Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
This time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: The girls and Harry deal with the aftermath of the duel, learn to enjoy each other more and meet the Grangers.
A/N: Edited 05 Nov 23 - did not change Greengrass parent's names from an earlier draft. Corrected now.
-oOo-
Chapter 6-oOo-
February 7, 1998Red Hill, England
It had taken then an hour to get away after the duel. The DMLE cleared Harry since it was a House matter and performed in a legal area. Dumbledore hadn't been pleased, especially when Draco was taken to St Mungo's by a few Aurors after being arrested. After all their walking, she felt like she had to freshen up. Daphne definitely did. No one questioned when Harry and Hermione walked into the Common Room with Daphne. Others had been brought into the house before, but no student in living memory had seen a Slytherin in the Gryffindor Common room. After Harry's beat down of Draco, no one looked like they would say anything to threaten him or his girls.
As they walked in, Harry had to suppress a slight smile at the sudden panicked looks on Lavender's and Parvati's faces. The normally bubbly and insatiable gossip queen, Lavender Brown, had gone from a dirty blond to a vibrant purple hair colour. Her normally pristine makeup and skin had visible signs of pimples. To make it worse for the girl, she had a shiner around her left eye.
Parvati looked even worse with her normally straight, shiny black hair being a mass of frizzy split-ends and all over the place. She was also sporting some nasty looking pimples and shied away from Hermione.
Hermione was still livid with her roommates. They had spread rumours after overhearing Harry and her talking.
Daphne looked at the girls before nodding in satisfaction.
"Give us an hour or so," Hermione said to Harry.
"Sure," he said. "I'm going to go take a shower."
Hermione took Daphne up to her dorm. The cute blonde still looked to be in some shock. Once inside, Hermione closed and locked the door. Daphne looked around. "You have a window?"
"Yeah. What is it like in the Slytherin dorms," she asked, moving to her school trunk. She kept all her normal clothes locked up so that her dormmates wouldn't steal them again. Both girls had found they preferred Muggle fashions outside of class but had a hard time getting them and thought that 'borrowing' and altering Hermione's was acceptable. Unfortunately, Lavender was several bra sizes, and normal sizes, larger and her clothes had been stretched out. Lavender wasn't a large girl, but she was larger than Hermione.
Daphne moved to the window. Hermione knew it looked out over the roof of Great Hall and courtyard on that side of the castle. "Not like this. The few windows we have look out into the lake. It's rather murky."
"That sounds awful. Would you like a dress or jeans tonight?" Hermione asked, pulling out the three nice dresses she had. One was white with a plethora of flowers. Another was a solid Gryffindor red that she liked because it made her modest chest look bigger. Harry liked it too, if their last date a few weeks ago meant anything. The last was a floor length green dress that she had gotten because it reminded her of Harry's eyes. Of course, that was before they had started to date, and she only admitted to herself afterwards that was why she had gotten the dress. She had a feeling her mother knew before she had when she wore it to the New Year's Eve party where Harry had kissed her for the first time.
Daphne, still looking out the window remarked, "You get used to it. What are you wearing?"
"Jeans and a nice top," Hermione replied, taking out a pair of jeans she knew was just a little tight on her rear. The top was far more modest. No reason to set her parents off more than they already would be.
Daphne turned as Hermione took off her jumper and shirt. When she pulled them over her head, she caught Daphne staring at her bra covered chest, then drifting lower. She found she really liked the small amount of lust she saw in the blonde's eyes.
Daphne shook her head when she realized Hermione had caught her.
"You can look. I won't mind if you touch either," Hermione told her. "We just don't have time right now."
Daphne gave her a shy smile. "How about a dress? I also need to redo my hair. Can you help me?"
"Of course. It won't be anything fancy though, I bet Harry is already waiting for us."
"It's not even been ten minutes," Daphne replied as though that wasn't close to enough time.
Hermione pulled out the green dress. Daphne and her were close enough to the same size. "Strip," Hermione demanded.
Daphne's smirk was coy enough that Hermione just wanted to take Daphne and throw her on the bed. "Why, Ms Granger, if I didn't know better, I would think you just want me out of my knickers?"
Hermione felt her heart speed up some as Daphne started to undo the buttons on her robes. The girl wasn't as fit as she was, but there was no extra fat, and seeing the girl's knickers showing off her rounded hips did something to Hermione that sent a heat to her core.
Daphne moved her hips at Hermione's glare. "I did promise Harry a reward, maybe you can help?"
Hermione gave a sexy smirk. "I could help." She shook herself. "You are a little minx, aren't you?"
Daphne laughed, taking the straps of the dress and stepping into it. "I am finding that I don't feel as inhibited as I did before our celebration. I am also missing sleeping with Harry."
Hermione frowned. It had only been that one night, but she had to admit she was missing it too.
"If things go well with my parents tonight, I don't plan to come back to the castle. Perhaps we could sneak in with him?" Hermione thought out loud.
