Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling and her licensees.
A/N: This story is H/Hr. If that is not the ship you sail, abandon ship and find another captain.
In addition, I do not particularly like Ron or Mrs. Weasley and this story reflects that. There is slight bashing, but mostly comeuppance.
Thank you to my incredible beta Kaylee Jane Potter. All errors are mine.
Reviews are lovely and constructive criticism is as implied, constructive, but flames will be use to line my birdcage.
Chapter 11
30 July, 1997
Unplottable Location
Scotland
Harry looked up from his position on the floor into a grinning face and knew the next few minutes were not going to be pleasant. The teenager was flat on his back staring up at the ceiling with his arms pinned to his sides and his legs pinned together by a rubber ring.
"Wotcher, Harry. You and Hermione playing some sort of kinky ring toss?" asked Tonks.
Grumbling and making sure to include a few disparaging comments about his sister-in-law, Tonks managed to hear, "No."
"Then what are you doing tied up like that on the floor?" asked Tonks with an ill suppressed giggle.
The room was, for the most part, empty except for two Muggle tennis ball machines that had been enchanted to toss rings at the warmest object in the room. Up until a minute ago, this had been Harry.
The young wizard flicked his wand at his binding and carefully sat up while rubbing his head where it had made contact with the floor. Harry gave her a dirty look then sighed. "Gwendolyn thought that it would be a good idea for us to work on our spell casting speed and accuracy. She did something that I am sure is illegal to those tennis ball machines."
Tonks looked at the two machines that had the label 'Lob-ster' on them and nodded. "I'm sure if I still worked for the Ministry, I'd have to report her to Arthur's old department, but no worries right now. So what do they do?"
"They randomly shoot out heat seeking rings. If the ring touches me before I stun it, it puts me in a body bind."
"Still working on it then," she snickered. "It could be fun to get two people in one ring. Maybe when you're finished I can get Remus in here."
A look of horror crossed Harry's face. "Tonks!"
"I'm just teasing. What other toys you got in here?" she asked looking around.
Harry opened a small cupboard and gestured toward the mannequins. "Practice dummies. Heather has a sick sense of humor so it's best not to use those alone."
"What do they do?"
Harry was saved having to explain by his wife walking into the room. "I thought you were coming to get Harry."
"He was tied up," Tonks replied with a smirk.
Harry groaned and took Hermione by the hand and led her out of the room. "Come on, let's go. Is your Mum back with your grandmum yet?"
Hermione nodded. "She had to tell her about Dad, but thought it would be best to hold off on the news about Aunt Isobel until they find out where she's buried."
Harry blinked and then realized that his former head of house would need to be told that her youngest daughter was, in fact, dead and had been for nearly twenty years.
"Dad sent me find you. I think they're in the front hall."
They walked down a long corridor and came into a large open room that housed the main staircase. There were four people waiting at the foot of the stairs for them.
"Hi, Professor."
"Hello, Potter. How is the nonverbal spell casting coming?" asked the older witch.
Sighing, Harry looked at his father-in-law. That was something that the two of them had been working diligently on. It was slow going. "There is room for improvement."
"Harry!" called Remus smiling at the teen.
"Hi, Remus. How have things been?"
Remus gestured toward Professor McGonagall and said, "Minerva and I were just comparing stories."
Hermione looked up. "Anything interesting?"
Tonks snorted and began to laugh. "Seems that Delores has a new pet."
Harry looked at his two former professors and then his wife's parents for clarification. Remus explained, "Percy is following her around like a puppy. We found out he's been keeping company with several known Death Eaters. It's a good story, but I'm not sure we have time tonight. We've been invited over for birthday breakfast, so we'll catch you up on everything tomorrow."
Harry and Hermione raised their eyebrows at the mention of Percy being a Death Eater or at least associating with them, but before anyone else could say anything, Alwyne ran into the room wearing her socks. When she tried to stop in front of everyone, she skidded down the hall and Harry had to throw out an arm to catch her. "Oh, thanks Uncle Harry."
"No problem. Looked a bit fun too."
"It was. So, Uncle Harry, guess what?" she asked conspiratorially.
"What?"
"Winky waxed the floor in Grammy's library and I've been skating in there since dinner."
Everyone started laughing and Alwyne smiled. She walked over to her grandmother and help up her arms, "Ohh, up, up?"
"I suppose."
"You know, Grammy, I'm getting bigger all the time and pretty soon, I'm going to be too big to cuddle this way and everyone is going to be sad."
Heather's lips twitched and she said, "I do believe that when you are too big to cuddle this way, I will be very sad indeed." She gave her one more squeeze and said, "Poppet, do you know where your parents are?"
"Mummy is making Winky let her help clean up from dinner and Daddy is reading in the library I'm not old enough to use the books from."
Heather set Alwyne down and said, "Run along and get them. Tell them that Gran is here and it is about time for us to go."
"Alright, Grammy, okay." She ran out of sight as fast as her little legs could go.
"Listen, we're," Remus pointed to himself and Tonks, "going to head on over to headquarters. We'll have the Weasleys properly corralled in the sitting room so it won't cause a stir when you come in."
"No, Harry," came Hermione's voice. "I already said no three times. No."
Harry grinned at everyone's look of confusion, "One of the problems with switching between a mental conversation and a regular one is people suddenly think you're a bit off." Then turning to his wife he said, "But Hermione, you heard her. It's fun and Winky waxed the floor in the library. It's nice and long and with the hall that leads to it, it's just extra slide time."
"I'll remember that when you crash into a wall," said Hermione.
Hamish chuckled, "That child is a trial for her parents."
