Disclaimer: What I own, I own. What I don't, I don't. I make no claims to the Harry Potter universe, it belongs to JKR. What you recognize is hers, what you don't is either mine or you've been living under a rock for years.
It's MY Life
Chapter 5
Harry rolled over in his bed, coming slowly awake to begin his day. A most important day, he thought. Depending on the person he thought it would either be very good or very bad. September 12th, Hermione's birthday, her eleventh birthday. The day she was going to get her Hogwarts letter. The two of them had come to terms with what may happen today. Their parents had taken pains to explain it to them multiple times since they were six. Harry marveled every time he thought about his Hermione. They were quite comfortable around each other now. His dad, Padfoot and Moony had teased the couple about how they already acted liked they were married anyways, always spending time together, holding hands and chaste kisses. When one of them was worried or distressed the other would soon be by their side to give comfort and support.
While Harry padded to his bathroom to begin his morning routine, he thought once more about all his preparations for when school started. All of the children had begun to be taught by the magical adults about magic when they turned six. Harry was a little worried about it actually. Despite his and Hermiones' best efforts, they simply could not perform spells beyond fourth year. His mum and dad had explained that their cores were not developed enough yet. Harry was worried about this solely because of his Patronus that he had cast in his third year. He had thought that if he had managed a spell that most full grown wizards could not do then he would have thought he could manage most any spells before he started Hogwarts. Unfortunately, when he tried in secret to cast a Patronus, he found that he couldn't. Despite the fact that he knew he could, and in fact had done it before, he was forced to accept the adults explanations.
So, while his dad taught them transfiguration, Remus taught defense, astronomy and care of magical creatures, Sirius taught them ancient runes and probably most surprising, history. It was his mum's classes that they got the most out of though. She taught charms, potions and arithmancy. Even though they couldn't advance beyond fourth year charms, they could progress as far as they wanted with potions and arithmancy. Lily thought they might actually almost be ready to start their mastery before even entering school because there was no silly wand waving as Snape once called it. They were not quite that close with runes because of the simple fact that it took and adult to charge the sequences before they would work but Sirius thought that they were close enough on the theory that they might be able to get an exceeds or maybe even an outstanding on their NEWTS.
People would begin arriving in a few hours for the party. Only a select few people could enter the wards of Potter Manor nowadays. Neville Longbottom and his Gran were on the list because Lily was Neville's godmother. His Gran thought it was a good idea to spend time with children his own age and Harry could see the changes from the Neville he knew before. This Neville was not the shy, insecure boy of before. Instead, he was his own person, not afraid to argue, rationally and logically as Hermione had drilled into them, for what he wanted. His Gran, the Dowager Lady Augusta Longbottom, was claiming that he was turning into a fine young man just like his father. You could actually see him straighten a little and see the pride in his eyes whenever he heard that comment.
Amelia and Susan Bones were also added because Amelia was Alyssa's godmother and because she spent a lot of time at work she thought that Susan needed company of other children as well. Susan had caused Hannah Abbot to be added so she could spend time with her friends as well as her first friend whenever they wanted. The one was almost a constant fixture there and Hannah would spend every other or every third day there as well.
The Lovegoods were also added for similar reasons but with the addition of Lily having Selene Lovegood, Luna's mother, for spell crafting help. This had the added benefit of Lily catching the mistake that had caused Selene's death in the previous timeline. Xeno was still as wonky as Harry remembered but Luna was not quite as ethereal now that her mother was still around to keep her grounded. She was still a little more out there than other children and Harry was sure this would still cause her to end up with the nickname of Loony when she went to school from the more hurtful people there. All in all though she was much more laid back and less prone to talk about creatures that only she could see around other people. She now had the benefit of many friends that she didn't have before.
Harry was talking to his mum after lunch, making sure the special arrangements he asked for his present to Hermione were taken care of. Suddenly a shriek came from the living room and they both ran out, drawing wands as they went. They came to a stop when they entered to see Hermione jumping up and down squealing, actually squealing Harry thought in amusement, with her Hogwarts letter clutched to her chest.
