The Founders' Intervention
By: Sheltie
I still don't own Harry Potter at all
A/N: here is the fourth chap. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
"Well there are two ways. The first is to make you a vassal to the Potter house" Harry said.
"That sounds good, what's the other?" Hermione asked.
Harry blushed, which made Hermione quirk an eyebrow at him.
"The second is for you become betrothed to Harry" Rowena said since Harry didn't look like he was going to say it.
Hermione's cheeks turned as red as Harry's. The others chuckled and giggled at this.
"B-b-betrothal" Hermione squeaked.
"Yes, you'd be not only be under house Potter's protection, but would be the next Lady Potter as well" Rowena said smiling.
"Oh my, I don't think I'm ready for that" Hermione said dazed.
"Why not, you two act like a couple already" Fred said.
"Yeah, you two are more like a couple than our mom and dad" George said.
Harry and Hermione blushed bright red at this.
"I know this is frightening to both of you, but I suggest for you two to really think about the betrothal option" Rowena said.
"Alright, we will" Harry said with a sigh.
/Scene Break/
It was a few days later and late one night Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Ravenclaw common room. Most of the Ravenclaws were asleep. They were up because both were too caught in their reading to notice the time.
"Um, Hermione, I think we should talk about me taking you into my house" Harry said hesitantly breaking the silence.
"Okay, what about?" Hermione asked nervously as she placed her book down.
"You know Hermione" Harry said with a sigh.
Hermione frowned and began playing with the hem of his skirt.
"I know that this is hard to talk about Mione, but I want to protect you as soon as possible" Harry said.
"Then make me a vassal" Hermione said not looking up.
Harry hesitated, which Hermione saw.
"You don't want to" she said softly.
"No, I want to Hermione, but, well it's this whole thing and what the founders showed us and well. I've been thinking" Harry said as he ran hand through his hair.
"About what Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well with those visions of the future they showed us" Harry said.
"Possible future Harry, too much has changed for it to come true now" Hermione said interrupting Harry.
"Right, well anyways I was thinking and I don't want to wait too long" Harry said.
"Harry, we're too young for all this, I mean I'm only twelve and you're eleven" Hermione said.
"I'm not saying we get married when we are in our third year or anything, but this would be like a long-term engagement" Harry said.
"How long term?" Hermione asked.
"Like maybe after we graduate" Harry said.
Hermione bit her bottom lip as she thought about Harry's proposal. She knew it sounded good, but wanted to make sure she thought it all the way through. Even though she was ready to jump at the chance to be with Harry right now.
Harry could see the wheels turning in Hermione's head and hoped that she'd agree with him. He didn't want to wait for too long because he could tell that Hermione would become a beautiful woman. And if those images of a certain future were any reference then he wanted to snatch her up quickly.
"Alright Harry, let's do it" Hermione said.
"Really?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded happily.
Harry wanted to jump up and down shouting at the top of his lungs, but he held himself. He did gather the courage and leaned in. Hermione saw what Harry was going to do and blush deep red. She never kissed a boy before. Her father didn't count since it was a family member and that was always a kiss on the cheek. She leaned in too hoping she was doing it right. When their lips touch they felt a faint spark, which made them jump away from each other.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"I-I'm not sure, should we try it again?" Harry asked.
"Maybe later" Hermione said.
"Yeah, it's getting late" Harry said.
Hermione nodded and got up.
"Night Mione."
"Night Harry."
/Scene Break/
They told their friends about their decision the next day in the founders' chambers. There a huge celebration and it appeared that the twins were set for it. A banner came down with the words 'Congratulations Harry and Hermione'. They then began handing out butterbeers and cigars. They heard that muggles smoke these things when they have something to celebrate. Though the twins' cigars weren't filled with nicotine and other harsh chemicals, but with flavors like raspberries, blueberries, peach, grape, and dozens more. The cigars still let out smoke like a regular cigars too.
"These are brilliant" Harry said.
"We wanted something for celebrations" Fred said.
"Yeah, now we just have to wait for those two" George said nodding at Daphne and Neville.
