Chapter 10
Harry, Hermione and Pansy were the first students to arrive on platform 9 on September the first, they had flooed to Torvald house the day before and spent the night there with Viv and Richard, who had chosen to leave their car in its garage, they found a compartment about halfway along the train to allow all of their friends to find them easily and settled in for a long wait. The first person to join them was Neville and his parents who were more excited than any of them had known an adult to become.
"So everyone looking forward to your second year?" Frank asked as he lifted Neville's trunk up onto the rack. "Hang on someone is missing their trunk."
"No dear Harry and Hermione only have one." Alice said as she rolled her eyes. "They share a room in the castle, you do remember the conversation we had with Minerva."
"Yes love, sorry I guess it's just going to take a while to get used to that." He replied.
"That's ok uncle Frank, it took Sirius three days to figure out that we only needed one trunk." Harry laughed. "And he's been to our quarters on more than one occasion."
"Well it's not like Padfoot has all of his cognisance right now." Alice chuckled. "He's been running around like a headless hippogriff ever since you went to Avalon."
"Aunt Minnie agreed to have him teach Defensive Magic." Hermione stated. "Didn't he tell you that while he was plundering the Longbottom library for books he could use?"
"I think he told Gran." Neville said as he sat down next to Pansy. "She's still acting as regent, dad is still trying to catch up on the last 10 years of political changes."
"It's not that." Frank sighed. "It's just that nobody knows how much of a recovery we actually made, if I step out into spotlight immediately a lot of people will demand answers."
"As much as I appreciate your trying to protect the secrets of your ally." Harry smiled. "Do what you were born to do, become Lord Longbottom and talk up St. Mungo's and it's need for funding, and back my suggestion that all Death Eater's should put to death just in case Voldemort isn't actually gone, while we know he's not, not everyone is willing to listen."
"He's got you there hun." Alice smiled at her husband. "Your mother told you the exact same thing 3 months ago, it's not like you haven't been making the decisions as to how to vote."
"Alright I'll think about it but this isn't the place for this conversation." Frank stated putting an end to being backed into a corner by his family. "Alright Nev you have a good year ok."
"I will dad, it's only going to be a few months and I'll see you again anyway." Neville smiled as he hugged his dad. "Aren't we all spending the Yule break at Potter Manor anyway?"
"Indeed we are, your father is just being dramatic again." Alice teased her husband as she hugged her son.
"We missed his first year I get to be a little emotional don't I?" Frank asked with an overstated pout on his face.
"No that's my job." Alice chuckled. "Anyway you lot have a good start to the year we'll see you back at the manor in December, if we don't get called to the school before then."
Once they had left the quartet was left in peace for another twenty minutes, Harry had dived into the notes Hermione had copied from the Merlin Grimoire, Hermione was busy re-reading Lily's second year notes, Pansy had her nose in the latest copy of witch weekly (that much to Harry and Hermione's annoyance was speculating on who Harry would choose to date despite them being betrothed), while Neville had picked up a book on exotic plants and their applications in potions. The disturbance came in the way of Millicent Goyle (formally Bulstrode) who barged into their compartment.
"Can we help you Miss Goyle?" Harry asked politely as he set down the notes he was reading.
"No Potter you can't." She snapped. "I was told that the only second years already on the train were in here had I known it was full of filth I'd have found my own."
"Millie I may not be a Slytherin anymore but I still considered you a friend right up until you chose to insult a member of my house." Pansy said not looking up from her magazine. "I suggest you leave before you upset my Head of House and his betrothed."
"Parkinson you are such a fool." Millicent sneered. "Everyone and their owl knows that's just a farce to coverup her pregnancy and subsequent termination, Lord Potter will pick a 'Proper' wife in the next year or so."
"Her name is Pansy Potter." Harry stated angrily getting to his feet and letting his magic flow around him. "She is a recognised daughter of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, my primary house, do not belittle her by using her former name again."
"I don't have to listen to you." Millicent stated coldly as she stayed rooted to her spot.
"Really I don't remember casting you out of house Bulstrode." Harry stated. "And as such I take it your uncle didn't fully inform you of the situation, you see I am still the Head of House Bulstrode all he asked me for was the right to change your name to match your mother's which I happily gave him, but you are still a daughter of one of my houses and therefore subject to its rules."
"What rules?"
"Firstly the members of my houses treat all other beings on this planet with respect, unless said being is trying to kill you." Harry stated. "Secondly, we never act entitled no matter who we are around. Thirdly you need to accept Hermione as my betrothed, she is my soulmate, and the only wife I will take, if you call it into question again I can ask magic to judge you for your slander."
"You wouldn't dare." She snarled.
"Like I warned you Millie, leave before you really make him angry." Pansy reiterated.
"By the look on his face I think she's gotten him a little passed angry." A new voice stated from the behind Millicent. "Don't you remember what happened to Flint on the train home in June, or hearing about what happened to the idiots who chose to attack Potter Manor in July?"
"Uncle Geoffrey says that it was exaggerated." Millicent stated turning on her heel and leaving for the rear of the train. "I wouldn't fraternise with these people if you know what's good for you Greengrass."
"Good riddance." Daphne sighed once the other Slytherin was out of earshot. "Do you mind if Tracy and I join you?"
"Not at all." Hermione smiled. "We're only expecting Lavender and Pavarti to join us so we have some space, and Harry did invite you to the last time we saw you if memory serves."
