Chapter 3
Harry awoke early on Saturday morning he had gotten a sleeping drought from Madam Pomfrey to ensure he was able to sleep at all, he was surprised to see Hermione was sat cross legged at the foot of his bed reading his mother's notebooks. He smiled softly trying not to move too much, yet she seemed to know he was awake she put a bookmark into the page closed the book and looked at him smiling.
"Good morning Handsome." She said softly. "I'm surprised you managed to sleep at all, I was too anxious about the match."
"Good morning Beautiful, I got a sleeping drought from Madam Pomfrey otherwise I'd have been the same." He replied. "How long have you been sat there?"
"A few hours, the other girls were being to noisy their exited to see the match, none of them have been to one before, so I wanted some peace and quiet."
"So you didn't realise how much Ron snores then?"
"No but honestly it's still quieter in here. Now get dressed I'll meet you downstairs in a minute."
Harry dressed in his training gear, and wrapped his nimbus in his Quidditch robes as Wood had advised him to do. He and Hermione descended to the great hall to find Aunt Minnie waiting for them halfway along the Gryffindor table, which was a surprise as she had been out of the castle since Wednesday.
"Good morning you two, my apologies for not being here the last few days the trial took a lot longer than expected." She greeted.
"How did it..." Hermione began to ask.
"No trial talk until after the match." Aunt Minnie replied sternly. "Now Harry you need to eat."
"I'm not so sure I'm hungry."
"Well then will you at least have another nutritional potion, Poppy still isn't pleased with your weight."
"Fine, but she could have told me that herself when I saw her after dinner last night." He complained.
"My apologies I asked her to consult me on the matter first, seeing as you were eating well being a little light wouldn't be an, issue but I think a few more couldn't hurt."
"Sorry I'm just not used to having a parent, let alone anybody who actually cares about me."
"That's ok Harry." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Just don't forget you've got a family now, Mrs Granger is just as concerned about you as I am."
He smiled weakly and took his potion, he was just finishing when the rest of the Gryffindor team descended upon them, cheerfully bantering with each other.
"Good morning you lot." Aunt Minnie stated calmly.
"Good morning Professor." Wood replied.
"Oh please, I'm here as Harry's family today not so formal." She protested. "Now good luck all of you, I need to go and ensure the arrangements are in place for our external spectators."
By 11 o'clock the entire school was out in the stands, many students had binoculars, while the stands were high it could still be difficult to see what was happening from time to time. Hermione, joined Neville, Dean, Lavender and Parvati in the top row behind the Gryffindor goals. As a surprise for Harry they had painted a banner on one of their sheets that read 'Potter is the best' and Dean had drawn a large lion beneath it. Hermione had managed to charm it to flash between scarlet and gold.
Meanwhile in the changing rooms, Harry and the rest of team we're changing into their scarlet robes.
Wood stepped out of the captains office and cleared his throat for silence.
"Ok guys." He said. "This is it."
"The big one." Said Fred.
"The one we've all been waiting for." Continued George.
"We know Oliver's speech by heart." Fred told Harry. "We were on the team last year."
"Shut up, you two," said Wood. "This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it. Right. It's time. Good luck, all of you."
Harry followed Fred and George out of the locker room and, hoping his knees weren't going to give way, walked onto the field to loud cheers. Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand.
"Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you," she said, once they were all gathered around her.
Harry noticed that she seemed to be speaking particularly to the Slytherin Captain, Marcus Flint, a sixth year. Harry thought Flint looked as if he had some troll blood in him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the fluttering banner high above, flashing Potter is the best over the crowd. His heart skipped. He felt braver.
"Mount your brooms, please."
Harry clambered onto his Nimbus Two Thousand.
Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.
Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too-"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, Professor."
The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.
"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - he's going to sc - no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goal posts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"
Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.
"Budge up there, move along."
"Hagrid!" Said Hermione as she squeezed closer to Lavender to give Hagrid enough space to join them.
"Bin watchin' from me hut," said Hagrid, patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck, "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"
"Not yet." said Hermione. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."
"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'," said Hagrid, raising his binoculars and peering skyward at the speck that was Harry.
Way up above them, Harry was gliding over the game, squinting about for some sign of the Snitch. This was part of his and Wood's game plan.
"Keep out of the way until you catch sight of the Snitch," Wood had said. "We don't want you attacked before you have to be."
When Angelina had scored, Harry had done a couple of loop-the-loops to let off his feelings. Now he was back to staring around for the Snitch. Once he caught sight of a flash of gold, but it was just a reflection from one of the Weasleys' wristwatches, and once a Bludger decided to come pelting his way, more like a cannonball than anything, but Harry dodged it and Fred Weasley came chasing after it.
