Author Note: I am sorry the updates have slowed down. Real world things are affecting the production schedule which is unavoidable. This chapter is a big one for plot and memory gains.
…...
December 27 1991 0800hrs
Morning shift at the Auror office in Diagon Alley was taking their seats. The men and women of the force laughing at stupid jokes, teasing each other on their uniform's or discussing various rumors and news they had read in the morning papers.
Sergeant MacDonald called everyone to attention when he entered the room to take his position at the lectern. "Good morning. First off I want to hope you all had a good holiday, those of you who managed the time off. Secondly we have some new business from the top."
Everyone sat up straighter ready to take notes at the tone in their leader's voice.
"Albus Dumbledore is now the subject of a arrest warrant. He is to be considered dangerous and should be approached carefully. Further there is now a warrant for Kingsley Shacklebolt. All Warrant cards and privileges have been revoked for these persons. They are wanted for multiple criminal acts against magicals and muggles both. Shacklebolt can dress, act and move among muggles like a native so be alert for that. Its doubtful either of them will be in our district but still if you see one of them call for backup immediately. Do not try to be a hero. Got it?"
Multiple calls of yes sir and got it rang out as they took their briefing papers and studied them.
"Okay, other than that we have mostly the same business. Pick-pockets are at work in the Alley. Several shopkeepers are saying there have been some sticky fingered youth wandering around as well. Keep an eye out. That is all."
As the auror constables gathered their equipment to begin their patrols they spared a few moments to wonder at how the mighty had fallen.
…...
Severus Snape entered the stately Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire curious at why Lucius wanted to see him.
"Ahh Severus. Thank you for coming." The tall blonde man said smoothly. Leading Severus into a sitting room.
"I did not have many other things to do. Although I am curious why you have invited me here." Snape said dryly, "We have never associated outside of our few common activities."
"No of course not. You and Lucius were always so different. From your proclivities to your desires." Lucius declared oily, "Not including at the least your social standings."
Snape raised his eyebrow studying the Malfoy standing before him. "Lucius?"
"Not entirely. Quirrel no longer served my needs and Lucius graciously volunteered his body for my use." Lucius said before his eyes glowed briefly red.
"My Lord?" Snape asked in surprise. He doubted Lucius Malfoy freely offered his body for this.
Laughing Voldemort nodded, "Yes. My most loyal and faithful servant. Let us not worry about Lucius. His wife is not concerned."
Snape swallowed as he nodded, "Yes my lord. What do you wish to know?"
"Give me an overview of what is going on. Lucius did not have all of the information I desired." the Dark Lord said.
"Ahh yes my lord. Potter is staying with the Grangers. As such Dumbledore made arrangements to impregnate the Granger mother with a clone of Potter's aunt. He still believes that the blood of Lily Potter is what empowered the rituals to protect the Potter child."
The Dark Lord chuckled darkly, "Ahh interesting. Apparently Albus is not as light as he likes to claim to be."
"Yes my lord. Albus also gave the Granger girl a necklace to encourage her to become more sexually active with Potter." Snape declared with even more distaste than usual.
The Dark Lord tilted his head in curiosity, "And why would he want that?"
"He believes that Potter and the girl share a soul-bound, one that requires the physical consummation to finalize." Snape stated with disgust.
The Dark Lord scowled deeply, "That explains a great deal. From what I observed during my time inhabiting Quirrel they do share some sort of link."
Snape nodded, "They are rather close indeed sir. Sickeningly so."
"Their bond must not be completed. It would cause him to grow too powerful." The Dark Lord observed.
"How do you wish me to accomplish that?" Snape requested.
"Kill the girl." The Dark Lord ordered casually.
"My Lord?" Snape asked in shock.
"Is my command unclear?" The Dark Lord sneered sarcastically. "Or are you just growing soft from being around these children so much?"
"No my lord. However she is a rather talented and powerful witch in her own right. Perhaps if she could be turned." Snape began to suggest.
"You have been given your instructions Snape. Just because she reminds you of your childish infatuation with another mudblood does not excuse you from following my orders." The Dark Lord intoned dangerously tersely.
Snape hung his head briefly before nodding, "Yes my lord. Is there anything else you wish of me?"
"No. Maintain your contact with Dumbledore but ensure that Potter does not form a bond with the girl." The Dark Lord ordered.
"By your command my lord." Snape intoned.
…...
Harry was sitting in the back seat of the Granger's Range Rover, Susan was on his right and Hermione was on his left. The three of them laughed about various things and sung along to the music Daniel played on the radio. Harry felt quite happy and part of the family.