When the two saw their friends looking at them they blushed beet red.
"I don't like Neville like that" Daphne said.
"Not now, but we predict a betrothal in your future" Fred said in a raspy voice.
"Yes, and we see that your betroth will be a close friend" George said in the same raspy tone as his brother.
Everyone laughed at this with Neville and Daphne blushing madly.
"Come on you two, we must set up this betrothal so Dumbledore can not break it" Godric said.
"Leave that to me" Rowena said.
She then sat down and began writing. Whenever some would come over to see how she was doing she'd shoo them away. It was mainly the twins and they got hexed for their efforts. It took two hours, but Rowena finally stood.
"It's finished" she said happily.
"Brilliant" Harry said.
Rowena got Harry and Hermione to sit down and she showed them what she wrote. The others hovered over them looking over their shoulders.
"This contract clearly states that your betrothal to Hermione is official and all other previous ones would be voided. And any bride price that was given out would be return in full or they'd suffer harsh consequences by the goblins. It also states that anyone who try to tamper in any way with this betrothal will be punished to the full extend of the law. The laws that fall under Ancient and Noble houses that is."
"What are the laws for Ancient and Noble houses any way and how do they differ from the others?" Hermione asked.
"Daphne, would provide the answer to that" Salazar said looking to his pupil.
"According to the laws of the Ancient and Noble houses, that if someone were to tamper in a betrothal that the person or persons attempting it would be charge as a class A felony, which means they could serve a good chunk of time in Azkaban or be kissed depending on how the head of the Ancient and Noble house wants. Also a huge fine has to be paid," Daphne said.
"What about the regular laws?" Hermione asked.
"It's still a serious crime and they'd get a heavy fine along with some time in Azkaban, but not as long and the fine wouldn't be as severe" Daphne said.
"I see" Hermione said.
"So you must sign" Rowena said.
"What about a witness, we need a witness" Hermione said.
"Of course, I almost forgot. Ragnok, could come here please" Rowena said.
A door opened and a very regal goblin came out.
"Lady Rowena, how may I be of service?" Ragnok asked bowing.
"Would you be the witness to this betrothal?" Rowena asked.
"Of course my lady" Ragnok said.
Harry and Hermione signed the betrothal with a blood quill and Ragnok signed it also. Harry then pressed his family ring onto the parchment would signify that the head of house Potter certified it. This would help void any other betrothal or marriage contracts since none of the others had the Potter sigil on it.
"Would Lady Hermione like to choose your betrothal ring?" Ragnok asked.
Hermione nodded enthusiastically.
Ragnok pulled out an ornate box and opened it. Inside were a collection of some of the most beautiful rings Hermione has ever seen. She reached out with a trembling hand and pick a ring that matched Harry's eyes.
"An excellent choice. Harry's mother picked that ring as her engagement ring" Ragnok said.
Hermione was shocked and turned to Harry with a questioning look.
"It's alright Hermione, I'm sure my mother would approve" Harry said smiling.
Hermione smiled right back and handed it to Harry. He knew what she wanted and slipped it onto her finger.
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile a house just outside Devon inside a box a piece of parchment burst into flame without warning. A woman saw the smoke coming out and began to panic. She waved her wand hoping to quell the flames, but it didn't work. The fire died out on its own.
/Scene Break/
In the headmaster's office a piece of parchment burst into flame along with others in the box with it. When the fire died out the only thing left was ashes.
/Scene Break/
"Congratulations Lord Harry, Lady Hermione" Ragnok said.
"Thank you Ragnok" Harry said.
Ragnok bowed and left going through the same door he entered.
"How'd Ragnok get here?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, I have a portrait in Gringotts and I asked Ragnok to be here personally" Rowena said.
"Rowena that was a move worthy of me" Salazar said chuckling.
"Thank you Sal, but I learned much from you that it was quite easy" Rowena said smiling.
"I still can't believe we just saw Ragnok, he's the leader of the goblin nation. No one has ever seen him let alone talked to him. The Minister has never had a meeting with her" Daphne said shocked.
