Mrs. Longbottom's voice took on a resonant quality as she intoned, "You have entered the circle with the purpose of pledging yourself to the other in a bond of brotherhood. As your parents wished to do for you so many years ago, you now stand before Magic with that same wish of your own free will."
"We do," the boys replied.
"Neville, as you chose North to represent your intentions for this bond, you may speak your vow first."
Harry had feared a strict glare, or even a verbal admonishment to follow her wishes, but all he could perceive from behind the heaving veil of magic was Mrs. Longbottom's shining eyes and the pride glowing from within her.
Neville exhaled noisily and then turned to Harry. His hand was warm and dry against Harry's, and his voice was clear as he spoke. "Harry, from the moment I met you at Hogwarts I knew who you were, and I wished that we could have grown up as brothers like our parents intended. My family could have given you stability, education, and love, and it pains me deeply that circumstances have prevented that. But now we are both standing in this circle, ready to pledge ourselves to this bond. All that my parents intended for you to have, I now offer of my own free will: stability, resources, support, and friendship. You will always have a home with me, and should strife cause you pain, you will always have my wand. So mote it be."
Bright light burst forth from Neville's wand, enveloping Harry in its warmth and causing the runic circle to hum softly.
Harry swallowed against the feeling of humility rising in his breast. While not flowery, Neville's words held a promise that resonated deeply within him in the best of ways.
"Harry, you may now speak your vow," Mrs. Longbottom coaxed.
"Neville, I came into the wizarding world with no understanding of myself or my family, let alone a family I could have grown up with had circumstance not prevented it. Still, for years you were my friend, and I'll always grieve for the time we could have been brothers but weren't. To make up for my many failings, I chose East to pledge to you my willingness to change and grow as needed to become the brother you deserve. For you, I wish to become stronger and smarter, so I will be able to offer you shelter, encouragement, support, and friendship. You will always have a home with me, and should strife cause you pain, you will always have my wand. So mote it be."
Harry's wand jerked a little as magic erupted from it, the light pure white and nearly singeing his skin with its heat. It shrouded Neville in a cocoon before gentling and sinking down, mingling with the magic already swirling around the circle.
"The words have been spoken, the vow has been made," Mrs. Longbotton called. "May the Lord and Lady of Magic bless this union, and may those two wizards' will be the only thing able to tear this bond asunder. So mote it be."
"So mote it be," Harry and Neville said.
"So mote it be!" the witnesses cried.
A wonderful wave of warm energy gripped Harry then, and he knew exactly who had wished him and Neville well. More than a hundred and fifty house elves rejoiced for them, as did all the wizards and witches.
All of them but one.
For a moment longer, the magic of the congregation heaved all around and through them, connecting the party for a long moment of perfect understanding. Then, it gradually lessened, the runes' light dulled little by little, until it had faded completely and everything was back to normal.
For a moment, there was no sound, but then applause, shouts, and catcalls sounded and the whole conservatory shook a little as around three hundred little invisible elf feet hopped up and down a couple of times in Colin and Dennis Creevey were moving to take pictures, now that they could.
Mrs. Longbottom waited them all out patiently. Only when the noise had died down enough for her to be heard, she said, "Harry and Neville, your bond has been acknowledged and blessed by Magic. You may now release your guardians and leave the circle. Who shall do this duty?"
"I shall," Neville said. With quiet dignity, the boy thanked the four elements for their assistance and dispelled the runes as he went widdershins around the circle. Like dust, the golden colour rose and drifted away, leaving only the bare wooden floor of the structure.
At last, he and Harry bowed deeply to show their respect, and then it was well and truly over.
"Well done, Harry," Professor Lupin murmured amidst new applause. "Your parents would have loved it, and if a report finds its way to Sirius, he'll love it as well." He stared at Harry. "Thank you for letting me be a part of it."
"You were my parents' friend," Harry said simply. "You'd have been there, had they been able to do it."
"I should've been there for a lot of things," Lupin admitted nearly tonelessly. "I can't apologize enough."
"You don't have to apologize to me," Harry said quietly. "But you should talk to Sirius sometime."
"I will. I promise."
Harry noted how the professor's eyes took on a light amber sheen - it was the wolf peeking out, Sirius had explained once. He nodded. "Please enjoy the party, sir. Stay for some food and drink."
Lupin inclined his head, his look still intent and no doubt analyzing every single word Harry had said to him.
Good, Harry thought. It's about time Sirius gets his friend back.
Neville smiled broadly at him and unceremonously pulled Harry into an embrace.
"First one as brothers," the boy said gleefully. "It was fantastic. Thanks for leading the ritual, Harry."
Harry returned the hug, laughing. "I'm glad it worked out so well. Your gran's not annoyed?"
"Nah." Neville pulled back, still grinning broadly. "She pretended not to cry and went over to the teachers for a cup of brandy, maskerading as tea." He eyed Lupin's retreating back. "He seems upset."
"I wasn't kidding when I said that he was one of Sirius' oldest friends from school," Harry said. "And of my parents. They were inseparable."
Neville frowned. "Where was he all this time, then? Couldn't he have stepped in, after ... ?"
"I don't know," Harry answered, thoughts jumping back to the werewolf issue. "He was great friends with my parents, maybe there's something in the will, but that's still sealed, and he never said anything. Most of what I know I've got from Sirius."
"The will won't be sealed for much longer." Neville herded Harry over to the next refreshment table and got them both a glass of lemonade. "Whatever else happens in Rome, the ICW will definitely get your parents' will unsealed, so you can have a proper living, and the goblins can have one of their more profitable accounts active again. That you were forced to live with non-magical relatives that treated you less than kindly ... people will go nuts."
Harry sighed. "I know. My life's about to turn into a soap opera."
"A what?" Neville asked.
"Uh, second-rate theatre?" Harry tried.
"Ah, that I get." Neville tapped his glass against Harry's. "I don't envy you, but it'll be worth it, right?"
"It already is," Harry admitted. "Cheers."
"Cheers."
