Disclaimer: I own nothing. Thank you J.K. Rowling for creating this magical world for us to play in.

A/n: Thank you all for your support! Never in a million years did I think that this story would take off the way it has. I hope you all enjoy this next installment.

Chapter 3
"Normal Speech"
Thoughts
'Mental Conversations'

For what seemed like forever, Harry and Hermione just looked deep into each other's eyes, as if they were the last two people on earth and time was standing still. "Well, I didn't expect that to happen," said Sirius who was the first person to recover from the scene.

The one comment was all that was needed for Madame Pomfrey to collect herself, and race over to their side. "Before you go anywhere, I just need to run a couple of tests. This should only take a moment. Minerva, if you be so kind as to pour Remus and Sirius a large dram please." With a silent nod, Minerva walked off. As they were waiting for the final results, two owls flew in and dropped four envelopes onto the table. "All I ask is for you two to wait just a moment longer to open those." As soon as Pomfrey spoke, a small ding was heard. "Well, that was quick. Ok you two, if you would please open your letters. I believe that will be the confirmation for me."

All Hermione and Harry could do were shrug their shoulders and reach for the letters. They noticed that one was from the Ministry and the other was from Gringotts. "Let's look at the letter from the ministry first," Harry said while putting the other letter on his lap.

Dear Lord Potter,

On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I wish to congratulate you on your soul bond to Hermione Potter nee Granger. What this means is that in the eyes of Magic, you are married. Please come in so that we may remove the trace on both yours and Lady Potter's wands. As of this moment you are both emancipated. For more information, please read the attached book, "Bonded for Life."

Congratulations again on your Soul Bond and marriage,

Matilda Borral.

"What does the other letter say Harry?" asked Hermione.

Dear Lord and Lady Potter,

We at Gringotts would like to formally acknowledge your soul bond. We wish to inform you that due to the nature of your soul bond, you are both now considered of age in Goblin territory and in the eyes of the wizarding world. Please come at your earliest convenience to meet with the Potter Account Manager so as to discuss your inheritance.

Sincerely,

Ragnok the First

Director of Gringotts, and Leader of the Nation.

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. "What does all this mean?" was all Harry could ask.

"I believe I should be the one to explain that," Minerva said in answer to Harry's question. "Soul bonds are incredibly rare and extremely special. These types of bonds are unique. As far as documented cases, the last one was almost a thousand years ago. Soul Bonding is acknowledged by the magical authorities as a complete legal bond. Also, you may experience a significate increase in both of your magical cores."

"So basically, you are telling me that I am married to Hermione?" Harry asked, still in shock.

While Hermione sat there trying to sort out what she just heard, she had a sharp pain rip through her head when she tried to tilt it to the side. "Ahh, shite that hurts!"

Harry gently took Hermione his arms, putting her head on his chest. "Love, what do you remember from before you got here?"

"Harry, don't you think it would be better to wait to discuss the day's events till she is feeling better?" said Remus.

"No, if we wait, Mione will be pissed. And I don't know about you, but I do not want to have that happen. Mione, take your time, but what do you remember?" Harry gently urged.

"I..I…remember... Sssiting out in the backyard under an old tree reading. Then, I heard a loud boom. One minute I was sitting there, and the next I was laying on the ground and… OH MY GOD HARRY! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PARENTS?" Hermione tried to jump up, but Harry held her tight. "Harry, let me go! I have to go find them!"

"Hermione, what I have to tell you is not easy. There was an explosion at your house. There is nothing left. I'm so sorry." Remus said with a look of sorrow on his face.

"They… They can't be gone," was all Hermione could get out as she broke down and cried while holding on to Harry for dear life as he spoke in soothing tones to her.

"I am so sorry love. Let it out sweetheart. I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere. Mione, look at me." Harry took his free hand and carefully tilted her head up, "You will stay with me. We are married now if you'll have me. I will care for you. What's mine is yours."

"Do you mean that Harry? Of course, I want to be your wife, I have loved you since our first year." Hermione replied in between her sniffles.

"Well, that settles it then," Harry said with a soft and warm smile on his face. Turning to McGonagall, he said, "Professor since we are married, is there any way we could use the married quarters for this year?"

"Of course Mr. Potter. If you or Lady Potter need anything, all you need to do is ask. Hermione dear, I am so sorry about your parents" replied Minerva in a soft voice.