Daphne turned to let Hermione zip up the dress. "Well, I doubt you just appearing there in your bra will make things go well."
Hermione chuckled. "It covers more than when I go to the beaches in France with them."
Daphne looked over her shoulder at Hermione. "What do you mean?"
Hermione gave a mischievous grin. "You ever hear of a topless beach?"
Daphne's eyes grew huge. In a playful moment, Hermione shucked the long skirt that was more acceptable to the wizarding world and bent over to get a different pair of jean trousers from her trunk. Daphne's eyes grew more. Hermione was starting to like the power she seemed to have over Daphne and Harry with her body. She had never felt that attractive before, but the way they both looked at her had her confidence boosted.
"Topless?" Daphne asked when Hermione stood up and shimmied into the jeans.
"Totally bare if you really want," she replied, taking a nice blouse out of her trunk. "I'm not great at it, but I'll do what I can with your hair."
Daphne looked to be staring off into the distance. "Is that a Muggle thing to go in your all?"
"In some places," Hermione replied with a smirk playing at the edge of her mouth.
Daphne looked to like the idea. "That might be interesting."
Hermione came over as Daphne lifted her hair. Hermione moved her over to the vanity, kissing her neck because it just looked like a good thing to do. Daphne shivered. Hermione avoided repeating the kiss while she helped to brush out Daphne's hair and put it into a neat plate. She knew if she kissed Daphne's flesh again, or her lips, they would be very late for Harry.
Daphne tried to tame Hermione's curly locks but failed. Hermione smiled at her. "I think Harry likes it when we are more natural."
"I don't know if I can do that. Mother has always told Astoria and I we need to be presentable all the time," Daphne confessed.
"You'll find Harry and I don't really care. Let's go. Harry's probably wearing a hole in the floor by now," Hermione told her.
Daphne looked a little uncertain. "Is he that impatient?"
Hermione laughed. "He just doesn't like to be idle for long. He can be very patient most of the time."
Hermione put Daphne's cloak back over her shoulders. A cloak didn't look much different than some trench coat style jackets. Hermione put on a blue winter jacket that was much better suited for the Muggle world.
Daphne took her hand as they were walking down to the common room. True to her word, Harry was pacing at the side of the room as he talked with Neville. Most had left, probably going down to the Great Hall for dinner.
Neville caught sight of them. "Looking nice, ladies," he replied. Neville had been different since fifth year.
"Why thank you, Heir Longbottom," Daphne replied.
Harry was just staring at them. Hermione enjoyed his reaction. "Ready to go?"
"Oh, right," Harry said. "Right. See you later, Nev."
"Should I expect you back tonight?"
Harry looked to her. She made a little shrug. "Depends on how my parents take all this," Hermione told them.
"So, I don't have to worry about some weird foot fetish thing with your parents?" Daphne enquired. Hermione laughed at the look on Harry's face. Neville looked confused.
"I'll tell you about it when I get back," Harry told Neville.
"Not sure I want to know. I'll walk down with you to the Great Hall. I'm sure Hannah and Susan are wondering where I am," Neville said.
"Are you going to marry both of them?" Hermione asked as they went out the portrait.
Neville blushed. "They want me too."
"And why don't you?" Harry asked.
"I don't know what Gran will say. Susan needs a line-continuance since I won't be eligible to take on her name," Neville explained.
"They are both beautiful," Daphne commented.
"They are," Neville said with a dreamy expression.
"I'm sure she was talking about with their clothes on," Harry teased.
Neville's dreamy expression turned into a wide smile. "Oh, they are that too."
Harry laughed at the boy while Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry wasn't too much of a typical guy at times, but he was occasionally. Daphne gave them a small smile as though she found it amusing. When they walked down the drive in the dark, cold February night, Harry cast a warming charm over all three of them. Daphne pulled the cloak around her, moving to be closer to Harry. Hermione was happy to hold his hand.
Just outside the gates, the clock from the school chimed six. Hermione let out a nervous breath. "Mum and dad usually don't eat until about seven on Saturdays, often getting carry out."
"Carry out?" Daphne asked.
"They order from a restaurant and take it home," Hermione told her.
"You can do that? What else do Muggles do?" Daphne asked, sounding very curious.
"Many things," Harry said cryptically.
"Stop teasing her," Hermione said playfully. "It's not like we are trying to keep everything secret."
Daphne rose an eyebrow at them. "I get the feeling you are keeping something from me."
"It's nothing much," Harry replied.
Hermione laughed at him. The blonde was looking a little dubiously at them. Reaching the gates, Harry put his rings onto the lock. Hogwarts wouldn't keep a student in if they had house business. The gate swung open. "Hold my hand," she told Daphne as she stepped just outside the gates. Harry knew where to apparate, she would need to guide Daphne. Just as she turned, a flair of fire came just inside the gates.
They appeared in her backyard.
Harry was a good twenty seconds behind them. "The bloody, fecking old goat tried to keep me, saying that I had no right to open the gate."