They drank deeply and then braved their guests' good wishes and the immense variety of sweet and savory foods the elves had on offer. Soon, a lot of the girls asked them to dance, which they did with good grace, if not clumsy feet, and when they weren't dancing or eating, they were having entertaining conversations with friends, teachers, and of course the many little helpers that had made this feast possible.
"You all outdid yourself!" Harry praised Romy. The school's head elf stood on a bench before him, a little hidden behind a large potted palm, and blushed with pleasure. Harry held her hands and swayed a little to the energetic swing music that was filling the conservatory. "I never had a better party, truly, and everyone is having such a good time. Thank you so much!"
"Hoggywarty's elves be happy that Harry Potter sir be happy," Romy almost gasped. Her eyes were wide and nearly bulging out of their sockets. "There be lots and lots of good magic, and us elves be having lots of fun."
"I could feel you, during the ritual. We'll get a Ministry certificate soon and I bet you'll all be listed as witnesses." Harry grinned so broadly that his cheeks hurt a little. "I can't wait to put it on my wall at home."
Romy let out a mighty squeal and jumped Harry, hugging him tightly like an especially strong monkey. "Romy be so happy! All elves be so happy!"
Jules popped up beside them, grimacing a little. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but that rude boy is outside, ranting about the food."
"You mean Ron?" Harry's eyebrows shot up. "I thought he was being kept away from the ceremony."
Twisting his fingers, Jules confessed, "Well, the ceremony is over now, so the rude Wheezy can't disturb it anymore ... but is he welcome to the feast?"
Harry groaned quietly. "I'll have to ask Neville, it's his party, too. I'll find him. Will you wait for us?"
Both elves nodded and Harry hurried to find his brand new brother in the crowd. He was sorry to ask him away from Hannah Abbott, who was a little pink in the cheeks and looking at Neville admiringly.
"I'll bring him back in a minute," Harry promised, "I just have to discuss something with him ..."
Thankfully, Neville came along easily enough, and when he heard about Ron skulking around the conservatory, he sighed deeply.
"I guess it would be cruel to exclude him when so many other Gryffindors are here," he muttered. "But I'll be honest, Harry, I don't want him causing a scene, and he probably will, food or no food. Besides, if he gets to come in, one or both of us will have to stay close, or we'll have to ask the teachers and house elves to watch him, and that's just unfair."
"Yeah, I know." Harry raked a hand through his hair. "What can we do? Jules, do you have an idea?"
The slight elf hesitated for a moment, but then he said, "We could let the bad Wheezy have food and send him back to his tower, Harry Potter sir. It'd take but a moment."
"It be no bother," Romy added. "Romy be doing it herself."
"Sounds okay to me," Harry admitted. "If he's got enough food, he won't complain much about being sent away, and he probably won't come out here again. The walk takes twenty minutes, and all the safe brooms are here."
"It's a good idea," Neville agreed. "Let's do it."
Harry smiled at the two house elves. "Thank you, I appreciate it. Come back quickly so you can have more of your mushroom sandwiches. I heard Dobby bragging about them earlier."
"They are so good," Jules scowled. "Betty ate three before we even plated them."
He and Romy popped away and Neville laughed.
"You're in for the soap opera of your life," he chuckled. "Betty must be one hell of a house elf if he's pining for her like that."
"She's super cute and very kind," Harry said with a grin. "Even I get what they see in her. And now go back to Hannah, I can see her looking for you already."
Neville flushed a little. "She's nice."
"She is." Harry patted Neville's shoulder and followed him, now keeping a lookout for Hermione. "Will you ask her to dance?"
"Again?" Neville asked doubtfully. "We already did that."
"But that was more of a group thing," Harry countered. "She looks like she wants you to ask her."
"Really?"
Harry grinned. "I'll go before she gives me the evil eye for keeping you too long. See you later!"
He left Neville and made the rounds, slowly working his way over to where Hermione was standing with a whole group of students and their Ancient Runes and Arithmancy professors, animatedly discussing the ceremony.
"Hey Harry!" she called, waving him over. "We were just talking about the ceremony and the ritual circle you and Neville used. We've almost got the professors convinced to explain the theory behind it during class."
"Normally we wouldn't start so early with ritual magic," Professor Vector cautioned, "but I suppose we could take an hour and try to cover the basics ..."
Professor Babbling laughed. "Don't look at me like that, Septima. I'm in. We've had too few live examples these last years and it'll do all of us good to see what ritual magic can actually do in daily life."
"I'd like that," Harry said. "Do we get to vote?"
"At the start of our next class," Professor Vector sighed, giving in. "But only one hour, and no follow-up questions. If you want to know more, you'll have to look elsewhere."
"It's a deal," the students shouted and then laughed.
"Oh, off with you, go dancing!" Professor Vector groused. "I need another piece of that heavenly cake."
"Would you like to dance?" Harry asked Hermione, not really nervous but still relieved when she agreed happily.
As they moved among the other couples on the floor, Harry allowed himself to relax even with Dumbledore still there, hovering at the fringes of the party and keeping a keen eye on Harry. With so many small guards and one of Britain's most fearsome lawyers around, it was very improbable that the old headmaster would be able to get away with something.
"Do you know who I've been missing all afternoon?" Hermione asked, her soft breath tickling Harry's neck. "Dobby. Is he even here?"
"Oh yes, he's the self-appointed buffet master and refilling stuff whenever it runs out. Relaxing isn't really his thing," Harry answered. "But he's having lots of fun, plus, he's trying to impress Betty with all the work he does."
She giggled. "That's adorable."
"I was warned that there might be babies soon," Harry whispered. "Not like next month or something, but in a couple of years maybe."
Hermione's eyes got wide and round and she stared at Harry for a moment. "So soon? The book says that quite a few conditions have to be met ... can you provide all that they need?"
"They seem to think so," Harry said. "Maybe they'll show me their kids one day, that'd be awesome."
"You'd spoil them rotten, Harry James," Hermione teased, nuzzling back against Harry's cheek. "Colin took a lot of pictures of you. Are you alright? Do your eyes hurt?"
