As I did not write the Harry Potter series I am not the original author, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 8 Christmas in Paris Part 2a ( as FFN refuses to take the whole thing)
At 10:45 the next day a limousine that had been waiting for them outside the hotel dropped the five of them off at the entrance to the Paris version of Diagon Alley. Gringotts Paris showed none of the quirky architecture that Gringotts London displayed. To be honest it was a formal 17th century style building. Once inside Sirius lead the group to a side desk where he spoke quickly with a goblin who had another goblin lead them to an ornate back room. Where a third goblin greeted them saying, "Lord Black thank you for being prompt. I take it this is the young man."
"Yes, this is my godson Harry James Potter."
The goblin looked appraisingly at Harry for a moment before asking, "Mr. Harry James Potter do you agree with your Godfather's plan to adopt you?"
Harry took a breath then remembered what he and Hermione had discussed this morning. "I would like your council I an concerned and wonder if you foresee any problems or hazards in this regarding me."
The goblin raised an eyebrow in surprise looking at Sirius who was looking between Harry and the goblin stunned. "I take it you did not discuss this with your godfather in advance."
"No, he is occasionally negligent on thinking through the repercussions of his actions." Harry replied trying his hardest to keep a formal tone and actually succeeding for a change.
The goblin steeped his fingers tapping the tips together. "Yet you trust me to inform you?"
Harry nodded his agreement explaining, "My few dealings with goblins have revealed them to always answer a direct question honestly. Thus my direct question to you."
The goblin seemed to reach a decision, "Then regarding becoming the Black Heir; other than annoying those would currently profit from Mr. Black's passing. I did check the Potter trust and thanks to some wording one of your ancestors inserted I see no problems there. The only problem I see is you might wish to either have two wives or if you have only one wife then give one son the sir name Potter and another Black to restart the Black family line while continuing your own."
"Thank you," Harry replied looking to Hermione who was wondering why Harry was looking at her so intently. Thinking he was asking her opinion she started to nod only to stop before making any motion as Harry turned to face the goblin. After a moments pause Harry formally said, "I agree to become Sirius Black's heir."
Before Harry said anything further Hermione said, "Ask him about the Potter ring," watching as the goblin's eyes lit up at her comment.
Harry nodded turning to the goblin he asked, "Should I expect any negative surprises from wearing the Potter heir ring?"
"Nothing negative will happen." The goblin replied and checked a timepiece before saying, "Right on schedule." Before having Harry and Sirius stand facing each other holding hands. A group of goblins entered and a short ritual involving Sirius's and Harry's blood along with chanting and finger waggles by the group of goblins the goblin that started everything said, "It is done Mr. Potter is now your heir. How is he to be addressed?"
Sirius looked towards Harry who said, "Harry James Potter-Black."
"Very well. Now as to the rings…" the goblin said turning back to his desk and opening a drawer.
Sirius walked over and selected one ring turning to Harry he said, "I wore this ring until I was cast out from the family. I would suggest the ring finger on your right hand. When I die it will automatically be replaced with this one." Sirius held up his left hand showing the Black head of house ring resting on his ring finger.
Harry took the ring placing it on his right hand. After watching the ceremony in silence Hermione couldn't resist asking, "Why the right hand when yours is on your left?"
"Because his left ring finger is for this ring," the goblin said removing a ring from the second tray. Addressing Harry he said, "Mr. Potter your Potter heir ring." Holding out the ring to Harry.
Harry took the ring placing it on his left hand ring finger. No sooner was it on his finger than the Potter ring suddenly shimmered becoming heavier and resembling Sirius's ring in its intricacy. Glancing between the two he noticed the stones had a silver inlay of B on his right while the left had a gold inlay of P.
Looking to Sirius he asked in confusion, "Sirius?"
Sirius looked at his godson who had his gaze fixed on his left hand. "Harry that is the Head of Family ring for House Potter. You are now Potter of House Potter."
"Actually Lord Black he is Lord Potter of House Potter and as heir presumptive of house Black he is entitled to the title Master of Black. As Lord Potter he ranks higher than you on the peerage listing. The Potters having been ennobled by a Scottish King several decades prior to the Blacks being ennobled by a British king," the goblin said speaking up.
