It was amazing how peaceful life was around Hogwarts when not in the vicinity of one Ronald Bilius Weasley. That was the second wisp of thought to pass through Harry's head when he woke up on the second morning after his trek through time. The first thought was, of course, about Hermione.
For the first time in recent memory, he had experienced the best night of sleep he ever had in a Gryffindor dormitory. For once, he did not have to listen to the chainsaw-like snores coming from the direction of Ron's bed.
Dinner the previous night was amazing, mostly owing to the fact that Ron wasn't there noisily gorging himself on everything in his vicinity, whilst attempting to talk to Harry about mostly nonsensical things with a full mouth. The conversation around the Gryffindor table consisted of Hogsmeade fun, as well as discussion of Harry and Hermione's new romance and the other rumors. Harry was quite happy the Rumor Mill hadn't caught on to his Betrothal Contracts and hoped that would at least last until the end of term.
The only sad downside to the meal was the disappearance of beans – green, black, red, baked, and sadly jelly, including Bertie Bott's. It seemed the rumors had been quite correct. Harry and Hermione decided it was an acceptable sacrifice for the Greater Good. Then they cringed visibly and vowed never to use the phrase again.
With thoughts circling his brain – consisting of a Ron-less breakfast in the near future, Hermione, and the upcoming meeting with Amelia Bones - Harry left his bed and proceeded to dress into the nicest of his clothes – he needed to look proper for the meeting with Madam Bones and his first official date with Hermione. When he finished, he made his way to the Common Room, where he found Hermione sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, reading a book. He walked up to the back of the couch, leaned down to her and kissed her cheek. She gasped, then giggled when she saw him. Harry then pecked her on the lips and backed away.
Good morning," he said, "What are you reading?"
"The book about Lords, Ladies and Houses I bought in Diagon Alley," Hermione said, "There is a section about the – ahem – You-Know-Whats. Thought it best that I was prepared for today. I'll walk you through it in the privacy of a carriage when we head for Hogsmeade."
"Alright," Harry said, "Shall we head for the Great Hall? I want to see if a Ron-less breakfast is as excellent as a Ron-less lunch or dinner."
"Alright," Hermione said, "Do you think there will be beans on the menu?"
Harry snorted. "We're not that lucky."
Hermione snickered and agreed. She banished her book to her trunk, then left the Common Room hand-in hand with Harry. When they reached the Entrance Hall, several minutes later, they found Arthur Weasley walking across the room.
"Mr. Weasley?" Harry asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Madam Pomfrey contacted me over the Floo Network early this morning and asked me to come and collect Ron," Arthur said, "She thought it best if he come home early. He has no more exams to do, and with his injured leg, he would be stuck in the Hospital Wing until the end of term. So it is pointless to remain here with nothing to do."
"Did Mrs. Weasley come with you?" Hermione asked.
"She's at home setting up a makeshift bedroom in the sitting room," Arthur said, "Since Ron won't be able to use the stairs to go to his bedroom."
"Well, give him our best," Harry said.
"I will do that," Arthur said, "Thank you. I best be off."
Harry and Hermione said farewell to the Weasley patriarch and walked into the Great Hall. Midway through breakfast – once again void of beans - the post owls made their way toward the various students. Hedwig swooped down toward the Gryffindor Table, and dropped a letter in front of Hermione, then two more in front of Harry and perched herself on a jug of orange juice near Harry. Harry fed her a piece of bacon then began reading his letters. The two letters basically said the same thing. Both Xenophilius and Daphne's parents would get in touch with him after the term ended to set up a date and time to discuss the Betrothal Contracts.
"Mum wrote back!" Hermione said, after casting Muffliato around them to ensure privacy, "She says you can stay at my house for at least the first two weeks of summer."
"And how do they feel about our relationship?" Harry asked.
"Mum is happy for me," Hermione said, "But she says she wants to talk to us about it. Oh, dear... If I remember correctly, this is the summer she gives me the Talk. Well, the second talk. The first was after my monthly cycles began the summer before second year. Since my parents work in health, their Sex Talk to me was more descriptive than usual. There were no slots or tabs in their terms."
Harry coughed. "And your father? How does he feel about me?"