Arriving at the Longbottom estate they parked and were welcomed by Neville himself.
"Hi guys. Luna and her dad are already here." Neville said leading them into the drawing room.
"Good. I can't wait to actually meet her." Harry laughed.
He had just finished saying that when a small blonde girl stepped forward and smiling hugged him tightly.
"Oh uh Hello." Harry said giving her an awkward hug back. "You must be Luna."
"Yes. Wow. You're both exactly like you described yourselves." Luna grinned.
"Uh thank you." Hermione said.
"Come along to the drawing room. Neville has some very excellent punch set aside for us." She said grabbing harry and Hermione by the hand and leading them. "I hope both of you like the gifts I made for you. Father says I'm not supposed to tell you what they are but you should be able to figure them out."
Harry felt very happy at how excited Luna seemed to be. Chattering on very animatedly about the Yule she and her father had. The first one since her mother had died they had celebrated. How their letters have helped her a great deal. How she was looking forward to going to Hogwarts with them.
…...
Amelia arrived at the Longbottom estate to find the adults sitting around talking in the drawing room while the children sat near the tree sorting out their gifts.
"Ahh Amelia. Glad of you to come." Augusta said by greeting. I'm sure you know almost everyone here."
"Yes." Amelia said nodding to Xenophilus and the Grangers. "Merry Christmas to all."
"Yes indeed. The children have been waiting for you to open their gifts." Augusta said, "I do believe they might not have made it much longer."
"Well I did bring a couple of gifts for Harry if you don't mind." Amelia said, "They are waiting outside."
Harry looked confused, "They?"
Augusta raised her eyebrow in a very McGonnagal way Harry briefly thought when he glanced at her.
"Yes, they. May I have your permission to bring them in Madam Longbottom?"
"I suppose."
Amelia nodded then stepped out. A moment later three people came into the room. A tall brown haired man with a thin mustache and thinner sweater, a tall dark haired female in a healer's uniform from Saint Mungo's and a tall man with long black hair pulled back and a goatee.
"Harry! Hello my boy! Man you look just like Jamie!" The tall black haired man exclaimed entering the room with a broad grin.
"Uh sir?" Harry replied standing up. Hermione grinned though, "Sirius Black!"
"Ahh you must be the psychic young lady I was told about."
Harry suddenly gasped as he realized this was his godfather, the man who was his father's blood brother. "Oh hello!"
"Oh hello. Remmie the boy is the master of understatement." Sirius said stepping forward to pick Harry up in a bear hug. Setting him down after a long moment.
Harry was grinning and trying not to cry, "You're my godfather."
"Yes I am and it seems that after you get out of school for the year your new landlord and guardian." Sirius grinned, "Assuming you want that."
Harry grinned wider if that was possible, "That would be wonderful."
"Good." Sirius declared.
"Perhaps you should introduce your other friends." Augusta suggested.
"Oh yeah. This is Remus Lupin. My best friend and this is Grace Henderson my handler from Saint Mungo's because this is my first field trip and mommy wants to make sure I behave myself." he quickly explained with a barking laugh.
"Mr Black is exaggerating my role greatly. Healer Masterson felt that the possibility of such an emotional first trip out might be a bit overwhelming." Nurse Henderson explained.
"I don't know why they are all treating me like I'm going to curl up and start howling at the moon when that's his job." Sirius wiggled his eyebrows as he shook his head towards Remus who merely rolled his eyes.
Harry chuckled, "I'm glad to see you both."
"Well we wanted to present to you a most interesting and useful token for your time at Hogwarts." Sirius declared seriously.
Hermione looked excitedly surprised, Sirius waggled his finger at her, "No peeking. Miss Seer you."
Hermione closed her mouth as Remus pulled a small flat package out of his pocket and formally presented it to Harry.
"Courtesy of Padfoot and Moony, surviving," Sirius' voice hitched slightly, "members of the Marauders we present this to you the rightful heir and bearer of this instrument."
Harry accepted the package and with several nods from the adults carefully unwrapped it. Finding a piece of folded old parchment he looked puzzled until Hermione's grin made him realize what he was holding. "The Marauder's Map? The one you and dad and." Harry paused at the painful look in Sirius' eyes. "Thank you."
"You are most assuredly welcome. Now let's watch you open up the rest of this as I did not exactly have time to stop by Harrods and order anything else for you." Sirius grinned sitting on the floor with the tweens.
"Is he alright?" Daniel asked Xeno.
Xeno looked at Daniel and said with a straight face, "He is as sane as I am."
