chapetr 10
WEDNESDAY, March 29th, 1995 – FIRST TIME COMPRESSION, DAY 28.
Harry was truly her first kiss. It had been that first day, not minutes after they had confessed their feelings to each other and moments after Harry had told her he had visited her every day for the three weeks she was petrified back during second year. Hermione already knew that because Madam Pomfrey, the school Healer, had told her. She also knew that Ron had visited her just twice. Once immediately after she had been found and the second time was just before Harry and Ron entered the Chamber of Secrets. Still, it was a nice moment hearing about that time from Harry's point of view and he then had the courage to kiss her. Perhaps it helped that she had stood up and walked to the edge of the balcony, and told him she wanted to and that he could touch her wherever he wanted as he was obviously nervous about that given she was only wearing a bikini at the time. It was her first kiss and in her mind it was perfect. It was not a full on snog (those came later), but it seemed to be filled with such emotion. It was also truly toe curling, something she had thought was little more than fantasy reserved for her roommate Lavender's trashy romance novels.
Her first kiss had been wonderful, but getting Harry to go further took time. It was annoying at first. She was ready to offer him everything and anything yet he held back. Ginny had managed to bed Neville that day. Then again, they had already been talking about it beforehand and it was only the fact that Ginny did not want her first time to be a quicky in a broom closet or empty classroom that had kept them from taking that step before. Neville's room in the South Wing was a perfect place to take that final step. Harry's room was also perfect, Hermione remembered.
They had finally made love for the first time in Harry's room eight days into Time Compression. It had taken that long for Harry to accept the idea that she wanted to be with him that way, and some rather overt advances. The bikini had become topless and that led to no clothes whatsoever and he still held back even when she allowed him to spread lotion on any place not "out of bounds" which she said was any part of her covered in clothing - and she was naked. She knew getting past his intimacy issues would be hard. It took four days to move beyond snogging. Day four was when he finally touched her in truly intimate ways and he finally let her relieve his frustrations in ways. She did not mind oral sex, she learned. But oral sex as fun as it was for her and as good as he was would not get her pregnant. The fact that he was amazing when he finally did get past that was a small blessing given the effort she had to put in. But he was amazing. Hermione lost her virginity on day eight and it had been wonderful, although her first time was nothing compared to the next time, and the next and the next.
She had calculated that she would be at her peak fertility between days fifteen and twenty and she was amazed at how randy she was. Once Harry became her lover, it had been two or three times a day ever since. She wondered whether it was the fertility potion or just the fact that she was now Harry's forever. She wondered if it was because this month in Time Compression might well be the longest she would have Harry all to herself. Ginny was apparently just as randy so Hermione figured the potion had more than something to do with it. It was all Hermione could do just to keep them on schedule.
Ginny and Hermione had started Neville and Harry on Occlumency training the first day. It began with meditation and relaxation exercises that tended to lead to intense snogging sessions (for Hermione) or a good shagging (for Ginny). Day six and it was all Hermione could do to keep the schedule she had made for them. Day six began with two hours of physical training followed by a "cool down" which soon turned into a different kind of physical activity. They also reviewed Transfiguration. Within a day they learned that Ginny's wand actually worked for Neville, or at least it worked much better than his father's wand did. During their "non-horizontal" off time, Neville was working with Ginny in his greenhouse - although Ginny did tell Hermione sometimes their work was more horizontal than not. Still, they had managed to review all of the first two years of Transfiguration and most of Third Year as well and their boys were now quite good with the material. Much better, in Hermione's opinion, than they had been.
For Neville, the realization that his ineptitude at magic was due to using an unmatched wand had done wonders. Ginny's wand was not perfect for him, but it was far better than his father's wand which was just barely more than a stick of wood. He was passing his classes with a wand no student should be using - or at least a match no student should have to endure. Pureblood families kept their old wands and it was not unusual for a child to be using and ancestor wand, but for some reason Neville's Gran had not made sure the wand was a match. An ancestor wand was more likely to match than not, but that rule was hardly absolute. Discovering it was the wand and not the wizard that was the problem really improved Neville's self confidence. Harry had taught the three of them the Patronus Charm. Hermione and Ginny had managed to produce corporeal ones. Hermione's was an otter and Ginny's a horse. Neville's was close and he and the others all agreed it was just a matter of the right wand. Ginny's was better than his father's, but not perfect and Neville was now looking forward to the planned trip to Diagon Alley so that he could have his own matched wand and find out what that huge blob of light really was.
It was now the evening of Day 28 and both Hermione and Ginny were officially late. Hermione's period had been like clockwork for the last two years or more and Ginny's was not irregular either. That morning they had tested themselves with a charm. It would only tell them whether they were pregnant or not and it came up "Strong Positive" for both of them. Neither had told Harry or Neville much about what was going on. Hermione had wanted to at first, but getting Harry to become intimate had taken priority and then training had distracted her. Ginny admitted that being Neville's love had been a totally wonderful distraction.
But the time for distractions was over. They had two days left under compression before the ward lifted at which time Ginny and Hermione would leave the South Wing for what would seem to them would be a little over eight hours but to Harry and Neville would be eight months. They would leave and two new girls would take their place, each of whom would have made their decision to become the second wives. Admittedly, even that decision would not be final. Once the new girls entered Time Compression, they would still have the right to refuse, but they would be stuck in here until their month was up. What was critical in Hermione's mind was that Harry and Neville needed to be convinced to accept each of the remaining girls' decisions and if that meant accept them as wives, then so be it. Hermione knew it would be hard for them to accept this, especially Harry. They both needed to know this was not infidelity, not really.
After dinner they had gathered on the Main Floor balcony. All four of them liked the balconies and the view and mild weather. True, it barely ever changed at all given that beyond their wards less than an hour had passed. But it was a lovely day outside all the time so of course they took advantage of that. The renovations had continued during this month and were still ongoing as the elves were extending the balconies on the Private Apartments above almost all the way to the castle wall allowing for access to the balconies from all the apartments rather than just from the Master's Bedchambers. The Main Floor balcony was also being extended to allow more access and room to enjoy the "outside." In addition, two lifts were being installed that would access most of the wing. Only the Greenhouse and Basement would not be accessible by lift. There was a lift at either end of the Wing right beside one of the staircases.
The girls were seated across from their boys. Hermione looked at them and took a breath.
"So then," she said, "this lovely month is almost over. Two days from now for us at ten in the morning we return to real time for a bit. Ginny and I've been meaning to tell you why we've done all this but … well … we got a bit distracted."
"I hope it was a very pleasant distraction," Harry said.
Hermione and Ginny both smiled. "It was and is, Harry," Hermione said. "I wish we could be like this forever and Ginny and I hope we will be one day, but there are things going on that require us to think of one day and until then work to make that one day a reality."
"The Tournament," Harry said with a frown.
