Disclaimer: I own nothing but my mistakes.

Chapter Fourteen: Love potions, Yes!

The airship groaned as a Scottish snowstorm raged outside. The Wandwood students were all glad that the airship was well equipped with warming charms as it looked absolutely miserable out there. Harry was leaning back against the foot of Hermione's bed with said girl sitting on his lap. His arms rested comfortably around her waist.

Luna and Violet sat on the floor next to them playing cards, a pile of cookies that they were betting diminishing at they ate them. Hermione absently reached over and snagged one to eat while she read her latest book.

The group had spent the evening together, up on the observation deck watching the storm. Several of the older students were also there, plans for the scuba gear that they'd be using in the second task spread out on a table.

As odd as it sounded Harry was looking forward to the second task. He had already provided the Dean with his broom to be used in the task. While he would miss it was more that it represented the long lazy flights, he occasionally talked Hermione into taking with him. Just flying with her arms wrapped around him were some of his best memories.

0-0

Ginny smiled as she looked down at the vial of love potion, she wasn't happy that Daniel had been ignoring her this year. He belonged to her and he needed to pay proper attention to her. She'd first thought of just giving it to him but she wanted him to be censer, to earn her affection.

It hadn't been hard to decide to give it to Harry Black instead. He'd be falling over himself to be with her, of course she'd turn him down after he had lavished gifts on her and shown Daniel how it was done. She knew Daniel hated Harry and this would get him off his lazy areas.

She neither considered nor cared that it would ruin Harry's relationship with Granger. And what better day to act than Valentines Day? It was perfect.

0-0

Winky sat in Cordelia's room while the child took her nap. A large book on parenting lay open in front of Winky as she read through it. She had been amazed that muggle had looked into different methods of raising children in such detail, then wrote out the pros and cons of each. It had been eye opening to the house elf.

That and how the Grangers still wanted to raise their daughter had taken a lot of getting used to but now Winky saw the advantages. Where a pureblood might only interact with their children during meals or social events, at least one of Cordelia's parents were almost always around. Winky couldn't help but think this was the proper way. She often wondered if Jr. parents had spent more time with him if he would have turned out the way that he did.

The Grangers had again surprised her when they insisted, that after Cordelia had gone to bed Winky spend time with them. Just talking and socializing. They also encouraged her to spend free time with the other elves. Slowly she was coming to understand their radically different views. And while she doubted, she'd ever completely accept them, or if she wanted to, she enjoyed it.

Then there were the toys, she'd never imagined anything like them. The learning toys were her favorites. She couldn't believe the sheer number available. She particularly liked Legos and had even spent some of the money the Grangers insisted on paying her to buy another set for her and Cordelia.

That night as Winky had watched Cordelia play with the tiny dragon figure and build a wall for it to smash, anti-choking charms on all the blocks to be safe, she vowed that she wouldn't fail Cordelia like she had Jr.

0-0

On February 14th Hermione woke to find an arrangement of red and white roses next to her bed from Harry. She smiled at them and the smaller vase of yellow roses that he had given to Luna. Those though were overshadowed by another assortment of flowers; she saw the card was from Cedric before a beet red Luna hurriedly stuffed the card into her trunk.

Sharra came rushing in as they were getting ready, she had already eaten half the box of candy from Harry. The hyperactive girl immediately began questioning Luna about the large vase of flowers. Hermione causally let it slip that they were from Cedric, she almost felt sorry for Luna.

They meet up with Harry who immediately took Hermione in his arms and dipped her while they kissed. Sharra snapped several pictures between giggling, Luna wasn't in a much better state. But Hermione was practically dazed as they made their way to the great hall. All wondering if the host school planned to do anything.

They were disappointed when there wasn't any hint of the holiday besides an unusual number of pink envelopes delivered with the mail that morning. Well except for the Weasley twins who had apparently enchanted confetti and flower petals to follow random people around. Their sister was busy chewing them out, not noticing that they had discreetly turned her robes pink.