Hermione let out an annoyed sound in her throat.
"The headmaster has no right to stop you. You gave your rings as proof to the castle," Daphne said.
"He's still a fucking old goat. Probably likes to shag them too," Harry said angrily.
Daphne snorted while trying not to laugh. "Language," Hermione chastised out of habit, even if she did agree.
A light turned on in the yard and the back door opened. The light illuminated a yard just large enough for a pool, a patio and small garden along the fences. "Hermione, is that you?" a woman asked.
They all stepped out of the shadows behind a few tall spruce trees. "Hey, mum. Is dad home too?"
It was apparent that Hermione was Emilia Granger's daughter. Her mother's hair was cut shorter but was just as curly and unruly as Hermione's. Her chocolate brown eyes were a shade or two darker than her daughter's. The older woman's body was still fairly trim for her age, having been rather athletic when younger. Hermione wasn't an athlete, but she had had to keep up with Harry and had trained with him for years now.
They hugged. "What are you doing here? We didn't' expect to see you and Harry until Easter," she said. When Hermione let her mum go, she moved to Harry, giving him a hug. In the years since that night in the DOM, her parents had come to know and like Harry, barely batting an eye when they finally got together New Year's Eve.
"We need to have a talk with you and dad," Hermione replied.
Her mum gave her a questioning look over Harry's shoulder. "It's nice to see you, Harry," her mum said in a welcoming tone. "I assume that you aren't in any trouble?"
"Not this time," Harry said in a joke.
Her mum gave them both a look that said she didn't believe that. "And you pulled a new person into your 'not trouble'? Hello, dear, I'm Emilia Granger."
Daphne stepped forward, holding her hand out like Hermione's mother. "Good evening, Mrs Granger. I'm Daphne Greengrass."
"Oh, posh. Call me Emi or Emilia. You are all getting to be old enough to be considered adults," her mother said, shaking Daphne's hand. "We were just about to order out for some Indian. Have you eaten?"
Harry's growling stomach was answer enough, earning a laugh from her mother.
Inside the house, her father was looking at a carry out menu. "Was it just something hitting the neighbours trash bin again?" her dad asked, not looking up.
"Hey, dad," Hermione said.
Neill Granger looked up. He looked surprised, then worried. "What happened? Harry is with you. Are either of you hurt. Oh, hello, I don't know this one, do I?"
Harry chuckled from behind her. "Nothing bad happened. Not this time, Mr Granger. I've kept my promise. This is Daphne Greengrass."
Hermione turned to look at Harry as her father got up. "What promise?"
Daphne looked curious as well, but kept her mouth shut.
"I'll tell you later," Harry said.
Her father hugged her before shaking hands with Harry and then Daphne. After putting in orders for dinner, and Harry and her having to describe to Daphne what they were ordering, Hermione got to show them around the house, not wanting to get into things until her father was back.
Even then, they all acted as though nothing was out of the ordinary for Hermione to just show out of the blue with Harry and some other girl that looked to have some connection with them.
Dinner was nice, her parents asking about the winter term, how they were getting ready for their NEWTS, getting to know Daphne and just general pleasant talk. There was a slight tinge of strain, which was countered by Daphne's positive reaction to vindaloo and naan. Hermione was thinking they would have to find a good Indian place near wherever they wound up living. Harry had a few choices, especially now that Grimmauld Place had been remodelled.
Hermione's stress levels didn't spike until they were done. Her father was leaning over the table with his hands folded under his chin as her mum sat up straight. "So, which one of you is going to give the straight story the first time? I don't want any lies like you gave us the first five years," her father bluntly said.
"Neill, you know why Hermione didn't tell us everything," her mother defended Hermione.
"Emi, the fact is Hermione didn't tell us everything, and it was only Harry that confessed. Are the Purebloods trying to control things again? Did you really kill Voldemort, or is he come back?"
Daphne gasped on the other side of Harry. Hermione wasn't sure if it was because of how much her parents knew or Voldemort's name. Her father looked to Daphne. "I assume you aren't a Muggleborn by the way you have acted tonight, Daphne. I can tell that these two don't care, but we have been told what your world is like."
"Was like," Harry said.
"It's changing, dad," Hermione said.
Daphne sat up. "No, I am not a Muggleborn or Muggle raised, Neill. My family has a history almost as long as Harry's. I am what you call a Pureblood, but I don't believe in those beliefs of the Blood Supremacists."
"What do you believe then?" her mother asked.
"My family has been what you call grey or neutral. We believe that magic is magic and blesses those that truly deserve it. Talent may show in any who possess the gift. I am proud of my ancestry but will admit that my ancestors had magical parents. The most recent Muggleborn I know of is my great-grandmother on my mother's side, and she went on to create three of the most used potions today," Daphne replied.
"Daphne is not one of the blood supremacists, Neill," Harry told her father.
"Dad, I've known Daphne for a long time. We've been study and project partners in runes and arithmancy since third year," Hermione said.