"All this began with that," Hermione nodded. "This began the day your name came out of the Goblet of Fire. I didn't believe you had somehow managed to enter. I didn't believe you wanted anything to do with the Tournament aside from maybe watching. At first I thought I was alone."
"I didn't believe it either," Neville said. "You've done enough, Harry. Why would you want this? I understand going after Quirrell and going to save Ginny and the Troll. Those things were forced upon you in a way and maybe I would have been there too if my magic wasn't so wonky. And your last year as well makes sense. You found yourself in those situations because no one else tried. But this Tournament was purely voluntary and - to be quite honest - a little beneath you."
"Thanks Nev," Harry said.
"There were others as well, Harry," Hermione said. "Most of them had never thought much about The Boy Who Lived."
"I did once," Ginny admitted. "I'm not proud of that, Harry. But I got over it. Being possessed by Voldemort tends to do that, I suppose."
Hermione nodded. "But the members of our club have watched you. They see the real Harry and one by one they came to me, knowing I was probably your closest friend - especially after Ron turned out the way he did, everyone saw that - and they offered to help in whatever way they could. Our first goals were to find a way to get you out of the Tournament."
"Yeah," Harry said. "All I had to do was refuse, I know. As I did not intend to enter, there was no contract unless I agreed to it! No one told me that! And I didn't find out until it really was too late."
"We know, Harry," Hermione said. "It made no sense to us at first either. Once we realized you were stuck in this thing, we set out to help you get through it. McGonagall's permission was primarily for me to help you, but she never said I couldn't have help! So while I helped you, there were others like Ginny who were helping me. And, we then decided to find out why you were stuck in this Tournament when you didn't have to be."
"Pieces to a puzzle," Ginny said. "A few of us already had them, but had never seen the others. Our pieces made no sense without the others and more pieces."
"What do you mean?" Harry began.
"This goes well beyond the silly Tournament, Harry," Hermione said. "We've put many of the pieces together we think. We don't like the answer at all, but nothing else makes sense. Harry? Have you ever wondered why your life has been the way it is?"
"I know why," Harry replied. "Voldemort is why."
"But why?" Hermione asked. "Why you? Why your family? What made him come after you at all? Why were you so special to him that he attacked you when he did? And it's not just you, Harry. Neville's family suffered as well. Why?"
Harry shrugged. "Guess it's my luck. Were it not for bad luck I might not have any at all."
"It wasn't luck, Harry," Hermione said. "Everything that happened to you, your parents and Neville and his happened for a reason. It happened because two men should have known better and did not. Those two men are the reason for everything!"
"Voldemort I get," Harry said. "You're not saying Sirius or Wormtail…"
"No Harry," Hermione said calmly. "They were as caught up in this mess as you were. No. The other man who ruined your life is Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore?" Harry asked in shock. "But … but … but he's the leader of the Light! He's always been nice to me and he's the only wizard Voldemort fears!"
"The One with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches," Ginny began and continued.
"What was that rubbish?" Harry asked.
"It was a prophecy," Hermione said. "Apparently a real one. Professor Trelawney made it to Dumbledore a few months before you and Neville were born. Dumbledore knows it and believes it. We think Voldemort knows part of it but not all. Everything that's happened to you, Harry, and everything that's happened to Neville stems from that prophecy."
"I don't understand," Neville said. "What's all that mean?"
"We don't know for certain," Hermione admitted. "One of our members has studied this stuff and even she can't say for certain. What is certain is it's real enough and duly recorded with the Department of Mysteries. But while prophecies are the one branch of divination with at least some merit, they are still dodgy things. They are not destined to come to pass. The most simple explanation of one is that it says if X happens then Y will happen. But X is by no means certain and if X never happens, Y will never happen. It takes someone to do something to set the ball rolling. The first part of the prophecy defined who the One might be. Due to the language, we are fairly certain the Dark Lord is Voldemort. We are almost certain that when this prophecy was made the One was not born yet. It's not so certain whether he - and it is a wizard - was to be born soon or not. But some of us have access to Ministry records and there are only two people alive today who fit the bill: one is you, Harry, and the other is Neville."
Both boys' mouths dropped open.
"You were both born within three hours of each other and the end of July 1980," Ginny said. "Both of your parents had fought Voldemort on three occasions and lived to tell the tale. No one else fits."
"Shit!" Harry and Neville said together.
"Crude but accurate," Hermione replied. "Both of your families were placed under the Fidelius Charm almost immediately after that prophecy was uttered and certainly after you were born and your birth announcements were about to be made public. Sirius Black was the Potter Secret Keeper and Fabian Prewett the Longbottom's. We guess that was on orders of Dumbledore. Skip forward to October 1981 … Fabian Prewett was murdered. We know that from the Court Records of the Trial of Bellatrix LeStrange."
Neville gasped.
"We also know from that record that Dumbledore told the Potters to change Secret Keepers and that the Longbottoms were told to replace Prewett. Maybe it's a coincidence and maybe not, but the new Secret Keepers were both Death Eaters, spies within Dumbledore's organization."
"He set us up!" Harry said.
"That is a possibility," Hermione said. "We don't know that for certain, but it is a possibility. Worst case? He set you both up to find out who The One was."
"And I got marked!" Harry said.
"Again, we're not certain of that, Harry. You got a scar. But does that mark you as his equal? Does it? Does it when we know that on that night your family was not the only one Voldemort planned to wipe out? He got to you first, but he was going for Neville as well."
"Okay, I am confused now."
"We think Voldemort knew the first part of the prophecy but not all of it. Had he known the whole thing, we think he would never have come after either of you. An attack might be the mark! Once the One was marked, he would have set the prophecy in motion and the rest of it seems to mean it would be his undoing. Had he known the whole prophecy - and assuming he's not a total idiot - his best move would be to ignore the both of you. Any attack on you or your family's could be The Mark and that would set you up to be the One. Ignore you and the prophecy is a nothing. Remember, prophecies require an action to bring about their result. Everything that has happened flows from that prophecy. What happened to your parents', Harry's life with the Dursleys, the fact that neither of you have received any real training beyond what any of us could expect, even indirectly Neville's wand…"
"Our Professors are supposed to look for that," Ginny said. "Your's was obvious, Neville. Yet nothing was done!"
"You should never ever have gone to the Dursleys," Hermione continued. "Sirius was your Godfather. That means something in this world. Even if he was a Death Eater, he could never have betrayed you or your parents based on that bond alone. Sirius aside, you should have been sent to your Grandfather Charlus Potter who was still alive. Even then, there were other magical families who had a better claim as guardians than any Muggles. Dumbledore sent you into that hell. He ignored the law and tradition. Maybe he had a good reason to do so, I don't know. But he should have told you all of this years ago and yet he has not. Why?"
"But…," Harry began.