"No, they've been a lot better since the summer," Harry said. "Brady said that I need to do some more growing, to see what my magic will do before they correct them. It could mess things up otherwise."
"I see. Good! Colin should still take care not to flash you too often in the eyes."
"I actually talked to him about it a while ago and he promised to go easy on me." Harry twirled Hermione, pulled her back again and caught her around the waist. "Hah, that actually works!"
"Have you been secretly practicising?" she laughed.
"Only a little. Our room had a good, er, instruction manual. Besides, Sirius is of the opinion that a wizard should know how to dance."
"He's not wrong," Hermione replied. "I certainly enjoy it."
Outside, dusk was falling, allowing the flitting, glowing fairies to transform the conservatory into a festive fairytale castle. As long as their feet allowed, Harry and Hermione swayed to the music, going for refreshments and the company of their friends afterwards. Spirits were high long into the evening, and when Harry finally fell into bed that night, the new godbother bond thrumming within him, he neatly slotted this day next to other few best days of his life so far.
oOo
The party was, of course, the talk of the school come Monday. A lot of those not invited were scowling with envy at hearing the talk about fantastic food and dancing, and some of the more reticient students, especially the Slytherins, were watching Harry with something akin to consideration.
"I'm not just imagining it, am I?" he asked Zabini during Care of Magical Creatures. "People are actually watching me ... again."
"Of course they are," Zabini replied, throwing a dead ferret into the hippogriff pen. The snarling hippogriffs fought over it until the poor thing was torn into four parts and hastily gulped down. "You've bonded with the Longbottom scion and many assume that a more formal alliance will follow when you're older."
"It probably will, but what do they think will happen?" Harry huffed. "Neville and I already have pretty similar views and stuff. How we vote or whatever won't exactly be a surprise."
"Maybe not, but it's not actually you they're watching so much," Zabini said, glancing at Neville, who was working with the other Gryffindor boys to muck out the hippogriffs' paddock. "It's him, and what being your brother will make of him."
"Oh." Harry paused to consider this. "They're thinking I'm ... what? Toughening him up?"
Zabini smirked. "Compared to first year, Longbottom isn't exactly a pushover anymore, but yes. Your influence will probably toughen him up, and people are trying to figure out how much."
"Well, that won't happen overnight, so they can stop it," Harry mumbled, annoyed at how complicated everything suddenly was. "Their staring is creepy."
"That's why they're doing it," Zabini informed him, taking another ferret and tossing it. "You need to keep your cool. Every weakness will be exploited, even by your friends, and no one will show you any mercy."
"Speaking from experience, are you?" Harry grumbled. "This is so dumb."
"But necessary. A lot of Slytherins will be involved in Britain's future politics, so it pays to know who's up to what, and why." Zabini's smile was dark and more than a touch feral. "It also pays to have dirt on everyone."
"At thirteen?" Harry asked dubiously. "That seems a little extreme."
Zabini shrugged elegantly. "All's fair in life if it's for your own protection."
"Only if you're not a bully," Harry argued. "Or a criminal."
"Some people will call you both and act accordingly, even if what you're doing is perfectly reasonable and within the law," Zabini said. At Harry's unimpressed look, he added, "I'm just saying."
"You're awfully forthcoming today," Harry replied, a little suspicious. "Why?"
Zabini threw him an undecipherable look. "I had a great time yesterday."
Harry took a moment to let that settle, and then allowed himself to feel a little sad on Zabini's behalf. It wasn't like the boy hadn't told him point blank how hard it was to make friends as a Slytherin.
"Well, you were welcome," he said at length. "And the girls sure appreciated a dance partner who knew what he's about."
"A pity I didn't get to dance with you," Zabini said slyly, wicked humour lighting up his dark eyes. "That'd have made some eyes bulge."
Harry laughed, surprising himself as much as the other boy. "Next time, if there are a lot of people I can't stand, I just might."
"It's a date," Zabini chortled.
oOo
After class that day - and what good classes they had been, what with having not one but two interesting lectures about ritual magic around lunch - Professor McGonagall held Harry and Hermione back.
"A word, please, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," she said.
Worried, the other Gryffindors filed out of the classroom, and the purposefully left open door shut after a little flick of Professor McGonagall's wand.
"Your presence is required in the headmaster's office," she said, eyeing them carefully. "Mr. Finch is already waiting, as are Madam Bones, the Ministry prosecutor, Mr. Malfoy's parents plus lawyer, and your parents, Miss Granger."
"What?" Hermione asked, shocked. "Why?"
"Madam Bones has finished her investigation and now the time has come to determine whether official charges will be pressed or a weregild can be offered," Professor McGonagall explained. "I'll be honest, it won't be pleasant. And if I may offer some unsolicited advice?"
"Please," Hermione begged.
Professor McGonagall sighed. "Don't agree to anything today. Not even to accepting an apology. This meeting is not about settling, it's about sounding out weaknesses, and the Malfoys are known for being particularly vicious, even from a defence position."
"I ... yes. Thank you. That's really good advice. Do my parents know?" Hermione asked a little shakily. She gratefully accepted Harry's offered hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Since Mr. Finch is both your lawyer in this case, and he's been round their home a couple of times, yes, they do know." Professor McGonagall's eyes gleamed in satisfaction as she added, "And I know for a fact that he and Madam Bones are not inclined to give the Malfoys even an inch."
"Good," Harry said.
The march up to Dumbledore's office was long and silent. The moving staircases waylaid them twice, as if trying to tell them to just skip this bit of unpleasantness.
When the stairs twitched to move for a third time, Professor McGonagall snapped, "Don't you dare!" and the staircase ground to a halt and back into its resting position.
Finally they reached the gargoyle in front of the revolving staircase. It leaped aside at once, not demanding a password like it usually did, and then Harry and Hermione stepped inside the round office.
