What Freedom Gives

by before.eternity

They have to save themselves, for themselves and for each other. What do they need to do to gain the freedom so easily stolen from them?

A little boy, seven years in age, lay broken on his little mattress, crying as softly as he could. Not fifteen minutes ago, he had been beaten and whipped because his teacher praised him. He didn't even know what she had said but whatever it was, he was punished for it. He didn't know that it was because he had helped a small girl when his cousin had pushed her down to steal her food. He didn't know it was because he had shared the food the school had provided for him until they gave them both another platter so they both got extra today. He was a small child as it was, half starved but he had also seen the little girl, she was half starved as well. Their food in school was sometimes the only full meal they truly had. As his mind filtered the day, he started getting angry, really angry. He hadn't done anything wrong and he was tired of living like this.

"I wish someone could save me. No, I need to save myself. . . I hope she's okay, she looked so scared." He whispered.

What this little boy didn't know was that the little girl he helped was in the same boat as he was. She was two months younger than him, smaller than he was and he felt very protective of her. The other kids in their classes teased her, picked on her all the time. She didn't talk, not because she couldn't but because she was scared to. He got angry when other kids were mean to her, especially when his cousin was mean to her. They would sit together and look over the books, as close to the teacher as possible. It was the only place safer for them. Their teacher was a kind young woman, she was going to school to get a degree in law and behavior. She had tried to help them out as much as she could, telling them that what was happening was wrong but that unless they spoke up, there wasn't much anyone could do. Their relatives were good at keeping the injuries out of view, lying about pretty much everything. He wouldn't, he knew what would happen if he did. This young boy was smart, very smart and knew that there wouldn't be anyone to save him, even if he wanted someone to. He winced as he turned. He had to get away, he knew they would eventually kill him.

For the next year and some months, he planned. He spoke very softly to his friend, he never raised his voice toward her, telling her his plans and his fears. He knew that he could never leave her behind and asked her to come with him. That they could be safe together. She had pointed out many things, surprising him at her mass intelligence and her plans, which made him change his own. She had a brother who had run away from home and copied what he had written down, hiding his notes and listening to his rants. Her brother said that he would come back for her, that was two years ago and she knew that he wouldn't. She just knew that he was gone, dead. The first time Hermione whispered to him that day, he had cried because he had been so happy. He told her that she had a beautiful voice, he loved it and hoped that she would continue to talk to him. Their plans were to pack bags, two backpacks of clothes every few months and put it somewhere safe. They stole money in small amounts each day, she was able to get more than he was and that was fine. He got some of the other things, the heavier and more dangerous things. They hid their stuff behind the park, even dragging a tent they had found. Well, found wasn't the best word. He had taken it from his neighbor's house. He would have to air it out. It smelt funny, like her house. Harry didn't mind though, they had a tent to be able to sleep inside so they wouldn't be out in the rain and the wind.

Six months ago, they found a spot deep, deep behind the park and into the forest. They didn't even know that there was a forest nearby but they were grateful to be able to find it. It was scary the first few times they went there but they were able to set things up. Their supplies tripled, definitely more than tripled, and they had been pleasantly surprised when their tent wasn't just a tent. It was bigger on the inside, much bigger. They worked very hard at making it their own. He smiled when she had found books on homemaking and living off the grid so to speak. While he couldn't provide much money or even the essential stuff other than cans upon cans of food and other non perishable items, he made sure to make it safe for them.

It took them nearly an entire day to get to their spot and he was so proud of it. He set it up in a cave, hidden deep behind a waterfall. He had made traps and even built a path to make it easier for his little friend. She had almost slipped one day and he didn't want her getting more injured than she already was. Their tent was in the back of the cave, away from the entrance and close to two hidden springs. One was hot, like a bath to them and the other was almost like a little stream of ice cold water. The year had proven that they had planned well. They had their stash of money, he had been surprised when his friend had a backpack stuffed with it. She had brought blankets and pillows, towels and even dishes and cookware that were loaded in a wagon. He had provided knives and ropes, hunting gear that his relatives had in their storage outside, though he found more and better quality at her house. He debated taking his cousin's stuff too, he probably would. He had brought torches and buckets. All things they read that they would need. It was a miracle that they had found those books in the school library and they followed it to a tee.

He was almost vibrating with anticipation. He was ready to leave and he was ready for his friend to be safe. Two days ago had been their last day to collect stuff and collect stuff they did. Unfortunately, when he had walked her home, her stepmother had been outside. He had to watch as that woman had grabbed his friend and literally threw her into the house. He could hear her screaming and crying. He wondered why no one else could hear this and why no one helped but also knew that no one helped him. He wanted to go in there but his friend, his only and best friend, whispered that if they fight then it may ruin their plans. He regretted ever making that promise to her, that he would turn and walk away if he ever saw or heard her stepmother, even if she was being hurt. He swore that he would punish them for hurting her. He made his way home, tears streaming down his face as his heart seemed to want to die in his chest. He hated this.

"Are you okay Hermione?" He signed.

They learned sign language, it was their cover because she was still so afraid to speak out loud when they weren't alone. They were extremely intelligent and used their intelligence to outsmart everyone around them but it didn't make them cocky. Oh no. It made them careful. Last night, he had snuck into his relatives room and got into their safe, he emptied it completely, he had been pleasantly surprised at the amount it held, then changed the code. He hit every single place they put their money or expensive items. He emptied their cupboards of all foods and drinks, loading it into their wagon before he made his way to her house. He double checked the shed, pulling out extra items and a few of his cousin's discarded workout junk. Hermione had told him that they might need it, he knew that he would have to get physically stronger to be able to protect them, especially to protect her. Harry knew that her family would be passed out, either drunk or high or a mixture of both, and raided their home as well. She had a lot more expensive items that they could sell and more money they kept in their safe too. When he saw it, he was in shock. So much money, the entire thing was filled from top to bottom and this wasn't a small safe either. She was unloading it into a suitcase and he saw her hands shake as she opened a small box. It had her name carved into it and saw there were tens if not a hundred pieces of jewelery in it. He was nervous that they also wouldn't be able to fit all their supples in their wagon or that it would be too heavy. He was again, pleasantly surprised that it wasn't and that it all fit. He waited for her, watching as she went through the bathrooms, closets and taking more first aid items, more blankets and the cutest stuffed animals he had ever seen. His friend was adorable as she held one of them in her arms. It really sunk in that they were just small children, even though neither one of them felt or acted like children.

"Ready?" He whispered.

He was gifted with one of her rare, very rare, smiles. This was the start of a new life for them. He held her hand as they walked away from their abusive families and into a life of freedom.

It had taken all night to get to their home. It was so much scarier in the dark and they knew that there were wild animals around. They've heard the growling and the sound of running animals. He had caught wild pigs and even a deer once. He had laid traps down to protect their new home and those animals had been caught in them. He didn't like being so vulnerable out here and pushed his friend even harder. The moment they got to their new home, they both sighed in relief. Because of how the entrance to their home was, the waterfall did protect them a bit, he had to build a wall to keep animals out. Lighting the torches, he turned to look at his best friend. Her face was bruised, her right eye shut and she had cuts along her arms, legs and back. She had bled through her bandages, shirt and jacket.

"I need to clean your wounds." He whispered to her.

"Okay Harry."

"Take off your shirt, I'll go get the medicine."

He rushed into their tent and got out the first aid kit. He cried a bit when he saw her back. It was black and blue, bruises and broken skin everywhere. He was gentle as he put the ointment on. They weren't deep, which was good but seeing her hurt, it hurt him. He handed her the ointment to take care of the front as he bandaged her back. Together, they unpacked their new stuff. She organized and tallied up their money, only taking the backpack and leaving the rest in the pillowcase and suitcase for now, put their new blankets and other items in their room and went to go make them something to eat. Their tent still boggled them. It had three very large rooms, one of which was a mini library with hundreds upon hundreds of books, one they used as a bedroom and the last was their storage. It had made them laugh when they had stacked their toilet paper, something he made sure to stock up on. The survival, for war or end of the world or living off grid, said to stock up on the most mundane items. So they did. It went from one end of the room to the other and high that it touched the ceiling. Water was along the back wall, just as much, extra food and then all their household supplies. He was proud of their preparation. Their favorite room was the library. The library, it had been a safe haven when they were in school and this library would be as well. They hadn't known this library had existed before getting boxes upon boxes of books to keep learning. She had begged to do self study and he couldn't deny her, he wanted to as well. They weren't dumb enough to go back to school, they'd be taken right back to hell. There were two bathrooms but only one had a shower. The fact that this tent had plumbing confused the hell out of them but they were grateful, they read on what they might have had to do and they hadn't liked it. It had a full kitchen, thank goodness they could both cook, a chore they had to do at their old homes, a dining room and a sitting area. The cave had a lot of space and it was both cold enough to store extra food, even though they had a refrigerator and a freezer, this confused them as well, and the opposite side was warm enough to be comfortable.

"How much do we have now?"

He was still organizing things from their wagon, leaving them in piles but left the money in it. He was surprised at how much they fit in it. They both assumed it was just like their tent. In fact, all the things he stole from their neighbor was like this. It made him very suspicious.

"10,320 different canned food, your relatives house had a lot. 440 containers of water. 990 juice packets and mixes. 3082 tea bags. 90 containers of coffee. 312 boxes of hot chocolate. 455 laundry detergent boxes. 411 dish soap. 52 big towels. 72 hand towels and dish rags. 12 brooms. 320 first aid kits plus whatever we have out here. We have hundreds of personal items for bathing too. Monetary, we should be okay for a long time, we have 26,331.78 in our safe right now. I still have to count what we brought in the bags out here but I know my dad kept at minimum 50,000 and up to 150,000 in his safe, not sure how much your relatives had. What about what we have out in the shed?"