"She is nothing of the sort," said Heather with a huff. "She is just adventuresome and outspoken."
"Last week, when we went to Loch Maree, she stuck her head underwater to check for mere people after listening to Harry tell her about the Black Lake."
Tonks frowned. "Isn't there a kelpie up there?"
Hermione nodded. "Muc-sheilch. She was probably looking for it too."
"She was curious," defended Heather.
"She took the safeties off and hung upside down from her broom two weeks ago," said Hamish in exasperation.
"She just wanted to practice."
Hamish chuckled and pulled her into a hug kissing her crown. "She's so you. Poor Mum, you used to get into all sorts of trouble, well you got us into all sorts of trouble."
"What does that say about you, that you would follow me?" asked Heather, teasing.
"Only a fool wouldn't follow you," he said laughing. After he picked Heather up, he flipped her over his shoulder and took off for the kitchen, waving the others to join them.
Harry distinctly heard McGonagall mutter that she had no idea how she had lived as long as she had when her children were out to get her. Harry grinned at Hermione who was shaking her head. The pair followed Hermione's parents while Remus and Tonks headed for the door.
The family Apparated to the top step of number 12 Grimmauld Place and met Remus at the front door. Tonks was already in the sitting room with the Weasleys. All of them, including Charlie who was in the country for Bill's wedding, were in there. "Percy's here?" asked Harry.
"No," said Remus.
"It's so different," said Hermione, looking around.
"It's amazing what a bit of dusting and taking down of the elf heads will do," said Harry.
"I think that Dobby does a bit more than that," said Hermione.
POP! "Mistress My-knee ma'am, is calling Dobby?" asked the little elf.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She had not intended to call him.
"Hermione was just saying how nice of a job you're doing here, Dobby," Harry gestured to the clean entrance. "It looks great."
The elf blushed and bowed to both Harry and Hermione. "Dobby is hoping that his master and mistress is liking the changes. Is Master Harry Potter sir needing Dobby?" he asked in a hopeful tone.
"Just Harry and I don't think that we need you tonight, but don't forget I'd like you to come for breakfast tomorrow," said Harry.
"Master Harry Potter sir is a great wizard! He is allowing Dobby to serve him breakfast on his birthday." With a POP, the overly emotional elf vanished.
Remus and Hamish began to snicker.
Needing to distract Hermione before she got on one of her SPEW rants, Harry said. "I almost miss Sirius' mum. It just isn't the same without her."
"Why would we want to hang an elf head on the wall?" asked Alwyne, as she glanced up looking for elf heads.
"We don't," chuckled Heather. "Elves look far better with their heads attached. How else could Winky play with you otherwise?"
The little girl looked at her grandmother and frowned a bit. She was bright enough to know when she wasn't being told something.
As McGonagall slid open the door to the sitting room, the family walked through together.
Harry barely registered that the old horsehair couch and tatty velvet curtains that lined the walls were gone when his vision was obscured by red hair.
"Harry!" called out Mrs. Weasley. "Oh this is wonderful. Is your trunk here to bring home with you?"
Harry forced a smile at the woman and then pushed her away. "No, my things are at home."
Ron walked over to his friend and grinned. "How were the Muggles, mate? Ireland? Mum was going spare that you took off like that without an owl, but at least we have a bit of time together before we do what needs to be done." He looked over at Hermione who was hiding near her father, Fred, and George. "Did Hermione pick you up from that Muggle flyport?"
Taking a deep breath, Harry said, "We will tell all of you what happened in a-"
He was not able to finish his sentence when he was jerked away from Ron and Ginny stuck her lips on his. Harry pushed her back and scowled. "Please don't. That is unwanted and is not appropriate." He physically removed himself from Ginny's presence and went to stand between Heather and Gwendolyn, leaving both Ron and Ginny confused.
After seeing her granddaughter's reaction to the Weasley girl kissing Harry, McGonagall realized that the sooner they started the less likely someone was going to be killed. Using her strictest professor voice she said, "There are a number of serious issues that need to be discussed. Everyone will sit down. Now."
Harry quickly took a seat on the sofa, making sure that he was between Hermione and her mother. Wisely, Hamish also sat next to his daughter, if for nothing else to keep her from hexing anyone. The rest of the group was scattered about the room.
Meeting a scowling Molly Weasley's gaze directly, Heather stood and walked over to Mr. Weasley and said, "I don't believe that we've met before. You usually correspond with my eldest daughter, Gwendolyn, and her husband, Richard. I'm Hermione's mother, Heather McGonagall."
"Merlin's beard."
"You must be Mr. Weasley," Heather said sweetly.
Both the elder Weasleys were gobsmacked.
"No, er, yes, I mean yes, I'm Arthur Weasley. Let me introduce the rest of the family. This is my wife Molly, daughter Ginny, son Bill and his fiancée Fleur Delacour, our son Ron, but you've probably heard Hermione mention him. Then there is our son, Charlie, and sitting beside your son-in-law, our twin boys, Fred and George."
After nodding to each of the Weasleys in turn, she smiled again. "I do think that you have met most of my family. You obviously know my mum and my eldest daughter and her husband. Have you met their daughter, Alwyne?" Mr. Weasley nodded. "That's it then, oh, Hamish, have you met the Weasleys yet?"
"No, love, I've never made Hermione's train before." He turned his attention to the Weasley family and said, "We've heard quite a bit about all of you. It always makes things easier to be able to put a name with a face."
Heather took a deep breath and said, "We asked you to come here tonight be-"
"I'm sorry, but I was under the impression that Hermione was Muggle-born," interrupted Molly Weasley.