As dusk was already falling outside, several sconces were alight, bathing Dumbledore's many books and knickknacks in a soft, yellow light. Fawkes was sitting on his perch, head up and eyes trained on the two Malfoys and their lawyer, who stood to one side. Madam Bones, Hermione's parents, and Mr. Finch stood on the other, while Dumbledore had chosen to remain sitting at his desk.
"Ah, welcome, Harry and Hermione," the old wizard said jovially.
Mr. Finch cleared his throat disapprovingly, followed by Professor McGonagall and Madam Bones' no less disapproving glares.
"We're almost complete," Dumbledore went on, blithely ignoring the rebuke. "We're only missing Septima and Bathsheda, as they were the first ones at the scene ... ah, that would be them."
The two professors entered the office, nodded at everyone, and chose to stand near Fawkes' perch.
"Now, we've assembled today to-"
"Allow me, Albus," Madam Bones interrupted Dumbledore. "Since this is a DMLE investigation, it falls to me to moderate this meeting." Her beady glare went from the Malfoys to Mr. Finch and Hermione's parents. "Before we begin let me introduce Ministry Prosecutor Adelheit Sutcliffe. She is responsible for overseeing this mediation. Should it come to a trial, she'll represent the Ministry's side in the proceedings, Miss Granger."
Hermione and Harry greeted her, both looking curiously and a little awed at the tall, wiry woman in dark robes. She was of indetermined age and severely made up with barely any beauty charms in place and her ash blond hair in a tight bun.
"And the gentleman with the Malfoys is Law Wizard Hank Norrington, of Norrington & Son. Now, to be perfectly clear: There will be no intimidation of any kind, no attempts at blackmail, and certainly no drawn wands," Prosecutor Sutcliffe warned. "Any and all failures to comply will be fined with a hundred galleons, payable immediately. Understood?"
"Understood," Law Wizard Norrington said stiffly, echoed by his clients.
Mr. Finch's voice was perfectly bland as he agreed, and Dan Granger had murder in his voice as he ground the word out. His wife sounded downright pleasant in comparison.
"Good." Madam Bones put on her monocle and fished a roll of parchment from her robe sleeve. "I hereby read to the assembled parties the conclusions of the DMLE's investigation.
"One, Mr. Draco Malfoy has been found to have acted disproportional to the argument he was having with Miss Hermione Granger." She glared at Mr. Malfoy when he opened his mouth to protest. "In the extreme.
"Two, the DMLE has found that the spell Mr. Draco Malfoy used on Miss Granger and, albeit allegedly inadvertently, Mr. Potter, is not one taught to third years, for good reason. That he already knows it when only sixth years students are allowed to study and practice it under strict supervision, is concerning. Therefore, to remove the danger Mr. Draco Malfoy obviously poses to his schoolmates, his private wand rights have been revoked until the end of this school year." Her eyes flitted to Dumbledore. "Not the term, the year. Any failure to adhere to this ruling will result in charges being brought up against the teacher who failed and you, Headmaster."
Dumbledore blinked, clearly surprised. "Surely that is a little extreme, Amelia. The boy needs his wand for practice."
"He should have thought about that before he went and attacked another student with a deadly spell," Madam Bones replied. Dismissing Dumbledore, she continued, "Three, independent of the families' decision whether a weregild is to be paid or formal charges will be pressed, the Ministry herewith fines the Malfoy family with five-thousand galleons for conduct extremely unbecoming of its scion."
"That's prepestorous!" Mr. Malfoy shouted.
"No, it isn't. Being a Lord in our society is not only about the advantages, Lucius-"
Mr. Malfoy's left eye twitched a little at Madam Bone's nearly mocking words.
"-but also about the many responsibilities towards society. As an ancient house, your family wields a lot of social and political power. Therefore, it is your responsibility to teach the future Lord Malfoy how to conduct himself with grace and in adherence to the law. His behaviour last week was a loud, very loud, warning signal that not all is right in Britain." Here Madam Bones allowed herself a threatening stare. "The Ministry will not allow this aberrant behaviour to go unchecked. We're all part of this society, and the Ministry will see all of us protected. That means we punish thoughtless, cruel children with delusions of superiority before they actually kill someone in a petty fit of rage, no matter which social class said child belongs to."
"Now listen-" Mr. Malfoy fumed.
"No, you listen." Madam Bones' cold voice cut through Mr. Malfoy's bluster like a knife. "Your son behaved atrociously against another student. He used deadly force, at thirteen. This is not a matter that I will allow to be hushed up. If it were up to me, your son would get to know Azkaban intimately, because that's what happens when a magical person tries to murder another, regardless of age, and the Daily Prophet would write about it for months so that other miscreant children might be warned. Be very grateful that the old laws in favour of negotiating weregild still exist, or all of that would already be happening to your precious heir. Also, your disrespect towards the proceedings just earned you two hundred galleons in fines, payable immediately. Madam Sutcliffe will hand out the slip at the end of the meeting."
Narcissa Malfoy pressed a hand to her mouth and whimpered while the Malfoy family lawyer looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. He certainly wasn't pleased that Lucius Malfoy was speaking out in such a violent manner.
Malfoy looked like he was one step away from a huge tantrum.
Mercilessly, Madam Bones continued, "You will pay that fine, Lucius Malfoy, and you will keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you."
"I won't be talked to in that manner! Prosecutor Sutcliffe, I demand that Madam Bones be reprimanded for unprofessional behaviour!" Mr. Malfoy's whole head turned red, and a thick vein appeared in his neck. "It is an outrage what this person is allowed to spout! Sheneeds to pay the fine for threatening me and mine!"
Prosecutor Sutcliffe's eyebrow rose a fraction of an inch. "Amelia Bones is the head of the Ministry's law enforcement division. The position does give her the right to read you the riot act, Lord Malfoy, with sufficient cause. Are you denying that there is sufficient cause, after all the evidence you have been allowed to review prior to this meeting? Also, make that another one hundred galleons for failing to behave with decorum."