"Damn, we won't need to worry until we can get jobs. The shed has 22 hammers, about 3000 nails plus an extra twelve boxes. 7 screwdrivers and 2500 screws and four extra boxes, 12 shovels. From your parent's house. 6 axes, 6 machetes, 5 bows and 250 arrows, 100 pieces of rope in different lengths, 9 large wagons, 3 wheelbarrows, 5 bear traps, 13 knives, 3 large hunting knives, 34 fishing rods, 412 hooks and 300 spools of line. 4 fishing nets and 4 net traps. 34 torches and 100 boxes of batteries. 92 cases of matches and light up logs. 3 shot guns. 4 hand guns and 3 rifles plus about 600 boxes of ammo. We have 50 drums for water and 35 cases of purifiers. Why did your dad have so many of these? Oh and two radios. I have to organize and count this here but can finish it tomorrow."

"We'll be good for a while. He was always planning for the end of the world. It drove her crazy but my dad insisted."

"Yes and we'll be careful with what we use and how much. I'm grateful for his paranoia. I can learn how fish and hunt if needed but we need to find out how far we are away from any stores and which cities, we traveled far. There were no forests near our town so I'm not really sure where we are and how we got here by foot. We need to make sure we use everything from whatever animals we get. That book on edible vegetation will be helpful and we can grow our own too, I know you wanted to have a garden again."

"I'm glad we ran away. Thank you for taking me with you Harry, I feel safe now."

"Me too. I'm happy you're here with me. Come on, let's get some sleep. Do you want to shower first? We should have waited to change your bandages huh? We have a lot to do tomorrow and you need rest to heal."

"I did a wipe down, it hurt too much to try and shower now. I'll take one in the morning. Okay, that sounds like a plan."

Harry led her back into the tent and left her to get ready for bed while he went back out to turn off the torches and double check that the door to the wall he made was locked. He didn't know it but because he was so desperate to keep her safe, he let loose some very powerful accidental magic. It made it almost like a fidelius and a ward, nothing and no one but them could find their new home or get in their new home, not even bugs since he knew that frightened her. He blamed that on his fat cousin and friends as they tormented many of the girls with bugs. When he got back and walked into their room, he was surprised that she was still up, waiting for him. He smiled when he saw that her tiny arms were wrapped around this medium sized stuff animal. He got ready too, taking a quick shower then climbed into bed being extremely careful of her injuries. It was nice to have an actual bed, it was already in their tent. A four poster, king sized bed. He moved to the middle and together, they snuggled in to sleep. It was the best sleep either of them ever had. He held her tighter when he heard her sigh in happiness. They were safe now. They were free.

For the next three and a half years, they continued to live in happiness and safety within their new home. Harry and Hermione had grown a lot since running away, especially now that they were eating healthier, exercising more and all together, more at peace. The first few months had been hard, having to adjust being on their own. They were still children, they didn't know how to take care of themselves or each other. They knew more than most adults, seeing as their past made them grow up differently. They knew how to clean, keep organized, how to cook and do laundry. Hermione knew how to keep detailed notes on their supplies and their money. She was hyper-organized, almost neurotic about it. Another thing he hated her stepmother for. They had a schedule planned out, especially for their studies. Books were great and all but it was hard to learn certain life and social skills from a book but they thought they had done alright so far. They were careful about their supply and Harry was pleased that they hardly spent any of their money except for clothes or the very rare times that they went out into the close towns, snacks. Hermione loved sugary candies and he needed coffee. Oh, and ice cream. Heaven forbid they run out of that. Hermione sometimes got these random cravings for ice cream and she was an expert pouter.

Harry took a lot of their burdens on his shoulders, he was older and he was stronger. He made sure to hunt, to provide for Hermione. His first few experiences fishing and hunting had been terrifying, he hadn't caught anything and he feared not being able to truly take care of her. He worried about not being able to feed her well. She was so thin, so much worse than he was and she had spent much of those few months healing from that last beating her stepmother gave her. He was surprised how quickly she was able to learn how to care of their home. They had a little garden outside of their home, though he wasn't surprised seeing as she lived similar to his own and that it was a nice Potter. She had been so proud of her garden. They, as children, were forced to grow up, forced to be slaves to their relatives. He had extended their physical barriers so that she could have her little garden, so that it was safe for her to swim in the pond and sometimes the lake, she liked to give him panic attacks when she jumped through the waterfall. There were books in their library that helped them create sturdy walls, pens for animals, how to clean the animals and how to prepare some of them so that they could store food for later. He learned that her relatives would go camping often and her father loved hunting, teaching her and her brother how to live off grid so to say. It was was reason they had so much hunting gear. It was also a reason they were able to live a bit more comfortably. It still bothered him that her father demanded that Hermione needed to learn and do this, she was so small. Hermione had said that she had been doing this stuff since she was four years old. Harry could only picture how much smaller she had been. She was a tiny little thing.

Harry would sit outside and keep guard, especially when Hermione went outside. He couldn't explain it but he was paranoid about leaving her alone. They kept up with the news, getting papers weekly. His relatives hadn't made a fuss about his running away though they did get into a giant heap of trouble but her father had. Harry wasn't surprised, this was his second child that had run away from them. He didn't know how her father had been so blind to what had happened in his house. Maybe it was because Hermione's stepmother was such a monster but as a father, he should have protected his children. He knew that if he had been a father, he would do anything and everything he could to protect his family. Instead, her father let that woman beat Hermione, almost killing her on many occasions. Her stepmother had been arrested a month after they had left. Police had found multiple sets of bloody clothes, evidence in her room that she had been beaten, for years. At first, it had been because they stole from the safe and other things from the house. Harry hadn't known that Hermione had left a letter in it but it had helped free her father from her stepmother. Three and a half years later, they were still looking for her and now, also her older brother. He didn't care that her father was now trying, no one was going to take her away from him. No one. Ever.

"What do you think Mi?" He asked quietly.

They were reading their magic books, it was something crazy and so illogical but they could do it, they could use it, they could do magic. They had to adapt because they didn't have wands and apparently, doing it without a wand was supposed to he extremely difficult. This book was about advanced wards and about creating stones that they could bury to protect them. He was okay with anything that would keep them safe and hidden. He made it a goal to learn as much as he could and to practice as much as he could. This was important so they both practiced and they both learned.

"It sounds good." She whispered.

He was laying back in their bed, watching as she took notes and made lists. She had grown since they had run away. She was still small, smaller than he was but she was healthy now and she smiled more. Her voice was still soft, always just barely above a whisper but she was talking and that was all he needed. She had gotten taller now, growing to 4'7" but she was still thin, even with eating well, though stronger than before. His fingers were brushing through her long hair, it was no longer a tangled, bushy mess. It had been near her shoulders when they first met, butchered because that was another thing her stepmother had done and now, it was at her butt, perfectly cut and even a little styled. He had forced her to get it fixed up two years ago and he counted that as a success even though he had to hold her hand the entire time. He kept it braided for her, she always got frustrated when it would fall in her face. His was longer too, kept in either a low ponytail or in a bun. He too had grown a lot since running away and living with Hermione. His body now getting what it needed to grow healthy. He was taller now, at 5'3 inches and had considerable more muscle. He liked the manual labor it took to live out here. He wasn't heavily bulky like he saw other guys, even teenagers, but he was strong. He was going through his own lists in his head. It was already getting colder and he knew that this winter was going to be rougher for them. They would need to go into town soon, start stocking up on things they would need. Even with their supplies, winter was always a struggle. They would need more tea and coffee, snacks, spices and possibly new clothes. He knew what she loved cooking when it was cold and itemized it all in his head. He would need to increase his hunting and fishing. They had created a little pond inside the cave that was specifically for the fishes he caught, they only used it in the winter. It made it easy for them to use whenever they wanted to eat them, especially during the winter when he couldn't break the ice. He had learned his lesson the first year and though they weren't in any trouble with food, he knew Hermione and what she liked to eat. He wanted to always make sure to have what she wanted, especially food since she had been starved for it more than he had been. Hermione had gotten even more skilled at skinning any animal he caught and separating what they needed, what they gave back to the forest and also preparing it for either later use or in storage. His other hand ran through the blanket she had made using the rabbit skins. He loved this blanket and the deer skin in the sitting room that lay in front of the fire. He knew she was making another one, they had run upon a bear, well bears, they didn't even know that there were bears and such in Britain. Normally, there wasn't but these three had run away from a circus and had run into their traps. It had been a shock to find three dead bears the next day. Harry felt a little bad because they had been in cages their while lives only to die when they got free. He did have to admit that he enjoyed the meat, it was a bit different but the way Hermione cooked it, so delicious. They had a lot of it stocked in their freezer. It was still confusing to him to have this weird walk in freezer. They agreed, this tent was like a tardis chamber and they were thankful for it.

