Chapter 3: Breaking the Cycle

Harry was in a state of haze, and it took Hermione one of her patented bear hugs to break him out of it. "Harry, look at me. All this has turned our world 360 d., and it is not easy to digest, but we have each other. I don't know much, but I can say that I will always be there for you." "Hermione, I don't doubt your intentions. You were the only one who stayed with me through thick and thin. I am more upset that the people I trusted the most with my life were trying the hardest to make him bend to their will. Using potions, compulsions, oblivation and placing blocks on me was something I could bear but, the man was responsible for hurting you, and the betrothal contract was the last straw. They will pay for this with their life. I will not let this slide."

"King Ragnarok, I want to know if these compulsions, potions, and blocks can be removed from our system. Also, can we do something about the betrothal contract? I want it nullified. I want to claim all my titles as well." Harry had a cold look in his eyes and a mask of indifference on his face, which could give Malfoy a run for his money. The goblin king was more than willing to comply. "Heir Potter, Heiress Granger, I would request you to go through the cleansing ritual first, and we can discuss other matters after that. If you would follow me." He directed them through a door inside his office, leading to a ritual chamber. The chamber was a huge room divided into two sections separated by curtains. Both enclosures had a large circle of runic symbols drawn on the floor, with a stone slab the size of a single bed in the middle of the circle. They changed into the ritual robes provided and laid down on stone slabs in separate enclosures as instructed. The goblins began chanting in their native language (AKA Gobbledegook), and soon both lost consciousness.

Harry somehow felt lighter than he had felt in years when he regained consciousness. His first instinct was to go and check on Hermione. But the healer assured him that she was fine and he could meet her once the tests were over, so he reluctantly obliged. The healer performed some diagnostic spells on him, and the results came clean. Harry was debriefed about his condition and was elated that the Horcrux was gone from his body. He hesitantly asked what would happen to it and was relieved that the soul fragment was not destroyed yet. Noticing a full-length mirror in the room, he started moving towards it. What he saw surprised him pleasantly. He was not the exact image of his father as everyone said, on the contrary, his looks were an impeccable blend of his mother and both his fathers. He had his mother's emerald green eyes, brighter than ever, his father's raven hair and jawline, and Sirius's high cheekbones and lordly facial features. He was not wearing his glasses, not that they were a need. His hair was now shoulder length and more tameable, courtesy of his Black lineage. He has also grown a few inches in height, and his body was also more muscular and lean. He looked like a true royal pure-blood wizard, every inch of him exuding regal confidence and dignity.

In the adjacent chamber, Hermione was going through something similar. She woke up feeling lighter, and her energy felt more settled. She strode towards the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. The reflection was the evidence of glamour charms cast on her. She had hair that was silky and straight, falling in soft curls on her shoulders, the length reaching the middle of her back. She had also grown a few inches, and her body was slender with more lady-like curves. Her face has more defined and aristocratic features. She appeared to be a true and proud pure-blood witch, with every aspect of her demeanour reflecting her royal heritage.

They drank the post-ritual potions given by the goblins and redressed. The moment they laid eyes on each other, it was as if time stood still. Their expressions were filled with wonder and surprise as if they had just witnessed a miracle. They gazed at each other intently, their mouths agape and eyes wide with amazement. The healers had to intervene to separate them, as each other's presence completely transfixed them. Reluctantly, they were ushered into their king's office, still lost in each other's gaze. Once they entered, Harry was all business and ready to claim his lord/Heir rings. Hermione was also not behind, and her behaviour meant business. Ragnarok was prepared with ring boxes for both of them when they arrived. He instructed Harry to put the Lord rings on the middle finger of his right hand, and the Heir rings on his index finger.

First was the Pendragon House. Harry slid the ring on his right hand's middle finger and recited, "I, Hadrian Charlus Potter, claim by magic, by law, House of Pendragon. I swear to lead it with honour and fairness; to protect and shelter those who belong or ally to the House of Pendragon by law, by magic, by oath; to deliver justice on those who break the oath and trust with the House of Pendragon. So have I sworn; so mote it be." The ring glowed to signify that family magic had accepted his claim. Harry repeated the process with each ring in a sequence and claimed all his titles. He was now Lord of seven houses and Heir to five.

Next, Ranarok instructed Hermione to put her Lady rings on the middle finger of her left hand, and the heiress rings on the index finger. First, was the LeFey House. She slid the ring on her left hand's middle finger and recited, "I, Isabella Victoria Dagaworth-Granger, claim by magic, by law, House of LeFey. I swear to lead it with honour and fairness; to protect and shelter those who belong or ally to the House of LeFey by law, by magic, by oath; to deliver justice on those who break the oath and trust with the House of Lefey. So have I sworn; so mote it be." The ring glowed to signify that family magic had accepted her claim. Hermione repeated the process with each ring in a sequence and claimed all her titles. She was now Lady of three houses and heiress to two. Both altered the wording of their oath as and when required.

Ragnarok informed them about the protection these rings provided from compulsions and potions."They act as potion detectors, and the frequency of vibration of the ring indicates the quantity of potion. The ring also creates a mental barrier and safeguards the wearer from compulsions, oblivation, and legilimency. It can also shield you from almost every low to mid-level spell bar the unforgivable. You can keep all your rings hidden from sight or will for any specific ring to be visible.

Proceeding to the Wizengamot, the equivalent of a muggle parliament. You both combined hold more than half of the seats in Wizengamot. With one Most Legendary House, two Legendary Houses, two Most Royal Houses, four Royal Houses, and two Most Noble Houses under your command, you will rule the Wizengamot." Ragnarok had a devilish spark in his eyes explaining these concepts to them. He was eager to see what havoc Harry and Hermione cause in the Wizarding World. "Of course, you will need training in wizarding culture and etiquettes, politics, wizarding hierarchy, sword fighting, wandless magic and many more subjects. We are more than willing to accommodate your wishes." We accept your services was their united reply.

The next thing on their list was liberating Sirius. With the help of Ragnarok, Harry and Hermione send a copy of Harry's Partial Inheritance Test to the Head of DMLE, Amelia Bone, one of his godmothers, which confirms that Sirius Black was his blood-adopted father, thus cannot betray him without losing his life. It served two purposes.

1. It substantiates Sirius's innocence and gets the ball rolling

2. Re-establishes his bonds with Bones

Harry was a happy man as of now.