Dan Granger was sitting having a conversation with Griphook that was changing his family's lives forever and found himself once more in agreement with Harry; the goblins were brilliant at business!
Every stumbling block was quickly and easily overcome as the required documentation would appear out of thin air as another regulation would have its box ticked. Dan handled the business side of their practice and had a lot of dealings with financial advisors but none who were in the same league as Griphook.
It was now apparent where Harry was getting his information and decision making skills from as the goblin easily explained the available options to each specific problem but left all the final decisions to them, it was exhilarating as it was terrifying to say goodbye to their old lives and become New Yorkers.
When their business was completed Griphook produced some vintage champagne and the three of them toasted their new lives before Griphook became serious once more.
"Mr and Mrs Granger, what I'm about to discuss with you doesn't exactly come under the heading of Gringotts business but I choose to look upon my job as doing whatever I can to aid Lord Potter and its under this heading that I'm going to make some revelations that mustn't leave this room for now."
Dan and Emma were intrigued, Griphook had just spent a few hours going over every aspect of their finances and arranging every detail of their new practice including lists of suppliers and contacts at a reputable agency for hiring staff, they weren't yet at the stage where the goblin was classed as a friend but they trusted his advice and were curious to what he intended to reveal. They should have remembered what curiosity did to the cat.
"In my dealing with Lord Potter I had noticed a level of maturity that was, shall we say uncommon for one with so few years behind them which aroused my suspicions, after speaking with the Potter elf Jake and seeing Lord Potter again today my suspicions were confirmed. Lord Potter is rapidly magically bonding with your daughter and Hermione with him, if it continues at its present pace the bond will complete within the year."
Emma had a vague idea what this entailed as her conversation with Hermione replayed in her head but Dan was totally clueless, Griphook tried to explain just how much their lives were now altering.
"A bond like this is a rare and wonderful thing to behold, for the couple involved they will grow closer as their magic merges and in the rarest of cases a full soul bond can form. This does not require sexual intimacy though they will crave contact with each other, I noticed that they never let go of one another's hands when they were in this office earlier and I would surmise they embrace a lot?"
Emma nodded and asked a question though she was positive she knew at least part of the answer, "What does this mean for the kids?"
"It basically means that they have found their life mate, both will never consider another and be together till the day they die. Subconsciously they both know this and their magic is helping them mature as they face up to their new responsibilities of having a partner for life, they also have the added burden of the whole Voldemort scenario so again I would surmise that it's pushing their maturity along even further. From what I've been able to learn their drive to protect each other has been present for some time and you can expect any lessons or tasks to be undertaken with unwavering vigour and commitment."
Dan was struggling with the whole concept, "Are you telling me that Harry's going to be my son-in-law and even though my daughter's not yet thirteen I don't have a say in the matter?"
Griphook could see this conversation wasn't going quite as he hoped but could only give one answer, "Yes."
Dan was working himself up to a rant when Emma cut him off at the knees, "Daniel Granger please engage that brain you have when choosing your next words, and they may be the last anyone listens to for a while. We've just been told that our daughter will miss out on the hell that is teenage dating, wondering if the boy really likes you or just tying to get into your knickers, deciding how far to go and the heartache of finding out you made the wrong choices. Instead she has a wonderful boy who thinks the entire world revolves around her and unless I'm mistaken will ask her to be Lady Potter as soon as the law allows. We have a chance to be part of that wondrous journey with you getting the son you always wanted or fight this and risk loosing the daughter we've only just got back, she will obey you out of duty but you will lose both of their respect. This is the same person who's assuring the safety of our family, providing us with opportunities we'd only dreamed of as well as being the finest young man we've ever met. I would now like to hear your thoughts on the matter."
Dan recognised the 'dealing with difficult patient' voice and attempted to look at this logically, he agreed with every word his wife just said but this was his little princess so 'protective father' kept kicking the shit out of logic with the thought of some boy after his daughter. Logic's parting shot was to wonder why Griphook mentioned this which set Dan's thoughts off in a different direction.
