Chapter 4 Revelations
Harry woke up very early that next morning with Hermione curled up at his side. They had talked late into the night and had fallen asleep. He eased himself out of the bed and grabbed some of his new clothes. After a shower and getting dressed, he made a mental note to thank Hermione again since the clothes fit almost perfectly. He left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen for a quick breakfast of tea and toast while waiting for Moony. He didn't have to wait long. Both finished quickly and said goodbye to Dobby. They took the floo to the Ministry, where Harry was the first in line to take his apparation test.
He passed with flying colors and in no time he was walking with Moony towards The Family Affairs Office for his meeting with Mr. Prewett, who was standing outside his office waiting.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin, right on time. Please step into my office and have a seat." When they were seated, Mr. Prewett said "No doubt you are wondering as to the nature of this meeting, since you are now of age in the Wizarding community." Harry nodded and Mr. Prewett continued "You are probably not aware that your father had a sister, who was much younger than himself. In fact she was only three years older than you. Everyone thought that she had been killed with your grandparents but apparently she was hidden away with your grandmother's aunt, where she grew up, married, and started a family. Unfortunately she and her husband were killed three days ago, leaving her two children orphans. This brings me to why I asked you here. If you can fulfill all the requirements, then you may become your cousin's guardian, even adopting them if you wish."
Harry's emotions were on a roller coaster ride. To find out that he had another aunt and to lose her in the same moment made his mind reel and his heart ache. He finally found his voice and asked "How old are they and what requirements?"
"They are a little over two months old, born on May 31 and their names are Robert Ian and Raven Ione Mackenzie. As to the requirements, you obviously have the financial means to support them, you also have a home for them to live in, however the one requirement that you need to deal with is marriage. We grant custody and adoption to married couples only. I am leaning the rules slightly for you Mr. Potter in telling you so that you can meet the requirement if you wish. I am allowing you one week to either get married or allow your cousins to go to a muggle orphanage."
Harry sat stunned. He needed to get married because there was no way that he was going to let another member of his family grow up like he did or even worse. His main problem was who to marry. He didn't know many girls and he sure didn't want to marry a stranger. He glanced at Remus, who looked just as shocked as he did, but managed to hide it better and asked a question that Harry wanted to but was afraid to. "So if Harry doesn't get married, he loses contact with the children?"
"Unfortunately yes. I'm sorry but those are the rules. Now do you have any other questions?" Both nodded no. "When you reach your decision just owl me here and I would like to say that it has been a pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter and I bid you good day" and he stood and shook their hands as they exited the office.
Harry and Moony walked to the apparation point in silence and went back to Grimmauld Place. Once they were in the kitchen, sitting at the table, Moony said "I know that you won't do anything stupid but I also know that you will do anything to protect your family. I just want you to know that I will support you in whatever you decide to do." He stood, patted Harry's shoulder and left the room.
Harry sat there, thinking about what he had to do, get married. It wasn't the best time to do this, what with the threat of Voldemort, but if he died at least he could arrange for his cousins future. The question was who to marry. He really didn't want to marry a stranger but there were hundreds of witches who would jump at the chance to marry the Boy-Who-Lived. He started going down the list of the girls he knew. Tonks was out of the question because of her being in love with Moony and he wasn't going to mess with any happiness that Moony could find. Ginny was a little to young and the death of half of her family had hit her hard, a lot harder than he originally thought. Hermione….. Well he really couldn't find a reason; except she had just lost her parents and he didn't want to take advantage of that. This was something that he wished he could talk to Sirius about or even Dumbledore. He sighed, not coming to any decision, just a headache. That's how Hermione found him, deep in thought.
"How did your test and meeting go" she asked, causing him to jump.
Harry told her he passed and then told her everything about the meeting.
"You know that in Wizarding marriages there is no divorce, only death can end a marriage and then the surviving spouse can remarry. Are you sure that's what you want" she asked, knowing the decision he had made.
"Yes. I will do anything to make sure that they don't grow up like I did or even worse."
