Christmas Break soon came to a close and Hermione, Harry, and all their friends were faced with the prospect of going back to Hogwarts and face the glaring from Ginevra and Ronald Weasley. Hermione knew that Ginny would not be happy when she saw the betrothal ring on her finger, but she didn't care. Hermione worried, though, that the last remaining Weasley siblings would do something violent and get themselves in trouble with the Ministry.
"That was an exciting Christmas Break, I must say," Blaise said, as he hugged his girlfriend Jackie Flint closer to him, than Marcus would like.
"Definitely mate," Kaliban said, as he held his girlfriend Astoria Greengrass, as she read a book.
Samuel McNair and Daphne Greengrass made their union permanent when they got betrothed over Christmas Break. Theo Nott and Pansy Parkinson said they'd wait to get betrothed until the summer. (A.N: The reason they are all getting betrothed is so that others know that they are not available and so that no one tries to separate them. Sorry if these betrothals are all happening in sixth year, but it will help my next few chapters)
Draco and Violet had already started to plan their wedding and could not wait to graduate next year, so that they could get married and not have anyone hitting on them anymore.
Hermione and Harry had also started to think about where they wanted to have their wedding.
"You know what Hermione?" Violet asked her best friend, who turned to look at her roommate.
"What Violet?" Hermione asked with anticipation, when she saw the excited look on Violet's face.
"We should have a double wedding, where Draco and I, and you and Harry get married on the same day," Violet said and everyone turned to look at her.
"You'd be willing to share your wedding day with another couple?" Harry asked Draco and Violet.
"Of course, you guys are like family and that way my parents could host us both at their manor, and Sam and Daph and Pans and Theo can get married on the same day too," Draco elaborated and everyone seemed to like the idea.
"That's the best idea ever, sharing my wedding day with my best friends," Pansy said and everyone laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Then its settled, we'll organize a day where we can get married on the same day and it can be at Draco's house," Violet said and wedding plans were abruptly halted when they got 2 unwanted visitors at their compartment door.
"Well, well, well look who it is. Slytherin Scums and the Gryffindor traitors," the annoying voice of Ronald Weasley said.
"Why don't you leave us alone Ronald?" Hermione hissed.
"Because you're all scum and are brainwashing Harry," they heard Ginny say.
"I may be a Slytherin now, but I have not lost any of my brain cells, so if you don't want to get hexed I suggest you get out," Hermione raised her voice to the 2 Gryffindors.
"What is that on your finger?" Ronald said, as he saw her betrothal ring and did not recognize it for what it was.
Ginny suddenly shrieked and everyone covered their ears to get the annoying sound from infiltrating their brains.
"YOU'RE BETROTHED? IT CANNOT BE HARRY IS MINE!" Ginny shouted and drew the attention of other students.
"No Ginny, I am and have never been yours. Leave me and Hermione alone, or you'll wish that Voldemort killed you in Second Year," Harry threatened and only Ron and Ginny shuddered at his name.
"You can't threaten me," Ginny said incredulously.
"Yes I can if you are being a hassle to my fiancée and me, now leave and don't return," Harry said in a very serious voice.
Ginny glared her fiercest glare at Hermione, before her brother pulled her away and left the Slytherins and Gryffindor alone.
"Nice going Harry, what a way to show them. How come you didn't get into Slytherin?" Daphne asked the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Because I was naïve and bought into all the b*llshit about Slytherins always being evil Wizards and by my quick friendship with Ronald, and I asked the Hat to put me in Gryffindor because of it," Harry explained to his friends and they all nodded.
"Well you have us now and don't need to worry about the Weasleys," Blaise spoke up.
"I agree, don't let them ruin your life," Kaliban agreed with his best friend.
"Thanks guys, I really appreciate it," Harry said and everyone laughed.
Suddenly the train stopped and they knew they had arrived at Hogwarts.
"Lets go," Hermione said cheerfully, as she got up and pulled Harry up with her.
The rest of their friends got up and exited the compartment they were sitting in. They exited the train and made their way to the carriages.
"Hermione, Harry," everyone turned around to see that Luna, Rolf, Neville, and Hannah were making their way towards them.
"Hey guys, how was your Break?" Harry asked his friends.
"It was great, but we should be asking about yours," Neville said, as he looked at Harry.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, all confused.
"Well, Ron and Ginny came into our compartment and started ranting about your betrothal. We wanted to say congratulations," Hannah Abbott told the couple.
"Yeah, Harry proposed to me when we were at his aunt's and cousin's," Hermione elaborated, as they all sat in one compartment, which Hermione magically enlarged to fit them all.