Daniel said sotto voice to his wife as the long silvery white haired wizard went to sit with his daughter. The bright green, red and yellow tunic with tights and high boots making him stand out in a blizzard. "Why does that not entirely bring me tidings of comfort and joy."
Emma giggled slightly before singing, "Everyone is crazy except me and thee, and I wonder about thee..." kissing her husband she joined the others around the tweens.
Daniel sighed, shaking his head he looked ruefully at the gass of egg nog in his hand then with a shrug joined his wife in the circle.
…...
Things had been going well, the kids enjoying their gifts and playing a rather spirited game of exploding snap in the dining room when Xeno asked Amelia to step into the butler's pantry. Luna's friendship necklaces around Hermione and Harry's necks.
"Amelia. I figured out what those scratches were on that document you showed me."
"Oh what is it? A code?" Amelia asked hopefully.
"Its Ogham."
"Ogham?" Amelia frowned deep in thought, "That's an old form of writing?"
"Yep pictish. Very rare and very few people know it. But I managed to recognize it and translate after a bit of research. They were messages from Albus to the twins directing their actions. Having them keep Peter under control and to be there for when Harry came to Hogwarts."
Amelia scowled, "They were on Albus' payroll?"
"Oh yes. He let them get away with a great deal of shenanigans to keep them in his service."
"Great and now they have dropped off the face of the Earth. So questioning them is going to be problematic." She grumbled.
"Well if I can be of any more service." Xeno said with a shrug.
"Thank you Xeno. I'll let you know." Amelia sarcastically declared as she frowned at the thought of the twins right now.
…...
The redheads in question were sitting around a very long table that wrapped around the square with other members of the Red Thistle Gang. They had been there for several months now and had still not earned their new names Nor were they allowed outside of the Gray Havens as the neighborhood grotto was called.
The table was in the large plaza outside of the leader's house and all of the locals were seated around it sharing a Christmas meal. The largess of the Prince himself. The plaza had been enchanted with comfort charms to ensure the temperature was moderate and weather decent for the meal.
"So. This goes on every year?" George grinned.
"Yes. Nico makes sure that everyone under his protection shares in the comfort and joy of the season." Prudence passed a platter along allowing the twins to grab some of the potatoes on it. George had stopped wondering how the magical tattoos had grown along their arms. Runes kept being added to protect them from scrying, to block trackers, to help them with their ability to evade the trace. Although Fred declared the gang had to have some way to keep track of them, something Prudence would just smile mysteriously about and say nothing.
"Hopefully we will be of a higher rank?" Fred complained as he got the smallest piece of meat passed to him.
"Perhaps. It depends on your behavior and loyalty to Nico. You've managed to prove yourselves worthy of moving around our territory without a keeper." she said with a smile, "Don't make me regret recommending that."
"Thank you." George replied with a broad grin. Fred got a more calculating look.
"So what does that mean for us? Are we actual gang members?" Fred inquired.
"The jury is still out on that one kid," Prudence snickered, "We can tell you're skilled, and got some training beyond that Hogwarts gives out. But your attitude is just not quite there yet."
"Awe. Sorry bout that. I guess you'll just have to let me be on my way then?"
"What's out there that's so important?" Prudence demanded.
"Well the road, our own self-determination. You know. Just stuff like that." Fred sneered back, "I've got bigger plans than just being one little pawn in a common street gang."
"You still don't understand what the deal is do you?" Prudence shook her head, "You've been here four months and you've not learned a damn thing."
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I've heard the recruitment. This is our turf, our people. We take care of them they take care of us. The whole island of lost boys thing." Fred waved his hand dismissively.
Prudence just shook her head as George wondered what was going on with his brother.
…...
The tweens were sitting around relaxing and enjoying the evening. Hermione was looking through a book on the founders of Hogwarts Neville had given her. Sirius had been telling Harry a great many stories of his parents, mainly about how James had tried to gain Lily's attention and failed.
"And then he had to chase his trousers down the corridor with his shoes stuck on his hands." Sirius barked in amusement while Remus shook his head.
"Lily eventually did forgive him for the prank and restored him." Remus explained, "Although it was late in the afternoon."
"Wow. It almost sounds like mum hated dad so long."
Sirius shook his head, "Oh no. She just wanted him to get a bit more mature and prove himself worth her time. She was very choosy about her favors."
"In other words she decided that James would mature and Sirius wouldn't." Remus translated.
Hermione suddenly gasped causing everyone to look at her in surprise. Amelia and Xeno both looked expectantly at her.
"Something wrong pumpkin?" her dad asked.