"We permitted the ministry to believe that for her safety." If more of an explanation was expected, none came.
"So you aren't dead?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Mum, does she look dead?" asked Fred.
"Maybe you shouldn't offend her," said George.
Bill picked up that there was something about to happen and figured the twins, with their lack of surprise at the introductions, might already be clued in on things. He stood, along with Fleur and walked over to them, taking up seats next to Fred. The French witch watched the dynamic and leaned over to her fiancé and whispered, "Too late, she already haz."
A smile graced the lips of Molly Weasley and she said, "So Minerva, Hermione is your granddaughter?" If this was true then it was a far better pairing for her son then she had imagined. Her two youngest would marry very well indeed. She had the potions all ready to go and was a bit disappointed that Harry seemed be ignoring Ginny.
"Yes," was the reply.
"Bloody hell," said Ron. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"She just said it was for her safety, Ronnikins," said Fred.
"If Mummy and Daddy are top of You-Know-Who's kill on first sight list and you are going to school with a bunch of Death Eaters' children, wouldn't you pretend to be someone else too?" added George.
"You need a history lesson," said Fred.
"As Heather was saying before she was interrupted," Harry looked at Molly Weasley. "We asked you to meet us here tonight because we have several things to discuss, and we also wanted to give you a bit of a heads up about something that will be in the Prophet tomorrow." Harry nodded to his wife.
Taking several pieces of parchment, Hermione walked over to Bill and said, "I'm terribly sorry to have to do this, but you will understand why later. These are for you to follow along with."
Bill Weasley looked down and realized exactly what he was holding. His eyes went big and he was trying not to hyperventilate. He didn't know exactly what happened, but the goblins, not the Ministry, levied this debt. That must have meant they had incontrovertible proof. He also knew that he and Fleur would need to find new jobs soon.
Sitting back down, Hermione took her father's hand in hers and said, "When Sirius died, he left me quite a bit of gold. He wanted me to be able to attend university if I wanted, he knew that I was either going to head over to Salem, or to a Muggle university here in Britain. The thing of it was, when Gringotts sent me the letter informing me of my inheritance and vault key, I didn't get it and had no knowledge of its existence.
"When it was made known to me, I requested a new key and learned that not only was there confirmation that the owl was received in the goblin's files, but that the vault had been accessed on a regular basis."
A bit irritated Molly Weasley said, "Just what are you implying, Hermione?"
With a sad look toward Ginny then back at Ginny's parents, Hermione handed them both the documents that proved that Ginny was stealing from her.
"Ginny?" Mr. Weasley said, in a sad and frightened voice.
Taking a deep breath Hermione said, "I'm sorry to have to inform you, but I have levied a debt bond between myself and my descendants and Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley and her descendants. Because she is not yet of age, that bond has extended itself to include her parents, Arthur and Molly Weasley. I did; however, request that it not be extended to any additional family members. Miss Weasley's brothers are excluded."
Fred and George breathed a sigh of relief and hoped that was all that was happening tonight.
"How much?" asked Fred. He was wondering if maybe he and George had enough to cover most of it and then Ginny would just owe them, that wouldn't be so bad. She couldn't have spent more than a couple hundred Galleons.
"3857 Galleons, 13 Sickles, and 4 Knuts," answered Bill.
The twin's eyes went huge.
"What could you have possibly spent almost 4000 Galleons on?" yelled Mrs. Weasley. "Much less how you got it in the first place. You stole it from your brother's girlfriend?"
Interrupting, Hermione said, "Mrs. Weasley, on the second page you will find a detailed list of what she charged to the vault, as to how she spent the gold she removed from the vault, you will have to get Miss Weasley's accounting of. Also, I am not now, have never been, nor will be, Ron's girlfriend."
Ron slumped in his chair. He looked pale and a bit heartbroken.
Waving her off Molly Weasley said, "I know you two had a bit of a spat, but once you come home, things will be just fine. You just need a bit of time together."
"I don't think that you understand," said Hermione coldly. "There is nothing to fix. Ron asked me at the end of fifth year and I tried to be clear that I was not interested in anything more than friendship. He asked me again just after Professor Dumbledore's funeral, which, by the way is most inappropriate, and least romantic, might I add, time and place to ask someone out," Hermione said with a glare at Ron. "I was clear, again. The most we have ever been is friends. Also, I am declining, once more, your invitation to spend the summer at the Burrow."
"What about the threat from You-Know-Who?" protested Molly. "The Order feels that you would be safest staying with us."
"Gran," Hermione turned to look at her grandmother, "do you think I'm better off with my parents who are trained and experienced Aurors or at the Burrow?"
McGonagall's eyebrows rose, "As I tried to explain to Alastor at the last meeting, he was missing key information regarding you and therefore could not make a proper judgment. While the Order deems that it is in your interest to return to the Burrow, I believe that your parents are more than adequately skilled to protect you."
"Can a fairy fly?" said George trying not to snort.
"As I am of age, I have no idea why the Order thinks it has the right to decide where I spend my time; it is a bit disturbing. However, since I have made my position clear, I presume that it will not be a topic at upcoming meetings."
"You do that stern Professor McGonagall look very well, Hermione. Is it a family trait?" asked Fred with a grin.
"Oh yes," said Alwyne from where she was sitting on her mother's lap. "I'm not as good as Auntie Mione, so I have to practice in front of a mirror." The child looked at Fred with the same look.
"Hermione," begged George. He had been after her the two times they had seen each other since the day the twins learned that Harry and Hermione were married to give Alwyne a pigmy puff.