"Here Neville and I will get your trunks." Harry offered.
Once the trunks had been stowed the group resettled into their activities, with Daphne and Tracy joining Pansy behind her magazine. Not long after half past ten Lavender and Pavarti arrived together, and as before Neville and Harry sprang into action to stow their trunks.
"So anyone bothered if I lock the door?" Hermione asked once the new arrivals had settled.
"Not particularly." Daphne replied.
"How was your summer Tracy?" Harry asked as Hermione charmed the door.
"Woefully uneventful." She sighed.
"Sorry about that, the falling out with Daphne's father sort of put a hamper on my promise."
"It's ok Harry." She replied reassuringly. "Even if I'd spent a few days with you I'd have been at the same level of boredom the rest of the time, my mother decided that I needed training in how to find the perfect husband, and she spent every day teaching me about you and your family history and going on about what an honour it would be to be chosen as one of your brides."
"I take it she doesn't believe the fact that he named me his betrothed for all of his houses?" Hermione commented not really needing an answer.
"Unfortunately not." Tracy sighed as the train began to move away from the platform. "It's like everyone assumes he's going to do what every pureblood with that many houses would do and bed any witch who'll have him, even if he never touches them beyond making his heirs."
"I could never do that." Harry stated. "I was raised to respect women, and treat them with care, it's the only good thing my uncle ever taught me."
"We know." Neville smiled. "It's half the reason ever girl in our year and the two above are envious of Hermione in some way."
"How do you know that?" Lavender demanded.
"People tend to ignore me when they're having a conversation." Neville stated looking at Hermione. "According to Susan in Hufflepuff, some of the older Slytherins where confined to their dorms for plotting to injure you."
"That's not the half of it." Tracy stated.
"All 4th, 5th and 6th years last year were forbidden to use their wands outside of classrooms, not even in their dorms." Daphne stated. "After Snape caught them teaching darker offensive spells to 1st, 2nd and 3rd years to use against you, he found them out the day Malfoy attacked you."
"Well he kept that under wraps." Harry said. "Looks like I need to thank him again."
The rest of their journey was quiet, they had the occasional visitor, Oliver Wood stopped by first in his position as the first patrolling prefect and agreed that locking the door was probably a good idea, he also took the time to confirm Harry was going to continue as the Gryffindor seeker. The Weasley twin spent around half an hour sitting on the floor regaling them all with their exploits at the dragon sanctuary, before Ginny joined them as well and told her tale of pushing Ron into the orphan youngling enclosure and him loosing some of his hair. After lunch all of the Gryffindor chasers stopped by to say hi, but didn't intrude on them for long, but all of them greeted their fourth enthusiastically and fussed over Harry, much to his chagrin.
"Nev, let's grab our stuff and get changed in the loos." Harry suggested as the sky grew too dark to see the Scottish countryside rolling past.
"Well at least one of you is chivalrous." Daphne teased.
"He beat me to it is all." Neville retorted defensively as he pulled down his trunk.
"Sure Nev we believe you." Hermione said joining in with the teasing as Harry opened their wardrobe compartment.
"Merlin." Tracy gasped. "Just how many sets of school robes do you need Hermione?"
"They aren't all mine." She replied. "Some of them are for Rose, while I don't mind sharing my wardrobe, having only 2 female uniforms between us got a little tedious last year."
"Of course sorry Harry." Tracy giggle. "I completely forgot about Rose."
"That's ok." He smiled as he moved to the compartment door. "Just try not to forget again."
"She's as forgetful as Weasley is obnoxious." Daphne chuckled. "I wouldn't count on it."
"I'm not that bad." Tracy said aggressively. "I at least have the ability to remember our lessons, he on the other hand knows he offends people and simply doesn't care."
"Too true." Hermione agreed as Harry left to get changed and she locked the door.
The rest of the day was quiet for Harry and Hermione, they happily welcomed the new first years into Gryffindor as they arrived and were glad to have Ginny join them, they retired to their suite and slept peacefully. This was how they spent their time in the castle everything was quiet, their lessons were engaging and even Ron seemed to be making an effort to study harder and was now a contributing member of their study group, helping those who needed it with anything he could. By the time Hermione's birthday came around all of the House of Potter and their associates had settled into a routine, that included a private family lunch on Saturdays, thankfully Hermione's birthday fell on a Saturday and Harry had been tasked with keeping her out of their quarters which had been expanded to accommodate their dinning table, so that their family could set up for her surprise. He had suggested they take a walk around the lake that morning as Wood had moved their practice to the following morning, he realised they had spent more time than he had meant to kissing on their bench when Uncle Sev approached them to escort them back to the castle. They had just passed the second floor when Harry heard a voice.
'RIP! TEAR! KILL!'
"Who's there?" He called out as he stopped abruptly.
"Harry are you ok?" Hermione asked in a worried tone.
"You didn't here that?" He asked.
"No Harry we didn't here anything." Uncle Sev replied kneeling down in front of him. "What did you hear?"
"A voice said rip, tear, kill." He stated. "It came from the second floor."
"No ones there Harry, and maybe given the fact that neither Uncle Sev or I heard anything perhaps we chalk this up to you hearing things for now." Hermione suggested. "And if you hear it again we investigate."
"A wise suggestion." Uncle Sev smiled. "It's not that we don't believe you Harry, but it's the first time you've mentioned hearing a voice, and there are many abilities that enable a person to talk to different creatures, for all we know this is a dormant ability to speak to spiders and you heard it eating dinner."
