The rest of the visit was spent discussing less disturbing topics, namely the plans for the remainder of the summer. The Grangers had been planning a trip to France beginning on Sunday and ending the last Sunday in July, a little over a month. While Hermione had been there before, that was before Hogwarts when she was little. They decided to go again and hoped to take in some of the magical sites as well which Hermione had planned to use to possibly augment her History of Magic paper. With this change in her life, the Grangers wondered if they should cancel, but Harry reminded them how these trunks worked and that they would still work fine even from France. Australia might be a problem, but France was fine. The Grangers could take one of their access trunks with them and that way Hermione could spend her days with her parents while returning to the trunk in the evenings. Since it was that easy, Mrs. Granger then decided to ask both Harry and Luna to join them as well. They both did. Harry had never really been much of anywhere before and for Luna it was a chance to spend her summer with friends.
After dinner, Dobby delivered some letters that had arrived at Privet Drive while they had been eating. They were from Gringotts. Harry received five such letters while Hermione, Luna and the Grangers received one letter each.
Harry read his.
Mr. Harry James Potter:
WRIT OF SUMMONS
Sir, pursuant to request you are requested and required to appear at Gringotts, London at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday, 22 June 1993 to discuss the nature of a Contract between the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and House Granger. Your meeting will be held in Conference Room 7. Ask for Accounts Manager Grisha.
Yours Sincerely,
Harphorn.
Director Customer Services.
The letters the others received were practically identical. Harry’s other letters had him scheduled for meetings each of the following days regarding the other contracts. They all concluded that this meant that Luna and Hermione would be marrying Harry tomorrow evening and Harry would be dealing with the others by the end of the week. Mrs. Granger noted that the letter was cryptic and, given the circumstances, not very romantic. Luna said that romance and Goblins were probably mutually incompatible terms.
Mrs. Granger insisted on taking them all shopping the next day. Hermione needed a completely new wardrobe as she had outgrown all her clothes over the last year. Luna said she had as well and in the normal course of events sooner or later her Daddy would notice and take her shopping. But Mrs. Granger was insistent on taking Luna along as well. After all both of the girls needed a special dress for that evening and Harry needed a suit and maybe more than one. The Grangers would take the lot of them to dinner following their meeting and the place they were thinking of required a coat and tie. With the plans laid and it getting late, the Grangers took their leave and the three of them soon went to bed.
They awoke the next morning and the Trunk was already running its second seven day Time Compression. Once again, Luna showed up at breakfast with nothing on and Hermione undressed before joining the others at the table. She had gotten used to this choice of attire when they were alone like this, although she always acted like she forgot. The truth was she enjoyed undressing in front of Harry. The days were spent as they had been before with the three of them continuing to explore the gardens, a picnic lunch, swimming lessons for Harry and time in the Library in the later after noon and evenings. They were still hoping to come up with a better plan regarding the final contract although they were all sure there was not a better one to be found. By the end of the week, they decided to instead focus on finishing or revising their summer homework assignments.
On the eighth morning Time Compression ended before the three of them came down for breakfast. Hermione wore a nice summer dress, although it was too tight in places especially up top and saw that Luna was dressed as well.
“How did you remember?” Harry asked when Luna entered.
“Oh,” Luna said, “I kind of knew I’d lose track of the days. I’ve had my elf place a card on the inside of my bedroom door in the mornings while I’m in my shower. A green card tells me we have no place to go today other than our gardens and no visitors will be coming over so I can wear what I want to.”
“Which is nothing,” Hermione noted.
“True, but it might get chilly in which case nothing would be too little. This morning there was a red card which reminded me we will be going out soon so I got dressed.”
“Wearing any knickers?” Harry asked.
“Unfortunately. We’re going out in the Muggle World shopping, right? My Mum always insisted I wear knickers when we went shopping. She did teach me a notice me not charm when I was seven that keeps people from seeing up my skirts or, should I say, people who I don’t want to see what’s up there. But I don’t use that at Hogwarts where someone might know Finite Incantatum or when we’re shopping or when it’s chilly outside. Of course, here I don’t have to worry about knickers at all which is nice.”
The shopping trip seemed to last all day. Mrs. Granger took them into London and they went through several stores, mostly for the girls clothes. Harry had no idea how much they bought. He had a couple of new suits, nothing too fancy seeing as he would probably grow out of them in the next year or so. The girls got practically a whole new wardrobe, dresses, skirts, blouses, shorts, shoes and sandals, slacks and even underwear. They each now had one really nice dress to wear for special occasions, such as this evening. They also had bathing suits. Each girl got a one piece, which Mrs. Granger said was for actual swimming and because each could now wear one they got a two piece suit as well which Mrs. Granger said was for lying in the sun, wading and allowing Harry to ogle them. The suits were for their holiday to France. School uniforms and robes would wait until the end of the Summer.
