Ramblings and Dribbles

by WolfgangNH

This is a posting of ramblings, dribbles, one-shots, unfinished ideas or other stuff I just don't think deserves it's own storyline. Some I plan to finish someday, others are what they are. This is mature reading for some posts. Some items may be well developed, others are not yet, and may never be. There will many different pairings, and sometimes none.

38. Marriage at Gretna

A Marriage at Gretna

This is a rambling for now… may become something more in the future…

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Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. The original characters and world of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and anyone she has sold or given the rights too.

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Notes: Passed almost a hundred years ago, those of a certain blood status are required to submit marriage proposals. The initial proposals are delivered on the witch or wizards sixteenth birth, or the sixteenth birthday of the younger partner. By their nineteenth birthday, a proposal must be accepted and they must be married by the time the youngest finishes their twenty-first year.

Some look at this event with trepidation, while others get excited. For one Harry James Potter, he has come to fear the coming event since the Ministry has made it mandatory to review the proposals and potentially enforce others...

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Chapter 1

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July 31, 1996

Little Whinging, England

Harry took his time getting out of bed this morning. Today was his sixteenth birthday and he wasn't looking forward to it. It wasn't because he didn't want to turn sixteen, or the fact that he wouldn't have anyone to share it with, or the fact his relatives probably wouldn't even acknowledge him. No. It was a bad day because it meant he was sixteen. As the last of the Potters, and now heir of the Blacks, Harry would be receiving mail. He was expecting lots of mail. Lots and lots of mail delivered by owls.

Luckily, Hedwig was out, delivering her own mail. He didn't want her here being all stuffy at the owls he was expecting.

Rolling out of his bed, he didn't look out the window.

The light was clicked on as he stumbled into the bathroom. The smell of breakfast was wafting up the stairs. His stomach growled, but he really didn't want to see Uncle Vernon's ruddy face or hear Aunt Petunia's snipes when they realized he probably had a ton of owls in the yard. He remembered what happened last time that happened. It was brilliant what Hagrid did to Dudley, but Harry didn't want to repeat that experience.

When he was done with his shower, a knock came at the door. "We are leaving, boy. Marge, Dudley and Petunia will be in London for the day. Make sure all those ruddy birds are gone by the time we get back tonight."

"Yes, uncle," Harry called through the door.

Knowing he couldn't put it off much longer, he waited to hear his relatives leave before going down the stairs. Going to the sink, he finally looked outside. He could see dozens of owls and tried to suppress a shudder.

Taking his time, he made some toast, eggs and bacon, poured himself a large glass of orange juice and ate. He didn't want any of the owls to steal his food. Hedwig was one thing, all these strange owls that kept moving closer to the French doors were another. After washing his plate, the pan and his glass, Harry knew he couldn't put it off anymore.

Opening the door, he stepped outside. As he spoke up, he put on a pair of dragon hide gloves. "Listen, you will give me your letters one at a time or I will find out what roasted owl tastes like tonight," he threatened the swarm that wanted to deliver their letters, just about attacking him in the process.

It took a while to gather all the letters. Forty-three in total. Dumbledore had warned him that the mail redirect wards that sent all letters to the goblins first, would have to be taken down today. Only Harry was supposed to receive these special letters. Something the headmaster didn't seem pleased with, but nothing he could interfere with. Harry's face went to a mask to hide his irritation with Dumbledore. He had only found out a month ago about the mail wards.

He didn't look at who addressed the letters, only really caring about the eighteen with Gringotts and Ministry seals, which were the official ones. When the last owl was relieved of their letters or packages, he made his way up the stairs, plopped the letters on the desk before removing the loose floorboard at the base of his bed. He fished out his coin pouch, the Muggle wallet that Hermione had gotten him last year for his birthday, a small stack of papers and his invisibility cloak.

He stuffed down his emotions as he thought about Sirius, who had told him to keep that cloak on him at all times. Harry had hidden it under the floorboard when Uncle Vernon had threatened to burn all his stuff if he didn't behave this summer. The threats from Moody and the rest of the Order meant nothing when they found out Sirius had died. Now, on top of that, he had to deal with this Ministry shite.

Putting on his dragon hide gloves again, he put the eighteen letters that were the source of his consternation into his backpack. Hermione and him had ensured it was protected to prevent any stray curses or jinxes. Checking his watch, he still had almost two-and-a-half hours before he was due at Gringotts.

He checked out the back window before leaving. As much as Harry hated this, he didn't want anyone's poor owl to meet a sticky end by his uncle's hand. The animals were innocent in all this. When he didn't see anything, he slipped his invisibility cloak on and opened the door. Marge's dog ran out of the house, as though afraid of Harry. Since he had come downstairs, the bastard had hidden under the table. The poor thing had not expected Harry's foot to its face, then its side and face again when it tried to bite him the day Aunt Marge arrived. Harry got into trouble, but not as much as he could have when he reminded his uncle of Moody. That had been when his uncle threatened to burn everything he had if Harry stepped out of line once more.

Harry shrugged and Ripper shied away when Harry walked past the brute in Marge's arms after the attempted attack by the dog. Marge had been incenses and he had to listen to her dulcet yells for an hour from his room. Harry chuckled at the tone of sarcasm in his head to think of her grating voice as dulcet.

Harry used the dog to slip out and close the door as though he was still in the house. He walked over to the fence and noticed a shimmer in a tree in the next-door neighbour's yard. He frowned. Harry wasn't some child that needed babysitting.

Ripper was cowering along the fence on the far side of the yard when Harry looked around for any other signs of a 'guard'.

Once satisfied there was only one, Harry moved to the far side of the house and was forced to use the gate to leave the backyard.

Looking back, the blur in the tree hadn't moved.

As fast as he could move under his invisibility cloak, he made it out of his street, then two over to wait for the public bus. He would take it to the train station and into London by there. Almost no wizard used Muggle transport, so his babysitter should be none the wiser. He also didn't trust the Knight Bus staff not to blab about where he was going.

Once he saw the bus, he took off his cloak and stuffed it into an expanded pocket in his shorts. Harry couldn't wait to be able to do magic outside of school. Or at least whenever he wanted. Once he was in Diagon Alley, the Ministry wouldn't know it was him. As much as he hated Grimmauld Place and the elf in it, Harry wished he could get in. The wards there would block any signature his wand might give off. That was one thing Sirius had explained to him. It was part of why he needed to get to Gringotts. But Dumbledore didn't want him to leave his relatives house, having the audacity to ask him to let the Order continue using Grimmauld Place while keeping him away. Harry had denied it until he could go there himself. That had earned him a frown from the old man.

It was a peaceful ride into London. No one seemed to be trailing him and no one seemed to recognize him. He was just another teen on his summer holidays doing some type of day trip.

It was close to eleven-thirty when he walked into a small cafe. He wasn't due at Gringotts until twelve-thirty, so he still had time since Gringotts was just a five minute walk down the street.

"Harry!" a very familiar voice called out. Harry turned, a smile coming over his face, and the curly hair of his best friend, and most recently girlfriend, bounced into his arms. She hugged him as tight as she could, and the girl was surprisingly strong for her size. Of course Harry knew that as much of a bookworm Hermione was, she was also very active. She had told him she needed to be able to keep up with him and Ron.

"It's nice to see you too," he said, hugging her just as tightly. He took in a deep breath, loving the smell of vanilla in her hair. Not being able to see Hermione since getting off the Hogwarts Express had been hard the last few weeks. She let go enough to pull back and give him a chaste kiss. They had only been dating a few weeks before the end of term, and it had driven him spare when she had been hurt and landed in the hospital. He blamed himself for what happened, but he was trying to do as Sirius said: Don't let her go.

There was a clearing of a throat behind her. Hermione straightened as he tensed. Over Hermione's shoulder he met the light brown eyes of a woman that was of similar height, build and appearance as his girlfriend. Her hair wasn't as wild as Hermione's, being more curly. "Mum, you've met Harry before," Hermione said easily.

Harry moved to hold out his hand. "Mrs Granger, it is nice to see you again."

She looked at his hand before taking it. "Yes. I do remember meeting you a few times on the platform. So, this is him?"

"Yes, mum," Hermione said in a defiant tone.

The woman looked him up and down. Harry didn't give into her stare. He had faced real danger and she didn't scare him. "Do you want to talk about this, Mrs Granger? We have about forty minutes before we need to walk over," Harry offered.

The woman took in a deep breath and let it out. If Harry wasn't sure, he thought the woman might be a little scared, hiding it with her anger. Harry saw Hermione right away in this woman. "I have heard Hermione's take on this. I would like to know what the boy that is going to steal her from me thinks of all this."

Harry could respect that the woman was upset. Harry was too. They didn't have a choice, though. The Ministry didn't bind magic anymore. There were too few witches and wizards and all magic was precious... in its own way. No. The Ministry just forced their will. If Hermione had declined to go to Hogwarts, she would have been taken and forced to go to Hogwarts or one of the other two magical schools in Brittan. Of course, that information isn't given to Muggleborns or Muggle-raised until after they get to Hogwarts.

They sat at a table in a quiet corner. Harry's nerves were too great to eat, so he answered Mrs Granger's questions while Hermione and her ate something that had already been delivered to the table.

"You want to know what I think about all this?" Harry asked when Mrs Granger just stared at him.

"I believe that is what I said," she responded, her tone obviously not impressed.

"I think its bloody tripe, but we don't have any other choice," Harry told her. "Hermione and I need to be betrothed by our nineteenth birthdays and married by the end of our twenty-first year. If we aren't, the Ministry will force us. Because of who I am, my godfather thought they might push me to be betrothed and married as soon as possible. The Ministry doesn't exactly like me right now, and no one else has ever done anything to help me before. This could be a way for the Ministry to control me."

"So you would endanger my daughter in all this?" Mrs Granger shot at him.

"I would rather Hermione not be anywhere near this, but she can't legally leave the country until she is married. Neither of us can. And even then, if we are not back within a month, we will become hunted criminals," Harry said in a rather harsh tone.

"That doesn't change that you are dangerous and Hermione has been hurt multiple times because of you," the woman countered.

Harry looked to Hermione.

"I told mum everything this summer. I had too so she could understand," Hermione told him.

Harry reached over and took her hand. "It's alright, Hermione. Mrs Granger, do you think I coerced or did anything to force your daughter to get involved in any of the adventures we have had?"

The woman frowned, looking between him and Hermione. They may only be sixteen, but after everything they had been through so far, they acted a few years older. After a moment, she sighed. "No. Hermione is too much like her father was. She also made it very clear that she followed you of her own accord. Did you really save her from a mountain troll your first year?"

"Ron and I did," Harry confirmed.

She sat for a moment, as though waiting for him to go on, but Harry didn't feel the need. If Hermione told her everything, he didn't need to brag or sound like a ponce.

"It was ten feet tall?"

"Closer to twelve. It was a mountain troll and smelled really bad too," he added. The woman finally cracked a small smile.

"You take on a monster like that at twelve and all you have to say is that it smelled bad?"

Harry shrugged. "I was only eleven. It smelled really awful. Ron said we should have burned our robes after that."

"Harry, I don't think mum is concerned about that," Hermione said, sounding a little worried for once.

"What do you want me to tell her? That you were almost made into jelly by his club a few times? Or how about how I stupidly jumped on its back because it was the only thing I could think to do?" Harry said back to her.

"I want you to tell me the truth, Harry," her mum said. "If I am going to approve of this farce, I want to know the boy she is going to be forced to marry will protect her. Dan died protecting us many years ago from a mugger. I can't lose my daughter as well."

Harry turned to Mrs Granger. The fear and anguish in her eyes was plain to see. As solemnly as he could, he said, "Mrs Granger, Hermione is my best friend. I have always done everything I can to protect her. I can't promise I always will be able to, but I promise I will give my last breath if it is in my power to keep her as safe as possible. I also won't steal her from you. Anything I can do to keep you and Hermione together I will."

"You can't promise that, Harry," Hermione said.

He just held Mrs Granger's eyes. After a moment, the woman nodded. "And offering Hermione this betrothal is a way to protect her?" The woman took out the letter that Hedwig had delivered to Hermione this morning. At the bottom was the seal of the Potters and his signature, signed in blood.

"Mum, we have talked about this. I don't want to accept any of the others and I think Harry is right, I think anyone not following the Death Eaters right now will be forced to marry early. If they could marry those that oppose them to those that support them, then I think it will happen soon," Hermione said in her bossy tone when she was trying to get across facts that were self-evident.

Mrs Granger was still holding his eyes. "I would not have offered Hermione a betrothal if I didn't already care for her, regardless of whether I am doing this to protect her or not," Harry stated resolutely. In truth, he had had a crush on Hermione since at least fourth year, still hitting himself that he didn't get the courage up to ask her sooner. It had hurt to see her with Krum that night.

After a moment, Mrs Granger nodded. "You really want this, Hermione?"

"Yes," Hermione said, squeezing his hand.

"Even though this contract and the laws you have shown me means he will essentially own you?" her mother pressed.

Harry squeezed back, sharing a quick look with Hermione. She wordlessly communicated to let her handle it. "Woman have very few rights unless granted by their Head-of-House or the Wizengamot in the wizarding world. Once you sign that, Harry will essentially become my Head-of-House. He will be my guardian and will have the power to let me do anything I want," Hermione informed her mum.

Mrs Granger's eyes grew concerned. "Hermione, you know those old laws were abolished a long time ago. Women have the same rights as men. Why would you sell yourself like this?"

"Not in the wizarding world," Harry said softly. "I promise I will not hold Hermione back or keep her from doing anything she wants."

Mrs Granger ire peaked again. Hermione headed her off before she could snap at Harry. "Mum, listen to me. I want this with Harry. I know he will let me do anything I want. It's the best offer I will ever get. Besides, I love him."

Harry blinked a few times, his brain trying to process what was just said. They had dated for about five weeks before they left Hogwarts. He hadn't seen her in just over a month. Looking at her with a shocked expression, she was beat red, but sitting tall. Her eyes and face screamed defiance at her mother. Meeting his eyes, her flush spread down her neck.

"You love me?" he asked stupidly.

"Can we talk about this later?" Hermione requested, her voice a little higher pitch than before.

Mrs Granger, on the other hand, suddenly had the look as though she had an epiphany. "I see," she said slowly. "So many things make sense now."

"Hermione?" Harry asked, needing to understand this.

"Later," she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

"And do you feel the same way, Harry?" Mrs Granger enquired.

He was still looking to Hermione. The only answer he had at the moment was, "Hermione is my best friend. I would do anything for her."

"Even marry Hermione as soon as two weeks from now?" Mrs Granger questioned him, pointing at the contract on the table.

"Harry and I have already decided we will be going to Scotland August sixteenth. That is the earliest we can get married," Hermione replied. Harry's stomach did a small flip. The contract had to be posted a minimum of fifteen days. Even in the wizarding world, they had to abide by Muggle laws as far as marriages went for consensual age. In Scotland they could get married at sixteen, as long as they were bonded in a contract or a proposal for at least fifteen days while living in Scotland. "I really want you to come with us."

"I think I asked Harry," Mrs Granger pointedly said.

Harry was determined as he said, "Mrs Granger, I really care for Hermione. I will do anything I can to protect her and show her how special she is to me. Getting married in a little over two weeks from now will protect us both."

"Why not wait until next summer, when you are both seventeen?" Mrs Granger asked.