Hermione carefully noted all of Harry's titles knowing he'd be asking her late what it all meant. While her parents had last night's conversation coming back to them. If he followed through with the proposal just what was their daughter in for.
"Lord Potter would you kindly escort the Granger's to the lobby. I have a few loose ends to tie up and I'll be right with you." Sirius said to Harry winking when he noticed the look of annoyance on his godson, now heir's face.
Coming out of the Goblin's office a few minutes later Sirius approached the waiting group saying, "This does not need to be explained here. We've taken up enough of this individual's time. Let's go grab some lunch and I'll explain everything to the best of my ability."
As they were headed for the door a goblin approached them saying, "Mr. Black you forgot these," passing him five small cards.
"Good I'll give them these when I explain everything. Thank you for your time." Sirius said urging everyone out the door not stopping until they were seated in a muggle café for lunch.
"Mr. Evans?" Jane asked aware that now they were in the muggle world his name had changed.
"Just a few more moments." Paddy replied casting hush and other privacy wards from under the table. Finished he said, "That's done. Now first things first, Harry your name is a bit confusing. Legally you are; Lord Potter, Master of Black, Harry Potter, Harry Potter-Black and James Evans."
"Five names?" Harry asked surprised at his status change.
"That's actually the easy part of the whole thing. I'll go over some of it tomorrow." Catching a look from Hermione Sirius added, "If Harry approves you can join Hermione," causing the girl to look towards Harry.
"You know I'll want you there," Harry replied when he caught her look.
Passing two cards to both Harry and Hermione he said, "These are credit cards for both of you one draws on the Potter accounts and the other draws on the Black accounts. They are for any expenses you run into."
Paying attention to the business at hand Hermione asked, "What's the card's limit?"
"Don't know if either has one. I wouldn't spend over 500,000 pounds a week per account though." Sirius replied off handedly.
Jane Granger's jaw dropped she couldn't believe what had just been said. Hermione felt the same way, "How much?" she asked.
"That is you and Harry combined of course."
"Oh of course." Hermione replied as if the ability to spend that much was an everyday occurrence for her.
"Keep it up too long and you might do some minor damage to your accounts."
"How long is too long?" Alan asked trying to sound calm.
"Oh two years or so at the maximum per week," Sirius replied a smile gracing his lips.
Alan sat in shock wondering just how much money this boy had at his disposal that it would take 50 million pounds to do minor damage and what was going on with his daughter being passed her own cards. He knew Harry intended to propose but really.
Harry smiled at Hermione saying, "I guess lunch is on us then."
After a leisurely lunch Harry picked up the tab then the five of them spent the afternoon on a highlight tour of the main tourist sites in Paris.
Thanks to the excellent driving of their chauffeur they stepped out of their Mercedes limousine outside of Les Ambassadeurs with a few moments to spare. Jane actually enjoyed the attention the group of five gathered as they made their way inside were the Maitre-d met them quickly escorting them to their table in the corner. "The room is quite grand," Jane said wanting to complement Paddy for arranging all this.
"Yes it is although my only request was that I have my back to a wall and have a reasonably good view of the room," Paddy replied.
Alan was tempted to reply 'Paranoid much,' but then he remembered the stories Hermione had written about this kind man and decided it was probably true. The man needed to be aware of what was going on around him to feel comfortable enough to relax. He'd seen the same thing in one or two members of his country club. One of whom was reputed to always have a weapon of some sort within arms reach. Given the way the man played golf he suspected one of his clubs would function quite well in that regard without hurting his game.
The meal was a unique experience for Harry having only seen standard English fare the Dursleys ate and Hogwarts caloric laden fare. The menu was full of dishes he couldn't pronounce let alone understand, He'd resorted to letting Hermione order for him and what he ate was great. Between her flawless French and winning smile Hermione charmed the entire wait staff, getting little treats from the kitchen to complement their meal. Alan was gushing about the wines to everyone and when Harry looked over, there sat his godfather a big smile on his face obviously enjoying the evening.
Hours later the Limousine dropped them off at their hotel, everyone making their way up to their rooms. In his room Harry took out the boxes with the Potter and Black engagement rings Sirius had slipped him in the men's room after dinner thinking tomorrow he would propose to Hermione. As he went about getting ready for bed he finally realized what that nagging itch in his mind was trying to remind him about. Today was the winter solstice tomorrow would not be. While it wouldn't mean much in the muggle world it held the potential to mean quite a bit in the Magical world. Tying his hotel robe tight Harry slipped the two boxes into the robes pocket.