"He can't be trusted!," Hermione continued. "I'm not saying he never can be, but he has to come clean and tell you everything. Unless he does that, he's as much your enemy as Voldemort and maybe worse. At least you truly know where you stand with the other one. There's only one thing to do…"
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"As of right know, and whether he had the legal authority or not, Dumbledore is your magical guardian. Sirius should be, but being a fugitive is a problem in that regard. So long as your Dumbledore's Ward, what he says goes. We think he means you to die, Harry."
"WHAT? WHY?"
"We think," Ginny continued, "he's misinterpreted the last part of the prophecy. He believes 'Live' and 'Survive' mean the same thing. They don't. But he never studied Divination at all. I'm not taking it either. It's mostly rubbish. But we have a few who are and they can tell us that those two words mean very different things. Live means to live the life you want, Harry. Survive means to still exist."
"H-how do you know this?" Harry asked.
"My parents and Dumbledore - as your Magical Guardian - entered into a contract. I am to be your wife within the next year or so - not later than your sixteenth birthday in fact. I am to continue the Potter line."
"WHAT?"
"It's a binding contract," Hermione said. "Or at least it's binding so long as it is executed before you come of age and can stop it."
"I don't want this, Harry," Ginny said. "I'll admit, you're not a bad match. But I love Neville and not you, not like that. But right now, you and I and Neville are stuck! So long as Dumbledore and my parents control our lives, we're stuck!"
Harry could not respond. Neville could. "Let me guess," he said, "you lot's figured out how to get us all un-stuck?"
The two girls blushed furiously.
"We have," Hermione said.
"We don't regret it, but we're sorry," Ginny added.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"To get us all un-stuck," Ginny said, "the lot of us has to become emancipated. That means our parents and guardians no longer have a say in our lives."
"It means," Hermione added, "that we become legal adults."
"You didn't," Neville began.
"I love you, Neville!" Ginny replied. "Harry's my brother in all but blood - and we happen to be cousins. But I love YOU! This was necessary for you and for my brother Harry. I'd do anything for the two of you!"
"What the bloody hell does that mean?" Harry began.
Neville hung his head and shook it. "There is but one way to become an adult without our parent's or guardian's permission," he said. "We have to marry them. I'm not complaining, but damn!"
"But don't we need permission?" Harry asked.
"Usually," Neville said. "But not if they're pregnant with our child and we agree to marry them."
"WHAT?"
"You're saying the two of you are…" Neville began. "But how? True! We've been intimate Ginny, but you're supposed to be on a potion that prevents this!"
"One which wears off in three months," Ginny said. "We've been under Time Compression far longer than that since our last dose."
"And the potion you were taking?" Neville asked.
"Fertility potion," Ginny said. "Just a general one. Could be a girl or boy and we won't know that for a while yet."
"You're both pregnant?" Harry asked in shock. "On purpose? Why didn't you tell us this earlier?"
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "I … I wanted to, Harry. Honestly! But I was afraid you'd reject me and … Harry this is the only way to get your life back, to get what you truly want! I want you to have a family - a real one! And I want to be a part of it. I'm so sorry it came out this way," and she started to sob.
Neville stood and walked over to Ginny. He pulled her onto her feet and hugged her. "I would have liked a head's up on this, Gin," he said. "I would have liked to have gotten you the ring and all that, taken you out on a romantic date after getting your parent's blessing and asked you proper to be mine forever. I now suspect the parent part would never have worked out. I wish we were older, but I accept this. You do know what this means, don't you? You do know about my family contract with House Bones?"
Ginny nodded. "I don't care, Neville. I just want this!"
"I love you too, Gin," he said holding her close.
Harry took the hint. The truth was he loved Hermione desperately. So this was far sooner than expected, he did not care. He got up and pulled his crying girlfriend into the tightest comfortable hug he could. "Like Neville, I would have liked the chance to do this right, Hermione," he said. "But if you believe this was the only way to get what we both want, I'll accept it. I still want to get you the ring, though," he added in a whisper as he held her. "You're okay with this?"
"So long as you're my husband, yes Harry," she said. "I love you. You've always wanted a real family and I want to give that to you, My Love!"
"Bit young, don't you think?"
"It was either this or your being forced to marry Ginny," Hermione replied. "Ginny's Mum worships Dumbledore so…"
"So," Ginny said, "I saw that contract! They're allowed to use any magical means to control us! We'd be potioned up! This summer in all probability, Harry! My relationship with Neville isn't totally secret - I think Ron let that cat out of the bag. Got a letter from Mum telling me - telling me! - to end it! I don't do this - we don't do this and we go home this summer to fun with Amorentia! It's a love potions so vile it should be illegal! We'd have no free will, Harry. I love Neville with all my heart and I can now choose him! I love you too, but not like that and I won't be a part of controlling you! We think Dumbledore expects you to die and that contract was made to ensure House Potter survives! We also think Dumbledore is wrong! I don't want to have your baby, Harry! I would, but I don't! Hermione does! This frees us from HIM! All of us! By the end of this holiday, it'll be too late for them! Our marriages will be legal and our babies will be born and too old to get rid of without committing an unforgivable crime! And don't worry about money! You and Neville are quite wealthy - or at least you will be once our marriages are recorded!"
"This was the only way?" Harry almost yelled.
"Harry, we looked and looked and looked again," Hermione said almost meekly. "We knew the only way to end that contract and to get Dumbledore either out of your lives altogether or get him to talk was to get you out of his control. This was the only way! He hasn't lifted a finger to help Sirius! That would have been the other way provided Sirius saw through him and he hasn't done a bloody thing! Getting married this way is the only way to help you."
"Anything less and you'd fall into Dumbledore's vision of the future," Ginny said. "Where's your training? Where's Neville's? If one of you is the One of that prophecy, you should be training your arse off, not being allowed to slip through class like any old witch or wizard. Why? He's setting you up to fail, Harry."
"And not even bothering with Neville at all," Hermione added. "He seems to believe you must die, Harry. Shows how much he knows! The prophecy is clear to us on that! This is a winner take all scenario! If either of you is the One and you die, Voldemort wins!"
"This was the only way, Harry," Ginny said. "I'm sorry Nev, but it was either this or Dumbledore's path to disaster. We had to do this to get you both out from his control. We had too!"
"I'm only fourteen!" Harry protested. "Sweet Merlin, Hermione! You're not even sixteen and Ginny here's not even fourteen! You think about that? Am I ready to be a dad and a husband? What kind of example have I had?"
"We'll have help,' Hermione said softly. "Mum told me no one is ever truly ready. It's all about how much help you have and we have Dobby and Winky at the very least. I'm sure Sirius will be there for us and probably Remus too and I hope my Mum and Dad. We're not alone in this."
"Can't say what my parents will do," Ginny said to Neville and the others. "Dad should be there and Mum will probably come around in time. But Bill will be there for us as will Fred and George. My brother Charlie will be there as well, although I doubt he'll leave his dragons."
Neville laughed. "Gred and Forge? You have any idea what we're in for?"