Hermione was surprised when an owl deposited a small box of sugar quills in front of her. The card said it was from Harry but the writing was far more elegant than his chicken scratch. A quick shake of his head told her that that he hadn't sent it.

Harry had also received a small box containing some type of round chocolate cake the size of his fist. Though there was no card with it. Before he could decide what to do with it, he wasn't stupid enough to eat it, Ron strutted over.

"Wel well well what's this Black? Someone actually considered you enough of a wizard to send you something?" He laughed before he grabbed the cake and shoved it into his mouth. He chewed it with his mouth open, spiting crumbs at Harry. "Loser. Good cake though."

Malfoy watched the exchange with a frown, he hadn't counted on the mudblood getting the candy while Black was sitting next to her. He wasn't going to give up though, it had been disgusting to get the candy and send it to the mudblood. Whispering the levitation spell with his wand under the table Malfoy raised one of the sugar quills and dropped it into the mudbloods cup. It quickly dissolved while their focus was still on Weasley. At least that blood traitor had done what he was supposed to and ingested the tainted food he'd been sent earlier.

The group was thankful when Ron tossed the empty box back onto the table and left, still laughing. Harry used several cleaning charms on himself to insure nothing that had been anywhere near Ron's mouth was left. He wished they taught table manners at Hogwarts. They went back to their breakfast and were soon joined by Cedric. A blushing Luna told him she had loved the flowers.

Sharra pulled out her camera, she had had Sirius silence it so she could take pictures without being so obvious. In retrospect Sirius thought that had been a mistake.

None of them paid attention to Ginny who walked past them, she smiled when she saw the empty box that she had put the potioned cake in. It wouldn't be long before he was head over heels in love with her. That would teach Daniel to ignore her. Maybe they'd duel for her love? She nearly swooned at the thought, that would be so romantic. Who would she cheer for? There wasn't any doubt that Daniel would win.

0-0

After Breakfast the group broke up, Harry hid his smile at what they had planned for dinner that night. Hermione and Luna were discussing a charms project they were working on in their personal time with Wendy when Hermione stopped. Her face took on a green hue.

"Hermione?" Luna asked worried for her friend.

Hermione ignored the younger girl. Her mind was racing, she had suddenly had the vulgar thought that she wished she was dating Daniel Potter. She nearly sighed at how beautiful his muddy green eyes were. The thoughts were so unnatural that they set off mental alarm bells. Her basic training in occlumency allowed her to force the thought back for the moment but they were growing stronger and she knew they would soon overwhelm her. "Someone slipped me a love potion."

"What?!" Harry asked, rage building on his face.

"Love potion keyed to Potter, ug that's disgusting." Hermione managed to get out before Luna stunned her.

Harry caught his girlfriend. "We need to get her to Madam Tonks."

With Harry carrying her they made their back toward the airship. They had just left Hogwarts when McGonigal came rushing after them yelling for them to stop. When they didn't, she sent a stunner at Harry.

Luna spun and raised a shield. "Dobby!"

Dobby appeared and frowned when he realized something had happened to Hermione. Harry hadn't broken strid, trusting Luna to watch his back. Luna kept her wand pointed towards McGonigal. "Dobby, someone has given Hermione a love potion and McGonigal is attempting to stop us from helping her."

"If that was what happened then you should have brought her directly to the hospital wing." McGonigal said crossly, not entirely believing that was what had happened.

"Unless it is life and death all Wandwood students were to be treated by our healer, you were informed of that I believe." Luna said, talking more to buy Harry time than any desire to resolve things peacefully.

McGonigal admitted she did, she was more concerned with the house elf that now appeared ready to attack her. Normally she would have scoffed at such an idea but she recalled this particular elf had laid out the elder Malfoy. "You still should have informed the staff."

"Did you know in North America it is considered suicidal to attack a family who has befriended a house elf?" Luna tried to bluff; she could see that McGonigal had been given pause by Dobby's aggressive stance.

"I did not know that." McGonigal said honestly. She could easily believe it though. "That does not excuse your actions though."

"You had no right to demand that we stop, you fired a spell at us first. I have every right to let Dobby deal with you." Luna glanced behind her just in time to see Harry board the airship. "It doesn't matter now though. Good day."

