A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
-oOo-
Chapter 14
-oOo-
March 10, 1997
London, England
"Thank you all for coming today," Amelia opened the meeting. "I want to start the meeting with the budget. Head Williams, would you go over the generalities and then any specifics that will need to be brought to the Wizengamot next week?"
The brunette woman opened the folder before her. "My office has sent out the proposal to all departments and Wizengamot members. After the reviews of essential personnel were received last month, the Finance department is suggesting a thirty percent cut to our current budget. This will reduce our annual operating budget to a little over one-million galleons in salary, building maintenance and major services. With this cut, there are two options. If we don't want to lay off anyone, it will be a twenty percent pay cut across the board with a five percent work force reduction, or a fifteen-percent reduction in our work force," the woman said.
"How much is fifteen percent of our work force?" Lady Exeter enquired.
"One-hundred and twelve people," Head Williams replied.
"Wait, I thought the Ministry employed almost two-thousand," a shocked Lord Galston asked.
"I have posted the numbers every month. The Ministry had one-thousand, one-hundred and thirty-two employees in June of last year. After the fall of You-Know-Who, two hundred and fourteen employees were killed or never returned to work. Since then, a hundred and eight employees have resigned, forty-three have retired and fifteen have been severed due to performance or legal issues. The Ministry currently has seven-hundred and fifty-two employees," the small brunette woman told them.
"Merlin, we are requiring people to have more children and you want to cut jobs!" Lady Exeter exclaimed.
"Lady Exeter, we have been talking about this for months, why are you so surprised now?" Augusta challenged.
"I just thought that was a joke. How much are we talking about in galleons?" Lady Exeter demanded.
"A reduction of three-hundred and eighty-four thousand galleons," Head Williams replied.
"What about all the taxes we took in from the estates?" Lord Galston questioned.
"We took in three-million, three-hundred and ten thousand. Seven-hundred and forty thousand were approved for improvements and staffing changes at Hogwarts. Four-hundred and sixty thousand was allocated to the Ministry payouts for workers hurt or killed in the battle last June. Three-hundred and twenty thousand was allocated to shore up the retirement fund when it was found Fudge and others had been using it as a slush fund..."
The woman stopped when Amelia rose her hand. "How much do we have left?"
"Eight-hundred and thirty thousand in the general funds with a projected eight-hundred and twenty thousand from taxes and the estate taxes have been downgraded to about five-million four-hundred and thirty thousand. The current bills to provide more assistance to the first-born couples, improvements to Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and the Ministry, not to mention the sewer system of Hogsmeade, is projected to run about one-point-two million. Add to that the current one-point-five million general operational expenses of the Ministry and the bill last year to establish a two-million galleon reserve fund... things are going to run tight. My department still projects we may be insolvent in five years if we keep spending this way without raising taxes and reducing costs," Head Williams said a little hotly.
"You heard the woman," Amelia cut over any other arguments. "These are the recommendations. I will not have the Ministry on a five-year schedule to self-destruct. Either find ways to fix this or follow the recommendations in the report. I personally put my support behind my Finance department. I have reviewed the numbers and paid attention to them the last six months. If you don't find a different way by next Tuesday, I will be riding you all hard to vote on this, or I will use executive orders."
She met the eyes of each of her Heads of Departments and the six Wizengamot members here. When they didn't challenge her, she turned to Head Parkinson. "How have people taken the Ministry matches?"
"Out of the two-hundred and fifty-seven matches sent out, we have received back two-hundred and seventeen confirmations. Twenty-three matches have had one or both refuse. I sent out the letters letting anyone know what will happen if they either don't accept or find another by March thirtieth," Parkinson replied.
She nodded. "What about those that didn't refuse?"
"They have until March. If they do not find a match, we will redraw anyone that is willing," Roberta replied.
Amelia nodded. "How many weddings where there?"
"Fifty-four marriages in the last three weeks. I have heard seeing Harry Potter and his new wife on the front cover of the Daily Prophet has calmed down many. To see the Boy-Who-Lived following the laws is a huge help," Parkinson said rather happily. "That was a stroke of genius, Minister."
"It was nothing of the sort. I performed the ceremony. He didn't want anyone knowing about it, but I encouraged him and Lavender Potter to give a press release and some pictures from the wedding. I can tell you that will be the last endorsement we will see from the Potters. Neither of them want to be in the spotlight and Scion Potter does not have a good view of the Ministry from past experiences," Amelia said, trying to shut down any other thoughts on the matter.
