A/n: I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, I know it was an information dump, but no matter how I tried to adjust the chapter to flow more easily it would not find a better cohesive feel. As always I do not own Harry Potter or the world and characters created by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros., I only own this story that they are parting in and any original characters created specifically for this story or repurposed for this story.

Hermione sighed as she settled into the chair at the desk in her room, it had been an interesting evening. Pettigrew had been escorted directly to the Ministry after they had placed him in a cage with wards around and on him to ensure he did not escape, now he would finally face the reality of his choices. She wondered if it would really matter though, would Pettigrew actually learn his lesson since he would be either sentenced to Azkaban for life or sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss.

She shuddered at the thought of the last option, it was a repugnant ideology that should never have been allowed to evolve. She could sense the tension building in Harry despite his determination to remain calm. She was surprised that he was still awake, though she understood that he could not get his thoughts to settle.

She stood and stretched, her eyes settling on her wristwatch she was startled to find that it was already three in the morning. Looking at her bed she frowned before stepping out into the common area. The fire was still burning brightly despite the late hour, she noted that the room was empty before seeing that his bedroom door was open.

Crossing over to look in she saw him at his desk, the new Dicta-Quill he had bought scribbling away on the blank parchment before him. She smiled as she watched him wondering if he was writing a letter or simply letting his thoughts out.

"It's late." She said softly as she gently pushed open the door. "You have Quidditch Practice in the morning." she continued with a gentle smile.

"Oh!" He yelped as he looked down at his own watch. "You're still up?"

She nodded, "I was working on a letter to Mum and Dad." She said as she crossed over and sat down on his bed watching him.

He smiled softly, standing and crossing over to sit with her. "I am sure they will be glad to hear the news that we caught him." He said with a nod as he gently pulled her into his arms.

She melted into him as she curled into his lap. "Yes, well I will finish it in the morning." She said as she gently kissed him, sighing contently. "Now, let's go to bed."

He smirked as she stood to leave before grabbing her hand and pulling her back down onto the bed. "Stay with me?" He asked softly and she could see the plea in his eyes for her to stay as she felt his need not to be alone tonight after all of the events of the day.

"Of course." She said softly as she maneuvered into the bed, slipping quickly under the covers as he joined her.

She curled up against him, resting her head on his chest as he wrapped her in his arms. She hummed softly as she felt him remove his glasses before turning out the lights. She yawned and then felt sleep tugging at her as she listened to the sound of his breathing and the steady beating of his heart.

"I love you Mione." He said softly sleep tainting his voice.

"I love you too." She mumbled softly as the fullness of sleep engulfed her.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Daphne stood waiting at the foot of the marble staircase, she had agreed to meet Potter and Granger for lunch but they had yet to arrive. She watched quietly as she waited, seeing a few notice her as she stood there. Pansy had been horrified when she informed her that she had plans today, but it was far more important than her and the rest of the Slytherin gaggle what she was going to be conversing about today.

She sighed as she finally saw them descending the stairs, Granger talking animatedly about something. She wondered where Granger fit into this interesting and complicated puzzle, something she was sure she would soon understand as they stopped before her.

"Good afternoon Ms. Greengrass." Harry said politely as he greeted her.

"Lord Potter." She said, nodding her head politely as she returned the greeting. "You may call me Daphne, I truly don't mind." She said as she felt a genuine smile form on her lips.

"Of course, and you don't have to call me Lord, just Harry is fine." He said, setting the standard that casual was allowed despite the reality of the situation. "If you would follow us, we will take you up to our quarters for lunch."

She raised an eyebrow at this. "You have your own quarters, the two of you?"

Granger nodded, "Yes, it's a long story but we will explain everything that we can when we get upstairs."

Daphne nodded, her surprise at the fact that the two were living together fading as she followed them up the stairs. She listened as they resumed their prior conversation quickly finding interest on the topic.

"So the special translation exercise on page eight hundred and twelve is literally just an exact translation of Rottengarf's fourteenth mistranslation?" Harry asked, surprising her as she suddenly remembered that he was indeed in Ancient Runes now.

"Yes Harry." Daphne said with a nod, joining the conversation. "Literally every translation we have and everything we knew regarding Rottengarf is a translation of something from Greek or German, occasionally Latin or Spanish."

Granger nodded, "Yes, he was a very well traveled man for his time."