"I'm sure they'll be wonderful uncles, so long as you don't mind them encouraging our son or daughter to be - er - extra mischievous."
"Great!" Neville said but he had a smile on his face.
"What are you complaining about?" Harry asked missing the smile. "I got two of the four Marauders! In all likelihood our kids are going to spend their lives trying to out prank the other!" He turned to Hermione. "You're okay with this?"
Hermione nodded. "It is sooner than I had hoped, but yes Harry. So long as it's you and I, I am okay with this."
"So," Harry smiled, "thinking of any names yet?"
"We won't even know what it is for a while!" Hermione protested. "All Ginny and I know for certain is we're late and the charm says we are almost certainly pregnant!"
"You're not certain?"
"I'm not a Healer, Harry! The charm is almost always right but I need a blood test to confirm it! I'm almost positive and about as positive as I've been about anything!"
"Which means you and Ginny are preggers," Harry said. He turned to Neville. "I've seen that look on her face far too often. She's right and we just have to deal with her right-ness." He turned back to Hermione. "If this is what you want, Hermione, I am with you all the way."
Hermione launched herself at Harry and practically tackled him with her hug.
"Um," Harry said, "you sure you should be doing that in your - um - condition?"
"Harry, I'm barely pregnant," Hermione replied, "I'm not broken! There will come a time when I can't do this or shouldn't, but that's ages away!"
Neville then spoke to Ginny. "It's a few years sooner than I wanted, but I want this Gin. I'm marrying an angel who's been my truest friend for almost two years."
"Would've been longer, Love," Ginny said softly before kissing him. "I didn't see the truth about you First Year."
"You are aware I have a Line Continuation Contract out there," Neville said after the kiss broke.
"I am," Ginny said, "and I know what that means. And you're not the only one," she added looking at Harry
"Harry has one as well," Hermione said.
"Mate," Neville said, "we're in so deep!"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"It means my family has a contract with another Ancient and Noble House, one that has a daughter but no sons and no other lines left. I'm to marry her to continue her family line but as I'm the end of my line, I can have more than one wife to keep my line going as well. That means a plural marriage. That means in addition to that wife and Ginny I have to or can be expected to marry a Half-Blood and a Muggle Born as well. That means by getting Ginny pregnant - not that I really mind - I trigger that contract and trigger the need to find two more wives or have them forced on me by political interests…"
"Such as Dumbledore or Death Eaters," Ginny said. "We planned this, Nev. We knew about the contracts and know the possibilities and have that covered!"
"Really?"
Ginny nodded.
"I've always liked Susan," Neville said. "I love you Gin, but I always considered her a friend. Then again, I've tried to be her friend knowing this."
"I know, Neville. It's among many reasons why I do love you. You're so NOT selfish!"
"I have one of these contracts too?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry," Hermione said. "And there's no question about its authenticity. Your contract with Ginny was made by Dumbledore whose claim as your guardian is suspect were it not for the fact he is practically our government. That other contract was made by your parents with hers before they died and her father was killed. Like Neville, you are all but expected to take her as your second wife to continue her House. And as Neville said, that means you're bound by the Plural Marriage Law which allows you to be - er - forced to marry a Pureblood and a Half-blood witch. But we've got that covered as well."
"Who is she?" Harry gowled.
"Hannah Abbott," Hermione said.
Harry thought about that for a long time. "She doesn't see me as The Boy Who Lived," he said. "Second Year when almost everyone thought I was the one petrifying the other students, she stood up to Ernie and her other housemates on that. She didn't know I was listening in. It really - well - she's nice enough and - sorry - she's pretty cute too. I guess I could live with that. I just want it to be you, Hermione."
"I know Harry," she said, "but these are the cards we are dealt. We've stacked the deck in yours and Neville's favor we hope, but we still have to play this hand. I know where I stand with you and it is always by your side. If to do so Hannah needs to be there as well, I'll accept that to be with you forever. I'm your best friend and I want to do whatever is necessary to make you happy and give you your life back, Harry. I know this is weird. I can't say how my parents will react to it. But I can say to be with you forever is all I want and I'll make any sacrifice to be there with you now and years and years and years from now. You need to be free of Dumbledore and the Dursleys, Harry. You have no life of your own and no choices otherwise. This is the only way we could find to set you free. It means we'll be married probably before this Holiday Break is over and it means you'll also marry Hannah and at least two others. We've set this up so WE control who the others are. Not Dumbledore! Not the Death Eaters and their supporters! We control! The girls are not Boy-Who-Lived fan girls. They like the real Harry and the real Neville. They chose between you two and either way, Ginny and I believe they chose wisely."
"I CAN'T believe you're okay with this," Harry began.
"I can't lie to you Harry. Never could. I'm NOT totally okay with this. But this is the way things are! Had you married Ginny as per Dumbledore's plan, it would have triggered Hannah's contract and you would have been in a Plural Marriage anyway! There was no way for me to be your absolute one and only! I know that now and I accept it only because I know the other girls and they've become MY friends! You were never truly destined to a normal life. That Line Continuation Contract meant this could and probably would happen. Its execution takes Dumbledore totally out of the picture and gives you back some life at least. I'd say all, but you'll be stuck with us," Hermione finished hanging her head.
"Hermione," Harry said, "I'd never consider myself 'stuck' with you. If to have you in my life forever means I MUST have some others, I'd rather have that than lose you. I don't like it. Truly I don't. But I can't live without you and if this is the only way, if this was inevitable anyway, I'll accept it just so that I can be with you forever."
Hermione was soon in Harry's arms. "I wish it could be different, Harry," she whispered. "I love you so much. I'd rather it was just the two of us, but that's not the way it can work. This way, as weird as it is, takes away all Dumbledore's control over you and Neville and me and Ginny for that matter. I know it won't be easy for you or me or the others, but if we try it can work. It has to!"
"I love you too, Hermione," Harry said softly. "If this is the only way, I'll believe you but who else will there be? How can this possibly work?"
Hermione giggled. "Well, you know Hannah is one. Susan Bones is Neville's Contract Bride. Aside from that we're not saying," she sing songed.
Harry frowned.
"It'll be fun finding out," Ginny giggled. "I think it would at least."
"We have two days left, Harry," Hermione said. "Two days left in our honeymoon, for lack of a better word. After that, Ginny and I leave you two. For us, it will only be a few hours before we see you again, but for you and Neville, it may be months. Hannah and Susan will replace us. Maybe not so much in your hearts, but they are going to be here as we were helping you and - hopefully - being with you as we are. It's their decision in the end. But if they want to be with you, we ask that you let them."
"Don't deny them," Ginny added. "We love you and you love us but give them the same chance! You don't have to love them as much. Maybe you can and maybe you will, but you don't have to. But if they want this too, don't deny them either."
"It's necessary," Hermione added. "Try and at least like them?"
"I already like Susan," Neville said.
"And the others who come along as well?" Ginny added.