Amelia may not have been able to spend much time with the Potters, but Susan had in the last six months. Susan had told her how much Harry didn't like the spotlight. He had also come off as a nice young man that was facing the proliferation laws with a dignity many years older than him were not. She also liked Lavender. Susan and Hannah had always been close, but her niece seemed to have really expanded her close friend group. Mostly thanks to Hannah and those that revolved around Harry and the Weasleys.
"It would really help if we could get a larger interview, maybe track how they do over the next year or two. I am sure everyone will want to know all about their first child..." Parkinson replied excitedly.
"I will say this once. The Ministry of Magic will not approach the Potters or anyone around them about giving any interviews or publicity on this. If they choose to do so of their own accord, then so be it. Is that clear?" Amelia glared at the woman.
"Yes, Minister," Parkinson replied.
"Anything else?"
Parkinson smiled. "St. Mungo's has confirmed the first pregnancies under the new laws. We are set to give out the first payments in March."
Amelia nodded.
"Headmistress, how many new married couples will be coming back?"
"Three in addition to the two we already have. I have talked with Head Parkinson. Eight more have registered to marry around Easter and I expect the rest over the summer. Is it really necessary that those that refuse to be arrested?" Minerva put out there.
"Arrested, no. But they must comply," Unspeakable number two answered.
Minerva pursed her lips. "I have four students that will be affected if they choose not to accept their match. I would prefer that Aurors not show up to arrest my students. Wouldn't that be some negative press for this?"
Amelia frowned and looked to Roberta. "Are these some of those that are not accepting the matches?"
"Yes. One of each pair has rejected the match," Roberta replied.
"If only one rejected the match, is it possible that the ones that are accepting could be paired again?" Lord Chang suggested.
"We can run the match and tell you if they will be accepted. That way only two of your students are affected," Unspeakable number one offered.
"That would go against the rules we published," Parkinson said a little heatedly.
"If some are not willing to accept, I don't see why we need to punish those that will. Do you want the press to talk about this?" Amelia put to the woman.
Parkinson frowned. "No, that would be bad, Minister Bones."
"Not all of us are pleased with the matches, but I think this the best way forward," Lord Chang voiced his opinion.
"I agree. Head Parkinson, make it happen," Amelia ordered.
"Yes, Minister. I will contact the other couples as well and provide this option," said Roberta.
"Good. Now, there is a major overhaul on Muggleborn and partial-creature rights that will have the initial vote at the Spring Equinox. I want to go over the changes to rules in the Ministry and other institutions, as well as the offer for those not bound by the covenant to get the first-born child bonus and possibly the next two," Amelia put to them.
"I will have to add that into my budget calculations," Head Williams said, sounding put out.
-oOo-
January 11, 1997
London, England
Hermione was pleased to meet Dean outside the barrier. She gave him a quick kiss as his mum and hers shared pleasantries.
"Miss me?" Dean asked a little cheekily, giving her another peck.
"Perhaps," she replied coyly. She hadn't seen him for almost a week and found that she had really missed him over the break. They had only seen each other four times in the last three weeks.
"Right, you two behave and have a good semester. We'll see you at Easter," her mum said, giving her a hug.
"You remember to treat Hermione well and enjoy yourself," Dean's mum told him. "I also want to see your Charms and herbology grade to get back up."
"I'll make sure he studies, Erica," Hermione assured Dean's mum.
"Do I get a reward if I do?" Dean asked her.
His mum chuckled as hers shook her head. Hermione took his hand. "If you want to kiss me, you will do your work."
Dean gave her a cheeky grin. "Sure, luv."
Hermione flushed a little. He hadn't referred to her like that.
Her mum laughed. "Get going. We will see you at the end of March."
"Love you, mum." Hermione hugged her mum. Dean did the same, accepting a kiss on his cheek from his.
They walked through the barrier holding hands. The platform was busy with it being about fifteen minutes before eleven. About halfway down the train, they found Seamus sitting with Harry and Lavender. Lavender had her head leaning against Harry as he had a book in his hand.
They looked up as Dean and her came in.
"Hey, wanker. Have a good holiday?" Seamus asked.
"Dick," Dean replied. "Yeah, it was bril."
Lavender rolled her eyes. "Boys," she shook her head. Hermione had to agree.
"I don't act that way," Harry said, not really sounding offended.
"To be fair, you were never as immature as these two," Hermione told Harry.
"We tried to corrupt him, but you all always seemed so busy," Seamus said with a wink.