"Ok." He nodded. "But can you help me figure out which animals I'm hearing?"
"We'll all help you tomorrow." Hermione smiled at him. "Now let's get upstairs so I can finally open the present you hid under the bed."
"That's not where I hid your present." Harry smiled as the started walking again.
"So what's in the box under the bed?"
"I got you a broom from Nimbus." Harry stated. "It's their latest chaser model, Wood asked me to get you a decent broom before your first practice tomorrow, and honestly they were happy to oblige they offered me their 2001 racing model but it's only benefit on mine is it's top speed which is 2mph higher so I turned them down this was my compromise."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She squealed happily.
"I made sure you found it so you'd stop looking for your birthday present." He chuckled. "Plus this way you might make it on to the team properly."
The voice was forgotten as they continued their ascent to their suite, to their surprise Millicent Goyle was waiting for them as the entered their corridor with 3 female Slytherin students from the upper years. Uncle Sev saw them first and quickly faded from view under a disillusionment charm, Harry and Hermione nodded when they realised his plan, and continued towards the group ensuring their wands were ready in their holsters.
"See I told you he'd be with the Mudblood whore." Millicent stated as she caught sight of them.
"Good work Millie." One of the older girls replied. "I'll make sure you get Greengrass' room when we get back to the common room."
"Now then Lord Potter-Merlin." One of the others said. "You are in need of a few proper brides, pureblood brides to do right by your Ancient and Noble Houses, we are willing to share you."
"Indeed, we are also willing to let you keep the filth holding your hand as a pet, but you'll need to keep her leashed and naked we don't want her thinking she's one of us."
"Excuse me but I don't even know your names." Harry said as he squeezed Hermione's hand reassuringly.
"I am Morgana Carrow." One of the black haired girls stated.
"And I'm Persephone Yaxley."
"Iphigenia Mulciber."
"We'll Miss Carrow, Miss Yaxley, and Miss Mulciber what makes you think insulting my betrothed would help in your case to win my affection?" Harry asked politely.
"Look we all know that little falsehood was just to cover up her pregnancy." Yaxley said stamping her feet. "It's a good thing a brat from her wouldn't be worthy of being your heir."
"What makes you say that?" Hermione asked sounding offended to play into Harry's subtle goading.
"Not that it matters to you Mudblood." Mulciber shouted. "But no muggleborn can birth the heir to an Ancient and Noble House, it's been the law that your kind can't since before my great grandfather was Chief Warlock."
"By your theory I couldn't be Lord Potter and my line would have died with my father." Harry stated. "Or didn't you know my mother was a muggleborn?"
"That's impossible." Yaxley retorted. "How can a halfblood be a Lord?"
"Look as much as I'm enjoying this chat, please clear off my beautiful betrothed and I would like to celebrate her birthday in peace."
"I'd like to see you make us, Potter." Millicent shot back venomously.
"You just crossed the line Millicent, I tried to teach you how to be civil with the other members of our houses be you can't even be nice to me." Harry sighed. "I Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin, Head of the Ancient House of Bulstrode call upon magic to judge Millicent Lucinda Goyle, daughter of my house for her slander of myself and my betrothed."
There was a blinding flash and Millicent cried out in pain.
"What have you done to her?" Yaxley demanded.
"Me nothing, but magic can be a harsh judge." Harry stated.
"She brought it on herself." Hermione added.
"Shut up Mudblood." Mulciber cried.
"She will be fine." Snape said making himself visible again and waving his wand over his student. "It looks like magic has decided that she is unworthy of using her dominant hand and has severed her magical ties to it."
"So what does that mean for her?" Carrow queried.
"She will need to repeat her first year to learn to use her non dominant hand, and honestly it will help her theory work as well given that she was the worst student in her year."
"You can't make me do that, Uncle Geoffrey wont pay for it, he says the only reason I'm here is because daddy paid for my tuition in advance." Millicent cried.
"Don't worry it will be covered by the Bulstrode vault." Hermione stated. "You are a daughter of the house after all."
"Shut up Mudblood you can't make decisions about vaults you don't control." Yaxley screamed at Hermione.
"Actually she does." Harry said calmly. "I named her the betrothed to all of my houses, she is the only wife I will take and she already has access to all of my vaults, speaking of which I need to speak to Aunt Minnie about the Parkinson treasures, so ladies this is your only warning insult my wife to be again and you'll find yourself in a duel, and before you scoff remember who has duelled Dumbledore, and has had training from Aurors."
The rest of Hermione's birthday was a quiet affair, her parents joined them for lunch and the entire family spent the afternoon relaxing in the early autumn sun in the grounds. Her parents gifted her several vinyls of some of her favourite songs to use on Harry's gramophone, Remus gave her a first edition copies of the entire Lord of the Rings saga, Sirius had the audacity to gift her a male Hogwarts uniform and a note saying she'd need it soon, Aunt Minnie gave her a years subscription to Transfiguration Today, to which she was very excited, Uncle Sev gave her a matching stirring rod to Harry's but hers was made from amethyst.
"So where is it?" She demanded of Harry as soon as they were alone that evening.
"Well seeing as you've waited patiently I'll tell you." He smiled as he pulled her into a hug. "It's hidden in the very back of our underwear draw."
