7 Second Wife

They spent their week of honeymoon on the Black Island, where a tropical mansion, a private beach at a protected bay and a lot of sunshine made the couple very happy, although they spent more than half their waking time in bed, enjoying each other. Luckily, the two house elves who took care of the island ensured that the amorous couple also ate and drank well enough to be able to do all they wanted to do.

Hermione was also very attentive to possible damages from the harsh sun, making sure they used every sun protection charm she knew and stayed mostly in the shadows of the large palm trees that almost reached the water line.

With nobody else on the island, the two allowed themselves total freedom from clothes, except large hats and sandals. Hermione was sure that had she not been already pregnant, this week would have assured it.

Still, after seven fun-filled days, they put on some clothes and used the portkey to return to London, where Daphne was already busy preparing Harry's birthday celebration.

Two days later, most of the wedding guests arrived at Grimmauld Place to celebrate Harry's eighteenth birthday. The Dursley parents didn't come, but Dudley came, also bringing his mother's congratulations. She simply wasn't ready to visit a magical house, and she also thought he would like it better with mostly his age-mates.

This time, Daphne didn't try to hide how close she was to Harry. Dudley also noticed.

"You've just married Hermione, didn't you? Then how come you're so close to Daphne? And how can Hermione be alright with that?" Dudley sounded quite bewildered.

Harry smiled. "Daphne is my betrothed. I'm going to marry her in three weeks and make her Lady Black. Hermione approves of course, or I wouldn't have accepted Daphne."

Dudley found it difficult to believe. "You're going to have two wives? Is that even legal?"

Harry's smile widened. "Lord Potter married Hermione, now Lady Potter. Lord Black is going to marry Daphne. While both titles are mine, they make me two different legal entities, as weird as it may seem. Besides, one can legally have more than one spouse in the magical world. I don't know the details, but you may ask Hermione or Daphne if you're interested."

Dudley shook his head, finding the situation quite absurd. "I believe you, but it's still incomprehensible. I mean, many find even one wife to be too much, and you plan to have two?!"

Harry chuckled. "Some say I need a few more wives. I hope they're wrong, though. Dividing my time between two may not be very easy, but more? That may cause real problems."

Dudley laughed. "Well, good luck to you, whatever you may do. Now, don't you want to invite me to your second wedding?"

Harry smiled apologetically. "I'm not sure you can even come there. It's going to take place at her parents' home. I don't know where it is. I only reached it by magical means. Still, if you're interested, I'll try to help you come."

Dudley nodded. "Mum and Dad may not be interested, but I find it fascinating. I'll be honoured to witness that wedding."

–..–

While the women were occupied with preparations for the wedding, Harry tried to make Daphne's birthday celebration a very memorable one – her last as an unmarried woman. He enlisted the help of both his fathers-in-law and as many house elves as he could spare. For the last two days, they also managed to make Astoria help them.

Daphne wasn't oblivious to the preparations but didn't pay them any attention. With the wedding to be held in a few days, her birthday seemed almost irrelevant.

Then, on her birthday, she woke up to a house decorated with banners and stickers, all flashing "Eighteen", "Happy Birthday", and even "Happy Birthday, Daphne, for your 18th birthday". Daphne was almost shocked. It was much more than her parents ever did for her birthday.

Then, she also found all her friends waiting in the dining room, joining her for breakfast. Unlike at Harry's birthday, there were some Slytherins there: Tracey, Draco, Blaize, Pansy and Millicent. Harry wasn't surprised to see Tracey and Blaize since they used to be her closest friends at school, as far as he could see. The others somewhat surprised him, though. He noticed that both Pansy and Millicent seemed surprised to see him and Hermione there, but not the others. Draco, as Harry already knew, was interested in Astoria, who seemed to encourage his interest. It was still very new, for sure, but if Astoria had her way, Draco would become her husband. Harry wasn't sure he liked it but had no say in the matter.

Draco approached Harry, looking quite concerned. "Lord Potter, I first need to apologize for how I acted throughout our school years. I was under my father's influence and dared not think for myself. Now, with him in prison, I can finally decide on my own, and I'm not proud of the ways he forced me to act. Please forgive me for the way I acted towards you and Lady Potter. I also hope we may eventually come closer and work together to improve our society after it has suffered for so long."

Harry sensed that Draco was speaking truly, so he decided to tentatively accept the apology, hoping it would prove to be the right thing. "Scion Malfoy, I accept your apology and hope we can cooperate for a better future for all. However, I can't speak for Lady Hermione. You'll need to ask her personally for her forgiveness. I believe she will grant it to you."

Draco smiled slightly. "Thank you, Lord Potter. I hope to justify your trust in me. Now, I think I'll look for Lady Potter to apologise to her too."

Millicent also apologised, blaming her fear of her death-eater father as the cause of her actions. Harry hesitantly accepted. Pansy didn't apologize. Harry had already heard that her parents weren't Death-Eaters, but she was trying to act in ways that would make Draco consider her for becoming his mate. She could certainly not cite that as an acceptable reason for her actions, and she knew it. On the other hand, she acted very politely and didn't say or do anything that could offend either Harry or Hermione. He wondered if that was genuine regret or only typical Slytherin behaviour. At least Zabini had no cause for apology. Even under the Carrows, he stayed far away from any unbecoming behaviour while still keeping neutrality. It was no wonder he and Daphne were friends, although not close ones.

There were also a few visitors from other houses, all of whom either volunteered to help at the infirmary during the battle or were saved there by Daphne, the way they saw it. Harry felt proud of Daphne for having helped students from all houses at that time.