Harry laughed. "I don't need your kind of corruption," Harry retorted.
"I keep telling him that. Maybe he'll grow up some day," Dean added.
"Oi! I'll let you know I am quite grown," Seamus said offended.
"See what I mean," said Dean as though some great point was made.
Hermione rolled her eyes this time and Lavender gave her an understanding smile. "How are you two?"
Harry gave her a smile full of happiness as Dean and Seamus kept abusing each other. "Really good. Over Easter you need to come over to our house," Harry told her.
"I thought you were going to invite me over before we went back?" Hermione put to him.
There was a lecherous grin from Lavender. "I may have kept my new husband a little busy. I think there was only a few times we really left our bedroom."
Harry's grin matched hers and Hermione found that she wasn't jealous at all. She thought she might be to know what they were doing, but instead found she was really happy for them. Like at their wedding.
"Glad to see you are enjoying the perks," Seamus butted in. "I told you he was endowed."
"Oh, will you be quiet," Lavender said with a stern look at the Irish boy.
Seamus gave a huge grin and wagged his eyebrows. "Oh, come off it, Lav. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy yourself this past week. So, is Harry as good as I was?"
Hermione saw Harry stiffen; his hand moved towards his wand. Lavender must have sensed what was coming as well. Her hand was fast and smacked Seamus across his face. "You are a pig, Seamus Finnigan."
Seamus chuckled as he rubbed his cheek and stopped to see the four others in the cabin looking at him angrily. Hermione could feel the magic extending from Harry. Seamus turned to look at the green-eyed boy. After a second, he put his hands up. "I was just trying to tease you," Seamus tried to backtrack.
"You really don't know when to keep your mouth shut, mate. Do you?" Dean said to his friend.
"It was supposed to be a joke. We all know Lavender and I dated for a few months last year," Seamus replied.
"Seamus, Lavender is my wife now. Joking around like that is something neither of us like." Hermione felt a chill go down her spine at the power in Harry's voice.
Seamus brow scrunched. "Right, sorry, mate. I really didn't mean to offend you."
"Just shut up before you make it worse," Dean warned his friend.
"Sure," Seamus told him.
The door opened and Parvati and Padma stepped in. "If it isn't Mrs. Potter," Parvati greeted her friend with a huge smile.
Lavender smiled back. "I'm still getting used to that."
"Hey, Potters, Finnigan, Granger and Thomas," Padma said, sitting next to Dean. Parvati wiggled her way between Seamus and Lavender. Lavender pushed into Harry, who put a hand over her shoulders. He looked to really like how she tried to mold to his side.
Hermione took Dean's hand as they talked. It was strong.
"Patil," Seamus replied. "Why so formal?"
Padma shrugged. "Just seemed rather serious in here. Have a good hols?"
"Yeah. Fine. You want to go into Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Seamus enquired.
"Sure," Padma replied. "You're paying this time though, and I'm not drinking any fire whiskey."
Seamus grinned. Dean shook his head. Hermione was going to have ask Dean about that later. She had a sense there was a story behind that.
Harry hit her knee. "You see Ron?"
"A few compartments back. He's sitting with Susan, Hannah, Neville, McMillan and Brocklehurst," Hermione told him.
"We'll have to go say hi to them shortly," Harry told her.
"I need to head up to the Head car in ten minutes. I'll stop by with Ron on our way through," Hermione offered.
"I just wanted to thank Susan again for her aunt and her letting us use her house," Harry told her.
Hermione smiled. "I'll drag Susan along too."
When she stepped out to walk up, Ron was already making his way forward. She still didn't understand why Ron had been chosen over Harry for Prefect, but she had to admit her friend had matured quite a bit since start of fifth year last year.
As he came up, Ron hugged her. "Hey, Hermione. Long time no see," he said with a smile.
"Oh, hush," she admonished. She had just gone over the Weasleys' last night with Harry and Lavender. Mrs. Weasley asked them all to come for a celebration dinner for those that had gotten married and those that would.
"Harry wants you and Susan to stop by after our meeting," she told him.
"He can stop by our compartment," Ron countered.
"I offered to get you."
Ron nodded. "Fine. Their probably tired anyways. They both looked it last night," Ron said with a grin.
Hermione shook her head. "Is that all guys think about?"
"No, but it is rather important. I think a lot about Quidditch," he laughed as she hit him. "Oi! I think about chess too!"
"Arse," Hermione said with a grin.
"Pretty much," Ron agreed.