"The accusation has been greatly exaggerated," Mr. Malfoy insisted. "Surely you can see that. I'll pay the fine for letting Draco learn that spell, but it's prepestorous to threaten us with Azkaban over this." His icy eyes fell on Hermione. "Sometimes boys do stupid things when they're trying to impress an ... attractive witch."
Hermione blanched and Harry felt fury boil up in him at the insinuation.
"If that's how Malfoy shows affection, I don't want to know what'll happen when he hates someone," he said sharply. "Either way, you failed as his father."
"Well said, Harry," Dan ground out through clenched teeth. He was gripping his wife's hand tightly, visibly hanging on by a thread.
Mr. Malfoy sniffed haughtily. "Well, Draco's always been a passionate child. It seems he can't help his ... infatuation."
"Is that how you want to handle this affair?" Mr. Finch asked, sounding only mildly interested. A dictaquill was busy transcribing the whole conversation.
"I don't see how else it could be seen," Mr. Malfoy replied, already much more collected. "At that age, emotions are fragile, and Miss Granger belittling my son's educational prowess, well ... it obviously stung."
"Still not a reason to kill her," Harry muttered darkly.
"I concur," the Ministry prosecutor said. "In the interest of letting Miss Granger and Mr. Potter have at least a portion of their evening, I ask that all parties adhere to protocol now. Lord Malfoy, what is your family's wish regarding this matter? Shall it be weregild to the Granger family, or shall it be a trial?"
Mr. Malfoy ground his teeth and forced out, "We're prepared to offer weregild."
"Law Wizard Finch, what have the Grangers decided?" Madam Sutcliffe asked.
"With reservations, depending on the offer of weregild, my clients are agreeable to forego pressing official charges," Mr. Finch replied, posture erect and still sounding supremely unaffected. "That may change as the negotiations come along, as my clients will not stand for being insulted in addition to having had their only child suffering significant trauma."
"Very well. May the negotiations begin," Madam Sutcliffe said sternly. She turned to Hermione. "Your parents already know this, but in the interest of making matters go as smoothly as possible, it falls to me to inform you that for the duration of these negotiations, you have to remain at Hogwarts. You could, theoretically, leave the school for another British magical school; however, as this is a purely magical matter, leaving for a muggle school altogether would forfeit your claim to either weregild or a trial. Aside from that, all your friends are here, and the school year is already well underway. I don't recommend it."
"She'll stay here, for now," Hermione's mother said tightly. "Under the provision that that horrible boy won't."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Dumbledore said gravelly. "The same rules apply to him, you see, and, ah, it turned out that none of the other schools will accept him for the duration of the negotiations. And as there appears to be a flight risk in the DMLE's opinion, Mr. Malfoy is also prohibited from returning home."
"I won't be in the same room with him," Hermione said, clamping down on Harry's hand until it hurt. "I won't give him the chance to finish what he started."
Madam Bones cleared her throat. "You won't have to, Miss Granger. In addition to the fine Mr. Malfoy's family will have to pay, Mr. Malfoy is not allowed to be around other children until the matter is concluded, not even without a wand. He will receive assignments and an hour of practical tuition a week for each of his courses. It is up to Mr. Malfoy's family to decide whether they want to employ tutors for this, or if they'd like to avail themselves of the services of the Hogwarts professors."
"For an additional fee, of course," Professor McGonagall added tartly. "After all, it is not our job to teach murderous children for free."
"Hardly for free," Law Wizard Norrington said stiffly. "The family does pay the full Hogwarts tuition."
"Oh, you mean the twenty percent lower tuition than the one for mundane born students?" Emma replied snidely. "How very correct of you."
"Consider it a danger allowance," Professor McGonagall needled the Malfoys. "After all, we might have to defend ourselves against Mr. Malfoy jr."
Madam Sutcliffe cleared her throat pointedly. "While I understand the sentiment, let's not devolve into useless sniping, Minerva. I did say the fine applies to everyone."
"My apologies, Adelheit," Professor McGonagall replied, completely unrepentant.
"Of course you are." Madam Sutcliffe took a deep breath and then stared them all down. "It has been decided. The families Malfoy, Granger, and Potter enter into negotiations for weregild. This process will have come to a conclusion at Yule at the latest, or formal charges will be pressed by the DMLE. The number of meetings shall not be restricted, but there shall not be less than three for each of the affected families. Each of the parties is subject to the Rules Of Negotiation. Breaches of protocoll will be punished by fines and time in Azkaban. To make sure everyone involved can be held accountable for their actions, you will be required to take an oath."
"With all due respect, Miss Granger's family is hardly able to swear that oath," Law Wizard Norrington said. "We will not allow you to apply double standards in these proceedings."
"The Grangers are of course aware of this," Mr. Finch said. He pulled a roll of parchment from his briefcase and handed it over to Madam Sutcliffe. "To compensate for the disparity in magical ability, Lord Black has offered to act as bail. This writ has been signed by all relevant parties and only has to be accepted by the Ministry."
Madam Sutcliffe unrolled the parchment, read it, and then tapped it with her wand. A golden glow appeared, to which she nodded in satisfaction. "The offer of bail has been verified and accepted by the Ministry of Magic. Your objection is moot, Law Wizard Norrington."
"Very well," Norrington said tightly.
Harry and Hermione went over to Hermione's parents, exchanging exhausted hugs and watching the oath-giving with tired interest. Their professors only maintained the facade of detachment until the Malfoys and their law wizard had finished their business, crowding around Hermione's family as soon as the heavy door to Dumbledore's office had closed after Narcissa Malfoy's sweeping robe train.
"All will be well," Professor Babbling said to Hermione, patting her shoulder comfortingly. "None of us teachers will allow that boy to be in the same room with you, much less let him be alone with you."
"And if it happens regardless, you may always call on the house elves to either call on one of us, or extract you from the situation altogether," Professor McGonagall added. "I'll inform the head elf of the situation immediately."
"Furthermore, I'd like you to accept this," Madam Bones said, offering up a silver bracelet. Runes were stamped all over its surface. "It's a device the Ministry has developed around thirty years ago to record failures to adhere to a restraining order. With the implementation of equal rights divorces, there have been some cases of aggravated stalking and harassment, most often perpetrated by the wizards whose wives have left them. This will help us protect you, and your interests in court, should something happen despite the threat of high fines and Azkaban."
