Author Note: This is another quick Idea that needed to get out of my head. It is an AU where Hermione had a not good life outside school but it gets better. Yes I know there are plot holes you could sail the Death Star through. Plus it could be expanded or go off into a different direction. If you feel like it and want to do so go ahead and have fun.
===xxx===xx
Hermione Granger walked through the barrier into Kings Crossing Station. She sighed as this meant another year was over and she would be leaving her friends, her real home and her family for the muggle world. The people that she had to tolerate and the woman who gave birth to her. She refused to call Helen Wilson her mother until she acted like one.
Hermione sighed again as she watched Harry Potter go off with the trolls that passed for his family. After the events at the Ministry and Umbridge, she had wanted to tell him everything, find a way for them to run off and be together but she always chickened out at the last moment. She mentally kicked herself as the Dursleys drove off with Harry in the backseat like a prisoner in some mafia movie.
Ever since her father had left them when she was young and divorced Helen she had wondered what her life would be like with a family that loved and cared about each other. That's how she recognized the signs of abuse in Harry. She had tried to talk to him about it, obliquely though so her own abuse wouldn't be revealed. He was a master at deflection and hiding it though.
Looking around she realized Helen hadn't come for her, again. That made two years running. She would be glad when she was old enough to apparate and get away from that useless bitch. She checked her money and saw she had just enough left to take a taxi to her residence in Hornsey. It would be cheaper to walk but it would take over an hour and be almost the middle of the night when she got there. She could try taking the tube but that meant dragging her trunk down the escalator, onto the train after the turnstile and then back up at the other end. A lot more effort than what she was really wanting to deal with right now.
Finding a taxi she got in and told the driver the address. He looked at her curiously but started driving with a shrug. She settled back and stared out the window.
"So coming back from school eh?"
Hermione smiled as the older man seemed to be trying to make harmless conversation and he was polite about it at least, "Uh yeah. My parents must have been busy and missed the train."
"Oh no doubt. It does happen. Still a young lady should watch out. There are a lot of bad people out there in the world." The driver opined as he went through a roundabout.
Hermione snorted gently, "You don't know the half of it." She muttered.
"Had a hard year did ye?" he asked gently.
"Something like that." She said in a tone that should have warned him she didn't want to talk about it. He apparently got the message as he nodded his head and paid attention to his driving.
The closer to the flat she shared with Helen the more she felt sad. Soon they were pulling in front of the house. Hermione took her precious bills out of her pocket and held them to the driver, "Here you go."
"Don't worry about it miss. You remind me of my niece, God rest her soul. You save yer money." He said smiling kindly at Hermione as he looked over her shoulder at the run down council flat in the poor section of the neighborhood.
"Are you sure it won't get you into trouble?"
"I'll be fine miss. You take care. And call for me personally should you need a lift miss." He said pulling a card out of his ashtray.
"Uh thank you." Hermione said politely then getting her things out headed into the flat.
Going up to her room she was not surprised to find that she was the only person in the flat. Changing into athletic pants and a T-shirt she padded downstairs. Going into the kitchen she raided the fridge to find a few pieces of lunchmeat, some bread, and crisps. She ignored the bottle of gin that had a few swigs left in it. Making a small meal she washed it down with the last milk in the jug.
She washed the dishes that she had found in the sink and put a few things away. It was almost midnight so she went to bed after locking the doors. Curling onto her side she cried herself to sleep.
xxx===xx
Early the next morning Hermione went downstairs and took stock of the kitchen. Finding there was some canned food at least so she wouldn't starve for a few days at least. She cleaned out the refrigerator and tossed the few spoiled things she found. She left the gin alone as the last time she had tossed Helen's gin she had been beaten severely.
She cleaned the ashes from the cigarettes out of the living room and ran the hoover several times. Opening the place up enough to at least get the stale smoke smell out.
She went up stairs and got the last of her muggle money out. Changing into something comfortable she went out to the local shop and got some milk and eggs and more bread. Things she could cook easily. She had no idea which boyfriend Helen was with or when she would get back so she prepared for several days.
She thought about what sort of jobs she could do this summer, usually she babysat, cleaned houses and did other chores for people. Sometimes she could get a steady job at the shop or the library.
Fortunately her school tuition was paid for by a special charity fund. She had not been happy when she had found out in third year about that but she soon got over any shame and was just happy to be at the school.