She hip checked him and Ron did it back. He was a good six inches taller than her, and she huffed as she almost hit the wall. Ron chuckled. "Hey, I wanted to ask you something."
"You know you can," Hermione told him.
Ron rubbed the back of his neck as they walked between cars. "I am asking Harry to be my best man."
She smiled. "I figured that."
Ron looked a little nervous. "I want to you to stand with me," Ron said.
Hermione blinked. "Ah, Ron, you know it's not traditional to do that."
"I know, but you and Harry are my best friends. Except for maybe Bill, I can't think of anyone else," Ron told her. "Madam Bones wants to know who we want in our wedding party in a few weeks. You have a bit to decide."
"Is Susan alright with this?" she asked.
Ron nodded. "Susie suggested it when I was trying to figure out who. If you don't want, you can stand with Susie."
She smiled. Susan and Hannah were good people. "I would be honoured."
Ron shared her smile and opened the door for her as they finally made it to the front compartment. "I'll let Susie and Madam Bones know."
"Who is she asking?"
"Hannah will be the maid-of-honour. She was going to ask Ginny and Lavender to be bride maids. She really wants it to be as much family as it can be. Susan was rather lonely growing up, and loves how big ours is," Ron told her as they sat. They were some of the first ones to arrive.
"It's growing bigger too," Hermione agreed.
"Yeah. Mum is still a little niffed at Charlie. She wanted all of us to have huge weddings. Rebecca is kind of cool though," Ron commented.
Hermione snorted. "I like her too. Explains why Harry likes Lavender so much. She is a bit like her mother. A little free spirited."
Ron snorted. "Yeah."
By now, the compartment had filled in. Most people had gone home this year, so all twenty-four prefects were on the train. Hannah was one of the last stragglers and sat with them.
"Good morning, Hermione. Have a good rest of Hols?" Hannah asked them.
"Hello, Hannah. I did. How about you?"
"It was good, though I will be happy once Neville and I are married. I can't tell you how many meetings and planning we had to do for Easter," Hannah told her.
Hermione was feeling as though she was missing out on something. Most of her friends were getting married or were married now. She was not ready for that. She was sure Dean wasn't either. She wasn't even sure if she loved Dean. It was too soon.
"Yeah, my mother has been all frazzled. Though having Charlie and Harry married now without her having to spend months preparing is keeping her from going round the twist, or so dad says," Ron told her.
Hannah sighed. "Madam Longbottom and my mum are going to be doing most of that. I just hope my mum can keep Madam Longbottom from going overboard," she replied.
"Yeah, Susie was telling me about that," Ron agreed.
"Right, you all, up here," Head Boy Higgs called out. "We have a few things to go over and then you can go."
Cho stepped up. "For anyone that was married over Christmas they are to stay in the Great Hall after the returning feast. Pass the word."
"Next, the new patrol schedules for the semester will be posted tonight in the prefects lounge. Weasley and Abbot, you get the lower floors tonight. Ericson and Creevey, you have the upper floors," Higgs ordered.
"Yes, sir," Colin said with a salute.
"Cut the shite," Higgs said with a smile at the fifth-year. Colin tried to take on a straight face but failed.
Others chuckled at the antics. When they left, Ron went to get Susan and Hermione went with him.
-oOo-
That night...
"Thank you for staying behind," Headmistress McGonagall greeted the three newlywed couples that had moved to the head of the Hufflepuff table. Across from Harry and Lavender were two Slytherins and a chair down from them was a Slytherin-Ravenclaw pair. Harry recognized Vaisy from the Quidditch pitch, but not the girl with him.
"You three will be joining our other two couples on the fourth-floor married wing. What you do in your rooms is your own business, but I will tell you I expect very good behavior, as far as your physical relationship, when you are around the castle. We do not need to set any poor standards for those under years or those not married. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Lavender responded while Harry nodded.
The girl with Vaisy flushed a little. "We will behave, Headmistress."
"Good. Now, just to make sure you all know each other. This is Harry and Lavender Potter." Harry nodded again. Lavender moved a little closer to him, a broad smile on her face.
Next, McGonagall motioned to the newlyweds across from them. "Alex and Hestia Sykes. Lastly is Christopher and Noel Vaisy. I expect you all to get along. There will be no prefects on your floors since you are expected to act more mature. Friends are allowed in your apartments, but I ask you to keep noise down. Professors or Prefect patrols will go through your wing after normal curfew times, but you will all be allowed an eleven o-clock curfew if you stay in your wing. Do not abuse this privilege and you will be to all your classes on time."