"It came! It came! It came!" She was practically dancing around the room and twirling in her excitement. When she actually calmed down enough to read the letter, at Lily and Harry's prompting of course. Her face turned from surprised excitement to loving adoration as she ran her fingers across the addressed name on the envelope. She looked up to Harry with a smile on her face. "Well, it's official then." She walked over to him and showed him the envelope. There, written in emerald green ink were the words that only Harry knew for sure would be there. "Mrs Hermione J. Potter" Harry knew that the letters were generated automatically by the magic that was set up when Hogwarts was founded. He also knew that over the centuries the task of mailing the letters was designated to the school's house elves as soon as they were created so he knew the secret was still safe until they actually went to Hogwarts.
Hermione looked to Harry's face and saw the smile that was there as he looked at the letter. His smile changed to worry though when he looked to her. "You're not mad at me, are you? I mean, you know that I love you and all. But I basically took away your choice of marrying whoever you wanted to. I'm not sorry it happened but I still think you should have had a choice in the matter." She watched as he rambled on in his apology, the worry still plain on his face thinking that she would be mad at him and that she wouldn't want him. She loved that he would care so much about her feelings on this.
"Harry," she interrupted his ramblings. "You know that I love you too." She reached up and touched his cheek. She watched as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the simple touch, leaning his head into her hand and a contented smile coming to his face. She loved that she could do that to him with such a simple touch. "While I do think that we're awfully young to be married," she began and watched his eyes fly open in fear of being rejected by her. "I couldn't imagine spending my life without you in it. You've been my best friend since we were babies and it's not like we didn't know that this could happen. You make me happy when I'm sad. You comfort me when I'm hurt. You protect me when I'm in danger and you take care of me when I'm sick. From all of my understandings of marriage, that's exactly how it's supposed to be. I love you Mr Potter." She leaned forward and gave his lips a chaste kiss before pulling him into one her famous, bone crushing, comforting and what Harry had dubbed a Hermi-hug.
"I love you too, Mrs Potter," she heard him whisper softly in her ear. The soft breath of his words caressing her neck sent shivers down her spine while the words Mrs Potter exploded in her brain bringing a smile to her lips. She opened her eyes to see Lily still standing in the doorway with a smile on her lips.
She let go of Harry and walked over to her mother-in-law. She opened her arms for a hug to the older woman before smiling at her and saying, "Hi Mum."
You could see the tears forming in Lily's eyes before she took the last step and engulfed her daughter-in-law in a hug. "Welcome to the family officially," she gave an extra squeeze and added softly, "daughter."
~~oOoOo~~
Hermione's party had been a smashing success, as usual. They had a grand time between presents, dinner, and a mixture of muggle and wizard party games. Sirius had brought a surprise guest, Hestia Jones, announcing that they had been dating now for the past year. Well, it was a surprise for the kids at least. The adults had known about her for awhile, especially since James' had had to allow her access to the grounds. Harry had found that he quite enjoyed Hestia's company. She was almost as big a kid as Sirius was but with enough adult responsibility that she could keep him grounded and reign in his more impulsive tendencies. He was pleasantly surprised to find out she was the elder sister of Gwenog Jones of the Holyhead Harpies, something he suspected but was not able to confirm in his last life, first life? Original life? he still got a headache whenever he tried to define his other life. Anyway, she was great fun to be around and he was happy that Sirius had found someone special enough to share his life with.
As the party wound down and all the guests began to leave, Harry drifted closer to his Hermione. He was pleasantly, although not completely, surprised to find that by the time the last guest left he was holding Hermione's hand. He glanced over to his mother with a raised eyebrow, to which she gave a small nod of her head. He smiled and turned to his, confirmed now, wife, before asking. "Would you like your last present now?"
Hermione turned to him with a shocked expression. "You didn't have to!" she began immediately. "The present you got me was more than enough!" She was stunned as her Harry, Her Harry? When did she start thinking of him like that? turned her around and led her further into the manor. "Really, Harry, that omni book was the best gift I could have ever received!" It really was, she thought. Harry had given her a book that could duplicate whatever book was in the Potter Manor library just by a touch from the list of the available texts. The library itself was extensive. Apparently, sometime in the past, one of the Potters had agreed to finance publishing companies with the sole stipulation that a copy of any book that came off their press, whether it was a new or revised, ended up in the Potter library. Lily had taken it a step further and extended it to muggle books as well, once she had seen the library and heard the explanation. Due to the space expansion charms on the room, it was five times the size of the Hogwarts library and still growing. The book itself had taken a little of her blood to key her into it so that only her and Harry would be able to read from it.