Luna turned away and hurried to join her friends. Dobby remained behind and kept an eye of McGonigal who was too cautious to move until he finally left.

McGonigal was fuming as she reentered the castle. How dare a student speak to her in such a manner, it didn't matter if that student was from a different school. Oh, how she wished that she could punish them somehow.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Ronald Weasley who had his sister held tightly by the arm, his wand drawn and pointed at Daniel Potter. "I won't let you take her from me, she's my sister, my everything! We'll be together forever!"

"Ron that's crazy, she's your sister." Daniel pointed out.

"It just means that we were destined for each other, who could be better together than brother and sister?" Ron said, his voice impassioned. Ginny covered her face with her free arm, to embarrassed to even try and stop him.

"That's messed up." Daniel sounded sick.

"It will ensure that our children are the purest. Please don't make me hurt you, Daniel." Ron had tears in his eyes now. "I love you too much to hurt you but I can't lose Ginny. The three of us can work though, it will be fine."

Ron took advantage of Daniel's shock by stunning him followed by Ginny. He levitated them down the hall, intent on finding a nice out of the way place to they could begin their new relationship when McGonigal's brain finally kicked in and she stopped him, taking all three to the hospital wing to be checked out. She desperately hoped that this was another case of love potions.

0-0

The Grangers and Blacks along with Luna sat around Hermione's bed. Andromeda had assured them that while it was a love potion it was a weak dose and she could neutralize it within hours. Andromeda had also confirmed that the sugar quills Hermione received that morning were the source of the potion; the mystery was how the potion had gotten into Hermione as Harry was adamite that she hadn't eaten any.

Sirius stepped away to contact the aurors, when he returned, he motioned for the Grangers to follow him. They could tell by his look that they wouldn't like his answer. "The aurors say they can't do anything."

"Our daughter was basically given a date rape drug and they won't do anything?!" Dan growled out.

"Essentially, though they still classify most love potions as pranks. Their attitude about first generation magic users doesn't help. One of them actually suggested arresting Hermione on attempted line theft." Sirius braced himself for the explosion he knew was coming.

"Hermione was drugged and they want to arrest her for that?!" Dan shouted.

"Don't worry, they need actual proof since all of you are under the protection of the house of Black. But they won't be doing much to help us either." Sirius informed them.

"So, there's nothing we can do?" Emma asked.

"Nothing for this time, but there is a way to protect her if it happens again, I'm not sure you'll like it though." Sirius said nervously.

"How?"

"Well if Hermione was betrothed to Harry than if anything like this happens again they'll have to treat it as an attack on the house of Black and attempted line theft." Sirius said.

"Sirius, you know we'd never sell our daughter like that, we know that you know that, so please explain before I lose my temper." Dan asked tightly.

"It would be the North American version, either of them could end it at any time without penalty, though it would be good to add a clause that they have to be check for potions or charms first." Sirius said.

"What about money? Isn't it traditional that one side pay for the honor of marrying the other?" Emma asked.

"Traditionally yes, and to be legal here in England that would still be the case. Though I'm sure Harry would insist that he was the one marrying up and pay for it. If it's easier just think of it as him buying her some protective charm." Sirius offered, he knew this was the best way to help protect them, he also knew how hard it would be for the Grangers to agree to it.

0-0

Hermione once again woke in a bed in the infirmary abroad the airship. She could truly say that she was sick of that happening. There was also an awful taste in her mouth but she didn't know if that was because of whatever she had been given or the brief thoughts she had about Daniel Potter. She hoped that they had gotten her there before she embarrassed herself.

Andromeda hurried over when her charms informed her that Hermione was awake. "How do you feel Hermione?"

"Disgusted by what I was thinking." Hermione admitted. Yes, Harry and Daniel looked a great deal alike but that was no comfort. "Please tell me I didn't do anything stupid."