She knew there were a few less savory options she could take to get money but she refused to surrender her morals that much. She had seen how that would turn out. Helen had multiple boyfriends and men she serviced to supplement her dole packets. Hermione had feelings for one male and she wanted a career, to do something useful with her life. She hated to think she would just be a brood mare like what Ron Weasley wanted. He wanted someone just like his mother that would take care of the home and pop out several kids. Her and Harry had never really talked but she had managed to get him to confess that he wanted a family and some kids but that he didn't have any real plans or desires. Or expectations even it seemed like.
Not wanting to put off things she got up and headed out. With her work ethics she should at least have a few pounds in her pocket by the end of the day.
xxx===xx
Hermione came back about dinner time. She had washed a couple of cars, vacuumed a flat in the public housing of her friend Richard Dale. He was an old WWII veteran in his 80s and happy to see her. She loved listening to his tales of the past and he loved to tell them. Sometimes she would just visit and pretend she was his granddaughter in her mind. That she had a normal happy family life and she didn't have to go back to the lonely flat. He would play chess and bridge and sometimes scrabble with her saying that as long as he had a mind he had to keep it strong. She would remember the various pieces of wisdom he would impart.
She had made a little bit of money from her odd jobs. Helen was not home but she had been there Hermione could tell as the Gin bottle was empty now and sitting on the table. A note sat underneath it.
Hermione sighed and pulled the note out, there was a ten pound note inside it. Helen probably thought that would make up for missing her from the station. Reading the note she saw that Helen had apparently been in a good mood and left the money for her to get take-out. Which she wouldn't do, it was going in her savings fund. The rest of the note was letting Hermione know that she would be out until late again so not to wait up and that she loved her and all the usual stuff when her mother was sober and in a good mood.
Hermione took her small meal upstairs and sat in her room. Hiding her money in her school trunk, Helen never got into it because she was afraid of what magic could do. Hermione had not exactly told her mother she wasn't able to do magic at home but hadn't exactly told her she wasn't. It helped keep things from getting too bad.
Hermione took her dishes down, cleaned the kitchen and went back to her room. Pulling out her books she began to read once more. Isolating herself in her books was something she was used to.
xxx===xx
Hermione's life settled into her routine. Her and Helen barely saw each other which was good for both of them. A few breakfasts or occasionally in the evening when they would exchange a few pleasantries and small talk, like they were two casual acquaintances and not mother and daughter. Hermione did her work earning some money here and there, hiding it in her trunk or using it to get a few groceries.
She had written Harry a few times in the muggle way and he responded. Joking about their undercover communications and how the wizarding world had no idea. He had suggested it last year after he had calmed down from finding out Dumbledore had forbidden her and Ron to tell Harry anything that was going on. She was still stinging and ashamed from last year when Dumbledore forced her to be silent and hurt Harry like that. That had been one of the biggest blows to her respect for Dumbledore. If they had been able to tell Harry more, if they had brought Harry in he might not have been in as much trouble or gotten attacked in the park. He had almost told her about the abuse he suffered at home when he was screaming at her and Ron only to catch himself. His anger had been so painful to be on the receiving end of that she cried herself to sleep several weeks. She felt like she had hurt and let him down so badly by choosing to obey Dumbledore instead of supporting her friend.
And that cow Ginny had berated her for being so week and such a muggle for it. Hermione had not expected Ginny, someone she thought was a friend, to speak to her with so much venom. Then Hermione had thought about it. Hermione was supporting Harry, she was worried about Harry and wanted to comfort Harry and Ginny would never allow anyone but herself to do that. Harry was hers Hermione had heard her say several times. Sharing a room with the girl Hermione had learned how deep her obsession for Harry went and it scared her. Hermione hoped Harry would wake up before he got trapped by the girl. That's how Helen had become Mrs Charles Granger.
Charles Granger was the son of an Earl and came from money. He was a university student and Helen was a waitress at a nearby restaurant Charles and his friends frequented. Helen had flirted with Charles and seduced him into her bed, after accidentally getting pregnant Charles married her due to his father's old fashioned beliefs. As soon as her grandfather had died Charles filed for divorce and gave Helen a monthly check. He had sent Hermione a few cards and books over the years but for the most part ignored her. She would not do that to someone she loved, again. So she wrote Harry long letters telling him various ideas and things. Trying to let him know he was not alone and she was still on his side no matter what.
Fortunately these letters had helped Harry in his grief with the loss of Sirius, at least on paper. She knew how well he could repress his feelings, far too well, and although the words on the paper were his usual messy scrawl there were spots on the paper that looked far too suspiciously like tear stains.