"Because if we wait, we are afraid that someone will stop us and force us into other betrothals," he replied. Hermione must have told her mother about the other waiting period. Yes, they could get married after fifteen days, but within forty-five, the Ministry could call him in to 'council' him on his options. That 'council' could potentially be used to break the contract because he was not informed, or his guardian didn't sign off or whatever trumped up reasoning that they could make up. No, Harry and Hermione had a fifteen-day window before anyone else, except themselves, could interfere, if they followed their plans.

Mrs Granger sighed. "So, will you be coming back with us tonight?"

"Uhm, what?"

"If you are now her guardian once I sign this and this reads that you have decision over where she is to reside, are you coming back with us tonight or is she going to your aunt and uncles with you?" Mrs Granger put to him.

"I don't remember discussing that," Harry said, looking to Hermione feeling a little panicked. "I thought you were going back home."

Hermione's defiant gaze met his. "I couldn't risk them separating us, so I told mum you have to live with us," she told him.

"Rrrrriiiight," Harry replied. "I didn't pack anything. You know that the Order will be looking for me soon? We have to keep this quiet."

"I know. If they try to separate us again without your approval, then the Order could be construed as interfering in a courtship," Hermione informed him.

He nodded. "I hadn't thought about that. You are not going to my relatives," he stated with finality.

"I thought you said you would let Hermione do anything she wants?" Mrs Granger questioned.

"I will, but no one should be around my relatives and I will not have her live there," Harry told her.

There was a concerned look but Mrs Granger didn't get a chance to follow-up as an alarm went off on his watch. "He have to go. I'm do at the bank in fifteen minutes," Harry told them. Harry took out his wallet and left two twenty pound notes on the table.

"You didn't have to do that," Mrs Granger commented.

"Mrs Granger, I recently found out that I have more money than I know what to do with. Please let me do this for you," Harry requested.

"Did you get Sirius' will?" Hermione asked.

"Let's talk about it at Gringotts. We need to go," Harry told her, getting up.

Mrs Granger put the contract back into her pocketbook. Hermione took his hand when they walked out of the cafe. Going through the Leaky Cauldron felt odd to see only a handful of customers at lunch time. With Voldemort in the open again, it must have many worried.

The alley was similarly dead. Those that were going through the alley were walking fast, most in small groups and looking frightened. Outside Gringotts, there were guards on the steps. Instead of the nice suits that they usually wore, the six goblins on the steps looked rather nasty with poleaxes, an axe or sword on their waist and chainmail visible below a Gringotts tabard.

The goblins gave them a wary eye as they walked up the steps. Inside, only half the tellers were busy, and they had no line to wait in. Stepping up to a teller after being waved past, Harry cleared his throat to stop the goblin from counting a pile of sickles. There was a scale with some gems and Harry thought the goblin was counting the sickles to exchange for the gems.

The goblin finished counting out three piles a few inches tall and slid them off to the side of his desk before looking up. "May I help you?" he questioned, sounding annoyed for being disturbed.

Harry looked at the nameplate on the counter. "Yes, Teller Rockgnasher. I have an appointment with Agrod, the Black family accountant." Harry put three galleons on the desk. Sirius had told him that a 'tip' to some goblins could get him to where he wanted to go faster and earn him a little respect.

The goblin looked at the galleons before reaching out and taking them. "Give me just a moment to clear this and I shall take you."

Harry nodded. He watched as a draw was opened and Rockgnasher packed the scales, put the gems and sickles into different bags, place them into a separate draw and then motioned for them to follow him when the draws were closed. They were let into a side door and to a small office. It was an office that Harry had seen once before, last Christmas, when Sirius had snuck out with him to finalize his will and ensure Harry knew what he was supposed to get. He doubted that Dumbledore knew that had happened, especially when he had told Harry that Sirius had simply left him everything without going to the reading.

Agrod was a particularly short goblin, with more scars than average on his visible skin, and very pointed teeth. The goblin wrought silver dagger that was visible inside his open suit jacket was a sign of the status the little being had in the bank.

He didn't bother getting up, just motioning for the three of them to sit.

"Good day, Agrod. I hope your enemies have bled and paid for their transgressions," Harry greeted the goblin.

The smile he got back had him suppressing a shiver. Mrs Granger didn't look as comfortable.

"I see the typical Black niceties have been taught to you. We are not here for niceties, as much as I like being paid for my time," Aggrod said. "You turn sixteen today?"

"Yes," Harry answered, putting his dragon hide gloves on. He took out the eighteen contract offers and put them on the desk. "I want to reject all of these, but was weary of touching any of them."

Aggrod's eye rose. "You distrust Gringotts?"

"I distrust what could happen after you send them out," Harry amended.

"Harry, be careful," Hermione warned.

"The girl urges caution. Maybe you should heed her," Agrod said, not looking bothered.

"Sirius told me to be cautious unless I receive any mail directly from a goblin's hand. I can't even confirm that this is all of them due to other issues," Harry replied.

Aggrod looked at the pile. "That stack does look a little short." Opening a draw, the goblin took out a sheet. "We sent you twenty-nine proposals this morning. How many are there?"

"Eighteen," Harry answered.

Hermione took in a breath. "You said the mail ward would be lifted for today," she said angrily.

"I received other mail," Harry assured her. Apparently Dumbledore was still playing with him. Until last Christmas, Harry had no clue. Sirius just thought it was a protective measure, but something had Harry doubting that.

Agrod looked a little angry. "Perhaps your distrust in Gringotts is not as unfounded as I had thought. Have you looked at any of your letters yet?"

"Nope. I have no intention too either," Harry replied. "I am here today to formalize a betrothal with Ms Granger."

Agrod waved a hand over the pile of letters. Two of them glowed a faint yellow, causing Agrod to shake with anger for a moment before letting out a short huff. "Someone is playing with things they ought not," he grumbled. When he looked back up to the three of them, Aggrod's mouth was in a half snarl. "I will need to get you formal copies of the other proposals before we do anything. May I ask which family the contract will be with for Ms Granger?"

"Potter," Hermione answered.

"In that case, Wizengamot law will require you to have a second wife. The family line of Black has a Wizengamot seat. Sirius Black was regent of that family, and his title has passed to you. The line must continue with the last name Black to remain in your hands," Agrod informed them.

"I want the family of Black to die out," Harry told him. That was a decision that Sirius was a little sad about, but understood and supported. What his family was was not something he wanted to see continue.

"That is not possible under current laws. There must be heirs to the line if a male is available to receive the titles. If you give this up, then it goes to the next Black heir," the goblin said.

"Harry, we can't do that," Hermione said. She had done a lot of research into this after Harry got his letter in January that he would now be required to participate in the Ancient House Protection Acts.

"I thought that once I became head of the family and if I was already married, then I wouldn't need to worry about that?" Harry asked.

"Am I to understand you have to marry two women?" Mrs Granger asked, eyeing him.

"Not if I have a say in it," Harry retorted.

"Didn't Sirius disown Narcissa?" Hermione questioned.

"I thought so," Harry replied.

"Regent Black tried to disown the Malfoys, but it was not possible with the marriage contract between the families. The Malfoys have right to claim the Blacks if they are the last extant line. Until Mr Potter was declared heir to the family, that was the case. If he refused the family, then all items transferred to him through the will is now in contest and most likely would go to the Malfoys," Agrod told them.

"Bloody fuck," Harry exclaimed.

"Language," Hermione admonished.

"Will someone tell me what is going on?" Mrs Granger demanded.

"Bloody hell. So, I can't just walk away from this, can I?" he asked towards Hermione.

"Sirius and I had talked about it," she said a little nervously. "We both thought that once you married off the Potter line, the Blacks wouldn't matter. I don't remember their being anything in the laws we read about Wizengamot families with seats."

"That was an act passed at the most recent spring equinox," Agrod told her.

Harry's face scrunched up. "Umbridge keeping the Daily Prophet being delivered, I bet," Harry said to her.

"Can we stop for just a second," Mrs Granger demanded. "Hermione, you haven't explained any of this. If am going to let you marry Harry Potter, what does this mean he is head of another family? The Blacks? I don't understand all this. How is that possible and this sounds like patronage from the Dark Ages."

Harry let out a long breath. "It essentially is, Mrs Granger. Agrod, do you have a copy of this latest law and the announcement? I thought there was a six-month grace period required for any changes to the marriage laws."

"It was voted to be a secret clause, only to be discussed when offers were made or negotiations to start. They also voted to eliminate the wait period. It has been active since March twenty-sixth," Aggrod told him.

"Typical," Harry muttered.

"That is not legal," Hermione said angrily.

"Hermione, I am not signing you up to be in some polygamous marriage," her mother said firmly.

"What happens if Hermione was to marry into the Black line instead?" Harry asked.

"I am not doing that," Hermione stated in no uncertain terms. She disliked the Blacks as much as he did.

"I am not letting you do any of that," Mrs Granger ordered, sounding agitated that she was being mostly ignored. Harry and Hermione were ignoring her for the moment.

"You would still need a wife or consort to produce heirs for the Potters," Agrod said. "Now, if you have no more questions, I know you said this was all urgent and I need to find out where the other offers are."

"Please, just give us a few minutes?" Harry requested.

They didn't say anything else until Agrod left. "You two are telling me exactly what is going on before I sign or agree to anything," Mrs Granger demanded.

Hermione gave him a pointed look to let her talk first. He waved his hand, his temper starting to rise at the situation. He didn't want to lose it on Mrs Granger, not when he still needed her to approve of what Hermione and him wanted to do before she turned seventeen. His status would allow him to sign any betrothal he wanted.

"Mum, as I told you, Harry is bound to do this. He has no choice unless he wants to give up all his inheritance and leave the country. Are you still set to stay?" Hermione asked him.

"Do you think Voldemort will just let me go?" Harry countered.

Hermione pursed her lips. "We could still leave after we get married. Come back when you are better trained," she offered.

"I wouldn't mind if you left," Harry told her. "I have to stay. The Malfoy's can't get the Black fortune, and I have no clue what will happen with my parents' money should I leave."

"I am not going anywhere," Hermione stated.

"You aren't going to marry him unless you both really tell me what is going on," Mrs Granger said. "Having two wives is illegal and why would you agree to this?"

"I don't, mum. We are just finding this out now, like you. I have read about the jinxes on the Protection Acts. They are supposed to prevent the Wizengamot doing this without notice and allowing people time to decide to act before any new rules or laws are implemented. Everything I told you is what we know," Hermione stood up to her mother's anger.

"Mrs Granger, I swear I am not misleading Hermione or you. We have not been dating long, and if I had a choice, we would date for a few more years before we decide what we want to do, but there are laws and covenants that Muggleborn or raised are not told about until after we get to Hogwarts. By then, we are required to follow them. The Ministry does not bind your magic and let you go on your merry way if you decide you don't want to be a witch. They would take Hermione or I from our families and force us into this world. What Hermione and I have decided is the best route we have to ensure we are both protected," Harry told her, reaching for Hermione's hand.

"But don't you have a few years still?" Mrs Granger pressed.

"I doubt that. I bet this change in the law was targeted at me and others like me. Those that don't support Voldemort or the Ministry, so that we could get paired with people they could control, and through them, us," Harry said a little cynically.

"Mum, please do this. I'm afraid if we wait for my birthday in September, it will be too late," Hermione pleaded.

The woman looked at them, her eyes not wavering when Aggrot came back in with ten more envelopes and a few sheets of parchment. "I have the other offers. You can take them and look them over. You don't need to make any decisions on them for two more years, but if you don't act soon, many of the offers may have been taken by others."

"I don't think that will be an issue," Harry replied, putting all the letters into his bag.

"Here is a copy of the new law," Aggrot put the page before Hermione.

"It's only a single page?" Hermione asked incredulously.

Aggrot ignored the comment. "I also need you to sign these documents to formally take possession of the Black estate and the two vaults in the family's and Sirius name."

Harry's felt his throat grow a little sore. He wouldn't be able to get any of his Potter holdings until he was nineteen, due to Wizengamot law for those without a will. Until then, he could only access his trust vault.

Taking the paper, Harry read it over quickly. "Agrot, there are three properties listed on here."

"Yes. There is an unnamed property in London. Another outside Manchester and a third in South Africa," the goblin told him.

Harry's brow rose. "Really?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised.

Aggrot addressed him. "Heir Black, I have managed the accounts of the Black's for almost forty years. I can tell you that most of their wealth does not come from Britain, but the old colonial outposts that were established many years ago. The old gem and gold mines in South Africa are the last of those holdings."

Hermione's eyes grew wider. "Hermione, later. We need to get out of here as soon as we can. Aggrot, can I get to the house outside Manchester?"

"You should have full access to all your properties. As to how to access them, I cannot say. Gringotts has no instructions and no records of warding the properties," Aggrot told him.

"Are you thinking we could stay out there until we have to go to Scotland?" Hermione asked.

"Sort of," Harry told her.

"I have to drive to Manchester? Hermione, I have to work tomorrow. That is a two-hour drive from here," her mother stated.

"I have the address, we can see if a train can get us close," he suggested.

"I am not going to just let you two go gallivanting off into the countryside," her mother told her.

"Mum, I don't think it will be safe for us to stay at home. Bill put up the wards and Professor Dumbledore knows where we live. Until Harry and I are married, we can't be found," Hermione stated.

"You are paying me fifteen galleons a half hour. Do I need to charge more?" Aggrot queried.

"No. Mrs Granger, please do this and please trust your daughter on this."

After a curt nod, Harry signed the papers, then Mrs Granger agreed to the betrothal. Two platinum rings were presented to them. Aggrot said there were more appropriate ones in his vaults, but Agrod could not get into his Potter vaults, and Harry didn't want to use any Black ring, unsure if he should be scared or not knowing how Sirius talked about how his family guarded their heirlooms.

On their way out of the building, Harry said, "We can probably call Kreacher. He would probably know how to get into the house outside Manchester. All I have is an address."

Hermione didn't look pleased. "We could call him," she agreed after a few minutes.

"Is that that house elfy you told me about?" Mrs Granger asked.

"Yes, mum. Harry, I don't know if we have another choice," she rather reluctantly admitted.

After a nod, they entered the Leaky Cauldron and Harry asked for a private room. A few sickles later found him calling out, "Kreacher?"

It took a moment before the decrepit house elf popped into the room. A more reluctant glare could not have been found as the creature said, "Dirty half-blooded master call the Kreacher of the great house of Black? I sees his filthy mudblood and another even dirtier..."

"Kreacher," Harry yelled and stopped when Hermione put a hand on her arm. He knew she thought Sirius had been betrayed by this ugly thing because of the way he was treated. Harry wouldn't allow that to happen anymore.

After letting out a breath, Harry said in a nicer voice, "Kreacher, can you take us and get us into Willow's End, outside of Manchester?"

"Dirty master asks Kreacher to take him to blood traitor hovel. Maybe it is meant for dirty bloods. It was owned by dirty blood..."

"That is enough," Harry snapped and Kreacher glared at him before cowing.

"Harry, treat him well," Hermione told him.

"What a poor thing. Wizards did this?" Mrs Granger asked.

Harry was about to say something when someone pounded on the door. "Harry, are you in there?" he heard the voice of Tonks.

"Bloody hell. Kreacher, take us all there now," Harry commanded.

The sound of the elven apparition pop had the door blasted off its hinges a moment too late.