"Ragnok and I know each other very well. He and I have many interesting conversations" Rowena said.
Daphne still couldn't get over the fact that Rowena knew Ragnok.
/Scene Break/
Nicholas Flamel sighed. He felt his age coming up on him even though he and his wife took the elixir of life. But that wasn't what was weighing heavily on his mind right now. It was the fact that he trusted his good friend Albus with his most prized possession only for him to use it as bait. He had no doubt that the stone was a part of harebrain scheme of some sort. This didn't sit well with the great alchemist since the stone was his life's work.
"Nicholas, are you alright?"
Nicholas looked up to see his loving wife looking down on him with worry.
"I'm alright Penny, just thinking" Nicholas said.
"About what love?" Penny asked rubbing his shoulders.
"About what Albus was thinking" Nicholas said.
"Nick, you can't torture yourself about this, you knew when you worked with him all those years ago that the man was a bit off" Penny said.
"Yes, I know, but risking the lives of children that is under his care, that is unforgivable" Nicholas said.
"What are you going to do about it?" Penny asked.
"I need to make some calls" Nicholas said getting up.
Penny moved so her husband could get to the fireplace.
/Scene Break/
A few days later in the Great Hall Harry and Hermione were enjoying their breakfast.
"How are you feeling this morning my betrothed?" Harry asked smiling.
"I'm doing fine, I can't believe it though" Hermione said.
"What can't you believe?" Harry asked.
"That I'm betrothed. I never thought this could happen to me" Hermione said.
"Do you regret it?" Harry asked hesitantly.
Hermione shook her head.
"No, it's just shocking, that's all" she said.
Harry felt relieved hearing this.
The doors of the Great Hall burst opened and in walked a woman with graying hair and a monocle. She was surrounded by four wizards in red robes.
"Who's that?" Hermione whispered.
"That's Amelia Bones, she the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and those are aurors that surround her" Neville answered.
Neville was sitting with them for breakfast since there was no rule against students from other houses sitting together during normal meals.
"I wonder what they are doing here?" Harry asked.
Neville shrugged.
"Don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out" he said.
Amelia stopped in front of the head table.
"What can I do for you this morning Amelia?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly.
"We need to talk Albus, in private" Amelia said.
"Of course, my office" Dumbledore said.
Amelia nodded.
"Mr. Potter shall be joining us too" she added.
This perplexed the old wizard, but nodded. One of the aurors went to collect Harry and soon they were all in the headmaster's office.
"Now what is this all about?" Dumbledore asked taking control of the meeting.
"It has to do with an item I entrusted to you and you used my trust to set a trap."
Dumbledore was shocked hearing his old friend's voice.
"Nicholas, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm here because you have endangered many lives with your little ploy" Nicholas said.
"I'm not sure what you mean?" Dumbledore said.
"I believe young Mr. Potter can tell us that" Nicholas said.
Dumbledore tense slightly. He set this plan hoping to test young Harry, but he never expected this.
"Of course sir, and it is nice to meet you Mr. Flamel" Harry said.
"It is nice to meet you also Mr. Potter, and I thank you for returning my possession to me" Nicholas said.
"It was nothing sir" Harry said.
"Mr. Potter, would you please tell us how you got this object in the first place?" Amelia asked.
Harry nodded then proceeded to tell them all about the adventure in getting the stone. He left out a few things like anything that had to do with the founders and covered it up nicely by saying that he and his friends did a lot of research instead. He also gave equal amount of credit to each of his friends who helped him getting the stone. He even told them that he suspect the teachers at school helped set up the protections. Once he was finished the group was amazed that a first year did all this even if he had friends who were a pair of third years, it was unheard of.
"Mr. Potter, your story sounds too fantastic to be true, but yet I don't think you're lying either" Amelia said.
"Ma'am, I was taught to never lie to people of authority" Harry said.
"Yes, well Mr. Potter you may go" Amelia said.
Harry nodded and left.