"This is the girl you have written about at times? Hermione has found you rather brilliant and challenging," her mum said.
"I wasn't aware I was that popular," Daphne said with a soft smile to Hermione.
She couldn't keep from blushing a little. The look her mum gave her told Hermione they would have words later. She had talked with her mum a few times about her confusion over her sexual preferences. She was afraid how her father would take it.
"Nothing good, I'm sure," Harry teased her, earning him a nasty look from Daphne. Having dinner before this conversation had loosened them all up some. That, and Harry had never seemed intimidated by her parents. After how his life had been, she supposed an angry father was nothing to raging Death Eaters.
"All very positive, dear," her mother assured Daphne. "Harry on the other hand..."
"I'm sure I earned all the times Hermione cursed me out," Harry agreed.
Her father chuckled. "I doubt she ever had a bad word to say about you, Harry. So, if it is not about the Purebloods, what is it about?"
Hermione let out a long breath. "You know how I was telling you both about my Ancient Magics class last summer?"
"I read your books. Some very interesting topics. It also explains how many of the Ancient Wonders were built and why," her mum said.
"Which part about your Ancient Magics class? As your mum said, there were many topics," her father asked dubiously.
"Well, about the ancient holidays and rituals," Hermione started. When her parents didn't say anything, she went on. It was a tactic they had used on her since she was a little girl to get her to talk. "Many of the old families in Britain have links back to either the Romans or Picts, and some still celebrate the sacred nights. Tuesday was the pagan holiday of Imbolc. Daphne invited us to attend," Hermione said, her voice trailing off as her father stared at her.
After a moment, her mother asked, "And what do you do on Imbolc?"
Daphne spoke next. "We honour the Earth Mother, the Horned God and their champion Bridgit. It is a festival night where we go to the old druid circles. As part of the ceremony, we give a small gift of our magic, and if the Goddess accepts it, we receive a gift back."
It was her mother who seemed to catch onto what Daphne might be saying. "And did you receive a gift?"
Harry chuckled. "I would say so. The first charms class we had this week I just about vanished half the room before I realized how much more magic I had."
Hermione shook her head. "It was only two tables, but still, you were only supposed to vanish the stone on the table."
"What would have happened if I had put all my power into it?"
"You would have vanished half the classroom," Daphne told him.
"Vanish? That's when you make things disappear?" her father asked.
"Yes, Neill," Harry answered.
"How long will the boost last?" her mother enquired.
Harry and her looked to Daphne, who gave a one shoulder shrug. "Usually a few weeks, but some blessings can be life long, especially if a sacrifice is accepted."
Hermione felt a twinge of fear go through her as her father asked, "Sacrifice?"
"Not what you are thinking, dad. No one was killed," she said hurriedly.
"But I am sensing there was a sacrifice?" her mum prodded.
Hermione nodded. "There was a sacrifice," she affirmed. At the slightly red look on all their faces, her mum's brow rose. Her father looked like he was trying to figure something out. She rushed on. "Mum, understand, nothing was killed. We didn't give anything that we all didn't want to give. It was also for a good cause."
"Even if we didn't know about it," Harry muttered. He reached for Daphne's hand to assure her that he didn't blame her. Hermione knew he just wished he had known. He did hate to be manipulated.
The move wasn't missed by her parents. "Harry, are you still with my daughter?" her father asked.
Harry nodded. "I am, sir."
Her mother looked to her.
"Dad, let me finish explaining. The champion Brigit and Imbolc is a rebirth ceremony, or ritual. It is meant to cleanse impure magic, break unwanted magic or to birth or rebirth new magic. It is the holiday that brings Spring."
"And you sacrificed something for this? Is this why your friend Daphne is here?" her mother asked. Her mother was too perceptive. Hermione knew that was where she got it from.
Harry sat tall. "Daphne is more than our friend, Emilia."
"How much more?" her mother asked suspiciously.
"The Rites of Brigit requires virgin blood to break and remake," Hermione told them, getting the expected reaction of her father going white and her mother to give her a knowing look. "Daphne had been in a betrothal agreement..."
"Barbaric things," her father uttered.
Hermione went on, "...with a young man she didn't want to be betrothed with. She used the rites to break the contract."
"With Harry?" her mother questioned.
"And me," Hermione said.
Her father went from white to red. "He did what! You said you would protect her! What did you do!"
"Dad, listen!"
Harry was up as fast as her father. Her father hit his fists into the table.
"I did nothing that the three of us didn't agree too," Harry said back angrily. Hermione knew it was not a good thing to threaten anyone that Harry cared for. Accusing him of hurting someone he loved was worse. "We had no clue about Daphne's betrothal to my arse of a cousin, but I won't abandon her or Hermione. I love Hermione, Neill. I am falling for Daphne. This is a good thing because the three of us are going to be together, no matter what."
Her father's face was still red, but his mouth opened a few times before saying in a dangerous tone, "You what?"