-oOo-

-oOo

Chapter 2

-oOo-

August 1, 1996

London, England

Ten people sat or stood around a small table in an equally small house. It was a little crowded, but not as much as it should have been. A month ago, more than twenty witches or wizards could have easily gathered with an Order of the Phoenix meeting at Grimmauld Place. Today, only ten came to call and it was just about all this little dinning room could handle. Tonks leaned against the wall of her small dinning room, a sour look on her face. In the last thirty-hours, she had been the only one to come close to seeing Harry.

Sitting in a chair before her, already looking at few sheets to the wind, sat the dower form of Mundungus Fletcher. The wand pointing at him from Tonks was probably as much to do with his mood as the rumours that the goblins had tried to hunt him down for 'misappropriation of Black assets'. The sneak pocket had been pilfering Grimmauld Place the last few weeks until it was suddenly shut off to them about two weeks ago. The fact Dumbledore had allowed the man to do so had her ire up at the moment.

Sitting next to Mundungus was Bill Weasley. The young curse breaker looked displeased as well. Remus didn't know why, but had a good idea it had something to do with Dumbledore asking him to go against his oaths to the goblins.

Across from the twenty-something man sat his parents. Molly looked concerned and flustered. Arthur, on the other hand, had a hint of anger on his features every time he looked to his wife.

Behind Molly and Arthur stood Charlie.

Hestia Jones stood next to Moody. She was an attractive middle aged woman with black hair. She leaned rather causally against the wall. Part of the Magical Reversal Department, she was used primarily for guard duty, clean up or more covert measures. Moody was his usually self, looking ready to jump at the smallest provocation.

"Did Dumbledore say when he was getting here?" Mundungus asked.

"You have an important date?" Tonks challenged.

"You don't have to hold me here by wand point," Mundungus complained.

"I'm trying to make sure you stay awake, you lush," Tonks said angrily. "Once I talk to Dumbledore, you are going to return everything you took, or pay fair market value."

Mundungus blanched and spluttered something about Sirius telling him he didn't want any of it.

"So you just wait until he dies," she snapped. "Then there is this bloody mess."

Remus raised an eyebrow at her. The pink hair woman was particularly annoyed today and his wolf found it particularly attractive. He also found it he liked her riled as her more natural body came out and she was very attractive.

"Easy there, lovely. I just fell asleep for a few minutes," he said.

"We didn't know he was gone for almost three hours!" Tonks fumed.

"Who was gone?" Remus asked. By the look of it, most of those in the room didn't know, but he could tell Molly, Arthur, Tonks and Mundungus knew.

"What is this about?" Moody asked, catching onto the situation.

"We were told to wait until Dumbledore gets here," Arthur told them.

"You call and I shall be here," Dumbledore said in a jovial tone that sounded forced. The man's eyes were pinched more than they had been already this summer.

"Why did you call us? And why isn't the full Order here," Moody asked.

Dumbledore took the chair at the head of the table. "I called you here because Harry Potter is missing."

Remus growled. "What do you mean missing?"

"As in he did a runner," Tonks said. "This slimy scum bag was supposed to be watching him, but fell asleep in a tree. He was probably up late hocking anything he could from Grimmauld place. Argh, Fletcher, you still smell like a bar."

Hestia looked at them. "Are we talking a runner or we just talking a walk about for a bit? The boy must still be recovering from Sirius' death?"

"Aye, Albus. I told you that he shouldn't be left alone. Two summers in a row the lad has lost someone before his eyes. The Aurors even used to make me go see a mind healer at times," Moody said, his voice gruff but his displeasure at Dumbledore apparent.

Dumbledore took off his glasses and pinched his nose. "Harry is fine and will see his friends next week. What we need to worry about is that Harry received his proposals yesterday and it appears he went to Gringotts."

Remus crossed his arms. "And what business is that to us? Sirius said it would be up to Harry and that we would only support him."

"Sirius isn't here anymore. We can't just let Harry make this decision on his own," Molly demanded.

"Why not? Charlie and I made the decision on our own," Tonks said.

And that is why Remus hadn't said anything to the young Auror. She had married Charlie last summer as part of the new marriage laws.

"He is only sixteen. He isn't old enough to know what he wants," Molly countered.

"Mum, shut it," the large, burly man said from behind her. "Harry is old enough."

"Molly, he is," Arthur said in a harder voice than normal.

Dumbledore was still rubbing his nose. "A betrothal between Harry and Hermione was filed with the Ministry this morning. I'm afraid they are rushing into something that they don't understand. I was supposed to meet with Harry today to explain what all the proposals were about. Being raised by his relatives he doesn't know what he has just done."

Remus blinked. "What do you mean he doesn't know? Sirius and I had a talk with him at Christmas. Sirius explained everything to Harry."

Dumbledore shot a glare to Remus. "That was not Sirius place to do anything of the sort."

"Why not? My cousin was his godfather. Who else would explain to Harry what it meant to get the proposals or that he was required too?" Tonks asked.

"That was not his place. His magical guardian is responsible," Dumbledore said.

"And everyone in the school knew about it by second year. How could you not when some receive their proposals at school. Ericka Reise had a breakdown in the Great Hall the day her father sent her who he proposed her too. Luckily she got three herself and signed one quickly, but still, Pomfrey had to give her a double calming draft," Charlie spoke up.

"We had something similar happen my year," Bill said.

All the older people looked on a little shocked. Dumbledore frowned. "None of the other students had that right."

"Harry has the right to decide on his own. Sirius hoped he would get together with Ms Granger. So did he just stay over her house last night after they both accepted?" Remus asked.

"They did a runner from the Leaky Cauldron. When I knocked on the door of his relatives after finding this louse still passed out under a disillusionment charm, no one answered. I went in. When I found a letter between Harry and Hermione making plans for yesterday, I went to Diagon Alley. I just about caught them before they got away. I think it was an elf that helped them," Tonks said.

"I was watching him," Mundungus complained.

"You be quiet until you return everything you stole," Tonks said angrily, hitting the man off the back of his head as hard as she could.

Mundungus pitched forward and came back up rubbing his head. "Oi! Ruddy menace, you are."

Charlie flexed his hand. "That is my wife you are insulting," the large redhead told him. Mundungus looked concerned.

The fireplace in the next room flared to life. Remus could smell the dungeon bat as he entered the Weasley's flat. Charlie and Tonks had allowed them to use this place for a bit, but it wasn't large enough to house anyone besides the couple. Not like Grimmauld Place had been, but Harry had sealed them all out two weeks ago until he could go himself. Dumbledore thought Harry was being childish. Remus thought he was being Sirius' godson and respecting his old friend's wishes. As he thought about Sirius, the hole in his heart seemed to open again. He couldn't imagine how Harry must be feeling. Again, Remus had just left Harry at Dumbledore's orders, letting the son of one of his best friends to wallow in his own grief.

They all looked to see Severus walk into the room. The man looked a little worse for wear. "Any news?" Dumbledore asked without preamble.

"The Dark Lord is still suffering from whatever happened to him when he possesses Potter. It is like something broke in him. He is all the more dangerous for it," Severus told them.

"I meant about Harry? You said you would talk with Selwyn?" Dumbledore pressed.

Severus made a face. "It appears that Potter got all his proposals and the goblins have put in a request to know why Potter has a block on his mail. He confirmed that the goblins filed a betrothal between Potter and Granger. Granger will take up the Potter name. Potter is the confirmed Black heir and agreed to take up the mantle yesterday."

Dumbledore paled a little.

Remus stood up. "He what!"

"That isn't legal," Tonks yelled at the same time he did.

"What do you mean Harry has a mail block?" Arthur asked, looking confused.

Dumbledore rubbed the bridge of his nose again. "It was necessary given all the fan and hate mail Harry receives."

Moody gave Dumbledore a hard look. "You didn't block Gringotts' mail, did you, Albus? You know what type of treaty violation that is."

"His guardian was getting his mail," Dumbledore answered.

Remus gave a look to Dumbledore too. "I can tell you that Sirius never got any mail except from Harry himself."

"Sirius was not his guardian while on the run. I have been carefully managing the Potter estate and screening Harry's mail. I couldn't allow him to get hurt," Dumbledore said.

"And did he get all his mail once it was screened and made safe?" Remus asked.

"We need to find Harry and Ms Granger. We have forty-five days to have them reconsider and to understand what they are doing," Dumbledore said.

"Reconsider what? Sirius knew this was Harry's wish and I know he wrote Harry a few letters, one of them telling him he would be daft not to marry her," Remus informed them.

"That was not Sirius decision," Dumbledore said a little angrily this time.

"It is not yours either. Do you think they did a runner to avoid us? Did Sirius tell them to do that?" Tonks asked.

"If he did, that was not his right. We need to find them. Alastor, I need you and Hestia to start looking around any magical inn or place they could seek shelter in. Charlie, I want you to keep your ear open with your contacts. They can only leave the country a few ways. Remus, see if you can find any word of them in the underworld. Hopefully they haven't gone to someone untrustworthy. Nymphadora..."

"It's Tonks or Weasley," she told him.

Dumbledore ignored her. "I need you to visit Mrs Granger and see if they are there. After that, see if they are staying any place Muggle."

"Like that is going to be easy," Tonks muttered.

"Mundungus, I need you too..."

"I don't trust him to do anything involving Harry. That is twice now this arse has failed on his watch," Tonks snapped. "He also need to return all the stuff he had pilfered."

"Mundungus has helped to return funds to the Order," Albus told her, ignoring her scowl.

"You mean he stole on your orders?" Tonks asks indignantly.

"I confess to not knowing where his contributions come from," Albus told her unbothered with this childishness.

"Harry and Hermione are only sixteen, Albus. Where would they go?" Molly asked.

"I don't know, but I need to know as soon as they send a letter to Ron or Ginny," Dumbledore told them.

"Albus, don't you have trackers on him?" Moody asked.

Remus turned to Dumbledore, as did everyone else.

Remus noticed the worry that finally came to the old man's eyes. "They all failed about one-thirty yesterday afternoon. I can only assume that was when the betrothal was signed and some type of protective charms broke what I had."

"Why did you have tracking charms on Harry?" Arthur asked.

"It was because of what happened at the Triwizard tournament, wasn't it?" Hestia asked.

Dumbledore just nodded. Remus found it odd that Dumbledore didn't elaborate. Usually he would give some type of explanation. "We need to find him. Without the betrothals being executed properly, I fear he will be in even more danger."

"And what about Hermione?" Molly asked.

"She will be in danger as well," Dumbledore said, but Remus had a feeling that was not really on his mind.

"I am do back before Him tonight. I have a new brew I am trying," Severus said. He didn't wait for any response, just turning and heading towards the fireplace.

Remus didn't like this, but he knew they had to find Hermione and Harry. If they had decided to become betrothed, Remus would be glad for them and try to protect them like Sirius had asked of him.

"Why will meet back here at nine. Do not tell any others in the Order or let it be known we are looking for Harry," Albust told them.

"He is not stepping foot back in my flat until he returns all the Black's property he took," Tonks said hotly.

"I will see everyone back here," Albus pressed.

"As long as he shows up with everything he pilfered. If I find out anyone else took anything from Grimmauld place without Sirius or Harry's permission, I am telling the goblins," she threatened. "I know my insane great-aunt used to keep records of everything."

A few people around the room got up quickly to leave.

-oOo-

August 5, 1996

Mossley, England

Hermione was sitting at a table in the small library of Willow's End. It was half the size of the one at Grimmauld Place, but had been rapidly filled with stacks of books after Kreacher had taken the entire library from Grimmauld Place to here. The elf was grumpy and defiant, but did as Harry told him. She wasn't happy about it, but had more important things to worry about as she tried to find anyway out of Harry having to take a second wife. Harry didn't want to, and she didn't want to share him, but the only other option was to hand everything over to Malfoy, something neither of them wanted to do.

Thus, she was searching through any law book in the library, and had not found a way out of it yet. The new law had been crafted by a brilliant law writer. It was ten pages long, with three amendments that brought the total page count to twenty-seven, that built upon exceptions in a marriage law written in twelve-forty-three that was never over written or abolished by the conservative and tradition loving Wizengamot. Worse was that a Potter had been part of the signing of the original law. It was only the second Potter they could find any record of that far back.

A cup of tea was put down next to her notes. Harry sat next to her. He started to patiently sip his own tea. When she finished reading the page, she leaned back after slamming the book shut.

"That good, heh?" Harry asked.

She made an aggravated sound. "Good? I would not call this good!" she snapped. "I thought we had beaten them with this plan. Harry, you either have to send off another proposal today, or take one of the ones that you got."

Harry leaned over to hold her hand. "Hermione, it only has to be us."

She took his hand and wove her fingers into his. "The Ministry will make you marry or give up your inheritance from Sirius."

"I know," he said in a resigned voice.

She loved this boy. "What do you want to do?"

"Run away, but you know what this means if we hand over all the Black's holdings to Voldemort," he said.

"I know," she agreed. With a sigh, she asked, "Have you gone through all the proposals?"

He snorted. "If you can call some of them that. You want to know who tried to sell their daughter to me? All it would cost is my soul."

She snorted back. "I don't think it's that bad."

"No? One of them required a soul bond and to have me give my father-in-law rights to all my properties and Wizengamot seats, otherwise he would hand me over to Voldemort," he said.

She sat up, her eyes going wide. "Who did that!"

"Parkinson wanted all my stuff. I'm not sure who the Royals are, but they wanted the soul bond," Harry said.

She was fuming. "That cow Parkinson wants you to marry her? And what groom sells his House for a bride?"

"Apparently, if you kiss the arse of Voldemort, he requires any son-in-laws to sell themselves to him too," Harry said in a dark, joking tone.

She just stared at him for a few. "How many Death Eaters gave you proposals?"

"Eight," he replied. "I wrote to Gringotts to reject all those and to close any accounts I may finance for them right away."

She nodded. "Good. So how were the others?"

Harry sighed. "Ok, I guess. A few older muggleborn in their twenties. Two of them seemed nice, probably looking for a good match to get ahead. I burned up the rather, ah, risqué photos of the other three. One of them already has a child and twenty-four. Her husband died last year."

"Oh, that is awful," she said, feeling for the woman. The others could all go walk off a wall. "Any one we know?"

"One for both Patil twins, and I mean both of them. Marietta Edgecombe," he said with some disgust. "Percy's old girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater."

Hermione looked up at this. Penelope was a muggleborn that was five years older than Harry. All the older witches and wizards had two years to find a match and that would happen at Christmas. Penelope had been nice, a little plain looking and really into arithmancy. She had helped Hermione her first year taking the subject. Well, not that Hermione didn't think she was plain looking herself, but Harry found her beautiful for some reason. "Penelope is a nice person."

Harry made a face. "Isn't she Percy's age? Twenty one or so?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Who else?"

"You know that Hufflepuff chaser, Heidi MacAvoy?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "A year ahead of us, brown hair in a pixie cut?"

Harry gave her a confused look. "Her hair is really short, yeah. Then there is Alice Tolopin, Maisy Reynolds and Aimee Cornwall. I also got a few from some widows that were in their thirties."

Hermione made a face. What thirty-year-old would go after a sixteen-year-old boy? "Who are Maisy Reynolds and Alice Tolopin?"