Hermione was lost in her daze and didn't even realize it when they had entered the ballroom of the house. Harry smiled to himself and nodded to his mother, a flick of her wand and music began to play. "May I have this dance, Mrs Potter?" he asked formally, bowing at the waist and extending his hand to her. She broke from her daze and smiled what Harry thought was her most beatific smile before curtseying and extending her hand to him. He learned to dance for me! was the only thought that was running through her head at the moment. Slowly waltzing around the dance floor she began to bring her thoughts back to her normal analytical mode. "I thought you didn't know how to dance, husband?" she asked, placing special emphasis on the last word so he would know what she meant to him.
She watched as Harry smiled. "I asked mum to start teaching me a few months ago. I wanted to surprise you on your birthday if it was true. After all," he gave her a wicked grin that left her heart fluttering a few beats faster. "Isn't it traditional for the husband and wife to have their first dance together?" Her heart melted and she pulled him closer, enjoying the dance that was just between the two of them. Giggling from her husbands' brothers and sisters caused her to open her eyes and see that they were not alone in their dancing. Her mother and father, along with her mother and father-in-law had also started to dance around the floor. Leaning close to her Harry breathed in her ear, "Happy Birthday, Mrs Potter."
~~oOoOo~~
Harry and Hermione had all their things packed and were standing in front of the barrier to platform nine and three quarters. Harry had planned for this day based on Luna's more lucid moments. "She's convinced that she'll marry you one day, Harry. Nothing I say will dissuade her from it." And so they were waiting on the muggle side of the barrier to the train platform. His parents were disillusioned and standing off to the side, not far enough away that they could miss general conversation but not so close that they could hear private discussions between Harry and Hermione.
"Here we go," he whispered to Hermione as he heard the far off call. "Packed with muggles of course. Now, what's the platform number again?" The answering young voice of, "Nine and three quarters, mum." Harry rolled his eyes at this and Hermione tried her best to stifle a giggle. The two had approached the barrier when Molly Weasly spotted them.
"Hello dears, Hogwarts too? Ron's just starting as well." Harry just couldn't miss the gleam in her eyes when she started talking to him. He supposed that even though he'd been in seclusion word had still leaked out about him. "Oh my goodness! You're Harry Potter aren't you?" It was only because he was looking for it that he could recognize the hungry gleam in her eyes. "Forgive me," she said with false pleasantness. "Introductions are in order. I'm Molly Weasly," gesturing to her eldest she continued. "My eldest attending Hogwarts Percy," she waved a hand towards him. "He's in his fifth year and a prefect, don't you know." Harry turned towards Hermione and rolled his eyes. "Fred and George, my twins," she gestured once again to her children. "This is Ron and his sister Ginny," she proclaimed as if it was of great importance.
Harry couldn't help but notice that she pushed her daughter more towards the front. He really wanted to believe better of Molly, really he did. Instead he relegated himself towards the introductions. "Pleased to meet you," he stated as he extended his hand toward her. "I'm Harry Potter, and may I introduce my wife, the Lady Hermione Jean Potter?" as he pulled her next to him.
To be generous, he did notice the disbelieving look on Molly's face, along with the hurt on Ginny's. She recovered quickly while surreptitiously glancing around to see that there were no adults around him. "Don't be silly, Harry!" she exclaimed. "You're eleven, you can't possibly be married now," while trying to make sure her daughter was front and center in his line of sight.
Harry let his face conform to shock then surprise and finally sorrow. "I'm so sorry madam," he replied, trying to force genuine pity into his voice. "It must be such a terrible shock to you," he continued, still in his sad voice. Then he continued, "May I ask how long you've been ill?"
The shock once again appeared on her face. "Ill?" she asked incredulously. "I'm not ill!" she exclaimed, once again surprise gave way to the shock on her face.