It was almost the end of July when she came back to the flat one Friday to find her mother on the couch with the latest flavor of the week. He was between her legs and had his face hidden, all Hermione could see was his blonde hair. They were too involved to notice her so she snuck upstairs to her room.
She heard the moans and giggles from downstairs go on for another hour then the front door eventually opened and shut. She soon heard Helen knocking on her door.
"What?" Hermione asked brusquely sitting up.
Coming in Helen was drunkenly smiling. "Hey now that's not a nice tone."
"I'm tired Helen. I would like to get some sleep."
"Oh fine. I just thought we could sit up and chat eh? Some real girl time. You're getting old enough we can talk about more interesting stuff."
Hermione sighed, Helen was drunk and feeling guilty. This meant she wanted to try and be Hermione's friend, although she still didn't want to act like a mother. She would want to try and do Hermione's nails and hair and talk about boys. Hermione felt like Helen would have rather had a sister than a daughter.
"Fine. We can talk." Hermione sighed glumly. She hated times like this but it was still affection and she needed to try and feel something from Helen.
Helen and her sat as Helen talked about the men she was currently dating, two of them at the same time while the third one was a mysterious blonde named Larry she had met in London. He was rich and drove a Lotus sports car Helen gushed. Hermione tuned most of it out.
Hermione made vague comments about her love life and events at school. She knew if she told Helen about Umbridge or the battle at the Ministry she would either react in disbelief or tell Hermione that she was being a fool for getting involved in that. Hermione tried to channel Parvati and Lavender's gossiping personality.
Eventually Helen got tired enough she wandered off to her bed leaving Hermione feeling empty and numb once more.
xxx===xx
Hermione was eating a small breakfast across from Helen when an owl began to peck at the window. It was not Hedwig, Harry's magnificent owl, or Pig Ron's insane little owl but a rather common barn owl that the wizarding world used for their letter deliveries.
Hermione got up and let the owl in. It hopped onto the sink then held its leg out to her. She had canceled her subscription to the prophet as wasted money so was wondering what this was. Giving the bird a crust of bread she took her letter. The bird sniffed disdainfully at the bread then flew back out once Hermione had her letter.
"Blimey why can't you lot use the post like normal folks." Helen said with a disgusted shiver, "Bloody big birds bringing all their dirt and filth into a person's home."
Hermione tuned out Helen's rant as she looked at the letter. It was from the Hogwarts Board of Regents. Which confused her. She didn't think she was in trouble so she had no idea what this could be about. Opening it she read the most horrifying words she had never expected to read.
"Dear Miss Granger. It is my unpleasant duty to inform you that the Ministry of Magic has been forced, due to the current state of emergency, to temporarily suspend all tuition assistance. Please pay 2,500 Galleons by August 30th to continue your educational career with Hogwarts. Sincerely, Reginald Nott, President, Hogwarts Board of Regents."
She stared at the paper numbly. The one place on the planet that was her home, the one place she felt normal and happy, the one place she felt needed and wanted, was going to be taken from her. She would have to either continue her education, somehow, outside of the school. Which was absolutely impossible as a muggle-born. Or come up with the money somehow. She did the math and at the current six pounds per galleon exchange rate she would have to come up with fifteen thousand pounds in a little over four weeks. It was absolutely impossible. There was no way she could do it.
Helen had stopped talking and was looking at Hermione with a confused expression, "Hermione what's the problem? You're not in trouble are you?"
Crushing down her feelings she put a fake smile on, "Oh no, everything is fine. I just didn't get as good a grade as I thought I should have."
Helen rolled her eyes sarcastically, "Oh is that all." She knew Hermione's drive to get perfect grades was powerful.
"Yes. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get to work." Hermione said with a grimness that made Helen turn her head and look away.
xxx===xx
Hermione had gone to her room and looked at all of her money, both wizard and muggle. She had managed to save only six hundred pounds in muggle money and a dozen Galleons with a handful of Sickles and Knuts. She tried not to cry as she tried to figure some legal way of making the money she would need.
Even if she tried to do something illegal there was no way she could make enough quickly enough. She could maybe use her magic to imperious or confund people into giving her money but that would only put her in Azkaban.
Looking in her mirror she sniffed as she knew she would never do what Helen did and become a kept woman. She would beg in the streets before she sold her body like that. There had to be a way.
Sitting on her bed she saw the picture of her, Harry and Ron that Colin had given each of them. She wondered how Harry was going to pay his tuition, much less the Weasleys. She needed to get out of the house and talk to Harry to make sure he was going to continue the training he needed.
