A/N: As usual I do not own Harry Potter or the characters, creatures, world, logos, trademarks or any other copyrighted material all rights reserved to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. And their associates. I only own this story that they partake in. This chapter has been edited to its current version by my beta MionellSparlockineco and myself.
Harry and Hermione sat quietly in the chairs opposite Professor McGonagall, they had followed her to her office at her behest after the meeting in Dumbledore's office had concluded. She had asked them to come with her as she needed to address their new living arrangements.
"As you know, Boys are not permitted into the Girls dorms and vice versa." McGonagall began, getting directly to the point. "As the two of you are now married and due to your Bond, special arrangements will need to be made now."
"Special arrangements Professor?" Hermione asked as she raised her eyebrows in question.
"Yes, it is rare that Hogwarts houses a married couple." She said with a sigh. "Usually it is due to an arranged marriage during their years here."
Hermione nodded, "I read that there were times when Hogwarts had to make special arrangements to accommodate for the students."
McGonagall smiled softly. " Yes, well usually those arrangements are for the children of Magical Nobles or those who require a more serious approach."
Hermione nodded in understanding. "So, where do we fall into this?"
McGonagall sighed. "Well, in your circumstances it is a little less complicated and more for privacy." She continued as she remembered their desire to keep the knowledge of their marriage secret from the magical world until the time was right. "You will be moving into the private chambers on the seventh floor, near the Gryffindor Tower."
Harry was relieved to hear that they would still be near their friends in their House. "So we will still be able to go and visit." He said with a grin.
"Of course, you are still a Gryffindor Mr. Potter." She said as she gently rubbed her forehead. "After we are finished here I will take you to your new residence, your belongings have already been moved there."
Harry and Hermione thanked her as she summoned her tea pot and poured them all a cup of tea. He knew it was well beyond curfew by now, but as no one had said anything to them regarding the lateness of the hour he had not questioned it. After they had all settled down with tea and biscuits, something he was glad for after they had missed Dinner.
"Now, I am sure you are curious as to what is going to happen with Sirius now that his case is being reviewed." She said, broaching the subject that he had learned about during the meeting in Dumbledore's office. "He will be staying here for a couple of days under the care of Madame Pomfrey, after that he will be transferred to St. Mungo's where he will begin the treatments to restore him back to full health, including extensive care with a professional who specializes in mental health."
Harry was relieved to see that his Godfather had been provided some sense of reprieve from the Dementors of Azkaban. He had been surprised to find that his Parents had a will, though it had seemed to have gone missing just before their deaths. If the will could be located, Sirius would be free, though his presence at their bonding already was proof enough.
"If you wish to see him before he leaves on Monday." She said softly, "I would suggest waiting until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest."
Harry nodded he had already waited for over 12 years, he was eager to meet Sirius properly, but he understood the necessity to let him rest. "Yes ma'am." he said.
"Now, as to our final bit of business before I lead you to your quarters and dinner." She continued as she summoned a small stack of papers. "Tomorrow I will be escorting you both to Diagon Alley, we have to go to Gringotts to speak with one of the Head Goblins in regards to your Parents Wills Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded, "Great, we can get a head start on further clearing Sirius's name." He said with determination, he knew that the magical world would need a reason for Sirius to be cleared and both He and Hermione felt that their Soul Bond should only be shared with people they were close with.
"Precisely, now I must warn you both Mr. Potter there is a fair chance that you may find more news than just your Parents Wills tomorrow." She said as she gave him a gentle smile. "Your House is one of those old Noble magical families, since the death of your grandfather Fleamont there has been no Lord Potter."
Harry felt his heart skip a beat, he could be a Lord? Why had no one ever mentioned this to him before now?
"Your father would have inherited the tittle when he was twenty five, however that stipulation may have changed with the death of his father." She continued, filling in the gaps for him. "There were other possible candidates who could claim that Title, though it must be proven that James was not already Lord Potter when he died."
Harry frowned. "Professor, why has no one ever mentioned this to me before?"
She sighed, "Traditionally when someone is next in line to a Noble Tittle in the magical world whose present lineage is uncertain, the most likely blood heir is tested at the age of sixteen." She said with a frown, "However, they are usually notified when they are eleven. In your case I should have been the one to not only inform you that you were a wizard but also introduce you to the magical world."
Harry frowned, "You should have come instead of Hagrid?"
Hermione nodded pointedly, "It is always the Deputy Head or one of the Heads of House who do the interviews with the Muggleborns and those who were raised by Muggles."
"Precisely Miss Granger." She said, as she nodded. "However, Albus insisted that Hagrid was the one who would bring you back." She sighed. "I would have explained things long before now, however I am afraid that I wanted to allow you time to adjust to your fame and the changes of being a wizard before you knew. I wanted you to get to be just a regular student who already had enough to deal with due to your fame until you were old enough to handle more."