"Daddy is... well, he's being a father, it appears," Hermione said, "If Mum's words are anything to go by, Daddy will tell you all about his days in the SAS during his father-to-boyfriend talk with you."
Harry gulped. "Offensive tactics meant to scare me. 'Treat my daughter wrong and I'll use my pistol.' Gotcha."
"More like his shotgun," Hermione said, "But yes, pretty much."
"Right," Harry said, "So between now and the time we get off the train, I better get my fill of kisses and cuddles?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Mum knows how to control Daddy. I'm sure we'll be able to kiss and cuddle. Maybe not around Daddy, though. No closed doors, of course."
"Of course," Harry said.
"I plan to have us begin training our Occlumency whilst at my house," Hermione said. "We'll need the quiet, peaceful location to do so. My bedroom might be the best place, but if my parents disagree, then we can always use the hammock in the back yard. We'll also work on getting you prepared for Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."
Harry nodded. He had other things he wanted to discuss with her, but he decided it could wait until they had privacy. Even with the Muffliato Charms, he didn't quite trust discussing such things in public. Especially since Snape was at the Head Table, glaring in their direction. Harry realized Snape was probably wanting to yell in rage at them, and accuse them of freeing Sirius. He hadn't had the chance to do it yet. Harry thought it interesting that Dumbledore was not at the table, but he realized the Headmaster was probably with Mr. Weasley and Ron at the moment.
Harry found it humorous that a genius like Dumbledore couldn't figure out that Ron's flatulence and muteness, and his inability to discuss his former best friends were connected. Harry knew that Dumbledore had likely tried to get Ron to talk about what happened two nights ago, which resulted in the hilarious flight from the Hospital Wing if the rumors were anything to go by.
Of course wizards and witches seemed a bit lax in common sense and sleuthing. After all, it took a thirteen year old Muggleborn witch to realize the monster in the Chamber was a Basilisk. After all, how many creatures were able to Petrify a person? Then there was the roosters disappearing, and spiders fleeing. And Salazar Slytherin's favor toward snakes. Really... it was quite obvious and yet nobody with common sense - or with the amount of knowledge the Professors possessed - could solve it.
So Harry knew that he and Hermione were probably quite safe from being discovered as the culprits responsible for Ron's misfortune. Besides, the Rumor Mill had already taken them off the Culprit list, and they had told McGonagall they had nothing to do with it – a little white lie, of course – so it was unlikely anyone suspected them. Aside from probably Snape, but that wasn't too shocking.
Luna approached their table and sat down next to Harry. "Hope you don't mind if I sit here, do you?"
"You're always welcome here, Luna," Harry said.
"Thank you," Luna said, "Oh poo. There are no beans here either. They're a magical fruit, after all, did you know?"
Harry only nodded and grinned in Hermione's direction. Her face was red from the struggle of trying not to laugh out loud.
The carriages were scheduled to leave at ten-o-clock, so at ten-til, Harry and Hermione walked out toward the Thestral-drawn carriages. Hermione gasped as they approached one.
"You can see them, can't you?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said, her voice shivering.
"Come on," Harry said, nudging her toward a carriage, "You need a good cuddle to take your mind off that."
Hermione nodded and they stepped into a carriage and sat down together on a plush, cushioned seat. Harry wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close. Hermione smiled and kissed him softly on the lips.
"You are the sweetest boyfriend ever," she said.
Harry grinned and kissed her again. After a good half-a-minute of kissing, Hermione backed away and cuddled up to Harry.
"So assuming everything goes swell today," Harry said, "Sirius should get a trial soon enough. Hopefully before my two week stay at your house is finished. Then I can talk to Sirius and figure out where he and I will live. I am sure he knows something about one or two of the Potter properties, so he can tell us about them. I would like to visit the beach house in La Rochelle."
"Yes, me too," Hermione agreed, "It sounds lovely. Beach properties usually are, especially during the summer."
"Well, maybe we can stay there for a little while this summer," Harry said. "Once we tell Sirius and Remus our secret, they can help us with the locket Horcrux, and probably the ring as well. I – er – also think we should tell them about my thoughts of getting rid of Death Eaters."