"Why did you put it there?" She asked before pecking him on the lips and opening the draw.
"Because I knew you'd never look that far in unless you were looking to get something for me." He stated as he shifted into Rose. "And this way you can do both."
"Here." She giggled as she threw a pair of knickers at Rose and began to examine the small present wrapped in purple paper. "More jewellery?" She guessed, to which Rose could only nod. "I'm not going to have any room for more necklaces at the rate you're buying them."
"That would be true if that were a necklace." Rose smiled. "Now open it."
Hermione did as she was instructed and found a plush red dragon hide jewellery bow embossed with her full name.
"How much did this cost?"
"You don't need to know but it didn't break the bank, it's charmed to only open to you or I, Remus showed me how, it will also always display your correct name so once we're married it will change."
"If the item inside is as beautiful as the box you'll have put me to shame." She stated with a tear in her eye, she opened the box and found a golden bracelet with a half inch wide faceplate containing all 7 of Harry's House crests engraved into it, each crest had also been coloured to perfection. "It's beautiful if only I'd had this earlier."
"That's half the reason I got it for you." Rose smiled as she hugged Hermione. "The other half is that I thought you might like the charm it comes with."
"Charm?"
"It's got a protection charm, it will vibrate when it's near a concealed potion."
She squealed in delight and leapt at Rose smothering her with kisses, little did either of them know that it would be called into use within a few days of being gifted. Harry and Hermione had developed a habit of sharing a goblet as they ate in the great hall, this was mostly a show of Harry's commitment to her, but it came with benefits, as Fred and George had taken to pranking with all of the girls or all of the boys and they wouldn't deviate for Harry and Hermione so they remained unpranked so far this school year, but as Hermione reached for their goblet that day her bracelet vibrated violently.
"Fred have you pranked our drink?" She asked as they were sat near enough to them.
"No we agreed with Mooney we wouldn't prank on week days." He replied.
"Do you promise? because I need to take this goblet to Professor Snape and if it is one of yours it won't end well."
"On our honour to the betrothed of the marauder's heir." George stated.
"Harry come with me." She stated carrying the goblet towards the staff table.
"Way ahead of you." He replied as he pointed to where their family were gathering around Uncle Sev.
"What is it?" Sirius asked as soon as they were close enough.
"Do you know what charm I have on the bracelet Harry gave me?" Hermione asked.
"Of course." Uncle Sev smiled. "I suggested it. It's reacting to your drink I take it?"
"Violently." She affirmed.
"Oh for Merlin's sake can't they just leave you alone?" Sirius sighed.
"From what I'm hearing from parents approaching me about Harry is that someone pretending to be from a House of Potter affiliated house has been saying that Hermione is just a ruse to stop him being bombarded with female attention while he's at school." Aunt Minnie stated. "I'm going to make a formal announcement of your betrothal next week at the Wizengamot session and ask for the Department of Mysteries to provide evidence from the bonds book they keep in their library."
"A good plan." Remus nodded. "Any luck Sev?"
"Yes actually I'm just trying to figure out which students are capable of brewing such a strong love potion." Sev replied.
"I wouldn't put it past Yaxley, Carrow, or Mulciber." Harry stated. "Not after Saturday."
"Agreed but they either have an accomplice or they ordered it in." Andi stated. "I've seen their potions work while I've been helping Sev they didn't make this."
"Certainly not." Sev agreed. "But my top N.E.W.T student is David Warrington, Miss Carrow's cousin, he could brew this with ease and his father is on the board and his elves have free reign to move within Hogwarts as they please."
"So what do we do?" Harry asked.
"Well love potions are against school rules, and as the head of several Noble houses this could be considered attempted line theft." Sirius stated.
"Hogwarts seal the great hall doors." Aunt Minnie said quietly, and the large door at the entrance to the room snapped shut. "Tilly!"
CRACK
"Yes headmistress?"
"Are there any students not currently in this hall?"
"No headmistress."
"Have you seen and strange elves near the food you prepare for Harry and Hermione?"
"No, but I is having to deal with a problem with some of the younger elf men fighting over an elf maiden and not working this morning, I is leaving the prep of their lunch to the other elves."
"That's ok Tilly we'll get to the bottom of it." Harry said to the elf.
"Thank you master Harry."
CRACK
"I WILL HAVE SILENCE!" Minerva shouted. "A crime has been attempted in this hall today, and as it was caught before it could harm anyone it will go no further than this school if the culprit comes forward now, we will not even reveal what your crime was to the rest of the students here, but you have to come forward now."
All of the houses tables were instantly silent as each person realised the seriousness of the situation, after all the last person to go up against Harry had been both expelled and charged formally by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but nobody was moving.
"SLYTHERINS." Uncle Sev called out as he began to walk down the length of the table. "Any of you with information as to what has happened here will be rewarded for bringing that information forward."
Several students spoke to him, but what surprised everyone was when a first year Ravenclaw got his attention, Harry knew she was a first year because he had remarked to Hermione about the dreamy look she had had walking into the hall for the first time instead of the standard look of awe. Severus looked at two Ravenclaw girls, before he stalked back up the staff table.
"It would seem we have two groups who have tried to dose one of you." He said to Harry and Hermione in hushed tones. "Our three suspects in Slytherin laced Harry's food with amortentia linked to Miss Carrow, and Miss Chang and Miss Edgecombe of Ravenclaw dosed Hermione's goblet with amortentia keyed to Vincent Crabbe, apparently he wants her as a play thing."