"I know where two of the things are!" Hermione exclaimed.
"The things?" Emma asked in confusion.
"The things. The anchor things." Hermione repeated. "One is in Kreacher's nest. Whatever a Kreacher is. The other is in Bellatrix's vault. Its the Locket and the Cup, Chalice. That!"
Sirius looked at Amelia who had whipped out a notebook and was writing furiously as Hermione talked.
"The last one is in the school. Its Ravenclaw's Diadem. Its in the. The room. The room that doesn't exist." She bit her lip as she looked like she was getting ready to cry. Harry reached over and began to rub her back comforting her.
"That's very good Miss Granger. You've done very well." Amelia said softly.
Luna looked at Hermione in amazement, "You had a vision?"
"Uh yeah. It happens sometimes." Hermione said uncertainly with the flash of a weak smile.
"Wow." Luna said awestruck.
"So what about my annoying and impertinent house elf and my cousin's vault?" Sirius inquired politely. An amused grin crinkling the corner of his eyes.
"In Bellatrix's vault is an important item in the battle against You-know-who." Amelia replied, "It is the Cup that belonged to Helga Hufflepuff. Please tell me you still possess the item."
"Yeah. I had the Goblins audit the thing and give me a complete list of all the stuff she had dumped in there. She had quite the collection of nastiness. I hadn't gotten around to figuring out what I was going to do with all of it." Sirius huffed, "And the other thing?"
"The Locket of Slytherin. Your house elf has it." Hermione said with some more self-assurance. "Or at least its in the house somewhere. Your, brother? Had stolen it from You-know-who."
"Reggie did that did he?" Sirius rubbed his chin in thought. "Not what I would have expected."
"I don't know why but your elf. He's important in this and you need to be nice to him." Hermione scowled, "He just needs to be understood."
"He just needs to be." Sirius began before Remus cleared his throat emphatically, "understood. Got it."
"We can go to your house and the bank tomorrow. But I must reiterate anything she has revealed or that you have heard tonight falls under the Ministry secrets act." Amelia stated. She was looking at Xeno who smiled beatifically at her.
"Oh I completely understand Madam Bones. Anything to take him out." Sirius assured her.
"And the diadem. The room that doesn't exist in the castle?" Remus asked, "I am not aware of anything like that."
"Its called he come and go room. Also known as the Room of Requirement." Xeno said with a smile.
"And how do you know that?" Sirius scowled at the blonde man.
"Ahh you see. I'm a Ravenclaw. That's what we do. We know things." Xeno said with a wink.
"Well we have no idea what is going on." Daniel said with a frown, "And we would like to know more about it if our daughter is going to be involved."
"You're not going to take me away from all of this dad. I have to be involved. Its important." She declared grabbing Harry's hand. "I won't let you take me away."
"Hermione dear. I've already been impregnated against my consent, we have spent the evening listening to Mr Black talk about Harry's parents and their fight against someone named you-know-who. Someone that apparently murdered a lot of people. In the past. Yet you are all acting like he is still a threat. On top of the Dumbledore person who did this to me." Hermione's mother firmly stated, "We want to know what is going on and what the threats are. When we know that we will make a decision if we will stay here or if we will leave."
"Dad! Make mum understand I don't want to go. I can't go. Its important!" Hermione begged her father.
"Hermione. We have to think of your safety and if there is going to be a threat to you we want to prevent that. Maybe there is that French school you could go to. Maybe Harry could come and visit if he couldn't come with us." Daniel said with a hopeful smile.
"NO! I will not leave Harry alone!" Hermione shrieked loud enough several glass objects shattered and a strange wind howled through the room. She stood up with her hair whipping in the maelstrom around her. Harry was pulled to his feet alongside her. A strange greenish blue glow emanated from her eyes as her voice took on a reverberating tone.
"I burned the sun to send this information back to save Harry. To save us. I cannot and will not allow anything to stand in the way of that sacrifice!" Hermione dictated to everyone in the room.
All of the adults looked shocked at her while Harry wondered what exactly was going on as he felt an electric charge running along his arm into his chest. The next thing he knew the lights went out.
…...
"Leader! There has been a Power Level 3 magical flare in Cornwall!" one of the observation technicians cried out as a map illuminated with a red dot.
The Leader turned on their dais, "Clarify! Threat level, Location."
The tech waved their hands over the crystals causing the map to close in and rectify the image. "Longbottom estate, threat level is low. Muggles on scene but authorized."
"Clarify, the source of the flare." the leader frowned behind their mask. They had a very strong suspicion as to the source already.