"If that's what you want, Love," Neville said.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded, although he was more reluctant than Neville.
chapter 11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29th, 1995 – FIRST TIME COMPRESSION, DAY 30.
A/N: The next few chapters are Harry (mainly) and Neville and their other girls. Generally, it will be two girls per chapter. After that, the real fun begins!
It was just after breakfast on their last day of the Time Compression. Hermione and Ginny would be leaving in an hour or so and for Harry and Neville would be gone for months. How many? They seemed to recall it would be about eight. Did that mean eight more girls? Hermione and Ginny were deliberately silent on the matter. Aside from Susan and Hannah, who were not even here yet, the two boys had no idea.
Harry and Neville had each spent part of the last afternoon writing long letters to Hermione and Ginny. They really were not necessary as their two girls would be back within hours in their time. But the two boys felt it was necessary for them. Neville had cut two almost perfect roses from the "Muggle Side" of his greenhouse and gave one to Harry to give to Hermione keeping the other for Ginny. They presented their letters and roses just about a half hour before the girls were scheduled to leave them and got rewarded with memorable kisses each. The girls gave them letters as well. They were thinking on the same page and both boys felt better about that even though they were now expected to "cheat" on their one and only.
"Okay," Hermione said, "now comes the hard part." She and Ginny handed Harry and Neville a piece of parchment. Harry read his.
CONTRACT FOR MARRIAGE:
WHEREAS the Undersigned, Harry James Potter (Bridegroom) and Hermione Jane Granger (Bride), being born 31 July 1980 and 19 September 1979 respectively and as of this date, 1 April 1995, still being deemed legally under age seventeen; and
WHEREAS, aforesaid Minors have been engaged in a true affair of the heart; and
WHEREAS, the Bride can attest to having no other prior lovers, being previously virginal; and
WHEREAS, aforesaid Bride is expecting with the child of aforesaid Groom and aforesaid Groom accepts both Bride and expected child of their union as his own and his family; and
WHEREAS, it is uncontested that aforesaid Groom is financially capable and willing to support his Bride and Child and shall not place a financial burden upon either his family, his Bride's family, nor the people of Magical Britain in accepting his Bride and child as his Wife and family;
NOW and THEREFORE, before the below attesting witnesses, the Undersigned do hereby accept and declare they are to be Husband and Wife pursuant to Sections 14, Section 16, Section 29 and Section 32 excluding pre-existing provisions in strict compliance with Sections 26 though 28 of the Marriage Code as amended. This Contract being as witnessed below and deemed legally valid and binding and the above stated facts being magically verified as attested to by the below Gringotts Notary this _ day of March, 1995.
"What's this?" Harry asked.
"A contract for marriage," Hermione said. "We're underage and usually would need a betrothal contract from our parents or magical guardian. But the law says if you get me pregnant and we agree to marry for the child - even if we'd marry anyway - we don't need permission. We sign this and take it to Gringotts for the Goblins to verify and they record it, then we are married and you and I are legally adults."
"That's it?"
"Not the ideal wedding, I'll admit, but it serves our immediate purpose."
"You deserve the ideal wedding, Hermione."
"We can work on that," she smiled. "First things first, though. I am pregnant and you're the father and we sign this and record it with Gringotts and Dumbledore's out of your life. It doesn't mean you can't listen to him or like him or ever trust him again. What this means is he can't run your life without your permission or prior approval and has to tell you everything."
Hermione handed Harry a black quill.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's a magical contract," Hermione said. "This is a Blood Quill which can only be legally used for such contracts. Any other use is illegal. You sign your name and I mine. It draws our own blood which means it cannot be forged. And I'm told it's not pleasant so don't be surprised."
Harry took the quill. "No ink?"
"Not needed," Hermione said.
Harry nodded reluctantly and signed: Harry James Potter.
"Ouch!" he said. "That stings!"
Hermione nodded and took the quill. Hermione Jane Granger, soon appeared on the parchment below Harry's signature. "Not pleasant at all," she said handing the quill to Neville so that Neville and Ginny could sign their own contract. The two couples then used regular quills to sign their names as witnesses to the other couples contracts.
Hermione had told Harry he had already grown a little at the end of their month together meaning the potions he had been taking were working. She had been just a little shorter than he was and now it was closer to a full inch shorter although she had conceded that she too was in need of an entirely new wardrobe given that she had filled out over the course of her months in Time Compression, a fact that Harry was quite aware of and greatly appreciated.
Hermione then stood up and clapped her hands. She then indicated to Harry to look at the wall of the salon they were in. When he did, he saw the wall now had a couple of pictures hanging upon it. Harry remembered that one of the elves had snapped a few shots just the day before so he guessed that was when the picture of him with Hermione and Neville with Ginny were taken.
"There's another one like that in our main sitting room and my private sitting room," Hermione said. "There's also a picture of you in my bedroom and study and one of me in your study."
"Not my bedroom?" Harry asked.
"I thought about it but then thought you might feel uncomfortable with Hannah if there was a picture of me there."
Harry chuckled. "We wouldn't want that," he said. He was still unsure of this idea, but was going along with it. He trusted Hermione with his life and now with a lot more as well and if she believed this was necessary, so be it.
"It's almost time," Hermione said almost sadly. Harry kissed her. A bell sounded telling the four of them that they had returned to normal time. "I do believe you've grown a little," Hermione said. "A half inch, but still."
"I'm going to miss you, Love," Harry said softly.
"I'll miss you too. But remember, I'll actually be seeing you in a few hours." She then handed him an envelope.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's another letter for you," she replied with a smile. Harry then gave her a similar envelope and a single red rose. "Thank you," she said after an all to brief kiss. "I'll see you soon."
WEDNESDAY, March 29th, 1995 – SECOND TIME COMPRESSION.
The bell sounded again indicating that the South Wing was under Time Compression again and whomever was next on the boys' dance cards had arrived. They were both fairly certain that the next two would be Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. Sure enough, the two young ladies entered the salon. Susan practically ran up to Neville and kissed him on the cheek. Hannah did not move as quickly.
Ginny and Hermione were about the same height although it was Hermione who had the figure. Ginny had red hair and brown eyes and a mischievous personality that was fun to be around provided she was not setting her sights on you as a target. In Harry's opinion, Ginny was perhaps scarier than Fred and George, but that was because you never saw her coming. Hermione still had bushy brown hair and deep brown eyes, but her hair had seemed to calm down as of late and was really attractive in Harry's opinion.
Susan and Hannah were very different from the first two. The two had been the first two students sorted into their Houses in Harry and Neville's year and were both in Hufflepuff and best friends. Susan was probably two inches shorter than Hermione with long red hair, blue eyes and a pretty face. She looked like she had a fuller figure than Hermione, although that may have been due at least in part to the fact she was shorter. Hannah was a little taller than Harry at least for now. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes and a much fuller figure than Harry would have imagined. She was definitely bigger than either Susan or Hermione. The pigtails she had worn her first two years were gone and her long hair was now braided into a long pony tail.