"That doesn't sound good," Hermione said roughly.
"I'll be honest: it isn't. The Malfoys are known for using scare tactics and I wouldn't put it past them to encourage their boy to pressure you into retracting your charges." Madam Bones' frown smoothed out a little. "I've talked it over with your parents, and they agree that wearing the bracelet for the duration of the negotiations would be a good idea. Of course I'll personally swear an oath that the bracelet only does what I told you it does and nothing more. Mr. Finch quite insisted on it, and so did your parents. Would that be alright?"
Hermione turned to look at Harry, wide, slightly wet brown eyes entreating him for help. "What do you think?"
"If Madam Bones swears an oath, and Mr. Finch says it's good, it'd be fine, I guess," Harry said. "I just want you to be safe, 'Mione." He looked up at Madam Bones. "She'd be able to take it off if it's somehow fishy, wouldn't she?"
"Yes, of course. Wearing it is supposed to help, not harm her," Madam Bones promised. "It's mainly for monitoring Mr. Malfoy's proximity to her, but a few mild protection charms have been added as well."
"It's hard being a girl," Harry said seriously, ignoring how the mouths of the women in the room twitched. "You should do it."
"Okay then," Hermione said. She closed her eyes when her mother kissed her cheek and her father pulled her into a short, grateful hug.
"But first the oath," Harry insisted.
"Of course." Madam Bones drew her wand, performed the oath to Mr. Finch's approval, and then slid the bracelet around Hermione's wrist. "There, all done. It might feel strange for an hour or so, until your magic has gotten used to the magic imbued in the metal. If something doesn't feel right, take it off immediately and contact me."
"Thank you," Hermione whispered.
Madam Bones smiled. "All will be well, Hermione." She tipped her hat at Dumbledore, who hadn't moved from his desk, and at everyone else after. "I'll take my leave now and file everything with my department. Adelheit, if you want to accompany me?"
"I do, thank you." Madam Sutcliffe also nodded at the room and then threw Floo powder into Dumbledore's fireplace. "The Ministry of Magic, atrium!"
With two loud swishes, the witches were gone and the meeting well and truly over.
"Would you like to have dinner with us, before we have to head back home?" Dan asked Hermione. "Harry, you're welcome, of course."
"How can you even ask?" Hermione asked. Her voice wobbled a little and then the tears were spilling over and she threw herself into her father's arms. "I've missed you so much!"
"I'll show you to a lovely little room where you can have privacy for your meal," Professor McGonagall said. "Do not strain yourself overmuch when showing your parents some of the spells you have learned so far, Miss Granger."
"We'll take care," Emma said. "Thank you, we appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it," Professor Vector said, rather cheerfully considering the circumstances. "It's quite rare that we have muggle visitors, and it is a shame that the parents barely get to see what we teach their children. That being said ... how do you find the Muggle Studies course? Your daughter only attended one class, poor Charity Burbage was quite beside herself. Do you like the book? It's the newest edition."
Emma squirmed a little. "Well, it's ... interesting. As a whole, the course wasn't, er, demanding enough for Hermione, since she grew up in the mundane world. And, well, the material is a bit ... outdated." She winced.
"Outdated?" Dumbledore piped up. "By how much?"
"Oh." Emma exchanged a glance with Dan. "Uh, about thirty to forty years would be my estimation. Excuse us, we'd like to take Hermione somewhere quiet now. Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Without further ado they led Hermione from the office, barely taking the time to say their goodbyes. Professor McGonagall accompanied them, ostensibly to show them to the room she'd promised Hermione's parents.
Harry thought that she just wanted to leave. The same couldn't be said about Mr. Finch; the law wizard turned towards Dumbledore, briefcase already open and another roll of parchment floating out of it.
"Thirty to forty years!" Professor Babbling hissed, which was the last thing Harry heard as he hurried after Hermione.
He flushed in mortification for his teachers. He already felt stupid when he didn't know something seemingly everybody else was aware of, so how much worse must it be to know that you were teaching garbage to students for years?
oOo
Professor McGonagall led them to a small cozy room with a blazing fireplace. A table had already been set for four.
"Won't you join us, Professor?" Emma asked.
"Oh, no, thank you. The afternoon, and indeed, the whole last week, was unpleasant enough for your daughter; you must be eager to visit and I would definitely be in the way." Professor Mcgonagall smiled briefly. "Enjoy your time together, it is a rare enough pleasure to host mundane parents of our students."
The Grangers bade the professor farewell, and then Dan pointedly held the chair for Emma to sit down. "I haven't forgotten how you've showed me up last time, Harry."
Emma laughed. "I'm certainly not complaining."
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione said with a smile as he helped her sit down. "The table looks incredible."
"Yes, just look how shiny the silver is." Emma admired her fork. "Does anyone know what we're having?"
Dobby popped into existence next to Harry. "Hello, Harry Potter sir's Grangeys!"
"Hello, Dobby," Dan greeted the elf. "How are you doing?"
"Dobby be having much work," Dobby replied, bouncing a little. "Dobby be sorry that he not be protecting Miss Mione from bad old Master's spawn."
Emma spat out a mouthful of water. "God, Dobby."
"Well, he's not wrong," Dan said dryly. "The Malfoy boy definitely behaved like a hellspawn."
"Why did you agree to the negotiations, then?" Hermione asked, apropos of nothing. "Why not make them go through with a trial?"
She immediately had the attention of both her parents, and the mood turned somber.
"There are many reasons, love," Emma said gently. "And I'm sure you can think of them all."
"I can, but ... it makes me feel dirty, acceping their money," Hermione admitted.
"To maybe accepting their money," Dan said. "There's a difference."
Harry looked at each of them in turn and frowned. "I don't understand."