"Reynolds is a seventh-year Hufflepuff and Tolopin just graduated this year. I think she was a Ravenclaw. They both gave me pictures. They are cute, but not you," he told her. "Then there were these two."

Harry held out two envelopes.

Hermione took them. She looked at the top one, her eyebrows rising. On the second, her eyes became huge. She blinked a few times. "Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass?"

Harry nodded to them. "Open them."

Hermione frowned. "Harry, aren't their parents Death Eaters?"

"Pretty sure their father's were, but just look at what they sent me." Harry started to drink his tea as she opened the first one. It was a contract for Tracey Davis. It seemed relatively standard until she got towards the bottom. Tracey had a younger sister. This contract wanted Harry to become her guardian and to take her into his family. They were offering a hefty hundred and fifty thousand galleon bride price and a few family heirlooms that they want to stay with the sisters. Reading it, it was essentially selling Tracey to Harry to be his consort or wife, and her sister to be his as well, if he wanted, though the girl was only thirteen.

Her mouth worked a few times. "This... this..."

"Reads like they are to become my slaves? Yeah. This came with it," he said, handing her a small envelope that could have easily fit into the one that the larger contact came in.

Hermione grabbed it, pulling the letter in it out rather roughly. Her eyes started to scan it. About halfway through, her hand went to her mouth. "Is this true?"

"No clue, but she offers to make an oath or take Veritaserum," Harry told her. "Greengrasses proposal reads about the same. There was a Daily Prophet that Kreacher got from two weeks back. It looks like Greengrass father was killed and Mr Davis put into St Mungo's. I don't know why, but Sirius told me that they were good people, just in a bad way because of how their father's supported Grindelwald."

Hermione pursed her lips. "You can't be seriously thinking about this, are you?"

"Did you finish reading the letter?" Harry enquired.

She looked back down, her hand going over her mouth.

"Neither of them have ever bugged us. I have to take on a second wife if we don't want Malfoy getting the Black estate. I could at least meet them. Maybe Neville knows something about them," Harry said. "Otherwise, I don't want to marry anyone else."

She looked up to see Harry's concerned face. He wasn't nearly as settled about this as his tone of voice suggested. "What do you want to do?"

He shrugged. "They only have to give me an heir. Davis suggests once that is done that they move to a separate house. Greengrasses letter and contract stipulates either of us can take on lovers once an heir is produced."

Hermione's mouth worked a time or two. "And that is the type of woman you want?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I only want to marry you, but what would happen if Malfoy got the Blacks? Greengrass is the heiress to her house, which also has a Wizengamot seat."

Hermione blinked, then it hit her. "You want the vote to overturn this?"

He shrugged. "I just want to be free and to be with you, but what could you do if you sat the Black's seat and we had Greengrass?"

There had been a reason that the hat had almost put Harry into Slytherin. Most of the plan to get married in Scotland was his. She had been too busy looking up how to get out if, while was finding a way to live with it, and possibly escape this mess.

"Alright, I'm listening," she said calmly.

Harry put a few parchments and another letter down. "I can't take three wives. I really don't want too, but Neville could take on another wife. The Davis's don't have a seat, but you and I can get along with one of them, perhaps Neville could take one of them on as one of his wives."

She blinked. "What do you mean Neville can take one of them on?"

Harry put a third letter down. "Neville sent me a letter. He is going to marry Susan Bones. Sirius had advised me not to marry her because of the way the Bones charter is written. She has to take on a consort marriage so her line can stay separate. Greengrass doesn't. Neville will still have to marry someone for the Longbottoms."

"Oh," she said. "You did tell me that."

She thought for a few. "Do you only want to do this because of the Wizengamot seat?"

"No," he said shaking his seat. "They don't sound bad, luv. These letters sound more scared than anything. I think they both want to protect their sisters. If Daphne really doesn't like me that much, but we ca get along, then I could consider just doing my duty."

She gave him an understanding look. This was part of his 'saving people' thing. If she knew him, he would do everything he could to make it all work out. He so desperately wanted a family and didn't want to see anyone suffer. She reached over to cup his cheek. "I love you," she told him.

Harry's eyes looked up to meet hers. "I think this is love," he responded.

She gave him a pleasant smile while internally she wanted to flay the Dursley's in a vat of salt. "Let's send Neville back a letter congratulating him and Susan and work out a date to meet. I think it should be after we get married."

He gave her a soft smile that melted her heart. "Ten more days," he told her, leaning in to kiss her. As the kiss got heated, she had such a hard time waiting that long…

-oOo-

August 6, 1996

London, England

Tonks was tired. Between pulling her regular shifts, some extras on the side, looking for Harry and the Grangers and then Order meetings, she was just ready to drop.

Charlie was due home soon. The Romanian preserve had contracted him for a few days and should be back anytime now, then get back to the new preserve in Ireland.

Going into the kitchen, she opened the fridge, took out some of the Muggle beer she had grown to like from her father, and went to their small sitting room. She wasn't sure how they would make it when their first kid came along, but Charlie said there was plenty of room here for two more with the spare room. He had grown up in a house that was full of people in a house that was hardly bigger than the one she grew up in. There had only been three of them in that house and it felt crowded at times.

She put the two beers on the side table before plopping on the couch.

Looking around the flat, her robes were on the back of a chair at the desk next to the door. Her dragon hide boots and vest were next to it. She had thrown off the thick protective knit jumper that the department had enchanted with anything the material would carry. That left her in her white button up blouse, burgundy trousers and socks that had a toe sticking out of them.

She wiggled her toes in amusement. If someone had told her life would be like this when she graduated Hogwarts five years ago, she would have told them to go shag a hippogryph. She let her body morph into what it wanted. Pink hair, a larger bust that strained in the blouse, a more hourglass shape. It was a form closer to her mothers. With a smile, she mused that Charlie didn't care what she looked like, which was why she had dated him for much of their fifth and sixth years before they both decided they needed to crack down for their NEWTs.

She felt the warning from the trip wire wards down the hallway. Not getting up, she rose her wand while taking one of the beers in her hand. She took a healthy swig before the locks on the door started to click.

When the door opened a little, Charlie's voice said, "Twitter twitter."

She chuckled. He had decided to be silly for their passwords, thinking that Death Eaters or others would think it just some stupid prattle if they were caught. "Arf arf," she replied. Her wand slipped back into her holster.

The big lug came in with a huge smile. "I know you can make a better barking sound."

"I'm too tired. My feet are sore and not nearly pissed enough," she replied.

He gave a hearty laugh as he closed the door. His travel cloak, dragon hide robes and the fire proof jacket underneath it went on top of her Auror robes. His dragon hide boots joined hers and he emptied his pockets onto the desk they used for their bills and other paperwork.

She undid the top few buttons on her blouse, smirking when Charlie watched her, his eyes filling with lust. She had never been disappointed with him as a partner. When she had had her fun, she took the other bottle. "Here."

He took it and joined her on the couch. Tonks leaned over, enjoying the bulging muscled under his shirt. "You smell," she told him, crinkling her nose at the smell of brimstone and dragon dung.

"You're not so fresh yourself," he teased, taking a drink of the beer. "I'll take a shower in a few."

"I'll join you," she said, snuggling into him. He smelled of his dragons, but also had a manly musk she found irrietable most of the time. Charlie lifted his arm and she moved into his side. "How was the trip?"

Charlie kissed her on the top of her head. "We got the Fireballs to mate. Won't know if she will lay eggs for another month. Those two Horntails have six eggs each for my last trip. We got another thousand galleon bonus in our accounts, and the if all the Horntail eggs hatch that will be another two hundred each. How has your week been?"

She sighed. "Another two attacks. I had to put in a double shift yesterday. Any free moment I've had I ve been looking for Harry and Hermione and her mother. Dumbledore is getting more frantic, asking us to look into every muggle hotel or other place they could have gone."

"Do you think they are alright?" Charlie asked concerned.

"If that was Kreacher with them, then I know there were some other properties that Sirius and my family owned. I have no clue where they are. I refuse to ask mum, even though Dumbledore wants me too. If Harry is hiding, it has to be for a good reason," she told him, her hand moving to his chest. She loved feeling his heart.

"Have you tried sending him an owl?" Charlie questioned.

"The owl comes back without the letter, but all the tracking charms are gone and they don't write back," she told him.

"You think he's safe?"

"I think the Death Eaters would be crowing about it if they caught him and he was dead. I just don't know what they are doing," she told him.

Charlie was quiet for a few as he sipped at his beer. "Do you remember what I asked you to do sixth year?"

She laughed. "There was no way that our parents were going to let us get married," she said. Charlie had proposed to her one night after he had won a game and they were pissed. They had been teased about that for months. Something about it niggled at her though.

"I was half serious," Charlie told her.

She had her beer half way to her mouth, then lowered it. "Then why did you break up with me the end of sixth year?"

Charlie kissed the top of head again. "You weren't serious about getting married. Kettleburn had gotten me that apprenticeship that summer."

She pulled back some. "You were really serious about getting married? We were only sixteen!"

Charlie shrugged. "Mum and dad were married at seventeen. I thought I loved you back then. I didn't see the need to wait."

She blinked at him. "But, at sixteen? We couldn't do that. My mum would have killed me, especially if I had gotten pregnant."

Charlie laughed. "I like your mum."

She playfully hit his rock hard chest. "You're daft, you know that?"

"Pretty much," Charlie told her. He turned more serious. "We could have gotten married at sixteen."

She blinked a time or two before the light suddenly went on in her head. "Bloody fuck!"

Charlie chuckled. "I prefer it not to have it that way, but if you want me to earn my Red Wings, I'm ready."

She laughed at her husband. "Good to know, but I'm not due until next week. What I mean is… do you think?"

"Ron has always said Harry would do anything for Hermione. If what you say about Sirius always liking to cause some chaos, I wouldn't put him past him to tell Harry about Gretna Green, or the laws in general in Scotland. We lived there for almost ten months a year, so they qualify for residency. It doesn't have to be at Gretna Green. There are other anvils that would be magically binding. They just need to wait fifteen days because of the betrothal," Charlie told her.

"Boody hell," she said, knowing this was probably it.

She sat for a moment. Charlie interrupted her thoughts, "What are you going to do? Are you going to tell Dumbledore and the others?"

She pursed her lips. She wanted Harry and Hermione to be safe, but Dumbledore seemed very against this. He acted as though he was the only one that could make decisions for him. After a moment, she took a sip of her beer, then put it onto the side table. She rolled over to straddle her burly husband. "I think they deserve a chance. I may not think about this for another week or two," she told him.

Charlie had a big smile on his face. "Thinking is always your strong point."

She chuckled. She wasn't feeling as tired, and her husband, as smelly as they both were, had her randy just being close to him. "Stop being an arse. It's been days since I had a good shag and I need one."

Charlie emptied his beer before pulling her down and kissing her.

-oOo-

August 8, 1996

Hogsmeade, Scotland

Albus was looking at the people that had gathered in his brother's bar. The Hogs Head was a dingy place, oftened by the less savory types that would come to Hogmeade, though not as bad as the clientele from Knockturn Alley or Verticall Veranda.

The draw for him to be here was the fact it was one of the best warded building around. He didn't want the Order meeting in Hogwarts and the Weasley's had refused their flat again until Mundungus returned everything he stole. Albus knew the man was a sneakthief, but he thought the man would respect the Blacks. The family was not known for its compassionate side, and Nymphadora was starting to show that to the man. The other night he had had to take Mundungus off the hunt for Harry when he had skived off to sell something he had picked up. Nymphadora had nearly taken the man's head off.

Looking around, he frowned. Eight days ago he had seven of his most trusted looking for the wayward boy. Now there were only four. He would have to tell the Order soon what was going on since others were starting to ask where Harry was.

"Have any of you heard or seen anything?" Albus asked them.

"He hasn't returned to his relatives," Hestia told him.

"He hasn't been seen at Gringotts or anywhere in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade since his birthday. What about Mundungus," Moody asked.

Tonks growled from next to the man. "Are we not sure Mundungus didn't sell Harry too?"

Albus punched his nose. "That is enough, Nymphadora."

"It's Tonks," she snapped back at him.

"He has to be somewhere," Arthur said. "We need more people to look for him."

"You don't think Granger kidnapped him and forced him into the betrothal?" Hestia put out there.

Albus rubbed his chin, as though in thought. He highly doubted that. Harry had become rather secretive and rebellious over the last year, no thanks to the Ministry. This could play out well though…

Tonks glared at the woman. "If anything, Harry would have kidnapped Hermione if he thought she was in danger. If any of you think that those two don't like each other that way then you are all blind."

Arthur spoke next, keeping Albus letting this seed get any further along. "Harry has done just about anything for her. He killed a troll. Fought off dementors. Let's not forget that is was Hermione he saved from the bottom of the lake during the tournament."

He could see that everyone didn't believe Hestia. She didn't believe her own words. "Yes, Harry and Ms Granger are rather close. We should still have a talk about this with them. They have a few years before they have to be betrothed or married."

"What is it with you and others wanting to poke into Harry's private life like this? No wonder Sirius wanted to emancipate him," Tonks suddenly exclaimed. "If I find him, I'll let you know."

"Nymphadora, it's imperative that we get him to a safe place and I talk with him," Albus said.

"If I think he's in a bad place I'll make sure to get him to Grimmauld Place. Arthur, thank you for returning those books the twins borrowed. I'll make sure Harry gets them back. If anyone else took something, I'll recommend him not to let anyone in that doesn't return it," she snapped. Getting up, she marched out the door.

Albus sighed internally. He had feared that Harry would have been possessed or something else if Albus had paid attention to him this last year. He had missed what Dolores had been doing and still didn't understand why it took so long for Severus to contact them. Then there was the fact that Sirius had apparently told Harry more than he needed to know.

"Albus, are we sure he is in danger?" Arthur asked.

"We don't know where he is. He's enacted a betrothal without my permission. Voldemort is out there and looking for him. I fear he is in danger," Albus told them.

"Tonks is right, you know. You don't have say over this," Moody told him.

This was the other side of his inattentiveness this past year. It would appear that Remus and Sirius had won some of his staunchest proponents to support Harry over him. That could be disastrous in the future.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 3

-oOo-

August 14, 1996

Just outside Manchester, England

Harry was sitting out on the stone wall that separated the small cottage from the park on the edge of Manchester. The neighbourhoods were more spread out and the bustling city centre could be seen far in the distance. It was a nice place where willows grew along a stream that joined a river further down slope.

A low rumble of thunder threatened the sunny afternoon. The willows shifted and moved in the breeze as though they were dancing. Picking up the tea at his side on the step, he opened the letter a nice eagle owl had just dropped off for him.

The seal of the Longbottoms was on the back, while the front had been addressed to him. Hermione and him had decided to meet with Neville, Susan, Madam Longbottom, the Davises and Greengrasses in three days. Harry had wanted to wait longer, but Hermione insisted they get this handles before going back to Hogwarts if neither girl fit what they wanted.

In a way, he really didn't like looking at this like a business deal, but he wasn't sure they had another choice. The Wizengamot could step in to give him counciling after the fourty-five day waiting period. They were confident that no one would think that he and Hermione would get married so quickly, but he didn't see another way. This protected them both and he got a decision. Something Harry didn't often get in his life.

At least until recently.

The backdoor opened as he read what Neville had sent him back. Looking up, he was about to hold out a few sheets that were for Hermione from Susan until he saw it was Mrs Granger.