"You think we should hunt Death Eaters this summer?" Hermione asked.
"When is a better time?" Harry replied, "With your time turner, we can be in two places at once so we have an alibi. We can research Death Eater residences and plan out each attack. Sirius and Remus can help us with any protective enchantments we find and so much more. We might be able to prevent the riot at the World Cup if we do it right."
"Voldemort will be in England soon," Hermione said, "The news of the Death Eaters' deaths will be all over the newspapers. Wormtail would tell him about it."
"What can Voldemort do?" Harry asked, "He'll be the size of an infant! And with most of his Horcruxes destroyed by then, he'll be weak and will probably be sleeping most of the time. There isn't anything he'll be able to do. Besides, he won't be at Riddle Manor until sometime in August. I remember it was after my birthday when I had the dream. So we'll have over a month before his return and around two before the final Quidditch match to hunt the Horcruxes and Death Eaters down."
Hermione sighed. "Okay. It is just... you're talking about cold-blooded murder."
"Either now or later, Hermione," Harry said. "Defeating Voldemort won't end the war unless his followers are stopped too."
"You're right," Hermione said; she still looked frightened though.
Harry kissed her forehead. "We don't need to talk about it anymore just yet. Walk me through the Betrothal Contracts."
Hermione smiled at the change of subject. Over the next fifteen minutes as the carriage made their way toward the village, she instructed him on the traditional Betrothal Contract meetings, and the most common provisos and requirements usually suggested.
"Unless Amelia has children in the near-future, Susan will be the last of her name," Hermione said, "So more likely than not, Amelia will suggest a Line Continuance Option in which Susan and your children with her will keep the Bones name. The same goes with Luna, as an only child. Daphne has a little sister, who I believe is a first year, so she could go either way."
"I have two titles," Harry said, "I'll offer Daphne one and – well – the other one can go to you, I assume."
"You are in my long-term plans," Hermione said, "So that is fine by me."
Harry grinned and kissed her. "You'll be a fine Lady Potter. So, we're almost there. Where do you want to go? We have a bit less than two hours to kill before we have to meet with Madam Bones."
"We can explore the shops," Hermione said, "And whatever shops we don't visit, we can go into after the meeting."
"Fine with me," Harry said.
The carriages soon stopped at the village and Harry stepped out, then helped Hermione. They followed the crowd of groups and couples along the cobbled pathway. Since it was the most popular shop in the village, they first went to Honeyduke's Sweet Shop to avoid the large crowd. Hermione allowed Harry to buy her one item as was the proper thing to do as her boyfriend. So he bought her a large deluxe package of Sugar Quills. Then they purchased a whole range of goodies, while laughing at the idea that Ron would be missing out. Unsurprisingly, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans were in high demand, due to them being banned during meals at Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione would save much of the candy for the ride home on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione also bought some sugar-free goodies for her dentist parents.
Over the next hour-and-a-half, they walked from shop to shop, and had no problem keeping their promise to Professor McGonagall to hold hands while doing so. One of the first things Harry bought was an Undetectable Extension bag similar to the one Hermione had. The bag made it much easier to store all their purchases inside. In Zonko's, they bought a number of items for one simple reason: the items would assist them whilst hunting down the Death Eaters later that summer.
When it was nearing noon, Harry and Hermione stepped into The Three Broomsticks. They heard Susan calling them toward the back of the large dining room.
"Auntie rented a private room," she said, when they approached and greeted her, "Follow me."
They followed Susan down a long corridor and through a doorway. The room they walked into was small and simple in a not-so-boring way. There was a table and four comfortable chairs and not much else. Amelia stood as they entered.
"Harry Potter," Amelia said, as she looked at him, "Dear Merlin, it is as if I am back in Hogwarts with your father. You look so like him. But you have -"
"My mother's eyes," Harry finished.
"I suppose you hear that a lot," Amelia said, "Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Susan's Aunt and Guardian."
"This is Hermione Granger," Harry said, "My brilliant beautiful girlfriend and adviser for this meeting."
"Well, come and sit down," Amelia said; Harry and Hermione sat down on one side of the table, while Susan joined her Aunt on the other side, "I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of ordering four specials and butterbeer. Should be served shortly. Girlfriend, eh? I assume you know about the Betrothal?"