"We decided to fight them with their own weapons," Emma explained. "Making the Malfoys choose between trial or paying a frankly insane sum of blood money has hurt their pride. We, lowly mudbloods that we are, can nonetheless force them to choose between a rock and a hard place, and that right there is power."
"I didn't think you were the type to humiliate others," Harry admitted. "Not that they don't deserve it, because they do, but ..."
Dan patted his shoulder. "I know what you mean. It's alright. Let's speak frankly, hm? You deserve it, after what you did to save our princess."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said, a little stunned.
"In essence, we want to set a warning excemple for each an every one of those stuck-up, racist pureblood magicals," Emma said. "Right now, we hold all the cards, and after some discussion with Mr. Finch and Lord Black we decided to do as much damage as we can: first we force them to negotiate with mundanes, trying to get as much out of them as we can."
"Because the purse is always where it hurts most," Harry said, suddenly understanding where this was going. Uncle Vernon had certainly said it often enough.
"They might end negotiations if they deem our demands too high," Dan went on, "and in that case we will, of course, go to trial. Due to the spawn's age it'll be closed, but enough information will get out that the family's reputation will take a big hit. It always does."
"Either outcome would be fine for us, although I'm hoping that they'll go for the weregild in the end," Emma concluded. "Not only would we have enough money to get Hermione everything she needs for her education, bleeding those ... those cockroaches dry would have the added benefit of denying them funds to support their effing Lord, or whoever is in charge of that abominable terrorist group."
"Clever!" Harry said. "I like your plan."
"You'll paint a target on your back," Hermione fretted.
"Oh, honey, it was always there, we only became aware of it when we sent you to Hogwarts. We're nothing to these people, and I'd rather take them down with me than simply go down quietly." Dan smiled grimly. "We Grangers do not go down quietly."
"Never," Emma and Hermione answered in what obviously was a practiced family motto, Emma with determination and Hermione a little wobbly.
"I'll protect her at school," Harry blurted. "I mean, not all the time, but I have lots of house elves, and they need work. They'll watch out for her."
"That's a lovely thing to do, thank you," Emma beamed. "Your newfound father was already such a delight, but it's so good to know that Hermione has such a good friend in you."
"Boyfriend," Hermione murmured, looking nervously at Harry. "That is, if being almost murdered by Malfoy hasn't put you off."
Harry snorted. "It hasn't yet, and it won't. Voldemort is a lot worse than Malfoy, and I don't see you running for the hills, 'Mione."
"It might put you off yet," she insisted. "Trauma can have significant after-effects. Healer Williams and Madam Pomfrey said so."
"The same goes for you," Harry said, exasperated. "You said you don't want to talk about breaking up, so don't."
"Have that argument often, do you?" Dan asked, putting his head in his hand and staring at them thoughtfully. "I feel sorry for you. All I wanted to do at fourteen was meet pretty girls and snog behind the bleachers. Murderous school mates never even crossed my mind."
"Daddy," Hermione complained. "I'm serious!"
"So am I," Harry sniped. "You know what? I hereby swear that Malfoy's attack has not scared me off being with Hermione. So mote it be." A sharp flash of light erupted from the tip of his wand. "There, satisfied?"
Hermione sighed. "Harry James." Then, in a small voice, she admitted, "Yes."
"Good. That bloody bleached hellspawn does not get another second of our time. Alright?" Harry took Hermione's hand and squeezed it.
"Alright." Hermione raised their linked hands and pressed a shy kiss to the back of Harry's knuckles. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too," Emma said, starting to giggle. "You're very sweet, but ... bloody bleached hellspawn?"
Dan laughed. "Thanks for that, Harry."
Aggrieved, Harry rolled his eyes. "Can we have dinner now? I'm sure Dobby went to a lot of work with it."
"Dobby did not. Dobby popped over to Italy for pizza. Harry Potter sir's dogfather insisted. There also be wine and dessert."
"You are the best!" Hermione said, wiping her damp cheeks. "I can have dessert, right, mum?"
"Of course you can, honey."
Dan rubbed his hands. "Then show us what you've got, Dobby!"
With a snap of thin fingers, the table filled with several steaming pizza pies fresh out of the oven. Salad, water, wine, and tiramisu completed the feast. The spread looked simple in comparison to Dobby's usual efforts, but its fragrance and obvious freshness held its very own appeal.
Discreetly, Dobby handed Harry two potion phials, nodded at Harry's heartfelt thanks, and then popped away quietly.
"Thank you for the invitation, Harry," Dan said, offering his wife the wine. "This looks expensive, so it's our turn to buy next time."
"Since Sirius arranged for it, you'll have to invite him, sir," Harry replied. "Uh, what is this?" He pointed at a strange looking vegetable on one of the pizzas.
"That's artichoke, dear. It's interesting, and after you went to that imbiss with Hermione and liked it, I'm sure you'll like this as well. Here, let me get you a piece ..."
Emma dished out pizza and Hermione filled everyone's salad bowl. Dan took care of the drinks.
"I know that we've already thanked you, Harry, and that you're probably uncomfortable with our gratitude, but please let us have a toast in your honour anyway." He, Emma, and Hermione raised their glasses and Harry indeed blushed hotly. "You saved our daughter from a petty bully who thought it'd be okay to kill her, with no thought to your own safety. We'll never be able to repay that debt, but we'll sure try. If you ever need anything, and it's in our power to provide it, don't hesitate to ask. I mean it, Harry."
"Thank you sir," Harry managed to get out. "I appreciate it. A lot."
"As far as I'm concerned, saving my daughter's life makes you family," Dan continued, voice a little rough as well. "We drink to you, Harry."
"To you," Emma and Hermione echoed.
Harry took a great swallow of his water, willing his face to stop burning. Thankfully, the others knew when to let up and busied themselves with the food. Harry gave them and himself until after the tiramiso had been licked off the plates to ask what had been plagueing him all week.
"So ... will you make Hermione leave Hogwarts when the thing with the Malfoys is over?"
Emma and Dan looked at each other.
