2 days later, Hermione and Harry loaded up their trunks, as they prepared to be picked up by Claudia Zabini, to spend the last 3 days of the Christmas Break at Zabini Manor.

Hermione and Harry were waiting for Mrs. Zabini when Petunia and Dudley came and hugged them both.

"Know that you are always welcomed in this house, Hermione. You will never be turned away," Petunia said warmly and Hermione smiled at the older woman.

"Thank you Petunia, I'll remember that."

"Thanks for helping me see past my no-good friends," Dudley said, as he hugged Hermione and she hugged him back.

"It was no problem Dudley, they were not worth it."

Dudley walked towards Harry and gave him a 'one-armed' hug.

"Take care of her. She is definitely a keeper," Dudley said and Harry smiled.

"I will Dudley, no one on Earth could take Hermione from me," Harry said, as he looked at his girlfriend and now, betrothed.

Petunia then walked up to her nephew and pulled him into the deepest hug she had ever given him.

"I know of your betrothal. Keep her safe. I may not know what other witches and wizards will think, but I do not want to lose the last piece of Lily I have," Petunia whispered in her nephew's ear.

Harry stared at his aunt in disbelief, but she looked at her straight in to eyes.

"As I told Dudley, no force on Earth or Heaven, whether it be muggle or wizard, could separate Hermione and me," Harry said reassuringly and Petunia let go of him, just as Claudia Zabini was apparating into the living room of the apartment.

"Claudia what a pleasure to see you again," Petunia greeted the witch in a friendly tone.

"Pleasure to see you too, Petunia. I hope the children had 2 great days here," Claudia said, as she saw the betrothal ring on her daughter's finger.

Petunia approached closer to the other woman and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "They did. Do not fret; Harry will not let anything happen to your daughter, he loves her too much and will not let anyone hurt her. I swear it."

Petunia backed away and Claudia nodded, as Harry and Hermione grabbed their trunks and went to grab Claudia's hands.

"I'll drop him off the night before the first day of school," Claudia promised the former Mrs. Dursley, who nodded and waved goodbye to the children. She was also praying that Hermione's twin brother would not kill Harry that night.

Claudia apparated into Zabini Manor and immediately turned to look at her daughter, who had her hands intertwined with Harry's.

"Mom, I know you're very upset, but-" Hermione said, before her mother ran up and hugged her tightly.

"I am not upset or mad, I am very happy and proud. Harry owled me and asked for my permission before and I said yes. Your father would not have chosen a better man to be with you," Claudia said, as she took the 2 teenagers in her arms.

"Yeah, he practically lived here, so why not just marry my twin sister and make in permanent," Hermione heard Blaise's joking voice coming from behind her mother.

Hermione let go of her mother and walked up to Blaise.

"Your not mad?" Hermione asked, cautiously.

"My little sister's going to get married and the man is a good and respectable wizard, who is practically family. How could I be mad?" Blaise said, as he grabbed Hermione in a big bear hug and swung her around in a circle until they both got too dizzy and fell to the ground.

Harry helped Hermione off the floor, before moving to help Blaise. Blaise grabbed his hand firmly and Harry pulled him to his feet. He then pulled Harry into a big bear hug.

"Welcome to the family, brother."

"Brother?" a confused voice asked.

They all turned around and saw that Violet, Draco, Samuel, Daphne, Theo, Pansy, Jackie, Kaliban, and Astoria. Violet suddenly looed down to Hermione left ring finger and saw the betrothal or promise ring that lay on her finger. It was the same kind of ring she wore now, waiting for her own wedding.

"OH MY GOODNESS, HERMIONE! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU AND HARRY ARE BETROTHED," Violet squealed, as she launched herself forward and hugged Hermione really tightly.

Suddenly, everyone moved towards Blaise, Harry, and Hermione, to congratulate Hermione and Harry on their betrothal and to wish them eternal happiness in their marriage.

"Hold your horses," Hermione said, which made everyone stop to look at her.

"Just because Harry and I are betrothed that does not mean we are going to abandon all of you. Blaise is my brother and Kaliban is like a brother because he lives here. Violet, Pansy, and Daphne, you girls are my roommates. Jackie happens to be dating my brother and Astoria is dating Kaliban, and Draco, Theo, and Sam are dating my roommates, so none of you will ever be forgotten," Hermione continued and everyone let out a sigh of relief.

"Besides, if I forgot about all of you, then you would be in our wedding party," Hermione said and everyone became happy to know that Hermione still wanted them in her life even though she was going to get married in just over a year.

The friends decided to play Quidditch, and talk, but most importantly they spent time together as friends. They did not have to worry about what others thought of their friendship and were happy to just bask in their happiness.