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said, "It may take a while to get used to, but I see Harry as my long-term love."
Amelia raised her eyebrows. "So you would participate in Polygamy? Susan informed me that there are two other girls aside from herself that Harry is contracted to wed. Susan told me a lot about you. I am under the impression Polygamy is frowned upon in Muggle society."
"It is indeed," Hermione said, "But Harry is my best friend, and even at fourteen, I can say with all honesty I do love him dearly. I wish to spend my life with him. If he must be wed to three other women, then so be it."
Amelia smiled. "Oh, Lily would have loved you, Miss Granger. Feisty and unafraid to speak your mind, just like her. I am going to like you."
Hermione blushed deeply. "Thank you, ma'am."
"Mr. Potter," Amelia said, "I must admit that you caught me unawares and unprepared. I was not expecting to receive a notice about Susan's active Betrothal until at least your seventeenth birthday. Am I correct to assume that you are now Lord Potter, and basically an Emancipated minor to boot?"
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, "I intend to be honest about how that came into play. It is one small part of what I fear will be a very long discussion we wanted to have with you. Aside from the Betrothal Contract business, I mean. It is more or less along the lines of official DMLE business."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "I am intrigued already, Lord Potter. But let us get through the Betrothal business first."
"It is Harry, ma'am," Harry said, "And I agree."
"Amelia, then," Amelia said, "Since you are only thirteen going on fourteen and appear to be in a steady, long-term relationship with your girlfriend, I assume marriage to another girl is the last thing on your mind. So shall we agree to postpone wedding date discussion for a long while?"
"I wholeheartedly agree," Harry said. "For now, I'd be happy to be Susan's friend. However, it is in my future plans to change my residence at Hogwarts to the Lord's Quarters and will offer the same to my intended – I consider Hermione on that list as well – if they so desire it. Mostly for their own protection. Once the news about the Betrothal Contracts gets around the school, a lot of girls will be jealous toward my Betrothed."
"And jealous girls – especially witches - can have a mean streak," Amelia said, nodding; she glanced at Susan, "What do you say to that, Susan?"
"I will consider it," Susan said.
"I highly doubt I'll move in before the start of next term," Harry said, "So you have all summer to consider."
"Alright," Susan said. "I'd be happy to be your friend and get to know my intended better in the future."
"I'd like that," Harry said.
"Moving on," Amelia said, "Do you know what the term 'Line Continuance Option' means, Harry?"
"Hermione walked me through all the terms and basics on the way to Hogsmeade," Harry said.
"Excellent," Amelia said, "Susan is the last Bones. There is a small chance I will be able to extend the family line on my own, but I think it would be best if we use the Line Continuance Option for Susan. She and any children you have with her will keep her name, perhaps add Potter to the end. And you will be Regent Lord Bones until a future son reaches age of majority. I am curious. How many titles to you have to your name? Do you know?"
"Potter, of course," Harry said, "And Peverell. Also second-in-line for Black through my grandmother. I would assume first-in-line is Sirius Black and not Draco Malfoy."
Amelia raised her eyebrows at the mention of Sirius but said nothing.
"Luna Lovegood will likely keep her surname," Harry said, "But Daphne Greengrass' parents might decide their youngest can be responsible for the Line Continuance. So Daphne can be Lady Peverell, and assuming everything goes well, Hermione will be Lady Potter."
Hermione's smile said she was fine with that.
"Are you familiar with the Great Alliance?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, "It was explained to me when I was told why my father opted to pen three Betrothals. I am not one for politics, but I will probably follow my grandfather's legacy."
"That will be interesting to see in the future," Amelia said, "So we can agree to a Line Continuance Option, and much like the wedding date discussion, I think we can leave the talk of children for another time."
"I'd like that, ma'am," Harry said, as he and Susan both blushed.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and upon permission from Amelia, Madam Rosmerta entered the room, with two trays floating alongside her. She delivered the meals, asked if they'd like anything more, and upon hearing there wasn't, left the room again. The four started in on their meals – fish, chips and butterbeer, and Amelia spoke up again.