Finally relenting she said, "A pink one."
"Done," said Fred.
Harry snorted into his hand and then closed his eyes. The last thing that the room needed to see was he and Hermione having a mental conversation.
"I like pink, Uncle Harry," said Alwyne. The little girl climbed up into Harry's lap and smiled sweetly at him.
"Yes, I know that you do. It's your favorite color," Harry sighed and looked back at the room full of people. Most of the Weasleys were wondering why Hermione's niece was calling him Uncle Harry.
Taking a deep breath Harry said, "You know Fred, I think a bit of a history lesson is a very good idea." He took another deep breath and with a gentle squeeze of her hand on his arm, Hermione let him know that she was there for him. She also took Alwyne off his lap. "There was a poor family that lived in a hovel, not more than a shack. It was two children, adult children, late teens, maybe early twenties and their father. Neither of the children were attractive, they were downtrodden and uneducated," Harry thought about giving the example of the amount of inbreeding involved, but considering Hermione's parents, he wasn't touching that with a ten foot broomstick, "emotional instability and poor judgment led to them being destitute. One of the children, the daughter, began to fancy the young man up the road, but he didn't bat an eye to look in her direction. Through a series of circumstances, the Ministry had taken her father and brother to Azkaban and she was alone. Taking a chance, she offered the young man a drink, eventually the two of them declared their love and left the area to have a happy life together.
"About a year later, the young man returned home claiming that he had been hoodwinked into marrying her." Harry looked directly at Mrs. Weasley and said, "What really happened is she gave him love potions. The misguided girl confused something fake and deceitful for the real thing. She thought that he would eventually fall in love with her."
Harry continued, "The young man returned home, leaving his wife alone, broke, and carrying his child. She arrived at an orphanage and gave birth to a son, dying a short time later. The only thing she gave him was a name. She named him after his father and her own. The baby's name was Tom Marvolo Riddle. The last surviving heir of Salazar Slytherin is a half-blood. His mother was a pureblood witch by the name of Merope Gaunt and his father was a Muggle from the village that she grew up in by the name of Tom Riddle. Just in case not all of you know, Tom Marvolo Riddle is the true and proper name of," Harry used his wand and wrote it out, he then did the same spelling trick that the diary Tom had done when he was a second year.
The Weasleys gasped when they saw the glowing letters rearrange themselves to spell 'I am Lord Voldemort.'
Taking another deep breath and looking at Ginny, Mrs. Weasley and Ron in turn, he then said, "It's easy to see how a child who began life through lies, deceit, and betrayal could know nothing else as a man."
"Harry, I-" began Ron.
"Now would not be a very good time, Ron," he said taking Hermione's hand in his for the first time that night in front of everyone else.
Fleur looked confused and asked, "'Arry, why are you telling us zees?"
He looked at her and smiled sadly. "I just thought it was important to make sure everyone knew how dangerous love potions can be, what the consequences are." He looked at Hermione and she nodded. "I think Hermione has something else she wants to say."
Hermione looked at her mother and said, "Mum?"
"Of course, little one," Heather dug the Pensieve out of her bag and set it on a table that Hermione levitated into the middle of the room. She poured a memory into it and then sat down and waited. The family had been prepared for this memory. They had seen it several times in order to keep their emotions in check. It took Heather almost a dozen viewings before she felt she would not use her wand against the two youngest Weasley children. She wasn't sure which angered her more, the shagging like bunnies comment or the look on Ron's face as he imagined it. The only ones who had not seen it was Professor McGonagall, Remus, and Tonks, as there had not been time.
Wiping a tear from her eye, Hermione said, "Harry and I were made aware of a situation shortly after Professor Dumbledore died. We did the best we could to deal with it and we turned to Gran and trusted friends for help until Mum was able to arrive from France. We learned what it felt like to be betrayed by those that we considered family, people who claimed to love us." She shuddered and took the handkerchief handed to her by Harry.
"What Hermione is trying to explain, one afternoon while we were trying to make sense of everything, we overheard something that made things clear." He nodded at Heather.
She tapped her wand on the side of the Pensieve and an image of Ginny and Ron appeared. They were obviously in a corridor at Hogwarts. The image of Ron began to speak, "I thought I saw you talking to Hermione."
"You did, she took off towards the fourth floor."
"She with Harry?"
"No, she said that Harry is somewhere with Professor Lupin redoing the protections on, um, that place we stayed at one summer."
Ron looked confused and then nodded. "Right I can't remember it, but yeah. At least they aren't together." Ron looked around then once he ascertained they were alone, he leaned in and said, "I don't think that it's working Ginny. Either you aren't giving her enough or Mum isn't making it right."
A collective gasp from the rest of the Weasleys was heard. Fleur stood and looked at them as if they were diseased. She immediately took a place behind Tonks. Mr. Weasley took his head into his hands and looked on in horror.
"Maybe if you would stop being such an idiot and making comments about 'stupid Muggles', she wouldn't fight it so much. It worked on Harry and it will work on Hermione, eventually. Just give it time."
"It's been a year. We shouldn't have done it in the first place."
"You need to decide. First, you were whinging last year that they were going to get together and now you are saying that it shouldn't have been done. It's too late now anyway, I'm not giving Harry up. Mum says we're fated anyway, that she just has a feeling."
"You know what is going to happen if they ever find out?"
"They won't. I'm not going to tell, Mum isn't going to tell, and you aren't going to tell. We'll be able to give her more once she comes for the summer. Maybe if you're lucky you two will be shagging like bunnies by the end of the first week." As soon as the Pensieve Ron got the goofy grin as he imagined himself with Hermione, all the glass in the room shattered.