"Hi Harry," she said in a soft voice but without making a move to kiss him.
Harry smiled. She was wearing a skirt and a blouse which seemed to highlight her figure in ways the school uniform never did. "Hey," he said. "You look nice. The school robes don't do you any justice."
Hannah blushed. "Thank you. I don't think any boy has ever bothered to really notice."
"I could give you a tour, but you know your way around, don't you?" Harry began.
Hannah nodded. "But I bet you haven't seen my suite yet."
"No," Harry admitted.
"Then I'll show you," Hannah said.
Hannah's suite was on the opposite side of the corridor from Hermione's It was also a mirror image. Hermione's bedroom was to the left as you entered her suite while Hannah's was to the right. Hermione's sitting room and study were lined with bookcases and many books, although it was not filled to capacity yet. Her sitting room was more like a library than anything else. Hannah had her books in her study, but her sitting room was truly that. Harry thought it had a homey look to it.
"This is very nice," he said.
Hannah smiled at him. "Each of us got to decorate our suites however we wanted. I like this. Oh! And they put my door in!"
There was now a door leading out to the extended balcony and she immediately walked to it and opened it and stepped outside with Harry following. "I so like this view," she said.
"It's wonderful," Harry agreed standing next to her. "So, a Line Continuation Contract?"
Hannah blushed, nodded and smiled shyly. "I don't think our parents actually expected this when they made the contract," she said. "It was made in April 1980. I was around five months old at the time and…"
"I wasn't even born yet," Harry finished.
"But they knew by then you'd be a boy. Anyway, they did this contract just in case although had things gone differently, we wouldn't be where we are today. My parents wanted more children. They wanted at least two more to increase our House. If those two were also girls, they'd have at least one more and take a potion that would ensure it was a boy if needed although Mum says they wanted to do it naturally and would only take that step if they didn't want more children. But…"
Hannah sighed. "Daddy was killed by Death Eaters in June of that year, before you were born and before I was eight months old. I have no memory of him at all, just pictures. Even if Mum remarried, and she never did, I remain the last Abbott, last of that Ancient and Noble House which means our contract was probably going to come to pass. Mum says they made the contract just in case, what with the war on and Daddy being an Auror. I think they hoped it would never have to be this way Harry." Harry could tell she was nervous from the way she seemed to repeat herself.
"And this means?"
"It means I can legally be your second wife. Our marriage would be to preserve my family line as I am the only Abbott by blood left. I would be Lady Abbott, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Abbott and wife and Consort of Lord Harry Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Our children would be Abbotts, not Potters, but our children nonetheless. Our oldest son would become the next Lord Abbott on his twenty-fifth birthday."
"And Hermione?"
"The Lady Potter now, I guess, and the love of your life. Your children with her will be Potters." Harry saw a tear in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.
"We know you two love each other very much," Hannah said. "I know I like you Harry and could probably love you too. I just hope you can love me a little too."
Harry decided to take a risk. He lifted Hannah's chin and leaned in and kissed her and was pleased that she kissed him back. When the kiss finally broke, he said: "I promise I'll try, Hannah."
"Thank you," she said softly and with a smile. "You know that was my first kiss?"
"How was it?"
She smiled. "Well, having nothing to compare it to … still it was very nice. I liked it."
The time compression went on. Harry was missing Hermione, but was also getting to know Hannah quite well. She was a very different person inside. She was very smart, like Hermione, but not nearly as organized. She was generally more shy than Hermione was, but once she got used to being around Harry she really opened up to him. She had a sense of humor. Not that Hermione did not, but Hermione kept it more to herself.
It wasn't until Day Ten that they finally became lovers. They both were at fault in a way, although the delay still ended before Hannah reached her peak fertility. It was not Harry's aversion to any intimacy this time. Hannah was nervous about it and it took her time to get comfortable with the idea and there was a part of Harry that still considered what he was expected to do as being unfaithful. Hermione's second letter to him stressed that she did not consider it to be cheating in any way and it encouraged him allow Hannah to be as she had been. Hannah was very different than Hermione that way as well. Not more or less eager or willing, just different.
Like Hermione and Harry, Hannah was an only child. So far of all those involved only Ginny had any siblings. Like Harry, however, Hannah had lost a parent in the last war, something he also had in common with Susan and Neville. True, Neville's parents were still alive. But they were confined to the Long Term Spell Damage Ward at St. Mungos. Neville believed his Mum recognized him but could not say that she saw him as her son. His dad just stared off into space all the time. Harry honestly did not know which was worse. There was a degree of finality for him, but at least Neville could remember his parents even if he couldn't remember them when they were healthy.
Unlike Harry and Hermione, Hannah had been raised in the magical world. Harry had not really paid much attention to that before, but with Ginny, Neville, Susan and Hannah all magically raised, he was now. There was no primary school in the magical world apparently. Families were expected to teach their children to read and write and had varying degrees of success even within the same family. Ginny's Mum had taught Ginny and her brothers although Ron never really seemed to take an interest in his book work. Neville had a private tutor. Susan and Hannah attended classes with their tutor at each other's homes.
What Harry already found interesting was the fact that despite what Mrs. Weasley told Ginny and anyone else who would listen, only Ginny's Mum stayed at home to raise her children. Susan's Mum had been an Auror before she was killed. Her Aunt had been one too and now was head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Hannah's Mum worked in that office as a researcher. Neville's Gran held the Longbottom Seat on the Wizengamot and ran the Longbottom businesses. Neville's Mum had also been an Auror. Both Neville's Mum and Gran were Purebloods contradicting the notion that proper witches did not work once they had a family. Then again, the Longbottoms, Bones, Abbotts and even the Potters had House Elves while the Weasleys did not. Harry wondered if that was the real reason.
Training had resumed in full on Day Six. They continued as before. They continued to study Occlumency and were now working more and more by themselves, although not entirely. They continued with their physical training as well and with Transfiguration. Ginny had let Neville keep her wand for now and he was doing markedly better than ever before. The two girls added dancing to the curriculum which Harry found he didn't mind so much. Then again, this wasn't the Yule Ball and he was dancing with Hannah because he wanted to, not because that he had to. The two girls finally achieved their corporeal patronus in the final day of training. Hannah's was a large swan. Susan practically squealed when she say hers. It was a Badger, the symbol of Hufflepuff House. Neville's still had not totally formed, but again everyone agreed it was probably the wand and not Neville. Whatever it was, it was big.
On Day Twenty-five, there was a celebration between the two couples as both Susan and Hannah announced that they were now pregnant. Hannah was practically bouncing with excitement when she told Harry and was already suggesting possible names. The two couples signed their Marriage Contracts that very night figuring they might as well. Despite both boys' efforts, neither Susan nor Hannah would tell them who or how many were next.