The next month had been busy. They had gone into town a few times, gathering what they needed in batches. Harry had gotten his papers, cursing as he saw the headlines about Hermione. Her father was relentless and it was irritating him but he was also glad that he had been so neglectful because if he hadn't been, he wouldn't have Hermione right now. Harry was standing outside, watching as Hermione buried the ward stones she had made. The book had said to make four, one for each corner but he had asked her to double it. He had walked around, marking each point of their territory, so to speak. With these stones, they could expand the area they called theirs. He didn't expand much, he liked the space they had, though he did agree to move it to the edge of the cliff. It had been a secret spot that they enjoyed, they would sit and watch the sunrise or sunset there. They hadn't realized how close to the cliffs they were until a week later. He had made wood and stone fences so that they wouldn't accidently get too close to the edge. How stupid would it have been to injure or die because of that. He didn't want to ward too much or he would need to travel farther for game, it was the only time he was without Hermione. She would stay in their tent, not even going outside the cave without him. Hmm, he needed to check the traps again. He heard snickers and looked down. At his feet were two foxes, still babies, Hermione hadn't wanted to kill them and they had refused to go. Their mother had died protecting them which Harry had tried to save. Any mother protecting their children would always get effort from him, he had found out that his mother had protected him and died doing it. He shivered, having his life in a book was weird and haunting.

"Shh, Mi needs to focus."

He thought about those books again.

Obviously, they could do magic and advanced magic as well. They had read through most of their library so far. He wanted to get a wand, the books talked about how his parents had powerful ones that had similar cores. He wondered if he and Hermione would have wands like that. His eyes followed her as she covered the last hole for their ward stones. He dug deep for them, even though those books said it only needed to be one foot in the ground. He didn't want any animals to dig it up or if there was some kind of accident so he dug and dug. Each hole was at least four to six feet deep and once she had patted the dirt, he felt it. Their magic had flooded the area, purifying it. Harry was extremely happy now, they were safe. Hermione was safe and that was all he needed. He rushed forward, hugging her and spinning them around. He was gifted with her giggles and heard the barking of their little foxes.

"Perfect! You are absolutely amazing!"

They had different strengths and they played on those strengths. He was stronger with offensive magic, as the book called it, while Hermione was stronger with defensive magic. There had been a situation when the police had stopped them, recognizing Hermione, and tried to physically take her. It had been the only time they were separate, he had been trying on new clothes. The moment he heard her cry, he burst out of the dressing room, half dressed. He had been so panicked that his magic had flared out. The police had been shocked, feeling as if they had been tasered multiple times. Harry had pulled her close with people coming all around them. Their features changed, no longer looking like themselves, part of his defensive magic. His defensive magic wasn't as strong as Hermione's so it did weird things. He just assumed this was one of them. When questioned by the manager and then by the police, he had laid out the most terrifying story of the police trying to kidnap his partner, how she couldn't talk and was followed throughout the day. The police had said that they thought she looked like the lost poster, they just wanted to speak to her to find out if that was her. The noise he had made, showing the new police and the manager the bruises on her arms when they grabbed her. He had been insulted that they, that anyone would think that he would ever, EVER, hurt Hermione. The new group of police had checked and saw that it couldn't have been his hands, the bruises were too large of a handprint and it was red, it had just been done. It helped that Hermione was terrified and crying in Harry's arms. He noticed a few funny looking people and he gripped Hermione tighter. For now, he ignored everyone, slowly sitting on the ground, Hermione was sobbing and shaking. She was almost hyperventilating from the fear of being taken away from Harry. The original group of officers were taken away, the manager walked with them as she helped them pick out clothing and to give them some protection. The funny looking people left half an hour later, obviously not finding whatever they were looking for. He was happy when that manager took them out to eat, though it had been difficult because Hermione had been too scared to sit by herself. He even had to help her eat, her hands were shaking too much. By the time they got back home, they were exhausted. It was then that they had focused on their magic and defending themselves. They never went back to that town again either. Harry shook his head to clear it, he hated that memory with a passion.

"I want to get a wand, what do you think?"

"Do we need one? We already do advanced spells without them."

"We do but imagine we run into someone magical and they see us, as young as we are, doing magic without one. You read how they would react."

"Hmm, true. Okay, I'm curious too."

"I don't think we should go to the reputable stores, they'd ask too many questions. The books also said that those wands would have that trace thing and that their government could track us using that."

"What about money? We don't have their kind."

"You're right. They have a bank though and remember, my family lived in that society.

They should have an account."

"We'll have to be careful. People are looking for you."

"Do we go at night? It said that bank is open at all times."

"I don't think we should, we can sneak in easier but then again, in the daytime there must be hundreds of people so we could get lost in between them."

"You're right. We'll go tomorrow before lunch. We can stop and get more books too, maybe those ingredients to make their potions. I know you have tried some but fresh ingredients could make them better."

Harry smiled when Hermione looked excited. He knew she was dying to try make some more potions, the books she read did look interesting. He had said that it looked like a weird soup recipe, something he didn't like making, which made her make a face at him. What?! He had a very sensitive sense of smell okay?! Potions smelled most of the time, okay, they had an unpleasant smell all of the time. It wasn't his fault that they stunk! He honestly only wanted to be good because his mother was amazing at it. An old potion professor and master had lots of praises about his mother. Harry pulled her close, just wanting to hold her as this day had been exhausting for her and his memories had brought him to a dark place. He smiled when she snuggled in his arms. He had a lot to think about, mostly because the thoughts and ideas in his head. A week ago, they made another trip to a store. He wanted to get more baking supplies, new seeds for vegetables that would grow best in winter and they needed more batteries for their torches. He also wanted to get oil, they had dug into the walls of the cave, putting oil in the groove and lighting it on fire. They were happy that it worked and it burned for hours. It gave off enough heat to make it comfortable and it didn't smoke or smell. It had been perfect for when they soaked in the warm spring, giving off lots of light to see. While they were out, many people commented that they were such a cute couple. He had smiled and thanked them, smiling more when Hermione had gotten bashful and hid her face into his chest. He had never thought about it before but he had watched other people, couples and how they acted toward one another. He noticed that they acted like them most of the time though they didn't kiss on the lips but kisses on the cheek or forehead happened often enough. He wondered about his parents. The books said that they had a great love, he wanted that. He wanted what his parents had and when he looked down at Hermione, he wanted that with her but they were young, too young. It didn't mean that it couldn't turn into something like that. He wanted it to turn like that. He didn't trust anyone like he did with Hermione and he knew that he never would. She was his everything and he did love her as the books explained. He would reflect on this more. He believed that Hermione felt the same thing, he would ask her once he knew it for sure.

Harry was tense. He did not like this. This was an unknown place and he did not like being out like this. He held onto Hermione's hand, her arm tucked into his elbow. These people were weird, so different. They had practiced changing their forms, which changed his eyes to amber, he liked Hermione's bright eyes, his hair was brown like hers but still in a low bun. The scar on his forehead had been hidden, even if he had to wear concealer. Hermione didn't change much, her hair stayed the same and he had braided it before they left. Her eyes were turned green, it shocked him a bit. He loved the color of her eyes, they were exotic and he only knew of her having that bright amber color.

They made their way to the bank, reading the warning and understanding it. They had agreed to keep their identity a secret, watching very closely at how the other adults interacted with the funny looking creatures. Hermione had signed to him, telling him to ask for a private meeting. He replied that he thought that would be best, especially after seeing those funny looking people from that one town. They were searching every face and he had a feeling that they were looking for him. He knew that kids get an invitation to their magical school when they eleven, he was going to be eleven in a few months so he would have just gotten that invitation. He would keep an eye open against these people. It put him on edge and he held Hermione tighter.

The meeting had been easy to call for. Multiple goblins were requested by Hermione, though he had to translate what she signed. He did wish she would speak to others but he understood her fears. She had been beaten by her stepmother every time she made a sound, since she was a little baby, she had even learned how to cry silently. It took him over two years, since he had met her, to get her to truly open up to him and to learn that she never had to fear him. He could even show anger now without her flinching away from him. That had been an accomplishment to him, that he could be completely open with his emotions and moods without her flinching away from him. Going back to this meeting, it had been an eye opener. He had money, lots of it. He was the richest person in the magical society, his family at the top of their society. There were people out to harm him, they stole from him and manipulated things so that he was put with the Dursley household. He immediately demanded that anyone who helped themselves to his family money and items be punished by the Goblin laws and not the government laws, that shocked the Goblin nation. The money would be returned with 75% interest. The betrothal contract was rejected and burned, all copies would be destroyed. He had to drop blood onto it while rejecting it. The smile he made when it shriveled and burned also shocked the nation, that a young boy could look as hardened as any of their warriors. He put Hermione in his accounts, blood binding her to his family. The leader had told him that if he made a betrothal contract between them, he could protect her from anyone who wanted to harm her. He did so immediately, slicing both their palms without hesitation, without even asking Hermione first but she had extended her hand to him and he took that as a yes, another shock. He learned who his allies and who his enemies were, he would destroy those enemies for they would try to take Hermione from him. He had told the goblins that he did not intend to live in this society, oh no, they were backwards and he didn't trust anyone but he was learning to trust them as they hadn't lied to him or caused Hermione distress nor were they trying to take her away, another shock. He had learned that lesson well, even more now knowing that people wanted to do him harm.

The surprise was that Hermione was also part of an ancient magical family. She was the sole member, the Mistress of the Dagworth-Granger bloodline. They weren't the richest in gold, though they were plenty rich, but they were richer in knowledge. Harry and Hermione had shown excitement over a whole vault full of books. They were more excited for that than gold, another shock. She had told Harry that she wanted her vaults to be connected with his. The goblins had been discombobulated, it took a very long conversation to get them to agree. They were partners, they share everything. Her betrothal contract to him had made her ask if she could create her own. A full circle contract she had Harry explain. Now their contracts protected them both, his stated that he would not contract with anyone but her, no outside relationships could be formed, even in death. Anyone caught trying would be subject to Goblin law and executed immediately with their family vaults given to them as compensation. Hers had said the same, that she would not allow anyone to interfere with her contract to him. They promised fidelity to one another and left it open for progeny, which never happens in magical society. They both had their contracts state a full magical core binding, equivalent to a soul binding. That hadn't been required in a thousand years but they liked the idea of never losing one another. It touched the goblins hearts as their culture, they only took one mate and only that one for life. They didn't believe in bouncing through relationships and having a mistress or another lover was forbidden. These two young people lived and breathed the same. They only wanted one another and they showed no mercy to their enemies, loyalty to their allies. To make things even better, they demanded that all those who wronged them would be punished by them, the Goblin nation, that they aligned themselves with the goblins.

