Hello there, I'm back again! Sorry this chapter took me longer than intended. Thanks for all the comments and responses to the previous chapter and to the fic in general for those that just started reading this. So many new follows and favs from the last chapter! I'm super grateful. I also got some great reviews and made some changes to help answer some of the questions/concerns that were posed, but overall this mostly follows my previous plans. I got messages from a couple of readers about Estella, but I won't use this fic to answer too many questions about her since those are mostly answered in my other fic. I'm trying to include her in this story when I need to use her to move the plot along and always around Ron or Hermione and from their POV. So, if anyone is curious about that character feel free to read my other story which even though it is not completed and caught up to this story yet.
Enjoy the new chapter and please continue review. I appreciate the comments and constructive criticism I've gotten so far.
One Kiss
After Anna agreed to explore other relationships Ron and Hermione thought they could be open about a fling and let it be part of the school gossip. After all it was allowed now. They held hands before a YPS meeting. Draco looked confused. Ginny had a small smile and Harry seemed to approve.
"Everyone will be here soon. Do you bloody want to get caught?" Estella asked furious.
Ron got annoyed at the overbearing witch, she maybe a friend that had helped but she was not their boss. "Anna agreed to try things with other people. There shouldn't be a problem –"
"Sweet Merlin!" she screamed and rolled her eyes. Draco started to laugh, he bloody laughed! Ron was ready bash his head in.
"Sorry, it's just… seriously?" Malfoy said.
"Stop it. It's not funny!" Estella answered.
"I know. But I either laugh or scream at seeing history repeat itself. I expect it from them but two smart witches like you and Granger acting stupidly?" Everyone in the room was angry now. Ron moved towards him ready to hex him.
"Don't," Harry said. "We have a meeting to start in less than ten minutes, we can't have leaders fighting."
"He's right. We need to be a united front," Hermione stated, trying to placate Ron. "You need to apologize," she added looking at Draco. "Estella and I are not stupid and our relationships are not jokes and –"
"Exactly! You are not stupid so you should realize that when you have a fling during the contract it's supposed to be like a joke, fun and brief. One time or at most a few sessions of snogging or shagging then done, preferably with discretion so the world doesn't realize you like the fling better than your intended. But one look at you two and anyone will be able to tell love is involved and he prefers you over Anna Davey."
"He's right," said Estella. "You can't do that. Love or even the suspicions of love could get you a one-way trip to Azkaban or at least a trial. You have to keep this quiet for everyone's sakes."
"I don't understand," Hermione answered. "Snogging or shagging is not an issue, but love is? How does that make sense? How can anyone tell the difference?"
"It's more about suspicions than truly being able to prove love. It goes back to –"
"I'm all for learning this, but we have no time," Harry stated.
"He's right," Ron said defeatedly, knowing Hermione wouldn't want to let go of something she didn't understand easily.
"After the meeting," she said looking at Estella and Draco. The Slytherins nodded in agreement.
The meeting passed and even though everyone got to practice the skills they needed there was an air of tension in the room. After all members left, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Estella, Ginny and Draco remained behind and sat at a small table the room provided.
"So?" Hermione asked.
"How much do you know about blood and bonding magic?" Estella asked looking at Ron and Ginny.
Ron looked confused. How did this relate to the contract and their current predicament? Still he answered, "It's rare. It's forbidden without the permission of at least two of the ancient ruling families."
"It's not quite dark magic, but it's close enough since intend defines the bond and its future," Ginny added.
"That's the basics of it. Do you know the last time your family approved a blood bond?" Estella asked.
Ron began to answer, "Of course not… only pureblood psychos –"
"Like my mother and Russel Swanson?" Estella interrupted.
"That's different," Ginny said.
"Not really, desperate times call for desperate measures. And intend is what matters, so whether it is for protection or power all pureblood families have used it."
"Even yours, the Weasleys have as much history as the rests of us pureblood psychos," Draco added.
Ron had about enough of Malfoy, but Hermione was already talking, "What does this have to do with Adstringo Matrimom?"
"The last time the Weasleys approved a blood bond it was in the late fifteen hundredths. It was a bond between pureblood Leanna Lufkin and a muggle, Lord Edward Kershew."
"The Burner of Witches," Harry stated.