"HEATHER!"
"It was Mum," she snarled while looking at the boy who would have taken her little girl's innocence without consent, without her knowing what she was doing.
Hermione started crying at having to view the person she thought of as one of her closest friends saying that and his sister, her best girlfriend, encouraging him. She crawled up into Harry's lap and held tight.
At the look of anger on Ginny's face as Hermione did that, Harry hissed, "Ginevra, sit down. I am sure that there is no doubt in anyone's mind that our relationship has been long over and considering that I had to be tricked into one in the first place, you do not have a right to be upset."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and addressed Arthur, who was as pale as a person could be. He was reeling over the news that his wife was making love potions for their two youngest children to give to their best friends. "I received an urgent message from Poppy shortly after Albus died in regard to these two," she gestured to Harry soothing the still visibly upset Hermione. "Poppy did the test twice with both Harry and Hermione. She gave them a standard antidote and then a flushing draft. Her estimate is that they had been on the potions almost a year, give or take a month or two on either side. I have a written report for you," she handed him several sheets of parchment. "This will also show that she checked Ronald and Ginevra and neither one of them show exposure to the potion."
"Thank you, Minerva." He looked at his wife and asked, "Why, Molly?"
Still not thinking about the implications she said, "We were all meant to be a family. Harry and Hermione were getting too close, she was going to take him away from my Ginny, and they're fated. I just know it. He saved her."
Clearing his throat, Harry said, "You mean like I didn't jump on a troll's back my first year to save Hermione on Hallowe'en because your youngest son insulted her so much that she hadn't come out of the toilet for hours? Or like I didn't risk my life to try to save the stone? I didn't risk my life third year trying to save Sirius? Fourth year, I didn't try to save Fleur's sister, a little girl I'd never met, from some imagined horror in the lake? I didn't stay and save my cousin from the dementors when Umbridge sent them after us when I could have run away and left him there? I don't think we need to discuss the Ministry. An honorable person does that Mrs. Weasley. An honorable person helps someone. It is a choice between what is right and what is easy; I do my best to choose right."
"I know that you believe that Harry, dear, and all of those things you did were very brave and that is what makes you a perfect match for Ginny."
"There is very little in this life that I can guarantee, Mrs. Weasley, and that I am not fated to your daughter is one of them." He looked at McGonagall and said, "Professor."
"Albus made several observations about Harry's behavior several years ago and wrote away to the Ministry to make an inquiry. As soon as he heard back he notified me. Harry is fated to someone, Molly, but it is not Ginny, it's Hermione."
The redheaded woman gasped, "No, but... but what about Ginny?"
Ignoring the question Harry said, "We thought we would let you know since the Ministry makes a public announcement when the youngest of the fated couple comes of age, the Ministry will be releasing our information tomorrow. We felt that discussing just what all of this meant for us, for our two families was important. And just to let you know, Hermione and I are married, soul bonded actually and have been for almost a month now."
Ginny was caught between crying and fury. No one knew which was going to win and Harry didn't much care. He was finished with her, and her brother and mother. He needed to get through the next two days and then he would never have to lay eyes on them again.
"Married?" choked out Ron. As fast as the shock was wearing off, rage was building. "You went off and got married to the girl you knew I fancied and you've been married now for a month and you didn't tell any of us?"
"Not true, Ronnikins," said Fred.
"Not true at all. We saw them that morning and they told us," said George.
"We've even seen them a few times since," said Fred.
"How come you got to know and we didn't?" spat Ron.
Speaking for the first time Hamish said, "I am trying to be patient Mr. Weasley, I really am, but it is rather difficult to sit and watch a memory of someone smiling in anticipated bliss while his younger sister suggests that he rape my little girl. You do realize that is what it would have been if you had laid a finger on her?" Hamish took a slow deep breath and said, "As for your question, I think that is blatantly obvious. However, as a Hogwarts education is not what it used to be, no offense to you, Mum," Hamish said with a meek glance at Minerva. She waved off his apologies and he continued, "You obviously do not understand the nuances of a bond and what it does to someone. Magical bonds are wondrous things. They are what tie us together. I trust that since Harry had no option other than to participate in the Tri-wizard Tournament, you are at least familiar with magical contracts?"
Ron just sat there too frightened to move. He wondered if there was a way to salvage a relationship with his two best friends. Since he knew about the project, they would have to take him along. In a few years, they would all laugh about this.
"Mr. Weasley, are you listening?"
"I'm sorry, I was thinking," replied Ron.
"First time for everything," smirked Fred and George.
"Yes, I know about magical contracts," Ron said with a glare at the twins.
"Good," said Hamish. "Then you will appreciate the fact that your brothers and Harry are business partners and it was the Goblins, not the Ministry that arranged the contract. Magic will not permit Fred and George to willingly do harm to Harry and now that they are married, they cannot harm Hermione as well."
Hamish nodded at Harry who sighed and said, "Ronald Bilius Weasley, on 1 March, 1997, I saved your life, I am assessing a life debt." Ron glowed lightly and looked at them all in confusion.
Harry carried on, "Arthur Weasley, head of the Weasley family, on 19 December, 1995, I saved your life at some risk to my own. I am assessing a life debt to you as head of the Weasley family." Mr. Weasley closed his eyes in resignation and nodded. He too glowed lightly.
Taking a deep breath, Harry said, "Ginevra Molly Weasley, on 28 June, 1993 I saved your life at great risk to my own. I am assessing a life debt." Ginny glowed brightly.