She looked at them to make sure they all understood.
"Lastly, as you are now married, you are allowed a house elf if you have one. They will be allowed to attend you in your room and down your wing, the kitchens, the laundry and hospital wing, but will be barred from all other locations in the castle. If you are to have one, I require you to tell me so that I can key them into the wards. You will find if you try to summon them without this, they will not be able to come," McGonagall informed them.
The three couples nodded. Harry was thinking he might ask for Itsy. She seemed to be really attached to Lavender already.
"Now, given the nature of the laws and the magics used on them, I ask that Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Sykes and Mrs. Vaisy check in with Madam Pomfrey every other week. If any of you are to become pregnant, we need to know and plans to give you alternate studies will be worked out with you."
Harry blinked. "Why?"
McGonagall rose and eyebrow at him.
Lavender leaned in. "I'll tell you in a bit."
"Thank you, Mrs. Potter. I assume the rest of you know why?"
The other four nodded their heads.
"Please report to Madam Pomfrey tomorrow to work out a schedule. Now, any questions?"
"Will anyone be allowed in our wing or rooms?" Hestia Sykes asked.
"Only those you let in, professors and prefects. When you have friends over, you will have to escort them. There will be a password to get into the wing. I ask you not to give that out. As for your rooms, you must specifically invite anyone in every time they visit," McGonagall told them.
When no one else asked a question, they were shown up to the new wing. "There is another wing above us, but it will not be available until this wing is full."
"How many rooms are here?" Noel Vasey queried.
"Ten on each floor. Down the end of the wing is a nursery that will be opened when needed. Mr. and Mrs. Vasey, this room is yours," McGonagall told the couple. "When you get in, you can touch the door and set a new password. Only myself, the deputy-headmaster, an Auror or Madam Pomfrey will be able to override it." Lavender craned her neck to look in the room and Harry pulled her back. They didn't need to be that curious.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter, you will have the room across the hall."
"Thank you, Headmistress. Come on, Lav," he said, pulling her in once he opened the door.
"Oh, this is nicer than I thought it would be," Lavender remarked as they walked in. There was a small table with four chairs in a corner next to a window. A loveseat and a single high back chair were before a small fireplace. Next to the hallway door was a small closet and hooks for cloaks or such. Lavender moved into the room, looking into a door.
"There is a small bathroom. I doubt we could both fit in that tub," she sounded disappointed.
Harry had gone to the other side of the room. "These are both rooms. Nice size bed in here. The other room is empty right now."
Lavender came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Probably meant to be a nursery or something."
It made sense. "Why would you need to have different classes if you become pregnant?"
"Harry, did anyone ever tell you about magical births?" Lavender asked, putting her head on the back of his shoulder.
Harry felt a little embarrassed. "I never had the talk until the end of last summer," Harry told her. Mr. Weasley had cornered him one day, guessing right about Harry's 'education' in growing up.
Lavender squeezed him tighter. "Well, at least you know how a baby is made," she teased, but he heard the slight strain.
"Yeah, I kind of like that part," he said back.
She giggled and he liked how her chest pressed into his back. "Yes. I have no complaints."
They both chuckled before Lavender grew a little serious. "Harry, when a witch is pregnant, it's not quite like when a Muggle is pregnant. Stray magic, some potion ingredients, creatures and plants could be dangerous to the baby. In the Muggle world, where that really doesn't exist, there isn't much of an issue. Here, well, mum had a talk with me. It is safer for me and the baby to take classes that lessen the chance of me, or the baby, being affected."
Harry turned and she let him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "I didn't know. I will do everything I can to help you once you become pregnant."
Lavender nodded into his chest before pulling back, a sultry smile on her face. "Not that I want to be pregnant yet, but I wouldn't mind practicing how."
Harry leaned down to take her lips. He wasn't ready for that yet either, but he did enjoy laying with Lavender. With a squeal, he picked her up and carried her to the new four posted bed bridal style.
-oOo-
February 8, 1997
Hogwarts, Scotland
They were sitting with the Hufflepuffs today for breakfast. Neville looked up to see the familiar form of his Gran's eagle owl. "Bloody hell. She's written to us every day in the last week," he groused.
Hannah sighed. "I am not changing my mind. Mum is already threatening to kill her if she insists on one more change."
Neville took her hand. "I don't want to change anything either. I wrote to her saying I want to have a meeting with her today. I am hoping this is just her saying she will."