"Who told you about Chang and Edgecombe?" Sirius asked.
"Miss Lovegood I believe." Sev stated. "I am still learning names and she is unusually quiet for a Ravenclaw."
"Do you trust her accusations?" Aunt Minnie asked Sev earnestly.
"I was performing a surface sweep of every student as I walked down the table." He stated. "And after Miss Lovegood made her accusations known I probed a little deeper, and found them to be true."
"You're a legillimans?" Hermione asked Uncle Sev excitedly.
"Indeed." He smiled. "I'll be beginning your training in the mind arts over Yule break."
"She going to get bullied for this." Harry sighed greeting the group back on track. "They'll see it as her not being loyal to her house."
"What can we do?" Hermione asked nervously.
"What if we leave the Slytherin suspects alone, if they think they weren't caught they will probably be a lot more brazen." Sirius suggested.
"Then we can make a show of bringing Miss Lovegood under the protection of House Potter as a friend." Remus stated.
"Agreed." Aunt Minnie smiled before she returned her attention to the rest of the students. "As the perpetrators did not bring themselves forward they have now lost the right of anonymity of their attempted crime, and we have been given a reasonable accusation of two of our third year class, one whose mother is on the board and is able to have their family elf operate within the walls of this castle to be able to deliver the Amortentia brewed by our other accused's uncle, who is a master brewer, as this potion was keyed to neither of them they were trying to implicate a Slytherin for the crime as he apparently has intentions towards the targeted victim, the betrothed of Lord Potter-Merlin, as another victim he shall remain anonymous, but Miss Chang, Miss Edgecombe, and Miss Lovegood please remain seated, everyone else please go to your lessons."
"Harry and Hermione today is just brewing the fire protection potion again your classmates are still not proficient enough for me to continue on to more difficult brewing." Uncle Sev stated as he began to move away from them.
"We will be along to help as soon as we can straighten this out." Hermione called after him.
It took longer than Aunt Minnie had anticipated for the hall to empty to a level at which they could speak to the Ravenclaw's, as several people took the opportunity to eat more food than they would normally, and by the time she, Harry and Hermione had reach the first year the others looked particularly scared of what was to come.
"Ok Miss Lovegood." Aunt Minnie said looking down at the blonde. "I would like to know why you made such strong accusations against your housemates."
"They were bragging to the rest of the girls in the tower about how they were going to show Lord Potter-Merlin that he couldn't trust Miss Granger and how they would be sure to help him pick up the pieces." She replied.
"Miss Lovegood, honourable as your actions were you do realise this will ostracise you from your housemates." Aunt Minnie stated.
"It would be difficult to make my life here any worse than it already is." The girl said with a forced half smile. "Besides Lord Potter- Merlin is the only family I have left other than daddy, and he's been more and more obsessed about finding his creatures than dealing with the loss of mummy."
"How are we related Miss Lovegood?" Harry asked nervously.
"I'm your godsister." She replied smiling broadly. "And please call me Luna."
"Well Luna that saves you from being disloyal to your house as you are honour bound to defend Harry should the need arise." Hermione beamed. "And please call us Harry and Hermione."
"Very well." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Miss Chang what do you have to say for yourself?"
"He needs a proper wife one who knows about the traditions of our world, one who can give him a true heir." She stated sneering at Hermione. "He needs a wive worthy of the Merlin name not this poor excuse of a witch."
"Call your staves." Aunt Minnie said looking at Harry and Hermione.
Each of them held out their hands and called upon their magic, they let it feel their need and slowly their new implements of magic appeared.
"This is Sidhe." Harry stated. "Merlin's staff, I got this during my visit to Avalon."
"And this is Tilde." Hermione said. "Merlin made this for his wife but before she was able to use it she was killed by a raider when the village she was helping to heal was attacked."
"That means nothing." Chang huffed. "Anyone can pick up a staff."
"But not everyone has a staff appear in their hand when their betrothed picks up the staff of Merlin." Aunt Minnie stated. "She is his soulmate, she has been named as his only betrothed, he is choosing not to take any others."
"I'm sorry." Miss Edgecombe cried. "Cho told me it was fake, that no one would be that loyal when they could have more than one wife, her uncle got us the potion at Kings Cross said her mother had had him brew it, we just had to add a part of the person we wanted to key it to."
"Very well Miss Edgecombe, your punishment will be nightly detentions with Professor Snape for a month, during which he will have you doing anything he needs in the potions lab while he lectures you on what affect a love potion have on a person and what you might have caused Miss Granger to do with Mister Crabbe."
"Yes headmistress." She replied solemnly.
"What about me?" Chang demanded.
"You and your entire family are responsible for an attack on the House of Potter, and given that you kept your crime hidden, I have no choice be to bring you all to the attention of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and as a warning Director bBones doesn't take too kindly to attacks on her family." Aunt Minnie stated. "Follow me to my office, Miss Edgecombe you can return to your lesson and inform Professor Sprout that Miss Chang will not be returning, Harry and Hermione why don't you escort Miss Lovegood to her lesson with Professor Black before you return to the dungeons."