Wearing their new clothes and, thanks to Dobby, freed from goodness knows how many shopping bags, the four of them entered Diagon Alley and made their way to Gringotts in time for their appointment. They were met in the Lobby by Mr. Granger, Mr. Lovegood and the Tennysons (Flamels). Harry approached a Teller.
“Yes?” the Teller asked looking up from a stack of forms. The Goblins were a curt lot. Customer Service was based upon Account Performance, not pleasantries.
“I’m Harry Potter,” Harry said. “We have an appointment here with Accounts Manager Grisha.”
“Is this the rest of your party or are others expected?”
“As far as I know, we’re it.”
After a moment where it seemed the Goblin zoned out, he continued. “You are expected. Follow me.”
They followed him from the Lobby through a large door. All Harry knew is that it was not the same door he had entered when he was taken to his vault. They were in an ornate corridor and followed the Goblin to another door which the Goblin opened. “Have a seat,” the Goblin said. “Accounts Manager Grisha will be with you shortly.” The room had a long table with several chairs on either side and one at each end. “Mr. Potter, you will sit at one end of the table. The Grangers shall sit on one side and the Lovegoods at the other.”
They took their seats as their escort left. Moments later, two Goblins entered. An older looking one took his seat at the far end of the table and placed a leather bound folder on the table before him. The other Goblin was carrying three similar folders. Once was placed before Harry and the other two before Mr. Granger and Mr. Lovegood. Harry opened it and saw a copy of the two betrothal contracts and some other documents as well.
“By request of House Potter,” Grisha began, “you have been summoned here in regards to the betrothal contracts executed between the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and House Lovegood and the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and Family Granger said contracts being duly executed, witnessed and filed here at Gringotts on October 15th, 1980 and March 3rd, 1981 respectively. Mr. Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Mr. Lovegood: you are aware of the contracts, their contents and conditions?”
“I am,” they all said.
“Mr. Potter asserts that the terms for execution as spelled out in the Contracts have in fact been met. You are all aware of the terms for execution?”
“I am.”
“Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood: have you been advised of these contracts?”
“I have,” they both said.
“And you two are also aware of the terms of execution?”
“I am.”
“Mr. Potter asserts that yesterday, being his Bonding Day the thirteenth Summer Solstice of his life, a Soul Bond has begun to form between himself and Miss Granger. Miss Granger, is that your understanding as well?”
“It is,” Hermione answered.
“Miss Granger, you do know about the concept of Bonding Age?”
“I do.”
“You’re thirteenth Summer Solstice was June 21st, 1992. Have you had six cycles since menarche?”
Hermione nodded. “My sixth was about a month before that date.”
“Miss Lovegood, it is your understanding that a Soul Bond has begun to form between you and Mr. Potter as well?”
“It is,” Luna replied.
“Your thirteenth Summer Solstice was yesterday as well. Have you had six cycles since menarche?”
“This past April,” Luna replied.
“My assistant will now verify the veracity of your claims. Each of you present shall place a drop of your blood upon the parchment provided.” The assistant had a small lancet which he used to prick everyone’s left forefinger. Once a drop had fallen upon the parchment, he did something that healed the small cut. He brought the parchment to Grisha who seemed to read it over. “Your identities have been verified. Mr. Potter’s assertions as to the fulfilment of the preconditions of the contract have also been verified. You are all aware that pursuant to the terms of the contracts, Mr. Potter is to take Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood as his wives at Law as well as in magic?”
“I am,” they all answered.
“Mr. and Mrs. Granger? As you are Muggles I must ask if you have any reason to believe you were under any form of spell or magical compulsion when you executed this contract?”
“Um,” Mr. Granger began.
“Yes?”
“Well, not at that time. Sometime later a wizard took away our memories of that contract and of Harry and Luna and their families.”
“It that wizard present in this room?”
“No Sir.”
“Is that wizard a signatory or witness to the Contract between your family and the Ancient and Noble House of Potter?”
“No Sir, he’s not.”
“At this time, do you have any reason to claim House Potter has defrauded you or misrepresented any facts or law to induce you to agree to this Contract or that you were under any other form of threat or compulsion to enter into this Contract?”
“No Sir.”
“So you have no legal basis to withdraw your consent to this marriage?”
“Um…”
“Naturally we have reservations,” Mrs. Granger said. “But we have no reason to believe we have a legal basis to withdraw consent under Wizard Law.”
“Mr. Lovegood? At this time, do you have any reason to claim House Potter has defrauded you or misrepresented any facts or law to induce you to agree to this Contract or that you were any form of threat or compulsion to enter into this Contract?”
“No.”
“So your consent to this marriage remains valid?”
“It does.”