The woman looked better than she had. Harry nodded and picked up his teacup and saucer. Mrs Granger sat beside him. "It that from your friend Neville?" she enquired.

"Neville and Susan. I guess Susan has moved into Longbottom Manor. Her house had a fire end of July. Her aunt was hurt pretty bad. I don't think it was an accident though," Harry told her. He promised not to hide anything from Mrs Granger. Well, anything important like this.

"You think it was the Death Eaters?" she asked.

"I do," he said simply.

Mrs Granger nodded while frowning. "I just got word that my dental offices were burnt to the ground. Everyone got out, but they say it started in my office and one of my technicians were badly hurt."

"I never meant for you and Hermione to be hurt," Harry told her.

"It's not your fault. Hermione is strong enough and brave enough to do what she wants. Your name has been in every letter and on her lips since that first Halloween you both went to that damned school. I'm just happy everyone made it out alive," she told him.

"I'm still sorry. I know you probably needed that job," Harry told her.

She looked out at the willows as the sun light started to fade. "I do and I don't. Hermione and I don't need the money, but I need something to do. Not that you care, but I was starting to get tired of dentistry."

"What will you do now then?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," she told him.

"You are welcome to stay here as long as you want. Hermione has talked about staying here too. The other property left by my godfather is rather bleak and unwelcoming," Harry offered.

The woman smiled. "Thank you. I may do that for a short bit as I figure out what I want to do."

They sat there in silence for a bit. Harry had only ever really known Sirius to want to sit like this and just talk about nothing. Most adults seemed to want something from him, or to treat him like a child.

"Are you sure you want to marry Hermione tomorrow?" she questioned.

Harry let a small smile come over his face. "I hope so. Can I ask you something?"

Mrs Granger turned her head to look at him. "Like I tell Hermione, you can ask or tell me anything, I just don't promise not to act a parent if I need to."

Harry nodded. He was starting to understand why Hermione was so caring and that he probably did love her. "Fair enough, Mrs Granger. How did you know you loved your husband before you got married?"

She gave him a small smile. "Not the question I expected," she said before turning introspective. "Do you not love my daughter?"

Harry sighed. "I think I do. I've told you I've not had a good life. Hermione keeps telling me I should open up about it. I really care for your daughter, she is my best friend. Part of me thinks I am doing this to protect Hermione, but a larger part of me is being selfish and wants this."

His confusion was clear to hear for the older woman. "Would you let her go if Hermione told you she didn't this… that she didn't want another woman in your lives?"

"If that is what she wants, I won't stop her," he said, a deep frown on his face.

"That is how you know you love someone," she said softly.

Harry looked very confused. "By giving her up?"

Mrs Gangers smile was gentle. "By do anything you can to make her happy and protect her. I've watch the two of you the last two weeks."

"I've see you looking. You don't approve of me still, do you?"

Her smile fell. "I don't approve of the world you have live in. I think you are a very nice young man. Opinionated, like my daughter, but you reign her in and keep her grounded. I think you are a very good match, I just think you two are so young. You will both change in ways you can't predict over the next five to ten years. You may not like each other same as you mature. I don't want to see Hermione hurt, or you, now that I've been given a chance to know you."

"I don't want to see Hermione hurt again either," Harry said.

She put a hand over his. Harry didn't flinch. It was actually a little comforting as the older woman squeezed his hand. "I know you don't. If you let her into your room again tonight, make sure you are using protection. I really don't want to be a grandmother anytime soon."

Harry felt his neck heat some. The last two nights Hermione had come to his room. They hadn't made love yet, but it had come very close last night. Tomorrow he could lay with Hermione as his wife. Tonight was going to be torture.

"About this other woman… are you sure you have to marry her?" Mrs Granger asked.

Harry's shoulders slumped. "I really don't want too. Hermione has been the only one I have ever liked, but I can't let Voldemort get the Black's money or power, and if we run, then the Ministry will get my family's money."

She sighed in resignation. "My daughter is a stronger person than I am. I would not have been able to share Paul."

"I don't want to share Hermione," Harry said, make her look at him, unsure exactly what Harry meant by that.

-oOo-

Just after noontime…

Hogsmeade, Scotland

Dumbledore looked and sounded tired. It was a sign of his concern that they were meeting in the middle of the day. "Has no one had any word?"

"He's well and done a runner," Moody said from across the table. She didn't miss her ex-instructor cast his electric eye her way. Charlie was leaning his chair back. Normally he would have a tankard, but even Charlie felt uneasy at the cleanliness of the Hog's Head.

"Haven't seen a hair," Tonks said.

"He hasn't contacted Ron," Arhtur pipped up.

The surprise of the night was the tall black man with a kufi. "The Aurors and Obliviators were called to a dental practice in Surrey today. It was cursed fire. I am told a Granger works there."

This sent a chill through them. Albus looked to get angry and then calm. "It is a safe bet that that Voldemort and his followers now know then. Severus said the Dark Lord was told about the contract and he must want it stopped as well."

"We have to find him, Albus," McGonagall said. "Both he and Ms Granger are in a great deal of danger. Why would they hide like this?"

"They want to wait the fifteen days so that only the Wizengamot can cancel the betrothal," Charlie pipped up. She looked to him, thinking they would not talk of this.

"We have already figured that out, lad," Moody said with a smirk, which looked more like a grimace on his scarred face.

Albus pinched the bridge of his nose. "They are being very brash. If he was trying to protect Ms Granger, this just endagers her more."

"How?" Tonks asked. "As far as I see it, they are doing what they want. We have no say in it. If you are talking about You-Know-Who, you know he will already haver Hermione on the top of his list after the way they beat all those dark wankers in the Ministry, not to mention she shows up half the pureblood at Hogwarts."

"That is why this is so dangerous. Being the betrothed of Harry Potter will put an even bigger target on her," Albus instructed, as though she was some first year that knew nothing. "Has your mother said anything about the other properties that the Black's could own?"

"Wouldn't know. I haven't seen her," Tonks said, not mentioning she had intentionally not seen her mother, especially is Charlie's theory was right.

The 'I'm disspointed in you look' that Dumbledore gave her did little to mover her thoughts on this. "It is imperative that we find him, Nymphadora. Everyone one else here is doing all they can to turn over every rock possible and you act like a little child avoiding their parent?"

"First off, its Tonks or Weasley," she said hotly. "Second, my mother and I are of Black blood. Our Head of House is Potter, and he hasn't given us permission to give out that information and I refuse to ask my mother until we hear from Harry."

"What aren't you telling us, lass?" Moody said, heading off the apparent lashing that Dumbledore looked ready to deliver.

"I'm not hiding anything," she lied, hoping to Merlin that she had learned enough to hide her tells that Moody used to chastise her for in the Academy.

"You know, if I just wanted to go get married, I'd find a blacksmith in Scotland," Hestia suddenly said.

Tonks couldn't help but to whip her head around to look at the other woman. As she did, she missed Dumbledore paling. Arthur looked at her. "They only have to wait fifteen days," he said.

"I doubt they know about that," Charlie said. "You need an old blacksmith and a blessed anvil to make the bond. There is no way they could know the old laws."

"Ms Granger," Dumbledore said in a sour voice. If only he knew it hadn't been her this time…

"Hermione is a smart witch, but were would she find out something like that?" Hestia said.

Dumbledore closed his eyes. "I'm afraid that Hogwarts is required to post the old laws that are still active, and there was some discussion of this when the marriage law was changed a few years ago. Ms Granger is a very resourceful young woman and I have no doubt she found this."

"Harry is bright too," Tonks spoke up. "I know this is all in the Black's library too and he was in there almost everyday last Christmas."

Dumbledore paled more. "Black."

Tonks gave a huge a smile. "I doubt Sirius would tell them anything about this," she said, knowing just the opposite. If Harry hadn't found the references, she was sure her cousin would have. This would be just the chaos he adored.

"How many blacksmiths are there?" Dumbledore asked the table.

"I only know of Gretna Green," most said in one form or another.

"Tonks. I need you to go to the Ministry. You have to find all the registered blacksmiths in Scotland. Arthur, please go with her incase she needs a Head of Department to get things together today. Hestia and Moody, I want you to go to Gretna. If they are going to do it, they already need to be in Scotland," Dumbledore said, forgetting that going to Hogwarts technically meant the students lived in Scotland enough to satisfy the requirements.

"Charlie, I need you to find Mundungus and Remus," Dumbledore told him. "I will call the rest of the Order."

"No will do, Professor," Charlie said, crossing his arms. Tonks gave a small smirk to her hubby.

"This isn't a request," Dumbledore commanded.

"Has the sneak-thief returned everything he's knicked or the fair value of the items?" Charlie asked.

Dumbledore pinched his nose again. "We don't have time for this…"

"Mundungus had the time while you locked Harry away at his relatives," Tonks pointed out.

"I agree, Albus. I don't trust the man. Do you want him to find Potter to have the boy declare a blood feud or call on the goblins to hunt him down for stealing Black property," Moody said in a growl.

Dumbledore took in a deep breath. "Fine. Find Remus. We may need him. I will get the rest of the Order together. We will meet again at eight tonight."

Tonks share a look with Charlie. She could tell he would look for Remus, and if he found him, make sure the man was looking for Harry without Dumbledore knowing. She had to go find out how many blacksmiths there were now, and then decide to lie or not.

-oOo-

That night…

Just outside Gretna, Scotland

"We gave the list to Dumbledore earlier," Tonks said, inside cackling with glee. Twenty-two blacksmiths with blessed anvil, and potentially a few hidden ones at they were only required to register in Scotland by some old law.

"There isn't enough of us to keep an eye on all these," Hestia said.

"He could place some trip wards on the edge of town. I can only assume they have been traveling Muggle if no one has picked up on them in the last two week," Moody said.

"Why can't we do it in town, close to the blacksmiths?" Hestia asked.

"Regulation 14.1.5," Tonks said. "Blacksmiths with blessed anvils are considered foreign delegates of a sacred nature. No wards are allowed to be set within a two-hundred and fifty yards. Believe me, you don't want to know what will happen to you if you violate that."

"Knew I taught you right, girly. What is Albus doing?" Moody questioned.

"We are to look into the top six tonight. The others have been given to a few other teams," she told him.

Hestia frowned. "It took us nine hours to find all the inns around here and check them."

"Well, we better get going then," Moody said, looking at his list. "Aberdeen."

"This is going to be a long night," Hestia moaned.

Tonks knew it would be, but she wanted to give the teens a fighting chance at this.

-oOo-

August 15, 1996

Gretna, Scotland

Tonks was happy for the strong tea that Charlie handed her, even if it was in a travel cup. "Muggles know what they are doing," Charlie told her.

"Thanks. Knew there is a reason I keep you around," she said, wrapping both hands around the warm cup. It may be summer, but that didn't mean it wasn't cool this time of the morning.

Charlie chuckled. "And here I just thought you like my arse."

She smiled, her tiredness fading some. "That's just a perk."

They were watching the Green before the old blacksmith. The man that ran it had started early. The rest of the order, and some that Dumbledore had been able to dig up, were watching all the known blacksmiths. She really didn't' agree with this. If Hermione and Harry showed up here she would escort them herself to the doors if they said they wanted to be married.

"Did you find Remus last night?" she asked, trying to keep a yawn down. She had only gotten a two hours of sleep before she had to be here. Charlie had been out all night.

"Yeah. He's over in Thornhill. I think he knows something, but isn't saying anything," he told her.

She gave a mischievous grin. "If I know Sirius, Remus is probably in on this. I just don't understand why Dumbledore, your mother and others are so against this."

Charlie leaned against a lamp post next to the bench she was on. "My mother is probably Ginny. My sister has always had a crush on Harry Potter and was apparently crushed when he started to date Hermione at the end of the year. Some of the others probably don't want a muggleborn, even if she is as brilliant as everyone says she is."

Tonks snorted, understanding that. She had met with those sentiments about her own father. Even those of the Light had deep prejudices at times. "Your probably right. Him being the heir to the Potters and Blacks probably makes it worse. I bet half my family is turning in their graves to see a half-blood in charge of the house," she said with a grin.

Charlie laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if they came back from the grave. I like your parents though. They don't care about that, like my family."

"Nope," she agreed, popping her 'p'. She looked at her watch. "My shift starts in an hour," she told him.

"You going to be awake enough?" he asked concerned.

She shrugged, drinking the still hot tea. "I'll make it. Just make sure the bed is warm when I get home tonight," she told him.

Charlie winked. He perked up. "Someone is going to the blacksmith," he told her, nodding towards a group of six people. It looked like a small wedding party, but they all looked in their early twenties.

"You don't think they would disguise themselves? Who are the others?" she asked her husband, standing up and looking around to make sure no one else was watching.

Chalie shook his head. "You can't. To be bound by the anvil you have to come as yourself and freely accept the bond. My guess is that they are going against their parents wishes or are muggleborn that don't want to deal with the Ministry."

She took his hand. "It's a little romantic, isn't it?"

Charlie looked down at her. "What is? Running from the Ministry?"

She playful hit his rock solid arm. "No, you goof. Loving someone so much that you would do anything you can to be with them."

He smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I'm glad we were married before our families and friends at Christmas."

"I am too. When do you need to be at the reserve?" she asked him.

"About the time you have to go on duty. I may be late tonight. One of the Welch Greens just hatched a clutch and we'll have to try to wrangle them to give the new blighters a checkup," he said. As much as he might curse his dragons at time she could tell he loved the job and the creatures.

"Name one after me," she said cheekily.

"Already did," he said seriously.

"You did?" she asked, not sure if this a trick or not.

"Yep," he said, popping his 'p'.

"And?"

Charlie was straight faced as he said, "A little girl. She already a bit of a klutz. Named her Nymph." He started to laugh as she hit his arm a few times. She doubted he even felt it.

"You are an arse," she chastised.

"Yet you love me," he replied with a cheeky grin.

"Merlin help me, I do," she said, giving him a kiss before they took up there watch again. Close to nine they had to leave to go to work. They both may have forgotten to tell Dumbledore they had to leave early. Sometimes you just forgot things when you were busy. She hoped that Harry and Hermione got what they wanted.

-oOo-

A little while later….

Thornhill, Scotland

There was a small crack in the upper floor of the Lion and Unicorn. No one in the small inn heard it as the room had been magically silenced. As part of the ceremony, they needed two witnesses. Mrs Granger had agreed to be one. The other was the man with sandy coloured and green eyes that met them.

"Harry!" Remus said happily once Kreacher had popped them in. Harry greeted the man with a hand shake before the man pulled him into a one arm hug. "I just got Sirius letter yesterday. I should have known you would have planned something like this."

"I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner, but Sirius and I thought it best no one knew," he said.

"I hate to say it, but someone figured it out last night. Luckily the blacksmith here never registered with the Ministry. You look beautiful, Hermione," Remus said, moving over to hug her.

"Thank you, Remus," she said.

Harry looked at his soon to be wife. She was in a modest white dress with short sleeves, a shawl and a lacy bottom. He thought she did look beautiful.

"I assume you are Mrs Granger?" Remus said, extending a hand to her.

"I am. You can call me Anne, Mr Lupin," Mrs Granger told him.

"Call me Remus then," Remus said, still holding her hand.

"Remus, if they are looking for us, we should get going," Hermione said in her bossy voice. She was nervous. Harry hoped it wasn't second doubts about this. He knew they were only sixteen, but Harry had never wanted anything as much as this in his life.