Harry and Hermione talked happily with Luna as they escorted her up to the third floor for her Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson with Sirius, it wasn't until they were once again passing the second floor that Harry heard the voice, this time he shock it off and continued on his way, they had been unsuccessful the day before to find an animal that was common to the castle that he could be hearing. He mentioned hearing it again to Hermione and Uncle Sev once their potions lesson was complete and he promised they would redouble their efforts the following weekend, the rest of their week was quiet, Luna joined them everyday for lunch and dinner, but seemed to be making friends in her house as she spoke to them animatedly during breakfast.
That weekend they discovered he could speak to snakes, and every member of the family promised to help him search for the reptile when he next heard the voice, but none of their searches ever yielded so much as a single shred of snake skin let alone an actual snake. The couple tried to put it from their minds and focus on their studies and their extracurricular activities, each of them were becoming proficient in their staff casting and together they had been able to produce a shield strong enough to to hold off a barrage of curses from Aunt Minnie, Uncle Sev, Remus, and Sirius all casting together for more than 20 minutes. At the start of October Harry heard the voice again but as he had been on his own it had taken him longer to search that's he realised.
"Potter." A harsh voice had yelled at him.
Harry turned to find Filch striding towards him.
"It's gone past curfew, what are you doing out of bed?"
"I was looking for an animal I heard it but I can't find it." Harry replied. "How did you know I was here?"
"I got a new cat a Kneazle, Jonsey he saw you and came to get me."
"I'm glad you have a new friend to replace the one you lost to Malfoy."
"So am I lad, now come on I'll escort you to your quarters."
Each of them was in a different place with their animagi transformations, as Hermione had struggled to clear her mind enough to enter the dream state she needed to in order to find her spirit animal, where Harry had managed it within a few sessions and had moved on to changing one body part at a time, he had managed to change his hand into the front foot of his animal in his last session but hadn't been able to hold the change for long.
By the time their anniversary was upon them they had all but forgotten about the voice Harry had been hearing and had settled into a calm routine, where Rose had joined Hermione in classes every other week, and they had continued to get to know Luna and ensured that she was integrated into their friend group and welcomed by all, it helped that Ginny joined them occasionally while they were studying. Harry woke up happily on the 31st of October happy that today was a Saturday and that they could spend the day doing as they pleased, he had a picnic planned with Tilly out by their bench on the lake for lunch and with the help of Sirius he had managed to have a dozen red roses delivered after Hermione had fallen asleep the night before.
"Good morning Handsome." She said softly as he opened his eyes. "Happy Anniversary."
"Good Morning Mi, and a happy anniversary to you to." He said as he stretched. "Have you been up long?"
"Only enough to have a shower." She replied as she dried her hair with her towel. "Do you want a drink?"
"A pumpkin juice would be great." He replied smiling.
He began to get dressed as Hermione wandered into their living room, he had just pulled on his t-shirt when Hermione squealed in joy at the vase of roses on their coffee table, he just had enough time to turn towards the door and brace himself as Hermione pounced on him and wrapped him in a bone crushing hug kissing him fiercely.
"When did you have the time to arrange roses?" She asked him excitedly.
"Did you really think Sirius had a problem with me after every class for the last week?" He teased. "I mean I know he's a lot more serious now that he's a Proffesor but you've got to give me some credit."
"Can I assume there are no more surprises in store for me today?"
"I am making no such promises."
"I should have told you I didn't want to make a big deal out of this." She chuckled. "But that's my fault for keeping quiet."
"Well what we're you planning to do today then?"
"Well I didn't finish our essay for Remus yesterday, and I want to read the book Katie got for me about the chaser plays Oliver likes to use."
"Well then that tomorrow's plan isn't it."
"Fine." She giggled. "Now did you get me anything else or can I give you my gift without being one-upped constantly."
"Not gonna happen I've got too much planned."
"Fine close your eyes." She sighed as she let him out of her hug. Once she was sure he wasn't watching her she retrieved a neatly wrapped present from where she had hidden it and returned to stand in front of him. "You can open your eyes now."
"Woah." Harry exclaimed, the box was larger than he had been expecting and was at least a 2-foot cube wrapped in pristine white paper. "What in the name of Merlin did you get me?"
"Honestly it didn't cost me anything, but I think the gesture will be well received."
Harry carefully removed the paper after she had set the box down on their bed, chuckling as she made noises of annoyance at how slowly he was moving, by the time he was ready to open the trunk as it turned out to be Hermione looked ready to murder him. But he kissed her in apology and opened the trunk to find a highly polished set of plate armour baring the Potter coat of arms, he was surprised as he lifted the chest plate out of the box at just how light the inch think armour was.
"Where did you get this?" He asked excitedly.
"Daddy found it in the family vault when Aunt Minnie was showing it to us before we did our shopping." She explained. "But it was completely black and tarnished, he's been restoring it for you, he said that even though he has put in the work he thinks it makes more sense if I give it to you."
"Ok why?" He asked in confusion.
"On this day a year ago you became my knight in shining armour." She beamed. "Except you didn't have any armour, now you do, this belonged to your ancestor Percival Potter the Dragon Slayer, and given your saving people thing I like the idea of you having armour."
"It's brilliant." He smiled back. "You'll have to help me put it on another day."
"With pleasure."
They had a quiet breakfast alone in their quarters before they ventured out into the castle hand in hand, every teacher they passed smiled at them, and all of the students they passed looked at them with disdain, they ignored them and continued out into the grounds as they had planned. Harry couldn't believe his luck as the weather was clear and sunny but due to the time of year neither of them was too hot, they meandered around the lake and took the same branch that they had sat on for the first time with the Grangers nearly a year ago, Hermione sat happily in his lap kissing him passionately in their longest make-out session to date, they only stopped when Tilly arrived with their lunch, and a dozen more roses this time in a pastel pink.