"All right there, Harry?" he had time to yell, as he beat the Bludger furiously toward Marcus Flint.
"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?"
A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear. Harry saw it. In a great rush of excitement he dived downward after the streak of gold. Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch - all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch. Harry was faster than Higgs - he could see the little round ball, wings fluttering, darting up ahead - he put on an extra spurt of speed - WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below - Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose, and Harry's broom spun off course, Harry holding on for dear life.
"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors.
Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
Down in the stands, Dean Thomas was yelling, "Send him off, ref! Red card!"
"What are you talking about, Dean?" Asked Neville.
"Red card!" said Dean furiously. "In football you get shown the red card and you're out of the game!"
"But this isn't a stupid muggle game, Dean," Ron snapped at him from a few rows below the group.
Hagrid, however, was on Dean's side.
"They oughta change the rules. Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air."
Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.
"So - after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating—
"Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall sternly unable to take her eyes of Harry's spinning broom.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul..."
"Jordan, I'm warning you-"
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession."
It was as Harry dodged another Bludger, which went spinning dangerously past his head, that it happened. His broom gave a sudden, frightening lurch. For a split second, he thought he was going to fall. He gripped the broom tightly with both his hands and knees. He'd never felt anything like that. It happened again. It was as though the broom was trying to buck him off. But Nimbus Two Thousands did not suddenly decide to buck their riders off. Harry tried to turn back toward the Gryffindor goal-posts - he had half a mind to ask Wood to call time-out - and then he realised that his broom was completely out of his control. He couldn't turn it. He couldn't direct it at all. It was zigzagging through the air, and every now and then making violent swishing movements that almost unseated him.
Lee was still commentating.
"Slytherin in possession - Flint with the Quaffle - passes Spinnet - passes Bell - hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose - only joking, Professor - Slytherins score - A no..."
The Slytherins were cheering. No one seemed to have noticed that Harry's broom was behaving strangely. It was carrying him slowly higher, away from the game, jerking and twitching as it went.
"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing," Hagrid mumbled. He stared through his binoculars. "If I didn' know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom... but he can't have..."
Suddenly, people were pointing up at Harry all over the stands. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. Then the whole crowd gasped. Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.
"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus whispered.
"Can't have," Hagrid said, his voice shaking. "Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic - no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand."
At these words, Hermione seized Hagrid's binoculars, but instead of looking up at Harry, she started looking frantically at the crowd. She found Aunt Minnie on her feet almost in tears, behind her Snape had his eyes locked on Harry and his mouth was moving. At the start of term she would have said this was his doing but recent events caused her to continue scan the crowd, then she saw him, Professor Quirrell eyes locked on Harry holding onto a pendant around his neck.
"Hagrid its Professor Quirrell, but Professor Snape is trying to combat him." She stated handing the binoculars back to him.
"Are you sure they're both Professors."
"Positive, Snape was a friend of Lily's and Harry helped them reconnect through her portrait, so he wouldn't be trying to hurt Harry but he would protect him." She replied before she took off running.
She climbed the stairs of the teachers tower 2 steps at a time, trying not to listen to the noises of the crowd outside. She drew her wand and cast as soon as she reached the top of the stairs.
"Incendio." She whispered, causing Quirrell's turban to catch fire.
He stood screamed and quickly put it out, as Hermione rushed to Aunt Minnie's side to see Harry swing his leg over the broom and carry on flying.
"He's going to be ok Aunt Minnie." Hermione whispered. "Snape helped to save him."
"How do you know that?" He questioned from behind her.
"Because I saw you casting a curse and not breaking eye contact, then I spotted Quirrell doing the same thing." Hermione stated. "So I set fire to his turban and Harry was able to right himself."
"Well done, and thank you Serverus." Aunt Minnie said. "I think I need to have a chat with Quirinus when this is over."
The trio returned their attention to the game to see Harry dive sharply near the Slytherin goalposts, he narrowly missed their Keeper Bletchley, causing him to swerve out of the way and miss a goal thrown by Katie Bell. Harry levelled out a foot from the ground hand outstretched the snitch just out of reach, cursing that he couldn't reach it. Then he remembered read in Quidditch Through the Ages that Metamophmagi were allowed to change during a match so long as it was only a single body part. He focused on his arm and it grew 2 inches, and his fingers closed around the snitch with ease, he had done it he had won the match.
"AND THERE WE HAVE IT FOLKS, GRYFFINDOR WINS 180 POINTS TO 60." Lee Jordan boomed through his loudspeaker. "WHAT A BRILLIANT DISPLAY BY THE NEW GRYFFINDOR SEEKER, NEARLY SHAKEN FROM HIS BROOM BUT STILL MANAGED TO CATCH THE SNITCH WITH A KEEN USE OF HIS TALENTS."