"Good. This isn't her wedding, and I am not sleeping with her at night. My husband is going to be Lord Longbottom," she said with a little steel in her voice.
Neville caught the hint and straightened his back. Until Christmas of this year, he had never really stood up to his Gran and they had had a row when she tried to invite half the wizarding world. They had finally agreed on no more than two-hundred and fifty guests. Far more than both Hannah and him wanted, but he understood his position as the next Lord Longbottom and that there were allies and others that should be invited. How Harry had gotten away with not doing this was still a mystery.
It sounded like Susan and Ron's wedding was going to be about a hundred and fifty.
"I will talk with Gran. Do you want to come?"
"If you think I am not, you have something else coming to you, Neville Longbottom. I am not changing my mind on anything," she told him.
When the owl landed, he saw two notes. Taking them off, he handed one to Hannah. Hannah huffed. "Old bloody vulture," Hannah groused.
Neville chuckled as he opened his own letter. "I will talk with Gran. She wants me to ask your parents for another three thousand galleons."
Hannah's eyes bugged out of her head. "She had already asked for six and a half. What is your Gran doing?"
"I don't know, but this has to stop. We agreed on what we wanted. Bloody hell. She wants to invite my fourth cousins from Norway. This is too much," Neville said. It really was. His Gran was taking this too far.
Hannah looked distinctly unhappy. "She doesn't like my dress," Hannah said in an angry voice.
Neville had to take in a breath before looking at Hannah. "I am going to meet with Gran alone, Hannah. I will make this stop or we will just elope."
Hannah didn't look impressed. "I want to be married before my family and friends, not half of Europe. You are not going alone. You give into her too easily at times."
Neville took her hand. "I am not this time. This is too much. I don't know what she is doing, but I will make sure she does only what we agreed too and nothing more. If you want your family and friends, we can take a portkey with all of them for a weekend."
Hannah gave him a hard look. "You better, Neville, or I swear it will be a long time before you will touch me again."
Neville swallowed. He really enjoyed what Hannah and him did in the greenhouses or elsewhere. "I will resolve this."
She huffed before giving him a kiss. She agreed to go off with Harry, Lavender, Hermione, Dean, Ron and Susan while he took a walk into Hogsmeade before the carriages. He needed a little time to think and build up his courage before he met his Gran at ten.
When he finally made it to the Three Broomsticks and the private room that he was to meet her in, he was fuming, but trying to keep his emotions under control like a 'proper scion' should. When she came in, he was already on his second butterbeer and had a shot of fire whiskey in him.
"Neville," his gran greeted with a smile. Ever since the Ministry last year, and especially once he had taken Hannah as his betrothed, she had been a very different person to him. He was finally living up to his father in her eyes.
"Gran," Neville greeted rather coolly.
"Is Hannah joining us? I have a few things I need her to look at and then ask her parents to help split the cost," she said, reaching into her bag and taking out a thick folder.
"No, gran," Neville said, trying to hard not to blow up at her. Getting angry at Augusta Longbottom was a sure way of not getting your way.
"You should go get your betrothed then. I really need to sign the contracts by Monday if we are to get the swans and band to play in the gazebo while dinner is going on. Not to mention commission a new set of China and glassware. None of the old ones are good enough," she told him.
"No, Gran. I mean we are not changing our plans," he told her.
His gran went on like she hadn't heard him. "I have the two patterns that I really liked and would like Hannah to choose. This one would combine the coat of arms of our two houses..."
"Gran, I said no," Neville said a little more forcibly this time.
"Oh, that's fine. This other pattern would add in..."
"Gran, NO!" he had to yell this time.
She stopped and looked up at him. After blinking a few times, she said, "There were two other designs, but they were a little plain for the House of Longbottom."
Neville closed his eyes for a moment, counting to five before opening them. "Gran, Hannah and I want everything we agreed to at Christmas. No more additions. No more relatives or dignitaries or whatever political games you are playing. No more money from the Abbots. We have millions in our main vaults, and you know the Abbots were well off, but not that well off. When did you ask the Abbots for six and a half thousand galleons? I promised we would pay for everything."
His gran looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "It is traditional for the bride's family to pay for portions of a wedding. It is not cheap to setup seventy tents for people to stay in for the week and to feed them. Never mind paying the goblins to make the changes to the great hall of Longmarche..."
"WHAT! What changes! The great hall is still in great condition after dad had it reconditioned. I know you convinced him to do that for his wedding," Neville shot back.