"So who have you thought about asking, Ginny?"
"No, not Ginny. She's a little too young and Bill probably wouldn't agree and recent events have hit her hard. Besides, I think our temperaments are too much alike"
"Well then who? Cho? Pavarti? Lavendar? Luna?
Harry was taken aback by the tone in her voice. She sounded almost jealous. "Actually, I had thought about you but felt that I would be abusing our friendship and you're still getting over the death of your parents. I care about you to much to take advantage of you." Hermione looked surprised. "You really shouldn't be so surprised. We've been best friend since we were eleven and I've always loved you and not like brother/sister love either. I just didn't act on it because of Ron."
The surprise still hadn't left her face and they sat there just looking at each other until Hermione finally spoke. "Are you going to ask me?"
"No I wouldn't take advantage of your emotional state right now." And after a thought said "Would you accept?"
"If you asked properly, Yes without hesitation."
Now it was Harry's turn to look surprised. Could he marry Hermione knowing that they could never divorce and if he survived that they could raise a family? It was something that he had always wanted. And if he didn't survive he could die knowing that she would care for the children. He looked at her again, seeing the determination in her to do this and thought he saw a glimpse of something else.
"Are you sure that this is what you want? I don't want you to regret anything later."
"I'm sure" she said waiting for him to ask.
Still looking at her, Harry reached out and grabbed her hand and asked "Will you marry me?"
"Yes" and gave him a hug. "When should we do this" she asked still hugging him.
Releasing her he said "Would tomorrow be too early? I'll see if someone in the Ministry can perform the ceremony quietly and quickly. Would that be alright?"
"Is this going to be secret?"
"No but I don't want to broadcast it either."
"What about school and the search for the Horcruxes?
"We need talk to McGonagall about school. I think that we should go back. It's the safest place to be right now. I was asked to be Head Boy and Quidditch Captain and I assume that you were asked to be Head Girl, so we could have our own room and a room for the twins."
"What about classes? Who will watch them when we can't?"
"I thought that I would see if Dobby, maybe Winky, would like to work for us to look after the twins and the houses."
"It sounds like a plan. But what about the Horcruxes?"
"We will have to work on them from Hogwarts. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes. Now don't ask me that again. Where should we start?"
"We start with figuring out who should stand up with us. How about Moony and Tonks? Maybe this will give them a hint."
Hermione started giggling and agreed. "I'll go and ask them to join us in the kitchen while you write the letter to the Ministry."
Harry wrote a letter to the head of Magical Law Enforcement to see who could marry them on such short notice and discreetly. He was sending Hedwig off when Hermione returned with the two adults.
Tonks was drinking some water when Moony said "Let me guess. You asked Hermione to marry you, so that you could adopt the babies and she said yes, right?" The water that Tonks was drinking went spraying across the table, right at Moony.
"Sorry" she said sheepishly "But did you say that they were getting married and adopting babies?"
Lupin didn't answer; he was waiting for Harry to answer him.
"Yes Hermione and I are getting married tomorrow afternoon if possible. We would like you to stand up with us" said a blushing Harry.
"Of course we will Harry. It's the least I can do for James' son. Thank you for the honor."
"No problem Moony. Maybe this will give you an idea on how it's done" Harry answered cheekily. "We do need to go to Diagon Alley for some shopping and to Gringotts before the wedding, if that's okay?"
"It shouldn't be a problem since you will have an auror with you, right Tonks?"
"I think I can swing that."
"Thanks, now to talk to McGonagall. Dobby?"
Dobby appeared with a crack "Yes, Harry Potter sir?"
"Dobby could you ask Professors McGonagall and Flitwick to come here when it's convenient?"
"Yes Harry Potter sir" and disappeared with a crack. A couple of minutes passed and Dobby return stating that the Professors would be arriving by Floo in a moment.
"Thank you Dobby. I would also like you to stay." Dobby nodded and began to prepare a tray for the guests. The fire suddenly roared and out stepped Professor McGonagall, who moved out of the way for Professor Flitwick who was behind her. They came into the kitchen.