Taking her wizarding money and her wand she headed for a hidden alley not far away and called for the knight bus.
xxx===xx
Hermione wound up in Little Whinging a few minutes later. She had to look carefully to find Harry's house as the entire neighborhood looked like someone had used a copy spell over and over. Walking up to the door she felt a tingle as someone cast a detection spell over her. She dropped into a crouch and spun to her right only for a familiar chuckle to be heard.
"Tonks?" Hermione called out.
"Yep sure is." The metamorph said stepping out of the shrubbery. "That you Granger?"
"Maybe. Nympha-"
"Do not finish that word." The older girl cautioned before Hermione's smug grin made her chuckle. "I guess that's one way to satisfy Alastair's security challenge."
"Of course." Hermione smugly replied before giving her friend a brief hug.
"So you here for a booty call finally?" Tonks casually asked.
Hermione looked shocked at the auror whose hair had turned a startling shade of bright bubblegum pink. "Wha-What makes you say that?"
"Oh my goodness. You think you've been hiding how you feel from everyone? I think the only person that doesn't know you fancy Potter is himself and maybe some Welsh farmers." Tonks shook her head ruefully.
Hermione thought about it and wondered if that was why Ginny was acting snippy and rude towards her recently. She thought she had been keeping her feelings a lot closer to the vest in front of her friends.
"Starting to realize that I'm right eh?"
"Well maybe. I guess its a lot harder to realize for those of us whose hair doesn't give our emotions away." Hermione observed. "Although I doubt Harry feels the same way about me."
"Well let's go find out." Tonks said heading for the front door.
Hermione realized that Tonks must be guarding Harry. "Is everything alright with Harry?"
"Oh yeah. The Order and the Ministry both want the golden child protected now. So he's got an official Ministry detail and an unofficial Order detail, plus he's got the right to cast his own spells so things should be interesting." Tonks said knocking on the door.
Dudley opened the door carefully looking surprised to see Hermione he began to give a slight grin.
"Stow it Dudley, this Hermione Harry's girlfriend. I don't think he'd be too happy if you tried anything." Tonks growled causing him to back out of the doorway rapidly.
Climbing the stairs once they were inside Tonks leaned into whisper, "He tried a bit too hard to flirt with me and I played along then turned into a 300 pound gorilla, so I'm surprised he still wants to make out." Tonks laughed.
Hermione shook her head but managed to only giggle slightly. She felt so much better being among her friends and her world again that she had almost forgotten why she came.
Tonks knocked a rapid pattern on Harry's door which sprang open after a second.
xxx===xx
Harry had been sitting at a writing desk by the window with several books and papers strewn all about it when the girls walked in. "What is it Tonks?" He asked.
"Oh just got a special delivery for you." She said holding her finger to hush Hermione.
"Can't you just deal with it?" He grumbled in a whiny tired tone of voice.
"Oh I think this is something you'd rather take a personal hand in dealing with." Tonk's voice carried the laughter she was trying to suppress.
Harry spun glaring at the girl until he saw Hermione then he broke out in a huge grin and ran over to grab her in a hug. Since Harry never initiated physical contact this caught Hermione by surprise but she hugged him back just as tightly.
When he finally stepped back he was grinning like a man reprieved from death, "OH Hermione. You have no idea how glad I am to see you. I was just trying to figure out what to write to get you to come here."
"Why? Is there a problem?" Hermione asked watching Harry's face. He looked like the same Harry she had last seen just three weeks ago, except he was wearing a strange ring on his right middle finger.
"No. There's no problem, well yes there is but its not with me. Its kinda about me and the way things are going." He rubbed the back of his neck the way he always did when he got his thoughts jumbled.
Tonks shook her head then formally asked with a slight bow, "Well Lord Black is there anything further you require?"
Harry glared at her as Hermione's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Thanks for the subtlety Tonks." He hissed.
Tonks blew him a kiss as she left, "Hey if we waited for you to get it explained the next ide age would roll through."
"I am not that bad." He called after the Pink haired girl who was laughing maniacally.
"Lord Black?" Hermione carefully asked.
"Uh yeah. Sirius' last joke." Harry said pulling a chair out for Hermione.
Sitting down she looked at Harry who awkwardly sat down across from her. "So when he got killed you inherited his title?"
"His title, his money, his properties, investments, Kreacher. All of it. Almost a thousand years of stuff." Harry sighed in resignation, "I found out between my parent's money and his that I'm one of the richest wizards in all of the UK."