"The muggle who married a witch, grew to resent her gifts and the wizards he saw as unfairly gifted and then he led the biggest hunt wizarding Britain has ever seen," Hermione added.
"That's the one. He killed more muggles than actual witches or wizards, but he did get a lot of our kind, especially young ones. Still, the Burner would have never gotten nearly as far as he without the protection of wizards," Estella said.
"That's not in any history book," Hermione answered.
"Why in the bloody hell would any wizard protect him?" Ron questioned.
"Because of a blood bond with house of Lufkin that required them to protect him or die. A bond approved by the Lufkins and their most trusted friends, the Weasleys," Estella stated. "Getting rid of the Burner and his mad muggles meant the death of every Lufkin who could handle a wand and the removal of status and council voting rights from the Weasleys."
"How do you know all that? I've never heard of the bond and our family being involved with anything related to the Burner. My family fought him and his men before all other witches and wizards," Ginny responded.
"We found the history of the bonds in scrolls in her libraries and vaults," Draco answered. "The Blacks have one of the most complete libraries of blood magic that there is and the Swansons have copies of almost any legal magical document you can think of. The Weasleys fought the Burner first because they were the first ones attacked since he knew of them."
"But, the Hogwarts' library and Ministry records say nothing like that! They mention the Burner of Witches and the fights needed to destroy him and his armies. And how that led to the Statute of Secrecy and mandatory Apparition training for all Hogwarts students. But there is nothing about the bond. The books say some of the Lufkins joined the Burner's muggles so they could rule over Britain. It says nothing about the Weasleys," Hermione argued.
"Of course, the library doesn't. Why would the ancient families allow access to blood magic to just anyone? Why give up control of the most important laws or even their documentation by letting non-pure wizards learn them?" Draco responded.
"What does it matter? So, the Weasleys approved a bond with the Burner that helped him get as far as he did, how does that matter now?" Harry asked.
"Because the Burner situation didn't just lead to the Statute of Secrecy and mandatory Apparition training. InfragilisMatrimom was also approved as a response to Leanna Lufkin and the Burner. Before that there were hundreds of years of… sort of freedom. Marriages were arranged in both the magical and muggle world but the only mandatory punishments for people who broke promises of marriages were shame and disinheritance. Prison and death were options if a family chose to punish their kin that way. They didn't have to do it," Estella stated. "Many of the great families did punish their children harshly, but the scrolls said the Weasleys, Lufkins and Lovegoods allowed several unarranged unions and the Swansons and Browns aimed at justice by deciding on punishment on those who broke marriage arrangements through family councils that allowed their kin to explain themselves. And they never killed them. After the Burner, Infragilis Matrimom was approved so that no leniency was possible and there were no grey areas for families to decide what justice meant."
"But, that's not Adstringo Matrimom," Hermione said.
"No, it's not," Draco answered. "Infragilis lasted only about fifteen years because it affected the wizarding world too negatively. You see under Infragilis any offense against the marriage contract, something as small as kissing someone who wasn't your intended was punished. The punishments were prison or death depending on the offense."
"Our world lost one to too many witches and wizards to the Burner and Infragilis added to the toll by killing or imprisoning anyone that made a stupid mistake, which led to shrinking numbers. To deal with the problem, what was left of the ruling families changed all marriage contracts to Adstringo Matrimom. The idea was that if approved couples went through with their marriages, small offenses and affairs would not lead to severe punishment," Estella said. "Severe punishment was only given for true love. I think… that they feared that freedom to find true love could lead to a repeat of the Burner. They didn't want to risk couples that were not under the contract to fall in love and use blood bonds to protect themselves from punishment."
"And conveniently Muggles, Muggleborns and Half-bloods cannot be in a marriage contract," Hermione said sarcastically.
"Unfair yes, but you have to admit that the laws have avoided a repeat of the Burner," Draco said.
Hermione felt outraged, "How can you –"
"Again, I'm not saying it's fair or right. I'm just saying that whether we like it or not, the law has met its goals."
"And what would those bloody goals be? Keeping us alive just to make us miserable!" Ginny argued.