"Now, if I may interrupt, Lord and Lady Potter, you must keep in contact for the next 12 hours. The injuries you sustained Hermione seemed to have healed from the bond. However, I did notice that both of you have at least half of your magical cores are blocked. I can't do anything about that here. Since you are going to Gringotts tomorrow, I would recommend having the goblin healers take a look at you and see if they can help you," Madame Pomfrey stated.

"Ok, now that everything is all sorted, can someone tell us why we are here and what is doing on please?" asked Harry

"I can answer that Pup," said Sirius. "Recently Remus and I found out that Dumbledore is hiding something very dark from us. I overheard him one night talking with Molly Weasley about what is to come. The short version, he is the reason I was locked away without the key. From what I heard, Molly was worried that Harry was too interested in Hermione, and not paying enough attention to Ginny. They plan on starting to potioning you both. Harry's will be keyed to Ginny, and Hermione's would be keyed towards Ron."

"That Son of A Bitch!" screamed Hermione

"Mione!"

"Sorry Harry," Hermione replied and attempted to appear meek.

"Don't worry about it love" chuckled Harry. "So, what are we going to do?"

Sirius spoke first, "We are going to turn the tables on them. I will have my revenge for those 12 years of my life that he stole from me. The first thing we have to do is get my name cleared."

"Mister Potter, can I ask you a question?" Poppy asked.

"Of course Madame Pomfrey. I'm sure we know each other well enough by now." Harry replied with a smirk.

"You are so much like your father. He was a cheeky wizard too. I need to ask this question, and I would like you to answer me honestly. Do you understand?" Harry nodded his head, yes, but the look in his eyes was that of pure terror. "What was your life like while at the Dursley's?"

Harry sudden stiffened. What do I tell them? Do I tell them the truth?

"Harry, I know this is hard. But you know you can trust us." Poppy said a gently as possible. She had her suspicions and knew that this was going to be an incredibly difficult situation for Harry.

Finding his inner Gryffindor, Harry finally said, "From when I was four years old, I'd have chores to do around the house and the yard. As soon as I could reach the stove I had to cook every meal. If I burned anything, I was beaten. If they felt I did not accomplish everything or messed up, I was either starved or sleep deprived. I thought my name was freak until I was six. That was when I went to school. I only found out when my birthday was when I turned seven and Uncle Vernon hit me with a belt." Harry thought it was going to be hard to tell everyone what really happened to him growing up, but the longer he spoke, the easier it was to open up. And it also helped that he had Hermione wrapped up tightly in his arms.

All of a sudden Harry looked up when he heard a glass break. If fire could come out of Professor McGonagall's eyes, they would. "I told him they were horrible muggles. But did he listen? All he would say it was for the Greater Good. Bahh, what a load of dragon shite. Do you know Harry that every Halloween I would ask him how you were faring? Do you know what the bastard told me? That all was well and you were loved. Delusional old coot!"

You could almost see the fire coming from Minerva. No one has ever seen her this upset. In a bout of accidental Magic, the house started to shake. Once Minerva managed to calm down, and the house stopped shaking, everyone looked over to Harry and Hermione and saw that both of them were crying and clinging to each other.

" Don't worry pup, you will never have to go back to them again" explained Sirius as get got up and put a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "Why don't we leave you two alone for a few minutes to catch your breath." As all the adults nodded their heads and started to walk out, Minerva turned about and said, "Harry, Hermione, if either of you need anything at all, even if it is just an ear or shoulder, know that I'm here for you."

As she turned to go, she suddenly heard Harry quietly say, "Professor, before you leave I have a message for you. I had a visit from my mum while I was passed out. She asked me to tell you to check the holes in your memory. Madame Pomfrey's too." As Minerva stood there for a moment with a puzzled expression on her face, she suddenly had several flashbacks causing her to stumble. "We need a hand in here!" yelled Harry as he was grabbing her elbow to help steady her.

At that moment Poppy, Remus, and Sirius came running into the room. "What happened Minerva," Poppy asked as she was getting ready to do a diagnostic charm but was quickly waved off.

"Before Professor McGonagall explains, Madame Pomfrey would you be able to do me a favor?" Harry asked.

"Of course Mister Potter." Poppy replied, slightly confused.

"Can you please check the holes in your memory for me?"

"Why would I have to check…" was all Madame Pomfrey managed to say before the same thing happened to her. "That bastard! I'll choke him with his beard the old coot!"

"Hey cub, could you tell us what happened just now?" asked Remus.