Her hand reached out to him. He took it. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"I don't want to get caught before we say 'I do'," she told him. Harry squeezed her hand.

Remus led them out of the inn. The blacksmith was out the back, through a parking lot and into a small copse of trees on the edge of fields. The blacksmith was in an old carriage house on the edge of a property with a large manor house. The ringing of metal on metal echoed around them. Remus banged on the door. "Groeme!"

The open doors looked into a room with a forge, all the tools of the craft, several anvils and raw materials or projects all around them. Harry's eye fell onto a sword that looked mostly finished. It was a broadsword that reminded him a lot of Gryffindors sword.

Behind the largest anvil was a burly man. He lifted what Harry thought was a horseshoe and put it into a bucket of water. When he stood, the man was about the same height as Harry, which wasn't tall, but the man was broader and had muscles that looked bigger Harry's chest.

"Aye, I'm Groeme Bruce. Who be ye?" the man asked.

"Remus Lupin. I talked to you yesterday about a marriage bonding," Remus said, stepping into the darker smithy.

"I remember ye. Order for gold rings to finalize a betrothal. Where's your bride?" the man asked, he looked at Hermione and him, obviously realizing they were the ones to get married before looking to Mrs Granger. "She's a looker, lad. These your kids?"

Mrs Granger flushed a little. "I've only just met Remus today. We are here to get my daughter and her betrothed married."

The man scratched his chin. "I suppose this is related to that blasted law? Very well then, you got your documents?"

Harry reached into his nice suit jacket. "Right here, Mr Bruce."

"Bah, don't call me mister. My da was the mister here," the man said, taking the paperwork. He looked it over before looking over his shoulder at a calender on his wall. "Aye, these look real. You sure you want to marry so quickly?"

Harry was sure the man had recognized him, and the name on the papers only affirmed it, but the man wasn't impressed. Harry had an instant liking for the man. "I want to marry Hermione," he told the man.

"And you, lass?"

"I love Harry, Groeme. I want to be with him for the rest of my life," she said honestly.

The man nodded. "We'll see how long that lasts. Right, are you two the witnesses?"

"We are," Remus stated.

"Right, I need you to sign on the lines. Give me a moment to heat the rings. Just plain gold?" the man asked.

"Yes. I thing that would be simplest and best," Hermione answered.

"So be it. I won't promise that magic won't change that," the man said moving over to a shelf. He took down a small wooden box with a celtic knot intricately carved onto its surface. "This is a traditional marriage binding as old as the old celts we once were. The rings represent a unity in the infinite circle."

Hermione watched in rapt attention as the man opened the box and took out too rings. "Two rings made of one. One made of magic. Magic made of love. That is the old tradition. Anyone entering a bond over the anvil does it freely and of their own accord." The rings were placed on the burning coals of the furnace. "I will ask again, to you want to marry each other, Hermione Jane of Clan Granger?"

Hermione didn't back down. "I want to marry Harry."

The man nodded solemnly.

"And you, Harry James of the House Potter, wish to marry this woman?" Groeme questioned.

Harry didn't hesitate. The magic built around them. "I will have Hermione as my wife."

The man puffed the bellows a few times until the rings glowed a bright red. "As love is forged in fire, longevity is made in the cool of time. This ring is if the groom to the bride. It is a symbol of your fidelity, love, promise of support, the start, the end and what you will do in the middle. Do you, Harry James of House Potter, accept this ring to place on your brides hand?"

"I do," Harry said resolutely. The man nodded, ritted the ring to the horn end of the anvil and worked the ring for a moment. The ring still looked hot when he took it of. "Hold out your hand."

Harry hesitated for a moment. He hadn't know about this. The man held the ring out with tongs. Was he a Gryffindor or what! he screamed in his head before hold his hand out. He flinched when the gold band hit his palm. It took him a moment before he realized it wasn't that hot.

"The heat of love forges the ring. The heat of love protects the bond," the man told him. Harry could feel the magic as he held the hot ring. "Present it to your bride before it cools, lad."

He turned to Hermione. He had expected more ceremony, but this was it, he guess. "Hermione Jean Granger, will you take this ring and be my wife?"

Hermione gave him a huge smile that brought up butterflies in his. How could people have ever thought she wasn't pretty, big teeth or not anymore. She held out her hand. "I accept, Harry James Potter."

His hand shook a little as he put the ring on her finger. It glowed brighter for a moment before visibly cooling and sizing itself to her finger.

The man took out the second ring. As he worked the ring, he spoke, "Marriage is between two, a man and a woman, so that they can carryon their line. The woman pledges to birth heirs and the man pledges to do all he can to protect his wife and heirs. It is the old ways. It is the ways you accept with these rings. I ain't saying you can't do what you want, lass. Merlin, Scots woman do anyways, but this is the old ways when you accept these bonds," the man said to head off what looked like a rant from Hermione.

"In the heat of your love, you swear to give children. Your man swears to provide, be that anyway you to decide. This is the old way," the man said, taking the ring off the anvil. "Do you accept that, lass?"

Hermione looked at the glowing ring for a moment. When she nodded, she held out her hand. Groeme looked to hesitate for a moment before releasing the ring. Hermione winced, then relaxed. Harry could only assume it didn't burn her.

"Present the ring to your groom," the man instructed.

Hermione let out a long breath. "Will accept this ring, a sign of my love and fidelity, Harry James Potter?"

"I will," Harry told her, holding out his left hand. She slipped the ring onto his rig finger. It was warm, but not uncomfortably so. The ring glowed liked Hermione's had, then sized to his finger. Hermione gasped. Harry looked down, instead of at her face, to see that the rings were now wrapped in a celtic knot.

"Magic has accepted and blessed this union. Kiss your bride, lad," the man winked at them.

Harry grinned, pulling Hermoine in. She met his lips the instant she was close enough. Harry wasn't sure who started it, but his hormones screamed out to snog her.

Someone cleared their throat. "If you two can wait, there's a hotel room just down the lane," Remus said with a snicker.

Mrs Granger had tears on her cheeks.

Greome signed the marriage contract. It glowed blue before he rolled it up. "You are now Mr and Mrs Harry Potter. Congratulations. That will be twelve galleons."

Harry felt a little warm as he fished for his coin pouch. Hermione looked a little abashed, but the heat in her eyes had Harry wanting to find the nearest room.

"Right, you two, can you hold your hormones long enough for a good lunch before we head back?" Mrs Granger asked. She had slowly come to accept this over the last week and gave them a genuine smile.

"I can wait a little bit before I lay with my husband," Hermione replied. "I am sleeping with you tonight."

There was no ambiguity in her words. "Yes, Mrs Potter," Harry said, feeling a joy he never knew he could.

-oOo-

That night…

Willows End, England

Hermione was cuddling up to the very warm body of her husband. It was a cool, raining night, compared to the nice day it had been in Scotland. She was looking at the ring on her finger while Harry wrapped a hand over her shoulder.

"Do you regret it?" Harry asked.

She lifted her eyes to look at him. "The sex or that I'm Mrs Potter?"

Harry gave her a smile before looking more serious. "I hope you enjoyed the sex," he told her.

She shifted so that she could peck his lips. "It wasn't bad, but I know it can get better for both of us. To answer you, I don't regret it. I would have liked to wait a few more years, but I love you. I wouldn't let anyone take you from me."

Harry kissed her head, pulling her in. She put her leg over his, enjoying his naked body. From his stiffening response she could only assume he liked her body. Scar and all. She could feel what he was thinking though. "I know you aren't keen on taking another wife, but we both know it will be the best in the end."

"But I only want you," Harry said. She could hear his sincerity.

She moved to be on top of him. She had close her eyes for a moment to feel him. When she opened her eyes, his expressive green eyes were looking at her, as though looking into her soul. God, she loved him. "I want to have children someday. I want you to have a long life with me. Do you think we can do that if Voldemort and the others aren't defeated?"

She pecked his lips.

Harry lifted his head to kiss her before flopping his head on the pillow. "I want that too."

"Then I can share you with someone," she told him.

"You know I won't be able to just marry anyone?" he told her. She could see his fear.

"Harry, I know your hearts," she said moving a hand to be over his. She really liked that there was no clothes between them. "I know you will fall for her too."

"And you? It would mean I don't get to spend every night with you," he said. This was one of the few times she had seen him so vulnerable and selfish. Her head leapt for him.

"I am willing to make that sacrifice to make sure our children live in a free world," she told him, knowing that as confident he had become in the last few years, he needed someone to tell him this was alright. Part of her screamed at her this was wrong from years of monogamous teaching through the Church of England, but she knew this was the way sit had to be. Technically, before magic he was two people: Harry Potter and Orion Black.

She started to rock her hips, sending jolts of pleasure between them. "Make love to your wife and we can figure out what to do tomorrow."

Harry gave a silly smile. "As Mrs Potter wants."

-oOo-

Chapter 4

-oOo-

August 16, 1996

London, England

Albus was getting tired of waiting in line. Last year he had lost his position of Supreme Mugwump and had not been able to regain it, even with the panic of Tom having come out in the open just under two months ago. Though, he had to admit, things had been relatively quiet with only a few attacks that could be contributed to his forces.

That probably had to due with a duo of events. First, Severus was still reporting that Tom was hurt and not recovered from the fight in the Ministry atrium. Apparently possessing Harry had not gone to plan and Harry's mother's protections were still in effect.

Secondly, as much as Fudge had not accepted Voldemort's return, he had done enough of a turn about to not release the Death Eaters caught in the debacle. He had actually moved them somewhere that no one knew about. Albus suspected Amelia Bones' hand in this more than the Ministers but it was still making an impact.

One the whole, the summer had rather quiet, allowing Albus to build his own forces, though they seemed to be splintering over this whole marriage thing with Harry.

His annoyance peaked to think of Harry.

Albus had made a large miscaluculation to distance himself from Harry last year and to let him get close to his godfather. How was it possible that twelve years of plans, and four years of guiding the boy while at Hogwarts, could all be undone like this.

Part of him blames Cornelius and his backers. It was them that had installed Dolores, and then tourtured and tore down Harry's reputation for the year. Albus had thought the Daily Prophet would make a turnaround after the DOM, but it had only moderated its stance. With not much going on with Tom, the Prophet still needed to sell papers, and speculation about Harry Potter did that.

"Next," a bored sounding witch said from behind the counter.

"Good day, Ms Boulanger," Albus said, recognizing the woman.

"It's Mrs White," the woman said, pointing towards the plague. "What can I do for you, headmaster? Or are you hear to vote for another marriage law?"

The woman didn't sound pleased with him. "No. No. Nothing like that," he said, avoiding the topic. "I am here to check the marriage registry and get a self-updating copy."

She rose and eyebrow. "I can put in your request if you fill out these forms." The witch took out four forms. "The top one is the request to look at the registry book. That is usually processed in two or three days. These are the request for a copy of the register, a link to update once a week and the background check. I wouldn't expect you to get a response for about three weeks."

Dumbledore looked over his half moon spectacles with a disappointed grandfatherly look. "This isn't necessary. All I need it a few minutes to review the registry."

"That may be, Headmaster Dumbledore, but this is the law. A law you voted for when you changed the marriage laws," the woman said with a shit eating grin.

"If I could just talk with your supervisor for a few moments?" he requested.

"I'm sorry, but Madam Eastwedge is not in today. You can fill out this form if you do not like my service. I would expect you to get a reply in about a week," the woman said with an even larger grin.

"This is unacceptable. I must see the registry now," he demanded in a soft voice.

"Fill out the forms and you will be notified when you can see it, Headmaster Dumbledore," she replied.

He was getting frustrated now. Looking into her eyes, he tried to will himself into her mind. He had expected the sudden spike of pain between his eyes or for her just about fall out of her chair. She hissed. "Aurors!" she cried out.

Albus had stumbled into a few people behind him. An alarm started to go off. He didn't understand what was going on as a splitting headache was throbbing in his head. He would find out very shortly when he was arrested and shown into a cell.

-oOo-

April 18, 1996

Marche, England

Harry had Kreatcher take them to a pub in Edinburough before they had Flooed to Longmarche, the seat of the Longbottoms power in Northern England.

When they had arrived, a tall male elf by the name of Edgar met them and showed them into a room. Neville was sitting at a table talking with a pretty redhead, a woman with greying red hair and a monocle and older woman with grey hair.

They all got up when they were shown in. "Welcome to Longmarche," Neville said, taking his hand and shaking it. "Did you do it?" Neville asked.

Hermione stepped to his side. "Neville Longbottom and Susan Bones, I would introduce Hermione Potter."

Susan smiled, moving into to hug Hermione. The girls had started a friendship last year. The saying of a 'shared fight makes for life long friends' was apt after what happened with the DA and Umbridge.

"Congratulations," Neville said. He turned to the two woman behind him. "If I would, I would introduce you to my gran, Matron Augusta Longbottom."

The older woman stepped forward, extending her hand. Harry took it and leaned over to kiss over he =r knuckles. Harry prayed he was getting it right. Sirius had given him a crash coarse over Christmas and Neville had given him a few other lessons, but he knew he was no were near adept in polite society. "It is a pleasure, Matron Longbottom."

"I see that some still remember the old traditions. A pleasure, Scion Potter, and do I understand Black as well?" she enquired.

"It's actually Regent Potter-Black, ma'am. This is my wife, Heiress Potter," he said, introducing Hermione.

"A pleasure, Matron Longbottom. Thank you for receiving us today," she said.

From behind him he heard Susan whisper to Neville, "When did Harry become so polite?"

He tried not to laugh. The other woman smiled. "He's more polite than the young woman I raised," she said, giving her niece an eye. "It is nice to see you again, Regent Potter-Black."

Harry extended his hand to take her. Instead of letting him do the polite gesture, she took his hand, giving him a firm shake. He returned it. "It is nice see you again, Madam Bones, though this time you are dressed more casually."

The woman gave him a smile. "But the entertainment to see you conjure that patronus and the way some in the courtroom acted like fish was worth meeting you in that way."

Harr made a face. "I shouldn't have had to do that. I did nothing wrong," he told her.

"You did not. I don't think we are here to talk about past wrongs though," Madam Bones said.

"I would say not. Neville and Susan tell us that you have something to talk to us about?" Matron Longbottom enquired.

Hermione gave him a look, then one to Susan and Neville. "We haven't really told them everything," Neville said.

"It concerns us more than our guardians," Susan said. She flushed a little under her aunts questioning glare.

"Are we still meeting with the others today?" Harry asked.

"I have invited the Greengrasses and Davises over for afternoon tea," Neville said.

"This is news to me," Matron Longbottom said.

They settled around the table have tea and finger sandwiches.

"So, what is this about?" Madam Bones asked after a few.

Neville looked towards him. Harry sighed and took out the contracts and letters. "As you know, I am Regent Potter-Black now that I am emancipated. I won't be able to take up my other titles until I'm twenty-one, but with the new marriage laws I don't want to wait until then. Fudge and others have an agenda that I think include me and others getting married to people they can control."

Matron Longbottom gave him a calculating look. "Yes. Neville had mentioned this and some of us have thought this since the laws where changed a few years back. Who do you think is trying to control you?"

"Who isn't?" Harry asked, easily thinking there were three or more factions, with Dumbledore, Voldemort ad Fudge being at the top of that list.