Harry landed in the middle of the pitch and was soon surrounded by the rest of the Gryffindor team who were hugging him tightly before lifting him onto their shoulders and carrying him around the pitch, Madam Hooch landed nearby and was swamped by the Slytherin team.
"But that catch wasn't legal." Flint claimed. "He can't use his abilities during a match."
"Actually a Metamophmagi is allowed to choose one part of themselves to change during a match and can manipulate it as much as they like." She corrected the fifth year Slytherin. "He extended his arm by less than a quarter of a foot, if my eyes are correct, and that is the smallest change ever recorded during a match. THE CATCH STANDS."
Harry was carried back to the changing rooms on the shoulders of his singing teammates, Harry couldn't make out the words, he was suddenly concerned as to what had happened to his broom. He changed quickly and promised the rest of the team that he'd meet them in the common room as soon as he'd dealt with a problem.
"Your broom?" Wood asked.
"Yeah."
"Who's even going to know what happened?"
"Hopefully my family have a few ideas."
He exited the changing room and was almost bowled over as Hermione pounced on him, wrapping her arms and legs around him.
"Don't ever let something like that happen again." She cried into his neck. "We are practicing wings, big ones."
"Over Yule break I promise." He smiled softly. "Now any ideas what caused it?"
"Yes but I'd like to follow that up through official channels before word gets out and they disappear." Aunt Minnie stated. "For now congratulations go and join the rest of the Gryffindors in the common room I'll send Tilly up with some food in a about an hour."
"And don't bother asking me I promised not to tell you until tomorrow so as not to ruin your celebration, all you need to know is Professor Snape kept you in the air long enough for me to save you." Hermione told him as she set her feet back on the ground. "But don't worry I already thanked him for us, and Aunt Minnie is sorting out the formal thanks."
True to her word Aunt Minnie sent an entire feasts worth of food to the Gryffindor common room that afternoon, the house partied long into the night, ignoring the normal curfew for their younger students. Harry and Hermione still turned in at their normal time, kissing softly before they ascended to their respective dorms, Harry drifted off to sleep slowly, depressed that he can't spend more time in the evenings in Hermione's company. He woke up as soon as he felt the mattress shift and someone settle near his feet, he smiled softly knowing it could only be Hermione. He left her there in the silence for a few moments before he started to move, she smiled at him as he sat up.
"Sorry if I woke you."
"It's ok Beautiful I really don't mind you waking me up."
"I wish you could wake me up for a change but the stairs into my dorm turn into a slide."
"Really, that sounds like fun, but why don't the boys stairs do that for you?"
"The founders obviously thought that girls were more trustworthy." She said sticking her tongue out at him.
Harry didn't respond he just grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him, she took his hint and laid down beside him kissing him softly. He rested a hand on her hip as they kissed, slowly tracing circles with his fingers.
"Stop it you're tickling me." She giggled.
"I didn't think you were ticklish?" He teased as he continued his tracing.
"Fine, I lied just stop, ok?"
"Ok but my hands might wander every now and then."
She slapped his chest lightly. "Come on get dressed, I'm hungry."
Harry took his clothes and got dressed in the bathroom, they walked into the great hall 15 minutes later to find Aunt Minnie was once again waiting for them at the Gryffindor table.
"Good morning you two," She greeted them. "How is it that you are the first students awake in the castle nearly everyday?"
"I just need to be near Harry, I can't really explain it." Hermione replied.
"Well you are 12, perhaps it's the bond." Harry pondered.
"I should imagine you're correct there Harry," Aunt Minnie agreed. "But perhaps today's events might help with that."
"What's happening today?" Hermione asked.
"Not here we'll go to my office after breakfast."
They ate quickly still managing to enjoy their food, and were leaving the great hall before anyone else had even arrived. The griffin cawed loudly as they approached, but only began moving when all three of them were stood on the top step. Harry and Hermione settled into the sofa facing Lily and James' portrait, while Aunt Minnie made them some tea.
"Right," She said taking a seat opposite the young couple. "The reason the trial took so long is that the Wizenagmot were arguing over the stipulations on the compensation that has been awarded to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
"What are the stipulations?" Harry asked.
"I can guess." James said from behind Aunt Minnie. "He must claim his Lordship in order to receive any of compensation, and if he doesn't Albus is cleared of all charges."
"Correct James." Aunt Minnie frowned. "Now what this means is that you must claim all three of the houses you are currently able to, Potter, Merlin, and Dumbledore. Once that has been completed all of the possessions of Albus Dumbledore will pass to you and his sentence of 100 years in Azkaban can begin."
