Disclaimer: I do not own any content relating to Harry Potter. I am strictly a fan fiction writer and do this only for my own enjoyment. I do not make any money from my writing.

A/N

Shoutout to harlancarter69 for their support! I always appreciate everyone who leaves a review, either good or bad. That is how we grow as writers and maintain inspiration. I hope everyone has enjoyed the story so far. It has kept to a general GoF timeline of sorts, but it will eventually diverge from that plotline and go places otherwise unexplored yet.

Chapter 13: Fallout

The next morning, Hermione woke and very carefully tip toed out of bed and across the room. She entered the bathroom and took a shower. She had planned for this day for several weeks now. Every aspect of the plan was meticulously crafted. There was a lot to do today, and she was a little afraid that if she didn't get going, they wouldn't be able to fit all the plans into the day.

Hemione quickly got dressed and went downstairs to find Quillby and Bella. She found them in the kitchen, working diligently. "Is everything going to plan?" she asked the elves.

"Yes, Mrs. Potter", Bella squeaked. Hermione shook her head. Hearing her new name was going to take a while to get used to. Hermione left the kitchen and went to the library. She entered the large room and went to a cabinet that stood in one corner. She removed the presents that she had hidden away and took them to the breakfast table. Once she was satisfied that everything was ready, she ran back upstairs to the master bedroom.

Hermione carefully approached Harry's side of the bed. He was lying on his back, sleeping very comfortably. She took a moment to stare at him. He was so handsome, even with his wild hair that was even wilder with his bedhead. She took a few more steps towards Harry, her body shaking with excitement and nervousness.

Harry Potter fell asleep very quickly after his exhausting night, despite everything that had happened. He didn't worry about what he had done at the World Cup. He was firm in his convictions and knew that he had potentially saved quite a few lives with his actions. He was sure that his parents would be proud of him, as would Sirius. After his goodnight kiss from Hermione, he easily drifted off to a very sound sleep.

Sometime later (he couldn't be certain how much later), he was roused from his slumber by a feeling. Something wet and warm was moving up and down his…

Harry sat bolt upright in his bed. He would have scrambled off the bed, but a weight was pinning his legs and waist to the bed. Harry frantically grabbed his glasses off the side table and put them on. He looked down to see Hermione's head bobbing up and down on his manhood. Harry's eyes were wide open with shock. He wanted to stop her; to protest, but he had to admit it felt great.

Slowly, he sank back down into his bed and tried to relax his nerves. He knew what she was doing. He never imagined that she would be this bold towards him. They had never done anything remotely physical besides the occasional snogging. Now here she was, taking matters into her own hands…and mouth.

Harry closed his eyes and let the sensation wash over his body. Hermione's administrations were wonderful if Harry was honest with himself. Soon though, he felt a rising tension in his groin. He started to panic and wanted to warn Hermione. He stiffened and tried to sit up in bed, but he was too late. A second later, he shot load after load into her waiting mouth and throat. Harry's orgasm gripped his body, and he shook violently. His hand instinctively grabbed Hermione's head and held it in place. He kept releasing into her warm mouth. She made a slight gagging noise, but she kept swallowing, as if it was a matter of personal pride for her. Only after the last spurts of his load were sucked out of him, did Harry fully relax and sink into his bed. He had never felt so relaxed.

Hermione eventually released Harry from her mouth, wiping the excess of the load that had slipped from her mouth, and slowly rose to meet his gaze. "Happy birthday, Harry" she said, a wide smile on her face.

Half an hour later, the two teens walked into the kitchen. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY", shouted Emma and Robert. Harry was stunned for a moment. He had completely forgotten that Hermione's parents had stayed over last night. He suddenly blushed fiercely. Emma and Robert thought it was due to his birthday surprise, but Harry knew it was because he was thinking of his first birthday present from Hermione.

"Happy birthday, Master Harry", the elves said in unison. They had Harry take a seat and they presented him with his favorite breakfast foods, chocolate chip pancakes and bacon.

"Thank you, all", Harry said. He noticed that everyone was waiting for Harry to start eating, so he quickly took a bite. The conversation that morning was kept fairly light and pleasant. Everyone was trying to steer clear of last night's events. It was an unspoken agreement to keep the attention on Harry's birthday. Little did they know that it would only last for a few more seconds.