“As I name the Bride, will the consenting parties please rise? Mr. Potter, as your parents are no longer with us and as you have requested this you may rise in their stead. Hermione Jane Granger?” Harry, Hermione’s parents and Hermione rose. “Miss Granger, it is not necessary for you to rise.”
“I choose to,” she replied.
“So be it. House Potter, do you agree that Harry James Potter shall be lawfully bound to Hermione Jane Granger as Husband to Wife from this day forward until death shall part them from this world?”
“I do.”
“Family Granger, do you agree that Hermione Jane Granger shall be lawfully bound to Harry James Potter, Heir Apparent as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter as Wife to Husband from this day forward until death shall part them from this world?”
“We do,” the parents said. “I do,” Hermione added.
“Family Granger, you may be seated. Luna Celeste Lovegood?”
Luna and her father rose.
“House Potter, do you agree that Harry James Potter shall be lawfully bound to Luna Celeste Lovegood as Husband to Wife from this day forward until death shall part them from this world?”
“I do,” Harry said.
“House Lovegood, do you agree that Luna Celeste Lovegood shall be lawfully bound to Harry James Potter, Heir Apparent as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter as Wife to Husband from this day forward until death shall part them from this world?”
“I do,” Luna and Mr. Lovegood said in unison.
“Be seated. Hardaxe?” The assistant produced a black quill and two parchments and placed it before Harry. “Mr. Potter, this is a Certificate of Marriage for you and each of your brides. Please sign at the place designated.”
“There’s no ink,” Harry observed.
“It’s a blood quill. It might sting a little but it will use your blood as ink. It is used in all Gringotts magically binding Contracts and documents.”
“Bloody hate those things,” Mr. Granger grumbled remembering the contract he had signed a little over twelve years earlier.
It did sting, but the documents were signed. The assistant then brought one document to the Grangers and the other to Mr. Lovegood. As they signed, Grisha spoke. “Although it is not required, Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood are free to sign as well if they so desire.” The two girls did and once they finished signing, the documents were returned to Grisha who looked them over. “Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, please rise.” They did. “As all of the conditions of the Contract have been met and you are of Bonding Age and as magical oaths and contracts between the families have been exchanged, by Wizarding Law I now Proclaim you Husband and Wife. Mr. Potter, as you have titles, do you wish to bestow one upon Mrs. Potter?”
“Countess of Finchley,” Harry said. “She’s a Muggle Born and it is recognized in the Muggle World.”
Grisha wrote something upon the parchment. “Mrs. Potter, upon your Seventeenth Birthday you shall have the title of Countess Finchley with all rights thereto appertaining. Although it is not required, at this time you may kiss the Bride, Lord Apparent Potter.”
Harry did.
“Mr. Potter and Miss Lovegood please rise.” The Goblin then declared them as lawfully Husband and Wife and Harry named her as Countess of Hwicca, which she could assume on her seventeenth birthday. After they kissed they were asked to be seated again.
“That concludes the marriage rite,” Grisha said. “Now to business. First off, do you want an announcement made to the general public?”
“Is it necessary, Sir?” Hermione asked.
“Until all parties are seventeen, no it is not. If you choose to make no announcement at this time, you may retain your maiden name until your seventeenth birthday, Mrs. Potter. Gringotts will, however, be required to advise Headmaster Dumbledore as to your change in status.”
“When?”
“Not later than the morning of September 1st.”
“I think that would be a good idea for all of us,” Harry noted.
“As for other documentation, do you require passports?”
“Magical or Muggle?” Hermione asked.
“We can provide both and yes the Muggle ones are perfectly valid.”
“I have a Muggle one,” Hermione said. “But not a magical one.”
“If you associate in both worlds it is prudent to have both.”
“A magical passport, please.”
“A Muggle one then,” Luna added. “I have my magical one. It’s still valid, isn’t it?”
“It is indeed,” Grisha replied.
“I guess I need both,” Harry added.
“You passports, your copies of your Marriage Certificated and your bank cards, valid in both magical and muggle shops and places of business, shall be delivered to Mr. Potter’s residence by owl tomorrow. The Ladies cards have a 5,000 galleon limit per year to be drawn against Mr. Potter’s active account; that’s £33,750 which I hope is more than adequate. Mr. Potter? Pursuant to the terms of the Potter Trust, 10,000 Galleons shall be added to your Principal and 10,000 to your spending account by close of business tomorrow and you’re advised that your annual contribution to Principal due this July 31st shall be increased to 15,000 Galleons. That concludes our scheduled business. Unless you wish to make a withdrawal or engage in another transaction, my assistant shall escort you out.”
“Well, that was romantic,” Mrs. Granger said sarcastically once they were outside.
“Felt like a business meeting with solicitors,” Mr. Granger added.
“They’re Goblins,” Clara (Perenelle) said. “They’re idea of romance usually includes a beheading or dismemberment. They consider business as art. It counts, ‘though.”