"But there are supporters of his that expect you not to do that, and to continue as you have with Aunt Minnie as your guardian." James added. "And then there is Albus' opposition who will be attempting to force you into the Wizenagmot where they believe they can sway your decisions."
"How about I do claim my Lordships but only for outgoing appearances, I'm only 11 I can't make decisions about how my life is going to be I don't know enough about the world." Harry pondered.
"That is perhaps the wisest thing ever said in this office." Aunt Minnie smiled at him. "So we claim the titles, you name me as your proxy in all matters until you are of age and I will continue to act as your guardian giving you the support and advise you need."
"So what does that mean for me?" Hermione asked.
"You would become his betrothed." Lily stated rocking Baby Harry back to sleep. "It is the only way to bring you officially under the House of Potters protection."
"I already spoke to your parents about this and they understand what's going on, and they trust you enough to allow you to join Harry in his new quarters once he's done this." Aunt Minnie stated. "Now Harry do you know how to do this."
"I assume it's all in the wording?" He queried.
"Use the family grimoire, page 107 I believe." James stated.
Harry retrieved the tome from his trunk in the corner of the office, opened it as James had suggested to page 107 and found the passage he needed.
"I, Harry James Potter, heir to the Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Black, Merlin, and Dumbledore, hereby claim all Lordships available to me. May the magic of the families protect me and all of those I hold dear, I name myself Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin-Dumbledore and Hermione Jean Granger as my betrothed. So I have spoken so let it be."
As soon as he was finished he felt the magic swirl around him, it was stronger than he had ever felt and comforting to his core. He felt three rings settle onto his left hand, a scarlet griffin adorned his ring finger, a phoenix that glistened like it was on fire adorned his middle finger, and a black M atop a white lightning bolt adorned his index finger. He looked at them all shiny and gold, smiling he'd never felt this level appreciation for an object before, but it somehow felt right.
"Well then Lord Potter-Merlin-Dumbledore." Aunt Minnie said as the magic died away. "Shall I show you to your new quarters?"
"Just Lord Potter please Aunt Minnie." He replied. "But only in official terms, just call me Harry."
"But yes please show us to our new quarters." Hermione finished for him looking at the silver rings that had appeared on her own hand to match Harry's. "Why did I get all three?"
"Because he named you his betrothed for all three houses," Aunt Minnie explained as they left her office. "When that passage was originally written it would have been common to have a wife for each title, but it seems that Harry has given you his entire heart and isn't going to let anyone else in."
"Well, how could another even compare to you." Harry said taking ahold of Hermione's hand as they entered the grand staircase. "You burn so bright in my heart that there is no room for anyone else, well until we have kids of our own."
"No getting any ideas you," She said swatting his arm gently. "No more kids talk until we're married and no more marriage talk until after we've completed seventh year."
"Well said Hermione." Aunt Minnie agreed as they left the grand staircase and headed into the eastern part of the fifth floor. "The portrait that you have been assigned to keep your quarters safe is a special one."
She stopped moving partway along a corridor and Harry and Hermione looked up at an old man with a long grey beard, and large bushy eyebrows. He was wearing maroon coloured robes and carrying a large staff, that looked like it was alive, he was stood in front of a large caldron and a very busy workbench.
"Merlin?" Harry questioned.
"Indeed young man." The portrait replied with a raspy voice. "It is good to see my title being used again, after nearly a thousand years. When you claimed Avalon I was awoken from my slumber there, I gave the poor elf who was cleaning my frame here quite the shock, they all thought this was just a painting of an old potions lab."
"Vincent is still in shock and that was last week." Aunt Minnie stated. "Now how about we hurry this along a little, I've got a lot to do today."
"Of course Headmistress." Merlin stated. "Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin-Dumbledore please state the password you would like me to use."
"Hermione."
"Very well." And Merlin swung open revealing a dark room beyond.
As soon as Harry crossed the threshold the fire sprang to life revealing a small oval room with a sofa facing the fire, a small dinning table and kitchen off to one side and a door leading off of each end of the oval.
"I believe it's set up as one room each." Aunt Minnie stated. "Now I'll leave you both in peace, just call Tilly when you're ready to have your things brought down."
"Bye Aunt Minnie." Harry called as she walked out of the portrait hole again.
"So what do you want to do?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know I've never had my own space like this before."
"Well I was actually asking about the rooms." She giggled. "We could always share."
"A...are you sure?" He stumbled.
"Well, I don't care." She smiled. "But it would mean you could cuddle me as we drift off to sleep every night."