The tech nodded as more crystals were touched and levers pulled. Eventually a complicated sine wave began to be modulated on one screen, "Magical signature on file. Hermione Granger. Harry Potter. Soul connection becoming stronger."
"Contact 47. Have them report to the Longbottom estate to observe the situation. I want information!"
"By your command." the technician replied touching the appropriate medallion on their communication panel.
…...
"How are they?" Emma worriedly demanded of the healer as they walked out of the bedroom Harry and Hermione had been placed into.
"They are sleeping right now. They'll be okay I think." Healer Bricker said while madam Pomfrey nodded.
"And did you get their hands unstuck?" Sirius asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. When they finally relaxed their hands became separated. Although trying to move them too far apart caused a rather interesting light show and Mr Potter was drawn back to her like an iron filing." Bricker said shaking her head.
"What the hell was all of that about?" Daniel growled, "And don't give me that it was just a normal magical thing. I want an explanation I can understand."
Madam Bones sighed, "As Madam Longbottom and Nurse Henderson are chaperoning our youthful charges perhaps we should retire to the drawing room. What we have to explain is complicated."
Daniel looked at his wife who nodded and said, "Fine. We expect you to do your best to dumb it down for us mere mortals."
Madam Bones pursed her lips. She was not thrilled about this but the Grangers were not going to be easily persuaded to cooperate without an explanation. Sirius and Lupin both gazed at her expectantly. At least they were veterans of the previous war so would understand security considerations.
Xeno took the lead though by saying, "Ahh. Mr Granger you are about to dive into a very deep ocean of secrets that go back a very,very, long time. Tendrils of conspiracies that permeate every aspect of your world. Are you ready to swim in this ocean knowing that you can never go back? That your entire understanding of the world will be shattered?"
Daniel gulped a small bit but nodded, "Aside from that sounding a bit melodramatic, WE are NOT going to be scared off from knowing what is going on with our daughter and why her involvement with Harry and the school caused this reaction." Emma firmly nodded her agreement with her husband.
Xeno smiled at Amelia before turning his Mephistophelean gaze on the Grangers, "Ahh yes. Then let us rip the bandages off and reveal the true horrors of the world you live in?" He then laughed maniacally as they moved into the drawing room.
Amelia was not sure if she was going to kill Xeno or congratulate him. She wondered if she could do both at the same time.
…...
#47 had arrived at the Longbottom estate and moved quietly through the servants entry. Passing unnoticed by the elves going about their tasks due to the ancient magics in their uniform. As far as the mortal world was concerned they did not exist. They were a quiet, hole in reality.
Reaching the room with the Granger girl and Potter in it they slid inside. Finding the two children lying fully clothed in the same bed they did not think that the flare was from them consummating their bond. They still had to check. Finding them both virginal still they sighed in relief.
Studying them #47 saw that the two were laying on their back asleep, the only physical contact between them was their hands. His laying on top of hers with the fingers gently intertwined.
The level of magic running between them was only barely elevated above the normal levels though #47 found. If their bond had grown stronger there was very little evidence of it. At least not in their power levels. Changing the scanner settings #47 tilted their head at the finds revealed.
Their biorhythms had synchronized. Mental and emotional reinforcement feedback cycles stabilized with each other's energies. Physical energies though still showed what was expected for their age.
#47 thought for a moment. Studying the results and wondered if their bond had reached its final stage or if this was just one more step in growing closer. They had seen many adult lovers who had been together for decades whose biorhythms were not as synchronized as theirs were now. They did not know what their mental and emotional state would be when they woke up but it was obvious they could not be unwillingly separated. #47 though wondered if they could be separated at all. They cursed softly as the rarity of a true soul-bond had them operating in the dark far too much. One reason the department was so interested.
As they scanned Potter #47 noticed a blip, a weak and strange blip in the biorhythm of his psyche. A blip that was being muted and encapsulated it almost seemed like by the energies coming from Granger. She was helping to contain and reinforce the protections Lily had given him. The love of the two females were holding the evil away. The pure and innocent love of Granger coupled with the powerful maternal energies coursed through him in such a subtle and yet complete way that 47 wondered if the darkness would be able to touch him at all. To bear to be around him.
What was even more interesting to 47 was that the maternal energies had begun to encircle and flow over the Hermione girl. The same protections Harry was receiving from the actions of Lily Potter would soon be protecting Hermione. The power of love indeed.
Shutting their scanner 47 withdrew from the room, heading for the drawing room. Satisfied they did not appear to be on course to become lovers anytime soon.