"Then you conveniently forgot about the Statute of Secrecy?" he pondered for moment. "Or maybe you forgot that you have already been to Hogwarts or maybe that you already have two children that have already graduated. Perhaps you forgot that you already have three children that are already attending Hogwarts. Perhaps that is the reason why you are walking through a muggle area and talking in such a loud voice about muggles, or asking about a platform that clearly doesn't exist to muggles. I find that it is the only explanation that you are suffering from dementia to explain your actions. Otherwise you wouldn't be trying to break the Statute." He glanced behind him to see Percy standing there agog and the twins trying desperately to stifle their laughter.
He watched as Molly Weasly drew herself up in indignation. "I'm not suffering from dementia!" she practically screamed it at him. "I'm perfectly aware of where I am and what I have been doing!"
"Of course you are madam," he began in an apologetic tone. "So, if you are not suffering from dementia then you are perfectly aware of the possibility of a soul bond?"
"Of course!"
"Then, of course, you are aware of how this beautiful young lady beside me would be considered my wife then?" He pulled Hermione closer to him at this point. He caught Molly's gob smacked expression and also the resigned look on Ginny's face. He squared his shoulders and glared at Molly before continuing. "So how then, could you possibly think I wouldn't know that I was already married unless you were suffering from some form of senility? And of course, you already know," he began for Ginny's benefit, "that no one can come between a soul bonded couple? There is no potion or spell or any other form of separation and that to even try is a life sentence in Azkaban?"
He took in her shocked expression and waited for a reply. Noticing that a reply was not forthcoming he turned on his heel and walked toward the barrier, Hermione at his side. Where she was always meant to be.
~~oOoOo~~
The trip was the same as he remembered, with the noticeable exclusion of Ron Weasly trying to ingratiate himself with him again. He found an empty compartment for the two of them. Eventually it filled with his friends Neville, Susan and Hannah. Of course, no train ride would be complete without the interruption of Draco I'm entitled to everything Malfoy trying to assert his non existent dominance.
"Go away bad faith. I don't want to hear whatever it is you merchant mouth is selling." Harry could see him turning red as his anger boiled. He noticed calmly as Malfoy reached for his wand to use something on his wife. He knew she was the target, she was always a mudblood in Draco's eyes. A flick of Harry's wand and the red of anger on his face turned quickly to the white of pain before he squeaked in pain and fell out of their cabin. The obligatory, "When my father…" was cut off by his reply. "Yes, you go and tell your father what happens when you insult an heir of a Most Ancient and Most Noble family. I'll be surprised if he doesn't kill you himself for the shame you'd bring on your own family merchant!" Harry settled back into his seat and wrapped his arms around his beautiful wife. "It's time you learned to respect your betters Bad Faith. Either you learn your own lesson or I'll be happy to teach it to you." He turned to Hermione with a questioning look, "I can still challenge him to an honor duel, can't I? Is that still on the books or did it get changed? I can never keep track of all the idiotic laws they pass."
Hermione tried to suppress her giggles, she really and truly tried. A few managed to escape before her reply though. "Yes, it's still a law that you can do that. Try not to kill him before we even get to school though, it might look bad on any future job applications."
"No promises," he replied. He turned his face to Malfoy and gave him his options. "What say you Bad Faith? Would you like to settle your insult to the Lady Potter with a duel, or are you content to offer an apology?" A muttered apology and retreat later and it was once again calm in their cabin. "I really hate trying to pull that old family crap. Why can't everyone just be normal for a change. Why do there even have to be old families and new families? Can't it just be families period?"
~~oOoOo~~
The sorting continued the same as it had. Hannah and Sue went to Hufflepuff. Neville went to Gryffindor. Malfoy went to Slytherin with his thugs Crabbe and Goyle. The only thing that really changed so far was that Hermione's name wasn't called before Harry's. As Harry walked up to the stool with the sorting hat he could feel the multiple brushes wash over his Occlumency shields. Dumbledore, Snape and Quirrell, like clockwork they are, he thought as the sorting hat was placed on his head and he felt it try to read his mind.
"Ahh, young Potter, so nice to see you again."
"Hello Adrian. It's been a long time. I've missed our talks, my friend."
"Judging by your memories of our talks I would have to agree with you. I do hope that you will take the time for us to get reacquainted."
"But of course. Have Fawkes bring you round whenever you feel like a chat. Just make sure I'm alone is all."