"Tell me sir, who are the people who think they can steal from my family and why have they?"

"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has helped himself to your trust vault since the death of your parents, the very next day in fact. We have slaughtered the goblin who had helped him and also destroyed his entire line, the fortune from that line has been added to your vault as it is their deception that allowed the theft to happen. Dumbledore has stolen a little under 250 thousand galleons, we will take that back plus a 75% interest. That will end up being 437,500 galleons. He has taken a few items, the golden thrown which was a gift toward your ancestor. The invisibility cloak, an heirloom passed from father to son. The sword of Lord Gryffendor, an heirloom to your bloodline. The library chest that belonged to your mother. He wouldn't be able to open it much less read anything as it is blood bonded to the Potter and Evans family. He had taken many Potter family books, though he can't read them either, all books are blood bonded to the Potter family. He has one gold pensive and has bound the family phoenix."

"You will get them returned."

"We already have Lord Potter, they were returned to your family vault and soon, all monies will be taken back. The only one we have an issue is the phoenix. Unless you smear your blood across its chest, it will stay bound to the headmaster."

"Are you able to take the phoenix by force? Maybe we can call it here and I can break the bind. What about the others who have stolen from us?"

"I don't think so Lord Potter, the phoenix wouldn't be free to capture without alerting the headmaster or harming the phoenix itself. The Weasley family, who that betrothal contract was to, they have taken 13,750 galleons from your trust vault. We have charged them 24,062.5 galleons. They are a very poor family so it will take them decades, maybe even a century to pay it all. They did not have any other valuables of yours. These are the only two who have stolen from you."

"Then it takes them decades to pay us back, keep adding interest for every month it takes them to return the stolen money. I could demand their hands as a down payment, many cultures do that to punish thieves. Let them all know that we will have a blood feud against them and this Dumbledore person, let the entire society know who and why. List them all, name every single person guilty of betraying my family. My parent's will, I want a very public reading and for it to be in their papers, internationally even. I don't want them to have any place to run and hide. We will not be in any place that they are in, including this society. Are there any other illegal dealings they have done to us?"

"The headmaster threw one of your bonded godfathers in prison without a trial and. . ."

"Get him out and a trial. His safety is in your hands, I don't trust any other with family."

"Yes Lord Potter. Headmaster Dumbledore also threw another sworn godfather out of magical Britain for being a werewolf. "

"I want him back here. We don't live in any magical town so that won't matter. Is there any danger to Hermione with my godfather being a werewolf?"

"No Lord Potter. There is a potion, he will be able to take, that allows him to keep his mind. We can see what type of land you have and see about creating a warded area for him."

"Thank you for your help. I'm not sure if we will house either of them in our home or our land but maybe somewhere close by. We must go, we have things we need to do but we will be back."

"What about Hogwarts?"

"That Dumbledore person is there, we will not be there. Even if he wasn't the headmaster, we won't go. We will get tutors so that we follow the laws but this blood feud will keep us safe from him. Oh, I want newspapers delivered to us."

A Goblin handed him a gold and jeweled box.

"This box will allow you to receive both the papers and your money. Just write how many galleons you want and if you want it in your muggle currency. When you open it again, it will be in there."

"Thank you." Harry said and looked at Hermione.

"Hermione says thank you as well and that she is grateful for your help. She wants to know if we could see the vaults, especially for books."

The goblins looked between the two.

"Do you need a healer for Lady Dagworth-Granger? We can have someone check her vocal cords and it looks like she had a broken bone that wasn't healed correctly."

"You can heal previous injuries?"

"Yes Lord Potter. We have a time chamber within our nation."

Harry looked at Hermione and translated.

"What is a time chamber and what can be healed?"

"A time chamber is a Goblin made room. We set it for a specific amount of time depending on the amount necessary to heal. For example, broken bones take up to three to six months by the muggle standard and an hour by magical standard. We will be inside this chamber for the six months but out here, only six hours would pass. Almost all things can be healed though some curse wounds cannot be physically removed."

Harry looked down at Hermione, he did want to get rid of her scars and to fix her badly healed bones. They hurt her when it's cold and he would like for her not to be in pain this winter. It was already getting uncomfortable for her.

"We would both like the spend time with your healers. We did not have safe childhoods and I think we'll be in there for a while. Can we also study inside? We are taking care of our schooling independently."

"Of course Lord Potter. We will bring you what you need. Would you like to start on your magical lessons as well?"

He nodded when he felt Hermione tugging at his shirt knowing she wanted to.

"We don't have wands though."

"Will you be getting some?"

"We were planning on getting some. Are there places we can get them without that trace thing on them? I'm not interested in someone having any power over us, including knowing where we live. Our home is a safe place for Hermione and I won't have anyone disturbing that."

"There are a few stores within Knockturn Alley. There is a specific shop that creates wands specific for each witch or wizard. It is quite expensive as they are custom made. The wands won't be registered within the Ministry but the shop is guarded by aurors who will arrest anyone who goes through the front door."

"I assume you have a way to get there?"

"We do and will take you there when you are ready."

Harry looked down at Hermione. He wanted to get them wands but it sounded like it would be a very dangerous trip if the magical police was out there. He didn't want to do anything that would put her in danger. He absolutely refused to get a wand that the government was able to track. Absolutely not! He wrapped his arms around her, nervous and cautious. He peered down again when he felt her poke at his stomach.

'Can we please get wands?'

'Are you sure? It sounds dangerous just going to that shop. You know that there are people looking for us.'

'You're right, can we ask them to come with us?'

'I can ask, they do seem to want to protect us.'

He felt her nod against his chest but was staring into her eyes. He sighed and signed to her more.

'I may ask them to check our ward stones, make sure they are good. Did you see how their wards threw those police back?'

'Let's do that then we can get some supplies?'

'Of course, I promised you.'

"Will you be willing to take us and stay with us as we go? I also want to ask if you can check our wards, let us know if we need to change anything."

The goblins looked at each other then looked at the young Lord Potter. He was respectful toward them as was the little lady. They were inquisitive but not disrespectful. It was also nice to be trusted so completely. Their leader seemed to like them and was going further to support them.

"We would be be willing to see your wards and will give you two guards while you go about your business. First, we will spend time in the chamber to heal."

"Alright, thank you."

For Harry and Hermione, they spent two years inside of the time chamber. There were much to be healed, then they wanted to learn all that they would have at school. They were even able to learn a few other subjects from the goblins. Those goblins sat down afterwards wondering how these two children had gotten them to agree. No human had ever learned their traditions, especially swordsmanship. But going back, their healing had been extensive. Hermione had broken bones upon broken bones though her mental health needed delicate handling. She was so fearful of adults, of raised voices and hands. She trusted no one but Harry. That lack of trust has been reiterated when she found out her stepmother had been a half blooded witch and had tried to kill her and her brother so that she could claim the Dagworth-Granger titles. She found out that her stepmother had found her brother six months after he left and slaughtered him. The goblins promised to hand over the evidence so that she would be punished by both her society and the magical society. It also meant that her lineage was out in public. She was the last of the Dagworth-Granger bloodline and on top of that, she was the heir to the Ravenclaw bloodline. At least she was safe, her betrothal contract was complete. No one would be able to recall it or fight it. Harry had a different problem as he was stuck with a cursed scar. It had been boggling to the goblins that he could live without problems or possession. Getting rid of it had been ridiculously simple that it was almost insulting. With the shade being summoned from it, they were able to find the rest of the soul pieces. Harry decided not to destroy the broken soul just yet, there was still a small sliver missing from it,qdlt instead they bound it into an orb and kept it in a concealed box that they lay in the deepest vault. The soul would eventually go crazy and disintegrate, thus never being able to go off on that great adventure or to be reborn. Another reason was because Hermione had heard about the dark mark, she wanted to test it and see if people were literally bound to them and if it meant that they could be punished through it. The idea sparked something in them and together, they dived into research.