He looked directly into the goblin's eyes, "I take it there's a good reason why you're telling us this other than to watch me squirm?"
Griphook actually laughed, he liked these muggles. "Yes there is, Lord Potter currently has nine betrothal contracts awaiting his attention as old pureblood families vie for control of the Potter fame, fortune and power. Should there be a change in government to that of a darker nature pressure could be brought to bear for Lord Potter to choose one of these 'for his own good' and to protect the bloodlines. Lord Potter would choose to relinquish everything that he has rather than be parted from his chosen life partner but my job as his advisor is to ensure that doesn't happen."
"Could they do that?"
"Mr Granger the Ministry of Magic is run along the lines of what I would think of as an exclusive golf club, yes everyone is technically equal but the real power is held in the hands of only a few. These few control just about everything and rather than having to break the law they just change them to suit their current needs. Add to that mix nepotism, bigotry, corruption with incompetence running rife and you have a recipe for disaster which is probably as good a word as any to describe that establishment. Lord Potter's godfather has been in prison for eleven years without a trial or even charges being pressed, we now have evidence proving his innocence yet I don't hold out much hope of getting him released as that would entail some people in power accepting blame for their mistakes."
Dan felt as if his insides had been turned to ice but he needed to know, "Just what are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting that we head off all of this by letting Lord Potter become betrothed to the only girl he would consider for the position."
Emma had to take over the questioning as Dan appeared to have entered a catatonic state, "What exactly are the implications of a betrothal and what will it mean for Hermione?"
Griphook was trying again to phrase it in terms muggles could relate to, "The only restriction on Hermione is that she wouldn't be allowed to become emotionally involved with another boy without revoking her betrothal first, with their impending bond that's not even a consideration. Otherwise it's almost the equivalent of someone giving her their school ring; they are only saying that both are serious about each other without tying themselves down to further commitments."
This brought Dan out of his funk, he had envisaged signing Hermione's life away but this didn't sound too bad and should they end up married the decision would still be hers to make.
"The legal benefits are immense for everyone involved, Lord Potter acquires protection from being forced into a relationship while all of you then come under the protection of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter. If we do this properly it will take Dumbledore and the Ministry off the board of potential foes leaving Voldemort as the only opposition player still in the game." Griphook didn't think the father would be able to handle the news that his daughter would be considered married when the magical bond completed, the goblin decided he would give the man a chance to get better aquatinted with the young Lord before dispensing that nugget of information. The betrothal would cover his young Lord in the meantime and when the bond completed they would be faithful to each other even if one of them died.
Dan looked towards his wife for advice on a subject so far outside his comfort zone that warp factor speeds would be needed to get him there in this lifetime, "How do we handle this love, what will Hermione think?"
Emma gave him a reassuring kiss, "She will think that she has the best father in the whole wide world, our little girl is worried about these contracts and wants to be with Harry so much she set fire to a professor's robes to save him while they were just friends. Her dream is to be with Harry and us so we get a chance to make our girl's dreams come true, Harry will be harder to convince as he might think we're pushing Hermione into something she's not ready for and he won't stand for that. He may be young but his morals and ethics are every bit as strong as yours when it comes to a certain young lady."
Griphook interrupted, "I don't foresee that being as big a problem as you think, every conversation I have had with him has revolved around the safety of your daughter. If we emphasise the potential benefits in her security then Lord Potter will happily comply, he places your daughter's well being far above his own. Hermione Jean Granger is named as his next of kin and sole benefactor, should anything happen to him she will inherit over a billion."
"Sterling?" croaked Emma.
"Galleons," the goblin replied as both Grangers passed out with the shock.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione were currently in the Potter vault collecting all the books they could find to begin a library in their school / hideout / new home actually felt the best fit. Jake and Sophie were shrinking the books and placing them in a trunk for transport later.
Hermione stopped as she discovered a case full of betrothal, engagement and wedding rings; she was staring at them with longing when she felt Harry's arms encircle her from behind.