"You can't expect the next Lord Longbottom to get married in anything but the best," she replied.
Neville pinched his nose. "How much is all of this costing? I take over the accounts next summer. Will I have anything left to manage?"
She pursed her lips. "Don't you take that tone with me, Neville. Your father would want you to be married like this and wasn't able to have what he should have had with the damnable war that was going on."
"Gran, shut it!" Neville snapped. If he hadn't already had some liquid encouragement, he might not have been so forceful... or maybe he would have. Over the last year he had found more courage, and as he approached his seventeenth birthday, with a soon to be wife and probably children in the near future, he was not going to put up with this. "How much have you spent?"
She stared at him. "Two-hundred and thirty-four thousand galleons so far."
Neville's mouth just about dropped to the floor. "Last we met, you said it would cost about fifteen-thousand galleons for everything. What have you done?"
Her nose went up into the air. "My grandson will have only the best. Most of the choices that Hannah made were too simple and we need to make sure everyone is well taken care of. The Longbottoms have a tradition to uphold that your father was doing and you will too."
Neville slammed his palms on the table, his magic surging up. It flared like he had only felt at the Ministry last year and she flinched. Neville had never seen her flinch before. "MERLIN, Gran! I am not my father! We told you what we wanted. Hannah spent two days going over the lists you gave her and now you are saying you are not respecting our wishes!?"
"Neville, we have a certain way that needs to be upheld..."
"No! I am going to the goblins today. I am going to see if I can put some type of lock on the accounts or something. You are to return anything you can and do this exactly as Hannah and I requested. Do you understand?"
His Gran stood up and her hand was connecting with his face before he could react. "Listen here, you little whelp. You are not Lord Longbottom yet and won't be for a few years. You and your betrothed will thank me when you get older and understand all this. How ungrateful are you? Your father gave up everything to protect you."
Neville, shocked at the sudden action, gingerly touched the aching spot on his face. She was glaring at him when he finally looked back. "You know, you always talk about dad. Why don't you ever mention mum? I am grateful for both of them, gran. If you don't want to respect what Hannad and I WANT, then I think we are done today."
Neville reached for his right hand and took the silver ring off his hand. "I don't think dad or mum would be upset with me for doing what I want. If you don't want to listen to your future Lord, then don't." He slammed the ring of the Longbottom Scion onto the table. "You can do as you want now."
His gran looked livid. "I have not raised you to be a disrespectful charlatan."
"No, you raised me to be just like my father. From what I heard, he stood up to you. So, I am too. You either make this wedding like Hannah and I agreed too, you get back all the money you can, or I swear, Gran, we will get married away from you and you will never see me again after I turn seventeen," Neville said in a cold fury. He stood up and left the room, his Gran looking at him with big eyes, especially when she realized his scion ring was still on the table.
Neville stormed out of the room, through the partially filled draft room and into the cool February air of norther Scotland. "That bloody, fecking, bitch of a vulture," he yelled out, startling a few people and students about. Looking around, he wasn't sure what to do until he noticed the crooked smokestacks of the Hogshead a street down.
A drink sounded nice as he realized he had just about forsaken his house. The heir's ring was not necessary, but it was tantamount to declaring he would never take up his family's legacy by leaving it on that table. Merlin! Would Hannah still want him? What would his parents think?
It was a few hours later that Harry sat in a chair next to him as Neville lay his face onto the disgusting table he had chosen. There was a half-empty bottle of some cheap fire whiskey in his hand.
"Hannah's been looking for you," Harry told him, taking the bottle out of his hand.
"Hooowww did you do it, Hhhharry," Neville asked, not hearing how he was slurring his words.
Harry looked at him and then the bottle. "Nev, how light weight are you?"
"That's his second bottle," the barkeep said from behind the counter.
"Ah, I see."
"How diddd you and Lave... Lave... ah, you know. How?" Neville asked.
"Here, let's get you back to the castle and I can try to answer what you are asking." Harry told him. Neville felt really dizzy and unsteady as he stood up.
"Get him outside before he upwells," the barkeep told them. "You can take one of those potions to sober him enough to have him walk."
"I will. Come on, Nev. Let's get you sobered up before you talk with Hannah." Harry grabbed one of the potions as they walked out, forcing Neville to drink it.
"How did you and Lave... how?" Neville asked again. He wasn't slurring his words not, but he still sounded drunk.
"How did I do what?" Harry asked.