The adults were listening to Amelia and Xeno, with input from Sirius and Remus, describe the previous war, the magical world and a great many things. Finally the Grangers seemed to have heard enough and Daniel held his hands up.
"Okay. That does it. We are not happy with the idea of our daughter becoming some kind of child soldier in your crazy little war. I had no idea things were so messed up but now that I do we are leaving."
#47 shook their head and dropped their stealth field, "I am afraid you cannot do that Daniel Claudius Granger. Your daughter has a destiny that is shared with Harry Potter's."
Bricker leapt from the chair he was sitting in as #47 had been standing directly behind him. "DO NOT EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" he screamed.
#47 looked at the wands pointed at them by Sirius, Remus, and Amelia. "Please put your wands away. I am not a threat."
"You just snuck in here and told me I cannot take my daughter away from this madhouse." Daniel testily declared holding the nearest candlestick like a club. "That constitutes a threat in my world."
"Correct. However two things, First: she will not become a child soldier. Madam Bones and her conspiracy will prevent that from happening. Secondly: You are not in your world." 47 declared, ominously.
Daniel shook his head, "Fine. Then we'll just take our daughter and go back to our world."
" I am sorry but there are factors that you do not understand nor know about. They have a part to play in the final defeat of the Dark Lord. All of them." 47 stated pointing at the doors to the drawing room which flew open to reveal Susan, Neville and Luna who had been listening. "The story is not yet finished being written."
Amelia glared at her niece who smiled awkwardly, "Hi. Would you believe we got lost on the way to the kitchen to get some soda?"
Xeno chuckled as Luna shrugged and joined them. "My little moonbeam how much did all of you hear?"
"A great deal of it." Luna turned to 47, "Are you an unspeakable?"
"Yes I am." 47 said quietly. They still did not know if this child possessed the same seer powers as her mother so 47 would be polite and careful around her.
"Okay. So the spooks in the department are involved. Why now? Why not last time?" Sirius growled.
"Last time there was not a class 5 temporal incursion." 47 stated flatly.
"Class 5 hunh? Wow. That means what?" Sirius huffed.
"That means a great deal." 47 replied, "A class 5 is the most powerful recorded. Only twice before has an incursion of this level been recorded. Both times the subject that was the focus of the incursion had their brains melted."
"And Hermione survived that?" Emma gasped.
"Yes. We are not certain however the theory is that she managed to align her mental energies into a sympathetic echo that softened the blow."
"So what was that earlier?" Bricker asked.
"That was a class 3 power flare. Their biorhythms have synchronized in a way that is reinforcing Mr Potter's mother's protection over him. Her pure and innocent love is enhancing the maternal protections, protections which are flowing into and through her as well."
Sirius laughed heartily causing everyone to look at him worriedly. "What? Lily knows the girl is meant to be with Harry. I still say we ought to work on that betrothal agreement Dan."
Daniel scowled, "I am beyond confused and concerned right now. So this biorhythm stuff. They are going to be okay with it?"
"Yes dad. We will be fine." Hermione said walking into the room yawning with Harry walking behind her grinning awkwardly at everyone.
"Ahh sleeping beauty is awake." Sirius chuckled causing Hermione to give him a side-eyed glare.
Bricker and Poppy both ran their wands over Hermione.
"I'm still a virgin. I told you we. Are. Going. to. Wait." She declared in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Yes well." Bricker said with a smile as Harry stood beside Hermione. "So how do you feel?"
"Okay. We don't really feel any different." Harry said, "At least I don't."
"I don't either. And no harry and I are not reading each other's thoughts. We are not feeling what the other feels and no I do not feel an overwhelming urge to jump his bones." Hermione said looking straight at 47.
"Very well. Do you have any more of her memories." 47 inquired.
Hermione frowned, "Not really. I remember Harry telling me about a room. A big arch with lacy, gently, wafting curtains covering the opening. Sirius going through it. Harry almost following him. The pain and anguish in his voice when he told me that. The worry because I was laying in a hospital bed recovering from a spell that had almost killed me."
"You're not exactly making me feel better." Daniel set the candlestick down and crossed his arms.
"I know dad. But listen to me. Harry and I have a second chance to put right everything that went wrong. We are going to fix the problems, we already have, the problems in this world with the help of responsible adults. This is the power he knows not in the prophecy harry has." She said taking Harry's hand. "I know it doesn't make sense to you dad. I know you're scared for me. But between the people who want to help, our own training and powers we will be alright."
Emma put her hand on her husband's arm, "We said we would trust her."