"The betrothal was broken between Daphne and Draco Malfoy. The rites then remade it with Harry," Hermione said.
Her mother looked sad. She understood what Harry's life had been like. "Oh. I'm so sorry. But you can't all be together."
"We can, Emilia," Daphne spoke up.
"You would have Hermione as a mistress?" her father demanded.
"If you would give me your blessing, I would have Hermione as my wife. By magic, I am two people. Harry Potter and Harry Black. The betrothal is between Harry Black and Daphne Greengrass," Harry resolutely said.
"And our daughter?" her mother asked.
"A bond between all three of us was made that night, mum. I am betrothed to Harry Potter," Hermione said.
There was absolute silence for a few. Her father broke the silence by standing tall. He gave a nasty look to Harry, then a concerned look to her. "I need a beer," he declared, leaving the table. No one said anything as he went to the refrigerator, took out a beer and then walked out of the kitchen.
Harry took her hand as she felt a pain in her chest. She knew this wasn't going to be easy, but her father had never been that upset at her before. "Maybe we should leave?" Daphne proposed.
"Absolutely not," her mother said. "Neill will come around. Just so I understand, the three of you are all betrothed to each other?"
"We are betrothed to Harry. Magic doesn't recognize marriage between those of the same sex, but it can make bonds just as strong," Daphne explained. "Harry is the only one recognized as two people in this... relationship."
Daphne sounded a little unsure as she said 'relationship'.
"Magic did make a bond though," Hermione said. "It is a partners bond. Mum, we are all together."
Her mum lifted her wine glass and took a drink. She drained half the glass before asking, "And you are all happy and accept this willingly?"
"The Goddess would not have bound us as such if we weren't willing," Daphne answered.
"Can I see this bond? I know you said that something like this can be proven, Hermione?"
Hermione nodded. "Daphne and I had Madam Pomfrey show us the spell. If you can't see it right away, then you can take my hand once I cast it."
Her mum nodded. Hermione took up her wand. "Vinculum Revelio."
She watched as the silver cords spread from her to Harry and Daphne. Once it touched Harry, a golden cord spread to Daphne. She blinked a few times. There hadn't been blue or pink threads wrapped around the bond threads before. Daphne's eyes went wide as saucers.
"That is different," Harry commented.
"I can see it. What is different?" her mother asked.
"There weren't any blue or pink strings last time," Hermione said.
"Merlin," Daphne uttered before her eyes rolled back into her head.
"DAPHNE!" Harry called out as she slumped and rolled over out of her chair.
They all rushed to Daphne.
-oOo-
A little while later...Daphne was sitting on the bed just staring at her hands. She was in a sleeping gown she had borrowed from Hermione while waiting for the pretty brunette to get done in the bathroom. As she looked at her hands, she was trying to figure out how her life had changed so much in less than a week.
On Tuesday, she thought her life was about over, hoping that the Earth Mother granted her wish to not be sold to Draco Malfoy. Even worse was her sister. To break those bonds, she had intentionally invited Hermione and Harry, hoping that his strength would get her out of a miserable life.
He had done that, but it had led to some very unexpected consequences. Tuesday night they had all sacrificed their virginity to use the magic of that night. It broke one marriage contract to make another. More surprisingly, it also created new magic. To confirm it, she cast the bond revealing spell. She had never heard of it showing both sexes, but it was unmistakable. She had a blue and pink string running towards the door and the room across the hall.
At eighteen she hadn't expected to be betrothed to a man that looked at her like a woman, not just some possession. More surprising was that she was carrying his child. The strands were unmistakable for what she knew of bonds. It was one of the ways that a Healer could tell. Blood was blood and the bond link would show direct blood between bonded magicals. She wasn't sure why there were two strings. Perhaps they couldn't know the sex of the baby yet?
Looking at the bond, she had the urge that she had to know what Harry really felt. It had been such a frantic night. Once she had been enervated in Hermione's room, Harry had seemed shocked when Daphne had told her betrothed and her future sister-wife. Luckily Emilia or Neill had not overheard her when she told Harry and Hermione. They had decided not to say anything until the morning. Shortly after, they had all decided to get ready for bed, a shell-shocked Harry closing the door behind him without saying much.
She could still hear the shower from the bathroom in Hermione's room. Needing to know, she got up.
When Harry opened the door to the guest room, the jittery nerves in her turned into tears. She just stared at him with watery eyes for a few.
"Come here, luv," Harry said. Daphne felt shocked. It was the first time he had used that endearment with her. Daphne teared up more as she fell into his arms. Harry wrapped his strong arms around her. She felt him kiss her head. "Are you alright?"
She shook her head, unable to say anything.
"Need to come in?"
She nodded.
It was a little bit later when Hermione knocked on the door, slipping in without Harry saying anything. She was still wrapped in Harry's arms when Hermione sat on the bed. "Is everything alright?"
"I don't know, she hasn't said anything. She just wants me to hold her. She keeps crying," Harry said.