“I don’t know what I was expecting really,” Hermione said somewhat disappointed. “Honestly, I hadn’t really thought about that yet, even after learning about this. But it was pretty - well, I guess I expected some kind of… vows, maybe? A nice wedding dress? A ring? Something fancier.”
“I didn’t even get to get naked,” Luna said.
“Excuse me?” Mr. Granger said.
“My parents married under an ancient magical rite. It’s not done very often at all but… It’s always done on the Summer Solstice in a secluded place of powerful, natural magic. The Bride wears nothing and to conclude the rite the couple does it.”
“Um…” Harry began.
“I think I’ll pass on that one,” Hermione seemed to finish. “I think that can wait until after when the couple is alone.”
“Oh, but they are,” Luna said. “The guests are asked to step beyond the wards for the naked bits. Basically, the couple only sees them at the nuptial feast. Only the binder is present. But I see your point. I’d want my friends to be there to see the whole thing, now that I have one and the more I think about the more that time should be private, yes I see your point. It probably would make others uncomfortable too. The dress and flowers and stuff sounds nice too.”
“Were you thinking of having it that way?” Harry asked.
“No. Not really. I’d like Daddy and Grammy and Grampy to be there. They were here, after all and under that rite they couldn’t be there.”
“We’re pleased we could be here for this, Little One,” George (Nicholas) said. “In the other time, we passed on to our next incarnation long before you married. As it is, our time is limited. Our Great Granddaughter is married. In all of our incarnations, you are the first Great Granddaughter who married with us there and we thank you for that. But, lest Dumbledore become suspicious, George and Clara Tennyson will not see the New Year. This time next year, we will be two young people - younger than you are today - under new lives and new names.”
“I… I don’t want you to go,” Luna whimpered.
“You know who we are now, Little One. We are leaving and yet we are not leaving, are we? Maybe one day in the future we will let you know who we are again. We did it in that other time and who knows, we may just do it in this time. But you will know that we are out there and this time we will be watching you.”
“From a discreet position,” Clara (Perenelle) said.
“Don’t worry, Little One,” George continued. “We’re not leaving today. You will see us again before the summer is over.”
“It’ll be a sad day for me,” Luna said softly.
“Yes,” Clara agreed. “You’re a very special child and it will be sad for us as well. But we’ve decided that you deserve a chance to say goodbye rather than read about our passing on in the paper as has often been the case in our pasts.”
“Little One,” George continued, “we know you will miss us as George and Clara. We don’t want you to be sad for we really haven’t gone away forever, have we? On September 1st of next year - your Third Year - a boy and girl will be among the First Years awaiting to be sorted into their houses. You won’t recognize our names or even our faces. We can’t tell you what House we’ll be in ‘cause we don’t even know that. Over the centuries we’ve attended Hogwarts six times and have been in each House at least once. I’d like to say you can rule out Ravenclaw as we were in that House our last two times through. Slytherin - our First House - has lost its way long ago and, while there are some who exemplify its virtues of ambition and cunning, most are legacy students who lack either trait. But we can’t say which House we’ll be in just that the two of us are always in the same House.”
“You shouldn’t have told them that,” Clara said. “You know that Hogwarts students tend to bet on things like that.”
“True, but unless we tell them who we are - or Dumbledore outs us again - how could they collect on the bet? Now Little One, can you do us a favour?”
Luna could only nod afraid of her voice.
“Do not be sad. After all, a Bride should not be sad on her wedding day. As I said, you shall see us again before we move on.”
“I’ll t-try,” Luna choked.
Luna had cheered up by the time their dinner at the nice restaurant was over. It was a first for Luna. She had never eaten in a restaurant before either magical or not. She said that other people’s cooking always upset her Daddy’s tummy so they never went although she opined it was the weirdness of it all. Luna, however, enjoyed her meal very much and seemed less upset about Grammy and Grampy leaving her.
“It’s more like they’re moving away. People do do that, don’t they? And at least we can say goodbye properly. Besides, it’ll be fun trying to figure out who they are this next time.”
“Do you think you can?” Harry asked.
“Given time. They may hide themselves very well, but they probably will still have very subtle clues, things about them that someone who knows them very well and notices such things will figure out given time.”
“Dumbledore?”
“He got lucky last time,” George said. “That and we made a small mistake with the records. Truth is, if the records survive scrutiny - and they will - he’s not very observant when it comes to people. He thinks in terms of grand designs and great trends, not in terms of the minutia of the individual, or at least that’s our observation.”
The morning after the “wedding” found the three “newly-weds” once again under Time Compression and it proceeded much in the same way the last two had, including dressing habits. Although occasionally Luna seemed to be more introspective than she seemed before, for the most part she was as carefree and full of laughter as the other two remembered which they both hoped was a good thing. When the real Wednesday finally rolled around, Harry found Luna in her “at home suit” at the breakfast table.