"You two just... hic... you just got married. No planning. No family issues. Nothing," Neville asked him. Harry and him stumbled as he put his weight onto Harry when they stepped in the street. In the hours he had been in there, it had gotten towards twilight and snow was coming down.
Harry shrugged. "Well, I don't have any real family. Well, I have Lavender and her mum and Charlie now, but nothing beyond them."
"What about the Weasleys," Neville asked.
Harry gave him a smile. "Yeah. They are close, but not real family. Rebecca is pretty cool and only wants Lavender and I to be happy. She didn't care if we had a wedding with a thousand people or two. She just wanted to see us get married."
"That must be nice," Neville said.
Harry snorted. "Sure, if that is the way you want to look at it."
Neville nodded. "Sometimes I wish my parents had died," Neville said sadly.
Harry didn't say anything as they walked through Hogsmeade. Not many were out now. Most would have gone back and with the snow, it wasn't worth venturing out for long.
"I'm sorry about your parents, Nev, but I would never wish that," Harry said in a sad voice.
Neville waved his hand around. "You don't understand, Harry. My parents are mental. I don't mean like other parents, but they are generally not there. I've spent my life wishing they would get better. You know the only thing I have ever gotten from them?"
"Sorry, Nev. I don't," Harry said, sounding even more morose.
Neville, in his drunken state, didn't notice. "Mum gives me bubblegum wrappers every time I see her. Neither of them knows who I am," he said, tears starting to run down his cheeks. "Gran always says I should be like my father. She tells me all the time what he was like, but all I know is a man that likes to sit in a chair in the sun. He goes through those mad muggle comics, and that is it. He's never said a thing to me. Never given me any advice or even said a word. Mum and dad have never said anything to me. Gran says they love me, but there is nothing there, you know what I mean?"
Harry didn't say a word as he supported Neville to the carriages.
"They never say a word. How do I know if they would like me or not? How do I know what a Longbottom is supposed to be? Gran is mental. She also wasn't raised a Longbottom. She is a Selwyn by birth. She wants me to be this great lord of the Wizengamot. Do you know what I want to do?" Neville asked as though really expecting an answer.
"I don't, Nev," Harry said as he sat in the seat across from him.
Neville bounced as the carriage started back towards the school. He grabbed onto the handrail inside to keep from tumbling to the floor.
"I want to just take care of plants and Hannah. Yeah, grow plants and play with Hannah." A smile came over his face. "Play with Hannah. Merlin, that is fun."
Harry chuckled. "Yeah, I can imagine."
Neville narrowed his eyes at Harry. "How would you know?"
Harry held up his hands. "Easy, Nev. I promise that Lavender is the only one I have ever played with."
Neville glared at Harry until he was satisfied. "Gran has spent a quarter-million galleons on our wedding. Harry, do you understand how much that is?"
Harry whistled. "Enough to by a mansion," Harry told him.
"Damned right," Neville agreed, swaying with the carriage. His stomach did a lurching gurgle that he didn't like.
"I told Gran I didn't want to be Scion Longbottom. How do you feel about being Scion Potter and Black?" Neville asked him.
Harry shrugged. "I am already regent of both my houses. Right now, I don't care if I take up either seat. I don't even know what I want to do once we get out of Hogwarts."
"I thought you wanted to be an Auror?" Neville asked, his stomach starting to do flips.
"I did. Now that Voldemort is gone, I have no clue. All I know right now is that I have Lavender, and that is enough," Harry told him.
Neville nodded and regretted it. The motion through off his equilibrium and his stomach roiled.
A moment later, the carriage came to a lurching halt. When they got out, Professor Vector was waiting for them. "Potter. Longbottom. Were there any others coming up behind you?"
"I saw a few upper years in town still," Harry told her.
She nodded and looked up at the falling snow and darkening sky.
Neville though felt the solid ground was worse than the rocking carriage and stumbled forward. Falling to his knees, he threw up everything he had drunk today. After a moment, Harry was helping him up again. "I'll just get him up to Madam Pomfrey," Harry told Professor Vector, who was crinkling her nose.
"See that you do. If he causes any other issues, he will get detention," she warned.
"Understood," Harry told her.
Neville didn't really remember getting to the hospital wing. Nor did he remember telling Harry, "Harry, can you tell Hannah I love her."
Harry chuckled. "You tell her yourself tomorrow. I'll let her know you are here."
Neville lay on the bed while Madam Pomfrey went to grab a sober up potion. "You are a good guy. I'm glad it was you..." Neville trailed off as he passed out.