"Never doubt that one day you will have the complete set; I would happily give you the first one right this minute if I didn't think it would have your parents baying for my blood. I hope that by your birthday or at the latest Christmas they would know me well enough to accept this, you are mine my Hermione and there will never be another."
Both elves were observing this and mentally halved their initial estimate of bond completion.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione rejoined her parents with Griphook in his office and both immediately felt the tension in the room, most of which seemed to be emanating from Dan. Harry sat in a chair and Hermione joined him on his knee, both were wondering what could have gone so wrong to cause this.
Dan decided to just blurt it out, "Hermione would you like to be betrothed to Harry?"
The resulting scream pierced eardrums and had two goblin guards bursting into the room with blades drawn but their training never prepared them for situations like this, the young witch was currently wrapped around Lord Potter kissing him before exploding onto her father. After more hugs, squeals and more kisses it was her mothers turn to be attacked, when the witch turned her attentions onto Master Griphook both guards suddenly remembered pressing appointments elsewhere in the bank and beat a hasty retreat out the room. Dragons, dark wizards and bank robbers were one thing but nowhere in their contracts did it mention anything about being hugged and kissed by a young witch, that was above and beyond the call of duty.
Back inside Dan was watching his daughter treat the room like a pin ball machine as she ricochet off everyone present though did seem to linger longer with Harry, "Can I take it you approve of the idea?"
"Oh yes daddy, thank you yes!" she gushed.
"What about you Harry?"
"Mr Granger I thought it might take a while longer for you both to get to know me before I asked for permission to have Hermione as my betrothed, my answer is of course yes."
"Oh Harry we need to go back down to your vault, I know the exact ring I want."
"I'm sure you mean our vault and would this be the ring in question?" Harry couldn't fail to notice the way Hermione's gaze had kept returning to a certain ring so when she was getting ready to leave he had pocketed the pair, hoping he would need them later but never thinking they would be required as soon as this.
Hermione confirmed her soon to be betrothed had got it right by pouncing on him and almost hugging the life out of him, she was so happy she could probably out-bounce Tigger at the moment.
Griphook intruded on the proceedings, "To do this properly we need a representative from the ministry to authenticate the documents and preside over the ceremony, I have taken the liberty of inviting one of the few whose honesty and integrity I trust."
The door opened admitting a middle aged witch whose whole persona screamed 'don't mess with me', Griphook did the introductions.
"Madam Bones is head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, may I present Lord Potter, Miss Hermione Granger and her parents."
"Lord Potter it's a pleasure to meet you, I believe you know my niece Susan? She also attends Hogwarts."
"Yes Madam Bones we both know Susan but neither Hermione nor I have any intention of returning to a school where they would employ Voldemort to teach their students."
"I had heard rumours my Lord but was assured that's all they were, surely you jest?"
"He was growing out the back of Quirrell's head, which explained the turban. I spoke to him and had to kill them both in self-defence."
Bones was suddenly all business, "Why was the DMLE not informed of this?"
Harry had faced down Voldemort, Dumbledore and McGonagall; it was time to add Bones to the list. "With respect ma'am I have been kept ignorant of wizarding procedures and customs, until Griphook's introduction a minute ago I didn't know your department existed. I suggest you take the matter up with our former headmaster."
"My apologies Lord Potter if I suggested any wrong doing on your part, unfortunately the person who assured me it was a rumour was your former headmaster. Would you be willing to come down to my office and make a statement?"
"That would not be possible ma'am, my former headmaster doesn't quite know about the former part yet as he thinks he has some control over my life. I no longer live in this country and am only here today on business."
This news shocked the witch, "Can I ask you why you left Britain?"
Harry answered with a question of his own, "Can I ask if you have made any progress in granting my godfather his basic human right of a trial?"
Amelia Bones had the good grace to look embarrassed, "I'm sorry my Lord, I'm being stonewalled at every turn and even the press dosen't want to know. Proving that he was not your parent's secret keeper doesn't help the fact that he killed Pettigrew for betraying them or the twelve muggles who died in the resulting blast. The whole of magical Britain has painted Sirius Black as the most evil man left in the country after the defeat of Voldemort and I can't get any backing to change that."