Harry looked at his best friend and wondered how he had even been given such a gift. The two years in this place had truly healed them. They had been broken and reforged. There were no secrets between them and there were no lies. It was what had helped them heal and they did so together, always together. He had held her when her body shook from the pain, held her through crying fits and night terrors. These were things he dealt with before but to have to watch the memories, it hurt so much. He wanted to kill her stepmother, all that pain and suffering. All of it, for nothing. That woman took Hermione's childhood away. That woman beat and tormented her, killed her brother, poisoned her father and it looked like she had been the reason her mother died. He didn't care that her father was now trying to find her or wanting to care for her. It was too late. She was his now and he would protect her better than anyone else. The goblins had said that Hermione reminded them of his mother. She was kind, she was intelligent, she was accepting and she was loyal. . . She had a temper too. She may not have the volcano explosive like his mother, he had been shocked to hear some of the stories, but she did get angry. It was the first time he had seen it too and that was when they kept poking and prodding his scar. It had the goblins on edge, her anger was almost silent but it rattled the walls, items flew off their tables and slammed themselves all over the room. It affected the very area they were in and there had been notifications that the entire bank had started to shake. It took Harry coming off the table, picking her up and hugging her in a corner to calm her down. He almost wanted the anger rather than the tears that came afterwards. Her tears hurt him and he was almost paralyzed when she had cried herself to sleep, hiccups as her hands gripped his robe tightly. She had almost reverted back to the beginning, silent and locked in a shell. It lasted almost a month that he didn't get to hear her voice, that she refused to be left alone. It was back to when they first ran away, not being able to use to bathroom without her sitting outside the door waiting or having to hold her hand while she bathed with only a thin curtain separating them. It was different now, they were older. He was thirteen now and he definitely noticed Hermione. She was the most beauitful to him with her long flowing hair that was a an array of different browns, amber and blonde all intertwining. Her eyes were so open to him and only to him, her light and bright amber eyes that looked at him with utter trust. She had grown a few more inches and he could see her body already start to grow into an adolescent. He really liked the curves her body had started to form. He had almost laughed when one of the Goblin females had to explain menses with her and get her some training bras for her. He definitely noticed when they slept and it had been a bit uncomfortable. They had to go through many lessons, it wasn't so much sex education but more of a biology lesson. Great. Just thinking about this was making him feel funny.

Lessons, he loved and hated them. Most of the magical lessons had nothing that follows the natural order of the universe. They had finished most of their upper secondary education and were well into the fifth year curriculum. The goblins know that wizards and witches need wands. It is a fact but as they taught and guided these two, that fact was no longer acceptable knowledge. These two did not need wands and in their honest opinion, it may end up being a crutch to them. Of course, they were going to get wands made specifically for them but still, it was a thing to worry about.

'Do you think we should really get wands? What if it starts to limit us?'

"I know, I worry about that too but I still want to get one."

'But Harry. . .'

"What if we get them but we limit our use of it? The magical here all use it, they would tell that we were different if we didn't have them."

'That's true.'

"I know you're worried about it but I promise

Mi. If either of us feels that we are depending too much on wands, we'll snap them or hide them. Deal?"

He smiled when she smiled at him and nodded her head. He really missed her voice, he still hadn't heard much of it since that day. He hadn't thought her demons had been so terrifying. Although, she was so much smaller and her trauma had started when she was a month old compared to him who still could remember gentle touches. He really hated her stepmother and the poison of revenge dwelled deep inside of him. Hermione was such a gentle soul and she was so loving and intelligent. It was an absolute sin that someone, who was supposed to care and love her, did this to her. Harry gently pulled her into his arms, a soft smile adorning his face as she willingly fell in his embrace. If there was just one thing he didn't like, it was all the hormones he had to deal with. Being a teenager was frustrating. He had spoken to the goblins about how to get rid of these pesky hormones. . . They actually laughed at him and one patted his shoulder.

"Lord Potter, Lady Dagworth-Granger, the two years are nearly finished. Is there anything else you would like to focus on? You finished your OWLS and you have done all of your upper secondary schooling. We know you wish to head to university but we do think your age and situation may bring a lot of unwanted news to you. We can look into other opportunities for you."

'Can we learn occlumency and legilimacy?'

"That's a great idea! Hermione and I would like to learn occlumency and legilimency."

"We don't teach the wizard like spell. I have no problem teaching you our methods, you've learned much of our culture."

Harry nodded, grateful that they were going to teach them. It took another month of training and it was the hardest thing he had ever learned. It was also something that he liked and disliked. He liked that he could shield his mind, make it so that others couldn't attack his mind and that he could take an offensive if needed. He disliked that Hermione could hide behind it though he could tell the signs of her occluding. He was comforted that she would drop her shields to him and he told her, point blank, that they needed to find a way so she couldn't hide from him at all. Of course, learning these two skills would definitely help them and keep them safe and best part, it was relatively embarrassment free unlike the other education they had to learn. Sex education had not been fun, especially when they had been separated for individual learning. The near panic attack almost canceled the lessons but he had talked her down. Promised that if she could finish these lessons then they would take a break and just spend time together. It worked and they did spend time though she just napped through it all. He had to find a way to get her to overcome her fear. The goblins were very thorough and had him learning charms to keep from getting someone pregnant, he would only ever get Hermione pregnant. They had him learning about magical anatomy and many of the goblin males had things to say, especially on making Hermione feel comfortable during the act, the ideals that were different between goblin and human expectations. He thought they were correct, that human males were very greedy and self centered. The act was for more than just procreation, it was a way to connect at the deepest level and if done correctly, with love and trust, two souls could feel one another. He took these lessons seriously. He knew, deep in his magic, heart and soul, Hermione would be his one and only. He wasn't interested like other boys who only wanted to get their dicks wet with anyone and everyone they could. He was only interested in one, his Hermione. If it made him the freak his relatives would call him, then so be it. It made him feel secure knowing that Hermione felt the same, that there was no embarrassment between them, how could it when they lived together for years and had seem one another at their best and worst, that they just continued as normal. They conversation had been an eye opener and it had eased both their hearts to know that they did love another and that their love was noticeable by others. They were praised for their loyalty to one another. The goblin males were impressed by his deep sense of possession of her heart and his fierce protective nature toward his mate. They gave him advice and even books that generations of males had written. Things to help when Hermione would have mood swings due to her menses, during arguments and disagreements, during lovemaking, if there was a time he needed to leave for a fight or for war, childbirth and even raising children. It was a great gift and he let them know how much he treasured it. It definitely helped as they grew older and as their relationship evolved. He knew without it, he would have floundered or even messed up. Yes, he would probably have messed up.

"We are finished with your healing Lord Potter. You will have four guards with you, we will stay hidden, as you go get your wand. Depending on what your wand needs, it may take a day to a week but if it is unusual, it could take up to a month for the maker to complete."

Harry turned to Hermione when she tugged at his shirt. He really needed to hear her voice, he missed it.

'Can we wait to get more books? Can we ask them if they could order some for us instead? I don't want to wander around.'

"Could we order our books? Hermione doesn't want to just wander around and I agree with her. It might be best if we just get our wands today."

The goblins looked at the petite young woman standing in the young man's arms. No matter what they did, what help they gave, she just refused to speak. They saw the memories too and they understood. She was a human adolescent, humans dealt with her type of trauma differently. They did wish that they could have helped her more. They enjoyed the young woman, her joy when learning something and her kindness. She was willing to go through the pain of her past and deal with it head on. They respected her for facing those fears and for pushing forward.

"We can do that. There are several stores that have catalogs, we'll send it into your box. Once you choose, we'll deduct it from your vaults and it will be delivered in the same way. We will also catalog the six vaults so that you may know what is in them and call for them."

'I like that Harry.'

"I agree but Mi, we do eventually have to walk through their town. We can't just hide away forever."

'I know but I'm not ready. I think I'd have an anxiety attack. Just the idea of walking around with all those people who are looking for us, trying to subject us or hurt us. I'm not ready for that, not yet.'

"I'll protect you Mi and I won't force you but we do have to eventually."

'Okay, just not now?'

"No Mi, not now, I won't push you."

'Thank you Harry.'

"I'll always protect you. I'll always do my best to keep you safe and happy.'

He was rewarded by her little smile, something he rarely saw these last two years. He only saw it when they were by themselves. Sometimes he wished that they hadn't done the healing as Hermione had completely gone back into her shell so to speak. Adults terrified her, even goblin adults. He really did wish he could hurt her stepmother. All the things he witnessed her doing to his soft hearted Hermione, the way she had turned her father into a monster as well. He didn't hit her or yell at her but he was so neglectful that he did just as much damage. The goblins had told him that having all those memories come forth and the way her mind worked, it would take years upon years to work through but that she would work through them. It hurt his heart to hear her whimper and cry out every night. It hurt his heart to see her flinch when an adult comes within three feet of her. It hurts his heart to see fear in her eyes when they need to separate or when he walks away to another part of the room and there are adults near. All he can do, all he does is hold her tightly and whisper that he is there for her, that he would always be right here for her and that she will always be safe in his arms. He waits until she's asleep before he cries for her pain. He's the strong one, he can't let her see him break down. He feels as if, the moment he does, she'll lose her faith in his strength.

Today was the day they were getting their wands made. They had seen the aurors out and about, the magical police, all walking around and looking for or at people. Harry knows that they are looking for him and by next week, they'll be looking for Hermione. With the goblins, they enter through a specialized door. It takes them into a special room that no one but the wand maker can enter. The woman is odd to Harry and scary to Hermione. She is a large woman, whose face is set in a frown. Her voice is loud when she speaks and it makes Hermione jump. Harry had been calm but firm when he spoke to her, explaining that she needed to lower her voice and that she was frightening his partner. He is pleased when the woman does so and apologizes to Hermione. He didn't think Hermione would come out from behind him unless he was holding her and it had been a problem when it was her turn to call upon her wand items.