A brown barn owl swooped in from the open kitchen window above the sink. It landed gracefully on the table and dropped the copy of the morning Daily Prophet. Harry took a few knuts out of his pocket and placed them in the pouch attached to the owl's leg. He grabbed a slice of bacon off his plate and offered it to the bird, who took it, and flew off, out the window. Harry nervously opened the paper and flattened it on the table. The front page read:

The-Boy-Who-Lived Is Back!

Last night, the attack on the Quidditch World Cup, by Death Eaters unknown, was stopped by an unknown wizard. It was uncovered by this reporter, Rita Skeeter, who is always on the scene of anything of importance, to bring you the news you need to know, the identity of the hero wizard. Harry Potter, a.k.a. The-Boy-Who-Lived (see page two for details on how he got this moniker), was identified as having taken down 20 fully grown Death Eaters, entirely on his own. It is not known how a boy (aged 12) could have accomplished such a feat, however, Ministry of Magic aurors who were on the scene, tell me that no one else was discovered in the area and Mr. Potter stood in the middle of a battleground. He was surrounded by the bodies of Death Eaters (we will not discuss what the bodies looked like as it would be too disturbing for our readers).

I was given the chance for an exclusive interview with Mr. Potter just moments after the battle were over. The small boy (12) was standing just outside the scene and appeared to be shaking with fright. When I asked him why he had intervened in the attack, Mr. Potter said he was overcome with fear and simply cast out spells wildly and as fast as he could. It was obvious that he simply got lucky, even against such incredible odds. He also added that he desperately wanted to stay out of the limelight, however I think all my avid readers would agree that Mr. Potter deserves all the accolades he gets, even if it were simply by sheer luck that he is still with us today.

The article continued; however, Harry had already read enough. He moved the paper over to Hermione, who continued to read. Robert, who had read over Harry's shoulder seemed to be very angry.

"I can't believe that drivel that that woman spewed! She didn't even get your age correct!", he shouted.

Harry simply shrugged his shoulders. "Actually, I thought it was a great article!" he said casually.

Robert, Emma, and Hermione all looked at Harry incredulously.

"Here is why I like the article: One, she did incorrectly identify my age. Two, she made it appear that I was weak and that I simply got lucky." Harry stopped talking and looked at the others, expecting them to understand his explanation. That was not the case though. They still looked dumbstruck at him. Sighing loudly, Harry continued. "If people are not aware of how…skilled I actually am, I see that as an advantage. They won't think that they must throw everything at me if they want to attack me. By seeing me as weak, they will most likely not come at me with overly powerful spells and curses."

Harry saw the lightbulbs turn on for everyone. They now understood what he meant and how he could see the article as being well written. Robert even seemed to understand a little better. "Throw your enemies off by keeping them from knowing the truth about you", he said, nodding in appreciation of Harry's cunning nature.

Later that morning, after breakfast was over, Harry opened his presents. From Emma and Robert, he received a diving watch that appeared to be quite expensive. He thanked them profusely and quickly put the watch on his wrist to admire it. Albus had sent Harry a new set of dueling robes, upgraded with an invisibility spell that would activate if you put the hood up. Minera sent a book on using transfiguration in combat, a book that Harry did not yet have. Hagrid gifted him a small bag of Hippogriff feathers (apparently this was a grand honor).

Lastly, Hermione anxiously took two small boxes and placed them in front of Harry. He grabbed the first one and gently removed the bow and wrappings. A small jewelry box was left and when Harry opened it, he found two small pins, both in the shape of the letter "H". They were gold and had rubies running along each letter.

"The pin is meant to be worn on whatever shirt or robe you are wearing each day", she said taking one of the pins and attaching it to her own shirt to show him. "I will wear one and so will you", she said with a tone that meant it was not a request. Harry took his pin and attached it to his shirt as instructed.

Next, Harry opened the last box to find a simple looking small key. He looked at Hermione, but she stood up from her chair and beckoned Harry and her parents to follow her. They walked through the manor until they finally arrived in Harry's office.

"I hope you won't be mad, Harry. I took the liberty of installing something in your office. Please take a seat in your chair." Harry took the seat and looked at Hermione. "Great, now please place that key in the keyhole in the end of the desk, just there", she said, pointing to a small keyhole that was newly placed in the desk. Harry did as she asked. As soon as he turned the key, his entire desktop suddenly lifted from the legs, flipped upside down, and a map appeared on the desktop.

"This map shows exactly where in the world our two pins are at any time. They can be tracked though almost any sort of magical shield, although it might not work inside a Fidelius charmed location unless you have already been inside that location before. When we wear our pins, you and I can be able to track one another to a precise location". Suddenly, Hermione looked a bit nervous. "I hope you don't find this gift to be creepy or intrusive. That wasn't what I…" Hermione was suddenly cut off by Harry's lips gently finding hers.