"But what about changing?" He asked nervously.
"Well we can always use the bathroom until we are comfortable doing that in front of each other." She smiled hugging him. "But I have nothing I want to hide from you, I mean it's not really that different you seeing me in my underwear."
She kissed him before he could speak, holding him there for a few moments before she skipped through the nearest doorway. He followed her as soon as he regained his senses, he found her jumping on the large double bed in the middle of the room, beyond the bed was another large fireplace, on its left side was a large wardrobe and a dressing table with draws down either side and a large mirror stood on its top leaning against the wall. The right side of the room contained an archway, which Harry gathered led to the bathroom, and a soft armchair and a small table. He smiled softly as she stopped jumping and moved to sit at the foot of the bed.
"Fine I suppose we can share," He said sitting beside her. "But we'll need another wardro..."
He stopped mid sentence as another wardrobe appeared on the other side of the dressing table.
"Tilly!" Hermione called laughing.
POP
"Yes Lady Hermione?"
"Can you bring our belongings down from Gryffindor Tower please?"
"Of course, whose room is whose?"
"We are both in this one."
"Lord Harry I trust this wasn't your idea."
"No ma'am, this ones all on her."
"Very well, your trunks will be here momentarily."
POP
Harry got up as the elf disappeared and wandered through the archway in the right hand wall, he had been correct, it was the bathroom. In one corner stood a large roll topped bath that appeared to be made of solid gold, in the other was a standard loo and a sink with another large mirror above it.
"Wow." Came Hermione's voice from behind him.
"I know, it looks like gold." He said turning back to see her staring at the bath.
"It does, now out I need to use the loo."
Harry didn't need telling twice as he exited the room and found their trunks on the bed, including the black one from Aunt Minnie's office. He chose the wardrobe nearest the door and began to unpack his clothes carefully folding them as needed, he was just thinking about were to put his school books and spare parchment when Hermione returned.
"Sorry I didn't mean to take that long." She said. "What wrong?"
"I don't know what to do with my books and stuff."
"Well I was going to leave mine in my trunk and just put it at the end of the bed like normal."
"Sounds good to me." He said as he put his trunk at the end of their bed. "Do you need a hand?"
"Not right now, what are you going to do with the vault trunk?"
"I was thinking of putting it on top of the wardrobe until I go to the manor."
Hermione nodded her agreement as she began to hang her school robes.
"Wengardium Leviosa." He said quietly and the trunk floated gently into the air as he guided it onto his wardrobe. "Right I'm done you need anything?"
"Well I'm a little thirsty, why don't you look at the kitchen while I finish up here."
Harry didn't need telling twice and made his way across the main room to the kitchen. He searched the cupboards and found bottles of butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and orange juice. In others he found mountains of snacks both magical and muggle, and lined up near the sink he spotted a few glasses and mugs.
"What do you feel like drinking?" He called through to her.
"Have we got any Pumpkin juice?"
"Yeah, do you want it in there?"
"Can do."
He carried the glasses through to their bedroom to find her sprawled out over the bed, panting softly.
"Been jumping again?" He questioned.
"Sorry couldn't help myself." She said sitting up and taking her glass from him.
"That's ok it's your bed as well." He smiled looking at his watch. "It's almost lunch we'd better get down there."
They put their glasses on the dressing table and exited the portrait hole, as they reached the great hall they found their friends in the middle of the table looking concerned.
"Where have you two been?" Lavender asked. "Your trunks disappeared and no one has been able to find you."
"Sorry been a hectic morning, I have my own quarters now." Harry stated.
"How come?" Dean questioned.
"He was forced to claim his Lordship by the Wizenagmot." Hermione explained as she started piling sandwiches onto hers and Harry's plates. "So by the rules set forth in the Hogwarts charter every Lord who resides within these walls must have their own quarters in which to privately conduct their own affairs."
"Was that part of the whole Dumbledore thing?" Seamus asked.
"Of course it was." Ron spat. "Everything that has happened to Harry is, because he has it out for a great man."
"Ron," Percy said from nearby. "You were told about what happened by father, Dumbledore is no longer the great man that he once was. He was found guilty of stealing from Harry after all."
"Yeah, but..."
"One more word little brother and you'll force me to tell mother." Percy stated calmly. "Father already warned you about your attitude towards Harry and Hermione, and from what I understand from speaking to father you are messing up the plans for summer."
"What plans?" Ron demanded.
"The ones where your family repays it's debt to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, or did you forget what happened in my office with your father." Aunt Minnie stated as she passed the table. "Harry dear, would you like Lily and James' portrait moved down?"
"Yes please, above the fire would great."
"I'll have Tilly move it after lunch."