"Well, I think that is all I needed to discuss when it came to the Betrothal," Amelia said, "Unless you have questions?"
Harry looked at Hermione and she shook her head, so he did the same.
"Excellent," Amelia said, "Now we can move on to this other discussion you spoke of."
Harry looked at Hermione and she nodded. Harry inhaled and exhaled and prepared himself.
"Well, I guess it starts with Sirius Black's appearance at Hogwarts two nights ago," Harry said.
Amelia and Susan shared the same expression: shock.
"I have not heard about this!" Amelia said, "I assume it was the same evening Minister Fudge was at the school for a hippogriff's scheduled execution."
"Yes ma'am," Harry said.
"And Fudge never said a word to me!" Amelia said, "Tell me everything, Harry."
"What you're about to hear is quite unbelievable, but all entirely true," Harry said, "I would be willing to retell it in the future with an Honor Vow, Veritaserum, and a Pensieve if it comes to it."
"As would I," Hermione said.
"I am listening with open ears, Harry," Amelia said.
So Harry and Hermione began their tale of the original, eventful meeting with Sirius. This included Buckbeak, as well as their incident with Padfoot and Scabbers. They also described Remus and Sirius' story, Pettigrew's reveal, and Snape's interference. Then they spoke of Remus as a werewolf, Pettigrew's escape and the Dementors.
"Then we woke up in the Hospital Wing," Harry said, "And that is only the first half of the story."
Susan looked shocked and pale. Amelia looked just as pale and also emotional.
"Sirius is innocent and Pettigrew is alive and guilty," Amelia said, "Dear Merlin, an innocent man has been in Azkaban all these years."
"And we have more proof of his innocence," Harry said, "To do that we need to tell you the second half of the story."
"Alright," Amelia said, hoarsely.
"To begin this half, I need to tell you something first," Hermione said, "Due to my complex class schedule, I've been using a Time Turner this year to get to my classes. Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore gave me permission."
"The reason she is telling you this," Harry said, "Is because once we arrived at the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore came in and spoke to us. He wanted us to go back in time a few hours to save Buckbeak the hippogriff and free Sirius."
"Dumbledore gave two students permission to do a highly illegal task?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, "I suppose I should also add that we tried to tell Minister Fudge about Sirius' innocence, but he wouldn't listen. Snape lied to him and said Sirius confound us. Fudge wouldn't even let me prove my story with Veritaserum and a Pensieve."
Amelia huffed. "I'll be talking to all three men soon enough. Continue."
"Hermione came up with a brilliant plan," Harry said, "We went back twelve hours instead of a few, left Hogwarts and went to Diagon Alley under disguises. We wanted to do some research to figure out if Sirius was being honest. Somehow we wound up at Gringotts and talked to my Vault Keeper. By the end of the meeting, I was Emancipated, learned about my inheritances and Betrothals, and also opened my parents' Will."
"I was never aware they penned a Will," Amelia said.
"I should have seen it at age eleven," Harry said. "But something or someone kept me from it. I believe that someone was Albus Dumbledore."
"Why would you say that?" Amelia asked.
"Because he was a witness to the Will being wrote," Harry said, "He knew I was never supposed to live with my Muggle Guardians and yet he placed me there as a baby. My parents suggested several names as Magical Guardians. None of them were Albus Dumbledore. One of them was you."
Amelia smiled softly.
"Another was Sirius Black," Harry said, "My Godfather... officially, through the Godfather Ritual."
Amelia's eyes widened. "Albus was the witness to the Will. Which meant he knew about the Ritual. He knew about Sirius was innocent and still let Sirius go to Azkaban all these years. On top of that, he placed you in an illegal guardianship. Criminal. Absolutely criminal! Oh, I will most certainly be speaking to that man! As soon as I am finished here!"
Harry and Hermione exchanged grins. They almost felt sorry for the old bastard. Almost.
"Something tells me your story isn't over," Amelia said.
Harry and Hermione continued their retelling. They spoke of Buckbeak's rescue, and the Dementors.
"You can do a fully-fledged Corporeal Patronus powerful enough to ward off several Dementors?" Amelia asked.
Harry answered with a showing of his Patronus.