"I know. I know." Daniel said looking around, "She gets hurt, or worse, and I will find a way to end you. All of you."
Sirius stood up and held his hand out, "Daniel Granger I will swear a blood oath to be the first to go if that happens."
"Now who's being melodramatic." Xeno muttered.
"I don't think it will need to come to that." Hermione said biting her lip, "However I do think that a betrothal agreement would be a good idea for Harry and I."
Sirius and Dan both turned to look at her. "And why would I want to sign some archaic thing like that?" Her father demanded.
"Because it would give us legal protections should anyone decide to love potion either of us, or otherwise interfere in our relationship." Hermione declared.
Sirius stuck his tongue in his cheek while thinking, "And how do you know about them?"
"Well the future me had a lot of good friends who were willing to help her." Hermione said looking at Susan, Luna and Neville.
"Well Dan. Looks like destiny has her way in the end after all." Sirius said with a wink at 47.
47 stared back impassively, standing unmoving in the corner.
"You do realize that when this gets published there might be rumors about your purity?" Augusta pointed out.
Hermione scoffed, "I'm not worried about that."
Emma cleared her throat, "There is one party that we have not heard from. Harry? How do you feel about this?"
Harry smiled at Hermione before looking around at everyone and saying, "I like the idea. I can't really think of anyone I'd rather spend my life with."
"Still you might want to make sure there are exit clauses and such in there if they do change their minds." Emma instructed Sirius and her husband.
Amelia smiling said, "We can hammer something out that will protect them both but be easily nullified should they turn out not to have a bond or things change in the future."
Sirius shrugged, "Sure. Fine by me."
Daniel looked at his wife and said with a resigned sigh, "Yeah sure why not. In for a penny in for a pound. Especially since they have a destiny."
Xeno chuckled, "Ahh that's the spirit."
…...
47 had taken Bricker back to his apartment after the chaos at the Longbottom estate had calmed down. The children getting put to their beds and the adults going to theirs. The Grangers would be meeting with Sirius and the Goblins at the bank the day after tomorrow to draw up the betrothal agreement.
"So. I could have flooed home by myself. I haven't had that much to drink." Bricker tried to joke looking into the mirrored mask of the unspeakable.
"You are correct. However I wanted to let you know that tonight's power surge was felt by the Ministry. This means the other forces involved may have noticed it as well." 47 stated.
"Dumbledore and You-know-Who, why didn't you mention this there?" Bricker demanded, "I would think they should be made aware of that."
"I am not authorized to reveal this information except to specific people. You are one of the few I am authorized to discus it with."
"Oh lucky me." Bricker quipped as he made his way to the liquor cabinet.
"You know for a healer on call you certainly drink a lot." 47 observed in their monotone.
"Yeah well that's what sobriety potions are for." Bricker countered. "So what do you think Albus or the other side will do?"
"There is some debate about that. However it is entirely likely their threat level has increased." 47 declared.
"Great news." Bricker pull ed a bottle of wine out then after glancing at the unspeakable set it back in the cabinet. "I don't suppose there is anything we can do."
"Observe, protect, and allow fate to follow its proper course."
"Okay. Wonderful idea." Bricker stood staring as his voice fell silent.
"Good night Adam Bricker." 47 stated turning to leave.
"Hey. Under that suit. Are you male or female?" Bricker inquired suddenly.
47 turned and the body language Bricker thought was that of someone who was amused. "What does it matter?"
"Oh. Well. Uh. I was just curious. I mean do you have a life outside of being an unspeakable?" he asked.
"Seeking wife number four?" #47 asked with a slight humor to their magically scrambled voice.
"Uh. No. Not really. Sorry. Maybe I did have a bit too much wine tonight." Bricker said shaking his head. "Goodnight 47."
47 nodded then vanished.
Bricker sighed as he sat on his couch wondering why he had asked that himself.
…...
George woke up hearing someone moving around in the room he shared with his brother. He sat up groggily as he had enjoyed the party after the feast earlier. Several mugs of rum punch and dancing with almost as many girls had made his head ache.
He looked around and saw his brother sliding the last of his things into a backpack. "What're you doing? Its 2 o'clock in the morning."
"I'm getting out of here. I got places I need to go." Fred declared angrily. "I've wasted too much time here being her stupid pet kitten."
"Like where? Mum and dad wanted us to get serious and grow up to be some boring adults. Here we can be real life bandits!" George laughed, "I mean we never had a party like tonight at the castle or the Burrow."
"I don't care. I need to get out of here." Fred shouldered the backpack.
"Without me?" George flung his comforter off to stand facing his brother. "You're going to leave without me?"