Daphne was surprised to find that despite Granger's obvious love of learning and sharing knowledge, she was not as prudish as they believed in her House. She found that as the talked about the subject she could easily counter her and keep the conversation on a friendly and enjoyable tone.

As they neared the entrance to the private quarters she was surprised to find that it was on the same floor that the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Houses were rumored to be. "Not so far from home then?"

Harry shook his head. "No, Professor McGonagall thought we would enjoy being able to drop in when we wished to visit with our housemates and friends."

Daphne nodded, if her Father did want her to move in with Harry then it would be quite the trek back to her own current surroundings. "I see, I can understand the idea, especially with you both being Gryffindors."

Hermione nodded and stated the password, informing the Guardian of their residence that it was to allow her entrance. She followed them inside finding that the common area was quite pleasant. As she looked about she noticed that there were seven doors that led off from the main room and a hallway that lead back further into more areas.

"Quite a spacious apartment you have." She said as she suddenly caught sight of the doors noticing that they were labeled. "Oh, so you are taking preparations then."

She was surprised at how quickly he had taken to the idea that he may have to reside with all of them sooner rather than later. She was glad that he was taking everything seriously.

"Yes." Harry nodded as he stepped into the room she had no doubt was his due to the labels. "I thought it would be best, that way it was already taken care of. We gave everyone their own room so that they could have their own space for themselves."

Daphne nodded. "A wise and considerate choice." She said as she sighed.

"Lunch is this way." Granger said as she took the lead and they made their way down the hallway. "We have a few areas here a library, kitchen and dining room, a large bathing pool and a parlor."

Daphne was surprised at the space, despite the small feel it was still homely and full. "Can you add other rooms and adjust?" She asked, wondering just how much the space could be altered.

"Yes, but we have only put in the basics so far." Harry said, "We were unsure exactly how much time everyone would be spending in here."

She nodded again seeing the rationality behind the actions. They settled down at the table as three meals appeared, indicating that lunch was now served.

"I hope you like it." Harry said with a quiet smile as he began to tuck in. "I made everything but the carrots, that was her."

Daphne smiled softly, surprised at his honesty. "An interesting skill, I am afraid that I only know how to make a beef broth for fevers, or at least for warding off starvation." she said with a gentle laugh. "We don't really get to learn much in the way of survival skills in high society."

Harry laughed, "High society?"

She frowned. "Yes, as a member of a Noble and Ancient House you are High Society within the Wizarding World." she said trying to determine the best way to explain. "We are held to a certain code, yet we limit ourselves due to that expectation that we have formed due to our place within society."

Harry frowned. "I see, High Society." He said and laughed. "And to think I have been slaving away for my relatives for the better part of the last thirteen years."

Daphne noticed as Granger gritted her teeth, a hint of anger at the mention of his relatives in her eyes that was gone instantly. She wondered what could provoke such animosity from the usually calm girl.

"Well, I assume you would like to discuss what we were speaking about last night." Harry asked, getting directly to the topic upon which everything was revolving for their meeting here.

"Well, I am sure you have questions for me, I know I do for you." She said, indicating that it was open for him to begin to ask what he wished. "But I must ask aside from myself how many other wives will you have in our family?"

Harry nodded and sighed. "Aside from you, I also have arranged marriages with Susan Bones, Parvati Patil and Padma Patil." He said and she was surprised at the twins. "There was also a betrothal contract for either myself or one of my grandchildren to marry into the Weasley Family, at the suggestion of Hermione I chose to propose a marriage between myself and Ginny Weasley."

Daphne nodded, counting off each coming to a total of five counting herself. This still did not explain Granger's presence in all of this. "I see, you also mentioned something between you and Granger."

Harry nodded, turning to smile softly at the brunette as he gently reached over and took her hand in his. "Yes, though a lot of our relationship is currently a secret from the rest of the greater Wizarding World." He said with a sigh. "It's complicated and we don't understand everything ourselves, but we will try to explain everything as best as we can."

Daphne nodded her understanding. "I promise that anything you reveal to me will not be repeated without your permission." She said, she understood that some things were best kept private and was ready to protect her family's, even if they were not married yet, secrets with her life it was what she was brought up to do.

Harry smiled and thanked her before continuing. "A couple of evenings ago Hermione and I ended up finally confessing our feelings for one another, when we kissed we formed a Soul Bond."