Estella sighed and spoke, "The goals of Adstringo Matrimom were simple. First and foremost, ensure that purebloods continued to exist and pass their traditions to future generations. Second, restrain the use of magical bonds so that only purebloods could use them and even among purebloods such bonds would be registered with at least two members of the ruling families and were not to be made to oppose the law. And finally, to punish the descendants of the Lufkins and Weasleys."
"What? How?" Ron asked outraged.
"I found a scroll that said three Lufkins that were younger than five had been allowed to live. Yet, there are no descendants we know of."
"No pureblood in their right mind wanted to contract their children to what was left of the Lufkins and after the Burner they were not allowed to mingle with Muggles. So, the line died out," Draco said.
"As for your family, I found evidence of one payment for a contract with a Swanson in eighteen ninety-five," Estella said.
"What? We're related?"
"No, I'm adopted. But I reckon that even your family is probably related to the Dark Lords' somehow so I'm guessing there must be some relation between us." Ron gave her look of annoyance. "Back to the point. The scroll I found outlined that the Weasleys would pay to have Breanna Swanson marry their first son William Weasley. And it wasn't a small dowry. The Swanson's gained two houses, the right to a business and a third of a vault filled with gold. Breanna and William would abide by Adstringo Matrimom and if he did anything to brake the contract the Weasleys would have to pay house of Swanson twice what was already given at contract time and defend Breanna in front of the Winzengamot and the ruling families."
"Basically, after the Weasleys lost favour with the rest of the ancient families, no one wanted to enter a contract with them and they have spent most their old fortune paying to get their children a chance to marry," Draco added.
Anger beamed out of Hermione and Ron. Ginny looked like she was going to sick, but she needed to know. "Do you know… do you know if they still do this? Did mum and dad?"
Estella took her hand and tried to provide comfort, "I'm sorry." There was a moment of silence, but Estella got the hint and talked some more. "I don't know everything. I… when I first found out George was engaged I needed to know more. I started searching for more information about Adstringo Matrimom and his contract. To be honest I didn't make progress until… my aunt. She realized what I was doing. She could always see right through me," Estella said sadly. "Aunt Esther was… well I ended up telling her everything, about George, the YPS and everything. She gave me scrolls to read, got a copy of George's contract from the Ministry and explained most of what I'm telling you. Right before Christmas, she told me that… your parents gave the Edgecombes two hundred galleons and the rights to own a quarter of Dartmouth Harbour to get them to sign the contract between Chloe and George. They also agreed to use the Burrow as a collateral in case anyone broke the contract in addition to the mandatory trial to Azkaban. My aunt said that the last major entitlements the Weasleys had from being one of the ancient families were Darthmouth and Sutton Harbours and they were probably using those to pay for all their children's contracts."
Ron and Ginny looked like they wanted to either cry or beat something to death. Hermione couldn't stand it. "How does this help us? All you have managed is to make them feel horrible and we have gained nothing useful. You haven't told us about a way out of it," she said accusingly.
"That's because there is no way out!" Draco yelled defending himself and his friend.
"There has to be!"
"There is," Estella murmured. Hermione and Ron looked up with hope. "But it won't help you," the Slytherin witch argued. "The only way out is to have a family renounce the contract and set the price to pay before their children turn five. Uncle Ralph and Aunt Esther were the first of the line of Swanson to do that, for Ely and for me. They swore to pay a million galleons, give up two Manors, and six farms to get us off the contract. They still had to sign a new contract which forbade any Swanson descendant from ever performing a blood bond with a Muggle, muggle-born or half-blood. The payment was supposed to be due when Ely married, but now I guess I'll pay if I ever do. That is the only way."
"Or to have your intended die," Draco added. Estella looked like she had been punched in the gut. "What? It's the truth. Those are the only two ways and neither are an option for us now."
"There has to be something else! Something you missed!" Hermione argued.
"I wish that –"
"I don't care what you wish! There has to be a way out of this!" Hermione insisted. She had been hoping that the next few years would buy them time and she would find would find something that would free Ron.
"Merlin, you think that Ron deserves a way out. That you two should have a way to be together," Estella said.
"You got a way out! You got George."