"Thankfully no, you managed to inform Harry and Luna as soon as you realized something was wrong. Luna stunned you and Harry carried you back." Andromeda said as she checked Hermione's condition, pleased to see the flushing potions had done their job. "You really should hear the full story, Luna and Dobby held McGonigal at wand point when she tried to stop them."

"They did what?!" Hermione gasped.

"Miss Lovegood held a Hogwarts professor at wand point to ensure that Harry could bring you here. It sounded rather impressive when Harry told us, but Dobby's version makes Luna sound like a warrior princess who faced down a hoard of dark wizards to protect you and Harry." She had mentioned to Sirius that perhaps Dobby should take up writing in his spare time. He really was an excellent story teller.

"Luna isn't in trouble, is she?" Hermione asked.

"Of course not, Hogwarts was informed that unless it was an emergency all Wandwood students were to be treated on the ship by me. If McGonigal was concerned she should have escorted them here. I believe the dean has gone to make her displeasure known to Dumbledore." Andromeda said with a hidden smile.

"Oh good. As long as they won't be in trouble." Hermione said relieved.

"Don't worry, they aren't the ones in trouble." Andromeda assured her.

As soon as Hermione was cleared Harry and Luna rushed in to check her for themselves. They were both relieved that Hermione was back to normal.

0-0

McGonigal was relieved once Poppy had confirmed that Mr. Weasley was indeed under the influence of multiple love potions. She was just glad that she hadn't stumbled upon some strange love triangle, again. The things children with magic got up to, her generation was much better behaved, they could show restraint. Though even Hogwarts current students weren't as bad as those that had come from Wandwood, she was supremely disappointed in Miss Granger.

The girl had been so well behaved when she had first arrived, a few years away and she was a little monster, and Miss Lovegood! She had only been with them for a few months and she had dared to draw her wand on her former professor. It was clear that they were nothing but a school of delinquents.

She was still wrapped in her thoughts about those hooligans when she went to speak with Dumbledore about the final preparations for the second task. So as not to tip off any of the champions the seating from the first tasks arena would not be moved to the shore of the lake until the morning of the task.

All of the professors had been tasked with assisting in their placement to ensure that everything was ready in time. She was less than pleased about it but Albus had insisted. "I've finished a schedule for all of us to ensure that we can erect all of the needed seats while not leaving the students unsupervised."

"Excellent, I knew you would be able to work things out. Now can you enlighten me to the odd rumors I have been hearing about Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley and Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked.

"It would appear that Mr. Weasley ingested two separate love potions, one keyed to Mr. Potter and one to his own sister. Poppy says that he will be fine by dinner, though I suspect they are all embarrassed about what happened." McGonigal said.

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes it seems we had a number of potion incidents today. I have also been informed that Miss Granger consumed a love potion keyed to Mr. Potter."

McGonigal actual growled as she once again remembered the incident. She quickly explained what had happened to Dumbledore. "It was a completely inappropriate way to act."

"I agree, I will advise Dean Horsefeather to bring punishment to them, though we both know there is little chance of that." Dumbledore knew there would be no punishment from Wandwood towards its students. He also refrained from suggesting that they bring formal charges against the students. He wanted things to continue to run smoothly until the second task.

Madam Bones suggesting that he was attempting to start a war weighed heavily on his mind. While he would never do such a thing, he also needed more information on the Blacks and his plan for the task would hopefully give him the channel he needed for that information. Best of all he had covered his tracks well enough that no matter what happened he would be insulated from any fall out. To that end he advised McGonigal to just ignore the Wandwood students.

0-0

Hermione was happy that she had been released in time for the surprise that Harry had promised her. Since Cedric apparently also had a surprise for Luna the two girls got ready together. Both had been advised to wear something nice but casual.

Hermione had just finished putting Luna's hair into a fancy weave, thanks to a charm from Tonks, when Harry and Cedric knocked on their door. "What do you know Luna they clean up pretty good."

"I thought that we already knew that?" Luna said as she accepted a corsage from Cedric.

"Still, it's better for them not to forget that." Hermione said.