"What do you need to see us about Mr. Potter?"
Harry explained about marrying Hermione and adopting the twins and that he wanted to finish his last year at Hogwarts if possible.
"I don't see that there would be too many problems with that given the fact that as Head Boy and Girl you have your own suite. However, who will watch the children when you or in class and fulfilling your duties?"
"With your permission, I would like to hire Dobby, perhaps Winky, to take care of them and to work at both homes."
"That's entirely up to the elves."
"Dobby will gladly work for Harry potter sir and his new family. Winky will as well, Dobby knows. Would Harry Potter like Dobby to go get Winky?"
"Yes please." Dobby disappeared again.
"I believe that settles that. Is there anything else?"
"I still have to complete the task that Dumbledore and I started. There may be times that I need to leave the castle."
"As Head Boy, you have no restrictions and I do believe that you know more secret passages out of the castle than most teachers."
Harry blushed when she said that while Moony started laughing.
"Anything else?"
"I want to join the order, both of us do" taking Hermione's hand in his. "The order has lost some valuable members and we need to strengthen ourselves. I would also like to invite some the members of DA to join as well. We need to unite our efforts."
McGonagall stared at him for a minute and said "I believe that is acceptable. When would you like to meet?"
"Tomorrow night if it's convenient. Hermione and I will contact the DA and have them meet here. Can you contact the others?"
"Yes. Will eight o'clock be alright?"
"Perfect. Professor Flitwick, I have a favor to ask."
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Can you renew the wards and charms, including the Fidelus Charm, which disappeared when Dumbledore died?"
"Yes providing you have a secret keeper for the charm."
"I have someone in mind for Grimmauld Place. I also would Like Godric's Hallow under the same protection. How long will it take to do Grimmauld Place?"
"I can probably complete all the wards and charms in an hour and teach them to you and Ms. Granger to place at Godric's Hallow if you like. But keep in mind that you cannot do the Fidelus Charm yourselves since you own the properties and that the secret keeper must be intelligent and have the ability to determine right from wrong."
"Can you perform the charm tomorrow night if I find a secret keeper by then?"
"It would probably be for the best since all the members will be here. If you like I can arrive early and place the other charms before the meeting."
"Please do and join us for dinner, you as well Professor."
"I would like that Mr. Potter. If there is nothing else we will return to Hogwarts" answered Professor McGonagall. Both professors return to the fire, threw in some floo powder and left. Dobby returned with Winky at that moment. Harry asked them to sit down.
"Alright you two, I'll pay you five Galleons a week and require that you take four days off a month."
"That is too much Harry Potter sir. Dobby and Winky will accept one Galleon a week and one day off a month."
"Not enough Dobby. Four Galleons and three days off?"
"Still too much. Two Galleons and two days?"
"Three Galleon and two days and that's my final offer." Harry glanced at Hermione, who seemed to be on the verge of laughing, and held out his hand. Dobby looked at Winky, who nodded and shook Harry's hand. Sparks flew as they sealed the deal.
"And Dobby I'll pay for the uniforms and you pick your own socks. But no tea towels."
Dobby nodded grinning. Harry explained to the both of them about taking care of the babies while he and Hermione were in class and on duty. Both elves seemed overjoyed at the prospect of looking after little ones.
"What would you like us to do first Master Harry?"
"First there is no calling me Master or Hermione Mistress, Just Harry or Hermione, understand. I don't own you, I hired you, and there is a difference." Both elves quickly nodded, afraid.
"Now I would like you to find a place to sleep, that isn't a cupboard or a crawl space. Then one of you can help Hermione move her thing into my room and convert her old room into a nursery." As the elves left to start their work Harry looked at Hermione and asked "Can you make more of those charmed coins for the order meeting. I think that they work better than owls and it's more secret." She nodded yes. "Good. Now why don't you direct where you want your things to go while I write to the DA members?"