"It's okay Georgie. I have to go." Fred said urgently, "I need to get back to Albus and let him know what's been going on. I promise I'll come back for you."
"Albus? Since when did you get on first name terms with Dumbledore?" George was confused. He knew his brother had been sent to the headmaster's office several times over the last two years but he thought that was for punishment and remedial education.
Fred chuckled with a vacant smile, "Oh we're on more than first names, he loves me. He said I'm one of the best pupils he's ever had."
George raised his eyebrows as he stared at Fred mouth agape, "What? He actually said that?"
"Yeah. How do you think I learned so much? Between him and Peter. I've been taught so much. Learned so many different skills. Its all so easy when you get in the right frame of mind." Fred enthusiastically declared. "You could come with me. I'm sure Albus would be willing to teach you too."
"Wait. Peter? As in Pettigrew? The rat death eater guy?" George scowled at his brother.
Fred shrugged, "Yeah. So what? Albus knew about it. He knew and as long as I told him what Peter and I did he would let you and I get away with anything we wanted in the castle. By Merlin's beard we could have done anything we wanted and he would take care of. Anything Georgie!"
George picked his wand up off the nightstand, "Anything? You didn't let him do something to Ginny did you?"
"No of course not. He didn't like girls. Nobody touched Ginny." Fred shrugged. "They didn't need to."
George shook his head to try and understand what his brother was saying, "Wait. You let them. With you?"
"Well Albus did it because he loves me. And Peter was my friend. He was one of the Marauders. One of our heroes." Fred smiled radiantly, "Can't you see why I want out of here? Albus made me his apprentice. We bonded. So I have to get back to him."
George lowered his wand, "Goodbye brother. I'm staying."
Fred nodded, stepping close to his brother he hugged him. Kissing him gently on the forehead he whispered, "I'll miss you."
"All you'll have to do is look in the mirror." George quipped.
"Yeah. Take care." Fred was fighting back tears, "But I better go now."
George nodded sadly, feeling like his shadow was tearing away from himself, but he knew it was going to happen someday.
Watching Fred slip out of the room George sat down, his tears falling softly on the floor as he hung his head.
…...
Fred had managed to exit the enclave without attracting any attention he thought. Picking a direction he began to move through the neighborhood streets. He knew Hogwarts and Hogsmeade was only about a day away from Edinburgh so he was almost back to Albus.
Reaching the edge of the Red Thistle territory he paused. Supposedly the trackers were disabled on him but he had no real idea. The damn magical tattoos covering his wand hand and arm had grown and changed almost of their own free will it had seemed like. He was marked and hoped Albus could do something about them. He knew Albus would take care of him. He loved him after all."
…...
Albus Dumbledore heard about the Power Surge. The Ministry magic detector in Ottery had flared causing them to send an alert to the Aurors and the DMLE, which let him get the information. Shacklebolt had not been his only friend in the agency.
A brief investigation had turned up that the flare had been from the Longbottom estate and that the Department of Mysteries had become involved. Which to Albus meant one thing. Harry and Hermione had finally consummated their magical bond. Their power levels would be increased a thousand fold from what his research had shown him. Harry should be able to easily vanquish Tom and his followers completely now.
He would need to visit Molly and let her know Ginny would need to find another subject for her crush. Harry Potter was well and truly taken now.
…...
Review Responses
At-nightfall: Oh yeah. A lot of the historical nobles and elites had a very lovely time keeping it in the family. Some of the Appalachian kinfolk are closer kin than folk too. And I only know about the high houses and such over there from Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs and what I've read. I try to do reasonably well in representing things properly but admit I don't always.
Voldiesbedroomslippers: Thank you. I am trying to do keep it interesting.
Unipac: I may slip some in. She is still working on remembering things and is focused on the efforts to save Harry and end the Voldemort issue as quickly as possible so may mention more casual things later like pop-culture.
Old-crow: Thank you sir. Your kind words are much appreciated and I am glad you are enjoying.
Vance-McGill: Glad to be able to throw a few surprises out there still. And as for Draco never hearing about the Dagworth-Grangers some families do disavow the existence of others, as wella s Draco may be a snob but that does not mean he is an all knowing snob. Maybe the D-G family line was a blood traitor or a muggle-loving like the Weasleys so the Malfoys do not discus them. As they are not the proper sort of family to mention...
Anonymous6364: Thank you. I am not perfect and do try.
SSSra: Thank you.
Moriganamarie: Thank you and I am trying to get more written. Just life happens. And yes Dumbledore is nasty. We shall see more later on him.