"More roses?" She asked rhetorically as she gave him one last kiss and moved to the blanket the elf had provided. "Ok I concede that you are no longer hopeless when it comes to romantic gestures, but why so many flowers?"
"I thought you would like them." He said dejectedly.
"I do it's just that you've never bought me any before today and now I've got two dozen of them."
"Well today is special isn't it?"
"Yes Hero." She replied pecking him on the lips before she sat down and started inspecting the food.
They spent most of the afternoon eating and laying on the blanket that Tilly had provided them, they were so lost in their own world that they hadn't realised that the feast had already started until Sirius and Remus walked up to them.
"Good evening lovebirds." Sirius teased.
"Is can't be that late, it's still light." Hermione stated.
"Oh contraire Miss Granger." Remus chuckled. "The feast began twenty minutes ago, but by the looks of it you've been feasting for most of the afternoon."
"We forgot to get Tilly to remind us to return to the castle." Harry said shaking his head.
"I don't mind." Hermione smiled at him. "This was better than spending the evening at some feast."
"Come on let's get you both inside." Remus suggested. "Hopefully we can get you upstairs without you being spotted, these sorts of feasts are normally mandatory."
"But while in the company of two Professors we can be excused to help Harry with his remembrance of his parents on the anniversary of their death." Hermione suggested.
"You are brilliant." Harry smiled at her before turning to look at Sirius earnestly. "What time did they die?"
"Well I got to Peter's at about 6 and realised something was wrong, I got through the wards and up to the house by about 7 so I'd say no later than half past, they were still warm by the time I reached them." He replied solemnly.
"So let's start a new tradition." Remus suggested. "You two spend all day celebrating your anniversary and come 6 o'clock we take you to see Harry's parents graves."
"I like that idea." Sirius agreed looking at Harry. "I've not been to see them yet and since my name was cleared I should have thought about it and taken you."
"Let's go and get changed." Hermione suggested. "All black attire would be best, don't you think."
"Indeed." Remus smiled. "Come on let's get you upstairs to change before we can get going, it's ten to now and we need you two back before the feast ends at 7."
Harry didn't know what to expect as they apperated to the small copse of trees across from the destroyed house in Godric's Hallow, but his overwhelming sense of being loved wasn't even close to what he had imagined, it felt to him that the air around him was gripping him in a tight hug, Hermione was looking at him in wonder as she squeezed his hand. Sirius lead them through the gate that was covered in well wishes for Harry, most of which were years old, and up towards the door to the house which appeared to have not been touched in years, as soon as he turned the handle it was apparent to Harry that while the outside of the house had been left to weather the passing of time the same could not be said for the inside, barring the obvious damage from the battle with Voldemort the house was in pristine condition, a book lay open on the table as they walked into the living room, the mug of coffee beside it still looked like they could drink it. What surprised Harry was the fact that even stood in the room where his father had been murdered he wasn't sad, he could feel the love hanging in the air, even with the evidence of the battle his father had fought with Voldemort on the walls the scorch marks were large and numerous, he almost couldn't make out the colour his parents had painted the wall. The group was silent as they moved through the house Sirius only spoke to tell them which room they were entering. Harry didn't breakdown until he entered what appeared to be his nursary, the room was open to the outside world on one wall but was otherwise like the rest of the house it was unaltered by the passage of time over the last 11 years.
"This feels different." Harry stated. "I can feel mum here like I did dad downstairs, but there is something else, and no it's not Voldemort, but it's something else it's not malevolent but I don't know what it is."
"Well so long as it's not going to hurt us we can figure it out over the summer." Remus stated. "The goblins put the house in stasis after that night, and only someone who is here with you could open the door, I tried several times in the hopes it might help me find you."
"While it does feel nice to be here, shall we go to the graveyard?" Hermione suggested.
"Yeah." Harry nodded.
"Wait it actually feels nice for you?" Remus asked. "It feels like I'm being squeezed, it's almost unbearable."
"No I feel like I've being hugged." Harry replied.
"Me too." Hermione smiled.
"Family magic." Sirius stated. "We need to check some of the grimoires."
"Later." Remus nodded. "Let's go and see them."
The walk to the graveyard was a quiet one, none of them knew what to expect after the revelation of the feeling inside the house for Harry and Hermione, as they walked through the graves Sirius and Remus pointed out specific graves that would have meaning to Harry and Hermione, they both spent a few moments looking at Ignotus' grave in admiration, they had found several useful spells in his section of the Peverall grimoire. Harry stopped the moment he saw their names, and a tear formed in the corner of his eye but it refused to fall, while he knew they were gone they were still with him in many ways so this was something he could handle.
"Harry are you ok?" Hermione asked him quietly.
"Yes Mi." He smiled weakly. "I'm fine it's just a little strange, I feel like I've got them back in my life with the portraits but being here it proves they're gone."
"I know." She said giving him a hug. "Come on I'll hold your hand and we can do this together."