"Thanks Aunt Minnie."
The rest of lunch passed quickly, with many requests to see Harry's new quarters. Declining them all for today Harry and Hermione climbed back up to their new accommodations, smiling and holding hands until they turned into the corridor.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked bluntly.
"To check if my fathers generosity and help during Dumbledore's trial, has made you reconsider your outlandish request for money from us."
"Well to be honest I don't consider the out come to be anything other than what it was always going to be, so if you are on about the compensation stipulations it was neither generous nor helpful." Harry replied calmly. "Has your father even told you how much your family owes mine, or the reason why?"
"No, he says it doesn't matter as we won't be paying it."
"Well let me inform you." Harry smiled. "It is the repayment of a loan given to your great, great, great, grandparents when the emigrated to this country in the early 1800s."
"Why would they have needed a loan?"
"I don't know but 20 million Galleons is a fair amount."
"But that's not possible, we don't even have that much and most of it is tied up in fathers business dealings."
"Well that's not my problem, if your father had come to speak to me like Mr Weasley I might have made an arrangement for alternative payment, but instead he tried to have the whole thing thrown out by his friends in the Wizenagmot and now he's sent you to talk to me clearly you've overstated the condition of our relationship." Harry replied in an angered tone. "Now clear off before one of us does something we'll regret later."
"You win this one Potter but don't expect anything from my family." Malfoy spat at him as he walked passed the couple. "We don't bow to insignificant boys like you, Lords or not."
"Come on lets get inside." Hermione said guiding him towards Merlin. "Hermione."
Harry dropped down on to the sofa as soon as he was close enough, Hermione went to the kitchen and pulled out 2 bottles of butterbeer, setting them on the table before sitting in Harry's lap. They cuddled like this until they heard the portrait swing open about an hour later, knowing only Aunt Minnie knew the password neither of them moved.
"Good afternoon you two." She called as she entered the room. "I hear you had a little run in with Master Malfoy after lunch."
"You could say that." Hermione answered. "But to be honest it was more of him trying to throw his fathers weight around and Harry giving him the facts."
"So you kept calm?" Aunt Minnie asked Harry.
"I tried, words became heated but nothing more, thankfully he left before I got too angry."
"Good." The older witch smiled. "Now whose room is whose?"
"That one." They said in unison pointing at their room.
"Your mother was right, Hermione." Aunt Minnie chuckled. "Let me guess it was your idea."
"Maybe." Hermione blushed.
"Remus has asked for the password to Merlin, just in case you need him." Aunt Minnie said getting back to business.
"Yes Uncle Remus can have the password, but only for use in emergencies and when he's invited." Harry answered.
"I thought you were sending Lily and James down?" Hermione asked.
"I will be after Sirius is done apologising."
"Is he in the castle?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No he's connected to the Floo in my office and is talking to them from America, after Remus told him of the portrait his healers thought it might help."
"Give him our love." Hermione stated kissing Harry's forehead.
"Of course, I'll leave you in peace I thought I'd just check on you after I heard about the Malfoy incident." Aunt Minnie replied as she turned and left.
As soon as the portrait was closed again Hermione got to her feet and walked into the bedroom leaving Harry to his thoughts, he listened to her movements as she seemed to be moving around the room randomly.
"Harry." She called after about half an hour. "Can you come here?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Harry asked getting up.
"Nothing." She stated giggling.
He entered the room to find her in her underwear, but she had spread some of her clothes around the room.
"I want you to try something." She said softly. "If I show you what I look like naked do you think you could mimic it but keep enough of your features to still be you?"
"Well both times I've become a girl I didn't have a penis, but I have no knowledge of what you have instead to know if my brain did it automatically."
"Well why don't you become me again, and I can look and tell you how close you are."
Harry looked at his girlfriend skeptically, but closed his eyes slowly picturing her as she was in his head, his clothes became looser, and very uncomfortable. He opened his eyes and giggled slightly, happy to hear that his voice also appeared to have changed.
"Come on then get those clothes off." Hermione instructed smirking.
Harry removed his jumper and t-shirt together, wincing as the fabric dragged across his nipples. He unbuttoned his jeans carefully before letting them drop to the floor, he sat on the edge of the bed and removed his over sized socks. Sighing as he stood back up, he hooked his fingers in the waistband of his briefs and slowly pushed them down his legs, Hermione giggled softly as the reached the floor.
"Well it would appear that your ability knows what it's doing even if you don't." She stated smirking. "Would you like to see mine so you can compare?"
"Was that your entire reason for asking me to do this?"
"Maybe a little." She smiled. "But mostly I want to get you out of your head."
"Thank you." He replied pulling her into a hug.