This left Dumbledore in a pickle since he planned on slipping more hints to Harry and get the boy interested in the stone. But this was happening too fast too soon. Plus, he never expected this to happen either. He needed to think fast.
"I assure you Amelia that this school is quite safe" he said.
"We shall see Albus. I'm going to have my aurors check out Mr. Potter's story" Amelia said.
Dumbledore was about to object when three of the four aurors that came with Amelia left. Hours later the aurors came back and confirmed everything that Harry said was true.
"I see, what do you have to say to that Albus?" Amelia asked.
"I placed Nicholas' possession here since I know that this school was the safest place to hide something of great value. I am as shocked as you are that Mr. Potter and his friends were able to passed the protection that I and my staff put up" Dumbledore said.
"And what the claim that this was just a trap for a certain dark lord?" Amelia asked.
Dumbledore hesitated on this and Nicholas saw this. The alchemist knew his friend too well to believe everything that came out his mouth.
"Yes, I have told many people that I don't think Voldemort is gone, but I never thought he'd be this bold to infiltrate my school" Dumbledore said.
"I see, well then if you don't mind, I would like to talk to your staff" Amelia said.
"Of course, I don't mind at all" Dumbledore said.
Amelia nodded and left with her aurors leaving just Dumbledore and Nicholas alone.
"I know what you just said to Amelia was a load of bull Albus" Nicholas said.
"I don't know what you mean Nick" Dumbledore said.
"Can it Albus, you're too smart to pull off this stupid routine on me" Nicholas said.
"Nick, I had everything in control" Dumbledore said.
"Please Albus, you always think you have everything under control. You'd even think you'd have a wild fire under control" Nicholas said then left leaving Dumbledore to his thoughts.
/Scene Break/
Nicholas wandered the halls of the ancient castle hoping to find who he was looking for. He smiled when he found his target.
"Mr. Potter, would care to talk to me?" he asked.
Harry and his friends were enjoying a free period they had.
"Alright sir, if it alright if my friends were included" Harry said.
"Yes, I believe these are the friends that helped you get my stone" Nicholas said.
"Yes they are, but two of them, the Weasley twins are not here, they are in class right now" Harry said.
"I see, I would like to discuss some things" Nicholas said.
"Like what sir?" Harry asked.
"I would like to offer you and your friends some lesson over the summer" Nicholas said.
Hermione was trying to restrain herself from jumping up and down. Daphne's eyes widen and she was almost as giddy as Hermione, but could hold herself a lot more. Neville looked interested as did Harry.
"Sounds interesting sir, I'll ask the Weasley twins, but I think we're in" Harry said.
"Excellent, and call me Nick" Nicholas said.
Harry nodded and they shook hands.
/Scene Break/
The end of the year was coming and Harry felt like he had accomplished a lot. He had a core group of friends that would support him. He was betrothed. Now all he had to do was enjoy a summer of fun. On the last day of term he asked to go see Dumbledore.
"You wanted to see me sir?" Harry asked.
"Ah yes, Harry. Please sit down" Dumbledore said with his eyes twinkling madly.
"What is it you want to see me about?" Harry asked sitting.
"I have set up a place for you to live during the summer. It is your aunt and uncle's and they are very happy to see you" Dumbledore said.
"That's nice sir, but what gives you the right to do that?" Harry asked.
"I have asked the courts and they have granted me guardianship over you" Dumbledore said.
This was a lie since Dumbledore did try, but found he couldn't since Harry was head of Potter house making him an adult. He just hoped Harry didn't know this.
"Sir, I am Lord Potter and you have no right to tell me what to do outside my schooling" Harry said and showed of his house ring.
Dumbledore paled at the sight of the Potter ring. This didn't bode well since if Harry had full control of his money then that meant he could find out all about the dealings he's been doing.
"Oh, and professor. I know about the money you took from my vaults and I have asked the goblins to handle it. Ragnok gave me his word that'd he'd take care of it" Harry said smirking at the end.
Dumbledore was now sweating bullets. The name Ragnok meant Harry was in touch with a very powerful goblin. He had never seen the leader of the goblin nation, but knew he was in serious trouble.