They slowly walked towards the graves and knelt beside them, ordinarily Hermione would have suggested he talk to them like her father did at his father's grave but somehow knowing that he spoke to their portraits it didn't feel like the right suggestion, as he touched his mother's name she did the same to his father's and they both felt a spark of magic, and a few moments later ghost like apparitions began to rise from the graves. Harry and Hermione back-pedalled into Sirius and Remus as the newly formed ghosts stood before them, slowly their forms became more defined and Harry could see his parents as they would have looked as they died, the tears he had been fighting flowed freely as he moved back towards them.
"Hello Harry." Lily smiled as he reached them. "I am so sorry for the life you had to live, I never wanted you to go to Petunia."
"I know mum." He replied. "But that was mostly because of Vernon, and she and Dudley are ok now, they're safe a Potter Manor."
"We know son." James smiled. "And you have become the Potter you were always meant to be, it's nice to see you surrounded by so many people who love you."
"Hello Mr and Mrs Potter." Hermione said as she joined Harry. "It is lovely to actually meet you, but how are you here?"
"Hello Hermione." Lily beamed. "An excellent question, but the only answer I can give you is to check Antioch's writing, he won't explain it to either of us as we are not in possession of his wand, but he does say it's in his grimoire somewhere."
"That's helpful I'll look over Christmas." She replied.
"Are you actually talking to them?" Remus asked.
"Tell him Prongs wants to remind him that he owes me 20 galleons from the bet that Sirius would marry Amelia before you were 4." James smiled.
"Bloody hell." Remus exclaimed once Hermione had relayed the message.
"Harry." Lily said kneeling in front of him. "I need you to know I'm proud of what you did for Sev, he was stuck as a pawn for both sides and you freed him, you have returned him to the friend I once had."
"And your grandfather wants you to know that your handling of Dumbledore was something he had longed to do for many years." James smiled. "And Dorea says there is a safe in the portrait room that only Lord Potter can open something about pressing your ring into her portrait."
"I'll look when I go home for Christmas." Harry smiled. "I wish we could stay a while longer, but we need to be back at Hogwarts before curfew."
"We know sweetie." Lily sighed. "But so long as you visit the house first you can see us every year on Halloween."
"Until next year then." Harry and Hermione said together as they turned to leave.
"We love you Harry, and we are overjoyed to know you have a soulmate, be strong and remember we are always with you." Lily called after them as she started to fade away.
Harry was smiling as he walked through the front door of the castle, he had actually spoken to his parents not just an echo of them in their portraits, while it was a good echo and he felt he did know them, knowing that they were proud of him in their afterlife, and that they loved Hermione just as much as he did made him feel giddy. The noise as they passed the great hall was cacophonous and they knew the feast would be over soon, the group moved silently towards the grand staircase and slowly climbed to the second floor where Harry heard the voice again.
RIP, TEAR, KILL, EAT!
"The snake has a victim." He said quickly taking off at a run through the second floor corridors, leaving the others to follow behind him.
As Harry ran he noticed the sound of running water coming from a nearby girl's toilet and moved in that direction, as he rounded the corner he came upon a strange sight, the floor was completely covered in water, and hanging from the wall by its tail was Jonsey, Filch's new cat, he didn't know what was wrong with it but he didn't get the chance to look before Hermione found him and screamed. Her scream was of pure terror, and Harry quickly enveloped her in a comforting hug.
"Enemies of the heir beware, the chamber of secrets has been opened." Remus read off of the wall.
"Fuck." Sirius swore near Harry and Hermione for the first time.
Then all that could be heard was the thundering of feet heading in their direction, Hermione's scream must have been heard as the feast let out. The crowds of students stopped about 10 feet away from Harry and his family, and everyone began whispering wildly to each other as to the sight they had found.
"What's going on? Let the headmistress through." Harry heard Filch say.
"Thank you Angus." Aunt Minnie said as the crowd parted and she was able to join the group with the other professors. "Now could someone explain what happened here."
"JONSEY!" Filch shouted rushing to his cat. "WHO KILLED MY CAT? I WILL HAVE YOU OUT OF THIS CASTLE FOR THIS."
"We don't know Mr Filch we found him on the wall like that." Harry stated in a friendly manner.
"Likely story." A student stated from deep in the crowd behind Harry, but their voice carried over the quiet crowd.
"ONE I BELIEVE!" Filch spat in the direction of the voice. "Mr Potter has spoken to me about losing Mrs Norris and getting Jonsey, he didn't do this."
"Are you sure he's dead?" Uncle Sev asked stepping towards the man who has pulled the cat down from the wall.
"Yes Professor, his throat was cut." Filch said managing to keep calm, as it seemed people were being caring towards him unlike they had under Dumbledore.
"Looks like his blood was used to write on the wall." Remus commented quietly to Sirius.
"STUDENTS RETURN TO YOUR COMMON ROOMS." Aunt Minnie commanded. "YOU WILL BE KEPT UP TO DATE WITH OUR INVESTIGATION AS IT CONTINUES, BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR YOU SEE TO ANY PROFESSOR, WE WILL NOT RIDICULE YOU AND WILL DO OUR BEST TO PUT YOUR MINDS AT EASE."
"Let's go contact your parents." Remus said looking at Hermione. "The family clock is in the library, no doubt they are worried."
"Where is the familiar egg from the Parkinson vault?" Harry asked as they began to climb the grand staircase again.
"In the grimoire room." Sirius stated. "It arrived while you were in Australia so we put it down there, why?"
"I'd like to see if it will react to Filch, he's lost 2 cats to students this year." Harry replied, earning him a bone crushing hug from Hermione.