Daphne buried her face into his chest. She had always thought herself strong, but it just felt too much this week. The fears of Harry being hurt earlier had her tightening the hold on his shirt. The fact she had almost died brought up more feelings she didn't know what to do with. Hermione rubbed her back before leaning over, encapsulating her between them. "It will be all right, luv," Hermione said.
More tears came out. Her parents had loved her, but this felt different. It was a comfort she desperately wanted, even though she hadn't realized it. She finally said, "I'm pregnant."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "Is that a bad thing?"
"I don't know," Daphne said, liking how she was trapped between them.
"I'm pregnant too," Hermione said, sounding a little more accepting of their circumstance.
"I know I didn't say it earlier, but I'm happy. I'll do everything I can to raise our children well and give them everything I can," Harry told them, his left arm moving to hold Hermione.
"I am not letting you spoil our children," Hermione told Harry in no uncertain terms.
"Not even a little?"
"No."
Daphne giggled. "A little," she said, moving her head to the side to rest her cheek on his chest. The soft beat of his heart calmed her more.
Hermione huffed. "Fine, a little," Hermione agreed. Daphne smiled when Hermione kissed the side of her head.
The three of them lay on the bed, her half on Harry with Hermione spooned to her back. "I'm sorry," Harry said after a few.
Hermione shifted so that she could look directly into Harry's eyes. "Harry, don't. I should have known better what could happen. We all chose to participate. I love you and hoped I would carry your child someday."
"Just not now," Harry said a little down on himself.
"Will you love them?" Daphne asked.
This seemed to shock both of them. "Without question," Harry said after a moment. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable.
Hermione leaned against her again. "No child of ours will go without love," Hermione promised.
Daphne smiled. Hugging Harry still, she let his beating heart and rising and lowering chest start to lull her into a peaceful rest. Hermione shifted to be on Harry's other side. The chocolate eyes of the girl looked into hers. Daphne's eyes were getting heavy.
"Should you go back to your room?" Harry asked.
"My dad can deal with it. We are all of-age, you are my betrothed and I am right where I want to be," Hermione told him.
Daphne just smiled, letting her heavy lids close. She felt so spent. It had been an emotional week. The last thing she remembered was Harry kissing her on the top of the head again before Hermione kissed her forehead.
-oOo-
February 8, 1998Redhill, England
Harry's dreams had been full of little blonde girls, boys with raven hair and another brunette girl running through them. In one, he was chasing them, two small children laughing and screaming in glee as they ran through a house. Another dream had him holding a boy in the water as he learned to swim, which turned into Hermione and Daphne in skimpy bikinis splashing in the waves with a boy and a girl. The children kept changing hair colour and eyes.
It was one of the oddest, but happiest dreams he could remember. It was also one of the soundest sleeps he had had in a while, only broken by a sliver of sunlight across his eyes. He wanted to cover his eyes before realizing he couldn't. It took him a few minutes before understanding his arms were trapped by a blonde on his right and a brunette on his left. Daphne had her back to him, her head on his arm and a hand woven into his fingers as she slept. Harry found he liked feeling her arse pressed against his leg.
Hermione was sleeping with her head on his chest. He could feel her chest pressing into his side. More troubling, and most likely why he woke, was her leg that was rubbing up and down his. She was squirming in her sleep, making a deep moan as she rubbed herself against his leg. The motion already had him rock hard against her leg. The fact that he could soon feel a dampness on his leg and the heat from her core, had Harry attempting not to groan with her.
Daphne stirred a little. "Harry," she muttered.
'BLOODY HELL', he screamed in his head.
Hermione shifted, her lips finding his neck. "I feel how happy you are," she whispered.
Harry let out a small groan. "Daphne is still sleeping," he said.
She pressed her damp knickers into his leg. "Let her sleep."
Harry moved to kiss Hermione when she lifted her head higher. She let out a soft moan when his tongue licked her lips, then started to play with her tongue. Hermione kept rubbing herself against him. Harry's arm, the one wrapped around her, found its way to her tits. The groan of need she let out when he cupped her swell shook down her whole body. Harry shifted so his hand could fully cup her breast.
Daphne softly said, "Do you two need a few minutes of privacy?"
Hermione pulled away from his lips. "I won't say no if you want to join. I need you, Harry."
Daphne shifted. Hermione had enough room now to straddle him. He was so hard that having her warm core on his cock, even through his shorts and her knickers, had him groaning. Daphne giggled. "A little excited, Harry?"
Hermione started to rock on his cock. "Hermione," he said, the sensation already having him feeling like he might blow soon.
Hermione opened her chocolate eyes. There was lust in them. "I want you," she huskily told him. Unlike the other night, the only compulsion he felt was that of a girl he loved.
Daphne watched as the two of them scrambled to get their clothes off, a heat developing in her own core to watch how frantic they were. Hermione didn't even wait for Harry to get his shirt off, straddling him again. Harry felt Hermione's wet pussy on his cock as he struggled to get his shirt off. He groaned as she rubbed against him a few times before pulling forward enough for him to slip his tip into her. Both moaned.