Daphne stared at them speechless, she had heard of such things but they were mostly quite rare. "A Soulmate Soul Bond?"

Granger nodded, "Yes, that is why we now have these quarters, that is also why Harry and I are both legal adults and married as well."

Daphne nodded, she had read a few laws pertaining to the subject but had never looked too far into the matter. "Now I understand, many of us always saw that there was something between the two of your if you looked hard enough, we just could not determine what."

Harry smiled. "It was after that Professor McGonagall revealed my Lordship and yesterday we went to Gringotts."

Daphne nodded, everything now fitting into place. "I see, so that is why you were in the owlery last night, you were sending off the letters to each of the Family Heads that you are to marry into."

Harry nodded, "I sent one to your father as well as to the others yes, Hermione already lives with me and her parents are well aware of the situation."

Daphne felt her curiosity peaked again. "Muggles are okay with a man marrying multiple wives due to law or tradition?"

Hermione and Harry both broke down into laughing fits, revealing that it was a known practice within the Muggle World as well. "There really are not many differences between them and us." Granger said as she caught her breath. "But it's due to those who would see Wizards ruling over them that the lines are so irrevocably blurred in their present state."

Daphne nodded, she had been able to enjoy some small life in the Muggle World at her Parents behest, though it was on fleeting and rare occasions. "Not all of us see them as vermin Granger." she said with a frown, "Just some of those who hold more power than those who would see us finally rejoin the greater world."

"Exactly." she said with a frown. "Please, call me Hermione."

Daphne nodded, "Well, Hermione, I look forward to seeing what you will bring to our world and I look forward to calling you my friend and Sister-wife."

Hermione smiled softly. "I find that term to be so ill phrased yet so fitting when circumstances can prove to be good."

Daphne smiled, "Yes, though inner strife is rare when you realize you don't have a choice in the matter." she said with a sigh. "I realize I have had the upper hand in knowing about our destined union since I was born, but I can assure you I wish that I had been given the choice to marry for love rather than due to a law or tradition."

Hermione nodded, "It is a bit of an outdated ideology." She said with a sad smile. "But, when compared with the alternative I don't see much of a choice in yours or Harry's ability to refuse to marry or any of the others. Harry and I were at least given the opportunity to find each other, learn to know and love each other and grow together."

Daphne nodded, "Well, I suppose I could have stepped out of the norm, presented myself to you before now." She said with a sigh. "But I was unsure what you knew, no one in our World had seen you since before your parents deaths, you were just a name in a book to many of us and an idol to be revered for your defeat of Voldemort."

Harry frowned, she could tell that he did not enjoy his fame and she understood the problems that went along with being a member of a well known Family let alone for something you don't even remember. It was hard to realize that despite his ease at falling into their world, he really was in over his head in some places.

"Perhaps I can help you in learning the society you were born into." Daphne suggested, realizing that teaching him could be fun as the idea came to her. "It would also give you an idea of what will be expected of all of us as well as what we can expect from Society."

Harry smiled "that would be great." he said with a nod. "I need to learn and I don't know too many people aside from my Godfather who would be willing to take the time to do so."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Sirius?"

Harry nodded, she could see the surprise in his eyes at her knowledge of the matter. "My Father was the your father's Godfather Harry." She said with a grin. "I already knew about Sirius being your Godfather, though I thought he was in Azkaban, or well on the run."

"He's actually innocent." Harry said as he quickly explained the situation with Pettigrew and the capture last night.

"I see, so finally he will be free." She said with a gentle smile. "Daddy will be so pleased to have his favorite cousin back."

Harry nodded, "I am eager to get to know him more than I have already, he's currently in the Hospital Wing until he is transferred to St. Mungo's on Monday, pending his trial which will be announced soon. Your father and Madame Bones are working the case themselves."

Daphne was unsurprised. "I see, well that is not surprising, Lady Amelia always did have a determination that Sirius was innocent despite the catastrophic evidence to the contrary."

Harry nodded, "Yes, I got to meet her briefly and your father the night we formed our Bond as both of them were listed as possible Guardians should my parents die for me to live with."

She nodded, she had heard her parents discuss the matter many times as she was growing up. "Yes, I know."

Well, this was not what was originally going to be planned for this chapter, but the original idea just did not want to come together well at all. Feel free to leave your comments and feedback below, I enjoy hearing what you all think.