Emma couldn't keep quiet any longer, "The fact that he's innocent of one crime he was never charged with should reopen the whole case and permit him the trial he should have had in the first place. Your legal system, press and don't even mention that nuthouse you call a school would all be torn down and rebuilt in our world, is it any wonder we left the country?"
Griphook tried to get the meting back on track, "I fear Hogwarts is in for worse times as McGonagall has resigned with Snape being promoted to Depute Headmaster." Both former Gryffindor's shared a glance that said quite clearly they were glad to be out of there.
The goblin had used the slight pause to produce a basin covered with runes, "Perhaps this will help solve the problem, Lord Potter I need you to think of the encounter with Quirrell/Voldemort. Bring the memory to the front of your mind and Madam Bones can make a copy that can be viewed in the pensieve."
Harry did as he was instructed as Madam Bones teased a silver thread from his forehead and placed it in the bowl, a few taps with her wand and the whole scene played out in 3D above the bowl.
Dan had his arm around a crying Emma before the end while silently thanking every deity he could think of that there weren't enough potions for Hermione to continue through that wall of flame with Harry, otherwise she would have been right there with him and no child should ever have to face that. Even after surviving the death of that creature Harry was just dumped straight from hospital back into classes then shipped off to his abusive relatives, no support system in place, no counselling for the trauma he'd undergone just 'thanks but we need to hush this up' then detention for fighting and a dressing down in front of his fellow housemates.
How this boy turned out the way he did is a miracle and absolutely no thanks to the bastards who were supposedly looking out for his welfare, if Harry was going to be part of their lives from now on then he swore to be the father figure the boy had never known, Dan Granger had found his son.
Hermione had her head buried in Harry's chest by the time it had finished, it was too painful to watch what the boy with his arms currently around her had to endure, and those screams at the end were the stuff of nightmares.
Madam Bones brought everyone's focus back to the present, "Lord Potter can I say this is the first time I've ever known something to be bigger than the rumours surrounding the deed. You and Miss Granger should be nominated for bravery awards but then that would make a powerful old man look stupid when a couple of first years breached defences supposedly designed to stop a dark lord. Without your efforts we could have been facing a war that we're not prepared for, Susan will not be retuning to Hogwarts in September and I will be talking to other parents I trust as well. I promise to visit Azkaban and speak to Sirius to see what I can do for him."
"Thank you Madam Bones and could you please tell him I'm doing my best to get him a trial."
She placed the memory in a glass vial before marking it with evidence tape as Griphook got to the real reason for her presence, "Madam Bones we would like you to preside over a betrothal ceremony between Lord Potter and Miss Granger."
Amelia would swear she actually heard the noise made by thousands of witch's dreams being shattered, including her own niece and her best friend who'd even promised each other they would share.
She looked at the boy and asked what she knew was a stupid question, "Lord Potter do you undertake this venture of your own free will?"
"I do."
She then looked towards the girl and asked the really stupid question, "Miss Granger do you undertake this venture of your own free will?"
"Of course I do."
She then turned her attention to the parents, "It's almost unheard of for muggle parents to allow their child's participation in a betrothal contract, has everything been explained to you?"
Emma was getting bad vibes from this woman and didn't appreciate the quip about 'Susan', the way her name was emphasised meant that Emma wouldn't be in the least surprised on discovering that one of the betrothal contracts in Harry's file was made out in the identity of Susan Bones. "Yes everything has been explained to our satisfaction."
Amelia tried again, "I'm not sure that you understand the relevance here, your daughter may find herself receiving unwanted attention that she won't have the training to deal with not to mention he-who-must-not-be-named and his followers."
Emma had just about enough of this bitch; no-one was getting away with belittling her daughter. "That Madam Bones is why we don't live in Britain, I'm afraid none of us have any confidence in the ability of the ministry to provide justice or protection for their citizens. As to the training aspect the difference between my daughter and the other nine betrothal contract offers Lord Potter has received is that Harry loves Hermione, how many others with the proper training would have followed him down there to face Voldemort when the head of the country's police force can't even say his bloody name!"