"We have been deliberating the best way to handle the situation," said Hermione. "The repugnancy of the whole thing sickens us, but we, as a family, have been forced to sit down and discuss what we are going to do and what we expect of you. Because of your association with Harry, the Weasley family is at the forefront of the resistance against Voldemort. Dividing us right now is not a good idea. It weakens us and strengthens Voldemort, and his ego doesn't need more stroking."
"Your bonds will prevent you from doing Harry harm and," Heather looked directly at Ginny, "since they are married and soul bonded, you are not able to do harm to Hermione either."
"How?" asked Ginny.
"It is quite straightforward, really. If you try, you will die."
"Oh."
Heather continued, "If Harry had assessed the life debts before or while you were tricking him into taking love potions, you would have died. Obviously," she looked at Molly, "someone left out the bond lessons from your education. Your situation, Miss Weasley, is the most tenuous. I would traverse lightly."
"I don't get it. Why do it?" asked Ron.
Bill stood up and half spat, "Because they were afraid that you were going to turn Death Eater on them, Ron. They had cause, considering what you just did and the tantrum you threw during the tournament. They assessed Ginny for the same reason and Dad to keep Mum, Charlie and I in line. There was a reason that the whole family was required to be here tonight."
"What about Percy then? Where is he?" asked Ginny a bit confused.
"Percy would be excluded, because Harry is honorable," said Bill.
"Percy has been excluded from the debt," said Hermione.
Looking at Bill, Heather said, "It was the goblins who discovered your sister's theft. Hermione inquired about what happened to her inheritance and within minutes they had all the documentation on Miss Weasley assembled. Hermione did ask during our meeting that your sister's dishonesty not affect your standing with the bank and was assured by Ragnok that he would do what he could, however; we both know how difficult things will be for you from now on."
Bill went ashen. "You... you were granted a meeting with Ragnok? He knows of this and he... he led the investigation?"
"Ragnok was interested in making sure that Harry," she looked at her husband then smiled as he supplied her with a word that she could use, "was satisfied with his banking experience. We did have other banking matters to address that day as well and as the usual Potter vault manager was not available, Ragnok spent a bit of his valuable time with us."
"What does Ginny have to do with Bill's job being difficult from now on?" asked Ron.
"Honestly Ron, did you even read any of the history notes I made?" Hermione hissed at him. "Thievery and dishonesty is viewed as a genetic trait to goblins. It's something that runs in families like red hair or green eyes. If one person in the family is a thief, they all are. Fred and George's contracts with Mum and Harry are the only thing keeping them afloat right now and only barely. Your family for generations will not be able to borrow gold, get contracts signed, or any number of services from them. You will never have a vault at Gringotts. Your children will never have a vault at Gringotts. They took it as an insult to their honor that it was allowed to happen."
Mr. Weasley looked a bit relieved and asked, "Fred and George have a contract with you, Ms. McGonagall?"
"Heather is just fine, Mr. Weasley, it saves the trouble of figuring out just which one of us you are speaking to."
"Please call me Arthur," said Mr. Weasley still with a sad voice.
"Very well, Arthur, I am the landlord of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. I also own Inkblots. The boys inquired with my manager a couple years ago about premises and as they were friends of my daughter's, we worked out an arrangement."
Mr. Weasley had a bit of color return to him and asked with grave trepidation, "Is there anything else that we need to discuss this evening?"
"We still have details to work out, but I think that is enough for now, don't you, Arthur?" asked Heather with a tone of slight amusement in her voice.
"All things considered, yes, that is enough. I, as head of the Weasley family, express my sincere apologies for the reprehensible behavior of members of my family and for the pain and hurt they have caused you. I am also thankful for the support you have shown my older sons and your attempts to shield them from the situation. I realize that you could have my daughter placed in goblin custody and her punishment would be swift."
He took another breath and said, "As for Molly, Ronald, and Ginevra the situation could bode equally bad for them in an Azkaban prison cell and upon release they would be shunned from wizard society in Britain and Europe. Enacting of the life debts that the family owes your son-in-law was the minimum that you could have done and rest assured that the matter is not closed."
"Arthur," started Hamish, "may I call you Arthur?" the balding redheaded wizard wiped his brow and then nodded. The man was aware of how big of a situation he just had his family let out of and the ones involved did not seem to understand what could have happened to all of them.
"Great. Arthur, we still have several particulars that we need to deal with. The least of which is making sure that Voldemort's minions don't gain a stronger hold and that is what will happen if we appear divided. My cousin and I-"
"Who is your cousin?" asked Ron.
Fred and George visibly cringed along with most of the rest of the room.
"You are a thick git, Ron," said George.
"My cousin is Hermione's mother," said Hamish.
"But I thought you were Hermione's dad?" stated Ron in confusion.
"My cousin and I are fated, now if-"
Ron was looking at Hermione and said with a bit of incredulity; "Your parents are relat-" He was cut off by one of Charlie's large hands covering his mouth.
"Don't speak Ron. Don't speak another word the rest of the night unless I give you permission. If fate decides that two people should be together, then they are together regardless of anything else... just don't speak. I think the last thing that you want to do is further insult Hermione's parents. Her mother is Heather McGonagall and obviously you don't know what that means, but the rest of us do, she is as powerful as Dumbledore was, maybe more. So before she loses her temper with the lot of us, just shut it."
Charlie released his hand and returned to his seat. "I apologize for the rudeness of Ron, sir. Manners are one of the many things that he has not been taught and I am sure that it will be something that my father will begin working with him on at once."