“Did I miss a day?” Hermione asked when she arrived.
“No,” Luna said. “We’re not in Time Compression and there was a Red Card on my bedroom door to remind me of that but Flower told me there will be no guests until Harry gets back from Gringotts late this afternoon and then it might only be that new girl. Gives me hours to enjoy the day before I need to wear anything.”
“Good point,” Hermione said and soon joined them in her own “at home suit.” “We’ll dress after you leave for Gringotts,” Hermione told Harry. “It’s just you that’s going, right?”
“That’s my understanding,” Harry said as he buttered his toast.
At 5:30 that afternoon, Harry was once again sitting at the conference room table at Gringotts. This time he was alone. For the first time, he had activated the Floo system in his trunk and traveled directly from the Trunk to Gringotts. He had one of his elves bring another one of his access trunks for the Greengrasses because this was the easiest way to key them into his wards. Besides, it was also the easiest way to explain things to them as he was sure they would ask about his living arrangements in some form.
“Mr. Potter?” Grisha asked as he personally placed another leather bound folder in front of Harry. “Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass have asked for a private audience for you before they bring in their daughter. Is that acceptable to you?”
“If it’s not otherwise improper, whatever makes them more comfortable.”
Grisha nodded. A few minutes later a couple who looked to be a little younger than the Grangers entered, but it was always hard to tell and adult witch or wizard’s real age. They took their seats at the table and folders were placed before them. Mr. Greengrass looked through the papers while it seemed Mrs. Greengrass was sizing Harry up. Harry was, of course, wearing an inexpensive but nice looking Muggle suit while the Greengrasses were dressed in formal Wizarding Robes.
“An interesting choice of attire,” Mrs. Greengrass said formally.
“Vivian,” Mr. Greengrass said, “it’s impolite seeing how we have not properly exchanged introductions. I am David Greengrass and this is my wife Vivian.”
“Harry Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass - or would you prefer or do you have another title?”
“See?” he said turning to his wife. “He may dress Muggle, but he has better manners than many boys his age, does he not? Apropos nothing of importance, your attire is of interest.”
“It is proper business attire in the Muggle World,” Harry said. “By no means top drawer although it did cost about 250 Quid which is a lot for a suit I probably won’t be able to wear more than a few months.”
“We were under the impression you were raised in our world,” Mrs. Greengrass said.
“Oh? Pardon me Ma'am, but how so?”
“Our daughter told us that is what Professor Snape has told his House - that you were raised in your Ancestral Manor…”
“What an idiot!” Harry laughed. “Not you’re daughter, Ma'am,” he quickly added. “I’m talking about Snape. If I have and Ancestral Manor, I have no memory of it. I was raised in the Muggle World. Professor Dumbledore left me with my closest Muggle relatives after my parents died. Didn’t even know I was a wizard or that magic was real ‘til my eleventh birthday.”
“That doesn’t sound right…” Mrs. Greengrass said.
“Probably wasn’t, Ma'am. What little I have learned since school ended suggests there were several others I should have gone to. The only Muggles would have been the Grangers. Apparently, my parents hoped I’d go there because they felt that an… er… appreciation of our Muggle heritage would be important somehow. Instead, I get sent to what I’ve heard described as the worst sort, not that I disagree with that - their being the worst sort that is.”
“And you expect our daughter to live there?”
Harry smiled. “This is probably a silly question but have you ever heard of a Travel Trunk, specifically a Deluxe Model Manor Travel Trunk?”
“Travel Trunks? I assume it’s a live-in trunk?” Mr. Greengrass asked.
Harry nodded. “I got it just after leaving school for this summer. It’s in a heavily Muggle proofed room at those relatives house, I live in it now. It’s much nicer and more relaxing and neither I nor anyone else has cause or reason to ever deal with my relations. If they ever try anything, well my Head Elf will deal with them and they won’t like it at all.”
“If it’s the Trunk or kind of Trunk I’m thinking of,” Mr. Greengrass said, “it’s nice to know our daughter will not be living in a hovel.”
“It’s pretty nice. The gardens are quite expansive and there are rooms in the House itself that are larger than my relatives' home. Much nicer than my previous accommodations. My bedroom at that place is only eight by twelve, but it’s larger than where I slept before I got my Hogwarts letter. That was only about four by six, I think. Then again, that was meant to be a cupboard…”
“Muggles put their children in cupboards?” Mrs. Greengrass exclaimed.
“No. Those Muggle put me in a cupboard for nearly ten years. They are not normal. And I really don’t want to talk about them as your daughter will never have to deal with them or their attitudes. I only mention this so that you don’t get the impression I’ve been spoiled my whole life.”
“Do you even have to be there now that you’re in our world? We do have plenty of room at our home, even with five children.”