The end of Time Compression was becoming a tradition in the South Wing. Pictures of Neville and Susan and Harry and Hannah now hung on the walls of another salon on the Main Floor. A picture of Harry and Hannah joined the picture of him and Hermione in the large common living area of their Private Apartments and another now hung in Hannah's Sitting Room. A picture of Hannah now hung next to the one of Hermione in Harry's Study and there were now pictures of Harry in Hannah's Study and on the nightstand beside her bed. The couples exchanged long letters to each other just before Time Compression ended and Harry and Neville each gave their new girl a shorter letter they had written to Hermione and Ginny respectively. Each girl had one last long kiss before the boys gave them their roses and the girls turned to leave. For the girls, it would be about seven hours until they were with their new almost husbands again. Arguably, the parting was harder on the boys who now had to wait months it seemed.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29th, 1995 – THIRD TIME COMPRESSION.
"Susan give you any idea who our next guests are?" Harry asked.
"Not really," Neville replied. "She did say I already know her but that's it."
"That was all Hannah would say as well. That could mean almost anyone!"
"So long as it isn't Bulstrode."
"Gaah! Don't even begin! I know we're supposed to have one of each aside from Hannah and Susan, but I'm not that desperate for a Pureblood!"
"Actually, she's a Half Blood," Neville said.
"Not that desperate for a Half Blood neither," Harry said. "Might be Parkinson? She's not bad looking."
"But a right nasty bitch," Neville said. "Already got the Pureblood covered so if she's one, she's yours. And face it Harry, most of the Purebloods in our year are in Slytherin. The only ones who are not are Mandy Brocklehusrt and Morag McDougal."
"Don't like them all that much either," Harry said. "Then again, I don't know them at all. Greengrass or Davis?"
Neville shrugged. "They aren't with Malfoy and his lot. Then again the rumor is they don't like boys at all."
"Really?"
"Just a rumor. Bloody school's full of 'em and most are rubbish."
Harry nodded as the bell sounded indicating Time Compression had re-engaged as he thought of it.
A few minutes later two girls entered the Sunroom in the Roundel where Harry and Neville had been waiting. Harry did recognize them both. The shorter one with black hair and blue eyes was Lisa Turpin, a Ravenclaw in their year. She didn't even look at Harry but smiled at Neville and practically ran to him. That meant the taller one was here for him. She had hazel eyes, Harry knew, and shoulder length, brown hair; too dark to be a blonde but to light to be a brunette. She was a year ahead of Harry and a Gryffindor but, more importantly to Harry, he considered Katie Bell to be a friend. They had been teammates on their House Quidditch Team since his First Year. He was the youngest House Seeker - or player for that matter - in a century. She was the first Muggle Born to make the team at any age in thirty years. They were the true rookies on the team that year and that made them friends as they both had to put up with the older players and earn their respect.
Katie surprised Harry. She was blushing furiously but walked up to him and pulled him into a hug and kissed him - passionately! Harry kissed her back.
"Hey Harry," she said breathlessly sometime later when she finally broke the kiss, "it seems we're to be more than teammates!"
Harry blushed himself and chuckled a bit. "It would seem so. That was some kiss!"
"Thank you," she blushed. "My first! Or at least the first time I kissed the boy instead of the other way around."
"Oh?"
"Cormack McLaggen was my Yule Ball date and living and breathing proof of why some Purebloods suck! It seems he believed that because of who he is and who I am it gave him permission to do whatever. It was a thoroughly lousy date. I'd rather have gone with you, to be honest."
"I wasn't that great a date either," Harry said.
"Parvati would disagree, but that was because she really didn't expect to become your girlfriend and you were a perfect gentleman, at least until the Weasel ruined things for everyone. Ginny, Fred and George are all convinced he had to have been adopted. Then again, Percy was a Weasley too and talk about Mr. No Fun!"
A few months ago Harry may have stood up for Ron, but that day was now long gone. Girls didn't like him because he was rude, unmannered and ate like a pig. His passions in life seemed to be Quidditch, Wizard's Chess and blowing off his school work. Good Ron was fun to be around. Evil Ron was just a few steps above Malfoy and it seemed Evil Ron was becoming more the norm than the rare exception.
"Then again, as lousy a date as Ron was for Padma, at least she had no cause to knee him in the knackers."
Harry flinched. "What?"
"McLaggen was far too fresh in my opinion," Katie said. "Kissed me without so much as a by your leave then tried to feel me up on the dance floor. That Pureblood git found out we Muggle Borns don't need a wand to fight! Kneed him right where it hurts the most!"
"I'm sorry," Harry began.
"Not your fault," Katie said. "And don't worry. If you want to do that or more, my only concern is that there are not others watching," she added huskily.
"Excuse me?"
"We get somewhere private and you can feel me up anytime!"
"Erm…"
"I really like you Harry. I know I won't be Hermione to you, but I'm here because I want to be and I know what this means. I'm your friend and want to help you and if that means … you know … then I'm all for it! Besides, I think you're smoking hot! I have for almost two years now and no, it's nothing about that Boy-Who-Lived rubbish. I like you 'cause you're a really hot guy and a really decent one. I'm Muggle Born, you know. Didn't know Harry Potter from Harvey Walbanger before you were sorted and then didn't know you at all until we were teammates. That's what did it for me. Don't know why, really, but it did. I'd rather be one of your lesser wives than anyone else's girlfriend. Now, what say we go up stairs and check out my suite? You've grown haven't you?" she added.
"What?"
"You used to be shorter. Now we're the same height so either those potions are working or I'm shrinking."
"Erm … thanks?"
"So let's get upstairs!"
A couple of hours later, Harry was lying naked in his bed with an equally naked Katie Bell. She had taken him to her suite which was right next to Hermione's. It had surprised him. Hermione's was bookish, like what a Professor would have. Hannah's was homey. Katie's was surprisingly feminine. Maybe his mistake was saying that. She was undressing before him before he could even react. She was taller and more athletically built than Hermione and her breasts were certainly smaller, but when she stood there naked before him, he had to agree with her that she was most definitely a girl. She asked him where his magic room was. Did he take the others wherever or was there one place? He told her he had first been with the others in his own bed and she practically dragged him there, stripped his clothes off, kissed him more often than he could remember and then pulled him to her. Harry was, to be honest, rather shocked.
Katie sighed and then giggled. "They say your first time isn't supposed to be so great, but that was pretty good if not amazing, Harry."
She readjusted herself so she could kiss him and look into his eyes.
"Katie?" he asked. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"This? Why me? Why - erm - so quick?"
"You're a great guy, Harry Potter. I've dreamed of being yours for a while now because you're a great guy. Better than any of the other boys I've met here, although Neville is no slouch in the Great Guy Department either. You're also my friend I'd like to think. I like you a lot and know deep down I can love you with all my heart and all that I am. I know your life is so complicated that I can't truly expect that from you. We all know Hermione's your one true love. But all of us believe your heart is so big you will find a place for us as well. A lot of girls never really get even that much from their boyfriends or even their husbands."