Harry got up and went into the drawing room where there was a writing desk. He wrote notes to Seamus, Dean, Luna, Justin, Ernie, Susan, Hannah and lastly Neville. He asked them all to come between a quarter til eight and eight o'clock, except Neville who was invited to bring his grandmother and to dinner at seven. While he was writing, Hedwig returned from the Ministry with an answer of "Three in the afternoon and the ceremony performed by Amos Diggory, without the knowledge of the Minister". He replied "That's Fine" and asked Hedwig to deliver it first then the other letters. She hooted softly and flew out the window. He then went to the fire and fire called the twins asking them to come to the meeting and to bring Katie, Alicia, and Angelina. The twins seem surprised at the request but agreed.
When Harry pulled his head from the fire he found Dobby beside him waiting patiently, but still managed to make Harry jump. "Harry Potter sir, Winky and Dobby have found a room off the kitchen that would serve, if that is alright with Harry Potter?"
"That sounds fine. Make sure it's comfortable and use what you want from the house."
"That is most generous of Harry Potter. Also Dobby has made a uniform for Dobby and Winky, with Harry Potter's permission." Snapping his fingers, Dobby's clothes changed into a child's sized black t-shirt and shorts, with the Potter family crest on them, black miniature trainers and the weirdest socks that Harry had ever seen. Harry face broke into a huge smile and said "That's brilliant Dobby, perfect. Are you comfortable with it?"
"Yes Harry Potter sir and Winky also approves, but says the she will only wear black socks."
"That's fine if that's what she wants."
"Now what can Dobby do for Harry Potter sir?"
Harry looked around. The house still felt dark and murky and Mrs. Black didn't help with all her screeching. Mrs. Black, that's it. "Dobby there is a couple of things that no one has been able to remove, perhaps you can." Walking over to where the curtains were, Harry whispered "There's a nasty portrait behind these curtains that I would like removed. Could you try?"
Dobby nodded and went behind the curtain and Harry returned to the kitchen. He asked Moony to accompany him to the Ministry to talk to Mr. Prewett. Moony simply said that he would go in Harry's place so that there would be no distractions from the press and the Minister. Harry gratefully accepted and ten minutes later Moony left with a note stating that he was getting married tomorrow and if it would be possible to stop and sign the papers afterwards. As Moony left, Dobby returned shaking his head.
"Dobby is sorry, but Dobby cannot remove the bad painting. Your bad house elf helped put it there and only he can remove it or Harry Potter has to wait until bad house elf dies."
"Kreacher." A crack sounded with the arrival of the mad elf.
"What does Master need? Filthy half-blood traitor."
"Silence, I want you to release the magic you have on this house and I want it done NOW" roared Harry. Kreacher started shaking violently as if trying not to do as he was ordered.
"Kreacher won't. Kreacher will not allow traitors to his mistress, to destroy what her and the master have built, Kreacher will not." He started shaking even more and a green glow started glowing around him. All the sudden the glow was gone and Kreacher fell to the floor dead. Harry sat stunned.
"Dobby will take care of this, Harry Potter sir and then Dobby will take care of the bad painting. Is there any other bad wizard items that Harry Potter does not wish in his home?"
"Um…..yes. There's a tapestry in the drawing room, but I would like it restored and placed in storage. Maybe later I'll hang it up. Then I simply want to lighten this place up, change the feel of the place, replacing the snakes with either lions or phoenixes or both. But this does not have to be done all at once so don't push yourself."
Dobby grinned and nodded. As he was taking care of Kreacher's remains Moony, returned. "What happened?"
"Kreacher decided to disobey a direct order and killed himself. What did Mr. Prewett say?"
Still watching Dobby, Moony answered "He said that it was fine and congratulations. He would have the paperwork ready and that it would cost five hundred Galleons a child for the fees, a total of one thousand, at the time of signing."
Harry nodded and sat trying to get everything into perspective, not realizing that Moony sat down at the table across from him.