“Really? Sorry Mrs. Greengrass but I really do not know much about your daughter other than she’s in Slytherin and Slytherins and Gryffindors get on so famously,” he added with a hint of sarcasm. “On the plus side of the book, as far as I know she doesn’t associate with Malfoy and that lot. She seems to prefer to ignore Gryffindors rather than try and rile them.”
“I’d probably disown her if she did associate with that upstart,” Mr. Greengrass mumbled.
“Yes, Mr. Potter,” Mrs. Greengrass said. “We have five daughter and Daphne is the oldest. Astoria is set to start Hogwarts in the fall. Jenna just turned nine. Cynthia is six and Michelle will be five in September. And yes, we were trying for a son. It just didn’t work out that way.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be,” Mr. Greengrass said. “We do love our children very much. It was for that reason we entered this contract with your family. The eldest daughter in a family such as ours is a… commodity on the betrothal market. Naturally, the conditions bringing this contract into play were hardly certain to occur, but the contract was with a family we can respect and not one that was likely to press us into an unhealthy situation.”
“I’d like to say I understand, but until Monday I knew nothing about any of this, Sir. I am learning ‘though and think I can see your point. Does she know about this?”
“She knows she is betrothed,” Mrs. Greengrass said. “She’s known since she was old enough to understand such things. She also knows the agreement has certain preconditions which might never come to pass and that if they did not she was safe from another family’s attempt to negotiate for her hand but if they did that we approved of the match in principal.”
“Excuse me, Ma'am. In principal?”
“It is one of the reasons we asked to see you first, Mr. Potter,” Mr. Greengrass said. “While we know we can’t abrogate this agreement, we wanted to have a feel for how involved we would need to be in her life going forward. There are a lot of wizards who might… er… take advantage of such a situation if you take my meaning.”
“Excuse me, Sir?”
“Treat her poorly, as little more than a plaything for one. Have her bear and heir and then ignore her from then on is another. Generally not let her become the witch she can become. It happens often enough and we never wished that for our daughter. We knew your parents and knew they would never raise you to be that kind of man, but your life since they died is a mystery to everyone it seems.”
“As for your first thing, I’m not even thirteen, Sir…”
“That doesn’t mean you’re too young to take advantage…”
“I will not take advantage of any of my ladies, Sir. Maybe other wizards think it’s okay, but I think it’s wrong. If and when we… er… become… er… intimate, it will because it is what both she and I want and we’re both ready for it. Even then, the rules in my House are that Hermione will be first in that regard and while she hasn’t been specific, she wants to wait for now and I respect that. I hadn’t even thought about marriage before this week when this all came up, much less children. I want that, but I thought I had years before I had to worry about that and, as far as that’s concerned I still do. I won’t allow that to interfere with my ladies' educational desires and I understand that once they get that way, they’re out of Hogwarts. As to how many children, I think that should be up to my entire family. I understand these contracts were in place in case of these bonds but should that come to pass… and it did… it was also to expand the Potter line so that it’s no longer at risk. Seems to me that’s more than one child per witch, right? But again, it’s up to her and I will abide by her decisions in such things, Sir. It might not be the easy thing to do and all, but it is the right thing to do. For now, I just hope we can be friendly and maybe become friends…”
The couple looked at each other and Mrs. Greengrass nodded.
“Okay, we will take you at your word on this,” Mr. Greengrass said.
“Is there a reason why your trunk is at those Muggles' place?” Mrs. Greengrass asked.
Harry nodded. “I don’t have to interact with them at all and nor do I expect your daughter to. There’re very powerful wards in place that were set up when I was left there. They protect me from dark magic, I’m told. So long as they remain active, magic can’t kill me directly. It can hurt me and if it were to cause a non-magical injury that could be a problem but…”
“That’s how you survived that night?”
“We don’t know. We think it’s related somehow. Anyway, the wards need me to be present there for at least thirty days a year to recharge. I’d rather be anywhere else and fortunately so long as my trunk is there and I’m living in the trunk I’m there for the wards but really I’m somewhere else actually.”
“So you’re stuck in the trunk all the time?”
“No Ma'am. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I only need to be present within the wards for eight to ten hours a day. Basically, I only need to sleep there. I have three access trunks connected. One is in Luna’s room at her home in Devon and two are in the Granger home near Slough or Windsor or some such place. Although we haven’t truly taken advantage yet - it’s only been a couple of days and we’re still getting used to all of this - we intend to. I have an access trunk here for you and your daughter or daughters. Daphne will get a second trunk when she heads back to school if she wants. If you think it prudent to allow your daughters to come and visit from time to time I’ll need to know their full names to add them to the potential guest list and once that’s done you can key them in. I already have your names and Daphne’s full name from the Contract. The truth is, if this went well today I was going to invite you over for a visit this Saturday. Likewise, it’s my plan to join the Grangers on their trip to France starting Sunday. They’ll be there for a month or so, but my ladies and I will spend our nights in the trunk and our days in France.”