Daphne, finding it a huge turn on to see Hermione impaling herself on Harry, let out a groan of need of her own. Hermione was kissing Harry before pulling back. She started a slow rocking that had her breasts bouncing with the motion. Daphne had an urge to climb on Harry when his own green, lust addled eyes met hers.
"Daphne, you can join," Harry said. Hermione was closing her eyes, a look of ecstasy on her face as she slowly road Harry's cock.
"Do I get you next?" she asked. She found her hand was rubbing her thigh. She remembered how much she liked Harry's fingers in her the other night. Feeling her arousal rising, she chanced moving her fingers between her legs.
Hermione started to get a little more energetic. Harry moaned. "Yes," he got out.
Daphne whimpered. Harry's eyes grew wide to see her hand below her night gown. He could see her fingers rubbing her knickers. "Oh, Merlin," he said. Needing to satisfy both his girls, he put his hands on Hermione's hips and started to meet her thrusts. Hermione started to squeak every time their crotches met. Daphne pressed harder into her knickers, spreading her legs when she realized Harry was watching her.
Hermione let out a small scream before burying her head against Harry's shoulder. He grunted, his eyes closing. A moment later, they were both panting with Hermione laying on him. Daphne was letting out small whimpers as her fingers dug into her knickers. The smell of their sex turning her on even more.
Harry kissed Hermione's temple. "I have another girl, luv."
Hermione chuckled. "Good thing I put up silencing charms last night."
Hermione rolled off him. Harry liked how her chest was still heaving.
Harry rolled over to Daphne, who immediately searched his mouth out as she continued to work her slit. Harry wasn't even sure if he deflated after unloading in Hermione with how Daphne was playing with herself. His hand slipped down to be over hers. She moved her hand and put his over her knickers. "Do you love me?" Daphne asked.
"I love you," Harry said. Did he have any other choice? Not that he saw it that way. If she needed to be loved, that is what he would do.
Daphne let out a huge moan when he started to rub a nib at the top of her slit. "Make love to me," she begged.
Harry took his hand away, gently pushing her knickers down, then pulled the gown over her head. Daphne gasped when he kissed her neck, then down to her chest. Daphne bucked under him as he found her nipple. He moved to be between her legs. Like the other night, she was dripping as he pressed into her. Daphne grabbed his hair. "Oh, Merlin," she whispered, then whimpered some as he entered her. She was still tighter than Hermione. He went slower than their first time. Daphne started to grind her hips when he was fully inside her.
Still sucking on her nipples, he started to move. Daphne let out a whimper of pleasure every time he pulled almost all the way out and then went back in. It didn't take long for her to be arching into his thrusts, her hands keeping his mouth on her breasts. He quickened his pace when he felt her shiver below him. Soon she was crying out. He unloaded in her as she clamped tight around him.
When they were done, he flopped on his side. Like he had enjoyed seeing Hermione's chest heaving, he enjoyed Daphne's slightly smaller breasts doing the same. Hermione pulled up behind him, putting an arm over his midsection as she formed her body to his back. "You're all sweaty," she said.
"You don't have to lay against me," he told her, putting a hand over hers. She snaked her fingers between his. Daphne rolled over, a very satisfied look on her face. Harry put an arm over her as she shimmied to press into his front.
"I don't mind sweaty," Daphne said.
Hermione kissed his shoulder. "We should take a shower. We have to tell my parents."
Harry let out a sigh. "Do we have too?"
Daphne cuddled into him. "Yes. Can we contact my parents? They have to know too."
A peck at the window had Harry trying to look over Daphne's head. Hedwig was outside the window. "I love that owl."
-oOo-
A few hours later...Redhill, England
Daphne and Harry had shown the Greengrasses to the Granger's home. She was nervous, but not for the reasons that she thought she might be. It felt like a meeting between the parents, but how many witches worried about the other witch's parents?
Her mother looked around. "This is a nice place. What is that covered hole?"
"A swimming pool," Harry told them. "The Grangers have it heated so it can be used year-round. Hermione was thinking of putting some runes in there to let them save on electricity."
Her parents looked to Harry. "Electricy? That is what Muggles use to make light? I saw it one time," her father said.
"They can do more than that with electricity, father," she told him, still feeling a little dazzled by the tellie this morning. Neill had been watching the news when they had finally wandered down the stairs. Her father nodded at them, not saying anything.
The door opened. Hermione came out, looking a little frazzled. "Oh, thank god. My parents have been grilling me since you left. Good morning, Grover. It is nice to see you again, Erica. We have to tell them before I'm sent around the bend."
She grabbed Daphne's hand, pulling her toward the house. Daphne tried to protest, hearing her parents behind her.
Grover leaned over. "Is she always this intense?"
Harry smiled. "Nah, this is calm."
Erica laughed. "She reminds me of your grandmother."