"Well, it'd certainly be best," Dan began soothingly. "Three times is a very lucky number to escape death, don't you think? I wouldn't want to test the Grim Reaper's patience any further."
"Neither would I," Emma said. "Hermione deserves better. Beauxbatons has been very open about accepting her, no matter when she'd like to start. The headmistress even told us that two of Hermione's dorm mates will transfer there after Christmas, so she'd even have a few friends there."
"Mum ..." Hermione played with her coffee spoon. "I'd rather not leave."
"Well, you can't, right now, but we want you to think about it," Emma said firmly. "Just keep an open mind. Hogwarts is but one school in the world, and not even the best, like they told us. As far as your father and I am concerned, they lied to us."
Hermione turned to Harry, wide-eyed and anxious. "Harry ..."
Heedless of her watching parents, he took her hands and said, "It's okay, 'Mione. I told you."
"You did, but that's kind of crazy," she whispered, still staring searchingly at him.
"You knew from the beginning that I'm not exactly normal," Harry joked, relieved when she cracked a small smile. "Promise you'll stop worrying about it, love."
As soon as he'd uttered that small endearment, Harry kind of wished that he could take it back. Not because he didn't mean it, but because Hermione's parents were there and witnessing this moment.
He flushed violently.
Thankfully, Hermione blushed just as hotly, her grip tightening another fraction. Her lips moved like words wanted to come out, but in the end she remained silent, just looking at Harry in wonder.
In the gentle flickering light of the large fireplace, she appeared especially pretty and Harry decided that he didn't mind the presence of her parents quite so much after all.
oOo
The funny thing about school gossip was that it never stayed inside the walls of the school. More than a week after Draco Malfoy's attack on Hermione Granger, seemingly all the parents knew, regardless of their social or blood status. And while the Daily Prophet couldn't print the information due to the laws protecting the concerned parties during weregild negotiations, the news spread from those parents via owl post, Floo calls, and the good, old-fashioned gossip in the streets of the magical districts in Britain.
It therefore surprised exactly no one when owls started arriving at Hogwarts on Tuesday morning, bearing hundreds of letters for Harry and the Hogwarts Herald, as well as the teachers. The deluge continued for the rest of the week, literally swamping them in parchment and paper.
"I don't mind helping you look through them, if you don't want to sent them along to your lawyer directly," Parvati said on Thursday evening, surveying the mounds of correspondence accumulating in the room Professor McGonagall had donated to this influx of post. "But it might have to wait until the weekend. That's a lot of mail! Our newspaper office looks like a war zone. We're scrambling to read all the letters and sort them like the professors taught us, but it's a challenge."
"I'd send the lot along, frankly," Lavender said. "The wards already redirected the cursed ones to your lawyer, anyway. Besides, you can't answer them all by yourself, you'd never get anything else done."
Hermione bit her lip. "I agree. This is too much to handle for us." She took a fortifying breath. "Say ... is it bad that I'm sort of glad the news is making the rounds like this?"
"Definitely not," Harry said immediately. "I wanted everyone to know what a git Malfoy is. Now they know. And Dumbledore knows what most parents think about it, too."
"They're definitely not happy," Neville agreed. "My gran told me that the board of govenor's been getting letters as well. Most were demanding Malfoy's removal from Hogwarts outright."
"Too bad that the weregild negotiations prevent that from happening, and that they're taboo for the press," Lavender sighed dramatically. "That'd have been a fantastic headline. Almost better than everything we have on Snape."
"Don't you go spreading that around," Hermione warned. "We told you in confidence."
"And I'll keep it," Lavender replied with a huff. "It's still such a fantastic story; it's hard not to be able to make use of your insider information."
"If the Malfoys decide to pay weregild, that story will get buried," Harry insisted. "We don't like it, but that's the deal."
Parvati grinned. "Well, first they'll have to decide to pay, won't they? Hermione told us that your lawyer is badass, Harry, so they might not be able to cough up that much money."
"You're certainly entitled to your hope," Neville said. "But back to those letters ... I agree with Lavender, Harry. Send them to your lawyer. He wouldn't want you to respond to them without his counsel anyway."
"And right after the ICW forced Dumbledore to remove the mail redirection ward he's placed on me, too," Harry sighed. "This is getting complicated."
"It doesn't have to be," Hermione said. "It's true that you should have gotten Gringotts mail and whatever else at Hogwarts from the beginning, and likely at your relatives' house too, but the situation has changed significantly now. I'd let Mr. Finch put a mail direction ward on you, either to him, your dad, or even Gringotts. The delay would be minimal and have the added bonus of allowing either of them to collect and condense information for you. That'd save time you could much better use for school work and give Dumbledore one less chance to mess with you."
Harry laughed. "That true. It feels like I hardly did any homework until now, there's been so much going on!"
"Well, your grades are good, I'd say you're holding up pretty well so far," Parvati replied with a grin. "But why take on unnecessary drama."
"Right?" Hermione asked.
"I'll take it up with Mr. Finch." Harry once more looked over the piles of letters and shuddered. "That'll never not be strange. I'm so glad I have adults in my corner now who'll deal with it."
"Competent adults," Hermione corrected archly, earning herself four smirks.
"I know it's getting late, but are you up for a hot chocolate in the kitchens before we turn in?" Harry asked. "As a thank you for being such good friends."
"Just hot chocolate, Potter?" Lavender quipped. "Aren't we worth more than that?"
"There might be some cake left over from our party," Harry said. "And some berry compote with custard. But if you don't want it ..."
"Nope, I'm your friend for life," Lavender said quickly, taking Harry's arm and dragging him towards the door. "Lead the way, I've never been to the kitchens. Parv, help me drag him, before he changes his mind."
Parvati gamely wound her arm around Harry's free elbow, and together the two girls pulled him along.
Behind him, Harry could hear Hermione and Neville laughing, and something inside of him relaxed.
He had a great girlfriend, a new brother, and, apparently, at least two good friends who were willing to sacrifice their time to help him with his issues.
Despite the craziness going on in his life, Harry suddenly felt like a very lucky boy indeed.