"Um…..Harry?' Harry looked up at him. "I don't know if Sirius had time to talk to you about ,,,uh…what happens…uh (cough)….uh..between….a man and……uh…a….woman." Harry realized what Moony was trying to talk about and started grinning like a Cheshire cat, watching his father's friend turn green and sweaty about the subject, waiting for him to continue.
"Uh….you see….when a man…..uh…. and….a…woman…. come……to-to-together thherre's a……mmagic ……connection…..that..takes..place." At this point Harry couldn't help himself and started howling with laughter; Remus stopped talking and looked slightly angry at him. When Harry gained control of himself he said "It's alright Moony, this was one thing Vernon made sure I learned about. From the time I turned thirteen I had lectures about sex and birth control. He wanted to make sure that there were no more "weirdo Potters" running around for him to take care of, but I like your version much better."
Moony cracked a smile on learning that he didn't have to give Harry 'the talk'. After a moment started laughing at a memory of himself getting 'the talk'. Harry noticed the change and had to ask "So who gave you 'the talk'?"
Moony looked up and knew that he couldn't get out of the question. "Your grandfather." The look of surprise on Harry's face was priceless. "Your grandfather sat James, Sirius, and myself down in your grandparents drawing room to give us 'the talk' when we were fourteen. James had already had a few girlfriends by then and your grandparents were worried about it. This was long before James started dating Lily. It really wouldn't have been bad, but your grandmother was in the same room, making sure that we listened to ever word and didn't leave. I have never met a more intimidating woman in my life. She would have put Molly to shame with just a stare. Surprisingly Lily and your grandmother got on just fine. She even taught Lily how to bring James down a peg with just a look."
Harry was laughing hard at the image of his father and two friends being given 'the talk' with his grandmother in the room. "I would love to see it. Maybe you could drop the memory in the pensive for me" Harry asked, grinning.
Moony snorted. "Not in my lifetime, pup. I don't need to be teased by the likes of you for the rest of my life, maybe on my deathbed."
Winky interpreted the banter, wearing her new uniform, saying "Winky has helped Ms. Hermione move all her things into Harry Potter's room and Ms. Hermione's old room is now empty of all furniture and waiting for young baby Potters' arrival. Winky has even painted the room. Would Harry Potter like Winky to start dinner now?"
"Yes, that would be great and anything that you fix would be welcome. I think I'll pop upstairs and talk to Hermione about tomorrow" and he left the kitchen and headed upstairs. On the way to his room he was stopped by Bill.
"How's Hermione doing?"
"Better."
"That's good, I wish Ginny was."
"Is there anything that I can do?"
"No, not right now, but maybe later. I think that she just needs time, By the way I was made her guardian and Fleur and I are getting married next week at an office in the Ministry. We'll look for a new place to move after that."
"No rush, I told you that. Hermione and I are returning to Hogwarts, which will leave this place somewhat empty, so I really would like for you all to stay."
"That's very generous of you, Harry. Thanks."
"Your welcome. You might want to warn Fleur and Ginny that I hired Dobby and Winky and Winky's making dinner and it should be ready soon. And before I forget there is an Order meeting tomorrow night at eight. I would like for Ginny to be there, with your permission, if she wants to come. Fred and George are coming as well."
"It might snap her out of her mood. I'll talk to her about it."
Harry then continued towards his bedroom, where he could hear giggling from behind the door. He opened it to Tonks and Hermione trying to control themselves, with a few giggles escaping.
"Winky's making dinner and it will be ready soon."
Tonks stood up and left the saying something about helping. Hermione still had a smile on her face and Harry was glad that she had something to smile about.
"What were you two talking about?"
A giggle escaped before she could answer. "Tonks wanted to make sure I had had 'the talk'."
A grin broke out on Harry's face. "You too. They had to have planned this." His smile faded as Hermione's face became troubled. He knew all to well what she was thinking. Walking across the room, he pulled her into a hug and said "Don't worry, nothing will happen until we are both ready, I promise. We'll let our relationship progress slowly, okay?" She nodded, "Good, now let's go down to dinner."