"That doesn't mean we deserved a thing! I… you may think I got lucky, but... Do you think George and I just get to be bloody happy that Chloe Edgecombe died? Am I supposed to be thankful for the attack that killed Ely, Mel and Severus? Could you do that if Anna died in the war along… say Harry, Lily, baby Cassi, Ginny? Is George supposed to forget that before Chloe was killed she was afraid and wanted him by her side, but he left her to follow me? She faced the Hands of Terror alone when he could have been there. Could Ron forget something like that?" Estella answered in a tone that was a mix of anger and despair all at once.
Hermione looked troubled, "Of course not. I… I'm sorry. I just hoped that there was another way. I need to believe –"
Estella had already stood and started to walk away before interrupting Hermione, "I will give you copies of the scrolls I got about the contract. I'll even bring you into the Swanson and Black libraries at some point and you can search for whatever it is you think you need. Just be discrete, accept what could happen and remember that Anna is not the enemy. My father and brother are."
Estella left the room. Harry asked her to wait, but realizing that she had paid him no mind he followed her. Malfoy gave the rest of the room an angry look before speaking. "I hope you reconsider showing your little affair to the world." Everyone gave him a look of annoyance. "I know all of you hate pureblood politics and don't pay them any attention. But Estella and I have been learning how the game is played and you sooner or later you should too. Things could get much worse."
Draco stood and begun to exit, but Hermione stopped him and asked, "How could things get worse?"
"Ten of the twelve ancient ruling families still live and they are voting on whether to replace the empty spots in the ruling council with new people. It's been over five hundred years since a new family was chosen for that. Who do you think is high enough in wealth and history to become part of those who decide? What do you think they would do if they felt the threat of love and possible bonding with someone who is not a pureblood? As bad as Adstringo Matrimom is, I'd rather not have us die."
Hermione felt her stomach drop, "Who are the families in the council?"
"The Blacks, Lestranges, Rookwoods, Notts, Swansons, Lovegoods, Edgecombes, Macmillans and Browns have voting rights. Weasleys could sit in and argue if they he wanted to, but not vote. The Lufkins and Potters have no representative since they have died out. As for possibilities for Lufkin and Potter replacements if voting for that happens, things look… difficult."
"Why? Who are the possible replacements?" Ginny asked.
"The Mulcibers, the Avery's, my father, the McDavols," he said, making everyone look horrified. "It's not all bad. The McClaggens are good nominees and some in the council are working on getting Master Scamander to come out of retirement and McGonagall is considering leaving Hogwarts to join. But, Scamander married an American and McGonagall has no descendants."
"What about Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
"No one with lines directly related to the founders can be in there. That's why we can't have Dumbledore or Professor Sprout resign and join, they're direct descendants of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff."
"What's the absolute worst that can happen?" Hermione asked.
"If you two are found guilty of breaking Adstringo Matrimom because of love the Ministry would send you to Azkaban and take the Burrow. But after that, the council has the option to revise your case and the law. They are above the Ministry and they haven't revised any aspect of Adstringo Matrimom in over a century. The families that are with the Black Hand and the Death Eaters might want to bring Infragilis back. The Edgecombes might join them out of spite since they were never able to get witnesses or any proof that George and Estella were in love before the train attack and they'd be happy to make Weasleys pay in some way. Estella and Uncle Sirius would try to get you off completely and could probably get crazy Xeno to go along. So it would be up to the Browns, the Macmillans and, if elected, the new families. We'd have to know who those are before we make any guesses. But if the law changes and is made retroactive, any of us could be accused at any point."
"Figured this wasn't about us. You just want to protect your own skin," Ron said sarcastically.
"Of course, I do! But this is still bigger than you or me! Who do you think the council would find guilty if it's mostly hands of terror and death eaters in power? How many blokes has your sister kissed besides Longbottom? Corner at least. And there is also the fantastic rumour about shagging Snape now. And Brown, and Finnegan and half the YPS? And others who are not your friends but are also not with Marcus and the Dark Lord? How do you think we'd fare under Infragilis Matrimom?"