Hamish looked at his mother and shook his head. Minerva McGonagall had never been one to hide her feelings about something, and she was looking at Ron like he was something foul. Clearing his throat he said, "As I was saying, my wife and I want to make sure that this situation does not bolster Tom's forces, require people to choose between Harry and the Weasley family. No one outside of this room will ever know what happened today. Not your future spouses, not your children, no one. As long as the Weasley family does what it can to foster the light, all life debts enacted today will expire upon the death of the individual person that it was placed upon, other than Mr. Weasley. That burden will be passed down to the head of the Weasley family."
Heather continued, "Because of that, there are two upcoming events that will require that Harry and Hermione appear to still have close ties with your family. After quite a bit of persuasion, they have agreed." She looked at the two teens and they reluctantly nodded. "Tomorrow, Harry will come of age; I was told by George that there is a birthday celebration planned for him at the Burrow. Please give me the specifics of the party?"
When no one spoke, Heather said, "Mrs. Weasley, I need you to tell me about the party."
Shaken out of her stupor Molly Weasley said, "We planned the Burrow because of the wedding the following day. I've invited Order members and of course the family would be there, but Fleur's parents are arriving in the morning along with her sister."
Heather frowned a bit and asked, "Yes, but what of Harry's friends? What arrangements have been made for them? Do they all Apparate?"
"The family and the Order have been invited," said Molly a bit tersely.
"I realize that and those are your friends. I am inquiring about Harry's," said Heather.
There was no response. Thinking that it might be a financial situation, she said, "I would like to thank you for taking it upon yourselves to host Harry's coming of age celebration, and if it is not too much of an imposition, we would like to still use the Burrow as a venue, but as his family, we will be making all of the arrangements." She looked at Harry and asked, "Are all of your friends able to get to the Weasley's on their own?"
"Yes, all of my friends have an Apparition license," said Harry knowing that Ron did not pass his test a month ago.
"Brilliant," she looked at the twins, "You still house your owls in the basement?" They nodded. "Perhaps if we give you a list tonight, you would be willing to send out an invite to the party?"
"We can do that."
"Thank you, boys. Now, Hamish and I will be over mid afternoon to check on the security arrangements," said Heather. "We will also take care of all of the decorations, food, beverages, and other supplies as they are needed." It was lost on no one that she wasn't about to eat anything that Molly Weasley had prepared.
"Our security is just fine," Mrs. Weasley half spat. She was insulted that this woman had taken over.
Not pulling punches, Heather said, "You did not house, unknowingly yes, but house, a Death Eater named Peter Pettigrew for twelve years? He is not aware of the ins and outs of your home? Your middle son is not right now spending time and accepting orders from known Voldemort supporters?" Not seeing a response from Mrs. Weasley and ignoring the looks of confusion by the younger siblings, Heather asked, "Have you upgraded your protections to prevent Animagus forms or anyone wearing Polyjuice? Perhaps a variety of other potions or enchantments? It is not a negotiable topic, Mrs. Weasley. The safety of our family is at stake, nor do we wish our son's birthday ruined." She looked at Fleur and frowned, "Perhaps not enchantments. You are a quarter Veela, Miss Delacour?"
"Yes," she said.
Heather nodded and said, "I would still like to prohibit enchantments, but obviously preventing the bride, her sister, and mother from attending or entering the property, is counterproductive."
"Mum," said Hermione, "could they be set while all three were inside?"
Heather looked at Hamish, after several moments where it was clear to everyone that a conversation was taking place, they reached a consensus. Heather looked at Fleur. "For Harry's party, yes, but not for the wedding. It would be impossible to ward against Glamour Charms for the wedding. That is not factoring in the number of family members coming from France. But for tomorrow, just in case Tom wants to make a statement on Harry's birthday, we'll do the party area."
"The last thing we need is for a group of Death Eaters to use either event as a kickoff party," said Charlie.
"All of us will act for the next forty-eight hours that we are a close knit group and the three kids are still the best friends they have always been, but frankly after the wedding both Hermione and Harry have made it clear that they wish no additional contact with either Mrs. Weasley, Ronald, or Ginevra. As for the rest of the family, that remains to be seen," said Heather.
Mr. Weasley cleared his throat and said, "Thank you for assisting us in this matter. We've tried to put Peter Pettigrew as far out of our minds as possible. I'd forgotten of his knowledge and what he would do with it. In addition, it is no trouble to host Harry's party. You are welcome to use our home as you see fit." He looked around and then smiled a bit. "I am sorry that... Do you think before you leave I might be able to view the wedding?"
Heather looked at him, after several moments pulled the memory already in the bowl out and placed it in a glass vial. She then placed her wand to her temple, pulled out a long silvery strand, and placed in the Pensieve. After a quick stir, she tapped the stone edge and three people rose from the bowl. Harry in his dress robes, Hermione in her wedding robes, and a woman standing behind them.
The last image was of Harry cupping Hermione's cheeks gently in his hands looking at her as if she was the most precious thing he had ever seen and then it faded from view.
"That was better than the books describe it as," said Fred.
"The light was much brighter and the flash more intense," said George.
Bill smiled sadly at the couple on the chesterfield and said, "You looked lovely Hermione. Thank you for sharing that with us."
Harry was ready to go. The whole thing drained him and he just didn't have it in him to deal with the Mrs. Weasley, Ron, and Ginny any more. Looking at Hermione, he said loud enough to get in one last dig for the night, "Love, I'd like to go home."
"It isn't quite midnight yet, you still have another hour."
"I know, I'd just... I'm ready to leave."
Harry and Hermione went to slip out of the room and the twins jumped up and said, "Wait, Harry, Hermione," and followed them out into the hall.