"You sound rather cynical and certain of this, Regent Potter-Black," Madam Bones said.

"We are," Hermione said. "As you know, Vol.. Voldemort is back. He has supports in the Ministry that would sell their daughters without thought to get their hands on Harry. Professor Dumbledore has been a controlling interest in Harry's life for a long time and we believe that he had a select few he wanted Harry to consider based upon the with holding of some contracts and the enchanting of others."

Matron Longbottom's eyes squinted in anger while Madam Bones took in a hissing breath. "Someone denied you your offers and enchanted them?"

"The complaint has been registered with Gringotts," Harry said. "I was able to get all my offers and have rejected all but four. Hermione is my wife by choice. I sent her an offer the day of my birthday, and we were married at the earliest possible time."

"May I get a copy of this complaint?" Madam Bones asked. "It is illegal to stop mail, and even more so to interfere with marriage proposals. That could be line theft or conspiracy charges."

"We figured as much, but to take down Harry's old guardian right now would not do us any good," Hermione said. "Gringotts will hold the evidence and complaint until a later date."

"And who was your guardian?" Matron Longbottom enquired.

"Albus Dumbledore claimed it and abused his illegal position, but Sirius Black was my godfather and named in my parents will," Harry told them.

"Bloody hell," Susan muttered.

"That is enough, young lady," Madam Bones said as though it was an afterthought. "You are saying that magic still recognized Sirius Black as your true guardian?"

"He did sign the emancipation papers and name me his heir. I don't think he could not that if he was guilty," Harry challenged.

"Bloody hell," the older woman said.

"Language, Auntie," Susan said with a grin.

"Oh, hush," the woman said with a shake of her head.

"I don't think you are here about that though. Why did you want to know and meet the Greengrasses and Davises?" Neville questioned.

"I am curious as well. We are not dropping this issue though," Matron Longbottom stated.

"No, ma'am," Hermione said. "As you know, the laws were changed and Harry will have to marry a second woman to carry on and claim the Black's fortune and titles. We," she said, taking Harry's hand, "have decided to explore this option and wanted to meet a few girls that we are considering. We also know that Neville needs to take on another wife, and if he hasn't decided on one yet, Harry and I would hope that he would consider one of the two girls we are meeting today."

There was a silence for a moment.

"This is unusual," Madam Bones said.

Neville and Susan were looking at them. "You are thinking I consider Tracey, aren't you?"

Harry shrugged, ignoring the older two women for second. "I want to get to know them and hear your thought on this. I would never push you and Susan into something you didn't want, but I think they are not the evil Slytherin that most think, and there are reason," he told them, sliding the contracts and letters to him.

Neville pursed his lips as Susan looked a little curious. "Daphne and Tracey are both pretty," she said, picking up the letters. "What do you think of this, Hermione?"

"I think that it might give use an advantage when you all are old enough to take up your seats. I think the letters are sincere. Harry and I will not allow the Black name to transfere to Draco Malfoy. Lastly, like you said, they are both pretty and neither have ever given us any issue from Slytherin," Hermione said.

Matron Longbottom gave Hermione an interested look. "And you are a Gryffindor, my dear?"

"Yes, ma'am. This is more Harry's idea though," Hermione said with no small amount of pride. "He doesn't like to be controlled or told to do something. We hope to get enough votes to overturn the laws before our children are affected, maybe much sooner than that."

"And you really fear that the Ministry will somehow use this to control you?" Madam Longbottom enquired.

"Can you tell me that it won't? We received a summons to go before the Proliferation Board on the the sixteenth, the earliest they could summon us. Hermione and I were already married by then, so we are ignoring the summons," Harry told her.

"That is a relatively standard procedure," Madam Bones said.

"Is it standard to be presented before the entire board and that we would have to present our contract to validate it's validity?" Hermione questioned.

"The summons said that?" Madam Bones asked sounding surprised.

"Yes, Madam Bones. Gringotts drafted the proposal for me and certified it. I did everything by the law. The board has no right to review it unless they were going to overturn it," Harry said a little angrily.

Madam Bones nodded. "I can see your point."

"Is this true?" Neville asked as he read the letter over Susan's shoulder.

"That is what we wanted to ask you. Sirius said that the Greengrasses weren't as bad as most thought and the Davises weren't involved in anything during the last war. I was hoping you might know them," Harry said to him.

"Ceril Greengrass was an honourable man with a wife that had a mind as sharp as any in know. Their daughters are well behaved. Anna always talked about how well they did in school and how Daphne was even better at potions than she was," Madam Bones said.

"Yes, Ceril and I worked on many laws and edicts in the Wizengamot. He was also one of the largest exporters of the plants we grow here. I miss him already. If you are looking for a political and societal match then their eldest would be a catch. I would not suggest you pursuing Daphne, Neville. If the youngest doesn't take on a line continuance, then the eldest will have too. What is your intention, Regent Potter-Black?" Matron Longbottom queried.

"The contract offered would make Daphne heiress Black, with her sister the Heiress Greengrass with an option to cosider her when she is sixteen," he said.

Matron Longbottom looked at him curiously. "Is that an option you would take up?"

"Not is I can prevent it, but her younger sister, Astoria, would become my ward. Personally, I find it rather repulsive, but I feel they need protection right now," Harry told them.

"Daphne is not as cold as everyone thinks," Susan said. "She actually has a wicked dry sense of humour. Most of all, she loves her family and protects Astoria zealously. She is only twelve right now, but is going to be a looker like Daphne. She will be highly sought out the year she turns sixteen."

"Daphne was always nice to me when we saw each other. She's also my cousin," Neville said. "It is second-once removed, gran?"

"Third, once-removed. My mother is her great-grandmother. And what of Ms Davis? I know of their name from Ceril. Douglas, I think it was, was one of Ceril's partners. Ceril usually had a good sense of people, so it would think the Davises are not bad people," Matron Longbottom said.

"It was Dougal Davis. He was a good man. He was actually their solicitor. He represented a few of the grey houses. An honourable man that I met in court twice. If his daughter is anything like him, she will be highly motivated with set goals, but a good person on the whole," Madam Bones said.

"Tracey used to hang out with Hannah. Hannah said Tracey had to pull away because people in Slytherin were giving her a hard time. I never really got to know her," Susan said.

"I can talk with her. Susan and I haven't really talked about my Longbottom name yet. We were looking to get married next summer and decide after that. We still have a few years," Neville told Harry.

"I know, Nev, but I have a feeling this can't wait. Just consider it," Harry requested.

"I think Regent Potter-Black has a good point, Neville and Susan. Consider it. The Davises may not be a well known family, but they have a good reputation from the sound of it," Matron Longbottom told him.

"I'll consider it," Neville said, looking to Susan.

She shrugged. "Like I said, they are both pretty."

Neville smiled. "You know I just don't want eyecandy, right?"

'I know, but with me, you already have that," Susan replied with a cheeky grin.

"Merlin. You are not hanging out with Hannah anymore," Madam Bones said.

"I think that is Neville's choice now. To bad she needs a line continuance as well," Susan retorted.

-oOo-

A little while later…

XXXXXX, England

Daphne had made sure her hair was perfect, his dress revealing enough to hint at her assets while still being proper. This meeting today was to important to take chances so she put on a perfume that was made to attract attention to her. The fate of her family hung in the balance of getting Harry Potter to take up her offer and take her soon after.

If everything worked out, then Tracey would be taken as well. She had no issues sharing Potter with her best friend. Tracey, as worried as she was about this, was almost giddy at the prospect of having Potter. The girl had been watching the boy for years. Her friend was also crude enough to not care if Potter wanted to take them both at the same time. Daphne had the feeling that Tracey would enjoy that. Daphne wasn't sure. She would do what she had to though to protect her sister and mother.

Looking in the mirror one last time to make sure her curves were not mistakable and that she was a beautiful as most said she was. If Potter didn't drool over her, she wasn't sure what she was going to do. Potions would be illegal for this. If she got caught, she would be facing line theft charges and then the arseholes that had killed her father would get her sister, and most likely her as well.

"Missy Daphne, it is close to two," a small elf said from the shadows.

"Thank you, Tilly. I'll be right now. Is Astoria and my mother ready?" she questioned.

"Missy Aster is ready. Mistress Greengrass is not going," the house elf told her, wringing her ears.

Daphne sighed. The last two months had not been easy on her mother. The death of her father had hit the woman hard. There were reasons why Astoria and her were Slytherin though. Daphne would not give up on her goals, and her goals right now were to protect her sister and mother.

"Stop doing that, Tilly. You didn't do anything wrong. Pleas see to her and make sure she gets out of bed today," Daphne said kindly.

"I have the mistress in the solar with tea," the little house elf informed her.

"Thank you, Tilly. Let's get this over with," Daphne said, turned and flattening out her dress again to make sure her modest chest and slightly wide hips were prevalent. She didn't think herself the beauty most did, but she knew she turned most boys eyes.

She walked through the hallway to the grandstaircase. The manor was large to signify the status of her family. After going over the books the last few weeks, her family was in a good monetary position, but she didn't think keeping such a large house would do to stay that way. Without anyone running the family business, she was having to rely on her father's senior partners, but she didn't' trust them. There were a few funny things in the books since he had died and she had had to move to put Gringotts in charge of the business accounts.

This had upset the other families, especially the Selwyn's, and there were rumbling that this matter would be taken to the Wizengamot soon. If she could snag Potter today, then he could be placed in charge of the house and claim the fourty-percent her family owned and the eleven percent that the Davises had. Her families legacy could be protected that way.

Astoria was at the bottom of the stairs in a dress that made her look older. Daphne frowned. She didn't want to sell her now thirteen-year-old sister like this, but nothing she and Tracey had seen of Potter led her to believe he would want her sister, of if he did, that he would treat her poorly.

"You look nice, Daffy," Astoria said. "Should I have worn a dress that drops low on my chest like that?"

Daphne shook her head. "I am not trying to sell you, Aster. I want him to look at you, but it is Tracey and I that have to give our bodies to him. Be nice. Act the lady I know you can be. Don't make any jokes," Daphne demanded.

The normally smiling Astoria was rather solemn. "I'll be good," she promised.

Daphne reached up to wipe the tear that was threatening at the edge of Astoria's eye. "It will be alright, Astoria. I won't let any of those that follow the dark get you."

"What about you? You sound like you are going to become his whore," Astoria said.

"If I have too. We have too much to loose otherwise," Daphne told her. "Now, shoulders up. No tears. Rebecca will be there too. Be strong. We are Greengrasses. Act like one."

"Yes, Daffy," Astoria said, standing tall. She may be only thirteen, but with their father gone, they both needed to be older now.

Daphne nodded her approval and moved to the fireplace. "Longmarche," she called out just after the fire flared green.

When she stepped out, Daphne rose an eyebrow to see a large welcoming party. Potter was recognizable right away. She was actually impressed that he had cleaned up very nicely and was in rather attractive set of wizarding robes with two crests on his left breast. He looked quiet dashing, and somewhere she had missed him filling out some. He was still a little on the shot side, but the tailored robes clung to his body more than they used to hang on his body. That was all 4very interesting.

Next to him was Granger. Over the years she had grown into a very attractive girl that had many eyes turning to her. Today she looked radiant in a dress that was both flattering to her growing curves, but demure enough to be acceptable in polite society.

Next was Neville with Susan Bones next to him. She had expected that. She had not expected Matron Longbottom or Madam Bones to be here as well. Was Potter using them to represent him?

Astoria came out behind her. She looked down and brushed off a few ashes that had gotten on her dress.

Neville stepped forward. "Welcome to Longmarche Heiress Greengrass." She extended her hand to let him kiss it. They may be distant cousins, but this was a formal meeting.

"Thank you, Scion Longbottom. It is a pleasure to be here today. May I present my sister, Astoria Greengrass?" she offered, indicating her sister.

"It is a pleasure, Ms Greengrass." Neville kissed the back of Asotria's hand. "Are we expecting anyone else?"

"I'm sorry, but Matron Greengrass could not make it today," Daphne told him.

"Sorry to hear that. In that case, I would introduce you to by betrothed, Heiress Susan Bones." They shared curtsies. "Madam Bones and Matron Longbottom." More curtsies. She was starting to get nervous to see Granger here. She way they stood and the fact she had a crest on her left breast was very worrying. Had she already missed this opportunity? Did she need to look at Longbottom? If Susan was his betrothed, the Longbottom heir would still need a Longbottom woman

"Lastly, I asked you hear today to introduce you to Regent Potter-Black and Heiress Potter," Neville said.

Daphne's eyes widened slightly. Potter was only sixteen. He wasn't old enough to be declared regent before taking up a lordship… WAIT! POTTER-BLACK! Years of training had her curtsying. "Regent Potter-Black and Heiress Potter, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope this request is for business?"

"That is part of it. A pleasure, Heiress Greengrass," Potter said, stepping forward and kissing the back of her hand. She noticed how rough his skin was. It was so unlike all the 'proper' pounced in Slytherin. Something about his rough skin sent a pleasant shiver through her.

He moved to her sister, who was giving Potter does eyes to see how nice he looked and the way he ported himself. This was not the same Potter that they had watched for years now. "Ms Greengrass, it is a pleasure."

Astoria just about ruined everything when she blurted out, "Marry me?"

Daphne whipped her head around to her sister, who quickly became beat red when Potter chuckled at her. "I don't think your name was the one on the contract sent to me. I am flattered though."

Granger was giving her younger sister a calculating eye. Damn it! This was supposed to be about her and Potter, not her sister and Potter!

-oOo-

That night…

Willows End, Manchester, England

The back stoop at Willow's End was quickly becoming Harry's favourite spot at the cottage. Though, with five bedrooms he wasn't sure it could be called a cottage, but it was homey. Most importantly was that it was home with Hermione and her mother here. He felt like he belong to a family for one.

The door opened and Hermione joined him, handing him a butterbeer.

"Have a nice talk with your mum?"

"Yeah. She's going to find a place to stay around here if we are going to stay. She doesn't want to walk in on us again," Hermione said with a slight flush on her neck.

Harry gave a nervous chuckle. "I wasn't the one that decided the pantry was a good place."

"I didn't hear you complain," Hermione said a little haughtily.

"I won't either. I'll try to carry you off to our room next time," he said with a wink.

Hermione playfully hit his arm. "You are incouragable!"

"Only when it comes to you," he said with a broad smile.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few. Hermione leaned her head onto his shoulder. He leaned his head against hers, just content to have her with him. After a few minutes, Hermione asked, "What did you think?"

Harry chuckled. "Astoria and Tracey are hoots."

Hermione laughed. "They would give Fred and George a run for their money. I meant what did you think of Daphne?"

Harry took a drink of his butterbeer as he tried to organize his thought. "She is a little intense. She was really focused on the contract and if she could offer other provisions or get ones for herself or her family. I get the sense she isn't usually that forward…"

"…or flirty?" Hermione asked. "I think if I had left her with you would have had her virtue this week as well."

Harry flushed. It had been very obvious that Daphne was trying to offer herself as part of the deal. Harry thought her a very attractive girl. Well, not, she was beautiful, and the dress she had had given him a good look at her chest a few times. "I don't want someone just to shag them."

"I know, luv. I think she's desperate," Hermione said.

"Yeah," he agreed, putting an arm over Hermione's shoulders. "What do you think?"