"That doesn't explain why you jumped me," Harry began.
"Jumped? I merely gave you a clear and unequivocal invitation. You led the way in the end and I thank you for that," she then leaned in and kissed him adjusting herself so she now straddled him. "And I really don't see you complaining," she whispered. "And you clearly are not put off by me," she added grinding into his reaction.
"But your Muggle Born! Surely your parents…"
"That may be an issue, Harry. It will be for Hermione as well. This Plural Marriage is alien outside of the Wizarding World and rare enough within. But we all have our own reasons for this and the fact that you're such a great - and hot - guy helps. For me, I'd like to think I'm your friend and want to help you. And as a Muggle Born, being a wife of the Head of an Ancient and Noble House opens doors for jobs and such. Hermione's brilliant, but she's a Muggle Born like me. Without a prominent sponsor, her brilliance would be wasted in our world and by coming here for school she gave up any chance of being brilliant in the Muggle World. I'm in that boat as well. I'm near the top of my class but that doesn't matter really. Unless I marry the right wizard, I can either play Quidditch or work in a shop regardless of how many N.E.W.T.s I get. I like Quidditch, but I don't want to do that for a career. So becoming your wife helps me should I want a decent career."
"So it's about jobs?" Harry asked.
"More than that, Harry," Katie replied. "We want support. I don't mean money, I mean encouragement and that sort. We want a man who will encourage us to be all we can be and try all that we can. I know you Harry, maybe not as well as Hermione does, but if I said to you I want to be a Healer, what would you say?"
"I'd say go for it."
"Exactly! You think a Pureblood would say that? The rich ones want a pretty face and we all lose that in time. The poor ones who'd marry us want us to kiss their poor arses! Neville is an exception. A rare one, mind you. I don't want to be a pretty thing that's only waiting to be tossed aside and I don't want to have my options limited unless I lack the ability. Becoming your wife means the only thing that limits me is me, or so I hope."
"I'd never limit you, Katie."
"Then there are the fringe benefits," Katie said in a sultry voice.
"Fringe benefits?" Harry began. But he immediately saw where this was going as he was soon in her with her on top.
"They say the first time is the worst," Katie said. "It was pretty amazing I thought. Time to test that notion!"
Several minutes later Katie was lying against him. "Wow!" she said. "That was really, really amazing!"
"Ancient Runes?" Harry protested. "But I'm not even taking that!"
"You are now," Lisa Turpin said.
"What?"
"You told Hermione," Katie said, "that you felt the Three Tasks were based on the elements. Fire and Air for the Dragons, water for the Second Task and Earth for the Third as a likely possibility. Runes are earth based magic, Harry, the most powerful magic associated with that element."
"Surely they wouldn't…" he began.
"Wouldn't what?" Katie asked. "Surely they wouldn't ask you or any of the other Champions to stand up to a nesting dragon, would they? You did brilliantly, but goodness knows that could have gone pear shaped in a hurry. Why wouldn't they require Runes for the Earth based challenge? Can you think of any reason other than you have no clue about that kind of magic?"
"Didn't have much of clue about the water based challenge either, really," Harry admitted.
"There you go then," Lisa said.
"Assuming nothing else is going on," Katie continued, "they clearly are not making this any easier just 'cause you're not a Seventh Year. Maybe they won't do Runes, but do you really want to take that chance, Harry?"
Harry shook his head.
"Besides, you know all this isn't about the damned Tournament," Katie continued. "One day, you may have to face Him! This is about making sure that if either you or Neville or the both of you ever do, you'll come back to us! The more magic you learn, the more kinds of magic you learn, the more we all learn, the more likely we'll be sitting here years and years from now with children, grandchildren and more. I want to be there with you on that day in the distant future, Harry. I'm certain Hermione and Hannah do as well. As do Neville's Ginny and Susan and now Lisa."
"It's supposed to be bloody hard," Neville complained.
"You don't need a wand until N.E.W.T. levels," Lisa said, "and we know you're doing quite well on theory. Runes are the basis for Curse Breaking and Warding. The Wards we've set upon this wing are bloody amazing and all Rune based magics. Hermione gets this, but she's not the only one and Katie and I are no slouches either."
"Don't worry," Katie said, "we won't be expecting any long essays."
"And don't forget," Lisa continued, "the reward system is still in effect."
The two boys blushed and grinned.
"So predictable," Lisa said rolling her eyes.
"You can't say you don't enjoy it," Katie said.
"Okay, I can't," Lisa replied. "But do they have to be this easy?"
"They're boys, we're girls," Katie said. "I'll sleep with Harry regardless. So yes, they are that easy."
Harry found that only mildly insulting. The truth was he now had Katie, Hannah and Hermione. However this worked, he'd never ever be alone again and he was so grateful for that small blessing.
Ancient Runes was not the only change. Harry and Neville were reviewing Charms as well. Occlumency no longer required the mentoring it had before, but they were both more than willing to spend extra time with their girls on that as well, although now it was in their private quarters and always led to other things. Neville's greenhouse was really coming along and Neville was now certain that their Herbology Professor would all but die to take a look at his work, and Harry and all the girls who had helped thus far.
On day seventeen, Katie told Harry she was pregnant for certain. She had a huge, Harry cooked dinner to celebrate. Lisa announced her own pregnancy a week later and they celebrated with a wonderful dinner and quiet dancing in the Ballroom before signing the next set of contracts all but sealing the deal.
"I want you to know this, Katie," Harry said on their final night together. "The more I think about all this, the more I realize this month together as been our honeymoon."
Katie nodded. "That's what I've thought too."
"Before all of this," Harry continued, "There were - I don't know - holes in me. I felt like a sinking boat filled with holes I could not plug. Sinking. Hermione filled many of them. I wouldn't be here but for her. But it seems to me even she could not fill all of them and I was still not floating. You and Hannah have plugged more holes. Those holes you've fixed are yours and yours alone."
"What are you saying, Harry?" Katie asked unsure where this was going.
"I'm saying I love Hermione. But I now know I also love Hannah and you Katie. I can't see my life without you girls in it forever. I have room in me for all of you!"
Katie had few words. "I love you too, Harry," she said before kissing him senseless.
On the last day of training, both Lisa and Katie managed to perfect their Patronus Charms. Lisa's was a hawk and Katie's was a fox, which Harry said was fitting. When Harry explained what he meant by that, he received extra rewards that night and most of the next day. On the morning of the final day, the new pictures were hung in another of the Salon's on the main floor and in the Private Apartments announcing to "the families" only that Lisa and Katie were now part of their new families.
The Time Compression ended exactly at 1120 the next morning. Lisa and Katie gave the two boys long letters and received long letters in exchange. They also received shorter ones for their other two new sisters and their red rose as their pictures appeared upon the various walls of the South Wing.