His wand was going to be amazing. He had a combination of elder and african black wood. The core of his wand was apparently very difficult and made the wand maker really happy. He had a conjoined twin tail features of a white phoenix which the wand maker said was the only one to ever be given, the heart string of a Hungarian horntail, an alpha Hungarian horntail, the claw of a hippogriff and the scale of a Hippocampus which she said had been from an elder patriarch. The wand maker said that his wand would be almost unbeatable and great for more offensive, powerful magic. He asked if there was a way to make sure his wand only worked for him or his family, he hadn't been thrilled to hear that someone could take his wand and use it against him or worse, use it against Hermione. She said that she could blood bind it and he agreed but added that he wanted Hermione to add her blood as well. The wand maker was shocked but eventually agreed. When it was Hermione's turn, the wand maker had to step back. She understood and stood in the corner and Harry had to step away as well. He smiled at Hermione and nodded. Hermione had been in awe at the feeling of the materials as they came to her magic's call. The wood was a mixture as well, elder and vine wood had come immediately but then a thin vial had come up. It was almost fluid in its form and had a color and look of pearls. The wand maker had gasped and her hands came up to cover her mouth. Tears ran down the wand maker's face. Harry was confused at the reaction but he was happy for Hermione. She had multiple cores like him. Hers were the tears of the same white phoenix. The scale from the same Hungarian horntail, the blood of the matriarch unicorn and the heartstring of a hippocampus. The wand maker still had tears running down her face as she told them that just as Harry's wand was for offensive spell casting, Hermione's was for defensive and healing spell casting. Tears of a phoenix was the best counter for any damage, physical wounds or dark spells. The gifted blood from the unicorn had more healing properties than most knew about. There was a legend that the blood of a matriarchal unicorn, freely given, had more power than the tears of a phoenix and if given to a woman, who had love in her heart, could actually bring someone back that was close to death. She spoke of the wand sheaths, that the pearl like liquid was actual pearls. It was a gift from the kind queen of an ancient mermaid clan. She said that the gifts were unknown but that the mermaid queen that gave this had been extremely powerful. The wand maker was so excited and told them that this would take, at minimum, two weeks. They requested that she notify the goblins when the wands were ready. Before they left, they gave the wand maker two drops of their blood. One drop would go into each of their wands.

When Harry and Hermione finally went home, they had been so happy that they did absolutely nothing they normally did. They had actually gone out to have a day out. Harry took Hermione to a movie, they both enjoyed it very much, then went out to dinner. Because Harry loved the food, Hermione had asked the chefs if she could learn how to make it. It had touched Harry that she would be brave enough to be surrounded by adults in a very loud and chaotic setting. They had walked through the evening with large cups of hot chocolate and a mocha for him. He laughed when Hermione had tried it and made a face. She didn't like coffee though she liked the smell of it. He had picked up some newspapers while she picked out a book near the coffee shop. He smiled as they walked, getting stopped twice by a pair of elderly couples. They paid them both a lot of compliments, smiling at them both. It made him feel good that people liked them, thought they were adorable together. He wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist, he liked the feeling of this. As they turned toward the path that led them home, he stopped. Harry looked down at Hermione, his gaze was intense but Hermione didn't shy away or look scared. With his free hand, he was gripping his mug a little tightly, he tilted her head up to him. His index fingers and his thumb had a small hold on her chin and he bent down, he moved slowly in case she didn't want him to and brushed his lips against hers. Harry realized that he had nothing to fear as Hermione extended up on her tiptoes to push back. They spent a few seconds kissing one another. Their first kiss and it was wonderful. Harry wanted to do it again, he wanted more of it. This was the start of their growing relationship, kisses would happen every morning, every night and any time in between.

"I'm happy to be home again." Hermione said softly.

"Me too. Did you think all that healing was okay?"

"For the physical part, yes. I just, I feel more

vulnerable, you know, mentally."

Harry picked her up and placed her in his lap.

"That's what I mean. You're more scared now than before we did this healing."

"I think it was good but um, the healer said that they were wrong. . ."

"Wrong?"

"They said that giving me the information about that woman, what she tried to do and about my heritage, what she did to my brother. It was too much too soon. Harry, she killed my brother for money. She tried to kill me for money."

Harry held her tightly as she cried into his chest. He understood, he did. He had yelled about it as the moment they told them, she had been catatonic for days. They had been forced to feed her potions just to keep her alive. That woman was a monster and he was still debating if exacting his own punishment was worth staining his soul. All the pain Hermione went through, all the abuse. He thought he had it bad but his relatives hadn't tried to actively kill him, just rough him up. He remembered the day he saw it all, through the memory viewer as Hermione was unconscious, healing. He had raged and cried, screamed and wailed. He remembered how small she was, looking years younger because of the abuse she went through, compared to kids their own age. He, too, had been smaller than the other boys but just a little. Watching as she healed, as she grew so that she was where she was supposed to be, it made him so happy. If only her mental healing had been on par. He had been upset that she had seemed to regress but he understood that the news they received was horrible. To know that a woman, who her father had chosen, had designs on things like money. Money and heritage that she wouldn't have recieved anyway, since she wasn't in any way part of the blood lineage, unable to inherit. It was enraging to him. This woman tortured Hermione and tortured then killed her older brother. That this woman was just thrown into jail was insulting. He had demanded, from the goblins, that she be punished through magical court. They promised that when they released his parent's will, stated that both he and Hermione had taken their legacy and announced their betrothal, aired out the sins of those who wronged his family and called for the blood feud, that they would also call for the trial and punishment of Hermione's stepmother. They didn't know if they would go to the trial, they would speak their part from the Goblin nation beforehand, just in case Hermione felt that she couldn't be in the same room. It was a big risk but they were going to ally themselves with the Goblin nation and tell all, that the magical community has forsaken them, that only through the Goblin nation did they feel safe. He knew that the goblins had been in shock but they had been adamant. They trusted no magical persons, only the goblins. He had told the goblin healers that he didn't even know if he could trust and stand to be in his godfather's presence. He understood that they had been taken from him but he had such mistrust in adults and in the magical society, he didn't know if he could accept them into his life the way they probably wanted to be. He couldn't and wouldn't put pressure on Hermione either and her fear of adults was so high that she would probably have a panic attack. He would have to wait and see, he wouldn't immediately dismiss them but they needed to understand that Hermione was first and foremost the most important person to him. Her comfort and safety meant everything to him.

The next month had been a time of true healing. Harry and Hermione had spent a lot of time talking things through, a lot of talking and a lot of crying. A good memory was the day they had picked up their wands. They were so beautiful. He felt like a piece had come home to him and he knew that Hermione had felt the same. She was happy, truly happy. He had received a huge hug and she had even thanked the wand maker, she spoke to her. That was the greatest gift to him, that she fought her fear and said something. Yes, she was hiding in his arms as she did it but she looked at the woman and spoke to her. The wand maker obviously understood that this was a big thing and she just smiled at them both and told them that if they needed anything, that she would be here for them. Not only did Hermione speak to the wand maker but she then spoke to the goblins, thanking them for all their help and for being patient with her. Harry couldn't help but cry, he was just so relieved.

He had asked the wand maker and the goblins if her being united with her wand had possibly helped. The wand maker was adamant that it was definitely because of it. She reminded him that her wand was made by all the good and pure in their world, that it was a wand of healing. Harry sighed in relief. As much as he loved bring her rock, he knew that she would either self destruct or she would make a turn for the worst. Her memories, her life was too difficult for someone like Hermione. She was too gentle and soft hearted. Hell, she still cried a little for every animal he needed to kill and that was for their sustenance! It wasn't like he killed them for sport. He even kept her away from their fish pond, less she start naming them and then they wouldn't have that as food.

"Has everything been taken care of?" Harry asked.

"It has. All papers, here and internationally, have been given, your parent's will as well as the notification of the blood feud and the reasons why."

"The reactions?"

"We have closed the Weasley and Prewitt family vaults, they were notified that the betrothal contract was ended by you and the cost of the debt to you. Several of the children have come to assist in the restitution. The oldest of the children is a curse breaker here, we had to separate him from the parents, especially the mother. He nearly cursed them and his reaction was of someone who was betrayed. The only ones responsible is the mother and the two youngest children. The rest have been asked to separate and live with the oldest. The father was taken to St. Mungo for potioning and stated that he would announce the divorce declaration when he was cleared."

"Retract and lay all sins upon the mother and her youngest children. Let them pay the restitution. Contact your curse breaker, I will pay for his father's hospital bills. Can he make a contract even if he is employed with you?"

"Depends on the contract Lord Potter."

"Do you think he will be a sound ally?"

"He would be. Would you like Gringotts to make a suitable contract?"

"Yes. If he is sound and has your trust, I would. What about the father?"

"He works for the Ministry, would have been a great seat on the Wizengamot but with that wife of his, no one wanted him around."

"Make a contract for the father. Make sure he understands discretion, we will pay him. . ."

"A ministry worker makes 8 galleons a day Lord Potter."

"Hmm, we will pay him 12 galleons a day and supply his family with a suitable home."

"And the terms?"

"What do you think is best?"

"Lock him in the contract. Demand that he bind his wife and two youngest children before declaring the divorce decree. It will become permanent after that. Make sure to include a clause that they are not to do you or your bloodline any harm or conspire from now until the end of time be it from themselves or anyone else. If you want to be high handed, demand that they be infertile so as not to pass their tainted blood to the next generation. It is what most old families demanded. It will protect Lady Dagworth-Granger as well. The House of Weasley needs to become a vessal to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, this will make sure that they cannot betray you and you will then protect them."

"I can agree to that, add in that they are also in agreement with and stand beside the Goblin Nation. Let's do that."

The Goblin king gave Harry a closed smile and he did the same.

"Very well Lord Potter. The headmaster has been called into question as he has verbally declared himself you magical guardian. No one knew that the Potter magic had rejected him when he tried. We have closed all three of his accounts and banned him from Gringotts. He has been fired from two of his high positions. Chief Warlock for the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump for the ICW. There are investigations pending. We have requested from the Deputy headmistress to release the phoenix to us. She has stated that in two days, she will bring it to us. Your godfather has been released from prison and is in our time chamber, he will spend about three weeks in there, which means it will be three years for him. We have send a missive to your werewolf godfather, the mail ward has been deactivated. We expect to either hear from him or he will be here within the time it takes your other godfather to finish healing."