Griphook was beginning to regret his choice, not realising how much the woman wanted this betrothal for her niece until Emma Granger, like a lioness protecting her cubs mauled one of the most powerful women in the magical world.
It was a thoroughly chastised Amelia that just glanced over the documents; she would be going through them very carefully later. "Do you have rings?"
Harry and Hermione stood before her each holding the ring they were going to place on the other's finger.
"This is a very simple ceremony, as the Betrothal ring is placed on your finger the phrase 'I will have no other while I wear this ring' must be spoken. This constitutes a magically binding contract so I must warn you not to proceed with this lightly."
Harry and Hermione were lost in each others eyes as the rest of the world ceased to exist, the rings were platinum with a knot design and a golden Griffin on either side of the knot. As Harry placed the ring on Hermione's finger she said, "I will have no other."
As Harry was having his ring placed on his finger he repeated Hermione's phrase, "I will have no other."
Golden ribbons of light appeared wrapping around both of them before shrinking to concentrate on their joined hands forming knots, uniting the couple for eternity as they sealed their destiny with a kiss. The lone betrothal ring on Hermione's finger was joined by the matching engagement ring and wedding band while Harry now sported a wedding band and his head of house ring.
Amelia was stunned into silence at what she'd just witnessed but Griphook went down on one knee, "Lord and Lady Potter, may I be the first to congratulate you and offer my sincere thanks for allowing me to witness such a rare and beautiful sight,"
Emma was just thinking that the betrothal ceremony was beautiful and looking forward to seeing an actual magical wedding when Griphook's words cut through that like a scalpel, Lord and LADY?
Madam Bones followed Griphook's lead, "Lord and Lady Potter let me apologise for my earlier comments, I had no idea you were bonding and sincerely wish you every happiness together. Susan and a few thousand other witches are going to be heartbroken when this news breaks, and it will break because the completion of the bond will have been recorded at the ministry with no chance of it being kept quiet."
Griphook took pity on the bemused parents and explained what had just happened, "Due to the commitment expressed when they recited their vows the bond completed and in the eyes of the magical world they are now married."
Emma noticed both Harry and Hermione were almost in tears waiting on their reaction to what had just happened, she refused to spoil her daughter's special day and threw her arms around both of them. "Congratulations you two, I've never seen a couple so made for each other."
Harry felt Dan's hand on his shoulder, "Welcome to the family son, now do I get to kiss the bride?"
Some couples claim their relationship is magical but both Granger parents had just witnessed the beautiful sight of their daughter magically bond with a young wizard and really had no option but to accept and support this in the same way they accepted and supported the fact she was a witch. They would sit down as a family and calmly discuss what these changes meant; the first change was that there would now be four of them involved in the family discussion.
There was very little business done after that so arrangements were made to return tomorrow with the hope of arranging tutors as the Potters and Grangers headed home.
-oOoOo-
Albus was actually looking forward to his breakfast this morning as his new defence professor announced his appointment at a book signing in Diagon Alley yesterday, the headmaster was hoping for the front page and some peace so he could personally lead the search for Potter. The pumpkin juice he was drinking ended up splattered over the headline that effectively just cast an Avada Kedavra on all his plans and left the old wizard looking distinctly green. In his century and a half of life he had learned quite a few curse words and used every one of them, even those in Mermish as he attempted to understand what he was reading.
Boy-Who-Lived Married To Best Friend
Screamed the front page headline that was causing reactions like his at breakfast tables up and down the country, the picture featured Harry and Hermione in their Gryffindor robes with Hedwig on his shoulder. One arm was around the girl but his other just hung at his side as Ron had moved away from them and been cut out the picture. How the hell was this possible as the last reported sighting of the Grangers was in Southern Italy, looking at a magical institute.