"Harry, I did all that for your safety" the old wizard said.
"I don't think paying yourself sixty thousand galleons each month helps me or you paying that greasy no good excuse for a teacher ten thousand a month either" Harry said glaring at Dumbledore.
"Now Harry, it was for the greater good" Dumbledore said.
"What a load of Hippogriff dung" Harry said, "I'll get my money back and I'll be pressing charges on you, your pet Death Eater and the Weasleys."
Dumbledore knew that he was screwed. Harry then left.
/Scene Break/
The train ride home was nice as Harry and his friends relaxed. He told them about his talk he had with Dumbledore.
"So you're going to let Ragnok handle everything?" Daphne asked.
"Yup, I told him to show no mercy, which made him smile" Harry said.
Daphne and Neville shivered.
"Bloody hell Harry, that is cold" Fred said.
"Yeah, but what are you going to do about our parents?" George asked.
"I'm not sure, I've never met them and I want to know why they were getting my money. So I'll heard them out before I judge them. Don't worry guys, you'll be safe" Harry said.
"Thank Harry" Fred said.
"Yeah, we hope mom and dad aren't in too deep" George said.
Little did they know that their parents were into it to their chests.
/Scene Break/
Harry met Hermione's parents at the station and told them that he'd like to visit them during the summer. The Grangers seemed alright with this since they saw how much their only daughter smiled. After seeing Hermione off Harry said hello to Neville's Gran and Daphne's parents with promises to visit them. He bypassed the redheads and apparated back to the founders' chambers.
/Scene Break/
Hermione had a lovely time chatting with her parents as they drove home. She told them all about her year and everything that she hadn't mention in her letters. Though she didn't tell them she was now betrothed to the boy they met at the station. Once home and her stuff put away she relaxed in her beanbag chair. She took a coin from her pocket and tapped it with her wand. She heard a silent pop, which made her turn. There stood Harry smiling at her.
"Harry!"
"Hey Mione" Harry greeted.
"I'm so happy to see you" Hermione said hugging him.
"Mione, it hasn't been that long since we parted you know" Harry said chuckling.
"I know, but I'm so used to being with you everyday that it's hard thinking about a day without you" Hermione said pouting.
"I know Mione, I know" Harry said stroking her hair.
"Hermione dear."
"Oh no, that's mom, you have to go now" Hermione whispered quickly.
Harry nodded and apparated away.
Hermione's mom opened the door and smiled.
"Dear, we have some tea downstairs for you" she said.
"Thank you mom, I'll be right down" Hermione said.
Mrs. Granger nodded and left.
Hermione let out a sigh of relief and then made her way downstairs.
/Scene Break/
A couple days into the summer Harry met with Nicholas in a nice muggle café. It was Harry idea since he felt safer in a muggle local rather then a magical one.
"Mr. Potter, it is good to see you" Nicholas said in greeting.
"It's good to see you Mr. Flamel" Harry said.
"Please call me Nick" Nicholas said.
Harry nodded.
"So how would these lesson go?" he asked.
"I'd first like to talk to their parent to get an okay from the first then after that I'll have you and whoever are able to participate come to my house to train every day" Nick said.
"I see, you do know that Hermione is a muggle-born" Harry said.
"That I do, but that doesn't matter since she is your betrothed and that means you have say over what she can do in the wizarding world" Nick said.
Harry was shocked.
"How'd you know that Hermione and I are betrothed?" he asked.
"I have my sources Mr. Potter, and don't worry I won't tell anyone" Nick said.
Harry relaxed a bit.
"Thank you Nick, we'd like to keep that secret for a bit" Harry said.
Nick nodded
"Well, I can tell you that Hermione and I are all for this" Harry said.
"Splendid, I'll talk to the Longbottoms, the Greengrasses, and the Weasleys" Nick said.
"Very well, until then?" Harry asked.
Nick nodded.
They shook hands and went their separate ways.
End of chapter
A/N: that's the end of this one. Thanks for reading and please review.