Hermione took a moment to think while he took another swig of his butterbeer. "I like her. The few times she let her guard down you could tell how much she cares for her sister and mother. She's scared and needs something stable in her life. I'm not sure her mother isn't still grieving for their father. I'm not sure Daphne isn't either. All of them were. With her loyalty to her family, I think she will be loyal to you. She also didn't look at your scar the entire time we were with her."

"You got all that?" Harry asked. He had noticed that too. While Astoria and Tracey had a little of the hero whorship he was used to most others having, Daphne never gave any hint she felt that way for him. She had treated him like normal person… well, a normal person she was trying to seduce into signing the contract today.

"Yeah, I got all that. Susan did too. She thinks Tracey would be a much better for Neville. Daphne would be to domineering and demanding," Hermione told him.

"And you think that that would be a better match for me?" Harry asked with a little amusement, considering how domineering and demanding Hermione could be at times.

Hermione snuggled into his side before taking a drink of her butterbeer. "I think she will respect your strength and you won't let her get with things. Besides, you have a far more devious mind that Neville, and I think Daphne will need someone like that."

Harry kissed the top of Hermione's head. "You want me to like her, don't you?"

"I just want you to be happy," she told him.

"And what about you?"

"As long as I have you, everything else will work out," she assured him.

Harry nodded. His mind was still going over everything today. After a bit he said, "I could like her."

"I could too," she said.

A thought came to him that made him blush some. It was something that Tracey and Susan had talked about briefly. He suspected it was so they could see how red they could make Neville, but he was thinking of it now. "What if I got to a point that I didn't want to spend a night without both of you?"

Hermione tried to snuggle closer to him, which wasn't really possible. "If we get there, then we get there."

"You wouldn't mind?" he asked surprised.

"Like I said, if we get there, then we get there," she told him. "Until then, Potter, you are mine."

"Always and forever," he assured Hermione. "I love you."

There. He had finally said it.

Hermione melted into him, shifting enough to tilt her head up. She searched his eyes for a moment before saying, "I love you too."

Their snog session ended up with a contented Mr and Mrs Potter watching the stars poke through the light haze of Manchester in the distance.

-oOo-

Chapter 5

-oOo-

August 19, 1996

Hogwarts, Scotland

The last nineteen days had been a nightmare for one Albus Dumbledore. Harry Potter had officially gone rogue. The Daily Prophet in his hands confirmed it.

-o-

Mr Potter finds a Mrs Potter! Proliferation Board forced to explain the Hit Wizard contract to find the Boy-Who-Lived

By William Williamson

Dear Readers, the Daily Prophet can confirm that Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived and recently the Boy-Who-Lived again after the battle at the Ministry, has found love. It can be confirmed that the long time girlfriend of Mr Potter, Hermione Granger, accepted a betrothal and marriage contract. After waiting the requisite fifteen days, the star crossed lovers used an old tradition that most have forgotten about.

And what Tradition is that?

Well, that of the old Celtic hand binding preformed by a blacksmith over a blessed anvil. The anvil binding are a little different that the hand binding, but if accepted by marriage, then the couple can be married at sixteen, instead of having to wait for their majority. And readers, this what the two sixteen-year-old Hogwarts students have done.

The sudden marriage had had some far reaching effects already. As the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter was the most eligible bachelor around. The fact he was married only fifteen days after his birthday to a Muggleborn witch has to be one the biggest love stories of the century! Probably afraid of what his friends and others would say to follow his heart, he rushed to marry as soon as possible. And the fear of them being broken up seems to be well founded when the Proliferation Board issued a 'catpure bounty' on Harry Potter by Hit Wizards when he failed to show at his hearing on the matter two days ago.

Apparently the board did not do their due diligence as the marriage was already legal by that point, and the board skirted on Line Theft before a clerk brought this fact to the boards attention.

Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, was heard complaining about this. "The boy was supposed to marry someone else. How the bloody hell did he marry the mudblood… Get out of here!"

The last was the man yelling at one of our reporters who was threatened by two Aurors shortly after. After all the mess the Minister made for our beloved hero last year, his position has become very precarious due to allegations of bribes and deformation against many…

-o-

Albus closed his eyes and pinched his nose. The press was making this out to be some grand romantic tragedy where the two teens had people of great power trying to keep them apart. Even his misstep at the Department of Records was mentions in their speculation of who was trying to keep them apart.

It didn't matter that he was or not.

The Daily Prophet had made a turn in its opinion, meaning the British public soon would too. The issue was, the Ministry, the Death Eaters and himself were shown as trying to break up the new darlings.

"Damn it," he said frustratedly.

Fawkes gave out a cry at his outburst.

"I wasn't trying to upset you," he said to his companion. "This means that I will have to support this. Harry still has another House he will have to marry off. There are still a few options to bring him back under our wings, Fawkes."

The phoenix didn't seem to agree and just curled its head under its wings. Albus could use Fawkes soothing song, but the phoenix had refused for months now. He had a feeling that Fawkes only came to help him at the Ministry out of a sense of duty, not love.

Albus looked at the paper. He needed to talk to Harry. He needed Harry! The damnable boy and his new wife were still missing. Remus hadn't been seen since that day. Half the Order was starting to rebel against him.

For once, he felt like sneering, finally understanding Severus annoyance with the boy.

-oOo-

April 20, 1996

Willow's End, Manchester, England

Tonks had come with her father in a taxi from the centre of Manchester. She didn't understand why they just couldn't take the floo or apparate to where they were going, but dad's client had said this was the best way.

"Who are we going to see again?" she asked for the umpteenth time.

"Someone that wants my time and requested you," her dad said serenely as he looked out the window at the houses they were passing by.

She didn't look impressed. "And who is this client and why did he request me?"

"Well, you mother is working today and you are the only other person with Black blood that he trusts," her dad said.

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was hinting. "You mean…"

"Now, Dora, it wouldn't do to announce a clients name if they don't want to be named," her dad said significantly.

"Uhm, yeah," she said. She knew that. She had been trained to know that.

The car stopped and the cabbie leaned over. "Twenty-three pounds and fifty-two pee," the man told them.

Her father handed over the Muggle bills and coins and then got out. They were standing on the edge of large park that spread out behind the houses before turning into fields and then Manchester in the distance. "Is this place protected?" she asked, not seeing any obviously magical places around.

"I would assume so," he said, looking at his watch. "I was told to meet a representative here at eleven thirty. That is in eight minutes."

"Then why didn't we apparate here?" she questioned.

"I was told not too. I felt some type of ward barrier about two-hundred yards back that way, so I think we would not have liked apparating here," her father calmly said.

Tonks looked back, kicking herself for not paying attention in her agitation at this sudden request by her father.

"You would he right. Last I checked the apparition ward would redirect you to a lake about fifteen miles that way," a man said, pointing towards the east.

Tonks turned to see the man. "Mr Lupin, I presume?"

"Remus, what are you doing here? We've all been looking for you," she snapped.

Remus gave her a sly grin. "We weren't know as the Mauraders for nothing. I was asked to help today. If you don't mind, I am just going to check for any tracking or listening charms?"

"Of course," her father said, holding his satchel in on hand while lifting his wands. Remus ran his wand over her father and then a dark detector.

"Where did you get that? Only the DMLE is supposed to have dark detectors," she asked. As much as she may be in Dumbledore's Order, she was still an Auror.

"I won't tell you my secrets if you don't tell me yours," he said with a cheeky grin.

She quirked an eyebrow. If the man hadn't been almost a decade-and-a-half older, she might have liked him. She did the same when Remus scanned her. Once he was satisfied, he motioned over his shoulder. "By foot from here."

It was a few minute walk into the park and then down a path that looked to have been made by animals. Once they were at the edge of hedge, he turned to them. "You are about to enter Willow's End. You are given permission to enter today. Regent Black will decide if you come again."

"Ha, knew it," Tonks blurted out.

Her father patted her arm like she was schoolgirl that had just pointed out something obvious. "Very nice, dear."

"Oi! I'm not a little girl anymore," she indignantly said to her father. Both men laughed as her and Remus pushed through hedge. On the other side was a nice tutor style cottage with a garden and stream lines with willows. "Talk about your fairy tales."

Her father laughed. "Sleeping Beauty and the Brother's Grimm were always your favourites."

Remus sniggered. "Explains so much."

"I swear, you tell anyone in the Order and you won't have any bits to worry about having your children to tell those tales too," she warned.

"Touchy, isn't she?"

"Always has been," her father nodded.

"You know what, I don't need this," she said, marching towards the house. At least with Charlie it was a fun biplay, not gang up on Tonks.

The two men chuckled at her, making Tonks huff as she pulled the old rope to the bell. The door opened a moment later to a woman in her later thirties with curly hair, expressive brown eyes and a face that looked a lot like, "Granger?"

The woman quirked an eye. "I'm Anne Granger. Who are you?"

Tonks felt like she wanted to hit herself. Her father had caught up to her by now and patted her arm again. "This articulate young woman is my daughter, Dora Weasley. I'm Theodore Tonks. Are you Mrs Granger?"

The woman extended a hand. "I am. Why don't you come in. My daughter and her husband are just going over the papers you sent earlier today."

The woman sounded like she stumbled over the 'and her husband' part.

"Good. I know they used Gringotts for their paperwork, but Harry had me look it over before sending it to you," her father said.

Tonks went to follow them in. Her foot slipped on the stone step and she stumbled into the house only having a fancy looking table stopping her. That was going to bruise her tit. Straightening up, she saw the concerned look from Mrs Granger and Remus. The small shake of the head from her father, who understood that her constant shapeshifting often threw off her balance or sense of her body. She was so happy she never had to explain that to Charlie.

"Are you alright?" Mrs Granger asked.

"Yeah. Nothing an icepack and bruise cream won't handle," she replied.

The cottage was really nice. Off the entrance hall was a cozy tearoom. Harry and Hermione were at a table going over a pile of paperwork. "Hey," Harry said to them.

Tonks rose an eyebrow. "You disappear for most of a month, get married and only say hey?"

Harry shrugged. "It's been busy the last few days," he said.

Hermione had looked up at least. "Remus told us how you have been sticking up for Harry. Thanks, Tonks. Hello Mr Tonks and Remus.

She huffed. "I have no clue how much Mundungus or other stole, but I've already gotten back nine books, some trincets, a few very valuable heirlooms and almost two hundred galleons. I think there was a lot more. I know that Sirius wasn't that generous."

Harry huffed. "Another reason to hate Dumbledore. Ted, is this right? Between the Potters, Blacks and Greengrasses we would control over thirty-percent of the Daily Prophet?"

"That is what I put in the asset report," her father said moving to the table.

"Does that give us any power of the rag?" Harry questioned.

"I think that guarantees a seat on the Board of Directors. It is a five-person board," her father told them.

"The Greengrasses have a large export-import business. Unless Daphne wants to give it to Harry, I don't think she needs to give it as part of her bride price," Hermione spoke up.

"That is a rather standard item," her father said. "Unless Daphne wants to be the heiress of the Greengrasses, she technically can't own anything like that. The wizarding laws are still very patriarchal. By gifting her families shares in the business to Harry, it will protect them and allow Harry to bid on other shares when they come up, otherwise he would only be able to buy in as a third party if the other partners didn't want it."

"Half the other names support Voldemort," Harry said with a crinkled nose.

"The business was started in the later part of the last century. Back them most of those houses wouldn't have been classes dark. Some of them were even light houses," her father instructed.

Tonks was staring at the teens while Remus leaned against the wall and Mrs Granger had joined them at the table. She leaned over to Remus. "What the bloody hell is going on?"

"Daphne Greengrass is coming over tomorrow to complete talks on a betrothal. These two have been digging through those documents," Remus explained.

She blinked. "But Harry is already married," she said.

"Quite happily, if the smell is anything to go by," he said with a wicked grin.

She chuckled. It was no surprise that two sixteen year old given license to shag wouldn't be doing it at any time they could. Merlin, her and Charlie had been caught all over the castle. "But why… oh. Hermione is Mrs Potter, isn't sure?"

"Right in one. It's like watching Lily and her friend Marlene with those two. How did I miss that Harry was this bright?" Remus questioned as the teens had a serious conversation with her father, with Mrs Ganger helping or asking her own questions.

"Who was Marlene?" she asked.

Remus face darkened some. "An old classmate. We all thought her and Sirius would make a go at it before she was killed just after graduation. Her and her entire family. I think that was what scared Lily and James into trying to Harry," he said in a sad tone.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Remus shrugged. "That was a long time ago now."

She nodded. She hadn't seen action like some of the old timers, but she had seen some action in the last few weeks. Things were getting unsettled. "If they have this covered, why am I here?"

"Damned if I know. Ask," Remus told them.

Her father looked up from a note pad. "As a Black, you can ratify the terms of the agreement, Dora. Per the Black's Charter, a senior member of the family has to approve of any agreements that will ensure the continuation of the line. If Harry is to marry Ms Greengrass, he needs yours or your mothers blessing. If you want, Andromeda will do it, but Harry wants this done this afternoon so we can file changes and have them sent by Gringotts to Ms Greengrass."

She blinked for a moment. She laughed. "You want me to give him permission to shag another girl? And you are good with this Hermione?"

Hermione shrugged, not looking to bothered. "If it give us an avenue to overturn these laws and keeps the Ministry out of our business, I will share."

Harry looked more bothered than his new wife. "What she said," he commented when Tonks gave him a questioning look.

"Barmy. You are all completely barking mad," she said.

"Explains why she agreed to marry me," Harry said. "OI!"

Hermione had just hit his arm. "I am not barking mad."

"Mental, better?"

Hermione huffed. "Berk."

"Will both of you act your age?" Mrs Granger said. "This is serious what we are going over."

"I thought I was acting my age?" Harry questioned.

Tonks smiled at the boy and his girl. "You are. Now act like a sixteen year old and lets finish this."

Mrs Granger shook her head while Remus was silently laughing. Her father acted like he didn't notice. "If you are agreement here, I would recommend combining all your shares in the Daily Prophet under the Black's name, but the apothecaries and the Muggle assets under the Potters. Keep everything else with the Greengrasses and offer seventy-three thousand to offset their books. Keeping the three families separate for now will be the best," her father said.

"I'll go with your recommendation. Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I still feel like I need more time. Something seems off in the figures. I wish we could have gotten all the Potter finances before now and the Greengrass transactions look off," she said.

"We can talk with Daphne about it tomorrow. I want this in her hands before we meet," Harry told her.

"You are sure you still want to go through with this?" Mrs Granger asked.

Harry let out a long sigh. "We have too. Tonks, is Dumbledore still looking for me?"

"Half the Order is keeping any eye on Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade all day around. Dumbledore figures you will need to get your supplies and will move to get you then," she told him.

"Ted, are the notices ready to go out?" Harry asked.

"I have them here if you want to look at it," her father said.

"What notices?" Remus asked.

"You said Tonks was sticking up for me. Kreacher made a list of the missing items from Grimmauld Place, and the goblins say there are items missing from my Potter trust vault. We are putting out a notice that anything bought from Mundungus Fletcher could be a family heirloom that Gringotts and a few other places will be keeping an eye out for, and that missing Potter Herilooms will be aggressively sought out," Harry replied.

Tonks let out a long whistle. "Gringotts is willing to do that? How much is that costing?"

Hermione gave an impish grin. "We are not contracting Gringotts."

Tonks eyes widened. "Well, bloody fuck."

-oOo-

END