"We're so happy for you guys. You're perfect for each other," Luna said, without all the craziness that was usually coming out of her mouth.
"Thanks guys, we really appreciate it," Harry said on behalf of himself and Hermione.
The carriages were moving and Draco suddenly became very curious.
"How are the carriages moving without a driver?" Draco asked aloud.
Everyone turned to look outside and saw nothing. But then Luna turned towards them.
"They're known as Threstrals. They are invisible to anyone who has no seen death," Luna said sadly and everyone looked at her, with confusion on their faces.
"You can see them, Luna?" Violet asked her Ravenclaw friend.
"Yes, I saw my mother die when I was 9 years-old. I have been able to see them ever since," Luna said, as she looked down to hide the tears in her eyes. Rolf wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and held her close.
"I'm so sorry to bring it up," Violet and Draco said together, but Luna looked up.
"There's no need to apologize, it was a long time ago," Luna responded, as they came to a halt in front of the school.
Harry got out first and extended his hand towards Hermione, who gladly took it and she exited the carriage. Neville got out next and assisted Hannah in getting out of the carriage. Draco, followed by Rolf, Theo, Sam, Blaise, and Kaliban all got out and helped their girlfriends or betrothed out of the carriage and they began to walk as a group towards the entrance to the Great Hall.
They entered the Great Hall and Hannah kissed Neville on the cheek before heading to the Hufflepuff Table and sitting beside her best friend, Susan Bones.
Harry gave Hermione a chaste kiss on the lips and walked with Neville to the Gryffindor Table and sat down, far away from Ronald and Ginevra Weasley.
Luna and Rolf waved goodbye to their Slytherin friends and walked over to the Ravenclaw Table.
The rest of the groups made their way to the Slytherin Table and sat down together. They saw Headmistress McGonagall stand up and address the school.
"Welcome back everyone from Christmas Break, I hope you all had a great holiday. Now, as you all know, your former Headmaster Dumbledore is in Azkaban for murder and the terrorizing of one of your classmates," she said and gave people time to look around and reabsorb the feelings of betrayal.
"He was tried and with being found guilty, he will spend the rest of hid life in Azkaban. Now, I do not want his name to be mentioned here within the walls of this school. He used to stand for right, but he committed crimes that cannot be overlooked," Minerva continued to the students.
"Now enjoy our magnificent feast that has been prepared for you," Minerva finished and she sat down.
The feast suddenly appeared on the tables and everyone began to eat. Harry and Hermione kept sneaking glances at each other from across the room. They were smiling at each other and silently laughing with each other.
Blaise saw the looks Harry and his twin sister were sneaking each other and he smiled. He had never seen Hermione so happy, but then he caught the Weasley siblings glaring at the young couple.
He hated seeing them hate on his sister, so he glared back with his angriest face and the youngest Weasleys looked away in cowardice. Hermione looked over towards Blaise and mouthed, "thank you."
Blaise smiled back at his sister and turned to talk to Jackie.
Supper soon finished and the separate houses began to make their way to their own Common Rooms.
Neville intercepted Hannah and gave her a goodnight kiss. Rolf and Luna said goodbye to all their friends and made their way to Ravenclaw Tower.
Harry rushed over to Hermione and gave her a kiss on the lips before he made his way to walk with Neville to Gryffindor Tower.
The Slytherins then made their way down to the dungeons and entered the Common Room.
While her brother and the rest of her friends went to bed, Hermione exited the Common Room and quietly made her way to her godfather's office.
Before Hermione could knock, she heard her godfather say, "Come on in, Hermione."
Hermione smiled and opened the door and walked into the office.
"How are you doing Hermione?" Severus asked his goddaughter, as she entered the room.
"Good, very good. I just hope that you are accepting of my betrothal to Harry," Hermione said nervously.
"Why would you care if I'm accepting of it or not?" Severus asked, confused.
"My dad isn't here anymore and I want to know that another man in my life other than my brother is accepting of my relationship," Hermione said, with tears in her eyes.
"Of course I am accepting of your relationship, your father would be so proud of you and your choice of man," Severus said, as he hugged his best friend's daughter.
"Thanks, I'll see you in Potions tomorrow," Hermione said, as she walked towards the door.
"See you tomorrow too, Hermione," Severus told her, as she closed the door and he went back to his preparation for tomorrow's lessons.
Hermione quickly made her way back to the Slytherin Common Room and walked up to her dormitory. She quickly and quietly changed into her pajamas and went to bed, since her roommates were already fast asleep.