"Ok, that's a little weird." She laughed as she broke off the hug. "Getting hugged by my naked self."
She smiled softly and removed her crop top, letting Harry look closely at her naked chest, allowing him to change his to match before handing him her underwear which she helped him arrange over his chest so as to be comfortable. Next she removed her knickers blushing as they hit the floor, before bending to pick them up in such a way as to give him the best view. Harry smiled as he slowly changed his form to match hers, marvelling in the subtle differences he felt as the changes happened.
"So I really was close then?" He asked as she stood up and handed him her knickers.
"Yes actually, but everyone is different." She informed him as he stepped into her underwear. "But I can't say if your insides are correct."
"Well if the outside was correct they probably are, but maybe we should do some proper research on the ins and outs of the ability." He said changing facial features back to his own, opting to keep her hair, just removing some of the bushiness.
"Agreed." She smiled handing him a skirt and tights. "But we have plenty of time for that."
She helped him into her clothes smiling as she gave him a t-shirt and cardigan.
"How do you feel?" She asked.
"Weird, but comfortable." Harry replied. "Why am I wearing the underwear you had on?"
"It gave me an excuse to take it off." She replied softly.
Harry blushed and lost control of his appearance slipping back into his male body.
"Ok now I'm uncomfortable." He stated as she laughed at him. "Clothes really aren't made for the other gender are they?"
"Not particularly, now get them off before you stretch them out."
Harry didn't even think as he removed each item carefully, before handing it back to Hermione. She giggled when he got down to her underwear as he removed these without thinking leaving himself naked in front of her, and his erection pointing at her.
"Well now." She smiled. "Someone's happy to see me."
"What?" Harry questioned. "Oh, right."
"Don't be nervous you are handsome and I love you." She stated throwing his underwear at him. "Besides we're not quite ready to go any further yet."
"Thank you beautiful." He smiled as he pulled his pyjamas out of his wardrobe. "I'm not going out there again today, cuddles in bed and let Tilly bring us dinner?"
"Sounds fun." She replied pulling her knickers back on.
They settled under the covers of their bed, only moving to eat when Tilly brought them sandwiches, they drifted off in each other's arms not long after dinner.
November passed quickly, and soon the teachers were hanging Yule decorations all over the castle, there were trees full of live fairies, and the great hall was full of floating garlands and tinsel wreaths. Harry and Hermione had become old news in the castle after a seventh year had snuck onto the third floor and been met by a large 3 headed dog, they were happy, Harry was doing better in classes away from Ron's unwillingness to complete any additional research of any kind. Ron thanks to a letter from his mother was being kinder to them but still couldn't be considered a friend to either of them.
"Where is Professor Quirrell?" Ron asked the rest of the Gryffindor first years one lunchtime. "If he's not here does that mean there's no Defence Against the Dark Arts after lunch?"
"I don't know Ronald." Hermione responded. "Harry why don't you go and speak to Aunt Minnie?"
"Uh, sure but why?"
"Quidditch."
"My broom?"
"Exactly."
Harry finished his sandwich and walked up to the staff table, aware that everyone in the hall was watching him.
"Professor McGonagall." He said quietly. "I was wandering if I could have a word in private?"
"Of course Harry," She said getting up. "Why don't we head up to my office?"
"Sure." Harry said following her out of the hall, happy to see that Hermione was only a few steps behind them.
Harry sat on one of the sofas as soon as they were inside the room, Hermione sat beside him holding his hand and leaning her head on his shoulder. Aunt Minnie stood facing them behind the other sofa, frowning at the two of them.
"I assume this is to do with he disappearance of Professor Quirrell?" She began, Harry nodded in response. "He is in the hospital wing he had an unfortunate accident involving a Cerberus while trying to retrieve an item belonging to Nicholas Flamel that Professor Dumbledore was protecting in the castle."
"The Philosophers stone?" Hermione asked. "Sorry after Professor Dumbledore mentioned it during the inheritance reading I got curious."
"Yes the very same." Aunt Minnie smiled at her. "Thankfully I had already returned it to Nicholas and he has made enough of the elixir to be able to set his affairs in order and destroyed the stone."
"But why was Professor Quirrell after the stone?" Harry queried.
"It would appear that he also has a part of Voldemort attached to him, a much larger one than you did Harry. Possibly what was left after the night he tried to kill you, it was probably hiding in the woods of Albania, Professor Quirrell went there for his sabbatical before he began his post as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor to gain real world experience." Aunt Minnie explained. "He has survived this far using the blood of unicorns that he has been killing in the forest, but he lost a lot of blood last night and is being kept sedated, he is unlikely to survive much longer."