Grover made a face. "Yes, a woman I loved dearly, but one you never wanted to upset."
"Sounds about right. Our best friend once said she is brilliant, but scary," he said, his voice trailed off some. He hadn't thought about Ron in a while... well, he had made himself not think of Ron for a while.
He let them into the house and into the sitting room. After some introductions, in which Daphne was more formal. Once they all had some tea or coffee, Erica said, "This is a very lovely house, but I don't think we were brought here just to meet the parents of the future Lady Potter."
Neill still looked a little disgruntled. "I am glad to meet you too, but we are in the dark as much as you."
"Perhaps we should let our children tell us what is going on?" Emilia offered.
Hermione was a little nervous. "Let me show you," Hermione said. They had all agreed this might be the best way. It was mere seconds before her mother was gasping.
"What does it mean?" Emilia asked.
"Grandchildren," her mother said, a huge smile coming across her face. She watched George pale.
Emilia blinked a few times. "There are blue and pink strings to both girls..."
Her father clapped his hands, a huge smile on his face. "You have found a proper husband. This is excellent."
"They will have to be married over Easter, if not sooner," her mother said.
Emilia looked to Hermione. "Are you really?"
"Yes," Hermione said.
Neill made a strangled sound. "What are you looking at?"
Emilia's hands went to her mouth as her own mother got up to come over and hug her. "This is wonderful news. You will be able to share this with your sister-wife."
"We can hold the wedding at our manor, especially since there will be many wizards there," her father said.
"Wait a minute! You are telling me that Harry got both Hermione and Daphne pregnant! You bloody little shite!" Neill charged Harry. She screamed but needn't have worried. Harry had his wand out and Neill had been stunned before he could cover half the distance. Harry's wand moved to make sure the man didn't hit the floor face first.
"Neill!" Emilia shouted, rushing her husband's side as Harry put him back in the chair he had been in.
With the power coming off Harry, no one said anything as he walked over to look the scared man in the eyes. He cast a quick body bind and then enervated the man. "Neill, I can understand you are upset. This was not what we planned, but like I have told you, I will do everything to protect and make sure Hermione is happy. That now includes Daphne. I would like you to accept this and give me your blessing to marry Hermione, because I know she will want that, and then be a loving grandfather. I won't deny that we may not be ready for this, but I won't abandon them. Have I violated the terms you gave me when Hermione and I started to date?"
Emilia was looking at Harry wide eyed, probably never seen or felt magic like this.
Harry went on. "I will not hurt you. When I release you, you can nod your head yes or shake it to say no."
Harry flicked his wand. Neill flinched and pushed himself back into the chair. After a moment, he nodded.
"Excellent. Are we in agreement then of where they can get married?" her father enquired.
"Father, I don't think the Grangers are ready to talk about that," Daphne said.
Harry looked over to her and Hermione. She turned to her mother. The look on her face had Daphne wondering if she was apprehensive to get Harry upset. Harry spoke up. "George, it is not just your daughter I am marrying. Hermione has family that is Muggle. We haven't even talked about a wedding yet." His eyes were glowing slightly in his anger. Daphne felt drawn to him. Too bad they were going back to Hogwarts instead of staying another night. She would like a repeat of this morning.
"You can't expect all our family to just show up in a Muggle area. There are traditions that must be held, and Muggles are not supposed to be around magic," her father informed him.
"I want to be married in a church," Hermione blurted out.
"A church! They are the ones that forced us into hiding," George angrily exclaimed.
"If Hermione wants a church, that is what she will get," Harry demanded.
Her mother stepped into the ring. "If I am not mistaken, Hermione is going to be Lady Potter. Our daughter will be Lady Black. We could arrange it for two separate weddings. One after the other?"
Harry calmed some. He looked to Daphne. "I would like a hand fasting," she told Harry.
When he looked to Hermione, she said, "Two is fine by me."
Harry sighed. Neill looked to have gathered himself up again. "Hermione and Daphne are both pregnant? Is there a reason why we can't wait for the summer? Or after the baby is born?"
It was Hermione that answered, "Dad, I think the Greengrasses would like Easter so they can adhere to the Wizengamot rules of claiming a birth."
"The what?" Emilia asked.
Her mother replied, "It is tradition to announce the pregnancy when such prestigious houses as the Potters, Blacks and Greengrasses are expecting. It helps to solidify the child's claim when they are born. Such announcements are frowned upon for illegitimate children. Daphne and Hermione should be married to Harry before the announcement."
Harry blinked at them. "Bloody hell," he muttered.
Neill took a big breath. "Who wants a beer? Or I have scotch and bourbon."
"I think a celebratory drink is appropriate. Which wedding would you like first? I expect the next to be a day or two later," her father said.
Her mother looked a little annoyed at her father's insensitivity. It was obvious that Neill and Emilia were still shocked at this.
-oOo-
Next time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: A disappointed headmaster, pompous Weasley's and Harry calls on allies that scare Minister Fudge.