Hermione heard the knock at her door while in the middle of a yawn. She'd just gotten out of her clothes and was setting things in order for tomorrow grabbing a robe off the back of the bathroom door she tied it and checked her appearance in a mirror before going to the door. "Harry what… can't this wait until tomorrow?" she asked upon seeing him outside her room.
Sucking up his courage Harry replied, "I want to do this on the Solstice. It will only take a moment alright?"
"Alright but I'm not letting you in. it wouldn't be proper." Hermione replied glancing up the hall wondering if her parents were planning to make a stop to say goodnight.
Nodding Harry dropped to one knee in the hall drawing a gasp from Hermione whose thought of, 'Oh my God' alternated with 'Oh Merlin' rapidly in her mind as Harry pulled out a box. Causing her thoughts to shift to 'No don't tell me he is…. Right here?'
Her thoughts were stopped by the simple phrase, "Hermione I love you and can't imagine living without you. Will you marry me?"
Hermione could not believe she was having trouble replying. Finally with tears of joy running down her cheeks she managed to squeak out, "Yes, oh Merlin yes. Harry I accept. I would love to be your wife," while holding out her left hand for the ring.
Once the ring was securely on her finger Hermione tackled Harry kissing him like she'd always wanted to. They mastered breathing through their noses early on and now they settled into caressing each other's tongue with their own while their hands were caressing each other's body through their bed clothes.
They were snuggling into each other's embrace Harry trying to stay away from in appropriate areas and Hermione determined to convey that there were no such areas on her body at least were Harry was concerned They were still snogging in her open door five minutes later when Alan and Jane came to say goodnight to Hermione.
Both teens had messed hair, bruised looking lips, and mussed but still intact clothing. "I take it something's happened between the two of you." Jane asked.
"Harry and I are engaged." Hermione announced holding up her left hand so her parents could see the ring.
Pleased the boy had done as he stated Jane was still the mother of a sixteen year old daughter. "I hope this isn't where you plan on sleeping tonight." She said a bit of frost in her voice.
"Not at all. I was planning to sleep in my room. I just wanted to let Hermione know what she meant to me," Harry said looking Jane in the eye. Before his hand brushed his robe hitting the other ring box causing him to add, "Whoops I forgot one," as he pulled the other box out.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Hey I get a Potter ring and a Black ring so you do too," Harry said opening the box to reveal the engagement ring for the Black heir, which he slipped on the ring finger of her right hand. Under her mother's watchful gaze the two teens said their good nights. Alan walked Harry back to his room where he bade him good night while Jane had a few words about the behavior she expected with her daughter. She was approaching the Pissarro Suite when she noticed Paddy coming out of his room.
Sirius asked, "Did you find them?" as he saw Jane approach.
"Yes, it seems your godson works quite fast. My daughter couldn't wait flashing me the ring as she inform me they were engaged. I told them they have five minutes to get to bed, their own beds in their own rooms. Then Alan waited for Harry and escorted him to his room." Jane said
Sirius nodded thinking that was a smart move on their part before asking, "Do you two mind having a discussion. I think you two need a bit more information about the wizarding world."
"Not at all, I was hoping to question you about that sometime this holiday," Jane replied opening the door and motioning to one of the chairs in the sitting room noting that Alan had already returned from threatening Harry.
Sirius nodded in understanding, "Things have changed for you and your daughter."
"Why?" Alan asked.
"Now your daughter is not Hermione Granger muggle born witch. She is Lady Potter in-waiting the future wife of Lord Harry Potter the head of a noble house."
"I am not going to like what that means am I?" Jane Granger asked an edge to her voice.
"Probably not." Sirius agreed wondering just how to break this bit of news.
"And what does the change in status mean?" Alan said after a moment's silence.
Deciding to just be up front about it Sirius replied, "The school has no input in any decision regarding Hermione. Those are now the responsibility of the head of house Potter, or to put it another way Harry's."
"Her boyfriend is in charge of my daughter's schooling!" Jane bellowed an instant before her husband did.
Sirius shrugged and decided it was best to get it all out, "Her betrothed is in charge of that along with everything else," He said quietly.