“You were going to invite us?” Mrs. Greengrass asked.
“Actually, I am. Wrong tense, Ma'am. I’m a little nervous.”
“I think we’d like that.”
“Yes Ma'am.”
“You say you only need to be there until the wards are ready?” Mr. Granger asked.
“Yes Sir.”
“And when they are?”
“As soon as my Head Elf tells me they’re fully charged, my trunk and I are out of there.”
“And where will you go?”
“The Grangers have invited us to their place. Apparently, Mr. Granger wants to teach me to play golf although Hermione says he just wants to torment me.”
Mr. Greengrass chuckled suspiciously while Mrs. Greengrass shook her head.
“We don’t have much contact with the Muggle World,” she said. “But my Husband does have his dirty little secret and that’s the fact that he plays that silly game as often as he can.”
“No magic,” he said, “unless my partner’s a total jerk. It’s no fun with magic otherwise. I may be tempted to torment you on the links myself. Right then, on to other matters. I’ve reviewed your financial statement provided by the bank. This is your Trust Account?”
“It is Sir. I’m not yet old enough to get an outline of the main Potter accounts and properties, apparently.”
“Our daughter will have access to this?”
“Up to 5,000 a year until I turn twenty-one and can access the full account.”
“Maybe we should not tell her that bit,” Mr. Greengrass said. “Just keep her on her old allowance and leave it at that.”
“Why?” Harry and Mrs. Greengrass asked.
“She’s a girl. Give her 5,000 in credit and access to a clothing store and poof, it’s gone!”
“David,” Mrs. Greengrass growled, “she’s proven to be responsible with her money.”
“And I cringe whenever you and the girls say you’re going to do ‘some’ shopping.”
“David, not once have we spent anywhere near a tenth of that much…”
“I was just joking. Still, I think I made the point that it’s a lot of money.”
“You could have been more tactful. You’ll give the boy the impression that our daughter is a spendthrift when she is in fact quite frugal.”
“Sorry. Well, I think I am satisfied. You?”
Mrs. Greengrass nodded.
“Account Manager Grisha, has our daughter arrived?”
“She’s just outside.”
“Unless you have anything else, Mr. Potter, I believe we can begin.”
Harry could only nod.
“Because this is not a marriage based upon a Soul Bond,” Grisha said, “the procedure will be different than yesterday, Mr. Potter. Do not expect the Bride to speak.”
Harry nodded again.
Daphne Greengrass was escorted into the room. She too was wearing formal robes which had a way of hiding any woman’s figure. Harry had not really paid much attention to her in the past and he was surprised at how pretty the blonde witch was. She was told to sit between her parents and across from Harry. There was a confused look on her face that seemed to become more so when she saw Harry.
“You have been summoned here at the request of the Heir Apparent as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and pursuant to the terms of a Contract executed by the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and House Greengrass on June 23rd, 1981, said contract being for the betrothal of Daphne Renee Greengrass to aforesaid Heir Apparent Harry James Potter. There being preconditions to execution, such summons being issued only when such preconditions were met, a meeting before this time was not necessitated. I Grisha verify that the preconditions of the aforementioned Contract between House Potter and House Greengrass were met on June 22nd, 1993 at Gringotts London. Who speaks on behalf of House Potter and the Bridegroom?”
“I do,” Harry said.
“Who speaks on behalf of House Greengrass and the Bride?”
“I do,” Mr. Greengrass said.
“My assistant shall now draw blood to verify your identities and particulars.”
“I swear, they want to bleed me dry,” Harry quipped getting a snort from Mr. Greengrass. Daphne just looked on in bewilderment.
Moments later, Grisha was inspecting the parchment. “The identities of the Principals have been verified. Mr. Harry James Potter, having attained Bonding Age this past June 21st and, as specified in the Contract having initiated a Soul Bond with Hermione Jane Granger and Luna Celeste Lovegood and having married them pursuant to the relevant laws and rites has completed the preconditions of this contract. Mr. Greengrass, do you dispute this finding?”
“I do not.”
“The blood verification and our records indicate that Miss Daphne Renee Greengrass surpassed her thirteenth Summer Solstice last June 31st, 1992 and her sixth monthly cycle last July. Mr. Greengrass, do you dispute these findings?”
“I do not.”
“As there is no dispute to the findings, Bride and Bridegroom are found to be of Bonding Age. As Bridegroom, by virtue of his Soul Bonds and eligibility by such bonds for Plural Marriage, and by virtue of such marriages is deemed legally of marriageable age, such legal age extends to the Bride despite her minority. Do the family spokes-wizards dispute this finding based upon your laws?”
“I do not,” Harry and Mr. Greengrass said.