"Good. Thank you."

"It is our pleasure Lord Potter. We have released your betrothal declaration to Lady Dagworth-Granger as well as the statement of the illegal contract the Weasley woman and the headmaster had created and signed the night your parents were murdered. It doesn't look good for them and people are questioning if they had anything to do with their murders. We will do what we can to find out as well. The Wizengamot knows and

acknowledges your request that their punishment be handled by the Goblin Nation. Being either of the two of those children, well, there has been call for blood. Lady Dagworth-Granger, her stepmother, has been called for a trial. I would suggest you plea for life in prison in the high security tower. With the dementors so close, she will not live long and will suffer extreme torture from being so close to the fey."

"Do you suggest the same for Dumbledore and the Weasley woman? I know I placed their punishment in your hands. I want to make sure they can never harm Hermione."

"No, we will personally handle their punishments. The children should go through a stint in the medical wards at St. Mungo then have them go to Hogwarts. Since they wanted to be a part of your glory, they can see how

the other side of the spectrum is. They will not have very many positive prospects. Their lives are pretty much over. No one will take pity on them. No one will want them because no one will trust them. They will be outcasts from here on out."

"Does this society know that we will not be at their school?"

"They do. There have been riots and have placed blame on Dumbledore and the Weasley woman. No one is going to demand you or Lady Dagworth-Granger to go. I suggest a photo for the papers with a statement."

"Will they demand one from Hermione?"

"Possibly though we can turn her mutism in our favor. Dumbledore gave away their location to her stepmother. She tortured Lady Dagworth-Granger and caused her to become mute. All the more blame onto Dumbledore."

"Did he? Did that bastard turn that psycho in Hermione's direction?!"

"When her stepmother was in school, she learned of the Dagworth-Granger legacy. Dumbledore lied to her about how to claim it. He didn't actively turn the woman in her direction but he does things like that. He is like a chess master, he hides in the shadows and manipulates the situations."

"Crucify him, everything you can to make his fall even more painful."

"We shall Lord Potter."

For the next year and a half, it was busy. The trials started right after he and Hermione sat down to talk. He spoke of their childhoods, of the pain and suffering they both went through. He didnt confirm or deny the involvement of Dumbledore or the Weasley woman, he didn't need to. Hermione, even though she hadn't been in the meetings with the goblins when he went, acted perfectly. He told her of what they had said, that Dumbledore had planted the idea in her stepmother's head about her inheritance. The interviewers all felt their hearts breaking for the young woman, she looked absolutely terrified of them, she was trembling with fear and refused to look at them. They couldn't help but be sympathetic as this young woman, this adolescent girl sat next to Lord Potter, an old and tattered stuffed animal in her arms, being held tightly in his arms. They had been warned that she feared adults and to see it so blatantly, it was pretty soul shattering. They all tried to make themselves look smaller, they spoke softly and kindly. Even the most vicious reporter, the gossip queen herself, had tempered herself in the face of such an innocent young woman. It was a first for her, to be tamed like this but she knew the story and she knew the results. Nobody knew but she vowed to help destroy all those who had done this to the girl. She had touched their heart strings as she shyly peered at them with tear filled, terrified eyes. They were all given a list, it was notes from a goblin healer and they were horrified. Their stories spun compassion toward the couple in front of them and it sparked action from all magical communities. This is what happened when those in power had been given too much freedom, what corruption does, the harm it does to children. These two should have been safe and taken care of. Instead, people tried to use them and they put them in situations that abused them.

At Hogwarts, the magical school of Britain, sobs were heard throughout the great hall. For years, the children had been excited. They had expected the Boy Who Lived to join them. The first year came and he was not with them. People had started to panic and then this happened. News article after news article came out, photos of him were plastered everywhere. His betrothal announcement and the unveiling of a lost heiress. Girls and women alike had wailed in distress and heartbreak, the plans to become Lady Potter crumbling into dust. Boys had been in awe of the beauty of this heiress. All were jealous but they could see the the warning in his eyes, the possessive way he held the young woman. To go against them would be suicide and not to mention their contract, it was airtight. A lot of boys had demanded that their families look into it, the want to have such a bloodline and a beautiful witch spurring them on. No one, not a single person could find any wiggle room. It was a solid and thorough contract. Then the bomb was dropped as the Boy Who Lived, the unearthed Lord Potter, declared a blood feud against the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore and the mother of the Weasley family, plus the two youngest of the children. The charges were splashed against the headlines. No matter if the family was light, neutral or dark, nothing excused the actions that were heaped onto the Lord Potter and the Lady Dagworth-Granger. The illegal betrothal contract that Dumbledore and that fat Weasley woman signed the night the former Lord and Lady Potter died. The galleons stolen and the historical family relics, stolen as if they were something to just take for the hell of taking them. These were precious heirlooms, heirlooms that Dumbledore and the Weasley woman had no business even looking at.

Harry and Hermione decided to attend the trials of Dumbledore and of the Weasley woman. Arthur had recovered and he signed the agreement to become a vassal for the House of Potter. He bound his children's magic, they had enough not to be called a squib. The head of the Weasley family had cried when he made his two youngest children infertile but he understood the reason. He bound the magic within his wife as he had done to his children, forbid her to ever touch a potion even if it was meant for herself. He wanted her to suffer for all the years she had made him suffer. He was there, sitting with his heir, waiting for his turn to speak and when he did, he would declare the divorce and kick her and his two youngest out of his family. They had no business, their thoughts and actions were against what his family name stood for.

"SEAL THE DOORS!"

Hermione jumped at the shout and the slamming of the doors. Her eyes were wide and her hands gripped onto Harry's arm. He immediately stood up, his eyes narrowed and his magic flaring. The people in the court all stared, first at him then down to the young woman. They all sat there with either their heads bowed or leaning back in shock at the sheer power this young Lord was flaring out just because it scared his betrothed.

"I apologize Lord Potter, this is how we call upon the magic of the room."

He stared for a moment before nodding. The people sighed in relief as his magic lessened, pulled back within his body. Damn, he was strong. No one could turn their eyes from him, watching as he gently cared for his betrothed. The women sighed at the gentle care he gave to her, the way he tucked her into his arms. The men saw it a little differently. They saw the power he possessed and could now understand why the Dark Lord had tried to eliminate him and why he had been defeated. They looked at the young woman in his arms and shivered. Some had thought to use her to bring him down and immediately rejected the idea. He would probably slaughter them all for even to think about it and succeed too.

"First order of business, there are a few, is the declaration of the new Lord Potter and his betrothed, Lady Dagworth-Granger. Is there any opposed to their being invited to our great audience?"

Not a single person rejected them.

"The second order of business. The blood feud between Lord Potter and his betrothed against Mr. Albus Dumbledore and Mrs. Molly Weasley. Is there any opposed to this trial?"

Not a single person opposed.

"Very well. Let us get started."

The trial was big news for weeks as it had taken weeks to get everything out in the open. What started from just Harry had trickled down to tens of families who had wronged by Dumbledore. Lord Sirius Black had been freed, pardoned and had a list of demands that the Wizengamot had no choice but to accept. The most controversial was his request to marry a known werewolf. This person had been spelled and thrown away from his home, forced to live desolate and abandoned. They had also declared blood feud between Mr. Albus Dumbledore and Mrs. Molly Weasley. Things were definitely not in their favor. No amount of empty platitudes, words about the greater good, pleas and begging would do. For every statement Dumbledore and Molly Weasley made, Harry had a

statement to retaliate. He questioned whose greater good mattered because the greed and selfishness of one senile old man could not be considered the greater good for all. One woman's insanity and lust for money and prestige was not in the best interest for all people involved. He may have been intentionally cruel when he said that there was no way that he would leave his beautiful best friend and betrothed to be with her disgusting, ugly, inbred child. That he was his father's son and had fell in love with the most intelligent, kindest, giving, strongest and most beautiful young lady he had ever met. He saw, in his peripheral, the fall of that girl's face as she cried but he didn't care. She had gone along with her mother, willing to trap him in a relationship and would have demanded that he leave the only person who loved him. Taking away someone's free will is evil and to Harry, that is how he considered

them. They would try to take Hermione from him, that was a crime he would never forgive. He demanded the maximum punishment. He ignored the wailing and the shouting, he ignored the pleading and the apologies. Harry looked at Hermione and hardened his heart. Anyone who would try to separate them would never get any sympathy from him. He made sure of it and he would watch them burn in their guilt. Harry and Hermione had only sat in for the first day, the day her stepmother was brought in and the day of sentencing. Harry didn't think being in the court, surrounded by people was good for Hermione. In the end, they had gotten what they wanted and on that last day, they dropped their bomb. The Boy Who Lived and his betrothed would not live in magical society, ever. They would not abandon it like it had abandoned them but they felt no loyalty to a society that failed them so

spectacularly. Nothing anyone could say could counter that because it was true. They had failed them.