Hermione felt a strange twisting in her stomach. If she tried to talk to Harry about the tuition now it would feel like she was begging for help. She would have to do it later.
"I know. I Know. Poor little rich boy. Whining about suddenly not having any worries. You know how many MORE worries I have now? I have no idea what any of this stuff is or means. Rothak wants me to make decisions about investments and integration of the wealth plus I have another problem I'll need help with. And I was hoping you could help me with all of this." Harry said waving his hand across the desk to indicate the stacks of financial reports and accounting books Hermione now saw what he was working on.
"Well I suppose I can help. Its not that hard to understand finances." She carefully said.
"Oh would you please? I trust you. You've got the best work ethic and morals out of anyone I know. If I told the Dursleys how rich I am I have no idea how crazy they would get." Harry said as he jumped out of the chair and gestured for Hermione to take his place in front of the desk.
"What about Arthur?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. Well I. I'm not too keen on the Weasleys right now." He glumly said.
"Oh no. What happened now?" Hermione sighed, figuring that if Ron had found out about Harry's wealth he would already be planning on the largest shopping spree ever.
Harry sat down on his bed staring at the floor, picking at a loose thread on the knee of his trousers.
"Well what did Ron do now?" She asked with a forced amusement as she picked up a book that said Potter-Black general accounts. Flipping it open she started reading.
"Well it wasn't Ron exactly. He did what you'd think any teen that found out his friend literally owned half of Diagon Alley and planned on going shopping." Harry said with a slight chuckle.
"Okay. So if it wasn't Ron then what's the problem?" She had found a few lines that she had to go back over again to try and understand the numbers involved. They were far larger than anything she had ever actually dealt with before.
"It was. Well it was Molly and Ginny when they found out the other thing." Harry's voice had dropped into an awkward stammer.
Hermione closed the book and turned to give Harry her full attention, "Okay what other thing?"
"Well as a Lord I will need a Lady. And uh. Well Dumbledore and Remus both pointed out I should choose someone I like and trust." Harry was still looking at the floor and was about to unravel the entire leg of his trouser he was working on the loose thread so hard.
Taking his hands Hermione leaned in, "Okay a Lady as in Mrs?"
Harry nodded quickly, "Yeah. They say I don't need to marry or have kids anytime soon but with the titles and stuff I should definitely do so as I'm the last in both family lines."
"And you won't need tow wives or some such tot like that?" Hermione snorted. Thinking if there was a way for Sirius to arrange it he would have.
Harry grinned, "No. Its the same as the Muggle world. One wife only."
"Okay. And you like Ginny so whats the problem?" Hermione's voice almost broke but she managed to control it.
"Uh yeah I like, maybe. I think. I dunno. Hermione you've had more experience with being a girl. Is it normal to send someone your used knickers?"
Hermione looked at Harry like she hadn't heard him correctly. "Who sent you what?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"Ginny, ever since she found out about the inheritance she's been rather persistently trying to convince me to choose her. She sent me her knickers, she has sent me love letters almost daily, twice she sent me fudge cakes that had some of the Weasley Love Bubbles potions in them. Tonks went over and pointed out that trying to love potion a lord is a very bad thing in the eyes of the law. But still she's talked about me and her being her destiny and how we were fated to be together." He said in a rush ending with a whispered "forever."
"Oh. Uh. Wow. I did not think she would react that way." Hermione stated flatly.
"Yeah neither did I but it was like someone ripped the mask off of her. I don't even want to be around her right now." Harry shivered.
"Well once I help you get these books into order that you can understand I guess I can help you look for someone that would make a good Lady Potter-Black." she said wistfully.
Harry rubbed his neck again before saying, "Well I already found her. I just don't know if she'd go for it. I mean if she feels that way about me."
Hermione's heart did a flip and dove into her stomach as she remembered how Harry had been interested in Cho last year. How she had ruined a date he had tried to take her on. The tall dark haired girl must be the one he was talking about. "Oh. Anyone I know?" She managed to ask though pulling open the book again to keep her hands from shaking.
"Well I kinda hope so. Since its you." Harry said in a rush of air.
Hermione froze. She was the one he wanted to have as his wife? He was the richest wizard in the school, if not one of the ones in the country if these numbers were right. She would look like the worst gold digging whore in history.
"Hermione?" Harry worriedly asked touching her on the arm.
"Harry I. I'm surprised."