“Mr. Potter’s assertions as to the fulfilment of the preconditions of the contract have been verified. The parties to such contract are all aware that pursuant to the terms of the contracts, Mr. Potter is to take Miss Greengrass as his Wife at Law?”
“I am,” they answered. Harry looked at Daphne who appeared to be silently crying.
“Mr Greengrass, at this time, do you have any reason to claim House Potter has defrauded you or misrepresented any facts or law to induce you to agree to this Contract or that you were under any other form of threat or compulsion to enter into this Contract?”
“I do not.”
“Will the parties please rise?” Harry was a little surprised when Daphne stood knowing from before it was not required of her. “House Potter, do you agree that Harry James Potter shall be lawfully bound to Daphne Renee Greengrass as Husband to Wife from this day forward until death shall part them from this world?”
“I do.”
“Mr. Greengrass, on behalf of your family do you agree that Daphne Renee Greengrass shall be lawfully bound to Harry James Potter, Heir Apparent as Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter as Wife to Husband from this day forward until death shall part them from this world?”
“I do,” he said.
“You may be seated.” After they sat, the Marriage Certificates and Blood Quill were brought forward. This time there was no explanation as Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass signed and, after a whisper from her mother, Daphne signed as well followed by Harry.
“Bloody hate those things already,” Harry said when he was done.
“Mr. Potter, Miss Greengrass, please rise.” They did. “As all of the conditions of the Contract have been met and you are of Bonding Age and as magical oaths and contracts between the families have been exchanged, by Wizarding Law I now proclaim you Husband and Wife. Mr. Potter, as you have titles, do you wish to bestow one upon Mrs. Potter?”
“Countess of Abengale,” Harry said.
Grisha wrote something upon the parchment. “Mrs. Potter, upon your Seventeenth Birthday you shall have the title of Countess Abengale with all rights thereto appertaining. Although it is not required, at this time you may kiss the Bride, Lord Apparent Potter.”
He looked at Daphne who gave his a slight nod despite all of this. When he walked up to her, she only offered her cheek, but that was far more than he expected. He kissed it and to his surprise she kissed his briefly. “We’re going to have a long talk, aren’t we?” she whispered.
“Of course,” he replied.
“This concludes the Rite of Marriage,” Grisha said. “Mr. Potter, the same conditions and services as last time?”
“Of course.”
“Mrs. Potter, it is the wish of House Potter to keep this quiet for the time being…”
“We expected as much,” Mr. Greengrass said.
“That being said, you may retain your maiden name until your seventeenth birthday. There will be no public announcement of this marriage until such time or such time as the two of you should hold a public wedding ceremony whichever is sooner. Hogwarts will not be informed of your change in status until the morning of September 1st of this year. In other matters, do you have a magical or muggle passport?”
“A… a magical one,” Daphne said.
“Your Muggle Passport and Gringotts charge card with a 5,000 Galleon per year spending limit drawn upon the House Potter accounts should arrive in tomorrow’s post. Mr. Potter, she will be staying at your current residence?”
He looked at Daphne’s parents who gave him a slight smile before nodding. “Yes.”
“Is there any other business?”
“Would it be possible for us to use this room for a few more minutes?”
“We have no problem with that provided you violate none of our laws.”
“Is keying a person into an access trunk a violation?”
“No, so long as the trunk is removed from the premises when you depart.”
“The Greengrasses will be taking it with them. Would it be a violation for Daphne and I to exit to my home via the trunk?”
“Again, not so long as the trunk is removed.”
“Thank you, Sir.” With that the Goblin left.
He spent a few minutes explaining to all three of them how to key themselves into the trunk and Mrs. Greengrass handed him a parchment with their other daughters' names upon it.
“Blood activation?” Mr. Greengrass asked when he was pricked.
“Goblin based wards, among other protections,” Harry said.
“That’s really top notch!”
“Thank you, Sir. Although I swear they want to bleed me dry.” He then opened the trunk. “Dobby?” he called out.
“Sir!” the elf said appearing in the room wearing his most formal uniform.
“This is my Head Elf, Dobby. Daphne will be joining us for dinner. Please let Hermione and Luna know we’ll be there directly and please see to it that Daphne’s things are moved to her rooms.”
“Rooms?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
“It being dones, Sir,” and the elf popped away.
“Daphne?” Harry asked. When she turned to him he continued. “I’ve asked your family over for a visit this Saturday, if that’s okay with you.”
She could only nod in reply.
“You may visit them tomorrow if you like…”
“We appreciate that, Mr. Potter,” Mrs. Greengrass said, “but I think it best she use the next two days to get settled in, don’t you?”
Harry nodded. “After you?” he indicated to Daphne.
“Is this a trick?” she asked.
“It’s just a ladder. If I go first… well I’d prefer not to start things off with any accusation that I might have looked up your dress…”