The two adults and two children who were on the other side of the blood feud couldn't do anything but stare. They didn't know what had happened. First was with Albus Dumbledore, he had done everything right in his own eyes. He had dropped the boy off in the worst place he could, knowing how those two muggles were. The hatred they had at magic would have beaten the boy down and then he would be there and the boy wouldn't be able to look at him without being thankful for his invitation. He would be a benevolent God to am emotionally starved child. This was not a boy beaten down. This was a young man who was skilled and intelligent. He stood tall and stared into everyone's eyes, willing them to try and cross him. Not only that but he had the lost heiress by his side. He had thought that the once young girl he guided had killed every one of that line. He had planted the seed deep inside, nurtured it with lies and assumed that she had taken care of it. He even made sure that she would NEVER carry the next generation. So what went wrong? He didn't have any hatred toward the heiress but her grandfather had humiliated him and denied him galleons and training, calling him a clown and a fraud. Dumbledore didn't know how both of them had even snuck into the magical world. None of his spies had said that they found him or that he had gone to the goblins. And those goblins! They disobeyed him! He was left sitting here in chains, watching and listening as all his wonderful plans crumbled.

Molly Weasley was fuming. The boy that Albus had promised, he wasn't that boy. The young man standing in front of her was a Lord and had destroyed all her dreams. He had called her a controlling, selfish and self absorbed psychopath. An unwanted, fat harridan who was the last person he would ever want as a friend or as family. When she said that he would have no choice, the betrothal contract between him and her daughter, he laughed at her. He said, very loudly, that he destroyed that illegal contract and did so happily. That he got great pleasure watching her illegal contract rip itself to shreds before he watched it burn to ashes. He said that he would rather kill himself and let his family magic and bloodline die than to marry one of her children. Then, THEN, he pulled out another contract. It was a air tight, complete betrothal contract to that girl, the last of the Dagworth-Granger bloodline. He told them that he had chosen and his family magic had blessed them. She had screamed but had been silenced. He dared called her precious daughter stupid, a foolish little child. That she was as psychotic as her mother if she thought that she was in anyway on par with his betrothed. He said that he would have to be admitted into the psyche ward if anyone thought he would willingly leave his beautiful woman for such a hideous child. That his girl was beautiful inside and out, that no one measured up to her and anyone trying would wallow in their misery and self pity as they all failed spectacularly to even hope to come close to the perfection of his woman. She had to sit there and watch, listen to her baby cry. The second worst thing was her husband. He had said the divorce declaration against her, kicked out her beautiful babies from his family. He had the audacity to bind them all and to make her babies useless to any and all wizards and witches. No one would want sterile partners, he had condemned them to a miserable life.

The Wizengamot had concluded and it was as miserable as they expected it to be. Dumbledore had been so surprised that they had found him guilty, that even his allies had turned on him. Honestly, it wasn't like the child was still in that home since he ran away. They were making this a bigger deal than it had to be. The worst part was that they would be taken to the goblins. There was no escape from the Goblin Nation. Dumbledore looked at the boy and saw him staring right at him. The arrogance, the audacity of this child. He didn't know where he went wrong, all his plans were perfect. His eyes turned to the girl next to him. She had the same exotic look her ancestors had and he could see the power flow between the two kids. He had to admit that their raw power might be a tiny bit more than his. Dumbledore knew that eventually, the boy would need him to defeat the dark lord and he would be waiting. When that happens, he would have a list of demands he would need to do. The first would be to leave that girl and marry the one he chose. He didn't know it but the news that he had already defeated the dark lord was soon to be handed to him. Dumbledore would spend the next forty years slaving away in the mines only to die a horrific death. Suffocation by dragon shit. No one would care and no one but three would mourn. The former Molly Weasley would share a similar fate. She would live and die in those mines. Every night, her sins would be replayed over and over again. She would receive papers that surrounded the boy she stole from and his beautiful, perfect witch. She would cry, sob and wail at the news of their marriage, how beautiful it was and how thousands had pleaded to be invited. She would become depressed as she read about the birth of their heir and then the three other births of such powerful, beautiful children. Molly would curse when she read about Arthur's new marriage and see the wealth he now has. There would be no news about her two youngest children until they joined her in the mines. She would cry at the scars that adorned both her children. Her beautiful baby girl was truly hideous now, scars that covered most of her body. Her face was horribly disfigured and she now had an empty right eye socket. Her daughter had a horrible limp and no hair grew from half of her scalp. It was the punishment for trying to kidnap the Potter heir. The Lord Potter had attacked viciously and without care. They hadn't even tried to heal her daughter, gave her the bare minimum healing andapparently, paraded her around to Gringotts. Her son was worse off. He had a peg leg as his left leg from his thigh had been bitten off. His tongue had been removed and he was now blind. She had only an hour to hold him before he was taken away, crying and wailing in pain. He had grabbed onto the Lady Potter, screamed two words in her face before he had been attacked. Her husband hadn't even used magic to defend her at first. He had been beaten, thoroughly beaten before being attacked by a pair of obviously vicious foxes. He had lost his leg and eye sight to their teeth and claws. His tongue, he had bitten off himself due to the pain. He also received the bare minimum healing. They dragged him before dumping him in Gringotts. People cheered as her two children were treated so unfairly.

Harry and Hermione had left feeling free. Dumbledore and the fat Weasley mother would no longer be a problem. Hermione's stepmother was taken care of. The knowledge that everything she had done was for nothing had broken the woman. She had killed the wife of the squib Lord Dagworth-Granger and killed his heir, beat and tortured the heiress. There was no going back from that. All the money she had taken had gone to Hermione. She had stared at the little girl she had hated and knew that there would be no forgiveness. She would spend the next eleven years in Azkaban, in the worst tower of the prison. There would be no communication, no visitors. She would get the paper every day, a dementor would stand outside of her cell. That would be her only companion until the day she died. She would live her fears and her sins, knowing that if she had done differently, her life would be filled with happiness and with all the things she had only dreamed of. She died the day after the paper congratulated Hermione, the birth of the heir to both her and her husband's houses.

The relationship between Harry and his two godfathers was different than what Harry thought it would be. In the beginning, it was strained as Harry kept his distance, emotionally and somewhat physically, he didn't know them or trust them. His godfather Sirius was often too much for him, he was a hyper and emotional man. He tended to yell a lot, which was the opposite of what Harry accepted in his life. It had taken years for him to temper himself and being constantly denied a meeting with Hermione had sealed the need for him to change. Harry had refused to bring her along and it took a lot of discussions for the reasons to sink in. His other godfather, Remus the werewolf, it was easier for Harry to connect to. The man was calm, soft spoken and was understanding. Harry didn't care about his furry little problem as long as he took the potion and stayed in his home during that time. The three eventually found an acceptable relationship before Harry brought Hermione. To meet the woman Harry loved, to see and even smell her fear, it made them understand so much clearer. They spent a lot of time gaining her trust and building a stronger bond. All their hard work paid off when they were allowed to hold the heir first. It spoke on their acceptance into Harry's family. They lived in peace for the rest of their lives. They would never had children of their own and they were perfectly alright with that. The had their handsome godson, his insanely beautiful wife and their four mischievous children. They lived in the forest, in land they bought right next to their godson. Even without children of their own, they were blessed to be called grandpa by the children and they loved and doted on them. for all the pain and suffering they went through, they felt lucky to have what they have and would go through all of this again and again.

The thing with forgiveness is that it isn't for the other person, it's for yourself. When Harry and Hermione came back from their honeymoon, they ran into her father. He had aged quite a bit and he had still been trying to find her. Harry had been overprotective while Hermione had been guarded. It was the first time in a few years that she had reverted back to using sign language. She stayed close to Harry, not even reaching out to shake her father's hand. Harry had to translate everything as her father didn't even know that his daughter had selective mutism. It had been an awkward conversation, mostly because they knew he was looking for her. Her father had apologized for what had happened but really, was there anything to really say? It was them that had truly punished her stepmother, her father didn't. He hadn't even known she had run away until he went into the safe a month later. They walked away knowing that they wouldn't ever see one another again. Her father, stricken with guilt, shot himself in the head a week later. All his possessions were taken care of by the Goblin Nation. Neither Harry or Hermione went to the funeral. The letter he wrote to her had been burned, never being opened. There wasn't anything to read. He had failed as a father, end of story.

The Potter's lived on their land, they had purchased it, and truly made a home within that cave. It had changed from them living in a tent to building a majestic home behind the waterfall. It was truly magical and the builders from the goblins had truly been a gift. It was similar to the Potter mansions. It was four stories with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. It was built around their hotspring, their little fish pool and the stream inside the cave. The biggest room was the library and they still had their supply room, which they still kept stocked. Habits like that were hard to break. Nothing had truly changed for them. They didn't spend much time in the magical society nor did they venture into the towns or cities. Harry still hunted and fished. Hermione still had her impressive garden. Their two little foxes grew with them, bringing along their families.

The only difference was when Hermione had cracked the dark mark. With her healing wand, she had purified it and in doing so, purified the magic out of the death eaters. They were now without magic. Together, they pulled the last soul sliver of Tom Riddle into the orb and letting the shade know, left it to slowly decay in the lowest vault. Sometimes when they went to check the wards on the vault, they could hear the tortured screams of the soul. That would last the next twenty years. That soul would neither go into nirvana or down to hell. There would be no second chance to fix its mistakes or find the so called enlightenment. It was truly lost in oblivion and gone forever. Harry didn't care, it deserved its punishment.

Their life had done a 180 since their childhoods. The moment they had run away, things had become so much better for them. Their love was pure and it was deep. They had been broken and reforged. The trust, the communication, the love between them had set them on the magnificent journey together. They were best friends, they were family. They had freed themselves and loved that freedom. Harry was sitting down, watching his wife and his children as they played in the lake just as he did when his wife had been younger. He loved his life now. His beautiful wife had given him the greatest gifts he would ever have. Her love, her trust, her unwavering loyalty and the children, his family. He waved when she smiled at him, beckoning him to join them. With a shrug, he jumped in the water, smiling at the shrieks of laughter as his children swam to him.