"Amazing," Amelia said, as she stared at Prongs before it disappeared. "Please continue."
Harry and Hermione finished with the tale of Sirius' escape on Buckbeak and their return to the Hospital Wing.
"That is quite the story," Amelia said, "Do you know where Sirius is now?"
"No, but we promised to write him after we spoke to you about it," Harry said, "We hoped we could give him the news of a pending trial."
"You can be sure of that," Amelia said, "And I will ask the two of you to be witnesses to tell your stories. Veritaserum and Pensieves may be illegal in the courtroom, but no one will discount an Honor Vow."
"I will be there, ma'am," Harry promised, and Hermione agreed.
"I firmly believe your story," Amelia said, "But I can't speak for the remainder of the Wizengamot. They're a tough crowd. But the Honor Vow will help. Now is there anything else you wish to tell me?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. They knew they could tell her about so much more about Dumbledore. Then Harry had an idea.
"Have you heard about what happened last year during the Chamber of Secrets fiasco?" he asked.
Amelia huffed. "Not until Susan told me about it. Do you have anything I may not have heard?"
"Well, I have a question to ask of you," Harry asked, "A Basilisk was the creature responsible. Students, a cat and a ghost were petrified. Then there was the roosters disappearing, and spiders fleeing. And to top it off, Salazar Slytherin favored snakes. How was it that a thirteen year old Muggleborn discover what Professors could not? And why hadn't the Chamber of Secrets mystery been solved prior to that when it had been fifty years since the first incident including Myrtle Henderson's death?"
Amelia sighed. "I will certainly bring it up with Albus Dumbledore. Anything else?"
"I have reason to believe someone wanted me dead two and a half years ago on Halloween," Hermione said, "But I have no real proof. I ended up in a bathroom after Ron Weasley teased me. The same bathroom a troll came in later. The troll was brought into the castle by Professor Quirrel."
"So wouldn't he have been responsible for the attempted murder?" Susan asked.
"Perhaps," Hermione said, "But he told the students and staff in the Great Hall that the troll was in the dungeon."
"I remember that!" Susan said, "Dumbledore should have kept the students in the Hall! Instead he sent us to our Common Rooms."
"But... the Hufflepuff and Slytherin Houses are in the dungeons," Amelia said.
"Precisely," Harry, Hermione and Susan said.
Amelia rolled her eyes. "Dumbledore, you dumb ass! So.. why isn't the late Quirrel responsible for your attempted murder, Hermione?"
"Because I have common sense and would have ran to my dormitory and hid in bed," Hermione said, "Not a random bathroom, the same bathroom a troll happened to go into. I believe someone put an Imperius Curse on me and placed troll lure in the bathroom. Someone beside Quirrel who knew he was bringing in a troll."
"Please tell me it isn't Dumbledore," Amelia said.
"He's a suspect," Hermione said, "After all, the very same year, he hid a priceless stone behind enchantments three first year passed easily, and told the whole school to avoid the same passageway if they did not want to die a painful death."
"He announced it to the school?" Amelia asked, "He basically said 'look curious kids, here's danger – have at it!' Ugh, that man!"
"Severus Snape is a suspect too," Harry said, "On top of lying to Fudge – well – I am sure Susan told you all about what Snape is like in class?"
"Yes, and I will be talking to him about it," Amelia said,. "Along with everything else. Please tell me that is all the revelation you have for me, so I can go yell at people?"
Harry decided he would not tell her what Ron was guilty of. That justice was to be given by him and Hermione.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said.
Amelia tossed the last bite of fish into her mouth then washed it down with a last gulp of butterbeer. Then she stood.
"It was wonderful to meet the pair of you," she said, "I will write to you when I get Sirius a trial."
"We'll give him the good news," Harry said.
Amelia smiled, and turned to her niece. "See you in a week, dear. Your Aunt has to go talk to some idiots."
"Have fun, Auntie," Susan said, "Love you."
"Love you too," Amelia said.
She said farewell and left the room.
"Your Aunt is a scary woman," Harry said.
"You should see her with people she hates," Susan said.
Harry and Hermione exchanged grins.
Oh, to be a fly on Amelia's shoulder!