After breaking the kiss, Harry spoke. "This is amazing! You have truly outdone yourself, Hermione! I don't find it creepy or intrusive. I love it! You are the most important person in my life. I don't ever want to lose you, Hermione, and with this, I never will!" he laughed out loud.

Everyone laughed at Harry's joke, but they all appreciated the meaning behind it. "Well, now that the presents are out of the way, it's time to head to Gringotts Bank", Hermione announced.

"What? What for?", Harry asked.

"Well, we happen to be getting married, 'officially', today" she said with a grin.

Harry's eyebrows shot up to their maximum height possible. "WHAT?" he shouted in surprise.

"Relax, Harry. I just mean that we are going to go sign our paperwork at Gringotts. That will officially make us married in the eyes of the goblins and the Ministry", she explained.

"Oh!", Harry said, relaxing his breathing. He suddenly glared at Hermione. "I'm gonna get you back for that later!", he said mischievously.

Hermione only gave him a wink and walked out of the office. Robert and Emma told Harry that they really had to get back home as they had to return to work soon. They gave him a hug and wished him a happy birthday again. They took out their portkey and activated it.

"Enter!", a raspy voice sounded from the other side of the door. Harry opened it and ushered Hermione through. The teens took a seat in front of a goblin who was seated behind a huge dark cherry desk.

"Welcome back, Lord Potter", the goblin spoke. "Lady Potter", he inclined his head towards Hermione. "I trust you have come to sign your bonded parchment work".

"Yes, we are here to sign the forms. Also, I would like to inquire about adding Hermione to my vaults" Harry replied.

Hermione looked at Harry with wide eyes, but he just squeezed her hand in his and smiled. She wanted to speak up and perhaps even protest Harry's intentions, but he gave her a look and she found her need to protest melted away. He looked at her with pure love in his eyes.

"Naturally", the goblin grinned. He opened one of his desk drawers and pulled out a stack of forms and a couple of quills. "This is the standard form that must be signed when adding another authorized person to access your vault", he said sliding the parchment over to Harry, who quickly signed it. Hermione hesitantly added her signature to the form.

"Great, now this form is the soul bond form. It states that you are officially married in the eyes of magic itself and that the two of you are to be immediately emancipated upon adding your signatures to the form. You, of course, Lord Potter already are legally emancipated once you took up your Lordship." The goblin slid the form to Harry and Hermione, who read it carefully between them. After glancing at each other, they both turned and signed the parchment.

"Splendid", the goblin smiled, taking the form, and adding his mark to it. "Will there be anything else?", he asked.

"Yes, I would like to visit my family vault, please", Harry said.

A few stomach-churning minutes later, Harry and Hermione entered their vault. Harry took the time to show Hermione around. There was a lot more than just piles upon piles of golden coins. There were stacks of paintings that looked very old and quite expensive and cases containing precious jewels and pieces of jewelry. Harry soon found what he was looking for and opened a glass case that sat on a shelf.

"These rings belonged to my parents, Hermione. The rings are very magical in nature, so when my parents…died, the rings returned to this case, ready for the next generation of Potters to use them. I would like for us to wear them if you don't mind." Harry looked a bit nervous, waiting for Hermione to respond. She almost instantly felt tears starting to streak down her cheeks.

"Yes…Harry. I would be honored", she said in an almost whisper of a voice. He gently removed his mother's ring from the case and slipped it on to Hermione's ring finger. The ring magically resized itself to a perfect fit for her. Harry took his father's ring and slipped it onto his own finger.

Harry looked down into Hermione's face and gave her a very gentle and affectionate kiss. When they broke apart, Harry whispered to her. "I love you, Hermione Jean Potter".

When the Potters returned to their manor in the early afternoon, they were stopped in the front foyer by all their house elves.

"The preparations are ready, Mrs. Potter", Quillby said, bowing to Hermione.

"Perfect!", Hermione responded. She glanced over at Harry who looked bewildered.

"It's a surprise, Harry. You'll see very soon." Hermione nodded at Quillby who produced a small leather strap that was studded with emeralds and rubies. Harry tried to hide his grin. He knew exactly what that was and where it would take them. Quillby must have forgotten that Harry knew what it was. Once Hermione grabbed the strap and had Harry to the same, they were instantly whisked away from Potter Manor once more.