didn't have a lot of time to waste, and I could see the approval in Ragnok's eyes, that he appreciated my candor.

"Let me see what I can pull up." He tapped a corner of his desk with his index finger three times and waited. A few seconds later and large, heavy tomb appeared. It looked heavily aged and the paper looked brittle inside the leather cover. Ragnok carefully opened the cover and began to gingerly flip the pages. After a few minutes, Ragnok stopped on a page, and then carefully turned the book so I could read it. Looking down at the aged paper, I could just barely make out the law written there.

Section 15A: If a witch or wizard of pureblood descent contracts a living arrangement with another witch or wizard of varying descent, they will thereby be caretaker of said witch or wizard.

Section 15B: If a witch or wizard of pureblood descent works and maintains living arrangements for another witch or wizard of varying descent with said witch or wizards permission, then said witch or wizard is indebted to their benefactor.

Section 15C: If a witch or wizard of varying descent cannot pay debt to their benefactor in a financial compromise, then said witch or wizard must pay their debt in other means.

"Yes, this is the law I was talking about" I said. I was surprised to actually see it written before me, and not have it be just some kind of cruel joke Ron had decided to play on Hermione.

"Yes, I knew one day you might come to me about this. Can I assume this is about Ms. Granger?" I nodded. I looked curiously at Ragnok, wondering how he would know I'd come here looking for this particular law. "Mr. Potter, I've been keeping an eye on your friend Ms. Granger. You may wonder why I would do such a thing am I correct?" I nodded again, really confused. "You see, the goblins here at Gringotts have been, and I feel still are, very fond of the Potters. James Potter and Lily Potter were huge champions of Goblin and wizard interaction. They respected us in a way no other wizard or witch ever has, and we have seen that same respect with you, and with Ms. Granger. So we like to keep ourselves a breast of any situation involving the two of you."

I just sat there as I absorbed this news. I guess this was going to make things easier. At least that's what I hoped. "Ok. So is there a way we can save her from this law?" I prayed there was, I don't think I could live with myself if she was stuck in this ugly, depressing situation.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll find something" Ragnok said, a gruesome looking smile appeared on his face, his sharp teeth showing. I gave a hesitant smile back. This was the only good news I'd heard all day.

XxXxXx

When I returned home a little later after Ragnok and I finished hashing out some details, and Ragnok began his investigation into the legality of Ron's claim over Hermione, I found a surprise waiting on me.

Hermione was on my bed. She must have been waiting up for me, because she had a book resting in her lap. She had fallen asleep, her body curled up in a ball, her arms squeezing my pillow tightly to her chest. I smiled softly as I moved further into the room. Dobby appeared silently, holding out his arms for my coat, which I handed over with whispered thanks. I tugged off my shoes and socks, and pulled my shirt and pants off before I climbed into the bed behind her, my arm slipping around her waist. The book slid off the bed with a dull thump, and she let out a soft moan and I could feel her body relax as she shifted against me.

I had no idea how she found out where I lived, but I was grateful. I never thought I'd be able to spend time with her like this, holding her in my arms, and not feeling guilty as hell because of Ron's feelings for her. As I began to close my eyes, Hermione shifted again, my eyes opened to find her chocolate brown ones watching me. I gave her a small smile, and she smiled back, her hand reached out and gently caressed my face. My eyes fluttered closed from her touch. I felt her warm breath against my lips before our lips connected in a hesitant kiss. I tightened my grip on her waist and pulled her in closer, deepening the kiss at the same time. She whimpered, her body sliding up against mine, so we were flush together, my bare chest pressed against her silken clad body, the cool fabric smooth and liquid like against my heated skin. I felt her hands slid into my hair, her fingers curling around the errant strands and tugging tight as we tangled tongues in a heated kiss.

My heart was pounding loudly in my chest, and I could feel her heart beating in time with mine. It's corny of me to think that, we were one with our heart beats because we were finally together, but it's exactly how I felt.

I rolled her over so she was flat on her back, my body hanging over hers as I broke from the kiss. I gazed down into her brown eyes, and I saw the lust flaring but I also saw something else, to scared to face it, knowing how crushing it would be if I was wrong, I crushed my mouth to hers in another searing kiss, trying to pull her closer to me, as close as two people could get with their clothes still on. I needed her so badly, it was like the last two years never existed between us, I wanted to forget it all and just drown in her scent and her taste. She was my whole focus, my whole world, and I was scared that if I stopped to think about it, it would shatter, and I'd lose it forever.