"Of course. So, same as last time or would you like to try something different?"
"The same, if you please. Although I would like some changes this time around if it's not too much trouble. Three changes to be precise."
"If it's within my power then I will help, of course."
"First then. This years class. Ron Weasly, he needs to grow up and learn some loyalty. Hufflepuff would be the ideal place for him. Maybe this time he wouldn't be such a prat."
"Agreed. I can see from your memories how this would help him."
"Second and third. Next years class. Luna Lovegood will need her friends. Gryffindor is best for her this time around. Ginny Weasly, don't really care which house you send her too, just keep that stalker away from me." He could almost feel the mental chuckle from the hat at this last request.
"I will do my best."
"Also, and this isn't really a request. If my wife is still a Gryffindor I would appreciate the same house for again for her. I love her enough to want to keep her close."
"Naturally."
And so, with the exceptions of the first of three changes he requested, Harry's days at Hogwarts had begun anew.
~~oOoOo~~
Harry had planned for this, his first prank before they could prank him.
With the Marauders help, he had been supplied with a new, upgraded version of the Marauders Map. He marveled at it continuously. Geniuses, mad geniuses, all three of them. The new map contained command and control functions. These allowed him to isolate single or multiple people he was searching for on the map. It also contained personality charms. These charms allowed him to ask questions and get various responses based on the knowledge of the three of them. All in the guise of their Marauder names of course.
He had been watching patiently. Waiting for the perfect setup. Finally he had it. The twins were coming towards them and McGonagall was a corridor behind them, still within easy listening distance.
As he held Hermione's hand and walked down the hallway towards the twins, he cleared the map and stuffed it into his pocket. Soon he saw them approach.
"Here he is, brother mine," said one.
"Indeed it's he."
"Doesn't look like support for them, does it?"
"I don't see any."
Harry had talked about this with Hermione beforehand, she knew what to do. "What on Earth are you two talking about?"
"We heard what he said to mum."
"Big brass ones on him you think?"
"Maybe gold or platinum even," the other twin nodded sagely.
"So we thought"
"We'd introduce ourselves"
"To the one that could"
"Stop mum cold," they finished together.
Harry had watched the infamous twin speak, moving his head back and forth between the two. He began to purposefully hyperventilate himself, his breath coming fast and shallow.
"Is he"
"Alright?"
The twins began to draw closer. Harry, still trying to hyperventilate himself, kept the act going until the critical moment. As one of them reached a hand out to steady him he gave Hermione the agreed upon signal, a slight squeeze of the hand, before letting out a scream of pure terror.
"WEASLY TWINS! FLAMING HAIRED DEMON DEVILS! STAY BACK!"
This of course had a two fold affect, exactly like they'd hoped. First, the twins jumped back in surprise. Second, Professor McGonagall came running up to them. "Mr Potter! What is the meaning of this?"
Harry spun around to face her and at the same time pointed back towards the twins. "WEASLY TWINS! FLAMING HAIRED DEMON DEVILS! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"
Admittedly, trying for a state of terror and panic as a joke made it really hard to keep the smile from his face but somehow he managed it.
"Mr Potter! I am quite sure there is nothing wrong! Stop making a spectacle in the middle of the hallway!"
Harry tried, he really really tried to let more horror show on his face. Whether he was successful or not was left open to debate. "YOU'RE WITH THEM! THE DEMON DEVILS HAVE CORRUPTED YOU!" He grabbed the professor by her hand and spun her back into the twins, trying, he hoped, to project someone protecting their loved one. He then pulled Hermione along, running as fast as he could, back to the tower. Leaving the twins and head of Gryffindor House in a heap in the middle of the hallway. He didn't let his mask slip until he had reached the safety of the common room where they both fell into heaps of laughter in each others arms.
A/N So there it is. One more chapter. I really hoped you all liked it. Thank you all for the reviews. They are all very much appreciated. If you don't want to send me a review you can always send me a PM to let me know what you think. I would also just like to throw out that I am STILL looking for a beta for this story. If any of you wonderful readers are interested in that role, feel free to send me a PM.
As always reviews are welcome! They help me be a better writer which in turn makes a better story for you readers!