Harry rested a hand on her waist. "How are you feeling?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fine Harry, the same as the last time you asked me."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. So what's this surprise you two have planned for us?" Hermione asked. She was surprised when they lead her and Luna to the observation deck that had been expanded. Dozens of small tables had been arranged around the room. Softly glowing lights floated near the glass dome. Couples from all four schools sat scattered throughout.

Cedric pulled Luna to one of the unoccupied tables. Harry took Hermione's hand and lead her to another table near them. He admitted over dinner that he didn't know who had come up with the idea but they had all been approached to see if they were interested in reservations. Since he had heard the only other appropriate place for a date was a ghastly restaurant in Hogsmeade he had jumped at the chance.

Later that night when Harry walked Hermione back to her room, as she was resting her head against his arm, she decided that aside from the love potion the day had been wonderful. She was also looking forward to see what all the Hogwarts girls who hadn't been there thought when they heard about it.

At her door they took their time saying goodnight.

0-0

Dean Horsefeather smiled as she read over the reports of new students. Nearly two dozen of Hogwarts best had been enticed away from the castle. Most wanted to finish their current year but were being allowed to make use of the resources on the airship.

The rest had asked for an immediate transfer and moved to the school's campus. Both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were also using the airship as they found Hogwarts to be unsatisfactory. She knew that had to be eating at Dumbledore.

She really couldn't bring herself to feel bad about it either. Not after everything that man had tried to do to her students. Besides it was time he learned that there was no such thing as an all-powerful person, no one was going to be top dog all the time. She knew the same applied to her as well but they had taken precautions to limit any damage. Now if they could just make it through the disaster of a second task.

0-0

Harry and Hermione were both still giddy from their date the night before when their parents called for them. The four adults all wore serious expression as they explained what had happened the day before when they reported the love potioning to the authorities. Then Sirius brought up the subject of a betrothal as a way to protect Hermione.

"I don't think we have enough money for a proper bride price." Harry said as soon as it was explained.

Dan groaned and pulled out his wallet, he handed several bills to Sirus. "Really Harry you just had to say that first?"

"Dad?" Hermione asked.

"Sirius predicted that would be the first thing Harry said, I bet it wouldn't be." Dan explained sheepishly.

"Can you give us a minute to talk about this?" Hermione asked as she pulled Harry out of the room. "What do you think?"

"Well, it's not like I haven't thought about us marrying." Harry admitted with a blush, why was this so difficult to talk about? "I mean I had hoped that we'd get there at some point though this isn't really how I figured it would happen."

"Me either."

"I'm not opposed to the idea at all." Harry rushed to assure her.

"Neither am I, so do we agree?"

"Well, it's really more of a formal declaration of intent and dating than anything else, I'm pretty sure we both hope this lasts forever so nothing would really change." Harry dropped to his knee. "Hermione will you become my betrothed?"

"Is this normally how it's done?"

"I have no idea; the only thing dad ever told me about betrothals before today was to never except one unless I planned to marry the girl." Harry admitted.

"So, is this a proposal then?" Hermione teased to try and lighten the mood.

"Oh no, if, when we get to that point, I'll do it properly." Harry said.

"Excellent answer." Hermione pulled him into a kiss. "I guess we better go and tell them we accept."

"I still don't think we have enough to pay you a proper bride price."

"Quiet prat."

0-0

Watson was asked to attend the legal signing of the contract at Gringotts to ensure that everything was legal in both North America and England. He agreed on the condition that he got an invitation to the wedding, both Harry and Hermione blushed at his joke but no one missed their smiles.

They received some good-natured teasing from their friends but most of their attention was focused on the second task. They completed two more dives in the week leading up to the task, mapped the lake and located the merpeoples village, though they weren't welcomed and kept their distance. Something that worried the champions.

They also had a list of all the creatures in the lake and the best method to deal with them. Harry was also taught a spell of last resort by Hermione who had designed it just for the task. Wendy was sure it could get Hermione a masters in defense but also warned that it could very well kill them if misused.

Harry promised to be careful and only use it if he had no other choice.

