Chapter 8:

They arrive at the Malfoy Manor two hours later. Draco holds Hermione's door open and leads her into the foyer. "Mother, Father, I've brought someone to meet you formerly." Draco calls out to his parents.

Lucius and Cissa walk out from the direction of the kitchen. Their eyes go wide when they see Hermione. Narcissa runs to the young couple and takes her into her arms.

"Oh my dear, we have missed you so. Wherever did you get yourself to?" Cissa clutches the younger woman to her again before passing her to Lucius.

The tall aristocratic blonde had tormented her and her friends for six years of her life. Now the man was holding her at arm's length, crying silent tears.

"Welcome home Hermione. I know that I caused you many problems over the years. I just wish that you can find in your heart to forgive me at some point. I would like to have a relationship with my son's mate."

"What?" Narcissa cries out.

"Mother, Hermione is my mate and has accepted me. You are looking at future Lady Malfoy." Draco beams at Hermione and drapes his arm around her.

"I'm so glad. I hope that I can make it up to you also, Hermione. Like Lucius said welcome to the family and to your home." Narcissa takes her back for another hug.

She sets Cissa down and sits also. "What I want to know is what has caused the strictest enemies to become best friends and roomies?"

Draco and the elder Malfoys laugh. "Why that would be you, my dear." Lucius smirks.

Draco wraps an arm around her and begins the story. "I need to start with that horrible day in the other room. While Aunt Bella and that beast was torturing you, the three of us stood there. Mum and I had to restrain ourselves from running and saving you. She would have killed anyone who interrupted her "fun" with the Mudblood. When Dobby, Harry, Ron and you escaped she raged for hours about how you should die and are a blot on the earth. Mother and I heard her cackles and then her screams as Voldemort crucioed her and father for calling him about Harry. Once they left to torment someone else, I told Father that I am switching sides even if it meant my death. I never hated any of you other Ron, Ginny and Molly. Other than those three, the Weasleys are a honorable house. I could tell that it was Harry. I told Harry that I was on his side when he saved me from the fire and that I would be pretending until the end. Blaise was neutral anyway. Pansy was on the fence, her mother was the Death Eater. After the battle and Harry was victorious with your help, I watched you talk to some friends. When you got to Harry again, the two of you had an heated conversation. No one could hear it, but all were watching as you stormed out of the castle in tears. I wanted to race after you, as no one else was, but I didn't think you would let me live.

When things calmed down, Harry, Ron, Neville, Blaise and I enrolled in the Auror program. Ron dropped out, fully expecting Harry to do so also. When Harry refused, it strained their relationship. The four of us graduated and were paired off. Blaise and Neville were paired together and along with Harry and I became the best team that the DML have had since James Potter, Sirius, Frank and Alice Longbottom were together.

When he hadn't heard from you for more than a month, Harry knew something was wrong. I caught him talking to Neville one day; they were discussing where you could be. That's when I knew that you didn't just walk outside to cool off but walked away from the magical world. I asked if I could be included in whatever they did to find you. Blaise and Pansy had started to see each other and Pansy asked what you were up to one day. When I told them, they both vowed to help. Apparently, she looked up to you secretly. Katie came by the office to ask how to get ahold of you and was told that you were missing. She jumped on the bandwagon. Three months later, she and Harry were an item. Of course, you were still a big reason in their getting together and both of them think of you as their sister.

A year ago, Harry asked me to move in, so the house wasn't so lonely. Mum was tearing this place apart and it was better than hearing the construction. Dad and Mum changed their views the day of the battle. It took seeing me almost get killed many times by their friends that did it. Blaise's parents helped them adjust to the way life is now.

I knew that you were still alive, because of the dream. I just couldn't find you until that glorious white owl of Harry's came with that note and her bacon. I smelled you scent on the paper. I knew it was yours because, I remembered it from potions class. As I said, I never hated you or Harry. Harry had not accepted my friendship all those years ago, and I had no idea how to change that. I have a feeling that he was led wrong by Ron. I had a crush on you until I learned that you were a muggleborn, not that I had a problem with it. I knew even at that age that Father had an issue with that. I am truly sorry that I hurt you so much in our school years." Draco takes her hand and kisses her ring. He turns to his parents. "Hermione is the most seriously dedicated student that I know. I didn't have a chance, Father. She was doing two schools worth of work all six of our years at Hogwarts." Lucius shakes his head. "I apologize my son. She is the best student."

The ten days pass. Ragnok being in on the ruse, sends out the summons from the bank. Molly and Ginny, accompanied by Arthur, Fred, George and Bill, show and are told to wait in one of the conference rooms.