It took a few days after that conversation for Estella and Draco to talk to the other Gryffindors, except Harry who she met with daily. When Estella did approach, her previous friendly demeanour seemed tentative at best. She shared scrolls, discussed some YPS issues and was ready to move on.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said one time when they were alone. Estella nodded and gave her a half smile. "I want your help with scrolls and the contract and the YPS. I appreciate your advice. But there is more than that. Estella, you're my friend. I miss my friend. What else can I –"
Estella interrupted, "It's alright. I'm not angry with you… it's just that… your situation reminds me too much of the past and distracts me from what we need to worry about now. We should be focused on what the Black Hand is planning and how to counter them. I should be thinking about Swanson Island, my family's businesses, Unspeakable training and the council of ruling families. Instead you and Ron have brought back memories I would rather not think of. I love George. He makes me so happy. He's… everything. But –"
"Don't, don't say but to you and George. I'm so sorry if we made you remember bad things. But never doubt that you deserve to be together."
"Maybe, but maybe the price was too high. Is our happiness worth so many lives? Will it even last? If I had just let Marcus take me, Ely and Mel would be alive and George could find someone who is not an heir of darkness," she said in a soft sad tone.
"No! I know I implied that you are lucky. I'm sorry. I was desperate over the contract and felt jealous and angry and I didn't think. You're among few people who can be happy and enjoy a relationship out in the open based on love and not stupid contracts and traditions. Love is within your grasp. Seize it, enjoy it, hold onto it. I want the best for you and George. Don't doubt that because of my stupid words, please," Hermione said and took a hold of her friend's hand.
"Thanks," Estella said as she squeezed her hand back.
After that things between them were back to normal. Estella gave Hermione access to a lot of information and even Draco helped when he could. "I'd be more than happy if you find something that make us all less engaged," he had stated.
Sadly, her reading mostly led to confirming everything the Slytherins had said. She had not found any leads on how to break the contract without going to Azkaban and having the Weasley's lose the Burrow. And if what Draco explained about the council was true things could get worse. Hermione didn't discuss much of the research with Ron or anyone. It had taken a few days for him and Ginny to stop thinking of everything Estella and Draco had said about their family and Hermione didn't want to bring it up again. She still remembered how hard it had been for Ron.
"I feel like I don't know them," Ron had said sadly. "It's like… I love mum and dad and I always thought our family was brave and stood up for what was right, but now I..."
"Now you just have a family. Ron, they're not perfect. Maybe they're not what you thought. But you have your parents and they are fighting the Black Hand. They're trying and even if they are flawed you have them in your life."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to remind you –"
"It's alright, I just don't want you to hold onto anger against them. Just in case something happens. We should cherish all the people we have in our lives, just in case."
"You're amazing, you know that," he murmured before kissing her. They made love slowly after that, cherishing every second of their union.
They reached a new sort of normality for a few weeks. Ron took time to train with McGonagall to better control his powers. Sometimes they involved Estella and Harry but McGonagall said he should try to do some things alone. He explained a bit of what they did and Hermione could not help but beam at him as he explained how his power depended mostly on raw emotion so his main goal was to figure out how to call upon his emotional intensity but keep it under control.
Hermione's time alone with Ron was mostly wonderful. They talked and dreamed and made love, but she sometimes felt that their connection was not whole since they had the contract in the back of their minds. They kept their secret as best as they could and used the hidden room in the Dungeons as well as the room of requirement for their meetings. Their friends continued to help them hide their love, even Draco, who grumbled, still helped make up excuses when they went missing. "Well someone has to come up with better things than she helping him study or him teaching her to fly of all things," he said after hearing Harry say that to Anna. That was probably the strangest part of their new normal. Anna had become friends with Estella and Harry. Estella argued that it wasn't so much friendship as the girl admiring the YPS leaders.
"She thinks we're some sort of heroes after hearing about the last two years," Harry said with annoyance.
"And we should use that to our advantage," Estella added, trying to bring up his spirits. Harry smiled at her with that glint in his eye that Hermione and Ron now understood.
Their normal uneventful state ended one day when Ron and Hermione found Harry in the boys' dorm. He sat on his bed with his arms resting on his bent knees. His eyes looked down to the bed and his hands held onto the sides of his head.
"Harry?" Ron asked. Their friend did not respond. He was still as a statue. "What's wrong? Mate?"
"You're scaring me Harry. Did something happen to Cassi? Lily?" Hermione questioned as they approached him. Harry looked up at them with his eyes brimming with tears waiting to be spilled.
"No," Harry murmured. "No one's hurt."
"Then what is it, mate?" Ron asked.
"I… I… kissed her," Harry whispered.