Harry nodded, he understood her reasoning. "Thank you Professor." he said with a sigh.
"What are these papers for?" Hermione asked as the stack of papers landed neatly in her lap.
"Those are permission forms." She said as she flicked her wand and the stack split in half and the second half landed in front of Harry. "You will need to fill out the forms so that I can take you to Diagon Alley tomorrow. As you are now both legal adults you may now sign your own permission forms." She finished with a nod toward the stacks.
Hermione took out her wand and lightly tapped the form with her wand after looking it over. She nodded as her signature appeared on the form and she began looking through to ensure it was on the other necessary pages as well. She handed the stack back as she turned to look at him.
"How did you sign that like that?" He asked as he took out his own wand.
"Simple, just tap the parchment and think about your signature." Hermione said as she smiled softly.
Harry did as she instructed and was surprised that his signature was exactly as he pictured it in his mind. He quickly checked to ensure each page was signed and then he too handed McGonagall back the form.
"We will be departing from my office tomorrow morning at nine o'clock" She said as she stood, filing the forms in her drawer as she did so. "The floo in my office will be modified to allow us to travel to the Leakey Cauldron and back for the day."
They nodded and following her she lead them to the entrance to their new quarters. They were both surprised to find that the quarters were behind a painting of a lion and lioness that they had passed by many times. She gave them the instructions for how to set the password on the painting and how to ask the quarters to adjust to their needs.
Together they spoke the temporary password and walked into the common room of a small flat. Two doorways lead off from the room down two hallways that branched off into other rooms. The smell of fresh warm food came wafting from the left hallway.
They quickly followed the instructions the Professor had provided and reset the password on the portrait before allowing her entrance. She stepped inside and followed them into the common room. She smiled as she looked about at the chambers.
"It has been a long time since this was used." She said as she returned her gaze back to them. "The last couple to use these quarters was actually Alice and Frank Longbottom."
Harry blinked in surprise. "They must be Neville's family." He said indicating the familiar last name.
"Yes, they are his parents." She said softly. "I am afraid that if Neville has not told you about his parents, then it is not my place to do so." She continued. "If you would like to change anything about the place, all you need to do is speak with the portrait to make adjustments." She reminded them.
"Thank you Professor." They both said as she excused herself and left them to their dinner and privacy.
After she left they both made their way toward the smell of food and found a small kitchen and dining area immediately off the hall on the left. They entered and found a small dinner for two set on the dining table still warm though it had been hours since dinner. They ate in silence, Harry letting his mind wander over everything that had transpired in the last few hours.
As they finished their meal the dishes and cutlery vanished leaving a clean table behind. They stood and meandered back to the common room where they sat on the sofa. He stared into the fire for several moments before he turned to look at her and found her staring at him.
"Hermione I-"
"Harry, wait." She said gently placing her fingertips on his lips to silence him. "I meant what I said, everything that I have said. I know this is dangerous, but I don't care. I love you Harry and I will always love you."
He smiled as she moved closer to him and he pulled her gently into him, wrapping his arm around her. She cuddled into him and lightly kissed his cheek before resting her head on his chest.
"This is a lot to take in." He said as he smiled gently. "I hope we are ready."
She grinned at him as she sighed contentedly. "Together we can take on anything."
He laughed softly, though he felt the same that despite the fact that life may not always be easy as long as he had her by his side he could face any storm. "Lets get to bed." He said as he stood pulling her to her feet.
Together they strode down the other hallway, searching the three rooms that lead off from it for their rooms. They were surprised to find that there was only a single bedroom with the other two rooms being a private office and the bathroom.
"You can take the bed." He said softly, turning to see that their school trunks had indeed already been transferred to the room for them.
"What do you mean?" She asked, turning to look at him with a confused frown.
"I will go sleep on the sofa so that you can have your privacy." He said, indicating toward the trunk that he was just going to get his things and go to the bathroom to prepare for bed.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Harry, we are married, I think we will be alright sleeping in the same bed."
He frowned. "Are you sure?"
She giggled, "Yes I am sure, now, lets get ready for bed."
They quickly got everything settled and soon were laying down in the large bed, each had claimed their side and now they lay there quietly. He let his mind wander again as he reviewed everything again until she rolled over to look at him.
"You okay?" She asked as she shifted closer to him.
He nodded, "It's just a lot to take in all at once." he said softly as he once again opened his arms invitingly and she cuddled closer. "I will be fine." He said reassuringly.
She hummed softly and they settled in together until she fell asleep. He quietly laid there holding her until he too drifted off into a pleasant sleep that was filled with dreams of his wife.
A/N: Sorry for the shift, timing was getting a bit bogged down so I had to make some adjustments to get everything settled. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. I had a moment where the story wouldn't leave me alone so two new chapters back to back. Let me know what you all think in the comments below!