0-0

Somehow, and no one quite sure exactly how, the news of Harry and Hermione's betrothal leaked to the papers in just days. The Daily Prophet of course ran article after article about how Harry was ruining the bloodline of the Blacks, disgrace to the name, Hermione was unworthy. What they had come to expect from it.

The Oracle on the other hand had actually investigated and spoken to Watson when his name came up as a witness. The whole story, that Harry and Hermione had only entered into the contract for protection but were both in favor of the outcome read like a romance novel. Something Harry was sure they had done just to sell more papers.

There was also another round of hate mail to both of them for polluting the Black bloodline. Followed by another round of lawsuits filed in North American court. Apparently, the local wizards and witches weren't quick learners. All told the money paid to Harry and Hermione for the dangerous hate mail equaled enough to cover their remaining schooling. Even if they went for masteries.

0-0

Walden Mcnair stood along the far edge of the Black Lake the day before the second task. Not many knew that the formidable wards of the school didn't extend that far. He was easilly able to portkey his pet into the lake and watched as it hurried to deeper water. Eager to dominate its new surroundings. It was just at the age where its mind turned towards mating, and as a young male it was particularly violent. When it discovered that Black wasn't a mate it would rip him to pieces. Or maybe still mate with him. It didn't matter the end result would be the same.

He had slipped Umbridge the proper scent tag that morning, all she needed to do was stick on to Black's swimsuit and they'd be set.

0-0

Percy was nervous as he crouched along the edge of the forbidden forest near the airship. He had been given explicit orders on what he needed to do. And while he was honored to be chosen for such an important mission, he also firmly believed that he was ill qualified for it. Surely an auror or unspeakable would be able to do it better.

The thought that neither one would agree to do the mission never crossed his mind.

But he had never turned down an assignment before. Ture that mostly meant he had filed more reports or worked late. Not broken into a giant balloon. But the little foreign ruffians within had insulted and humiliated his family. No, honor dictated what he had to do.

And it wasn't as if Madam Umbridge had sent him unprepared. She had personally requisitioned a number of powerful magical items to assist him. Pride swelled in his chest at the trust that she had placed in him.

The information that she had gotten from two former guards who had been let go for drinking didn't hurt either. While they hadn't known the entire ward scheme, they knew enough to show a way in. An assess hatch on the roof that was only secured by basic locking and alert wards. At least if they were to be believed.

Percy shook his head. If Madam Umbridge thought the information was correct than it was. He waited until three in the morning, just an hour before the change of guards. Using a shadow suit and disillusionment charm he crept closer to the airship.

The shadow suit used dark patches of color to break up the human form and make it more difficult to spot. It was also interwoven with demiguise hair. Not as perfect as an invisibility cloak but for some reason demiguise hair couldn't be woven into anything more complicated that a simple cloak without failing. Combine it with a disillusionment charm it was near perfect, and could hold other charms as well.

When he reached the airship, Percy touched his belt, an experiment from the department of mystery. It used the same enchantments as a broom but was currently weaker, only allowing the wearer to float. Still, it easily carried Percy to the top of the airship and let him float just above the surface of the envelope. According to the guards the wards would alert if someone was on it. Both to prevent anyone sneaking in from above and to stop students that might decide to go for a climb.

Now for the most dangerous part. Percy withdrew a small metal spider like deceive. The unspeakable hadn't been happy to let it go. Personally, Percy didn't think it was very impressive but apparently it was some combination of ward and lock picks. He carefully levitated to the lock and watched as its spindly arms went to work.

It took far longer than he was comfortable with before the pick was finished and the latch clicked open. Careful not to touch anything until he was completely inside Percy lowered himself through the hatch. Once inside he followed the crude map the former guards had provided toward Grangers room. She was the first of his targets.

Percy couldn't believe his luck when the pick unlocked her door and he found his other two targets as well. The silly girls must have been having a sleepover or some other such nonsense. He pulled a mask over his face, uncorked a potion vial and poured it into the room. The potion quickly evaporated and insured the girls would remain asleep until he handed them over to the Ministry.

(A/N: Well, that's something, Fudge and his people have really done it this time. I hope you all enjoyed and thank you for reading.)