Harry and Katie, flanked by Lucius, Nuncio, Draco and Hermione, and Lady Longbottom. Augusta heard of the whole sad affair from Neville. They are followed by Ragnok. He had been given permission to announce Harry's ancestry.

"Good day Lords Malfoy, Zabini. Good day Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, William, Fredrick, George and Ginerva. Good day Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger. Good day Madam Longbottom. Good day Lord Gryffindor." Ragnok purposely left Katie out. Harry nods.

"Why are so many here about a simple marriage contract?" Molly asks, seething that Katie and Hermione were there. Her daughter felt the same.

"Mrs. Weasley, Lord Gryffindor has the right to bring as many as he wishes, to advise him. Miss Granger is considered family by Mr. Potter. Lords Malfoy and Zambini are his lawyers and advisors. Madam Longbottom is also an old advisor to the Potter family. Young Mr. Malfoy is here as emotional support and so is Katie."

"My question is what marriage contract?" Arthur plays dumb.

"Mr. Dumbledore and your wife entered into an agreement for your daughter to marry Lord Potter. The terms were that they were to have their "Wedding night" before the actual ceremony; as in the old days. Lord Potter could have other wives, lovers, etc. but Ginerva must birth his first child, living or dead. The Potter clan's rules of ascension says that he may marry any blood type. This agreement was signed by Albus Dumbledore and Molly Prewett Weasley. It does not bear the signature of either Lord Potter or yours, as head of the family."

"Why did you do this Molly?" Arthur calls his wife to the discussion.

"His line should have never been tainted by unclean blood. Our Ginny would clean the line." Molly replies. Ginny nods along. She didn't care what her mother's reasons were as long as she got Harry.

"Wait, when was this agreement signed?" George speaks up.

"April 30th 1997. About two months before Albus died." The goblin answers.

"Harry and Ginny didn't even start dating until a month later." The twins muse together.

Ragnok waves his hand to bring the attention back to him. "Let's get on with this, shall we? At Gringotts, we always provide an escape clause in each contract not initiated by the people involved. This one's was that both parties were virgins going into tonight's activities. They could get out of the contract by proving otherwise. It is easier to prove on a woman. For the man's part, he would need to drag said ladies in, if he wanted out. Now I must ask; Miss Weasley, are you a virgin?"

"Yes, I have done everything but." Ginny states.

Molly is aghast. Her little girl was not virginal. Ginny on the other hand was nervous. It all hinged on Harry's answer to the question.

"Lord Potter, are you?" Ragnok asks.

"No."

"Can you prove it?" the goblin asks.

"I have only been with two girls and they both are in this room." Harry's chin raises. He looks to Hermione and Draco. They nod to him and then grip each other's hands. He notices the Malfoy ring on 'Mione's hand. He reaches out for Katie's hand which bears the Potter ring.

"What! Katie I can almost understand, but when were you with Hermione? Ron was with you all last year." Ginny rages.

"Ron left for two months. We actually lost our virginities to each other two nights before he came back and saved Harry in the pond." Hermione responds coolly. "We have further proof though. I run an inn in Surrey. It is named the Jasen Inn. You might have heard of it, Arthur. Charlie's working there. Anyway, it is named that for my son, Jasen James Potter. I had Jasen on Harry's 18th birthday. It was also the day of his death. He and I both suffered from trauma dealt to me during the war. I didn't know I was pregnant until it was too late."

"You're lying." Ginny screams.

"No Miss Weasley, she is not lying. I went to Jasen's grave and tested his tiny body. He was the natural son of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. This marriage contract is null and void. Thank you for your time." Ragnok looks at the group and walks out of the room.

Everyone is filing out when Ginny slides up to Harry. "I am still willing to be your wife."

He walks away and up to Ragnok and shakes the goblin's hand.

"Good day Lord Gryffindor, Lady Gryffindor." Ragnok bows to Harry and then Katie. They bow back.

"You missed the boat, Ginny. Harry married Katie as soon as he heard Ragnok dismiss the contract's validity ten days ago." Lucius quietly tell the girl.

She then focuses on Draco. "Hey gold-digger, don't look over here. I am a veela and have a mate. Come on love." Draco motions to Hermione to follow him and his father.

"Ragnok may I have a word?" Arthur asks as the little man packs his things.

"Yes?"

"How do I go about disinheriting someone and divorcing? I have grounds, she has potioned me."

"Consider it done on the casting out of both, the hospital records from St. Mungo's should do it on the other."

"Thank you. Come on boys, let's go home."