A terrible scream rang through the entire school, Aunt Minnie rushed to the window in her office that over looked the hospital wing, a wraith passed through the roof and speed towards her, passing through the wall of her office and Harry and Hermione who had stood up to join her. They were thrown backward landing in an unconscious pile on her coffee table.
Harry awoke surprised to be looking up at the ceiling in his own bedroom, he felt the bed shift beside him and Hermione's bushy hair tickled his face. He looked around the room as best as he could without moving too much, his entire body ached, he found a Remus sat in the armchair in the corner of the room reading one of Lily's notebooks.
"What happened?" Harry asked quietly.
"The wraith that escaped from Quirrell attacked the two of you." Remus replied. "Don't move too much you were thrown across a room, and unfortunately you landed on Hermione, she's fine don't worry she actually been awake already and is just sleeping normally."
"How long was I out?"
"It's about 3 in the morning. Minerva is having to explain what happened to the board of governors first thing in the morning so I said I'd watch you so she could sleep." He explained. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes actually, starving."
"Tilly."
POP
"Yes Professor Lupin?"
"Can we get some dinner for Harry please?"
"Certainly, I'll let Madam Pomfrey know he is awake as well."
"Thank you Tilly."
POP
Harry sat up in the bed careful not to wake his sleeping girlfriend, he stretched and realised that he had been changed into his pyjamas at some point. His food appeared a few moments later, and he tucked into a roast beef sandwich, a few minutes later Hermione began to disturb beside him. She woke up as Merlin opened and the Matron arrived, Harry put down the sandwich he had been about to eat.
"Hey handsome." Hermione said groggily as she sat up. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been run over." He said giving her a hug. "Sorry for landing on you."
"It's not your fault."
"Well now Lord Potter." Madam Pomfrey began. "I need to run a diagnostic charm, just to be sure you're ok."
"Here Hermione can you hold my food?" He asked handing her his plate before laying back down.
The matron began to wave her wand over him, and he was once more shrouded in the white light of her magic.
"Well." She began as the light faded. "You have a broken rib, but other than that you're in perfect health, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named hasn't left anything behind this time."
"So how long will the rib take to heal?" Harry asked knowing bones can take months in the muggle world.
"Episky." The matron replied pointing her wand at his chest. "All done just try to rest for a few days and you'll feel as right as rain."
"I love magic." Harry smiled to himself as he sat up again. "Thank you Madam Pomfrey, for coming to check on me in the middle of the night."
"Not a problem dear boy, I'm having to check up on half the school, Quirrell's dying scream has terrorised some students to the point of sleeplessness even a sleeping drought can't help." Said replied before she turned and left the room.
"Mind if I have a sandwich?" Hermione asked handing him back his plate. "I'm suddenly really hungry."
"Like I could say no to you."
She stuck out her tongue and started eating, resting her head on his shoulder as she did.
"So Harry how are you doing with your Metamorphmagi changes?" Remus asked.
"It's going ok I don't need to focus as much to change, but I tend to loose control of my form under extreme emotion."
"He's been caught out wearing my clothes as Harry a few times." Hermione added. "We've been working on a fully female form for him that is different enough for nobody to recognise him unless they really know him."
"What's the longest you've been able to hold a full body shift?" Remus questioned.
"About 6 hours."
"Thats good, you've only been practicing for about a month." Remus smiled. "Sirius and Minerva are really happy with your progress in your classes as well, it would seem that Hermione's influence is just what you needed."
"Well, I'm just bolstering what's already there." Hermione smiled. "I think it's the removal of Ronald's bad influence, he hates studying."
"Well it shows you've risen to the top of the year, both of you are showing an excellent understanding of every subject." He smiled at them. "I get the feeling Lily's notes are helping."
"They are amazing it's like having a personal tutor in every subject." Hermione beamed. "I can't believe she kept them, let alone had the forethought to set them aside for Harry."
"You're welcome," Remus replied. "I suggested the chest to James when he told me they were going into hiding, just in case the worst happened and as much as it hurt Lily to admit it might be needed she agreed that it was best to keep the items they left for you at Gringotts rather than at Potter Cottage."
"Thank you Uncle Remus, why don't you go and get some rest?" Harry said getting up and setting the empty plate on the dressing table. "Madam Pomfrey has given me a clean bill of health after all."
"Indeed she has, I shall leave the two of you in peace." He replied stating the notebook he had been reading down on the table beside the armchair. "I'll see you in transfiguration tomorrow."
Harry got back into bed and drifted back off to sleep in Hermione's arms, the rest of December passed quickly for them, an Auror was sent from the ministry to replace Quirrell until a more suitable replacement could be found.