Albus lost his appetite when he read that Lord and Lady Potter would not be returning to Hogwarts in September as both had nearly lost their lives in the castle due to the headmaster employing a professor possessed by the spirit of he-who-must-not-be-named to teach the children defence against the dark arts. This is being investigated by the DMLE whose departmental head Madam Bones acquired a pensieve memory of Lord Potter once more defeating the dark lord at great personal injury to himself.
Madam Bones had the honour of being present when Lord Potter's betrothal ceremony tuned into a full bonding with his wife Lady Hermione Potter, unfortunately Madam Bones also reported that the Potters no longer live in Britain citing schooling and the lack of trial for his godfather as reasons for quitting the country.
Albus had not only lost his appetite but was in real danger of loosing what little there was in his stomach, the paper went on to remark that Hermione broke all academic records for a first year student and then regurgitated any known fact about Harry for the next five pages.
The small article proclaiming the latest Hogwarts defence professor was buried deep inside the paper and concentrated more on the fight that broke out between Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy than it did on Lockhart, it seemed Albus just couldn't catch a break.
He sat with his head in his hands trying to prepare himself mentally for the deluge of howlers he knew would soon be heading his way.
-oOoOo-
A distraught young red headed girl sat alone in her tiny bedroom trying to figure out why her world had just been smashed into tiny pieces. The headline in the Prophet would be the main topic of conversation at every magical household the length and breadth of Britain but more so in the Weasley household, while the arguments and accusations had been flying back and forth across the table she had left unnoticed to go to her room.
Her one true love's jumper was under her pillow, wrapped in her nightgown but she didn't think she was ready yet to speak to the boy who had betrayed her with another girl.
Instead she took out an old black diary and began writing in the pages, her new best friend Tom would know what to do. He would never ignore her or break her heart by running off and marrying someone else after spending his nights with her and making promises he apparently never had any intention of keeping.
All her life she'd been overlooked or ignored, promised a new dress only to find out it was second hand well she'd had enough. There was only one person who had her best interests at heart and from now on the only person Ginny Weasley would be listening to was her friend Tom Riddle.
-oOoOo-
The owl from Gringotts offering her an employment interview had intrigued Minerva McGonagall, she assumed her friend Filius had used his contacts there to intervene on her behalf. She was flattered but just couldn't see herself working in a bank.
She was shown into a very opulent office where the goblin was unusually polite with his questions but appeared to be fixated on the state of her current relationship with her former boss.
Minerva was getting quire annoyed with this line of questioning when the goblin changed track, "Please excuse me Professor but the people I represent need to be certain that the whole scenario of you walking away from Hogwarts is not some grand scheme of a rather manipulative old wizard. I believe I was there at the precise moment you realised that you could no longer work for the wizard in question which was why I recommended you for this post, the decision to employ you though is unfortunately not mine to make."
Her Scottish brogue grew more noticeable in her voice, which was a sure sign to anyone who knew her that she was rapidly losing patients with the situation. "Why am I here then instead of meeting with the people who can make the decision?"
The Potters appeared out from under their invisibility cloak, "You are Professor, how would you like to work for us?"
-oOoOo-
Sirius Black didn't look it but he felt better than he had in over a decade, his visit from Madam Bones was the first conversation he'd had with someone from the ministry since waking up in this cell all those years ago. That wasn't the main reason for his euphoria though, it was the newspaper she'd left him that had the emaciated wizard actually chuckling with laughter.
His godson was married just before his twelfth Birthday to the smartest witch of his age, it took his father until seventh year just to get Harry's mother to date him. Sirius was amazed at just how much Harry resembled James and though this looked an older photograph the connection between the two kids in the picture was plain for everyone to see.
Reading about his godson's exploits filled Sirius with such a sense of pride, youngest seeker in over a century, fought a mountain troll to protect the girl he was now married to and defeated the dark lord again! This combined with the news from Madam Bones that they knew he wasn't the Potter's secret keeper but Harry still couldn't get him a trial decided his course of action.
He'd told her that Peter had escaped and was alive but not that they were both illegal animagus and now he knew why he'd withheld that information, Sirius Black might not be able to escape from Azkaban but Padfoot would be giving it a right good go.