"Well yeah. I know. Its kind of a rush but like Remus said I should ask someone I can trust, someone I like and that's you. You have the best work ethic out of anyone I know. You're trustworthy and honorable and well you've always been there with me on all our adventures and I kinda like that. I'd like that to keep going." He said in a halting, stammering, awkward tone of voice as he looked out the window, at the ceiling or the floor. His face was a blushing red but he finally ended up looking at her with a sad puppy dog hopeful expression.
Hermione took a deep breath, "Harry there's things I've been hiding from you. Things I think you should know before you make your decision."
Harry looked confused and worried but nodded, "Okay. Like what?"
Hermione began to explain that her parents were not really dentists. How her mother had boyfriends and was on the dole and her father had walked on them both when she was young. How she was not going to be able to afford to pay her tuition and wouldn't be able to continue at school. How she wouldn't want it to look like she was his kept woman or that she had married him only for his money. She wouldn't do that, she wouldn't be the same as Helen. She did all of that without crying, but only barely.
Harry blinked several times like he was thinking and processing it. He stood up and walked to the desk looking for a folder he flipped it open when he found it. "Hermione I don't think you understand. I know you're not after my money. Even if you were I don't think you'd do anything to hurt me over it. I can't trust Ginny not to hurt me. I don't know enough about anyone else to trust them either, except maybe Luna but she's well. She's nice but she's not you."
"I won't be a kept woman Harry. Nor will I let people think that I am."
"Hermione. You wouldn't be a kept woman. You'd be my partner in all of this. Hell you might be the one who controls all this and I'll be your kept man for all it matters." Harry growled in frustration. "Here look at this summary and tell me if I can afford your tuition, mine and some of our friends if I have to. If I have to I'll build another school. That tuition thing sounds like a dirty trick to keep muggle-borns out. So I don't care what it takes I'll pay, even if you never kiss me or say yes. You're going to Hogwarts." Harry's voice had taken on a band of steel as he declared what was going to happen.
Hermione took the folder he thrust into her hands and looked down the columns nervously. Harry was not going to ask her to do anything she didn't want to do. She wouldn't be a kept woman. She wouldn't be like Helen. Finding the combined monthly income line she blinked several times at the six digit number. She looked again and it had not changed, the total liquid assets line was a nine digit number. She almost stopped breathing as that was more than her dad's wealth.
"Harry? Are you sure?" She asked in a shaky voice closing the folder carefully like it was some sort of prank paper that would explode.
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I trust you. I like you. I think I may love you. If I can figure out what love really is, but I'd like to have your help with that too if you will." He stood awkwardly grinning at her.
Hermione stood up then hugged him tighter than she had ever hugged him before.
xxx===xx
Harry's birthday party was held at Grimmould Place. He was only sixteen so would not be a full adult until next year but with his Lordship established he had quite a few more rights and freedoms than a typical teen.
Gathered around the table was Harry and Hermione at the head of the table. Albus Dumbledore, Professor McGonnegal, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, All of the Weasleys minus Percy, Tonks, Neville, Luna and Hagrid. Hagrid almost took two chairs up all on his own before Minerva made him a double sized chair. Dumbledore had balked at Harry inviting Luna and Neville but pointed out they were his friends and this was his house so he would bring whomever he wanted into it. Plus as it was his house and not Dumbledore's if Harry wanted to he could change the wards and no one could get into it. Dumbledore agreed that was a good point.
"Alright everyone. Before we begin I have an announcement to make." Harry called before they served the food. Standing up he smiled around the table as everyone calmed down looking at him with grins of expectation or avarice he felt when he looked at Ginny.
"I hope it is brief." Snape drawled in extreme boredom.
"Oh I dunno it may be." Harry grinned then holding his left hand out Hermione stood beside him, when she stood she put her left hand over his. A simple silver ring with a diamond chip sparkled on the ring finger.
"Is that what I think that is?" Molly asked in a suspicious tone.
"If you think this is my family engagement ring then yes Molly it is. Earlier this evening before all of you got here I finally convinced Hermione to say yes. For the last week I have been discussing, debating, and downright arguing the merits of doing this. Of my choosing her and we finally came to an agreement. She is going to be my partner and wife, and equal in everything."
Ginny screeched as she drew her wand, "I'M SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR WIFE! Not that BITCH! NOT HER ME!"
Hermione had spun, drawn her wand and placed an incarcerous over Ginny before she had even cleared her belt loops with her wand. A gag was soon shoved in Ginny's mouth to prevent her screeching invectives from being heard.
Hermione's focused glare turned to Molly who had drawn her wand but placed it quietly on the table when she saw that Hermione had little sparkles of lightning running along her wand and Harry was standing beside her grinning.