"Estella?" Hemione muttered. Harry nodded and trained his eyes on the covers of the bed. He looked lost. Ron and Hermione looked at each other unsure of what to say. But Harry's low voice ended the uncomfortable silence.
"It was stupid. I know she loves George. She's said so… many times. She practically glows when she comes back from seeing him… I know this. I was just… weak… a bloody fool."
"Don't say that," Hermione argued. "You're an amazing –"
"Friend," Harry interrupted sounding miserable. "That's what Estella said. I'm her dearest friend."
Ron and Hermione remained quiet. Ron tried to speak, but every time he began to open his mouth he closed it again. What was he supposed to say? She'll change her mind. You're better than my brother. There was no right answer.
It took a while, but eventually Harry told them that Estella's first response after the kiss had been to whisper, "George." Then she had tried to comfort Harry. She said he was wonderful and any witch would be lucky to have him. She explained that she loved him. She loved him like she loved Draco, like she had loved Ely. He had known she was in love with George, but deep down a part of him wondered if only she knew of his feeling how that may change. Now he knew it wouldn't. She loved George and that was that. Still, it seemed to do some good for Harry to tell his friends what happened and how he felt. How one kiss had suddenly changed everything.
Two days later they headed to town for the usual Hogsmeade weekend. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat at a table in the Three Broomsticks enjoying a butter beer. They saw Draco sitting with Pansy Parkinson at another table and actually smiling. "That's strange," Ron commented since usually Malfoy would be with Estella during these trips and he had never seemed to enjoy being around Parkinson. Hermione shrugged even though she knew that Dumbledore had allowed Estella to go to Diagon Alley, which explained her absence. But, she wasn't going to say that in front of Harry. It would only make him miserable to know she went to see George.
They were on their way back to the castle when it happened. Harry stopped and in a tone full of dread said, "Estella." He clutched at his chest and began to run. Ron and Hermione quickly followed and noticed he was heading towards the Shrieking Shack. The old house seemed alive and a grey glow emanated from the cracks between the boards of the construction. The residents of Hogsmeade were retreating into their houses and shops and Hogwarts' students were being directed to head back to the castle by the teachers. Harry paid no mind, he ran towards the shack. When they arrived, they ran into Draco and Ginny. The Slytherin was using the Bombarda spell to open the main door. They got inside and suddenly a horrible feeling of despair took over them. Hermione fell on her knees unable to move. She felt tears begin to flow and soon was sobbing uncontrollably. She felt like her chest was tightening and a deep pain emanated from that area along with nausea and light-headedness. It was the kind of feeling that rendered you useless. She had not felt this way since that night… the night that her parents died.
Hermione looked next to her and saw Ginny on the floor, clutching at her chest, right where her heart would be. Ron was breathing hard and looked pale but was not crying and tried to help her and his sister. Draco kneeled in a similar state as them but managed to say, "Go… make her… take this," and handed a vial to Harry. Harry stood next to them looking confused at their state. "Go Snape… Make her stop," Draco begged between tears before he wretched. Hermione saw Harry rush upstairs and after several minutes, the pain ended.
"Are you alright?" Ron asked. Hermione nodded as she felt the horrible feeling dissipate. Ron took deep breaths as he helped everyone stand.
"What… was that?" Hermione panted, still feeling light headed.
"Emomaster," Draco gasped out.
"It was Estella," Ron added. "I've… felt something similar before… when McGonagall had us practice using our powers together. But… never like this."
"She's in trouble," Draco said, his voice sounding stronger. He stood up and started heading upstairs. The rest followed still intrigued at what exactly was going on. They got to the top and as they neared a door they heard Estella's weak voice, "Don't leave me."
"Never," Harry replied.
They entered the room and the sight was not something they expected. Estella was cradled in Harry's arms. Her skin looked grey and clammy. The hair around her forehead was wet from sweat and her lips look a strange shade of purple blue. She seemed unconscious except her hands were clasped on Harry's sweater. Harry held her gently and kissed the top of her head then whispered, "It's okay. It's okay." Hermione then noticed the Kyklos Proctais amulets on both Harry's and Estella's necks. They solidly glowed blue.
Sorry for the limited Romonie and the lack of smut and fun on this one. But well the plot thickens and there are now so many more things going on :)