Although Daphne's betrothal was not a secret, it was still news for some of the visitors. They talked about it, congratulated Daphne and even joked about the Gryffindor fire melting the Slytherin ice Queen. Daphne only laughed at that, not minding the teasing.

–..–

It was a very different atmosphere two days later, when the manor became the scene of Daphne's marriage to Lord Black.

There were many more guests, as expected, many of whom were political or business associates with Greengrass or merely considered important enough to be invited. A few also seemed quite unhappy about the union of the Greengrass heiress with The-Man-Who-Conquered, but nobody said anything negative.

Although it wasn't raining, the weather seemed colder than usual and quite windy with an overcast sky. The whole ceremony was held in a large tent that was erected especially for the occasion, with another, larger tent used for the feast.

Daphne was as elegant as possible in her white wedding dress. Harry thought she was almost as beautiful as Hermione. He was so captivated by the beauty of the bride and the matron of honour that he barely noticed anything else until the officiating wizard said, "You may kiss the bride now."

Much later, when they shook the hands of the visitors, he noticed Dudley, who joined the Grangers for coming to the wedding. The large boy seemed to find some interest in a large girl – Millicent. "I'm not sure I'm interesting enough for her, but I hope I am. I'd really like to get to better know her and possibly make a family with her," he told Harry.

"You know she's a witch, don't you?"

Dudley shrugged. "I no longer fear Magic or people who have it. She seems to have acted against her better judgment due to things out of her control, like a few others. I think she may prove to be a very nice girl if given a chance. I wish I could say I had similar reasons for my abysmal behaviour when younger."

"Well, you grew up. Still, don't you mind what your parents may say?" Harry asked.

Dudley chuckled. "It's too early to worry about that. Besides, I think Mum wouldn't mind too much. As for Dad… Well, it will be his problem if we ever reach that point."

Later, Harry asked Daphne, "Do you think my cousin has a chance with her?"

Daphne gave it some thought. "Millie was always very polite and quite frightened. I think her father used to beat her, or worse. She seemed relieved when she found out that her father died during the battle. She never subscribed to the pureblood bigotry, finding it illogical. She's also quite weak magically, so she may find it easier to live as a muggle. She didn't have any suitors until now, as far as I know, so she may welcome your cousin. We shall see in due time."

–..–

Daphne wanted to have her honeymoon at a nudist resort near the Mediterranean Sea. Harry obliged, of course. Daphne also insisted on taking Hermione along, except for the first night, that the newlywed spent in the penthouse of a London luxury hotel.

When Harry penetrated her for the first time, Daphne sighed contently. "Finally yours," she said. After having witnessed quite a few nights of love between Harry and Hermione, she was elated to finally take part in such a night. They both enjoyed it several times until they were too exhausted to continue and fell asleep, hugging each other.

Hermione joined them in the morning, gaining herself a session of "Good Morning sex" since Daphne was still a bit too sore for that. They then used a portkey to reach their destination.

A week later, when they returned to London, Harry felt sure that Daphne had also been impregnated. They had so much sex that week that he couldn't contemplate another option.

–..–

With school only days away, the new family made sure to shop for school soon after returning. Even Daphne needed some new books since many of the ones used under the control of Voldemort were useless. They also needed new uniforms and robes. Harry had grown quite a bit since his sixth year, but the girls also changed, even if not as much.

"We should also buy a few maternity clothes and also some bigger robes," Hermione reminded her co-wife. "Once our bellies grow, the normal uniform would no longer fit."

Daphne obliged. Although it was too early to be sure, she had a feeling she was also pregnant. Hermione seemed to have no doubt about it.

–..–

They met Ginny on the Hogwarts Express. "Where is Ron?" Harry asked her.

"He refused to come along. With Hermione married, he could no longer count on her help, and he didn't think he had a chance on his own. Nothing Mum said could persuade him."

"What does he intend to do, then?"

She shrugged. "He's probably going to help George at the shop, although Angelina seems to give him all the help he needs. I believe they're going to get married soon enough."

"How come you reached the train so early?" Hermione asked.

Ginny smiled apologetically. "I was made Head-Girl. I shouldn't come late, you know, and without Ron holding us back, I could come very early." Her expression changed. "I'm sorry you missed your chance to be Head Girl, but it's no longer for your class. You should have already graduated had there not been a war."

Hermione shrugged. "I have more important things in mind now." She caressed her belly, making Ginny aware of the baby bump.

"You're pregnant? Oh, that's wonderful!" Ginny said, hugging Hermione cautiously.

She turned to Harry. "Make sure to keep her safe, and don't let her overexert herself."

Harry chuckled. "Didn't I do it since I got to know her? Besides, I'll probably have to care for Daphne just the same."

Ginny glanced at the Slytherin. "Are you pregnant too?"

Daphne shrugged. "It's too early to be sure, but I think I am. It will take a few more days before we can be sure."

Ginny seemed not to know what to say. She stayed silent for a moment and then turned to Harry. "You know, I had some time to think while at home. It was much quieter than usual, you know. Anyway, I thought about how I want my life to turn out. Do I want to share my husband? It became clear to me that I don't. No matter who the other wives may be, really. I want my husband to be fully mine, not counting our children, of course, just as my husband would expect me to be fully his, not sharing with other men. That means that I can no longer consider marrying you. Even sharing with one is too much for me. Sharing with two… I simply can't do it. Sorry."

Harry smiled reassuringly at her. "Don't be. It was probably not meant to be. I checked at Gringotts after returning. There doesn't seem to be a need for me to have an additional wife, and I feel quite content with these two. I feel sure that you'll find your man soon enough."

Ginny smiled. "I hope you're right."