Before Harry could tell them about his visit from his mother Minerva spoke up. "I'll tell you what happened. Dumbledore has been wiping our memories! Every Halloween I would go and check on Harry and then report my findings back to the bastard. He would obliviate me and implant a different memory. Then, when Harry started at Hogwarts, I would go to him with my concerns about the condition he would come to us in, and he would do the same thing!"

Both Remus and Sirius just sat there in utter shock from what they were hearing. Poppy finally managed to pull herself together and added, "Whenever Mister Potter would come into the hospital wing, which we all know is much too often, I would do a complete scan and kept meticulous records. I too would go to Dumbledore with the results and then try to get in touch with Amelia Bones since she is the head of the DMLE. That senile old bastard would do the same thing to me and would also take any records I had."

At that moment, Dippy popped back in with a tray full whiskey and fresh tea. "I'm sorry kids, this is not how this was supposed to be. It looks like we have to contact Amelia with these new findings" said Remus.

"But Remus," said Hermione who finally was able to join the conversation, "what about Sirius? He is still wanted. Won't she try to arrest him?"

Sirius chuckled, "Amelia may always do things by the book, but she will at least listen to what we have to say before trying to arrest me." Everyone in that room knew that Amelia Bones was someone you didn't mess with. Yes, she was fair, but she follows the law to the letter.

"Well, I don't really see any other choice in the matter" explained Minerva after taking a healthy swig of whiskey. "Ok, this is what we will do. Remus, since you are the only other person who can invite Amelia here, you will have to open the floo for her. Sirius, you will have to stay hidden for now until we can manage to get her to agree to not arrest you on the spot. Harry, Hermione, I want you both to take a sip of this whiskey, a SIP mind you, to help calm your nerves. Try to act like Sirius isn't here."

Both Harry and Hermione snorted and Harry replied, "Like that will be hard. Professor, you do realize who you are talking to right?"

That at least brought a small smile to her face. "Right…. what are we waiting for? Off with you now." And with that, everyone went to their places. Sirius disillusioned himself and went to hide in the other room so he could hear what was happening. Dippy popped in and cleaned up, both Harry and Hermione took their swigs and made a slight face before heading back to the enlarged sofa. Poppy stayed where she was since she didn't have to move.

With a final look around, Remus asked "Everyone in their places?" Not waiting for an answer, he took a hand full of floo powder and threw it into the fire and called for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. "Ah Madame Bones, I am glad that I caught you. Is there a chance you could step through for a moment? I have several things that need to be discussed with you."

"Of course Remus, I'll come through right away." Remus took a step back and a quick glance around to make sure that Sirius didn't decide to change his mind about staying hidden. A quick glance was all he could manage before Amelia Bones was stepping through the fireplace. "Remus, what seems to be the… Oh Minerva, Poppy, I didn't know you were here as well. What seems to be the trouble?"

"Why don't you come have a seat. We have quite a few things to discuss with you. Harry, Hermione," called Minerva, "why don't you two come closer. This way we don't have to shout." Just as soon as Minerva finished speaking did a smaller sofa popped for them.

"Mister Potter, Miss Granger, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"Actually Madame Bones, its Lady Potter now," Hermione replied as they settled on the love seat.

"How? When did," was all Madame Bones managed to get out before Hermione continued. "Actually, as of about an hour or so ago. We apparently have soul bonded."

"Really? Well then, congratulations are in order. Now, you both seem a little young to be married, but the magic never lies. I take it from the looks on your face that this is not the reason why you have asked me to come today."

"No, unfortunately, it's not," was all Hermione could say before breaking down into tears again.

"Oh dear, have I said something wrong?" Amelia asked looking over at the adults sitting next to her.

"No Amelia, I will explain everything. I swear it. I guess we should start from the beginning. Hmm, but which beginning to start with. Ouch!" Screamed Remus. "Sorry, must have been a flea," he explained while looking around. "Lets us start with the topic of Sirius Black." Amelia immediately tensed and look at the ready. "Amelia, I need you to trust me and keep an open mind. You have known me for a very long time and know that I would never do anything that would put those two in any danger. You also know that neither would Poppy or Minerva."

There was a long awkward pause before Amelia replied as she was starting to put her wand down, "Very well Remus. What about Mr. Black?"

As if that was his cue, Sirius walked in and said, "Well Amy, since you…"

"Stupefy!"

Firsts Edit: 6/29/17

Second Edit: 3/15/18