Harry looked at them expectantly and Fred started, "We don't know what to say. We are so sorry and we know that we can't make it up to you, but..."
"We'd like to try. You have been good to us and we... we would like to still know you and hope that you still want to know us."
"We are hoping that we will be able to come home with you tonight."
"We'll sleep on the floor, but we closed the shop the next two days."
"With your birthday, we had a few tips that the Death Eaters were going to go looking for you and our shop is likely one of the places they'll look."
"We've already told Phil. He's shortening his hours tomorrow and keeping his Portkey in hand."
"We were going to stay over at the Burrow the next two nights, but obviously that is not an option any longer," said Fred.
After a brief conversation, Hermione said, "It's fine with us. You will need to get the location from Mum." She and Harry hurried out the front door and left from the top step.
The twins slipped into the room and looked at the standoff that was happening between his mother and Heather. They knew who would eventually win and figured that now was a good a time as any to choose sides. After all, Fleur was not about to ever have another conversation with their mother.
Fred looked at his eldest brother and asked, "I'm sorry to have to ask this, but did you know in any way that-"
"Absolutely not. We," he gestured to himself and Fleur, "had no idea. This whole night... if it wasn't so sick, it would be funny. I consider Harry a friend and I know that Fleur does."
George pressed on, "And you didn't know about Ginny and the vault?"
"I will eventually lose my job over this and there will be no references. I've worked hard to get where I am and I am good at what I do. For a measly 4000 galleons I am going to lose my job!" He was practically shouting to his sister. "What did you want so badly that you had to steal from her to get? I would say she was a friend, but decent people do not dose their friends with love potions!"
After a quick talk to Fleur, Bill said, "We will be headed home and not to the Burrow tonight. We really have nothing to say to Mum."
"Bill, wait up please. If I may, I'd like to stay with you," called Charlie. Fleur nodded and the three of them headed out.
"What time would you like us to meet you tomorrow?" asked Bill of Heather.
"If the guests are coming at half past five, then no later than half past three," said Heather.
"Thank you for your help. The last thing we needed was that traitor at the wedding and this is better than Harry in Polyjuice."
Heather laughed, "Why ever would anyone think that would hide him well enough?" Bill grinned and then left with his brother and bride.
"Um, Heather," started Fred. "We talked to Harry and Hermione and they said that we could stay over."
"That's fine, boys. I'll have some things to do tomorrow that I think are right up your alley. Wait for us on the landing," said Heather.
Ron was about to protest when McGonagall's stern voice said, "I would seriously think before I opened my mouth if I were you, Mr. Weasley."
Heather looked at Mrs. Weasley decided that it was time to make certain things clear. "It would be best if you refrained from attempting to spend time with my son tomorrow." Molly Weasley scowled at Heather's use of the possessive to describe Harry. "He is very angry. He is hurt, feels betrayed, and used. That is before he begins to think about the implications about what would have happened to his wife. Harry has also asked that I pass on his desire to not receive gifts from any of you. Everyone at the party will presume that you gave yours to him prior. No gift you could give him, other than quietly leaving his life, would be welcome."
Gwendolyn looked at Ginny and said, "If a reporter asks you how you feel about Harry being with Hermione you need to have an answer ready to go and playing the part of the jilted girlfriend will not help you. I suggest something like, 'It's been obvious for years that they belong together, and I'm glad that he figured it out. We had a couple of laughs the two weeks we were together and I'm looking forward to finding what is waiting around the corner for me.'"
"You can't…," blustered Mrs. Weasley.
"Molly," said Mr. Weasley sadly.
"No Arthur, it sounds like unless we pretend to be happy that they are together, this girl is going to run our names through the mud."
"It isn't a threat Mrs. Weasley," said Richard. He'd been quiet all night, but he no longer was able to hold his tongue. "You, your daughter, and your youngest son used love potions on a fated couple for a year. You deluded yourself into believing that it was justified, because you convinced yourself that your daughter and Harry were meant to be together. Your son could be brought up on very damaging charges and even with the Wizengamot the way it is right now, we would still have a conviction. I have yet to hear you accept responsibility for your actions; you have yet to apologize for what you did. The only thing you are sorry for is that you got caught."
The McGonagalls along with Fred and George headed toward the door when Molly's shrill voice said, "Fred, George, you will not leave with that... her. You will come home at once." The twins just looked at their mother and headed toward the door.
After everyone left, Remus looked at the four remaining Weasleys and said, "They took all of it very well. If it had been my daughter or wife that someone made that comment about, whomever said it wouldn't be alive."
"Blimey, the only thing that kept Heather from killing Ron and Ginny for it was that she'd seen it like twenty times. I heard that the first time they saw it, she broke all the glass in three rooms." Tonks looked down and thought carefully about what she was going to say. She then looked Molly Weasley in the eye and said, "I'm going to give you a bit of unsolicited advice Molly, because you've been good to me. Don't ask anyone to choose. You won't win. In the end, no one will. Our side can't be divided and Richard's right, you are in the wrong. Let Harry go. If you had to resort to trickery to get him interested in Ginny to begin with, there was never anything there."
Remus looked at Tonks and together they walked out of the room and upstairs.
A/N: The beginning of this chapter where Harry is training and Hermione isn't is not a statement in any way that Hermione doesn't need training, far from it, but she just wasn't blasting rubber rings at the time. All through sixth year, Harry had significant trouble with his nonverbal spell casting, except when using the Prince's book and Felix Felicis. It would stand to reason that this was a priority. McGonagall, as his former Transfiguration professor, would probably have a very good idea at his weak spots.