"As I was saying. Hermione is my equal partner in pretty much everything in my life, including temper. So I am very happy and proud to be her man for life." He said with a wink causing her to blush.
"Very good Harry, Hermione." Albus grinned with full twinkling eyes.
The Weasleys, especially Ginny did not seem as happy for the couple although Ron, having had a moment of clarity as he glanced at his sister, raised his glass in toast to them. Better to be the friend of Harry Potter than left in the cold totally.
xxx===xx
Over the next year with Hermione's help Harry had his wealth invested in various projects that resulted in the wizarding world being dragged into the 20th century in many ways. Certain members of the Death Eater community had visits from Goblin Hit Squads, while others had deeply buried skeletons suddenly come prancing out of the closet in full view of the public. The Quibbler covering all of this with its much improved financial backer letting them have a full reporting and editorial staff and not just Luna and her father. Although Harry made sure that it still retained much of its quirky charm to Luna's delight.
When the Daily Prophet tried to run several articles written by Rita Skeeter calling Hermione a gold digger or that she was just a common trollop he bought the paper and ruined Rita's career instead. Hermione also revealed to the Ministry and the public that Rita was an unregistered animagus and that she had used that power to spy on various people, including Death Eaters. Rita's body was never found.
Many wealthy or key members of the ministry and the Wizengamut suddenly saw their investments tank or get aggressively outmaneuvered. Harry happily and appreciatively credited Hermione with the prowess to do that. With each estate or vault that Hermione managed to
Dumbledore helped Harry find the various Horcrux over that year as well. Hermione's training efforts on Dumbledore's Army let them go against the Death Eaters who had penetrated the castle and take all of them down with only minimal injuries on the side of light. Dumbledore though had died from his putting the ring on. Harry had taken the contents of Bellatrix's vault for her abrogating her marriage agreement by not having children so the Horcrux in her vault was easily found. The Locket had been in Grimmould and Hermione had figured out what it was. Her convincing Harry not to let Mundungus into the house under any circumstances, Dobby and Kreacher both ordered to use whatever force they wanted to if he tried to force through the wards. Which Mundungus attempted the week Harry went back to school. The results of that action was that Mundungus was trapped in a small snow globe on Kreachers shelf in his nest.
Voldemort was still able to take over the ministry and get his allies freed from Azkaban but he was not able to take Hogwarts and once the diadem was found the Dark Lord came to the school. A final battle was begun with all but a few Slytherins rallying around their school to defend it. The Diadem destroyed, the snake beheaded and Harry struck by the killing curse from behind by Bellatrix who soon had a Sword of Gryffindor provided haircut courtesy of Neville Longbottom. The fact that he also cut her neck, throat, windpipe and spinal column was just extra service. Many Death Eaters decided that running a different direction was a good idea as they saw Neville coming with the sword. Luna had joined him and was sending spells of circling sparkling motes of light out with her wand that would block incoming spells, capture the spell and return it back to the caster or in the case of one spell caused the target to be covered in silver glitter before they melted into a puddle of goo. When she got nicked by a cutting charm that shaved the hair on one side of her head she seemed to get mad as her eyes took on a silvery white glow and the house elf population of the school appeared with serving knives, cleavers and spoons. The Death Eaters briefly laughed before the elven army descended upon them in a cloud of battle cries and condiments. Apparently the skills learned in years of preparing and serving various meat dishes could be used in combat just as easily.
Hermione though was right beside Harry through the battle until he got hit when she had to dive out of the way of a flying serving platter that was being ridden by a cleaver wielding elf.
xxx===xx
Harry woke up on a white floor. Sitting up he looked around and found his mother standing there beside his father.
"Well Harry. Good job." His father said holding his hand out to Harry.
"Uh thanks. Good job on what?" Harry asked taking his father's hand to rise.
"Well in order, choosing that magnificent girl to be your bride and partner. She is what we like to call a keeper." James laughed happily.
"She is quite something." Lily agreed.
"Yeah she is." Harry enthusiastically agreed. "And I'd like to get back to her before anything bad happens."
"Probably a good idea. She doesn't seem to be the type to take your death very calmly." James observed.
"So uh."
"We love you too Harry, and while we want to see you we can wait for a long time." Lily said giving him a deep hug. Followed by James.
Harry woke up with the smell of dust, ozone and fudge in his nostrils. He rolled over and saw Hermione calling down lightning from the skies on various Death Eaters. Greyback had begun to chase Lavender when he was suddenly illuminated like a fluorescent light. Harry actually saw his skeleton briefly like in the cartoons before there was a large popping noise and Fenrir was nothing more than a pile of smoking rags curling into the early dawn skies.
Voldemort had taken cover from her and when he saw Harry grinned before calling out the killing curse which Harry dove out of the way of and using a simple first year cutting charm powered to its maximum sliced Voldemort's throat open from ear to ear. As he was mortal once more the blood flowed out in a dark black torrent seeming to confuse and surprise the Dark Lord who held his hand up to try and stop the surging fluid. When he tried to cast a spell the severed vocal cords had filled with fluid causing nothing but a gurgle. The Dark Lord dropped to his knees then as Harry and Hermione walked up to him carefully. Tom Riddle tried to say something, tried to curse them but all that happened was the last drops of the ichor he had left his body causing him to fall over.
xxx===xx
It was twenty years later and Harry Potter-Black. Lord of the Wizengamut, business owner, investment banker and wealthiest wizard in the UK. His wealth placed him in the top ten of the world's wizards was standing next to his wife Hermione Potter-Black. Wealthiest witch in the UK as she shared half of all of Harry's assets, his business manager, partner and confidant. She was the reason for everything he would tell anyone that asked, and some that didn't ask.
They had three wonderful children, James Sirius, Richard Horatio, and Lily Luna. Their children had a good life, even if they had to work for their allowances, as Hermione still believed that a good work ethic was better than being handed everything. She refused to let the Wolfmoon foundation become a charity that just threw money at people but an organization that invested in people and helped them build their lives back up. Remus Lupin was its head with his wife Tonks Lupin who took care of their young son Teddy.
She had remained friends with Richard and introduced Harry as her fiancee proudly to the elder. Who quizzed Harry about if he was going to take care of Hermione and treat her properly. He seemed mollified when Harry said that Hermione was the reason he was alive and would be treated like the queen she deserved to be. The pair of them made sure he was well taken care of even when his health failed Harry spent a great deal of money to ensure he received treatment. He had been the closest thing Hermione had to a father and he understood the pain Hermione felt when the man died. They were at his funeral and would visit his grave frequently. His own family unsure of who she was but welcoming her politely.
Hermione never reconciled with her mother or father. Having decided that they had abandoned her when she was little and would not look back. A bad penny that would not grow.
Hermione's careful stewardship of the Potter-Black wealth was something the goblins respected and honored her with one of their highest titles. She was an official friend of the Goblin Nation and allowed to join the board.
Ginny had never gotten over her obsession with Harry and drank herself into an early grave. Ron had been given a warning by Hermione not to try and take advantage of Harry and his wealth or it could turn on him all too easily. He went to work, stayed a good friend and married Lavender who had two children with him.
Neville and Luna married and enjoyed a long life together with their 4 children. Two sets of twins had been given to them which made their life full and exciting. Neville had become the Herbology teacher while Luna was the other half of the Wolfmoon foundation and still edited the Quibbler.
Hermione stood on the balcony of the medium sized manor house she had overseen the building of for their family. Restraining Harry when he and Ron or Neville would come up with some strange idea like the indoor Quidditch pitch for when it rained or the giant firepole to get from the top floor to the basement. She did compromise though on a few of the ideas like the small train set along the ceiling that Dobby and the other house elves would sometimes use to get around the house or Harry's garage as he had seemed to develop Sirius' love of high powered cars. She drew the line though at the experimental rocket powered broom idea.
Harry never regretted choosing Hermione and loved her all the days of his life.
===xxx===xx(Review Responses)
jadesabrexiv: I suppose however shock in those instances can cause a person to react very numbly. Plus it is established multiple times in canon that Harry is quite proficient at repressing his emotions, excessively so. He was probably wound tighter than a catfish reel at the grand nationals. Thank you though. Oh and a hint for the review you left on Sister. Ithil is Sindarin Elf for Moon.
Wiebenor: That's all good. I get things a bit confused sometimes too and I write the things so not a problem. Glad you enjoyed reading something. I just wish more people would read.
Dennisud: Thank you. It was more of a ground rule double in my eyes but then I'm a bit critical I guess.
Davidmichaelharvey: Cool thanks.
OfficerDonNZ: Yeah I know, every once in awhile its not bad to give Ron a few more working brain cells than usual.
IdlemanRPG: She looked quite nice is all I'll say. As for the next chapter who knows what will come out of my brain, I know I don't. Thanks for enjoying.